The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Very funny, beggars. Get lost," the guard called back with a huff.

"Queen Katherine Ghis of House Aleister has come to call upon her uncle and ally, King Cahal Dunland of Clan Wick," Qira called up with a stern, though not aggressive tone. "The Lord Protector will have announced her already. So I suggest you check with your superiors."

The guard stared at them for a long moment before looking to his companion in the gatehouse. They muttered to each other before one disappeared. Only a couple minutes later, the great gates creaked open to allow the pair in just in time to see the keep's doors opening up again and a stoic Kell stepped out, still muddy and damp as if he'd just arrived. A shorter human man with bright red, long, braided hair and a braided beard stepped out. He was only a bit younger than Kate and he walked with a beautiful but simple knotted root cane, clad in simpler clothing than his station would normally call for. One leg was gone below the knee, most people knew, but it was carefully concealed to look somewhat normal with a modified boot. Behind him came a fairly older man with the same red hair, extremely tall and rail-thin and dressed in a simple dark suit and cloak. He had a fine goatee and mustache and sideburns, but his hair was kept short and roughly combed aside.

The last time Kate had seen the Dunland brothers, it had been during the fall of Inverness when they fought alongside her remaining men and her father's clan to stop the invasion of the Imperials. Abel had been gravely wounded and it was almost certain he wouldn't survive. Cahal, despite his own injuries and missing leg, fought like a rabid beast til he was dragged away onto an escape ship with Abel to sail home and prepare for the Imperial takeover. It wasn't til many months later that Kate finally got a letter from them telling of Wick's choice to bow to the Imperial regent to avoid further losses, knowing they couldn't do a thing with the rest of Scotland taken over. Abel had survived, but his health had been incredibly fragile ever since and it was a miracle he'd survived this long with added famine and the stress of keeping a dying clan afloat.

The brothers stared at their niece for a long moment, both having been expecting her but both shocked still to see her. Cahal was the first to move, striding across the distance with deep purpose in his step until he seized Kate into his arms, dropping his cane aside. He said nothing at first, simply hugging her as tightly as he could and burying his face against her shoulder to hide his emotion. Even though he'd filled out quite handsomely from the gangly teen she'd once known at his coronation, he felt much thinner than she remembered, his svelte and lean frame now bony. Abel was far worse off, little more than skin and bones as he quietly walked up and wrapped his arms around both of them. Neither said a word for a long moment, quietly reveling in the relief at just seeing her face, and in the knowledge that if she had reached them, things might just be okay.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate had a wide smile on her face the moment that she saw both of her uncles. She had wanted to see them for years, but circumstances had kept them apart. It had been nearly impossible to get letters through either and when one came through, she cherished it beyond measure. However, seeing them in person was different. As Cahal started to move towards her, the smile slowly started to fade. She would see just how much the both of them had suffered at the hands of Royer.

Kate wrapped her arms around Cahal as he caught her up in a tight hug. Abel soon joined them, the both of them nearly crushing her with the force of their arms. Gently she touched their cheeks, looking each in the eye and knowing that they had suffered immensely, most likely because they had been related to her.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered softly. "I'm so sorry, uncle."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You have nothing to apologize for," Cahal told her sternly despite the waver of his voice, finally pulling himself together with a deep breath but still keeping a hand on her shoulder and one on Abel's. "You of all people need not apologize for any of this."

Abel reached out to touch her cheek. As the eldest Dunland brother, older even than her biological father, he was past sixty at this point. "Our dear kitten has returned," he murmured, a nickname she'd rarely heard in the past two decades, only coming occasionally from her parents. It had been left behind along with all she'd lost.

"You've changed so much," Cahal murmured. "And you look like you rode halfway across the world to get here."

"In our case, that's actually rather true," Kell commented as he came to pick up Cahal's cane and return it to him. "Halfway across the world and through half a war. We have a lot to talk about, and someone to introduce that you two only ever saw in passing," he added with a glance to Qira. One of the guards had come up to take their horses and Qira put the saddlebags over his shoulder before turning to give a small but respectful bow to the King of Clan Wick and his closest advisor and brother.

"Your Majesty," Qira murmured.

"I remember you, Master Qira, and you are most welcome here," Cahal assured him, stepping forward to shake Qira's broad hand. He looked back to Kate and asked quietly, "I don't imagine the other three are coming just yet, are they?" He had met Rissa on many occasions before the war and she typically kept track of correspondences. But he'd never gotten the chance to see Brogan, much less Shani, even if he'd been reading about them for years.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We decided to try our luck with just the three of us." Kate answered, giving Cahal a small smile. "If this goes well, I'll send for the rest. I'd like you to meet Brogan. He's a lot like you, thank the Gods. He has my temper though. It all comes together in combination to keep him honest and earnest."

"My ma and da send their greetings to the both of you. Sam and Fiona as well. If you see Fiona on her white dragon in the skies soon, don't be alarmed. The both of them have been itching to take a tour through the highlands." Kate came to Cahal's side and took his arm, almost in disbelief that she was there. "I knew that times were hard for the both of you, but I never imagined this. When letters stopped coming, I just assumed that it was because there was danger."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Danger, and a lack of ability to send anything, I'm afraid," Cahal sighed deeply. "We can only afford to keep a few staff members on now, and it seems all our free time is spent trying to keep everyone fed and begging for help from our neighbors."

"Let's go inside," Abel suggested softly, his dark, shadowed eyes already looking tired. "There's so very much to discuss, and I won't ask you to do that in the mud and cold. We'll give you a moment to settle and get a meal started. Then we can talk."

Kell gently took Abel's arm, just in case he needed some support, and the five headed into the keep. Kate had never seen it so bare, anything of value long since sold and only the barest minimum of furniture left. But as they were shown to rooms, it seemed Cahal had not sacrificed the comfort of the guest chambers, and passing by the staff quarters, they could see he'd left them alone as well for the sake of those still loyal despite hard times.

Once they were in the parlor to which two bedrooms were attached, Qira set aside their saddlebags with Kell's own pack in a corner. Kell stepped up to Kate and drew her into an embrace with a kiss, quietly glad to see she'd made it safely. He spared the same for their great Panther before facing them both. "Things are... well, you've seen. It's bad. Beyond bad. I intend to bring back a request for any supplies Soma thinks we can spare. These people are on the verge of starving to death. The head of staff told me Cahal and Abel have been skipping meals to make sure their staff gets enough to eat. Admirable but... Abel's already in a fragile state, and Cahal's youth will only keep him going so long."

"I should go hunting," Qira suggested softly. "Even one doe would feed a few families. There is still wild game here despite the troubles in the city."

"I'm sure most folks have been too busy plowing and planting to hunt... It would help. What do you think, love?" Kell looked to Kate for her opinion, knowing if Qira was out hunting, she was less protected.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kell, I can handle myself with a sword and a dagger as well as anyone else." Kate murmured as she looked over at her husband. "Qira can hunt. I'm sure they would be immensely grateful."

She went quite for a long moment, moving to look out the windows of the keep. It was easy to see the suffering and cruelty that the people were going through. There was no reason for it other than superiority. Royer lived in comfort in Edinburgh while the common people were suffering. It made her so angry that a man who looked down upon her because he saw her as a barbarian could do this to people who depended on him for survival.

"I'd like nothing more than to slit Royer's throat right here and now." She murmured, shaking her head.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell watched Kate approach the window and glanced back to Qira. The great Panther stepped up beside her to kiss her cheek before getting out some of his belongings and heading out. He wasn't the sort to dawdle when people needed his help. Kell watched him go in silence before taking his place beside Kate and lacing his fingers with hers. "Soma intends to give you the chance to judge him yourself. And with how angry that young man has been of late... I think he may succeed." Looking out into the fog and gloom that only half-hid the desolation, Kell's expression grew stony and grave. "If I can hand Brennan Royer to you, love... you know I will." He was equally as heartbroken by the treatment of their dearest allies, simply more stoic as he planned and mulled over how they'd alleviate the suffering once Royer was gone.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Kell, I have long since made peace with the face that I’m but a figurehead in this war. There are others fighting the battles.” Kate said as she turned her head to look at her husband. “But when I see all of this, all I want to do is pick up my sword and lead the forces on my own.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn't stop you at this point," Kell admitted softly. "I know it must be so frustrating watching some of our family fight while I hide you away. But if you want to lead the march into Edinburgh instead of follow it, you can. You're the best fighter in this entire clan, and you know I would march beside you to make sure you're not caught unaware by Royer's tricks. So would Qira and Bo. Shani, I think would be ahead of us doing what she does best, but still with us."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Would we be lucky enough to be mounted to a cross in the courtyard of the castle before they murdered us?" Kate asked bluntly as a knock sounded at their door and a servant informed them that her uncles were waiting in the library the keep. "Will we be brave enough to find out?"

She moved to change out of her traveling clothes, exchanging muddy clothing for her regular dark armor. While she had kept her father's black and blue for her own colors, she had added rich golds over the years to signify her time in Mongolia. She had been particularly fond of golden eagles on the Steppes, especially after her white tigers had finally passed of old age. Her last eagle she had personally given to the Khan before they left, knowing that they would not be returning any time soon.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell followed his wife's lead, donning his usual black with hints of blue and a small medal on his chest depicting Kate's updated heraldry. His outfits in public always complimented hers, even when she was in armor. It was a small but consistent show of unity and loyalty that Kell insisted upon for himself, and Qira and Rissa often followed themselves.

The library was similarly sparse as the rest of the keep, the only major pieces left being a small table and matching chairs, a long runner and some simple iron candle holders. Cahal was at the head of the table, Abel always to his right side. Kell pulled out Kate's chair at Cahal's left and took his own place beside her when she was seated, speaking up as he went, "Qira has gone out to see if he can provide some much-needed meat for the locals. He rivals Kate in skill when it comes to hunting, so I imagine he'll manage to feed quite a few people."

"He didn't have to skip a meal himself," Cahal insisted, but Kell smiled and shook his head.

"Qira never spares much time to eat when he has a project or focus."

As attention turned to Kate, Cahal reached out to place a hand over hers. "My dear Kate... I can't possibly tell you how we've missed you. Not just as High Queen, but as our dearest family. And I've regretted for years never getting to meet your Prince."

"From what you've told us, he's quite the handful, but beginning to come into his own," Abel added with a fond smile to his niece. "Just like you at that age, if memory serves."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Worse than myself, I hesitate to say." Kate said with a smile as she took her uncle's hand and squeezed it tight. "He just never had any siblings to keep him honest."

"Tell me, uncles, what thoughts have you given to what will happen to Wick in the future? We can lift you out of this moment and try to repair the damage that is done, but what happens when you both pass. What happens to Wick?" She asked them, wondering what the future of Dunland Keep was to be.

 

[KieranSoares]

Cahal and Abel shared a look and Cahal shook his head. "I'm afraid that even in peacetime years back, I never gave any time to such thoughts. I was too set on proving myself til I was nineteen, then after that once I felt comfortable in my crown, I spent all my hours in diplomacy to repair the damage left behind by the O'Hennessy bloodline. I never entertained suits for alliances or politics. And then by the time Wick had been taken over by the Empire, I was cut off from the outside world and too lost in my worries and duties to think about heirs and such. I'm still young enough that I could have a family... But I know myself. Even if you are restored to the throne, I will be so concerned with rebuilding that I'll never think of marrying again. As for Abel..."

"You remember, Kate, that my partner was a younger man, a game warden that worked in our staff. I'm afraid that after I lost him in the months that followed the war, I never sought out another partner, much less a marriage or children. It never felt fair to subject another person to being my spouse, and it felt crueler to want to bring a child into this world while Wick was slipping further into squalor," Abel explained softly.

"We are one another's only living family left other than you, Kate," Cahal mumured. "So if both of us were to pass without an heir... Well, by our clan's laws, it would fall to you or, if you're gone, young Brogan. Then Wick would no longer be an independent clan."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was quiet for a long moment, still holding Cahal's hand as they explained their situation and she finally gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry that this war took so much the both of you. I know that the Ghis have had their problems with Wick in the past, but it was never in our wildest dreams that it would end like this."

"Bo has a young woman in his life that makes him happier than Kell and I have ever seen him. When you meet the both of them, you'll see just how perfect they are for one another." Kate said softly. "Perhaps we can strike a deal to make Brogan your heir now. Let him learn at your side while Kell and I focus on the broader task of rebuilding the kingdom."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think it's something the Young Prince should weigh in on before we get into too many details and get our hopes up." Cahal glanced up as staff brought in a small meal of a thick, creamy haddock chowder and crusty bread that Kate's cook at Edinburgh had often served whenever she was low as a comfort food. "The cook was already preparing for dinner, so I asked her to make sure it was properly Scottish," he offered with a smile. "The High Queen should be welcomed properly. And with a parade not possible at the moment... I think some proper Scottish home cooking will do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know that Royer sees me as a barbarian? Who dallies with beasts and devils." Kate said with a broad grin on her face as the meal was served. "He believes that he is more Scottish than I, even though I have Brogan Ghis has a father and the Ghis brothers as my teachers. In fact, he tortured my poor sister-in-law and her father simply because of what they are. Kell and I were just talking about what we will do when we finally have him in our custody."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If only every victim of starvation or his brutality could decide his fate," Cahal muttered bitterly, Abel placing a hand on his shoulder. "Those who kowtowed to him thrived while those that he took by force all went without. Many of us didn't want to be conquered yet again by another tyrant, so we joined the Imperial loyalists in trying to resist. Then Hess came to Royer's aid and the rest of us fell and were relegated to heavy tax and little support or trade."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It makes me sad to see what Wick has become. The city always had such a vibrant market." Kate waited until the meal was served, glancing at her uncles' portions and then at her own, looking over at Kell.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell was silently studying the food, his keen senses looking for any hint that something was out of place. Finding nothing, he quietly took over serving the drinks just in case. Anytime they were in dangerous or unsecure territory, he tended to take over serving food and drinks. He trusted Kate's uncles and didn't question their staff's loyalty, but he knew that something could be slipped into the food at any moment when the cooks were distracted.

Once Kell was satisfied everything was safe, he gave Kate a small nod. "Forgive my paranoia," he told Cahal. "I'm honestly shocked Royer hasn't tried to poison you two thus far. And I don't trust that he wouldn't try now."

"I think he's fairly satisfied with us just being under his boot as long as we don't resist. We're small fry to him despite our relations," Abel explained. "But I wouldn't be surprised if he tried after he learns Kate made it here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm hoping that he'll never know." Kate said as she started to eat, looking up at her uncles. "I'm not so naive to think that this house is completely secure. There have been traitors among us the entire way, willing to sell information for coin or power. I think often on Gale in his final years, wondering if he saw any of this coming. He chose to let his only legitimate son live life as a baker, content and happy, and pass the crown to someone else. Young Lynndon is the spitting image of his father, by the way, and one of the best bakers in Norway. I think those two brothers supply most of the ships going out to sea."

Lynndon and Jamie McNamara had created something of an empire in Trondheim, working hard on what they had learned from their father. They had retired the old man long ago, letting him live out life peacefully with their beloved mother in a large home that overlooked the bay of the city. Kate kept close watch over Lynndon, intent to make sure that no one ever disturbed him. She had no idea if Kayla MacNamara had ever told the young man of his true parentage but that was a discussion for the both of them. Kate did have the power, however, to make sure that King Gale's wishes were fulfilled.

"Something that they asked Sam's wife while they tortured her makes me believe that they don't know as much as they think that they do. Royer still believed that Bo died during his birth." Kate murmured, looking up at Cahal and Abel. "If he had a person here, he would have known from my letters that Bo still lived."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You've all hidden him well, then, to make Royer question such a thing," Abel offered. "They must only be asking now because he's been seen in public in England. I'm worried for him, though. Royer is very good at hitting where it hurts most, as I'm sure you've gathered. Many of his victories here were because of the collapse of morale more so than absolute domination. He targeted hearts and minds more than soldiers and castles."

"He learned it from the example of our predecessors. Our father and Tamblin Ghis especially," Cahal growled. "And with only overfed, lazy Imperials and starving Scots to stop him, he blew through all of Scotland with ease in practically an instant once Hess joined him."

"Hess won't be helping him this time," Kell said with a furrow of his brows. "Nor will any of the Imperial barons from England."

"We heard of Hess's fall and Edward's coronation," Cahal confirmed. "But we didn't know England was fully taken back."

"England and Wales. And Ireland has managed to stay free to this day, so the west coast of Scotland is practically ours already," Kell offered, hoping to bolster their spirits. "We've turned the Monaghans' focus to the smaller isles in our stead. Islay, Mull, Skye, and so on. I can't discuss details, but know that the Northern armies surround Edinburgh now. We aren't wasting time after seeing how dire things are across the isles."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Perhaps….” Kate said, looking over at Kell and then at her uncles. “Perhaps Wick might be a good place for a dragon to reside. A guardian for you both to make me feel better and a hunter for the city. Fiona might have someone that is looking to retire to a much more leisurely life.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Once everything else is settled and Royer is gone, I think that'd be a good idea. It'd give the people a bit more security," Cahal agreed. "I imagine a number of clans might welcome such guardians after all this."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You have my oath that I will protect the both of you.” Kate said, swearing again to her uncles her loyalty. “Not free money or lands, but devotion. You deserve the best that I can offer to rebuilt what Wick once was.”

As Kate reconnected with her uncles, in the Northern camp, all seemed quiet in the mist shroud that enveloped them during the cool day. Fiona had been doing what she was allowed, mostly advising Soma and giving verbal commands to Ezra. There was nothing else that she could really do without help as everyone else was occupied and her hands were still healing. She had insisted that Sam help her gain some dexterity back, having him write out simple letters in a journal that she could trace in both English and Erygonian. However, it was all slowly dawning on her that her injuries were much worse than she had previously imagined. It was hard to hold the quill and it was harder to make the symbols legible. She could barely do the straps and buttons on her own clothing and armor, let alone on a dragon's saddle and gear even if Schaller were well enough to fly.

She had left aside her work and retreated to bed, hoping that some rest would help with her mood and the depression that was slowly creeping in. She couldn't help the tears that came as she pitied herself for the first time, her bandages finally proving useful to soak up the tears as they fell freely. Fiona didn't really even protest as she felt Sam come and settle beside her on the cot, returning to check on her as was his routine at mid-day.

"It's finally sinking in." She said softly as she pressed her forehead against his chest. "And I did this all to myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

For all that was happening around them and how Sam seemed to be constantly needed somewhere in camp or beyond, he had been consistently beside Fiona in the mornings and evenings and always checked in at least once midday. This day as he saw her curled up at a time she'd normally be working, Sam knew she was struggling and as he wrapped her up in his arms, he was quiet for a long moment, simply stroking his fingers through her hair to soothe her.

When he finally spoke, it was quiet. "I'm sorry y'have to deal with any of this, love. I know the wait t' heal is always hard on you. An' for it to happen again so soon after you got back to normal is even worse." He pressed a kiss to her forehead and closed his eyes. He wished she could rejoin his side in their work, not just because he needed her help, but because he didn't like leaving her behind or going without her. But he couldn't risk taking her with him to potentially dangerous situations, not when she couldn't hold a blade. Even firing her updated crossbow was difficult. Alex had been dutiful about helping her regain her strength, giving her options and ideas alongside her own, and giving her advice similar to what his patients with arthritis would get. But nothing eased the slow, painful process itself.