The North (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

Kell joined Fiona's side, nodding slowly. "That doesn't mean it's definitely a newer addition... Alex had no choice but to pull in students from England to keep up with us. I'll get a list of everyone's names and start my investigation quietly today."

As they spoke, Blair quietly broke away from the group and approached Fiona. While she still held her head up, she looked a bit sheepish. Kell stepped aside, letting the sisters talk. Blair met Fiona's eyes and sighed quietly. "I'm sorry..." She murmured her apology once more. "Everything's so tense and Kell keeps catching spies looking for Jane... And now this. It's no excuse for me being an ass, but I'm just... I'm scared. It's taking everything I have not to run away with her and Hadvar to some far-flung village on the edge of the known world. But I know if I did that, we'd be even more vulnerable."

Blair hadn't really spoken to Fiona since Jane had learned she was pregnant. And while Blair's dedication to her partner had never faltered, it was clear that it was all weighing heavily on her mind.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a Blackstone. Temper is expected of you, but don't be foolish." Fiona straightened again and regarded her sister, knowing that she was still very young. "When I was your age, I was running from the entire Empire. There was a bounty on my head that would have meant instant death if I was caught. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than to burn Vienna to the ground to ensure that they wouldn't hurt myself and my family. Trust me, Blair, I understand your concerns. What I need you to do right now is to keep your mouth shut and your eyes sharp."

 

[KieranSoares]

Blair nodded resolutely, taking a deep breath. "I promised Jane I'd keep her free. And I don't care if Ramsey's the father. Any kid Jane has is mine too. So now, I guess I have twice the investment in all of this."

Blair glanced toward the door and muttered, "I should get back... but I wanted to let you know something else. I sat down and had a talk with Ramsey. I managed not to beat his face in, but now that he's decided to cooperate with Finn for Delphine's sake, he was willing to be a little more helpful. I already know most of the Dyne Riders, but he was able to help me complete a list and compile some information on most of them, especially the background or terms behind their service to Royer. And ever since I joined the North, it seems like they're becoming easier to turn away from Royer. Plenty have already fled."

Blair offered out a small roll of paper. "This is the only copy. I was going to give it to Soma or Kell but I think since dragons are involved, you should have a say."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you." Fiona murmured as she took the roll for the Dyne Riders from Blair. "Now go be with Jane. Calm yourself."

Fiona watched Blair retreat and kept careful hold of the roll of paper. She glanced up at Kell came to her side and she soon slipped her arm through her brother-in-law's. "Walk with me back."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell gave a slight nod, matching step with Fiona on their way out of the dining hall. "How is Sam holding up?" Kell asked softly as they went. "I'd ask him directly, but we both know he rarely tells anyone but you the truth when it comes to his well-being."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's best if you don't ask him. He's not really ready to talk about it." Fiona murmured. "We haven't even told the children how serious his injury was. They've been busy with other things from the looks of it."

 

[KieranSoares]

Knowing the entire subject was difficult after he'd heard the report given to Kate by Alex, Kell followed the change of focus to his niece and nephew. "You'll be proud to know that Riley's done incredibly well in your place," Kell offered. "Ever since she stepped into your role, she's been upholding your measured and mature approach to everything. Obviously she's still a fiery little thing, but... I never thought I'd see the day that she was the voice of reason versus another hothead like Blair. And Soma... I worry for him, but he's been taking some comfort with Kate, and he knows exactly what he wants to do. Having the two of them at the forefront is almost like having you and Sam in the lead twenty years back. And having Andre and Blair in the mix reminds me of a younger Ezra and Jani."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wish Ezra and Jani were able to help. We could handle the threat for you." Fiona murmured as Kell reported to her about Riley and Soma's duties. "I'll speak with them both and see if they have any ideas."

She pulled Kell to a stop before they reached her room, looking up at him with a serious and somber expression. "We have always chosen to treat our enemies with mercy, but this time we cannot afford the same luxury. Whomever is the one trading secrets has to be dealt with publicly."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I agree," Kell said with a nod. "I know the limits of mercy... War offers little, so we try to be kind. But this level of betrayal forfeits all. And I know Kate wouldn't hesitate to agree as well."

He glanced to the door, knowing Sam was inside. "Shall I leave you two alone, or do you still need me?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona paused as she looked at the door and then at Kell, something else on her mind that needed to be said. "Kate knows that she has my loyalty, right? I would never want to be a competing queen during her reign."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell met Fiona's blue eyes with a sort of gentle calm, offering her assurance in her moment of doubt. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "You have never given Kate a single reason to doubt you. If it's being a fellow queen in close proximity that you're worried about, know that she values the independence of the Scottish clans outside the High Throne's holdings. And as Rider Queen in your own right, she respects you deeply. That's not even mentioning all you've done for the North in the past twenty years. As Lord Protector of Scotland, believe me when I say you have the lifelong loyalty of my queen."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave him a nod and a small smile, patting his arm before she turned to enter her room. It was dark inside, Sam propped in bed. She hated the gloomy feeling that enveloped her as she stood there. Walking around the room, she lit candles, bringing in light before she pushed open their window to let in a breeze.

“You were right.” Fiona murmured softly to her husband. “They see the same that you do.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam, half-dozing, lifted his head at the addition of light and the open window. "What d'you mean, love?" He asked quietly, still drowsy from the heavy painkillers Alex had been giving him. He naturally wanted to come to her side, but stopped short as he woke up a little more and remembered he couldn't. Silently, he adjusted his position and resigned himself to staying put.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You saw all the new faces and raised the question about security.” Fiona murmured, leaning against the wall by the window as she looked at Sam. “There’s a traitor among us. You were right.”

She quietly came to his side and sat down, her fingers combing through his long hair. “You need to eat something.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've been tryin'," Sam sighed quietly, leaning into her touch and laying a hand over hers. "This bloody medicine's makin' it hard t'manage much more'n a few bites of anything." Sam was trying desperately not to wallow, but he was still grappling with what had happened to him, to his wife, and to people they loved. But he added for Fiona's sake, "Dola brought me somethin' small a bit ago while you were gone, though. So I've eaten something at least."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hmmm..." Fiona said as he insisted that he had just eaten a short time ago. "Well, you can do better."

She stood again and went to a silver tray that was next to the fire. She came back with fresh scones from the kitchen, butter, cream, and jam. Taking a seat again, she put the tray on his lap.

"Andre had these sent when we arrived. A Scottish treat to welcome us." She murmured, pressing a kiss to Sam's cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam managed a half-smile. "Tha' boy's always lookin' out for us." He took a scone and cut it in half, choosing to start small with a touch of jam. It took some doing to get past his nausea, but he managed to get the half-scone down and left the rest aside.

"Alex said he'll let me start movin' around a bit tomorrow," Sam told her softly after a long stretch of silence. "No weight on my leg, of course. But at least I won't be trapped in bed constantly."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That'll be good for you." Fiona said softly as he told her that he would be up and out of bed in the morning. "It will show you that you aren't as utterly useless as you believe you are."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not completely useless yet, as long as I can help advise Soma. It's everything else I'm not so good for right now."

He reached out for her hand and kissed it. "I'm tryin' not to let it get to me, love... I know you're hurting too."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My hurts are small in comparison." She said softly, gripping his hand tightly. "I'll let you mourn for a while, but then we have to get to work."

She leaned into her husband's side and leaned her head against his shoulder, sighing as she slowly relaxed and allowed her aching bones to rest.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam chose not to argue about who was hurting and how, simply relaxing into Fiona's presence. "I'll talk to Soma an' Riley tomorrow too... Better they know the truth so they can adjust. I'll be as much help to them as I can." He kissed Fiona's temple and fell still, then managed to drift off minutes later.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley and Andre were dining with Dola and Jani that evening. As mother and son had worked together on their meal, Riley had quietly informed Jani of what had happened at the meeting. Jani might have been injured, but she was still as sharp as ever and Riley trusted her judgement.

"Andre is scared, even if he won't say it out loud. Who can blame him?" Riley asked softly, glancing at her husband. "I struggle with the idea that I'm leading the riders and I can't just go and take care of Stila myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd go if I could," Jani sighed. While only some small bandages covered cuts and scrapes, she was still sluggish and would be recovering from a serious concussion and heavy bruising for a while. "As death-or-glory as I usually am, I'm not dumb enough to charge off wounded. Avi's just as badly off. I only wish I had some idea of how to help get rid of that bitch."

"For now the focus is to hold her off," Andre explained. "Soma and his best minds are going through some initial ideas. A few years ago, I might've offered myself up to make Stila leave everyone alone. But I won't give all of this up. I just don't know what to offer her that she won't twist against us."

"It seems that she's a woman who only cares about two things," Dola offered softly. "Her own goals, and that dragon who listens to no one else. Separated from him, she would still be dangerous but far less so. Given some of the talents among the Northern Callers... Maybe something could be done? We have empaths, those who can sway and charm, and we have Markos who knows more than anyone about the lineages and races of dragons. Perhaps he could weigh in on what exactly is going on with this Altair, and others could use that to pacify or neutralize him."

Andre fixed his mother with a surprised look, but she waved it away. "I've heard from past meetings that there is an Arturo Oliveras out there, related somehow and working from the same part of Spain. I don't see Stila being very caring of her relations, but if he's useful to her, she may be held at bay by threats to his life as well."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She held Shani hostage with that dragon acting like her guard dog. I don't think there will be any way to soothe or separate him from her." Riley pondered. "I'll speak with Markos in the morning. Perhaps he has dealt with a dragon like this before."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If there is anything my people taught me about dragons when I was young," Dola murmured, "it is that they are a proud, ancient people whose traditions value freedom and loyalty. If this Altair was not always Stila's partner, there is a chance we can appeal to him. But being that we've never heard him speak... We may need Soma's talents when it comes to speaking to the wild and feral. He, Markos, and you may make our best case against Altair."