Here we go. We're jumping into the action in book five fairly swiftly, which was why I really did need chapter one of it to be a slow one. Would have been a bit wild to go in heavy and never lessen it.
Beta: College Fool
Cover Art: Dishwasher1910
Book 5: Chapter 3
As the first ships landed a sense of detached horror fell over us all, and it might have led to disaster were it not for Miss Goodwitch's calm. The Warlock strode forward, barking out instructions left and right. She tool hold of the situation and forced us to move, turning what was a gaggle of wide-eyed teenagers into the Heroes we were supposed to be.
"Create a shield behind the aspirants," she ordered. "Keep the Grimm at bay. All aspirants return through the portal immediately. I shall say again, the First Quest is over. All aspirants are to return to Beacon immediately. Don't let the Grimm through - and someone alert the headmaster. Hurry, everyone. Move, move, move!"
All across the abandoned village students hurried to obey, the older ones falling back slowly and creating an interlocking wall of steel to keep the Grimm still in the village at bay. The younger ones, afraid and uncertain, stole glances towards the ships that had landed, even as wooden ramps were lowered down onto the beaches. Miss Goodwitch didn't let them tarry, however. She ushered them on, instructing others to lead them through the portal and ensure none remained.
I pushed Ellayne towards the portal, urging her forwards. The girl, tears still in her eyes, shot me one last look before she fled through with a panicked sob. I might have followed but for Miss Goodwitch stalking towards us. She snapped a hand towards Blake and I. "Mr Arc, Miss Belladonna. You are both with me."
"Yes ma'am." I stammered.
Blake nodded immediately.
Neither of us dared disobey. We fell in line on either side and a little behind the Warlock, creating the vague sense of two Heroes guarding an important diplomat, except that the diplomat was stronger than both combined. I kept a hand on the hilt of Crocea Mors, despite not knowing what I could hope to do against an army. It somehow made me feel a little safer.
The huge ships of the Mistral fleet towered above us as we neared, their black and blue sails resplendent in the early morning mist and sunlight. Up close the ships were constructed of dark-red wood, well-polished and free of barnacles, suggesting they'd been built in a hurry, probably through the winter. Had Mistral done that on the chance peace negotiations failed, or had they never intended for them to succeed in the first place?
Armoured figures were descending the ramps to gather in disciplined columns and squares at the bottom. Horses were led off others, laden with supplies and material. Their armour was a mixture of black and gold, though again each featured the tell-tale black tabard with the blue insignia of Mistral emblazoned on the front and back of the chest. They were impressive in their discipline and cut an intimidating sight. Despite that, many of them watched us nervously, like we were the ones who might cause a scene.
"Keep your mouths shut," Glynda hissed. "Allow me to handle the talking. Do not allow your feelings to show."
I thought she meant fear at first, in which case I'd already failed because my eyes were wide and my knees knocked against one another, but a second later I realised it wasn't that at all, but anger and indignation. Mistral was invading our country. But Heroes were above Kingdoms. We existed to protect all people. It sounded like so beautiful a concept, but faced here now with the reality of my own impotence, I couldn't help but shake.
Our approach had not been missed, of course. A figure in resplendent armour of golden-black dismounted a pure white warhorse and handed its reins to a retainer. He moved towards us, and two Soldiers fell in line behind in mirror to ourselves. Yet more watched on, some from the boughs of the ships and some from the ground. There were a thousand or more eyes on us; six people meeting in the middle of two armies.
The man in the lead reached up to remove his helmet. Long, brown hair fell out, and I realised the impressive breastplate wasn't for show. We stood before a woman, though her face made it clear any such distinction was meaningless. Man or woman, hers was an expression carved from rock, with an angular chin and a bold nose. Her eyes, blue and sharp, met roved over Blake and I dismissively, before they fixed on Glynda. She placed one hand on her chest and bowed. Her Class denoted her an Archer, though she carried no bow and instead had a sword strapped to one hip.
"I give you my greetings, honoured Heroes. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Glynda regarded the woman without any of the fear I felt should have been expected. "You have landed illegally on Vale's shores," she said. "And I see you have an army behind you. The last I heard was that a peace deal was being brokered. What has happened to that?"
"I am afraid the peace deal failed, honoured Hero," the woman said, standing tall once more. "We too believed it close to fruition, but Vale's Royal Family refused to play blood price for those that had been slain. Such could not be accepted, and the diplomats were expelled. Peacefully, of course. We have adhered to all laws."
War had laws? I wanted to call the woman out on that, but realised I didn't know myself. There was obviously some level of law behind it, otherwise Glynda wouldn't have mentioned the landing being illegal, and Mistral would have had no requirement to let the diplomats go unharmed. I was out of my depth, horrifically so.
Glynda, luckily, was not. "It is war, then. It has come to this."
"I am afraid so, good Heroes. I am but the Vanguard, and my task is to establish a beachhead. You need fear no harm from me or mine to the local populace. I will, however, be forced to demand this village's immediate surrender."
"Your information is outdated. This village fell to the Grimm several weeks ago."
The soldier's eyes strayed to the village behind us, and I bore witness to a surprising anger in her gaze. It burned there for a moment, before she tore her eyes away and scowled. "Monstrous beasts," she spat. "We did not realise. All of Vale has our condolences for its loss. Such a village did not deserve so gruesome a fate."
"Weren't you going to attack it anywa-" My words cut off as Blake's elbow slammed into my stomach. She stared at me meaningfully, but it was Miss Goodwitch's arctic gaze that silenced me. She looked furious. I surrendered instantly. "S-Sorry."
"Please ignore my student," Glynda said. "Today has been a difficult day."
"He is no doubt angered by the devastation here," the woman replied, missing the point of my frustration somewhat. Maybe she was doing that on purpose to avoid an incident. "I am angered also, as is everyone here. There is nothing to forgive. I must ask, however, your portal... if the villagers here have all been slain then what is the purpose for that construct? The Treaty does not allow for Heroes to interfere in any war declared, even for the evacuation of Soldier or NPC Classes."
Glynda frowned. "Not that you would accuse me of such."
"O-Of course not! I am simply enquiring. My superiors would demand an answer from me when they land. It would be remiss of me not to ask. I mean no insult, certainly not to Heroes like yourselves."
"Beacon was conducting its First Quest in the area, in efforts to reclaim this village and test our aspirants for the academic year ahead. Your invasion has come at an inopportune time and we were forced to abandon the Quest." The irritation in Miss Goodwitch's voice was obvious, and I couldn't help but think it was a little mistimed, mostly because we were three against what might have been three thousand. The woman would laugh in our face, surely. She'd maybe make some snide jab of an apology, saying she was `oh so sorry` and maybe they could invade at a time more convenient to ourselves.
The enemy commander did not. She fell to one knee, instead. "You have our utmost apologies, honoured Heroes. It was not our intention to impede on this most holy task." The woman unbuckled her sword and placed it down on the sand. "I am the one who commanded the journey and chose the destination. If you wish it, I shall accept whatever punishment you deem fit."
What?
The woman sounded genuinely horrified, or even ashamed! Her head was aimed toward the floor, her body exposed. Even those alongside her seemed troubled, though more in the sense of genuine sorrow than being nervous we might do something. Blake looked surprised, too. She hid it well, but I could tell.
It's the treaty, I realised a moment later. That and the fact these are Mistral Soldiers. Mistral loves their Heroes, and I guess since we can't interfere with their war, they'd technically not feel any anger towards us, either.
It was an odd concept. We were Vale citizens and they were from Mistral. They should have hated us on sight, yet this woman had been unbearably frank with them, even going so far as to explain her reasons for being here, her mission, and what she intended to do now that she'd landed. She didn't seem even the slightest bit afraid that we would tell anyone or interfere. In fact, she seemed more concerned that she'd interfered with our work.
That was madness. Was she basically saying that if she'd known we were here, she'd have delayed the invasion of our country for a few hours so we could finish our First Quest? That was ridiculous!
"It is not my place to punish you," Glynda said, not quite as on the back foot as me, or maybe just experienced enough not to show it.
"If you wish to continue the First Quest, we can wait." The woman offered. "I can have my forces surround the village and prevent Grimm from interfering. We would, of course, allow any failed aspirants to leave with you. We would not seek to take advantage of an event like this to harm fresh recruits."
"That is generous of you, but we've already called the event off. We'll find our own method of selection, commander. Do not worry for us."
"I see." The woman nodded once. "I again apologise. As this village is officially abandoned, would you have any exception to us taking it for our purposes?"
Glynda eyed the abandoned walls. "I can hardly stop you, commander. Do as you will. I would, however, request an hour to ensure all aspirants are reclaimed safely."
"You shall have it, honoured Hero. Should you need more time simply ask and we shall deliver."
"You have our thanks." Glynda turned around, nodded to us, and then stepped back toward the portal, leaving Blake and I to hurry after her. The entire time my back was tensed, expecting an arrow to blossom from it or the charge to be sounded. It never was, of course. Mistral would not do such a thing, but that didn't stop the fear. Nor did it stop the questions from rushing around inside my head.
"We return to Beacon," the Warlock said, perhaps sensing my feelings, or just seeing the obvious question.
"And then what?" I asked.
"And then, Mr Arc, things become truly complicated."
/-/
The three of us were the last to come through the portal back into Beacon, and true to Glynda's warning it was to a school in absolute chaos. The new students milled around and yelled at the top of their lungs. I imagined they'd been talking at one point but the sheer volume made that impossible. Now it was just a mob of frightened children.
I saw Ruby, Pyrrha and the others surrounding them, basically forming a loose wall to keep the students stuck in the gardens and prevent them getting lost. Having no idea what we were to do, Blake and I stood awkwardly on either side of Miss Goodwitch as she descended from the portal down onto the grass. She waved her hand and the portal slowly faded behind her, the Mages – Weiss included – breathing sighs of relief as the drain on their power was cut.
That didn't do much for the panic, though. Ozpin had appeared at the entrance to Beacon Academy, too, no doubt drawn by the noise and wondering what was going on. Port and Oobleck were beside him.
Miss Goodwitch opened her mouth to speak but closed it without saying a word. She inspected the crowd, sighed, and then raised one hand into the air.
An explosion of purple energy detonated ten feet or more above her. It was a dull sound unlike an explosion, but impossible to describe. It was like the sickly, ill, cousin of an explosion. It was loud enough to silence everyone, however, and the Warlock took advantage of that.
"All aspirants are to be taken to the cafeteria where they will be fed and kept for the time being. Mages and those who were a part of the portal array shall see to this. New students, I will ask you now for calm." The way she said it made it sound less like a request and more a threat. She was asking now. She'd force the issue if they didn't.
True to form, none dared speak. The Warlock had a way with words. Weiss and the other magic users pushed themselves up onto their feet and moved towards the aspirants, though not without worried or curious looks towards us. I mouthed the word `later` to Weiss and she nodded. I was fairly sure she'd interrogate a first year in the cafeteria before that, though.
It took longer than would have been liked for the green to be cleared. It wasn't that the new students were stubborn so much as that they were in shock, and it hardly helped that the Mage-types were exhausted from the array.
Port moved to assist them, the Cavalier adding his impressive voice and gusto to the affair, promising fine food and drink and finally bringing a little more life back to the procession. I caught sight of Ellayne among them. She looked small and alone, like someone who had just seen the manner of their own death. Given what we'd faced on the beach there was a good chance she had.
Once they were gone, Miss Goodwitch turned back to us all. "The First Quest has been cancelled. While I'm sure all of you are more concerned with what the war will mean for Vale, and rightly so, there is still this matter to deal with. We must know who is to pass and who is to fail."
"Can't we just run it again?" Yang asked.
"We could cut out those who already failed," Cardin added gruffly. "Send them home and run a smaller Quest for the ones who made it through. That would be the fairest solution."
A few others seemed to agree, each adding their own thoughts, though most were centred on putting the students through another test of some kind. That might well be necessary considering the number of applicants. I wasn't sure if Beacon could actually afford to host that many.
"Running another Quest is not an option," Miss Goodwitch said. "Our time will soon be taken up with matters far more important. Yours, as well. Although we cannot fight in times of war, we Heroes are far more active than normal. No, we cannot afford to hold another First Quest."
There was silence all around. After a long moment Pyrrha stepped forward, speaking for all of us. "Then what do we do?"
"We will first of all cut the chaff, but we shall have to teach those who remain. We will see in time who can stay and who cannot. Those who retreated early would have already had their names taken by those manning the portals. Is that not correct?" She looked to two students in particular, who nodded and held up some sheets of paper. "Good. Those who retreated have failed. Those who were injured and had to be rescued have failed. All that remains is for those who were failed but did not reach the portal to be accounted for. I suppose you all have some who were in that situation."
There were several murmurs of assent, Blake among them. We'd been manning all the walls so it was possible, or even probable, that more students had been about to fail or had been on their way out when the fleet landed. Ellayne was among that number, not having reached the portal and been officially failed, but having already accepted aid from Blake and I.
"I shall take details of those individuals now. Come and see me before we address the students."
Plenty of people moved to do so, Ren, Nora and even Ruby among them, with names of those who had failed or were about to. Miss Goodwitch listened to each and wrote the names down on the lists the other students had already created. As the crowd thinned, it came to our turn and Blake took a step forward.
My hand caught her wrist.
"Jaune? What are-?" She cut off. Her eyes narrowed. She knew instantly. "No. No way."
"Blake, please…"
"You-" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Do you even understand what you're asking? She failed, Jaune. She failed her First Quest! She isn't cut out to be a Hero."
"Was I, Blake? I only got through mine because you helped me. Me and that girl… we're the same."
"I helped you against a Grimm so powerful it should not have existed there! She struggled to fend off four minor Grimm. You risked your life to fight to the death against an enemy far above you. She threw down her weapons and fled for her life. It's not just in what you could do, but what you were willing to do." Blake's eyes flashed dangerously. "The two of you are not even remotely similar."
The amount of vitriol in Blake's voice shocked me. It wasn't that it was aimed at her, but more the way she'd aimed it at the insinuation of me being like Ellayne. In a way it was flattering. I had fought the Canis at first, and then tried to fight the Beowolf, even staying in a misguided attempt to help Blake, who I'd thought was in danger. I'd then joined forces with Pyrrha, Ren and Nora to face and kill it.
In that, I could admit I'd done more than Ellayne. She'd been beset by easily killed Grimm, and she was an actual Hero Class, which meant she not only had more tools than I did, but was probably a higher level than I'd been, to boot.
But was that really a reason to fail her? Was it a reason to send her to the slaughter? Even if she went to some training camp first, it would probably be a fast-track one. Vale was going to need Soldiers for the war. Would she have to stand and fight in it before the year was out? That just wasn't fair.
And really, it was my fault. I'd survived the First Quest because I'd been able to team up, and Blake had saved me because I caught her attention in the hour before it started. Ellayne had been granted that same hour, but I'd interfered in it and cost her a chance of meeting someone to team up with. Ellayne could grow stronger. I was proof of that. Neither us had technically been strong enough to pass on our own, but I'd grown into what I was now and she could too.
"Mr Arc," Miss Goodwitch said, stepping up to us. "I noticed that you had an aspirant with you at the end. Is that another name to add to the list?"
"Yes," Blake said.
"No," I echoed.
Glynda stared at us both.
I took the moment's silence, bumbling the words in my haste. "She didn't fail. Blake thought she did but the fleet arrived before the Grimm attacked her. She was distracted by that and I slew the Grimm that came up behind her. That was after the horn was blown."
"Didn't Miss Belladonna just say she failed?"
"She didn't see it from a good angle," I said, the lie coming easily. "She probably saw me kill the Grimm and assumed I'd intervened. That wasn't the case, ma'am."
"Hm. Miss Belladonna?"
"I…" Blake's eyes were wide as she stared between me and the teacher. I tried my hardest to appeal to her without making a sound. She met my gaze, swallowed, and then turned back to Miss Goodwitch. "I… I might have been mistaken…"
Relief, like a wave, washed over me.
"Is that so?" Glynda asked.
"I… Yes… I didn't see it properly…"
"Very well." Miss Goodwitch nodded and didn't add a name to the list. She turned back around, moving towards the others and speaking to Ruby, who nodded and listed a few more names.
I turned to Blake with a wide smile. "Blake…"
The Assassin didn't smile back. She glared at me.
"I-I'm sorry, Blake. I'm sorry I had to make you lie like that. It's just… Ellayne…" I trailed off, and she held the glare for a few long seconds. Eventually, however, it faded. Blake ran a hand through her hair and sighed dramatically.
"You hardly need to explain yourself to me. I know full well why you did it, even if I don't agree. It's done now." She sighed again. "I don't want this to come between us. Not now. Not with everything that's going on."
"It won't," I promised. I took both her hands in mine and smiled down on her. I could see where she was coming from, even if I didn't agree with it. And on it coming between us, nothing of the sort would happen under my watch. That she was willing to lie for me, believe in me, meant more than I could explain. I tried to put it into words regardless. "Blake, thank you. You've no idea how much this means to me."
"I have a feeling I don't," she said, shaking her head. Her fingers curled around mine. "You're not the same as her, Jaune. It's completely different. And this… this is on your head. No one will find out from me, but whatever happens, good or bad, you have to remember that this was your call. I wanted to fail her. I still do. She's not ready for this."
"Were any of us, Blake? Was I?"
To my surprise, she nodded. "Yes. I was ready. And though you may not believe it, you were ready, too. You may not have been strong or skilled, but you were prepared to do what was needed. You were ready up here," she took her hand from mine and tapped her head, "and down here." The other touched her breast.
"And Ellayne isn't?" I asked.
"For her sake, I hope she is."
There was no time to talk more on the matter. Miss Goodwitch went to see to the new students and explain the situation to them. Oobleck and Ozpin stepped towards us. Their faces were grim, their postures rigid. Of those that remained, forty or so second years, none failed to sense the mood, and all became silent the moment they approached.
"All of you come with us," Ozpin said.
No one asked why. No one needed to. As one, we followed.
/-/
"I'm afraid it is time for a lesson we hoped you would not have to learn," Ozpin said, stood behind Oobleck's desk in the man's classroom. We'd been joined once more by Weiss and the other Mage-types, all of whom wore their shock as we had when the realisation first hit. No one spoke and all watched silently as Ozpin allowed his eyes to wander over us. "War has befallen our country. And as Heroes, we remain the lone candle against the shadows. I wish that I could tell you more here, but I must travel to the city and speak with the Noble Caste, and speak with other Heroes in Vale. The entire country must be prepared."
The Sage finished with a nod and stepped back, not waiting for any response before he marched out of the room. Ozpin had always been unreadable but this seemed to have shaken even him, and while there was no fear in him, the man's anger shone through.
Oobleck, by comparison, managed a modicum of calm as he stepped behind his desk. The Alchemist took a long sip from his mug, sighed, and placed it down on the table. Only then did he address the waiting audience.
"War has been declared between Mistral and Vale. Negotiations have failed. Calm minds have failed. All of Remnant will regret this choice, as it has every war that preceded this one. But this does not change reality; no matter how much we might wish it. Mistral and Vale are now at war. The sooner you all accept that, the easier things will be.
"Many of you may be wondering why," he continued. "I cannot answer that. I expect in time that a reason will be concocted, but thoughts of doubt and inquiry must be pushed to the back of your minds. Now is a time for action. Now is a time where we must act, and quickly."
One of the doors to the left opened suddenly, and two members of the Labour Caste entered dragging a long cart with them. Stacked on top of it were bushels of cloth, each a dark green in colour. I tried to sit a little taller to see what they were, but the fabric was folded and hidden. Luckily, Oobleck moved over and picked one up, dismissing his helpers with a nod. He turned back and unfolded the garment.
It was a dark green tabard. It was akin to a one-piece segment of cloth with a hole for the neck and two equally-large ones for the arms. It connected at the shoulders and below the shoulder, somewhere above the hip. It then split again at the thigh and ran down the front and back. When worn, it looked like it would sit over armour, and basically cover the chest, sides, back and the front of the legs, down to the knee.
There was also an intricate symbol on the front woven in golden thread. It wasn't the crossed axes of Vale, but rather an oddly complex one. I could make out a circle with wings, a laurel leaf below and two axes in the centre, facing in the opposite direction. Beneath that was a sword pointed down, with two sharp blades on either side of it.
"This is the combined symbol of the four major Kingdoms," Oobleck explained. "It represents our desire to work together for a common goal, even when our Kingdoms are not at peace. You will each wear this tabard and carry the symbol, which will identify you as Heroes to Soldiers of both sides of the war. This is, of course, to prevent any accidents breaking the Grand Treaty. The emblem marks you as neutral; the colour your sole tie to the Kingdom of Vale. Remember this. All that we do is beyond the Kingdom. It is beyond fealty. Collect one of these before you leave here today."
"And make no mistake, students, but you will need these. Without, there is the potential for Soldiers on either side to mistake you as enemies. That cannot be allowed to happen. I have taught you all of the Grand Treaty and the importance of maintaining it. Mistral feels the same way in this matter, and will be sending Heroes of their own to Vale to assist us."
"Assist us in what?" someone yelled. "And why would we need Mistral Heroes?"
"You will need it," Oobleck said, "to fight the hordes of Grimm that will soon descend on us."
His words were met by complete silence.
"Does that surprise you so? War leads to death and death leads to suffering. The negativity that will be felt across Vale from this war will shatter the bounds of reality. Grimm will spawn in numbers rarely seen before, often around epicentres of violence or grief." Oobleck gestured to a map of Vale behind him. "What's worse, Soldiers normally left to defend villages will be called away, while others may be weak from fending off attacks. This places the Labour Caste in great danger. We cannot afford for more villages and towns to go the way of the one you visited this morning."
A cloying fear took over me and I swallowed heavily. Mom, Dad, all my sisters… Would they be okay? Was the war going to reach Ansel, as well? It seemed inevitable that it would. I didn't know what to do.
"Your tasks in these dark times will be to protect the people and the armies, and yes, that means of both sides." There was a clamour of noise at that, people suddenly surging to their feet and crying out in protest. I remained silent, too distracted to feel any anger.
"Why should we help them?"
"They're the ones who invaded us!"
"It's their fault. Let them burn!"
Oobleck slammed a fist down on the table. "SILENCE!"
The sheer anger, from a man normally so calm, was enough of a shock to earn it. He didn't let up, however, and continued in a furious voice. "You have your duty as Heroes and that is to the people. All people. Mistral, Atlas, Vacuo, Vale; it does not matter who is in danger. We shall protect them! Anyone who disagrees with that should leave now, but know that you shall never be allowed to return."
He paused for emphasis, and I wondered if anyone would take up the offer. No one did, of course. There was an army on our doorstep. Being put into the Soldier Caste was suddenly a very frightening possibility.
"No one wishes to take my offer?" Oobleck asked. "Good." His voice lowered, becoming a more lecturing tone once more. "You must understand, students, that nationality matters little here. If you were to allow an army from Mistral to be killed by Grimm, then the resultant negativity would spawn more, creating a cascade effect that would cause our own people to be slaughtered. The same goes in reverse, and is why Mistral Heroes will fight and die to protect our men and women, because they know that the Grimm will only make what is already a tragedy that much worse." He reached over to touch the tabard he'd laid on the desk. "You will recognise those Heroes by the same tabards you will wear, except that theirs shall be black and gold. Treat them with respect, for they are as eager for this war as you are. Remember that."
Cinder, Mercury and Emerald. They'd expressed such disdain towards the idea of a war actually taking place. I hoped they were okay, though given Cinder's position I doubted anything bad could have happened to her. Unless the Greycloaks got to them, that is…
"But what will we be doing?" Yang asked, standing up. "We're going to be killing Grimm, I get that. How are we meant to find them, though? What's our job?"
"Thank you for asking, Miss Xiao-Long," Oobleck said, nodding for her to take a seat. "Your tasks in this war will be straightforward, though very difficult. You will be undertaking individual Quests set by Beacon, and these will be updated as required. You will strike out, fulfil these Quests, and then return to Beacon to recover and be issues another. What these Quests might entail will be varied, though mostly focused on slaying Grimm. You may be tasked with defending a town or village from increased Grimm activity in the region. You may need to defend a wounded army cut off and surrounded, or you may even be forced to accompany one such force and slay any Grimm that arise as a result of the army's actions."
"This will," he stressed, "inevitably force you to work alongside or protect Soldier Caste members from Mistral. Again, I implore you to think of what is best for the Kingdom and not what is best for your own anger. The Grand Treaty protects so many people. It is the pinnacle of co-operation between our Kingdoms. It must be maintained."
"What about lessons?" Weiss asked. "Are those over?"
"They are postponed, Miss Schnee. At times when you return to Beacon you may study and seek out teaching as you desire. However, the war will inevitably take precedence and I believe we will all be busy in the coming months. You should not worry about your education, however. You will be completing more than enough Quests to pass the year, and all will pay in full."
No one really commented on that. It didn't feel right to talk about money at a time like this. Nothing Oobleck was saying was particularly complicated, but my head was swimming nonetheless. I wasn't the only one, either. Ruby had bit her lip so hard it bled, while Blake's eyes were tiny pinpricks of yellow, angry beyond belief.
Myself? I had no idea. I was more afraid than angry, and I was fairly sure my own fear wasn't nearly as kind-hearted as Ruby's, who no doubt was worried for all the people who might be hurt. I was worried for me, my family, and for what the Guild might be thrown into.
We were strong. We'd completed so much more than many others had. I had to believe in that, and believe in my Guildmates. They were all stronger than me, anyway. I won't let them down, I promised. I couldn't fight Tyrian in Mistral, but it'll be different here. I'll die myself before I have to pick four others to risk their lives for me.
"There are no other questions? Good. Come down and collect your tabards, then wait in groups in the main hall. Ozpin will soon return, and I'm sure he will have some idea of what Quests we can provide for you all." Oobleck stood and held a fist to his chest. "Fight well, look after one another, and remember that a living Hero can save so many more than a dead one. Come back alive. That goes out to all of you."
/-/
Our Guild, the Hunters, was silent as we readied ourselves. Saddlebags had been provided by the school and were ready for us at the stables, even as men and women rushed around to saddle and tack our mounts for the journey ahead. The Labour Caste couldn't take part in the war, but that didn't mean they couldn't put some effort in. That was evidenced by the way the stable hands rushed around, fighting with stiff leather and bottles of oil to prepare the mounts.
Faith was brought towards me, and in a rare show of camaraderie she only gnawed on my shoulder half-heartedly. I petted her head, equally distracted. It looked like she could sense my mood. Most of the horses could, shifting nervously and flicking their heads at the wind. Only Ruby's stood still, utterly calm in the Reaper's gentle hands.
"Pyrrha's coming back," Weiss reported, suddenly looking up from where she was strapping her sheathe to her mount's flank. She left the task, as did we all, to meet the Champion half way. She was panting and slick with sweat but waved a wooden canister before her. The gesture she made towards her throat was clear and I took it quickly, uncorking it and drawing out the parchment inside.
I scanned through it while the others waited. Blake coughed meaningfully, threateningly, and I realised everyone was on the verge of strangling me for not reading it out loud.
"We're headed east. There's a small walled town several kilometres in from the shoreline called Caddin's Rest. It's one of the closest towns to where the Mistral forces landed, so Ozpin thinks it's one of the ones in the most danger of being attacked. Our job is to reach it and kill any Grimm that spawn, and then protect the area until the fate of the town is decided."
"The fate of the town?" Nora asked.
"It says that if Mistral captures it, they'll be required to leave a garrison of Soldiers to defend it. If Vale defends, then they'll reinforce it. Either side can defend it but our job is to make sure the Grimm that spawn during and after the fight don't cause a massacre."
"Nothing out of the ordinary, then," Yang said with a laugh. It was obvious she was trying to convince herself more than anyone, but we all laughed along, hoping it was true.
"Nothing we haven't handled before," I echoed, placing a foot into the stirrup and hauling myself up. Faith took a step to the left, sensing my nerves, but otherwise held. The others mounted alongside me, and each of us now wore the dark green tabards with the combined insignia on our chests.
Our horses had also been coloured with such, caparisons matching the same green and emblem four times, one on either side of the fore and hind legs. All together in our matching regalia, we must have made for an inspiring sight. Perhaps that was the point of it all. There were others, too, struggling with their own mounts and desperately trying to get ready – while yet more streamed out of the gates and galloped away. Second years, third years, fourth years and even older Heroes who must have been professionals, but had no doubt come for guidance on where to attend. We were but a small part of something much larger. A single grain of wheat in a field.
I spared a final glance towards the towers of Beacon Academy, and the multi-coloured rooftops of the Guild village that dwelled below. It felt too much like I was saying goodbye and I forced myself to turn away, looking out of the gates and towards the east. There was no telling what we'd find.
Blake nudged her mare up beside mine. Her dark cloak hid her face from view, bit I caught her eyes watching me, offering what silent support she could. The Assassin nodded once, and that was all I needed. It would be fine. We'd all watch out for one another.
I dug my heels in and cracked the reins, everyone doing the same behind without a single instruction. As the war began, we streamed out of the gate with a hundred or more other Heroes, each splitting into smaller parties and spreading out ain all directions. So few, but each required, to protect an entire country embroiled in war.
No pressure, then...
So, there were some crazy ideas going around last chapter. Things like how Mistral had invaded early to capture or kill the aspirants, or to interfere so that no new Soldiers would be inducted this year. A lot of that was a little off the mark since Mistral would have had to plan a landing like this weeks in advance, and were probably at sea for two or three days, ensuring that all their ships could land together. Meanwhile Beacon picked their portal last second, and only Glynda and Ozpin might have known in advance where it was. Sure, Mistral could guess a ruined village, but there's no guarantee it would be on the coast, and what would they be killing? Untrained Soldier recruits? Heroes they will almost certainly need to fight off the Grimm should they win the war?
It's also worth remembering the snippets of Mistral's culture I provided in their book. That it's a very strict, religious and cultural place, where Caste Roles are deeply respected and adhered to, along with their implications. As such, they would hardly land and kill a bunch of untrained potential Soldiers, driving everyone to hate them on day one and ensuring that if they do win and capture Vale, there will be fewer Heroes to defend them against the Grimm.
But we'll see more of that later. And yes, Jaune lied for Ellayne's sake. She didn't appear again here, but she will appear again. Don't worry.
Next Chapter: 26th February
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur
