Chapter 1: The Beginning of a Journey
Note: I wanted to write something else to get my brain going for other fics. I thought doing this one might be cool, so here you go!
The Princess of Vale, Summer Rose stepped out from the castle, her silver-adorned dress flowing in the wind. She loved to come out and watch all the citizens make their way around, knowing that her family would keep them safe to the best of their ability. There had been a few bandit attacks recently but the guards have always been able to drive them away. Vale has been a target for attacks due to their ample supply of materials and dust, they never let it get taken from them easily of course. The Royal Rose family has been known for their fierceness and power of the silver eyes, gaining them many allies and support from other kingdoms.
Summer decided today would be an excellent day to for a ride around the forest. She asked her parents King Amadeus and Queen Crystal and they agreed to let her take her horse.
"Please do be careful, dear!" her mother yelled.
"I'll be fine, I've been trained by the best!" she replied, smiling over her shoulder as she walked out to her room.
Summer pulled her white cloak on, putting her hood up. She grabbed her things and headed out to the stable. The stablehand named Taiyang noticed her approaching. Taiyang is a silly boy and likes to play around. He's got a bulky build, which makes his work around the stable easy for him, like picking up stacks of hay, among other things. He is friends with the princess since a few months ago when he arrived there to work.
"Heya Princess, I assume you're here for Scotch, huh?" he looked toward the tanned horse in the stall, stomping his hooves.
She nodded, petting Scotch's snout. "Yes, I wanted to take him out for a ride around the forest. It's been a while since I rode, it would be great for both of us."
"Yeah, but," Taiyang paused. "Bandit attacks have been happening more recently. Won't fighting be a little tough in a dress?" he asked, looking at her attire.
"I can handle myself, you know. A dress is hardly a challenge." she said confidently, crossing her arms.
He raised his hands up in the air jokingly. "Alright, alright, I trust you. I'd come along, but as you know, I've got work to do around here. Good luck." he gave her a thumbs up and wandered off.
She moved her hood down then got Scotch out of his stall and attached what she needed onto the belt. She hopped onto his saddle and rode off into the forest. Summer loved the feeling of the wind rushing through her hair, seeing everything going by fast. She cherished this feeling of freedom, she didn't get it everyday. Summer stopped a few times to gather berries before going on her way through the forest.
A girl with black hair and a red dress was laying on the ground, like she's hurt. Summer got off and tied Scotch to a branch before going to investigate. The girl looked up at her. Her eyes are red. She heard something about red eyes before but she couldn't quite remember what it was.
"Please... Help me. I was assaulted..." the girl seemed distraught.
Summer helped her up. "Where are you hurt? Can you walk?" she asked with concern.
"I can walk, but I need to find my brother. I lost him in here..." she looks around frantically.
"Alright, we'll find him, I'm sure of it." Summer said, trying to reassure her.
"Okay, thank you... Follow me so we can search." her voice was shaky as she walked. Summer followed.
They both walked for a while. A boy came into view and the girl stopped in front of Summer. The boy grinned when he saw Summer.
"Ah, sister you finally found me. And here I thought you had given up on me." he said playfully.
The girl rolled her eyes. "As tempting as that is, and it was, she helped me look for you." she said looking at Summer.
The boy winked at her and put on a sly smile. "She's cute too, lucky me. Now boys!" he shouted as if on cue.
Two bandits jump from a nearby bush and grab ahold of Summer. She struggles against them but they're too strong. She glares at the mysterious boy and girl. The boy walks up to her and lifts her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Father is going to have much fun with you. If he doesn't, I know I will." he chuckles and signals the guards to take care of her.
"Wait-" she tries to speak but her vision soon fades to black as she is knocked unconscious.
A few hours later...
Summer awakens in a cage, stripped of her dress, leaving her in rags. She shivers as the chilly air touches her skin. She can overhear a conversation nearby.
"Raven this is just fantastic. We have a princess in the bag. Just imagine how much the ransom will be." her brother says excitedly.
"Don't forget she also has silver eyes, you idiot," Raven argues. "We don't know what she can do, Qrow. Do not let your childish behavior get the best of you or you'll blow it for us." she says, getting up in his face.
Qrow huffs in anger. "I'm not doing anything, I just scored big for us! Try to be more enthusiastic, wouldja?"
"The day I'll be enthusiastic is when you finally become tolerable for once. So probably never." Raven moves past him, grinning.
Qrow snarled at Raven and walked over to the cage where Summer was being held. He gripped the bars and leaned close.
"We talk at last, princess. Enjoying yourself?" he asked smugly.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh I'm just perfect. Qrow was it? Yeah, I'd like to have my dress back if you don't mind."
"But you look so pretty like a peasant, why would you ever want to go back to that?" Qrow said, looking over her body.
"Why would you enjoy this life? Stealing and ruining people's lives is not a thing to be happy about." she hides herself with her knees, her back against the cage.
"I'm doing this because of my father, I want his approval. Raven is his favorite and gets all the praise, and what do I get? I just get a pat on the back. Getting you here means he'll be pleased with me and I can stop being the underdog." he explains, his face softening.
Maybe I can get to him... Convince him what he's doing is wrong. she thought. She moved over and reached for his hand and grabbed it, looking into his eyes. He went speechless as she did this.
"Qrow," she said in her most compassionate voice. "You don't have to win anybody's approval. I think you're just fine on your own. Please... You know this is wrong."
For a moment he looked like he believed her, that is until he slapped her across the face. She fell over, groaning in pain. He looked shocked that he did that but quickly brushed it off.
"Don't act like you know me, wench. You don't know how it is to live like this. The struggle I have to go through. I can't leave the tribe, if I do then they will strengthen my curse," Tears are running down his eyes,looking straight into her own. "I'll never be able to live a normal life."
"What curse? What are you talking about?" Summer inquired.
"I'm bad luck, Summer, that's what. When I was a young boy I was dumb and got into too much trouble, as punishment, they gave me bad luck. And if I leave then they will only make my life a living hell.
She was having a hard time understanding this. How can you just give someone bad luck? Is there some kind of magic involved? She wanted to know more.
"So they just cursed you for being a child? That is very harsh..." her brows furrowed with sympathy.
He nodded. "Our tribe doesn't allow tomfoolery. You either learn and be skillful, or be punished and cast away. They put a curse on me to let me 'learn the errors of my ways', I guess I have."
He got up and grabbed a mug of ale, taking many gulps. He turned around and saw that others were beckoning him over. He looked over his shoulder to Summer and smiled.
"We've talked enough for now. Get some rest, princess, you'll need it." he walked off toward the others.
Summer sat there thinking about what had transpired and where she stands with Qrow. She'll need a way out, but she can sleep on it. Chances are guards are being sent out to look for me right now... Right? she sighed and laid down on the barren ground hoping she might even get a wink of sleep tonight.