Chapter 17
Cam-Zel raced through Kandor making his way to the Crystal Palace. He dismounted his horse in the courtyard and kneeled before Captain Ak-Var, who nodded at him and Cam-Zel rose. He handed Ak-Var a sealed letter. Ak-Var motioned with his head for him to enter the palace and they went inside.
Kal-El was reading a report from the frontlines when he heard a knock at the door. "Enter," he said. His dark blue tunic hung from the chair next to him and he had his feet up on the same chair as he relaxed for the first time that day. He wore a white shirt, dark blue vest, and black pants.
Ak-Var entered his private sitting room and bowed. He quickly glanced up at Ak-Var and went back to reading the report. "Yes?" He asked. Ak-Var did not bother to say anything and just put the sealed letter down onto the table in front of him. He stood up straight and placed his left hand on the hilt of his sword waiting to be dismissed.
Kal-El finished reading the report and set it down. He recognized J'onn's handwriting on the letter and quickly ripped off the seal. He read the entire letter and blew a sigh of relief. "Call an urgent meeting of the Council and the Military Guild now… and prepare the Red Shard. We depart for Smallville in two days." He ordered.
Ak-Var bowed and left the room. Kal-El stood and threw the letter into the lit fireplace. He put on his tunic and fastened all the buttons as he watched the letter become ashes. He grabbed his sword belt off the table and fastened it around his waist.
He left his private chambers and his bodyguards followed him. They walked up the stairs to the unoccupied upper chambers, which were the chambers visiting monarchs slept in. He approached a guarded door and the knights bowed quickly. Kal-El removed a key from a pouch on his waist and unlocked the door. He motioned for his bodyguards to wait outside and entered the room.
Lois was applying a wet cloth to her swollen left eye when she heard someone at the door. She slowly turned around to see Clark staring at her horrified. Her left eye was swollen shut, there was a large dark bruise on her left cheek, her upper lip was busted, and her right arm was in a sling.
Clark slowly began to walk up to her. She grimaced and groaned in pain as she stood. His breathing and heartbeat increased as got closer to her. He placed his right hand on her chin and slowly moved her head side to side examining her wounds. "By Rao!" He swore quietly.
"It is not as bad as it looks. I have seen worse in battle." Lois said. She removed his hand from her face and held his hand to comfort him. "It is a good thing that I favor my left hand and not my right." She joked poorly trying to ease the tension and he flashed a nervous grin.
Clark brought her hand up to his warm lips. She sighed for she could not smile because her face was so sore. "J'onn did not have to go this far. I will speak with him." He said and examined her wounds once more.
"There is no need. I told him we had to make it look real or Luthor would become suspicious. I was not going to take that chance, especially if we want this plan to succeed. Do not worry, he said all my wounds will be just about healed by the time I return to Metropolis." She said.
"That is why I am here… besides to come and check on you. I have not stopped worrying since I left that room… Lionel has agreed to the exchange. He will journey to the border to exchange Kara himself for you." Clark said.
"Then our plan may succeed." She said and he smiled. "What? What did I say?" She asked.
"You said our plan. I just like the way it sounds… our plan." He said and she smiled but not for long because she grimaced in pain making Clark flinch. "Forgive me." He said worried.
"Do not blame yourself. I have felt worse pain than this, believe me. It is the price of war." Lois said and Clark frowned. She began to caress his right cheek. "All will be well… Now you must not waste with me when there are important things to be done for our journey to Smallville."
Clark nodded somberly. "Oh, yes. I must…" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He regained his composure and opened his eyes. "I must inform the Council and the Military Guild of the exchange." He said.
"Now go. We may see each other later." She said running her fingers through his hair. He kissed her hand, afraid to kiss her busted lip, and then he kissed her forehead. She could feel his warm breath against her skin and she closed her eyes. She heard his footsteps head for the door so she opened her eyes. He looked back at her. "Go or I will make it an order." They both grinned and then he left the room.
Now that he was gone, Lois grabbed her right wrist because it was throbbing with pain. She bit down on her lip but that made her busted lip sting. She started breathing heavily and she clamped her jaw shut to muffle her moaning. It had taken all her strength and self control to not scream out in pain when Clark was in the room. She could not bear to see him distraught.
Lois sat down and grabbed a small glass bottle next to the basin on the table in front of her. It was filled with a Martian remedy used to numb pain. She fumbled with the cork and she could not open it with her fingers. She put the cork in between her teeth and pulled it out. It stung her busted lip but that pain was nothing compared to the searing pain in her wrist.
She spit out the cork from in between her teeth and quickly drank the remedy. It was repugnant and she coughed as it went down her throat. She clutched the arm of the chair and continued to cough but she could feel the pain numbing. She sighed when the pain in her wrist subsided and she laid her head against the back of her chair.
"His Majesty, the King!" The herald announced and everyone kneeled. Kal-El quickly put on his circlet before he entered the throne room. He walked down the red carpet and took a seat at his throne on the right. He motioned for them to rise and they all took their seats.
"My lords, I have called this unscheduled session of the Ruling Council and the Kryptonian Military Guild to inform you that in two days time, the Red Shard and I depart for Smallville with Captain Lane, who I am trading for the return of the Princess Kara Zor-El." Kal-El said.
The Council began to murmur among themselves while the Military Guild nodded. Lord Sin-Dar rose. "Your Majesty, we do not believe that this is wise. Captain Lane is our most valuable prisoner and trading her would be a great loss for we have not gotten valuable information from her yet." He said.
Kal-El took a deep breath and leaned forward. "Is the Princess Kara not valuable? For I see her as irreplaceable. There are other knights and military leaders we may capture but Princess Kara is of the royal family and a faithful soldier of Krypton. And we Kryptonians look after our brothers and sisters in arms."
The Military Guild nodded in agreement for it is the way of a Kryptonian soldier to never leave a fellow soldier behind in battle. "We understand Your Majesty's predicament but our only fear is that Lionel will not hand over Princess Kara for she is his most valuable prisoner." Sin-Dar said.
"Then it a good thing that Lionel has already agreed to the exchange or I would be wasting a great deal of time." Kal-El said and the room became silent. "There is no way Lionel would risk losing the loyalty of the general of his army. He had no choice but to agree to the exchange." The Council looked impressed. "I too know how to play the game of politics, my lords." Sin-Dar sat back down and Kal-El sat up straight.
"I hope there is a plan involved in all this." General Nox-Van said.
"Yes. The exchange will happen at the border, where we both have troops making us all feel secure. Lionel and I will personally trade the prisoners over the border." Kal-El said and the whole room began to murmur.
"King Lionel himself will hand over Princess Kara? That does not sound like him. This could very well be a trap." Nox-Van said.
"I have no doubt that the Red Shard are prepared for all possible dangers, especially if Lionel does take this change to try and assassinate me. I appreciate all your concerns but there is no need for concern." Just then he knew there was one last thing to clear up. "But I must warn you, Captain Lane unsuccessfully tried to escape the prison she was being held. She suffered some injuries but she is recovering nicely."
"I hope she now knows that it is impossible to escape a Kryptonian prison." Sin-Dar remarked and the other Council members snickered making Kal-El clutch the arm of his throne.
"Is is not impossible. Do not forget that Dru-Zod II escaped the Phantom Zone the year I was born." Kal-El said sternly and the snickering immediately stopped. "Now if that is all…" Kal-El stood and everyone followed suit. "I must prepare for the journey." He stepped down from the throne and everyone kneeled as he left the throne room.
Peter entered Kal-El's private sitting room and bowed while Kal-El was removing his circlet. He motioned for Peter to have a seat but Peter remained standing and put his hands around his back. "Why so tense, Pete?" He asked.
Peter shoulders stiffened. "Lana said she spoke to you… about us." He said softly.
Clark crossed his arms. "She did. She told me everything. And the decision has been made… we are not to be married." He said.
"What?" Pete lowered his hands to his sides. "Lana would be a loving wife and a just queen. You cannot do this because you do not approve of her past." He argued.
"I am confident she will make a loving wife and a just queen… just not for me but for you." Clark walked up to his old friend and placed his hands on his shoulders. "It would be against my conscience to marry a woman in love with another man. Lana loves you and you love her… you of all people should be allowed to marry." Clark said.
Clark took a step back and crossed his arms while grinning. "Are you… are you giving us permission to marry?" Pete asked unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
"Yes, of course I am." Clark smiled at Pete, who embraced him tightly. Clark patted his back and the two parted. He wrapped his arm around Peter's shoulders. "The wedding Lana and I were planning for the summer, you shall have it."
"Are you certain? It is supposed to be your wedding after all. You do not think it will be strange?" Peter asked.
"Yes, I am certain. For once in my life everything is perfectly clear." Clark smiled.
"Lana was right. You are most definitely in love." Peter said. Clark could not say a word and that made him smile.
Kal-El entered the courtyard in his full suit of armor and red knight's cape. The knights bowed on horseback until he mounted his own horse and then a servant handed Kal-El his helm. He nodded to the servant and put the helm on. At that moment, Captain Ak-Var and another knight exited the palace with Lois shackled.
Her arm was still in a sling and her left eye was no longer swollen shut but she still had a black eye. There was a cut over her upper lip and her left cheek was not as badly bruised as it was two days ago.
They did not return her armor, only her arming doublets. A servant placed small wooden steps in front of a horse so it would be easier for her to climb on top. She grimaced as Ak-Var locked her shackles onto the saddle to prevent her from escaping.
Kal-El walked his horse up to Ak-Var and Lois. "We must leave now if we are to me Luthor on time." He said and Ak-Var nodded. Ak-Var mounted his horse and Kal-El glanced at Lois before moving back to the front of the convoy. Kal-El gave his horse a kick and galloped out of the courtyard with the Red Shard following at his pace.
They reached Smallville in four days as planned. The exchange was to occur just after dawn and the sun would be rising soon. Clark and Lois sat next to each other wanting to be in each others' presence for as long as possible. Clark leaned forward holding his left hand over his mouth, deep in thought. "Clark…" She whispered. Clark looked up to see the sun beginning its ascension.
He sat up straight and looked at her. She was staring at him with tears forming in her eyes. A single tear streamed down her face and he wiped it away with his thumb. He caressed her face and she placed her left hand over his hand wanting to remember how smooth it felt on her face. He removed his hand, stood, and began walking to the door.
Lois stood as well but he stopped before he reached the door. He quickly turned around and rushed back to meet her soft lips. She placed her hand on his cheek as the kiss deepened. This kiss was meant to satisfy them until they saw each other again.
The sun was finishing its ascension and Kal-El marveled at it despite the wreckage from battle a week earlier. He and the Red Shard were atop their horses on a hill overlooking the Smallville Fortress miles away over the border. Behind them were battalions ready to protect their king if necessary.
Kal-El wore his suit of armor but not his helm, he wore his crown instead. He looked down at his family crest on his black tabard thinking of embracing Kara and never letting her out of his sight again. He wanted the same with Lois and that saddened him as he cut his eyes in her direction to see her overlooking the battalions of Genesis soldiers across the border.
"Your Majesty…" Ak-Var motioned to two knights riding ahead of the enemy battalions waving a gray flag of truce. They stopped inches from the border and waved the flag again. Kal-El nodded to Ak-Var and the two galloped down to meet the two knights.
Lex wore his silver suit of armor with a white tabard bearing his family crest and a white knight's cape. He wore no helm but his official circlet a crowned prince. "Still pretending to be a white knight." Ak-Var commented as they trotted up to them and Kal-El nodded.
The second knight was General Samuel Lane. He was once a count but gave up the title when his wife died and it passed down to Lois. He too wore a silver suit of armor with no helm and a green knight's cape. Kal-El looked upon the face of Lois's father, which was battle worn and angry. They also stopped a few inches from the border. "Where is Lionel?" Kal-El asked.
"I am afraid His Majesty will not be joining us on this fine morning. He is unwell from his long journey from Metropolis. He has asked me as heir to the throne to be here in his stead. I am sorry but you have to deal with me, Clark." Lex said smirking
"The name is Kal-El, Lex. You lost the right to call me by the name years ago." Kal-El replied coldly and Lex lifted an eyebrow impressed that he called him 'Lex' in public. "Now where is my cousin?"
"Where is my daughter?" Samuel Lane asked roughly.
"Well then, let us shall proceed with our business then." Lex said and motioned for someone to come forward. A horse galloped away from the enemy battalions. Kal-El could make our Kara's blond hair and a knight in silver armor. Kal-El then motioned for someone to come down and two horses galloped down the hill.
Sir John Corben, personal bodyguard for the Luthors, slowed to a stop besides Lex. Kara sat in front of him on the saddle. Her face was badly bruised and she wore only her ripped shirt and pants. Kal-El tightened his grip on the reins to prevent himself from charging Lex. Cam-Zel slowed to a stop next to Ak-Var. Lois was still shackled so Cam-Zel held onto the reins of her horse.
Lex nodded at Corben, who pushed Kara off the horse and she landed on the ground groaning in pain. Ak-Var placed his hand on the hilt of his sword but Kal-El motioned for him to halt although his own hand at twitched for his sword. Lex smirked and Kal-El knew he could easily wipe it off his face. Cam-Zel helped Lois down from the horse and unlocked the shackles.
Kara struggled to her feet but she was able to stand. The two women then limped across the border. General Lane held his hand out to his daughter and she grabbed it with her left arm. He hoisted her up onto the saddle behind him and patted her leg to signal that she was safe. She wrapped her good arm around her father's waist.
Kal-El dismounted and removed his red knight's cape. Kara stumbled into his arms and he wrapped the cape around her shoulders. He lifted her up atop his horse and mounted it behind her. Alexander and Kal-El glared at each other one last time before riding off.
Kal-El was waiting in the barn at the Kent Farm not far from the Kent Castle. Farmhands were taking care of the farm while the Duchess and Earl were at court. Some of his best memories were at this farm helping his father in the fields and playing with Peter and Henry.
He wore black pants and a red shirt as he brushed his horse. He saw the sun beginning to set outside. He put down the brush and reached down to get an apple when Lois's ring fell out from underneath his shirt. It dangled in front of him so he stood up straight to examine it. He sighed as he thought of her even though it had only been less than a day.
"Your Majesty…" Ak-Var's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Three horsemen are approaching and one of them is J'onn J'onzz." He said and Kal-El nodded. He quickly kissed the ring and hid it back under his shirt. He fed his horse the apple and walked back to the farmhouse with Ak-Var while putting back on his sword belt.
Three hooded horsemen rode up to the front of the farmhouse and a farmhand took their horses as they dismounted. Ak-Var assumed that the last man was Sir John. J'onn lowered his hood and noticed the Red Shard knights disguised as farmhands around the farm. "His Majesty is expecting you." Ak-Var said and motioned to the farmhouse.
J'onn was the last to enter the house just in case this was an assassination attempt. Once safely inside and sensing not danger, he led the group into a small but pleasant sitting room. Kal-El's back was to them when they entered the room.
"Your Majesty, I present to you King Lionel Luthor of Genesis and Baroness Lutessa Mercer." J'onn said and they lowered their hoods. "Your Majesty and Your Grace, I present to you King Kal-El I of Krypton."
Kal-El turned around to see Lionel stiffen and then he looked at Tess. "No bodyguard?" He asked.
"I know you will not betray your word. You are too much like you father." Lionel said and that remark bothered Kal-El. "Besides, Sir John's loyalty is to Lex, not to me."
Kal-El crossed his arms. "Luthor, say what you came here to say and choose your words carefully. Do not make me regret granted you an audience." Kal-El said.
"You may call me Lionel… You remind me of your father. You have his eyes, you know. They are like looking at a ghost." Lionel commented.
"Are you feeling guilty for past sins?" Kal-El asked repressing his anger.
"I have many past sins and your parents are one of them but not in the way you think. I respected your father and mother. In fact, I wanted to form a treaty with them when I ascended the throne for I did not want any bad blood between us. I even gave them Queen Abigail and Prince Peter as a peace offering." Lionel said.
"You lie… You murdered them like you murdered Sir Gabriel Sullivan and his family to get General Lane to attack Smallville and gain his unquestioning loyalty." Kal-El snapped. He stepped closer to Lionel. They were exactly the same height.
"I did not murder your parents or the Sullivans. I am not a monster. I saw your father and mother die but not by the hands of my men." Lionel said.
"Honesty is not one of your virtues, Lionel. How do I know you speak the truth?" Kal-El asked.
Lionel removed a small object from a pouch on his belt. "Jor-El died in my arms but he made me swear on what honor I had left to give you this when you came of age." Lionel opened up his hand and revealed a stone in the palm of his hands. Kal-El was surprised. "Yes… one of three stones of power broken apart by Seyg-El I after he defeated King Zod VII. This one belonged to your mother."
Lionel placed the stone in Kal-El's hand gently. "What are you doing with this?" He demanded.
"Your father gave that to me moments before he died. Your parents were murdered by Zod and his wife. Faora stabbed your mother and ripped this from her neck. Zod then stabbed your father after he was able to grab the stone from Faora. We could do nothing but watch the massacre as we raced to save them. When we did arrive, I found your father holding your mother in his arms. He had used what strength he had left to crawl to her." Lionel said.
"How do I know you speak the truth?" Kal-El asked somberly.
"Look into my eyes and you will see that I speak the truth. Your father was a good man, unlike me. I owe it to him to tell you all this. I tried to tell your uncle the truth but he would not listen… neither would the Duke of Kent." Lionel said.
"You killed him." Kal-El said his breathing increased in anger.
"Killing him was not my intention. He attacked me and I only defended myself; although, I do not blame him. Everyday this war is turning me and my son into soulless monsters and unlocking the power of that stone is becoming too tempting… and that is why I am here." Lionel said.
"To form a peace treaty." Kal-El stated. Lionel took a seat and crossed his legs.
"Yes. This war begun on the assumption that I had murdered Krypton's sovereigns but that is a lie. Now that the truth will come to light, I wish to revoke my family's claim to the throne and give it back to the rightful heir, Prince Peter Ross, who may return Thanagar to King Carter and Queen Shiera if he so pleases." Lionel said.
"What about Lex? He will be beyond furious when he finds out." Tess said and Kal-El nodded.
"I no longer crave the burden of the throne and I can see now that my son has become a monster. I fear the damage he will inflict when or if he wears the crown." Lionel said. Tess did not agree with him verbally but her eyes did.
"Is the great Lionel Luthor surrendering?" Kal-El asked.
"No, not surrendering… just putting my mind at peace." Lionel sighed and Kal-El took a seat across from him. "There is only one more problem. This war has raged for so long, it will take more than signing a piece of parchment to satisfy all the realms."
Kal-El nodded. "I agree. What do you propose?" He asked.
"I propose a marriage between I and the Duchess of Kent." Lionel said.
"Not even if she were the last woman in this world. Propose another match." Kal-El said coldly.
"Very well, if not I and the Duchess then perhaps you and Lutessa but the Council will no doubt discover that she is my bastard daughter by one of my wife's ladies." Lionel said and Kal-El glanced at Tess, who had stiffened somewhat at the mention of her mother's affair with Lionel.
Kal-El crossed his legs. "Well then, I propose a match between I and the one of the daughters of Sir Samuel Lane, the general of Genesis Royal Army." Kal-El said.
"That may work for he respected by all. Lucy is too young but Lois… Lois is of marrying age but I warn she has no love for Krypton and she has had quite a few lovers of the years." Lionel said.
"Yes… but a union between Lois and I may be able to please all the realms and not just ours once the treaty is signed." Kal-El said.
"I agree but Sir Samuel will not like this idea of a union between you and Lois, especially since you had his daughter tortured." Lionel remarked.
Kal-El held up his hand in protest. "Her injuries are from her failed escaped attempt from prison, not torture." Kal-El lied.
"Of course…" Lionel said not convinced. "Sir Samuel will eventually agree to marriage due to the political aspects for he is as tired of war as I am but… the alleged torture will delay his decision. Lois, on the other hand, will not be as easily convinced. In fact, she may be hostile to the idea up to the moment she walks down the aisle." Lionel said.
"I am certain we have grown to respect each other well enough and one day we may even like each other." Kal-El said telling part truth and part lie.
"Are we in agreement, then?" Lionel asked.
"I believe we are." Kal-El said and then the two men stood. Kal-El motioned to the door.
"I recommend you do not tell your Council about this peace treaty… they will only try to change your mind. They wish to see me dead and buried before they agree to any peace treaty." Lionel said.
"I know… that is why this conversation will not be repeated outside this room and that does include Lex." Kal-El said and Lionel nodded. Kal-El looked at everyone else and they all nodded, including Tess.