"I am relieved at your arrival" Ashe exclaimed. "For months we have all been on our toes. We had a few bloody battles with the Noxans, they are really pushing our western boundaries."

Quinn listened intently as Ashe explained the situation to the group. The way Ashe was discussing things, it made Quinn anxious. She felt her stomach twist inside her. They should have brought more men, fifteen was barely enough to fight a Noxan army.

It was their second day at Rakelstake. The night before, Ashe had led them to a sleeping place. They had all laid down and fallen asleep quickly. Early the next morning Quinn and Vayne awoke the soldiers to learn more of the situation.

Apparently the Freljord had been having trouble with the Noxans on their northern and western fronts. That was the reason Volibear was with Ashe. His home had been ransacked by a wave of assassins. A few other Ursine joined him in the fight and they have been trying to get it back ever sense.

Although nothing had happened yet Ashe was fearful they would take over Rakelstake, which was why she sent out the distress call in advance. She had also sent out a request for aid from Bandle City, but there was no response. Quinn willed the yordle's to come if they needed assistance.

"Now that you are finally here, I want to get you appropriate weaponry and set out to show you the damage. There could be a battle any day."

Quinn's hands were clenched as she nodded at the order. Ashe looked at the Demacians once again. Nodding appreciatively the fair haired woman stood up. Quinn followed, indicating her troops to do the same. They all trailed the Freljord leader who took them away.

By noon all the Demacians had extra weaponry and details on what to do. Ashe split them up into offensive and defensive teams. Vayne was the head of the defensive team for the time being, and Quinn was appointed to say with Ashe on the main front. Those who were scheduled for defense went to guard the city along with other Freljord archers. Ashe decided to take the offensive soldiers to the place she thought the Noxans had set up camp.

Swiftly the leader let the way out of the city. Quinn had a hard time keeping up as they bounded over rocks and weaved their way through thickets of trees. Valor flew swiftly overhead, looking for any potential danger.

Quinn gazed around in the daylight, the area was much less terrifying now that she was being led around. Oh Caleb, she thought, how I wish you were here. Thick pine trees blocked Quinn's line of sight as Ashe stopped and knelt down.

Ashe's black cape dragged across the snow as she slowly crept forward, bow in hand. Silently she drew an arrow that glittered in the sunlight, Quinn held back a gasp. It seemed to be made out of ice. Nestling it in between her fingers, Ashe peeked out from behind the conifer.

Quinn and the others were still as Ashe drew back. But soon she loosened her grip, turning around she motioned the Demacians to follow once more. Quickly Ashe walked out into the open. Quinn understood her unease as they emerged into a snowy tundra. They could be easily attacked.

Ashe took them around a small stream, then along the ridges of a mountain. It was not long before they reached an outcrop covered in snow. Ashe was low to the ground, creeping forward to peer over the edge. Quinn looked into the sky.

It way grey, filled with thick clouds. She could barely see the sun or Valor. She prayed that he was out of sight.

"Look." Ashe's whisper made Quinn jump. Looking over at Ashe she saw the white haired woman pointing over the ledge. Ashe's blue green eyes glistened with worry. Quinn obeyed, noticing her fear, inching forward towards the outcrop she looked over. What she saw sent chills down her spine.

Below in a hollow of dark rock, a large group of people sat around a fire pit. It appeared they were cooking meat, as large billows of smoke erupted from something spinning over the flames. Quinn could smell the Noxan stench from her perch. There had to be at least thirty men and women below. All of Quinn's training seemed to kick in, she quickly assessed the threat and began to wonder. The Noxans had found an almost perfect hiding spot, but yet it was too obvious.

"How long have they been there?" Quinn inquired quietly, voice barely audible. Ashe looked at her bow, clenching it in her hand. Quinn watched as her knuckles grew white. "Just recently. They are growing closer and closer every day."

"Have you tried ambushing this camp?" a soldier from behind Quinn asked. Turning her head she saw the red hair of Mikale peeking from underneath a cloak.

Ashe replied coldly. "No, it would be far too dangerous. We are, were, far outnumbered. It would be a death sentence."

The Demacian soldier nodded respectfully. Quinn wanted to sigh, the Noxans were so close. This seemed like the worst spot to be, the people of Raklestake could be ambushed at any second.

"We should get back, there may be an attack already." Ashe said, waving her hands at the group. Slowly the soldiers crept away, a member of Ashe's elite warriors led the way back to the city. Quinn and Ashe slowly followed, aiming their weapons towards the pit. Quinn did not exhale until they were more than one hundred meters away.

It took the group less than an hour to return to the city. Once they got back Ashe pulled Quinn to the side. Quinn was caught by surprise when she her body thrust to the side as her soldiers continued to walk ahead.

The violet haired woman stumbled as she turned to see Ashe holding her arm. Quinn looked at her commander compassionately. She could not imagine what it was like to be surrounded, under the threat of attack at any time. But Ashe did not look as worried as she had before.

"I think this group, it might be some kind of diversion tactic." Quinn nodded, she had thought the same earlier. She let her senior speak, waiting to give her input. "I do not want to waste men guarding all on one defensive end."

"I agree completely." Quinn said as Ashe let go of her arm. As the woman's skin left hers, she felt saddened. Something had come over her, something she did not expect. Quinn looked Ashe in the eye, and she felt a blush rise in her cheeks. The woman standing in front of her stood with such regality and composure. It made Quinn flustered for some reason.

Quinn shook the thoughts from her mind, this was not the time to be thinking such things. It was the calm before the storm, these people were on the verge of attack. Plus, Quinn had only just met Ashe. She was acting like a fool. Jarvan would be ashamed if he saw me act this way.

Continuing on with her advice, Quinn cleared her throat. "I will assign most of my best men towards the hollow, but also have some dispersed. This will definitely not be easy, if I know anything about Noxans, it's that they are slimy. They will pull something we are not expecting."

As Quinn finished her final statement a cry rang out from behind the two women. Quinn whipped around to see what was happening. She saw Ashe run towards the call, following, Quinn spotted Valor flying towards the city.

"Noxans!" someone yelled, another yelled the same from beside Quinn. She felt fear rise in her belly as a swarm of men and women, dressed in dark armor raced towards them from behind a hill. This is too soon, Quinn thought.

Ashe cursed, but kept her head.

"We have a battle on our hands!" she called. Looking at Quinn, she nodded, fire in her eyes. Quinn nodded firmly as well.