The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

Broad, calloused, gentle hands cradled Fiona's face instantly. Sam took over the damp cloth, cleaning away the black and crimson carefully and quickly. "I'm here," he rumbled softly in words that made no sense to anyone but her and the Caller Judges. His deep green eyes- slitted and darkened- were slowly returning to normal. "I'm here, love."

Sam helped Alex remove the last of the armor without jostling Fiona more than necessary. Water was at hand, but it was unclear if Fiona would be able to keep anything down. Having no experience with the Hunger beyond stories shared by the Judges, Alex was doing his best to survey Fiona's condition, and trying to carefully, quietly protect Sam from the blood and black ichor in case it was all still infectious.

Sam leaned down, completely on his hands and knees, holding his wife and kissing her forehead gratefully. She wasn't in the clear yet, but she'd survived yet another impossible battle. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Thank you for coming back..."

 

[heartofcourage]

She relaxed ever so slowly as she register Sam there, carefully cleaning her face. Her blue eyes were clearing, less dragon like than they had been and hearing the Erygonian whispered in his deep voice soothed her even more.

“There was someone I had to see.” She said softly by way of apology as she allowed him to hold her tightly. “Just hold me for a while.”

As work continued in the room, work began out in the castle. Qira’s orders were being carried out quickly as Kate left to survey the damage done to the dragons. Finding Andre and Soma with Schaller, she wondered if the elder dragon would be alright.

“Any news?” Kate asked as she noticed Tati sitting at Schaller’s great head, her own head pressed against his to provide him comfort.

 

[KieranSoares]

Soma had his hand on Schaller's maw, mentally connecting with him as both their minds- wounded by the shock of the Rider Queen's battle- began to recover. Andre had a bucket of water and a cloth in hand, cleaning up dried blood running down from Schaller's nose.

"He did a bit of damage to himself thrashing around," Andre answered as Soma focused. "But more than that, Soma's trying to help him recover mentally. His breathing was pretty shallow, but he woke up for a moment and was lucid a few minutes ago."

"He's wrecked," Soma murmured softly, opening his eyes and revealing a blood vessel has burst in one, turning the sclera red. It wasn't anything serious, but it was a clear sign that he'd been effected deeply too. "All we can do is hold each other up right now..." It was clear he was afraid. They all were. No one knew for sure yet, with Fiona's mind blocked from everyone by herself, Sam, and the Judges, if Fiona had survived the final battle. All anyone knew was that all of the dragons and Callers connected to Fiona were mentally in shock and many were suffering from burst blood vessels and painful migraines.

Dzana emerged from around the corner of the castle, joining the group and curling around Schaller with her head atop Schaller's shoulders. "The Rider officers say everyone is recovering and no one is in danger," she murmured to the family. "Schaller seems to be the only one harmed to this degree... But I admit I am not handling Samuel's stress well."

"Da's still in there," Soma murmured. "I'm scared for him."

"He is steady," Dzana replied softly, offering some gentleness to her Caller's son. "I take that as a good sign." Soma was less optimistic, settling beside his sister and burying his head against Schaller's dark beard.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate didn’t have the heart to mention to them all that they were incredibly vulnerable. One air strike and Edinburgh would lie in ruins. She rested her hand against Schaller’s maw, her face grim.

A call from the northern sentries gained her attention. Two familiar dragons were incoming. She could have wept to see Owen and Riley taking up a defensive flight path, watching over the city and doing the work of a dozen riders while everyone healed.

Riley glanced down over the city, her head still pounding violently. However, they had been far enough away at her grandfather’s camp to save the dragons from any harm. Marth was still fresh, ready to defend if any danger came.

Riley’s sharp whistle blast caused Owen to split off, heading towards the bay as she headed inland. They’d keep it up as long as they were able and reinforcements came.

 

[KieranSoares]

With no able dragons nearby to give out a fire signal, Soma stepped a distance away and signalled back with his whistle to call an "affirmative" toward Riley to show his support. It would be some time before others recovered enough to join them, and it would be mostly greenhorns and those not so closely connected to Fiona. But one able to gather their strength in the moment, surprisingly, was Dzana.

"I will join them," the dragoness murmured before pulling herself from Schaller's side to join the defense. A precious few others would trickle into the sky over time.

As they all watched, Schaller snorted quietly and his great green eye fluttered half-open. He nearly began to drag himself up til he felt hands upon his maw. Slowly, he focused on Tati and gave her the lightest, gentlest nudge. "Hello, little kit," he muttered weakly.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re hurt.” Tati said softly, her hands gentle against his maw. “You…need to…stay.”

She nuzzled against the great dragon, trying to comfort him in his haze. “When you’re better…we will fly.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't think I could go anywhere if I tried, little love," the great dragon murmured, closing his eyes again and shifting to get more comfortable. He still couldn't feel his Rider, but all he could do was hope.

Soma sat down beside Tati, exhausted and needing the break, but also set on looking after his sister while Riley was busy and their parents were unreachable. He was silently struggling tto believe that the shockwave from Fiona was not the moment of her death, but a consequence of her battle with the Hunger. But deep inside, young Soma believed his mother was gone, and he feared his father and Schaller would be following her shortly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Tati looked over at Soma, feeling his sadness and worry. She stood, brushing off her riding pants.

“Stay here.” Tati murmured as she turned to look up at her aunt. “Aunt Kate…would you…take me inside?”

Kate gave the kit a small smile, instantly taking her hand. “To your Da?”

Tati nodded, a very serious look on her face. Kate said nothing more as she led Tati inside. It only took a few moments before they stood outside the door and she gently let the kit’s hand go.

“I think you can handle it from here.” Kate said softly, brushing back her soft fur.

Tati blinked up at her through her thick glasses, giving her another nod before she knocked on the apartment door.

 

[KieranSoares]

The door opened a foot and Alex glanced out. He first looked at Kate, then down at Tati before opening the door fully. Behind him, the apartment parlor was empty of people for the first time since Fiona had been brought there. The Judges and extra hands had cleared out, leaving only Alex and Luna to look after their charges.

"Hello, darling," Alex greeted Tati softly, crouching to take her hands and pull her into his arms for a tight hug. He let out a quiet sigh, stroking her fur back fondly. As he did, the heavy, limping steps of her father sounded from the next room. Sam emerged from the washroom with his long hair tied back, dressed in fresh clothes and looking a bit better put together than she'd last seen him. Alex let Tati go and stepped aside, letting Sam scoop her up in one arm while leaning on his crutch. He lifted her with no effort, speaking to his still-new strength from Dzana, and he immediately buried his face in Tati's fur and kissed her cheek.

"Hi, sweet lass," Sam rumbled in Erygonian against her ear, offering her an exhausted, weak smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Everyone’s worried.” She whispered as her father nuzzled against her. “I came to see…”

“You’re here for news?” Luna asked as she stepped into the parlor, drying her hands on a piece of cloth.

Kate gave them all a small shrug. “Considering all of the windows in my castle are ruined and all of the Riders and dragons are walking around like someone’s died…yes, I suppose we would like some news.”

“She’s…alive.” Tati insisted, wiggling down from her father’s arms before she walked past Luna into the bedchamber.

The room was dark. Rain quietly pelted against the wooden shutters as Tati moved towards the bed. Fiona was propped by pillows, warmed by blankets piled high. She looked like she’d been in a battle, dark bruises marring her skin. Her eyes slowly opened as she heard someone shuffling.

“You look like a true Voya.” Fiona said with a wide smile as she took in Tati’s riding armor.

“I am…a Voya.” Tati said softly.

“And never forget that.” Fiona said as Tati rushed forward and hugged her mother tightly, burying her face against her neck.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam watched his daughter go as he struggled to his feet with his crutch, taking a deep breath to steady himself as he saw Tati immediately curl up to Fiona. He turned to face his sister, and let that breath out, slow and shaky. "Sh-she made it. Barely," he whispered. Long held-back tears filled his eyes, but he didn't let himself break just yet. "The Judges say there's no trace of it left here. It's safe to bring the clan in, and the dragons should recover over the next couple days."

He stepped up and wrapped his arms around Kate, both seeking and offering comfort. "We're not home free yet... But our Rider Queen made it. That's all anyone dared to hope for. And now... we can turn our attention back to supporting you as Fiona recovers. I know you've been shouldering it all alone, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gave her brother a soft smile as he hugged her tightly.

“You think that I need support?” She asked him, pulling away and holding him at arm’s length. “We will burn them to the ground just as they tried to do with us.”

Squeezing his shoulders in silent promised, she let him go, leaving to give the call that the Ghis could return to Fiona safely.

High above the city, Riley kept a keen eye on activity below. It started as a trickle in her chest, a small pulse that nearly took her breath away. She pulled at her chest plate to give herself room to breathe. Gripping the leather, she gave pause when she realized what she was feeling.

“She’s alive.” She whispered, reaching down and pulling Marty’s reigns tightly, directing him towards her grandfather. “SHE’S ALIVE!”

There weren’t enough dragons to signal with a flame. They also might believe there was danger. The idea came to her suddenly, and she was unbuckling her harness and dig deeply into the saddle bags strapped to Marth’s mount.

“Over the bay! We need them to see us!” She called above the wind and rain as she pulled the Ghis flag free from her bag, shaking out the vibrant blue and black banner.

She stood in the saddle, holding the flag high with both hands and letting it whip in the wind. They curled around the bend in the bay, the flag signaling to all a victory.

 

[KieranSoares]

Owen and his partner pulled up seeing Riley's strange change of course. But Riley could see the moment Owen lost his breath and nearly doubled over in the saddle with relief. He gave a call to his partner and they altered course to speed across the city toward the Riders' camps near where the remaining dragons were bedded down. Some were already picking themselves up to look out toward Riley, weakened but taking in the signal as they all began to feel something come over them.

Owen landed briefly in the camp before his partner returned to the sky without him. As much as Owen wanted nothing more than to race to his daughter's side, he knew it was his duty as a Blackstone to see to the dragons she had sworn to protect and the Riders who'd sworn fealty to her. In mere minutes, word began to spread. Despite deep exhaustion, several dragons decided to join the sky patrols with their partners if only to support Riley and be a sign of hope. They would trade off short shifts as everyone recovered. And surprisingly, Danica took to the air with Costa's partner. Having lost her own against Hesperus, Dani was still partnerless herself, but Costa and his dragon had survived mostly unscathed. Costa remained in the camp to look after everything. Even Avfairn- one of those effected most by Fiona's battle with the Hunger- managed to drag himself out of camp to watch the others take to the sky, Jani settled beside him.

Owen soon returned to the sky, but now there were at least a dozen pairs joining in and lightening the load. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep watch over Edinburgh's immediate surroundings. And that was good for everyone in the city.

Riding the wind over the water with Riley, Marth let himself glide and drift easily. When she settled back into the saddle, Marth looked back over his shoulder with pride at his Rider. She had traveled halfway across the world, faced the Judges, and held up the entire air defense of Edinburgh alone. Fiona had survived thanks to her aid and efforts, and Edinburgh remained safe for the time being.

"I thought I partnered with someone wild and ungovernable. Turns out, I ended up with exactly the woman the North needed," he called back to her with a light smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

Something deep inside of her had changed. Perhaps she had simply grown up from the wayward kit that wanted nothing to do with her mother's past. She had suffered tremendous loss and learned that her life was what she wanted to make it. Though she still dreamed of flying the world with her husband, raising a few kits here and there along the way, living in that yellow house by the bay in Trondheim, Riley knew that she was more than that now. The cause was more than any of her wishes and dreams. She was the heir of the Rider Queen, and one day she would be called upon to take her mother's mantel.

"Your mother will kill me what she hears all of this." Riley murmured back to Marth, giving him a light smile in return.

They patrolled with the others for a few hours more before she brought Marth into land. His duty was done for the time being. Riley waited for her grandfather to return to the castle, knowing that he needed to see Fiona as badly as anyone. Taking his arm, they walked side by side through the castle to her mother's apartments. As the door opened, she saw as many Ghis family members crammed into the space as there could be. They had been called, and they had answered that call. There was a line to see Fiona, her father's deep rumble from the other room telling her that he had taken up his position as her protector once more.

"You did the impossible." Kate murmured from beside her niece as Owen was ushered to the front of the line to see his daughter. "My kingdom owes you a debt of gratitude."

"I want nothing." Riley said softly, looking at her aunt with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "I simply needed my Ma to survive."

"The Judges have asked for a council when they have healed. I would like you there." Kate placed her hand on Riley's shoulder and gently squeezed. "As your mother's representative and nothing more."

"I owe them a debt. I'm not sure how we will pay it." Riley admitted and Kate nodded.

"You leave that to me." Kate murmured as Luna called out for Riley. "Go see her. Everything else can wait."

Riley nodded, turning to be ushered in to her mother's room. It was bright inside, candles and flame lighting up the room in a way that hadn't been done in months. Fiona still looked weak, propped by blankets and pillows, but her eyes were returning to normal, the blue taking back over the reptilian darkness that they had taken on. Riley felt rooted to her place as Fiona's gaze fell upon her. Her mother smiled gently, holding out a hand to her eldest.

"My kit." She murmured softly and Riley crumbled, hurrying to her mother's bedside and collapsing in tears against her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam closed the door as Riley entered and hurried to her mother's side, giving the three of them a quiet moment. Seeing Riley burst into tears, Sam came to her side and laid a hand across her back. "Well done, little love," he whispered softly. He was still trying to find the words to express his gratitude to everyone who'd helped and supported them, but Riley was in a class of her own. If not for her, Fiona wouldn't have gotten the support she needed to survive the final battle with the Hunger.

Sam took a seat beside his wife and daughter, giving them their space to reconnect.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona buried her face against her daughter's fur, gripping her tightly and letting her cry. Riley heaved great sobs of anguish into her mother's chest, so scared that if she lifted her head, it would all be a terrible dream.

"There are so many things that even I didn't understand." Fiona said softly as she stroked Riley's fur. "So many things that were kept from me out of fear or anger. I wish I had known more about Ararat, but he could never speak of it. He didn't want to remember, and he certainly didn't want this family to have to continue his legacy."

Fiona lifted Riley's head by her chin, looking into her daughter's green eyes. "I had to learn all of this alone. My greatest regret is keeping your heritage from you. For making you go at it all alone as well."

"I wasn't alone." Riley said softly. "Ma, there's only one of you. If you had died..."

"You all would have kept on living. You would have fought and buried me in Inverness once you took the city. You might have even taken my place and continue on with all we have worked to found in the North. Life would have continued." Fiona said, wiping Riley's tears from her fur. "As hard as it would have been, it would have gone on because that's how we have designed it. The Judges of Ararat are ancient, but they are dying. They have closed off themselves, their ways, and their minds. I will never serve them."

Riley was silent as her mother said that, understanding that her mother was too powerful to serve one master. She was better free to do as she wished as the Rider Queen. Until all dragons flourished or died, she was better off alone.

"But you have choices to make. All of you kits do." Fiona sighed, a slow smile creeping across her face.

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' you have the freedom to make those choices as you see fit," Sam added softly in support of his wife. He was already beginning to feel stronger and more stable, knowing his wife had survived the worst. "And we'll support you along the way. All three of you."

Sam brushed Riley's fur back fondly, taking her attention briefly as he found the words to express his gratitude. "You went across the world, faced a dangerous faction ready to kill instead of help us, an' you brought them peacefully to your mother's aid. All of that, after takin' up her mantle when she was down, facing the oldest dragon known to man beside us, an' fightin' in a war tha' you never had to take on. Titles an' everything else aside... You saved the love of my life. You're a bloody hero, Riley Elowen."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm not a hero." Riley insisted, looking at her father. "But I finally see the future that Ma has spent my entire life talking about. I can't walk away now."

"I'm a Ghis first. That's why I'm here. Beyond the dragons and beyond the Haven and beyond any obligation we hold to the Blackstone name...I'm a Ghis. That means seeing my family home and seeing my brother rightfully take his place as ruler of Inverness. Everything else has been secondary." Riley said, the conviction in her voice strong.

She stayed with her family until her mother tired and then she slipped away from the apartments where the family was still gathering, closing ranks as they often did in times of trouble. However, the atmosphere was more joyous and healing as laughter replaced the uncertainty that had clouded the last weeks. Walking back into the courtyard, she paused as she saw the first of the dragons there bow to her, head ducked reverently. It took Riley back, and she had to pause to adjust her riding gloves to gather her thoughts. It happened again with the next dragon she passed and then again, over and over as she walked towards her camp.

By the time she spotted the yurt, she felt dozens of eyes upon her. Turning, Riley caught sight of the multiple riderless dragons that had followed her, all quietly waiting for just a word. She didn't know what to say to them, and just as she felt when the scrutiny of too many lords were upon her, she felt the slight panic of her new position. Instead of succumbing, she cleared her throat and addressed them.

"She is through the worst of the Hunger. My hope is that she returns to her position in time. It will be a long process and not quick, but she is healing." She announced. "I...I do not have the words to thank you for your support."

 

[KieranSoares]

A few of the younger dragons leapt away in joy to hear their Queen was on the mend, while the rest breathed sighs of relief and leaned into one another as weeks of tension dissolved. Among them, the still-recovering Avfairn approached Riley and pressed his maw into her hands.

"You have earned this respect, little one," he murmured softly to her. "And it is well-earned indeed. Thank you for being what we needed, both before and after she was laid low."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m not what anyone needed, Avi.” Riley said softly as he nuzzled against her palms. “I simply did what I needed to do.”

“But…thank you.” She patted him gently and took a step away. “I’m leaving Lukas in charge for a few days. The Johania can pick up the slack while we rest.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't sell yourself short. You have done what few ever could, even if you feel it was only what was necessary." Avi lifted his head and turned back toward the other dragons still there. Even with his partner and himself on the mend, he was still a lieutenant among dragons and he straightened up to face them. "Everyone, rejoin your partners and rest. Soon, we'll be back on duty, and we'll prepare to move on Inverness when Prince Soma takes the helm again. More than half of Scotland has been liberated, but there's plenty more to save from Royer."

The dragons began to disperse, all giving final nods to Riley. When she turned back toward the ger, Andre was quietly waiting there, having returned some time before her to prepare a meal and work on a few minor chores. Looking up, he met her eyes and offered a tired, light smile. He let her choose whether to join him to eat, or sleep first. Of everyone who always seemed to need her since her mother had been bedridden, Andre had tried to do everything around the camp himself so she always came back to a tidy ger, fresh food, and no extra responsibilities.

 

[heartofcourage]

Looking at her husband, Riley felt guilt welling in her chest. She had put him second in her quest. There was a certain shame that came with how Andre had been put aside in the past months, but she knew that he would never complain. That was simply who he was.

"Koah." Riley said softly as she moved towards him, wrapping him in the tightest hug that she could manage. "I'm sorry, eldere. I'm so sorry for everything."

Burying her face against his chest, she relaxed. It was the first time in weeks that she was able to let her guard down.

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre left aside his knife and cutting board to wrap Riley up in a tight embrace in return. He buried his face in her fur and let out a soft, deep sigh as he closed his eyes and simply enjoyed the moment. When he finally answered, he pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "I won't pretend it hasn't been hard. We've lost a lot and we were about to lose a lot more. But you won't lose me over some late nights and long shifts."

He was downplaying it all, trying to offer reassurance and a smile. But like her, he was exhausted. Being not only her husband, but someone relied upon heavily because of his previous experience and asked to be a leader again in the wounded Rider Lieutenants' stead, he had been struggling to keep up. And her brief departure from him in the south had deeply stressed him, worrying constantly for her life and freedom.

"I love you," he added quietly, letting some of that exhaustion creep into his voice as he studied her eyes closely. "Don't be sorry. I'm here because I want to be."

 

[heartofcourage]

It took days for many to recover from what had happened. The only one that continued on full strength was Kate, intent on setting the wayward Lairds onto the business of rebuilding Scotland. Too much had gone to rot in the time that she had been gone, and too many had grown fat on the handouts that were so freely given to some but not all. The city was quiet, almost peaceful, as it fell into a routine.

Fiona had been resting and gaining strength, sleeping much of the time under the watchful eye of her family and the Judges as the ordeal was written down for posterity. However, there was only so much she could handle lying about. The sun was just rising on a chilled, gloomy day as she slowly made her way to the window. She moved like a woman much older, her bones still aching fiercely in the Scottish chill. It reminded her that she was alive and for that she was grateful. She unlatched the window and pushed it out, letting the gentle drizzle chill her skin. Closing her eyes, she lived in the moment, her eyes closing as she heard the sounds of the city beyond waking for the day and Sam's gentle breathing.

Glancing over her shoulder, she watched her husband slumber quietly. He deserved his rest, perhaps more than anyone else. He had fought her battles for her, and she was going to leave him to his peace. Glancing back to the window, she found herself face to face with Schaller's great eye, a smile crossing her face. She had dressed herself in her under armor, not interested in donning the rest of the heavy gear. She hoped it would show those that hovered around her that she wanted to return to the living, but not yet to her duties.

"Let's walk." She murmured softly, grasping his great horn as it was offered and allowing him to lift her into the mist fully.

She settled on his crest easily, her fingers burying in the thick mane that she had missed so dearly. She raised her face to the cold, wet mist, letting it soothe the fire that still burned within her. She was sure he could feel it too, the remains of the Hunger that was still burning out. If anyone else knew the depths of her struggle, it was surely her partner. As Schaller moved from the courtyard, she was keenly aware of eyes focused on the both of them. Fiona didn't shy from the scrutiny, but sat high on her Elder dragon for all to see.

 

[KieranSoares]

Schaller didn't speak a word as he quietly and proudly carried his Queen away from her chambers and the dim indoors for the first time in weeks. The mist gathered on his white hide and ran down in tiny streams between individual scales. Steam drifted off his entire body when he took a deep, slow breath and ignited the green glow in his chest for his partner's sake. With no heading and no thought for the rest of the world, Schaller turned southwest along the main streets toward the fields and forests beyond.

It wasn't until he was beyond the city walls that he took another deep breath and let it out slowly. Tension left his shoulders beneath Fiona, and she could feel him settle into a much easier, slower lumbering walk, letting his tail sway slightly behind him. He let his head settle low, no longer held high and formal. He more resembled a casually-prowling cat than his usual proud and measured countenance in public. Having Fiona there- alive, awake, and healing- was all he'd wanted since the day she'd forcibly shattered her connection to everyone to protect them all.

When he reached the edge of the forest, Schaller slowed and eventually halted, his head drooping low and his tail starting to drag. As glad as he was to be with his soulmate Rider, an overwhelming grief had settled heavy on his back. Slowly, his legs lost their strength and his vast form sank to the mud and grass below. A shudder shook through him and he had to take another deep inhale to steady himself.

"My little Fox..." He whispered, his head finally dropping to the ground ahead of his great claws. Every ounce of strength had left him.