Chapter 8 (Arcadia)
The people of Metria were pleased to hear good news for a change. The people felt Metria was entering a dark era starting with the expulsion of their finest Knight Kal-El. Then when it was revealed the Knights of Kandor were hiding their knowledge about magic, the safety of the citizens of Metria was at stake. If the Knights of Kandor knew or even worse practiced this magic, it would only be time before the Knights of Kandor use it on the people of Metria and King Mordred himself. It was only thanks to Baron Luthor for exposing Kal-El of his practice of magic that lead to Baron Luthor’s pressing King Mordred to investigate the Knights of Kandor. On the trust of Baron Luthor’s word, King Mordred had his royal guards hunt down the knights and punish them.
No one knew Baron Luthor wanted possession of the magic himself that when he convinced King Mordred to send the royal guards to the Guildhall, he had planned to steal all the secrets in the Guildhall library. Baron Luthor was furious to discover the library empty. Books of knowledge, magic that would help him take over Metria, the world if possible was gone! The High Elders must have been on to him and hidden the books before Baron Luthor could have them in his possession. This infuriated Luthor, but there was a silver lining in this. The books were gone but the artifacts remained.
With the Knights of Kandor captured, Baron Luthor questioned them on their knowledge of magic and the location of the books. The High Elders Jonathon and Ganthet were too stubborn to talk. The Knights were too honorable as well except for one knight he was able to crack and tell him the use of a bottle. In doing so, Baron Luthor questioned everyone once more. When they refused, he opened the cork and pulled the Knights of Kandor and the entire Guildhall inside.
With the threat of magic gone thanks to their hero Baron Alexander Luthor, King Mordred rewarded him by raising his status from Baron to Duke of Daileth. Not only did it mean Luthor became the highest ranking peer among the King but he was also in control of the land Daileth. The province was a vast amount of rich land in Metria and increased Duke Alexander’s power. In addition to this, King Mordred gave him the hand of Lady Lois.
Captain Samuel, Lady Lois’ father and Captain of the royal guards was very pleased as he was not fond of the courtship Lady Lois had with the disgraced Knight of Kandor, Kal-El. His daughter might’ve thought it was in secret but he once saw Kal-El wear Lois’ colors on his shoulder. Lois’ mother did the same thing to Samuel when they were courting. Samuel never liked Kal-El. His unusual strength was very suspicious to Samuel. Even if Kal-El asked when he was an honorable knight, Captain Samuel would never have granted Kal-El the privilege of marrying his daughter.
After having lunch with Lady Lois in her large manor, Alexander and his betrothed took a stroll around the gardens of her estate. It gave the couple a moment alone, away from the eyes and ears of talkative servants.
“Do you hate me?” Alexander asked bluntly.
Lois turned to Alexander puzzled. “Why do you say that?”
Alexander noticed Lois did not answer the question. “The disgraced Knight Kal-El was courting you was he not? I am responsible for his banishment and now I am courting you. Surely you have some resentment towards me.”
“How did you know about me and Kal-El?” Lois gauged him with caution. “Our courtship was in secret.”
Alexander smiled. “Nothing is secret in Metria especially when one ties their colors to a Knight of Kandor.”
Lois flushed with embarrassment. She did tie her colors to Kal-El’s shoulder. It was something her mother did to her father. It was Lois’ way of showing her affection for him since she never did so publicly. Many Ladies tied their colors to the man they were courting. She never considered one would recognize her colors on Kal-El. “I never thought it would be so obvious, but I do not hate you, Duke. You did what was right. Magic is the devil’s work and anyone engaged in the practice should be banished. I care for Kal-El and I may always will but Kal-El was not the man I thought he was.”
Alexander kissed Lois’ hand. “I assure you I am what you see and I will be a good husband to you.”
Lois wasn’t entirely convinced. After all, King Mordred announced Duke Alexander would marry her. Lois did not ask to marry him. Arrange marriages were very common. Lois knew and accepted that. Lois also knew little of her betrothed so she couldn‘t believe everything he said until she knew him better. “Your new title as Duke brings you land and power. I also know what a marriage to me brings to you: my father’s vast land and money. As they say, the more land one has the more power one possess. You should not be offended if I question if all you tell me is true.”
Alexander hid his anger behind a charming smile. “You are wise to question my motives since our arrangement is rather sudden. You are not foolish and empty-headed as other women are. The land and fortune you bring to our union is only an additional benefit to what I truly want: a strong, beautiful woman with intelligence and fire.”
Alexander kissed Lois’ hand once more. He looked at her with deep admiration. “I must go for I have business to attend. Would it be too forward if I ask for a kiss?”
Lois smiled. “My future husband only has to ask.”
Alexander pulled Lois in his arms gently and softly kissed her lips. “Your kiss is what I must contend myself with until we are wed a month from now.”
Alexander turned to leave and his smile quickly turned into a scowl. Wench, he thought. I’ll soon take care of that strong attitude once we marry.
****
The Dark Knight was angry. His command was not heeded. He wanted to be left alone in dirt, his ghastly wounds and die alone. A knight of his power and skills who failed in his mission is not worth living.
Though weakened, the Dark Knight was able to take in his surroundings. He could feel the heat of the fire to his right. He knew he was traveling with four people and a dog--two were sleeping now. Occasionally, he would open his eyes when the others weren’t aware during the day when they were traveling or late when everyone slept. He would’ve kept the charade going until he was completely healed and slip away in the night had he not discovered Kal-El.
The Dark Knight heard of Kal-El being expelled from the Knights of Kandor. Had he reached him sooner, the Dark Knight would’ve invited Kal-El to join him. He did not believe the rumors that swirled around Kal-El and even if it were true, it did not matter to the Dark Knight. The Dark Knight knew Kal-El from the Crusades. Kal-El saved his life more times than he liked to admit. He knew Kal-El to be a man of honor. Joining him on his missions would’ve been a more fitting position for someone as Kal-El than the lowly positions of gamekeeper and farm hand Kal-El was tied to. He wondered what his former ally was up to and what he was doing with a thief, a lad who was either an incompetent magician or squire and a princess.
Yes. He knew Diana was a princess. Oh, Diana fooled her three companions with her clothes, but the Dark Knight’s sharp eyes noticed the fine cloak she wore along with the gold and silver brooch. And if his eyes had failed him, his ears picked up the regal tone in her voice. The Dark Knight was trained in many things. He could tell by one’s voice what class they were; be it royalty, a warrior, a commoner or a crook such as the Patrick O’Brien fellow.
“Dark Knight, do you remember me?”
The Dark Knight looked to the voice of Kal-El who was peering down with concern eyes.
“Kal-El,” he said in recognition.
Kal-El nodded. “Yes, it’s me, my friend.”
The Dark Knight looked at the woman beside Kal-El. “Huntress.” He shifted his eyes to Kal-El’s once more and scowled. “You fool. I said to leave me!”
“See? I told you we should’ve left him be.”
Kal-El and Diana turned to see James had awakened in time to hear the Dark Knight’s story.
“Shh!” Diana warned James and the squire calmed down. She turned her attention back to the Dark Knight. “Dark Knight, why do you want to send me away? Why do you think you will bring me danger?”
The Dark Knight refused to answer her. Kal-El asked, “Dark Knight, what happened to you?”
“I will only tell you because I know you, Kal-El. I was attacked.”
“By who?”
“The War Lords.”
The War Lords? Kal-El didn’t understand. As a result of the Crusades great changes were brought about. Those who fought under the One Great Lord captured several of the War Lord territories surrounding lands that included Metria, Gotamworth, Keystone and Oah. Traffic between lands was expanded and trades of products such as silk, food, clothes and the arts were opened. With losing so much of their lands, the War Lords were crippled as a result. Some were force to give up their titles and live as commoners. The remaining War Lords and their supporters were reduced to raging and pillaging the countryside. How could they take out an exceptionally skilled warrior as the Dark Knight?
“The War Lords have been crippled because of the Crusades,” Kal-El said. “I know some still exist but you are an exceptional warrior.”
“Crippled or not. It doesn’t change what they did to me,” the Dark Knight returned. “The War Lords are growing in forces again; some are new War Lords hiding among us, but they all work under a new leader. I know not who. I only know their first strike is to rid themselves of the Knights who disbanded them. In the past year, all the Knights who fought under the One Great Lord during the Crusades have been killed, exiled or hunted like dogs for bounty. I didn’t connect it at the time but it started with your exile, Kal-El.”
“My exile?”
Diana stared at Kal-El. “You were exiled? Why?”
“For practicing magic,” the Dark Knight answered for her since Kal-El didn’t look as if he was going to answer. “The Knights of Kandor were later swallowed up in one of their own rumored magical pieces as punishment for practicing magic. It was a domino effect. Knight Walter and his Knights of Keystone were accused of plotting to assassinate their king. They are all are either dead or hiding under a new alias. Knight John was accused of killing the Queen of Oah. He fled before he could be decapitated. His Knights were disbanded for their association with him. It’s been like that with all the Knights who fought under the One Great Lord.”
Kal-El wasn’t aware of any of this due to his odd jobs throughout the year. He now wished he had taken jobs that were of higher caliber and kept him up to date on what was going on with his fellow Knights. If only he had known. “Dark Knight, who’s protecting the kingdoms if the Knights have been outlawed?”
“The Kings’ guards.”
Kal-El was outraged. “They don’t have the training or manpower to properly protect the kingdom!”
“I agree but the Kings’ guards have increased in numbers. It’s led me to think a conspiracy is going on to weaken the Kingdoms, making them vulnerable when a takeover happens. We are all allies and we have our own personal enemies but the one who has a vendetta against all of us are the War Lords.”
Kal-El agreed. “Yes. I think when the War Lords were crippled, someone came in and became Lord over them. Whoever he is, he’s a shrewd, calculating person. The people who led the exile of the Knights are probably the War Lords in hiding.” Kal-El gasped as realization dawned on him. “Luthor! He led the charges against me and the Knights. He must be a new War Lord in hiding but who is this Emperor he is working for?”
The Dark Knight actually smiled. “Seems being in exile and working poor jobs didn’t soften your mind completely. I have been investigating what’s going on. There is one person controlling the War Lords. Few have seen him and little is known about him, except he is known as Emperor. He must be biding his time before he reveals himself.”
This was so much to take in. Kal-El couldn’t believe all this was happening. He felt foolish for not fighting the charges against him and convincing the court he wasn’t using magic in his battles and that his abilities were natural. Things might not have not gotten out of hand as it has.
Kal-El looked down at his wounded friend; a friend who wouldn’t be in this state had he not accepted his exile so easily. “Dark Knight, how did the War Lords get to you?”
“I am the last Knight of Gotamworth. We were one of the few who fought under One Great Lord that was weakened by the Crusade. We lost a great deal of good men. King Gordon was a good man running a kingdom filled with a two-faced, corrupted royal court. The War Lords had a lot of land invested in Gotamworth. When the Crusades were over, our kingdom was in its own private war with our people over the dividing of land that was lost. King Gordon lost a lot of power. Many wanted my own head for convincing King Gordon to fight in the Crusades but King Gordon defended me.”
Kal-El knew Gotamworth was a corrupted land. It was one reason why Kal-El was wary of the Dark Knight during their first meetings before he realized he could trust him. The Kings before Gordon were as wicked as the royal courts. All expected King Gordon to continue with tradition but he was a king who wanted to end the corruption. With the Dark Knight as his aide, he was starting to make changes until the Crusades started.
The Dark Knight continued. “To bring about a new age for Gotamworth, King Gordon and King Grayson of the Kingdom of York arranged a marriage between their children: Princess Barbara of Gotamworth and Prince Richard of York. Because of what happened to the Knights in Keystone and Oah, people were losing their trust in the Knights. The royal court pressured King Gordon to send the royal guards to escort Princess Barbara to York instead of the Knights but King Gordon trusted me to protect his daughter. ”
Diana inhaled sharply. She knew where the Dark Knight was taking his story.
The Dark Knight growled as the painful memories resurfaced. “I didn’t see it in time. We were ambushed and outnumbered by ten times the men that came with me. All my men were slaughtered. I fought as best I could but it wasn’t enough. I did my best to protect the princess but I was overwhelmed.” The Dark Knight clenched his fists in anger. “Princess Barbara was taken, assaulted and killed before my eyes. They beat me within an inch of my life and instead of doing the honorable thing and killing me, they took me miles away from my dead men and princess and let me live.”
Kal-El knew what happened next. What they did to Dark Knight. The thought made Kal-El angry. “Since you never arrived at York, King Grayson sent his men to look for you. When they found all the knights and princess’ slaughtered bodies and yours no where to be found, they assume you abandoned your men and princess to die by the War Lords. They made you into a coward and when any leader abandons his men, a bounty is out for him so he can be tried and decapitated.”
Dark Knight nodded. “Even if I made it back to Gotamworth, no one would believe me, not even King Gordon. I failed my king. I failed to protect his daughter when he had so much faith in me, when I gave him my word I would protect Princess Barbara with my life.” The Dark Knight scowled at Kal-El. “Now you see why I told you to leave me; why I will bring you danger? You should’ve left me for dead. I deserve to die.”
“No,” Diana said gently. “You were meant to survive for a reason. Perhaps to avenge Princess Barbara or restore your own name. You can’t let them win, Dark Knight.”
“Would your mother forgive her people should anything happen to you while in their hands, Huntress?” Dark Knight bit back.
If it wasn’t for her training to mask her feelings, Diana’s shock would be all over her face. He knew. Dark Knight knew she was a princess. How she wondered. Kal-El, James nor Patrick O’Brien discovered the truth but this man with knowing her in such short time discovered her identity.
Diana recovered by saying, “Any parent would want their child protected and would be saddened by their loss but I’m sure they would forgive the ones who tried to protect their child.”
“I think we should honor Dark Knight’s request and leave him,” James spoke. “He’s a fallen Knight. He failed in his mission. Worse of all, he’s a marked man. We’re all in danger as long as we are around him. If Dark Knight is captured, we may get tried for harboring him.” James put a hand on his neck. “And I like where my head is!”
“James,” Kal-El scolded his squire. “Dark Knight is a great warrior. We fought together in the Crusades.”
“He may have been a great warrior, Kal-El, but he’s not now.” James stood firm on his ground.
Diana shared Kal-El’s anger at James. “Do you expect us to leave a defenseless, wounded man alone?”
“The whelp is right,” Dark Knight said. “Leave me. I will bring trouble. In my condition I am no good.”
“No.” Kal-El decided. “I will not leave a friend. We fought together in the Crusades. I had your back as you had mine. We were as close as brothers. I will not leave a brother behind and I will help you restore your honor.”
“Fool.” Even the Dark Knight knew there was no turning back when Kal-El made a decision. He was like that in battles during the Crusades. During those times it was admirable, now it was foolish.
Kal-El looked to Diana. “He has to come with us with Themyscira.”
Diana agreed but she wondered how her mother would react to this. She was only to bring Kal-El to Themyscira. Her mother might overlook James. Patrick O’Brien would be hard to accept given his reputation as a thief and the Elves would want to keep a sharper eye on him but the Dark Knight would bring trouble. Her mother might order his death just to protect her kingdom from any unwanted outsiders. Still, it was a risk she had to take. Diana knew she couldn’t abandon the Dark Knight.
*****
The group of five resumed their travels at dawn. Though the Dark Knight argued, he was tied to a makeshift stretcher and pulled by Kal-El’s dark horse Lightning. The herbs Diana applied to Dark Knight’s wounds were helping. His wounds were healing at a faster rate and his color returned to a healthy hue. He was getting adequate function of his arms and mobility in his legs but he didn’t have enough strength to walk for long, much less sit on a horse. If the Dark Knight was allowed on Themyscira and given the purple ray, he would make a full recovery in a day.
By midday, the group rest at a lake. Their horses were allowed to rest and drink water from the lake for it was their last stop before Themyscira.
Patrick O‘Brien sat sullen as he was still trapped in Diana’s gold rope. “Will milady be holdin’ me like this when we reach Themyscira? If I’m to meet ta Queen, I woulda be likin’ to less confined.”
Diana who was brushing the mane on her horse looked down at the gnome. “No. You would change disguise and slip away.”
“But wha’ could milady be wantin’ of me?” Patrick asked. “I be a thief.”
“It was you who said you may be of use to me and you might. Until that time comes, you’re coming with us.” Diana smiled as she resumed paying her steed much needed attention. “Your own words have crushed you.”
Patrick sighed. “Milady hassa point, but would ye be tellin’ me wha’ kinda rope is this?” Patrick indicated the gold rope that was secured around his left hand. “I tried an’ tried an’ it wonna com’ off. I cannot even shape shift. ‘Tis magic?”
Diana looked over at Kal-El to see if he heard. He had not. “It is to confine you and nothing else.” Diana placed the brush in her saddlebag and walked off.
Diana walked off to see how the rest of her party was doing. James sat on a rock practicing his magic. This morning he learned how to change his robes from pink to blue. At least it wasn’t pink anymore. Diana wasn’t sure how her mother would react to seeing a man in pink. When he wasn’t complaining about the distance or how he distrusted the Dark Knight, James was reading the books from the library of Guildhall and trying to perfect his magic skills.
Speaking of the Dark Knight, he was sleeping again, gaining as much strength as he could. Diana understood why her heart went out to him. Such a tortured soul. He will carry this burden the rest of his life. The Dark Knight may want to die now but Diana knew once the Dark Knight was well again, he would want vengeance and hunt every last of the War Lords down until there was no one left. Perhaps when it was all over, she may learn the Dark Knight’s name. Saying Dark Knight over and over was beginning to be a mouthful.
Lastly, Diana turned her attention to Kal-El sitting alone. She saw Krypto was making his way to Kal-El; probably giving him the attention he was showering her on this journey. She could tell Kal-El was a little put off with how his dog took to her--a stranger and completely ignored him, whom he known all his life. Diana decided to stand back and watch them spend some time together before she told him it was time to leave.
Kal-El splashed water on his face. He didn’t get as much sleep as he liked. He had that dream again. Who were that man and woman? What did it mean and why was he having these dreams now?
Krypto approached Kal-El and licked his face. Kal-El gave his dog a reproached look. “Finally showing me some attention? What, is Diana ignoring you now?”
Krypto whimpered and laid his head on Kal-El’s lap. Kal-El rubbed the dog’s white fur. “It’s okay. I forgive you, boy.” He chuckled. “Falling for such a pretty face. I don’t blame you, boy. I don’t blame you at all.”
Kal-El’s thoughts drifted back to his dream. He felt as if he knew the man and woman but that was not possible since he never met them before. Were they part of his mysterious past? “Lara.”
“Who’s Lara?”
Kal-El looked up to see Diana gazing at him curiously. “I don’t know.”
Diana was bemused. “You say her name and yet you do not know her?”
Kal-El chuckled. “It doesn’t make sense I admit, but it’s true.” Kal-El didn’t see any reason to hide it from Diana. She seemed the type to pursue a matter until she got an answer. “Months after my exile, I started having strange dreams of a man and a woman. The woman is sad and I think she’s looking down at me as a baby. I remember the man saying, ‘Lara, it‘s time.’”
Diana sat beside Kal-El to make herself more comfortable. “Could the woman, Lara, be your mother and the other man your father?”
Kal-El shrugged. “It’s not impossible. I never met my parents. I was found on the doorsteps of the Guildhall when I was a year old.”
“It could be suppressed memories from your past trying to resurface. There must be a reason behind it. Perhaps Penelope can help.”
“Who is Penelope?” Kal-El asked.
Diana was going to say oracle but she knew how Kal-El felt about magic. It was best to get him to Themyscira and break the news to him how deeply magic was used by her people. If he knew now, Kal-El would leave and she needed to get him to Themyscira first.
“Penelope is the wisest woman in our land.”
Kal-El considered that. “Well, as long as it’s not magic.”
“Why does magic bother you so?” Diana asked.
“It doesn’t bother me. It’s unholy. It is the devil’s work.”
“Do you actually think people who practice magic dance around the fire naked and sacrifice innocents to drink their blood?”
The way it came out of Diana’s mouth made it sound foolish. “It’s what I was told.”
Diana reframed herself from shaking her head. “You have been misled. It’s your ignorance that speaks as was the ignorance of another that taught you such things. Your friend James is practicing magic. Do you condemn him? Do you think he is doing the devil’s work?”
“I don’t approve of it and I don’t think I ever will.”
Diana abruptly stood. Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea. “We should get going. I want to reach Themyscira before dark.”
****
“This silence is creepy,” James announced. The horses didn’t make a sound as they walked on the ground. The birds flying above were silent as were the other creatures in the forest. “How much longer before we pass through the forest of silence?” James asked.
“We have another hour.” Diana looked over to Kal-El who was riding beside her and whispered, “How are you?”
“A little unsettling but I am handling myself.” Kal-El looked back to James he seem to not notice Diana’s question. He didn’t want James to know he was bothered, too. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me,” Diana told him. “My hearing’s very sensitive, too.”
Kal-El smiled. They had another thing in common. Kal-El wondered what else. Perhaps once this mission was over, he could court Diana.
As they passed the Forest of Silence an hour later, they were entering the Fortress of Mist; a forest shrouded in mist like an evening fog. It was another piece of magic the Elves used to ward off unwanted company from passing through. Though the Forest of Silence was troubling to get through, the Forest of Mist was a little easier on Kal-El. His keen eyes were able to see through the mist.
As they reached the end of the mist, Diana said, “We’re nearing the end,” Diana said a little excited. “It’s going to be heavier before we leave,” Diana warned. “Keep straight.”
“Good. I be glad ta be seein’ somethin’ besides mist,” Patrick O’Brien complained. “Ach!” Patrick cried out as the fog became so thick he couldn’t see ahead of him. “I can’t even see me hands!”
“At least some good comes out of this,” James remarked.
The journey through the thick fog lasted for a mile. When they reached the end, the mists parted as if they were passing through the clouds.
“Great Rao,” Kal-El gasped at what he saw. It was like a dream. “Themyscira.”
Themyscria. The land of the Elves was a land of lush green and thick foliage with roaming mountains as a protective border. A breathtaking vista of trees and a variety of flowers swamped Kal-El’s senses in a soothing manner. He could see waterfalls glistening clearer than diamonds. Brightly colored and feathered, exotic birds flew above them, screeching in perfect symphony with each other.
Leading to the mystical home of the Elves was a golden gated entrance protected by two elves. They were tall, strong looking women armed with swords. They lowered their weapons when they saw Diana.
Diana braced herself for she knew as soon as the Elves spoke her secret was out. She hoped her new allies would understand why she kept the secret.
“Princess!” Magda acknowledged. “The Queen has been worried sick about you!”
“Princess?” Kal-El, James and Patrick O’Brien repeated as they stared at Diana in shock.
Diana ignored them and focused her attention on her Elves, Magda and Kiera. “As you can see, I am well. I also brought the Champion of the Knights of Kandor.” She gestured to the stunned knight beside her. “His name is Kal-El.”
Magda and Kiera looked to the shocked man beside Diana. Kiera was the first to respond, “He doesn’t look like Kandor’s champion.”
Not with that expression, Diana guessed not. “I have witnessed him in battle. I assure you he is Kandor’s Champion Knight.”
Magda gave James, Patrick and the Dark Knight much scrutiny. “What of these three? Who are they? ”
“James is Kal-El’s squire and apprentice in magic. Patrick O’Brien is a shape shifter. He’s a bit of a kleptomaniac but he may be useful in retrieving the Cup of Ages. The Dark Knight is a wounded ally of Kal-El’s. He will prove a valuable ally in our mission.”
The eloquent introductions weren’t winning over Magda and Kiera. “Princess, only the Knight of Kandor can pass, not an apprentice, thief and a wounded man. You know that.”
“I know, Keira, but circumstances beyond my control developed. It is fate that I met them and it’s fate that they enter Themyscira with them,” Diana pleaded. Magda and Kiera were strong and proud warriors. They would continue to argue unless Diana gave them a royal command. Diana was never one to use her power to get her way but in this situation she had no choice. “As Princess of Themyscira, I command you to allow us to pass.”
Magda and Kiera bowed, stepped aside as the gates parted. “As you will, Princess, but you must understand the Queen will not be pleased with this. She can overrule your order.”
Diana nodded. “I know. Convincing my mother will not be easy. I know she is very upset for my leaving against her command.”
“That and you were not here to meet your fiancé, Lord Tresstom of Doma. He was very upset you were not here to greet and left in a fury like a spoiled child.”
“Fiancé?” Kal-El echoed. Just who was Diana? Did he even know her at all?
“How unfortunate,” Diana said dryly as she passed through the gates.
A princess Kal-El thought as he followed after Diana. Unbelievable! Just when he thought he met a woman he could court, she turned out to be a princess! Princesses were not for him. Princess Maxima sought to that. How could she keep that from them? How could she not tell him she was engaged? Kal-El thought over the brief looks they stole from each other, the talks they had while the others slept. Surely, he wasn’t the only one to feel the connection. Princesses could not be trusted!
“If you told us you were a princess, I would’ve addressed you properly,” Kal-El glowered.
Diana noticed the change in Kal-El’s demeanor to her. “I don’t want to be treated differently because I am a princess, and if that tone is how you address a princess, I’m glad I kept it a secret.”
The Dark Knight could hear the anger in Kal-El’s voice. It caused him to chuckle. “If you couldn’t tell Diana’s a princess that is your own fault, Kal-El.”
“You knew?!”
Finding humor at Kal-El’s expense gave the Dark Knight some joy. “It’s in her voice and her clothes. That cloak and brooch are not for commoners. I told you during the Crusades you need to sharpen your observational skills.”
Even with a broken body, the Dark Knight was more aware than him. How insulting! He, Kal-El, once Champion of the Knights of Kandor was being made out into a fool. He had enough of it. A man’s pride could only take so much. First Lois and now Diana. He had enough of being drawn to deceptive women. He wasn’t going to stand for it anymore. He was going to get some answers.
“So, who ‘tis the lucky guy, Tresstom?” Patrick O’Brien asked.
“No one important,” Diana said.
“Your fiancé isn’t important?” Not only was Diana deceptive but she was cold!
Diana glanced at Kal-El. What was his problem? “Not to me he’s not and I do not wish to discuss anymore. We have more important matters to attend to.”
“No!”
Diana stopped her horse and looked back at Kal-El. “No? What do you mean, ‘no’?”
Kal-El noticed James and Patrick were looking at them with keen interest. Kal-El stepped off his horse. “Princess, may I have a word with you alone?”
Diana stepped off her horse. Apparently, they weren’t going anywhere until they have it out. “This way.” They walked off the path into the forest. They were surrounded by trees and thick lush green that kept them hidden from the others. Diana crossed her arms and asked, “What is it?”
“You are something else, Princess. I met some outrageous women but you take the cake!”
“Outrageous. Just who do you--”
Kal-El wouldn’t let her finish. “I thought I understood you, but you are a deceptive, sneaky--”
Diana was outrage at the accusations. “How dare you!”
“I’m not finished!” Kal-El cut her off again. “First you tell me you knew what was going to happen to the Knights of Kandor and didn’t warn anyone. I bet you knew what was going to happen the knights of the other kingdoms as well.”
“I did not! I was only-”
“Then you enlist my help to finally step in and take action to stop this before it gets worst. You don’t tell us you’re a Princess. You don’t warn us James, Patrick or Dark Knight wouldn’t be allowed on Themyscira and worst of all, you don’t tell me you’re engaged!”
Diana was turning red with anger. Normally, she could keep her temper in check but Kal-El was well on his way to setting her off. “What about you? You didn’t tell me you were exiled from the Knights of Kandor!”
“I had my reasons!” Kal-El yelled.
“And I had my reasons for keeping my identity a secret!” Diana fought back. “I did not know about the other knights. The oracle could only see pieces of the future not all of it. The reason she saw you means you are significant to this mission!”
“Oracle? Just how deep is magic with your people”
“Don’t start on how you hate magic!” Diana warned him. “I’m getting very irritated with your ignorance, and of all the things you‘re angry with me, why is my fiancé the most important!”
Kal-El opened his mouth to speak. Diana had him there. Instead of telling the truth, he said. “I thought Elves didn’t trust men. Why would you be betrothed to one?”
Diana shook her head, still simmering. Now she understood why Elves despised men. They were so infuriating! “Elves don’t trust men but the oracle had a vision that I was to give birth to the next ruler. After that my mother sought potential suitors. All against my will.” Diana made sure to add.
Kal-El stared at Diana for a long moment as her words settled in his mind, then he smiled and laughed, a loud boisterous laugh. Diana stared at Kal-El as if he grew two heads. “What are you so happy?”
Kal-El shook his head amazed at Diana. “You are certainly a wonder of a woman.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kal-El stepped closer to her. “Forgive me. I know this is wrong and it can’t happen again but I have to do this before we go any further otherwise I’ll always wonder.”
Diana felt herself being pulled into Kal-El’s arms. She looked at him wide-eyed. “What…”
Kal-El didn’t wait as he captured Diana’s mouth with his. Diana stared wide-eyed at Kal-El. She should’ve pushed away or step back but she slowly closed her eyes. She had never been kissed before but she knew what she liked and she liked this! Her heart was racing and a sigh escaped her mouth giving Kal-El the chance to slip his tongue inside, sending a new wave of pleasure to travel over Diana. Just as Diana slipped her arms around Kal-El’s neck, he pulled back, looking as affected by the kiss as she was.
He gave her a little push to get her to move. “I think it’s time I met your mother and see how I can help on this quest.”
Diana stared dumbfounded as Kal-El as he walked back onto the path. What in the world just happened?
