Reflection

13 October, 20 CLE

Swain and I have won more games in the last few days than I have in months! His passion for victory is unrivaled and I grow more fond of him day after day. It appeared his success on the fields had also drawn the gaze of many a Noxian official as well. Our dream of a strong Noxus is beginning to bloom, and he tells me that every game won is a step closer to its fruition. Ever since five days ago, we have been almost perfectly synchronized during summoning. Two days ago, Swain taught me military tactics that I would never have dreamed of... they made perfect sense and in yesterday's games they had resulted in a 10 victory sweep. That man was a genius! He had barely been a part of the league and yet he knows it in and out like he's been here for years.

Today's games, however, were to be put on hold. I received a letter stating that he would not be able to attend any battles for the day, and that he would request my presence in his room later in the evening... I was to be notified of the exact time when it was deemed pertinent. He also recommended that I see to my own personal associates, "The greatest politics are of the company you keep, not just country." Signed with his initials and the ornate black rose in the bottom right hand corner.

I donned my green summoning robes and made my way to where all the other summoners typically lounged: the cafeteria. I had been a recluse of late, perhaps it was time to see if some old friends were willing to chat.

...

The cafeteria wasn't a social hub for just summoners; many a champion made their presence known from time to time as well. It was always a treat when Morgana could be found baking in the evening, but not even heaven could help someone if they dared criticize her food. I envied the champions that walked the halls of the institute, they were all celebrities. Each had at least hundreds of fans and followers. Men and women have lusted after them, the mere utterings of some champions have caused mass faintings, and if imitation is the highest form of flattery... then there were enough imitators to flatter them 10x over. But I wasn't here to seek out champions, only to find the "company I keep."

Upon entering the room, the sense of awkward silence became palpable. It was not difficult to pick me out of a crowd with my robes being a color other than purple after all, and I knew that Swain's reputation didn't just extend to Noxus only. I scanned the room for familiar faces when I noticed the part of the cafeteria that harbored fellow summoners of Noxus had stood up and applauded me. The opposite side of the room which, one may accurately guess, harbored the Demacian summoners... did not share greetings.

"Irannius! Over here!"

I looked for the one that called out my name and spotted all of my friends standing up to come make me sit with them.

"Come with us dork, we've got catching up to do."

Seeing Toxic, Nina, and Skorne all together at the same table with me brought back memories of games played before I met Swain. Win or lose, we always had the greatest of times because of our humor and good will. Nina acted like she hadn't seen me in years, when in fact the last time we teamed together was only about two weeks ago. Toxic had blonde hair and she typically was known to summon champions from Ionia and Demacia. Skorne was her boyfriend; he had short brown hair and a goatee. He generally stuck to the more monstrous creatures of the league, like Kog'maw and Cho'gath, but he played champions of all alignments... as long as they were guys. Nina was the shortest of the bunch. She had black hair, tan skin, and almost always summoned Noxians.

"Where have you been buddy!? Spill it, I want to know exactly what's been keeping you from your dearest friends."

"I've been really busy; undoubtedly you have heard that I am the prime summoner for Swain and titles like that involve working hard and sleeping even harder, Nina."

"Yeah, but still... you can team with us instead of having to go solo."

"I guess you're right Toxic. I'll ask him if that would be alright to do in the future."

"You have to ask for permission to play with good friends? Sounds like this guy has you on a leash bro" Skorne muttered under his breath.

"Its not like that at all, he has an image to uphold. I expect you, whom doesn't use female champions, of all people to understand the importance of image firsthand."

"Are you saying that we're not good enough for some old, crippled man's look!?"

"Now now you two, we're all friends here."

"Yeah. Let's just respect Irannius's position in all of this, ok babe? We should be happy that he's achieving so much."

"Alright Toxic, I'll calm down... Still, don't let 'the master tactician' keep you from your friends alright?"

"Now back to what I was about to say-"

I heard the stomping of feet and the sliding of chairs cut off her words and when I turned to see the cause of it... I beheld a very angry Magnus on his way over to me. Why could I not be left alone with my friends for today?

"Irannius! I'm going to take those slimy green robes of yours and wipe my ass with them after I'm done making you wish you were never born!"

"What seems to be the problem Magnus?"

"The problem is you and that damnable bird man that joined the league! When I lost that game, I lost my title with it and now I'm going to make you pay for what you did!"

"Calm down Magnus, there is no need to-"

"Shut up Skorne! This isn't about you. This is about me and your wimpy friend here. 'For my cowardice' I was discharged from Mordekaiser's service. I worked hard to get to where I was! And I'm not leaving until I make Irannius suffer."

I didn't want to fight Magnus, by all accounts my body wanted to run away. But what would Swain think of me then? It would end up being the same thing that happened to Magnus, and if a handicapped little boy can fend off three bullies in the defense of another... then I could stand up for myself. So, I threw the first punch.

As soon as I made contact with his jaw, everything got much slower. The robes must have been the cause, it made dodging his next attacks much easier. After I dodged blow after blow he was in too much of a rage to remember to be on the defensive. Once he raised his hands above to bring them down upon me, I punched him square in the adam's apple. Nina and Toxic gasped when Magnus went down, and I quickly turned to apologize to them for what should have been a pleasant reunion. The robes' slowing sensation ended.

The summoners at the Noxian table all stood up and saluted me before they dragged Magnus' spasming body away to the infirmary.

"You have strength, league summoner Irannius. Perhaps we might see more of each other in the future." One of the Noxians said to me.

Why could I not be permitted time with my friends? I should have made Magnus regret his actions. I should have hurt him more, as Swain hurt the boy who picked on him and Beatrice. I should have... no... What I did was in self defense. I may have inadvertently ruined his summoning status, but I was not about to ruin his life. And so I left.

...

It felt good. I had stood up for myself; it made me feel powerful. I walked down the hallways of the league, wondering when would be the "pertinent time" for me to meet Swain. By now I had been walking for three hours. My adrenaline was still racing from before as my mind replayed every detail of the fight between me and Magnus. I heard a cawing sound from behind me and before I could turn to face the noise, Beatrice had already landed on my shoulder. Did Swain ever go without her by his side?

"I take it, its time then?"

The raven nodded at me, cawed, and then took off of my shoulder to return to her master. I was excited to tell Swain of what had happened in the cafeteria, I knew that he would be able to respect what I did."

I arrived at his room and knocked, but instead of seeing Swain answer the door, it was the Noxian summoner who complimented me after I had beat Magnus.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was invited, alas my presence here isn't as important as yours is. The master tactician waits for you in the other room."

The first room was crowded with the other summoners of Noxus I saw earlier in the cafeteria; they stood at attention and saluted me like they had done before, once I entered the room. What was this all about? Swain must have something big in mind, maybe the story of my earlier conquest should wait. I pushed on the bookcase to enter the next room. There were men gathered with Swain, who I believed to be officials of Noxus, and they spoke of what appeared to be the status of the war. Beatrice flew past me and sat upon her master's shoulder.

"Demacia acts as if it is idle, but yet our scouts have reported that they amass their armies and rest on the resources they acquire from the mining village of Kalamanda." There was that name again, I had seen it on Swain's map.

"We must act now Jericho! Every moment we spend fighting Ionia, is a moment that Demacia has to plan when to strike us. How much longer until Demacia breaks the league's concordat and destroys us?"

"General, I'm sure all of us would agree that a new course of action is required. Why do you say nothing while Noxus hangs in the balance of a two-front war?"

"Ah, Irannius. I'm glad that you could join us." Swain seemed to already be aware of what the officials were talking about, and chose not to pay attention to them.

"Yes, you requested that I be here."

"Indeed I did. You're going to help me explain the situation of the war to these fine gentlemen."

"But I hardly know the situation myself to even-"

"Nonsense, let's analogize it... shall we?"

"Jericho this is no time for games, this summoner hasn't any right being present at a briefing of the war."

"He has just as much right to be here as any of you! And unlike you, he is able to understand the obvious course of action without having to come to me for counsel. Now, Irannius... let's say you were just victorious against a particular summoner, let's say this summoner would harbor thoughts of revenge against you and intend to enact those thoughts at a later time. And let us also assume on the same day this particular summoner were to enact his revenge, you were preoccupied with dear friends of yours..."

Chills went down my spine. Was this all about me? Did he know about what happened in the cafeteria earlier today or was this just really an analogy to the war?

"...you would be forced to make a decision choosing which one to focus upon, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"Which choice seems to be the most obvious course of action?"

The room was filled with murmurings from the officials. They knew where this was going.

"To deal with the summoner who would do me harm."

"What reasoning could you give to explain this action Irannius?" Swain faced the officials as he spoke.

"The disgruntled summoner poses an immediate threat to my safety, whereas my friends can be dealt with at any moment and at a later date."

"Precisely. This is why, gentlemen... you are all going to have to make a decision now. If this did not stand on ceremony then we could all simply leave this room with the next course of action firmly seeded into our minds, but because this is an official briefing... it will have to be put to a vote. I do not doubt your capacities for understanding when it comes to these regards, as the most obvious choice is to pull our troops from Ionia and focus on the more immediate threat: Demacia."

"We can't just abandon our foothold in Ionia Jericho-"

"We can and we must. Just as Irannius could not deal with a threat to his safety and catch up with acquaintances simultaneously... we cannot fight to control Ionia while the fist of demacia lingers above us. Our focus and our troops would be split... united we stand divided we fall, as it is said."

The room became dead silent.

"In favor for withdrawing our troops from Ionia say I."

All of the officials unanimously agreed.

"Good, as I said before I do not doubt your capacities to understand. This is why I have taken the liberty of already recalling half of our forces from Ionia two days ago. We will make the Ionians believe that they can fight for their independence by making them issue another league challenge to us, where if they win... we pull out all of our troops. If we win, they fall under the banner of Noxus. I do not have to explain to you how even if we win, we lose. Our military could not remain over on Ionian soil to enforce laws and quell rebellions when we have Demacia to consider. This is why Ionia will win. And when they do, they won't pursue us because of the league's political protection. I will not be one to publicly admit that Boram Darkwill's plan to usurp Ionian government was foolish... but the outcome of that war has always been decided for us. There is much for me to consider regarding Kalamanda and you will all receive letters detailing my decisions when I am ready. Dismissed."

Swain astounded everyone. He had already developed the perfect plan and executed it before anyone else could realize what he had done. The officials were speechless, their egos were bruised, and they left without saying another word until all that remained in the once crowded room was Swain and myself. We did not need to continue talking about the situation of the war, it was understood. His analogy also helped me put the reason why I couldn't be with my friends today into perspective.

"How did you already know about what happened to me earlier?"

"There is little that goes on in this institute that I do not know about. I know Magnus has been admitted to the infirmary and that he has lost the ability to speak, albeit temporarily. Good work."

"I did not intend for it to go that far."

" 'If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.' I believed this at a young age, and I still do. You earned respect from the summoners in the other room, and you also earned my respect. You should be proud of yourself. Your friends must undoubtedly see you in a new light as well."

"Speaking of my friends, I was wondering if I might ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"My friends have suggested that we battle with them sometime."

"I'm afraid... I can't do that Irannius..."

"Why not?"

"Because your colleagues are known to use champions from Ionia and Demacia."

"That hasn't stopped us from teaming with Ionians and Demacians before!"

"Yes but, we don't have control over who the league groups us with, in this regard I do have control. My apologies, it must be difficult for you to understand but-"

"I understand Swain, speak no more of it... I'll still be able to see them yes?

"Yes. Do not be loathsome, I have good news for you. Those summoners in the other room are to be your personal followers. I will not let my summoner be the object of someone's vengeance, and that is why you are going to get along just fine with them as your bodyguards."

This genuinely excited me. I felt that Swain cared about my well being, and I felt that I would be like one of the champions of the league. The sting of rejection on my previous idea no longer fazed me. I would have my own followers, and would be a somebody and not just a face in the crowd. I wouldn't be able to team with my friends, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make. All of Noxus needed me. Swain needed me. I couldn't afford to be selfish.

"And before I forget, you undoubtedly remember those letters... I will need them to begin being delivered now. Your new companions have their orders, I suggest you become better acquainted with them. Off you go."

"Swain..."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for everything."

And with that I left to mingle with those who were to be my followers. By helping Swain to achieve his ultimate dream of a strong Noxus, I have gained his favor in helping me achieve dreams of my very own. Attending Swain's judgement was the best decision I had ever made.

...

"He will come to hate you."

"I know."

"Doesn't it tear at you Jericho?"

"Politics have no relation to morals."

"Hah, you truly are a heartless man."

"I would be... if I held any remnants of humanity."