Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I was afraid that you had gone with him when Tavir told me that you had left early this morning with a meal." Fiona admitted, looking over at Sam as he sat down beside her. "I'm sorry I told you to leave last night."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's fine. I don't blame you," Sam murmured. "A lot's suddenly going wrong... I think we both needed a night apart." There was something else bothering him, something completely separate from Fiona.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona knew from the look on his face that something had happened during his trip yesterday. "What's wrong?" Fiona asked, frowning slightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Part o' my trip was t' pick up letters from Inverness tha' I was expecting but hadn't been delivered yet. There were... a lot. Th'Holy Roman Empire's declared war on all th'isles. An' there was one more letter tha' said a scouting party got into Scotland an' started takin' werefolk from Inverness. Da took care of 'em but... this means Inverness is at war, so're th'independent Clan Kings tha' support Kate. Da wrote, told me t'stay a' least til I could meet with th'Triad's rulers an' let them know what's happening."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then we need to go to Malmo soon." Fiona said, knowing that his mind was anywhere but there right that moment. "And then you'll go back home. I'll stay here a while longer to say my goodbyes and then I'll bring the drakes."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be able to reach them all at once at the ball. They'll meet with me properly the day after," Sam nodded. "I'll head home after that. Gaiann offered to take me, but..." He glanced back at the male dragon.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Go with him. He'll keep you safe. I imagine Invah and their daughter will want to travel with him as well." Fiona said softly, knowing that Sam would be safe with the dragons. "As long as you don't head into war."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't be fighting on the back of a dragon anytime soon," Sam assured her. "I barely know how to stay upright. But I can't make any promises from horseback... I'm Inverness' head General. I have to take over the moment I get back."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Would you try to wait until I'm back in Scotland?" Fiona asked, knowing that she had no right to keep him from going to battle.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It all depends on whether the Empire attacks before then. If they attack anywhere in the isles, I need to respond," Sam murmured. He couldn't make promises or give her any reassurances. "Their main target is England... that may mean I'll be joining my Uncle Ashien before long."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was quiet as he said that, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly. She knew that he was a soldier and she knew that he had duties to do if it came to that. She was afraid for what that meant for the future, but for now, he was there and they were together. That meant that they needed to make the most of it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam gave her hand a squeeze in return. "I've fought in other people's battles an' wars before... but no' one on my own homeland since I was twelve. I'm worried Inverness' forces aren't ready for it... We've always kept a standin' army, but I don' think any of them expected t'have t'fight during such a golden age."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I didn't expect for you to have to go off to war." Fiona said softly. "Especially not now."

She had been feeling melancholy about the entire situation since she had been having nightmares. She loved him dearly and feared losing him. In a war, it was a possibility.

"I know I have to share you with your families and your duties." Fiona murmured, looking over at him with a long sigh. "I just wish I didn't have to do it so soon."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This came out o' nowhere. No one expected it, especially not so soon after Emperor Lothair died." Sam slid closer and kissed Fiona's cheek. "We'll figure it out together, Fiona."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona leaned her head against his broad shoulder, knowing that Sam would have stayed there with her as long as he possibly could. However, he needed to be home. She knew that and there was nothing that she could or would do to stop him from going back to Scotland. They depended on him, probably much more than she depended on him.

"Let's go and see about booking passage for the drakes and I." She said, lifting her head from his shoulder and trying to be pragmatic about the situation.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Send a letter southwest t' Hjermaen t'the merchant's guild, that's where I landed with Roman. Use my seal on th' letter, they'll get a charter ship," Sam murmured, rising with a deep exhale. "I'd better send word ahead to the Triad leaders."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And then we'll go to Malmo. I'll explain to Uka what has happened." Fiona said as she stood and turned towards Roman, calling her drake to her side.

 

[KieranSoares]

As Roman came padding to her side, Sam pulled a small bundle of envelopes from his jacket. "I picked up another letter on my way, from my Da t'you." He offered her the sealed letter. "Looks like it was sent with th'money about th'war."

 

[heartofcourage]

"A letter from your Da to me? Why would he send me a letter?" Fiona asked as Sam pulled another bundle of letters from his jacket.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've got a couple guesses," Sam sighed, but he didn't elaborate. "Gaiann," he turned to look at the male dragon. "Can y'drop me at th'tavern? I need t'buy some more paper an' ink an' get some messages sent off."

"You're sure?" Gaiann asked, rising to come to his side, glancing at Fiona as well. "I know how uncomfortable you are up high."

"I have a job t'do, Gaiann," Sam told him quite seriously. "Stupid phobias can wait."

Gaiann nodded with a sigh. "Alright. Climb on." He knelt down. "Fiona, I can take you too and carry Roman if you like. He won't mind."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alright." She said as she climbed on to Gaiann's back and opened the letter that she had been sent by Brogan. "Beastie, stand still."

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman seemed nervous until Gaiann began speaking to him in soft rumbles and growls. When Gaiann's huge hands picked him up, Roman let himself relax and be carried.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona pulled the letter free from the envelope and held it as she leaned over the side of Gaiann and watched Roman. He seemed nervous but was alright in the dragon's claws. He went limp, still rumbling his displeasure over the situation, but she chuckled and left him be.

"Be good, beastie." Fiona murmured as Gaiann rumbled towards the front of the cave to take off towards the town.

 

[KieranSoares]

Gaiann simply opened up his wings and took a running leap, letting himself glide down easily to land in an open area near the tavern. He had to land carefully with only one hand free, but he managed and Roman immediately squirmed out of his grasp and trotted toward the tavern barn.

Brogan's letter to Fiona was short and to the point. He was requesting her and Invah to aid Inverness. He assured they would not be doing any fighting, and hopefully wouldn't get near any danger at all. But Brogan wrote that he could certainly use a beast that could carry messages that would otherwise take weeks to send by horse. It would make coordinating with Inverness' allies and the High Thrones of the isles much smoother and it would be an advantage the Empire simply didn't have. He also requested that Fiona ask Invah if there were any other dragons that could help, who might be willing to do similar tasks. And at the end of his letter, he apologized for having to call Sam away from her. There was also a mention that Brogan was considering choosing a different heir than Rho. Even though he didn't specify Samuel, the implication was there.

 

[heartofcourage]

As Fiona slid off Gaiann's back, she let out a long sigh, the letter tucked away in her pocket. If Sam was in line to be the king, that meant that one day she might be a queen. She had no idea if she were up for that task, but that was something they would have to discuss when they got there. Right then, it was time to prepare for a battle.

"We should take the drakes to Malmö. I'm afraid the dragons would gain too much attention." Fiona commented as she and Sam went off to get him some more paper and ink. "And your Da wants me to bring more dragons."