The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Then I'll make something we can take with us in case you feel hungry." Andre looked up from his task to regard his wife for a moment. "You know, I admire how you're sure of what you need to do. Even if you're not always confident in yourself, you're set on doing things anyway. Whether it's more stubbornness or bravery, you're dedicated."

He stood and put his hands in his pockets, adopting an easy, relaxed stance. He gave her a handsome, gentle smile, his very presence offering her unconditional love in a difficult time. "I've admired that about you since we met."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm glad you think I'm confident. It's all bluster." Riley murmured. "I learned from my Ma to show the best of myself to the public. To never let them see fear. I might be the one that everyone thought would fail, but I can't fail at this."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Bravery can exist without confidence." Andre made his way over and took his spot beside her again. "But then again, there's also a difference between confidence in yourself, and confidence in knowing what you need to do. One usually follows the other eventually."

Andre looped an arm around her and nuzzled into her cheek. "Regardless. I'm still proud of you. It's kinda fun to be Riley Ghis's husband." He then added just to tease her, "People are either impressed, or they offer me condolences when you get up to trouble."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley shoved an elbow into his stomach at that comment before she snuggled up against his side. "Keep it up, smart mouth." She murmured as she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh, just enjoying the moment with her husband.

In the medical tents, Fiona made her way to Sam's side, sitting down beside his cot. "In pain?" She asked him, wondering how he was holding up with his injured leg.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Fiona returned to Sam, he seemed to be keeping himself occupied with one of his design journals that he often sketched ideas into or wrote notes for future projects in the forge. He wasn't hazy as he looked up, but perhaps a little slow. "A little uncomfortable," he admitted. "Mostly numb. Loren gave me something with dinner." Avoiding flexing his wounded leg at all, he sat up straight and gave Fiona his full attention. His journal was set aside for the moment.

"I talked to my Da an' Alex an' my uncles, asked them t'leave you be about the battle an' whatnot," he said softly. "Alex promised he'd only attend to the physical for now, unless you ask otherwise. The others were... Well, they understand in their own ways."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I noticed. Loren stopped himself from asking how I was." Fiona said softly as she reached out for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Riley is taking command tomorrow. Schaller and I aren't in condition to lay siege to Edinburgh. I would also not forgive myself if you woke up tomorrow from your surgery and I wasn't here at your side."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, darlin'," he murmured, lifting her hand to kiss it. "Alex is sure it'll go fine, but he's not sure if my knee will ever be as strong again. I'm worried I'll have some of the problems Boar does." He then offered a weak smile, "But I won't be as stubborn about it if that happens. Tha' old man caused a lot of his own issues not takin' care of himself properly."

 

[heartofcourage]

Holding his hand in her own, Fiona found herself unable to look him in the eye as he commented on the state of his knee. It was one more thing that she had done to the man that she loved.

She didn’t even notice the tears that had formed and streaked down her face until she swiped her hand across her eyes. Her vision has blurred unexpectedly.

“I’m sorry for all of this.” She murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's other hand enveloped the one he held, and he shook his head. "I don't know what to tell you, love. I don't know if it'd be better to forgive you for somethin' you didn't do, or keep pushing back until you finally admit none of this was your fault."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You would have been happy to stay in Norway, being a blacksmith for the rest of your days." She murmured, looking up at him as he swore that none of this was her fault. "I've uprooted your entire life for this. I've been selfish, Sam."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't do this just for you," Sam reminded her. "I did this for thousands of people who jus' want to go home, an' thousands who died defending us all an' getting us this far. I don't say this to make you feel worse, darlin', but you're not the center of this fight. You're a leader an' a hero to a lot of people, yes. But you aren't what the fight is about or why it's happening. We're small, Fiona. This war would've happened with or without us. We just get a little extra pull from bloodlines and marriage, and it's our responsibility to support our people no matter what. Blamin' ourselves for the greed an' ruthlessness of our enemies doesn't help anyone, and it cripples us individually til we can't help at all."

Sam reached out to cup her cheek, his gaze gentle and understanding. "You've blamed yourself all your life for the cruelty inflicted on you. I'm not saying you've never done anything wrong, but it wasn't your fault that you were born into a difficult childhood. It's not your fault that you were forced to do awful things to keep Will alive. You didn't ask to be the Rider Queen. You didn't tell the Empire to attack us and take everything away, leading us to twenty years of trying to keep our people afloat. You wanted to go home, but you didn't want a fight."

He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. "I blamed myself for so long for so many deaths, even though I only killed one man to save my brother. I blamed myself for Titus, Lyr, all the Erygonians who died or lost someone, and for Suara losing most of her family. No one could help me but my Gran, but she could only do so much. And then you came along and you helped me learn to live for something more than guilt an' my job. And you taught me tha' doin' what I had to in order to survive an' protect my people wasn't something I needed to torture myself over. Even now when I feel like I'm not good enough, you keep me standing and remind me tha' there's a reason I'm Commander. An' I'm telling you now, Fiona, you're the Rider Queen for the same reason: because you're the one for the job an' you've always done better than anyone could ask."

Sam offered her a small smile then. "I'll be a blacksmith again when we're home. An' don't you worry about my leg. Nothin' proper care won't remedy. I'll gladly wear a brace, use a cane, whatever I need to do. An' I'll carry the scars with pride knowin' I gave my all fer my people. We're Ghis, love. This is what we do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't deserve you." Fiona murmured as Sam drew her close and explained all of the reasons why this wasn't her fault. She pressed her fingers over his lips when he tried to protest and she shook her head. "Let me wallow in self-pity for a while. It's been a terrible day. Tomorrow might not be much better."

She carefully moved from the chair to the side of the cot, wanting to be as close to him as possible. When she could place her head on his shoulder, she started to relax for the first time all day. Her muscles slowly untensed as she dried her tears and just existed there in his arms.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You can wallow for a while. Jus' not forever," Sam assured her softly. His arm settled round her shoulders as they laid back, and he silently steeled himself for the struggles they would face in time trying to shake off these heavy emotions.

That evening, several battalions arrived and gathered close by. More arrived just after dawn, passing through at a steady march and gathering those among Sam's camp who were ready to go. This also marked the departure of the Riders. Without their queen or her four lieutenants, the Riders looked to Riley with respect but also curiosity to see how she'd do in the lead. With Andre acting as her lieutenant, Ezra's best officers, and Lukas Bergsholt offering his own expertise as a longtime officer and leader of the Johania, she had a proper chain of command and support like her mother usually did.

True to his word about making sure Riley had something to eat that morning, she would find scones and fruit in her saddlebag. He did the same for Lukas and Ezra's officers before falling in line with Rikke. Without Schaller, Sadah, or Avfairn to support them with experience and size, Rikke was the largest fighting dragon they had. Idunn would stick with Soma for his defense as per usual, helping him survey the field. Dzana nearly demanded to come along as well, but she couldn't make herself leave Schaller and Sam.

Kate, Kell, Qira, and Rissa were at the center of the massive march eastward, agents and scouts reporting in all the time to Kell's officers. With their Commander down and the Rider Queen with him, Kate was in full control of the Northern Alliance's military and her niece and nephew were her eyes in the sky. Beside her and Kell, Bo and Shani accompanied them with absolute focus ahead on their goal, and the elder Brogan and his brothers were at her back.

Kell was relaying information to Kate as needed, sorting out what she actually needed to know as a general. "The vanguard will be reaching Edinburgh's outermost hamlets shortly. From there, it's only a couple hours to the walls. We already have plenty of agents inside the city waiting for the signal, and we have several inside the castle itself with access to the side doors. It's as good as open to us. Soma's plan is to get the vanguard into the city and lock it down sector by sector while Riley sees to the weapons on the walls. We want to take as many as possible intact for future use. As for the castle itself... We've received some reports that the city's mayor is running everything alongside a general commanded by Royer. We have no idea if they'll fight, flee, or be open to bargaining. I know we want to cause as little damage and chaos as possible, so I've sent men ahead to offer a parley before the attack commences. If they're smart, they'll take a deal and stand down."

"Royer has a way of keeping people loyal. Whether it's fear or debt, many of his officers and politicians refuse to betray him," Qira commented.

"Then they'll be signing their own death warrants," Bo spoke up with a furrow of his brows. "He can't win. Why would they stay with him?"

"Because until Royer is dead, they're scared," Kell explained with a sigh. "And while I would love to give them the benefit of time to see him fall, we need Edinburgh now. It's too difficult to run things in the field or from London. We need to establish supply and trade lines immediately to get people fed and the economy back up. Most of all, we need to complete the corridor of communication between Ireland and the Triad. The North is too disjointed without Edinburgh at her heart. From here, we can sweep the northern end of the isle and finish this quickly."

Kell glanced over at his son, offering a little sympathy. "It's terrible to have to hurt people who are too scared to see you're trying to help. But for every one of Royer's loyalists, there's ten of our own people who need us back so they can start living again instead of just surviving. It's a bloody business, cub."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The castle was badly damaged by Hesperus. His nest might provide an obstruction to the normal view of the city." Shani commented, adding what she had seen in her attempt to reason with the dragon and get Royer's wife free. "You'll have to depend on the riders to give their point of view."

"We won't go straight for the castle. That would be certain death. I have no doubt that the castle is armed to the teeth or looted or worse." Kate said as she listened to her husband teach Bo about the way that war would work. "The dragons can have the first sweep while we stand outside the city."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shani," from the back of his drake, Kell looked to the young guardian. "With agents already inside, we'll keep you out here with us. Bo is your top priority from here on out, barring special missions." He didn't have to elaborate for Shani to know why. Kate and Bo rarely heard about the bounties on their heads, mostly because Kell knew it wouldn't do for them to be nervous. But lately, Kell had gotten wind of hits placed on his son in particular in an effort to destroy Kate's hold on the throne. If the only heir died, it left the throne open to claimants that had been distant relations to the Cross family, many of whom could easily be puppets or corrupted by other powers in the future. It wasn't just Royer who was after him now.

"Edinburgh may take us a few days to fully secure," Kell explained to them all, recounting Soma's briefings. "In that time, we can't be too careful. We have two major clans who want us destroyed and even if they don't have the means to stop our entire alliance, they do have the means to make calculated strikes and hit us where it hurts most. Rissa, I need you to stay near Qira or myself at all times as well. As Kate's right hand, you're just as much at risk. We will have only our most veteran agents serving as bodyguards- those who have been vetted time and time again- and I will be hiring people we already know and trust to join the castle staff first. Some will be former staff who have returned with us, so hopefully we can keep transitions as smooth as possible."

"Lastly," Qira spoke up, looking to Shani and Bo. "Trust your instincts now more than ever. Anything that feels off, report it immediately. Even if it ends up being nothing, better safe than sorry. We can't afford to dismiss anything."

Bo nodded, quietly containing his own nervousness with a hard stare ahead. "Yes, sir."

"And get used to being referred to as 'Your Majesty,' because your title is reinstated the moment your mother steps through the castle doors," Kell added with absolute confidence and certainty. "You're already shaping up into a fine prince, son. You'll do just fine."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I won't let him out of my sight." Shani promised to Kell as he gave her the mission that she knew was coming. "Especially as we get to the city."

Rissa glanced over at Kell as he ordered that she stay near Qira or him at all times as well. She knew that there had been threats leveled against the family, herself included, but she didn't want to think that she was the main target. Still, she would have to stay safe lest Kate lose her mind again.

"You decide how they address you, love. If you wish to have the title, you can use it. If you wish for something else, you tell them." Kate commented, reigning in her horse to come even with Brogan. "And you are your own man. Do not let some petty laird push you around simply for show."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know how much I love to rebel against authority," Bo reminded his mother with a handsome grin. "Ignoring puffed up nobles trying to intimidate me is right up my alley."

"You'll be looked down on for a lot of things, Bo," Kell reminded him. "If you feel your temper flare, walk away. We'll help you."

"You mean I can't just punch assholes anymore?" Bo asked with a smirk, earning a small chuckle from his father despite the serious situation.

"No. That's Shani's job now, but only when they get riled."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My job is to make sure that you are breathing when the time comes to become king." Shani muttered. "That's my mission and I will keep you from bodily harm."

"Shani, if you can keep him from him, I'll shower you with the finest jewels Scotland has to offer." Kate commented.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As long as everyone promises not to be so serious all the time, I'll promise to do my best to avoid making myself an even bigger target. I might even mind my manners," Bo chuckled. He knew the gravity of the situation, but he also knew that levity was needed to keep everyone sane.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll leave the rancor to you, my dear. I'm afraid that I need to be as serious as can be for a while." Kate answered back. "This is only just the beginning."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then it'll be my job to make sure everyone is taking care of themselves. I know how you guys are about overworking," Bo insisted before looking up to see a scout flying in overhead at top speed, only to swoop down and land beyond the army to deliver a report to another agent. Soon, that agent was wading through the march on her drake and pulled up beside Kate.

"Your Majesty," the Lioness addressed Kate with a bow of her head. "The vanguard has reached Edinburgh's outer holdings ahead of schedule. Per Prince Soma's orders, your generals are holding for Princess Riley to give the go-ahead once the wall defenses are crippled. Currently it seems only half the wall cannons are properly manned, the rest are empty or undermanned. Likely due to lack of personnel, which means Royer took more men away than Edinburgh could afford to lose. There's also scouts reporting that some of Royer's men are fleeing into the woods already before the attack begins. No sign of any Riders. We believe most or all went with Royer."

"It can't be that easy," Kell muttered. "There's traps waiting for us for certain. I hope not on the scale of London... but Riley needs to be incredibly cautious with her attack."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate took in the order and thought about it for a moment, nodding as she agreed that things couldn't be that easy. "Pass a message to Riley about what you know of the walls. Warn her about the fleeing men before she reaches the city." Kate ordered the messenger. "And I want to know my brother's condition as soon as his surgery is finished."

 

[KieranSoares]

"At once, Your Majesty," the Lioness confirmed with a quick nod before she began wading back out and signalling in Rider scouts.

With most of the army on horses and drakes, the main force would arrive at the hold's edge before noon. In the meantime, the majority of the Riders were closing in and awaiting orders. Orders from Kate were relayed to Soma and then to Riley, the young strategist fine-tuning as they went and keeping everyone on the same page.

Andre reported to Riley after dropping into her saddle as they circled and patrolled. He relayed the rest of Kate's message and Soma's orders to let the fleeing soldiers go. There were too many civilians fleeing as well, and any attempt to chase might scare or hurt the wrong people.

"We've got the go-ahead to hit the wall defenses when you're ready," Andre told her with a determined, grim expression. "With the defenses undermanned and morale next to nothing, we can take them. But Kell and Soma are positive there's traps. Knowing Hess got his ideas from Royer, we should expect explosives. There may even be sappers waiting for us to strike to catch us in a blast. I'm thinking we don't get too close to those cannons- we kill the crews with fire and avoid landing at all til Kell's agents can sweep the place."

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley listened to the suggestions that were being given as well as the orders from Soma and Kate. In the end, it was up to her what happened and she already had a plan in mind. "We pelt the walls with large rocks from above then. It would be the safest option. Those that have bombs aboard can drop them from height as well. The more that we can take out, the safer it will be even with a trap."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Soma wants us to preserve those cannons if at all possible. But I suppose the foundries can remake them out of scrap if we can't be gentle." Andre signalled Rikke to come back in close, but he didn't leave Riley right away. "I'll pass on the orders and have the officers do the same for their units. We'll be ready at your signal."

He leaned in and hugged her tightly, not forgetting a farewell in case one of them fell or was injured. "I'll be at your back the whole time with Rikke. I love you."