The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

Riley looked up at her father and smiled. She knew that he worried about her the most out of everyone and always had.

"What do I want to do?" Riley asked as she considered that question. "I want to explore the world, far past the reaches that we currently know. I want to be a good wife to my husband. I want to one day come back to have a kit or two to present to you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then you'll do all that and more." Sam assured her, though his heart ached knowing she'd be so far away someday. "We'll make sure of it."

There was still so much to be done and Sam knew they needed Riley and Andre a little longer, but he was set on making sure she could go free when she chose. For the moment, he simply held her and tried to commit the moment to memory. She was a grown woman, married, a proven warrior. His pride was only outweighed by melancholy.

 

[heartofcourage]

The day wore on in quiet contemplation, everyone having their own thoughts that they were lost in. Before dinner was called, Kate found herself out among the dragons, needing to take council with at least one. She sat with Schaller, quietly conversing with the elder dragon over different matters.

"The lairds swear that Scotland will fall easily, and fealty will be easily gained. I'm not so flattered by their words to think that I will have an easy go of all this." Kate said, letting out a long sigh. "I see the toll that it has already taken on everyone. There isn't enough grain to survive the winter and even if I emptied the coffers, people cannot eat coin. Tell me, truthfully, my lord, have you ever seen a country in a worse position?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Unfortunately, I have. A millennium is a long time to watch humans struggle against nature," Schaller rumbled, his arms crossed before him and Kate perched on his forearm. "We will need all the help we can get to last to the first harvest. But it's coming. Spring has finally come into full bloom and food will be easier to come by before long. Until then, you can lean into the aid of your allies. It won't be ideal and last year was difficult for much of Europe. But you aren't completely trapped. There are untapped resources here."

Schaller lifted a claw to motion eastward toward the ocean. "Water dragons could bring in larger fish, even whales, to help make the food stores last longer. Our strongest could transport food over long distances if we trade with friends from afar. That would avoid the problem of rot. If things grow difficult, dragons can be valuable workers."

He looked upon Kate with the same deep respect she showed him. She was a major queen of the North, and he was the Rider Queen's own partner and essentially a major noble in the North himself. He spoke to her as a peer, offering knowledge and resources she might not have access to or have thought of, being fairly uninvolved with dragons. "And then there are the werefolk, who are far more experienced stewards of the land than most humans. They can contribute with foraging and teaching people how to preserve food in more traditional ways. Every little bit will help, but it will be a monumental effort to stretch so little food so far."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate chuckled to herself softly as she listened to Lord Schaller’s advice. “Leave my sister-in-law’s service and I can make you the richest Laird in Scotland.”

She knew he would never dare. He loved Fiona beyond reason. “So, you are telling me that we must do without. That is your experience?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Everyone will have to do with a little less til more is available, I'm afraid," Schaller murmured with a nod, though he did crack a slight smile at Kate's offer. "I'm glad to help where I can while Fiona is down. Gods know I'm directionless on my own. My partner is out for now, my daughter has her own partner, and Dzana and I are taking things slowly. I'm ready to do something useful if I can."

 

[heartofcourage]

“There is something you could do for me. A personal mission, if you will.” Kate said as she glanced up at Schaller. “My uncle will die in Royer’s custody. No one seems to have a plan to free him or they are too afraid of that Spanish bitch.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"And you'd like me to charge in and take him while no one expects it?" Schaller asked quietly, leaning his head down closer to keep their conversation private. "Our entire family would be livid if I took a risk like that." He chuckled. "Shall I go now?"

 

[heartofcourage]

“I worry. They are the last of my biological family to live. Wick would fall if not for them. If I were a true Ghis, I should probably rejoice.” Kate said with a shrug of her shoulders. “Of course, I would never suggest something that went against my lord protector. However, if my uncle were to resurface, I would have to say that I had no idea how it happened.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hm. And it wouldn't be the first time I did something very stupid for family." Schaller let Kate stand before doing the same himself, sweeping his tail around to his side and adjusting his wings. "You may be Dunland by blood, my dear. But you and your uncles are Ghis as far as anyone is concerned." He leaned down to touch her arm with his maw affectionately. "I only ask that you let Sam know I've gone. I'm loathe to leave when Fiona might need me, but I think she can forgive me for this."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll tell him and take his wrath. You can go off and have the glory all on your own." Kate said with a soft smile to the kindred spirit that was Schaller. "Do not get yourself killed for this, Schaller. That is a direct order."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've managed to live through certain death a few times. I'm sure I can manage this." Schaller gave her a smile in return as he rumbled. Looking northward, he wasted no time in slipping away mostly unnoticed. Even when he took off, few seemed to even glance up. It was completely normal for the veteran dragons to come and go as they pleased. Schaller even drifted westward for a while to make it look like he was off to hunt. He would turn north further away and avoid Wick and heavily populated areas to go straight for the Shetland Islands where Cahal was being held. If he had his way, he'd give Royer a taste of what Hesperus had done to Edinburgh Castle, and tear a few things down to get Cahal out.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Fiona opened her eyes, it was night. She hadn't meant to sleep so long, but the sleep had been good for her. Even though her body still ached and her brain was foggy, she had needed the sleep. Something was different, though. Lying there, still and quiet, she let her defenses down ever so slightly and felt the great void.

"Where is my dragon?" She murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Fiona opened up her mind a little, she could feel Sam close by in his armchair, the great bear dozing after a long day of keeping watch over his wife. He stirred slightly at the sound of her voice, and she felt the warmth practically radiate from him once he realized he could feel her presence. Sitting up straight, he took a deep breath as he properly woke. "Evenin' love," he murmured. "Schaller'll be back soon. Went off t'do a favor for Kate." He hoped she wouldn't ask more. He knew he couldn't keep the truth from her very long, if at all.

 

[heartofcourage]

"A favor for Kate." Fiona murmured, still gaining her wits about her. "Everyone can still function without me. I hope he hasn't gone anywhere too dangerous."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll be back," Sam promised. "I know he's stubborn and trying to help us, but he knows comin' back to you is his first priority." He picked himself up and limped the short distance to the bedside to sit down beside her, though he didn't push into her space as much as he wanted to simply hold her. "Dzana's not too happy about him goin'. She stopped by the window a while earlier to grouse about him."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was quiet as he spoke, her eyes closing briefly. “I’m broken, Sam.” She said softly. “Completely broken.”

Her eyes flicked up towards him, showing a wealth of sorrow. “I almost killed a dragon to prove a point. I can’t open myself to anyone because I’m scared I’d poison them too.”

“I don’t even dream anymore.” She whispered. “Only nightmares.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's brows stitched and his calm, even expression fell. "Oh, love," he murmured. But there were no words to comfort an ache like hers. Instead, he laid down beside her and reached out to touch her cheek. He knew she was right. But his very presence there beside her made it clear he still had hope. "I'm with you," he whispered, as much as he felt it'd do her little good. "To whatever end. That won't change."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have your own worries and concerns. You don't need this too." Fiona said, closing her eyes as she felt his warm hand on her cheek.

She let her eyes close as she turned her cheek into his palm, sighing softly at the contact. It was the first time in days that she had let him comfort her in any way.

"Just put me out of my misery, Sam. Please." She begged, whimpering in pain.

 

[KieranSoares]

Tears filled Sam's eyes in an instant. He pulled Fiona against his chest and hugged her as tightly as he dared. Burying his face in her hair, he let out a shaky breath. "No... No. This is temporary... Don't leave me alone, love. You can't..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's in her blood." Came a soft voice from the doorway, Riley standing there watching her parents. "She can't help what she says, but she is in pain. That I do believe."

"Ma, Markos is working to find a cure. He thinks that this can be cured." She murmured as she stepped forward. "We just need you to be strong a while longer."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam kissed Fiona's forehead and kept her close, looking up to Riley as she approached. "We'll figure it out," he promised Fiona. "No stone unturned... Just hold on, love. There's so much more for us to do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona shivered as Sam held her tightly, promising that there was so much more out there for the both of them. She wasn't sure that she believed that. There was such sorrow and heaviness on her chest that she could scarcely breathe. Still, as Sam held her tightly, she allowed herself to relax.

"There's a pain....in my bones. An aching pain deep inside." She said softly. "I've never known this kind of pain, love. Never. Not even when I brought Soma and Riley into the world."

 

[KieranSoares]

Pressing his forehead to hers, Sam struggled for how to help her. "I'd take it all from you in a moment..." He whispered. "I'd share that weight if you'd let me. But no matter what, I'm here with you." He knew it was little comfort, but anyone else he felt could help was either long gone, far away, or Fiona wouldn't let them close.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley stared at her parents, her heart sinking as she saw her mother's physical pain and witnessed her father's emotional pain. Twenty years together had gotten them to this point, a fight against life and death.

"Da." Riley said softly to draw his attention, her brow knitted together in concern.