Garen rubbed his brow, a small headache pulsing against his forehead. The reports on his desk didn't respond, staring up at him with the same blank look they'd had for the past half hour. No matter how many he managed to finish, it seemed, there were always plentiful more. With a sigh, he focused on the papers once more.

Reports, of course, were necessary and expected from someone in his position. Being both a champion in the League and a high ranking member of the Demacian nobility came with quite the price, it would seem. Or at least a good amount of responsibility outside of swinging a sword. Which was a shame, since swinging a sword was probably his biggest forte. These reports in particular had something to do with finances, though after reading through them five times already he still wasn't exactly sure what exactly they specified.

He glanced at the clock once more. There were still several hours left until his next match, much to his dismay. Several more hours of paperwork and menial tasks. Garen didn't see himself above these, of course. A good leader does not shirk from duty, no matter how unglamorous; however that didn't mean he necessarily enjoyed it. Absently he reached for a reference paper to do comparisons of the numbers, only for his fingers to close on emptiness.

"Someone is skimming off the Crown's treasury. You should probably look into His Majesty's treasurer," a deep voice said from behind him. Turning slowly, Garen nodded.

"Talon," he said in greeting, his voice even. Still his eyes glanced to where his sword lay; across the room. Talon, for his part, was leaned against the door frame, reading the paper. Cold eyes raised to greet the soldier before skimming the document again. After a few moments, Garen cleared his throat.

"Is there something I can help you with?" he asked when the assassin didn't respond. While he'd spent enough time around Katarina, and therefore Talon, to recognize his non-threatening stance, he was still highly uncomfortable with a Noxian assassin in his room. Doubly so, as the man had made no attempt to hide himself and Katarina was nowhere in sight.

Talon looked up, pushing himself off the doorframe as he returned the paper to its place on the desk. "There is, actually. I need you to stage a political intervention."

Garen raised his hand, stopping the man. "No. I'm sorry, but no. There is enough backlash as it is thanks to… well, thanks to last year's events. As it stands right now, I'm trying to just lay low."

Talon eyed him. "Laying low as a champion of the League?"

"As low as I can lay," he snapped, glaring at the assassin. "Look, I know that you aren't happy with Swain's rule. None of us are. But I can't risk my own reputation by getting in the middle of more political scandals. As it stands the Prince isn't exactly thrilled that word of his unorthodox matchmaking got out. He blames me for the ridiculous plan not succeeding. So I'm sorry, but whatever request you have the answer will be no."

"Even if it involves Katarina's life?"

Garen closed his eyes, his jaw clenching. "Don't tell me that."

"It's true."

"No, Talon, it isn't. I know that you act as her protector, and I know that you wouldn't let something endanger her life. And if you did, and if there was nothing you could do to help her, then there sure as hell isn't anything I can do." Garen sighed, his shoulders drooping. "Look, I care about Kat, okay? I do, as much as it damns me. But my hands are tied. I'm sorry, but you have to leave now."

He turned back to his work, eyes blindly scanning the reports once more. There were several moments of silence, and for second he thought the assassin might have left.

"It's true. You are not the only one who makes mistakes, Garen. I hope you can live with your choice."

With a whisper the assassin disappeared, leaving the soldier with his head spinning.

"My hands are tied," he repeated to himself. "No more scandals."

Talon was almost out of the Crownguard estate when a prism of light appeared around him and held him in place. He stood still for a moment, flexing his own power against the light spell.

"Impressive. The strength and duration of this attack are much higher than they are on the Fields of Justice," he commented, turning to face his attacker.

Lux stepped out, twirling her wand around her fingers as she looked at Talon with a smirk. "You aren't the only one who's power is highly controlled while fighting in the League, assassin," she answered, raising an eyebrow. "And you aren't nearly as intimidating when you're well-lit. I can hold this spell for as long as I need to, which means you are now my prisoner. What do you think about that?"

"I think you should be careful with that thrill-seeking attitude. Pride comes before destruction."

"Yes yes, and a haughty heart before a fall, I know," Lux responded, waiving him off. Her face grew more serious as she faced him again. "I overheard what you were saying to my brother. What kind of trouble is Katarina in?"

"Trouble that I cannot easily save her from. She is held now in Swain's outdoor prison, a floating island of maximum security," he said. She was brash and a bit too gung-ho for his liking, but he had wanted a powerful ally and Luxanna certainly represented that.

"I see," Lux said thoughtfully. Raising her chin, she did her best to look down at him. "Well Talon, this is how it's going to work. You're going to come back with me, and we will present this to the Prince. I'll convince him that you're my ward and there is no need to have you thrown in prison just yet. We'll state your case and have him stage an intervention."

Talon looked at the girl for a moment, muscles still tense despite the lack of danger. God, he hated light. "And what, exactly, would you say to convince Jarvin IV that he should stage a political intervention on behalf of a Noxian"

"I'll… tell him it's important," she said, nodding emphatically.

"As convincing an argument as that is," Talon said dryly, "I'm looking for real solutions. Jarvin is not going to aid Katarina in any way, especially if he is still unhappy from last year's scandal. And I do not believe he would allow someone like myself to be free in Demacia, regardless of who was playing the handler."

Lux smirked. "Handler; I like that. And I'm not convinced. I bet I could talk him into it. Besides, I've got you now so you really don't have a choice in the matter. Let's…"

Her voice was cut off as the light prism suddenly shattered and the assassin disappeared from sight. Immediately she felt a blade to her throat, pressing hard enough to cut off her voice without actually hurting her.

"I told you, Lux. Pride comes before destruction," Talon breathed into her ear. "I am no prisoner to be lugged around. Do what you will, but I will not be in tow.

"If you would be humble enough to take a piece of advice, however, I may offer some. The League itself may be required to stage such an intervention. To bring attention to the summoners, you would have to give them convincing evidence. That is all I can say."

Another moment found Talon a ways away once more as Lux's hand flew to her undamaged throat. Her eyes were still wide and her breathing heavy as she gave him a smirk.

"Not too bad, assassin," she panted, doing her best to mask the fear in her voice. "Very well, we will see."

"All I asked," replied Talon as he turned and walked away.