heartofcourage
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"I can't ever trust her." Riley said as she climbed Marth's crest and got herself seated again. "Even if Andre forgives, I don't think I can."
Sionnach (closed)
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KieranSoares
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"I think Andre doesn't forgive, but he understands. And that came with the understanding of why, which isn't something I think works from your perspective. Andre loves Joachim almost as much as she does. If anyone can understand why she did what she did, it's him. Forgiveness... I'm not sure if that's quite been granted yet, even if he loves her too. The three of them had a close bond. Even betrayal can struggle to break that. I'm sure you've seen the same between Danica's family and her boy. And between folks like Boar and Emma with Boar's brothers."
It wasn't a secret what had once happened between Boar, Emma, Julia, and Brogan. Nor between Sarah and the Ghis family. The family didn't keep them secret, aiming to teach rather than hide things.
It wasn't a secret what had once happened between Boar, Emma, Julia, and Brogan. Nor between Sarah and the Ghis family. The family didn't keep them secret, aiming to teach rather than hide things.
heartofcourage
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"We'll patrol for a while longer to see if we can't find Tuck. Then we'll go back to the Voya." Riley said, brushing off Marth's speech for the moment. "It isn't safe out here alone for too long."
KieranSoares
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Marth nodded and set off again, briefly rounding near Sam's position to make sure he knew they were okay. They found little else in the way of a trail, and so Marth turned them back toward the Voya mid-morning.
Tanya arrived at the village a few hours before noon, garnering plenty of attention and suspicion as warriors who'd fought alongside the North began to recognize her. Fiona was informed shortly that the Empress had arrived with a prisoner, but her Northern Riders weren't back yet save Sadah and Ezra because of their minor wounds.
The Welsh rider was taken for medical treatment as Tanya dismounted and stood beside Deidre. The young dragoness spoke quietly and haltingly, and Tanya patiently explained what was happening til Fiona arrived.
Tanya arrived at the village a few hours before noon, garnering plenty of attention and suspicion as warriors who'd fought alongside the North began to recognize her. Fiona was informed shortly that the Empress had arrived with a prisoner, but her Northern Riders weren't back yet save Sadah and Ezra because of their minor wounds.
The Welsh rider was taken for medical treatment as Tanya dismounted and stood beside Deidre. The young dragoness spoke quietly and haltingly, and Tanya patiently explained what was happening til Fiona arrived.
heartofcourage
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Fiona had been informed that Tanya had arrived with a captive shortly before lunch. She quietly dressed and invited Tati to come with her, the little fox eagerly taking the chance to dress in her new armor. They walked hand in hand towards the elder dragon that seemed agitated and slightly concerned and the Empress of Germany.
"Tanya. We weren't expecting you." Fiona called, bringing Tati to a halt at her side. "Has something happened with Joachim?"
"Tanya. We weren't expecting you." Fiona called, bringing Tati to a halt at her side. "Has something happened with Joachim?"
KieranSoares
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"Not at all, Your Majesty" Tanya assured her, striding forward confidently, but pausing to bow her head at a respectful distance as she knew none of the Northerners were likely to fully trust her. She addressed Tati as well with a light smile, having developed a soft spot for children since having her own. "Lady Ghis, it's an honor to finally meet you. Tanya Ashcroft of London. Or, well, I suppose Vienna now." She rarely used her title, even as the most powerful and well-connected woman in the Empire now.
Looking back to Fiona, Tanya gestured in the direction of the longhouse where the Welsh Rider had been taken. "I bring you the gift of more problems. Or. considering your daughter was out there surveying the damage and I saw plenty of Northerners around searching, I fetched a piece of your existing problem back. Not sure what this is all about, but I was in Kiev in Joachim's stead and on my way to Trondheim when I saw some mercenary riders carrying a Wolf. I'd heard some rumors about a Spanish rider in the area and thought it might be Stila or her lackeys. I tried to flag them down but when they got aggressive and I recognized their armbands, I crashed one of them and chased the other who had the Wolf. Unfortunately, I lost them. When I came back to find the crashed rider, your kit was there and she wasn't too happy about my presence. No doubt she thinks I'm working with your enemies again."
Standing with hands on her hips, Tanya was more powerful and confident than ever, no longer just angry and aggressive. She seemed to have pride finally, sure of her alignments and confident but respectful in speaking to Fiona, a woman she admired deeply after they'd finally come to the same side when Tanya realized Joachim's alliance with the North was worth more than just survival.
Looking back to Fiona, Tanya gestured in the direction of the longhouse where the Welsh Rider had been taken. "I bring you the gift of more problems. Or. considering your daughter was out there surveying the damage and I saw plenty of Northerners around searching, I fetched a piece of your existing problem back. Not sure what this is all about, but I was in Kiev in Joachim's stead and on my way to Trondheim when I saw some mercenary riders carrying a Wolf. I'd heard some rumors about a Spanish rider in the area and thought it might be Stila or her lackeys. I tried to flag them down but when they got aggressive and I recognized their armbands, I crashed one of them and chased the other who had the Wolf. Unfortunately, I lost them. When I came back to find the crashed rider, your kit was there and she wasn't too happy about my presence. No doubt she thinks I'm working with your enemies again."
Standing with hands on her hips, Tanya was more powerful and confident than ever, no longer just angry and aggressive. She seemed to have pride finally, sure of her alignments and confident but respectful in speaking to Fiona, a woman she admired deeply after they'd finally come to the same side when Tanya realized Joachim's alliance with the North was worth more than just survival.
heartofcourage
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"Mama?" Tati whispered softly as Tonya introduced herself to the young kit.
"You can introduce yourself, little kit." Fiona said, encouraging Tati to be brave and stand up for herself.
Tati glanced towards Tanya and her ears folded back slightly before she did as he mother suggested. "Hello, Lady Ashcroft. My name is...Tatiana Ghis."
"Our youngest." Fiona murmured as she listened to Tanya explain what she was doing there and how Riley was involved. "Riley is her own fox and can make her own decisions, but I do not hold the same suspicion or animosity towards you or Joachim that she does."
"A wolf that has lived with the Voya since marrying a member was taken by Stila or those that work for her. In exchange for his life, his wife was forced to attempt an assassination on me." Fiona explained. "Sam stopped it from happening, but she is distraught and a new mother. We are out searching for him. That is what you came across."
"You can introduce yourself, little kit." Fiona said, encouraging Tati to be brave and stand up for herself.
Tati glanced towards Tanya and her ears folded back slightly before she did as he mother suggested. "Hello, Lady Ashcroft. My name is...Tatiana Ghis."
"Our youngest." Fiona murmured as she listened to Tanya explain what she was doing there and how Riley was involved. "Riley is her own fox and can make her own decisions, but I do not hold the same suspicion or animosity towards you or Joachim that she does."
"A wolf that has lived with the Voya since marrying a member was taken by Stila or those that work for her. In exchange for his life, his wife was forced to attempt an assassination on me." Fiona explained. "Sam stopped it from happening, but she is distraught and a new mother. We are out searching for him. That is what you came across."
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KieranSoares
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"Your daughter was adamant that this was a clan issue, none of my business. But I'm afraid that, when Stila is involved, it becomes my personal business, nevermind the empire. Joachim would feel much the same. I'd like to be of use if I can. She and I have a... Let's call it a score to settle. I know I've done my own harm and betraying and I'll be working to make up for it til the day I die. But she's done awful things to two of my favorite boys and I fear that, left unchecked, she may even have the gall to harm my son to get back at Joachim and I."
heartofcourage
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“It’s not you who she’s after.” Fiona said simply, leaving out the implication that she was the target to spare Tati from the gruesome details. “But make sure your son is well protected. The fact that she is this close to the Voya gives me pause.”
“Mama…Dzana won’t let…anything happen.” Tati insisted and Fiona glanced down at her daughter.
“If you had to go with your Aunt Heather for a while, that wouldn’t be the end of the world, would it?” Fiona asked softly as Tati looked suddenly confused and slightly distressed.
“Mama…Dzana won’t let…anything happen.” Tati insisted and Fiona glanced down at her daughter.
“If you had to go with your Aunt Heather for a while, that wouldn’t be the end of the world, would it?” Fiona asked softly as Tati looked suddenly confused and slightly distressed.
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Tanya nodded in understanding even as Fiona left out details for Tati's sake. Seeing the little Fox's distress, Tanya's expression softened and she stepped back so not to interfere with the two.
"I'm going to get something for us to eat," Tanya said with a motion to Deidre. "Then we'll probably get some rest- we've been up all night. I'd like to help if I can."
"I'm going to get something for us to eat," Tanya said with a motion to Deidre. "Then we'll probably get some rest- we've been up all night. I'd like to help if I can."
heartofcourage
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“There is always good for people in the long house. I’m sure that the other dragons can help Deidre know where is safe to hunt.” Fiona said as Tanya moved to give her some privacy with Tati. “I’ll be with my uncles for the time being. You can come find me there when you’re ready.”
She gave Tanya a nod and turned to walk with Tati, having a long discussion with the young fox about what was happening in terms that she would understand. There were tears, a healthy amount of fear, but she gave Tati her undivided attention to lessen the sting. When they returned back to the house, she caught Soma’s attention.
“Perhaps you can help your brother with a few tasks.” Fiona suggested, glancing at Soma to let him know that she needed his help.
She gave Tanya a nod and turned to walk with Tati, having a long discussion with the young fox about what was happening in terms that she would understand. There were tears, a healthy amount of fear, but she gave Tati her undivided attention to lessen the sting. When they returned back to the house, she caught Soma’s attention.
“Perhaps you can help your brother with a few tasks.” Fiona suggested, glancing at Soma to let him know that she needed his help.
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Soma was writing in his journal, a book open at his side as he seemed to be taking notes about something. He glanced up at Fiona and Tati's entry. At Fiona's suggestion, he quickly closed and pushed aside his work. "Yeah," he murmured, his mind racing for a quick excuse to distract Tati. "We'll go check in with Idunn and then see how Sveri and Glaynviahr are, since the others are away. It's up to us to look after the dragons while they're gone." He offered a smile to his little sister, knowing how she loved the dragons. "And if you're interested, we can work on some saddle designs for Riders like you and me, who need a little extra utility and help. I've got some ideas and I need someone who really knows what they're doing to critique."
heartofcourage
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Tati looked at Soma with a lost expression, incredibly distracted and distraught. She didn't want to leave the Voya, but Fiona had made it clear that if she was in danger, that would happen. She gave her brother a nod and took his hand, her ears folding back against her head as she let him lead her towards where the dragons stayed.
Fiona watched the two of them go, her heart aching for her youngest. She was old enough to understand, even if she didn't really know the full story. With a long sigh, she entered the house and sat at the table as she watched her uncle cook.
"If I were to give the word, would you take Tati to safety?" She asked, knowing that they had talked about it before.
Fiona watched the two of them go, her heart aching for her youngest. She was old enough to understand, even if she didn't really know the full story. With a long sigh, she entered the house and sat at the table as she watched her uncle cook.
"If I were to give the word, would you take Tati to safety?" She asked, knowing that they had talked about it before.
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Rhett glanced up from his work and gave a nod without hesitation. Removing his pan from the heat, he walked over to lay a hand on her shoulder before leaning down to hug her tightly. He signed to her, 'I've promised you since the day you first brought us Riley that we'd take care of them if anything ever happened.'
heartofcourage
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“None of them asked to be born into this family. My heart breaks the most for Tati. Sam was so in love with her from the moment that she was brought here, how could I say no?” Fiona said softly, letting her uncle share in her anguish in that moment. “She shouldn’t have to be afraid of anything.”
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Rhett pulled a chair over to sit by her, signing, 'None of us asked for the danger and fear that comes with living, regardless of our family. What matters is how we respond and how we look after those we love. You have done the best anyone could ask for in your position, and as Tati gets older, she sees that, even if no one likes that it has to be this way. Your hearts break because you love each other so much that the danger and being apart so much are painful. Take some heart in the fact that your little kit loves deeply and fiercely. You've done well, despite all odds. And the rifts caused by these wars and being away will heal with time. It's just that time is painful to wait for.'
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Fiona was about to speak when she heard dragons returning outside. She gave her uncle a small nod and stood to go look out the window. As soon as she saw Sam, she was outside to get an update on the search for Tuck.
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Sam was just dismounting, his brows furrowed and exhaustion clear on his face. Dzana was tired too, stretching her legs that had gotten a bit stiff in flight, and shaking her mane out. Unbuckling the saddle, Sam patted Dzana's arm. "Thank ya, love. Go to your little girl, get some rest. I'll find another partner if I need to go out again today."
"I will come if you need a partner, period," Dzana insisted, and Sam sighed, pulling the saddle off.
"Go on, yer as bad as my wife." Sam was folding up the saddle as Fiona emerged, and Dzana stepped away to find Glaynviahr and Sveri. Glancing up, Sam met Fiona's gaze. "No luck getting Tuck back... But Ezra an' Sadah got into a scrape with a suspicious Rider and managed t'subdue 'er. We think she alerted th'Rider tha' had Tuck and they got away from us." He sighed and stood, leaving the saddle aside. "Wish we'd had Danica an' Costa's dragons out there, they're a lot faster'n Avi an' Sadah. But we at least know Stila wasn' with 'em. Seems like she set them t'work an' she's jus' watchin' from a distance."
As Sadah and Avfairn arrived with their Riders followed by an unfamiliar green dragon with no heraldry, Sam called out, "Sadah! Take Ezra an' get yourselves seen to. I don' want those scratches t'turn into somethin' serious." Sadah nodded and trotted away with Ezra while Jani slid off her saddle and Avfairn set down a stranger in unmarked armor, her hands bound before her.
"We're having trouble talking to this one," Jani called to Fiona. "And her dragon can't talk. Looks like his throat was messed up in an old battle, but they both know French. She just won't talk."
"I will come if you need a partner, period," Dzana insisted, and Sam sighed, pulling the saddle off.
"Go on, yer as bad as my wife." Sam was folding up the saddle as Fiona emerged, and Dzana stepped away to find Glaynviahr and Sveri. Glancing up, Sam met Fiona's gaze. "No luck getting Tuck back... But Ezra an' Sadah got into a scrape with a suspicious Rider and managed t'subdue 'er. We think she alerted th'Rider tha' had Tuck and they got away from us." He sighed and stood, leaving the saddle aside. "Wish we'd had Danica an' Costa's dragons out there, they're a lot faster'n Avi an' Sadah. But we at least know Stila wasn' with 'em. Seems like she set them t'work an' she's jus' watchin' from a distance."
As Sadah and Avfairn arrived with their Riders followed by an unfamiliar green dragon with no heraldry, Sam called out, "Sadah! Take Ezra an' get yourselves seen to. I don' want those scratches t'turn into somethin' serious." Sadah nodded and trotted away with Ezra while Jani slid off her saddle and Avfairn set down a stranger in unmarked armor, her hands bound before her.
"We're having trouble talking to this one," Jani called to Fiona. "And her dragon can't talk. Looks like his throat was messed up in an old battle, but they both know French. She just won't talk."
heartofcourage
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Fiona turned to look at Jani as she explained who the rider was and that she wasn't talking. She glanced at the woman who had been secured and then back at Jani. "Have her cool her heels with the village guards. Maybe some time to think will loosen her tongue."
She turned back to Sam and took him by the arm. "Let's get you a meal and to bed." She said softly. "I don't even want to ask about where Riley is."
She turned back to Sam and took him by the arm. "Let's get you a meal and to bed." She said softly. "I don't even want to ask about where Riley is."
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"I don't even goddamn know," Sam growled, following Fiona's lead. "We were searching an' went to help Ezra, and I looked back and she was gone. Other Riders are out in the area looking an' listening out for her, someone said they saw her near a white Elder Dragon, thought it was Schaller... So either Rikke or Schaller are out there somewhere an' I don't know why, or Tanya's about. Not sure why about that either..."
heartofcourage
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"Tanya's here in the village with her dragon. She was out on a mission of her own when she got drawn into this mess." Fiona said with a long sigh, shaking her head about Riley. "She's an adult and can handle herself. You tell me that all the time."
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"I know. But her disappearin' on me out o' the blue without a word... jus' shreds my nerves, especially when we're dealing with hunters. Even adults tell each other what they're doin' so we know where to look if they don' come back. I was righ' next to 'er an' she didn' say a damn word."
As they stepped into the house, Rhett was finishing up his cooking and motioned Sam over to the table. Sam sat heavily into an empty chair and pulled the tie out of his hair, combing it all back and shrugging off his jacket. He hadn't gotten a chance to suit up in armor before going out, so not only was his clothing ruffled and worn by the wind, but his face and hands were wind-burned from exposure and cold.
Rhett set food on the table for the pair and put a kettle on for tea that would help Sam wind down. He signed to Fiona, 'If you have things to do, I'll look after him and see that he gets a long nap before he does anything else.'
As they stepped into the house, Rhett was finishing up his cooking and motioned Sam over to the table. Sam sat heavily into an empty chair and pulled the tie out of his hair, combing it all back and shrugging off his jacket. He hadn't gotten a chance to suit up in armor before going out, so not only was his clothing ruffled and worn by the wind, but his face and hands were wind-burned from exposure and cold.
Rhett set food on the table for the pair and put a kettle on for tea that would help Sam wind down. He signed to Fiona, 'If you have things to do, I'll look after him and see that he gets a long nap before he does anything else.'
heartofcourage
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Fiona shook her head at Rhett's offer. "I want to take care of my husband, for once in my life." Fiona said softly, glancing at Sam. "There's not much to be done out there until Riley comes back."
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"None o' tha', 'fer once in your life,' you've looked after me fer more than twenty years." Sam reached out to touch her cheek at that, and Rhett let them be as they ate.
Sam ate quietly, distracted with his mind racing, just like Soma often did. Eventually he muttered, "I'm half-tempted t'ask you to go t'Spain with me... After Stila hurt you, I asked Riley t'go with me when we were still in Normandy. Bloody hunt tha' viper down like we did Menzenholt an' von Morden. Wait til she's no' near tha' monster of a dragon an' be done with 'er."
Sam ate quietly, distracted with his mind racing, just like Soma often did. Eventually he muttered, "I'm half-tempted t'ask you to go t'Spain with me... After Stila hurt you, I asked Riley t'go with me when we were still in Normandy. Bloody hunt tha' viper down like we did Menzenholt an' von Morden. Wait til she's no' near tha' monster of a dragon an' be done with 'er."
heartofcourage
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"We can't afford a two front war, love." Fiona said softly as she sipped on tea while Sam ate. "As much as I would like to agree with you on this, I think that we would be best to get to Scotland, get ourselves settled, and then turn our attentions towards Spain. Perhaps we can destroy the bloody mining operations that plague werefolk there for good."
She stood after a moment and retrieved her first aid kit, pulling out a salve to help his raw skin heal. She leaned against the edge of the table and gently worked it into his abused skin.
"You always yell at me to take care of myself when in flight." She said softly.
She stood after a moment and retrieved her first aid kit, pulling out a salve to help his raw skin heal. She leaned against the edge of the table and gently worked it into his abused skin.
"You always yell at me to take care of myself when in flight." She said softly.
