Desperate Times
a League of Legends fanfic
Chapter 3: A Dark Order

"Let me see if I understand this correctly Seneschal." Jarvan IV spoke softly, but nothing could mask the rage in him, and everyone in the massive hall could hear him as though he were right next to them. "Not only did the man I thought too be my best and closest friend have a hand in the plot to kill me, but now you are telling me that he has escaped?"

Xin Xhao could only stare at the floor and nod.

"Escaped from one of the three most secure prisons in Runeterra." The Prince continued No, not only that, you are telling me that he escaped with, and I'm quoting here; 'Six cracked ribs, and close to a dozen other fractures.' And on top of that He killed six guards on his way out?"

Xin shuddered, "Six that we know of your Grace, there are still close to a dozen guards unaccounted for..."

The tip of Jarvan's lance was suddenly at his throat. Xin stopped, not daring to move or breath. "I am not pleased Xin. The only reason that you are still alive is because Demacia cannot afford to lose another hero in as many weeks."

A small cough sounded from one of the others in the room, a small Yordle woman stepped forward. "If I may your Grace, Sir Xhao is most likely innocent of aiding General Crownguard, he was with myself and Captain Quin training a regiment of soldiers at the time. Also, according to the team investigating the scene, there was evidence that the General was aided by someone wielding a short bladed weapon, most likely a large knife or a short , plus the shape of the wounds themselves, lead the team leader to suspect someone from outside Demacia. Possibly even Noxian."

Jarvan narrowed his eyes. Very slowly the blade moved away and Xin allowed himself to breath again. "Then on top of everything, Garen is a Noxian spy as well. Is that what you are saying Poppy?"

"We can't be sure of that... not until we locate the General."

"What other reason could there be? Noxus isn't exactly known for it's overflowing good will."

"Non," Spoke the lithe woman standing off to the side, "Zey are known for brutality and a respect for strength. Rescuing a spy who was captured is not in zeir style, more likely zey vould kill him themselves as the price of failure."

Jarvan sat down on the throne, his expression dark and his hands trembling with rage. "I have only one order. Find him. Find him and bring him to me. If he refuses to come peacefully, kill him. Spy or no, I will not allow Jericho Swain to get his talons on Garen."

The others looked nervously to one another. Kill Garen Crownguard? How could they kill a man who had saved all their lives at least a half dozen times each? Poppy started to speak up, but the look that the Crown Prince gave them all would have stopped a rampaging Dragon dead. Literally. "I will not hear another word until he has been dealt with. Now begone... Shyvanna, not you. I need to speak to you privately."

Shyvanna waited for the others to leave and then bowed low to the Prince. "My Lord."

"This is a delicate situation Shyvanna, I have information that confirms Garen is a traitor, however, a trial and public execution of a 'hero' such as he would do more damage to the public moral that we can afford. They're still reeling from the attack itself, plus, news somehow leaked to the public of Garen's arrest. It's close to a full scale panic out there. They need something to rally behind, not the death of a hero."

Shyvanna's brow furrowed, she knew how bad it was getting. She had been forced to put down a small scale riot just the previous day. "What should we do my lord?"

"I'm afraid that there is only one course of action left to us. It pains me to say this at all, but for the good of Demacia, Garen Crownguard must die."

Shyvanna could only stare, dumbstruck. Had he really said that? True, Garen was a traitor, but he had also served Demacia and Jarven personally for years. "M-my lord... surely there is some other way..."

"Please Shyvanna, you are the only one I trust with this task." Jarven's face was pained beyond anything Shyvanna had ever seen, "At this moment, Garen represents the single greatest threat to Demacian unity in Valoran. The people don't yet know what he has done. If he decided to try to start a rebellion, I shudder to think how many people would flock to him."

"And because of the state of public moral, we cannot reveal his treachery yet." She suddenly understood the situation in it's entirety, it was so clear, she was surprised that she hadn't realised it sooner. She knelt before the throne, "Then for the sake of Demacia, Your Will shall be done."

While Shyvanna stayed at the Prince's request, the other champions strode out of the Throne Room, each occupied with dark thoughts of their sudden new mission. As they walked, Poppy was the first to voice the concerns that she knew they all had.

"Is this truly the right thing to do?"

Fiora Laurent strode beside her, "Truly? I know not. However, we must remain loyal to ze throne to avoid making ourselves look weak non?"

Xin walked ahead of them, however he stopped as they made it to the plaza outside. "Yes, we cannot afford to divide the country. However, there is something wrong here."

"Wrong?" Asked Poppy, "You mean besides the fact that Garen has been revealed to be a member of a terrorist cult? Or the fact that he somehow escaped from the Iron Gulag? Or was there something else that I've missed?"

"I was actually talking about the fact that Jarven is acting like a Noxian in how he's trying to deal with this. Haven't any of you noticed it? Ever since he woke up after the attack, he's been... different... it almost feels like it isn't him."

A shadow fell over the three of them, looking up they saw Galio descending from a nearby roof top. "So I am not the only one who has noticed oddities in the past few months. My rather unique origins allow me to feel traces of Magic in the air, some power has been preventing me from entering the palace recently, as if I am a threat."

Fiora frowned, "zis is most troubling. Then what shall we do?"

A voice sounded from behind her. "We complete our mission quickly, so that the unity of our nation can be preserved." Shyvanna walked out into the afternoon sun. "Garen is currently our top priority. All else is secondary."

Poppy glanced aside and noticed a strange look pass over Galio's normally unreadable face. "Then I suggest that you and Xin begin the search, I and Lady Laurent shall investigate in the city. Galio, please come with me, I believe you can help greatly." As the two of them moved away from the others, she asked, "what's the matter Galio? I saw that look. I never thought anything could shock you."

The Golem glanced over his shoulder. "I fear that some form of enchantment has been placed on the Half Dragon. It is subtle, but I can feel it. This confirms my earlier fears, something dark has taken up residence in the Royal Palace."

"Could this be more of Garen's treachery?"

"No. Garen has no magic in his veins, and I spoke to him mere days before his arrest. There was no trace of sorcery upon him. This is something else."

footsteps behind them caused them to stop and turn, Fiora hurried to catch up. "If we are to work togezer on zis, perhaps we should coordinate with each other." she said.

Poppy gestured to keep moving, "I'm not altogether sure that Garen is what we should be worried about now."

Fiora blinked, surprised, "Non?"

"No. Galio thinks that something dark has taken root in Demacia's heart. I think we should investigate that instead. We'll let Shyvanna and Xin deal with Garen, it's unlikely that he is still in the city any ways."

Fiora frowned in thought. "Well zen, we shall need to proceed cautiously. I will seek out ze Lady Vaine, we may need her help in the coming days."

"Another thing," Galio said, "We cannot trust anyone else for now. We will act the part of hunting Garen, I believe that we will draw our opponents out with patience and deception. I will investigate the magic that is being used here. However, if my theory is correct, I will need to leave the city to consult an... expert of sorts. Will the two of you be alright in that event?"

Poppy smiled a grim smile, "I think that if it comes to what you fear, whatever that may be, we'll need all the help we can get. We'll hold out until you get back."

Their minds made up, the three, nodded to each other and walked to the first cross street. once there, they each went their separate ways.

As Shyvanna left the throne room to carry out her orders, a slow, mad smile crept over Jarvan's face. "Too easy..."

Standing, he turned and made his way down a small side passage leading down below the palace. Lower and lower he travelled, until he came to a dead end in the deepest basement. The Prince probed about across the wall until the switch hidden behind one of the stones triggered, opening the wall as if it were a simple door. As the wall opened, Jarvan's skin began to ripple, by the time the 'prince' stepped through the entrance, LeBlanc's disguise was fully dispelled.

Walking down the tunnel, the Deceiver reflected on how easy it had been to capture Shyvannas mind in her enchantment of loyalty. "That poor deluded girl must really be head over heels for the prince. I had heard rumours... but still... Oh well, that solves my Garen problems. Time to focus on finding that pesky prince, and then..."

As she mused to herself, she came to a large chamber. Several people moved about, moving supplies, training, and otherwise ensuring that they were fully ready when their mistress gave them their orders. One cultist immediately moved to her side as she strode through the room. "My mistress, all is in preparation for your divining spells."

LeBlanc smiled, "Good. See that I'm not disturbed." The man bowed and turned back to the chamber. "Now then," She said quietly, "Let's get some answers."