Jarvan frowned as he tromped through the halls of the Demacian palace. He paused at a four way intersection, looking around as the footsteps that followed him came to a halt as well. Jarvan hung his head and sighed.
"Hail, prince." The call was deep in tone and Jarvan felt relief flood his stomach as he looked to the voice. Down the hall to his left, Garen Crownguard strode towards him, a soldier in tow. Though Jarvan couldn't remember his name, he recognized the dark complected soldier who snapped to attention when he came to a stop several feet away. He snapped off a salute with surprising intensity. Jarvan turned back to Garen and gave the captain a cocky grin.
"Garen, it's good to see you moving about." Jarvan said, trying not to let the smile become too imperious. The Demacian warrior walked up and casually saluted. Jarvan returned it, still trying, with difficulty, to keep his smile under control.
"You remember my lieutenant, Tunis, correct?" Garen said, gesturing to his companion. Jarvan stuck his hand out and smiled, the officer looking a bit surprised before accepting Jarvan's extend grasp. His handshake was surprisingly firm for small man..
"Welcome to the palace, Lieutenant." The man nodded but remained silent. Jarvan grappled Garen's forearm in a roman handshake for a brief moment before Garen dropped his arm, wincing a bit when he let the arm slap his leg a bit too hard. Jarvan grinned. "Still sore?"
"A bit, Jarvan." Garen shook his head, running a hand carefully over the right side of his chest. "Four broken ribs, three right and one left. Your friend really packs a punch."
"Caught you by surprise, did she?" Jarvan chuckled and Garen glowered. "Though, if you ask, I doubt she'd be above giving you a rematch on fairer terms." Garen shrugged, though Jarvan could see his competitive nature sparkling in his eyes.
"It was a dirty set up that I was doomed to fail at." Garen growled. Jarvan looked at him with a crooked grin until Garen glanced away, frowning. "But yes. I was caught by surprise. Speaking of, where is she? It was my understanding that she was given a position within the Royal Guard?" Jarvan's shoulder sunk for a moment and he shrugged.
"Father's one condition was that she undergo basic training." Jarvan motioned for Garen to walk with him and the brown haired warrior nodded, falling into step with him. "She's been assigned to Lt. Colonel Robert Spiritmight's training unit for a month long period, or until she is deemed ready for action." Garen read the frown on Jarvan's face as he spoke the officer's name.
"That's your uncle's battalion, right?" Garen said, gesturing to a corner. Jarvan looked down the opposite hall and then fell in beside his childhood friend.
Jarvan shrugged. "She should be in good hands." They slowed as they approached the entrance hall to the Demacian Council chambers.
"I've been meaning to ask..." Garen said, raising an eyebrow as he turned and looked back toward Jarvan. "Who're the kids?" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder at the two young looking military officers who had been following them. Jarvan slowed to a halt and turned to face Garen, his shoulder sinking and a tired look washing over his face.
"Meet Sergeant Vivian Delancey..." The young looking blonde woman snapped to attention and saluted with a wide smile spreading on her face, dimples forming on her cheeks. She had light brown hair that was pulled back in a tight knot on the back of her head, though she had forelocks that had been died blue and fell to her just below her shoulders. Green eyes that sparkled with a mix of bubbliness and excitement, with a dash of mischief hiding just beneath the surface. She was lean, but Jarvan could only tell from where the fabric of her tunic clung to her body between the bulky armor she wore, giving her proportions an almost comical effect. Jarvan gestured to the second soldier. "...and Sergeant Wallace Lee." Lee was Delancey's opposite. While Delancey looked like she was ready to burst at the seams with energy and excitement, Lee looked about as bored as he could be. He managed to pull off a near perfect salute, and though his movements were crisp, his eyes were half closed with dark circles underneath. He had an olive complexion, dark eyes, and short black hair that was long along the top of his head, sweeping just over his brow. While he wore heavy armor nearly identical to Delancey, He stood nearly two feet taller than Delancey, and several inches taller than Jarvan. The sash over his right shoulder and the tome on his right hip signified he was either a paladin or some sort of combat mage. "My father assigned them as bodyguards but all they really do is trail me like a pair of lost puppies." Jarvan said in a deadpan voice. Garen frowned at the regulations their hairstyles broke, but as he looked back to Jarvan, a smug look slid onto his face.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir!" Delancey said happily, the squeaky excitement in her voice enough to clue Garen in to what it was like having her around. He tried not to snicker as the young woman finally dropped the salute, a massive smile still dominating her face.
"Charmed, Captain." Lee said stonily, dropping his salute and sliding into a parade rest stance. Garen returned their salutes and dropped his arm with a wince.
"I can't get even the slightest moment of privacy with these two around." Jarvan groaned, shaking his head. "They follow me everywhere from sun up to sun down." Jarvan shook his head, running a hand through his black hair as he looked over at the two bodyguards and stifled a grunt of exhaustion. "I think my father did this just to antagonize me."
"So nobility isn't all sunshine and daffodils, eh?" Garen chuckled when Jarvan glared at him with venom in his eyes.
"Har, har, aren't you just a regular comedian." Jarvan sneered, shaking his head. "On second thought, I think I'll just have Shyvana pound you flat into the ground next time, how about that? How'd you like a nice relaxing stay in the hospital instead of a few broken ribs?"
"Yeah well, there won't be any surprises next time." Garen said with an entertained grin. "Unless she can do something other than turn into a giant dragon."
"Well she breathes fire and can fly." Jarvan said, watching as Garen deadpanned, color draining from his face a brief moment. It was Jarvan's turn to laugh. "Maybe if you ask nicely though, she'll refrain from embarrassing you again if you do decide you want a rematch." Jarvan started moving again, though his feet seemed to drag a little.
"It might prove interesting." Garen said with a grin. "Any idea what's going on today? I didn't receive any information about the meeting other than to bring all of my information regarding my recent investigation in the Excursion case." Jarvan raised an eyebrow, the depressed look evaporating instantly.
"Excursion?" Jarvan repeated, looking over at his long time friend.
Garen nodded. "DDS Excursion, cargo sloop, Marlin-class. She was lost with all hands several months back, and we've barely been able to determine anything about her disappearance. It was initially chalked up to a bad storm, but recent searches turned up some wreckage and evidence of piracy. I was tasked with investigating it with help from the Institute of War."
"I see." Jarvan said expressionlessly. He stared straight ahead as they walked towards the end of the hallway. Though a number of doorways had led off to side of the hallway, the two heavily armed and armored guardsmen told Jarvan this was their destination. The guards snapped to attention and opened the doors, granting Jarvan and Garen and their small entourage entrance. They filed into the sloped chamber, benches and desks wrapping around the circular room. Large staircases led up and down the chamber on multiple sides and in the very center, there was a large open area. Tiers with more desk and chairs rose up around the room, many of the seats already filled.
"The Legislative Council." Delancey said in a small voice, surprised. She squeaked and covered her mouth, as Jarvan paused and then nodded.
"Indeed. Seems like we're not the only guests though." Jarvan said in a hushed tone. He pointed to where a beautiful blonde woman clad in gold and crimson armor stood off to one side of the open area in the bottom of the chamber. She was striking, though not just for her piercing blue eyes, but also the massive feathered wings that were perched along her back. The wings almost dwarfed her, but with the cream colored feathers quivering slightly as she talked with a Demacian official, Jarvan couldn't help but be surprised. "I don't recognize her..."
"That would be Kayle." Garen said quietly. "She's a champion with the Institute of War. She serves as one of their Judicators, though she isn't strictly aligned with any one city-state." Jarvan frowned, looking over at Garen and then back to the blonde. She glanced up and met his gaze. Jarvan felt electricity course through his body, as if he had just been punched in the gut. Jarvan looked to the floor, blinking as his head began to swim. He found himself winded. What the hell was that?
"Sir?" Lee said, frowning, taking a half step towards Jarvan. "Are you well, sir?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Jarvan growled waving him off. He stood up straight and forced his breathing to calm, though his chest began to burn as his body struggled to catch its breath. He looked back to the blonde, but she had turned her back, now deep in conversation with one of the Demacian Legislators, a noble from one of the houses that Jarvan didn't recognize right away.
"You said, her name was Kayle, correct?" Jarvan said, doing his best to not let the nerves his felt betray in his voice. Garen nodded. Something warm filtered through the air, but it wasn't just the warmth of the heat that was being pumped into the room. He felt as if he was hanging in a plain of nothingness, fog rolling gently against his skin. I... I recognize this presence. Jarvan shivered, trying to banish the feeling of Déjà vu.
"Yes. I've been working with her closely regarding the Excursion case." Garen paused a moment to look down at her. "She's supposedly thousands of years old and from another dimension entirely." Jarvan glanced over at Garen, a frown on his face.
"Wait... she's..." His voiced trailed off. She's like Kampf and Faust... Jarvan frowned as a young man dressed in blue and gold robes stepped up towards him, breaking his chain of thought.
"Prince Lightshield?" Jarvan nodded in response to the question. "Welcome to the Council Chambers, sir. Seats for you and Captain Crownguard are just around here, sir." He gestured towards part way around the highest row of desks and seats that wrapped around the room. The young man, his black hair showing beneath his robes, led them towards the seats, where two large chair sat waiting. "Please, have a seat, sir."
"Thank you." Jarvan pulled out his seat and eased himself down, crossing his arms over his chest. Garen sat down next to him and looked down across the chamber as the guide disappeared.
"The meeting will now be brought to order!" High Councilor Elias shuffled through a stack of papers that had been given to him several days prior by his assistant. He frowned as he passed through several pieces of paper before settling on one and drawing it from the pile.
"I have a proposal to extend an ambassador to the Freljord." He paused for a brief moment before looking back to the council.
"It was my understanding that the council already had an emissary in the Freljord?" The king said from his seat directly to the left of the High Councilor. The High Councilor nodded his head.
"Councilor Spiritmight, if you'd like to explain your proposal..." The high councilor looked to his far right, about a quarter of the way around the circle of the first row of seats, to a lanky man with long brown hair. The gray eyed man nodded appreciatively, standing.
"Thank you, High Councilor." He bowed graciously. "I'd actually like to hand the explanations over to my son, the emissary to the Freljord." He gestured to the young man who sat next to him, his back rigid and a perfected smile upon his face as he stood and bowed to the councilors. "This is Lieutenant Colonel Robert Spiritmight, and as I mentioned, he has been serving as the emissary to the Freljord up until recently."
"Well, Colonel Spiritmight, perhaps you'd like to bring us up to date on the Freljord affairs, then?" The High Councilor wore an annoyed frown as the torch got passed to the military officer.
"Of course, High Councilor." Lt. Col Spiritmight stepped up from his seat on the lowest row of desks, and bowed to the councilors who surrounded him, many who nodded their respects. "As many of you know, I returned recently from a long period of time spent amid the freezing wastes of the Freljord provinces to our north. Hosted by our tentative allies amid the Avarosan Tribe and their well known princess and League Champion, Ashe, I was able to tour and explore much of the Freljord. It is a beautiful but dangerous country, as the death of one of my chief aides to the winter storms quickly proved."
"One of the most important political moments early in my visit to the Freljord was actually a somber event." The Lieutenant Colonel Had begun pacing slowly about, his hands clasped behind his back in a intense but well rehearsed stance that gave him a thoughtful but serious appearance. "Mid august of last year marked the passing of the leader of one of the Ice Dervish Tribe, Princess Mauvole, known to her enemies and friends as the Ice Dervish. As the next princess of the Ice Dervish tribe was coronated, the princess made a shocking but driving political move. She called for the abandonment of their long standing isolationist policies, which had left them feeling the ravages of the hostile environment, internal strife, and external political pressures. She then moved for her tribe to put their pride aside and to unite the two tribes under the leadership of the Avarosan Tribe and their princess, Ashe, the Frost Archer. Much to my surprise, the new Dervish Princess's motions were well received by her tribe in their home city of Rakelstake."
"While Sejuani, the princess of the Winter's Claw made a public statement of her displeasure with the choices of the Dervish Princess, she took no action, though I fear she may be preparing for war."
"Are you implying she would be willing to face the other two tribes all on her own?" A council woman suggested, though Jarvan couldn't place the voice. "That's madness!"
"While our scouts, working with Avarosan Ice Rangers, were unable to determine any realistic prospect of the Winter's Claw military forces, there were some disturbing discoveries made. While trying to determine the actual strength of enemy forces and locate weapon stockpiles, food stores and medical supplies, our scouts encountered units that were believed to be elements of a Noxian Expeditionary Brigade." He paused for effect, and listened with a muted smile as a murmur of dissent passed through the councilors. "Unfortunately, when my men tried to confirm this information... they sustained an eighty percent loss of forces to a combination of wild creatures and an avalanche while they tried to flee from said wild beast."
"What sort of wild beast was so fearsome that both Avarosan Ice Ranger and Demacian Scouts were driven to run like cowards?" Jarvan spoke aloud from the back of the room, a mix of fascination and anger in his voice. There was a ripple of whispers from the council as chairs scraped along the stone and people arched their necks to look to where the Prince sat at the top of the room.
"Ah yes, Prince Lightshield IV," Lieutenant Colonel Spiritmight said, gesturing to the young prince, bowing in his direction. "As I recall, you spent a period of time roaming the wastes of Freljord in search of the biggest and nastiest threats you could find, correct?" Jarvan nodded slowly. "Then you could easily understand why the scouts ran into problems, considering they were equipped for long distance travel and silent movement, rather than troops of the line, similar to the warriors you led to the slaughter." Jarvan pushed himself to his feet, ready to vault the distance that separated him from the man who had dared insult him and his men. He bared his teeth in a snarl as his chair hit the floor as he jumped up, his mouth open to shout when the gavel struck the High Councilors' podium with a sharp crack.
"That was uncalled for, Lieutenant Colonel." The high councilor said with an ominous frown.
"Apologies to both the Council and the Prince." The lieutenant colonel said with a well crafted frown. He bowed in Jarvan's direction as Jarvan scowled at him, accepting the chair that Sergeant Lee had lifted and set on all four legs. "I merely meant to get across the point that these troops valued their lives and this information, which they believed to be immensely valuable. While I did reprimand the few survivors, I believed the worth of the information to be invaluable."
"Do you have any suggestions for action with regards to this information?" The king wore a similarly serious and unamused expression to the one Jarvan had plastered over his face as he watched his uncle talk.
"While I don't think that the appearance of Noxian forces in the Freljord is surprising, their alliance with the Winter's Claw is slightly disturbing. Noxus has long been conducting missions aimed at the cleansing of barbarians in the far north know as the 'Barbarian Pacification Campaign', and I believe it was this information that finally drove the barbarians to seek an alliance with the Avarosan-Dervish alliance that now stands. While they may have been seeking political refuge from the likes of Noxus, the Barbarians did proceed to form an alliance, lead by Princess Ashe, the Frost Archer, and Tryndamere, the Barbarian king." Spiritmight paused, giving the council time to grow anxious. "It was the product of this unification of forces that led to the recent ascension of the Freljord to City-State status, and their acceptance of the Institute of War. With the accepted strength of both the Avarosan and Dervish tribes, bolstered by Tryndamere's barbarians, Princess Ashe was accepted as the Queen of the Freljord, appointing Tryndamere as her King to confirm and bolster their alliance." A smattering of applause seemed to wash around the room, and though everyone knew it was directed at the new strength rising to face Demacia, Jarvan watched as Spiritmight seemed to bask in the glory. He raised a fist into the air triumphantly.
"Now, the Freljord is growing to become one of Demacia's strongest allies, though they are still struck by the internal strife caused by tensions with Sejuani's continued control of the Winter's Claw." He smiled as he let his arms spread out before him. "I would like to request the council open talks with the Freljord to expand our existing trade treaties and establish a formal alliance."
"While your political optimism is appreciated, Lieutenant Colonel, I think I speak for the council when I say we will need more time to consider our options when dealing with the new City-State of the Freljord." Councilor Laurent said aloud. While the council didn't offer words, Jarvan could look around and see that the general consensus was to adopt a wait and see attitude.
"Why wait, though?" Spiritmight said with a frown. "If we support this burgeoning nation it will only prove to benefit us in the long run..." When he received no support from the other councilors, frustration flooded over his face. His shoulders tightened, his arms trembling with rage. "This is utterly asinine! We should move now while the fruit is ripe!"
"Lieutenant Colonel, while your enthusiasm is appreciated, you will refrain from such outbursts in these council chambers or I will see to it you never return here." The High Councilor growled, rubbing his temples. Spiritmight looked fit to burst for a few moments till he took a deep breath and smoothed his uniform jacket with a tug and swipe of his hands.
"Apologies to the council." He bowed. "That concludes my report on the Freljord."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel." The High Councilors said firmly as Spiritmight took his seat. Silence filled the room for several moments. He sighed, rubbing his fingers over his temples in a gesture of frustration. "With this revelation of Noxian intent, it only reinforces the fact that information about Noxus is scarce these days." The High councilor said, prefacing the next topic, shaking his head as he laced his fingers on the desk before him. "Without a steady source of information regarding Noxian policies and developments, we'll be left open to ambush. Any information would be useful... has anyone heard anything useful to Demacia and her people? The floor is open."
"There is rumor of Yordle racism in Noxus..."
"Short of driving the already isolationist Yordle nation further into their own camp, what does that prove?" Councilor Buvelle said, her black hair swaying gently as she cocked her head, looking around the room. "We maintain positive relations and trade with the Yordles as best we can, despite their desires to try and separate themselves from the rest of Valoran. Their ambassador, Poppy, is active within the city and helps maintain the strong Yordle-Demacian relations through her actions in the Institute of War."
"They could easily destroy any prospect of ever hoping to maintain political relations with the Yordles." Councilor Krackoffen said, raising his voice to carry over the whispers and to silence the room. He stood, letting his thin shoulders spread to try and match the other councilor's bulk. "I dare say I mean no disrespect to the Yordle population both here in Demacia and across Valoran, but this is both beneficial for us and detrimental to the Noxians."
"While I appreciate Councilor's Buvelle's praise of my work, I feel as though I am as much Demacian as I am Yordle." Poppy, ambassador to Bandle City, said from the top row of the council chambers. Several of the Councilor's looked shocked to see her in attendance. While she was extended the right to sit in on her request, many of the other councilor's had obviously missed her presence. "It shames my Demacian pride to think that you would support the discrimination of our people for your own benefit."
"As I said, I meant no insult or injury to anyone when I said my brazen statement." Councilor Krackoffen said, running a hand over his salt and pepper beard, brown eyes dancing brightly. "However, I must ask, do you or any of your people have any intent to venture to Noxus any time soon?"
"I understand, councilor, but it isn't merely a matter so simple as to whether my countrymen and women ever venture into Noxus." Poppy growled, though Jarvan watched with some noticeable pleasure as the Yordle warrior struggled to keep the disgust at the council's underhanded measures out of her voice.
"But it is that simple!" Councilor Krackoffen said, starting to get to his feet again, fire now burning in his brown eyes. "We may not be at war at this moment, but as you know, Ambassador Poppy, both Bandle City and Demacia have felt the terrors of Noxian oppression in the past! If we stand by and do nothing, or allow Bandle City to lock horns with Noxus of their own volition, we can strengthen our relations with the Bandle City!" He spread his arms and smiled as a chorus of silent nods passed through the chambers. "You share full and equal rights here in Demacia, ambassador, please tell me Yordle-kind isn't nearly so arrogant as to let what Noxus thinks influence their politics?" The ambassador crossed her diminutive blue arms across her chest and remained silent for many moments.
"While I find your tact to be less than admirable," Poppy said with a sigh, "I can see the logic. Can we return to the topic of the discussion though?"
"Yes of course." Councilor Krackoffen said, resuming his seat, a bit of color in his face.
"Does anyone have news from Noxus?" The High Councilor said with a frown. "Anyone?"
Jarvan frowned as he looked down at the desk in front of him. I should tell the council of the possible division within Noxian High Command... Jarvan felt his hands convulse into fists along the top of his pant legs underneath the desk. He glared down at the desk. Personal safety or the strength of my nation... Jarvan began to feel sick to his stomach. If I say anything both Katarina and I will be arrested on so many counts of treason my father wouldn't even be able to save me. Jarvan grimaced. He'd probably swing the headman's ax himself.
"Perhaps the prince, who recently had a rematch with his eternal enemy, Jericho Swain, has some news from Noxus?" Jarvan started briefly, his heart fluttering for a moment. He shook off the moment of shock as quickly as he could, turning back to the councilors. Jarvan felt the eyes of the council chambers return to him once more.
I don't have any evidence beside the testament of two Noxian Assassins and Shyvana... Jarvan closed his eyes for a brief moment and then shook his head to clear his thoughts. He pushed himself to his feet and bowed briefly. "I'm sorry councilor, but I do not."
"Then perhaps you'd like to explain why you returned with a half dragon in your service?" Lieutenant Colonel Spiritmight said nonchalantly. "Did you ever consider that your rather cute, young friend could be a Noxian spy?" Spiritmight looked down at a piece of parchment of his desk and then looked back at Jarvan. "And what's this about you nearly getting killed by her within the Noxian Gladiatorial arena? Maybe you've something to say about that?" Spiritmight sat back with a smug grin on his face, wondering how exactly the Prince would explain himself out of this one. Jarvan clenched his fists, the desire to throttle the arrogant officer gradually rising, but he did his best to try and maintain his composure, taking a deep breath and letting a frown settle on his face.
"Initially I was presumed to be dead by my company, however, unbeknownst to them, I had been captured by Noxian Forces under the command of Jericho Swain." Jarvan growled, fitting Spiritmight with a piercing glare. "Shyvana, my draconian companion you seem so interested in slandering, was searching for the would-be assassin at the time, venturing into Noxus."
"She only had a small amount of coin with her, which to my understanding she used to enter a gladiator's grudge match with heavy odds against her. She won this competition rather handily, resulting in the deaths of three of Noxus's prize fighters, and was scouted to become a Gladiator for the Noxian people's entertainment. When the previous Noxian Gladiator heard about her rising fame, entirely word of mouth I might add, he took it into his own hands to eliminate this threat to his fame and fortune. However, Noxian forces had her under surveillance during this time and they were able to keep her from facing an unfortunate fate. I was captured and imprisoned during this time, at the orders of Swain himself, though General Darius was the one who carried the order out. Seeking to spark an international war, he tried to have me executed by my own companion's hand in a gladiator battle. I'm still uncertain if this was intentional or simply a cruel twist of fate, but with Shyvana's unique strengths, we were able to escape the arena and flee into the city."
"I see." Spiritmight said tersely, struggling to keep his incredulous expression under control. Chatter had risen to the point where it was almost hard to hear yourself think in the council. "Well... I... uh..."
"Apologies for the abruptness of my report." Jarvan said bowing as the chatter subsided, "However, I do not appreciate attacks on my personnel without them being here to defend themselves. If you would like to question her, and I am sure she would be glad to answer any questions you had, you can summon her, Lieutenant Colonel Spiritmight, she was assigned to your training battalion."
"Would you like to summon her?" The king said with a small grin tugging at his son's audacity and guts. "Well Lieutenant Colonel?" The attention had faded from Jarvan and had shifted to Spiritmight.
"No, sir." Spiritmight said tersely.
"Good, then perhaps we can continue?" The king growled. "Jarvan, If you please draft a detailed report of your time in Noxus to be analyzed..."
"Of course, your highness." Jarvan said. His father nodded his thanks and then turned to the High Councilor.
"If there is no other news to discuss then we shall-... Councilor Crownguard, you have news?" The High Councilor looked to where the tall, broad, mountain of a man that was Marcus Crownguard had stood. His clear blue eyes were placid and the head of the Crownguard family simply nodded his thanks.
"I apologize for not putting this forward earlier, but it has come to my attention that a drastic change has occurred in Noxus." A murmur passed through he other councilors as Captain Crownguard cleared his throat and stood up taller, as if that were possible. "Marcus Du Couteau, the infamous assassin and advocate of the League of Legends, and staunch supporter of the current Grand General, Boram Darkwill, has disappeared. In a disturbing and rather drastic turn of event, Lieutenant General Jericho Swain was promoted to fill the now absent spot within the Noxian High Command."
Another louder murmur passed through the council chambers. Jarvan had to close his mouth, slightly stunned as he sat back in his seat. "So that means..." He shook his head and ran a hand over his mouth, staring down at Councilor Crownguard. Katarina thinks Swain may be behind the disappearance of her father then. If this information is true there really might be a division of power developing in Noxus. This could very well spell their downfall!
"Silence!" The crack of the High Councilor's gavel striking the table muted the voices that had risen in almost an almost hysterical manner. Jarvan looked back towards the mountainous councilor. "Please, continue Councilor Crownguard."
"Thank you." Councilor Crownguard settled into a parade rest stance, his hands clasped at the small of his back. "Jericho Swain is an audacious and ambitious man, infamous for his brutal but effective actions in the Demacian-Noxian Border wars in the years after the introduction of the Institute of War. He was a continuing advocate of the renewal of conflicts, voicing his disgust with Noxian High Command's decision to so willingly give in to the weak minded peace advocates of the League of Legends. He is a known inciter of conflict, going so far as to attempt the assassination of Prince Jarvan IV when he was only thirteen, the first major incident marring the peace that followed the Armistice between Noxus and Demacia."
"The only other incident we have been able to definitively connect Swain with was the capture and subsequent decimation of Exemplar Company of the 8th King's Guard Battalion, over two years ago." Jarvan felt whispers about him begin to pass through the room and it made him feel sick. "Other than that, there are dozens of Noxian conspiracies and attacks that he is suspected of perpetrating. We can expect Noxian ideals and sentiments to turn change for the decidedly violent. We should consider increasing the border patrols and garrisons in outlying towns. While I don't know if action will be necessary right away, we should begin planning contingencies in the eventuality that Swain will move aggressively on Demacia."
"My staff can begin planning said contingencies, and with my son's help, we should be able to analyze what we know of his tactics to form a plan." The king said, nodding thoughtfully.
"Of course, sir." Councilor Crownguard returned to his seat.