(Stone Grinder, League Summoner - PoV)
"How can I help you today sir...?" I ask.
"...Laurent. Albert Laurent? Treasurer of Demacia? I am here as the representative of the Council, with a proposition for the League, and for Noxus."
*pop*
Chewing gum is awesome. And this guy seems to think rather highly of himself. If glares could kill I would be in trouble.
Well, glares from Demacians. Other Summoners are a whole nother matter.
"I see. What about Prince Jarvan? We normally deal with him around here, not the Council idi- uh, people."
I am not known for my people skills. I don't think whoever is in charge thinks particularly highly of the Demacians right now considering they sent me to liaise with them.
"The Prince," the noble, Laur something, grinds out, "is busy helping with reconstruction after the incident with the Mageseekers. The Council is overseeing matters in his stead, with myself as their representative. Now, are you prepared to forward my proposition or not?"
He mad.
"Ok, ok, settle down now my man, just checking. Here let me find the forms."
Noble dude taps his foot rather impatiently while I dig around looking for the files. Look, man, get over yourself, I have literally never used these damn things before. I eventually find them under a coffee pot. Whatever, you can still read them under the stains.
"Ok, here we go. Now, what did you say your name was again?"
You can stop with the glaring man, it's not going to make this go any faster.
(Swain - PoV)
"A League battle, you say?"
How convenient. I had just finished talking with Katarina about the recent developments in Demacia when the League contacts me on the viewscreen to discuss Demacia's demands for a League match to determine the end of the war.
"Indeed sir," the summoner confirms.
I had wondered how long it would take before they resorted to the League. At this point they really don't have any other option. Before they may have had some chance of forting up in their city for a siege, but after a civil war broke out in their very streets? After a giant monster rampaged through the city, fighting off their heroes? Our main army hasn't even arrived and they are already killing themselves.
"Terms?"
"Noxian victory, Noxus takes everything. Demacian victory, they keep their capital and its immediate surroundings. I have a map of the exact dimensions here..."
The summoner's face is replaced with a detailed view of western Valoran. Incredibly detailed, far more so than I believed possible...I must inquire as to what they want in exchange for these maps later.
The territories themselves are actually quite reasonable, far more so than expected. Almost as if whoever negotiated the deal is actually aware of Demacia's military realities, will wonders never cease?
"Reasonable enough, all things considered. We have already taken everything else, after all. The question is, why should we accept? While I am quite confident in our Champions, a League match does force us on relatively even footing, while here in the real world, well. We will crush their resistance, and with the disparity of force I don't even expect the cost to be that high."
If anything we have gained power from this campaign. Having hundreds of angry mages led by yet another Champion level combatant join us? As much as Darius may gripe about being bored walking across the countryside near unopposed, having Demacia essentially paying us to conquer them is fantastic beyond my wildest dreams. The potential of leaving them at our backs for the future, however...
The summoner reappears with a grimace. "I assume you are aware of the," he looks to the side, shuffling papers, "Galio, incident?"
"Ah, was that the name of the...monster? Construct? Apologies it was not quite clear. The giant that they fought recently."
"Indeed, indeed. An old weapon, near-forgotten about, recently reactivated in a moment of desperation. Unfortunately, certain parties have suggested that many Demacians are becoming very desperate indeed. There are concerns about what exactly they may dig up, and how much damage they could cause in the process."
I admit it, I blink. I had not expected that level of brinkmanship, not with the League.
"They are...making those kinds of threats? To the League?" I ask.
Why are they talking to me instead of having already scoured the city is the question.
The summoner shakes his head. "Not directly, no. Unfortunately, it is hard to tell if they are being sincere or playing dangerous politics. The leaders of the city naturally claim they would never go so far, but that rogue elements, such as remnants or sympathizers of the Mageseekers, may attempt to do so."
Thus leaving their hands supposedly clean, while keeping the threat on the table.
"And if we agree to their terms and win?"
"Then they hand over the city and help deal with any opposition. Lord..." again, a shuffling of papers, "Laurent has promised as peaceful a transfer of power as possible, and all due assistance in ruling the city."
Ah, Laurent, of course. The only question is how many of the recent events he caused, and how many he simply took advantage of. Demacia may have no idea what exactly they have in their midst but we have been watching him carefully...though perhaps not carefully enough if he managed to set this up.
It is clear what he is angling for. If Demacia wins he keeps his little city-state to play in. If Noxus wins he sets himself up as a good little helper to climb our ranks. He will pay for this.
"I see. I must ask, why is the League tolerating such a thin excuse? You have certainly made examples for less in the past."
I am not entirely complaining, bringing the League's wrath down like that can be chancy. They most likely will intervene if I insist, but we would be even less likely to gain the city if they do, it is very unlikely there will be a city after they are finished. While it is possible we will lose the battle, if Demacia is stupid enough to risk the League's wrath like this, they will do so again, and I doubt the Summoners will be so tolerant in the future.
The Summoner sighs. "Events in the world are...busy, at the moment. Given that we don't expect anyone to actually carry through with anything, no one important really wants to deal with this situation at all, as a number of other matters have our attention. As long as they have a plausible excuse and no one complains, the leadership is willing to sweep things under the rug. If things do get messy...well, I expect they will move to resolve them as fast as possible."
...
I can, of course, read between the lines. It is tempting. Just a few words right now and Demacia will be finished. Erased in a storm of magic great enough to overcome even their vaunted petricite. Shown exactly why you do not play games with the League's rules.
Or I can take a risk.
I am not a gambling man.
But this is not a gamble. I know my people and they have greatly impressed me, while Demacia has been a cavalcade of failures recently.
"If the League feels it is necessary, then we will participate in the official match. We have no wish to see our armies or our prize lost for nothing."
A small risk, for a sizeable reward.