Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Well, you keep interesting company." Dalton gave Qira a smile, looking to Kell as well. "You'll have to tell me your secrets, how you employ handsome men. But I do agree with this jailer of yours," Dalton gave Kate a more serene smile then. "You look exhausted."

 

[heartofcourage]

“All three of you are lucky that I’m so “sweet”, otherwise I wouldn’t put up with everyone telling me how tired I look.” Kate quipped as she told them all goodnight and left with Qira to her temporary quarters.

She had moved from the field tent to a small room in the fort itself. It was well guarded and had been checked out by Kell’s crew, so she knew she was in good hands. Once in the room, she got herself out of her armor and was soon in bed, sighing the moment that her head hit the pillow. She was surprised when it felt like moment’s later, Kell slipped in beside her, holding her tightly.

“I thought you had men to order around.” She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I do, and I was just passing by to get some things, but your faithful Panther decided I needed sleep too." Kell laid his head against her back as he curled around her from behind. "I didn't argue much."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Your problem is picking guards that are much too serious about their duties. All of them nearly tore a poor boy apart today when he expressed his anger towards me.” Kate murmured softly as Kell’s warm body soon enveloped her almost completely.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's what protectors of royalty are supposed to do- protect. Even if it was minor, they're trained to react with force if there is any hint of a threat to their Queen."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It was heavy handed, Khelt.” Kate said simply, as her husband tried to make excuses for Gown his men reacted to situations regarding her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're free to command them to do otherwise, love. Their job is to secure the Queen at all costs when any threat arises. But they will take your commands over mine as you see fit, except in emergencies."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Remind me to have a long talk with my lord protector when I wake up. There are things we need to discuss.” Kate said softly as she snuggled into Kell’s dark fur.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Noted," Kell murmured, content to simply drift off beside her after having been on high alert for so long.

Come morning, Kate and Kell woke to find the town suddenly bustling as if it were a market day. Wagons upon wagons had come from several directions and both sides of the border. Caravan masters were shouting above the din of the main square to let people know where to come to find what they needed. New soldiers of many different colors had come and fallen under the royal command, and it seemed a Lady of a nearby estate had come riding in with a herd of cattle and farmhands to donate the fresh beef. This woman, Kate had never met, but she was one of the very few female knights in Scotland, one of those mentioned upon Kate earning her own knighthood in Wick. Her name was Lady Madeline MacCairn, a loyal daughter of Scotland and a proven warrior on all fronts as she had served Brian and Marianne from the time of Mad Tamblin's fall.

Her presence was reported to Kate immediately upon emerging, and that Lady Madeline had taken control of the market square along with her soldiers to help keep things safe and organized.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was back out among the people the first moment that she was allowed. She was awake well before dawn, but Kell held her so tightly that she couldn't leave their bed. She knew he was awake as well, keeping her there so that she rested. For once, she didn't complain. Once she was up and fed, she donned her armor and took to the streets again, her small contingency of guards at her back.

"Lady MacCairn." Kate called the moment that she saw the woman, giving him a small smile of gratitude. "You are the first to arrive, but you certainly don't disappoint."

 

[KieranSoares]

Perched high atop a rare and odd beast, both in light armor, Lady MacCairn and her northern drake struck powerful figures. Very few drakes existed in the isles thus far, the current drakes all belonging to elite members of the military or nobility and their entourages. Lady MacCairn's personal guard was the only other drake rider there.

The Lady herself was around Brogan's age, her dark hair turning silver in elegant streaks. Pushing the dark waves off to one side with a gloved hand, she looked to Kate. Her sharp dark sienna eyes focused in on this petite, crimson-haired girl for a moment before a broad smile broke her serious expression.

Dismounting, she stepped forward and firmly shook Kate's hand with a light bow of her head. It was quite a change from other people who kept their distance and bowed deeply to her. It was more akin to how people greeted a Ghis in Inverness, rather than High Royalty.

"Well, despite some of the sad circumstances, I had to jump at the chance to meet a sister knight and show some of my worth. And I intend to be on the front line if and when the bastards responsible are dealt with."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will try and avoid a battle if I can help it, but food from you and shelter from the centaurs will go a long way in soothing their fears." Kate said, glancing towards the bustling market where people were lining up for their chance to start putting their lives back together. "I expect my Da to be arriving the moment he gets his letter and I know other lords will send support as well. The lady of the manor is due to arrive in a few days time. She was visiting distant family at the time of the attack."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No doubt we'll see King Gallus sometime today as well," she nodded, standing up straight, her grey drake doing the same just beside her. "Even if he's not on the border directly, he's fought around it all his life. He'll be livid and ready for blood, so you may want to keep an eye on him. I know he's independent of the High Throne, but he should listen to reason."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate glanced over at the drake as he stood as straight as his mistress. She had seen a couple of drakes in her life and they were magnificent creatures, but she preferred her horses. They were simply what she had been raised with and what she was comfortable around.

"Make sure you tell my guard or my lord protector where you are camped. I don't put it past anyone to do a sneak attack on those that are left vulnerable." Kate said as she gripped the woman's hand again and shook it. "Thank you for coming."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I welcome them to try," MacCairn challenged with a grin, nodding to Kate as they clasped hands once more. "Dain will give them a run for their money." She looked back to the drake as he perked at his name. "We'll be around here if you need a fast messenger or scout or what have you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gave her a grin and nodded, knowing that the elder woman had nothing to worry about from anyone. She had a reputation for being harsh, a bit cold, but she had never been unfriendly towards Kate, even in her letters.

"I leave it to you to send them running then." Kate said with one last shake before she turned to tend to other matters.

 

[KieranSoares]

While Kate was tending to her duties that morning, it seemed fairly clear that MacCairn's presence had brightened things up. Indeed she had a reputation for being cold, even a touch vindictive, but it became clear that that did not apply to the common folk in most cases. Her reputation came from lesser noblemen and male knights who didn't like that she was their equal or better, and that she refused to see them as superior. It seemed she faced as many unfair and belittling expectations as Kate. The people, however, we're seeing her as a rescuer and good neighbor.

Once Kate had a spare moment, Kell slipped away from his own work and to her side. "You wanted to talk?" He asked softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I did?” Kate asked as she looked over letters that had just arrived for her from cross both Scotland and the border. “When did I say that?”

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell chuckled. "I could've dodged it, you mean? Last night, after we talked about your heavy-handed defenders. I imagined you had a scolding for me."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I probably do have a scolding somewhere within me, but I have other things to deal with at the moment.” Kate said as she glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow. “And I’m terribly crossed that you don’t greet me with a kiss any longer.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I thought you were mad at me," Kell countered, but immediately remedied his mistake with a kiss. "Then again, I suppose that hasn't stopped me before."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m always upset with you about something, Khelt.” Kate said softly as her husband finally came and kissed her as sweetly as he could. “I’m exhausted. There doesn’t seem to be any stop to this.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then get some more rest, love," Kell murmured. "Just because you're a queen doesn't mean you need to burn out on the daily, even with what's going on around here. No one worth your time expects you to work yourself to death."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wish things were that easy." Kate said with a shake of her head, knowing that she should go to bed as he asked, but being too stubborn to do such.

She had far too many things to do to simply steal away to take a nap, no matter what position she held. There were letters to write, plans to make, letters to read, and people to make sure were being taken care of.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It is that easy. Just delegate some of your work out and make a little time. That's how I always manage to be free to join your side when you want me. Your royal guard and my men are very capable. If you're that worried about things, share it with me and I'll find the right people. We don't need to do everything alone."