Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Sam cracked a small smile that no one but Fiona saw, and he nudged his horse into a fast trot. Edinburgh had a small stone wall being constructed around the outside, the gates already functional and guarded. Followed by a couple guards, Sam and Fiona were allowed through without issue and Sam headed straight for the castle. Perched atop a large hill with a small, ancient moat, Edinburgh castle was already old, built on the bones of an even older structure from hundreds of years prior.

One guard galloped ahead of them and by the time they arrived, an old man leaning heavily on a cane was coming out to meet them, flanked by two heavily-armored royal guards, one offering him support as they came down stone steps from the doors.

"Samuel," the old man spoke up as Sam slipped from his saddle before the horse even stopped.

"Warwick," Sam nodded, coming to meet him with a handshake and a brief embrace. Sam turned back to steady Fiona's horse as she dismounted. "We came as fast as we could with Kate's orders, an' some mixed news. The dragons are outside th'city. An' this is-" he began to introduce her when Warwick spoke up.

"Lady Blackstone," Warwick nodded to Fiona. "Welcome."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord." Fiona said, bowing her head in respect towards Warwick as introductions were made. "I have heard a lot about you from Samuel and his sister. All good, I assure you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am no Lord, my dear. Just an advisor. Retired, if Kate had her way." Warwick motioned them toward the doors. "Come in, we'll set you up in some guest chambers."

Picking up his pack over one shoulder, Sam looked to Fiona before following Warwick. A couple servants took their things and readied a room, while Warwick brought Sam and Fiona to an upper chamber, quiet and out of the way. There, an old woman sat in a chair quietly reading, a sewing project of some sort of vest beside her that looked to be for a child. She looked up, but didn't seem able to.rise. "Sam." She wanted to rise to meet him, but he came to her side before she could try. She kissed his cheek and hugged him gently. "It's good to see you again, lad. I wasn't sure I ever would."

"Your Majesty," Warwick spoke when the two parted. "May I introduce Lady Fiona Blackstone of Inverness, Dragon Rider and Prince Samuel's betrothed as Kate's last letter said."

"Welcome to Edinburgh, my dear girl," the woman smiled. "Excuse me for not standing."

"Lady Fiona, Her Majesty former Queen Marianne of Edinburgh," Warwick bowed his head. It seemed he took such introductions seriously.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It is an honor to meet you, your highness." She said with a bow towards Marianne. "It seems that the longer I am with Sam, the more important people I get to meet. I never believed a former thief would be able to stand in the castle of Scotland's high royalty without being accused of a crime."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm no one important these days, dear. Just an old woman. Kate has long since outgrown the need for my advice and guidance." She motioned for them to join her in other chairs. "Speaking of... sit down and tell me how things are with Kate and Kell."

"When we left, she was goin' into labor," Sam answered calmly. "She insisted we needed t'bring her orders, tha' it was more important."

"Typical... I wonder if that girl will ever put work in second place."

"I 'ave all th'documents an' letters fer officers with me." Sam then glanced to Fiona. "An' I think Fiona has a letter fer Warwick from Kell."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would expect by now that Scotland has an heir." Fiona said as she pulled the letter free that Kell had given to her to deliver to Warwick. "We'll know soon enough."

 

[KieranSoares]

Warwick accepted the letter and quietly stepped away to read while Marianne nodded. "No doubt Kell will send horsemen to deliver news. But until then, I'll have Warwick gather the appropriate people and any lords currently in the city that can aid us. We may request you stop by Glasgow on your way back to Inverness."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We are at the disposal of Scotland." Fiona said, glancing towards Sam. "That goes for the both of us. Sam won't rest until he feels he's been useful."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's impossible to convince him he's ever been useful," Marianne smiled with a small sigh. "Go and rest a while, you two. It'll take some time for everyone to assemble."

Warwick quietly exited at that, likely to send the word out to those they needed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded and followed Sam from the room as Marianne encouraged them to get some rest. When they were in their private apartments, Fiona wrapped her arms around Sam and held him tightly, her head resting against his chest.

"I missed this." She said softly, not wanting to admit too much that she had missed being near him even though they had just flown together on their dragons.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had been about to take off his flight armor when she turned and looped her arms around his chest. He draped his own arms about her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple, letting the quiet settle around them for a long moment. The only sounds were distant sounds of the city and the busy lower floors. Finally he murmured, "I'm glad yer here with me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You are?" Fiona asked, looking up at him as he held her tightly. "I'm surprised you'd admit that."

He was never one to tell her how he felt without some kind of prodding. It meant the world to her that he was willing to tell her that he was happy to have her there with him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam sighed, laying his head on her shoulder. "I'm no' tha' heartless... But I guess I don' really say it when it matters."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know you have a heart, love." Fiona said softly as he rested his head against her shoulder, admitting that he didn't say he loved her when it mattered the most. "You should me that you have a heart all of the time. In fact, I dare say that no one out there in all of the world has a bigger heart than you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn' go tha' far." Sam murmured before kissing her cheek and drawing back to take off his armor.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're going to be my husband, Sam. There's little you can do to convince me otherwise." Fiona said as she pulled off her own armor as food was delivered for the both of them from the royal kitchens.

She left her chest plate on as she had been told and soon sat down to devour the food in front of them. She was starving after having eaten light while riding. She was happy with roasted beef and mashed potatoes, squirming in contentment like a happy kit with a new toy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam ended up changing into his uniform, but Fiona would notice him put on a chainmail vest underneath. He joined her to eat, but almost immediately he was sorting the messages sent with him. He remained deadly focused on his work even when resting.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You are going to share some of your time with me while we're here, right?" Fiona asked, taking a bite of the tender beef before she started in on a piece of bread. "Or am I going to have to hide your letters from you for an hour each day? I'm sure Marianne and Warwick would help me with that if I asked them to."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We won't be here long... I want t'be efficient as I can..." Sam murmured. He was still fairly withdrawn after his breakdown in Inverness. "... I'll make time in th'evenings..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm willing to give you the chance." Fiona said, knowing that there was a 50/50 chance that he would actually hold up his end of that bargain.

After she was finished eating, she retreated to bed, ready to sleep for a while after their journey. She knew that as long as Sam had letters to read, she didn't stand a chance of getting his attention. Instead, she simply let him be.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam remained busy the entire time she napped, and eventually a guard came to fetch them a few hours later, informing them that a group of lords and messengers and officers had gathered to hear what news they'd brought.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona woke slowly when the guards came to escort them. She got out of bed, combing out her hair before changing to a gown. She wanted so badly to leave the chest plate behind, but Sam had been serious in his warning that she wear it whenever she was in Edinburgh. It constricted her slightly, but she did as she was told and put it back on before she went with Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam led the way down to the main hall which was now full of people, all of them having been thoroughly checked and searched before being allowed into this meeting. When Sam entered, many turned to stare as he stepped up toward where Kate would normally sit, Fiona beside him and Warwick awaiting them.

"Silence, please," Warwick called and the room slowly settled, everyone taking seats facing the front. "General Samuel Ghis and Lady Fiona Blackstone have arrived with Her Majesty's orders. You each will receive your specific messages, but the general brings her overall orders."

All eyes were upon them in that moment, and Sam seemed to show no emotion as he spoke up. "Her Majesty has decided to place Edinburgh under alert. Guardsmen are t' profile all entering an' leaving the city, and search as needed. The naval forces will be patrolling th' coasts constantly from here on out. As for the populace, while curfews will not be in effect, the people're asked to avoid goin' out at night, especially near th'castle. When Her Majesty returns, she will adjust these rules as needed."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stood off to the side, watching Sam as he address those that were gathered in the room with them. She admired the way that he was so confident in everything that he did and said. However, she could see the way he carried that stress on his shoulders from the tense way that he held himself. She wished there were something that she could do, but he was too stubborn for her help.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam explained several more orders before he stepped down and he and Warwick went to speak to individuals. Fiona was approached by a white Wolf in a dark outfit and a white cloak before long. She was tall and muscular, easily matching Sam. "Lady Blackstone. I was about to leave for Inverness when I heard you were here." She offered a hand to shake, and Fiona would be able to see something familiar. Like Ezra, the Wolf's glove had an identical pattern of a dragon on the wrist breathing fire that spread across the back of the hand. And her cloak pin was exactly the same as Ezra's, a silver disc with a dragon scale set into the surface.