A Glimpse of Shining Starfire Ch. 2 – Shooting Stars and Chasing Dreams
That night I tossed and I turned in my sleep, my dreams plagued with terrible visions. I was there…floating above the world. It had gone dark and fires were erupting all over Valoran as the screams of her people filled the air. Demacian, Noxians, Ionians, Bilgewaterians, Humans, Yordles, it didn't matter: all were suffering. The scene that played out was not one that was new to me…I had seen it many times before, each time it became more vivid. It had started to move from less of a possibility and more of a certainty.
Despite Kassadin's warning in the Shurima desert…despite having sent Cho'Gath, Kog'Maw, and Kha'zix to the grave, Malzahar still was alive and breathing; something that should have been rectified when we met him in the Institute of War. I watched as an army of cackling creatures seemed to spawn from the darkness itself, grabbing innocent men, women, and children. Torturing them, slaughtering them, raping them…and not always in that order. I closed my eyes covering my face with my hands no wanting to see. This was just a nightmare…that was the mantra I repeated to myself. Usually it worked…but this time, I felt a startling presence above me. Turning and looking above me what I saw was the most horrendous thing I'd ever seen. It was a planet; a full sized planet! But what scared me wasn't the fact that it was there. It was that the entire thing was covered in eyes of different shapes and sizes. It had billions of mouths all gibbering simultaneously in some maddening speech that was causing my mind to feel as though it were being imploded from the inside. This was something new. I looked at it in horror as the stars in the sky began to grow larger, the billions of prisons hurtling towards Runeterra to destroy and consume all that was in their wake. And that was when I saw it…a blinding light that bathed me in its cool radiance. My eyes turned to see Arcturus, blade in hand followed by hundreds of similar men and women all carrying weapons of their own to fight the encroaching starspawn. The war in the skies illuminated the entire world, giving the people just enough hope to retaliate and to start to fight back. Soon the light began to fill each of them spreading slowly over the continent of Valoran.
"Lux." A voice called out to me calmly. "Lux, have you awoken?" Huh? Awoken? My eyes opened, the nightmare now over as I had tumbled back into reality. Hovering over me was the soft face of Arcturus, his golden eyes shining in the dim light of my room. His lips were in a flat line, neither smile nor frown as always seemed to be the case save in rare instances. "You were dreaming…you kept tossing and turning. It wasn't until I heard you crying that I contemplated waking you. I apologize if you suffered the night terror for too long, I wasn't sure the custom of awakening someone amongst your people." I smiled brightly at him and hugged him tightly to my chest causing him to fall on top of me in surprise as I stared deep into his eyes.
"No…thanks to you, I didn't suffer too long at all." I whispered softly as I rested my forehead against his.
"Erm…Lux…is this a normal thing for someone to do upon being awoken?" He asked curiously. Wordless I simply nodded, unsure of what to tell him. It wouldn't exactly look great for me to have said 'No, in fact this is rather odd for me to be doing this but lately I've been desperate and lonely as the only person who's ever given me even the slightest bit of attention is now married and has kids; leaving me here alone in this house with my uncaring family.' Just as I opened my mouth to explain the door burst open and the shrill cry of my mother filled the room.
"Luxanna!" She shrieked. "How dare you bring a man into your room at such late hours?! You young lady are a Crownguard, not a harlot! I…" Her voice paused as she saw Arcturus on top of me. He slowly climbed off and turned to her.
"Good morning." He said in greeting. Oh boy…he'd acknowledged her…now we were both screwed.
"Good morning?!"
"Is that not how one greets somebody in the early hours of the day?"
"Don't you give me that sass young man! You should be ashamed of yourself, taking advantage of a sweet innocent child!"
"Taking advantage of? I'm not sure what you mean."
"Don't think I didn't see you just now! Luxanna I demand an explanation as to why this…this…filth, is standing before me!" Arcturus frowned softly.
"Filth? Am I truly that dirty?" He looked down at himself. "I apologize…I didn't think to bathe upon coming into your home last night. I'm afraid Lux and I just went straight to her bedroom." I put my face in my hands with a soft groan. He just needed to stop talking. The more he spoke the more trouble we'd be in.
"Mother, this is my friend Arcturus. Arcturus, this woman is my mother and I apologize for her rudeness."
"My rudeness?! Luxanna, you've nearly gone and soiled your reputation as well as your chances to become a great militant like your brother. You are out of control young lady! Bringing strangers to your bed at night? What were you thinking?!" I frowned and sat up swinging my legs over the side of the bed. As I stood up my blonde curls fell around me unkempt as I approached the vulture like creature that had given birth to me.
"Mother. Nothing happened between us. Arcturus had no place to stay so I let him stay here in my room, in a separate bed." I stated flatly as I pointed to the now well-kept window seat that had been used as Arcturus' sleeping place. "Arcturus is…a foreigner. So he's not entirely used to our customs. He wasn't trying to be rude just now, he just didn't know if he had done something rude or impolite as you just kind of burst into the room screaming…again."
My mother turned glaring at the still confused Arcturus glaring at him with fire in her eyes. "I should say so you were being very rude!"
"A-apologies?"
"No! You don't get the chance to apologize! Who do you think you are? Simply barging into my home unannounced is no way for a person of your age and standing to be acting you scoundrel!"
"Should I have greeted you late last night when Lux brought me in then?"
My mother shook with fury her cheeks burning a bright red. "You…are not…to address her in that manner…she is Lady Crownguard to filth like you! Luxanna, you are a noble woman it is time for you to grow up and realize your place in this world, and it is not in bed with a tramp such as this!" Arcturus frowned starting to become annoyed.
"Tramp? And who do you feel you are speaking of my standing in such a manner? As far as I know, I've done nothing wrong save accept the graciousness of Lux's hospitality. I've not eaten your food, nor have I abused any of your property. All I've done is come in and slept. If you wish for me to leave that is fine, but insults are unbecoming of a 'noblewoman' as you refer to yourself." Oh…shit…
"MAAAARCUUUUUS!" My mother screamed, her voice echoing throughout the halls. I could already here the hurried footsteps coming down the hall as my father nervously entered my room.
"Y-yes dear?" Mother pointed towards the two of us angrily.
"Look! Look at what your daughter has done this time!"
Father looked incredibly confused as he could find nothing wrong save that there was a strange man standing in my bed room fully dressed and slightly presentable. "Luxanna, who is this?" He asked calmly.
"Father, this is my friend Arcturus, he stayed the night with me last night on the window bed as he didn't have a place to sleep."
Arcturus bowed politely. "Good morning sir." The fact he called him sir caused my father to beam at him and bow politely in return.
"Why thank you Arcturus. Good morning to you as well." My mother gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Marcus don't greet the peasant! I demand you do something about the fact that your daughter has been bringing home men late at night without our knowledge, much less a man without tact or social grace." My father scratched his cheek puzzled.
"But…I thought he was rather tactful just now when he wished me a good morning."
"MARCUS!" My father cringed.
"Yes dear. Right away dear. Guards!" He called out causing two armored men with swords to appear in the door frame at salute. My father frowned to Arcturus.
"I'm really sorry about this, you seem like a nice young man. But Lilia is rather…persuasive." My father turned to the guards snapping his fingers and pointing towards Arcturus. "Throw him in the dungeon at once."
"What?! Father! You can't just come barging into my room and throw my guest into the dungeon! He hasn't done anything wrong!" Father looked to mother who nodded at him.
"Well…according to your mother I can. Sorry Luxanna, that's just how it's going to be." Arcturus glared as the guards advanced on him swords drawn.
"I'm afraid I will not go quietly…I refuse to be imprisoned when I've done nothing wrong." My mother fanned herself as she stepped aside for the guards.
"Very well, then you shall perish. Guards!" Once more the sword formed in Arcturus hand as a beam of bright light that had a shadow that coiled about it like a serpent and holding it at point he waited for their approach.
"Last warning men. If you attempt to hurt me I cannot guarantee your safety, though as a warrior I will attempt to not slay you outright if I can help it." The guards smirked at one another laughing before one leapt forward slashing in an overhead arc. Arcturus quickly dodged to the side as the blade hit the marble floor before holding up his blade so that the flat of it was facing towards the guard. "Fool. Gaze into the nothingness!" I looked shocked as the blade seemed to reflect the light into the guard's eyes, though instead of light it was as if it were casting a shadow. The guard screamed in pain as he covered his eyes and when he moved his hands his eyeballs were now completely black.
"Wh-what sorcery is this?!" He demanded. "Why am I unable to see?!" Without even responding Arcturus smashed the side of the guard's head with the pommel of his sword causing him to collapse into an unconscious heap before he turned on the other guard who was shaking in his armored boots.
"Well?!" my mother shouted to the guard. "Are you waiting for an invitation?" The guard was more frightened of mother it would seem than he was of Arcturus and immediately he rushed in shouting a nervous cry of battle only for Arcturus to sigh. His blade caught the guard's easily deflecting it and causing the steel to embed itself into the wooden post of my canopy bed. The guard tugged at it attempting to remove it but before he could Arcturus lashed out with his hand gripping the Guards head so that his palm covered his eyes.
"Imbecile, I will show you your insignificance. Watch! See every star, every grain of sand. Revel at the infinity of the cosmos!" A pulse of cool blue energy erupted outward from Arcturus' hand in a nova causing the guard to scream in horror as he gripped his head. When at last Arcturus removed his hand from the man's face, the guard's expression was one of mental lassitude. Clutching at his head he began to foam at the mouth as he collapsed onto the floor in the fetal position quivering in madness. Arcturus held his blade at the ready. "Well then?! Who's going to be next?" My mother and father looked shocked, the room falling silent save for the insane mutterings coming from the guard who was still conscious on the floor. I could tell that Arcturus was done holding back and just as my mother was about to send another squad of guards to their doom Garen walked into the room looking around.
"Good morning everyone. I was wondering where you all were when I went down for breakfast only to find that no one was…What happened to the guards?" Mother pointed at Arcturus with an angry expression.
"It was him son! He's the one who attacked the guards and left them in this state. You're going to get it now you rabble, Garen is the Might of Demacia and he's going to slay you like the dog you are."
"Mother please!" Garen said firmly before turning back to Arcturus. "Is what she says true? Did you attack these men?"
"Of course it's true!" She shouted, "How dare you question your own mother?"
"Good morning Garen." Arcturus said his grip on his blade unwavering. "I did not attack these men, in fact when they advanced upon me. I gave them a chance to surrender before I summoned my weapon to me. Apologies again for the kiss. I misunderstood its meaning."
Garen turned red and cleared his throat. "Yes well, you are forgiven. However, I think it would be best for everyone if you were to leave now." Arcturus stared at him for a moment before nodding his blade vanishing from his grip in a small trail of smoke.
"Very well. Farewell Lord Crownguard, Lady Crownguard. May we never meet under hostile circumstances again." He walked out of the room but immediately I pushed past my mother as she tried to block me off and I chased after him.
"Arcturus…please don't go." I called after him. He turned back to me with a smile, that soft smile that was so rare that it was as if looking at a precious gemstone.
"Do not worry Luxanna. I said I would leave…I didn't say I wouldn't come back. You can expect to see me again tonight, remaining vigilant as usual." With that he turned and walked out the door. I ran after him but when I got outside in the sun's morning light he was nowhere to be found. I desperately hoped he was telling the truth when he said he would be coming back tonight. I would hate to lose the man who somehow could fill my darkest fears with his light. Throughout the day I suffered through my mother's lectures on civility and how to act lady like while I just stared out the window of my room. Occasionally nodding to signify that I was listening…which I wasn't. The guards recovered soon after he had left with nothing more than splitting headaches, though if they were from his attacks or from my mother's harsh words it couldn't be said.
Night couldn't come fast enough, and as soon as dinner was finished I raced upstairs to my room. Digging through my closet I sought out something plain but nice. Despite being a star being Arcturus didn't strike me as the kind of man who liked flash and flare. I still was flinging myself at him, over and over again. I sighed as I knew from sheer observance that he had no idea that I was doing so, and because of that things were odd between us. With that I decided that I was tired of doing the chasing, from that moment on I'd be letting him do the pursuing of myself (though nothing said I couldn't dangle the carrot on his stick.) Having picked out a simple red dress I went to my vanity mirror and sat down. I hummed softly to myself as I got to work bushing my hair and applying my make-up in hopes of drawing his attention to me. Once the sun had set and the pale moon had once more risen I noticed in the reflection of my mirror that standing upon the roof was the familiar silhouette of the mysteriously graceful man.
Making sure that no one could hear me I quietly unlatched my window before creeping out onto the roof and walking slowly towards him. "Hey, welcome back." I greeted him quietly causing him to turn towards me with a warm smile.
"Hello Lux, I'm glad that you came to see me." I blushed softly as I came closer to him. He was smiling…because I came to see him?
"Well of course I did silly, I couldn't stand the thought of you being out here all alone." He chuckled softly.
"I'm not alone…not truthfully." I looked at him in surprise before looking around.
"Is there someone else up here too?" He shook his head.
"Not up here…up there." He pointed upwards towards the stars. "My favorite sister and I were just having a conversation. She too had fallen because she broke the rules of our people. In our culture only men are allowed to be fighters…women are meant to heal only. But that was never enough for Soraka…she always had to help someone in need. One day a man she was helping betrayed her and tricked her into fighting, and because of that she was cursed with hooves and a crystalline horn: a mark of shame amongst our people."
"Soraka? That name sounds familiar…what were you talking about?" He smiled to me again and shook his head. "She wanted me to go check on an old friend of hers…a man by the name of Kal'adamsul. Though…I doubt I'd be able to find him anyway." At the mention of Kal I tensed up, an action that didn't escape his notice. "Something wrong Lux?"
I beamed at him shaking my head. "Not at all, but I'm good friends with Kal'adamsul. Most just call him Kal and you can tell your sister that he is doing well. He's married now and has two children as well as an adopted daughter who's super cute too." He fell silent as his golden eyes shimmered, turning their gaze back up to the stars. One of them began to twinkle as he stared at it and seeing his cheeks turn a bright red he turned back to me.
"She thanks you Lux. Also…I just wanted to say…that you look beautiful this evening." I beamed, glad that he took notice. He hopped from the parapet and walked closer to me with a light grin. "I never did thank you for sticking up for me this morning, I know how hard it must have been for you. Is there anything I could do to repay you? I know you wished to know more about me." I nodded breathlessly as he came closer once again and when he was within reach my hand went to his cheek. He was puzzled at first before he nuzzled against it with his cheek. "Ask away. I'll tell you anything you wish to hear."
I swallowed softly and looked deep into his eyes. "Okay…well…what sort of things…do you find attractive in a woman?"
He blushed brightly slightly taken aback by the question. "Well…ummm…that is an interesting question…"
"You've never given any thought about it?"
"I suppose not. Though…if I had to give you an answer…I suppose it would have to be that the woman I care for would have to be kind-hearted and willing to do what's right…even if the situation wishes for you to not do so. But at the same time, she'd have to be able to stand her ground against people who are oppressive."
"Well…I kind of meant like…appearance wise…" He blushed even more.
"Well…that is…you see…" He began to stammer and for once the star was having difficulty vocalizing. I giggled lightly at his reaction and ran my finger across his cheek to quiet and calm him.
"Do you find me attractive?" I asked, and I could feel his skin growing warm beneath my fingertips. His eyes stared deeply into mine, though whether it was because he wouldn't look away or couldn't I was unsure.
"Lux…why are you asking me these questions?" He asked softly his chest rising and falling softly as I moved closer to him.
"No particular reason…" I lied. "Sometimes…a girl just want to be told she's beautiful. But I want you to be completely honest with me…do you find me attractive?" His silence gave everything away though his lips said nothing, almost completely emotionless as he scanned his mind for an appropriate response to the question.
"I-I'm rather uncomfortable with this Lux…I mean…I don't…that is I…" As my hand trailed along his sharp jaw I could feel him leaning in slightly, subconsciously seeking my touch. His struggling to form complete sentences in my presence was adorable…but still I wanted to hear the words. I wanted him to tell me just what he thought of me.
"There's no reason to be uncomfortable."
"But we've only known one another for three nights…" He said softly.
"So…you have to know me longer before you can tell me if I'm pretty or not? That doesn't make any sense."
"Well of course you're pretty, I mean that's clearly not even a debatable subject. But you didn't ask if you were pretty." I frowned softly. He was right, I had asked if he thought I was attractive…normally that means the same thing but perhaps.
"That's what my question meant Arcturus…I was asking if you thought I was attractive, not if you were attracted to me. I'm sorry I made you so uncomfortable." He frowned softly as his eyes sparkled in the moon light.
"Well…you are attractive Lux…very much so…"
"Oh? What about me is attractive?" I purred playfully.
"Well…your hair is rather lovely…and you have a very beautiful face…"
"Anything else?" I asked as I pressed myself closer to him causing him to take a half-step backwards.
"You're ummm…in great physical shape?" He responded with a questioning inflection as though he were unsure if what he was saying was the right way to say it. I giggled lightly again as I watched him curiously, I wanted to know how he would respond to this line of questioning.
"So…you like my body then?"
"I…I…yes." He seemed to have finally gotten a grip on himself as he took a deep breathe exhaling slowly. "Now…why are you not asking questions about myself? I thought you wished to get to know me better…is that not so?"
"Just wanted to see if you were made of the right material is all."
"Material? Like carbon?"
"Something like that. Don't worry, you passed." I gave him a flirty wink as I gently slipped my arm around his. "So…I'm curious…what was it your sister said that made you blush so suddenly hmm? It's one of the very few times I've ever seen you embarrassed before. And you've even made out with my brother." His blushing became even more intense.
"She…she reminded me…"
"Reminded you?"
"She…she told me to remember that women like to be complimented…and that you seemed to be attempting to convey that you wished for me to compliment you…based on the fact that she believes you are trying to court me." I could hear a slight bit of embarrassment in his words, as though he had brought his first date home and his mother was going on about the how beautiful their children would be. As he spoke the two of us walked along the rooftops on a moonlit stroll.
"So…do you find the thought of my courtship pleasurable?" I teased as I nuzzled against his shoulder, an expression that I wasn't sure he picked up on. He turned towards me almost as though he were surprised I had asked.
"Well…to be honest, I'd find it very strange that you had taken a romantic interest in me. After all we've only known each other for three days." I cringed slightly. "Not to mention that we know next to nothing about one another." Another metaphorical arrow through the heart. "On top of that, I think I'd have noticed if you were attempting to court me…after all, if you were you'd be…" he paused for a moment as the pieces began falling into place. "Dressing up…inviting me to your home…giving me signs of affection…asking questions about my personal life…Gods you are attempting to court me aren't you?"
"Guilty as charged…" I laughed nervously. "Though to be honest…I was really more trying to entice you to court me than the other way around." He looked at me puzzled and stopped walking for a moment before turning to me.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you want me to court you? I'm really not all that interesting."
I blinked in shock. "You're…being sarcastic right?"
"Sarcastic?"
"Well that answers that question. How could you not think that you're interesting? I mean you're a being from the cosmos! You're the son of two Gods. You spend a majority of your time on a stranger's roof staring at the sky. You can craft a blade from your soul that has the ability to repel back forces of evil that are bound within stars. You don't find any of that stuff in the very least bit intriguing or odd?"
"Well when you put it that way…but I still don't quite understand why that means you'd want me to court you. I'm sure there are plenty of people just as interesting here aren't there?" My mind went to the other champions that often participated in the league and the team of people that had helped us take down Magnus as well as the other people that we'd met on the way.
"Let's just say…they're often a little too interesting. As for wanting to be courted…I was in love with someone once…but he didn't return those feelings…in truth his heart always belonged to someone else…" I looked down at my feet as the memories of Kal rushed over me like a great wave in the ocean. "I managed to trick him…or more like cornered him…into giving me a taste of his love and affection he had for that other person…I thought that that would be enough. But I was wrong. Now while he lives with her, the two of them happy and in love, I can't help but feel so very lonely here. Like a princess locked in an ivory tower…I just wished someone exciting and kind and heroic would come and rescue me from this place. That probably sounds really strange to you…I know it sounds stupid." I felt warm arms wrap around my shoulders holding me close and looking up I saw that Arcturus was embracing me close and smiling with a warm consideration for my feelings.
"It doesn't sound stupid…not at all. I'm sure that if I were in your shoes I'd feel the same way about a stranger standing on my roof from a far off land. But you're putting the cart before the horse right now."
"Oh so you know idioms but not sarcasm?"
"Hush. My point is that you don't need someone to court you in order to appease your loneliness…for now we start as friends and see how it moves on from there…you've just got to be patient Lux." I nodded silently and wrapped my arms tightly around him nuzzling into his chest. I looked up into his golden eyes.
"Thank you…Arcturus…"I whispered softly before standing on my tip toes so that I could place a soft quick kiss on his lips. As I did another shooting star fell from the sky and as my lips left his eyes began to track its movement with concern.
"Another one? So soon?" he whispered to no one in particular. "This time it looks as though it landed much further away…" He pointed off in the horizon where he had seen it land. "Tell me…Lux what is it that lies in that direction?"
"Umm…nothing, just a small farming village under our service…why do you ask?" His eyes opened in shock.
"Does your mother oversee their actions?"
"Err…yes. Why?"
"I fear you and your family may soon be in very grave danger. We must go there. Now." He took my hand and quickly bolted back towards our starting point tugging me behind him. "We've got to move as quickly as we can. I'd say we have a week at the most. Lady Lux…" he said turning to me.
"You don't have to call me Lady…"
"Very well then Lux, I am in need of your assistance with this matter. This star spawn is very dangerous and if we're not careful in our pursuit we'll end up as a target which is not something we want. We'll leave tomorrow morning and ride to the village. You may just get that excitement you've been craving yet." He walked me along the ridge of my gabled roof until we were standing just outside of my window. I climbed back through it carefully before turning back and leaning on the sill.
"I'm sorry I can't invite you in again…is there anywhere you're able to sleep?" He nodded.
"If I could trouble you for a pillow I'd be more than willing to sleep on this catwalk. That way…should you ever become afraid of being alone, you'll know that I'm just outside for you." I beamed brightly at him and quickly went to fetch a pillow and blanket for my friend. As I passed the both of them to him he took them gratefully before carefully laying out on the flat cat-walk of the roof. Being sure to place the pillow closer to the window sill before he went to lay down. As he laid his head on the pillow I leaned out of my window and before he could object I passionately kissed him again. When our lips parted for the third time since we met I smiled softly and gently stroked his cheek. "Good night my lucky starwarrior. I hope you have sweet dreams…I'm pretty sure that mine will involve you. Thank you again for your kind words…and for making my life a lot less lonely. It's something I truly appreciate." He blushed from the kiss and nodded reassuringly.
"I couldn't very well let a lovely young flower such as yourself wilt due to the stupidity and ignorance of one man could I?" I smiled to him and kissed his forehead goodnight.
"Sleep well Arcturus. I'll see you in the morning."
That night the nightmares didn't come. As though his words and actions had built a wall around me for once the influences of the void were unable to pierce my rest and for the first night since I'd encountered Kassadin my mind came to rest.
The next morning Arcturus woke me up just before sun rise. We figured that my parents would most likely deny my request to leave the manor to go chase after a shooting star, so our solution was simple: don't tell them. Seeking through my closet I found the perfect outfit for fitting in. It was one that I used when I was in the Demacian military and would sneak across enemy lines in order to steal their magic to either use against them or defend ourselves against. Tugging the purple shawl over my sky blue undershirt I smiled as I inspected myself before tightening the brown leather belt around my waist. The bandolier was filled with three healing potions in case we needed them and was nestled comfortably between my breasts. I pulled the lavender hood over my head as I slowly snuck from my room and crept towards the door. Just as my hand rested on the handle and I had begun to turn it someone behind me cleared their throat. Whirling around quickly I saw Garen arms crossed staring at me. "Going out are we Lux?"
"Garen! You nearly gave me a heart attack." I whispered.
"Where are you going?" He asked in a normal tone.
"Shhhh. I'm leaving…Arcturus things something dangerous is happening in the village to the East so we're going to go investigate, and if we have to, end the threat." Garen shook his head with a sigh.
"Mother won't be happy about this you know…"
"I know…just…look, if she asks just make something up. Just whatever you do, don't tell her where we went. Arcturus warned that she may be in more danger than the rest of us. So please, don't let her follow us." Garen frowned softly.
"Luxanna…I want you to think about this carefully. This sounds really fishy to me…He's taking you away somewhere to fight some sort of 'danger' but it sounds to me like you've no idea what you'll do or what you'll encounter. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I won't stop you…but I want you to think about this choice that you're about to make very carefully. We know nothing about this guy save that he likes to stand on our roof and kiss men. That's not a very trustful combination in my eyes Lux." I nodded in understanding before biting my lip nervously. What if he's right? What if this was all just an act for Arcturus to get me alone? A smile spread eagerly across my lips. That's right…this could just be a ruse for Arcturus and I to have an excuse to be alone…maybe on a cold night out on our adventure I could convince him to help keep me warm inside of my tent. As more thoughts of romanticism filled my mind I began to become more and more eager for the adventure that lay in wait just beyond the heavy wooden doors.
"I'm going brother, I think Arcturus can be trusted…what's more is that I've seen him handle a similar threat before. I don't know what to expect, but I have to believe that I can trust him enough to not put me in absolute danger if it wasn't important. He'll protect me I know it; just as Kal did before him, and you did before Kal." Garen reluctantly nodded.
"Alright…then go. I'll think of something to tell mother and father. But promise me something Lux…if things get too dangerous; if you find yourself out of the frying pan and into the fire; you run. You run as fast as you possibly can and you don't look back understand me? If Arcturus trips and falls, you leave him there. Do not go back for him or for anyone. I love you little sister, and the last thing I want is for you to be lost to the family." I swallowed heavily and nodded.
"I promise Garen. If things get to their worst I'll run away." I wrapped my arms around my older brother and he returned the gesture before I tugged open the door closing it softly behind me as I stepped out. Arcturus was already waiting for me in the same woven cotton armor he wore his deep blue cloak coated in sewn stars that already seemed to glow in the dim light of the sun rise.
"I hope you're ready to go." He said softly and I nodded eagerly the two of us quickly getting to the main road for easier travel. Our adventure had officially begun and I couldn't wait to see what would come next for the two of us.
Later that morning, Garen sat at the table sipping a cup of coffee and reading the Journal of Justice. On his plate sat two pieces of brown toast with a bit of jam, he had decided on a rather plain breakfast today. "Ah, good morning Garen. How's my Might of Demacia doing today hmm?" Lilia Crownguard came in sitting in another seat on the table. Looking to see that the chair across from her was empty she turned to her son suspiciously. "Garen…where is your sister?" Garen sipped his coffee as he turned the page of the paper before responding.
"She ran away with that guy you kicked out yesterday." Lilia dropped her tea cup causing it to shatter on the ground spilling out the translucent brown liquid.
"SHE WHAT?!" Garen looked up. Damn it, he hadn't even thought about the question before he responded. "Where did she go Garen? We need to find her and keep her away from that no-good peasant."
"Mother I really think that…"
"I don't care what you think Garen! Answer the question now!"
"I don't know where they went. She just said…umm…that they were leaving." Lady Crownguard shook furiously just as Marcus entered the dining hall sitting beside his wife.
"Good morning Garen, dear."
"MARCUS! Do you know what your daughter has done?"
"Hmmm? Did Lux do something wrong? She's such a well-behaved girl."
"No she's not! She's eloped with that hooligan from yesterday morning!"
"Oh that nice young man? I rather liked him…maybe he can join us for dinner." Lilia grit her teeth.
"No Marcus…he is NOT joining us for dinner…he has run away with our daughter…what we need to do is hire a tracker. Someone who can seek out and hunt down the two of them. And when they find them they'll bring Lux back to us…as well as that filthy streetrat's head!"
"Mother I…"
"SILENCE GAREN! It is your duty to protect your little sister and now she's in the arms of that trashy and uncouth barbarian! Now, you're going to go see the prince, and you're going to ask for his best tracker or else, so help me Gods, I will make your life hell do you understand me?!" Garen swallowed nervously and nodded reluctantly.
"Good. Now finish your breakfast and get going."
To be continued…
