Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"You're still an independent Rider, Fiona. But I'm glad to have you. Most of all I'm worried for Kayla. While our children are targets... I have reason to believe Barbarossa will aim for Kayla as an example. Years ago she defeated Monomakh in a duel and created a peace pact that made the whole of the Rus bow to her will. She's a powerful figure and the entire north respects her deeply. If Barbarossa were to kill her, he would strike a major blow to all the people who love her. The Ghis family and the Triad would never completely recover. The Triad is already deeply wounded, and Kjersten wouldn't be able to handle it all if she were the last one left."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Christopher, we all know that Sam sent me here to protect his aunt. I might be an independent rider, but I'm here for her." Fiona said softly, looking at Christopher as he talked about his wife being a target of this mad man.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Sam doesn't own you, dear. If you feel you'd be of better use elsewhere, I wouldn't try to keep you here. In fact, if at any point you see a good opportunity somewhere, I encourage you to go after it. I've learned from those who have been attacked so far, and I can manage the protection of my family without a dragon if need be."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But could you save all three?" Fiona asked as he promised that he could take care of his family if it came to that.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kayla and I agreed on the children coming first a long time ago," Christopher murmured quietly, schooling his expression so that no distress showed as he clasped his arms behind his back and stood up straight. So many years of being a Lord Protector had given him the ability to become unreadable at a moment's notice.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It will never come to that." Fiona said softly. "You have my solemn promise on that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't make promises no one can keep," Christopher murmured before stepping around the desk. "We'll get you a small cabin below deck. We have scouter ships all around so I don't expect any opposition in these waters. We may have you scout around as well just in case."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will speak to Invah." Fiona said as Kayla came to the doorway and gained Christopher's attention.

"She's asking for you, love." Kayla said softly, letting him know that Lena needed him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher turned, a nod to Fiona before he stepped past Kayla into Lena's room. Speaking softly in Norwegian, he joined her side. "Hello, darling," he murmured, brushing her dark hair back fondly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lena curled up against her father as he came to her side, sighing as he stroked her dark hair. She hadn't felt well in two days, but Kayla had insisted that the entire family would travel. She hated the idea of making her miserable daughter travel while ill, but she wouldn't be separated from either of her children for any length of time at the moment.

"I want to go home." Lena murmured softly in Norwegian, tears in her eyes as her body ached. "I promise that I'll stay with the guards."

"Helena, we've talked about this, love." Kayla said softly as she came to sit at her side as well. "It's not an option right now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sorry, sweetheart... But we have a duty to Rakkar and Elhardt," Christopher murmured, knowing the news had deeply upset his children as well. "It won't be long to Rakkar's homeland, and then once we're in Denmark, we can rest a while. And you can sleep all you like aboard the ship."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm sorry, Lena. I wish things were different." Kayla said softly as Lena hugged her father tightly, taking comfort in his familiar smell and his warm embrace.

Fiona stood in the outer room, not wanting to intrude. When Kristoff emerged, she gave him a nod, unsure of how to talk to Sam's cousin without him there.

"I'm sorry to hear about your uncle." Fiona said softly, referring to Elhardt.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kristoff looked up as she spoke, and he nodded slowly. "It would've been one thing to just lose Uncle Elhardt... But losing him and Rakkar at the same time makes everything much harder. Denmark is without leadership, and Sweden is struggling while Kjersten mourns for two of the three men she loves most and tries to look after her daughter. We'll see just how dire her situation is when we arrive up the coast... Aunt Kjotva is considering taking regency in Sweden for a while as it's former Queen, and Uncle Ulfric may offer similar help to Elhardt's family."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was quiet for a long moment as she regarded Kristoff. He was a strong young man, not much younger than herself. He was built like his father but was as tall as his Ghis uncles. When he grew a little more, he would be just as big as Sam.

"Perhaps I should set a dragon you way." Fiona said softly. "No one would mess with Norway if the crowned prince was a dragon rider in his own right."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Mother might have something to say about it. But I wouldn't deny the opportunity. Whether I'm cut out for it, though... That's a different story."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam is terrified of heights but he still forces himself into the sky time and again. I'm sure that he would be willing to teach you a thing or two." Fiona said as she turned to go and talk to Invah. "You are more than welcome to come and meet my dragon properly."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kristoff nodded and came to follow Fiona out to the rail. Invah was still wading alongside the ship quite easily, keeping her saddle out of the water. Glancing up to see Fiona, she lifted her head up out of the water and beside the rail.

 

[heartofcourage]

"They are offering me a room below deck as they travel. I think we'll go for the funeral and then see where we stand after that." Fiona said to Invah as she raised her head from the ocean. "And this is Kristoff, Sam's cousin and the crowned prince of Norway."

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah offered Kristoff a smile. "Your Highness. It's a pleasure."

"Lady Kyre," Kristoff bowed his head to her. "We're glad to have you both with us. Every extra advantage in defense we have puts my parents more at ease."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I told them that we are at their disposal." Fiona explained to Invah, giving the dragon a smile as she greeted Kristoff.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yes we are," Invah nodded. Seeing Kristoff look at her saddle and her wings, she smiled gently. "Have you ever ridden a drake, Kristoff?"

"Yes, ma'am. I have two of my own."

"You're welcome to join us for a little flight. You seem interested."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll even let you use the harness." Fiona said with a smile at Kristoff. "Or you can go solo and have an adventure all on your own."

 

[KieranSoares]

"For my mother's sake, I'd better go with someone who knows what she's doing," Kristoff offered a slight smile to Fiona. He didn't seem the sort who smiled often.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Admiral. You are free to ship off. I will be taking his highness on a ride with Lady Invah and we will catch up to the ship shortly." Fiona called across the deck to the man who had greeted her when she first arrived.

 

[KieranSoares]

The Admiral turned in surprise, but seeing Invah already helping the two onto her back, he couldn't exactly argue. "If you will just stay within sight, Lady Kyre..."

"Of course," Invah nodded.