Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Not unlike myself then," Warwick said with a smile to the boy. Sam had been too worried about bothering him thus far, but any shyness he felt was quickly hidden in the interest of making a good, strong impression as he shook the old advisor's hand. "I spent almost a decade spinning strategies and keeping Inverness defensively and economically sound. If that's what you're headed for, we may end up talking quite a bit."

Meanwhile, Brogan finally stopped for a break, breathing heavily after a quickfire spar with Kate. For the first time, she'd outmatched him at least where energy was concerned.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Love, go help your Da." Julia murmured to Rho, giving him a kiss on the cheek as the boy slipped off the wooden fence and hurried towards his father and his sister.

Rho had a way about him that was gentle when it came to doing something that might embarrass someone else. Brogan was still a very proud man who had a horrible illness. Rho would take care of his father the best way that he knew how.

 

[KieranSoares]

Rho went to take his father's blade for him, knowing the great sword was immensely heavy despite how Brogan always carried it when he was out and about. Brogan gave him a smile and let him take the blade and sheathe, and Rho slung it over his back to take it inside. Brogan came to join Julia's side and greeted her with a kiss before he looked to Kate beside him. "I still expect ya t'give Anson a proper run, lass. He's still full of energy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes, sir." Kate said as she pulled Anson's reigns towards the corral exit.

"Sam, go and have a talk with Warwick. He won't mind letting you pick his brain." Julia encouraged of her son as they watched Kate mount Anson to give him a good ride.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam hesitated, but Warwick laid a hand on his shoulder and led him away. Rho would be off after Kate with his own horse as soon as he safely put Brogan's blade away, and that left Brogan and Julia alone. Brogan smiled to Julia, murmuring softly as he had since he had fallen for her, "Hiya, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I ought to tan your hide, Brogan Ingvar Ghis." Julia said as he wished her a good morning. "You haven't felt well and I find you out here over exerting yourself. You're going to make yourself ill, love. Then what will we do?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then I guess ye'll jus' have t'take care o' me," he told her with a teasing and loving grin, wrapping his arms around her. He always tried to sweet talk his way out of trouble. "I'm okay, love. I couldn't stand sittin' around anymore, though."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm not going to lose you to bullheaded stubbornness." Julia murmured as she wrapped her arms around him and held her husband tightly. "My heart wouldn't take losing you, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sorry, darlin'," he murmured, letting his head rest on her shoulder. "I'll try t'take it a little easier... Jus' tryin' t'be useful." One of his greatest fears was feeling useless. It had been his biggest obstacle while next been without his sight and it was slowly overcoming him again.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're always useful." Julia murmured as her husband held her tightly. "You're always up with Heather and Ashelin when they fuss at night. You help Ciaran make fishing nets for when he's off in the woods. You help Annie ween her foals and colts. You taught Kate how to sharpen her swords. You gave Rho the confidence he needed to not feel self conscious about his missing arm. And you help Sam study warfare so he can serve his brother. I'm not sure what else there is for you to do."

 

[KieranSoares]

He couldn't help but smile when she reminded him of how he was always looking out for their children, and he muttered, "Well, good t'know yer happy about tha'. But I don' know, love... I used t'be so... Effective, as a king. Now, I only seem t'be able t'hand out orders t'younger or stronger people. I can' do anything myself."

 

[heartofcourage]

"A good king knows his limitations and does his best to make sure that his people do not suffer because of it." Julia said as Brogan admitted his fears. "You know that you are not young any longer. You know that you are better when there are others involved with your plans, love. I think that makes you a great king and an even better man."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Since when did my li'l English lass become a wise ol' woman?" Brogan smiled down at her as she lessened the sting. "Hard t'believe y'went from tha' nervous young lass to a proper Clan Queen. But now y'can handle a family an' a clan on yer own when I slip up. Then again, y'had a pretty sudden introduction, tha' first year." Julia's first time in control had been when Brogan had been poisoned, but she only really got a taste for the insanity of ruling a clan when Brogan had gone off to fight Wick and Sarah and she'd had to win Inverness back, not to mention most of the land between Wick and Inverness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I learned from the best." Julia said simply as she leaned in and kissed her husband with a soft grin. "The handsome king of Inverness seems to have taken a liking to me. He taught me everything that I know and gave me a lovely little family."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I did my best. But there's still plenty t'do with th'little ones an' the boys." Brogan wrapped an arm about her waist and walked inside with her. It was only a few more days before they finally set out from Edinburgh for Chester. Maxwell had sent word ahead that he was unbothered by their delay, and also a note that he'd prepared rooms for them in Chester Manor. Previously it'd been unclear as to whether he'd even let them stay in town, Brogan's people being longtime enemies of the northern English Clans. But true to his treaty that cold winter day of their marriage, Brogan had never attacked nor even bothered with Chester in twenty years. In hard times, he'd even sent monetary aid or preserved food, usually only to hear that Maxwell had denied help out of pride, but that didn't stop the caravan drivers from passing out the food to the common folk anyway.

Chester was almost the same as Julia had remembered it: a bit dirty, but a town of hardworking people who didn't have much to say outside of their jobs and daily doings. It was a bit more gaunt than before, the people a little thinner and twenty years older. Children Julia had seen before were now parents trying to teach their own young ones how to survive in a harsh clan. The manor, however, was another story. Newer buildings dotted the estate lands, mostly stables and a few barracks. Maxwell had taken up a great cavalry whose cost was partly to blame for the thinner state of his people. But the cavalry was one of the finest in Northern England, made primarily of Darkwood and Ghis horses from Ashien and Annie, and strong men in their prime from all over England. In his alliance to King Henry, Maxwell's cavalry was at the king's call, thus making them a valuable asset which Henry gladly paid part wages for. Maxwell had successfully turned Chester into less of a city, and more of a cavalry training base.

 

[heartofcourage]

The first sight of Chester in so long had Julia's heart aching. It hadn't changed, but it wasn't the same place that she had grown up in. Things were a little drearier, but she was impressed that her brother had built up the keep as much as he had. It was nearly unrecognizable.

As Ciaran guided the wagon into the keep's main yard, Julia's heart was hammering in her chest. She had no idea how her brother might greet them all. Ashelin rode with Brogan in his saddle, the little girl's eyes bright and shining as he paid her the attention that she so wanted from him. Sam and Rho were perfect gentlemen on their horses and Kate and Kell were the same. Heather sat between Julia and Ciaran, quiet as they saw a small, red headed woman standing on the stone steps of the keep.

Julia slipped from the wagon and stared at the woman for a long moment. She knew her sister-in-law was from Northern Scotland, the third daughter of a chieftain who had found his wealth making textiles.

"Beth?" Julia asked as the woman looked around at all of the people gathered.

"Julia. It is good to finally meet you." Her voice was soft, gentle, so unlike her brother. "I apologize. Maxwell is out with his troops at the moment. He said I was to greet you all."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's jus' fine. We're a little nervous t'meet 'im, t'be honest," Brogan spoke up as he dismounted from his horse. He'd seen Beth once, she and her father having come to his wedding with Cassie so long ago, but she was only a girl then and they'd never properly met. "Nice t'finally meet ya, love," he said kindly to her. "How's yer Da? Las' I 'eard, he was makin' new trade agreements with Cahal in Wick."

Their children soon gathered with them and guardsmen took care of the wagon and bags for them. Ciaran had given Heather to Kate while he held Ashelin.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's still hearty at 80." Beth said with a welcome smile towards Brogan. "I believe that he will outlive us all. He credits the brisk Scottish air up north. I visit him at least once a year."

She glanced at all of the family members gathered, impressed that Julia had given the king of Inverness so many children while she and Maxwell had failed to have even one. Max had never seemed bothered by the thought, but it had weighed heavily on her.

"Come on inside. I have some refreshments ready for you all." She said, always the perfect hostess as she ushered the Ghis into the keep of Chester.

 

[KieranSoares]

The family followed her inside and they all settled at a table to relax. Brogan needed it for sure, the long journeys doing him no favors. Sam and Rho were on their best behavior while Ciaran was distracted with the babies, taking both girls so Kate could be free to give all her attention to the conversation.

"So how are things here?" Brogan asked. "If I'm honest with ya, Beth... I was expectin' a little worse. But it looks like Max's managin' pretty well even after the tough harvest las' year."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Max doesn't concern me with running Chester." Beth admitted as she poured tea for everyone. "He has his own ideas of how things should run and I don't ask him what he is thinking. He is a good man, however. He cares for his people's welfare. Times have been tough, but he is too proud to ask for help. There have been many nights that he has gone to bed without a meal so that someone else could eat. He is one of the king's favorite horsemen, too. When a well trained cavalry is needed, he is the one that is called."

Julia listened to Beth talk about Max and she found it hard to reconcile that her brother was the man that was holding everything together. He had always been brusk and quick to anger. He reminded her very much of her father, but it seemed that he had leaned some things from his life as the heir to Chester.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan was equally as caught off-guard by Max's seeming care for his people and the duties of his station. It wasn't long before the man himself entered the hall, calling out orders to the men following him. "Captain Raize, have my horse's shoes looked at. Lieutenant Kern, commission saddles for Harvey, Waynes, and Kuiper." The two men hurried off and Maxwell turned to the last man, his head advisor. "Do we have enough in the treasury to get a horse for Arnan's boy?"

"I can try to make a deal with Darkwood, sir."

"See if you can. If not, give him one of the practice horses til we can afford it. He won't be going to any battles until he's a squire anyhow."

"Yes, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"I have family visiting, so don't let anyone bother us unless it's an emergency."

Yes, milord." The advisor hurried off and Max pulled off his gloves as he came into the dining hall, taking a deep breath just before he stepped in the doorway. The first person his gaze found was his sister. He'd only seen her twice since watching her leave with a Scot. The first time, they'd fought and he'd refused to help her only to have his men abandon him and go to the aid of the Ghis. He'd learned quite a lesson in humility and loyalty in that time. The second time, he'd only visited as a formality to make sure his treaty with Inverness was still in place after their father's passing. There had been no love, only business even though Julia treated him kindly as any family member.

"Julia," he murmured, his hard eyes softening at the sight of her, and showing something painful simmering under the surface.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Max." Julia said as she saw her brother for the first time in so long. "It's been too long."

She stood from her seat to greet him, feeling awkward as she saw the deep emotion simmering in his emerald gaze. Perhaps she was wrong after all. His foolish pride seemed to have been set aside for the sake of family.

"I want you to meet your nieces and nephews. Ciaran, Samuel, and Rhodan." She started with the boys, introducing each of them in turn. "And Kate, Heather, and Ashelin. Kell is ours as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ciaran, Kate. You probably don't remember me," he murmured as he shook their hands.

"I do, uncle," Ciaran assured him before Max greeted Sam and Rho and Kell too.

"Brogan," Max said quietly, shaking the giant Scot's hand too. "Julia... could I talk to you a moment?" he asked his little sister, motioning her out so they could speak alone.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia glanced towards her husband and then at her brother, nodding at his request. Soon, she was following him out the door as Beth continued to entertain her guests as best as she could.

"You wife is lovely, Max. Truly a jewel." Julia said with an honest tone in her voice.

 

[KieranSoares]

Max hesitated to answer, so instead, for the first time since they were children, he wrapped her up in his arms and hugged her close, letting her know he'd missed her deeply despite their less than friendly time apart.