Chapter Text
“How are you feeling?” Galena asks gently once Caitlyn is sitting down again at the table.
“Better now, thank you. I’ve been dealing with battle shock from what happened. I’ve been seeing someone about it, but the memories and trauma are still there,” Caitlyn explains, and Galena nods solemnly.
“Then I’m glad you have support. I’ve seen too many warriors refuse help to their detriment and others,” Galena responds kindly. “Are you sure you want to continue?” she asks, and Caitlyn lets out a shaky breath. Her hands are resting in her lap, but she feels Jinx reach over and wiggle her hand into the fist she’s been making. Relaxing, Caitlyn lets her fingers entwine with Jinx’s.
“I am. Jinx is here with me if it gets to be too much, but right now I need to know anything that might help our investigation,” Caitlyn firmly announces. Galena bobs her head in acceptance.
“Very well. While the symbols of Wolf and Lamb are constant, the specific imagery used to represent them can vary wildly depending on where in Noxus you go. This icon is a reference to the story of how Kindred, in their loneliness, split themselves in two so they would never be alone again. It is used by a very specific group from the old battlefields of northwestern Piltover territory. The Blades of Kindred. They are Wolf and the blade that cuts. Separating the weakness within themselves so they may honor Death. Just as Kindred cut out their loneliness so they could grow stronger,” Galena explains to them.
“So… a death cult?” Jinx asks warily, and Galena chuckles.
“In a sense. Although those groups tend to die out rather quickly, if you’ll pardon the pun. Their methods are inherently unsustainable, so they either collapse under the execution of their own ideals, or they change into something that is better able to survive. That’s what happened to the Blades of Kindred. They were an extreme cult even to the Noxians, but so long as they kept to themselves, they were largely ignored. However, Noxian culture quickly clashed with their extremist ideals,” Galena warns with the solemn gravity of an experienced storyteller.
“Noxus is a nation where skill is recognized above all else. Even a beggar can rise above a warlord if they are skilled enough and strong enough to do so. All citizens are Noxian and all Noxians have equal opportunity. They cannot be executed, pressed into service, or even beaten without being formally convicted of a crime and given a trial first. They cannot be denied service because of where they live or their culture. A citizen may buy property, own a business, be exempt from certain taxes, have the right to a trial and appeal, to protection from the state, and far more,” Galena describes to them.
“If you’re a citizen,” Caitlyn emphasizes, and Galena gives a thin smile.
“Precisely, and you already know how those who refuse Noxian rule are treated,” Galena suggests. Jinx grips Caitlyn’s hand tighter. The wind picks up, blowing fresh air and the sweet scent of fruit trees into Caitlyn’s nose. It helps smother the memory of fire and gas grenades.
“The opposition leaders are publicly executed to help weaken opposition. Remaining fighters are rounded up and imprisoned to help undercut further resistance to Noxian rule. Even if they haven’t acted yet. Public opposition and protest is enough,” Caitlyn says, remembering Ambessa’s tactics both with her and in the undercity.
“Precisely. Noxian citizens are often brought in to settle the land, and some people from the new territory are taken to the homeland. This breaks up any groups that might be inclined to band together as well as helping to dilute any religions or cultures that might grow to oppose their authority,” Galena explains, spreading her hands to gesture to the surrounding orchards.
“And it ensures that any citizens who remain will feel more pressure to view themselves as Noxian, rather than who they were before,” Caitlyn grimly suggests.
“You catch on quick. Of course, Noxus is a vast land full of different people, cultures, and traditions, and all of those are welcome. Just so long as you change them a bit. You worship a goddess? By all means! Noxus would never make you stop. But you will still celebrate the grand festivals in honor of Kindred, right? Surely your goddess would understand since she is a part of Noxus now too. Oh? You give tribute to a nature spirit? Make sure you make one to Kindred as well lest their jealousy bring death upon you,” Galena says in a slow, suggestive voice that makes Caitlyn’s hair stand up. She can’t see Jinx’s expression on her left, but she can feel the increasing tension in her grip and the way her body is coiling like a snake that feels threatened.
“And in time, that goddess isn’t from another culture anymore, is it?” Jinx points out. “Neither are the spirits or whatever else someone believes in. Not even the people. Everyone and everything is from Noxus,” Jinx spits out with venom laced between the words. Now, Caitlyn turns to look at her better, and she can see the anger and frustration in Jinx’s face. The way her jaw in set and her eyes glow with pain.
The trees around them shiver in the wind, and a sudden chirping pulls Caitlyn’s attention up as a bluebird swoops in and lands on the table. It tilts its head up at Jinx and hops over. Landing on the twisted cloth bracelet she’s wearing. For a moment, Jinx’s eyes soften again.
“It is said that Janna is a spirit of wind who watches over the people of Zaun,” Galena murmurs softly, her eyes also on the little bird. “As well as those who care for her people,” she adds, and Caitlyn doesn’t need to look in order to feel the elderly minotaur’s eyes on her. Indeed, the bird turns and looks at Caitlyn with a chirp. “She will not deny her aid to any who call on her, but it is the people of Zaun who are closest to her heart. Even when they are not close to her. Janna will never abandon them, just as a mother cannot forget her children. And even if they do, she will not,” she continues softly. Reaching over, she takes a little cornbread and holds it in her hands. The bird hops over and takes a few bites before flying off.
Airship crews and sailors often asked Janna to bless them with good winds before a journey or thanked her after they got back safely. That was true whether they were from topside or the undercity. So if Janna was a powerful spirit similar to Alexandria, then…
Maybe that laugh I heard earlier wasn’t my imagination after all, Caitlyn considers. The wind picks up, making the wooden wind chime in the corner of the pavilion sing with music.
“Mom always said that Janna would watch over us even when no one else cared. Piltover could take everything else, but they could never take away her love for us,” Jinx says, her voice cracking at the end. “We finally have the recognition we’ve bled and died for. We have our own Councilor and voice now. My parents died protesting poor working conditions and demanding better treatment. The idea of Zaun’s fight and the lives lost for it being smothered or warped until Janna is a foreign patron and Noxus is our liberator… until who we are no longer exists at all,” Jinx stops, her jaw clenching with anger.
Caitlyn thinks of Vi and all those who died fighting Noxus. If Viktor had succeeded, there would have been nothing left. But it’s easy to imagine an alternative. One where Ambessa got what she wanted. The fight to protect their home slowly buried until they are nothing more than a warning to anyone else who tries to oppose the Noxian war machine. The garden that Vi wanted her ashes to be spread in burned to cinders and Noxian statues placed where Vi’s beautiful tree now is. Cassandra’s memorial torn up and any memory of the old political power suppressed. Mel’s dream of peace, of a world where Noxus worked with other nations instead of dominating them, is snuffed out.
Carefully, Cailyn lifts their entwined and kisses the back of Jinx’s carefully. Reassurance and support. Quietly letting Jinx know her feelings and concerns are heard.
“I’m sorry, we’re getting off track,” Jinx apologizes as the anger slowly bleeds out of her. Caitlyn lets go of her hand and puts her arm around Jinx, who sighs lightly and leans into her.
“Sometimes you have to get a little off track to find out where you’re going,” Galena assures them. “Besides, that anger has a purpose in my story. Noxus can wipe away a people’s history and name. They can cover their festivals and beliefs with a new veneer. They can scatter a tribe and slowly squeeze out anything that isn’t loyalty to Noxus, but they cannot conquer a person’s memory or heart. There will always be those who would rather die than abandon their faith. Whether that faith is in a supernatural being, a person, a concept, or their people’s legacy,” she continues with a nod to both of them. Now, the picture comes into clearer focus, and Caitlyn can see this fits into the story and the problems Piltover is now facing.
“That’s where the Blades of Kindred come in and their belief that they must be a blade separating the weak from the strong. Conquering a people isn’t enough, because there will always be those willing to oppose Noxian rule openly or simply by refusing to obey certain laws even if they have to die for it. So let their deaths honor Kindred instead,” Caitlyn guesses.
“I can see why you became Sheriff! You have a sharp mind,” Galena says with an approving laugh. “Indeed, they believed that conquering was not enough. Those who show any signs of opposition must be cut out before they weaken the whole or, worse, motivate others to follow their example,” she states in warning, and that immediately sends up multiple red flags in Caitlyn’s mind. Enough that she has to bite her lip to stop herself from interrupting. Of course, both of them notice.
“Even Mylo could have figured out where this is going,” Jinx says, waving her hand for Galena to continue.
“At first, they were ignored. Not welcomed, but tolerated so long as they brought about results, and for a time they did. New villages and territories fell into line as the Blades of Kindred hunted out dissidents in their ranks. But as time went on and Noxus continued to condone their actions, their methods became more brutal and their leadership more authoritarian. Now they were challenging the authority of those ruling in Noxus rather than serving under them. In addition, the territories that Noxus was trying to negotiate with were becoming increasingly skittish. If they refused Noxian terms, they faced death, but if they joined, then they faced a far worse death from the Blades of Kindred if their obedience was found lacking,” Galena describes.
“Ambessa was the first to speak up against them. For all her brutality, she was a cunning politician and leader as well. She warned that if they were not kept in check, then it was only a matter of time before they turned their blades on Noxian citizens instead. Rather than newly incorporated tribes and villages. Her warnings proved correct. The Blades of Kindred accused a Noxian citizen of heresy. Not simply worshiping a spirit, but elevating it over Wolf and Lamb and urging citizens not to accept the changing of their festivals or customs so Noxus would accept them,” Galena states. Caitlyn realizes she’s been leaning forward to listen attentively when Jinx cuts in.
“Were they right?” Jinx asks curiously.
“It doesn’t matter,” Caitlyn murmurs, recalling what Galena said before. “A Noxian citizen can’t even be beaten without being charged with a crime and receiving a trial first. If the law cannot protect them, then what benefit is there to being under Noxian rule in the first place? And what about vastaya? How are they viewed in Noxus?” she asks, thinking about how the pro humanists have been pushing that rhetoric. Galena hums at that question.
“Officially, they are the same as everyone else. The same rights and opportunities. The same chance to rise to prominence. However, like most do we gravitate towards our own people, or to where we feel like we belong instead of standing out as different. Just as many of Noxian descent or immigrants from there now living in Piltover lands gravitate towards tribes like Dumortier’s. Including a large number of humans. Because their accent, customs, and even their food and clothing are more familiar and reassuring,” Galena points out. It also makes Caitlyn think of Xinxuan and how grateful he was just to eat a meal that reminded him of home. As well as Mel. For all her power and authority as a Councilor, there was always something distinctly lonely about her.
“Let me guess, to someone already in a zealous cult that behaviour is spun into a threat rather than being a perfectly normal reaction people have with not wanting to be alone in a place where most people aren’t familiar with them or their culture,” Jinx guesses with a distasteful look.
“Unfortunately, you are correct. Speaking their native language among friends, taking part in customs they had before being integrated into Noxus, old celebrations and festivals to elemental spirits were something they viewed with alarm. Rather than tolerance the way most Noxian authorities did so long as some recognition of Kindred was involved,” Galena confirms. Caitlyn has a lot of thoughts on that, but she files the information away for later instead of speaking up.
“So by calling it heresy, the Blades were also setting themselves up as the only official way of following Kindred and the primary way of establishing who was doing so acceptably. Which put them in direct opposition to how the Noxian state viewed the recognition of Wolf. As well as how they use its imagery to operate alongside local customs and religion. Slowly replacing those beliefs with their own, more accepted version, instead of fully suppressing it,” Caitlyn explains.
“Precisely. Ambessa’s warning had come true just in time for her to be made General. Under her authority, the Blades were taken in for a trial, and the leaders were sent to the combat arenas to fight to the death. For all their posturing, most were not truly warriors, and the few that did last eventually fell in later days as the pressure on them increased until they broke. The remaining group was forced into exile for their crimes against a Noxian citizen,” Galena sums up.
“So Ambessa and Noxian rulership come out looking like the good guys for getting justice, and the bad guys are sent away so everyone can sleep at night. Except us,” Jinx declares, and Galena shrugs.
“Such is the way of things. Except Ambessa is now dead, and the land she tried to conquer has not only won a battle against Noxus, but now stands opposed to them. As word spreads, your example will embolden others to resist as well,” Galena warns them. Caitlyn frowns as the picture in her mind finally solidifies.
“But if they can succeed where Ambessa failed, it could prove that they were right all along and pave the way for them to return home from exile. They don’t even have to conquer Piltover. Just cause enough infighting and chaos amongst ourselves that it leaves us distracted and vulnerable to another General to come in and take over,” Caitlyn considers.
“But they aren’t fighters, and any that were are already dead in the arena,” Jinx chimes in. “So they have a general idea of how the tactics work, but they aren’t experienced enough to execute them. They have some skill, but nothing compared to what Ambessa’s army had,” she scoffs dismissively.
“That doesn’t mean we can relax,” Caitlyn points out. “Under the current circumstances, they’ll become more desperate to prove themselves, not less,” she says critically.
“Easy there, princess. I’m just saying that if Ambessa and her army couldn’t take us down, then these butter knives stand even less of a shot in a direct fight. So they won’t try. They’ll keep using hit-and-run tactics or manipulating the situation to their advantage. We can use that to help figure out what their next move is. Thankfully, your gorgeous and genius partner is already a much better expert at using undercover tactics and setting traps,” Jinx assures her. Caitlyn pauses and considers that. Maybe she was being hasty.
“Of course, you’re right,” Caitlyn replies, forcing herself to relax as Jinx continues.
“And if their leaders are dead, then that means the more zealous and fringe elements even within the cult are likely gone as well,” Jinx pauses with a glance at Galena, who nods in agreement. “Which could also explain the current disorganization. If no strong leader has taken the place of those who left, and anyone who tries can’t gather enough support, then it would leave the people who remain split on whose ideas to follow. There might be some who still truly believe what the old leadership did, including their pro human sentiments. While others may just want to use it as a means to an end to divide Piltover so they can finally earn their way home,” she suggests.
“The young lady speaks the truth. We try to avoid them when possible, but we will not leave others to starve either, and the lands they occupy are harsh. Crops will not grow, and animals are scarce. A few members snuck away this past winter to beg food and clothing from us, and they spooked like startled deer at every noise. As if they were afraid of someone catching them speaking to minotaurs. We tried to coax them into leaving and coming with us instead, but their fear was too great,” Galena says sadly. That makes Caitlyn hesitate.
“Do you think there might be more like that? Those who just want to go home, as Jinx said? People we might negotiate with?” Caitlyn asks, and Galena wobbles her horns.
“I think they are in a dangerous spot, and escaping it will be difficult. If they are willing to compromise, it will only be after they are separated from the influence of those who hold their life in their hands. And be warned, not everyone will bend. Some will consider it a blessing to die in Kindred’s name and take others with them, and such ones can be very persuasive. Others will follow them whether it is out of fear or desperation,” Galena warns her.
“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind,” Caitlyn says gratefully. Feeling eyes on her, she turns to see Jinx staring back.
“See? Now apologize,” Jinx demands, and Caitlyn’s lips twitch with amusement.
“I’m sorry for doubting you. I’m just stressed and on edge, and I didn’t mean it,” Caitlyn states with a smile.
“And my girlfriend is always right,” Jinx adds, saying the word with obvious relish.
“Okay, now I don’t know about all that,” Caitlyn quickly objects. Laughing, Galena waves to one of her companions, who nods and heads off to the cooking area where someone is still working on something.
“The Noxians aren’t the only ones with spies around. Our nation is accustomed to navigating many political landscapes. From our own to Piltover’s and even Noxus since our lifestyle takes us just over the border of their territory. So I hope that information is of use to you,” Galena says hopefully. Reaching over, Caitlyn takes one of the minotaur’s large hands in her own.
“It was. You’re an excellent storyteller as well. I know the Stonebloods can take care of themselves, but please be careful,” Caitlyn insists, squeezing her hand affectionately.
“Thank you, Caitlyn. You have a good heart. Never lose sight of that. There’s a saying among the warrior poets and blacksmiths: the heat of kindness brings out impurities far better than the fire of anger. Something along those lines. Dumortier would know what it is,” Galena responds, patting her hand. Caitlyn feels the guilt welling up inside her at that compliment, but she takes a deep breath and doesn’t allow herself to focus on it.
“Looks like your little one is back just in time for dessert. Wild berry dumplings with vanilla ice cream. The milk comes from our sheep, so it might taste a little different from what you’re used to. The recipe normally uses grapes or grape juice, but a little substitution never hurt anyone,” Galena explains as a bowl is placed before her. Caitlyn leans back slightly as one of the Stonebloods serves her and Jinx as well. Rich, cooked wild berries with a generous scoop of ice cream on top.
Isha clambers onto the bench next to Caitlyn and leans over her arm curiously.
“You’re having dessert without me!” Isha objects, giving them both a stern look.
“Hello to you too,” Jinx fires back. Caitlyn laughs as Isha is handed her own bowl and spoon. “And no talking with your mouth full!” Jinx warns as Isha immediately starts trying to talk about her tour and eat at the same time. So instead she tries signing with one hand. “Ok listen here, smarty pants,” Jinx reaches around Caitlyn’s back to give her a playful pinch, making Isha squeal with laughter.
“Eat first, and we can talk afterwards. The Stonebloods went through a lot of work to make this dessert, so make sure you take the time to appreciate it,” Caitlyn says, and Isha signs a thank you to Galena.
“It’s a joy to see people enjoying our recipes. So please eat as much as you want,” she offers, and of course Isha’s eyes light up with joy at those words. Caitlyn is happy with what she has, but both Jinx and Isha get seconds. Galena even shows them where in the recipe book this dessert is so Jinx can try making it at home.
They spend quite a bit more time talking about more idle subjects before Caitlyn finally accepts that it’s time for them to go before it gets too late.
“Thank you for your help today and as always, stay and partake of the orchards for as long as you need,” Caitlyn offers.
“Your kindness is appreciated. Safe travels to you and your family and a parting gift for your little one,” Galena says, handing over a beautiful green, yellow, and blue wool blanket. A fruit grove under a blue sky.
“She’s not… I mean, we’re not… not yet, I mean… um,” Caitlyn stumbles and Galena grins down at her.
“Oh, I’ve seen the way Isha looks up to you, as well as how Jinx looks at you when you aren’t paying attention. She’s just as head over heels as you are, and you two already bicker and tease each other like an old married couple,” Galena adds, cackling with joy as Caitlyn’s cheeks warm with a blush. “May Janna bless you with many happy and fruitful years,” she adds kindly.
“Thank you for the blessing. May wind and land favor you,” Caitlyn returns.
“Will your tribe be at the War Dance?” Galena asks, turning to Dumortier, who is waiting by the ramp for Caitlyn to board. Jinx and Isha are already on deck.
“We will. The Iron Horns have much news to share,” Dumortier confirms. This is the first time Caitlyn has heard the name of his tribe, but she assumes it’s more literal than some others considering the Noxian metal covering his horns.
“Then we look forward to seeing your people there. I’ve heard your tribe makes the best metal tools around, and we could use some new shears for our herds as well as sharpening the old ones,” Galena suggests.
“Bring some more of those tamales and I’ll make sure you get a generous discount,” Dumortier promises, and Galena cackles and shakes his hand.
“You should come as well, Caitlyn. Whether you decide to do business with the elders or simply see the festivities, it will be quite a sight,” Galena promises. Caitlyn didn’t mention her discussion on the way here with Dumortier, but Galena has been around enough to know that a Kiramman is never idle for long.
“I’m strongly considering it. Isha would love it,” Caitlyn agrees, and she gives the minotaur woman a hug before heading up the ramp. Standing at the railing, she waves goodbye as the deckhands cast off and the airship creaks and slowly rises off the ground.
———————
“And they had had a giant cooking pot where they made the jam and stuff. They even let me taste some! And they had really thick gloves and sleeves and goggles so they didn’t get burned by mistake. The Hush Company never gave us anything like that for protection,” Isha babbles on in a mix of verbal and signing.
“Oh, really?” Caitlyn asks curiously.
Isha has been talking nonstop since they lifted off half an hour ago. She’s so wound up from the sugar and her adventure that she’s blending her signing and verbal again. The look on Caitlyn’s face clearly shows she’s not understanding any of this, but she still nods along and makes appropriate noises at the right time. The winds had calmed, so the journey back will take a bit longer. Long enough that Jinx has kicked off her boots and put them up on the table in the small seating area.
“Then they let me help sort some of the fruit, and the ones that got picked but aren’t ripe yet go to the Stonebloods to use or turn into food for their sheep. They even make juice and have a greenhouse for stuff they can grow all year! They had all kinds, and they let me taste some. It was amazing. I wanted to take some home, and they said they had some bottles that got damaged or misprinted so they can’t sell it. But they’ll send them to Cait’s house for free since I liked it so much and,” Isha barely stops long enough to breathe before rushing off again, hands and fingers flying. Jinx grins at the confused look on Caitlyn’s face as she nods and hums along at the appropriate times. Fruit juice in the undercity was mostly filtered water with the barest drop of flavoring. The real thing wasn’t terribly expensive, but it had always been just out of reach for their parents. So Jinx certainly wouldn’t say no to some free ones.
“It was all so cool! And they said the Kiramman’s have a bunch of factories all like that! And… and… I wanna be just like Cait when I grow up!” Isha blurts out suddenly. Caitlyn’s eyebrows shoot up, showing she understood that part at least.
“You… want to be an Enforcer?” Caitlyn asks, looking confused. Isha stops dead in her tracks and gives Caitlyn a look of such pure, unfiltered disgust that Jinx nearly chokes on her own laughter. “I was just asking!” Caitlyn defends, holding her hands up for mercy. Jinx didn’t think that’s what Isha meant, but having confirmation still makes part of her relax.
“No! I wanna help people like you do! You have airships to deliver food, and you helped set up free medicine places so mama and I can see doctors about our feelings. Sevika is helping people so they can take hot baths too and drink clean water, and that’s because Caitlyn made her a Councilor. Even the air smells better and isn’t as foggy anymore! I wanna do stuff like that! I want to help people like Cait does! That way kids like me don’t have to work in the mines anymore and get their money taken away,” Isha says excitedly. Caitlyn’s eyes grow misty with emotion. Since it’s just them, Caitlyn took her eyepatch off for a while.
“You know, my great aunt was adopted into the family, and she ran some of the Kiramman businesses for most of her life while her sister sat on the Council,” Caitlyn says to Jinx’s immense surprise.
“Wait… really?” Jinx asks, and Caitlyn nods even as Isha’s eyes go wide.
“Unlike the other Houses, being related by blood has never been a requirement for running the Kiramman operations or even sitting on the Council. Although going forward I would prefer someone from Zaun outside of the family to sit in the Council seat with Kiramman backing,” Caitlyn carefully explains.
“So I really could be like you one day?” Isha squeaks out hopefully.
“Only if you’re willing to be patient and learn,” Caitlyn firmly warns. “There are many people who depend on me just like you saw today. I have to take care of my workers and make sure contracts that were made with people like the Stonebloods are done fairly. Even if I’m not the one who made that contract. They don’t get paid in coin, but they take some of our harvest instead. Part of my job is making sure no one is stealing that from them,” she states, and Jinx knows she worded that deliberately so it would be more understandable to Isha.
“I can learn! I’m great at learning!” Isha insists while reaching up insistently. Caitlyn laughs and picks her up to sit on her lap.
“Might want to learn to brush your teeth without fighting over it every night first,” Jinx points out sarcastically, and Isha sticks her tongue out at her before snuggling closer to Caitlyn, who wraps her arms around her.
“Then I’m gonna learn and be a Kiramman just like Caitlyn one day. And I’ll help people and other kids who don’t have anyone else looking out for them or fighting for them. Just like mama did when The Hush Company tried to take me back,” Isha decides as she closes her eyes and curls into Caitlyn’s arms. In seconds she’s out cold.
“Finally got hit by the energy crash,” Caitlyn murmurs, letting her chin rest in Isha’s hair.
“About time. She’s been going full throttle since she woke up,” Jinx says with a sigh of relief. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the kid, but her energy wears even me out sometimes,” she confesses and takes the chance to stretch and pop and few joints. Caitlyn smiles and watches her for a moment.
“Copper for your thoughts?” Caitlyn asks softly, so she doesn’t disturb Isha.
“Just… thinking about how you said Isha really could be like you one day. A Kiramman running all the family businesses and using her name to help people in need. People who don’t have anyone else to speak up for them,” Jinx pauses and smiles faintly. “You really meant it, didn’t you?” she asks, and Caitlyn’s eyes soften.
“Of course, I wouldn’t joke about something like that, and I am going to need an heir someday. Preferably someone who understands the responsibility they hold and the importance of using it to help others. Not just staring down from their ivory tower and making best dressed lists,” Caitlyn teases.
“I believe you. You said it, and I just… knew that you meant it and you weren’t just saying it to be nice or appease Isha. Because you aren’t that kind of person and you wouldn’t do that to her, or to me. You wouldn’t give us false hope. It just hit me suddenly that I trusted you and what you said without doubting it. No paranoia creeping in, and no voices whispering that you’re lying or manipulating me. It’s just… silent,” Jinx marvels. She closes her eyes and listens to the sound of the airship engines and rotors. “I like that silence,” she murmurs as Caitlyn looks back with a mix of pride and sorrow in her eyes.
“Sit with me then? So we can enjoy it together?” Caitlyn asks, holding a free arm out. Moving from her chair, Jinx sits down next to Caitlyn and leans in to rest her head on her shoulder. For the rest of the trip home, they just sit there, enjoying the peace and quiet.
——————-
A message from Sarah Fortune is waiting when Caitlyn gets back. Alexandria discreetly hands it to her as Jinx puts Isha down for a nap until dinner is ready.
This time there’s an arcane seal on it that only appears when Caitlyn runs her fingers along the back. Security against anyone trying to view the message unauthorized. Alexandria was thinking ahead.
Pressing her thumb against the Ionian character, Caitlyn watches as it shifts colors and changes before vanishing. Flipping it open, she pulls out the letter and watches as the letters slowly appear; glowing before dulling to regular ink. She squints at it, but this script is a little harder to parse. Despite holding it at various distances, squinting, and opening and closing her left eye, Caitlyn finally gives up and goes to the desk in the office.
After the battle, she naturally started having eye tests. While her long distance vision is still sharper than ever, her near sighted vision has gotten slightly worse. The doctor even had the audacity to suggest that maybe it was just because she was “getting older,” and insisted that losing her eye had nothing to do with it. She was given a monocle but hasn’t used it because of how awkward it is. So her doctor got her a pair of reading glasses instead, but she’s been too stubborn to use them. She can still shoot a target from half a field away with bullseye precision. Reading a paper from an arm's length away shouldn’t be an issue.
Grabbing the glasses from the case, Caitlyn puts them on and sighs as the letters finally come into sharper focus so she can read the letter properly. She’s just tired from today’s events and had trouble focusing. That’s all. She certainly does not need reading glasses permanently.
You really need to put a bell on that friend/vastaya/spirit thing of yours. Would have put a bullet through her by mistake if she hadn’t frozen my hand again to my holster.
Caitlyn’s lips twitch with amusement, and she silently reminds herself to tell Alexandria to be a little louder when approaching people who aren’t used to her. Although knowing the fox spirit, she would probably keep doing it just to tease Sarah. It was part of her nature after all.
You’ve got a doozy on your hands here, Sheriff. I’m no stranger to people worshiping deities, but this one takes the cake. It’s not very often that people take up Death itself as a patron. Few wanted to say the name, but I finally found one. Blades of Kindred. Their primary setup seems to be in some old battlefield wastelands to the northwest. But only the "most blessed” get to go there on a pilgrimage. Sure. Uh uh.
Just as Galena said. That confirmed who they were and where their main base was, but they still clearly had secondary locations spread out across Piltover territory.
Found out where they are meeting and already gave the info to Steb, your second in command. Even got myself an invitation to one and snuck in. All dolled up of course so I wouldn’t be recognized later, and did some sneaking around. They do a good job of hiding what they are really after. All their pamphlets and invitations are a way to bring in easy targets. People who are so frustrated and looking for someone to blame that they’ll follow anyone who points them at a target to hate. More bodies to throw at the Enforcers and distract from the core of the group.
Caitlyn scowls at those words, but it isn’t really anything she didn’t expect.
For all the pro humanist, anti vastaya undercurrents in their messaging, the truth is a lot harder to pin down. Some members were clearly fervent to the point of madness over it. Others just felt it was nothing more than an easy subject to take advantage of. Something they could use to drive a wedge between Piltover and Zaun and nothing more. A few even seemed guilty about it. That’s who I decided to grab. Some poor kid who already looked like he was one mistake away from being kicked out. Not sure how much he’ll know, but I doubt he’ll be missed, and if he is, it’ll be easy to spin a story about why.
Pausing, Caitlyn stares off into space and thinks about that. That lines up with what Jinx suggested earlier about why they were so disorganized. Plus, according to Galena, Noxus viewed itself as a land of opportunity. One where anyone could rise to prominence no matter who they were or where they came from. Vastaya included.
A true spy could put on a cover like a second skin regardless of what they personally believed or felt. They would perfectly play the role of a human supremacist who hated vastaya and who carefully picked up information that could be used to their leader’s benefit. Just like Maddie had. The perfect Enforcer supporting Caitlyn, showing jealously when Vi showed up, hiding her true allegiance until the very end. Ambessa had never given any indication that she knew who Maddie was and never acted as if she doubted her when the truth finally came out. That was how a real undercover agent was supposed to be.
But without proper training, you get a mix of people who actually believe it and risk taking matters into their own hands, those who don’t take it far enough because it’s all just a front, and those who feel guilty over doing it at all, Caitlyn considers. Without a unified front, it was harder to get things done, much less take advantage of any cracks in Piltover’s politics when they already had their own fragmented structure going on.
This was an opening Caitlyn could exploit. Both to shut down the Blades of Kindred and to get out anyone who wanted to end their association with them entirely. How could they make a triumphant return to Noxus as heroes if some among them were a potential risk to non human Noxian citizens and authority figures? She’d have to work on that angle a bit more, but it was still an opportunity she couldn’t overlook.
Focusing on the letter, Caitlyn goes back to reading.
Got a few impressions of wolf masks the higher ups were wearing. Alexandria spooked me just as I was rifling through some documents, and after my heart rate went back to normal, she got to work and magicked up some arcane copies of everything. Much better than what I could have scrawled out. Can she do that with gold coins too?
Caitlyn can just imagine Alexandria giving a wide, vulpine smile at that question and saying nothing in answer.
Not sure where she’s keeping them all since they just vanished with a wave of her tails, but she’s your spirit friend, not mine, so you’ll figure it out, I assume. She helped sneak me and my new, reluctant friend out without anyone noticing. Like I was nearly invisible. Very convenient trick, by the way. Grabbed my new charge and hauled us both out of all that craziness. I think saying that I had a spirit on my side, followed by everyone suddenly not realizing he was there, convinced him to leave more than anything else. Wrote up this letter to send back before I took the long way to Piltover. I’ll be in town by tomorrow morning along with your new ex cultist who is already getting a nice cell prepared for him.
S.F.
Why didn’t Alexandria mention… Caitlyn’s thought trails off as she recalls her emotional breakdown earlier today over Vi. Followed by her bright idea to go out to the orchards. Not really the best time to bring it up. No wonder she hadn’t mentioned it yet. Besides, if it was truly an urgent matter that couldn’t wait, then Alexandria would have taken the initiative and handled it herself.
More importantly, Sarah Fortune had come through after all. That meant tomorrow was going to be a busy day. Strike teams needed to be prepped, they still needed a spy for Gunther’s meeting, and she had to decide if she wanted to go to the War Dance, which meant meeting with Sevika to draft a proposal to approach the minotaur tribes and nations with. Plus, the Enforcer’s fair would be the week after that, and she needed to make sure everything went smoothly.
You don’t have to do all of this on your own. Let Sevika help. This proposal will need to be run through the Council. Just work on your end of the contract and how minotaurs protecting the outer territory would look, as well as what they might want in return. Then let Sevika handle running it through the Council and the budget concerns. Steb already has groups working on the fair, and there’s no reason to doubt his efforts. If he hasn’t brought anything up, then I just ask for a general update and if he needs anything. Otherwise, trust him and the people he put in charge instead of micromanaging everything. That will leave you more time to focus on keeping the city safe by stopping the Blades of Kindred and finding anyone else they have captive, Caitlyn tells herself. Delegation. Letting other people take care of things, even if they do it differently than she would. Let them learn instead of trying to handle it personally. The city wouldn’t collapse if someone put the fair booths a little too close together.
Satisfied, Caitlyn puts the letter down and forces herself to breathe in and out a few times to calm her nerves. This letter was proof that they were getting closer. Not only did they have a name to put with the group causing trouble, but they had potential meeting locations and their primary base. Caitlyn would have to increase security on the Noxian sailors as well, since it was likely the Blades would try something foolish to get them out. Or just use their being held to push their own agenda.
“Hey, dinner will be ready in another 30 minutes. Alexandria grabbed me and told me we should look at these reports she got from Sarah before, uh.”
Caitlyn turns around and sees Jinx standing there staring at her.
“What?” Caitlyn asks only to realize she’s still wearing her reading glasses. Flustered, she goes to take them off.
“No, no! Let me look at you. Let me immortalize the moment,” Jinx insists, holding her hands up as if taking a picture.
“Jinx,” Caitlyn pleads as her girlfriend grins from ear to ear.
“I’m going to savor this for the rest of my life,” Jinx teases even as Caitlyn’s cheeks warm with embarrassment.
“My vision has changed since I lost my eye. The doctor says it doesn’t have anything to do with that and I’m just… aging gracefully, but I think it must have something to do with the battle,” Caitlyn insists.
“Mmm hmm.”
“It does! I’m barely in my mid twenties and I lost an eye to a knife. It has to be that. There’s no other explanation,” Caitlyn continues.
“Uh huh.”
“I really should get a second opinion. I don’t need reading glasses. I see perfectly fine. Most times. Sometimes. Reading always has been a little fuzzy, I admit,” Caitlyn grumbles as she slowly winds down. Still grinning, Jinx walks up to her with that insufferably smug look she gets.
“You make a hot nerd, princess,” Jinx whispers to her, and Caitlyn groans and buries her face in her hands.
“I don’t want to wear these things,” Caitlyn whines, and Jinx laughs and pulls her hands away.
“You’ll survive. Might even start a new trend. Kiramman eye wear. Who says fashion can’t also be affordable? New eyeglass frames for low income families. The undercity will love you, and you’ll be back at the top of those Cherish fashion lists you pretend to hate,” Jinx suggests, making Caitlyn sigh in defeat.
“They really don’t look that bad?” Caitlyn asks hopefully, unable to stop herself from fidgeting with them.
“They look fine, Cait. Really. You should get some silver frames or whatever else you fancy people have. That would really highlight that beautiful pale blue eye of yours,” Jinx reassures her. Caitlyn scoffs, but Jinx’s compliments do make her feel more attractive.
“Fine. Maybe… it wouldn’t kill me to get used to them for reading,” Caitlyn reluctantly admits.
“That’s the spirit! And perfect timing because we’ve got some secret cult documents to look over,” Jinx says with a wiggle of her eyebrows. She puts down the copies Alexandria made and spreads them across the desk.
“Ah, thank you. I was just going to go ask Alexandria about them,” Caitlyn confirms as she leans over to examine them. “These look fragmented,” she observes. “They only show a small area with a circle around it for the meeting location along with longitude and latitude, but something about them seems off. This differs from Piltover’s system. A different prime meridian along with an older geographic system and time zone, perhaps? Likely intentional obfuscation to slow down anyone who could get their hands on them. It’s a good thing Alexandria could make copies using her powers. Hopefully, that will keep them from realizing they’ve been discovered and stop them from moving locations before we can get some Enforcers in place. I’ll have to get some help to determine these exact positions,” she mutters to herself.
“What system does Noxus use for maps and stuff, anyway? Isn’t it all the same everywhere?” Jinx asks offhand. Caitlyn stares at it for a moment until that question triggers a revelation.
“That’s it! The three mapping systems of Noxus! Four technically. Overland, aerial, and oceanic. We use the same coordinates, but they have a unique system for each one. As well as a system only used for army combat. Only these aren’t coining from them one to one. They’ve mixed the longitude from one with the latitude system from another. Jinx that’s genius!” Caitlyn praises. Jinx blinks in surprise.
“Uh… sure. Right. Exactly what I intended,” Jinx says with a discreet cough, but Caitlyn is too caught up in the discovery to pay attention. “What about this? It looks like a schedule,” she points out, and Caitlyn takes it and skims over the information.
“And this… these are names, times, more coordinates. This is a full schedule of the most important members and their locations! Coded more deeply than the location coordinates alone, of course, but we have code breakers for that,” Caitlyn says with a wave of her hand.
“We do?” Jinx asks curiously.
“Oh, of course. It was a program started ages ago. If we can crack this, we’ll know where all of their leaders are!” Caitlyn says excitedly. Spinning around, she plants a kiss on Jinx’s cheek and beams happily. “This is a tremendous breakthrough, and we got it right from under their noses! But we can’t jump into things. We can’t let them know we have this information, so I’m going to have Alexandria hold on to it for now while we get people in place. Once it’s ready, I want to grab their leadership, leave the lower ranks floundering, and round up the rest of them in two stages. There are likely to be multiple places in the undercity, so we’ll need to coordinate on that to figure out the best way to handle them,” Caitlyn rambles as she flips through the other pages. Ledgers and accounts showing supplies and where they are being sent.
“Come on! I have to talk to Alexandria and send a message to Steb and….” Caitlyn looks up to see Jinx staring at her with a light blush and a hand pressed to her cheek.
“We?” Jinx asks, clearing her throat when her voice cracks slightly. Caitlyn’s eyes soften.
“We, my love. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you,” she replies affectionately. Jinx’s blush intensifies a bit, and she looks away.
“Well, don’t let me stop you then. Let’s get to work,” Jinx says moments before Caitlyn nearly tackles her with a hug. “Whoa! Easy!” Jinx fusses as Caitlyn holds her tightly.
“Thank you for helping me, for being here, for just… you. All of you,” Caitlyn murmurs to her. Jinx’s arms slide around her, and Caitlyn can feel her sigh ever so slightly.
“Well, I have a hero reputation to live up to. So come on. Let go save the city again,” Jinx declares. Pulling away, Caitlyn grabs a pen, and together they start making plans.