Isaacs spluttered and sat up, coughing and wiping the water from his face. Jarvan chuckled as he tossed Forsythe's bottle back to the towheaded soldier.

"Come on now, old man." Jarvan said, grinning, his hand extended towards Isaacs. "You better not have a damn heart attack on me now."

"You... you..." Isaacs muttered, blinking the water from his eyes his gaze turning towards Forsythe. The younger man stood there with a stupid grin on his face the last few drops of water hitting Isaacs head as he emptied the remainder of his water bottle on his head. He took Jarvan's hand as the prince hauled him to his feet. Isaacs jabbed Jarvan in the chest with a finger. He frowned and jabbed to prince in the chest again, bringing his face close again and blinked a few times, squinting. He stepped back and shook his head, as if he was lost in thought for a few moments. He spun on his heel, shaking his head as if he didn't believe it. He began to walk away before he stopped mid stride and spun about, his jaw hanging open.

"Surprise?" Jarvan said with a grin.

"Fucking..." Isaacs stammered, starting to turn and then snapping back to look at Jarvan. "What the fuckin... fuck..." He turned to Forsythe who still was grinning like an idiot. "Who the fuck... fucked this fuckin..." He looked up to the rocks then back to Jarvan. "How did you fucking fuck... FUCK!" He practically jumped out of his skin as he grasped at his head, shouting excitedly.

"Well then." Jarvan said, wiping his chin with the back of his hand. "That certainly shows the diversity of the word." Forsythe laughed, saluting the Prince proudly and then clasping his arm with a large smile on his face.

"I just... how did you... we heard you were..." Isaacs shook his head, suddenly looking very tired.

"I was dead?" Jarvan wore a cocky grin. "Hardly. It'll take more than the entire Noxian Army to keep me in the grave."

"You're an ass!" Isaacs frowned angrily for a few moments, the corner of his mouth twitching. Jarvan grinned cheekily, watching as the mock anger dissolved into a wide grin. The old Lieutenant saluted and held the gesture until Jarvan matched it, grinning.

"You're one to talk, El-Tee." Jarvan said, posting a fist on his hip. Isaacs cocked his arm back to swing as Jarvan started to raise his arm to block it.

"Bastard!" Isaacs snarled, wrapping his arms around Jarvan and slapping his back. "What the hell happened to you?" He held Jarvan at arm's length like he was his father, looking him up and down. "You look like crap."

"Take a look in the mirror before you talk, old man." Jarvan said, slapping him on the shoulder. "You look like you took a stroll through hell. Devil didn't want to keep you?"

"No such luck." Isaacs said grinning. "Kicked me out first chance he got."

"Hah!" Jarvan chuckled. "I'm not surprised. Forsythe, how's the eye holding up?"

"No worse for wear, sir." Forsythe said, touching the sealed eyelid on the left side of his face. A large scar ran up from his cheek across his forehead and then disappeared beneath the man's mop of sandy blonde hair. "My depth perception is a little lacking, but that's all. I'll be fine with a little practice."

"Good to hear it." Jarvan said, setting his hand on the man's shoulder. "You obviously know some of what's happened with me, but I've heard nothing of you. What happened after we got separated?"

"The trail went cold." Isaacs said sourly, crossing his arms over his chest. "We went to ground after Noxian Patrols started picking up. We only recently moved out when we heard the news that the Noxians had executed two prisoners."

"Cold? How could something like that happen?" Jarvan said, raising one eyebrow. "He's a 20 ton sack of shit…"

"Dragons can fly." Quinn quipped, clearing her throat and blushing, looking slightly abashed that she had failed her one task. "It's hard to track something airborne regardless of its size." She grinned as she looked up at Jarvan. She began to salute as the others had done, but froze when her arm was part way across her chest. She dropped her arm to her side and bowed to the prince.

"Don't do that." Jarvan said, waving her off. "It's fine." He scratched the back of his head, running a hand through his hair.

"Apologies." Quinn said again, bowing a second time. "I failed my assigned task."

"I said cut that out." Jarvan said, frowning. "Out here, I'm just another soldier."

"Yes, sir." Quinn said, nervously, wringing her hands as she looked at the ground. Jarvan noticed that Forsythe put a comforting hand on her back. He wouldn't have paid the gesture much attention had it been one of the men comforting one of their own, but Quinn wasn't exactly just another of the men.

Well... looks like something changed since I last saw them... Jarvan shook his head as he looked around the group. Forsythe and Isaacs looked happy just to see him again and Quinn looked bashful at what she had perceived as a failure.

"Speaking of dragons, what happened to our resident half-dragon?" Isaacs said, looking over his shoulder at Jarvan. As if on cue, Shyvana looked up over the top of the rocks.

"Jarvan? Where did you-... oh!" She looked surprised as she stopped toweling her hair off. Jarvan jerked his finger towards her.

"She's fine." Jarvan beamed. Isaacs paused looking back and forth between Jarvan and Shyvana with his jaw ajar. He gave Jarvan an accusing glare that the young prince caught. He looked sheepish for a few moments, but he couldn't hide the grin.

"I'll say." Isaacs said shaking his head. He continued to glare at Jarvan, wondering just what he had done with the young dragoness that had brought about his sudden cheekiness. The prince had always been serious with his men; he was the rock that had held the unit together through those two years. He was always the first to t jump into a fight and never backed down, but he always kept a level head. To have him do something so brash as his little stunt that had nearly caused Isaacs to have a heart attack was a big sign that something had changed in Jarvan's demeanor. His mentality had changed, as if the fog had lifted from his mind, the heat from the young dragoness helping to clear the haze.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jarvan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Isaacs said, shrugging. "How you doin', princess?" Isaacs called with a cheeky grin that earned him a scowl from Jarvan.

"Princess?" Jarvan mused, glancing back up at Shyvana.

"Good!" Shyvana said, color flooding to her face as she smiled at Isaacs. "I'll be down in a few!"

"Take your time." Jarvan shouted, waving to her as she smiled, her cheeks rosy. She slipped back behind the rocks to finish cleaning and grooming herself. Jarvan turned back to the group and grinned. "Surely you all have plenty of questions..."

"You bet your ass we do." Isaacs said, looking at Jarvan with a mix of both glee and anger. Jarvan could read the shit in the man's eyebrows as they struggled to stay knit in a frown.

"Come on, I'll put some coffee on." Jarvan said, waving them forward. Isaacs and Forsythe nodded and started following him, but Quinn hung back. Jarvan frowned, as she kicked at the dirt. Isaacs noticed this too and started to slow, but Jarvan waved them on. Isaacs stopped, looking at the prince, but Jarvan simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Go on, it's just around the corner." Isaacs didn't look happy, but he nodded regardless. Jarvan waited for the other men to round the corner before he stepped towards the young tracker. Valor lighted on her shoulder, the bird looking warily at him, his golden eyes shimmering in the midday sun. "Hey Valor, remember me?" He held his hand out towards the bird, slowly approaching. Valor's eyes followed the prince's hand as it approached, but didn't shrink back. Jarvan gently stroked the birds crown, causing the bird to ruffle its feathers and tuck its head in happily. Quinn looked nervously up at him, a look he had seen before many times.

"Jarvan... I..." Quinn began to say, frowning.

"What's bothering you?" Jarvan asked, scratching under Valor's beak with two fingers.

"Well..." Quinn ran her hand along her other arm nervously. "I didn't exactly part ways with Shyvana on good terms." Jarvan looked at her, surprised. He paused a few moments, blinking before he chuckled aloud.

"Surely that's not what's bugging you?" Jarvan said, shaking his head.

"I mean..." Quinn fidgeted with her leather armor. "I... not really."

"You're nervous about what's coming, aren't you?" Jarvan crossed his arms over his chest. Quinn nodded. "You know, the first time I went into battle I was so scared I could hardly move. It was as if my legs were made of lead and I felt so afraid I was going to be physically sick."

"How did you..." Quinn looked up at him and blushed, glancing quickly away. Jarvan had already seen the look she had given him though. "How did you know?"

"I've seen that look on more people than you could ever imagine." Jarvan shook his head sadly, his shoulders rising and falling as he remembered the many men who had served under his command.

"How do you cope with it?" Quinn said, her hand hovering over her stomach. "The fear that is."

"You don't." Jarvan said, shrugging. "Any man who is faced with death that says he's not afraid is either crazy or lying. I long ago learned that you can try to fight the fear, and let it gain power over you. Or you can embrace it and try to figure out why you're afraid."

"What if it's not your own life that you're afraid of losing?" Quinn looked up at him, a frown creasing her gently brow.

"That's... that's quite a bit harder to deal with." Jarvan said, scratching the back of his head and running a hand through his hair, clearing it from his face. Quinn felt bad; Jarvan wore a pained expression. "Have you ever lost someone dear to you?"

"I... once, yes." Quinn said softly.

"How would that person feel if they knew you regretted fighting for what you believed in, just because you were afraid for their life?" Jarvan said, his brow creased. "If they are willing to stand next to you in rank and file, surely they are prepared to do their own duty and you should do yours."

"But what happens when you're given an order to blindly charge to your death? Would you do it?" Jarvan was silent for a long time before he got to his feet. Quinn looked surprised, watching as he looked skyward. He looked weary, as if he had sudden gained twenty years. He was expressionless as he waved her forward, leaving her question unanswered. He started walking toward the rocks, but paused.

"It's never easy to know you killed all of your men and friends." Jarvan said remorsefully. "It's something you'll never live down. It might haunt you for the rest of your life." He turned back towards her, a sad smile on his face as he looked back and forth between Quinn and Valor. "I only hope you never have to experience that pain."

Jarvan strode promptly around the corner, leaving Quinn alone. She felt bad for bringing it up, but she turned to Valor, meeting the bird's gaze. "He's rubbish at motivational speeches, isn't he?" She said, giggling slightly, stroking the bird. Valor ruffled his feathers and squawked derisively at her. "Yeah, yeah I know." Quinn sighed. "Come on, Valor, let's catch up."

"It's good to see ya, girly." Isaacs said, hugging Shyvana, ignoring the nervous expression she wore. "We were worried about you two." The dragoness wore a small smile as she looked at the short, burly non-commissioned officer from within his thick arms.

"Likewise." Shyvana said, her smile growing as he held her at arm's length. She seemed to glow as she looked over him over and grinned. "You seem as gruff and stubborn as ever." She remarked with a smile that made the man blush. "Surely you managed to beat death off with a stick, thus far?"

"Ah well, you know." Isaacs said, kicking at the dirt, exaggerating the motion. Forsythe and Shyvana laughed. Isaacs shook his head as he lowered himself down to the ground around the small fire ring as he poked at it with his sheathed sword. "Surely he doesn't plan on making us coffee with that?"

"He's strong, but he's no wizard." Forsythe said, grinning. "Unless you found a way to heat stuff up with that golden shield of yours." Jarvan grinned, shrugged and shook his head.

"So... how have you been? We've only heard rumors of what happened to the two of you... most of them coming from Noxus." Isaacs asked, sitting back and stretching his legs out below him. "That feels good." He sighed contently as he lay back.

"You stay down there too long and you won't be able to get back up." Forsythe snipped. Isaacs shot him a dirty look, but he couldn't keep the angry look on his face for long. Shyvana hugged her legs to her chest, resting her cheek on her knee. She had forgotten how much she had missed Isaacs. He may have been nothing more than a cheeky, sarcastic old codger, but he also reminded Shyvana of her father. He was warm and encompassing, seeing you for who you were, not what you looked like. She smiled to herself as a fond memory of her father ran through her mind. She focused back onto Isaacs though, as he continued to joke with Forsythe.

Shyvana knew that he was happy, she could read the genuine emotion on his face and in his relaxed body language. Jarvan had told her of the men he had lost, and one had shared his last name. She pulled her legs closer to her and shivered, thinking of the pain he must have felt when he lost his son. To lose a son and yet have such a happy smile... it was saddening to her and she felt the urge to hug the old man. She blushed at the thought, but smiled to herself, closing her eyes and listening to the two men continue to bicker.

"And what are you blushin' and smilin' like a pixie for?" Isaacs asked, sticking his chin out, trying to keep the grin from his face. Shyvana shook her head, letting her long locks bounce about her.

"Nothing." Shyvana said, trying to hide behind her arm.

"Sure it's nothing." Isaacs said with a cheeky grin. "I bet you were thinking of Jarvan, weren't you?" Shyvana opened her mouth to speak as Isaacs nudged her gently, but she could feel her cheeks burning bright red.

"If she wasn't before she sure is now." Forsythe said with a lopsided grin.

"Bwahahahaha!" Isaacs rolled back and let his maniacal laughter trail off.

"Good to see nothing's changed at all." Jarvan said, ducking below the rocks and stepping around Forsythe, patting the man on the shoulder as he did.

"Yeah well that little stunt you pulled shortened my damn life by a few years." Isaacs muttered, rolling his eyes. "Nearly gave me a bloody heart attack."

"I couldn't help myself." Jarvan shrugged as he lowered himself to the ground next to Shyvana. Isaacs grinned as he did, but he also noticed something slightly different. Before, the two of them were close. Almost like a puppy and its master, but now there was something different. Both of them were turned ever so slightly towards the other, and it made him grin. He had enjoyed teasing Shyvana about it, but he had to wonder if he was going to end up really calling her Princess in due time. He sat up slightly straighter, prouder, and he felt his heart swell.

Isaacs knew that is wasn't proper to think of the prince as his own son, but in a way all of them had been children to him. Vanneth, Torn, Argyle... they had all been like sons to him from the time they had joined the unit, each as much family as his own flesh and blood. Shore... Isaacs felt a heavy hand laying upon his shoulder, but he also knew that his son, his posterity, had seen all of these men as brothers. Jarvan may have been royalty outside the army, but within, he was as much a soldier when he chose to be as any Demacian peasant like Forsythe. Isaacs felt a mix of sadness and happiness settle in his heart, but at the same time, the joy he felt at seeing Jarvan and Shyvana alive was enough to lighten the dark mood that had settled over the group.

"So." Isaacs said, leaning forward, spitting Jarvan and Shyvana with a calm glare. "Both of you, spill it, now. What the hell happened to the two of you?" He watched as Jarvan glanced over his shoulder at Shyvana as if they were debating who would talk. They shared the glance for a few moments, as if they were telepathically debating, but Isaacs could see the discomfort growing in Shyvana. Isaacs could only assume that they had been through much together, isolated from the rest of the world, lost in a hostile environment. It couldn't have been easy and they had obviously grown extremely close. For Jarvan to act to jovial and carefree around what Shyvana probably viewed as strangers, he could only imagine the tumultuous feelings she must be facing.

The crunch of a twig and the brush of leather on rock drew his attention from Jarvan and he watched as Quinn joined the group, sliding into the rough circle between him and Forsythe.

With her presence came a subtle shift in the air around them as she sat down, and he would've sworn the entire area was a few degrees warmer. Isaacs frowned as he watched Shyvana's back go rigid as if she expected an attack. Valor squawked defensively, ruffling his feathers as if threatened, but he stayed on Quinn's arm as she tapped his beak derisively for interrupting the group. Isaacs noted that Quinn was purposely ignoring Shyvana, and he could tell that Shyvana was unsuccessfully trying to ignore Quinn.

Isaacs stiffed a groan, sensing a brewing storm.

"Where to begin..." Jarvan said, shaking his head. "You want to do the honors?" He said, gesturing to Shyvana. She shook her head and set and hand on his leg. Isaacs would have considered it a subtle gesture, but Shyvana left her hand there as if she was being possessive of him. It was a subtle gesture, but the tension in the air was growing ever more palatable.

"You'll do a better job." Shyvana said, watching Quinn's unease as she sat across the circle from Jarvan and the dragoness.

"Well..." Jarvan said, scratching at the stubble on his chin. "I suppose we'll start back when we got separated..."

…

"...and that's when I stumbled upon you guys on the other side of the rocks." Jarvan said shrugging. He turned back to Shyvana to make sure she had nothing else to add and she simply nodded, an empty smile on her face.

"Bloody hell." Isaacs said, wide eyed. "You guys have been busy." He shook his head. "And you trust this Noxian General's daughter?"

"Not at all." Jarvan said, frowning, his arms crossed over his chest. "But she helped us and I'm about to go back and betray her for it." Jarvan felt uneasy but he shrugged. "I'll look into what she asked for if we make it home to Demacia."

"You mean 'when'." Isaacs said, letting a smile creep onto his face.

"I suppose I do." Jarvan said, matching his smile, looking a bit abashed for his lack of faith.

"So what's the plan now?" Isaacs asked, frowning. "Should we just pick a direction and start wandering?"

"Hardly." Jarvan said, watching as Shyvana looked back and forth between Forsythe, Quinn and Isaacs. She matched gazes with Valor for a long time period of time. "We're going to head towards the outskirts of the city. There's a pub there that rangers and wilds-men frequent. Hopefully we can pick up a lead there."

"I suppose that's a better plan than anything else I've got." Isaacs said, shrugging. "When do we leave?"

Jarvan glanced to where Isaacs and Forsythe both watched him. He noticed Quinn's gaze was actually on Shyvana which caused a frown to tug at the corner of his mouth. Shyvana was watching him mostly, her eyes flickering about the group from time to time. Jarvan pushed himself to his feet and stretched his neck.

"We should be able to make it by dusk if we depart now." Jarvan said, looking at where the sun was hanging high in the sky.

"We better get a move on then." Isaacs said, yawning. He rubbed his eyes as he gathered his things and struggled to feet. "Damnit, I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night." He muttered more under his breath as he pulled his pack on.

"Too much booze?" Jarvan asked, grinning as he held a hand out for Shyvana. She got to her feet through, ignoring Jarvan's extended hand. He was surprised, and watched her for a few moments as she spun on her heel and finished armoring up.

"Not enough..." Isaacs said, letting his trail off as he watched Shyvana move away from the group to retrieve her gear. He glanced over his shoulder to where Forsythe and Quinn were helping each other and then looked back to Jarvan, an eyebrow raised. He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Jarvan. "A lover's quarrel?" Jarvan looked over his shoulder to where Shyvana's shapely hind end wiggled as she struggled to pull on her left grieve.

Jarvan coughed, covering his mouth with a fist as he glanced away. "Things were fine up until we joined up with you." Jarvan blushed furiously.

"She seemed alright earlier when I greeted her, a bit nervous if anything." Isaacs said, frowning. She seemed to be comfortable around Jarvan and Isaacs, but not so much around Forsythe and Quinn.

"Did something happen with her and either Quinn of Forsthye?" Jarvan said, his eyes narrowing.

"I don't think so..." Isaacs said, his brow furrowing. "But it was during Quinn's watch that Shyvana left the group back in the Conifer Basin." He frowned again, scratching his bearded chin before shrugging. "Something could have happened between the two of them I suppose."

"I should ask one of them about it." Jarvan said, picking his pack up and sliding it over his shoulders.

"Best talk to yonder princess about it, prince." Isaacs said, gesturing to where Shyvana was struggling with her pack. "The eve of battle is not a good place for lovers to quarrel." Jarvan shot the lieutenant a hard glare, but he simply raised his arms defensively and chuckled.

"Bite me, you old coot." Jarvan muttered as he walked over towards Shyvana. Isaacs winked at him as he turned to make sure both Forsythe and Quinn were ready to go.

"Here, let me help you with that." Jarvan said, holding Shyvana's pack up so she could get the strap over her shoulder pauldron.

"I've got it." Shyvana said tersely, yanking the pack from Jarvan's hands and finally managing to get the strap over the armored plate. Jarvan blinked a few times, surprised, trying to figure out if he had heard her correctly.

"Did I do something?" Jarvan asked, taking a step back. Shyvana whirled around on him, an icy glare cutting into him. She tried to hold the glare, but it melted, and sadness crept into her eyes. She shook her head and tried to walk past him. Jarvan reached out and grabbed her arm.

''Let go." Shyvana said, looking over her shoulder at him.

"What happened? What the hell is wrong with you?" Jarvan said, feeling scorned.

"Wrong with me?" Shyvana hissed, whirling about and spitting him with a hurt glare. She locked gazes with him, and he could see a mix of pain and confusion swirling in her eyes. "Of course it's something wrong we me." She whirled about and tried to move off again, but Jarvan grabbed her shoulder, trying to keep her from going.

"I said let go!" Shyvana practically shouted, flames exploding around her for a brief moment. Jarvan yelped and jumped back, holding his seared hand. Angry red mark began to form along his wrist where his glove and his body-suit met. Shyvana opened her mouth to say something, but took a step away, her arms held close to her body and her eyes glued to the ground.

Over the top of her head, Isaacs was watching the encounter with the even gaze of a father. He gave Jarvan a recusing look, but Jarvan glared at him with steeled nerves. He jerked his head slightly, and Isaacs got the message. He ushered Quinn and Forsythe along and around the rocks, leaving Jarvan and Shyvana alone. Jarvan ran a hand through his long black hair, clearing it from his face. He peeled his glove off, the gauntlet going with it as he examined the blisters that were beginning to form.

"Shyvana..." Jarvan spoke quietly, calmly as she stood silently staring at the ground.

"Don't touch me." Shyvana said, the hint of a sob wracking her voice as she shook her head side to side. "You'll get burned again." She began to step away, but Jarvan grabbed at her shoulder. She paused when his firm grip landed on her arm and she begin to turn towards him as if to say something, but she slapped his arm aside as tears streamed down her face.

"Shy..." Jarvan's voice got lost in his throat.

"Don't come any closer." Shyvana said, her own voice growing faint as she struggled to form words around her tears. Jarvan took a step towards her but Shyvana had a wild look in her eye. Flames began to envelop her as she shook her head, her skin gaining a blue tint as her draconian side began to emerge. Scales emerged from her skin and horns emerged from her head as she growled at Jarvan. She bared her teeth and nearly lashed out at him.

"Shyvana..." Jarvan said, raising his hands before him defensively trying to placate her.

"I SAID STAY BACK!" Shyvana roared, sending Jarvan crashing to his rear and skittering back. Jarvan stared up at her, his mouth ajar, unable to form any words. She looked surprised and afraid, the expression a child wore the first time they accidentally stepped on a new puppy's tail. She clamped her eyes shut as if she expected something horrible to happen. She shook her head violently and then looked down at Jarvan before turning sharply and picking up her armored gauntlets. She slid them on and then paused and looked over her shoulder one final time before disappearing around the edge of the rocks.

Jarvan felt stunned as he pulled himself to his feet, unable to form words or to pursue her. Part of him was both surprised and deeper within, he realized something that made him feel deeply ashamed of himself. He looked down at his hands as they quaked ever so slightly and simply stared at them for a few moments, dirt and little bits of rock and moss decorating the palm of his un-gloved hand.

I'm afraid… I'm afraid of her... Jarvan shook his head, trying to quell the fear that dwelled deep within his heart. He shook his head. I can't be afraid of her... I love her... He pulled his glove on, still searching for some reason, some answer to what had suddenly happened to cause Shyvana to become so withdrawn.

He donned his pack and then lifted his lance, looking to ensure nothing had been left behind. With doubt on his mind he took one last look at the pool and he could only wonder to himself about what had happened. He donned his slightly charred glove and flexed his palm, a frown still upon his face. He shook his head as he donned his helm, letting the strap dangle around his neck as he rounded the rocks.

Forsythe and Quinn chatted idly by while Isaacs watched over the group like a hen watches her chicks. Jarvan could tell he was watching Shyvana, who had separated herself from the group just enough to disconnect, but not enough to show her dissension. She hid behind a guise of adjusting her armor and her pack, but he could tell that something was amiss. Jarvan frowned as he caught Isaac's glare and he could only cast a fleeting glance towards Shyvana before shrugging meekly.

"Ready, sire?" Forsythe asked, looking to Jarvan a smile on his face.

Jarvan nodded, and spoke towards Quinn. "You know where we're going?"

The tracker nodded and smiled, casting Valor into the air. The Demacian Eagle screamed as it shot nearly straight up into the air and began to circle above. "I believe so." She nodded.

"Lead on then." Jarvan waved them forward, falling in next to Isaacs.

"A word, Val..." Jarvan said softly, so as not to let the sound of his voice carry over the crunch of his boots upon the ground.

"Oh no." Isaacs said, shaking his head and giving Jarvan a wary glance. "You only call me by that name when you need advice about something that doesn't involve the death of said problem."

"I... I don't know what's wrong." Jarvan said, shaking his head. "It's as if something just changed in her..." Isaacs glanced over his shoulder to where Shyvana was making a notable effort to stay last in the ragged line they had fallen into as they marched across the tree-riddled marsh land.

"If you're asking for answers about women..." Isaacs said, frowning, his hand resting upon the hilt of his sword. "Then you might want to find another woman to ask. I don't understand 'em any more than you do."

"But you were married, weren't you?" Jarvan asked. "Surely you have some idea." Isaacs chuckled deeply, a hearty belly laugh that almost sent him crashing into a deep puddle.

"Prince, you would compare my ex-wife to that of your sweet, young Princess Shyvana?" Isaacs chuckled again, nudging Jarvan in the ribs, which brought color to the younger man's cheeks. "No woman deserves to be compared to that old witch." Isaacs shook his head. "Son, if anything, being married to her only made me understand women less." Jarvan frowned but didn't have anything to say. Isaacs noted the downtrodden look he wore and he sighed. "If she doesn't want to talk about it... give her a little space for a while and let her calm down. She's young and I honestly doubt she understands much of how we act around each other. Your story told me of how intimate and comfortable the two of you are together... but even then, you were alone together for so long." Isaacs shrugged. "She could just be jealous or homesick."

"I suppose." Jarvan said calmly.

"Give her time, lad." Isaacs said, knocking his gently on the shoulder. "She'll warm back up to you." Jarvan nodded, but he couldn't shake the sinking feeling he felt that something disastrous was headed their way.

The group hit a cobblestone road in a little under half an hour of walking, the path was well worn and there was only the barest of traffic on it, so the hushed conversations continued among the two in the lead. Jarvan took solace in the calming mood that the reds, oranges and yellows put him in as the continued to walk through the tunnel of leaves.

The rustle of leaves seemed to drown out the troubles around him and the crisp autumn air cleared his mind and helped to put his heart at ease.

"Something's coming."

Jarvan was ripped from his momentary meditation as Shyvana grabbed Isaacs and him by the shoulder and nearly tossed them off the side of the road.

"Get down!" Shyvana hissed as Forsythe and Quinn turned, looking back with surprise upon their faces. Shyvana waved them to the side of the road urgently, an annoyed look on her face. Jarvan and Isaacs kneeled behind a thicket, so they could only just barely see the road. The brush around them rustled and Quinn and Forsythe appeared, both of them kneeling next to Isaacs and Jarvan.

"What happened?" Quinn whispered, but Shyvana merely pushed a finger to her lips and glared at the young tracker.

"Quiet!" Shyvana hissed.

Jarvan was perfectly still, only the sound of his heart beat ringing in his ears. It grew louder and louder until he could feel it shaking the ground beneath his feet. Jarvan shook his head as if he was going crazy, but that was when he realized that it wasn't his heartbeat, it was the sound of boot on stone. His throat went dry as the roar of a column of troops approached, each footfall rumbling like that of thunder.

Through the autumn leaves the menacing grey and red colors faded into view, a massive column of Noxian troops coming into view. They were prepared for war, and Jarvan could only assume they were coming for his head and the head of his men.

The column began to march past, the sound of footsteps thundering in his ears and he could see the unease upon that of his fellows. Had it been anything but Noxian troops, the familiar sound would have been reassuring, but it only filled his stomach with ice.

The shout of a distant officer brought the column to a halt not twenty feet from where he sat hunched over in a bush, his throat dryer than the Shuriman desert.

Jarvan gulped as an officer trotted past on his horse. The officer bore the standard of the unit and a saber upon his hip, a grim look upon his face as he slowed as he passed the brush where Jarvan and the others were hidden.

Jarvan felt his skin crawl as the man's gaze seemed to meet his own.

He tightened his grip upon his lance.

"Get ready..."