Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded as Sam explained to her how she was to operate. "I'll leave it to your aunt and her spymasters to tell you where I am."

She moved towards Sam and gently touched his arm, gaining his attention. "I know you don't like telling me that you love me, but I would really like to hear it now."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam paused at her touch, and he didn't hesitate to pull away from the saddle to wrap Fiona in his arms. "It's no' tha' I don' like lettin' you know... I'm jus' no' much fer words." He pressed a kiss to her lips and met her eyes. "I love you, Fiona."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And love you, Sam." Fiona said softly, leaning her cheek against his chest with a soft sigh. "And I will see you soon. If I can wait patiently, that is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If I can lock things down 'ere, I migh' be comin' t'you." Sam finally drew back when a few officers came looking for him. "Here or there, we'll see each other before long." Sam shared one last kiss with her before stepping back to let her mount and take off.

 

[heartofcourage]

Before Fiona mounted, she turned towards Invah and looked the dragon in the eyes. "We need to set some rules before we leave. I know you want to protect me as much as possible but if I have to, I will fight to the death with someone. A death on my conscience is far worth it if I don't lose someone I love. You need to understand that I know what I'm getting into."

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah didn't answer, only nodding slightly in response with a frown. She knelt low for Fiona, silently considering the fact that her fledgling was a warrior like her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It doesn't change anything between us, Invah." Fiona said softly, giving the dragon a quick hug before she climbed up into her saddle.

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah took to the skies at full speed once Fiona was ready, soaring eastward with far more urgency than their last journey to Scandinavia. All was peaceful through the day as they left land behind. Invah could sleep in flight so they continued on as quickly as possible even overnight.

It took until the next evening for Invah to close in on Trondheim harbor, but according to Sam, their mission was throughout the Triad. They arrived just as a fleet of five ships was setting sail, very clearly the royal escort. Invah glided down, calling to the sailors aboard the middle ship in Norwegian as they seemed panicked. After a quick exchange, Invah landed in the water a bit away from the ships and swam closer for Fiona to climb aboard.

 

[heartofcourage]

It took some doing, but Fiona pulled herself up on the deck by the rigging as Invah floated in the ocean next to the ship. She had letters to deliver for everyone from Sam, but she knew that she would have to wait to be sent to her next destination when she was needed.

 

[KieranSoares]

After a few Norwegian sailors pulled together what little English they knew to talk to Fiona, the Admiral of the Norwegian Navy stepped out. "Good evening. Lady Blackstone, is it?" He bowed his head to her. "Excuse my men's suspicion, the Queen is aboard. How may we help you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have some letters for her as well as you." Fiona said as she reached for her satchel to retrieve them. "Is the royal family being moved from Trondheim?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Her Majesty has insisted on attending the funerals of her fallen brothers," the Admiral answered with a solemn bow of his head. "King Consort Rakkar is being sent off in his homeland here in Norway, north up the coast. We will meet Queen Kjersten there and she will join us on the way to Denmark to join the other widowed queen in sending off King Elhardt. I think it would honor their memory for a dragon and her Rider to attend, if you will come with us. I assume you aren't here just to deliver letters, considering you are General Ghis' partner."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I believe that is something I need to talk to the queen about." Fiona said, glancing over her shoulder at Invah as the dragon waited patiently. "If you would take me to the queen and lord protector before we set off, we can discuss what their wishes are."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course." The Admiral welcomed her along toward his office, which lead to the door to the royal cabins. The ship was an absolutely massive vessel made for carrying people above cargo, and it was escorted by four warships outfitted with oars and sails to maneuver quickly to defend their charge.

The Admiral opened the door to the large office and living area the Norwegian Royal Family used, bowing as he saw Kayla sitting at the desk with Christopher at her side. "Your Majesty. We have a guest. Lady Fiona Blackstone."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced up from her letters, surprised when the admiral announced that Fiona was there. "Oh my dear. Sam didn't mention that he was sending you."

She stood immediately, dressed completely in black to show her mourning of the two lives that had been lost to greet Fiona properly. She hugged Fiona tightly, her grief etched on her tired face.

"Kristoff is with Lena. She has been ill with a cold and only wanted to sleep when we boarded." Kayla said softly, looking towards Christopher.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher stepped around the desk to greet Fiona with an embrace as well, dressed in a black version of his normal uniform with pins of the banners of Sweden and Denmark displayed instead of any other decor. "I take it you're already aware of what's happened," Christopher murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam told me before I left." Fiona said softly, looking at the two of them as they seemed so somber. "I'm sorry that this had to happen. I know they were members of you family and Kjersten has only just adopted that sweet baby girl."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ulfric went on ahead of us yesterday to go to Kjersten. I think they're having the roughest time... Losing two anchors of the family has left them completely speechless to say the least." He turned to look as Kristoff came out to fetch water for Lena. The young prince bowed politely in greeting to Fiona but didn't get distracted from his task.

 

[heartofcourage]

"How is she, love?" Kayla asked as Kristoff moved to fetch something for little Lena. "I wouldn't take her if things were safer. I just don't want us spread that far out. Kristoff would protect her, but I feel safer having my family close."

Kayla turned to look at Fiona, sadness etched on her features. "I wish I could kill him myself."

"I will take on that burden for you." Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tired, sore. Nothing new," Kristoff answered his mother softly before disappearing back into Lena's room. Christopher returned to the desk quietly to continue about his own work. "The Triad is reeling... Every citizen seems ready to don armor and invade the Empire. The moment news reached Norway, enlistment numbers skyrocketed. I suppose that bodes well for our strength... But we've also had plenty of people join mercenaries or independent fighting companies to go to Normandy without waiting for us. It seems the Viking Spirit has come out in response to treachery and dishonorable conduct."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have half a mind to fly to Vienna and burn his empire to the ground. He would rethink everything if everything that he loved was ripped from him." Fiona said softly to the both of them. "It would end this war just as quickly as it started."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You must remember that it is Barbarossa and his lackeys that are the problem, not the people of the Empire. Where he orders pillaging and destruction, we try not to stoop so low and hurt the common people if we can help it. Soldiers are for fighting, not innocent farmers and artisans," Christopher reminded her softly. "Vienna does not need to burn. Only a few people do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then I will burn his palace to the ground with him inside." Fiona said, correcting her original statement.

"Sam's stubbornness is wearing off on you." Kayla said softly with a chuckle, excusing herself to go and tend to Lena.

"I will follow you with Invah and make sure that you make it safely." Fiona said softly to Christopher.

 

[KieranSoares]

"What orders were you given beyond that?" Christopher asked Fiona after kissing Kayla's cheek as she passed by. "We could certainly use the safety that you and Invah provide... The ability to have you take people who are in danger away at a moment's notice is invaluable."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am at your disposal." Fiona said as she glanced towards christopher. "However you might need me, I suppose."