A New General Approaches

Swain raised his head from his palm, closing a fist where it had lain. Crimson eyes lifted to meet general Blackwind's piercing green. For a moment, the Grand General's brows knit in contemplation of this gesture. Were his ailments so obvious that this hardened High Commander would drop protocol to address him with concern, where she was usually so observant of respectful military conduct?

His trembling hand lowered to accept the container subtly beneath the table. He glanced down to scan the label: a very... potent prescription of pain relief. Those directly to his left and right may have overheard the exchange, but the rest of the table seemed still involved in conversation... For that he was grateful.

Again, he lifted his gaze to meet hers, grim. "My thanks," he half-whispered, attempting to maintain some semblance of dignity with a polite nod of his head. He pocketed the container, willing himself to sit a little straighter, to lean forward in his seat, determined that his utter exhaustion would not cause a break in his mask of poise again.

Dr. Valeria was presently being weighed down by the task of making a good impression at the table, making sure no one went unanswered. However, she couldn't help but notice Maria and the Grand General's exchange; it didn't take the doctor that much effort to see that their leader was in pain.

She peered at Maria, whom she wanted to ask about Swain, but was caught by her question first.

"Well, it isn't something I want to discuss openly; too many people knowing my secrets and I might get swamped by offers to restore some old woman's lost vitality or somesuch. But I am sure a private girl's night out should be more appropriate to share it."

She looked at Swain a moment. "Is the Grand General alright? I've heard he has some... discomforts, but I would like to know if he has seen treatment for it."

The supper for the guests was nearing conclusion, and as they were waiting for their dessert round, some folks began to stand up and approach the large Brute. It had remained quietly standing near the High Command table for awhile now, and was about the only thing that resembled something interesting and out of the ordinary. The live music and atmosphere were dull and repetitive, and something like this was a welcome change.

It glared and exhaled visibly at being approached, occasional spittle dripping down its mouth. The more faint hearted nobles moved back, though the military officers stood their ground.

"Is it really safe to have such a thing in here?"

"What is this creature? Troll? Minotaur?"

"Impossible. we wiped out the minotaurs."

"The helmet is clearly ornamental..."

Valeria kept a finger on her special amulet, and the Brute's hostility decreased, making it appear more a guard dog than an engine of destruction.

Andre finished the last of his lobster(while wishing for something a bit more plain. Hell, he would prefer hardtack to this fancy noble's food). Andre chuckled a bit upon realizing that bit of irony. A nobleman hating noble food. Swain condition WAS worse...whatever it was...Maria slipped something to him...what was going on? Darius was coated in blood and Swain appeared deathly ill. Change might be coming. If the other Generals saw Swain as weak and sought to remove him from power, Andre might find a regime that was intolerant of the quality his political manners (meaning to say he had none). Swain was good for Andre at the moment and the last thing Noxus needed was another power struggle when the world readied for war.

Whatever was affecting Swain passed as Maria walked away from Swain. Andre made mental notes to see if Swain had his medics properly equipped for anything. By asking Swain directly in private.

He also took a mental note of Valeria and her Brute when the officers approached the beast.

'Note to self: don't let Valeria loose her amulet. Brute might go mad.'

"General Valeria, could I perhaps get you to walk the Wall with me after its completion? I don't work with necromancers. There is a good chance my men will have to deal with dead, or undead bodies and I need to know what to tell them." Andre stated with a business-like tone.

How he might need to deal with Urgot also came to mind, but killing Urgot would only hurt him in the long run if he did so without Swain's word. If he was lucky, Swain would give him something else to distract him from the undead abomination that had been shoved down his throat.

“I don’t see why not” he said before presenting his respects to the grand general, and letting himself be guided sincerely curious on what it was about. He held tight Cassiopeia’s arm and walked besides her to the place where the deceiver was waiting for them.

Dr. Valeria exchanges with Singed, though by now it was clear the General's attention was divided with everyone trying to speak with her at once. She bids him farewell. She also gave Leblanc a courteous nod, a knowing expression towards her matron in the Black Rose.

"Of course, General Bleakwood. I would be glad to give you detailed information with dealing with the dead. Let us make an appointment." She answered Andre, before looking over at Decavian, with a slight smirk. Ah yes, the... Incident... at the Academy.

"Of course, General Theun... Well, it seems I really do have quite the schedule ahead of me. And again, I hope you are... feeling better since we last met at the academy. I apologize for any... distressing things you may have seen without my guidance."

The dinnerbell rings again, heralding the arrival of the second, and more impressive main course- Yoxen Steaks, only the finest cuts served for the high command. The meat was carted in, still sizzling on the cast iron plates they were cooked on, and everyone at the table had a very generous plate of 8-10 ounces each. Each plate also had a small side of potatoes and carrots, and a cup of buttery gravy to go with the steaks. Once the previous course had been finished, the old plates were taken away.

Dr. Valeria prepares her steak knife, and waits for everyone to begin dining into their steaks; she concerns herself with Swain as always. Why had he no appetite?

Upon Cassiopeia and Singed's approach, the Deceiver flashed a smile at the two of them. "My my, I was unaware that the two of you would be making this occasion." She bowed her head slightly while emitting a soft, feminine laugh. "Make no mistake, that is not an insult, I am simply delighted to have such esteemed company in our presence."

LeBlanc leaned forward and held her hand out towards Singed. "Mad Chemist, I do hope all of your affairs are in order?" Her eyes flashed over to Cassiopeia, flashing the lamia a cheeky grin. "And I see you have brought a most beautiful flower along with you. Lady Du Couteau, charmed as always. I hope you're all enjoying this little soiree?"

A server would make his way towards Valeria and place a piece of paper in front of her. It simply said, "Congratulations - LeBlanc," in bright purple ink. If touched, the soft voice of LeBlanc would ring in her ears, Do be sure to see me after the dinner, dear, we have some matters to discuss, yes?

“I myself didn’t knew that I would be requested to this event until recently that I received the invitation as a Zaunite representative for it.” He said observing the movements of the generals table.

It seemed like only LeBlanc and the woman called Maria knew of Swain condition, and that Darius and Dr. Valeria didn’t had idea until now. “But it did give me an excuse to invite a lovely woman as Miss Du Couteau to a date and for that I’m grateful.”
He said holding Cassiopeia close to him though she seemed a little of. Maybe Miss LeBlanc passed a message to her trough means unknown to him? “My fair lady do you feel well?” he said to the still graceful naga.