Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Don't gang up on me too." Kate said, kissing Sam's cheek as she took his arm and allowed him to escort her to her seat.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell approached Fiona, giving her a kind smile. "Welcome home, Fiona. Or should I call you Lady Blackstone now?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Just Fiona. I don't know if I'll ever get used to the title of Lady Blackstone." Kate said as she watched Kell's gaze drift to her engagement ring. "And I know you already know about my news. There's not much that I can hide from you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The ring is the only reason I know," Kell assured her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "And as someone who was welcomed into this family too, I can promise you you'll enjoy being a part of it. The Ghis have taken care of me even when I didn't know I needed them. And I can tell you from knowing his for a decade that Sam is a fantastic man. I honestly believe you two are what the other needs. So congratulations."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If he's as stubborn as your wife, I know I'll be in for a long life." She said with a chuckle. "He's changing for the good and that's all that I really need from him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I should also thank you," Kell murmured. "Only a couple days and having Danica has made many things far faster and smoother. And knowing more Riders will be coming... It's comforting, especially knowing we have you. I appreciate it all, and it certainly gives Kate a bit more peace knowing she could send a Rider to Edinburgh in an emergency and they'd beat and avoid any interception or attack."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Whatever I can do to help my future sister-in-law, I will do." Fiona said softly as she saw true relief in Kell's eyes. "You need to enjoy these moments together because once your cub is here, everything will change. For better and for worse."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, love," he muttered, kissing her cheek once more before going to join Kate. Kell had seen honesty and goodness in Fiona in their early encounters, and he was glad he'd acted in her support now that she was in a position to support Kate.

Soon everyone was in their seats and enjoying the meal and all seemed well. Just as the dishes were being cleared, a familiar tiny dragon came crawling into an open window and came gliding to Fiona. His sudden appearance startled several people until they saw Tuvan perch on Fiona's arm and take a leftover piece of a roll and begin nibbling on it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona glanced over at the tiny dragon and raised an eyebrow, laughing at him as he ate a piece of bread without a worry in the world. "And where did you lose your owner to? I doubt you made it all the way here on your own."

 

[KieranSoares]

Tuvan huffed at the word 'owner,' flicking his tail and stealing a morsel of fruit from her plate as well. The main doors opened and Shana came striding in beside a dark-skinned human man, both in Rider gear.

"You greedy little sneak," Shana sighed, picking Tuvan up like a cat, though he wouldn't give up his food. "We just had a meal."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It seems as if he has found he likes this food better." Fiona said with a smile towards the other dragon riders. "Welcome to Inverness. I didn't think that I would ever see you make it here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I had to make a stop to an island along the way, to see if I could convince an old friend to join us," Shana smiled up at the tall man beside her. His tattoos were distinctly Teo Erygonian like Suara's people, intermixed with a different tribal style. He was dressed like any other common northern man, but he wore a necklace and bracelet and had earrings of foreign make.

The tall, dark man bowed his head to Fiona and Shana introduced him. "This is Ezra Nebiyou, a Rider whose forefathers knew and worked with Invah. He comes from the Nile Valley."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ezra." Fiona said, standing to greet the other rider with a smile of her own. "I'm Fiona Blackstone and this is Samuel Ghis."

She motioned for Sam to stand as well, introducing him to the new comer. "I suppose he will be directing us if we are needed in the future."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ezra shook Sam's hand, nodding to him though he didn't speak and his expression remained extremely calm and focused. Sam seemed to understand his disposition, however, and looked to Shana. "Invah's sortin' out safe places fer your dragons t'stay in th'highlands, places humans shouldn' bother 'em."

"They're fairly self-sufficient, but I appreciate that." Shana nodded. "They'll feel a bit out of place away from mountains."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm sure your Uncle Matthias would allow them to come to Skye if they need a place to enjoy the mountains in relative peace." Fiona suggested, looking at Sam. "He keeps a fairly safe harbor there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That would be too far to reach when they need to go out with messages," Shana shook her head. "They've agreed the time for hiding in mountains is past. Inverness is safe enough to keep them close."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Invah has a large under ground cavern. She would be more than willing to share with those that can make it beneath the loch." Fiona said, trying to come up with a solution for the dragons that were giving up so much freedom to protect them all.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't you worry. They can take care of themselves," Shana assured her. "They aren't too proud to ask for help if they need it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded, inviting Shana and Ezra to join them at the table. They feasted with the rest of the Ghis for the time being. It wasn't until Julia and the younger twins left for other business that talk turned towards war and battle. Even Kate looked exhausted as they talked about the possible scenarios that the family was facing, but she stayed. It was all her country and her burden to bear. Kell moved to help her get more comfortable, extra pillows at her back and her feet propped up on a stool until she sighed in contentment.

"The were that you rescued have been sent to Ireland temporarily. I didn't want to risk them being recaptured and tortured." Kate explained to Fiona. "Sarah has been taking care of them, making sure that they have medical care as well as emotional care. It's the least that this big lug will let me still do."

Kate looked towards Kell as he took his seat beside her, a look passing between the two of them. She knew that if things got worse, her guards were to take her without warning towards Inverlochly. She had fought hard to remain in Inverness, but Kell would not compromise on the safety of their cub. Alex was supposed to have gone with her, but since he had been captured, it had been Valentina and Vincenzo doing everything that they could for her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Scotland is secure for now," Kell murmured. "If there are any Imperials in the isles, it's small groups or individuals that we don't know about. Security is tight around all leaders and I'm fairly confident in it for now. The main concern is keeping people safe and holding the battle lines at Normandy. If at all possible, we don't want the Imperials to set foot in England."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If any of the dragon riders have anything to say about it, they won't." Fiona said as she looked over at the others. "Scotland is my home and always has been. I know Invah and Gaiann feel the same way about things."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Our allegiance belongs with those seeking to live in peace with werefolk and dragons. The Imperial attack is uncalled for, and we will not stand for the injustices already done," Shana declared in agreement, earning small nods from Danica and Ezra.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then we should have no problems." Fiona said, glancing towards Sam and then at Kate. "As long as we are all United, we cannot fail."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then we start by gettin' everyone on th'same page," Sam spoke up, earning everyone's attention. "I'll be sendin' you Riders around th'isles t'deliver notices an' declarations o' intention. Now thanks t'Kate, Kell, an' Warwick, all o' the clans an' counties o' Scotland 'ave already agreed t'join th'fight under th' Edinburgh banner an' put aside internal struggles fer now. All, except Skye an' Inverlochly which 'ave a different part t'play. Skye 'as no real standing army, but 'as offered their shipwrights an' sailors t'aid us, an' offered Skye itself as a refuge for any who need t'flee th'war such as wounded dragons, freed werefolk, an' so on. Inverlochly, bein' owned by Inverness, will be reinforced heavily fer th'worst case scenarios, where we will evacuate leaders to if needed. Edinburgh may be th'capital, but Inverlochly is goin' t'be the heart of Scotland from here til th'war's end. All o' you need t'protect it with yer lives if things turn south. Kell already 'as it locked down fer miles in every direction, but if there's ever a threat of attack, you all are permitted t'abandon th'frontlines t'defend it."

Sam's eyes were fiery, and though he had never truly been a General in a full-blown war, he seemed to know exactly what he was doing. His determination was palpable. Kell then spoke up, his voice calmer but dark and serious.

"While we want to avoid the Imperials bringing any substantial force to our shores, there is the possibility that England, Scotland, or Ireland will be invaded. If that should happen, as Sam said, the safe havens of Scotland will be Skye and Inverlochly. In Ireland, it will be Monaghan. For England, it will be Caernarvon in Wales. Should any of these havens be in danger of being taken over, there is one final place for them all to retreat. However, this location is secret and known only to the Spymasters of the leaders of the isles and the Triad. Even the leaders themselves do not know. But should it require use, I will share that information with elite forces, including our Riders."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will remain here as long as I can." Kate said, looking over at all of the others. "However, there is little I can do once my child comes. I suppose I could be like the queen's of old and fight with a child on my back and a sword in my hand. It's not exactly practical, however."