Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"We'll see. Stacia might not let you pay either if she figures out we're together," Sam warned her with a chuckle before he headed out on his way with one more of his small smiles.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then we won't tell her." Fiona said with a grin as Sam started on his way home.

She watched him go for a while, the snow falling a little heavier around them. She felt peaceful, a little hopeful. It was a good feeling.

 

[KieranSoares]

Come morning when Fiona arrived at the tavern, she found the Jackal working on his own inside, having just opened. Everything had already been set up the evening before, so he was busying himself with taking stock and cooking. As the door opened, he looked up. "Ah, good morning, Miss."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good morning." Fiona answered as she stepped in from the cold and looked around the empty tavern. "I'm here to see Sam. He was supposed to be meeting me for breakfast. Is he around?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"You must be Fiona, then. He went to let the drakes out so they could hunt," Tavir told her, coming around the bar with a kind smile. "Tavir Solarka." He had a rich foreign accent that certainly didn't belong in Sweden, but he already stuck out enough just being a Jackal which to many was not quite fox-like and not quite wolf-like. "I don't know if you've met Stacia yet, but she'll be around soon. Sam should be back any minute, so make yourself comfortable."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam mentioned Stacia last night." Fiona said as Tavir introduced himself to her. "Fiona Blackstone. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tavir."

She hung up her cloak and the new scarf her grandmother had given her that morning, one made of thick sheep's wool and dyed blue to match her cloak. She turned and took a spot at the table next to the hearth, warming herself while she waited.

"I can almost bet that my drake let the both of them out long before Sam got there. Roman is a trouble maker." Fiona commented as the black fox she had seen the day before finally appeared, looking tired as she nuzzled against Tavir.

 

[KieranSoares]

"So I've heard, though according to Sam, it's Kennah who's the master lock-pick," Tavir chuckled, drawing Stacia against his side.

"I told you to go to bed earlier, Stacia. I would've had plenty of time to finish this morning," Tavir told his mate with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm never prepared for the elders to stay so late." Stacia said as her mate scolded her for staying up. "They always have one more story to tell. And then it turns into five stories and then it's past midnight."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's why you tell their children to take them home before they drink too much," Tavir laughed, kissing Stacia and letting her go. "Take it easy, my love. Today will be slow."

 

[heartofcourage]

Stacia smiled at her mate, nuzzling against him one more time before she turned to look at Fiona. "And you must be the woman that Sam has been pining over. I'm Stacia Ivansdottir. Married to Tavir, or at least I claim him."

Fiona blushed a little as she brought up Sam pining over her. "I don't think Samuel Ghis pines over anyone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Talkin' about me again?" Sam asked as he came in the door, pausing to take off his cloak before coming to Fiona's side

 

[heartofcourage]

"Nope. Not at all." Stacia said with a grin. "I'll get is all something for breakfast. On the house. Tavir knows not to take any money from either of you."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam sighed, looking to Fiona. "She's out t'make me owe 'er, I bet. Used t'do it to me when we were younger too.

 

[heartofcourage]

Stacia chuckled and got them all a hearty breakfast prepared in no time. Potatoes, rabbit, and eggs with a stiff, strong tea and coffee with sweetened milk. Fiona was quiet as usual as Tavir and Stacia worked, glancing to Sam after a moment of silence.

"Any news on Kennah?" She asked him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I managed t'get Roman away long enough t'have a look at 'er. An' I'm pretty sure I'm gonna find an egg before winter's over. I'm no expert, but with th'way they're actin' an' with Kennah havin' put on a little weight, I'm pretty sure. Roman's gettin' pretty protective, an' Kennah's probably no' gonna be able t'hunt for 'erself before long, so he'll take over." Sam took off his gloves and settled at a table with Fiona. "I don' even know what I'd do with a fledgling drake once it's old enough t'be away from Kennah."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You could give it to Annie. I'm sure she would have a better idea having dealt with foals most of her life." Fiona suggested as Sam declared that there would be an egg before winter was done. "Perhaps Invah can tell you what to do. She raised three fledglings."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd like t'keep it, honestly, but still work with Ann. We both sort o' intend t'work with drakes anyhow. She wasn't plannin' on it til we ended up with those Greeks' drakes, but... with how much Silas loves 'em, I'm sure she'll want t'learn so she can teach 'im an' set 'im on a good path."

Sam sat back in his chair. "But seein' as yer drake is Kennah's mate... it's up t'you too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It'll be your drake caring for it, Sam. Roman and I have no say in this matter." Fiona said as Sam insisted she would have a part in this as well. "I can barely afford to keep up with Roman, let alone a small drake. If it weren't for Annie and David, I wouldn't even have Roman at all."

She had to think about her future. That future, for the time being, focused on taking care of Will and making sure that he didn't stray from the path that he was on. Times were tough and sometimes money was tight, but she had never known a time when they weren't.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don' have to worry about money fer th'drakes, lass. I know they're expensive, but fer the sake o' how useful they are, I'm willin' t'pay for 'em. But I do want yer opinion, because this fledgling is gonna end up either bein' a ranger's mount, or a hunter's companion." Most of the drakes that had been taken in by the Ghis had ended up with Ciaran's rangers or with some of the finest knights. A few had even been sent to Edinburgh as Kate's stablemaster was interested in working with them for the sake of the royal guard. Those who were of a softer variety ended up with the keep's hunters who stocked the kitchens, as they could carry upwards of three large game animals without issue, and they could help a hunter's dogs and protect all of them from more aggressive game like boars.

 

[heartofcourage]

"No, you're not going to pay for Roman." Fiona said, looking at Sam with a stubborn glance. "I'll let you care for their fledgling but he's mine. It might be tough but I'm going to care for him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Alright," Sam murmured. "I jus' don' want you t'have t'sacrifice anymore than you already 'ave." Despite everything, Sam still wanted to take care of her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to take care of me." Fiona said simply. "Especially now when we're still trying to figure things out. If we decide this won't work, I don't want you to have wasted your money on me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's not wasted on Roman regardless," Sam assured her, but he let it go. Some subjects would always be a tension point for them, and this was one of them. In the hope of seeing their relationship repaired, Sam didn't want to push such a thing too much.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Breakfast is served." Stacia announced as she came back in, a grin on her face as she carried a tray of food and Tavir brought the drinks. "It'll only get colder as the days go on. Need to put some weight in the both of you to make it through."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We're from Scotland, lass. We can make it," Sam assured Stacia with a small smile. "But I'm touched tha' you're concerned."