Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Rhett had remained Fiona's steadfast support through breaking the news. While he wasn't happy about it either, he understood that making it harder for Fiona wouldn't do anyone any good.

"We're just scared something unexpected will happen," Yul murmured, his ears laying back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We don't know what the future holds for any of us. One of you might slip away from me while I'm gone." Fiona reasoned, looking at all of her uncles.

Voluun looked downcast, holding his infant son against his shoulder. Juno wasn't as cheerful as normal and Yul had his ears folded back against his head. She didn't want them to be sad but it was the way that things would be.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you need help, don't hesitate to ask," Voluun murmured. As a warrior captain, he'd bring all the hell his men and their neighbors could supply if she needed him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"If promise but we both know it would be empty. I don't want to bring any of you into a war. Dmitri and Rory will be bringing dragons here that need to be cared for. I know that you all can do that for me."

 

[KieranSoares]

Voluun could only nod slightly, and Juno stepped forward to hug his niece tightly. "No funerals, little kit. Or I swear I'll bring you back just to tan your hide myself." He was trying to hold back tears as he embraced her. "It won't be the same without you here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I expect all of you to come and visit me in Inverness. Including mormor. I trust that you'll make sure that she and Uka make it safely." Fiona said as she hugged Juno tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course we will," Juno promised for them as everyone nodded. The family got the rest of the evening together, but come morning when Fiona woke, Sam was already all packed up. Plans kept changing more and more. His new plan was to leave from Malmo with Gaiann as soon as he was certain Fiona was set with the drakes aboard a ship and Invah would be able to follow safely. Time was of the essence, Sam now knew, as his cousin Alex had been captured and had been taken out of Scotland.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona packed the last of her things, pausing in front of her father and her grandfather. "I want you to keep this." She said as she offered her new stuffed wolf to her father. "At least until you know I'm safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you leave it with me, you'll be seeing it again all too soon," Owen told her, offering it in turn to Oleg. "I'm not leaving just yet... but I will be soon. I'm not about to let some Emperor threaten my mate's resting place."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Uka." Fiona said softly, seeing tears already in her grandfather's eyes. "There's nothing that I can say that will make this better. I wish that there was."

 

[KieranSoares]

Oleg shook his head, taking a deep, shaky breath as he tried to steady himself. "No... there's nothing anyone can say... Until this is all over, and I see you alive and well once the danger is gone, I'll worry..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll write you." Fiona said as she stepped forward and kissed his cheek, hugging him tightly. "Take care of mormor for me. And don't let Uncle Rhett be too serious."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's Orla's job now," Oleg murmured, glancing to Rhett with a sigh before he let go of Fiona. "Give the Ghis family our love... they need all the goodwill they can get."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I love you, Uka." She said softly, kissing his cheek before she turned towards Sam and the drakes. "I'll see you soon in Inverness."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had already said his goodbyes and he quietly helped Fiona up onto Roman's back. He picked up Elin and climbed into Kennah's saddle, and with a final goodbye to Fiona's family, they were off. The dragons would be following shortly behind with the saddles and most of their things. Invah and Gaiann had offered to carry it all as it wasn't too much. Their daughter would stay as she was no fighter, but Glaynviahr had already agreed that he would go to Inverness and meet them there after checking with some others he knew.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona couldn't help looking back at her family as they left the town. It broke her heart to know that she was breaking her grandfather's heart. However, they all had to believe that they would be together soon and in happier times.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way." Fiona finally said to Sam, looking over at him as Elin slept in his lap.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don' have to leave, Fiona," Sam reminded her, though he knew where her priorities lay. "Y'can stay here until Inverness is safe a' least. That way you have more time t'say goodbyes."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Where you go, I go." Fiona said softly as he reminded her that she didn't have to leave. "We're in this together, Sam. We already agreed on that."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam knew he could argue all he liked and still lose, so he decided not to. He drew Kennah back a bit and leaned over to take Fiona's hand. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and touched her cheek with a gloved hand. "I love you," he muttered before resuming the pace.

Malmo was only a few days by drake, and just as they entered the outer wall of the city, the dragons landed in the foothills a bit further north. They wouldn't get too close before Sam had a chance to let Kjersten and Rakkar and their military know the dragons were allies.

Fiona had never been to such a massive city before. Inverness was a very small city or medium town at best, whereas Malmo was five times the size. It wouldn't measure up to ancient metropolises like Rome or Athens, but it was a gem of the northern reaches with an even mix of masonry and carpentry in its architecture, making for lovely stone foundations and supports with wooden walls and roofs made of entire logs in some places and thatch in others that shone like gold in the sunlight.

Sam rode in through the gates with clear familiarity, pausing only to address the guardsmen and show them his Ghis crest. Soon a group of guardsmen was escorting them down the main street, clearing the way so they could reach the castle unhindered. They were met at the gates to the courtyard where a herald came out to address them properly.

"General Ghis," the thin, older fellow spoke up, bowing after Sam climbed down from Kennah's back. "Welcome back, your lordship. We weren't expecting you til tomorrow for the ball."

"Plans 'ave changed, Erden," Sam sighed, setting little Elin down where Kennah could keep her in check.

"And your companion? I don't believe we've met," the herald looked to Fiona with clear curiosity. Sam considered for a moment how to introduce her.

Confidently, he spoke, "Lady Fiona Blackstone, Rider to Invah Kyre of Inverness." Dmitri had previously warned her that her title as a Rider would immediately give her the noble title of 'Lady' in most northern courts, and Sam used it to make sure she was respected properly. And he added, "My partner."

"Ah, Lady Blackstone, it's an honor," the herald bowed to her as well. "Erden Wolgensson, herald and adviser for Her Majesty Queen Kjersten Baard Ulfricsdottir and his lordship King Consort Harlo Rakkar Godwinsson."

 

[heartofcourage]

"A pleasure." Fiona murmured, greeting the man as he introduced himself. "Thank you for welcoming us. My dragon is waiting in the foothills, but I'm sure after we talk to the Queen they can come closer to the city safely."

Fiona glanced over as Elin hid underneath her mother, her growls slightly distressed st all of the activity around them. "Perhaps we should put the drakes somewhere quiet."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course, your dragon and any others working with you will be welcome, we simply need to warn the people first so there aren't any small panics." Looking down at Elin, he nodded again. "There is a barn on the grounds that the General's drake has stayed in before. It's a bit small for two adults, but they will have freedom to come and go. Shall I take them for you?" He asked, offering a hand to Sam to take Kennah's lead.

"We'd better do it ourselves. Roman an' Elin aren't used t'this place yet," Sam shook his head. "But thank you. Let Kjersten know we'll be in shortly."

"Of course, sir. Mistress Hulda will meet you at the doors when you return and show you to your chambers. Lunch will be served in one hour. No doubt Her Majesty will want to meet privately with the both of you and His Lordship, so I imagine the meal will be in the private dining hall on the third floor. I will let you know if plans change." He bowed once more before them and turned to head inside while Sam knelt to pick up Elin once more.

"Edi sedour, eldere," Sam murmured to the little drake in Erygonian, kissing her forehead and holding her in one arm while he turned to Fiona. "Hopefully she'll get comfortable before long. Follow me." He let Kennah's lead go, knowing she'd follow on her own as he made his way across the grounds to a large barn near the royal stables.

 

[heartofcourage]

Roman gave her shoulder a push as Sam started towards the stable with his fledgling. Fiona looked over her shoulder at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't you start pushing me around, beastie." She murmured, nuzzling against his maw as they started off after the rest of the group.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam glanced back at that, a tiny smile cracking his hard expression. He'd been incredibly dour and serious since he'd received the news of war, but Elin and Fiona in particular had kept him from retreating too far into his hard shell.

Once the saddles were placed aside with the rest of the tack, a few servants came to take their saddlebags for them and more brought food for the drakes, sent by Erden who was already familiar with their needs thanks to Sam's previous visits. Before they left, Sam took Roman by one horn to get his attention. "Listen here, Roman," Sam murmured, meeting Roman's curious gaze. "You stay close to Kennah. No exploring too far, no botherin' anyone. People don' know drakes well here. Be careful." Even if Roman didn't understand the words, he understood the serious tone of Sam's voice, and he butted Sam's shoulder gently in response. "Good lad," Sam sighed, giving his nose a rub before turning to the doors.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elin whined after Sam as he started to leave and Fiona crouched down to the little drake, scratching her beneath her chin. "It's alright, love. Your Ma and Da will keep you safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam paused at Elin's little whine and he had to come back, kneeling beside Fiona and smoothing the little drake's fuzzy mane back. "I'll be back in a while, jus' fer you, alright?" He let her chew on his glove for a few seconds- something she often did when bored or distressed- and he ended up taking off his gloves and leaving them for her. It was odd as security blankets went, but Sam needed her to feel safe. He rose to take Fiona's hand. "Ready?" He asked quietly.