Chapter 2 - The Introduction

Talon secured the young woman over his shoulder as he made his escape. He skillfully vaulted over every obstacle in his path, unhindered by the extra weight. Once he made it past the outskirts of the estate and into a nearby forest, Talon set her down so he could examine the precious cargo he had been enlisted to deliver.

She's a beauty, I'll give her that, although why Swain wants her…

Swain had never been one to want women, and the maiden he had been sent out to capture did not appear to have any value other than her birth status. Talon remembered the object that Selene had dropped out of surprise. Out of habit, he had stuffed it into his brown, leather rucksack to erase any evidence of his crime. Taking it out, Talon saw that it was an amazing piece of artwork. "And talent, I suppose." he mused aloud. Still puzzled, Talon set out to bind Selene's limbs to a nearby tree before he went out to collect firewood. It would be a three-day journey to return to Noxus.

Selene woke with a start. The crackle of a nearby fire alarmed her - her bedroom didn't have a hearth. As she opened her eyes, Selene was frightened to discover that her deduction had been accurate. Not only was she not in her home, but she also recalled the events that had taken place before her current state. She took in her surroundings. She had been bound to a sturdy tree, which was one of many in a dense forest. Directly across from her were a pair of daggers placed carefully against a stump. The man who had knocked her out was nowhere to be seen. The opportunity to escape presented itself to her.

Selene manipulated the rope that bound her wrists to the tree until it released her. While she was untying the knot around her legs, the same voice that she had heard just before she blacked out spoke from behind her, "And where do you think you're going? You didn't really think that I would leave you unattended, did you?"

She froze. Her heart was beating so fast that she was surprised she could hear anything else at all. Never had she ever found herself in the position she was in now - no matter how great her abilities were, Selene was lacking in experience. She had only ever tested her powers on inanimate objects.

"Cat got your tongue?" chuckled the hooded figure.

Selene pivoted around to face her captor. "N- No," she drew herself up to her full height in hopes of appearing more intimidating. "Let me go this instant and I won't tell anybody about what you did. It stays between us, I promise."

"Do you really think I'd let you go so easily? HA! I came here on the orders of someone else. Even if I wanted to let you go, I still have to watch out for my own head."

Selene backed up slowly towards the daggers while facing the man. She was ready to shield herself in case the man attempted to harm her. Talon noticed her movements and narrowed his eyes. If his hood had not covered his face, a grin of amusement would have been apparent. In one fluid motion, Talon leapt from his position until he was a few inches away from Selene. His bladed arm came crashing down swiftly towards Selene's neck. Selene's eyes widened. Her reflexes caused her to release her shield just before the blade made contact with her skin.

Now it was Talon's turn to be surprised. The young woman before him was cowering at his feet, but his attention was drawn to the soft light that enveloped her and halted the descent of his arm. He hadn't intended to harm her - he was only trying to scare her to make the journey that followed easier. After a few moments of speechlessness, Talon recovered.

"I see… you're no ordinary woman… hmph," He spoke.

With a wicked smirk on his face, Talon sheathed his blade and slammed his arms on either side of the young woman, effectively pinning her against the tree behind her. "We'll be having a lot of fun, I guarantee it."

Selene swallowed.