THREE

DUAL MOONS

The unlikely pair of tyrant and scout and had made their way back to the lake, the scout slowing her usual energetic pace so as not to race ahead of her limping companion. Upon reaching the lake he busied himself with slowly lowering his form onto a tree stump as Quinn felt her breath taken away, looking out over the lake she could see twin full moons, one bright in the sky and the other on the perfectly clear water, there was nary a cloud in the sky and it was truly a beautiful and rare sight, the only noise intruding upon the scene being the quiet lapping of the lakes water against the shores. "This is quite a predicament your *pet* has gotten us all into, isn't it?" The irritable tones of the man behind her whipped her back to reality and she in turn whipped around, an instinctive response finding its way to her lips.

"Valor isn't my pet, he's my friend! He's not some dumb animal." She snarled, momentarily forgetting her place, then who she was talking to reasserted itself and the fury was pushed from her face, replaced with fear. "But... Yes, yes he has... Oh of all the birds in the world he could fall for, what are the odds of it being yours...?"

"Yes, my point exactly. But she feels the same, and it seems the pair have children on the way. So," Swain crossed his palms over the head of his cane, resting his chin upon it, his eyes clouded over as they stared at her. Seemingly lost in thought.

"So...?" Quinn inquired, quietly moving closer to sit in front of him.

"So as much as I'd enjoy to send you and yours packing back to Demacia, your head in the stow on luggage compartment for stealing into my land. I... Will not do that to Beatrice, so, Valor will be staying with her until their eggs are hatched, if not longer. I will move their nest to the roof garden of my quarters so as to be free from any predators foolish enough to try anything."

Quinn internally let out a sigh of relief, he wasn't going to hurt Valor, and he wasn't going to take him away from the bird he loved and their impending children. But... What about her? "That's... That sounds good, but... What about me? I don't want to leave Valor. I'm not going back to Demacia without him." The look in her eye gave those words credence, Valor was her closest friend in the world and she'd be damned if she was going to leave him behind in the territory of the enemy, even if he was protected there.

"That is the question, isn't it? What *do* we do about you, I suppose I could just leave you here in these forests until I could send Valor back, but that would make it harder for me to keep an eye on you, and now that I know you're here to spy on me, I'd rather you do it where I can spy back." He gave her a grim smile as one finger tapped against the shaft of his cane. "I have it, you will be coming with us to Noxus. I will take the birds with me now and in the morning you will find the uniform of one of my personal guards outside the corner of the south and west Noxian walls. With that gaining entry will be easy, and you will meet me in Haggard Stallion's tavern. From there I will take you to my quarters and that is where you will remain unless I say otherwise." She could see why this man was Tyrant, it wasn't so much what he was saying, but rather how he said it, there was no question to his words, only command. Each and every word was an absolute, and even though she was his enemy, she couldn't help but feel herself nodding in agreement and supplication.

"Yes, uh... Yes. That sounds good. But, what about the other champions?" Quinn asked, nodding along.

"What about them?" Swain growled back, raising an eyebrow.

"Well they could recognise me, I've fought alongside Katarina in the league."

Swain let out a bark of laughter, shaking his head, "You're new, and your bird is what stands out the most. You'll be fine. Now. You know as to where to get your disguise?" He said as he slowly got back to his feet, pushing himself up with the aid of his cane. She nodded in confirmation. "Good, then let us go see the happy couple." With that he turned on his heel, limping back off the way they came.

Soon enough they had once more found the birds nest, Valor was fast asleep already, but Beatrice lifted her head at their approach, giving Swain a trill in greeting. The master tactician smiled more openly than earlier as he stretched out an arm to her, letting her hop onto his wrist. "Beatrice, is it all right with you if we move your nest to the gardens above our house? It'll be safer and I'll stop worrying about you all the time." Swain's voice, like his smile was much softer as he spoke to the bird, his affection for her clear in every respect. She cocked her head and let out a faint caaw, looking back at her sleeping lover. "Yes of course he'll be coming to, as if I would ever force you to part with him." Beatrice let out a pleased trill and rubbed the top of her head against Swains chin, his smile only widened. "Wonderful. Wake him for me will you." The pair turned to look once more at Valor, only to find him already awake, staring down at them and looking over to Quinn. She gave him her best over confident grin, completely at odds with how she really felt right now.

"I'll be fine, Valor. Don't worry, I'll be meeting you there soon." Valor caaw'd and hopped to her shoulder to give her a furtive nuzzle , wrapping a wing around her neck for a moment as she in turn stroked a hand down his spine. "I'll be fine Val..." She looked to Swain as Valor released her, joining his beloved on the Tyrant's shoulder. "Look after him sir."

"I will, you should be more worried for yourself." He promised this as he reached up, gently taking hold of the birds nest and lowering it into the crook of his arm. "I'll see you on the morrow, child." With that, the tactician truly took her breath away, activating his signature raven metamorphosis, the huge humanoid bird he became completely at odds with his stately appearance of norm. Turning away from her, the creature took a few steps before vaulting itself into the air, the nest secure in its arms, and the new couple flying along either side of him, all three silhouetted against the moon. Quinn watched until they'd gone over the city walls and out of sight. With them gone, the scout was finally back where she started. Alone. And alone she made her way back to her small camp, waiting out the night till its end, sleeping fitfully in her bedroll. Nightmares of Valor being tortured and torn apart feather by feather assaulting her subconscious mind. She could only hope the Tyrant was good to his word, and see what tomorrow brought.

She'd be the first Demacian entering Noxus as anything but a prisoner in years. Fate sure dealt funny cards sometimes, no not Twisted Fate, he just dealt crooked cards; fate had handed her a hand she never thought she'd get, and now all she could do was play the game, and hope she'd live through this week. One thing did bring her some warmth in the night though, Valor was going to a father!