The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 28
 

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Daphne and Justin rode behind the man King Jonathan had assigned to protect and help keep the two of them hidden. They had balked at the idea, but it was the only way he would go along with their plan. Captain Joshua Strayhorn was a known member of the king's elite guard, who handled only the most specialized duties for their king. No one would question the two strange soldiers who rode with the man, figuring that they were part of some secret assignment or mission.

Meanwhile, Justin and Daphne had donned the guard uniforms that Joshua had procured for them, and Justin had worked a low grade disguise spell on them to slightly alter their appearance, making them look like two bland male soldiers. He didn't want to use too much magic because he knew Brian might be able to pick up on his aura, even though he was keeping himself tightly shielded. The difficult part would be keeping this all hidden from Brian when they spoke mind to mind, as he knew Brian would do often while they were 'separated'.

"Are you sure you are up to all of this?" Daphne murmured as she nudged her horse closer to Justin.

Justin shrugged. "It's what I must do."

"I'll help you all I can."

"Thanks." Justin smiled at his friend. "Oh, and Bodie sent me a message wishing us luck. Jonathan told him and Elaine of our plan so no alarms would be raised at the castle when we are discovered missing."

"That's good," replied Daphne. "Emmett is going to be so angry with us when he finds out."

"Alert!" Joshua called out to them, as King Jonathan and his party rode by the trio's position at the rear of the troops, on their way to the head of the army.

Daphne and Justin sat at attention, staring straight ahead as the king passed. Justin tried not to stare at Brian, who rode proudly next to his brother, but it was difficult. He longed to be riding in his rightful place at his lover's side. When the others were long past

Daphne and Justin sighed with relief. "Thank heavens," Daphne breathed.

"I don't know why you are so worried. You two look nothing like yourselves unless I really make myself think about it," Joshua commented.

"Yes, but I was not sure if the illusion would hold up to Brian," Justin replied.

"Well, it seems to have worked. Now come, we'll be moving out soon. And try not to talk with anyone. You still sound like yourself, lady Daphne." Joshua cocked his head. "It's a bit disconcerting."

Justin chuckled. "You'll get used to it, Captain. Believe me, that is not the only disconcerting thing about Daphne."

"Hey!" Daphne playfully slapped Justin's arm.

Joshua rolled his eyes and wondered, not for the first time this morning, if this assignment would not be anything more than glorified babysitting. "Let's go," he called to his charges as the troops began to move forward toward the city gates.

 

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Jonathan rode proudly at the head of his army, flanked by Brian and King Tristan of Maynor. Jonathan's sons also rode with him, excluding young Prince Brian, who as heir, would stay back and govern Pennington in his father's absence. Also with that first group of riders were Ben, Michael, Bishop Vic, a host of generals and advisors, and of course, Sir Andrew, Tristan's faithful bodyguard.

Once they had cleared the throng of well-wishers who had come out to see the army on their way, and hit the open country, Jonathan spurred his horse forward a bit, signaling Brian to do the same. The others and the king's personal guards caught his intention, and stayed close, but far enough as to let the brothers speak privately.

"What's troubling you, Brian? You were not yourself as we rode amongst our people.

Usually you leave a swath of swooning admirers behind us with your charming antics."

"It is nothing."

"You know, riding into battle makes me edgy, can we just skip the part where I have to wheedle and cajole to get the truth from you? I don't think I have the patience for it today."

Brian snorted. "Fine. I am thinking of Justin. Do you think I did the right thing?"

Jonathan's stomach clenched at the thought of his own deception and he wanted to kick himself for initiating this conversation in the first place. "Do you think you did the right thing?" he deflected the question.

Brian rubbed his face. "Yes...I think so..." he trailed off.

"But you want him here with you," Jonathan supplied.

"He has been by my side almost constantly for the last four years. I have come to rely upon him for so much."

"I never thought I would hear you say that about anyone in your life, Brian, though I have known it was true for quite some time now."

Brian smiled wryly at Jonathan. "It has taken me a long time to admit it; even to myself." Then he frowned. "But you saw how he is right now. How could I let him come in that state?"

"He is an adult. Perhaps you should have let him judge for himself." Jonathan decided to play devil's advocate and test the waters a bit.

Brian stubbornly shook his head. "There is no way. He can't fight in combat, and I know he has his magic, but even that is shaky right now, no matter what he says. I wish he was here, but I know I made the right choice. It means everything to me to know he is safe. I just hope he'll eventually forgive me for making him stay home."

"Oh, I'm sure he will," Jonathan agreed weakly as he swiped a hand across his brow.

Brian peered at his brother. "Are you all right?"

Jonathan mustered up a smile. "Oh, yes, just a little warm in all this armor."

Brian nodded. "It is a bit warm for October, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is," Jonathan slowed his gait a bit so that the others could catch up with them. Hunter asked Brian a question and Jonathan was relieved to have his brother's attention elsewhere for a bit. Brian's mind was made up where Justin was concerned and Jonathan was feeling worse than ever about deceiving him. 'I hope you know what you're doing, Justin,' he thought to himself.

I do, came the younger man's unmistakable voice into his mind.

"Oh for heaven's sake!" Jonathan exclaimed out loud. Brian and his sons all stared at him.

"Oh, uh, just thinking out loud." Cut it out, Justin! he thought very loudly.

Sorry, I thought you were talking to me.

How do you do that?

Jonathan got a mental picture of Justin shrugging. I try to keep an ear open to all my family and friends in case they need me.

Amazing, Jonathan tried to keep his features blank so Brian wouldn't get suspicious.

Can you see how I might come in handy on this campaign?

Tell my brother that.

Oh, he knows, he's just being stubborn.

The pot called the kettle, Jonathan replied with a wry smile.

Well, if the kettle fits...

Jonathan grew serious. Justin, are you sure about this? You could turn back now and no one would know.

Jonathan...

I know, I know...God, he is going to hate me.

I'm sorry, I'll tell him it was..."

"Jon!" Jonathan's head snapped up and he saw that Brian and his sons were all staring at him oddly. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Are you sure you're all right. You are acting strange." Brian tilted his head and studied his brother. "You're not feeling ill again, are you?"

Bye, Justin exclaimed quickly and shut down their link as soon as he knew Jonathan's attention was elsewhere.

"I'm fine, Brian. I just have a lot on my mind. War tends to do that to me."

"All right, there's no need to get testy, I was simply asking whether we should go through the foothills or ford Still River. It should still be fairly low this time of year."

Jonathan tried to keep his attention on the plans Brian and the others were making, but all he could think about were all the ways his brother could possibly try to kill him once he discovered Justin was with them. There were some things even being a king could not save you from.

 

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Two nights later, Justin lay in his bedroll in the small tent he and Daphne were sharing and tried to prepare himself to talk to Brian. Hiding the truth mind to mind was a very difficult task and required that Justin take several minutes to fortify the sections that he didn't want Brian to know about and create the images of himself back in their room at the castle.

Daphne was still outside sitting with Joshua around their own small campfire. Brian always called out to Justin through their link around the same time each night and she wanted to give her friend some privacy to speak to his lover. Her certainly didn't need any distractions if he was to keep their secret, and well, after she had walked in on one of their 'private' conversations the first night, she had learned it was really best to stay away.

Justin?

Brian, Justin replied, coloring his voice with warmth and love. How are you?

I am well, love. Justin 'saw' Brian's smile. And aren't you in a friendly mood this evening?

Hey, I think I've been more than friendly since you left.

Justin, you've been compliant, and you've been very...hmm...loving, shall we say, but friendly is not a word I would use. You've still been angry at me, and a little bit distant.

Their link colored pink with Justin's blush. Yes, well, I am a man after all. I do have needs. But, I hate being told what to do, Brian. You know this about me.

Yes, I believe I do. So, have I been forgiven?

Justin's silence lasted longer then Brian would have liked. Almost?

Brian's laughter rang out loud and through their link. Was that an answer or a question?

Justin laughed as well. You know I can never stay mad at you for long.

It's one of your best qualities.

Lucky for you, Justin teased.

I am lucky to have you. Do not ever think that I don't know it. He paused for a moment. I miss you.

And I you, My Lord. Perhaps...

Justin!

Blake? Justin's brow furrowed as the mage had already made his daily report to Justin, who had passed it on to Brian earlier this morning.

Yes, it is I. I have news!

I am here, too, Blake, Brian interjected.

Oh, Brian, hello. I'm glad you're here, you can tell the king directly.

What is going on? Brian asked.

The Maynoran army is on the move. They are heading your way even as we speak. Where did you stop today?

We are camped on a vast plain. Tristan says we are near Fernhaven. We just cleared the forest lands today.

Wonderful! Tell him that I think you should move just a bit further south, where the land is a bit more strategic for battle, and you will have the upper hand. Duke James is probably about two days away.

How many troops have you gathered, Blake? Justin asked

We are mostly small groups of rebel fighters. We've been teasing the army with strike and run raids and keeping in contact with magic. My guess is that all together we are maybe a thousand strong.

Brian smiled to himself. Blake's news was better than he could have hoped for. And it is still your intent to meet up with us?

Yes. We're on the move now and we should arrive before the duke's men. Blake paused for a moment, and then spoke again. I saw Kipton with them. I thought you should know.

There was an odd tone to Blake's voice that Brian did not want to even try to decipher. He needed to think about Justin. How does he look? Brian asked curiously.

Bad. Blake replied shortly. It had been difficult seeing his former lover, even from afar. The man had been pale and gaunt, the stump of his right hand had been fitted with a metal hook that had given him an even more sinister appearance.

Good, Brian answered. It had escaped neither of them that Justin was suddenly quiet.

Well, I better go. The plan is to join with two other groups tonight, Blake explained. Good night, Brian, and you too Justin.

Good night, Blake, Brian replied. There was still no reply from Justin. When he was certain Blake was gone from their link Brian spoke gently. Justin?

Huh?

Justin, are you all right? Brian held his breath as he waited for his lover to reply, concerned about how news of Mage Kipton would affect him.

Does it make me a bad person if I wish he were dead? That I'm angry with Dryden for not killing him when he had the chance?

Brian felt the confusion and anger radiating from his lover and cursed the fact that he couldn't take him into his arms. Justin, I...

Suddenly it became too much for Justin. He was too vulnerable to try and keep anything from his observant lover right now. I have to go.

Justin, wait!

No, I'm sorry, Brian. I love you, but I just...I just can't do this right now. Their link cut out, and Justin was unreachable.

Brian rubbed his face with his hands. "Damn!"

Justin sat up and pulled his knees up against his chest and rocked back and forth a little as he tried to calm himself. Daphne crawled into their tent to go to bed and noticed her friend's distress. "Justin?" she asked tentatively.

Justin raise his head to look at his friend. "Daphne?"

She crawled over and wrapped him in her arms. "What is it, love? What happened?"

"He's with them," Justin replied, shuddering at the thought of all the reviled man had put him through.

"Who?"

"Kipton. Mage Kipton is with the Maynor army, and they're on their way here."

"Oh, God. What are you going to do?"

Justin shook his head as a tear trailed down his cheek. "I don't know, Daph. I don't know."

 

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