Chapter Nine: Cold
"How many you got?" Asked the innkeeper, a rough scratchy tone he had as he asked. "Six." Micel replied, looking back at the group. " I see seven." The Innkeeper said, peering past Micel but he sighed. "Yeah, but I'm leaving soon. So I'm paying." The innkeeper gave a quizzical look and shrugged and looked down at his book filled with rooms. "Unfortunately, all I have is a room with two beds." The innkeeper informed him, again Micel sighed. "We'll take it, hopefully there will be enough floor space." He said then gave the innkeeper the lenin required. "Keep the change." They then headed up to the room, which had two beds, a couch and an armchair.
As the door closed, "What the hell was that? What just happened?" Micel asked angrily towards Qrow, turning to face him since he was the last to enter the room. Everyone else lead to settling in, unknown to the how they were in for. "You think I know?" Qrow replied, anger now embedding itself in his voice. "Well you seem to know more then you let on Qrow. Because now we're being falsely accused, being hunted and not a damn clue about our enemy and their plans here at Haven!" Micel was now in Qrow's face, demanding answers. Everyone else was sitting silently, afraid to say anything. "Well.." Qrow said as he bumped Micel's shoulder and walked towards the window. "The way I see, is that one of Salem's associate's must be here. Manipulating Lionheart, in order to take us down. Making the fall of Haven easier for them." He said, placing his hand on the window, looking out at the now moon lit sky. "Well that just makes our job easier now, doesn't it?" Micel replied. Qrow gave an annoyed puff and walk towards the door. "Where are you going?". Qrow was about to turn the door handle, "To get a drink." He said, then left.
It was now getting late and rest was needed amongst everyone. "Okay, so how are we to arrange sleeping?" Ren asked as he got up from the far right side bed. "I'll take the floor, so Qrow can have the couch." Juan said, grabbing a pillow off the couch and extra blanket that was in the room's closet. "Okay, that works. Now Ruby and Yang can share a bed since they're sisters." But Yang was already passed out in the armchair, Ruby then took a blanket and covered her sister. "So that means Ruby you have to.." Ren looked at Micel who was sitting on the bed. He waved his hand at Ren, "It's fine, I'll find a spot on the floor somewhere." He said, Ruby jutted into the conversation "No, no. It's fine, I don't mind sharing a bed with him." She said, Ren was confused but gave a concerned look. Nora grabbed Ren and pulled him to bed. "Then it's settled! Goodnight everyone." She said, as the lights got turned off.
"Always gotta look out for me, don't you?" Micel said as Ruby nestled into bed alongside him. "Well yeah. Also are you leaving?" She asked, he wrapped his arm around her but she shivered as he did. "Sorry if I'm a bit cold." He said but she brushed that aside and laid her head on his chest. "It's not that, just not use to this." She said and he raised his eyebrow but understood. She's not use to the whole romantic thing. "You know it might be troubling to have feelings for me. Especially if the others catch on or even catch us." He said, she looked up him with her beautiful silver eyes. "At this point, I don't care as long as I know you're still here." She said then fell asleep in his arms again.
The blankets rustled and made noise but not enough to make Ruby wake up. Micel slowly got up and tried to make as little noise as he could, now going over to the hanger buy the door and grabbed his cloak and put it on, donning his hood over his head. "Least I'll have the strength of two roses now." He said under his breath, then leaving the room, making sure the door didn't creak open nor slam shut. It was time he left and without his friends knowing.
He went downstairs to the inn's lobby, but before he left he went over to the fireplace that was within the lobby and stood there in front of it. Peering down at the burning embers, the burnt and ashened log fell apart. Allowing a new log to flicker in flame, but a few ash lit embers trailed out past the fire place. Micel went into his pocket a took out a folded piece of paper and he unfolded, silently reading it to himself.
Dear Ruby, I'm sorry but I must leave for Atlas. General Ironwood needs to know what has happened her at Haven, what happened to us. I do it so we have a better way to act when the real threat arises here in Haven. I promise to you that I'll try to return as soon as I can but it'll take time since well, Atlas is a journey it self. I would acquire transportation but I won't lower myself back to my past, I'll trek by foot but it'll be worth it. Hopefully giving you guys time to make your own plan of action. But knowing I'm in your heart gives me the strength I need to do my job as a huntsman, and I hope you do the same with your friends, your team. Again, I'm sorry that I have to leave like this.
Forever Sincerely, Micel.
After reading his note, he folded it back up and threw it into the fire, leaving no evidence of him leaving. He left the inn and headed towards the rooftop for a better escape from the city. But he was not aware of what had happened back in the room. Ruby had rolled and her arm fell upon an empty sided bed. She slowly opened up her eyes, "Mi..Micel?" She said in a weary, half awake voice. Confused as to where he had gone. She yawned and stretched while getting up not trying to wake the others up. She went and got her hood and weapon, leaving the room abruptly and the inn to search for the missing Micel.
The night was warm, with a cold breeze coming now and again. The wind blowing leaves across the graveled rooftop. Micel stood, staring out into the open with the only light being the moon and stars in the sky. "Why?" He heard a voice behind him, it was high pitched and shy like. He turned to find Ruby standing there. "Why? Why are you leaving?" She asked him. Walking towards him as he remained turned and looking at her. She approached him, their bodies only inches apart. She looked up at him, he could see small tears forming in her silver eyes, she buried herself into his chest to muffle her cries. He continued to look past her and straight. "I have to Ruby, you'll survive. Even if Haven falls while I'm gone. I'm sorry." He said to her, grabbing her shoulders and pushing her away from her. She wiped her tears away and once again looked up at him. "But you'll promise you'll come back?" She asked, he nodded. "After I get to Atlas and talk to Ironwood, I'll plan on a quick return, promise." He replied, she sniffled and felt a little better. "Micel..before you go..I have to to tell you." She started to say in a shaky, quivering voice.
"I..I.." She began to let her sentence trail off as she looked down and to the side. "I know." He said, pulling her into him, wrapping his arms around her lower back and with instinct she wrapped her's around his neck. He pressed his lips against hers and they they stood their locked in the kiss. The scent of roses filled the air, the breeze blowing their cloaks in the same direction, having white rose petals and red rose petals leave a trail in the air. Micel took himself away from her and in the blink of an eye, vanished. Ruby stood on the edge of the rooftop, looking out across the land. "I love you."