Chapter 2
A messenger rode fast through the villages and grasslands of Genesis. He stopped when he saw his destination; Metropolis, capital of the kingdom of Genesis. He gave his horse a kick and began rushing again.
The messenger finally reached the city walls and was stopped by a guard. "State your business." The guard said with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I was sent from the frontlines to bring news from Krypton to His Majesty, the King." The messenger said out of breath.
"You will be taken to the castle with an escort." The guard said and four foot soldiers stood alongside the messenger's horse. The gates opened and they entered the city. Military barracks were visible everywhere.
The foot soldiers pushed people out of the way and continued onto the castle. They soon approached the draw bridge. "A messenger from the frontlines!" One of the soldiers screamed to the other side.
The draw bridge began to lower and the magnificent courtyard was visible. Knights exited the courtyard and created a perimeter around the messenger as beggars asked for money.
The messenger entered the courtyard and he was surprised to see who was there to meet him: General Samuel Lane. Lionel did offer him the rank of Earl of Sullivan but he turned it down saying that he was a man of war not a noblemen. The messenger dismounted and bowed before the famed general.
"What news do you bring from the frontlines?" Lane asked in his rough voice. He wore chain mail with a green tabard over the mail and a belt around his waist with his sword. The hood of the chain mail was down. The general also had a huge scar going down his left cheek from his time at the frontlines at the start of the war when he only a captain.
The messenger stood and whispered the message into his ear. Lane's face changed from rough to surprise. "Follow me." He said roughly and walked into the castle. The messenger followed him.
They seemed to go down endless hallways until they stopped at enormous oak doors guarded by two knights. "Let us through, we have urgent news for the King." The knights looked at each other and then they opened the doors.
It was the throne room. King Lionel Luthor of Genesis sat at his throne. He wore a black tunic with a fur robe. To his right was his only living son, Prince Alexander. Alexander rested the back of his head against the back of his chair, hidden from view.
Lionel held a cane in his hand from his duel with Jonathan. The sunlight reflected off Lionel's crown as they approached him. He was listening to his advisors talk about raising taxes again to fund the war when Samuel Lane entered the room.
Lane walked fast and a young man, who was covered in dirt, followed him. The young man wore a gray tunic and only wore silver chest armor, meaning he was a foot soldier. "Ah, General Lane, what is your hurry?" Lionel said.
Lane kneeled down onto one knee and the young man followed suit. "You're Majesty…this messenger brings news from the frontlines at Krypton." Lane stood up but the soldier continued to kneel.
"Well, what news do you bring?" The messenger was too nervous to speak and Lionel rolled his eyes. "SPEAK!" Lionel yelled and everyone in the room jumped except Alexander.
"We have successfully taken the city of Smallville and have set up defenses if Krypton retaliates." The messenger said nervously.
"I doubt you rode all the way from the frontlines to tell me this. I have had kill soldiers for less." Lionel said holding his wooden cane in front of him.
"There is more, You're Majesty. The Duke of Kent is dead and Prince Kal-El has been crowned the new King of Krypton." The messenger said more confident this time. Alexander smiled in the background.
The advisors began muttering but Lionel began to laugh. Everyone turned to look at Lionel. "You're Majesty?" Someone asked.
"I am fine but this is perfect. A boy now sits on the throne. At least his father and uncle were men. His father was weak and I did admire his uncle, but they were men. Krypton is ours for the taking and then Star City." Lionel smiled.
"I believe it is too early to start planning the victory celebrations, father." Alexander commented. He leaned forward into the light and everyone looked at the bald prince. He wore a black tabard over his chain mail and the tabard bore the crest of the House of Luthor. The hood of his chain mail was down revealing the circlet of the crowned prince on his brow.
"Do you challenge me? Do not forget who wears the crown." Lionel replied harshly.
"No, father. I am only doing what you taught me; never underestimate your enemies because it will be your downfall." Alexander said.
Lionel slowly stood and groaned as he did. "Curse the Duke of Kent for giving me this wound." Lionel muttered to himself. A manservant was about to help him but he pushed him away. Alexander stood as well and Lionel then turned to face him.
"Lex, I will worry about the war and our affairs of state. You will worry about your wife conceiving an heir to this throne that will one day be yours but not anytime soon." He smiled at Alexander and patted his cheek.
Alexander then gave his father a dirty look as Lionel sat back down on his throne quietly groaning. Alexander sat back down as well. "Tell me soldier, who sent you to tell me this news?" Lionel asked leaning on his cane.
The messenger was nervous at first but then he took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Lois Lane; better known as Countess Lois Lane at court, You're Majesty." The messenger said. The advisors began to mutter again and Samuel Lane looked surprised.
"My daughter was at the Battle of Smallville?" Lane asked grabbing the messenger by the collar.
"Yes, sir. She was the one who lead the regiment that penetrated the wall of the stronghold and captured the Mayor of Smallville." The messenger said.
"General Lane, release this soldier." Lionel said with a smile. Lane glared at the soldier and reluctantly released him. "Now I have a job for you, soldier. You will return to Smallville and tell the Countess to return to Metropolis with this same regiment immediately. Tell her that she and these soldiers are to be knighted."
The advisors began to mutter again. "SILENCE! I do not care what you imbeciles think. I make the decisions and my word is law for I am King!" Lionel exclaimed and his words echoed throughout the throne room. "What is your name, soldier?"
"Sergeant Wesley Keenan, You're Majesty." The soldier answered.
"Were you among these men?" Lionel asked.
"Yes. I am in the same regiment as Lieutenant Lane, You're Majesty." Keenan answered.
"Come forward, Keenan." Lionel motioned for him to come forward and he went before him. Lionel then motioned for him to kneel and Keenan kneeled down onto one knee.
Lionel motioned at a manservant, who appeared holding Lionel's sword. Lionel pulled his sword from his sheath and held it up high.
"By the grace of Genesis and with the blessing of King Lionel of Genesis, I knight thee Sir Wesley Keenan." Lionel tapped both of Wesley's shoulders with the blade of his sword. "Now rise, Sir Wesley Keenan."
Wesley stood and Lionel handed his sword back to the manservant. "Thank you, You're Majesty. You do me a great honor."
"And you shall also be given the rank of Lieutenant so I may give the Countess the new rank of Captain so she may be the new commander of your regiment." Lionel said and everyone gave each other looks.
"Thank you once more, You're Majesty." Wesley said.
"Now my servants will take you to a private chamber, where you will bathe and you shall sleep here as well but tonight you dine with me and tell me all about how you stormed the stronghold. Until tonight, Sir Wesley." Lionel said.
Lionel motioned for him to leave with a servant. "If there is no more business to discuss, then I will retire." Lionel slowly stood again, supporting himself with his cane. Alexander stood as well but he exited through the side door.
Later that night after dinner
Alexander walked to his wife's quarters and he burst into the room. The handmaidens jumped but not his wife. "Out!" He shouted to the ladies and they quickly exited the chambers. He slammed the door as they hurried out. He now wore a black tunic with his circlet.
Princess Consort Helen Bryce was reading when her husband burst into their chambers. They met a few years ago when he was wounded in battle and she was the physician, which is not common among women in Genesis. "Calm yourself, Alexander. A king should not be so quick-tempered." She said and she continuing reading her book.
Alexander took a deep breath and leaned on a table for support. "The Duke of Kent is dead. Clark is now King of Krypton." He said and Helen immediately closed her book. "If only Kent had killed my father, then the throne would be mine."
"Strange…" Helen said curious.
"What is strange, my love?" Alexander asked pouring himself some wine.
"You called him Clark. You haven't called him by that name since Lucas died. Having concerns for your old friend?" Helen asked standing and moving towards her husband.
He downed the whole goblet of wine and looked at her. "He is Kal-El, King of Krypton, which makes him my enemy and nothing more. Is that clear?" Alexander grabbed his wife by the throat and yet she did not flinch.
She smiled at him and caressed his face. He then kissed her fiercely and she returned the kiss. Then Alexander pulled away grabbing his lip, which was now bleeding. She smiled seductively and he smiled devilishly.
Helen began to walk away but Alexander grabbed her and lifted into his arms. They went into the bed chamber and he placed her on the bed. He then kissed her fiercely again. "Father, has again reminded me that I need an heir." Alexander said and kissed her.
"I will give you a son but you must be patient that is why we lost the last child." She answered and caressed his face. Alexander removed his black tunic and then the white shirt he was wearing underneath it.
He pulled out a dagger and cut a long slit in the back of Helen's dress. The fragments of the dress fell onto the floor. He threw the dagger and it impacted into the wall. They then kissed fiercely again.