Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"We can only wait and see. The nobles will differ from the common folk. Each class and lifestyle will have a different opinion. Just don't go punching any barons."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can't make any promises about punching people." Riley muttered. "I have a reputation to uphold and sometimes all a Scot understands is a straight shot to the nose."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then just don't punch them when it's going to land us in jail," he sighed deeply. "Neither of us need our claustrophobia tested."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'd like to come back when Von Morden is sentenced. Just to support Ma." Riley said softly. "She has far too much going on in her life right now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then definitely don't get us thrown in jail, so we can actually come back. I want to support her too." Andre reached up to smooth her fur back. "Let's make a plan today after some more sleep. We need to go soon to get a good start."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley gave him a smile as he smoothed her fur back, leaning in to kiss him gently. "My Da called you my mate. I think that's the first time he's said that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, damn, I hope he thinks I'm more serious than a 'boyfriend' by now." Andre chuckled, nuzzling his forehead against hers. "Even your little brother takes me fairly seriously. I must be doing alright."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He still has his moments of suspicion, but you take care of me. That's all that I think he could hope for." Riley chuckled as Andre nuzzled against her. "I never thought that I would find someone that would let me be myself. I was too much of a handful for nearly everyone in my life."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You are a handful. But like I've been telling you from the beginning, you're an adventure. And after the way I grew up, I want freedom and adventure, and someone to get into trouble with." He offered a little grin then, whispering, "Sometimes I hope you'll punch someone, just for the thrill of trying to fight our way out of it." He chuckled and hugged her closer. "Maybe it's a little masochistic, but I never got to get into mischief or be a hellion or do anything for the chaotic fun of it all. I want to get into trouble on occasion, but not the kind that'll have big consequences. I'm more of a tavern brawl kinda guy. Then I'm content to go home and read and cook for a while."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're going to be the boring mate." Riley murmured as she kissed Andre and gave him a grin, content to simply lay there with him as they spent a lazy morning together.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's all about balance," he said simply, curling against her side to doze off once more.

As the camps and Calais Castle awoke later in the morning, there was a general quiet, tense atmosphere to the Northerners. Those who hadn't chosen their side yet were still discussing, though the general consensus among veterans and older Invernessians and Scots was that they'd come too far and lost too much to give up going home. It seemed to be the younger folk who had never seen Scotland or couldn't remember it that were unable to moralize the fight fully.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was up and dressed before Sam, leaving her husband those last few moments of sleep that he needed. She dressed simply in tunic and trousers, a heavy coat buttoned over top. She had braided back her hair and pinned it to look more like a rider, but she wore nothing on her that told of her position among her people. With the crutch that she had come to loath, she left the room in search of one person.

The soldiers from England stood in line at the great hall for food. Everyone else had waited to give them space so they wouldn't feel threatened or confined. As Fiona approached, she could feel multiple eyes turn her way. It didn't bother her in the least. She was used to being stared at.

"Finnegan Royer?" She called out, waiting for him to turn her way.

 

[KieranSoares]

The young Scot stood among his men, chatting quietly but clearly the charismatic one of the bunch. Hearing his name, he turned with a raised eyebrow til he saw Fiona. "Lady Blackstone," he greeted confidently, stepping away from the group to face her. "What can I do for you, ma'am?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m a queen in my own right, outside of my husband’s titles. Not a lady.” She said softly as he approached. “Secondly, I would like to have breakfast with you this morning. I believe that we have a few things to discuss.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ah, my mistake, Your Majesty," he nodded with a bow of his head in apology. "Rider Queen is a title I've only jus' learned, I apologize. I'd be glad t'join you."

The soldiers let Fiona and Finnegan go first, more out of respect for Fiona than anything else, and Finnegan followed her lead once they had their meals.

 

[heartofcourage]

As they took a seat, Fiona sized up the young man in front of her. He seemed like any other young Scot that she had known in her life, athletic and eager to prove himself. In fact, she had been like that once.

“I hope that you know that if we cannot negotiate with the clans for our return, you and I will be scheduled for a duel.” She murmured softly. “Not that I want that to happen.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"If yer talkin' about Inverness, tha's not my throne, Your Majesty. An' Edinburgh belongs t'my father. I'm no' a proper Prince, haven't earned it yet. And Inverness is held by King Vaughn MacKennan and Queen Saoirse Mirin. They're allied with my Da." He gave a shrug. "I came t'deliver my Da's message, ma'am, tha's all."

 

[heartofcourage]

“A message that you obviously agree with.” Fiona said as she looked up at Finnegan. “Why else would you come all this way with a simply missive?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because I don't want my people to suffer, but like my Dad an' those who respect him as High King, I also don't want t'give it all back after how hard we've been workin' to rebuild the isle ourselves. Far as I'm concerned, we earned th'right to these thrones through merit an' work."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s admirable. It truly is. And I don’t want to bring a war to your doorstep, but I think it’s inevitable.”
Fiona said with a long sigh. “I’m tired of being the villain, but we have planned and waited for twenty years for our opportunity to go home. It’s never stopped being home. A home that we have been barred from because of the treaty that we were forced to sign. I haven’t seen my mother’s grave in that time.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think the general consensus among those in power now is tha' they wouldn' stop you from movin' back, an' in fact some of 'em might even encourage it. But few are willin' to return what they took from th'Imperials, even if it was once yours."

Finn offered a slightly bittersweet smile. "But we know we'll lose. The North is the most powerful alliance in th'world right now. A bunch of rebel barons and Clan Kings doesn' stand a chance. Jus' like you didn't back when the Empire unleashed hell on you. We jus' wanna lose with dignity. But there's a lot o' common folk who are real excited to have the Ghis back."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Young man, you might think that they would welcome us to Scotland, but to have potential usurpers in your home is a different matter.” Fiona said as Finn seemed so confident that they could go home. “It’s kind of you to think that might happen.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not naïve, Your Majesty. I know some wouldn' like it. But I know plenty who have nothin' against you as well." Finn shrugged then. "Politics an' war are never cut an' dry or easy. I'm no' so foolish as t'think any o' this will be smooth."

 

[heartofcourage]

“And what have you heard about me? Am I the ghost in your fairy tales as well?” Fiona asked, interested to know what he had been told about her over the years.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's mixed. Among the common folk, th'former Imperials're bloody terrified o' you. But th'Scots seem t'be proud tha' you're one of 'em. They're pretty proud o' any Scottish-born legend, really, but when your name comes up, they love t'mention how a Scot put down the last Emperor an' pacified th'new one. Don' know how much truth there is t'all that, but it's a good story."