CHAPTER TEN
Update January 2016 - In an attempt to improve the cohesion and feeling of this story, I've made a series of serious changes. Large sections of the story have been rewritten. I hope you enjoy the result.
Just as gravity's pull returned to her form like a familiar embrace, the voices of the guards at the gate faded into her consciousness.
"Halt! By order of the King!"
Lux looked to Ezreal. She had separated from him immediately after their travel, but now she sought his hand again. Were these guards, who once watched over her while she slept, truly a threat? Their armored boots clacked firmly across the cobblestone. They were surrounded - the sun shone through the gate beyond their pauldrons, igniting the circle of drawn blades with light. She found no comfort in its warmth.
"Ease up, we aren't here to cause trouble," Ezreal said, holding his hands up and letting the guard direct their motion.
"You would be wise to save your words for the judge, Piltovian," One of the guards said - Lux recognized the eagle crest on his helm, signifying his rank as lieutenant. The guard immediately to his right gave him a reluctant glance - Lux tried to catch his eye, but he turned away, following his commanding officer.
The streets of Demacia were quiet - as was normal on a weekend morning. Still, a few shopkeepers who faced demand every day of the week recognized the unusual procession passing them. A baker solemnly informed his children to stay inside, not wanting them to succumb to the curiosity. Before obeying their father, one small blonde child pointed to Lux. She looked down, hiding behind her hair. Even over the sounds of the armored guard marching together, the people's voices beyond were loud. Caustically so. How could she ever again speak to these people? Demanding their respect after being escorted through the streets, as if she were a danger to them - it would be impossible.
Ezreal put a hand on her shoulder, and she bothered to look up again. At him. He said nothing, but without words, his soft eyes and slight nod seemed to say It'll be alright, Lux.
But Ezreal seemed torn by another thought.
"Where is that purple bastard?" he whispered. Lux had all but forgotten. They had nearly reached the palace by now, where Kassadin mentioned he would meet them. Alas, the Voidwalker was not near the open gate or among the polished marble of the palace entrance. She could only see more guards.
Were there always so many of them? She wondered. Ezreal's hand again pressured her shoulder, but this time to restrain her. They had stopped.
"They're to be taken to Prince Garen immediately," The lieutenant stated, saluting his own commanding officer ahead of them.
"At ease. They'll be escorted there post haste. Return to your stations promptly - we don't wish the populace to be disturbed by our increased presence," The Captain stated. The guards surrounding the two blonde fugitives parted, replaced by a less numerous but more elite force.
Garen, Lux thought. She shivered despite the rays of dawn. They walked onward, and she looked again to Ezreal. If I'm scared of meeting Garen, he must be terrified…
The guards at the door stood at attention, almost twitching with eagerness to salute - parting the way for the condemned. The throne room was reached shortly. Garen sat in what was once his dear friend's throne, next to the empty seat of the King. Jarvan's crown seemed to weigh on his features, compressing them. Lux hadn't noticed such prominent lines on Garen's forehead, or around his frown, until now. But his drawn sword, lying across his lap, truly stole her focus.
"Garen-" she attempted. He held up a gauntlet-shrouded hand, and then gestured to the Captain.
"Leave us," he said. The Captain nodded his acquiescence and departed, his soldiers following him and shutting the grand doors behind them.
"I'm going to ask only once, Lux. Why did you run?" Garen asked, resting his hands on his blade.
"I was kidnapped," Lux said, "by Talon."
"Talon. Is he also responsible for the death of our late Prince?" Garen asked. His voice strained at the strangeness of the words leaving his mouth. He had always referred to that late friend as simply Jarvan, until now.
"Garen, don't talk to me like-"
"Was he responsible?!" Garen yelled. In the now closed chamber of the throne room, his booming voice echoed. Lux could not meet his gaze, and among all of the grandeur of the throne-room's ceilings, found no solace.
"Yes. Talon stabbed him with my hair pin - I walked in just after he had done so," Lux said, scarcely more than a whisper.
"And can you prove it?" Garen enunciated perfectly.
Lux held her hands together in her lap, weighing his words, "Ezreal. Ezreal saw where I was captured and held."
Garen acknowledged Ezreal's existence for the first time - his warrior's eyes held every bit as much steel as his blade.
"Ezreal, I'll remind you that lying to the Crown is a heinous crime, even for a citizen of an allied country. Did you see Talon?" Garen asked.
"I saw her in a cell in Noxus. A basement with barred windows," He explained. Garen squared his shoulders against the back of his throne.
"But you didn't actually see Talon?" He asked.
Ezreal lowered his gaze from Garen's eyes, and Lux saw tears welling above his face paint.
"Yes, I saw Talon. He shared a meal with Lux last night. I suppose even beasts enjoy playing with their food," he said. By the end of his words, the venom in his voice raised the hairs on the back of Lux's neck - she knew who it was directed at. She couldn't meet anyone's gaze, and covered her face with her hands. She could feel the heat rising to her face.
"I cannot allow you to be absolved of suspicion through one witness alone. Can you provide another?" Garen asked.
"I believe I can assist you, Prince," Kassadin stated. He drifted from beside Garen's throne, and his voice caused Garen to grasp his sword reactively.
He relaxed and looked to Lux after seeing that Kassadin was no threat, "Kassadin. Please state your business or remove yourself from the room. You're lucky I reacted with words rather than my blade."
Kassadin raised an open hand, "Please, Garen. I mean no harm. Ezreal and I rescued Lux from Talon's hideout in Noxus. I can assure you that he is the one who kidnapped her. However, he is not the one behind it. Talon is guilty of murdering your friend, but under the orders of the Noxian High Command."
Garen nodded and then rose from his throne, sheathing his blade, "I was right. The Institute of War has failed. Lux - you are hereby acquitted of all suspicion. Your wand awaits you in the armory."
Garen walked across the polished floor and opened the doors urgently. The guards on the other side saluted immediately, shocked to see him standing.
"Captain. Let it be known that Lux, Ezreal, and Kassadin are acquitted of all suspicion, and inform the servants to prepare quarters for them immediately. Find new quarters for Lux, of course. Send for the General and the King. I must see them immediately," Garen stated. The Captain lowered his salute and went about his orders.
"Garen, if I may - you intend to declare war on Noxus. This is unwise," Kassadin said.
"You may not, Voidwalker. You're lucky I've tolerated your presence this long," Garen said, turning to face Kassadin.
"This goes beyond the pride of nations. General Du Couteau is behind this, but the glory of Noxus is not his motivation," Kassadin said.
Garen gestured with his hand, "Very well - go on."
"The General left years ago, seeking power and knowledge. I saw him when I lost myself on the other side. The Void has taken him. If you think I'm a monster, he is something else entirely. He was evil before his transformation, and now, along with Malzahar, he seeks the destruction of this world… By submitting it to the Void," Kassadin stated.
The acting Prince paced back to his throne, idly placing a hand on the pommel of his sword, "So you would have me not declare war with Noxus, for murdering my friend and the Prince of our country?"
Lux glanced between the ominously masked figure and her brother. At least this was an excuse to avoid Ezreal's gaze.
"I can understand you personal loss, Garen, and you have my sincere condolences. But Valoran must be preserved, above the pride of nations. Surely, you understand the validity of the threat we face. Jarvan's death - while tragic - was a ploy to weaken your armies as well as those of Noxus," Kassadin explained.
Garen frowned and rested his head on his hand, "Unfortunately, what you say makes sense. What, then? Do we seek out the council and demand a meeting with them? What of Talon's punishment?"
"Justice will be served," Kassadin said, "But first, you assume correctly - we must set out for the Institute immediately. I can issue a summons to the Noxian authorities myself."
Garen approached the Voidwalker again, until their eyes were less than a hand apart, "If you've deceived me in any way, I'll make certain to seek you out for justice the second Talon's noose is tied."
Lux hid her face again. She wanted to hug Ezreal, to find some escape from all of the brutality that had entered her life - but she couldn't. The Explorer had a very un-Ezreal-like deadpan expression of grimness, focused on the distant wall. His leather clad arms did not respond with their usual parting when she took a step toward him. She didn't bother to wipe away the tears the made her lashes stick together, knowing there was much more to come.
At least Ezreal's frigidity made it easier to not remember those moments when Talon had comforted her.
"I can assure you, I harbor no ill intent toward you or your nation," Kassadin said. "Thank you for your hospitality - I must now depart."
Kassadin gave Garen a polite half bow before fading into the violet light of the Void.
"Ezreal. You have my sincere gratitude for returning my sister to Demacia safely. However, I'd like to speak with her alone," Garen said. Ezreal obliged without a word, disappearing in a flash of yellow light.
Was that really necessary? Lux couldn't help but wonder. Shrouding her own face to wipe away her tears, she realized that Garen was crying as well.
She rushed over and embraced his massive form.
"How am I supposed to do this, Lux? Look at everyone through the same lense? But Gods, I'm glad you're safe…" Garen said, massaging her back in circular motions. Lux let her tears flow freely, painting a wet trail on the shoulder of Garen's cape.
"I love you, Garen," she said. At first, she thought of Jarvan, wondering what he would say, but she pushed the thoughts from her mind. "We can't dwell on what happened. You're fit for this."
She separated from him and wiped away both of their tears, "If anyone ever was…"
Garen looked up, gently holding Lux's hand - almost as if it were fragile. Like she'd break.
"Did Talon hurt you, Lux?" He probed her hands and wrists, searching for scars. The touches felt strange - she wasn't used to such attention, but she could feel the brotherly weight of Garen's concern behind them, so she humored him.
"No, he… He had orders to harm no one else, and he obeyed them," she said. "But he did force me to drop my wand in the garden."
"I never really thought I'd admit it, but thank the Gods for Ezreal's resourcefulness. Otherwise you'd still be with that bastard," he said, letting her go.
"I'm glad to be home, but for now I should retrieve my wand, and perhaps rest before lunch?" She asked, putting her hands on Garen's shoulders, "And a bath might be appreciated…"
"Of course. I'm certain the servants will attend to your needs," he said, moving to kiss her forehead. She obliged and gave Garen a genuine smile. Now that Ezreal wasn't truly glad to see her anymore, it was nice that someone did.
She gave him a polite half bow in parting and moved across the familiar marble floor, opening the smaller door-within-a-door to leave.
"Lady Luxanna," the General and King said to her nearly in unison. They exchanged bows, and she departed for the armory, downstairs. Ezreal could wait. There was another friend she still had to be reunited with.