heartofcourage
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“Only if you’ve earned it.” Fiona said flatly as she stared at the man. “And Lord Schaller here is the one who will decide if you have earned it. He is notoriously difficult to please.”
The North (Closed)
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KieranSoares
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Dunstan's brows stitched in concern but he nodded slightly. "I will... endeavor to measure up, I suppose." Glancing toward some of the field bosses hovering nearby, he waved them away impatiently. "Gather everyone. Every single one. Quickly." He then added with a glance at Fiona, "And gently."
The field bosses headed off across the grounds and Dunstan gave Fiona a rigid bow before heading toward his manor with a stressed furrow of his brows. The Wolf that had offered Fiona information glanced around slowly, then back to her. Giving a nod, she murmured, "God bless you and your cause, sister." With that, she turned and headed toward the manor as well to await the gathering.
The field bosses headed off across the grounds and Dunstan gave Fiona a rigid bow before heading toward his manor with a stressed furrow of his brows. The Wolf that had offered Fiona information glanced around slowly, then back to her. Giving a nod, she murmured, "God bless you and your cause, sister." With that, she turned and headed toward the manor as well to await the gathering.
heartofcourage
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“Absolute piece of shit.” Fiona muttered as she felt Schaller adjust his weight behind her. “Everything in my being wants to kill him right now but I know we can’t afford an incident so soon.”
KieranSoares
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"We can't. So we'll destroy him as soon as Oxford is secured," Schaller murmured. "Besides, stripping of his land and titles will hurt far more than death." He leaned his head down with a horn tilted toward Fiona. "Or if he hasn't made changes by the time we come back, we'll just have to take him prisoner for war crimes against innocent people. Then he'll be at the mercy of House Beauclerc and Kayla."
heartofcourage
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"They constantly tie my hands." She muttered as she grabbed the tip of Schaller's horn and allowed him to lift to his full height, sliding down his ridge to reach her saddle. "I'm sure he is one of many. I'll take great joy in hunting them all down."
KieranSoares
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"As much as I wish we could deal out justice on the spot, I'm afraid law and order is the way to go. Otherwise we'd be little more than vigilantes. It has its place, but not when the entire North's reputation is involved." Schaller glanced across the fields where droves of werefolk were being called out of their little shacks and hovels and directed toward the manor. "But if I see a single shackle or whip when we come back, I'll burn the manor and drop every one of those field bosses into the flames."
With that, Schaller took off and circled round to look over the estate one last time. Then, he turned southward and shot into the sky.
Ashford surrendered within two hours of the vanguard's arrival, and by sunset, the entire castle had been overtaken, searched, cleared, and was being repurposed for the North's own needs. Soma's war room was set up in the castle's dining hall while Kell secured the only windowless room as his temporary office like he'd done in Tonder. As the conquering soldiers spread out to camp on the castle grounds, a new, fresh shift of footmen took up the night watch and patrolled the city streets in place of the town watch. No soldier, guardsman, or servant of the Baron would be allowed to work with the North until they were fully vetted by Kell's agents, no matter how willing some of the Baron's people were to help.
The new Baron of Ashford had just been declared by a herald of Prince Edward, who would take his family's throne once Amadeus Hess was removed. For now, House Beauclerc finally had a foothold in England and a clear road back toward the throne, and Ashford was blazing with light, music, and feasting. Those who'd lived in England before it was lost were certainly the most joyful, while many of the former Imperials were just glad to be free of the former Baron. Soon Prince Edward would join the front too, so tailors and seamsters were starting to change Hess's purple and pale yellow banners out for the English red and the golden lion that represented Edward's family.
By the time Fiona arrived close to dusk, it was as if the Northern Alliance had always been in Ashford, and the sight of Schaller flying over the city was met by cheers from below. He landed in a purposely-open strip of land inside the castle grounds, walking the rest of the way toward the main doors. He spotted Soma from afar, the young man in a uniform of Ghis black and blue with a tartan sash. Soma stood beside his father, listening to a greenhorn Rider reporting success in gathering support in some nearby towns. Seeing Fiona approaching, Sam dismissed the greenhorn and walked out to meet his wife. "Evenin' love," he called up to her. "As you can see, Riley an' Andre gave th' old Baron's men one hell of a firestorm, and Soma's got it all locked down now." He had a little proud smile on his face at that. Even if he'd hoped his children would never be soldiers or see war in their lives, they'd been going above and beyond to earn their stripes and prove they were worthy of such great confidence from their parents.
Soma came forward as well, patting Schaller's maw before the great dragon knelt to let Fiona off. "Kell cleared the whole place, so we've got a good foothold here and Alex is already setting up a big infirmary in the side hall. We also got word that our ships have blockaded the mouth of the Thames, so London is already feeling some pressure being unable to send ships in and out. With most of the towns around London either offering support or staying neutral, I think we can actually turn toward London itself tomorrow. With fair weather and careful planning, we might have Hess in chains within a week or two. Less if he's smart enough to see he's playing a losing game and he surrenders. But I doubt that'll happen."
Offering out an envelope pulled from his satchel, Soma added, "And I had some of Kell's agents snoop around London and Edinburgh weeks ahead of us starting the invasion. It sounds like Hess doesn't have any war dragons or trained Riders outside of a handful of mercenaries. He's got one hell of a cavalry, so we do need to be careful there. But Royer's got an entire battalion of Riders up in Scotland. I don't know if he'll send them to help Hess. But I thought you should know."
With that, Schaller took off and circled round to look over the estate one last time. Then, he turned southward and shot into the sky.
Ashford surrendered within two hours of the vanguard's arrival, and by sunset, the entire castle had been overtaken, searched, cleared, and was being repurposed for the North's own needs. Soma's war room was set up in the castle's dining hall while Kell secured the only windowless room as his temporary office like he'd done in Tonder. As the conquering soldiers spread out to camp on the castle grounds, a new, fresh shift of footmen took up the night watch and patrolled the city streets in place of the town watch. No soldier, guardsman, or servant of the Baron would be allowed to work with the North until they were fully vetted by Kell's agents, no matter how willing some of the Baron's people were to help.
The new Baron of Ashford had just been declared by a herald of Prince Edward, who would take his family's throne once Amadeus Hess was removed. For now, House Beauclerc finally had a foothold in England and a clear road back toward the throne, and Ashford was blazing with light, music, and feasting. Those who'd lived in England before it was lost were certainly the most joyful, while many of the former Imperials were just glad to be free of the former Baron. Soon Prince Edward would join the front too, so tailors and seamsters were starting to change Hess's purple and pale yellow banners out for the English red and the golden lion that represented Edward's family.
By the time Fiona arrived close to dusk, it was as if the Northern Alliance had always been in Ashford, and the sight of Schaller flying over the city was met by cheers from below. He landed in a purposely-open strip of land inside the castle grounds, walking the rest of the way toward the main doors. He spotted Soma from afar, the young man in a uniform of Ghis black and blue with a tartan sash. Soma stood beside his father, listening to a greenhorn Rider reporting success in gathering support in some nearby towns. Seeing Fiona approaching, Sam dismissed the greenhorn and walked out to meet his wife. "Evenin' love," he called up to her. "As you can see, Riley an' Andre gave th' old Baron's men one hell of a firestorm, and Soma's got it all locked down now." He had a little proud smile on his face at that. Even if he'd hoped his children would never be soldiers or see war in their lives, they'd been going above and beyond to earn their stripes and prove they were worthy of such great confidence from their parents.
Soma came forward as well, patting Schaller's maw before the great dragon knelt to let Fiona off. "Kell cleared the whole place, so we've got a good foothold here and Alex is already setting up a big infirmary in the side hall. We also got word that our ships have blockaded the mouth of the Thames, so London is already feeling some pressure being unable to send ships in and out. With most of the towns around London either offering support or staying neutral, I think we can actually turn toward London itself tomorrow. With fair weather and careful planning, we might have Hess in chains within a week or two. Less if he's smart enough to see he's playing a losing game and he surrenders. But I doubt that'll happen."
Offering out an envelope pulled from his satchel, Soma added, "And I had some of Kell's agents snoop around London and Edinburgh weeks ahead of us starting the invasion. It sounds like Hess doesn't have any war dragons or trained Riders outside of a handful of mercenaries. He's got one hell of a cavalry, so we do need to be careful there. But Royer's got an entire battalion of Riders up in Scotland. I don't know if he'll send them to help Hess. But I thought you should know."
heartofcourage
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"He might not have dragons at his bidding, but there are dragons here. And slaves." Fiona muttered, her anger long since gone and melancholy taking its place. "Schaller and I have business in two days near Oxford with a knight under Hess."
"Forgive me, loves, I don't feel like talking strategy right now." She said to Sam and Soma, excusing herself to enter the keep, tucking the envelopes that Soma offered her under her arm for later.
One of Kell's men greeted her, taking her into a room where her things had been placed. She was given a guard like always, kept as safe as they might make her and Sam. It was inevitable that Schaller was telling everyone what they had seen in Oxford. It would save her the gruesome task, she though as she drew a bath and was soon soaking away her tension in much too hot water.
"We have responsibilities as Blackstones." Ephriam had told her so long ago on one of their long hikes to Loch Fae for a summer of camping. "It's a heavy burden, but we have to use our talents to look out for those that cannot look out for themselves."
Fiona glanced up at her grandfather as the walked hand in hand, the little girl confused by his statement. They were incredibly poor, depending on the kindness of strangers to put food on the table. It never seemed like any of them had special talents beyond his poetry.
"What talents, grandpa?" She asked as the older fox looked down at her with his usual kind and gentle gaze.
"I know it doesn't make sense now, little kit, but one day it will." He assured her, squeezing her hand gently. "And I know you'll make me proud."
Fiona blew out a breath, sighing as she opened her eyes and shook her head. "I don't know how proud you'd be."
She was out of the bath and wrapped in towel, brushing out her wet hair by the time Sam found her. She glanced up as he entered their room and she paused for a moment before she continued her task.
"What did Schaller tell you?" She asked him.
"Forgive me, loves, I don't feel like talking strategy right now." She said to Sam and Soma, excusing herself to enter the keep, tucking the envelopes that Soma offered her under her arm for later.
One of Kell's men greeted her, taking her into a room where her things had been placed. She was given a guard like always, kept as safe as they might make her and Sam. It was inevitable that Schaller was telling everyone what they had seen in Oxford. It would save her the gruesome task, she though as she drew a bath and was soon soaking away her tension in much too hot water.
"We have responsibilities as Blackstones." Ephriam had told her so long ago on one of their long hikes to Loch Fae for a summer of camping. "It's a heavy burden, but we have to use our talents to look out for those that cannot look out for themselves."
Fiona glanced up at her grandfather as the walked hand in hand, the little girl confused by his statement. They were incredibly poor, depending on the kindness of strangers to put food on the table. It never seemed like any of them had special talents beyond his poetry.
"What talents, grandpa?" She asked as the older fox looked down at her with his usual kind and gentle gaze.
"I know it doesn't make sense now, little kit, but one day it will." He assured her, squeezing her hand gently. "And I know you'll make me proud."
Fiona blew out a breath, sighing as she opened her eyes and shook her head. "I don't know how proud you'd be."
She was out of the bath and wrapped in towel, brushing out her wet hair by the time Sam found her. She glanced up as he entered their room and she paused for a moment before she continued her task.
"What did Schaller tell you?" She asked him.
KieranSoares
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"Enough t' know I'd love to cut Dunstan's time short an' go tear his manor down, leave the estate t' the werefolk to do with as they please," Sam muttered as he pulled off pieces of armor and gathered them into a specific, neat order across the top of the empty dresser near the large bed. "But... much as I'd like t'show him how dark the dungeons under Ashford Castle are, I'm a human. I have no right to take tha' justice away from the people he's hurt."
Sam turned toward her, retying his long hair. "I talked t'Edward's herald about it, since this is England and he has the final say here according to original borders and rights. But knowin' Edward's style, he'll drag Dunstan in front of those werefolk and let them judge him themselves. Rightfully so."
With a deep sigh, Sam shook his head as if to dismiss the subject. "Anyway... it's been a pretty good day, all things considered. We're speedin' across England an' gatherin' allies. Hess won't have many directions to turn pretty soon. And those werefolk are goin' free no matter what. So will everyone who's suffered under the old Imperial Council and the rebel kings. Even if it's tough to see the damage they've done along the way, we're makin' it better as we go. And soon, there'll be a haven in the isles again." Coming to sit beside her on the bed, Sam laid a hand on her knee with a little smile. "The kids are doin' one hell of a job."
Sam turned toward her, retying his long hair. "I talked t'Edward's herald about it, since this is England and he has the final say here according to original borders and rights. But knowin' Edward's style, he'll drag Dunstan in front of those werefolk and let them judge him themselves. Rightfully so."
With a deep sigh, Sam shook his head as if to dismiss the subject. "Anyway... it's been a pretty good day, all things considered. We're speedin' across England an' gatherin' allies. Hess won't have many directions to turn pretty soon. And those werefolk are goin' free no matter what. So will everyone who's suffered under the old Imperial Council and the rebel kings. Even if it's tough to see the damage they've done along the way, we're makin' it better as we go. And soon, there'll be a haven in the isles again." Coming to sit beside her on the bed, Sam laid a hand on her knee with a little smile. "The kids are doin' one hell of a job."
heartofcourage
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"Soma is the best strategist that we've ever worked with." Fiona aske as she conceded that Sam was right. "And Riley is just as reckless and stubborn as Jani, perhaps even more so. She won't give up until her task is done."
She let out a sign and placed her brush in her lap, flopping back against the bed to stare at the ceiling. "It's going too well, Sam. Something has to give and I know it will be disastrous when it does. That bad feeling is creeping along my bones."
She turned her gaze towards him and tried to give him a smile. "I'm ruining your mood, I know. You can be proud of the children."
She let out a sign and placed her brush in her lap, flopping back against the bed to stare at the ceiling. "It's going too well, Sam. Something has to give and I know it will be disastrous when it does. That bad feeling is creeping along my bones."
She turned her gaze towards him and tried to give him a smile. "I'm ruining your mood, I know. You can be proud of the children."
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"I'm worried about that too, but I think it's Royer tha's gonna be the major pain point." Sam reached down to brush his fingers over her cheek. "Hess isn't ready for us. Royer might be. But you're right. Eventually something's gonna go wrong. I just hope we can react well when it does." He glanced toward the window and sighed. "I'm worried about Da an' my uncles. They're pushin' themselves hard t'help us. They're so eager t'get home tha' I'm worried they'll get themselves hurt 'r get sick before they ever see Invernessian soil."
heartofcourage
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"Love, you encouraged them to stay behind and they refused. This is their choice." Fiona said as she reached up and pulled Sam down beside her on the bed. "I know you worry and they're far too old to be out there on the battlefield, but there's nothing we can do for the whole stubborn lot."
Fiona curled into her husband as soon as he was on the mattress, sighing as his strong arm circled around her and held her tightly. "Don't you dare tell anyone that the Rider Queen has a weakness."
Fiona curled into her husband as soon as he was on the mattress, sighing as his strong arm circled around her and held her tightly. "Don't you dare tell anyone that the Rider Queen has a weakness."
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"Never," he promised quietly, turning on his side to pull her in closer. His fingers brushed through her white-blonde hair and he pressed his forehead to hers.
Not too far down the hall, Kate and Kell's chambers shared a parlor with Rissa and Qira. As night fell, Kell and Qira had switched out as had been their usual rhythm during war. Qira had slipped out without a sound, and the only people who knew where he'd be were Kate, Kell, Rissa, and the highest officers among Kell's agents. As everyone else was winding down for the evening, there was a light knock on the parlor door, making Kell's ears flick forward as he looked up from a report he was reading. Standing from Kate and Rissa's side, he stepped up to the door and listened for a moment before asking, "Yes?"
"It's me, Da," Brogan's voice came through. Kell opened up the door to face his son, finding young Brogan still in his black working uniform.
"You're getting better. I didn't hear you coming," Kell complimented, welcoming him in. "You're still in uniform?"
"I lost track of time talking to Shani," Brogan explained before his gaze turned toward Kate. "Ma. I wanted to talk to you. Y'know, before we actually get to Scotland."
"Why don't we take a walk, Rissa?" Kell offered, knowing that Brogan wanted a chance one-on-one with his mother.
Not too far down the hall, Kate and Kell's chambers shared a parlor with Rissa and Qira. As night fell, Kell and Qira had switched out as had been their usual rhythm during war. Qira had slipped out without a sound, and the only people who knew where he'd be were Kate, Kell, Rissa, and the highest officers among Kell's agents. As everyone else was winding down for the evening, there was a light knock on the parlor door, making Kell's ears flick forward as he looked up from a report he was reading. Standing from Kate and Rissa's side, he stepped up to the door and listened for a moment before asking, "Yes?"
"It's me, Da," Brogan's voice came through. Kell opened up the door to face his son, finding young Brogan still in his black working uniform.
"You're getting better. I didn't hear you coming," Kell complimented, welcoming him in. "You're still in uniform?"
"I lost track of time talking to Shani," Brogan explained before his gaze turned toward Kate. "Ma. I wanted to talk to you. Y'know, before we actually get to Scotland."
"Why don't we take a walk, Rissa?" Kell offered, knowing that Brogan wanted a chance one-on-one with his mother.
heartofcourage
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Kate glanced up at her son as Kell took Rissa out of the room and left the both of them alone. Kate quietly closed the book that she had been reading and placed it aside, looking over at Brogan as he sat down beside her and she knew that he had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. This talk had been a long time in coming.
"Were you just talking with Shani or something else? Because your bloody aunt is the only one reckless enough to fight a war with child." Kate said softly as Brogan's ears flicked down at the suggestion. "You adore that girl and I know that you'll be careful, Bo."
"But we're here to talk of Scotland, aren't we?"
"Were you just talking with Shani or something else? Because your bloody aunt is the only one reckless enough to fight a war with child." Kate said softly as Brogan's ears flicked down at the suggestion. "You adore that girl and I know that you'll be careful, Bo."
"But we're here to talk of Scotland, aren't we?"
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Averting his eyes in embarrassment, Brogan grumbled, "I'm not that reckless, Ma. We're not... We're still just... figuring stuff out. Wartime isn't exactly the best for relationships." Brogan had been honest with his mother about his feelings for Shani, finally admitting that his love for her wasn't that of a brother. Over the long break before the invasion of England, Brogan had spent a lot of time with Shani working on some of their shared issues as well as training together to start cultivating a working partnership similar to Kell and Qira. When swordplay finally clicked for Brogan, it was a huge weight off his shoulders. And it was in large part thanks to Shani who, knowing Brogan better than anyone, was able to phrase things and show him in a way he understood. The pair had grown closer than ever, but there was nothing physical yet. Brogan didn't want to rush things, especially considering Shani was younger than him and they were both still figuring themselves out.
Sighing, Brogan sat forward in his seat, his elbows resting on his knees. He stared at the far wall as his mind turned to the subject that was really on his mind. "So, Scotland... With the Imperial army and the entire North at our backs, it's pretty clear we're gonna get Edinburgh back. Even if there's unexpected complications along the way, Royer can't hold off the majority of Europe for long. Soma's positive we'll win, it's just a question of when and how. So... that means you'll have a throne again and Da will be a proper Lord Protector again. Qira will be Spymaster. And I assume Rissa will take up her position as your head advisor and aide again. Shani'll continue being Qira's apprentice and I imagine she'll earn her place as an officer and his second-in-command someday, and if he ever retires, she'll probably take his place."
Brogan had worked hard destroying anxious and nervous tics and any tells that might interfere with his work under Kell, so he was straight-faced as he murmured, "And I guess I'd be a proper Prince finally. Not just in name. I guess what I'm getting at is... should we wait til we're back for me to start learning, or should we start now?" He finally turned his green-flecked amber gaze to his mother and offered a half-hearted smirk. "You won't be young and terrifying forever. So I should probably figure out how to wear that mantle. And I figure you'll all be working for decades to try to repair the damage the Empire and Royer did. So I should be knowledgeable enough to help, right?"
Sighing, Brogan sat forward in his seat, his elbows resting on his knees. He stared at the far wall as his mind turned to the subject that was really on his mind. "So, Scotland... With the Imperial army and the entire North at our backs, it's pretty clear we're gonna get Edinburgh back. Even if there's unexpected complications along the way, Royer can't hold off the majority of Europe for long. Soma's positive we'll win, it's just a question of when and how. So... that means you'll have a throne again and Da will be a proper Lord Protector again. Qira will be Spymaster. And I assume Rissa will take up her position as your head advisor and aide again. Shani'll continue being Qira's apprentice and I imagine she'll earn her place as an officer and his second-in-command someday, and if he ever retires, she'll probably take his place."
Brogan had worked hard destroying anxious and nervous tics and any tells that might interfere with his work under Kell, so he was straight-faced as he murmured, "And I guess I'd be a proper Prince finally. Not just in name. I guess what I'm getting at is... should we wait til we're back for me to start learning, or should we start now?" He finally turned his green-flecked amber gaze to his mother and offered a half-hearted smirk. "You won't be young and terrifying forever. So I should probably figure out how to wear that mantle. And I figure you'll all be working for decades to try to repair the damage the Empire and Royer did. So I should be knowledgeable enough to help, right?"
heartofcourage
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Kate was surprised that her son was seriously considering taking the throne. All his life, he had resisted learning anything from her about statecraft and she had feared that he might never come around to the idea that he was the rightful heir to the throne. It seemed that something had shifted in him and he was ready to take on his role with gusto. She gave him a small grin and laughed, shaking her head before she stood and made her way to a small locked chest that Kell kept with his important papers.
"You'll be disappointed to learn that running a country is mostly boring paperwork." She explained as she picked up the chest and brought it to him, placing it on the side table and unlocking it. "And even though I've been gone for so long, I still know everything that is going on with those that are still loyal. All the important news is collected in this chest and I read it every morning. This is probably a good enough start for you. Knowledge is power in this role, my love. The more knowledge you have, the more of an upper hand you can claim. Know their souls better than they know them."
"You'll be disappointed to learn that running a country is mostly boring paperwork." She explained as she picked up the chest and brought it to him, placing it on the side table and unlocking it. "And even though I've been gone for so long, I still know everything that is going on with those that are still loyal. All the important news is collected in this chest and I read it every morning. This is probably a good enough start for you. Knowledge is power in this role, my love. The more knowledge you have, the more of an upper hand you can claim. Know their souls better than they know them."
KieranSoares
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Brogan chuckled as he looked down and the papers and small ledgers his parents used to keep track of everything. He'd often seen them reading in the mornings and they would burn anything too sensitive to keep. Withdrawing Kell's notebook where he summarized important events and things that required action later on down the line, Brogan flipped it open to the most recent page. "You mean being royalty isn't all fancy parties and gossiping with your handmaidens?" He asked with good-hearted sarcasm and a smile. "You always seemed way too intense and energetic to be a queen. But then again, Da's always said that Scotland needed someone- especially a woman- willing to start a fight in order to make all those stuffy nobles actually do their jobs. I guess that sets a pretty good precedent for me, but I wonder how Scotland will react to a Wolf being as bossy as his Ma." They often teased each other good-naturedly now that Brogan had begun understanding who he was and what he was capable of. While, like his mother, he still had dark moments, he had also begun learning how to balance them with everything else. Kell often joked that the only think Brogan got from him was his looks. The more he matured, the more Brogan proved he was his mother's son. Even if he wasn't a Ghis by blood, he was becoming a true Ghis by determination.
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"You have to have some form of intensity to stand up to all of the stubborn Scots who think that they can run you over simply because you're a woman." Kate said as she took her seat and let Brogan look over the papers inside of the chest. "And I'm sure that you'll find the same simply because of who you are as well. Which is why it's important to keep Shani close. I wouldn't have made it this far without your father...and Rissa and Qira."
Their relationship definitely wasn't normal, but she wouldn't trade any of it for the world. She had no idea what she would do without Qira and Rissa in her life, even though she and Kell had long ago decided that they were mates and no one else would take those roles away from them. Nothing in the world beat waking up in the morning wrapped in Qira's arms or long nights of passion with all of her loves together.
Their relationship definitely wasn't normal, but she wouldn't trade any of it for the world. She had no idea what she would do without Qira and Rissa in her life, even though she and Kell had long ago decided that they were mates and no one else would take those roles away from them. Nothing in the world beat waking up in the morning wrapped in Qira's arms or long nights of passion with all of her loves together.
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Brogan set the ledger back in the box, thinking for a moment about his mother's words. "After you told me you were all together, it was actually kind of nice to know you had more than just Da. Obviously, Qira and Rissa have always helped you guys, but knowing there's more to it... it's kind of comforting to know that kind of love exists. It sounds sappy to say out loud, I know. Qira came to ask me about what I was up to with Shani a few weeks back and once we had an understanding, I asked him about you and Da. He never talks much about personal stuff, but he told me he'd been in love with both of you for years before he got up the courage to do anything about it. He said love was terrifying to him. Even though he and Rissa had been together a long time and their relationship started off really fast, he admitted he was always scared. And having Shani was even more terrifying."
Qira had told his partners much the same over time, though he still didn't talk much about personal things very often unless directly asked. He wasn't closed off from his partners, simply quiet. But he typically didn't discuss such things with anyone else save Shani. So to know he'd sat down with Brogan and explained such things was a good sign that Qira trusted he had matured enough to understand it all.
"I guess I never thought Qira was scared of anything. I used to think the same thing about Shani until that vacation with the Voya." Brogan looked over at his mother again and offered a smile. "Sorry, I'm rambling. We haven't really gotten to talk much since this whole thing kicked off."
Qira had told his partners much the same over time, though he still didn't talk much about personal things very often unless directly asked. He wasn't closed off from his partners, simply quiet. But he typically didn't discuss such things with anyone else save Shani. So to know he'd sat down with Brogan and explained such things was a good sign that Qira trusted he had matured enough to understand it all.
"I guess I never thought Qira was scared of anything. I used to think the same thing about Shani until that vacation with the Voya." Brogan looked over at his mother again and offered a smile. "Sorry, I'm rambling. We haven't really gotten to talk much since this whole thing kicked off."
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heartofcourage
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Kate laughed as Brogan spoke about Qira opening up to him about his fears. "Qira was terrified about becoming a father. The same way that your father was terrified about becoming a father. Men who live this life only know that those they love can be used against them and that is their first thought. If you think Kell is bad around me, you should have seen Qira around Rissa when she was pregnant with Shani. The poor woman never knew a moment's peace. Then when Shani was born, he made himself sick with the long hours he kept just watching over her."
KieranSoares
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"Well, if anyone's worth that kind of time and love, it's her," Brogan murmured with a little smile. Meeting her gaze, he paused a moment and asked. "You guys are really okay with Shani and me seeing where this all goes? I know Qira wasn't too keen on the idea until I started shaping up, and Rissa and Da gave me one hell of a talking-to about being responsible and keeping my temper in check. I still feel like too much of a screw-up for her."
heartofcourage
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“if we weren’t alright with you and Shani, we would have put a stop to this all a long time ago.” Kate said softly. “You won’t break her heart. I trust you, Bo.”
“We have been through the depths of hell, my love. From the moment that you were born, we have fought side by side. If there’s anything that I know, it’s you.”
“We have been through the depths of hell, my love. From the moment that you were born, we have fought side by side. If there’s anything that I know, it’s you.”
KieranSoares
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Brogan stared at his mother for a long moment after those words. He always expected Kate to be the last one to trust him and the one who understood him least the older he got. Instead of letting anxiety tell him how much time he'd wasted fighting with her before this moment, he simply leaned into her side and wrapped her up in a tight embrace. As he'd done since he was born, he nuzzled against her shoulder with a quiet sigh, and simply held her for a long moment. "I love you, Ma," he murmured.
heartofcourage
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"I love you too, my love." She said softly as she simply held her son. "And I never want you to forget that."
Brogan would never know the struggle that his childhood had been. Kate had made certain that he only knew the happy moments, even while she and his father were fighting for their lives. She gathered her son close and pressed her face against his still soft fur, soaking in the moment that was rare. He was an independent wolf, someone who didn't need his mother as much as he used to.
"Come meet your father and I for breakfast. We'll go over the morning messages with you." She said as she pulled away from him after a while. "Better late than never to start teaching you."
Brogan would never know the struggle that his childhood had been. Kate had made certain that he only knew the happy moments, even while she and his father were fighting for their lives. She gathered her son close and pressed her face against his still soft fur, soaking in the moment that was rare. He was an independent wolf, someone who didn't need his mother as much as he used to.
"Come meet your father and I for breakfast. We'll go over the morning messages with you." She said as she pulled away from him after a while. "Better late than never to start teaching you."
KieranSoares
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"I'll be here," Brogan promised his mother. Even if he'd never planned, expected, or wanted to become a true Prince beyond just the title, there was a fire in him for the subject. It wasn't unlike Soma's energy and dedication to his own future as Crown Prince and his passion for his work.
The next couple days saw steady progress with multiple towns and villages surrendering or joining the Northern Alliance. London had been blockaded from the mouth of the Thames, lost most of its outer villages, and been almost entirely surrounded. The day the Northern and Imperial armies began closing in on the city, only one thing was on the Ghis family's collective minds: Darkwood Manor.
On the edge of Southall outside London, Sam himself led a battalion to the former estate village of Lord Ashien Ghis himself. The battalion was made up of the legendary Axemen, a number of English cavalrymen who'd served loyally under Ashien, drake-riding Rangers, and a handful of veteran Riders. Among Sam's small group of officers was a number of English officers from Prince Edward's personal forces, and Burke Ghis himself was there. Though he wasn't a master of cavalry like his father, he had experience as an officer and he was there to retake his family home personally.
Soma had sent Riley, Shani, and Brogan alongside Sam. He knew Shani and Brogan could get the Northerners in without damaging the estate and Riley would be a good choice to watch Sam's back. He also wanted the three to see firsthand what they were really fighting for: to take back everyone's homes. Today it would be Darkwood. Soon, it would be the English Royal Palace, Edinburgh, and eventually Inverness itself.
With drakes at hand instead of dragons for this fight, and a few Riders running overwatch, Sam was mounted on Kennah beside Riley who had Elin. Fully healed from her encounter with dragons with the Voya, Elin was ready to go. But no one had the intensity and energy to match Riley's grandfather, uncles, and great-uncles. Brogan, Durban, Boar, Kreston, Burke, Ciaran, and Kell had all come to fight for Darkwood. Soma had made sure to free them up just for the occasion.
The Elder Brogan was mounted on his own drake at the head of the cluster of Ghis, his great Claymore slung across his back and razor-sharp for the fight. At his right was Burke carrying Ashien's own cavalry saber on his hip. At his left was Sam with his own great Claymore. They were all staring out from the top of the hill toward the stone-walled estate with its chained-shut gates blocked by stacks of furniture and crates. A surprisingly large force of soldiers was huddling behind the stone walls, a head occasionally popping up to look at the approaching Northerners. A message had already been delivered to the current occupying noble to surrender, but his answer had been to literally shoot the messenger and send him back on a stretcher.
"Well lads, ladies," the Elder Brogan spoke up, a hush falling over the entire battalion. "Some o' you are too young t'remember when Darkwood was one o' the jewels o' London's countryside. Ashien Vincent Ghis designed this place as a haven for artists. He used t'host friends an' peers here. But more importantly, he married Dylandra here, raised four o' the most loving, loyal children, an' made his greatest works of art that're now all we really have left o' him. Today we take back Darkwood so Dylandra can return t'these halls, hang those paintings back up, and know some peace fer the first time in twenty years since her husband- my sweet little brother- died of his wounds defending Inverness. We've dealt with Sigmund Lockheed who betrayed him. We've put down the old Imperial Council that took everything from him. And soon, we'll be able t'bring Ashien himself home an' let him rest in peace on the grounds of Darkwood where he really belongs."
Everyone could see Burke's shoulders trembling. For such a calm, serious man, it was rare to see him overcome with emotion. Brogan reached over to place a hand on his shoulder before looking toward Brogan and Shani. "Kids, this is yer time. We're gonna strike an' draw all attention to us. We've got the numbers to take this place by force, but it'd be a lot easier to force them to surrender before too much blood's shed. So it's up t'you two to use that distraction to get in, find the commanding lord, and subdue him. We want 'im alive if possible, but he's a violent one. Kill 'im if you have to."
The younger Brogan nodded resolutely, his eyes focused hard on the manor but his hand tightly and secretly holding Shani's sleeve. This would be their first true mission together outside patrols and guard duty. Kell was there to offer advice, but they'd be going in alone. It was a softer target for their first time, and everyone was watching to see if young Brogan's training had paid off. Few had doubts about Shani, but she hadn't had a chance to use her well-developed skills in active stealth and combat.
"Ready, Shan?" The younger Brogan whispered, his voice slightly shaking despite his serious expression. This was far different from his previous work as a bodyguard. They were going in to capture or possibly kill someone, acting as aggressors instead of defenders for the first time.
The next couple days saw steady progress with multiple towns and villages surrendering or joining the Northern Alliance. London had been blockaded from the mouth of the Thames, lost most of its outer villages, and been almost entirely surrounded. The day the Northern and Imperial armies began closing in on the city, only one thing was on the Ghis family's collective minds: Darkwood Manor.
On the edge of Southall outside London, Sam himself led a battalion to the former estate village of Lord Ashien Ghis himself. The battalion was made up of the legendary Axemen, a number of English cavalrymen who'd served loyally under Ashien, drake-riding Rangers, and a handful of veteran Riders. Among Sam's small group of officers was a number of English officers from Prince Edward's personal forces, and Burke Ghis himself was there. Though he wasn't a master of cavalry like his father, he had experience as an officer and he was there to retake his family home personally.
Soma had sent Riley, Shani, and Brogan alongside Sam. He knew Shani and Brogan could get the Northerners in without damaging the estate and Riley would be a good choice to watch Sam's back. He also wanted the three to see firsthand what they were really fighting for: to take back everyone's homes. Today it would be Darkwood. Soon, it would be the English Royal Palace, Edinburgh, and eventually Inverness itself.
With drakes at hand instead of dragons for this fight, and a few Riders running overwatch, Sam was mounted on Kennah beside Riley who had Elin. Fully healed from her encounter with dragons with the Voya, Elin was ready to go. But no one had the intensity and energy to match Riley's grandfather, uncles, and great-uncles. Brogan, Durban, Boar, Kreston, Burke, Ciaran, and Kell had all come to fight for Darkwood. Soma had made sure to free them up just for the occasion.
The Elder Brogan was mounted on his own drake at the head of the cluster of Ghis, his great Claymore slung across his back and razor-sharp for the fight. At his right was Burke carrying Ashien's own cavalry saber on his hip. At his left was Sam with his own great Claymore. They were all staring out from the top of the hill toward the stone-walled estate with its chained-shut gates blocked by stacks of furniture and crates. A surprisingly large force of soldiers was huddling behind the stone walls, a head occasionally popping up to look at the approaching Northerners. A message had already been delivered to the current occupying noble to surrender, but his answer had been to literally shoot the messenger and send him back on a stretcher.
"Well lads, ladies," the Elder Brogan spoke up, a hush falling over the entire battalion. "Some o' you are too young t'remember when Darkwood was one o' the jewels o' London's countryside. Ashien Vincent Ghis designed this place as a haven for artists. He used t'host friends an' peers here. But more importantly, he married Dylandra here, raised four o' the most loving, loyal children, an' made his greatest works of art that're now all we really have left o' him. Today we take back Darkwood so Dylandra can return t'these halls, hang those paintings back up, and know some peace fer the first time in twenty years since her husband- my sweet little brother- died of his wounds defending Inverness. We've dealt with Sigmund Lockheed who betrayed him. We've put down the old Imperial Council that took everything from him. And soon, we'll be able t'bring Ashien himself home an' let him rest in peace on the grounds of Darkwood where he really belongs."
Everyone could see Burke's shoulders trembling. For such a calm, serious man, it was rare to see him overcome with emotion. Brogan reached over to place a hand on his shoulder before looking toward Brogan and Shani. "Kids, this is yer time. We're gonna strike an' draw all attention to us. We've got the numbers to take this place by force, but it'd be a lot easier to force them to surrender before too much blood's shed. So it's up t'you two to use that distraction to get in, find the commanding lord, and subdue him. We want 'im alive if possible, but he's a violent one. Kill 'im if you have to."
The younger Brogan nodded resolutely, his eyes focused hard on the manor but his hand tightly and secretly holding Shani's sleeve. This would be their first true mission together outside patrols and guard duty. Kell was there to offer advice, but they'd be going in alone. It was a softer target for their first time, and everyone was watching to see if young Brogan's training had paid off. Few had doubts about Shani, but she hadn't had a chance to use her well-developed skills in active stealth and combat.
"Ready, Shan?" The younger Brogan whispered, his voice slightly shaking despite his serious expression. This was far different from his previous work as a bodyguard. They were going in to capture or possibly kill someone, acting as aggressors instead of defenders for the first time.
heartofcourage
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Shani was a killer. Each and everyone gathered there on that field that day knew that if the two greenhorns sent into Darkwood that day, Shani would be the one to take a life. She was her father’s daughter, well trained and confident in her abilities. As Bo held her sleeve so gently in his hand, she knew when it came to it she would shed blood that day. She had to in order to protect him.
Shifting her head slightly, she glanced at Brogan when he asked if she was ready. Her dark eyes were nearly unreadable but she gave him a nod. Her dark hood cast shadows over her face, obscuring her features. Matte black armor covered her from head to toe. She looked as deadly as any other agent in Kell’s employ, even if she was the youngest out of them all.
When Bo went to move, she grabbed his sleeve and stopped him, letting the crowd swallow them instead. They would move in cover. Never let anyone see their tracks. It was better that way. They would strike when the opportunity lent itself.
Opportunity didn’t take long as the call came of an approaching drake. It was easy to see Roman making up distance at a fast clip, two riders on the drake’s back. It was then that Shani moved, melting away with Brogan at her heels.
As Roman wove his way through the parted ranks, it was easy to see that one rider was Fiona and the other was dressed in English armor. As she pulled her drake to a stop beside Sam and Riley, she gave them both a small grin.
“Be mad with me later, but someone arrived that insisted on being here.” She said as the other person dismounted and pulled off their helmet.
Golden hair tumbled free and Ashleigh Beauclerc’s dark eyes met everyone’s around her, settling lastly on her brothers. Prince Edward might have still been in exile, but his wife, the future queen of England and the daughter of Ashien Ghis had found her way home.
“I promised my father I would be here.” She said. “And here I am.”
Her eyes then turned towards Darkwood, the place that she hadn’t seen since they had fled in the middle of the night when she was a child.
Shifting her head slightly, she glanced at Brogan when he asked if she was ready. Her dark eyes were nearly unreadable but she gave him a nod. Her dark hood cast shadows over her face, obscuring her features. Matte black armor covered her from head to toe. She looked as deadly as any other agent in Kell’s employ, even if she was the youngest out of them all.
When Bo went to move, she grabbed his sleeve and stopped him, letting the crowd swallow them instead. They would move in cover. Never let anyone see their tracks. It was better that way. They would strike when the opportunity lent itself.
Opportunity didn’t take long as the call came of an approaching drake. It was easy to see Roman making up distance at a fast clip, two riders on the drake’s back. It was then that Shani moved, melting away with Brogan at her heels.
As Roman wove his way through the parted ranks, it was easy to see that one rider was Fiona and the other was dressed in English armor. As she pulled her drake to a stop beside Sam and Riley, she gave them both a small grin.
“Be mad with me later, but someone arrived that insisted on being here.” She said as the other person dismounted and pulled off their helmet.
Golden hair tumbled free and Ashleigh Beauclerc’s dark eyes met everyone’s around her, settling lastly on her brothers. Prince Edward might have still been in exile, but his wife, the future queen of England and the daughter of Ashien Ghis had found her way home.
“I promised my father I would be here.” She said. “And here I am.”
Her eyes then turned towards Darkwood, the place that she hadn’t seen since they had fled in the middle of the night when she was a child.
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