2 Years Ago

Steel flashed from all angels, threatening to tear me asunder. Only to be caught on the edge of me shield, the spikes upon its side twisted, gnarled, and bloodied. Pushing off with my shield arm, I swung for the smallest of them. My blade tasting the innards of his throat, the kid that could've been no more than 19 fell to the mud forever still. Without a pause I swung my shield widly. Hitting one of the Vikings in the face pushing him back, the other wasn't so lucky. The spikes on my shield slicing through his gut, both large and small intestines falling out into the mud. The what must've been old man dropped his axe, and immediately attempted to keep what was left of the organs inside of him. The third and final opponent picked up what was probably his fathers axe, and charged wildly at me. Axes swinging wildly, but all for nothing. Every swing only met my shield, never granting purchase upon my armor nor the blood he so desired. Finally as he grew tired, I stabbed my shield into the mud. The hunk of wood and metal standing errect, and held my sword in my left. I tapped the flat against my chest and screamed above the grandur of combat around us "COME THEN! HONOR YOUR FATHER IN COMBAT!"

Obviously the Viking rose to the bait. Predicable. With a mighty roar he rose both axes above his head and swung with the might of a lion. Lifting my sword as if to block he smiled, I only smiled back. When he blinked, I was to left instead of directly in front of him. My sword finding purchase through the leather and into what was probably his kidneys and his spine. Before he fell, I caught him and whispered into his ear "To Valhalla kid, may you see your fallen brothers once more." then proceeded to slit his throat. Blood flowing into what was once dirt. The dirt now was a redish brown mud. Saturated with the blood of our fallen and our enemies.

Letting go of the now dead Viking, I picked up my shield and yelled into the melee "Come, face me! Let me send you to Valhalla one at a time!" with a laugh I rushed back to the front lines, and saw their captain. The man was massive. Pure muscle, and could've been at least 6'10. The man, if he could be called that, was a giant amongst his men. His axe clean l, showing he had not yet entered the melee. With a smile and a laugh, I howled to draw his attention. Seeing him snap at me showed it clearly worked.

He ordered his men, his guards to attack me. The runts didn't stand a chance, cut down in mere seconds. Smiling once more I pointed at him with my sword and charged at him once again.

With a yell in both Nordic and in English, it felt like the whole battle had stopped to watch or fight. The Viking charged at me, instead of rushing back at him I crouched down shield directly in front of me. The Viking pulled his two handed axe back and began to swing down, at this moment I dashed quickly to his right and stabbed his thigh. With a roar he backhanded me, stunning me temporarily. When I was focused again, all I could see was the blunt side of the axe head swinging at me like a hammer. Throwing my shield in front of me, I avoided ny head being cleaved off like a ball and bat. Though, the shock and vibration of the blow numbed my arm momentarily. Not wanting for him to capitalize on my weakness, I swung the shield horizontally. The edges slicing cleanly througg his leather armor, yet not the flesh. Capitalizing upon his pause, I swung my sword cleaving a deep laceration from his shoulder to his waist. The Viking crying out in pain and flinching, I didn't stop there. Dancing around the giant, I sliced the tendons on the back of his knees and as the man fell I walked back to his front side, kicking the axe away from him.

I planted my shield into the ground once more, but this time, I bowed to the man. A salute showing he fought honorably. Bringing out a flask, I brought it to his lips, and let him taste the ale of his people one last time. As I stood up, the Viking spoke to me in English "Thank you Templar, for granting me a death worthy of the gods. Perhaps in another life we could've fought side by side no?" he said with a dry chuckle

With equal grimmace, I said to him "Maybe so," I paused and looked at the crowds then looked back "but not this one brother." With that, I stabbed him in the heart and cut off his head.

Present

"Jaune! Jaune! Wake up!" a more feminine voice came through to me. Snapping up I grabbed my sword and pressed the person who had awoken me against the wall with the intent to kill. Seeing silver eyes and red hair however caused me to pause.

Dropping my sword, I said "Damn it Ruby don't ever do that again! I could've killed you!"

"I'm sorry, but I could hear you through the walls Jaune! You were screaming, were you having a nightmare?" Ruby asked with watery eyes, no doubt in fear of the fact she almost lost her life right then

"I'd rather not talk about it Ruby, I don't think you would understand. Its not that your a child, but that combat is forgien to you" I added quickly before she could protest.

With a pout and a huff, Ruby said " I would if you would teach me, maybe then people would stop acting like I'm as fragile as a glass mirror!"

With a smile I said "Tell you what Rosebud, I'll teach you how to fight. Maybe then people will second guess you. After all a big shield and a scary face is intimidating, but the wielder who can dance around him and decend upon his blindside is even more terrifying."

With bright eyes Ruby lit up like the stars on a clear night "Really! You would! That would be amazing Jaune!" she said with a big hug but quickly added "I'm not lugging that hunk of wood and metal yoy call a shield around though. Thing probably weighs more than me" she finished with a small chuckle.

Laughing as well, I said "No, as I said before Ruby. The blade and dagger is far more terrifying than my reputation." Though I quickly added "I'll be the one to tell Yang though don't you worry"

With a smile she only nodded "Come on little Rosebud lets go find your sister. Hopefully she hasn't been kicked out of 'The Huntsman' yet" I said offering her my arm.

With that we headed out into Vale looking for a busty blonde. As we entered daylight, I thought to myself 'Here's hoping Ruby's nothing like her sister in the drinking department. Otherwise I think we'll all be going home tonight'

A/N

Hey guys, I still live. Just been busy. Got married, taking care of a sick aussie pup, and working on getting my class a liscence. When a Good Man Falls is still in progress, just trying to hash out the details and work everything through. I started it with no real thought of an endgame, but im working the plot some more, and hopefully we'll have a nice looking chapter by next Friday! Well let me know what you think of this alright? Have a good weekend guys. Deuces.