Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"It struck something inside of him when I mentioned that it wasn't just about him anymore. It's about us and our life together. It made him stop and think and not run off like he typically does."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He isn't a selfish man, until it comes to his guilt and mistakes. I suppose he hadn't considered his past would effect you too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can't marry him like this, Invah. It isn't fair to either of us." Fiona said, her heart aching as she said that. "And I would certainly never bring a child into a marriage where one parent had an issue like his. There will be enough to worry about such as the child being part were and being the heir to a throne."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I understand, my love. But that is something only you and Samuel can work out. Though I can offer to speak with him. I've dealt with something similar with one of my children."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Any help is appreciated." Fiona said softly as she settled in for the long flight, turning the conversation towards things that were lighter.

Back in Inverness, the queen of Scotland was struggling as time wore on, she grew exhausted but she put on the bravest face she could muster in front of everyone. Julia was concerned but she knew with Vincenzo and Valentina, her newest grandchild would have every fighting chance possible.

"I think I'd rather face 100 men than to go through this again." Kate murmured as she walked the halls with Kell, her hands clenching his tightly. "It pains me even more that I can't be out there with everyone."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell held Kate close against his side, wrapping an arm about her waist when another contraction hit her, though it was fairly manageable. He was a bit quieter than usual, but Kate had managed to get Qira to tell her why. Kell had called for Mariko Varno and his team of tribal healers some time ago and they'd promised to come. They should have arrived a week prior, but there was no sign of the group. Kell was trying to figure out where they'd gone, and he suspected their disappearance was a malevolent move against Kate.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll be alright, eldere." Kate murmured softly as she kissed her husband's cheek gently. "Women have been having children since the dawn of time. It might be a terrible thing for the woman, but everything will be alright when I'm holding our child in my arms. Then you can figure out how to keep me in bed and not on the front lines."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell let his head rest against her own with a sigh. "Just because women have been doing this forever doesn't mean I won't worry about my mate." Kell paused then, looking up as a tall, young human appeared down the hall. With a nod from Kell, the man approached and murmured to him in an eastern language, one Kate recognized from her meetings and time spent around Kjotva and the rare meetings with Arslan Khan in Scandinavia.

Kell's expression darkened at the report and the young man disappeared once more, but not before Kate saw him draw a dagger. Qira soon appeared to them as well. "There's a problem," Kell murmured to Kate, kissing her before passing her hands to Qira. "I'll be right back. Ten minutes. And then I'll explain, I promise."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate took Qira's hands as Kell promised he would explain when he had a chance. She watched as he stalked down the hall before she looked up at her guardian.

"Perhaps we should ride for Inverlochly while I have the chance." Kate said softly, knowing that he would take her without question if her life were in danger.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ten minutes, and we will know," Qira murmured in Erygonian. "He is securing your family. If he cannot, we will flee."

Kell came to Julia and Brogan, and they saw two powerful and nimble-looking figures with him. "Julia. Brogan. We may have a problem. We aren't sure yet, but Mariko Varno is missing and my men have spotted some... suspicious figures. I'm working on it, but I need you to keep these two men with you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Where is Kate?" Julia asked, concerned for her daughter first and foremost. "And the twins? They had gone off with Faust for their lessons earlier."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Qira has Kate. The girls and Faust are in the library under protection. Everyone is accounted for and under watch." At this, Brogan faced Kell.

"They're after Kate first an' foremost. You protect her first."

"Always," Kell nodded. "If we have to, we'll go to Inverlochly. But it will be a risk to try the journey. It's a last resort."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia considered the situation and turned to look at Brogan. She knew that he was worried for his family, but Kate was the foremost in his thoughts. "Go and be with her, love. I'm sure she would appreciate your company."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Qira will keep her safe no matter what, Brogan," Kell murmured. "I know you have only seen fleeting glances of him, and today was the first time you've ever spoken to him. But Qira cares for her and he will disregard even our orders for her sake. Even if this threat overcomes him, he'll take it down with him. I can promise you that there is no better, more loyal man in the world to defend her. He could outdo me if necessary."

Brogan nodded slowly, and stepped out to find Kate while his new guardian followed. Once he was gone, Kell looked to Julia and she saw him let on a bit more worry, but he seemed confident. "I'll take care of this, Julia. I promise... But I can't promise someone won't be hurt in the process. Barbarossa and his allies know Kate is the heart of Edinburgh and he'd cause a lot of damage by removing her. But I suspect he's not intending to kill her... I think he times this. He's after our cub. He knows what it means to us, and he knows it would cause... Incredible damage."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If he knows that Kate is about to have this child, that means we have larger problems than we realize. You need to find his source within these walls, Kell." Julia said softly, glancing at him as she sighed. "And this baby will be fine. They would have to get through all of us to get to it. I'm simply sorry that you don't get to enjoy this moment like any father should."

She stood and approached him, hugging him tightly as she felt the stress and strain in his body. "And I'm sure your grandfather is already on his way. She's in good hands and I trust all of you to protect my girl."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll enjoy my moment when everyone is safe... Hopefully with minimal casualties on our side." Kell wrapped his arms around Julia with a quiet sigh, then turned to the guardian he'd assigned her. "This is Mikael. Qira chose him some years ago to be your guardian in crisis, and Kate knows him. Every member of the family has a guardian like him."

"Your Majesty," Mikael bowed his head. He was an athletic weretiger, not black-furred like most of Kell's men, not much older than Julia.

"If he disappears, don't worry. He is always looking after you and taking in information. Speaking of... I need to get back to work. Kate will worry if I take too long." He stepped out and walked quickly toward the main hall.

Mikael gave Julia plenty of space and privacy as Kell's men often did, but she could see him tense and ready. For as calm as everyone was, it was clear the situation was dire.

Brogan came to find Kate in the meantime, finding Vincenzo had also come to check on her once more.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had made it back to her rooms, sitting in a chair with a heavy sigh. She was tired and sore but she knew it would take time for her cub to decide it was time to move. She gave a smile as Vincenzo and Brogan entered the room, Qira melting away quietly yet again.

"I'm fine, Papa. My cub is as stubborn as I am." Kate said as she kissed his cheek and then looked at her father. "I know I'm paying for all of my sins."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Any sins I should be aware of?" Brogan asked with a worried half-smile.

"Far too many, I'm sure," Vincenzo commented as he went to make her some soothing tea.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Far too many to tell my father." Kate said with a smile as she welcomed him to sit beside her, taking his hand and holding it tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hm. I won' ask, then," Brogan chuckled softly.

True to his word, Kell soon returned, pausing at the door briefly to talk to Qira in hushed tones. Kell came to kiss Kate but he still seemed distracted. Men came to speak with him every few minutes, and a few women.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate watched Kell the entire time, knowing that he was stressed but trusting that he was taking care of everything while she was laboring. Kate glanced towards her grandfather as he mixed different kinds of herbs together for her.

"Papa, if I could get some sleep, I would give you a knighthood." Kate said softly, giving him a small smile as he glanced towards her. "And I mean it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No need, amore," Vincenzo chuckled as he set water to boiling. "I expect it'll be a long while before this cub is ready. Hopefully we can get you plenty of rest before then."

It wasn't long before an older woman dressed in a cloak and common clothes with silver-streaked brown hair stepped in, making Kell look up. Kate could understand enough of her words in Gaelic to know something was wrong. Kell's ears perked forward and followed after her without a word. Brogan watched this worriedly, sitting forward only for Qira to lift a hand to stop him.

"Do not leave," Qira warned softly, though he seemed calm.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Qira, you'll tell me what's wrong or I'll go out there myself." Kate said, looking towards her guard. "And you know I would do it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"There is someone in the keep," Qira answered softly in Erygonian. "A spy, informing an assassin. Waiting for the cub to be born."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate thought about that for a moment before she turned to look at her grandfather. "Papa, if you would stay here with me until the cub is here, it would alleviate some of Kell's stress. Luna can come as well. No one leaves to keep the secrecy. I can have the maids make up one of the extra rooms where you can sleep in the meantime."