The sun barely crested the horizon, yet the loud clang of metal against metal echoed in the open training space. Sparks flew as two men clashed with broad swords and not a single piece of armor in sight.
They separated to catch their breaths.
"Thank you for granting me an audience this morning, my liege."
The smaller, and scruffier of the two scoffed at such a formal greeting. He scratched at his unshaven face, indicative of his disregard for personal hygiene in the face of his friend's urgent request. "Will you stop with all that nonsense – it's Jarvan. How long have we known each other for, Garen?"
"I know," Garen sighed, looking away as he lowered his sword tip towards the ground. "It... just doesn't feel right." Not with the burden of knowledge on his shoulders.
"Listen, it's time you stop thinking of me as royalty, a Prince," Jarvan declared, knocking his sword against the brown-haired man's and directing his attention back up. A smirk lined his lips "And start seeing me as a guy who's about to take your head off."
Despite brandishing his sword in a fighting position, Garen didn't budge an inch. Jarvan's smile vanished immediately, concern replacing it. "I heard a rumor you wish to marry."
The young prince rolled his eyes and tapped Garen's sword again. This time he responded in kind and raised his at the ready. "I wish to make my father happy. If I have to listen to his tirade about the family bloodline one more time, I might as well declare myself a mage and be arrested by the Mageseekers."
Garen scoffed. "You of all people know they wouldn't harm a hair on the crown. It would be treason to do so." Their weapons met once more and he could feel the anger behind his swings.
"Every maiden in the kingdom wants to wed me. I've no shortage of potential brides but..."
The hesitation in Jarvan's voice made the leader of the Dauntless vanguard stop and grab his opponent's blade like it were made of rubber. "But?"
"They're not her."
Garen frowned at Jarvan's frustration. "You want me to talk to you as a friend?"
Jarvan nodded. "It would mean more to me than the old man subjecting me to his endless monologues."
"You have to move on." He knew he skirted dangerous water. He was aware of the secret infatuation over a peculiar half-breed Jarvan worked with intimately. "I know it's hard, but the longer you delay, the more desperate your father becomes. He isn't getting any younger, and with everything going on in the kingdom it will be nigh impossible to find what you seek."
The dejected sigh leaving the prince made it hard for Garen to stand by his own words, watching on as he turned away to remount the sword on the wall. "I know that. But every woman I've met thus far are all the same. They only see 'The Prince.' Not one of them cares for 'Jarvan', the man who leads an army. The man who fights for his kingdom."
It was time for him to plant the seeds. "What if it were someone you already trusted? Someone who already knows you?"
Jarvan looked at him from the corner of his eyes, fists relaxing as he piqued his curiosity. "Of whom you are speaking of?"
"None other than-"
"Lux, would you please control yourself?"
The ornate building stood out in the midst of marble and petricite, its gilded design allowing the sun to wreathe it in a gentle glow. Lux hurried on ahead but the duelist felt no desire to rush headlong into the building. It took the blonde's persistence and Nera's goading to convince her to meet with the Illuminators.
Lux's boundless enthusiasm wore on Fiora.
"Come on, it'll be fine. They're nice folks." The duelist didn't follow everything the Illuminators did on the regular, but mere mention of them to any Demacian citizen brought positive responses. Lux received no argument from her on those merits alone, but years of guarding secrets left her skeptical of everyone she came across.
Not even her and Sona were exceptions to this, and it took time to warm up to albeit the latter already earned her favors long before their meeting.
'Perhaps you are far too lenient towards women, you hopeless child.' She could hear Nera's taunting voice echo in her mind.
I swear, I will find a way to-
"Ah! Illuminator Luxanna!" A man greeted their arrival as they stepped through the entrance. Lux practically threw herself into him, arms wrapped tight around his neck as he swung her around in a tight embrace. He was tall, handsome and fit for his age. Not quite to Fiora's taste, who preferred someone a little more delicate, but he definitely stood out among the common folk within the capital.
Jealous tinged her gut when he kissed Lux on the cheek, but she quelled the feeling in favor of formally greeting their host. "Good tidings to you. I am Fiora Laurent, matron of House Laurent."
The two separated and Lux beamed when he straightened his robes out and slicked back his hair hastily. "O-of course, forgive my manners. It is a honor to be graced by your presence, Mistress Laurent. Had I known you and Lady Crownguard would visit today I would have prepared better arrangements."
She held up a hand to stop him from embarrassing himself more. "Non, our appearance was rather... unplanned."
The blonde averted her eyes when Fiora shot her a look.
"If that's the case, my name is Illuminator Kahina." He bowed deeply and Fiora did the same. When she straightened back out again, his eyes lit up curiously at the returned gesture. "I was not aware you are familiar with traditional Ionian customs."
"A little more than familiar."
The insinuation behind her words triggered a light within Kahina's eyes. "What may we assist you with?"
Lux tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his ear. The duelist didn't particularly like the way she looked at her, nor the surprised expression that crossed his face and she had to wonder if she told him something she shouldn't have. "Ahem, this is a rather unexpected turn of events, but is what Lady Crownguard speaking of true? We would be delighted to have you join our ranks."
Fiora's eyes narrowed a slight degree. She and Lux discussed this prior to entering the capital...
'Remember the key words. We speak in riddles and code to hide our true intentions from the public. It's our way of vetting for those we bring into the inner circle.'
The duelist cleared her throat. "Oui, when there is light, shadows always remain. We must purge the land of its fears and doubts, and to bring haven for everyperson within our borders."
Kahina's lips quirked. "For the safety and sanctity of our natural-born light?"
"For the Gods that bless us so."
He closed his eyes and turned on his heels. "Follow me."
Nostalgia filled her when she stepped into the cozy space. Shelves lined every inch of wall available and books from all time periods crammed its finite space. A small desk sat at the center with papers scattered everywhere and a half-burned candle flickered from the gentle breezes coming through the open window behind a well-used chair. It reminded her of all the times she spent locked away studying what she could in Demacian law instead of sewing dresses and learning the basics of courtship.
"Pardon the mess. We've had our hands full and our numbers stretched thin since Sylas went rogue months ago." Kahina gathered up a few sheets and tucked them away in an open book nearby. "I've been covering a great deal of inquiries that come through. You've been a tremendous help with that by the way Lux. Thank you for that."
The blonde merely smiled.
Fiora picked up a book, eyes narrowing a degree at the title. "You shouldn't have texts like these laying about." She tossed him the small tome and he scrambled to catch it.
"Ah, 'Petricite and its Properties in Elixirs.' Not of what you think milady. Many of the mages that manage to escape the Mageseekers' complex often seek us for assistance." He sighed deeply. She noted the bags under his eyes and exhaustion in his voice. "A cruel invention devised as sedation, when in reality it kills more than it subdues."
Fiora clicked her tongue. "Nonetheless, you should not have it lying around to be accidentally discovered."
He grimaced at her sharp tone, but tucked the book away in a darker corner of the room. "On the matter at hand, I did not expect you to come for us for aid. I was not aware you were afflicted."
Fiora folded her arms at the overt observation and bit back in kind. "I did not expect a knight of the Illuminators to be so... familiar with a member of a royal house."
Irritation twisted Kahina's face. "Completely irrelevant. And that is none of your business-"
"-nor is my 'magical-affliction.'" The derogatory term made her want to spit in his face, but refrained with the blonde's presence in the room.. "Do you really believe House Laurent would grovel helplessly at the mercy of others? I have defied even the Crownguards for insulting our name by marrying off to an obscure member of their home."
He challenged her declaration. "Then why are you here?"
Fiora scowled and grabbed the front of his robes. Despite behind a head taller than her, he could feel the power in her grip and terror filled him as teal eyes glowered a threatening violet. "Because people are dying. I am only one woman, while you are many strong even if you are lacking in hands."
No one dared breathe as the duelist reigned in on her emotions. She hated dealing with the general populace of Demacia, but for someone to flagrantly expose her secrets with an open window nearby, he managed to piss her off faster than the blonde's not-so-obnoxious laugh.
A feat in itself, though warranted less of admiration and more of scorn.
"Kahina..." Lux pressed a hand to his chest and curled her hand around Fiora's to relax her grip. She separated the two, but Kahina's gaze never left Fiora's. Her eyes slowly returned to their normal shade but the venom stayed. He knew she was ready to send him spiraling into the arms of the Veiled One without a second thought. "Let it go. She means no harm."
He scoffed, jabbing a finger in Fiora's direction. "She looks ready to commit murder."
Instinct made her fingers flex and reach for her rapier.
Lux glanced to the side. "You did kind of insult her."
The duelist's hand stilled.
"I did no such thing-" he retorted, but she had enough of people addressing her as if she wasn't present.
"I do not kill for sport, monsieur." Fiora managed to control her voice enough to speak with even tones. How Nera managed to remain so calm in the face of such blithering ignorance would be something she needed to ask of her. "You are lucky you are a good friend of Lux, and part of a respectable organization. Else you would have eaten swords for your careless language."
He chose not to comment on her emphasis on 'friend.' "This is a sanctuary to everyone who seeks assistance. If you cannot conduct yourself in an agreeable manner, I refuse to grant you an appropriate audience."
"Mon dieu..." Fiora felt her head throb at the man's stubbornness to follow established rules given his allegiance to an organization that breaks Demacian laws. "I will not waste my time on false pleasantries. If you will not help, then I will find another way."
She felt misguided, led astray on a thin veil of hope. When a soft hand grabbed her wrist before she even laid her hand on the door, she whirled around and nearly slapped whomever it was.
Her heart shot to her throat at the silent pleading in wide, blue eyes. "Fiora, please. Just wait?"
She spent exactly ten seconds looking at Kahina, then back to Lux, before finalizing her decision. Fiora pulled her hand away and left the room with a slam of the door.
"Not exactly friendly, is she?" Kahina leaned against the window frame as he watched the duelist mount her horse, but didn't take off as he expected her to.
Lux sat in the chair at the desk with fingers rubbing soothing circles in her temple. "Just severely misunderstood. She's not as bad as you think."
"To you, perhaps," he scoffed and turned away. A blind idiot could see the way the duelist's gaze softened around Lux. "That isn't to say the same for anyone else. Why didn't you mention to her this was your office space?"
The blonde avoided meeting his eyes when he came around to the other side of the desk and plopped in the wooden chair. "Honestly, I was caught up in embarrassment at the mess I forgot I left. I'm sorry you had to help me with all of this."
Kahina shook his head, chuckling quietly. "This is nothing compared to what you have to deal with. It's the least I could do." He leaned close and dropped his voice to a whisper. "I hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries but what has she done for you? Last I remembered you told me you would spend most of your time off with her, if not on missions from the Illuminators."
"Trust is not so easily given, Kahina. You know this," she reminded him gently. Lux took his hands in hers and rubbed circles into the back of them. "It took her nearly five months to confide in me the biggest taboo our kingdom considers worthy of imprisonment or death, not even exile. You kind of just threw it out there like meat for the wolves."
He hummed in thought. "Perhaps it was indeed my mistake, but that doesn't condone her attitude-"
"Kahina, I won't sugar coat this – everyone gives her shit." His eyes widened at her use of profanity. When Lux subjected herself to a level of language more commonly seen by uncouth Noxians, the truth packed a punch harder in different places. "I can count the number of people who genuinely appreciate her for who she is on one finger. That has since gone up, but she's wary of everyone even if vetted and considered trustworthy. Five months is nothing short of a miracle."
"Everyone likes you though Lux. You're a kind soul and a bright light for us all."
"She never liked me originally, but that was because of my family name." Lux countered. "Don't you know how badly we hurt her? She carries the burden of her name on her own, while everyone spreads misinformation of who she is. Fiora is just trying to do right in a world that wronged her. It's why I insisted she come here because without her, we're likely to lose far more people than we are capable of saving."
Kahina rubbed his eyes. "I still don't trust her to hold her tongue. I won't consider her a part of any larger plans, but perhaps with you it could make her a little more appealing to those you come across."
Lux sighed with relief. "That would be asking too much of you. I appreciate your approval of my escort though."
"What is it that she has that could help us anyway?"
"Fiora is a wealthy woman, obtained of her own volition and built on hard work. She invested a lot of time to carefully archive certain 'qualities' of those affiliated with her and have been working with a servant to try and relocate them to safe locations." Lux pointed to the map painted on her desk. "Ironically enough, they are all the same ones we have been sending people to as well."
He noted all of the areas she indicated. They were the safest places in Demacia with people they trusted to keep them safe. "Why only one servant?"
"Because she's like Sylas, in a way. She can sense magic on a much deeper level than him, even when subdued by petricite elixirs. They have been trying to send aid, but Mageseekers constantly hound them and my family watches their every move too closely. Even worse so, considering her servant is originally Ionian."
"A red flag on their radar." He could see the bind they were in. "A difficult situation indeed. While I do not approve of tying our name to her agenda, it would allow for an unsuspecting cover to recruit more mages to our cause. Anything to keep them out of the Mageseekers' hands is always best."
"We'd only need a small group of Illuminators with us. Two at most."
"Two? Why only two, it's far too dangerous to send you without more."
The sly smirk on Lux's face said it all. "Because even without her magic, Fiora isn't the best duelist in the kingdom for nothing. And I didn't spend the last five months twiddling my thumbs either."
Kahina resigned himself to his fate – Fiora bested him despite years of getting to know the younger Crownguard. But if it made the blonde happy...
"Alright, I'll sent couriers to two trusted Illuminators. Just keep me updated of your progress."
She hugged him tightly, all smiles though his didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thank you Kahina, this means the world to me."
"No.. Thank you."
Two thoughts rushed to the forefront of Lux's mind so suddenly, she had trouble processing them.
The first – Fiora stayed. After she stormed off, the blonde assumed she vanished without a trace.
The second thought – Fiora cooed softly to Lux's horse, and her steed enjoyed the extra attention.
"I thought you left." The duelist's head snapped up in her direction as the blonde walked over to them.
"Why would I leave?"
"You kind of..." Lux recounted what happened with a jerk of her arm. Realization dawned on Fiora, but refrained from voicing it. "Anyway, I'm glad to see you and Starfire get along well."
A perfectly arched eyebrow raised. "Starfire?"
"The name of my horse," the blonde replied, looking at Fiora as if she asked a silly question. "Don't you have a name for yours?"
"...oui."
"I'm beginning to think that means 'yes,'"
"Oui." Fiora cracked a smile at the hopeless glare Lux shot her. "My horse does have a name, but I never had reason to refer to her as such. Until now, it would seem."
Curiosity nipped at her heel. "What's her name?"
"Lucette."
Lux caught the light dusting of pink across the bridge of the duelist's nose. Was it truly that embarrassing? And kind of cute. "What does that mean?"
Fiora offered Lux a helping hand as she mounted Starfire. When they turned to head back to the main roads, the duelist turned around in her saddle and tugged on her reins. "It means 'Little Light.'"
The blonde felt her face go through multiple shades of red after Fiora spurred Lucette on towards the center of the city.
Oh.. Crafty...Way too crafty...
A/T: So this chapter wasn't exactly in my original outline, but came as a result of the odd time-gap between the previous chapter and what I had set up for the next. It's actually a bit of a nice bridge and further emphasizes a canon point that will have a huge impact later on.
It was also incredibly easy to write up and revise.
