Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"You know Ezra?" Fiona asked, shaking the woman's hand as she was greeted. "I admit that I do not know your name. I am relatively new to the dragon riders and I am just now learning about the others that have been in relative hiding."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ezra is an old friend," the Wolf nodded. "We trained together for a time. These days I live in Normandy. Or so I did, until I was forced out with my dragon. I heard that riders were gathering in Inverness to fight the Empire. I want my home back, so I was on my way to join."

She then paused, shaking her head. "Forgive my manners. Remaia Solir, and my dragon is Ardunal Shallon of India."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Remaia." Fiona said as the woman introduced herself. "Inverness has been welcoming all riders that wish to come and fight. After our visit here, I am considering sending riders to serve in England and Ireland as well. It seems that the forces are spreading and there are others that can use our help."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I do have some reports of the front in Normandy if they're of any use. Thus far England has not taken in any Riders while the Empire has, putting England at a disadvantage. I'm hoping to remedy that."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll make sure that you have a meeting with Sam this evening when he is available. I'm sure that he would be interested in hear what you have to suggest." Fiona said with a glance towards Sam, noting that he seemed swarmed with a hundred different obligations. "If you don't mind waiting around for a while, that is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not at all. I know the General must feel like he's fielding every task in Scotland right now with the Queen away." Remaia looked up as she heard a loud gasp from the crowd around Sam, and Fiona would see her fiance go from stone-faced diplomat to angry, vicious soldier in less than a second as a high-ranking officer beside him grabbed a noble who'd drawn a dagger, only for the noble to stab the officer in retaliation. There were several screams and the crowd dispersed as Sam drew his own long dagger and grabbed the noble by the arm. With a twist, the noble yelled at his wrist being broken, and Sam forced him to his knees with his arm behind his back, then onto his belly with Sam's knee in the middle of his back and the dagger at his throat.

"Fiona!" Sam yelled. "Secure the doors!"

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched the scene in horror before she turned and ran towards the doors, throwing the thick wooden portal closed and pulling the cross bar down to secure everyone within. She looked over her shoulder to where Sam was struggling with the man, wondering just who was working for the German king and who wasn't.

 

[KieranSoares]

Several people tried to flee but were caught inside by Fiona's​ quick reaction. They all seemed to be afraid for their lives versus fleeing to avoid capture, but the guards present pulled them aside anyway just to make sure. Remaia went to tend the wounded officer, but found he was already far beyond help. All she could do was try to make him comfortable.

As silence settled over the room, those attending looking for some leadership or safety, they could hear the dying officer murmur, "The general... Is 'e alright...? Th'queen needs 'im..."

"He's just fine, my friend," Remaia soothed softly. "Your queen will know what you've done for her."

Sam watched this with a barely-contained look of horror that Fiona had never seen before. He let another two soldiers hold down the assailant, and Sam quietly went to the officer to be with him in his last moments, speaking to him in hushed tones and thanking him for his service and sacrifice. When the man drew his final breath, Sam rose slowly and faced the rest of the room.

"Everyone in this room is t'be searched an' profiled as per th'Lord Protector's men's discretion, aside from those I clear personally." He looked toward Fiona then. "Don't let anyone leave for any reason." He called in guards to secure any other doors and Warwick and a heavy guard detail went to defend Marianne. Dark-cloaked men came to join Sam's side, and Fiona would hear them report that other attackers had been apprehended in the castle, trying to attack key royal guard officers, and two even trying to shadow Warwick and Marianne. The attack on Sam had been the only one to get through, thanks to the assassin being a turncoat noble that they weren't aware of yet.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stood at the door when she was told by Sam to keep people from coming in and out of the room. He had a duty to do and if he was entrusting her to do a task, she wasn't going to let him down. As the royal guard died with Remaia tending to him, Fiona felt her heart clench painfully. Surely this would haunt Sam as well and after their last evening in Inverness, she worried about him greatly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Whatever Sam was feeling, it was hidden behind the mask of a soldier as more guards and Kell's men entered to control the situation. One by one, people were taken away to be thoroughly questioned and searched. Most of the military personnel in attendance didn't seem to mind, understanding the security measures. But most of the nobility didn't like it one bit and many complained the entire time, quickly forgetting that a man had just died. A few even fought. One managed to get away from the guards and came running toward the door. He tried to shove Fiona away to unbar the door.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was surprised to see one of them break away from the crowd, moving towards the doorway to escape. He shoved her to the side, but something in her took over and she was soon jumping onto his back with her arms wrapped around his throat, twisting until they both tumbled to the ground and she was on top of him with one knee squarely in his back and the other resting on the floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

The man growled and thrashed and tried to reach back and grab her, but by the time he was on.the floor, two guards had come to grab his arms. "You little bitch!" The noble snarled. "Do you have any idea who I am?!"

"Doesn' matter now, Lord Charmane," one of the guards muttered, hauling him to his feet once Fiona let go. She would see Sam watching very closely, a hand raised to the sword on his belt and ready. But he let it drop away seeing Fiona was in control.

 

[heartofcourage]

"The general gave me an order to protect this door just as he gave you an order to stay put. One of us will be spending time in the jail and it certainly won't be me." Fiona said as she let him go and the guards too over.

 

[KieranSoares]

The nobleman continued shouting about his station and his rights as he was dragged away. Sam gave Fiona a nod and turned back to speaking with Kell's men. It was two hours before the doors were finally opened again and most of those in attendance were allowed to leave with their orders. A few were being held back for further questioning and investigation.

The only one who remained was Remaia, who wanted to speak with Sam as he was the leader of Inverness' military forces. Sam saw that the murdered officer was taken respectfully to an undertaker and sent two guardsmen to find the officer's family. Then he finally turned his attention to Remaia, who waited patiently beside Fiona.

"Ma'am," Sam nodded and.rhey introduced themselves.

"General, I've come to join the riders."

"I'm afraid tha's not up t'me. The Riders govern themselves. I'm sure if Fiona would vouch for you, they'd welcome you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She wishes to go to England to help them." Fiona said softly as Sam was introduced for the female dragon rider beside her. "I think it's a good idea. We are mostly concentrated here. Even those that are protecting the dragons and fledglings up North are here in Scotland now. It's time for us to spread ourselves out."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll take it up with the others when we get back. Until then, I migh' have a job fer you, Lady Remaia. We were goin' t'stop by Glasgow on our way back, but it'd be better fer Gallus' t'know sooner than-"

"Say no more. Prepare what you need for him and I'll see it delivered personally," Remaia nodded.

"I'll get it all to you by this evening," Sam nodded before he was pulled away by someone else. But before he left the room, he looked to Fiona. "Keep an eye on Warwick. He's definitely a target."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona wanted to go back to their rooms with Sam, but it seemed that he was being pulled away. She nodded as he told her to watch out for Warwick and she was soon being escorted to where he was sitting with Marianne, explaining the situation to her as she looked so concerned.

"I've been told to stay at your side." Fiona said as he looked up at her confused. "I'm not sure what all I can do, but since Sam has commanded it, I will do it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It would be more useful to look after him, but I suppose he has Kell's men for that," Warwick sighed. "Sit down, dear, and worry about him with us."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded and took a seat next to Warwick, seeing the strain on Marianne's features. "I assure you both that everything is alright. You lost a guard's man, which is difficult, but everything is secured now. That's the best I think you can hope for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He was a good man, one Kate trusted," Marianne sighed. "He was so looking forward to seeing her come home with a baby."

"The treasury will cover any final expenses and support his family," Warwick murmured. "But I worry for Sam. This will sit heavily on his mind for a while."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam's mind is already heavy enough. I'll be sure to watch him so he doesn't sink too far into a depression." Fiona promised them both. "It's my mission in life to make sure that he is well and truly happy. I honestly don't know if he has been since he was a young boy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't think he has. Any happy moments he has are usually shadowed by something," Marianne agreed. "But it's good that he has you. He's needed someone for a long while now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm still not convinced that I can give him what he needs, but I try." Fiona admitted to the both of them. "I'm just as stubborn as he is when it comes down to it. I think I have it in me to out wait him on anything."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It may not be a question of waiting, my dear. In Samuel's case, it may be better to force him to face his demons, no matter how much it hurts. He will be better for it in the long run," Marianne murmured. "If Kitty were still here, she'd know just what to do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've heard that a lot lately." Kate said as the door to the room opened and a mud splattered Mako stepped in, a bundle of letters under one arm and a young boy following behind him.

"Grandma!" Lynndon exclaimed, running into the room to greet his grandmother with a tight hug, no matter how messy he was from the hard ride from Inverness.

Mako had letters for the both of them, one from Kayla explaining that she knew Lynndon was due for his annual visit to Edinburgh and even though they were in the middle of a war, none of them would miss it for the world. Warwick was handed a letter written in Kate's own hand, telling him about the cub and the danger that they had faced.

'Scotland has an heir to be proud of. Prince Brogan Damien was born a small sickly little boy, but he has brought me much joy. He looks like his father with the darkest fur. His eyes are green and blue together and are one of the most beautiful things that I had ever seen. Please tell everyone. They need a reason to celebrate in the middle of this horrible time.'