Prepare For Battle
Queen Lois-El and Kara Fine locked swords. The two women were sparring in the training courtyard. "But no one slights a Lane!" Lois grunted as they tried to overpower each other.
"Yes, you were born a Lane. But you have been of the House of El for ten years now." Kara bumped her and Lois stumbled for a moment. "Our own family crest means 'hope.' So that is what we must be to all peoples, even those who have slighted us." Kara said. Lois made several quick blows and Kara blocked each one.
Their blades locked again. "There should at least be some punishment for calling me a whore and my children bastards. Kal-El would never let this stand. And some may think our House is weak if we do nothing." Lois said.
"Then I am sure the two of us shall think of something." Kara said. The two women then spun around and their blunt blades were at each other's necks. They both smirked and lowered their swords. "But after the war."
Later
"Your Majesty, the riders attacked Zod's vanguard some nights ago, killing all. But there is more news. Zod has left Bolenth and marches for Xan. We may now have an army superior to Zod's on the field of battle but we shall need more men. We await Your Majesty's command. Your ever loyal servant, Milton Fine, Duke of Daxam." Commander Van-Zee read a letter from Milton Fine in the Council Chamber.
Lois drummed her fingers on the left arm of her golden throne. "Well it is good thing we had the Royal Army assemble weeks ago. Prepare the Kandor forces and send word to General Than-Ar to march the Argo forces at once. Send word as well to the Duke, and Generals Kroll-Mer and Bal Gand to await our arrival." Lois commanded.
"Is this wise, my queen?" Nox-Van asked.
"Zod is vulnerable at Xan. This may be one of the few chances we shall ever have to destroy him once and for all. I shall lead the army north to do so." Lois said.
"Surly, the Duke of Daxam can continue to command the army, my queen. This could very well be a trap; a perfect opportunity to decimate our army or to kill you." Nox-Van said.
"Or it may be our only chance to defeat Zod once and for all. And if it is, I will not let this opportunity pass us. I shall send J'onn J'onzz to Urrika. If it is a trap, our forces shall stand down. But if is not, then we attack! If you fear for my safety, then suggest I command the army from the rear. But I will not. Like my husband, I shall command the army from the middle." Lois said.
Nox-Van still had a look of concern on his face. Expressionless, Lois motioned for him to come forward. Nox-Van stood from his seat, approached and ascended the dias. "Think of your children, Lois." Nox-Van whispered close to her.
"I am. They will never be safe as long as Zod draws breath." Lois motioned for Nox-Van to return to his seat. He descended the dias and sat back down. "Admiral Ser-Dar, have what supplies and arms we need loaded onto our ships and the fleet ready to sail within the fortnight." Lois said. Admiral Ser-Dar nodded once.
A Few Weeks Later
More than half of the Royal Army marched through the tunnels of the Jewel Mountains for Urrika. Lois stood on the deck of the Lois Lane in a red doublet, trousers, and a cape. She watched the sun turn red and slowly began to set. "I never grow tired of watching the sunsets in this kingdom." Lois sighed. "If only Kal-El were here beside me." Lois said.
"He dreaded every moment spent away from you. We often mocked him about it. That brought him some cheer but none greater than when he returned home to you." Nox-Van said.
"You have been such a good friend to me since his death. You believed me first when others did not on the legitimacy of my children. Kal-El would have been proud to call you his friend." Lois said.
"As I am proud to call him mine," said Nox-Van. He still calls him his friend as if he were still alive, Lois thought. "With the wind, we shall arrive at Erkol in four days or so."
"And that is where we shall await word from J'onn J'onzz. The rest of the army shall arrive within the fortnight." Lois said.
"My lady, is it wise to trust one man with such a task as this? The lives of our soldiers hang in the balance." Nox-Van said. I must delay the Royal Army for as long as possible, thought Nox-Van.
"My husband trusted J'onn to get the task done and so do I… Any word on my ward, Christopher?" Lois asked.
"None for weeks, my queen. But he will turn up soon enough. Everyone has to come home sometime. And he is a strong and clever young man. He can take care of himself. You must be patient. You and Kal-El taught him well. " Nox-Van said.
"Was it like this with your sons?" Lois asked.
Nox-Van stiffened at the mention of his own children. "We had some trouble with them when they were at a certain age but the problems soon resolved themselves." He sighed somberly. "I think I shall turn in for the night, my queen." Nox-Van said. He bowed and left the deck.
The sky soon grew dark and Lois decided she should turn in as well. She then had a strange feeling that someone was watching her. She looked around but she saw no one.
Kal-El watched Lois from a great height and grinned down at her. "It is still not too late to go to her." Dagger said.
"I will go to her when this is over. Come." Steel said. He flew off with her right behind him.
They soon landed at a village at the base of the Jewel Mountains near Daxam. They entered the home of a clever magister, who appeared wielding a crossbow. Steel and Dagger slowly lowered their scarves from their faces. The magister let out a sigh of relief and lowered the crossbow. He and Steel gripped forearms. "Well?"
"It is ready." The magister went into the back and then came back out a few moments later. "It only has enough power for one large burst so use it wisely." The magister presented him with a red Phantom Zone crystal.
"And what if we use it at the wrong time?" Steel asked.
"Then run and may the gods have mercy on you fools. Now…" Steel put down a purse of gold on the table and took the crystal. "But may the gods grant you victory as well. We all want this war to be over so we may return to how things were." Steel put the crystal away in a red pouch on his belt. Then he and Dagger left the house.
"Better!" Captain said. He and Boy were sparring around the camp fire. The others were watching, cheering them on. They had all been training Boy for weeks: swords, daggers, dirks, clubs, axes, maces, hand to hand, spears, or with whatever enemy weapons they had taken. Tonight they were just sparring to see what he had learned. It had begun with swords and daggers and they drew their dirks when their swords had been knocked away.
Steel and Dagger landed. It grew quiet and the sparring ceased. They bowed as Steel walked into the camp and up to Captain and Boy. "How is he faring?" Steel asked.
"We shall make a warrior out of him yet, my lord." Captain said. Steel messed with Boy's hair. Boy smacked his hand away and Steel chuckled.
"Captain, come with me." Steel said.
"Brute, spar with Boy!" Captain said. Brute stood and picked up his longsword. Boy groaned but he put away his dirk and retrieved his dagger and longsword. Captain, Dagger, and Steel walked off to the edge of camp. "Well, did he do it?"
"Yes." Steel held up the red pouch. "We have to come up with a plan to use this at once. The Royal Army is marching on Zod so we do not have much time." Steel said.
"Zod marches for Xan, which means so does the Royal Army. That seems like the place to end this." Captain said.
"Yes. The Kandor forces shall arrive first and the rest soon after. We must do this quickly if we are to avoid bloodshed." Steel said.
"Are we certain we can? We could use the Royal Army to destroy this army so they shall never be a threat again." Dagger said.
"No. The Zone shall have a warden once more to make sure that they never escape again." Steel said.
"And who shall that warden be? Bar-El was slain in an ambush after we ended the siege of Erkol." Dagger said.
"All in good time." Steel said. She noticed Steel and Captain exchanged glances. Tam-Or is to be the new warden? She thought.
Later that night, Steel and Captain spoke alone in hushed tones. "It is not too late to change your mind about this." Captain said.
"I have made my decision. I shall become the new warden of the Phantom Zone. And Lois shall remain regent until our son comes of age. I charge you and Ak-Var in protecting them." Steel said.
"My lord, I beg of you. Do not do this. Allow me to become the new warden. You have a wife, a family." Captain said.
"So do you." Steel said.
"Yes. But you are the king and this realm needs you far more than I." Captain said.
"Yes, I am the king. And I must do what I must to protect my people." Steel put a hand on Captain's shoulder. "I have known you a long time, my friend. I trust you… Now, do you agree that the Zone needs a warden?" Steel asked.
Captain sighed. "Yes." He said softly.
"Then the choice is made. I am the best choice for I have the most to lose." Steel said. Steel looked over his shoulder.
"What is it?" Captain asked.
"Someone is here." Steel said. Two riders had someone by the arms and were heading their way. He and Captain put their scarves back up to hide their faces.
"We caught him on the outskirts of camp." They forced the intruder down to his knees.
"J'onn J'onzz…a spy for the crown. Release him. He is not our enemy." Steel said. They let go of J'onn's arms.
"Not many men have surprised me and caught me so easily." J'onn said.
"We are not common men. Now why are you here?" Steel asked.
"Her Majesty, Queen Lois-El wishes to form an alliance with you and your riders. And she offers you all knighthoods once Zod is defeated." J'onn said.
"A most generous offer and I admired your cunning in finding us but what makes you think we need Kryptonian aid?" Steel asked.
"You cannot hope to defeat Zod's army with less than thirty men!" J'onn said.
Steel crouched before J'onn. "Then you do not know us at all, J'onn J'onzz." He stood. "Return to your queen. Tell her we are loyal to the House of El and are honored by her offer but we cannot accept it. When this war is over, she shall understand. And do not bother returning here for we shall be long gone. Safe travels, J'onn J'onzz." Steel turned his back to him and motioned for them to take him away. The two riders followed J'onn back to his horse. They pointed in the direction of Erkol and J'onn rode off.
J'onn had not been riding long when a figure appeared in his path. He pulled back on the reins and his horse stood on its hind legs. He swiftly drew his sword. "J'onn!" A familiar voice cried. Christopher pulled down his black scarf to reveal his face.
"Chris?" J'onn quickly dismounted and put away his sword. He put his hands on Chris's shoulders. "I have been searching for you for weeks! You are with the riders?" J'onn asked.
"Steel knows whose true son I am. I used this knowledge to join them." Chris said.
"Your mother has not stopped worrying for you since you left. She wants you to come home." J'onn said.
"I cannot but…" He pulled out two sealed letters. "This one is for the family and the second is for Thara Ak-Var. Make sure these get to them." Chris said.
"Steel is planning something. An ambush? A battle? And you do not think you will survive." J'onn said.
"Please, J'onn. Do not be a spy for once but my mentor and my friend. All I ask if that you deliver these letters to my loved ones if I do not return." Chris said. J'onn sighed, obviously uncomfortable with this, but he took the letters. "I guess this is where we say farewell, my friend." J'onn simply nodded. He and Chris gripped forearms and embraced.
"Steel and his riders await Zod and his army at Xan. They are planning something. I believe an attack of some of some sort. I heard some talk of a new Phantom Zone crystal so I believe that they plan to banish Zod back to the Zone for good this time." J'onn said.
"Did you hear anymore about this new crystal?" Lois asked.
"No, my lady. I was…captured." J'onn said.
"They captured you and then released you! A rare feat few have accomplished." Kara Fine said. They were in the throne room of the castle of the ancient Bothgr in Erkol. Lois sat on her throne in trousers, a white shirt, and a red leather doublet. Her sheathed sword rested on her crossed legs. Her war council stood around the chamber dressed in a similar manner.
"They are well trained in warfare and my arts as well." J'onn said.
"Did you see Steel?" Lois asked.
"I was brought before him, my lady, but his face was covered." Lois looked disappointed. "But something about him was familiar." J'onn said.
"Do you believe you know him or have met him before that night?" Lois asked. Out of the corner of her eye, Lois saw Nox-Van stiffen. He knows.
"Perhaps but my audience with him was brief so I cannot be certain." J'onn said.
"Thank you, J'onn. That will be all." Lois said. J'onn bowed and left the hall.
"We should be wary of this Steel." General Kroll-Mer said.
"But he rides under the king's banner!" Nox-Van protested.
"And yet he refuses to form an alliance with his queen! I do not like it. And I do not wish to lose another cousin." Kara said.
"Enough!" There was silence. "I want possible plans of attack against Zod in the morrow." Lois grabbed her sword and stood. They all knelt as she left the throne room.
Lois entered her chamber and began to disrobe. She removed her doublet and then her boots. And then she had that feeling again; like she was being watched. She went and looked out the window but there was no one. Sleep. I need sleep. She closed the window shutter. She removed her silver locket from around her neck and opened it. She grinned down at his portrait. "I love you," as she said to him every night. She closed the locket and set it down onto a nearby table. She changed into an underdress, blew out the candles, and climbed into bed.
"As I love you." Kal-El said softly as he watched Lois through her bedroom window. "Farewell, my love." He flew away before he gave into the great temptation to fly through her window and hold her in his arms one last time.
In a matter of moments, he was in Kandor outside his infant children's chamber. He quietly climbed through the window. They were sleeping peacefully. He placed one hand on each of their chests. "You may not know me and you may not get the chance to. Just know that I love you always." He whispered. He kissed each babe's forehead before exiting through the window. He peeked into little Kara's and Conner's chambers before flying off.
Kal-El knelt at Jonathan Kent's grave. "Here we are again, father. Me coming to you for counsel in a dire time. I just wish you were here to tell me that there is another way. But we both know what must be done." He pulled out the locket with a lock of Van-El's hair in it. "There is no greater pain than losing someone you love. And now I must say farewell to Van-El, who was loved before he even came into this world and I did not have a chance to watch him grow." He dug a small hole with his bare hands and buried the locket. "Watch after him, father."
"We can position the fleet here." Admiral Ser-Dar said.
"And the Kandor forces can keep Zod distracted while…" Nox-Van said.
"The Argo and Daxam forces surround him on all sides." Milton Fine said.
"And what of the Urrika forces?" Commander Rugad asked. "I know we are not as strong as we once were."
"If we fail, we need men to protect Erkol. We cannot lose this city and Urrika has fought long enough. You need time to replenish your forces." Lois said.
"Yes, my queen." Rugad said, obviously disappointed.
"And we need not worry about enemy cannons, nor catapults. Zod was in such a great hurry to reach Xan, he brought no war machines with him. Never before has he been this vulnerable. This is the perfect chance to attack." Milton Fine said.
"We may very well end this war in a matter of hours." Kara Fine said.
"Let us not plan the celebrations just yet. We still do not know what the riders are planning. They may get in our way." Lois said and sighed. "We have to get to Xan before they do."
"They are far fewer in number and all are horsed. They shall be swifter than our army." Nox-Van said.
"There must be a way to slow them down but we would first have to know where they are. They always keep on the move; they live off the land; they steal supplies from Zoners; they avoid all cities, towns, villages, farms, Zoner and our patrols; and there are those who shelter and protect them." Milton said.
A knight entered the throne room and approached. He kneeled to Lois. "My queen, emissaries have arrived from the man called Steel." He said.
"Send them in." Lois said. She pointed to the map on the table and the war council surrounded it to hide it from view. Lois stood a few steps in front of them. She straightened her doublet and laid her right hand atop her sword pommel.
Two people in black hauberks, trousers, cloaks, and boots entered the throne room. They could see a dagger on their right hips their belts but their swords were hidden under their cloaks. Their faces were covered with dark scarves. They approached them and kneeled. "My queen," one spoke.
Lois knew that voice. "Chris?" They stood and Chris pulled down his scarf. "You are with the riders?" Lois asked.
"They allowed me to join them, yes." Chris said plainly.
"Leave us." Lois said. Her war council bowed and left the chamber. She cut her eyes to Chris's companion.
"Dagger, I shall be fine. Go." Chris said. Dagger nodded once, bowed to Lois, and then left the throne room.
"The riders! You joined the riders!" Lois scolded him.
"If you must know, Steel did not like it as well but he knew he could use me to defeat my father." Chris said.
"That barbarian is not your father! He did not bring you up! He did not train you or teach you how to be a man!" Lois snapped.
"Spare me the scolding! Kal-El may have fostered me but we all know whose son I truly am…! I did not come here to speak of this but of the final battle that is near." Chris said.
"Where is the boy I once called my son?" Lois asked.
"He learned the truth and became a man." Lois nodded somberly. "We have a plan to banish Zod and his army back to the Zone for all eternity. But the crystal we have to accomplish this will not discriminate between Zoners and Kryptonians. For yours and your army's safety, you cannot interfere or become involved in the battle." Chris said.
Lois crossed her arms. "Is Steel commanding us, commanding me to stay away?" Lois asked sternly.
"No, my lady. He is concerned for your safety and that of his brother and sister Kryptonians." Chris said.
"And just how can I know if I can trust this 'Man of Steel?'" Lois said.
"You cannot. But he trusts you to make the right decision." Chris said.
"I shall think on it." Lois said. Chris bowed and turned to walk away. "You are leaving?"
"Yes. We must return to Steel and give him a report. And to prepare for battle. Farewell, mother." Chris said and left.
Her war council reentered the throne room. "What is your command, my queen?" Milton asked.
"Prepare for battle." Lois said.
"But the riders…" Nox-Van said.
"Steel has less than thirty men and he is just one man. What can one man do? There is too much at stake than to rely on a plan in which we are in the dark of. We may not have another chance such as this. And I do not trust Steel. And I shall say it again, General. Prepare for battle." Lois said and left the throne room.
Boy and Dagger rode out of the city to keep up the rider masquerade. They later gave away their horses to a small family making way for the Jewel Mountains heading for Daxam. They landed in camp at sunset. "Do you think she will listen?" Boy asked. Steel's back was to him. His hands were behind his back and he watched the sun become red.
"No. But she will heed our warning… Zod?" Steel asked.
"The last of his forces arrived last night, my lord. When do we attack?" The man called Dirk asked. Steel said nothing.
"Steel?" Brute asked. They awaited his response.
"What are you waiting for, my lord?" Boy asked.
"For the queen to leave Erkol and march on Xan hoping to get to Zod first. She trusts you, Boy, but I doubt she trusts me." Steel said.
"Do you really believe she will do such a thing?" Dagger asked.
"Yes. I know her better than anyone. She will march at first light. Our task shall be to make sure she does not attack before we use the crystal." Steel turned to face them. "We have lived in the shadows too long! It is time that Zod sees who has brought him such misery in this war. Our crusade is nearly over, my brothers and sister Kryptonians. We have only one last battle before we can return to lives we left behind. I do not know how the day shall end. But I hope it ends with our victory!" War cry.
"My wife, the queen, is a stubborn woman. She has no reason to trust us as we still forsake our true names. She will try to march on Zod without us. I say when they march, we attack!" The riders shouted war cries and thrust their fists in the air. "This war ends now! Prepare for battle!" Their war cry filled the air.