(Garen - PoV)
The executions are quick, we don't even bother to take them out of their cells. They aren't worth the effort of a public spectacle and there is no point in taking the risk of another escape. For most of them, their outraged demands when they see Jarvan become begging and pleading when they see me. It is...shocking, honestly. Even now, even after everything else. These were the people that led Demacia? These cowards? Only one or two face their end with any kind of dignity.
I spent plenty of time amongst the nobles of Demacia. Amongst men and women with honor, who served the nation and its theoretical ideals with pride. I would still kill them all the same, if necessary, but they would go to their end like Merrick. Not like...this...
Looking down at the bisected Councilor, I nudge the remains with the toe of my boot.
"How?" I ask, voicing my thoughts. "How did the nation fall so low, that these scum ended up in power...?"
"I don't know," Jarvan admits. "One of the jobs of my new advisors will be to teach me, to avoid it happening again."
I nod once before turning to look at Kat.
She sighs.
"Sorry, Garen, I don't think you will ever be able to understand the intricacies of politics."
She hesitates.
"It is not a game I am particularly good at myself, even, more of my sister's arena."
My frown grows. Unfortunate. I suppose I don't need to know everything? I will have to trust others to prevent such problems.
"From what Swain mentioned, however, a great deal of the problem was Laurent, at least in recent years." Jarvan speaks up. "He was playing a very different game than most Demacians, one we were woefully unprepared for. He lacked influence amongst the Crown and the Army, but the Council tended to dance to his tune, and most of the Nobility respected his supposed dueling skills."
I blink.
"Supposed?"
You are either good or you are not. How do you fake being a talented fighter?
"Poison. Envenomed blades. Threats. Bribery, of opponents and the judges. Sorcery." Jarvan shakes his head. "We have had people, nobility and otherwise, coming forward by the dozens with complaints against him, of every sort imaginable, since the moment he was arrested. He has...by the gods, I wonder if there is a crime he has not committed. A law he has not broken in his quest for power, and casual abuse of that which he already had. It has been days and we already have volumes worth of accusations against him, and I would believe the vast majority. Catching him is one of our highest priorities at the moment, I can't imagine a man such as him being satisfied with lying low."
"He won't," Kat confirms. "His type are obsessed with themselves, he will consider this an attack on himself. He will seek 'revenge'."
Jarvan snorts while I stare at her. Lux continues to look bored in the corner.
"Revenge? Really? After everything, he has done?" I ask.
"Yu*p*." she replies, popping the p. "As far as he is concerned? I am sure he thinks he has done nothing wrong, and everyone is being ridiculous, and is out to get him." She shrugs. "It's just how his type is."
I try to process that.
Jarvan attempts to reply but is interrupted by Lux.
"Ok, bored now! We killed the Council dickbags, can we get the hell out of here and continue this elsewhere?" she asks.
She tries to sound casual but...
I look around. Right. I suppose I can understand why she would be uncomfortable in the prison, especially with all the petricite. And it is hardly the best place for a casual conversation, regardless.
Jarvan looks around as well before nodding and leading the way out.
We head back to the palace, but he is called away before we can talk further. He does promise to set up the demonstration soon.
With nothing much to do for the next few days, and lacking the desire to wander the streets at random, we visit the mage's camp with Annie and Morgana. I expected to play transportation for Annie and Lux, but Lux insisted they ride Tibbers instead.
While we always draw looks walking through this city, today we draw a great many more. The crowds part wide before us, soldiers hands instinctively going to their weapons before realizing exactly who they would be drawing steel against. Fortunately, there are no incidents as we make our way through the city.
I really should have vetoed this. Why did I not?
Spite, I suppose. I will not go on some murderous rampage, killing those who may not deserve it, but I very much can hold a grudge. All of that work, all of that build-up, for nothing. For the great enemy to just roll over and show their belly, and someone else to kill most of the men I came for.
Yes, I will take my petty acts of revenge where I can. I look at the others. Lux is in the same boat I am sure. Kat is Noxian. Annie probably doesn't understand. Morgana was unexpected, but then again she has spent most of the last few days with her new mage friends. Perhaps that has encouraged a new streak of vindictiveness?
We pass through the gates without incident and make our way towards the encampment.
It is less ramshackle than I expected at first. Many of the soldiers do have practice in construction, and the mages have enthusiastically put their talents to work for something other than violence.
That is something I had not much considered. Mages using their powers to build, rather than destroy. I know about enchantments, naturally, but building in general?
I look at Lux and Annie.
No...No, I don't think that will be happening with those two.
They slide off of Tibbers, who rises on his back legs before picking Annie up with his paws and carefully placing her on top of the wall.
A pity, considering Tibbers alone should be quite capable.
I watch Annie shoot fire into the air, and Lux beams of light, attracting the attention of the younger mages, who crowd around them, eager to play.
...
Dozens of mage children, playing with magic. Led by Annie and Lux. I am amazed there is anything left standing.
"Beautiful, is it not?" Morgana asks, coming to stand next to me.
I nod in agreement.
"So long separated, alone. Taught to reject their gifts, and themselves...Now they can finally be free. Happy. Safe..." she whispers.
Safe...
Looking carefully, I manage to spot the child we found about to be burned by that Magister in...whatever village. There is no trace of fear on their face now as they chase a bird of fire, throwing sparks at it while avoiding balls of light.
"Oh, and the big man too!" another voice calls out.
I turn to see the leader of the mages, Sylas, approaching. Bare-chested, as usual.
"I saw the light show and came by to see if laser girl was here. Should have figured her brother would not be far away, especially if what I hear is true, hah!"
He stops a few paces away, smiling. The woman at his shoulder, the former Vanguard, Cithia(?) looks less comfortable.
"Good for you, good for you. Stick it to the damn Demacians," he finishes.
"Sylas," Morgana greets him. "Lux and Garen had some business with Prince Jarvan yesterday, but have decided to accompany us today."
"Oh? Anything interesting?" he asks me.
"Good and bad," I answer. "The bastard Laurent escaped, with the help of Twisted Fate. But then I got to kill the rest of the Council."
He growls at first, but his eyes light up at the end.
"Bah. Well at least most of them got what they deserved," he grumbles.
Sighing, he turns to watch the children with us.
...
"This. This is what it should have been, from the start. No need for hatred, experiments, and murder..." he mumbles.
I nod.
"Mages are dangerous," I start, drawing a sharp look from him. "But what they really need are training, practice, and acceptance. All Demacia's methods did was make them more dangerous. Uncontrolled and angry. More likely to cause accidents and hurt bystanders."
He nods as well.
"Noxus..." he starts. "What will they do? I have heard so much, but in truth, know so little."
"Honestly? I don't know a lot myself, not for how it works normally. For myself and Lux? They took us in and trained us. Encouraged us to become the best that we could be, so that we could bring glory to ourselves, and to Noxus."
He looks away.
"I will gladly fight for them if that's what they want. As long as they give us a damned chance."
"Oh, that won't be a problem." Kat catches our attention, approaching as well. "Sorry I am late, had calls to make. Some about your lot, in fact."
"Oh?" she has his full attention now, bright blue eyes locking onto her.
"Indeed. We are having a special facility built. We do ask that everyone stays there temporarily until they can demonstrate they have at least basic control over their power. Once they can do that, they are welcome to either remain there or stay elsewhere. All will be offered training."
"That is...not unreasonable," he admits. "And what does Noxus want in return?"
She shrugs. "We would love for you to eventually fight for us in the League, as you said. If you are as strong as we expect, that alone is worth quite a lot. As for the people themselves, well, that will be their choice to make. There are a great many options available for talented mages."
He nods but continues to watch Kat warily until Morgana speaks up.
"Do not fear, Sylas. I will be there as well and will help watch over them. So long as our charges behave, they shall get everything they should have from the start."
He relaxes with a sigh.
"I...I know. It is just...so hard to trust."
The soldier, Cithria rubs his back as he slowly deflates.
"Once bitten, twice shy," Kat says. "And you are not wrong to be wary. I suggest your people think twice if approached by individuals from a group calling themselves the Black Rose."
"Oh? Internal politics?" he asks, smile back in place.
Kat grimaces. "They are our version of Laurent. Bastards out only for their own gain, happy to step on anyone in their path, even if it drags Noxus down in the process. They offer much, but have a bad habit of stabbing each other in the back without warning."
"I see. If they act so, why are they still tolerated then? Swain seems to have little patience for such nonsense." he asks, smile rather strained.
I find myself asking the same question.
"They were founded by Leblanc, and sort of follow her leadership while comprising more than half of Noxus' magical power."
"Ah. I see."
"Indeed. Another reason we are happy to have you and your people. Swain has only been able to cull the most extreme elements up until now. With so many more mages to draw from, we will be able to take a much harder stance against the group in general."
"Interesting, interesting." He strokes his chin, considering. "Pardon me, if there is nothing else I need time to think over matters," he eventually requests.
"Of course," Kat replies.
We exchange nods, before Cylas and his companion step away.
"He is doing better, but has a long road to travel. They all do." Morgana states, watching him leave.
I shrug. Beyond my area of expertise, unless hitting him with a sword will help. I rather doubt it.
"Hopefully it will work out for them. We will all be stronger for it," Kat replies. "How goes it then?" she asks.
We turn towards the children.
The wall they were playing around is on fire, along with a few nearby tents. Several sections of the said wall have collapsed, and Tibbers is mock fighting a number of animal constructs of light and flame, while a small army of children surrounds him, blasting away with abandon. Most of the attacks miss, with a number hitting surrounding structures. Lux and Annie stand in the back, enthusiastically shouting orders.
"About as well as can be expected," I answer.