Chapter 11
Kal-El prepared for his departure to the Fortress of Solitude. He wore a gray tunic with gray pants and boots with his sword. He decided not to wear his slash and wore a silver chain around his shoulders. He placed a silver circlet on his brow.
Kal-El knocked on the door to Lana's quarters and heard her say, "Enter." He entered the room. Lana and her ladies bowed.
He walked to Lana and smiled. "I am leaving to go question Captain Lane. If all goes well, I will be back in a month, hopefully less. My cousin will rule in my stead until I return." He said with his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lana said. Kal-El grabbed her hand and kissed it tenderly. She gave him a small smile. He turned and left the room.
Kal-El and his knights dismounted from their horses in front of the opening to a cave. Each knight looked in every direction to see if the coast was clear. There wasn't a single person in sight.
Two knights took the reins of the horses and headed back to an nearby farm, where they would await their return. The five men entered the cave.
The walls of the cave were covered with Kryptonian glyphs and cave paintings of ancient stories of battles and heroes. Kal-El remembered Jonathan bringing him to this cavern when he was just a boy. He walked to a wall that looked like it was a dead end. Every man then placed fur robes around their shoulders.
Kal-El approached an octagonal shape hollow in the stone wall and held his hand up to it. There was a bright light and words appeared written in Kryptonese, 3 lines rotating. He touched a word from each line. There was a rumbling sound and the wall opened to reveal an inner chamber.
They stepped in and they approached a stone alter. Kal-El removed the dagger from his boot and pricked his finger. Blood ran down his index finger and onto the palm of his hand. He placed his hand on the center of the alter and a bright portal opened. He nodded to his men and they entered the portal two at a time. He then removed his hand and stepped into the portal as it was closing.
Seconds later, he was in another chamber with his men waiting for him. A knight handed him a cloth and Kal-El wiped the blood from his hand. Then a trumpet sounded announcing his arrival. Kal-El walked out of the chamber with his men in tow.
They entered the main hallway, which was now filled with servants and some knights kneeling. Only one person was not kneeling. It was a three-year-old dark-haired boy standing next to a kneeling Captain Ak-Var.
The little boy wore a red tunic with black pants and boots. Kal-El approached the little boy, who tilted his head all the way back to look up at Kal-El's serious face.
Kal-El then winked at the little boy. "Your Majesty." The little boy said and performed a bow.
Kal-El smiled and bowed his head. He smiled and held out his hand to the little boy, who smiled and quickly grabbed hold of his hand. "Rise." Kal-El said and everyone rose. "It is good to be back. Come along, Christopher." They then left the main hall.
Kal-El handed his robe to a servant and motioned to Christopher, who leapt into his arms. Clark grunted and then he kissed Christopher's forehead. "Papa." Christopher said.
They soon entered his private quarters and he set Christopher down onto one of the chairs. He ruffled his hair and put his finger to his lips. "How is Lane, Captain?" Kal-El asked as he removed his circlet.
"She continues to remain a nuisance despite our…hospitality. And she never seems to stop talking, Your Majesty." Ak-Var replied with an annoyed expression, which made Kal-El smile.
"Ak-Var, we are not in Kandor. You may call me Kal-El when we are here." Kal-El said.
Christopher then hopped off his chair and walked up to Ak-Var. He held out his hand. "Oh, yes." Ak-Var said and removed a wooden dagger from his belt. "Here you are, young knight." He said and Christopher smiled.
Christopher showed the wooden dagger to Kal-El. "Where did you get this?" Kal-El asked playfully.
"From Uncle Bruce and Aunt Selena. Papa, there was another monster in my room and they said it will keep them away." Christopher answered with a lisp.
"At least this one is not real like the last one he gave you. I swear Bruce did not even know what a sense of humor was until he met Selena." Kal-El muttered to himself as he ruffled Christopher's hair and Ak-Var nodded at his comment with a smile. "Alright, Chris, I want you to go with your governess because Papa has to go play king now."
"Oh, I want to play with you!" Christopher exclaimed.
"I promise that tomorrow that you can be with me all day." Kal-El said and gave a reassuring look at him.
Christopher nodded and Kal-El motioned to let his governess in. Fara-Tal entered. Christopher kissed Kal-El's cheek and he kissed his forehead in return. "Bye Papa." Christopher took his governess's hand and waved to Kal-El. Kal-El waved as he walked out of the room.
Kal-El stood up and put his circlet back on. "Let's begin questioning Captain Lane, shall we." The two men left the room and headed to the private quarters they were keeping her locked in.
Two Red Shard knights stood guard at her door with wooden staffs because they were ordered not to harm her fatally. They saw Kal-El and Ak-Var approaching. "Kneel!" Ak-Var said and they did.
"Rise." Kal-El said and they did. "Unlock the door." He said and Ak-Var removed a gold key from a pouch on his waist. He unlocked the door and he entered first.
As soon as Ak-Var entered the room, he was hit on top of the head with a vase. He fell down to the ground. Lois quickly grabbed the dagger from the sheath fastened to his left leg.
The two guards took a battle stance and then she noticed him: The king that murdered Wes. She lunged at him but one of the guards smacked her hand. It hurt but she had felt worse pain.
Lois punched one guard in the nose and elbowed the other in the eye. She thrust the blade at Kal-El but he grabbed her wrist with both of his hands. She tried to kick him but he placed his left leg up to block the kick. She began throwing punches where they would cause the most damage but he blocked every one.
Kal-El then grabbed her wrist and spun her that now her left hand was behind her back. She had no choice but to drop the dagger. She could feel his breath on her face and she could smell his sweet scent.
Kal-El stared in her eyes and she stared into his. Her face was flushed and he could only admire her skin. Then he snapped out of it and came back to reality. Her face was now flushed with anger.
The two guards grabbed her by both arms. "It is also a pleasure to see again, Captain Lane." Kal-El said and picked up the dagger from the ground. Lois spat at his feet. "Now that isn't very lady- like." They forced her back into the room, where Captain Ak-Var finally came back into consciousness.
Ak-Var tried to stand but he stumbled. Kal-El caught him and he saw that his head was bleeding. "Take the captain to the infirmary." One of the knights crossed his arm across his chest and placed Ak-Var's arm around his shoulder.
"I am fine, Kal-El." Ak-Var objected.
"I still want you to have that head wound looked at by a physician. I will make it an order if need be." Kal-El said and Ak-Var rolled his eyes. The knight left with Ak-Var. The other knight placed shackles on Lois's hands and feet and sat her down in a chair. "You may leave." The knight placed his arm across his chest and bowed. He then left the room closing the door behind him.
Lois was breathing hard now as he sat down across from her. "That is the second time you tried to kill me." Kal-El said.
"I promise you that one day, I will succeed." Lois said fiercely.
"You have fire in you. An admirable trait to find in a soldier…but it will do you no good right now." Kal-El said.
"There is nothing you can say or do to me that will make me betray my country and my king." Lois said with a smirk.
"I doubt that. I wonder if you will say the same thing when Alexander is king, which he may be some day." Kal-El said.
"Alexander may be ruthless and cold…but I will pledge my loyalty to him if it means killing more Kryptonians." Lois said coldly.
"Captain Lane, you are rude and stubborn, which are traits you find commonly among the nobility. And since your rank is captain, I am going to assume that you are also demanding. But one of these days, you will come down to my level because I am patient, which you are not." Kal-El said.
Lois's face became flushed again and she began breathing deeply. "You don't know me very well…Kal-El. May I call you Kal-El? Or maybe Smallville? I do know you grew up there and not at court." She remarked.
Kal-El leaned forward. "Are you trying to make me upset? Because I'm afraid that is going to be difficult."
"Well Smallville…I think I will eventually learn what buttons to push. And then maybe things will become more interesting here." Lois said.
"Well then…" Kal-El stood and straightened his tunic. "I will leave you here to collect your thoughts and to…gain more self control. Captain…" He said and bowed his head.
Lois stared at him coldly and did not bow in return. Kal-El shook his head and tossed the key to her shackles down onto the table. She was unlocking them when he left the room.
Kal-El finished dressing for the day. It was nice to dress himself instead of grooms assisting him. He wore a buttoned up the black tunic over his white shirt and black vest. He placed a sheathed dagger into his right boot. He fastened his sword belt around his waist and felt his sword touch his hip. He did not bother to grab either of his circlets or his slash.
He left his quarters and walked through the corridors heading to Captain Lane's quarters. One guard had a bandage over his nose and the other had a black eye. At least they take her more seriously. He thought.
They bowed when he stood before them. He nodded and removed the key from his pouch. Kal-El unlocked the door and entered the room.
Lois was sitting in a chair by the fireplace in a night gown. She was lost in thought and she rolled her eyes when she saw Kal-El. "I have the same feeling when I see you too." Kal-El said.
"Then please leave, Smallville." Lois said.
"We have only known each other a few days and you already have a nickname for me. I assuming I'm supposed to be flattered." He said.
"If you say that is the start of a beautiful relationship, I will gut you with that dagger in your boot." Lois said fiercely.
"You noticed that? Not many people do, just ask Lex." Kal-El leaned against the table.
"Just out of curiosity, where exactly did you wound him? No one knows, except perhaps his wife. They say she is his personal physician." Lois asked.
"I will answer your question if you answer one of mine. Does that sound reasonable?" Kal-El asked.
"It depends on the question you ask but I will play along...for now." She said and she motioned for him to sit across from her. Kal-El gave her a weird glance. "I won't bite…this time." She said. Kal-El took a seat across from her keeping his hand on the hilt on his sword. "Ask your question."
"Who trained you? I ask because your fighting style is impressive." Kal-El asked.
"My father trained me after my mother died and he knew he would have no sons because he said he would never marry again. Where did you wound Prince Alexander?" She asked.
"He had knocked me down and I could not reach my sword. I quickly grabbed my dagger and stabbed him in the hand and then in the shoulder. By the time I grabbed my sword, he had retreated. Was your second-in-command a good friend?" Kal-El asked.
"Yes, he was. We have known each other since we were children. Where did Alexander wound you?" She asked. They asked and answered each others' questions at lightning speed.
"He slashed my chest but the wound was not deep. I continued fighting until his forces retreated back to Smallville. How does your father feel about you being a soldier?" He asked.
"He is against it but he would not challenge the king's decision. How does your wife feel about you fighting?" She asked.
"She is not my wife." Kal-El answered annoyed and slightly angry.
"Why so defensive?" Lois asked intrigued.
"That was two questions. If you want answers for both you are going to have to answer two questions from me." Kal-El said.
"Ask your questions." Lois said confident.
"First question: were you and him lovers? And by him, I do mean your second-in-command." Kal-El asked and he knew he hit a nerve. Her confident smile disappeared and she could not look at him. "Now why are you so defensive?"
Lois hesitated and she had a sad look on her face. "Yes, we were once lovers but that was a long time ago. And I am defensive because he was my best friend and you killed him." Lois said coldly. Kal-El looked sympathetic but she assumed he was playing on her emotions. "Now answer my questions."
"A deal is a deal. Lana is not my wife but she wishes I would stay in Kandor and refrain from going to battle. I am defensive because…" Kal-El paused trying to think of an answer. There was an uncomfortable silence.
"You do not even have an answer, which leads me to believe that your impending marriage is a mistake and you will see that in time. Perhaps before or after the wedding but I hope I am there to see it." Lois said fiercely.
"Do you always say what you are thinking?" Kal-El asked getting angry.
"When I know some words must be said. Do you make it a habit to marry women you don't love?" Lois asked getting angry as well. She knew she hit a nerve because of the angry look on his face. "It is obvious you do not love her, maybe because you are in love with someone else." Lois leaned in as she said this, reading him like a book.
"If you must know, I was in love with another girl before Lana but she died in Smallville when it was attacked. I asked her to marry me and she said yes…that was the last time I saw her." Kal-El glared at her but his eyes were filled with pain.
Kal-El stood and started walking to the door. "What was her name?" Lois asked.
Kal-El stopped and did not turn to face her. "Her name was Alicia." He said somber. He walked to the door.
"Are you going to ask me another question?" She asked standing as she said it.
"Not today." Kal-El said softly. He knocked on the door and one of the guards opened it. "Captain…" Kal-El bowed his head and left the room. Lois heard the door lock.
Kal-El walked back to his quarters and closed the door behind him. He went to a drawer and removed a locket. He sat down and opened the locket. In it was a portrait of Alicia. Tears began to fall from his eyes as he remembered the last time he saw her.
He had gone back to Kandor to tell the Council of his betrothal. They said he could not marry her because she was not of noble blood. While they were arguing about it, they received news that Smallville was under attack and Jonathan had been gravely wounded. After Jonathan died, he searched for Alicia. He had found her parents and they told him that she had been murdered by Genesis soldiers. His world fell apart that day.
Kal-El's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door opened. He turned around to reprimand whoever entered without his permission and he saw Christopher smiling at him. "Papa, are you crying?" He asked.
"No, there is just something in my eye." Kal-El wiped his eyes on his sleeves. He stood and placed the locket back in the drawer. He then felt Christopher hug his leg. "You want to go for a walk?" Christopher nodded and Kal-El laughed. Kal-El put on a black cloak. "Go get your cloak."
Christopher ran out the room laughing and he ran after him.
Lois put on one of the gowns in the closet. She preferably did not like gowns but they would have to do because she just could not wear her night gown night and day. She wore a light gray gown and she walked to the window.
She saw the little boy from the other day. He wore a red tunic with a black cloak. Then she saw Kal-El chasing him laughing. "What is going on here?" She asked herself.
The little boy picked up a handful of snow and threw it at Kal-El. He dodged it and threw a snowball at the little boy, it hit him and he fell down. Kal-El then picked him up and spun him round and round. "Could this be the son he is rumored to have had out of wedlock? A question for next time." Lois said to herself.
Kandor
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Kara Zor-El," a herald announced. The Council and advisors looked at one another confused. When she entered the throne room, they kneeled but they all glanced at one another. Kara wore her usual ivory gown with a red slash and a belt holding her dagger.
Kara sat at the throne on the left instead of the right because that is her cousin's throne. "Rise." She said. "Before any one of you ask, His Majesty had made me regent until he returns. I will not tell you where he is but that he is questioning Captain Lane. Do not worry, my lords, I will report to him what happens in each session that is held while he is absent. Now what is the first order of business?" She asked.
"Thanagar has managed to defend its walls but Alexander continues to lay seize to the city, while General Lane continues to lay seize to the Kent Castle. His Majesty, King Oliver has dispatched more troops to reinforce the Kent Castle but he can only send so many troops because he and the queen continue to fight what is left of Luthor's allies near Star City." Nox-Van reported.
"Thank you, General. I am aware the wedding preparations are going well and His Majesty and the Lady Lana Lang have set a date for the summer. Also, His Majesty would like an update on the investigation of the assassination attempt made on Viscount Christopher Kent." Kara said and everyone exchanged glances. "There is an official investigation, is there not?"
Sin-Dar stood and straightened his white robes. "Your Highness, we assumed that the investigation was not a priority because, well…" Sin-Dar was cut off by Kara.
"Because the young viscount is not His Majesty's legitimate heir." Kara finished his sentence and she said it so calmly, which made everyone nervous.
"Yes." Sin-Dar said nervously.
Kara tapped her fingers on the arm rest of the throne. "I shall let His Majesty know that you do not consider the viscount a…'priority.'" Kara said. Everyone put on tough, serious faces but Kara could see the fear in their eyes. "If there are no more matters of state to discuss, this session is now over." Kara stood and everyone kneeled.
Lana read in her quarters and one of her ladies entered. "Milady, Sir Peter Ross to see you."
Lana hesitated but then said, "Let him in."
Peter entered and bowed to Lana. "Milady…" Peter bowed and Lana grinned.
"You may leave." Lana said and her ladies left. "What are doing here, Pete?"
"It has been a long time since you have called me that." He said and he saw Lana turn away. "I just came to say that I am sorry for the things I said the other day. And I hope you will forgive me."
"Your apology is not necessary but I do forgive you. May I ask you something?" Lana asked.
"Anything." He said and she motioned for him to sit. He sat next to her.
"I heard some whispers that Kal-El is in love with a commoner and not with me. Is this true?" Lana asked.
"I told you I would never lie to you so I won't. He was in love with a girl named Alicia Baker…but she died before you two met." Peter said and Lana gasped. "He did want to marry her but the Council would not allow it."
"Did you know her?" Lana asked.
"Not well but I could see that they were in fact in love." He said and Lana turned away. "In time, he will grow to love you as much as he loved her. He would be a fool not to." Peter gave her a reassuring smile and held her hand.
Lana smiled at him as well. Then they noticed they were holding hands. Even though it felt so right, they quickly separated. "Always a pleasure, Sir Peter." Lana said.
"Milady." Peter bowed and left her quarters. Lana tried to continue reading her book but she could not concentrate. All she wanted was her feelings for Peter to go away so she can hopefully find happiness with Kal-El.