"The term's PsyOps, short for Psychic Operations. My name's Samira, short for styling on idiots." ~ (PsyOps) Samira, The Desert Rose
I know we discussed on taking it slow but this has to happen as soon as possible because of the pure power behind Demacia. Looking into the lore, I can confidently say that if Noxus invades Demacia at any point now..... they will be crushed. Even without mages, the natural protections around Demacia will stop anything. You'll see what I mean in future chapters. If you follow the lore you probably understand why.
Anyway, this arc is harder to write and I need you guys to point out things I might have overlooked. There are a lot of things and characters in play and it will leave plot holes if not addressed.
Original draft of this had Sydell reveal Gregori's identity but I changed it.
Enjoy!
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Silence reigned in the courtroom for a moment before a noble stepped forth.
"Who is he to order us to stay inside?" The man raised his fists, "We are the nobles of Demacia!"
A group of nobles echoed the statement, siding with the man.
"Capture those children!" He pointed to the children. "We need to show him what happens when you walk into Demacia and order us around!" Turning to the guards, he ordered, "Guards! Capture those children."
A guard nodded and pushed forth to get ahold of the children.
"HALT!" Jarvan's voice echoed. He eyed the guard. "Stand down. The protection of messengers is in effect. His children are not to be touched." He rose to his feet and slowly walked toward the windows.
"But your highness-" The noble tried to speak.
Jarvan turned and spoke with as much regal authority he could muster. "There is no buts. We are Demacian. We display honor." He pointed a finger at the man. "And you do not order MY guards to do your bidding."
Using the opportunity, Eileen slipped through to the guard who had moved and grabbed his arms forcing him to his knees. "Your highness!" She called. "We have reason to believe that this guard is a spy."
Jarvan's face fell at the claim. "That is no normal guard..." Jarvan spoke slowly. "Captain what are these allegations against you?"
The guard raised his head and shook himself free of his captor. "Your highness... it seems my rise from anonymity has rubbed a few people the wrong way..." He gave Eileen a crude look.
Jarvan turned to Eileen, "Explain yourself." It was a cold curt order.
"The messenger Gregori Hastur was a Demacian who moved away from Demacia. In his travels he eventually ended up in Noxus where he had made a name for himself. His last name Hastur specifically was feared. The only person to react to that name today was Captain Jaredan. Something only a Noxian would react to." Eileen spoke. "And if memory serves me right.... then the person to confirm the murder of the late king under the hands of the criminal Sylas was also Captain Jaredan." Eileen kept an eye on the man. I had personally checked the timelines yesterday and it should have been impossible for the so called Kingslayer to have been at the castle at that point in time." She continued. "Because this was the same time as when we witnessed the streak of light from the streets of East Demacia." Her eyes shifted toward Jaredan. "This wasn't a murder but an assassination. One Captain Jaredan aided actively."
Jarvan turned to Jaredan before slowly speaking to Eileen, "Then who killed my father?" Confusion and anger was clearly displayed in his face.
"Your highness! This is a ploy! A heinous accusation to besmirch my name and everything I stand for! I have pledged my loyalty to the crown and will lay my life down for the cause." Jaredan pleaded.
The other nobles stood up choosing to support him, "Your highness that is circumstantial evidence. None of this can be confirmed. The only thing that can be confirmed is this messenger is Noxian. HE IS THE SPY." Using the opportunity to their advantage, they pushed, "Since he is the spy..... the protection of the messenger does not hold!" Pointing to his children they yelled, "Capture the spy's children."
Xin Zhao stepped forward to push the nobles back, "You do not command the guards. Only the king can."
BOOOM
An earthshaking sound echoed from near the palace as the entire structure trembled.
Nobles scrambled for cover near the pillars and the windows.
"What was that?"
"AN ATTACK!" One noble yelled.
That yell sent the other into a panic. "RUN! WE ARE BEING ATTACKED!"
"SILENCE!" Jarvan's voice cut though. It was clear even through the screaming and yelling. The authority in his voice in full force.
"GUARDS!" Jarvan called. "Go check about the disturbance."
Jaredan made to move along with the guards.
"Not you Captain." Jarvan ordered. "You will remain until our investigation is complete."
The guards left the courtroom leaving only Jaredan behind.
Jaredan faced the king. "I am disappointed your highness." He slowly raised his voice. "Is this how loyalty is rewarded in Demacia? The word of a stranger is believed over one of your own?"
The other nobles temporarily overlooking the sound and the rumbling supported the man, "Your highness that is a valid claim. Captain Jaredan has been with us for a long time and it is wrong to overlook his contributions while focusing on on an allegation from a Noxian." The nobles did not care for Jaredan. It was an effort to undermine Jarvan's authority. If he backed down, then they were superior. If he didn't, then he would be seen as heartless. Word would spread of his actions against his most loyal and he would look like a despot.
Regardless of what Jarvan did, it would result in a loss for him.
The nobles who had sat out the argument, watched silently. Quite a few of them choose to see what Jarvan would do next.
Jarvan hung his head in thought for a moment before raising it slowly, He turned to the nobles against him and asked coldly, "I will let him go on one condition." The nobles smirked to themselves, until he continued. "Will you bet your lives in order for Captain Jaredan to go free? Are you willing to put it all on the line for him?"
Their smiles dropped.
"You asking me to ignore a potential safety threat is asking me to put the lives of all the citizens of Demacia on the line. Are you willing to do the same?" Jarvan's words rang through the courtroom.
No one spoke. Not one word was uttered.
Their plan fell through.
No one would be willing to put everything on the line for someone like Jaredan. The man had no backing.
And on the off chance that he was a spy... the only heads that would roll would be theirs.
"I thought so..." Jarvan spoke softly.
"He is stepping into his role pretty well." An aged man next to Tianna spoke. "His father would be proud."
Tianna shrugged, "Not big shoes to fill brother. Everyone has grown up."
The man, Pieter Crownguard, had a melancholic expression, "I would like them to remain as children."
Tianna placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. She knew he was missing his daughter. Luxanna's disappearance had thrown a lot of the family into disarray.
"This messenger..." Pieter spoke. "Do you recognize him?"
Tianna shook her head. "Can't say I do."
Pieter frowned. He vaguely remembered a child playing with Tianna when they were younger..... It couldn't be..... could it?
But that wasn't possible...
He was dead.
His family had been inconsolable. Pieter looked toward the Spiritmights in attendance. Eileen had been talking to the man before he had run off.
It made sense for the man to approach Eileen. Especially if she was his own sister. But the other two seemed unaware.
"Mister..."
Jarvan looked down at the girl pulling at his robe. She was one of the messenger's kids. Red hair, clutching a doll.
"Yes child?" He asked her softly.
She pointed to the throne. "Can I sit there?"
Xin Zhao placed a hand on her shoulder and told her, "Child that is the King's throne. You cannot sit on it."
She huffed and crossed her arms, "Daddy would have let me sit on it. "
"But your father is not the king child." Xin Zhao spoke with a smile.
Annie turned back to her group.
"He could be...." Sydell muttered.
Jarvan turned to him, "He cannot be king child."
SMACK
Rell hit Sydell over the head. "What are you saying idiot? Do you want them to kill us?" She turned to Jarvan and Xin Zhao, "Please forgive these two. Our father hasn't seen to it that they follow instructions very clearly."
Jarvan smiled at the older sister and nodded. "It is fine child." He looked into her eyes but noticed something, a distinct lack of fear. He looked at each child in the group. There was not an ounce of fear in their eyes.
He turned to his nobles, most of them had some sort of fear in their eyes. Some covered it up and some let it show. But they were afraid.
The kids should have been more so. Their father had left them behind amongst unknown people and there were sounds of destruction.
"Why are you not afraid?" He asked the girl.
Rell shrugged, "Afraid of what?"
"The sounds?" Jarvan asked, "The surroundings?"
"I don't know." Rell answered. "You all don't scare us and father mad sure you won't attack us." She looked outside the window. "The first sound was an enemy. And the second, closer one was our father. He would have started fighting the creature now." She turned back to Jarvan, "Nothing to be afraid of."
The nobles turned to the windows. The second sound was the messenger?
What... was he?
"You don't feel afraid for your father?" Xin Zhao asked.
Heads turned to look out of the window
"Nope." All the kids answered together.
Rell turned to him, "He is very strong. He broke out of Noxus with all of us alone. If he wants something done no one can stop him."
The doors opened once more and Lady Fortis entered.
"Lady Fortis?" Xin Zhao asked. "Are you okay? What happened?"
She turned to the windows, "He is going to save my son."
Those were the only words she spoke.