Chapter 16

J'onn put on his blue traveling cloak over his green gambeson. He slid his daggers in their sheath when he heard the door open. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Kal-El. "Forgive me if I do not bow, Your Majesty." J'onn said as he put on gloves.

"I would prefer it if you did not and you know you may call me Kal-El." He said and grinned.

J'onn grinned too. "Jor-El did not like it either; all the kneeling and being called 'Your Majesty' but he was able to endure it with your mother was by his side." J'onn put a hand on his shoulder. "You are more like your father than you think, Kal-El." He said.

"Will I be as great a king as he was?" Kal-El asked. There was so much doubt in his eyes and he moved away from J'onn to the window. The sun was setting and he had ordered J'onn to leave after dark.

"When you born, your father was so nervous, so scared that he asked Jonathan and me to help him guide you not only as the future king… but to teach you how to be a man." J'onn said. Kal-El turned to look at him.

"He truly said that?" He asked.

"He did. Kal-El, you have grown into a fine young man and you are destined to become a great king… so do not doubt yourself, especially now. Your father would want you to walk your own path and not follow his." J'onn said and Kal-El nodded.

The sun had set and the room would have been pitch black but the torches had been lit a few minutes ago. "Use the escape tunnel that leads to the stable. There is a knight named Cam-Zel waiting for you at the gate. He will go as far as Smallville with you… I do not like this plan of you traveling to Genesis alone." Kal-El said.

"It will be easier to enter and leave Genesis unnoticed if I am alone. I will be fine, Kal-El. I have done this many times before." J'onn said patting his shoulder.

"I know… but one day you may be caught. I would hate to lose you, J'onn." Kal-El said.

"Any king would hate to lose their best spymaster." J'onn said and they chuckled.

"You are not just my spymaster to me… you are also my friend. Every man hates to lose a friend." Kal-El said and J'onn nodded. "When you hear Lionel's decision, return to Smallville and send Cam-Zel back to Kandor. I will join you there when I received word from you." J'onn nodded and left the room.

Kal-El returned to his quarters. He was removing his circlet when he heard a noise behind him. He drew his sword and pointed it at the intruder's throat. "Kal-El..." Lana said softly and stepped into the light.

Kal-El relaxed and put away his sword. "What are you doing in my chambers, Lana?" He removed his sword belt and set it down on the table.

"We need to speak." Lana said as Kal-El started to unfasten the buttons of his dark gray tunic.

"Do we? I do not remember saying that we had to speak and I do not remember ever giving you permission to enter my chambers unannounced." Kal-El said with his back to her.

"First, you are not my lord and husband yet so do not presume to give me orders. Second, we both know how much you despise giving orders… Clark." Lana said and his fingers fumbled when he unfastened the last button.

Clark quickly turned around to look at her. His tunic was open and it revealed the white shirt and dark gray vest under it. He was utterly confused. "H-H-How do you know to call me by that name?" He asked.

"Peter always called you by that name when he spoke of you. He often did. He thinks of you as a brother and that is why he could not bear to hurt you… by marrying me." Lana said.

"What?" Clark was not sure he heard her right. "Peter wants to marry you?"

"Since we were nine years old." Lana replied with a smile and sat down. "As you know, I was raised in Smallville by my mother's sister. Although it was miles away, I could see the Kent Castle from my window. When I first met Peter, I was riding my colt one afternoon and the sons of a visiting count surrounded me saying that they wanted my horse. Peter jumped out of the bushes and told them to leave me be. When one of the boys pushed me off my horse, Peter hit the eldest brother in the nose and they all ran away. He helped me up and walked me back to town."

Lana placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin in the palm of her hand. "Some nights he would come to my aunt's house and we would go riding together when the moon was high in the sky. One of the nights, he said one day he would become a knight and marry me. He used to call me Lady Lana Ross… but he has not since the Council asked my aunt for permission to become one of your potential brides." Lana said somberly.

Clark took off his tunic and hung it off a chair. He then took a seat across from Lana. "Does he know about you and Lex?" Clark asked.

"Yes. Lex wanted me and I took advantage of his lust to gain information for the Resistance. He soon grew tired of me when he met Lady Helen Bryce. He said I made him feel like a prince and Helen made him feel like a king… I soon left Metropolis and returned to Smallville to be with Pete. He was upset about my indiscretion but he eventually forgave me and comforted me." She explained.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Clark asked.

"It is time we are truthful with one another. Clark, Peter loves me and I love him. We have tried to forget our feelings but I cannot and I know he cannot as well." Lana sat up and placed her hand over his. "I care for you, Clark, I do but… I cannot marry you when my heart… and yours belongs to another." Lana said.

Clark looked at her. His eyes were hurt at first but then understanding. "I understand completely. Love is a rare gift. When the time is right, we will announce that our betrothal is forfeit and you can announce your betrothal to Peter when you wish." Lana grinned. "And what do you mean when you say my heart belongs to another? The woman I love is dead." He said softly.

"I am not speaking of Alicia. I am speaking of Lois Lane." Lana said and Clark looked at her.

"Lois… I do not know if my heart belongs to her… but I do know my feelings for her are strong." Clark said.

"How strong are these feelings?" Lana asked.

"I have never felt this way about anyone, not even…" Clark could not finish the sentence.

"Not even with Alicia?" Lana asked and Clark nodded.

"You may not know it yet, Clark, but you are in love. Does she feel the same way?" She asked.

"I do not know." He answered softly. "How will I know?"

Lana placed her hand on top of his. "Love does not blind, it only makes everything clear. If she does truly love you, you will know. Trust me, all the great loves start this way." Lana said with a comforting smile.

"Thank you, Lana." He said.

"Just because we are not to be married does not mean we cannot remain friends." She said and he nodded in agreement. Clark then began to laugh. "And might I ask what is so funny?"

"How are we going to explain all this to the Council?" He asked and laughed harder. Lana smiled and then she began to laugh as well.

Lutessa Mercer tucked her sleeping daughter into bed and kissed her forehead. She quietly closed the door and went into her private study. She looked at her dead husband's sword on the mantle over the fireplace as she sat down in front of the fire. She unsealed a document that Alexander had asked her to read over.

She was half-way through it when she heard soft noises behind her. They were soft but she could make out the sound of footsteps. Most of the servants were in town for the festival but she knew immediately it was not a servant because this person had been trained in stealth like she was.

Lutessa stood and grabbed the sword off the mantle. She slowly removed it from his sheath and rested her back against the wall. The door quietly opened. She saw it open and a dark figure entered her study silently. All she could make out was a blue cloak. She silently positioned herself behind the intruder. Then she lunged at him.

J'onn saw her lunge at him through a reflection off the window. He quickly removed two daggers from his waist and blocked her thrust. She sent more blows his way and he blocked every one. She then tried to kick his leg but he dodged her. He then kicked the back of her leg and she fell down to the ground. She then realized there was a dagger to her throat and she hoped that Mia was still sleeping.

"Clark sent me." He whispered and Lutessa stopped struggling. She closed her eyes and dropped the sword. There was metallic thud and she held her hands up in defeat. J'onn stood and offered a hand to her. She reluctantly took it and he helped her up.

She noticed the large red X across the chest of his green gambeson. She had only seen that red X in a book of history she read when she was a little girl. "I have heard whispers that the King of Krypton had a Martian in his service. For once, the whispers are true." She said and J'onn covered his gambeson with his cloak. "What does Clark want of me now?" She asked.

Lutessa picked up the sword and put it back in its sheath. "He asks only for your help." J'onn said.

Lutessa scoffed as she put the sword back on the mantle. "Tell your king what I told him the last time I saw him. I will have no more part in this war. It has cost me a husband and a brother. I will neither help nor betray my father… even if the man is dead to me." She said and poured herself a goblet of wine.

She lifted up an empty goblet and J'onn shook his head so she put the goblet back down. She picked up her goblet of wine and rested her right arm on the mantle over the fireplace. "Your father?" J'onn asked.

"Yes, my father… King Lionel I of Genesis and Thanagar." She praised him sarcastically and scoffed. "The only thing that man was good at was leaving." She said taking a sip of wine. "So… what does Clark want of me this time?"

"As I said, he asks for your help. His cousin, Princess Kara Zor-El has been captured by Prince Alexander. He proposes a trade… the princess for Captain Lois Lane." He said and that definitely got her attention because she dropped her arm off the mantle.

"He is willing to surrender over his most prized prisoner for his cousin? Good to know that Clark has not changed." She said and she put down the half full goblet. "He wants me to make the offer to Lionel on his behalf, does he not?" She asked not surprised.

"Yes, he hopes you will but he says the choice is yours." J'onn said.

Lutessa took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes. "Clark saved me from becoming a monster like my father and my brother. I believe I owe him this... Not to mention you will be arrested if you try to gain an audience with Lionel." She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I will speak to my father." She said and took a seat.

"Thank you." J'onn said. He bowed his head to her and turned to leave.

"What if he does not agree to the exchange?" She asked looking into the fire.

"He recommends you stress the importance of keeping General Lane's loyalty." J'onn replied.

"And if he still does not agree?" She asked.

"Then Clark will take matters into his own hands, which will only end in bloodshed. He is hoping to avoid that by exchanging prisoners… All he wants is his cousin back." J'onn said.

Lutessa nodded and he turned to leave again. "How will I find you?" She asked.

"I will find you." He replied raising his hood and walked out into the dark corridor. She refilled her goblet of wine because she knew she was going to need another drink now that she had to see the man she despised more than anything.

In the morning, Lutessa's carriage pulled up into the courtyard of the Metropolian Castle. She was surprised to see Alexander waiting for her. "Lex?" She asked when a footman helped her out. "I mean, Your Royal Highness." She said and bowed.

"Baroness." He said and bowed his head. He approached her and held his hand out to her. She placed her right hand on top of his left hand and they walked into the castle. "What are you doing here, Tess? I remember you specifically telling our father that you had no intentions of returning to court after Edward's funeral." He spoke to her quietly so no one would here.

"I was not planning to but then an intruder broke into my home last night." She said and he looked at her, his eyes filled with worry.

"Are you and Mia alright?" He asked.

"We are fine but the intruder was a messenger from the King of Krypton." She whispered. He stopped walking and he looked around.

"Let us speak somewhere more private." He said and they started walking again but at a faster pace. They entered Helen's private sitting room. "Out." He ordered her ladies and they left quickly.

"Tess… what are you doing here?" She asked. Helen was about to stand but Lex motioned for her to sit. Today, Helen wore her official circlet as Princess of Genesis and Duchess of Metropolis. (pic in profile)

"Now, what did this messenger say?" Lex demanded.

Tess took a seat. "He said that you captured Princess Kara on the battlefield and Kal-El wanted me to relay a proposition to His Majesty." She said. "Apparently Kal-El believes that I am Lionel's mistress as well." She lied.

Lex could barely tell she was lying but he knew she was. "What proposition?" He demanded and Tess sighed. "You have nothing to fear from me, dear sister."

"Who says I fear you, brother. I am trained to fear nothing but the wrath of our sovereign." She replied. "Kal-El is proposing a trade… Princess Kara Zor-El for Captain Lois Lane." Tess said. Helen looked at Lex. Lex stroked his upper lip.

"It appears Kal-El is learning to master the game of politics. He knows my father will have no choice but to accept his offer or he will lose General Lane and his half of the army." Lex said and walked to the window. "Very clever, Clark." He whispered to himself.

"How can we use this to our advantage, my love?" Helen asked.

"We cannot… but a solution will reveal itself in time. As you say, a great king is patient when it comes to matters such as these." Lex said. At that moment, King Lionel was returning to the castle from his hunting trip. "Your timing is flawless, Tess. Our father has returned."

Outside, the servants carried in two deer and a wild boar. Lionel dismounted from his horse and Samuel Lane was waiting for him. "General Lane, what is it?" Lionel asked taking off his riding gloves.

Lane bowed and whispered in his ear, "Baroness Mercer arrived this morning, Your Majesty." Lane said and Lionel chuckled. He limped into the castle, his leg never fully recovered after his duel with Jonathan Kent and he could daily remedies to deal with the pain.

"I will see her privately in my quarters. Arrange it." Lionel patted Lane's shoulder. It was rumored that Tess was either Lionel or Lex's mistress. General Lane was one of the few people who knew the truth.

Tess walked into Lionel's private sitting room. She looked around and noticed he had acquired some new artwork. "My prodigal daughter... you have returned." Lionel said behind her.

She turned around to face him. "Is it too much to visit my dear father from time to time?" She asked sarcastically.

"Well, you did turn your back on me and the fortune I promised you." Lionel said and removed his sleeveless fur cape.

"I served you faithfully for years as a spy and much worse. And for what… to be treated as a whore and secretly married off because I was carrying the child of one of your enemies." Tess repressed her anger but her eyes were filled with fury.

"I never told you to become Queen's lover." He said stroking his beard.

"You ordered me to retrieve information from Star City by any means necessary… and I did." Tess said.

"Yes, you did and that is why I arranged a marriage between you and your long-time lover, Sir Edward Dearden, to prevent a scandal. I even gave you both the titles of Baron and Baroness and a yearly allowance, which you live comfortably off of. And if I recall, Sir Edward did raise your bastard… before his untimely death." Lionel sat down.

"He helped me raised Mia only because he saw her as a product of my loyalty to the crown. I do not even know if he ever truly loved me." Tess said and looking at him with disgust.

"Or if you truly loved him." Lionel said bored. "Why are you really here, Tess? You could have written me of your disdain for me." He interlocked his fingers. Lionel was no fool.

Tess took a deep breath. "I had an uninvited guest last night… it was a messenger from Krypton. He said that Kal-El has a proposition for you." She said and took a seat.

Lionel began to chuckle. "He wants to make a deal with me? He is more foolish than I thought." He laughed. "And what is this… proposition?" He asked between chuckles.

"A trade. Lex captured his cousin in battle and Kal-El wants her back. He is willing to trade Captain Lois Lane for Princess Kara Zor-El." Tess said and she loved watching Lionel's smile disappear.

Lionel could not hide his fury despite clamping his jaw shut. Tess could tell by the look in his eyes and the way his hands were shaking because he was clutching them so tightly together. "When does he expect my decision?" Lionel said repressing his anger.

"I do not know. All his messenger said was that he would find me. Now…" Tess stood. "I must return to my bastard daughter, your grandchild." She said coldly and turned to leave.

"I did not give you permission to leave." Lionel said fiercely and she stopped at the door. Her hand was reaching for the handle and she lowered it. Lionel stood. "This messenger will most likely return to the Mansion so I will accompany you."

"May I ask why?" Tess asked.

"No, you may not. Now, you have my permission to leave…" He said and she shook her head at him in disgust. She opened the door. "…to leave this room but not the capital. You will stay in your chambers here until we depart at dusk." He ordered and she slammed the door.

That night, Tess sat in her study at the Mansion reading. She heard the door quietly open again so she closed the book. "You know there is a door." She said and stood. She set the book down on the table next to the chair.

"J'onn J'onzz, it has been a long time," said a rough male voice. J'onn lowered the hood of his cloak because he knew that voice from anywhere. Lionel stepped out of the shadows and into the light. J'onn kept one hand on his dagger. "So mistrusting." Lionel said and took a seat.

"You are the king my king is fighting and Kal-El despises you for what you did." J'onn remained standing keeping a nice grip on the hilt of his dagger. He discreetly searched the room for bodyguards and listened in case they were hiding outside the door.

"We are alone, J'onn. It makes it easier for us to talk. And I have no weapon." Lionel said and motioned for J'onn to have a seat. He remained standing and crossed his arms so Lionel remained standing as well. "Very well. I will agree to Kal-El's offer… on one condition."

"You have not changed, Luthor. Always making tempting offers to men in dire situations." J'onn said.

"I am the one in the dire situation." Lionel said. Tess and J'onn looked at him with confusion. "I accept the offer of exchanging our political prisoners… but I ask for a private audience with His Majesty, King Kal-El I of Krypton."

"Are you mad... or just bold? Why would he ever grant you an audience?" J'onn asked.

"He will grant me the audience because I wish to speak with him on proposing a peace treaty." Lionel said.

"What?" J'onn and Tess asked at the same time, both of them caught off guard.

"You heard me. Now return to Krypton and relay my message to your king. If he anything like his father, he will grant me the audience." Lionel said. "Now, it has been a long day. I will retire for the evening. Good night, Lutessa... J'onn." He said and left the study humming as if nothing was wrong.

J'onn and Tess gave confused looks to one another. "Do not underestimate him. This could be another one of his tricks. It would not be the first time he has used the excuse of a peace treaty to get close to a king… with a sword. I like Clark so I do not wish anything to happen to him." Tess warned him and J'onn nodded.

J'onn raised his hood and disappeared into the night.