The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 32
 

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Brian's eyes opened wide with shock as he took in the sight of Justin and Daphne in the clearing, but he did not loosen his tight grip on Kipton. "Justin, what in the hell are you doing here?" He glanced quickly around the clearing, noting to himself that he was the only one who seemed surprised to see his lover and his best friend here. His features hardened and he turned his attention back to his lover. "Tell me what is going on here, Justin, and then tell me why I seem to be the only one who doesn't know!"

"Brian, I can explain everything, but you need to put down the knife. Kipton is here to help me. He wants to help all of us," Justin replied, moving slowly toward his lover and former captor.

Brian pulled Kipton back a step. "Bloody hell, Justin, have you lost your mind? Help you?! How can you even dare to trust him after what he did to you?" He looked to Jonathan in particular and narrowed his eyes. "How can any of you dare trust him?"

Jonathan had been inching closer to his brother and Kipton as well. "Brian, Blake believes..."

"Blake believes?! Of course Blake believes him!" Brian snorted. "He has a history with him."

"Your Highness..." Blake started indignantly.

"Brian!..." Jonathan admonished his brother.

That was completely uncalled for, Brian, Justin spoke into his lover's mind. You need to apologize to Blake and you need to let Kipton go right now!

I'm not so sure I'm interested in what you think I should do. Brian's tone was icy. Obviously you don't seem to feel the need to consult with me on anything important anymore.

Justin sighed. I'm sorry, but I'm a grown man, Brian, and frankly it was easier just to march with the army in secret rather than argue with you about it anymore.

We decided you...

No, Justin interrupted. You decided. You put your foot down and really gave me no choice. I have to be here, Brian. It's where I belong. This is my fight too.

The others in the clearing jumped, having been silently observing Brian and Justin's unheard, but obvious conversation, and Kipton whimpered a little when Brian swore out loud and pulled him in tighter. What about this, Justin? My God, what are you thinking meeting with this bastard?

"He can save my arm," Justin spoke out loud, deciding to let the others in on this battle of wills.

"What?" Brian's grip may have loosened a little, but there was no way Kipton was moving. The blade was still too close.

"Kipton can heal my arm, Brian. He may be the only one who can." Justin's eyes pleaded with his lover's, trying to make him understand. "He's my only hope right now."

"Is this true?" Brian asked Kipton gruffly.

"Yes, My Lord, I swear it," the mage gasped. "I'm so sorry for all I've done, if I could take it..."

"Stop!" Brian bit out. "I'm not interested in your lame apologies." He turned his attention to Blake. "I'm sorry, I should not have said that about you, but are you certain; I mean really certain about his intentions?"

Blake stepped forward. "It's all right, My Lord. I don't blame you for your reaction, and yes, I truth read him and I feel in my gut that he is telling the truth." He raised up his arm and signaled. Dozens of mages and soldiers appeared from the trees. "But if I am mistaken, and he is lying I've brought reinforcements who are ordered to kill him instantly if he steps out of line."

Brian's mouth turned up in a half-smile and he nodded briefly to Blake before turning his attention back to the man in his grasp. "If you harm a hair on his head you won't have time to worry about Blake's men because I'll kill you first."

"I would expect nothing less, Your Highness," Kipton replied calmly.

"Good," Brian replied shortly. He deliberately lifted the knife away from Kipton's neck and let him go, taking a few steps back.

Kipton remained still, not wanting to make any moves that would incur his death.

Justin remained frozen in his spot, suddenly unable to move now that he was faced with the man who had abused him so horribly.

Everyone else watched in an uncomfortable silence, waiting for something to happen.

Finally Brian broke the silence. "Well, what are you waiting for?" he said bitterly to Justin, obviously still angry at being left out. "You were so anxious to have him help you so get on with it.

"Brian!" Jonathan scolded, but Brian simply crossed his arms, though he made sure his dagger was still visible.

Blake finally moved to where Justin stood, reaching out a gentle hand to his shoulder.

"Justin," he called softly.

Justin jumped a little and turned to look at Blake. "I'm sorry...it's hard for me."

"I know," Blake smiled. "I'll come with you. I promise we won't let anything happen to you."

Daphne moved to his other side. "I'm here too, Jus. Come on." She wrapped an arm around his waist and they began to move toward where Kipton still stood.

They stopped in front of the mage and he put both arms in front of him, his left hand palm side up to show he meant no harm. "I promise not to hurt you, Justin of Westlake, and I am grievously sorry for the harm I caused you."

Justin finally brought himself to look into Kipton's eyes. He gasped and almost shrank away, but took a deep breath and centered himself. "Why?" he asked, his voice wavering a little. "How could you be so cruel?"

Kipton hung his head. "I...I don't know. The duke kept making me promises, and I suppose I was blinded by the thought of wealth and power." He paused for a moment and looked furtively to King Jonathan. "Then he talked me into creating the blood spell and the longer I worked it the more clouded my judgment became. When...when you broke the spell and destroyed the ring it was like a fog lifted. I feel so ashamed of myself, Justin. Please know that person who hurt you was not the real me."

Justin studied him silently for a moment. "What you did was unforgivable, Kipton, but if you are truly sorry then I forgive you, if only to help myself to heal."

"That is more than I deserve," Kipton replied quietly. "Now let us get your arm healed, for Duke James shall be upon us soon."

"What must I do?" Justin asked nervously.

"Your arm received most of the backlash when you broke the blood spell," Kipton explained for everyone's benefit. "Since I used my blood to weave the spell, it is my blood that must heal you. We'll need to cut the palm of your right hand."

"You're not drawing any more of his blood, mage," Brian spoke emphatically.

"It does not have to be me that makes the cut, but it must be done either way," Kipton stated.

Justin walked to Brian and used his left hand to gently touch Brian's arm. "Will you do it, My Lord?"

Brian did not relinquish his grim stance and did not reply.

Please, Justin pleaded into his lover's mind. I know you're angry, but I need you now.

The duke finally met Justin's gaze and sighed. "Fine, I'll do it." He gently reached for his lover's right hand. He looked into Justin's eyes again. I'm here for you, Sonny Boy… always, he whispered into Justin's mind. He brought his dagger up and then tenderly kissed Justin's palm before he carved a bloody line across it.

Justin turned back to Kipton who had moved closer to the both of them. Kipton reached out his left hand to Brian in a show of good faith. "And now me, Highness, if you will."

Brian raised one eyebrow in surprise at the other man's trust. He gave Kipton a nod of almost respect before slicing a wound similar to Justin's in his hand.

Kipton held out his bloody palm. "Please press your wound to mine, Justin. It will be much as if Duke Brian were healing you. This is how it is done with the fairy gifted, is it not?"

Justin nodded nervously, a little surprised that Kipton knew that fact, but not wanting to bother explaining the details of Brian's healing gift at the moment. He held out his hand and lined up his wound with Kipton's and then pressed his hand down.

The joined hands glowed red with power and soon the glow had engulfed both men. Kipton's face was screwed up in concentration and Justin grimaced as he felt the full force of both of their powers flowing through them. Finally Kipton yelled something unintelligible and both men were flung backward a few feet, landing on their rear ends as the red glow faded and died.

"Justin!" Brian called out as he hurried to his lover's side. "Justin, are you all right?"

Justin shook his head as if to clear it. "I'm fine, Brian, just a little winded." He brought his hands up to clasp Brian's forearms.

Brian looked down in surprise. "Justin, your hand!" he exclaimed.

Justin grasped Brian's arm again. "I can use it!" He lifted his hand and made a fist. "It's healed!"

Across the clearing Kipton sat up slowly. Blake moved over and reached down a hand to help him up. "It worked then?" Kipton asked.

"Yes…uh…thank you," Justin replied a little awkwardly.

Kipton merely tipped his head in acknowledgement, knowing he would probably never be able to gain the young's man's full trust.

Daphne ran to Justin's side and she and Brian helped him up. Once he was upright she pulled her friend into a fierce hug. "Oh, Jus, I'm so happy for you."

Joshua also moved forward to shake Justin's hand. "I too, am glad you are healed, Justin. That was truly an amazing display!"

Justin turned his beaming smile onto the guard captain. "Did I not tell you I was amazing?" he teased the man who had so patiently been looking after him and Daphne. "That will teach you to take Daphne's side of things."

Joshua couldn't help but laugh out loud at his impertinent young charge, pulling the younger man into a casual hug. "That you are, young Justin, that you are."

Brian's brow furrowed as he took in the familiar scene, not because he was jealous, he knew Justin would never stray, but because so much had obviously been purposefully kept from him. He caught Jonathan's eyes and his brother's contrite expression told him all he needed to know. Jonathan had abetted Justin in this lie. Brian's ire grew more fierce by the second.

Young King Tristan, ignorant of the angst Brian was enduring at the moment, made his way across the clearing to Jonathan's side. He gestured to where Kipton still stood under Blake's vigilant attention. "Your Highness, what do we do now?" he asked.

Before Jonathan could reply Brian spoke up. "I'll tell you what you can do, Your Highness," Brian spat out in a mocking voice, his anger obviously directed at King Jonathan. He then turned his glare on all of them, even including Justin in his searing gaze. "You can all go to hell!" With that he turned and strode out of the clearing as quickly as possible, while still maintaining some dignity.

"Brian!" Justin moved to follow him, immediately worried to find himself cut off from their link.

"Justin!" Jonathan's voice stopped Justin in his tracks. "Let's give him a moment to cool off and then I'll go," he reasoned. "I think it's me he's angry with more than anyone right now."

Justin studied Jonathan for a moment and nodded in defeat. Daphne pulled him into a comforting half hug.

Jonathan turned his attention back to Tristan. "Sorry about that. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, what to do with the traitor." He looked back over to Justin. "What do you think we should do with him? You are the one he has harmed the most."

Justin grimaced. "I have made my peace with him, Highness, and he with me. I leave it to you to decide. It is you and King Tristan whom he almost killed with his spell."

Jonathan looked to the now frightened Mage Adept. "Well, you did save Justin's arm, but I'm not sure that makes up for the rest of it."

"Yes, Highness," Kipton replied quietly.

"Have you information that can help us win this battle?"

"I believe I do," Kipton answered.

"Fine." He looked to Tristan. "I think we should withhold judgment for now. I'm placing him in your custody. I think we should go back to camp and meet with our generals and see what, if anything, Kipton can tell us."

"I agree," Tristan answered.

Kipton sagged in relief as Blake turned him around and bound his hands, well hand and hook, behind him. They all readied themselves for the fairly short trek back to camp.

When they were almost to the edge of the forest, piercing familiar cries filled the air. "Attack!" came a horrified cry from the vicinity of the camp. "We're under attack!!"

More cries filled the air, human and otherwise, and the party looked up to see a flock of changelings flying low over the camp, attacking horses and soldiers, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

Justin allowed himself to study the scene for a moment as King Dryden had taught him, before he burst into the open and started throwing spells, when he heard another cry that sent ice straight to his heart.

"The duke, save the duke!" someone cried. "It's got Duke Brian!"
 

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