5. We Broken Vanguards
It was the crying that could be heard through the medical quarters. It echoed through the hallways and soaked into the walls. People ran to and forth in the ward, stitching up the wounded and attending to the sick. There were sounds all around the patrons but the sound that rose above all was the crying. Tears shed for a fallen warrior, a broken friend, a brother.
Jarvan IV had attempted to pry Lux off her brother's broken body but she could not be torn away from Garen. Jarvan IV stood silently at the end of the room whilst the family watched their boy cling to life. Jarvan IV saw Shyvana walk up to him and he turned as she spoke to him.
"My prince."
"Shyvana."
"How is he?"
"Without the magic of the League he can't be revived from death. His wounds are serious and he's barely hanging on by a thread."
"So it's touch and go?"
Jarvan nodded and spoke.
"Any sign of Xin?"
Shyvana shook her head.
"None. We've been searching all night. When we cleared the palace we expanded the search out into the city but it was too much ground to cover. Especially when chasing a highly trained champion who knows this city inside and out."
"So he's escaped?"
"We think so."
Jarvan IV's jaw locked up and he brought his hands up to his head. Shyvana watched as the prince tried to control his rage. He walked out of the room and leaned against the corridor wall. He stifled his cry of rage and turned to the wall behind him. He rammed his fist into the wall and repeated the action; harder and harder. He would've kept going till only magic could put his hands back together but a hand on his shoulder and strong words pulled him back.
"My prince."
He kept going.
"Jarvan."
He stopped.
He turned around so that his gaze met the eyes of a dragon and he leant forward so Shyvana would catch him. His arms were round Shyvana and he whispered to her.
"Why Shyvana? He was like a brother to me. He was…"
Shyvana placed her arms around Jarvan but he shook her embrace off and spoke.
"No. I am the prince. The heir to the nation of valour and power."
He felt Shyvana's hand on his shoulder and he looked up to meet her gaze. She spoke to him so soft so that no one may hear the words she spoke.
"Jarvan. You are the only man I know who…" she paused for a moment to choose the right words but Jarvan knew what she wanted to say. Instead she chose something else.
"You can trust me Jarvan. I am here for you as you have always been here for me. With me, you are not a prince. Only a man."
Jarvan looked into the fiery, orange eyes of the dragon. With a blink she could burn him alive but under her hand Jarvan felt safer than with all the Dauntless Vanguard. She gripped his shoulder and spoke again.
"Come Jarvan. We can leave them in peace. If something changes, someone will come find us."
Jarvan looked back into the room where Lux was still clinging to her brother. Shyvana noticed the prince's gaze and spoke.
"What is it that troubles you?"
Jarvan smiled at little when he spoke.
"I remember one time during a league battle Vladimir captured Lux. And I guess he had been having a slow battle because he took his time with Lux, sucking the life out of her slowly as she lay on the ground screaming in agony. None of us would get there in time to help her in time so instead she would have to suffer at his hands. Her agony continued till she was just on the brink of death but Vladimir's malevolence is something to be feared. He started pushing life back into her and then tearing it away from her. Torture in other words. We ran as fast we could through the jungle to reach her but before we could reach her something else happened. Garen burst from the forest and crashed into Vladimir. The Crimson Reaper had made a grave error. He had wasted all of his magical power torturing Lux."
Shyvana looked at the broken soldier lying still in the bed, hextech and magical equipment established to keep him alive and restore his broken body. She asked the question that teetered on the edge of her lips.
"What did he do?"
"Well we ran through the jungle. As we stepped through the tall scrub we saw Garen's sword had been planted in the ground. You know it's interesting; it doesn't matter how many times we get brought back from death; sometimes you get caught up in the moment. Watching those you love die. It's easy to let ones emotions overwhelm them. And so when we emerged from the scrub we found Garen crying over Lux, cradling her tortured corpse."
"What about Vladimir?"
"What was left of him was on Garen's fists."
Shyvana gave Garen a look between being surprised and impressed. Jarvan continued.
"People might say Lux is weak for weeping for another fallen soldier. But if you knew those two, you would understand that for either to weep is not a sign of weakness, but is the calm before the storm."
Shyvana nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder and gestured to leave. Jarvan nodded in reply and the pair turned to leave. They walked quickly through the ward till they reached the exit. They walked down the stairs till they left the hospital. The hospital was situated comfortably in its own private plaza on the upper level. Outside the pair found Poppy and Galio waiting.
The pair were caught in thought when they saw Jarvan and Shyvana, and rushed to them to talk. Poppy spoke first looking up to Jarvan as Galio floated above at Shyvana's head height.
"How is Garen? Is he alright?"
Jarvan replied with an answer that neither quelled nor worsened their fears.
"He's alive but it's touch and go right now. He may not make it."
Poppy's face became grim with concern and Galio's placid features seemed to droop and sadden. Jarvan continued.
"Why are you two here?"
Poppy spoke for herself.
"I completed my portion of patrols and left some guards to keep looking but I don't think it'll do any good. Taric, Sona, Quinn and Fiora are still out searching. I need to get back to the embassy and send word back to Bandle City to inform them of the situation."
Galio talked promptly after Poppy.
"I have only just learnt of what happened last night and have offered my services to Poppy."
Jarvan nodded.
"Very well. And Poppy don't disclose all the details till we know what exactly is happening."
"Of course Prince."
Poppy and Galio looked at one another and departed with due haste. They headed back down the plaza and exited out onto the upper level. They looked around and saw the bustling crowd of the east district passing by. Poppy looked at Galio and pointed in the direction of the embassy.
"Come on, there's work to do."
Galio spoke, his voice grumbling softly.
"Of course ma'am."
Poppy smiled as she walked slowly through the crowd, Galio flapping next to her. She spoke as she smiled.
"You don't need to call me ma'am Galio. You know I don't really care."
"Formality was part of my creation ma'am."
Poppy looked up her flying friend.
"Then thank you Galio."
"For what?"
"Calling me ma'am."
"What else would I call you?"
Poppy huffed and spoke.
"Short stuff, yordle, Iron thighs."
Galio chuckled softly and Poppy glared at him.
"They're just jokes ma'am."
"I don't know do jokes."
Galio continued to fly silently next to Poppy and his next words were sombre and weighed down on the pair.
"Garen knew some good jokes, always knew how to laugh loudly."
Poppy threw Galio a fiery glare.
"He has and will Galio. Don't talk about him like he's gone."
Galio flapped his wings and spun round Poppy to her other side like a quick retreat.
"Of course ma'am my apologies. I should hope for the best. It's just…"
His words trailed off and Poppy saw the Sentinel's mind wander. She spoke in hope to aid his troubles.
"I'm sorry Galio, I shouldn't have snapped at you. What's the matter?"
"I just ask myself could I have done something if I had been there. As always I had to be out watching over Demacia, unable to protect those that really matter."
He suddenly stopped flying and dropped to his feet; shame and despair weighing him down as he spoke.
"Did I fail again? I came to this city so I could find penance and yet…"
Galio was now at Poppy's height so she placed a hand on the gargoyle's shoulder.
"Galio there was no way for you to have known what was going to happen. Instead you acted as you always do. A Sentinel over Demacia and its people. Galio if anyone is to feel guilty it should be me. Maybe I could've been there sooner, or found Xin as he tried to flee. But I didn't; I too failed."
Galio looked at Poppy who talked on.
"But if there is solace to be found in these woes, we can take rest in knowing that no matter how far that man runs; the justice of Demacia will find him."
Galio nodded his head, unsure if his own thoughts were settled but his heart holding on to the words spoken by the Iron Ambassador. Galio flapped his wings and lifted himself back up into the air. He spoke, his voice still sombre.
"We should carry on ma'am. There is work to be done."
They continued forward down the level and in the distance they could see the embassy. Suddenly a loud screech sounded from above them and they looked up to see Valor soaring down towards them. Quinn herself was running towards them. Valor swooped and landed on a bench near Poppy and Galio who stopped to await Quinn's arrival.
Quinn ran up to the pair who looked at her with interest. Quinn spoke.
"What's the news?"
Poppy answered.
"I couldn't find Xin anywhere in my area."
"No I mean what about Garen?"
Poppy and Galio exchanged glances and the yordle continued.
"He's not too good. Seriously wounded. He… He might not make it."
Quinn stood in silence till Poppy's words broke her thoughts.
"Where are you headed for Quinn?"
"I'm heading back to the palace. Valor and I have quite a few reports to hand over to the guards and we need to help with the communication lines."
"Right. Well Galio and I need to be on our way."
"Of course. See you soon enough I'm sure."
Poppy and Galio continued their journey, leaving Quinn to her swirling thoughts. She fell deeper and deeper into them till a caw drew her back. Valor was looking at her with his head tilted. She spoke to him.
"I'm fine Valor."
He cawed softer and tilted his head the over way.
"Yes really. Come on let's go."
She started walking and Valor circled round her, flapping his wings to continue his flight. As they walked Valor cawed at her again.
"There's nothing up."
Caw?
"I'm not lying."
Valor suddenly screeched and swooped till he was in front of Quinn floating. Quinn held his gaze, determined not to give in.
"You really are stubborn some times."
Screech?
"I'm fine!"
SCREECH!
"What the hell do you want me to say!?"
Quinn noticed the strange looks she was receiving from people passing by so she continued walking. Valor soared next to her; close to her face. He cawed softly.
"I remember."
Caw. Quinn laughed.
"Yeah he does say that a lot."
Caw.
"Of course he's going to be alright. He always is."
Caw.
"We're not talking about this."
CAW!?
"Because we're no good too anyone if we're just some broken girl and a bird. We've been that for too long."
Valor swooped and perched himself on a bench again.
"Come on Valor it's not much further to the palace."
Caw.
"No I'm fine."
Screech.
Quinn stepped over to Valor and stared him down.
"Look maybe you want to feel sorry for yourself but I am not spending any time talking about stupid things like my self-pity
CAW!
"That's different, I was a little girl!"
CAW!
"Why are you being like this?"
CAW!?
"I. Am. Fine!"
SCREECH!
"I tried everything. I could have saved him."
Caw?
"Yes! This is about Garen!"
CAW!
"Screw you! Maybe if you hadn't been so slow I could've gotten there in time. And maybe Garen wouldn't be lying in some medical ward."
Pause.
Caw.
"I know."
Caw.
"Yeah, yeah."
Caw.
"Yeah I'm sorry. It's just scary Valor. They call us Demacia's Wings but we couldn't move fast enough to save him."
Caw.
"Of course we will."
Quinn walked over and ruffled Valor's just behind the neck where he liked it.
"I'm sorry buddy."
Caw.
"Don't worry about it."
Quinn looked back down the long lane where they had to go.
"Come on, let's go. We're behind schedule now."
Quinn broke into a run and Valor flew up high up into the air to follow her. He floated on the air, ducking and diving with every push and pull of the wind. He looked down and saw his beloved friend running through the crowd. Quinn returned his gaze and smiled up to him. She continued running through the crowd till she reached the palace gates. Lines of people had formed to attend the counsel of the king but the guards were advising them over to the Council Spire. A guard waved Quinn through who leapt up the stairs till she reached the top. She walked through the open doors of palace and quickly found herself in the east wing. She looked through a window to see the debris and destruction caused by the fight. It was still being cleared away by several guards but Quinn didn't want to linger any longer. She had already seen it; with Garen's mangled body lying in its midst. Quinn continued till she found the command room of the guards. As she approached the door she saw Taric step out from the room.
Taric looked down the corridor to see Quinn approaching. He spoke to her.
"Quinn my dear what news from your patrols"
Quinn shook her head in dismay.
"Nothing. As far as I'm concerned he's vanished. You?"
"Same. Just gave my report to the guard commander. I've done what I can to help but I think they might need your help."
Quinn gave Taric a quick look up and down and spoke.
"Good to see your night out didn't tarnish your style."
She was referring to Taric's smooth hair and armour which had remained untouched by dirt or sweat despite a long night. He gave a wink and replied.
"Gems are more than just tools Quinn."
She rolled her eyes and walked past him.
"See you later Taric."
Taric watched as the ranger entered the guard and held the door open for a moment. A sudden screech and blur whipped through an open window and into the room before the door closed shut. Taric returned his attention to a concern that grew deep within him. He began walking through the palace back into the entrance hall. He was ready to leave when he heard a noise. He was gentle but it could be heard. It emitted gently from the grand hall so Taric pursued the sound. He walked through the halls till he walked into a room that bore the remains of a feast. Plates and cups had yet to be cleared from tables; food and drink lying idly on surfaces all throughout the hall. What usually would have been cleaned away had been forgotten in trade for more pressing matters. But it was not the mess of the room that drew Taric's attention. His gaze fell upon the maven who was crumpled on the floor in the centre of the room. Sona sat still plucking on a single string with echoed throughout the hall. Taric approached and despite the noise he made Sona didn't respond. He sat down beside her and spoke.
"I was just about to head over to your estate to find you."
Sona's gaze broke from the memories of audiences before her and she looked across to Taric. Her sapphire eyes were marred by the red bruising of tears that had been wept. Taric reached out his hand and touched her cheek softly as he spoke.
"What's wrong my lady?"
She tapped and stroked the gems on his hip.
"I know."
She looked at her etwahl.
"I'm sure he would've loved it."
She tapped the gems.
"I know he did."
Her fingertips slid across the edges.
"He was the same for many people. Even I sought his guidance once or twice."
She began to shake, sadness gripping her once more. Her rhythm on the gems faltered but Taric knew what ailed her mind. He wrapped her body in his arms and spoke.
"No, no Sona. There was no way you knew he was going to do this. No matter how you tried to help him; you couldn't have known what was to come."
She quivered in his arms and he took her hand in his. He caressed her hand and spoke.
"We can't begin to understand why he did this. We can only hold onto each other and hope our faith and love does not fall."
Sona's body pulsed as she laughed from within.
"Yeah I know corny isn't it? Too outrageous? Stopped you from crying didn't it?"
Sona looked up and smiled. She planted a kiss on Taric's cheek and stood. She wiped the tears from her face and picked up her etwahl. Taric stood alongside her.
"That's more like it. The Maven of the Strings has not yet strummed her last note."
She smiled at Taric and gestured towards the door.
"Yes. I'm sure your mother is most concerned about me."
She smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Well maybe you to, we'll have to wait and see."
He planted a kiss on her lips and the pair held it for a fleeting moment in time; as though they could forget the pain they felt deep within.
"How adorable."
The voice came from the end of hall and the pair broke their embrace.
Fiora was leaning against the doors watching the romantic couple when she spoke.
"You know maybe you two should be less concerned about copping a quick feel and more focused on finding that murderer."
Taric spoke for the pair.
"Our duties are fulfilled and Xin hasn't killed anyone yet."
Fiora huffed.
"Have you seen that man? He's a vegetable. So much for the Might of Demacia. And as for your duties, they aren't over till that traitor's head is mounted on a pike."
Sona was tapping the gems on Taric's hips as he spoke.
"Fiora maybe you should spend less time being focused on revenge and think about your friends."
Fiora contorted her face into a mix of insulted and enraged.
"Friends!? My so called friends let a traitor walk out of this palace with the most valuable treasure in all of Demacia. And instead of pursuing that man they're standing around moping about their feelings."
"We're waiting for the king's orders."
Fiora shook her head.
"Wait all you like. Unlike some I actually wear my colours with pride."
With that Fiora left the pathetic couple to their privacy. She walked back into the hall and past the murmuring groups of people. There they all stood like blind sheep, waiting for someone else to tell them what to do; to give them some sort of direction. It was infuriating. Fiora ran up the stairs of the palace till she reached the royal quarters. She walked through the corridors till she reached the king's study. She pushed the door open and walked in. Inside she saw Lux, Shyvana and Jarvan IV standing around the table and king. Jarvan IV pointed on a map on the table.
"From what our scouts report he's headed for the Serpent's River. We think he's headed for the Howling Marsh your majesty."
Jarvan III looked up and saw Fiora.
"Fiora do you have something to report?"
Fiora stopped in front of the table and bowed her head.
"No your majesty I came up here to ask for consent to pursue Xin."
Jarvan III replied looking at the map.
"You won't need to pursue Xin I've made arrangements."
Fiora restrained her frustration.
"With all due respect your majesty we cannot allow him to get any further. He already has day on us and I can move quickly to catch him."
Shyvana spoke to contest Fiora.
"I can move faster through the sky."
Fiora glared at her.
"But I doubt you can best him in combat."
Shyvana felt her blood warm up.
"I can burn the forest down around him. Then we'll see who wins in combat."
"Do you think he's an amateur half-blood?"
Jarvan IV intervened.
"Enough of this. His majesty has made his own decision and we shall obey it. Your majesty?"
Jarvan III spoke.
"I have decided to deploy Lux to pursue the traitor Xin."
This time the Prince made his objections clear.
"Your majesty by no means do I doubt Lux or your judgement but wouldn't it be better to deploy the Dauntless Vanguard or Elite Guard to pursue Xin?"
"If Xin were to defect then we cannot risk starting a war. Unless any of you want to answer to the League?"
No one dared to contest that line of thought but Fiora was ready to challenge another.
"So then if we are sending one person, why her? She's not fit to fight Xin your majesty."
Jarvan III replied.
"She has the most experience in infiltration and reconnaissance which is a necessity above all things right now."
"But your majesty…"
"I will hear no more of it!"
The king's orders pressed Fiora into silence. But what caught the attention of everyone was Lux. She had not said a word for the entire meeting; her gaze fixed upon the map. Jarvan IV spoke to Lux.
"Okay Lux your best chance of intercepting Xin is at the Serpent River crossing. It's several days from here but he has a day on you. The crossing will slow him down and that will hopefully give you the chance to catch him."
Lux didn't respond.
Jarvan IV spoke.
"Did you get that?"
"Yes."
Lux's abrupt and sharp response was a surprise to the others but they all knew why she had fallen into such a demeanour.
Jarvan III spoke.
"Once you've captured him; bring him back here."
There was a moment of silence and the king broke it with a final comment.
"Bring him back alive."
Lux nodded and moved round the table towards the exit. She walked swiftly past Fiora who whispered a quick remark.
"Go on fairy, make big brother proud."
Lux would have drawn on Fiora. She would have smashed Fiora through the marble floor till she was a bloody pulp. But not now. Now Lux had only one person in mind; Viscero.
Jarvan III leaned back in his chair. He was alone, save for his son to keep him company. Jarvan IV spoke to break the silence.
"Why father?"
Jarvan III looked at his son; he did not feel guilt about lying to his prince. A king had to make such choices for his nation.
"I don't know why son. Sometimes the darkness in men can be hidden. It can be buried deep underneath lies of honour and valour. But that darkness eats away them. Like a starved beast it longs and hungers to come forth and destroy those around it. And no matter how far a man buries it, that beast will always arise. And when it does; it consumes not only him but those who have come to love him."
Jarvan III looked at his son and spoke.
"That's why we fight. Not so we can bury the darkness of men, so we can purge it. Tear the darkness from this world and let it burn under the light of Demacia."
Jarvan IV lifted his head, his voice grumbling through the room.
"And if that darkness has been born in Lux? What will become of her?"
The eyes of king and prince locked and Jarvan III gave his answer.
"We can only hope that she alone can purge her darkness. Be it vengeance or forgiveness. We must leave her fate in her hands. Or the justice of Demacia will befall her."