Tryndamere awoke slowly, gritting his teeth against a pounding headache. He didn't open his eyes, preferring to try and determine if there was danger before announcing his awakening. Nothing in the room screamed danger to his senses, and yet something was off. A small, delicate hand rested on his forearm, thumb gently stroking the skin.
Mother…
Tryndamere banished the thought as soon as it appeared, followed by a growl. The hand retracted quickly, and he heard several people in the room start to move.
How did I not notice their presence? His headache must have been worse than he though. Slowly, he opened his eyes glancing about him. Nocturne stood, or rather floated, at the end of his bed, staring down at him with his permanent, eerie smile. Tryndamere jumped, or rather flailed, and started to grasp for his sword. His hands clutched empty air, and he cursed; he never slept without his sword by his side. Still glaring wide-eyed at the living nightmare, he balled his hands into fists, preparing to lunge at the beast.
"Tryndamere!"
The name battled through the fog of his exhausted mind, and he paused. Did this beast now have the ability to mimic voices? Was he to be haunted now by calls from his estranged wife?
The small hand rested on his forearm once again, this time a bit more firm. Turning, he saw Ashe's face, still stoic, while her eyes searched his for recognition. Carefully, he lifted his hand and reached towards her, running rough fingers across her cheek. "Apparition?"
"No, my king," she replied calmly, allowing his touch to determine reality.
Tryndamere let out a deep breath, and fell back onto his bed again. He still looked warily at Nocturne, who had busied himself with admiring the king's old war trophies. "I see we have made a new, uh, friend?"
"Yup." Fizz's voice called from across the room, where the small fish was balancing on his trident. He flipped over to where the barbarian king lay, resting at the foot of the bed. "I asked him to help us keep an eye on you. He really likes your trophies," he added, smiling for a moment before it dropped. "Are you gonna be alright?"
Tryndamere had never seen the fish drop his smile, and the sight was a bit unnerving. "Of course I'm alright, Fizz. I've received an unpleasant headache, though I'm not sure why." He paused for a moment as his young companion's words sank in. "Why would you need to keep an eye on me?"
Ashe tilted her head, brow furrowed. "You do not remember the events of yesterday?"
The king frowned in thought, reviewing his memory. He had gone to the league, was walking home…
Images of Katarina murdering his people flashed before his eyes. His challenge, the fight, and finally, her blade raised above his head. Tryndamere lurched forward, a strangled roar in his throat. Fizz jumped back out of range, watching with curious eyes. Nocturne moved forward, then sunk back again, knowing his presence would likely do nothing to ease the man's discomfort. Ashe placed her hand on his chest, and the other around his shoulders to stabilize him. Then she turned his head toward hers.
"So you do remember?"
Tryndamere nodded, breathing heavily, as he lay back once more. "How many did she kill?"
"Nearly fifty. We are still unsure as to the exact number, but it could have been worse. Far worse, if you had not been on your way to the castle." Ashe removed her hands. Though she smiled as often as her husband, he could see a small bit of relief in her eyes.
Tryndamere looked at their guests. "And you were worried that she might try again. You recruited Fizz and, Nocturne?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Fizz was the one who brought you here. I had no knowledge of the fight until after. He was also the one who asked Nocturne for his help." She filled in.
Fizz smiled. "He really does like hide and go seek. I told him that we could play every day after the league."
The king nodded slowly, still trying to take everything in. "Very well," he muttered, not trusting his voice. "Thank you, Nocturne, for your willingness to help."
*The pleasure is mine. I'm sorry for startling you when you awoke, it was unintentional. And the fish is correct, I do admire these trophies* The nightmare's words echoed through Tryndamere's mind, and he suppressed a shudder. That was going to take some getting used to.
"Actually, I was able to get a few volunteers to help." Fizz proclaimed, smiling.
Tryndamere looked towards the door, and then felt his mouth drop open. "Teemo?"
The little yordle smiled at him, eyes ever closed, and saluted with his blowgun. "At your service, King Tryndamere," he answered smartly.
"Nautilus is by the door, guarding it. He wanted to come in, but it would probably have been a bit hard." Fizz finished, looking quite pleased with himself.
The group was interrupted by Aaron walking through the door, nearly tripping over Teemo. The small yordle moved quickly out of the way, giving what looked like it could be a glare to the servant.
"My queen, we have the numbers. Thirty-six of our people were slain by the Noxian, and some barbarians as well." He swallowed, glancing around the room of champions, especially Nocturne.
Ashe stared at the man, unreadable. "I told you to come to me when you had exact numbers. What was to total loss?"
Aaron looked confused. "I just told you, my queen, thirty-six."
"Aaron, how many of the barbarians were slain?"
Aaron shifted his weight. "We didn't exactly count them, my queen. We wanted their bodies off the streets so we could continue with the funeral processions."
Tryndamere felt the anger rise inside of him, but Ashe continued to speak before he could reply.
"Aaron, are you telling me that while our dead are given proper burials, the barbarians are rotting in the gutters?"
The servant didn't answer, nor did he need to. Ashe's face grew hard, and she stood.
"Listen to me, and listen closely. Many of the elders made it to safety because those very barbarians gave their lives up. The entire village would be desolate if my husband, a barbarian, hadn't engaged and nearly gotten himself killed. Now, you are going to find all the bodies that you dumped, and you are going to bury them alongside our people. How many are in the hospital?"
*None. They were refused admittance to any hospital in the upper-class area. Those with wounds grievous enough died, the rest returned to their homes* Nocturne's voice echoed through everyone's head.
Tryndamere closed his eyes, sadness battling rage as he thought of his people. He most likely knew all of their names.
Ashe glanced at her husband, and then turned back to Aaron. "Go, do as I said. I do not want to see your face until everything has been carried out to the letter."
The servant nodded and bowed, still shaking, as he fled the room. Everyone went back to what they were doing, as Nocturne approached Ashe.
*I do not trust him. He has the aura of one who is a liar, and a turncoat. I would like to follow*
Ashe thought for a moment, and then nodded. She looked Nocturne in the eye. "If he does anything outside of what I have asked, you have my permission to kill him. Slowly."
The nightmare's smile seemed to grow. *Gladly*
