"Talon, wake up. Hey, wake up you bum!" Slowly she came into focus above his face: the scar on her left eye, a bored, yet disapproving frown, red lipstick covered lips, a flawless white face, emerald eyes, and bright red hair. Talon groaned as he sat up, twisting his neck side to side and hearing the corresponding cracks. He rubbed his eyes as they adjusted to the morning sunshine flooding through the windows.
"Ugh, what pissed you off? What time is it?" He yawned as he asked his questions. Slowly he arose from his makeshift bedding, stretching his muscles and cracking his spine. The bed was made, and Katarina's bag was already packed up and ready to go. 'She's been a busy bee.' He thought.
"It's eight in the morning, and you've wasted enough time. Now if you don't mind, we need to move; were killing daylight." She offered him a hand, but he got up on his own. His mind was foggy, but he felt at ease, peaceful even. Then it hit him: he didn't remember any nightmares from the previous night. Talon smiled, and silently thanked whatever kept him from the nightmares. 'I'd hate to see what could be worse than being eaten alive.' He thought silently, his spine shivering slightly at the memory.
"Well you seem happy." Katarina commented dryly. Talon only grinned and pulled his hood up. For once he felt ready for whatever was ahead of them.
"And you seem cold and distant. Why is that?" He responded with a smart ass grin. Katarina just rolled her eyes, shoved Talon's pack into his arms, and left the room to head to the lobby. 'You'd think she'd be a little nicer considering we almost-' He stopped his thoughts and remembered that she felt weak when she let her emotions show through. To be honest with himself, he felt the same. He followed her out the door and down to the street level.
"So are we just going to go off blind luck like I have so far, or should we make a plan? After all, we're going for a desert trek." He commented.
"Yes, I know. I have a lot of supplies in my bag here, but that's mostly clothes, some food and spare daggers. We need to resupply." She briefed.
"Shouldn't be a problem; you're rich after all." Katarina put on a small, embarrassed smile while rubbing the back of her head.
"Ha, ha, you see… I sort of… lost all the gold I had with me back in Bandle City." Talon only stared at her dumbfounded.
"How'd you book passage here then?"
"I stowed away in a crate, and then killed the captain on arrival." She was very matter-of-factly when she answered. Talon realized that he already knew that last part.
"Greeeeeeat. Well then, we need to either steal what we need, or the more risky but sure-fire option, go back to Noxus and get everything we need which is there." He crossed his arms waiting for an answer.
"Well, you are a former thief, aren't you? Let's just steal what we need from the markets around town, and then shove off." Talon only chuckled at her.
"All we'll find here is food and water. We need bigger packs, light clothing that will keep cool in the day and conserve heat at night, a tent, sleeping bags, and personally I would like to have more throwing knives on hand if we ever do find this… Icathia. I doubt we'll find those on an island that harbors only one town and half an acre of jungle. This island is small, and most of it is city, so I don't think they'd sell supplies for any kind of hike. What I do know is that those items can be acquired in three other places of the world, because only three other places make desert trips: Noxus, Demacia, and the Institute. Take your pick."
Katarina pondered all of the options. He was right, only three places sold supplies for the desert that weren't already in the desert: her homeland, the most hostile place on Runeterra for a Noxian, and the most heavily guarded institute in the world. She sighed and decided that Noxus would be the safest place to go. At least there they would only be captured for desertion instead of killed on the spot.
"Ok. We'll take a bigger risk. Back in the mansion I have that outfit for when I was fighting the desert campaigns. Also, the mansion has many war supplies, considering it is home to a general, and a general-to-be. If we could make it to the manor without being seen, then maybe we can grab the gear and get out. As for you, we'll buy robes for you when we make it to the first oasis. Sound like a plan?"
Talon didn't like the idea of returning to Noxus, but he knew all the sewer tunnels, the ghetto alleys, and even an opening in the moat that led to a climbing route they could use to get up to the tower. 'We could be in and out without them even knowing.' He thought.
"Ok. I know a lot of routes that we can take to avoid being caught. If were careful, and patient, then we will be fine. You will have to listen to every instruction I give you, you understand? Otherwise, I'll cut you lose and have Swain sort you out." He was cold, harsh and cruel with his words, but the last thing he wanted was for Katarina to be hurt during a mission she wasn't even supposed to know about. 'Great, she's my responsibility now.' He thought.
Katarina didn't like the way he instructed her to follow orders. She was a seasoned, veteran commander of Noxian forces, not some green new recruit, but this was Talon's mission. 'I understand wanting to keep control of your mission, but you don't need to be so harsh.' She thought. In the end she agreed to his term and the two ventured to look for a ship to Noxus.
"Hey, Talon, where is everybody?" Katarina noticed that the usually busy streets were void of all life. Then they saw the anarchy at the docks.
The docks were crowded with mobs of people everywhere, looking to get aboard the soonest leaving ships. It was chaos, and the people were afraid, as though they thought the island was going to sink; they scrambled about like ants in the rain. Talon grabbed a nearby panicker by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
"Hey! Why is everyone scrambling around like the place is going to explode? What's going on!?" The man only went crazy with fear, trying to hit Talon almost hitting Katarina with random kicks and shakes. Talon narrowed his eyes at the man's attempt to hurt her and tightened his grip on the man's neck until he started coughing saying, "Ok, ok! I'll talk!" Talon loosened grip, and let the man down.
"There's been a Noxian blockade sighted a few miles out to sea! There's a small gap further northwest and ships are rushing to get past! I gotta get onboard before Noxus cuts the island off from the mainland!" Talon let the man free, and he scrambled onboard some random ship that was hoisting anchor.
"We better move, now." Katarina said.
"You don't say?" Talon replied. The two shoved their way through mobs of people.
Some were saying the island was going to be invaded; others that Noxus would occupy the island like it did to Ionia. Mother's carried babies and small children to boats, letting the children board if there was no room for themselves, and local militia men were carrying barrels of weapons, gunpowder, and supplies to safe houses around the dockyards.
"Hold my hand!" He shouted over desperate cries and pleas for passage aboard ships.
"What!? No!" Katarina replied, her hood concealing her face. The mob began shoving them apart as it drifted into any direction like the currents in a riptide.
"Dammit, I don't have time for this!" he yelled to himself. He grabbed Katarina's wrist tightly before they were too far apart, and pulled her through the mob with him. He fought against the mob as bodies surged against him like currents that dragged people out to sea. The duo made it to the piers as a ship began to cast off.
"Jump!" He yelled at her. This time she listened, and then launched herself aboard the boat as he took a running start, and barely grabbed the edge himself. She grabbed his arms, and pulled him over the railing into the boat. The two were breathing heavily from fighting against the torrent of bodies, and laid on their backs staring up into the sky. There were storm clouds in the distance, but not quite over them yet. Talon spoke between gasps for air.
"I told you—to listen—to my—orders!" He closed his eyes, while rubbing his palms over his face. "Just one—one freaking condition! All I asked of you!" Katarina closed her eyes, both out of fury and shame. He was right; one condition and she failed him in something as stupid as shoving through a riot.
"I know! I know… so I guess you're going to drop me off in Noxus, huh?" she asked. Talon looked over at her, still catching his breath, but his eyes looked sympathetic. 'Do I look that pathetic?' she thought.
Talon took a deep breath, and finally succeeded at slowing his breathing down. "No, no you may stay. Just don't let it happen again. If I tell you to do something, it is because it will either keep you alive, or safe. Understand, Kat?"
"Oh, so yer name's Kat, huh? Was wonderin' when we'd be introduced all proper to yer pretty lass thar, Altair."
"You have got to be shitting me!" Talon yelled as he shot straight up into a defensive stance. All around them were the men, and infamous captain, of the Dead Pool.
Gangplank greeted them graciously, at first. That was when he expected Talon/Altair to have money on him. After the truth was out, he was tied to the mast next to Katarina. Luckily, he never bothered to remove either one's hood.
"So I suppose we just wait here?" Katarina asked him, hours later. Her father's daggers had been confiscated along with all their throwing knives. Gangplanks crew had more weapons than they had men. The sun was down now, and the crew was heading below deck to sleep. The moon shone brightly against the ocean, making it sparkle like diamonds in the water. The two would have appreciated the sight if they weren't tied to each other, then the ship's mast. Talon seemed to be in deep thought, and then looked up as if sudden inspiration hit him.
"Actually now I'm remembering a little pirate code. If you beat the captain in a duel, you get his life, or a favor." Talon grinned, remembering his original plan back in Bandle City. Katarina only stared at him like the idiot she thought him to be.
"Sounds like a real piece of work, but I see one, actually MORE than one problem with your "plan." You see, we're kind of tied up, about seventy feet above the deck, and have no weapons. How are you gonna fight him?" She wore an "I'm-waiting" face as he only smiled back at her, his smile being concealed by his face mask. Suddenly, his arm blade shot forth, slicing through all the ropes constricting him and her.
"You were saying?" He said as he retracted the blade, showing her how it worked.
"I need to get one of those, except maybe smaller like an easy to conceal dagger." She said as he began to slide down the ropes, towards the deck. She followed him down, and landed without a sound, her light frame making her quieter when stepping on old wooden planks.
Talon had remembered the crew kept all of the special treasures in a chest in the Captain's Quarters. He shoved his arm blade into the lock, breaking it, and pushed the door open. Gangplank was asleep, a bottle of rum in one hand and his cutlass in the other. The chest lay next to his bunk on the floor, with the key on a dining table over by the windows. Talon silently made his way to the key, and then to the chest. He opened it, glad to see her daggers were inside. He threw them over to her whispering, "Catch." She grabbed them, and slung them over her shoulders. Then Talon went to Gangplanks bedside.
"What are you doing?" Katarina whispered/silently screamed.
"Just watch the door, and keep look-out." Talon answered. He turned back to face Gangplank staring at him, eyes wide open. Talon didn't move a muscle.
"Ha ha! The -hurp- old shriveled up- -hick- shit be free? Yeeeeaaaaah riggghht!" Gangplank said, his slur clearly indicating he was drunk. "Tha carn't be soooooo. Ahhhh fooey." He finished before passing out again. Talon sighed a breath of relief, then extended his blade. He pressed it against Gangplank's throat, and said, "Wake up you old, drunken shit, and keep quiet, or else." Gangplank's eyes shot open, and stared at Talon's blade at his neck.
"Ack! That's no way to treat yer host yaaaa bootleggin' ol sod. What can ol Gangplank do fer yas?" He was drunk, but aware of what was real now.
"I want a duel. If I win, you give me and my friend passage to Noxus aboard this ship."
"And if ye lose, matey?"
"Then you may open me up and feed me to the sharks, or whatever you want for that matter."
Gangplank smiled at that, and accepted the challenge. The two walked outside to the deck, and Katarina trailed, keeping a safe distance from her fellow League champions. A sailor on night watch awoke to the commotion, and went below to wake the crew. Pretty soon the audience was the whole crew, plus Katarina. They formed a circle around their little "arena." Talon stood at one end, while Gangplank stood at the other. Their eyes locked, and they drew their weapons. Then, Gangplank charged.
For a drunk, Gangplank was fast with his sword. Talon found himself parrying, dodging and countering, fighting much more defensively then he liked. Gangplank lunged forward and slashed left, then right trying to corner him or catch him off guard. The more Talon dodged, the angrier Gangplank became, and Talon saw that as an advantage; angry meant reckless. As Gangplank kept charging, he made wider and wider slashes, lunged too far forward with stabs. Then he came at Talon with with his sword raised high in the air above his head, ready to slam down onto Talon's head like a sledgehammer; Talon's opportunity was at hand. Talon counter stabbed into Gangplank's shoulder, the same side as his sword arm, and felt his blade hit its target and blood splattered forth from the wound. Gangplank howled in pain, then stumbled back as Talon turned the tide.
Now Gangplank was hard pressed as he switched hands, and felt the awkward unbalance affect his fighting. Talon slashed back and forth, lunged, stabbed, sliced, uppercut. Gangplank took a cut to his thigh, and as he stumbled back, Talon kicked him hard in the ribs. Gangplank flew back, only to be kicked back to where he was by Talon again, by using his cutthroat to appear behind and attack once more. Gangplank fell to his face and as he was standing up, Talon stomped on his back, creating three audible cracks. Gangplank released his cutlass, and Talon kicked it away. Talon brought his blade to meet Gangplank's eyes and then his neck. Gangplank stared at the blood flowing forth from his wounds and onto his ship, then at the cold steel at his throat, then at its master, and reluctantly growled, "Parley?"
Author's Note: Hey guys, hope you all are still enjoying the story. Nothing really special to announce at this time, so I'll just give you the usual review and fav/follow. Remember to comment on whether or not you guys and girls want the idea I mentioned about Xin and Talon, annnnnnnnnnnnd that's all folks :D