Chapter 19 (ImFanci)
“Kal-El? Is that really you?” Walter shouted out. The relief in the tone of his voice was evident.
Kal reluctantly pulled away from Diana. He stepped forward to greet the two knights. “Wally, John. It’s good to see you both.”
Walter jumped off his horse and greeted Kal the way a little brother would affectionately hug his older brother. Kal was adept at concealing his currently tumultuous emotions, so all Walter saw was genuine happiness at seeing his old friend. That joy was only momentary as the stench and sight of dead bodies littered around reminded them of where they were. “You have no idea how relieved I am to see you, Kal.”
“When I heard what happened at Keystone, I had a feeling that you’d be alright. You’re much too fast on your feet to be captured,” Kal grinned.
“It has been a long time indeed, Kal-El.” John finally said as he slowly got down from his horse. Kal and John grasped their hands on each other’s arms in greeting.
Kal saw John’s eyes wandering past his shoulders. He glanced to see Walter was also unabashedly staring at who was behind him. He turned around and offered an apologetic smile to Diana. “This is Sir John of Oa. The other one rudely staring is Sir Walter of Keystone. Gentlemen, meet Diana, Princess of Themyscira and our ally Patrick O'Brien.”
Walter and John barely noticed Patrick but briefly acknowledge his presence. They returned their gazes on Diana, as neither one of them had ever laid eyes on an Elf. Both men were already surprised to find an Elf maiden in Kal’s company. But they were shocked that the Princess of the legendary Elves was actually standing in front of them. Remembering their manners, they quickly dropped down to one knee and greeted Diana with the respect befitting her rank.
“Sir John, Sir Walter, please rise. It is not necessary for you kneel before me.” Diana called to them. “I am honored to meet Kal’s friends.” She hoped the smile she gave them put them at ease.
Bewildered, they each glanced at Kal. As he nodded, the two men slowly rose. Walter said, “You’re honored to meet us? But he’s a disgraced knight. Ow!”
John jabbed Walter with an elbow. “Forgive him, your Highness. He sometimes forgets where he left his brain. We do not mean any disrespect.”
Diana held back the laughter that threatened to erupt, not knowing these men as well as Kal apparently did. “You have not offended me in the least. I pride myself in being a good judge of character and Kal has not disappointed me. I’m certain his friends will also exceed my expectations. I find comfort and security that I am in the company of good men.” She turned to Patrick. “Patrick here is an asset to our quest.”
“And what quest is that, may I ask?”
Diana briefly glanced at Kal before answering John, “To retrieve and set free the Knights of Kandor.”
Walter spoke up, “But my lady, these unfortunate men who now lay here came to fight Duke Luthor’s forces. I don’t mean any disrespect, but how can a few overcome the might of the many?”
This time, it was Kal who answered. “We don’t intend to fight them. We just need to infiltrate the castle and get the bottle they are trapped in. That way, the knights are freed to fight Luthor’s army at a later time alongside the forces of Themyscira and Doma.”
“Doma?” John interrupted. “Don’t count on Doma. We saw Tresstom Peenflank in the company of the new King - Luthor.”
“And Luthor has relocated to the Metria Castle and it is half a day’s ride from here. All of his personal belongings were moved there yesterday,” Walter added.
Diana, Kal, and Patrick could not have been more shocked about that stunning revelation.
Patrick was the first of the three to speak up. “Uh, tha’ Tresstom! I knew tha’ spineless weasel was up ta somethin’ when e’ scurried off the other day. I’m only a thief, but at least I know not to betray me friends. Not that ye’re considered me friends mind ye-- I mean, I am bound by service to ye…”
Diana and Kal looked at each other. Guilt etched along their faces.
Patrick had known the Elven Princess and the fallen knight had developed a caring for one another. He had noticed over the past weeks that they would exchange wistful glances, find any excuse to speak to one another, and stand closer to each other than was necessary. The intimate embrace he just witnessed merely confirmed his suspicions about how Diana and Kal-El felt about each other. Patrick had a hunch Tresstom left in a fit of jealousy because it finally dawned on Tresstom’s pea-sized brain that the raven-haired beauty saw him for being a sorry excuse for a man compared to Kal-El. “Yer Highness? Kal-El?”
Diana let out a heavy sigh. “He must have seen us…”
“I’m sorry…” Kal held her arms but kept his distance. “This is my fault. I’ve ruined the alliance between Themyscira and Doma.”
“No, the fault is not yours alone. I am partly to blame for this.” She touched his cheek. “I should’ve known better than to follow my heart in this dire of times.”
John and Walter were befuddled and bemused that Kal-El, in his current station, or lack there of, had captured the affections of a Princess. An Elven Princess, no less.
Diana quickly dropped her hand from Kal’s cheek and turned to the others. “But I will not allow that man to alter the success that should be ours. We can still accomplish our quest. Will you join us, Sir John, Sir Walter?”
“You need not ask us, Princess.” Walter answered. “Our swords are yours.”
“After what Luthor has done to our kingdoms, we will not relent,” John added. “But how are we going to retrieve the bottle where the Kandorian Knights are being held captive? They’re expecting your arrival.”
“And that’s what we can count on. Diana and I will accommodate them.” Kal grinned. “Come. We ride on to Metria.”
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The group stopped along a forest of trees as they neared the castle of Metria.
Kal turned to Patrick. “O’Brien, shape shift into a bird or another animal you see fit, and find out where the bottle is being secured. Once you find it, report back to us. Don’t try to bring it back yourself. We can’t risk losing you if you are caught.”
“But I’ve never been caught before.” Patrick protested.
Diana raised an eyebrow in response to his protest.
“Okay, I’ve only been caught once before,” He admitted.
Kal shook his head and continued. “The main gate is on the south side of the castle. There’s a back passageway on the north side. We will meet in between on the west side in a thick cluster of trees that line the area about a kilometer away.”
“Aye, Kal-El. Ye can count on me.” Patrick beamed with his newfound sense of purpose. In an instant, Patrick changed into an owl and flew off towards the castle.
********************
The sun had just set. Kal, Diana, Walter, and John waited patiently for Patrick to meet them. It had been over an hour since Patrick took off, and only a half hour for the rest of them to reach the rendezvous point. The group used that time to catch one another up on everything each knew about the transgressions that have happened since Luthor’s rise to power.
Kal found out through Walter and John that Lois was taken as Luthor’s wife. He did not harbor any jealousy or ill-feelings towards Lois, but he did pity her for marrying the power monger. Walter and John also told Kal and Diana that Peter had contacted them to join him in attacking Luthor. They had barely survived the onslaught of the parademons. From whence those horrid creatures came from, they did not know, but they could only guess that they were remnants of the evil empire that was once in the control of the legendary Darkseid.
Diana and Kal, in turn, informed John and Walter of the plan to travel to Bludhaven, once they retrieved the bottle that held the Kandorian Knights. At Bludhaven, they would join the forces of that kingdom as well as the army of Gotamworth. They had every confidence that the Dark Knight would accomplish his task of convincing King Gordon and Prince Richard to make a stand against Luthor. Only at Bludhaven will the Knights of Kandor be released from their prison as James was the only one who could recant the spells necessary to free them.
An owl flew over the group. Upon landing, the owl suddenly became Patrick. John and Walter gaped at the sight. From the grin on Patrick's face, it was assumed that he was successful in locating the bottle. Before Diana or Kal could question him, Patrick gleefully said, “It’s in his bed chamber. Only two guards man tha’ door. Ye know it took a while to find tha’ bottle. Tha’s a big castle.”
Diana smiled. “Good work, Patrick.” His quick nod belied his pride in having accomplished his mission and proving himself worthy of their trust.
“And no one saw you wandering around?” Kal asked.
“No. I was as quiet as a mouse. Actually, I did turn into a mouse. And then a snake. And back to a mouse and then a snake again…”
“We get the picture!” Kal interrupted. “All right, then. Patrick, you stay with John and Walter. Follow them and do as you’re instructed. John will fill you in with the plan we’ve devised. Diana and I will meet you all at the designated location between here and Bludhaven. Good hunting.”
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With Kal's intimate knowledge of the castle, they easily found their way in without being detected. They knew they were walking into a trap. Since Kal knew the castle well, he led Diana through the corridors that would take them around the keep.
The couple was about to enter the old library of the Elders when laughter erupted behind them. As Kal and Diana turned around, guards yielding swords immediately appeared and pointed them in their direction.
Diana whispered to Kal, “Are you sure this is still a good idea?”
“For the most part.” Kal replied.
The captain of the guard sauntered over and sneered at them. “I suggest that you do not put up a fight. You are outnumbered, and I’d hate to see more blood spilled than is necessary.” Signaling to the guards, he commanded, “Relieve them of their weapons. And bring them to the King.”
*************************
John, Walter, and Patrick snuck into the castle with little trouble. As Kal predicted, security around the castle relaxed somewhat as word of the capture of the expected Themysciran Princess and the fallen knight of Kandor spread like wildfire. Since most of the guards were not allowed in the throne room, they were content to retire to their barracks.
The trio stealthily made their way to the bed chambers in the upper levels of the keep. They halted as the came around a corner. Patrick pointed out Luthor’s chamber even though two guards were still posted at the door, and signaled that he would take care of them. He turned into a dark snake that blended in the dark corridor and quietly slithered towards the guards. Patrick moved behind them and up along the doorway above them. He finally lowered himself to wrap his body around the necks of the unsuspecting guards. Once he was satisfied the guards were unconscious, he immediately released his hold on them, and changed back to his human form.
Walter and John quickly moved forward to catch up to a grinning Patrick. Impressed, Walter whispered, “Not bad for a common thief.”
“I take offense to tha’. There’s nothing common bout me.” Patrick retorted, still grinning.
John opened the door, surprised it was not locked, and proceeded to walk in.
The sound of a woman sobbing caught the men’s attention. All eyes followed the sobbing sounds to the bed. She was fully dressed but she laid on the bed with her head tucked between her arms.
“Please…can’t you see you’ve done enough to hurt me…” cried the woman.
“Queen Lois?” John asked.
Her head snapped up, revealing red-rimmed eyes with tears streaming down the woman’s lovely face. “Who are you?!” She demanded. “What are you doing in my chamber?”
“As long as you do not call for help, we won’t harm you. All we want is that bottle by the table.”
Lois wiped the tears from her face. “The bottle? You can have it. I won’t tell anyone. Where are you taking it?”
“Someplace far from here.” Walter said.
She jumped to her feet and started towards the men. “Oh, please, take me with you. I…I need to get away from him. Luthor, he’s an evil man. He had my father and cousin killed. I need to find Sir Kal-El, former champion of Metria. I have news of my husband’s plans that may be helpful to you. I beg of you…”
All the men exchanged glances.
John finally spoke. “Very well. But you must heed our every word. The journey ahead of us will not be easy.”
She nodded that she understood. “Thank you.”
Walter had taken the bottle. “We need to go. Now.”
As they made their way out of the chamber and the keep, Patrick could only think of the awkwardness to come when they all meet with Kal-El and Diana.
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Kal and Diana were brought to the throne room where Luthor patiently waited for them.
“Ah, here they are. We’ve been waiting for you.” Luthor gloated. As neither Kal nor Diana said anything, he continued. “I see you’ve done well for yourself, Kal-El, keeping company with Elves. And speaking of Elves, welcome to Metria, Princess Diana. It is quite a pleasure to finally meet a mythical Elf. Especially one so beautiful.”
“I can’t say the same,” Diana answered. “Your atrocious deeds have even reached our isolated lands.”
Luthor ignored her comment and turned to his guard. “Captain, there are only two of them. There’s supposed to be one more in their company.”
“There were only these two, my liege.” The captain bowed, hoping that the king would not have his head for missing the last accomplice.
Luthor turned his attention back to his ‘guests’. “I was told you had another in your paltry party. Where is he?”
Kal finally spoke up. “If you are talking about a cowardly thief who wanted nothing more than to steal from us, then I can tell you he ran off. Apparently, when another coward named Tresstom left our group, the thief thought it in his best interest to leave as well. When you find him, tell him I’m looking for him.”
“Hmm. That scenario is quite plausible. Well, then, surely you must know that it was Lord Tresstom who betrayed you. How else were we expecting you?”
Diana answered, “We guessed as much. Is that traitor here? I have a few words to say to him.”
“Your betrothed? Why, he’s currently helping himself to some of the local offerings. When he’s done with them, he’d be delighted to pay you a visit in the dungeon.”
Angered by Luthor’s insinuation of Tresstom’s intentions, Kal said, “You don’t intend to kill us?”
Luthor raised his chin and snickered delightfully. “Oh, eventually I will order your execution, Kal-El. But since a little bird told me that you are enamored with a certain Elf,” Luthor glanced at Diana, “I’m going to keep you alive. Until I present the Princess as a gift to the Emperor, Darkseid. I’m sure she’ll make a lovely bride for him.”
“Darkseid?!” Kal shouted.
“He’s nothing more than a shadow!” Diana exclaimed.
“That’s what you think! His arrival is eminent. All of my accomplishments have seen to his resurrection!” A chilling laughter rose from Luthor’s gut. “Now, since you’ve interrupted my dinner, I have real guests to attend to. Guards, throw them in the dungeon. An empty cell is waiting for them.”
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The door closed behind them. The small cell smelled of rot and death.
“I have heard no sounds of alarm. I think the others were successful in taking the bottle.” Kal looked at Diana and crossed his arms. “You know, we could have taken the guards who brought us in here and be halfway out of Metria. Why are we delaying our escape?”
“He’ll be here soon enough. And when he does show up, I want to wrap my hands around his puny little neck.” The vehemence in Diana’s voice was unmistakable. Kal knew she was talking about Tresstom.
Kal held her arms. “Diana, you cannot just kill the man in cold blood.”
“He betrayed us, Kal. Death is a justifiable means of punishment.”
“Don’t let your anger consume you. It’s not part of who you are.” He tilted her chin with his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “And it’s not a part of you that I fell in love with.”
Diana shut her eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re right,” She opened her eyes and looked back up into his. “And I don’t want to lose your love because of some act of vengeance.”
Kal bent his head down and brushed his lips against hers to comfort her. He would have deepened their kiss but Diana pressed her palm against his chest.
“Kal, wait. I need to tell you something else about Penelope’s vision.”
“What is it?” The excitement in her tone somewhat eased his concerns.
Diana smiled at him. “In her vision, she described the pendant that my future husband and my children will wear. Even my mother recognized the shape of the pendant Penelope described. Well…when I saw the pendant that your dying friend gave you, I hoped…no…I knew that it was the same one described in that vision. It is exactly as she described, pentagon shaped bearing the symbol that looked much like a snake. Kal, your pendant…it means that we are truly destined to be together.”
The hope shining in Diana’s eyes, coupled with the further realizations of his past and possible future, brought an elation that he had never felt before. He had spent the last year wandering aimlessly across the lands trying to find meaning in his existence. And before his fall from grace, he had aimed to establish himself in a world of status and restrictions. For once in his life, Kal felt he had a purpose. A true direction of what life held in store for him.
The love he felt for this Elf, this wonderful woman, was beyond anything he had ever known. And he would gladly give his life for her if there ever was a need for him to make that sacrifice. He kissed her again. This time, with every essence of his being. He wanted her to know that he belonged to her. That his heart and soul were completely hers to take.
Diana moaned, overwhelmed by the intensity she felt as his mouth and tongue moved over hers repeatedly. Possessively. Hungrily. She ran her fingers through his thick hair as her other hand gripped the muscles beneath his shoulders. She pressed her body into his muscular frame, letting him know that she was ready to surrender herself to him.
Kal had buried a hand in her long tresses while the other arm held her tightly as it massaged up and down her back. He let out a groan when she molded her figure to his. She fit him perfectly. But he needed to put a pause on their desire and need to consummate their love. Kal abruptly broke off their kiss. His breathing was ragged as he sighed to her, “Diana, we have to stop. We can’t do this here.”
Seemingly gasping for air, Diana murmured, “Why, Kal? Why must we stop?” She asked as she trailed small kisses along his neck.
Pulling together what self control he had left, Kal instead turned a question to her. “Do you really want to remember our first time together to be in a dungeon full of despair and shadowed by death?”
Diana stopped her little assault on the base of his throat and gazed pensively into his eyes. Seeing that she too remembered where they were, he continued, “Let’s not mar what I know will be perfect between us by giving in to our desires in this awful place.”
He pressed his forehead to hers.
“Once again, you are right. I don’t want to remember this place for what it is. To take away from the joy and pleasure we were meant to share.” There was a twinge of humor in her smile. “But if you’re suggesting that we wait until our wedding night, Kal, think again. I don’t think that I can wait that long to have you.”
He grinned widely. “If it pleases my Princess, and we’re in a place more fitting for me to fully show my love and desire for you, then I promise you that you won’t have long to wait.”
His words sent shivers of delight to course through her body.
“Wedding night? Does this mean you’ve consented to marry me?” Kal teased. “What about your mother’s approval?”
“You’re no longer an untitled man. You’re my Prince.” Diana leaned up to kiss him, but the sound of the cell door being unlocked halted her intention.
The door opened to reveal a maddened Tresstom, with his sword drawn and a look that meant to instill fear and trepidation. Instead, Kal and Diana tried their hardest to discard the mirth that threatened to explode from behind their calm expressions. They looked passed him and noticed that he had two guards standing behind him. Their swords were drawn as well.
“What is it with you and this nobody?!” Tresstom cried. “Can’t you see that I am a far better suitor for you?!” He stepped forward and waived his sword. With Kal unarmed, he was no longer intimidated by the very tall and muscular knight. “Step away from my prize, Kal-El.”
Kal and Diana took their time separating themselves from each other. Diana raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. “You and I have some important matters to discuss, such as your betrayal to our kingdoms’ alliance.”
“Hah! It was you who betrayed me, Princess,” spat Tresstom. “You were supposed to be mine. Did you think you could discard me so easily and not pay for the humiliation?” He let out a sneering laugh and signaled to the guards. “Watch him closely. I need to show the Princess how she will pay for her betrayal.”
The guards came around him and kept their swords pointed at Kal’s chest.
Tresstom sheathed his sword and pulled out a dagger. He took the few steps to close the distance between Diana and himself, and held the dagger to her neck. “I’m going to enjoy this, and so will you.” He began to loosen the ties that held up his britches.
One of the guards turned his head to see what Tresstom was doing. It was enough for Kal to make his move. In one swift motion, Kal grabbed the guard’s sword arm and used it to pierce the other guard’s torso. Kal then disarmed the guard he held and made a lethal swing of the sword across the guard’s stomach. He was about to make quick work of Tresstom as well. But it was not necessary.
Slumping to the floor with his own sword in his gullet, Tresstom breathed his last breath as Diana stood above him. Her lips were pursed into a thin line of anger and disgust. She looked at Kal. “That was in self defense.”
“And I was going to kill him for what he threatened to do to you.” Kal dropped the bloodied sword and reached out for her hand. “Can we go now?”
Diana nodded and accepted his hand as they stepped over the prone forms of the guards and out of the cell.
As they made their way around the dungeon, they found their swords had been carelessly left on a bench. No doubt one of the guards was too lazy to lock them up properly. It only made it easier for Kal and Diana to retrieve them. There were few guards on duty. And each one of them was silently subdued as Diana and Kal successfully escaped from the castle.
They ran into the dark forest where they got on their tethered horses. They rode off into the direction of where Patrick, Walter, and John would be waiting for them. Not once did they ease off on the speed of the galloping horses. When they could no longer see the castle, and even farther enough away, did they finally slow down their horses. They were getting close to their contact point.
Kal surprised Diana by scooping her off her horse, and placing her in front of him on his saddle. She did not argue as she leaned into him while he held her tightly.
With his keen vision, Kal spotted the trio of horses that belonged to John, Walter, and Patrick. He did not see them, but he guessed they were sitting somewhere nearby. As he stopped the horses, he whispered to her, “We’re here.”
“Good. But before the others show up, I need this from you.” Diana said as she brought his head down for searing kiss. It was a short kiss, but it held much promise. They were gazing into each other’s eyes when a loud cough sounded from behind some trees.
One by one, Walter, John, and Patrick appeared, as well as an unexpected addition to the group. She stood silently amongst them, astonishment registered on her face.
Diana looked at the woman staring at them, at Kal, and glanced back at him. She could see that he was shocked to see the woman who was standing with their allies. “Kal.” She gently asked, “Who is she?”
“Lady Lois.”
