"Garen is participating?" said a cold masculine voice from a dark shadow. His figure was completely hidden giving no sense to his build, height, features or possible strengths or weaknesses, but this was how Katarina was used to do doing business with this man. Her stance was light, but could easily be shifted to react to any immediate danger that could become present, unlikely as it may be. "Was this something you planned, or does it make any difference?"

"I had no influence upon it. I'm actually surprised at his spontaneous decision he made." She stated honestly and respectfully, her eyes staring at the shadow she believed this man to hide in. Like usual, the location was dark due to the shroud of night and the purposely dimly light chamber. Many books surrounded her, some placed open upon tables with old ornate chairs neatly tucked behind them, but the majority rested upon tall shelves that reached to the top of the ceiling that was easily the height of eight men. Finery was placed casually around the chamber, although the darkness gave them more of a foreboding appearance than the usual outlandish colourings that would be seen during the day.

"I am not" the voice eventually retorted. "Then again, maybe you just don't see it yet. Or possibly you are trying to pretend you don't?"

She took a few steps away from the shadow where the voice resided, her hair violently whipped as she turned away from him passing through the haunting darkness that engulfed her. "I don't understand your question, and I understand less its importance." She replied as cool as she could, but a hint of respect still retained in her voice.

"I finally read that Journal of Justice issue from many, many weeks ago. Why were you both in the Hasty Hammer Tavern?" the voice questioned.

She clenched a fist slightly; as what she believed to be an accusation was thrown at her. "Sowing the seeds" she said allowing no annoyance to spoil the calm of her voice.

"You mean, spinning your web correct, 'Black Widow'?" the voice lightened again in a sense of jest, but it was a jest Katarina did not appreciate.

"If you want to use his words, then so be it" she replied, allowing her annoyance to be heard now, sounding more frustrated with each passing sentence. "You know what you have to do?"

Again another long pause occurred, the silence embraced her ears. She had trained in her youthful years how to properly hone her awareness, her senses heightened to a level that was beyond average people. Being an assassin wasn?t just about not being seen, but also about how to see. She heard the faintest of movements behind her, moving quietly across the left of her and as her head slowly turned she came to realise the shadow had moved and although invisible within the dark, its gaze penetrated her calm. Fear is not the word to describe how she felt, it wasn't close. More of an uncomforting numbness that resided in her stomach that made her more cautious to his movements.

"Yes" the voice finally replied. "I will be visiting him shortly" he stated a sound of uncertainty that Katarina barely caught.

"You do not trust him?" she questioned, emeralds piercing the shadow.

The shadow moved back, retreating from her penetrating stare. "I think you hold your trust him in too highly."

A sheer look of scorn appeared across her face and she stepped forwards moving closer to where he resided. "If you do not trust him, then at least trust my judgement!" she growled the annoyance clear upon her face and tone, the respect diminishing slightly with each word spoken.

"I apologise milady" the voice conceited instantly. The cold and harshness of his voice remained, but an obvious subservience taking dominance to illustrate his apologies to the Sinister Blade. Satisfied, Katarina removed her scowl and lowered the offensive stance she had instinctively taken. She gave a slight nod of acceptance towards the shadow, not uttering a word. "I will remain vigil, Miss Du Couteau" the cold voice wandered as she felt the presence of the shadowed man leaving.

She turned randomly and began a small pace forwards, lost in thought. Her schedule was busy tomorrow and this match with Garen on her side was one of the many happenings. She halted in front a recently occupied desk. There were stacks of articles, carefully placed close to the edge of the table on the left side of the chair, while others seemed to of been pushed, possible thrown in a mess upon the far right side of the desk, showing their lack of usefulness to the person who worked here.

"War in Kalamanda" she whispered quietly to herself, reading the headline of the article on top. She gave an interested look placing her finger upon the page before turning and with quick but soft pace headed for the door, exiting the chamber.


Garen watched safely from the brush at Ashe who was planting several well placed arrows onto the first tower that defended the middle lane. The battle was going in their favour, Katarina had made many impressive kills throughout and the Kinkou were a fearful force upon the top lane, denying Galio greatly or so his summoner reported. The only problem had been Warwick and Malzahar, Warwick, despite his death to Katarina, had killed many neutral minions and had much bounty to spend. The battle upon the middle lane, eventually came down to the individual summoner, since the one controlling the Dark Child was not as experienced as the one controlling the Void Prophet, she lost greatly.

He watched as the Ice Queen, safely behind the wave of her minions placed shot after shot onto the tower and would soon have it destroyed if she was not stopped. 'Summoner, where are my team?' Garen questioned, not seeing any within his line of sight. They are heading your way, you must initiate on her now! The summoner exclaimed in his mind.

Garen hastily dove from the brush to the side of the middle lane and headed towards her. Her back turned she was unaware of his attack, or was she far to determined to destroy this tower? His speed was unmatched by anyone currently on the battlefield and he aimed a well placed strike into Ashe, who seemed to react at the last second, but not soon enough to fully dodge the blow. He began martially striking at her; she weaved and dodged as best she could but gaining a few cuts along her arms and side quickly convinced her to move back to safety.

The rest of his team emerged from various hidden positions; the Dark Child sent a ball of pure fire heading towards Ashe that stunned her, still a likeable distance from her tower from Garen's eyes. Akali moved in, ready to dash onto the frost archer, but suddenly out of nowhere appeared Galio, flashing into existence in the centre of the five warriors who bore down upon the Ice Queen. They all witnessed in horror as his shape began to shift and solidify, turning and more and more into a stony suit of carapace that shielded him from damage and the inclination was clear. A rage built up inside Garen, one that he couldn't seem to control. The creature that he looked upon was disgusting, a hideous form of life and he vowed to cleanse the world of it. A lone thought ventured out from the rage that engulfed his entire being. But Galio is Demacian...

He barely noticed his team reacting similarly, striking violently at the statue, not even using their magical prowess to strike, it was feral and lethal, each blow not even causing a scrape upon the hardened rock that had formed around Galio. Not even the strikes from Ashe or the sudden appearance of Warwick, Sona and Malzahar could deter them from striking out at Galio. An intensity had built up around the gargoyle and suddenly exploded into existence, shards of stone slicing at the whole team, cutting each one of them painfully open.

Their instinct and the guidance of their summoners all forced them flee back towards their tower, but with a master piece graced to them by Sona, they could not help but stand and listen to the beauty she had peacefully offered them. Akali reacted already and had dropped her shroud in the middle of the path disappearing from Garen's sight, he had not time to question whether she would retreat or foolishly try to engage while their team was focused on the rest of them. Kennen with a burst of speed passed the Dark Child and Katarina. It wasn't long before Warwick, spurred on by the sight of the brutality that was being displayed had shoved Annie to the floor slashing wildly across her small body, with the assistance from Ashe they quickly despatched her.

Kennen by this point had long retreated back behind the tower, continuing even further and only Katarina and Garen remained in the enemies' path. He glanced back, spotting Ashe taking aim and releasing an arrow that he had experienced before, it flew over the heads of the minions that they passed aimed perfectly for the target, the Sinister Blade. Garen using a burst of speed, lunged for the red head, pushing her to the side with his broad shoulder, the arrow hit him straight against the back. He was frozen in place by the sheer cold, ice and strength of the blow, his eyes upon Katarina who looked back unto him, her eyes showing an obvious sign of confusion, but also a barely contained smile of thanks across her face, her eyes did not leave his as she continued to move backwards. He was unaware of the pain that was being brought to him, of the angry summoner questioning him for his action, for all that he endured for this short time he considered it worthwhile, to once again look upon that smile.