Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I don't know if he was when he still lived in Scandinavia, but from what I can tell, there haven't been any other dragons in this area." She rose to come sit beside the boulder Fiona was perched on, looking out over the loch. "Odd, to think I slept a hundred years yet so little has changed."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Time moves fast for those that have a short time to enjoy it." Fiona said softly as she looked out over the loch. "When people we love pass, it makes time move that much slower."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're a regular philosopher," she commented with a smile. "You ought to write like your grandfather."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't have the words like my grandfather did." Fiona said softly. "He was completely unique. There will only ever be one Ephriam Blackstone on this earth."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And so will there only be one Fiona Blackstone. You have a different story to tell, different worlds in your mind, different experiences. How could he have known the life and times of a woman who manages to drag herself up from nothing time and again? And he was not a caller. And you have much more story to experience too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Maybe I could write about my journey to Scandanvia. That sounds lovely." Fiona said with a smile as she looked towards Invah. "I've been meaning to ask you...do you think you could spare one of your small scales? I want to make a charm for my necklace."

Fiona pulled out the simple leather string from beneath her dress, showing it to Invah. It was barely a necklace and more like a collection of small things that meant something to her. A key to her grandfather's home was there along with a small locket that had a tuft of her Ma's white fur inside. She also had a white crystal on it, something to remind her of her Da.

"I keep telling myself that one day I'll get a proper chain for this, but it hasn't happened yet. Maybe I'm too picky."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think I could manage that," Invah said with a nod. "The bottom of the loch must be littered with old scales. I lose one every week or so and they grow back. I'll hold onto the next one."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Just a small one and I'd be happy." Fiona said with a smile. "That way I never forget that I am a dragon caller."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll never let you forget, dear," Invah assured her. They stayed up into the early morning just talking and trading stories. A week later, and the Ghis were ready to reveal Invah to the town. Rumors had circulated like mad the the point that even the most cynical of old folks believed something was going on to do with a dragon.

But the day before the intended reveal, a strange feeling settled over the keep as everyone started the day. Ciaran had taken his two little sisters out camping for the night, but they didn't return for lunch as promised.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was pacing the great hall, wringing her hands as she glanced towards the door from time to time. It opened and closed, allowing people in except for the three that she most wanted to see. She knew deep in the pit of her belly that something bad had happened. She had no idea what.

"Sam?" She called as her son entered the hall, dressed for work. "Would you go to Ciaran's camp and make sure that everything is alright? They were suppose to be back by now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will. Ciaran wouldn' normally be late gettin' the girls back fer a meal," he thought aloud, taking his cloak and heading out to the stables. It took him a few hours to return, and by the time he had, the city's spare guards, foresters, and rangers were all out searching. Sam returned to Julia with a very scared but unscathed Ashelin, but he had blood on his clothes.

"Ma," Sam said quietly, trying to control his rage as he spoke to her. "Ciaran's with Aunt Val..." That was where the blood was from. Then he added even more quietly, "Someone took Heather."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Took Heather?" Julia asked in confusion. "Who took her? Is Ciaran alright?"

Ashelin clung to her mother, shaking like a leaf as she thought about her brother who had been wounded and her twin who was simply gone.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' know who took 'er, it wasn' anyone Ciaran recognized. He said they were probably southern, but 'e didn' get a good look before they beat 'im all t'hell an' took Heather. Ciaran'll make it, but 'e's no' in great condition. Aunt Val was worried 'e migh' lose an eye an' e's got a few broken bones."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia took that news stoically and nodded, Her daughter was missing and her son was greatly wounded. She knew that Ciaran would pull through in the end, especially with Justin at his side. Instead, she turned her attentions towards Ashelin, kneeling down beside her daughter and looked her dead in the eye.

"What did the men say?" Julia asked as Ashelin looked up at Samuel and then at Julia.

"Mama, I can't..." Ashelin said in a soft voice.

"Ashelin Mary. I need you to tell me what the men said." Julia said, cupping Ashelin's cheeks in her hands.

"They were looking for the dragon caller." Ashelin said with tears in her eyes. "We didn't say anything about Fiona, though. Not a word."

 

[KieranSoares]

The moment Sam heard that, he took off at a full sprint to find Kell. They had to find and secure Fiona first so they could draw the hunters out and get Heather back. And he knew if they didn't secure Fiona- if the hunters were after her to get to the dragon- then Invah would be in danger. But he didn't know their motives just yet.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was riding Roman through the woods that morning. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, and the drake enjoyed the chance to stretch his legs. She simply let him choose the path that they were on, enjoying the time that she got to spend with him. It seemed that she hadn't had the chance to ride him as much as she should have lately.

 

[KieranSoares]

Hours into her lovely day with Roman, Sam and Kell suddenly appeared on their horses on the path she was taking. "Fiona!" Sam called. "I need t' talk to you!"

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona pulled Roman to a stop, turning to look at Sam and Kell as they called for her to come and talk to them. It was strange, she thought to herself, and she wondered if she should keep going for a brief moment.

"What's wrong?" She asked as she guided Roman towards the two of them, mindful of skittish horses that might be surprised by a drake.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Heather's been taken," Kell told her. "By men who are looking for the dragon-caller. We believe they mean to use her as bait. I believe they may want to try to control the Ghis by threatening her, so that they won't interfere. We need to you come with us to the keep."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona frowned at that news, angry that Heather had been taken to try and get to her and the Ghis. She wondered who would have been looking for her or how they knew that a dragon caller had finally woken Invah.

"Why would I need to go to the keep?" Fiona asked as she glanced to Sam and then back at Kell. "I am just as safe out here as I would be there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because we need to make a plan and we need to keep you and Invah safe," Kell explained.

"Ciaran was 'alf ripped apart protectin' Heather. These people're real fighters. From Greece, Ciaran thought. The same kind o' people Roman belonged to before, th'same organization as th'woman tha' attacked you I'd bet," Sam told her quietly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"The thieves to the south of the city might know what is going on or who is doing this." Fiona suggested as Roman rumbled in his want to run. "I know many of them. I could go and ask some questions if you want."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd really rather y'be safe," Sam murmured.

Kell seemed interested by her idea, giving him an idea of his own. "I'll let you two sort this out. I have work to do." He still held considerable sway as the most feared assassin in the north, and he could use it to convince the less honorable to give up information. He disappeared back into the forest in silence.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched as Kell disappeared into the trees, Roman watching with interest before she turned back towards Sam. "I suppose if I say no, you will drag me back whether I wish to go or not."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam was quiet for a moment, knowing he wanted to do exactly that in order to protect her, but more so to make sure he could get Heather back. But he knew forcing Fiona into giving up freedom for safety was cruel, so he relented. "I won't. But I wish y'would come. For my peace o' mind."