Here we go.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 94

"You're desperate to say something," Lord Branwen said as they made their way back through the thick forest in what was rapidly becoming late evening. The moon and stars had come out to blanket the sky in sparkling lights, and birdsong had been replaced with the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of a solitary owl. "Say it."

"Maria…"

Qrow waited for her to say more, then hummed inquisitively when she did not. Weiss took the time to find the right words, but they couldn't be deciphered. To some questions she felt she had the answers already, but speaking them might be considered treasonous. Others, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear an answer to.

"We were duty bound to try and capture her," she eventually said. She did not say that they should have, nor that she wanted to, but that the expectations placed upon them were that they were supposed to. "The White is meant to hunt and capture Rogue Arcanists."

"Why mention that now when we're walking away and not back there?"

"I'm no fool, Lord Branwen!" she said heatedly. "I'm aware we wouldn't have stood a chance against her. I… I don't want my body added to her experiments."

"Not a bad sentiment." Lord Branwen chuckled and slowed his gruelling pace. He moved some branches aside ahead, revealing the city down the bluff, the farmland quiet and abandoned as it had been ever since the first attack. The slums were quiet too, and now Weiss knew why. "Maria isn't peaceful no matter what she may have acted like back there. She's relaxed. Don't cause her any problems and she won't cause you any."

"What would have happened if we tried to push her?"

"If she were in a good mood, she might have roughed us up, humiliated us and left us in the forest. If not, we'd have faced the same fate that Arcanist from Menagerie did. Given what's gone on recently, I doubt she's overly pleased."

Weiss shuddered and pulled her cloak tighter around her body. It wasn't just the chill but an instinctive desire to shield her chest, which she could imagine cut open and exposed to the open air as the scary woman rummaged about her insides.

A good job they hadn't tried anything, though Weiss had known that at the time. Even when Lady Calavera introduced herself as a Rogue Arcanist, she'd remained deferential and polite. Anything else would have been too stupid after what she'd seen.

"Does the Collegium put up with her presence?" she asked.

"Sort of. Goodwitch and the White want her contained – killed more likely given the danger she presents. She isn't a priority, though. That was the same even before the Grimm arrived. There are two types of Rogue Arcanist. Do you know what those are?"

There were Rogues and Wildmages, though she had a feeling he meant two types among the rogues themselves. "Those who have breached the law with dangerous magics and those who have done the same in less dangerous ways?" she guessed. "Is it the difference in power? That some are too strong to go after and some magics are forbidden but not threatening?"

"Not a bad guess but you're giving the White too much credit. The two types are loud and quiet rogues."

Weiss pulled a face.

"That's my definition for them anyway," he continued. "Loud ones are those that want to make a name for themselves; they show off their power, making big displays, harming those around them. They're known and noticed. Feared." He paused. "Then there are the quiet ones. They sneak off, keep to themselves and continued their research away from prying eyes. As far as they're concerned, they're happy to stay out of our way as long as we do theirs. Do you know why the distinction matters?"

"Because the latter aren't an immediate danger to anyone."

"Wrong." Lord Branwen laughed. "It's because the latter aren't a threat to the White's faultless image." He pointed to the city. "Tell me what you see over there."

Weiss looked, not for the buildings but for the metaphor he was undoubtedly trying to portray. "I see civilisation," she said. "I see Vale and it's tiers, the Collegium among them. What else am I meant to see?"

"Nothing. That wasn't a trick question. Civilisation." He said the word slowly, rolling it around his mouth. "Civilisation is an interesting thing, isn't it? We bandy the word around like its easily defined but the truth is that it's nothing more than a concept. There are bandit tribes we call uncivilised and yet they work on the same basic principles as us. They have communities, leaders, chains of command, economies and everything else we do. What's the difference do you think?"

"A code of laws? Ethics?"

"Even the worst bandit tribes have laws, girl. They might not be codified and written like our own, but they exist and are enforced rigorously. No. The reality of what makes something civilised or not is perception. It's the image of being civilised in the first place. We believe we are civilised and therefore we are – at least to our eyes. Others might look at how we treat our lowest citizens and call us barbaric. Now," he went on. "Apply that same logic to the Collegium. What is it?"

The immediate answer to come to her mind was a school, a facility of education, but Weiss knew that would be walking into a trap. "It must be the same. What the Collegium is will differ from person to person. It's subjective."

"Well you can put two and two together at any rate. To the Initiates it's a school. To those in the Sanctum it's a prison. To the average people living in Vale it's a mysterious and amazing land of magic. To the royal family it's a constant thorn in the backs of their minds threatening their power. To the nobles it is a playground for their young. To Rogue Arcanists it is a stifling and controlling organisation that seeks to curtail their potential."

"That explains their motives for leaving, but how does this relate to arresting or not arresting Lady Calavera?"

"Because it comes back down to perception. The White does not falter." He laughed. "The White falters all the damn time. Of course it does; it's run by humans, and we fail constantly. What matters, however, isn't whether we fail or not. It's how many people notice it."

"The White dedicates their time to loud rogues because they are noticeable," Weiss realised. "Because if they are allowed to roam free then people will hear about it and question the White's capability. They allow Lady Calavera to roam free so long as she stays hidden."

Qrow smiled. "Precisely. Talk to most people in the Collegium and they'll either have forgotten she exists or assumed she's died by now. Out of sight, out of mind. Someone who throws fireballs around and torches a family of peasants on the other hand? That's loud. That's noticeable. The White will stop at nothing to bring someone like that to justice. Not because they feel bad for the fallen or want to carry out the law, but because failing to do so paints them in a poor light."

"That doesn't feel right…"

"It's not right," he said. "But to be fair it's not wrong either. There are only so many Arcanists in the White and only so much they can do. Maria's magic is terrifying, even I'll admit to that, but is it really worth the loss of life it'll take to bring her down when she doesn't hurt anyone out here? I wouldn't want to be among those sent to kill her." Lord Branwen sighed and crossed his arms, staring down at the city. Or, she suspected, at the Collegium. "There's a lot I dislike the White for, the whole Collegium even, but this isn't entirely their fault. If people cared enough to treat people who break the law the same, it wouldn't be an issue, but they don't. Those louder Rogues are considered bigger threats despite their magic often being weaker. If the White did the right thing and went after everyone equally, they'd be blamed for not dedicating more to the `clearly more dangerous` enemies."

That made some sense. In the end it was an unfortunate scenario on both sides, and one that couldn't be solved easily. It was the same among noble families with their unsavoury actions. While most nobles held themselves to lofty ideals of noblesse oblige – in theory if not in practice – some did not. Some would beat their servants, abuse their power and make a mockery of what it meant to be nobility.

Not all were punished for it, however. The worst were, as they had to be, but sometimes families covered for their fellow members, paying off victims and bribing magistrates while they sought to change the perpetrator's ways in private, all to protect the family name. It wasn't the right way of things, but no number of laws or threats would stop the families doing it.

"We just let her go then?"

"We let her go," Qrow said. "And we hope that when these louder rogues commanding an army of Grimm get in her way, she'll show them the same hospitality she did their fellow." He tossed the Menagerie Arcanum up in the air and caught it. "Let's get back. I'm sure Goodwitch will want to hear about this."

/-/

"You interacted with Calavera?" Lady Goodwitch's frown told of her opinions of the old crone, the necromancer living out in the forests surrounding Vale. Her lips turned down, green eyes narrowing dangerously as Lord Branwen finished his tale. "I see. It's fortunate to hear she isn't allying herself with them, even if I'd hoped she'd died by now. That woman must be nearing ninety."

"Looks even older. Your protégé here made an impression." He slapped Weiss' back, making her stumble. "Called her a cantankerous and rude old bat, cussed her out and stole her cane before throwing it back in her face."

Weiss' face flushed bright red, especially when Lady Goodwitch looked at her in clear shock and alarm. "And she yet lives?"

"Maria seemed to find it funny. Even invited her to swing back if she wanted to." He snorted. "Not that I think she does. That magic of hers made an impression on the girl, and not a favourable one."

"As it should not on any sensible person. Tell me, Lady Schnee, what did you think of it?"

"It was disgusting, ma'am," Weiss answered dutifully. Honestly. "The stench alone near made me sick, then to see that body… I felt paralysed. It was wrong. She had no respect for the dead and when she brought it back… the man was dead, and yet she threatened him. I know he was evil to bring the Grimm here, but she already killed him! What's the point in torturing him further?"

"There is no point. Some magic is forbidden because it is a danger to its user, others because it can upset the careful balance of our world. Then are some like this which are so abhorrent that we need no other reason than common sense to forbid them. To meddle with the natural order of life and death is evil."

It was evil, and yet oddly enough she couldn't say Lady Calavera had come across it. Could a school of magic have a moral alignment? It felt wrong to say it – fire was fire and could be used to harm or help. This, though. Bringing someone back from the dead in such a way was difficult to justify. The magic felt evil, even where Lady Calavera had not.

"Did the victim reveal anything of use?"

"Not much. We gained more from Maria's retelling of their first meeting than anything. Seems it might be one of the anarchist faction, though driven to a much further extreme than we're used to."

"Them?" Lady Goodwitch scoffed. "Those fools? I've dealt with them aplenty. Their ideals are ridiculous and dangerous, true, but I doubt they would go this far for them."

"Maybe not ours, but someone in Menagerie has decided to. And maybe they never intended to go this far, but once they found a way to control the Grimm. Well. Why not? They're obviously targeting the Collegiums. That's in line with what they want."

Weiss dared to cough and ask who they were.

"We call them anarchists," Lady Goodwitch explained briskly. "It's not an entirely accurate term, but essentially they are a group of Arcanists who disagree with the Collegium process. They do so openly but, for the most part, peacefully. At least our faction does. They want a system wherein Arcanists are free to take on apprentices as they wish, travel as they wish and use their magic however they like. Arcanists would not be bound to any Collegium, would not be bound to its laws, and could take on any political position they wished."

"Is that bad?"

"In theory, no." Qrow said.

"In practice, yes." Glynda countered sharply. "I'm sure most people would not abuse the lack of Collegium authority, but some would. Arrogant men and women would decide to use their power to claim territory, wealth or power. This happens already with the Collegium, but we move in to stop it. Without us, you may well have Arcanists taking over the city and ruling it with an iron fist. That is why we call them anarchists. They do not necessarily desire anarchy – in fact, their ideals might be benign – but we are aware that anarchy is what would result of it."

"What now then?" Weiss asked. "Do we arrest them?"

"For what? Those here in Vale who follow that ideal have done no wrong, nor are they aware that the ones behind the Grimm share it. Even if they were, I doubt they would appreciate it." Glynda looked past Weiss. "Isn't that right, Qrow?"

Weiss rounded on the man. "You're one of them…?"

"I think the Collegium controls too much," Lord Branwen said. "I don't think we have the right to rule or anything else these fools from Menagerie seem to. But yes, I'm considered an anarchist by some stuck-up people here. All those who don't blindly follow the rules get painted with that brush."

The news didn't surprise her as much as she thought it should. Lord Branwen had been eccentric from the start, criticising the White on numerous occasions. It was clear he didn't love the Collegium, and yet he still fought for the White. There's a difference between criticism and hate. That must be what separates him from the monsters controlling the Grimm.

"Qrow is an ally," Goodwitch said. "Despite his odd views, we have worked together before and will continue to do so. I also do not believe he would ever sacrifice so many lives in the city for his ideals like these people have." Qrow crossed his arms and nodded. "We will leave Calavera for now. She isn't important at this time and really ought to die soon enough of old age as it is. Qrow, take the Arcanum to the Scriptorium and see if they can make anything of it."

"Will do." He moved away, though not without saying, "You weren't so bad, girl. Impressed me more than I thought you would." He laughed. "Though that wouldn't have been hard."

Was that compliment or insult? Weiss watched him go with a frown.

"He means you did well," Glynda translated for her. "Qrow has a poor opinion of nobility. Not undeserved in his case. All too many are selfish here. He likely assumed you would be more burden than assistance, so take it as a compliment that he has said otherwise. Few earn any praise from him." She chuckled. "That's why he's so bad at delivering it."

"I suppose…"

"How was your meeting with Calavera? I asked before, but is there anything you did not wish to reveal in front of him?"

"Nothing," Weiss said. "I… At first, I thought she was just a strange old Arcanist living out here by the Collegium's approval. Lord Branwen explained why we aren't trying to capture her."

"Did he now? What explanation did he give?"

Out of some small sense of loyalty, Weiss chose to keep the full discussion a secret. "He said she's not a priority versus Rogues who more actively use and abuse their power. That the White only has so many Arcanists it can dedicate to hunting people down and must pick and choose who it does."

"Hmm. He speaks the truth. Our numbers are ever a problem. Calavera… Maria…" Glynda pulled a face. "I would like nothing more than to hunt her down and burn her research to the ground. It simply isn't feasible, however. Especially not if she's now learned some Shadow Magic to keep her home hidden as Qrow says. Ultimately, it's not a problem anyway. As I said, she's old. Ancient, even. Death will claim her soon enough I expect. Although…"

Weiss tensed as the older woman's eyes turned on her. "Y-Yes?"

"Maria invited you to visit her another time, did she?"

"I… I think it was implied," Weiss said. "Less an invitation and more a willingness to see me again. I… Lady Goodwitch, I would not feel confident facing her. Not in a hundred years!"

"I would never ask you to. As I have said, she is beyond you. However, it may benefit the White to have you continue contact with her. Once the Grimm are dealt with, obviously. Not to harm or hinder her, but to keep an eye on her. To know when she finally expires and to take care of her research once she does."

"Destroy it?"

"Yes. Necromancy is not a power we want getting into anyone else's hands for obvious reasons. If you can put up with her methods long enough to maintain a friendly relation with her, it would greatly aid the White. We cannot and will not strike at her, but I will admit to some fear of a travelling and unscrupulous person finding her notes after she has passed on and using them for ill."

That wasn't something Weiss wanted to imagine, and yet even less did she want to spend more time with Maria. Not that the woman was poor company or boorish, but the things she'd seen…

"You're reluctant."

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Don't be. Your distaste speaks well of you, Weiss. I'd be more concerned if you leapt eagerly on the job. Put some thought into it. I would not ask for much, only that you would visit her once a month to check if she is alive. You would naturally be rewarded for such a task."

"I will consider it, Lady Goodwitch. Thank you for giving me time."

"No. Thank you for your hard work." Glynda nodded pleasantly to her. "You are dismissed."

Weiss nodded and bowed her way out the office, then wiped a hand across her forehead in abject relief. Returning to the abode of a Rogue Arcanist in the dark parts of the forest? Not exactly on her list of desirable tasks, let alone someone who had taken a liking to reanimating dead bodies. Frankly, the sooner she could forget this ever happened the better.

One thing she'd also forgotten happened to ambush her on the exit steps of the cathedral with a loud cry of "Weiss!"

Ruby – Lady Rose, but who could think her a lady right now? – impacted her and knocked Weiss clean off her feet. They struck the stone steps together, digging them into Weiss' back and making her groan.

"R-Ruby. My back…"

"You're okay!" Ruby gasped. "I was so worried!"

"My back isn't okay…"

"Huh? Oh right." Ruby clambered off and hauled her up, then wrapped her in a tight hug again. It wasn't the done thing, especially where so many people could tut and shake their heads at them. Despite that, Weiss found herself leaning into it a little. "I'm so sorry, Weiss."

"You're sorry?" she had to ask. "What are you sorry for? I killed all those people…"

"I'm sorry I didn't listen. That I ran away and avoided you."

Why? It had hurt, she wouldn't deny, but no one could argue Ruby didn't have good reason to want that space. Weiss tried to put that to words, but Ruby continued on without ever giving her the chance. Just like her.

"I was so afraid when Pyrrha said you'd gone out with the Grimm everywhere. And for me! Why? You could have been killed."

Because Lady Goodwitch wanted to send you out and with the state you were in, you'd have been in more danger than I. That had been her reasoning anyway, though the danger had been of an altogether different variety. It didn't matter anyway as Ruby never gave her a chance to speak.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blamed you when you were following orders. You didn't even know what happened!"

"I do now…" Weiss said. "I know and…"

So many. Hundreds. No. Thousands. The number was incomprehensible as a body count, especially ascribed to so few people. "It wasn't your choice," Ruby said. "Goodwitch ordered it."

"I still carried it out."

"You wouldn't have if you knew!"

Weiss wasn't so sure. She wouldn't have wanted to if she'd known, but it was impossible to know for sure if she would have been cowed into following orders. Which would have won, her obedience and loyalty or her morality? Come the moment, with the threat of the Grimm on their hands, Weiss honestly wasn't sure which way she would have gone.

Flooding the slums while the people were still in it was evil. Cruel.

Necessary?

It had stopped the Grimm. It had saved lives. If it had saved enough was another matter entirely, and one she didn't bother to delve into. It was too late to change anything now and the morbid thoughts assailing her would only ruin this moment.

"Thank you," Weiss said instead, leaning into Ruby without technically returning the hug. She wanted to, more than she cared to admit, but there were just so many people watching. "And I am sorry about what I said before. I didn't mean it so callously. Are we…?"

"Of course we're still friends!" Ruby gushed. "And roommates. Always. You're my best friend, Weiss, no matter what happens! My best friend in the whole wide world."

"I am glad… Thank you, Ruby. You are… You are the same for me."

One of her two only real friends considering Pyrrha. Or maybe Lord Arc and Sir Wukong could count at a push. None held a candle to Ruby, but then how could they with the amount of time they'd spent together? Giving into temptation, Weiss let her hands drift to Ruby's back.

"I'm glad this argument is over," she whispered.

"Me too!" Ruby said. She pushed back suddenly. "But are you okay? You look…" Ruby looked her up and down. "Actually, you look kind of awesome. Like an adventurer. But you're also covered in sweat and dirt and… is that blood?"

"Not my own. I need a bath." Weiss sniffed her sleeve and grimaced. "Several baths. I'll tell you about what happened afterwards but for now I-"

The distant tolling of bells interrupted her. Weiss looked to the southern wall, as did every other Arcanist coming out the cathedral, all stopping to listen to the bells ringing not the hour, but in a constant and wild cavalcade of sound. It was picked up by others, bells tolling closer and closer until the Collegium's own began to ominously boom.

"It's the Grimm." Ruby whispered, eyes wide with horror. "They're attacking!"

Next Chapter: 4th July

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