Hello guys, It took me some time to translate this chapter (I made a few changes) but It's finally done. Hope you like It.


When we got out from the high command building, a soldier brought a black stallion for Darius and as he tied my hands to prevent me from escaping, Darius went up his horse and waited for the soldier to be done with me.

- Loosen the knot, I don't want her skin to get bruised –Said Darius when he saw the soldier tightened the tie around my wrists- Hurry and help her get on the horse –He urged-

- Yes, sir –The soldier obeyed him and then lifted me from my waist to get me on Darius' horse; Darius took me, sat me just in front of him and held me tight, how dare he!? I wouldn't mind if he was wearing an armor instead of that greyish uniform which seemed to be made of a very thick and resistant fabric but It still let his muscles to be noted-

- What are you doing!? How dare you treat me with disrespect?! -I asked in indignation as I felt his hard torso on my back. Even If I joined the army, I was still a noblewoman and this was scandalous and indignant-

- Would you rather me have you tied to the horse chair? I could make you walk though –He replied and threatened me while he put his horse on the run; He held me tighter as he noticed I couldn't hold on the horse very well with my hands tied and I better kept my mouth shut- That's what I thought –He added when I did not reply to his threat nor showed indignation when he held me tighter-

I've only went inside the huge skull mountain of Noxus once before this time and in both occasions I could tell the marked difference between the districts in the inside and the districts from the outside. The district of the high ranked officers was incredibly elegant; their residences were a master piece carved in the mountain's very own black marble stone and huge pillars (also beautifully carved in marble stone) kept the floors of the higher levels from falling on the ones of the lower levels, yet the statues gave this elegant district a gloomy characteristic because every figure carved was allusive to a man or woman in sorrow and I had the impression that the artist (or artists) that designed this master piece had went through a lot of suffering or maybe visited the underworld. I stopped looking at the statues, it was like they were telling me what was awaiting for me inside my captor's residence and it terrified me. I tried to focus on thinking about other matters than this in particular to keep myself from crying in despair, but I couldn't help but imagine what kind of atrocities Darius would do to me once we were in a private place. As we rode on the horse, people on the street saluted the General with respect and then looked at me with curiosity, like If they never had seen a woman with my characteristics, and then started to gossip about what they had just seen.

I knew we arrived to his residence when he suddenly stopped his horse and dismounted. He easily lifted me from the horse chair and put me on his shoulder like if I was a mere sack of potatoes and the soldiers that guarded the principal entrance, not before paying Darius their respects, opened the metal gates.

- Take the horse back to the High Command's stables –Darius ordered and one of the soldiers immediately went to grab the horse reins and do as Darius disposed-

As Darius approached to the big ebony doors that led into the inside of his residence, my heartbeat raced uncontrollably in response of the fear I felt and I closed my eyes not daring to see how close the entrance was but I noticed the moment when he got there because he stopped walking, took the doors key out of his pocket and opened the heavy ebony doors, which made an annoying noise as he pushed them open and then closed behind him once we were inside. He put me down, turned me around and untied me, I was paralyzed in fear and couldn't hold my tears any longer. I silently sobbed.

- Given the fact that you will never go back to Demacia, I dare to tell you that the spells of disguise no longer work in buildings where high ranked officers gather –He explained- It's a new strategy I've implemented not long ago –He added, proud of his "great" deed-

I stood still there, trembling and paralyzed in fear while I sobbed, thinking that he surely would take my virtue after he explained me the reason of my failure. Then I heard his footsteps which indicated me that he was moving into the depths of his huge residence and I stopped sobbing to look at him in surprise.

- What are you doing standing there? –He asked in annoyance when he noticed I wasn't following him-

- It's just… I-I thought you… T-that you would ra- -I tried to answer but the knot in my throat wouldn't let me pronounce the entire phrase without stuttering-

Darius approached as I answered his question and pressed me against the ebony doors. He seemed to be upset at the insinuation I've just made and his reaction scared me because I thought that maybe my words changed his mind.

- Listen to me carefully because I won't repeat it again: Don't you ever dare to insult me the way you just did again. It's not my intention to take your virtue, there is nothing that disgusts me more than the mere idea of bedding a demacian woman –He said angrily and then stood away from me-

- So, how do you intend to humiliate me? Isn't rape noxians' favorite way of humiliation? –I spat without thinking that the last question I've just made sounded more like an insult and he laughed-

- What makes you think you're worth being raped by a noxian? You demacians overestimate yourselves –He answered- You can only serve me as a slave and you should feel honored –He added and I felt relief after hearing this because I'd rather serve him as a slave than giving him my virtue-

Darius took and lit one candle and until then I could admire the inside of his big residence and I have to say it wasn't what I was expecting after I saw such beautiful carvings in the outside. His residence was pretty big (Almost as big as my parent's), it had high ceilings which were decorated with exquisite paintings (They seemed to be allusive to the past battles between Noxus and Demacia but I wasn't sure) and the floor was made of ebony plank but the furniture just didn't fit the façade; they were not as elegant –and expensive- as the inside of the residence for they were made of cheap wood and hadn't even a single carving. There was a big staircase in the center of the lobby but I couldn't see any details of it because the light was faded when I heard Darius' footsteps making the wooden floor squeak.

- What are you waiting for? Do you want to sleep on the floor? –He asked in annoyance and I hesitated- Move! –He roared and I hurried my steps until I had reached him-

As I wondered how long the magic suppressor Darius gave me would last, we went through another ebony door behind the staircase and walked through a long corridor which had unlit candles on each side and many closed wooden doors that seemed to be made of another kind of wood, maybe cedar. I wondered where those doors led or what was behind them and I thought that maybe they could led to somewhere out of my captors grasp, I would have plenty of time to find that out. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't noticed that Darius stopped so I bumped into his back and made him drop the candle on the floor. The shadows wrapped around us for the only source of light was now gone.

- Demacians… -He sighed, blaming me for what had just happened-

- Well, I didn't drop the candle, did I? –I said in my defense-

- You're eager for punishment, aren't you? –He said and I could hear his footsteps in the dark as he closed the space between us and I took a step back in response- What kind of punishment do you want? –He asked as he reached for me and took me from the waist, turned me around and pushed me against the wall with his body weight; I tried to get him off of me but he held me in place by prisoning both of my arms with a tight grip of one of his hands-

My heart raced like if I was a scared mouse and chills went through my spine. I've never had this kind of contact with a man and every muscle of my body was tense. I wanted to stun and make this noxian general pay for what he was doing to me with my magic but no matter how much I tried to use my magic It wouldn't work… and that was way more terrifying than anything else but I was determined to stay strong and not give him the satisfaction to see me in despair, not again –"He's just trying to intimidate me"- I thought to myself-

- You don't scare me… -I whispered because that was the higher voice tone the fear would let me have. Another shiver went through my back when I felt his hot breath on the back of my neck and I begged the gods to make Darius kill me once and for all to prevent me from any further suffering-

- On the contrary, you're terrified –He said with confidence- You're trembling and I can hear the sound of your accelerated heartbeat –He said as he approached to my ear- I can almost smell your fear –He whispered and I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from screaming for help-

- Yes, you terrify me! Is that what you wanted to hear? –I said defiant and he laughed- Does abusing a defenseless woman make you feel like a man? You noxians have no honor! –I spat-

Darius let me free of his bodyweight and his grip. I heard him walk a few steps and the sound of a door opening. He was distracted and I knew he didn't lock the doors behind us so I thought this was the chance I was praying the gods for which I took without hesitation. I ran when I heard him approaching to get me, I ran as fast as I could in the direction where I knew the exit of this residence was. It was dark and all I could see was nothing but this was an empty corridor that only led to one destination, I didn't have to worry about colliding with objects on the way. I kept running but few inches away from the exit door, he barely kicked one of my feet, I stumbled and fell on the wooden floor. I certainly don't know how he landed on me for, like I've mentioned before, everything I could see was nothing and all I knew was that the literally breathtaking weight of his muscular flesh imprisoned me again.

- I have to say I admire your determination, demacian –He said with amusement then got up on his feet and easily picked me up and put me on his shoulder while I tried to recover the air - But I won't let you escape so easily –He added and started to walk in the dark, heading back to where we were going before I attempted to escape and I kept my mouth shout the rest of the way until he put me down and opened one last door- Go in –He commanded-

I tried to see what was inside in vain and the mere idea of being alone in the dark frightened me because I hadn't the aid of my magic to illuminate my way. I stood still, not obeying his command –What is inside there? –I asked but he pushed me inside and closed and locked the door behind me-

- Take two steps and you'll find the stairway to the basement, you can pick whichever room you like. Don't forget that you're my slave now and I'm your master, so I won't tolerate you speaking without permission nor talking to me with familiarity –He said behind the door- understood?

I clenched my teeth and tightened my fists when I heard him say that I had to treat him like If he was of noble blood but I had to ignore my rage for I was at his mercy and had to obey him If I didn't want to complicate my situation more than it was –Yes… -I replied after a brief silence-

- Good –He said and then I heard his steps growing farther as he walked out of the corridor; I was alone in the dark now-

I took two steps forth and I reached for the stairway handrail but there wasn't one so I had to lean to the wall to have something to hold on as I went downstairs. I knew I arrived to the basement when the wall ended and I turned to the right still using the wall as my only guide. I kept walking, touching the wall until I found a door and opened It. There was a room behind it, which was barely illuminated by the moon light that entered through a small square window. The room was very small and it consisted on an also small bed made of hay, a wooden chair, cobbled stone floor and an annoying humidity smell that flooded it.

- By all the gods… -I whispered to myself- "I wasn't expecting a luxurious room but at least I expected a decent bed…" –I thought- Well, I can't expect much better from a noxian… -I muttered-

I sat on the bed and fatigue suddenly flooded my whole body, I wasn't sure what time it was but I assumed it was late and I felt sleepy– "Now that I think about It, the bed isn't so uncomfortable…"- I thought- . I tossed my leather boots aside and then I laid down on the bed.

It had been a long day for the events that have had place in it happened as fast as an eye blinking. I felt tired yet I couldn't sleep, how could I be able to sleep if I was in a wolf's mouth? I thought about the last order that Garen gave me before I dared to come to Noxus, how I wish to go back in time to obey my brother's order! I should have stayed in Demacia… If I just had the power to go back in time, I could go back to celebrate my 18th birthday and my engagement to the prince Jarvan in company of my family; I wouldn't have to sleep on a hay bed but in a feather bed with a thick bear skin to cover myself with from the cold instead of nothing. I had nothing more to do than cry in desperation and to imagine how my parents would react at the loss of their only female child. Then I thought about the fact that other sorceresses and wizards would fall in the same trap I fell in because I wouldn't be able to inform my people about Darius' strategy and it desperate me more than anything. I was sure that Prince Jarvan would send them to rescue me but I hadn't messenger doves nor ink, a feather and paper to tell him not to do it. I prayed to the gods to give me another chance to escape from this prison and to have my magic back and then I cried myself to sleep.


My small room was now barely illuminated by the weak light of the sunrise, I hoped that everything that had happened was just a nightmare but the gods weren't that merciful. I looked at the ceiling covered with spider webs and I heard someone knocking the door. I sat on the hay bed and put on my boots then combed my hair with my fingers and went to open the door. It was a white haired lady which had a slightly hunched back and was holding a candle.

- So it seems you're the general's new slave, good morning –She greeted and approached the candle to my face to have a closer look- Oh, my! Look at the black circles under your eyes! Haven't you slept well? –She asked like If she just had seen a ghost- By the gods, you're as pale as a ghost from the Shadow Isles –Just in the moment when she stopped criticizing my appearance, a loud grunt came from my stomach which indicated I was hungry and I blushed hard- "Now that I remember, I haven't eaten a thing since the day before yesterday"- I thought-

- I'm sorry – I apologized, ashamed-

- Don't worry, it's something common in slaves –She said intending to ease my shame- Come with me, I'll give you something to eat –She said and started to walk out of the slaves rooms- By the way, my name is Cenna and General Darius has ordered me to teach you how to do your duties –She added-

- Aren't you going to wake up the other slaves? –I asked with curiosity when I saw she had no intention to get them up-

- You're the only slave the general has, girl –She replied- What's your name?

- My name is L… -I was going to tell her my real name but then I remembered this wasn't Demacia- Lyanna –I told her the name I used in my mission in Noxus after a brief pause-

- That's a pretty name –She said-

- Thank you, yours is too –I replied politely-

I walked through the still dark corridor and crossed the lobby which had two big windows that I didn't noticed last night; it seemed that the sun still hadn't completely come out yet because it was dark outside. After we crossed the lobby, she opened a double door that led into the dining room that was a little smaller than the lobby and had a long table made of pine wood, benches instead of chairs and a huge marble fireplace -"very simple furnishing for such an elegant dining room"- I thought for It hadn't fluffy carpets, paintings or golden candles- Cenna kept walking and I followed her thinking about Darius' bad decorating skills until we finally got into the kitchen. Cenna went to light the kitchen's candles and I saw it had the same patron of the other rooms: elegant but decorated with cheap furnishings.

- Is general Darius a poor man? –I asked without thinking and she laughed-

- On the contrary, girl, he's a very rich man! –She replied with amusement-

- Then why he-

- Why he hasn't have his residence decorated with expensive furnishings and bought a bunch of slaves to keep it as clean as a spring? –She interrupted me to complete my own question and I nodded in response- Because he's a simple man which is against slavery and that was obliged to move in here by the very Grand General of Noxus –She replied-

- But if he is against slavery, why are we here? –I asked in dismay, lifting one of my eyebrows-

- I ignore why you're here but I'm here because I'm too old to fight wars and I have no one to respond for me, so the general gave me this job. As I've already told you, you're his only one slave and I presume you're the first he ever had –She replied and I lifted both of my eyebrows in surprise- Trust me, I was more surprised than you when he told me he had bought a slave this morning –She said when she saw my expression of surprise-

- I see… I thought you were his slave too –I commented and she laughed-

- Well, now you now that I'm not and I have to say I'm glad you're here because now I will have some help –She said with relief while putting to boil six eggs in a water filled pot- Come on girl, get on making the bread because It's getting late –She urged-

- But I don't know where the ingredients are… -I said-

- Oh, true, true! –She exclaimed- Look, you'll find the flour in that red vessel, the eggs are in the basket on the table, the yeast is in that shelf, the roller is in that drawer, the baking paddle is next the oven and the water is in that blue vessel –She indicated each by signaling them with her finger and I tried to keep their localization in my mind- I'll be back in a moment, I'm going to put the cutlery on the table.

I thanked the gods that I've always liked to cook and I had learned how to do it when I was a child behind my mother's back. While I kneaded a mixture of flour, egg, milk –Because my mother's cook told me that the bread tasted better when milk is added to the mixture- water and yeast, I remembered with nostalgia when I used to sneak to the kitchen under my mother's sight; the cook was a kind woman of toasted skin whose roots were in Ionia and she had the enough confidence to tell me her sad story –very much like mine in this moment- where she escaped from the noxian army to take refuge in Demacia. I held my tears when I imagined myself on that woman's shoes… Alone in a distant land, far away from her beloved ones… I preferred not to think about that sad story and I focused on kneading the dough until I got the desired firmness and then put it to rest to let it gain volume. I didn't want to get punished by Darius so I put all my efforts to make the perfect bread. Once the dough gained volume I cut it in six portions and rounded them and then put them on a tray inside the oven with the baking paddle's help. I remembered that the eggs were still boiling and that they were already cooked so I took them out of the pot and put them on a fabric napkin over the table. I just had to wait for the bread to be baked because Cenna hadn't ordered me to do anything else; I cleaned the portion of the table where I made the bread and I sat on a chair to wait for Cenna to come back.

- What are you doing sitting in there, girl!? The Lord is about to arrive and his breakfast is not yet ready! –Cenna said when she found me sitting and doing nothing; she was catching her breath like if she had done something more than putting the cutlery on the table- Go make the orange juice while I take out the bread from the oven! –She commanded-

- Yes, ma'am –I obeyed and got on making the orange juice immediately, I didn't want her to deliver any complain to my captor's ears-

We finished making the breakfast with anticipation because Darius hadn't arrived yet from wherever he was and Cenna obliged me to sit at the table to eat two boiled eggs, a recently baked slice of bread with cheese and a glass of orange juice.

- Look at yourself, girl, you're all skin and bones! Eat, eat! –She urged and, even when I told her that I was of thin complexion, she still insisted me to eat more-

When I couldn't eat more (I have to say the bread was delicious), I helped Cenna to serve the breakfast which consisted on four eggs, a huge piece of ham, a jar of orange juice, a bowl of red fruit, three pieces of bread and cheese. Then, Cenna got on cleaning the kitchen and ordered me to go to do the Master's room.

- It's easy –She said- You just got to do the bed and store his belongings because I already have cleaned the floor and the bathroom yesterday. Oh, his room is on the second floor at the end of the corridor –She instructed and continued cleaning the kitchen-

What would my mother said If she knew I was in a man's room? Or to be more specific, What would she say If she knew I was in a noxian man's room?... What would Garen say If he knew I was a noxian's slave? They both would say I had brought shame to the family; A Crownguard, daughter of a Duke, serving a noxian.

Following Cenna's instructions, I went to the second floor and went into Darius' room. His room was pretty big and it had a huge window and a big terrace overlooking the horizon over the Guardian's Sea. I thought the terrace would be the perfect escape route, all I had to do is to pronounce a levitation spell and leave flying… If I just had my magic. I approached to the windows to have a closer look to the terrace – "Or I could tie a rope to one of the terrace pillars to climb down the skull mountain…"-I thought as a second option-

- I know what you're thinking, slave –I heard Darius' husky voice behind me- It's useless.

I turned around to look at him but I shouldn't have done it for he had a towel wrapped on his waist as only garment. –"By all the gods!" –I screamed in my mind and covered my face with both of my hands as I felt an intense heat on my cheeks when I saw his wet and half naked body.

- I-I didn't mean to- I'm sorry! –I apologized full of embarrassment- This is so embarrassing… –I muttered-

- Get out of here, slave –He ordered and I left the room as fast as I could-

I went back to the kitchen still full of embarrassment and found Cenna cleaning the ashes from the stove, she was surprised I came back so soon.

- Im glad your cheeks regained their color and that you don't look like a ghost now –She said when she saw me- Now you're done with the Lord's room, you have to…

- I'm not done –I said, interrupting her before she assigned me another duty-

- And what are you doing here? Go back and finish!

- Dar- the master is dressing –I excused-

- What's the problem with that? –She asked and I my cheeks went red again-

- I've never seen a half-naked man ever! –I exclaimed with my face as red as a tomato and she laughed in amusement-

- Oh, I understand… but let me tell you that you gotta get used to it because he usually takes his shirt off when he's here –She said calmly after she regained her composure- "Noxians have not a shred of decency! They're such shameless people! –I thought at Cenna's words-

Darius came downstairs to take the breakfast 5 minutes after the incident and I took the opportunity to go to do his room. When I walked back to the kitchen after I was done with his room, he was gone to the high command and I found Cenna picking up the dishes from the table of the dining room. She told me Darius loved the bread I've made and patted my shoulder telling me that I did a good job. I didn't felt flattered as I usually did every time someone complimented my bakes not like when Prince Jarvan tasted the pastries I made for him for the very first time. As the nostalgia invaded me again, tears filled my eyes and my sight went blurry; I wiped my tears before they started to roll down my face with the back of my hand. It seemed that Cenna didn't noticed my state because she didn't ask any questions about it.

We were done with all our duties by dusk and we sat at the kitchen's table to drink jasmine tea. Cenna told me Darius' favorite dishes and theoretically taught me how to shop in the market at the same time I rubbed my hurt and slightly blistered hands.

- Tell me, girl, Where are you from? You look kinda like a princess, did you know? –Cenna asked with curiosity- Your hair and your white skin are pretty silky for you to be a commoner.

- I come from Ionia but I rather not to talk about the subject –I lied-

- It's fine, don't worry –She said in a comprehensive manner- You're gonna be just fine with General Darius –She added, intending to comfort me but, how would that give me any comfort If I was in the enemy's grasp?-

- I doubt it… He seems to be cold and severe and I've heard he's ruthless –I said-

- Well, he's undoubtedly ruthless when It comes to his enemies, but not when It comes to the people under his protection –She commented and I sighed and bit my lower lip in distress because I was his enemy and now I was sure that I couldn't expect any act of mercy from him- You don't have to worry, dear, the general is a good man and you couldn't have a better owner –She assured- "If she only knew…"-I trailed in my thoughts- I'll tell you more about the general tomorrow and you'll find there's nothing to worry about when you see It with your own eyes –She added as she stood up-

- Are you leaving now? –I asked fearful of her departure because I didn't want to be left alone-

- Yes, dear, it's time for me to go home –She replied and walked to the kitchen's exit- I left some clean clothing in your room in case you want to clean yourself. Good night, child –She bid her farewell and left-

I had no doubt Cenna, woman despite she was noxian, was a good and extremely kind-hearted woman, I wouldn't feel lonely with her company anymore. I thought of what she had told me about Darius and it reminded the way he treated me last night; a shiver went through my spine at that memory. I tried to use my magic to refill my cup of tea but it didn't work… I missed my magic so much, it felt like if someone ripped half part of me.

I stood up from the wooden chair and blew the candles off before I left the kitchen. The residence was in the dark for there were no lit candles but I could perfectly remember the way back to my room but something stopped me from going further; I heard Cenna and Darius talking in the lobby, their voices were a whisper in the dark but I still could understand every of their words. I stood at the lobby's door as silent as a mouse and motionless as a tree with the shadows as my only cover.

- I don't require your services anymore so it's not necessary for you to come back –Darius said-

- But, sir, how will I survive without this job!? –Cenna said in despair-

- You don't have to worry about gold because I'll give you a generous quantity every month, you have my word –Darius said-

- But who is going to take care of you, my Lord? –Cenna asked-

- Non sense, woman! I need no one to take care of me –Darius replied- It's time for you to cease your duty and take a well-deserved rest –He added-

- Thank you, my Lord, you're very kind –She thanked, moved by Darius' words- You're like the son I've ever had… -She muttered and Darius cleared his throat-

- You know where to find me If you're in need –Darius said after a brief silence-

- Good night my Lord, and thank you for everything –Cenna bid her farewell, Darius said nothing and I heard the sound of a door being closed-

- Go to your room, Luxanna –He said and I jumped in surprise- "How did he knew I was in there?" –I asked myself-

Seeing a ruthless noxian general being kind to someone weak puzzled me, didn't noxians despised people of weak nature? Darius' behavior was an enigma, it didn't match with others noxian high ranked officers' behaviors (at least the ones I've investigated) and it puzzled me because he wasn't being what I expected him to be. I went to my room and found the clothes Cenna mentioned –"Poor woman…"-I thought then realized I wouldn't have her company anymore and started to sob- I took the clean clothes and went to take a shower in the common bathroom for the slaves which was very austere compared to my bathroom back in Demacia for It just consisted in a small squared pool, cold cobbled stone and a couple of buckets. I went back to my room when I had finished to cry myself to sleep just like last night.