Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"A battle of reason and wit, not of blood. Just remember that. These are our friends in the end, and we'll stand against enemies together regardless of our differences. It may help to remind them of that too if they resist too much. We're a threat because they don't understand us. That doesn't mean we have to be enemies. That mistake has already been made throughout time, and we'll need them when it happens again and someone outside Scotland sees us as a threat."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose I agreed to take this, didn't I? I have to work through the difficult times as well as the good times." Kate said, leaning back in her chair as she looked around her still empty space.

She had hung a few tapestries in the room that morning, but it still didn't feel much like home. She would have to talk to her Da about sending her some things from Inverness to help her feel more comfortable in her new surroundings.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We've only just begun, love. It'll get harder in many ways, and easier in others." Kell stepped around the desk to kiss her. "But I'll do my best to keep some things constant."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It'll start to feel like home sooner or later." Kate said with a soft sigh as her husband kissed her gently and promised that he would help in any way that he could.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell nuzzled against her momentarily before turning to the door to allow in her first meeting. Altogether, she received three lords and one of the ladies, all seeking to smooth out trade and economics with the capital. It was the fifth visitor as the hour grew late, that was different from the rest. Duke Stirling, the man who'd met with her father first to discuss her ascension, stepped in looking a bit tired but focused on the task at hand.

As he was shown in by a guard, Stirling gave Kate a respectful but proud bow. "Your Majesty," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

“My lord.” Kate said, not rising from her seat as he nodded and bowed towards her. “I have heard that you had a meeting with my father this evening.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Indeed. I'm sure you have long since figured out why. I will be direct with you, Your Ladyship. I am lacking confidence in this new arrangement. And despite what some may believe about my... Traditional values, it is not simply due to your gender. Marianne proved time and again, with and without Their Late Majesties Brian and Gale, that gender does not limit ability. No... It is your youth, your background, and your... Partner, which worry me."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I am very young but not inexperienced. I too have my own personal concerns about my background. However, I will make it clear that any and all decisions that I make are made by myself alone. My husband understands that his role is to support me and he will give me advice, but it is my place to act upon it if I wish.” Kate said softly as he bluntly told her that he didn’t trust her husband.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I understand that you feel that way. But my concern is also with his background and his people and his influence with you. We lords are well aware of his and his family's history, as well as the fact that the two of you have been working partners for two years. And now as husband and wife, the lords will always wonder if your policies were suggested by Lord Aleister. And the idea of policies for humans suggested by a Wolf, and an assassin no less, will not sit well." Stirling was blunt, but it seemed he was willing to work with Kate if he addressed such concerns, or perhaps he was worried about possible dissent and rumors.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sir, I do not know what you want from me. No matter what I did, he would still be considered a threat. He could have no power and people would still assume that he held sway over me just because he’s a wolf. This is not a situation that I can win.” Kate said as calmly as she could.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It is not. But I feel I must clarify my own stance. I'm sure you aren't happy with the idea that many won't trust a Wolf. I want to assure you that I am not one of them," he told her as he held her gaze. "Ten years ago, I would've demanded a Wolf like Khelt Aleister to be skinned or sold. But nine years ago, my wife died of a curable ailment thanks to the ignorance and idiocy of a human doctor. When my granddaughter came down with the same illness and began to fade under doctors' care, I threw those fools out of Stirling and carried my granddaughter to a werefolk village just outside my borders. I hated them, but I was so desperate that I laid riches at their feet to save her, as I knew of their prowess in medicine. And those people, even though I expected them to be the worst of the worst as Erygonians... They refused all that silver save what they needed for supplies and a bit of food, and they saved my little girl. And just last year... I welcomed many of them to my lands for safety... And fell in love with a beautiful red Wolf. So in short, Your Majesty... Your Wolf will find an ally and understanding in me, as will you. But I'm worried for you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sir, I grew up in a place where I saw all of the bad things that happened to wolves and their families. My own aunt was terrified to bring her mate to meet her family because she was afraid of what they would think. However, I know how wonderful they can be and the only thing that I can hope for during my reign, I can improve relations between wolves and regular citizens." Kate said, knowing that there was so much fear among people when it came to the were that simply wanted to live a quiet life.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I suppose, then, it's time we cleared out the nightmarish fairytales told in hate, and the Hunters who want to stay in business. So, Your Majesty... Katherine. As an old man who would like to someday freely walk with his love to market without fearing for her life, I offer you any help and information I can. Starting with Hunters' Guilds, two of which operate in your own capital, while there are at least one or branches of some in every other county. I know a sudden attack on Hunters' Guilds may look odd or not reflect well so early in your rule, but I will follow whether you strike in the open or quietly root them out. Most folk are too afraid to attack the were, but it's the Hunters that enable mobs and random violence, so that they can quietly skin and sell in the background and make profit from the unrest."

 

[heartofcourage]

“This is certainly information that should be given to my husband as Ben is the lord protector. He will do his best to make sure that anything done to the guild members is done in secret and descretely.” Kate said as Stirling gave his opinion on the matters at hand.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll seek his attention tomorrow, then. I only hope that you two understand I do wish to help, and I'd like to see House Aleister do well," he murmured, turning toward the door. "And unless there is anything you require, I think I will retire for the night."

 

[heartofcourage]

“No, sir. I believe I will shortly retire as well. It has been a very long day.” Kate said as she stood to escort him to the door personally. “And we will see a brighter future for those we love, my lord. I promise you that.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can only hope so," Stirling nodded, stepping out into the hall where two guards were posted and Stirling's own attendant waited patiently.

"Milord," the attendant said as he straightened his posture, and with a final farewell, Stirling walked off with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate watched him go before she retired to her own rooms for the evening. There, she waited for Kell and as they had nearly every single night since they had married, they made love. However, Kate’s attention was elsewhere. She barely noticed when he paused in his motions, their hips still melded together as she turned her head to look into his amber gaze. She let out a sigh and reached up to touch his cheek gently.

“I’m sorry, eldere. My mind is so far away from here right now.” She said softly in apology.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell searched her emerald eyes for a long moment. At first he'd been worried she wasn't interested, or even bored. But he now saw the trouble behind her eyes and he met her with a slow, steadying kiss. Their previous activity forgotten, he nuzzled against her neck and held her tightly for a long moment before finally speaking in a low, worried tone, "Is it something new, or simply everything?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“They don’t trust you and it’s breaks my heart.” She said softly as he comforted her as best he could, holding her tightly and kissing her cheek until she let out a soft sigh. “I don’t know what to do to convince them that you don’t control me in the least. I’m perfectly capable of making my own choices on this throne.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"They assume you're controlled by your husband, like they expect women should be... and that you're connected to my former handlers, or I'm going to use your position for my own ends... In some ways, I can understand their worries. Lesser men of similar position have done much worse. Some of them might even worry, you being a Ghis, that we might bring a piece of your late grandfather here, made worse by a power-hungry assassin little different from the one that once controlled Tamblin Ghis." Kell spoke of the possibilities so calmly, as if such thoughts were little bother. "They see a young, impressionable girl whose reputation and position came by luck, not merit or hard work. And that girl may or may not be under the control of a deadly assassin through love, fear, or submission. And nothing you can say will change their minds. You can only continue and let our actions speak for us. It will take time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know it will take time, Kell, but the accusations hurt none the less." Kate said softly as he tried to explain the situation to her in a way that made the most sense. "And for it to be on my mind this much means that it isn't just a simple fear. It's a great concern."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know. And there's nothing I can do," he admitted in defeat. "I suppose I try more for my own sake than yours." He drew back to lay beside her with a sigh. "Everyone who vouches for me has chosen a hard road. Not just an assassin, but a Wolf."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're my wolf." Kate said softly, turning into her husband's warm chest as he finally settled beside her, their evening ritual long forgotten. "And I adore you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll always be yours first, no matter the doubts and gossip of others," he promised softly. "They can call me whatever they want... But in the end I'll be Katherine Ghis' mate and husband. And that's all I care about."