Sionnach (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Who knew an old grump could be one for tradition." Riley murmured.

"Of course he loves tradition." Fiona said with a laugh. "He couldn't survive without it. He especially loves helping little ones discover those first traditions. Rikke's first birthday was a sight to be seen. Same with her first flight."

 

[KieranSoares]

"There aren't many others to carry on the traditions," Schaller reminded, laying his head down on his free arm. "I'm no teacher, but I hope Rikke can carry some of them on."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Young ones have no sense for tradition, but they constantly surprise me." Fiona said, glancing over at Riley. "I had no idea that any of my children would be Callers nor would even want to explore that side of them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Soma and Riley have yet to see the true depths of their abilities in quieter settings," Schaller mused. "Using them in a conflict is one thing. But really exploring them and honing them slowly and carefully is another."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know it makes me mad when you talk about me like I'm not here." Riley muttered as Fiona chuckled and shook her head.

"So desperate to prove yourself, little one. You always have been." Fiona said softly. "You're like me in so many ways, even if it was your Da that you always took after."

"I'm not desperate for anything." Riley insisted, looking over at her mother.

"Says a desperate woman. When you were old enough to have your own words to voice your opinion, you wanted to do things in your own way in your own time. It's the same now. I know you want to go to Scotland on your own, but you've put that on hold because of what happened with your Da and I. And now Andre's concerns. If you wish to go, you should go. Be bold and brave."

 

[KieranSoares]

Schaller nodded in agreement despite his own worries. "You are far too much like your mother, little kit. Embrace it. Just make sure you come back. No getting caught or dying far from us."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And if you do get caught, give the jailor hell." Fiona said with a grin as Invah came in for a landing with Sam, the smaller dragon shaking water from her scales as she got her footing. "That's how I got under your Da's skin."

 

[KieranSoares]

Seeing his wife and daughter sitting with Schaller. Sam slid down Invah's side and made his way over. He still seemed permanently tired lately, but he had been keeping himself busy making sure everyone was ready to head back to Trondheim.

"Morning," Sam greeted, giving Schaller's arm a pat as he stepped up. "What schemin' is on th'list fer today?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm encouraging our girl to give any jailor that comes her way hell." Fiona said as she leaned against Schaller's warm scales. "And Schaller is giving her a history lesson in his own way."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam took a seat on Schaller's arm beside Riley with a sigh. "Well, since yer here, I've got an update from Soma. We're ready earlier'n expected. Soldiers are packin' up and heading toward Trondheim as we speak. We can leave anytime yer all up to it. We're gonna hit Edinburgh as soon as th'ice is all out o' the bays, so probably April 'r May. More'n a month."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Good. I’ll be back on my own turf where I can plan in peace. People won’t be hovering over me.” Fiona said as Sam told her of the news. “And we will have Tati back and she can keep an eye on you as you get some rest. No work until you’re back to normal. You look like death.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. ma.” Riley said softly as Fiona seemed ready to dive head first into her duties.

“Your father has taken on far too much for me. It’s the least I can do.” Fiona said with a shrug. “Besides, Tati will want to be useful.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You still need plenty o' rest too," Sam reminded his wife with a sigh. "Alex is pretty adamant on a' least a couple more weeks before you go back into training. But he's gettin' on me too now. So Tati an' I will have t'keep you in check. We have plenty of officers an' trusted folks t'share the load, so no excuses."

Sam sat back, leaning on Schaller's chest as well with a tired sigh. "It'll be nice t'have everyone together a while... An' Joachim, Tanya, Kjersten, an' Ivan will be joining us too as we get ready. Joachim's gonna bolster guard in th'coastal countries t'keep things safe should any o' the rebels try t'make trouble elsewhere t'lash back at us, but we're funneling almost everything into taking southern Scotland first. We need t'secure a route to Ireland as fast as possible. But Soma's also lookin' at sendin' a second force up north t'help defend Wick an' get Abel an' Cahal stable an' ready t'fight southward. Once we take Scotland, then we turn to England. If all goes well... Maybe we'll see home before autumn."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam, don't think about that right now. You need rest." Fiona said as she reached over and ran her fingers through his long shaggy hair. "You'll wear yourself out before you ever even make it to Scotland."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My job is t'think about it, love. But I'm takin' my own advice an' lettin' other officers handle th'details. My strength is directing th' big picture anyway. I need th'free time t'worry about you lot." He pulled a glove off and lifted his hand to press over hers when it came to rest on his cheek, and he kissed her palm before sighing quietly. "I'm jus' thankful yer still here fer me to worry about at all, love." He didn't mind showing that moment of weakness in front of Schaller and Riley, but it was only a glimpse into Sam's panic and sorrow at being reminded of Fiona's mortality again, twice over. All he wanted was to give her a safe and stable foundation where she could build the sort of life she wanted, and start fresh anytime without fear. He'd told her as much many times, and how he was happy to simply exist alongside her and follow rather than lead. But what he feared more than anything was losing his partner, his queen. And having nearly lost her to a strange new weapon and a rogue Rider within just weeks of one another, had hit him hard.

Sam turned his attention to Riley then. "Same goes fer you, love... Too many close calls this past year. Far too many." He pulled her tightly against his side, hugging her in one arm while his other hand still held Fiona's across the small gap between them sitting on Schaller's crossed arms. Sam glanced up to Schaller as well. "An' it goes fer you too, ol' man. Maybe you never got as bad as Marth... but I worried about you after Tonder. Oliveras's dragon was no joke, an' tha' bite was deep."

"I appreciate the concern, even if I want to tell you it's not necessary." Schaller smiled lightly at the scene before him, leaning down to touch his maw to Sam's shoulder in quiet support as well. Even if Sam had held together for the past month or so, it was clear he needed a bit of extra care now that Fiona was on the mend.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know that I'll always be your girl, but I do have a life now." Riley said as Sam pulled her tightly against his side. "And someone else to worry and fret about me. He's almost as bad as you."

She leaned her head against her father's broad shoulder, one of her favorite places to be in the world. "Also, you two need to cool it in public. You embarrass Soma and I."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yer Ma an' I usually don' show things in public. But we also always made it a point t'show love at home around you kids so you wouldn' settle fer less with yer own loves." Sam chuckled, smoothing her fur back. "Besides, no one else is payin' attention. So we'll embarrass you later in front o' everyone."

 

[heartofcourage]

On the day that the troops were readying to leave for Trondheim, Fiona had been out early to speak to most of her riders. Some had orders to go directly to the coast while some would come with her back to Trondheim for further planning. Soma had worked hard on the timing of everything, but there was still a great unknown.

She was getting Schaller buckled into his harness, a task that she made look incredibly easy. She was getting stronger every day. Thanks to a special addition to her armor, her injured hip and leg were protected and provided the support that she needed to walk unassisted. She was stiff, but in her mind it was much better than walking with a cane.

"Does Sam trust me enough to ride with Invah today or should we expect a visitor in the saddle?" She asked her dragon as she finished up and moved to face him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As much as I'm sure he wants to hover and make sure you're steady, he has to oversee things. It's just you and me," Schaller replied, leaning down to level his eye with her. "You've had a couple test flights to make sure that head injury doesn't bother too much... But make sure you speak up if you need a break."

 

[heartofcourage]

The test flights had been rough. She fainted much easier, even when she had felt fight on take off. Her head ached fiercely at certain altitudes. It had been Schaller that had kept her from falling from the sky completely that convinced people that she might have been ready to go at a longer trip.

"I know you're incredibly worried. I'll give you the choice to make your comfortable. I can ride in the saddle or I can ride in your claws." Fiona offered, knowing that without her dragon, she would be grounded.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can start out with the saddle," Schaller assured her. "I trust you to tell me when you need a break. And we'll stay low to avoid altitude blackouts for now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't know if that's wise considering that there are dragons that might be looking for an opportunity against an elder dragon." Fiona said with a sigh. "But if you insist, then there's little I can do to convince you otherwise."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We're not going to be out there alone. We're certainly not breaking from the main group. So Jani and Sam will be nearby at least. I would not take you out alone." Schaller gave her a gentle nuzzle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You sentimental old fool." Fiona said as he nuzzled against her. "I know you're itching to go see Sveri and Rikke. I've had you away too long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm also glad to be flying with you properly again." Schaller gave her a light nudge before lifting his head a few feet, seeing Invah glide over and land nearby, Sam sliding off the saddle to approach a group readying wagons. He doled out a few orders and sent some soldiers off to spread the word, before turning to approach Fiona.

"Riley an' Andre are goin' ahead t'make sure things are clear, Soma's flyin' with Ezra, an' Tanya an' Joachim are gonna trade off watches with some of our Riders."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So that leads you open to watch me and Schaller." Fiona said with a slight smile. "I'm fine, Sam. This ride will be the smoothest we've ever had."