Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Kesh occasionally shifted but was mindful of Fiona's delicate task, and eventually his tail curled around her much like Roman or Kennah would often do, and he entertained himself by digging his claws into the grassy soil and letting the blades of grass get between his fingers and toes. When a breeze blew by, he'd lift his head to enjoy it, then lay it back down and keep examining the grass as if it were the most interesting thing in the world

Eventually after he dozed off and Fiona had more than an hour into her work, the slightest tremor in the ground told her that a dragon had landed nearby. Off some ways was a completely new dragon Fiona had never seen. She was about two-thirds Invah's size with dainty wings and was very slim from her pointed maw to her long, thin tail and lean little limbs. However, she was much longer and her broad chest dipped low like a canine's ribcage, and her mane was very long and almost seemed to move as if in water. She was a strange shade of royal blue that only appeared in rare flowers, and her eyes were dark amber-brown. But despite all her differences, she had some of Invah's features.

The lithe dragon was staring directly at Fiona, but hesitated for a long moment to approach. A thin scar around her neck shone in the sunlight, likely from a collar. Perhaps that was why she was so hesitant- she was afraid.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona glanced up from her seeing as she felt the earth tremble beneath her. A beautiful dragon had landed a distance away and was staring straight at her as if hesitant to approach. Kesh didn't seem to mind as he continued to doze, so Fiona did the only thing she could really think to do. She called out a greeting.

"Hello. Can I help you?" She asked, never putting down her task.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the dragon drew a little closer, Kesh finally looked up but he was completely unbothered, staring at her as if with recognition as he sniffed the air.

"H-hello..." The dragon finally murmured back with a rich accent that Fiona had occasionally heard among some of the African Erygonians back in Inverness. "Excuse the intrusion but... I was looking for my parents. And I caught their scent and... found you." She sat back on her haunches slowly. "You wouldn't happen to know Invah Kyre and Gaiann Dresden, would you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know them very well. They are staying in a cavern further up the mountains." Fiona commented as the dragon approached her hesitantly. "I could show you where but it's not hard to find. Or if you would like, they usually come into town before dusk to get the news of the day. I can stay with you until that happens."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So they're still here?" She asked, unable to help some excitement creeping into her voice as she smiled. "I'm sure I can find them, but... may I ask your name? And how you know them?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Fiona Blackstone. I suppose your mother has all but adopted me. I woke her from the loch and I've been with her ever since." Fiona explained as the young dragon seemed so excited to find her parents. "And you are?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"So you're my newest little sister," she murmured, all her nerves and hesitation melting away to a grace and calm and a warmth that was Invah through and through. "Uncle told me about you when I stopped to see him." She drew near and leaned down to nuzzle Fiona's cheek gently in a proper greeting that Fiona often saw Invah trade with Gaiann and Glaynviahr. "My name is Yhara, I'm my mother's eldest. My father was Sala-jin."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So you're the one who conquered Gaiann." Fiona said with a grin as the dragon nuzzled against her cheek. "It is a pleasure to meet you. This is Kesh, my father's drake. My drake recently fathered a tiny fledgling and I'm afraid he is overprotective of her and his mate. Perhaps you'll meet them all before too much longer."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can't believe there are drakes so far north," Yhara smiled down at Kesh. "It's so cold here... then again, I've lived my life between deserts and jungle-covered mountains."

Yhara sat down beside them, unable to get rid of her smile. "So if you've talked to Dad, he's finally awake. And Mom is back here in Sweden again."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh yes. They have been having a good time here. We came to visit my family but they seem to be wanting to settle in Inverness when everything is said and done." Fiona said as Yhara sat down next to her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good. It'll be much safer there for them. While Scandinavia isn't necessarily dangerous... the further from Middle Europe, the better." Yhara's attention was suddenly taken away by a shadow that passed overhead, and she stood again. "Dad..." She took off at a full sprint and when she was some ways away, she let out a sound halfway between a bark and a short roar. It wasn't loud, but it got the flying Gaiann's attention and he tucked into a dive almost instantly. From Fiona's vantage point at the top of a small hill, she could see him pull up at the last second and land, only to be tackled an instant later and toppled by his stepdaughter.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona smiled as she watched the two reunite. She couldn't image what it would be like to be separated from each other for so long. Her Da had been out of her life for years, but she hadn't really thought about their reunion in terms like the two dragons did. Father and daughter hugged and she could hear the sounds of soft weeping from where she sat with Kesh.

 

[KieranSoares]

Gaiann and Yhara curled together in the grass, the much smaller dragon burying her face against his huge chest for a long time while his arms draped around her. Eventually Gaiann saw Fiona and he offered her a smile from afar. Kesh watched the reunion with some curiosity but remained where he was as Fiona's backrest. Finally Gaiann and Yhara came back to Fiona and the older dragon leaned his head down to nuzzle Fiona's arm.

"You two have met already?" He asked, keeping one wing outstretched and draped over Yhara's much slimmer form.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We were just making our introductions when you appeared. You're always stealing my guests." Fiona teased as Gaiann nuzzled against her arm. "I decided to spend the day sewing a new gown. Dmitri gave me a day to rest. I suppose we'll be right back at it tomorrow."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good, you need a break." Gaiann smiled to Yhara. "Your new little sister is in training to become a proper Rider. And your mother is her partner. Well, for the most part."

"No wonder you two adopted her," Yhara chuckled, keeping pressed up against his side. "I was expecting I'd have another sibling before too long if Dad woke again, but I'd expected you to have more scales, dear." That made Gaiann chuckle as they both sat down beside Fiona.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm afraid I can't grow scales. Nor can I grow fur. I'm a full blooded member of this tribe, but I've never been a fox." Fiona said as the two dragons sat down next to her, settling in to visit. "I come from a long line of dragon callers and dragon riders, it seems."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do you?" Yhara looked to Gaiann with surprise.

"A Blackstone, no less," Gaiann confirmed.

"It's a very small world, isn't it?" Yhara thought aloud. "I met a Blackstone or two when I was younger, after Mom and Dad came up here. But that was hundreds of years ago. I lost track of them after a while."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My grandfather was Ephriam. His family was from Greece or even Egypt. He told me stories of dragons and drakes that he used to own." Fiona said as Yhara mentioned meeting some Blackstones a few centuries back. "He lived in Inverness after he gave up riding."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Greece and Egypt both, back then. They were quite the family... The strangest combination of people. Teo and Lunars have always been at odds, but back then, the Blackstone clan united two warring tribes with a marriage. Palo Vodi of Greece, one of the leading men of the Blackstone clan, married Zadin Galma of Egypt and united their families. It created a domino effect thanks to alliances and ended the wars between several tribes in Africa and southern Europe. But it was the Egyptian side that was really thriving when I met them."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You speak of them as if they are some sort of royalty." Fiona said with a glance towards the two dragons. "Grandpa always said that we were simple people, no pretension to be had. We simply wanted a home to feel safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They weren't lords and ladies, but they were well-respected in the tribes and they often had a hand in political relations between tribes and human governments when the two sides met, because their dragons did as well. Eventually they became respected in their own right, just as much as the dragons were," Gaiann explained.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Grandpa always talked about missing his drakes. He had such a connection to them. If we had the money, I'm sure he would have kept one of his own. Times were tough." Fiona said, patting Kesh's scaled neck as he let out a great sigh. "However, I like the idea of keeping them now. It honors his legacy and our family history. That makes me very proud."

 

[KieranSoares]

"As it should. Drakes were part of your family livelihood, as they are for many families so far south," Yhara nodded, then noticed that there were some people that had gathered in the distance, looking at her. While the sight of dragons was common for the village, they'd already seen a handful of new dragons pop up, something that just didn't happen often nor in such numbers. "I believe we have an audience," Yhara chuckled. "I hate to disappoint them, but I do want to see Mom before I go around introducing myself here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You should show her where the cavern is, Gaiann. I'm going to sew a while longer before I go to find Sam and the other drakes." Fiona said, glancing at the larger dragon with a smile. "Once you're settled, come by my grandfather's house. I'm sure that Uncle Rhett could help whip up a feast to celebrate your family coming back together."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If we were going to have a feast, Invah would probably take over," Gaiann smiled and nuzzled Yhara's cheek. "Let's get going, then. She'll have my hide already for not bringing you to her immediately." Both rose and with soft farewells to Fiona, they both trotted out a ways and took off with ease.