Chapter two
Nothing sir we just got into a little scuffle that's all.
Exactly what was the cause, of the so-called scuffle that it would lead to fighting?
Well sir, my friends and I were talking to two young girls and out of nowhere this girl right there,(gesturing to the darker girl) starts shouting at us then she knocks down one of my friends, we try to help him yet she knocks another one of us down.
The general turned his head and looks at the girl very seriously.
Is what this boy is saying true young lady?
Yes, but he's ly-
What have I told you, about fighting lady. Anything else happen?
Yes sir, as I said she knocked down a couple of my friends and then this kid, (gesturing to Kent) bull rushed my friend after we just helped him up so, you see sir those two are the cause of the fight not us.
Kent is this true?
Yes, sir but the boy is lying sir as the young lady would have told you these boys were picking on two girls until she intervened she shouted them to stop what they were doing and proceeded to surround her, then one of the boys attacked She defended herself knocking the boy to the ground however, the other boys joined in I saw this from across the way so I rushed over to help and I did bull rush a boy to the ground.
Then I told them, to leave her alone as well as her friends this boy statement is wrong because he told me, the only thing girls were good for is cleaning house and breeding and that's when they attacked us sir.
Is that so, Kent well Drao, I will be having words with your father this evening yours as well Luthor. Guard's escort these boys back to their mothers and advise them, that I will be speaking to them about this incident.
Yes sir.
The soldiers gathered up the boys and escorted them back to their mothers but not before Drao and Luthor sneered at the General and said, you will be punished for this you forget your place.
A crowded marketplace was silenced by the boy's words yet they knew that's all they were just words even though the boy is Vrangian, he should treat adults with respect. The market resumed its activity people going about their own business keeping the peace even though with incidents like that a constant reminder of what they all had lost.
A young woman made her way through the market and stood in front of the General.
Sweetheart is everything alright?
Yes sweetheart, everything is fine just a little scuffle as for you young lady your mother and I ask you to keep a closer eye on your cousin and little sister.
Yes sir I know I was but I was also getting some things for mom's shopping list and turned around and those boys were picking on them.
Excuse me, general I don't mean to speak out of place but she is correct I happen to see her shopping. That is when the whole incident took place sir.
(The General breathed deep)
Fair enough Kent, continue with what you were doing earlier and then return your quarters.
Kent nods his head and turns back to the market.
Young man
He turns looking at the young woman.
Thank you, for coming to the aid my daughter and her sister and cousin.
You're welcome my lady it's the duty of all knights to aid those in need although; your daughter seems to take care of herself quite well.
He smiles at the young girl she smiles back and then he returns to the task looking for an anniversary gift for his parents somewhere in this marketplace.
Sam who was that young boy?
Clark Kent Jonathan and Martha's young boy.
Well it seems he is every bit his father and mother I sense great things from him.
As do I my love.
Unbeknownst to them, their eldest daughter watched the young boy as he moved through the marketplace she was a bit upset when he intervened at first but the way they fought off all those boys they made a pretty good team than hearing his words warmed her heart.
Weeks have passed since the incident the young girl would look out on to the train yard seen her father and soldiers trained these boys they work hard the General trained them from sun up to sundown preparing them, to face any challenge whether it be on the field of battle or for their own personal well being to become great men that if ever fate should call, upon them they would be ready to face any challenge.
Lois sweetheart, stop staring out the window I know how badly you would like to be out there helping your father but we have our own tasks that must get done.
Yes mother, I know you're right I just don't like being cooped up.
I understand sweetie believe me, lane women are fighters strong and yet sometimes we must be ladies even though it's difficult at times.
Yes, it is mother women not meant just for cleaning house and breeding were destined for more.
Cleaning house and breeding who told you this nonsense?
Drao, believes that's all girls are good for that was the reason for the fight.
Vrangian fool hardy pigheaded nonsense, sweetheart Vrangian's, do not know the first thing on how to treat a lady with respect all they know is cruelty. A woman's true purpose is to stand strong keep balance and yes women must breed but only for love of their beloved not to just satisfy lustful conquest that is not love that is emptiness. Standing on equal footing with their beloved that sweetheart is a woman's true purpose.
Mother a woman must wait for their beloved to know love.
No, not always sweetheart love is the greatest power of all and throughout your life you will experience love in many ways it is very beautiful not to be mistreated as Vrangians see it, some day you will find your beloved and experience a love greater than anything it cannot be broken destroyed or conquered its true and Eternal.
How will I know, if they are my beloved mother?
That's easy sweetheart you feel in your heart and your heart's beat as one and only then will you know it's true.
Knock knock
They both turned to the sound of the kitchen door, and there he stood holding a pile of firewood.
Forgive me for intruding my lady I was instructed to bring firewood.
Thank you, Clark isn't that heavy?
Not all my lady my family has a farm so, I'm pretty used to it like my father says hard work keeps a man honest.
How do you explain the Vrangians actions it took them a lot of hard work to do what they've done?
Lois!
Vrangians are not honest they took what didn't belong to them, killed the king and queen but I promise you lady lane, that my fellow knights and I will bring peace and make as it once was only this time it will be greater than before you have my word.
His words were said with such strong conviction and determination it was something the kingdom had been missing since the days of King Jor-El and Queen Lara.
If you'll excuse me, my lady I have chores to complete
Of course Clark and thank you again.
He nodded politely to both of them, exiting the kitchen to complete his chores Ella watched her daughter closely and smiled a sweet smile for she knew as her daughter could not yet see just yet perhaps when they are both ready they'll know. An hour later the general comes walking into the kitchen kisses his wife and little girls has they were baking he looks over and sees his eldest daughter looking out into the trading yard he turns to his wife, she smiles a knowing smile he in turn understand.
Several months of past training was well in full swing the boys were learning a great deal horsemanship, strategy tactics the basics of hand to hand combat tracking skills understanding one's environment most importantly however the boys learned nature and what it provided living within the balance of nature and never taking it for granted because nature not only provides protection food and shelter water and so forth nature can be dangerous if mistreated or taken for granted. These are things the General instilled in each of his knights over the years nature is an ally never treated like anything less.
Their training also included general study from art, history science, mathematics, astronomy, archaeology, and literature a deeper appreciation for what it mean to be a knight serving for noble cause instead of a foolish one.
Most of the boys favorite the basic and a hand combat tracking skills sword play and horsemanship Clark on the other hand enjoyed all aspects of study his parents taught him many things about the land about doing the right thing for others even a little bit about the stars. Clark wanted to be more than just a night he desired to inspire people much like his father did knowing that the greatest power of person can have is wisdom and respect for that wisdom knowing when to battle for noble reasons never to abuse that wisdom for one's own personal Glory.
Lois saw Clark sitting under a tree reading one of his many books she ventured over to join him, they had become good friends over the past several months they would squabble from time to time but they were children.
Hey smallville, Clark looked up from his book and smirked rolling his eyes because of the name she called him, it was a term she would often use, because he was not yet Smalvalians knight why she chose such a name for him, was a mystery although he would never admit to anyone especially her that he liked it. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with her, she made him laugh and she made him feel at home that is quite strange to him but he enjoyed it.
Hey lojo.
He had taken to calling her lojo which was a mixture of her first name Lois and middle name Joanne witch combined made Lojo, she never seem to mind the name much they spent afternoons having lunch talking joking even went off exploring as a training exercise which the General didn't seem to mind. This particular afternoon however was quite different they were in the middle of one of their many conversations or bantering matches as others like to call them.
Clark.. Clark... come quickly you to Lois you must see this..
See what James.
They said in Unison.
It's not something I can explain it's something that needs to be seen quickly.
Grabbing the remainder of their lunches and rushed to dispose of them, to see what all the excitement was about sure enough as they reach the top of the hill following James they saw him Lucian von, one of Zod military commanders dragging prisoners known as Woad battered and bruised nearly dead to be dragged before Zod.
As an example of any who opposed them would share the same fate people looked on in great despair for the land had truly become that much darker and whoever that person was deserved better than the treatment they would receive at the hands, Zod and his Vrangians Clark and Lois along with James and the other boy's looked on with great sorrow for today began a much greater battles that would change all of them for years to come.
Clark and Lois looked each other and squeezed each other's hand for they knew these events would mean one thing battle was coming and they would be separated.