Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Just relax, my love," he whispered soothingly. "I know it doesn't make sense... it may seem cruel, but the fact is, your husband and son fought hard for their home and they came out with some harsh wounds, but victorious. Ciaran is no king, he's a forester like his love. Kate... she follows a great role model, even though I know you wish she would not follow so closely. And you have a child that is going to come into a world made a little safer thanks to two foolish, brave brothers, their sister, and a giant among men."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia nodded, knowing that he was right. She looked up into his dark gaze and murmured the words that had been weighing on her mind the entire time since Brogan had been injured.

"Will he see again?" She asked in a breathless whisper, needing to know the answer to that above anything else.

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo met her eyes and he sighed, "I don't know. There is certainly a chance, perhaps it's only a temporary injury and it just needs to heal. But if he does see again, it will never be as clear as it was before. Still... it's possible."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia took that news, internalized it as she had done with so many things over the years. She hated the helpless feeling that came over her, but she supposed that in this matter, it wasn't so much about her but about her family.

"For better or for worse, huh?" She said softly, trying to keep her voice light even if she were tearing herself up inside. "Until death parts us."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You think Brogan will let such a simple thing part you two? Maybe for a short while, til the other tags along." Vincenzo kissed her cheek. "Not unlike Kitty and I."

When Brogan was escorted in by Valentina, Vincenzo put Julia's hand in Brogan's and let them be while Valentina worked quietly on the twins. Brogan pulled Julia in close. He didn't yet know what had happened to his boys, but he knew it was something that would break his heart by how everyone was acting.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia squeezed Brogan's hand tightly, resting her head against his broad chest as she got up the courage to tell him what was wrong. She wished she didn't have to deliver the bad news.

"Rho lost his arm." She murmured softly, knowing that he would take it hard.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan's breath hitched in his throat, but he forced himself to take a slow, deep breath. "Is 'e at least gonna be okay...?"

"He will be," Valentina spoke up. "He's plenty strong enough."

Brogan nodded and sighed, "That's all tha' matters, then..." he laid a gentle kiss against Julia's cheek. "C'mon, love... they need rest an' so do we..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can't leave him, love." Julia said softly after her husband had kissed her cheek. "Not when he's so injured."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not askin' you t'leave 'im. Jus' help me bring in our blankets an' pillows, an' we'll sleep near 'im, alright? I can't find m'way on my own yet." Brogan set his forehead to hers gently. "We'll be right by 'im when 'e needs us, alright?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia soaked in those words and nodded gently. She leaned in and kissed her husband for a brief moment before she took his hand to lead him towards their room to gather their things. She kept herself together until the door to the room closed, leaving them alone. It was then that she crumbled, sobbing against his chest at the injustice of everything. She felt sorrow well for her little son who was so badly injured. She felt anger at the wolf that had done such a horrible thing. She couldn't believe that Brogan might never see again...it was all too much.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Julia in close onto his lap, kissing her temple and letting her simply cry out her pain and emotion. After a while, he laid his head against her own and sighed, "I'm sorry all this 'as come t'you, love... I wish I hadn't brought you int' so much hardship..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't be sorry, love." Julia sniffed, her cheek pressing more firmly against his own. "If you hadn't have married me none of this would have ever happened. I wouldn't have my family."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll be alright, though..." He muttered even as he blinked away tears that threatened to fall. "We've been through things no person should 'ave t'endure. We'll make it, jus' like we always 'ave. A few changes 'ere an' there t'make up fer scars an' whatnot... We'll be jus' fine. Sam an' Rho'll be okay. Rho will learn t'live jus' fine with one arm, an' Sam'll help 'im on th' way."

With a comforting, soft kiss, Brogan set his forehead to Julia's own. "We'll be okay... this fight ain' over yet, but we'll make it with th'new arrivals, an' we'll be able t'focus on what's really important." His broad palm came to rest against her belly where the unexpected life grew. "This li'l one is going t'come into a strong family, stronger than we e'er were before."

 

[heartofcourage]

JUlia nodded, knowing that what he said was right. They were Ghis. They would never stop fighting for their right to exist. She let out a little sigh as she looped her arms around her husband's strong neck and pulled herself into his embrace. She needed him so much. He was the strength that she'd never known she'd had.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan's arms wrapped securely around her, still mindful of the baby but unwilling to relinquish any comfort she needed. After a long, much-needed silence, he finally whispered, "C'mon, darlin'... Let's get back t'the boys." He released her to gather up their blanket and pillows. He let her take the pillows while he folded up the blanket and followed her back to the boys' room in the infirmary.

It was while Inverness calmed and its new defenders received their posts and quarters that Kate happened to be in the garden trying to clear her head. She came upon a dark figure nearly undetectable in the shadows, and his deadly amber eyes were fixed on her, seeming to glow with reflected light. She couldn't tell what he was, but he certainly was not human.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had escaped into the garden to clear her head. That day had been the most horrible of her life. She still couldn't believe that Rho and Sam had been so foolish as to run off on their own. And Rho had paid a very high price. She let out a long sigh as she leaned back against the wall of the keep. It was then that she realized that someone was watching her. A pair of dangerous golden eyes stared at her in the darkness. Slowly, she placed her hand on her dagger, pushing away from the wall.

"Who's there?" She asked in a firm voice, channeling her father's strength and passion.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ke shamno hume dedi darvo creyo." It was Lunar, she knew it from hearing Lir and the Mav Ro speak it. The golden eyes remained fixated on her as he rose to his full height and allowed her see him in the light when he stepped forward. He was dressed fully in black like some sort of thief. His clothes were tattered around the edges and she could see the handles of at least three blades on him and several throwing knives strapped across his chest for quick access.

He was a black werewolf, but unlike Lir, his fur didn't seem to shine in the light. It was a matte ebony that didn't reflect and thus made him suit the shadows even more. It was obvious by his clothes and his mannerisms that he was either a thief or some manner of assassin, maybe even a spy or scout.

 

[heartofcourage]

He was armed, but the fact that he actually stepped where she could see him made Kate slowly move her hand from the hilt of her dagger. He might have been there for less than honorable reasons, but she decided to give him the benefit of her doubt.

"What's your name?" She asked him, her eyes locked on his golden orbs.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Khelt Aleister. Or Kell, some call me," he answered in a Lunar-accented voice. His last name was certainly not Lunar. His golden eyes focused precisely on her own. "And you... you are Princess Katherine Ghis."

She knew the name Kell, it was the name of the assassin who'd killed her father's first wife, but after he'd been killed by Brogan, the man's name had been taken by his son and then his grandson, both incredible spies and assassins. The son had long since died, so this had to be the grandson.

"Now listen very closely, Princess," he growled quietly, "The Loyalists of Wick and Norway have banded together since the deaths of Olaf and Arland. They have sent me to kill your mother and father, and take you away to them as you are Arland's daughter. If you come quietly, I will spare your parents and tell the Loyalists that I couldn't get close to them."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was quiet for a long moment as the man declared that she was the daughter of Arland Wick and Norway and Wick wanted her. Her Aunt Kayla and Uncle Christopher were the rulers of Norway. She could hardly believe that someone might rebel against them. Still, it was shocking to hear that she might have been the daughter of her father's worst enemy.

"My father is Brogan Ghis." She murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's what your parents made sure everyone thought, Princess. But there are plenty of old guards who know, if that red hair of yours isn't proof enough. Now will you come quietly or will I have to take you?" His hand came to rest on his dagger, ready for whatever she decided to do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was quiet for a moment longer before she took in a deep breath, still trying to process what she'd been told.

"Whatever they are paying you to do this deed, I will double if you don't. My mother is with child. My brother has lost his arm in the battle. My father...he is helpless in this matter." She spoke in a clear, even tone. "Name your price."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're only making this harder for yourself," he growled. "Come now, or I'll be forced to do exactly what I was hired for." His eyes seemed to... soften? "I don't want to hurt anyone, Princess, but I can't afford to leave here without you."

He drew the blade. "Please... just don't make this more difficult."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then don't leave." She said softly. "Stay here in Inverness. We have much more to offer you then Wick and Norway combined."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can't," he growled with an odd tone that told Kate that he didn't want to do whatever was coming. He unsheathed his dagger and suddenly disappeared into the darkness. He was going for Julia and Brogan in order to make Kate give herself up.

Brogan was settled with Julia in a makeshift bed near the twins when he felt the cool breeze of the open window. He rose from Julia's side to close it, but the moment he heard an odd sound, he was tackled to the floor and a blade came to his neck. He knew the blade, and he knew the hands that held him down, though something was slightly different.

Brogan struggled hard, but Kell had him pinned on his stomach and his arms restricted. Brogan was strong, but Kell knew what he was doing.