Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

Kell sat forward, watching Kate and Brogan go and smiling to himself softly. But he wasn't on his own long before he found Ashelin seeking his attention to dance as he'd done with her since she was tiny.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched from her seat as the dance floor filled with their friends and family, the feast swinging into gear as everyone seemed so joyful. Sam was dancing with his Ma, Brogan with Valentina, while Mako pulled his poor ma out for the first of many dances. It made her smile to think that this family, this big wonderful family, was now hers as well.

 

[KieranSoares]

It didn't take long for Taqu'un to approach Fiona, borrowing the seat beside her and sitting down quietly and calmly. "Not much for dancing either, hm?" He asked, watching his wife dance with Kreston and his daughter dance with her mate. The last time Fiona had spoken to Taqu'un, he'd forgiven her crimes and sent her off to truly begin her new life.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sam only gets one. He knows he needs to choose wisely.” She said as Taqu’un sat down beside her, as calm and peaceful as she had ever seen him. “I never had the chance to learn to dance. As queen, I suppose I’ll need to. It wouldn’t do to have a queen at court who had two left feet.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"If you're a part of House Ghis, it's an absolute requirement," Taqu'un smiled. "It's actually very enjoyable. I'm not very good at it yet, but I'm learning as something of a gift to my wife. When you get a certain dance down to muscle memory, you feel weightless and graceful. Sam in particular is a very good teacher, so you're in luck."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I suppose I am.” Fiona said as she looked towards Taqu’un. “Sam probably hasn’t had time to ask yet, but we would be honored if you would marry us officially at our wedding this winter. I’ve never been particularly religious and he has a deep love for anything to do with the tribes. It only seems right to have you do it.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I would've expected you two to ask Suara," Taqu'un smiled over at her. "But I'd be glad to. You're family, after all."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Suara will still have a part in all of this, I’m sure.” Fiona said with a small smile. “She married is the other evening in front of the tribe. It was lovely and spur of the moment.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"So I heard. It's good to see you finding your way." Taqu'un chuckled to himself. "I say that, and here you are, a new Queen with a husband, and your young Will is a fine Ranger."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I don’t know if I’ll ever truly find my way. It feels as if things are happening for a reason now, but I also feel as if I have a lot to atone for. I still wish to repay those that I stole from. I want to make sure that this never happens to anyone, were or human, ever again. The only difference now is that I have the means to do it.” Fiona said softly with great conviction in her voice.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You take care of your people, give others the chances and options you needed when you were in their place, and you'll do just fine. But I'm just a tribal elder. I have a small reach and sight. As a Clan Queen you must think from a larger perspective. You've come to the point where you can't always help individuals."

 

[heartofcourage]

“But I can give those who most need it a fighting chance.” She said softly. “The chance that I never got.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You forged that chance for yourself. It will be up to you to make it for those who can't do it but deserve it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“He doubts that he can do this.” Fiona said softly as she glanced towards Sam dancing with his mother. “I think he might be the best king Inverness has ever seen.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's only been a few hours," Taqu'un chuckled. "But he has potential. More than he thinks. But then again, your Samuel doesn't think much of himself. He simply does what he believes is best."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I need you to know that the tribes are safe here. As long as he and I are on the throne, we will do everything in our power to give you a safe home.” Fiona said as she looked toward Taqu’un. “We need to know the bad along with the good. We want to share in triumphs alongside you all. We also want to take care of those problems that you face as well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We have always appreciated the safety afforded to us by Inverness. But the tribes are also willing to fight alongside the soldiers. Tribal warriors are some of the best in the world thanks to our ancient techniques and our ability to adapt to new tactics and weapons. And we've advanced even further since I appointed my current Captain."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m sure that Sam will use all of the help you have to offer.” Fiona aid with a small smile, reaching over to touch his hand. “For the next few days, we simply want everyone to celebrate. Then we will start preparing for winter and figure out where this battle will end for the season.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn't plan too hard, my dear. Barbarossa might not send armies in the winter, but he won't take a break either."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Do you think our wedding is a target?” Fiona asked, a little startled that he thought Barbarossa wouldn’t rest come winter.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He would've only just heard you two were being crowned. Unless he's allowed assassins to act on their own judgement, which would be incredibly foolish of him lest they anger the wrong target, he won't be able to send orders this far til after your wedding. Kell and his grandfather will look after you, but I don't think anything big is going to happen here so soon after the attempt on Kate and Brogan."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s a terrible thing to have to worry about something like that at a joyous event.” Fiona said softly, shaking her head. “If we could strike at what he loves most, perhaps he would be a little more hesitant to do the same to other people.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Does he even love anything beyond his power?" Taqu'un questioned. "He killed his own uncle for it." Taqu'un shook his head then. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be bringing this up today."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Another time then. Soon.” Fiona agreed as Taqu’un hesitated to go further with his explanation of what he knew about Barbarossa. “Sam will want to hear your opinions on the matter as well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We and Suara will get together very soon to discuss. The throne recognizes us as sovereign leaders, though of course we rely on the throne to keep our homes. Until then, my dear, try to enjoy yourself. And dance with your Samuel more than once, just to surprise him."