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Autumn winds whined as they whipped through crowded streets, the sun sinking slowly through the sky and casting a red and almost eerie glow across the capital. People were rushing to finish their business, fighting against the wind to keep cloaks and coats wrapped tightly about themselves. Evenings were growing ever colder, bringing with them the promise of a harsh winter. This was not a good time to be the on verge of war. Nevertheless, crops were being delivered to the capital with increasing frequency, as were the materials necessary for smithing and armament.
Darius heaved a sigh and reread the notice lying partially unfurled on his desk. He was to recall two of the Noxian units stationed along the Northern Plains trade route if conditions between Noxus and Demacia didn't improve soon—and he had a sneaking suspicion that they wouldn't. It would be a lie to say that part of him didn't want the war to happen. Demacia was too rooted in its ways and too stubborn to admit that change was inevitable, that an unrelenting fixation on "justice" would only take them so far as a society. That wasn't to say Noxus was without its faults, but they were aware that change and adaptation were imperative to success.
Another part of him, however, did not want the war to happen at all. War in winter was never ideal. Casualties were always higher and the supplies were considerably more difficult to send through. And, despite his reputation, he did not relish in the needless loss of life.
There was also another reason that the commander opposed the war, though it had nothing to do with changing of seasons. No, something was off about the circumstances surrounding the unrest. True, Noxus and Demacia were always hard-pressed for peace, but why the Grand General had chosen now to upset that balance did not make sense.
They had recently been focusing their attention on Piltover, but without reason, General Swain had seemingly lost complete interest and turned his gaze to Demacia. He'd even gone so far as to make the bizarre demand that the kingdom recall its troops from the Shurima border.
At first, Darius had thought this was some ploy-- a move to direct attention to Shurima, but no explanation for the sudden hostility had been given. Instead, more and more demands were being made of Demacia, and they were responding in kind. Something about the entire situation didn't sit right with Darius, and his attempts to discuss the matter with the General had been in vain.
In fact, the General was becoming more and more reclusive with each demand made, and Darius had begun to suspect foul play. He had, however, no means yet of proving this, so he went about his duties as ordered. He had also begun covertly examining orders and intelligence outside of the Noxian High Command. It was a risk that he would prefer not to take, but something was going on and he had a feeling that it was not in the best interest of Noxus. The meeting of the High Command had aroused further suspicion this afternoon when an order was received from the General—and was immediately sealed and taken to the War Room for safe keeping.
Darius did not make his concern for the unusual behaviour known, but sat through the proceedings as usual, giving information about unit size and location and time it would take to recall and rearm the troops. Afterward, he'd gone back to his quarters and waited for everyone else to retire. He needed to read what was in that scroll, and he needed to do it privately—and to see what other information might have been kept secret.
Leaving his desk, Darius pushed open the wooden door and peered the length of the stone corridor. It seemed that most everyone had returned to their quarters for the night. It wasn't as though he was out of place walking about the Palace, but the fewer people who knew he was growing suspicious, the better. Closing his door quietly and locking it behind him, he made his way down to the, now empty, council room, the War Room just beyond.
Darius heaved a sigh and reread the notice lying partially unfurled on his desk. He was to recall two of the Noxian units stationed along the Northern Plains trade route if conditions between Noxus and Demacia didn't improve soon—and he had a sneaking suspicion that they wouldn't. It would be a lie to say that part of him didn't want the war to happen. Demacia was too rooted in its ways and too stubborn to admit that change was inevitable, that an unrelenting fixation on "justice" would only take them so far as a society. That wasn't to say Noxus was without its faults, but they were aware that change and adaptation were imperative to success.
Another part of him, however, did not want the war to happen at all. War in winter was never ideal. Casualties were always higher and the supplies were considerably more difficult to send through. And, despite his reputation, he did not relish in the needless loss of life.
There was also another reason that the commander opposed the war, though it had nothing to do with changing of seasons. No, something was off about the circumstances surrounding the unrest. True, Noxus and Demacia were always hard-pressed for peace, but why the Grand General had chosen now to upset that balance did not make sense.
They had recently been focusing their attention on Piltover, but without reason, General Swain had seemingly lost complete interest and turned his gaze to Demacia. He'd even gone so far as to make the bizarre demand that the kingdom recall its troops from the Shurima border.
At first, Darius had thought this was some ploy-- a move to direct attention to Shurima, but no explanation for the sudden hostility had been given. Instead, more and more demands were being made of Demacia, and they were responding in kind. Something about the entire situation didn't sit right with Darius, and his attempts to discuss the matter with the General had been in vain.
In fact, the General was becoming more and more reclusive with each demand made, and Darius had begun to suspect foul play. He had, however, no means yet of proving this, so he went about his duties as ordered. He had also begun covertly examining orders and intelligence outside of the Noxian High Command. It was a risk that he would prefer not to take, but something was going on and he had a feeling that it was not in the best interest of Noxus. The meeting of the High Command had aroused further suspicion this afternoon when an order was received from the General—and was immediately sealed and taken to the War Room for safe keeping.
Darius did not make his concern for the unusual behaviour known, but sat through the proceedings as usual, giving information about unit size and location and time it would take to recall and rearm the troops. Afterward, he'd gone back to his quarters and waited for everyone else to retire. He needed to read what was in that scroll, and he needed to do it privately—and to see what other information might have been kept secret.
Leaving his desk, Darius pushed open the wooden door and peered the length of the stone corridor. It seemed that most everyone had returned to their quarters for the night. It wasn't as though he was out of place walking about the Palace, but the fewer people who knew he was growing suspicious, the better. Closing his door quietly and locking it behind him, he made his way down to the, now empty, council room, the War Room just beyond.
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