Valoran's sky remained dark, yet two occupants within the Crownguard household woke up before the birds sang. Keen on departing before anyone else learned of their departure, Lux grabbed her satchel and waited until the shift of patrols before sneaking out of her room. Undoubtedly Eyrin would be waiting for her at the gates, but she needed time to prepare herself mentally.
Augatha was pleased with the information the blonde relayed to her – an open invitation into the Laurent household, where few managed to tread across the threshold to whatever hid inside. The insistence on her maintaining an open line of communication with Fiora Laurent bordered invasive to the point Lux found it in her best interest to keep silent on certain matters.
–
"Miss Laurent finally opened up to you? Good." Lux didn't enjoy a number of personalities she came across in her lifetime, and her mother's was at the top of her list. She recounted a few vague details of her meeting with the duelist in the commerce district earlier that day, skipping the few minor incidents that contributed poorly to her image. Augatha showed her true colors, when she felt they had the Laurents in her grip. "See to it that you can find any evidence for the Mageseekers. They've begun to move."
Lux swallowed thickly, daring to ask the burning question on her mind. She slipped out to witness the duel, and a part of her sided heavily with Fiora rather than the Mageseekers. It risked her cover if she inquired, but perhaps her mother would not be wise enough to piece things together. "Have you hear of the duel at the Hall of Blades?"
Augatha was none the wiser. "I have. A pity they lost such an esteemed Mageseeker. He truly was the pinnacle of their most elite fighters. As much as I loathe Miss Laurent, her skill in duels is not to be trifled with. I'm certain they won't make the same mistakes approaching her once more."
The entire duel felt... staged, in Lux's unvoiced opinion. With the way Kasim withheld evidence to support their accusations, it went against their favor in bringing Fiora to justice. So why did they send Kasim and his partner when they knew Fiora would, without a doubt, win the duel?
The blonde frowned to herself. What were they looking for? "Do not fret daughter. I'm certain we'll get to the bottom of Miss Laurent's involvement in suspicious activities."
"Give me time and I will find what I can, mother." A lie of omission and deception. Lux knew without a doubt doing this put her in a dubious position, but she had no other choice.
Augatha smiled, clearly satisfied by Lux's obedience. Finally, someone was starting to remember their lessons around here. "There is no rush. You just make sure you find anything that might be related in all of this."
Originally reticent, Lux knew this may be the only time to establish some boundaries. Biting past the lump in her throat, she cleared it and struggled to keep the nervousness away from her question."May I make a request?"
Augatha inspected her a bit closer, but said nothing of her state."Of course, what is it?"
"I wish to be unbothered coming and going if I am able to secure future audiences with her." Augatha raised an eyebrow. "For time's convenience. It would be easier for me to transition and hide if my actions draw too much attention."
"I will see to it that the guards know not to inquire of your whereabouts or locations." Her mother didn't like the notion of not knowing where her daughter went but seeing as she would be spending time with Fiora, it would be a lot more dangerous if people knew her exact location and risk exposing Lux to her. "Is there anything else?"
Lux nodded, though kept her head bowed humbly. "I would also like to have Eyrin, my advisor, to accompany me. I trust in her ability to keep me safe, and she would also draw less suspicion than an escort or a guard."
"A logical decision." The sigh leaving her lips portrayed annoyance with her rationalizations. Lux knew she tested Augatha's generosity and leniency in this. "Very well. She may accompany you but she will be questioned with you if you have any information."
At least her mother kept her promise – no one came around to question her activities, but that didn't make her any less uneasy being spotted when leaving. And with the sun yet to crest the horizon, traveling in the dark presented more dangers and obstacles than during the day.
However, disappointing Fiora wouldn't help her any, and she forced herself to swallow her fears and head to the stables.
Sure enough, the short-haired woman was huddling against a horse, traveling cloak pulled tightly around herself. "Milady, how are you not shivering?"
Lux didn't care for the weather a majority of the time. She grew accustomed to the multitude of circumstances and conditions while in service to Demacia's elite military. The cold did bite at her skin some, but didn't have the same bone-chilling effect like the frost of Freljord. "I'm fine. Are you ready to depart?"
"Aye, and I have your horse ready."
Lux took the reins from Eyrin and pulled herself up into the saddle. It had been a while since she traveled horseback, especially with another person onboard. When the other woman settled in behind her, a pair of arms gripped around her waist tightly. "I'm afraid I've rarely traveled horseback. This is a bit of an unsettling experience milady."
Lux giggled quietly. "You'll grow accustomed to it. I had to."
Tight-lipped conversations filled the time to the gates of the capital and it killed Lux not being able to speak freely. Simply put, there were too many ears eager to catch secrets and mouths to spread rumors. The moment they rode out of earshot of the guards at the main gates and into the more natural landscape outside, the blonde relaxed in her seat and let the horse plod along the road.
"I'll never get used to the stuffiness of those soldiers," Eyrin complained quietly, rubbing her temple. "Did they really have to inquire about our journeys?"
Lux smiled and pat a hand settled on her stomach. "It's not every day they see a Crownguard leaving the capital with another woman, let alone an escort. It's a little unnerving for them since we do after all protect the royal family."
"Yeah, but it's not even morning yet – well it will be soon, but still!"
Pink started tinting the skies, but there was no indication the sun would be rising within the next hour. They had plenty of time for relaxed chatter before reaching the Laurent household. Even on horseback the journey took a fair amount of time. Lux made this journey once, but her nerves kept her mind off the distance she had to traverse.
In hindsight, she wouldn't have attempted. Her desperation forced her to make a bit of a ridiculous decision to come here herself rather than send a messenger that day.
As the hills started rolling more, so did the depth of the greenery around them. A few trees sprouted here and there, while shrubs dotted the landscape. White marble and petricite comprised so much of the Capital's infrastructure, many people believed the original architects put a few plants here and there to give the city a bit of color. Out here, everything felt free and unrestrained, untouched by the constructs of man and given the ability to bloom to their fullest.
Lux could feel her magic brimming at her fingertips, begging to be released.
It was too risky. Not here, not now.
"Are those gates?"
Lux pulled her horse into a slow trot as they made their approach. Sure enough, a pair of looming steel gates barred their way through. Vines wove around their supports and draped down like cloth hanging off a bar. The path leading up to the gates were marked with pebbles and smooth stones while the sides boasted vibrant flowers and plants. It was a stark contrast to the cold demeanor Fiora embodied. "Yeah, this is her place."
"I wasn't expecting it to be so... pretty." Eyrin waited for Lux to hop off the horse before taking her hand and jumping off herself. Lux grabbed the reins and led it up to the gate, hoping that they hadn't been too early. Aside from a few lights within the estate, it appeared devoid of life. A quick push to test the gates however revealed they were unlocked and swung open easily – someone expected them. "Come on, we probably shouldn't keep whomever waiting."
Lux found a small stable with a few stalls off to the side, and noticed one empty. She figured it was for them and tied her steed in there, patting and stroking its flank.
A tap on her shoulder made her jump, scream, and nearly slap whoever sneaked up on her.
"Easy there, milady." A hand grabbed hers before it could make contact and Lux realized it was Nera. How did she come up on her so quietly?! "You came a bit earlier than I anticipated. I just finished checking on a few things when I heard you arrive." The snowy-haired woman gazed past Lux, her smile never faltering. "Ah, I see you've brought your friend with you as well. No matter, the more the merrier. Why don't you ladies come inside? It's a bit cold out here."
Lux wouldn't argue with that. The early morning chill started testing her tolerance.
"I apologize ahead of time – Mistress Laurent is still asleep." Unlike the Crownguard estate, no trophies or artifacts lined the walls, something Lux noted as they shut the doors behind them. Everything was spotless and neat however, and a few pots here and there accentuated the open space. Nera led them into the large kitchen space, and it took all of Lux's willpower not to marvel at the modern appliances that filled it. She was used to the traditional stone stove tops or iron cauldrons, but Fiora enjoyed the convenience of the most advanced technology she could afford and was available.
In a way, the kitchen felt like magic to her – ironically enough..
Eyrin wasn't as adept at keeping her thoughts to herself. "Man, how rich is she?"
Lux would have chided her for the slip up, but Nera didn't mind. She chuckled at the question. "Straightforward, like my mistress I see. She is quite affluent, in the sense much of her current wealth was obtained through her own doing rather than through old money. She doesn't enjoy living in squalor, but there are a few things that make life a little more enjoyable and less headache inducing."
Lux hummed in thought. Fiora had her priorities straight. Unlike most of the old fogeys and pompous suitors she met, the duelist prefer a minimalist approach while giving her time to focus on other things. It must be difficult for whomever attempted to court her to appeal to her tastes, considering Lux knew that most men tried to boast of many things they did not possess. "It seems you speak from experience?"
Nera set a metal pot on the stove before lighting a flame. "Indeed. I do not have to wait so long to heat some water for tea in the mornings, though milady usually prefers something stronger."
That piqued Lux's interest. "Tea? Are you from Ionia?"
"Originally yes." Nera pulled a few mugs from one of the cabinet spaces and set it down on the island. "I came to Demacia and fate would have it to bring me to milady. Is there any particular brew you ladies might be interested? I have quite a few."
"I've not had many, so I would be delighted with whatever you pick for us!"
"I'm not too familiar on teas, unfortunately," Eyrin muttered, feeling a bit sidelined in the face of Lux's excitement. She didn't notice the snowy-haired woman observing her quietly nor light in her eyes when an idea struck her. Nera rummaged through the various boxes and tins, picking a green container marked with strange symbols. She plucked a few dried leaves and deposited them into the teapot before steeping them in newly boiled water.
A pleasant aroma filled the space immediately. Lux and Eyring watched as Nera brought the pot over and poured the fresh tea in both mugs, offering one to each lady and gesturing to the stools around the island. "Take a seat, please. While this may be milady's home, this kitchen is my territory. I will not have esteemed visitors be uncomfortable."
Lux hopped onto one of the chairs and brought the mug to her lips, carefully sipping at the hot liquid. It was a welcome relief from the chill outside, and the kitchen felt significantly warmer at this point. Eyrin followed suit, though less gracefully but brightened when she tested her own beverage. "Oh! This is rather nice."
"A hot cup of tea usually gives me a nice boost in the mornings or rights a terrible day. This one is a simple, common tea found through Ionia. I used to drink it a lot when I was traveling." Traveling huh... Lux peeped over the top of her mug at the unsuspecting woman who had turned her attentions to Eyrin now. Despite her otherwise relaxed looks, her form and posture remained incredibly guarded as if something bothered her. So lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize her companions stared at her expectantly. The blonde had the sensibility to blush appropriately. "Sorry, I got distracted."
"Nera just asked if you could travel, where would you go?"
Lux thought about it for a moment. She'd been to a lot of places she wanted to go, and a few she wish she hadn't but being in the military meant she had little say in the matter. The only place she hadn't visited, surprisingly enough, was Piltover. "I'm not too sure. I'm fairly happy here in Demacia. It's my homeland and I have no desire to travel."
Nera laughed. "I understand that. I was pained to leave Ionia when I did, and from time to time I get a bit homesick. I miss the mountains and the forests, the farmlands and the animals. Everything was so peaceful then..."
"You're a refugee..." Lux frowned when Nera confirmed.
"I was displaced from my village, left to die by the Noxian troops that stormed through. Everyone was killed except me." She looked down at her hands, fists clenched and eyes shut tightly. Lux could see the memory played behind those eyelids. "I should have died, when I fought back. I was only trying to protect the other children and women, but the Noxians didn't care. I was spared, miraculously enough." When Nera opened her eyes again, they were glossy, glazed over. "I'll never forget her – she looked like me. White hair, dark brown eyes. She was Noxian, I, Ionian. She wielded an impressive blade of runic energy. I only had my sword and shield. She never swung at me, never raised a hand at me, and let me run. I can remember hearing the others jeering, saying I'd be caught by the other squads but she never said a word to me. I suppose I have her to thank for being alive today."
The description of the woman struck a familiar chord in Lux, but she refrained from commenting lest she reveal too much information about herself. "Well you're here and very much with us. Fiora must be truly kind-hearted to trust in you and bring you, an outsider to Demacia, within her home."
"I would never betray my mistress. She has done much for me than anyone has done in my life." The reverence Nera held for Fiora definitely said a lot, and the snowy-haired woman smiled at Lux and Eyrin. Her dour mood dissipated and she rose from her stool. "I have something I'd like to show you. Milady mentioned it in passing once to me, and it would give us something to do rather than ruminate on old memories."
Uncertain of what exactly it was Nera implied, Lux found no reason to object and followed her out of the kitchen and into another hallway. Much like the rest of the house, there were few ornate objects save the occasional banner displaying the crest of House Laurent and some vases with flowers in them. They came upon a pair of glass doors, leading out into what appeared to be a garden of sorts and Nera placed her hand on one of the doorknobs.
"This is something I've been toiling at for the last decade or so. As I'm aware, milady mentioned of your garden in passing, and I feel she would enjoy showing you the one that we possess."
Lux's eyes went wide at the life blooming in front of her eyes. They stepped into the greenhouse filled to the brim with more plants than she could count, and of such variety she was certain there were one or two in there she never saw before or seen documented in any of their texts. Despite the chaos, there was a level of organization and careful tenderness in maintaining their growth – wild enough to allow them to grow to their optimal vibrancy but tamed to never overtake their neighbor.
And the colors – it was like witnessing all the colors in her light. The vivacity of their leaves and petals, the strength of their stalks and the array of aromas that hit her nose. It felt like she walked into something genuinely wonderful and so visceral, it made Demacia as bland as the material it was forged in.
"Gods above, how did you manage to grow this much?" Eyrin was every bit of impressed as Lux was, practically hanging off Nera's arm with a quiet awe to the flora surrounding them. The snowy-haired woman looked absolutely pleased and beside herself with the genuine reactions from the two.
"A lot of hard work, research, blood and sweat, and a green thumb. I enjoy gardening on my spare times, when I can afford it. I admit it is a bit unruly now, since I've not time in the last couple of weeks to tend to them but I think I've trained some of the species enough to grow withing their spaces."
Lux was too absorbed in her own thoughts, soaking up every bit of detail she could in the greenhouse. It wasn't often she had a chance to explore places like these and given the opportunity, it was hard for her to draw away. Of everything present however, one particular section caught her attention. She crept up on the petrified flowers, looking them at one angle, then the other.
"How did you come across these petricite flowers?"
Nera joined Lux at her side. "These? It was incredibly difficult to bring these back, but during one of my trips through Demacia I came across the Petricite Forest. They have unique and interesting properties. These are the few that made the journey and I've been painstakingly keeping them alive." It was strange, in this space teeming with life, there were a few petricite flowers sitting in the middle of it all. Lux tucked that piece of information in her pocket for now.
"I'll admit, Miss Laurent does have a nicer garden than we do and it's not even a quarter of its size." Eyrin's confession fell in line with Lux's own conclusions,. Perhaps it was Nera's Ionian touch that made all the difference, but Lux knew for a fact she would love to come back and visit again a few more times. "You're an awfully skilled person for being just a servant, Nera."
"I've had ten years to develop the skills milady requires of me, these are of my own experiences prior to arriving in Demacia." The snowy-haired woman glanced at her watch and tutted quietly. "I believe milady should be rising soon and preparing. This is... a bit of an odd question, but do you have training clothes?"
Lux pointed to herself, a bit dumbfounded. She glanced over to Eyrin, who simply returned with a confused one of her own. They were just talking about this not even a few days ago too. "I... sort of? I have some lighter wear."
Nera smiled and beckoned for the two to follow her. "Come, today is not a day of conversations but a day of action."
Lux had no idea what was in store for them, but if it meant getting to know Fiora a little more personally she'd take the offer.
