Ambitions

Gold shined through the forest as the trumpets, now accompanied by drums, barked the entrance of the prince. Quinn set her eyes on the horse he sat first. Gold plate covered it from mane to tail. Quinn frowned at the sight of the horse as it didn't seem the horse liked carrying that much weight. It slowly trotted along each step filled with an indent being put into the muddy ground. At least the horse will likely never see battle, if the prince's show horse were to ever die that wouldn't help morale…

Quinn moved her eyes to the face of the prince. His eyes seemed to take in every recruit as he examined the large crowd that sat countless meters from his position. He seemed eager to give his speech. I'd rather be a mutant yordle than give that speech. His raven hair blew behind him in the wind as his horse lead him to the stage. Drawing closer Quinn saw a welcoming smile plastered on his face.

Jarvan IV got off his horse as he approached the stage. Quinn looked up at the stage to see the lieutenant of the camp giving a short speech before the prince arrived. "The exemplar of Demacia has arrived. He is everything you should aspire to be in a soldier, and for some of you an officer," the lieutenant said until he saw the prince climbing the steps to the stage. The officer rushed out, "At attention recruits!" as he rushed off of the stage to quickly join the others off stage.

The smack of a fist colliding with the heart was made in unison between the recruits and officers. Quinn took in Jarvan as a whole as he slowly ascended the steps. Ornate gold armor covered his body. Emerald sat in pieces of his armor. The gems seemed to reflect more sunlight than the plate. Quinn wanted to wipe her brow of sweat, but knew it would be rude and likely punishable. How can he be in that armor on a day like this? He must be slowly roasting inside.

She let her thoughts disappear as the prince stood in the middle of the stage. He seemed to wish he had a podium or something similar to lean on. The way he stood indicated he was slightly uncomfortable without anything to occupy his hands. The prince quickly corrected himself and put his hands behind his back. "At ease recruits, this day is for you," he said returning the salute. "As you have probably heard Noxus has been on the run recently. They've been giving up their territory to Demacian forward scouts. This is where soldiers like you come in. The volunteer corp has been since its creation the front lines of the Demacian army. You're the first to shed the blood of the enemy,".

"You're also the first to stop invading noxian forces. Just a decade ago your corp kept at bay the Noxian rush on Demacia. Many of your brethren were lost, but the shield did not break. I ask the same burden of you. I ask you to be both the shield, and the sword. I ask you to be unbreakable and unwavering. I ask you to live up to your dead brethren. I ask you to give your life for the lives of Demacia and its citizens,".

"This is much to ask, but your predecessors gave up just as much to wear the proud blue. Your commanders ask just as much out of you. From what I've heard you recruits have already exceeded the expectations of your commanders. You should be proud, and today shall be a day for you to enjoy yourselves. Ser Crownguard!" Jarvan yelled back into the ranks of horses and men that sat behind the stage.

The entourage slowly dispersed as a single man made his way through the ranks. The might of Demacia slowly approached the stage. He had not been forced into his battle armor like the prince, but rather he stood in his officers uniform as he slowly ascended the stage. Garen looked out at the recruits a frown appeared on his face appeared for merly an instant before he made his face go blank again. He stood by the prince awaiting for his command. "Garen," the knight moved his shoulders at the princes lack of formality, "give the recruits the news," Jarvan said as he slowly descended the steps.

Garen cleared his throat before beginning his portion of the ceremony. "The king has requested that each of the volunteers be tested. The king finds it admirable that you're willing to give your life for your country, and will allow a few of you to serve this protection as the protectors of the city of Demacia itself. You shall be tested in the form of an elimination tournament. The men behind the stage have more information if you're interested in the tournament," with that Garen descended the steps. He quickly made his way to Jarvan's side. They both were lost in the crowd of royal guards that lead them back to the tents.

She brought Valor down onto her arm as the recruits slowly dispersed, many of them heading towards the back of the stage. She scanned the crowd for friendly faces to see Albert and Jared conversing. She waved at them, and they motion for her to approach. "Are you going to join in the tournament," she asked them. They both nodded as she continued with, "It seems every recruit is joining," she said watching the mass of recruits that surrounded tables.

"What are we waiting for?" Jared said as he lead the two toward the table. He turned back towards Quinn as he asked, "So what'd McHenricks have you do to earn your jacket?" She frowned slightly at the question as she hadn't wished to think about that night for a long time to come.

"He made me kill. He believed that any soldier will show if they're obedient once they're blooded. Who knows his logic may be right," she said as she kicked a pebble with her shoe. Before they could ask what she killed she continued, "He had me kill a wounded bird. Killing isn't as easy as I once believed," she said sighing.

Albert jumped into the conversation, "You won't have to be killing all the time if you win the tournament. The gods know you're the best fighter in the camps besides Bennett. You should be able to have a good life thanks to the generosity of the king," he said in an attempt to reassure his friend.

"I don't know if I want to be away from the fighting. I promised my family that I would live and die for Demacia. It seems to me the best way to serve is by being on the front lines. Anyways you two can't discount yourselves you've made it quite a far way while in the camp."

They now stood close to the tables as Jared turned around yet again, "We'll give 'em hell maybe all three of us will be able to make it to the city. Only five hundred others standing in our way. Three versus five hundred is odds I'd take any day," he said a grin plastered on his face. Quinn and albert chuckled, before they were motioned towards a table.

Quinn approached a table where a man with a scar that crossed diagonally from his left eye to the right corner of his mouth sat. She focused on the mans eyes to avoid looking at the scar. "Fill this out and head behind me," he said handing her a piece of paper and motioning for her to move forward. "Next," he yelled.

She picked up a pencil and headed behind the man. She found a large rock and sat Valor down next to her as she began to answer the questions. Name? Quinn L. Smith. Where were you born? Outside Triam village. Are you of common birth? Yes. Did any of your family serve in the Demacian military? Yes. Quinn approached the table where they were collecting the sheets and handed them. They nodded and told her to continue forward.

She looked over to the side to see workers frantically writing down names for the tournament. Garen sat in the middle of the group that surrounded 4 dueling circles. Quinn looked for her friends, but couldn't seem to find them. She heard someone approach behind her to see Bennett towering over her. "Best of luck, Quinn. I'll keep the fighting clean if you promise to do the same," Bennett said extending a hand. She accepted the handshake, and watched as he fell back into the crowd.

Garen's voice suddenly broke through the talking of the other recruits. "The tournament is ready to begin. The final four will be given the honor of joining us back to the city of Demacia immediately. May luck favor you on this day, and let the best fighters win," Garen said stepping out and joining Jarvan who sat off to the side watching the battle.

Quinn lost track of time until she heard her name get called for the fifth time. She had made it to the final eight. The recruits had been making bets and had 1-5 odds against her opponent. She cursed silently as she heard the name of who she would be dueling. She knew the two had made it this far, but she had hoped she would have been facing Bennett, and not Jared. Quinn stepped out of the crowd into the dueling arena.

She saw Jared do the same. They stood across from each other. She continued to just use a longsword, the shield McHenricks tried to force upon her just seemed to get in her way. Jared on the other hand seemed a natural with the sword and shield. They bowed towards each other, as they waited for the command to begin. The prince gave the command, and the two launched at each other.

Quinn took the aggressive stance as she swung her sword on the side of his shield forcing him to block, and be on the evasive side. Her left arm swung furiously at the shield, she needed to get that off of him if she wanted to win. Jared let out grunts as the sword smashed into his shield. He waited for his opening. It came as she swung again. He smashed his shield into her hand. Quinn's eyes widened as she saw the sword fly off to the side. She jumped back as a slash tore through the air.

She kept her eyes fixed on the sword as she danced around his sword and shield. He heard him cough out, "Surrender Damnit, you're unarmed." Quinn shook her head as she slowly made him maneuver her so she sat back to her sword. When her back stood to the sword she quickly dodged another attack and sprinted to pick up the sword. She heard something fly through the air behind her head and slid for the sword. The shield gracefully went through where her head had been just a moment ago. The crowd clapped as she picked her sword back up. She saw the prince sit forward and say something to Garen. Garen nodded, and the two continued to watch the duel.

Quinn turned back towards Jared. She tossed the sword from her right hand to her left. Got to give the crowd what they want to see. She said smirking as Jared frowned before he let out another slash. She easily tossed the hit aside, and was surprised when he left himself open to counterattack. He must be exhausted, but he must be the one to win this not me… Quinn didn't follow through with the winning blow, but instead faked fatigue herself.

She understood what she had to do to make him win. She let her sword come down weakly, allowing him ample time to counterattack. He took the moment as he hit her arm away with his sword. He brought her feet out from under her as he aimed the sword at her throat. She looked for her sword to see it meters to her left. Jared coughed out, "Yield."

"I yield," she said as the crowd let out a disappointed sigh. She wondered how much money they lost. She stood herself up and Saluted Jared before they both turned towards where Jarvan and Garen sat. They saluted the two of them. Jarvan scowled while Garen nodded towards Quinn, they both understood what she did.

"We have our first winner. Congratulate Jared Fletcher. Jared bowed as the recruits clapped for him. The other battles ended quickly and the others joined Jared by the prince. "You have your winners." Quinn saw Bennett up by Jared as Albert sat by her side. Albert had lost in his third round. Not bad at all from where he started. Quinn applauded the winners before returning to her barracks. Jared and the others walked with the prince discussing what would happen with them.

On the way back to the barracks Albert asked Quinn why she lost. Valor agreed and asked the same. "That life isn't for me. I want to be in the volunteers. I promised someone a while back that I'd do this no matter what happened. If I would have won I would have broken that promise. I've broken to many as it is,". She heard the approaching sound of footsteps and turned around to see a royal guard rapidly approaching them.

The guard spoke quickly, "Garen wishes to speak with you," he glanced over at Albert, "privately." He's gonna chew me out for throwing isn't he. She sighed as she followed the man. The recruits gave her peculiar looks as she followed the guard. She just shook her shoulders and put her hands in the air. They reached a tent, "give me a second," the guard said as he entered the tent. She looked around to see the forest around her. It calmed her as she smoothed Valor's feathers. He pushed into her hand reassuring her that it'd be okay. The guard appeared and opened the tent flap allowing them entry.

Quinn stepped inside to see Garen standing behind a table his back turned to her. I should be happy I've always wanted to meet Garen… She cleared her throat, "Sir, you called for me?" Quinn said as Garen slowly turned to face her.

"It is very admirable to allow your friend to win that duel. Many in your corp would kill to be where he is going. Yet you allowed an easy duel to be lost. Were you even fatigued when you lost?" he asked. She shook her head not risking the lie. Garen let out a sigh, "I'm able to take another recruit with me back to the capital. I was wondering if you were interested?" Quinn shook her head. "Why, this is the opportunity of a lifetime you'd have an easy life, and good pay."

"I didn't join the volunteers for these things. I joined the volunteers to serve where others would cower. I joined the volunteers to protect where others would run. I joined the volunteers to give my blood for my nation. Sitting in the city won't satisfy any of these needs sir,".

Garen mumbled, "All these years leading and they still won't follow." Garen cleared his throat, "Good reasons to stay. They'll need fighters like you to maintain the shield. Don't waste your blood you'll need it," he said saluting. She returned the salute as she exited the tent.

She made it back to the barracks to find Jared and Albert conversing. Jared had his things packed as he turned to face Quinn. "You shouldn't have let me win Quinn. You should be the one heading off to protect the capital not me," Jared scowled yet again.

"You really shouldn't scowl so much it ruins your face. I didn't let you win, you won on your skill," she said lieing a grin plastered on her face. Albert kept his head on the ground not wanting Jared to know it was truly a lie. "When are you leaving?"

"They're leaving right now. This was their last stop before they made their way back to the capital. I'll miss the two of you. You're both amazing fighters, and Demacia should be proud to have two as skilled as you fighting under its flag."

"Take care of yourself, who knows we may run into each other again. The gods always have weird plans," Quinn said as a royal guard entered the barracks and motioned for Jared to follow. The three saluted each other before Jared left. Once he had left Quinn slumped over and sat on her bunk. "Now its just me, you, and Valor," Quinn said to Albert. Albert just nodded as he scratched Valor's head.

The hours passed, and the night sky soon took over the camp. Quinn found herself pulling out her journal. She looked at her last entry to see it had been more than 3 years prior. She flipped to a clean sheet, and began to draw Jared. She continued until she sounds of trumpets filled the camp yet again. She looked up from her finished drawing to wonder why they were playing again. The bell tolled, she waited and heard the second time. She held her breath wishing to not hear the third. It came and she felt her world crashing down. She shook Albert from his slumber, "Get up, Noxus seeks blood,".

Authors Note: Bit of a late upload, just have been busy due to the holiday. Working on Chapter 9 and it should be out in a couple of days.