The mountains were grey, cold and unforgiving. The village nestled down at its base lit up the grey rock with the glow of fiery orange, but a celebration was not taking place in the little village. Buildings burned and figures moved around casting shadows over walls and floors as inhuman screeches filled the air.
A woman ran through the streets crying and whimpering as behind her three figures followed, one running and two on all fours.
You only needed to look once at their grey, rock like skin and large jaws to realize they were creepers. The woman continued to run and cry until she tripped over her dress and scrabbled forward pathetically trying to save herself.
Just as one of the creepers was about to reach her a fist launched into the creepers face and the leather gauntlets lit up, orange runes and the creeper burst to flame and crumpled back into the substance it was made form, a smoking pile of rocks all being all that remained.
The woman looked up at her savior as the other two creepers stopped at the death of their comrade.
"Alright fellas. Whose first?" Asked the figure as she stepped forward.
She was blonde with lilac eyes but what drew most people's attention when they saw her were the two massive tusks that stuck out from her mouth and reached up to the base of her nose at the corners of her mouth and she grinned. Her body- the little bits that were exposed- was built like a tree trunk, thick and muscled and across the skin were the occasional green scales that signified her as a half orc.
She wore heavy grey metal armor with the exception of two leather gloves that were thick and the knuckles framed with claws. Her helmet was attached to her belt and swung with her movements clanking against the metal.
The creepers recovered and screeched before running and launching at the girl. She grinned wider and quickly backhanded one into a wall where it crumpled down while she raised her gauntlets in front of her in an 'X' shape causing runes on them to light up and an orange glowing wall to form in front of her arms and the second creeper bounced off it harmlessly but slightly charred and melted.
She dashed forward and punched down smashing its head and scattering pebbles and stone everywhere, so focused in this task that she missed as the first creeper had gotten up and was about to dive on her until a crossbow bolt impacted and shattered its chest and it too disintegrated.
Creepers weren't tough to anyone who were trained in fighting, but to a village in the middle of no where, where the only weapons were pickaxes and shovels they were a threat similar to a dragon- not that a dragon would attack without reason.
"Thanks Rubes!" Called the girl as she turned to see the destroyed creeper.
Suddenly a girl appeared next to the half orc and grinned. She had red hair with red tips and bright, shining silver eyes and she was in a light leather arm our dyed red with a red cloak flowing behind her, well, the woman thought it was a cloak until it suddenly spilt into four red wings with shivered slightly before going back to their resting position and lookin like an ordinary cloak. She was holding in her hands a heavy duty crossbow that with the press of a button folded up into a compact form and she put it on her back changing it out for another compact item which she un-folded in a blur to reveal a scythe.
"Your getting sloppy Yang" teased the girl in a high pitched voice, marking her out as a fairy.
"I thought Fairies weren't violent" remarked Yang as she got into a fighting stance as five creepers suddenly appeared at the end of the street and charged for them.
"And I thought Orcs were supposed to be scary and tough?" Teased the fairy back as she suddenly shot forward in a storm of rose petals and with a slash sliced the creepers in half easily.
"Oh! You've done it now!" Said Yang as she turned to the woman on the ground. "You good?" The woman nodded still in shock and awe.
"Alright, head for the town hall. That's where everyone else is" said Yang as she easily lifted the woman to her feet. The woman nodded quickly and ran off towards the hall.
"Yo! Save some for me!" Yelled Yang as she ran to catch up with Ruby who had just killed another dozen creepers.
As she was running the wall to the house next to her suddenly burst open a dozen more creepers burst out. She quickly jumped back and then swung a fist, disintegrating one of the creepers before one scrabbled at her armored arms another clawing at her armored leg, she swung her arm knocking the creeper scratching at her arm to the floor and she channeled power into the gauntlets and slammed her fists to the ground.
Fire spread out in a bubble from the point of impact and incinerated the creepers in the surrounding area.
She looked over to Ruby who grinned at her.
"We need to find the soul stone!" She shouted over the flames and screeches.
"There coming from the mountains, it's probably there!" She called back.
Yang nodded and began running north punching Creepers along the way as Ruby sliced them in half alongside her as they ran.
They ran through the village helping those they could before eventually coming to the outskirts.
A figure in a dark robe turned to them. Revealing behind him a soul stone, a floating rock that was jagged and dark purple and covered in glowing blue runes, occasionally a spark of blue would fly off and strike the ground and from the spot it struck a creeper would crawl out of the ground and run for the village.
"Well, well, well. The warriors who have been destroying my minions. Tell me, are y-"
Ruby suddenly shot a bolt into his shoulder and he cried out as he fell to the floor.
"You bitch! I was monologuing!" He cried
"Nope" said Yang as she kicked the man in the face knocking him out. She then grabbed the floating stone, it's blue runes fading and it turned to a normal looking stone. Around her the Creepers all crumpled and cheers came from the village as the citizens watched the creepers fall to piles of stones and pebbles. Behind them the sun peeked over the horizon and began to rise slowly lightning up the village and mountains
"That was easy" grunted Yang as she grabbed a leather sack and deposited the stone inside it
"What? You wanted a dragon?" Asked Ruby as she stretched and put her weapons on her back
"That would make an epic tale!" Said Yang as she tied up the man and put him over her shoulder.
The two girls walked back into the village and to the villagers who were celebrating and putting out fires.
"Brave heroes!" Called the old mayor as he approached them "We cannot thank you enough for saving our village"
"Ah, it was nothing" said Yang dismissively "you can blame this boy here" she patted the unconscious man on her shoulder "using a soul stone to summon the creepers"
"All we ask for is for provisions for our journey back to the city" asked Ruby, her cloak shaking slightly.
"But of course!" Said the mayor "it is the least we can do, and we have a Jail over there" he pointed "in a couple of days a local patrol will come through here and they can deal with him"
Yang nodded and began walking to the jail as the mayor and Ruby discussed details. Around her people cheered and applauded her and she simply nodded and smiled, it was different several hours ago where she had been treated to suspicious looks and murmurings, but that was the downside to being both an orc and a halfling.
The genetics were complicated and far above the intelligence of most but what it boiled down to was she was half Orc and half human. but in the Orc and human communities she was simply a halfling and so lesser than both species, at least that's what most would think. Halflings were rare as the combined genetics were complicated and often the baby would end up dead and deformed.
However Ruby, her half-sister, was a full fairy despite having a human father and this was due to the fact that it was more likely that one set of genes would overpower the other and Fairies possessed magic they were able to produce with all species successfully.
If a fairy were to settle down with a dragon for example- rare but not unheard of- then the resulting child would most likely be a full fairy but have draconian features.
And that was simply basics and to be honest more a theory amongst intelligent people then fact.
Yang walked into the county jail and the sheriff greeted her warmly even if he acted cautiously.
After depositing the man in a cell she walked out and back through the village the people no longer cheering her but still thanking her as she walked by.
She made it back to the center where Ruby finished talking with the mayor.
"You ready to hit the road? It'll be a few days of riding before we make it back to Vale" she said
"We can head off in an hour, the mayor has just gone to get some people to get together the provisions we'll need"
"I wanna get going soon" said Yang "G'halla will be landing in Vale soon and I wanna talk to him"
Dragons were nomadic in nature but they also followed a pattern and it was approaching time where they would be landing near Vale to rest for a few days in the local mountains. Dragons were generally peaceful and even friendly, taking on the roles of protectors of the innocent (they had a good eye for who was innocent and who was not) though they would not get involved in war or be used for war unless offered something in return.
Dragons also travelled in packs and were quite scocial creatures who loved exchanging stories and riddles with each other and other species. However, if they are to become separated from their pack they go feral and become nothing but mindless beasts. Only stopped by being slain.
"Wonder how he's been?" Wondered Ruby
"Probably got a few stories to tell I bet" commented Yang as she stretched her arms
"What should we do when we get back? Go see dad? Go on another bounty?" Asked Ruby
"Well it would be nice to see Dad again, but we should probably check out the notice board in the adventurers guild for any good bounties" said Yang as they began walking to the still standing stables.
Ruby nodded as they went and grabbed there horses. Leading them out and into the light. The destruction of the village hadn't been done and only a few buildings were on fire and almost all the buildings were intact. Well most, there was that one that had all those creepers burst out of it.
"We did good" said Ruby to herself as she looked out to the village, watching as a homeless family were offered shelter in their neighbors house.
"Yup" said Yang clapping Ruby on the shoulder "we did"
~§~
It had been 11 days since the village and at first their journey had been cobbled roads through endless plains, farmers working on them and occasionally animals grazing, mountains in the distance where dwarfs likely worked in mines under them on either side. They would stop occasionally to wash themselves in local- but out of sight- pond and rivers and clean there clothes and armor. On the 7th day they had approached the wall of emerald that signified the emerald forest.
Ruby held the reigns of her horse and a lead to Yangs horse. It was the middle of the night and the forest was dark all around them, the silence only broken by Yangs snores.
Ruby being a fairy and imbued with magical energy did not require to sleep, which allowed her to keep watch all the time. The only reason she was still riding was because soon they would be catching sight of Vale and she wanted something interesting to look at for the night.
The forest around her rustled as a slight wind flew through and she shivered her wings letting them catch the air as it flowed by.
Soon the trees began thinning and through it she began to make out lights. Up ahead the road lead to a corner and as they turned it she caught sight of what she wanted to see.
Vale was up ahead the road going down into the valley and leading up to the cities wall, inside the city were hundreds upon hundreds of houses that surrounded a great castle which housed the council. Lights lit up the castle and houses as street lamps were lit and chased away the darkness of the night.
Ruby shivered and lead the horses off the path slightly, settling on the side and hopping off her horse who was grateful for the rest. She got out a bed roll and laid it on the ground.
She walked over and shook Yang who mumbled before cracking an eye open slightly.
"I just need you to get off the horse and onto a bed roll" Said Ruby "we've stopped for the night"
Yang grunted and slowly got off the horse before stumbling over and collapsing onto the roll.
Ruby fed the horses before gathering some wood from the forest and lightning a fire to keep herself and Yang warm.
She sighed as she looked to the stars tracing all the constellations she knew and could see. She watched Yang sleep for a while, Yang fidgeted in her sleep and mumbled something, her tusk moving around her speech before settling again and Ruby smiled sadly. She had never experienced a dream or even what waking up feeling well rested after a good sleep felt like.
It looked like it would be another long night.
~§~
They approached the gates to Vale, the horses hooves clopping on the cobbled path.
"Halt!" Called one of the guards, his silver armor glistening in the sun. "Who are you and what is your business?" He asked.
"We are adventurers wishing to turn in this" and Yang held up the leather bag and slowly so as not to startle the guards drew out the soul stone "to the adventurers guild"
"Can I see some documentation?" Asked the guard as he held out a hand.
Yang shoved the stone back into the leather pouch and hopped off her horse and after a quick search found the parchment and handed it to the guard.
The guard took it warily and inspected the documents before handing it back over.
He called up to the top of the wall where more guards had been observing and they began scurrying around. Slowly the great metal gate creaked open to reveal the active streets of Vale.
They brought their horses in and lead them through the streets, vendors on either side shouting and selling their wares to the general populace. Spices and herbs filling the air.
People would glance at them and occasionally eyes would linger on either Yangs tusks or their bodies but generally they were treated as another obstacle in the slalom of the street. They walk down several streets, making occasional turns until they were deep in the city.
"I preferred the deserted road" said Ruby as they finally stopped at the adventurers guild stable and deposited their horses, untying their packs and equipping them on their own backs, Ruby placing hers under her wings.
Walking out they walked along the street further as above them the wall of the adventurers guild stretched up into the sky.
The huge oak doors were open and letting the air and sun stream into the massive hall as people milled about or walked somewhere.
They walked in used to the stares as they approached the hand in desk. The woman working at the desk looked up and smiled at them.
"Greeting Yang, Ruby. Back from your quest" said the woman. The two girls had already worked up a reputation of a high success rate on their adventures.
"Yup, got a treat for you Mrs Oobleck" said Yang as she placed the satchel on the desk. Mrs Oobleck was the wife of councilman Dr Bartholomew Oobleck and worked in the guild as a collector of artifacts magical or not that adventurers recovered or found on their adventures and would either report them to her husband who would report them to the council if they were of significance or simply lock them in the vault.
"Hmm let's see" she said as she put on a glove and opened the satchel, drawing out the soul stone "ooh, fought a golem recently?" She asked as she inspected the stone "it must have been an old one"
"No, evil dude was using it to summon Creepers"
"Oh dear" Mrs Oobleck frowned "well this is a rare find girls, I'll have to report it to my husband so that appropriate action can be taken, but you girls should go get some rest" she said as she put the stone back into its satchel and deposited it in a drawer under the desk.
"See ya around Mrs Oobleck!" They Said as they walked away from her desk.
"Stay here Rubbles, I'll go book us a room" Said Yang as she walked up to the desk where the receptionist smiled warmly at her.
Her wings shuddered in nervousness- though to a bystander it simply looked like her cloak had caught some wind- as she heard a person approaching her, their metal boots clanking on the ground.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Came a cocky voice from behind her. Ruby turned and was met with a tall man in silver armour and short brown hair with blue eyes.
"Hey there beautiful, names Cardin" he said as he put his mace over his shoulder, behind him three other men stood and grinned at her lecherously.
"I'm not a succubus" she said annoyed "so you can stop looking at me like that" his comrades continued to stare at her.
"I wasn't looking at you like anything" Said Cardin "can I at least learn your name?"
"Ruby" she said stiffly as she wished Yang to hurry up.
"Ruby… that sounds familiar" he mused to himself "so you new to the guild? Want me and my boys to show you around?" He asked
"No, I'm quite happy waiting for my sister thank you" she said irritated as their eyes seemed to light up further at the word 'sister'
"Well, maybe we can show you and your sister around" suggested Cardin suggestively
Ruby sighed in annoyance but immediately lit up as she saw Yang walking over.
"Hey Rubbles, these guys friends of yours?" By which she meant 'do I need to beat anyone up?' in code
"Who do you think you are Halfbreed?" Asked Cardin aggressively
"No, lets go" she said not even throwing them a backward glance as she followed after her sister. Cardin staring abashed and angry at their retreating forms.
"Who was that?" Asked Yang as they made their way to the large stair case that lead to the rooms that adventurers stayed in between quests.
"Dunno, some dude named Cardin. Come on, let's go get settled in and then browse the board" said Ruby as they continued up the stairs.
"I asked and it doesn't seem like the dragons are here yet" said Yang as she lead them down a corridor
"Maybe a bit early for them" said Ruby
Yang stayed silent as they opened the room and not even bothering to inspect it simply dumped their stuff and removed their amour.
Yang put on an orange tunic with a pair of simple grey trousers. Ruby wore a red tunic with brown trousers.
"I bet someone is going to comment 'How unladylike' or something similar about your clothing" said Yang
"Yeah, I'm not going to put money on that" Said Ruby as she huffed, almost all girls wore skirts and even the few female adventurers wore armored skirts and casual dresses.
They left the room and walked to a large room with other adventurers who were looking at a massive board that quests were constantly being put on and taken off of thanks to some sort of magic, some parchment appearing with a quest written on it and a difficulty level, when an adventurer picked out a piece of parchment the magic would read their DNA and say if they were capable of taking on this quest of not. If a quest was accepted the sender would receive a notification that an adventurer was on the way.
They wondered through the board completely ignoring the Novice quests and going up towards the other end. Occasionally reading a title.
'Lost sheep need finding, Mariner farm, West Vale'
'Goblin extermination, mountain Garris caves'
'Forest golem problem, north Vale'
They wondered down until they encountered a piece of parchment that caught both their eyes and likely every other adventurers eyes.
'Feral dragon attacking southern villages and towns needs slaying, town of Dale, south Vale'
Some of the other adventurers in the room scoffed as they watched these two girls approach the parchment, thinking them novices wanting to get some action or simply naïve.
"Up for some dragon slaying?" Asked Yang as she looked over the parchment.
"Nothing we haven't done before" said Ruby.
Yang reached out and took the paper and the other adventurers prepared to see the 'This quest is beyond your skill level' message to come up like it had for many before them.
However instead golden writing appeared before them floating in the air.
Do you wish to accept this quest?
Yang put her finger to the 'Yes' and the message disappeared and the parchment in their hand changed to a contract with a floating inkwell and pen. Signing their names the parchment disappeared and reappeared as a map with a trail to where they needed to go.
"Think of it as a mercy" said Ruby as Yang sighed
"Yeah, G'halla says the same" said Yang "I just wish there was a way to snap them out of it"
Ruby patted her shoulder sympathetically as they left the hall, the rest of the adventurers mumbling and whispering.
~§~
News spread fast in an hour of two girls accepting the dragon quest, many didn't believe it. Yang and Ruby sat in the canteen, the sun outside was slowly lowering towards the ground.
"So summer is coming up, that means that sun berries should be plenty along the way if we run out" Said Ruby who had a particular taste for sweet things and wild berries.
"Remember that time you ate that Jola berry?" Asked Yang and Ruby laughed
"I hallucinated a goblin stealing our stuff and chased it into the forest" she said giggling
"When I found you, you were dancing in the middle of a clearing holding some dirt up to your cheeks and humming to yourself" chuckled Yang
"I was 15!" Said Ruby pouting
Yang just smiled as she continued to eat
"…Yang?" Ruby suddenly asked looking apprehensive
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about what we're gonna do with our lives?" Asked Ruby
"I'm happy doing this. Why? Do you not want to do this anymore?" Asked Yang concerned
"No! No, I love this… it's just at some point, either we're gonna get too old or…"
Yang frowned, Ruby didn't need to finish that sentence as the other option was obvious.
"Well, eventually Dads gonna be too old to run his bar on patch" said Yang "I always thought that would be a nice place to retire and work in" she shrugged "I haven't really thought much about it"
"Hmm, That does sound nice… but not really my sort of thing" Said Ruby
"Well, you could always become a Hunter or take on adventurer jobs for locals, maybe set up a combat school… and you've always got the option of going to Zanash forest" said Yang
Zanash forest was where most fairies lived in houses up in the tall trees, it was also said though that those who went deep enough into Zanash would reach the entrance to the afterlife.
"No, it sounds nice and all but" Ruby's wings fluttered "I like the sound of becoming a hunter"
"Well you've got a long time ahead of you before you need to worry about that" Said Yang "your only 19, you've got a while"
"Yeah… I suppose" Said Ruby looking a bit cheerier
"So, we should be good for the trip over" Said Yang as she pulled out he map "there's a spring on the way we can get a refill at and a village in between we can resupply…"
Suddenly the doors opened and in strolled Cardin with his comrades they seemed to scan the room before focusing on them and marched over.
"Did you take that Dragon quest?" Asked Cardin aggressively
"Umm… Yes?" Said Ruby confused
"That quest was mine!" He said angrily "you are not high enough for that quest I bet! And your women to boot and you're a halfling, so how did you cheat? Tell me that then hand over the map and maybe I won't report you to the guild"
"Well you see" Said Yang amused "what we did was take quests non-stop for three years and that's how we fooled the system into thinking we were master adventurers" she said sarcastically.
"How dare you talk to me like that you scum" he spat
"So… are you done? Me and my sis have a dragon to slay" Asked Ruby angrily scowling and her fist tightening
"No! I challenge you to a duel! If I win you hand over that quest to me!" He said grinning. He didn't know how they cheated but he would at least take the quest from them! It was seen as both cowardly and shameful to refuse a duel so they would have to accept it.
"Ugh, fine" Said Ruby as she got up
"Not you, I don't fight women" said Cardin
"Well, you're a bit screwed buddy" said Yang
"Let me finish Orc fucker" spat Cardin "I don't fight women, but you don't count" he said pointing at Yang
"What? You wanna fight me?" Asked Yang grinning at the prospect, her tusk reflecting the lamp light
"Yeah, maybe you'll learn your place afterwards" he said cockily
"Right… I'm gonna go buy us some provisions" Said Ruby as if Cardin had simply been a minor inconvenience.
"Alright Rubes, see ya back at the room" Said Yang as she stood up
"Tomorrow, 9 am" Said Cardin, either assuming they didn't know the rules or just not knowing the rules himself.
"Nope, not how the rules work buddy" said Yang "you challenged me so I set the time. Ten minutes" and she strolled out as Ruby rolled up the parchment and walked out as well.
~§~
People gathered in the stands as they whispered excitedly and bets were made. Unobserved by everyone a crow sat up in the window, it's head cocked as it looked inside
On one side stood Cardin in his amour and his Mace on his shoulder. On the other side strode in Yang in her heavy armor and her helmet under her arm.
"Oh, So you actually did show up" Said Cardin
"Of course" replied Yang "and we never decided what I get if I win"
"Don't get your hopes up" grunted Cardin
"If I win your going to cover the cost of the provisions for this quest" said Yang
"Alright" Said Cardin as he got into a fighting stance.
Yang grinned as she put on her helmet. It was a full helmet but her hair still flowed out the back, the face front had six lines that allowed her to breath over her mouth and nose and a V shaped slit that allowed her to see.
An old man who was gaining some weight stepped up on a raised platform, he was councilman Port, leader of the adventurers guild of Vale.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today we have the challenger Cardin Winchester" he pointed over to the man who raised his arms as the crowd cheered "and the challenged Yang Xiao Long" there was more cheering but it was subdued slightly. Yang simply gave a two fingered salute.
"Challenger are you ready!" Asked Port
Cardin nodded
"Challenged are you ready!" Asked Port
Yang nodded
"Fight!" He cried out and the stadium cheered as the two approached each other.
They both circled for a few seconds waiting for an opening before Cardin charged forward bringing his mace up for a swing. Yang brought her arms up and her magic shield deflected the blow but sent her back a few inches, her boots gouging a gash in the dirt floor.
She thrust her arms forward and out throwing off the mace and knocking Cardin back slightly before she swung her right fist down and slammed into his chest plate sending him stumbling back further.
Yang sighed and let him recover, she could of easily ended the fight but she might as well let it go in for a bit longer, she was in no rush.
Cardin recovers and shook himself then smirked, probably thinking that Yang had hesitated.
"That all you got halfling scum?" He taunted
"You've already Said that" pointed out Yang "could you come up with something clever? Or original?"
"How about This!" And he launched forward and swung his mace which Yang easily blocked
"That's not or-" Yang was cut off as his fist connected with her chest and made her take a few steps back. That was going to be painful for a few days, definitely a bruise which was impressive given the armor which proved she had slightly underestimated her opponent. She couldn't afford any injuries that would force her to forfeit the quest, she needed to end this quick.
"How was that Bitch?" He taunted
"Better then I was expecting" She grunted back as she steadied herself then ran forward and gave a left hook which Cardin blocked with his mace, he smirked and opened his mouth to say something before Yang then swept his legs out from under him, time seemed to slow as he fell and his expression changed to shock. Then Yangs hand grabbed his face and stopped his fall as the arena fell silent, the only sound the scattering of stones.
"But not good enough" and with that she slammed his body into the arena floor.
Immediately medical personnel ran out onto the arena as the crowd roared and money changed hands.
"And the challenged Yang Xiao Long wins! I think that'll teach our challenger to think twice about challenging a master adventurer" Said Port as Cardin was placed on a stretcher and various personnel cast spells and enchantments on him as they ran out.
~§~
Blake stared out at the small market going on in the village, she needed to steal some food then she'd continue on to somewhere else. She couldn't allow them to capture her. The white fang did not treat deserters well.
She shuddered as she remembered what happened to the last deserter, and he was simply a grunt! She had been second in command to a lieutenant, she still remembered the grunts screams as his flesh was slowly extracted from his body-
She shook her head and refocused on the market around her, all she needed to steal was a loaf of bread and she would be fine. She felt a pang or guilt shoot through her but tried to reason to herself that it was hardly the worst she had done.
She continued to scan the market before focusing on a loaf of bread that was close to the edge of the stall. She licked her lips as her stomach gurgled in delight at the image. She could do it stealthily and wait a bit for the perfect opportunity but her stomach was in control now and her thought processes weren't what they were. She muttered a quick prayer of forgiveness to Mkuu before making her way forward.
It all happened in a flash. She walked up and then snatched the bread and started running as the stall owner called out in anger behind her, she didn't stop as she disappeared into an alley and continued to run. Behind her, her hearing told her she was being pursued and she cursed before turning another corner.
She was still running when she turned a corner and slammed into a metal chest plate and she stumbled back as the armor figure grunted. She saw Lilac eyes and two tusks framed by blonde hair.
"Hey! Stop her!" Called a voice behind her and she began to run again before suddenly a hand closed around her wrist and-
"You forget your place!" Adam said angrily as he raised his hand
-the man jogged up to the Halfling.
"Thank you ma'am, little shit stole some bread" he said panting.
The woman blinked and looked at Blake who was now crying silently. They were going to find her if she was put in jail, they would find her and do terrible things to her.
"She did? I am so sorry" Said the woman a she turned to Blake "Christina I thought you knew better!" She said in a scolding tone
Blake looked at her confused and then her eyes widened as the woman winked and her cheeks tinted slightly pink.
"I am so sorry" Said the woman again as she grabbed the bread loaf and took it from Blake's loose grasp "She will be punished accordingly" she said as she handed the loaf over
"Be sure that you do" Said The man as he took the loaf and walked away after giving Blake another glare.
"You okay?" Asked the woman and it took Blake a few minutes to realize she was talking to her
She nodded.
"Hungry?"
She nodded again.
"Come on, my sister is in the local tavern. We've got some spare coin, we'll get you a meal" she said warmly as she lead Blake down the street. "Names Yang, what's yours?"
"B-Blake" She stuttered out
"Cat Faunus?" Asked Yang as she approached the Tavern
"Yeah" nodded Blake as her ears flattened.
"Oh I'm sure we've got a lot in common" laughed Yang as she opened the door and strode in, Blake following.
Yang glanced round the busy tavern ignoring the stares and finally saw her sister sitting at a corner table and looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey Rubes, this is Blake" Said Yang as she sat down and after a few moments Blake joined them, looking between them cautiously.
"Are you setting up some sort of pun about strays?" Asked Ruby
"No, I found her stealing bread and got her out of it then offered her a meal with us" Said Yang
"Oh, Okay" Said Ruby shrugging "So what brings you out here?"
"Traveling" Said Blake not really wanting to say the real reason.
"Ah, you get mugged? Lose all your money?" Asked Yang
"Yes" lied Blake her brain not fully thinking through the answer.
"Ah, it's a bit rough round here" said Ruby sympathetically "but still in a village as small as this surely-"
"What are you doing out here?" She asked trying to change the subject
"We're heading to a Dale down south, dragon problem" Said Yang as she signaled a tavern worker.
Blake balked at her "You two are adventurers?"
"Oh yeah, been adventurers for three years" Said Yang as a woman appeared in typical tavern wench clothing.
"Hello dearies! What can I do you for?" She asked warmly
"I'll have a steak" Said Yang "And some strong mead thanks"
"I'll have some eggs and bread" Said Ruby "weak mead please"
When everyone turned to her Blake realized she needed to say something and she turned pink in embarrassment "Ugh… anything with fish" she finally got out "mild mead please"
The wench nodded before strolling off.
"So Blake, got any skills?" Asked Yang conversationally as she leaned back
"I'm good with a short sword" she offered
"Is that it?" said Ruby eagerly nodding to the sword on her back
"Yes"
"What's that weird ribbon thing on the back?" Asked Ruby excitedly as she leaned in.
"Well… it doubles as a sort of grappling hook" said Blake awkwardly.
"So where you from?" Asked Yang putting her elbows on the table.
"Well, from… Mistral" lied Blake. She had been to mistral and could actually answer questions about it.
"Huh! What's it like?" Asked Ruby excitedly and eagerly leaning forward further and almost accidentally tipping the table before she quickly sat back in her seat sheepishly "Sorry"
"Me and Rubes are hoping to eventually have travelled the whole world, we've been all over Vale but we haven't been to other kingdoms yet, better to travel as part of a big group when going between kingdoms" Said Yang "What with wild creatures and Orc tribes and bandits living between the lawless sections of the world" Bake nodded, knowing that the white fang's movement between the kingdoms caused trouble for lots of people.
"Why do you do it?" Asked Blake getting curious despite herself.
"See the world" shrugged Yang "it's a great way to make a living"
"I want to save and help people, like those heroes in the books Yang used to read me"
"That's a bit childish" said Blake "hoping for a happy ending"
"Are you not?" Asked Ruby
Blake was taken aback by this comment.
"Hello again lovelies!" Cried the wench as she came back with several plates and set them down along with three tankards. "Enjoy!" And she wondered off.
Conversation was paused as they eagerly dug into their food, though Blake had demolished hers in seconds and she sighed in contentment as she felt full for the first time in weeks.
"Haven't eaten for a while, huh?" Asked Yang a she ate some steak.
Blake shook her head.
"Oh we know the feeling of having a full meal after a long period of no food" Said Yang
"That was a rough time" winced Ruby
"That was when you ate that Jola berry!" Said Yang in amusement and Blake allowed herself a small smile of amusement.
"Thanks Yang for embarrassing me while we meet new people" said Ruby pouting and her cheeks flushing.
"So why are you traveling Blake?" Asked Yang smiling
Blake opened her mouth to answer and then stopped. She didn't really know what she was doing. She had run from the white fang when she realized that they had been razing villages and killing innocents… that she had been used to assassinate political figures…
She had run to get away from them and hadn't thought much beyond that. At this point she was likely on a most wanted list for the white fang, she could never settle down somewhere for fear of discovery. She didn't know what she wanted, the only thing she was good at being assassin work and sneaking.
Blake felt the urge to curl up somewhere and cry fo a bit at the sudden realization of the hopelessness of her situation.
"I don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going… what I want" admitted Blake
Ruby and Yang shared a look and seemed to share an entire non-verbal conversation
"Why don't you travel with us, travel as long as you want until you find whatever your looking for" suggested Yang
"I don't know-" started Blake, she didn't want to get others hurt. That's why she had run in the first place and she didn't really know these two girls, even though they seemed friendly enough with Yang looking tough but being kind and honestly a bit of a softie while Ruby just radiated pure sunshine and happiness.
"But Blake" said Ruby "You said it yourself, you have no idea where you want to go or what your want to do. Me and Yang travel all over the Kingdom of Vale and with you we might be safe enough to travel to other kingdoms" she shrugged "along the way you might see something you like or somewhere to settle down"
"Plus we do jobs regularly, ones that require skill with a sword for slaying monsters" said Yang before she seemed to come realise something and frowned slightly her fist curling "you say your traveling and you were mugged, yet you have a sword on your back" Said Yang and Blake suddenly felt the urge to bolt as her ears flattened but Yang put up a reassuring hand. "We won't pry, we know everyone is entitled to privacy. As long as you don't stab us in the back then we're good" Said Yang
Blake sat there her mouth flapping open and closed for several minutes as the two continued to eat.
"Alright" she finally said, seeing no downside to the situation.
"Cool, we only have two horses mind you so your gonna have to ride with me, Ruby's wings are sensitive" said Yang
Blake looked over and only saw a red cloak. Then it split into four parts and shook a little before transforming back to a cloak.
"I've never met a fairy before" she said in slight awe
"We'll cross that off the list" said Ruby grinning "Your ears and night vision will be a huge help while we travel"
They stayed silent as Ruby and Yang finished their meals but Blake's curiosity reached breaking point.
"I'm sorry if this comes off as rude… but how are you two sisters?" She asked as she looked between them.
"Human dad" they both responded
"My mom is an Orc. She left my dad after I was born, apparently I was an abomination to her" Said Yang with a scary amount of indifference.
"My mom was a fairy, she came along when our dad was torn up about Raven and they had me and were happily married for years… then she went out on a visit to Zanash, and never came back" Said Ruby sadly
"I'm sorry to hear that" said Blake, and she was.
"It still hurts sometimes, but I treasure all the memories I have of her" Said Ruby
"As do I" Said Yang "she treated me like I was her own kid"
Blake yawned and she flattened her ears as she remembered that the last time she had slept had been for three hours about a day ago.
"Come on, I think we should hit the sack early, get a good head start and maybe arrive at town a bit early" Said Yang standing up.
~§~
They were camped out off the side of the road, it was just past midnight and Ruby gazed up at the stars but kept her ears open just in case. Their few days traveling had been interesting with Blake with them as the two sisters told her stories of their many quests and monsters they had encountered and though Blake liked to remain quiet she did occasionally offer up a story about stuff she had done, obviously not talking about her time in the fang but stories of encountering monsters in the wild.
Ruby looked at Blake as she slept and thought it adorable how her ears twitched every now and then, she shifted slightly and around her neck fell out a necklace, it was some string but attached to it was a talisman. It was simply the image of a book and engraved in the metal were the words-
'Ma ez dikarim çalakiyên min bibim'
-in tiny writing that Ruby had to squint to make out.
Blake then shifted again and cracked her eyes open sleepily and she yawned before looking round and sat up slightly.
"What's the time?" She asked
"Eh, I'd say about 1 in the morning" Said Ruby as she looked to the sky and at the shattered moon that hung above them.
"Right… do you want someone else to take watch?" Asked Blake
"One, if I wanted someone to take watch I wouldn't ask the person we've just met who we know nothing about" Said Ruby smiling slightly "and Two, I'm a fairy, we don't need to sleep due to magic and energy and something about the sun? I'm not really sure in the whys and how's of it" shrugged Ruby as she poked the fire.
Blake nodded and lay back staring up at the stars and tracing the constellations she knew.
"What's that book on your necklace mean?" Asked Ruby suddenly and curiously as she stared at her over the fire.
Blake lifted her hand and felt her necklace, gripping the symbol tightly.
"I'm a follower of Mkuu" she said
Ruby titled her head "I feel like that name is familiar…" she began hitting her head and squinting and frowning and making other odd gestures "don't tell me! don't tell me… argh! It's right in the tip of my tongue… nope, it's gone. Care to explain it?" Asked Ruby defeated
Blake smiled despite herself. "It the major religion of Faunus. We believe that when we die I shall find myself on a ship sailing to the gates to Fushal"
"Fushal?" Asked Ruby confused
"Basically the after life" Said Blake not in the mood to try and explain it further. "But when we reach the gate Mkuu will appear and deem people wither of entering"
"Right, And is the book the symbol of the religion or?" Asked Ruby interested
"No it's a séilchenbuch and we are to wear it with us at all times so that it can record our experiences through life" explained Blake "and when we approach the gates to Fushal, the Mkuu will inspect it or 'read through our stories' as it were and deem us worthy of entering" Blake paused slight as her ears flattened, something Ruby noticed and frowned slightly at "if he does not deem us worthy then we are bound to the earth, cursed to wander underneath it for eternity"
"That doesn't sound fun"
Blake remained silent as she stared into the fire.
"Fairies believe that when they die they travel to Zanash and become one with the very forest itself" said Ruby.
"Do you believe that?" Asked Blake
Ruby shrugged "ive never been to the forest and I don't really think about death and the afterlife much"
"In Orc society" piped up Yang as she sat up "if you die in battle you go to Mashua which is a massive Boat that the Orcs sail through the sky in and they can party and raid and pillage and rape for all eternity while those who don't die fighting are sent to Ustaarabu which is literally just a civilized society" Yang snorted "at least that's what my mothers tribe thinks or something"
"How long have you been up?" Asked Ruby
"When you two started talking" she said "C'mon Blake, get some sleep" she said as she flopped back down.
"We have a few days long riding ahead of us" agreed Ruby
Blake said nothing and lay back down her eyes looking up at the stars before she slowly let herself succumb to the land of dreams.
~§~
Weiss schnee was the second born daughter of Jacques Schnee and Willow Schnee, king and queen of Atlas. From a young age she had been distant from her father who almost acted like he wanted nothing to do with her as he spent all his time with Winter who was to be his successor.
He did not even care when she showed signs of magic at 5 when she summoned several runes to get herself to the really high shelf and steal several cookies. He did at least have the courtesy to hire a tutor for her to hone her skill and develop it further. Her tutor had been a kind man and had remarked of how her rune casting was 'unlike anything he'd ever seen' and soon she became adept at using them, her tutor had then secretly taught her how to fight with a sword. Something that was not allowed for women of the Atlas royal family, she got quite adept at using the family weapon Myrtenaster, once wielded by her grandfather himself when he founded the royal family.
Then everything changed when Winter ran away.
She had ran off and joined the Atlas military which was completely separate to the royal family and thus she was, as she put it in a letter to Weiss she had left before leaving 'Free of his toxic influence and control'.
From that moment on Weiss's father who had always been distant, suddenly took a deep interest in her. He encouraged her in her lesson and began training her to one day rule the throne. She had been happy and content with the praises she received and worked hard when she got it wrong.
And for a while she willed herself to believe that her father cared deeply for her and genuinely wanted her to rule.
Then Whitley had been born.
Her father had begun to grow distant in their lessons until they stopped all together, and one day her mother too became distant and withdrew herself to her room and to drink. She would sit on her balcony or just in her room somewhere and drink.
And Weiss was alone, no one but the butlers to talk to with no contact from either parents often for weeks at a time as she watched from a distance as her brother grew up. Often she would cry herself to sleep as she hugged herself, pretending it was her mother comforting her like she did when she was little.
She still kept up in her lessons and those were often the only things she had to look forward to, until eventually her tutor was assigned to Whitley instead to make him practice sword fighting. And then she was well and truly alone in the castle.
She always thought that Castles were supposed to protect people, but the Schnee castle was large, white and cold and to Weiss as good as a prison. In hindsight she realized she knew what was coming next but she had hoped that maybe, just maybe she was for once wrong.
But Weiss Schnee was never wrong.
Weiss had been forced to flee her home after her father named Whitley the rightful successor to the throne and prepared to cart her off to the highest bidder. Winter had sent her a letter telling her to get out of there and so she had packed a bag full of clothes and some food and money and stole the family weapon as she snuck out of the castle (with help from the oldest family butler Klein who was more of a father then Jacques was).
And here she was in the town that told her they had a problem she thought she could handle. After all, a Dragon couldn't be that hard to slay?
~§~
The three girls rode into the town.
"Oh yeah, that's a dragon attack" said Yang as they rode past what had once been a building and was now a smoldering heap of blackened ash.
"I've only seen dragons from a distance" said Blake quietly, her ears flattened as she observed the damaged house.
"Their friendly enough" shrugged Yang "But when they go feral like this" and she gestured to the house and a few other burnt wrecks.
"We should head to the hall" said Ruby as she rode forward.
They rode further into town and soon noticed the lack of people, the streets were empty and desolate, they were surprised not to see a tumbleweed blow down the street.
Eventually they came to a cobbled Plaza with a large building at its center, outside it sat a man in typical commoner clothing, no armor and a dull sword by his side.
He perked up upon seeing them.
"Welcome to Dale!" He said as he stood
"Hey, pretty empty" commented Yang
"Well, no one wants to go out. You want to get inside, we've got a dragon in these parts but don't worry. We have a master hunter already on the case"
Ruby and Yang frowned.
"You mean somebody is already here?"
"Yeah" nodded the man
"Right, that's awkward because uh… were the adventurers who accepted your quest" Said Ruby still frowning.
This time the man frowned.
"Really? You got any proof of that?" He Asked skeptically
"Yup, right here" Said Yang as she pulled out the rolled up parchment and handed it to the man. He took it and unrolled it before reading through it, his eyebrows slowly raising.
"Huh, well that explains why she didn't show us this" he said almost to himself before looking up "you girls keep watch for me for a few minutes, I'll report this to the council"
They nodded and he hurried inside the building as the girls kept still outside glancing at the sky regularly, eventually the man came back and waved them in.
They dismounted and grabbed their stuff off the horses before entering the building. The inside was big and spacious with a roaring fire in a pit at the center and several men and women sat on chairs in a semi circle around it.
"Well they certainly look like adventurers" commented one man as they walked up.
"Where have you been?" Asked one woman "we have been cowering in our homes for days now waiting for that scaled beats to descend upon us"
"We're sorry to keep you waiting" Said Ruby bowing respectfully, the other two following her example.
"At least they have manners, unlike the other one" commented someone else.
"We're here to slay your dragon, can you tell us anything?" Asked Ruby
"It just came out of no where" shrugged one man
"Destroyed several buildings and made off with a few of the farmers cows"
Yang frowned, Dragons preferred and usually lived on a diet of fish and sea food, some even living off plankton, eating it like whales.
"Does it come and go from the same direction?" She asked
"Yes, it always comes and goes form the south west. Some armed townspeople headed that way but they didn't come back, instead when the dragon came back it had some new swords and shields welded to its body"
Ruby hummed. "Did it steal any gold or other valuables?"
Dragons were prolific collectors of gold and other such things but they were always able to resist the urge to steal it and often bartered for it and adorned their bodies with what they collected.
"Yes, a few swords and the like, but it already had a pretty impressive piece hanging around its neck on a chain, a golden lantern that glowed blue" reported another councilman.
"Is that all?" Asked Ruby.
The council men looked between each other before a woman sighed. "It's going to sound ridiculous but several citizens, including members of this council… heard it speak"
Yang narrowed her eyes.
Feral dragons lost the ability to speak tongues as soon as they were separated from their packs and descended into a feral state.
"That shouldn't be possible" she said voicing her opinion.
"But we have dozens of eye witnesses including members on this council that heard it speak" Said the woman firmly.
"What did it say?" Asked Ruby
"It was mostly just speaking to itself, talking to itself like it was having a conversation with someone or something" Said the woman frowning.
"Alright, well… does it have a schedule or are the attacks random?" Asked Ruby
"It comes every two or three days and attacks at random times" said a councilman
"Okay, can you direct us to where this other adventurer is?" Asked Yang.
"She went to the library" Said the man who had brought them in.
"Alright, we'll be in the library" Said Yang as they bowed and walked out.
"I'll put your horses into the stables for ya" Said the man who had shown them in.
"That's very kind of you" said Ruby smiling gratefully.
"It's nothing, if your real adventurers I hope you give that woman a piece of your mind, fair warning she's a bit of a bitch" and with that he led the horses away but he stopped and turned again "the library is the building at the end of that street" and he pointed before continuing away.
They nodded their thanks and began to walk down the indicated street.
"So, is it illegal to impersonate an adventurer?" Asked Blake as they walked
"Not technically, but most authorities will turn a blind eye if someone whose been found out of faking turns up dead or missing" said Yang
Blake stared at them in alarm
"Relax" laughed Yang "We're just going to give her a talking to, that's all" she frowned slightly "though there are those out there that would do a lot worse" she said grimly.
Eventually they reached the doors of the library and entered, a bedraggled librarian looking at them surprised.
"Hey there" said Yang "we heard that there's a woman in here, claims to be an adventurer"
"She's over there" pointed the woman "but she doesn't want to be dist-"
"Don't worry, she wants to see us" waved off Yang as she made her way through the library. After a few bookcases they made there way.
They came to an empty area with a table covered in books and a woman with white hair sitting there pouring over one.
Blake glanced at several titles.
'The encyclopedia of dragons'
'Dragon anatomy'
'Are dragons our friends?'
'Conversations with dragons'
'Tales from things with scales'
She then looked the woman over and her eyes widened and her ears flattened. What was Weiss Schnee, ex-heiress to the throne of Atlas and next owner of the Faunus labour camps doing in a library of a town no one had ever heard of. The two sister didn't seem to recognize her as they stared at her.
"Hey" spoke up Yang
"I thought I said that I did not-" started the woman icily as she looked up at them and paused.
"You the one claiming to be an adventurer?" Asked Yang
"What of it?" She asked suspiciously "wish to challenge me?"
"No, not to a fight" Said Yang as she took a step forward "but we know your not an adventurer"
"How dare- what- you little-" the woman spluttered
"And here is my proof" and Yang unfurled the contract and held it up for her to read.
Weiss stared at it in slight shock then huffed.
"Alright, it was wrong to claim to be an adventurer I'll admit. But I can still handle this!" She said crossing her arms
They all looked at the various books scattered around pointedly.
"Huh! Yang look 'tales from things with scales'! I loved that book as a kid!" Said Ruby excitedly while Yang chuckled
"Looking how to fight a dragon by looking in a children's book?" Asked Yang as she picked it up and stared at the drawings inside it, her eyes drawn to a cartoonish dragon playing with a ball of yarn. The woman flushed red and Blake hid her laugh behind her hand. "What was your plan?"
"Well I would fight it" said Weiss faltering slightly at the pathetic answer
"Wow" Said Yang mock impressed "in the town?" She asked
"Well, Yes"
"And causing several townsfolk to become homeless or dead in the process and causing countless property damage?" Said Yang frowning.
"Oh yeah? Well I bet you don't know what to do either?" Challenged Weiss
"Oh we know what we're doing" Said Yang "I mean your wearing a skirt! You are nothing but a civilian"
"How dare you speak to me like that" Said Weiss angrily as she stood up.
"I'll speak to you how I want" Said Yang "just stay out of our way" she finished with as she turned to leave.
Weiss was red with rage and said the first thing to come to mind.
"Filthy half breed" she muttered
The air grew still as everyone stopped what they were doing. Yang slowly turned while Ruby glared and Blake simply looked at her disappointed.
"Wanna say that again?" Asked Yang, her voice surprisingly calm.
Weiss grew slightly pale as she finally realized the height difference, but held her ground stubbornly "you heard"
Blake scoffed "like father like daughter"
The sister turned to her in confusion while Weiss paled further.
"What?" Asked Ruby confused
"Weiss Schnee, ex-heiress to the throne of Atlas, recently taken from her place by Whitley Schnee the new successor. The Schnee's are known as being discriminatory racists and their Faunus labour camps" said Blake as she stared at Weiss.
"Oh? So looking to become number one again by slaying a dragon" said Yang amused and disgusted "perfect"
"Why you-"
SCRRRRRRRRRRNK!
A roar echoed out over the town and rattled the window.
"That's our call" said Ruby suddenly changing. Her back straightening slightly and her voice changing tone to oddly serious "Blake, get the princess here somewhere safe and try to protect the towns people, move them to buildings made of stone or into the surrounding forest" she said
Blake blinked before nodding quickly.
"What! Who put you in charge. No, I will-" Weiss began but was suddenly dragged off by Blake "Hey Wait!" She shouted as they left.
Ruby and Yang ran out of the building and into the street.
"We need to get it away from the town" Said Ruby
"Alright" Said Yang as they began to run through the streets, Yang clapped her hands together and holding them like they were a an open book she held them to the sky and a stream of fire shot out into the air, that would attract anything's attention. Suddenly a shadow passed overhead and a gale of wind rushed by them. And then they stopped as the building in front of them was crushed as something landed on it and caused it to collapse under the weight.
As the smoke cleared they stared at a dragon. By Dragon standards it was beautiful with golden scales that reflected the sun and covered it perfectly stuck at random spots on its body were the melted blades and circles of swords and shields, it's wings were big and similarly colored and bat-like as they stayed spread behind it, ready to take wing at a moment's notice. It's head had two horns at the back. However what drew their attention was the beautiful lantern on its neck and its eyes which instead of the usual slitted gold were pure red and soulless.
They both prepared for it to lunge or breath fire when it opened its mouth, but no fire emerged and instead it did indeed speak.
"Kill them? Yes, yes I shall" it said in a deep rumble
"Woah! Wait are you not feral?" Asked Yang incredulous
"They speak. Of course. I am not feral like some rabid dog, I have simply arisen to a plain you cannot understand" it said arrogantly.
Ruby noticed the lantern light up when it said this.
"It's being controlled" said Ruby
"Damn dragons, will pick up anything if its shiny and won't give a second to consider the consequences" Said Yang sadly.
"I'm bored" It rumbled and opened its mouth as a hiss filled the air and green gas began to spill out between its teeth and spread like a mist below it.
Yang just got in front of Ruby when it blew a spout of fire straight at them, Yang raised her gauntlets and the magic shield projected in front of her just as the fire hit and they watched as it flowed around them.
Ruby unfolded her crossbow and loaded a bolt as the flames died down and Yang ran forward toward the dragon delivering a punch to its snout.
It reared it's head back and whined in pain before flapping its wings and taking up into the air.
"You go ahead, I'll catch up!" Said Yang and Ruby nodding before running off in a flurry of rose petals.
~§~
Ruby ran across the roofs of the buildings as she followed the dragon, it flew along over the town, its chest lightning up with an orange glow as it blew flames down onto the houses below. Around them echoed a church bell ringing rapidly as building erupted into flames.
She ran and jumped over a gap in the building before continuing, her wings trailing after her.
It swooped down and came back up again, wood falling from its scales and in its jaw a pig thrashed before the dragon tossed it up and swallowed it whole. It continued on and Ruby continued to run occasionally taking a shot or two. If she could just get it's attention she could lead it away.
She knew her bolts wouldn't be able to pierce its scales and would blend in with the feeling of the air rushing around it. She needed to try and pierce the wing membrane or hit around the eye, that would get her some attention. It came in for another swoop and opened its mouth. She heard screams and looked down into the street to see several people running away uselessly, she cursed and prepared to do some running and lifting or considered jumping onto the dragons head when runes appeared below the people and they boosted forward and into a side alley and out of the path of the flames that now licked the side of the street. Ruby looked around and spotted white as she watched the flames head towards Weiss who had been so focused on getting the civilians out of the way that she didn't realize the flames were about to reach her.
Ruby ran and jumped onto the dragons head, stopping its gout of fire as it listed , its wing scraping and gouging into the wall of the building before shaking and throwing her off. She unfolded her scythe and dug it into the wall of a building and used it to slow her descent as she landed on the ground.
~§~
Weiss had managed to convince Blake to at least let her help with getting civilians out of the danger zone. She had just turned the corner to another street and began getting people out of their houses and running towards the outskirts when she heard a flap of leather and felt a gust of wind. She looked up to see the dragon turning and making a dive for her.
She felt her flight or fight response take over and suggest she run from the massive scaled animal that could breath fire (an opinion she wholeheartedly agreed with) but she looked at the street full of people and suddenly filled with determination as she held Myrtenaster out in front of her and using it to channel her magic before runes sprouted below the people and they were boosted forward and into the alley on the right.
She smiled in satisfaction until she widened her eyes in horror as she watched a pillar of flame move towards her. She froze as it neared. This was it, she wasn't going to make it.
Then a hand grabbed the back of her tunic and lifted her up and she felt herself be enveloped in a metal armored body as she heard the cracking of wood and the roar of flames and a woman scream.
When she opens her eyes she found herself in a house with metal arms holding her.
Then the metal person picked themselves and lifted her up- by the back of her tunic again- and placed her back on her feet.
"Sorry about the damage Ma'am" said a familiar voice as the armor figure dragged her out. The woman whose house they had just broken into looking after them fearfully.
Now put in the light she saw the blackened soil and the flames licking the buildings on the side of the street.
"Of all the narrow minded, stupid and incompetent things!" Said Yang angrily as she stopped and turned to Weiss and Weiss took a step back fearfully as she stared up at the half Orc, the sun shining off her tusks which at the moment looked a lot more threatening "What were you thinking! Standing still while a dragon is diving at you and-"
"She saved the street" interrupted Blake's calm voice as she emerged from the corner "I watched as she cast some runes and saved a street full of civilians"
"So did I" Said Ruby suddenly appearing in a flurry of rose petals "that was amazing! And your sword!" And suddenly Ruby was examining it "iveneverseenthissortofmetalbeforeandthewayitlituowhenyouusedyourrunesand-"
"Ruby, dragons flying off" Said Yang as she pointed to the fading silhouette of the dragon in the distance. Ruby shook her head and took a few steps back and Weiss slowly overcame her shock.
"Right, I'll be back in a bit" Said Ruby suddenly becoming serious again "Behave" she said to Yang as she began to run. Then her cloak split and her wings spread and with a few mighty flaps she was in the air and following the silhouette.
"Woah" Said Weiss admiring the beautiful wings as they spread and Ruby quickly pursued the dragon "What's she doing?" Asked Weiss "is she going to fight it?"
"No, she's following it to its lair" Said Yang "Then we can take the fight to it"
~§~
Ma ez dikarim çalakiyên min bibim- 'may I be worthy through my actions' is what the phrase on Blake's book says and it's in Kurdish for no other reason then it looked fancy in another language.
Séilchenbuch is soul diary in Luxembourgish for similar reasons that it sounded fancy and fantasy like.
So this is my new story, I'll still do bullheaded but there will be longer gaps between chapters. I hope people like this.
See ya next time