The smell of the rain on the ground filled the girl's nostrils as she was once again, on the road. Her red cloak swayed as she walked along the path many peddlers and merchants used. The sword that belonged to her mother was sheathed securely in its scabbard, which in turn was attached to her belt. Ruby Rose, a mercenary and a people's hero had been called forth by the king of Vale, a calling that a curious Ruby gladly accepted and had started her journey not more than a week ago. The very thought of why she had been called by His Majesty was indeed strange, though to Ruby, this could be also tied to the growing tensions between the kingdoms of Remnant, thanks to the efforts of the faunus terrorist group, the White Fang, who not only managed to attack multiple cities and villages across the kingdoms, but also managed to set the stage into another war, a war that had killed her mother.

"Excuse me young lady, do you have some sort of documentation on you?" Asked one of the guards. The checkpoint was large, many people both human and faunus alike, were either being let into the city or held up here. Ruby opened her cloak and took out a small pendant, the symbol of a rose was etched on the shining silver. "Hmm, Rose huh? Very well, you may pass." The guard said as he gave Ruby her pendant back. Her hood had stayed down for the entire time, she was lucky these guards didn't know who she was since Ruby had gone up against many authority figures from Vale, as well as squared off against groups of soldiers on Patch. The streets of Vale were busy as always. Vendors and traders were stationed on either side of the streets, hoping to make revenue of their produce. Ruby made her way towards the palace, a large, white castle surrounded by mansions, and a large wall that separated it from the rest of the city.

"I'm here to see His Majesty." Ruby told one of the guards at the entrance. The massive wall provided a decent amount of shade, cooling the girl from the warmth of the summer's sun.

"And you are?" The guard asked her. Ruby's hood was still down and she waited until they had noticed who she was, her left hand clutching the sword tightly underneath the cloak.

"Ah, Mrs. Rose!" A voice called out. Ruby looked up to see a woman dressed in red and gold armour, the Scheme crest imbedded into her chest plate. Her hair had been tied into a ponytail and carried a shield on her left hand. "It's okay boys, she's with me. Please, this way young lady, His Majesty wishes to speak with you." The girl said. Ruby nodded and followed the taller girl inside the walls. The path was marked with a dark greyish stone and let up to the palace itself. She'd never been inside and the closest she's ever gotten inside was when she and one of her faunus friends were assigned to assassinate one of the nobles who had been causing trouble. Lord Cardin Winchester was swiftfully executed and the two girls slipped away easily since his mansion was one of the few that were closest to the walls. It took a few minutes before the two girls were outside of the palace. The older girl tidied up herself and opened the large door, keeping it open for Ruby to pass through, and once inside they began walking towards the large set of stairs, leading into the king's chamber where Ruby would speak to His Majesty in private.

"Mrs. Rose,"

Ruby looked at the girl as they continued walking up the stairwell. "Yes?"

"I am aware of the… actions you've caused around the kingdom of Vale. Though most of them are exceptionally noble, a lot of your work is done against Vale, so please, don't worry you will not be apprehended, though please try to refrain yourself from causing any harm to His Majesty." The girl said. Ruby was already expecting soldiers to come up from behind her and from the top to come down and corner her, but hearing those words from this woman, Ruby gave a silent sigh of relief. They reached the top and the girl gestured Ruby to open the door into the king's chambers, an act that Ruby herself found a bit intimidated at. The walls were covered in a shining blue stone, only found in the mines of Atlas and a few parts of Mistral. Ruby breathed in and opened the large ivory doors, creating a loud noise that would alert anyone to her presence if she was here to kill.

"Those doors sure are noisy eh?"

Ruby looked around the room and saw a man standing by a large bookshelf, a blue coat with white fur outlining it covering most of his body.

"So, I take it you are Ruby Rose? The bane of the Vale army?"

Ruby was shocked at what the king knew, she was sure to get arrested, maybe even killed.

"Do not worry young one, you will not be handed over to the army, rather, you will be handed to my daughter."

"Y-Your daughter?" Ruby asked quietly. The king walked back to his chair and sat down, taking a sip from his goblet before speaking again.

"Indeed. Times are changing, and not in a good way. As you may know, the White Fang has managed to plunge the world back into the gears of war, Atlas, Mistral, Vacuo, including Vale, they all have their arms at the ready and as you might if noticed, there's been an increase in the number of soldiers in Patch." He said, glancing towards Ruby. "In a few weeks, my daughter will be going off on a journey to the kingdom of Atlas, where she is to be married to the prince. Ruby Rose, as your king, I ask- no, I beg of you to accompany my daughter on this journey, no other fighter in Vale can come close to your skills, please, do this for Vale?"

enjoy please :)