The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

“Gods…” She whimpered as Sam came, collapsing on her as his hips continued to rut roughly against her.

Their love making was frantic, rough, making up for all the time that they had lost during her illness.

“Eldere.” She murmured against his ear, gently biting down on his flesh as he grew harder again.

It didn’t take long before she found her own pleasure, her body tensing in a way that was almost painful. She let out a cry, tears wetting her lashes as the emotion of the moment took over.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam slowed as she came, cradling her tightly to his chest and kissing every bit of her throat and shoulders. "I love you," he whispered, finding himself overcome at the same time. He wasn't ashamed of the tear that streaked down his face when he finally sat up and took a deep breath. Still buried between her thighs to the hilt, his fingers brushed over her cheek, trailed down her neck and between her breasts, over her stomach, and came to rest on her scarred hip.

Both of them had so many scars now. Sam saw in them not ugliness or valor, but their story together. Another couple of tears fell and he took her face in his hands to kiss her again. "I love you," he repeated softly, deep green eyes meeting light blue. "Gods, I love you." He could find no other words to tell her just how deep that love went, but there was something new between them since Sam had taken on Dzana's gifts. Fiona had always been able to connect with others' emotions, but to Sam, it was new. Connecting more deeply with his wife- now that the Hunger was burned away- was perhaps just what he needed most in that moment. His quiet strength and gentle inferno of a mind were like a comforting hearth in deep winter. He radiated not just physical heat as ever, but a soft, intense warmth reserved just for his wife.

Intertwining his fingers with hers, he pressed a kiss to the back of her scarred hand and closed his eyes, losing himself in Fiona for a precious moment. He settled beside her, letting her tuck her head beneath his chin while his arm draped over her. He was in no hurry to leave her, and the relative peace around them and their collective injuries meant that he could simply lay with her as long as they liked without interruption.

"I missed you," he whispered, speaking to all the time they'd been emotionally or physically parted by everything weighing on the North and themselves. "I missed just being your husband..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stretched luxuriously against his side, her body soft and warm in a way that she had greatly missed. He wasn't about to let her forget that he was there in that moment, his hands, his words, his thoughts all surrounding her. She sighed as his great arms wrapped around her and held her tightly against his naked body.

"I always knew you were there. You were always there." She gave him a lazy smile. "Incessantly sometimes."

"I've been a terrible wife." She murmured, raising a hand to press against his lips and stop his protests. "I have, Samuel. I gave you kits, I loved you, I supported you, but I never truly made you a home. I never wanted to be there in Norway. I tried, but it was never where my soul was. For that, eldere, I'm truly sorry."

Her hand cupped his cheek, bringing him down for a long, slow kiss. She sighed as she reconnected with her husband, nuzzling against him as if she couldn't get close enough.

"Did you really just rut against me like an untried virgin?" Fiona whispered, a teasing tone in her voice as a smile appeared on her face, her nose wrinkling and laughter bubbling as she found joy in their situation.

 

[KieranSoares]

Laughter felt almost foreign after such a long time, but Sam couldn't help a deep, rusty chuckle while he pressed his forehead to hers. "You make me forget myself sometimes," he reasoned, stealing a gentle kiss. "If I recall... You've tackled me like a vixen in heat a few times too."

Kissing her again, he pressed into her warmth and let out a content sigh. "You've always been the mate I needed and wanted. I don' need you to be Rider Queen, mother, councilwoman, and a homemaker. You already do too much." Studying her now-clear blue eyes, a smile spread across his face in a way she hadn't seen in weeks, if not months. "For all we've been through... I wouldn't trade a moment with you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"One day it'll be just the two of us again. Alone in a little cabin. Soma safely on his throne. Tati grown. Riley off on her adventures." Fiona murmured as she snuggled against his side. "And I will make you a home. I promise."

A few days later, the dawn was rising with clarity through the mists of the Scottish city. There was a solemnity to the day which settled over all the camp. The new recruits had been given the day off as the Axemen and the Northern Riders would be busy with something else.

Riley carefully buckled her belt over her armor, her eyes lifting to take in the sight in the mirror before her. Battle gear, she thought to herself as she looked over her leather armor and the Ghis cloak settled over her shoulders. Her mother had sent an antique cloak pin with the head of a bear engraved which she had carefully pinned to the tartan. Pulling on her Northern armband, she fidgeted slightly with her image looking back. She was too serious and grown, she thought to herself as she tugged at her leather riding gloves. She was too much like her father, she thought as a slight smile crossed her lips. With her claymore, dagger, and sword, she was ready.

Sweeping out of the yurt, she stopped in her tracks to see the Axemen already there and waiting. Marth stood proudly before them, his scales shined and polished. Her husband was already mounted on Rikki, waiting as patiently as ever. She gave Andre a soft smile and nod to let him know that she was ready.

"Uncles." She called, walking towards the three of them with purpose. "There is no need for a full escort. I'm meeting with the Judges on behalf of Kate. It's just a meeting."

It wasn't just a meeting. It was a decision for the future. What payment would they ask of her and who would take the empty Blackstone seat? Her mother would be there, but only as the Rider Queen. It was known among the Judges of her decision and she had told Riley that she would make it known publicly. Who took the Blackstone seat was up to the siblings. For the first time in generations, the Blackstones had a wealth of individuals to call upon...if they would answer the call.

 

[KieranSoares]

Durban was at the head of his most elite and venerated men, only a fraction of the entire force, but easily its finest and most proven. Unlike the scarred and battle-tested armor they usually wore, each man and woman was in their dress uniform of a great kilt over a fine tunic with shined boots, bracers, and military tam bonnet hats. With his brothers at either side, he faced Riley- the daughter of his rightful king and the Rider Queen- with a formality she rarely saw.

"As Princess of Inverness, it's the duty of the Axemen to stand beside you when facing foreign dignitaries," Durban replied resolutely. "Especially on Scottish soil. It's time we took up our proper mantles again. And it's only right tha' we stand beside the High Queen and the Rider Queen as well."

Boar and Brogan nodded in agreement, and Boar added, "If these Judges want to deal with the Blackstones, they deal with the entire Ghis Clan. We're one an' the same now. Have been since even before yer mother married our Sam."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Well…” Riley said as she looked at the axemen assembled. “I suppose as a Princess of Inverness, I’ll let you lead the way.”

She kissed each of them on the cheek, pausing as her grandfather straightened her cloak pin. She had no idea where her mother had gotten it, but it seemed from the look on Brogan’s eyes, he knew.

“Marth! I’ll walk with them.” Riley called to her partner, allowing he and Rikki to start on their way as she took up position with her family on the way to the gathering spot.

Fiona was finishing her own preparations, sitting still as a maid intricately braided her hair. She briefly closed her eyes as her crown was pinned into place, quietly thanking the woman before turning to look at Soma as he stood silently out of the way.

“I wanted to have a moment before all of this happened.” Fiona said quietly, stepping to her own mirror to look upon her armor.

The dragon scale had all been repaired and was Samuel’s finest work. It shined white in the light from the sun breaking through the windows, Schaller’s elder scales as finely prepared as the most expensive jewels. She fixed her bracers and glanced at her son, taking in his sullen and serious expression.

“You’ve been like this for weeks.” She murmured softly. “Not talking. Trying so hard to not feel. You are like your father in so many ways.”

She turned and held out for her hand for the cloak that hung beside him. “And I fear that I’m at fault. You saw me too many times taking the slings and arrows that would be despots had to throw at me without a word. Today, I will do the same.”

She took the offered cloak and threw it over her shoulders, the dark blue border of the cloak highlighting every spot of white that she wore. Carefully, she buckled the heavy epilates to hold it in place, dragon faces gracing her shoulders with blinking blue scaled eyes

“But…my dearest love…will you be the king of Inverness the same way? I won’t begrudge your horrors and sorrows. You wear them upon you as you should, plain as day. They will applaud you for that rare honesty, but I ask you, can your soul, as soft as it’s always been, truly take the weight of what’s before it?”

 

[KieranSoares]

It had been a long while since Soma had allowed himself to be alone with his mother, having avoided her requests to talk to him privately. He always found an excuse, be it a meeting or heading out especially early to continue overseeing his many plans and projects. But the gravity of the situation with the Judges had brought Soma there that day. He had come to his mother himself, and had stayed there til they could talk alone. He had clearly given in to simply needing his mother, having nearly lost her and kept at a distance for his own safety while the Hunger raged.

As his mother faced him and they were left alone after the maid left, Soma quietly, almost timidly, moved in beside her and let his head drop to her shoulder. Wrapping his arm around her, she could feel his fingers dig into her cloak. Unlike his father and many Ghis men before him, Soma had always been much more honest about his feelings with his family and especially his mother.

"I'm sorry, Ma," he muttered, taking in a shaky breath. "I'm sorry I'm not strong enough... I just wanted to get us home. I wanted to get you back to Grandpa Ephriam... I wanted to get the Ghis Clan back where they belong. And I'm not good enough to do it right. All these... Awful things keep happening because I'm not prepared enough. I couldn't figure out the Hunger. Riley had to go off across the whole world to do it, and I was helpless-"

It all came spilling forth at once. One moment of tenderness and concern from his mother had broken the shaky dam keeping his guilt and sorrows bottled up. He simply wasn't built to hold that pain in, always more open and sensitive than many stubborn Ghis.

"I almost gave up on you," Soma admitted softly what felt like his greatest sin. "I thought this would all be for nothing if I lost you on the way."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Who asked you to solve it?” Fiona asked as she held her son tightly. “My love…it’s not for you to solve.”

She pulled back and took his face in her hands. “Margaret died young. My mother died young. The ones that mean the most burn brightly and burn out just as quickly.”

“Soma, this is all so much bigger than ourselves. Inverness has stood strongly independent for hundreds of years. I will be just a small mark on its history.” She said with a smile on her face. “And I’m proud of that…no matter how it ends. I found your father. I had my children, whom I love dearly. I had a family, which is all I ever wanted. That’s what I choose to remember when all of this silly regalia is stripped away. My family.”

“You have always been so incredibly bright. But not even you can solve all of the issues of this world. You will play your part in Inverness’s history and it’ll be up to you how you feel about your short time there as well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe we will be just names in a history book someday," Soma murmured, meeting his mother's gaze as a tear streaked down his face. "But you're the most important person in my story. This clan is everything to me. No one had to ask me to do everything I've done for this family. They didn't have to."

He leaned into her embrace again. "I joined this fight because of your dream to take us all home... I stayed because I realized it wasn't just about you. It's for so many people, and so many reasons. I don't regret that... Even if it hurts."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona hugged her son tightly, knowing his uncertainty and fear. They had all shared it over the past months. Today, however, was too important to let those thoughts bring them to their knees.

“Now, straighten your shoulders. Dry your eyes.” Fiona murmured, pulling back from his embrace to give him a soft smile. “We are the royal family of Inverness today. You must act as emperious as any prince.”

She kissed his cheek and then took his good arm, letting him lead her out of the chambers and into the great hall. Beyond the dragons had gathered, the riders all waiting a bit impatiently.

“Da.” She murmured as she saw Owen, kissing his cheek. He had stubbornly insisted that he would come and represent the Blackstones alongside his grandchildren, and she had to admit that she was pleased he was there.

She paused beside Jani as her commander made last second adjustments to Tati’s saddle. “If she’s thrown in flight, I’m taking it out of your hide.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Jani gave Fiona a smirk over her shoulder. "If that happens, she's already an expert in how to react. And I've got other Riders watching her back just in case." Beside her, even Dola was there, coming to support the clan in its entirety, and she gave Fiona a slight bow of her head in respect as she passed. Blair soon fell into step behind her half-sister's family, proudly clad in the colors of Scotland and House Aleister instead of her previous Dyne armor under the Royers.

When all of the Blackstones were gathered with their partners, the Axemen fell in close behind along with other close friends, Ghis family members, and veterans who'd given their all for the Ghis Clan. Still inside the castle gathered around the throne, the powerful and united front of Kate, her Lord Protector, and their partners stood strong. And accompanying them came young Brogan in a proper prince's military uniform in his mother's colors, and his bodyguard and Lady Protector to-be, Shani. Facing the Judges was not just the charge of the Blackstones. It was the duty of the ones at the head of the Northern Alliance who claimed the Rider Queen as both ally and soldier.

For their part, the Judges had not stayed in Edinburgh despite being offered their own quarters. There was still deep suspicion and mistrust for them by some members of the Ghis Clan, so they had decided on their own to make camp outside the city walls and stay with their dragon partners. They didn't like to be separated anyway. This had made Odessa and Speaker Xia Hou the major points of contact for Kate and her fellows, while the rest kept to themselves. That was, except for Steris. Steris had been seen regularly at Owen's own camp away from the bustle of the city, quietly talking with his dearest brother's only son.

The Northerners gathered in Edinburgh Castle's courtyard, making space along the main path from the inner gates. While not everyone would attend the meeting, many there simply wanted to be in reach if something went wrong. Despite how the Judges had followed Kate's laws and done their best for Fiona, there was a danger in the air thanks to their ruthless and loner reputation. Everyone knew they had ancient connections to the Blackstones and were coming to extract some kind of price. But no one knew what to expect.

The courtyard gates, standing half-open and well-guarded, began to swing further inward. Most conversation in the courtyard stopped and all eyes turned to see the Tiger in his leather armor and draped cloak, Speaker Xia Hou, enter first. Right behind him came Lady Odessa, ducking through the gateway. Behind her came the ranks of the Judges, two-by-two, dressed in their armor and flowing tunics and cloaks from their homeland. No other dragon came in with them, but several could be seen gliding overhead and keeping watch over their partners.

Xia Hou paused in the center of the courtyard with Odessa at his back, and he lifted a hand in a peaceful gesture toward those standing guard at the castle doors. For the sake of formality and ceremony in respect to the Northerners, Xia Hou turned toward the highest authority he could see present: Fiona. "Rider Queen. The Judges of Ararat have come for our appointed audience with the yourself, Scotland's High Queen, and the leaders of Clan Ghis. Will you welcome us in and escort us to Her Majesty's throne? We would speak in Queen Katherine's court, out of respect for the hospitality we have been shown."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stood on her own on the steps of the castle, her spine straight as an arrow as she clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyes betrayed nothing as Xia Hou spoke, the sounds of nervous energy radiating from those gathered around them. Many of the Judges had yet to see her looking so healthy and hale, her gaze as neutral as her reputation had led them to believe.

"For the Lady Odessa's comfort, I lend her one of my most trust advisors." She turned and glanced at Markos, giving him a slight nod. "And I ask that all weapons remain here outside of the great hall."

She accentuated her words by unbuckling her own weapon's belt, passing it to Soma who stood near. "We are weapon enough without the threat of steal."

Fiona didn't wait to see if they would comply. Turning, her cloak swept a wide circle on the stone step. From her pocket, she pulled her seeing stone, the symbol on the surface worn from years of use. Holding it in the palm of her right hand, she carefully crossed her hands in a gesture of offering as she took the first sure steps into the great hall.

 

[KieranSoares]

As Fiona entered, she found Bo standing in the large stone foyer in his fine uniform, Shani just beside and behind in a similar position to Kell when he stood alongside Kate. The young prince stood tall and proud with his blue sash and a shining diamond star badge on his chest marking him as the crown prince. He greeted his aunt with a formal bow in reverence of her position, and a nod to Soma as he joined her, and allowed them past. He greeted Xia Hou and the Judges and joined them on their walk to meet Kate. With Odessa unable to enter the castle, Markos was to act as her intermediary as she connected with him from outside.

Seats had been arranged in the throne room in a large oval, mimicking the Judges' circle at Ararat and placing Kate and her throne at the far end. Kell stood beside his wife and the throne as everyone began to file in and find seats. His golden eyes scanned each Judge for any sign of weapons, odd looks, or any suspicious movements. While they had no reason to believe the Judges would actually harm anyone or cause problems, Kell had heard of their ruthless reputation and was deeply unsettled by how little information he could find about any of them since they were from all corners of the world and deeply secretive.

As the Judges stood beside their chairs, Xia Hou took the center of the circle to face Kate. In unison, the Judges bowed to Kate at her throne, her Lord Protector, her Spymaster, and her closest advisor standing on either side of her as a united, stoic front to support her. Despite all the formality and some tension, there was genuine respect among the Judges for the High Queen. They all knew her story, and they knew it was her hospitality and protection that had kept them fed, attended, and safe in a foreign land.

All fell quiet and all who could remained standing, awaiting Kate's word to be seated and speak. As one of the leaders of the entire Northern Alliance and now with her throne returned, Kate was by far the most powerful person in all of the isles and she would have the ultimate say over how the meeting with the Judges began and ended.