"Sir, I don't think this is a very good idea." Delancey murmured as she followed Jarvan through the outer rooms and towards his office. "General Lorcan specifically told us..."
"You saw General Lorcan last night, correct?" Jarvan asked sternly, creasing his brow, stopping at his desk and rummaging through a stack of papers. He paused in the hallway, looking down towards the courtyard at the center of the palace. People were congregating already, spectators looking forward to the fight. He turned to look back at Delancey, a cold, stern look on his face. "What part of his appearance or his actions, looked to be that of a proud general of Demacia? That was a man torn by his convictions and reality, drowning his pain in drink. He knows something he dearly wishes he did not and I am not going to let this slide. I held off my inquisition for Shyvana's sake last night, but with Shyvana and myself coming under such scathing scrutiny, I've finally decided that enough is enough. This needs to end and soon."
"But, sir, Jarvan, do we really want to cross the general?" Delancey said, practically begging.
"I was the one who brought him into this, and out of the respect I had for him, and the thanks I had for his help dealing with Jormander, I decided that I would respect his wishes to stay out of this business." Jarvan set his jaw and sighed, setting his hand upon the window pane, looking down over the courtyard. "I can't let this go on any longer. It's time I found out what Lorcan is hiding from."
"But..." Delancey started to protest, but Jarvan's glare silenced her.
"You can stay if you wish, but I'm going and you can't stop me." Jarvan growled. He sighed again and tightened the gauntlet on his forearm down, ensuring there was no movement when he shook his arm about. Sergeant Major Perrywinkle extended his arms, handing the prince's lance back to him.
"You're going to need this sir." The sergeant major's voice was gruff but it betrayed no anger or fear.
"Thank you." Jarvan said, sliding his hand around the leather wrapped metal, accepting the heavy weight like an old friend. "You're game, right Argus?"
"I never liked secrets, myself." He grunted, running a hand along his jawline. "This whole damn thing you've gotten me into... It's one big secret, and I think it's about time we broke it open."
"Good." Jarvan said, resting his lance on his shoulder and nodding to himself. He paused, looking down at the simple saber that hung on the Sergeant Major's waist. It was thin and had a fancy grip, fine carved metal around the hilt, curved back to form a partial circle that would wrap around the sergeant major hand when he held it. "I don't know what we're going to run in out there, sergeant major. You may want to get a bigger sword, a shield, maybe a lance."
"If time comes when I need one, sir, there will be plenty of them lying of the ground." The sergeant major grunted, offering Jarvan a thin smile that made the prince shiver.
"Right." Jarvan shook his head, looking to Delancey. "You coming or not?"
Delancey frowned, looking to the ground and then back up at Jarvan, a fist posted on her waist as she growled, and then scuffed a hand over her head, disheveling her hair. "Someone has to pull your ass out of the fire. Let's go."
Valentine walked into the door and started, spilling papers across the floor, surprised to see Jarvan, Delancey, and the sergeant major in full combat gear. "What's going on?"
"Damnit." Jarvan groused. "I wanted to avoid running into anyone else. Val, look..."
"You're leaving again, aren't you?" Valentine said softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Just like three years ago. Just like Father and Shore..."
"No!" Jarvan's voice was laced with anger, his fists clenched around the lance as he snarled. He caught himself, and forced his body to uncoil. "No, I'm not going anywhere." Jarvan said softly, shaking his head to clear the anger he felt towards the loss of his friends, trying to offer the young woman a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, we'll only be gone about an hour."
"But..." Valentine stammered, tears starting to form in her eyes. Jarvan sighed softly and handed the lance off to the sergeant major, who accepted it silently.
"I'm not going to leave." Jarvan said reassuringly, "And please... I don't want you to hold your father or your brother in ill will over my selfish actions three years ago." Jarvan hung his head as he gently pulled Valentine into a hug. "I'll explain it soon enough." He released her and patted her on the head, offering her a proud smile. Valentine wiped tears from her cheeks and nodded. "I'll tell you all about what your father, brother and I did some time too, alright?"
Valentine nodded meekly, but put on a small, sad smile. "Thanks." She closed her eyes briefly and then shook her head. "But wait, what about... what about the duel?" Valentine said softly, looking to the window and the courtyard beyond. "Miss Shyvana is going to be fighting soon."
"I'll be back before the fight starts." Jarvan said with a confident grin, though he glanced to the floor blushing slightly. "And Shyvana has far more important things on her mind right now. I don't need to distract her any further than I already have. I appreciate the thought, and I'm sure she does as well." Jarvan patted the young woman on the head as Jarvan had seen her father do many times in the past, every time he and Shore had departed for a mission or training.
Valentine blushed but smiled and nodded. "You'd best hurry, I don't think she'd like it if you missed it."
"No, I don't think she would." Jarvan chuckled softly. He accepted his lance back from the Sergeant Major, tightening his cloak around his shoulders. "We'll be back shortly." He nodded to the young woman as he moved past her, heading for the door.
"You know Shyvana is going to be super pissed if you don't even show." Forsythe said smugly from the door. He was leaned up against the jamb, dressed in full armor, his sword and shield hung over his shoulder, his helmet snugged under his arm. "Like, fire and brimstone levels of pissed."
"Forsythe, you made it!" Delancey exclaimed happily upon seeing the young man standing in the door.
"That's why we're gonna hurry." Jarvan growled, rolling his eyes as he looked back at the young woman. "I thought I said to keep this secret, Del. Don't try and stop me, Forsythe."
"Stop you? I'm not here to stop" Forsythe said, stepping out of the doorway. "Just to make sure you get back to Shyvana safely." He held up a leaflet of paper in his hand and waved it about. "And don't think I didn't realize what you were doing when you asked me to check something out in the personnel records. Secretly investigating a General's daughter is grounds for a discharge I'll have you know."
"So you got it?" Jarvan said, letting a thin grin slide onto his face.
Forsythe nodded. "Yep. Just down the east road."
"Good." Jarvan glared at him with a frown and shook his head, glancing up at the clock on the wall. He sighed. "We're wasting time. Let's move."
Shyvana looked up at the clock on the wall that hung above the main door to the barracks.
It's almost eleven o'clock... She looked around again, the fire crackling in the center of the high-ceilinged room but the emptiness made it feel far vaster than it was. The barracks had already emptied for the weekend, many of the men disappearing into the city to spend their wages on any of the vices that could choose or find. Shyvana frowned, shaking her head. They'll drink the city dry and then waste the rest on prostitutes. Shyvana exhaled heavily, sitting back further in her seat. Where is Jarvan? I was hoping he'd show up before it started.
"It's just about show time, girl." Alicia said, smiling happily, approaching Shyvana from the side, clapping her hands once as she stopped next to Shyvana. She frowned slightly, Shyvana was still staring at the ground. "Hey, you okay, Shy?" She tapped Shyvana on the shoulder.
"Ahh!" Shyvana snarled and rolled away, flames flaring around her as she came up, her gauntlets raised up, one protectively over her chest and the other raised up and behind her body to strike out.
"Whoa, whoa..." Alicia said, her eyes wide as she took several steps backwards, surprise and fear on her face. "Hey, Shyvana, it's just me... June."
"Huh?" Shyvana blinked several times, running a hand over her face, her eyes returning to their normal magenta color as she shook her head. "June? What..."
"Easy there, girl..." Alicia said, softly, watching as Shyvana's flames died. "I know you're probably nervous about this fight, but I didn't mean to startle you. What's wrong? I've never seen you lash out like that before..."
"Sorry." Shyvana said, looking up at June as she picked herself off the floor. There was something different in Alicia's expression for once as she looked down at Shyvana. "I'm just a bit distracted."
"I'll say..." Alicia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, clearing white hair from her face, tucking it behind her ears. "You scared the hell out of me."
"Sorry." Shyvana said, working her hands together for a few seconds before she closed her fists and took a deep breath.
"Don't tell me you're having more hesitant ideas about this whole thing..." Alicia said, crossing her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow. She looked down at Shyvana and then glanced up at the clock, sighing. She kneeled, taking an armored glove from the table next to Shyvana and opening it up, holding it out for the dragoness to insert her hand. Shyvana looked hesitant but slid her hand it as Alicia closed it around her hand. "I thought you would have been in high spirits after last night. Surely you enjoyed yourself..."
"I did." Shyvana said softly.
"But?" Alicia prompted, helping Shyvana with the second of the armored gloves.
"I don't fit in." Shyvana said, letting Alicia guide her hand into the second gauntlet. "This is Jarvan's world, not mine. This world of politics, councilors and being king..." Shyvana shook her head as she looked up at Alicia. "What if I fail him? What will I do? I don't know anything else here... Last night, Jarvan said…" Her voice trailed off.
"What did he say?" June asked, patting Shyvana reassuringly on the gauntlet.
"He said to me, 'If I were to lose you, if anything were to happen to you, I would be lost.'" Shyvana said softly, shivering. "If we were to get separated because I failed to defeat the seneschal…"
Alicia laughed as Shyvana looked up, wearing a cross expression. "I'm sorry." Alicia said, excusing herself though she still wore a cheeky grin as she shook her head. "Only Jarvan could manage to make things worse by trying to help. Besides, no one fits into the Royal Court. That's why it's royal. If anything, it's a royal pain in the ass." Alicia said, laughing again. "Jarvan thinks so, I think so... it's something you're just have to grow into." Alicia tightened down the gloves, ensuring they fit properly. Satisfied, she gave Shyvana an encouraging smile. "You love the prince right?"
"More than anything." Shyvana said, almost desperately. She sat back, surprised by her own admission.
"And he feels the same about you." Alicia said, grinning. "The rumors about what happened are already circulating as it is." Alicia said lightly as she stood and looked the dragoness over. "Did he really shout down the entirety of the High Council?"
Shyvana blushed slightly. "Yes. He was angry about what they were saying of me..."
"And there you have it!" Alicia said, clapping Shyvana on the armored shoulder, one plate clanking against another. "Now, you have a fight to win. I expect nothing but the best from you, alright?"
"Yes ma'am." Shyvana said, sheepishly, grinning.
"Good!" Alicia said, posting her fists upon her hips and grinning from ear to ear. "Now, let's go find the prince and he can offer his own encouragement!"
"Right!" Shyvana said, grabbing her gauntlets as she hopped to her feet. Alicia stopped and turned back to face Shyvana.
"Do try and keep your clothes on, this time." Alicia said, grinning. "Last time he kissed you, your armor ended up in a pile on the floor." Shyvana blushed, frowning at Alicia, but she nodded regardless. "Alright! To the palace we go!"
Shyvana blushed slightly but nodded, following after Alicia.
The courtyard of the palace had been fashioned into a makeshift arena. Grandstands had been erected all around the center of the courtyard, and in the center there was a massive circle marked in the ground. Sod and the pathways had been pulled up leaving dirt covered by a thin layer of sand that formed the center of the arena where the fight would take place. There was a low wall formed around the sand pit, with gaps and platforms every few meters where mages would stand to erect the barrier that would keep the crowd safe from the fight and any flying debris or flames.
"Nervous?" Alicia said with a grin, looking at the young woman who stood in the doorway. Shyvana looked back at the gunny and offered her a thin smile.
"A little." Shyvana said softly. Alicia raised an eyebrow, glaring at her with a smile. "Okay, maybe a lot."
Vorscham stepped up out of the crowd and approached the doorway, shaking his head as Shyvana stepped back to let him enter. "It's a mad house out there." He grunted as he looked back over his shoulder at the crowd that was still gathering. "Most of the enlisted men not on duty and every single nobleman in the city is here to watch this fight after Jarvan's little tirade last night." Vorscham grinned, as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall next to the door. "You've got a lot of pressure on you, chickadee. You think you can handle it?"
"It's not the first time I've been forced into an arena where the spectators would enjoy seeing me fail." Shyvana said softly, stepping out of the door and kneeling, adjusting a strap on her sabaton. She froze, catching herself, and stood back up, shaking her hands out, the metal plate armor rattling slightly as she did.
Alicia frowned slightly, looking the dragoness up and down. "How does the new armor fit?"
"Well enough." Shyvana grunted softly. "It's much heavier than the previous suit of armor." Shyvana was encased in dark gray armor from head to foot, faint golden accents marking the plate mail in several places. Pauldrons and a breast plate protected her chest, and rerebraces and vambraces ran down her arms. A new, heavier set of shield and manifer hand been crafted to protect her armor clad hands, encased in an articulated gauntlet that wrapped her entire hand. A three lamed fauld fell down to her waist and from there, tassets hung along her thighs, and her legs and feet were encased in a set of grieves and sabatons. A collar with a set of stopribs protected her neck. The faint rattle of the full suit of scale mail beneath the armored plates could be heard with every step she took. Her red hair swayed around her, a single, massive thick braid falling down her back, encased in articulated armor plating. Dragon-hide leather straps ran along her thighs, waist and shoulders, keeping the main pieces of armor in place.
"Yes, well it will also protect you much better than the last set." Alicia said with grin. "I suppose an armored bikini is something to be reserved for the prince's private viewing."
"I don't need you making jokes as well." Shyvana groaned, shaking her head. "Has anyone seen Jarvan?"
"I was actually going to ask you that." Vorscham growled, looking back over his shoulder at the gathering crowd. "The king made a point of asking me to check with you about that. He wanted to talk with Jarvan before the fight."
"I saw him this morning." Shyvana said, looking at the floor. "He left about the same time I did this morning, but he didn't say when he would be back, only that he would. He disappeared right after we ate breakfast."
"He tends to do that, doesn't he?" Alicia quipped, tapping a finger on her chin. Shyvana's mouth hardened into a line as she looked at the ground and took a deep breath.
"It's time, my lady." A soldier announced, stepping into the hallway where Shyvana was waiting. The soldier bowed and then turned, exiting through the door that Vorscham stood next too.
"'My lady?'" Alicia said, grinning, raising an eyebrow.
"Let's go." Shyvana said softly, pushing past the gunny and the lieutenant. They shared a brief glance and then frowned, following her out.
A cheer went up around the courtyard as Shyvana stepped through the crowds and towards the ring. Soldiers moved to congratulate her and wish her luck, but few ventured within arm's reach. The crowd parted as she moved through, many keeping their distance when they looked at her expression. She stepped down into the ring and quickly looked around, looking for Jarvan.
Where are you? The crunch of boots on sand signaled that she was no longer alone within the ring. The footsteps were armored, though the tread was soft and purposeful. Shyvana turned and faced Xin Zhao, holding her head high, steeling her expression. She tightened her fist around her weapons, the leather padded grips creaking ever so slightly as she did.
The king waved his hand and the magicked barriers went up with a hum and a sudden roar that quickly faded to a dull buzz. The blue energy barriers cast an odd light on the crowds beyond, dampening the crowds chatter. A voice boomed beyond the barriers, but Shyvana couldn't make out what was being said. The roar of the crowd beyond the barriers made it clear that the fight was about to begin. Shyvana scanned the crowd, again looking for her prince.
"You look angry." Xin commented with a thin grin on his face, slowly pacing back and forth in the makeshift ring. He frowned slightly as he glared at her, his brow creasing. "It is not wise to fight with a poisoned mind, girl. What bothers you so, that your temper has grown as foul as this?"
"Something is bothering me." Shyvana said, her eye twitching ever so slightly as she shifted in the new armor. She tried to clear the cross expression from her face, but the curious expression that Xin responded with indicated just how badly she had failed in her attempts. She shifted from foot to foot, shivering under his gaze, looking back to the Seneschal. It was heavier than the red armor, but it fit just as well, and the protection it offered was far superior.
"That much was obvious, little girl." Xin said, smirking slightly. "Do your scales of iron not fit well enough? Perhaps you'd like to simply forfeit and we can get this over with..."
"Taunt me all you want." Shyvana growled, taking a leather strap between her teeth as she pulled the strapping tight over her vambrace. "It only makes my flames burn hotter."
"Confidence is good, but over confidence will lead to defeat." Xin said, offering her a smile. Shyvana did not return it, looking to the crowd, scanning it for the prince. You're late, Jarvan. Shyvana grimaced as she set her jaw and turned back to Xin for a moment, the man watching her as he paced back and forth. He raised an eyebrow, but Shyvana looked past him, again looking to the crowd for her prince. If he's not here... something must be wrong. Shyvana shivered in the cool air. Did Jormander try something with Jarvan again? I'll rip his throat out if he so much as laid a finger on him...
"You appear to be leaking." Xin said, pointing towards Shyvana's feet. She raised her hands up in front of her, flames seeping from the armored plates. Every crack oozed orange flames that glowed viciously as she started to move in a circle, around the edge of the arena. Xin stopped his pacing and started to match her, keeping the distance around the circular arena at the longest distance he could. "What drives you to such anger, child?"
"It is my anger at the lack of awareness around me." Shyvana growled, glancing to where the king stood watching from behind the magicked barrier that shimmered blue. "I wish to know where the prince is, yet no one knows, and even fewer seem to care."
"You have more important things to be worried about, girl…" Xin Zhao said, gesturing to the arena around them.
"You may begin!" The announcer shouted. Shyvana looked up, distracted by the voice and the pulse of light that burst from the bottom of the shimmering barrier that signaled the beginning of the battle.
"Like our fight!" Xin's lance came up as he exploded forward, the head of his lance leading his charge as if it had been fired from a ballista. "You should worry for your life, girl!" Xin charged forwards as steam enveloped the arena around him, his spear striking something amid the steam. He tugged the spear, jerking it once, but it was seated firmly in something.
The steam started to clear around him as he gave the spear another tug, a grimace settling on his face as the shape of the armored dragoness faded from the steam, slouched over the head of his spear, low to the ground.
"That was anticlimactic..." Xin murmured. "I expected more." He lowered his stance slightly so he could lever her body about, but the armor creaked as the dragoness shifted. Orange light began to glow as Shyvana pushed herself up, flames seeping from her armor in a terrifying orange haze that enveloped her. Steam rose from the ground around her, and her hair fluttered in the air, billowing about by the shear heat that poured from her body and armor. Shyvana looked up, brilliant orange diamonds glaring at Xin upon fields on obsidian black. Her pale skin was just tinged blue as she stood up, one hand holding the head of Xin's lance just away from her torso. She tugged the lance lightly, startling the seneschal, but he did not release the spear as Shyvana dropped her shoulder, swept the lance aside, and body checked the man driving her shoulder into the man's stomach. Xin stumbled backwards as he retched, struggling to regain his footing as Shyvana stood up right, flames now billowing from her body like a solid cloak. Her eyes were dark and filled with anger.
Xin raised his lance, keeping it between him and Shyvana as he returned to distance, pacing slowly around her as she stood in the middle of the arena.
"You said I should worry about my life…" Shyvana hissed, the flames suddenly burning brighter. "Jarvan is my life."
Xin wiped his chin, the back of his hand coming away smeared with soot. He smiled as he looked to the dragoness. "Only actions truly speak, girl." Xin said looking down at the head of his lance and smiling. The point of his lance was been creased where Shyvana had grabbed it, the ridges of her armored fingers visible in the metal. "Victory calls only to one of us; shall we find out who?"
"You should run, now." Shyvana said softly, the crackle and roar of her flames, nearly drowning out her voice as she took as step forward. Xin did not flinch.
"Death is inevitable, one can only avoid defeat." Xin added, serenely, closing his eyes for a brief moment before he opened them again, resolve steeling his eyes and voice. "It would be a privilege to perish with honor!"
"Then you shall face my fury and die!"
Shyvana exploded forward, a wall of flames in her wake.