AN: In no way am I connected to Rooster Teeth

Qrow may have arrived back late, but he didn't get much sleep.

Yang and Emerald were still asleep in the living room. Ruby and Mercury had apparently decided on an early start to the day. A quick scan of the house showed only Tai awake. A glance outside showed Mercury leaning against a tree with a notebook and Talaria by him. He wasn't wearing his prosthetic arm.

"Breakfast Qrow?" Tai asked.

"Where's Ruby?"

"Shed. Breakfast?"

"Yeah. Sure."

Scrambled egg on toast. Tai sat opposite him and chewed absentmindedly. "What's wrong with you now?"

Checking the door to the sleeping girls was shut, Qrow moved the eggs around. "Just not looking forward to the chats, is all."

Tai's fork tapped the plate. "I could talk to them if you want."

Qrow chuckled. "Let's not use the big guns with Ironwood just yet, shall we?" He groaned. "And it should be me with Silvertongue."

He must have some idea why Salem was now so interested in him.

But why wouldn't he have already mentioned it?

"I asked," Tai started. He had a contact he hadn't told Qrow about, for reasons like this. "He didn't know about any bounty. If Ironwood's telling the truth, it's very tight lipped."

"If he was going to lie, he wouldn't give such a ridiculous figure. But that's not the issue."

Tai went back to his meal. "Well, the aura vision is easy enough to give uses for. It's the Grimm affinity that's going to be difficult."

Qrow knew what Ironwood's problem really was and he had to admit it was a fair one.

"How long's Ruby going to be in the shed for?"

"She said she was going to paint in there after I banished her from the kitchen, so who knows? From the movie marathon Emerald and Yang had last night, I don't think they're getting up any time soon." Now finished, Tai picked up the plate and took it to the sink. "But I want you home today. I'm heading to Beacon to talk to Goodwitch for their next year."

That would be an entertaining chat. "Parent-teacher meeting or personal schedule?"

"Bit of both probably." He sighed. "I'm just worried about pushing them too fast. They're still kids and they don't need such advanced training."

"No," Qrow agreed. "The problem is that when they need that training, they won't have it." Tai opened his mouth to argue. "Remember, one of the reasons Ruby was accepted into Beacon was because of her poor decision to engage a foe far superior to her and she needed to learn fast."

"And now she's near the top of her year. I'm just saying that's far enough for now."

Qrow didn't comment.

An hour later: Tai had gone to Beacon and the kids hadn't moved from their locations.

Qrow decided to check on Ruby first.

Mercury didn't look up as he passed.

So he's not overseeing exactly what Ruby is painting on that arm? That's brave.

Yang's bike was closer to the wall than Qrow remembered, so she must have taken it out again at some point when he was gone. Ruby had laid old newspapers across the ground and the prosthetic was in the middle of them. Small pots of mixed colours and large, bought paint pots appeared to be placed rather randomly.

That…looks mostly done actually. How early did these two get up?

Ruby herself was playing on her scroll. Every few seconds, her eyes would flicker to the arm and back again.

"Ruby, it's not going to dry any faster if you stare at it."

Ruby folded her arms and sulked. "I know. It just takes forever."

Qrow chuckled and knelt down next to her. She might be waiting for it to dry for another application, but the images were there. The colour was also there, but it looked faded. She was probably only on the first coat.

"Did you pick these or did he?"

Ruby smiled. "I did."

Qrow tilted his body a bit, trying to get the full picture. "So what'd you pick?"

She hummed. "Well, I wanted to pick things important, but not something that's going to hinder him. I mean, putting a black fox on there might make people pay more attention to them or Talaria in case she does stealth and we don't want people to know until later she's with us. And the aura Guardian Grimm…"

The colours were dark blues, black, greys and silvers.

She moved and pointed. "The Thestral that took Emerald to Hogsmeade; saved his life. Featherdance. I wanted her in colour at first but she's a memory. A memory we can never experience again."

If Ruby knows the features of that particular Thestral, then she must have returned to the Entrance Hall that day to help the injured. I was told she was sent to the Hospital Wing…and I assumed she stayed there. Apparently not.

Qrow sat properly. He gently rubbed her back.

Ruby snapped out of it. "So then I wondered 'what then?' They took up the top part, but the lower part of the arm is longer and well…harder."

Qrow could see what the images were. One was a serpent of some kind but the way it was drawn…He had seen that somewhere, but he couldn't place it. It was something from Vacuo, he was sure of that. The second was a dragon.

"So why two creatures? I would think of three or four."

"Well…That's not about us at all. Both of these are Mercury. One's his real self and one's whatever persona he adopts to get the job done." She pointed at the serpent; the more familiar one. "That's an Occamy. Remember them?"

Qrow chuckled. "I remember." He had only seen one. It had been on the boat they had taken to get back to Britain from America. "That's the one for adaptability."

"Yup!"

Now that Qrow had shifted his weight, he did recognise the last one. "Hungarian Horntail?"

"Nope. Easy mistake though. Norwegian Ridgeback."

Qrow took a closer look. Now that he was looking for things different, he could see this picture had ridges on its back that the Horntail hadn't had. "I see it. Like Norberta? Why that one?"

"Of the dragons other than her, that one was the best one for him."

"And you wanted to draw a dragon of some kind."

"And that." Ruby gave him an innocent smile.

Qrow's eyes drifted back to the Occamy. "Where did you see that shape, Ruby?"

The Occamy twisted around, entwining around itself. The point he was making though was the head. It was biting the end of its own tail.

"Divination. When we got back, I asked Dr Oobleck. It was a symbol sometimes used in Vacuo."

For what Vacuo was when originally founded, for what it had come to and for how the people needed to survive there.

Divination…Not going to comment.

"So how long have you been up for?"

Ruby checked her scroll. "Three hours."

"Had breakfast?"

"…Yes."

"That sounds like a lie Ruby." Honestly, he would have thought after all these years, she would have learned to lie better.

"I did!"

"So what'd you have?"

"…Toast."

"Me and Mercury had the last of the bread last night and Tai only got some when he got up, which was after you. Try again."

Ruby sighed. "I thought that was a good one."

Any other day, it would have been. "Go get something to eat Ruby. This isn't going to dry any time soon. And don't forget to wash your hands."

Qrow followed her out and pulled the shed door shut. He did not want Zwei in there and somehow getting covered in paint again.

Mercury had watched Ruby run inside. He only turned to Qrow when the man sat down next to him. "Do I dare to ask what she's painted?"

"It's reasonable," Qrow reassured him. "I think you'll like it."

"I'll only dislike anything unreasonable."

"I think you'll like this anyway."

Mercury's attention went back to his notebook. He circled one drawn Rune, then made a note about leather and cotton.

"Ruby's guitar case?" Qrow guessed.

"The Runes are easy enough and honestly, so's the guitar. It's the case that's tricky. Normally shrink Runes are done with blue Dust, but that doesn't work with the material and I can't just stitch something else on. Yellow Dust might work though…" He made another note.

Qrow waited for him to stop writing. He waited a few moments more but then Mercury dropped the pen altogether.

"Silvertongue, is there something you haven't told us about what happened with Salem?"

"Yes. Why?"

Qrow…wasn't expecting that answer. It wasn't that he was expecting Mercury to deny it but he expected something other than a blunt admittance.

"There's quite the bounty on you. It's not on the black market but among her personal favourites. Alive only. Any ideas why?"

There was the brief quiet Qrow had been expecting.

"How much?"

"Fourteen figures."

Another brief quiet.

"I don't know the reason. What I wasn't telling you…I didn't see Salem once. I was taken to her nine times I know of and I suspect three more as well."

Qrow blinked.

"Ginger and that machine attacked my mind. Everyone attacked my body…Salem attacked my soul."

…Soul…?

"You can't imagine it and I can't describe it...The point: I don't know why she did it and kept doing it. All I know was that it wasn't an interrogation. She wanted something and she didn't get it, so apparently she wants me back."

"Silvertongue…"

"She attacked my soul Felix. And Maia and Athena never noticed. What they sensed was them ripping the aura out of me. Salem could drop the bond so much that they had no idea what was happening. I couldn't sense them at all. She told me she could rip it apart entirely. She could rip my soul and the bond apart very easily."

Mercury circled yellow Dust. He flipped to the next page and drew the Runes in a different order. Slowly; he normally wrote with his right arm, before and after it was metal.

"You believe her."

So did Qrow.

"I know I should have mentioned it before. I don't care."

More Runes were drawn.

"If this bounty wasn't in the underground, where'd you hear it?"

"Ironwood."

"Heh. No doubt he wasn't happy when he learned a few of my 'quirks' you didn't tell him. Pass on my good luck for his research to contain and/or kill me, would you?"

Somehow, Qrow knew he was being entirely serious about that.

"Go get some breakfast Mercury."

He stood up. "It might be relevant. Zephyr told me that sometimes the Aura Wielder tattoo was black for a while before going back to silver." He walked off.

Qrow didn't follow him inside.

Blake's ears twitched.

Adam…was already dead.

There was no other answer.

The Adam Blake knew was dead.

And this thing had replaced him.

"Would it be better if I left?"

Blake froze.

Dad sighed. "That would protect you Weiss. Our home is always open to you but at the moment, it is not safe."

"For you either," Weiss pointed out. "I can fight and I will."

Blake took a breath. "We knew that you coming here was going to cause problems but…I never thought…"

"I remember Adam also," Dad continued. "I watched as he changed and I did nothing. Even after everything, I never thought he would go this far."

Blake had been warned.

She just hadn't believed it.

"The safest thing to do would be to move," Mum stated. "But that won't help for long. The other option-"

"Fight."

"Blake-"

"It won't end otherwise. If we run, Adam will just chase me. By staying and fighting…Adam has crossed a line here. He will regret it."

"Metis."

Blake blinked. She glanced at Weiss.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea. We're not ready-"

"Adam's not going to wait until I graduate Diana. No way is he going to wait another two years. He'll probably send people to Beacon and Vale." And with his connections… "We have a time and here, less people will be hurt. Adam…He's unreasonable but if we can get people to realise that; to realise what he's doing…He'll be on his own."

"You're focusing too much on Adam. He won't be there-"

"I know that. But I'm done running."

Weiss swallowed what was probably an angry retort. "I know the sentiment, but pick your battles."

"I am. And I want to fight this one. It's going to happen, so it's going to happen on my terms."

"…Then I'll stand by you."

Blake suppressed her initial response. "This isn't your fight-"

"That's one viewpoint. I've decided it's inconvenient and contradicts my standing that you're my friend and I'm partly responsible for this…" Glare. "Then I moved the scheduling up. I am not leaving because someone in particular doesn't like me."

Mum gently rebuked her. "It is not that he dislikes you Weiss. He dislikes everyone that does not agree with him."

Blake nodded. "If anything, us being friends made you a target."

Weiss scoffed. "Blake, I am the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." She gave a gentle smile. "The company known for its shady business deals and questionable business practices."

Blake couldn't stop the smile this time.

And the embarrassed blush when Mum and Dad gave her a meaningful look.

Weiss must have noticed too. "So…What now?"

"Now?" Dad repeated. "Now we make sure we stay as safe as possible."

Qrow didn't like Atlas.

It wasn't the high monorails or the skyscrapers. It wasn't the weather or the holograms. It wasn't even the Atlesian Knights clanking around.

This particular time, Qrow was already tired from the constant travel and time changes. Vale, then Menagerie, now Atlas…His body clock wasn't happy with him. Normally there was more than a few days between these across continent trips.

Public transport was needed, but that wouldn't get him to the academy at this time of night. After the rise in crime due to the prison break, multiple security procedures had been put in place, such as a curfew. Even when term wasn't in session.

So Qrow had to take the train to get close and then fly.

I hate flying in Atlas. Crows don't live here for a reason.

Is it just me or is there far fewer people around than any time I've been here before?

It didn't change. There was never more than ten passengers in his carriage and it was designed for over fifty.

Something happening?

Nothing did.

That put him more on edge.

No students around…It is late but no one?

Ironwood had (kindly or idiotically) left his window open. That did take out a lot of the hour travel time from the closest station. Wings long since aching, Qrow forced a final burst of energy.

The man was sitting behind the desk, reading a report that Qrow suspected was nothing to do with his school. The only light on was the desk lamp. The other desks in the room were also covered in paperwork.

There was also a food tray with two covered dishes on it.

Ironwood looked up when Qrow shifted back. He stood up. "Qrow." He gestured to the tray. "I assume you haven't eaten?"

"Not since this morning," Qrow admitted. As Ironwood moved over to the food, Qrow took the opposite seat at his desk and carefully piled the papers to make room. Ironwood then put the meal in front of him. "Sunday roast, huh?"

"Indeed." He sat down in his seat. "There is a hotel not an hour from here if you're not already sorted."

"That'd be helpful."

"I'll make a call." He placed the reorganised papers on the floor. "We have much to discuss. I think it would be best if said discussion was completely open."

Qrow tilted his head and considered. He picked up the cutlery. "Agreed." The lamb was good. "Out of curiosity, where is everyone tonight?"

Ironwood began his own meal. "Many of the politicians are at Mr Schnee's ball. I know a few of the students have arranged one of their own in the city and many of the younger generation are there. I imagine it will be very busy after midnight."

That was a relief. Qrow had far worse thoughts in mind. "So nothing bad in Atlas?"

"Nothing yet. At the moment, that troubles me. All official and 'less official' shipments are nothing out of the ordinary."

Qrow barely gave him a glance. "Atlas isn't interesting at the moment, General. You don't have much to worry about on your home ground for another three years."

"That is not as much of a relief as it should be. I will point out the changeling and Byrding were caught in Atlas. There was also an attack of Grimm hybrids at the Schnee Heir wake. Who else is hiding here?"

It took Qrow a moment to figure out Byrding was the Undesirable that committed suicide. Now that he thought about it… "What happened with those Dust mines anyway? I heard there was an attempt but no details." Mostly because his focus at the time had been closer to home.

Ironwood hesitated. "Unfortunately, upon reflection, I would not call that a serious attempt. I believe it was a scouting mission. How successful they were and how quiet it has been since is another worry on my mind. I fear they are putting people in place, like Team Rainbow."

"It probably won't be a Haven team again. Beacon is even more risky for them as the best qualifiers from the second years know everyone and would know if someone didn't belong. That leaves Atlas and Shade. We both know which they would pick if they try that ploy again."

There was an aggravated sigh. "And those were the least helpful documents."

"You know their style." Qrow placed the cutlery back on the now empty plate. "But she's more original than that."

…

"Where do we stand on the Relic?"

"The idea of hiding it by Runes works for everyday objects." And Zwei. Qrow pushed his hands in his pockets. "There is a possible problem. How much aura it takes to charge the Runes depends on what's in the bag. Putting Dust crystals in there took almost thirty times more than an animal. A Relic might be too much…"

"Not for Crawford."

Qrow blinked. That almost sounded like a compliment. He raised an eyebrow. "Sure of that, are you?"

"He's a proper topic to discuss a little later." Ironwood also put down his now unneeded knife and fork. "Let's speak of Haven first. Are Remedy definitely going this year?"

"Afraid so." It was a good idea; to keep them away. "At least this way, Emerald already being there saves them a plan to get her there. I got a feeling that would have taken a lot of collateral damage."

"Understood. With my main focus on Haven, the other schools could be a target."

"Rather unlikely-"

"But possible."

Qrow shrugged. "Possible."

"The Fall Maiden is known to them, remember. They have a way of bypassing the normal criteria and stealing it; she needs to remain on her guard and have a guard."

"Bring it up with her."

"Oh, we've spoken already. It was quite the talk." That sounded ominous. "She has decided Atlas would be nice to visit at that time of year."

"It's not. But if that's what is going to happen…" The Fall Maiden being in Atlas was an interesting choice. Vacuo was scoundrel central and it was tempting having Fall next to her vault. To be fair, Haven was completely out of the question.

"We were talking of Haven. If it is doable, then Ryu and Crawford can retrieve the Relic and hide it. No one would think much of Ryu being there if she is a competitor, so she can move about freely. However, this goes two ways. I want her wearing a tracking device at all times."

Okay, Qrow didn't like this. "Like the one you slipped Mercury?"

Ironwood didn't react to that. He was calm. "No. That only told me if he moved out of Vale City. The one I want to give her will pinpoint exactly where she is. Not only is Mistral extremely large, I don't trust Leonardo at all anymore."

When he said honest talk, he really meant it. Not even annoyed at me pointing that out.

Qrow waited.

"The question does become 'what happens to the Relic after'? I assume leaving it in this unfindable bag is not possible?"

"Not a chance. It would need to stay with someone that was an Aura Wielder at all times." He shrugged. "I only know one and I do not want a Relic near him." He was already a fourteen figure target.

Might stick a tracking device on him anyway.

"Agreed. Perhaps putting it back would be best for now. I am open to suggestions for that. For the record, I have heard rumours of another Aura Wielder. They place her in Raven's tribe."

Qrow groaned. "Great." Just what Raven didn't need. Why not give her a Maiden too?

Oh, wait. That had already happened.

Was it a good or a bad thing that Marcus had killed her?

"However, this theory is based on the assumption that she doesn't have a dual Semblance of healing and summoning."

"Rather unlikely." That said, ignoring pain and injury had been a Semblance before and that was why it never clicked for Cinder that Mercury was one when he thought that was his. "But possible. In no situation should Raven get the Relic. Ever."

Mercury was wrong. Raven didn't work for Salem.

But Qrow didn't want to find out what lengths she would go to avoid her.

He wasn't wrong about Raven's lifestyle being helpful to Salem.

"Agreed. It does prove something we suspected though: just because no Aura Wielders had passed through Combat Schools or took high profile missions didn't mean there were none these past sixty years. They were just not known."

"Yeah, but that doesn't help our problem. It's a bad idea to hand over this thing unless it's someone who has already proven they're not interested in helping Salem. The sticking point is that a lot don't know she exists and ever fewer would stand up to her."

Raven.

"That is something Ryu and Crawford have more than proven. However, I believe they shouldn't keep hold of it. If it takes that much power to keep it hidden using these Runes, then we need a solution."

Qrow tilted his head back. "This damn Festival is weeks long."

"If we sent it out of Mistral, where would we send it?" Ironwood placed his scroll on the desk. A hologram of the Remnant map appeared.

Qrow leaned forward and thought. "Well, the schools are a bad idea…" Unless… "What do you think about giving it to Amber within the next few days to hide in Beacon?"

Ironwood didn't immediately snap the obvious at him. He considered it more thoughtfully. "Let us say for the sake of argument we manage this without Salem finding out, which I do not believe possible. There might still be a strategy for Amber and we would be handing over two Relics rather than one…" His eyes left the map and went to Qrow. "Did Ozpin ever say anything about what would happen if two Relics are brought together?"

"No. In fairness, this time he may genuinely not know."

Oz did keep secrets.

The Relics were something that were never a high priority; not until they learned that Maiden power could be stolen like that.

Even so, Qrow had not learned anything he didn't already know beforehand.

Ironwood was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "Possible. I will bring it up with him next time we speak." He returned to the map. "Is there anywhere you can think of that would be suitable?"

He may have taken a few seconds to think about it, but Qrow had known the answer immediately. "No."

"…Neither can I. Whoever has it immediately becomes a target. We cannot leave it somewhere with confidence it won't be found by the wrong people…Unless we hide the place with these Runes too. Would that be more or less of a drain?"

Qrow thought it over. Mercury had been thorough with his explanation, even if he didn't understand any of the theory behind it.

"That varies. Larger areas require more aura but are less likely to be affected by the Relic. On the other hand, a small area means anyone can power it but the power of the Relic might make the whole thing collapse. He doesn't know until he actually has an ancient, unknown item to test with. How about Atlas' Relic?"

"No. Did you give him Beacon's?"

"Of course not. No one wants a Relic anywhere near him, including him. He did offer to try the experiment with Dust crystals, but he only has access to the already processed ones. Get him a few of differing sizes from the Dust mines and we might get a better idea."

Ironwood was silent for a moment. That was worrying. "What results does he have already for this theory?"

Qrow was reluctant to say, but Ironwood had been open so far.

"He has access to one unprocessed crystal; he uses it to power a new weapon. That required significantly more than the other Dust he tried with. He won't know which was the deciding factor."

"Colour and size?"

Qrow shrugged, acting casual. "Find him another crystal that's half rainbow, half black."

There was little reaction there. Ozpin had apparently already mentioned to him about those. That was a relief.

"Has he had any success on using the black Dust portion?"

"Absolutely none. And yes, he has tried." Quite thoroughly.

"I'm…not sure if that is good or bad news."

Qrow knew the feeling. "We can get the Relic out of the vault easy enough. It's what we do with it afterwards where we're having the problem."

"What are your thoughts on leaving it there?"

Qrow let out a long breath. "In one way, it's safer. Only the Spring Maiden can get in. On the other, Emerald being there means they have plenty of opportunity to…coerce her." He shook his head viciously; throwing the images out. "If we take it out, she can play along until it is safe enough to escape. Those cat Grimm…I'm pretty sure Salem knows it's her."

That was the main reason Qrow would accept her going to Haven. It meant that their threats were likely to stay threats rather than kidnap someone in the family and use them. Emerald would open it for them.

They were clever. They were resourceful.

They would be fine.

"She will be protected Qrow. I promise."

…

"I think we've gone as far as we can with Haven at the moment."

"…Agreed."

"What next?"

"The Winter and Summer Maidens?"

"Still unknown."

That was a really annoying fact. While Krystal Umi had been known, Raven's tribe had been safe for her for over a decade. It was only because they made the mistake of attacking a town that Marcus was drinking in that cost Raven her Maiden. The power had then gone to her cousin; it often went to relatives or close friends. A good starting point.

Unfortunately, they had no idea where to start with Summer and Winter.

Ironwood sighed. "I think it is time to move on to your stepson."

Qrow folded his arms, keeping his position relaxed. "And where do you want to start?"

"I'll start with what I know." Ironwood leaned down and picked up a pile of papers stapled together. "These are the papers we took from Byrding."

Very interested, Qrow took them. The photo was an old one, taken before the tournament. However, Qrow couldn't place it. It was only a head and shoulders shot so there was no context.

Let's see …Aura Wielder…Flying fox, Grimm, kitten, shark-Where did they get kitten from? I've never heard about a cougar or pitbull or coyote-had to be there somewhere-or badger…A two page list of potential aura animals? Good grief…Pretty good summation of his aura levels…Immune to 99% of posions at least...Affinity for Grimm…Animin bond…Coyote Faunus…

As he read further, Qrow's heart seemed to slow.

Initially sensitive to high frequency for a short time if not expecting it…Very sensitive hearing that is a strength and temporary weakness…Is hardwired to treat strangers or acquaintances cautiously and presumed they can become a threat…Use extreme care when engaging and don't stick to one strategy as he adapts to it and exploited weaknesses very swiftly…

No mention of shapeshifting or phasing.

Qrow let out a long breath. "Fucking hell."

Ironwood didn't react.

This is way too much information on him.

"What's your stand on this?"

"Crawford is in a unique position. I am satisfied he is against Salem but I do not like the fact he is such a target, no matter how powerful."

"Something we agree on, James."

"I put him on the same importance of a Maiden."

"…That's quite the claim."

Ironwood leaned back in his chair. He ignored the casual calm. "I will be blunt with you, Qrow. I fought that first rouge aura animal. I lost half my fleet. It has since at least tripled in power. It can have a far more intelligent mind. Combine those with his Semblance and will…Do you understand my concerns Qrow?"

Qrow did.

"The problem is that you have no way to control or contain him. And you would have to add me to that list as well."

"Qrow, I'm not looking for a fight. I have to trust him; I have no choice. What I need from you is for you to tell me straight away if something happens to make him change his mind. Even if you think you can bring him back to who you know, I need to know the second he becomes a threat."

"And then what?"

Ironwood rubbed his temples. "I don't know Qrow. My concern is the civillians. We both know he could do a lot of damage and death if he wanted. Do I think I have the technology to kill him? Not at the moment."

"Mercury asked how your new aura suppression collar is coming along." At Ironwood's glare, Qrow shrugged. "I think he genuinely means it. If he can become this powerful, so can someone else. Though it would have to be by different means. I can't say it's impossible."

"…The answer is poorly." Ironwood waved at the papers. "That's your copy. Crawford should be warned of the strategies that they could employ against him. He is too valuable to lose."

They weren't new and would each only work for a few seconds but…

It could happen.

They knew what he was capable of; better than Qrow apparently. They was missing key information, but that information was not necessary in a fight. He didn't use shapeshifting or phasing in battle.

"We're on the same page that he does not get kidnapped again?"

"Yes."

Qrow groaned. "General, was there anything in those documents that referenced his tattoo turning black?"

"Black…? No, there wasn't. When it is referred to, it is always noted as 'silver'. There is very little mention of it, only that it is concluded that this particular symbol indicates the highest potential possible. Did he mention anything about this bounty?"

…

"He was taken to Salem more than once. He didn't know the reason why. His theory is that she didn't get what she wanted, so she wants him back. I honestly don't want to know what for."

Ironwood looked down at his stack of papers on the floor. "At Haven, there is the opportunity to…harm both Ryu and Crawford. I stand by them staying away during the Festival."

That wasn't happening, unfortunately. "There is the entire trip Mercury's taking across Anima."

"He hasn't changed his mind about that?"

"Nope. All this bounty did was tell him he was stopping at every town along the way and that we wouldn't be happy if he didn't check in every night."

"That is a very bad idea."

Qrow just looked at him.

"Is he at least taking the dragon with him?"

"He is. She technically doesn't need to eat, so there won't be that sort of trouble."

Ironwood raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment on that impossible biology. "The display at the Vytal Festival is enough to convince me that she is under control. It might not be what I would assign, but at least he isn't completely alone. She is venomous, swift and intelligent. Is there anything else about her?"

"She is a good lookout and very protective of her pack. Mercury's seen as her mother. There's nothing else to say." Most likely, Talaria would be awake while Mercury would be asleep. She would then rest in his hood for some of the day and be active the rest.

Not quite as good as Qrow would like but he would take it.

For now.

"You're not happy with this."

…

"None of it."

"That is something we agree on." There was a brief quiet. "Qrow, give my personal scroll number to Mercury. I'm sure that I would be informed if something were to happen but even so. He is an important figure and we need to cooperate."

"I'll pass it on."

"There's one last topic, Qrow."

Qrow blinked. He had assumed Mercury would be the last. "What's that?"

"When I spoke with Amber, she identified the woman with Cinder that day: Azure Shadow."

"Azure…?" Qrow knew that name. He had heard Amber- "Her street kid friend."

"Exactly."

That's rough.

"She was adamant Azure was hired; that she would run and won't be a problem again."

"She might be right," Qrow commented. "People with that kind of background look after themselves. She saw Cinder killed; she won't be coming near us again."

"It is a loose end Qrow and we could gain valuable information. Something we are heavily lacking. Could you track her down?"

Qrow considered. "I can try. Like I said, she's not going to be happy to see me."

"You managed with Ryu and Crawford."

"Because of a magical bond that they are stuck with. I haven't got one of those lying around." Even then, it had been a struggle.

"This is key Qrow. We have even less information this time and have more people to protect. This is with a far larger territory and the appearance of new Grimm that have not been documented before. There are still Undesirables loose and the Dust supply to the Huntsmen has yet to properly replenish. We're in a worse situation now than we were before."

"Much as I hate to say it, I can't argue with that."

Zephyr had told them and Mercury as much as he could.

However, Zephyr wasn't high up in the ladder at the time. He probably wasn't even on the ladder. He was an outsider; ignored for the most part but able to pick up things here and there. He would have mentioned if he knew Mercury was 'visiting' Salem if he knew about it.

Only told what they needed to know when they needed to know it…and Zephyr never did.

"What if they all have poison pills in their teeth?"

"Then we need another way. That will be the first thing I check for if we get lucky again. For curiosity reasons, what are the specifics for this Grimm connection?"

"Very situational and case by case."

"…I see. Qrow, thank you."

"Hey, I got a dinner out of it. This hotel had better have a good bar." Getting hammered was such a tempting idea.

"It does."

"Then I'll probably next see you at the Festival General. Try to smile this time."

Qrow stood up, shifted and flew back out the window.

He's not wrong. This Festival is going to be more of a hassle than the last one. I can only hope it doesn't end as badly.

Tai and Qrow were both out of the house.

Emerald knew something was up. There was a week to go before Beacon started up and Yang was nervous about something. That was never good.

Yang stopped at the stairs. "Ruby, could you come down please?"

Must be serious.

Emerald glanced over at Mercury, who was on the seat next to the couch she was on. His eyes went to Yang for a moment before he stretched and put his scroll down.

Must be very serious.

Yang leaned on Mercury's chair.

Emerald narrowed her eyes at him.

He just stared back.

Ruby walked into this scene. "Umm…What's going on?"

Yang's arm was brushed against Mercury's shoulder. They could aura read between them.

"It's important, Ruby," Yang answered. "Sit."

"Woof," Ruby replied as she sat next to Emerald. "But what's wrong?"

Mercury let out a long breath. "I know the reason why we went after Fall and not Spring Emerald. And you need to know it."

Emerald's eyes flickered between Yang and Mercury. Unease began to swirl within her.

"Okay. I'll ask. Why?"

"In each of the schools, there is a Relic. A very important and dangerous artefact. Each is hidden in a particular school and only a particular Maiden can open to the door to them. Nothing else will work. A nuclear explosion would keep the door intact."

They all flinched.

Emerald thought she could see where this was going. "Haven…That's Spring, isn't it?"

"Yes. Fall was Beacon. If Cinder's plan worked, Beacon would have been desolate and she would have the Relic of Choice. In Haven, there is an artefact called the Relic of Knowledge." He rolled his eyes. "Do I need to go into any detail as to why it is a bad idea?"

The unease began to drift into dread. "I see…"

The odds of them knowing Emerald was a Maiden were very good. Before, Emerald hadn't really cared. Now that she knew they wanted her for an artefact rather than just her power…

That relaxed her a little.

"Okay."

"I'll raise you that the Headmaster is most likely a mole."

Emerald smiled at him. "I'll see your 'Headmaster is a mole' and raise an 'I don't care'."

Mercury smiled back.

Ruby wasn't so amused. "Emerald-"

"Ironwood and his army are going to be there," Yang interrupted. "And he doesn't trust the Headmaster either. There's also loads of teachers and students and we'll know quite a few of them. We're more powerful now, Ironwood isn't going to cause us problems and we know of the danger. It'll be fine…But not going should be thought about."

"Oh, I'm going," Emerald replied. She wasn't going to be scared off.

She was done being scared.

Mercury cocked his head, still staring at her.

I am done being scared.

"Maia. Just because you've had enough doesn't mean we have to go looking for trouble," Ruby stated firmly. "It's not just about us. A lot of people could be hurt and that's not worth our pride or need to prove to ourselves."

"Athena, you're free to stay at Beacon if you wish. I'm heading to Haven. If for no other reason than to laugh at Mercury for his babysitting duties and possibly bribe him into a solo performance." No way was she leaving him alone to face the dangers.

"That stupid thing is staying in the cupboard where it belongs," Mercury replied casually.

Emerald doubted that. Even if Mercury didn't take his harmonica (and he probably would while complaining about it constantly), she would.

"You spent a lot of money on it. You're taking it."

Ruby sighed.

"Athena," Yang cooed softly. "It'll be fine. You two just needed to know."

"Right." Ruby didn't sound convinced. "I'd better tag along to keep you three out of trouble then." She frowned as she thought. "And maybe make sure you don't go a bit overboard with Sun."

It clicked for Yang faster than it clicked for Emerald. Her mind was still on this artefact/Maiden threat.

"I am not dating Scarlet, Ruby."

There was the life back in Ruby's eyes. "So you say. What will he say?"

Yang folded her arms. "The exact same."

Ruby looked at Emerald.

{Hey, she might be right. But there are a lot of people she hasn't met at Haven. Maybe she'll meet someone.}

Ruby's grin was near feral.

Yang's eyes went between Ruby and Emerald, knowing she was missing something. Mercury just stretched out and cupped his hands behind his head.

Let's get off this topic. Now.

"So, with Tai and Qrow out until tomorrow…Who's making dinner?"

Ruby and Yang considered Emerald's valid question.

Then they simultaneously looked at Mercury.

"No way."

Yang put her hands on her hips. "We just want to make sure you're ready for the world Eris. You may have passed Beacon's tests but you haven't passed ours. We have very different expectations in mind and you had better meet them."

Mane Graduation would be easy compared to some of the possible 'tests'.

But you have to appreciate the good times while they last, especially when you know you're going to walk straight into trouble.

Cooking was a useful skill and Tai had made sure they learned. What else could they test?

I am done being scared.