The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

Blair's reaction was instant, a knife pulled from the small of her back and aimed for Markos's throat. With a clash of steel, he stopped it with his own small, strange hooked blade.

"I'm terribly sorry to have startled you," he said quite calmly as Blair stared at him in shock and growing rage. "I was just-"

"Get the fuck out, Markos," Blair snarled, giving him a shove as they each pulled their blades back and sheathed them. "I almost killed you, you idiot!"

"If I may, I-"

"Get out!" Blair roared, only for Markos to catch her by the arms when she went to shove him again.

"Stop," he commanded, eyes flashing over black. Whatever he'd done, it was enough to halt Blair for a moment. "I'm not here to spy or cause trouble. Please listen."

Blair pulled back, nearly stumbling as she came back to herself. "Why didn't you say anything instead of sneaking in?" She growled.

"Because what I have to say needs to stay quiet." Markos strode forward, making Blair tense up, but his eyes were on Jane. "Milady. I believe you are in danger. The Lord Protector is surely on his way, as there has been an informant among the camp today, watching you. No doubt they are here on orders from Ramsey. I believe you are going to be kidnapped, and I would like to catch the person with your cooperation."

"Why aren't you letting Aleister handle this?" Blair asked, pushing between Markos and Jane.

"Because despite the Lord Protector's best efforts, there seems to be a traitor among his most senior officers. No doubt they have been terrified into betrayal by the threat of Hesperus being brought down on us by Royer."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane glanced between Markos and Blair as they fought viciously about what was happening, but she kept quiet as Markos explained that there was a traitor at camp. It made sense that Ramsey would want her back, even more so that Brennan didn't trust his youngest son to rule if he fell. He had told her as much at her wedding.

"So, you want to use me as bait?" Jane asked, trying to figure out if she had heard Markos right.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You are a target either way. Best we have control of the situation." Markos offered a kind smile then. "I know you barely know me and I've not given you all much cause to like me. But the Queen has given me a chance to make up for my mistakes and misplaced loyalties. I would like to repay her kindness by helping her sister, and by hopefully capturing a traitor."

"So what's this plan, then?" Blair asked, turning to fetch her armor.

"It's very simple. We let them get close, and we catch them in the act." He drew a pouch from his satchel and pulled out a thick, sharpened iron hairpin with a knotwork design. The sharpened point was discolored, strangely greenish. "Put this in your hair," he told Jane. "Be very careful. If they get hold of you, one little jab with this will have them writhing on the ground. That's a last resort, just in case."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane took the offered hairpin, looking at it even as her hand shook slightly. "Then I suppose you know that the Royers wrote me letters about coming back to Edinburgh." Jane said softly as she gently threaded the pin into her thick brown hair. "And that my father wants nothing to do with me."

"Wait...is Fiona safe? Has someone warned her?" Jane asked, turning to look at Markos. "What if they go after her?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I told the Princess," Markos confirmed with a nod. "We agreed to split up to warn and prepare anyone who might be a target, and we sent Master Andre to tell the Lord Protector. As I said, he is likely on his way now."

Markos offered another smile, seemingly so genuine and kind despite how his reputation preceded him as being unpredictable and immensely dangerous. "I would recommend you postpone anything too... personal for another night. Agents will surely be crawling all over camp tonight. The assailant may wait for another time if he learns an alarm has been raised. If that happens, I will warn you ahead when I've caught wind of his movements again."

With that, Markos turned and slipped out. He nearly ran right into Kell, weaving around the Wolf with a chuckle. "Pardon, your Lordship. Good night."

Kell stared after Markos with a raised brow before glancing into the still-open tent flap. "Ladies? I'd like to have a word with you if you have a moment."

 

[heartofcourage]

Jane ran her hands over her face, shaking her head as Markos left as quickly as he had appeared. She glanced over at Blair, a soft and sympathetic look on her features as Kell appeared in Markos's wake.

"We know why you're here." Jane said as she beckoned him to enter. "Please, have a seat if you wish."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've half a mind to employ that man as an agent," Kell muttered, looking back over his shoulder at where Markos had disappeared to. "He seems to be a step ahead of me at all times."

Stepping into the tent with a few of his agents standing guard outside, Kell politely declined the offer to sit down. "I have plenty of rounds to make, so I can't stay long. I just wanted to let you know in person that we're trying to draw a potential kidnapper in. But I assume Markos already said so."

"Pretty much," Blair sighed. "He seems to think we can catch this person without you."

"Does he?" Kell glanced back again. "I suppose I can't blame him for thinking that... My inner circle has been betrayed and there's only a handful of people in this entire camp that I'm positive I can trust right now... Fear of this titan of a dragon has caused a few people to cut and run or turn coat."

Looking to Jane, Kell continued. "Milady, you are technically a prisoner of war as long as your marriage to Ramsey Royer stands. Even if you came willingly, in their eyes you were kidnapped and they're desperate to get you back to resecure alliances, not to mention saving face. I imagine they're going to use every trick in the book to get to you. So from this point on, I ask that you keep near at least one member of my family's clan at all times, or have Blair with you. I would also like to move your tent to the family's circle tomorrow to keep you closer. The nearer to Qira, the better."

Jane had seen the hulking Panther a few times now, silent as shadow as he patrolled or followed in Kate's wake. Blair was secretly terrified of him, even though it was clear the Ghis Clan trusted and revered him as Kate's guardian.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord, I think that you know that it isn't my husband who is desperate, but my father-in-law." Jane said as Kell spoke of those that were loyal to the Royers. "He told me on the night of my wedding that he has little faith in his son. I think his treatment of Fiona Blackstone shows you the kind of man that he is, but he does not have the loyalty that his father commands. Brennan wished that I take the reigns of the government if he fell. Of course, I would rather keep my head upon my shoulders and have no wish to upset her Majesty's rule when Edinburgh is taken."

"But I can play a part." Jane offered, knowing that she was in danger. "I can help draw them out if needed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You have nothing to fear from my Queen," Kell assured her. "Kate may have a temper and she may want Edinburgh back, but she is not irrational. If we thought giving you back to Royer and killing him so you could abdicate in peace would work, we'd have started that plan already. But with Hesperus in the mix... I fear that even if Royer fell and Hesperus's loyalty fell to you, this dragon would burn Scotland anyway against your wishes. So for now, we'll fend off kidnappers and assassin's while we figure out what to do. For tonight, stay in place and don't take any unnecessary risks. Nothing will happen for now, not til things get quiet in a night or two. So Blair, I need you here with Jane. You're relieved of normal duties til this situation is settled."

As he turned to leave, Kell paused briefly. "... If Markos comes to you with an idea to draw this person out... I would recommend following his plan. I can't make any plans with my people til the mole is rooted out. Consider our defenses compromised til further notice. Besides... Markos is a bundle of mystery to seemingly everyone. No one knows what he'll do at any given moment. Better that we keep that element of surprise on our side. Good night, ladies. If you need anything, I will have people posted outside."

As the Lord Protector left, Blair crossed her arms in clear frustration. "No one can just leave us alone, can they?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll have our time, Bee." Jane said softly, as Kell left them in peace. "But at least we know the score, right? When we have the moment, we'll take it without hesitation."

Across the camp, Fiona and Sam had been jarred awake from their slumber by Riley and some of Kell's agents. Fiona sat in one of their camp chairs, exhausted, but listening intently as they gave them a rundown of events that had happened. She rested her head against her hand, dark shadows under her eyes.

"It seems there's nothing we can do until he shows his hand. Unless Kell has an inkling of who the traitor is in his ranks..." Fiona said softly. "If it's a Rider, I can take care of them quickly."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The Lord Protector is going to close ranks and root out the issue to make sure everyone can account for where they've been and what they've been doing lately," one agent explained to Fiona. "He's extremely frustrated, as calm as he pretends to be."

"Long as no one goes off alone right now, we can look after each other for a bit," Sam assured the agent. "We know who we can trust an' who's courage is still steadfast."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want it known across this camp and across this isle that this dragon is no different than any other." Fiona murmured, looking at Kell's agent as he explained the situation. "I've never kept any in my ranks against their will, but to turn tail because they fear a coming threat is the upmost cowardice."

"Ma." Riley said softly. "They're scared."

"I understand that Riley, but they're scared for the wrong reasons. This dragon wants me, not them." Fiona insisted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"This dragon has threatened to burn the isles, love," Sam countered quietly. "We don't know exactly how big he is, but we do know he can reach across continents and cripple Callers. No one's ever seen anything like that. It doesn't excuse betrayal, obviously. But this is new territory."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll take first watch with Marth. Jani will take second with Avi and Andre third with Rikke. We will make sure that everything is well secured around Ma." Riley promised, seeing how strained her parents were and hating that the stress was coming after such a lovely event. "That way you both can keep your normal schedules."

"There's nothing normal now, Riley." Fiona murmured as she stood and thanked the agent for his report, retreating to the more secluded section of the tent to get some rest.

Riley stood there, her hands on her hips, as she watched her father. "I'll protect her because she won't do it for herself."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Your Ma has a tendency to get pretty morose when she's recovering while bad things keep stackin' up," Sam muttered. "She feels helpless."

Standing from his seat, Sam stepped up to Riley and placed his broad hands on her shoulders. Dismissing the agent with a nod, it was soon just the two of them. "Riley... I have no idea what's coming. No one does. Even Markos's information is limited. Your Ma and I are scared. I won't hide that from you. We've had some hard conversations lately... Committed to choices we hope we'll never have to make. It's a goddamned mess having her out of commission, even if we can make up for it with other people. But while she's down, love... I need her safe. I know you understand that better than anyone. I can't function without her, an' Soma's finally shown where his temper's been hiding all this time, seeing her laid low. I don't have to impress upon you how important she is to the North. You've seen it already. Don't let her get caught in a fight til she's ready again." He drew her in to kiss her forehead. "And when that dragon shows up... Little love, I'm going to need you more than ever before."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My duty is to this family. I'm going to do what it takes to protect you all." Riley said softly as she swore her loyalty to her father as if it were ever in doubt. "And a dragon won't scare me off."

She kissed his cheek and left the tent, leaving him alone with her Ma. Fiona had slipped back into bed in the darkened portion of the tent, but was still wide awake. Staring up at the canvas ceiling, she shifted uncomfortably under the blankets, her mind unable to rest now that there had been danger inserted back into their lives.

"It's just a dragon, Sam." She whispered softly. "Made of bone, scales, skin, muscle, and blood. Nothing more than we've faced before..."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Are you tryin' to convince me, or yourself?" Sam asked softly as he came to kneel at her bedside. "Because I know this dragon's been sendin' you dreams, showin' you more of himself an' his power. You're the one who's seen the most out of any of us."

Reaching out, Sam let an arm drape over her and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "If you really believe he's nothin' worse than Schaller or Dzana... I'll believe you. But don't lie to me or yourself, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If I don't tell myself that, I'll lose my nerve." Fiona said softly as Sam curled around her, hiding her with his arm and upper body as he begged her not to lie about the situation. "Just let me be naive for a while longer."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's all I need to know, darlin'," Sam assured her softly, letting the subject go as he offered what comfort he could.

In the following days, things grew tense as more reports came in of outer clans and regions being liberated, meaning the time was drawing near for the attack on Edinburgh. It also meant Hesperus was getting closer. No one knew how long it'd take such a massive creature to get there, whether he'd be slower because of his size, or much faster because of a massive wingspan.

Brogan spent plenty of time helping Fiona work on her grip with help from Durban, pushing her a little further each day. Within a week and with plenty of monitoring from Alex, she had enough dexterity back to handle everyday things. The salve Dola provided had worked wonders, helping stave off some of the soreness that came with so much physical therapy, and helping to encourage blood flow so the scar tissue wouldn't leave Fiona's hands cold all the time.

Ten days after the Riders' feast, with the majority of the Northern Alliance gathered in a wide arc around Edinburgh awaiting the final preparations, an Alstadt officer came rushing north from London. With Tanya and Joachim stuck there as Joachim recovered from a strange sickness, they'd been in regular contact. Tanya was sure to keep Fiona informed after her dream, and she had mentioned Joachim wasn't quite himself, but it was expected since he was so ill. He wasn't turning violent or acting strange, just exhausted and faraway as he recovered.

But as the elite Alstadt Rider dismounted her dragon and came rushing into the camp, everyone could see she was wounded, and she had a finely-woven sling across her front. "Your Majesty!" She called in a heavy Austrian accent as he hurried into the center of camp, looking for Fiona's tent. "Where is the Rider Queen?" She demanded from anyone who approached, holding the bundle close to her chest.

When she was pointed to where Fiona was sitting with Durban, she hurried over. Durban had been gathering some easy, useful tasks to help build up Fiona's strength. Everything from carving handles for tools and weapons to cutting and finishing leather. He knew it was frustrating to feel useless. As the Rider approached, guards tensed but let her by seeing her Alstadt crest marking her as one of Tanya's own bodyguards.

"Your Majesty," the Rider gasped for breath, kneeling before Fiona. "Major Karina Schoenberg... I've just come from London. The dragon, Hesperus... He's on his way."

She then untied the sling from her chest, revealing an infant in rich, soft clothing that Fiona knew at once as Prince Arnulf. "The Emperor... I don't know what's happening to him. He was fine one moment, and then... He attacked the Empress." The Major looked up at Fiona with true fear, showing that blood had soaked into the sling but it was not Arnulf's. "We fended him off long enough for her to put the prince in my arms, and I ran like hell. I saw the dragon approaching as I took off. He was... God, he was the size of the main cathedral."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Call for Alex." Fiona said over her shoulder to Durban, moving towards the guard as she revealed that she had the crowned prince with her, the young infant traumatized and whimpering as he sucked on his thumb. "I've got him now. You get medical attention."

Fiona took the baby from her, shushing him to calm him as she looked him over. Arnulf clung to her as if he had seen horrors himself, whimpering as action started to happen within the camp. Patting the baby's back, she took the moment to consider her next move.

"You're safe now, my love." Fiona whispered as she immediately made her way towards Soma's war tent, knowing that they needed to make plans immediately.

"Bring me Dola." Fiona said calmly to one of Kell's agents as she entered the tent. "And what supplies might be spared for a child. I also need all of my Callers immediately."

 

[KieranSoares]

Each order Fiona gave sent a soldier or agent sprinting into action. Durban sent a younger, faster messenger for Alex and he stayed at Fiona's side as she went. He silently gripped the haft of his axe, as he any everyone who'd heard the Major's report grappled with the idea that the great dragon was coming and that something had gone terribly wrong with their most powerful ally.

When Fiona reached the war tent, she found Soma looking over a map of Edinburgh and discussing entry points with agents who'd served in the city before its fall. When Fiona stepped in, he looked up and immediately grew concerned seeing the baby. "Ma?" Seeing Durban's grim expression and other guards outside, Soma stood. "At attention," he commanded the agents, who were all quick to their feet and ready for orders.

At the same time, runners scattered across the camp to get the Callers, even sending Riders up to bring those patrolling in the skies. Blair and Markos were not left out, but Blair made certain to secure Jane with an agent before coming in.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona paced with the baby in her arms, a natural at appeasing the child while thinking through what had happened just as she did when her own children were the same age. Arnulf clung to her, barely uttering a sound as soon the tent container her Callers.

“We have time. He’s taken Joachim.” Fiona said as she turned to look at them all. “I saw it in a dream at the beginning of the war but didn’t think it would come to this. We need to find out first if Tanya still lives. Second, we need to prepare in the way that callers do. He’s not going to take us unaware.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Surrounded by Callers all at once, the energy around them almost crackled with heightened awareness and tension. Even Owen had come, standing alongside Riley and leaning heavily on a crutch as he was too anxious to sit. As Dola came forward, having been called both personally and as a Caller, she stood quietly aside waiting to help with whatever Fiona asked.

At the mention of Tanya, Andre was the first to volunteer. "Rikke's faster than most. I can get down there quickly to see if Tanya still stands, and get her out of there if she's wounded and Deidre's compromised."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You will ride with a partner. Not a caller, but a rider that can be trusted. In fact, no caller will be without a partner for the foreseeable future." Fiona declared, shushing Arnulf again as he started to fuss. "If Joachim can turn as fast as Tanya's guard says, we must expect that Hesperus can find a crack in our defenses and use us when he sees fit."

"Soma, I believe it best if we pull back from Edinburgh. I can't feel safe in the open like we are. We have had better luck in the forests of Scotland." Fiona said as she turned to look at her son. "Let the Royers dig their own graves. We are better equipped for the highlands."

"That leaves the actual matter of reaching out to Hesperus." She turned her gaze towards Markos. "And against the popular opinion of this camp, you are the one that will lead us."

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre nodded at Fiona's advice, already thinking to himself who he should take along. Soma immediately began writing notes as Fiona spoke. "I agree," he murmured. "If we back away into friendly lands and spread out our supplies while avoiding clustering, we can avoid mass losses."

When Fiona pointed out the strange Greek Caller who was quite happily perched on a crate in one corner, everyone turned to look at him at once. His aimless demeanor was out of place, and his response was friendly and surprised. "Oh." He glanced around and offered a smile even to those glaring at him. "Okay."

Soma raised a brow at him. "... What do you need to get started?"

Standing from his perch and glancing around, slowly spinning, Markos paused before Riley and smiled again to Soma. "May I have an armband?"

Soma pulled off his own blue Northern armband, tossing it to Markos who happily tied it around his upper arm. "Oh, and I need some people. Foresters who can identify certain plants and gather them safely."

"That can be arranged," Soma assured him. "What exactly is this for?"

"Poison, of course," Markos replied pleasantly. "It won't kill Hesperus, but it will slow him down. Every Caller and Rider and archer should have poisoned arrows and bolts. And I can do the same with ballista bolts."

"Write me out a list of everything you need and be ready to teach our herbalists and medics," Soma commanded, earning a nod from the man.

"Oh, and Your Majesty," Markos turned to Fiona. "If we do happen to catch those people hunting Miss Jane and you, I have lots of questions." The implication was there that he was offering to put his torturing skills to use. Not many could withstand what he'd put Fiona through, and sometimes Kell wasn't vicious enough to get useful information from prisoners.