Hey guys, here is the next chapter in my Tale of Ice and Shadow fantasy fic. Hope you have enjoyed the first part, Blood of Kings, which set up this story quite well. Thank you to all of those that have enjoyed it and here begins the next part of this fanfic.

Enjoy the read.

SONGS OF WAR

Chapter One

The wind wasn't as strong as it had been these past few days.

They have been on the road ever since they left Fort Sina behind. All of the members of the Hunt were following behind Ross who was leading them back toward the Gate as he had told them he would. They were little conversation going on with the many people that were around as all of them were simply ready to be in familiar territory behind the Gate that separated the Frozen North from the rest of Remnant. Now they had placed themselves in a camp as they were going to reaching the Shimmering Woods in a few days now letting the wind blow around them.

One of the Huntsmen was simply walking through the camp making his way toward one of the nearby fire with many birds for supper when movement from the corner of his eyes drew his attention and he found himself staring at a very large white wolf with blue eyes. The man let out a yelp and jumping away from the creature who was staring at him, unblinkingly at the many animals that he was carrying. The man knew what type of creature that the wolf was.

A direwolf.

The sight of the large wolf was still something that was startling to many of the Huntsman since many of them had never seen one before, but it was starting to become a familiar one considering that the wolf was somehow always around that white-haired girl, Weiss. He remembered when he first saw it back in Fort Sina, how completely taken aback he was by its presence. He had heard the other Huntsmen speak about the direwolves…telling that they were ferocious beasts matching the size of full grown horses. This one wasn't that size yet but the Huntsman knew that it won't be long before he is if he was around for long.

"Go away," another voice spoke out.

The Huntsman as well as the direwolf, turned their attention toward the voice. It was one of the Huntress that came with Ross. The woman had a shawl wrapped around her throat and her brown eyes were frowning lightly at the large animal in front of him. The large wolf seems to be completely calm at the situation as it stared at the woman unblinkingly causing the Huntsman to feel a light apprehension. While he had seen the wolf being completely docile around them, it was still a direwolf who could rip out their throats if provoked.

Then to his surprise, something else seems to have drawn the wolf's attention as it turned away from both of them and disappeared into the foliage around them again. The Huntsman let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding before looking back at the Huntress.

"Thanks for that," he told her.

"Having this thing around is a problem," the woman said staring at the direction where the wolf had gone, "the bastard should get rid of it before someone loses a hand."

The Huntsman glanced at the direction where the wolf had gone. The wolf was dangerous there was no other way of saying it but it was the first time that he had seen one of them before, the creatures that were believe to have gone extinct long before any of them had been born. So far, the bastard girl, Weiss and the Faunus had been the only one to touch him. He had grown curious about the creature but he wasn't foolish enough to think that he could even touch him.

"Strange to think that she managed to get a creature like that to be this docile," the Huntsman said shaking his head lightly, "Direwolves are not known to be docile."

The Huntress only snorted.

"C'mon by the fire so we can get some of these cooked," she said.

The Huntsman followed after her and the duo made themselves comfortable as they started to cook the meat in front of them. The man was still thinking about everything they have been hearing so far ever since they have gotten to Fort Sina. It had been shocking to hear that Grimm, creature that should be nothing but legends were real and that they had attacked the Fort the same night that they had arrived. Raze, one of the Huntsman who had survived that night had told the story to Ross and he had been present when the man had done it. He could feel the chill running down his back knowing that creatures like that existed. It shouldn't have been possible for them to be even here and yet, he knew that Raze wasn't lying.

He had known Raze ever since the man joined the Hunt some ten years previously. They had worked together and the man hadn't been shaken by much during their time working but he had seen how shaken he had been when he had been describing what he had seen and what he had experienced.

"What do you make of the claims that the Grimm had returned?" he asked glancing at the woman.

The Huntress who was sharpening her knife with a wet stone stopped in her movement. She glanced up toward him, her brown eyes thoughtful for a few moments.

"Grumplings and snarks I would like to call it," she said, "I have spent my entire life believing that monsters like that don't exist. To have five people speaking of the same thing is worrying."

The man was frowning as well, "When we didn't hear from the two Forts all those months ago…I knew that something was wrong. I thought the Faunus managed to take them down…at least, something that familiar I can fight against…how do fight against monsters from some legend and yet, not much of a legend if those things exist."

"I just want to get back to the Gate," the Huntress told him, "At least we'll be safe when we cross it."

The man agreed with the sentiment. The Grimm didn't seem to be all that interested in attacking the Gate. Ross's order for them to abandon the Frozen North had been echoing within him ever since the man gave it. Facing the Grimm in their territory will be suicidal at best. If they were beyond the Gate, it would be places that they knew and maybe they would be able to succeed without them. Despite how familiar that feeling was, the man knew that going back to the Gate will be the safest option for them all.

"You're leaving?"

Weiss was staring at the dark-haired Faunus girl in front of her completely surprised. When Blake had told her that she had wanted to talk to her, this was the last thing that she had been expecting from her. Blake had stayed with her ever since their departure from Fort Sina. Weiss had been glad for the company she gave her since the rest of the Huntsmen were giving her a wide birth safe for Raze. Weiss knew it probably had something to do with her argument she had with Ross in the courtyard of Sina a few days ago.

She had been furious with Ross refusing to see that the Grimm were a threat to both them and the Faunus. The man had been content enough to let the Faunus die at the hand of the Grimm while they retreat back to the Gate with the forces that they had. She knew that the Faunus and the Hunt were not on the best of term and they had many conflict in the past but since Raze had told him about the Grimm, she would have expected him to at least extend a hand to the Faunus, to have agreed about her idea to give the Faunus safe passage…

But alas, Ross wasn't budging so Weiss knew that the one person she would need to convince would be Ozpin, the Lord Commander of the Hunt. Ozpin was aware of something in happening in the North if that night he questioned both her and Rae about what they had seen that night was any indication and she knew that if she could convince him, then maybe her deal with the Faunus might be able to work. She had been hoping that Blake would be there as well to fight for her case with Ozpin, at least, if someone who had been fighting the Grimm for years was there as well, convincing the Lord Commander would have been much easier but now, Blake dropped this bomb upon her.

"I have to," Blake answered her, "I have to speak to my father about the new development that had happened."

Weiss had a light frown upon her face at that. She and Blake had started to become friends these past few days as well, staying together most night and with Dust, they had become a close-knit group. If Blake were to leave, she would miss the Faunus but she was also worried about her.

"Will you be alright out there?"

Blake gave her a small smirk.

"I have lived in these lands for all my life Weiss," she said, "I will be fine. I wish to be with my people when we reach the Shimmering Woods."

Weiss let out a small sigh.

"If you really wish to leave then I won't stop you," she said, "but you can have this."

She pulled the small black bladed dagger she had found in Sina and extended it toward Blake causing the Faunus to look at it in surprise.

"You can give it back to me when we see each other again," Weiss told her drawing the golden eyes toward her own.

Blake nodded and took hold of the weapon looking at it with small surprise and give her a light smile. She approached toward her horse and placing her pack there before turning toward Weiss. The golden eyes looked at her for a few moments before climbing upon her horse and then she stared down toward her.

"I will see you with the dawn Weiss," she told her.

The young woman looked at her, "I could send Dust with you to keep you safe."

The Faunus girl let out a grin.

"I will be fine Weiss," she said, "I know how to avoid danger but If there is danger, your dagger will be more than helpful."

With that final phrase, Blake urged her horse forward and galloped back into the darkness leaving Weiss standing there listening to the sound of the hooves on the ground before silence fell once more. The white-haired girl stood alone for a few moments before soft padding warned her of Dust approaching toward her and the wolf warm body came to stand beside her. Raising a hand, she softly patted upon his large head.

"You know I couldn't understand a single word of what the two of you were saying," a familiar voice spoke out.

Raze was approaching toward her, the man having his hood up. Weiss stepped away from the wolf beside her and made her way back to the fire. The young woman took a seat down as Raze followed after her as well as Dust. It was strange to think that Blake had been beside her since she left the Faunus behind and now she was simply gone again disappearing back to her people.

"The Faunus speaks Similirian," she said looking up toward the man, "It's the same language that was found in many of the old texts that my family owned. I was a fan of the language since not a whole lot of people speak it back in the South."

"How lucky," he said, "That you happen to learn the language that they speak in Atlas?"

Weiss thought about it. With what she had learn about the Faunus and about her own family being originally from the Frozen North and actually founding a kingdom in this place. Lady Ashla had been adamant that there was nothing here for her other than a quick death at the hand of the Grimm, however, it made her think about her family history…at least, the ones that she understood or at least knew…

"I wouldn't say that it was luck," the girl murmured.

Raze didn't answer her probably haven't been expecting an answer from her. Weiss stayed silent beside the fire for the rest of the night. The following days were spending riding back to the Gate hard and Ross didn't stop much as he was the one in the lead. They passed through the Shimmering Woods by the end of the week and in no time at all, they were back in familiar territory and for the first time in three months, Weiss was back at the Gate. Having never seen the Gate from this side before, Weiss found herself starting at it in the afternoon light that was hidden by the grayish light from the cloud above them. The Gate had many intricate designs upon it, like it was built for a war. They were many large spikes producing from it as well as chains that were frozen upon the door's form. She had seen those chains before while she was on the inside of Beacon and it made her wonder exactly what they were for considering that the chains were several times bigger than a grown man.

As they were approaching it, a horn echoed in the distance to announce their arrival. The opening at the bottom of the Gate had opened as they approached with their horses and they galloped through the tunnel before coming to a stop in the familiar courtyard of Beacon. Weiss glanced around herself as she placed her horse to a stop noticing the many Huntsmen that were looking at their directions probably wondering who they were. However, her attention was drawn toward an approaching group and the familiar silver hair of the Lord Commander Ozpin was there with a frown upon his face and beside him was Captain Glynda. Ross had wasted no time getting off his horse and speaking to Ozpin in hushed voices so Weiss used that time to get off her horse.

A sudden ripple came from the many Huntsmen around her as Dust approached toward where she stood. Many of them had never seen a direwolf before and she could see that they were on guard about the large wolf presence here in Beacon. Weiss simply raised her hand and gently patted against his head drawing many bewildered looks from the Huntsmen in the courtyard who were looking at her.

"Weiss," Ozpin called out drawing her attention, "I need to speak with you in my office."

The girl knew the reason why he wanted to talk to her and she nodded lightly. She turned her attention toward Dust who was beside her and sensing her gaze, the direwolf looked up toward her, a curious glance in his eyes.

"Why don't you go and hunt for food?" she told him.

Dust pocked her with his nose, sniffing at her before obeying her and galloping away from her. Weiss then made to follow Ozpin who was walking away as well with Glynda. Someone took steps beside her and she glanced at it finding Raze there.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"You need someone in your corner," Raze told her, "And I have a promise to keep remember."

Weiss stared at him confused for a few moments before she remembered that he would recommend her for a higher position than a simple recruit. Thought he had given her the rank of Ranger when he sent her to find the Faunus, none one else was aware of it yet. They reached Ozpin's office and found that Ross was already there along with Glynda, the blonde woman and Ozpin right hand woman. The man himself was seating down at his desk with both of his hands joined together in front of him.

"Lord Commander," Raze spoke out, "I wish to be present for this as well for I was the one who gave her the mission to try to find the Faunus's help."

Ozpin nodded, "I will allow it."

Then the man's eyes turned toward her, "Well Weiss, a few days ago I received an urgent raven from you telling me that you have struck a bargain with the Faunus. Ross told me the same, but the authority of letting them through is not mine but the Lord Paramount of the North."

Weiss nodded, "Ross told me that as well, but at the time I had believed that you held that power."

Ozpin nodded.

"The threat of the Grimm is real then?" Glynda spoke out.

"It's as real as it can be," Weiss answered, "the Faunus have been fighting the Grimm for years if Blake Belladonna is to be believed. I have seen them push back a Grimm attack something that the men that were sent with me was barely able to do. They use their Aura in ways I have never seen the Hunt do and even have abilities called Semblances. If the Hunt is to be able to withstand the Grimm when they come South, we need to be able to do the same."

"Semblances?" Ross scoffed, "While I can understand the Faunus using Aura to fight against the Grimm they are no such things as Semblances. You probably didn't even know what you saw."

Weiss glanced at the man, "I have seen it. While I don't fully understand how it works, I do know that training our people to use these powers will give us an advantage."

Ozpin frowned lightly.

"The threat of the Grimm is real then," he said, "While I don't know about semblances…whatever those are, I do understand that the Grimm are real threat. I will need to speak with all the survivors from Fort Sina to get their testimonies of what had happened that night. I will also need to send a raven to the Lord Paramount of the North about the Grimm and suggest a meeting."

"Lord Commander," Raze spoke out drawing the man's attention toward him, "I granted Weiss the rank of Ranger sir."

"You did what?" Ross said shocked and even Glynda was taken aback by it.

"I know that recruits need at least three years of service before granting them the rank," Raze said, "But out of all of us, even the veterans' rangers we had with us, she was the only one wiling to form a working plan. I probably should have said no, it was probably the logical decision but despite being a novice she managed to do something that no Rangers in hundreds of years has accomplished. She contacted the Faunus and even earning their trust."

The man glanced at her and Weiss couldn't help but feel shocked at the man's praise.

"I think she had earned having the rank," he finished looking at the Lord Commander.

"Lord Commander," Ross started to argue but Ozpin raised his hand and the man fell silent.

Ozpin stood up from where he had been seating down and approached her. Weiss stared at the man and his dark green eyes met her own. She couldn't tell what the man was thinking at all but she met his eyes evenly, unable to hide the curiosity within them.

"Place your sword at my feet and kneel," he said simply.

"Lord Commander," Ross said shocked.

Even Glynda was also surprised from what he had said but she stayed silent. Weiss was surprised at what the man just said but she did as he asked, pulling out Myrtenaster and placing it down upon the ground at the man's feet. She has kneeled as well. Ozpin pulled his sword and placed the tip upon the ground in front of him like a cross.

"Who will bear witness to the ascension?" he spoke out.

Raze instantly pulled out his weapon and placing it in front of him like Ozpin did.

"I, Raze Stallion, Ranger of the Hunt, will bear witness," he said.

Glynda as pulled out her own sword, "I, Glynda Goodwitch, the Left Hand, will bear witness."

Ross stayed silent for a few moment before pulling out his sword as well.

"I, Ross Winchester, Ranger of the Hunt will bear witness," he said.

Ozpin nodded at them all before focusing his gaze upon her.

"Do you swear, Weiss daughter of Jarus Schnee, to pledge your life in the service of the Order from now till the last of your days?"

"I swear," she said.

"Do you swear that your blade will never stain the blood of the innocent, and the defenseless?"

"I swear,"

"Do you swear to be a sword to vanquish all darkness from Remnant?"

"I swear."

Ozpin then tapped his sword on the ground once.

"Then, in the name of the Goddess, the One True Mother of All I, Ozpin, Lord Commander of the Order and Watcher of the Gate, I proclaim you, Weiss, Ranger of the Hunt. Rise and be proud of the burden you now bear."

Weiss picked up her sword and rose up to her feet in front of the Lord Commander. She bowed to the man in front of her.

"Then I pledge to honor these vows from this day to the end of my days," she said.

Ozpin placed his sword back as well and the others followed suit.

"Make sure that you do," he said, "You're dismissed Ranger."

Weiss gave another short bow before walking out of the room with Raze following after her. The girl was completely surprised at what had just happened. She couldn't believe that she was just made a Ranger, officially by the Lord Commander himself. She knew that being a Ranger she will have much more responsibilities as a member of the Hunt.

"You really did get me promoted," she said glancing at Raze.

"I keep my promise," the man told her, "You know you deserve it Weiss and as a Ranger you will have a lot more influence and with the Grimm coming, you'll need all the influence that you can get."

Weiss nodded. He was right in saying that. She will need the influence in the Hunt to be able to convince them. The duo had just stepped back outside with the many Huntsman still walking about Beacon.

"I'm going to the Raven's nest," she said, "See if I got any ravens from Atlas."

"Sure thing," Raze said, "I'll see you in the mess hall."

Waving goodbye to him, she made her way toward where the Raven's nest was situated at the other edge of Beacon. They were many ravens cawing as she entered inside seeing the two people that were working with the birds. She made her way toward one of them.

"Excuse me, my name is Weiss and I have been wondering if I received a raven from Atlas these past three months?"

The man glanced at her before making his way toward his office. He took a seat upon it and read through the large leather book he had there searching or her name.

"Yes, a raven arrived for you two weeks ago," he said, "Let's see where did I…ah, there you go."

The scroll was given to the white-haired girl and she noticed that it was still sealed. Giving the man a light nod of thanks, Weiss walked out of the room eager to read Winter's answer to her letter.

Dear sister,

Forgive me for not writing you sooner. I have been dealing with my own problems as of late. No need to worry for the worst part is finished. I'm glad that you're settling in at the Gate quickly. I do hope you take care of yourself well up North with winter approaching. Me, all I must look forward up here is Whitley's wedding in a few days as much as it is hard to believe, my brother finally going to marry. Cariel was also talking to me about getting married as well so I might have news in my next letter and about father, I may have something but nothing concrete yet but don't worry too much I have Sir Young. Write back soon Weiss, I want to hear from you as soon as possible for I miss your presence terribly sister.

With Love

Winter

Weiss couldn't help the small smile at Winter's familiar handwriting. She makes plan to write back in the next few days as she continues to walk forward placing the letter into her clothing wanting to go get something to eat as well.

So ends this first chapter. Hope you have enjoyed the read. The letter that Weiss had gotten is the same letter that Winter wrote when she woke up from her one month coma back in Blood of Kings, the one she told Sir Young to send for her. As you can see, Weiss doesn't know what happened in Atlas yet.

But this was a good opening I hope to get people back to the flow of things.

Jacques0 out.

R&R