Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"They'll think I'm goin' t'be even more stone-cold now," Sam smiled to himself and let Fiona take the lead as they stepped out into the cool evening air. Autumn was coming, but everything was still green and lively. The grounds had been filled with lanterns and soldiers and folks who lived around the keep were gathered around little bonfires here and there, most near someone's home who was generously handing out food and drink. Out in town, a large bonfire had been set in the center of the town square a safe distance from any shops and stalls, close to the central fountain at the feet of an iconic Invernessian bear statue built under Brogan's orders sometime around Sam and Rho's fifth year.

People who saw Fiona and Sam gladly greeted them with kind words and bows, not yet sure if Sam would be as personable a king as his father. But people who knew them personally didn't treat them any differently save some mock bows and overdone dramatics to tease them. Namely Ria Espios was responsible for that. She'd been with the family and important guests for a little while, but her place was out among the rough and tumble sailors, workers, and soldiers.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona kept her arm in Sam's, letting him know quietly that she was there for him as people came to greet them in their own ways. To his credit, he remained calm and greet everyone who came their way. She was proud of how he was handling the entire situation, even if he felt that he didn't have much of a choice in the matter.

When they came to Ria, she chuckled as Sam turned a touch red. "Don't worry, Sam. She hasn't told me any of your secrets yet. I'm sure she has a lot of them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So many," Ria smirked. "Did I ever tell you about the time he arrested Gerald?"

"That's not a secret," Sam said dryly.

"No, it isn't. But the secret is that our favorite lawman let Gerald go for a bribe." Sam frowned, a little embarrassed.

"It wasn't a bribe."

"A bribe from a former pirate no less. And if not a bribe, then a threat. For shame, Samuel. And you said you didn't make deals with pirates."

"You don't count anymore," Sam countered.

"Long story short," Ria said to Fiona and ignoring Sam, "I told him he could let Gerald go- the old Wolf just got a little drunk is all- and I'd give Sam's navy a few lessons, or I'd kick Sam's ass. He chose the former, smart boy." With a chuckle, Ria tugged Sam down far enough to kiss his forehead.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's smart when it comes to training. He knows not to look a gift horse in the mouth." Fiona said as Ria tugged him down to her height and kissed his brow. "Be careful, Ria. You might find yourself with a permanent position in his ranks if you keep things like that up."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm already his Admiral's favorite mentor. But I refuse to be in any position that makes Sam- or his father for that matter- my superior. King or not." She gave Sam a smirk of challenge but the younger man was smart enough to shake his head and not even try to argue.

"You already break the law daily. What more proof d'you need t'give people?" Sam asked.

"Only little, stupid laws. I promise if I need to kill someone, I'll ask permission first. At least, most of the time I will. Maybe." Ria shooed them away then. "Go on. If you stick around here too long, people might start thinking I like you. Fiona can stay, she's one of us. But not you, lawman." She kissed both their cheeks and returned to her gathered sailors and Gerald.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona grinned after Ria as she walked back towards Gerald and her sailors. The woman had made it an art to annoy the kings of Inverness, even though she shared grandchildren with Brogan. It was a wonderful little family dynamic that she would never truly understand.

"Well, your majesty, shall we go visit our dragons?" Fiona asked, looking up at Sam as she gave his arm a squeeze.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Sometimes I'm tempted t'follow through on Da's threats to arrest her fer treason," Sam commented as he turned with Fiona to find the dragons. They weren't far off, settled within the grounds near the eastern wall. Upon their approach, both dragons lifted their heads to regard the new royal couple.

"Well, now," Gaiann said with a smile. "I never thought we would serve kings and queens again. But look at you now."

"You've come so far, little one," Invah murmured, leaning her head down to nuzzle Fiona.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've been trying to convince Sam to keep his crown upon his head on a daily basis, but he grumpily tells me no." Fiona said with a smile as Invah nuzzled against her like a proud mother. "I hope you liked the weaving that Telma brought for you both to wear this morning. I wanted it to be a surprise."

She touched the soft scarf around Invah's neck, knowing that Telma had spent many hours weaving designs into the scarf that was long enough to loop around both dragon's necks multiple times.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I love it, though I had to convince this one to keep his on. Considering how long it took him to get used to a Rider saddle, I'm not terribly surprised. He and Samuel are alike, I suppose."

Sam smiled lightly. "Don't put him down to my level." Gaiann chuckled at that, leaning his head down to nuzzle Fiona too and then give Sam a nudge for good measure.

 

[heartofcourage]

“If Gaiann ever gives you problems, send him my way. He can’t say no to me.” Fiona said with a grin as the dragon leaned down and nuzzled her gently, turning and giving Sam a hard nudge when he was done. “I think the scarf makes him look handsome. Telma worked very hard on both of them to get them long enough and ornate enough. We’ll add them to the treasury as a keepsake when today is done.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"That may be best, though we'll certainly break them out for special occasions when military tack isn't fitting," Invah nodded. "After all, we can't very well store them in our cavern beneath the loch."

"By the way," Gaiann then added. "I'm afraid you've walked into another, separate position of leadership that we didn't foresee." With a chuckle, he smiled, "The other Riders have been discussing the ascension of Rider Lady Blackstone to Rider Queen of Inverness. While you of course have their respect as well, Sam, you aren't a tried and true Rider just yet. They all seem to have, in one way or another, thrown their lot in under Fiona. And I think it may stay that way even when you are fully recognized, my boy."

"Doesn' bother me. Riders choose their loyalties. If they choose a Rider Queen an' consider me jus' her partner, I couldn't change their minds if I wanted to."

"It seems also that you've attracted the confidence of dear Danica's husband as well. We only met him briefly in Sweden, but he has decided that along with his allegiance to his Queen there, he swears a secondary fealty here to the Riders' chosen spokesperson. Ezra has yet to decide, though he's thrown his lot in with us as comrades as before. Shana is a bit dubious, but willing to watch what happens. And then Dmitri and Xenia have decided not only to officially join the side of the isles as the Rus supports us, but also to round up their own dragons and a few young hopeful Riders to our cause. And they send the blessings and approval of Monomakh for the Riders and full permission to traverse his territories as needed. It seems the return and unification of the Riders is making quite the stir."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We're partners in riding as we are in everything else." Fiona said simply, looking over at Sam as she reached up and touched his cheek. "As sappy as that sounds, I believe it's true. I don't believe any rider is less than another."

Fiona turned and looked at Invah and Gaiann, knowing that they had a long history with riders and their fellow dragons. If there has been a leader at one point, it was now part of the past. Fiona didn't want to lead them. She wanted to be part of their group, working together for a greater good for dragons and for the lands that they protected.

"I suppose that's all something we can discuss in the future. Today is supposed to be a celebration." Fiona said softly as she took Sam's arm again, giving it a squeeze.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course. And I'm sure you already have enough on your plate." Invah laid her head against Gaiann's powerful neck. "So, your Majesties. How may we humble dragons serve you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“Is Gaiann humble?” Fiona asked with a wide grin at the larger dragon’s expense. “I don’t know if I believe that. I’ve seen how vain he can get about his mane laying just so.”

When Gaiann gave her a look, Fiona simply chuckled. “I trust you both to be thenprotectors of Inverness. It’s a big job but I don’t know if I trust anyone else.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can certainly stand on guard for it," each nodded as Invah answered. "A big job, maybe, but we're certainly the size for it." Glancing out into the evening sky, she added as her keen eyes caught a dark dragon shape crossing over stars, "And we have the friends to support us. It seems some of them are out for a nighttime joyride."

"Probably Danica," Sam mused. "Her dragon's more the nocturnal sort."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We can all probably stand to have some night training soon. You never know when an enemy will strike. If they're not the honorable type, it could be at night." Fiona said as Sam mused about who was out riding that night. "Maybe in a few weeks when everything has calmed and the weather has turned colder."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ezra and Danica will await you when you're ready. After all, you two are going to be dealing with matters of state primarily. The rest of the Riders will continue training and be ready to catch you up when you can," Gaiann assured them. "And we will be training as well, so we're as well equipped to teach you."

"We have a bit of peace right now, but I don't think it'll be long before we see the reply to the message you sent from Glasgow with that assassin's accomplice," Invah warned, though her tone was gentle and she tried not to disrupt the happy occasion. "The Riders know it's coming, and stand to face whatever the reply might be in support of the two of you. I would even dare to say we're somewhat prepared for this fight."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I believe everyone knows where I stand on the matter." Fiona said softly, glancing to Sam as she said that.

She would have gone to Barbarossa and burned his castle to the ground with her dragon's fire if she were given the chance. Invah knew that well and Sam did too. She wanted this entire sordid mess to be finished and to save as many people in the process as she could.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That we do," Invah nodded. "And I think most of the Riders can agree, if not most of the north." Nuzzling Fiona once more, Invah smiled. "Plans are being formulated by your best and we have at the very least halted the Empire's expansion. We have a chance. And now we have you two among the leaders and doers. I truly believe we will make it. Scotland and certainly Inverness will remain standing for the next generation."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Maybe we can make it to our wedding without something happening then." Fiona murmured as Invah nuzzled against her. "There's so much to do before then too. We have to get the crops in before winter. We need to make sure that everyone is taken care of before the snow comes. There seems to be an endless list."

Fiona had no doubts in her new position. She took it very seriously, in fact. However, she knew that the stress would fall on Sam's shoulders and he might pull away from her if he couldn't handle it. It was her job to help him through that.

"And we need to get my family here from Sweden. I honestly can't wait to see Uka and Mormor again. I've missed them terribly."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You let me worry about getting your family here. It'll take a bit, but I intend to personally escort their ship here," Invah promised. "They won't have to fear dragon or ship."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm sure Uka will be very honored." Fiona said with a smile as their little moment was interrupted by the calls of an angry guard from near the front gates.

Guards were preventing two soldiers from entering the keep, a German banner fluttering in the night breeze. They were talking to the lead guard, asking for admittance.

"We have business with the new king." One of the said in a heavily accented voice.

 

[KieranSoares]

The gate lieutenant, in his ceremonial armor from the celebration, stood with six others blocking the imperials from entry. Already, they'd been arguing for a few minutes. "An' I've told you two tha' you aren' welcome here, especially no' in full armor an' armed t'the teeth. You either send a proper messenger with a white banner 'r no' at all, an' you do it tomorrow. Give th'king one bloody day no' t'worry about yer imperial nonsense."

Before further words could be exchanged, Sam's entire demeanor had changed to the serious General facing war with a calm, fearless front. His stride was confident and authoritative as he made his way to the gate and made his men step aside.

"Lieutenant," Sam's voice made the men straighten to attention. "Return t'yer post. I'll deal with this."

"Aye, sir." The lieutenant saluted and the small group dispersed. Two of the men returned to their guard positions at either side, keeping close in case of trouble, and the lieutenant returned to the gatehouse to keep watch.

Sam faced the two imperials with a dark gaze, but he remained a diplomat rather than a warrior in that moment. His posture was perfect, hands clasped behind his back. That allowed him to secretly motion for Fiona to join him. "Y'have my attention, gentlemen," Sam spoke up, staring them down with a clear expectation that no nonsense be brought forward.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona came to Sam's side as he quietly motioned her towards him. She stared at the two men as one of them pulled a packet from his saddlebag and offered it to Sam. She glanced at the package curiously as one of the men cleared their throat and nodded towards the package.

"We were sent to offer you a gift. From our Emperor, of course. He picked it out especially for the occasion." The man explained as Fiona took the package from Sam and opened it.

She remained neutral on the inside as the spied the fox fur inside the package, even though she wanted to flinch. Even though it wasn't from a were, the message was clear. It wasn't a gift. It was meant as an insult to the new queen of Inverness.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had only to glance at the pelt before another simple motion brought his men back along with a dozen more. One of the cloaked werefolk who worked for Kell also emerged, whispering in Sam's ear. "Very kind, gentlemen," Sam spoke dryly. "The jailor would like t'invite you t'join in the festivities, along with yer other two companions we caught sneaking around th'walls."

The second imperial's slight smirk was replaced with a frown. "You cannot imprison messengers. To do so is against the foundations of war."

"I'm afraid I don't subscribe t'that idea. Because you aren' messengers, yer spies who intend t'leave with a map o' my city." Sam's men had all drawn blades, and the imperial soldiers were forced to surrender and be disarmed before being hauled away.

"Milady," Kell's spy spoke quietly to her as the soldiers were taken away. "You are safe, the Lord Protector has ensured it," he reassured softly. He himself was a werefox, and it seemed he could barely take his eyes off the fox pelt. He knew all too well what it meant. It was a sick reminder of how, in some places in the world where humans warred with werefolk, humans would send the pelts of dead warriors and prisoners to the tribes to warn them of their impending doom.