Of Silence and Scars, Chapter 14

This is a quick wrap up and set up chapter, after the long one previously this should be a nice change of pace. Thanks for reading and feel free to comment!

XIV The cold bite of stone greeted the worn feet of Noxus’ proud executioner as he crawled out of the bedroll. The sun wasn’t up yet, but the faint golden aura on the horizon warned of its arrival. Rubbing his eyes he folded the blankets and bedroll and laid them in the corner of the main room. Trudging to the bathroom, he washed his face in the warm water. Smiling to himself about the previous night and how he had slept on the floor for the first time since he was a kid. A class act that girl, not what he was used to. Gazing into the mirror, seeing the dark creases under each eye and ragged bedhead, “What have you gotten into mate?” Fixing his hair with a bit of water and a rapid hand movement or two, the image in the mirror returned to one of perfection that he so adored. Giving the Draven in the mirror a quick wink, he straightened up and got dressed. He hated leaving without saying goodbye, but Gangplank was arriving with the sunrise, and he couldn’t miss the boat. Scrawling a quick note on a piece of parchment, he retrieved a rose he had picked last night on the way back and folded the note around it. Sighing quietly, he took a step towards the door when a finger tapped his shoulder. He turned with a smile, “Didn’t think you would be awake at this time!” Even without her morning routine she was an image of perfection to his eyes. Hair uncombed and sprawling over her head, she gently brushed strands from her face and embraced Draven. They held each other close for a long moment then eased apart. She asked how they would make this work. When she would see him again? The smile faded a bit as he answered quietly, “I do not know, but I have dealt with much fiercer challenges! Count on it. As for seeing me, I know it will be hard to go without your daily supply of Draven, but you know where to find me. If you are ever in trouble, I will come alright?’ She laughed at his attempts to cheer her up and joked that he would have to keep the other girls off of him from now on. Putting a hand to his chest and looking hurt, “But milady, if the women of Noxus cannot partake of the glorious fountain of manliness that is Draven, there will be mobs, riots, uprisings! How could you be so selfish?” He smiled warmly as she said they would have to make do without and gave him a goodbye kiss. “Fine, if you want me gone soooo badly I will go,” He teased. “I’ll see you as soon as I can.” She waved one last time as he closed the door. The room seemed colder now, and quieter. She started running water for a bath, but the splashing sound seemed dull. The small apartment seemed so large without the loud company she had grown used to over the last day. Sighing silently she proceeded with her morning routine, expecting a visit from Soraka soon to assault her ears with high pitched squeals and questions. Just thinking of that, the silence was all of the sudden comforting.

Draven walked with a spring in his step and leapt onto the Dead Pool’s creaking deck. Gangplank leaned on the mast with a golden pocket watch. Snapping it shut, he greeted his passenger, “Late night? You look like hell boy.”
Draven cocked a half smile as he brushed past the sailor reeking of rum and body odor, “you could say that. I am not late, so why the third degree? Too drunk to sail?” He goaded the pirate. Gangplank roared with laughter joined by his crew. Cutting the laugh short and snarling at his crew to get to work while he strode to the helm, the ship broke port and set upon the great blue sea towards home. Breathing in the salty air and feeling the light spray of the sea on his cheek as he leaned over the edge of the ship. Gazing back at the warm island city he was leaving, he thought of Sona. It sunk in how much he missed her already and how hard this would become. Draven frowned slightly at the concept of missing someone and felt weak. It was worth it though…

Darius stood at rapt attention in the circular conference room at the center of the Spire. The metal and stone weighed heavily on the room. Swain stood with a hand curled resting on his lips in his distinct thinking pose. He stared intently at the map of Valoran painted on the table and the letters scattered around it. Darius grew extremely uncomfortable at the tactician’s silence. It wasn’t characteristic of him. Fire’s flickering light illuminated little of the man’s face, giving Darius an even more uncomfortable feeling, like standing in the presence of a shade.
The hand finally lowered and Swain drew himself to full height, placing his hands behind his back. He turned to Darius, “I have called you here for an important job. The disappearances at the Institute of War have the authorities there concerned. Obvious reasons for concern aside, they are more concerned at the known fact that champions, the strongest individuals alive, can be taken from under their noses without them having anywhere to start. Second and less known to the public… Another team has gone missing. The Yordles were first, but Piltover’s team was taken hours ago.” Darius stayed silent, face a mask as Swain proceeded. “Demacia expects us, but it is a cry in a maelstrom. The chaos of politics and accusings flying around will slow any action for the time, but we need to discover what is happening. My agents have found several people who may something, reports of odd happenings and behaviors and so forth. I will send you and nine soldiers to accompany you. Find out what is going on, avoid violence if you can. I will not send you into Demacia at this time, so no one should stop you, the guards are only there for if what you find is not willing to cooperate. The first target is in Shurima. Be diplomatic, ask Azir and Nasus if there is anything like this in recorded history.”
Darius nodded, “I’ll leave immediately. Will multiple teams be in play?”
Swain shook his head. “These informants are mine alone. The Black Rose has no hand in this. Katarina and Talon cannot be used with discretion. Your presence doesn’t have to be hidden, but hide your intent to the best of your abilities. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“Good, dismissed.” Swain leaned forward on the table and lost himself in thought. Darius pushed open the heavy metal doors where nine black armor clad soldiers waiting in a staggered line down the hallway. Without a word as Darius passed they formed a line behind him. They marched out of Noxus’ gates and headed south to the great desert of Shurima.