Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Aleister." Kate corrected the man, nodding towards him in respect as he introduced himself. "Alba was captured successfully only a few moments ago. Your help was greatly appreciated in the matter. It is nice to know that he is taken out of the wild now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Aleister, I apologize," he corrected himself quickly. "We are at your service as we are to the Lord Protector and of course King Henry. The staff will bring food around shortly, and I have set up an impromptu war room in the main parlor should you need it. There are also guest chambers available to you whenever you should like. But there is still business to attend. How goes the fight outside the walls?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you for your kindness, my lord." Kate said with a nod as he asked about what was happening outside the castle walls. "An ambush, but I am assured that my husband has everything under control. We will find out soon enough, I suppose."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It seems so. Well, the town is safe for now and that's what matters. If you'll excuse me, madam, I must send out some riders and town criers to spread the news." Saunders bowed before taking his retinue with him. Kate was shown to both the war room and dining room and told where her chambers would be, and then a quick but hearty meal was served in the dining room buffet-style so everyone could get what they needed and continue their work or go to pitch a temporary camp in the courtyard.

When Kate had her meal, one of Kell's men from her own unit entered, out of breath. "Milady," he addressed her with a quick bow. "We've recovered Qira. He was found unconscious beside a dead stranger we believe to be connected to the Axeman Thanedge and whoever coerced him. Qira is being brought here, and runners have gone to seek additional medical help from a local tribe due to the severity of his blood loss."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And my husband?" Kate asked, relieved that Qira was alive, but knowing that Kell might be one of the only people out there that could help him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"On his way. The mercenaries outside have surrendered after receiving news of Alba's capture," the agent nodded. "King Brogan sent word ahead that he and your uncle Durban have both been wounded, but nothing serious as I've been informed. They may be late to arrive, however."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate didn't like the idea that her Da and uncle had been hurt, but she knew that was the price of war. People she knew and loved would be hurt and there was little she could do to stop it. Instead, she just nodded at the report and dismissed the man, waiting for Kell in the temporary war room.

 

[KieranSoares]

Nearly a half-hour later, the dark figure of Kell Aleister entered the war room flanked by four of his dark-clothed and dark-furred agents, but he dismissed them to new posts as he saw Kate. His expression was schooled, but she knew him well enough to know he was stressed, only a bit of that stress relieved when he saw her.

"Kate..." He muttered quietly. "What the hell were you thinking?" He drew close to her side so no one would hear. "You went out to block Alba's escape, not fight him yourself. And you entered entirely unsecured territory with a tiny retinue. Anything could've happened to you... Something almost did, having seen the state Qira's in."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Anything could have happened, but it didn't." Kate said as her husband scolded her like she were a young child about what she had done. "Qira got hurt chasing after a known threat. I'm sorry that it happened and I'm concerned about him, but I'm not sorry about what I did."

Kate turned her head from the table to look up at Kell. "You taught me how to be cautious and safe. I used that knowledge to my advantage."

 

[KieranSoares]

He sighed, any anger fading quickly. "I know you did. I can't expect you to walk on eggshells all your life regardless of the danger." He wrapped an arm around her, still upholding their public appearance of a team, but not showing too much more in front of people. "Qira isn't doing well..." He muttered. "He was barely starting to heal from that last wound. Now he's entirely out of commission."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And someone is sending people to trail after me." Kate said as Kell wrapped his arm around her waist and held her against his side. "I know the score, Kell. I'm scared, yes, but I know that we have work to do that can't be deterred by someone lurking in the shadows."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know... It's just difficult knowing that if anyone makes the smallest mistake, there's someone waiting to take advantage of it..." Kell hugged her a little closer at that, before facing the city map laid out before them. "This fight is over... But I think I may send bounty hunters after some of the mercenaries who fled, just in case I don't get the whole story of what happened to Castor from those we already have. But we need to find out where Alba has hidden Lord Rothbury's wife. She needs to answer for her crimes as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Offer the highest bounty we can afford for those that you believe have the most information. Let's end this and go home." Kate said, weary of the chase and itching to get back to Edinburgh to see if it was still in one piece.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We still have Alba to deal with. Henry's having him interrogated right now. But we won't be too much longer." Kell sighed and glanced down at the map again. "... Remind me to thank your father... He got me out of a difficult situation at the gate."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I heard that he was injured. You owe him much more than your thanks." Kate commented, looking up at Kell for a moment. "You look like you've been through hell and back."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hardly anything compared to the people who did the real fighting. I just guided them." Kell shook his head. "Anyway... they're bringing the wounded and our inner circle to the castle. Thankfully I could count on Lyra to cover what I couldn't out there. Not that the mercenaries had a real plan."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's the nature of this fight and I'm afraid it might be the same for any fights in the future. The entire state of warfare is changing." Kate commented with a long sigh. "We need to debrief everyone and then get some sleep. It feels like forever since we've slept."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Your father and uncles will be in soon... And I think you should see Qira before we retire as well. I don't know how lucid he'll be, but it'll help to show him you're alright. He does care a lot about the both of us. He could barely see straight when I saw him, but just hearing my voice seemed to bring him some relief."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll see him when things calm down. He'll understand that duty comes first." Kate said as she looked over at Kell as he talked about Qira. "And we can scold him for getting into danger like he did. I'm sure he'll enjoy that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's his job. And masochistic as it is, I'd say he loves it." Kell smiled lightly to himself.

It wasn't long before some familiar faces filed in. Ashien entered with the aid of his squire, followed by Kate's uncles, father, Sir John Davies, and King Henry. Bringing up the rear was the Lord of Foulden with his small group.

Brogan immediately came to Kate, a slight limp in his step, any wounds covered by bandages and fresh clothes so that she couldn't see how he was hurt. "Kitten," he muttered, hugging her tightly to his chest.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ma is going to tan your hide." Kate muttered as he father held her tightly against his chest. "And you deserve every moment of that scolding."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll take it proudly, fer servin' with my daughter," he told her confidently. "Never wanted you t'have to fight, but th'world doesn't discriminate between who goes to battle an' who doesn't. An' you've done a damned good job. I'm proud o' you, Kate. You stood up fer your own lord personally, an' helped yer ally do the same."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I learned it from you, Da.” Kate said with a small smile on her face. “Never count out the little person and be kind to those that need it. Fight like a wild cat when needed.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Damn right. That's my girl," Brogan hugged her close once more, but let her go as everyone settled for their meeting.

"Well, now," Henry spoke up first. "I think it's fair to call this particular mission a success with minor casualties. Alba's in chains, Foulden is secure, and I've just heard that one of Alba's men revealed Lady Rothbury was fleeing to some friend in Wales. She has no real power to fight, so it will just be a matter of tracking her down, which I will take care of."

 

[heartofcourage]

“And the Rothbury Children? Are they safe?” Kate asked, knowing that the Lord has been concerned about their safety.