Jinx shifted uncomfortably, wrinkling her nose at the smell of swamp. By now she was pretty sure that the inside of the River King smelled as gross as he looked. She had done some crazy things in her short life, but even she thought twice about the prospect of getting inside the River King's maw. However the second that Fishbones thought it was a bad idea, she figured that it wouldn't be too bad. After all, she was pretty sure the River King couldn't carry her on his back and take her through the ocean.
Now here she was in a dank, musty, surprisingly spacious, mouth. "Hey, you aren't going to eat me are you?" She asked aloud. "Because if you are I'm afraid Fishbones is going to blast me out."
A chuckle reverberated deep inside the River King's body, and Jinx shook along with it. "Child, I have no intention on feasting on you. I have a much bigger appetite on what you have to offer me in exchange. However I will tell you in advance, this leg of our journey will take some time. How's about I tide you over with a little story?"
Jinx's eyes brightened in excitement. Or at least she think they brightened. She couldn't see much of anything. "Oooh, story time! Neato! What is it?"
"It's the story of one of my past... friends. On our deal."
Jinx felt the River King move, then heard a muffled splash, then continuous movement in one direction. "Guess we're headed to Ionia guys!" She whispered excitedly. "Can't wait to tell Jhin about this guy!"
"Our story begins on the desert plains of Shurima, where a warrior-queen resided."
"She had everything a queen could ask for; exotic beauty, fine riches, and her mighty empire undivided."
"But she still wasn't satisfied. You see, her empire was stable and not a complaint to be made among her people."
"But the queen wanted more land, more power, more wealth, and she was willing to tear down a steeple."
"Now this queen was desperate to get what she rightfully deserved; and so one night, she went out to the oasis. There she-"
"Hey what was her name?" Jinx asked suddenly.
"Her name is lost to time I'm afraid, the fact that I do not remember fills my heart to overflowing with shame."
"Hey!" Jinx said. "You're rhyming off of me now? Really?"
"Now now child, mind your manners and don't interrupt. Once I finish your questions may come freely."
"Anyway, she heard a voice, calling to her from the depths of the sparkling water of the oasis."
"And may I just say, the promises that this dapper fellow from the waters offered were irresistible. Shurima as the mightiest empire was the basis."
"'I can offer you anything you desire.' The siren from the depths promised. 'I only hunger. When the time comes you will give me what I crave.'"
"When she heard the chance to have what was denied her, she struck a deal without a second thought; 'Whatever he takes I can take it back.' She muttered to herself as she struck a deal. 'This creature is frightening, but he will not deny me my right. For my empire I will be brave.'"
"And so in the time span of nine months, the empire expanded across the sandy sea, and as if the gods themselves smiled upon her, a happy baby was born."
"The queen was overjoyed at her good fortune, 'I have a grand empire, and now an heir to pass it on. From my family this empire will not be torn.'"
"In time she had forgotten that the siren was due for a visit. Even when reminded she refused to prepare or plan. 'When he comes I will gut him.' She thought treacherously. 'Without him my empire will thrive.'"
"However, I would not be denied my due, and on the child's first birthday, I arrived."
"I devoured all I laid my eyes on; cake, presents, servants. Yet my horrible hunger wasn't satisfied."
"The queen wept and begged, for my hungry sights were on her child next. 'Oh please spare my child!' She cried."
"'Take anything else I beg, you will not be denied!'"
"I gave her a wicked smile and said with relish. 'Woman, you told me I could have what I craved. You were the fool who failed to ask what it was I hungered for!'"
"Her child was a light snack. Her husband was the main course. I devoured everything in her palace before turning to her wretched form and gave her a weight that she had since bore."
"'Suffering is my honest craving. It is my real feast, and I have eaten my fill of yours.'"
"So take this as a lesson my friend. Keep it at heart."
"If you are going to make a deal with me, you had better be smart."
Jinx was silent for a bit. "So... you couldn't have told me this before I said yes?"
"The best part of creating a deal that cannot be backed out of and satisfies my hunger child, is roping suckers into it time after time. You are simply another in the long line." The River King's voice did not attempt to hide his self-satisfaction.
"Oh. Well here's the thing. I never said the word 'deal.'" Jinx said smugly.
The River King paused for a long time. When he finally spoke it was sprinkled with a begrudging respect. "You're sharper than you look girl, and I can respect that. Tell you what. I will take you the rest of the way to your destination free of charge."
Jinx tried to stretch out in self-satisfaction, but the River King's mouth was too cramped. "Hey, you want to hear a story?"
The King chuckled. "As a matter of fact I would like to hear a tale. Spin one for me if you may."
Jinx pulled out Fishbones and Pow-Pow. "This is the story of how Fishbones got married! To a pretty lady called Whisper!"
Caitlyn stepped from the docks of the Ionian Capital Seaport with her face glued to a map. The fragrant smell of the air gave her pause, and she put the map down to breathe in the aroma appreciatively. If there was one thing that Piltover lacked, it was nature. Caitlyn personally had never missed it or wished that it was more abundant in her hometown, but now that she could see the full beauty that nature had to offer, part of her wished that Piltover had a little more than the flowerpots on apartment buildings.
Vi vaulted over the rails of the boat to land hard on the docks, only wincing slightly from the residual pain in her spine. The armor augments Heimerdinger installed worked wonders in softening the blow as much as was feasibly possible, but it was impossible to completely prevent the pain. Not that Vi was complaining however. She had dealt and taken harsher punishment than the tickle to her spine.
"Now Vi," Caitlyn said as Vi came up. "We are not in Piltover anymore, we are in another nation. Ionia is well known as the peacekeeper among nations and in its own borders. They will not respond the same way to wanton violence as Piltover would. So do try not to destroy anything."
VI shrugged. "No promises."
"I'm trusting you with this Vi; do not mess this up. We need good relations with the Ionian Elders if we ever hope to get to the bottom of who this lotus belongs to. Now do me a favor and help me find the capital building." She turned the map another way with a frown.
Vi rolled her eyes and with a massive hand grabbed the map from Caitlyn and tossed it on the ground. "Look forwards cupcake." She said.
Caitlyn nearly flushed with embarrassment, as the building was almost literally in front of them. "Ahem. Right. Thank you." She recovered in a hurry and went up to the door, using the knocker on the side with vigor.
The building itself was very impressive, and spoke bounds about its importance. Handcrafted wood was the basis of the construction, with stone flooring and sweeping curves captured in sculptures decorated the grounds.
A smiling woman opened the door and said, "Welcome Sheriff Caitlyn, Deputy Vi. It's an honor for you to join us."
Vi's lip twitched in irritation. "Don't call me deputy."
"It is an honor to be here." Caitlyn said, ignoring Vi. "My partner and I would like to speak to the elders about the man who used one of these." She pulled out the deactivated trap from the bag she carried on her shoulder beside her rifle.
The woman's smile faded slightly, but she kept up the illusion of happiness for a bit longer. "Right this way."
After Caitlyn and Vi entered the building, the woman closed it behind them and led them deeper inside the building.
Caitlyn was an observant individual, and it helped in her line of work. After all, how was she going to notice anything out of the ordinary if she didn't know what ordinary was?
Unlike the more orderly offices and workstations that Piltover had in its government capital, Ionia's politicians didn't seem like politicians at all relaxing on comfortable mats in wide empty chambers and chatting amiably.
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed. "Excuse me." She asked their guide. "Are these your politicians?"
The woman smiled and shook her head. "No madam, we have no need for politicians here."
"I like this place already!" Vi piped up.
Caitlyn shot Vi a look while the woman continued. "The only form of central government that Ionia needs is the Elder Council. You see, Ionia is divided into provinces, and each province has its own ruling council. We feel that more localized councils can better serve the people. Every year the Elders of each of the ruling councils come here to share ideas and to coordinate Ionia's progress."
"Sounds pretty clever." Caitlyn mused. "Are these the elders?" She asked, motioning to the people in the chamber.
The women shook her head again. "These are guests. Sometimes they want to speak with the elders, sometimes they wish to volunteer in the upkeep. Other times they wish only to meditate or convene with other like-minded individuals on the philosophies of government. But it is all mostly for sport. We have a very loose grip on our people. We feel that when given room to grow, people will grow upwards, towards the sun."
Caitlyn was skeptical. She'd seen plenty of vile people over the course of her career; she doubted a change of scenery that wasn't prison would change them. But she didn't feel a need to argue. Instead she asked,"Are there any elders here right now?"
The woman nodded. "One of them is; I'm taking you to her now."
They left the larger chambers to climb several stair cases to the third floor of the building. The feel and layout of the floor reminded her of a hotel, only with much larger and more lavish rooms. However the opulence here was quiet, and more focused on relaxing the individual than screaming wealth.
"This is her quarters." Their guide said, motioning to a wooden door that looked no different than the others.
"Huh," Vi muttered. "Figured this would be more impressive. How do they tell their rooms apart?"
Before Caitlyn could interject their guide replied, "Each elder has their own living chambers here in the building, customized to their liking. It is like a second home to them. They would get lost no more than you would in going to your room inside of a large house. After a little bit it becomes second nature. Now, go speak to her. I will wait outside." She stood to the side of the door and knocked once.
"Thank you for your help." Caitlyn said to their guide with a slight bow.
"Yeah, thanks." Vi chimed in.
The door swung open and Caitlyn was greeted by a woman in flowing robes and dark skin. Her brown hair was cropped short and was accentuated by golden earrings wrapped partially in ribbon.
Her robe was cut in a way that did not reveal much of her legs, but Caitlyn's sharp eye did notice peculiar tattoos decorating the woman's legs, the dark skin being accented by the green fiery markings.
Caitlyn glanced beyond the woman into her room, and noticed two glass cases containing items that were likely important to her.
One case contained a peculiar mantle of sorts, complete with a set of what looked like aesthetic wings.
The other, lying on a soft cushion, was a pair of fans, artfully crafted.
"My name is Karma." The woman said, giving a slight bow. "I am the Elder of the province of Navori. How may I assist you?"