Universal Union, Book 2
My First Lord and Lady
by Jenni Debbage <jdse08662@blueyonder.co.uk>
Rated PG-13
Submitted March 2000
________


Chapter One
Sacrifice

      The icy chill of winter had steadily given way to the kinder climes of
spring and as the snow caps of the mountains melted and swelled the rushing
rivers, the burgeoning plant life strove to greet the strengthening sun.
The fresh young leaves sprouted more yellow than green, a condition of
growing under the red sun of Krypton, though Kal-El had assured his somewhat
homesick wife that in time the foliage would turn to a more recognizable
green and, in some cases, blue.  The flowers that bloomed were a myriad of
colours and therefore not unlike those of Lady Lois-El's home planet.  Even
the sun at its height was more orange than red and could be mistaken at
times for the yellow sun that had warmed her throughout her growing years on
Earth.

      Four Earth months had passed since the day that Lois Lane had stepped
onto the firm ground of her adopted home.  Krypton's calendar was not
dissimilar to that of her native world.  A day was very slightly longer than
those on Earth and a year had a few less days, but the four seasons came and
went with similar regularity.   Yet, though the natural clock of Krypton
wrapped Lois in a familiar cocoon, the young girl on occasion found herself
longing for her own land.

      And yet, had the Earth girl been presented with a chance to return to
the far planet of her birth, she would have vehemently refused the offer.
Lois Lane, now the Lady of El, was completely clear on one point, she loved
her husband with an intensity that she sometimes found hard to believe.
Where ever was Kal-El in this wide-ranging galaxy, then she would be with
him.  They were soul mates, destined to be together throughout their lives.

      Lois was perfectly happy with her role as Kal's wife.  What was so much
harder to come to terms with was her role as his consort. To be accurate,
both were still one step away from the throne of Krypton and would, Lois
hoped, remain so for some considerable time.  But still, she was never
allowed to forget the fact that she was a First Lady in training.

      She was also aware of being watched.  Not by the Els' enemies, although
judging from past happenings they no doubt had their eye on her.  No, those
who were watching with interest were the noble men and women of Krypton, all
of whom were waiting in anticipation of hearing that the heir's wife was
with child.  This made her feel very uncomfortable and as each month passed,
at the onslaught of her monthly visitor, Lois' feelings of inadequacy
increased.

      When she had shared her suspicions and apprehensions with Kal, he had
simply grinned with amusement and, taking her into a comforting hug, he had
assured her that, as they had been married less than four months, the
question of their infertility was not an issue.

       Kissing her tenderly, he advised her to simply relax and let nature
have her way and, deepening his kiss, he remarked when coming up for air
that meanwhile trying to make a baby was a wonderful way to pass the time.
Lois wholly concurred and the subject had faded into the background.

      However, the intuitive young wife had not been totally wrong.  Those
nobles who had disapproved of the choice of an Earthling and those who
complained at the first hint of trouble were already speculating on the
premise of yet another barren First Couple.  Only this time the situation
was more disturbing, Kal-El having no brothers to take his place in the line
of succession.  Would the throne fall by default into the hands of the
dreaded Rad-Nor?

      Zor-El and his council and any other sensible-thinking aristocrat of
Krypton quickly doused the flickering rumour, but speculation is insidious
and so the disturbing gossip spread, dimming Lois' joy in her new life on a
new world.

                                                                   *****

      The daily council meeting had broken up a short time ago and a careworn
Zor-El sat behind his glass-topped desk listening absent-mindedly to his
private secretary list the invitations that had arrived over the last few
days, at least those which the efficient assistant and Prime Councillor Trey
thought their Lord and his Lady should attend.  Over the last months the
ruler of Krypton had found these personal attendances ever more tedious,
finding it increasingly difficult to assume an enthusiastic face when
confronted with the tiring sycophancy that he often encountered under these
circumstances.  Then too, he was even more concerned with his wife
Rochelle's debilitating anxiety in face of the thinly veiled contempt with
which she was regarded by many of the nobles of Krypton.

      Close friends and confederates of the Els had come to care and
sympathise with the woman who, from the outset, had been totally
ill-equipped spiritually to cope with the life of a First Lady and whose
nervous disposition had deteriorated quickly in the early years when certain
greedy and power-hungry nobles had sought to manipulate a youthful and naive
Zor-El.  At such a troublesome time it would have been helpful to the lady
to immerse her worries in the care of her children but, unfortunately, that
too had become a source of heartache when her inability to provide an heir
was soon confirmed by the physicians to the royal family.

      Flying in the face of  public opinion, Zor had resisted all attempts by
his council to annul his wedding to the lovely, fragile young woman.  He had
quickly come to love the lady whom he had transported from her happy and
safe family home into the cauldron of the covert power struggle on his
planet.  Looking back, he often wondered whether he had done his dear wife a
disservice in holding her to their marriage.  Honesty, nonetheless,
compelled him to acknowledge that his actions had not been selfless.
Without her love, which she had given him unquestionably from the beginning,
he would not have been able to fight the corrupt council he had inherited
and finally gain the upper hand.  Rochelle had always had such faith in her
husband's inborn goodness and his search for justice for his people.  She
had given him the strength to go on and in doing so had depleted her own
meagre store.

      Thankfully,  Jor-El, his younger brother by a number of years, and his
wife Lara had in the birth of their second child provided a male heir to the
House of El.  An heir who would be for the first time in many years, due to
the laws associated with the origins of the First Lady, a true-blooded
Kryptonian.  Surprisingly, there had been no legislation to prevent the
child's nomination as heir to the throne, indeed many of the noble houses
were secretly pleased that the successor would be from two of the most
consequential families and finally  the niggling complaints and corrosive
requests to send Rochelle home gratefully ceased.

      Yet the damage had been done and the already shy lady never regained
her equilibrium.  She carried out her duties as best as her broken health
would allow but she was never at ease in the company of the society that had
sought her downfall.

      When first it seemed that Kal-El would succeed in his quest of bringing
his chosen one to Krypton, Zor-El had suggested to his wife that shortly
they would be able to retire and place the responsibility of Krypton's rule
in young Kal's capable hands.  Strangely, his wife had adamantly vetoed such
a course of action, in fact it had been a very long time since Rochelle had
shown such fire.  The kindhearted woman was uncharacteristically but
obstinately insistent that the 'children' should be given time to adjust to
marriage and to each other before they were thrust into the uncertain world
of Kryptonian politics.   This world which appeared to the uninitiated
orderly and controlled but which secretly seethed with undercurrents that
threatened to sweep their settled world into a return to ancient conflicts.

      So, instead of pleasantly planning a long promised visit to Rochelle's
home planet, Zor-El was filling in his diary of coming events in the
whirlpool of aristocratic society.  Many of the suggested dinners, balls and
ribbon-cutting occasions the weary aging man had consigned to lesser members
of his family but the invitation which Trey was now holding aloft was one
which would be difficult and inopportune to waive.

      The event in question was the opening of the latest and exceedingly
rich Kryptonite mine owned by the Fre family.  The situation between the two
families had been awkward and fraught with jeopardy since the heir to the
Lordship had inexplicably broken his marriage contract with the lovely Lady
Zara-El and plunged into a life of debauchery.  And while the Fres could
find no fault with their son's ex-fiancee they found themselves steeped in
ambivalent feelings towards the ruling family, deeming, inexplicably, that
somehow the Els must have been in some way responsible for their only son's
fall from grace.

      The proffered request for Zor-El's presence at the opening ceremony was
in a way a peace-offering, a mending of fences between the two principal
noble houses and Zor was very aware of its importance.  Besides, Lady
Gwyn-Fre was one of Rochelle's few friends and he recognised how troubled
his wife had been by the rift.  It was time to heal the breach.

       Resignedly he agreed to his councilor's suggestions and lifting his
tired body from behind the large desk he thanked the two men for their
attendance and strode out the door.  His heavy expression brightened as he
went in search of his wife who was at this moment supervising the replanting
of the rose arbour high on the palace ramparts.  It was a beautiful warming
spring day that should be spent outdoors enjoying the sunshine with loved
ones, not buried in dark council chambers wrestling with boring paperwork
and he had news to impart that would bring a smile to her gentle face.

      Zor-El was completely oblivious that he had made a decision which would
change his life and the lives of his family irrevocably.

                                                                      *****

      The young man smiled as he exited the transporter that had brought him
to the latest site of the source of his family's great wealth.  He strode
confidently across the concourse and into the lift that would take him to
the platform where the electronic ribbon cutting ceremony would take place
in a very short space of time.  From his vantage point he surveyed the busy
scene with keen interest and certain degree of smugness.  The yard below him
seethed in orderly chaos as the Fres' security force was strengthened by the
royal guard, all in preparation for the visit of the monarch and his consort.

      And wouldn't the old fool Zor-El be surprised when he discovered who
was the head of the welcoming committee?  Of course, his mother and father
would be present but he had persuaded them, as he had been the cause of the
breach in relationships with the royal house, that he should now be the one
to re-offer the hand of friendship.

      It had all been so easy.  The power of a heartfelt apology with just
the right amount of contrition had worked wonders.  He had shown humility
and a willingness to accept the blame for his indiscretion, touching
fleetingly on his fear of commitment, his dread of being united to such an
important family, who, by the way, had not been over-welcoming of his
presence, and his youthful folly at being lead astray by his wayward
friends.  It had been an award-winning performance.

      At the outset, his father had been suspicious of his motives, even
suggesting that his son's financial status must be in dire straits and he
was now hoping to be bailed out yet again, but Rol-Fre had been able to
assure his parents that this was not so.  In doing so, he had allayed  his
father's misgivings and rendered the older, disillusioned man more pliable
to his mother's persuasion.  At least the sainted watering-pot had acted
with customary hysteria; Gwyn-Fre could always be relied on to turn on the
tears, and his father, through genuine concern or a less laudable desire to
shut her up, had finally given way to his wife's and his son's pleas and
welcomed home the prodigal son.

      With his overseeing of the investiture of the new mine the
reconciliation would now be made public and hopefully the Els would find it
impossible to controvert the family reunion on such a public stage.  Rol-Fre
had made certain that the ceremony would be broadcast throughout Krypton and
Lord Zor-El was too well mannered and diplomatic to reveal his private
distaste to the world.

      The scene was set wherein Rol-Fre would once again retake his place in
his aristocratic world and the conceited boy was feeling mightily pleased
with his planning.  Yet, in truth, he was only acting out another more
devious lord's schemes.  Even the finery which adorned his person was
supplied by another hand.  The body-hugging purple suit, which only served
to display his bony shape; the heavy silken surcoat with velvet lining and
the twisted gold chain that circled his neck with the symbol of his house,
picked out in precious gems, hanging on his narrow chest.

      This striking ornament had made him gasp in wonder and he had even
voiced the opinion that perhaps it was a little too ostentatious.   After
all, the First Lord and Lady were well known for their love of the simple
things in life and dressed accordingly, and wasn't it bad taste to outshine
the guests of honour?  His secret benefactor had given a mirthless laugh and
pointed out that Rol's downfall had been precipitated by certain members of
the House of El and wouldn't it give Rol a measure of satisfaction to
display such an obvious sign of his reinstatement?

      The vainglorious boy had been readily convinced and now stood watching
the approach of the royal cavalcade as it appeared on the horizon and sped
towards its untimely fate.  Unknowing of the havoc that it was about to
unleash, Rol fingered the device that weighed so heavily on his shoulders as
his parents took their place by his side.  Lord Dom-Fre ran a critical eye
over his gaudy son's choice of raiment and his eyes widened in horror at the
massive 'necklace'.

      "Zor's teeth, boy, what is that thing you have around your neck?"  The
older man asked in amazement.

      "A symbol of our House, Father.  I'm entitled to wear this," Rol added
petulantly.

      "It's a symbol of our wealth, no doubt, and just as vulgar," Dom
continued with his tirade.  "I won't have our riches so flagrantly displayed
and wherever you got the money to pay for such a thing I have no idea.  Get
rid of it at once!"

      Given time, Rol would have remonstrated with his disapproving father
but the visiting party was already through the gates and about to alight
from the transporters and, as head of the welcoming group, Rol should be
there in the courtyard to offer his hands.  Throwing an angry glance in
Dom's direction, but understanding that Lord Fre would brook no
disobedience, Rol pulled the offending article over his head and thrust it
into a deep pocket in his surcoat.  Then without a backward glance he strode
off to meet the royal dignitaries.

                                                                     *****

      From a lookout post on the surrounding hills a solitary figure stood,
training his spy camera on the far-off scene.  A fresh breeze ruffled his
lank, shoulder-length hair and stirred his nondescript garments, his need
for anonymity in this case outweighing the man's natural flamboyance.  He
had thought to bring his bodyguard with him but deemed this action so
hazardous that it was best known only to the two conspirators.... soon to be
reduced in number by fifty percent.  Of course, there was the jeweller who
had fashioned the artifice and the explosive expert who had hidden the
minute yet powerful bomb within its egg-sized stones.  But then these
craftsmen were off-worlders, supplied to him by his alien allies and
certainly out of the jurisdiction of the Kryptonian security services.
There would be no trail that would lead back to him from that quarter.

      Which brought him to his second consideration.  It was always sad to
close down a partnership which had taken considerable time and effort to
cultivate.  Yet a wise man recognized limitations and, while it was
disappointing to lose out on a somewhat large investment, it was more
prudent to use one's tools to the best of their advantage.  And Rad-Nor had
decreed that in death Rol would serve him more beneficially than in life.

     There had always been the chance that the stupid boy would become more
of a liability than an accomplice and if the Fres were once more united then
that became a more distinct possibility.  Dom-Fre was not as foolish as his
offspring and if the old Lord suspected that his son was in league with
Rad-Nor then the opportunity to milk the wealth of the Fres would be lost
forever.  Far better to initiate the reconciliation and use it to his own
ends.  And who knew, perhaps he would be able to acquire some of the family
assets in the confused aftermath of the coming tragedy.

      Zor!!  Why did nature have a way of thwarting his plans?!  Well, that
perhaps was too strong a distinction, but the bright sun shining full into
his view was making it very difficult to follow closely what was taking
place far below.  Studying the group on the raised platform, he witnessed
what seemed to be a small altercation between the two men, then as the
concourse filled with the royal transporters he tracked the progress of the
three Fres as they hurried to meet their guests.  Not long now!  His mind
soared in anticipation of a plan come to fruition.  A sinister smile lit his
face as he caressed the remote-control device between finger and thumb.  In
a few seconds he would take the first step in his quest for revenge against
the House that had conquered and humiliated his family for so many years.
And at last he would stand on the path that would lead him to the throne.
With a grin of anticipation his finger pressed down.

                                                                     *****


      As Zor-El stepped into the glare of the morning sun and the avid
attention of the gathering crowd the First Lord's normally even-tempered
disposition threatened to vanish in a surge of icy cold disapproval.  How
dare the Fres insinuate this rogue into their ceremonial party?  This
buffoon who had assaulted and insulted close members of his family.  And in
a public circumstance where he had no choice but to accept their machinations.

      Feeling affronted and betrayed, the usually gracious and friendly
Zor-El hung back from the approaching Fres.  Not so the First Lady of
Krypton.  Ever kindly and ready to forgive any misdemeanour, Rochelle forgot
her place at her husband's side.  She quickened her step to display to the
watching throng that Lord Dom-Fre and his wife Lady Gwyn, once a member of
her small band of friends, would be reinstated into the close circle of the
royal court.

      And so it was that the First Lady carried out her final duty to this
planet of Krypton, which had already taken so much from her, as she and the
family of Fre bore the first blast of the explosion.  The gaudy crest of the
House of Fre exploded in a deadly ball of fire.  It was only a small bomb.
It was never meant for mass destruction.  But cocooned in a pocket of a
thick coat and shielded by the bodies of its four hapless victims, the
device failed in its objective.  Along with the others present at the scene,
Zor-El survived, shocked and with many superficial injuries.  And although,
his body recovered from its injuries his spirit was broken.  Never before
had the noble classes understood the strength of this tragic Lady's
presence, the love she had brought to her husband.

                                                                     *****


      Kal-El walked slowly down the stark corridor in the royal apartments of
Elvar's Palace wishing to postpone this coming meeting for as long as
possible.  He had already visited Zor-El since the tragedy and he had found
it very difficult to recognise his once confident and affectionate uncle in
the tired and distant man.  Of course, Kal understood only too well how his
elder relative must be suffering.  Just a short time ago he had almost lost
his Lois and he had felt so bereft and they had only been together for so
short a time.  How much more devastating it must be for Zor, who had spent
so many years with the woman he loved.  Losing Rochelle had taken away all
the joy from Zor's life and, Kal discerned, the will to continue with his
role as leader to his people.

        Nothing had been said, but the young man instinctively knew the
reason behind his summons.  What troubled Kal most was the realization that
he was unsure how he felt about the consequences or, more to the point, how
his wife would react to their pre-emptive call to the throne.  Since
childhood, Kal had been raised with the knowledge that he would one day take
his place as the First Lord of Krypton.  All his life he had been learning
to fulfill this momentous task.  Lois, however, would be thrust into this
position only by the love she bore him and they both had hoped that she
would be given time to acclimatise herself to the role and her life on this
new world before they finally ascended the throne.  Now, it seemed, there
would be little chance that their wish would be realised and he prayed for
the fortitude to assume his destiny and to assist and protect Lois in her
role of consort.

      Yet, for all that, Kal could find no blame in Zor-El's decision to
abdicate and the heir-apparent who stood outside his uncle's suite awaited,
with a sympathetic heart, permission to enter.  Silently the doors slid open
upon a dimly lit room and Kal stepped inside with a quiet sigh.

      The still figure of the ruler of Krypton sat in a comfortable chair by
the chamber's large window, staring sightlessly at the moonlit scene.  The
portal closed behind Kal and for a moment both were frozen in a haunting
tableau which was broken finally by Zor acknowledging the younger man's
presence.

      "Kal, my boy, thank you for coming."  He motioned with his hand for his
visitor to come forward then swept an arm across the window at the silvered
scene outside.  "Your Aunt Rochelle always loved this view of the river by
moonlight when the toil of the day is done and everything is still and
quiet.  How often we would sit here holding hands and watching the world go
by.  It was strangely soothing, especially after a hard day spent wrestling
with the council or listening to one family attack another with a trivial
and often imaginary slight.  For a noble and just society I have often found
some of our aristocratic Lords to be avaricious and narrow-minded."  Zor
gave a derisive snort then turned his gaze inward in reverie.  "Somehow
Rochelle ever found a way to comfort me.  She had a listening heart, Kal.
How often would I solve an arduous problem here in our chamber while she sat
in this chair busily stitching at her needlepoint."

      Standing in the corner was an antique wooden frame with an intricate
piece of embroidery stretched across its surface, forlornly awaiting the
return of its creator.

      A wistful smile crossed Kal's face at the fond memory of his aunt.
"She loved her stitchery.  I remember once when I was very small I broke
into her sewing box and unravelled all the colourful silks, Mama was very
angry but Aunt Rochelle laughed and told mother not to scold.  Her laughter
was like a bell.  It was my first memory of her."

      "Come, Kal, sit here by me."  The elderly man with tears glinting in
his eyes waited while his nephew drew a chair to the opposite side of the
window.  "You loved her too."

      "All those who knew her loved her, sire."

      "Yes!  But so many never took the time to know her.  They saw only the
anxieties and the failures.  It broke my heart to watch her hurt by such
ill-conceived judgments."

      "I think that in the end Aunt Rochelle learned not to let them trouble
her.  She was content with you and with Krypton."

      "And this was how Krypton repaid her!"  Standing abruptly Zor strode
about the room fighting to repress his anger as Kal waited with bated breath
for the tirade to still.  Finally, ire faded to despondency as Zor halted by
the window and searched the dark landscape without.  "I'm told that the
security service can find no trace of the assassin, merely that the
explosive was hidden in some piece of jewellery which belonged to Rol-Fre."

      "If Rol was involved then he had to have been set up by Rad-Nor.  Rol
was a rogue but he had neither the wit nor the contacts to plan something
like this.  And he was definitely too vain to contemplate a suicide
mission."  Kal too was finding it difficult to control his temper.  "And it
is Nor who is determined to destroy our family."

      "But we have no proof, Kal.  All Commander Medi can discover is that
both the explosives and the ornament originated off-world, probably from the
space station Caytan;  every pirate, terrorist and drugs-marketeer plies
their illegal trade from that den of iniquity."

      "It's a favourite haunt of the Taureans, isn't it?"

      "Yes, it's rumoured to be the place where they negotiate their deals to
bring down the Federation.  The Taureans are an undisciplined and warring
nation whose very existence is threatened by the continuing influence of the
United Planets."  Once more the statesman in Zor rose to the fore.

      "And Krypton is the Federation's founding member and you are the head
of the Kryptonian government...  you were probably the target...."

      "Oh yes!  My poor wife died in my stead."  That thought returned Zor to
his wretchedness while his nephew continued with his hypothesis.

      "Is Nor so desperate to gain power that he'd willingly ally himself to
an off-world power?  Is he willing to sell Krypton to the Taureans in
exchange for the throne?"

      The silence stretched out in dawning horror until Zor faced his heir.
"I believe that he has it in him to do so but hopefully such a terrible
premise will not come to pass.  The nobles will support their new and
rightful Ruler."

      "New Ruler?!"  Kal had been cognizant with his uncle's intentions, yet
to hear the words spoken struck a chord of apprehension deep into his soul.
"Sire, the noble houses trust you.  Wouldn't it be better were you to retain
the throne?"

      With a sorrowful shake of his head Zor answered.  "I'm a weary and
heartsick old man and I have no spirit to face the struggles ahead.  All I
can do now for my people is to leave their welfare in your strong and
capable hands."

      "What will you do?"  Kal asked resignedly.

      "I intend to take the remains of my wife back to her home.  I always
promised Rochelle to do so in her life, so it is the least I can do to make
her resting place the planet of her birth.  Afterwards, I plan on going in
search of your grandmother.  Perhaps, far away from Krypton I can learn to
forgive its transgressions against my dear one."  Old and young eyes locked
gazes for sometime until the elder looked rather shamefacedly away.  Moments
passed, yet when Zor's eyes returned to his nephew they were full of
determination.  "My dear Kal, I wish that your path to the throne was not so
beset with menace but I have faith that you and Lois will prevail.  Within
you both lie the seeds of truth and justice and the Kryptonian way.
Together you can face whatever the future may hold and I commit this realm,
with every confidence, to Kal-El, First Lord of Krypton, and to his Lady,
Lois-El."

                  *****

Chapter Two
The Pledge

       Leaning against the ancient granite wall warmed by the spring
sunshine, the chestnut-haired girl stared intently at the scene beneath her.
It seemed to her stunned gaze that all the citizens of Elvar had gathered at
the base of the castle rock to witness this illustrious occasion.  The
castle itself was filled to overflowing with the noble men and women whom
tradition had bade attend the investiture of the next First Lord of Krypton.
      Some weeks had passed since her adopted family and the people of
Krypton had bade farewell to Zor-El as he embarked on his sad pilgrimage and
it had upset her, more than she cared to admit, to lose his comforting
presence; not to mention the momentous implications that his leaving meant
for Kal and herself.  Thankfully, the intervening time had been too hectic
for either of them to dwell on their insecurities and fears.

      When Lois had first heard of Zor's intention to abdicate her immediate
instinct had been one of panicked flight.  But Lois was not a quitter.  She
had known, from the outset, what her role on this planet would one day be
and she was not about to turn tail and run simply because events had
overtaken her.  Besides, she had seen mirrored in her husband's eyes a
heart-wrenching look at once forlorn and sympathetic.  Kal needed her now as
never before and she would not fail him.  Together they were stronger than
one alone.  They would face whatever the future would bring side by side.

      Which was rather difficult to do at this moment since Kal had been
taken away by the council twenty-four hours previously.  There had been
alliances to be reinstated and papers to be signed and policies to be forged
and in this male-dominated society the presence of the First Lady was not
required in council chambers.  Kal had promised his feminist wife that once
his position had been confirmed by his public inauguration, he would
gradually introduce Lois to the corridors of power.  But for the moment she
would need to exercise uncommon patience, a state of mind that had required
all her fortitude in her lonely bed of the past night.

      Following his marathon session with his councillors Kal-El had been
closeted in the Hall of Meditation at the very heart of the Palace to spend
the night hours in ritual contemplation, seeking the commitment and the mind
set to undertake the lifelong care of his people.  There was no worship of a
Deity on Krypton as there was on Earth.  Nevertheless, the Kryptonians did
firmly believe in a higher power, but one that was found within one's self;
an understanding of all things noble and just and the will to act always in
their name.  And thus, as each new leader took up the sceptre, tradition
demanded that they spend the night of their coronation in lonely
self-reflection.

      Lois had been kept company in the early evening hours by Zara and the
new first Lady had taken the opportunity to gently probe her sister-in-law's
feelings regarding Lieutenant Ching,  Kal's bodyguard and friend.  Her
motives were partly to distract her anxious thoughts from her husband but
largely she held Zara in high esteem and would be pleased to assist the
younger girl to her heart's desire, even though Ching's status was not
considered suitable for an alliance with the youngest lady of the House of
El.  Unhappily, Lois' good intentions were thwarted by Zara's natural
reticence.  Knowing the strict traditions of her world, the Kryptonian girl
protected her hopeless love from even the most well-minded  prying and, when
the two were joined for dinner by Jor and Lara, the moment was lost but the
ever tenacious Lois-El simply filed it away for another time.

      The hours had crawled by as her new family sought to alleviate her
apprehensions of the coming day but it was obvious that Lois' thoughts were
centred on Kal and, after warning the distracted young woman against trying
to reach her soul mate telepathically, the El family had bade her goodnight
and left.  Lara, as she took her daughter-in-law's cold hands into her own,
stressed that such a thing would not be possible, Kal being incarcerated in
a shielded hall, and would be considered, in any case, an unacceptable
intrusion.

      Soon after sunrise Lois had awakened with the noise of the crowds
gathering in the streets below, each intent on finding the best vantage
point from where to view the auspicious proceedings.  Thankful that the
night was finally over, she had dragged her weary body from the empty bed.
Her sleep had been fitful and filled with uneasy half-forgotten dreams.  Oh,
this wasn't good!  The intense programme of the day demanded a well-rested
body and calm mind.  Lois only hoped that she managed to remain totally
conscious during this second important ceremony of her life on this planet.
One major happening had lifted her tired soul while she lay tossing amongst
her silken sheets thinking absentmindedly about the missing occupant of her
bed.  Suddenly, she had found herself close to Kal and she had instinctively
realised that he had been freed from the confines of the containment
chamber.  In a happier frame of mind she had stepped beneath the warm jets
of the body shower.

      Lois couldn't hold back a grin of amazement as the hot spray had
connected with her skin.  The bathroom was large and, apart from the
necessary bathroom fixtures, contained a large sunken tub and a shower
cubicle that comfortably accommodated two.  Neither bath nor shower had any
noticeable controls but were programmed to both Lois and Kal's preferences,
from hot and soothing to cool and invigorating.  Lois only need think of
which she would like at any given time and the equipment did the rest, even
providing warm blasts of hot air to gently dry her body when she had
finished.  Of course, sometimes Lois preferred the old-fashioned method of
soft, fluffy towels, especially when sharing the bathroom with her husband,
but today she had been grateful for the automatic help.

      As Lois had exited from her lonely ablutions, Etta arrived, bringing
her lady's breakfast, scolding gently that Lois hadn't waited for her
assistance in rising, once again.  Lara had followed quickly on the newly
promoted lady-in-waiting's heels bearing with her a surprisingly plain gown
of unrelieved black.  Lois' brow had wrinkled in distaste.  Wasn't a
coronation a celebration and not a funeral?  The dowager Lady El had smiled
indulgently at Lois' observations but she had explained that while an
investiture was a solemn occasion the celebration of a new reign would begin
immediately the ceremony was over and the black uniforms of the First Lord
and Lady would be overlaid by a more suitable raiment.

      Lois regarded her mother-in-law with an apologetic air.  After an
inauspicious beginning this woman had proved to be a stalwart support and
caring friend.  But Lois could not forebear thinking that she was usurping
Lara's position.

      "Lady Lara," Lois stretched out to lightly touch the hands that held
the dress.  "I'm sorry..."

      "Sorry?!  My child, whatever are you apologising for?  This dress is
hardly high fashion so you don't have to like it."  She lifted the offending
article aloft to survey it.  "Hopefully you'll approve of the overdress I've
chosen for you to wear later."

      "Oh, I'm sure I will."  The younger girl spoke with conviction.  Lady
Lara was always tastefully attired.  "But that wasn't what I meant.  All
this should be for you and Lord Jor-El."  Lois waved her hand in the general
direction of the window and the scene far below.

      For some minutes Lara looked perplexed then catching Lois' intension
she laughed feelingly.  "My dear, this was never meant for Jor-El.  He was
never considered as his brother's heir.  Well, only fleetingly and only
because the council were growing desperate.  They understood that he would
have been completely unsuitable.  And never was anyone more relieved to have
a son as Jor.  He would've hated to be First Lord and I would've been so
worried about him coping with a role he detested.  So, dear Lois, you've no
reason to feel guilty.  I'm proud of my son and you."  Uncharacteristically
Lara leaned forward and pressed a light kiss on her daughter-in-law's brow.
"And I shall always be here if you need me."

      "Thank you," Lois whispered and both women exchanged misty smiles then
turned to the business of the day.

     The rest of the morning had been spent preparing Lois for the coming
ritual, Etta in charge of the practicalities while Lara recounted her
girlhood recollections of the coronation of Zor-El.

      Now it seemed that the moment was nigh and that Lois was to be
accompanied to meet with her Lord.  An escort of the Palace Guard waited
outside her chamber with the second Councillor, Lord Jen-Mai, at their head.
With a final look at the throng below, Lois lifted her head high and, with a
stylish wiggle of her hips, she tossed her black train behind her on the
ground and went to meet her destiny.

                                                                     *****

      If Lois had found the night hours tedious, Kal-El had spent them
alternating between emotional highs of exaltation and deep troughs of self
depreciation.  In his hands he held a world steeped in high ideals and
ancient traditions and his dream, his ambition was to mould it into a more
modern, more open society.  But was he ready for such great responsibility?

      'In apprehension how like a god.'  Kal was reminded of a quote he had
learned when studying Earth's great playwrights.  Did this mean that the
gods were an anxious group?   Long ago he had asked this question of his
Uncle Zor, the most godlike figure his adolescent mind could comprehend and
now in the darkened Hall the answer came back to him.

      'It is not that the gods are anxious about responsibility,' the wise
ruler had explained, 'but with such great responsibility comes great
understanding.'

      The youthful Kal had only hoped to learn a little of the understanding
that Zor had possessed in such abundance but when he had voiced his fears to
his uncle he had been surprised by Zor's gruff laugh of derision and now he
recalled how the older man had related the tales of his own inadequacies
when first he ascended the throne and his certain belief that Kal already
had the potential to surpass Zor's hard-won wisdom.

      Such a memory soothed Kal's wildly escalating thoughts.  If Zor-El's
estimation was correct and with Lois by his side then he could make a
difference to this world.  And Kal had few illusions about his people; many
of his noble Kryptonians had feet of clay.

      It was around this time, having reached this point in his
deliberations, that he had been sorely tempted to reach out with his mind to
Lois.  It was amazing and wonderful how she had become so much part of his
life, her presence so needful to his contentment.  Their relationship was a
true partnership and his natural instinct was to share his conceptions with
his wife but the Hall was thought shielded and he was also aware that any
communication he might make at this time would be monitored.

      The Council, the aristocracy and the general public were prepared to
accept his investiture as their First Lord but Kal was mindful of the fact
that for some time his rule would be probationary.  Not that either the
council or the noble families would seek to overthrow him but they were
quite capable of trying to control him as they had with Zor-El.  A steely
resolute shadow settled on the handsome face of the young man and his mouth
froze in a firm line.  Kal was determined to remain his own man.  He was
perfectly willing to listen and take good advice from older, more
experienced minds, if the situation demanded.  Yet an indecisive and
malleable ruler was a bad ruler.   In the silence of the night, Kal resolved
that as the ancient ways of his world had placed this responsibility on his
shoulders then his will would be paramount.

      When just before dawn his entourage arrived to escort him from the
chamber, it was a calmer and infinitely more persevering Kal-El who stepped
from the chamber and at once he felt the warm supporting mind of his Lois
entwining her thoughts with his own.  His step lightened and he smiled
warmly at his friends and attendants as he went to spend his last carefree
hours in the ceremonial cleansing of his body and soul in the natural spring
baths of the shores of the River Elvar.  With such an all-consuming love to
uphold him, he would never be alone again.

                                                                      *****

      In the dazzling sunshine at exactly midday the noble Lord Kal of the
royal and illustrious House of El was led by his Prime Councillors, Trey and
Jen-Mai, up the gentle slope of the Mound of Inauguration where for
thousands of years his forebears had pledged to do their duty as First Lords
of all Krypton.

      All eyes were riveted on the handsome young man clad in the customary
black body suit,  his symbol, on this occasion, picked out in silver on his
expansive chest.  Arriving at the time and place of his destiny, Kal, awed
by the seriousness of the situation, solemnly took his seat on the heavily
carved and polished bench of unique black Kryptonite.  With great sense of
purpose the Chief Councilmen commenced the stately traditions of investing
their Lord with the symbols of his rule while the crowd watched with bated
breath the ancient rituals unfold.  Trey lifted the heavy gold sceptre from
its velvet-lined case and paced his way to the throne where, dropping on one
knee, he presented the rod of office to his master.

      "Do you solemnly accept this sceptre as a symbol of your rule and do
you swear to commit your life to the leadership and protection of this world
and all those who dwell therein?"  The Councillor pitched his voice so that
all present might hear.

       "I do!"  Kal's clear voice dropped into the silence as he ritually
touched the intricately engraved object before it was carried away to be
replaced by a large ancient book covered with worn leather and inscribed
with faded gold leaf.

      Once again The Prime Councillor accepted the sacred volume and turned
back to Kal-El.

      "And do you promise to uphold the ancient laws of Krypton as written in
this our Book of Legislation?"

      A pregnant stillness stretched out for some seconds as fleetingly Kal's
glance drifted towards his wife, waiting statue like by the side of the
small hill.  Beside Lois, the Dowager Lady El drew in an anxious breath as
she contemplated what revolutionary thoughts might be passing between the
couple.  But her worries were unfounded.  The new Queen Consort sent an
understanding and encouraging smile to her husband and quickly Kal responded
with a firm pledge.

      "I do!"

      Since Zor had declared his intention to abdicate, the couple had a
number of conversations on this subject; namely could Kal promise in good
faith to uphold these old laws when he had every intention of modernising a
fair proportion of them.  Finally, when they had reached an uneasy impasse
they had asked for a last audience with the retiring leader.  Understanding,
something of the dilemma in which his heir now found himself the wise old
man had gladly given them his advice.  In Zor's opinion, many of the ancient
laws were outdated and desperately in need of review.  To cling to outmoded
legislation for the sake of tradition was more treasonable than to swear to
a broad principle, which the older man was very aware Kal would honour where
his people's welfare was at stake.  Zor's only regret was that he himself
had not had the courage to change some of these restrictive practises.   Now
with Zor's blessing echoing in his mind, Kal stood and announced his pledge.

      "My people of Krypton, I solemnly swear to take up the position of
First Lord; to represent your interests within the Federation of Planets; to
lead you into a more prosperous and peaceful existence and to protect you,
with all the strength I possess, from those who would attack you.  And this
I promise with all my heart."

      When it was clear that Lord Kal-El would say no more a cry of support
swelled from the throats of the ordinary citizens of Krypton who viewed this
beautiful, yet serious, young man as their champion, a cry that was quickly
echoed by the nobles, the majority of whom supported the House of El.  The
old reign was gone and a new was dawning.  It was a time for new beginnings;
a time of great expectations and everyone was swept along in the excitement.

      "Kal-El!  Kal-El!"  The shout was repeated by thousands of happy voices.

      The person at the centre of all this attention seemed overwhelmed by
the emotions and Lord Trey, catching a glint of tears in Kal's eye, speedily
raised his arms and called for silence.  This took some moments to attain,
but finally the exuberant throng obeyed the Master of Ceremonies and an
expectant peace settled over the crowded green beneath the castle rock.

      "Fellow Kryptonians," the councillor's stately voice carried above the
masses, "the time has arrived when the heads of the principal houses of our
world will pledge their allegiance to Lord Kal.  However, in a break with
tradition, but at the particular request of the lady in question, and as the
sole representative of her home planet, the Lady Lois-El desires to lead the
oath taking."

      These words were met by a communal hum of amazement as all present
recognised that already this reign was breaking from the old ritual.  Was
this a pattern for the future?  And what did it mean for the people of this
ancient world?

      When approached by the lady on this subject Lord Trey and the rest of
the government had been in something of a quandary.  To say that the Ladies
of Krypton were exempt from a promise of fealty was not strictly true but
tradition had never demanded that they take a public oath.  Besides, this
youthful Earth woman was smart enough to realise that in suggesting she was
making her pledge on behalf of her home planet it would be extremely
difficult for the council to refuse.  Such an action would be undiplomatic
and went against their deeply ingrained sense of courtesy.  In turning down
such a proposal they would now be, in effect, turning down an approach of
friendship from another world.

      But, strangely, it had been none of these idealistic notions that had
moved Lord Trey to support Lois' cause.  Rather it was the fact that Lord
Jen-Mai had loosed a tirade in chambers, as disproportional as it was
derogatory, against the Earth girl and, perversely, Trey had found himself
Lady Lois' champion.   He couldn't quite put his finger on what he disliked
about his deputy, he only knew that he had never wholly trusted the man and
had been uneasy since Jen-Mai had been voted into this post by the other
councillors.  In fact, he had been in accord with his old friend and
master's summation of the second Councilman's character; that the man was
way too smooth and charming to be on the level.  Unfortunately, neither Zor
nor Trey could find anything concrete to back up their suspicions and so the
artful Lord remained in position.

       Perhaps though, there was now a legitimate chance to be rid of
Jen-Mai; on ascension to the throne the leader had the right to call for an
election of a fresh cabinet.  At this behest the noblemen of Krypton would
then elect twelve of their peers to aid the new First Lord in his
government.  Of course, there was nothing in the rules to say that Lord
Jen-Mai could not stand for reelection and, knowing that the man would be
reluctant to give up his position of power, Trey wondered whether the whole
exercise might be pointless.  Still, the faintly troubled Prime Councillor
determined to discuss the matter with Lord Kal-El at the first opportunity.

      That, however, was for the future.  At present, Trey found himself
gratified by the smiles of approval from the assembled nobles and the
enthusiastic applause from the masses as the slender, lovely girl stepped
into the limelight.  Dressed as her husband in her plain black robe adorned
only by the silver crest, Lois walked steadily forward across the surface of
the grassy mound and gracefully dropped to her knees before Kal-El.  Her
clear voice, somewhat husky with emotion drifted out over the crowd.

      "My Lord, I, Lady Lois-El, formerly Lois Lane of the planet Earth, do
promise to honour and support your rule with every fibre of my being and for
as long as I may live."

       Having professed her oath, Lois raised her clasped hands to the man
seated, still as a statue, before her.  Kal had been totally shocked by this
turn of events.  How had Lois and the council managed to keep the fact that
she would lead the oath taking from him?  And more amazingly, how had she
persuaded the council into allowing her to do so?   Staring down at her bent
head, did he detect a satisfied smile on her lovely lips?  She was a
remarkable woman.  On an indrawn breath, Kal took Lois' hands within his own
and raised them to his lips.  Then, as this was a complete break from
tradition, Kal decreed that a new action demanded a similar response and,
raising Lois to her feet he captured her lips in a fleeting, yet passionate
kiss.

       Unaccustomed to such a public show of affection on such an austere
occasion, the multitude erupted in cries of glee as the emotional salutation
between the handsome Lord and his fair Lady touched the hearts of the many.
Even the more staid nobles, carried along by the auspicious atmosphere,
applauded benignly the couple's kiss.

      And if the members of the council realized that the Lady, in her agreed
speech, had transposed the word 'obey' with that of 'support' they did not
allow this small transgression to spoil the general rejoicing.

      But the moment was quickly over since both Lois and Kal sensed it was
better not to push the bounds of change too far too soon.  The pair broke
apart with a shared smile of understanding and Lady Lois-El, re assuming her
rehearsed role, stepped back to a position slightly behind her husband's
right shoulder while Kal took his seat once again on the symbolic stone to
accept the waiting Lords' pledges of allegiance.

      The stately ceremony continued till all the representatives of the
great houses of Krypton had repeated their vows, with the notable exception
of the family Nor whose Lord had sent his apologies.  It appeared that the
noble House of Nor had been struck down by an unexpected but very contagious
illness (of short duration) which prevented any of the family from attending
the ceremony.  Neither Kal nor his council was duped by this thinly veiled
ruse but, for the moment, as the First Lord was not willing to challenge his
self-appointed rival, the absence of the Nors was grudgingly accepted.
Nevertheless, Kal, Lois and the more astute members of the nobility
recognised the danger behind Rad-Nor's avoidance of swearing an oath of
fealty to the House of El.

      This piece of disquieting knowledge, however, would not be allowed to
mar the importance or the enjoyment of the day and thus, when finally the
last nobleman had risen from his knees, the whole tone of the proceedings
brightened, much to Lois' surprised delight and the bored attention of the
crowds who had grown restive during the repetitive exchange of vows.  The
ancient and often austere civilization of Krypton would prove to the
universe that they had not forgotten how to party.

      Silver over-robes appeared to veil the drab black and were donned by
the royal couple who then spent a busy afternoon happily touring the city of
Elvar with their entourage and visiting, fleetingly, the many celebratory
parties that were taking place.  The already picturesque city was decked out
in floral wreaths and colourful flags, all depicting the famous El shield,
and no gathering was thought too inconsequential to ignore and so, for the
first time since she had arrived on Krypton, Lois mingled with the ordinary
population.

      Gratefully, for the sake of her rumbling stomach, Lois perceived that
the procession was at last making its way back to the castle.  All the
members of the royal party had been offered food and drink during their
progress through the city but the repast had been accepted only sparingly as
the consequences of mixing the varied diet on offer, combined with the heat
and excitement of the day, might prove somewhat embarrassing.  But Kal,
aware that this was a totally new experience for Lois, and daringly hopeful
that they were in the early stages of fulfilling their duty to the planet of
Krypton, kept a wary eye on his wife.

      A little over a week ago, Lois had drawn his attention to the fact that
a certain monthly and normally very punctual visitor had failed to show up.
They had been overjoyed at the prospect of a baby and not only for the sake
of duty, though Lois had also been, not surprisingly, a mite apprehensive.
Motherhood was a big step, not to be taken lightly.  It wasn't like buying a
pet.  Kal had smilingly reassured his panicking wife that he had every
confidence in her future parenting skills.  Given her own experiences she
would certainly know what not to do.  Besides, this was something that they
would share and together there was no problem that they couldn't solve.  A
child of their own would be born of love and be brought up with love.
Meanwhile Kal resolved to take very good care of his possibly pregnant wife.

      And so, the instant he noted her wan face and the weariness behind her
smile, the concerned husband surreptitiously ordered a return to the palace
where his tired wife could rest before attending the evening's coronation
banquet.

      Throughout the planet, from the major cities to the smallest hamlet,
the people of Krypton joined in the feasting and festivals with Elvar city
at the heart of the celebrations, which culminated late at night in a
fantastic laser-light display, blazing in technicolour magnificence high
above the castle rock.  Technological fireworks, Lois hypothesized silently
as she stood by Kal, his arm tucked gently round her waist in support,
gazing at the brilliant show flashing in the dark skies above her.  It had
been a long and very eventful day and one that would stay in her memory for
all the years to come.

      Was it the seriousness with which the whole population, from nobleman
to commoner, had viewed the investiture that had impressed her?  Or was it
the heartfelt commitment that this remarkable man by her side had pledged to
his people that had so moved her?  For Lois was in no doubt that Kal-El
would dedicate his life to the help and protection of this planet.   More
importantly, his people also recognised this truth.  There had been genuine
emotions in their rejoicing at Kal's enthroning and, if one small part of
this world had not joined in the celebrations, surely it did not
automatically bode ill for the new First Lord and his family.

      A glimpse of Lois' disturbing thought reached Kal and he tightened his
arm around her waist and dropped a kiss on the top of her head as it rested
on his shoulder.

      "Let it go, sweetheart.  We'll face whatever the future brings as it
happens.  Tonight is our night for celebration.  I know it's been a long day
and you're feeling more tired than normal."  But here he let his words die
away and simply raised his eyebrows expressively, then added with
unaccustomed anxiety.  "You are feeling all right?"

      Lois quickly reassured him. "I'm fine."  And in return she tightened
her arm around him and pressed a tender kiss on his chin.

      "And you did feel that today was special?"

      Discerning that Kal had been deeply affected by the monumental occasion
and was seeking her approbation, Lois whispered her blessing.  "Very
special!  And you are a very special person!  And everyone knows it!"

      With a swift kiss pressed to her upturned lips, Kal and Lois returned
their attention to the lightshow.   Soon they would say a goodnight to their
guests and share their own recollections and celebrations in the privacy of
their chamber.  This day had indeed been memorable, the day that the planet
Krypton celebrated the coming to the throne of Lord Kal-El.

                 *****

Chapter Three
Royal Progress

      The cavalcade that began its journeying from Elvar on a damp misty
morning departed somewhat later than planned, due to the unexpected malaise
of one of the principal travellers.  There was a reason for this unfortunate
incapacity, Lois' pregnancy having been confirmed, although, at this
particular time, it was not a matter that had been made known to the general
public.

      Lois had awakened from a deep sleep feeling warmly content and, for
some moments, she had chosen to rest in the arms of her still sleeping
husband, reviewing lazily the plans for the busy day ahead.  Realising that
she had in front of her a long and tiring trek and, being well aware that
the coming weeks would be spent in the glare of the public spotlight, Lois
relished every second of spending this last morning in the privacy of their
own bed chamber.  With that thought in mind she pushed up onto her elbow and
turned to plant a kiss on Kal's slightly open mouth, but the kiss was
destined never to be delivered.

      Instead, an uneasy lightheadedness overtook her, swiftly followed by
her stomach heaving unexpectedly and it was all the surprised girl could do
to direct herself towards the bathroom.  The unsettling sounds of someone in
distress invaded Kal's slumber, and groggily exiting the bed, he went in
search of his absent wife.  The scene that greeted him brought him sharply
to his senses as he found Lois leaning shakily over the toilet bowl, her
knuckles gripped tightly about the rim.   His tender heart went out to her
as he kneeled by her side and gently rubbed his hand up and down her hunched
back waiting in concern for the spasms to cease.  There was so much more he
wished to do for her but this was a natural symptom of pregnancy and,
moreover, one of those 'particular things' which the research physicians had
decided not to tamper with.  A hint of a smile touched his lips, remembering
Lois' snort of derision at that piece of information.  'Clearly this was a
male-dominated society!'

      When finally the nausea passed, Kal lifted his exhausted wife easily
into his arms and carried her back to bed, telepathically calling for
assistance from his medical staff.

      "My timing's not too good," relieved to lay her head on the soft
pillows, Lois managed to grind out through a mouth that was feeling dry and
distinctly unpleasant.  "I'm thirsty," she added in a raspy tone.

      Kal made a speedy trip to the bathroom returning with a glass of water
which he helped her to drink.  "Sip gently," he instructed solicitously.
"Slowly, though, or you'll make yourself sick again.  And don't worry about
timing.  It isn't important.  I'll postpone the tour if you're not up to
it."  The concerned husband and future father was unwilling to risk the
well-being of his new family for the sake of tradition.

      Her speech oiled by the welcome liquid, Lois protested.  "Kal, we've
been through all this already and we decided that I'm well enough to make
the trip."

      This fact was certainly true.  Lois had suffered very few debilitating
symptoms in this earliest stage of her pregnancy.  Apart from a few bouts of
morning sickness, tiredness and an annoying tendency to weep on occasion the
First Lady had enjoyed remarkably good health and so, with the proviso that
Physician Tamar should join the entourage, it was felt that the royal
progress would not pose any undue risk to the precious mother-to-be.  A
conclusion that Kal now decided might be up for review.

      At all events, the interlude, while extremely distasteful, was
short-lived and by the time Tamar had arrived the Lady had almost recovered.
Once again Lois was subjected to another invasive examination.  Why was it
that all other illnesses on this planet were treated by highly advanced
medical techniques while the process of having a baby remained in the dark
ages?  Any unnatural or modern medicines were regarded as too risky to the
child's welfare to be administered.

      In point of fact, Lois was being a little unfair in her judgment.
There was much that could and would be done to protect the life of an unborn
child, and particularly in the case of this baby.  Since the tragedies which
had befallen her predecessor, Kryptonian medical research facilities had
concentrated all their resources on negating any problems encountered during
pregnancy, but she was correct in her assumption that their research had
centred mostly on the well-being of the baby and any discomfort experienced
by the expectant mother was considered a necessary sacrifice.  However, the
competent little doctor had been quick to reassure his patient with a
measure of pride that, here on Krypton, no mother had been lost in
childbirth for a great many years.

      It was soon established that Lois' morning sickness would not be a
serious impediment to their plans and, given a firm promise from Tamar that
he would strictly monitor Lois' state of health, Kal ordered the exodus to
proceed.

                                                                      *****

      Lady Zara was thrilled at the news.  From the moment she had been told
that milady Lois-El wished for her company on the expedition through the
lands of Krypton her excitement had grown steadily.  On this day of
departure, she had risen before dawn to oversee her packing and to carefully
dress in her new travel clothes which her mother had generously supplied for
the occasion.  Should she wear her hair piled on top of her head with just a
few strands escaping to rest on her shoulders?  She knew it made her look
older.... more sophisticated.

      When word had reached her of Lois' indisposition, she could not
suppress a feeling of deep disappointment.  Could her imaginings be over
before they had a chance to begin?  Of course, she sympathised with her
sister-in-law's malaise, but  never before having ventured so far from the
lands of El and without the chaperonage of her parents, she had delighted in
thoughts of the coming adventure.  Indeed, she would still be under the care
of her family but somehow she surmised that neither her brother nor his wife
would be quite so strict with their supervision.

      And too, she shyly admitted to herself, the fact that Lieutenant Ching
would be one of  the party lent an added thrill to the coming journey.  Not
that she had any hopes that their relationship could develop further, but
surely no-one would find fault with them sharing a friendship and she could
not totally prevent her traitorous heart from rejoicing in the thought of
spending time in his company.  Given all these points, she had found the
possibility of a postponement a sad anticlimax.

                                                               *****

      Happily, for Zara's peace of mind she was totally oblivious to the fact
that Lois had discovered her secret love or that her sister-in-law had
determined to assume the role of matchmaker.  Kal, on the other hand, was
completely aware of Lois' ulterior motive and he too was aware that the
couple in question did harbour a secret yearning for each other but, unlike
his wife, he found it hard to foresee an optimistic outcome for the couple,
at least at this present time.

      Immediately following her encounter with the unfortunate Rol-Fre and
the subsequent breaking of his betrothal to Lady Zara, Lois had been hinting
to Kal, none too guardedly, about an attachment between Zara and Ching.  His
ever curious wife had stumbled upon this clandestine relationship on her
very first night on Krypton and, since Zara's engagement was no longer an
issue, she was hoping to unite the star-crossed lovers.  But, while Ching
was his friend, Kal could not endorse such an unsuitable liaison.  The
council and the nobility would not countenance a misalliance and he did not
yet feel sufficiently secure in his position to flout their wishes.

      All this he had attempted to explain to Lois some nights ago when she
had asked casually that Zara be included in the royal party.  Kal had not
been fooled and an extremely stormy conversation ensued which had almost
resulted in their first quarrel.  Who was he fooling?  They had fought each
other to a standstill, Lois accusing him of monumental snobbery and
narrow-mindedness and he charging her with stubbornness and an unwillingness
to understand the disastrous position into which she was propelling him.

      How had it happened?   He had never seen it coming.  It had begun quite
reasonably with a suggestion from Lois that Zara be allowed to accompany
them on their journey.

      "Lois, sweetheart, I've no objections to Zara coming along with us.  I
know the two of you have become close friends and you deserve to have some
familiar female company when I'm dealing with 'business.'  But..."  And here
he realised he was skating on very thin ice; what if he was wrong and she
didn't have an ulterior motive?  Still, he thought he knew his Lois.  "If
you're thinking of throwing Zara and Ching together on this journey, I'd
have to advise you not to."

      "'Advise,' Kal?"  Lois immediately turned defensive.  His suspicions
had been spot on.  "Don't you mean 'order' not to?"

      Kal tensed in anticipation of an approaching storm.  He tried
conciliation.  "I hope it won't come to that, Lois.  But, as I explained the
last time we talked of this, a relationship between the two is impossible
and to encourage one would be cruel."

      Conciliation didn't work.  Lois bridled. "Are you insinuating that I'm
cruel?"

      "No!  Of course not!  Misguided, yes."

      "It's misguided to want two people, who are obviously in love, to be
together?"  She set her feet firmly on the ground in front of Kal and placed
her hands on her hips in a confrontational stance.

      Kal's hackles rose.  "In this particular case, yes!  I've already told
you; they are from different classes.  Ching comes from a respectable family
but he isn't a nobleman and Zara belongs to the highest family in the land.
The two are not compatible."

      "Nonsense!  That's ridiculous!  They're very well suited."

      "That's not what I meant, Lois!  You are being deliberately obtuse."

      "Oh, misguided and obtuse!  Keep going, Kal!  Are there any more of my
faults you'd like to air?"

      "Lois, this is crazy.  And, no, I'm not suggesting that you're crazy."
An exasperated sigh escaped from Kal.  "But this conversation is.  I'm sorry
if it upsets you but I can't condone your matchmaking schemes for Zara and
Ching."

      A firm denial about matchmaking was swiftly discarded in favour of the
truth.  "But why?  Zara is your sister, you love her and I know that Ching
is your closest friend.  Every day you trust him with your life."

      "That's true, but it's not the point here.  Neither the council nor the
hierarchy would agree to a liaison, even if I did give them my blessing,"
Kal stated baldly.  He fought his anger and was barely keeping it 
under control.

      "That's unadulterated snobbery."  The answer was snapped back.  "And,
besides, you have the power to over-rule them."

      "Oh, great!"   Anger broke through Kal's bounds.  "That's a terrific
suggestion, my lady!"  He threw his hands in the direction of the ceiling.
"I've just come into my position.  I have to work with these people.  And
the first thing you want me to do is thumb my nose at them.  If I went along
with you, they would think I'd gone mad.  I'd probably be committed."

      "So you're willing to sacrifice your sister's and your best friend's
happiness for the sake of your position."  Lois sniped.  She had lost all
sense of proportion and with 'attack is the best form of defence' stratagems
in full flow she sought to wound and with deadly accuracy.

      Lord Kal-El's face blanched at the vicious attack.  "No!  That's
untrue!  There's a greater issue here and you know it."

      "Do I?!"  A part of Lois recognised that she was being unfair, but the
Lois of old was in control.  "I know that when you persuaded me to come
here, you told me that you wanted to modernise life on Krypton and yet, at
the first chance you get, you back down."  The words were scathing.  "Are
you afraid, My Lord?  Or are you just as narrow minded and entrenched as the
rest of your proud Kryptonians?"  Lois spat the name as an insult.

      That cruel riposte had silenced Kal.  They had finally run out of
insults and they stood sulkily staring at each other, until Kal could no
longer stand the silent accusation of her gaze and he had exited the chamber
almost at a run.  For an immeasurable time he had stalked the castle
corridors, while the servants he passed gave him an unusually wide berth.
It was this strange consequence that had made him pause.  Normally his staff
treated him with friendly deference and he must certainly be exuding a grim
air for them to... shy away from him?

      Was this affair worth even this slight alienation of his people and,
more importantly, a breach in relationships with his wife?  Especially since
he was not totally averse to a connection between Zara and Ching, in fact he
did consider them well suited.  And perhaps in the future it might be a
possibility, when he had forged a trusting and workable partnership with his
council?  Maybe he hadn't explained his thoughts clearly to Lois?  If she
understood that he did not mean to dismiss, for all time, her romantic plans
for the couple then possibly she would forgive him for his harsh words.

      And, indeed, when he had returned to their bedchamber he had found a
weeping Lois not only willing to forgive but apologizing for reverting to
'type' and eager to listen to his proposals and to add a few suggestions of
her own.  All lingering vestiges of anger and resentment had melted away as,
locked in each other's arms, they discussed frankly and calmly their
differing perspectives.   And finally in the dark of the night, when all
talking ceased, in the way of lovers from any time or any world they had
reaffirmed their love.  A joining made all the more poignant and enduring by
the knowledge that they had weathered their first storm.

      Only later did he recognise that Lois had succeeded in gaining his
approval for her scheme, even eliciting a promise from him that, for the
foreseeable future, he would resist all attempts by the council to engage
Zara to another suitor.  However, in his relief at returning to a state of
marital bliss, he didn't much mind.  And she had agreed to postpone any
direct action until he felt it might be appropriate.

      However, neither Zara nor her admirer were aware that they had been the
cause of an argument or the basis for that argument and both were
anticipating with pleasure a lengthy period spent in close proximity with
each other.

      So it was that the members of the Royal Progress set out in a pleasant
state of mind, undaunted by the inclement weather.  Satisfied with the
progress she had made in the cause of Zara's happiness and feeling much
improved in health from her early morning bout of nausea, Lois was looking
forward to her odyssey of exploration.   And Lord Kal-El, very relieved to
see the bloom return to his wife's cheeks, was excited, in spite of his
anxieties, by his first undertaking as ruler of this land.


                 *****

Chapter Four
Treachery

      It was high summer as the weary cavalcade approached, over the dry and
dusty plains, the great city of Veren.  The repetitive nature of the visits
with the various lords and ladies and her advancing pregnancy had long since
dulled Lois' enjoyment of the tour.  Five weeks had passed since they had
set out on their journeying and the young wife, in her eleventh week of
pregnancy, was finding the going increasingly tough.

      The hot summer sun blazed down on the flat landscape and even the
aircooled interior of the transporter did little to dispel her discomfort.
There was another reason for her tedium which had little to do with her
condition or the rising temperature.  A short time ago, after pointing out a
far off bulk shimmering in the heat of the almost desert and announcing that
this mass was their destination, Kal had decided to take to the saddle for a
spell of exercise and he, Ching and a few other hardier (in Lois' opinion
foolhardier) members of the expedition had galloped off into the blinding
heat, leaving behind them a trail of choking dust.

      Staring at the other passengers of the vehicle, Lois fervently wished
that she too had been of the foolhardy variety and escaped with the others,
but unfortunately Physician Tamar had forbade her to go riding, a
circumstance that she much regretted as she listened to the honeyed baby
tones of the woman sitting opposite.  To say that a catalogue of the lady's
jewels and possessions, all presents from her besotted husband, was a
riveting topic of conversation and just what Lois was interested to hear was
a vast distortion of the truth, but unfortunately neither Lois nor her
companion Zara had discovered a way to shut the said Lady up.

      With a flick of her blonde tresses the Lady displayed her latest
acquisition, a large carbuncle-sized ruby gracing her left hand and
screaming out in protest as it clashed horribly with the figure-hugging gown
of baby pink, which Lois had concluded was the only colour of robe to be
found in Lady Minerva-Mai's wardrobe.  If the woman had lived on Earth she
would have fallen into the category of 'blonde bimbo' and Lois had found no
reason in the past 48 hours spent in the woman's company to alter her
description.  In fact, Kal, though shocked at his wife's temerity, had found
the title amusing and definitely apt.  A number of times, when the vacuous
lady's chatter had become just too tedious, the couple would share an amused
glance, desperately trying to suppress the laughter that would bubble up
between them.

      The previous stop over on the journey had been at the small township of
Maison, staying for a single night only with Second Councillor Jen-Mai and
his family.  The man had never been one of Kal's circle, being a few years
his elder and not exactly to Kal's taste in friends.  Nevertheless, Kal's
personal opinions were not a consideration for membership to the cabinet;
but, since a long and interesting talk with Trey on the subject of Jen-Mai's
reliability or lack thereof, Kal had regarded the man with increasing
distrust.  Hence the duration of the visit to Maison had decreased and after
a few hours spent in the company of the Mais, Kal had uncharacteristically
wished that they had bypassed this particular part of his realm completely.
However, as the man was an important member of the council, this had not
been an option.  Thankfully they would be gone by morning.  Then the said
Lord and Lady had confounded their visitors totally by choosing to join the
group who were now bound for the lands of the Vers.

      Lois' patience was wearing dangerously thin as Lady Mai's annoying
voice droned on and she was about to deliver a rapier-like snub when
salvation came from an unexpected quarter.  The upper exterior of the
transporter disappeared until it resembled a large convertible as Kal
offered an outstretched hand to his beset wife.

      "I thought that you'd been cooped up inside that bubble for far too
long, Lois, and, as you can't ride alone, I thought that you might enjoy
sharing my saddle.  There's room for two and you might like some time spent
in the fresh air before we enter Veren.  Mind you, I suspect the term 'fresh
air' stretches the truth a little but at least you won't be so cramped."

      His smile was inviting and Lois had no hesitation in accepting his
offer.  Within minutes Kal had lifted Lois up before him and, after settling
her comfortably against his body, he set his unicorn into a gentle canter
and edged away from the line of transporters.  The rest of the group fell in
behind the couple but tactfully stayed some distance behind, out of earshot.

      "I'm sorry to have abandoned you in the scintillating company of 
Lady Mai."

      "You should be ashamed of yourself, Kal."  She playfully swiped at the
hand that encircled her waist, steadying her to the rhythm of the unicorn's
movement.  "And don't think that I'm about to forgive you just because you
decided to rescue me a little later."

      Kal dropped a kiss on the back of her neck and with the warmth of
apology thickening his voice he continued.  "To tell the truth, sweetheart,
I did have an ulterior motive.  What's your truthful opinion about Lady Mai,
blonde bimbo not withstanding?"

      Lois' eyebrows rose.  She ought to have known that Kal had a reason
behind his cavalier behaviour and, though she had tended to treat the woman
as a figure of fun, her investigative instincts had been on full alert.
Carefully she considered her answer, happy that Kal was treating her as a
partner.

      "Her jewels are worth a king's ransom... not to mention her clothes...
and she boasts that all we've seen is just the tip of the iceberg...  Do you
have icebergs on Krypton?"

      Kal couldn't help but smile at Lois' deviation.  "Yes, Lois.  Krypton
has a north and south pole just like Earth and they too are frozen lands.
And someday I'll tell you how the Kryptonians, in most cases, utilise this
circumstance.  But what about Minerva-Mai's wardrobe?"

      "Well, the Mais' lands seem to be very small in comparison to some
others that we've visited," Lois spoke slowly as she thought through her
answer, "and, I may be wrong, farming isn't exactly one of my skills, but
their countryside doesn't appear to be very productive.  Unless, of course,
they've got a few of those Kryptonite mines hidden away somewhere."

      "No, honey, no Kryptonite mines."

      "Then where does he get the money for all her finery?"  A small frown
of concentration had appeared between Lois' eyebrows.

      "That's a question that's been bothering me for some time." Kal
worriedly bit on his lower lip.  "And not just me.  It seems Lord Trey has a
few suspicions of his own."

      "Appears to me that Jen-Mai could do with checking out.  And I've a
score to settle with him too, so it'll be my pleasure to find out some dirt
about the sleazeball."

      "Sleazeball, Lois?!  Bimbo?!  This Earth language is a lot more
colourful than I suspected!"

      "I'm sorry.  I really should try to modify my language."  Lois looked a
little forlorn at that admission.  "I know that I sometimes shock your people."

      "Don't you dare, Lois Lane!" my Lord retorted adamantly.  "I'm very
partial to Lois Lane.  I admire her.  I fell in love with her.  And I don't
want you to change one hair on her head. Please remember that, milady."

      For his decree he received a pert smile.  "Your wish is my command."

      "Huh!  I only wish!"  Kal groaned.

      An even bigger grin met that remark.  "But back to business.  Did you
know that Jen-Mai tried to prevent me from making my pledge to you at your
investiture?  He tried to convince the council to refuse permission.  To
tell the truth, I think it was his stand that persuaded Trey to back me, so
his strategy failed.  But I don't think he likes me much."

      "Well, the feeling is mutual.  Trey told me all about his 'speech' in
the council slighting you.  And believe me, that did not endear him to me."
Kal's brow had darkened with his words and, for a moment, Lois did not envy
Lord Jen-Mai.  "I think that a close watch should be placed on my Second
Councillor and his wife."

      During their conversation the steed had covered the intervening
distance between the cavalcade and their destination and Kal and Lois found
themselves approaching the great curtaining walls of Veren.  The stone
boundary of the city swept upwards, straight and overpowering from the
desert floor.

      "Wow!!"  was all that Lois could enunciate.

       "Pretty impressive, hey?!"  Kal's voice was soft in her ear.

      The unicorn's head was turned aside and Kal eased his mount to walk
slowly in parallel to the great walls and the two who shared the saddle were
silent as they surveyed the scene before them.  Finally Kal began to recount
a tale of the city.

      "Veren is Krypton's second biggest city, surpassed only by Elvar, but
while we Els decided to modernise our town the Vers chose to preserve their
ancient home.  The walls are purely for effect.  Nowadays most communities
use force-fields for protection but I have to admit that they look awesome."

      A giant porticoed gateway came into view hung with massive steel gates
and sporting the inevitable shield of the Vers; an upside down pyramid
slashed with what looked to Lois very like a lightening bolt.  Kal pulled up
by the side of the roadway which led to these huge gates awaiting the
arrival of his guard.  They would enter the city in a royal procession.

      "You'll find the interior just as antiquated as the outside."  He
carried on with his description as they waited, both their gazes studying
the scene in front of them.  "Old buildings, cobbled streets and market
squares, it's very picturesque but whether it's comfortable to live in, I'm
not so sure.  I know that I find Elvar Palace a bit dim and draughty in
winter and that's with the modernisation.  Lois, if there's anything you
want done to the Palace... remodelling... redecoration... anything at all,
you only have to ask.  After all it is our home now and it will be for years
and years, hopefully.  So don't be afraid to make suggestions."

      Lois wasn't exactly afraid but she, like her husband, had been feeling
her way in her new position and though there were many changes she might
like to make she had been a little unsure of how they would be received.
Now it seemed she had carte blanche to do as she pleased and she did have a
number of suggestions.

      "I'd like our own apartment.  Like they have in my Metropolis.  We
spend so much time with others that I'd like a place where we could shut out
the rest of the world and be alone.  I know that at the moment we have our
own suite but there's always servants and courtiers around and it's not what
I'm used to.  I'm not complaining with things as they are but sometimes I'd
just love a place where we can be together... a bolt hole, so to speak...
for when I find things too much to take."

      This was something that he hadn't recognised, that his Lois felt
sometimes overwhelmed.  He kicked himself for being insensitive, for not
realising that she was troubled.  She was normally so brave.  Zor!!  There
were times when he felt swamped and he had been raised for this!

      "Lois!!  Why didn't you tell me that this was troubling you?  I knew
you were homesick on occasions but I didn't realise you felt so badly.  I
know I've been dealing with my own insecurities but you mustn't hide your
problems.  I ought to have paid more attention."  Kal castigated himself
once more.

      "No, Kal!  You've hardly had time to turn around since you took over
from Zor.  And I'm here to help you not to burden you...."

      "No, Lois!  Don't make excuses for me.  You're my wife, you have a
right to my attention, no matter how often my duties call me away.  Soon
we'll be a family and I don't want my child to hardly know its own father."
The following escort were quickly bearing down on them and Kal lowered his
voice.  "This isn't the time nor the place to discuss this but when we get
back home you shall have your 'apartment,' Zor knows the castle is large
enough to accommodate one.  And promise me that you won't hide your feelings
from me again."

      His wife smiled gently upon him but would not comment.  She knew how
hectic his life was.  From the beginning Lois had recognised that she would
have to share Kal-El with his world.

      "Promise me, Lois."  Kal's voice was determined.  "I can't promise that
I'll always be able to turn my back on my job but you will always be first
in my heart.  Promise, sweetheart."  The arm that rested around her body
tightened compellingly.

      The front ranks of the riders had pulled up a few yards away but Lois
was oblivious to their presence.  She was lost in her love's warm brown
gaze.  Her hand lifted involuntary to caress his cheek.

      "I promise."

        *****

      The royal guards took up their station in front of and behind the
unicorn bearing the First Lord and his Lady and with Ching and Poli ranged
on either side, they entered the famed city.  The inhabitants of Ver had
turned out in their thousands to welcome their ruler and a happy, festive
air pervaded the streets.  Leafy garlands and colourful flags were strung
from every building and in the first large square they came across, a dome,
similar to the one in which they were married, rested amid a tented village.

      Amongst the brightly coloured tents, carnival performers practised
their skills and advertised their wares.  Jugglers juggled and acrobats
tumbled and tossed their bodies about in spectacular and intricate
manoeuvres.  There was even a troop of trick riders, galloping their
unicorns around a tight circular ring while they performed death-defying
leaps from the backs of their mounts.  It was all so much like Earth.

      "It's a circus!"  Lois cried out in amazement, not expecting to find
such an entertainment on Krypton.

      "Yes.   A Romany circus to be exact,"  Kal answered, happy that the
mood had lightened from their previous discussion outside the walls.

      "Like your grandmother."

       "Yes.  They travel the galaxy but they always attend the Festival of
Veren.  Every year the Vers hold a cultural festival, music, ballet and
drama but I think the people look forward most to the Romany Carnival.  I
was sure you might enjoy it too, so I arranged our visit to coincide with
the festival and Lord Dax-Ver was only too pleased to accommodate us."

      "Oh yes." A circus wouldn't normally be Lois' first choice for
entertainment but right at this time she wasn't about to dismiss anything
remotely similar to her home planet.  Besides listening to the raucous
chatter around her, as these performers shouted instructions and
encouragement and just plain argued with each other on how best a stunt
could be done, she was reminded of the citizens of Metropolis.  She might
not have understood the words but the raw verve that emanated from these
folks carried her back in time to her native city and she wanted so much to
dive into the familiar aura.  "And can we come down later and explore the
fairground?"

      Her searching gaze had spotted the booths that encircled the square and
using her newly acquired language skills she was able to decipher, with some
difficulty, the placards that announced each stall's purpose.  There was
even a fortune-teller.  However, her husband's next words gave pause to her
rampant excitement.

      "I'm not sure that would be wise, honey.  There are too many strangers
about and it could be dangerous."  He refrained from adding that to stroll
amongst the crowds would be considered 'not the right thing,' deducing that
Lois would be incensed by such snobbery.  "But we have been invited to
attend their opening night as guests of honour."  Kal sensed her
disappointment and he quickly sought to repair the damage.  "And I'm sure
that Lord Dax will have arranged some entertainment for us.  And I do have
some work to do here too."

      The last was added in a resigned tone.  People often forgot that Kal
had just entered his twenty-first year and like any other young, red-blooded
male he occasionally wanted to forget his responsibilities and just relax
and have a little rest and recuperation.  Oh well, after he'd held a mini
council meeting to discuss policy and presided over the regional court
session, there would be time to let his hair down and enjoy himself in the
company of his wife and friends.  The younger Vers were amongst those he
considered his confidants and this was one port of call he did not regard as
an obligation.  The Festival was an added bonus which he was determined that
Lois and he would have a chance to appreciate.

      *****

      Surprisingly but happily, Lois had not found the welcoming ceremony as
tedious as the others she had attended.  Lord Dax-Ver and his Lady Joanna
were already known to Lois, the couple having attended the investiture, and
their son Ren had been one of Kal's aristocratic escorts during the 24 hours
leading up to that ceremony.  Both families seemed genuinely pleased to
greet each other once again and Gellis, the only daughter of the house,
though seemingly decorous under the supervision of her parents, had a
definite twinkle in her eyes.  Lois was certain she would like this family.

      Lord Dax had kept the introductions of his vassals to their sovereign
lord thankfully short and within a brief space of time the couple had been
installed by Lady Joanna in a spacious and comfortable chamber.  The
considerate hostess, after assuring herself of their well being, left the
couple alone to rest from the tedium of their journey and some moments later
a servant, clad in the livery of the Vers, arrived with much needed
refreshments.   Lois wasn't particularly hungry but the cool drink was
certainly pleasant and most welcome.

      Dropping into a chair the weary girl kicked off her sandals and laid
her head back against the cushioned rim.  Lois' heavy eyelids closed and she
didn't notice the look of concern that etched itself upon Kal's face as he
studied her.  Had he been right to allow this prolonged tour to take place?
Lois seemed to tire more easily and her struggles with morning sickness had
become more frequent.  Perhaps it would be wise to postpone the rest of the
expedition?

      His troubled thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of their baggage,
followed closely by Etta and Orr, his valet, and for the next half-hour the
room was a hive of industry as both servants unpacked their clothes,
carefully hanging the fine robes in the closets provided and carrying on a
lighthearted but inconsequential conversation with their Lord and Lady about
the amazing sights they had seen in the streets outside.

      Orr's conduct did not surprise his master as the man had been with him
since he was a boy and they shared a special bond, but Etta's aplomb had
blossomed under Lois' influence.  Now she no longer shrank in his company
and, as long as he took care of her dearest milady, he believed he would
remain high in her estimation.  Etta's transformation both amused and
assured him, knowing that in the newly created lady-in-waiting Lois had
found a true friend.

      Eventually the piles of dresses and suits disappeared, returning the
room to its normally orderly condition; and, bobbing a quick salute, the two
departed, leaving Lois and Kal once more alone.  The sounds from the city
were muted here inside the room and the sweltering heat had failed to
penetrate the thick stone walls of the castle.

      Lois stretched her arms above her head and stood, her spirits recharged
by the short period of rest spent in this quiet haven.  Now her natural
inquisitiveness asserted itself and, slipping her hand in Kal's, she pulled
him onto the balcony to study the town of Ver.

     Tall, narrow buildings lined winding shady lanes which opened into
higgledy-piggledy squares.  There seemed to have been little planning in the
building of this city and the watcher surmised that houses had been
constructed whenever they were needed without any consultation or thought to
the future.  The overall effect was quaint but most certainly cramped.  Only
nearer the city walls, where the houses were fewer, did the land open up
slightly and it was here that the circus had pitched its camp.

      "Well, what do you think?"  Kal's anxious voice intruded on her 
inspection.

      "Quaint, very picturesque."  Lois turned to smile at her obviously
concerned husband, only she wasn't quite sure exactly what his concerns
were.  Did he think that she would prefer this place to Elvar?  "But very
crowded.  I prefer Elvar's wide streets and open parkland.  This is nice."
She spread her hand towards the town, "but Elvar is beautiful."

      His answering smile told her he appreciated her choice but the smile
didn't quite reach his eyes.  Nope, that wasn't it.

      "Though Veren does seem quite prosperous and the inhabitants look happy
and comfortable and this Festival thing must've cost a lot.  And you did say
that the Vers were rich and powerful."  Lois tried another line of enquiry.

      This time Kal's grin crinkled the corners of his eyes.  The
intuitiveness of his wife never failed to amaze and inspire him.  Besides,
she had revived considerably.  Perhaps he worried overmuch.  "Very rich and
very powerful."

      "Yet they've never tried to claim the leadership?"

      "Never.  Thankfully for us.  They can even claim some royal blood.  In
fact, they're distantly related to both the Els and the Nors.  But,
fortunately, during the civil war they chose to throw their weight behind
the Els and with their help we eventually won.  Which was good for my
family...."

      "And for the whole of Krypton, judging by the current Lord Nor.  I can
just imagine what would have happened to this planet if the Nors had been in
charge for a couple of hundred years."  Her lovely face creased into a
grimace at the pictures that appeared in her head.  "Now, they would have
brought back slavery... and killed off all the opposition... ethnic
cleansing on a large scale."

      "I see you've been reading our history chronicles...."

      "And watching the hologram-video things... of the destruction they left
behind.  It must have been a very bad time."

      "It was.  And it took such a long time to rebuild."  The two were
silent as they shared a moment of commiseration for those people of long
ago.  Then Kal slid his arm around his wife's shoulder and gave her a
consolatory squeeze.  "But that was in the past and our people are safe now
and between us we can make a better future.  And with friends like the Vers
to back us there's nothing we can't do."

      "That's what this journey is all about, isn't it?  To make new
alliances and re-enforce old bonds?"  Lois regarded him with sharp
curiousness.  "And to smoke out possible adversaries?"

      "Honey, you've seen enough of our 'noble' Kryptonians to know that not
all are as honourable or selfless as they ought to be.  Zor gave me a fairly
reliable opinion on most of the important families and I've been acquainted
with the majority of these, in some degree, for most of my life.  But now
I'm seeing them from a different perspective and I'd like to get my own
view.   And some of the lesser lords I really know nothing about and it's
important that I find out where their loyalties lie and who they would
support if there was trouble."

      "Like Jen-Mai and his wife."

      "Exactly!"  Again he hugged her shoulder gently.  "Honey, I have to
tell you that I find that instinct of yours extremely helpful and there's no
one that I trust more."

      Lois beamed.  "Glad to be of service, Chief!"

      "Minx!"  Kal beamed back.  "But that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy
ourselves while we're sussing out the opposition.  And here, among people we
can trust, is just the place to do it."

      "Oh, does that mean we can visit the fairground?"  Lois 
brightened visibly.

      "Well, not tonight, sweetheart.  Sorry to disappoint you, Lois, but the
Vers have arranged a welcoming party.  Nothing too grand, just a chance to
meet and greet their neighbours over a casual repast... I think that you
would call it a buffet-meal and afterwards there'll be a private performance
by one of our top singers... opera, honey, I'm afraid.  The older generation
of Vers are deeply into culture."

      "Hey, are you insinuating that I don't do culture?"  She gave him a
playful swipe of her hand.  "I can do opera.  In fact, I like quite a lot of
classical stuff."

      "But you like 'Rock' too.  I heard some of the stuff you listened to
back on Earth."

      "Don't they have any 'Pop' music on Krypton?"  Lois asked with just a
tinge of longing in her voice.  "I mean, I'm not a huge fan but a little Bon
Jovi or something would be nice now and then.  Or what about the Beatles?
They're a little out of my era but they were good."

      "I know them!!  And Bruce Springstein!!  Lois, why didn't you say?
That kind of music wasn't really encouraged here but when we were kids my
friends and I would tap into the communications department and copy some of
Earth's radio stations.  Those discs are probably still around somewhere in
my old room in Ro-Ellion.  They're yours if you want them.  In fact, I could
even instruct the monitors to copy the current transmissions and beam them
into our room whenever you wanted to listen."  From excitement at finding a
simple way to please his wife, Kal's voice took on a more serious note.
"And you could keep an eye on what's happening on Earth if you wanted, too."

      "And I would be allowed to do that?"  An eager yet wistful expression
touched Lois' face.

      "There aren't any laws against it.  It's just not encouraged because...."

      "Because..."  Lois egged him on with a roll of her hand.  "Because...."
She had a fair idea what Kal was holding back.

      "Because the council felt the broadcasts might corrupt our society."

      "And this from a people who consider themselves an enlightened and
tolerant society."  The only Earthling on Krypton bridled at this insult to
her native planet.

      "Lois, I never said that we were perfect," came the sheepish reply.

      "Hmph!!  Far from it, buster!!"  The poke that Kal received in the ribs
was not exactly gentle.  "But I do remember, and I quote, 'Kryptonians
believe that Earth is our sister planet.'  Some relationship that is!"

      "We do!   Maybe a much younger, naughtier sister!"  Kal was quick to
explain.  "But one we hope to persuade to enter our Federation when the time
is right."

      "And that would be....?"

      "When they're all grown up?"  Kal raised his eyebrows questioningly,
bracing himself for another hit but Lois grinned despite herself.

      "Well, I will admit that they're a pretty unruly lot sometimes."  Lois
reviewed the various wars and the terrorist activities that occurred far too
often throughout her world and conceded that Kal might have a point.  "And,
besides, they still regard aliens as science fiction, little grey men with
big bug eyes and long skinny limbs and if you were to make contact they'd
probably shoot first and ask questions later."

      "Lois, that's unfair.  They might be a bit suspicious but they have
sent probes into space with messages of friendship."

      "And you'd frighten them silly if you replied," she added but with less
conviction.  "I'll admit that there are some enlightened souls who would be
happy to hear from you but for the moment they're in the minority and the
voices of reason would probably be drowned out by the hysterical masses
screaming for your blood.  We can't even get along with each other, never
mind visitors from outer space."

      "I'd have to agree with you there, but don't be sad, honey.  It won't
always be that way.  Practically every civilisation there ever was has gone
through that same phase."

      "You talk about it as if it were a silly teenage fad," Lois commented
with a touch of sarcasm.

      "Well, in a strange way it is.  It's almost as if all the bad feelings
have to be vented before people are willing to sit down and find a better
way.  Look at us.  Krypton almost destroyed itself before we were willing to
learn to live with each other.  And even now, keeping the peace is sometimes
like walking on a knife-edge.  It just takes one self-seeking person with
delusions of grandeur and a lot of power and the whole thing could 
start again."

      Lois was saddened to see Kal's brow crease with worry and his shoulders
brace themselves as if they were taking on the weight of the world.  She
decided that this conversation had gone on long enough and now it was time
to lighten the load.

      "Honey, Nor isn't here and for the moment he seems content to hide away
in his own domain."  She lifted his hand to her lips and pressed a soft kiss
into his palm.  "But we are and, as you mentioned earlier, we're amongst
good friends and, in case you haven't noticed there's a festival going on.
Let's just enjoy ourselves for a few days and I'll take you up on your offer
of beaming in Earth radio.  I'm sorry if it upsets you or the council, but I
would like to keep up-to-date on what's happening back... there."  Lois had
been about to say back home but she realised that title was no longer true,
her home was with Kal.

      Turning Lois to face him and wrapping his arms about her, Kal felt the
fleeting shadows of apprehension lifting.  "You're right as usual, Lois.
Rad-Nor can't hurt us in Veren.  So is there anything that milady would
particularly care to see?"

      "I realise that tonight is fully booked but can't we explore the city
tomorrow?"  There was a faint hint of a wheedle in her tone.

      "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but tomorrow morning is booked up too."
Understanding that Lois wasn't really proposing a formal tour of the city,
Kal was glad to offer a plausible excuse.  "It appears that Jen-Mai's visit
to Veren isn't purely for pleasure.  Some weeks ago he lodged a complaint
against one of his neighbours over water rights and he arranged with Dax to
submit his case to a judicial hearing.  The court will hear both petitions
tomorrow and because I am in residence and being the Supreme Judge of
Krypton, Mai feels it only polite and correct that I should preside over the
hearing and Dax agrees with him."

      "They're still fighting over water in this highly advanced
civilization?"  Lois asked sardonically.

      Kal waved a hand out across the far vista.  "Take a look, Lois, this
isn't exactly a garden.  Water here is pretty scarce."

      "I just thought that your scientists might have found an answer.  They
can clone most things."

      "I don't think that cloning enough water to irrigate the desert would
be a viable option.  But you're right in some cases.  Some of the nobles
transport great icebergs from the poles and hold them in reservoirs, but the
cost of de-materializing and materializing such huge bulks is very
expensive.   Besides, that practise is restricted because of the effect it
would have on the eco-system.   The Vers pipe water in from the mountains to
the south.  You can just see their outline in the distance."

      Kal pointed his arm and following his line Lois could just discern the
towering purple peaks shimmering in the heat.  "That's still Ver land?" she
enquired with interest.  It was important for the protection of her husband
that she learn who controlled these feudal states.

      "Oh yes.  We've been travelling through Ver territory since early
morning and everything you see before you to the horizon and beyond.  The
Vers have no problem with water and they irrigate much of their land for
farming.  But some of the smaller, poorer fiefdoms
still rely on old-fashioned deep wells."

      "Like the one Jen-Mai is fighting over?"

      "That's right.  It's on the border of two counties but there's some
dispute about where the boundary actually lies and as neither party is very
prosperous the water rites are important."

      "They charge people to use the water?"

      "In the desert, Lois, water is a sought-after commodity.  And as long
as they don't break any laws the Lords are entitled to trade any of their
resources.  I'm just sorry that this will intrude on our time together."  He
dropped a kiss onto her forehead.   "Gellis has offered to entertain you in
the mean time."

      A memory of twinkling eyes and a merry grin promised that her companion
would be good company.  "I'm sorry too, Kal, but duty calls.  And don't
worry about me, I'm sure that Gellis and I will find something interesting
to do."

      Lois' eyes drifted out over the rooftops to the circus dome sitting in
the narrow parkland square near the city walls where Veren's citizens
mingled with the roustabouts and entertainers, mesmerised by the sights and
sounds of a people who had travelled the galaxy.  A restless Lois perceived
that neither Kal nor his council would be pleased to have their First Lady
stroll unescorted amidst the crowd.  But Lois wanted to blend in with the
'great unwashed'.  Until very recently she had been part of the 'great
unwashed' and she longed, if only for a short time, to return to anonymity
and wander at will.  And as Kal had pointed out, they were in a city that
supported him and his family; here she would be safe.

      However, aware that Kal would frown on her plans, she kept them to
herself.  "I'll be fine.  Gellis and I shall get along famously and Zara
too.  I'm sure we'll find something to pass the time."  The last was said
airily.

      A faint premonition of impending disaster hovered round the edges of
Kal's consciousness.  "Lo-is, what are you planning?  You will be careful?"

      "Of course, sweetheart.  Whatever bad could befall me here in Veren?"

      And wishing to distract him from further interrogation she used a
surefire way to chase all conscious thought from his head...  She kissed him.

           *****

      Lois had been surprised by how easily she had persuaded the Kryptonian
women to agree to her scheme; perhaps the female of the species were growing
a little tired of male domination.  She had been right in her assumption
that Gellis had an adventurous spirit and the young girl had fallen in
readily with her plans.  Etta, who had long since succumbed to Lois' spell,
agreed to accompany her mistress and only Zara had shown some reluctance to
so cavalierly break the rules.  It wasn't that Zara was a killjoy but she
did recognise, more than the others, that what her sister-in-law was
suggesting might place them in danger, especially since it seemed that Lois
had no intention of taking along a bodyguard.  This was an expedition for
women only and Zara, also being aware that they were in a friendly
environment, allowed her concerns to be over-ruled.

      Slipping out of the castle with the help of Gellis' knowledge had been
a simple task and the four women headed through the city streets towards the
crowded circus area.  It had taken some time to negotiate the busy lanes and
there was the ever present fear that someone would recognise them and drag
them back to the confines of the castle but, having all donned simple
attire, and making themselves as unobtrusive as was possible for four pretty
young women, they arrived without mishap at their destination.

       Had they known that their presence had not only been noticed but that
they were being tracked by a two burly strangers also dressed in plain
clothes but with hoods pulled low over their heads, the happy absconders
might not have stepped so light-heartedly.

      For some time the girls meandered amongst the throng, wondrously gaping
at the performers as they practised their skills.  Even Lois, who was used
to more sophisticated entertainment back on Earth, was carried along by the
general merry atmosphere and all the girls relaxed in the morning sunshine
which had thankfully not reached the searing temperatures of the previous
afternoon.

     They were particularly enthralled by the highwire act, a troupe of
daring young men who had strung their tightrope from the highest point of
the dome to the top of the city walls and were performing breathtaking feats
above the heads of their watchers.  So involved were the four girls in the
spectacle, they didn't notice their followers being joined by yet another
who, though similar in size and build and dressed in the same anonymous
manner, appeared to be in command.  After a few moments' consultation the
leader cut a steady path through the crowd in the direction of the booths
lined along the tall walls.

      After a time the 'escapees' turned their attention to the other sights
that abounded and indeed the delicious smell of baking wafting in the air
drew the attention of four grumbling noble ladies' stomachs.  Earlier at
breakfast a mixture of excitement and alarm for the coming forbidden
adventure had dulled the appetites of the Kryptonian members of the little
band and Lois never found herself hungry in the mornings these days.
However, they had been walking for over an hour now and, as no-one had
caught them in their escapade, they began to relax and enjoy their freedom
and each declared themselves ravenous.

     Tempted by the aroma of food they made their way to the vending booths
at the edge of the camp where they quickly spied the object of their
titillation.  Only here they hit a small snag as neither Gellis nor Zara had
thought to bring any money with them.  Lois, on the other hand, was more
used to clandestine activity and had come prepared, as indeed had Etta,
being of a more practical bent.  None of the girls were disappointed in the
mouth-watering cakes and sweetmeats which were bought and hungrily consumed
as they strolled along the lined stands.

      Such was the state of their ease that none of them flinched when they
were accosted by a thickset man sporting a placard hung about his beefy
shoulders extolling the skills of 'The Great Madame Ballen,' mystic and
fortune-teller extra-ordinaire to the galaxy.

      "Ladies, Ladies!!  Madame Ballen awaits your presence!"  The stranger's
voice was thickly accented yet his words were understandable.  "Wouldn't
four such lovely young ladies like to know what the future holds for them?
Madame Ballen will reveal all."

      Lois looked doubtful, suspecting fairground soothsayers to be nothing
more than frauds.  Still, this was a Romany circus and thoughts of Kal's
grandmother's prophecies crept into her mind while it was clear from the
interested expression on Zara's face that she too was recalling her
grandmother's gifts.  Gellis, with a young girl's curiosity, was clearly
willing to visit and she quickly added her persuasion to that of the tout.

      "Madame Ballen, sees all and knows all," the man continued with his
spiel, turning all his attention to the beautiful dark-haired girl who
seemed to be the leader of this little band.  "Isn't there any question that
you would like answered?"  His glance slid to the others.  "Whether a
handsome husband lies in your future?  Will you be happy?  Will you be rich?
The great Madame Ballen can enlighten you."

      "Please, Lois, it will be fun!"  Gellis managed to insinuate into her
tone that fun was not something that often came her way.

      "Oh yes!"  Zara couldn't restrain her eagerness to learn whether the
psychic could identify the man whom the council would chose as her future
mate.  The girl understood that her brother's ministers would expect her to
make an alliance that would strengthen Kal's position and though her heart
shrank in dread at the proposition, Zara would do her duty.  But all that
was for the future.  In Rol-Fre's death she had been given a temporary
reprieve and she was determined to enjoy every moment of freedom.  "Let's
go, Lois.  It will be diverting.  Gellis and I have never had our fortunes
told before and I doubt that we'll ever get this chance again."

      A note of wistfulness crept into Zara's voice and Lois found she
couldn't disappoint the two girls, even Etta was showing a certain amount of
curiosity.  "All right!  Why not!  It should be... interesting.  Lead on,
mister...."

      The man bobbed a quick bow and hurriedly shepherded his charges towards
a colourful tent a few yards further down the line.  Outside were large
posters advertising the expertise of the famous seer and accounts from a
list of obviously well-satisfied customers.  The silken hangings of the tent
were adorned by silver crescent moons and star constellations and the man
led the way to a thick curtained doorway to usher the women inside.  But
here the eager young Kryptonians grew suddenly apprehensive of this chance
to read their futures and Lois was elected to be the first guinea-pig.

      Laughing at their sudden attack of nerves, Lois ducked to enter but
stilled when a stocky arm dropped in front of the following girls.  With an
apologetic smile the man explained.

      "Madame Ballen requires perfect quiet and solitude to enable her to
concentrate all her senses on the aura of her subject.  She regrets that she
cannot give a true forecast otherwise."

      Zara and Gellis at once saw the merits in this statement and backed off
to wait outside but Etta was made of sterner stuff.  "I go wherever my
mistress goes," she informed the man with determination.  "I'll be very
quiet and blend into the background.  Madame Ballen won't even know I'm
there.  But I won't be shut out!"

      The troubled man had clearly not anticipated this problem and he gazed
from one female stare to another.  Lois shrugged, clearly not bothered
whether she had company or not, but certainly not willing to hurt Etta's
feelings by ordering her to remain with the others.  After a few seconds of
indecision the bull-like fellow returned the shrug and, lifting his arm, he
allowed Etta access.

      Once inside the two women took in the dim interior.  There wasn't much
space and a small round table with a chair either side took up most of the
available room.  From another heavy curtain at the back of the tent a woman
came forward and Lois suppressed an unexpected grin at the sight of Madame
Ballen.  The woman was just as stockily built as their escort and Lois
assumed that they must be related which wasn't totally impossible as most
gypsies on Earth tended to marry within their own kind and these people were
probably no different.  Madame Ballen was attired in a caftan-like robe with
a cloak draped over her shoulders.  A strange turban like hat was squashed
down on her head, hiding her hair completely and suspended from either side
of the silk was a thick veil, covering the lower part of the wide 
moonlike face.

      "Welcome, My Lady, to my humble abode."  The voice that came from
behind the veil was slightly muffled and husky and tinged with a similar
accent to that of her familiar.  "Please to sit, milady."

      An outstretched hand indicated the chair at the rear of the tent and
once Lois had seated herself, the oversized teller sat opposite, casting a
disapproving glance at the other girl left standing by Lois' side.  "Move
back!  Move back!  I understand you've insisted on being present.  I cannot
approve but if you must be here then please keep quiet and do not interrupt
the proceedings.   My contacts are wary of eavesdroppers."  And she moved
her hands around in the air as if indicating invisible spirits.

      A subdued Etta did as she was bid and Madame turned her attention back
to her customer.  "Cross my hand with silver, my dear, and Madame Ballen
will reveal all the secrets of your future."

      Oh my!  A grin threatened to break across Lois' face but she quickly
swallowed it, realising that this serious woman would not take kindly to
being mocked.  Was that phrase universal to fortune-tellers?  However,
willing to go along with the charade for the sake of her companions, Lois
fished for the required amount of currency and dropped it into the hand that
lay open on the table.  A fleeting suspicion assailed her earthly cynicism,
hadn't those blunt fingers done some manual labour?  Yet the gypsy was
continuing with her fortune telling.

      With a flourish the velvet cover was lifted from an object on the table
revealing a large crystal ball.  And just as Lois was suppressing another
laugh at the sight of the obvious prop, the inside of the glass filled with
a strange gassy material.  Oh, these people were good!

      "Lean closer, my dear," came the compelling whispering voice, "look
deep into the crystal and all will be revealed."

      Lois dropped her head towards the murky ball, hoping that she could
hide her grin from the watching woman.  Amazingly an ethereal face
materialized in the swirling gas, a face that looked vaguely familiar and
despite her reservations Lois peered closer.

      Immediately the face and the glass disappeared.  The gas, no longer
enclosed within the sphere shot into Lois' face, enveloping her, choking
her, almost instantaneously Lois fainted.  A shriek escaped from Etta's
lips, at once cut off by a large fist that clamped itself over the
lady-in-waiting's mouth and another body came swiftly from behind the
hangings and, using an injection gun, anaesthetised Etta before she could
come to the aid of her mistress or alert the others to their plight.

      Within minutes the interior of the tent was emptied and the unconscious
women were bundled through a back exit and unceremoniously dumped into a
compartment in the floor of a large wooden cart that was filled with a
noxious material... circus dung.  Madame Ballen, discarding her colourful
disguise to reveal a labourer's coverall, climbed onto the driver's board,
his partners in crime joining him forthwith.   Slowly, with an exaggerated
air of nonchalance, along the alley between the wall and the rear of the
tents the cart made its way out of the camp site, hidden from inquisitive
eyes and, due to its nasty smelling contents, totally uninterrupted.

      For longer than they had anticipated Zara and Gellis waited outside in
the sunshine enthusiastically awaiting their turn to enter the soothsayer's
domain.  Yet as the time slipped by, first Zara and then Gellis became
increasingly uneasy.   After another surreptitious glance over her shoulder
Zara announced that the guard who had remained at the entrance to bar any
interruptions had now gone and their stress levels rose alarmingly.

      Did this mean that Lois and Etta would be coming out shortly?  They
waited impatiently but to no avail.  Finally, Zara stomped to the tent door
and, as there was no solid surface on which to knock, she raised her voice
and called for her friend.  Silence was her only answer.  She called again
but Gellis being of a more adventuresome nature pulled the curtain aside and
exposed the empty interior.  Rushing inside they sped through the tent and
out the other side, but clearly the object of their search was nowhere to be
found.

      Desperately the two frightened girls combed the surrounding booths but
after a short time Zara declared it a useless exercise.  With heavy hearts
the two young women retraced their steps homeward.  It was time to return to
the palace and confess to Kal-El that his beloved wife had been kidnapped.

           *****

Chapter Five
Trial and Terror

      The cool breeze on her face brought Lois sluggishly to her senses.  Her
head ached dreadfully and her body didn't feel much better.  What was that
smell?  She drew in a deep breath and immediately regretted it.  The
horrible odour was familiar and it made her want to retch.  She couldn't
refrain from sniffing once more... it was sh... manure!  Where in the world
did that come from?  The last thing she remembered was seeing Kal's face in
a glassy orb.

      At once reality invaded her senses.  She had been drugged by the
fortune-telling gypsy.  Then where was Etta... and the others?  Straining
hard she managed to drag herself into a seated position and surveyed her
prison.  A small dank windowless room welcomed her, lit only by a sputtering
wall sconce and devoid of any furniture or any other living being.  What had
they done with Etta and what about Zara and Gellis?  The two noble girls had
remained outside.  Maybe they hadn't been abducted.  Maybe they would be
able to raise the alarm and soon Kal would come and rescue her.  And maybe
she was being overly optimistic.  Whoever these kidnappers were they had
planned their operation well and that, in all probability, included an
escape route from Veren.  And judging by the aroma that rose from her
clothes and clogged her nostrils, it probably involved a dung carrier.

      Lois' supposition was very close to the truth, yet she didn't know that
once the cart was through the gate and hidden in the shelter of the high
city walls, the abductors had transferred their human cargo to a small
transporter and headed for the mountains in the south.  While in the
vicinity of the city the getaway vehicle had maintained a steady pace, not
willing to draw attention to itself, but as soon as the commander of the
gang decreed they had traversed a safe enough distance the transporter had
accelerated.  The miles flew by until it once again had to slow its pace to
negotiate its way through the mountains to a high-top valley, and a
ramshackle farmhouse, long since abandoned by its occupants due to its
isolated position.

      In this remote spot the kidnappers had made their camp and arranged to
rendezvous with the rest of their force to carry their victim far from her
family.  And if it seemed they had managed to acquire another female in the
process, that was no bad thing.  Another piece of merchandise meant higher
profits and though the second woman would never reach the price of the
original female she was healthy and young and not bad looking, in the
opinion of the group leader.   Ballen could recognise the beauty of the
fragile brunette but his tastes ran to more earthy substantial females.
What was more, she wasn't 'off bounds' like the other bit of baggage.

      The Taurean commander was a battle-toughened mercenary who feared few
foes, but the memory of the icy neurotic stare of the man who had hired him
for this task decreed that his small force would obey their orders to the
letter; the high-bred lady would be delivered to their destination in
perfect condition.  Besides, they had been paid more than well for their
co-operation.  They would finish this job and then spend some of their
hard-earned cash enjoying themselves in climes more suited to their tastes
than this stuffy straight-laced planet.

      A shiver overtook Lois as the breeze that had awakened her renewed its
whistling path with more vigour through the stone walled cell.  The
lightweight gown she was wearing offered little resistance against the chill
air.  But that wasn't right!  Before she had succumbed to a state of
unconsciousness it had been hot!  And even if darkness had fallen, judging
by the temperatures of last night, she should not be feeling cold... unless
she were no longer in the desert.

      Instinctively, she sensed that this was true and once again she
shivered, though this time it was prompted more by fear than the freezing
temperature.  Think, Lois!!  This is no time to panic!!  Kryptonians contact
each other telepathically and though she was not yet expert in this form of
communication she could at least try to make some connection with Kal.  And
Zor had explained sometime ago that these thought messages could be traced,
if only to a general region.  Lois closed her eyes and concentrated.

      "Milady," came an urgent whisper, "it's no use!  Your thought waves are
being blocked."

      The voice confused Lois for a moment.  So intent had she been on
sending her message to Kal she had missed the grating of the ancient lock
and the creaking of the heavy wooden door as Etta slipped inside carrying a
tray on which perched a cup of water and something that vaguely 
passed for food.

      "The bracelets round your wrists," Etta explained as she hurried down
the few steps to her mistress' side.  "They're producing a personal force
field.  Your thoughts can't get through the field."  The girl held up her
own wrists to show that she too was similarly adorned.  "Are you all right,
milady?"  Her voice was anxious.

      When the girl she had come to rely on as her confidant knelt by her
side, Lois cast her arms around her neck.  "Etta, thank goodness.  I was so
worried that they had got rid of you.  What happened?  Where are we and who
are these people?"  Lois' questions tumbled out as the hysteria that had
first threatened when she had discovered her plight receded to be replaced
by the resolve to escape.  Somehow Etta's familiar presence gave her
courage.  She studied the new bracelets around her wrists, they were made of
a strange dull grey substance but unlike Kal's marriage band they had a
hairline connecting point.  If only she could pry them open.... she began to
look around her for something she could use as a tool.  These guys would
regret attacking Lois-El and when Kal-El caught up with them....  "Etta, who
would be crazy enough to kidnap us?  Is it Rad-Nor again?"

      "They're Taureans."

      Etta's short statement halted Lois' wild deliberations.  "Taureans!"
Kal had told her about them; they were from a renegade planet who waged a
guerilla war against the Planetary Federation.  "What are they doing here in
Veren?  Are you sure, Etta?"

      "Oh yes, I overheard them talking.  Their commander seems to have taken
a fancy to me and he didn't lock me up with you.  I've been given the role
of his own personal serving girl."  Etta made light of that last statement,
not willing to dwell on what it might entail later.  "I'm sure he doesn't
realise that I can understand what they're saying because they've been
discussing their plans in front of me."  An apprehensive glance was directed
Lois' way but her lady was distracted by the former statement.

      "You understand Taurean?  How many languages do you speak, Etta?"

      "A few," came the shy return.  "I speak your language and Zirconian,
because of poor Lady Rochelle, and a couple of others.  I wouldn't say I was
fluent in Taurean but I know enough to understand what they have planned."

      Lois was impressed.  As a child she'd learned a smattering of French
but was shamefully aware she'd assumed that most people on Earth spoke
English.  "That's great!  You are so clever!  But if you can do all that why
were you just a chambermaid?  You could do so much more!"

      The Earth woman's competitive spirit was in rampant mode.  That same
will which had made her strive to be the best in every undertaking,
precluded her from understanding a society where people did not utilise
their talents.

      Etta's open countenance turned guarded and even in the dimly lit cell,
Lois could see the hurt she had caused.  "There's no shame in being a
servant, Lady Lois."  The lady-in-waiting's voice was defensive and, for the
first time since the two women had met, slightly disapproving.  "My family
have always served the House of El and were honoured and happy to do so.
And all Kryptonians are good with languages.  Everyone is encouraged to
learn about off-world cultures."

      Lois felt like kicking herself, discerning that she had patronized
Etta.  She'd been acting under the misconception that the Kryptonian serving
class's lives were akin to their counterparts on Earth back in the Victorian
era.  But, of course, on this highly technological world that just wasn't
so.  She had witnessed the futuristic labour-saving devices employed in
Ro-Ellion and the Palace of Elvar, everything from robotic carpet cleaners
and polishers to sophisticated dishwashers and fully automated laundry
rooms.  And if on occasion the servants had chosen to hand-do a particular
task, it was done through care and pride in a job well done.

      In most of the states she had visited, the working classes, although
not given equal standing with the aristocracy, were treated fairly and as an
important part of society and no labour was considered menial.  Lois at last
acknowledged that here on Krypton the populace appeared content with their
lot and though she was not quite ready to consider this a totally healthy
state of affairs, she conceded that for the most part it made for an orderly
existence.  And, if it was a way of life that was open to abuse, now was not
the time to set the world to rights.  She had a friend to console.

      "I'm sorry, Etta," Lois squeezed the other girl's hand in sincere
apology.  "I didn't mean to insult your job.  What I suggested was unkind
and unforgivably crass.  I keep measuring Kryptonian standards with my
Earthling view of life and it just doesn't add up.  Forgive me, please?"

      Etta would forgive her lady anything and besides she also understood,
more than Lois, how hazardous was their predicament.  Smiling to reassure,
she hurried to inform Lois what she had learned.  "There's nothing to
forgive, milady.  But we are in terrible danger."  Here Etta's narrative
died away.

      Shaking the hand she held, Lois offered encouragement.  "What else did
you hear, Etta?  Do you know where we are?"

      "Not exactly.  We're in the mountains of Veren."

      "Somewhere near the summit if the temperature is any guide."  Lois
nodded in agreement.

      "They're waiting the arrival of a space craft."  The Kryptonian girl
lowered her voice in case of eavesdroppers.  A vague plan was forming in her
mind and it was imperative that their abductors didn't realise that she
understood their conversations.  "It's due to arrive just before dawn... in
the darkest hours of the night."

      "And you know where they plan to take us?"

      "Yes."  Etta was almost afraid to speak the name.

      "Where?"  Lois tried to swallow her impatience.

      "To Caytan."  Etta's voice filled with dread.  "The space 
station, Caytan."

      "I've heard of it, I think."  Lois too was whispering.  "Kal mentioned
it.  It's an independent space port on the borders of the galaxy,
headquarters of gambling syndicates and gunrunners, refuge of intergalactic
terrorists, thieves and smugglers.  Is that the one?"

      "Yes.  And there's something else you didn't mention...."  But Etta
faltered at the thought.

      "Etta, you're making me nervous.  What are you not telling me?"  An
insistent shake of the hand still held within Lois' grasp prom