(Katarina - PoV)
"And you and the girl could get jumped at any moment, shit. Ok, we can do this later. Head to Redrock, and they will have a diplomatic team to escort you to Noxus."
I grin after the connection closes. Definitely Garen. The tip was legit! This is going to be a very, very good day for Noxus.
And he is even more desperate than in his letter! We would have to actively try to sabotage this for it to fail. Yes, this is fantastic news. Quite possibly the best I have ever gotten. I giggle and kick my legs like a schoolgirl as I wait for the mirror to connect to its next target. Ah, it has been so long since I had truly uplifting news. I wonder what life will do to kick my ass next?
To mirror's image resolves into a striking regal figure, one bearing all the hallmarks of the old Noxian nobility; before Swain gutted it of course. Idiots. Those that are left are generally worthy of some respect, on the other hand, being either the wheat finally free of the chaff, or having learned the hard lessons of the world. Never get complacent.
"Ma'am?" he asks, his posture shifting to deference.
And tread carefully around those much more dangerous than yourself.
"Representative Udino. We have full confirmation of information, plan is active. Expect contact from target within two days."
The shock on his aristocratic face is delicious. Like most of the assets tagged for this operation, he didn't believe a word of it, even if he knows better than to make a complaint. Arrogant cunts, as if I would waste Noxus resources like that.
"Confirmation received ma'am." He recovers swiftly, proving he did earn his position. I wouldn't have chosen a screwup. "We will be ready for them."
"Dismissed." I cut the connection. Now, the Grand General said to keep him informed. I believe this to be worthy of an update.
"As the crow flies." I intone, activating the mirror once more.
I can't help but marvel at the mirrors again as I wait. The theory of their existence has been around for centuries, but until recently, all knowledge of how to make them was lost in the Rune Wars. Even the few we have are proving strategically revolutionary, and are an incomprehensibly huge advantage in the generally softer wars since the establishment of the League. Now if only the supply was not reliant on such an...unstable factor.
I shift as the mirror connects, appearing at full attention as Swain's stoic visage appears.
"Katarina. You have an update?" he asks.
"Yes sir. The information is confirmed as accurate. He made contact with our assets in the northwestern wastes. I personally spoke to him with a communication mirror and confirmed his identity and the legitimacy of his offer. Sir, he is even more desperate now. The Demacians have gift wrapped him for us. Whatever magic suppression they forced on his sister seems to be breaking her mind, driving her insane."
I pause a moment to reorder my thoughts and control my excitement. Remember, you are talking to the Grand General.
"His biggest concern and only real demand is getting help for her. I have contacts I could try, though you or Leblanc likely have better people?"
I hate to essentially ask for help on my mission, especially when it is not absolutely necessary, and from the literal top of the food chain, but this cannot fail. Not from my pride. I made that mistake once, never again.
"That will not be a problem. I know the exact specialist for this task in fact. What is the timetable?"
"Two days to reach an escort we have prepared for him, then travel by foot straight to Noxus. With your permission, I would like to join them."
"Oh?"
"Demacia will have known he and his sister have gone rogue at this point and neither of us expects they will let them go quietly. They will send another Champion. The escort might dissuade an honorable one, but if it comes to a fight they won't even be noticed. I believe they could use the backup."
"Hmm. What is your current location?"
"The Institute of War. Organizing the recent efforts was easier here."
"Very well. If an attack is made on the group do not forget, your goal is to recover the asset, not kill the opposing forces."
"Yes sir."
The Visionary ends the connection with a nod.
(Udino, Noxian Representative - PoV)
Poise. Confidence. Power. My duty as Representative ensures that I must always hold myself to the highest standards, a demand my background as a noble heir prepared me well for. I wonder if my family would be proud now? They were once one of the largest houses in Noxus. Now it is just me. All because they denied reality.
What insanity these last few days have been. I am not fool enough to even hint such things, but I had certainly wondered if Katarina had lost her mind when she gave me my orders. Despite my reservations, I had made haste to follow her commands. I well remembered watching my family take their turns, one after another in the arena. Remembered the crowd's cheers, and Draven's mocking "sportsmanship," cutting them apart piece by piece. And Katarina is a monster on his level. No, I will not follow in my family's footsteps.
Then, somehow, everything turned out to be right! The universe was flipped on its head. The red-haired murderess's obsession with her boy toy was not a wild goose chase, but legit! So now as a reward for my upstanding service, I get to meet and escort another monster.
Escort. I am extremely concerned by that word, it has implications. What exactly are we supposed to help protect him from? My family was mad enough to dismiss anyone not from "proper stock" as unworthy, as weak, and look where that got them. I know what that man is capable of. He could kill all of us in seconds. I am missing something and I do not like it.
I carefully examine the soldiers around me, relaxing in the local inn as we wait on our target. They hide it well for regulars, but I can see their nerves as well. It is only appropriate. Being near a tornado or a volcano makes any sane man nervous. Giving the natural disaster a mind, and the capability to reason only helps so much. Being told to wait on one that you have spent your life hearing about, that is famed for how many of you it kills?
I must admit, not my favorite assignment.
I sip my drink, a Noxian wine I brought myself. I would rather not risk the local brew, my eyesight is too important.
Pretending these piddling independent border "states" have any importance is a fair enough cover, I suppose. States, really. I have seen bandits and pirate crews with more force projection, even excluding Gangplank. At least the accommodations are decent enough...for the region.
The door to the inn opens and he enters. Even outside of his armor, there is no mistaking his presence. The now-former Might of Demacia, Garen. The waif must be his sister. Time to work.
(Lux - PoV)
I am thoroughly, thoroughly, weirded out. I mean, nice Noxians? What?
Their leader is close to what I expected. Looks like a fancy serial killer. He's playing nice but I don't trust him one bit. It is kind of funny how afraid of me he is, once brother explained my uh, "temporary issues". I like to play up the crazy girl act around him, at least when Brother isn't looking. His real feelings show through then. I'm watching you Mr. Representative. Don't worry, I won't bite you while you sleep. You aren't Brother. I may have gotten scolded.
Some of the other soldiers, however? They have been...understanding. Supportive.
We were taught, all our lives, that Noxians only cared for themselves. They lived solely for themselves, and to hell with everyone else. Would stab their own family in the back for the slightest gain. But these men? They...they seemed to care. Seemed genuinely angry at Demacia. Not out of spite, or greed, but for what was done to me. For what has been done to everyone like me. I finally ask one of the older men, Jack, why they care.
"Why? Hah, unlike Demacia, Noxus embraces diversity, of thought and form! You would have to ask each man here why, and I expect you might get a different answer each time. Me? I'm actually in the same boat as you two."
What?!
He fiddles with his armor for a bit, eventually loosening it enough to show me his upper arm, tattooed with a Demacian Division Banner, marred by a rough, messy burn.
"Born and raised in Demacia. Joined the military as soon as I was old enough. Spent years in service, proud as could be of my country. Never did have time for a family of my own, too focused on serving, but kept in contact with my brother, who lived the good life back on the farm. Ideal Demacians we were, One serving in the field, one supporting from home."
A common story I think, from all the books I read.
"Then one day I get a very different letter. Little Anna, my favorite niece has magic, and the local magister has taken her to be tried."
No...
"I get permission from my commander to go speak on her behalf, but by the time I get home? The pyre was already cold."
Jack...the old soldier has been friendly so far, a far cry from the reserved Demacian soldiers I am used to, and the bloodthirsty Noxians I expected. Now I can see the echoes of rage in his demeanor...but it is a righteous rage.
"A child, by the Lamb's mercy, and they burned her to death." He looks at me, and I can see the loss in his eyes, even after however many years it has been. "I wanted revenge girl. Justice, in the Angel's name. But I am no Champion, like your brother. I couldn't take even the handful of men the town had. So I cursed their names and left. Figured Noxus wouldn't say no to another sword, and maybe one day, we will visit my old home."
He sighs. "The others, I am sure they have their own words, their own explanations, but from what I have seen? The Noxians? They believe in potential. They hate Demacia because it binds its people's potential. It quashes traits that Noxians feel help people rise to their best. And for you specifically? They view magic as a gift. Binding it, and in such a manner? Their anger on your behalf is genuine. You don't deserve that. We all agree. You and your brother made the right call, they will help you. They will help you rise to your potential, and then you can help others. We all lift together."
...
What is there even to say to that? I look at some of the other soldiers, at least a few overheard, and give me nods. It...
I have to fight the tears that threaten to well up. I don't understand. Demacia are supposed to be the good guys and treat me with scorn and contempt before trying to toss me away for existing. Then I end up with the evil murderers and get...instant acceptance, and welcome, and anger on my behalf.
Everything...everything they ever told me, everything I learned was a l!e wasn't it...I...
I feel much better as Brother scoops me up in his arms from behind and carries me without a word. Ok. I can deal with this. Just remember, Fuck Demacia. Fuck Demacia, Fuck Demacia, Fuck Demacia. See? Simple.
I look at Brother and silently ask if he overheard Jack's story. His return look answers the question. Yea. Fuck Demacia.
(Udino, Noxian Representative - PoV)
What the hells Katarina? The fact that his little sister is a powerful mage quickly being driven insane is the sort of information I would have appreciated being briefed on before meeting them. With Garen I can rely on direct, blunt statements to avoid conflict. Now...now I am dealing with a bomb that literally anything or nothing could set off. How is the Noxian massacring Champion the lesser threat here...
And why. Why does this assignment keep getting worse? Have I not done my duty? Have I not been loyal to Noxus? Gods this mission needs to end already. And we are not even close to Noxus yet. No instead we are setting up camp for the night in the ruins, so we at least have basic shelter. The building is missing most of two walls but has a partial roof, a good floor, and a corner to put our back to, so better than many places.
The soldiery seems to approve of the time bomb, which at least keeps her attention away from me. She is asking them about the ruin now in fact, a topic I do know a bit about but hope I don't have to speak up and get her attention. She is currently focused on the other side of the fire.
"Aye girlie, was known as Janusville, was a fairly big location once, before the Rune Wars." the Lieutenant answers her. Good save man, I'll put a commendation in for you. "Abandoned now, just the ruins left. No point in rebuilding, since the land itself is dead. No reason for anyone to stay. Anything valuable is long since taken. Only thing it's good for now is travelers like us, seeking shelter for a night."
I hear a clang and see a burst of movement. Garen is suddenly standing, his blade drawn, attention focused on the upper floor of another building.
"It is great for hunters seeking foolish prey as well." A voice calls out from above.
Her silhouette appears in the moonlight above us.
It clicks. Katarina knew that Demacia would send pursuit after Garen. That should have been obvious, I am a fool for missing it. I have legal protection. We have agreements with Demacia, they can't touch us. Legally.
I look at the psychopath above us. I don't think it's going to help.
"Vayne." I announce myself, standing up. "I am Representative Udino." I inform her, pulling my official documents out and displaying them in the light from the fire. "My companions and I have full protection under the law. We are not here to start a fight and are heading straight to Noxus. Any attack upon us violates our nation's agreements and Demacia's laws."
"So?"
That's about what I expected. Still, talking is my job, and I do my duty.
"I..."
I...
I...
"Stay with us sir, try to focus!"
What?
I am lying against the wall. My neck hurts. One of my men is doing something to me. What happened? I hear fighting.
Lifting my hand, I hear the clink of bottles. That, that is a lot of blood...
I can't hold my hand up any longer, and my vision is growing darker.
I really hate this assignment.