Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Boar bit back a growl of pain without making a sound, and wrapped his good arm around his wife. "I'm alrigh', love... I'll make it," he kissed her with all he had, but he had to lean on his horse's side to keep himself up. "I need t'get inside, Emma... I can' 'ardly stand."

Some young men who'd stayed behind to defend the town came to help, and two supported Boar on his way inside. It wasn't long before Emma and everyone else found out exactly what'd happened to Boar. His arm had been shattered and slashed down the length of his forearm, and he'd suffered several arrows to his stomach and back and both his knees had been badly and permanently damaged by a long fall from the top of a highland ledge. But he wasn't so badly hurt that he wouldn't recover. His knees would always be weaker and more fragile, but he'd make it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma fussed over her husband, her worry coming through as she fetched anything that he could ever think to ask for. It was clear that she wasn’t expecting her husband to return in the condition that he as in, but she was thankful that he had returned alive. When Emma had gone off to retrieve something else, Julia took the moment to sit next to Boar, his large hand held between both of hers.

“Tell me what happened, Boar. Are your brothers alright?” She asked him with a voice that was far calmer then she thought she could muster.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar sighed, "It's bloody madness out there, Julia... Wick's got some contraption from th'English... it shoots iron spheres out faster'n I've e'er seen an arrow fly. Brogan's managed t'steal a few o' them an' 'e's figurin' out how they work with some 'elp from th'Irish. We're no' winnin', but we aren' losin'. Wick's lost more men than us, but they've got more t'spare."

 

[heartofcourage]

“As long as Brogan breathes, he will fight and do what’s best for his men.” Julia said softly, patting his hand as Emma swept back into the room to fuss over her husband even more. “Get some rest, Boar. I’ll speak with you later.”

She had nothing else to say, nothing else to ask. She knew that Brogan was trying his best and it was hard to think that her husband was in any danger at all. She just had to trust that he would pull through everything alright.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar recovered incredibly slowly over the course of four weeks, but his broken bones would take longer. It was after that four weeks more that another group came home. Fewer this time, carrying none of the dead with them because they were just too weak to bring their fallen brethren. Valentina came with them, having been nearly killed by an assassin who'd been trying to cut off one of Inverness' most valuable lifelines. But she came with awful news that she would tell only to Julia. Durban was with her, but in a coma from severe head trauma caused by an exploding cannon whose metal ripped into his body.

Once Valentina had Durban settled and stable, she finally sat down for a desperately-needed rest to leave Durban to Marri and to speak to Julia.

"Julia..." Val spoke softly. "We're losing terribly out there. Brogan's been wounded but he refuses to leave the vanguard. We haven't lost too many more, but the men's spirits are failing especially after seeing Durban fall..." Tears began to brim in her eyes, "They... they came for Dad and I... he protected me, but... he was so badly hurt that I couldn't risk to move him from bed later, I couldn't bring him home... Brogan made me leave him... Oh, God, he's probably dead already..." The strong woman was suddenly sobbing uncontrollably into her cut-up and bruised hands, and she choked out, "What am I going to tell Ma...? What if he dies....?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“He won’t die, Val. As long as Kitty is waiting for him to return, he won’t die.” Julia said softly, drawing her dear sister-in-law into a tight hug as she sobbed out her ache.

Julia had to think about what her husband was doing out there. It was frightening to think that they were losing but it was even more frightening to think that she very well might lose all the people that she knew and cared for. Once she had passed Val over to Theo, letting the big man tend to her wounds and comfort her, Julia entered her mother-in-law’s chambers to talk.

It was apparent that Kitty needed her grandchildren near to her in this uncertain time. All of them were asleep in various positions in the room. Ciaran, Seamus, and the twins all rested side by side in Kitty’s great bed. Ruben and Gabriel slept next to the fire on a pallet and Elise and Annie were tucked into a tiny cot at the foot of the bed. Julia paused for a long moment, looking at all the wee ones before she turned her eyes towards Kitty.

“I am going to ride to Edinburgh to appeal to the King directly.” Julia said, letting Kitty know that the topic was not up for discussion.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Are ya mad, Julia?" Kitty rose quickly, "Darlin', it's dangerous out there. Who knows what Sarah might 'ave waitin' for anyone who tries t'leave the town, especially you! A' least take Theo with ya, y'need someone in case somethin' goes wrong."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Val needs Theo more than I do.” Julia said softly, taking Kitty by the upper arms and holding her at arms length for a long moment. “And Brogan needs help. If I don’t go then we’re all in danger.”

“I’ll go, Granny.” Came a little voice from beside the fire and both women looked to see Gabriel sitting there, looking at them with such a heartbreaking look upon his face. “I can ride well. Da taught me how to fight.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, no, dear," Kitty turned to Gabriel, only to see Ruben sit up beside him.

"Me too, Ma taught me."

"Sweetheart... Ruben, Gabriel, this isn' a quest fer young boys like yerselves-"

"No, it's for two nephews," Ruben said as he made up his mind and hopped down from the bed with his cousin to go get their things. They were determined to escort their favorite aunt.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia watched as the boys hurried to gather their things and she turned back towards Kitty. She could see the woman was distraught and Julia gently touched her mother-in-law’s arm, squeezing it lightly.

“Kitty, we have to go.” She said softly, drawing the woman into a tight hug. “I’ll protect them and I’ll bring back more soldiers.”

Pulling back from Kitty, Julia stared into her eyes for a long moment. “Watch my babies for me and hold them tight.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"But... but their mothers'll never-"

"Yes we will," Selena's voice came from the doorway. She didn't look too happy about it, but she knew the boys were quite capable despite only being nearly ten and eleven. They'd be much more help than hindrance.

"Selena... y'can't be serious. He's your only little boy..."

"I'm very serious. He's set on it, and if I said no, he'd sneak out and follow his aunt anyway. Let him prove what he can do."

"Prove to who? No one's expectin' a nine-year old t'fight!"

"To himself."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m not about to let my husband die.” Julia said softly. “And if that means taking two little boys with me to Edinburgh so be it. There are no other men. Two of your sons are already permanently injured. Your husband is at death’s door and your daughter has had the fright of her life.”

Julia knew that Kitty was frightened, but she knew what had to be done. This would end happily or with everyone beneath the ground.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kitty sighed quietly and watched in silence as the boys returned with a satchel each, their own daggers that were like swords to them, and their cloaks. Selena caught them both, "Hold on, boys. Proper knights need proper armor. I think the armory has some your size. You too, Julia, I want you wearing at least a chestplate."

She led the boys away to fit them with a few pieces of armor. She had an awful feeling they'd need it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was about to leave the room behind Selena when she stopped and turned to Kitty with a long sigh. She lowered her eyes to the floor for a moment before she found the courage to tell her what she needed to.

“I’m with child.” She said softly, those three words making her spine shiver with the implications of what that could mean. “And I need my husband here with me to get through this, Kitty.”

She finally lifted her eyes and looked at her mother-in-law, letting her see all her turmoil and guilt before she turned to head to the armory for herself. Once she had been fitted with a breastplate, she grabbed a warm woolen cloak and a satchel with just a few essentials.

 

[KieranSoares]

They set off before noon, the boys riding on either side of Julia with skill beyond their years that came from just being a Ghis. Edinburgh, being about a week away in the snow, would be a long trek that the boys were not used to taking so quickly, but they wouldn't complain. It wasn't til the morning of the fifth day that they encountered any trouble.

Julia was woken by the frantic cry of Ruben and the snarl of an animal... no, it was a man, but he sounded like an angry dog. The struggle was very audible, as well as strange words and an accent Julia had only ever heard once when a Norseman visited her home in Chester. Norwegians in Scotland...? That hadn't happened since the War of 1066 and it wasn't a good sign.

Ruben was pinned to the ground under the huge man's boot, and a dying man lay beside him with Ruben's dagger in his chest. Ruben couldn't breathe, and Gabriel was struggling to rise to his feet.

Just as Julia emerged, Gabriel threw his blade as hard as he could and it buried itself in the man's thigh. He collapsed and Ruben crawled away, gasping for breath and trying to free his own blade from the body of the dying man.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was quick out of her tent at the commotion, watching as Ruben freed himself and crawled away from the man as the large Norseman grabbed at the dagger in his thigh. What was a Norwegian doing in Scotland, she asked herself as she grabbed the light sword which Brogan had taught her to use while she was expecting Ciaran.

While the man was distracted, she struck. Her sword didn’t waver as she plunged it deeply into the man’s gut, twisting it as he looked at her in shock. Her green eyes stared into his, seeing the anger that he held before he slipped to the ground and her sword pulled free.

“Gabriel. Ruben.” She called to them, holding both boys close as she looked around the area for danger. “Are you alright? Did those men say anything?”

 

[KieranSoares]

Ruben clung to her while Gabriel stood looking at the two men in shock. He and Ruben had killed a man... but he shook himself out of it, "I couldn't understand them... the only words I caught were Inverness and Ghis."

"Are the Norwegians going to attack too...?" Ruben asked quietly.

----------

At this very moment, Sarah faced her newest ally on the battlefield as he arrived with his men. Olaf Haraldssen, King of Norway, son of the fallen Harald Hardrada who died trying to conquer England in 1066, falling to Harold Godwinson, who later fell to William the Conqueror.

Olaf was a massively tall man like his father, near six and a half feet. He was lean but strong, and very clever. He'd come to Scotland hearing Arland's call, but found Sarah instead and offered his sword to her in honor of Arland, who'd been an ally.

"Miss Sarah," he faced her with a very well-schooled accent.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Not if I can help it, Ruben.” Julia said softly as she leaned down and kiss Ruben’s forehead before she ordered both boys to help her pack things up. “We are going to ride hard to Edinburgh. If someone else attacks, the two of you are to ride for the trees and hide.”

She helped them to roll up the tent, securing it to her horse. Once everyone was seated once again, she pulled her cloak tightly around her body and spurred her horse into a hard gallop. If they didn’t reach Edinburgh in time then it seemed like all of Inverness, perhaps all of Scotland, would pay a very high price.


“Olaf.” Sarah answered the greeting coolly, knowing of Olaf from a meeting once a long time ago. “It took you this long to get here after Arland’s death?

She glanced up from the desk of paperwork that she had been reading over, her eyes finding his and holding them firmly. She wasn’t one to shy away, even from the King of Norway.

 

[KieranSoares]

Luckily no further trouble found them past Aberdeen and Glasgow. Edinburgh came into sight on the eve of the sixth day and the boys and horses were exhausted when they finally rode into the city. People cleared quickly from the path of the hurried riders, muttering about them as they went.

A mounted guardsman halted them soon. "Pardon, miss, y'look a bit frazzled. Can I do anythin' fer ya?"

---

"Norway comes before Scotland, even Arland knew that. The real question is, who do you think you are, Irish and a woman, to take over Wick in Arland's stead?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia had never seen a more welcome sight then the mounted guardsman that halted their progress through the city. She took a deep, steadying breath, looking towards the two little boys that looked so tired and worn from their hard journey.

“I need to speak with the King. My name is Julia Ghis and I help rule Inverness with my husband. We are in great danger and it seems that all of Scotland might be as well.” She said, looking at the man and hoping that he believed her.



“I believe that I am the only one that was here when Arland fell.” Sarah said, her eyes still not leaving the great king’s gaze. “And you cannot find fault with the job that I’ve done. I’ve got Inverness on the run. We’ve taken out two Ghis and have the rest running scared.”

Sarah paused for a long moment and let out a long sigh. “Of course, I exchange for Wick, I am prepared to offer you something truly priceless. When we storm Inverness, when we capture all the Ghis family…you shall have your first pick.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, I'm afraid th'king is off t'Normandy righ' now. But 'er Majesty Queen Marianne can see ya, ma'am." The kind guardsman escorted her quickly through the city and to the grand castle in its center, where he had her wait in the main hall while he spoke to the Queen. Even though Julia herself was a queen, this woman was the Queen of Scotland. The clans conducted themselves, while this woman and her husband conducted all else.

Julia and the boys were soon escorted to a lovely little parlor off the castle's library where the Queen awaited them. She was a very powerful-looking woman. She was not a small woman, but not too large, and she had an air of immense sharp wit and intelligence. Not to mention, she seemed very no-nonsense. Ruben and Gabriel bowed respectfully before her, and Ruben tried to control his shyness for the sake of their mission.

Queen Marianne lifted her eyes to Julia as she entered, the guardsman whispering what Julia had told him in her ear. "Julia Ghis... the Englishwoman from Chester...?" She asked him, and he nodded. Apparently people had taken notice of Brogan marrying his enemy's daughter.

The guard left with a respectful nod to Julia and Marianne bid them sit with her. "You know, madame, that your family in Chester has been quite the thorn in my side since you married Brogan Ghis? Your brother demands Scottish land, reasoning that Brogan allowed you to gift it to him. He's already attacked Dumfries and I sent him scurrying home with his tail between his legs for it."

But she sat up a little straighter. "That is not your concern, of course, as I'm quite aware that you are nothing like him. You're here for the sake of your home in Inverness and your family there. Tell me first, though, how are the Ghis siblings and their mother? I've heard tell that one is badly hurt and another is in a coma."

 

[heartofcourage]

When Julia was escorted into the parlor, she was stunned to see the Queen of Scotland sitting there waiting. Julia immediately sank into a deep curtsey as Ruben and Gabriel bowed and Ruben tried his hardest not to look too afraid. Julia wrapped an arm around her young nephew’s shoulders, holding him against her side as she allowed the guard to tell the queen who they were.

The mention of her name from the queen’s lips, the surprised exclamation that she was from Chester had Julia expecting the worst. She knew that Chester was not well loved in this part of the world, but she could hardly be expected to apologize for a place that she never thought about any longer.

Once the guard left the room, the queen bid them to take a seat and Julia guided her nephew’s forward, taking a seat in the soft chair opposite the queen. She listened quietly as she was informed of her brother’s activities. It was a relief to know that the queen did not hold her responsible for those actions.

“Times are very hard, your majesty.” Julia said softly. “It is true that two of my brother-in-laws have been seriously injured. My father in law as well. I’m afraid that we cannot fight this force from Wick.”

“I have come to ask for your help. We need more men to fight. I was hoping, your majesty, that you had some to spare. I’m afraid that I also must tell you that there are Norwegians in your borders and their intentions are not good.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Norwegians?!" The Queen was absolutely outraged at this news. "Where did you see them?"

"Just northeast of Glasgow, ma'am," Gabriel answered her. "They attacked us... Just two, but I'm sure there are more."

"That Olaf... worse than his father." The Queen rose, "Edinburgh keeps a standing army of one-thousand men at all times and can gather as many as six-thousand from Scotland as a whole. I will send two-hundred with you, Lady Julia, and more will follow as soon as the word of war is out..." She then glared at the floor, "I always knew Old Tamblin's war with Lochlan would spill over to the rest of Scotland..." She met Julia's eyes, "Did you know Tamblin?" That was the name Brogan's father had been known by.

 

[heartofcourage]

“No, I did not know him.” Julia said softly as the queen met her eyes. “And my husband does not speak freely about his father. There are too many bad memories. I know that he was a bad man, one that needed to be taken care of.”

Julia rose along with the queen, bowing her head in thanks that she would be sending reinforcements with her to Inverness. Still, two hundred did not seem like enough to fight the forces that were making their way into Inverness. There had to be more that she could find.

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne seemed to know what she was thinking, and she stepped closer, speaking softly a secret to her: "Go to the countryside, Lady Julia... find your sister-in-law's home and her love there. You may be surprised how helpful he will be, but do not fear him when you see him." She then spoke more clearly, "Then go to London to Darkwood Manor and speak to your brother-in-law Ashien's wife. She can gather English to your cause, she and Ashien are dear friends of the King. And lastly, go to Caernarvon, the home city of Marri and her family. Find the centaurs there, one called Dalton. On your return to Inverness, all the soldiers I can spare by then will be awaiting you in Glasgow."

Julia had known Selena was very close with this woman, but Selena had never told Julia that Marianne knew so much about the family and their friends.