Post by Demacia's Wings on Sept 29, 2013 8:07:37 GMT -5
There were no words to describe it. This awful feeling at the very pit of her stomach and at the very core of her bones. Only ragged gasps as she ran, pushing her way past the people that had only just awoken to the terrible news. Even the bells that rang seemed to cry and scream and the noise was a nightmare to her ears. She clenched her hands against her sides, her wound burning and her heart aching.
Why?
She did not care for the King, did she? All those times when she had visited the Palace, where the nobles had turned up their noses at her muddy and badly stitched clothes, surely she recalled the way the King had also looked at her... though now she realized that she had been mistaken. The late King had cared for his people, just as Prince... no, King Jarvan IV must. They were men she admired from afar, and being given the opportunity to serve as their knight as a grand honor.
She had been a fool for ever thinking she could betray this city. No matter how much she disliked the aristocrats, the blue bloods, and no matter how much she seemed to think they didn't care, she was wrong. Quinn knew that nothing could replace the life of her brother but Caleb would have wanted her to serve as a knight, for the both of them. He would have been ashamed.
With her thoughts reeling, the ranger slowed her pace down, her hand gripped against a brick wall as she slowly inhaled deep breaths. She could not stay, knowing what she did. But she could not entrust the task to anyone else either. They would not believe her, for one, and she did not think they were capable. She owed the King and Demacia at least this much, her atonement only the first step. Demacia had done nothing to deserve her betrayal, nor the death of their monarch.
Valor came swooping down just as she turned, her sharp gaze fixed upon the giant palace just beyond. Her arm lifted habitually, and she felt the comforting weight of her stalwart companion as he settled his talons into the arm guard.
"We need to leave, Val." She said softly. "We need to find that dirty assassin and take her down ourselves." It was foolish of her to linger on the past. The only thing she could do now was find Katarina and make her pay for her crimes. There would be no trial or Demacian law to hold them back. Demacia needed heroes, even if they were ones it could not entirely trust.
Quinn sighed. She would have to leave before midnight, to ensure that Katarina was still within reach. With a shaky plan in mind, she turned and made for the gates.
Post by The Sentinel's Sorrow on Oct 9, 2013 20:55:38 GMT -5
Galio had taken to the skies once again after delivering the fallen king's body, almost as he had been earlier in the day. Though now, there was a long, dark shadow over Demacia at the death of their king. One could not see it, but one could feel it. It spread as people cried out the news, calling to their neighbors, to anyone, looking for answers, looking for comfort in the death of their beloved leader. All this the Sentinel observed from above the rooftops, but he was searching for one who could perhaps shed some light on Jarvan III's death: Quinn.
To this end, he scanned the streets below. Though Galio was uncertain whether or not the ranger actually knew anything, it had seemed to him she had almost expected for something ill to befall the king. And when she had fled hurriedly and without waiting to offer any help, his suspicion had only grown. Perhaps she had suffered from an attack of fear? Or possibly guilt at failing? Duran's greatest creation was no stranger to that particular feeling.
Pondering this thought, Galio at last spotted Quinn heading towards the gates with Valor resting on her arm. He admired the pair for a moment and the way they almost seemed to be one being, before adjusting his wings to gently come down in beside her. With a nod in greeting to his fellow Demacian champion, he did not speak just yet but walked a step or two in silence beside her. Unsure of where to begin on such a dark occasion, he merely stated, "This is and will be a hard time for Demacia in the coming days and months."
Turning his head to scrutinize Quinn closely, he carefully asked, "Why did you rush towards the king through the crowd, but upon his fall flee from the scene? I make no judgement upon your actions, nor any presumption as to what reasons you had for such actions. I too once lost someone I had sworn--no, been created to--defend. Though I may just be made of stone, I too am able to feel. I merely wish to find out if you know anything more about what has just happened that I do not know."
Post by Demacia's Wings on Oct 10, 2013 1:36:06 GMT -5
Though the ranger was lost in the innerworkings of her own mind and her newly acquired goal, she felt especially driven to leave immediately. However, Valor's talons seemed to grip against her arm a little harder and Quinn was immediately alert. There was a slow sound behind her, something that should have been soothing but was heavy and deep with a heavy sadness. She did not turn, nor slow down. It was only when the being landed beside her did she get a glimpse from her peripheral vision.
It was the Sentinel's Sorrow. The way his wings seemed to flap so seamlessly, despite lacking flesh and bone made Valor somewhat uncomfortable; his feathers ruffling upwards almost as if he felt threatened by the large shadow the golem seemed to cast. He turned his head, his beak clicking against Quinn's ear to which she frowned briefly. She realized how tense she seemed, even in the presence of a gentle soul. Galio was not known for being vicious or violent, nor did he seem suspicious. But they had not spoken before, or at least, she did not remember the last time they had.
"Indeed," she replied, her voice tight. Quinn kept her eyes ahead. She did not mean to insult the guardian, but she was not in the best of moods to talk. Especially not about what had just transpired. But it appeared he was not about to leave her. "We can only hope the city will not crumble." She could feel Galio's unblinking eyes on her, his gaze sending a chill down her spine. She inhaled softly, the inevitable query forcing her thoughts to shake as she shrugged slowly.
"There was nothing more I could do for him," Quinn chose her words too carefully. She did not know if such logic would be of much sense to the stone guardian, nor did she know the extent of his intelligence. She did not want to insult him - he had done nothing wrong, and she understood his confusion. But there was no reason to explain herself. This was hers and hers alone, and even if she knew it was an unecessary burden, a sense of honor bound her tongue. "There is much we do not know. I plan to find out."
Post by The Sinister Blade on Oct 14, 2013 19:31:07 GMT -5
Katarina cursed silently to herself as the carriage moved through the streets. She had let herself stay to long and she knew it. She felt trapped in a box that moved not at all fast enough. While she had managed the kill it could all fall apart at this late stage if she was caught. While she hated the man that gave her this order the repercussions of what would happen if Noxus was blamed for the murder of the king would be rivers of blood both Demacian and Noxian. That she would not allow to happen. But she needed to be away from this damned city before someone took charge and made leaving difficult.
Katarina's nerves didn't calm until she was finally outside of the city and continued to look behind her for signs of pursuit. Once they were a short distance from the city Katarina left the carriage and driver who continued down the road. It was just an added precaution in case of pursuit. She was finally alone and away from the city.
Was it over? Had she really done it? Had she walked into the heart of Demacia and killed the king without anyone knowing who had done the deed? No, she had done one better. She had killed the king without anyone knowing there was even a deed done! It was then that Katarina couldn't hold in the happy laugh. It was probably had a good deal to deal with the removal of all the stress she had been under the last while but she laughed long and loud. She had good reason to be happy didn't she? Still it was better not to tempt fate. She walked quickly through the woods toward the cabin that she would meet with her escort. She wondered who they would send. Maybe Talon?
Post by The Sentinel's Sorrow on Oct 20, 2013 21:22:06 GMT -5
As the two of them walked, the gargoyle's gaze swung to the road in front of them and it became apparent to Galio that Quinn was intent on leaving the city by the gate. This troubled him, not only because Demacia in this trying time needed all its champions present to support the new king, Jarvan IV, but also because it hinted at something Quinn was hiding. If stone could frown, the Sentinel's brows would have been deeply furrowed. Since he could not, instead he remained silent after Quinn's last comment. He knew from his own experience that failure lead to guilt, and the guilt had ultimately paralyzed himself. Was Quinn suffering the same and attempting to hid it? To subvert it? He had to head her off is she was, for such despair was a painful and destructive power.
Breaking the silence that had fallen between them, Galio spoke, with sadness tinging his words, "I understand what you mean, but I hope you are not leaving Demacia at such a delicate time. The new king will need all the support he can get, whether it be moral or actual support. You hope Demacia will not crumble? Then stay. Forgive me for assuming this, but that statement seemed cold. It seemed to come from one suffering intense sorrow."
His eyes swung back to the champion standing next to him, and once again he noted the closeness between the bird and the woman, and wondered at their connection. Pushing the thought aside, he continued, "Believe me, I know what intense sorrow means"--a grim laugh of one syllable was interjected at this moment--"they call me the "Sentinel's Sorrow" for a reason. If you are bent on leaving the city, I beg of you, return soon. Though we will never be able to forgive ourselves for our failures, wallowing in self-pity--or whatever you wish to call it--will solve nothing. We must work to see a future where the horrors we experienced are but a bygone memory."
Stopping in his tracks he turned to Quinn, intending to leave her after one last statement, for she clearly did intend to continue upon her path. He finished his speech, his tone serious, "Terrible sorrow can leave one cold. It can leave one without the proper functions of reason. It did so to me, and I would it did not to you. If ever you need a friend, or someone who's got your back, whatever the case may be, know you can always turn to me."
Post by Demacia's Wings on Oct 26, 2013 4:18:22 GMT -5
Quinn laughed.
Not in unkindness or malice, but in strange amusement. Yes, she found it amusing that a creature made of stone was attempting to console her. It was not quite incomprehensible, and she did not quite know why she allowed the rough burst of air to pass through her lips. But it did, and she immediately closed her mouth thereafter. She then cleared her throat, almost as if wishing to cover up the sound, thinking once more on the absurdity of the situation. It was also strange to hear such emotion coming from the guardian, yet fitting if she reflected upon the title the League had bestowed upon him.
"The King has the support of his people," Quinn finally responded, shaking herself free from these thoughts. "He will have the support of his close friends and those from the court. They will be there to tell him what he must do and what he must not do. He would not call for me." There may have been a hint of bitterness layering her voice. Of course Jarvan... King Jarvan would have to marry into a noble family. Even when disgraced, their blood makes blood pure. Even if Quinn had come to terms with it, she was still bent on disagreeing.
Still, she listened to Galio's words with half an ear. Her eyes were on the gates, rising from the distance and closing in. "It is not self pity," Quinn said, shifting her shoulders uncomfortably. In truth, she knew it to be at least a quarter true. Caking it with ideals of justice and vengeance only served to brew the poison for longer. And a poison like this was bound to be more potent the longer one left it. She sighed, rubbing the tips of her fingers against her neck. "I will return when I have the truth."
Quinn stopped beside Galio, who had halted his steps. She turned, inclining her head politely. When she raised her face, there was but a tight grin splayed. "Thank you." Though the expression was forced, her words were not. Even if she wished to tell him that Valor was the only one she could trust, she would not. It was true that the gargoyle had suffered his fair share. He knew what loss was and he knew how it felt. But was it truly the human grief he felt, or something different? Either way, Quinn supposed it was none of her concern now.
She turned again, lifting her hand into a small wave before stepping through the gates. The first step, and Demacia behind her.
Post by The Sentinel's Sorrow on Oct 26, 2013 21:51:09 GMT -5
As he watched his fellow champion stride away, he pondered their conversation, still remaining in the same position, only his head having moved. Her responses--especially the laugh--only confirmed Galio's suspicions: Quinn was indeed suffering severely from the king's death. Her carefully crafted answers, the coldness of her tone, and her almost all-consuming desire to find what she called "the truth" all combined in the Sentinel's mind to confirm such a suspicion. If stone could have sighed, he would have at that moment. It was unfortunate she was so set on her path as to disregard reason. He mused darkly that the next news of the ranger might be simply a dead body, lying forlornly in a desolate field. He could only hope Quinn did not get herself killed in the process of her self imposed, and truly self-inflicted, 'quest.'
Perhaps after this she would return. But perhaps not. Galio had come to Demacia after Poppy had roused him, but who would bring Quinn back, even if she succeed? It seemed to the gargoyle there were many parallels between this event and Quinn, and Duran's death and himself. He had remained, and now she was leaving. Quinn running from it, while he had remained as still as the stone he was crafted from.
Which brought him back to the event itself. Since she wanted to find this truth, seeming not to accept the king's death as an accident, he could only surmise there was more to the story than she had revealed. And if there was more to the story... Well, the king had many enemies. Far too many to count.
Shaking his head, Galio turned away from the receding figure, and stretching his wings, took to the sky once again. Though Quinn would in all practicalities abandon Demacia at this crucial moment, he would not. He was duty bound to protect the city of justice.
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