Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Kate rolled her eyes at this observation. “A cat and not a bear? You always wear bears.” She pointed to another selection of cloak pins that might interest him as well. “You can’t change Inverness’s symbol just because you miss me.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn' plan on it," Brogan chuckled softly. "It's jus' somethin' simple an' small that'll remind me o' my Kitten," he murmured as the vendor stepped over.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I could get you a real kitten for much cheaper.” Kate said as the vendor stepped over and she bought the pin for her father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think this'll suit me jus' fine. An' it'll last long enough t'pass along in th'family. Maybe t'yer own little ones someday." Brogan carefully removed his own cloak pin which proudly displayed a rugged Ghis crest with the dark bear, and replaced it with the wildcat. Looking at the old pin, he sighed. "I want to give it t'you... But I know wearin' it will make people think yer biased, even more'n they already do."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Da, when have I ever cared what they thought? I could go around wearing a Ghis crest and really get them to gossiping.” Kate murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan could only smile. "Sorry, love. Sometimes I forget you aren' bothered by tha'." He turned to place the pin in her hand. "Hold onto it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll wear it with pride.” Kate said, kissing his cheek and taking his hand once again as she tucked the crest into her pocket.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan strolled along casually, though his long stride required Kate to keep up til he slowed his step further. It took a good two hours for them to eventually work their way back to the castle.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Uncle Cole’s going to mad that we left the clean up of the hunting to him.” Kate commented as they walked back into the castle court yard.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll be fine," Brogan smiled to himself. "I'll make it up t'him later."

In the courtyard Kate found her Uncles all out with most of the children, overseeing and teaching some fencing with safe little foil swords. Ashien in particular was the master of fencing in the family, and Burke was watching his every move from the safety of Dylandra's side. Ashien was currently sparring with young Freya who'd been encouraged by Kjotva not to back down from what most folk in the isles considered a boy's sport, and Ashien was glad to teach. Ciaran was teaching some of the younger ones responsible enough to be given foils. The other children were waiting their turn to fence, to ride with Boar and Durban, or playing their own games.

Kate would find Kell quietly watching over it all, and no doubt his men were hidden around protecting the gathered family, and some royal guards were nearby with two servants should they be needed. At Kell's side stood Khelt, the two conversing too quietly to be heard over the general din of the family.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I thought you would have left by now.” Late said softly as she made her way to her husband’s side, kissing his cheek before she turned to regard his grandfather. “Not that I’m not happy to see you here, mind you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"My mistress ordered that I was to vacation in Scotland, or she'd have me put under house arrest to make sure I took a break from my work. But I won't go too far yet either way. Kell is still learning."

Kell smiled lightly at that. As much as some saw him as a master of subterfuge, the truth was that his grandfather could outdo him, and would test him when he wasn't expecting it.

 

[heartofcourage]

“He still can’t figure out how you slip in and out to see me without him knowing.” Kate said with a grin. “And if you’re going to stay for an extended time at least let us spoil you a bit. You can have a nicer room here at the castle.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm just fine in my current lodgings," Khelt assured her. Of course Kate had no idea where he was staying.

"I've offered. He doesn't want his contacts traipsing around the castle making our people nervous, especially the shadier ones."

"I wouldn't let them either way. If I'm honest, I didn't come to Scotland just for the coronation. I have some other personal matters. Friends. Old enemies who've become friends, that sort of thing."

Kell smiled at that. "You mean Param?"

"She's among them."

 

[heartofcourage]

“And how is Emily? I’m surprised she didn’t come with you for a vacation of her own. She wrote me about her little cub and how you’ve been a doting grandfather to the point that you’re banned from bringing back toys.” Kate said with a small smile, knowing that Khelt had never had the chance to spoil his cubs before.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Emily is content as can be. She would have come, but little Aran is still a bit too small and fragile to travel so far. They'll probably be along in a few months for another occasion," Khelt assured her. "My mistress as well at some point."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I would love the chance to see my nephew. I know you probably have a little sketch of him hidden away somewhere. Would you care to share with us?” Kate asked, giving Khelt the excuse to be a doting grandfather and show off whatever he liked of the little cub.

 

[KieranSoares]

Though he wasn't used to being considered a family man, Khelt smiled to himself and pulled a small notebook journal from inside his jacket. Flipping through a few pages of sketches, he let Kate see the little picture of Aran half-asleep wrapped up in a blanket dotted with tribal patterns. Khelt was good at drawing thanks to needing to remember and copy faces in his career, so the little cub was perfectly detailed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate grinned as she caught sight of the little panther cub swaddled so securely. It was clear that Khelt adored the little one as he had painstakingly drawn every detail down to the smallest whisker.

“He’s very handsome.” Kate murmured, letting Kell have a look as well.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Emily likes to say he has my fur because he's so much darker than his father. She says it's Aran's way of assuring me I'm his grandfather, blood or no."

"You're his grandfather as much as mine," Kell nodded. "You can't choose who you're related to, but you can choose your true family. And it looks like Aran's chosen you as much as Emily has."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Trust me when I say that anyone is lucky to be your relation, Khelt. We know that you would move the earth for us if we only asked.” Kate said with a smile as she’s handed the drawing back to the elder wolf.

 

[KieranSoares]

Khelt took one last look at the drawing before tucking the notebook away. "I only do it because you all deserve it. It has nothing to do with me."

 

[heartofcourage]

“We don’t deserve anything. We can earn your respect, but you shouldn’t give us anything simply because we’re related.” Kate insisted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Didn't we just say we choose our true family?" Khelt smiled lightly. "You deserve it because I chose you as part of mine. And not just because you're my grandson's mate."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Well, he obviously likes me better.” Kate said with a grin towards Kell as his grandfather talked about their family earning their place in his life.