Should We Meet Again

Chapter Nineteen

Talon sat in solitude in the dining area of the Ionian inn his party had stayed at the night before. The assassin had just bid farewell to his twin sister, who had begun to make her way to the Placidium to join the Demacian intervention. She had left him with an abundance of helpful information that she had received via messenger bird from her officer. He didn't know how she had the energy to be so busy when the sun hadn't even risen above the tree line, but he supposed everyone had their ways. He was by no means a morning person himself, but he was eager to get his discussion with Riven back underway. Today could determine both of their futures, and with Ahri and Quinn gone, they could have their talk without any distractions.

According to Quinn, Noxus would be reaching the Placidium today, and the Demacians would follow four days from now. Ionia's fate was in the hands of its people, and he wasn't sure the people could be trusted. Ionia as a nation valued peace, and while there was nothing inherently wrong with that, they were pacifistic to a fault as a result. It had a fair share of skilled warriors and commanders that would likely have spent their lives studying strategy, but that only meant so much. A single battle's experience taught men things they could never learn from a book. The entirety of the Noxian army was composed of men with such experience. The Ionians on the other hand were fielding farmhands and whatever obscure talent they could get their hands on. They stood no chance of winning this battle outright, but they might be able to hold on long enough for the Demacians to show up. If they did, it would require multiple Ionians to pull off feats worthy of the title 'hero'. Talon couldn't wait.

"You're awake," a groggy voice spoke, "...and alone."

Talon turned to see his old apprentice practically stumbling from the hall. She was clothed properly for the day, but her hair indicated that she had very recently risen from bed. "Quinn is headed to the Placidium, and Ahri and I were always going to go our separate ways eventually." Talon informed. "It's just us today."

"I see," Riven said, taking a seat across from the assassin. "So, where did we leave off?"

Talon leaned forward, looking the white-haired girl directly in her light brown eyes. "You were deciding whether or not you want to be with me," he stated. "But before that, I want you to promise me something."

Riven's head tilted in curiosity. "What would that be?"

"Even if you choose not to resume our relationship, you have to leave Ionia."

The exile pondered his request, trying to discern what drove the urgency behind it. She came up with a couple ideas, but she ultimately wouldn't know until she asked. "Why? Is something going to happen?"

"This place is going to fall to chaos," Talon explained. "I've been talking with Ahri recently; It turns out there are a lot more players on the board than we were previously thought. Regardless of who wins this war, neither side will be able to contain the chaos that will erupt when it's over. If Ionia drives us out, they will be weakened, and the exposing of the flaws in their elders' philosophies will open the door for new, potentially radical leaders to take their places. These new political factions, in addition to hostile Vastayan tribes and every other mage that thinks they're important enough to guide this nation, are going to drive Ionia into a civil war far worse than our invasion. If we win, the same will happen, only a revolt will precede the civil war. These factions will likely unite to remove the empire from power before turning against each other. No place will be safe for a Noxian exile like yourself, no matter the outcome."

Riven's eyes lost focus as these different scenarios played out in her head. From what she could tell, Talon was correct. A power vacuum was inevitable, and no place would welcome her once the fighting started. She hadn't considered this at all. Her circumstances would go from difficult to dire, and even if she survived, she would be making no progress toward her goal of reformation at all. She didn't have the years to waste floundering around helplessly in a foreign land while thousands suffered under the heel of a corrupt and ineffective government.