Chapter 3: The Court of Miracles

When the sun dawned the next day, Hawthorne was the first one awake in the Arc residence. Which was the usual, the man quickly put on a leather tunic, tan pants, and black leather boots. He fastened his longsword onto his belt and began to make his way out into the town.

In the early hours of the morning, not many people were awake. Out of those who were there were mainly shop owners and guards, anyone else was either homeless drunks or individuals who were like-minded and heading to the same place as him.

Hawthorne took a glance around the square and slipped his hood up before proceeding down an alleyway.

The path was filled with others who made their way past rats, dusty crates, and moldy food. Hawthorne brought a wrist over his nose to try and block out the smell.

Finally, the knight saw a sign that read 'The Drunken Huntsman', the place where Henry wanted to meet him.

When he walked in he was immediately met by drunken laughter and the smell of booze. With a glance, he found a group of city guards, including the captain, smugglers, and several others.

Hawthorne made his way past them all and toward the bar, once he sat down on the stool he set down three gold pieces, "A cup of ale please."

The man behind the counter grumbled and poured a cup of ale from the barrel and gave it to Hawthorne, "He'll be here soon, he told me he'd show up late."

The knight raised an eyebrow, "Thanks," The knight took a drink of ale, "You sure?"

At that moment the door opened and revealed a man in luxurious clothes. He had short brown hair and a golden necklace with the Vale royal crest, this man was the Royal Treasurer, Henry Serin.

"Ah, Hawthorne," The man greeted with a smile, "I'm glad to see you took my offer seriously."

Hawthorne stood up from his chair and met the man halfway, "Lord Serin, I at least had to hear what you have to say."

The smaller man gestured to a private booth in the corner of the tavern, "Shall we?"

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Hawthorne asked as he sat down, "It's not every day that a knight gets a summons from a Lord of the Royal Council."

"Some matters are just that important." Henry shrugged as he sat down. His guards quickly stood in the space between the booth and the rest of the tavern.

They now had privacy.

"What matters would need an old knight like me?" Hawthorne laughed, "The only thing I would be good for is a battle plan."

"Not true." The councilman frowned, "There are many who look up to you Hawthorne, many currently in the army as well as those in training."

"While I am grateful for what you have said," Hawthorne narrowed his eyes at the councilman, "I think there's more to it than what you're letting on."

"I will explain everything Ser," Henry warned, "But first you must promise that you won't tell anyone about what we will be discussing."

Hawthorne had a pregnant pause, he didn't like this. For Lord Serin to try and keep a secret and make him swear, it must be important or dangerous, "I swear on my title, I will not discuss what we talk about with anyone."

Henry smiled and leaned down slightly, "What do you feel about the Schnee?"

"I'm not sure yet," The knight answered, "Lord Arc wants me to wait before I decide on her."

"But what do you think?" Henry asked again, "I know you are to follow your Lord, but we are also speaking behind closed doors so to speak."

Hawthorne sighed and looked away. He wanted to abide by his Lord's rules, he wanted to follow the high road. But the cries of citizens and the final words of his friend wouldn't leave his mind.

He remembered the fires and the blood. The ash clinging to the corpses of his comrades. The shocked expression of children clinging to their parents, who would never wake again.

He remembered the smile, the smile on the Schnee general's face as he cut down his friend.

Finally, he remembered how long the walk he had to take, and the look on Jaune's face.

"What do I think?" Hawthorne began after a long pause, "I think if people know what I do, they'll see she's a danger."

"I'm glad you see what we do." Henry smiled.

The knight narrowed his eyes "We?"

The Lord smiled, "The Court of Miracles, a group devoted to the well-being of the Kingdom, no matter the cost."

Hawthorne sat back and tilted his head slightly, "I assume you want someone to join the Court?"

"I feel that you would make a good addition," Henry leaned forward, "We need someone popular among the citizens."

"Why would you?" The knight questioned, "Ozpin is doing a great job repairing the country."

Henry shook his head, "Not true." The knight opened his mouth to protest, but Henry continued, "Most of his resources have gone to the larger cities, while the peasants are left to scrounge for whatever's left." He sighed, "Even with the Huntsmen doing their best, thousands have died from Grimm incursions."

Hawthorne turned his gaze to the nearby window, he scanned the growing group of citizens going about their business.

"We need someone who has enough of a reputation to foster support from the peasants and give them the support they need." Henry implored the Knight.

"If your group is so good," Hawthorne brought his attention back to the Lord, "Why are we 'behind closed doors' as you put it?"

Henry frowned for a split second and sighed, his gaze now out to the now bustling city, "The court offends his majesty," he began, "While he is accepting of many things. He believes that the peasants will rise if given the chance, so by supporting the peasants we fear that we will bring about his wrath."

"So what do you want me to do then?" Hawthorne asked.

"I want you to support our movements and bring it up to Jaune, he is more receptive to you than anyone else." Henry smiled at the knight, "I also think it would be important to spread these ideas to some of the other nobles and knights that will be present at the ball in a couple of days."

Hawthorne nodded, "I will do so, I'm sure Jaune will be a great help in doing so."

Henry stood up and gave a nod toward the knights, "Thanks for meeting with me, Ser Hawthorne, I hope to see you again in the coming days."

Lord Serin made his way out of the tavern, followed by his guards. When he stepped out into the city he made his way to a nearby carriage and got inside.

"So, Hen, how did it go?" A ginger-haired male smiled, the thick smell of tobacco filled Henry's lungs. When he sat down he scowled at the man opposite of him.

"Everything went very well," Henry narrowed his eyes at the man, "You can tell your boss that Hathorne is with us, for now."

"For now?" The man tilted his head, "What do you mean, for now?"

Henry sighed as the carriage began to move, he couldn't escape this conversation now, "Hawthorne will find out what this organization is actually about sooner or later, and when he does he'll bring the Arc family down on top of us."

"That won't be an issue." The man smiled, "I have my group that could counter that weakened Oum-forsaken family."

"What happens if Huntsmen get involved?" Henry threw his hands up in frustration, "Are your men prepared for the wrath of Huntsmen."

"Hey, hey, hey," The man sushed, "The White Fang are capable of defeating Huntsmen any day of the week."

The man sighed and gazed out of the window, toward the changing scenery, "So where are we going?"

"To meet with another Noble who may align with our views without the cloak and dagger." Henry answered, "Cardin Winchester."

The man raised an eyebrow and took a puff from his cigar, "Winchester…. Remind me, why are they important?"

The treasurer was quiet for a moment, "The Winchesters arrived in Sanus just after the Arc's, they fought over the region for hundreds of years before Vale managed to end the fighting in the War for Mountain Glenn."

"What does that matter?" The man questioned.

"It matters because since the war the Winchester family has been considered second class, in comparison to the Arcs, who hold the favor of the crown," Henry answered matter of factly.

"So we're talking to Lord Winchester, why?" The man asked, sending tobacco smoke toward the treasurer, "To stir up family drama from way in the past?"

"Yes and no," Henry responded, "During the war against Atlas, the Winchester's kept their army near Mountain Glenn to fight off the Grimm, meanwhile the Arcs fought on the Frontline."

"So?" The man asked, "Why is that important?"

"HOW ARE YOU NOT FOLLOWING!" Henry pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Remember Hen, I handle the business and dagger aspects of this, you handle the funding and cloak," He reminded Henry, "Now, clarify."

Henry sighed and began, "While the arcs were being slaughtered in the battles of Vytal, Arcon, and Vale itself the Winchester's barely lost men against the Grimm." The treasurer took a breath, "So if things get ugly, we must have a strong martial force on our side."

"I agree," the man nodded, "but if things go well we won't need one."

"What do you mean?" Henry narrowed his eyes.

"Let's just say that we're due to have a test fire for our new "product" soon," The man laughed, "It's all part of the plan, but I would suggest you avoid the business district later today."

"So, they're ready?" Henry asked, "How many?"

"We have about three made and deployed right now," The man informed Henry, "However, with the help of Junior and his men, I'm pretty sure that we'll be able to make a dozen before the end of the week."

"How much is this going to cost me?" Henry sighed, "The economy is hanging in by a thread as it is!"

"What does that matter?" The man laughed, "It's worth it all in the end right?"

Henry sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose once more, "How am I supposed to stay inside the council if the King doesn't trust I can bring the economy back to pre-war levels! If I get fired, our whole operation is over!"

"Wow hen, I didn't know this means so much to you," The man frowned, "However, remember your his isn't the only one riding on the success in this mission!"

"I Know th-"

"I don't think you do!" The man growled, "If things go sideways, you'll have nowhere to go, she will always find you!"

"I don't even know who she is!" Henry began to jab his index finger into the man's silk cloak, "You never explain to me who "she" is and what "she'll" do to me!" Henry sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, "You always assure me things will be fine until something is brought up and mentioned, then you bring "her" up and how she'll "do" something to me!"

"Do you want to know!" The man finally asked.

"Yes, I do!" Henry leaned forward, "I want to know exactly who I'm dealing with! I want to know who the middle-man answers!"

"She's known as the witch," He began, "She's been planning her revenge for hundreds of years."

"Revenge?" Henry thought to himself, "Why would she want revenge?"

"She's had thousands of people serve under her," The man continued, "And she's lead to the destruction of hundreds of towns, cities, and civilizations…" he trailed off and took a breath, his gaze meeting the citizens walking through the streets, "But most importantly, there is no way to stop her, she will destroy everything in her way to get what she wants."

The carriage began to slow to a stop. And inside of the vehicle, the two men looked out to a large building with two banners on either side of the entrance, a golden eagle flying over a grey field.

Henry got up from his seat and sighed, "Wish me luck."

The man only responded with a laugh.