Hello everybody! I hope you're doing all fine. If not, I hope you find some joy reading this chapter. As always, enjoy!
Chapter 23 - Appearance
"Nerin? Are you sure that was her name?", Leon asked to Nezbak while walking through the gardens.
"That's what I overheard as they shouted to each other. Is that bad?"
"No...well, depends on what you use the information for"
"I'm just interested because she is Kassadin's summoner". Leon stopped as he stared at Nezbak. He looked back. "What?"
"You still look after Kassadin even though he almost killed you? You really are suicidal. It's easier to jump from your room"
"I've told you, neither Malzy or him were rational"
"Whatever. I don't think I'll ever understand you"
"The feeling is mutual my friend". Nezbak looked at the sky as he sighed. "Look, there is something I may tell you after you help me with this. It's...a sensible matter". Leon looked confused at him.
"Even for the League?"
"Even for the League". They looked at each other. Leon finally sighed, giving up.
"If I tell you what you need to know, will it help me to understand you better?"
"Probably in the near future". Leon gave Nezbak a final look before seating on the grass.
"There is only one demacian noblewoman with that name. Nerin Hartbow. Never thought she was Kassadin's summoner"
"And what can you tell me about her". Nezbak sat beside Leon.
"About her, no much. I can tell you a bit more about her family, but it doesn't differ much from general knowledge"
"Never heard anything from them, so anything is useful for me". There was a moment of silence while Leon thought.
"The Hartbow family is a second class noble family. But in the last years they've become a respected and powerful family, specially during the Noxian invasion. What gave them power wasn't a big fortune, or a mighty military, but political might. They ascended in the court by forging alliances and giving information, until the Crownguard family accepted them as their main diplomatic advisors. Even though higher families disagree with the decision, the protection from the ruling family has pointed them in the map". Leon took a break. Nezbak was listening to everything that Leon said.
"And what about them? Who are they? Are they ruthless or merciful?"
"They've proven themselves as capable. They know what to do when it must be done, doesn't matter the medium. But they prefer a diplomatic approach to things, as expected to be the official diplomats of Demacia. Lord Hartbow is known for being a man of sharp wit, and his five children inherited it as far as people can tell.
The eldest son went through the same path as his father. He became a talented diplomat and politician. Wherever his father goes, he is there. He also appears in all the events that may represent an opportunity of improving their political standing.
The second and third sons are twins. A man and a woman. They became merchants and are prosperous in the business. They are the main importers of piltoverian technology into Demacia, and they created their current wealth by trading resources and weapons during the war.
The fourth son is a general in the demacian military, under direct command of Garen Crownguard. That is the extent of the trust they have on the Hartbows. And the younger daughter...Nerin...". Leon took a long time before speaking, and Nezbak grew impatient.
"What about her?". Leon looked at him, as if somebody woke him up.
"Sorry. It's just...nobody really knows much about Nerin. It is said that the family was blessed with an adept magician, the last drop so that their overall power increased, but Demacia has never been fond of magic"
"Now that you say it...isn't magic prohibited in Demacia with the sole exception of Lux?"
"It was until some time ago. They allowed magicians as long as they were regulated and controled by the goverment, but they never said anything about becoming summoners, making Nerin's case an odd one". Leon scratched his head. "Maybe the Crownguard's favour permited it?"
"Maybe". Nezbak started to think. "Thanks a lot Leon. I guess that's all I need"
"Yeah, whatever. Just don't get killed in the process". Nezbak stood up and started to walk without a course through the hallways of the Institute.
"It will be much harder to approach her than I ever thought. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to meet her after a match...". He stopped walking as he felt a very familiar presence near him. "What's the matter now?", he asked to the completely hooded man behind him.
"The high councilor orders you to go to her office immediately"
"Orders me? She will be harsh now eh? I'll go right this moment". He continued to walk, this time in direction of Vessaria's office. "And stop appearing behind me without warning. I swear that one day I'll attack you out of pure paranoia". The man had already disappeared when he turned. Nezbak sighed and continued walking.
The door was already wide open, inviting him to go in. Vessaria was standing next to a window, looking at the city.
"High councilor?", Nezbak said, drawing her attention.
"Summoner Nezbak. Glad you came by". She went to her desk and sat, then took a cup that was lying there and drank from it. "Tea?". Nezbak was looking confused at her.
"I don't fancy tea, thanks". Vessaria simply nodded, took another sip and let the cup down. Then, as if Nezbak wasn't there, she started to inspect recent reports. Nezbak was trying to figure out what was happening.
"How are your wounds?". She signed a document, folded it and then sealed it.
"Much better. The treatment was efficient and my wounds weren't severe". Vessaria looked at him and smiled faintly.
"That's good to hear". She returned to her activities. Nezbak was still confused, and growing impatient.
"High councilor, may I ask what are you doing?"
"Excuse me?", she asked as she looked up.
"Why are you so nice even after yesterday's discussion? Are you planning to kill me?". Incredibly, Vessaria laughed, as she wrote a letter.
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't call you to my office". There was a moment of silence were only the sound of the pen on paper was heard, as Vessaria finished the letter. "I realized that you were right". The statement caught Nezbak by surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"What you just heard. I should never had risked the lives of champions and summoners. It was selfish and extremely dangerous". She put the letter in an envelope and sealed it. "I apologize for my actions, and I promise for my position as high councilor that I'll never do it again". She got near an exotic and colorful bird that was standing on the open window and put the letter in a little bag that it was carrying. When she finished, the bird simply flied away. Vessaria sat again in front of Nezbak.
"Well...thanks...I don't know what else to say...", he stopped and waved his head. "It's not only that, am I right? You wouldn't have call me for a private apology". Vessaria put her hands together, looking at him.
"You really are cunning. Partly yes, I wanted to apologize, but it's not the main reason why I called you". Nezbak nodded.
"It couldn't be so simple. Can't just we be friends?"
"Very funny summoner. But not enough. Ryze located another artifact. However, this might be more...troublesome"
"What can be more troublesome than an entire mountain trying to kill you?"
"Nobility and courtesy". There was a long silence. Nezbak was open-mouthed. "I'd feel the same as you". Vessaria leaned on her chair and took a hand to her forehead. "Our concerns were true. Demacia managed to recover an artifact for themselves. Of course, they have it hidden, as is supposed that magic is recently being incorporated to the city-state. However, there is ball taking place for two reasons: the anniversary of the end of the war and the inauguration of the Institute of Magic of Demacia. The ball will take place on the same building..."
"And you guessed that the artifact is hidden there isn't it?". Vessaria simply nodded. "I'm glad you aked me first about the situation. I completely refuse to go. I'm not a man of the court..."
"I'm afraid that you have already accepted the invitation"
"What?!"
"You will go as the representative of the League that is sent every year. We are, after all, the guests of honor because we finished the war"
"Wait wait wait...just a second...the letter..."
"Was the confirmation of the invitation, and by now, Lucas must be halfway there"
"You named the bird Lucas?"
"That doesn't matter. You have to find the artifact and, if possible, recover it. The ball will give you the perfect chance". Nezbak was pale.
"And what about Malzahar? I don't think he will even get through the frontier..."
"Malzahar will go with you, but separately. You must agree on how will you do the burglary if necessary". Nezbak was clinging to the chair. He would really had to go to a ball and steal something in the process?
"You leave me no choice Vessaria...you bastard. No pressure at all, none. I must keep the name of the League clean while snooping around and just maybe steal a powerful artifact. Simple. I'll take my leave"
"The ball will be in a week from today. The arrangements of your transport and your stay will be done before you go. Also, we already prepared some decent clothes for the ball in your room". Nezbak stared at Vessaria with a combination of terror and hate.
"Something else, high councilor?", he said with a light tremble.
"Yes...get a haircut and trim that beard. You must look respectable, not like a vagabond". Nezbak bowed his head and left the room, astonished. Automatically, he headed to his room, dragging his feet. The summoners he passed by could swear he was sick or somebody died by the look on his face and his attitude.
He entered his room and as Vessaria said there were clothes over his bed. They looked clean and elegant, as expected. Nezbak took a closer look and felt relieved when he noticed that the formal clothing respected shuriman traditions.
"At least I'll have that". He looked around for a mirror. Now that he thought about it, his room didn't have a single mirror. After searching for a few seconds, he saw his scimitars resting on the wall. He unsheathed one and took a look at his face reflecting on the steel. He couldn't hide a laugh. "You serve me as a mirror here. Things really change"
Turning his head to the sides, up and down, Nezbak reached the conclusion that a haircut wasn't necessary, he just needed a band to appear as presentable. The beard however...he didn't remember shaving it since he arrived to the city.
It was a dark shadow covering his jaw and chin that grew wild. He was surprised how nobody ever told him anything.
He reached his small bag and took out a small knife. Using the reflection on the scimitar, he carefuly started to trim the excess of hair in his face.
Yeah, a more relaxed episode. Don't worry, is just a phase. After the intensity of the last chapters, I think a chapter like this was needed. Hope you enjoyed it. See you next time!