// Second take at this with some edits.
He eased himself in to the room; the creaking hinges announced the beginning of their conversation. The heavy door swung shut.
“Good afternoon. Sit down, you were expected. Can I offer you something to drink? Tea? Coffee?” The voice was gravelly and dry, stemming from within the throat.
It was an appointed but enclosed room well-lit by dancing candle light. A single round table stood vigilant in its center; it held two chairs where it could have held more, one was occupied. The floor was of black polished stone tile and wall of a dark red mahogany. A pair of replica short swords hung on the wall opposite of him. A set of three paintings of varying sized Noxian landscape framed in dull golden hung in silence to his right.
“Then you know why I’m here.”
“Of course.” The seated gestured across, to the seat vacant.
Darius pulled the ashen chair out, the legs dragging against the floor clumsily before he placed himself within it. His gaze burrowed into his host who drank deep from a ceramic cup in the hush of the room. It was finally broken by sound of teacup scraping against saucer.
“What happened?” Darius arms came to rest upon the table; he sat almost hunched over as though to stare at eye level. The other sat upright with hands in lap and a leg crossed over the other. Without hesitation met the interrogative stare.
“There was a change in plans.”
“Clarify.” Darius almost demanded.
“Did I stutter? The Grand General receives whatever he wishes. The invasion of the Southern provinces of Galrin, Navori, and Shon-Xan were accomplished. The Grand General proposed subjugating the entirety of the country and we agreed. It was anticipated to be manageable but it proved to be anything but.”
“But why invade to begin with?”
“The Grand General receives whatever he wishes. The High Command found his proposal…compelling.” His tone was as dead as when he explained.
“Do you expect me to gobble this shit up and be on my way?” Darius scoffed.
“No. But you knew this was going to be the answer. Are you looking for something more specific, about why you pissed away almost half a decade on foreign island?”
Darius hands found the edges of the table as he rose; the contents upon it trembled from the sudden force.
“Why agree to this bullshit to begin with Marcus?” The jab stoked his fury.
The man across from him starred with inured hazel orbs. Short and faded red hair transitioned into a well kempt full beard. A jagged discolored line ran near his cheek bone while other sharp discolorations were here and there upon his face.
“Sit down.” Marcus calmly demanded, more annoyed than angry.
Darius face twisted with contempt but he obeyed.
“You are the Grand General’s Hand. You knew damn well how long this campaign would live before it ran itself into the ground.”
“I don’t need to explain my reasoning to you. You wouldn’t grasp it.” The General Hand was dismissive.
“Where in the hell were you during this all, sitting on your ass like every other general who could afford to do so while I got sent under minimum threat of having everything I’ve ever worked for stripped from me, all so I could guard supply lines on that dinky island nation.” Darius barked, his voice rose with a self-righteous anger fueling it. Marcus made no move to stop his rant, though his face grew stern.
“A war that went nowhere that cost us one of our biggest allies in trade. And the front of Demacia too! How many resources, how many men? The poster child of Noxus is among the dead. Open your eyes and look at how many of those who have returned from the front are functioning. How are they being treated Marcus! All for greed!”
“Are you finished?” Marcus’ eyes keened. Any indifference had since fled from his face.
“What would it have taken for you to have lifted a finger? For your daughter to have been caught among friendly fire?”
“Continue in this direction and the only thing you’ll have accomplished is the spilling of you and your brother’s insides. Do not pull my family into this discussion again.”
“You didn’t have the balls to challenge Darkwill. You’ll fare poorer against me.”
“I was not in a position to oppose after the decision was made. I’d rather be in a position that would allow me to clean up after this mess for Noxus’ sake than have hurt the war effort. And like you, I had other priorities!” Marcus’ hand danced across the notches of his weapon.
“I think I’ll have that coffee. I’ll take it, black.”
