"This world is delicious!" ~Kha'zix, The Voidreaver
Well guys. We are officially in the final arc of the story. If you have stuck with me for this long? Thanks. If you have just joined. Hope you are enjoying it.
This chapter will be followed with another chapter with no connection to the actual story but it is nice to know what's happening with characters around the world. The next one is with two different characters. One is new to the story (Only mentioned.) and the other had been pretty prevalent.
The last chapter was the last time you will be seeing Gregori and gang for a while. The next chapters will be setup for the arc itself and when Gregori returns the plot would have progressed to a certain extent.
And finally, when we get to the final bits of the story I plan on taking a small break to write out all the chapters and release it all together. I'll let you know when that actually happens.
Enjoy! Leave comments!
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"Warmother, the Frost Watchers bring word."
Ashe rose from her seat near the giant bonfire the Avarosans sat around, grunting as she did. She began walking away from them, "What news do they bring?"
Sigra walked beside her, "The Winter's Claw, They have almost been wiped out."
"Almost?" Her eyes widened, "How?"
"They fought the Ursine." She answered.
"Why were they near them?" Ashe asked confused, "What about food?"
Sigra's voice dropped low, as she waved Ashe closer, "They fought because of the food. We have word from survivors as well."
"Is...." Ashe began.
"Their Warmother is.... alive." Sigra answered, "But is currently extremely injured. Most of their fighting force is gone. Their Iceborn are dead. Only Olaf lived. And he has no injuries."
"Death doesn't come to those actively searching for it unfortunately, the spirits heal any and all injury to his person." Ashe muttered, "Then what is the issue Sigra? Have they asked for our assistance?"
Sigra nodded, "Yes."
"They have nothing to give to us." Ashe let out a sigh, "And we cannot give out any of our food, not in our current situation."
Sigra nodded, "They aren't asking for food."
Ashe spun around, "What?"
"What is it?"
The two turned as Ashe's Bloodsworn Tryndamere walked toward the two of them.
"We might have a problem with the Winter's Claw." Ashe said as Tryndamere stood beside her protectively. "What do they want?" She asked Sigra.
"Protection." Sigra answered.
Ashe frowned, "Sejuani would never willingly ask us for protection."
Sigra nodded before letting out a sigh, "That is because she did not ask us."
"There is no one else who can ask us of this." Ashe shook her head, "And we do not involve ourselves in the politics of a tribe."
"It was Udyr who asked us of this." Sigra answered.
"The Spirit Walker?" Ashe asked, "What does he have to do with this? He can't do any of this. He isn't even a part of their tribe. That man is a nomad, he roams these lands alone. Does Sejuani know?"
Sigra shook her head, "No. You don't understand. Sejuani's injuries.... they were extreme. She has not awoken in the last five years, since their expedition to Hearth Home."
"What were they doing at Hearth Home?" Tryndamere asked, "Those are lands of the gods."
"Were." Sigra answered, "The Ursine are the only ones there now."
"Why were they there?" Ashe asked.
Sigra looked around them to see if anyone was nearby before whispering, "They found The Cauldron of Ornn. And it has sustained their people for that last five years. It is why there haven't been any battles between our tribes."
"That's a children's tale!" Ashe groaned.
"The Ursine attacked them for it recently." Sigra continued, "Udyr and Olaf fought all of them. Alone. And won."
"Why would Udyr do that?" Ashe asked, "He isn't part of their tribe."
"She is his daughter." Sigra answered.
"Sejuani?" Ashe gasped.
Sigra nodded, "He fought through hordes of Ursine to get the out of Hearth Home and then stayed to look after them. And from the older members of the tribe, I was able to confirm that Kalkia and Udyr were together for a period of time. Before she became Warmother. Right before she had Sejuani."
Ashe took a deep breath as she processed the information.
"He is that strong?" Tryndamere asked, "To singlehandedly beat so many Ursine?"
Ashe turned to him, "Udyr.... he is blessed by the spirits. He possesses power enough to ward of the Old Ones. Why do you think we haven't seen any of them in our hunts? His presence keeps them in the north."
"A formidable warrior then?" Tryndamere muttered.
"Beyond." Sigra answered, "After the battle, he appeared next to them with this proposition. They were far away from him. Hidden. But he found them. They are afraid of him. The Frost Watchers had stayed far away as they watched him fight against the Ursine and the tales they tell..... I myself cannot believe them."
The two looked at her in askance.
"He is able to use the magics of the Spirit Gods." Sigra answered, "They say that he froze the Ursine with winds of Winter's Mother, he burned them with the fires of the Firebringer, ripped through them with lighting of the very being the Ursine worship, the Stormlord and protected the tribe with the irons of the Warden of Sacrifice."
The two looked at her dumbfounded.
"This is as tall a tale as the cauldron itself." Ashe blurted.
"And what are they offering for our assistance?" Tryndamere asked as he met eyes with Ashe, bringing them to what was truly important.
The answer was what they expected.
"Food."
"The Cauldron of Ornn gives them all the food they would ever need. And they are willing to merge our tribes together for this." Sigra continued, "The only thing we would need to do is fight off the Ursine alongside them."
"But how can we believe them?" Tryndamere asked, "Not without proof of the food actually existing."
"They brough the food with them." Sigra interrupted, "Not much. But enough to feed ten or so men. Fully cooked stew."
Tryndamere took a steep breath, "This... this changes.... everything."
"We need to gather the council." Ashe muttered, "We have much to discuss." She turned to Sigra, "Call them."
"If this is true..... and they have food...." Tryndamere whispered beside her, "An infinite supply...."
Ashe nodded, "Then we support them. At all costs. Combining the two tribes is something I can accept."
"What of our history?" He asked.
"My people are starving." She answered, "They are my history. You are the only one among us who can hunt without end. You are singlehandedly keeping our tribe alive. And right now, the only Iceborn here are me, you and that boy. And his Yeti eats enough for two. We cannot last this winter without a hunt like one all those years ago."
"We could wait for Gragas and Braum to return...."
"And then what?" Ashe interrupted, "We will have two extra mouths to feed. And knowing Braum, he will bring us more mouths to feed."
"Then regardless of what the council agrees on..." He began.
Ashe nodded, "We accept their deal."
"After verifying that they do possess the cauldron."
"Indeed." Ashe nodded, "The food might be a last ditch effort for survival."
"Then I will leave for the Winter's Claw right now." Tryndamere turned around.
Ashe placed a hand on his shoulder, "I will come with you."
"No."
"I am the Warmother." Ashe gripped his shoulder.
"No."
"They will need the Warmother present in order to accept this deal." She continued.
"I will accept it on behalf of you." He answered, "Their Warmother is indisposed as well."
Ashe let out a soft chuckle, "Look at me my husband."
Tryndamere turned slowly, his eyes closed.
"Open your eyes."
He obliged. His eyes were glowing an unearthly red.
Ashe raised a palm and placed it on his cheek, "I understand your anger and desire to protect me. But I have to."
"I cannot help but worry." He leaned into her palm, "I cannot..... It is safer for you here. Among all the others. They will give their lives to keep you safe."
Ashe shook her head and grabbed his hand, slowly moving it to her stomach, "The little one is strong. And is taking its own sweet time to come. And looking at the both of us.... this one will be an Iceborn."
"Iceborn can still die." Tryndamere replied.
"Not this one." Ashe denied, "Not until it has taken its first breath in this home of ours."
"Are you sure?" He asked as the red faded from his eyes.
Ashe chuckled, "You've taken to fatherhood a lot better than I had expected."
Tryndamere smiled softly, "I watched and learned."
"We haven't gotten any letters from them recently." Ashe sighed.
"They will be safe." Tryndamere smiled, "That man won't let any harm befall them."
"I was not worried about them." Ashe grinned, "Just curious." She leaned into his embrace, "What do you think they'd say after finding out?"
"I think they might visit." Tryndamere answered.
"I hope they do."