AN: Chapter 2 of Final Wind…it's been 3 months…what's with my writing wow. Sorry for the long wait I guess, been stupidly crazy.

Riven:

The wanderer walked slowly, with the ease of a practiced warrior. The only reason why recognized it was because she also had the same gait. Slow and practiced, he walked over to an empty seat and set down his sword. Riven's drink lay untouched, her only movements the steady rise and fall of her chest and her eyes as she tracked the man. Senses stretched to the maximum, she almost flinched when the long sword clanked against the table. Even when the wanderer finally sat down, Riven still tracked him mercilessly with her eyes, not allowing the smallest movement to escape her notice. Whether the man noticed her intensity or not, he gave no indication of it. The only time she looked away was when he looked up to order his drink, and ran his eyes around the bar. She could feel the man's gaze as it reached her, and focused completely on her drink as it focused on the sword that leaned beside here. The waitress was completely nonplussed, unaware of the byplay between them. After finishing his order, the waitress rushed away, unsure of why the man had suddenly lost interest in her. Still focusing on her drink, Riven missed when the wanderer had finally moved his gaze from her and returned to staring at the wall. When she finally looked up, he was idly tapping his fingers on his blade. Unable to look at him any further, Riven decided on finishing her cup.

The morning passed quickly. Some time in the middle of the day Riven got up the courage to stand up and leave. She had a small job as a farmer, tending to the fields with a beaten plow. Perhaps her Noxian training was good for something, but it's little benefit was definitely not worth the pain. Even standing in the field made Riven feel queasy, wondering if enemy soldiers had fought and died on a field similar to this, and whether another family was ripped apart. The owner of the land gave her past no heed, however he would always give her a knowing look when talking about international affairs. Perhaps in time peace and even good will could be established between Noxus and Ionia, however for the time being it was hostilities and anger. Her time as a farmer was short, for the field was not quite several acres large and Riven often wondered how the owner profited from it. Soon enough, she found herself at the gates of the town, and felt her drawn to the markets. What little pay she got often went to drinking and housing, however every so often she could afford some amenities. Children's laughter and the soft murmur of a crowd eventually drew her curiosity, and she slowly made her way over. There was a small crowd surrounding something, and she moved closer to find out. Eventually she managed to edge her way into a good spot to see the action, and was surprised to see it was the man from the bar earlier that morning. He was sitting, with no signs of his earlier drink visible. His sword was on the ground next to him, and he held a flute in his hands. Riven stared in anticipation, and felt her guard rise as she felt foreign magic in the air as he began to play. A wanderer's song, it's melody picked up as the wind began to whisper around the crowd. In the air, ribbons and other litter began to float and coalesce into an odd medley of colour, becoming more and more frenzied as the song picked up. Soon, the song ended and the trash dispersed into odd corners and bins, and much of the crowd moved off, impressed but holding no true interest. Riven stood entranced, and stared as a small pile of coins were slowly amassing at the man's feet. Riven didn't notice when the man got up, however she was quickly snapped out of her stupor when the man said to asked "Liked it?"

Quickly coming back to her senses, Riven quickly stammered out "Y-yes. It was quite beautiful, although I don't get why the wind did that"

The man laughed softly, and only said "Every wanderer has secrets. Some, a little longer than others"

His eyes eventually made their way to her blade, and she shifted awkwardly as he observed its runes. She wondered briefly if she had met the man before, but shoved the thought away as he asked

"Why'd you break that sword? I can tell it was once beautiful"

Riven began to open her mouth to answer that it was personal, but was interrupted as both of them heard the quick and constant footfalls of an Ionian military troop. They walked into the town, and stopped before Riven and the stranger. She was taken back, but the man quickly picked the coins and his sword up, and placed his hand on the handle. Upon arriving at the square, members of the troop spread out to block all exits while the captain and 2 other men approached the duo. The captain, a burly man seemingly in his middle age turned towards them and began to shout

"Yasuo! You are under arrest for the murder of Elder Ronan, the killing of several Ionian soldiers and conspiring with Noxus! Submit yourself to arrest peacefully and you'll be given a fair trial by the Elder's court!" The captain face reddened during the speech, and as he finished he looked towards Riven and said "Miss, we will have to take you in for questioning about this man and his origins. Please do not resist"

Riven swiftly turned her head at the now named Yasuo, and tilted her had questioning whether he did it or not. The man clenched his jaw, and began to draw his sword. She looked at him panicked, and twitched as she drew thoughts of killing again. The 3 men began to move towards the as the wind started to pick up. Riven took a step back as the 3 men grew even closer. Around the square, panicked onlookers and soldiers alike watched as incarceration came ever so closer. Just as they were about to reach them, shouts of nearby soldiers grew their attention. As the captain turned back to scream at the men, 3 blades quickly pierced through the trio's necks.

As the men were silenced, Riven stood entranced, mesmerized by the death in front of her. Blood splattered, and she stood frozen as the blades retracted and moved back towards some invisible owner. Behind the trio, was a literal massacre as the bodies of almost the entire battalion littered the ground. Around them, hovered several blades. Finally noticing the precarious situation she was in, Riven bodily threw herself at the man, Yasuo(?), and knocked him down. Her muscle mass had withered in the fields, however she still packed enough strength to take the wiry man tumbling. She winced as they both impacted the ground, looked around wildly for any attackers. Those blades… As a commander of the Crimson Elite Riven was allowed access to much information, and included were questioning comrades about their abilities. She cared little for her fellow front-liners, however the art of an assassin always interested her. She had taken one man aside, a high-aspiring assassin with an impressive kill list, and asked him about his methods of assassination. What he said made her sick, and had never forgotten his name. Talon, the Blade in the Shadows, was perhaps the very epitome of a Noxian assassin. Fast, stealthy, and always ready to get his hands dirty. Her time away from the Crimson Elite may have caused her to lose her physique, however she will never forget those blades. She had never seen him on the battlefield-for assassins always attacked the backs of the enemies, however had heard many tales of his assassinations and even watched once as he killed a commander right before her eyes, just as she was signaling a charge. He was effective, deadly, and most dangerous of all, in Ionia. Riven couldn't fathom a reason for why he would appear in Ionia, let alone in a small village, but she could only think of one reason. Her. Noxus has decided to cut their loose ends, and she could guarantee around the country and world, similar situations were happening to other Noxian deserters. Apparently Talon had decided trying to kill her was too bothersome now that she was alerted, but had left a pile of bodies behind. Around her, children began to scream as they realized the soldiers were slaughtered. She looked fearfully, and cast a glance at the man below her. He was wide-eyed, and could clearly see in his eyes that he was confused to what just happened.

She stood, and dragged him up with her. She began to run towards the village gates, pulling the man along, and whispered "Come with me. I'll explain."

Apparently the promise of an explanation was good for the man, so they began to run side-by-side, before he began to overtake her. When they reached a small clearing in the woods, she eventually slowed and caught her breath. Beside her, the man panted as well. Shortly, she stood straight and looked square at the man. "Why were those soldiers after you. Aren't you just a wanderer?"

Hearing this, the man froze and stood straight. In short, crisp tones he said, "I am a wanderer. Just the past often catches up to me. Now, what on Valoran killed those soldiers?"

Riven took a deep breath and replied, "He's a famous assassin. I'm sure you've heard of him in your travels. Talon. Blade in the Shadows. Ring any bells?"

Hearing the title, Yasuo stiffened further, and furtively cast his eyes around; suddenly paranoid that he was about to feel a blade in his back. He placed a hand on his scabbard, and asked "And you know this how?'

She had no possible answer for this. Mulling over this silently, Riven finally said, "That wasn't the first time I've met him. He's killed many in front of me."

Appeased, Yasuo let his hand dangle gently by his side. His body loosened, and he cracked his neck. Finally, he said "I guess I'll go now. Thank you, for keeping the assassin away."

Towards the side of the clearing, a man's voice sounded "I don't think you're going anywhere."