9
The Battle of Stonehaven
Their hearts pounding, Ridley and Paul's group approached the house's front door with trepidation and excitement. Nathaniel and Nat Stonehaven had erected an awe-inspiring magical shielding around Stonehaven Manor. This was no ordinary defense and a testament to Nathaniel's power. They could hear the onslaught of magic, each wave crashing against the shield, and Ridley's senses were ablaze with the sheer magnitude of it all. The air was alive with a symphony of popping and crackling noises, each thrilling echo of the battle unfolding beyond the front door.
He felt a tingle, like the sensation he experienced with the Master, but this was different. It was more than just an individual effort, as he could feel. Several people were working together, drawing this in. They were attempting to summon a lightning strike at Stonehaven Manor. Ridley extended his hand and uttered some words. Outside Stonehaven, a dark bank of clouds rolled in. A massive lightning bolt shot down from the sky towards the manor. Suddenly, it veered off course and struck a large oak tree at the edge of the woods. The tree's base shattered, and it began to topple over slowly.
As the mages inside began to summon their shielding, Dominick the vampire, his disbelief evident in his voice, asked, “Are they some kind of stupid? Can't they see the futility of their efforts?”
Nathaniel and his brother Nat had rings in addition to their council rings, which were family heirlooms. These rings had been crafted long ago and could store different power levels, like a battery. Each could call upon the rings; when they did, a powerful magical shield would envelop them completely. It took the other mages little time to achieve the same level of protection by uttering words and drawing in energy.
Nathaniel spoke to Dominick’s statement, “No, they are just wankers who need a good spanking. Which we shall be happy to indulge in, Evelyn? Would you like your apprentice to project you down upon them?”
A few of them laughed at this who had seen it. She finished shielding herself and then replied, “Bring deinen Arsch zum schweigen.”
Cedric said, “Tut-tut dear, language, please.”
Nathaniel opened the front door, and one of the vampires outside threw small pieces of the demolished Rolls Royce. Ridley, surprised, noticed that Dominick, who had been standing next to him, was now outside in front of Nathaniel. The vampire effortlessly batted the pieces away, moving so fast that much of his movement was imperceptible. One of the pieces he deflected hit an ancient statue at the gardens' entrance, causing it to shatter into many fragments. They all began to file outside, staying close to Stonehaven, which would afford them double shielding.
Nathaniel and Nat gazed at the statue's ruins and cursed in unison. They were appalled by the audacity of the attackers. "Who could be foolish enough to assault Los Iluminados Once while they gathered at Stonehaven Manor?" Nat wondered aloud. Across from them, a group had formed a protective barrier, standing firm with a magic shield. Additionally, they appeared to have three or four vampires with them, who seemed notably younger than Dominick.
It took Dominick less than a second to count their numbers. 'There are seven mages and three of my kind, young. It seems Paul Rogers, your cousin, is among them, along with his friend, the mage boy. Although the younger one doesn't appear to be doing anything.”
Johnny Temple was concerned across the field from Stonehaven when he saw the council arriving. To make matters worse, there was an elder Nosferatu in their group. Victor caught up with Johnny and insisted that he come to what he called home. Johnny thought this was lunacy, which was typical of Victor. He was worried that Victor's actions would put everyone in danger. Pulling stunts like attacking the council that ruled the Mages with forceful help was not wise in the unseen realm. In the past, Victor was often referred to as being a little "touched," but now Johnny believed there was nothing "little" about it after witnessing this stunt.
He summoned his most vital magic shielding and took shelter behind a large tree. Victor had conspired to gather this group of idiots. They had thrown everything at the place, yet it had not dented the magic shielding. He hunkered down and awaited their reply. He knew it would be coming - those people who had exited the house. They commanded immense forces, and attacking their beautiful estate was dumber than dirt. From what he had watched, the vampires they had with them walked out of that manor, paled by comparison. He had told Ridley Johnson he had nothing to worry about from him. That was how it was, no matter what Victor did or how much he yelled.
Johnny might as well call himself Castle now. He did not have the benefit of having a group as talented as they were attacking to tell him of his heritage. He was afraid of Victor, who had been rough on him for some time now. Victor had initially been friendly, even exciting, but that had faded quickly. Ridley Johnson had seemed okay to him, and everyone knew the quality of Paul Rogers. Victor was nothing but a predatory redneck, and this day would end badly for him. Usually, when he made any moves across Paul Rogers, it did. The sneak attack had surprised him and supposedly killed him. He did not look very dead now.
In front of Stonehaven, Paul elevated his voice, “Everyone cast together, and let's knock their barrier down. This will be a relatively short affair once we have. On the count of three, move in unison. One, two, three!”
They were all chanting or using magic trinkets while he was counting. Nathaniel, Nate, Cedric, Evelyn, Phillip, Remington, Cecil, and Ridley acted like a military unit, each careful not to expend too much energy. This group had the potential to cause immense damage. Their goal was to weaken the attacker's shield and create confusion. Each unleashed large amounts of energy toward the shield through fireballs and projected lightning. Ridley retaliated in response to their attackers by summoning a bolt of static discharge from the above low-hanging clouds. All of this impacted the ad hoc shield wall the attackers had cast. When Ridley’s stream of lightning from above struck it, a colossal flash followed by a concussive wave erupted.
All the attackers, except for the vampires accompanying them and Johnny Temple, were knocked to the ground. Paul looked over at his apprentice, surprised, but winked with joy. That had been quite a display of power for a single individual. This one was going to be something they had never seen before. He cared so much for him and was proud of his actions. It was a significant leap upwards from projecting lightning using one's body as a conduit. He could have hit much harder if desired. Yet he had held back, and that was their way. Paul’s efforts to train him had not been fruitless because he listened. Ridley was exceeding all expectations. That was just who he was. What teacher could ask for more?
The vampires across the way were preparing to charge but had yet to get the chance. The Viceroy of the vampire council, Dominic, was upon them. The conventions of the mage council did not bind him. He ran over to the Woodline in a split second. Then, he ripped a large portion off a tree and dispatched them one at a time. Their rules were very different: bowing to the council or having a temporary respite from death would be void. These were learning it the hard way.
Ridley was temporarily shocked by this. Dominick had done away with them so fast the eye could not register it. This display had been more than enough for Victor’s allies and him. They got up and began teleporting away. Some just panicked as they did not want another volley of that.
As the members of Los Iluminados Once watched them flee, they took no further action. Cedric yelled, “Damn bloody right!”
After they had all gone, a solitary figure came out of the tree line, then two, and Dominick was beside him, just that fast. This one was not combative, so the vampire did nothing to him. He did not want to anger the mages with that. As the figure got closer, Ridley and Paul knew him. It was Johnny Temple, the other one that might be like Ridley. They all just watched as he walked up to them.
He stopped and nervously said, “I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t even want to be involved in this. I did not have much of a choice. See Ridley, I told you Victor was an asshole.”
Now that Ridley had all the other master mages to compare him to, Johnny Temple’s aura was much brighter and more dynamic than theirs. The other mages could see that as well and were excited. It was very similar to Ridley’s. Nathaniel could deduce who this was by that fact alone.
He said, “I think this would be Johnny Castle or Temple, whatever you prefer, young man.”
Johnny said, “I don’t care for Castle; my given name is Temple.” He was much like Paul and Ridley in one respect, which one could expect. He had a solid North American Southern accent.
Evelyn Brookhaven had to check this one out and strolled over. She towered over him because she was tall. He was even an inch shorter than Ridley. She looked down at him much as she had Ridley. He could not look back, and Ridley knew that feeling.”
She asked, “Then why were you with them? It is said that you live with Paul Roger’s cousin. Is this true?”
Johnny looked red-faced, “It was, and I did so willingly at first. He won’t let me leave. I was hanging out with Char Le Maine’s progeny but would not let him turn me. So, he bummed on me, and here came Victor again.”
They had dropped all their magical shielding and were out in the open. Nat said, “Let’s all go back and discuss this.”
Now, they were all seated back in the study as Bentley handed out Scotch this time. Johnny was staring, and the head of a polar bear was mounted on the wall. It's different from your typical decoration. He accepted a tumbler of scotch and said, “This place is beautiful.”
Nathaniel said, “Thank you, young man. I call it home as it belongs to me and the man who doesn’t know it’s rude to wear a hat indoors.”
All eyes turned to Nat, who was wearing a white Stetson hat. His choice of headwear had gone unnoticed until now. Feeling self-conscious under everyone's gaze, he took off his hat and placed it on the end table beside him. With the attention now back on Johnny Temple, no one dared to suggest that he might have been like Ridley in Dominick's presence. They had already pressed for his word on Paul’s apprentice. He may not be so agreeable if he knew they were two. They might have been related in some manner, as they were from the same area.
Phillip Hawthorn immediately had the most sensible idea. He said, “If that is the case, he must also be trained. All he must do is ask us for asylum. Then, if we agree, we have a majority present for a vote.”
He looked at Johnny Temple and asked, “Do you want to seek asylum from Los Iluminados Once? You are off the mage blood, and it is ours to give. Then Victor Castle can take a short jump in a bottomless lake. All you must do is ask.”
Johnny said, “One of you would train me?””
Nathaniel said, “Yes, first you would let Paul Rogers do so as he is the strongest of us. You are familiar with where he lives, as you are no stranger. “
He looked at Dominick briefly and continued, “Once you are strong enough, all of us who wish to draw bloody straws or something will be able to do so. What do you think, Paul? You already have Renault and Ridley. It would be daunting to bother the young man while he is at your place. You already must train young Ridley. Is it something you could do for a short time?”
Everyone looked at Paul, who said, “If a brother mage asks for help, there is no task we will not complete to help them. I know my cousin, who is a miserable shithead. He deserves to have a safe place. What do you think, Ridley, as you are part of this as well?”
Ridley said, “I have read the rules binding this council, and they are clear. So, who am I to challenge such a tradition? Why not?”
Now, everyone looked at Johnny Temple, and it made him self-conscious. He finally said, “Sure, if it keeps Victor away from me, I will request asylum.”
Cedric said, “I make a bloody motion that asylum be granted to Johnny Temple.”
Phillip had two sons, so naturally, “I will second it, hand of the air if you agree.”
All the mages raised their hands. Dominick did so just because everyone else was doing it. Cedric barked at the vampire, “You don’t bloody well count. But it looks like it is unanimous apprentice Temple.”
The rest of that night was filled with libations and food that Ridley would not eat for the most part. Dominick was always busy, so he departed and just appeared to vanish. Ridley joked about never getting used to that, as Char Le Maine made a habit of not doing it out of good manners. They talked for several hours, and Paul began to say goodbye to the people going to bed.
Evelyn asked, “Back to the States, Paul. Are you going to do it this time?”
Paul said, “Yes, I will return my party to our house. Cancel the bad manners check, as I agreed to see about Johnny Castle here. Plus, I am ready to go home, and I can’t trust this one as he flirts with the flight attendants and might float out of the plane.”
He was looking at Ridley with a grin. Ridley reached over and smacked him lightly on the leg. He said, “Deceitful slander that has all been manufactured.”
Cedric said, “You magically go back home as in no half-day plane ride and driving for who knows how long. It just can’t be?”
Paul said, “Oh yes, this one is ready to learn.” He looked at Johnny, “That one will be ready before you know it. It aggravates me because I must teleport our vehicle back from parking in Kentucky. It is tiring. “
Nat said, “Yeah, I will be heading out soon.”
Evelyn said, “Get the powerhouse, Ridley, to do that. Shceisse! Pulling lightning from the very sky and not pausing.”
Nathaniel said, “That was an impressive piece of work, lad. I’m not even sure why we bothered to go outside.”
In time, they said their goodbyes as Johnny helped Ridley pack up Ridley and Paul’s stuff.
Without fanfare, the three went out into the driveway. Nathaniel stood in the doorway to watch. He was a good host and proper. He said, “Cya’ lot soon, I will probably visit soon. See how things are going.”
They stood there; Paul said, “Stack the bags together, just there, you two. I am going to etch a circle out in the drive. There are two ways one can teleport magically. One is much easier than the other, which is the one we are taking. It requires a fixed point called a creative enough spot. It is a place one has already been prepared for and marked, such as in our basement.”
He began to etch a vast circle around the bags so they could comfortably stand in. As he worked, he said, “For safety reasons, when you create a jumping spot, you make a unique symbol. Matching your jumping spot when you etch or draw your circle would be best. Keep it hidden so that others don’t know your symbol and can’t use it. This way will bypass shielding, so that is important.”
He etched out the symbol at the top, UT, with a circle around it. It looked like the configuration the University of Tennessee football team used.
Ridley laughed and said, “You are pitiful.”
Paul said as he was finishing, “I know, but football is fun to watch.”
Ridley said, “In East Tennessee, that symbol is a veritable Gordian knot of security.”
Johnny asked his first question, “What is the other way?”
Paul said, "Everyone needs to stay completely inside the circle. Keep everything behind the barrier unless you want to lose it. The second method requires pure willpower and energy, along with the chant. If you lose your concentration, seek help from Evelyn Brookhaven. Is everyone ready?”
Ridley, “Yup.”
Johnny, “This is exciting, yes.”
Paul began to speak the magic, and Ridley could feel it surging through his body. This was shifting an incredible amount of energy. The circle he had etched onto the ground began to glow brightly, and there was a sudden flash. They were standing in the back corner of the basement. Their bags were with them, and it did not take much effort on Paul’s part to do that in this fashion.
Renault Char Le Maine was there almost instantly. He looked at them, at Johnny, and then at Paul. “Welcome home, Paul. I am pleased to report that all is well. Hello Johnny Temple, it is a pleasant surprise welcome. That cur of mine kicked you out?”
Paul said, “Hello Renault, that’s a yes, so he will be with us for a while. It adds to my training and your security responsibilities.”
They all started carrying the bags upstairs. Char Le Maine said as they walked, “It is okay, two of them; I am two eyes. One for each, I think.”
As Ridley put their stuff away and showed Johnny to the best guest room, his Master went out in the driveway and mystically yanked the motor vehicle from Blue Grass Airport in Kentucky. Once here, he got in, started it, and pulled it into the garage. He came in looking tired, got a beer bottle, and plopped onto the couch.
Soon, Ridley and Johnny came down, and the first apprentice, Ridley, sat beside his Master. Johnny sat in a rocking chair, and Char Le Maine took the recliner.
Paul said, “Char Le Maine, yes, our trip was lovely, and Ridley can tell you about Evelyn Brookhaven cratering. For now, will you check Johhny Temple’s blood here? We think he is somehow related to Ridley. Johnny, you will offer your wrist; he won’t hurt you.”
Char Le Maine got up, and Johnny offered him his wrist, and the vampire gently tasted his blood. He closed his eyes for a second and sat back down. All he said now was, “Mon Dieu!”
Johnny was watching as his wrist healed closed. “I didn’t even feel that.”
Paul asked, “Is there a problem?”
Char Le Maine looked at Ridley, “Do not let this shock you, Mon Ami’. He is one of them as well, and he is your brother. Half-brother, there is no doubt of it.”
Paul, Ridley, and Johnny were stunned, and the two looked at each other. Paul looked at Johnny Temple more carefully, and there was some resemblance. “Destiny is working hard on this one and is all in.”
Ridley said, “I was never told it is good to have a brother. My family is not all gone after all.”
Paul got his little wrong of rune dice and offered them to Johnny. “Roll those on the table so they don’t fall off. Don’t think, lightly toss them.”
He did, and there it was—the odds against him made it impossible. He played the same role Ridley did. After being stunned, they sat and talked for about an hour. When Ridley was ready, he could pull his mom and dad up in a mirror or reflection of water and ask what had happened. It seemed Johnny was pregnant outside of wedlock. Paul bet he knew what his real last name was.
After leaving Johnny to get acquainted with Char Le Maine, they went to bed. Johnny knew where his room was, a brother. They got undressed and got under the covers.
Paul asked, “Are you okay?”
Ridley said, “Yes.”
He reached over and kissed Paul; what a day. There would be time to talk in a minute, and he needed to do something for his Master. He knew Paul would be tired, so he would care for him once. He slid his head beneath the covers and licked his way down towards his hard cock. Paul Rogers responded to this and let it happen.
He just went straight for it and slid all of Paul’s cock into his mouth. He paused a moment and licked all around the head of it just as he knew he liked. Then it began to move his head up and down and sucked on his dick nicely. The man that could teleport a truck. That was a hard day’s work doing that. He was such a man. He deserved a good blow job. Ridley was going to give him just that and then some.
He lost himself in this for the time, the trip, learning he had a half-brother. He knew from the literature that it had to be with Char Le Maine and that role. ‘Dad, what did you do?’ He would be asking soon enough, and everything had a story. Now, the story was just how long Paul could hold out against him sucking his cock at this pace. There were times when they did this, and tender love had become a significant component. This was rawer this time, and the apprentice wanted to complete the act and make his Master feel good.
When one abandoned the conventions like this, it could be a quick act, and Ridley wanted it. He damn sure knew Paul would. It was hot and intense. He did not let up at all in his speed or tempo.
He knew the game was afoot when Paul said, “Oh, Ridley.”
His Master cum began spilling into his mouth, and he swallowed every drop of it. He bloody well would! Paul was moaning with pleasure as wave after wave of it hit him. Ridley worked with him until he was finished, friendly, and dry. When he was done, he slid back up, and his head emerged from under the bed. He was now lying beside him, bathed in the moonlight through the window.
Paul said, “That was nice.” He went to care for him, and Ridley stilled him.
His apprentice said, “As you once told me, you need rest. I will be fine till morning.”
His Master said, “So, you have a new bouncing baby brother. How do you feel about that?”
Ridley replied, “I feel good about it. I think we somehow both knew. At first, I thought it was a case of puppy love, but it was more than that. He’s had a much less stable life than me. He sensed it and was looking for a connection. He is more sensitive than I am about such things. I began to think it through later, however. Why do you think that is?”
Paul said, “You both descended from the most potent magically charged blood ever. That would account for a great deal of it, I bet. Having you both in the mountains is a good idea.”
Ridley asked, “Why is that?”
Paul paused but finally said, “If, and I mean If, the rumors about Montague are true. Any of him or his that survived that fight would make a break the speed of sound getting to you two.”
Ridley asked, “Why? To kill us?”
His Master said, “No, they would want you to reverse the spell, making them human again and giving them magic control. Worse possibly, complete it which will do, who God knows what?”
Ridley asked, “Should we be afraid?”
His master ran his fingers through his hair, “No, in their current form, when you two are ready, they will be no match for you. Ridley, you have now summoned two controlled lightning strikes. I don’t care how old the undead gets. They are no match for that.”
Ridley nestled up to him, “I hope you are right.”
