Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Then I will. We'll go after the public coronation. Cahal wants us to be there, so... after that, I'm entirely at your service, Princess."

The pyre burned a couple hours before they could leave, but Kell took some of the ashes, sealing them into a tiny glass bottle and tucking it away. The public coronation was three days later, in which Cahal truly came into his own. Kell came as Kate's escort, dressed well in a fine black suit with a gray vest and white shirt and dark cloak. The ceremony was beautiful, and Cahal made his brother, Brogan, Kate, and Kell his guests of honor. After he was crowned, he spoke to all those in attendance and told the story of all that had happened in the past couple weeks. He told them about Kell and Kate's efforts to save the throne, Brogan's good faith and friendship in the new crown, and he even told them about little Mary and how Kell had gotten involved to save her. She was honored there with a seat at Cahal's head table, reserved for her and her alone. The seat was draped with a white blanket. Cahal went on to explain that Kate and Kell were two of the bravest people he'd ever met, and they'd saved him and Wick from the grasp of Hiram Ledger.

"And so, for their incredible bravery and the sacrifices they've made, and in honor of little Mary Aleister, I have been given permission by King Brogan Ghis to name Khelt Grimmault Aleister and Katherine Valencia Ghis, Knights of Inverness, and, from myself and my brother, Knights of Wick."

The crowd erupted into applause and Kell looked at Kate, bewildered. So this was why Cahal had insisted they be there.

"Kate, Kell," Cahal motioned them forward, drawing his sword so he could properly knight them, Brogan beside him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had taken special pains to dress for the coronation. Her Da had bought her a gown of soft green, one that she wore with pride. She thought about her Ma when she was laced into it that morning by the maids that were there to help her. She would have loved to see her in the gown and she made up her mind to give her Ma what she wanted from time to time. Her unruly curls had been braided back against from her face, a long, thick plait hanging down the center of her back.

She was absolutely stunned when it was announced that she would be knighted. She looked at her Da, seeing the pride there that he always carried when his children fulfilled his wishes. Then she looked over at Kell, the same bewildered look upon his face as they both stood and approached Cahal.

Kate was the first to kneel before him, her head bowed over the momentous occasion.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell was close beside her, kneeling and bowing his head. It was Brogan who did the honors, Cahal guiding his hand. Brogan spoke like the king he truly was then, treating Kate like a proper woman and knight, "Katherine Valencia Ghis, you will hence be known as Lady Katherine o' Inverness, an' you 'ave th'honor of being th'first woman o' Inverness t'become a Knight an' one of only a handful in th'Isles." Brogan could hardly hold back the pride in his voice. Not only had Kate wanted to be a knight since she was a small girl, but he'd always pushed her to truly strive for that goal. Now, she'd accomplished something that only a handful of women in history had ever done.

Brogan gave the blade to Cahal and brought Kate to her feet, kissing her forehead and whispering, "I'm so proud o' you, my sweet li'l kitten..."

Cahal gave the honor to Kell, repeating the action with the blade from shoulder to shoulder and back. "Khelt Grimmault Aleister. You will hence be known as Sir Khelt of Wick, and you too share a special similar honor, as the first werewolf to be knighted in Wick and one of no more than ten in the Isles."

When Kell rose and hugged Cahal tightly, four servants came forward. Two carried swords, and two carried special amulet medals. "For both o' you, Highland Claymores," Brogan told them, and they were each presented with the custom blades. They were made specially as Claymores were meant to be, to match their user's height and fighting style. Kell's was heavy and stood only two feet shorter than him, but it would suit his strength and his speed would keep it from being a slow burden. Kate's was only a foot shorter than she herself was, and it was light and far more sleek. Both had special blood channels and leather-bound handles and silver hilts. The base of Kate's blade had an embossed image of the Invernessian Dragon, and Kelt's carried Erygonian patterns and a word in Erygonian that Kate couldn't make out because of the odd letters.

"For you, Sir Khelt, a seal of Wick under House Dunland. And for you, Lady Katherine, a seal of Inverness under House Ghis. These will identify you as knights, so wear them well."

Kell stared down at the handsome gifts after the seal was placed about his neck. "I... I don't know what to say..." He looked to Cahal and Brogan and bowed before them once more. "Thank you, my lords..."

 

[heartofcourage]

After Kate was knighted and she was in her father's arms, she hugged him tightly and fought back tears as he called her kitten. After her talk with Kell, she cherished the nickname that she'd had since she was a baby. It was even more special when it came from her father, the man who loved her so much.

Kate took her claymore and amulet with pride, a grin on her face as she looked over the beautiful carved dragon that was on the metal. She only wished that her mother could be there for the occasion. As she glanced up, she was stunned to see the very woman standing in the entrance to the hall, a teary smile on her lips. Her Uncle Kreston stood beside her, obviously having escorted her on the journey.

"MA!" She cried out, passing her claymore to Kell as she ran into her mother's arms. "Oh, Ma..."

"Kitten." Julia murmured softly, pressing her nose against her daughter's soft hair.

 

[KieranSoares]

Cahal called an end to the coronation to give way to the city-wide celebration afterward, and he, Abel, Brogan, and Kell came to Julia and Kreston and Kate. Brogan couldn't help the soft smile on his face, and he came to kiss Julia's cheek. "I wanted 'er comin' t'be a surprise," he told his daughter. "An' this was a surprise for her."

When Kate finally parted from her mother, Kell came to stand before Julia. The last time she'd seen him, he'd tried to kill Brogan and Kate had stabbed him in the back before he was taken away to prison. But Brogan had sent Julia a letter explaining everything, that he had come to almost view the wolf as a son, even that Kate had found a place in her heart for him, though Kell didn't know that. "Lady Julia," he bowed his head before her. "I'd like to finally apologize... for everything that happened..." he told her quietly, though he was sure he was in for much less than forgiveness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There is nothing to apologize for, Kell." Julia said softly as she pressed another kiss to Kate's forehead and hugged her daughter tightly to her side. "You kept my daughter safe and you have done far more than any honorable man would do in your place."

Kate beamed in happiness as he mother forgave Kell for what had happened. She hugged her mother's thickening waist tightly, wanting to never let her go. As attached as she was to her father, she had a new found respect for what her mother had done for her all through her life.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell smiled softly to himself, stepping to Kate's other side as Abel came forward to meet Julia. She'd caught only a glimpse of him when she was last in Wick under Arland's chains, and back then he'd looked bone thin and in the moment she saw him, she could see the heartbreak in his eyes for her, but she knew he was the man who'd orchestrated almost everything that had been fixed and set into place since sending for Kate. "Lady Julia," he said kindly, taking her free hand to kiss it. "It's an honor and a privilege, your ladyship. You are most welcome."

Cahal stepped forward to meet her as well, kissing her hand and bowing his head. "Milady Julia. I'm so glad you made it for Kate's knighting."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Abel." Julia said with a nod of her head as he took her hand and kissed it. "It does my heart good to see you doing well."

She then looked at Cahal, so young to be a king, but so full of youth and ideas. She smiled at him and nodded her head in greeting. "And my lord, you look every inch the master of your realm. May you have many happy years on the throne."

Kate had always been in awe of her mother's grace and manners and she watched as she turned a situation that might have been uncomfortable into one of greeting.

"If you gentlemen would excuse me, the trip here was long and I am in need of a rest." Julia commenting, placing her hand on her swollen belly as if they couldn't see for themselves. "Carrying the child of a Ghis is enough to wear any woman out."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan took Julia's other arm. "Kate, Kell. Why don' you come with us?"

"Yes sir," Kell nodded, strapping his new blade across his back and helping Kate to do the same with hers. It was an interesting sight that made many people smile and chuckle. The King of Inverness, his daughter, and a wolf all with claymores on their backs, and then the graceful Lady Julia who was probably the safest woman in the world at that moment and looked like she could hold her own anyway, even pregnant and weaponless.

After Julia washed up and they came to settle in the library near Brogan and Julia's room, Kell took his seat beside Kate on a sofa, and across from them sat her parents with a small table between them with tea brought by a servant.

"It's been a bloody couple o' weeks. But it could 'ardly 'ave turned out better. A young an' open king on th'throne o'Wick who's gatherin' men t'send south t'help us in Inverness, two new Knights o' Scotland, an' a lot o' hope in Wick's future because of it all." Brogan sighed deeply, finally relaxing. "All tha's left is t'take care o' Inverness. Things are lookin' a little better from what I've 'eard, an' Annie an' David'll be 'ome soon from Greece."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But I think we need to talk about some things." Julia said softly, placing her hand on her husband's as he rested his large palm on her belly. "Your Da has told me some things, Kate."

"You know it was reckless to run away in the middle of the night, no matter how safe you thought it was." Kate nodded at those words, knowing that there was still the thread of punishment. "Your Da and I are still discussing a punishment that is suitable."

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' don't think yer gettin' away free either Kell," Brogan warned the younger wolf, who was honestly not surprised and nodded. "Kate's welcomin' you to Inverness with us, so you'll 'ave a place at th'Keep, but that said, you're livin' under our rules now, and th'fact you helped my daughter run off t'do somethin' so dangerous puts you in th'same boat as her."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We will chose the punishments that you will receive in Inverness." Julia said softly. "And we also must talk about what is between the two of you."

"We have a rule for all of our children that you must wait until you are 18 before you start courting. We have a firm believe that it's important to focus on education and not attraction when you are young. That means that you have two years to wait, Katherine." Julia looked over to watch her daughter blush deeply and nod her understanding.

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' you, Kell, yer a lot older'n she is. Twenty-one, aren't ya?" At Kell's nod Brogan went on, "Since you're so adamant on bein' her guardian, I'd like ya t'help with her education. You can teach 'er a lot more about Lunar an' Erygonian an' whatnot than I can, an' for th'forseeable future, her combat training too. As a knight, she'll 'ave t'master a weapon. I know yer already a master with blades, so you'll be able t'do what I can't. Yer gonna have t'earn your keep, jus' like everyone does."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked at Kell and wondered if he would agree to those terms. Her heart was racing in her chest as she waited for his decision.

Julia squeezed her husband's hand, seeing the look that passed between Kell and Kate. She knew when two people were made for each other and it seemed like those two were a match. She was serious though that her children have fun and not focus on serious issues like love and marriage. That would come in the future.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Honestly, sir... at this point, you could ask me almost anything and I'd do it."

"Why's tha'?"

"Just for the fact you're offering me a new home. You could easily have just forgotten me."

"We don't forget good people. It's not th'way o' the Ghis."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Everyone deserves a second change, Kell. I think that this counts as yours. We know that you won't waste the opportunity and we want to see you make something of yourself. We have any number of professions in Inverness that will help you train if you wish." Julia offered, knowing that the transition would sometimes be the hardest for him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Trust me, ma'am, I've had all the second chances a man should have, and then some." But he didn't say what he meant. Still, he thanked her softly, sitting back and finding, for the first time in far too long, he could relax.

The journey home was easy, and it was no trouble getting back into Inverness as the Erygonians had backed off to await reinforcements. Kell would take Ciaran's old home when it was safe to leave the palisade again. Until then, he resided in one of the keep's two towers. Brogan saw to it that it was furnished with a couple chairs and a bed and several bookshelves, and the first thing Kell did on his first morning in the keep was to go to the market for books and supplies. He was quite wealthy thanks to his years of earning money from contracts with nothing to spend it on but Mary. He returned with a large box in his arms and that was when Kate found him just before breakfast, heading up to his tower. He was most comfortable up high with a view and an easily-defendable entrance. For all his safety in Inverness, there were simply habits one could not break.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just helped Ma unpack some of Mary's things. I thought I would bring ten to you and help you put them on a shelf." Kate said with a soft smile, knowing that it was probably still hard for Kell to think about his sister. "And a few things from Chessie. She heard that you like her scones and Ciaran helped make a fresh batch this morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell paused to look at her. Every time her family or friends showed him even the slightest kindness, he seemed surprised and befuddled. "None of you had to do any of that for me, surely you have better things to do with your time." Even so, having such kind hosts made him feel at home, and he found her could relax and enjoy himself for what felt like the first time in his life. "Come upstairs with me," he invited her with a smile, continuing on his way up the spiral staircase. He laid his box down beside his desk and sat down in his chair, offering her the spot on his bed to sit down as well. "What've you been up to this morning?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I had to go with Gabriel and help tend to Annie's horses. Da says I have to work the stables for the next month as my punishment." Kate said as she wrinkled her nose slightly at the thought. "Then I have to help Ma get the new nursery set up."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The stables?" Kell chuckled softly. "That's hardly a punishment. Apparently I'm going to be put to work in the kitchen. For some reason, your cook seems to have taken a liking to me." He dug through the box he'd brought in, drawing out a few books. "I picked up a few things for when I'm teaching you. I don't know how much you care for war strategy..." Little did he know she'd been pilfering her father's books of similar subjects since she was ten.

 

[heartofcourage]

"As long as its not Greek or Latin, I'm a very willing student." Kate said with a grin. "And I've already read all the books my Da has on the subject of warfare. I started when I was 10."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Reading is one thing. Application is entirely another," Kell told her as he handed over a book she'd never seen before. "I brought this from Wick... it comes from China, but I'm not supposed to have it. In fact, no one outside Asia is supposed to know about it. It's called 'The Art of War' and it was written over a millennium ago by Sun Tzu. My father and grandfather spent their whole lives translating it." It was an old book, entirely handwritten in Erygonian, then over again in Lunar and then English. "You're going to be able to read all three versions eventually I hope. But til then, the English will have to do. There are some concepts that they couldn't translate into English that you'll get in the other versions."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked between the three languages, her head spinning at the prospect of learning not just one, but two languages. She let out a sigh, looking up at Kell as he stared back in complete seriousness.

"I see that you'll be taking your new position serious, huh?" Kate tried to tease.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Very," Kell gave her a smile. "After all, it's befitting of a Princess to be able to speak the languages of her subjects. And seeing as how more and more Lunars are coming and your close neighbors are the Golin, you ought to know. And if I'm honest... I imagine a fair many Erygonians will stay after this fight, both your allied Calm and your enemies. Scotland has a bewitching quality about it... especially Inverness and the Highlands."

He turned back to his box, putting away the books on the shelves. She saw all manner of books across all different subjects, including Lunar scrolls and books she could not yet read. But the recurring genres seemed to be the study of ancient legends in Lunasia and its counterparts Erygonia and several Kate had never heard of, such as Lunadurus, Titanidurus, Leodurus, and Luciano. Kell was not necessarily religious, but the stories and the understanding of powers beyond Earth interested him to no end. Perhaps he was a philosopher at heart, and a scholar rather than a killer. Now that he was in Inverness, he had a chance to be the student he wanted to be, and also the teacher.

"Have you ever studied much in Lunasia?" He asked as he carefully placed several Lunar scrolls on the shelf where they wouldn't be crushed. "I don't mean religion, but the legends and the teachings? As I understand it, the Ghis are Lunasian, and most of Inverness is too."