Sionnach (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Andre and I are going to Scotland. Wick first and then down towards Inverness." Riley said, confident in her plans. "I feel like we might be able to make some headway with the chiefs of the clans that far north."

 

[KieranSoares]

If he hadn't been awake before, Sam was then. He stared at Riley, shoulders tense, but he remained silent and resisted the urge to immediately tell her 'no.' Instead, his gaze slowly turned to Fiona, more concerned for her reaction.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Riley, they don't want to listen to us." Fiona said softly as she stared at her daughter. "You have nothing to prove to us by going."

"But I do and I think they will." Riley insisted as she looked over at her Da. "I know you wouldn't want me to do this, but I feel like I can do some good."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We don't know what it's like for werefolk there right now, love," Sam warned softly. "And a Norwegian accent is going to work against you, even if you can speak English and Gaelic. I'm worried some Clan King is going to see a pelt for his wall rather than a fellow person if you try to talk to them."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I could go to Norway and face the same, Da. You both have always tried to warn me about the dangers that are out there. Andre understands them too." Riley insisted as Sam tried to dissuade her. "And my accent isn't that thick compared to others. I'm sure that they have people from all over the world come in and out of Scotland."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can't stop you," Sam murmured. "You're twenty. You have a mate and you both have partners. And you're an independent Rider, not bound to Norway or the North."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I didn't even want to tell the both of you that I was going to do this, but Jani and Ezra said it wasn't fair." Riley said as Fiona chuckled softly.

"I know what it's like to run off without a word to those you love. It's not fair." Fiona said as she looked over at Sam and remembered when she had gone off to Sweden after breaking his heart so many years ago. "Love, I won't tell you that this is wrong. I think it's futile."

"Ma, this is my chance to help this family in the only way that I know how," Riley murmured. "If the Scots of Inverness and Wick are anything like my aunts and uncles and grandparents, I can handle this. I know how they work and what works best in getting through to them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If Riley can talk even one Clan into siding with us, or talk anyone out o' fighting, it won't be futile," Sam sighed, knowing any lives saved and aggression avoided was worth the effort. "And all the better if y'start in Wick. If you can start out with the support of a Clan in Scotland itself, an' not just our name behind you, more may listen. Cahal's well-respected an' Abel's a beloved voice o' the people. Their support will go a long way in northern Scotland a' least."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So, you're alright with this?" Riley asked, looking between the two of them.

"Like your Da said, you are your own person." Fiona murmured as she placed her hand on Riley's and squeezed it tightly. "I'm not completely sold, but you'll have Andre with you. I trust the two of you to watch out for danger."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam reached out to smooth Riley's fur back, his expression worried and tired, but seemingly a little more determined. "I don' know if it'll work, little love. But anythin's worth tryin'. An' I know if anyone can match wits an' stubbornness with overprotective Scots, it's you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've had to deal with them all my life." Riley said with a slight smile as she leaned over and hugged her father tightly before she did the same for her mother. "I promise that I won't do anything to make them mad. If things turn for the worse, we will leave."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And listen to Andre's advice," Sam reminded. "He's got a lot o' experience with common and poor folk. An' you may need th'people's support over their leaders in some places. And... well, I trust Andre's ability to watch yer back, keep Hunters an' angry lords off you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley gave them a nod and a solemn promise that she wasn't going to risk herself. When she left, Fiona sank back against her pillows and felt utterly defeated. She hadn't wanted her child to take up her mission in life. It wasn't even what Riley wanted out of life, but she was willing to do it to make her family content and happy.

"I feel like I've aged fifty years in the last few hours." Fiona said softly, looking over at Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I feel just about th'same," Sam muttered with a deep sigh, dropping his head into his hands for a long moment before rubbing his eyes and combing his hair back. "Goddammit I hope she succeeds, but I don' want to put any stock in tha' path either... An' I don't want to risk her."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Come back to bed for a while." Fiona said as she saw just how tired he looked. "You need sleep and I want to be held."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam glanced over, briefly considering starting his day early instead. But he couldn't resist his wife's call for comfort. So, tossing aside his shirt, he slipped back into bed and drew her in, letting out and deep breath and settling at her side in moments.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona let out a long sigh and settled against Sam's warmth, burying her head against his chest. It was the only way that she could really relax and she needed him desperately at that moment. His staying with her when she asked spoke volumes.

"We'll get through this, Sam." She said softly. "We always find a way."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We do," he agreed quietly. "Someday soon, we're gonna sit in the main hall again as a clan, with a proper feast an' friends around us, tellin' old stories an' remembering th'people who got us through all o' this."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley found her way back to Andre's side, slipping back into bed as he slept like she hadn't ever been gone. She was dozing beside him when she felt him shift and she sighed as she opened her eyes and found herself staring into his calm gaze.

"I told them." Riley said softly. "And they're fine as long as we're together."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I figured they wouldn't stop you," Andre muttered, his usual calm and serene self as ever. Laying his head back in its spot on her shoulder, he sighed before asking, "When do you want to go?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Soon. We need to think about a new name. I don't think a Ghis or a Zaufberg will be very inconspicuous in Scotland." Riley said as she nuzzled against Andre.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Neither will a Fox and a half-breed," Andre reminded with a little smile. "I'll leave that up to you. There may be some people who will respect your name, but others who won't. But you can bet my name won't inspire much confidence."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess it's harder to hide who I am." Riley said, not even thinking of the fact that she was a full fox and not like her Ma. "I honestly don't know what to expect. They could welcome us with open arms or kick us out as soon as we arrive."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can start with the Dunlands at least. They'll give us an idea of who to start with and who might listen," Andre encouraged. "Odds are, lots of folks in and around Inverness and Inverlochly will still respect the Ghis name. Maybe Edinburgh too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't know if I trust them at their word, Koah. They said that they have been happy and cared for, but that is one prince speaking for an entire group. How can we trust them after everything that we've been through?" Riley asked as she let out a long sigh. "I know I'm ready for a fight, but I will try my hardest to be on my best behavior."