The present...

So much time has passed, a thought Syndra often did not wish to ponder on long. Though her features held that of a woman in her early twenties, that youth can be quite deceiving; her body ever preserved in her grand power as her actual age was that of thirty two. Thirty two long years, and many more to come, she can only be glad now that she finally has the freedom she had always fought for without any consequences of the past constantly following her. It was hard to forget the years she spent in a depressive state, plotting her revenge against Ionia for wronging her.

Syndra has always had a perfect memory, though sometimes she felt it was a curse. It was times like these when she would engage in such mundane tasks as packing for another trip that she would recall her past, pondering her own choices and what her life had shaped her to be as she carefully folded each piece of clothing into her bags. She remembered her childhood, how seemingly innocent it was until her magic began to manifest itself and became a supposed threat to those around her. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, her inexperience betraying her and causing that magic to act upon her emotions and harm those around her.

Syndra recalled dead eyes, those of which belonged only to that of a child. The boy before her was no older than her, aged at about eight years old. He threatened her, that is what she remembers, her fear... And her fear caused her power to protect her. That boy was sent flying into a nearby river, the boy's father stumbling to his feet as he watched his boy splash into the water. What would have been her future husband, had Syndra's mother gotten what she wished for, was soon pulled out of the water and the marriage was called off. It was then that Syndra realized she was no longer apart of her own family, her assumption becoming clear as her mother and father resorted to telling the elders of her magic and she was soon taken away to a remote school for magic situated in a nearby forest.

For a time, Syndra remembered her excitement. That finally she would be taught how to use her power correctly, instead of scaring and hurting those around her. She never enjoyed it, having people fear her like that... She was only a child, she wished to be accepted just like any other. But her village did not know how to deal with such magnificent ability, there was only one person she had ever met as a child that accepted her for her magic and she had not seen them in many years. However, even in this school she did not feel accepted. It was no home to her, and there was a piece of her that will always regret having been brought there. Nothing is ever as it seems, and in this case it was much worse than anything Syndra could have foretold as a child.

But that was many moons ago, and the future often tends to wash out the sins of our past; making it just as easy to keep each memory at the back of our heads until quiet solitude or a gentle reminder brings back those memories. It was only when Syndra packed her last piece of clothing that she halted such thoughts, now focusing on the present.

Her future was now as a high ranked Justicar of The Order, an elite group of paladins set to seek peace and justice in the realm. Often times she found herself in far off lands from Ionia, and today was no different as she was packed for her trip to the ever vast city-state of Demacia. It was not the first time she had been there, and certainly not the last. She would argue Demacia was never one of her particular favorites to visit, though. They had an absolute distaste for mages, and Syndra was about as mage-y as one could get with limitless power coursing through her entire form. It was a fact that she kept well hidden when visiting Demacia, and despite her reputation as a powerful mage; she was quite talented at it. Only the truly higher ups such as the prince would know of her magic, and they were in no position to argue it when The Order held their ever watchful gaze upon them.

Truthfully, Syndra found it quite ignorant of Demacia to hate those who were magically inclined, but she was not about to argue with an entire city-state over their own stupidity. It would only serve to waste her time, and she could see how their anti-magic stance aids them against Noxus' notorious use of the darker magics. Their large walls fitted to aid against the magics as most of the city-state held anti-magic protection over it, even supposedly creating large guards to fend off such attacks. When Syndra visited Demacia, it even nullified herself slightly; she could feel her power weaken simply from being within the city-states walls. These were, among other things, her major qualms with Demacia. The nobility there was no better, tending to be snooty and ill mannered. Another reason for her to dread this trip.

Yet, she still must do as duty calls. Luckily for her she was no normal mortal, and thus did not have to travel like one. She collected her bags in her magic, and exited her room within her large temple. Light footsteps echoed through the halls as she passed through several corridors of her temple, soon finding herself inside a large room she had made. In it held several portals, ones of which she created some time ago for each specific city-state that allowed her to do so. Demacia in particular was hard to convince to allow such a portal within it, but the king finally agreed after quite a bit of complaining from Syndra to leave it be in one of the more secluded areas of the royal castle. She traveled to Demacia quite a bit, and she'd be damned if she was taking those nasty boats every time she wished to do so- it was a far trek from Ionia to most anywhere, after all.

A elongated sigh escaped ruby lips as Syndra allowed her magic to drop her bags onto the floor, lithe fingers soon grabbing them by the handle as she carried them on her own accord. She could never be too careful with Demacians, so she tended not to use her magic in more blatant ways when visiting the city-state. Once her luggage was gathered, she stepped through the portal in her throne room and entered into that of the royal palace. One might say she was a fool for allowing such portals, but she insured that her magic would only allow the portals to be used as a one way. To get home, she would have to simply conjure another temporary portal that connected to the one in her temple properly. Far be it from her to allow some stranger to stumble into her home by randomly finding her portal within one of the many city-states, but she would admit it was more than annoying finding the appropriate spells to create such intricate portals.

Feet delicately landed onto the floor below them as if they had done this a thousand times, and her luggage was quickly scooped from her hand by two guards that had been waiting for Syndra's arrival along with the crowned prince himself. Jarvan the Fourth stand in front of her clad in his usual royal attire, making sure to look his best for the arrival of such an important individual. Syndra herself was also adorning her finest armor, her finely sculpted golden headdress being the centerpiece of the entire outfit as it shone brilliantly under the sun that hit it from a nearby window.

Jarvan greeted her with a traditional Ionian 'hello', bowing his head deeply before her as she would do the same in acknowledgement. "A pleasure to have you with us again, Justicar Syndra. You are looking well."

"As to you, Prince Jarvan." Syndra gave the automatic reply, hoping to get the subtleties over with quickly. It was always like this when she came to different city-states, aside from perhaps Zaun... They always had to make such small talk with her, and she had little time for it when she had already done it a thousand times before. "What is it you've called upon The Order for?" She then inquired, jumping right to the point.

"The Demacian counsel wishes to discuss that of great importance in regards to our ongoing battles with Noxus, it would be in good taste that we have you be there for this meeting. I assure you, we will have appropriate quarters set for you during your stay." Jarvan explained, and Syndra's eye twitched in mild annoyance from beneath her headdress. Of course, it was yet another pointless meeting in regards to the ongoing spat between Demacia and Noxus. Undoubtedly, the next thing he would say is that they require her presence for an entir-

"We insist you stay for the entirety of it, that is why we have requested you stay in Demacia for at least the time span of about a fortnight."

Ah yes, of course. This was such a classic move played by Demacia, making Syndra waste her time by staying there longer than was actually needed to. No matter, she supposed she could catch up on some reading while she stayed here. "I understand, the assessment is appreciated."

Jarvan nodded in understanding as Syndra replied, turning on his heel to guide the other out into the large corridors of the Demacian palace. "We've arranged an escort for you, one that may be able to provide you... Hrm, entertainment during your stay by showing you the local customs and sights of our great city-state. Of course, we did not wish to send you wish just anyone. We chose one of the most elite nobles as to ensure you will enjoy your stay here, they-"

"Pardon my intrusion, but I have no interest being shown around Demacia for the millionth time by one of your many nobles. Those men all tend to bore me with their insatiable chatter, and they all tend to bring me back to their estate of all things like it is the most grand place in all of Demacia." Syndra interrupted with a short 'tsk', knowing exactly how this plays out as she has done it time and time again with Jarvan issuing her 'escorts' during her stay. All nobles who would be better off working as jesters within the palace in her opinion, their attempts at impressing her were more than boring. She could care less for a noble who earned nothing, that the only accomplishment to their name was managing to be born a man from a noble woman's womb. Pathetic.

Jarvan cleared his throat at Syndra's protests, having grown fairly used to the Justicar's protests of him issuing an escort for her. But what was he to do? His father, the king, had insisted Syndra be under careful watch during her visits. While she may be a well known paladin for an elite order, she was also still a mage and he could not risk anything consequences of allowing such a powerful sorceress within his city-state. However, this time Jarvan had a plan that may end up pleasing both Syndra and his father. Well, either that or it would be an absolute disaster given who he chose to be Syndra's escort.

"Woman, actually." Jarvan corrected, glancing back at Syndra as they walked to spot any reactions from her. There were none, Syndra holding a firm poker face at the odd proclamation.

"Excuse me?" Admittedly, she was surprised. She was more than aware of Demacia's ideas about women and where 'their place was', so it was such a strange thought to have them issue a woman to do, well... What they considered, a man's job. Not that Syndra agreed, but the thought itself within Demacia was perplexing. Just what was Jarvan planning here?

"A woman, head of one of the most successful houses of Demacia. I know of your distaste with all the men I have sent with you, and we have cycled through just about every noblemen I have to offer you company. I thought perhaps a woman may be more suited for the endeavor, seeing as you are also a woman. Perhaps she may know what would interest you more within our city-state, and I can tell you first hand; she really is not one for chit chat." Jarvan explained, though it hid the reason why she specifically chose that noble he spoke of. Well, to be quite frank, the woman was just as insatiable as Syndra tended to be at times. He could only assume they would get along, and if it did not work out... Well, he would simply have to think of another way.

"I see." Syndra replied as they walked, pondering over the thought. It was not like she had much choice regardless, but she still found it quite strange how Jarvan announced it. It could not be that simple, there must be a reason for this. "That is acceptable, I suppose." Catching Syndra's curiosity was all Jarvan needed to have her approval for another escort, the Justicar more than wishing to find out why exactly a noblewomen was chosen to keep Syndra company during her stay.

"Fantastic. She awaits us within the throne room, I trust things will go well." Jarvan then smiled kindly back to Syndra, beginning to near the very same room in question. As they began to arrive within it, Syndra could only wonder who exactly awaited her within that room.