Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Qira simply shrugged, taking no credit for what he thought should be common sense. "It is something Kate is trying to change in the court."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And she will either succeed or be run through with someone's sword. I think you know, of all people, how dangerous her thoughts and ideas are. Not just to people here in Scotland, but especially to those in the mainland." Rissa said casually. "I don't know if it's a question of if, but when. When will she make a greater enemy than some petulant Lord?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"It won't be long," Qira agreed calmly as if it were all perfectly expected. "But as long as I live, she lives." It wasn't a boast on his part, but a promise. "And if I fail, Kell will be there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So, you would give up your life for her." Rissa said, interested in the thoughts behind this panther. "It's noble. May you never have to do that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Proudly," he assured her, though he tilted his head slightly at her hope he wouldn't have to die for Kate. He wasn't sure what to think of her at this point, being so blunt but seemingly well-meaning.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, if you stay here in this room much longer, I will insist that you eat with me. It's probably far too late for the kitchens to prepare something for a single person, but I do enjoy escaping the castle and wandering the city." Rissa commented, knowing that the panther wouldn't make a move on his own.

 

[KieranSoares]

If Qira was shocked by her welcome, he was good at hiding it. "... I know a tavern open at night," he offered quietly. "Good food, quiet."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And how often do you go there?" Rissa asked, raising an eyebrow at the panther. "If it's less than twice a month, I refuse to go."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Twice a week or more," he nodded. "While patrolling." He looked down at his feet, unsure what to do with himself til he stepped out the door and politely awaited her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa stood and checked in on the drake one more time, watching as he idly chewed on his toys to help with his teething. With his deformed maw, she constantly encouraged him to chew to help strengthen his jaws and make sure that the teeth came in with no problems. He was content and she was soon grabbing her cloak to join the mysterious panther.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira's footsteps were silent as he walked alongside her, making his way through the castle easily and out into the courtyard. The tavern was close enough that they simply walked rather than riding, Qira naturally blending into the shadows, lantern light occasionally catching his feline eyes and making them glow gold.

 

[heartofcourage]

"How did you fall into this line of work? Were you born or sold?" Rissa asked, knowing the way that men like Qira operated.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Neither," he murmured. "I was good at hiding and listening. My chieftain made me a spy as a child. I killed to survive, then was captured. I ran here by my ninth winter, and learned about contracts."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And yet you never learned English properly?" Rissa asked, so confused by the panther. "It seems like that would be something they taught you immediately."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wasn't allowed by the handlers. They thought it was good to make sure I couldn't tell their secrets. But they didn't know I was teaching myself pieces of many languages, so no one can keep dangerous secrets from me."

 

[heartofcourage]

Rissa glanced up at him and chuckled. "Well, maybe one day you will learn English as well." Rissa said as he admitted that he had taught himself other languages so that no one could keep secrets.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am learning. But I know enough to know when Kate is threatened, at least."

They soon came upon the tavern front, a warm flow spilling out into the street from lanterns and fireplaces inside. As Qira stepped in, the bartender glanced up and immediately reached under the counter for a particular dark, large bottle, pouring a golden liquid into a glass and sliding it forward as Qira approached.

"Evenin', Qira," the Irishman greeted warmly. "What can I get yer lady friend?" Qira looked to Rissa at that.

"Anything you like," he murmured, then added with a glance to the bartender, "and dinner for two."

 

[heartofcourage]

"French wine, if you have it. Red." Rissa said as she followed Qira to what was obviously his usual seat in the tavern.

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira pulled out a chair for her as the bartender fetched a bottle of wine, soon bringing it and an extra mug of ale to Qira, seemingly his usual.

"I have meant to ask..." Qira began quietly. "... Why Scotland? You could have done as well in England, better in Scandinavia."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Because it's home." Rissa said with a simple shrug of her shoulders. "When I woke up from being ill with the plague and found out that everyone else was gone, I simply decided that I wanted to stay where I had last been with them."

"Being a spy and helping another royal family wasn't for me. It didn't leave me as fulfilled as working with the drakes and tending to my family home. I have a small number of people who live there. I support them all and they are loyal to me." Rissa took a sip of the wine that had been brought, letting out a small sigh as she glanced over at Qira. "Not glamorous, but I do enjoy a quiet life."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nothing is wrong with that. A part of me envies a quiet life, but I know I have a new chance here, to be more than a contract killer." He wasn't sure why he felt compelled to tell Rissa about himself. At this point, she knew almost as much as Kate did about him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's about atonement. You want to atone for your sins." Rissa said simply as if she knew everything about Qira already.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe," he murmured, taking a sip from his glass of whiskey as he stared toward the fire, slowly becoming his normal pensive self as he knew Rissa was plenty observant enough to figure him out on the surface.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There's no maybe about it. I know men like you. You're all alike. Even the lord protector. You work hard to prove to yourself that you aren't a heartless killer." Rissa commented as Qira turned pensive. "And I don't think there's a single one of you that can tell me that I'm wrong."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira's Amber gaze turned back to her, once again curious as to why she seemed so interested as he'd been to learn about her. "I was nearly heartless. But you will learn when you meet Khelt Aleister the First, why Kell and I never gave up our honor."

He set his glass down to regard her once more. "... I think you would like Khelt. He seems to know things at a glance like you."