Disclaimer: I do not in any way own the DC comics characters featured in this fan fiction; I'm just using them for entertainment purposes.
This is slash and AU. The pairing is Tim/Kon; if you don't like that then you don't have to read. Those who do wish to read on, enjoy.
Gracious Pretext
The castle was in uproar. Servants and nobles alike rushed about in fear and confusion. Exits were jammed with bodies – all aiming to escape the danger that suddenly appeared in the throne room. Guards and the few nobles and upper servants that managed to keep their heads were trying – unsuccessfully – to restore order and calm everyone down. The one person everyone was expecting to be panicking was in fact among the calmest.
Princess Cassandra of the house of Sandsmark regarded the tear in her sleeve with a scowl. Her icy blue eyes shifted to the crossbow bolt embedded in her chair just above her shoulder.
"I'm not all that fond of gowns," she muttered, tugging the bolt out of the wood and examining the damage to her throne. She ignored the screaming crowd gathered in the throne room before her and glared at the offending weapon. "I rather liked this one though. The tear is bad enough, but how am I to get the blood out?"
"Cassandra!" The blonde aristocrat glanced up to see her mentor, the stately Queen Diana of Thymescra. The bejewelled darked haired beauty was gesturing towards the narrow corridor behind the dais upon which they stood. "Come along," she ordered, grabbing the younger girl's arm. "We must get to safety."
Cassandra tugged her arm away. "Cowardice is unbecoming a Lady of Thymescra," she hissed, refusing to move.
Diana's steady gaze fell on her and Cassandra felt as though she were about to be scolded. "Stupidity, however, is not only frowned upon more heavily but more likely to get you killed." She grabbed the girl's arm again and continued pulling her along, pushing her into the semi-unknown passageway. It had been built into the castle as a means of escape for situations such as this.
Cassandra rubbed at her arm, but did not glare directly at the Queen when she next spoke. "You would be acting in a similar manner were it your life in danger."
Diana sighed and put a hand on her protégé's shoulder, halting their passage. "That is quite true, however you must understand what an important time this is for our country and how important you are to our people right now. You are the second heir to my throne; we cannot have anything happening to you, especially not so close to your betrothal's end."
"I earned my place among the Ladies of Thymescra," Cassandra spun around. "You yourself named me most suited to ascend to royalty beside Donna. I am more than capable of facing such a threat, as are you." Though it could not been seen in the darkness of the corridor the fire in the young princess' eyes were fuelled with a deep inner passion.
The Amazonian ruler could feel this. "I know." She placed her hands upon her ward's shoulders and caught her gaze completely. "I am more than aware of your capabilities and take great pride in you, but Rulers cannot follow the same course of action as everyone else. It is not always fair, but the people look to us for guidance. We are a symbol of pride and strength for Thymescra, should any of us fall, it would be a terrible blow to our country." Diana laid her hand over Cassandra's heart. "When you go into battle, you fight not only as yourself, but as Thymescra herself. Would you risk Thymescra for petty vengeance?"
Cassandra shook her head. "I would not. I understand now. The weight is heavy and I do not know if I enjoy all of this responsibility." She looked determined. "However I will not shirk and will not fail."
Diana smiled. "I was wise to trust you with our people." She gestured down the corridor. "We must continue moving, I must discuss this terrible event with the League."
"Surely it is not that serious?"
"I do not know, but it is best that we all take precautions." The two women continued down the musty hallway.
Back in the throne room a dark haired man smiled at the chaos and slipped away, his cloak barely twitching as he left.
-
Summer in the southern lands was almost as perfect as it should be. It was a little too hot and mildly humid, but there were no signs of storms or heavy gales, so it was almost perfect. Truthfully though, it was slightly annoying when you stopped to think about it. Still, visitors to Krypton didn't take all that much notice, it was only really picky people that payed too much attention to the weather. Or those in clothing unsuited to the climate.
Four such of the latter were approaching the capital city Metropolis. Dressed in dark clothing and heavy cloaks they drew many gazes in the wide, vivid streets, until they no longer wanted attention and willed it away. No longer drawing curious looks they continued peacefully towards the centre of the bright city and the castle shining like crystal at the very centre of the kingdom.
A number of travellers had been making their way towards the castle in the past few days, not all as odd as the latest group, but strange in their own ways. Whispers were already weaving their way through the populace, leaving rumours of varying degrees. One thing was certain to all though.
The League had been called together.
The four travellers were allowed through the gates with barely a glance. The guards knew them all by sight, a brave few even called out greetings. Three offered smiles and nods in return while the leader merely glanced and continued through the lush courtyard to the palace entrance.
The Lord Chancellor met them at the door and bowed low. "My Lords," he greeted with a cheerful smile. "The King has been awaiting your arrival in the meeting chamber. All the other kingdoms are accounted for."
The leader of the four nodded and removed his cloak, a servant coming to collect it immediately. "Thank you. Our baggage will be arriving shortly." Without waiting to hear anything else the stoic man strode away.
"He's not changed," the Chancellor mused.
The remaining three also removed their cloaks and grinned at his comment. "Did you really think he would Jimmy?" one asked.
"I suppose it was too much to hope for." He headed off through the main entrance hall. "You've not been to the meeting chambers yet have you my lords?"
"I have," the man who spoke before replied again. "The others have not."
"The gathering must be very important then if all three of you have been called."
"Obviously," the second man piped up.
The last traveller remained silent, just took in the sight of the light and spacious palace. The main hallway was close to seventy feet high, arches of marble holding the structure and long windows casting rays of bright sunlight over the hall. It was almost heavenly and walking through it was quite unworldly – to him at least. He never got to experience quite a sight very often. He always made sure to take in as much of the experience as possible every time he was here.
They were led down a smaller corridor, though it was still wide and light. Sometimes it seemed as though the castle was made of light – even in hallways like this with few windows.
"They are just through here." Jimmy bowed and left the three foreign lords to enter the chamber.
Order had not yet been called among the various lords and ladies gathered here in the large meeting room. Many were talking animatedly and renewing acquaintances long or shortly forgotten. The three slipped in with little notice and made their way to their other companion. Before they could make contact he waved them away, in what appeared to be a deep discussion with a man they recognised as the King of Krypton and the Queen of Thymescra.
Sharing only a brief glance with each other, the three remained where they were, watching the various rulers gathered interacting. High Lord J'onn J'onzz of the Martians was here alone, as was Lord Wallace West of Keystone. First Princess Donna of the house of Troy had accompanied her Queen and was talking with Garth, Prince of Atlantis and Princess Kara-El Zor of Krypton. King Orin of Atlantis was present and talking with Duke Oliver Queen of the Green Lands, his son Conner Hawke and Count Roy Harper. Sirs Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner were the representatives of the Corp, the council ruling the independent cities along the eastern coast of the continent. All seven major governments on the continent were represented now with the appearance of Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight of Gotham and his entourage.
Glancing around, Kal-El noticed everyone was now present and started to call order to the meeting room. Everyone settled in and took their seats, quite a few glancing in surprise at the Gotham Knights. Both at their appearance and at the number. But as Kal seemed not to mind, most gave it no more thought. As the Lords and Ladies finally settled in Kal smiled and greeted them formally, welcoming them to his city before getting into the true matter at hand.
The handsome King of Krypton was uncommonly solemn as he began. "Not but a week ago," he began, "Diana approached me with some rather disturbing information. An attempt was made on Princess Cassandra's life in Thymescra's Palace." There were a number of gasps and shocked whispers at this. If an assassin was able to get past Diana's people it was severe cause for worry. Kal brought order again before continuing. "As you know Princess Cassandra is to marry my cousin Prince Kon-El here and I have invited you all, and many other lords and ladies to attend. Both Diana and I fear a second attempt on Cassandra's life and possibly on other rulers."
"Do you have any information on the assassin?" Many turned to the Dark Knight as he spoke, many only glancing briefly before turning away, intimidated.
Diana met his gaze firmly. "We have captured the shooter. He was just a common man paid by someone he only described as noble in bearing and handsome in features. Dark hair and blue eyes. I have talked with the Oracle, but she was unable to divulge any more."
"A possible aristocrat of the southern kingdoms then. As you can see we share that description." Bruce gestured to himself and his Knights as well as Kal-El.
"We cannot rule out the Northern Kingdoms, however, it is more likely he is a southerner as you say." Kal appeared troubled. "What truly frightens me though is the possibility of it being an aristocrat. If that is the case then I must look to my people most firmly as it is possible this is an action of one not happy with the betrothal of our Prince to Cassandra."
"That's quite a large assumption to make," Wally spoke up.
"But a fair one," the man to Bruce's left spoke. "Motive must first be assessed in order to prevent a tragic repeat of the first event."
"It's possible that this could even be a message to all of us," the young man to Bruce's right spoke. "Dissention among the lower ranks of the nobles has been known to go too far at times."
"Lord Nightwing and Lord Talon make fair points," Hal spoke up, "But are we even going too far to assume the man in question is in fact an aristocrat?"
"There are those talented enough to pose as one for extended periods of time," Oliver agreed.
"In that case there are any number of possibilities for this attempt," Orin cut in.
"Could be an ardent admirer feeling slighted."
"A low class ignorant misogynist."
"Thymescra has no misogynists."
"He doesn't have to be from Thymescra."
"A high class merchant trying to ascend higher."
"Outsiders trying to cause dissention."
"Of course this could all be a diversionary tactic designed to get you all panicked so that you completely miss the true objective of the criminal's master plan." A number of people turned to the young boy next to Lord Talon who had yet spoken. His expression was sardonic as he looked around the long table. "Without more evidence it is pointless to speculate on motive or on his next move, we should just stay alert for a move against any of us."
"One certainly can tell you were trained by the Dark Knight," Talon commented. "You can make everyone feel like children being scolded with just a look and a few comments."
"Talon," Bruce glanced at him and he quieted. "Robin is right. Until we know more we cannot do anything but stay alert and watch our own moves cautiously."
Kal nodded. "If I could convene a meeting with just the rulers of the seven lands now? There are other matters we need to discuss." Quite a number of the younger lords looked startled but acquiesced when their respective lords agreed with Kal.
"I wish to speak with Robin for a moment," Bruce told his other Knights. Nightwing and Talon nodded, acting as though there were nothing suspicious with Bruce's request. Only the eight representatives from the kingdoms remained – including both representatives from the Corp – along with Robin. The young Knight did not say anything about this, though others glanced at him curiously.
"I asked Bruce to allow Timothy to remain for this portion of the meeting," Kal explained.
"Then we should get on with this before others get suspicious," Oliver said.
"Dick and Jason already are," Bruce commented. "Diana, this was your idea?"
"It was," she confirmed. "I have sent Cassandra away to train with Artemis along with a small portion of my army. They are on a small island with restricted access; there should be no trouble with assassination. Unfortunately, Cassandra was due to visit with Kon upon his return from travelling the Northlands in a month."
"So you do fear this attack was immediately directed at Cassandra," J'onn mused. Diana nodded. "You have more evidence than was exhibited at the meeting?"
"The shooter mentioned that he was told to miss. I fear it was just a warning shot."
"You want to draw the assassin out somehow," Bruce theorised.
"I do, however I am loath to use Cassandra for such a bold plan. I do not feel she has the necessary skills to sit still when she knows there is danger around her."
"Cassie doesn't like playing the helpless woman," Tim cut in.
"None of my Ladies do."
"You want someone else to pretend to be Cassandra for the duration of her visit." Diana nodded. "You want me to pretend to be Cassie." At Diana's next nod quite a few eyebrows were raised in surprise.
"I would not ask to put you in danger lightly," she informed the young lordling, "but Bruce has often praised your skill and I feel you would be the best for such a ruse."
Tim glanced at Bruce, mystified by the idea that he would praise him then turned back to the Amazonian Queen. "Does Cassie know of your plan?"
"She is aware that I plan to draw out the assassin somehow, but not of the details."
Tim frowned. "And Kon?"
"Kon will not be made aware of this plan." Kal informed him.
"No." Everyone blinked in surprise at the sudden refusal. "Kon is my best friend," Tim explained, irritated that they did not already realise this. "I can't do something like this without his knowledge. I'll be pretending to be his betrothed! He has a right to know!"
"Kon's reactions need to be authentic," Kal tried to reason with him. "He wears his emotions on his sleeve; I do not think he will be able to falsify his actions and expressions."
"That's true," Tim frowned. "But it doesn't sit well with me. I've never kept secrets from Kon and I hate deceiving him for any reason."
"Tim," Bruce's voice made him wince. He turned to face his lord. "It is necessary." Tim bit his lip before nodding. "Dick, Jason and I will be investigating this further with the Oracle. We will try not to let this ruse carry on too long."
Tim nodded again. "May I take my leave now?"
Bruce glanced at Kal and Diana before nodding. Tim bowed politely towards the other lords before leaving the chamber.
"I thought he'd have more of a problem with the idea of wearing women's apparel," Wally murmured.
"Let us all get back to planning," Bruce barked, making a few jump. Tim was not the only one unsettled by the plan. Though he knew it was necessary, Bruce could not help but think of how this would affect his young protégé.
