Nine days had passed since Zor-El’s funeral and Kal-El had accepted the challenge at Abondar-El. They were in his grandmother’s office, standing in front of a large metal and glass table studying a holographic map of New Krypton when Clark’s valet, Dever entered the chamber carrying a wide blue and white porcelain tray topped with a tall pitcher of sparkling red zranya tea, glasses and plates of chilled wild vegetables and spiced fruits.
“I thought a brief repast would be just the thing to get you through this planning session,” the older man said.
“Thank you. We are also discussing a strategy of another more definitive kind,” Kal-El said, accepting a glass of tea.
“What has been whispered among the guardians is true? You have issued the ancient challenge of Single Combat to Nor?” Dever said with a somber tone.
The furtive glances exchanged between Polara and her grandson were answer enough.
As the valet began laying small plates in front of the First Lord and his grandmother, Councilman Trey entered, his long white robes of state fluttering noiselessly behind him. Lady Polara signaled him to have a seat near the table and they waited as Dever finished serving them, bowed slightly at the waist, then departed.
Once in the corridor, Dever’s pace quickened. He needed to contact someone who would give a true gauge of the First Lord’s abilities. As much as he respected Lady Lo, she was seeing Kal-El through the eyes of a grandmother and teacher, not as a stateswoman, in thinking the younger man could easily take on a man like Nor.
But Dever knew from bitter personal experience, Nor was incapable of fighting fairly.
***
After taking a quick, nervous sip from his glass of zranya, Trey began speaking. His voice was pitched in agitation. “I have just returned from the citadel. The council was in closed session and is split in the decision to allow Lord Kal-El to fight Nor.”
“A direct ancient challenge was issued in front of witnesses for single combat. We cannot disregard it. We have a decisive and legal way to end this mindless civil war once and for all.” Lady Polara Lo said passionately.
Councilman Trey held out his hands in a pleading gesture and said, “My lady, those witnesses were members of Lord Zor-El’s household, as well as the ladies Alura and Kara. Unfortunately, many on the council believe that although your grandson shows much promise with the sword, he is still an untried neophyte. For him to go up against someone with Nor’s experience in sword duels would be, well …”
“Yes, Trey?” Polara said with a voice so serene, it was frightening.
“Ah, forgive me for saying so, but it would be ritual suicide. With Lord Kal-El’s death, everything the loyal houses have fought for will be turned to ashes.”
Clark stiffened when he heard those words. Did Trey and the others have so little faith in him to think he was incapable of fighting Nor? In the past few moon rounds, he had trained tirelessly in the art of sword fighting. He had even been involved in several raids that forced him to use those skills. It was time to face Nor and get the matter of who would rule New Krypton settled once and for all.
Polara rubbed her temples. This constant bickering with the council over her grandson’s abilities was beginning to fray her resolve. Deciding to continue the discussion they were having before Trey entered, she turned to Kal-El and said, “Please Trey, make yourself comfortable and have something to eat. Pray continue Kal, what about Zara? Is she and her squadron ready to defend the provinces?”
Kal pointed at Munde Province and said, “Zara has been working with the local area commanders to implement the strategy that we developed to reinforce, on short notice, any province that comes under attack, with the reserve forces held here in Kandor. It is centrally located and can reach any other province in the shortest amount of time.”
When Kal-El finished speaking, Ching entered and wordlessly helped himself to a glass of zranya before announcing abruptly, “Jen-Mai has finally shown his true colors. He has thrown his loyalty over to Nor! Now, we know who has been supplying information to the opposition. This is a troubling situation.”
Lady Lo saw the younger man shake his head in frustration and said, “There is one possibility, without delay we must make the challenge public.
Trey closed his eyes as if in prayer. Kal-El knew that he was genuinely concerned about him, not just as the First Lord, but as a friend.
“Trey, have discussed this before, but I want to fully understand every rule applying to this challenge,” Kal-El said.
“Each of you will have a second. Kal-El would you be agreeable to having Ching serve in that capacity?”
“I would have requested him. He is a friend.” Kal-El said.
Good. Once the seconds depart the arena of conflict it is only the two combatants. Only swords are to be used. The sword type is at the discretion of the combatants. No modern weapons of any kind are to be present in the arena. Leaving the arena of conflict once combat commences is forbidden. The one that does …forfeits the contest. Any kind of interference with the ritual combat is a death penalty offense. But again, my lady, while the First Lord’s combat experience with modern weaponry is acknowledged, with a sword it is somewhat…unknown.” Trey said flatly.
“Not always …” Clark heard his grandmother mutter under her breath. Before he could ask another question, a voice broke into his thoughts.
Ching said, “Trey is right, Kal-El. Nor has prepared and dueled with swords for years. You are a comparative novice.”
The expression on her countenance thoughtful, steepling her long, strong fingers together, Lady Lo interrupted, “I am not so convinced of that as the others are. Kal-El has progressed very rapidly in his training. I think that with a little more groundwork the First Lord will be your equal, Ching. There is something else all of you are forgetting, and with each day that we do not publicize, this challenge it will give Nor a weapon that cannot be ignored.”
Puzzled, Ching asked before sipping from the glass, “What do you mean?”
“Our society for centuries has been ruled by noblemen. The only reason I was permitted to be regent ruler is that I am firstborn and as such have the rights of a male. This is the only reason I am allowed to move through the corridors of power.”
“Zor-El’s daughter, Kara, could not take the mantle of rulership because she is second born. Her older brother, Narn-El, died in his late teens.” Kal-El said thoughtfully. How many times had he wished his cousin had lived!
Polara nodded and continued, “The same rules do not apply to Kara, and since Zor-El was… infirm, the regency fell to me. Now, if we delay announcing the challenge, Nor will say that as a cowardly Terran you are hiding behind my sword and your betrothed’s energy weapons, which is why you will not fight.”
“That’s a lie!” Kal-El snapped. His pride had been wounded by her words, yet on some level, he suspected Polara’s greater knowledge of this culture made this assumption correct.
“Lady Lo has a point. It is only since New Krypton was established that women have taken more of an active role and that is a result of the reduced population. Even so, their participation was permitted most grudgingly,” Ching said with a sigh. “The Challenge will end this conflict and firmly establish your place as First Lord.”
Kal-El asked, “How does The Challenge end?”
Lady Lo hesitated, so Ching answered for her, “Usually one of the combatants is killed.”
Kal shot back, “Usually? Not all of the time?”
“There have been instances where one or the other has yielded, and his life has been spared. However, it is not required. Once on Krypton, the one that yielded died weeks later under mysterious circumstances. It was speculated but never proven that this happened so that he could not call for the challenge again.”
Kal speared a piece of bright purple spiced fruit, placed it into his mouth, and chewed thoughtfully. On one hand, he felt confident in his abilities to fight Nor. He had youth, speed, and resolve on his side. On the other hand, the nobleman had been taking part in fierce matches like these for several years which gave Nor experience that he sorely lacked. Still, if he didn’t try, New Krypton would be doomed to years of a destructive civil war.
Despite all the technological advances and agricultural expansion, the colony was still working to gain a firm foothold on the planet. As Zara had mentioned previously, the planet was metal poor. Sooner or later there would be no more metal for additional growth and eventually space exploration. They would be at a standstill and then regression. If this constant aggression did not come to an end soon, there would be nothing of the Kryptonian culture remaining to battle over.
The others were silent as he considered what he had heard and came to a decision, “If it will end this war quickly, prevent the loss of more lives and get me back to Earth sooner, then we must make the challenge public immediately.”
Ching shot back, “Kal-El, you’re not ready and Nor will never show mercy if you were to yield during this fight!”
Grievously, Kal-El looked at Lady Lo and spoke to Ching in a determined voice. “As was previously mentioned, with a little more training I will be as proficient as you.”
His friend continued softly, “Kal-El, you would need to be as good as your grandmother to beat Nor.”
A low gravelly voice was heard from the doorway. “Forgive me, Commander Ching, but the First Lord of New Krypton will have to be able to best me before he can even think to fight Nor.”
Tre-Vil stood ramrod straight in the doorway, wearing not traditional dueling garb, but armor of the darkest sapphire, which gleamed in the chamber’s bright lights. His breastplate and backplates were firmly buckled in place. His articulated armor had been made from a dark glossy alloy so that from a distance one would think he wore an exoskeleton.
“Master Tre-Vil, have you come to discuss those who helped Jen-Mai steal so much from Ordnance?”
Slowly Tre-Vil shook his head, cool calm blue eyes never leaving Kal-El. “Those workers are innocent. Jen-Mai, that spineless blackheart, terrorized their loved ones. Nor threatened that if they did not do what they demanded, all would be killed. They are cooperating with us fully and my assistant is sending additional guards to the locations where the weapons are being held until Nor’s confederates can get them. I am confident many of the weapons that are missing will be recovered. Yet, as important as that news is, that’s not why I am here.”
Polara cocked her head to one side and studied him carefully. “What could be more important?”
Rather than answer, he removed the right-hand glove, held it out and bowed in the ceremonial manner, first to Kal-El and then to Lady Polara. “With all respect, my Lord Kal-El, would you please join me in the Sapphire Guardians training area. Lord Kal-El and I will clash steel.”
“We are discussing Nor’s challenge.” The young man asked, clearly confused.
The Sapphire Guardian looked at Kal-El and said in that gravel-toned voice, “This has to do with the challenge. Please, my Lord, I beg for only a fraction of your time. Follow me.”
Seeing that Tre-Vil was determined to have a moment of his time, Kal-El stood from the table. The others stood as well and followed them through the corridors to the training area, which was normally bristling with activity, even at this time. Currently, no one was in sight. The place was silent. Tre-Vil had obviously ordered the large room cleared. The environmental control was usually kept at a comfortable temperature, but now the air was hot with a dryness that seemed to parch the skin. Ching went over to the far wall to the climate controls, intending to adjust the environment.
“No need, Commander. It is set at the same weather conditions as the Qaren Forge.”
“Tre-Vil?” Polara queried with an edge to her voice.
Staring into her eyes, Tre-Vil said, “My Lady, permit this. It is crucial. Ching and you have taught him by the rules.”
He walked over to the blue sword wall covered with racks of practice weapons. Bypassing all of them, he reached one that was held up with two black and golden brackets. This particular sword was different from the others. It had a gentle curve from the tang to the tip. It was long, over an arm span, but perfectly balanced. The hilt was long enough to use two hands, however, unlike a broadsword, which needed two hands to swing, because of its weight, this sword was much lighter and could be used one-handed or two-handed as the situation required.
When Kal-El saw Tre-Vil lift the blade, he heard a slight intake of breath from both Ching and Polara.
“The Sword of Vil.” Polara whispered, “It’s not been removed from the wall in many a moon round.”
The Master of the Sapphire Guardians judiciously ignored her comment, speaking to Kal-El in a calm voice, “Kal-El … my lord, don the proper garb. Everything required is on the bench. Commander Ching, please assist him.” He nodded to a blue metal bench covered with gleaming battle armor, similar to what he wore. “I shall wait in the central training area.”
Ching and Kal-El walked over to the bench. Kal-El stripped out of his normal jacket and tunic leaving his pants on. Apparently, Tre-Vil intended to have a match with the First Lord.
Kal-El agreed with his grandmother’s plans. She had insisted on training him with the use of the sword. In fact, his one session with Tre-Vil had been his idea, unfortunately with the attack on the Ur Collective it had been cut short. Truth be told, he learned quite a bit from that one bout, and it would serve him well during his fight with Nor.
As Kal-El readied himself, Polara approached Tre-Vil, who stood impassively waiting, holding the massive sword in his hands. Her own hands were gripped in anger.
“Master Tre-Vil, what …what will be accomplished with this match?” she asked pointedly, the lady’s normally imperturbable demeanor ruffled.
He answered in a respectful tone. “A hard lesson learned, my lady, will keep your grandson… our First Lord, alive. He may have been vigorously trained by Commander Ching and yourself, but neither of you has actually faced Nor in combat. The stakes are higher, and that man will use whatever chicanery he can to win. Both of you are too honorable for such tricks and have thus trained Kal-El accordingly. Fortunately for all of us, my own training has not been so structured.”
“We’ve spent hours…”
“It shows. In the short time we practiced together, I surmised that he had learned much. The skirmishes he has participated in have given him valuable experience. But – forgive me – accepting the challenge was a brave, but foolish act on his part. Hopefully, the rashness of Lord Kal-El’s fencing style can be curbed, and what he learns today will save his life.”
Polara’s lips parted. She was about to speak, then thought better of it. The Master of the Sapphire Guardians was correct. Shame was the word that stuck in her mind like a spear. So eager was she to end this terrible war that she was willing to expend Kal-El’s life to do it.
“I… I thought…” Her normally confident voice faltered. “How did you find out about the challenge? That was only supposed to be known by us and members of the council.”
“The walls have ears. Plus, Dever came straight from your offices and told me.”
“Dever told you what?” Kal-El asked as he pulled on gloves with overlapping plates on the outer surface. The inner surface was made of a supple material covered in a tacky resin to assure a firm grip on his sword.
Tre-Vil sighed, “Pardon my lord, but at your current level of competence with the sword, facing Nor is unwise.”
“You and I have trained together, albeit briefly. I was able to handle myself.”
“That was for sport. Make no mistake, Nor shall grant no quarter. Once stepping onto the hot sands of the Qaren Forge, it will be a fight to the death. The traitor has no scruples. He will kill you.”
The five people in the large training area fell silent. The coldly matter-of-fact statement caused Kal-El’s heart to beat wildly as he thought of Lois. He only wanted to go home and marry her. He was not thinking clearly. Now there was no going back. As if to confirm those bitter words, he said, “Ching… Grandmother?”
“Master Tre-Vil is correct, Kal-El,” Ching said quietly.
Polara, now chastened said, “My battles with Nor were only fought in the council chambers. Master Tre-Vil is an expert. He faced him once, here in this very room over fifteen of your years ago.”
“Twice. The first time was on Old Krypton.” Tre-Vil said grimly, correcting her.
Surprised, she looked at him and spoke softly. “I thought it was only the once.”
Tre-Vil’s face became hard, and he said with a voice like iron. “Ask him about that scar on the left side of his face…the one he said he got while ‘hunting’.” He turned away from her and said to Kal-El, “Lord Kal-El… now we fight.”
Twenty minutes later, the two men were still fighting in the central training area. The sound of swords clashing, and the harsh rasp of their breathing was the only sound to be heard. Beneath the heavy sapphire armor, their bodies were slick with perspiration.
Tre-Vil used the weight and sheer brute force of his sword to push back any attempt by Kal-El to gain the upper hand. After the fourth pass he saw the pattern that Kal-El was falling into and knew that there would be a brief opening shortly. He waited patiently for the opening to appear. When it did, he struck definitively. After a low right sweeping cut, as Kal-El was shifting for an overhead cut Tre-Vil struck. He found a spot on Kal-El’s right forearm that was unprotected by armor, in fact, it was the underside, and his slashing cut not only drew blood, but it also cut the strap that held that part of his armor in place. Kal-El’s forearm guard started flapping around with his advances, becoming something of a hindrance.
Never uttering a sound and with a hasty movement, Kal-El switched hands and continued the fight.
Tre-Vil was pleased to see him switch to his left hand. “Good.” He thought, The lady has taught him to use both hands and remain silent. For someone so inexperienced, the man holds much promise.
Lady Polara Lo stood transfixed at the brilliant display of swordsmanship from both master and apprentice; Tre-Vil for the grace and elegance experience had wrought and Kal-El for the determination and power to hold his own against the older man. But to her practiced eye, it was her grandson, and not the older Tre-Vil, who was past his prime, who was tiring.
Tre-Vil could sense it as well and began hammering away at Kal-El’s defenses, pushing him across the central combat area and into a corner. He wanted to see if Kal-El would rally, give into anger and strike back with untamed emotion.
To his disappointment, the First Lord did just that, making unintelligent arm movements, fit only for an absolute beginner. Tre-Vil allowed Kal-El to take the offensive again. This time, as he gave ground when he stepped back his right foot came down on a slightly uneven spot on the floor of the training room. Tre-Vil sprang forward to land another blow. For a second he lost his balance and even though Kal-El brought his sword up to guard he wasn’t fast enough to prevent an overhand strike completely. Kal-El could see Tre-Vil’s blade come down to strike his head.
“Tre-Vil!” Polara and Ching shouted at the same time.
The blade halted less than an inch from Kal-El’s skin. If it had not been for the master’s quickness, the blade would have gone through the mask and the First Lord would have lost his eye.
All was silence. Then, with a deep sigh, Tre-Vil straightened, bowed, and with an easy step, that belied his fatigue, walked over to the solitary rack and replaced the Sword of Vil.
Kal-El was actually struggling to stand, and Polara halted Ching from attempting to go over and assist. Tre-Vil returned to the First Lord and extended his hand and saying. “Nor’s reach is longer. His sword, I suspect, will be much heavier. He will use every skill and trick to defeat you.”
Kal-El looked up, a sheepish expression on his sweat-drenched face, and accepted the offered hand. Once on his feet, he said, “I… I have much to learn. But Master Tre-Vil, so much… depends on me winning the challenge!” He said between labored breaths. “I must try!”
The older man shook his sweat drenched head and said, “No. Trying will lead to death. You must attack without mercy. Get some rest. Meet me here tomorrow before first light. Together… we will attempt to even the odds.”
He turned to Lady Polara and Ching, bowed with deep respect, and exited the training area. Once the door closed behind him, they did not see him nearly collapse with muscle strain and exhaustion. Dever stood nearby waiting with a solidly built young man. The old attendant came running up and allowed the Master of the Sapphire Guardians to lean on him.
“Were you successful?” Dever asked breathlessly.
“Lesson learned,” Tre-Vil answered. The boy… can fight. Quickly, take me to my rooms, use … use the servant passages. I do not relish having anyone from the Sapphire Guardians see me like this.”
Shaking his head, Dever indicated that the young man come over. Swiftly, he transferred the burden of Tre-Vil’s weight to his strong, young shoulders. “You know my great-grandson, Bacca. He will take you to your apartments. My dear wife has already prepared wine, food, and a soothing hot mineral bath. I must be in my Lord Kal-El’s quarters when he arrives. He will have questions.”
Wincing in pain, Tre-Vil agreed, “I have no doubt of that.”
With those words, Dever hurried down the corridor towards Kal-El’s residence, while a reticent Bacca helped Tre-Vil to the comfort of his own quarters.
***
The small group returned to Polara’s office and sat down with Kal-El, Trey and Ching. The group discussed the sword lesson he had just endured.
Lady Lo turned to the young man, smiled sadly, and said, “Tre-Vil is the master of the Sapphire Guardians. I should have given him the task of training you.”
Kal asked, “Once the challenge is issued, how long until the actual combat?”
Ching answered with a sigh of resignation that his friend was determined to see this challenge through no matter what. “That is to be decided in the negotiations.”
“No. According to the ancient laws since he is the aggressor and I the First Lord, I shall set the time and place.” Kal-El turned to Polara and said, “Grandmother, how much time do you think I will need?”
She replied, “With Tre-Vil as your guide, perhaps two weeks… perhaps more.”
Kal-El turned to the councilman and said authoritatively, “Lord Trey, I request for you to act as my spokesperson. Open a line of communication with Nor’s people. I have no doubt Jen-Mai has slithered over to their side. Inform him that he shall act as Nor’s representative to proffer the challenge to single combat. The meeting is to take place in two weeks’ time at Qaren Forge.”
Nodding slightly, and unenthusiastically, Trey said with a deep bow, “It will be as you wish, Lord Kal-El.”
After the council member was gone, Polara allowed her expression to darken into a scowl. She took a brief sip of wine, staring through the glass as if it were not there and then grumbled. “Jen-Mai’s nature, even as a youth, was shallow and treacherous. The only reason he was on the Convoca is due to his noble bloodline. His grandparents, Lord Re-Mai and the Lady Yaylon were among the finest of Kryptonian nobility. It sickens me to imagine how they would feel, knowing, despite all their efforts, he has lived down to the promise of his younger days.
Turning to Ching she said, “Once Kal-El returns to Terra, you, Zara, and your contemporaries will have much to do to put an end to the ancient traditions which are strangling New Krypton’s growth. Going forward, our leaders must be chosen by merit, not by an ancestor’s accomplishments that took place on a dead planet.”
“That will be a trial in itself my lady.” Ching said diplomatically.
She studied him, cool violet eyes with a touch of sadness. “Not so. My generation is dying out. Inevitably, there will be no one alive who remembers what life was like on our home world. If our culture is to survive, nay, thrive, we must move past the old ways.” Running her hands through silver hair, she continued. “I pray I live long enough to see such changes.”
