I. Jarvan

The wretched sound of steel on flesh was unique, synonymous with death and dismay for anyone in earshot. Lance tore through organs and split arteries without difficulty. Blood was the only companion for the weapon as it poured out onto the ground beneath the victim. Gargling accompanied the dull thud of his body against the stonework just before the last of his life escaped from the wound. Jarvan stood motionless over the corpse in silent contemplation. It was all a lie, he thought to himself. He lied just to lead me astray. He turned and began to walk away, passing between his two most trusted guards: Garen and Shyvana.

"Do you believe any of it to be true, my lord?" Garen's words broke the silence as they walked. The warrior glanced over his shoulder at the body, the erubescent pool creeping ominously along the stones. Royal guards were already approaching to dispose of the dead man and the coming rain would wash away the remnants of the deed.

"Not without evidence." The Prince's words were cold as the steel in his hands, both of which matched the expression on Shyvana's face. He could tell that she was having the same thoughts. "It is a delicate matter and must be handled as such. The events that transpired will only be discussed with Demacian Lightbringers."

"Understood, my lord," was the only response. If Garen had any contradictory thoughts, his loyalty would always stand in the way. The man had been a loving friend, and essentially brother, since they were children. Jarvan knew he could always count on him to do what was right in the face of necessity.

"Please, go fetch Lux and Xin and bring them to the meeting hall." This time, Jarvan's words were an order rather than discussion. It wasn't often that Garen ever spoke as though it were a friend-to-friend conversation anyway. The warrior almost always regarded Jarvan as his liege and lord. For that, the Prince of Demacia could never repay him as it set the standard across the Kingdom in the wake of proof that there would be no favoritism or bias.

"At once, my lord." Garen quickened his pace and turned once they were through the portcullis of the castle. As he moved with such a dutiful pace, Jarvan was left with Shyvana. They walked without so much as glancing at one another. There was a tension there that no one else would ever be aware, as well as a connection that ran just as parallel. Of course, there were a number of things that weighed on their minds rather than the issue at hand. The pair simply made a phenomenal effort, with success, to focus on the more prevalent issues at hand.

The sound of metal on metal rang across the walls of the great hall, coming from Jarvan's artisan steel mail. The atmosphere was rather stoic in the absence of all Demacian council members. Perhaps desolate was a better word. Both his boots and Shyvana's gave an ominous sound to the chamber as they stepped in near unison. The atrium was suddenly that of a human heart, beating at the center of a Kingdom whose life blood was forever being spilled. Silence resumed for a moment when they finally reached the head of the table and the Prince seated himself. Shyvana placed herself to his left, leaving the seat to his right open for the Captain of his guard. Neither of them were particularly poised for conversation but the topic needed to be addressed. Shyvana was the first to speak.

"What do you make of the agent's claims?" The half-dragon was always a little less traditional in how she spoke to him. Aside from the fact that she came from a much more humble background, she also held a position that strayed from what anyone else had.

"Allegations against the Insitute of War are very serious..." he began cautiously, "as their power and influence stretch far beyond most anyone else's in Runeterra." Jarvan thought carefully before speaking again. He wasn't sure if paranoia plagued him or if he was simply erring on the side of caution, but he would not openly speak against the institute out loud. "The Institute mediates the conflicts of the world, resolving them with fewer problems. I am not sure what they would gain by this if it is true." Shyvana nodded in agreement while her eyes lingered over the table. Before either of them could spare another thought or word, the remaining three Lightbringers entered the hall. Footsteps echoed again, giving the great hall a pulse once more. Each warrior took their respective seat, adjusting themselves before looking to their Prince.

"A spy was captured, questioned, and killed this evening." Jarvan said without warning. He wasn't surprised to see that there were no sudden reactions on the newcomers' faces. Espionage was an expected practice. "Before his untimely death, he made allegations against the Institute of War." Now this provoked some subtle reactions before Xin spoke.

"Well, I'm sure this doesn't have a happy ending." His sardonic tone was usual while foreshadowing Jarvan's continued explanation.

"The agent claimed that the Institute of War hired him to sabotage our forges and libraries, making it appear as though Noxus had performed the deed." The Prince observed his audience and allowed a moment for any input. Lux was next.

"That doesn't make any sense. The Institute..." she began.

"...are mediators, I know," Jarvan finished her sentence and continued, "I suggested the same to Shyvana and still haven't concluded what they could gain from such an act."

"Perhaps it is a rogue element..junior members with a grudge..." Garen added.

"The High Council would be aware if something like that were going on." Xin declared

"It could simply be an attempt by Noxus to cause us to misstep and accuse the Institute of sabotage." Shyvana said calmly. Jarvan had drawn the same conclusion and saw it as the most likely.

"I agree, but mostly because I would have more faith that the Institute would hire a more capable agent than what I found this night." The Prince's gaze was hardened by the thought of either scenario. The war between Demacia and Noxus had been going on longer than his own existence. Rune Wars in their history were the primary reason the Institute of War even existed now. Catastrophic battles of might and magic had laid waste to the world they lived in, threatening the continuity of their livelihood. If the Institute existed to keep these conflicts in check and preserve their existence, why would they risk it all by provoking more bloodshed? Jarvan shared these thoughts with his counsel.

"You pose the perfect point, my lord." Garen observed, seeing the points as his friend presented them.

"It's as I've said before I called everyone here, it is a delicate matter and we must keep quiet. Until we can gather more information it will not do to shed more blood. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my lord." The response came in unison, even from Shyvana, who shared a lingering stare with their Prince as she said it.

"Before I dismiss you all," he began, "you are tasked to spread the word that the sabotage was a success. Restrict access to the forges and libraries in attempt to make it appear they needed to be repaired. Ensure Poppy oversees her smithies' cooperation. Lux, you are to oversee the elders' cooperation from the libraries."

"What would you have us do, following the announcement of the sabotage, my lord?" Garen asked. The two friends exchanged a look and Jarvan only allowed a subtle grin to tug at his lips.

"Xin, Shyvana, and myself will be departing three days after the announcement for the Institute of War," he began, "and you, Garen, will be taking a longer trip..." His smile became more pronounced as the Captain almost visibly began to blush. It was at that moment that he realized where he must go and what the Prince of Demacia was doing. Garen blinked hesitantly and sighed, but he wasn't sure if it was dread or something else before he confirmed aloud his realization of who he was going to meet with.

"Katarina."