Chapter Text
“Kara, I need you to listen to me closely, alright?” The sixteen waited for hyperactive eyes to zero in on him. “You’re going to go stay with this nice man.”
A few paces behind him, a fair skinned man stepped away from his horse, passing his reins to his companion, “Hello Kara.” He gave her a smile that was meant to put her at ease but instead gave her pause.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Lord Danvers.”
Clark nodded to the man again, the same look adults always shared when they were trying to hide something from her passing between them, “He’s… He’s your father Kara.”
—–
Kara stared at the closed door. Her father had dragged James into his meeting chambers, slamming the door before any of his advisors could follow them.
Halfway through the night, she still sat in the hallway, waiting.
Questioning.
What could anybody possibly want with a barely grown man, who hadn’t even been knighted yet?
They shared a mother, but Clark was the only one that remembered her.
And he refused to talk about her.
She closed her eyes. Her head throbbed.
Maybe you shouldn’t have drank so much.
“You should be asleep.”
“So should you.”
“Yes but I don’t have to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to tend to the animals.”
“Language.”
A snort, “Yes mother.”
Kara opened her eyes, “You know, I’m almost certain you have a suitor to entertain in the morning.”
“And I’m almost certain that i don’t.” Alex shot back, moving to sit next to her.
“Oh? What does Eliza-”
“For once her and I saw eye to eye, with your future husband un-expectantly showing up, and father disappearing, she decided that it would be best for Lord Maxwell to leave at daybreak.”
Kara leaned back so her head rested against the wall, “I can only imagine how sad that makes you.”
“I don’t know what I should be more surprised about, the smell of ale on your breath, or the fact that you totally ignored the first part of my sentence.” Alex drawled.
“Is it really that much of a surprise?” Kara replied cryptically, letting her head roll to the side.
And indiscernible look crossed Alex’s face, “You know it can’t happen-”
“God Alex, that is literally the last thing on my mind!”
The brunette held up her hands, “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.”
“Great.”
They sunk back into silence, the castle walls echoing around them. Without a word the older girl reached out, easily coaxing Kara’s head onto her shoulder.
One minute she was staring at the door, and the next she was asleep.
—–
As he finished retelling what the young lord had told him, Jeremiah looked at his two closest advisers.
Eliza sat on their bed, clutching her robe tightly, while his Castellan faced the window.
“You both know what I must do.” He said.
Eliza scoffed, “That doesn’t mean we have to like it.”
“I share the sentiment Lady Eliza, but, we knew this would happen sooner or later.” Hank turned towards the couple, “Whatever you need my lord, I will do.”
“I’m glad to hear it, I will ride West in a few days to try and speak with the crown. See what they know, and who tipped them off.”
“And what of Kara? What of Clark?” Eliza asked furiously, “You know she’ll want to know why he was taken, and she’ll want to go with you!”
“Kara knows her place. She will stay here and you will start teaching her, let her sit in on meetings, give her input,” he nodded his head toward Hank, “And you will start training her. We have to make sure she’s ready.”
“We can’t just thrust her in to this, she’s a child, she needs time.” His wife continued, “It wasn’t even supposed to be her.”
“Well now it might be, and we need to get used to it sooner rather than later. We don’t have the option of being caught with our pants down.
"Not with the Luthors.”
—–
“I want to go with you.”
“No.”
“He’s my brother, I should be there!”
“And what would you do Kara? How would you help Clark?”
“I’d- I’d-” The girl struggled for words before giving up and throwing her hands into the air.
“Exactly.” A weather beaten face softened, as calloused hands gripped wiry shoulders, “You place is here, with Eliza, and your sister. I’ll take care of everything else.”
“But Clark…”
“I’ll bring Clark home.”
She heard the protectiveness in his voice, the determination.
But also, the resignation. To what, she couldn’t be sure.
“Promise?”
“As long as you make me a promise too.” He continued when she tilted her head to the side, “Protect your sister and Eliza for me?”
“Trust me father, if there’s any two people who could protect themselves, it’s them.”
“I actually meant from each other.” Mischievous grins grew on both their faces before descending into laughter.
“I think your task might be harder than mine,” They both calmed down, serious looks returning to their faces, “But I promise you I’ll do whatever it takes to get Clark back.”
—–
Six Months Later
“I can’t breathe.” Alex said through puffed out red cheeks.
Around her, handmaidens stood with barely concealed grins on their faces, used to the show that was dress fittings.
The seamstress gave a sharp yank, tightening the bodice of the dark red dress.
A huff, “Of course, make it tighter!”
“You should relax my lady.”
The nineteen year old turned to her lady-in-waiting, “Vasquez, I’ll relax the day my mother gives up this little goal of hers.”
“Are you saying you don’t wish to marry Lord.. Lord, my lady?” Vasquez snickered.
A quick cut and narrow of brown eyes changed the snicker to a laugh, “I’m saying that holding a ball with everything that’s happening isn’t the brightest idea my mother, or Hank, has ever had.”
“I’m sure Lady Danvers and Sir Henshaw have their reasons.”
“Well they sure aren’t rushing to share them. I could be out riding, of shooting arrows, but I’m here instead.”
The seamstress spoke up, “All done my lady.”
Facing the mirror Alex inhaled.
The dress was meant to draw the eye, but not be provocative. It’s long sleeves and full skirt befit the weather, while the plunging neckline befit any possible suitors.
At the moment however, the fireplace roared on the far side of the room, and the heat was chipping away at whatever sense of decorum Alex had left.
“Is it okay my lady?”
She forced a smile onto her face, it wasn’t Gerda’s fault her mother forced her to do this all the time, “It’s perfect.”
They all turned at a knock on the door, “Who is it?”
“Winn.”
Alex nodded to Vasquez, who made to open the door.
As expected the sixteen year old was grinning when he came into view, and if possible, his Cheshire grin grew even more when he saw Alex.
“Don’t,” she warned, cutting off whatever he had opened his mouth to say, “What do you want?”
“Lady Danvers asked me to come and tell you that once you’re done here, to join her in her private dining quarters.”
“Fine,” she rolled her eyes then caught sight of his riding clothes, “And where are you going?”
He took a deliberate step back, uneasily shrugging, “Ya know… HuntingwithKara.” As the last long word left his mouth he took off.
“What!”
—–
Sturdy pine trees loomed above the undergrowth, holding up the light film of snow that had fallen that morning. Even though the harsh bite of winter was upon them, the cloud that drifted out every time she exhaled was the only sign that it got past her bubble. In fact, the long sleeve wool shirt was starting to get too hot.
Heavy footsteps scared away whatever animal life was in the area. Hunting wasn’t one of Kara’s favorite activities.
Father entertained it every so often, Eliza was indifferent, Hank thought it necessary, while Alex.
Well, Alex reveled in it.
She should be out here instead of me.
The bow and arrow felt awkward in her hands. She could throw a spear as if it were a pencil, wield a broadsword with the same steadiness as a stick, and swing a war hammer as well as any man in the castle.
But, brute strength wasn’t everything according to Hank.
So here she was, attempting to work on the more graceful arts of battle.
He wouldn’t give her a clear reason as to why, but she wasn’t blind, and she wasn’t stupid.
Something was happening beyond their gates.
A rustling bush up ahead caught Kara’s attention, forcing her to stop. Lifting the bow she took aim and waiting.
After a few seconds, a rabbit hopped out, skittishly looking around.
She lowered the weapon with a smile, “Well aren’t you c-”
A swoosh. Then a prick of the ear.
An arrow imbedded itself into a beady eye.
“Ah!” Snow seeped through her leather pants as she fell back. There were only a few people in the area who could make that shot. And only one who would would add such dramatic flair, “Alex! You could’ve hit me!” Warmth spread on the side of her face, “You did hit me!”
Coming out from behind a tree, leading a horse, Alex snorted, “Oh stop whining, I barely scratched you.”
Kara scrambled to her feet while her sister gathered her kill, wielding a knife to surgically remove the arrow.
“Why’d you do that?” She asked.
“Because you obviously weren’t going to.”
“You didn’t give me a chance!”
“You lowered your bow,” Alex said sharply. “As always, you got distracted.”
“It’s a rabbit, that’s barely enough meat for one person.”
“That’s not the point.”
By now they stood toe to toe, Kara’s recent growth spurt giving her a slight advantage.
“You’re not even supposed to be out here.” Kara said.
“And you shouldn’t be!”
The wind howled around them.
There it was. It had been brewing since the day their father had left.
For the youngest, it had brought about more freedom, and the chance to learn what most highborn young women would never have the chance of.
For the eldest, it meant the complete opposite.
The little room that she had to breathe disappeared once Jeremiah was no longer there to protect it.
Even Kara could only do so much to hold back the force that was Lady Eliza Danvers.
Ducking her head down, to make the eye contact that Alex was so studiously trying to avoid, Kara sighed, “I agree with you, and I'm sorry.”
Alex huffed and rolled her eyes, “Why are you even apologizing? I know you like this just as much as I do.”
“True,” Kara smiled softly, “But I’d trade spots with you in a heartbeat if it would make you happy.”
“I know, that’s what makes this worse.”
“Alex!”
The both turned with their bows raised, only lowering them when a horseback Winn burst through the tree line, breathing heavily.
“Tired Winn?” Alex teased.
“You know- maybe- if- you didn’t- make me chase you through the woods- I wouldn’t be! I told you Lady Danvers- wanted to meet with you after your dress fitting!”
Only now did Kara look at what her sister wore.
Although covered by a heavy black fur coat, similar to the one Winn wore as well, it was easy to see the red dress peaking out. She groaned.
“Alex, tell me you didn’t?”
“She did!” Winn screeched. “And she needs to come back with me before I get in trouble with her mother!”
“Well, the way I see it Winn, you have two choices. You can try to force me back to the castle, which, I don’t really think is a good idea.”
“Agreed.” Kara said.
“Or, you can do the smart thing, and join us while we finish this hunt.”
With one look between the smirking sisters, one of who was bleeding for some odd reason, he took a deep breath. “Lets go.”
—–
Screams of agony drifted into the chambers as the heavy door was briefly opened.
“Is it done?”
“Yes Your Grace.”
“Then let us go visit our guests, and make sure my daughter is ready for her trip.”
The crowned figure stood, turning once more to the soldier.
“And John? Make sure the package gets to our friends quickly, I would hate for it to go bad.”
The soldier grinned wickedly, “Happily Your Grace.”