"A summoner? Impossible! Who on earth would ally themselves with Swain?" Katarina asked, face distorted in a mixture of shock and disgust.
"It does seem far-fetched, Lady Cassiopeia," Talon agreed. His eyes still flitted around anxiously.
The serpentine glared. "Unlesss you believe it more plausible that he learned the ability himself. Only a summoner could have the ability to scry somewhere they haven't been, and nobody outside of our illustrious Grand General has ever stepped foot in this manor. Either he has the ability, or a summoner is working with him."
"Okay, just hang on," Katarina interrupted, holding a hand in the air. "Let's just assume for a moment that it was a summoner trying to scry us. How do we know whoever it was is allied with Swain? Noxus isn't exactly popular; any number of the countries we've attacked may have tried."
"You do not understand magic as I, sssister," Cassiopeia hissed. "I could feel the intent of the scrying. Whoever was watching, or whoever was with them, was of Noxus. It is impossible to mistake that level of darkness. I may love my city-state, but I can realize her faults. Who else? None from the Void have any interest in us, specifically. Nor do the Shadow Islands give quarrel."
Katarina did not have an answer, hand held to her chin in thought. Talon, finally relaxing a bit, mused as well. Not a word was spoken for several moments, until Talon became tense once more.
"He is here."
A loud knock sounded throughout the hall. Cassiopeia bared her fangs slightly before turning away. "I'll be in my quarters. If Swain wishes to taste death, he may enter," she spat, slithering from the room once more.
Talon and Katarina quickly left the library and walked downstairs, dismissing servants as they went. Once the great hall was empty, they opened the doors. Swain entered, raising a hand to stay the assortment of body guards who had entered with him.
"Lady Katarina, Talon," He rasped in greeting. "I am glad to find you both in good health."
"I'm sure," Katarina replied, her face a mask of impassive boredom. "Is there a reason for this abrupt visit? Or are things simply that dull in Noxus today?"
The older man inclined his head. "To business as usual, Miss Du Couteau. Yes, I do have things I must discuss with you, both immediately and privately. I'm sure you can understand," he said, turning towards Talon. The assassin didn't respond, aside from crossing his arms over his chest.
Katarina spoke up. "You know as well as I that Talon won't leave. Anything you wish to tell me can and will include him; it's how it always has been, and how I intend to keep it."
"As much as I can admire his dedication to protecting you and your sister, I can also assure you it is unnecessary at this time. There are topics I must speak with you about, Katarina. I would rather your pseudo-bodyguard watch my own men to give us privacy to discuss such delicate things." Swain waited a moment before continuing. "If it would help you realize the gravity of the situation, then I would consider it a personal favor."
Katarina frowned, concerned. Swain never asked for favors; he either took what he wanted by force, or made his offer impossible to refuse. Breaking the pattern now meant only that the Grand General was desperate. As she studied his eyes, she saw concern flash across his features. Yes, he was unnerved, though by what she could not guess.
Finally she nodded, turning to Talon. "You know what to do," she spoke airily, turning and waiving her hand in his direction. She knew he would pick up on the tension in her gait. Talon only nodded, his stony gaze never leaving Swain's face as the older man walked past.
Entering the library once more, Katarina sat in the chair she had occupied not long before. Swain sat cross from her, studying the library around them with respect.
"I am always impressed by the volume of information your manor holds," he says softly, his hand absently stroking Beatrice's beak. The crow made a sound that Katarina could only assume was happy, leaning into her master's touch.
"I believe you said this was urgent, my dear General," she reminded him. Her voice had enough ice in it to remind the older man that he was unwanted. Swain didn't react.
"Lady Katarina, I must ask you a very important question, and it is imperative that you are honest with me. Have you attempted to use a Summoner to scry upon my house within the last day?"
The staring contest was bordering on tedious, even by Talon's standards. Darius was a patient man, sometimes to a fault. Neither had so much as blinked since their respective leaders left, nor had they spoken a word. Unfortunately, Draven was doing enough for the both of them.
"So then I'm tellin' this guy, I'm sayin', 'No way Zed is stronger then our boy', but he just wouldn't listen to reason. I mean, if Draven is praising someone, they're pretty damn good, right? But no, he just kept going on and on about shadows. Who cares about the dude's shadows? So he can switch places with them; big deal! You, Talon, can make an assassination without leaving so much as a trace! That guy always makes a spectacle of things. Not that Draven is against showmanship, of course; but not when you're making an assassination," he added, puffing out his chest a bit.
Darius finally rolled his eyes and glared at his brother. "Draven..."
"No! Draaaaven," the younger man joked, drawing out his own name. Though his cockiness didn't actually extend to such a degree, he knew it irritated the older brother. That was amusing.
"... No. And I'm sure Talon has servants that he goes to if he requires someone to kiss his ass. Need I remind you why we are here?"
"Yeah yeah," Draven breathed, waiving him off. "'Cause we are accompanying our Grand General. I know. I'm just sayin', man, it's Talon! Who doesn't like working with this guy? Jeez, when we're in the League matches and I'm on his team, it's great! If I'm having any trouble at all, I just let them get confident and push, and this guy comes down and bam! They disappear."
Talon watched the brothers with a stony expression. Darius felt his brow furrow; the man unnerved him more than he'd admit. Anyone who was able to kill easily without empathy was close to a monster in his eyes; especially when assassinating a target they had studied for so long. The current circumstances didn't make him feel any better; depending on Swain's signal, his brother and he would be forced to find out just how dangerous the man could be outside of the League.
And if he was reading his brother right, then the younger man knew as well and was not happy about it. Draven almost idolized Talon, something he had always found disturbing. There was nothing to be done about it, of course. If his personal feelings created problems in their mission, however, Swain would not be as forgiving.
Nothing to do but wait.
Katarina prided herself on having a good poker face, and she was eternally grateful for the ability now. Swain stared at her with an intensity unmatched, looking for any sign of weakness or deceit. Forcing herself to stay calm and detached, she gave him her best deadpan gaze.
"You caught me, Grand General. I've tried my hand at being a summoner recently, and I figured you'd be the most fun person to catch in the shower," she mocked. The man didn't react, still continuing to stare. Beatrice did the same, the four red eyes boring into her soul.
Finally, he relaxed a part. "I didn't think you had. However, the fact remains that someone attempted to scry upon my house."
"Attempted?"
"They were unsuccessful," he replied simply. Katarina nodded, now fully invested.
"So someone attempted to spy upon you? Do you have any idea who?"
"I had suspected you; rather, your pet assassin," Swain answered coolly.
Katarina's scowl deepened a tad. "As you know, Talon isn't magically gifted. While his abilities are impressive, scrying is far beyond his capabilities."
"His, yes. Some of our enemies, however, I fear not. Katarina, I'm afraid that Talon is acting as an informant to several of the other city-states. And I fear that you are aware of this and enable such a thing," Swain replied. His tone and attitude never changed, but the gravity of his words were enough to turn Katarina's blood cold.
So that's why he wanted Talon outside... She was suddenly very aware of her position: in a locked room with possibly the most powerful mage in all of Noxus. And he had just admitted to suspecting her of treason.
"My dear General, while I understand you concern, I can assure you that my loyalties lie with Noxus," she said, unhappy with how forced it sounded to her own ears. Swain stood, pacing in front of the fireplace.
"Perhaps, Lady Katarina. However, your actions against the city-state have not been forgotten. It was not long ago you were involved in a plot that, if successful, could have secured the destruction of Noxus."
Katarina's blood turned hot, and she bit her tongue before she could say anything rash. It was a low blow, but it was valid. Swain looked at her.
"How do I know your carnal interest hasn't recruited you once more?"
"Yes, how indeed," a voice called from behind the bookshelf. Katarina spun, alarmed. She had not noticed the other's presence.
LeBlanc stepped out from behind a large shelf, a smirk resting on her face. "Hello, Katarina. How is our little loose-end doing?" she purred a taunt. Turning to Swain, she tilted her head. "What do you think? Shall I dispatch her here and now? Swift justice for the guilty?"
"No," the man quickly answered, obviously frustrated. "Your assistance was not required, LeBlanc. The situation is under control."
"So you say, Grand General. However, you may not understand how dangerous this woman is. At least allow me to disable her for the time being. Assuring compliance," she said with a smirk, magic swirling around her hands. Katarina tensed, ready for the assault, when she felt her legs seize up.
Swain held out his hand, rooting her to the ground with magic of his own. Ice ran in the redhead's blood as she glanced between the two of them. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"I wonder if she's strong enough not to scream," mused the sorceress, raising her hand. Just as she was about to attack, however, a blade appeared at her throat.
"You will lose that ability permanently if you do not stand down," growled Talon from behind her. LeBlanc spun quickly, attempting to attack the man, but he'd already disappeared once more. From a short distance away, he threw a knife at Swain, disrupting his concentration and causing him to release Katarina, who immediately shunpo'd to him.
The library door was smashed in at that moment, with a flustered Darius and Draven quickly entering. "I apologize, your liege. One moment he was there, and the next..."
"He completely vanished into thin air! I'm telling ya, you can't get a more powerful assassin that..." Draven trailed off when he saw LeBlanc gazing coolly at him. Both brothers became immediately uncomfortable at the sight of the Black Rose leader.
"Talon and Katarina, you are under arrest for treason against the city-state of Noxus," Swain said as magic began to swirl around him. "Any attempts to resist will result in your immediate execution."
"Over your dead body."
All eyes turned at the new voice. Cassiopeia, clothed in battle garb and looking very unhappy, slithered into the room. Her powerful serpentine form positioned itself between the two accused and their accusers. She glared at Swain, magic swirling around her as well.
"Our dear General," she hissed, "You mean to tell me that you'd execute one of the most important members of the Noxian noble council simply because you suspect her of a crime? In front of these witnesses," she asked, motioning to the servants peeking into the room. "I can assure you, it will not go well for you if you push this issue."
Swain glared at the woman. "You dare to resist me?"
"You dare to test me, Swain? You are not the only one with knowledge of the dark magic. Katarina will come peacefully, under the condition that bail can and will be set reasonably." Cassiopeia glanced at her sister, who nodded.
"And Talon?"
Katarina smiled sweetly. "General, if you had been paying attention, you'd have noticed that Talon is gone."
It was true; the assassin had disappeared completely. Darius and Draven spun quickly, faces etched with shock and amusement, respectively.
"Hot damn, I told you that guy was amazing!" the younger offered almost gleefully.
Swain closed his eyes, magic pulsing with his frustration. When he opened them, however, he was deadly calm. "Very well. If you will accompany us, we will leave."
Nodding at her sister, Katarina stepped forward. The procession formed and left quickly.
From the shadows of the mountain, a pair of eyes watched the group until they disappeared. Then they vanished as well.