Thread: Maelstrom (RustyRedhead and darjeeling)

The lone traveller cut a rather bleak figure amidst the heavy snowfall and the beaten path of the Freljordian lands as the cloaked figure trundled along the snowy trail, occasionally rubbing her slender hands together. Even with her extra leather armor and some warm padding for her toned figure, she could not block the cold from seeping through her skin, as the traveller shivered in the snow. Usually, she would avoid the snowy lands for the signs of conflict between the warring conflict was still evident, with the Avarosans, the Winters Claw and the Frostguard at an endless turmoil ever since the War of the Three Sisters broke out. Even with the arrival of a sovereign, they still bicker, argue and at the most, do battle with each other. Sighing to herself, a strand of red hair escaped the hood as she pulled it back, her gleaming green eyes always at the ready for signs of danger from any one of the three kins. She was right all along she would never really travel this far north only if it was very important. And a Noxian like her would not be around here for too long, considering who she was. Katarina Du Couteau never was wrong with her instincts with this. The redhead assassin from Noxus would be caught like a deer in the headlights with her appearance here in Freljord. In the best of cases, she would just seek shelter in any one of the inns and the huts that litter and dot the snowy lands, and keep travelling until she reached her destination. In the worst of cases, she would find herself in the company of the ferocious Sejuani from the Winters Claw, or worse, Lissandra from the Frostguard. Katarina did not trust Lissandra even if it meant a blade on her throat. She seemed to mind her own business, but the Ice Queen had far more mysterious works in plans. The woman tugged at her cloak harder, trying to keep warm as her eyes saw the shadow of the city of Rakelstake, the capital of Freljord. Once a village, the place now serves as the seat of power on these northern lands and it was here that Katarina was summoned to a certain persons aid and she was no Noxian ally as well. At first, she was skeptical, even ridiculed the idea that she would help the woman in her quest to find Tryndamere. Katarina had to laugh at that thought. That blunt oaf, with the nave ice prick? The redhead had to see that as amusement and entertainment. As far as the barbarian was concerned, he was all brute and no subtlety brawn with no brains. Even the thought of Ashe naked and bare, along with him was somewhat amusing. Wait, why am I imagining that simple girl naked? She shook her head, ridding herself of that idea. Sure, secretly she fancied the nave and innocent archer, and even when she had adversity thrown at her, that served not only to introduce her to the real world here, but tempered her to become a leader for her people in Rakelstake. That admiration for her and a slight crush on Ashe was what led Katarina to respond to her call, albeit with a slight hint of quizzical and confusion from Talon. He had no idea why she reluctantly agreed to travel across the Ironspike Mountains. Of course, no one in Noxus knew exactly why the assassin was travelling across the north to go to Rakelstake. Perhaps a vacation for the hot tempered, aggressive woman. Katarina made her move, walking and taking care not to attract attention as she made her way across the city streets once she reached the walls and was greeted by the sights and smell of order and just around her. Chuckling to herself, the redhead wondered whether this was just like how it was in peacetime. Being a free-spirited person, Katarina traveled around, never sticking to one place for long, even in her hometown of Noxus. The redhead loved to go around, killing people and disappearing after collecting her bounty. That was just how she was. Straight to the point direct no bullshit from the redhead. Cold and efficient, one would say, just like her daggers. Katarina reached the entrance of the abode of the Queen, chuckling at the rather simple and easy defense that consisted of the guards around the castle. She stayed her blade, knowing that she was expected by the people inside, as she walked over to the door guards and flashed the mark of the Avarosan. Surprisingly, she was allowed in, as Katarina walked into the doors into a massive hallway, where she sheds off her travel cloak, standing in the halls clad in a leather top and greaves along with steel pauldrons and armguards on her shoulders and arms. The top bared her body lightly, her midriff and her bosom clear to see, although they were served just to have the ease of movement bestowed on her. She wore a skintight leather pants, layered with similar colored chaps and thick leather shoes, where she wore her knives and daggers around her waist and her hip. Two knives were strapped behind her as she made her way towards the hall, finally in sight of Ashe, who she assumed was expecting her. What. Katarina said icily. Been waiting long? I thought you would have the guts to go out and find that stupid oaf of a barbarian yourself. She mused. That doesnt really answer my question as to why on Noxus bosom would you go and ask me for help.