The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I'm going to finish this," he insisted quietly, burying his face in her shoulder. "I'll feel even worse if I don't..."

Eventually Soma went off to catch up on sleep he'd missed. Many did the same while they waited for the armies to gather. For the time being, rest was the most useful pursuit for most.

After everything settled and the wounded dragons cared for, a pyre was prepared for the fallen. It would be lit in the evening, so once the bodies and wood were arranged, those working on it also went to rest. Andre returned to Riley, greeting her quietly with a kiss.

"Everyone's headed this way, there's a few headed to Edinburgh to scout, and your parents are resting for the most part," he reported to her quietly. "Soma's asleep too. Little guy wasn't doing so well."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley was starting their evening fire when Andre returned. She glanced up as he told her that they would soon be joined by the family. She gave him a small nod, lost in her thoughts for a moment.

"I'm going to lead them into Edinburgh." Riley murmured softly. "All of the other leaders of the dragon riders are down. I have to take my place, eldere."

She glanced up at Andre and let out a long sigh, gently touching his cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You might have to fight your Ma over that," he murmured, taking a seat beside her. "She's sitting with Sam but she's refusing to really take it easy. Not that I blame her. But if you need to take the lead to Edinburgh, I'll be with you. Hopefully without Royer there and with the news of Hesperus's fall already spreading, Edinburgh won't be too much of a fight. Sounds like a lot of folks want Kate back, and others might be too afraid to resist now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Royer will be a thorn in our sides until he is hunted down like the wild animal that he is. If he's near Wick, we might have another fight on our hands. According to Kate, Wick can barely keep bread on their tables. I refuse to let Royer impose his cruelty on them further." Riley said softly, her mind made up about the matter. "If Ma wants to join me, I can't stop her. Alex could though."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm hoping she'll stay by Sam's side. It's looking more and more like he'll need surgery for that knee. I know Alex hates having to pin people down when they refuse to rest. Especially Fiona and some other stubborn women in this family," he added with a slight smile to her.

"But whatever happens, Kell has men on Royer's tail. He's still in Inverness with the Ferngill family for now. If he moves north, I'm prepared to ask for a detachment of Riders to catch him on the road where he can't defend himself. If he gets to Wick, it won't be good.,x

 

[heartofcourage]

"He won't get to Wick. I'll make sure of it. He'll never hurt another city again." Riley promised, leaning her head against Andre's shoulder. "Could you fix something for dinner? I want to help Markos with the pyres at dusk."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've got you covered," he assured her. "I'm gonna make sure Jani gets a proper meal too. Ma won't be here til tomorrow most likely, so someone has to look after that woman." He brushed his fingers through Riley's fur and kissed her forehead. "I love you," he muttered. "I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're safe and so many of us made it out. I was... Well, I wrote a letter last night... In case I died. Once we get everyone home, I'm done with the military for good."

Andre let his arm drape comfortably about her waist and he sighed quietly. "You always used to tease me about wanting to try every job, every hobby... But I think I know what I'd like to be when this is over." He looked down at her and smiled lightly. "I think I'd just like to make food for people. On the road for extra money, in new places to meet the locals and make friends... And I'd love to help plan those big yearly gatherings, introduce everyone to all the foods we come across while we're out gallivanting."

Andre's gaze dropped to the ground but he kept his little smile. "That's what keeps me going... You, our family, and a silly little dream of making people smile when I hand them a plate. It's what Joachim always said I was best at... That's how my Riders got to be so close, like brothers instead of just a bunch of scared kids. And I like to think that's how I softened you up." He managed a little smirk, finding a shred of joy in the gloom.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can do whatever you want, my love. You know that I'll never stop you from what you want to be." Riley said softly as he wrapped his arm around her and laid out what he wanted for his future. "You never have to step foot in a battle again. I can lift that sword and shield for the both of us."

Riley cupped his cheek and nuzzled against him, letting herself bask in the moment of calm that passed between them. With all of the world falling down around them the past week, she had missed this simple connection.

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre gladly melted into her affection, the motion alone telling her he'd missed it too. "After Edinburgh, we should have a moment to breathe. Maybe I can treat you to a little date night," he murmured. "Something to break up the tension." He buried his face against her neck with a deep sigh, a little pulse of that familiar warmth radiating through them. Andre hadn't had the presence of mind for some time to give her the attention she needed, not after losing Gia and Joachim. While he certainly didn't feel okay, he was fully back in the saddle with Rikke and seeking affection again from Riley.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley wrapped her arms around Andre, gladly sharing a few moments with him after all of the horror of the past few months. She could hardly believe that they had been married for such a short time and had been through so much.

Across the camp, Fiona woke with a start. She hadn't been aware that she had fallen asleep, but someone had covered her with a blanket and tucked her in. She let out a sigh, wincing at sore ribs as she sat up and glanced over at Sam. She gently touched his cheek and hated the fact that the battle had wounded him in a way that would mean surgery.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well now, look who's awake," the familiar, somewhat raspy voice of Sam's twin came from near the curtain that sectioned off their part of the medical tent. Rhodan Ghis was among the very first to arrive with the returning soldiers. He had been helping the Triad courts while his family fought, employing his rusty memory of being a Crown Prince. He'd tried to get there in time to see his brother for the feast the previous night, but he'd been delayed. It seemed he'd only just arrived, by the mud on his boots and his windswept short hair.

Rho stepped over and pulled a chair up beside Fiona. Sam had always looked older than Rho, more grizzled and rough. But Rho was greyer, his eyes more shadowed and dark. As he reached up to smooth his short beard, he murmured, "Some big messes you all got into since I saw you off from Trondheim last... I've been getting the letters, but Loren caught me up properly about some details that weren't shared before." His dark green eyes turned to Fiona and he sighed quietly. "I know you're stubborn. You always insist you're fine. Insist that others are helped first. But if you need me, I'm here. You've been there for Loren and I all his life."

He turned his gaze back to Sam and nodded slightly, "I won't say anything more about it unless you ask. Not going to nag you about it like everyone's always done when we get hurt. They mean well... but sometimes we need to sort things out ourselves first."

"An' sometimes brothers like t'defy Alex an' keep people from restin'," Sam grumbled sleepily. Rho smirked lightly to himself, watching Sam's head turn toward them. Sam immediately reached out for Fiona's hand. "Hey, love..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's just like you to miss a hell of a fight." Fiona murmured as she turned her eyes towards Rho. "You don't owe me anything, Rho."

She started slightly when Sam's voice sounded next to her and she gave her husband a small smile, taking his hand in her own and squeezing it. "I need to be getting outside. I'm sure they'll light the pyres soon. I promised Markos that I would help him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Rho... Bring that chair out, then come back an' help me," Sam told his brother, sitting up and gingerly swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Can't stand an' properly honor them... But I won't be absent at their sendoff. Those dragons an' their Riders fought a long war an' died t'see us home."

Rho nodded and rose, taking his own chair outside while Sam looked to Fiona. "My knee can wait for tomorrow."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If you're in pain, it shouldn't wait." Fiona said softly as she came to his side.

Letting out a long side, Fiona gently cupped his cheek, her blue eyes dulled with unnamed emotions. "I don't want to talk about this, Sam. It hurts more than anyone can imagine. I know they understand and they just want to help...but could you talk to them for me?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's hand came to rest over hers and he gave her a small nod. "I'll ask everyone to step back a bit," he promised softly. "But I need you to promise me tha' you'll take care of yourself an' ask for help when you need it. Just like you tell Soma." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, drawing her a little closer for a gentle hug so not to disturb her broken ribs. "I'll keep folks back when you need the space."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona nodded as she hugged him and relaxed the slightest bit. When she released him, she moved to gather his clothing, helping him to dress before Rho came back. By the time Rho returned, Fiona was ready to go as well, no armor on for the first time since they had landed on the isles. She couldn't bear to put it on and she didn't think her ribs could take the strain.

"Can you help him, Rho?" Fiona asked softly, turning to look at her brother-in-law. "I can't lift him or hold his weight."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've got him," Rho assured, returning with a crutch so Sam could partially support himself. With Rho on one side and the crutch on the other, Sam was able to keep weight off his badly-injured leg without disturbing his ribs too much. Slowly but surely, the brothers made their way outside and down to the meadow where the pyres had been built. The Northern dragons had all had Northern banners draped over their necks, moved into curled positions with wings over their heads as if sleeping. Those whose Riders had died with them had their partners curled into their arms, also wrapped in banners. The dragons who had survived without Riders, and Riders who'd survived because their partners saved them, were all standing at the ready to light the pyres as tears streamed down their faces. Even those too wounded to stand had been brought out so not to miss the sendoff. Loads of fresh wildflowers and ivy had been picked to surround the fallen, making the scene almost beautiful.

And some ways away, Hesperus lay alone. It seemed Diana and some others sympathetic to Markos had taken the time to arrange Hesperus into a more peaceful, curled position as well. The pyre around him was more sparsely decorated, but a large, flat stone the size of a wagon had been placed before him. It was uncarved now, but would mark his grave til Markos could return to work it properly. For the moment, Markos had painted it with a vast array of colors and designs showing Hesperus's younger days flying alongside the Karides, Blackstones, and Reven herself. Greek calligraphy surrounded the story, reading out his titles from before he went mad: "Hesperus, Dragon of Olympus. King of Laconia. Leviathan of the Aegean, Adriatic, and Ionian Seas. Sleeping Giant of Kythira."

Markos and Diana were standing among those gathered for the Northern dragons' funeral. It seemed Markos didn't expect anyone to care for Hesperus, and would set his pyre later alone. Once Rho, Sam, and Fiona arrived, the crowd parted. Rho got his brother settled in a chair, gathering the family near. Sam didn't take over as Commander, instead giving the lead to Fiona, Danica, and Costa. Jani had stubbornly come out, but had been forced to sit down as well beside her wounded partner. Avfairn had to favor his broken leg heavily, but could still move around. Ezra couldn't be moved, but Alex had done him the kindness of at least having his cot carried outside the medical tent so he could see the flames from afar when they were ignited. Sadah was too wounded to move far, but she had made it to his side.

Costa and his partner were the only two of the officers and their dragons to escape unscathed, but Danica had lost her second partner in only twenty years. The first- her family's dragon for generations- had nearly broken her completely. Her second was now lost to Hesperus and she stood beside her husband and sons looking like a ghost, so shell-shocked that she hadn't spoken or even wept. All she could do was stare at her fallen partner who'd helped raise her family, gotten her through twenty years of waiting to go home to Ireland and Scotland, and who'd sacrificed the precious time needed to save himself to rip her out of the saddle and get her clear, ending in his death.

The gathered Rider Corps went quiet as Fiona approached, the loyal veterans and many re-gathered younger warriors all regarding her with absolute respect that had existed even before she slew Hesperus. Among them was the Ghis clan, supporting their allies, friends, and family and honoring the dead who'd gotten them a step closer to home. And waiting for Fiona among them was Schaller beside Dzana and Rikke. All three were wounded, but not enough to stop them. Dzana had suffered burns and shallow gashes. Rikke had escaped with the least damage of the three, a long wound along her tail where Hesperus had almost caught her. And Schaller was missing half a horn and some bony plates in his crest along with some raking wounds down his shoulder and side. Stepping forward, Schaller met his Rider with a soft rumble. If she wished to address everyone, he would lift her up for all to see. If not, he simply wanted to be near. He didn't say a word, knowing already that none were needed.

 

[heartofcourage]

There was a strange energy that enveloped everything around them as they stood among the dead. Fiona could hear the hush through the crowd as they watched her closely, wondering if she might say anything. The truth was she was exhausted and it was the last thing she wanted to do, but they needed her. They needed her to say anything that might make sense of what just happened.

She patted Schaller's maw as he came near, rumbling at her in greeting. She leaned her head against him for a moment before she took his good horn and had him raise her above the crowd. Looking over the dead, she was struck by just how much they had lost. It seemed to stretch as far as her eye could see.

"There's nothing that I can really say that will make anyone feel any better." She said to those gathered. "I wish that none of this had to happen. Most of you have followed me blindly into the abyss and we have paid such a heavy price for it. We cannot forget what we are fighting for in the end. We cannot forget that our partners paid a price for that freedom that we have dreamed about for so long. As always, I offer you nothing but freedom. If your end is now, then it has been a pleasure serving alongside you. Stay for tonight and help us light the pyres to send them off to the beyond."

 

[KieranSoares]

Among the crowd, it seemed a few hearts were struggling to stay brave, and some of the wounded and the mourning seemed as though they might finally bow out for good. But Fiona's officers and their trusted circles in their chains of command all seemed to stand firm. The only one among them that would step down was Ezra, but only because he had no choice. Even if he wasn't permanently paralyzed, he'd be out of commission as a soldier for good. And despite her loss, Danica didn't retreat or look away either. Some among the greenhorns and lower ranks would bow out, and some would wait til the war was declared over. But those most loyal to Fiona seemed unshaken in their dedication, especially among the dragons.

"This was the single most dangerous battle we as dragons have ever faced," Schaller rumbled. "Even siege weapons and other Rider Corps have not been as deadly to us in such a short amount of time. In a few minutes, we lost a dozen dragons and nearly as many Riders. Not one of you faltered or fled. For that... I am grateful. Your bravery and the sacrifices of those fallen saw us through to victory, hollow as it may feel right now. You have saved thousands of innocent people from a rampage promised by Hesperus and the Royers. Tomorrow, the hale and hearty among us will turn toward Edinburgh. We're almost home. Until then... please. Do not struggle alone." It was one of Schaller's gentler speeches, as he rarely spoke publicly at all, and it was usually in war councils. He turned his head and Fiona toward the pyres, listening and watching as Ezra's right hand man stepped up and read off the names, ranks, and any titles of the fallen. A number of veteran dragons approached, breathing flame into the pyres and kindling. Shallow ruts had been dug around the pyres to avoid fire spreading. It was all well-contained as the straw and wood caught and different colors of dragon flame turned orange and engulfed the dead.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona heart broke as she watched the fires be lit. There was no such thing as a good death, but this was the best that she could offer those that had fallen in her fight. Riley stared up at her Ma as she watched over everything with a forlorn expression. No one would know how much she hurt, but Riley could sense it. Thick grief clung to her and Riley feared that her mother might lose her mind from it all.

Letting out a deep sigh, Riley picked up a torch and walked towards Markos as he stood watching. "Shall we?" She asked him, her eyes promising him harm for harming her family, but her sense of duty wanting to put the great giant to rest.

 

[KieranSoares]

Markos turned toward Riley, Diana looking down at her over his shoulder. The odd man seemed more present and focused than usual, but his blue eyes were glassy as if he were trying not to weep. He looked back toward the lone form of Hesperus briefly and nodded slowly, taking the torch. "They are much too beautiful to die this way," he murmured softly. "And so many good Riders and protectors with them."

With Diana at their backs, Markos slowly made the short walk toward Hesperus and began setting the kindling alight while Diana circled round to spread her own flames. When Markos stepped back near Riley, tears had begun to roll down his face.

"I had hoped things would be very different," he muttered. "Since I was a boy, I wanted to care for a haven. And when I learned how sick Hesperus was, I'd hoped someone like Master Rory would know what to do. But no one knows how to deal with dragons losing their minds from old age and mental illness." He glanced over at Riley, knowing the animosity she and the North still held for him. "I tortured my hero for loyalty to a man I should never have followed, even if he did save me. And despite all that, your mother showed me mercy and she tried so hard to be merciful to my old friend... I will work the rest of my days to be worthy of the second chance she gave me."

Casting his gaze back to Diana as she returned to them, Markos smoothed a hand over the tattoos of snakes and Medusa that crawled over his head. "I'm sure you hate me. But thank you for your kindness, remembering my old friend and wanting to send him off. Neither he nor I have done much to deserve it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want nothing more than to shove you into that fire for what you did to my mother. However, I have too much respect for my Ma to do that because even though you did the unspeakable to her or allowed the unspeakable to happen, she has too much respect for you." Riley murmured as she watched the fire around Hesperus start to engulf his form. "Maybe in time you'll earn my respect."

"Tomorrow, I'm flying to Edinburgh at the head of my Ma's forces. Her most trusted were taken out in this battle, which leaves me at a disadvantage. However, I do know that you could provide me with information and support seeing as Edinburgh was your home." Riley crossed her arms over her chest and let out a sigh. "I'm asking if you would ride with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

Markos considered the young Fox for a long moment, perhaps not surprised, but intrigued that she was asking him. It also struck him how young she really was. He was perhaps only a decade older.

Taking a seat on the edge of the painted rock, Markos gave Riley a nod. "Diana and I know the city well, from ground and sky. Without Royer there to head the defense, it will be an easy victory. But we still shouldn't be complacent considering the number of cannons on the walls. There's no guarantee they'll be unmanned with Royer's main forces gone north."

He lowered his gaze from the fire and added quietly, "I was pulled away by Royer before the Warden and his men got their hands on your mother, but I consider myself just as guilty for anything that happened to her after I was gone. You have every right to have me executed the moment I'm no longer useful, or before. I would go quietly. But I would also like to be here to help after the war is done. There will be so many more battles to fight. Not with sword and fire, but with support and hard work. And I promised your mother that I would be here to help in any way I can. I already know she wouldn't sentence me to any harsh punishment, as much as many think she should. She is too merciful, and doesn't give her own well-being much regard. So I will leave my judgment to those who love her most. If I fail to be useful or you believe it's time for me to go someday, I will not resist. My last request will always be for Diana's freedom no matter what happens."

Markos looked up to Riley once more and added with a somewhat forlorn smile, "But first... Edinburgh, and the High Queen's return."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley stared at him with that unreadable expression that she had cultivated over the years. To trust was something she wasn't sure that she was going to be able to do, but her natural suspicions would exclude people from helping that had the knowledge that she needed.

"Long live the Queen." Was all she could say before sure turned from Markos and left him alone.

Fiona sat top of Schaller's crest until the last of the embers burned low as evening came. She leaned her head against his horn and said nothing. There was nothing that needed to be said. There was a sadness that went through everyone around them. It was palpable as the other dragons moved in to rake the ground and bury the ashes.

"My words weren't enough." Fiona said softly. "They'll never be enough."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Words rarely soothe broken hearts," Schaller agreed quietly. "But blaming yourself for your hand being forced won't soothe them either." His green eyes followed the last trails of smoke up as he spoke, and he sighed quietly. "It won't help any of us who still live either. But I know you carry a terrible guilt for all of this, my love. You always have anytime good people die in these battles, be they human, were, or dragon."