"Morning, Viggo." Brant greeted, shutting the door behind him. Viggo was going through kick routines now. Thankfully yesterday's discussion seemed forgotten, or at least suppressed. Viggo only glanced at Brant briefly before focusing again.
"Morning." Came his reply. Brant watched him curiously for a while before getting back on track.
"Alright! While you're doing all your fancy kicks, I wanted you to continue where you left off from before. What happened after you recruited the Volkmajster?" Brant inquired. Viggo stayed silent for a bit, still practicing. Brant was about to speak again when Viggo finally spoke.
"Your Council has no questions to ask me about the Frozen Marshes?" Brant's lips pressed into a thin line and he shook his head.
"No, or at least none that seem important enough to bring up the topic. I can see how much it… bothers you to speak of it. I wasn't willing to ask anything unless the Council found it vitally important." Brant answered. That gained another glance from Viggo. He looked surprised. Then Viggo chuckled and shook his head.
"Thank you, Brant. I appreciate it." Brant could hear respect carried in Viggo's tone. It filled Brant's chest with pride. "Now, to answer your question: I returned to the castle with the Volkmajsters at my side. Ashe and Sejuani were surprised at their numbers, but they accepted the help without argument." Brant snickered and shook his head.
"After seeing you transformed, I can definitely see why. The Volkmajster are pretty intimidating." Brant mused. Viggo smirked at Brant's words and nodded.
"Indeed. Once there, Czaero agreed to negotiate and work with us through me. After questioning Ashe and Sejuani, I sent the Volkmajster off into the mountains to search for Lissandra. That's where they suspected Lissandra was lurking. Thus we had the scouts we needed, but we still required a better army. While Sejuani had certainly improved Ashe's troops in combat, there were still problems. The troops were still wary about one another, and a lot of hostility still existed between them. After talking with Sejuani, I became the Grand Commander once again and helped lead training." Brant blinked at Viggo.
"How did that talk go with Sejuani? I'm sure she wasn't that thrilled to suddenly hand over power." Brant was stunned when Viggo shook his head.
"Actually, Sejuani was fine with it. She only demanded that she wield as much authority over the troops as I did. I agreed, for she had proven herself a great commander already. I could see the difference in discipline and determination between her warriors and Ashe's. Once we worked together, we really began whipping the troops into shape." Brant digested all this information with a frown.
"That seems plausible…. I'm still slightly surprised Sejuani agreed, to be honest." Brant admitted. "Where was Ashe during all of this?" Brant inquired as the question came to him.
"Ashe was busy with negotiations. She handled the diplomatic issues between the newly united tribes. There were a lot of grudges that had built up over the years amongst the tribes. My Queen had to deal with them as well she she united Freljord. Both Ashe and my Queen had to be very careful while talking with the tribes. One mistake could potentially lose an entire tribe, and we couldn't afford that." Viggo said between kicks. Brant felt sympathy build within him for Ashe.
"From what you've said about Avarosa, Ashe must've been under a lot of stress." Viggo nodded in confirmation.
"Yes. Knowing how much politics had frustrated Queen Avarosa, I thought it would be helpful if I spoke with Ashe. I figured she could vent her frustrations either to me or another like my Queen had done." Brant raised an eyebrow at Viggo, curious.
"So you went and had a little chat with Ashe?" He inquired with a small smile. Viggo rolled his eyes but nodded. Brant thought for a bit before speaking. "Can you tell me how it went?"
XXXXXX
I knock on the door after a moment of hesitation. A few seconds pass before I hear someone say "Come in!" from the other side. The inside of the room brings back memories. This was where Avarosa spent much of her time writing letters and treatises to the tribes. "Yes?" The voice draws my attention to the large desk in the middle of the room. Papers are piled up high on it, and a lone figure sits writing. Avarosa is bent over her papers, quill moving furiously fast over the parchment. She looks very busy. I should leave her alone for now. However, I had stayed silent too long. She glances up to see who entered.
Blue eyes meet mine, not green.
I'm brought back to the present abruptly. This was Ashe, not Avarosa. Ashe gasps lightly, surprise on her face. "Viggo? Is there something you need? Please, come in." She asks. I step inside fully and shut the door behind me. I struggle to find words. I never was good at starting conversations.
"I... " I trail off awkwardly, frustrated. Then I sigh. I've been blunt to Ashe before. I wasn't about to change. "I just wanted to check up on you. I can imagine you're under a great deal of stress from all the negotiations between the tribes. I know that Queen Avarosa found it all a little…" I try to find the right word, but Ashe beats me to it.
"Infuriating?" She proposes. A slight smirk finds it's way onto my face. I hear understanding in her tone.
"Sounds like you can relate." I return. Ashe groans and slumps back against her chair. She runs her fingers through her hair with a huff.
"Can I ever…" She mumbles. She puts the quill down and stares at the ceiling. "If I do something to calm one tribe, then another feels slighted or wants similar treatment. I have to tread so carefully around everyone. While you were gone, we began forming the Circle again with all the tribes' mystics and leaders." Ashe rubs her temples. Something tells me the new Circle is just as chaotic as it was for Avarosa. "There's so much yelling, and everyone wants their ideas to be chosen. They can never fully agree on just one thing. It's exhausting." Ashe emphasizes. Then she glances at me. "Was it this bad for Queen Avarosa?" I chuckle in amusement and nod.
"As a matter of fact, it was. I had to sit in on some of the Circle meetings. I assure you, you have my sympathy. I was lucky. I got to avoid most of the Circle meetings. Unfortunately for you and Queen Avarosa, you have to attend all of them." Ashe smiles a little at that. A slightly awkward and tense silence fills the space between us. I don't know what to say to break it.
"What was she like?" Ashe asks suddenly. I raise an eyebrow at her abrupt question. "Queen Avarosa. What kind of a person was she?" I contemplate the question. How could one describe Queen Avarosa?
"My Queen was very kind. She understood her people, and gave her all to unite Freljord. She took the time to listen to the pleas of everyone, or at least everyone she could. It made her already hefty burden even heavier, but she didn't complain. She was determined to make Freljord into one great nation where all the tribes lived as one. However, she was a warrior as well, and gave no mercy to her enemies. If a tribe rebelled against her, she did not hesitate to use force. She understood how the tribes looked at strength and power." I reply honestly. Then I smile at Ashe. "Truth be told, you and Sejuani remind me of her. Sejuani has my Queen's warrior spirit, while you have her diplomatic charisma. It's interesting to me that you two argue constantly. It makes me wonder if this was how my Queen felt. I'm only just starting to realize how conflicted she was when she had to keep a level head dealing with her advisors and the tribe leaders." Ashe giggles at that.
"I do remember Avarosa wrote about her frustrations in her journal. She said she constantly had to resist strangling someone at her meetings. There actually was a list of Circle members she wanted to use as target practice." That reminds me of something. It takes me a few seconds before realization dawns upon me. I burst out into laughter, earning a suspicious look from Ashe. "What?"
"That explains something Avarosa used to do. In order to deal with her stress from politics, I advised her to practice her archery in her spare time, along with venting to me. Sometimes she would pin pieces of paper to the targets. Something would be written on it, but I could never tell what. Now I know." Ashe joins in my laughter for a time. The tension between us eases greatly. When we stop, another silence extends between us, but it isn't as awkward as before. This time, I break it. "You know, I will advise you to do the same. Archery practice would help you relieve some stress, and keep you prepared for combat. Also, if you'd like, I could chat with you and allow you to vent. It won't be the first time I've heard a queen's frustrations." I offer with a small smile to reassure her. Ashe regards me with an unreadable expression, thinking over what I've said. Then she smiles warmly and nods.
"That's very kind of you, Viggo. I'll take you up on that offer and suggestion. I could really use something to release all this stress." She admits with a giggle. "You better prepare yourself, Viggo." I smirk at her.
"I think I can handle it." I counter. We regard each other for a brief amount of time before Ashe averts her eyes and a faint blush rises on her cheeks. I sense she has another question for me. I wait patiently.
"Viggo, what did you personally think of Avarosa? As a person, not a queen." What did I think? I frown slightly, perplexed. It takes me some time before I can answer. When I do, I speak my mind.
"I greatly respected her. At first, I admit, she was just a figure. I was following Ulf, my tribe's mystic. He had decided we should unite with Queen Avarosa. I obeyed him, but did not have a real opinion on my Queen. I only realized what kind of person she was much later. Through many conversations, Queen Avarosa became someone I was willing to follow without Ulf's orders. She was not perfect, but for all her faults she tried her best. She used her strengths efficiently, and did not overextend herself." Nostalgia washes over me as I speak, and for once I let it. "She was very brave, and noble. She cared for all the people of Freljord, and took Freljord's pains as her own. She was inspiring with her dedication, but she still seemed human. At least, she seemed human to me. She could be vulnerable at times. I saw her at her best, and I saw her at her worst. I saw her laugh, and I saw her cry. I saw her furious, and I saw her exhausted. To me, she wasn't the supposed Goddess that everyone else built her to be. To me, she was simply an amazing person. One that I trusted with my life, and was proud to be trusted by in return." Ashe doesn't speak after I finish. Instead, she regards me with an awed expression. Ashe looks down at her papers for a few seconds. Then she finally speaks.
"She regarded you highly too, you know." I blink at her. "She trusted you completely. She valued you more than anyone. She mentioned hundreds of times that she feared she would've gone mad without your help." Ashe smiles, but there's a tinge of sadness to it. "When you disappeared, she was so distraught. She searched for you for so long. She never forgot you, even at the very end." A strange pain stabs me deep within my chest. My throat closes so tightly I can't respond right away.
"... My only regret is that I couldn't tell her what happened." I admit softly. Another round of silence comes over us both, this one laden with sorrow. Ashe waits before speaking again, and she graciously changes the topic.
"Let's not stay in such a melancholy state." She says. She rises from her chair, and puts on a smile. "I've dealt with enough letters for a while now. I think I'll go practice some archery. Care to join me? I'd like to see how I compare to Queen Avarosa, or her famous Commander." I raise an eyebrow at the challenge, but it brings a smirk to my face.
"I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?" I return. Ashe's smile turns genuine. "Although I warn you; You have quite the bar to jump over." Ashe laughs as she pushes open the door. She winks back at me with a playful grin.
"We'll just have to see."
XXXXX
Viggo was still practicing his kicks, so he couldn't see the slow, mischievous smile spread across Brant's face. "Quite the ladies' man for a quiet guy, Viggo. I think Ashe likes you." The comment caused Viggo to actually falter in his kick routine. He scowled deeply at Brant, which only made Brant laugh.
"Must I remind you that Ashe is married, Brant?" Viggo snarled, but Brant only raised an eyebrow. "And besides, that's ridiculous. I wasn't made for romance or love, Brant. It's not something I can experience." That gave Brant pause. He stared at Viggo with a deep frown.
"What are you talking about? Do you really believe that?" He inquired.
"I was made for war. I'm little more than a weapon. Who could love someone made explicitly for violence? Besides, I don't know anything about romance. I wouldn't identify it or know how to handle it even if it found me." Viggo answered. Brant could only stare at Viggo, slack-jawed with disbelief. After a while, Brant rubbed his face in exasperation.
"Ugh. Nevermind. So I take it Ashe started talking to you and practicing after you spoke with her?" He asked instead. Viggo nodded.
"Yes. We spoke almost every day from then on, and she practiced when she could. I was surprised initially at her skill with the bow. She's very good, practically equal to Avarosa herself. With Ashe and Sejuani, it felt like I had Avarosa and Ralf back at my side." Brant blinked at Viggo.
"Sejuani? How does she fit in here?" He inquired.
"As I began working with Sejuani to improve our troops' training, Sejuani and I would train with each other daily as well. She was very skilled with Ralf's flail. He couldn't have picked a better person to give it to." Brant scratched his chin.
"When did that start?"
XXXXXX
I walk out to the courtyard again. The troops were done practicing for the day, but I wanted to get some training in myself. However, as I step outside, I spot another figure. Sejuani was training alone. Seems she had the same idea. I debate whether or not I should disturb her. Should I come back later to train? Before I can decide, Sejuani spots me. She halts, pulling back Ralf's flail to her side. "Coming to train too?" She inquires. I nod and approach her. Might as well.
"Seems like we think alike." I muses. It earns a faint smile from Sejuani.
"So it seems." She agrees. She pauses then, her expression thoughtful. "Since we're both here, would you like to train together?" I'm surprised at the offer, but I nod. It makes sense. Training an actual person would be more beneficial. We separate, putting a good distance between each other. Sejuani begins to swing Ralf's flail, keeping it in motion, and I grip both of my scythes. Then we start to circle each other. Neither of us makes a move to attack yet. "So who was Ralf exactly? You said he was your second." Sejuani asks as we watch each other. I raise an eyebrow. Was she trying to distract me, or was the question genuine? I guess it didn't truly matter. It made the exercise more challenging anyways.
"Yes. Ralf was my second. We bonded when we were children, and he became my brother essentially." As I speak, Sejuani lunges forward. She swings Ralf's flail towards me. I deflect it and throw my free scythe, but Sejuani dodges the blade and grabs the chain. With a yank, we're pulling towards each other. We scuffle for a bit, trading blows. Eventually we separate again and begin our circling again. My jaw feels sore where she punched me, but I spot her shaking out her arm from where I struck it.
"You claimed you were from the Icefang clan. You know they followed me. Have you visited them yet?" She questions. I nod my head.
"It saddened me to learn that they had forgotten about our close friends, the Volkmajster." Again, Sejuani lunges forward. I meet her advance once again, and we clash with our weapons and fists.
"You brought them back." She says as we trade attacks. "Your tribe could rebuild their connection."
"That's what I'm hoping for." I answer, dodging an overhead swipe from the flail. However, a boot nails me right in the face, and I fall backwards from the impact. Blood drizzles down my chin, but I disregard it. I roll to the side to avoid another swing from Sejuani, and throw out my scythe as I do. I calculate the throw well, and it hits Sejuani in the face. I can't help but grin in satisfaction. Sejuani's head snaps back up from the impact's momentum, but her helmet's lost. Blood leaks from her nose as well, and her eyes narrow at me.
"Not bad, for a centuries old warrior." She compliments with a smirk. Our weapon clash once again in a deadly dance, and I return her expression.
"Not bad, for a young brat." Sejuani narrows her eyes at my taunt. She presses on the offensive even more. The courtyard rings each time our weapons meet. Everything becomes a frenzied blur. My body goes numb as my mind goes into its battle state. I feel as though I'm battling Ralf again, training after all the other soldiers turned in for the day. Sejuani lands another kick to my stomach, but I tighten my core when it lands. I grasp the leg and twist it away. My action throws Sejuani off balance, but in a display of skill she manages to kick me with her other leg. We both end up on the ground, but the fight isn't over. Like the first day we met, we wrestle. Sejuani has the upper hand with her heavy armor, but I win when it comes to raw strength. Eventually our struggle ends when Sejuani gets a hand on one of my scythes. She holds it to my throat just as I hold the other to hers. We stay like that, huffing from exertion, before Sejuani smirks.
"Draw?" She asks. I chuckle, but agree.
"Draw." With that being said, she gets off of me. When I regain my feet, she hands back my scythe.
"You're pretty impressive, Viggo. Not many can hold their own against me, especially for so long. And no one has ever beaten me before." I smile faintly at the compliment as I retrieve the fallen flail.
"Thank you. You are one of the fiercest warriors I've ever met. Our battle before was one of the hardest I've ever fought." I return honestly. I extend my hand to her, returning her flail. "You do Freljord proud. I'm honored to fight alongside you, whatever may come." My praise brings color to her cheeks as she takes her flail from me. Her eyes are averted from me, and she nods.
"I'm honored to fight beside you as well." She replies. A moment of silence passes between us before Sejuani inhales and exhales deeply. "We should do this again." She says abruptly. "The training will do us good, and besides," Now she grins wolfishly at me, "I enjoy beating you into the ground." The taunt brings a mirroring grin to my own face.
"I'm glad I can entertain you, Sejuani." I say, amused. "We certainly will have to do this again."
XXXXXX
"Ok, now that was definitely flirting, Viggo." Brant argued with a grin. Viggo scowled in annoyance and shook his head.
"It was bantering, Brant! It's completely different!" Viggo corrected. Brant didn't believe him.
"Hardly. And you can't use the excuse of a husband this time. Sejuani isn't married." Brant pointed out, still grinning. Viggo turned his head to face Brant, actually dividing his attention from his kick routine. Irritation was painted on his features.
"Brant, it was only sparring! There was nothing romantic going on! I refuse to be a part of these… These…. Pairings you seem to be making about me!" Viggo growled. Brant huffed and threw up his hands.
"Well I'm sorry if you're just denser than a brick wall!" Viggo glared at Brant, but Brant ignored him. "So you had little dates with Ashe and Sejuani. Oh excuse me, 'chats' and 'sparring matches.'" Brant made air quotes around the words. He moved on quickly though, so Viggo couldn't protest. "When did you guys finally move against Lissandra?" Viggo exhaled, and Brant swore it was with relief.
"We finally decided to move against Lissandra after the first assassins showed up." He answered. Brant's eyebrows shot up.
"Assassins? She sent assassins?" Viggo nodded.
"Yes. Luckily we caught them and killed them. Lissandra had obviously realized that Ashe and Sejuani had joined forces against her. She attempted to eliminate both of them. After the first assassin was found, I knew we had to move soon."
XXXXXX
I take my seat at the large circle table. Ashe and Sejuani sit on opposite sides of me. It's a little odd, but I understand the reason. I was the one who proposed they worked together. I would be the one to keep them from killing each other. The rest of the Circle files in quickly. I half expect to see Ulf walk in, but I know he isn't here. It saddens me slightly nonetheless. I bring myself back to reality once everyone sits. Ulf used to start the meetings. What would he say? After I consider it, I steel myself to speak. I stand up. "Thank you all for coming on such a short notice." I start. The room hushes and all eyes are drawn to me. "As most of you have been told, there were assassination attempts on both the lives of Ashe and Sejuani just a few minutes prior to this meeting." My words nonetheless start faint whisperings amongst the Circle members. "Luckily, I was close by to see and stop the attempt on Ashe's life." I see Ashe smile at me out of the corner of my eye. I nod to her in return before continuing. "I knew from experience that the Watchers try to eliminate the figurehead of a force to make it easier to defeat the force itself. Lissandra would try to take out Ashe and Sejuani, so I ran to find Sejuani after leaving Ashe with Tryndamere." As I say it, I nod to Tryndamere on the other side of Ashe. He returns the gesture with a small nod of his own. "When I reached Sejuani, the assassin just revealed himself. Sejuani and I, along with her generals, managed to eliminate the man." Sejuani nods to me, expressing her thanks. I nod to her in return as well. "However, I know that this is only the first of many attempts. There will be another attack. That's why I suggest we speed up everything in order to mobilize as swiftly as possible." Conversations soon sprout up around the table. Eventually, someone speaks to me.
"How are you sure that it was Lissandra who sent the assassins?" I had a feeling that question might come up. I retrieved the blade from my pocket and slid it across the table.
"That dagger's blade is made of black ice. It's as sharp as steel, and almost all of the Watchers' assassins would use these weapons. That way it would send a message that no one was safe from their grasp." The dagger is passed around for all the Circle to see. When it reaches me again, I shatter the blade with my scythe, and place the remains on the table.
"So you propose that we leave immediately?" Someone else questions.
"I propose that we leave as soon as we are ready." I correct patiently. "The troops should finish their training and we have to prepare all the supplies we'll need. The longer we take, the more assassins Lissandra will send. Also, the longer we take, the more time Lissandra will have to prepare for when we march against her and her forces. We need to use our time efficiently to get done what has to be and get our troops ready." The Circle once again descends into noise. I rub my temple. This definitely wasn't my forte. How did Ulf stand it? Finally, the chamber quiets, and I speak. "All in favor, say Aye." I command. The room booms with the Circle's voices. "All in favor, say Nay." Silence ensues, a stark contrast to the sound before. My eyes widen, stunned. The Circle had actually agreed unanimously.
"Hey wait! You said the Circle never fully agreed to an idea!" Brant interrupted. Viggo sighed and rolled his eyes.
"When I spoke of the Circle, I was referring to Avarosa's Circle, which existed during my true time." Viggo stated. Brant frowned, annoyed.
"Oh fine. Just continue."
I glance at Ashe and Sejuani. "While it isn't required since the Circle has given a unanimous answer, I do want to hear what the Queens' opinions are. Your voices would usually hold the ultimate decision." It sounds so strange to call them Queens. It will take me time to get used to it. Ashe and Sejuani stay silent for a few moments, thinking. Then Sejuani nods.
"I agree with the Circle. Viggo's suggestion is logical. The sooner we get rid of Lissandra, they better for us and for Freljord." She answers.
"I agree with Sejuani, and thus the Circle. Lissandra is a danger to us all, not just Freljord. Attacking her when she isn't fully prepared could potentially spare lives. As Sejuani said, the sooner we get rid of her, the better." The two glance at each other, faintly surprised. I'm just satisfied that they've agreed with each other.
"I thank you both for your opinions." I comment. Then I redirect my attention to the Circle once again. "With that, our meeting is concluded. We have much to do. The Circle is dismissed."
XXXXXXX
Brant still glared at Viggo when he finished his story. "I still think you tricked me. The Circle did fully agree." He argued.
"Ashe and Sejuani's Circle, not Avarosa's." Viggo corrected. Brant sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Yeah, yeah…" He muttered. "Well then, I guess I'll return to the Council." Brant mused. Viggo nodded his farewell. As Brant turned towards the door, He glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "Just wait until I tell them about your two lovers." Viggo's head snapped to Brant and he shifted. Brant yelped as he ducked under a high kick from the irritated Commander.
"Get out, Brant!" Viggo roared. Brant quickly fled the room, but he did spot the minor amusement within Viggo's expression.
Hello dear readers! I happy that I managed to get another chapter out! This one's a little jumpy, since I had to go between three flashbacks and the present. I hope I didn't confuse anyone too horribly. Please comment on how the chapter looks in general, and please point out any errors I might have made. I hope you enjoy!
~Cheers,
Dr. Falter Walter