So from what I understand or at least my interpretation of events is the following;
Noxian Soldiers (maybe) invade the lands of the Bards, which is probably in Ionia. They were sent to take the ancient relics that reside there. Bard senses when the power is used and immediately guesses something's wrong. He appears and uses his power to whisk away the relics, taking them to someplace beyond the mortal plane.
I suppose this gives insight on to why Noxus invaded Ionia without a League to intervene; Boram wanted Ionia's ancient secrets for some reason.