Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"Good. And... Congratulations. Not just on the crown. Finding a good place in the world is worth celebrating on it's own," he murmured, giving her a nod before slipping past.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave him a nod at his congratulation, watching as he slipped past to go and retrieve Brogan. The little wolf was watching the drakes closely from his grandfather’s arms, squealing in joy when one dark grey drake came by in particular. Somehow, the young male drake had taken Brogan’s attentions and the little prince bounced in joy whenever he came near the fence.

“Seems like he has his eye on Storm.” Julia commented, looking down at her grandson as he seemed so happy and content watching the sleek animals running in the autumn sun.

She saw Qira approaching and gave a smile to the panther, knowing that he was coming to gather the little cub. “You’ll have a hard time pulling him away, Qira.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's always difficult to make him go anywhere when he's awake." Qira came.to stand beside Julia and Brogan. He outsized Brogan and rivaled Durban, a tower of dark fur and dangerous potential. But that didn't stop the little cub in Brogan's arms from enjoying Qira's presence. It was easy to hand him over, the cub content in his guardian's arms much like his grandfather's.

Knowing the fight he'd be in for if he simply walked away, Qira didn't leave immediately. Instead, he drew closer to the fence so little Brogan could see Storm once more. Then Qira produced one of Vincenzo's honey drops from his coat pocket for the cub, and that was enough to get the cub distracted into accepting they'd be going inside.

Qira bowed his head to Julia and Brogan, murmuring, "Kate and Kell are asleep, so Rissa and I will be looking after this one. I think it's safe to say Kate is getting better. Slowly but surely."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s good to hear.” Julia said with a soft smile as little Brogan considered the candy in his mouth, thinking seriously on it as Qira turned him away from the drakes. “We were worried about her for a very long time, perhaps more so than this little cub.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hopefully between you all and Kell and this cub, she sees it's worth the fight," Qira murmured, glancing down at little Brogan once more.

"It's still a battle, an' it may last weeks 'r years. But my kitten knows what's most important to 'er. She ain' goin' anywhere jus' yet," Brogan spoke up as his gaze remained on his grandson, glancing briefly up as Qira shifted, his expression stoic to hide his worry.

"I think you're right," the great Panther agreed softly, if only to reassure himself. With a nod, he turned to head inside.

Brogan watched him go for a long moment, then commented quietly to Julia, "I think there's somethin' more t'him when it comes t'Kate."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s her life, love. Her choices. As long as she’s not hurt or hurting anyone, we’ll let her be.” Julia said, leaning her head against Brogan’s shoulder as he watched the panther carrying their grandson in to the keep. “And if you want to buy Storm for Brogan, I won’t stop you. You always spoil the little ones.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's no' gonna be ridin' fer a long, long time. Besides, odds are 'e'll 'ave quite the selection when it comes time t'have 'is own." With an arm looped around Julia, Brogan stepped away from the fence for a walk with his wife.

Inside, Rissa had just dressed when Qira returned with a fairly content little Wolf cub who was still enraptured with his honey drop.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa grinned so broadly the moment she saw the cub, scooping him up in her arms as soon as Qira came close. “Your mama keeps you to herself far too often. Auntie Rissa wants to spoil you.”

Little Brogan cooed, his emerald eyes bright as he looked up at Rissa and gave her a smile. It did them all good to see that he was having far more good days than he was painful days. They still happened but less often than they had. They were all careful to not give him any dairy and when he was having pain, he would snuggle with Kate as she rocked him next to the fire. That day, however, he was bright and content.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira looked on quietly, simply observing in his usual unreadable and stoic way, before commenting quietly, "I've never seen a cub be so much trouble but bring people so much joy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Because he's a good cub." Rissa murmured, looking up at Qira as he watched the both of them with that unreadable expression on his face. "That's what babies do, love. They cause us so much grief and tears as they grow, but they bring us just as much joy and laughter in return."

Little Brogan squirmed on Rissa's arms, his tail wagging as she peppered his tiny face with kisses until he squealed with delight. When he wasn't grumpy, he was a joyful little boy.

"They also waited so long to even think about trying for a child." Rissa murmured, thinking of the decisions that Kate and Kell had long discussed before even taking the chance to have a baby. "He might be their only one as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Rissa from behind as she held the cub. "... And what about you?" He asked softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"What about me?" Rissa asked as Qira soon had his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as Brogan snuggled up against her shoulder with a sigh. "I'm just fine, love. I promise."

Turning her head, she saw the look in his golden eyes. "Qira, we talked about all of this when we mated. I'm fine with not having children of my own. It's a decision that we both have to be certain about and you have doubts. I understand why. I can just spoil this little one all the more when I'm in Edinburgh."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not asking what you're fine with giving up, or what my thoughts are. I'm asking if you want to have children," he muttered. "You've always given me reasons why you can go without being a mother. But you've.never told me if you want to be one."

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa considered what he was asking, giving her the chance to explain why she wanted to be a mother instead of all the reasons she had given to not be one. "I adore little ones. I always have. I would love to be a mother, but only if my mate was with me ever step of the way."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira was silent for a long moment, his gaze settling on little Brogan. "... It would depend on whether or not you and a cub can put up with my job. I know Kate and Kell would figure out a way to lighten my load, maybe have me hand-pick one or two people to share my work in shifts. But there will always be times when I have to leave without notice, drop all personal responsibilities for emergencies and Kate's safety... And again I'd be faced with the knowledge that one day, I might have to choose between Kate's safety, Brogan's, yours, and then a cub's... My job demands that I put Brogan above all else... I don't know what I would do if I had to choose. And that's something you should know."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Qira." Rissa said, turning to face him as little Brogan's hand played with her necklace, his green eyes watching the golden chain intently. "Eldere, I would never ask you to choose between me and your job. You know that."

She could see a pain in his normally reserved gaze about asking her to think hard about something that she really wanted. "Your duty is to the crown, this little one in fact. If there ever was a day that you had to make a hard decision between me, Brogan, or Kate...well, I would hope that you would choose Brogan every single time."

"Since I was little, I dreamed of all the things that I would teach a child of my own. I would love one, spoil it rotten, but if I had to choose between a child and you, I would choose you." Rissa had been raised by a distant relative after her family had all died in a plague. She'd had a lonely childhood in isolation on that relative's estates, but they had done the best that they could for her. Good tutors and good governesses had helped to mold her into the woman that she was today.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira stepped round Rissa once more to reach out and smooth Brogan's fur fondly. "... We might have to wait a while, til this one is settled and Kate is healthy and in control again... And til I can train trustworthy people to share my work."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Until then, we can spoil him as if he were our own." Rissa said with a smile towards Qira as the little cub started in with his strange purr as the panther smoothed his fur. "When we go back home, Kate will need us even more. I can only imagine all of the lords that wish to get close to this cub simply because he's a prince."

 

[KieranSoares]

"In a twisted sort of way, it's lucky he's a Wolf. That'll put off some of those toxic nobles who already don't like Kell. But we'll have to keep a close eye as he grows, and help keep Brogan from being swayed by greedy aristocrats."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's already stubborn, eldere. Don't add to that stubborn streak." Rissa said, giving Qira a grin as the panther watched the both of them with a content look in his eyes. "You might not be able to see his mother in him except for his eyes, but he does have her difficult nature. It will serve him well when he's the king."

The duo watched over the cub, entertaining him until Kate emerged from her room dressed in fresh clothing. She had left Kell to deal with some letters which had just been delivered. Little Brogan lit up around his mother, a softness coming to him as she took him in her arms and kissed his little forehead.

"Were you a good boy?" She asked softly, grinning as he nuzzled against her and sighed. "I take that as a yes."

Glancing over at Qira and Rissa, she gave them a soft smile. "Perhaps we can dine in the garden. I'm starving and I'm sure he's ready to eat as well. We can watch the dragons from there."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira nodded, the faint hint of a smile on his face seeing Kate seemingly in a good place for the moment. "I'll have it arranged," he murmured with a nod, kissing each woman's cheek before disappearing off toward the kitchen.

 

[heartofcourage]

Soon, Kate was settled at a table in the garden, servants bringing out food for her, Kell, Rissa, and Qira if he chose to join them. In the distance they could see dragons gliding with riders practicing in the warm autumn air. Brogan was eating heartily from his bottle, his sharp green eyes locked on his mother as he helped to hold the waterskin that had his heated broth.

"I won't take it from you until you're done, little one." Kate whispered to the baby, grinning at him as he simply grunted at her, Kell stepping into the garden to join them now that he was done with his paperwork. "Your son is serious about his feedings, love."

She gave Kell a smile, kissing him as he sat beside her to watch the riders as well while the last of the dishes were brought to the table.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He may look like me, but his moods are all you," Kell chuckled softly, ruffling his cub's fur and earning a glare in the process for daring to distract the infant. "You, little cub, are going to be more trouble than your mother."

"If he isn't already," Qira commented quietly as he took a seat beside Rissa. There was the most mild of smiles on his face, glad to see Kate and Kell and their cub content for the moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm no trouble at all unless things don't go my way." Kate said, giving Kell a small grin as Brogan eyed his father wearily for a moment before his focus returned to his meal.

Kell had his moments with the cub, moments that made Kate smile when she saw them. Kell was completely enraptured with the little boy and spent many hours late at night talking to him as if he were already an adult and his best friend. She never said anything about those moment, letting her husband have those little secrets.

Kate continued to watch the skies, spotting Fiona gliding with Invah. Fiona was practicing falls, seemingly without a fear that the dragon might drop her accidentally. She was a brave soul, braver than most if she were comfortable marrying Samuel Ghis.

"Where has my brother gotten off to this afternoon?" Kate asked, glancing towards Kell. "His bride is up there tempting fate."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I believe he's meeting with those Mongolian Riders who just arrived. And then he'll probably start back to work with that Irish Rider, Danica." Kell watched the dragons, seeing Gaiann out there but with no Rider. "We have an interesting mix of Riders now, from all over the north, and dragons from around the world, even one from some continent I've never heard of. And there are some odd relationships among them all. Siblings, mates, spouses, feuding clans... Yet they all put aside their fights and favoritism to be here."