This is a New War

"If Zod has allied himself with Luthor, then we should send troops to Thanagar!" Durkin argued.

"You have never been a soldier, have you Durkin? You do not just send half our army to the other side of the world with an invading army on its way here!" Nox-Van argued.

"The king did it nine years ago when he took half the army to invade Genesis!" Durkin argued.

"He took the Kandor forces with our allies and Genesis is not on the other side of the world. When this army does arrive, we shall need the full might of the Royal Army to defeat them." Nox-Van argued.

"You mean if this army arrives. This could be some great deception to shaken our reign!" Durkin argued.

"Enough!" Kal-El slammed his fist down and there was silence. "Our enemies grow stronger while we bicker like small children!" Kal-El shouted. Bar-El stood below the dias in a black leather doublet, trousers, and a sword belt. "I agree with General Nox-Van. This army is coming and sending troops to Thanagar shall only leave us vulnerable… How are we on cannons?"

"We have reopened the closed forges in Kryptonopolis with the promise of 40 cannons a month from each forge." Nox-Van said.

"Then send the first batch of cannons to King Carter and Queen Shiera at Thanagar. If Luthor falls, then Zod loses the supplier of his weapons, armor, and gold… And speaking of gold." Kal-El looked at Councilman Qin.

"We have spoken to the overseers of the Jewel Mines and the Mountain of Gold. They shall send as much gems and gold as they can without cutting the workers pay and without arousing suspicion." Qin said.

"Good. I have commanded J'onn J'onzz to search for the rest of the spies Zod sent. Also send word to the other sovereigns of the League of Nations and to our ambassadors to send home as many of our knights possible in preparations for war." Kal-El commanded and Wren-Za nodded. "Are we still in the dark of when and where this army shall arrive?"

"Yes, Sire. Zod's soldiers are strong willed and we are doing all that can be done to get the information we need." Nox-Van said. Kal-El stroked his upper chin knowing full well that he was most likely speaking of torture.

"Commander Ak-Var, assemble the whole of the Red Shard. They above all need to be prepared for war." Kal-El said and Ak-Var nodded. "General Nox-Van, how many troops have we raised?"

"Twelve thousand strong men at the most, Sire, but I fear that we shall require more. The House of El has banished thousands of murderers and traitors to the Phantom Zone. We cannot be certain how vast this army shall be." Nox-Van said.

"I know." Kal-El became silent and rubbed his eyes. "My lords, I believe it is time we tell the people of what is coming in only a few months time." He said.

The Council began to murmur. Durkin arose. "Sire, is that wise? We do not want to spread panic and discord."

"Yes but we need soldiers and it will take time to train them. No Kryptonian wants to see the return of the House of Zod; that is for certain." Nox-Van said.

"We shall tell the people once all Zod's spies have been captured. Captain Tam-Or." Tam-Or arose from his seat next to Ak-Var. "J'onn J'onzz has sent word that he has found more spies in Argo. I want you to ride there with your regiment and round them up. Ride to every city and town if you must. I want those spies found." Kal-El said. Tam-Or nodded once and sat back down.

Later that day, Lois was in the stables brushing her mare. She took pleasure in doing this herself when she had the time. She hummed as she stroked her mane but she stopped when she felt a sudden breeze of air. She turned around and saw that she was alone. When she turned back to her mare, a blue Kryptonian rose and a piece of parchment was on her mare's back. The piece of parchment had only one word, Dinner? Lois chuckled.

"I know you can hear me. Put your ring back on. And I have dinner plans with Sir Perry and Sir Richard…unless you wish to join us." Lois said. There was another gust of wind, which made her grin, and there was another piece of parchment on her mare's back. The mare neighed and Lois patted her neck to calm her down. This piece of parchment read, Very well. Lois chuckled.

Training courtyard

"Sir Thor-Us! You shall be fighting Sir Joseph today." Captain Tam-Or said.

"Sir Joseph?" Thor-Us asked.

"The finest swordsman we have." Tam-Or said and motioned to a knight in armor and his visor was down. "If you can best him, then the king just might make you one of us." He patted Thor-Us's shoulder and then walked away.

Thor-Us approached the knight. Sir Joseph had his right hand around his sword grip and the blade tip was on the ground. Thor-Us put on his sugar loaf helm and drew his blunt sword. Sir Joseph twirled his sword and took a battle stance.

Thor-Us slashed at Sir Joseph, who blocked the blow with his heater shield. He swung his sword and Thor-Us dodged. Red Shard knights watched intently and silently as the two men's swords clashed with each other's or their shields. The two knights knew to pace themselves and were both well skilled with the sword.

Thor-Us ducked another swing and bashed Sir Joseph with his shield. Sir Joseph stumbled back but quickly reciprocated by bashing Thor-Us with his shield. Thor-Us fell back, dropping his shield, and tried to do a sweeping kick but Sir Joseph jumped over it. Thor-Us then quickly uppercut him under his chin. Sir Joseph stumbled back into a pell. He shook it off and tossed away his own shield.

Thor-Us and Sir Joseph approached each other and their swords clashed and locked. They struggled to overpower one another and then Sir Joseph bumped Thor-Us. Thor-Us stumbled back but he was still on his feet. But then his helm was struck several times with his opponent's sword pommel. Thor-Us grabbed his wrist and twisted until he dropped the blunt sword. Sir Joseph then grabbed him by the shoulders and head bunted him. Thor-Us fell onto the ground. He removed his helm panting. He looked defeated.

He then threw the helm at Sir Joseph, who dodged. Then Thor-Us's arms were around his waist as he tackled him to the ground. He was about to punch Sir Joseph when he saw that his helm had fallen off. "Sire?"

Kal-El motioned with his eyes towards something in his hands. That is when Thor-Us saw the blunt dagger pointed towards his heart. "You hesitated." Kal-El said.

"I did not." Thor-Us said. Kal-El then felt the tip of blunt dagger against his coif on his head. Kal-El chuckled and so did Thor-Us. Thor-Us stood and held out a hand to Kal-El and helped him up.

"Welcome to the Red Shard." Kal-El said. He patted Thor-Us's shoulder and walked away.

Dinner, later that night

"Then I was flung from my horse right into a pond. And then there is Alice laughing while I am surrounded by ducks. She climbed down from her horse and gave me a blanket. She then took me back to her father's house and sat me in front of the fire. We spent the whole night speaking of nothing but books and art. And I just knew after that one night together that she was the woman for me. We married six months later and the rest is history."

Kal-El, Lois, and Sir Richard chuckled as Sir Perry finished telling the story of how he met his wife. "When I met Lois, she stabbed me and then head bunted me." Everyone laughed.

"I cut you. I did not stab you." Lois protested laughing.

"And I still have the scar." Kal-El mocked and she smacked his left arm exactly where the cut was. "Ow!" He grabbed his arm in false pain and she smacked his arm again. They all laughed. Kal-El stood. "Sir Perry, it has been an honor having you here at our court for nine peaceful years. May your new position on King Peter's council be blessed and less stressful than making sure our two kingdoms never go to war again."

They chuckled. Kal-El raised his goblet. "To Sir Perry." Kal-El said.

"To Sir Perry." Lois said and raised her goblet.

"To you, Uncle Perry." Sir Richard White said and raised his goblet.

"My thanks to you all. I shall miss life here at the Kryptonian court and I shall greatly miss the company of Your Majesties. May God watch over you both and I pray that my nephew does not start a war once I am gone." Sir Perry said and they chuckled. They sipped their wine.

Kal-El and Lois walked down the corridors side by side, their bodyguards, Vala, and Jon-Tel walked a few steps behind them. "A pleasant evening." Kal-El said.

"Yes, it was…despite everything going on." Lois said and Kal-El nodded. Soon they were at the door to the royal chambers. "Good night."

Kal-El took her hand and kissed it tenderly. "Good night." He said softly. She and Vala entered her chambers and Lois gave him one last look before closing the door. Kal-El sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He did not know what to do. He tilted his head back and sighed.

Then one of his knights coughed. "Some women prefer men of action than men of words…Sire." He said softly. Kal-El grinned slightly and nodded once. Kal-El then quietly entered their chambers.

Kal-El motioned for Vala to leave. She curtsied and then left. Outside, Jon-Tel motioned for two knights to leave and they did. He and Vala linked arms and headed to their own bedchamber.

Kal-El entered the adjoining bedchamber and barred the door. Lois was undressing behind the dressing screen. Kal-El sat on the edge on the table watching her. She did not know he was there. He crossed his arms and grinned as he watched her. He slowly and quietly removed his sword belt and set it down on the table with a soft thud. He noticed Vala has already pulled the sheets and fur blanket back on the bed.

"Vala, you may go. Go be with your husband. You do not need to be here for I would only go on speaking of my own." Lois said and sighed. "Something has changed about him. It is almost like how it used to be between us and that pleases me greatly but…oh, I do not know what I am saying." Kal-El stood and quietly walked behind the screen. Lois turned to face him and gasped. "What… What are you…?"

She wore only her underdress. He caressed her cheek slowly. Then he cupped her face in his hands and tenderly kissed her lips. She did not pull away. They broke apart and he caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. She closed her eyes, her skin grew hot and her breathing increased somewhat. His hands slowly moved down her neck to her shoulders.

He slid the underdress off her shoulders. It slid down her arms and soon her naked form was before him. All she now wore were her slippers. She took a step back and he took a step forward. With each step she took back, he took one forward. He took another step forward and removed his doublet, dropping it onto the floor. The next step he removed his white shirt.

Soon the back of her legs touched the end of her bed. Her eyes were focused on him so she felt like she had nowhere else to run. She turned his back to him and he approached her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and took in her sweet scent. He pulled her closer to him. She could feel his pecs on her back and his thighs against the back of hers. He kissed behind her ear and moved down. Her breathing and heart rate increased.

He kissed the back of her shoulders. Then his hands began to caress her body. His right hand moved up her right thigh, her abdomen, her breasts, and then her neck. She moaned. She reached back with her left hand and rested it against the back of his head. Lois then grabbed and removed his hands from her body. She turned around and grabbed him by the shoulders. She moved him in front of her and then pushed him down onto the bed.

They both removed their shoes and then she climbed on top of him. She applied kisses up his muscular abdomen, his pecs, his neck, his shoulders, behind his ears, and his ear lobes. Clark moaned and wrapped his arms around her. He moved his hands up her back. Lois's hands moved down his muscular body and began untying the laces of his trousers.

Once they were untied, he grabbed her and rolled so now he was on top. They looked deep into each other's eyes and kissed passionately. She blindly used her hands to push his trousers down his waist and he helped. He then got off of her and was on his knees. His trousers were hanging from his ankles. Lois used her elbows to slightly raise herself.

She kissed his pecs and moved down his abdomen and he closed his eyes in pleasure. He then got off the bed and stepped out of his trousers. Lois rubbed her legs together so seductively. Clark climbed back onto the bed smirking.

He kissed her left ankle and moved up. He took his time for there was no need to rush. He wanted to savor every moment of this pleasure and he could tell she wanted the same. She moaned as he kissed up her thigh and she ran her fingers through his hair. She moaned louder when he soon reached her breasts and she threw back her head in ecstasy.

He kissed her left shoulder and went up the left side of her neck. She moaned. His right hand moved up her thigh to her hip. Lois lightly pressed her nails into his back making him moan. He kissed her lips tenderly and caressed her left cheek. He broke away and gazed into her eyes. "I love you." Clark said.

He closed his eyes as Lois caressed his cheek and ran her hand through his hair. She played with his hair and he opened his eyes. She was grinning. "And I love you." Lois said and he grinned. They kissed. She wrapped her arms around him and he caressed her face. Lois gasped as they became one.

Her arms wrapped around him tighter when his pace quickened. Her nails lightly pressed into his skin as he kissed her neck and shoulders. She gasped and moaned with each thrust and kiss. She hitched her leg around his waist and threw her head back in ecstasy. Their lips met and soon broke apart for lack of air.

Her chin rested on his shoulder and she kissed his sweaty skin. She turned her head to see a few candles going out. She threw her head back in ecstasy again after a powerful thrust. Her nails dug deeper in his skin making him moan louder. She then ran her nails down his back. She wrapped her arms around him and rolled them. His hands moved up her abdomen, breasts, and neck as they continued to make love.

He caressed her face and she kissed the palm of his hand. They took each others' hands and moved at a nice pace. He threw his head back in ecstasy and closed his eyes for a moment as he moaned. He kissed the sweaty skin of her breasts and lower neck. His nails ran down her back and she moaned in his ear.

Soon the entire chamber was enveloped in darkness except for the small fire still going in the fireplace but they paid it no mind. They could still make out each other's body and faces in the pale moonlight. He gasped and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rolled them so now he was back on top. He applied quick kisses to her lower neck. His thrusts were more powerful now and she gasped and moaned louder.

She clutched the sheets tightly, her eyes were closed, and her head was thrown back in ecstasy. He grunted with each thrust as he looked at the pleasure and ecstasy on her face. She opened her eyes, caressed his face and ran her fingers through his hair, and they stared into each other's eyes. He grabbed her right hand and their fingers intertwined. Her moans were now screams of ecstasy and he grunted louder. Then they both moaned loudly and it was over.

The only sounds were their fast heartbeats and their panting. She caressed his face and ran her hand through his hair once more. He closed his eyes at the pleasure of her touch. He opened his eyes and grinned down at her. She grinned back as she continued to run her hand through his hair. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly.

Clark rolled off top of her. They both just laid there allowing their breathing and heart rate to return to normal. A single white sheet covered them below the waist. They rubbed their feet together wanting nothing more than to touch each other. Lois rolled onto her side and lay her head down on his right pec. He wrapped his right arm around her and began stroking her right arm.

Lois listened to his heartbeat. She always found his heartbeat to be soothing. She rested her chin on his chest and grinned. He grinned. She kissed his pec and they continued to stare at one another. Words did not need to be spoken; their eyes did all the talking. They did this until they both fell asleep in each other's arms.

Lois's right hand rested on his chest while she lay on her left side. Clark lay awake on his back watching her sleep. He grinned slightly at her. He always loved the way the first light shined on her face in the morning. He removed a strand of hair from her face and she stirred. She opened her eyes slowly. "Good morrow." Clark whispered.

"Good morrow." She replied softly and stroked his hair. "I have missed this. You always wake before me."

"How else can I marvel at the way the sun shines upon you?" Clark said and she grinned.

Lois chuckled. "Always with the compliments." Lois said.

"If I only spoke only of your faults, you might slay me in my sleep one night." Clark said and they both chuckled softly.

"So you admit I have faults." Lois said.

"We all have our faults, Lois. They help define who we truly are. And when you love someone, you do not just love their perfections…but their faults as well." Clark said.

Lois began to caress his left cheek. "How is it that you always have the right to thing to say?"

"It is a gift." Clark answered and they both grinned. He placed his hand over hers and kissed her palm. His grin disappeared and then he just continued to look at her.

"There is something you are not telling me." Lois said.

"I am leaving with Chris for the Fortress in the morrow." Clark said. Lois removed her hand from his face and sat up. She held the sheet up to cover her breasts. "Lois, I know nothing of fighting the House of Zod. I need my father's journals and I need you to rule in my stead until I return."

Lois turned away from him. "You promised to never leave me again, you make love to me, and now you are saying that you are leaving." She said.

"Lois…" Clark sat up. He ran his hand down her back. "I do not want to leave but I must. I will do all I can to save my people and my loved ones." He leaned over and kissed her bare shoulder. "I could not bear it if I were to lose any of you; you, most of all."

Lois sighed. She turned her body so that she could look at him. She held the sheet up with her right hand and began caressing his face with her left hand. "And that is one of the reasons why I love you." She said.

"I loathe war but war is coming and we need to be prepared. And this enemy is like none we have ever faced before. He is a threat even greater than Lex… Zod must be stopped." Clark said.

Lois lowered her head. "I know. But must you take Chris?" She asked.

"It is time he learned how to fight with a proper sword and he wishes to continue his training to become a knight. He will be coming of age soon, my love. How could I refuse him?" He said.

"You are his father. You can forbid it. At least he will be safe. I just could not bear if I lost you or Chris." Lois said. She glanced at the old wound on his right upper arm and traced some of the green veins with her fingers.

Clark lifted her chin. "Chris will be fine and he will not be a boy forever. Soon he will be a man and a man takes care of what he has worked hard to build… And you know I will always find my way back to you." He said and she nodded. He leaned in and their lips met.

Later that day, Kal-El and Sir Perry walked through the palace gardens. Kal-El wore a red linen tunic, trousers, his sword belt, and a black fur-trimmed cloak. They spoke in the common tongue. "Winter shall be upon us in a few weeks. There is no better time to sail for Genesis than today. Yet, I fear this place shall not feel the same without you, Perry." He said.

Sir Perry wore a brown tunic with trousers, a belt with a scabbard for his dagger, and a blue fur-trimmed cloak. "My wife and I loved our life here but our place is back in Genesis and my nephew is a good diplomat. King Peter has given me a great honor by appointing me as a member of council." Perry said.

"Yes. I can think of no better man than you for such a position. But I do believe that Lois shall miss you most of all." Kal-El said.

"I have known her since she was but a young girl. My wife and I watched over her and her sister when their mother died and their father went off to war. I tutored her myself before she went away to the university." Perry said.

"Yes, she told me. She even told me that your tutelage surpassed that of the teachers at the university and that she knew the subjects far better than they. They threatened to remove her from the university if she did not cease her impertinence." Kal-El said and they chuckled.

"Since I am no longer an ambassador here, may I speak plainly?" Perry asked.

"Yes, always." Kal-El said.

"Whatever is between you and the Lady Raya…end it. The love Lois bears you is so great that she is in agony when she sees you two together. She is like a daughter to me and I do like seeing her this way." Perry said coldly.

"So you believe the whispers spoken among my nobles and household." Kal-El said.

"You two do spend a great deal of time together and you make no secret of it. And it is said you and Lois have not shared a bed in months." Perry said.

Kal-El sighed. "The whispers of Lady Raya being my mistress are lies. She is a friend to me as Lois is a friend to you. And the whispers of Lois and I not sharing a bed were true…until last night." He said.

Perry's eyes widened and his shoulders hunched awkwardly. "Oh, forgive me." He said.

Kal-El put his hands on Perry's shoulders. "You care for Lois and that means a great deal to me. And I must say I am disappointed that you shall not be here when I ride off to war. Lois will need those who do care for her around her, especially if I do not return." He said.

"Do not speak like this. Of course, you will return." Perry said.

"My uncle made me such a promise once when he rode off to war and he did return: His body broken, only to die some days later." They started walking again. "My uncle told me war brought glory but when I was but a foot soldier, I saw what war truly brings…death. Men I trained with, men I respected, even men I despised were all dead around me. And I asked myself 'what glory is that…?' Now peace and tranquility…that is true glory. My forefathers and the kings before me may call me a fool for my beliefs but beliefs make the man. And I say that there is no honor and no glory to be had in war." Kal-El said.

"For hundreds of years, all my people have known is war and I sought to change that. But I will fight the man that comes to destroy these beliefs that I have used to build a new Krypton from the ashes of war. I will fight the man that comes to destroy everything I hold dear. I know I shall either be victorious or have my body burned on the cliffs under the red sun hoping my heir shall continue my life's work. I guess that is all a man, a king can hope for in his lifetime." Kal-El said.

"Yes. Your beliefs have made you a great king, indeed. But do not speak of death just yet. You have so much to live for: your wife, your children, and your people." Perry said.

"Yes…and I would gladly lay down my life to protect them." Kal-El said.

"Urk!" (Father) Kal-El turned around to see Princess Kara Kal-El running to him. Lois was walking behind her with Vala.

Kal-El now spoke Kryptonese. "There is my precious little star!" He smiled, ran, and scooped her up spinning her in his arms before embracing her. Lois smiled as she watched them. He put her down and approached Lois. He took her hands. "Queen of my heart." He said softly to her in Kryptonese and she smiled. They leaned in and kissed tenderly. When they broke apart, he pushed her hair back behind her left ear and caressed her cheek in a single motion.

Then a snowball hit Kal-El's shoulder. He turned to see little Kara and Connor running for it. Lois and he exchanged glances, threw back the flaps of their cloaks, and ran after them holding hands.

The Next Morning

Lois moved her hand and she could feel his side bare. She immediately opened her eyes and sat up. They had made love again the night before. She wrapped the silk sheet around her. She rushed to the window and looked outside into the courtyard. The sun was just rising.

"Watch after my family." Kal-El said.

"I will." Bar-El said. The two gripped forearms.

Kal-El mounted his horse, Urvlsh. He wore a black leather doublet, trousers, and a black fur trimmed cloak. His knights and Christopher wore the same. They had no banners. They wanted to be unnoticed. Their swords were likely the only thing that would stand out so those would have to be kept hidden under their cloaks.

He could feel eyes on him. Clark looked up to the window of their bedchamber. He saw her watching him with such sad eyes. She placed her left hand on the window. He kissed his fingers and held up his right hand to her. With one last look and a sad heart, he gave Urvlsh a kick and they rode out of the courtyard.

Lois watched them ride out past the gatehouse and until they became specks on the horizon. She somberly lowered her gaze and drew closed the curtain.