The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 26
 

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"Uncle Brian!" Prince Charles called out to Brian, who was enjoying a leisurely stroll through the gardens with Justin and Daphne.

It had been two weeks since Justin's memories had returned and he was doing much better, although he was still a little skittish and tended to be more dependent on Brian than he usually was. Justin had lost his confidence and the self-assured air that had been such a large part of his personality, and Brian was doing his best to help his lover gain it back, but it was slow going. He had even stopped using magic for the most part, almost as if he was afraid of what would happen.

The only gift that he would use was his mind speech, and then only with Brian and Daphne, and also to speak with Blake who was sending back reports of his and Father Ryan's progress in Maynor.

Justin instinctively moved closer to Brian as Charles hurried up to them, and Brian unconsciously wrapped a protective arm around his lover's waist. "What's going on, Charles?" Brian asked his nephew.

"Your army has arrived from Tremont," Charles replied somewhat breathlessly. "Father thought you would want to come and greet your general, and make plans to leave for Maynor now that they are here."

"Good," Brian replied. "I shall come at once." Charles nodded and turned back toward the castle, and Brian began to walk after him.

"It will be good to see General Rigas again," Justin commented as he began to follow
Brian. "We will see you later, Daphne," he called back to his friend.

Brian stopped. "Oh, Jus, you don't need to come. It will just be a lot of boring meetings. Why don't you stay here with Daphne?"

"But is it not my job as your lieutenant?" Justin frowned.

Brian leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Justin's cheek. "There's no need for you to worry about it right now, and you can catch up with George at dinner, all right?" He turned and caught up with Charles.

"Um, all right," Justin answered weakly as he watched Brian walk away.

"What was that about?" Daphne asked Justin.

"I don't know," Justin answered, his eyes still glued to Brian's retreating form. "But I don't think I like it."

 

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"My Lord, it is good to see you," General George Rigas, leader of Brian's army in Tremont, greeted Duke Brian.

"And you, my friend," Brian clasped the general's hand tightly, for the two were also good friends.

"I've brought your troops for your inspection, my lord." George looked around a little. "Where is Justin?"

Brian ducked his head a little. "He is still recovering."

"Ah, yes, I heard what happened," replied George quietly. "But he'll be all right, will he not?"

"Yes, but…"

Brian was saved from going into any more details by the arrival of the king, Prince Bodie and their entourage. "Ah, Brian, I see you beat me out here." Jon turned his attention to George. "Hello, General, are your troops ready to join with my army?"

"Of course, your highness." George bowed in homage to Jonathan and Bodie. "Perhaps if you and the Duke would like to inspect them now? They've been traveling hard and I'd like to dismiss them for some rest soon."

"Of course," Jonathan agreed. "Lead the way."

The men spent the better part of the next hour amongst Tremont's battalion of soldiers, inspecting equipment and horses, greeting men, and discussing strategy.

 

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When Daphne left Justin she hurried back to hers and Kelton's room so she could get changed for dinner. Kelton was standing next to their bed, staring at something as if in deep concentration. He didn't appear to have heard her come in.

"Hey you," Daphne said playfully as she came up behind him, and stood on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide what to pack."

Daphne looked harder and noticed that he had clothes, supplies and what looked like the entire contents of his healing kit spread across the bed. "Pack for what?" she frowned.
"Well, now that Duke Brian's army has arrived, we'll be heading out for Maynor soon."

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that. So we're going to Maynor with the army?" She walked around Kelton and inspected his healing kit closer. "Well, I suppose I should get my traveling gear in order as well."

Kelton threw a strange look at her. "Daphne, you're not going."

Daphne looked up sharply. "What?"

"I got my orders from the healing temple. I must be ready to ride out with the army to help with the wounded in battle. There was no mention of you going with us. The battlefield is no place for a woman, Daphne."

Daphne could only stare at her lover for a moment, too incensed to speak. After a few long moments she finally found her voice. "I am not part of your temple, and as a trusted and well regarded healer from Tremont, I'm sure that Duke Brian will find need of my services with his own army," she retorted coldly.

"Daph, be reasonable," Kelton spoke softly as he reached out to take her hand. "You've never been in battle before. It's gruesome and terrifying."

Daphne pulled her hand away and she turned and stomped across the room. "Of course it is gruesome and terrifying, you ass; it's war! Just because I am a woman does not mean I cannot help. You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen and done."

"But you don't know how to fight, or defend yourself. What if things go badly and you are attacked? What if I cannot protect you?"

Before Kelton could utter another word Daphne had made a small movement with both wrists and two small knives fell into her hands. In a flash both knives were sailing through the air toward him. He didn't even have time to duck as they flew home into the wood paneling on either side of his head. "Oh, whatever would I do without you to protect me, you big strong man?" Daphne spat out as Kelton just stared at his fiery lover. She strode over to where he still stood near the wall and quickly yanked the knives out, replacing them in the hidden sheathes on her wrists. She leaned in close and looked into his eyes. "In Tremont we are all taught to defend ourselves; man or woman. I guess you don't know me that well at all." She turned and strode to the door. "I need to get out of here." She turned and threw one more look at Kelton. "Maybe I'll see you on the battlefield."

Daphne left and all Kelton could do was stand and stare after her. Finally he reached down and adjusted himself a bit, finding that her display had made him more than a little hard for her. "Bloody hell," he whispered to himself as he rubbed his face with his hands. He stood up straight and glanced at the door one more time. After thinking about if for a few minutes he decided to let her cool off a bit before he looked for her and groveled for her forgiveness.

It was true that he didn't know her all that well. They had only been together for a few short weeks after all, but he did know that he loved what he did know, and he wanted to know more.
 

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"Justin, are you ready for dinner?" Brian called out as he entered their suite and glanced around. "George and some of the men were asking for you."

"I'm here," came a quiet voice from the area of the fireplace.

Brian made his way over to where his lover was sitting in one of the tall high backed chairs that sat in front of the fire. He leaned over the chair and frowned a bit when he saw that Justin was still dressed in the simple brown tunic and pants he had been wearing all day. "Hey, why aren't you dressed for dinner yet? Come on." Brian reached down to give his lover a hand up, but Justin ignored his efforts. "What's wrong?"

"Why didn't you want me with you today?"

Brian sighed. "I told you, you didn't need to come. All we did was inspect the troops and mingle a bit with the men, and then we talked about strategy. It was nothing that you need to concern yourself with right now. I didn't think you'd be ready to be around all those people."

Justin shot Brian an icy glare. "Don't you think that perhaps I should be the one to make that decision?"

"Well, yes, I suppose, but…"

Justin didn't let him finish. "Part of my job as your first lieutenant is to help you with that sort of thing. How could you shut me out like that without even asking my opinion about it? You make me look like a weak little fool in front of Charles and Daphne!"

"But, Justin, I was only trying to protect you. It's not as if you are going to be a part of this battle with Maynor anyway. I thought it would just make you feel b…"

"What did you just say?" Justin cut Brian off again.

"What?"

"Did you say I would not be going to battle with you? Surely I must have imagined that."
Brian stared at his lover. "You can't possibly think that you are going? Justin, that's ridiculous!"

Justin stood up slowly from his chair, his blue eyes blazing at his lover. "And what in the bloody hell is so ridiculous about it? You'll need me there. You'll need a strong mage. We'll be up against magic and magical creatures, Brian. Our men are not used to such things!"

Brian moved closer to Justin and placed his hands on his upper arms. "Have you lost your mind? You've only just barely healed from your ordeal! I'll not let you put yourself through that. You know Blake is gathering loyal mages from Maynor even as we speak. We'll have magical defenses."

"I'm fine, Brian." Justin tried to pull away, but Brian held him firm.

"You're not fine. You still get skittish in crowds, you won't use your magic, and…" Brian reached down and took Justin's still useless right hand and clasped it in both of his own hands. "For God's sake, Justin, you still only have one hand. How on earth do you think you will defend yourself?"

This time Justin did rip himself away from Brian. "So now I am useless to you because of my stupid, crippled hand? Well, I suppose it's good to know where I stand now. I'm surprised you even want to make love to me since I'm so worthless and deformed."

"Justin, stop. Now you're just being ridiculous. You know I don't think you're worthless, but you are still weak right now and certainly not anywhere near ready for battle. I need all my focus to be on helping Jon win this war and I can't be distracted by worrying if you are safe."

"Well, I certainly don't want me and my useless arm to get in the way of your heroic efforts." He turned his back on his lover and started pacing the room. "You know, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need your protection, and I certainly don't need your permission to go anywhere!"

Brian bit back several retorts regarding Justin taking care of himself, and needing Brian's protection, that all were really based on fact stemming from recent events, but he decided to keep his reply simple and to the point. "I disagree about you needing my protection, but you're right you don't need my permission to go anywhere. You do, however, need my brother's permission to ride with his army."

Justin stared at Brian, opened his mouth to speak, closed it, and then stared again. Finally he found his voice. "You wouldn't dare."

Brian shrugged. "I would do anything to keep you safe, whether you like it or not."

"You are not my father. You cannot tell me what to do. I must be there, Brian. I want to fight." His voice lowered. "I have to."

Brian's jaw tightened and he steeled his heart. He knew how Justin felt. How, when he was attacked he had wanted to avenge himself, to take back the power he had lost, but of course, by the time he had been able to do anything about these feelings those who had wronged him were already dead. Brian spent a long while being angry in those first few weeks of his recovery. "I understand how you feel, Jus." He spoke softly. "But on this I will not budge. You will not go to Maynor with us."

Justin's face flushed bright red as he tried to comprehend how Brian was treating him. He could not believe the gall of his lover. "You bastard! You egotistical, controlling bastard!"

Justin, please. Brian tried to mind speak his lover; anything to make Justin understand. He hit a brick wall, though, finding Justin's mind and their link completely closed off to him.

"Justin, please understand," he spoke out loud, trying again.

"I understand plenty, Your Highness," Justin spat out coldly. "The mighty Duke of Tremont has spoken, and woe anyone who dares to cross him." Justin turned and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here with you!"

"Justin, we're expected at dinner. Our friends from Tremont will be there."

"The hell with dinner, the hell with your friends and the hell with you!" He turned back around. "Here, let me help you change for your precious dinner!" With a flick of his left hand Brian's clothes suddenly disappeared, leaving the duke standing quite naked in their sitting room. "There! I guess I'm not so useless after all, am I, Your Highness?" He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Brian lowered his head into his hand, rubbing his face and then pinching the bridge of his nose. "Bloody hell," he exclaimed out loud. He smirked when he realized his manhood was hard. Well, he wanted his confident and fiery lover back, and he certainly got him, even if it was not exactly what he had been imagining.

He stood there for a few more moments trying to figure out how to fix this mess when there was a knock at the door. "Come," he answered without even thinking, hoping a little that it was Justin, coming back to make up. No such luck.

"Oh, my!" exclaimed Emmett.

"Brian! What on earth?" Michael threw up his hand to cover Ben's eyes.

"Ahemm," Theodore cleared his throat. "We came to see if you and Justin would like to walk with us to dinner, My Lord, but, uh, Justin stormed past us down the corridor."

Brian just shook his head again. "Bloody hell."

 

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Justin flew out to the gardens and headed toward the queen's maze of hedges. He had long ago figured his way to the middle, and the gazebo there was one of his favorite spots to be alone when he was visiting the castle.

He stopped short when he saw Daphne perched on one of the many comfortable chairs that consisted of the gazebo's furnishings. "What are you doing here?" he asked rather shortly, for he was not in the mood for company, not even that of his best friend.

"I am so angry with him," Daphne responded. "I can't believe he's doing this."
Justin perked up. Perhaps she had already gotten word of his and Brian's fight. "I know, me either. It's so unfair." Justin plopped down next to her.

"Exactly."

"Just thinking about it irritates me all over again." Justin stood up and began pacing again. "To think that he actually believes he can tell me what to do!"

"I know," Daphne replied, and then stopped. "Hey, wait a minute. Who are you talking about?"

Justin stopped and looked at her. "Brian, of course. Who did you think we were talking about?"

"I'm talking about Kelton."

They stared a one another for a moment. "He says I can't go to Maynor!" They both spoke the exact same words at the exact same time. They stared again, and then despite their anger at there respective partners, they began to laugh hysterically, falling into each other's arms.

Later when they managed to calm themselves, Justin reached over to take Daphne's hand.

"I must go, Daphne. I know Brian thinks it is all about me, but I know in my heart that the fate of this kingdom, and that of Maynor depends on me being there. They'll need my powers. I don't know how I know this. I just do."

Daphne nodded. "I believe you. And I shall go too. I'll not be left behind because I am thought of as some helpless woman."

"What do we do?"

"We go."

"Just that simple?"

"Of course it won't be simple." She looked into her best friend's eyes and smiled.
"Nothing ever is when we're involved."

Justin smiled back. "Truer words were never spoken."

 

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