10. Trial
Death.
Imprisonment.
Those were the thoughts that crossed her mind when she saw the city.
Penny feared the towering walls raised up and above her. Their height seemed to envelop her in a grip of stone, restraining her to the fate she most wanted to escape from. The rocks that constituted the fortress around the metropolis were immobile, there was no life or freedom for them. She wanted to run away, refuse to look at what was soon to happen to her as well.
Yet there she was, about to walk inside the capital. The dread seeping within her was strong, but she had been given a mission, and she could let nothing stand in the way.
"The second person you really shouldn't tangle with is Mercury Black, the assassin. Unlike Emerald, he's not one for subtleties. He's a master at close quarters combat, and he'll overpower you, plain and simple. Hell, he'd overpower anyone."
Mercury had been a slippery one, but she was fairly certain that the trail led to Vale. In truth her tracking skills were only the bits and pieces she had managed to put together from past conversations with Ruby, when the archer started excitedly rambling about her hunting expeditions, so it was more an educated guess than it was a certainty. Nevertheless, she determined to search the entire capital if need be, as long as that meant keeping her friends safe, wherever they were.
The redhead casually entered through the city gate, and no one disturbed her since she had no visible weaponry. It was morning, and the residents were starting their routines anew, busily pacing back and forth. She walked alongside them, wondering how it would be like to live in the metropolis, an environment so different from the ones she'd been thus far.
Her eyes scoured the street and through the square filled with stores, hoping to find a man with hair far too grey for his age. The merchants didn't interest her, the only directive in mind at the moment was her mission. She did, however, stop in front of the Inn, before pushing the door open and stepping inside. She had no idea how long it would take to find who she sought, so having a place to stay was a wise decision.
The entrance was a dusty room, consisting of nothing but a reception desk behind which sat an elderly man, and two doorways into different parts of the building. From the left one poured in the noises of people talking and drinking, implying it was the space where meals were served. The right side was silent. Penny approached the desk and the man greeted her through squinted eyes.
"Welcome to From Dusk Till Dawn, how may I help you?"
"I was looking for a room I could rent for a few days."
"The standard fare is two silvers a night." The ginger reached for her satchel and took out the golden coin she had gotten from Emerald.
"Will this be enough?" When she handed over the coin, he gasped in shock.
"This is..." He bit the coin, trying to ensure it was real gold. "I- I'll get our best room ready. You can stay as long as you want."
The old man scurried off in a hurry leaving the girl to her own devices. When he returned a few minutes later, she was guided through the entryway on the right side, which as she discovered led to an ascending flight of stairs. The upper floor had outer walls of stone just like downstairs, but everything else was built from large boards of wood, solidly crafted contrastingly to the peasant houses she was accustomed to. The erected partitions separated the different rooms available for rent, each accessible through a door on the long hall they were currently crossing. The innkeeper led her through until the very last one, and stepped to the side so she could enter.
The room was wide and well-lit, the farthest wall, the only made from stone, open in a large window that allowed plentiful sunlight to pour in. The space was unevenly divided in two by a thin barrier, and in the smallest part was a round bathtub, like a barrel, lumber planks united by a circle of iron. Around it were buckets with water and towels, so one could take a bath. Over on the other side was an enticing-looking bed next to a small table, and a tall dresser of fine craftsmanship, although not too well-kept.
Atop the table sat a basket of fresh fruit, or so it would seem, and a jar filled with a clear liquid. The price she had paid for the place was apparently generous enough to come with additional benefits, and she was certainly not about to complain. It had been a long time since she had come across food that need not be rationed, and she fully intended to take advantage of the fact.
She was already inside the room, when the man called out from the doorway.
"Are you here for the trial?"
"What trial?" She was startled by his words, having completely forgotten that he was still standing behind her.
"A girl who was caught sneaking in the General's office yesterday, and apparently she's the sister of another girl who tried to kill him some time ago, so they're being trialed together today. Rumor has it that since they were both caught red-handed they are getting executed for sure."
Two sisters? It can't be them, can it? No, why would they be here? It has to be someone else.
"Oh, I see. Actually I came to the city looking for someone. I think I'll pass."
Penny turned her back on the man, and walked over to the bed. It had been a long journey, and her leg desperately needed rest. Mercury could stand to wait a little bit longer.
"Well ok then, suit yourself. I'm going to step out for a while, to see how that red-hooded girl gets out of this one, but if you need anything I shouldn't be long." He closed the door and took his leave.
The girl paid it no mind, currently too busy enjoying the feeling of the bed underneath her, a proper feather mattress, nothing like the straw she was used to. It was a heavenly sensation, and sleep began slowly invading her thoughts.
I wonder why people are so interested in executions? Why does the red-hoo...
Wait!
She jumped to her feet, and immediately fell on the floor, the weak leg giving in due to the sudden pressure. Ignoring the pain it caused, she got up and ran out the door as fast as that defective body would allow. The innkeeper was at the bottom of the stairs when the noises of rushed descent made him look back just in time to be pinned to the wall by the shoulders.
"What did you say? About the girl on trial?"
"That it's a sure thing?" He seemed confused about the sudden change of attitude.
"No, about a red hood!"
"Yes. They say she's some sort of archer, and wears a red cape with a hood."
"Ruby..." Her friend was in danger and she needed to help her. "Where is the trial taking place?"
The elderly man explained, and in return was let loose, as she took off through the front door. Houses and streets became a blur, and the adrenaline dulled all senses including the aching limbs. She sped to the place indicated by the man, hoping, praying it wasn't too late.
She was entering the square when she saw the massive crowd. There were dozens upon dozens of people watching the trial about to happen, hoping for blood. And beyond them, above the sea of heads, she saw the sisters, separated by a man dressed in white. At least they were still mostly unscathed.
"...Yang Xiao Long, you are accused of desertion. The punishment, if found guilty, is death by hanging."
Penny's heart dropped to her feet, and she ran, trying to cut through the swarm that blocked her path to her friends. Her leg was aching and refusing to help, but she paid it no mind, pushing people out of her way franticly. She had to save them.
"How do you plead?"
"Not guilty."
The bystanders complained at her attempts to cut in, and refused to budge. She wasn't going to make it in time unless an opportunity to stand from the crowd presented itself soon. Luckily that's exactly what happened.
"Very well, we will now review your cases. Is there anyone who wishes to speak for these girls?"
"I do." Penny spoke as loudly as she could, just barely from screaming. And that was enough.
The blockade dissipated, parting to let her pass, while murmuring in surprise. The redhead girl emerged, attempting to maintain composure despite her nerves and difficulty walking normally. She faced the judge head on, so concentrated that she didn't even notice Ruby faintly calling out her name. In that split second of anticipation, with all eyes on her, an idea took form in her mind.
"I will speak for them. And I demand a trial by sword."
She could hear a collective gasp behind her. Combat trials weren't too common, as most criminals weren't skilled enough in a fight to stand against a knight. It was only used to settle disputes between people of the same standing, or as a loophole for rich nobles to buy their way out of conviction. Penny only knew about it because of a story her father had once told her during a sleepless night, of a valiant knight framed for a crime he hadn't committed. She just hoped it would work.
The General stared at her with a raised brow, astonished by her courage.
"Are you sure? That's not a decision to be taken lightly."
"I'm sure. I don't have a sword though, so I will need to be provided with one." She was genuinely surprised at how commanding her voice managed to seemed while under pressure.
The man gestured to one of his guards, who unsheathed his weapon and offered it to him without hesitation. He gave it to Penny, before ordering the soldiers to clear out an arena for the fight. In the meantime, she brandished the blade in the air, trying to get the feel for it. It was light and well-forged, but she was used to hand-to-hand combat, and it was off-putting to be fighting with that thing. Having to account for spacing and momentum wasn't quite in her skillset, but she was confident she could win nevertheless. She had too.
"Well then, I accept your challenge. I will fight you myself, and may the rightful party win."
He took off his coat and gave it to the blonde woman beside him for safekeeping, then moved to the center of the makeshift arena. The weapon he retrieved from his hip was an elegant saber, inscribed with glowing runes on the dull side. It emitted a strange aura, almost like it was under the influence of an enchantment of some kind.
The duel was signaled as started, and the two circled the space, trying to feel each other out. The former-statue could tell just from his stance that her opponent was far more skilled than her, so attacking head-on was ill advised. If she wished to win she had to play smart, and that meant waiting for his move and reacting to it.
The General took a step forward, then another, and lunged the point of his sword at her. She rotated to the side on her good foot, and deflected the attack with her blade. He smiled as if she had passed the test, and began poking the air in front of her in quick succession, as she dodged as best she could.
A full minute later the ginger had still not made a single attack, permanently forced on the defensive by his superior mastery. He had managed to break through her guard twice already, one grazed her leg and the other her left arm just below the shoulder. The affected areas weren't bleeding, but cold, as if pierced by ice. She could feel the audience holding their breath, awaiting her defeat with eyes that yearned for blood. She was holding her ground fairly well considering, but it was not enough, she had to do something and fast.
In a moment of panic, Penny ignored the man's attack and dashed forward, closing in the distance between, hoping to destabilize his strategy. The flash of confusion that crossed his eyes was, however, all the result achieved. He could adapt too well to the change in footing, and his saber was quickly descending on her left shoulder, just near the neck, with haste, a blow which would undoubtedly be fatal if connected.
The girl didn't think, she merely reacted on impulse. Her free arm lifted itself to stand in the path of the blade, acting as an obstacle to protect other vital areas. It was a simple reflex of survival, that had no intention of completely stopping the sword in its tracks, yet it did.
Both combatants stared in shock at the sword which stood calmly lying on her left hand. Her stone left hand.
Ice began pouring from the edge, enveloping her fingers, but it wasn't fast enough. She pressed all her strength into the unresponsive appendages, and managed to entrap the weapon within. The cold blade should've been carving into her skin, but she felt nothing because there was no skin to cut. The opponent just stood there completely shunned, unable to understand what was happening.
She grabbed the saber harder, and it snapped in two pieces, one falling loudly on the floor, the other still held by the man's grip on the hilt. Before he could recover, Penny raised her own sword and softly pressed it against his neck. It was the cold sting of steel that finally broke him out of the daze.
"I yield."
She dropped the weapon, and took a few steps back trying to maintain balance. Besides a completely frozen left hand, her breathing was ragged and heavy both from the physical strain and the built-up adrenaline. Still she managed to smile through her drained status, after all, she had won.
"In the name of King Ozpin, I hereby declare Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long innocent. The trial is over." He spoke loudly and clearly, before gesturing his men to release the absolved prisoners. The crowd began scattering with a dissatisfied groan, not having been granted their desire for death.
Yang massaged her wrists, reveling in the sensation of freedom. Ruby, however, was already running, with other priorities in mind.
"PENNY!" She sprinted up to the ginger, ready to tackle her to the ground.
Yet when she approached with open arms, the former-statue recoiled and stepped backwards. Betrayal flashed on those silver eyes of hers, unable to understand why she had been denied the reunion. Penny looked at her guiltily, and explained.
"Ruby, do you have any idea how badly you smell right now?" The huntress' eyes grew wide as she suddenly remembered the filth of the dungeon she had spent the night on.
They stared awkwardly at each other for a moment, before the golem made up her mind.
"You know what, screw it." And with those words, she jumped at the girl, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
Penny felt tears pooling in her eyes, as she gripped the archer as hard as she could. They hadn't seen each other for so long, not in person at least, and it was almost too good to believe. She half expected it all to be another illusion, and for the girl to vanish at any moment. But she knew it had to be real, nothing could replicate that warmth, the feeling created by the other girl's presence. For the first time in months, she was home.
"I missed you so much." Her voice cracked under the emotional storm brewing inside.
"I know, I missed you too." Ruby spoke without moving away in the slightest, and those words breathed against her neck sent shivers down her spine.
"Ahem... Do you two ladies need to get a room?" Yang was standing right behind, with a large grin like she had waited ages to use that line.
"Actually, I do have a room in the nearby Inn, and you two REALLY need a bath." The hug broke off, despite her mind screaming in protest against it.
"Oh, before we go, just one thing." Ruby turned away from them. "General?"
The man looked back, and walked over with his arms behind his back, a proper military pose. He didn't speak a word, waiting to know why she had called. The huntress pointed at the shattered saber.
"Is it okay if we keep that? Considering it's broken and all?"
"I don't see why not, it's just a sword, I can get another. And since it broke, the spell doesn't work anymore." He waved his hand at the blonde woman who kept shadowing him. "Glynda, do you mind?"
"I'm not your blacksmith, James." She rolled her eyes in annoyance, but flicked her wrist and the two pieces of the blade snapped back together.
A magic user? The three girls looked with mouth agape at the scene before them, surprised to find a witch right under their noses, much to the amusement of Glynda, who chuckled at their reaction. It made sense really, the King would want a sorceress by his side for both protection and counseling. Who better to deal with the magician threat than one of them?
Ruby accepted the weapon handed to her, but noticed that the man was still gripping it with a grave look in his eyes.
"I urge you to leave this city as soon as possible. I may have absolved you, but the people have taken their own conclusions and their usually aren't as forgiving. For your safety, please go." He let go and walked away, a fleeting glimpse of worry in his sight.