Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I followed her into the woods to her camp and she held me at the point of a crossbow. Her intent was to lure Sam to me and kill him. I have no doubt she would have killed me as well. I threw the knife at her for a distraction. I didn't mean to kill her and I didn't know what else to do when the guard came along but run. I knew that my story would sound far fetched." Fiona admitted. "I didn't want to be responsible for the death of Samuel Ghis. I did what I had to do to get away."

 

[KieranSoares]

Taqu'un didn't react to her story at all, moving on to the next subject on his list. "You have weeks of charges for resisting arrest. Then they stopped after the day you and Sam came across the Greek camp. Tell me what happened there, from the moment Sam found you and what he did with you after you left the camp."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He chased me. When I was running away, I fell down a steep hill and injured myself. A concussion and a dislocated shoulder. Alex Irons and Valentina Ambrose helped to put me back together." Fiona said, looking towards Taqu'un as he asked her what seemed like a dozen questions. "We came across the Greek camp and the dead drakes. There was one that survived and he was taken to the Shanendoah farm. I've helped nurse Roman back to health and he's mine now."

"Sam let me go. He swore that there would be a time and a place for my crimes, but that time was not then. I know that I've done bad things in my life. Someone should never steal from someone else trying to make an honest living. I'm not proud of that. I live with the guilt of knowing that I killed someone. I live with the guilt in knowing that Morgan used me. There's nothing I can do to change any of that." She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Again, Taqu'un gave her no sign as to whether he felt sympathy or understanding for her plight. He picked up four papers at once, glancing over them. "I have four testimonies here... One from Samuel, one from Julia and Brogan and a few other Ghis, one from Aleister MacNamara, and the last is a summary of what was found in Kerrigan's journal about you and the intentions of the Greeks that attacked and captured you and young Heather."

He read them over to her, starting with the evidence against her. Morgan had written that she was an asset who owed him favors and she would get him close to Brogan and Rhodan to fulfill a contract with an unnamed employer who'd also paid for the Greeks' passage to Inverness to destroy Invah and hopefully dethrone Brogan for having knowingly harbored a dangerous god-like creature.

Aleister's testimony was a simple acceptance of Fiona's apology and a good word on her hard work to support Will and help him be a Ranger like he'd always dreamed. Julia and Brogan's testimony was added to by the Irons and Shenandoahs, insisting that Fiona was a kind soul in a bad situation, that she'd shown a great deal of courage and had saved Heather and done everything she could to keep Invah and the Ghis from being hurt. David and Annie remarked on her compassion for Roman and her hard work to repay them for boarding him, often doing more than she actually needed to. The Irons spoke of the I jury she'd incurred from her chase with Sam and that they believed the law should not punish her so harshly for having been dropped into a terrible situation with no say in the matter.

Sam's testimony was the most professional, and he'd slaved over it to get every detail right. It sounded like a soldier's report at first, honestly and completely fleshing out their interactions at first during their chases, the finding of the camp, the times he let her go and she let him go, and up to the night she'd been welcomed to dine with the Ghis. He made only a small mention of any relationship, knowing that his love for her would make his testimony be taken less seriously because he was biased. But he reported everything honestly, right down to his intentions to make sure she saw Scandinavia no matter what Taqu'un's judgement was.

When he finished, Taqu'un laid the papers aside and looked across the table to Fiona. "If you were in my position, Miss Blackstone, knowing all that you'd done both good and bad, and knowing what prison might do to you and other people who support you... What judgement would you give yourself?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was scared as Taqu'un read the statements that had been gathered for and against her. It had been trust that she might have owed Morgan more than a little from her time on the streets, but she felt that she had repaid that ten fold. He had demanded things from her that she was not prepared to give to him in exchange for what he had given her.

Her grandfather had always taught her to be a good person, no matter what the circumstances were. She knew that she had done a lot of good things in Inverness, but that amount of guilt that was weighing on her chest felt as if she needed to pay for even more.

"I don't know." Fiona said honestly, looking towards him as he asked her how she would decide her own punishment. "Since my grandfather died, I've not had people want to take care of me. I know that they don't want to see me go to prison, but I also did some terrible things in my life. All of the food that I've stolen, all of the things that I took to keep things going...I know that I have to answer for that. The life that I took. What if she had a family? People that loved her? How do I ever make up for that?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Taqu'un's gaze finally softened, and he sorted through the pile to find another paper. "I can answer some of those questions for you, so you understand the gravity of the situation with this woman."

He pulled out the page and read it aloud to her. "Adonia Glykeria of Athens, wife of Kibwe Marjani of Egypt." He glanced at her at that, knowing she'd remember Marjani as the captain of the witch-hunters. "Glykeria killed her husband- an Athenian council member- and abandoned her four children to run away with Marjani and marry him and join his apparently 'God-given' cause. She became an infamous contract killer, able to pull strings all around southern Europe and northern Africa to bring people close enough to kill. As for your particular plight, Miss Blackstone, Glykeria attacked and nearly killed the merchant holding your inheritance while he was on his way to Scotland to find you. He is currently recovering in southern France."

Laying the paper down, Taqu'un added, "Athens had a bounty on her head worth five-hundred Scottish silvers, which you are free to contact them through Brogan about. You had no way of knowing this, I do know that. But I also know from having been to the scene myself, that this woman did indeed have a crossbow pointed at you like you said. Therefore, I'm letting this go as self-defense. As for the charges of resisting arrest... Sam dropped all of those and so did the other Invernessian soldiers and officers, after you gave yourself up to protect Heather. They believe it's more than fair."

Looking back down at one of the papers, Taqu'un murmured, "However... there is still the matter of the thieving you've done between your last pardon and now. Merchants who've reported stolen goods since then, aside from a couple more expensive pieces from craftsmen which I'm aware you didn't steal, have only reported missing food and basic supplies that hardly cost them a thing. I'm willing to let you off these charges if you find an honest job again and pay a fine of twenty silvers which will be used to reimburse the losses. You will have a year to save it up, as I understand you have a young friend to look after."

"And speaking of which... you are considered young William's guardian. As such, I want to know what he's up to whether or not I should be concerned about his history as a thief and lockpicker anymore. As he has become a Ranger, I'm willing to let him be if I have your confidence that he'll remain honest."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wouldn't feel right taking the reward money." Fiona said in a soft voice. "Not after what happened. And I don't agree with that must punishment. I feel it need to be much harsher. I tried to take things that were old or not useful to the person any longer, but I still stole. I don't want any of this to be swayed by the fact that the Ghis wrote a few kind words for me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Miss Blackstone, I was a warrior all my young life until I took my grandfather's place," Taqu'un explained to her. "And in all my time being a man of law and judgement, I've seen perfectly good people who've done far worse than you, given a second chance because people around them cared. My judgement isn't influenced by the fact that the Ghis are family. It's influenced by the trust I feel, that if I give you this chance, you're going to make the most of it. You're young and able with a good head on your shoulder. Youth and good work ethic shouldn't be wasted rotting away in a prison cell, especially when prison won't teach you anything and there's a boy out there who needs you and a family that cares about you, royal or not. So all I want from you is to keep your nose clean, a small fine, and a promise that if things get out of hand again, you will seek help rather than resorting to theft. You may think you deserve more, but your own guilt is all the torture you need. Make up for the things you've done by becoming a productive member of society, and I'll call us even."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona thought that over for a long moment and finally gave a small nod. She knew that she wasn't going to convince him to give her more than she deserved. She would just have to make sure that no one regretted giving her a second chance.

"Alright." She said softly, glancing at Taqu'un. "I will do my best."

 

[KieranSoares]

Taqu'un pulled free one last paper and signed it, handing it over. It was a simple document saying what her sentence was and that she could no longer be prosecuted for previous crimes. "Keep that with you. Now go on home and tell Invah, and enjoy yourself. You're free."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona took the piece of paper and read it over, giving him a nod when he told her that she were free. She didn't feel very free, she thought to herself as she thanked him and let herself out. She made it out of the village in a numb haze and into the woods. Once she found a secluded spot where she could sit on a rock in piece, she pulled the paper out again and looked it over.

"I'm so sorry, grandpa." She murmured softly to herself, tears coming to her cub blue eyes. "I know this isn't the life you wanted for me."

 

[KieranSoares]

At about the same time, Sam was pacing around the Main Hall, too distracted to be of any use at his usual work, so much so that his lower officers had insisted he take the day off. He knew it was Fiona's judgement day, even though he'd asked Taqu'un so many times to delay it. But Taqu'un had insisted there was no point in waiting any longer.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather made her way excitedly into the great hall, looking for her Mama or Da. Ciaran had told her that Justin has finished her new clothes and she couldn't wait to go to get them. She paused when she heard the heavy footsteps and knew immediately that Sam had stayed home.

"Sam. Can we go to town?" She asked him, feeling her way along the table until she was close to him. "Please? Justin is finished and I can't find Ma or Da. Papa left to go visit Aunt Val. Please?" There was little that Heather got excited over but she was a ball of energy that day.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's brooding was broken by the small, excited voice that came up behind him, and he paused to look at Heather, wishing he could be so carefree at that moment. But he tried not to let on his own inner struggle and he scooped Heather up. "Sure we can, love," he murmured, kissing her cheek and carrying her away.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather laughed as Sam scooped her up, his prickly beard scratching her cheek as he kissed her. She was so excited to go and get her new things. Ciaran had promised that Justin had taken special care to make everything just for her. She wanted to try on her new slippers and feel the fabrics on her cloak.

"He might be finished with the things you got for Fiona too. She'll be happy to get them." Heather commented as Sam made quick time with her in his arms. "I would have gone on my own. I can find the way, but Mama would be mad."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you can, but even I don' want you goin' alone. No' yet anyway." Sam finally set her down outside the tailor shop door, opening it up for her before they stepped in.

Justin was behind the counter, and smiled to see Heather. "Hello, little love. I have some things for you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know! Ciaran told me!" Heather said, as bright and cheerful as she had ever been. "Did you make them, puppy?"

She called him puppy as a term of endearment since the time she first met the wolf that loved her brother. It was just as he called her princess from time to time.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Mostly. But Ma insisted on making a couple special touches herself," Justin told her with a chuckle at her enthusiasm. He came around the counter to take her hand. "Let's go see if they're to your liking." He led her into the back workroom where he placed the first piece- a special tartan cloak- in her hands. The outside was rough and water resistant, but the inside was especially soft wool.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather allowed Justin to lead her to the back room, a place that she wasn't usually allowed to go. She was slightly afraid of the sharp pins and scissors and Ciaran always told her that she had to be with someone when she was in there. She stopped where Justin placed her, only touching what he placed in her hands.

"Is this my cloak?" She asked as she felt the scratchy outside and then the soft interior. "It feels like Gran's tartan."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's exactly what it is," Justin told her, unfurling the cloak and wrapping it around her, and it felt just like Kitty's cloak and similar to Brogan's.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather smiled as it settled around her shoulders, touching everything from the stitching to the clasp. She was pleased to feel a dragon on the clasp, a little touch that no one else might notice.

"Gran always said that I would get my own tartan when I got older." Heather said, a slightly sad look crossing her features. "I miss her."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you do, sweetheart. I miss her too," Justin told her as he knelt down. "But I'm keeping her promise for her. One day you'll walk into courts with a beautiful tartan of your own."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, now I'll always have a little piece of her with me. It's like she's giving me a hug." Heather said with a smile coming back to her lips. "I like it. It's warm. It feels nice. Thank you, Justin. I especially like Invah on the clasp."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It was my pleasure, princess." He kissed her cheek before fetching everything else, including what Sam had gotten for Fiona.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather decided to try on her new slippers when she got home. It was best to not get them dirty before she had a chance to really use them. As they said goodbye to Justin and stepped outside the shop, Heather paused for a long moment with her hand in Sam's.

"Sam...can I find my own way home?" She asked, glancing in her brother's direction. "Mama never lets me try."