Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Sam only smiled, letting his eyes close as he relaxed back against the tree and sighed quietly. "Bother me tomorrow when I 'ave energy for it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona chuckled as she rested her head against his broad shoulder and closed her eyes, sighing as she slowly relaxed. She dozed, losing herself in a moment with her husband. It seemed like a few hours before she felt Sam tense and his arms held her tightly in a protective stance. She couldn’t see what was happening, one arm wrapping around her head to protect her.

A young wolf, Salama, a life long member of the Voya stood just feet away, trembling as she trained a cross bow on the pair in the dark. She was sobbing, deep heaving sobs as she met Sam’s gaze.

“Don’t move.” Salama muttered, trying so hard to be braver than she felt. “I don’t want to do this.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had locked eyes with the young Wolf as he shielded Fiona from her. At first there was confusion in his gaze, wondering if she'd been out hunting and mistaken them for prey. At her words, his brows furrowed in anger instead.

"Salama," he called quietly. "... What're you up to, cub?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“They took him. They took him and said I wanted him back I had to do this.” Salama said, her voice shaking as she raised the crossbow a little higher. “My cub needs a father. It has to be her highness. That was the deal.”

Fiona tried to remain calm, her fingers curling against Sam’s vest as she listened to Salama explain what she was doing.

 

[KieranSoares]

"There are other ways, sweetheart..." Sam tried to reason softly, but his voice was full of dangerous warning. "Don't make me do somethin' everyone's gonna regret."

With one side turned away from Salama, only Fiona could see Sam secretly sliding a small knife out of his belt.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sam...” Fiona murmured, watching as he slowly pulled his knife from its sheath.

“What other way? They’re sending him to Spain.” Salama muttered in misery. “He’ll die there or worse. I’m not stupid. I know what they do to wolves there.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We've freed people before, an' we take care of our own," Sam reminded her. "But if you don' put that crossbow down, I can't help you. I know who did this. We've dealt with 'er before. Put that down an' we'll talk."

As the blade came free and Sam's arm tensed to throw, he murmured. "Please... I don' want anyone t'lose a mother today."

 

[heartofcourage]

At the mention of her cub, Salama closed her eyes as if she were in physical pain. She shook her head and cried again, the crossbow dropping to her side as she sobbed in fear and misery. “I need him back. I need him back for Zafir.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Gently moving Fiona from his lap, Sam stood and walked toward Salama. Sheathing his knife, he reached out to take and unload the crossbow before pulling the young Wolf against his chest. "We're gonna do everything we can for you, love... but Stila Oliveras was never gonna make good on tha' deal." He hugged her tightly in one arm, keeping firm hold of the crossbow and glancing back at Fiona. His calm mask hid absolute panic underneath, but also anger that was starting to simmer back to the surface.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Please. I need him back.” Salama sobbed against Sam’s chest as Fiona moved slowly forward and took the crossbow from him. “We went to see his family. We did everything we were supposed to do on the trip, but they found out I was Voya. I had to choose between Tuck and Zafir.”

“You did the right thing.” Fiona said softly. “Your child is what is important.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Come on," Sam murmured to the young Wolf, gently setting her into motion beside him. "Fiona, I'm gonna get her back where we can keep an eye on her an' Zafir. Get th'Riders an' send fer Kell. We need t'react fast."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave a nod as Sam guided Salama back in the direction of the village. She followed until they broke through the forest and she pulled her whistle free to send out a warning to any riders on call. With Schaller gone to the haven after Rikke, she was at a disadvantage, but she’d figure out an alternative.

 

[KieranSoares]

It took a few minutes for a response thanks to the late hour, but soon a few whistles answered and spread the call. The first person to arrive as per usual was Jani, dressed but with only her chestplate and belt and weapons, with Avfairn saddled quickly. Ezra and the few other Northern Riders took a little longer, but a few village Riders came in as well.

Jani slid down from the saddle near Fiona and Sam just outside of Rhett's home, her long, dark hair still loose. "What's happened?" She asked quickly, a hand loosely on her axe seeing Fiona carrying a crossbow, and a weeping young Wolf with them.

"Oliveras has decided she's ready t'start tormenting people again," Sam growled. "She's taken a Voya. Tuck, he's a Wolf about your height, dark brown fur, thin, you'd know 'im as a carpenter, works with Yul a lot."

"I know him. I'll tell our Riders and scout out."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Send a free dragon my way and I'll join you." Fiona said as she passed the crossbow off to her Uncle Rhett who had come at the first signs of a commotion.

Salama was almost inconsolable as Orla came out to help comfort the young wolf. It was a few moments later that her child, Zafir, was brought. The infant cub was only a few months old and peacefully slept despite everything happening around him.

"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." Salama asked over and over again of Sam as she held her son tightly against her chest.

Fiona sighed and shook her head, glancing at motion in the doorway and catching sight of a sleepy Tati standing in the open door. She moved quickly and picked up the young fox, taking her back into the house.

"You should be in bed." Fiona said softly.

"What's...happening?" Tati asked as she rested her head heavily on Fiona's shoulder.

"Adult things, little kit. Nothing to concern yourself about." She murmured, taking Tati back into her room and settling her back in bed. "Your Da will stay here with you. Mama has a few things to take care of right now."

"I want you...to stay." Tati muttered, rubbing at her eyes and yawning.

"I wish I could, love." Fiona brushed Tati's soft fur back, pausing when the young fox looked so disappointed. "Give me a few moments, sweet girl."

She leaned in and kissed her forehead before she stood and made her way back outside, waiting for a moment to speak to Sam privately. "I need you to go out for me, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had left Salama to Orla's care, knowing the veteran warrior could look after her well and could gather a few others to protect them. There would be some consequences for a near-betrayal, but Sam wouldn't let her be treated like a criminal for being desperate to save her mate.

Sam was directing the local warriors beside the newly-arrived Voluun and sending a couple Voya riders to the haven to fetch their allies there. It wasn't long before Dzana arrived, suspicious of the commotion and the lights in the village so late at night. Sam was speaking to her, asking for her help when Fiona got his attention.

"I'll try not to keep you long, Dzana, but I appreciate your help," Sam told the Elder Dragon as she nodded, having volunteered her service. He returned to Fiona, standing just inside Rhett's home with her to talk. When she asked him to go out for her, he immediately nodded in agreement but his brows furrowed in confusion. "Tha's not like you, love..." He murmured. "I will. But normally you'd be th'first one out there after Jani. Is it Tati?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"She asked me to stay. I told her that you would be here with her, but she gave me...the look." Fiona said with a deep sigh. "As soon as she's back to sleep, I'll be out there with all of you. I promise."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Stay," Sam murmured. "I don't trust Oliveras not to come after our kids or Dola or someone else. An' you're still not at your best."

Glancing out to where a couple riders were outfitting Dzana with a saddle, Sam's expression hardened. "Oliveras has been haunting this family fer months... She's caused lifelong wounds an' tried t'take people we love. If I 'ave to chase her to bloody Spain, I will."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam, you're not going all the way to Spain right now." Fiona said softly, reaching up to turn his gaze back towards her. "She's likely not even in the area. I'm sure all of this is orchestrated by an underling."

She pulled him down for a long kiss, pressing her forehead against his own when they broke apart. "I'll keep Tati safe. Send for Soma to come here as well. Riley and Andre will most likely go with you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't go anywhere alone," Sam murmured, looking down her her with his brows furrowed in worry. "... I'm sorry we keep getting interrupted, love." He stole another kiss before pulling back and heading out to meet with those gathered.

"Voya, lock the village down!" Sam ordered. "Everyone heading out, fan out across the path to Madrid, you have th'support of the Triad t'stop riders an' caravans yer unsure of!"

 

[heartofcourage]

Andre and Riley were just arriving as the first group of riders were leaving. Riley guided Marth towards her da as he climbed onto Dzana to take up his own position in the group.

"What happened, Da?" Riley called, unsure of the details and where her mother was. "Did something happen to Ma?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Almost," Sam called back. "Oliveras kidnapped a Voya, tried t'force his mate t'kill yer Ma t'get him back. She's fine, she's inside. But we 'ave a Wolf t'track down an' bring home." He looked to the pair, his gaze hard and serious. "I won't tell you two t'stay or come. But Andre... I can't have you freezin' up if we do run into Oliveras, lad. An' we need people here t'protect th'village. Your choice, if you think you can handle it."

Andre looked a bit taken aback, his heart instantly set to racing upon hearing of Stila. He looked to Riley, unsure what to do.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley looked over at Andre as he was given a choice and she felt for him. The fear that he still had was very real and it came off him in waves.

"I'll go with Da. You stay here with Gia and protect Ma." Riley said quickly, making the decision for him. "You'll do more good here than out there."

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre's brows furrowed but he nodded slowly. "Yeah... I'd rather not risk freezing and being a problem."

"Look after our family, cub," Sam told him, his voice a little softer. "We'll be your sword this time." He glanced to Riley and gave her a nod. "Don't go off alone while we're searching. Let's go."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes, sir." Riley said, giving Marth his lead to take off after Dzana, leaving Andre to take care of the family left behind in the village.

As things started to calm around Rhett's house, Fiona made her way back outside and paused when she saw Andre there with Gia.

"You stayed behind?" She asked softly, knowing that he still had his own issues to work through when it came to Stilla. "Gia, perhaps you could take this watch on your own. Tati is finally back asleep and I'd like to sit and relax with someone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I was just telling him to go inside," Gia muttered, giving Andre a small nudge before she went to follow some of the local Riders on watch. Andre was left standing there, still a little scared and a little angry at himself for that fear. He finally turned after Gia disappeared from view, pushing his shaggy, dark hair back and looking at Fiona.

"Sorry," he apologized quietly. "They said to stay and... I guess I was kind of in shock knowing Stila might've been so close by... I didn't argue." As calm and easygoing as Andre always seemed to act, nothing broke his stride quite like the name Stila Oliveras. Even hearing of her made his heart race. And he was ashamed of that fear, especially in the face of someone like Fiona who had many reasons to hate Stila, and didn't seem to show fear often.