So, it seems that people did like the quick flick over to PoV's other than Jaune's, so this is something I will likely be looking to continue in this story. Not this chapter sadly, as it was pre-planned, but in future chapters I might try and "end" each chapter with a scene from someone else's PoV.

Just to show what other people are doing or thinking.

Usual warning re troll applies. Ignore him.


Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Dishwasher1910

Book 7: Chapter 8


To become a Knight, one must think like a Knight.

I wasn't that anymore and didn't need to pretend, but if there was anything good that had come from my lies, it was the ability to pretend to be something I was not. A part of the process to making a good lie was to convince yourself you were what you had to be, be that a different Class, rich or anything else.

In this case, with Ruby, I thought of all the injustice in the world as I stormed out the gates of Beacon, hands clenched into fists at my side. My feet hammered down, not quite a run but the fast-paced stomp of someone who was only just holding onto his patience.

Ruby scurried behind, trying to catch my attention.

Immediately, people started to watch.

"What do you want from us?" she cried. "We said we'd let you back into the Guild!"

I rounded on her, throwing one arm wide – nearly clipping her at the same time. "What I want is for you bustards to say sorry! What I want is for things to go back to normal!"

Good lies were founded in truth. I could get emotional about this because it was what I wanted, but fortunately it was something I wanted from the others, not Ruby, which meant that while I could get worked up, I didn't feel any fury towards her.

I hoped she knew that and had to trust from our conversation the night before that she did.

"Why should we say sorry?" Ruby howled. "You're the one who lied to us!"

The words hit me but slid off. I'd been right to pick her. She was only pretending, and I knew that even if it was Blake or someone else, it would be the same. That said, those words would have hurt more coming from anyone else.

"I lied because I had to!"

"You lied because you wanted to! Because you wanted to get into Beacon. Don't pretend your life was on the line if you didn't. You lied purely for your own reasons!"

Erk.

Not entirely incorrect. I shook away the instinct to wince and instead hid it in gnashing my teeth together. "It's not like you'd understand. Born a Hero, your whole life set out easily. Not everyone's so lucky, Ruby. Not everyone gets your blessed start!"

Ruby hadn't, either, but those spectators whispering among themselves and pretending not to listen didn't know that, so I played it up.

"Do you know what your problem is?" Ruby sniped.

"That I'm apparently piss poor at picking my friends?"

I regretted that one even as I said it. Ruby's eyes flickered with hurt, but she kept up the facade.

"It's that you only ever think about yourself! You were born unlucky, you were bored. You wanted to become a Knight. You lied your way into Beacon." She stamped one foot and threw her arms wide. "It's not just about you! Life isn't easy for us either, but we didn't feel the need to run away from it! It's not Blake's fault she got angry that you lied to her, and it's not our fault you chose to lie to us, either. You made those decisions, but the moment you have to deal with the consequences of them, you make it ours!"

"Good friends would understand."

"Good friends wouldn't lie to other friends!" Ruby almost screamed.

"I had to!"

"For your own selfish reasons!"

"You know what, Ruby. Fuck you."

"Oh yeah, fuck me," she said sarcastically, swearing for what felt like the first time. "You lie to us, trick us, make us risk our lives and then have the guts to say it's our fault for not being understanding when you get found out. And then when we do try and let you back in the Guild, you get angry because we're still upset. Talk about mature! Not like you ever cared to think about how we might feel. No, that's not important. Because everything has to revolve around you. But you know what? Go. If you want to run off in a strop, then go. Get out."

I glared at her. "If I go, I'm gone for good."

Ruby yelled back, "GOOD!"

I turned and stormed away without another word, out through the gates of Beacon as Ruby howled out angrily and ran the other way. As I did, I pulled up my hood, the better to hide the pain on my face. Or more realistically, the lack of it.

She'd done well, and as I made my way away from Beacon and into Vale proper, I noticed a black bird perched on a nearby shop sign watching me. Legend had it that crows watched over those who were doomed, ill omens, but I doubted any crow had looked so imbalanced on a store's sign before. Druid he may have been, but Qrow apparently wasn't entirely comfortable in his avian form.

Well, the rumours would be out now. They'd spread from Beacon, and hopefully reach this `New Dawn` before the day was out. Ruby had done her part, but now it was time for me to do mine.

/-/

Three hours later found me in a ratty tavern nursing what had to be my sixth ale, an empty plate from a beef dinner, and the tattered remains of my patience. I wasn't one to normally doubt Ozpin's plans, not when they had until this point always worked, but he'd failed to mention just how long it might take for the Greycloaks to hear about me.

To be fair, the rumours had a long way to travel. Ruby and I had our argument in Beacon, which meant only students had really seen it. The news had to spread through Beacon until it either reached ears sympathetic to New Dawn, or a student with loose enough lips to accidentally leak it to someone in the group.

That could take time. Was taking time.

All I could do was keep myself visible as I waited, and while I'd not had much idea of where to do that, Qrow had `cawed` twice and flown in front of my face, urging me to follow. He led me away from Beacon and down into the poorer parts of the city. Not poor, because Vale was still a rather wealthy and well-kept city, but more… tradesman-like. The kind of place the lower rung of society would hang out in, with simple and inexpensive food, ale over wine or beer, and cramped rooms full of smoke and the smell of sweat.

It might have been called an NPC-only tavern. There was no rule to enforce it of course, but I hadn't seen anyone from any higher Castes. In that regard, it was probably a good place to find recruiters from New Dawn, though they were just as likely to avoid it specifically because it was too obvious.

Then again, New Dawn wasn't an illegal organisation.

They Greycloaks were, having committed mass murder in multiple Kingdoms, but New Dawn was a mostly innocent group trying to bridge the gap between the Castes. Or so they claimed. That they'd been infiltrated by the Greycloaks was probably not their fault. It would be as easy as sending a treacherous Noble in to use his Charisma on them, making the under-levelled Labour Caste members think it was their own idea to put the Greycloaks in charge.

Come to think of it, wouldn't dispersing of them be just as easy?

If Hazel, the King himself or any Noble could come down and use their Charisma to demand they show them to the leaders, it would have been a much easier way to fix this.

They must be afraid of the Greycloaks, I realised. Even if New Dawn is mostly Labour Caste, there's no saying the Greycloaks in charge will be. They're probably Heroes, or a Hero and a Noble to keep the lower members in line.

It could even be a full team of them. There'd be little way to know for sure since the moment they took off their cloaks, they might as well be invisible.

So, why didn't the Greycloak whipping up the protest outside the palace do the same? Why wear a cloak and give the game away? Ugh. Games within games. I finished the last dregs of my drink and let the tankard fall onto the table with a soft clunk.

A busty tavern wench set another down before me.

"I didn't order this," I said, a little blearily. My Constitution was high, but I'd not had that much practice with ale in the past. I wasn't drunk, just a little tipsy.

The woman smiled at me. It was a tired smile, an over-worked and polite thing. "It was bought by another. That man over there." She nodded, and I followed her expression, spying an unimpressive man sat in the corner with two others.

He wouldn't have stood out and didn't now. Slightly faded and mucky overalls – well-kept but dirty from hard work, along with thick boots and a pair of leather gloves he'd taken off and let lay on the table. The man had the beginnings of a beard, light brown hair and a tiny scar down one cheek. It wasn't a battle wound, not that small. More likely something chipping up and striking him in the face. Likely a piece of rock or brick, since his Class labelled him a Mason. He saw me looking and raised his tankard in a salute.

His companions did the same and were equally plain in appearance. Another mason, likely a work colleague, in much the same clothing, but a little more threadbare. The last was a Soldier, an Archer in fact, with a similar face that placed him as a sibling or relative of the first.

The Archer made a `come over` motion with one hand.

Having nothing better to do, I stood, picked up the free drink and wandered over. The Mason kicked out a chair for me that I settled down into. "Thanks for the drink."

"Small thanks to pay for you, friend," the Mason said. "Now, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. You're the one that stopped the war, aren't ya?"

I winced and looked around, trying to see if anyone else had overheard. The muttered hum of conversation around us hadn't abated. Drink still flowed, along with laughter, raucous tales and the occasional rattle of dice on the tables.

"That obvious?" I asked.

"Nah. Not even close," the second mason laughed. "Roger here saw you first," he tapped the Archer with one hand, "But took us ten minutes o' watching to build up the nerve to ask. People know yer Class, but not everyone has yer name."

"I saw you, though," the Archer, Roger, said. "Not at the fight itself but entering the arena. Didn't realise what was wrong at first, just you riding through Vale like your ass was on fire and then pushing your horse's reins into my hands. Found out after, though." He shook his head. "Gods above, man, you did us all a service."

"Enough to earn a drink at least," the lead Mason said. "The name's Bill." He held out a hand that I shook. "Bill Tanner. And yes, the name's ironic, I know. Not a Tanner in the family." He held out a hand, which I shook quickly. "Still, I owe you for keeping my little brother out of trouble. If you hadn't done what you did, the whole city would be in a shit state right now. I've nothing against Mistral itself, but those bastards burned down villages outside the walls. No telling what they'd have done here. Either way, my brother would have been expected to fight. Fight and die."

"It's no problem." It felt nice to be thanked for the whole thing. Sure, the Guild had been pleased, as had Ozpin and the King, but all of them felt more… not formal, but expected. I'd been thanked for doing my duty by Ozpin and the King, not for personally helping people. "Or, well, it was a problem, but I'm glad it was one I could deal with."

"I think I get it," Bill laughed. "You know, you've become something of a legend in these parts. Not just for endin' the war, but for what happened with…" He trailed off and looked up towards the words over my head. Currently Blacksmith. "Is it true…? Can you… change it?"

"I can," I said carefully. "But I think it would cause a ruckus if I did it here."

Roger and Bill looked disappointed, but the third nodded his head. "Aye, it probably would. Name's Harold, by the way. Nice to meet ya." Another hand shake. "Sorry for those two. They're only curious."

"It's fine. I think I would be as well. No hard feelings."

"Course not," Bill said. "Not for the man that saved our lives. Besides, I'm not one of those that wants to echo what you did. I'm happy where I am, thanks. Might have thought different when I was younger, especially when I knew Roger here would have to go off and risk his life, but time changes a man."

"And he stopped fretting when I proved I could look after myself," Roger said. Though young, the Archer had a confidence about him. Not the steady confidence of a Hero, but of a Soldier who had seen his fair share of action.

As an Archer, he'd probably seen it from a distance – but that would just make gaining Exp easier. He didn't have to risk dying on the front lines like a melee Class might have. As an Archer in the city itself, he'd even have the walls to use as cover. I put him around level twenty at a guess, maybe twenty-five. He had just come out of a war, after all.

"You're brothers, then?" I asked.

"Aye. I'm the older and he's the younger," Bill said.

"How does that work, with you being in different Castes?" I thought of Ellayne and Hazel. "Does it make things complicated?"

The two brothers shared a confused look. "You mean between us?" Roger asked, and I nodded. "Not as much as you'd think. Bill works here in Vale and I got stationed here after I dropped the First Quest, so maybe we were lucky. Sure, I live in the barracks now, but Bill and I go out drinking most nights and it's a fifteen-minute walk to reach home."

"It's a bigger deal if a family member goes down a Caste than up," Bill explained. "If the Tanners were a Soldier Caste family and had me, they might be disappointed. But Roger coming out an Archer was a good thing."

"I got a little stick from some of the pure-Caste Soldiers," Roger rolled his eyes and sneered. "But they're the minority. Most other Soldiers were happy enough to be friends. To be fair, a lot of them were feeling down and out after failing the First Quest. Less pressure for me obviously, but some of them came from Hero families. We had something in common over being different."

Not quite like Ellayne, then. Her being born into a lower Caste must have been seen as a much worse thing, because it meant that any of her children were more likely to be a Hero, forever dragging the Rainart line down. Or watering the bloodline down. In this case, Roger would have been seen to be enriching the bloodline, maybe helping the Tanner family rise up to a Soldier-Caste family in a generation or two.

Even so, it sounded like some didn't like it. That was to be expected, I supposed.

"I can see why you're asking," Bill said. "You're in a bit of an odd spot yourself, being, what, both Labour and Hero at the same time?"

"Something like that. The Royal Court hasn't decided yet."

"Pah! Like they have a right to pick what you are. Words above your head clear as say it. Who are they to challenge that?"

I sipped my ale. "The rulers of Vale, I think."

"Eh, that's the King, not those leeches that gather round him."

"Not fond of the Nobles?"

Bill snorted. "Are you?"

I shrugged. "Guess I'm undecided."

"Then you've probably not had to deal with enough of them. Should see things on our end, always wanting us to build faster, bigger, more ornate, with no regard for how it actually works. Those idiots don't understand what labour is, or how long it takes."

"Or what it costs," Harold, the quiet one, added.

"Aye. They like to short-change where they can or argue over how much mortar costs. As if they've ever handled the stuff! HA!" The three of them laughed, and I dutifully followed along, getting the gist of it if nothing else.

I couldn't tell if they were New Dawn or not. They could just as easily have been honest to their word and treating me to a drink for what I'd done. Unlike the Greycloaks, New Dawn didn't bother with any identifying marks or uniforms. There were just regular folk.

Still, what was I supposed to do? If I brought them up, would I come across suspicious?

Probably.

"As I hear it, you've got your own problems of Caste," Bill said.

"Hm? With the Nobles, sure."

"Wasn't talking about them. You're a part of Beacon, aren't ya? Got a Guild and all I hear."

I tried to look unconcerned. "Where did you hear that?"

"Like I said, there's a lot of rumours around. Lots of people wanting to know more about you. One thing that's known for sure is that you snuck into Beacon."

"And how do people feel about that?" I asked. I was genuinely curious, knowing how the Nobles saw it was one thing, but I wondered if the people in my own Caste saw it as a betrayal of some kind, a selfish move just like Ruby had said.

Not that she'd meant it that way, but still. Every lie held a kernel of truth.

"Eh. Divided opinions, I'd say. Though since you stopped the war, I think you'd struggle to find anyone who'd dare talk shit about ya." He laughed. "That tends to wash away any niggling doubts people have."

"Maybe to my own Caste."

Bill cocked his head to the side. "Problems with others?"

"You could say that. My Guild wasn't best pleased."

"To what, find out that a Blacksmith can do the same job they can? Better in some regards. I can't imagine that would do much for them."

"They didn't know any better." I said, a little annoyed to find myself defending them but somehow feeling protective enough either way. "They're taught their whole lives that the Labour Caste can't protect itself. It's not their fault."

"See, I can hear you speak those words, but I can't see you liking them."

I grimaced. "Maybe…"

"To be fair, it's not their fault," Bill said, surprising me. Hadn't he been against them before? "As you say, they're just doing what they know. A product of their time or something, or of the system."

"The Caste system?"

"Aye. Not a fan of it myself." He tipped his head. "You?"

"It's caused me a little trouble…"

"I can imagine."

Harold's chair suddenly pulled back, scraping across the stone floor. I flinched at the noise, but the Mason held a hand up to stop us panicking. "Think I'm gonna have to call it a night."

Bill laughed. "The missus catchin' on?"

"Says I don't spend enough time with her."

"You don't," Roger teased.

"Well, that's why I'm calling this short, ain't it?" He cracked a tired smile. "Nice to meet ya, Jaune. And thanks for everythin' you've done. Bill, I'll be seeing you tomorrow."

"Aye mate, you get some rest. Plenty of work come morning."

"Don't I know it. See ya all." Harold backed away and turned with a final wave, slipping out the door into the streets once more. It was barely mid-afternoon, work done for many but the evening not yet having descended. The tavern was becoming busier.

"He's a good man," Bill said. "Unimaginative, but hard workin'."

"Friendly," I said.

"That he is. Met 'im through work. He isn't much one for serious talk, though. I think we scared him off a little."

Curious, I asked, "Scared?"

"Harold likes to stay out of trouble," Roger said.

"And the two of you don't?"

"Nah, we do," Bill said quickly, "Just that we're dreamers, too. We're not afraid to talk politics, stuff that's going on, the war. Things he'd rather not waste time thinkin' on. Can't blame him, but eh, I'm thinking our talk about Castes got him uncomfortable."

"Why bother talking about something you can't change?" Roger said. "That's how Harold thinks."

I looked from Bill to Roger. It felt like they were leading up to something. "Do you?" I asked. When they looked confused, I said, "Think that things can change, I mean. Do you think they can?"

Bill shrugged. "Aren't you living proof of it?"

Maybe. But it wasn't what I'd meant. "Do you think things should change?"

Roger let out a long breath.

Bill leaned back. "I don't think it would necessarily be bad if they did. Some things are fine. I like the King, he's a good man and he's led us well. Some of the Nobles, though? They're only in it for themselves. Which would be fine if they did their jobs. I don't much care if someone runs a town properly because they're altruistic or not, but a fair number of them don't even do that."

Like the Count of Ansel, for one. The Count I'd never heard of, let alone met – even after the village nearly fell to Mistral. There had to be other horror stories much the same.

"It gets old. Something has to change. I'm not suggesting a revolution, that's stupid. And like I said, the King is a good man. But the Caste System? It's flawed. It doesn't work."

The words echoed my own thoughts a little too closely. I swallowed awkwardly. "It's not perfect, but I think it was made with the intent of helping people…"

"Oh, I get that man, I do. I'm just sayin' it was made a long time ago. Things change. Society changes. Maybe it did its job a thousand years back, or even a hundred, but nowadays it's being taken advantage of. Nobles given power without earnin' it, without even bein' ready for it. The word of good folk, people like me and you, ignored because we're `lesser` than them. Nobles telling me they know more about construction than I do, despite never picking up a brick."

"And what would you suggest?"

"Little changes," Bill said, eager to have someone to listen. "Nothing crazy, but maybe self-defence schools for Labour Caste. Let them choose if they want to defend themselves. Extend local militias to include some Labour Caste members who show promise. On the flip side, Nobles should have to prove they're ready before being given responsibility. We do apprentices in our trade, no reason the young Nobles can't do the same. Be admin clerks to other Nobles or something."

I had to admit, Bill's ideas made sense. They weren't as drastic as I'd have expected from what I was quickly starting to realise was a New Dawn member. Him and his brother by the looks of things, though likely not Harold.

The ideas weren't the overthrowing rebellions the King had led me to believe, but then these two weren't Greycloaks. Maybe New Dawn did have genuinely good people trying to effect change. They just didn't realise that they'd been infiltrated.

"Not bad ideas."

"We've got more if you care to hear 'em."

I tilted my head to the side. "We?"

Bill looked around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "New Dawn," he whispered. "Look. You know what it's like to be trapped between Castes. So do Roger and I, and a whole lot of other people. Come and have a listen to some of the higher ups. I bet they'd be thrilled to meet you."

I nearly said yes then and there.

Luckily, I managed to hide my excitement in taking a drink. I couldn't look too eager.

"Is it safe?" I asked after I put the tankard down. "You know I'm a guest of the Palace right now. I can't afford to be getting in trouble will illegal groups."

"Wha-? Hey, there's nothing illegal here. We're tryin' to push for change. Peaceful change."

"Not what I saw in front of the Palace the other day."

Roger scowled and even Bill looked annoyed. "Yeah, I heard. Always an idiot who can't control his temper. The one who chucked that rock was found out, dealt with."

"Dealt with?"

"Kicked out I heard. Told not to come back, that New Dawn won't ever be taken seriously if it relies on violent methods. Makes us look like thugs and not concerned citizens. Truth is, we want to convince the King to see things our way. We want change, not upheaval. But we're just small folk. Only real way to get our voices heard is to shout. Or have a whole lot more people raising them."

"No violence?" I asked.

"None," Roger said. "My Sergeant would have my head if I was caught hanging around with those who disturb the peace. And our ma would have my head if I let Bill get dragged into that."

"Eh? Who's the older brother here?"

I chuckled. They were weird and a little rough around the edges, but the affection they had for one another was genuine. Besides, my mind had been made up from the start anyway. It felt wrong to mislead them, but if the Greycloaks were really involved, then it would be for their safety that I stepped in.

"Alright. I'll come and listen, but I'm not promising anything."

/-/

To my surprise, the building I was led to wasn't hidden away, nor was it surrounded by suspicious or paranoid individuals keeping watch for the city guard. Instead, it was a small hall of some kind that had been repurposed into some kind of community centre. A couple of guards stood watching over it from a street nearby, in plain sight, and not one of the New Dawn members seemed to mind.

"We let the city know in advance where we're meeting," Bill said.

"What?" I asked. "Why?"

"To avoid trouble, of course. We're tryin' to stay within the law. Don't want any more rumours we're troublemakers."

And in the meantime, the guards couldn't do anything without them coming across heavy handed. I had to wonder why Ozpin hadn't just sent me to attend one of these meetings if they were so publicly accessible. Maybe he wanted the argument as a way to better sell the idea I'd turn against Beacon.

Either way, I spotted Qrow making his way into the building and setting into the rafters. A few other birds there squawked at him in complaint and I watched Qrow flap his wings and frighten them off. Real mature, Qrow. Fighting with birds.

Some Druid he was.

I shook my head and turned back to Bill. "So, what happens at one of these?"

"For the most part, we talk. Someone comes and gives a speech and then we chat, share ideas. Some people come here wondering if they really want to join, or to hear what we're about. Some come to cause trouble." Bill shrugged. "Usually heckling more than starting anything. The speaker often turns their points around on them."

"The speaker? Is that a title?"

"Nah. Just whoever speaks. It's different each time, though we're in for a treat tonight."

I looked at the Mason warily. "We are? How so?"

"One of the best speakers is coming today. I heard her talk once and she was great. Real good at controlling the crowd."

The word control had me nervous. "Is she a Noble?"

"Nah, but close. I heard she was the daughter of one, but her mom was found to have had an affair with a commoner, and she got born Labour. You can imagine the rest from there. Dispossessed faster than you can say the word. Kicked out of her home as soon as she was old enough to legally look after herself. Lost everything. Worked her way back up from the bottom."

By now, it was becoming a common tale. I had to remind myself these were probably the extreme cases, that most people wouldn't do the same. Except that I had nothing to base that on. If Ellayne's past looked hard, I couldn't imagine how much worse it would have been to be born Labour Caste. It was one thing for a Noble family to dilute their bloodline with a Hero, another to bridge the Noble and Labour Castes. The two extremes of the spectrum.

I could see why a person like that might hate the Caste System.

As a robed figure made their way onto the stage, my jaw clenched, and then slowly relaxed. The cloak was cream-coloured, not grey nor even silver. I couldn't make out her name or Class, the distance being too great, but as she reached up to remove her cloak, I caught a glimpse of pale hair, just a little tinted towards purple. Closer to white.

When she held out her hands, the crowd became quiet. I heard one or two shout her name.

Lisa, from the sound of it.

"Thank you all for coming." Her voice was firm and yet soft. Not quiet, but gentle. The voice carried, each word articulated clearly. There didn't seem to be any power behind it, no Charisma. Instead, the crowd responded with mixed reactions, some pleased to see her, others watched with crossed arms and hard expressions.

Clearly, I wasn't the only one here who had yet to be converted. The woman had a long journey ahead of her if she wanted to draw everyone to her way of thinking.

"For those who don't yet know us, we are the New Dawn. For those who have come before, welcome back, and for those who are members already, I ask you give chances for those yet undecided to ask their questions tonight." Her smile was charismatic. "After all, this is for their benefit tonight. We are not here to force people to join us, nor are we to coerce people to our way of thinking. If you do not wish to be here, I bid you leave. If you feel pressured to be here, do not. You may leave."

She paused to let that sink in, and a few people did shuffle and make their way out the hall. I expected that to bother her, but it didn't. She kept both hands linked before her and smiled pleasantly, nodding her head to any who chose to depart. When it was clear no one else would, she began to speak once more.

"The New Dawn does not wish to trick or force members to join us. That runs counter to our goals, our dreams, for all we want is to create a fairer world. A fairer system." She laughed out loud. "But I can see a lot of you wondering what those goals are, hm? I don't blame you. There's so much misinformation that has been going around lately that it's hard to know who to trust."

"To put it simply, the New Dawn is a collection of likeminded individuals who wish to inspire change in the way the Kingdom is run. We are not revolutionaries, we are not rebellious, and we are certainly not in the business of trying to intimidate anyone – least of all our dear King Galan. We are a peaceful group that seeks a new dawn, not only for ourselves but for everyone. A new chance, a new opportunity, a new hope!"

"Fancy words," someone called from the crowd. "But what's the aim?"

Murmurs burst from the crowd, some angry, others in agreement. The guards watching tensed, ready to step in, but the woman – Lisa – held out both hands to stop them.

"No, please, let the man speak. There's no ill in asking questions. In fact, I'm grateful for it." Her smile appeared again, this time fixed on the person who had called her out. "If questions aren't asked, then how can people come to an understanding? It's not rude for anyone to speak their mind here. Far from it." She bowed. "Thank you, sir. And to any others who have questions, please do not hesitate."

The man who had interrupted huffed and looked away, almost embarrassed. "W-Well, the question stands."

"And I shall answer it! Our goal is to change the Caste System, but-" she said quickly, holding a hand out to forestall any panic. "It is not to remove it. Merely to adapt it, to make it better suit the needs of the city. Tell me, how many of you have suffered under the ignorance of the Noble Caste? Not through cruelty, not through ill-intent, but simply through the Nobles not fully understanding that which they ask? Hold up your hands please."

Many did so. Bill was among them, which I understood from his story earlier. Even the man who had called out did so and I was both surprised and somehow unsurprised to see more than three-quarters of people with their hands in the air.

"Exactly," the speaker said. "But can we blame them? Nobles are expected to command and make decisions, which in many aspects serves us all well. Their Classes, their Skills, give them advantages which aid them. We would not ask a Cook to build a home, nor would we ask a Builder to serve a banquet. Nobles have their place in the system and we've no desire to change that, but what we would ask for are safeguards to be implemented. Changes to the way the city – nay, the Kingdom – is run."

She walked across the stage eagerly, and I found my eyes following her even without meaning to. As she came close to where we stood, I finally caught her name and Class. Lisa, like I'd heard, but her Class was that of a Farmer.

Simple. Rural. Labour. There certainly wouldn't be any Charisma there to ensnare the crowd, just heartfelt words. She was passionate.

"For instance, when a Noble embarks on a construction task, say to build a new tower, it ought to be mandated that he or she include someone from the Labour Caste with expertise in this to an advisory position."

The crowd mumbled, though not without some nods and agreement.

"This would not break the Caste System," Lisa said, "For the Noble would still make the final decisions, but currently such positions are given to lesser Nobles, who would have even less experience in matters of construction than the one in charge. This is not just foolish, it is outright damaging, both for the Nobles reputation and for those who work under him. Why do we do things the way we do? Because the Caste System's laws are outdated, because Nobles are told that only they can be in positions of authority, regardless of their expertise."

"A simple change to bring in a simpler man or woman, one who may not know the intricacies of politics, but also need not. Their role would only be to inform, to advise. But our dreams go further. Decisions that effect the city and any town are made with complete authority by Nobles who do not always know what they are deciding upon. One of our suggestions is for a minor council of those from other Castes to act as go-betweens. In this way, elected officials from several fields, from construction, farming, medicine and even the military, can act as advisors for local Dukes and Counts. Again, not seeking to usurp power, but to bring the acting Duke valuable insight and information, so that he or she can make the best decision they can."

I nodded along with a few others. It was logical, but I wasn't sure the Nobles would like it. Then again, if New Dawn could bring it into law through the King, then Nobles would have to follow it. They might not listen to the wisdom of the advisors, but it would be a step in the right direction. Some would, and I genuinely believed that those who did would be better capable of ruling their fiefdoms.

"Our ideas are not just to our own benefit, however. The Soldier Caste struggles under the burden of being asked to guard so many towns and villages. But we have many strong Labour Caste members who would aid them if they could. We wish to push for an organised militia for locals, wherein voluntary service working with the Soldier Caste, and naturally under the Soldier Caste's guidance, can help locals to alleviate the stress and pressure put upon the brave men and women who protect us."

More agreement, some even from the Soldier Caste nearby. Even the guards prepared to step in and arrest New Dawn if they became rowdy were nodding along.

"From there, this might aid the Hero Caste, sparing them the need to respond so often to far-flung villages. With more time available, they can train or attend to more important Quests. And speaking of Quests," Lisa said, "More Questing Houses could be opened run by members of the Labour Caste. An institution normally run by lesser Nobles, but does it truly need to be? Merchants and tradesmen could deliver Quests from outlying villages to Vale, where currently it is organised by a Noble procession that might pass by a distant village only once a month. What happens if that village needs aid more urgently? As it currently stands, their only hope is to appeal to passing Heroes, or better yet to send an untrained person to try and reach the city. Unreasonable if the threat facing them would place that person in danger!"

"The Caste System was made to protect us, and it has for hundreds of years, but that does not make it perfect." Her voice rose, her arms with it. Everyone was hooked. "We do not expect perfection from people, not from our rulers, not from our Nobles. But that does not mean we cannot try to make things better."

She laughed.

"Tradition is all well and good, but should we stick to it when it holds us back?"

"No," a portion of the crowd mumbled.

"Should we follow laws that are outdated and in need of change? The laws of our Kingdom are redesigned all the time when necessary, so should we assume the Caste System will never need the same?"

"No."

"Of course not!" she laughed brightly. "It is the duty of the Labour Caste to provide for the people – all people – just as it is the duty of the Soldier Caste to protect, of the Hero Caste to hunt and of the Noble Caste to lead. But is not providing wisdom therefore also a part of the Labour Caste's duties?"

"Yes!"

"Yea!"

"And do we provide by remaining silent? By allowing Nobles to make mistakes because they do not – cannot – know as much about something as one who specialises in it does?"

"No!"

"So, does the Caste System work!?"

"NO!"

"What the Kingdom needs is change!" Lisa shouted, out over the noise of people shouting their agreement and support. "Not upheaval, not more instability. Positive change, change for the better. A New Dawn, not just for us, but for everyone. A new tomorrow! A brighter tomorrow. That is our dream! That is what New Dawn stands for!"

I clapped along with the hundred or so others in the hall. My expression was steady, even if my heart beat a little faster. It was everything I'd wished for, really. A chance to be more. Had there been a choice back in Ansel, I'd have probably signed up for a local militia thinking it the closest thing to being a Hero.

The rest? I didn't have the same experiences with Nobles that these people did, but nothing she'd suggested sounded bad. In fact, the ideas were fantastic. I wanted them to happen.

But if the Greycloaks were involved, and if Salem was going to be summoned…

Maybe there's a way to take out the Greycloaks and leave New Dawn in one piece, I thought. They're being manipulated, probably without realising it. In themselves, New Dawn isn't a threat, however. There's no need for them to be punished for what the Greycloaks are doing.

I'd have to find them first, though. If Lisa were with them, I'd have to find out. Luckily, it seemed I might, for she was coming down off the platform, smiling at those around her, answering rapid-fire questions and shaking hands. Her eyes, however, seemed to be locked onto mine. She'd seen me and was making her way over.

"I told you they'd want to meet you," Bill whispered excitedly. "Wasn't she amazing? The things she said… it gets your heart pumping."

"It certainly does," I said honestly. "You said she's ex-Noble? I thought she'd have more of an axe to grind with them than this. I would if my family threw me out."

"Me too," Bill said, "But I guess she was able to rise above it. Be the bigger person."

Or she was lying and the Greycloaks were to be her revenge.

"Hm. We'll see."

"Jaune Arc." She came to a stop in front of me, hands linked before her, smiling serenely. "It's both a pleasure and an honour to meet you."

"It is?"

"Of course." Lisa laughed. She had a nice laugh. "To one like me, you're something of an inspiration. Not for what you've done, but for what you've proved possible. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Lisa Lavender."

"Jaune Arc." I held out a hand, which she shook. "I've not heard of any Nobles called Lavender…"

"There aren't any. I lost the right to my name along with my family." Lisa's smile was sad. "Even my mother didn't argue when I was cast out, so I chose a new name. One unassuming."

"I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"It's fine. You're curious. And cautious, no doubt. I can respect that. You'd be an incredible asset to New Dawn, but your position in the Palace makes that difficult."

I shrugged my shoulders and tried not to look impressed. "You've got me all figured out, it seems."

"Do I? Call it experience. I've witnessed the Royal Court. I know what it can be like. Always from a distance, of course. It wouldn't do for my parents' good name to be besmirched by my existence being leaked. A family's guilty little secret."

"You're not bitter?"

"Oh, I am," she said, "but if you're asking whether I want revenge, the answer is… complicated. There is a part of me that does, but a larger part that realises revenge won't improve my life any. A brief flash of vindication followed by the realisation that I've spent my whole life on nothing worthwhile. I'd rather make a difference. If that proves my parents wrong at the same time, proves that I'm worth more than my Farmer Class? Well, that will be a pleasant surprise, but I'm not counting on it."

"What about you?" she asked. "What is it you want from life?"

"I… I don't know."

"You crept into Beacon to become a Hero and achieved it. What motivated you?"

I shuffled uncomfortably. "Childishness. Wanting to be something more. Looking back, it was selfish."

"Aren't all desires inherently selfish? It's just that sometimes being selfish helps others and is mistaken for altruism. If you can find me a single person who acts without benefit to themselves… well, I'm not sure I'll believe you if you can. Even a King only rules well because they fear they might be replaced if they don't. Or that they will shame their family, or themselves. Pride, ego, or just wanting to be remembered fondly, it's all selfish at the end of the day."

"Even you?"

Lisa smiled. "Especially me. I want life to be better in Vale. For everyone, yes, but I'm included in that. The way the war was handled, so many lives uprooted and torn asunder. I can't say I liked having no control over my own destiny. I'm not sure this will fix that, but it will give us all more of s say." She paused, and then shook her head. "But I'm getting ahead of myself, would you care to speak in private? Even if you don't want to join New Dawn, I'd not pass up a chance to talk with the Hero of Vale."

"Is that what they call me?"

"It's what we call you. You're something of an important figure to those without hope."

And those without hope made tempting targets for a certain wish-granting entity. My blood ran cold, but I kept my face neutral. The way `in` for the Greycloaks was obvious, and any number of people here could form the sacrifice. There was no telling how far along their plans were, but if I couldn't find them in time, the King would act.

All these people, innocent or not, Lisa, Bill and Roger included, would be put to the sword. All to protect the city from the threat that Salem posed. They may have called me the Hero of Vale, but they had no idea how literal that was for them right now.

If I didn't save them, no one would.


So, Jaune finds New Dawn who, by virtue of having the word "Dawn" in their name are instantly being labelled Akatsuki, lol. Anyway, Jaune has found the easily found civilian group, but now has to locate and deal with the Greycloaks.

Next chapter, and as a part of my promise to bring in some third person PoV segments at the end of chapters, we'll see what the rest of the Guild has to do in this book. They're not going to be as absent from things as one might think.


Next Chapter: 3rd December

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur