The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

"He taught me how to be a fox." She murmured softly. "He taught me every damned thing that goes with it. He's more of a Were then I could ever hope to."

She let go of his hand and threw her covers aside, standing with her back to her father as she simply let the sorrow sink into her soul. Sam had promised her that nothing would change no matter the outcome of his surgery, but Fiona felt a wealth of sorrow and rage for the things that he didn't know yet.

"Nora and Blair deserve to have your whole being. You don't need to stick around here because of me." Fiona said softly, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder. "Our paths were chosen a long time ago."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not choosing between you," Owen murmured. "Don't push away because of this, little kit. That won't help anyone." He stood as well, not to follow her to Sam but to let her have a moment alone. "Your pain matters too."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Just leave.” Fiona murmured softly, her eyes closing as she heard his quiet shuffling and she was alone.

Her chest felt like it was about to cave in under the weight of her grief. Slowly, she sank to the ground and clutched her chest tightly. When her first wail came forth, she stifled it with the heel of her palm. It was far too much.

Ruthlessly, she sliced through every bond that she had, cutting off anyone that might have an insight to her mind. It included Schaller which pained her even more. She wanted to wallow in her grief alone, without anyone prying.

It seemed like an eternity before Fiona heard movement and she glanced up to see Yasmine standing there. There was no pity in Yasmine’s gaze. Only a gentle understanding.

“Better?” Yasmine asked as she stepped forward and took a seat next to Fiona.

“No.” Fiona said softly. “I don’t think I’ll ever feel better.”

Yasmine chuckled and shook her head. “You and he are just alike. The same soul, in fact. He puts on a brave face and you do the same.”

“What else am I supposed to do?” Fiona asked.

“Grieve. Feel everything as you’re meant to. They know that you’re human, that you aren’t an immovable force. It’s alright to let them see all of that.” Yasmine commented, met only with silence. “He never thought that you would walk again when you got hurt. He sat and fretted and grieve and hoped that you would be able to simply survive. Think of all the time he spent on your armor to support your leg, to make sure that you could withstand all of that punishment. He needs the same from you now.”

Fiona lowered her head as she thought of all of that. He needed her support now more than ever.

“Would you like to see him?” Yasmine asked.

“Yes.” Fiona said in the most desperate tone.

“Well, come on then. He’s awake and asking for you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

When the two emerged to make the small trek to where Sam had been moved, the camp was growing empty again. Those who could go to Edinburgh were beginning to move, save for those who would help the wounded. Fiona would be able to spot Schaller in the distance beside Dzana, both quietly keeping watch while their Riders recovered.

Sam had been placed in a small tent a bit removed from Alex's main area. Guards patrolled the area keeping their vulnerable, wounded comrades safe. Loren and Alex had already spoken with Sam while Fiona had taken her moment alone. They'd left written directions as well, just in case. When Fiona arrived beside Yasmine, they would find Alex just exiting, and Loren already gone.

When Alex caught sight of Fiona, he gave her a nod and offered in a kind tone, "He's doing better than expected. Rho came around to sit with him a while, but he's off now. We'll leave you and Sam be for a while unless you need us."

Inside the tent, Sam was propped up with pillow and his knee fully immobilized with bandages and a metal-framed brace. His long hair was loose and all pushed to one side and he was a bit pale. He lifted his head when the tent flap opened, and immediately felt relief when he saw his wife.

"Hey, love," he murmured hoarsely.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hi." She said softly as she took in Sam propped up in bed, looking a little worse for wear. "Do you need anything?"

She made her way to his side and took his hand, sitting in the chair that had been left behind for visitors.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just you." He reached out to pull her closer and buried his head against her shoulder. He held her as tightly as he could manage even though he was still a little hazy and weak. In everything they'd been through since before Hadrian's Wall, Sam had tried to be Fiona's steadfast support to help her heal and to prepare for Hesperus. And while he wanted to be strong for her still, he found himself clinging to her in a moment of weakness and sorrow.

Sam had always been an active man, keeping up with his soldiers and family in training, chasing after his children when they were young, and of course chasing and wandering with Fiona when they could. Being told he'd likely never be able to keep up on his own two feet again was slowly but surely crushing down on him. So he needed to hide for the moment in Fiona's arms, as much as he hated needing her to be the strong one after the horrible fight they'd been through.

"I love you," he whispered, hugging her tighter like she might disappear or run away. Tears brimmed in his eyes, and he turned his face into her shoulder, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I love you more'n anything, Fiona," he repeated, as if afraid she would convince herself otherwise.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm so sorry, Sam." Fiona said softly as he pulled her tightly and buried her face against his own. "I'm so sorry, love. I know that you don't deserve this."

When Fiona pulled away, she looked down at him. He looked impossibly small to her, scared. She cupped his cheek and gave him a pitiful excuse for a smile.

"Let's at least get you looking a bit better." She murmured as she turned to retrieve his shaving kit and combs. "Sit up, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam nodded slowly when Fiona pulled back, sitting forward and carefully readjusting his braced leg. It had to remain elevated for the time being. Once it was past the first stages of healing, he'd be able to walk with crutches and then eventually a cane and brace. When Fiona returned, Sam tied back his long hair to keep it out of the way for the moment. He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to steady himself even as a tear finally escaped. His mind was racing about everything that had suddenly changed. He almost preferred to be back where he was before the surgery, not knowing the extend of the damage.

"Has anyone heard from Kate?" He asked softly once he got hold of himself. He knew his sister would check in and send word if Riley or Soma were hurt, but he just didn't want to think about his new situation anymore. Worrying about his family was much more familiar and preferable.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Very little." Fiona said as she sat at Sam's side again, brushing away the tear that crept down his cheek. "They took Edinburgh according to the scouts that have been coming in, but they have had to turn towards Wick suddenly. The children are fine for the time being."

She methodically pulled out each piece that she would need, using it to calm her mind before she turned back to Sam and started to comb out his beard. She then started to trim it for him, keeping it neat and tidy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam held still when Fiona set to work, still taking the occasional steadying breath. Even if his expression didn't show it, he was silently grasping for any semblance of normalcy before his anxiety consumed him. As calm as he'd been before their fight thanks to the gifts Dzana had given him, it seemed he was struggling to tap back into it.

Forcing his racing thoughts back with an immense effort, he waited for Fiona to pause before he asked softly, "... How are you, love?" She was still at the forefront of his thoughts even in the midst of a near-panic.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Miserable and scared for you.” Fiona answered as she paused in her work, looking him in the eye with an honest gaze. “But like Yasmine reminded me, you helped me to stand on my own when my hip was injured. I’ll do the same for you. We’ll figure it all out together.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Together," Sam repeated softly. "I'm still here for you no matter what's going on with me. I'm not gonna charge out there the second I can walk, but... I still want to be of use as much as I can."

Letting her continue, he muttered while keeping as still as possible, "I'm probably going to have to spend the rest of this fight beside Soma... I already decided I'm not gonna do what Boar did when his knees were injured. He ruined them completely over time out of stubbornness. I won't do that to you." He met her eyes when he made that promise. Even if Emma had gracefully dealt with her husband's injuries through most of their marriage, Boar often regretted how she had to pick up slack for him sometimes because he'd made his condition worse by refusing to use a cane or care for his knees properly.

"But I'll be able to ride again soon," Sam added, more for his own sake as something to look forward to. "Til then... I suppose I'll have to find some way to keep busy. We both know how bad we are at bein' laid up."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Even if you were like Boar, it wouldn't be a bad thing. He's as stubborn as an ox but he does fine." Fiona murmured as Sam tried his hardest to make peace with what had happened to him. "I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for him, Durban, or your Da."

Once Sam's beard was trimmed, she quietly put away his tools and sat on the side of the bed to really get a look at him. "You got me back on my feet when no one thought I would walk. We can do the same for you, love. I know that we can."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam held Fiona's gaze, his eyes red and his exhaustion growing more obvious. He looked a little neater, a little younger with his beard trimmed, but the sheer wear on his psyche was showing through. "I know it doesn't help anyone if I'm sittin' here just feelin' sorry for myself... But I think I need to, just for a little while. I don't know how much I'll recover, but I know I'll never quite be the same. It's gonna take time to make peace with that..."

He reached out to take her hands, his own starting to get their warmth back. "I trust you, though. I still intend to walk through the doors of Inverness Keep with you." He pressed a kiss to her hand before holding it to his cheek, seeking comfort in a moment where his once-solid foundations had grown weak.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona carefully leaned in to lie next to him on his cot, sighing as her head rested against his shoulder. She held him as tightly as he would let her, hoping to provide him with some level of comfort even when she felt so horrendous.

"I will love you forever, eldere." She murmured in Ergyonian. "Even if you never have the chance to chase me again. We'll...figure it all out."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam gladly welcomed Fiona close, both of them holding one another as tightly as broken ribs would allow. "I'll always chase after you," he promised in a whisper. "Maybe not quite the same as before... but I will." Settling against her, Sam quickly succumbed to an exhausted sleep. Between healing, pain, and feeling lost as he adjusted to a new normal, sleep was mercifully easy.

Alex sent word back to Kate shortly thereafter about Sam's condition. With the Commander completely down for the count and the Rider Queen with him, command of the North was technically in Kayla and Norway's hands as the originators of the Northern Alliance. But with Kate retaking her throne and most of Scotland and being closest to the front line, she was interim Commander and Riley would remain in her mother's place unless she handed command to Costa and Danica when they returned to the front.

Amid all the bustle of the day and the good and terrible news going around, almost no one noticed when Qira and Shani disappeared. By the time anyone knew they were gone, they would already be in Wick thanks to the aid of two agents and their dragons. With a silent dropoff and the two agents leaving in opposite directions from one another, the Spymaster himself and the future Lady Protector were let loose unseen into enemy territory. With Wick having been under outside control for two decades, they couldn't assume anyone or anything was safe.

It was nearly dawn as Qira led Shani through the deep woods west of the capital. He'd already given her a detailed rundown of the keep's layout and some potential hiding places in the city, but they had little information about what might've changed since Kate visited. It also wasn't even clear if Cahal and Abel would be in Wick anymore. They might've been whisked away to Ferngill or Royer lands.

"Our aim is simple, but achieving it will be far more complex than what you saw at Darkwood or London," Qira advised his daughter in a low, steady tone. "They're expecting me. They must know that if they take a member of Kate's family, her guardian will show up to take them back. But they aren't expecting you." Qira's golden eyes turned to her, bringing them to a halt on the edge of the treeline within sight of the city's outer edge. Wick's walls were ancient and crumbled remains of Roman conquest, not proper defenses anymore. There were so many holes that armies could just walk in.

"Abel is the most vulnerable. He is fragile and he has no royal title, which would make him more expendable in Royer's eyes. He won't kill Cahal easily, his title makes him more valuable alive. I imagine unless Royer starts panicking, he'll keep Cahal til he's backed into a corner, then exchange him for Kate's promise not to execute Royer and his entourage. So our biggest concern is getting Abel to safety."

Qira stared up at the castle and its ramshackle walls, considering their mission and how best to proceed. "If they're in there, you get Abel out no matter what. If we get separated, we meet on the coast south of the harbor, and we allow twenty-four hours for the other to catch up before we head home."

 

[heartofcourage]

Shani followed after her father, pausing only when he stopped. She was still very much his student even though Kell trusted to send her out on many missions alone. Quietly she listened to his assessment of what they might find in the halls of Wick keep.

"If I find Royer, I'm putting an end to it." Shani promised her father as they both assessed the crumbling walls of the keep and the possibility that Cahal and Abel were in danger.

She quietly untied her traveling cloak and knelt to the ground, wrapping it up tightly and stashing it away at the base of a tree. Before she stood back up, she checked her weapons and pulled a hood over her dark hair until only a small area of her face could be seen.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure every leader in the North would trip over themselves offering you titles and land if you managed to end this here and now," Qira muttered with a hint of a smirk as he stowed away a few items with hers and donned the last of his gear. Turning to his daughter, he offered out a slim, dark bandolier she'd never seen before. Hidden in the back of the strap were some of the flat, small blades they used. But more importantly, the small loops on the piece carried a number of tiny vials. Kell and Qira and their most elite agents carried these bandoliers, and the vials were various poisons, chloroform, toxic oils for applying to blades and bolts, and even what was essentially a suicide pill should the worst happen.

"These are the most sensitive tools of our trade, but they're why people fear us. If you have an opportunity to strike more fear or remove someone important, do it. We may be on a rescue mission, but sabotage is welcome." He looked back toward the castle and pulled up his hood. "I'm going to start a commotion at the city prison and draw some attention away. You head straight for the castle."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes, sir." Shani said softly as she took the bandolier reverently and looked it over.

Kell and her father hadn't given either Bo or her the honor of having their own yet. It was a great honor to have been given it. She looped it over her chest and adjusted the fit before she turned to go about her own mission.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Wait." Qira called before she could get too far. Suddenly she was wrapped up in her father's arms and he laid his head against hers for a long moment before kissing her forehead. "I love you, Shani. And I promised your mother we'd make it home, so don't get me in trouble." He offered a little smile and nuzzled his forehead into hers briefly. It was something he didn't do with or in front of anyone else but those he loved most.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I love you too, Da." Shani returned, wrapping her arms around his chest tightly and holding him as he nuzzled against her. "If you don't come back with me, I'll be just as upset with you as Ma."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then I'd better not disappoint," Qira rumbled. "I want to see just how far you go." He held her a little longer, fighting the urge to keep her far from danger in favor of letting her shine.

"Let's do this," Qira finally whispered, kissing her forehead and letting her go. With one last nod, he slipped away into the gloom. Dawn wasn't far off, so they needed to work fast to avoid getting caught up in the morning shift changes.

 

[heartofcourage]

Shani made her way quickly to the crumbling walls and then, when she was sure that the coast was clear, she ducked inside the castle itself. It was like a tomb inside, the fires grown dark as she let her eyes adjust to the gloom. She found herself in a kitchen, one that was bare of most basic necessities that a kitchen might have. She quietly tiptoed over towards the wooden portal in the room and pressed her ear against it. There was no noise to be heard but a distant murmuring, which meant that she would wait for her father's distraction to continue.

 

[KieranSoares]

By the time Shani was in position, Qira had managed to get into the prison itself. It seemed that the entirety of Wick was in shambles, even the place where they kept dangerous criminals. Lazy or low-spirited guards, crumbling walls, and darkness made infiltration easy. Slipping into one of the main cell blocks, Qira found the prisoners asleep and only a few guards sitting around. One knockout later, Qira began unlocking cells with a guard's key and leaving them ajar. When he finished with one block, he dropped the key out in the open for a prisoner to find.

Once he was near the entrance, Qira drew a new tool from his belt: a Chinese pistol he'd taken from one of Royer's surrendered Riders. He packed a shot and waited for just the right moment when guards were far away from him, and fired out a barred window.

From where Shani was, she could hear the distant but very recognizable pop, and less than a minute later it was followed by bells ringing in alarm. Qira had woken the entire prison, and unleashed an entire block of prisoners to make sure as many guards were pulled away from the castle as possible. While it put him in danger, it began to take heat off Shani's end immediately. Men began leaving the castle to check with the lookouts at first, only to realize droves of prisoners were fleeing through the holes in the crumbling prison yard walls.

 

[heartofcourage]

Hearing the sounds from outside, Shani quietly pushed against the kitchen door and slipped into the hallways beyond. She crept silently in the shadows, pausing when she found the Great Hall was not being guarded. It was unknown exactly where either man would have been kept in the keep, but she wasn't going to let it deter her. She listened at doors, stayed out of sight, and hoped that she would find a clue soon.