Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[heartofcourage]

“Well, Sam and I had an evening alone and he can’t cool his own wife breakfast, so he offered the next best thing.” Fiona said with a grin towards Sam. “And then he got recognized as a king for the first time, so he’s nice a surly now.”

She knew he was in a good mood, but she still couldn’t help teasing him. It’s what made her happy and he secretly enjoyed it...but only from her.

“Where’s Naiya? She should be getting close to having that cub.” Fiona asked, seeing the little smile on Suara’s lips. “And you’re probably as excited as can be.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's been keeping close to her troublemaker, and I prefer it that way. They're working out a life and future plans. I believe young Rhodan intends to move to the village in spring. He wants his cub to grow up close to me and our culture. They're still working out the details, but those are the hopes they've expressed to me."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’ll have to build him a house as a gift.” Fiona so, glancing at Sam. “Before he can protest because you know he will.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Already 'ave money set aside t'do it," Sam nodded. "Think I'll let Naiya design th'place. Rho's good at organization an' all, but as my brother, I'm immediately on Naiya's side first."

Suara chuckled at that, coming to lean down and kiss Sam's cheek and then Fiona's. "By the way... We have some interesting visitors on the way. Shana tells me that a group of Riders should be arriving soon from the far east and northeast. Apparently they're a bit... Spirited."

 

[heartofcourage]

“More riders? Well, I suppose we’ll have to make sure that we have more than enough room for everyone.” Fiona said as Suara kissed each of their cheeks. “And I’ll keep Sam and Rho in line, Suara. I promise you that.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I appreciate that. And, by the way, we have free space in the village for any Riders. The dragons are being taken care of by Ezra as I understand it. There's room enough for them out in the highlands and plenty of fish and game to support them for a long while."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll extend the offer. They might be like Rory and simply prefer to camp out with the dragons. He's been tending to those that have come on their own without Riders." Fiona and Sam knew of their location, but they had been sworn to secrecy for the dragon's protection. "There are a few spots open in the garrison and the stables, but we are quickly running out of places to keep people."

 

[KieranSoares]

"As I understand it, many of them are nomads and may be bringing their own dwellings with them. Many of them are Mongolian or traveling mercenaries from the east. Shana also mentioned that she heard rumor of some Imperial Riders headed our way with intentions to consider our side and potentially defect."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then wide open spaces is what they need. Luckily we have lots of that." Fiona said as she glanced over at Sam and then back at Suara. "Let us buy your breakfast, Suara. It's the very least that we can do after all that you've done for us."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's very kind of you, my love, but I happen to have a breakfast date with your father to discuss a few things about your family history with dragons. He's probably waiting, but I wanted to stop by to say hello."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If he lets you know anything interesting, I would like to hear it." Fiona said as Suara said her goodbyes and then went on her way to meet with Owen.

"My Da would never talk about dragons when I was little. I know that he would disappear for long periods of time, but he never told me where he had gone or what he was doing. I just assumed that he worked like everyone else." Fiona looked across her empty plate to Sam, giving him a shrug of her shoulders. "I suppose being a dragon rider or caller isn't exactly a normal career."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Considerin' how few people even believed in dragons til they filled th'skies here, I'd agree." Sam set his plate aside when, as if on cue, the dark shape of a dragon passed overhead, coming from the east. Sam could vaguely make out the shape of tack and a Rider, but was unfamiliar with the dragon itself. "New arrival, I guess. Migh' be one o' those nomads." Off in the distance, the dragon glided down out of sight beyond the forest likely to land in the hills.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I suppose we should get back to work then.” Fiona said as she rose from the table, giving Sam a grin as he did the same. “Buy me one of the cakes for later and I’ll go get the drakes ready.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Will do." Sam left her with a kiss and headed up toward the outdoor kitchen with their plates to speak to the proprietor. Soon they were on their way, but not before another four Riders and their dragons came flying over Inverness from the east. Upon reaching the courtyard, Sam and Fiona found Shana and her tiny pseudodragon Tuvan speaking to a heavily-armored stranger, likely the Rider from the first arrival. In Inverness, they were used to the leather armor sets for maneuverability and speed. But this Rider was clad in a combination of leather and steel and chain, but not quite as heavily as a mounted knight would be. The armor favored areas that would be exposed most, and left partly open the insides of the legs, arms, and had a fairly open field of vision in the barbute, crested helmet. The style of the armor was something Fiona had never encountered, leather molded permanently onto plate in beautiful designs that would show station, reduce clattering and noise and reflection, and prevent rusting. The suit was a combination of plates over lamellar and chain, and the shoulders were crested by decorated pauldrons that, in the molded leatherwork, depicted designs of ferocious canines and warriors armed with sabers and round shields. His cloak and mantle were rich dark green, and a tall staff with a banner stood planted in the ground beside him. The banner was a similar color, with a golden circular design that depicted a ravenous wolf's head with a single saber crossed behind.

Sam pulled Kennah up short at the sight of the imposing figure. While there was no recognition of the man himself, Sam stared for a moment at the crest on the banner in some clear trepidation. Shana and the stranger conversed in rapid Mongolian, their tones telling the new king and queen that the conversation was remaining civil, but very tense. Shana paused upon noticing them, and stepped past the other Rider.

"Fiona, Samuel," she spoke up. "Or should I say, Your Majesties," she added with a small smile. "I believe our guest is looking for you two specifically."

 

[heartofcourage]

“No rider will ever refer to us as that. We hold no dominion over them.” Fiona said simply as she slipped from Roman’s back, glancing towards Sam as Shana told her that the new rider was expecting them. “I’ll take care of it, Sam. You tend to the drakes.”

With that, she followed Shana towards the armor clad rider and greeted him as warmly as she could. “Welcome. I’m Fiona Blackstone. It seems you’ve come to meet with me.”

She had no idea if the person spoke English at all, but she assumed Shana would translate if not. She refused to let any other rider intimidate her because of a language barrier.

 

[KieranSoares]

Shana stood close at Fiona's side, the tension between herself and the stranger lessening as his attention turned to Fiona. "Caller," he addressed her with a curt but respectful nod. "I have been called here by the Uzkovas to your service. Though I did not realize members of a rival clan would also be your allies." He glanced to Shana at that. "Nonetheless, the Riders of Clan Kholtagi are at your command. My sister's will arrive shortly." At that, he bowed formally. Fiona had caught the flash of cub-blue eyes under his helmet, which was explained as four female werewolves in similar armor entered the courtyard. The first was dusty red, the second ruddy, the third silvery, and the last and tallest stark black much like the Mongolian stranger's hair and full beard.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona glanced towards Shana as the man stated that she was a member of a rival clan. She said nothing in that moment, not wanting to seem like she was taking a side as four female wolves exited the keep, joining their brother's side. They all seemed tense with Shana there, but Fiona kept her cool and greeted them all politely.

"We have room for you either in the fields next to the stables or in the were village. Suara Coral has stated that she can house you if you want to stay." Fiona mentioned to them all. "My mate, Samuel Ghis, has also stated that you may build whatever camp you deem necessary in the field if you choose to stay close to the keep."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We keep to our gers and our own camp, so we will set up nearby," the Rider nodded, and he only grew to more of a powerful presence as his Wolf sisters joined his side with varying eyes of blue, amber, and flecks of brown.

"I should properly introduce you all, shouldn't I?" Shana spoke up, earning a tense glance from all but one sibling, who stepped forward to take Shana's hand in a strangely affectionate manner which softened Shana's demeanor.

"Allow me," the young woman said, certainly the youngest of the bunch and probably a few years younger than Fiona. "Lady Caller," she addressed Fiona with a kind smile. She was the more vibrant, ruddy red Wolf, and she had beautifully-patterned blue and amber eyes that resembled rings of thorns in her irises. "Brother Khunbish and Sister Khulan are the twins and our eldest," she spoke as she motioned to the human and the tall, black-furred Wolf. "Sister Ganhi," she motioned to the steely grey Wolf. "And Sister Taban," she motioned to the silvery Wolf.

"And I," she bowed her head, "am Tseta. We come in the name of our father, Timur Kholtagi Khan, and in the name of Dmitri and Xenia Uzkova, our dear friends and mentors. We are the Kholtagi Riders, and we come from a millenium-long line of Khans and Riders who have wandered Siberia and Mongolia and the eastern oceans. And regardless of our clan ties, we come to support Shana of the Ukhul as family." By the glance the two exchanged, it was clear they were deeply in love and mated. And by the way the jaws tightened and silent, deep breaths were taken in by Tseta's siblings, it was even clearer that the four hated it but tolerated it for now.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm pleased to meet you." Fiona said, glancing back over at Shana as the entire family seemed to have her in their sites for the way that she loved their little sister. "And I hope that you find Inverness a pleasing place to stay for however long you're here. You're welcome to eat meals in the great hall with the rest of the soldiers and riders. Your dragons are free to roam the loch and hunt in the surrounding forests."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You are most gracious, Lady Caller," Khunbish nodded and the older siblings all bowed their heads in respect. "Until we meet again, Master Dmitri asked me to contact whoever is in charge of saddlery here, and send Khulan to them. She is a master saddle-maker of horse, drake, and dragon and she will outfit or repair for any Riders in need and assist with drake saddles if needed. Lady Xenia has also asked that Ganhi and Taban meet with your drake trainers to help teach them as drakes are still new to this part of the world. I will join in training younger Riders with Master Ezra. If you could send each of us in the right direction, we will find our way."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded and pointed them all off in the right direction, thanking them for wanting to supply their expertise. She watched them go, knowing that soon, Inverness would be a haven for those that had dragons and drakes alike. She would have to speak to Invah about how best to make sure that the surrounding landscape was prepared to support them all.

As she was thinking, she felt a smooth maw brush against her fingers and she glanced down with a smile to see Elin sniffing at her hand. The little drake was shedding her fledgeling fat, growing long and graceful like her mother. Fiona scratched along the little drake’s crest, laughing as she purred in delight.

“Spoiled little mite.” Fiona murmured, getting the little drake to follow her to the stable where she got her training tack on and then reunited her with Kennah and Roman as they feasted on what Sam had brought for them.

“I found one more.” Fiona said, giving Sam a grin as Elin nuzzled up against him, nipping at his gloved hands.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Wanderin' off from Kesh again?" Sam asked the small drake who was now the size of a large dog. Ruffling her furred mane, Sam scooted her along toward Kennah. "Kesh probably doesn' even know, still asleep I'll bet."

 

[heartofcourage]

Elin didn’t want a thing to do with her mother, instead coming back to lean against Sam’s leg as she growled and purred in contentment.

“Figures that another female drake is attached to you.” Fiona said with a smile as the little drake seemed quite content.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She won't be once I put 'er to work," Sam knelt to take Elin's head in his hands. "Yer gonna hate tack, I know it already."

 

[heartofcourage]

“She doesn’t seem to mind the lighter pieces. She let me put the harness on pretty easily.” Fiona said as Elin nuzzled against Sam as he gave her attention. “With those scales, she might just be a drake for show.”

Elin was a beautiful combination of Roman’s dusky golden scales and Kennah’s blue green. She would be a beauty when she grew, putting over drakes to shame.