To the Death
General Fine was scouting the wall with a lens and tube when he saw a white flag being waved from the top of the wall. "Kara." Fine said. He tossed her the lens and tube and pointed towards the wall. She looked through it and then carefully passed it to Kal-El.
Kal-El looked through the lens and tube and then tossed it back to General Fine. "This is a stall tactic, no doubt." He said.
"Good. We caught them off guard as planned. They will not have much time to prepare a proper battle plan." Carter said.
Bruce rode up to them on his black stallion and Kal-El looked at him. "It is done. Diana and Orin are ready. They are waiting for our signal." Bruce said and Kal-El nodded once. The city's great iron gates opened. Thirteen horsemen exited the city followed by the eight thousand troops, who took up battle formations. Luthor stood out in his gold colored armor.
"I doubt they are coming to welcome us or better yet, surrender." Oliver said and the friends chuckled. Oliver had a quiver full of arrows on his back and his bow hung off the quiver. He wore a sword belt that held his black and gold hilted dual swords. He wore a green gambeson and hauberk, a black leather cuirass and green cape. "Shall we ride out to meet them?"
Carter nodded with a grin. Each king pointed to an ensign bearing their banner. "Captain Ak-Var, Peter, you ride with me." Kal-El said. They nodded once and Ak-Var pointed to ten Red Shard knights, who acknowledge his silent command with a single nod. "Lois, stay here. We do not want Lex to see you just yet." Lois nodded. Then the 16 of them rode ahead to meet them.
The two groups met in the middle of the field. The knights and ensigns stopped while their leaders trotted a few feet ahead of them. Carter and Bruce removed their helms and put them under their arms. Kal-El wore no helm. Their ensigns wore hauberks, leather cuirasses or brigandines depending on their realm, and open face helms.
Kal-El wore his black hauberk, dark gray breast and back plate, black trousers and boots, red and blue checkered tabard and his red cape, circlet over his coif and his sword belt. Bruce wore his gray hauberk and gray steel cuirass, and a gray spectacle helm, his sword belt, and black cape. Carter wore his bronze cuirass, black trousers and boots, his hawk's head half helm, and his red cape with the great black hawk wings on its back. Peter wore a silver hauberk and steel cuirass, blue tabard and cape, and his sword belt.
Lex kept his left hand on the reins. His war crown was set upon an open face helm. Lex tilted his head to the side when he saw how pale Kal-El was. "You are looking ill, Kal-El. Perhaps you should go home and see your physician." Lex said.
"You should look to your own health, Lex." Kal-El replied coldly and Lex chuckled. "It is in your best interest and that of your men that you lay down your arms and surrender. You are greatly outnumbered and there is no need for bloodshed."
Lex scoffed. "Did you believe I would look upon your army and tremble. Well I am going to have to disappoint you, Kal, for you are nothing more than a thorn in my side. And thorns can be easily removed."
"Have care how you speak, Luthor, for they shall be your last words as king." Peter said and Lex sucked his teeth.
"Your father was not fit to wear the crown or to rule any kingdom. William's recklessness nearly bankrupted this kingdom and there were many who wished him ill besides my father. My father saved this kingdom and Zor-El tried to destroy his work. Who are you to say that I am worse than William Ross? Are you any better?" Lex asked.
"I am my father's son but I am not my father. Listen to Kal-El and surrender now. You cannot win this fight." Peter said.
"Your overconfidence will be your downfall, Your Grace." Lex said the title in a joking manner. He and Slade chuckled while General Lane was silent.
"Is your sword as quick as your mouth, Luthor?" Peter asked.
"It is quicker. Much too swift for you, oung Peter… Is that a challenge?" Lex asked.
Slade then leaned over to whisper something in Lex's ear. "My king, is this wise? My men can fend them off until you and the queen are safely away." Slade whispered.
"Yes but this whelp can give us more than enough time to load the ships." Lex whispered. "As I was saying…is it or is it not a challenge? Or are you a coward? A dog that is all bark and no bite." He taunted.
Peter tightened his grip on the reins and Kal-El put his left hand on Peter's right shoulder. "Is this really what you want, Peter? Do not hasten you decision out of anger. The city could be ours by nightfall." Kal-El whispered.
"Yes but at what cost? Hundreds, perhaps thousands of men will die to take the city by nightfall and that great a loss will affect each and every one of us. This way allows for the bloodshed to come from only two men…and I am calm." Peter whispered.
"I am waiting, Prince Peter." Lex said intentionally tapping his fingers against his war crown. The sounds of his fingers tapping against his father's war crown were ringing loud in Peter's ears.
"I, Peter of the House of Ross, son of William, and heir to the throne of Argos, challenge you, Alexander Luthor to single combat upon the field of battle. The reward shall be total surrender. Do you accept this challenge…or are you a coward?" Peter asked with his head held high.
Lex sucked his teeth. "I accept but the fight shall be to the death. And when I kill you, your allies will turn around and leave my realm…and Krypton will surrender." Lex said smirking. Everyone cut their eyes to Peter and Kal-El. Peter looked at Kal-El, who nodded once.
"To the death." Peter said and Lex smirked. Lex then turned his horse around and headed back to the city with his generals and his knights. Peter turned his horse around and began galloping back to the army. The others followed him.
Peter dismounted and his squire took the reins of his horse. Oliver was the first to speak. "Are you mad?" Oliver and the others dismounted their horses. "Luthor is just using you to give him more time to form an escape plan. You do not even know if you can defeat him, let alone kill him."
"I am sorry that you have so little faith in me. I do not know you all very well but I know Cla…Kal-El. We have trained together for most of our lives. I know how to fight. And I am not just fighting for my throne of my forefathers. I am fighting to save my friend and brother-in-arms. Now get out of my way." Peter said.
Oliver and Carter stepped aside and Peter walked past them. The soldiers were already whispering to each other about the duel. "Do you ever know when to stop speaking?" Carter asked Oliver. Oliver opened his mouth to answer but Carter held up his hand. "Do not answer that for I already know." Clark patted both their shoulders and followed after Peter.
Peter had gone over and down the hill to the makeshift camp they had secretly set up the night before. He entered the tent they were using as an armory. He found a suitable bascinet helm and grabbed a heater shield.
Clark entered the armory with Lois right behind him. She had hardly left his side for days. Peter gave them a quick glance, thought of Lana, but then went back to preparing. Clark did not ever have to ask when he looked at Lois, she nodded and she stepped outside the tent. "There is nothing you can say to change my mind, Clark."
"It is a good thing I am not here to change it." Clark said and Peter looked at him. "This is as much your battle as it is Krypton's." He placed his hands on Peter's shoulders. "I would have challenged Lex if I were fit… Now you need a sword."
"I have a sword." Peter said. Clark raised the tent flap and Lois came back in with a long, wrapped object in her hands. Peter put down the helm and shield.
"Your father's sword. The sword that has never seen battle and is heavy from the jewels in the hilt. You need a better sword." Clark said and she handed the wrapped object to Peter. Peter could feel the hilt of the sword and he grabbed the grip letting the wrappings fall to the ground. He marveled at the magnificent sword in his hand.
The sword had a dark red hilt and grip, and the pommel was the head of a lion made from gold. There were gold etchings on both sides of the blade. "Pick me up when you need me." Peter read the etchings. He flipped the sword over. "Cast me away when you want me."
"A sword worthy of a prince or better yet…a king. I was saving it for a special day but today you need it." Clark said. Lois linked her right arm with Clark's left. Peter twirled the sword in his hand twice and then lunged, stabbing the air with a perfect thrust.
Peter stood straight and admired the sword once again. "It has almost perfect balance." Peter said. "This is not steel or iron."
"No, Kryptium. Just like what my own sword is forged from and the swords of that of my forefathers and fellow knights. It seemed only fitting that your own sword be forged from the same metal." Clark said.
"I cannot accept this. I am not worthy of it." Peter tried to hand it back but Clark held his right hand up. He and Lois unlinked their arms and he took a step forward.
"Luthor's blade has left its mark on my flesh." Clark put his hand on his chest, exactly where his scar was. "His blade must be made from Kryptium as well to get through my armor. I know Lex and that is why I want you to be prepared for anything." Clark said.
"And if Luthor breaks his word, the army is prepared to defend you. You are not alone in this fight, my prince." Lois said. Peter nodded and stuck the sword into the ground. He unsheathed his father's sword and stuck it into the ground next to the new one. He then sheathed the new sword.
"Here, a dagger to go with your sword." Lois removed a dagger from the back of her sword belt. The dagger looked like a miniature version of his new sword. He removed the dagger from his sword belt and swapped it for the new one. "God be with you." She said and Peter nodded once.
The Metropolis gates opened and Lex rode in with his generals and knights. The knights rode back to the palace to continue to search for Prince Alexander. Lex and the generals dismounted in front of the armory. "The boy is more foolish than I thought. But I had hoped Kal-El would challenge me." Lex said as they entered the armory.
"Yes. King Kal-El is a more worthy opponent for Your Grace and not this exiled prince but I am confident you can easily slay him." Slade said.
"How long before my ship is ready to sail?" Lex asked.
"The servants have not even emptied half of the treasury but they have finished loading yours and the queen's wardrobe. If you wish to empty the whole treasury, then we will need 2, perhaps three more ships." Slade said.
Lex sighed. "Load as many ships as you can. I doubt the Kryptonians will lay down their arms and surrender when I slay Ross. And when I do slay him, I will leave at once… Have you found my son?" Lex asked. Slade looked at a knight, who shook his head.
"We have yet to find him, Sire. But there is no way they could have escaped the city without our knowing." Slade said. Lex took a deep breath and sucked his teeth.
"The archers and the soldiers manning the cannons will remain on the wall. Lane's troops within the city walls shall search the whole city for the traitor that has my son!" Lex commanded fiercely. He then slid a boot dagger into his left boot. "If the Kryptonians attack, then all soldiers and knights will return to the wall. Then get the queen and me to a ship and move forward with our plan."
They exited the armory to see a servant running down the street with a black heater shield bearing the Luthor crest. "I sent for your shield, my lord. It is far better than any of the ones here." Slade said and Lex nodded once.
Lex mounted his horse and the servant bowed as Lex took up the shield. Luthor tossed the servant his war crown and a knight gave him a great helm. "Wilson, come with me. Lane, stay here and defend the wall." The two generals nodded once. Slade mounted his horse and the two men headed out of the gates.
Peter reappeared on the hill and the troops cheered. "Carter, Ak-Var, ride down with him. If Luthor breaks his word, signal us and we will begin our attack. Oliver, move up the hill with the archers and be ready to signal General Lane. Lois, stay with Bruce and me for now." Kal-El said and everyone nodded once understanding their roles.
Oliver and the archers took positions at the top of the hill. Peter mounted his tan horse and a Red Shard knight passed him his bascinet helm. Carter and Ak-Var mounted their horses. Carter winked at Shiera and she gave him a nervous grin. Carter then put on his helm. Two horsemen left the city and rode past the Genesis troops heading for the middle of the field. Peter nodded and galloped forward to meet them with Carter and Ak-Var right behind him.
The five men stopped about 40 paces from each other and they all dismounted. Carter and Ak-Var removed their helms and held them under their right arms. Carter approached Peter, turning his back to Wilson and Lex. "I have seen Luthor fight. He is strong, clever, and deceptive. Be wary for he loves trickery. Watch him carefully." Carter said quietly.
Peter nodded once and took a deep breath. "If I should fall, please tell Lana…" Carter held up his right hand and shook his head. He put his hand on Peter's shoulder.
"You think of his sword and your sword and nothing else." Carter said.
"But if I should fall, will you…?"
"I will." Carter said. The two men gripped each other's forearms. Peter then nodded once to Ak-Var, who nodded back. Ak-Var kept his hand around the grip of his sword and Carter kept his hand on the shaft of his mace, both of them ready for a double cross.
Lex removed his black cape and threw it over the saddle. "This will not take long but if it should it appear to be going poorly." Lex said and Slade nodded once. Slade grabbed a loaded crossbow keeping his finger on the trigger. Carter and Slade exchanged glares.
Carter remembered Slade Wilson from the night the Thanagarian army was almost completely wiped out and Shiera was gravely injured. Carter's grip tightened around the shaft of his mace. Deep down, he hoped for a double cross just to have some alone time with Slade: For Shiera, for all the men he lost, and for Thanagar.
Peter put on the bascinet helm but kept the visor up. He put his left arm through the strap of the shield and drew his sword. Lex put his right arm through the strap of his shield and put on his helm. The two men began walking up to one another. Peter's heart rate increased but he kept a straight face. They were soon only a few steps from one another. "I am going to enjoy this." Lex said and drew his sword. He twirled his sword and then charged Peter.
It happened in slow motion to Peter as he lowered his visor. He saw Lex pivot his left foot meaning he was going to charge. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and listened to the running footsteps. At the last second, Peter spun to the right causing Lex to stumble slightly. Peter then slashed at his vulnerable backside but Lex quickly raised his shield blocking the blow. Both armies cheered.
Peter and Lex's blades continued to collide. The sounds of metal striking metal echoed. No one had yet to make a mark on the other, only their shields took the real beating. Lex kept making slashes at Peter's legs because they were the most vulnerable part on his body.
Peter was faster but Lex was stronger. Peter stumbled back as he parried another blow. Lex smacked Peter across the face with his shield. The force of the blow knocked Peter to the ground and knocked his helm off as well. Lex thrust his sword downward to stab Peter but Peter kicked Lex in the groove of his elbow. Lex yelled out in pain and dropped his sword. Peter rolled to get up and began making quick furious slashes at the unarmed Lex.
Lex used his shield to block each blow but the shield could not take so much damage for so long. He could hear the cheering coming from the League of Armies. Lex then removed the dagger from his sword belt. He quickly spun left to stab Peter in his left shoulder. Peter cried out in pain. Carter and Ak-Var winced while the Genesis troops cheered.
Peter pulled the dagger out of his shoulder as Lex went for his fallen sword. Peter then flipped the dagger in order to throw it at Lex. Lex dodged it in time but the blade still cut his left cheek. Lex growled and stood wiping the blood from his cheek. Peter's left arm was limp so he painfully shook his arm out of his shield's straps.
Peter then drew his own dagger and wielded it in his left hand. The league cheered. Lex growled quietly, sucked his teeth, and then threw down his own shield. Lex then removed his helm and tossed it aside. He picked up his fallen dagger but he wielded it with his right hand. Lex cracked his neck and Peter took a deep breath.
Peter charged Lex and their blades locked. Lex was stronger and the blades moved closer to Peter's face. Peter then kneed Lex in the stomach. Lex grunted but he was still standing and the blades were getting closer to Peter. Peter then kicked Lex's right knee. Lex screamed and fell down to one knee. Now the blades were moving closer to Lex's face.
Lex then dropped down to both knees and quickly did a sweeping kick to Peter's legs. Peter fell down hard onto his back and Lex stabbed at him with his dagger. Peter rolled out of the way and the dagger plunged into the earth. Peter groaned as he rolled onto his left shoulder but he quickly got back up and swung his sword down at Lex.
Lex rolled out of the way and kicked Peter's sword out of his hand. Peter had no time to retrieve his sword so he had to only rely on his dagger. Lex got back up and began swinging away at Peter with both hands on the grip of his sword. Peter did his best to dodge each blow but then Lex smacked him across the face with the pommel of his sword twice.
Peter was dazed and he could feel blood rolling down his chin. He tried to shake off the dizziness. He ducked another blow from Lex's pommel and Lex's arm flew over him. Peter suddenly found himself behind Lex and he stabbed him below his right shoulder blade with his dagger. Lex screamed out in pain and dropped his sword. Peter then quickly picked up his sword and charged Lex.
Lex quickly removed his boot dagger, turned around and stabbed Peter in his right side. Peter could feel the dagger penetrating his cuirass and his hauberk and the burning sensation of the blade piercing his skin. Peter dropped down to one knee leaning on his sword and placed his left hand over the wound breathing heavily.
Lex's right shoulder had numbed up and he could not reach the dagger that was still plunged into his back. He picked up his sword and turned around to face Peter. "Time to die." Lex said and prepared to thrust. The league held their breaths.
Peter saw Lex's dagger still plunged into the ground before him. Peter quickly used his sword to block the thrust but it was knocked from his hand. He grabbed the dagger and stabbed Lex in the left thigh. Lex fell back, thus plunging the dagger deeper into his shoulder blade and making him scream out in pain. Blood now gushed out of both of Lex's stab wounds.
Lex remained on the ground. Both sides watched intently to see who would rise. Peter slowly rose and retrieved his sword. His left hand still held pressure on his serious stab wound. He was sweating and pale; and he dragged his sword. He stood over Lex breathing heavily. "Time to die, usurper." Peter said and prepared to thrust.
Slade raised his crossbow and took aim. Carter sprinted to Peter the moment he saw that crossbow twitch in his hands. Carter grabbed Peter by the shoulders and pulled him down. Slade fired and the arrow flew over them. The arrow hit Carter's black stallion. The horse cried out in pain before falling to the ground dead. "Mkhai!" Carter watched his prized war stallion fall.
"Luthor is going back on his word! Prepare for battle!" General Fine yelled. The soldiers readied their weapons and shields.
Carter growled and gritted his teeth furiously. He turned his head to see Slade helping Lex onto a horse. Ak-Var rushed to them and put Peter's right arm around his neck. Peter grabbed his sword with his left hand and dragged it. "Get him away from here!" Carter ordered picking his helm from where he dropped it.
"And what about of you?" Ak-Var asked as he mounted his own horse after helping Peter onto his.
"Go Sire!" Slade said as he helped Lex onto his horse.
"Go!" Carter shouted and Ak-Var reluctantly rode off with Peter. Slade gave the horse a slap on the rear and it rushed back to the city carrying Lex. Slade turned around and drew his sword just in time to block Carter's mace. Their weapons were now locked.
"You conquer my home, nearly kill my wife, and now you kill my stallion… Now is the time for my vengeance, General." Carter said fiercely and backhanded Slade across the face. Slade stumbled back but quickly swung his sword at Carter.
Ak-Var held Peter up as they rode back to the league. "TO ARMS!" All the kings, queens, and generals shouted drawing their swords. Near 40,000 soldiers thrust their spears and halberds in the air with a single war cry.
"To arms! Defend your king!" Lex shouted and Slade's 8,000 men thrust their spears in the air shouting their war cry. The iron gates opened and Lex rode into the city.
Peter and Ak-Var made it back to the league. As soon as Ak-Var let go of him, Peter fell off the horse. His tabard was stained with his blood. He was barely conscious and his breathing was labored. Kal-El quickly rushed to the aid of his friend.
"Get him to the physicians quickly." Kal-El commanded and two Red Shard knights carried Peter away. "Archers at the ready!" He shouted. An ensign held up a small green flag and the archers put arrows on the strings of their long bows.
Captain Richard Flagg of the Genesis Army cavalry watched intently as King Carter and General Wilson dueled ferociously in the middle of the field. "Protect the general!" He thrust his lance in the air. "CHARGE!" The cavalry of near a 50 men took off at full speed with their spears and lances at the ready.
The league saw the cavalry charge. Shiera's grip tightened on the reins of her mare, Anippe, and then she put on her helm. Kal-El and Bruce nodded once to her and she nodded back. "Thanagarians, protect our king!" Shiera yelled and they shouted their war cry. "CHARGE!" She cried and their personal guard charged with over 150 men. The Thanagarian and Egyptian foot soldiers remained in formation.
Carter attacked Slade furiously but Slade parried and blocked every blow. Their weapons then locked again and they grunted trying to overpower the other. They saw each other's charging soldiers over the other's shoulder. Slade then drew his dagger and slashed at Carter's throat. Carter caught his wrist and their weapons were still locked.
Carter then bumped Slade and used the talons on his gauntlet to scratch his face. Slade fell back screaming dropping his dagger and covering his right eye with his hand. Carter looked over his shoulder to see his personal guard charging. Slade crawled to his crossbow and picked up an arrow off the ground. He tried to load the crossbow but it was difficult with only one good eye and blood blurring his vision.
Carter could hear him grunting as he tried to load the weapon. Carter quickly turned around and drew his dagger. He took aim and threw it at Slade. Sade yelled again as the dagger penetrated his hand. Slade grabbed his hand, stood, and then began running back towards to the city.
Carter grabbed the crossbow and finished reloading it. He had only used a crossbow once and that was when he was visiting Gotham long ago. He was not going to let Slade get away from him. He dropped down to one knee and took aim. He fired but the Genesis Cavalry had already passed Slade so the arrow hit a cavalryman instead. The man fell from his horse; he was dead before he hit the ground.
"By Horus!" Carter swore. He reloaded as quickly as possible. He needed to buy time for his guard. He took aim and this time he reluctantly aimed for a horse. He fired and the arrow hit a horse's leg. The horse crashed into the horses next to him. A few cavalrymen fell from their horses and were trampled.
They were getting closer. Carter quickly picked up Peter's fallen shield and his mace. He knew he could not outrun the cavalry so he was prepared to make his stand. He knew he would not last long but he could take a few down with him. He looked over his shoulder to see his personal guard but they seemed to be so far away. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He pictured a smiling Shiera and Hector.
Clark could not just stand by and watch his mentor die. He took off his circlet and tossed it aside, and dismounted Bothgr. "What are you…?" Lois did not finish asking the question when Clark disappeared in a blur surprising the army. "No!" Lois exclaimed.
Carter had just opened his eyes when Clark appeared in front of him. "What are you…?" Before he could finish asking, Clark grabbed Carter by the shoulders and they disappeared in a blur. The Genesis cavalry were shocked by what they had just seen that they lowered their spears and lances for just a moment and that moment was all the Thanagarians needed.
Thanagarian spears and lances pierced the Genesis cavalry's armor. Some cavalrymen raised their spears and lances in time to stab Thanagarian riders. Swords were then drawn and the fighting continued on horseback and on the ground.
Slade eventually made it back to his troops and collapsed into the arms of a soldier. He pushed the soldier away and stood back up. Commander Amos Fortune rode up to the wounded general with a horse. "General!" He called out. Slade grunted as he removed the dagger from his hand and he threw it down into the ground with a frustrated yell.
"Are the ships ready to sail?" Slade demanded.
"Most of them, yes, but a good deal of the fleet still remains at the port in Manchester." Commander Fortune replied.
Slade mounted the spare horse. "Once the king is safely away, we will make way for Manchester to meet those ships and retreat to Thanagar." He said. He could see the horrified expressions of many soldiers' faces from the mutilation done to his face.
Slade tore off a piece of cloth from his cape and wrapped it around his head so it covered his mutilated eye. He then tore off another piece to wrap it around his wounded hand and then he discarded the torn cape. A soldier handed him another sword. "Are they in range of our cannons?" Slade asked.
"No, General. The same with our archers. Our only choice is to meet them on the field." Commander Fortune answered.
Slade nodded. "Our cavalry need us and we must defend the city! FORWARD!" Slade commanded and pointed his army to the battle in between the two armies. The Genesis army then began to march.