The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 10

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Justin, Tim and Brian rode in silence toward the nearest fairy ring. These circles of ancient stones were scattered all across Pennington, and according to Blake, Maynor as well. For the most part they were harmless. Mortals could walk through with no trouble, though many superstitiously preferred not to.

Oh, there was the occasional story of a mortal disappearing upon entering the stones, but one never knew if those tales were true or someone’s fanciful imagination. But for one marked by the favor of the fairies, entering the circle was almost certain to get you an audience with the mysterious creatures, if it suited them, that is.

Brian knew the locations of all of them in the areas around his dukedom of Tremont and his childhood home of Sylvania. As Blake had said, Mel had mentioned visiting the fairies to Brian before and he had sought out the rings. He had just never decided it was worth the risk to actually go in.

This particular ring was only a few hours ride from where the others were still camped. Since the fairy ring was on the way to Sylvania, it was decided that the rest of their party would spend one more night where they were, then pack up in the morning and meet them on the road.

Of course, this was all dependent on whether or not the fairies let Brian and Justin leave, or live for that matter. That was why they brought Tim. He would wait for them outside the circle and watch the horses. Of course, if there was trouble with the fairy folk, there wasn’t much Tim would be able to do about it, but at least he could let the others know Brian and Justin’s fate.

Brian broke the heavy silence that had plagued the three men since they left their friends back at camp. “Tim, if there is any trouble I want you to get back to the others as quickly as you can. Whatever you do, do not enter the circle.”

“Uncle Brian, I don’t like this.”

“Truthfully, I don’t either, Tim, but it’s the only solution we can think of right now.”

“If something happens to you…and father…wh…what will we do?”

Brian’s heart went out to his nephew, who sounded impossibly young and naïve. “Tim, you will go on. Your brother will take the throne as he has been trained to do, and you will do whatever you can to help him be the best king he can be; just as I have done for your father.”

“But if Blake is to be believed young Brian will soon die after Father and then his chil…”

Brian put up a hand to halt Tim’s train of thought. “Do not borrow trouble. Right now we’re all safe and alive, and that’s how I plan on all of us staying, all right? I just want you to be prepared!” Brian’s voice was gruff with emotion and he spurred his horse ahead of the other two, in order to be alone to gather himself.

Tim seemed to wilt a little at his uncle’s admonishment and Justin took pity.

“Tim,” he called softly, not wanting Brian to overhear. “You know he doesn’t mean to be short with you. He’s not really angry.”

“I know, I suppose. I’m not trying to be a bother. I really am trying to be strong like you.”

Justin snorted. “You should have seen me earlier today. I was blubbering all over him like a big baby.”

“You were?”

“Hell yes! I’m scared to death, Tim.”

“Well, not so anyone would notice. You hide it very well.”

“Brian helps me be strong,” Justin replied quietly.

“I know what you mean. Ethan has been wonderful since father fell ill. I wish he was here with me now.”

“Hopefully you’ll be with him soon.” Justin smiled. “I’m happy you found someone so wonderful, Tim.”

The two shared a smile, leaving their brief history as would-be lovers unspoken between them.  After all it was ancient history.

Finally, Tim spoke again. “Justin, are you really gifted with magic?” There was a hint of awe in his voice.

Justin sighed inwardly and wondered if this was how it was to be from now on. Would his friends and family fear him? Would they treat him differently? Only time would tell. “Yes, I feel something within me, and if Blake and Brian are to be believed, it is magic.”

“I saw you holding back that meldling. It was amazing! I wish I could do something like that. What else do you suppose you will be able to do?”

Justin bit back his annoyance. How was he supposed to know what he could do? All of this was too new and fresh for him. He could barely talk about it with Brian, let alone speculate about his new found status with Tim.

Luckily he was saved from having to answer Tim, as Brian was calling to them that they had arrived at the circle.

Justin had seen these ancient stones before. In fact there was a circle not far from his old home of Westlake. He had never stepped inside a circle, having been told tales by his old nurse, of mortals vanishing within the stones, never to return. As children Daphne and even his younger sister had taunted him, daring him to enter. The two girls had pooh-poohed Nurse Hattie’s tales and run fearlessly into the circles. Justin could never quite bring himself to do it, always letting the icy feeling of dread hold him back, even at the risk of being mercilessly teased by two girls.

As he dismounted and approached the circle, he realized why he could never bring himself to go in all those years ago. He would have disappeared. He would have been taken before it was his time. The fairies had business with him and now he felt it as sure as he felt his love for Brian. Brian was the catalyst of all of it and he could do this as long as his lover was by his side.

Brian moved up beside Justin and took his hand as they both stared into the ring. “You feel it too, don’t you?” he asked quietly.

“Yes,” Justin replied. “Blake was right. We are supposed to be here.”

“The real question is why.” Brian squeezed Justin’s hand. “Are you scared?”

“Terrified.”

“Me too.” Brian pulled at him. “Come, we’ll help Tim and the horses get settled. We should not go until night falls.”

“Brian, I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”

“I have a feeling you are right.”
 

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“So if you crush these herbs just so, it will help you focus and you can actually see the spots inside him where the spell has taken hold.” Blake paused for a moment as he guided Daphne’s hands to hover over Tristan’s sleeping form.

Daphne’s eyes were closed tight in concentration. “I think I see…wait…yes!” Her brow wrinkled in concentration. “Is it there, that black spot?”

“Right, that’s it exactly,” Blake replied. “Now focus your healing energy and you can prod at it, if you keep at it that spot will dissolve.”

Daphne did as Blake said until the black spot she was envisioning on one of Tristan’s lungs eventually disappeared. “I did it!” she exclaimed as she opened her eyes and looked expectantly at Blake.

“You did!” Blake replied. “Good for you.”

“But you said they just grow back in other places?” Daphne’s spirits flagged a little.

“Yes, we must break the spell in order to stop them, but this helps slow the illness. It will help keep Tristan and the king alive until we can do that.”

“Are you sure I can do this on my own?” Daphne asked uncertainly. “What if something happens and I don’t know what to do?”

Blake patted her shoulder. “You are truly a gifted healer, Daphne. I am thankful that I will have you to entrust Tristan’s care to while I am gone. In fact I think you are probably more talented than I am, for healing is obviously your true calling where it is only one of my minor gifts. You are smart and I know you will be able to fight whatever comes your way. I have faith that you will keep my nephew and King Jonathan safe while we are away.”

“You’re so sure it will be that way? That Brian and Justin are destined to go with you on this quest. They have not even faced the fairies yet.”

Daphne shuddered, thinking of her dear friends facing the unknown. A stray memory flitted through her mind of all of them as children; of she and Molly taunting Justin to come into the fairy circle with them. He never would, even as they mocked him. God, he knew. Somewhere deep inside himself he had known that he was to wait for Brian. She shuddered again.

“Daphne,” Blake called. “Are you okay?”

Daphne started and brought her eyes to meet Blake’s. “I understand now. You were right to send them there.”

Blake nodded. “What helped you understand?”

Daphne’s gaze turned toward the direction she knew Justin had traveled. “Just an old memory,” she replied.

 

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Night fell and it was time for Brian and Justin to go. Brian stood from his spot by the fire they had built for Tim. Justin stood as well, as did Tim. Brian stepped forward and reached for his nephew. Tim clasped his uncle’s forearms and looked up into his uncle’s gaze.

“Be strong and brave, Tim. If all goes well we will be reunited shortly. If it does not, you remember what I told you?”

“Yes, uncle, I remember.”

“Good boy,” Brian replied and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Tim’s forehead and draw him into a quick embrace. “I am proud to be your uncle. Tell your brothers as well.”

All Tim could do was nod as Brian released him and stepped away.

Justin took his place and also pulled Tim into a hard hug. “Take care,” he whispered into his friend’s ear.

“And you,” Tim whispered back.

Justin reached Brian’s side and they grabbed for each other’s hands. Slowly they strode to the gap between the nearest fairy stones, and after hesitating only for a moment they walked through.

Tim was blinded by a flash of light, and when his sight returned, he was alone. The circle stood empty.

 

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The lights above them seemed like large globes of different colors, bright, but somehow muted at the same time. It appeared that they were in a great hall, not unlike the one in the palace at Sylvania. There were intricately carved support beams and the floor shimmered as if made with flecks of gold. Not far from where they stood was a raised dais that contained a chair that could only be described as a throne, carved in the same style as the beams.

They were alone in the vast room and Justin squeezed Brian’s hand even tighter as they took in their surroundings.

Brian was about to speak when the room began to fill with tiny lights, flying all around them. The entities would hover over them as if to study them, only to flit away again. After some moments of this, the lights began to grow larger until they were as tall as a human. The glare died away, leaving the most beautiful creatures Brian and Justin had ever seen.

So, Prince Brian of Pennington, you have finally decided to seek us out.

The words had been spoken into their minds, but their heads instinctively snapped up to seek out the dais. Justin and Brian both stifled gasps as their eyes drank in the man who was regally seated upon the throne. He was obviously of the fairy folk and he was absolutely stunning.

He was tall and slim, but obviously well muscled, actually reminding Justin a little bit of Brian, but that was where the similarities ended. Where Brian was dark, this man was pure light, with molten silver hair that flowed over his shoulders in a shimmering cascade. Brian’s expressive eyes could shift to brown, green, gold and back again, depending on his moods, but the fairy’s eyes were bright emerald green, and Justin swore they were cutting straight through him. Justin thought of Brian’s naturally dark skin, tanned from years of enjoying the sun, and let his eyes sweep over the fairy’s pale, almost translucent skin. Justin idly wondered if Brian would ever mock his own pale complexion again. Then Justin shook his head and wondered why he was comparing this creature to Brian at all.

Do you not measure all men you find attractive by your ideal? The voice was warm and cold at the same time and Justin thought he detected a hint of mocking. Justin blushed at having been caught at his musings and shot a quick glance over to Brian, relieved when it seemed he was oblivious to the comment.

Finally Brian found his voice. “Yes, I came to seek your help. May I know to whom I am speaking?”

“You may,” the man on the dais spoke aloud as well. “I am King Dryden of the fairy realm, Qutain.” The king moved lithely down the steps as he spoke. “And now I have a question for you, Brian of Pennington.” The king moved swiftly as he grabbed Brian and spun him into a hold so they were both facing Justin and the others. Brian’s body was frozen in the strong grip of the other man. He saw two guards seem to materialize out of nowhere and he knew if he tried to fight he would be dead within moments, even if there was any way he could overcome the king.

When he had Brian in a firm grip Dryden spoke again. “Tell me why you have brought a mortal among us and then tell me why I should let you live.” He brought the blade of the knife to Brian’s throat.
 

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