Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Those of us that have no family near to support us have to stand together." Kate said softly, knowing that Qira and Kell shared a history and she missed her family horribly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I have none regardless. Kell is the closest thing I will ever have to family," he admitted quietly. "And, in some sense, his grandfather too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have too much sometimes, but they live far away. I'll share if you wish." Kate said, giving him a grin as she teased the panther. "One day, Kell and I hope to have a family of our own. It probably won't happen for a long time, however. I'm sure you'll be the first to know. Hell, you'll probably hear the entire thing, too."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira chuckled at that. "I don't intrude on your privacy. Part of my job is to make sure no one does." He shifted slightly with a long sigh. "But that will be up to Kell and Lyra for a while... I've been told I'll be arrested and chained here if I try to go back to work."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I certainly won't say anything if you were to take up your post from time to time." Kate said as she gave him a grin. "We have to keep them on their toes, Qira. How better to do that than to go against their wishes when we feel extra devilish."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I may try," he smiled. "I suppose it'll be our mission together to turn Kell grey."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I bet I can make it happen sooner than you." Kate said, making that little bet with Qira. "I might even turn you grey as well. You never know."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You will," he assured her. "You and Kell both."

The door then opened, a tribal healer stepping in and pausing. "Oh, excuse me," he said softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose I can't hide from this mysterious Rissa any longer." Kate said as she sighed dramatically and stood up, looking down at Qira as the tribal healer waited patiently. "And you need your rest. I'll give you a few more days before I expect to see you walking in my shadow."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Understood," he nodded. "After all, I need to see this Rissa as well." He smiled as she stepped away, relaxing back once more as the healer came to his side.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gave him one last smile before she left him in the healer's hands. Kate stood there in the hall for a moment, indecision in her head. She didn't want to meet this Rissa. She felt like she was being forced into the decision to have a lady in waiting by Warwick and Kell. Before she even realized what she was doing, Kate was in the stables and calling for her horse to be readied.

 

[KieranSoares]

One of the stable hands immediately brought the beautiful steed Brogan had given Kate before she'd left Inverness for good, saddled and ready for her. "Should I saddle horses for an escort, milady?" The man asked, not realizing she was on her own.

 

[heartofcourage]

"No." Kate said with a shake of her head, pulling herself up into the saddle of her warhorse. "This will be a short ride, I'm sure."

She turned the horse towards the entrance to the stables, knowing that she only had a short time before Kell sent someone after her or came looking for her himself. She would take advantage of the freedom for the moment, however.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kate was left to her own devices, the stable hand quiet despite his curiosity at what she was up to. Soon she was out and away from the stables, the huge castle grounds before her, and the city beyond. Her horse set off at a quick lope, eating up any distance in moments.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate simply rode to her heart’s content. She stayed within the confines of the castle grounds, letting the horse choose his own path, but the freedom felt good. No guards, no husband, no meetings, nothing to burden her in that moment. She knew it was cowardly to avoid this lady in waiting, but she simply needed to do what made her happy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kate had an hour to herself before, as she came circling round the front of the castle, she spotted Kell calmly walking down the path beside an unfamiliar woman, the two conversing quietly. The woman was dressed not in some fancy gown, but riding clothes, and she carried a sword at her side unlike most court women. She was beautiful, and she seemed confident even beside the mysterious and dangerous Lord Protector.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa was a beautiful woman. She was often called the most beautiful woman in Scotland, even if she stayed away from many court events. She had too many other things to do, such as caring for wounded drakes and watching over her sizable estates. However, she had received a letter from her previous queen, asking her to come to court, and she couldn’t say no.

“It seems your wayward bride has returned, my lord”. Rissa said as she caught sight of Kate.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's likely to run off again if the mood takes her," Kell murmured, beckoning Kate toward them. "Milady," he called, keeping up their fairly stoic public appearance in front of a stranger. "I want you to meet Lady Rissa."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate pulled her prancing and panting horse to a stop, pausing as she looked the other woman up and down for a moment. “Pleasure.” Kate said simply, nodding towards her as she looked over at Kell. “And what is your decision on her?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"It isn't my decision to make, it's entirely yours. But if my opinion matters, I like her." Kell gave her a smile. "I think she'd keep up with you well."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate glanced over at Rissa again, taking in the way the woman stood at ease next to her husband. “Well, I suppose time will tell on that, won’t it?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"It will," Kell nodded. "Don't let us interrupt you ride any longer. I'm just giving her a tour of the grounds." He knew when to let her run and be free to do as she liked.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Your highness.” Rissa said as she nodded towards Kate as Kate turned her horse and took off at a gallop again. “A stubborn soul. Perhaps that will calm with age.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not if her family is anything to go by. Give her time. She hates accepting help, and she's never been terribly close with other women. But she'll warm up to you in time."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I understand she has a squire that she treats much the same way. Your dear wife has a little reputation of being hardheaded and difficult.” Rissa said honestl as she looked at he lord Protector.