The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 29
 

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"Kipton!"

The mage sighed and spurred his horse forward to where Duke James rode at the head of the Maynoran army. "Yes, My Lord?"

"Where is Mage Master Cullen and his students? You told me they would join us by now."

"He is gone, Highness," Kipton replied.

"What do you mean gone?" James scowled.

Kipton shrugged. "When the escorts got to the school to retrieve them, it was empty. Master Cullen and all of his students were gone."

"You told me we could count on his help, you stupid imbecile! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Kipton, tired of the way the duke had been treating him, sighed inwardly. "Perhaps they joined those rebel groups that have been striking us over the last few weeks."

The duke reached out and grabbed Kipton's upper arm. "For your sake, you better hope not!"

"Why is this my fault? Perhaps if you were a better leader you would not have subjects rebelling against you." The duke raised his arm, ready to backhand Kipton across the face, but his motion was halted by an invisible force. "I'll need you to keep your hands to yourself, Highness," Kipton sneered. "You forget that my magic is still very much intact, even if my hand is not."

"And you forget that you can be replaced, Kipton," James bit out. "I would watch myself if I were you."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kipton replied mildly as he wheeled his horse away from James, and moved back in the column of riders.

As he stared maliciously at the back of Duke James' head, Kipton found his mind wandering back to his time with Blake. Despite what Blake probably thought, he had truly loved him. They had been happy for a time until Duke James had begun to woo him with promises of power and wealth and Kipton had chosen a path that Blake could not follow. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he had acted so irrationally toward the prisoner, Justin. That beautiful young man had so reminded him of Blake in body and spirit, and he had wanted to possess and keep him.

He did feel genuine regret for torturing the boy so, but as he looked down at the hook where his right hand used to be, he supposed he had paid for his indiscretion. It was almost as if a fog in his own mind had lifted when the bloodspell he had woven was broken. He glanced at Duke James again and felt his anger grow. Ever since Justin broke the spell and escaped, the duke had treated Kipton like a fool, never missing a chance to ridicule him in public. Kipton was beginning to believe that no amount of wealth and power would be worth this type of treatment. As he rode on, he began to form a plan.
 

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Bishop Victor Grassi put up a hand to shade his eyes as he stared across the vast plain that held Pennington's army. "So now we wait." He put his hand down and turned to look at Duke Brian.

"Is that not what war mostly consists of? Hurry up and wait?"

"Well, that, and the bloodshed," Bishop Vic replied with a somber look on his face. He studied the busy troops again. "So many wasted lives, all to squelch a greedy man's thirst for power."

Brian placed a comforting arm on the other man's shoulder. "I wish it could be another way."

"As do I," the Bishop replied heavily. The two continued their silent observation for a little longer until Vic turned to Brian again. "Well, it will be dark soon. Shall we make our way back?"

"Yes, I suppose we should." They walked in silence for a moment before Brian gathered enough courage to speak again. "Vic?" he asked softly.

The Bishop stopped short, a little bit startled by Brian's tone of voice. "What is it, son?"

"Well, I may be simply overly sensitive after all Justin and I have been through lately, but it seems as though you've been avoiding us."

"I came to see you!" Vic defended himself.

"Yes, one time since we've been back. When Justin's mother died and when I went through my ordeal you were there with us every day. I remember Mel actually kicking you out a few times."

"I…uh…well, I've been busy…what with King Tristan with us, and the war…"

Brian raised his hands in defeat. "It's all right, Vic, I'm not attacking you. I'm simply making an observation."

Bishop Vic's shoulder slumped. "All right, you've caught me. You are right, Brian. I…I have been avoiding the two of you. I'm sorry."

"I don't understand. Have we done something to make you angry or offend you?" Brian sat down on a nearby boulder. "I truly cannot think of what could be the matter."

Vic sat next to him. "It's not anything you've done. It's…this is so difficult for me…it's what you have become."

Brian stared at him. "I don't understand."

Vic rubbed a hand through his hair. "The last time I saw the two of you, you were plain old Brian and Justin, and then you came back and now you are these powerful beings."

"You are afraid of the magic? Afraid of us?"

"No, not afraid, really. I guess…well…uncertain would be the better word for it." He looked up at Brian. "Stop it! Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I never thought you of all people would be prejudiced."

"No! Brian, it's not like that. I, well, I'm a member of the clergy, and you know we were taught that magic is evil for all those years."

"Hmm, yes, and being fey was also an abomination in the church too."

Vic crossed his arms. "It's not the same thing!"

"Is it not?" Brian asked mildly. "Are there evil fey men? Yes, of course, just as there are evil men who are so called 'normal'. Are there kind and loving fey men? Of course, just as with their counterparts. Are there evil men who use their magic to harm others? Of course, just as there are good men like Justin and Blake, who use their magic for good. Magic is not good or evil, Bishop Vic, it's the person who uses it."

Vic dropped his head in his hands. "Of course in my heart I know this to be true, Brian, but my brain tends to overthink these things, and old fears are hard to kill. You know I love you and young Justin with all my heart. Can you forgive an old man for being silly?"

"We love you too, Vic. When all this is over and we get back to Sylvania, go and see Justin. I'm sure he'll be happy to answer your questions and maybe even give you a demonstration."

"Can't you give me one?"

"Eh, my powers aren't so showy and most of them don't work as well without him."

"I'll do that, Brian. Thank you for not being angry with me."

"Believe me, Vic, I was not comfortable with any of this at first either. Ask Justin, he'll tell you all about it."

Bishop Vic smile. "Perhaps I shall."

Both men's attention was turned away when they heard a commotion in another part of the camp. "Hmm, looks like Blake has arrived with his troops. Come on, we better go help Jonathan greet him."

Vic smiled a bit when he saw the numbers being added to their army. "Yes, lets."
 

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"What's going on?" Daphne asked in a low voice as the troops around them began to rise from where most of them had been enjoying their evening meals around their small fires.

"Rise for the king! Rise for King Jonathan," a loud voice shouted.

"The king is coming through the troops," Joshua answered her. He was at least a head or more taller than either Justin or Daphne. "It looks as if he's showing someone through. It's probably that mage that has been spying in Maynor for us. You know, King Tristan's uncle. I heard he was bringing his own army to meet up with us."

"Blake!" Justin almost hissed to Daphne, and then suddenly the king and his entourage were walking by them, with Jonathan, Tristan and his sons shaking hands and introducing Blake and his generals to the troops. Brian and Bishop Vic were also with them, trailing just a little bit behind the others.

Daphne and Justin tried to shrink back a little and both looked down. Jonathan and the boys passed with no problem, but Blake stopped short and stared at the two 'soldiers'.
"What..." he started, shocked to see Justin and Daphne disguised amongst their own army.

Justin stepped forward quickly and took Blake's hand, bowing over it. Quiet, Blake! Justin spoke into his mind. Brian doesn't know we're here. Meet us back here when you can get away and we'll explain. After dark would be best.

Blake dared to make eye contact for a brief moment as he nodded. I'll be here. You've certainly piqued my curiosity.

Until then. Justin abruptly cut off the link and quickly stepped back behind Joshua.

Brian walked up to Blake. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes, I'm fine." Blake smiled at Brian. "Come, let us catch up with the others." He led Brian away from Justin and Daphne as both shared a relieved look and sighed in relief.

When they caught up to the king, Jonathan smiled at them. "Well, I think we've shaken enough hands for tonight. We'll get out and about a bit tomorrow too, so our troops can get to know each other better." He grinned at Brian. "Come, let us go and get some dinner. I know you'll be wanting to contact Justin soon."

"If he'll talk to me," Brian stated glumly as he turned to follow Jon and the others to the king's tent where they would share their evening meal.

Bishop Vic looked up sharply. "Why wouldn't he?"

"He's not still angry that you left him behind, is he?" Hunter asked his uncle.

Blake perked up his ears. This was turning into a very revealing conversation.

"No, well yes, but that's not what had him upset last night." He eyed Blake. "When we spoke to Blake last night he let it slip that Kipton was riding with Duke James. Justin became rather upset and cut our link. I haven't really felt him for most of the day."

Blake sighed out loud. "Oh, Brian, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset him."

Brian shook his head. "It's all right. He's still trying to deal with all of this. I'm just happy there's no chance he'll see Kipton face to face. God knows what that would do to him."

King Jonathan looked up sharply at his brother's comment and Blake caught his eye. Jonathan quickly looked away, but not before Blake had figured him out. Of course Jonathan was behind this. Justin would never try this stunt on his own. He would need an inside man, and who better than the king himself? Blake could hardly wait until dinner was over so he could hear Justin and Daphne's side of the story.
 

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Blake tentatively approached the campfire and smiled when he recognized Daphne and the tall man she and Justin had been with earlier in the day. "I'm glad it's you," he smiled. "I'm afraid I've approached a few fires tonight trying to find you."

"They all do look alike, don't they." Joshua stood. "Hello, I'm Captain Joshua Strayhorn. I've been placed in charge of taking care of Daphne and Justin, much to their chagrin."

Blake smiled as he shook Joshua's hand. "I'll bet."

"Hey! We're not that bad!" Daphne exclaimed.

Blake laughed out loud and Joshua rolled his eyes. "Anyway, Daphne has told me all about you, Mage Master Blake. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Please, call me Blake, it's so much easier."

Joshua nodded. "Joshua," the other man replied as he motioned toward a seat near their fire.

"Where is Justin?" Blake looked around.

"He's talking with Brian," Daphne replied. "He should be done soon."

"Brian was worried he wouldn't talk with him," Blake replied. "Apparently I spooked him a bit last night when I told them Kipton was with the Maynorans."

Daphne nodded. "You did, but he's all right, Blake. It just threw him a bit."

"Blake!" Justin exclaimed as he crawled out of his and Daphne's tent. "I'm glad to see you in one piece."

Blake smiled and dipped his head in Justin's direction. "And I am glad to be in one piece, Justin." Now, Blake switched to mind speech. Care to tell me why all the secrecy? Why in God's name are you hiding from Brian?

Justin relayed the whole story to Blake, including Joshua and Daphne in on the conversation as well. If anyone had been paying close attention, they would have thought it odd to see the four "men" sitting around the fire in complete silence, but luckily no one else was paying attention.

And that's the whole story, Justin finished. I cannot let Brian know I'm here until it's absolutely necessary or he'll send me packing.

Justin, you are amazing…Blake began, but did not finish as all his senses were immediately on alert as a familiar presence made itself known in his mind.

Blake?! Blake, can you hear me?

Blake's blood ran cold when he heard the voice, but more importantly he noticed all too late that Justin had heard it too, recognizing immediately the voice of his former captor. Justin began to shiver as he unconsciously began projecting violent memories onto all of them.

Justin, stop! Blake called out as he saw Daphne and Joshua freeze as the frightening images invaded their minds. He quickly shoved them both out of the link. They sat panting for a moment, trying to gather themselves. Blake tried to shove Justin out of the link as well, but he was too far gone and his grip was too strong.

Oh, God, I'm sorry, Blake heard Kipton's pathetic voice, still in the mix.

Get out! Blake spit into his former lover's mind. You have no right to be here!

But I need to talk to you. I have important information for you. I want to help!

Justin was literally quaking now, and Blake gave Kipton a violent shove. Later! I'll hear what you have to say later! he appeased, just wanting to get rid of the man.

Kipton was gone and Justin began to breathe again.

Justin? Are you all right? Blake physically moved to his side. God, I don't know what he was doing? I haven't spoken to him in months! I don't even know how he got through my shields. Blake made sure Justin could see he was telling the truth. The last thing he needed was to lose the young man's trust.

Justin was coming back to his senses. He was frightened and exhausted, but he was also hearing Blake's fear that Justin might think him a traitor. He 'saw' that Blake was showing him the bare truth in his mind and sighed. I believe you, Blake, he answered.

Justin!! Justin, what is going on?

Blake heard Brian's mind voice and immediately pulled out of the link. He kept a steady arm around the younger man though, so he could lend him some physical support while he dealt with his frightened lover. Daphne and Joshua looked concerned, having recovered somewhat, but Blake just said, "Brian," quietly, and they both nodded and kept silent.

Justin!!! Brian called again frantically.

I'm here, Brian. I'm fine, Justin replied tiredly.

You don't sound fine, Justin. I was just dropping to sleep and then your fear almost shook me out of my bed! It was damn near crippling! Now what the hell is going on?
 

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