Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I do fight, just not about things that don't need fighting for," Kell reminded. "And with you, I know when I can't win, so I don't put up a futile struggle. I make a strategy first."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate eyed him as she quietly ate the rest of her meal, retreating to bed shortly after to let the room stop spinning so much. She both hated and adored Kell when he got smart with her. He wouldn’t be bated into a fight just because she wanted to fight. He would take care of her even when she was drunk and angry. He was the perfect person to be at her side. It made being in Edinburgh bearable.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell took his time to follow, and then went quietly about his nightly routine getting undressed and laying out fresh clothes for the next day. He also left a glass of water on Kate's nightstand before crawling into bed and kissing her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

Her eyes opened briefly as her husband kissed her cheek, the smirk on his face making her scowl at him. As soon as he got comfortable beside her, she curled into his side, her head finding her favorite spot on his shoulder.

"Am I a good queen?" Kate asked him softly, still filled with so much self doubt due to youth and inexperience. "I have a hard time telling."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're certainly not a bad one. You've done your best to improve the lives of the common folk and protect them from the whims of the nobles. You've been stern but fair with the nobility and not allowed yourself to be walked all over. And though it's been such a short time and you're still learning, you've dealt with most issues gracefully and you know who can help you if you need it. Opinion of you will differ everywhere. But the people seem to like what you're doing, and some of the Lords, especially the smaller ones who often get left out, are starting to really respect you. I'd call that a good start."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And if you weren't my husband, but an objective observer, would you say the same?" Kate asked, knowing that he was an honest man but still needing that additional reassurance.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If I were a common farmer, knowing you're from Inverness where the common folk are well-cared for, I'd be optimistic. If I were one of your county Lords, and not as greedy as Rothsay, I think I'd be more aligned with the thoughts of Duke Stirling. You have potential and you've shown willingness and capability to keep Scotland moving forward. I wouldn't be against you, but I'd keep my cards close to my chest til I saw you act in an emergency."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I hope that there are no emergencies." Kate said quickly as Kell explained to her how he would feel if he were a common man. "And what about the were? I'll try my hardest for them, but I'm afraid that there will be so much resistance that the only true places they might be safe are Inverness and Wick."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Werefolk have always lived where they pleased until it was impossible to stay. There may be danger, but I think all any of us can ask is that you protect us by the same laws and rights as humans. We can handle prejudice and work on the changes slowly."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No one should ever have to compromise one something like that." Kate insisted as Kell explained that she was doing what she could. "It angers me that prejudice is something that a were should just simply have to deal with in the meantime."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Love, we aren't the only ones. Your poorest people deal with much the same, treated as less than human and given less for the same effort. People, of all kinds, have always dealt with it. Just because we have a special brand of it, that makes it little different. It's unfair, yes... but my people know how to survive it. I can hardly say 'we' anymore, really... I'm not necessarily part of my people's condition now. As right hand to a Queen, I don't have to fear Hunters, skinners, and slavers. But plenty of humans face similar dangers, though maybe not as much here."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was very quiet when Kell explained all of that. She had once known and been on the forefront of that fight. She felt like she was out of touch, however. It was something she would have to work on remedying. Soon, Kate had wrapped an arm around Kell's chest, pulling herself tightly against his side as she relaxed into a drunken sleep.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I love you," Kell murmured as she drifted off. If he said anything else, she was out before she heard it.

It was sometime before dawn that a sudden, loud knocking jolted the couple awake. Kell sat up with a sigh, "Yes?" He called.

"Lord Protector, Fort Pax and Paxton have been sacked!"

Kell was out of bed in a second, grabbing a shirt and opening the door to step out. Even in a rush, he had the thought to close the door behind him as Kate would likely have a hangover and need a moment to gather herself.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate's head was pounding just as loudly as the pounding at the door. As the news reached them and Kell gathered himself, she could only lay there, staring at the ceiling. However, she didn't remain there for long. If her country needed her, she would be there no matter how she felt.

She was soon dressed, the water on her stand drank, and any illness she felt hidden by a neutral look on her face. Stepping into the front of her apartments, she saw a small group of gathered lords, those responsible for protection of the kingdom. Kell conferred with them quietly, each looking serious at the task that had been placed before them.

"We'll be riding to check on the forts as soon as the horses are ready." Kate said from behind Kell, not even giving him a choice of staying there at the castle.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll gather the necessary guard detail," one of the local Lords spoke up, and Kell dismissed him to do so.

"The rest of you, send out summons to any Lords and vassals along the way. It seems we're dealing with a rogue English Baron. No doubt King Henry will be hearing of this soon and send his own force for damage control. As Paxton is near the border, let me be very clear: no English folk are to be attacked, only arrested if suspicious or in military garb. If any of our men are attacked, the aggressors are to be captured if possible and held for questioning... I understand the fort has been sacked via infiltration and outright slaughter and some tempers may run high, but I want you all to make it clear to your men that we need any remaining attackers alive for information. Self-defense is acceptable here, but not revenge."

The Lords all nodded their understanding and quickly dispersed with their orders. Servants were sent to ready horses and gear, and Kell turned to Kate as they were left alone for a moment. "The chef is making up a hangover remedy along with our supplies for you," he reported quietly. "It'll be a day's ride to Paxton, so I don't want you sick the whole way there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If I am, it's of my own doing." Kate said, looking at her husband as he stated that they were making a hangover remedy. "I'll be alright by this afternoon."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hopefully sooner with that remedy. It's Chessie's recipe, so I'm sure it works well." Kell stepped forward to kiss her cheek. "Get something to eat while the men gather. It'll help."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate nodded, heading to the kitchens to get something easy to eat. The head cook took care of her personally, fixing a mixture of eggs and meat that was easily placed between two pieces of bread. It made her feel less nauseous to have something in her belly, but the pounding in her head was still there. The cook also gave her a drink that Chessie had suggested in a cookbook put together to help please their new queen. It had herbs and spices, a special tea that would lessen the effects of both alcohol and headaches. It made her feel slightly better and she requested one in a water skin to keep in the saddle with her while they traveled. The cook gladly obliged, giving her that and another sandwich to keep with her just in case.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Kate emerged into the courtyard after some light armor was brought to her, lines of horsemen were mounting up and gathering their weapons. No infantry or footmen were coming along, as time was of the essence to secure Paxton.

Kell was front and center, organizing units and sending a scouting force ahead and speaking to captains and lords responsible for each group. Kate's horse was brought to her and Kell's to him. Kell climbed into his saddle, getting used to his light metal armor, and he turned to look to Kate to await her word.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate climbed effortlessly into her saddle, glancing around at the gathered soldiers and guards that were readying to lead them to the sacked forts. She knew that this would be watched closely as she faced her first big challenge of her very short rule.

"Lord protector, lead the way." Kate finally announced, giving him permission to get those gathered into motion.

 

[KieranSoares]

With a few orders barked around the gathered men, the royal guard fell in with Kate and Kell and left the way out at a quick trot. City guardsmen rode ahead to clear the main street, and all the commotion brought people out to see what was happening. At the sight of the armored Queen and Lord Protector with their full royal guard, many looked on with concern at what this might mean. Word would spread quickly of the attack on Paxton and a spokesperson from the castle would give what information could be spared later. But that was not the concern of the parade of riders for the moment. It would be a day's ride to Fort Pax near the border, barring interference along the way.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate rode without complaint, keeping up with her men even though her head ached terribly. She would eat again on horseback about an hour after they left, drinking more of the brew that the cook had sent with her. By the time they stopped to water the horses shortly after noon, she felt better, even if her head was still fuzzy.

Kell was watching her closely. She could feel his eyes on her as she drank water from her own skin as her horse drank from the stream. She knew he was concerned, but like her father, she could draw a mask over her features and no one would know how she felt. She could have been dying on the inside, but to them it was just another normal day.

 

[KieranSoares]

The break was short, with some scouts coming back to report the way was still clear ahead. It wouldn't be til sunset as they drew within three miles of Fort Pax and Paxton that they'd be able to both see and smell the billowing smoke from the estate. Scouts went ahead to find an area to camp, while out of the ranks came some of Kell's shadier men who rode with the scouts and would split off on foot when they got close to the town. They would survey the damage and any enemy occupation and survivors and report back. As they were now, Kate's forces had no idea of the state of Paxton and Lord Castor who governed the area from Fort Pax and Castle Dyne. What little they knew had come from a brave young soldier who'd ridden to Edinburgh after escaping the battle, and he died of his wounds just before it'd been reported to Kate and Kell.

As the small army put out their torches and slowly, quietly approached a camping area set out by the scouts, Kell drew his horse up beside Kate. "I doubt the main force is still here. Anyone intending to occupy and take over one of our forts wouldn't have set fire to it like this." Looking over to her, he asked, "We'll need to capture any stragglers and looters, secure the survivors, and find Lord Donall Castor... I'd like for you to lead one of those efforts, unless you want to preside over the operations here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll lead the efforts to find Lord Castor." Kate said as Kell pulled up next to her on his horse, both watching over the preparations being made at their temporary camp. "I suspect that he's dead, but we'll find him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If not dead, imprisoned and wounded. We'll give the spies the night to learn what they can, and go in before dawn with a plan. I'll be dividing out hunting parties for remaining hostiles and setting a rally point for survivors at the west end. If anything changes, each group will have fast riders."

Glancing about, Kell beckoned to one of his men. "Stark, let the others know- half of you and Qira will be accompanying the Queen in infiltrating the castle tomorrow. The other half will be splitting among the hunting parties and a few will post at the west end in high positions. Dole out the orders as you see fit. And send Qira to me when he gets back from scouting."

With a nod, the olive-skinned spy headed toward the south end of the camp to begin his work.

Kell sat up straight, watching as tents were pitched and soldiers, without fires to cook thanks to the secrecy of their position, got into their dry rations and water skins for a late dinner. "I won't send any heavily armored units with you. Stealth and speed will be best both for efficiency and safety. The royal guard will instead form the perimeter to the castle to stop any escaping enemies."