"Violence solves everything."

Quick Prey

Chapter 14

It felt like Quinn had been running for miles from her living quarters back to the halls of the castle- she hadn't even gotten close to her destination. All around her knights, guards, and even the maids scowled at her while she sprinted and darted around corners; either they knew her secret or they looked that way because she was running inside. The scout had completely lost the dragon woman while panicking to get to the Tactics Room—which she unknowingly passed a few times. Her lips became dry and chapped as she sucked in for air and her legs began to feel stiff. Just as she had slowed her pace to a halt, Quinn saw a glimmering plaque that read "Study and Tactics Room".

Quinn shoved her shoulder through them and they smacked against the walls inside with a large bang. The scout glanced up to see faces of all different expressions looking her way—although they were mostly glowers. She straightened up as she began to walk forward towards her teammates and a few other knights surrounding the king—I hope King Jarvan isn't as blinded by rage like his son, otherwise I can see myself not a part of Demacia. Quinn glanced over at Galio, Lux, Garen, and Shyvana taking a seat as if they were a part of a jury. Xin stood with his spear, his eyes were full of sorrow and he tore them away from the scout when they met gazes.

"Quinn," the prince's voice shook the room, "Get to the front."

The scout hurried passed her teammates to stand in front of the King and Prince Jarvan. Suddenly she noticed someone sitting beside Xin—it was Talon, obviously beaten and bound again. He rested with his head against the wall behind him but he opened his eyes at the mention of her name.

"Talon!" She cried as she rushed to him but was stopped by a long spear. Quinn's heart was beating like a mad drum as she looked up to the warrior.

"I am forever sorry Miss Quinn, but these are my orders. Please forgive me," Xin Zhao whispered to her and kept his spear between the scout and assassin. Quinn felt Talon's boot knock against her. He only smiled at her as if telling her he was just fine. She knew he wasn't fine while she watched as his hands turned slightly red from his tightly bound ropes, which made her blood boil.

"Quinn!" The prince roared furiously. The scout touched Talon's knee before walking back to her place in the middle of the room, faintly hearing a voice in her head to just lose it and just release Talon. Regardless she knew she could prove them both innocent, so Quinn stood with her head high.

"Quinn you are hereby summoned by you fellow teammates and prince to defend yourself against accusations of treason. How do you plea?" The King asked while crossing his legs to get comfortable. She heard him softly mutter, "Gods forbid this take any time of my bedtime.

"Not guilty, your majesty."

"Then I give this trial to Jarvan the Fourth. Son, er, Prince Jarvan you have the floor."

"Quinn... do you vow to give your truest word and integrity... in the name of the King? If you let even a lie cross your mind you will be severely punish—"

"Hey princess," Talon growled from the other side of the room. Quinn glared at him, knowing he knew nothing of Demacia's judicial system; any who interfere will get themselves into a load of trouble. The assassin struggled to get his back off the wall but managed to sit up right after a few tries, "Do whatever you want with me—you can beat me, torture me, hell you can even kill me—but don't treat Quinn like she is some kind of criminal!"

"How dare you speak to me... one more word from you and I'll rip you apart," Jarvan snarled.

"Is that a promise, Princess?" Talon challenged him. He was happy to see Jarvan's hands tighten around his lance as he grew more and more infuriated.

"Talon!" Quinn whispered a warning in his direction. The assassin saw the flare from her eyes and rested back onto the wall with a blood stained smirk.

"Easy, Prince Jarvan," his father scolded his son for losing his temper in front of his squad, "Back to the trail at hand."

"Right," the prince tore his glare from the smirking assassin, "If you let even a lie cross your mind you will be severely punished. Are we clear?"

"Yes, my prince."

"Excellent," he breathed sarcastically. "Begin by telling your teammates what exactly happened after stepping foot in Noxus territory... in complete detail."

"A few days after of searching high and low for the assassin known as Talon, I had finally caught sight of him dashing past me, almost like he was taunting me. It was a long chase, but Valor spotted him nearby and I readied my weapon. Although it wasn't enough to prepare for him ambushing me as soon as I dropped my guard—he had me just where I would assume an assassin would want his prey, disarmed and frightened for my life.

"But he let me go..." Quinn glanced over to the assassin who sat motionless as he listened to her story with his eyes hidden under his long hair. She took a deep breath while facing back to her king and prince, "He said if we met again he would kill me, but my Demacian determination got the best of me and I chased him to the city of Noxus. Later that evening, I found myself in more trouble; a group of men almost saw through my disguise but...

"Talon... he saved me." Quinn sighed with a small smile. The still assassin glanced up at the Demacians muttering his name from behind Quinn, "The next morning I sent Valor to deliver letter to Prince Jarvan and I walked the streets again to see if I could find the assassin's trail... but again trouble found me although this time in the form of two thugs wanting to turn me in to the authorities for gold. For the third time in less than two days, I thought I was going die... but Talon came to my rescue once more. I was confused when he didn't immediately slay me like he promised and gave me the choice of living or dying.

"I'll admit to wanting to die—because I felt like a failure—but Talon said otherwise and he even offered to assist me in leaving Noxus. Unfortunately, a storm came bellowing through the city and we had to find cover. Talon mentioned an escape route in the form of an underground tunnel, but it was destroyed from the rain. Forced out into the cold rain, he and I had to hide under a doorway. As I stood there wet and cold, Talon offered me his warmth... A kind gesture from such a kind man...

"But the moment didn't last long as we had to hurry to a roof to hide but we were caught by Talon's sister and general of the High Command, Katarina, who had knocked me unconscious for several days. After regaining consciousness, I found myself in a prison cell with Katarina interrogating me on what I may have seen while in Noxus—I didn't see much of anything and I told her just so. She left and I thought that was the end of it, but it wasn't—not even a few hours later I had my cell door kicked in by the Viktor from Zaun. I had no idea Katarina had sold me to man for... a little fun... but as usual Talon came to my rescue again," Quinn's grin widened, "He offered me a bath and change of clothes- Katarina's I have to mention. After outsmarting his other sister, Cassiopeia, Talon literally carried me out of the city on his back.

"As we stood in the foggy forest, Talon admitted he wanted to take me all the back to Demacia- which on foot would have been a week or more. I was beyond ecstatic and I even hugged him. It was then I realized that he was injured from his scuffle with Cassiopeia and I offered to patch him up. We accidentally fell and that is when the guard assumed the worst when he found us... That is what really happened and I hope you will all forgive me."

Quinn bowed to the king, the prince and then to her teammates behind her. She felt uneasy in the long silence of the room—it seemed as if time itself stood still.

"A very... touching tale," Prince Jarvan said coldly, "Now your team shall give a reason why you should or should not remain here in Demacia. Luxanna, you may start."

"Quinn should stay!" The blonde mage jolted from her seat, "If she is guilty of any crime, it's falling in love, which I see nothing wrong about. Why are we even persecuting the Noxian?! He too obviously loves Quinn enough to save her on multiple occasions! If Demacia sees love as a crime I don't think—"

"How can we let her stay? She involved herself with Demacia's most sworn enemy," Shyvana snarled while placing her claws over the blabbering mage's mouth. "I had a feeling she was hiding something and honestly I don't think I could trust what she claims happened. I say we let her go."

"Quinn and Valor are both amazing additions to this team," sighed Galio—an obvious rebuttal to the half-dragon, "Letting them go over this? A mission that went wrong? A mission you sent them on Prince Jarvan. It's beyond foolish. She needs to be here."

"Prince Jarvan, we trusted Quinn with a dangerous mission and she ended up making the situation worse, for two states, just because she fell in love. She now has us battling in a match soon against Noxus with an awful handicap. It's disgraceful." Garen's tone was cold as steel. Quinn glanced to the Prince, who stood nodding his head as he took in their opinions.

"Xin," Jarvan sighed, "I am sorry, my friend, but you must act as a tie breaker."

All in the room turned to the former fighter and he stood with his cheeks turning a bright red. He glanced at Quinn and hid his face behind his spear but she could still see the torn look. She knew that he had once been a kidnapped prisoner in Noxus' annual Fleshing—a barbaric battle where prisoners would fight to the death and even if the battle is won they would have their number of opponents increase; the only true victory was death. Fortunately, Xin managed to escape but had a horrible distaste for all Noxians just like the majority of Demacia.

"Princess, you're no Demacian..." Talon whispered loud enough for almost the whole room to hear. The prince turned and Quinn saw his jaw grind in fury.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Talon spat. "You claim to stand by your brothers and sisters and to protect the faithful. Right now I can see that is just a big lie—you treat your dear friend like she is guilty of some heinous crime and then ask others to do the same. I thought Demacia was a place of justice and righteousness…"

"How dare you open your mouth to me, Noxian!" Jarvan shouted while extending his lance—the scout knew that once the prince extended his lance on the Rift, the enemy will find themselves on the other end. A choir or gasps came from all over the room as the prince charges towards the assassin who sat calmly. Quinn charged towards them and tumbled between the two men.

The scout kept her cry in her throat as she held the end of the lance in her hand, blood rushing down her arm. She wrapped her other arm around the assassin neck and held him tight. Quinn glared at the prince while he stared back at her in disbelief. All the other Demacians in the room stood as they watched while the two eyed each other down.

"Quinn," he growled low, "Get out of the way."

"I won't let you hurt him."

"I won't ask again. Get out of the way before I drive this lance into both of you." The scout still knelt in silence, "So be it then."

"Quinn no!" Talon grunted and rolled them both out of way of the lance. The scout and assassin lied on the cold floor as they watched the prince try to pull his weapon from the wall. Talon sighed in relief, "You know, that would have pierced me at all—you would have just killed yourself."

"I would give my life for you, Talon." Quinn smiled while touching his cheek.

"You're a foolish little girl, you know that right?" Talon laid his head down on the floor with another sigh, "But I suppose that makes me just as foolish; I would give anything for you."

The duo both turned to a growling prince giving up on the lance he had about a foot deep into the wall of the castle. He scratched his chin harshly as he thought and turned to the warrior beside him, looking at the long spear in his hands. Without warning, the prince snatched the weapon and the startled Xin tried to hold him back as he lunged towards the assassin and scout.

"My friend please, calm yourself!" Xin shouted as he struggled to keep his fingertips on the arm of Jarvan.

"You bastard Noxian, I shall have your head!" He roared and shook off the warrior without even taking his eyes off the assassin. Quinn quickly covered Talon with her body and shut her eyes tightly, waiting.

"Enough!" boomed the voice of the King, who Quinn had forgotten was in the room watching the whole time. Jarvan paused with the spear well above his head and glared at his father. Quinn and Talon looked at each other, both could feeling the other's rapid heartbeat which put a smile on the scout's face—that heartbeat was in tune with her own. "Jarvan I am very disappointed in you.

"Although I would never agree with a Noxian, he does have a point. We Demacians show pride and give ourselves to justice, but you exempt that, turning your lance onto your friend and shaming the crown on your head. Our scout is what a real Demacian stands for—Quinn held her ground to protect her friend, even if he is a Noxian. You should take note, son. Xin Zhao, release this man."

Xin hurried over to Quinn and Talon with dagger, the scout although was reluctant to take herself off him. The warrior patted her shoulder and grinned at her, and finally she moved. Reaching around the assassin and with a loud snap, Talon's hands were free. Sitting up he looked down at his hands and flexed his fingers.

"Talon," the scout whispered and Talon found her golden eyes watching him carefully. Raising his brow playfully, the assassin smiled. Quinn's lip quivered and she leaped into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He rubbed his cheek on her hair and embraced her tightly.

"If you ever call me kind in front of anyone again I will kill you," Quinn felt him smile.

"Everyone clear the room. Quinn," the king grunted as he wandered over to them. They both released each other and the scout bowed. "I apologize for not stepping in sooner. I was testing my son's ability to take charge; obviously he needs a bit more training."

"It's fine your majesty," said the scout as she stood back up. The king turned slowly to the assassin, who had been scowling at him as he apologized.

"I must apologize to you as well, Talon. You are clearly not the man that had killed my people and I didn't give you the benefit of doubt."

"Whatever," Talon shrugged before getting a swift kick from Quinn beside him. "I mean it's alright—I've been through worse."

"I'll make sure to get you both medical attention. Also Talon, you are welcome to stay as long as you would like with this fine young lady—you picked yourself a fine Demacian." Quinn grinned at the blush that rushed over Talon's face as did the king. He patted both their shoulders made his way to the doors.

They both waited for the doors to close before they both embraced again. Quinn got to her toes to press her lips onto the assassin, ignoring the iron taste on his lips. Talon bent over lower to deepen the kiss, but pulled apart just as quickly as she had kissed him. She raised her brow as she tried to pull him back down.

"This can wait; I can hear your blood pooling at our feet." They both glanced down and saw the scout's blood dripping from her elbow onto the floor. Quinn rolled her eyes, but followed him as he walked to the doors.

"Are you sure you have to leave," Quinn asked as she held tightly onto Talon's hand while he had one leg over the rail of her balcony. Valor sat behind them in the room, keeping warm from the cold night air. The assassin hadn't even been with Quinn for an hour after what had happed earlier, he remained quiet after she told him about her meeting with Noxus. She even tried undressing herself in front of him to get him out of his deep thinking, but to no avail.

"I can never stay long enough for you," Talon patted the top of her hand and brought her close, being careful not to pull the bandages. They were tightly bound and secure, unlike his own; he assumed it was because the maids didn't want to tend to him, not like it bothered him, he was used to not being liked.

"Exactly, so stay a bit longer," she whispered while trying to bring his leg back over the railing. She rubbed his knee with the backs of her fingers and batted her eyes, "I'll make it worth it."

"As tempting as that sounds, I don't think we could do much of anything in our conditions."

"And yet you want to leave still in yours," Quinn growled while pointing to the bandages around his chest, his nose, and his left elbow.

"There is something I need to take care of as quickly as possible," Talon's tone was suddenly serious. Quinn released her hold on his pants when she saw his brow furrow again the same way he did when he was thinking just a bit ago. "You'll see me soon."

"The last time you said that I waited—"

"I kept my promise and came." The assassin growled while grabbing her chin. He kissed her slowly, "Give me a week."

"What do I get back if it's more than that?"

"I'll get you a horse," Talon smirked with another kiss.

"How about a month alone with you instead? In any place I choose?" Quinn pulled back to look in his eyes, he was a little irritated that she did when he tried to kiss her again. He leaned in again only to have the scout turn and met her cheek. He pulled back with a low growl.

"A week."

"Three."

"Two weeks."

"Two weeks and six days."

"Deal." Talon growled before kissing her soft lips again but lingered just for a few seconds before throwing his other leg over the railing.

Quinn watched as he swiftly climbed down the vines that grew just below her balcony and how he quickly made his way down the gardens silently until he was out of sight. She kept her eyes where she last saw him as she walked backwards into her room. Quinn latched the doors shut and turned to Valor, who had been nodding with sleepiness.

The king had her room cleaned after Shyvana tore it up after the prince had ordered her to and she ended up finding Talon. Although spotless, she could never find a thing in her room much like before. She wandered around touching everything as she searched for whatever she was looking for. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a red scarf hanging from her coat rack. Walking over, she assumed the maids thought it was hers and hung it up for her. She grasped it and felt the thick fabric and brought it to her nose. She breathed in the sweet smell that was Talon and smiled.

"Have you seen my calendar, Val?"

Notes: I know this chapter took a while to appear but I had a lot of school work. Sorry. What do you guys think of this one? I can see Jarvan's blood boiling over something like this—he does hate Noxians with a passion. Also I love King Jarvan, I picture him as this cool guy.

Also this is an updated version of this chapter; I fixed a few mistakes and added more to the last half.

See you next chapter