Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Sam had managed to find words for Durban and Married and Cole's family and a letter to his father about the losses, but he was at a loss for what to say to Rho. "I feel like I failed 'im again," Sam murmured softly, unable to resist the return of the guilt from when Rho lost his arm. "But even worse this time..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"How did you fail him, Sam? You tried to get Naiya to stay behind, but she was a stubborn and proud warrior. She died doing what she knew she was destined to do. It will be hard for Rho, but he has that beautiful little reminder of Naiya in their cub. He's a wonderful father. He won't crumble and he won't blame you." Fiona said softly, knowing that she wouldn't be able to convince Sam otherwise, but needing him to hear the words.

 

[KieranSoares]

"All he wanted was a simple life with her," Sam muttered, resting his head on one hand. "And I know she wanted t'protect her people an' her family... So does everyone here. But why do they have t'die fer tha'?" As a man who'd always been willing to die for that defense, Sam shocked himself with that question. "... An' why do I have t'have a damned existential crisis when I need t'focus...? Everythin's already goin' wrong..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Because you wouldn't be Sam if you didn't." Fiona said with a shrug of her shoulders as Sam waxed poetic about what was happening. "This is war. More will die, and probably more of those that are close to you. This isn't done by a long shot, but we will do our best to make sure that we do not lose more than we already have."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam simply sat for a long moment to collect his thoughts before finally forcing himself to put something down on paper for Rho's sake. When he was finished, he finally set everything aside to eat despite a lack of appetite. No matter how much he hated war, he wanted to just drown himself in work so he didn't have to think about Naiya anymore.

 

[heartofcourage]

After she had finished her breakfast, she pulled on the last of the riding armor, she pulled Sam to a stop and looked him in the eye. "I'm not going to let you crumble, Sam. You need to clear your head right now and stop brooding. It won't do you a bit of good. When this war is over, you can brood all you like and I won't say a word."

 

[KieranSoares]

Dressed in his own armor with his bow and blade on his back, Sam paused to look down at Fiona, his hands coming to rest on her waist as he drew her close. "I won' fall apart, no' when there's lives dependin' on me... Naiya's gone... but we still 'ave family an' friends an' good people here tha' deserve t'live an' make it home... An' I can' let you down either, most importantly."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll see you this evening. I promise." Fiona said, stealing one more kiss from him before she turned to gather up her harness and her helmet before leaving the tent to find Invah.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Fiona found Invah, she was laying curled up with Gaiann outside the camp among other dragons, many waking for the day to go and fish in safe waters for their breakfast or hunt if they had the time. The dragons on duty first would've already eaten, and they could go weeks comfortably without eating if needed normally. But in wartime they needed food at least every three days to keep alert. Invah had no such concern at the moment, curled up tightly with her mate.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Gaiann.” Fiona said softly as the approached the two dragons. “Watch Sam carefully today. He’s upset over the news of Naiya, Cole, and Gabriel. I don’t think he’ll do anything drastic but I don’t want him making poor decisions.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I promised you I'd look after him, today will be no different. But I'll be sure to keep him focused," Gaiann promised, his head resting on Invah's long neck as she lifted her head to regard Fiona. The two dragons nuzzled one another before Invah rose to fetch her saddle.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I have to go to Calais.” Fiona whispered to Gaiann. “I promise Invah will be alright but there are things I have to try. If I really am a caller, it’s time I stop talking to the riders and talk to the dragons themselves.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You need to be very careful," Gaiann warned. "Dragons will always choose their Rider over a Caller. But they may help you persuade the Riders to defect or leave. I they refuse... you'll be in enemy territory."

 

[heartofcourage]

“If I don’t try, we might lose this battle.” Fiona said softly. “For Sam’s sake, I have to go.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Gaiann sighed and sat up, hugging Fiona close. "I understand, little one. Just be very careful. And while I know it's a risk to go with backup, please keep Invah in earshot of allies, or close enough to see her signals. If you get caught up, you'll need help immediately."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Feign an illness and keep him on the ground today.” FIona asked softly, knowing it was underhanded. “I need him grounded and safe for the time being.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We have reserve dragons for just such an issue, little kit. That won't stop him. But he doesn't venture out to fight on my back, at least not yet. I'm here so he can survey the field and run orders quickly. Any fighting we might do will be against ships, not other Riders."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, you can't fault me for trying." Fiona said as Gaiann hugged her tightly and she returned the motion. "It's a madhouse out there and I still don't trust that he won't freeze up when the time comes for action."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don't give him enough credit, my love. Any Rider, no matter how experienced or comfortable- no, any soldier of any kind- can freeze when it comes to war. The difference is conditioning. And Sam is perhaps the best conditioned not to freeze when the worst happens. He makes the right decisions when others would never be able to choose or make sacrifices. Your Samuel is the man who knows how to make the hardest choices in the thick of battle, for the greater good, even if it comes at great cost. He will not freeze in the saddle."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I trust you, Gaiann." Fiona said, looking at the dragon square in the eyes. "Protect him at all costs. He needs to make it home to Inverness."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will do my utmost, dear." Soon Invah returned with her saddle and once everything was fastened, she carried Fiona away toward the cliffs where other Riders usually took off from.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona took a moment to secure herself as Invah stood on the face of the cliff. She finished buckling herself into the saddle and let out a sigh.

"Shall we make it to Calais before the others are awake?" Fiona asked softly, knowing Invah could tell her no.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know this is absolutely insane, don't you?" Invah asked softly. "Going into enemy territory with no guarantees that we'll even touch the ground without being killed. They'll have every chance to surround us and capture you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I understand that. Which is why I mentioned none of this to Sam." Fiona said as Invah talked to her about their mission. "Invah, we will lose this war if we don't try. I know it's dangerous, but we can't in good conscience state that we tried absolutely everything."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Turning a few Riders to our side guarantees nothing, little one. Barbarossa knows how to kill dragons, and he has many of the mercenaries under his thumb with threats. If you really want to do this... Then I need you to be aware that I will end it without your permission if I judge it to be getting too dangerous."