The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

"We are a problem. The Ghis will never back down for those that need justice and the Blackstones will never back down until every dragon is given a safe haven. If you are scared that your choices here today will influence someone else's view of you, I shouldn't have come. I cannot change what I am and I'm both." Riley said, her voice passionate, but low. "And if you cannot put aside what you felt for my great-grandfather, then you are not the right person to present my case."

She turned slightly from him and thought about her words carefully. "He died penniless and alone, but he died on his own terms. He died protecting his granddaughter from the evils that awaited her in the world. I don't think I have to tell you what she faced out there alone. And she never complained. She never sought to harm a human or dragon for all the wrongs that were wrought against her. I asked you to bring me here, Steris, and you did. Your part of the bargain is paid. I can plead her case alone."

It was then that she realized a very harsh truth. None of the walls around them mentioned her mother, even though she could see other figures that she did recognize. There were figures from her past, relations that had once fought to control and destroy dragons and those that had sought to save them.

"It's the Hunger you would destroy, not my mother's life you would save. The stories that they have heard are just that: stories."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't walk away just yet. The Judges seek to destroy the Hunger, yes, but sometimes they give too little care to collateral. If it were up to some here, your mother would be executed and her body burned to halt the spread of the disease, rather than trying to save her. They don't care about her mission, only their own, despite our common aim to safeguard dragons in an ever-advancing world. Because of Ephriam's history with us, and because of the Queen's many enemies, I fear an executioner will be sent instead of a healer."

Steris no longer looked at her, battling his own emotions silently as he brooded over Ephriam and now the position Fiona Blackstone was in. "I loved Ephriam, and his granddaughter is the protector of the greatest havens in the world for our dragon brethren. I'll make my peace with my brother-in-arms on the other side when my time comes, and I'd rather not have to explain why his granddaughter died when I could've prevented it."

Mind made up, Steris beckoned her toward a stairway to show her to an empty bedchamber. "Take a moment to catch your breath. The lord will call us to meet shortly."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley felt the cold reality of what she was doing sink into her bones as Steris announced that they very well might kill Fiona in the end. She said nothing else as she was shown to a room to await the trial, her mind spinning at the possibilities that were in front of her. There was no way an executioner could even get close to her mother without Kell stopping them. Her father would fight for her right to live. Riley sat on the bed with a long sigh, her head cradled in her hands as she tried to calm herself.

"I am the daughter of Fiona Blackstone." She murmured beneath her breath. "I will make them see reason."

 

[KieranSoares]

Riley was given a couple hours to herself, only briefly interrupted by a maid delivering a simple meal and news from the leaders in the form of a note. It assured her that the Lord Eshai had called for Lady Odessa, and the innermost council of Judges would meet upon Odessa's arrival and receive Riley's appeal.

In that time, the mental eyes upon Riley didn't relent. But neither did the feeling of someone being there to look over her and ponder her presence. It had a similar comfort and wisdom to Reven, but had the easy nature of Owen in his older age. At times, she could almost see a figure in the corner of her eye- a handsome older Fox in shadows of Rider armor- seemingly keeping watch on her behalf. More than that, Reven's distant presence seemed more awake and lent Riley more awareness in such a potentially dangerous place. She had gone to the lion's den seeking aid from a group that had made their modus operandi clear through Steris's warnings: the Judges would destroy those who did not fit their orderly moral framework, and ends justified means.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Trial by dragon." Riley murmured to herself as she read the brief note over and over again. "Just my luck."

A dragon that had been abandoned by her great-grandfather would have a say in the outcome of this moment. She wished more than anything that she could have more of the wisdom that her brother did. She was never the one to play peacemaker or try to soothe a tense situation, but suddenly she was being thrust into that role.

By the time a cloaked messenger opened her door again, Riley had formed her own plan in her mind. She knew what lay before her and she wasn't going to back down from the fight.

 

[KieranSoares]

The messenger led Riley up flights of slowly winding stairs through a central cylindrical chamber, each landing giving way to floors of armories, workspaces, and living spaces. It was as if the entirety of the Ararat slope had been carved out for the nigh-impregnable fortress, with room for the entire village and order to hide comfortably inside if needed.

The spiral staircase ended on the central fourth floor hallway, lit only by lanterns and a far, large stained glass window of a curled dragon clutching a hammer letting in the last of the sunlight. A final, smaller straight staircase led to the rooftop where Riley was greeted by a large ring of high-backed chairs with various floral and fauna carved into their faded arms and legs. Each was draped with a heraldic banner much like the seats of knights and lords would be at the Norwegian court. And in each seat sat a battle-hardened veteran ranging from pale northerners to the deepest ebony Africans, and from human to the rarest werefolk with strange and beautiful patterns in often-tattooed fur or scales.

At the far end of the circle from Riley, the great dragon lord Eshai lay with his arms crossed, peacefully listening to the light conversation around him. His tarnished copper scales glimmered in the dying sunlight and that cast from a ring of lanterns on high poles around the circle, and he was framed by a circular belfry that decorated the center of the rooftop directly over where the spiral stairs had been. Beside Eshai sat and adult dragon of mature night sky purple, pinpricks of silver gleaming here and there in her dark mane like starlight. Her solid black chest and underbelly carried a number of old scars, as well as what seemed to be an old brand in the shape of a Greek delta. She looked on with piercing Amber eyes, immediately zeroing in on Riley when she emerged from below.

Riley stepped into the vast circular mosaic that dominated the space, depicting a silhouette of Ararat against a starry sky, the crest of the dragon and hammer in the center in hammered bronze.O ne chair lay empty, bearing an old black banner with a blazing gold-orange omega in it's center. Riley had seen the Blackstone family crest on her grandfather's seeing stone and a few odd items he'd made by hand. But this was her first look at the true version that surely once decorated Ephriam's shield and tack as a young, fiery Judge.

A broad orange weretiger in light leather decorative armor and a white drape stood from a chair directly beside Eshai, prompting everyone else to stand as well, save a couple missing limbs or too feeble to rise.

"Lady Rider," the Tiger addressed her formally with a small bow. "The Judges of Ararat welcome you as our guest per the hospitality of Lord Eshai, King of the Mountain and its surrounding lands, and Lady Odessa, his guardian and chosen heir. I am Xia Hou, mediator, keeper, and voice of the Judges' Chamber; the group you see before you. We have already shared what information Ser Steris has offered, but have held off on discussions and plans thus far. Please, honor us with an introduction in your preferred manner. Then, please take a seat under your banner."

Among the circle, all were silent and focused on Riley, remaining standing til their guest gave her greeting and sat down first. Steris was among them, seated with a split black and white banner sporting a golden sun cracked in half.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley nearly lost her courage when she saw the empty chair that was dominated by the Blackstone crest. By taking it, she was taking a mantal that might not ever be able to be given back. Her freedom and her future were on the line, but that moment wasn't about her. It was about her mother and the future of the northern riders.

Riley turned her attentions back to the tiger that introduced himself. She glanced for a brief moment to the dragon that had once been bonded with her family. There wasn't time to address them, to explain what her grandfather had gone through in his life, but the way that she stared, Riley knew that she had long understood the story.

"My name..." Riley said softly, stopping herself as she remembered how Steris had first addressed her. There in that chamber, being a Ghis meant next to nothing. She was a Blackstone, first and foremost. She was of a powerful bloodline that would be given respect...and also lamented.

"My name is Riley Blackstone of House Ghis, princess of Inverness, lady rider of the Northern forces, and chosen Caller of the Lady Reven." She said nothing of her family line. It wasn't needed as they all knew who she was and the introduction was just a formality.

She bowed her head quickly before turning to claim the seat that awaited her. Settling into the heavy wood, she let out a quick breath to steel herself against the trial that was about to begin.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once Riley found her seat, so did everyone else save Xia Hou. It was clear that a few Judges had something to say, but none jumped in til Xia Hou opened the floor.

"Welcome to Ararat, Princess," Xia Hou greeted her with a nod and bow of his head. His eyes cast over the circle as he continued, "We are all aware of the Lady Rider's relations to both House Ghis and our honored late brother Ephriam. Lord Eshai reminds us that we are here to determine what shall be done in the face of a new crop of the Hunger in the Northern Alliance, guardians of the great Northern havens."

"We do what we have always done: quarantine, study, and burn," one slim and tall Lion huffed as he stood from his seat, only to balk when Xia Hou and Eshai shot him a hard look in perfect tandem. The Lion sat back down immediately in silence as the very presence of the Elder and what was now very clearly his Caller overwhelmed the space. Both remained neutral in expression but very stern, commanding order, decorum, and respect.

Eshai relaxed and gave a nod to his partner, and Xia Hou continued. "I remind the chamber that all remarks shall wait until a lord or lady is called upon, or until the floor is open. As is customary, Lord Eshai shall speak, followed by the Lady Riley's host, Ser Steris. Then, Lady Riley herself will speak."

The midnight purple dragoness rose to sit back on her haunches alongside her tarnished copper mentor Eshai. Xia Hou stepped back but remained standing, and Steris rose from his own seat with sharp focus but a hint of nervousness.

"Princess," Eshai greeted warmly, his head turning in her direction. He didn't need sight to detect a Caller. "Thank you for allowing us our traditions and formalities, as well as coming to us about a matter of the Hunger. There are few in this world who can treat it, and we take pride in our knowledge and mission more than anything else. We Judges live by a code of five tenets, which I shall simplify: brotherhood, loyalty, discovery, preservation, and fighting the Hunger. As such, it is our duty as Judges to eradicate the Hunger that now threatens your family and fellows. I trust that my brothers and sisters here shall do so fairly and with whatever gentleness can be afforded."

A few members of the chamber glanced at each other, clearly disliking how warm Eshai was to an outsider. It was growing apparent that some didn't much care for treating the Hunger rather than simply killing it, and others were neutral and didn't care about the how.

Steris rose at a nod from Eshai and Xia Hou, smoothing the tabard he now wore over light leather armor. Clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders, he made sure to sweep slowly back and forth across the circle as he spoke. "I have brought many cases of Hunger before you all in my career as a doctor, and advocated for many of the victims to be given a merciful end rather than forcing them to suffer. A handful even agreed to allow us to study them while and after they died, leading to much of our knowledge today. And when the chamber decides to treat a victim, I have always bowed to better judgement. But this time, I come begging for the Rider Queen's life."

A wave of shock spread through the circle, none having heard Steris do such a thing before for anyone. Even stranger, he was doing it knowing whose granddaughter he was trying to help.

"Fiona Blackstone is not just a Blackstone. She has done what no ancestor could do, many times over. She felled the titan Hesperus. She created the most successful and safe havens in the entire world. She killed an Emperor that would've destroyed not only her country, but our home as well if he'd gone unchecked. She made an ally of the Holy Roman Empire, thus unknowingly granting us a measure of safety. And now, she is on her way to retaking and reestablishing the original Ghis-protected haven. If the North wins back the isles with Fiona Blackstone alive, the most powerful Callers and guardians of dragonkind will be back in a position of power. And isn't that the connection we Judges need to better pursue our mission? Tanya Ashcroft cannot give us the attention and resources we need while she holds the empire together in the face of the emperor's death. But if we help to solidify Scotland's rightful leaders, we would have indispensable allies. Fiona Blackstone must live for that to happen. Otherwise, we would be considered enemies for knowingly letting her die when we could've stopped it. For our mission, I implore you all that we accept the call for aid."

Steris's personal motivations, Riley could tell, was very different from what he spoke of. He was wrestling viciously with anger and loyalty to Ephriam, but trying to use logic to convince the rest. Either way, he was trembling slightly as he took his seat again, clearly nervous of the hard glares and inquisitive eyes around him. He looked to Riley, giving her a small nod and quickly looking away.

"Lady Rider, you have the floor," Xia Hou said with a nod toward Riley. "Speak your mind and give us details, if you would. I would also add that many here have expressed an interest in hearing the full tale of the battle with Hesperus, and whether anyone else might've been infected with the Hunger or be in danger of it, such as King Samuel or Lord Schaller, being those closest to the Rider Queen. Please, speak freely."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley stared at the tiled floor for a moment, rubbing her palms against her pants as she gathered her thoughts. It was now or never, she thought to herself as she carefully stood and raised her gaze to stare at each person gathered individually. Some met her gaze and didn't look away. Others held it for only a moment before looking elsewhere.

"I am not known for pretty words and flattery. In fact, many would think of me as the last person to be standing here in front of you to plead my case. The task, however, has fallen to me and I must see it through to the end." Riley murmured, clearing her throat and stepping to the middle of the room. "Ephriam Blackstone never once betrayed the name of the Judges. Until the moment that I stepped foot in Byzantine, I had no idea of the existence of this group."

"He lived a quiet life in Inverness, loving his wife and his granddaughter. He never rode a dragon again. He never taught his granddaughter the rights and rituals of the caller or the dragon rider. He felt deep shame that his only child, his son, was an arbiter. Everything that my mother has achieved in her life has been on her own. I'm sure if you were to ask her if she were willing to die so that others could live, she would not hesitate. Yet, I hesitate."

"I hesitate because I think that we all know there is not and will not be a Rider Queen like her. When called upon to destroy Hesperus, she did so without complaint and without fear. She honed the tools of Margaret Blackstone and used them against a dragon that had succumbed to this Hunger. She plunged a glaive so deeply into his heart that he would not come back from the wound. She made sure that he died with honor and dignity. She did so alone and now she is being repaid for her act of sacrifice by suffering."

"You that would kill her simply because she is infected disgust me." Riley spat out, her anger rising in her throat. "You that would kill her because she is a Blackstone, even when Ephriam went to his grave with your deepest secrets, are the same. In fact, if you only knew Fiona Blackstone, you would know that she has paid for Ephriam's sin of living ten-fold in her lifetime. You that live in fear that a Ghis can bring the fury of the empire here, to these fortified walls, will never know what living is. I hope that you all live in shame for it."

"The only person that was ever strong enough to speak on your behalf, even if she did not know it, was Fiona Blackstone. If you condemn her to death today, I promise you, there will be no place safe. It isn't a threat. The Triad and the North will not retaliate. What will happen, however, is that those that fear you because they do not understand will take over. The world will grow small. The world will grow dark. We will live to see a day when dragons and drakes and those that are were will disappear. That is what will happen if you simply let her die."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do not threaten us with some nonsense Blackstone prophecy," a Middle-Eastern human snarled in a heavy Syrian accent, practically leaping out of his chair in anger. "Ephriam did the same to exert fear and control in this council in my grandfather's day, and I will not sit idly by allowing you- Caller or no- to do the same!"

"Ahmed!" Xia Hou snapped, but the man didn't back down.

"You Blackstones have always been the same, since our order was founded by our collective ancestors. Reven's gifts made you vain! The oracles among you threaten doom, the mentalists pretend to know better that anyone else, and the hypnotists sway dragon, man, and were to their own agendas. And your mother is said to be all three. As far as we know, she will repay us by bending us to her will. I will not risk that!"

"Sit down, Ser Ahmed," a dangerously low hiss made the hair stand up on several Judges' necks as Odessa rose to her feet and glared murder at Ahmed. The man balked, his courage quelled in the face of not only a superior, but someone he seemed to truly fear.

"The council will remain civil," Eshai said calmly, almost gently, despite a disappointed frown in Ahmed's direction. "The Lady Rider is no oracle, and she and her mother shall be treated separately from Ephriam. Is that clear?"

A few voices muttered respectful agreements, and a young Leopard rose from his chair to indicate he wanted to speak. Eshai nodded, and the soft-spoken young man bowed to Riley. "Lady Rider, I am Tore, a fellow Caller and very new Judge, but I hope my words carry the weight of my honesty. I believe you and Ser Steris are correct in that the Rider Queen's very existence is, to say the least, useful to our order. I will make it clear that I am of the mind that- barring extreme circumstances- we Judges should always strive to save rather than simply euthanize and burn. And we have done very good, generous work in many places afflicted by outbreaks. Even in our own outer village, we once saved nearly fifty in our community from an outbreak thanks to a raging young dragon. We only lost five, too far gone to help. I will not treat one life as more valuable than another... but the Rider Queen's connections and her generosity mark her as worthy of our attention and care. As the Lady Rider says, the North will not harm us. It is not in their customs, as we have long learned. But, my brothers and sisters, we have been in a precarious position for many generations. Morals aside, the fact is that we need stability. Even if you hate Ephriam and hate the Blackstones, the North and indeed the Ghis Clan can offer us allies and support that no others can. And having them as our friends will also ingratiate us to the Empire, the largest collection of nations in the known world. If not for charity or for the memory of dear Ser Ephriam who loved us and never betrayed us despite leaving, think of our own and how they would benefit."

Tore bowed and took his seat as rumbles of consideration went around the ring. Odessa still stared at Riley but didn't make a move to speak til Eshai turned his head to her. "My dearest," he murmured. "Speak your mind to her and to us. She deserves to know the story."

Odessa finally put a hand into the ring but advanced no further, taking a deep breath. Something about seeing Riley was deeply hurtful to her. Riley could feel sadness, anger, betrayal, but also love radiating from her. "Lady Rider..." she murmured. "Did Ser Steris tell you the full story...?" Her voice was gentle now despite her stern looks, causing many Judges to look up in confusion and even concern. Even Ahmed seemed ready to come to her aid although he'd been scolded.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am not a future seer." Riley retaliated as fury was rained down upon her. "I simply speak the truth that you might be too stupid or prideful to understand."

She held her tongue from further attack as others came to her aid, the situation calmed for the moment. She listened as they spoke about Ephriam and about her mother before the floor was yielded to her grandfather's partner.

"Ephriam Blackstone was nothing more than a poet when my mother knew him. After his wife passed, his only goal in life was to give safety and peace with his granddaughter. His son, Owen, was an angry and bitter fox who hated that his daughter had been born human. He pays for that every single day. His father died without absolution. Fiona Blackstone was made to live on the streets, in poverty, never believing that she would ever have the life that she has now. Some here wish to believe that we are all prophets, but I swear to all gathered here, she did not know her own power until she raised Lady Invah of Inverness from the loch."

"Lady Odessa...I dare to say that you share much more with my mother than we realize. You were both left behind..."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ephriam left because his heart couldn't take this work anymore," Odessa stated plainly. "We were opposites in every way, even though we fought and lived as if we were an extension of the other. I will not boast- many tall tales have been told of our prowess that far exceed the reality- but we were... a good match. We grew up together... My mother's line has been partner to the Blackstones since the days of of Margaret. Reven was my ancestor, and we descendants have always been with her chosen, until Ephriam broke that bond."

The gravity of such an admission aloud had many Judges lowering their eyes or bowing their heads. They already knew, but it was no easier to hear again. Odessa's expression had grown forlorn looking at the young Fox. "We were raised and trained in Greece together, visiting Ararat yearly with our mothers til we became Judges ourselves. Then, we came to live here part of the year and aid our companions in seeking the Hunger and helping who we could. But when outsiders began to press in- especially the Christians seeking to exterminate us from their holy mountain- we were forced to go on the defensive. There was a year that we had to brandish blade and flame almost daily just to keep the village safe, even pre-emptively burn down camps of raiders and attackers. But when we had to start destroying the fields, food, and livelihoods of our neighbors just to secure our territory so raiders couldn't get supplies to make the journey here, Ephriam's heart shattered. Having to harm the innocent to survive was hard on all of us, but to him... it was as if he'd committed the greatest blasphemy, and he nearly killed himself over it. He would have, if I hadn't felt him dying and cut him down from that tree just in time..."

The Judges were shocked, none knowing that part of the story. Many sat forward or stood, but none could do anything to offer comfort. Beside Riley, tears began forming in Steris's eyes and he leaned forward and dropped his head into his hands in a moment of despair. Even he hadn't known, it seemed. Lord Eshai's head gently touched to Odessa's shoulder, giving her the strength to continue.

"After that day... Ephriam wasn't the same. He wouldn't connect with me anymore, though he assured me he wasn't angry and he still loved me. I think he wanted to hide his mind so I wouldn't suffer too. And then, only two weeks later, he was gone. The only one he told that he was leaving was Lord Eshai. And the Lord... wisely... gave him leave to do so, lest he continue to suffer here. All he left was a message for me: I was to find a braver, stronger partner who could do what needed to be done for Ararat. I was not to follow. I was to continue our mission with the knowledge that I was better off without a weak partner. But I never thought he was weak."

"Ephriam came to me in deep despair," Eshai added softly. "He had to choose between his dragon soulmate, and being alive for the sake of his Fox soulmate. His wife was terrified to lose him to us. After a long discussion, we agreed that it was best for everyone if he moved on. I tried to encourage him to take Odessa with him... but he felt he was betraying her purpose here as heir to my title and as one of our most dedicated Judges. So... he went on with nothing but what he and his wife could carry, to the other side of Europe to live in peace and quietly come to terms with what he felt were his greatest sins. Despite feelings of betrayal, there are many who love him still, especially among the dragons he saved. Most of the human and were Judges from his day are gone, but their descendants love his valor and care for our people as well. Most of all... Odessa still loves him."

"I always hoped he'd come back," Odessa murmured. "I should've been there when Owen was born. I should've been there when Fiona was born, and there to care for her when she had no one left. I should've been there for you and your siblings. The Reven line should always be there for the Blackstones. But Ephriam broke that bond, and now you are just a stranger to me." The dragoness settled back on her haunches again and the circle fell quiet. It seemed many of the Judges had new information to process, and all were speechless for the moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

There was nothing that Riley could say in the moment to make things better. Ephriam had made his own choices for his sanity, leaving behind that which he loves the most to live a simpler life. If he had been a seer, he might have known that it would be short and full of pain. Perhaps he would have chosen differently.

“He wrote a poem.” Riley said, her voice softer than before. “About a midnight sky he called Odessa. My Ma always thought it was about the Rus, but the skies there never looked like what he described. I know now what he was speaking of.”

“When they found Lady Reven, she was in a terrible way. Her wings cut to the point where she would never fly again. My mother gave her a purpose again. She’s perhaps the only person I know that can give someone bruised and broke a purpose. And Lady Reven died on a fool’s mission in a war that my family lost. I have never known home.”

Riley let out a long sigh, turning to look at the others once more. “If she is to die, I cannot stop you. I will leave here with my partner and fly to her, and I will be armed and we will be enemies.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Lady Odessa," a pale woman with an Italian accent addressed the dragoness with a bow as she stood. "I believe there are some in this council who may never be convinced to aid the Rider Queen for one reason or another. But I trust that most of us will follow your lead. What say you?"

"The council makes its decision together, Arietta," Odessa reminded quietly.

"The council supports its members and honors its leaders," Eshai corrected. "Some may abstain. But any who wish to help may do so individually. But the question I believe we all are wondering... Would you aid the Blackstones again, Odessa? Honor, connections, and memories aside, do you believe Ephriam betrayed you too deeply to answer his great-granddaughter's request? We will not think less of you either way. You are the most hurt by his actions. Thus, I know this council respects your opinion most."

"I would do absolutely anything for the little Fox Ephriam loved so," Odessa nearly whispered. "Even across the distance, I felt how much he loved her, and still does."

"Then I believe we have come to the close of our discussion, unless any others wish to speak?" Xia Hou took over again as everyone returned to their places. It was only Ser Ahmed who stood, his expression grim. "Ahmed?"

"I will not rescind my previous words," he said stubbornly. "But I will honor Lady Odessa. That is all." He took his seat again, earning small nods of respect from a few others.

"Then... we cast our votes." Xia Hou took the center of the ring and began calling names around the ring, recording answers on a small piece of parchment. Each "aye" and "nay" came with great conviction, but also with the knowledge that the majority decision would require those opposed to support the final judgement. The last vote was cast, with Odessa and Eshai notably abstaining from a decision, and Xia Hou turned toward Riley.

"Lady Rider," he addressed her with a nod. "Seventeen to seven, the ayes have it. The Judges of Ararat will devote all possible resources and aid to eradicate the Hunger from any afflicted in the North, and to prioritize preserving the lives of those suffering. We cannot guarantee perfect success, but you have our solemn vow that we will do anything in our power to save the Rider Queen. As such, you are welcome to remain here in the fortress tonight while we choose those who will accompany you and outfit them for the necessary treatment, ritual, and recovery. If any others have become ill, we will treat them as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

Her heart clenched painfully in her chest upon hearing that she had won this victory. No one in her family would ever believe that Riley Ghis, the kit who had never listened and had always been trouble, would have pulled this off. Her fingers clenched the chair she sat in so tightly that she thought she might break the wood beneath her.

"B...before we end here, I do offer you something in return." Riley said softly, mentally pulling herself together so her voice wouldn't shake. "There are new Blackstones. Ones that would sit and serve on this council faithfully. Not of my mother's blood...I'm afraid that there are too few of us to spare at the moment. But from Ephriam's. Owen Blackstone still lives and has lived a life of solitude after returning from the wilderness. My mother has a sister, as well. If it was seen fit, I would like to do my part to fill my family's ancestral seat here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"There hasn't been more than one Blackstone in a generation for a long time..." Someone murmured, most of those in attendance looking similarly surprised. "I thought Lady Riley's generation was the first to have two in over two centuries."

"You understand, Lady Rider, that to be a Judge would mean a requirement to return here regularly," Xia Hou warned Riley. "You would be binding yourself to an organization and duty you know little of."

"Judges are not required to live at Ararat," Eshai spoke up. Odessa was quiet, lost in her own thoughts for a moment. "However, they are required to return at minimum once a season. That is why many of our number don't live more than a few days away. The seat rightfully belongs to your grandfather Owen, and he would pass it to your mother, God willing that she lives. But if they were to cede it to you... I would welcome you, as caretaker of our order. But you need not feel obligated."

"We have functioned adequately without a Blackstone for decades. But I feel we have been poorer for the lack of Reven's chosen line," another Judge spoke up. "Each member of our council brings a unique talent. And the Callers among us each bring a unique Elder line. In a perfect world, we would have members of every existing bloodline associated with Elder dragons living and dead. Hesperus's line, Vestholm's, and so on."

"If we wanted to gather more, a Blackstone is the one to do it," another added. "You and your mother and brother seem to have an immense talent for rallying people to your cause, separate from your Elder blood."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hesperus's line still lives." Riley said as a stunned silence enveloped the room. "He works with my mother for now. They...came together to ensure Hesperus rested."

Riley stood, wiping sweating palms against her trousers as she walked once again to the middle of the room and looked at each person gathered. "I am the last person that should be here. The very last person that should have been allowed through those gates to address you. I don't know my heritage, but what I know is this: the North has come together to build ranks that you would never dream of. The Johania riders serve my mother faithfully. The Northern riders are the same. Every gathering of the Triad council, my mother was there, speaking nonsense about a greater world that was free of fear and tyrany. Only, it wasn't nonsense. They thought that she wanted simply to go home, to wear the crown of Inverness again, but she dreamed of peace. Peace without stipulation. Peace for the regular person and peace for those that are considered less than human."

"It was peace that Ephriam taught her. She traveled to find Reven against the odds. She gave up parts of herself to speak to Margaret. Even if that seat is never filled again, I wish it to be known that ours is a legacy of peace. The Blackstones refuse the right to answer your call, just as my great-grandfather did, but know that we still fight on our own terms. My mother has a path. My brother has a path. I...do not. Nor is it fair of me to accept this position without speaking to my husband."

 

[KieranSoares]

A silence followed Riley's proclamation, many sharing glances to gauge thoughts around the circle. Finally, as the voice of the Judges, Xia Hou spoke up again. "We will see to your mother first, Lady. Once all is settled regarding her health, our representatives shall speak with your family. Your grandfather and mother may refuse their seat and give it to you. We should also like to meet your sister line, the Karides, once more. But all of the formalities must wait for your mother's recovery. It is of utmost priority. In light of all of this... I may be joining your journey north both to aid your mother and act as the order's diplomat."

"We are most honored, Lady Rider," Eshai added quietly, "that you would see this seat as worthy of being on your path. There are many details to sort out when it is made official. But for now, rest as much as you can. Your return journey will come at a grueling pace."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley nodded as the meeting was adjourned. She sent word to Marth that all was well for now as she was shown back to the room that she had been given earlier. The moment the door closed, and she was along, she sank to her knees and let out a silent cry of agony. Both hands clenched her chest as tears spilled over her cheeks. The anxiety at the impossible task was slowly ebbing, but it was soon filled with the intense longing and sadness that came to her from within the stone walls. She couldn't keep it at bay any longer as she leaned forward and rested her forehead against the stone floor.

"We wait now." A familiar voice sounded in her mind, her eyes snapping open as she heard her mother speaking as if she were there in the same room. "To see who lives or dies."

"I'm bringing them with me." Riley muttered, her voice shaking as she spoke to the empty room.

"You must prepare yourself, my dear kit. It might not be enough." Fiona said softly, almost resolute. "I'm left with your father, but I find myself visiting those that have long gone. Margaret. Reven. Your grandmother, Kitty. My grandfather. There's a peace in all of this."

"I did not come halfway across the world for you to die without me there." Riley sobbed.

"I'm not dead...yet." Fiona said with a soft chuckle. "But I'm also not really...alive. I'm in the balance."

"Ma." Riley said, pushing herself up from the floor and finding herself utterly alone, the connection severed.

 

[KieranSoares]

In the silence after her mother's departure, something else began to fill the void. Riley had felt the presence of Ephriam earlier, but this one was different. Feminine. Wild. All at once reminiscent of something about Fiona, but then completely different.

"I never liked it when people just accepted death was coming," a deeper voice murmured thoughtfully. "But then again, I can't blame her. She's faced what no one- not even Margaret- has ever seen and survived. My poor little kit..."

Riley's vision went hazy and grey. Fog had overtaken everything like an early Scottish morning after heavy rain. The dim, warm orange of a campfire began to burn through, revealing a little stone ring and a reprieve from the fog. Riley had heard many stories of such a setting. It was something her grandmother had seen on the edge of death giving birth to Heather and Ashelin. Her grandfather had seen it when he nearly died in Wick. Others from across the clan had seen it in dreams. Most of all, this was the very type of setting many Callers saw their dead dragon patrons in, though usually in the ghost of a place they called home.

Beside the fire sat a resplendent white Fox in a traditional blue Scandinavian embroidered shirt and tied leggings. Her footpaw bore a strange tattoo of a four-pronged key, stark and black against her moon-colored fur. Tiny silver hoops adorned her ears, and her blue-speckled golden eyes beheld Riley with a loving familiarity and a bit of a smirk.

"Kom och sitt med mig, min lilla älskling," she welcomed in crisp, lyrical Swedish, then paused with a laugh. "You grew up with Norwegian, didn't you? I suppose I should call you kjære instead. Come, come. Let me see you." She offered out her hands to welcome Riley close like they'd always known each other. "Gods, you're stunning, my little kit. Absolutely beautiful."

 

[heartofcourage]

There was an aching awareness as Riley stood in front of the other fox, her jaw not quite on the floor, but so close. When she blinked, she saw the white fox replaced by an image of her mother dressed all in white, her silver hair flowing loose around her. While the white fox was full of fire and light, her mother was filled with dark sadness. They were complete opposites, Riley realized, as she blinked again, and her mother vanished completely.

"You are the last person that I ever wanted to see." Riley murmured, bitter tears coming to her eyes. "If we are here together, that means the vail is thin."

 

[KieranSoares]

The white fox stood when Riley wouldn't approach, offering a kind and understanding smile, though full of sadness herself. "I've never gone far from my kit, Riley. But I'm not here to welcome your mother into the mist. In fact... since Hesperus's fall, I have kept away from her. I need her to live on. I won't have my little girl dying early in pitiful sickness as I did."

Tatiana's movements left behind a ghostly blue fire like a comet, her energy so bright that it could not be contained in her form alone. "The Judges will come," she murmured, offering another grateful smile, "all because of you. And when they fight to pull Fiona back, I will be there to help. As much as I want to hold her and never let her go again... I refuse to welcome her early. She must go home. She must see Inverness revived. Someday, she'll see grandchildren. Maybe even great-grandchildren. She must outlive Owen and my brothers, and see the Voya and the havens thrive anew. The day she joins Margaret and Ephriam and I... that day is decades away, kjære."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley noticed that even as her grandmother smiled and burned brightly in the gloom that there was a darkness settling in. It crept along the edges of her vision, swirling like thick smoke that threatened to grow.

"How...?" Riley murmured, her green eyes turning towards Tatiana with a curious glance. "You weren't a Caller. How are you keeping this all at bay?"

She was beginning to understand that the poisonous blood that had infected her mother had not just affected her body. It was slowly seeping into her consciousness, waiting to consume anyone that it came across. The very bloodline of the Blackstones was being tainted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Elder Dragons aren't the only ones who can pass along gifts... But even before I met Margaret, I was... Different. Intuitive. My father and his mother and hers before, going back many generations, have been warriors that retired to become elders, always spiritual guides and keepers of ancient rituals. Perhaps there is some power in my blood that gave Fiona her unique abilities. Reven wasn't a prophet. She was a hypnotist. Fiona is unique to the Blackstone line. Never before has there been an oracle in that family. The nearest they've had is Owen, with his ability to see afar but not into the future."

The Hunger that loomed around them smoked and curled, even extending what looked like blackened veins that cracked and shriveled before they could reach Tatiana. Her spirit was a bright flame, burning the Hunger like a fever trying to burn away illness.

"Margaret's gift to me only came after I joined her in the fog," Tatiana said softly. "She and Skolgeir are so tired... And she knew that I was still young and full of spark despite the way I died. So now, I carry their mantle as this family's guardian. I am now the shield maiden that I might've been if life had been different. I've been here to look after you all, send you dreams, and I welcome the dead when they pass. I was here to meet my father and mother, to meet Reven, and knowing what the Ghis Clan means to our family... I was even there for Ashien, Gabriel, Cole, Naiya, and many others. I will be here for all of you living or passed."

Glancing around at the Hunger trying to eat at her flame, and trying to crawl toward Riley, Tatiana stepped forward. The Hunger recoiled, burning in bright blue as the white Fox embraced her granddaughter tightly. "I will be here to give your mother a fighting chance... There is so much more to Fiona Blackstone's story. The legend is set in stone. But the woman deserves the peace she's sacrificed nearly everything of herself for. I will be there when it's time to eradicate this Hunger. I promise. I will burn my soul to nothing and leave this mantle to another if I must. I won't let you be motherless like she was, Riley..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley hugged her grandmother back just as tightly, clenching her eyes shut as she soaked in the brief moment. When her eyes opened again, she found herself back in that solitary room, her body aching from having fallen asleep on the stone floor. It was quiet outside, nothing but the gentle peel of chimes to mark the passing of the hours. She heard two, briefly, and knew it was still the wee hours of the morning. She was too restless to stay cooped up and soon found herself leaving the room.

Riley wandered among the immense stone pillars that she had passed upon arriving. Part of her wanted to go find Marth and spend the rest of the evening with him, but another part of her knew that she might never get this chance again. She took in the carvings on each pillar, the stories of the honored families told on each stone face. When she had first arrived, she had been confused to not see a mention of her family, but she realized that their story was yet untold. The Blackstone pillar was nearly unfinished, with each meager generation told in a few images before it ended completely with Ephriam. There was no Owen. There was no Fiona. His story had simply ceased, she thought to herself as she traced her fingers along the blank stone.

"You could have had a good life here." Riley murmured softly as another presence made itself known.

Turning slowly, she found herself looking at her great-grandfather's former companion. Odessa was a beautiful dragon and Riley admired her. She also knew that the dragoness had been hurt deeply and still carried those wounds with her.

"Would you like his seeing stone?" Riley asked softly, reaching into her pocket to pull out the old black stone that she had been given years before. "I feel it's a little silly to have a seeing stone when Callers don't use them anymore. My Ma has one with her own crest on it. My brother ended up with his pocket watch and poetry. I guess they felt this would serve me more."

Riley held the stone out to the dragon. "He didn't leave much in the end. Ma said when he died it took all they could scrounge up to bury him."