Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"You didn' know a thing about my family, an' you didn' know me when you set out. Family or no, I call tha' generosity. We could've had soldiers give chase, but no' a dragon. You deserve proper respect an' honor for stepping in. Riders aren' bound t'any loyalties, tha's the way it was in th'old days."

Deidre rose at that, approaching Fiona with a fine wooden box. It contained a circular golden medal set with the image of a kingly stag over a castle bastion, the symbol of Glasgow and Gallus' house. "As a mark of appreciation, alliance, an' protection, my wife and I would like you to have that medal," Gallus spoke up. "It marks you as a friend, an' if you or any ally or friend or dragon you care for need a safe haven, you'll find it in Glasgow, at the castle."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you, your highness." Fiona said looking at the medal that had been presented to her.

It was handsomely made and she would add it to her armor with pride. She wondered if Sam would make comment about it, but she was still upset with him and decided that she wouldn't even think about him for the moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As the one responsible for his capture," Marlisa murmured as she rose and Deidre stepped back after giving the box to Fiona, "you have the right to the assassin's fate. He has proven to have little useful information, and it has been decided unanimously that he must be executed. By ancient law in our lands, the captor and the victim or victim's family of a criminal sentenced to death must be their executioners. As my husband is in no state to lift a blade and my children have refused... The duty is left to you or I. And I would like to offer it to you first." In Glasgow, while some outsiders considered the tradition barbaric, it was kept very carefully and meant to make people face those they sentenced to death, but it was also a form of honor and respect.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stared at the queen as the offer was extended to allow her to execute the prisoner if she would like. Slowly Fiona shook her head and bowed towards the queen as formally as she possibly could.

"I am not a killer, your highness. Nor do I think Sam would like it if I accepted the offer." Fiona said softly. "The decision is all yours."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It would not make you a killer, it would make you a dispenser of justice. The offer will stand for three days. And I must say that Samuel has no bearing on any of this. He was not involved. But should you keep your decision, I will be the executioner in Gallus' place."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I will think it over, but I promise that my decision will not waver." Fiona said softly as the queen explained what would happen if she kept her decision firm.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Either way... Thank you again," Marlisa murmured before she let Fiona go on her way.

At that time, Sam was in the main hall fielding reports and organizing a better system of guarding the walls and gates.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Fiona stepped into the main hall, she paused when she saw Sam still working. She both wanted to wrap him up in the tightest hug she could and slap him just as harshly. Her kind was made up that she would let him be the one to make the move to affection. She needed him to prove that he did indeed want her and wanted to get better.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam paused amid his work, his gaze locking with Fiona's as for a moment, he forgot the people talking to him and the maps and reports before him. The short respite had allowed him to calm down but he looked no less tense. She held his attention for a long moment before a man asking for him finally woke him up.

"General? Sir?"

Sam looked to the man and handed him a small stack of papers and sent him off. He glanced back to Fiona and after a moment's hesitation, he motioned her over.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord." Fiona said formally as Sam motioned her towards him. "Was there something that you needed?"

 

[KieranSoares]

If her lack of familiarity hurt, Sam remained unreadable. "I need someone t'deliver orders to an outpost west of the city quickly, if yer up for it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That only depends on if my fiancée would let me go." Fiona said, crossing her arms over her chest. "It seems he doesn't like it when I go off to do my duties."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam took a deep breath at that, while the men around him all paused. They could immediately sense the tension and didn't dare speak up. Sam tossed a bundle of envelopes to the edge of the table toward Fiona. "Well, your fiancee doesn' feel like goin' over this again in front of everyone, an' if you don' want t'do it, a courier'll take it." He turned away from her at that.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona said nothing as she took the packet of letters that he had given her to deliver. "I'll make sure that they get to where they need to go."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam glanced back at her for a moment as she walked away. He wanted to say something, but his stubborn pride stopped him. Outside, Invah was asleep in the courtyard.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona left Invah alone, going to find Gaiann instead. Invah needed sleep after her trip to track the assassins.

"Can you take me to the outpost?" Fiona said as she came up on him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Gaiann was nearby, curled up against the courtyard wall. When Fiona approached him, he rose. "Of course, my love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would ask Invah but she needs her rest." Fiona said as she climbed onto Gaiann, settling in for the short ride to the outpost. "And I'm angry at Sam, so it'll be nice to get away."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ah. The young Ghis is being difficult again," Gaiann nodded, climbing up on the stone wall to take off.

 

[heartofcourage]

"More so than ever before." Fiona said with a sigh as Gaiann took flight, the steep incline making her sit low over his back. "I wish I could just ring his bell and have him see reason."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Always worth a try. But then again, his pride will only make it worse. Men like him go down before they can come back up."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm tired of the fight." Fiona confessed softly, her shoulders slumping slightly. "And he has to know that. I just...I wish he would show me this is what he wants. That I'm worth fighting for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Samuel is a direct man. While I don't think you should have to cater to him- this is after all a relationship of two parties- you may have to be incredibly direct and blunt, and show him exactly what he will lose," Gaiann offered quietly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've tried. He knows I won't marry him until he sorts things out." Fiona said softly, shaking her head. "And he insists that he would figure it out if he could. I'm nothing more than a soldier in his eyes, one that he likes a little more than the others."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's not true, Fiona. He acts that way when he's trying to keep the world out to protect himself. While it's not a good enough excuse, that's what Sam is doing. Typical of men expected to be powerful and emotionless leaders by their men. And his work has been his life for most of his life."