Chapter five
A thick log raised up from the ground and with a sudden movement of an arm, flew against a near tree, becoming several pieces of shattered wood.
Clark smiled, he was getting better at this.
"Son, what are you doing? You must be careful," Jonathan Kent said, walking behind him.
"Oh sorry father, but I made sure there was no one around," Clark explained himself as he started picking the wood that would provide the fire for breakfast.
"I know Clark, but with Lois here, you have to be even more cautious."
"I wouldn't have to be I she weren't here," he retorted.
Jonathan fixed him with a glare. "Clark, she asked for our help, we can't abandon her. I know you didn't mean that."
"No… no, I don't. I am sorry father, it's just that she is… you have to admit she is annoying."
Jonathan put a hand under his chin and said with a curious smile; "the last time you said that about a lady, it was with that girl you fancied when you were seven years old."
"What are you implying?" Clark did not like the sound of that. The older man simply chuckled.
"Just give me those and clean yourself, breakfast is almost ready."
Clark handed him the wood and went to the well to wash his hands, after that he entered the house where he found his mother and Lois talking agreeably as the girl set the table, or rather, attempted to do so, but she kept dropping the plates and misplacing the cutlery. Obviously she had never done such a task before.
He observed her for some minutes with an entertained smile before deciding to go and save the damsel in distress.
"You are useless," he said as he took the objects from her and set the table in a moment. Lois put her fists to her waist and taped her foot.
"Hey, Smallville, I was doing that! And I am not useless!"
"Well, you are terrible at it," he taunted her, raising his eyebrows.
She tossed her long hair behind her and crossed her arms, saying; "It is not my fault, I am a bit sleepy, I'm not used to rising this early… and at least I know how to write."
"What? I do know how to write!" he answered, offended.
"Children, please, stop arguing. Breakfast is ready. Will you sit down and be at peace?" Martha interceded with a humored grin. As strange as it was, Clark seemed more relaxed bantering with Lady L—with Lois, than usual. Mrs. Kent was starting to like the girl and her infectious smile.
Jonathan entered that moment, put the wood into the fire and sat down as Martha served the food. That morning there would be bacon and smashed potatoes.
Lois smiled at the smell. She found that, while Mrs. Kent's cuisine was far from being as refined as the one she was used to, it possessed a charming, wonderful taste she couldn't describe.
She was about to sit and start enjoying her meal when a knock on the door brought all activity to a halt in the small kitchen. The Kents turned their heads to Lois, alarmed.
"Quickly, go and hide!" Jonathan urged her and Lois ran into the small room that served her as sleeping chambers for the time being. Once she was out of sight, Jonathan nodded his approval and Clark went to open the door. His face brightened.
"La—Lana," he said, grinning.
A petite girl with black hair was standing at the door.
"Hi, Clark."
"Uh… hi. How are you? It's nice to see you again."
"Thanks I've been well, so… may I come in?" she motioned her head toward the inside.
"Wha..? Oh yes, sure, please." Clark moved of the way and Lana entered, smiling at the couple inside.
"Hello Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent, how have you been?"
"Lana, dear, what a pleasant surprise! We have been alright, thank you," Martha greeted her.
"I have some fruit for you that I brought from Metroporis, I hope you'll enjoy it." She offered Martha the basket she was carrying in her arms and the woman accepted it happily, placing it in the center of the table. Clark followed her with his eyes while his face would not vary the foolish gesture Lana had magically set upon it.
"We appreciate it," said Mr. Kent. "By the way, when did you come back? I thought you would be in the castle until the winter came."
"I was, but after all that has been going on there… everything was in chaos and I—"
"What has been going on there?" Clark asked, waking from his momentary numbness. Lana blinked and opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment; apparently the words had slipped her mind. She started to rub her hands together and her brown eyes moved across the room until she fixed them on the table.
"Uh… nothing important. Why is there a fourth plate at the table?" she deviated from the conversation.
And it worked; Jonathan rubbed his neck, Martha busied herself with the fire and Clark shifted uncomfortably. It didn't surprise Lana, though. It seemed the Kents always had something to hide. She decided to let it go for once. She didn't want to be questioned, and it appeared that they didn't either.
"We were expecting someone for breakfast but he didn't show up," Jonathan said at last.
"Really?"
They nodded and then there was silence as Lana shifted from one foot to another. She was always invited for meals whenever she showed herself in the Kent house and it seemed she had no intention to change that habit. Seeing no more remedy to it, Martha cleared her throat and offered; "Lana, would you like to have breakfast with us?"
"Thanks Mrs. Kent, I'd love to," she said and sat down at what, until some moments ago, was going to be Lois' seat. Clark returned to his silly face.
In the meantime, behind the door that separated Clark's room from the rest of the house, Lois stood up looking at the scene from a little gap in the wood. She knew that girl was familiar to her, now she remembered; she worked at the castle as a maid. Lois made another mental note to never cross paths with this Lana, she might recognize her.
And besides, she was eating her bacon! Lois looked at the sudden guest munching happily at the crispy meat and Lois could only hear her stomach protest with a loud groan. There was nothing she could do but wait for Lana to leave. To eat her food and leave.
She rolled her eyes and set on the ground with her back against the door. Lois didn't like her already.