Aftershocks

At first Lux had tried to be calm about it. Terbisia was doing well but she just couldn’t shake the feeling of the Sword of the Protector dangling over her neck. The proverbial ‘other shoe’, however, seemed to have no interest in dropping. At least that was what she had thought, then the week that it had been since her last letter from Jinx stretched into two, then three, then before she knew it it had been two months. Now it wasn’t like there hadn’t been gaps in their correspondence before, even with the devices that Jinx had made to transmit their letters. However a gap this long, with no warning of a mission or time away from the other girl. That struck Lux sick with worry. So she did what any normal person would do, she thought, and she had made for the capital. Perhaps Jinx had broken her half of the device and had resorted to sending paper letters to Lux’s old address with the Illuminators. Even as she had planned the voyage Lux had known it would be a long shot. She hadn’t had residence there in nearly two years since she had fled the capital. But the thought of Jinx trying and failing to reach her while the Blonde did nothing had kept Lux up at night until she had found herself mounting Starfire, with provisions for a journey strapped to his saddlebags.

Her journey to the capital was not difficult, she was an accomplished enough mage now that the few animals that bothered her were easily turned away. And with peace once again holding in Demacia she had nothing more to fear. No, it wasn't until she reached the capital that Lux’s journey became difficult. She had known that her flight from the capital had not endeared her to the Radiant Order, but to be told in no uncertain terms that any mail they may have received for her would have been burnt along with her possessions. That had hurt. A pain made better but different by the fact that she was eventually told clandestinely by someone who had trained with her that no. No mail had arrived for her since well before her expedited exit from the Capital, and that since she was no longer a Radiant Operative it would behoove her to stay well away from them from now on. The fact that mages were now accepted in Demacia following Jarvan IV’s proclamation held no sway on the number of ways the order could make life…. Unpleasant, even for a Crownguard turned Governess.

It was with a heavy heart that Lux decided to at least stop by the Vanguard’s halls and see Garen. If he was not on a mission then his presence would surely make her feel better. Even if it wouldn’t balm the aching wound that festered every day that she didn’t receive another letter from Jinx. And that was where the dawn found, packing her bag and thanking the keeper of the inn at which she had stayed, preparing to head down in time to inquire at the gate of the Dauntless Vanguard before even they would have risen for anything more than morning training. The sun shone bright onto the white marble of the Great City, but it did little to illuminate Lux’s mood as she pushed through the few crowds that moved through the streets this early.

The great white stone of the Vanguard’s Hall seemed to glean it’s own light in even the early sun as Lux approached it, as if it was aware of the glories it stood for and sought to not allow itself to be outshone by it’s occupants. Nor the many grandiose statues that adorned the Heroes’ Square before it. Approaching the wrought iron gate Lux flashed her Crownguard signet ring before the guard even had a chance to question her. That, along with the governors seal she carried granted her easy access and the metal gate was raised without a single squeak to allow her entry to the waiting square. In which another guard post, manned by the Vanguard themselves, stood.

It wasn’t difficult to convince the guards at the gate to let her through, the times that she had spent with Garen amongst the Dauntless meant that many of them recognised her well enough to let her pass, even if their reception was noticeably cooler now that the secret of her Light was revealed. Lux didn’t let it bother her, too distracted by the frankly impressive mobilisation that was occurring. It seemed like an entire squad was being readied for deployment, and a cold shiver ran itself up Lux’s back at the realisation. If the problem were somewhere in Demacia she would have heard about it in the regular reports she received as a Governor. No, this was related to why Jinx had fallen silent, she was almost certain. Hurrying her steps and removing the hood of her cloak so that she would be more easily recognised, Lux hurried deeper into the Vanguard’s Hall.

She found her brother where she expected him, he was in the midst of packing one of the training fields holding court with a squad of the Vanguard’s Trainees. Lux had seen him give varying versions of this speech, assuring the younger trainees of his resolve to return to them after his mission. And his desire to find them having trained hard in his absence. Looking over the heads of where the recruits were standing around Garen she caught his eyes and made to lean against a pillar. Indicating that while she did wish to speak with him it was nothing so urgent as to curtail his responsibilities. However, it seemed she needn’t have prepared for a long wait as within a few minutes she found herself greeted with a warm smile from her brother. “My darling Sister, it is a pleasure to see you as always.” Lux smiled thinly at her brother, she was pleased to see him but her concern easily outweighed her happiness. “Hello Garen, things seem busy here. What does your duty ask of you next?” She would have liked to speak with her brother more privately, but the large man was buzzing as though he had somewhere of great importance to be, and something in Lux was telling her that it was important that she know where it was.

“Sister, I head to the council. They have requested I mobilise the finest of the vanguard and make ready for a long journey, apparently there are yet decisions to be made about our political accompaniment. But if I am to believe correctly we head to Piltover. I am sure that His Highness would welcome your council if you endeavored to join me?” The man started walking again once his proclamation was made, and Lux had to hurry her stride slightly to keep up with her sibling. Seeing that she had followed, Garen continued to speak, “It is a shame we do not have more time to speak Lux, but if you accompany me perhaps we will get to spend some time together. Providing that your stewardship would be alright in your absence.” Lux considered it, truly she believed that Terbisia would be fine without her. The city was doing well all things told, and if she were on a mission for the crown then the few things that required specifically her signet as the governess would be dealt with anyway as they were crown dealings in the first place. But truthfully that wasn’t what drew her mind as she found herself nodding in agreement.

What drew her was the memory of pale freckled cheeks and a wild infectious laugh, of the feeling of joy whenever she realised that a new letter had arrived for her, and the disappointment when it wasn’t from Jinx. If Garen was truly going to Piltover, to the city that Lux had first met her longtime friend. Then the decision was an easy one.

The siblings traversed the city by military carriage, Lux having left her few belongings with Garen’s barring her notes of office, her sword and her staff. They spoke in the back of the carriage, catching each other up with their various goings on. Lux was truthfully glad to see that Garen was doing well and was in high spirits. Although she noticed that he almost seemed disappointed when he reported that there had been no Noxian incursions at their borders for some time. And Lux couldn’t help but wonder if her brother sought out flashes of red hair and blades in crowds the same way that she sought blue hair and gunsmoke. It wasn’t a question she had the bravery to ask, just as worried for what the answer might mean for herself as she was for Garen.

Nevertheless in short order they arrived at the Great City’s court. Lux had expected there to be some resistance to her admission but found herself surprised when none was forthcoming, she supposed that maybe her experience in Piltover the few times she went with her mother in her youth had already had her in the conversation and her arriving was simply serendipity, the Aspects smiling upon her self imposed mission to find Jinx. The main courtroom was in uproar when Lux and Garen arrived, Jarvan sat presiding on his throne looking for all the world like he would rather be hanging from the chandelier, Lux’s Aunt standing guard beside the throne as befitted her. The ruckus quietened slightly as Garen and Lux were announced and it seemed as though a collective sigh of relief went through the room at the arrival of the Sword of Demacia.

“Honourable Councilmen, Your Majesty,” Garen began, “I come on the eve of The Dauntless’ mission towards the Pilt. I come seeking a final summary of our mission objectives, and to enquire which of you shall be joining on this diplomatic mission.” Lux took a moment to take Garen in, finally noticing the differences in her brother that had been born in their years apart. She had always known that Garen had no issue with speeches, but to see him finally take the floor amongst politicians rather than soldiers she truly saw him as a military leader, rather than simply her elder brother. Pride flared in her chest for her sibling as he continued. “However, I also have a request to make. My sister Governess Luxanna has had experience in the politics of Piltover before as have I when our mother ventured there on two missions much like this one some five years ago. I would request that, if none of you have great reason to be the one to join myself and the Dauntless, you allow Luxanna to be the political head of this mission.”

Lux drew herself to her full height and tried to exude an aura of demure stoicism. She didn’t much wish to be questioned about her desire to join the Dauntless on this mission but knew that she would be. Her estimations were proved correct when Jarvan himself spoke from his raised throne. “Luxanna, it was not much time ago that you were given governorship of Terbisia following Sylas’ revolution and the following Mage Accords. It surprises me that you would have interest in a mission like this.” The king did not distinctly ask a question but Luxanna knew that her answer needed to be perfect for her to be allowed on this mission, for it to not affect Terbisia if she was. “Yes your majesty, that is true. And I am forever grateful for your generosity in bestowing the honour of governorship upon me.” She bowed her head slightly in supplication, hoping that it would prevent the anger from shining through her eyes. It had been no gift or disbursement from the crown that had given Lux Terbisia, it had been her own strength in wresting the mages uninterested in Sylas’ mindless violence away from his control and under her own wing. But let the monarch posture for his council, Lux cared little for what they thought of her. A year ago half of them would have seen her dead for the crime of her birth.

“However,” She continued after a slight pause. “Terbisia grows well, and it is time for us to begin once again looking for how we can best benefit Demacia. For while we are a magehold, we are not alone. We are still Demacians and our strength has always been in our unity.” A subtle dig, and one she hoped would be noticed. It was never the mages under Lux that threatened Demacian unity, only those driven mad with their prejudiced treatment under the now-disbanded Mage Seekers. The same Mage Seekers that had defied Jarvan IV’s rulings and launched an all out attack on Terbisia less than 6 months ago. An attack that Lux had thwarted in an act of power and savagery that still made her blood chill when she thought about how many lives she had taken that day. But she refused to let her conscience overwhelm her now. Not when the only opinions she cared to hear about it had already been heard. It had been Jinx, through their letters in the aftermath of Lux’s destruction of the entire Mage Seeker siege camp, who had congratulated Lux. Who had told her that she had sent a message to those who thought they could press their boots against her throat. And indeed the act had won Lux governorship, and Terbisia city status.

“As Commander Crownguard stated, I have some experience in the politics of Piltover, and indeed believe I still have some connections there. Connections and experience that I would gladly use for the glory of Demacia.” Lux stopped speaking there, it would do no more to further her point to repeat what she had already said. She could tell from the mobilisation of the Dauntless that this was expected to be a somewhat dangerous mission, and the unrest in the room prior to her and Garen’s arrival meant it likely that none of the other councillors had wanted to take on ‘the honour’ of the mission. Her arguments and her willingness to do the mission were secondary benefits to them.

The primary benefit was that she wasn’t one of them, and that would make them all very glad to give the responsibility to her. And indeed it took only moments of deliberation for the King to agree to Lux’s proposal. “Very well Governess Luxanna, Demacia, thanks you for your service. Commander Crownguard, the information you requested will be sent back with you, please share it with your sister. You will set sail tomorrow as planned. Governess Luxanna, your duties as a governess will be handled by me personally so as to ensure their proper execution. And you can rest assured on your mission that Terbisia shall benefit from the nobility of your deeds.”

Lux breathed a sigh of relief, she had been worried that her roles would be given to one of the other councillors. Who might take the opportunity to attempt to ‘punish’ her town for the sin of magecraft. But as much as she might have distaste for Jarvan’s weakness following Sylas’ rebellion, she trusted him. She nodded her thanks to the king and made her exit alongside Garen. There were many preparations still to be made, and Lux had an entire mission briefing to read before sundown. Once they returned to the Vanguard’s Hall Lux was shown to a sparse sleeping quarters and provided with the scrolls of information about their mission. Information that she descended upon ravenously. Hopeful for any clue as to what might have happened in Piltover that would have prevented Jinx from responding to Lux’s letters.

What she found was worse than she could have imagined. A war between the undercity and Piltover, supposedly sparked by Jinx herself with the destruction and death of many of the Piltovan Council. A Noxian incursion and assault headed by none other than Ambessa Medarda herself. The wholesale destruction of The Hexgate, Piltover's greatest economic strength. Suddenly Lux’s words of connections in Piltover felt hollow as she swallowed down fear at the mention of the eventual victory against the Noxians and the acceptance of a Zaunite at a council seat. The mission parameters were clear, to go and offer the Dauntless’ aid however it could be used. Be that in rebuilding or in rooting out remaining Noxian strongholds. Lux’s job would be to communicate with the remaining members of the Piltovan Council. To attempt to get them to sign an alliance with Demacia against the encroaching forces of Noxus. As well as to discover what manner of sorcery had caused the destruction of the Hexgate, that Demacia might be ready for its destructive powers should they be turned against her homeland.

Lux slept poorly that night, visions of Piltover burning and Jinx dying dancing behind her eyes. Nevertheless their ship left bright and early, it would be a week-long sail to Piltover, and who knew what fresh horrors might await them there. Lux only hoped that whatever it was it would be better than she feared. That she might find Jinx alive, if not unharmed. Lux was fortunate enough that most of the plans for the trip had been made prior to the decision that it would be her going on the mission and not a member of the council, this meant that she had her own room aboard the ship and would not have to sleep in the below deck bunks with the rest of the Vanguard. It wasn’t that Lux wasn’t used to military style living but truth be told she had grown somewhat accustomed to things like privacy and quiet in her time as a governess. It meant that none of the soldiers nor Garen were able to notice her fitful sleeping as they neared Piltover.

Having her own private room also gave her space to pour over Jinx’s last few letters, looking for any signs of the woman's whereabouts. She wholeheartedly believed that the other girl trusted her enough to tell her if she had been planning to attack the council. After all she hadn’t been tight lipped about the nature of her work under Her Father, nor the cost of life it bore. In the same manner Lux had been far from quiet about her own dalliances with violence during the opening of the mage revolt, nor indeed her massacre of the mage seekers nearly a year prior. No, Lux was certain that had it been planned the other girl would have said something. Not to mention the complete lack of communication afterwards. Something was wrong with Jinx, and as Lux neared Piltover her determination only solidified.

It was during one of her re-reads of Jinx’s letters, committing the details of each to heart in case their information became useful even though she had memorised each one days ago, that Garen knocked on the door of Lux’s room. “Lux,” His voice echoed through the thin door. “May I come in?” Lux hurriedly shoved the letters back into one of her bags, thankful that the postcards that Jinx’s machine printed would stand up to the slightly rough treatment. “Of course,” She called back to Garen, taking a moment to ensure that there was nothing that might twig her brother to something being amiss. As much as the man might be renowned for his brawn above all, Lux knew that her brother was no slouch in the brain department. The man entered regarding her with a pleased but somewhat suspicious eye. “I apologise sister, in our haste to leave I neglected to ask what brought you to the Capital. And I must admit that I am further curious why you have decided to join this mission. Though do not mistake me as being displeased, may I sit?” Garen gestured towards Lux’s bunk and at her nod sat on it.

They sat together in silence for a long minute, neither quite willing to break the comfortable glow of familiarity that seemed to hold between them. And for a moment Lux considered shifting some of the weight she felt on her shoulders, the long kept secret that was her and Jinx’s friendship clawing up the back of her throat and causing her breath to catch. However Lux supposed, that one benefit of growing up in a country that would punish her for the nature of her birth. Is that she had a great deal of practice choking down the truth in favour of sweeter lies.

“There is not much to tell I’m afraid, Garen. Much of what you heard in the courtroom was true, Terbisia has reached the point where it can manage without me for a time. And I thought it prudent to remind the court that we were still Demacians. The fact that you happened to have a mission that was perfect for me was just good luck.” Her brother didn’t look overly convinced by Lux’s sweet words. Staring into her face for a moment, perhaps noticing the heaviness of the bags under her eyes, or the worried line of her brow. But before he could say more a bell began ringing on the deck.

“It seems we’re making landfall brother.” Lux said, turning to complete the task of packing her personal belongings into her stout canvas haversack. She heard him move behind her and was surprised when a large hand found her shoulder in a comforting grip. “Indeed we are. I … I am glad you have elected to join me Lux, I have missed you.” And with that Garen left, leaving Lux to breathe heavily as another wave of emotion threatened to squeeze through the cracks in her mask. The weight of her self imposed mission, of how much she missed her friend, once again settling heavily on her shoulders as she readied herself to go above deck.

It seemed that the reports of invasion in Piltover had not been exaggerated. Chunks of buildings close to the harbour were missing, and larger clumps of stone littered the streets from where they had been thrown to the earth. At least, Lux thought as she and Garen led the Dauntless towards their audience with the council, they had cleared up any bloodstains and corpses. It even seemed, through the malaise of the restoration projects, that the cities were doing well. Lux found herself curious as to how much would have changed as she witnessed a pair of men with dyed blue hair in clearly Zaunite fashion help a group of Piltovan youths knock the remains of a shattered pane of glass out of a shop front, perhaps the reminder of the greater evils of the world had served as a reminder of the importance of unity in the city on the Pilt.

Lux was glad that word had managed to be sent to Piltover enough that the council knew to expect the contingent. As while she wanted to immediately race into the undercity for evidence of Jinx she knew that the other woman's status as the starter of the war between Zaun and Piltover meant that the council would likely know where the woman was, if anyone did. That happiness was doubled when she and Garen were led into the council room and to the face of Caitlyn Kiramman staring at them from one of the council seats. Alongside the familiar Kiramman the rest of Piltover’s council looked down at the Demacian siblings. The official meeting went well, the offer of assistance accepted easily and the terms of an alliance to be discussed later. It was as the meeting was winding down that Caitlyn finally broke from the stern political mold she had been occupying for the whole meeting as they discussed where best the Dauntless would be able to help with the rebuilding. The stern one-armed woman who had been introduced as Councilwoman Sevika was staunchly against the Dauntless needing to do anything in the undercity, to Lux’s quiet dismay, as much of the environment down there was still too dangerous for people who weren’t used to the way things worked down there. Many of the other council members and Garen had already left before Caitlyn finally approached Lux and pulled the woman into a firm hug. “Luxanna, it is simply wonderful to see you again. But, and forgive the impoliteness, why the fuck are you here? Last I heard you had your own town to preside over, and believe me I know that is no easy task.”

Lux usually prided herself on her ability to mask, to keep walls up around even her closest family members. But something about this old friend who she hadn’t seen since her last gala in Piltover nearly five years ago, who sounded so achingly kind despite the patch over her eye and the state of her city, cut clean through her walls. And Lux found herself beginning to speak, at first taking care to keep details out of it as she explained that she had a friend who lived in Piltover, who she had maintained contact with until suddenly they had stopped returning her letters even through the device that she had built for them. Had Lux been in a more aware headspace, had her eyes not been blurry with tears as she finally had the opportunity to explain, without names, how much Jinx’s support had meant to her in the years they had been in contact. She might have noticed the suspicion in Caitlyn’s eye at the mention of inventions. Might have noticed that spark grew as Lux discussed how her friend had supported her wholeheartedly even through her involvement in the Demacian Civil War. She might even have prevented herself from nodding as Caitlyn said “Just as a question Luxanna. Would your friend happen to be called Jinx?”