Chapter 5: The Mission
Two years had happened since Talon moved in the Du Couteau's manor and he became used to his new life. Katarina and Talon were training every morning when he was not on a mission. Katarina who was now, not appreciating him, but tolerating him, which was actually a big improvement.
From time to time, the General was sending Talon on missions, most of the time it was killing or spying missions, sometimes both. Cassiopeia was spending her days hiding in her bedroom making some sellers come at the house so she could still do some shopping and squandered her father's money without having to show herself. And the General was busy doing some work in his office and meeting Swain, even though Talon noticed that Marcus Du Couteau looked more stress and anxious than usual, despite the fact that he tried not to show it too much. During those two years Talon had earned some new fighting skills, the General had taught him how to shunpo, the same way as Katarina did during their first fight and other things like that. Katarina had also been busy during those two years, she had had a lot of assassinations to do for the High Command of Noxus, which she absolutely didn't mind, and had to fight against some demacian forces.
Talon was heading towards the General's office, wondering why the General asked to see him 'He probably has a mission for me' he thought. Talon hadn't had a lot of things to do lately and he was starting to get bored, so the idea of finally having a mission and kill someone thrilled him.
Talon knocked at the office's door then walked in. The General Du Couteau greeted him and Talon noticed that Katarina was also here.
"I have a mission for the two of you." Marcus said "It's not a too complicated one, but it will take some time since the target is in Bilgewater" he then gave some documents to Katarina "Those are the information you need to know about the target. Now you'll leave in two hours, I've already had a carriage waiting for you in which you will find some gold for the mission. Any questions?"
Talon stayed silent and Katarina said "No everything's fine."
"Great then the both of you may leave." Marcus said smiling.
Talon greeted the General goodbye and then followed Katarina out of the room. As soon as they were in the corridor Katarina said "Well that's going to be a cool mission! I mean if he asked the both of us to do it, it means that there's going to be some action."
Talon simply said "Maybe" in his cold and monotone voice which annoyed Katarina 'Can't he just show a little bit of emotions? Like I don't know… excitement for the mission at least?'
"God you're such a robot, do you know that?" she sighed "I'm gonna go grab some stuff for the mission. See you later."
Two hours later Katarina went to the carriage and was not surprised to see that Talon was already there, she sat next to him. The carriage started to ride towards Bandle City, from where they will take a boat to Bilgewater. Katarina then took the files her father gave to her and started reading them. "So the target is a man called Adrian Maltais, he owns a bar in Bilgewater and looking at the drawing I would say he is in his mid-thirties" With the files was a drawing of what this Adrian Maltais looked like. The man had brown hair, a three days unshaved beard, a little scar on his cheek, and was dressing as if he was a pirate, which he was not, but it was what la mode wanted in Bilgewater.
"Weird…" Katarina said "He doesn't look like someone who is important, I mean he's just a bar owner."
"It doesn't mean he is not dangerous." Talon replied
"Right… So how long do you think this mission is going to last?" She asked, trying to break the silence.
"I'd say, at least ten days. Knowing that we have to go to Bilgewater then come back."
Katarina sighed 'Great! One week alone with robot Talon, well if he keeps on being that talkative, it's definitely going to be fun'
The travel went on quietly. Katarina, bored, decided to take a nap and Talon was looking through the window of the carriage. He got break out of his reverie when he felt something touch his shoulder. By reflex he drew a knife from his belt and was about to stab the person who tried to take him by surprise when he saw that it was Katarina who's head had fallen on his shoulder while she was sleeping. Talon felt stupid, he had overreacted, of course it could only be Katarina, they were the only two persons in this carriage. His arm was still in midair with his blade pointed at Katarina. He was starting to lower his weapon when he felt Katarina quickly jumping away from him to the opposite of the carriage, drawing one of her weapon in her hand and taking a defensive posture.
Katarina had woken up because of Talon's sudden moves. She had opened slowly her eyes when she saw Talon staring and pointing one of his blades at her. Her eyes widened and she quickly got away from him, taking one of her own blade in her hand in case he tried to attack her.
"Did you just try to kill me in my sleep?" She asked. Talon could see shock on her face even though she tried as best as she could to keep her composure. 'Damn! How am I going to explain her that?' He looked at her calmly, put his weapon back in his belt, she was still on her defensive though and Talon could not really blame her he would also be like that if the roles were reverse.
"Kat" he said trying to have a reassuring voice 'Did I just call her Kat?' "Don't worry, I don't want to kill you. Your head just fell on my shoulder and I was taken aback and my assassin's reflexes took over me, but when I saw it was you I stop it. Moreover you should know that if I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."
Katarina relaxed at this, she knew better than to catch an assassin by surprised, she also had those reflexes. 'But wait, did he just call me Kat?' she decided to ignore it and went back to her seat next to Talon who was relieved that she believed him. They spent the rest of the travel in an awkward silence.
When they finally arrived in Bandle City the next day, it was already 6pm. They immediately decided to book two places on a boat to Bilgewater before it was too late. Luckily for them they found a boat that left for Bilgewater at 10am on the next day, so they would not lose too much time in Bandle City.
After eating, they went to an inn so they could spend the night on a comfy bed, because Katarina was definitely a pain in the ass when it came to her self-comfort, which annoyed Talon to no end because he didn't care about such futile things since he used to sleep on the streets when he was young.
"I'm doing the reservation" Katarina said to Talon "because seeing your level of sociability, we'll never get a room" she gave him a critical smile then walked toward the receptionist. Talon stayed behind her not saying anything.
"Hi, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked politely.
"Hi I would like to book two rooms for tonight, with one bed in each, a king size bed if possible, at least in one of the room the other one can have just a simple bed." Katarina said with a fake smile. Talon rolled his eyes when he heard her.
"I'm really sorry miss, but since this week we celebrate the reappearance of Gnar the missing link, a lot of people are here, and I don't have two rooms left."
Katarina's fake smile dropped "Well that problematic"
"But" the receptionist continued "we still have one room left"
"Oh! Yes! If it's a single room with two separate beds it will also suit perfectly" she said her smile back on.
"Well, actually the room as only one double bed" Katarina's smile dropped even further than the first time, the receptionist saw it and added "but you'll be happy because it's not just a double bed, it's a king size bed"
"I'll just talk to my partner and tell you what we decide."
"Of course, take your time." The receptionist said still smiling.
Katarina turned to Talon with alarming eyes "What do we do now?"
Talon was tired from the trip and actually didn't care about sharing a room with Katarina "Well seeing how late it is and Gnar's celebration, I guess we won't find another inn that is not full, so unless you have a better idea I'd say we take the room."
"Actually, I was thinking of maybe killing one of the clients to free another room." She said almost whispering.
"And I'm the asocial one?"
"Yes, you're right." She sighed in defeat and turned back to the receptionist "We'll take the room."
"Great, here's the key, it's on the third floor and the stairs are on you left. Breakfast is served from 6am to 11 a.m., if you have any problems or questions don't hesitate I'll be right here. Enjoy your stay and have a good night."
Talon and Katarina went to the room. It was a minimalist room with one closet, a door that led to the bathroom, a desk, a chair and the famous king size bed that Katarina wanted so much, and in which you could have put at least four persons.
"I'm gonna go take a shower" Katarina broke the silence. She took some clothe and went to the bathroom.
After one and a half hour, Katarina finally got out of the bathroom, she had changed into her night clothes, which consist in a black short and a grey tank top. Talon had also changed himself while Katarina was washing herself, it's not like he didn't have the time, she did take more than one hour for a simple shower 'What did she do? A trek in the bathtub?' he snorted. He had trade his famous purple robe for a simple black pant.
When Katarina saw that Talon was shirtless she immediately put her hands in front of her eyes and turned her head to face the wall embarrassed, avoiding any sight of him, a blush reaching her cheeks.
"God! Talon! Put some clothe on! You're not alone in here!" by now, her face were as red as her hair.
"Oh! Come on! Don't tell me you never saw a shirtless guy before?" He chuckled, he found the all situation hilarious, Katarina's reaction was really pathetic, but it made her look cute 'Wait! What?'
"No. Of course not but" 'He's wright why am I reacting like this? God I look so stupid now! Come on Katarina suck it up' she turned to face him "just next time please warn me or something. I mean how would you react if suddenly I was walking around in my underwear?"
"Well, personally I wouldn't mind." 'Dammit, I didn't just say that!' he wanted to slap himself sometimes 'Emotions are weakness Talon' an inner voice suddenly said 'and here you are chuckling over a girl, you're the one who's pathetic, those feelings makes you weak, get over them or you'll end up dead'
"You pervert!"
Talon's emotionless face was back on "No, I didn't mean it like that, it's just that I don't care about your body." Talon said coldly even though right now another voice in his head said 'Liar! You totally care about her body' but Talon ignore it 'Feelings are a weakness'
Katarina was taken aback by Talon's answer and simply said "Oh". His words kind of hurt her though, she was disappointed to know that he didn't find her attractive at all 'Why would I care? And why am I feeling like this? It's just Talon's opinion, who cares what he thinks.' Katarina told herself that it was because he hurt her self-esteem that she felt like this. They stared at each other without saying anything during a few minutes, both fighting with their minds and their feelings. Katarina was the one who broke the silence.
"I'm going to bed." She then walked to the bed, laid down in it and put the covers over her body. Talon turned the lights off, and then lay at the opposite side of the bed. When she felt Talon lying down on the bed next to her, her eyes burst open and she froze.
"Talon, what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm trying to get some sleep, and so should you."
"No, no, no, no, no. There's no way you're sleeping in the same bed as me!"
"Katarina, have you seen the size of this bed? It won't even be possible for us to touch each other, I mean we could even lose ourselves in this thing."
"No. Way." Katarina said firmly.
Talon sighed, she was really annoying, but he was too tired to argue with her. So he got out of the bed, took some pillows and blanket that was in the closet and made a makeshift bed on the floor.
"Goodnight Katarina."
"Goodnight Talon."
On the next day when Katarina woke up, Talon was taking his shower –she could hear the water running– so she dressed herself up quickly in her typical leather equipment. Then she went to the lobby to pay for the room and got back with some breakfast. When she got back to the room, Talon had already finished his shower and was dressed in his purple robe –He definitely spent less time than Katarina in the bathroom–. They ate in silence, Katarina was not really a morning person and hated when people talk to her before she finished her breakfast, but that wasn't really a problem since Talon never talks.
Once they were ready, they left the inn to go on the boat that would take them to Bilgewater. The trip was going to last three days so Katarina and Talon decided to think about the plan they would apply for the assassination. Of course they argued about the plan, each of them having a different idea about what to do, even though Talon's plan was actually better, which Katarina had noticed, but her pride would never let her tell him that he had indeed a better plan than her.
"Okay, okay. In a surge of generosity, I'm gonna let you have it your way" she said.
'Why does she give away that easily? That's not like her. I guess she just realized that my plan was better but she doesn't want to tell me.' Talon thought.
"But…" she continued "I have one condition"
"Go on tell me." He said exasperatedly.
"I want to be the one who kill him." Talon rolled his eyes at this, she really really annoyed him.
"Okay you can kill him" he sighed in defeat.
Three days had passed and they finally reached Bilgewater, to Katarina's relief, she didn't like taking the boat, it always made her feel nauseous. They settled down in a little inn in two separate rooms this time, then, went to the bar their target held.
"You should have brought a cloak with a hood to hide yourself." Talon said.
"Why?" she answered exasperated "I have a pretty face it would be a shame to hide it."
Talon rolled his eyes 'I'm gonna end up dead because of her lack of competence, she's just like Kavyn a liability' He took a deep breath and said coldly "Actually it was for your hair, someone could easily identify you and it could compromise the all mission."
Talon was right, which frustrated Katarina even more. "Don't worry about me, if they ask I'll just say I'm someone else."
They entered the bar and took a seat at the counter. The barman came at them asking them what they would like to drink. Talon and Katarina looked at each other, it was their target and he didn't seemed dangerous, he wasn't especially brawny or anything, but Talon knew better than to go on appearances.
"A beer for me" Talon said nonchalantly.
"And I'll take some red wine, please." Katarina told smoothly.
"Okay, I'll bring you that right away."
The bar was full of drunken pirates, some of them asleep in their own vomit even though it was only 10 in the morning.
The barman came back with the drinks and after giving Katarina her drink he looked at her curiously. "I'm sorry to intrude miss but, are you" Talon stiffened 'Dammit! I told her!' he already had one of his blades in his hand and was preparing himself to jump and slit the man's throat when he heard "Sarah Fortune?" at this he relaxed, putting his blade back in his belt.
"What makes you think that?" Katarina answered then she looked at Talon with a taunting glare. She had seen how he had reacted when he heard the beginning of the sentence, he had looked at her his face emotionless as always, but she could read "I told you so" in his eyes. 'Even though he's not showing it, he must be so angry at me right now' Katarina was appreciating her small victory, a big smile of satisfaction could be seen on her lips.
"Well mostly the red hair and I would have also said the guns, but you don't seem to have them with you."
"That's because you don't know where to look" she said in a smooth and seductive voice. The man started to blush. Talon noticed that Katarina was staring at the bartender the same way Cassiopeia was looking at him, and he didn't know why but he felt anger rushing through his vein and he clench his fist under the counter 'Come on Katarina, now is not the time to flirt, you're gonna have to kill the man in a few hours'.
Talon quickly finished his drink –he actually drank he's beer in one go– put some money on the counter, then grab Katarina's arm "Come on, it's time to go." She tried to protest and free herself but he was stronger than her and had already almost dragged her outside the bar. She only heard the bartender cried to her "I hope we'll see each other again!"
"Don't worry we will" she answered him 'Yes, sooner than you think'
Once they were outside Katarina tore her arm away from Talon's grip
"What the fuck! I didn't even finish my drink!" she said irritated by Talon's actions.
"What the hell was that Katarina?!" his voice and face still emotionless but anger could be seen in his eyes.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who acts like a total freak."
"I'm talking about you flirting with this man! That was not part of the plan, you're supposed to kill him not befriend him."
"Relax! I was just having some fun. Don't tell me you're jealous?" a smirk started to draw on her lips.
"Of course not, don't be a fool, if it wasn't for your father I would have killed you by now." 'Jealous? I'm not jealous, I'm just angry because she almost compromises the mission, not because she was flirting with that stupid bartender, who by the way would be no match for her, she needs a strong man who can compete her fighting skills and who can protect her, not some weak bartender surrounded by drunken pirates! Wait, why do I even care?'
"If you say so." Katarina said rolling her eyes.
The rest of the day went on. Katarina went outside to a shop known for his blade's quality, while Talon was observing the streets of Bilgewater, hiding in the shadows.
Then the time to accomplish the mission arrived. It was three in the morning, the hour when Adrian was closing his bar. Talon and Katarina both waited outside, lurking in the dark of the night. Then they saw Adrian Maltais getting outside, he was closing the front door of his bar but was not alone, he was holding one of the drunken pirates, who was half asleep, on his shoulder.
"What do we do? I kill Adrian, you kill the pirate?" Katarina asked Talon.
"Well he's asleep so I don't really see the point in killing him."
"There's always a point in killing somebody. Fun."
"There's nothing funny in killing someone in his sleep. It's not challenging at all."
"Your right, but we take what we have." She sighed.
Then they looked at each other, it was the time now, time to finish this mission and go back to Noxus. Katarina had this sensation she always had before going on a mission: excitement.
She got out from where they were hiding and walked toward Adrian.
"Oh! Hi again. I didn't expect to see you. I'm sorry if you wanted a drink I just closed the bar."
"Don't worry, I'm actually here to see you." Katarina said slowly.
"Oh! Really?" 'I'm so lucky, if she wants to have sex with me, I don't care about this pirate, I just let him here lying on the street and go with her' he thought. Then he looked back at her but she wasn't here anymore, she had just vanished. 'Did I just dream this?' Suddenly he felt something cold touched his throat and his skin started to twinge before his vision went blurry, he fell to the floor and all went black.
Katarina wiped her blade against the sleeping pirate cloak when she heard Talon said. "Well someone's gonna have a bad surprise when he wakes up."
"So you're not killing him?" she asked.
"No, only weaks are getting drunk to the point they can't even stand up. Let's teach him a lesson, by leaving him here."
"You're so evil Talon, I like that." She chuckled mischievously and he smirked.
They took the road back to Noxus, but something was bothering Katarina, something wasn't right about that mission. They were already on the carriage that was taking them from Bandle City to Noxus when she shared her thoughts with Talon.
"Don't you find that weird?" she asked. Talon was sitting the opposite of her, his eyes closed, but Katarina knew he wasn't sleeping.
"Find what weird?" he answered, his eyes still closed.
"I mean this mission. It was way too easy, we just had to kill a defenseless bartender. Why did my father wanted the both of us on this mission? There was no need to send two of the best noxian assassins just for that, one of us would have been enough."
"If your father did it, it means he had a reason." was Talon's answer. An answer that didn't satisfied Katarina 'Does the situation not bother him at all? How could he be so indifferent? Well again we're speaking about Talon so… emotionless robot and all…'
"Aren't you curious a little bit? As to what this reason might be?" she continued.
"I trust the General." he simply answered. He was starting to annoy her, so she preferred to stop the conversation here and keep her thoughts for herself.
When they finally reached the manor, Katarina was exhausted from the trip, Talon too, but he wasn't showing it. She entered her home and shouted "Dad! Cass! We're home." but the house was silent 'if it interest anybody' she thought. Suddenly she felt two arms embracing her, she was about to stab the person when she saw it was only Cassiopeia. "God Cass! I almost kill you!" then she felt Cassiopeia sobbing into her shoulder and Katarina started to worry.
"Hey, Cass. What happened?"
"It's dad…" Cassiopeia said between two sobs. At this Talon, who was behind the two girls, started to draw his attention to the conversation.
"Dad? What dad? Where is he? What happened to him?" Katarina asked. She was starting to have a feeling she didn't felt since a long time. Fear. Fear that something might have happened to her father while she was in Bilgewater.
"He's gone."
Hi guys, I'm so so so so sorry for the long time update, it's crazy how time flies ! But god news, I'm on hollidays right now so except for next week, I'll have plenty of time to write, and I'll try to be more regular in my updates.
Anyway, hope you'll enjoy this chapter, thanks for reading it :)