Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I am only a traveler to these men, having purchased passage from Norway to the isles to seek a group of Riders. You see, my father was a Rider and while I've never had a partner of my own, I have ridden dragons all my life. And at the behest of my dear mother, I've come to join the riders in my father's place." He spoke proudly and stood tall as he said this.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There are a collection of dragons in Scotland, but I refuse to divulge their location. They are safe where they are. If you wish to find a partner, I would suggest you go to Inverness and talk to the trainers there. If they find you worthy, they will introduce you to the dragons." Fiona said, defending those that had placed their faith in her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Understandable, of course. I mean only the utmost respect. If I may, however... What brings you all the way out here, milady?" The man asked as the sailors watched Invah in awe and spoke with her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am in service to the Norwegian royal family at the moment." Fiona said simply, unsure of who she could trust in the midst of this war.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ah, understood. I won't press anymore," he assured her with a chuckle. "Hopefully we'll cross paths in and around the isles."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps when this war is over and we know whom we can trust again." Fiona said with a nod towards the man.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Azeles," one of the sailors called, addressing the gentleman with some title akin to 'Sir' or 'Knight' in Norwegian. Pointing off in the distance, he showed the crew the approaching royal escort fleet.

"Ah, so that's where you came from," the gentleman chuckled. "We'd best curtsey and get out of their way, then. We won't hold them up. Give Her Majesty our regards for bringing us the luck of your passing by. Let her know Sir Andreas Azeles sends his best wishes. I know Norway is having a difficult time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will pass along the sentiments." Fiona said with a nod towards the man as she turned back towards Invah and made to climb back into her saddle. "And if you do make it to Inverness, speak to Owen Blackstone. He will judge whether you should know where the dragons now are or not."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yes, milady." Azeles nodded to her and watched them take off.

Christopher was waiting for them when Fiona and I can returned, but seeing the galleon sail off with two prisoner schooners, he seemed a bit more relaxed.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Fiona was back aboard Christopher's ship, she gave him a long run down of what had happened and what they knew so far. She was tired, but she knew that she still had a job to do for the royal family.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher listened closely, a soldier beside him taking shorthand notes of Fiona's account before trotting away. Christopher nodded as she finished. "If all of the attackers were sunk or taken, then these water should be clear for some time. We'll pick up reinforcements and quicker protective ships when we arrive in Rakkar's former hold, just in case."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Invah and I are always at your disposal." Fiona said with a nod towards Christopher. "We would be more than happy to fly along in front of the ship to make sure that there is no danger."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No need. A pack of ships like that would've been spread out and then came together to attack to avoid being seen as a fleet. It's likely that there aren't enough- if any- left to cause concern. Even two or three with cannons would only last so long before they were rammed by these galleons. And we will call you if anything goes wrong. Get some rest."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded as she was dismissed by Christopher and told to get some rest. She checked on Invah before she retired to the room that had been set aside for her below the deck. It was noisy as the ship creaked and she had a hard time getting comfortable. Instead of sleep, however, she lay down and composed a note to Sam. She missed him horribly and she wanted to keep in touch as best she could, even if none of her letters were answered.

 

[KieranSoares]

There were no more interruptions or dangers along the way to Rakkar's former hold, and the ships landed in the hold capital of Ordenheim. Immediately, riders in ceremonial armor and black outfits came to meet them, the air of the entire port quiet and somber. As Fiona disembarked, she was quickly informed that Invah would have a space in the keep courtyard to stay nearby. They were all given horses and few other words were exchanged before they all headed for the keep where Kjersten would be waiting. Kayla and Christopher and their inner circle lead the way, Fiona among them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona felt he grief and sorrow surround them as they made it to the Swedish court and suddenly the queen was there, sobbing uncontrollably against her father's shoulder. She had never seen a woman like Kjersten lose herself like that, but she couldn't really blame her. She had lost something so important to her that the wound was open and fresh.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ulfric had been quietly speaking to a cloaked man walking with him, discussing defenses for the three courts when he saw Kjersten. All else forgotten, the huge man threw aside his usual controlled and unshakably calm demeanor to sprint the short distance to meet his first born. She was lifted off her feet in an instant, cradled in his arms and held tightly to his chest as he could manage, his head tucked against hers as if to shield her from the world while he murmured a mix of soft apologies and reassurances in their native Norwegian.

Kjersten had been badly hurt in the attack, as everyone saw now. And it became clear that the assassination had probably been meant for her. Thankfully, not far behind with guards, a nursemaid came carrying Kjersten's little baby girl who was completely unscathed. It seemed the queen wouldn't go anywhere without the girl anymore, as if she might be taken just like Rakkar.

When Ulfric finally set Kjersten on her feet, she was weak and just starting to get her breath back, so he kept firm hold of her lest she collapse.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kjersten just held her father tightly, shaking from a mixture of sorrow and pain. She could hardly catch her breath, but she was finally safe with someone who coulld protect her like Rakkar had. They had both fought so hard against the asssassin to protect the baby. She hadn't even known how badly she had been injured nor that her husband was dead until well after the healers had left. It seemed so cruelly unfair that she still had a hard time believing it.

"Why?" It was all Kjersten could manage and all she really wanted to know. Why had her beloved husband been taken from her?

 

[KieranSoares]

Ulfric had never seen Kjersten fall apart. All her life, she had been a vicious fighter when angered, a firm and respectable leader, and dauntless with a touch of grace in all she did. But now she seemed helpless as she had as a baby. All Ulfric could do was kneel with her as her legs gave out, holding up a hand to stop the guards who stepped forward on instinct to help her.

"This world is cruel, my love," Ulfric whispered. "It's the same cruelty that took your mother... beyond honorable battle and glory, it's lust for chaos and pain..." Kjersten knew these words, very similar to the words her mother had once told her when her grandfather, a Jarl called Uldran Heigeirsson, fell to a much younger warrior who had been denied a position of command thanks to his bloody and cruel past, going as far as to kill warriors who didn't bow to him. The young warrior had killed Uldran with a poisoned blade in a surprise attack, leaving the man no chance to even draw his own axe.

Ulfric held Kjersten a little tighter. "But we survive... and we'll see justice done."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It doesn't bring him back." Kjersten murmured miserably, holding her father as he took them to the ground, letting her rest against him. "It doesn't make any of this better."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But it will make the world safer for your little girl." Ulfric kissed her forehead. "And that's all we can do... But for now, we take care of Rakkar." He helped her stand once more, carefully escorting her eastward toward the keep.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kjersten held on to her father tightly as gen lifted her up and started walking her back towards the keep. Fiona stood behind the rest of the group, pondering what had just happened. No one deserved to go through that kind of grief. She knew it well.

"We are in this for the long fight." Fiona said softly as she turned to look at Invah. "In whatever capacity we can fight."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Agreed," Invah murmured without looking down, watching Kjersten and her escorts go. "Enough pain has been felt by those who don't deserve it. And no doubt even Barbarossa's own people, especially the poor, are feeling the strain and loss."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just hope that Sam makes it back in one piece." She said softly, her own fears for his safety chief in her thoughts. "If they can do this to someone as strong as Kjersten, then they won't stop at anything."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Your Samuel will find his way back... He isn't a target yet." Invah leaned down to nuzzle her gently before taking off to patrol just to soothe her own worries.