The Duke of Tremont

Chapter 4

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Justin entered the carriage and closing his eyes, tiredly plopped down in his seat next to Emmett. His eyes popped open again as someone cleared their throat and he found himself face to face with his best friend.

“Daphne? What are you doing here?”

Daphne quickly put a finger to her lips; “quiet, here he comes!”

The Bishop entered the carriage and took his seat next to Daphne. The occupants all silently regarded one another for a moment and then the carriage began to move, pulling Justin, Daphne and Emmett away from the only home any of them had ever known. All three looked wistfully out the windows until they were through the main gates.

“Well,” Bishop Grassi finally spoke up, “I can’t say I’m sorry to leave there.”

The other three looked at him in shock.

“That Father Ronald was a complete boor and way too full of himself as far as I’m concerned. Plus there is just something about the man I do not trust;” more gaping stares, “and I’m sorry Justin, your father seems to be a fairly decent fellow, but a bit of a bastard on some subjects isn’t he?”

“Wha...” was all Justin could utter.

“Well don’t worry son, we will stop in Harrisburg, but you won’t be staying there. I’m taking you on to Sylvania with me. We’re going to pay a visit to the King;” the Bishop sat back in satisfaction.

All the color drained from Justin’s face; “please Excellency, I don’t want to be punished by the King. Can’t you just leave me with the priests?”

The Bishop laughed out loud; “first of all please stop calling me Excellency, at least in private. I want all of you to call me Bishop Vic, all my friends do. Second, I have no intention of having you punished. We are going to the King to plead your case.”

“I don’t understand,” replied Justin.

“Justin, what your father has done to you is unfair. He may even try to strip your title away. You are the oldest son and you deserve to be the Earl of Westlake.”

Justin looked sadly to Emmett, then Daphne; “but he is right, Exc...er...Bishop Vic,” Justin said shakily, turning beet red; “I am all those things my father called me.”

Bishop Vic smiled; “yes I know that my boy.”

Justin was now utterly confused; “but the King...”

“Oh Justin the King is not so shallow as to judge a man by whom he loves. He is a very progressive sort, not like his father at all thank God,” Bishop Vic crossed himself; “all he wants from his vassals are loyalty, bravery and strength. I believe those are all traits that you posess.”

“But Father Ronald and my Father...”

Again Bishop Vic did not allow him to finish; “I’ve already said that they are ignorant fools Justin. Now no more protesting, we are going to see the King.”

Justin slumped back in his seat and Emmett patted his leg in encouragement.

Daphne spoke quietly; “um...Bishop Vic, am I to stay in Harrisburg?”

“Ah, our little nun to be,” Bishop Vic smiled.

“What?!” Cried Justin and Emmett together.

Vic laughed heartily and Daphne blushed; “do you really want to be a nun my dear?”

“No Excellency...uh I mean Bishop Vic. I’m sorry for lying.”

Bishop Vic laid a hand on Daphne’s forehead; “I absolve you youngling. Well I suppose since you aren’t to be a nun we shall have to find another place for you.”

“With Justin?” She asked hopefully.

“I will take you to the King and we shall see,” answered the Bishop with a smile.

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Later when the party stopped to camp Justin sought out Benjamin; “Master Benjamin might I have a word with you?”

“Of course Lord Justin, but please call me Ben since I am no longer your master. Walk with me?”

Justin nodded and followed Ben into the woods a bit. He tried to collect his thoughts before he spoke; “I’m very sorry about...about what happened back at home. I didn’t mean for you to lose your place in my father’s household and I’m very sorry to embarrass you so.”

Ben stopped, taking in Justin’s bright red face and shy demeanor; he reached for the boy turning him so they were face to face. “I’m sorry Justin about the mess you are in and I’m sorry that he hurt you,” Ben ran a finger along Justin’s bruised eye and then leaned down to gently kiss him on the lips.

“You...you’re like me?” Justin gasped.

Benjamin nodded, “yes Justin, like you I favor men over women.”

“I...I didn’t realize. You hide it so well. I never imagined.”

“In my line of work it’s safer to hide. It’s difficult to find jobs if people know you are fey.”

“And now I’ve lost yours for you. I am so sorry Ben.”

Ben lifted Justin’s chin and looked into his eyes; “you did not lose me my position. Your father was so busy being angry with you that he didn’t blame me at all. I quit.”

“Why?”

“I could not work for a man who would treat his son so unjustly. A man who would cause harm to his own child and mar such a beautiful face,” he outlined his bruised eye again. “By the way,” he smiled; “I was horribly flattered by the drawings of me. I’m just sorry I didn’t get to see them.”

Justin blushed again; “Ben would you answer a question for me?”

“Of course.”

“If I had not been my father’s son would you have...I mean do you find me...” Justin looked down, unable to finish.

Once again Ben raised his chin so they were face to face and leaned in to whisper in Justin’s hear; “yes I would have, in a heartbeat, and yes I do find you very attractive,” he pressed another gentle kiss to Justin’s lips. “We should get back before they come searching, hmm?”

Justin smiled so brightly that it almost broke Ben’s heart; “yes,” he replied, “I suppose we should.”

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It was the party’s third day on the road and they had just decided to set up camp for the night. The supply wagon was unloaded and everyone fell to the jobs they had been assigned by the captain of the guard. Justin, Emmett and Daphne were collecting firewood a short distance from the main camp when they heard one of the sentries shout and suddenly the whole camp erupted in total chaos.

“Wait here!” Justin yelled at his friend as he drew his sword and ran back.

“Justin, no!” Daphne yelled after him sharing a concerned look with Emmett. She brushed an errant curl from her forehead, then reached under her skirts and into her boot pulling out an ornate but deadly dagger. Emmett stared at her in shock and then followed her quietly as she slowly crept back to the campsite.

Justin found all of the guards and Ben engaged in heated hand to hand combat, steel glinting in the sun everywhere he looked. The enemy looked to be a rag tag group of bandits, but they fought well and there were many of them. Justin ran into the fray and began slicing his way through to Ben, while trying desperately to locate Bishop Vic.

It seemed as if the Bishop’s guard was gaining the upper hand when Justin found himself confronted by one of the bandits. The man was dressed in dusty black leathers and wore a cloth mask to cover the lower half of his face; “are you ready to die today My Lord?” The man asked in a gruff voice.”

“Not today thanks,” Justin replied as he lunged at the man who slid out of the way returning with his own blow.

Ben finished killing the last of the bandits willing to fight while the remaining guards chased the survivors into the trees. He looked across the clearing to see the young Lord engaged in a heated battle; “Justin!” He called out, running to help.

Ben was startled by the sound of many hoof beats entering the clearing as another band of men rode up. Unlike the bandits these men were dressed in livery and carried the banner of a Lord. A large black stallion rode through and on it was a beautiful man with chestnut colored hair that was windblown and tousled. He had a strong jaw and nose and the most amazing eyes that Ben had ever seen. The sharp eyes took in the scene in the clearing trying to assess the situation.”

Unfortunately Justin had caught the beautiful man’s rather grand entrance into the clearing as well and when he did a double take his opponent too the opportunity to score a blow into Justin’s right shoulder. The young man dropped his blade and yelled out in pain.”

“Justin! NO!” Ben screamed as he raced to his friend’s aid. The man on horseback had dismounted as well and was on his way to the injured boy. Seeing that he would not be able to score another blow on Justin and live to tell about it the masked man turned to run. Before he got away Ben made a grab for the man and got the mask, ripping it away from his face; “Christopher!” He yelled in shock.

Christopher pulled away violently and jumped on the nearest horse he could find, riding swiftly into the woods.

“After him,” called the dark stranger to his men who immediately wheeled around in pursuit.

Meanwhile Ben reached Justin who fell into his arms; “Justin...Justin! Can you hear me?”

“Lie him down so I can see how bad it is,” spoke the stranger.

Ben nodded laying the young man gently on the ground.

“Justin!” Cried Daphne as she ran into the clearing with Emmett, “No!”

Bishop Vic exited from the safety of the carriage at that moment, grabbing Daphne before she could interfere with the two men working on Justin; “stay back child,” he said gently, “let them work.” Daphne could only nod as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Emmett,” Ben looked up; “get hot water and bandages and have one of the men start a fire and put an iron in.”

Emmett winced; “yes sir,” he left quickly to follow Ben’s orders.

“Noooo,” Daphne practically moaned at the thought of them having to cauterize Justin‘s wound..

The dark stranger looked up; “perhaps we should get...” his sentence was cut off when he saw whose arms Daphne was in, “Bishop Vic?”

The older man smiled in return; “I was wondering when you would recognize me Brian. It’s good to see you again my boy.”

Just then another horse and rider swiftly approached wheeling to a halt in the clearing. A man with dark hair and brown eyes dismounted, approaching Brian.

“I’m afraid we lost him My Lord. With so many wounded here I thought it would be prudent to give up the chase and come back to help.”

“Good thinking Michael,” answered Brian, “please have the men erect the shelters and tend to the dead and wounded. Oh and don’t forget to say hello to your uncle,” Brian added with a smile.

Michael‘s eyes lit on the Bishop and a huge grin lit his face; “Uncle Vic!” He exclaimed.

“It’s good to see you son,” Vic accepted the hug from his nephew; “now quick do as Brian says and we’ll catch up later.”

“Michael nodded and bowed then turned to do his lord’s bidding.”

“When your tents are erected we will move him inside;” Brian spoke to Ben, inclining his head toward Justin.

“It is good you arrived when you did sir,” said Ben, still applying pressure to Justin’s shoulder.

“It seems you had things well in hand without us and I’m afraid I may have been the cause of this one’s injury. His attention was drawn away from his opponent when we approached.”

“I have warned him about that many times;” Ben shook his head, “it is one of his weaknesses. May I ask your name?” Queried Ben.

Bishop Vic spoke before Brian could answer; “Master Ben, Lady Daphne; I would like to introduce you to Prince Brian, Duke of Tremont.

Ben and Daphne looked shocked as they awkwardly tried to bow and curtsy in homage; “I’m so sorry your highness. I had no idea,” stammered Ben.

“Why should you?” Answered Brian with a smile; “what is the boy’s name?”

“He is Justin Taylor,” answered Bishop Vic.

“Ah the Earl of Westlake’s son,” replied Brian with a nod, “what on earth was he doing with you?”

Just then Justin started to stir; “Ben? What happened?”

“You’ve had a bit of an accident and I’m afraid your shoulder has been run through;” replied Brian.

Justin looked up at the man kneeling across from Ben; “who are you?” He asked in a weak voice.

“I am Brian.” Brian answered simply as he gazed into the young man’s entrancing blue eyes.

“The Duke is going to help us,” Ben said softly; “you must save your strength now.”

“Duke?” Justin asked looking into Brian’s eyes.

“Yes, he is the Duke of Tremont;” answered Ben.

Justin’s eyes opened wide; “Prince Brian?” He asked in awe.

Brian smiled; “yes, I am Prince Brian, now please be quiet and rest young Justin.”

Justin’s eyes began to flutter closed; “you are beautiful,” he said as his voice faded and he again lost consciousness.

“So are you,” Brian murmured very quietly as he ran a hand through soft blond hair.

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