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This chapter was kind of...difficult for me to write. A lot of distractions and writers block. Hopefully is turned out okay. Tell me what you think.
The meandering passages furrowed in the giant skull of Noxus seemed to stretch forever, an endless throat to the bowels of hell it seemed. Oddly enough, these dark, cramped quarters would be ideal for his fighting style, yet he disliked this place. It reeked of political strife and power graspers. Like the man who had requested his presence today.
Swain. Stepping into the room, there stood the man himself. At Talon's entry, he looked up from behind his desk, "Ahh, the young assassin."
Talon kept silent, so Swain continued, "I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you here." More silence. This caused a scowl to form on the generals face. "There is a fine line between composure and insolence."
"Is there?" The casual remark earning Talon a hard look.
"Quite," he sneered before turning to watch Noxus out his window, "we will wait for another before we move onto the matter at hand."
Not a few seconds after he uttered it, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter" Swain called out.
The door swung open to admit Riven. Her white hair tied in her usual bu, but her amber eyes were ringed with dark circles. When she spotted him, her tired gaze took on a sad tint, before she quickly looked away. How odd…..
"Ahem," interrupted General Swain, "The purpose for this meeting is to set up an elite unit. The best that Noxus has to offer. So called the Crimson Elite. It's primary direct.."
"No."
Both of them looked at him, Riven with surprise, Swain with frustration. Make it convincing, Marcus told him. Act as if you do not want to accept. So that's what he would do.
There was a few seconds of stunned silence before Swain recovered. "It is very rude to interrupt me. And dangerous."
"I do not care to be High Command's lap dog." Talon replied, his face unwavering from its empty gaze.
"The Crimson Elite would not be pampered assistants. Nor would they be tethered to all of High Command. Simply a select few."
"Sir," Riven spoke for the first time, "Would you mind if I talked to Talon alone?"
Swain glanced between the two before carefully replying, "Be my guest." With that he adjourned through a door to a side room, leaving them to themselves. This outburst from Riven surprised Talon. He had not counted on this eventuality.
Riven's amber eyes focused on him, "Why wouldn't you want to join the Crimson Elite?"
He shrugged, "I do not care to give obedience to others."
"Yet you give it to General Du Couteau?" She questioned.
"A man that has earned my respect and my loyalty. Something these others have not."
"Do you not owe it to the people of Noxus? To help this city in any way possible?" She challenged.
This caused Talon to utter a short bark of laughter. Yet it was without mirth or joy. "Owe these people? What could I possibly owe them? The same ones that forced me into the slums as a child. The same ones that have tried to kill me throughout my life. No. I don't owe anyone anything."
Her eyes narrowed, "How can you say that? Do you care nothing for your general? Your sisters?"
"I have no family."
She hesitated, her eyes falling to the ground before honing in on his again, "... for me?"
Again, Talon was caught by surprise. For her? Such a pathetic and weak request. Yet...he felt the urge to say yes. This surprised him more. Hardening his resolve, he replied, "For you? A girl I barely know. Much less trust. Why would I risk my own life for you?"
Her eyes took on an even sadder expression as she looked away. "I thought..after all we had been through… that you might consider us teammates…"
"I gave up on teams a long time ago."
"Then try again!" She nearly shouted, before continuing in a lower tone, "Look, after seeing you in combat, I know you're right for this position. You can save so many lives by accepting. And it might just change your perspective."
Talon just stared at her for a minute. Enough convincing he thought. Softly, he said, "Alright."
Riven blinked in surprise, "Yes?"
He nodded.
Her face brightened at his acceptance. "I'll get General Swain."
Within a minute, Swain was back in the room and up to speed. Continuing his speech, "You will take orders directly from me and no one else. These orders will come from the select few I mentioned before."
Talon knew the four generals who made up this council, one of whom was Du Couteau himself. The others were assumed to be affiliates of Swain.
"As you may be aware, war is approaching Noxus. Although, I cannot tell you whom we are attacking, I can tell you that the Crimson Elite will be heavily relied on in our efforts to achieve victory."
Ionia. Ionia was to be the intended target. Marcus had deemed it a mistake, but his opinion was of the minority in High Command.
"Befitting your status, you will be given the rank of Major in the Noxian military. Though it may not be required for your missions. The rest of the details will be inside the documents given to you. Burn them after you finish reading. Any questions?"
Riven drilled out a "no, sir" while Talon remained silent. Taking this as a no, Swain ushered them out of his office with a final remark, "Oh, and you will also receive uniforms."
Two weeks later, she and Talon stood on a dais flanking General Swain as Darkwill gave his was speech to the masses gathered below. The 'uniform' that she had been given was...going to take some getting used to. The main part of the apparel was a skintight teal fabric that allowed for easy movement. But it was quite...revealing. On her head rested a large spiked golden helm. A red cape sat around her shoulders coming down to her mid back. All in all, a very different appearance than she was used to.
The same could be said for Talon. Red armor inlaid with silver covered his chest, shins, and forearms. Dark red clothing could be seen in the gaps of the armor. A similar red cape was wrapped around his shoulders with a set of spikes jutting from his left shoulder. The uniform was completed with a golden helmet covering all but his mouth. A very menacing figure. He showed no apparent discomfort in his new armor, his arms crossed in front of his chest leaning back against the wall, yet she knew he disliked it.
A loud outburst of cheering brought her sight back down onto the people. It seems Darkwill had concluded his monologue. Now it was just a matter of waiting until the orders were given out.
Sensing movement, she turned to see the general rising from his chair.
She moved to follow, but stopped when she noticed Talon still lying against the wall. He moved his head to place that empty masks gaze on her, "How many of your people will be killed by this war?"
"Wha….?" Her face wore a confused expression as he strode past her after General Swain.
She looked down at the jumbling crowd. The proud parade of soldiers down there. The cheering bystanders in the background. She tried not to picture them dead. Their guts spilled over the cobblestones, headless corpses grasping swords even in death.
No! She would protect as many as she could, or die trying.
Her will resolved, she quickly followed the already distant figures into the skull.
Noxus in peacetime was always bristling with arms, soldiers, and a deadly atmosphere. But in war, it was tenfold. Anywhere one looked there were blacksmiths bent over their anvils, constantly hammering swords into being; fletchers carving arrows from fallen trees; apothecaries swirling their potent mixtures. It truly was a sight to behold, to fear even. For the chosen target that was.
That was the purpose of this meeting. She and Talon would be accompanying General Swain to learn of the main plans and their assignments.
"There defenses are almost nonexistent!" One general was shouting, his hands waving wildly in the air.
"But we must use caution!" Another voiced in.
Before long, there was a yelling match in the chamber. Again. This was third third one since the initial call to order.
"Silence!" A voice boomed out, carrying over the squabbling leader of Noxus. Darkwill sat in his high throne, presiding over the assembly. "Our initial plan was to invade by boat obviously." A nervous chorus of chuckles followed his statement, "We will invade the lower two islands and establish strongholds with which to launch our all out offensive on the mainland. But the questions is who to put in command of which divisions?"
"I volunteer to lead the second division" Swain's voice from her right brought the room's attention their way.
"Ahh General Swain," Darkwill called out, "I was hoping someone of your skill set would take command."
General Swain gave a smile, "In the name of Noxus, my Lord."
"How astute. Who are to be your Lieutenant Commanders for your forces?"
"Major Darius," he replied swiftly, "and Major Riven"
Riven was stunned. She knew she would be assisting Swain with whatever he needed, but leading hundreds of men into battle? What an honor.
"Very well." Darkwill continued on, "And what of that other figure with you?"
General Swain inclined his head "Talon is his name Grand General. He has a specific set of skills that give him a very dangerous edge behind enemy lines."
"The boy that General Du Couteau trained? I will be very interested to see his exploits then. As well as Rivens, whose deeds of strength in the name of Noxus have been heard throughout our great city-state."
The hubbub died down gradually at the announcement. With a wave of his hand, the Grand General moved forward with the meeting. But Riven was tuning most of it out. The only thoughts going through her head were of her leading soldier onto the field herself. She glanced over at Talon. How was he always so calm? Sometimes she wished she could have such control and composure.