She leans against the wall outside his office door awaiting his return. With a look of practiced boredom, she idly sharpens a dagger, it keeps her restless hands from fidgeting. She needs a distraction, a target.
The general returns from his trip, having inspected a small contingency of new troops that are to be added to his legion. Rounding the corridor leading to his office, he spots the red head leaning against the door frame. âKatarina Du Couteauâ The old man muses out loud, approaching the assassin. âFor what do I owe the pleasureâ the man asks, his bronze colored eyes staring at her inquisitively.Â
She hated how he had locked eyes with her and would not turn away. It only encouraged her irrational fear that if she allowed it to continue long enough, heâd somehow pry all her deepest secrets from her. Â Yet she couldnât look away, that would feel like a retreat, Â something that was against her very nature. Instead she continued her stillness, arms still crossed, barely breathing, until he had passed judgment on the situation and directed his eyes behind her.
She sighed in relief, both from the broken gaze and the words that meant sheâd be keeping her position for now. Silently she berated herself to show more control next time as she turned to stand behind him as he studied the map.
She felt her heart jump when he the word Shurima passed his lips. Perhaps she was being punished after all. There had been freedom in Shurima, and some of the warmest memories of her life, but she had lost Cassie there. Every one of those glowing moments had turned to ash for her. She had not returned since her and her father had left, since the invasion that had changed everything for Noxus. Â âIt has been a number of years, before Ionia. Tell me what you need of me.â Â
The general nodded, still eyeing the empire of sand. Good enough, he reasoned silently. Shifting his gaze, Swain noted a dried rose resting on one of the bookshelves. The onyx colored flower was a reminder and a memento; while he was the supreme commander, the Grand General, there were many ways to opposing him, and not all of those were in open rebellion. No, some sought to challenge his power in more subtle ways.
He turned to face the anxious woman, a minuscule, joyless smile tugging at the corner of his lip. âA governor of one of our Shuriman colonies is visiting capitol. There will be a banquetâ He explained, circling Katarina and retrieving a letter from his desk, the invitation to the event. âI shall attend, and youâll act as my valetâ the general offered the bleached pergament to her. The fancy letter gave the date, the venue and a very strict dress code. It was a high class party and all attendants were expected to dress accordingly. This went for military and civilians alike.Â
âI hope you have the necessary wardrobe for this kind of event, if not, I offer my tailorâs servicesâ Swain mused, taking a seat behind his desk. âNo weapons in the open. But I am sure youâll be able to skirt that issueâ. The general leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on Katarinaâs face, scanning her expression. âTime for Du Couteaus to show their glamour again in the court. And their allegianceâ The Raven nodded ever so slightly in the direction of the dried up black rose.
