The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 3

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“So what was this dream, Brian?” Mel sat back from the table as the last of the servants had left with the remnants of the dinner they had just shared. She ran an absent finger along the rim of her goblet of wine.

The group sat around the table in Brian and Justin’s living area, having just finished their meal. Brian sat at the head of the rectangular table with Justin to his right, while Brian’s wife, the Duchess Lindsay sat to his left, her lover, Melanie, just on her other side. Also at the table to Justin’s right, sat Lady Daphne, Justin’s best friend, and Mel’s apprentice healer. Mel had invited her along because besides teaching the young woman her healing arts, she had been passing her knowledge of the Wiccan arts as well.

Brian rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I really don’t remember the details. I just know that it was terrifying. Jonathan’s life was being threatened, and I can’t shake the feeling. It’s been like a cloud over me all day.”

Justin reached out and squeezed Brian’s hand. “Truthfully, he has been out of sorts for a few weeks now. He’s had other nightmares, it’s just that last night’s was the worst.”

“I think it definitely is your gift acting out, Brian. Fairy magic seldom asserts itself unless there is some purpose. We just need to figure out why. Was the dream as vivid as the one you had about Justin when he was stabbed?”

Brian shuddered a bit and squeezed Justin’s hand back. “No, not at all. That nightmare was so clear, and it happened exactly the way I dreamed it. That’s why this is so puzzling. Everything about it is muddled except the sense of dread I have about my brother.”

Mel’s brow furrowed as she sat back in her seat. “I wish I could help you more, Brian, but I’m stumped. My knowledge of your magic is limited to what I’ve heard from others. I’ve never met any fairies myself, they are very insular creatures.”

“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with the term ‘magic‘.” Brian replied. “You’ve never called it that before.

“Well, what do you think it is if not magic?” Mel retorted. “You healed Justin of a mortal wound with your blood alone.”

“Well, what good is having magic if I cannot understand what it means or what to do with it?”

“You knew what to do with Justin. Perhaps this will be like that was. The answer will be revealed to you when you need to know.”

Brian stood up and went to the fire. “That’s not good enough! If Jon is in danger I need to know of it now!” he spit out. “Damn the fairies for even noticing me at all!”

Mel was about to retort, but Lindsay lay a gentle hand on her shoulder and silently shushed her with a finger.

Justin rose and went to Brian’s side. “I, for one, am thankful for your gifts, my lord,” he whispered quietly so only the two of them could hear. “If not for them, I would not be here with you now.”

Brian pulled Justin into a fierce hug. “I know, Sunshine. I didn’t mean it. I’m very thankful I was able to save you that terrible day. I am simply frustrated by all of this. You know I am a man of action.”

Justin nodded into Brian’s chest and simply hung on for a moment.

Over at the table Daphne cleared her throat. “My Lord…uhm…Brian?” She asked hesitantly. Brian still intimidated her a bit even though he had told her she was welcome to use his Christian name when they were amongst friends and family.

“Yes, Daphne?” Brian smiled at the young woman.

“Perhaps if you think back to an event that may have caused your current state of discomfort?”

Brian took Justin’s hand and moved them both to sit on one of the sofas in front of the fire and motioned the others to join them. “What do you mean?”

Daphne chose a chair directly across from them and sat down on the edge, leaning forward earnestly. “Think back to when this all started. Was there an event or a piece of news you have received that may have triggered all this?”

Brian thought for a moment. “Well, there’s the drought and all the food and water rationing we’ll have to deal with.”

“But that is old news Brian. You’ve only been this way for a few weeks.”

“That was when Justin and I returned from Westlake,” Daphne added. “Did the two of you argue then?”

Brian smirked and Justin blushed. “No, there was no time for arguing.”

Then Daphne blushed and Mel threw up her hands. “Gods! Say no more! You are scarring me.”

“No more than you and Lindsay scar me with your womanly shenanigans every time I turn around,” Brian retorted.

Lindsay merely sat and twisted a lock of her blond hair as if deep in thought. “Maynor!” She blurted out suddenly.

They all turned their attention to her. “What?” Brian asked.

“The letter from Maynor. That’s what started all this with you, Brian.”

“But, why would it?” Brian asked. “There’s no reason to be upset by the news of their king. They have been a non-threat to this kingdom for as long as any of us remember.”

“And yet you feel threatened, My Lord,” Daphne answered Brian. “Brian, don’t you see, it’s the magic, it’s trying to tell you something. Quiet your mind, reach into your heart and let it speak to you.”

Daphne’s soothing voice prompted Brian to sit back in his seat, close his eyes and relax a bit. Next to him he felt Justin’s soothing physical, as well as emotional, support. Before he could take his next breath he was hit with a vivid image and he began to narrate what he saw, as if he was in some sort of trance. “There’s a large brooch that looks to be a ruby. It is beautiful. Now there are some less clear images of my brother. In some he is stumbling as if from weakness, and then, oh God, he’s lying unconscious, Elaine is sitting by his bedside crying and careworn. Jon!” Brian’s eyes opened wide and he sat up. “I need to go! I have to go to my brother, now!” He stood up and moved to pull the bell to call for his personal valet.

“Brian,” Justin called. He moved to stop his lover. “Brian, please stop a minute.”

Brian stopped and turned to look at all of them. “I know it’s not just a dream. I must go to him. Justin, Daphne was right. I can’t explain it, but I have to go.”

“But…” Justin trailed off, looking lost.

“I think it’s a good idea. You should go, Brian,” Mel spoke up.

“Well, we finally agree on something,” Brian replied as he reached to pull the bell again.

“But I don’t think you should run off half-cocked,” she continued smugly.

Brian made an impatient gesture. “But Jonathan…”

“Yes, you should leave soon, Brian, but I don’t think there’s a need to leave this very moment. It will not help things if you are not prepared. Get things settled here, pack, and decide who will go with you.”

“I travel faster on my own.”

Justin shot him a look. “I’m going with you.”

“I don’t think…”

“I don’t care what you think. I’m going,” Justin stated stubbornly, crossing his arms.

Brian relented. “Fine, we leave in the morning.”

“Ben and Michael just arrived from Westlake for a visit and they should come too,” Justin spoke thoughtfully. Their two friends had been serving as aids to Brian’s young nephew, Duke Hunter of Ballybonne and his wife, Duchess Molly, who was also Justin’s sister. Ben and Michael lived in and helped oversee Westlake, officially Molly’s earldom, full time, since she was obligated to spend most of her time in Ballybonne’s capitol of Backroma with her husband.

“Justin, this is not a pleasure ride in the country. Why must we bring them?”

“Because you are a prince of this realm and you should not be riding without some protection and we know you won’t agree to take your guards,” Lindsay supplied for Justin.

“I want Daphne to go,” Mel added.

“Why in God’s name do I need her?” Brian asked, now fully exasperated.

“In case you need a healer, of course.”

“My brother has plenty of those at court,” Brian retorted.

“Ah, but none with our…how shall I say it? None of them share our special point of view.”

“You mean they aren’t witches?”

“Exactly. This brooch you saw troubles me.”

“You think it may be magical?” Lindsay asked.

“It’s very possible. The Maynorans have been know to dabble in magic, I’ve heard. In fact I believe it is fairly widespread there.”

“Then shouldn’t it be you that goes?” Daphne asked Mel, looking unsure.

“Daphne, I’ve taught you all I know these past years. You are ready. It was you that helped Brian unlock the secret of his troubles. Your king may need you.”

Brian studied Daphne for a moment. “Very well, you shall come, too.” He looked to the others. “Is there anyone else you think I should take? Perhaps the stable boy‘s second cousin twice removed?”

Mel smiled a little. “Theodore and Emmett.”

“Bloody hell! Why the two of them of all people?” Brian exclaimed.

“Because, dear husband,” Lindsay answered for Mel. “Theodore hails from near the border of Maynor and may be the most knowledgeable person we know on the subject, and well, Emmett because Queen Elaine adores him and he may very well be an excellent distraction for her if these troubles with the king do come to pass.” Lindsay frowned for a moment and then turned to her lover and smiled. “Am I right?”

“On the money, my love,” Mel replied as she rewarded Lindsay with a sound kiss on the lips for figuring out her intentions so well.

“All right, all right,” Brian grumbled. “Let us get this nightmare planned out so that I can get on the road.” And with that he was finally able to reach up and gave the servant’s bell a good tug.

 

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Prince Timothy, the king’s second oldest son, stood in the castle’s stable yards with a few guardsmen, waiting for their mounts to be brought to them. His lover, bard Ethan, hovered in the background trying to lend any support he could.

A pale and haggard Prince Brian came into view, along with young Charles. “You are sending word to Hunter as well?” Tim asked his oldest brother.

“Yes, with my fastest rider, beside you, of course.” He smiled wanly at his brother. “You need not do this, you know. I can send another messenger.”

Tim shook his head. “But as you said I am the fastest, and I think it should be one of us who gives this news to our uncle. He and father are so…close,” Tim’s voice choked and Brian gripped his brother’s hand as Ethan came from behind to clasp his shoulders to bolster him.

Charles stepped in and laid his own hand on top of Tim and Brian’s. The four young men just stood for a moment gathering strength from one another until the grooms led the horses into the yard.

Tim pulled away and swiped at his eyes. “Well, we should get going.” Brian and Charles nodded while Tim and Ethan made their way over to Tim’s horse hand in hand. Tim mounted and reached down to grasp Ethan’s hand once more. “Take care of my family?”

Ethan nodded. “Of course, love. But you will be back soon enough.”

“I hope so,” Tim whispered softly. He wheeled his horse around and called to the others to follow him.

“Godspeed, brother,” Brian muttered as he watched his brother go.
 

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