The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Take your time, darlin'," Sam offered gently, staying beside Riley and Andre and pulling them both into his arms.

Since being released from Alex's care and into Nora's, Owen had moved back to his own tent that sat near the treeline mostly on its own. After twenty years of living in a cabin separate but still near the Voya, Owen liked his space and the quiet. Another tent now stood beside it where Nora stayed. The pair had been spending most of their time together getting Owen's strength back, though it had become clear he would never be his former self again. Some things had been broken that would never be quite right again thanks to his age and old injuries from years past.

But as Fiona arrived, she found a familiar sight. Normal, even. Owen was sitting beside his campfire cleaning and sharpening tools now that his arm was healed enough to work properly. Fresh venison was sliced into strips and laying across an iron grate to cook over the low flames, and a freshly-scraped deer hide was tied up to a frame nearby. It was his usual daily routine from home. As he worked, his expression was calm but melancholy. Despite the feeling of impending doom, he was keeping himself busy with normal things and trying to hold onto a sense of stability.

As Fiona approached, Owen glanced up and took a deep breath. "Hello, little kit," he welcomed softly. "Have a seat, if you're not in a rush."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No rush today. In fact, I came here just to see you." She said as she took a seat next to his campfire, relaxing into the little bit of normalcy that Owen was trying to keep around him. "Where's Nora? She usually doesn't leave you alone for long."

 

[KieranSoares]

"With Jane," Owen murmured, setting his tools aside to give Fiona his undivided attention. "Blair and Jane grew up together for the most part, so Nora's always treated Jane like her own. They're... finding ways to cope with the nerves together. Not just for Blair, but everyone going to battle who's been so loving and welcoming."

Leaning forward with his arms resting on his knees, Owen sighed heavily. "It's times like these that I miss Kesh back home. I know Rhett's taking good care of him, but there's nothing I want more than to go out on a long hunting trip with my drake. Orion's my dear brother, but there's no relationship quite like the one between a keeper and his faithful drake." He offered her a little smile at that. "But you know that as well as I do, my love. It'll be nice to see you able to spend plenty of time with Roman again. That fool lizard loves you like no one else."

Owen spoke like victory and survival was a simple fact. It wasn't optimism, but he wasn't purposely blinding himself to the true danger either. It was how he quietly coped with the very real chance that he might lose not only the daughter he'd just found, but the daughter he'd worked so hard to repair things with.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps you should take Nora and go to Sweden." Fiona said softly. "Go and spend time with Kesh and Tati."

She bowed her head for a moment, pain in her blue eyes as she centered herself. "I've thought to myself long and hard who Hesperus would corrupt if he had the chance. If the battle turned bad and he needed an out, who would he turn to? I would be the weakest among us, even if they weren't involved in the fight. You're still healing. You might not be able to fend it off."

"What he did to Joaquim was vicious. He was a walking corpse, kept alive only because Hesperus willed it. I won't see that happen to you, Da." Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Owen stared into the low-burning fire for a long moment before looking at his daughter. "Fear is how he controls, little kit. I'm not afraid of him. I worry what I might lose, yes... but Hesperus himself doesn't scare me. Because no matter what happens, I have people to be brave for. Even if I... lose you... Riley, Blair, Andre, any one of you... I have the Voya to be brave for. I have Scotland. I have the memory of my fearless wife who would've faced down that monster with a grin." He smiled to himself at that. "Anything that I am truly afraid of would only cause me to fight harder, not cower. But I know that I can't fight. Not after all that's happened to me. My days as a wanderer and a warrior were over the moment Royer's men so... graciously invited me to Edinburgh."

Sighing softly, Owen nodded. "... I will go. The last thing I want is to be the reason you fall into a monster's clutches again. Even if I am confident he can't touch me mentally, I know that if I'm anywhere nearby, he may consider taking me prisoner to hamstring you and everyone else who cares for me. It'll be hell to wait for news from the front... but I know I don't belong here in a war camp anymore. I belong in the woods and mountains like a proper wild Fox." He offered Fiona a kind, reassuring smile. "I'll go, if you need me to go."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ma was the warrior, we both know that. You were the wild one." Fiona said as she returned her father's smile, though it soon faded as she reached out to take his hand. "I'm sorry it has to be this way. I wish I could keep you here close. I never want to let you out of my sight again if I had my way. You are too important to me to gamble with your life, though."

She couldn't help it as she soon had her arms wrapped around her father tightly, holding him as if she might never see him again. She buried her face against the soft fur at his neck and soaked in the fleeting moment in his arms.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be back before you know it," his voice rumbled soothingly. His arms draped across her back and he nuzzled his cheek against her hair as she seemed to try to hide in his fur. He gave her that long moment of peace away from the main camp where all she could hear was his quiet breathing, the crackle of the fire, and the birds in the nearby trees.

 

[heartofcourage]

Across the camp, Kate had called for Finn Royer to come to her tent. There were things that the two of them needed to talk about alone now that she knew Edinburgh had indeed fallen under the pressure of Hesperus. She was working on letters to her uncles to warn them on Royer's flight when the young man appeared and she motioned him to take a seat, finishing a letter and sealing it before sending it off with one of her squires.

"Have you heard the news?" She asked him as she turned to give him her undivided attention. "That your father has fled Edinburgh for Orkney?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I was about to come to you myself when you called," Finn said with a grave nod. "But I warn you. He might not go as far as Orkney with the clan king there having abandoned him. He might dig in with the Ferngills since they're almost as well armed in Inverness as my Da was in Edinburgh. Or he might seize any other city he thinks he can hold. Inverlochly. Wick. Maybe as far as Skye if he thinks he can take it from the McTavish Clan. The entire north of Scotland is mixed territory between your extended family and stubborn clan kings who won't submit or make peace easily."

Finn glanced up as Qira entered silently and took up his post. Even if Edinburgh was as good as fallen and Royer had fled, Kell and Qira knew Royer wasn't going to stop targeting Kate til one of them was dead. She was the ultimate challenge to his authority and he still had the legal title of High King even if his capital was lost.

"The most likely places for him to go," Finn offered, "are either back to our clan's original lands neighboring the Orkneys, or Inverness. Both are incredibly well-defended with strategic positions, the finest men Clan Royer and Clan Ferngill have, and black powder weapons. Soma will need one hell of a plan to take Inverness back, much less hunt down my Da. But I can promise you I'll give everything I know about the cities and their defenses including Edinburgh. Even if she's wounded, she's still full of fire and desperate lords who see you as a guarantee of their executions."

"Her Majesty will dole out punishments befitting their crimes. No more, no less," Qira rumbled. "If they are afraid, that means they know what they've done to Scotland and her people. And they have nowhere left to run save maybe Spain."

"Then I imagine Spain will be having quite the influx soon." Finn sighed heavily and sat back in his chair. "We can hunt them down later when it's time to tie up loose ends. I'll be the first volunteer if I still stand."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Wick will not welcome him and I will make sure he would be dead the moment he stepped foot there." Kate said as Finn laid out where he thought that his father might try and go. "The same in Skye. My family is still firmly in power there and they honor my grandmother's memory fiercely. He has very few allies left, which makes this flight quite puzzling."

"Finnegan, you have proven yourself to us all time and again since you come to the side of the Triad. I have no ill will again you nor the girl that you protecting. Your brother has things to answer for, but that will be decided when Edinburgh is secured. These...men...if that's what you wish to call them are the same ones that sought to destroy me when I was queen outright. They have no loyalty, whether it is myself, your father, or you on the throne."

"Out of curiosity, my lord, what will you do with the girl?" Kate asked.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know there's nothing I can do for Ramsey now, he's dug his grave..." Finn murmured, a deep heartache making itself known. "He used to be so full of dreams and life, but our father terrorized him out of it saying he would never measure up to the Royer name. I'm certain that my leaving broke him. So... all I can do for him is make sure the woman he loves is safe."

Finn met Kate's green gaze and shrugged slightly. "She has nothing and no one without him, and I won't abandon her to the streets or send her back to France. I intend to talk with her about it once things calm down. I think she would like Wales or maybe Ireland. Familiar but out of the way and- not to be rude to our comrades, but it's a necessity- few dragons to cause her distress. I've always been her protector... ever since we were small."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's still legally married to Jane of Orkney. We can work to dissolve that marriage if that's what they both wish, but I cannot promise a happy outcome where it comes to Ramsey Royer. Nor can I promise anything when it comes to your mother or father. As of this moment, they are traitors to the crown and when they are caught, they will be made to pay for their crimes. I'm sorry, Finnegan." Kate said softly, the regret in her voice thick as she looked at the young man who wasn't much older than Brogan. "Perhaps in time when this is all but a memory, you might find a place in my court. I would offer something sooner, but...I cannot trust backstabbing Lairds with their own agendas."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If there is any chance for Ramsey to be allowed to live out from under my father's shadow, I would ask it be considered. My mother as well. She may be Queen in name, but she is as much a pawn as any of us were. I know you can't make promises and I respect that you even want to consider mercy after what Clan Royer has done to your lands and your brother's wife and her father personally."

Finn shook his head slowly. "I will fight in court to give my family a chance at redemption and life, but not my father. He called a beast of myth to destroy everything just because he couldn't have it all to himself. I love the man he was back home before the High Throne, before he teamed up with that madman Hess. But I hate the man we now face. He broke my little brother."

Meeting Kate's eyes again, Finn offered a quiet declaration of loyalty. "When my Da falls, I'd ask your permission to be reinstated as Prince of Clan Royer. Our people back home up north are just that: people. They aren't my father's cronies. They're fishermen and masons and mariners who need someone to make sure they have a voice in greater Scotland. I won't be a member of your court, Your Majesty. But I will take back my clan if you'll allow it. Maybe the name Royer could be worth something again in my lifetime."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You wish for Ramsey to be your ward then?" Kate asked, crossing her arms over her chest as Finn laid out what he wanted to happen when the war was over. "Of course I know what it means to work in order to rehabilitate the family name. My uncles in Wick have done so. My own family in Inverness has done so. It's a hard road, Finn. It's admirable, but it's hard. If that's what you really wish to have happen when all of this is over, then I can make it happen. You must understand that there will be little to no money that can be spared, though. However you find your clan, that is how they wil exist for the time being until we can help those that truly need it right now. There is much to rebuild."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My people have done alright for themselves up north, we can manage. Not as rich as some might think we'd be after our king usurped the High Throne... he kept most of the wealth in the major cities most loyal to him. But we'll be okay. And maybe we can offer a little help feeding Clan Wick since we're close neighbors. That'll be a good new start for us."

Finn sat up a little straighter, finding some hope in his people's future. "And if I can take Ramsey as my ward and rehabilitate him... Well, Your Majesty, I know my brother has talents our Da never valued. He grew up expecting to be a typical second son, a governor and never a King. His aptitude for city planning and numbers is striking. I can put him to good use so that he can prove he's worthy of the mercy you might show. And having Delphine beside us will help encourage him."

"Your Majesty," a voice came from the tent entrance as a slim Panther with barely-perceptible brown spots poked his head in. "My apologies for interrupting, but the Lord Protector insisted you'd want to see this."

Qira approached the smaller Panther and accepted a folded page, sending him off once more. He glanced at it before bringing it to Kate's side, giving her a silent, secret look of warning and concern. Once the paper was unfolded, Kate found a hastily-scrawled note from an agent in the field.

"Hesperus's prisoner identified: Astrid Royer. Alive. Dragon returned to Edinburgh outskirts and began eating livestock, made a nest out of the ruins of a farming hamlet. Unlikely to move til tomorrow."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Fuck." Kate muttered as she took the letter from Qira and read it over, muttering to herself as she handed it to Finnegan. "Seems as if we have a bit of a problem, my lord."

 

[KieranSoares]

Finn's brows furrowed as he took the note, only for his entire face to go pale. A tidal wave of horrible images flashed through his head with every cruel way Hesperus could slaughter his mother. His hands shook as he slowly placed the note down on Kate's desk. He pushed his fingers back through his thick, dark hair, his eyes wide with a thousand-yard stare. He crossed himself with his free hand and clutched a tiny silver amulet of Saint Michael on a chain about his neck. "Dear Lord in Heaven, cast your merciful eye upon my mother and forgive us our sin of inaction against evil..." As he continued to pray, Qira laid a hand on Kate's shoulder.

"Will we try to negotiate for her safety?" Qira whispered quietly enough that the shell-shocked Prince couldn't hear. "Can we risk it? It's possible Brennan Royer left her behind on purpose... I wouldn't put it past him to abandon her or hand her over in the hopes that Hesperus having a prisoner would cause problems."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate slowly shook her head no. "He wouldn't negotiate even if there was anything he wanted." She said softly, her heart going out to the young man as he prayed for his mother's safety. “Call upon our archers. Have them speak with Karides. We will lend them to Fiona for this fight. Brogan will be in the air with his cousins but Shani…will go on another mission.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll call her in." Qira swept away from her side and out to deliver her orders.

Finn soon left Kate to join his most trusted men, confiding his incredible worry and sorrow in some of his dearest comrades. He also lent every able bowman he had to the North's efforts against Hesperus. Hundreds of arrows would be laced with hemlock and oleander, ready to fire.

Kate was alone a while save for her guards close by, til Kell entered a bit later. "Well... Our cubs are taking their positions very seriously, it seems."

Looking across to Kate, he gave a melancholy smile. "Despite all the chaos and fear around us, Bo sent his own money off to the villages around Edinburgh that Hesperus stole livestock and food from. A few agents are out there delivering the coin now in hopes that our people can recover and not starve. Shani organized the whole thing and Bo sent letters to each village crediting the aid to you."

Kell knew what Bo was doing. He was showing the common folk that the High Queen was returning and she still cared for them. Kell would've organized some relief himself, but Bo knew how busy his parents were with the looming threats. So like a loyal Prince, he took on some of the work to lighten their load while adding to his mother's good name.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We have a treasury for that." Kate said as Kell announced that Brogan had been sending his own money off to the villages affected by Hesperus. "The sentiment is welcome, but he doesn't need to waste his coin."

"I need you to send Shani to Edinburgh and have her at the ready to extract Astrid Royer if she is given the chance." Kate murmured. "She is the one that we can spare in the midst of the chaos."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell stared at Kate for a long moment in silence, as if searching for the punch line. "You want me to send Shani... to steal a prisoner from Hesperus?" He asked quietly as if it were the most disturbing thing she'd ever ordered. "Kate... If Hesperus spots her, she'd be dead in an instant. And he might decide to come raging over here early if he sees that as a breach of his agreement with Fiona."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course not." Kate murmured. "We send her in when that overgrown monster is on his way here. Surely he's not stupid enough to travel with Astrid Royer. I wouldn't willingly send her to her death if I can help it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He took Astrid Royer for one of three reasons," Kell stated quietly. "As collateral for a deal with Brennan, as a bargaining chip, or to make an example of her in front of us like he did Joachim. I don't think he's going to let her out of his sight."

Kell shook his head slowly. "I hope for her sake she's worth more alive than dead to Hesperus. I've seen some horrific things in my life, but I never want to see what happened to Joachim again... I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

 

[heartofcourage]

"None of us do." Kate said softly as Kell though about the young emperor who had died at the hands of the sadistic dragon. "We won't know anything until we see her with our own eyes, Kell. You know that as well as I. Until then, we just have to wait and hope for the best."

The Royer camp, still treated as a prisoner camp, was as much subdued as the rest of the war camp was. With the news of Brennan Royer's desertion and Astrid's capture, Delphine found herself acting as a peace maker between the two brothers.

"At least there is a sliver of hope in all of this. If they are willing to consider letting you go back to your lands in the north, that bodes well for the both of you." She said softly, her hand gently squeezing Ramsey's thigh as she glanced between he and Finn. "And with Finn acting as Laird, you might have a life outside of these chains."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They're considering it," Finn muttered, giving Ramsey an expectant look. "No promises yet. So you'll be on your best behavior and you will remember to address them all by their proper titles with absolute respect, and do anything they say."

"I know... I know... I'm not stupid, Finn," Ramsey muttered miserably. Ever since Sam had broken his shoulder capturing him and broke his collarbone before Fiona could save him from being crucified in return, Ramsey had been quiet, anxious, and miserable. He'd been treated better than he deserved in most people's minds, but that had been the work of Prince Brogan Ghis after talking with Delphine. He'd made sure Ramsey was well-cared for and at least comfortable enough to have some peace while he healed. He was still weeks from being free of a sling and cast, but his worst bruises and cuts had healed for the most part along with a nasty concussion. Delphine had also been allowed to be with him at meals, and she'd watched his cruel, anxious side give in to depression. No longer in his father's clutches, he had silently broken down in unexpected relief. But he'd traded the stifling weight of expectation for the dread of death and never being free. Now he was too worn down and exhausted to really appreciate that his brother had brought him a chance to have a life outside of Edinburgh.

Finn's hard gaze softened slightly seeing his brother's listlessness. "Only sometimes," Finn sighed. "You committed one of the most horrible war crimes imaginable against one of the North's greatest heroes, Ramsey. The crime itself aside, you picked one of the most beloved people in this alliance. If not for Queen Katherine's mercy here to consider letting you live, and Queen Fiona's as well saving you from being crucified in return by her righteously angry husband, you would've been tortured to death by Northerners with no mercy left to offer. That, little brother, was fucking stupid. I nearly abandoned your cause when I heard the full story. I was ready to defend you, beg and pray for mercy for you. And I would've abandoned you... but I can't."

"You don't have to look after me just because you're my brother."

"You might as well not be at this point with how furious I am at you. But I believe even the worst of sinners must have a chance to atone. I believe in mercy and second chances and I believe all people are capable of good. I know you are. You're capable of deep, lasting love, Ramsey," Finn encouraged gently, glancing to Delphine briefly. "Goodness is about love. You are capable of love, so therefore you're capable of goodness."

"You were always a poet." Ramsey's comment made the corner of Finn's mouth pull in a half-smile. Ramsey seemed nearly lifeless, but he straightened up and murmured, "Thank you... Really. No one else with any influence would have spoken up for me..."