Here we go. I've still not seen Volume 6, but what I've been hearing – while muddied – is sounding decent. A lot faster paced at least, which is where I felt V4 and 5 let themselves down. Not sure about some of the rumours I've been getting, but eh, they're not monologuing in a house. That's progress! xD

Honestly looking forward to catching up with it all, which is something I couldn't say after 4 and 5.

Troll still impersonating others, etc. Ignore.


Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Dishwasher1910

Book 7: Chapter 10


"Will we be safe here?"

Lisa asked the question softly, but there was no mistaking the undercurrent of fear in her voice. Either from the recent attempt on her life or where she'd been brought. The low fire helped provide a little illumination, but the cave was, for the most part, dark and gloomy.

It was a source of embarrassment that despite living in Vale for almost two years now, I didn't know the city all that well. In my defence, we didn't often need it, spending most of our time in Beacon, in the Lodge. The only places I'd visit were the weapons shop we'd bought Ruby's scythe from and the Blacksmith I had a deal with when I needed to use his smithy. Apart from the occasional stop at an inn, that was it. I certainly didn't know anyone in the city well enough to hide a fugitive with.

Whomever was after Lisa might think the same, but the first place they'd think to look would be Beacon, the Guild. Since I couldn't go back, and they wouldn't find me there, the next would be Ansel. In truth, I'd considered taking her there, but apart from the risk that would put my home in, there was the fact that the King and Ozpin had asked me not to leave the city. There wasn't much point trying to use Lisa to find the Greycloaks if I took her out their range of influence.

That left only one realistic hiding spot - the Emerald Forest.

"I can handle anything that comes in," I said, laying some twigs and tinder down beside the fire. It wasn't an arrogant boast on my part; the Emerald Forest had long since lost its ability to challenge me or anyone from the Guild. "There's only the one entrance and we can hear if people come for a long distance."

"And what if someone from Beacon finds us?"

"No rules against being here. I'll just tell them I'm training, and you hide in the cave. It shouldn't be an issue though. This area is off the main training routes."

It was too close to the walls and too overgrown which, ironically enough, made it safer for people to traverse. The Grimm were attracted to negativity and sought out people. Like most animals, they would otherwise take the path of least resistance. I'd been able to tell from the overgrown nature of this area that it hadn't seen much Grimm activity. All in all, a good place to hide. For a while.

"We won't be able to stay here forever. I need to sleep at some point and you're not strong enough to keep watch."

"Probably not…"

It was rude, but I decided to bite the knife and ask. "What level are you?"

"Fourteen."

I was surprised she answered so readily but nodded along. Fourteen wasn't a good level for her age, I'd been close to that before I attended Beacon, but then again there wasn't much farming to do in the city. It was a miracle she'd gotten that far at all. It wasn't enough to have a chance against any Grimm.

"I can't leave Vale either," she said. "New Dawn needs me. I have a responsibility."

"Those people who came to kill you will try again."

"That… It doesn't change anything. I need to be seen. This is more important than me."

"I can escort you to any meetings, but you'll need to stay close to me. Do whatever I say."

Lisa nodded, sagging slightly. "Thank you…"

Swallowing down the guilt, I made my way to the cave entrance. "I need to do a quick scout of the area. Don't worry about any Grimm, I'll be close enough to see any who try and come near the cave. They won't just ignore me."

"O-Okay. Be safe."

I nodded and drew my sword, more for her confidence than mine. Once I was out of the cave and a small distance away, I sheathed it again, and instead brought out the smooth grey rock I kept in a pouch on my belt. I brought it to my lips and checked one last time to make sure Lisa wasn't close enough.

"Weiss."

I waited. It would take time for Weiss' stone to grow warm and shake, and it was up to her to return my message, linking the spell and allowing conversation. I gave it a full minute, but there was no response.

Maybe she's busy or left it somewhere.

"Blake," I said, trying again. When nothing came, I kept going. "Ruby. Yang. Ren, Nora, Pyrrha."

Two minutes later, I put the stone away. No response from any of them. One or two I might have accepted leaving their stones behind or not noticing, but all seven felt too convenient. I was close enough to Beacon; I'd picked this spot to stay at for that very reason. Given the time of day, they ought to have been training. Obviously, something had changed. I was on my own, then. Not too worrying, given that we were safe here. I couldn't see any sign of Qrow in the trees, however. I had a feeling he'd have come down to talk to me if he was.

Beacon was only a twenty-minute jog away, but I couldn't risk making it, even to report in to Ozpin. Doing so would mean leaving Lisa for an hour or more. I was confident this area would remain clear, but not that confident. Especially not if Lisa started to panic and began to draw Grimm to her. I'd have to wait until the others came back from wherever they were.

Making my way back into the cave, I hid my concern. "We're clear," I said, unhooking my sheathe and placing it flat on the ground beside the fire. I sat next to it. "What time is your rally today?"

"Six."

"Same place?"

She nodded glumly.

"Alright. I'll get you there and back again. Do you think your father will try to kill you again?"

"It's not my father," she said.

"You sure?"

"He doesn't know I'm still in Vale. He wouldn't recognise my name now, and I'd know if he attended a rally. When he kicked me out…" Lisa sighed and leaned forward, chin atop her knees. "It was two months after my mother died. They knew I was born from my mother's infidelity, but they didn't want to make a deal of it. Mother wanted me kept in the family. Father agreed. But when she died…" Lisa laughed bitterly. "I guess it was nice of him to wait two months. He gave me time to grieve."

"Still kicked you out. Broke his promise to your mother."

"And she broke her promise to be faithful to him. I was told to leave Vale, given a small amount of money to get me out and an escort to whatever village I wanted, so long as it was far away. As far as he knows, I took it. This, last night, it wasn't my father who arranged it."

Lisa sounded so certain that I had no choice but to take her word for it. "Another Noble, then. Someone who doesn't like New Dawn and wanted you dead."

"Yes."

"New Dawn could make an enemy of any Noble."

Saren might be looking into it, though, so hopefully he would find something. I knew for a fact he couldn't have been involved, because he knew about my Quest. He wouldn't have arranged for a single under levelled Assassin and some regular Soldiers to face me. And if he wanted Lisa dead, he could have arranged it before I got involved.

Of the other Nobles, there were too many who might. It would have to be someone with power and wealth, but that hardly narrowed things down.

"I always knew I'd be at risk, but…" Lisa's mask cracked. She didn't cry, but she did hide her face in her knees. "I thought I'd be able to face death. I thought I'd be braver…"

"It's not brave to face something like that and not be afraid. Bravery is in being afraid and doing what you have to anyway." I could see that my words weren't getting through to her. The last thing I wanted was for her to break down crying. "You know, I was terrified when I faced my first Grimm." No response. "It was on my First Quest, right after I lied to get into Beacon. I'd read all those stories about being a Hero and thought I was ready. I had my sword, my shield and a full suit of armour I'd made especially for Beacon. But that first time… I'd have died if it wasn't for someone saving my life."

"That's different."

"Is it? I was faced with something stronger than me, same as you. Those guards might as well have been Grimm for all that you'd have been able to stand up to them. My point is, even after everything that happened to me, I never stopped being afraid. I just found new things to be afraid of and stopped being afraid of other things." I kept my voice calm, even. "Fear is normal. It keeps you alive."

"But I'm supposed to lead New Dawn. I can't afford to be afraid."

"You can't afford to show fear," I argued, "At least to the masses. No one says you can't feel it. And even if dying a martyr helps your cause, there's no reason to look forward to it. You can be afraid here if you want. I won't tell anyone, and I'm not going to judge. No one is."

It wasn't what I'd expected, or how to help, but Lisa began to weep. Great, big, frightened tears that she'd refused to let show the night before, refused to shed.

I pretended not to notice. Instead, I cooked some meat over a pit of charcoals I'd set beside the fire, handing her a strip once I was done. Lisa took it with a watery smile, wiping her eyes with one hand as she bit into the tender meat.

"Thank you." She whispered, not just for the food.

"No problem."

/-/

It turned out that sneaking back into Vale was a lot easier than getting out of it. One might have thought that having names over people's heads would make it hard, but it really didn't. In a crowd, the names tended to mesh and merge together, becoming a sea of gibberish. What was more, people got used to not looking at them. No one talked to you while looking upward, and since `Lisa` was a common enough name, no one cared for the girl in the brown hood walking alongside the man in a traveller's cloak, hood also drawn up.

Sneaking from the Emerald Forest through the outskirts of Beacon, we'd also skipped the main gates, just in case the Nobles had someone keeping an eye out there. I let my Class remain in its neutral state of Blacksmith and we made our way through the city with no one the wiser.

It would have been different if we'd stopped in one place. I'd thought to find us an inn to stay at the night before, but I was too famous. Passing by and in a rush, people wouldn't really notice, but I'd have to pull my hood down to talk to an innkeeper, and they were bound to place the face, name and Class together. From there, rumours might spread, and that was the kind of problem that would lead guards and assassins to our door.

Given that I'd publicly fought guards last night, there was also a chance they could have me arrested. The charges wouldn't stick obviously, they'd have to go through Beacon since I was registered there, and Ozpin would step in. But it would do as an excuse for someone to try and break me away from Lisa. If that happened, she could suffer an `accident` in her cell.

Lisa's hand remained tightly linked with mine as a result, the two of us moving hand in hand with her a little behind me, just to make sure no one could walk between and force us to break contact. I doubted anyone would try to attack her in a crowd, but there was no point taking chances. My eyes scanned the rooftops, my other hand under my cloak, touching Crocea Mors.

Somewhere in the midst of our journey, I felt the Whisper Stone begin to shake and heat up. My eyes flicked down to my pouch and I bit my lip. I wanted to answer but couldn't. To do so would mean leaving Lisa somewhere, which wouldn't be safe. Even if I accepted the message, the voice of someone echoing magically from my pouch would raise questions.

I had to let it go and cursed when the vibrating stopped.

If I could find a moment later, I would, but not if it meant leaving my charge behind. If the Greycloaks came to collect her when I was out, or someone else to kill her, any hope of completing the Quest would be gone.

We arrived at the hall from the night before a half hour early. There were already people there, vying for the best spots before the stage and talking to one another. They didn't notice us, our forms hidden as we scurried around the back, Lisa directing me to an alternative entrance on the other side.

"it's quieter. Those inside can be trusted – or I hope so."

"Best if you let me stay close. I doubt they'll try anything with you on stage, but after…"

Lisa nodded. "The exit will be harder, yes."

Once we were in, she brought us to a small room with a locked door. There was a man outside who nodded a greeting. His smile was casual, and he didn't mention the attack, likely not knowing about it. To my surprise, Lisa didn't bring it up.

"Yes, I'm fine. Jaune, this is Gran. He's a colleague."

"A pleasure," Gran said, extending a hand. I took it. He had a strong grip, but not a strong one. That was to say he felt like any Labour Caste member should. There were calluses, but none that spoke of using a weapon. "I didn't realise you'd convinced the legendary Jaune Arc to join us, Lisa."

"He hasn't. Not officially." She smiled wearily. "It's a long story and I need to get ready."

"it can wait, then. Don't let me disturb you both."

"Thank you. Gran, can you prepare everything outside? I… I'd rather remain here until it's time."

"Avoiding the fans, huh? Sure. Leave it to me."

Gran left with a smile and a wave, while Lisa opened the door and brought me inside, locking it shut behind her. The moment she was out of vision from her friend, she sagged into one of the seats and tore her cloak off. She looked haggard.

"You didn't mention what happened. Is he not trustworthy?"

"He is. It's… I don't want to make a big deal of it."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. "They tried to kill you."

"And if I say that, people will become angry. Do you know what will happen if a member of the Night Guard is found killed, bludgeoned to death by angry members of New Dawn?" She sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be getting angry at you. It's just not a good idea."

"Alright. I can see why, and you're probably right. We don't want to make things violent."

Lisa smiled at the mention of `we`, and I had to admit that, for now at least, I was more involved than I ought to have been. The Quest was what mattered here, but a part of me wondered if I couldn't both complete the Quest, root out the Greycloaks and enable Lisa to make the changes she wanted to. Vale – or its Labour Caste – needed them.

"How is tonight going to work?"

"It will be a repeat of last night's rally. I'll come on, speak for a while and then we can leave. The speech itself shouldn't be more than thirty minutes, even with questions from the crowd. After that, I will need to mill around for a little while. Be visible, be there to talk to people or answer more personal questions."

"How long? The longer it takes, the more dangerous it'll be."

"You think they'll assault here?"

"No," I said, "But it'll give them time to set up an ambush in the streets outside. Chase us into an alley. I can fight, but if this really is an assassination attempt, then they must know I'll be there. They don't send Soldier Caste this time."

"Heroes…" Lisa hugged her knees. "So much for the Treaty…"

"You realise that if murderers cared about laws, they wouldn't be murderers."

She smiled at the morbid joke. "I guess so. An hour, at most. If you think that's too long, tell me. I can change it. I don't want to d-" She cut off. Looked away. "I don't want to be a bother."

"It's fine. You won't."

It was an answer to both; that she wouldn't be a bother, nor die on my watch.

"T-Thank you." She coughed, regained herself. "When the speech starts, it would be good if you could be on the stage. I won't ask you to say anything, just be seen. That way if anything does happen…"

I nodded. It couldn't be as nerve wracking as standing in front of the Nobles, and at least no one would be able to call on me to do anything. "That's fine. You just focus on what you have to say."

"Yes. I'll just get ready." Lisa began to take deep breaths, letting each go and closing her eyes. Some preparation for the speaking, no doubt. Like me, she likely had an abysmal Charisma, which meant she needed to rely on actual technique, content and sheer willpower.

I'd have urged less time for the meet and greet after, but I wanted us to stay in one spot for at least an hour. This being the same place as last night, I hoped Qrow would think to check it out, and a window of an hour and a half would give him time. My eyes glanced to the closed window. I could open it and the curtains to give Qrow a sign, but that could just as easily work for an Archer looking for a shot. I left them closed.

The Whisper Stone began to shake again. I held back my wince and didn't answer. I could have outside, but Lisa might wonder where I was going. I had no excuses to leave her alone, and she might follow or listen through the door. Go any further and I was leaving her in peril again. I sighed when the shaking stopped. If I got the chance, I'd have to ask Ironwood if there wasn't some other way to activate them that he could cast, or maybe a function for dimming the voice of the one speaking on the other side. Right now, it would be too loud.

Hopefully, the Guild wasn't too worried.

/-/

I drew more than my fair share of glances as I followed Lisa up onto the stage. It was a big crowd, bigger than last night, and while Lisa was the star attraction, she was also a regular one. I was new, different and, apparently, quite exciting.

Lisa held her hands out in welcome, all smiles and confidence, nothing of the frightened girl from before showing through, even though she had to know there were people in the audience who wanted her dead. They'd be here, watching and waiting for their moment.

I did my best to identify them. Those of the Soldier Caste stood out, but I couldn't guarantee they were involved. It wouldn't have been too hard to bribe someone from the Labour Caste to spy on Lisa, especially if there was such little risk involved. I tried to look for anyone who looked angry instead, but that didn't help either. Too many faces, too many expressions. Not everyone was a supporter of New Dawn, and an event like this was all but designed to speak to people on the fence.

Again, the Whisper Stone warmed up. Again, I had to ignore it.

Come on, Qrow. Use that brain of yours. You'd have to think to look here, surely.

Lisa was talking, and probably loud enough to drown out any voices, but I was too much in the line of sight. People would notice if I did something unusual and talking to a rock had to count.

"-not for violence, not to force change, but to speak with our hearts and convince them that this is a better way. Not only for us, but for them as well!"

True to her words, Lisa hadn't mentioned anything about the attack last night. No one asked, either, not from the crowd or the other New Dawn members I'd met on the way to the stage. If any had, it would have been a clear sign they knew more than they ought to. We weren't that lucky.

A couple of questions were shouted out at Lisa, as they had been when I'd stood in the crowd. She handled them well – even the antagonistic ones. I let my attention fall on those people, trying to figure out if they were plants from the Nobles designed to undermine her cause. I broke contact and mumbled a quiet curse. I was starting to become paranoid.

The speech ended with another rousing cheer, and some scattered applause. Not everyone was convinced, and some people wandered away shaking their heads, but more were than weren't. Lisa seemed happy about it, looking back to me with a pleased grin. I nodded back and moved over to the three steps at the side, guarding her as she hurried over and stepped down. People quickly moved in, questions, back pats and more coming in a sudden rush.

I grit my teeth and tried to smile as it happened, even as I kept a tight hand on her shoulder, preventing anyone from tugging her away. My eyes flicked left and right wildly, watching each and every hand – or trying to. Any could have contained a knife. Lisa wouldn't realise until the last second, and then she'd be left to gasp and choke on blood as the killer mingled with the crowd and disappeared.

No such knife came.

The well-wishers began to calm down once the crowd realised she wasn't going anywhere. It didn't mean less people, but it did mean they weren't all coming at once. Most came for Lisa and stopped to talk, wish her well or ask how they could help. Some, however, came for me.

I couldn't say I was as patient as Lisa.

"You're a part of New Dawn!?"

"I'm thinking of joining. I've not made a decision yet."

"You can change your Class. Can you show me?"

Since it was a small and excited child, I did quickly, hiding my wince as the change took over. It wasn't a painful experience, but it was a shock to the system.

"Wow! How do I change Class? Oh, I want to be an Archer. No, a big, burly Warrior!"

"I don't know how."

"What? How do you not know? You're the one changing!"

"I just don't. Sorry." I let out a relieved breath as the boy was pulled away by his mother, not that it saved me as his spot was taken almost immediately by someone who seemed all too eager to shake my hand.

"The man who ended the war. By my very name!"

"Yeah," I smiled weakly. "That's me."

"And you killed that horrid witch."

"Excuse me?"

"The fire witch – that Fall woman. Ha, she `fell` alright. Fell to good Vale steel!"

My hands clenched a little tighter. "Her name was Cinder. She… She was a good person. We all were. It was a war between Kingdoms, not Heroes and Grimm."

The answer didn't seem to please the large man, so he ignored it, laughing my hard words off as a joke. "So humble! That's a true hero, and piss on whatever Class you are! Ha ha!"

"Over here!"

"Shake my hand."

"Amazing to meet you!"

"A legend!"

Most weren't even questions, or full sentences at that. People didn't talk to me, but at me. More touched me, my hands, my arms, my back – even my rear at one point, making me jump. I felt like a cow being sized up for slaughter. I had no idea how Lisa handled it.

"They say you've been in the Palace. Is that true?"

"Uh. Yeah, I guess I did."

"Why didn't you do something to stop the Nobles?"

"What?"

"The Nobles are not our enemies," Lisa said, coming to my defence. She swept between me and the man who had spoken, pressing her back not into me, but against my hands. "We're all working towards the betterment of Vale, it's just that we have different thoughts on what that should be. You wouldn't call your wife an enemy for cooking dinner different to how you wanted it now, would you?" She grinned teasingly.

The man stammered, "W-Well, I'm just saying…"

"I know, I know. You're passionate."

"Y-Yes. That must be it." He took the out for what it was, nodding gratefully. "I misspoke. Lost in the moment."

Lisa laughed. "It happens to the best of us." She raised her voice. "But let's not forget that we're all on the same side here. We need to change their minds, and we want them to genuinely believe in our path just as we do. Forcing them to do so won't help anyone."

Most of the New Dawn members cheered, and it did seem that they agreed with her thoughts on the matter. It was probably easier than being seen as criminals. While I was thankful for Lisa saving me from the questions, I couldn't help but wonder where the Greycloaks fit into this, or if they did at all. I could see the wish they'd want to push New Dawn towards, that the Nobles would `believe` in their proposal or some such, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Don't be an idiot. Hiding for them is as easy as taking a cloak off. Everyone here could be a Greycloak for all I know.

Even Lisa…

As if summoned by my thoughts, she turned to me and smiled. She really was pretty – not in an exotic way like Blake, cute like Ruby or a classic beauty like Weiss – but comely and charismatic, always smiling, eager and open. It was obvious once again just why she commanded such loyalty.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Fine. Just… not used to it."

"Hm. I know. It was difficult at first for me as well."

A bird cawed angrily above us. I wasn't the only one to look up at the noise – but I was the only one to recognise the irritated corvid.

About time, I thought, smiling a little. For a second, I'd thought he wouldn't think to look here. I knew it was Qrow, if not for the noise he made, but the fact he was giving me the most annoyed glare I'd ever seen a bird give. One that seemed to ask what the hell I was doing and why I hadn't gotten in touch.

Not like I haven't tried, I sent back. Or attempted to, through the power of facial expressions and eyebrow movements. There was no telling if it was successful or not, but at least he'd found me once more. Now it was just a matter of waiting to leave and letting him follow us back to the Emerald Forest.

"CAW-CAW!"

"Stupid bird probably got stuck inside," someone said.

"Yeah," I laughed. "I'm sure-"

"CAW-CAW-CAW-CAW!"

What the hell was Qrow doing? I looked up, along with more than a few others – Lisa included – to see Qrow hopping about on the beams in obvious agitation. Before our eyes, he took flight suddenly, rushing off towards the left, where the beams met the wall.

A shadow there moved, startled.

I grabbed Lisa's arm. "Time to leave." I dragged her along and she didn't argue, too shocked by what was going on, if she'd seen anything at all. Qrow screeched angrily and took flight just as we reached the exit.

A twang sounded far behind.

"Down!" I pushed Lisa's head down with one hand and ducked low. A meaty thunk was followed by a shaft quivering in the wooden door.

Lisa stared at it.

The crowd, who had seen it happen, screamed.

I kicked the door open, even as people cried for guards and footsteps from outside heralded them. Too much chance of a set up for me. Dragging Lisa through, I hurried down the hall, back the way we'd come from. The guards would have the main entrance. Even if they were on our side, it would be protective custody, aka Lisa's death.

"Stay ahead of me," I said, pulling her forward, pushing her out the back door we'd come through and into the fading light of evening. The streets were busy – providing cover. There was a loud ruckus behind us as news of the assassination attempt spread. I pushed Lisa along. "Move. Keep going forward, back towards Beacon."

"T-The cave…?"

"Yes. Go."

"Right." Lisa moved, stumbling at first but picking up confidence quickly. Having me behind to cover from any pursuit must have helped. She skirted the crowd instead of pushing through, giving me room to scan the rooftops once more. I thought I caught a shadow move on one but couldn't be sure.

Please be you, Blake. I don't need another Assassin right now.

The loud "Caw" from above told me Qrow was still close by, close enough to watch. That was a good sign if nothing else. He could also alert me if we didn't manage to shake our pursuers before reaching the Forest. In the safety of the trees, we could deal with them if we had to. So long as a fight didn't start in the crowded streets of Vale.

"Avoid the alley," I said, turning Lisa aside from where she was headed. "Keep to busy areas."

"But if they attack-"

"They won't. Not like this." I gave her another push, gentler this time. "Keep moving. Don't give them time to get ahead and surround us."

"Alright, I-" Lisa gasped as I dragged her back suddenly, surging forward to take the knife that had materialised from the crowd, surging straight for her body.

It slammed into the arm I got in the way. The pain was immediate, raw. "Gah!" I gasped and reached out for the one who had attacked me, only to watch the hooded figure wrapped in brown cloth shimmer away before my eyes. I caught the Class but nothing more. Thief.

"J-Jaune!"

"It's nothing." I waved my hand and splattered blood on the floor. A few people had finally noticed and started to back away, shocked. None of them had noticed the Thief among them. Fairly normal if he was high levelled. Had to be if he'd hurt me so bad with one attack not even aimed at me. "We keep moving. Wide, open areas. Get in front of me again. I need to see any attacks comi- arghhh!"

A crossbow bolt slammed into my back.

"JAUNE!"

Shock mixed with agony, originating from the wound in the top of my back, just to the side of my right shoulder. They'd shot on me in the middle of the crowd, with not a care for the people who could have been hit. My cloak had lessened the impact, but not stopped it. The bolt had pierced my skin, though not my bone if I could still move my arm.

The crowd began to panic and scream, fleeing in every direction. I heard an angry Caw and knew Qrow was rushing to my defence. I saw a shadow detach from a nearby building and travel in the same direction. Blake. It had to be.

I also felt the sudden cold in the air as an unnatural mist of icy frost covered the street. It was thick and covered us from anyone seeking to attack from range. The cold also took away a little of the pain, even if it made my teeth chatter.

Weiss.

"W-What's going on?" Lisa whimpered.

"They're getting rid of the civilians," I lied, letting her believe it was to our detriment. "But they've given us a chance to get away. Come on. Hurry."

Throwing away the advice from before, I dragged Lisa into the nearest alleyway and rushed down it. The crowds weren't doing us much good now. I had Crocea Mors out in an instant, eyes fixed ahead. No one barred our path as we hurtled out onto the next street. A few people backed away at the sight of bared steel, but we paid them no mind, running to the east.

There were light footsteps behind.

On the next turn, I pushed Lisa around the corner and spun on my heel, bringing my sword up so that the tip pointed at whomever was in pursuit. If it was Blake or Ruby, I trusted they could dodge. When the figure rounded the corner, I knew it was neither.

"Yah!"

The Thief stumbled but managed to get under the sword point, falling and sliding on the floor briefly. One had slapped down, and he pushed himself up and into my guard, swinging a curved dagger for my stomach. I managed to block it by dragging my elbows down, knocking him off target. The cut was light and scratched the side of my stomach.

I snatched hold of his hood before he could run by and get to Lisa. The Thief, already trying just that, jerked back with a masculine cry, almost falling. As he did, he reached out, catching the crossbow bolt in my back.

With a horrible squelch and a pained roar, he tore it straight out my back.

"Fucker!" I screamed, spinning and backhanding the Thief. The blow knocked him back past the tip of my sword, which I brought down angrily, fighting past the sudden weakness in my arm.

The Thief saw it at the last second and swayed back. Some of the brown rags around his face had been tugged free when I'd grabbed him, revealing a middle-aged man I didn't recognise. He smiled cruelly and tossed the bloody bolt down into the ground.

He knew he had the edge now. I was already weak, gasping and leaning to one side. The bolt had caught me in my sword arm shoulder, and while it hadn't penetrated bone, him dragging it out had probably led to muscle damage, if not a cut tendon. Crocea Mors felt heavier than ever, and I wasn't skilled enough to wield her left handed.

"You're not my target. Back away and you can live to walk away."

I gritted my teeth and steadied my sword with two hands. "Not happening."

"Be reasonable, kid. No one can fault you trying, but this is over."

"Jaune," Lisa sobbed.

"Who sent you?" I demanded, stepping between him and Lisa.

The Thief grinned. "Your mom." He drew and threw a knife at my throat. I managed to bring Crocea Mors in the way, but the brief moment where it crossed my eyes, he was under my guard and lunging in for my kidney, another knife in hand.

Shit!

My eyes flared. My mind burned.

My sword cut down with unnatural speed – four blows, like a flowering petal, except the most violent I'd ever seen. The Thief caught the first and turned it aside, but the second and third came from different angles, forcing him to disengage and leap back. The fourth cut the air where his throat had been an instant before, snatching a thread of cloth instead.

"Not bad," he whispered. His eyes flickered past mine, over my shoulder.

I moved without thinking. A hand snatched Lisa's, twisting her out of the way. Crocea Mors came around in a wide slash, more a swing with my own body than my aching arm. "Dividing Slash!" I yelled, slamming it into the spear destined for Lisa's spine.

The spear shattered immediately, metal and wood giving way as easily as one another. The woman wielding it winced and darted out of range before I could follow through. Not that I could. My sword fell, tip scraping on the floor. My shoulder had all but given out after that.

Worse, the Lancer drew a knife.

Bard in front, Thief behind, with Lisa against my back, shaking like a leaf.

And all of a sudden, a soft chuckle.

A figure touched the ground to my left, forcing me to push Lisa back and defend from a third angle. It was a woman, dark-haired, pale-faced, dressed mostly in black. She had a sword in hand, long and thin, but it wasn't that which caught my attention, but the accessory she wore, covering her face and most of her hair from view.

A long, hooded cloak of silver-grey.

/-/

"Uncle Qrow!"

"Fine," Qrow gasped, tearing a crossbow bolt out of his left arm. He clutched the wound and held his arm out as Ruby rushed in, bandages at the ready. His eyes were fixed on Yang, "Find Jaune! He's being pursued."

Yang wanted to make sure Qrow was alright too but knew how bad the situation was. "On it." She hopped the edge of the roof and fell to the street below, quickly reaching Blake as the Assassin hunched over a very dead figure. "Blake, you see Jaune?"

"T-That alley," the Assassin panted. She looked out of sorts but injured but badly winded. Her opponent must have been strong. "Go. Find him. Help him."

"I'll help," Weiss said, rushing up. The Mage was unharmed for the most part, her spells not having been of much use in the crowded street. The cover she'd given them had helped though, masking their approach on the assailants. Five in all, and not including the one that chased after Jaune.

"Just keep up, Mage," Yang said, already sprinting. She hit the alley and dashed through it, eyes flicking left and right for any sign of their missing Guildmate. She refused to believe he'd been done in, but she'd seen the crossbow bolt hit him. Her nails dug into her palm a little. Damn her for letting Qrow convince her to stay quiet, but none of them thought the bastards would actually attack in the open like that.

The plan had been to let Jaune get the woman back to safety, then they'd deal with the pursuers in a safer area, where casualties could be limited, and the survivors could be interrogated. When the first shot came in, everything had gone to shit. It had been all she could do to break the Archer's arm before he could get another in – even if he'd hit Qrow in the process.

"Up ahead!" Weiss yelled. "I hear combat!"

Yang heard it, too. Though `combat` might have been generous. She heard the scream of pain, followed by the eerie, immediate, silence.

Don't let it be Jaune. Don't let it be Jaune. She whispered, repeating the phrase like a mantra. If it was, if he died when they hadn't even sorted their shit out, she'd fucking kill whomever was responsible. Don't let it be Jaune, damn it!

Yang burst out onto the street with her eyes glowing red.

The light winked out a moment later.

No Jaune, dead or otherwise.

Instead, a swirling mass of red and black that winked out of existence. And before it, sweeping a sword to the side, clearing blood from it in a wave, a Greycloak. Yang was already rushing in as Weiss got out the alley, gasping behind her. Yang didn't need to be a Mage to recognise the tell-tale sign of a portal closing. They'd taken Jaune.

"Oi, bastard!" Yang roared. "Get that thing back open!"

The figure's head cocked in her direction for a moment, red eyes glinting. She chuckled.

Never had Yang seen someone move so fast. She'd sparred with Blake, sparred with Ruby too, but neither of them could flow like this person. They slipped under Yang's fist with grace that made her look painfully slow. Took her wrist as it came and gently pushed it up and aside, leaving the explosive ball of fire she'd punched with to explode behind.

The sword slid over and up, into her throat. Yang cried out and staggered back, trying to avoid the very fatal blow.

She wasn't fast enough – and clenched her eyes shut. I'm sorry, Ruby!

Death didn't come.

The sword tickled her neck. The woman chuckled again. "Still so disappointing. I see time hasn't done anything for you."

That voice. She knew it. Recognised it. Yang's eyes snapped open, meeting red opposite, set in a face that was so much like her own that they could have been mistaken for the same person – except for the cruel smile.

The figure strode forward, keeping the sword against her throat, walking Yang back until her legs gave way and she fell flat on her ass, away from the sword's edge. The woman let her, smiling condescendingly down on the Brawler as she crawled away.

"That's right, Yang. Know your place."

Yang seethed, eyes prickling with angry tears as she looked up at the woman who had abandoned her, who had bested her, who she hated more than any other in the world. The cloak gave the `why` away and didn't surprise her in the slightest.

Despite that, it still hurt.

"Raven…"


Le Gasp. Well, it's not like there are a lot more characters to go through unless I want to incorporate more I've heard of from S6, such as "Tock", someone who was apparently given a name so convenient, their Semblance decided to base itself around it.

Anyway, if it's not obvious from their interaction here – and it should be – Yang and Raven have more of a history than canon.


Next Chapter: 17th December

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur