The road bumped along beneath Cinder and she very quickly determining that she didn't like travelling by horse. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad had she been on the beast alone but riding behind Kiron on the plodding chestnut was not pleasant. Stubbornness was the only reason that only she hadn't decided to walk alongside.

That and the slight suspicion she should conserve her strength lest it run our while in Pelion. Her aura might be stronger now, but should it break in town and should she be recognised, all it would take was a single knife... Knowing her luck, her life being ended by a farmer would humiliating but par for the course.

Pelion isn't a farm town

Pyrrha's thought was quiet and sullen. The defence of others had been automatic but beneath it, Cinder sensed a slight resentment and acclimatised loneliness. She had spent a lot of her youth here and some had been her friends. At least at first, until she had grown strong and left them behind. Cinder couldn't understand why she would seek companionship in those lesser but then she had always been alone.

In any case, Cinder chose not to reply to the dead girl's rebuke. For whatever reason, Pyrrha had been speaking more in the past week, ever since Cinder had discovered the connection to her and Kiron. She suspected Falls influence but hadn't confronted her on it either.

The thought made her clench reflexively. She shouldn't have to do this anymore. She shouldn't have to constantly be holding back and hiding, skulking in the shadows. It had been different at Beacon. The plans had been in motion and she had merely been biding her time until she was ready.

This wasn't that. This was walking around like the world was made of broken glass. Constantly the Maidens prodded her, Fall would push her to Atlas and Ozpin. Amber would insult her undermine her and... She paused even now they were listening, a fact confirmed when she heard Fall sigh.

I've tried to get her to stop but you don't help matters and besides, Ambers feelings are hardly unjustified considering...

Considering I killed her? She should have fought harder.

It was more you're little green rat than you! Ambers thoughts cut in angrily. Without her, I would have left you dead in ditch.

Cinder tightened further at that. The idea that Emerald was... the girl was only anything more than an average cut purse because of Cinder. She was the one that taught her to right, to read, write and harness her potential.

But more than that, Cinder was affronted at the insult to Emerald. The girl was hers, she had made her and any insult to her was an insult to Cinder. She didn't say that of course, lest it be taken the wrong way, instead simply resorting to a petty insult.

Whore

Virgin

Enough! Fall said in exasperation. This is exhausting and helps no one.

Cinder didn't she agreed but said nothing as did Amber. Fall seem to take that as a victory, shallow as it was. For a few minutes they rode in silence once more though Cinder still didn't enjoy the experience. There was a reason humanity had advanced past them, she decided.

She almost felt Falls prod before Amber spoke reluctantly.

It's better when you're riding alone. You're in control, in sync with your horse and it's like you don't have to do anything, he just knows what you want and does it. It's comforting to have someone you so intrinsically, and you trust them.

"You've finally relaxed," Kiron said. It was timed so smoothly after Amber's speech that it almost sounded like the old woman had heard it. It made her shiver. "Though you're still scowling."

"You're not even looking at me."

"Doesn't matter, you're always scowling," The old woman cackled at that. She was in an annoyingly good mood and felt determined to share it. "Oh, please aren't you excited to be going somewhere again?"

"I'm not twelve."

Despite her muttering, Cinder did want to be in the town. The small house was becoming small and confining and Fall was insistent on them leaving soon. She wanted to find the wizard as she called him and begin their efforts against Salem. Some of the others thought she was being overly reckless while others agreed. So far, no consensus had been way but that neither here or there for Cinder. The decision was hers after all, not there's.

But you don't want to stay here long?

Pyrrha's question was quiet almost a suggestion but Cinder just smiled.

Do you want me to leave?

I would prefer you leave my grandmother alone

So that I can find the remains of, oh what were you called? Ahh yes, JNPR.

Jaune seemed to handle himself against you last time

Cinder blinked, stunned into silence by Pyrrha's uncharacteristic show of spirit. The reply had been quiet as wind, but the tinge of pride had been unmistakable. Her silence only lasted a moment, but it was noticed. She knew they heard it. They thought she was weak.

He's only alive because I let him live.

Perhaps

Her calm acceptance only enraged her more.

His attempts were pathetic

He's come far

He overextended himself and tripped!

His stance was always a little rough

A loud whiny rang out into the woods startling Cinder back to her body. It was tense with anger and the horse must have sensed it, distressing the beast. If a horse could notice it, then no doubt Kiron had too. So, she forced herself to be calm, to be rational and store the anger for later where it would be useful.

She wouldn't be manipulated intentionally or not. She was in control. Pausing a moment to take a breath, she smiled and carefully honed a reply like a knifes edge.

Forgive me, I can frustrate quickly in my current condition. Of course, I don't plan to harm any of your friends. Fall and I have made our deal and intend to live up to my end, as long as it leads me to Salem. She is dangerous though, perhaps it would be best if I continued his training, seeing as you can't anymore.

There was an empty silence in her mind and then Pyrrha's presence vanished from her conscious. A few moments later Amber followed after her leaving only Fall there. Once more, Cinder expected anger and once more, Fall only seem wearied.

Does it actually make you feel any better?

Yes actually

For how long

Cinder didn't answer that.


When they arrived in Pelion Cinder saw that a market was in full swing. It was a strange market both incredibly rural and fairly advanced. Across from the stand selling meat (some hanging and dried, others being cooked right there for the hungry) a stand selling dust and ammunition stood with great attendance. Next to a stall of fine, if simple charms and jewellery, someone was trying sell cheese and bread.

Cinder decided that the market was likely for travellers as much as locals. Kiron had mentioned that people rarely stayed here but it was still the last settlement for a few days hike outside of Mistral. Last minute stock ups were always needed for those going on a long journey and if one was foolish enough to journey between kingdoms, one was foolish enough to forget things.

Kiron had business to attend to and so had left Cinder to herself, telling her to meet her back the those in a few hours or she walk back alone. That sounded preferable to the horse ride back, but Cinder had agreed curtly and left.

As she strode through the town she kept her ears open, listening for any news that could benefit her. Any whispers about Haven or Atlas that would help plan her next move. But there was nothing from these simple folk that was useful. Some of the Branwen bandits' remnants were making people nervous and there was talk of trying to secure a huntsman to drive them off. It was unlikely there would be one spare in Cinders opinion.

Haven would be closed for the foreseeable future. Adam had been blamed for the attack on Haven and many seemed distrustful of the other Faunus who had currently taken up residence in the city, despite insistence from the council they had prevented the White Fang from destroying the tower. To the people Faunus were the White Fang and the White Fang were the Faunus.

After a short time, it became apparent that Cinder wasn't going to learn anything useful today. It had simply been too well covered up, just like Beacon before it. The shadow war of Ozpin and Salem had served her well when she had been a part of it, but from the outside it was remarkably inconvenient. Even the pitiful lion had been turned into a martyr for the council.

The old wizard was never one to waste an opportunity.

Cinder let out a hum of acknowledgement and decides to pull that bitter thread.

You don't like him, do you?

There was a pause as Fall considered her opinion of a man she had known in countless lives. In a rare instance, Cinder appreciated the forced honesty between them.

The wizard...Ozpin as you know him is not in a position I envy. Even as a Maiden we aren't really the same. I can advise you and help but I'm not making the decisions. He is one soul where we are many.

That's likely why I feel the way I do. Had it always just been me I could have accepted it. But instead I must watch as lives are taken and used up for his cause. He doesn't lie mostly because he doesn't have to, but he doesn't tell the truth, just what he needs.

There was a pause and it was like Fall was ensuring they were alone.

When he involved Pyrrha with that... machine - her fury was cold but simmering. He didn't tell her enough. He didn't tell her about Salem or Relics. You had made him desperate Cinder but that doesn't excuse it. Pyrrha was a strong, kind and caring but I don't believe Ozpin chose her for those virtues.

Her potential?

Even Cinder had seen that once her training had been completed, Pyrrha's would have been a unique weapon and would have been able to defeat fighters stronger than her, purely down to her semblance. It would never have mattered against Cinder or even Hazel, but Tyrian would be suffered and his weapons useless. What she could have done with that power?

No, there were many strong fighters at Beacon. Maidens can be chosen up until their late twenties and yet Ozpin chose her a girl. He's done it before. To end the Great War, girls were selected at six and trained up until only one remained. By the time Noroi inherited, she was completely loyal to her Kingdom and her King. Salem did the same with you.

That's why he chose Pyrrha and gave her the information he did. Enough for her to how important it was. So that she couldn't say no. Maybe it was necessary, but that doesn't make it right. In the end Cinder, you only killed her. He ended her life.

So, no, I don't like Ozpin, not anymore. The old man, living alone in a cabin is long gone and what remains is a tired warrior, willing to do anything he believes he must for the good of the world. Countless Maidens have been changed and had their lives ruined by his schemes. Even that wasn't enough to and the Huntsman Academies train up those who have no idea what they are fighting.

Even I have been changed. The girl I was all those lives ago is gone. She would never have considered what I chose without hesitation.

And what's that.

You. I want to help you Cinder but that's not why I do it. The things you've done that I force myself to look over for the sake of the world. If everything works out the way I hope, if we defeat Salem once and for all, you'll get the power you desire. It's not right, but it's necessary.


The time passed, and the stalls began to dwindle a little. Still busy but it was more talk than business and Cinder found herself getting bored. Some of the Dust was interesting, less refined than what she had been using in Beacon. With the powers of the Maiden she hadn't needed it but now she not only lacked that but Salem's resources. Another thing she had lost and would have to do without.

She would need to find a new source of Dust for her quest, probably whatever she could get her hands on but for now, Cinder was simply hungry. It had been a long day and the journey had taken it out of her but even this simple task presented a problem for her. She didn't have any money.

There was a small tavern on the edge of the market and vague memories of Pyrrha time here told her it would do. Rustic but not a complete dive. Somewhere where she likely wouldn't be bothered.

You still need money

That was Amber having returned to the forefront at some point from comforting Pyrrha. The young champion was back too, not talking but there. Cinder wasn't sure why she bothered but decided not to press her, too tired to start another fight. As part of that, she decided to answer Amber.

Patience

She moved her way through the crowd, looking around with her eyes while her head was kept forward, daring anyone to look at her for more than a second.

Coordination

Cinder grunted in irritation as an older man, overdressed for the market knocked into her. Glaring, he rounded on her, his eyes darting to her bandaged eye for a moment and she saw him try to decide if he should pity her or berate her. She met his gaze evenly then took a step forward. Deciding this insolent young girl wasn't worth the effort, he huffed angrily and stalked away. Cinder stared after him for a moment making sure he was gone before smiling and pocketing his lien.

And in a pinch, sleight of hand.

It was a pathetically pitiful victory really, he likely wouldn't notice it was gone until he got home, if he did at all. Still Cinder had needed a win, petty as it was. Smile on face she began her walk towards the tavern.

A prickle alertness rippled down her neck and made her shiver. It wasn't fear really but apprehension. Even a lioness could be hunted and if it was someone looking for her, Cinder wasn't confident in her bodies strength yet. Without breaking her stride that might betray her, she glanced around.

A group of swaggering thugs walked through the town and in that moment, Cinder relaxed. The swaggering gait, the loudness of their conversation so that all would hear and how much attention they demanded. Even if they were after her, which she severely doubted, they were no threat to her. These were practically children.

Not all, there are others here less conspicuous that those peacocks

Cinder felt her eyes drawn elsewhere and discovered Fall was right. Even as the loud group shouted their way through the streets, there were some older men and woman, talking firmly with vendors and likely getting some rather good deals for their efforts. They were all dressed similarly, leathers of red and black and Cinder decided this must be the remnants of Ravens bandits that Kiron had told her about. Scattered now that Raven had vanished into the wind.

With a scoff, Cinder turned away already bored. They weren't here for a fight, that much was clear. They might be carrying weapons and making a show of it but even bandits had to spend the coin they stole. No this was likely a day of resupply and rejuvenation for the hard-working low lives.

So, as much as even a remnant of Branwen made her want to tear them apart, she ignored them and continued towards the tavern. Much to her own amusement, she walked past some of the children who had been spying on Kiron and shot a smile that showed teeth to the one that recognised her. The feeling she got, after she had passed, and they huddled in awe was petty, but welcome.


The tavern was much as Pyrrha's memories had remembered it being. She had been too young to drink of course but the small town was proud of its local celebrity and Cinder could remember feeling uncomfortable after she had been paraded for some of the older patrons. It had just been after her third championship title and her grandmother had been furious when-

Cinder shook her head angrily. No, not her grandmother. It wasn't her memory and that wasn't her. Breathing heavily, she pushed through the taverns door pushing down a headache and Falls attempts to say that denying the connection just made it worse. She didn't really care why it was happening, she just wanted it to stop and even Cinder knew there was a sure-fire way to delay unwanted memories.

Her eyes gazed over the spirits with some curiosity. She wasn't sure what to order. She had drunk wine before but that was mostly when having to meet associates when planning Vales downfall. Drinking for pleasure had never been one of her vices, Mercury hadn't liked the stuff either and Emerald just followed their example.

In the end she went for whiskey, without any real reason. The barkeep brought a bottle over, poured her a glass and very quickly decided conversation with her would be a poor idea. Instead he simply smiled weakly and hurried off to the other side of the bar leaving her alone. Good, that's all she really wanted anyway and even if true solitude was forever beyond her reach, this would suffice for now.

Sighing, Cinder held the glass out in front of her, staring at the amber liquid, before tossing it back and downing it in one gulp. Much to her pleasure it burned its way down her throat, filling her with a pleasant feeling of warmth that was almost familiar. Cinder let out a hum of approval, having not expected to enjoy it so.

With a glance she signalled for another, the man pouring and departing as quickly as possible. This glass, Cinder took more slowly, savouring the taste of its fire. It wouldn't do to drink too much, the idea of losing control of her body was intolerable to Cinder after her bedridden days but she trusted her aura not to let her get drunk.

Qrow was always the same

Amber's thoughts were morose and seeped in their nostalgia.

"I don't want to talk about that," Cinder said, out loud but quietly. "You would be smarter to let me not think about them for a while."

We're already thinking about him, why do you think we picked that brand? It was his favourite...

She stood in front of the cabins fire place. The bottle rested loosely in his hand, a birthday gift from pupil to teacher. Pupil no longer, he'd been leaving soon. Cinder ran a hand down his face, stubble scratching her hand gently. His red eyes were filled with desire, but he turned them away and she could see the effort it cost him.

"We shouldn't do this kid. It ain't smart."

"I'm not a child Qrow and I know what I want." She smiled. "And when have you ever been smart, bird brain."

He let out a huff of laughter at her name for him but still didn't look at her. Amber felt her heart pound in her chest, terrified that he would leave her. Finally, he turned back to her, but took a drink before he did so, raising the bottle before he did so.

"Am, you deserve better than me. You-"

She cut him with a finger to his lips lest rationality overtaken them and ruin this night for them both. Slowly but firmly she wrapped her hands around the bottle, their fingers brushing as she did so.

"Who else do I have but you Qrow?" The words sounded harsher than she meant them. "Always I must keep moving from one village to the next. I can't ever go home. What do I have to fear from you?

She raised their hands and took a lot drink from the bottle feeling the fire burn through her and then she let it drop with a dull this. The liquid that remained splashed out over the floor and Amber could feel it soaking her feet.

And then Cinder leaned forward and kissed him.

The glass shattered in her hands as Cinder gasped and came back to herself. Her breathing was heavy, and her hands were trembling. Vaguely, she knew that the other patrons were staring at her, but they might have been miles away for the care she gave them.

No, you can't have that, it's mine

Amber's thoughts were frantic with distress and shock. She hadn't even meant it, Cinder realised and with that realisation, anger surged forth like a war horse let loose. Feelings of loss and intimacy warred against her hatred of what was happening to her and even as she sensed Amber retreat and the others try to calm them, the door the tavern slammed open with a shout of amusement.

It was probably the only reason she didn't burn the whole place to the ground.

"Okay everyone listen up!" A man with sandy hair and broken tooth said loudly. One of the bandits. Clearly Cinder had misjudged them. "You folks don't have to worry your simple little heads. Everyone just needs to give us anything we want, and we'll be one our way."

Grinning his toothless from the man swanned around as the bandits with him spread out. One of the patrons shouted his defiance and got a butt of a rifle to his temple for the trouble. Most of the others capitulated wordlessly after that. In a way it was a good tactic, walk in without looking like a threat and let the stupid townsfolk hope on that belief until they were past any defences.

Hope was blinding like that. Hope was the belief that things would simply work out even if you did nothing at all. It was a child's belief, and Pelion was going to suffer for their naivety. Hope was fools and Cinder had never let herself rely on it. Hate was more proactive.

A taller muscular woman grinned as she strode in Cinders direction. She wasn't coming for her but would get there eventually. The woman shoved a man aside to grab at his companions wedding ring even as her other hand swiped out bottle to take a drink.

"Oh, quit your bubbling," she smirked. "The ale is piss poor anyway."

And then caught up in her own bluster and self-amusement, the woman almost walked right into Cinder as she stepped forward. The woman blinked in surprise before it morphed into a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

"What you think you're doing?"

Cinder didn't bother to conceal the roll of her eyes at the woman's grammar. Well if she was smart she wouldn't be here. These people weren't worth her time or her words, so she said nothing and just stared humourless at her.

The woman shivered at the look but as she glanced at her companions who seemed to be watching the show. Their attention redoubled the woman's pride and she flexed as she tried to tower over Cinder.

"Look here lovely. You know who we are. We're Greynirs bandits, he's the man who killed Raven Branwen. If you're smart, you'll sit down, shut up, give us everything we want and maybe we won't hurt you."

Killed Raven. Cinder didn't even bother to rejoice. There wasn't a chance these imbeciles could have killed Raven. At best, they might be claiming credit for someone's else's deeds but even that Cinder doubted. So, she ignored every word the woman had said but before she could open her mouth to speak, Fall's warning thoughts arrowed towards her.

Cinder be careful. There's a lot of innocents here. They'll be hurt.

"You expect me to cower?"

She hadn't meant to say it out loud, but the words had affronted her so much they had simply slipped out. It was absurd that Fall would even ask, and Cinder laughed at that. Belatedly, she realised how that might look to bandits but even as she saw the woman snarl and swing the bottle, Cinder decided she simply didn't care.

The bottle shattered against her bare face, and ale splattered across her face. The woman was right, it really was foul. Cinder sighed and deftly wiped it away. Maybe she should have moved but the effect had been too much to resist. The woman gaped at her even as the broken glass floated around Cinders head.

With a flick of her head, Cinder sent the glass flying and the speared the two bandits who went down with cries of pain. They hadn't even raised their auras in time and their mistake had cost them their miserable lives. Dead or dying judging from the blood and moans of pain leaving only the muscled woman standing.

Smiling, Cinder took a step towards the woman who paled and stumbled back.

"You know," Cinder began. "I have had a very bad year. I imagine you haven't ever worked hard in your pathetic miserable life, but I have." She spat the words out, like poison she had been holding for so long.

"I've planned, I've trained, and I worked. And at the moment I should have been rewarded for my efforts it was all snatched away. It should have been everything and instead... But I did it again, I sacrificed everything, and I endured pain you couldn't imagine. And once again it was all taken away."

At her words, the woman's courage broke and she turned to run only to find a bloody obsidian arrow pointed at her face. Cinder curled her finger and it moved closer to the woman's frozen pupil. She gasped as Cinder placed her arm on her shoulder to pull her into a whisper.

"I'm tired of being denied," she hissed. "I'm tired of having to hide and hold back. To deny myself. So, I want to thank you, truly for being oh so stupid and letting me have this moment."

The glass arrow shimmered away to dust as Cinder let it fall. She became aware suddenly that the Maidens weren't fighting her on this and realised many of them shared this desire to kill them. That wasn't quite right. They wanted to avenge.

The woman turned to face her, a look of utter relief on her face. And then Cinder stuck her in the chest so hard that she sprays a mist of blood and gore across Cinder even as the bandit's body was thrown across the tavern and punctured the wall into the street.

Breathing heavily, Cinder wiped her face and stepped towards the door, ignoring the cowering patrons of the tavern. The Maidens wanted justice, they wanted to help, and they wanted to save everyone they could.

Cinder just wanted blood.