Bloodlines
The mysterious stranger's eyes suddenly shot open. His vision was blurred and his head was killing him. He looked around and saw that he was in a bedchamber. A Red Shard knight was in the room with a bowl and clean bandages preparing to redress his wounds. He wore strange armor and he did not know him. The stranger quickly closed his eyes. The knight removed the bloodied bandages and a look of surprise appeared on his face. There was no longer a gash on his head, just some blood. "In the name of…"
The stranger's eyes popped open and he grabbed the knight by the throat. The stranger rose from the bed and lifted the knight in the air. "Where am I? Is this Kandor? Am I in the Crystal Palace?" The stranger demanded.
The knight quickly drew a boot dagger and stabbed the stranger in the shoulder but the blade shattered on his skin. The stranger growled and threw the knight threw the stone wall into the next bedchamber. A woman and children screamed.
The stranger put on his torn dirty shirt, walked through the hole in the wall and up to the unconscious knight. He removed the knight's sword. "What?" The stranger said as he examined the sword. The craftsmanship was similar to Tahrao but the hilt was red and silver. Then he heard running and shouting outside.
A woman was in the corner holding her two children. The stranger looked at them sympathetically but then two Red Shard knights burst into the adjoining bedchamber and gaped at the hole in the wall. "In here!" The woman cried and the knights looked through the hole.
The stranger ran out the door and down the hall with the knights following. Then the man disappeared in a blur. "By Rao! Sound the alarm!"
Conner was now relying more on speed than strength as he perfectly parried a thrust and spun around to hit Kal-El on the arm. He grunted when struck. "Good! One day you may make a fine knight of the Red Shard." Kal-El ruffled Conner's hair, both of them smiling. Then a bell rung from the tower and their smiles disappeared. Commander Ak-Var and ten Red Shard knights rushed into the courtyard.
"Your guest awoke and attacked Kroll-Zan. He is loose within the palace." Ak-Var said.
"My wife and daughter." Kal-El said urgently as he rushed for his clothes. He tossed Connor his shirt and boots. Kal-El put on his shirt and boots, ignoring his doublet, and he drew his sword from its scabbard on his sword belt.
"Captain Tam-Or is with them with more knights. And Viscount Kent is with them." Ak-Var said and Kal-El made a sigh of relief.
"Conner, stay close to me." Kal-El said and Conner nodded. Then the courtyard doors burst open and the knights drew their swords. Connor still held his wooden training sword. Kal-El pushed Conner behind him.
"Seyg-El! Seyg-El!" The stranger entered the courtyard shouting. "I demand an audience with the king!" He shouted. Kal-El took a step forward but Ak-Var stopped him and Conner tugged on his sleeve.
Kal-El motioned for them to step aside and they reluctantly did. He gave Conner a wink and stepped forward. The knights made a gap for him to walk through. Four knights had crossbows aimed at the stranger and the rest had their swords raised. Kal-El appeared in front of the group with his sword raised. The stranger looked confused. "Jor-El?" He asked and Kal-El tilted his head to the side for a moment.
"No. Jor-El is dead. Now who are you and why are you attacking my knights?" Kal-El asked.
"Who are you?" The stranger raised his sword and the knights twitched. Kal-El motioned for them to hold. Ak-Var held back Conner.
"I am Kal-El, the first of his name, king of Krypton. Now who are you?" Kal-El asked again.
"Where is Seyg-El?" The stranger demanded.
"Seyg-El has been dead for more than seventy years now." Kal-El said.
"What?" The stranger said. He lowered his sword and ran his hand through his hair confused. "Seventy years… Seventy winters." The stranger had brown hair and blue eyes. He and Kal-El were the same height but the stranger was more muscular. He had a stubble and long black shaggy hair. "And his son, Jor-El?"
"Jor-El I is dead. As are all his sons. As I have told you before, I am the son of Jor-El II. I am the king of Krypton… Now who are you? I am beginning to lose my patience and you are frightening my ward." Kal-El said. The stranger turned and saw the young boy being protected by the knights.
"Forgive me." The stranger said. He pointed the blade down and kneeled. "I am called Bar-El, son of Sul-El II and Duke of Argo… Well no longer a duke. I gave up that title long ago it seems."
"Are you mad…? Bar-El died at the Battle of Xan near a hundred years ago. He and hundreds of soldiers burned with the city." Kal-El said.
Bar-El chuckled. "Yes, I was at the Battle of Xan and the only soldiers that burned with the city were those of Alia-Zod…and I believe that you already knew that." He said.
Kal-El carefully approached him slightly lowering his sword. "Seyg-El had wounds from the battle on his hip or thigh?" Kal-El asked.
"Both. The wound was from a single stroke extending from his hip to his thigh." Bar-El said.
"How did Seyg-El pick the name for the Order of the Red Shard?" Kal-El asked. Only those that studied Seyg-El's journals knew the answer to that question.
"Red for the red sun of Krytpon and from the shards of his shattered shield from his duel with Zod." Bar-El answered.
"What weapon did Seyg-El make just for Zod VII?" Kal-El asked.
"It was no weapon. He was the creator of gauntlets. He made his from Kryptium so he could harm Zod." Bar-El answered.
Kal-El lowered his sword and looked at Bar-El with amazement. "They say you and your wife were killed in the battle." Kal-El said.
"We could not just tell people what great task Seyg-El asked of us after the battle… Can you tell them to lower their weapons? I have seen too much bloodshed in my lifetime." Bar-El said. Kal-El motioned for them to lower their weapons and they all slowly did.
"Father?" Conner asked.
"Go and find your mother." Kal-El said.
"But…" Conner protested. Kal-El pointed to the door and Conner stomped out of the training area.
"Forgive him. He has a temper like that of his mother." Kal-El said.
"So did my children." Bar-El said and then had a somber look on his face. "I must speak with you of a great and urgent matter." Kal-El nodded. He retrieved his doublet and they left the courtyard together with the knights keeping a close watch on Bar-El.
Conner burst into his parents' chambers. "Conner Kent, do not slam that door!" Lois said fiercely. Conner slowly closed the door and she then tightly embraced him. "Where were you? I was so worried." He pushed himself out of her grip groaning.
"I was with father when Ak-Var and the man came. He said his name is Bar-El." Conner said.
Lois put down her sheathed sword. She had retrieved it when the alarm was sounded. "Stay here with your brother and sister." Conner groaned. "Stay." She commanded sternly and left the chamber.
"We attacked Xan when we learned of Alia's plot to release Zod from the Phantom Zone. We captured her and Zod's nobles and banished them to the Phantom Zone. We knew that there were others in the plot but they escaped. Sam, Samuel Kent that is, Seyg-El and I came up with a plan… He and Kent would hunt these traitors and I would guard them in the Zone." Bar-El explained.
"What of your wife?" Kal-El asked pouring them two goblets of wine. He wore his doublet but it was open with its laces untied. He had put back on his sword belt.
"She chose to come with me even though I forbade her. Lilo never listens…listened." Bar-El said and took a sip of wine. "Time moves much slower in the Zone… I believed only ten years had past but it has truly been over 100." Bar-El took a large gulp of wine and sighed. "But we needed an advantage over the Zoners. Seyg-El blessed us with the powers of the Crystal before he split it back into the three pieces that made it."
"But how could you use them in the Zone?" Kal-El asked. Bar-El motioned to the victory ring on Kal-El's left hand.
"In this world, the crystal on that ring takes away the power. In the Zone, it gives back the powers." Bar-El said.
"Where is yours?" Kal-El asked seeing that his fingers were bare.
Bar-El rubbed his bare ring finger. "It was taken from me… They took my Lilo as well." Bar-El said somberly. He ran his hand up his face and through his hair. "I went after them even though I was powerless. And when I did catch up to them I overheard a terrible plot." At that moment Lois burst into the chamber Bar-El was being cared for in earlier.
"What in the name of the gods is going on? First, the alarm sounds frightening Kara. I could not find Connor and now Connor tells me that the madman loose in the palace is kin to us. What happened to the wall?!" She looked through the large hole in the wall. "And who are you?" Lois ranted with her hands on her hips.
Bar-El stood. "Bar-El, son of Sul-El II and Warden of the Phantom Zone." He said and bowed his head. Lois's eyes widened.
"Is he serious? The Zone has a warden?" Lois asked Kal-El, who nodded.
"So it would seem. My wife, Lois. Lois, Bar-El." Kal-El said. Bar-El and Lois nodded to each other once. "Lois, Bar-El came here to warn us."
"Warn us about what?" Lois asked.
"If I may go on…" Bar-El said. Lois sat down across from Kal-El and Bar-El sat back down. "My wife and I were patrolling when we were ambushed. In the fray, our victory rings were forced from our fingers and they took my wife." Lois looked sympathetic. "I followed them to a camp site and what I saw is why I rushed to the portal." He downed the remaining contents of his goblet.
"What did you see?" Lois asked.
"An army. A vast army comprised of I believe every prisoner of the Zone." Bar-El said. Kal-El and Lois exchanged worried glances. "The banners of Zod were all over the camp. He plans to drain my wife dry to open the portal and return to conquer Krypton… And I feel this is all my doing." Bar-El rubbed his temples.
"You must not blame yourself." Lois said sympathetically.
"But I must… When Dru-Zod II was banished to the Zone, he and Zod VII went to war for control over the Zone. I turned a blind eye and told Lilo to do the same. I thought they would wipe each other out. But Dru-Zod was the victor and he took control of his forefather's forces. That is when he must have begun building this army." Bar-El sighed. "This is all my doing."
"How can Zod use her blood if your wife is only an El due to your union?" Lois asked.
"Lilo bore me three children. One stillborn son and a healthy son and daughter." Bar-El sighed. "I lost my children, my sister, and my cousins to the war. Lilo is all I have left now."
"No she is not. You have us now." Kal-El said and Bar-El nodded somberly. It was not the same as the family he once knew but they were still blood. "How long before the army comes?" He asked.
"Zod and his war council spoke of spies sent ahead to amass weapons, wealth, influence. If caught, these spies were commanded to take their own lives." Bar-El said. Kal-El and Lois exchanged glances. "What is it?"
"For the past year, many of our laws have been broken in Urrika." Kal-El said. "And all those arrested have taken their lives before trial. I have knights leaving for Urrika in the morrow to meet with the sheriff there to arrest another lawbreaker."
"Those were Zod's spies following their command. I do not know how many he sent back but they were told to infiltrate your court and this city as well." Bar-El said. Kal-El stroked his mustache and considering the situation. Lois said nothing.
"Jon-Tel!" Kal-El called and he entered the chamber. "Assemble the captains and lieutenants of the Red Shard in the morrow. Send for my cousin in the morrow. And find some new chambers for my guest to sleep in as well." Jon-Tel nodded and left the chamber. "Is there anything else you may know of this invasion?"
"Only that they would be prepared in a matter of weeks." Bar-El said. Kal-El and Lois exchanged worried glances. "Fret not. In this world, weeks there are months here. But they are coming."
"Commander, captains, and lieutenants of the Red Shard, I have summoned you all here for an old enemy is returning to conquer Krypton and dethrone me." Kal-El said and the knights murmured among themselves.
"Who is this old enemy?" Raya asked.
"The House of Zod." Kal-El answered and murmuring began again.
"The last of the House of Zod was banished to the Phantom Zone by Zor-El many years ago and their portal destroyed. Is this a real threat?" Commander Ak-Var asked.
"Yes. Zod has amassed a vast army in the Phantom Zone. He plans to escape and return to Krypton. And he has sent spies back to carry out his works before his return and some may be here at court." Kal-El said and the murmuring began again. "I have sent for J'onn J'onzz. If anyone can discreetly find the spies here, it is he." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I want you all to help him in his search. The less who know of these spies, the better. The queen and I shall inform the Council and War Council of the threat in the morrow. We shall send word to the generals of the realms to begin raising the Royal Army with false plans to invade Thanagar. I command you not tell your friends or loved ones." Kal-El said and everyone nodded. He motioned for them to leave. They all left the chamber and only Raya remained. "Yes?"
"I believe now is the time for you to reconcile with the queen. When it comes to the House of Zod…many lives will be lost and you do not want any regrets." Raya said and he nodded once. She bowed and left the chamber. Kal-El caressed his locket of Lois.
The Council and War Council knew something was amiss when Kal-El commanded all Red Shard knights to leave the council chamber and only for only their leaders to enter the hall. All became pale as ghosts when he informed them of the coming invasion from the Phantom Zone. The War Council quickly got over the shock; they are soldiers, after all; but it took the Council awhile longer. The War Council then decided against sending the troops to Thanagar.
Lois's heart increased as they spoke of raising the Royal Army once more. Kal-El saw that she was concerned and he took her left hand. She did not recoil but held his hand. They both hated war but this war now was for their own survival. He caressed her knuckles and her heart rate slowed somewhat. Kal-El ended the session by commanding them all not to repeat a word of what was told to anyone, especially to their loved ones.
Kal-El paced in his and Lois's chambers while Lois sat down. Kal-El then felt like he should break the ice. "You look beautiful." He said softly and Lois acknowledged his comment by simply nodding once. "I am just trying to make conversation, Lois."
"If you wish to make conversation, why not send for Raya?" Lois said coldly.
"This has nothing to do with Raya." Kal-El said and Lois scoffed. "I speak the truth and you know when I am lying." Lois crossed her arms. He took a deep breath. "Raya is not my mistress." Lois turned away from him. "Look at me! Look me in the eyes and you shall see I speak the truth." Lois refused to look at him. "I never lie to you."
Lois scoffed again. Kal-El forced her onto her feet and roughly kissed her. Lois pulled back and smacked him. She then rushed out of the chamber. Jon-Tel was about to knock on the chamber door when Lois rushed out. She did not give him time to bow and she just walked away with her bodyguards. "Um…J'onn J'onzz, Sire." Jon-Tel said, bowed and left.
Kal-El rubbed his cheek and motioned for J'onn to come forward. "Did I miss something?" J'onn asked. Kal-El sighed and stopped rubbing his cheek.
"Dru-Zod has sent spies to this city; to my court. I want you to find them and bring them to me breathing. Understood?" Kal-El asked and J'onn nodded. Kal-El motioned for him to leave.
Kal-El mounted Urvlsh with six Red Shard knights. He looked up and saw Lois watching from her bedchamber window. He kissed his fingers and held his hand up to her. She left the window and he sighed. The gate was raised and he rode out of the courtyard.
Kal-El returned a couple hours later and dismounted in front of the palace. Jon-Tel was waiting for him "The queen wishes to speak with you. She is in the royal chambers." He said quietly. Kal-El sighed and nodded. He handed Jon-Tel his red fur trimmed cloak and entered the palace.
"My lady, it is the king." Vala said and Lois nodded. She let Kal-El into the inner chamber and bowed to Kal-El. He nodded once to her. Lois then motioned for Vala to leave. When they were alone, she motioned for him to have a seat.
Kal-El untied the laces to his red doublet, leaned back on the edge of the table and crossed his arms. "So now I must be summoned to my…our own chambers." He said.
"Connor once more became frustrated at training today. You said you would speak to him." Lois said.
"I did speak to him and I shall handle Connor's training myself. May we speak of this later? I want to apologize for my actions this mor..." Kal-El said.
"Is our son not important?" Lois asked. He knew she was trying to change the subject and that he had to answer or they would be arguing all night.
"Yes, he is important but I want to…we need to speak about us. Things have not been well between us since Van…" Kal-El said. Lois cut him off again.
"We speak only of our children's upbringing and that is all. As I told you before, if you wish to have a conversation, speak to Raya." Lois said taking a sip of wine. Kal-El slammed the palm of his hand down onto the table. Lois did not flinch; she simply took another sip of wine.
"Raya is not my mistress. I have no mistress. The only woman I wish to have a conversation with is my wife, which you are." Kal-El said. He walked to her side of the table. "I just want you, Lois." He said softly.
Lois turned her head away from him but he reached down to caress her cheek. Her skin grew hot at his touch and she immediately stood. "I think it best that you leave now." She said upset and went into her adjoining bedchamber. Kal-El turned to leave but he stopped after only taking a few steps.
He then turned around and pushed opened the door to their bedchamber. She was standing in front of the fireplace and she turned to look at him. He quickly walked up to her, grabbed her shoulders and turned her around facing him. He kissed her but more tenderly than this morning.
Lois's eyes widened in shock but then they closed out of pleasure. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her fingers through her hair. Kal-El removed his doublet and Lois undid the laces to his trousers. He loosened the laces of her dress and pulled it down. They moved towards the bed kissing heatedly and fell down onto the feather bed.
"The queen has delivered… Kal-El…I am so sorry." Emil said and stepped out of the way. Kal-El cautiously enters the bedchamber to hear the sounds of a crying Vala and sees a bundle of bloodied blankets. A baby's hand sticks out of the bundle. Kal-El immediately turns away, putting his hand over his mouth to prevent himself from screaming and to quiet his sobs.
"Let me hold him." Lois said weakly.
"Leave… Leave!" Kal-El commanded. One of Emil's servants took away the bloody bundle and the bedchamber was cleared.
"Why does he not cry? Where is he? Clark, where is he?" He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand. His eyes were red and a single tear rolled down his cheek. "No… No. No. No!" She cried and he just held her.
Kal-El's eyes shot open and he was breathing heavily. He felt a hand that was not his own resting on his chest. He turned his head to his right and saw Lois sleeping peacefully besides him. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and took deep breaths to calm down his heart. Soon the memories of the previous night came flooding back.
They had made love for the first time in over a year. It was pleasurable but he could not help but feel that it had been empty. They had always made love with such passion and intimacy. But this was only lust and some passion. Even her kisses felt empty. He wanted this but it was just not the same.
He turned to his right and caressed her cheek with the back of his left hand. She did not stir. She was always a sound sleeper. Kal-El threw back the blanket and arose naked. He picked up a cloth and wiped all the sweat from his body. He opened the window a crack and could smell nothing so dawn was still hours away. He began to dress quietly, not wanting to wake Lois.
Kal-El then removed his victory ring and set it down on the mantle over her fireplace. He hovered a couple inches in the air just to make sure his powers were working. He opened the window and flew out after carefully closing the window behind him. There was one man he just needed to talk to.
The Batman of Gotham watched smugglers enter the Gotham City harbor through his lens and tube. He wore a gray brigandine with a symbol of a black bat on his chest and a black cape. He wore a black helm that had bat-like features including bat ears on the sides.
"It is not wise and it is rude as well to sneak up on someone." The Batman said hoarsely still watching the smugglers.
"And it is not wise for a king to do this every night even if he has an heir." Kal-El said floating a few feet over the Batman.
The Batman stood and removed his helm revealing Bruce Wayne. He ran his hand through his hair. "Do not bring my children into this." Bruce said in his somewhat deep voice. Kal-El landed softly onto the roof. "What happened with Lois now?" He asked putting away his lens and tube.
"We made love…and it was empty. I feel used. I am not saying it was not pleasurable but… I feel used." Kal-El said ranted. Bruce groaned.
"I consider you my brother in many ways but there are things that even blood brothers do not share." Bruce said.
"That is why I came to you. You are like my brother and I do not know who else I can speak to. I just need your counsel." Kal-El said.
Bruce sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Fine. First, get rid of that ridiculous thing on your face." Kal-El stroked his goatee. "Second, speak to her on the Day of Truth. I would. Let her know you still love her and tell that there is no other woman but her and say whatever else you like." Bruce said and put back on his helm.
"What is with you and Raya and the Day of Truth?" Kal-El complained.
"Well then, Lady Raya is a wise woman. Take her counsel and leave me be. Oh and quell the rumors of her being your mistress as well." Batman said hoarsely.
The Nightwing then appeared in a black brigandine with a symbol of some sort of bird in blue. "More problems with Lois." Nightwing said plainly and Batman nodded.
"Richard." Kal-El said and nodded once to him.
"You found them." Nightwing said to Batman, who nodded.
"They gave the harbor master a purse full of gold for his silence. I will send word to the captain of the guard in the morrow." Batman said.
"I shall leave you two to your affairs." Batman waved to him over his shoulder and he flew off.