Delancey blinked a few times to clear her vision and promptly yawned. She glanced around; Shyvana was still sleeping serenely, undisturbed as her chest rose and fell beneath the thick blankets. Delancey smiled, glad that there hadn't been any disturbances in the wee morning hours, and pulled herself to her feet. She ran her hands through her hair, tugging the blonde braid loose that wrapped the bun on the back of her head and took the time to straighten the locks as best she could. She combed her fingers through her hair a few times as she stood up, stretching her arms above her head. She looked at herself in the reflection of the window, frowning at the mess of blonde hair, her green eyes glimmering tiredly. She smiled at her reflection and noted that suddenly, the reflection didn't look so sad. She ran her hands over her tunic, straightening it as she looked around the room another time, glancing at the clock on the far wall of the hall and frowning.
"Well Shyvana, it's only been about 3 hours now." She sighed, and glanced to the window, the storm still blowing strong. "I wonder where the prince is now?" She waited for an answer and then glanced to Shyvana and hung her head. "Damnit. I am so bored." She muttered, looking into her empty coffee cup. She got to her feet and stretched her back with a yawn, tossing the blanket onto the chair and draping her jacket over her shoulders. She laced her belt through the loops on her trousers, making sure to thread all of her knife holsters into place and then pulled her jacket on, buttoning it up. She clipped her sword onto her belt and sighed at the heavy feel of the weapons on her hips, the comfort the weight provided giving her a bit more strength. She nodded to her reflection and smiled, clapping her cheeks a few times, taking a deep breath and shivering in the cool air. She ran her hands over her body one last time, making sure she had all of her weapons in place before she nodded to herself.
"Be right back, Shyvana." She said with a thin smile. "Don't go anywhere!" She chuckled at her own joke though the smile quickly turned to self loathing as she hung her head and pushed past the curtain.
Delancey hummed to herself softly as she pulled the door shut behind her, casting glances both directions along the academy hallway, taking note of the few occupants that wandered the corridor. There was a roving guard and several students who clutched books, their snow dusted jackets still pulled tight around them. Delancey frowned slightly, but checked the door one last time and turned to the right, taking off down the hall at a brisk pace. She strolled down the hallway, pausing and sticking her head into an empty classrooms. I never did get the chance to look around the medical building while I was still at the Academy... They look utterly ordinary. She sighed sadly. Oh well. She moved back into the corridor, moving a bit quicker to make up for lost time. She paused again before the large main staircase, looking up the stairs and frowning slightly. I wonder what it's like up there... She started to take a step towards the stairs but stopped, shaking her head. Coffee and then back to the room. That's all I have time for. She cast a longing look back towards the stairwell but pushed passed it, moving into the lobby. She glanced around and then smiled when she saw a woman in an Academy Staffer's uniform moving the coffee pot onto a cart.
"Excuse me, is there any coffee left?" Delancey said hopefully. The woman glanced back over her shoulder, a sympathetic smile on her face.
"Apologies, young lady, there isn't any left." She said, shaking her head as she set the pot down and rapped a knuckle on the pot, an empty clang resounding. She shrugged and then raised her hand as Delancey looked down trodden and saddened. "I'll tell you what, you're with the prince, right?"
Delancey nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but she narrowed her eyes and frowned slightly. The woman chuckled, extending a hand to accept the mug from Delancey. "Don't worry, young'n, everyone knows. It's the talk of the campus. I'll bring a fresh pot and some more mugs and everything in a few, alright?"
"Sure," Delancey said happily. "Thanks!"
"Of course." The staffer said, nodding and turning back to her coffee pot. Delancey cast one last look at the woman but shrugged it off, heading back towards the room. She nodded at a couple of fresh faced Academy cadets, two young girls who giggled and pointed at Delancey's uniform. The sergeant clasped her hands behind her back, stretching the sergeant's patch and the crossed swords of the royal guard patch flat along her shoulder. The two cadet's eyes went wide and they snapped to attention, saluting promptly.
Delancey returned a casual salute. "As you were." She said officiously, though her voice sounded funny even to her. She coughed at the sound but kept walking, ignoring the giggles from behind. She cast a quick looked over her shoulder, but the only thing she saw was the flutter of a skirt disappearing around a corner and the clicking of heels on the stairs. Delancey giggled to herself and smiled. I can see why officers like saying that.
As she returned to the room she noticed that the heavy wooden doors had been left ajar. "I could have sworn I closed the door..." She whispered to herself. She glanced down both of ends of the corridor, but there was no one left in the silent hall. Delancey pushed the door in tepidly, making sure it didn't make any noise. She slid through the door and listened silently in case anyone called her out or turned on her. Delancey carefully closed the door, turning the knob and sliding it closed, setting the heavy beam in place that barricaded the door from within. A relic from the Academy's early days as both a school and a fortress, most of the doors still maintained the heavy barricades just in case the school were ever to be besieged. Delancey again remained completely silent and listened for anything that could be threatening. When she didn't hear anything, she started to creep along the wall of curtains towards where Shyvana was lain up in bed. She dropped to a crouch and crept the last few feet to the open curtain and listened carefully, a deep voice coming from within.
"Well Shyvana, it seems like we've been here before." The voice said evenly. It was deep and though it was only a touch gravelly, the voice was serene, as if it had been softened by pain. "Last time I saw you like this, Jarvan was lain up with wounds even worse than yours. Where is that jerk anyways?" The voice chuckled, though it was subdued and it was followed by a heavy sigh. "I'd like to give him what for after he left you here alone. That dumb, conceited, lucky bastard..." Another sigh came from within the curtained off area. "If I were him, I would never let a girl a,s cute as you out of my sight." There was another sad chuckle from within. "I'm really sorry that it had to come to this though. No one should have to deal with something this horrifying, and even now you're just going to have to suffer more."
Delancey carefully drew her sword, only the faintest sound of ringing steel as she pulled it from her scabbard and held it before her. Alright Del, time to be a hero! She look a step back and raised the sword up and over her body, slashing the curtain along the top, just beneath the rings that held it to the metal bar. The curtain pooled on the floor and she stepped in, immediately bringing the sword up to the man's neck, resting the steel against his flesh.
"He didn't leave her alone!" Delancey announced. "Step away from her!"
The man was easily as tall as Jarvan, and though he wasn't quite as broad in the shoulders and his build was a bit thinner compared to the barrel-chested prince, he was just a heavily muscled. He took a half stumbling step backwards as he tried to turn, surprise clear on his face, his one blue eye shimmering with shock. His pale blonde hair was long and tousled by the eye patch he wore over his left eye. A wicked looking scar curved out from under the eye patch, disappearing in his hair line and racing down along his jaw. He raised his hands defensively as he tried to step away from Delancey's blade but she kept it pressed to his neck. He didn't wear a uniform, simply wearing a dark blue tunic and pants, simple armor plating on his fore arms and chest. A gray cloak rode on his shoulders, metal pauldrons strapped around his arms.
"Hold on now..." he stammered, trying to speak, but Delancey shook her head and raised her sword up towards him, pointing it directly at his nose as she glared at him. "This isn't what it looks like..."
"Sure." Delancey snarled. "I bet you're here on orders from Jormander, aren't you?"`
"What?" The man said, eying her blade, his brow creasing. "Who the hell is Jormander?"
"You're not with him?" Delancey blinked a few times, surprised. "That means..." Her eyes grew wide as dinner plates and her sword began to tremble in her hands. "Get back!"
"Whoa!" The man said, pushing the blade away from his nose with a single finger. "I don't know what the hell you're going on about, but I'm not with anyone."
"Exactly!" Delancey hissed, drawing her sword back to strike. "You failed to kill her once before and came back to try again? Die, you bastard!"
"Wha—wait!" The man ducked, stumbling backwards and bumping into the bed. He dropped and rolled as her sword arced bare millimeters above his nose, dropping and rolling to the side. He hit the ground and rolled immediately onto his stomach, lashing out at Delancey's legs.
She yelped as her feet were swept out from under her, sending her sprawling onto the ground. She rolled backwards and tucked her legs into her chest as the man started to get to his feet. Delancey uncoiled her body impossibly fast, striking his shoulder with both of her feet and sending herself back towards the ground. She rolled into it, again coiling her body up and then exploding up to her feet, her hand going to her thigh and producing throwing knives. The soldier blinked twice as he stumbled backwards and immediately dove, crashing through the wall of curtains and sending a cart crashing to the ground, scattering medical instruments and trays everywhere. He rolled into the curtains as Delancey hurled the knives. He slapped the ground and launched a shining metal tray into the air, grabbing the shining tray in hand, putting it between himself and the incoming knives.
They landed with three sharp clangs, the metal reverberating in his hand. His face paled as he looked at the polished steel that had punched through the tray, again coming much too close for comfort. He ran his finger along the tip of the razor sharp knife and then shook his head, a single rivulet of blood forming on his finger. He dropped the tray and got to his feet, though he kept his stance low and ready to roll out of the way. "Jeez, what's with this bitch?"
"Go fuck yourself!" Delancey spat vehemently, pulling more knives from her leg holsters and letting them fly in a single smooth motion. The blonde rolled out of the way, the knives hitting the floor and bouncing away, disappearing behind the curtains. Delancey hissed a quite curse, bringing her sword up and looking for the man. Something glinted just inside her field of vision, a brief glimmer of something dangerous and steel flashing as she jumped out of the way. A medical tray and two surgical knives went fluttering past her face, catching some of her blue-died forelocks. The hairs fluttered to the ground.
"Wha-..." She stammered, blinking as the man came up, holding a broom. She started, shaking her head as he held the weapon up as if it were a sword. She let her blade fall just a bit as she glared at him disbelievingly. "You... you've got to be kidding me."
"What, too afraid?" He said in a challenge, snapping the bottom of the broom, bristles and all off of the stick. "Come at me little girl, let's see if you're truly fit to serve the prince."
Delancey looked surprised from a moment, but the challenge hardened her resolve and she shifted to a two handed grip, keeping the weapon high.
"Don't blame me if you get hurt!" She charged, bringing the blade up as she leaped forth, bringing the blade down towards him, hard, snarling as she aimed directly for his head. He parried the blade with the broomstick, completely taking her by surprise. She blinked a few times and took a half step back as he met the downwards slash with sheer power, shrinking back and letting the blade come just long enough to let her think she had the advantage. She wore a victorious smile, but he powered on and pushed back with the broomstick, lifting her entire body up, tossing her away as if it were nothing. She snarled as she tumbled end over end, dropping and rolling away, sticking a foot out to catch herself out, sliding a few feet.
"How did you..." She stammered, looking at the broomstick in his hand. There was a fairly deep gash in the wood, but because he had softened the blow by letting her blade come, most of the cutting force had simply been held by the wood as if it were dull as a butter knife.
"Anything can be a weapon." He said with a shrug, grinning cockily. "No need for polished shield or expensive knives." He chuckled, tapping the length of broomstick in his opposite hand, admiring the notch that had been cut in the wood. "Hell, the best weapon I can think of is a good old rock. They're easily the most useful thing a soldier can possess."
"You talk to much!" Delancey said, shaking her head, having caught herself thinking about the words the man spoke. "Just who are you?"
"Ah, you should have asked that first instead of attacking." He said, chuckling again, still examining the wooden stick he carried. He held it up in both hands, grinning. Delancey started as he dashed forth, his speed impossibly fast. He's good. The broomstick came towards her in a broad horizontal stroke, the sergeant barely bringing the sword up in time to parry the strike. The wood cracked against her blade, the steel humming in her hand as she staggered backwards a half step. He used the ricochet of the wood on the steel to wheel the wooden blade up in an overhand strike, bringing it down towards her head. She brought her blade up to parry again, sinking further back as he pressed the advantage. The ricochet bounced the wood up again and he wheeled about, coming from the left.
He's very good... Delancey felt her heel hit something like cloth, the feeling molding and bouncing back as the metal bar sprung the cloth from under her foot. She realized she had backed up against the curtains that hid the beds from the hall. But his size and aggression can easily be used against him! The eye patch! A blind spot! She brought her blade up and parried the man's wooden sword, bouncing it up out of reach above his head, taking him by surprise. He immediately retreated out of her reach as she swept the blade down and around, spinning towards him, striking out towards his gut along his left side, up towards his blind spot. Her sword brushed through his cloak, cutting a gash into the gray fabric. She snarled as she realized she been suckered in, her over zealousness driving her blade further than she had intended, cutting nothing but air as the man swept up towards her. He's scary good! And he knows how to use and control his size, too! He brought the wooden broom handle down across her wrists, the woman hissing and snarling as she jumped away, her hands numbed from the force of the blow. She didn't drop her sword, but as she turned to try and face him again, he spun and brought the wooden handle up under her guard, driving it into her side.
Delancey snarled in pain and gasped for breath, winded as the weight of her armor suddenly hung on her like solid lead. She started to bring her weapon up to strike, but the man had already spun away, showing his back to her. She brought the blade up to strike, but the man brought his hands down towards his stomach, the wood driving up to meet her stomach in an backwards thrust. Delancey hissed as she dropped backwards, the wood striking at her stomach and sending her crashing to the ground.
"You... Bas... tard..." She hissed as she scrabbled about for her blade, panting breathlessly. Her hand groped for the blade, but as she finally found the weapon, he leaned forward and stepped on the blade. She glared up at him with fire in her eyes, but as she looked into the darkness of the eye patch and the clear blue of his eye, she found no malice. He grinned and offered her a simple shrug, sis eyebrow rising and falling quickly as if to say 'Sucks to be you, eh'?
"I can't let you do that." He said with a grin. "Sorry, cutie." She glared up at him with anger darkening her green eyes, frustration furrowing her brow. She tried to jerk the blade from under his foot, but it did not budge. "Surely you've more to give than that." The man murmured, keeping a foot on the blade as he leaned on the wooden blade as if it were a cane. He frowned as he glared down at her with his single blue eye, though after a few long moments, he offered her a warm smile and a glance at her body. He waved a casual salute of departure and kicked the sword out of her reach, turning away and starting towards the door.
You may think yourself clever... but I have a few tricks of my own. Delancey got to her feet, grimacing slightly as she held her stomach, but shook head and stood up straighter, drawing two throwing knives, one smaller, one larger.
The towheaded man made a mad dash for the doorway at the sound of her drawing the blades, dropping to the ground into a diving slide as a throwing knife swished through the air, just above his head. He kicked himself up, rolling to his feet as he barreled towards the door. He started to take the barricade off of the door, but Delancey whistled at him and he turned to glance at her. She was twirling a wicked looking knife through the air, the intricately decorated and polished steel carving a glittering, twirling arc through the air with every toss.
"You're not getting away from me!" Delancey shouted, hauling back and throwing the large knife with all of her strength, the weapon spinning end over end. The large blonde man ducked out of the way, yelping as the knife tore through his cloak.
"Hah!" He snarled, grinning, yanking his cloak free of the knife. "You missed!"
"Not likely." Delancey said with a thin smile. The blonde man frowned slightly, glancing back over his shoulder at the door. The knife had sunk deep into the wooden door, just above the barricade. He frowned and grabbed the barricade, jiggling it slightly against the knife, but it wouldn't budge. He grabbed the knife and tugged on it, grimacing, the weapon sunk all the way up to the guard.. He snarled as he braced his foot on the door, heaving and tugging on the blade with all his might.
"Well, fuck." The blonde snarled, shaking his head. He sighed and turned to face her, scratching at his head along one of the bands of his eye patch. He glared at Delancey for a moment before frowning, narrowing his eyes and peering at her face a little bit harder. "Hey I recognize you..."
Delancey's eyes went wide and she dropped low. "You're with the bastards who've been following us? You helped ambush the prince once before!"
"What? No..." The towheaded intruder started to say, shaking his head.
"I don't want to hear it!" Delancey launched herself forward, swinging her sword in a broad sweeping slash as she charged. The intruder stamped his foot on a metal surgical tray, sending it jumping up to his hand. He grabbed it and spun it like a discus towards her feet as she sprinted forth. She slipped as she swung the blade, crashing towards the blade, The man jumping over the blade as it hit the door, low, dropping down with one foot landing on the blade and the other the stone floor. He kneeled down slightly as she dropped and hit the ground, the blade nearly jerked from her hand. She stumbled and dropped to the ground, as the man kneeled down towards her. She tugged on the sword once as she tried to push herself up, but the weight of his foot and the fact that her sword had gotten jammed in the door prevented it from budging.
"Get off!" She scowled angrily, glaring up at him as he kneeled down, a smile on his face. She was taken aback as he rested an arm on his knee, watching her face quietly for a few moments.
"Not likely..." The towheaded man said with a grin, his smile sly and knowing. She spluttered for a few moments, but she blushed furiously when he looked her body up and down, his eyes hovering over her chest plate for a few moments.
"You're a pig!" She snarled, dropped her hold on the blade and rolling backwards as his hand came up to touch her cheek. She rolled to her feet, drawing a wicked pair of knives, the guards protected by knuckledusters around each of her fingers. She flexed her fingers around the handles, grinning happily, ready for the attack to come. "I suppose someone needs to teach you some manners. Looks like I'll have to do it."
"You know, if you'd let your hair down, you'd be pretty cute." The towheaded soldier said, stroking his chin with a crooked grin. "I do think the blue is a bit odd, but... You're spunky. It's fitting. I like it." He chuckled softly. Delancey shook her head, her face blushed a deep red. "What, cat got your tongue? Or perhaps... you don't get off on battle, do you? Cause that's totally hot."
"I'm going to make you eat those words!" Delancey shouted, her fists now trembling in anger, her face beet red.
"Anything that you've got, I'll gladly take a bite." He said, again looking her up and down. He yanked her sword from the door and tossed it from hand to hand, eying the blade with a frown. "A bit to short and a bit too light for my tastes." He grunted and tossed the blade away, looking about for something more appropriate, ignoring Delancey as she raised the blades up, holding them in front of her face in a fighting stance. He finally shrugged, examining the battered broom handle as he shifted it from hand to hand.
"Then eat steel!" Delancey launched herself forward as he danced away. Though she was quicker, he had longer strides and he could propel himself further with every step. Every time Delancey moved in to strike, he danced away as if he had no cares, smiling as he slid around her twin short blades. Her face was growing redder and redder, though now it was from anger rather than embarrassment.
She launched herself forward in a flurry of blades, silver flashing brilliantly as she snarled, her attacks aimed at speed rather than the strength offered by a sword. Though her attacks were faster, his reactions were just as quick, now holding the center of the stick, bouncing it back and forth, twisting it about and bouncing the large knives back strike by strike. She brought both knives back across her chest, her arms forming a cross as she kicked forward, lashing out at him with ferocity that look him by surprise. He took a step back, giving Delancey her chance as he ducked out of the way of her blades and she dropped to a crouch, glaring up at him with emerald green eyes that burned with fire. She exploded upwards at him, striking at him with her knee. He tried to catch her attack with the broom handle, but it cracked in half under her weight and the many gashes inflicted by her sword.
He snarled and he lashed out, landing a fist on her jaw and tossing her backward. She hit the ground hard and rolled, getting tossed her end over end. She slid along the ground, finally crashing against a wall in a heap.
"Y-you... you know how to fight..." She panted heavily as she started to push herself to her feet, though she was much slower to get up this time. She started to push herself up, but the towheaded man stepped forward and cracked both of her hands with the remnants of his broom handle. She hissed angrily as pain coursed through her hands. He kicked both knives away from her as she recoiled, ducking back and scrambling along the floor away from him. As she backed away, sitting on her tail and pushing herself away, her hand struck something metal that clattered on the ground. She looked over and her heart swelled as she grasped her sword. His boot descended on the blade again, another knowing grin on the man's face as he glared at her with his one eye. Maybe... if only I had another chance...
"You know, I feel like we've been here before." He mused, mockingly. He leaned down slightly, meeting her glare earnestly. "You may be cute, but if you keep this up, you're going to end up hurting yourself." He wore a smug grin as he chuckled, standing up straight.
"I'm not done quite yet." Delancey panted as she gasped for breath. A heavy THUD came from the doorway, followed by the incessant pounding of fists. "Heh, looks like you're out of time, mongrel."
"Open up!" A muffled voice ordered from beyond the heavy doors. "Open up! This is the military police!"
"How did..." The blonde man glowered at the young woman and she shrugged, arching her eyebrow in a looked that looked mockingly familiar.
"Looks like you're shit out of luck." Delancey said, taking advantage of the man's moment of distraction. She rolled over her shoulder and brought her legs up, together, in a lightning quick motion, starting her body spinning on the square of her back, spreading her legs as she pushed herself up. She lashed out at the man with a spinning kick, her armored boots striking his legs as she rotated her hips about. He grunted as he sunk back, the doors coming crashing inwards as Delancey scooped up her blade and dove at him, slicing straight through the broom handle. He snarled angrily as she forced him back, ducking backwards, a crossbow bolt passing just over his head.
"Stop right there, criminal scum!" A guardsman shouted as he shouldered past the doorway's remnants, a heavy granite statue laying shattered on the ground as another guard pushed through the remnants of the door.
"Don't shoot!" The towheaded man shouted angrily, though he yelped and threw himself to the ground, snarling as another crossbow bolt passed over his head. "Fuck!" He beamed the smaller half of the wooden broom handle directly at the first guard, catching him on the temple and sending him crashing down onto the ground.
"You punk!" The second hissed, dropping his crossbow and starting to draw the bowstring back as quickly as he could. "I'm going to make you pay for that, scum!" He started to raise his crossbow, but the blonde soldier was too quick. He launched himself forward, cracking the stick over top of the second guard's head and sending him crashing to the ground.
"Bastards." The man in the eye patch grumbled, though he looked over their gear. He frowned gently and then scowled, shaking his head. "Fat, corrupt policemen working as security guards for extra cash. Serves you right." The first guard moaned and started to get up, but the towheaded man promptly kicked him in the temple and dropped him back to the ground.
"I hope you're ready." Delancey hissed as she wiped blood from her chin where the one-eyed man had battered her.
"You know it." He hissed, chuckling with a grin. He pulled a sword from one of the guard's belts, eying the blade. He looked to her with an excited grin, holding the blade in front of him and tapping the tip of his sword against hers. "Bring it on."
Jarvan started up the steps to the Academy's Medical School and Infirmary building, trudging against the heavy snow. The structure was one of the oldest parts of Demacia, much older than much of the current city, dating back to the very beginning of the nation's history. Part of the original campus, the building was amazingly ancient, dating back to before the rune wars. It had roots with the very origins of the city-state, when Demacia was just beginning to form up around the fortress like school. When the seat of power in the surrounding lands had been overrun, the nobles and the king at the time retreated to the city and made it the new bastion of power. From there, the strength of the city began to grow as it beat back the enemy advance and turned the tide of the war. It became the official seat of power, eventually growing to become one of the greatest powers on the entire continent.
Jarvan pushed the door open and stepped inside, the sergeant major following behind as he pulled the door shut as a gust of wind blew through the open door, snow billowing along the ground and quickly melting as it settled on the stone flagons. Jarvan blew warm air into his hands as he approached the fire of the lobby.
"Would you like some coffee, sir?" The sergeant major asked, glancing around the room.
Jarvan nodded. "Please."
"Stay here, I shall return in just a moment, sir." The sergeant major turned and gestured for the two guards to keep watch, and they both nodded.
Jarvan held his hands out to the fire, keeping his brown paper package tucked under his arm. Jarvan watched as a woman with golden blonde hair and royal blue eyes approached down a side hallway, casting a withering glance at the prince before she continued past him deeper into the lobby. Jarvan blinked a few times, surprised. She was pretty, that was for sure, but the dismissive way she looked at him caught the prince off guard. Usually women blushed and giggled when they looked at him, paying him attention no matter what he did. The woman approached another woman, this one in a Demacian Army Medic's uniform. She draped an arm over the younger looking woman, the medic's green eyes and auburn hair gleaming in the fire light. The taller blonde woman blushed slightly as she spoke to the green-eyed, auburn haired woman, leaning on her heavily as they blushed and laughed together.
Oh... Ohhhhhh. I suppose that explains it. The prince shook his head and chuckled softly.
"Your highness!" The sergeant major's summons snapped Jarvan out of his dazed state and brought him crashing back to Runeterra. He looked over to where the sergeant major stood in the entrance way to the corridor that lead to Shyvana's room. His chest rose and fell rapidly as if he had been running. He jerked a thumb back over his shoulder towards the corridor. "You need to see this!"
If he's shaken then... Jarvan's stomach collapsed in as he dashed off, falling in behind the sergeant major. The door to Shyvana's hall had been busted in, a squarish indentation on the wood, and a granite statue with a similarly sized square base laying smashed on the ground. A guard in a security uniform lay sprawled out on the ground just inside the entrance, a red mark directly in the center of his head. "What happened here?" Jarvan hissed. The sergeant major shrugged and drew his knife, holding it before him as he peered through the door. He kept his eyes on the inner room and he kneeled down, checking the first guard's pulse, and nodded to the prince.
Alive. Good. Jarvan gestured towards the door and made a fist, jerking his hand down abruptly to signal a strike. The sergeant frowned but nodded. Jarvan stepped over the first wounded guard, surprise clear on his face and dread pooling in his stomach. He kneeled down over the second guard as the sergeant major stepped towards him.
"It's not safe, sir." Perrywinkle hissed, but Jarvan rolled his eyes, listening to the sound of clashing steel that came from the far end of the hall.
"No shit." the prince growled. "He's alive, but until I know that Shyvana is well, I'm not leaving."
"Sir..." The sergeant major growled menacingly. "This isn't the time to get emotional."
"Who's emotional?" Jarvan snapped, cracking his neck. "I'm going to make whoever did this pay, and you can't convince me not to."
"Fine." The sergeant major said, offering the prince an exasperated sigh. "Shut up and get behind me."
Jarvan offered him a thin grin. "Very well, sergeant major. Lead the way."
As they moved through the room, they quickly found Shyvana alive and well, still tucked into her bed, though instead of the serene expression Jarvan had left her with, her brow was creased. She wore a frown, tossing and turning as the echoing sound of steel crashing together echoed from down the large hall. "I'll be right back." Jarvan cooed softly, giving Shyvana's hand a brief squeeze. He tapped the sergeant major on the shoulder and glanced left towards the entrance as the sergeant major pushed deeper into the hall. Steel on steel rang aloud, not far away now. Something shuddered at the far end of the hall, sparks showering as a sword crashed into the stone wall.
Pale blonde hair bounced backwards and blue and golden blonde danced forward as steel rung with steel again.
Jarvan grunted and ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. "God damn it, what are those two idiots doing?"
"Sir?" The sergeant major growled, looking back at the prince. "What's going on?"
"Delancey is duking it out with Forsythe." Jarvan sighed heavily again, running his hands over his face.
"Forsythe?" The sergeant major echoed, though he didn't lower his combat knife, continuing to hold it between himself and the two fighters. Jarvan nodded.
"Corporal Ellington Forsythe." Jarvan said softly. "He's the last remaining member of Exemplar Company."
...
Forsythe swung the heavy great sword and locked blades with Delancey, finally driving her onto her back foot. She hit the ground and kneeled as Forsythe tried to force his blade down, but she angled her sword as she tried to support it, letting his blade slide free and strike the ground. He brought his arm down in a flat motion, sliding off the bottom of the sword's grip, producing a blade into his free hand. He gripped the small dagger, snapping it up to shiv the blonde sergeant as she spun and brought her sword around in a windmill blow. She slid a foot back and jumped out of the way of his attack. The blade brushed past her cheek, a thin red line and a rivulet of blood appearing on her cheek. She snarled as she ducked his next attack and pressed the advantage, as the blonde man struggled to get his sword up. He started to raise the blade up, but Delancey stepped back in and slammed his chest with her shoulder, sending him stumbling as he yelped, falling backwards. He rolled his hand, feeling the sword roll along the back on his hand, reversing his grip, the polished steel now extending along his arm rather than as an extension. He started to bring his blade up, the tip scraping along the stone ground, sparks flying as he wheeled around in a wide are above his head to bring down across his body in a heavy diagonal strike. Delancey matched his stance, bringing the pommel up first, striking the pommel of his blade with her own.
"What?" He hissed angrily as the blades bounced apart, completely stopping his swing. She let one hand slide off the bottom of her sword, bringing it up and slapping his arm aside. She brought her arm to her chest and struck his hand with her elbow, driving the blade further back. She straightened her arm and slugged his cheek, stunning him. As he opened his mouth to yelp, she tucked a knee to her chest and kicked off of him, using Forsythe like a wall to jump off of to give herself extra distance between them, sending him staggering back. The blond haired soldier used his sword to keep himself from collapsing, the tip sending sparks up as it scraped the floor. She spun and let the last two of her dagger's fly.
Forsythe brought the great sword up, spinning it and slapping the first throwing dagger out of the air. The second didn't connect directly either, though it scrapped his his cheek, leaving a gash on his cheek. It snagged the eye patch and ripped it from his face. He crashed to the ground, catching himself using the sword in one hand and dropping to one knee. He covered his ruined eye with one hand, hissing angrily, as he glared up at his blonde opponent. A smile slid onto his face as he pressed two fingers into the stinging sensation on his cheek, pulling his hand back to look at his blood covered fingers. He brought the blade up and locked with her, holding her back, the blades grinding together inbetween the both of them.
"You're good," He said, starting to pressure her harder. "But I'm better." She grinned and then let the top of her sword slide back, swirling his blade aside and knocking it away. Her blade coming up under his chin. He blinked a few times as his smile broadened, a thin smile on her face now.
"And you're cocky, cyclops." She said, pushing the blade forwards slightly. He took a half step backwards as she matched his retreat with slow, shuffling steps forwards.
"Okay, maybe you're better than I gave you credit." He growled, blonde hair falling down over the left side of his face. "Doesn't change how cute you are." He offer her a smile, but the sergeant's smile faded as she blushed deeply.
"Shut up." Delancey snapped as she panted, anger contorting her face. She reached over her shoulder and produced a knife, snapping her arm forward and letting the blade fly. Forsythe ducked and did the same, reaching back over his shoulder and producing a hatchet, tossing it into the air and letting it fly as soon as he caught it, an ambitious and malicious smile on his face. He sunk down as Delancey had to drop to the ground to duck the weapon. She grumbled as she pushed herself up, holding her sword in front of her face.
"What, getting tired already?" Forsythe said with a thin grin. "Maybe..." He tossed his head to the side, flipping his hair back over his head, clearing the blonde locks from his face. He grinned coldly as her sword faltered, dropping away.
"You-... your face... your eye..." She whispered. Her sword hit the ground and she took a step backwards, horror and fear contorting her face.
"Got your attention now?" Forsythe said, starting to drop his weapon. "I'm not your enemy."
"But you..." She shook her head and snarled. "Don't lie to me!" She raised her weapon and charged him, bringing the sword up above her head and, starting to bring it down in a slash aimed directly for his neck. She glared at him as she swung the blade, the hole in his head glaring back at her like a demonic black hole, the single blue eyes watching her evenly, and though he faced certain death, his eye was deathly serious, as though it were empty and cold.
"ENOUGH!"
The blade passed mere millimeters from Forsythe's face, slicing through his hair. Terror filled Delancey's heart, though as she watched his face, he did not flinch at all, his eye remained almost void of life.
"Shyvana..." Jarvan whisper, surprised, finally making his presence known to the two soldiers, watching as she stepped over the destruction towards the two dueling swordsmen. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" Shyvana walked past him and then stopped close to both Delancey and Forsythe. She dropped her face to the ground and her fists began to shake with anger, the thin nightgown that she wore quivering and starting to flutter as flames began to sparkle and dance on the floor around her.
"Forsythe! Delancey!" She snarled, taking them both by surprise. Delancey looked to Forsythe who grunted but shook his head and looked up to the dragoness. Delancey blushed slightly as she looked at him and then back to the dragoness. Her eyes burned a brilliant magenta, though gold shimmered in them menacingly.
"Y-yes?" Delancey stammered nervously.
Shyvana stepped up to them and grabbed them both by the collar, lifting them both off of their feet at the same time. "SHUT UP! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!" Shyvana summarily tossed them both over her shoulder as she spun, the sergeant landing on top of Forsythe in a pile of spilled weapons and tangled limbs. Shyvana huffed and started back towards the prince, shaking her head as she grumbled under her breath, her thick red braid swinging behind her as she hobbled her way over the destruction Delancey and Forsythe had caused.
"So you're not trying to harm Shyvana and I?" Delancey squeaked as she pushed herself up on Forsythe's chest, looking down at him sheepishly.
"I tried to tell you, but you didn't want to listen." Forsythe grumbled, frowning at her. "Corporal Ellington Forsythe, Exemplar Company of the Eighth King's Guard Battalion... or I was." He offered her his hand at an awkward angle, the woman accepting it after a few moments of looking at it.
"Sergeant Vivian Delancey, First Demacian Royal Guards Battalion." She shook his hand and blushed slightly as she pulled herself from his lap. Jarvan laughed aloud, watching as Shyvana stomped her way back up to the prince, leaving the sergeant and the corporal to untangle themselves. Shyvana sucked a deep breath in and exhaled it slowly, unclenching her hands and looking up at the prince with sleep laden eyes as she calmed herself.
"Jarvan, dearest..." She murmured, her voice fading as she yawned, the prince blushing slightly as he looked down at her. She grabbed his tunic and leaned up against him as she rested her head against his chest.
"Yes, Shy?" Jarvan said nervously. Shyvana leaned back and looked up at him, pushing herself up onto her tip toes as she laced her hands around the prince's neck. She simultaneously pulled herself up and pulled him down, kissing his deeply.
"Next time..." She whispered, dropping back slightly as she looked up at him with warm magenta eyes. "Do try and keep them quiet. I can deal with your snoring but not this level of commotion." She shot Forsythe and Delancey a dirty look as she dropped away from her prince.
"I'll try." Jarvan said, blushing fiercely. Shyvana smiled as she glanced away, looking to the ground and then back up at the prince for a moment, blushing softly and then glancing back to the ground. Jarvan ran a hand over her hair, cupping her cheek and smiling at her, lifting her face to meet his gaze. "What can I do for you, my love?"
"I... well..." She stammered sheepishly, still blushing as she glanced away from his face, refusing to meet his gaze. He stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. She blinked a few times, taking the prince by surprise as she batted her eyelids coyly. "I'm really hungry... can you bring some good food later?" Jarvan chuckled aloud and leaned down and kissed her gently, nodding as he slowly pulled back.
"Of course." Jarvan said softly. "Now get some rest." Shyvana blushed and nodded happily as she dropped away and headed towards the bed, waving slightly over her shoulder as she pushed past Jarvan.
"We can talk more later." She said with a gently smile, her voice growing faint. "I'm tired."
"Of course, love." Jarvan said, nodding, his gaze following her as she started back to the bed.
Sergeant major Perrywinkle grunted, shivering. "They were right, she IS terrifying when she's angry."
Jarvan wore a thin smile and chuckled softly. "She can be, yes..."
"I didn't quite reali—sir!" The sergeant major pointed to the prince's tunic. Jarvan's smile fell slightly as he looked down at his tunic, crimson blood staining the side of his tunic in a long red slash.
"What the..." Jarvan spun, ice settling in his stomach like pure dread coalesced into a tangible form. Jarvan turned and looked to where Shyvana was collapsed on the ground, a pool of blood starting to form on the ground around her. "SHYVANA!"