Faith – Chapter 5

Quinn is chattier now. Jarvan was right about one thing. She talks plenty despite her unease. I guess others don't listen to her when louder voices dominate.

She discloses nothing personal beyond where her memories work and fail. Her speech is a wall of trivia. Maybe this new bearing is an effect of her disguise or she's reminding us we're in her lair. Quinn is no helpless chick. She's a professional.

I watch her mouth while she describes the sound and stench of the cattle markets, and how little they spend on cleaning roads. I'm suddenly humbled that this young warrior trusted me with her defloration, such an important rite in her culture.

She notices my attention. 'Am I babbling, Your Majesty?' The formal address carries its usual sting.

'Not at all. I enjoy listening to you.'

Volibear says, 'Keep it up. You're helping me stay awake. Besides, we may need information about your land if we lose your guidance.'

Quinn doesn't sound flattered. 'You think I'll betray you.'

'Naturally,' he says, 'But I trust Ashe even less.' I don't answer. 'My concern is that Jarvan will assign a different escort, someone less co-operative.'

Please, not Lux. Avarosa, preserve me.

Luxanna's a kindred soul, but she never had your freedom.

Huh?

Quinn addresses me. Too late, I realise the direction I'm facing. 'Is there something wrong with my disguise?'

'No, just erm…' Very smooth, Ashe, you had no such trouble when you were seducing her. Get with it. 'How do you not sweat? Your make-up hasn't run at all.'

'I smear on paste which clogs up all of my pores. I'll soon be covered in spots. Even fewer people will give me a second glance.'

'Well, I'm going to peel something rotten if it's any consolation.'

A knowing smile touches her dark lenses. 'You're peeling already.'

Wait, was that a threat? Am I losing any semblance of control? I glance over my bare skin. I'm shedding like a lizard.

She says, 'There's an apothecary who does a really good ointment. I could fetch you some if you'd like?' I have to nod. Maybe she's drugging us, but I can't think of a polite reason to say no. 'Volibear, there's a river coming up, if you have to cool off.'

He says, 'You're our prisoner. Shouldn't we be seeing to your welfare?'

'You're in no position to grant anything I need.'

The Citadel of Dawn is a beacon, shining justice upon all. We've nothing like it in the Freljord, where an exposed fort is impossible to maintain. We have to keep at least one face covered or the fierce northern winds will tear us apart.

In Demacia, decency comes before survival.

Quinn says, 'They claim you can see it from a hundred miles around, an exaggeration of course, but one you can believe. As children, we used to see the home fires roaming under the stars. We thought, one day, we'd bear those torches, bringing light and inspiration. It wasn't to be.'

Volibear asks, 'An absent friend?'

'I had a twin brother. He's no longer with us.'

'You have my condolences.'

'Thank you,' says Quinn. 'But I have enough challenges that I rarely dwell.'

'Action is always good.'

I look up at our destination and wonder if there's a public execution awaiting us. 'I hope you're right.' Valor prowls the horizon. I don't know whether I picture Quinn's brother as her disguise or another giant eagle. 'If you don't mind me asking, what was your brother like?'

'Oh, you can ask anything of me.' That sounds like a recrimination. 'Just in case you're wondering, no, you're not looking at him. He was far taller than me, and still felt the need to lie about his height. His hair was lighter, sort of strawberry-blonde rather than…' She waves at her bandana, which obscures everything. I already know Quinn's a natural redhead, even if she's coy about it for some reason. 'And his eyes were blue. He was always the clown, and I was the quiet, cautious one. He was popular but very choosy about his friends. I think he wanted them to like me as well, which was nice but… you know, sometimes I felt like an excuse.'

'Did he not like opening up?'

'Yeah, I don't think was scared. He just liked having the world at arm's length, so he didn't have to take it seriously. He had a lot of girlfriends but he couldn't go a month without losing interest and breaking someone's heart. I used to go mad at him over that, for all the good it did. I think he knew I was jealous.'

Volibear says, 'Of whom?'

'Everyone, I guess? They had a life and I didn't.'

I say, 'You never told me his name.'

'No, the sound of it is like a familiar scent or a piece of music. It brings all the memories rushing back.'

'You don't have to…'

'Yes, I do,' says Quinn. 'You deserve to know before…'

Dread rises. 'Before what, Quinn?'

'Anything? I don't know. There's every chance we'll…' Quinn turns away. 'Caleb. His name was Caleb.'

A tear rolls down Quinn's cheek from an artificial iris. Any decent person would comfort her in some way but Volibear's scrutiny holds me back.

While I hesitate, he steps in, laying a fatherly paw on her shoulder. He reproaches me with a glance before saying to Quinn, 'I feel your pain, young one. I lost most of my family when I was a cub, through disease, war and ill-fortune. Only my father survived to die of old age and he would have given his life for any of us.'

Quinn smiles. 'Call me "young one" again, and I'll call you "Mr. Bear".'

Volibear chuckles. 'That's fair.'

She looks at me with dead longing. I can't voice an apology. She changes the subject. 'How's your ropework, Your Majesty?'

'Good enough to scale mountains but I'm not above guidance.'

'My legs hyper-extend. I once gnawed through ankle binds when I was caught. You'll have to secure my feet and wrists together or His Majesty will know I had a chance to escape.'

I picture Quinn, trussed up like a deer, tight bottom thrust outwards, ready for spit-roasting. 'I'd rather strap your ankles to your thighs. You'll be easier to carry that way.'

'Do you want me to die of cramp? Suspend me from a pole. You could spread the weight across you and Volibear.'

'We'll pretend we did that for the journey but I'll need you as a human shield when I approach the castle. I want your vitals exposed.'

'Ugh, all right.' She beckons Valor. 'Good luck securing him, by the way. He won't co-operate, even if I ask him to. You'll have to wrestle him down.'

Volibear sizes him up. 'That's a demon with wings, not a bird.'

As I feel the burn of the rope, sliding through my hands, I picture Quinn's muscles flexing under the pressure. Grabbing her arm, I twirl her like a dance partner. My breath touches her neck as I drive her wrists between her shoulder blades. 'Don't enjoy this too much.'

'No promises,' Quinn says, turning her cheek so our lips are barely an inch apart. I catch the briefest taste of her skin and nearly cry out. She says, 'I'm sorry, Ashe.'

I hesitate at the sound of my name, rather than my title. 'What for?'

'Everything.' She looks up at the castle. 'I wonder if they're watching us from up there?'

'Is that likely?'

'Never thought about it until now,' she says. 'Hold a big enough secret inside and it casts a shadow across everything you see.'

We scale the hill. Volibear holds Quinn and Valor aloft. While the golden road is impressive, all I can imagine is rain darkening it an ugly greyish-brown.

Quinn's discomfort is lost under Valor's angry snorting. We had to tie his beak shut so Volibear wouldn't go deaf.

I see figures approach. Wrapping myself around Quinn, I hold a simple knife to her throat. I have to draw blood or it won't look real. My ceremonial dagger, the Frost Queen's Claim, stays at home. I did horrible things with that weapon, things I may have to repeat if Sejuani has her way.

The leading silhouette is unmistakeable. Those immense pauldrons could only mean… 'Garen?' I say. 'Does he normally welcome visitors?'

Quinn says, 'On occasion. He loves to be the face of Demacia. This is good, I think.'

'Why?'

'Garen believes in people, so he'll assume you can be reasoned with.'

'There's always a first.' I prepare my thoughts and words. 'Who should I watch out for?'

'Xin Zhao. If no one tells him to back off, he'll call our bluff.'

'What about Lux?'

'She'll adore this. I don't think she'll interfere.'

Garen thunders over the ground like a charging horse. I feel my bones rattle as he draws near. I pray Quinn's right about his generosity. He was one of the friendlier members of Jarvan's entourage but remains a terrifying sight, even taller and wider than Tryndamere.

Garen recognises Valor's plumage and signals everyone to stop. 'Quinn?' He tries to make sense of the tangle of limbs under Volibear's arm. 'Quinn? What have they done to you?'

I hiss. 'Nothing yet.' With a jerk of my wrist, I puncture Quinn's throat. Her pulse urges life to the surface. If only Quinn were a better actress, I could fool myself that I wasn't scaring her.

Garen's jaw drops. 'Queen Ashe?'

'Finally recognise me? You saw through my act before. Don't pretend you're surprised.'

'I thought you were reckless but not suicidal. You won't achieve anything by threatening us. Release Quinn. Don't let your personal failings ruin everything you've achieved!'

I laugh like a stage villain. 'It's a bit late for that, and it's far too late for you to show concern. After all, you sent a spy to map our defences!'

'That wasn't Quinn's purpose, and you know it! Why in Valoran would we send a known agent when we could…?'

'Incompetence? I don't care for your excuses. All I care is that she was in my lands without my permission. Or do you think all of Runeterra is your proving ground?'

Volibear lends his voice to mine. 'And your history with Ashe means nothing to me. I captured Quinn, and if Ashe hadn't arrived when she did, your cub would have been torn asunder.' He can twist events like any demagogue. What else are you hiding, Volibear? 'Maybe I'm a fool to believe her but Ashe insisted you have something I need. You owe her Quinn's life.'

Garen looks to the heavens in frustration. 'Your tribes were mortal enemies yesterday. Now you're collaborating. Why did we get involved again? I told Jarvan to give Quinn a break, rather than send her on a vigil to the Freljord of all places. When he burrows into that maze in his head, you need an army to drag him out.' I see my reflection in his claymore. 'You will pay for this but, right now, all I want is to save Quinn. Tell me your price.'

The first obstacle's down. I say, 'Grant me a private audience with Prince Jarvan.'

'Dig yourself deeper if you must. I'll take you but whatever harm you've done to Quinn will be paid back a hundred fold.'

Success. I pat Volibear's arm, thanking him for his vital improvisation. We'd barely managed a civil exchange, let alone a rehearsal. He lumbers on, effortlessly holding our prisoners like trophies.

I stay behind Quinn. Garen looks at her with brotherly concern. 'Don't fret. You'll be safe and home where you belong. I promise.'

Quinn says, 'I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble.'

'You're no trouble, Quinn. I have a younger sister who's trouble. Whatever happens, I'm on your side. Frankly, I'm sick of Jarvan taking you for granted.'

'Thank you, Sir.'

'Call me "Garen" already. You're a fellow knight as far as I'm concerned.'

I'm so grateful that I stupidly comment. 'I'm glad you still accept her.'

'Still?' Garen barks. 'What right have you to sanction our judgement? You're nothing but a wolf. Don't speak as though Quinn's open heart justifies your perversion!'