A Will and a Shadow

Piercing the Veil

Talon inched his face around a corner in the corridor, checking to make sure no one was nearby. His breathing was slow and even. His body was tensed for action, but also straining for comfort in his lordly disguise. His gaze peered around the corner to find another empty hallway, and so he moved around the corner with haste. Akali followed him close behind.

"How did you know it was me from the shadows?" Akali asked quietly, killing time.

"I recognized you from your silhouette," Talon whispered, "We've never actually met before, but we've fought a few times."

"Irelia and Kennen told me about you, how you changed," Akali whispered, "I didn't believe them at first.

Talon cocked an eyebrow that Akali couldn't see, "What changed?"

"I heard what happened at the Institute, and I trust Irelia and my brothers," Akali shrugged, "If they say you are trustworthy then I believe them."

Talon thought about the trust the Ionians he'd met in the League had placed in him, even after what he did to Irelia. If they knew about any of that, Akali would likely kill him on the spot. He shook the memory from his head and pressed onward to the end of the corridor. When he got the last door, he peered through the keyhole and saw nothing but blackness.

He sighed, "Akali, can you see anything behind this door?"

"That's Shen's job," she whispered.

Talon hummed in contemplation.

"How fast are you?" Talon asked.

"Faster than you," she whispered slyly.

"If that's half true we can be in the room quicker then the eye can follow. You ready?" he asked.

"Always," she hunched over and prepared.

Talon let the door swing open quietly but then shadowstepped in with Akali melting through the shadows right behind him. The room was mostly empty but for a set of chairs, some bookshelves, and a table with which a small black object rested. The smallness of the object was up for debate as Talon was high in the rafters of the room. Akali was in the corner closest to him, clinging to the rafters with one kama. Talon looked around in the darkness and didn't see anything.

He was about to drop to the floor and go to the next room when the object on the table moved. It wasn't an object at all, in fact, as it's wings unfurled and stretched outward as if yawning after a nap. The raven wheezed quietly. It's glossy black feathers reflected what little light that was in the room. It probably woke up from the door opening.

"Beatrice," Talon whispered.

The raven perked up at it's name being called. It had hearing that Talon would not have anticipated. It looked around the room, but not in the upward direction that Talon and Irelia were in. He gave a signal to Akali who nodded quickly. Talon then dropped from the ceiling and landed on the opposite side of the room with his agile reflexes. Beatrice whirled around and squawked at him as Akali slipped out the door. A moment later, Jericho Swain burst in the room from another door.

Swain's collar was pulled up like he always had it, and Talon regarded him as Beatrice flew over and landed on Swain's shoulder. Swain's eyes burned and he looked none too pleased at his visit in the night.

"Talon," he growled, "Why are you here? Half of Noxus seeks to find your head on a spike!"

"General," Talon bowed, "I have come to report a crime."

Swain's eyebrow lifted, "Not your own I take it?"

"Katarina Du Couteau has blackmailed me, and betrayed Noxus in her pursuit for power," Talon said evenly.

"I assume you have proof?" Swain asked, bored.

"I do not, your excellency," Talon said.

Swain chuckled, "You didn't seriously think I'd take your word for it?"

"You took Katarina's," Talon retorted quietly.

"Katarina is a loyal agent of this nation, and has proven her loyalty through many actions-" Swain began.

"And I haven't?" Talon asked accusingly.

"What-" Swain tried to ask.

"No!" Talon roared in his low, gravelly voice, "Katarina and I were equals once. We fought in the Ionian war, joined the League of Legends in the name of Noxus. I find one thing that I do not destroy, and I am branded a fiend and betrayer."

"You insolent little pest!" Swain yelled, "I'll see you in the headsman's pit!"

"I believe that is enough time," Talon said, suddenly calm and looking towards the door.

"Enough time? Enough time for what?" Swain asked, genuinely confused.

"Enough time for a confidant to have stolen some very sensitive war records from your office. I will prove my innocence one day, General, but I require a bit of personal security."

"I see," Swain said stroking his covered chin, "Very well Talon. I will hunt you like a dog later. For now, I must turn my attention to this 'confidant'."

Talon bowed and departed from the room as Swain left through another door towards his office. Talon had given Akali plenty of time to get out and would be waiting for him. As he left Swain's house, he felt invigorated by the mission. He hadn't thought it would turn out like this, but he felt he could work this into his plans. Akali's involvement might have made this a quicker and more efficient job.

Talon made his way to the alcove in the under tunnels to thank the old man for his help. He smirked when he came upon his impromptu camp and found a letter folded in half with a black rose resting on top of it. Talon opened the letter and read it quickly.

"Dear little bird,

So good that you could complete your task so quickly. I am glad you are making an impression, and I look forward to the power Noxus will wield when your task is finally done. I will be watching and waiting with high hopes for the future, but know that my charity is at an end. Do keep those talons sharp, little bird.

Sincerely, the Black Rose."

Talon smiled at the letter then tossed it into the water, where it dissolved and drifted away. He wasn't surprised that they knew of his missions and his plight. LeBlanc's rivalry with Katarina was well known in the Noxian aristocracy. With this little bit of help, all he needed to do now was secure this little plan he was concocting. He thought back again on Irelia and what she must be doing right at this very moment. Talon closed his eyes and thought of her, and what would happen if he succeeded. But also what would happen if he failed. Talon shook the thought from his mind, and proceeded to go topside to slip out of the city.

Talon slipped past the guards and found his way to the steppe overlooking the Noxus valley. Akali was waiting for him there. She held a satchel in her hand and had her mask removed and draped around her neck.

"You know I could use this to help my people, right?" she asked him as he approached, more to herself than him.

"Yes," Talon agreed, eyeing the satchel.

"And all I'd have to do is, just walk away with it," Akali said looking at it now as she held it by her face.

"Yes," Talon said again, remaining still.

"Would you stop me? If that's what I did?" Akali said, slowly getting a kama ready.

Talon waited a full second before answering.

"No," he said with a sigh.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because Irelia means more to me than hurting Katarina, or winning the war for Ionia. I would never hurt her friend for any reason," Talon said quietly.

"Huh," Akali grunted in resignation, "I guess I can trust you."

She handed the satchel to Talon, who grasped it but she did not let go.

"Please don't make me regret this," Akali pleaded with her eyes.

Talon simply nodded and let her hand him the bag. He turned on a heel and walked into the darkness.