A picture of Lois's choker from the previous chapter is my profile. A beautiful piece of jewelry.
Into the Lion's Den
Some Days Later
Kal-El took off his shirt and Lois could not help but stare at the scars on his back alone. He had 5 whip lashes on his right shoulder blade and at least a dozen healed cuts. "By the gods, what happened to you?" Lois asked worried.
His shoulders tensed up and he quickly put his shirt back on. "I told you I did not wish to speak of it." Kal-El said coldly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and took off his boots. He tossed them aside frustrated.
He then felt Lois's hand on his shoulder. "Forgive me." Lois said softly. His shoulders relaxed and he looked up at her. He took her hands and brought them to his lips. He stood.
"No, forgive me. I just need more time... I shall sleep on the floor tonight." He said and Lois nodded. They had not shared a bed since the night he nearly killed her with his bare hands. He caressed her cheek and she put her hand over his. He then kissed her forehead tenderly. "Good night."
"Good night." Lois said. She climbed into bed as he blew out the candles. He lay back on the rug in front of the fireplace's hearth and blew out the last candle.
Some hours later, Kal-El awoke to a noise and a smell. Horses, he smelled horses. That was when he heard it: the window opening. His cut his eyes to Lois, who was fast asleep. He slowly moved his hand to his sword beside him. A dark figure quietly climbed in through the window and drew a dagger. He had not seen Kal-El yet.
He crept up to Lois's bed and raised the blade. Kal-El drew his sword, super-sped behind the assassin, and put his hand over his mouth and stabbed him, piercing him through and through. Lois shot up holding a dagger. Blood sprayed onto the bed and onto Lois from the force of the thrust. Kal-El slowly lowered the body to the floor and put his index finger to his lips.
Someone was tugging on the rope the assassin used to climb into the bedchamber. It was probably a signal. Kal-El put his left hand on the rope and yanked it up. The second assassin crashed through the window. Knights could be heard outside the door and they were trying to force the barred door open.
The assassin drew his dagger and quickly threw it at Lois. Kal-El swiftly deflected it with his sword and then stabbed the assassin in the gut. At that moment, two Red Shard knights kicked open the barred door. The assassin grabbed the collar of Kal-El's shirt ripping it down the middle as he fell gasping his final breaths.
"Are you hurt, my lady?" One knight asked when he saw the blood on Lois. Kal-El wiped off the blood on his sword on leather cuirass of dead assassin before him and he put his sword back in its scabbard.
"I am fine. It is not my blood." Lois walked up to Sir Joseph. He picked up the assassin's dagger and showed it to Lois. "League of Assassins. Zod most likely put Ra's al Ghul up to this." She threw the dagger and it penetrated the frame of the window. The knights were staring at Sir Joseph's scarred body. Sir Joseph quickly turned away from them. "Get these bodies out of my sight!" The knights nodded and each knight grabbed a body leaving behind bloody drag marks. "You and Conner will leave at once for Kryptonopolis." Lois said.
"I will not leave you." Kal-El whispered.
"You must. I need whatever information you can gather." Lois caressed his cheek.
"Someone is coming." Kal-El said and she quickly removed her hand.
"We heard a noise." Christopher said. He and Conner were both in their breeches and shirtless. They had their sheathed swords in their hands.
"How? Your chambers are below us." Sir Joseph said.
"League of Assassins. It is a good thing Sir Joseph was here." Lois said quickly.
That is when they looked at his scars on his torso alone. "By Rao!" Christopher swore under his breath. Kal-El then turned his back to them.
"Conner, go prepare. You and Sir Joseph will leave at once." Lois said. Conner nodded once and ran out of the chamber. "Chris, go back and be with your family. When they return, I am sending the three of you to Gotham to find Princess Kara and the Gotham Army." Christopher nodded and left.
Lois turned around to see Kal-El tear off his shirt. She already knew word would break out about his scars but she said nothing. He used his torn shirt to try and wipe the blood off his hands. He put on his doublet and tied up its laces.
"You should change." He said. Lois looked down at the blood on her white muslin underdress.
"Yes. Close the door." Kal-El closed the door but it would not fully close because of the shattered frame and bar. He turned to face her but kept his heel on the door to keep it shut. Lois went behind her changing screen and changed. He watched her change as he used to and he grinned slightly.
"Let me pass! I am a member of the Ruling Council." Kal-El rolled his eyes, recognizing that voice. He kept his foot on the door and grinned devilishly when Durkin tried to push it open. "Let me pass, you…!
"Let him in, Sir Joseph." Lois said from behind the screen. He stepped aside not telling Durkin, who tripped into the bedchamber. He glared at a smirking Sir Joseph. "Yes?"
Durkin quickly stood. "We heard of the attack. We wished to see if Your Grace was hurt." Durkin said.
"I am fine thanks to Sir Joseph. I knew he would serve me well." Lois stepped from behind the screen in a new underdress and a red robe. Durkin and Qin kneeled. "Rise, my lords. There is no need for that at this moment or at this hour." Commander Cam-Zel then entered the chamber and bowed.
"Well done, Sir Joseph. I believe I may have underestimated you." Cam-Zel said and Sir Joseph nodded once.
"Cam-Zel, double the guard around the town and castle walls. I do not want this happening again. Sir Joseph will not always be here to protect me." Lois said.
"It will be done, my queen." Cam-Zel bowed and left.
"Leave us." Everyone bowed and left. They glanced at Sir Joseph when he did not leave but they said nothing. Lois then ran her hands down her face and took a deep breath. She was obviously shaken. Kal-El approached and took her hands. He brought them to his lips and kissed them. She grinned at him.
"Ra's al Ghul will pay for this, I promise you. And I will always be here to protect you." He said softly. She caressed his cheek. Kal-El turned his head as if he heard something. "Conner is waiting for me." Lois nodded. "I will always find my way back to you." He kissed her forehead, grabbed his belongings, and then left the bedchamber.
Conner was waiting in the courtyard with the painted horse for Kal-El. His own horse was black. He and Conner wore a black doublet and trousers, a cloak, and his sword belt. He mounted the steed and nodded once to Conner. They put their knees into the horses and galloped off.
Conner and Kal-El stopped at a lookout post in the Burnham Woods at daybreak. They dismounted in front of a man dressed in a red brigandine over a brown shirt and black trousers. "Sir Conner, welcome."
Sir Gregory and Conner gripped forearms. "Thank you, Sir Gregory. May I present to you Sir Joseph Kent, recently made a knight by Her Majesty." Conner said.
"Sir Joseph." He and Sir Joseph gripped forearms. Gregory Arkin. He used to be a criminal and now he is a knight. He has come a long way. "Everything is ready for you."
"Good. We leave at once." Conner said. Some men took their horses away to be fed and groomed.
Kal-El looked around. There were at least six tree houses high up all connected by rope bridges. Ropes and rope ladders were the only way to climb up to each one. Hunters walked on foot returning with game. Lookouts watched the horizon disguised in all green to match the leaves. Any invasion force from Krypton would have to come through here to attack Smallville. "Clever." Kal-El said.
"They worked day and night to build these tree houses after Smallville was attacked last fall. Mother plans never to be taken by surprise again. We have a similar post built near the Morley River as well if Doom invades." They walked up to a rope ladder of one the tree houses and climbed it. Once they entered the tree house, Conner said, "I cannot fly so we are going to have to run."
"What?" Kal-El asked confused.
"You are not wearing your victory ring so you should have all your powers meaning you can fly. I can only run so that is what we will do." Conner went to a pile of black brigandines and skull-like helms. "Pull these on." The tree house was filled with enemy armor and weapons.
They changed into black brigandines and they put on sword belts with crudely made swords. Kal-El picked up Conner's sheathed longsword and examined the black and gold hilt. He knew this sword. "Raogrhys. This is my uncle's sword." (Raogrhys means Power in Kryptonian)
"I needed a sword the day Kandor fell. And Kryptium never rusts or dulls." Conner said plainly. "We will meet outside the first farm near the Lurvan woods." Conner then disappeared in a black blur. Kal-El quickly got over the shock and super-sped after him. They met in the woods a few minutes later.
"I thought you be faster." Conner walked towards the edge of the wood and looked around. "The farmer who lives here is loyal to the House of El. He will help us." They super-sped to the front door and Conner knocked.
The farmer opened the door and was frightened to see them. "It is only me, my friend." Conner removed the helm and the farmer relaxed. He ushered them inside and took a quick look around before shutting the door.
"I heard you had been captured." Cir-Ul said.
"I was but I am delivered. We will leave at dusk and be back by nightfall tomorrow." Conner said.
"I will bring you some food. Did my wife and children make it to Smallville?" Cir-Ul asked.
"I saw them myself. They are safe. What have you told people?" Conner asked.
"That she left me and had taken the children with her." Cir-Ul said.
"Good. There is no safer place than Smallville now that the queen has taken steps to better protect it and all of Kansas." Conner said.
"They say Zod is amassing another army to invade Kansas once more. He sent for his troops in Metropolis, Daxam and Urrika. And I heard that he wants the queen dead long before then." Cir-Ul said.
"Assassins came for her but she lives. What more can you tell me?" Conner asked.
"More men came and took all the orphan children and youngest sons of the other farmers. Only the first sons and daughters are left." Cir-Ul said.
"Why would they take them?" Sir Joseph asked.
"To rebuild the Crystal Palace, of course. Zod has hundreds rebuilding it brick by brick from dawn until dusk. And hundreds more in the mines of the Gold Mountain, Jewel Mountains, and the silver and Kryptium mines. They work with little food and water and they are starting to drop like flies. Soon Zod will send men to take the sons of Argo next. That is why I sent my children away. Where has this man been living…? Under a rock?" Cir-Ul asked.
"You could say that. Just ignore him and once again, thank you for all this." Conner said.
"You can thank me when the House of El gallantly rides back into Kandor victorious. I will get the food." Cir-Ul said. He walked into the kitchen.
"Have care how you speak or this masquerade shall not last long." Conner said coldly.
"Something on your mind, Con?" Kal-El asked softly.
Conner looked uncomfortable at being call by his nickname. "Nothing that needs to be voiced at this very moment." Conner said and took a seat. Cir-Ul brought them a large plate of meats, fruits, cheese and mead. "And now we wait."
Conner and Cir-Ul gripped forearms at dusk. He and Kal-El super-sped away and were in Kandor in a few moments. Kryptonopolis came into sight and they stopped a long ways off. They used their super vision to scan the wall. "The guard has been doubled but no matter."
"Are you going to tell me how you got these powers?" Kal-El asked.
"I will only say that blood is almost as good as wielding the crystal… Now." Conner said. A light breeze from the sea masked their speed. They ran over the walls, through the city, and then Kal-El scooped Conner up and they flew over the castle walls to the south tower of the Red Tower keep. Once they landed, Conner quickly jumped out of his arms.
"Now we wait for Zod to convene his war council." Conner sat down and leaned back on a parapet.
"How can we be sure that no one will come up here?" Kal-El asked.
"J'onn set fire to the armory below this tower to mask his escape some weeks ago. But J'onn was wounded and soon…" Conner stopped talking. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Kal-El took a seat across from Conner and looked up to the stars. There were no stars in the Zone and it was a welcomed sight. He can only have gotten these powers from Chris or from… Is it possible after all this time?
He then watched the stars grow dimmer and could smell dawn in the air. Then he watched the beautiful sunrise over the sea and he grinned slightly. But then he heard the desperation and despair throughout the city. "Do you have some spare coin, sir?" "Get out of my way, filthy peasant!" "Some food for an old woman." "You took your pleasure from my girl and now you are going to pay what you owe or I cut off your manhood and feed it to me dogs."
Then he heard voices from within the castle. "I just received word that Lois El was wounded in the battle but she lives. No word yet from the assassins sent to finish the job. And we have word of what happened to your missing guards. They were butchered by a farmer called Joseph Kent, who the queen then made a knight." Said a man's voice he did not recognize.
"His chief advisor and spymaster, Nam-Ek." Conner whispered and then put a finger to his lips.
"She surrounds herself with farmers, peasants, and criminals to protect her. It is a wonder she still lives. How are we in men?" Zod asked.
"No more than five thousand, Sire, but we expect more than twice that by the end of the month." Nam-Ek said.
"Good. Lois El will kneel before me or I shall behead her before her own bastard children for what she did to my queen." Zod said spiteful. They heard them walk into a chamber and the sounds of plates on a table. There was a slurping and clattering sound. "What of Luthor?"
"I have just heard that Luthor has sent word to his generals to cease the siege of the city of Cairo and to return to Thanagar at once." Nam-Ek said.
"WHAT?" There were loud clattering sounds of things falling over. "Why?!"
"I know not. He has not answered any of my letters. Shall I write to him again?" Nam-Ek asked.
"No! I need Luthor and his army! His numbers are far greater than our own if he should declare war against us and he supplies us! Damn Lois-El for ruining the friendship between myself and Luthor… Non, go to Thanagar. I want an explanation for this and tell Luthor to honor his promise to me or suffer my wrath." Zod said and someone left the chamber. "More oysters…! Now, what news from Gotham?"
"Ra's al Ghul writes that Wayne lied. The crystal is not in the castle foundations." Nam-Ek said. Zod yelled in frustration and they heard something being thrown.
"I want that crystal! I do not care how he gets it as long as he does… Now, what of Lois El and my son?" Zod asked.
"The prince now rarely leaves her side, Sire, and I am told that her new guard, Sir Joseph is not to be underestimated. Our spy in her court heard her say from her own lips that his wounds go deeper than flesh." Conner and Kal-El exchanged shocked glances. "And he has reasons to believe that Sir Joseph may be the queen's lover as well."
"Find me the proof that she is a whore and we can use it against her. And when Non gets me more weapons from Luthor and Ghul gets me the crystal, we shall march onto Kansas and end this once and for all. Have the troops in Genesis ready to march when what is left of Vertigo's forces and the battalions from Daxam and Urrika arrive. Lois-El shall humiliate me no longer on the field of battle. We shall march on Kansas once more and crush them." Zod said.
"Now…" He slurped on another oyster. "bring the prisoners out in the courtyard and raise the portcullis to allow my subjects to bear witness."
Conner motioned with his head for them to move. Kal-El grabbed Conner by the shoulders and swiftly flew them down into a dark corner in the castle courtyard. People created a narrow path for Kal-El and Conner but out of fear, not respect when they saw their armor and skull helms.
In the courtyard, ten Red Shard knights were on their knees and in shackles surrounded by archers and Zoners wearing black brigandines over their shirts and breeches. The skull like helms obscured the Zoners' faces. Kal-El's eyes widened when he recognized Jon-Tel among the captured knights.
He turned to look at Conner, who his shook his head knowing full well that he would try to save them. Zod then appeared atop the castle stairs. He was not the battle worn warlord he had met all those years ago.
Zod wore new black chainmail, ornate black breast and back plate with his crest engraved in gold on the breastplate; black trousers and boots, a red knight's cape, and a sword belt. He had a gold ring on all but one finger: three with a ruby, two with an emerald, two with a diamond, one was solid gold engraved with his crest, one was Peter's signet ring, and the last was Kal-El's silver signet ring. He also wore a crown that Kal-El immediately recognized. It was gold and adorned with jewels on the base: Peter's crown.
Trophies. Kal-El thought and balled his hands into fists of rage. Conner grabbed hold of his arm. Kal-El took a deep breath and extended his fingers. "Knights of the Order of the Red Shard, I brought you before the people you vowed to protect to ask you to swear fealty to me for all to see. Do so and you and your families shall not be harmed when I take Kansas. You shall be richly rewarded for your loyalty to me. What say you?" Zod said.
The knights were battle worn and weak but each one stood up one by one. They were stripped of their armor but still wore their tabards and capes. They all looked at one another before Jon-Tel cried, "Long live Queen Lois! And long live Jor-El, the true king of Krypton!" The other knights began to chant along with him.
Zod sucked his teeth. "You will all pay for your insolence but not with your lives." Zod said and then motioned to the archers. The archers took aim and fired. But the arrows did not hit the knights but the people. The people began to run as the knights shouted their cries of "NO!" Zod laughed and went back into the castle. The knights were then forced back into the castle dungeons.
Kal-El was breathing heavily and took a step forward but Conner grabbed his arm. "Father, we can do nothing. If we act now, the people will die and we lose the element of surprise." Connor said. Kal-El looked up to where Zod was just standing. He angrily shook off Conner's arm and walked off.
They were walking down an alley when Kal-El grabbed Conner by the shoulders and pinned him up against the wall. "Father, what are…?
"Who is Jor-El?" Kal-El demanded with his forearm on Conner's throat.
"What?!" Conner asked.
"Who is Jor-El, the apparent true king of Krypton?" Kal-El said more viciously this time. "I know you all have been keeping some great secret from me and I am tired of the lies. So for once, speak the truth!" He demanded.
"I am not the one to tell you. Mother is." Conner said. "Now release me. Nightfall is coming soon and we must be out of the city before then." Kal-El let go of him. "We did not want to keep anything from you but mother insisted… Now, we have to get into the castle."
They walked into the castle and no one looked twice at them. The council chamber was empty so they quietly entered the chamber. A large table holding a war map was in the center of the chamber. The map was very detailed off all enemy and ally positions.
"The Atlanteans must have sunk the Aqua fleet." Conner whispered when they saw that there was only one small ship figurine for Aqua and near a dozen for Atlantis. When they looked at Gotham, "This is wrong. Prince Bruce and his army have not camped here for some time. Vertigo's forces shall arrive by sea." Conner circled the table. "And Thanagar and Egypt's armies are equally matched but Luthor is retreating as we just heard."
"What of the Amazons?" Kal-El pointed to the gold female figurines on Themyscira. "They would not just return home."
"They are sailing to meet Prince Bruce's army and then they shall return and aid us once Gotham is liberated." They examined the map carefully to remember every detail.
"Are you going to tell me about Jor-El? Or about you and Chris becoming blood brothers." Kal-El asked.
"Only with mother's permission." He said plainly. They both stood erect when they heard movement. They disappeared into a blur.
Zod and several other men in armor entered the council chamber. Zod removed his cape and tossed it aside. "I admire their loyalty but they shall soon break. I shall see to that." Zod said.
"Yes, Sire." Nam-Ek said. He was tall, bald, and dark skinned. He wore black brigandine over a black hauberk and trousers. Zod leaned over the war map.
"Without that crystal and aid from Luthor, the other realms will know we are weak and may ally against us." Zod said.
"Luthor would be a fool to turn against us. He cannot hide from your awesome powers, my king." Nam-Ek said.
"Yes. Kal-El was a fool to let him live but Luthor serves his purpose." Zod looked at Aqua. "Xebel shall fall in a matter of weeks. Hila shall die by King Orin's own hand…well, by his new hand. But Aqua supplied us our ships. And King Orin despises us. Once the city is ashes, he shall sail to Kansas to ally his forces with Lois-El. Then, all they need do is march on Gotham, possibly with the Amazons. Then they can march on Thanagar or Kryptonoplis if they prevail." Zod growled.
"The Kryptonians will not attack us; not whilst…" Nam-Ek said.
"THEY WILL ATTACK! If they have the allies and the proper supplies and war machines, they will march on Kryptonopolis and lay siege to this city. We cannot wait for that day to come. We must attack first. We need the Crystal of Knowledge. And with it, Kansas is ashes. And then we shall deal with Luthor if he declares against me." Zod said fiercely.
"So I take it, we are not sending aid to Aqua or to Gotham." Nam-Ek said plainly.
"No. Their letters never arrived. Understand?" Nam-Ek nodded. "If they should prevail, we shall send our congratulations and our support… And now, is there no way to get my son out of that whore's clutches?" Zod asked.
"We have tried getting him out of Smallville. Perhaps we can try and capture him on the battlefield." Nam-Ek said.
"No. I will not have him harmed. He is my heir and he is destined to be a god among men. I made it so. Have our friend in Lois-El's court send word on everything about the man he has become. I can only pray to the gods that Kal-El's corruption can be mended." Zod motioned for Nam-Ek to leave. Nam-Ek bowed and left the chamber.
Zod was alone. This was a far too tempting opportunity. Kal-El drew his dagger. His heart was beating calmly and his eyes were filled with fury. Ten years. He thought. Just get behind him and pierce him in the heart. We will be gone before his body is even cold. Conner then grabbed his wrist and shook his head. Kal-El sneered at Zod one last time and put the dagger away. I waited this long. I can wait just a little while longer.
Zod thought he heard something and looked up but there was no one.