Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Fiona knew the stress that Samuel was under and she knew that he worried about his missing sister. She let out a long sigh as she patted Roman's scaly neck.

"I'll let Roman decide. Shall we run through the woods some more or shall we follow Sam back to the keep?" She asked the drake.

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman had no idea what was going on, so he just nuzzled up to Sam's hands for some attention. Sam couldn't help a small smile, stroking Roman's nose. "I don't think he cares."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, if I'm honest, I don't care either." Fiona said softly as Roman rumbled like a content cat as Sam pet his nose.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then come with me. I want you t'be safe. An' maybe we can draw these people out an' get Heather back, if only fer Ma an' Da's sake." He took his horse's reins and turned to lead the way.

 

[heartofcourage]

Roman dutifully followed behind Sam as they made their way back to the keep. Fiona knew that Sam had other things on his mind at the moment and he didn't need her to make things worse by being stubborn and bullheaded.

 

[KieranSoares]

When they arrived back at the keep, Brogan and Rho were making plans about how to deal with the threat and considering that Greece might have taken some issue with Inverness for some unknown reason. Justin had come to look after Ciaran, and Ashelin was under Theo's protection and care. When Sam and Fiona entered, Brogan met them with clear concern in his eyes. "Fiona. I'm glad yer safe, lass." He then looked to Sam. "Where's Kell?"

"Off t'gather more information."

 

[heartofcourage]

"There's a thieves camp to the south of Inverness. It is where Morgan got most of this men. They might know what happened and who these people are." Fiona explained softly, looking at Brogan as he looked so concerned and confused about his missing daughter. "That's where Kell has gone, more than likely."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll find somethin', then. In the meantime, I need you t'go to the loch with Sam an' a few guards an' tell Invah what's goin' on. I don' want 'er comin' out when these hunters migh' be after her. I don' know if they want her or you, but I'm no' takin' the risk t'find out."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes, sir." Fiona said with a nod as she glanced towards Sam. "Shall we head that way then? She'll be eating the fish at this time of day."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam nodded and gathered up several rangers before they went out. When they arrived at the loch, they found signs that quite a lot of people had been there, and Sam sent two of the rangers to scout around before they dared to called out Invah. They found nothing, so Sam finally gave Fiona the go-ahead.

 

[heartofcourage]

As Fiona called Invah, she smiled to see something so normal as a dragon snacking on a small fish. "Good afternoon, Invah." She said softly. "I come with bad news. Heather Ghis has been kidnapped."

 

[KieranSoares]

As Invah rose from the water and Fiona told her the news, Invah's usual calm and lovely demeanor changed completely. "By who?" She asked quickly, stepping fully from the loch. "And for what reason? Ransom?"

"T'get our family out o' the way so they can get at Fiona," Sam explained. "They either want her t'bring you out, or t'get rid of her."

 

[heartofcourage]

"There is no need to worry, Invah. We will find her and everything will be fine." Fiona said, watching as the dragon grew slightly aggravated. "We already have people searching for those that have done this. She's a smart girl. She'll be safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will find her myself," Invah growled, but before she could take a step, Sam quickly spoke up.

"No. Y'can't go out. Not til we know what we're dealing with."

"Young man, I do not mean to brag, but there are few weapons that can pierce dragonhide, and even fewer that are at all portable. Unless these men have great ballistas and cannons and the perfect trap, they will be defenseless."

"Tha's exactly what I'm worried about, Invah- tha' they do have some o' those things. A' least wait fer Kell t'report in."

Invah sighed, her tail swishing impatiently. "Very well... but have him speak to me directly when he returns. I wish to gauge the danger, and even if there is a trap for me, I will risk it. A little girl, especially blind and alone, cannot be left to such hunters."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona had never heard such vicious energy in Invah's voice, but it seemed that the dragon had a soft spot in her heart for the little Ghis girl. Heather had her own trials and she had to have been terrified with all of her safety ripped away from her. Fiona knew that the first chance that she got, she would be out there searching herself, no matter what she had promised Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

At that same moment, little Heather was shoved into what she could only tell was some kind of cage on wheels, like a prisoner transport cart. It was still too cold and too early in the spring to stay outside for so long, but all she had inside the cage was a spare cloak. There was talk all around her in some foreign language, much different from the silence since she'd been grabbed and Ciaran beaten half to death.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather was terrified as she felt around the cage that she was in, her fingers cut a few times on the rough iron bars. All she heard was strange noises, the creaking of the cart as it trundled along, and the occasional snorting of beasts that were pulling it.

"Please...I want to go home." She said in a soft voice. "My Mama is waiting for me."

Julia probably already knew that she was missing at this point, but she had no idea how much time had passed from the moment that she was kidnapped until now.

 

[KieranSoares]

Someone snapped at Heather in the strange, rapid language, but soon the cart came to a halt and the telltale sounds of a camp being made were all around her. A fire was lit near the cart, just close enough to keep Heather from freezing as the sun went down. And before long, a bowl was shoved into the cart with a hastily-made venison soup. Beside it was a canteen of fresh riverwater, and a hard apple.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather shrank back as someone snapped at her, the strange language harsh in her ears as the cart came to a stop. She felt tears in her eyes and she struggled so much to not cry. She had to be brave, even if she felt terrified. She could smell food and she felt around for what was offered. Her hands soon came across the soup and apple, a canteen that she struggled to open was also there with water. She drank and ate without complaint, wishing that her Papa or Da could be there to tell her that everything would be alright.

 

[KieranSoares]

The camp grew quiet now and then, listening as scouts came by to report, but no one could find them, so Heather was alone that night until around midnight, still kept awake by the night watchmen, the cage opened and someone came in to sit beside her.

"Hello," a warm, richly-accented voice murmured. It sounded like a young woman, probably no older than sixteen.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather was shivering under the extra cloak, unable to find sleep in an unfamiliar setting. The sounds were all new, slightly frightening. No one was kind to her, save for the food that she had been given. She had no idea where she was and that scared her most of all.

She looked with a start towards the entrance of the cage when a woman's voice sounded next to her.

"Who are you?" Heather asked softly, wanting so much to cry again.

 

[KieranSoares]

"My name is Nadia. My parents are members of this organization. I'm a new initiate." She wrapped her own thick fur cloak around Heather. "I'm sorry you're mixed up in this... Really, I am."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want to go home." Heather said miserably as Nadia gave her the thick fur cloak that she was wearing. "My Mama needs me. And my Da...his heart won't take it."

She sounded so much younger than her years and perhaps she was due to her lost sight. The world could be a frightening place for her and she often felt left behind by those that meant to show her the way.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sorry..." she murmured. "We normally don't involve children. But... I promise you're going to make it home. Just not as soon as you'd like. And until then, my commander said I could look after you instead of leaving you to those terrible men who took you. If you need anything, just ask."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just want to go home." Heather muttered miserably, finally dissolving into tears as she thought about everyone at home that was probably worried sick about her. "They need me there."