"Garen! Don't do it!" Jarvan shouted, struggling against the guards that held him.
"Prince Jarvan..." Garen looked over his shoulder, his sword still clutched in both hands, held to Shyvana's throat. He looked at his childhood friend, and the distress upon his face. Garen had to look away, the happiness he had felt at being reunited with his childhood friend now drained from his body. "...Apologies, my friend."
"Finish it, Captain Crownguard." The king ordered, his voice firm. Lady Catherine looked from her husband to her son and then to the ruby haired young woman who lay upon the ground, a sword at her throat.
"Father, no!" Jarvan IV snarled. Hatred swirled in his eyes as he stared up at the elder Lightshield, struggling against his wardens. "What the hell do you want, damnit? I didn't think even you'd do something this underhanded!"
"Keep him restrained!" Jarvan III snapped back with equal anger, watching as the gold, blue and white armored Demacian soldiers struggled with his disobedient son. They held their lances across the prince's chest, crossed and braced, but as the prince continued to struggle, the men were starting to give. He's grown much stronger... Jarvan III let his expression mellow as he watched his son struggle as one of the strongest Champion of Demacia stood over a young woman who looked out of place amid the Demacian court. A crowd of staff had gathered around the terrace to watch the commotion, and Jarvan III surveyed them with a smirk. It won't serve any purpose to do this in front of so many, but it must be done. The king rested a hand upon the hilt of his sword which sat in its sheath upon his hip. "Captain Crownguard, you have your orders. Do it. There isn't a place in Demacia for the likes of a weakling like her."
"Jarvan..." Lady Catherine started to reach out to her son, but Jarvan III put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back, shaking his head. Anger welled in her eyes as she stared up at her husband. "Why are you tormenting him like this, Trey?"
"Silence Catherine." Jarvan III ordered, glaring at his wife. "This is a battle, and she lost. She wasn't strong enough. Now, she must face the penalty for her actions."
Garen paused as he stood over the young woman, staring into the ice blue hardened glare of the King of Demacia. Garen's chest heaved as he used the back of his gloved hand to wipe blood from his chin. He brought his weapon up above his head and held it there, looking down over his quarry. Shyvana lay at his feet, her tattered red hair splayed out around her like a giant pool of blood. Blood poured from the deep gash on her arm, a bruise forming on her forehead. Her chest heaved with the exertion and fear, her entire body trembling slightly. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, meeting his glare. Garen took a half step back, his mouth ajar.
Fire boiled in her violet eyes as they slowly swirled with golden color, her pupils narrowing to black diamonds. Blue scales started to show on her face as her face contorted in anger.
Garen shivered as he tightened his fists around his sword and lifted it up above his head. Just what are you?
"DO IT, CAPTAIN!" Jarvan III barked the order and Garen closed his eyes, unwilling to stare into the eyes of someone who had so much fight left in them as they died.
Garen brought his sword down in a cleaving swing, striking the stone just before her and driving his blade in deep. He grunted with the effort, but as Garen closed his eyes and began to radiate with power, the hum of steel could be heard ringing in the air. The blade sunk deeper as he poured all of his might and energy into the manifestation of his true strength. He exhaled and then shouted, driving the blade into the ground with as much force as he could muster, a flash of golden light enveloping the area as blue flames seemed to pour off of his body.
"No!" Jarvan bellowed. He sunk down and shoulder checked one of the guardsmen who now tried to restrain him, sending the man tumbling backwards. He grabbed the lance still held over his chest and hauled the other soldier over his shoulder, slamming him onto the ground, his armor clattering as air exploded out of the soldier's mouth. Jarvan launched himself towards where Shyvana lay on the ground, a lance in his hands. "SHYVANA!"
A massive golden sword dropped from the sky.
Earlier that morning...
Jarvan stepped out of the entrance of the Laughing Yordle and yawned, stretching his arms high above him as he stretched his back. He rolled his head and cracked his neck, leaning his lance against his body as he settled his pack on his back and adjusted the straps to ride a bit higher above his hip.
"You didn't get any sleep at all last night, did you?" Forsythe shook his head, rolling his eyes when Jarvan glared at him. Forsythe was having a hard time controlling his laughter, a smile spreading over his face as Jarvan continued to shoot him dirty looks.
"Bite me, you sarcastic little shit." Jarvan growled, picking his lance up and laying it over his shoulder. He yawned again, trying to smother it with his hand, but he could shake the lack of sleep off. "Quinn headed out already?"
"She did, yeah." Forsythe looked slightly downtrodden, but he shrugged it off. He looked down the road towards the south, in the direction he had come from the day before. "She wanted to get a head start on her journey back towards Kalamanda. I tried to wake you two up to say goodbye, but you were both still dead out." Forsythe frowned. "Must have been up late to oversleep by that much." He grinned at Jarvan and watched as his prince scowled, turning away to finish his tinkering with his backpack.
"You might wanna just stow it now, before I have to knock your teeth down your throat." Jarvan growled. "I don't enjoy having people try to dissect my personal life, despite being a Prince."
"Yeah, boss, I understand." Forsythe said, his voice fading a bit as he sighed heavily. Jarvan turned and looked at his friend. What's wrong with you, Forsythe, you're not acting like yourself.
"Everything alright, Forsythe?" Jarvan set a hand on the man's shoulder. Forsythe looked up at him with pain in his eyes, but shrugged it off, covering it with a smile.
"Yeah, just a bit sad." Forsythe said with a sad grin tugging at his mouth. "All good things have to come to an end, ya know?" Jarvan nodded and chuckled softly.
"If you must know, Shyvana wanted to hear tales of what it's like in Demacia." Jarvan sighed, a fondness that spoke of who was on his mind seeping into his voice. He pulled his helm off and ran a hand through his black hair, drawing his bangs back over his head. He pulled his helm back on and strapped it in place under his chin. "I wanted to know a bit more about dragons as a species. We spent the better part of the night swapping stories."
"Oh..." Forsythe looked slightly downtrodden, as if he had expected something else. "Well that's no fun." He sighed and shrugged again, chuckling as the scowl returned to Jarvan's face. The door opened and Jarvan and Forsythe both turned to watch as Shyvana emerged from within, pulling her cloak over her shoulders and clipping it in place. She settled it in place over her shoulders and then tugged the armor plates she had been given by Jarvan into place, trying to settle them on her body.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you wait." She slid to a stop, her arms flailing, nearly crashing into Jarvan as her boots skidded on the ice. She wobbled momentarily before Jarvan caught her. He lifted her from the ice and set her onto the cobblestone road, looking over her to ensure she hadn't hurt herself. She blushed and glanced away.
"Take a second and calm yourself." Jarvan said with a fond look on his face. "It's only a few hours walk to Demacia." Shyvana nodded nervously, and Jarvan could read a bit of tension in her body. She took a deep breath and exhaled, steam rolling from her nose as she beamed at Jarvan.
"You look like you slept really well." Forsythe said, watching a color flooded Shyvana's face and she stared at the ground, tugging the front of her tunic down across her body. She definitely looked radiant, and Forsythe couldn't help but grin at Jarvan. The prince continued to scowl at him and Forsythe chuckled, causing Shyvana to glance back and forth between the two men. Jarvan sighed and waved Forsythe off. Shyvana frowned but looked up at Jarvan and nodded. She did seem to glow, her cheeks a bit rosy, the tip of her nose pink, and her skin was brighter than normal, a bit of color in her skin tone. Jarvan blushed when she met his gaze and smiled at him, causing him to glance away nervously.
"I'm ready to go." She laughed as Jarvan tried to shake his nerves off. She slid up next to Jarvan and laced her finger into his, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Good, I'm ready to get back!" Forsythe said, injecting himself into the conversation, a wry smile stretching onto his face. "It's been so long that I've almost forgotten what Demacia looked like."
"Where's home for you, Forsythe?" Shyvana said, glancing over at the towheaded soldier.
"I never really had a home." Forsythe said, lacing his hands behind his head and looking to the blue sky as he took off at an easy pace, letting Jarvan and Shyvana behind him fall into wake along the recently plowed road. "Though if I had to say, home for me is the Demacian Martial Barracks." He shrugged. "Anywhere I'm stationed where I can get three hot meals a day and eight hours is good enough for me. I've been a part of one branch of the military or another for as long as I can remember, and before that, the docks were my home."
"You lived down by the ocean?" Shyvana said with a smile, leaning forward so she could see Forsythe around Jarvan.
"Yep." Forsythe grinned, though it had lost much of its shine, his voice taking on a somber tone. "I grew up a street urchin, bouncing around different warehouses, eating scraps from restaurants and what little I could buy with money I scraped together doing odd jobs to support myself and my-..." His voice trailed off and Forsythe's pace slowed just a tad as he stared at the ground, blushing.
"Your what?" Shyvana asked, her curiosity now piqued.
"It's nothing." Forsythe said, his eyes a bit dimmer than normal. "Just some bad memories from when I used to be a gutter rat."
"Oh... I didn't mean to pry." Shyvana said nervously, blushing.
"Nah, don't worry about it." Forsythe said, injecting happiness into his voice. "That was a long time ago. I did my time and then I got picked out by the prince here and well, the rest is history."
"I'd hope it's not history yet." Jarvan said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not quite ready to be an entry in a history book." Forsythe looked surprised, but he let out a hearty chuckle, the warmth returning to his voice.
"No, I don't expect I'm ready either." Forsythe walked a bit lighter, the spring back in his step. Forsythe slowed for a moment, and then lifted one foot into the air, staring down at a leather strap that now hung loose around his ankle. Jarvan and Shyvana took several steps further before they had to turn to look back at why their remaining traveling companion had slowed to a halt. "Damnit." He looked to Jarvan. "I'mma fix this real quick, give me a minute."
Jarvan nodded. "Take your time." Forsythe dropped to one knee and started tinkering with his boot, trying to get the leather strap to fit back into the buckle.
"What's wrong with Forsythe?" Shyvana said quietly, crossing his arms over her chest.
"I don't know..." Jarvan murmured. "His story... his story usually ends with 'supporting myself,' and that's it."
"But his story didn't end there this time." Shyvana said quietly, looking down at the young man again as he kneeled over his boot.
"Exactly."
"And he's never mentioned this before?" Shyvana gave him a quizzical look.
"Never." Jarvan frowned, looking at his remaining soldier. "I... wonder if there is someone else in his life..."
"You think it's a woman?" Shyvana looked down at the young soldier, his blonde hair bouncing as he jerked the leather strap into place. Jarvan shrugged, watching Forsythe as he pushed himself to his feet.
"We ready to go?" Forsythe smiled at both Jarvan and Shyvana in turn. "What were you talking about just now?"
"Not much." Shyvana said, shrugging. "Just about how sore I am from last night." She turned, giving Jarvan a devious grin, and shooting Forsythe a look that challenged his beliefs. She chuckled at the dumbstruck look on both of their faces, though her tread fell short when she stepped back towards the road. "Jarvan..."
"So that's what you two did..." Forsythe said slyly. "I thought Shyvana was glowing a bit much." He grinned imperiously, staring down his nose at Jarvan. Though they were of similar height and build, Jarvan couldn't help but be nervous at the feeling of vulnerability it gave him to have his life suddenly split so open to one of his men. "Don't worry, prince." Forysthe chuckled and slapped Jarvan on the shoulder. "And of course the princess too."
"I WILL take you down a peg, Forsythe." Jarvan growled.
"Jarvan..." Shyvana murmured, tugging on his sleeve.
"Damnit." Jarvan scratched his head, sighing. "I asked you not to tell anyone, Shyvana." Her hand dropped away from his and she took a step back away from Jarvan, glancing at him and then glancing down to the ground. "Shy?"
"Jarvan, heads up." Forsythe's voice had gone quiet as he took a half step forward, spreading his feet into a defensive stance. "We've got incoming."
Jarvan's eyes were drawn to the road as the sound of horse hooves striking the cobbles started to echo along the snow covered houses and trees that lined the road. Clad in blue, white and golden armor, a column of soldiers approached, marching down the middle of the road. Peasants and commoners moved to the side, parting to let the column move through.
"Who is that?" Shyvana said quietly.
"I suspect they're the welcoming party." Forsythe said, a tight smile upon his lips. "Valor knights... a whole fucking company of them." A smile spread on Shyvana's face as she stood up and looked down over the knights as the approached their position. Each knight was mounted upon a horse and each bore a lance in hand, the bladed head held high, a standard flapping in the brisk morning breeze. Their helmets were crested by crimson plumes, and their golden plated armor gleamed in the morning sun. Their horses were similarly armored, with long blue skirts and golden armor around the horses necks. They moved in unison, the echoing of their hooves already engraved in Jarvan ears.
"You make it sound like a bad thing." Shyvana said, her smile fading from her face when she saw the glum look on Jarvan's face. "It's not a bad thing, is it?"
"I don't think so..." Forsythe said, growling. "Though a company of Valor Knights is rarely met with good circumstances... or resistance."
The company ground to a halt as they approached Jarvan and his two companions. Atop the lead horse, a man with brown hair and blue eyes looked down at the group. He narrowed his eyes as they passed over the two men and then over Shyvana, and even off the horse, he towered over them. He wore a blue scarf around his neck against the day's chill, despite the sunshine that covered the land. A massive sword hung at his waist. Shyvana looked up at him, watching as his glare passed over him again. She shivered.
"Prince Jarvan Lightshield IV?" The man's voice was firm and officious, extremely military.
"Captain Garen Crownguard." Jarvan's voice was stiff as he spoke the name, and a frown creased his brow.
"Please present your seal, sir." Garen's voice had stiffened noticeably, and the tension was audible in the winter air. Jarvan sighed, but nodded. He pulled collar of his tunic down, and pulled out a small golden coin that hung on a golden chain around his neck. He doffed his helm and then pulled the necklace over his head, shaking his black hair back into place. He held the coin and chain out for Garen to accept.
"Please remove the seal from the collar, sir." Garen said, still waiting. Jarvan shot him a dark look but nodded, pulling the coin from the rubber collar it was set in. Jarvan palmed the golden chain and then handed the coin to Garen, who finally accepted it.
"What's that?" Shyvana whispered to Forsythe, both of them standing slightly off to the side. Forsythe glanced down at her and the looked back to the coin and collar.
"It's the seal of his birthright." Forsythe said, nodding slightly. "A special coin that is engraved with the seal of his family, the Lightshield dynasty. It is proof that he is Jarvan IV, and not an imposter."
"Oh." Shyvana nodded slightly and hid her hands beneath her cloak, rubbing them together nervously.
Garen inspected the coin, setting it atop a small golden box. He pressed the coin into the surface of the box, watching as the box began to hum and glow a golden sheen. A crest appeared above the box, depicting winged lines flanking a circular buckler of blue amethyst. They held swords crossed over the shield and they had emeralds for eyes. Along the bottom, the word Lightshield marked the crest.
"Happy now?" Jarvan growled. Garen returned the coin to his hand and waited till the prince had returned the coin to its collar and tucked it inside his tunic. Garen proffered his hand, the speed of the movement surprising Shyvana. A smile crossed his face.
"Welcome back, my friend." Jarvan clasped his arm in his and matched his smile, though tight lipped. Garen clasped his shoulder with his free hand. "It's reassuring to see you in good health."
"It's good to be back." Jarvan said, nodding. "I assume my father sent you?"
"He did." Garen said with a soft chuckle. "We should get moving, we're expected back." He waved over his shoulder and heard the clop of hooves on the cobbles. A rider came forth with three horses in tow, offering the reins to Garen. He nodded his thanks and then handed a pair of reins to Jarvan, who accepted and nodded his thanks.
"You can explain things in the mean time." Jarvan said, strapping his pack onto the horse's back, just behind the saddle. Jarvan gestured to Forsythe and Shyvana. "You remember Forsythe, correct?" Forsythe tried to smile, but the gesture faltered.
"Of course." Garen said. Forsythe saluted promptly, and Garen returned it, extending his hand after dropping the salute. Forsythe shook his hand briefly, accepting a set of reins from his and then setting about mounting his pack on the horse. He turned to look at Shyvana. He paused then turned back to Jarvan. "I was under the impression that two of your men had survived. Not one and a peasent woman."
"Watch your tongue." Jarvan snapped, surprising Garen. "This is Shyvana, a brave warrior who saved my life. You shall show her the same respect you show me." Garen glanced from Jarvan to Shyvana, shooting her a dirty look to mask his surprise.
He bowed. "My apologies." He passed the last set of reins to Shyvana and then turned, mounting up quickly. "We'll head to the front of the column and then we'll head back, sire." Jarvan turned to Shyvana as if to offer his apologies, but before he could open his mouth to speak, Garen spoke again. "Please, your highness, we must hurry. Time is of the essence."
Jarvan looked to Shyvana and nodded apologetically as they mounted up. She shrugged and offered him a subdued smile. Shyvana fell in along his right side, and Fosythe the opposite side of the prince as he turned his horse and snapped the reins, pushing the horse into a canter to catch up with Garen.
"So Garen, care to explain exactly why you rolled out the red carpet for my return?" Jarvan slowed his horse as he came alongside the Demacian Knight.
"Your father has had rangers watching you since you returned to the north side of the Great Barrier." Garen said watching the road as they moved towards the head of the column. "They lost you for a short period of time when you passed through the Evergeen Valley, but they picked you back up when you left Noxus. The captain wished for me to express his condolences for being unable to help you, he was under direct orders to observe and report directly to your father." Garen shrugged. "When you rented a room at the Laughing Yordle, the rangers who were tracking you reported back. I had returned several days earlier from Kalamanda myself and I offered to escort you back into the city."
"I see." Jarvan said, frowning. "What's happened in Kalamanda? We haven't heard much in the way of news in the past month or two."
"Quite a bit actually." Garen said, frowning, looking down towards the neck of his horse. He slowed the animal as he approached the middle of the formation, a soldier riding from the front towards him. "Tunis, what's wrong?"
"Sir, we have several trade wagons approaching." The man was dark of hair and skin, and though he had a soft voice, it didn't lack for intensity. "Permission to take the column off the road?"
"Do it, Tunis." Garen said nodding. "As soon as they pass, lead us back to the city, I'll fall in with the prince and his two companion between platoons two and three."
"Sir." The officer barked and spun his horse about, taking off at a gallop.
"Pardon the delays." Garen growled, shaking his head. "This is part of the issue right now. There was a huge mineral deposit discovered earlier this year not far outside Kalamanda proper, and many miners and prospectors have been flocking to the city. With the rapid influx of people, the city requested aid in the way of food and supplies. We had a bountiful harvest this past year and we offered to send some of our surplus as a token of goodwill to the city with hopes of garnering favor with the mayor and the council."
"It wasn't that long ago that we had ventured into Kalamanda ourselves." Forsythe said. "I don't remember there being much in the way of a martial presence there. Not anything out of the ordinary at least."
"We only recently expanded our presence out of the fields on the west side of town." Garen said frowning. The Noxians moved forces into the city not long after you left, after a platoon of legionaries were offed." Jarvan glanced at Shyvana and she gave him a nervous but knowing smile. "We reinforced our presence, and I was given command of the garrison there, and I've been dealing with Katarina Du Couteau to maintain an uneasy peace between the mounting forces there. There's been some trouble, as the town isn't really equipped or large enough to deal with the troops now stationed there, but there hasn't been any real conflict within the last few weeks." The column had moved off the road, and several large wagons, each dragged by a team of four horses trundled past. Guards of the supply column watched the company of soldiers warily, but they offered no words.
"I see." Jarvan said, frowning. "What brings you back to Demacia then, Garen? I heard you had joined the Institute of War, the League of Legends." .
"Indeed." Garen nodded. "I joined up a while ago as the first emissary of Demacia. With Noxus holding a strong position within the League, the king decided we needed to begin expanding our circle of influence into the League as well. I was the first to join, though it wasn't long afterward when Xin Zhao joined me at the Institute. Lady Sona Buvelle and my younger sister, Luxanna joined as well, not but a few months ago." The column grew anxious, murmurs passing through the men, as the last of the wagons dragged past. The column moved back onto the road, both man and horse moving into formation on the road. Garen whistled and spun his hand high above his head. The column shuddered and lurched forward as they began moving towards the city.
"How's Lux doing, I haven't seen her since she was a child." Jarvan said, smiling. The young blonde had followed the two boys around whenever she had been able, though she had been sent to the Demacian Academy not long before Jarvan had run into Swain and lost his company.
"She's fine." Garen said, shrugging. "She's outwardly cheerful, but she hasn't been happy in a long while." Garen frowned, his massive shoulders swaying as he starred off towards the ocean, which was now a silver ribbon upon the horizon. "She won't talk to me about it. Recently she's been shut up in her room of the academy library."
"Sounds like someone I know." Forsythe said, chuckling. Shyvana glanced over at him and Forsythe grinned and pointed at Jarvan.
Shyvana smiled as she watched Garen and Jarvan continue to converse.
So this is what Demacia is like...
"The great Eastern Gate of Demacia." Jarvan gestured to the massive wall of clean, golden grey stone, rising up from ground towards the sky like the mountains of the great barrier. The stone wall was accented with stone blocks that were a pale gray marbled with blue, and a pair of massive lions stood sentinel along either side of the gate. Emeralds seemed to glow in their eyes, and golden claws and manes served to only add to the statues' beauty. Shyvana had to crane her neck as soldier patrolled the top of the wall, archers carrying bows and mages with hoods hiding their face, all of them moving along the wall, vigilant for any threat.
Shyvana took pause as she approached the gates of the great city state of Demacia. The towering spires rose toward the sky with gentle curves, walkways bridging the gaps and interconnecting the city. Arches and almost feminine beauty dominated the landscape, the blue and gold colors accenting the gold and green architecture. Fluffy white snow covered much of the city, but it only added to the charm and beauty. Demacia stretched out in every direction for what looked like miles, rising up to a pinnacle around the great halls of the Demacian Royal Palace. It was truly a sight to behold, the polished golden stone accented with beautiful golden accents and decorations. Green spires curled towards the sky in every direction, the skyline rippling like the peaks of the sea.
This is a whole new beast... Shyvana shook her head; she didn't want to think of this as something she needed to defeat, but something to embrace. This is my home now. She looked back to Jarvan. As long as he is here, it shall be my new home.
"It seems a bit smaller than I remember." Forsythe said with a wry grin. He craned his neck back to watch as they passed under a large arch.
"It's not smaller, you're just taller." Jarvan laughed. "Two years have passed and you've gained six inches, easy, Forsythe." The towheaded knight blushed, scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah, yeah..." He muttered and Shyvana couldn't help but smile.
"So this is Demacia..." Shyvana practically whispered, staring up and over her shoulder at the massive arch that formed the gateway into the city. "It's gorgeous..."
"You actually entered Demacia yesterday." Garen said, looking over his shoulder at the dragoness. "Demacia is a large kingdom, though Demacia Proper, the actual capital, isn't very large."
"It's larger than any city I've ever been to..." Shyvana said, still in awe. They moved through another gateway, and immediately Shyvana's jaw fell open. She stared up as the world around her seemed to transform. Buildings of stone and marble rose up on either side of the street, and people stopped to watch the procession. Men, women and children crowded into the street to watch at the knights marched past, their standards held high and their horses trotting happily and in time. "There's so many people..." Shyvana blushed as Jarvan sat higher in his saddle and smiled. He glanced back over his shoulder and gave her a confident grin.
"We only just entered the city... this is nothing." He chuckled as Shyvana blushed again, watching in awe as more people poured into the streets to watch the column of knights move past. Shyvana shrank back at all of the cheering that echoed around them. Jarvan couldn't keep the grin off of his face as the cheers rose up as he silently lifted his lance above his head and pumped it up and down. Shyvana blushed as she attracted stares, glares and curious glances as she rode victoriously though the streets just behind Jarvan and to the right.
"Cheer up, girly!"
Shyvana glanced over her shoulder. She glanced about, looking for the source of the voice, but there wasn't anything to be seen. Shyvana felt a pang of grief in her heart. She could see it now. Isaacs wore a cocky little grin. He raised an arm and waved to a knot of slightly older women, several of them glancing aside and blushing as he gave them a proud and imperious glance, sitting up taller in his saddle, the missing leg hidden behind the horse.
"He'd probably say something like 'Cheer up, this is a joyous occasion!'" Shyvana glowered down at the back of her horses neck, gripping the reins with white knuckled fists.
"You alright, Shy?" Jarvan had slowed, and though he continued to smile and wave to the many citizens who watched along the sidewalks, Shyvana could see the worry in his eyes.
"Yeah, I think so." She gave him a brave smile and looked back to the crowds, trying to smile at the many young children who looked up at her with admiration."I just... I've never dealt with this sort of attention."
"What about when you were fighting in the Noxian Coliseum?" Forsythe said with a sly grin. "If Jarvan's stories are true at all... you were enjoying the crowd plenty while you tried to kill him. Just smile and wave!"
"What?" Garen looked aghast. "She tried to do what to you in Noxus?" His hand stole away to his blade upon his hip, but Jarvan chuckled, waving him off.
"No, not like that." He said, still struggling not to laugh. "It was just a bit of confusion is all." Jarvan shot Forsythe an accusing glare, but the younger solder shrugged it off and turned his attention back to the many young women who had flocked out to see the knights. "You were getting into it though." Jarvan glanced at Shyvana giving her a sly grin.
Shyvana blushed furiously, the memory playing in her mind. "Yes but no one could see my face."
"It's so cute though." Jarvan interjected, pointing to her with a grin. "Why hide it?" Shyvana smiled but blushed even harder, her face nearly the same color as her bright red hair.
"I guess." Shyvana said, her finger slowly circling along the top of the saddle. She looked towards the crowd. She smiled meekly at the masses as they seemed to meld together; a huge number of people had come out to see the return of their missing prince. Shyvana cast a fleeting glance Jarvan. It's been over two years since he had left the city and disappeared into the night with twelve men in tow. Now, he has returned with his armor adorned with the claws and fangs of the fiercest of creatures, only a single survivor accompanying him of the original twelve. What will people think when they realize what... who he's become? Shyvana did her best to smile as she waved to some young men and women in the crowd. The women looked scorning but the men blushed red, smiles spreading upon their face.
"See, the boys swoon and the ladies scowl with jealousy." Forsythe said with a chuckle. "Just wait till word gets out that you're not just a member of his guard..." He grinned, raising his eyebrow above the empty socket, his good eye twinkling mischievously. Shyvana blushed furiously, ducking her head, thinking to the night she had shared with Jarvan. "You'll singlehandedly become the enemy of every woman in Demacia."
"Enough of your idle gossip, Forsythe, you sound like Isaacs." Jarvan growled, a tinge of bitterness in his voice that belayed the smile he wore on his face. Shyvana tried to put a smile back on her face at the spotlight that Jarvan had been isolated in. His face was red with color as well, and she felt her heart warm just a bit knowing he was just as nervous as she was about it. She didn't particularly enjoy his discomfort, but she couldn't help but smile at the ribbing he was receiving.
"Why would they hate me?" Shyvana whispered to Jarvan, frowning as the prince glanced away as if he was avoiding her question. Forsythe trotted forward between them, a lopsided grin on his face. He leaned forward in his saddle, grinning, his voice low.
"You are being courted by the single most important bachelor in Valoran right now." He pointed discreetly at Jarvan. "Power, charisma, money and not to mention good looks," Forsythe nudged Shyvana in the side with a grin as he whispered. "I'd be careful if someone didn't try to steal him away from you." Shyvana shot him a dirty look, but her anger was immediately extinguished as they rounded a corner and turned onto the main thoroughfare.
Shyvana's jaw fell open as they straightened out, the thunderous roar of the crowds echoing off the towering structures that lined both sides of the road. Though the trees were bare, the snow that still rested on their branches gave them a beautiful appearance. A gust of wind disturbed the snow and sent it powdering to the ground, some of it getting swept up in the light breeze that teased the flags along the street. The blue and gold banners fluttered in the breeze along the buildings that towered above the street along every building. Men, women and children lined windows, balconies and the sides of the street as Jarvan and his small band proudly trotted forward amid the company of knights.
The roar of the crowd was deafening.
As they approached the end of the gently curving boulevard, the tallest structure in the entire city came into view as they turned the last corner. Situated on the highest point of the cape, the palace looked like it was made of shimmering gold. Spires reached up higher than the mountains and the gently green curves of the roof were ornate and pretty. Standards hung along the massive flying buttresses, and towers sat atop the great pillars that radiated out from the center structure.
"It's massive." Shyvana whispered. "I've never seen something so large..."
"We're still about a kilometer out." Jarvan said with a smile. Shyvana's eyes grew wide.
"You mean..." She stammered already craning her neck to look up at the spires that surrounded her, and along the long boulevard, spires continued to rise up. "Oh, wow." She immediately reconsidered just how large the highest tower was. They passed through another set of walls, though these were much smaller than the towering monstrosities that they had passed into the city.
The roar of the crowd started to fade.
"Demacia prides herself on having some of the tallest structures in all of Valoran, and the Palace stands out as a shining beacon of the Demacian Ideal." Garen said officially. Shyvana continued to watch the highest point of the Palace, a blue and gold flag atop the highest spire, as it seemed to get higher and higher in the sky. Shyvana was surprised, around her, a field of snow, punctuated by trees and bushes stretched out, the Demacian Palace marking the center of the open area. The column turned left and began to wrap around as the palace began to eclipse the sky. The front-most of the flying buttress towers was surrounded by light blue and gold flowers, and a fountain that sat at the base.
A massive door stood open and waiting, guards lining the steps that led up to the main door into the palace.
"Wow..." She whispered, her voice getting caught in her throat. Jarvan grabbed her hand and gaze it a squeeze. She looked over at him, her face slightly flushed, her voice gone as she looked the prince with large eyes.
"Welcome home." He said with a smile. Shyvana nodded, a grin on her face.