Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Do you have an F inside of yours?" Fiona asked, giving him a grin as she saw how embarrassed he was that she had seen the S. "Because I think it's sweet. It'll be our little secret."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I might..." Sam muttered, looking away and scratching his beard. "I know it's sappy, but... Kreston an' Ruben insist it's worked fer them, so..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You love me. You are showing me that in your own little ways and I appreciate it." Fiona said as she moved to kiss him. "You make me incredibly happy."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam let his arms drape around her waist when she kissed him, and he soon let his head rest on her shoulder with a sigh, trying to remain relaxed despite everything going on around them in the world. "I love you," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Did it hurt you to say that?" Fiona asked in a soft whisper, teasing him just as much as she could to lighten his mood.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam tucked his head against her shoulder, his voice muffled as he grumbled something incoherent. But he decided she wasn't going to have all the fun. She felt a light bite on her neck as he pulled her tightly against him, knowing he could get her fox going with that simple tease.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Samuel." Fiona gasped as he nipped at her throat with his teeth, her fox thrilled at the little contact between them. "You are pure evil."

His strong arms wrapped around her, holding her in place as he squeezed her skin with his teeth a little harder and she was soon making a low, whimpering sound of submission deep in her throat.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam drew back just enough to place a tender kiss against her skin, and then he let go and buttoned his jacket. He gave her a handsome smirk and one more kiss before disappearing out the door.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched as he pressed a kiss against her throat and then smirked at her, disappearing out the door as he buttoned his jacket. She would have to pay him back for that little stunt. She chuckled to herself as she grabbed the last of her armor and a pack before she too left the room.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Fiona reached the drakes, Roman was standing over Elin watching like a hawk as other drakes in the royal stables and pasture investigated the new little fledgling. Kennah was laying nearby looking relaxed, but she too was alert as adult drakes greeted Elin. There had been two other eggs over winter, but the fledglings were only just hatched and couldn't walk yet, and weren't able to come and meet Elin yet.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Beastie, let her explore." Fiona said, stroking his neck as she came upon him protecting his daughter. "She'll only learn to be brave if she's allowed to figure things out for herself."

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman rumbled softly, nuzzling his head into her hands. But little Elin wasn't ready to come out of his shadow, shivering and growling when unfamiliar drakes came to investigate the new member of the stables. Kennah rose and came to pick Elin up, taking the hatchling back to her spot in the grass and laying down once more. She nuzzled Elin and cleaned her fur to soothe her, and then let other drakes come to greet her again. Roman flopped down in the grass once he was sure Elin was secure, rumbling happily in the sun.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It feels good to be home." Fiona commented as Roman flopped onto his side and rumbled happily in the sun as Elin was taken by Kennah to be soothed by her mother. "But we'll have to put in a lot of long hours soon enough."

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman yawned hugely in response, looking fairly content until his attention was caught by a shape in the sky off toward the bay. A solid black, musclebound dragon was circling the harbor with an equally dark-clad rider that Fiona had not yet met. Whoever it was, they apparently already knew Gaiann as the broad dragon took to the sky as well and glided alongside the other male.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I feel as if I'll never get used to so many dragons around." Fiona said as Roman lifted his head to look at the dragon that was circling over the harbor with Gaiann. "Come on, beastie. Let's go find Invah and then you can come back and spoil Elin and Kennah."

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman rose and followed her toward the stables to fetch his riding gear. After a short farewell to his mate and fledgling, they set off north toward the highlands where the dragons were. A new dragon was there, likely Ezra's partner. She was a lithe, long beauty in dark royal purple with amber eyes, and she was laying with her arms crossed beside Invah, the two talking quietly until they saw Fiona and Roman approaching. Invah extended her neck to greet Fiona with a gentle nuzzle once she slipped from Roman's saddle.

"Good morning, my love," she said with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good morning, Invah. I saw Gaiann greeting another dragon in the harbor just a few moments ago." Fiona said as Invah nuzzled against her before she turned towards the other dragon. "And we haven't had the chance to meet one another. I'm Fiona Blackstone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This is Sadah Solyen. She tells me that she comes from across the Atlantic, from a great continent only our Scandinavian brothers have seen."

"A pleasure, Caller," Sadah spoke in a slightly rough but still feminine voice. It sounded as if her throat had been damaged at some point, and missing scales around her neck told of old wounds. "I believe you have met my Rider Ezra."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I met him briefly last night. He didn't say much, but it seems that he is well familiar with other riders. Thank you for coming all the way to Inverness." Fiona said as she was introduced to the other dragon with a smile. "If there's anything that you might need, let Invah know. My fiancee will get you whatever you need to be comfortable."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, Caller," she nodded, bowing her head respectfully. All of the dragons had been welcoming to her, but it seemed Sadah had a reason to afford her a deep respect. "That dark dragon over the harbor is my brother Sokano. His rider is Ezra's daughter Ziva."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The more the merrier." Fiona said, glancing towards Invah. "I suppose we have some training to take care of since we didn't do anything for a while. Dmitri would have my hide if he knew how much I've been slacking off."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You haven't slacked. You've been busy. But it's handy that we have more dragons and riders now to teach you more. Sadah and I spoke with Ezra and he offered to teach you. He taught his daughter and two others in the past so I believe he'd be a good choice." Invah and Sadah both rose then.

"He should be here shortly. He always visits me first thing in the morning," Sadah offered.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've been on a boat with my drakes and at a ball. I would call that slacking." Fiona said as she looked up at Invah with her hands on her hips. "I got engaged in that time as well. I'm sure that he would be more than understanding, but he is also a harsh taskmaster."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well he isn't here, so I say you're just fine as long as we start again today," Invah insisted with a smile. "You'll find that I can be just as stubborn as you, iittle one."

Sadah cracked a tiny smile, though it seemed she probably didn't smile often. "You're right, Invah. She really is your fledgling." Invah chuckled at that and Sadah stepped past seeing Ezra in the distance approaching. She trotted out to meet him and he easily pulled himself up on her back without the need of a saddle. They exchanged words in Ezra's native tongue as they returned to Fiona and Invah, and Ezra looked down at Fiona with an unshakable and serious calm.

"Well, Caller, take Invah and get your saddle and we'll begin."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll be ready as soon as we can." Fiona said as she turned towards Invah and let her lift her onto her back to go and get her saddle from where Sam had stored them at the stables.

As they got away from the other dragon and rider, Fiona thought about what they had been referring to her as. "They keep calling me Caller. Is that rare? They act as if it is something that is rare and unusual."