Hey guys, sorry it's been a while, I've had some health issues but hey, life happens! Here is Chapter 13, Rencounter. Hope you enjoy and keep it classy!
The halls of the Institute of War were easily three times as tall as Garen, but they held a crushing weight above his head. They were beneath a mountain and the sheer weight above him made his stomach roll when he thought to much about it. He missed his white stone pillars that were comfortably above ground.
Summoners and Champions alike passed him in the halls, some nodded in his general direction, Twisted Fate tipped his hat. Others ignored him or avoided his eyes. At an intersection of the hallways, the blood brothers Darius and Draven eyed him. Draven was chewing on a small wooden stick which he spat out and sauntered to the Demacian.
"Hey look Darius. It's the pretty boy!" he said and Darius let out a low huff.
"Guess you aren't used to seeing attractive people in Noxus, are you?" Garen asked and rolled his eyes. He moved forward but Draven side stepped in front of him.
"Funny! We have some good looking people, like that Kat girl-" he said and grinned at Darius who crossed his arms and gave a grunt. "-but not many blondes... What I wouldn't do to get my hands on a pretty blonde sister of yours..."
Garen eyed him dangerously before he chuckled. "You could try, but I'm pretty sure she would give you a run for your money." He said when he tried to push past him.
Draven persisted, "You wanna know the things I would do to her?"
Garen gritted his teeth.
"Draven, cool it," Darius said hardly, but Garen couldn't help but think he couldn't really talk any differently.
Draven laughed, "Aww come on! I'd be nice to her, maybe."
Garen whirled around but found a strong hand against his chest and fierce electric blue eyes piercing his. "Do not do something you will regret," A heavy accented voice urged him. A soft song of agreement played and Garen saw Sona past Fiora's shoulder.
Darius grabbed Draven and shoved him aside. He laughed as if it was a game. "Watch it pretty boy! I'll kill you and take your sister as my prize!"
"Stop," Darius growled and shoved him down a hallway, his laugh echoing off the high ceilings.
"Vere are you going, friend?" Fiora asked.
"The high summoners Chambers," Garen said and Fiora nodded in understanding.
"Ven we will be your escort then," she said and Sona smiled in agreement.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Tensions are high right now. Ve need to stick together, there is strength in numbers," Fiora replied.
"I'm fine," he insisted but she walked next to him anyway. Sona took his other side, floating delicately.
They walked in silence until the large doors of the Head Summoners Office loomed at the end of the hall. Garen sighed heavily and felt mirrored hands on his shoulders.
"Do not fear friend. We all stand behind you," Fiora said and Sona nodded solemnly.
"Thank you. Both of you," he said before knocking on the large doors. They swung open and two summoners held their arms out, guiding him into the room. Large black walls rose up forming a dome over Garen's head. A large wooden desk that was immacutantly clean was in the center of the room. The only thing on the desk besides a small lamp was a brown folder. Behind it was a woman with a stern look. Her eyes were sharp despite her age and her hands were folded tightly in front of her.
Her voice reminded him of his Mamaw, and he got chills. "Mr. Crownguard, I'm so glad that you could join me." She gestured to the chair in front of her.
"Of course, Head Summoner," he said with a small bow before taking the seat.
She opened the file and studied it in silent for a few agonizing moments. "You have nothing of this degree on your record, Mr. Crownguard," She said suddenly, making Garen jump.
"No ma'am," he said. The resemblence to his mamaw was further obvious when she looked at him with sharp, hawk-like eyes.
"What happened in Kalamanda? And do not lie, because I have my ways of finding truth," she said and closed the file.
"Prince Jarvan was seen attacking Grand General Swain and High Command Counselor Katarina Du Couteau. They saw this as an act of war and we both marched into the center of the city." he said while looking at his hands.
The silence stretched and he finally looked up and saw the Head Summoner standing behind her desk. "Prince Jarvan Lightshield?" she breathed.
"Yes ma' am," he said.
"Who of the Champions of the League were involved?" she asked.
"Just the ones I have mentioned already, Head Summoner," he said and she nodded.
"Mr. Crownguard, this institution was created to protect Runeterra from war between your nation and the Noxians. I will not fail at this, so as a reminder of the promise you made when you joined this League, you are hereby banned from participating in any matches until further notice." She said with a decisive wave of her hand.
"Until further notice?" Garen asked in shock.
"Exemplify what it means to be a Champion in the League of Legends and we will discuss your standing. Until then, you will be in no matches," she said over her shoulder and Garen slumped.
"Yes, Head Summoner."
"You are dismissed."
He rose and the doors behind him swung open where Fiora and Sona waited for him. He joined them silently and they walked. They turned onto a more crowded hallway and a pulsing crowd caught them in the current, pushing them towards to archives at the front of the building. He was pushed down the stairway and found the archives in ruins. The tall bookshelves were toppled and a Watcher was sitting on the side with a summoner who had a broken nose and bruised eye. A younger Watcher pulled an older from the wreckage. His eyes were shut and the younger was guiding him towards to door. He sat next to the summoner and a few of the Champions were already on their way. Shauna Vayne was the first at the scene of the destruction followed by Caitlyn and Jayce. Sona and Soraka drifted towards the wounded. Garen soon joined the investigators and walked up to Vayne. She was crouched beside some scorch marks that radiated out from a central point. They weren't strong, but a trained eye could see them.
"Hello Shauna," he said from behind her a safe distance. Sneaking up on Shauna was not a smart idea from his personal experience.
"Garen," she said simply, never taking her eyes off the ground. Her trademark rose sunglasses were pushed up on her forehead and she scowled at the marks as if they would soon speak answers. "How many times I have told you not to call me Shauna?"
"I apologize, Vayne," he swallowed. "Any idea what happened?" he asked.
"I'm pretty sure, but I am not sure if I believe it." Vayne rose and pushed her sunglasses down in one smooth motion. "But if I'm right, and I often am, you will be able to help me." She walked past him gracefully, her footsteps eerily silent.
"Me? Of course, how can I help?" he asked.
Vayne remained silent as she walked to a far corner of the archives, where the dark magic section was. The temperature dropped and Garen saw various papers and books scattered around the aisle along with a few blood droplets.
"Garen, when was the last time you've seen Luxanna?" Vayne asked over her shoulder as she stood in front of the pile.
Garen felt his heart stop. "Lux didn't do this," he said hurriedly.
"No one did," Vayne replied and turned. The dim light and her glasses made her eyes unreadable. "But I heard what she did at your house. She could be a danger-"
"Lux. Didn't. Do. This," he said more harsh and certain, emphasizing each word.
"Then I'm sure you know exactly where she is at right this second," Vayne challenged. "And what she is doing."
"My sister is an adult, it is not my job to keep track of her."
"Exactly. And she is also an incredibly strong, young mage who is becoming unhinged. I've killed men who were less powerful and brought less destruction and if she proves that she is a threat, I will not hesitate to take her down as well," Vayne said coldly before turning on her heel and walking away.
Oh Lux... What have you gotten yourself into? Garen thought as he climbed the stairs out of the archives. He had to figure out what Lux was into and if she really was responsible for the theft of magical materials and the destruction of the archives. Garen couldn't imagine her attacking a summoner, or beating a pair of Watchers. After some thought, he decided that he would see if Lux had return home, and if not, if Jarvan had heard anything about where she could be.
He went to the summoner platform in the Institute and waited for an open spot to go back home. He felt a pressure in his back like someone had their eyes on him, and he turned and saw the blood brothers watching him like predators. He met their eyes before turning his back to them again and stepping into the summoner platform.
"Where do you wish to go Garen of Demacia?" A hooded figure asked.
"Home, thank you," he said and within a moment a brilliant pillar appeared above him and a ring of runic symbols appeared below him. As soon as he could blink, he was standing in his room at home.
He opened his door and an empty house greeted him. "Mother?" he called as he stepped out. "Lux? Anyone?" He paused but his echo was his only reply. He went to the door next to his and knocked before opening it.
Lux's room stood empty before him an he sighed in grief and frustration. The brightness of the room mocked him. Her window was open, to air out some of the dust that naturally builds up from stillness. Her sheer white curtains danced gracefully on light breezes and a pot of daisies turned their faces towards the sunlight. Her bed was covered in a pale blue bed spread and far more pillows then Garen ever thought necessary. A picture of the Imperial Guard with bold words underneath Demacia needs YOU! sat on one wall and next it was another one of a nasty brute raising an ax towards a scared woman and child. Stop Noxian Terror! Join the Vanguard today!
Garen scowled at the emptiness before closing to door again. Lux was still gone. Guess that means I talk to Jarvan, if he even cares to let me know what's going on... he thought bitterly as he made his way to the palace.
He made his way onto the main road where people clogged the sidewalks with their faces turned towards to street. Curious if a parade of the circus was in town, he pushed his way to the front, but was almost ran over by a tall white stallion, with Jarvan on his back.
"Jarvan!" Garen called as he sidestepped the beast.
Jarvan peered down at him from his helmet. "Step aside Captain, I need to transport these prisoners."
Garen followed the leather straps in his hand down the length of his horse where they stopped at the wrists of two prisoners, a male and female as far as he could tell although it was hard with the shapeless prisoner uniforms they both wore. Their hoods were pulled over their faces and they kept their eyes down wearily.
"I will take them for you, your majesty," Garen said.
"Stand down Captain," Jarvan said harshly and Garen gawked up at him.
"Who are they sir?" he asked.
"It does not matter. This is the business of the crown. Your loyalty is appreciated, Garen, but the Dauntless Vanguard has no place in this matter. Stand down," he commanded again and Garen stepped aside slack jawed before Jarvan pushed forward through the eager crowd.
Garen stepped forward to follow but was stopped by reporters who asked him incessantly if he knew anything and before he could push them away or answer enough to please them, Jarvan had disappeared. He scowled and walked to the palace.
When he arrived, the palace grounds had their usual bustle and he made his way to Jarvan's office relatively undisturbed. The typical sound of emptiness was all he heard as the anti-snooping spell he always had in his office worked it's magic.
He knocked and waited but Jarvans response took longer then he expected. He hesitated, debating about if anyone was even in there but just as he was turning to leave, Jarvan opened the office door. His face registered shock before it smoothed into his political, unreadable expression.
"Garen, I wasn't expecting you so soon," he said.
"Jarvan, we need to talk," he said and Jarvan sighed heavily.
"Now?" he asked and Garen's face must have been enough of an answer. He sighed. "Fine. Come in, quickly."
Garen stepped into his office and took his usual seat and was surprised to find it warmer then he expected. He watched Jarvan sit down and rub the bridge between his eyes. "Have you heard anything about Lux yet?" He asked.
"No Garen, and if I had, I would have told you," Jarvan replied with a tone of annoyance.
"I apologize Jarvan, I'm just worried about her. Shauna thinks she broke into archives in the Institute and stole some pretty powerful magical spell books. We won't know the extent until they do an inventory, but we both know how long that could take," he sighed and leaned into the chair covering his face with one of his hands. "Ever since that encounter with that red-headed wench, she has completely lost her mind," he mumbled.
"Is that really what you think of me?" a silky voice asked, startling Garen out of his chair.
Katarina was tightening her arm brace, one foot casually resting on the door frame to the fireplace room of Jarvan's office. She gave him a bemused look and her green eyes gave a mischievous sparkle.
Garen raised his sword, "I'll protect you, Jarvan!" he said but a sharp blade was resting against his neck.
"Drop it, Crownguard," a gruff voice said behind him and he gritted his teeth.
"Stop it you two, this isn't a joke," Jarvan said as if he were chastising children and not two infamous and incredibly dangerous assassins. Katarina smirked and the blade against Garen's neck disappeared. Garen turned and saw no one, but when he looked ahead again, Talon had appeared next to Katarina.
"Sir, get behind me," Garen insisted and raised his weapon.
"Garen, I need you to calm down. Please friend," Jarvan asked and Garen spared a glance to his friend, whose hands were raised.
"I don't understand," Garen said.
"They are not here to kill me, they are here to help," Jarvan replied.
"Help?! They're Noxian, we don't need their help! They have nothing to offer us," Garen snarled and Katarina pouted.
"Ouch, that hurts," she said half-heatedly. She walked to other chair in front of Jarvan's desk and sat gracefully before draping her legs over the arm and picking her fingernails with a knife. Talon still stood uneasily.
"Garen, please. I will not tell you again," Jarvan said and Garen dropped his sword.
"What could they have to offer that we would possibly need?" Garen asked.
"Answers," Jarvan replied.
"You owe me some of those well, friend," he said snidely.
Jarvan sighed. "Some of those I will not be able to answer, but we might be able to figure them out, together," he said and gestured to the Noxians. Katarina watched him with sharp eyes and Talon held his blade ready.
"Can I ask my questions first?" Garen replied after a long pause.
They all relaxed, "Of course, I appreciate you coming. Even if it was anticipated," Jarvan replied as he smoothed his shirt before sitting.
"What happened in Kalamanda? Why did you attack Katarina?" He asked.
"I didn't do anything. Shortly after our meeting, I woke up in the morning with a substantial wound on my wrist and I had lost a small amount of blood. After some research, I found that some spells needed human blood. One of these was a mimic spell that you needed the blood of the person you were imitating. Soon after, I heard about the impending battle in Kalamanda. To try to reduce the bloodshed, I got into contact with a chronomage named Zilean who sometimes competes in matches at the Institute who froze the battle in time so summoners could return you all home," Jarvan explained. Garen briefly remembered the feeling of not being able to move.
"But you were there too..." Garen said.
"I was not. And I was not there when Miss Du Couteau was attacked."
"When Jarvan, or whoever, attacked us, I sunk a knife into their arm," Katarina said. "But Jarvan is fine."
"Which means it wasn't me," Jarvan said, "And it wasn't me on the battlefield that day either."
"Then who was?" Garen asked.
"We are going to find out," Talon said.
"What do they have to do with it anyway?" Garen asked.
"Katarina's father might have information on who would want to start a war between Noxian and Demacia, and where magic of that magnitude came from."
"So what now? How do you plan on keeping two Noxians, very famous Noxians I might add, without anyone noticing?" Garen asked, jabbing a finger toward Katarina.
"They will be staying here, but they will stay out of sight."
"That's sure the end up well," Garen replied while folding his arms in a huff. "This is treason Jarvan, and you know it."
"If it stops another war, I don't particularly care," Jarvan said.
"What's our next move?" Garen asked and the trio exchanged glances.
"Garen, you are one of my closest friends, and my most trusted soldier, but I cannot let you jeopardize your career for this mission," Jarvan said steadily.
The words washed over Garen like a breeze. "Yeah, right. So what am I doing? How can I help?"
The three exchanged glances again and Katarina smiled, "Well, you heard him. He's not going anywhere, and I personally don't mind having someone else in on this that can move through Demacia freely." Talon nodded and Jarvan agreed reluctantly.
"Right now, what we need is Talon to decipher a letter written by my father, it might give us some leads," Katarina suggested and Talon nodded.
"The bomb used in Kalamanda at the Demacian mine had technology that is impossible to get in Noxus," Katarina said, "Although they are one of our strongest trade partners, this technology is illegal in Noxus and there are no whispers of any Zaunites offering this specific mechanism-" she unrolled a scroll of a blueprint, "-in the black market. I bet if we dug around in the Demacian black market, we might find the same."
Garen looked over the complicated detonator. "So Noxus didn't bomb the mine."
"No."
"Then I guess we better check out the Demacian blackmarket and see if we can find something," Garen said and he and Kat shared a mischievous smile before setting off.