Chapter 18 (Arcadia)
Duchess Lois rode to the Kingdom of Metria with an escort. Duke Alexander was very controlling on where Lois went and never let her leave their home without an escort. `For your safety,' he told her but Lois now knew it was to keep an eye on her.
Lois knew she could not go to Rossvale and warn Lord Peter directly. Even if she told her husband she wanted to see him to pay her condolences on the loss of her cousin, her husband wouldn't allow it. So, the next best thing for Lois was to see her father. Even her husband would not be suspicious of that. In this case, she can kill two birds with one stone. Once she told her father what she knew, he will warn King Mordred and Lord Peter.
Captain Samuel was pleased to see his daughter. Since her marriage to Duke Alexander, her visits have been far and few. He understood that since Lois was married, her responsibilities were to her husband. Still, he missed his daughter.
After lunch together, father and daughter rode on horseback along the soft rolling hills of Metria. "It's such a delight to see you, my daughter," Captain Samuel said proudly. "However," he looked back at the three men on horseback that was following them, "are they really needed? It's insulting to think they feel the Captain of the Guards of Metria cannot protect his own daughter."
"My husband wants to make sure I'm protected," Lois said and quickly added, "Father, I must talk with you about something important. We are far enough so my guardians cannot hear me. Please try to remain calm. There will be trouble for both us all if you do not."
Captain Samuel frowned. "What are you saying, daughter?"
"For one, those are not my protectors but spies. My husband is a terrible man. He is secretly a War Lord. He's the one who responsible for helping rid the Kingdoms of First Earth their knights and he's serving this mysterious Emperor."
"Bah!" Samuel rejected the words. "You speak nonsense, daughter. This mysterious Emperor is nothing but a ruse created to bring fear to everyone. Your husband cannot be a War Lord."
"But he is," Lois insisted. "Think about it. Don't you think it odd how someone who was only a baron suddenly caught the interest of the king, quickly rose his status of baron to someone of high power as a Duke?" Lois questioned. "He fooled us all, father, sweeping in with accusations of the Knights of Kandor, exiling Kal-El, scaring us to act before we had a chance to really think and investigate the situation."
"Are you saying this because you were forced to marry the Duke and not Kal-El?" Samuel asked. "Don't lie to me, daughter. I know you were courting him."
"I won't lie and I'm not saying this because I was courting Kal-El. My husband is an evil man. I heard him talking to someone who works for the Emperor. He's also responsible for the death of my cousin Lana and he knows of Lord Peter plans to strike him for that."
Even Samuel was taken back by this news. "How can he?"
"My husband has a spy in Lord Peter's court. He has spies everywhere. Lana warned me that Alexander wasn't what he said he was and now she is gone because of him. Father, you must believe me. If you don't, my husband may use this battle with Lord Peter to somehow overthrow the king."
"Overthrow the king? You speak madness."
"Am I? My husband has been growing in power. Even many of the people of Metria are favoring him more than the king. Father, you're the only one I can trust with this. There's no one else I can turn to."
Hearing the plea in her voice, Samuel knew his daughter was telling the truth, at least she thought she was. "I'll do what I can, daughter, but promise me to be careful."
Lois smiled; relieved her father was on her side. "I will, father."
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Lord Peter stood on the edges of Daileth's entrance. He was able to sum up his men and some of the fallen knights from Oa, Keystone, Tamaran and Rann including Knight John and Knight Walter. They too fought together in the Crusades. Walter was a rebel and risk taker with his red hair and flashy persona. John was the more serious and strategic fighter. John never understood why they were often paired together in battle. When fighting for their lives in the Crusades, Walter would crack a joke and John was torn between cracking Walter's head or laughing with him.
Knight Walter rode his horse beside John. "It feels good to be in battle again, doesn't it? Certainly better than hiding all this time."
"Yes," John agreed. "I'm anxious to make Duke Luthor pay for causing my exile. I've been in hiding for months because of him, but I think we are going about this the wrong way."
"Why do you say that?"
"I think we should only attack Daileth. Duke Luthor is who we are after not King Mordred and I`m not sure about this Captain Sol Lord Peter trusts to invade Metria."
"Captain Sol is a good guy. He was the one who found us, and King Mordred has aligned himself with the duke," Walter argued. "They are probably in this together."
"I rather know all the facts before attacking," John grumbled.
"We know enough." Walter saw Lord Peter raise the signal. "There's the signal. Let's go."
With a battle cry, Lord Peter and his allies rode into the Daileth, marching onto the castle. Duke Alexander's men were ready and march on with their own battle cry coming together in the middle in a bloody battle. As Lord Peter's men attacked, something strange happened. When they pulled on their bowstrings to release their arrows, the strings broke.
At the same time Captain Sol led his troops to Metria and launch an attack on the city, the likes which the people have not seen before. They set homes on fire, killed men, plundered homes, beat children and took some of the women for pleasure. King Mordred's royal guards were no match for Captain Sol and his army.
Duke Luthor watched the battle on his land from a high tower of his castle. Even with some of Lord Peter's men having broken weapons, the battle was evenly matched. Alexander was ready to send Lord Peter a message he cannot be defeated.
Parademons flew onto the battlefield out of nowhere and launched their attack on Lord Peter's men. Lord Peter stabbed his sword into a Dalieth warrior. When he looked up, he saw a swarm of Parademons coming down on him and his men.
For the first time since the battle started, Lord Peter feared he would not survive.
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On a warm spring morning, two different parties left Themyscira. The Dark Knight, also known as Lord Bruce of the House of Wayne, and James parted ways with the mystical home of the Elves finally making their journey to Gotamworth. Lord Wayne was anxious to leave Themyscira. He hated waiting and wasting time, something he felt he was doing while on Themyscira. Yes, his wounds were taken care of and he gotten some much needed training (and a romp) in the company of Artemis but he was ready to start to his mission.
Though he didn't want to return home after he was left for dead on a deserted road, now renewed in strength, mind clear and focused with a mission in mind, he longed to return home. Bruce was determined to clear his name to King Gordon and Prince Richard. He had to succeed in his attempt to make peace. There could be no failure. Not only because they were family to him and he wanted to make peace but they had to stop the Emperor at all cost.
Before Bruce left Themyscira, he was given a majestic black horse, whom he named Ace, new armor, weapons including a sword and shield, rations that would last two weeks and Themysciran herbs that would heal him if he was hurt.
Oh yes, he was also bringing one more thing on his trip.
James, Kal-El's squire and wannabe mage. The time Bruce observed James on Themyscira, he had to admit, the whelp was making improvements on his attempts at magic. With his camouflage technique perfected, James was practicing transforming objects. Last evening he watched James turn a dagger into a flower. That will be useful against an opponent…as long as the opponent didn't throw a punch. For his sake, Bruce thought, James better pull his weight. It won't be easy when facing King Gordon's men. They would attack (or kill) first and ask questions later.
For James, the trip wasn't fun at all. For four days he traveled with Bruce nearly in silence. Bruce spoke only when he needed to, ignoring James most of the time when he opened his mouth unless it was something vital that needed answering.
James also didn't like how Lord Bruce wanted to travel at night and hide in the day. Bruce's excuse was that he worked better at night but for James it threw him off his usual sleep regime.
Once they entered Gothamworth's territory, James nerves grew. Gothamworth was a foreboding place. So much crime and corruption took place. The rumors he heard about the land, lead James to think they would be attacked as soon as they entered the lands.
When they took a break by a river, James decided to ask Bruce questions that were weighing on his mind. "So, now that we are in Gotamworth, where are we going?" James asked. "King Gordon's castle?"
"No. My home. It will be easier if I go to King Gordon as Lord Wayne."
James at looked Bruce across the campfire he started. He looked more like a knight instead of playboy Lord. "You've been gone a while. How do you know no one thinks you're dead?"
"All I need to do is show myself," Bruce told him. "My people are use to me being gone for periods of time."
"If no one knows you're the Dark Knight, why not returned to Gotamworth in the day instead of night and do it as Lord Wayne?"
"I like the night," was Bruce's answer.
"But wouldn't--" James didn't finish as an arrow pierced through the air, hitting a tree just centimeters from Bruce's head.
"Avoiding that was another reason." Bruce stood, unperturbed by the strike against him. He knew it was a warning shot for the person who shot the arrow at him could've killed him at that moment.
"I heard rumors you were alive, Bruce. I never thought you would be so foolish as to return to Gotamworth."
Prince Richard of York stepped out of the shadows. Prince Richard was tall and lean. His long dark hair was pulled back. His dark, piercing eyes full of anger as he came into the light over the roaring fire.
"Richard," Bruce acknowledged.
"You have some nerve coming back, Coward," Richard growled. "However," he began cryptically, "it saves me the trouble of hunting you down and avenging Barbara's death."
"Wait," James interrupted. "He knows you're the Dark Knight?"
"I'm one of the few that do," Richard informed James. He pulled back the strings of his bow, aiming his arrow at James. "Do you know you're in the company of a coward?"
James' robes turned blue as if he was going to be sick. Bruce decided to intervene before young James embarrassed himself even further by vomiting in front of them.
"Richard, allow me to explain. Don't believe the lies that have spread around me."
Richard withdrew his bow and arrow and pulled out his sword. "They are not lies."
"You have every right to harbor hate at me for letting Princess Barbara die but not for being a coward who abandoned his men and his princess because that is something I did not do." Bruce dropped his sword to the ground. He removed his belt that carried an array of weapons. "I am unarmed. Would you strike down an unarmed man?"
Richard scoffed. "You know as well as I that you are just as deadly without your weapons. Draw your sword." Richard pointed his sword at him. "Do it now!"
"I will not do so." Bruce cautiously stepped to Richard. "We were friends once, Richard. I saw you as a brother. Do you really believe I would abandon Princess Barbara and my men to the War Lords while I flee with my life?"
Bruce removed his helmet, revealing himself to Richard. Though Richard was one of the few who knew Lord Bruce Wayne was also the Dark Knight, he was doing this to cause Richard to doubt the rumors against Bruce and it was working. For as long as Richard knew him, he knew Bruce wasn't a coward. In fact, he was the one to sometimes run into danger. So, was it possible for a man like Bruce to be a coward?
Richard lowered his sword. "You'll explain yourself to myself and King Gordon at the same time," Richard ordered. "If we believe what you say, then we shall let you live."
King Gordon's reaction to learning that Lord Bruce Wayne was the Dark Knight was a shock, but that shock soon turned to anger as he remembered it was the Dark Knight who left his daughter to be assaulted and killed by War Lords.
Bruce explained everything, the attack on him, his men and Princess Barbara, their deaths and him being beaten and left for dead. When he was through explaining, King Gordon was on the verge of tears as he thought of how he lost his daughter again. Richard had sheathed his sword, his emotions a mix of anger and sadness on losing Barbara.
When it was over, Bruce was still on bended knee as he told the king, "My King, I'm deeply sorry for what happened to Princess Barbara. I did everything I could but I was overwhelmed with the numbers of men attacking us. There was nothing I wanted more than to die with them but the War Lords wouldn't let me. They were determined to make me look like a coward. I wanted to die."
"If you were left for dead, how did you get well?" the king asked.
"It was through the mystic Elves of Themyscira medicine that I survived."
"The Themysciran Elves?" Richard questioned. "You mean they are real?"
"Yes."
King Gordon was torn on believing Bruce. Part of him wanted to but another part didn't. He wanted someone to pay for the death of his precious daughter and the Dark Knight was the only survivor of the ordeal. He wanted him to pay and yet he couldn't, especially if he was a victim in this.
"The War Lords are responsible for all that is happening to us," Bruce told the men. "We know they were taking out the knights of several kingdoms. We knew the Knights of Gotamworth were soon to be targeted. My men and I left with the princess in the middle of the night. The only ones who knew we were leaving besides the three of us were the royal guards.
"You think my own royal guards betrayed me?" King Gordon was outrage by the suggestion. It was too sickening to think his own men had a hand in killing his daughter.
"Not all, but a few yes. They wanted to escort Princess Barbara. They wanted to discredit me. What better way to do so than to kill Princess Barbara and frame me as being a coward?"
"This would mean my very own royal guards are part of the War Lords."
"I think there are a few working among them, particularly Captain Harvel Bullock. He never liked me. He was always looking for ways to discredit me."
"Even I can vouch for that," Prince Richard agreed. "Captain Harvel hated your guts, Bruce."
Bruce looked up to the king. "You are like a father to me. Princess Barbara was a sister I would die for. I wanted to die but Kal-El wouldn't let me."
"Kal-El? The exiled Knight of Kandor? You found him?"
"Actually, they found me, Your Highness. Kal-El, the Elf Princess Diana of Themyscira and even the mage apprentice James," he gestured to the young man who has been silence between the exchanges of King Gordon, Prince Richard and Lord Wayne.
King Gordon and Prince Richard both looked at James, noticing him for the first time. Feeling eyes on him, James robes turned red.
"What is he a chameleon or something?" Prince Richard asked displease with James behavior.
"There's a reason why I said he was a mage apprentice," Bruce said. He looked at the two men who were judging him. "You two have every right to be angry with me. You have every right to want me dead. You have every right to not trust me now but I beg you to do so. Dark forces are rising and the fate of First Earth is at risk. The War Lords are growing in numbers, knights of all our kingdoms have been destroyed and the Emperor who rules the War Lords is making his return once more. I know about Rann and Tamaran falling. Gotamworth is next on their path to conquer.
"That will not happen," Richard vowed. "The King and I knew Gotamworth was next. That is why we've joined forces. I've been here with the king for two weeks now to strategize."
"If I may say, I think Bludhaven would be the best place to make a stand."
A smile tugged Richard's lips. "It seems we continue to think alike, Bruce. I have decided that. Also, an ally of ours, Lord Peter, is already marching to Metria and Daileth to attack Duke Luthor and King Mordred. He is mad over the grief of losing his wife to Duke Luthor. He has round up his men and the few good ones left from Keystone, Oa, Ran and Tamaran. I told him I could not go since I have to defend Gotamworth. If Gotamworth fail, York was next and I won't let that happen."
Bruce was alarmed by this new event, "You say he round up the good ones. Does that mean Knight Walter and Knight John are still alive?"
"It's quite possible."
"When does this battle take place?"
"Lord Peter should be arriving in Metria and Dalieth today."
"Then it's too late to stop it," Bruce regretfully stated.
"Why would you stop it?" King Gordon asked. "Is it not right for Lord Peter to avenge the death of his wife?"
"He is doing it the wrong way," Bruce said. "He should attack Duke Alexander not King Mordred."
"King Mordred is very fond of Duke Alexander," Richard explained. "He gave him that power. He is probably in as deep as he."
Bruce shook his head. "No. From my talk with Kal-El and what I learned about King Mordred before I was attacked, King Mordred is nothing more than a stooge. He doesn't know how deceptive Duke Alexander. The duke played on his and all of Metria fears to get to his high position. Attacking Duke Alexander now is probably what he wants. He can use this attack to overthrow the king and become King of Metria himself, and with Luthor being apart of the War Lords who were able to eliminate the knights, who knows what type of power he is wielding. Lord Peter is walking into a trap and he is sending everyone to their deaths."
"Then we should stop him," King Gordon said.
Prince Richard shook his head. "No. It would be suicide. Besides, Metria is a two day ride from Gotamworth. We can only pray some escape the bloodbath waiting for them."
"Kal-El and his party should arrive in Metria and Daileth two days from now," Bruce said, knowing how little that meant. "They will be too late."
King Gordon sighed heavily. "This world is getting darker and darker by the day."
"You're right, Your Highness. The world is getting darker. There are so few we can trust." Bruce's eyes met the king. "I implore you let me reclaim my name, let me fight alongside with everyone at Bludhaven. Let me help you avenge Princess Barbara's death."
King Gordon gave Bruce a hard stare. "I didn't want to believe them when they said you ran away but they couldn't find your body so I was left with no choice. It pained me so much because you were like the son I've always wanted and it hurt me to think you betrayed me. But after hearing all this, I believe you. Let's fight these monsters at Bludhaven and put a stop to this."
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The other party to leave Themyscira was Kal-El, Diana, Patrick O'Brien, Krypto and Tresstom Peenflank, Prince of Doma and Diana's fiancée. Of course if one were among the few to witness the kiss shared between Diana and Kal-El one would think they were betrothed. Queen Hippolyta had sworn Bruce, James and the Elves, Phillipus, Penelope and Hellene, to secrecy on what they witnessed before ushering them out and having a word alone with Kal-El and Diana.
Diana glanced at Kal-El as he led the party. His face serious, unreadable. She wondered if he thought of their meeting with her mother. Even now, Diana shuddered at the displeased reaction from her mother.
Once alone, Hippolyta looked at Kal-El and Diana with fury. She gave Kal-El a glare that made him fear for his nether regions and Diana wishing she was anywhere but here.
"Do you have anything to say to explain yourself?" Hippolyta asked the two.
Diana flustered, unable to speak so Kal-El took it upon himself to be honest and speak for them. "There's nothing to say except Diana and I acted on feelings we have for each other."
The answer didn't please the Queen of the Elves at all. It only angered her. "Diana, I know I said I will dissolve your relationship with Prince Tresstom once this quest was over, but that did not mean for you to act on your feelings for Kal-El. How do you think our relations with Prince Tresstom would be if he walked in on you and Kal-El just now? We need his alliance to defeat the War Lords and put a stop at the rise of this Emperor before it's too late."
Diana could not defend herself. Her mother was right. Tresstom would've been furious. He may have even attacked Kal-El. "I'm sorry, mother. I know it was wrong to do so. It shall not happen again."
"I hope not for all our sakes. Prince Tresstom is a self-absorbed, spoil brat and I worry when someone with his power will do when he does not get his way. Ending your relationship with him has to be done in a delicate manner."
Hippolyta continued on with a thirty minute lecture to both of them that as a result, the two kept apart for their remaining time on Themyscira.
On their journey to Metria, Diana noticed Kal-El acknowledge her as if the kiss didn't happen. Remembering how much Tresstom forces were needed and Hippolyta's warning, perhaps Kal-El was keeping his distance and it was time for her to do the same even if she didn't want to.
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Diana was always a light sleeper and usually the first of the group awake so she was surprised to find Kal-El gone. Sitting up, she saw Tresstom sleeping with a thumb in his mouth and Patrick O'Brian was snoring. Diana decided to slip away from camp and search for Kal-El.
Since leaving Themyscira, Diana had not talk much with Kal-El. Tresstom saw to that. He was always watching them, always staying up until either she or Kal retired for the night. Diana saw this moment as a chance to slip away from Tresstom's shadow and talk with Kal-El.
Diana didn't have to walk far from camp as she searched for Kal-El. When she came upon a lake, she saw a body swimming in the waters, whom she knew was Kal-El. Suddenly, Kal-El emerged from the waters. Diana's mouth parted as she watch Kal-El rose from the waters like a God from the sea. Diana was entranced as her eyes roam over the swell of muscles on Kal-El's chest, tight and tone ripped muscles of his stomach, his--Diana inhaled sharply as her eyes went lower and--Kal-El was naked! Diana turned away, feeling that was the respectful thing to do.
And yet, Diana turned again towards him, feeling the need to look as she felt her body was overcome with something she could not control. Her heart was racing, moisture forming in places that never formed before, her body reacting in a way it never had before and she wanted more of it. Slowly, she began to move if only to get a closer look at him.
Kal-El, unaware of being watched, was slipping on his pants when he heard a crack behind him. He whipped his body around. "Who's there?" his deep voice commanded.
Caught, Diana slipped from hiding and Kal-El relaxed. "Diana?" He noticed her face was a deep red. Was she watching him? From the look on her face, he would say yes, but he didn't want to call her on it. Though he couldn't resist the urge not to as he flex his pectoral muscles. Diana's eyes reacted and Kal-El knew she liked that.
"Good morning."
"Good morning," Diana said huskily. "I….I just woke up and found you gone."
"I was taking a swim."
"If I'm disturbing you…"
"No, you're not. Stay," he encouraged. He gestured to a rock.
Diana sat on a rock, quiet, and tentative. "We should be reaching Metria today. How do you feel about returning home?"
"Anxious, nervous," Kal-El said as he sat next to her. "I'm curious to see how home has changed."
"What about friends? Are there some you are looking forward to seeing?"
"I never had many friends. Peter and Lana were good childhood friends but we parted ways as we got older. I think they got married. I'm looking forward to seeing my fellow knights again once I free them." Kal-El paused as he thought of Lois. "There was someone special. I wonder how she is doing."
"She?" Diana inquired.
"Before my banishment, I was courting a lady but after I was dishonored and exiled, she didn't want anything to do with me."
"How unfortunate." Diana didn't know Kal-El had someone. "She was special?"
Kal-El knew what Diana was asking of him. He didn't want to give her the wrong impression and make Diana jealous when there was no need to be jealous. "She was special until I met you."
Those words should've eased the nerves in her heart but Diana couldn't but help asking again, "She's not special to you anymore?"
Kal-El pushed a strand of Diana's hair behind her ear. "No, she's not. It's been over a year, Diana. I'm sure she's moved on as I have." Kal-El was staring at Diana.
Diana couldn't look away from those captivating cerulean eyes. "What if she hadn't?"
"It wouldn't matter. I have." Kal-El covered his mouth over Diana's in a sensual kiss. His arms were like steel around her and Diana's hands started a slow trip up; first rubbing Kal-El's muscular abs, then up the smooth muscles of his chest in a sensual caress that caused Kal-El to groan in her mouth and finally stopping with her arms around his neck.
Diana suddenly pulled away. "Wait. Wait," Diana breathed heavily. "We shouldn't." She stared at Kal-El longingly. "We shouldn't be kissing… we shouldn't be falling in love."
Kal-El caressed her face and Diana closed her eyes loving the feel of his fingers on her skin. "But it's too late for that, isn't it?" Kal-El asked.
Diana opened her eyes once more, seeing the desire in his eyes. "Yes, it is."
"Is it true, Diana?" Kal-El asked. "Is your mother going to dissolve your engagement with Tresstom?"
"Yes."
"And has she chosen another suitor?"
"No. She will though," Diana said distastefully. "Penelope had a vision of myself with my husband and children."
"Children?"
Diana nodded unsure to be happy or sad about it. Perhaps if she knew who the father was. "A boy and girl."
"And the father?" Kal-El asked cautiously. "Who is he?"
"Penelope couldn't see him but she knew it wasn't Tresstom."
That gave Kal-El hope. "Then it's quite possible it could be me."
As much as Diana wanted it to be so, she knew not to get her hopes up. "I would like it to be, but the fates… it's so inconclusive."
"I know I'm only a knight, a disgraced one at that. I have no land, no riches, but I can promise my loyalty to you. If your mother allow it, I want to court you, Diana."
As much as Diana wanted him to do so, Diana knew her mother would never allow it. "Don't say such things, Kal. Don't get your hopes up or mine. A relationship between a princess and knight is impossible."
Diana released him and walked away until Kal-El grabbed her and pulled Diana back to him. Her soft clothed body collided tightly against his hard, naked chest. "Improper yes. Impossible never."
Kal-El and Diana embraced and kissed once more with an audience watching them. Tresstom. He scowled as he watched the pair passionately kiss each other. `Diana didn't want me touching her and she allow this disgrace knight to do so. Move on from me before you officially dump me, you jezebel. The slut and cad will pay for this.'
Tresstom returned to camp and packed his things. `Make a fool of me will they! I'll show them. If I weren't so concern with messing my hair, I'd beat the crap out of Kal-El.'
Patrick was awakened with the sound of Tresstom loading his things on the back of his horse and his grumbling. "And where would ye be goin'?" Patrick asked.
"I will return to Doma and gather my forces."
Patrick rubbed his sleepy eyes, "But I though ya said tha' can be done without ya."
"Apparently, I don't think so. Besides, there are more than enough to go to Metria and free the Knights of Kandor." Tresstom mounted his horse. "You don't need me."
"But don't you want to say goodbye to the princess."
Tresstom snorted. "She'll understand. A woman knows to be silent and accept when a man leaves her." No, he decided he couldn't say that. It was too suspicious. "Tell my fiancée I'll reward her when I see her again."
Tresstom quickly rode off on his horse. Patrick only shrugged. Tresstom was leaving and it was good riddance to him. He knew Diana and Kal-El wouldn't fret over Tresstom's sudden departure.
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Because of the attack on their kingdom the day before, the people of Metria and the royal courts demanded an audience with King Mordred. They yelled and cursed at him on how he let their lands come to harm under Lord Peter's men, how their crops were destroyed by the savages, how men were killed, women raped and homes set on fire.
King Mordred felt overwhelmed at his people's complaints. He didn't know what to say or do to please them. He was stunned and outrage at the invasion as his people and it wasn't him who saved them. It was Duke Alexander and his forces who came to the rescue. Oh, if only Alexander was here now, King Mordred wanted. He knew his ally would help him out of this.
And at that very moment, the doors to the throne room slammed opened. Duke Alexander marched inside with his guards and his wife, Duchess Lois by his side.
"Duke Alexander," the king was relieved to see a friend. "Your presence is most welcomed my friend."
Alexander smiled. He knew the king will not be so relieved to see him once he was finished with what he had to say. "Thank you, Your Highness. Yesterday, my land Daileth and Metria was merciless and ruthlessly attacked by Lord Peter and you," he scowled at the king, "my King did nothing to stop it!"
King Mordred was mortified. His ally was turning against him when he needed him now. "I did not know," King Mordred said. "I was unaware of Lord Peter's invasion of our people."
"You never know because you are not interested in the people. You are only interested in yourself!" Alexander accused.
Captain Samuel stepped forward. "Rumor has it you killed Lord Peter's wife, Lana, and that is why Lord Peter launched his attack on you."
"It is a lie," Alexander coolly defended himself. "I have no grudge against Lord Peter nor his late wife. Why would I have her kill? She was my wife's cousin."
"Maybe you didn't like what she was saying to my daughter, your wife, Duchess Lois. Lady Lana suspected you weren't as noble as you claim yourself to be. She urged my daughter to leave you."
Alexander laughed haughtily. "And where did you hear such blasphemy?"
"From my own daughter."
Captain Samuel expected Alexander to be shocked, to roar with anger that the accusation was a lie but he didn't. He only smiled as if he knew something Samuel didn't. "My wife would not say such things."
"It is true she told me this a few days ago," Samuel defended himself.
"I remember my wife visiting you but it was only to have lunch."
Samuel smirked. "That's what you think."
"Is it because it is true." Alexander looked to Lois. "My wife, tell the audience of your afternoon with your father."
Lois looked at the audience, unperturbed at all the eyes on her. "I only had lunch with my father to discuss my happy life with my husband. My father said terrible things about my husband but I continued to defend him. My husband is a good man. He only wants the best for Metria." Lois lowered her head in shame. "My father shames me with such lies about my husband and myself."
"Daughter!" Samuel called out to her. "How can you defend him after what you said to me? After you begged me to speak to Lord Peter and our king on--"
"So, it was you who went to Lord Peter and spread such lies!" Luthor launched his attack on Samuel. "You got our men killed, our women raped! You betrayed Metria and allow Lord Peter to attack the very land you swore to protect!"
"Traitor!" a man in the audience yelled.
"Off with his head!" came another angry person of the court.
"No! I am being framed! I love Metria and all it's people!" Captain Samuel told an audience who was quickly losing faith in him. "I went to see Lord Peter in Rossvale but he was gone. I couldn't get back to Metria in time to defend her from invasion."
"We have an incompetent king and traitorous Captain of the Guard. Doesn't Metria deserve better than that!" Luthor asked the audience who all responded with a resounding `Yes!'
"Was it not I who freed this land of the Knights of Kandor? Who exposed that disgraced Kal-El for his practice of magic? Was it not I who brought peace to this land? Was it not I who sent his own troops to aid King Mordred when Lord Peter and his men ruthlessly plundered our kingdom?"
"Yes!" the audience agreed which was followed by, "Hail Duke Alexander!"
It encouraged Alexander to continue. "King Mordred has done nothing for his people. He hires others to do his job. I fought off the invasion. I sacrificed my warriors so that the people in the great land of Metria might live."
The people of the court clapped and cheered. Feeling he had the power of the people behind him, Alexander went on, "There are rumors of the War Lords rising in power. Do you believe our king will protect us from them?"
"No!" The people yelled.
"Do you believe I will protect you?"
As if cast in a spell, they all said an enigmatic, "Yes!"
"I vote for a vote of no confidence in the king!"
King Mordred rose from his throne outrage. "You cannot do this! I am the king! I made you who you are!"
Alexander marched to him and removed the crown from Mordred's head and placed it on his own. "No. I am the king. Imprison the former king and cut off the head of the Captain of the Guards for his treacherous lies!"
Luthor's men grabbed Samuel and began pulling him away. Samuel looked at Lois but she didn't react to what was going on. She looked cold, emotionless. "Daughter! Say something!" He scowled at Luthor. "What did you do to my daughter you monster? You will pay for this!"
Only a sly smirked curved Alexander's face as he watched Captain Samuel and King Mordred being drag away by his men. Alexander went to the throne and sat down. He scanned the room, taking notice of the two men who decided to join him: Captain Sol from Lord Peter's army and Tresstom who reached him in time to warn him of Kal-El's return and his desire to steal the bottle containing the Knights of Kandor. "Oh, it's going to be so good as king," Luthor gloated.
An hour later, Alexander and Lois entered their new bedroom in Metria's palace. He touched Lois' shoulder removing the spell he cast on her. The spell he cast on her caused Lois to lose her emotions and submit herself to his will. With her emotions returned, Lois collapsed to the floor.
Lois buried her face in her hands crying. She couldn't do anything but watch. Her father was begging for her to speak but with the spell cast on her, she praised her husband and condemned her father, sending him to his death.
"When did you learn magic?" Lois asked him. "How can you make me condemn my father to death?"
"He was in the way of my goal," Alexander said callously.
Lois rose to her feet and struck him hard across his face. "You monster!"
Alexander slapped Lois and knocked her to the ground. "You traitorous wench! I give you a kingdom, I protect you and this how you show your gratitude to me." Lois rose to hit Alexander but he punched her, knocking her on the bed. "You think I've come this far to let you stop me!" Alexander fought with Lois as he took her hands, rip the fabric from her dress and tie her to the bed. Lois fought back hard, giving Alexander bruises and cuts but he eventually subdued her. "Maybe if you have a babe in you, you will occupy yourself with something else other than my business."
Lois struggled, kicking at her husband. "Don't do this Alexander."
Alexander ripped opened her dress viciously with his hands. "I'm your husband. I can do what I want. If that means taking you against your will, then it is my right to do so."
Lois spat on him and he slapped her hard. "You thought you were so smart. Did you think I wouldn't find it suspicious for you to suddenly want to visit your father? You brought this on yourself. A woman should always honor her husband. Not betray him! It's time you learn to respect your husband."
************************************************
Hippolyta walked alone on her land of Themyscira. It was quiet that evening. The Elves were a little unrest as they knew what lied ahead. War. Some will die, some will live. Though the Elves were well trained, it didn't hinder how nervous they were. It would be the first time in a long time that they went to war.
Hippolyta suddenly found herself standing at the entrance to Themyscira. Her daughter left nearly a week ago. Oddly enough, it wasn't Diana the queen was thinking about. It was another woman. Lara.
Lara stumbled upon the Themyscira kingdom when she was a young woman two centuries ago. Lara got lost from her party and came upon the Elves. Hippolyta welcomed the woman and found her to be a strong, vibrant woman with amazing strength and power. However Lara didn't stay in the kingdom long. She was soon found by her fiancée, Jor-El.
When Lara prepared to leave with Jor-El, Hippolyta invited Lara to stay but Lara said she loved Jor-El and she wanted to be with him. Lara also mentioned an important mission she and Jor-El may take part in concerning the current Emperor of Earth. Hippolyta remembered Jor-El. He was tall, broad shouldered. Hippolyta remembered asking Lara if she thought Jor-El was worthy to which Lara said he was. She talked about being married to him and having a child. She wanted a son.
Hippolyta wondered what kind of son she and Jor-El would produce. Lara was a redhead with striking blue eyes. Jor-El, tall and broad with thick black hair and blue eyes. Jor-El had strong masculine features very similar to those of…
"Great Gaea!" Hippolyta gasped. "How could I have been so blind?" Kal-El is Lara's child. He is the last Kryptonian. Perhaps Kal-El is worthy of Diana after all, but why didn't he say who he was? How can he be here when Lara and Jor-El have been gone for centuries?"
***************************************
Kal-El, Diana and Patrick were stunned at the swarm of dead bodies lying on a field in Daileth. Bodies were covered in blood with arrows or swords lodge in them. Some even had missing limbs.
"What happened here?" Patrick asked.
"A battle and a grim one at that," Kal-El announced as he stepped off his horse. He knelt by a deceased warrior as Diana and Patrick wondered on. "I recognize these garbs and the symbol on it. By Rao, these are Lord Peter's men."
"Kal!" Diana called out to him.
Kal-El looked up and saw Diana had a solider cradled in her lap. When he got close enough to her, he saw Diana was holding Lord Peter in her arms. "Peter!"
Peter laid in Diana's lap. The wounds on his body were fatal. Kal-El didn't know how long Peter was laying there but it had to have been more than a day and it was a miracle Peter was still alive.
"Kal-El," Peter coughed. "I had hope to see you again but not under these circumstances."
"Hang on, Peter," Kal-El told his friend. "We have medicine. We can make you well again."
Peter shook his head. "No. It's too late. I'll be joining Lana soon."
"Lana's dead? How did it happen?" Kal-El asked his friend but Peter never answered.
"Only our son, Clark, remains." Peter coughed. "Tell him I did my best."
"Don't talk anymore," Kal-El urged Peter. "Save your strength."
"No. I have to tell you this. It's important. I had hoped to make amends and explain all to you once you have found your soul mate but it looks as if that will not be."
Kal-El shook his head confused. "Soul mate? Peter, what are you saying?"
"It's time you learn the truth, Prince, Last Son of the Kingdom of Krypton. Only you can defeat the Emperor."
"Prince?"
Peter reached inside his armor and pulled out a red pentagon shaped pendant. He held it out for Kal-El to take. "King Jor-El and Queen Lara will explain your past and your future." Peter's hand dropped and his eyes closed forever.
"Peter?" Kal-El called out to his friend. "Peter, say something."
"He's gone," Diana said. "I'm sorry." Diana gently laid Peter on the ground. "We'll give him and everyone here a proper burial."
Kal-El nodded, unable to find words to speak. Just as he was getting an understanding of the war, something happens to throw him off. He was losing so many people in this war and he didn't know why. How did his friend Peter and Lana get involve with the War Lords?
Kal-El looked at the pendant Peter gave him. "I wonder what's so special about this pendant. How can it explain my past and future?"
As if answering his question, the pendant turned gold, coming to life on its own and two light forces came out of it. When the light faded, Jor-El and Lara stood before Kal-El and Diana.
"Hello, Kal-El," the man spoke. He was a tall, broad shoulder, handsome man with silver hair, piecing blue eyes and a silver spit curl in the middle of his forehead. "I am Jor-El."
"And I am Lara." The woman was a beauty herself with her long red hair and unusually cerulean eyes. Kal-El recognized those eyes as his own. Was it? Was it possible? "We are your parents."
Diana looked at Kal-El, seeing the shock on his face. She couldn't imagine the feelings he was going through now. She took his hand in hers, letting him know she was there with him.
"You have grown into a handsome man, my son," Lara said proudly.
"You can see me?" Kal-El asked.
"Our images were created with our past memories and the last of our magic," Lara explained. "Even with our bodies destroyed and long gone, our will was strong. We have been waiting a long time to talk to you, my darling son."
"There is much to tell you, my son," Jor-El said. "Please listen. Two centuries ago, a battle for the fate of First Earth was decided. First Earth was once ruled by the Emperor, known as Darkseid. He was so evil, just mentioning his title brought fear to the bravest of men. He possessed the darkest of magic. He can release powers from his eyes that would turn a man to cinder. His strength was so formidable; ten of the strongest men of the world could not bring him down."
Lara continued, "However, there was a kingdom, who was tired of the oppressive rule, the iron fist Darkseid used to control the planet. It was the Kryptonian Kingdom. Their King, your father, Jor-El had enough of it. He round up his allies and took on the Emperor. Our Kryptonian Kingdom was a mighty kingdom, but even we could not kill the Emperor Darkseid. His body was destroyed but his wicked soul remained intact. It took all the Kryptonians power to seal Emperor Darkseid to the Realm of Phantoms. We won but at a high price. The Earth had to start anew, but it would do so without the Kryptonian Kingdom. It was in ruins as were many, but the Kryptonian civilization was beyond repair. All the people were gone except for your father, myself and you, our precious newborn son. With the last of our strength, we sent you, our only son to the future."
"Why?" Kal-El asked. "Why did you give me up?"
Lara gave Kal-El a motherly smile. "We wanted you to have a happy and normal life, and with a decimated kingdom and dying civilization we knew you wouldn't have one."
Jor-El took over. "So, we sent you to the future. Kal-El, I know not how but the Emperor is back. This planet and it's people are being targeted again. Without a doubt, it's the same being that destroyed our kingdom.
"You were born with many gifts, Kal-El. Like all members of the Kryptonian Kingdom, you were born with a long lifespan. You also have great strength, stronger than the average man. You are nearly invulnerable. You have a keen sense of hearing and sight as all Kryptonians. Like all Kryptonians, you have power in you that only you can release. You have discovered some but not all. Use your powers to banish the evil Emperor from Earth forever and watch over and guide the planet on the path of good."
"Keep a strong faith," Lara advised. "A steady will and a deep loving heart will guide you to victory."
The image of Jor-El and Lara began to waver and fade away. "Our power is fading but remember to be proud of who you are. Don't hate or curse your gifts. Be proud of them as they are our gifts to you."
"We love you, Kal-El," Lara told him as she and Jor-El fade away. "Always."
"Mother! Father!" Kal-El reached out to them only to have them fade away forever. He looked at Diana lost. "My parents. They were my parents. "I finally meet them only to lose them, Diana."
Diana embraced Kal-El, holding him tight. He returned the hugged, needing to hold her. While Kal-El's mind was on his parents, Diana's was on the pendant he received from Peter. It was the same pendant Penelope saw in her vision. Diana now knew her destiny and it was with Kal-El.
Patrick watched the pair embraced. He would`ve kept watching if his eyes didn`t see the approaching company. "Uh, I hate to break the moment but we got company," Patrick said as he saw two men on horseback coming to Kal-El and Diana. Knight Walter and Knight John.
**********************************
Desaad had watched the battle at Metria and Daileth with earnest. So much bloodshed, so much fear, violence and hate. All of it only served to give so much needed power to Darkseid. Darkseid and Desaad thought it would take the fall of Gotamworth but it seem the fall of so many at Metria and Daileth did the job of bringing Darkseid over from the Phantom Realm.
Desaad almost shed tears of joy as he witness his Lord and master, Emperor Darkseid step through the barrier between realms. Desaad fell to his knees and threw himself at Darkseid's feet.
"My Lord and Master, I, your humble servant, Desaad welcome your return."
Darkseid smiled wickedly as his eyes burned. "Rise, Desaad, we have work to do."
