Chapter 14: Collision of Paths: Light vs. Shadow

Vincent watches as Prince Winston and Lillian go off in their carriage back to the castle. Vincent feels the best he has felt for a while now and notices that he actually missed spending time with prince Winston. Prince Winston had opened up the world emotionally through Vincent's eyes with his friendship.

Suddenly a pain strikes Vincent in the side. He instinctively puts his hand on his side. Vincent pulls up his shirt to examine the area. It is a dark black and blue color and still swollen though not as worst as before.

This came from when Benjamin hit him with an iron bar. When it happened Vincent truly feared for the first time that Benjamin may kill him and today won't make it anywhere near better. When they were retrieving the saddles and bridles for the horses Benjamin had twisted his arm behind his back and threatened to bring harm to Prince Winston.

As Vincent remembers all this he begins to wonder why he is doing this. Why is he suffering so much for Prince Winston? Better yet why is he so determined to do so? Why? Why? Truly a friendship wasn't so important to put your life on the line for someone like this.

Then Vincent remembers that he was willing to leave his home to protect the convent and the others. So this is not the first time he has put himself in harm's way for someone else. Again he asks himself why.

As Vincent proceeds to straighten up around the stables. He thinks to himself more about the matter. While doing so he remembers the last lesson he heard at the convent about love. Of all the emotions people often recognize or often discuss he has yet to experience love, or had he? First he thinks of the convent and those that lived there with him. He has done this before and still couldn't bring himself to say he loved the other orphans as far as the way you are meant to love a person.

On the other hand he can admit now that Mother Margaret may have become the one he loved like a mother; especially when she defended him so that day. Vincent thinks for a moment and also remembers that the foundation for loving someone no matter the type of love is caring. Vincent then proposes the question to himself that if he were to have stayed with Ryanah longer would he have come to love her in a way? As a friend maybe?

Finally, Vincent comes back to Prince Winston. Does he care about Prince Winston he ponders first. Of course, he decides. He does care about his friend's well being and trusts him fully he adds. Is he an important person to him; is Vincent's next question. Yes, he can't see himself without the prince in his life. Prince Winston is a joy for Vincent to be around and his company is almost longed for by Vincent. He admits this to himself. Finally, it clicks for Vincent that Prince Winston is indeed his best friend, but he is also more. Prince Winston is like a brother to him, Vincent realizes.

He does love Prince Winston. Not like a mother love her child or how Prince Winston would someday love Lillian, but more like a sibling. Vincent realizes not only have there been people in his life that cared for him and loved him even with his own parents dead, but that he had found in Prince Winston someone to love too. That is why he is so determined to protect the prince. The prince is precious to him perhaps not as much as God's people are to God, but still in that vicinity.

The idea tickles Vincent and he is amused by how ridiculous his mind was moving, but one thing is certain. Vincent would continue to protect Prince Winston no matter what and for whatever reason.

At that moment Benjamin walks into the stables caring metal working material. Vincent watches him as he enters and proceeds to put the bag down.

"Metal. It's for repairing the older equipment.", Benjamin says taking out a piece of heavy metal and examining it. "But I do have others plans for it as well...", he says looking at Vincent with a sideways look. A split moment later Benjamin throws the piece of metal at Vincent as hard as he can. Seeing it coming Vincent quickly dodges it by diving sideways to the ground. "You're still quite agile. Impressive.", Benjamin comments.

As Vincent tries to get up slowly Benjamin walks over to him and grabs him by the back of his collar. With a grunt from Vincent, Benjamin drags him to the room where the tools are kept and slangs him in there. Vincent lands on his back with a wince of pain.

"This is for that little charade you put on today. I'll let you out when I feel like it as always. To think I was of considering giving you a decent meal tonight.", Benjamin tells him with undisguised sarcasm at the end before closing the door.

.......

Vincent lays in the darkness where he landed for a time. The faint shadows of the tools seems to be the claws of death around him. He has gotten weaker he notices and begins to doubt for how long he can stand against this torment. His stomach growls and he assumes it must be pass dinner by now.

Finally, he sits himself up with half closed, weary eyes and rubs his face with the back of one hand. The door opens to reveal that it is indeed nighttime and Benjamin standing in the doorway. Putting his hand down Vincent faces him silently while Benjamin's expression is one of disgust.

"Lowly peasant.", Benjamin says to him. Vincent doesn't reply. "I was going to just torture you into leaving or submission, but I see now that won't work on you. No, you're much to resilient for that; especially for a child. I have to admit it is almost inspiring. Such power in such a young body. No don't you would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.", Benjamin pauses, for Vincent continues to only listen and not speak.

Benjamin sighs heavily. "To bad we'll never know.", Vincent's eyes narrow at Benjamin's words and the tension quickly rises as the two stare each other down. Benjamin is first to make a move lounging at Vincent who quickly rolls to one side to avoid him. As Benjamin reaches out for him Vincent grabs a shovel and brings it down on Benjamin's outstretched arm. Benjamin lets out a shout of pain. Getting to his feet Vincent proceeds to whack Benjamin in the head before hurrying out the tool room.

He turns around in time to see Benjamin exiting the room behind him with a machete. Vincent realizes he really means to kill him, but he still knows that he can't leave Benjamin to do as he pleases. Prince Winston's words echo in his mind about what he said about power and him.

When it comes to power Vincent it's rare to find someone who won't try to take it for themselves. That's what makes you so special.

The thought causes Vincent to smile. "The things I do for you...", Vincent says silently to himself before looking at Benjamin again. Vincent reaffirms his grip on the shovel in his hands and holds it up threateningly to Benjamin.

"Foolish boy.", Benjamin comments before charging. Gripping the machete in both hands Benjamin aims for Vincent's head. Vincent ducks and retaliates by hitting Benjamin's legs with the side of the shovel head with all his strength knocking Benjamin off balance. Moving out the way Vincent attempts to jab Benjamin with the apex of the shovel head, but Benjamin rolls out the way. Once to his own feet Benjamin takes a knife out of his pocket and throws it at Vincent; who dodges it.

However, as he does Benjamin rushes him and grabs his shovel. In response Vincent quickly grabs the blade part of the machete. The two struggle against each other's effort to move the weapon that is aimed at Vincent's stomach. Vincent is forced to move with the blade though as to not allow it to cut his hand while in his tight grip.

"Vincent!", the sudden shouting of his name causes Vincent to turn his head to see Prince Winston running in his direction. Benjamin takes advantage of his moment of distraction and yanks the blade out of Vincent's hand cutting his thumb. Vincent lets out a sound of pain. Benjamin quickly tries to shove the blade into Vincent, however, with his attention back on Benjamin Vincent is able to dodge just enough that the blade misses his stomach and doesn't go so deep that it hits his other internal organs.

Vincent drops his shovel and pushes himself back from Benjamin causing the blade to withdraw and Vincent to fall backwards onto the ground. The blade is coated at the end with Vincent's blood. Vincent holds his hand to his wound panting. Benjamin lets out a wail of pain. Vincent looks to see that Prince Winston had stabbed Benjamin in the back with a hay fork. Benjamin turns on him and brings the machete down only for Prince Winston to jump back in time to avoid it.

"Well isn't this a surprise. Not really. I knew you would do anything to find out what was going on with Vincent. Since I was unable to get rid of him and now you have seen me. It seems I will have to kill you and Vincent.", Benjamin eyes widen with realization. "Yes...that way I can blame it on Vincent and say I killed him in retribution and be rewarded handsomely.", he says, but Prince Winston stands undeterred and instead a furious look comes into his eye.

"If you think you can I welcome you to try it, traitor.", Prince Winston says to him. Vincent watches angrily as Benjamin charges Prince Winston and attempts a downward diagonal slash against him. Prince Winston blocks it with the pitchfork and holds it for a minute before forcing the blade away and stabbing Benjamin in the side again all in one fluid motion. Benjamin lets out a sound of pain, but counters by striking Prince Winston with his arm in the head.

The hit takes the prince back stumbling to get his balance. Concerned, Vincent forces himself to his feet and with the last of his strength looks around for something to wield. He spots the knife Benjamin had thrown at him.

Meanwhile, Benjamin tries to stab Prince Winston who had fallen to the ground, but he is able to roll out the way of the downward strike and use the pitchfork to dislodge Benjamin's weapon from him. In retaliation Benjamin lounges for Prince Winston, but is held back by the pitchfork in Prince Winston's hands, however, the traitor is still able to get a hand around the prince's throat.

Prince Winston gasp as he tries to push Benjamin off. At that moment, Vincent makes it behind Benjamin and in rage stabs Benjamin repeatedly in the back until his grip loosens around Prince Winston's neck and he is about to collapse. Blood soaks his back and wells up in his mouth. Prince Winston throws him off to the side. Vincent's legs wobble underneath him and with a look of pain grabs his most recent wound before collapsing. Prince Winston rushes over to catch him and the two of them drop to the floor exhausted.

"You okay?", Prince Winston asks. Vincent's breathing is heavy and blood continues to flow from his wound. It soaks his clothes and gets on Prince Winston's hand. The wetness causes Prince Winston to look at his hand and then to Vincent. Vincent's blood mingles with Benjamin's blood. Vincent looks to Prince Winston with weak eyes and sees an expression of horror on his face. "Vincent! don't die...please don't...", Prince Winston says weakly.

"G-g-go….get...a cloth.", Vincent strains to tell him. He is already injured and weak from hunger before his fight with Benjamin and the loss of blood was the last thing he needed. Gently Prince Winston lies Vincent down and quickly looks for a cloth.

Whether it is because he is in a hurry or that there is not one truly there Prince Winston is unable to find one. As a result he removes his vest and rips his own shirt. While Prince Winston does this Vincent lifts his shirt. The wound isn't deep and the flow of blood is slowing, but infection is still a threat. Prince Winston returns with his torn shirt and helps Vincent tie it around him in order to stop the bleeding.

"So this is what was wrong? What in the world was going in here? Tell me the truth.", Prince Winston confronts Vincent. Vincent knows he can't hide his burden from Prince Winston nor does he want to or need to anymore. Vincent sighs.

"Benjamin saw me as a threat. He wanted to get close to you in hopes that he will be given things in return. Things like money and land.", Vincent answers weakly. He grins; amused by the whole thing now. He turns his head to Prince Winston. "He wanted me to stay away from you. Thinking it would allow him to become a friend of yours or something like that.", Vincent winces in pain.

"Are you alright?", Prince Winston asks worryingly. Vincent admits the sound of care in Prince Winston's voice is quite welcoming.

"I'm fine. He wanted to drive me off with pain and abuse, but I couldn't leave.", Vincent says.

"What are you talking about?", Prince Winston asks.

"When he saw he couldn't threaten me. He threatened to hurt you and blame me if I didn't do as he said. I couldn't let that happen to you. So I took his worse because I had to make sure you were safe.", Vincent tells him.

"What...! You should have been worried about your own well being. Why go through that for me?", Prince Winston questions Vincent sounding a little upset. Vincent chuckles slightly.

"How could I not? You're too important to me and I care deeply for you. You are my friend. My best friend; the first one I've ever had.", Vincent says.

"No need to get sentimental.", Prince Winston replies, but Vincent can see in his eyes that Prince Winston feels the same. "You should've never had to do that for me.", Prince Winston goes on. Neither of them say anything for a moment. "We need to get you some help and tell my mother and father about Benjamin as well as Jamonson.", he goes on looking first at Vincent then to Benjamin's body.

The two decide to wait at the barn until Jamonson returns since they wouldn't make it with Vincent's injury, but Vincent doesn't mind because now he has someone with him. Someone who loved him and who he loved. Prince Winston stays by his side until the two of them finally go to sleep.