Busy work is busy. Managed to get this dang chapter together though a few days after I'd hoped to have it finished. Enjoy!
"And that, I believe, should cover everything…"
"Scouts have been able to ascertain where the criminals may be hiding. It's a small village in the epicenter of recent outbreaks." Hazel lifted a smaller version of the map sprawled across the table. A singular village, plain and bare in its depiction with nothing save its name and a thin outline, claimed the center of the sheet. "Your objective will be to reach this town, seek out the culprits, and bring an end to them by any means necessary."
"Sir, if I may?" Weiss' seat creaked as she shifted in it. "You're claiming that there are dozens, if not hundreds of Grimm prowling the area, correct?" The Commander nodded. "Yet you're sending only the three of us? With all due respect…"
"This is bullshit." A little less eloquently than Weiss would have put it but nonetheless accurate. Yang snorted, standing from her chair and crossing her arms. "How the hell are the three of us supposed to get through all that? Why not have some of your soldiers carve a path?"
Hazel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before gesturing again to the map. "Because the Grimm, as numerous as they are, are spread across a large area. As it stands, I've devoted nearly the entirety of my troops in this region of the kingdom to securing a perimeter and prevent them from spreading further."
"Hunters then," Blake interjected. "Contact the capital and ask the Archbishop for support."
"The Archbishop has already dispatched Hunters to assist in containing Grimm. We cannot divert more," the Commander explained with a shake of his head. "Moving as many troops as we are is already making people concerned. If citizens begin to fret, then Grimm are liable to appear elsewhere. As matters stand, we're struggling to maintain what we have; more incursions could break what little control of the situation we have."
Weiss hated the reasoning, but she could understand it. Moving large numbers of troops could only mean one of two things: Grimm or war. With the latter nigh impossible thanks to the Church that only left Grimm, and panic would add fuel to the fire already threatening to burn out of control. Knowing they would be expected to do this with only the three of them was no less absurd. While Yang muttered a string of curses Weiss rose to her feet.
"Commander Rainart, you can't spare even a single soldier? You're asking an impossibly large task of us. Even a more veteran Hunter would struggle to accomplish this task." Two technically fledgling Hunters? Impossible didn't even begin to describe it.
Hazel rolled up his parchment and set it beneath a paperweight. After sharing a look with Laurel, he bowed his head. "The point is you girls aren't expected to make it back," the captain of Holbrook's guard said.
"I… You're expecting us to fail…?"
"We acknowledge the risk of the mission and the likelihood that it may possible fail. Not only will you need to find a means to either bypass or slay a large number of Grimm but the enemy is also unknown. We can't provide their number; never mind what kind of magic you might expect to encounter."
"In other words, it's a suicide mission?" Yang laughed bitterly. Her chair toppled when kicked and Weiss flinched away, watching as the blonde began pacing. "Great, juuuuust great. I knew something was up when you guys didn't kill me on the spot! I shoulda known!"
"You can't do this to us," Blake growled, rising too from her seat, hands clenched at her sides. "We're not some fodder you can just throw at the enemy!"
"No? Miss Belladonna, you alone are wanted for the killing of two nobles, not to mention nearly a dozen counts of armed robbery, and those are the ones we know of. Half of those crimes would be enough to put you in a cell for life. You should be executed, but by Ozpin's intervention you were spared." Blake grit her teeth before slumping back into her chair.
"And you," Hazel went on, pointedly staring at Yang. She ceased her pacing and they stared at one another, Yang bristling through a strained smile. "That you've been designated as rogue is reason enough to condemn you to this mission. I know not the particulars of your crimes, but the fact remains you're every bit as guilty as Miss Belladonna."
Weiss felt her lips tremble, a nervous tremor making her entire body shake. Gripping her wrist behind her back she stood as straight as she could manage. "I…" Her voice was inaudible, and she swallowed, taking a breath to both compose herself and consider her words. "What then have I done exactly to deserve this…?"
She wanted to scream and declare injustice, to express her indignation by shouting and decrying those in power, for what little good it might do.
"Nothing, as far as I'm aware." Hazel's admission made the pit in Weiss' stomach expand, threatening to swallow her up in the empty abyss. "But we need someone to oversee the mission and you were already in Miss Belladonna's company. As much as it pains me to say it, you're involved simply by association."
"Wrong place at the wrong time," Laurel jeered, spitting onto the cold stone floor before scowling at Hazel. "The lass has done nothing to deserve this. Why not pull some weight, Commander? Get your head out of your arse and get her off the mission."
"Would that I could. We need to act swiftly to ensure the criminals don't have a chance to flee, or worse yet, induce another breakout."
"Pah!" Laurel ran a hand over his shaved skull before looking apologetically at Weiss. "I can send a man or two with you if you'd like. Not that we'll be much help, but we owe you for before."
And send two men to their deaths? The three of them were Magi, trained one way or another, and already the mission was a death sentence. What good would two men without spells at their disposal do? Weiss shook her head and managed a weak smile as she looked at Laurel. "I appreciate the offer but no, I think I'll have to decline. We'll manage."
Beside her Yang began to chuckle, hands running through her hair. The Dimuran glanced at Weiss and winked, and if Weiss wasn't mistaken, which she could have been given the poor lighting of the barracks, there were flecks of red in normally lilac eyes. Blake expunged her inhibitions in a loud sigh and rolled her neck before frowning.
"When we survive this, we'll be excused of our crimes…?" the Meera asked.
"If you survive this, yes, you'll be granted clemency by the crown." Hazel crossed an arm over his chest and bowed at the waist. "Miss Schnee, I do apologize that you've ended up in this situation…"
"Don't." Weiss smiled at the confused Commander. "It's hardly the first time I've had to deal with being treated unfairly, and it most certainly won't be the last. I haven't let it stop me before." She staggered forward when a hand clapped her back, shooting Yang an angry glare, then shying away at the blonde's dangerous smile.
"Don't sweat it, big guy. Tougher things than this have tried to kill me." Yang smiled and winked at Blake. "Hotter, too." The Meera let out a soft snort and Hazel raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two women before shaking his head.
Weiss couldn't say she shared in Yang's… Motivation? Whatever her deal with Blake was she had her own agenda.
Ruby. And the safety of the kingdom she supposed. If they should fail it wasn't as though the Church had no other options. Ozpin wouldn't be so foolhardy as to put the safety of the entire kingdom on their shoulders. Mission success was secondary then, Ruby's rescue her primary goal. Weiss would try, yes, but she wouldn't die for a suicide mission.
Laurel shook his head as he rose, fetching his sword from the wall and buckling it to his hip. "I'd best go make my rounds. Can't afford to get complacent after last night." He passed Weiss with one last somber glance before disappearing out of the stone building.
Hazel's large frame rose and fell with a heavy sigh, plate scraping against chain as he gathered his weapon, a large greatsword whose blade narrowed and fanned out at several points, black steel scored by scars and bearing telltale signs of heavy use.
"Horses have already been arranged, as have supplies. I would suggest heading south from town towards Morris Pass. The soldiers there can put you up and provide information should you need it. From there," he waved broadly towards the map before them. "Follow the roads south until you reach Plockton. That's where we expect the criminals to be."
As asinine as all of this was Weiss nodded, taking in stride what rightfully should have sent her into a fitful frenzy. Hazel left them with a well wishes before leaving them alone in the barracks. Boots scraped against the floor and a few lingering guards scurried out after the Commander, leaving Weiss, Blake, and Yang alone.
Weiss' fingers grazed the cold metal of her rapier, tracing the unfamiliar, winding basket guard and narrow blade. What she wouldn't give to have her own weapon for this. Or her partner for that matter. What Ruby's presence alone wouldn't do for her spirits right now.
"Welp," Yang raised her arms and cracked her shoulders and back with audible pops. "You girls ready to go to hell? If you think it's hot out now…"
"I'd like to avoid hell if at all possible," Blake mused, smiling grimly as she headed for the doors.
Weiss rolled her eyes and refused to return Yang's thumbs up. She'd resigned herself to the mission but that didn't mean she'd pretend to be eager for it.
No, saying she was resigned wasn't right. Leaving wasn't an option unless she wanted to risk being labeled rogue. The alternative to success was obviously not an option, and if this ludicrous mission would somehow bring her closer to finding Ruby? She'd gladly venture into hell for that.
Despite their mission not being announced the villagers, sensing their imminent departure, came out to bid them farewell. Weiss could leave a bit higher seeing the faces of those she'd helped save, a genuine smile even making its way to her face. Some called to Yang as well; no one called to wish Blake luck. If the Meera was phased by it she didn't show any emotion one way or another.
Their steeds were exactly what Weiss might expect from the Commandery. Horses bred and tailored for carrying men clad in expensive armor each towered over Weiss by her height and a half. Muscles strained beneath clean white pelts, armor strapped to vital points, two bags, one on either side, hanging beneath the saddles. With the help of a squire Weiss climbed her mount and let her fleeting sense of vertigo pass before gripping the reins. Sir Kay led them to the gates, making final checks that their bags were secure and saddles in place.
"Gods be with you," his muffled voice called, striking the same salute Hazel had given them earlier. "We'll be praying for your success."
"Not that you're expecting it," Blake muttered under her breath. Weiss hissed at her partner then smiled at the knight, nodding graciously. Her heels dug into her horse's side once, then again, and with a startled gasp her mount broke into a steady gait, hooves striking the caked ground like a butcher's mallet on a cutting board, loud and hollow.
Nothing about what they were setting out to do was easy, or even fair, but then that was life wasn't it? If she'd given up the first time some hardship befell her, she'd have quit in her first week as an initiate. Weiss hadn't given in then and she had no intention of doing so now.
Rallying her mount into a gallop Weiss lowered herself, squinting as wind blew her hair and hood back into a billowing mess, clothes clinging to her slender frame. Even as her heart threatened to drop from her chest at the daunting mission laid out for them, she smiled, determined to smile in the face of death itself if need be.
Ruby was depending on her. Vale, though not solely her responsibility, could do with a little more help. Behind her Yang hollered and brought her steed up beside Weiss', grinning even as her messy mane flew back into her face and left her sputtering. Blake joined them, nodding silently and fixing her scarf as it slid down.
Three against an army of Grimm?
Nora is going to be so upset when she learns what she missed.
/+/+/+/+/+/
How was it that anyone traveled in Vale without being harassed? Bandits were absent during their journey but only by virtue of Grimm being virtually everywhere.
Along the main road? Check. Skulking in the forests? Check. Roaming in the fields and terrifying wildlife? They were there too.
Whether through repeated exposure or sheer willpower their steeds never faltered nor panicked in the face of so many fell beasts. Weiss wondered how she could get such a trusty steed for herself, one which made carrying her modest weight and supplies as effortless as Jaune lifting his sword and shield.
Not only were their horses powerful and steadfast but also swift. When Grimm came too close, their menacing red eyes fixated on the trio, the horses broke into full speed gallops. In the moments where no immediate threats presented themselves the beasts of burden slowed, the loud clang of their armor plating reduced to a light shake of plate slapping against toned flesh.
Scenery became a blur. Forests became nothing more than incoherent blobs of greenery. Fields of flowers turned into splattered arrays of color, like a harried painter rushing to finish their employer's latest request, their brush striking wide, errant strokes against a canvas.
Surprisingly the journey had been made in a single day. Weiss wasn't certain how much time had elapsed before they began to approach Morris Pass, although by the time they neared their destination the sun had just begun to set.
A sign post in the road diverted their route; turn left and they would travel to Vindemia, and turn right and they'd find Morris Pass. Keeping to Hazel's directions they veered right. Before long the road itself seemed to sink into the ground as the land to the sides rose up, funneling them down the well-beaten path. At first grassy knolls closed them in, gentle slopes that could be navigated should they encounter Grimm along the way. Then the grass vanished, striped away either by weather or the soil simply being incapable of sustaining growth. The ground inclined sharply and soon became a sheer rock wall. Trees once stood alongside them now loomed, a few stubborn ones growing out of the cliff face itself, roots clinging as a desperate child to its mother's bosom.
Weiss couldn't help but morbidly imagine one toppling down on top of them.
Thankfully the horses didn't share her misgivings and forged ahead.
A fallen tree blocked half of the road and their mounts slowed, Yang's considering vaulting over it until she stubbornly drove it around instead. "My ass is already falling off," she growled, lifting herself from the saddle.
The sentiment was mutual. Weiss grimaced feeling her raw skin slapping against leather as the horse trotted along. For all their speed they'd sacrificed comfort instead. Her feet which had ached from walking so much now no longer did so; the rest of her body felt like she'd laid beneath a smith's hammer.
Luckily their ride was at its end. With the sun just beginning to disappear behind the horizon, the sky long since turning a subdued fiery red, the walls of Fort Morris rose up to greet them.
Compared to the measly defenses of Holbrook the fort's walls were more akin to a castle's. Layers upon layers of brick pressed into mortar formed an impenetrable defense against man and Grimm alike. Ramparts concealed several armed troops prowling along the walls' highest points, and when Weiss craned her neck, she counted four archers among the two towers, longbows nearly invisible against the backdrop of a dusk sky.
When voices from above called for them to halt they did. Their horses, finally showing fatigue as if knowing their journey had come to an end, panted and snorted, stomping their hooves in protest for being made to wait. Weiss leaned forward and stroked the mane of her mare, smiling when it turned its head and seemed to nod in acknowledgement.
What Weiss thought was a moat between them and the fort was nothing more than a pit. A pit filled with spikes, she realized after venturing closer, and ones surprisingly clean of blood and free of corpses. For Grimm then, she surmised.
Gears and chains ground loudly and with a shuddering sigh the great gate of the fort slowly began to lower. Clouds of dust kicked up as it fell and a tall, bulky man flanked by half a dozen others revealed themselves. While they bore Vale's colors none wore the pearlescent armor of the Commandery, and though their attire was better than a common guard's it was only just.
Regular soldiers then, though ones with an important task. Weiss finally slid from her horse and dropped from her perch with a grunt. Her knees immediately screamed at the unceremonious fall and she straightened her back, masking her discomfort through a forced smile. Patting the side of her mount she walked forward, extending a hand for the foremost man.
"You must be Captain Hammond." Weiss lifted her gaze to meet the man's, steely blue eyes lacking mirth or warmth.
Captain Hammond nodded, removing his barbute helm and tucking it under one arm. Gaunt cheeks and thin lips, he took Weiss' hand in a firmer grip than necessary and shook it. She winced, drawing her hand away and hiding it behind her back as she rolled her wrist gingerly.
"Aye, and who would you three be?"
Weiss revealed her Hunter's Mark and motioned for Blake to do the same. "She's with us," she explained of Yang. "We're traveling south for Plockton and would like to request housing in your fortress for the evening."
Hammond frowned, or at least Weiss thought he did. The man was about as expressive as a wooden plank. "Under whose authority are you here? Who has sent you?"
Technically? The Church, though from Hazel's own admission that didn't appear to be the case anymore. "The crown," Weiss decided, emboldened at the surprised look from those behind the captain. "We're traveling under orders from His Majesty himself."
In a sense. Hazel had relayed the orders, Ozpin had sent her and Blake to reinforce Holbrook, and by sheer happenstance the three of them had become the King's vanguard.
A vanguard of three, Weiss reminded herself. More like a forlorn hope than any preeminent force.
Skeptical as Hammond might be, and Weiss could hardly fault the man for feeling so, her and Blake's marks were good enough. That didn't mean the man was pleased about it. Sneering and slapping his helmet he turned and barked at his men, sending two off to find sleeping arrangements and another to alert the quartermaster. Then, with all the hospitality of a bear intruded upon during hibernation, he turned to them and snorted.
"Send more people to my fort, sure. We're strapped for resources as it is, and he sends more…" Hammond shook his head. "Ezra will help stable your horses. Remain with her until you're taken to your quarters. And no rummaging about the fort. People are nervous enough as it is."
Before Weiss could ask why that was the captain turned and stormed off, taking all but one soldier with him. With little more than chain and leather the soldier moved to greet them, saluting and shifting their spear from one shoulder to the next.
"Forgive the captain's rudeness," the soldier, apparently a woman, spoke. Face obscured by a full helm her voice was muffled and Weiss couldn't imagine it was comfortable in the waning summer heat. "If you'll follow me please…"
"Finally, someone with decency."
Weiss suppressed a smile at Yang's quip and took her horse's reins. Sensing its respite was at hand the animal went along willingly, hardly needing to be led inside the walls. No sooner did they pass through the opening did the gate rise with a resounding screech, unoiled chains wailing. An iron portcullis dropped soon thereafter.
Having visited but a handful of fortresses, so few she didn't need a single hand to count them all, Weiss was hardly an expert on their layouts, yet what they saw inside she was positive was abnormal. Thatch and wood homes lined the canyon walls and more still spread into the middle of the pass. People free from armor milled about. Many turned to look at the newcomers before turning away in disinterest. Those who continued to watch were mostly soldiers, wondering from where and why armed women were suddenly arriving in their home.
The stables, if they could be called that, were as ramshackle as could be. Posts clearly stripped from another building and driven into the ground, supporting stacked sheets of wood to form a roof. While the troughs themselves were of proper design the old, moss coated barrels certainly were not. Weiss heard one horse lapping at its contents and realized they were filled with water, the troughs themselves holding hay for the animals.
"How long do you plan to stay…?" Ezra asked once their horses had been stationed. Stablehands, or unfortunate soldiers with little else to do, helped remove saddlebags and carried their supplies off.
"No more than one evening, perhaps through tomorrow morning if need be." Gods know her body could use a small break from the strain of riding.
"I see…" The woman sounded disappointed by that. "Well, we should have no problem housing you until then."
"Funny, the way your boss made it seem it's like we're nothin' but a burden," Yang pointed out.
"Please excuse Captain Hammond. He's just under a lot of stress right now. We all are."
"The Grimm…?" Weiss asked.
Ezra nodded. "They've been a lot busier than usual, showing up at our gates almost daily. We've done everything we can to keep them from the fort but its getting tiresome." She sighed and leaned against the wall of an adjacent home. "Men get tired, Grimm don't. If this keeps up…"
That would explain the sullen looks then. Weiss glanced around the fort and frowned at the expressions many wore; downtrodden, apprehensive, faces cast in shadow, bodies shuffling about because of need rather than purpose. The sun was setting, yes, but that wasn't the only reason for the hollow vigor inside the fort.
"There are a lot of civilians here," Weiss noted after a while.
More than soldiers even. Residents in roughspun tunics and sometimes not even that shambled about as corpses, faces gaunt and pale. Children who should be running about playing sat huddled in groups, aimlessly drawing in the dirt or speaking in hushed voices. Besides the braying of a nearby mule or the whinny of a horse the only other sounds in the entire fortress was a smith's forge hard at work, orders being shouted amongst the enlisted, and the halfhearted sounds of construction as another abode was erected.
It was normal for a fortress to house people, to have a few homes for its stewards or servants. None of these people were dressed for the part, they weren't the usual residents then.
"They're refugees…" Blake said.
"Nearby towns aren't as safe as they were, not with all the Grimm about. We're not even the worst of them." Ezra pushed herself from her post and walked towards the center of the fort. Weiss followed, looking around at the somber residents wistfully. "These are just the folks who made it to us with their lives. Other towns were either wiped out or their residents went to other forts for shelter."
"I hadn't realized the situation was so dire."
"Worst part? We can't send word to warn other villages. Most messengers never reach anyone, and some arrive only to find graveyards." Ezra let out a long sigh. "On top of that if word gets out that Grimm are wiping out villages it'll cause panic. Panic means more Grimm," she lamented. "From what I understand the Commandery was called in to try and contain things. Not that it does those of us behind the lines much good."
Weiss paused to watch a mother and her child, the latter wailing as the woman tried to comfort them. No more than a few moons of age the young girl looked far thinner than would be healthy, and the mother was little better than that. Dressed in rags as so many others were, hair dirty and matted, they resembled more the beggars of Vale than a once proud resident of any settlement.
Sensing eyes on them the woman lifted her head and found Weiss staring. Pools of brown etched beneath a creased brow, a face pallid and full of worry, she reached out with a trembling hand towards Weiss. "Please… Food for my baby. I d-don't need any, but she's… She's hungry…"
Weiss moved towards the woman only to stop when a hand gripped her shoulder. "Meals will be given out soon. Please wait until then," Ezra explained.
"Can't you see she's starving?!" the woman cried. "She can't wait! Give her my rations too if you must, just feed her now! Please!"
"You know the rules. Wait a little longer and I promise you'll get food."
"I bet it's the damned Church's fault, innit?!" A man hobbled towards them on one leg, leaning heavily on a makeshift crutch. "Bastards cut off our supplies here too!"
"Who're these lot then?" another shouted. "More refugees?"
"No! Look at 'er neck! She's got the Mark! Bitch is one of them!"
Other voices joined in as disgruntled residents emerged from their homes. Weiss backed away, joining Yang and Blake behind Ezra. What was going on? As more and more people emerged, they began to shout, hurling insults and anger not towards the stewards of the fort, the soldiers, but Weiss and her companions.
"Hells take you! We don't want you here!"
"Send 'em to Kalom! Kill them and be done with it!"
From somewhere in the growing crowd a stone flew and struck Ezra in the helm. Protected as she was the woman hardly flinched, although the rock striking steel rung loudly throughout. Another joined it and Weiss lifted an arm to shield herself, hearing Blake wince and Yang shout a curse. The civilians' voices grew, their clamor rising. Somewhere in it all Weiss could just make out the sounds of the child's cries rising with the fervent dissent.
Then the ground split. A wall of rock erupted from the earth and divided furious dissenters, Ezra, and the rest of them.
"Enough! That is enough!" Captain Hammond stormed towards them, hand outstretched and face red with rage. Several soldiers flanked him, weapons not quite drawn but ready to do so. Frightened, the villagers' voices quickly died out, shuffling away from the rock as the soldiers moved to corral them.
"I understand your anger, I do! But you must relax! You're going to bring Grimm raining down on our heads!" Hammond wiped his hand through the air and the rock reduced to sand. "Return to your homes and wait for mealtime. The cooks are hard at work as we speak preparing food. Until then I ask you remain calm. Allow us to deal with our guests."
The residents seemed no less pleased though did as they were told. Several voices rose in subdued anger only to trail off as people turned to leave. The hobbling, one-legged man spat in Weiss's direction and joined the retreating numbers before soldiers could grab hold of him. Without the voices of the many to drown her out any longer the young girl's cries rose up once more, pained, desperate wails that tugged at Weiss' heart.
"Lieutenant, what are you doing?" Hammond narrowed his eyes at Ezra, shoulders tense, his squared chin raised as he glared down at her. "I specifically ordered you to remain by the stables until you were relieved."
"I… I understand sir, I was merely…"
"Disobeying orders. Now is not the time for insubordination, lieutenant." Hammond shook his head. "Take a few men and scout the perimeter of the fort. Make two rounds and report back to me when you're finished."
"But sir…"
"Move, lieutenant!"
Ezra remained for a moment before saluting and marching off. Some of the soldiers followed while a few remained behind, shuffling their feet awkwardly behind their superior. Weiss watched the last of the crowd disperse. Part of her didn't want to know what had incensed them so. Why they were so indignant for her presence. A louder, more exasperated part demanded answers.
"Sir…" Weiss frowned. "What did we do wrong? We've only just arrived."
The captain frowned, running a hand through his pale blonde hair before shaking his head. "You lot? Nothing, but your masters have abandoned us and left everyone in these walls for dead. If not for our efforts these people would be fodder to the Grimm. They're only alive because of my men."
"Barely," Blake countered. "They look to be on the verge of starvation."
"I thought a soldier's job was to protect people?" Yang snapped. "It looks like you're just terrifying them."
"Tall words for a woman who belongs in a cell." Hammond turned and folded his hands behind his back, leaning forward to speak to Weiss. He still remained a full head taller, lip curling back in contempt as he spoke. "Mind your words, ladies. You are here because the lady of the fort welcomes all, so long as they can provide for their fellows."
"How generous. Perhaps we should thank this lady for keeping these people on the verge of death."
"And what would you have us do differently?" Weiss didn't answer. "Grimm roam the forests nearby and have cut off all supply routes. Whatever supplies we've had are quickly dwindling. Crops have perished, and before long so too will each and every soul inside these walls."
"You don't seem to be doing much to help," Blake said bitingly, crossing her arms. "Why not hunt? Scavenge the forest for food?"
There were no enemy forces nearby, no bandits and certainly no foreign soldiers. There were Grimm, yes, but again she, Blake, and Yang had all managed to arrive just fine. Where then was this supposed siege they had mentioned before? Why not venture beyond the walls?
"You traveled here, did you not? Then you've seen the Grimm everywhere. We have few Magi among us, and fewer still who have fought Grimm before. If we send Magi outside to protect our gatherers then we have that many less protecting the walls. We haven't the forces to divide, nor do we have any way of reaching out for aid. We're trapped." Hammond held a finger in Weiss' face and flashed his teeth at her. "Do not presume think you know what to do here. I'm responsible for these lives, do you believe I'm willingly letting everyone die a slow death?"
Weiss bat the hand from her face and glared right back as the captain scowled. "These people are suffering and Grimm are to blame for it. As Hunters I believe this is our concern, sir." Then, in a more measured voice she placed a hand to her chest. "Let us help you!"
Hammond turned and waved off his men, waiting until they stood several paces away before leaning down again to speak. Close as they were he kept his voice so low that Weiss strained to hear him.
"You will do no such thing. I have not asked for your presence, nor will I be made to grovel for your aid." Weiss wasn't asking him to! These people needed help and this 'siege', whatever it was, clearly was pushing everyone in the fort to their limits, soldiers included. "You Hunters are the reason we're in this mess to begin with…"
Weiss asked for an explanation and received none, instead left to stare at Hammond's retreating figure. "Sir!" she called after him, gritting her teeth when she continued to go ignored. "Gods dammit…"
What did he mean? How were Hunters responsible for any of this? Feeling anger swelling she almost stormed after the captain again until a hand gently grabbed her arm. Yang held her back, smiling sadly and nodding towards one of the many buildings nearby.
"Come on, princess, let's go take a breather, yeah?"
What she'd like to do was ream the self-proclaimed "captain" for being a miserable excuse for a leader. Therapeutic as it might have been to yell at the man however it wouldn't help anyone. Still… That didn't mean there wasn't anything else she could do for these people.
"Sure, but only for a bit." Weiss smiled knowingly at Yang and Blake. "Tell me, how good are you at hunting?"
/+/+/+/+/+/
As it turned out Hammond and Ezra hadn't been lying.
Not only was game around the fort scarce but Grimm were more prevalent than wildlife. Only minor variants, Creeps, Diggers, and small packs of Ravagers wandered near the fort itself. Small enough to be of little consequence to Hunters but plentiful enough for a non-Magi to struggle with.
For three young women trained and battle tested? The creatures proved to be nothing more than a nuisance. More bothersome was it that all they had to show for two hours of hunting were a few rabbits and squirrels, a handful of small birds, and much to Weiss' chagrin, a snake. Hardly a banquet, although certainly more than the refugees had in days. With their meager hall they returned to the fort just as the sun was retiring for the day and the Lord of the Night, Zorander, made his presence felt, covering Remnant in a veil of darkness.
Wary were the faces of refugees upon their return. Many eyed the fresh kills with longing but didn't move so much as an inch to approach or ask for food. When the cooks were presented with more to prepare, they accepted it with hurried thanks, rushing to get it ready along with the rest of the meal.
Half a dozen large cauldrons simmered over open flames, containers cast of clay and blackened and burned through heavy use. Men and women stood on stools and slaved over the pots, churning the contents with heavy wooden spoons. As workers began to portion out helpings Weiss stole a look inside one and grimaced at the contents. It looked like mud, smelled as flavorful as dirt, and was thick enough to be used as mortar to repair the fort's walls. Brown seared chunks of meat, bits of carrot and various herbs gave some color, but Weiss doubted it would taste any better.
It looks like gruel they'd serve prisoners, she lamented, watching as trays of food were rushed outside. Already a clamor had begun, and residents gathered in loose lines, demanding food as the workers handed out bowl after bowl expeditiously.
"Are you having any…?"
Weiss smiled politely at the elderly man offering a bowl to her, his arms shaking. She really wanted to say no and dig into her supplies. Those were for traveling however and as unappealing as the slop looked perhaps it wasn't so bad.
"I'd love some…" she lied. Without any utensil to eat with she looked around for something to use. Blake sat along the wall and used one of her daggers to skewer bits while Yang slurped from the bowl directly. Reluctant, Weiss found herself a seat on crates and picked out pieces with her fingers. Everything tasted… Earthy and judging by the crunching she was certain none of the vegetables had been washed.
Somehow, she gathered the resolve to eat the mess. One taste of the broth and she gagged, opting instead to pluck whatever scraps she could easily fish out. Unsure of what to do with her lightly eaten dish she offered it up to one of the cooks, grimacing as they drank from the bowl, uncaring.
Yang burped and set aside her bowl, patting her stomach and leaning back against the wall. "Not bad… I've definitely had worse."
Weiss rolled her eyes, wiping her brow and grumbling about the heat. In the enclosed kitchens with fires still burning the entire building had become an oven. Tugging on her shirt she decided she'd lingered long enough, fanning herself off as she stepped outside, sighing at the instantaneous relief she felt.
"That was gross…" Blake picked at her teeth and frowned, flicking bits away and licking at her lips. The Meera shivered and wiped her mouth on the back of her hand before sighing. "Wish they had some kind of fish…"
"Aw, does kitty want a snack?" Yang cooed.
"No. Right now 'kitty' wants to claw someone's eyes out."
"Oh, feisty! Someone want belly rubs?"
"Yang, please…" Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose before holding a hand up. "Not now. Let's just see if there's anything more we can help with before turning in."
"Why bother?" Blake asked. "These people seem to hate us. We've already done enough haven't we?"
"Why? Because they harbor resentment towards the Church, and we're going to correct that. Whatever experience they have isn't indicative of Hunters everywhere and I refuse to let them believe we're all ingrates." Or whatever the Hunters before them had done. Weiss had thought to ask but had gotten nowhere with her questioning; refugees refused to speak to her, soldiers didn't know anything about the Hunters, and people like Hammond or Ezra either were too busy or impossible to find.
Regardless Weiss wasn't going to allow the name of the Church to be sullied. There were some bad Hunters, sure, as there were a few rotten apples in any bunch. Pulling at her tunic once more she made sure her hair was tidy before putting on a smile and marching out into the courtyard. She assumed it was the courtyard if only by the broken statue that stood in the middle, the figure broken off at the knees and the plaque at their feet scratched out and faded.
Evidently, they weren't overly fond of the previous lord. But then what of the current lady? What did people think of her? With nothing to go on Weiss was frustratingly oblivious to the fort's patron.
"Let's split up and try to learn what we can of the lady of this place. Maybe if we can appeal to her we can find a way to show these people not all Hunters are bad."
"Sure, why not?" Yang yawned, stretching her arms overhead before rolling her shoulders. "Got nothin' else to do tonight."
"This is a waste of time…" muttered Blake.
Hopefully not. Weiss bid her companions farewell and went off in search of anyone who might need her help. Everyone did one way or another, but she suspected trying to worm her way into every conversation would do more harm than good. She'd play it safe then. Perhaps with a bit of food in their stomachs people would be more agreeable now.
As Ruby would say, "nope!"
Weiss decided to play it safe and speak to a group of children first. Children didn't hold grudges, children didn't possess hatred - normally, and worst-case scenario, children weren't liable to try and attack her. Probably. What children could do however was give her the cold shoulder, and when she became frustrated and tried speaking firmly one of them feigned tears. One furious mother and a few angry men later and she scurried away, deeming that effort a failure.
Subsequent attempts to befriend residents went just about as well. An old man cut Weiss off every time she attempted to speak before swinging blindly with his cane to chase her off. The mother and the baby from before, less fitful thanks to a warm meal, did at least acknowledge Weiss before asking her to leave. Offering to help a woman light fires with magic was met with scorn, and in trying to aid in erecting another shelter Weiss was chased off with insults and threats.
Food didn't help. Not only did her questions go unanswered but, as Weiss hurried back to the courtyard, she narrowly avoided a disgruntled woman hurling shoes after her.
Blake and Yang were already waiting by the time Weiss arrived. Yang laid across the base of the statue, sprawled out with an arm draped over her face. A light snore came from the blonde and she jumped when Blake pushed her leg, the Meera rolling her eyes.
"I take it you had as much success as I did?"
"Well, I didn't get death threats this time," Blake mused, smiling. "I'd consider that an improvement."
Yang belted out a loud yawn and rocked to a sitting position, rubbing her face and shaking her blonde man loose. "Same. These people aren't exactly the talkin' type, Weissy." She pouted and began to pluck blades of grass from her hair.
"And I assume neither of you were able to find out anything about the lady here?" Both girls shook their head and Weiss' shoulders slumped, sighing in defeat. "Wonderful. How are we supposed to convince these people if they won't even speak to us?"
Bringing a few morsels back wasn't enough even if Weiss had hoped it would be. Evidently more than a small gesture like that would be needed here. What could they offer? Wipe out Grimm? Bring more supplies in from elsewhere? They'd brought enough for themselves; rations made for three would hardly feed a fort filled with nearly a hundred hungry souls.
Frustrated, Weiss kicked the dirt, hands on her hips as she looked around. Torches burned in front of shacks and along the stone pathways, and small fires burned away, obscured by the huddled forms of refugees desperate for warmth and comfort.
They needed homes. They needed food. They needed peace of mind. The first two were out of their ability while the latter might be possible, if only they knew what to do besides aimlessly kill Grimm.
"She's coming! She's coming!" A young man shouted as he ran through the courtyard, jumping every few steps and waving his arms excitedly. "Hurry up everyone! She's going to speak?"
"'She?'" Blake asked aloud. Around them residents began to murmur excitedly and those who were able ran after the lively man. Everyone else hurried at their own pace.
Weiss tried to ask what the commotion was about and once again went ignored. Rather than wallow she decided to follow the crowd, gathering alongside residents and soldiers alike before the keep.
Three stories tall and built alongside the western cliffs the keep was simple in its design, the lowest floor built in a horseshoe while the middle and topmost floors rose up from the center of the first. With little light to illuminate it the keep was a gray monstrosity threatening to swallow up the haphazard huts before it. Wooden shutters sealed off most of the windows and balconies, one on the middle level and one at the top, extended out over the entryway. Up on the very top Weiss noticed Captain Hammond standing along the railing, speaking to someone just out of view within the building.
As the crowd seemed to be reaching a fever pitch Hammond at last turned to address them. At once all the voices died off and people hushed one another, the air itself vibrating with enthusiasm. Weiss couldn't help but be caught up in it and watched with bated breath for the woman to emerge.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the wait, but our lady has at last found a way to help us all!" Voices rose again as cries of joy and elation erupted around them. Some wept and a few even danced, throwing their hands up and shouting out to whatever gods they prayed to.
Hammond raised his hands and waited. When everyone settled once more, he cleared his throat and saluted, closing his fist over the center of his breastplate. Weiss looked around in puzzlement. Their lady was this revered?
"It gives me great pleasure to announce that, starting tomorrow, our lady and her followers will begin work to secure us a new home, one where none need to worry about food or shelter ever again! But please…" Hammond moved to the side and gestured to the sealed door behind him. "Don't take my word for it! Hear it from our lady herself!"
The balcony doors had scarcely opened when people began to scream and cheer. Weiss winced, covering her ears and shutting one eye at the deafening noise. Blake pressed her ears flat to her skull and clamped her hands over them, visibly straining not to slap the nearest person for being too loud.
Ezra emerged first, marching to the edge of the balcony and standing across from Hammond. If the noise was obnoxious before it became absolutely maddening when a third figure emerged.
Weiss expected something incredible. The princess absconded from the castle to help her people, or a storied Huntress returned to save the lost and frightened. The woman that emerged was neither glamorous nor someone Weiss recognized. The scarce moonlight didn't do her many favors, though as more torches were lit and light reached the uppermost levels, she could finally make vague details out.
Long black hair fell down the woman's back, fanning out in wild tresses. Her pale skin, what little was visible, turned a slight orange against torchlight, and red shin guards and bracers glowed. She was shorter than Hammond yet carried herself as though she were twice his size, and upon reaching the edge of the balcony leaned down against the railing and cast a casual gaze out over those gathered.
"Everyone! Settle down!" Hammond's voice boomed over the crowd's cheers. People did as they were asked and a hushed silence quickly settled in. "Please, my lady, if you'd share a few words…"
"Gladly." The woman pushed herself from the railing and gestured to the man beside her. "It's as Hammond said. I've come up with a plan to save you lot," she declared. "And the last pieces of that plan just happened to arrive today!"
Pieces? Blake looked just as confused as Weiss felt and Yang… Yang was livid. Shaking the blonde's shoulder, she hissed when Yang slapped her hand away, then flinched when the Dimuran stared at her, eyes blood red. Weiss swallowed nervously and looked up again. Her blood chilled and she reflexively grabbed for her rapier, finding little comfort as her fingers wrapped around the grip. The woman was staring at them. At her.
"I promised you salvation for your loyalty. You have given me what I asked and I in turn will give you what you seek!" The crowd cheered again, their reverent cries silenced as the woman held up a hand. "With our latest arrivals now with us we can begin. Would Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, and Weiss Schnee kindly step forward?"
Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd, then people began to realize who the woman was addressing. Shocked expressions regarded Weiss and her companions as the crowd parted, people stepping back to open a path between them and the door to the keep. It was obvious the woman wanted them to enter but Weiss didn't move, nor did Yang or Blake.
"I said… Would you three kindly step forward?" When no one moved the woman sighed, hands on the railing as she shook her head. "Very well…"
Several people screamed as the woman vaulted over the railing, clamoring and rushing to catch her. A gust of wind erupted suddenly and knocked people back, and the dark-haired woman's descent slowed, feet touching the ground soundlessly. Tossing her hair, she sauntered towards the girls, smiling as Yang began to shake.
"Relax, Yang. Wouldn't want to lose your composure in front of all these people, would you?"
"Where is she, Raven?! Where's Ruby?!" Yang shouted.
"Hey, don't speak to our leader like that!"
"Who do you think you are?!"
"Show some respect you brat!"
Raven held up a hand until the dissenters went silent. Yang continued to tremble, and Weiss felt a heat pouring off the blonde. Not unlike Raven's eyes, Yang's were blood red.
"Yang, stand down," Weiss cautioned, reaching out only to draw her hand back, Yang's skin too hot to touch. "Yang!"
Thank gods the Dimuran finally settled, straining as she took a deep, shuddering breaths. The distorted air around her ceased shimmering and her hair lost its peculiar glow, eyes returning to their usual lilac. She stepped closer to Raven and Weiss was struck by how eerily similar the two women were.
"Now then, if you're done throwing a fit I'll gladly explain everything to you three inside. Before that however perhaps I should introduce myself to your little friends." Raven grinned and spread her arms. "I am Raven Branwen, leader of the Branwen tribe, lady of Fort Morris, and as of tonight," she said, pointing at Weiss. "Your new keeper, girl."
"Quit fuckin' around and show us Ruby already," Yang growled and stormed towards the older woman. Above them Hammond called for guards, but Raven waved him off, smirking at the blonde.
"Is that any way to speak to your mother? Honestly." Raven sighed, holding her hands up as she shook her head. "But come, we've got a lot to talk about, so why don't we get on with things?" She stepped aside and gestured to the doors as they parted, a pair of soldiers holding them open. "After you, ladies."
Yang's response was to growl at her mother and stomp past her, pushing aside the soldier holding the door open. Blake kept her head down and hurried inside after, leaving Weiss to linger. She hadn't stopped staring at Raven and the woman realized it, raising an eyebrow, hand on her hip.
"Going to move you or are you going to stare all night?"
"Whatever you think you're doing, it won't work. I'm gathering my partner and we are leaving."
Raven chuckled, stepping closer and slinging an arm around Weiss' shoulders. Weiss winced as her shoulders were squeezed, then went cold when Raven eased her sword out, flashing red steel that matched her dangerous gaze.
"Let's see how tonight goes first, hm? Now move," she pushed Weiss forward and followed right along, leaving one hand resting on her sword, the other on Weiss' back. "And relax. We're friends, Schnee. Or at least we will be."
Somehow Weiss sincerely doubted that.
And now we can get into the fun stuff. Best (worst) mom arrives, we've kind of found Ruby, and... Did Hazel sell them out?
Fun fact of the day! A 'forlorn hope' refers to a group of soldiers that, typically of their own volition, undertake a mission they know to have a very high mortality rate. In other words they go off on a suicide mission. While Weiss and company were hardly willing I figured it was a neat little term to use regardless. And they did kind of agree after being strong-armed into it, so it works?
Creative liberties, ho!