Deep in the forest of atlas, a column of horses marched through the foliage, the knights on their backs were weary and worn from the trek, their armor was covered in ice and frost, and those without helmets had their hair and beards dusted by the fine snow slowly falling, behind them marched a column of sparsely armored soldier, weary from what seemed like an endless march. As they came up on a field of pure white snow the lead knight held his hand up for a halt. He pulled a spyglass out of his saddle bag and looked into it, "Atlesian soldiers," He muttered, watching the fur covered men running to and fro, setting up ranks of spearmen, "Men!" he shouted, "our enemy is across this field! The barbarians aim to march upon Vale if we do not stop them here! So follow me into the fight! For our families! For our Lord Ozpin! FOR VALE!"
"FOR VALE!" The knights cheered, spurring their horses into a run, unsheathing their swords as they thundered across the field, the Atlesian line lowered their spears, forming a wall of death.
"DO NOT SLOW!" The commander snarled, "break through the line!" he looked to his right at a fearful looking man, "Sir Arc! Do not waver! Do your name proud!"
"Y-yes sir!" the young Arc said, steeling himself as they slammed into the line, the screams of men and horses filled the air as spears dismounted knights, horses crushed men under foot, and steel bit into flesh. Jaune was thrown from his horse, as soon as he hit the ground he jumped to his feet, his sword already in his hand, he swung it in a deadly arc, killing any foot soldier too close, he parried an attack from a brutish man and ran him through.
"Sir Arc!" someone called, making Jaune look over as another one of his comrades rode up to him, jumping off his horse and pulling his mace up, "together!"
Jaune simply nodded and together they fought against a horde of Atlesian foot soldiers, sword cutting through armor like butter, Mace collapsing skulls and caving in chests, until the Atlesian soldiers were retreating. Jaune cheered as they ran, while his comrade clapped him on the shoulder.
"Good fight Sir Arc." He said with a grin.'
"Same to you, Sir Winchester." He said, then heard a whistling, he looked up and saw a cloud of arrows raining down towards them, "Shields!" Jaune shouted, grabbing a shield from the ground and holding it over himself to stop the hail of arrows.
Cardin wasn't quick enough, three arrows slammed into his armor, one of them finding a chink in the armor, collapsing the large man.
"Cardin!" Jaune shouted, throwing the shield down and running over o his friend.
"I'm fine," Cardin said weakly, standing back up, blood dripping from under his armor.
A roar sounded, making Jaune look towards the Atlesian line, where more soldiers were charging towards them, the remaining knights ran to confront them, only to be shot down by sharp reports of a very deadly weapon.
"Rifles…" Cardin muttered as the smell of black powder hit them, "shit!"
Jaune whistled, and Cardins horse ran over, "get going," Jaune said grimly to Cardin.
"I ain't leaving the fight!" Cardin snapped, even though his legs were unsteady.
"I'm not giving you a choice!" Jaune snapped, forcefully pushing Cardin onto the back of the horse and slapping it's rear, sending it running back the way they came, Jaune turned and pulled his sword. Running towards the front once more, he slammed his greaved arm against a rifle, pushing it to the side as it fired, spending it's only shot as Jaune sliced the mans neck, kicking him away as he slashed and stabbed the men, it seemed not al of them had rifles, maybe a total of fifty of the men had them, most of them being dead, but the swordsmen were still a problem, a problem that Jaune was having to face on his own as it slowly dawned on him that most of the Valesian knights that had accompanied him on the crusade had been slaughtered, only a handful at best were still alive, and while they did have foot soldiers, they too were dwindling in numbers.
Jaune pulled his dagger out, now using both his blades to fight the onslaught of enemies, the battle became a blur of blood and steel, until suddenly Jaune felt himself fall to the ground, pain coursing through the back of his head as everything went dark.
(A FEW HOURS LATER)
When Jaune woke up, the first thing he realized was just how cold he was; he opened his eyes to see carrion birds flying overhead, Jaune groaned and sat up and immediately regretted it when he found several rifles pointed at his head.
"Vstavay! Poluchit' pryamo seychas!"
Jaune simply raised his hands up, "parlay…" he said, grimacing at the word that he had hoped never to say.
"Vstavay!"
Jaune looked off to the side, catching the eye of a dark haired cat-eared Faunus slave, she motioned for him to stand up, which Jaune slowly did. As soon as he was standing they pushed him over to a horse, tying his hands to the saddle, Jaune looked around the field, seeing the remnants of his regiment, he could see a small group of Valesian soldiers sitting in the snow, all of them appeared to be injured. As he watched, several Atlesian soldiers leveled their rifles and fired.
"NO!" Jaune shouted, struggling against his restraints, as they moved on to the next group, "NO LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
"Zatknis'!" an officer snapped at him, hitting him hard.
Before Jaune could say anything, the horse started walking, it's rider keeping it at a brisk pace that had Jaune struggling to stay up, he looked back and cried helplessly as he watched his comrades get slaughtered mercilessly
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Weiss Schnee stood atop the ramparts of her families' castle, watching as a regiment of Atlesian soldiers returned from their mission, she couldn't see any indication that they had brought back prisoners. Another slaughter… she thought as the gates opened and the soldiers marched in, it was at this time that she noticed someone being dragged by a horse, his dirty blonde hair and tan skin was not that of an Atlesian, but of a Valesian. Weiss quickly ran down the steps, not another one…
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Jaune was thrown to the ground in the middle of a gray courtyard, followed by the laughing of several Atlesian soldiers, he slowly got to his feet, only for a rifle to be slammed into his back, sending him sprawling once more.
"Stay down, filth." The officer snarled, kicking Jaune in the stomach.
Jaune rolled away and got to his feet, glaring at the soldiers around him, his hands were still tied together, and his legs were scraped and bleeding from being dragged by the horse, he was weary and tired from being beaten the entire way back from the battle field; but he would be damned if he died on the ground.
"Teach him to follow orders." The officer growled, motioning to the other soldiers, they ran at Jaune; who, to his credit, managed to land two punches on the first two soldiers before the others were upon him. Hitting him with their rifles and the pommels of their swords.
"Stop." The officer drawled, and instantly the men jumped away from Jaune, who was now lying on the ground, bruised and bleeding, he raised his head and glared at the officer, slowly getting back to his feet.
"He's tough." The captain said quietly to the soldier beside him, he drew his sword and placed it against Jaune's neck, "get on your knee's, now."
Jaune just continued to glare at him, until a lance of pain shot out across his back , he fell to the ground and looked behind him at a laughing guard, who had brought a whip out.
"Give him another lesson in respect." The captain said, sitting down on an overturned barrel.
The guard grinned and brought the whip down again, this time catching Jaune across the cheek, cutting it open. To Jaune's credit, he didn't scream; but the pain was almost unbearable as the whip came down again and again.
"STOP!" a commanding voice shouted over the courtyard, making the guard stop his strike halfway through.
Jaune slowly looked up, blood trickling down the cut on his cheek, his eyes widened as a woman dressed in white walked out, her blue eyes glaring icily at the soldiers. An…an angel…he thought sluggishly,
The guards fell to their knees, "printsessa…" they mumbled in respect.
"What is the meaning of this?" she growled at the captain, "why are you torturing this man?"
"He is an enemy knight, one who's killed my men! He owes me blood!"
Her eyes lit up with a fiery outrage, "he owes you blood? Did you not get enough on the battlefield? You are soaked in it! Have you no shame captain? Have you no honor!?"
The captain said nothing, simply hung his head, whether in shame or anger, no one could tell; the princess turned and walked up to Jaune, kneeling down in front of him in a pool of blood, "what's your name?"
"W-what?" Jaune asked, struggling to stay focused.
"I asked you for your name …" she said softly, "my name is Weiss Schnee, princess of Atlas…might I know your name?"
"J-Jaune Arc…" he muttered.
"Sir Arc…I'm sorry for the horrible treatment brought upon you." she said, wiping some blood off of his cheek, "I swear on my honor that these men will be punished." She stood and looked over at the cat-Faunus from before, "Blake, please get Sir Arc to the doctor,"
"yes milady," Blake said, bowing low as she ran up to Jaune and helped him stand, the knight staggered as she helped him towards the keep.
"Wait." Weiss's voice rang out, making Blake stop.
"Yes milady?" She asked, slowly turning around with Jaune.
Weiss walked forward once more and pulled a ring off of her finger, her personal insignia stamped upon the metal, "if anyone refuses to help him, show them this and tell them that he is under my protection." She said, placing the ring in Blake's hand, "Thank you Blake."
"Of course milady," Blake said, before starting her journey to the infirmary.
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Blake watched Jaune as he slept on a bed in the infirmary, the doctor spreading a healing salve on the gashes on his back, "thank you Ren," Blake said kindly to the quiet doctor.
"No thanks necessary." He said simply, "Though I wouldn't say no to a good meal."
Blake laughed, "I'll see what Nora can do."
Ren nodded and started placing bandages on Jaune's back, "He's lost a lot of blood, I'd be surprised if he wakes up within the next week."
"Well he's an Arc," Blake said, "and you've heard the stories about them."
"That I have." Ren agreed, "Though he's not exactly living up to the legend."
"You try doing that after a battle…" Jaune mumbled sluggishly as he opened his eyes.
"He's awake." Ren said in surprise.
"I feel like I've been stomped on by a horse." Jaune groaned, trying to push himself off the bed.
"Don't do that," Ren chastised him, gently pushing him back down on the bed, "it took me a couple of hours to sew them shut, and I'd rather not reopen them."
Jaune just nodded numbly, laying his head back down on the pillow below him, "where's the princess…"
"She's most likely in the library," Blake said.
Jaune started getting up again, this time he waved Ren off as he stood up fully, wavering slightly, "Can you get me to her?" Jaune asked.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Weiss sat on a plush couch, reading one of her favorite books, a knock on the door made her look up, "enter," she said, sitting up.
Blake walked in and closed the door behind you. "Milady." She said with a bow.
Weiss smiled, "Blake, no ones here, just call me Weiss."
"Right…Weiss, the knight woke up."
"Already? Ren said it would be at least a week until he regained consciousness."
"He's very…resilient." Blake said, "it took all I could to keep him in the infirmary instead of walking up here."
"Why did he want to come up here?" Weiss asked, standing up.
"He said he needed to talk to you."
Weiss nodded and strode out of the library, Blake following, "has he said anything?" Weiss asked.
"No, all he's done since he's woken up is asking to talk to you."
"Do you know why?" Weiss asked.
"He won't say, just keeps asking to see you."
Weiss stopped as they reached the door to the infirmary, "Makes you wonder what he's gonna say." Weiss muttered, her hand going to a hidden blade she kept in her sleeve.
"I don't think he's going to try anything Weiss," Blake mumbled, "He's too injured to do anything anyways."
Weiss nodded and took a deep breath. Steeling herself as she walked in.
Jaune looked up as Weiss walked in. Ren was checking his back, a look of awe on his face.
"This makes no sense…" Ren muttered, "how…Lady Schnee." The doctor bowed to her as she walked up to the two men.
"Enough with the formalities Ren," she said with a smile.
"Lady Schnee…" Jaune mumbled, standing up.
'Sir Arc," she greeted cautiously, "I heard that you wanted to speak with me."
"Yes…" he said, looking down, "you…you saved my life today…"
"That I did," she said.
"For what reason?"
Do I need a reason?" she asked, "they were beating you, torturing you, for no reason other then their own amusement; it made me sick just watching it. "
Jaune nodded, "then I am indebted to you." he said, falling to his knee's and bowing to her, "I have lost my sword in battle, and have been taken captive by your banner, yet you showed me compassion and mercy…and so…I owe you my life…my sword…and my fealty…"
Weiss' eyes widened at his words, "Sir Arc…"
"By the spirits, by my family crest, and by my word as an Arc, I solemnly swear to protect you at all costs; by my sword, I swear to make your enemies; my enemies, and to follow your orders without hesitation…this I swear to you."
Weiss shivered as she felt…something wash over her, she didn't necessarily know what it was, but she could tell it was powerful, and binding, "Sir Arc…" she started.
"What have you done?" Ren asked weakly, Weiss met his eyes and knew he felt the same thing she did.
"I have sworn my life to Princess Schnee." Jaune said, "Whatever she commands…I must do."
Weiss looked at Blake, who was just as dumbfounded as the rest, "Rise, Sir Arc." She said hesitantly, and Jaune stood with a small grunt of pain, she regarded him with cool eyes, "as your mistress…I command you to rest, and heal; once you are healed fully, ask Blake to bring you to me, and from there…from there we will decide what to do next."
"By your leave milady..." Jaune said, giving her a small bow and turning around, the sight of his back made Weiss' eyes widen.
The gashes created by the whips were almost completely closed; many of them were already scars, as if the whipping had taken place weeks ago instead of a few hours before. And that wasn't the only surprise.
On his left shoulder blade, on an uninjured patch of skin, was a snowflake, similar to Weiss' own personal crest; it looked as if someone had branded Jaune with a hot iron.
"Ren," she started icily, "may I have a word with you outside?"
Ren nodded and the two walked out while Blake helped Jaune back to his bed.
As soon as the doors closed Weiss rounded on Ren, "what is the meaning of that brand?" she asked coldly, "were you the one-"
'I didn't," Ren said firmly, not at all fazed by Weiss's anger, "and no one's been in the infirmary except for me and Blake; and you know she didn't do it."
"Then who-"
"Jaune."
Weiss looked at him in shock, "do you understand what he just did in there?" Ren asked her.
"he…he gave me an oath of fealty…"
"that's not all he did," Ren said, hesitating for a few seconds before continuing, "Jaune has done something that I thought wasn't possible anymore…he's bound his soul to you…it's old magic, something that lords had their soldiers do so as to guarantee they wouldn't be betrayed in the midst of battle…"
"Magic…magic isn't real." Weiss said firmly, "it's a scare tactic that Vale used to keep other nations from attacking."
"it's real, and it's dangerous," Ren looked Weiss dead in the eye as he continued, "magic is temperamental, if you don't have mastery over it you're more likely to kill yourself. And the magic that Jaune did…it's ancient, something that hasn't been done since the Great War."
"But why?" Weiss demanded, "Why did he do it?"
"he felt he owed you, especially after you saved him. It was reckless and stupid on his part to do so…" Ren gave a sigh and leaned against the wall, "the brand is magical, as soon as he finished his oath, it made sure to cement the fact that he is no longer free to do as he wants…"
"He's made himself a slave…to me…" Weiss whispered.
Ren nodded firmly, "what will you do?"
Weiss hesitated, what would she do? She didn't want to send him to war, who would be so cruel as to make a knight fight against his former comrades? "I don't know…"she admitted, "we'll cross the bridge when we come to it…but something else is bothering me…how has he healed so fast?"
"He's an Arc," Ren said, "that family is an ancient, warrior-like clan, ones who've gained legendary status amongst even my people…there's rumors that they had powers…things that made them faster, stronger, and much more powerful then an ordinary soldier…I believe that the rumors are true, no one can heal that fast, not even with my help."
Weiss let all this sink in, and then slowly nodded, "at this rate, how soon will he be healed?"
"By the morning," Ren said, "sooner if he gets a full nights rest."
Weiss walked a little ways from Ren to a window, "I want you to find out all you can about the Arc family and their so-called powers." She said, "and report to me on what you find…I don't want to be blind sided by any surprises."
"Is that all?" Ren asked.
Weiss looked at him, "ask Blake to procure his armor and weapons for me."
"His armor will be tough to get back, many of the soldiers stole it as spoils of war, as for his weapons, he lost his sword on the battle field, same with his shield."
Weiss thought on this for a few moments, "Blake still has my crest, she should be able to gather his armor without too much trouble, if the soldiers give her problems then come to me, and I will go down there myself. As for his weapon…I'll have to go to the armory to find him something."
Ren nodded, "By your leave then, milady."
She gave him a small wave; Ren gave her a bow and went back into the infirmary. Leaving Weiss to her thoughts.