Kings and Dragons
Chapter 1: The Blue King and the Little Dragon
It was a bright afternoon in the Mistral countryside. All was quiet, save for the breeze blowing through the trees, the birds that were singing, and the footsteps of the lone huntsman walking down the path. Young Roland Rigorm smiled upon feeling the breeze against his skin and hearing the birds. He took in the peace, his royal blue hair and scarf blowing in the breeze, and continued down the path. He had a rectangular face and slightly pointed chin and sturdy jaw line. His face was slightly narrow and oblong and his cheekbones weren't that prominent, giving him a serious look. His eyes were an upturned shaped and were brown in color. His eyebrows were straight and slightly curved around his eyes, further adding to his serious look. His royal blue hair was short and combed to the left while covering his forehead. He stood six feet tall and had a skinny yet muscular build. He wore a black tunic with a scarf that was as blue as his hair as well as jeans with armored combat boots. He also wore an armored breastplate and armored gloves that were silver and outlined with blue that was the same color as his hair. His armor on his boots extended up to his ankles and had the same silver and royal blue style as the rest of his armor. His sword and shield were equipped on his back, clinking with his armor as he walked along. His shield was also silver with gold on the three tips with a royal blue insignia on the front. It was a dragon's head with a circle that was divided equally in twelve pieces in the background. His sword, called X-Calibur, had a gold guard and a blue hilt that was the same color as his hair and a small gold crown at the end of it. At the center of the guard was an "X" that curled around it. The sword was long enough to alternate between one and two-handed styles and was placed in a royal blue and gold scabbard.
Suddenly, all went completely silent, and a cloud then covered the sun, bringing the landscape into shadow. Roland looked around warily, knowing something was amiss. With his right hand, he unsheathed his sword and readied his shield, holding it with his left hand. His sword was also silver and had elemental runes on it. The represented each kind of dust that huntsman and huntresses used since the beginning: fire, ice, earth, wind, water, gravity, and light. He stood at the ready, and rustling in the bushes was soon heard. Snarls were clearly heard as a pack of Beowolves jumped out of the nearby bushes from all sides. Roland swung his sword, easily cutting down the first Beowolf, and then pivoted to dodge the others. He raised his shield, blocking the strikes of two other Beowolves. He pushed back, causing them to recoil, and delivered two more strikes, killing both of the Grimm. Another Beowolf slashed at Roland's back, but a clang was heard as it scratched his armor. Unfazed, Roland rolls forward to dodge another strike, and then whirls around, cutting down the Beowolf. Two more come at him simultaneously, making it difficult to counter. Roland blocks and dodges their attacks and lands a cut on one of them, causing it to recoil. The other Beowolf attacks Roland's left side, but Roland counters by bashing his shield into the Grimm's head, stunning it. He finishes off the Beowolf to his right and quickly dispatches the other to his left before it could recover. Three more attack from the front, but Roland jumps to his left, dodging all of them, and cuts down the leftmost Grimm. He impales the Grimm at the center and uses the corpse to block the attack from the last Grimm. As the dead Grimm fades into black mist, Roland proceeded to cut off the right arm of the last Grimm. It howled in pain from the strike, and Roland then decapitated it shortly afterwards.
Two more Beowolves come at Roland but are seized by another Grimm and thrown towards him. He raises his sword and cuts the Grimm flying at him in half. He blocks the other with his shield, impaling it quickly. As the Grimm fades into black mist, a Beringel jumped out at him and gave a punch to the stomach. Roland flies backward but manages to recover, flipping backwards as he hit the ground. He then stopped himself from flying back further by using his right hand to grip the ground. After sliding to a stop, he counterattacks, but his sword is stopped by the Beringel's tough hide as he tries to cut its arm. It roars as it delivers another punch, but this time Roland blocks the attack with his shield. The runes on his sword begin to glow royal blue, the color of his aura, as energy flows into it. He swings his sword at the Beringel, releasing a royal blue energy wave at the Grimm. The wave hits and drags the Beringel back a couple of feet, breaking its defense. Roland then cuts the Grimm again, dismembering one of its arms. The Beringel howls in pain, and Roland cuts both of its legs, bringing it to its knees. Roland then leaps into the air and decapitates it in a final decisive strike. The corpse falls as the Grimm fades into black mist. The cloud over the sun then passed, bringing light back into the land once more. Roland then puts away his shield and twirls his sword around in his right hand before sheathing it. He dusts himself off and continues down the path. He finds a fork in the road and gets out his map of Mistral. He proceeds to the right and continues down the path.
Roland continued for the next couple of hours and by then, night fell. Clouds rolled in, and the wind started to blow. Flashes of lightning were seen off in the distance accompanied by thunder growing louder and louder as the storm was approaching. Roland looked up at the sky away from his map of the kingdom of Mistral after hearing a thunderclap. Looks like a storm is coming in, he thought. Almost as soon as he thought this, the light of the moon faded as clouds covered it. Then, the wind picked up even more. "I'd better find cover soon," he said. "According to the map, there should be a town with an inn coming up soon if I follow this path." His voice was modulated and calm, matching his calm and collected personality. He put away his map and put on a coat to prepare for the rain. He quickened his pace down the path but kept a sharp eye out for any Grimm. Not long after, he felt a drop of rain. He pulled up his hood on his coat and by then, the rain began to pour. "Man, I'm glad mom made sure I brought a coat. I'd be soaked without it," he said to himself.
Not long after he said this, he heard a rumbling. What's that? he thought. It isn't thunder, it sounds like a motorcycle. Who'd be riding one out here? He gripped his sword, not taking the chance it could be an enemy. Louder and louder the sound of the bike grew, he positioned himself on the side of the path. He then saw a headlight, and the bike came in view shortly after. He couldn't see much except the bright yellow on the bike and the bright, flowing blonde hair of the young woman who was riding on the bike. She passed by him as if she didn't even see him, spraying him with water and mud. "Ugh! How rude!" he exclaimed brushing the mud off of him.
He then looked to see where the young woman was going. She headed down the path and turned around a bend. Then, the sound of her bike faded in the distance. The rain began to pour even harder and wind howled around him. Roland proceeded down the path and discovered a small purse in the mud. It must be hers, he thought. I hope I can return it. He picked it up and continued down the path. A few minutes later, he stumbled upon the town he was looking for. Finally, he thought. Now I can get out of this rain. He found the inn, and as he coming up to it, the rain came down in a deluge and he heard the crackling of a lightning strike. He saw the same yellow bike of the young woman who passed him earlier parked under the vehicle port of the inn. Throwing whatever misgivings he had about her away, he entered the inn. He shed his coat and hung it up on the hooks near the door and wiped his boots off. He then approached the innkeeper who was sitting at the front desk.
"You have any vacancies?" he asked.
"Well, yes and no sir," she replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, all of our rooms are taken but there was a young lady who got here just before you did who took our last room. It's a room with two beds, so I told her if anyone else needed a room, she'd have to share."
"You're absolutely sure?"
"Sir, I would have told you differently if I wasn't."
Cringing at the thought of sharing a room with a woman, Roland said, "Very well, I'll, uh, take it." He then paid for his room and innkeeper took him upstairs.
"Your room and your key sir," the innkeeper said handing Roland the key.
"Thank you," he replied while taking it.
"If you're interested, we're serving hot drinks downstairs in the common area. It'll be perfect to warm you up after being out in the rain."
"Sounds good. I'll be down in a while." The innkeeper returned downstairs, and Roland turned to enter the room. He knocked on the door and said, "Hello? I'm coming in. I booked the other bed in this room and I'm your temporary roommate." There was no answer. He opened the door and there was no one else in the room. He saw a suitcase and a pair of yellow gauntlets and aviator sunglasses on the nightstand by one of the beds. Wait, is the girl from earlier staying here? he thought. I think it is. I can return her purse to her. I wonder if she even knows she sprayed me with mud when she passed me. No, just forget about it.
He put his backpack down and took off his sword and laid them by the open bed. He took off his scarf, and he went into the bathroom to wash his face off and fix his hair. After he was done, he looked at himself in the mirror, satisfied with his work, and headed downstairs. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard shouting. He went to where it was coming from and discovered it was the blonde girl from earlier.
"Wait, I swear I had it a second ago!" she shouted.
"Sorry, young lady. No money, no drink," the bartender replied.
"I'm serious! I had money with me! Come on, can't I just pay you later for this?"
"Sorry young lady I can't-"
Roland saw their argument. He felt afraid of intervening and thought about minding his own business. He then thought about what he learned from his father about being a gentleman and to not be held back by fear. He mustered up his courage and interjected, "Hey!" He walked up to the bartender and said, "I've got money, I'll cover for her."
She stopped shouting and turned to Roland. "Oh, thanks," she said.
"It's my pleasure," he replied. Turning to the bartender, Roland said, "I'll have a cup of hot cocoa, please." Turning to the girl he asked, "What would you like?"
"I'll have some green tea," she replied.
"Alrighty then," the bartender replied. "One hot cocoa and green tea coming up!" The bartender exits to work on the order.
Roland then turns to the young woman, "Care to join me? I did pay for your drink after all," he said jokingly.
"All right, you win. I'll join you," she jokingly replied back.
The two sat down began to chat. "So, I never got your name," Roland said.
"I'm Yang Xiao Long. What's your name?"
"I'm Roland Rigrom."
"Nice to meet you Roland."
"The pleasure is mine. So, green tea? I kind of got the impression that you'd be a coffee type of person."
"Oh I'll drink coffee, it's just my best friend introduced me to tea. It grew on me and I've discovered it helps me relax at the end of the day. And hot cocoa? No coffee for you either?"
"I've tried coffee before, and I didn't like it at all. Hot cocoa really hits the spot on days like these anyways. You said your best friend introduced you to tea?"
"Yeah. Her name is Blake. She and I were on a team when when we were at Beacon..." Yang's voice trailed off.
"Something wrong?" Roland asked.
"It's just... Something happened..."
"What happened?"
"I... I don't want to talk about it."
"Alright. Sorry if I pried too much."
"No, it's alright. You didn't know."
"While we're on the subject, you said you attended attended Beacon?"
"Yeah, I started last year. I only got to go for a year before...well you know."
"Before the fall of Beacon?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry. I was there when it happened. I think it's unfair you never got to finish at Beacon."
"Wait, you were there at Beacon when all of that craziness happened?"
"I was there with my family attending the Vytal Festival and to watch the tournament. When the invasion began, I helped my parents get the civilians to safety. It was hard seeing the school that I went to fall to the Grimm."
"You went to Beacon?" Yang asked
"Yes. I started five years ago," Roland replied
"You mind telling me about your team?"
"Oh yeah, my team. My teammates were Gregor, Ebony, and Lyla. We were called team regal, R-E-G-L. I was the leader."
"Wait, you said 'were'. Did something happen to your team?"
"It's... I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh. Alright then." Yang was surprised that his reaction was the same as hers. "I'm sorry if I pried too much."
"Don't worry about it. It's bit of a long story anyway." As he said this, the bartender then came by with their drinks and set them on the table. "Enjoy!" he said and then left after that.
"Thanks," both Yang and Roland replied, and the two start sipping their drinks.
"So, you said you started attending Beacon five years ago. So, does that mean you graduated last year?" Yang asked.
"Yes, my team and I graduated the year before you and your team started attending," Roland replied. "We were at the top of our class."
"Wow! Really?"
"Yeah. Headmaster Ozpin personally remarked on my academic, tactical, and leadership skills. He praised my combat abilities too, saying I was master at close combat."
"Man, that's amazing. Old Ozpin himself said that about you. He had high regards for my team too."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he said we were the best he's ever seen."
"Impressive. Speaking of which, would you mind telling me about your team? You only mentioned your friend Blake so far," Roland asked.
"Well the other two members are, my little sister Ruby and Weiss," Yang replied. "Our team was called ruby, R-W-B-Y with my younger sister as the leader."
"You have a younger sister and she was on your team?"
"Yeah, she got into Beacon early when she was 15."
"Wait, what? How is that possible?"
"She stopped a robbery of a shop back in Vale and Ozpin asked her if she'd like to go."
"Wow that's some feat! Huh, it's funny, her situation was very similar to my own."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I first started going to Beacon when I was 15. Headmaster Ozpin invited me to attend Beacon as well."
"That happened to you too? Then that means you're only two years older than I am!"
"Yes, I know I'm young. I've been told that a lot. Honestly, it's kind of annoying."
"Oh, sorry about that. Heh, Ruby said something like that as well when she got into Beacon. So what did you do to catch Ozpin's attention?"
"Well, it involves me helping defend my town from invading Grimm. It's a long story, and I'd rather not be up too late tonight telling it."
"Why not?" Yang asked.
"I have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. I'm headed to Mistral," Roland replied.
"Really? So am I."
"What business brings you to Mistral?"
"Well, I'm looking for my sister. She's in Mistral right now. What about you?"
"I'm headed to Haven Academy." Roland looked around to see if no one was eavesdropping. "Cinder, the one who organized the fall of Beacon is said to have come from there. I'm out here to investigate and see what intel I can find."
"Really? That's why Ruby's at Mistral. I'm coming out here to help her. She's in BIG trouble when I find her for making me worry so much!" Yang said.
"Heh. I understand how you feel. I have two younger twin sisters. I'd be acting the same way you are if the situation were reversed."
"You have sisters? You mind telling me about them?"
"Not at all. Their names are Scarla and Ella and they're both 13 now. Scarla has red hair and is incredibly shy, but she's one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. Ella has blonde hair like you but paler in color. She's outgoing and cheerful and does what she can to spread joy wherever she goes. I love them with all my heart." Roland said.
"Yeah. I totally understand. I'm like that with Ruby," Yang replied.
"If you don't mind, tell me about her."
"Nah, I don't mind. Let's see, Ruby's 16 now, has dark red hair, silver eyes, LOVES cookies, and she's very kind. She loves her friends like family too. Gosh, I miss her."
"Yeah, I miss Scarla and Ella every day. You know, you remind me a bit of Ella."
"Really? Aww, that's sweet to say."
"Uh, yeah." Roland grew flustered at the comment. What is this? he thought. Desperate to not show something was up he said, "Oh! Before I forget, is this yours?" Roland asked. "I got caught up in our conversation that I almost forgot I picked this up earlier." He takes out the purse he found and shows it to Yang.
"My purse! Where did you find it?!" she exclaims as she takes it and examines it. All of her money was found inside.
"I found it on the path to the town," Roland replied.
"Wait, then were you that one guy on the path that I passed by?"
"Yeah. That was me."
"I am SO sorry for getting mud all over you. I didn't notice until after I passed you."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad I was able to catch you and return your purse to you," Roland said with a smile.
"Seriously, thank you so much!" Yang said smiling back. "You know, I got caught up talking to you as well, I forgot my purse was gone! But wait, if you had it the whole time, why did you still buy my tea for me?"
"Umm, I just wanted to be kind. My dad always encouraged me to be a gentleman wherever I could."
"So, you bought my tea because of that? Just to be kind?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Really? Are you sure? You didn't just hide it just to have a little date with a pretty girl like me?" Yang asked while winking. She was clearly joking but Roland didn't see it.
"Uhh, n-no, it isn't like that. I-I mean, I'm not saying you're not pretty- Uh, what I mean is-" Roland grew flustered.
Yang then laughs. "Ha! I'm just kidding. But seriously, that's so sweet. Thanks."
"Oh, uh, I'm happy to help," Roland shakily replied. As he said this, the clock in the room chimed. It read ten o'clock. "Whoa, I didn't realize it was this late." Roland said.
"Yeah you're right and I'm bushed," Yang said while yawning.
"Allow me to take care of the tip. What room are you staying in?" Roland said while getting up.
"I'm in one of the rooms with two beds in it. The innkeeper said that was the last one they had and that I might have to share if anyone else comes. I really hope I don't have to."
"Um, about that. The other bed in that room is the one I'm going to be using. It was all that was left..."
"What?! Are you kidding?!"
"Yeah, sorry, it's the truth."
"Wait, does this means I get to share a room with the Beacon graduate at the top of his class?" Yang says while ending with a purr noise.
"I'm sor- Wait, what?"
"C'mon. We've been out in the rain all day. Let's get cozy in OUR room," she says while winking. She then she gets close to him and rubs her finger on his chest.
"Uhhh. I don't think- I mean- Ummm..." Roland's face turned beet red, and he was rendered speechless. Yang then doubles over laughing.
"You should see your face, it's like a tomato!" Yang said while still laughing.
"What? Wait, you were joking?" Roland replied utterly surprised.
"Of course! I'm not that type of girl. Besides, I wouldn't want us to wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Heh, get it?"
Roland faceplams. "Ugh. That sounded better in your head."
"All right, all right. Joke's over. "
"Ok. Just don't do that again. I thought I was going to die of a heart attack," Roland said while gathering himself from being out of breath.
"I can't make any promises," Yang said while winking again.
"Alright, alright. You got me. Can we go now?"
Yang then giggles. The two then headed upstairs to their room. As they entered, Roland said, "By the way Yang, there's something I want to talk to you about before we retire for the night."
"What is it?" Yang replied.
"Since we're going to the same place, why don't we travel the rest of the way together? It would be safer that way."
"Hmm. Let me think about that." Yang then pauses to think. I just met this guy. she thought. Would it be smart to travel with him? He has a point in travelling together, and he seems sincere. I guess it wouldn't hurt. "All right. That sounds good. Let's go to Mistral together."
"Really? Excellent!" Roland exclaimed. "All right then, I guess we'll leaving bright and early tomorrow morning. But first, I have to take a shower. I'm all dirty from walking in the rain and mud."
"So am I. You think riding a motorcycle through the rain and mud is any different?"
"True. All right then, ladies first."
"Heh, such a gentleman." Yang gathers her things and Roland begins unpack. As she walks to the bathroom, she says, "By the way, if you peek at me at all, I'll kill you." and gives a wink at the end.
"Ummm, y-yeah, message received," Roland replied, clearly terrified.
"Good I'm glad we cleared that up." Yang then closes the door and the sound of water running is then heard. Roland continues to unpack the things he needs. Man, she's kind of scary, he thought. I feel sorry for the poor soul that makes her angry. Did she need to joke like that? That was so embarrassing! Gosh, it's like I couldn't even talk to her! I looked like such an idiot! I guess she likes to joke around and throw a bad pun in there too. It's actually kind of becoming, it's like it suits her. I have to say, she's gorgeous, and that hair, so beautiful. I admire her heart for her friends and her cheerfulness. She's an oldest like me too and cherishes her sister like I cherish Scarla and Ella. Indeed, she does remind of Ella but also of Lyla too... Roland then spaces out for a bit until thunder startles him out of it. Snap out of it! You have a mission! Find out what you can about the enemy so you can take them down and restore peace. Remember the sacrifice your team made for you. This is not the time for romance! Still, I have to wonder, how good is she in combat? She did say Headmaster Ozpin did have high regards for her and her team. He then hears the water turn off, and after a few more minutes, Yang comes out from the bathroom in her pajamas. "All yours!" she says.
"Thanks," Roland says. He goes into the bathroom, and the sound of water running is heard soon after. Yang then gets into her bed and starts to think. He's a little weird but I don't know what it is but he's kind of charming. It was kind of cute when he got so flustered when I joked around with him. He reminds me a little of bit Blake and Ruby. He's so calm and serious and yet kind too. Hmm, I wonder how he does in a fight. I mean, he did graduate top of his class, and Ozpin said those things about him. He's an oldest like me and I see the doting big brother in him. It's kind of like how I am with Ruby. He's an interesting guy to say the least. I wouldn't have noticed him at first if he hadn't helped me out. A few minutes later, Roland comes out from the bathroom in his pajamas. "Ahhh, it always feels good to be clean!" he says.
"Heh, have fun in there?" Yang jokingly asks.
"Hey! That's not- Wait I mean- No! Um..." Roland's face begins to turn red once again.
Yang doubles over laughing. "Your face is turning red again! I'm just kidding genius!"
"Again? Uhhh, right. Ok... At this rate, I'm going to die of embarrassment."
"I'm just clowning around. I guess we'll call this my clowning achievement for the night?"
"Ugh. Like before, that sounded better in your head."
"Hmph. I'll let that slide for tonight. Well, good night Roland! As you said we'll be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning!"
"Right. Good night Yang!" As they get ready to turn off the lights, Roland sees her Yang take her right arm off. He looks in shock and sees that it is mechanical. She then notices him staring. "What? Something wrong?" she asks.
"Uh, well, it's nothing..." Roland replied.
"It's my arm, isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah. What happened?"
"It's a long story. I don't want to talk about it."
"Alright. We'd better get to sleep. Good night Yang."
"Good night."
The two then turned off lights. Before falling asleep, Roland lays awake looking at Yang. What happened to her? he thought. How cruel for that to happen to her at such a young age. I thought she'd been through a lot but not this much. Well, I am around the same age as her and a lot happened on my end as well. I guess we have something else in common. Yang, I'm sorry you had to endure what you went through. He then rolls over and waits for sleep to take him.