Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

The keep was quiet that morning. Brogan and Julia had long since gone to bed, the twins joining them. Ciaran and Justin were having a lazy morning with Dana. Rho and Naiya were still asleep in his room. Annie and David had arrived early that morning with their three children, Kell having helped them to move into their temporary apartment to be watched closely by his guard detail. David had gone back to sleep with Danny, Bridget, and Silas, leaving Annie sitting by the fire with Khelt in the great hall.

"He's a sweet boy." Annie murmured softly, rocking her nephew as Brogan slumbered a little easier after a night with Mariko and Vincenzo. "I just wish that Kate and Kell could enjoy him without the stress of a war hanging over him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kell will continue pacing about, shelling out orders until he collapses... Or at least until Qira gets sick of him and tranquilizes him." Khelt stood off to the side of the fire, watching over the infant in Annie's arms. "And then I will take over."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da said that he's worried about everything after what happened last night. I understand it considering everything that he's been through." Annie said as Brogan shifted in her arms and coughed softly, his eyes opening to look at his aunt and grandfather. "Hello, little one. Papa said you were good for them last night."

 

[KieranSoares]

The sickness was evident in the little cub's mannerisms, but he had a light of life in his eyes. His little nicked ear seemed to bother him and he tried to rub at it, but seeing Khelt come close, he paused.

"You look just like your father..." Khelt murmured softly. "But those eyes... I wouldn't be surprised if they stay that way."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He'll be a handsome man." Annie said as she placed the special mittens that Had been left if he tried to mess with his ear too much.

She carefully slipped them on his little hands, chuckling as he seemed upset for a moment before he settled. "I think I'll call you Bo. Being known as Brogan is an honor that you might want when you're older but for now, Bo means you don't have as much expectation."

Annie glanced up as Kate came into the room, her hands clutching Qira's arm to steady herself. She looked exhausted, but it was clear that she wanted to come and see Khelt.

"I left him sleeping." Kate said, kissing Khelt's cheek as she turned to look at her son in Annie's arms. "Little one, it seems that you're spoiled already."

 

[KieranSoares]

Qira placed a hand on Kate's side to steady her, clearly concerned with her being up and around already. But he said nothing.

Khelt greeted Kate with a gentle embrace. "You've done beautifully, my dear. And young Brogan is already a charmer, it seems." He helped her sit down with plenty of pillows in her father's chair and Qira took up a position off to the side where he wouldn't intrude on any family moments. But he was constantly watching Brogan. When the cub coughed or made a whimper, Qira would immediately look over. It seemed he was taking his duty as the boy's guardian very seriously.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose he takes after his Da." Kate said as Khelt got her settled and she relaxed with a long sigh. "He's stubborn and charming."

Annie chuckled as she stood and placed the infant in her sister's arms. "I'm going to check on my little family and then I'll bring you some breakfast."

When she left, Kate turned her gaze towards Khelt and held her son tightly. "They almost killed him. Do you know who it was?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"The assassin was carrying a letter... One addressed directly to you and Kell, sealed by Barbarossa's hand. It seems he expected the assassin to die, successful or not. The assassin was one who trained with Kell when they were very young, hence why he knew how to slip by. He also had an informant... One of your father's oldest guardsmen, one who has looked after you all your life. His name was Artur Hess. We're still investigating why he chose betrayal... But we don't believe it was voluntary on his part. Nonetheless... I'm afraid he fought back, and was killed before Kell's men knew he was being coerced. Kell will arrange everything for his family and help them get by if needed..."

Khelt turned back to the fire. "... It is deeply troubling that one so loyal turned, threatened or not. It means Barbarossa's arm is long indeed. Longer than we could've accounted for."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is Sarah safe?" Kate asked as Khelt told her what Kell could not. "And Elizabeth? If Ireland or England fall, I'm afraid that we would not be strong enough to stand on our own."

Kate got Brogan situated and paused when she saw something on his right footpaw. She smiled softly as she saw the soft braided anklet. It had a small charm of good health shaped like a tiny little moon. Glancing up at Khelt, she chuckled softly.

"I'd recognize Emily's handy work anywhere." She said softly. "Thank you for bringing him a precious gift, Khelt."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Milady is potentially the safest of all our allied leaders," Khelt murmured, having never gotten over the habit of referring to Sarah in title. "The Empire sees no threat in her, and they are sorely mistaken. Elizabeth, however... She and King Henry are th most at risk, though as well-guarded as I can provide short of being there personally."

But as Kate noticed the anklet, he turned to face her calmly. "She wanted to make something to commemorate my becoming a great-grandfather..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's alright to be excited about him, Khelt." Kate said softly as he turned to look at her, explaining why Emily had sent the little gift for her cub. "He might be small and sickly now, but he'll be a giant among men when he gets older."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Excitement is not something I take part in, my dear. But I am happy," Khelt nodded, coming to sit beside her. "War or no... You and Kell needed this little one."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We most definitely did." Kate said softly as he sat beside her, Brogan squirming in her arms before she settled with a sigh. His tiny nose was pressed against her throat as if he knew her by scent alone and was completely content.

"Kell had issue giving him his name. We settled on Damien so that Kell would be attached to his son in some way. He said that you would appreciate it as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Damien?" Khelt paused, his ears laying back ever so slightly with some memory and shock. "... My... My mate's name was Damiana... Kell didn't get to know her long, but he loved her..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He was certain that you would approve." Kate said as Annie returned with a hardy meal for her. "Would you hold him for me, Khelt? And then we'll go and get him settled in his crib."

 

[KieranSoares]

Khelt came to lean down and take the little cub, rewarded with a quiet squeak and Brogan curling into the old Wolf's fur against his neck. Khelt drew the blankets around the cub a little more securely, silently watching over his great-grandson with as calm and level an expression as ever. But there was deep love there, hidden behind Khelt's unbreakable mask.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate ate while Khelt cared for the cub, a smile on her face as she watched him carefully cradle his great-grandson. The little boy would never know how protected he was in that moment, but she would be certain to let him know just how lucky he was. When she was finished, Qira helped her to walk back to her chambers where Kell was waiting for them. She was exhausted as she worked with Khelt to get the cub settled into his crib underneath a beautiful blanket of were design. Once Brogan was slumbering, she allowed them to get her back into bed.

"Send word to Sam about the baby. I'm sure he's anxiously waiting in Edinburgh." Kate said, her eyes already closing. "And send word to Elizabeth that she will not have to fight alone. We will spare as many men as we can to help the English forces."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell, who'd just woken as she entered, rose to do as she'd asked. Khelt forced him back into bed. "Sleep, cub. I will handle it."

 

[heartofcourage]

In Edinburgh, the dragons were just setting down in the outskirts of the city. It took a moment for Fiona to get her legs back beneath her once she dismounted, but it felt good to be back on solid ground after so long in flight.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Sam slipped down, any relief was covered up by focus on his work. He could already see guardsmen riding out to investigate, though they would have been informed of the dragons' work with Inverness.

Sam pulled down his gear and unfastened the saddle. Invah and Gaiann would look after their own saddles as needed. Pulling off his helmet, Sam turned to face the guardsmen.

"General," one spoke up, all saluting him. "Welcome back, sir."

"Lieutenant," Sam nodded. "We need horses. We 'ave reports t'deliver."

"And your companion, sir?"

"Lady Fiona Blackstone. My fiancee. And the dragons will look after themselves."

Two guardsmen dismounted. "Take our horses, sir. We'll pick up more at the gates."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We only need one, Sam. I can ride behind." Fiona commented, not wanting to take the horses away from the guards that might have needed them more.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not to worry, milady," one of the guards insisted. "The city's​ quiet today. Take them. Your business is more important, and you'll need the extra beast to carry your things."

"Thank you," Sam nodded to the two men before securing his bag to the saddle. "We'll have them taken t'the barrack stables after."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Invah, I'll come back this evening with food." Fiona said to the dragons as she handed her bags to Sam to secure to the horse.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can handle ourselves for the most part, my love. We'll go hunting and scope out the land." Invah leaned down to give Fiona a gentle nuzzle. "I know you're here on business, but enjoy yourself. You'll be meeting good allies here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm not so sure that Sam will let me enjoy much but I'll try my hardest." Fiona said as she hugged Invah's maw and then turned to mount her house. She tucked her helm in the saddle behind her, turning to look at Sam as she took the reigns.

"Lead the way, general." She said with a small grin.