The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I can't stay useless," Andre muttered, "and I'm not a ground fighter. I need at least a temporary partner." He looked down at Riley, his eyes still shadowed and haunted. "I have to get ready for this new elder dragon."

Looking over to the haven dragons, Andre hesitated to continue. "Why is Rikke here...? She's not even fully grown."

That was the very conversation Schaller had had with Rory, but Rory had insisted Rikke wanted a chance now that she'd mastered her fire and excelled in combat maneuvers. And even if she wasn't fully filled out as an elder yet, she was the size of a normal adult dragon. Schaller was still extremely resistant, hoping Andre would find more in common with one of the other two that had arrived.

The other pair were both females, one in her early hundreds and the other in her fifties, but both young by dragon standards. Both were trained and proven warriors, and the elder of the two was formerly the partner of a mercenary who'd abandoned the Empire at Fiona's call twenty years back, and died fighting for Inverness in the last battle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Welcome, you two." Fiona said as she saw Andre and Riley, sitting with Schaller as the three dragons got themselves settled. "Andre, these three are the ones that Rory has chosen from the Haven as the dragons that most fit with your needs. Jacira has come to us from beyond the seas and was proven in battle against naval forces in Norway. Her rider has grown too old to continue in service, but she is still firm in her resolve."

Jacira was a beautiful pale-yellow dragon that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight with stunning blue eyes and pale blue fur along her ruff and ridge. She was thin and muscular, a stunning sight.

"Sieglinde has been with us for a long time, since before the fall of Inverness. She prefers to be called Linde and she is about as battle tested as you are going to find in the Haven." Fiona said, glancing at the next great green dragon next to Jacira, her body covered in battle scars. Her dark black eyes were unusual for a dragon, but held the sort of warmth that no one would expect from such a veteran.

"And then dear Rikke." Fiona said as she glanced towards the young elder dragon. "As stubborn and contrite as they come, but one of the best battle fliers that we have. She is fast and agile and has full control of her fire."

Rikke had lost much of her baby far in the Haven, now much sleeker than she'd been when she had left Sweden. She was growing into a beautiful white elder dragon, much like her father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We were chosen because Rory thought our styles complimented yours," Rikke spoke up. "You're an expert at speed and harsh maneuvers. The three of us are all trained for that." She looked to the two older females with clear respect. In her time training away from Schaller, it seemed she'd matured a fair bit just like Riley and others their age. But she also didn't seem to think she was going to be picked, considering her father was there and had never wanted her to be a warrior.

"Jacira is one of the fastest we've ever had," Rikke explained, having been trusted with Rory's own survey of the three. "Linde is by far the strongest of us three."

"And what about you?" Andre asked quietly, looking up at the dragon who was like a sister to his wife.

Rikke grew a little shy then. "I... Well, I'm sort of in the middle."

"As an elder, she has two talents," Schaller spoke up with a serious expression. "Her fire is already stronger than average. Like me, she has more fine control of it and could melt other dragons' hides. Her unique talent is nothing like any of the rest of us. It is still developing, so we will see what it becomes. But thus far, Rikke seems to be able to camouflage herself. Most of us have mental abilities, not physical, so it is extremely unique. And she is uniquely in touch with her environment and can sense disturbances."

Schaller looked to Rikke and she nodded. With a ripple of flexing muscles, they all saw her bright white scales turn leaf-green like the grass beneath their feet. "Dragons are so big that sometimes it's hard to hide. So seeing as you're usually a guerilla fighter, Andre... Rory thought this might be useful."

Andre, while still exhausted and melancholy, nodded and stepped forward. "I'd like a chance to talk to each of you. This is temporary for the moment... But I'd still like to get to know you all."

Walking up to Jacira first, Andre stepped away with her to talk. Linde settled to wait, but Rikke approached Riley with a smile, leaning down to nuzzle against her. "I can't believe he didn't send me back right away," she whispered with a glance toward her father. He sat with Fiona with a deeply worried expression, but he held his tongue about it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's still heartbroken and doesn't know what he really needs. Don't count yourself out." Riley said as she greeted Rikke like a sister, hugging the dragon tightly. "Now, your father is a different story. He was fit to be tied last night when Ma told him that Rory had requested you. I've never seen him that close to wanting to eat someone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I also wanted to come for him and for you guys," Rikke admitted. "After hearing how badly hurt he and your Ma were, and then Andre... I just wanted to be here. Even if Andre doesn't pick me, I want to be of use now that I'm able."

Rikke sat down with Riley as the others talked and waited on Andre. "Sorry I didn't make it to the wedding," Rikke offered quietly. "I was in Mongolia on a big sort of 'proving' mission. Rory sent me to go help root out some bandits and raiders to prove I was ready for a partner and real battle."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It was a lot of ceremonial rot that my Gran and Dola put together." Riley said with a soft grin. "But I wish you could have been there. Your Da acted disinterested through the entire thing, but he shed a tear or two."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He loves you so much," Rikke chuckled, nuzzling against her once more. "You and your Ma are his favorite people to try to get himself killed with." Even if she made light of it, she knew they'd all recently been through some seriously close scrapes. But her words rang true. Schaller had made it clear that Fiona and Riley could lead him into hell and he'd follow without hesitation.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Rikke." Fiona called to the young dragon, getting her attention and motioning over towards Andre who was now standing alone as Jacira made her way towards Linde to rest.

"Good luck." Riley said with a smile as she watched her friend center herself and go towards Andre.

Riley walked to be with Schaller and her Ma, climbing up to sit next to her Ma on the great elder dragon's forearm. "I left Jani with Markos. I'm not too sure how we'll find him when I return."

"I'm sure she appreciates that." Fiona said sarcastically as she looked over at her daughter. "I hoped that everyone might be a little more accepting, but I know there's a lot of hard feelings. Maybe working with him will get her over her anger."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The man bled, broke, and starved you. You expect any of us to be cordial?" Schaller asked bluntly with a raised brow. "The only person aside from you willing to be halfway polite is Sam. If I had my way, I'd have dropped him into Royer's courtyard piece by piece. He acts harmless now but I know from experience how dangerous he is."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I expect you all to follow my command." Fiona said simply. "I'm bled, broken, and half starved...not dead."

She turned and looked up at Schaller, raising an eyebrow up at him. "And last I checked I was still the Rider Queen, am I not?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"The Rider Queen, yes," Schaller muttered, being just as stubborn as she often was. "And last I checked, I'm not a Rider." Even so, he leaned down to press his maw against her, closing his eyes. "Give us time to tame the anger, my love. It's not so easy as simply moving forward. We struggle with this rage because we love you." It was far more than just their extended and adopted family now. It had become clear from the sheer retaliation and energy unleashed on Royer's outlying holdings that Fiona was widely beloved across the North, and her reputation had changed for the better in the Empire over the past year.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know you're upset that Rikke was called." Fiona murmured, knowing that the depth of fear that Schaller held for his last born child was endless. "And I know that you're upset over what happened to me and Andre, but...my love...you need to relax."

She leaned into her dragon's maw as they all sat together, just waiting for Andre to make his choice. There was no pressure and nowhere important to be, just them and the morning hours as Soma and Sam gathered more forces and plans together.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Andre finished speaking to Rikke and Linde, he approached Schaller and looked up at him with a somewhat guilty expression. Before he could even speak, Schaller sighed deeply and looked away. He knew Andre had chosen Rikke.

"I don't need to lecture you, nor remind you of the possibility of loss," Schaller growled. "Whether you two are only temporary partners til you find a better fit, or you decide to stick together permanently... All I ask is that you not endanger her needlessly." Schaller finally glanced down at Andre, seeing the guilty look hadn't faded. "But you never needlessly endangered Gia... And I'm grateful to both of you. Your partner died so that mine could live... The least I can offer in return is my support and confidence that you will treat my little girl with the same love, respect, and trust that you gave Gia."

Andre's gaze dropped to the ground, but he nodded resolutely. "Both of you are family. Even before I married Riley. And now I can help my family again with Rikke's support."

Schaller's gaze turned to Rikke, his green eyes full of pride and grief seeing her grown up and following in his footsteps. "And you, little fledgling. I expect you to take good care of your sister's husband. Make sure he always comes home. As dragons who choose to work and live with humans and were, our partners are sacred to us. Even if it ends up being temporary... I know you'll do right by him."

Rikke nodded solemnly, knowing it was a massive step for her father to let go. But it spoke to the trust he had in Andre after all he'd been through with their family. And Schaller added with a glance to Riley, "I know I've always butted heads with you about Rikke, little kit. But you've proven yourself in and out of battle. I know you will end up working with her often too. Neither of you are children anymore, so I will step back."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Marth and I will train with her as well. None of us will go into this battle without knowing the score." Riley promised Schaller as the elder dragon tried his best to make peace with the situation. "I promise that you won't regret this."

Fiona watched the three of them seal the deal, staying out of it as they were all adults and they could figure this out on their own. "As Rikke is an elder who is still growing, she needs new tack every so often. Ezra and Rory can advise you on how best to keep up. As for Linde and Jacira, they are welcome to stay at the camp in case a rider is found. I'm sure they would like to be useful."

"Schaller...let's go for a short flight. Just the two of us." Fiona said, looking up at her dragon. "It's been a while and I feel like you could use it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Do you need any help?" Andre asked softly, knowing Fiona might have trouble with her saddle. Despite his loss, he was still a devoted son-in-law.

"We can manage," Schaller murmured, knowing he could get his tack on and off alone if needed. Letting Riley and Fiona rise, Schaller stood and dipped his head down for Fiona to step up on his crest. He swept away, not allowing any soreness from his healing wounds to stop him.

Andre stood watching them go for a long moment before reaching out to loop an arm about Riley's waist, bringing her close against his side.

Normally Schaller and Fiona would go without a saddle on such short flights, but Schaller knew she couldn't hold on well so he insisted on it and her harness. Once they were airborne and high in the sky, Schaller locked his wings out into a glide to let Fiona enjoy finally being in the air again.

 

[heartofcourage]

Being in the sky was freedom and Fiona soaked in every moment. She had managed to hook her harness on her own, a small victory after Schaller had gotten his own saddle on. Sam had braided her hair that morning, but she had loosened it, letting the wind whip it around her face. Her mother had told her stories of her favorite horse back in Sweden when she was a child, about how she would ride just to feel the wind in her fur and the freedom that it gave her. She came from a line of warriors and callers, not just the blood that her father gave her. That was what she needed to remember. She wasn't just a Blackstone. She was Tatiana's daughter as well.

 

[KieranSoares]

Schaller let Fiona enjoy the glide for a long while, before going through a few basic maneuvers and easy dives just to give her a little more of that thrill of freedom and agility. When he leveled out once again up high, he glanced back over his shoulder with a little smile to see her enjoying herself. It soothed his soul as well to see her doing better. He rarely talked about how hard it was to see her injured several times in the past two years, and it had been made even harder recently with his own injuries and the stress of oncoming threats. But in the sky, it was just them and he was able to relax for a precious moment.

"It's good to see you back where you belong," Schaller commented over the wind with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

“And it’s good to see you smiling instead of dower.” Fiona said with a teasing half smile of her own. “Even Dzana was growing concerned…in her own way.”

“Rikke would have come on her own. She was concerned about you being injured, but Andre needing a partner sealed the deal. She was beside herself after she heard about you at the wall.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Even if the last thing I want is my fledgling being here... I know she'll be a good match for Andre. They have kind hearts made for looking out for others." Schaller sighed lightly at that, glancing down below them. "I always thought I was a born and bred warrior... but I miss the peace more than anything. Being able to travel on a whim, chasing troublesome kits and cubs... Most of all I miss my quiet time with you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Lord Schaller, I would shower you with jewels if I could afford to." Fiona said as he admitted that he missed peace and being surrounded by children and grandchildren. "Sam mentioned another child last night. We are still...considering it. You might have that as your reward. When everything is said and done, you'll still have all the kits and cubs that you could stand to look over."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Considering a new generation is starting to fall in love and get married, I imagine we'll have plenty to make us feel old in the next decade." Schaller chuckled lightly to himself. "But it would be nice to have another little one around from you and Samuel... You two thrive as parents. And by the time Sam is ready to hand his mantle to Soma, you may have yourself a grandchild or two as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Speak of the devil." Fiona murmured as she saw another large dragon join them in the clouds, Dzana drifting close with Sam on her back. "Either he thinks we're being reckless or he wanted to get away from his duties for a while as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"From the look on his face, both. But moreso the latter." Schaller watched as the pair drifted up but didn't get too close. If Sam was worried, he simply wanted to be in reach just in case but he didn't try to stop them. Dzana glanced up at the pair with a small nod. She wouldn't show or say it, but she was glad to see Schaller flying.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona laughed as she saw the silent exchange between Schaller and Dzana, the pair still so unsure of where their path in life would lead them. "Invah might not be the last of my dragons with an egg." She teased as they continued on their path, simply enjoying the sky.

Riley returned to Jani with Rikke in tow, bringing with her food that Dola had made. By the time that she and Andre had returned to camp, she knew that he'd want to rest and Dola was already there cooking an early meal, which Riley promised to bring to Jani. The moment that she saw Markos still with her mother-in-law, Riley raised an eyebrow.

"So, you didn't kill him?" Riley asked with a slight smirk.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shush," Jani grumbled at Riley as she found Markos not only still alive, but seemingly entertained and distracted with a mortar and pestle grinding pigments for Jani to paint her shield. Jani was polishing the metal fittings and finishing the shield strap. "Your Ma said no, so he lives. For now."

Markos looked up from his little project with a smile at Riley. Seeing as his satchel was set aside and a number of his belongings were sitting out, it seemed he and Jani had probably had more of a conversation than just working on her shield.

Seeing Rikke, Markos's eyes went wide with curiosity, but he didn't approach immediately as he saw Jani rise to greet her first. Jani stepped past Riley, kissing her forehead on the way. She smiled as Rikke leaned down, nuzzling against her. "Hi, kiddo," Jani greeted softly.

"You finally got what you wanted, Jani," Rikke teased gently. "All your children are warriors of some kind."