Chapter 9:
A few more weeks passed, Riven returned to her normal position of training soldiers in Noxian techniques and tactics, Irelia returned to her position as Captain of the Guard, both continuing as if things were normal as they waited for LeBlanc's signal. Irelia made several attempts to get Riven to let her join them, to come to Noxus to help take down Swain but Riven refused, not wanting to get Irelia involved if anything were to go badly, only giving the Noxian's an excuse to invade Ionia if Irelia was found to be involved and Swain lived. Riven hoped that the captain would understand her concerns, would find them valid and let Riven prevent her from going but the exile knew that Irelia would do what she wanted anyway.
A letter appeared under the front door of their home in the dead of night, it was from LeBlanc, Riven recognised the seal on the front without having to look at it. She opened it and passed it to Irelia, wordlessly asking Irelia to read it for her. Irelia confirmed it was LeBlanc asking her to move, to return to Noxus on a certain date for them to be able to sneak in past the outer walls of the capital. Now that Irelia knew the plans, Riven figured it would be impossible to dissuade her now, choosing to let the Ionian come with her.
After a few days, Riven and Irelia packed their belongings, choosing to leave after nightfall and head towards the southern border of Ionia. It would take several days and the pair of them would have to move in the night only, not bringing any attention to themselves or leaving any witnesses that could claim to have seen Riven or Irelia pass through the border and into Noxus. Irelia came up with a viable excuse for the pair of them to disappear for multiple weeks, creating a fake mission for the both of them to disappear on, one that could be extended if necessary.
As they travelled past each small town, they camped in nearby forests or slept in barns. It took nearly a week for them to reach the border, Riven doing her best to remember the movements troops took in order to avoid a confrontation. It was another two days before they reached the outer walls of the capital city, arriving just a few hours before the meet time with LeBlanc. They waited in the dark, in the forests outside the city before LeBlanc made an appearance at their meeting point, creating passageways with her magic to let them inside.
Riven could feel that they were underground, walking through tunnels that had most likely not been used by anyone in centuries, largely forgotten by anyone other than LeBlanc of course who would use it to her own advantage. When they resurfaced, they were in front of a place that Riven didn't recognise except for the insignia on the gates. It was the Du Couteau estate. Katarina let the three of them in, the assassin being unable to hide her sneer at the sight of Irelia in front of her but the captain choosing not to call her out on her hatred for her.
It was clear that Katarina had dismissed the usual staff that worked in the mansion, the hallways of the mansion unusually empty. She figured even the most loyal of servants wouldn't be able to keep the identities of their guests a secret, who wouldn't want to tell everyone that Du Couteau's were hiding the Ionian Captain of the Guard inside their mansion? Or that they were hiding the exile that ended the Ionian-Noxian conflict with her betrayal? It would be enough for them to all be killed.
Katarina led Riven and Irelia to a guest room on the far side of the mansion, obviously far from any of the main rooms, smaller and less lavish but still incredibly over the top as a Du Couteau guest room would be. It wasn't until LeBlanc spoke that Riven realised that they had been travelling in silence since they met at the outer walls, not wanting to be overheard in their plans for a coup.
"Now, I will be looking for the best opportunity for us to strike High Command. It will probably take a couple of days so Katarina has so kindly offered to let the two of you stay here while we wait." Katarina sneered at LeBlanc at the idea of her having offered to let them stay, it was far more likely that LeBlanc had told her that they would be staying here. "I will be in contact as soon as I find the best opportunity for us to strike. I know I told you not to let Captain Lito become involved," LeBlanc turned to Irelia before continuing, "But I am actually glad that you have let her come with you, we're going to need all the extra hands we can get to carry this out, it won't be easy for us to do it."
"Thank you, keep us updated on what's happening." Riven said before the Deceiver left the room, leaving the Ionian, the exile and the assassin alone in the guest room.
"Make yourself comfortable, just take what you want from the kitchen. Extra blankets are in the cupboard over there." Katarina murmured, trying not to advertise her hospitality, gesturing with her hand to the cupboard in the corner of the room. "Try not to need me." She said, louder this time, before also exiting the room.
Irelia climbed into bed with Riven, holding her as she did most nights. It had become a habit that Riven had grown to love, even if it was illogical. Irelia couldn't sleep ever but the pair of them continued to do this every night, it had grown to help Riven sleep in spite of her nightmares and Irelia knew this, never pointing out her reliance on Irelia as she knew how much Riven hated to be vulnerable. Riven was exhausted from several days of travel and poor sleep in the cold of Ionia's forests, falling asleep very quickly in Irelia's arms.