Another shorter chapter, just to move things along. Debated skipping some of this but I'm always iffy about that. Skip something, even if you go over it later, and folks might be upset.
So, a shorter chapter before another long one. I say "short" as if it still isn't overlong.
Some day I'll manage to write more reasonable chapters.
Today is not that day!
Were they making the right choice?
Weiss didn't know, and as Vale's walls came back into view, a line of travelers waiting at the gates for entry, it seemed too late to reconsider.
She'd been initially dismissive of Ozpin and the Church lying about magic. While perhaps not the most malicious of secrets - Grimm were dealt with regardless, it would certainly make some people more hesitant to use magic, or more pressing still, employ Hunters. Simply put it would be 'bad for business'.
That was a white lie, she decided. A necessary secret for the safety of the kingdom.
Attacking her and Blake with Wardens though?
Their carriage reached the back of the procession and Weiss leaned against her door, drawing back regal purple curtains to peer ahead. Immediately before them a cart with crates of crops waited, the farmer at the reins fanning himself with a straw cap. Ahead of him were other farmers, traders, travelers. Near a dozen vehicles long it would take a few minutes at least to reach the gates.
Settling back with a sigh Weiss closed her eyes and nursed at her temples. Attacking her was possible, all things considered, but it seemed counterintuitive. People would see things. They would ask questions. Then there was the damage that the fighting would have caused, potential distrust in the Church, and an air of paranoia; if someone had managed to infiltrate the city that warranted such a response surely, they could do it again? Where negativity supposedly brought about Grimm such an insignificant event could spark a firestorm of doubt and fear.
If no Grimm appeared despite that people would surely begin to take notice.
Except they wouldn't because of the barriers around the city.
They can act with impunity thanks to the barriers. Spells or negativity, both are covered because of the wards. People might react poorly but ultimately it didn't matter. Even the Grimm that appeared didn't matter. Whether people knew they were illusions or not was irrelevant; the Church had dealt with them and would deal with anymore.
Their carriage moved forward before stopping again. Weiss heard the telltale sounds of chains grinding against a pulley, the great gates of the city groaning, rumbling as it opened the way for newcomers.
The gates were typically left open. Was this cautionary? A reaction to the events earlier in the day?
Gods, it's only been one day. Weiss slumped in her seat, opening her eyes and staring through the dim interior at Blake. Her friend's mind was elsewhere, amber eyes fixated towards a window, absently rolling her scarf between her fingers. Are we making the right choice by going back? What if we're wrong?
Something rasped against the carriage and made Weiss jump. Her cheeks flushed when a small window slid open across from her and Emilia peered through, holding back amusement at her start.
"There are Hunters at the gates, ladies. Just thought you might like to know."
What felt like a whole apple dropped in Weiss' gut. Was it safe to face them now? So soon after what had happened?
"Miss, what would you like me to do? I could leave, if you'd like. There are other ways into the city."
"N-No, don't. That will only rouse suspicions." Weiss took a deep breath and managed a shallow smile. "We'll go through, thank you, Emilia."
The woman nodded and sealed the window again. The carriage lurched forward once more and Weiss nervously thumbed the seam of her tunic, chewing on her lip while her foot tapped anxiously on the floor of the carriage.
Blake was staring at her now, face obscured by the dark, save for amber eyes which watched unblinking. "Going to the Cathedral is too risky right now. You realize that, right?"
"I can't leave those notes there, Blake. What if they reveal something important?"
"What if they don't and we're putting ourselves in danger for nothing?"
Weiss began to argue before clamping her mouth closed. Blake wasn't being paranoid; as a former assassin for the White Fang she had every right to be concerned. She knew how this worked better than Weiss possibly could.
"I'm just going to my quarters, that's all. I have no intention of speaking to the Archbishop." She had considered it but from Blake's clipped tone that idea went out the window. Where they would go instead was beyond her, but clearly Ozpin was out of the question. "You can stay in the carriage or leave. Your uncle will shelter you, I'm sure."
"And risk bringing those Magi to his doorstep? Forget it." Blake shook her head, glancing to the window again as their cart came to a halt. Her ear swiveled hearing conversation outside and Weiss shifted in her seat. It was the farmer ahead of them. The guards were checking the carriages.
"Weiss, do you remember how we met?"
"As if I could forget that unpleasant experience," Weiss mumbled. "What of it?"
"I'm going to do to you what I did with Adam. Hide in your shadow." Blake moved closer and paused, hand outstretched. "It's… Going to be unpleasant, but I promise it's safe," her eyes sought Weiss' and her hand continued to hover. "Either I can do this, or I'll conceal myself some other way. I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Touched that Blake wasn't going to abandon her Weiss nodded. She didn't know what the Meera's spell might entail but she trusted Blake enough to let her try. "Go ahead then," she whispered, eyes darting towards the door. Their carriage moved forward. Emilia began speaking with men outside. "Be quick about it."
It was like watching smoke carried away on the wind. Blake's body turned almost translucent before fading in wisps, striking eyes the last thing to vanish. At first Weiss didn't notice anything besides a peculiar tingling in the soles of her feet. Then the sensation turned to a rippling feeling like she dragged her skin across the tips of blades of grass. That sensation ran up her legs, along her spine, and made her fingertips twitch.
All things told it lasted a second or two at most, but it left Weiss littered in goosebumps. Taking a gasping breath, she shivered, drawing her legs closer and hugging herself.
If anyone had ever experienced the sensation of being watched then they could empathize with what Weiss was going through. Hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she felt something in her movements, like thin, invisible strands were tied to her limbs. On reflex she looked back at the wall behind her and saw nothing. She felt something there though. Something so close it might as well be coiled around her.
Someone knocked on the door and Weiss froze. Not answering was out of the question and so she drew a deep breath and inched closer to the door itself. "Y-Yes…?" she peeled back the curtains and her jaw dropped.
"Weiss?!"
"Jaune?!"
"What are you doing in there? What -" Weiss' hand shot out and clamped over his mouth.
"Please. Are you the only one here right now?" Jaune shook his head. "Is Pyrrha with you?" He nodded. That was good. "Any Magi in white robes…?" she asked nervously, shoulders sagging in relief when he shook his head again.
When she drew her hand back Jaune looked towards the gates before leaning in. "Weiss, what are you doing in there? Ozpin was trying to find you guys! He wants all Hunters on alert, says there were Grimm inside the city."
"I…" Ozpin was looking for them? Unsure how to take that Weiss policed her stunned expression and smiled. "I was visiting… A friend. You said Grimm were inside the city?"
"Yeah! The whole Cathedral was a mess when the news broke. You should've seen it! Oobleck and Port gathered a bunch of initiates and ran out into the city, and all of us were gathered and asked to help at the gates. No one knows what's going on!"
"I somehow doubt that."
Weiss jumped hearing Blake's voice in her ear. Not just at her ear, in it. The other girl's voice echoed in her head and reverberated, an odd sensation that made her cringe.
"Weiss?"
"I'm just worried is all. Grimm shouldn't be able to get inside."
"Right? But a bunch of people are claiming to have seen them! Unless a bunch of people are mistaken -"
"Hard to mistake something for a Grimm."
"Exactly! Are you on your way to see Ozpin now? You probably should." Jaune glanced around the carriage, eyebrows raising. "The others aren't with you…?"
One of them was. Weiss frowned at the implications of the question. "You mean Ruby and Yang aren't here either?"
"No. It was just the four of us when Ozpin gathered everyone. We figured maybe you'd all been sent out early but we haven't seen any of you since. U-Until now that is."
"They must have targeted them too. Weiss, we really shouldn't be doing this. Something doesn't feel right."
"And what do you suggest we do otherwise?" Keeping her voice inaudible enough that the blond boob wouldn't hear her was trying. Hopefully Blake's enhanced hearing helped. "Jaune's seen us and he'll tell Pyrrha. We can't just avoid it now; people know we're here."
"Would they sell us out?"
Not intentionally, no. None of her friends had an inkling of what happened and would think they were just doing their jobs. In a sense they would be.
"Weiss? You uh… You okay? You're kind of… Talking to yourself?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm fine, I'm just tired. I expected Ruby and Yang to get back ahead of me, that's all." Weiss offered Jaune a reassuring smile. "Give Pyrrha my regards. I'll go speak to Ozpin and see you two soon."
Jaune, ever the hopeless buffoon, started to give a thumbs up before going for a salute, hand hovering awkwardly before he settled for a nod, face flushed. As he ran off Weiss couldn't help but laugh at his expense, drawing the curtain closed again. Reins lashed and the carriage began to trot forward, light passing through the curtains as they moved beneath the threshold and into the city. With her heart pounding wildly she didn't dare to look outside and instead sank into the cushioned seat, laying her rapier across her lap and running her fingers over one of the gemstones.
"This is still a bad idea, Weiss. If Ozpin sent them to attack us we're walking right into his hands."
"If he did. Everyone appears confused by what happened, Blake. Even those in higher levels. Either Ozpin is the only one in the know, which seems unlikely, or this isn't their doing. Besides, we need those notes. There could be something in there that can confirm or deny everything we've been told so far."
"I still don't like this…"
"Yes? Well, I don't like having to face whatever happens while you hide in my shadow but here we are."
"Don't play that card. You're the one that wants to go through with this. I'm just being cautious."
"Paranoid, more like it."
She heard a low rumbling sound that Weiss assumed was Blake laughing. "Sure, but paranoid is what's kept me alive. And if it's all the same, I'd like to keep living a while longer."
The carriage rattled onward, pausing only for Emilia to ask where they wanted to go. Weiss gave her reply and she closed her eyes, ignoring the omnipresent sense that Blake was staring her down. It was unpleasant, feeling someone wrapped around you like a veil. The ravenette wasn't physical with her but she could feel Blake in everything she did.
"You weren't kidding,"Weiss bemoaned with a scowl. "This is all very unpleasant."
"Just wait until I start reading your thoughts."
Weiss' eyes shot open and a hand shot to her head. "You can't do that! C-Can you?"
Only a rumbling sound in her head replied.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Jaune hadn't been wrong about the Cathedral being a mess. Even now, hours after the initial event, the city seemed to be on the alert. Regular guards commingled with Hunters, discussing findings or lack thereof, Weiss assumed. A few she recognized, most were strangers, all of them dedicated to their task. It made departing the carriage a little easier and she managed to make her way towards the front gates without much notice.
No guards stationed at the front doors. A few nobles - obvious because of their unnecessarily expensive looking jerkins, immaculate hair, and the fact that they each had a retainer standing nearby, arguing with a senior member of the Church. Weiss couldn't remember the man's name but he looked to be over his head, mousy face contorted while he constantly dabbed his forehead with a cloth, straining to keep composed.
Better him than her. She'd just as soon freeze the lot of them and be done with it.
"That's how you got into this mess to begin with," Blake chided.
"I told you not to do that!" she whispered harshly.
"Do what? You're glaring at them. It's not hard to guess what you're thinking, Weiss." Blake said she couldn't actually read minds, but Weiss was still skeptical. "Quit glaring at empty air, you'll look crazy."
Given the inherent risk of what they were doing Weiss hardly cared how she looked. She took a deep breath and fixed herself, looking around for someone to greet her. With the main hall packed with people and dozens of conversations going on she doubted anyone even realized she was there. Indeed, when no one came forward she started towards the lift, paused, and headed towards one of the side entrances instead. If people weren't going to rally her to Ozpin, then she'd stop at her quarters first and retrieve the notes.
Or at least confirm they were still there. Carrying them around was out of the question, especially if they were off to see Ozpin. She needed to look at them soon, perhaps once things had died down. It could be nothing beyond a madman's ramblings, or it could be important. Raven had given them up for a reason after all.
The residential wing was nowhere near as crowded as the main hall. Grateful for the respite Weiss hurried up two flights of stairs and reached her room in record time, lightly panting as she fumbled for her key. Grabbing the knob to undo the lock her breath caught, and she felt her fingers tighten on the knob. Nervous, she gave it a tentative turn and winced when it opened, easing the door back and stepping slowly into her room.
Nothing appeared out of place, but she was certain she had locked her door. Since coming back from Plockton she'd made a point to lock it whenever she left, double check, and sometimes even triple check.
She dropped the key on her nightstand and dropped to her knees, staring at her bedsheets before lowering herself.
There was nothing beneath her bed. Not a single sheet of paper remained. Even so Weiss reached under and blindly groped about to try and find any trace of the notes. Maybe it was hidden by a spell? Maybe her eyes were just having trouble adjusting?
Her hand slid across dusty floorboards and she came out empty. Sitting back on her rear she stared at her greyed palm, wiped it on her trousers and exhaled in trembling breaths.
"Weiss…"
"I know." She got to her feet and moved towards her pillow. Sliding back the case she reached about and smiled. Merlot's spell book was still inside, familiar leather bindings a welcome find. Clutching it to her chest she moved to the window and peered outside. People milled about aplenty, but no one was watching her room as far as she could tell.
"We need to leave, Weiss. Now."
"I know!" Someone had found the notes. Even if Ozpin was innocent in the attacks, she had been hiding sensitive information. Potentially incriminating information.
Weiss moved towards the door and paled. Footsteps were approaching, slow and steady. With softer footfalls she could hear the clinking of chain striking plate, the scuffing of something striking the floor. Backing away she looked at the window again, raced to it. Her fingertips pried at the frame and it refused to budge.
"Weiss! Get to shadows! I'll get us out!"
With sunlight flooding her room there were barely any shadows to speak of. The bed! Weiss dropped to her knees again and crawled towards it, dropping to her stomach. It was plenty dark enough, hopefully dark enough for Blake to use. With the journal clutched in one arm she started to crawl under…
"Miss Schnee?"
Weiss closed her eyes and grit her teeth. Her head was under and the rest of her stuck out like a sore thumb. She must have looked like an absolute idiot.
Slowly, trying to mask the movement, she slid her arm forward and deposited the journal under the bed. Pushing herself out from under the bed and ignoring Blake's repeated remarks she stood, dusting her tunic off and putting on a smile.
She didn't recognize the man before her. A Hunter, going by the mark on his neck, but that was the only feature she could identify. Tall, taller than Ozpin, and thin as a reed, he stood in the doorway with his arms folded behind his back. Two guards flanked him, each in full armor, halberds in hand. Useless in cramped quarters, not that it meant much.
"Yes…?"
"The Archbishop has been looking for you, young lady. All Hunters were asked to report to the Cathedral hours ago."
"I… I was out of the city, I apologize. I'm here now however," she gestured to herself, stating the obvious.
The man scoffed and Weiss cringed. "Yes, that is apparent," he observed, stroking his mustache, thick as Port's but still retaining a rich black color. Hair greyed at his temples and green eyes, hard as the gemstones in her weapon, watched her, scrutinized her. "Might I ask what you were doing in here?"
"It's my room. I'm allowed to be here, aren't I?"
"Hm. I suppose you are, yes." He stepped aside and one of the guards entered, ushering Weiss back towards the far wall. She stood, breath held, as the Hunter stepped inside and knelt by her bed. He drew the journal and she stepped forward to stop him, grunting when the guard pushed her back.
"However, you are not allowed to hold onto information like this without explicit permission from the Church. You should have delivered this to someone's desk first thing."
"Weiss, cast a rune. If you can make a distraction -"
"No!"
All three men looked at her, puzzled. Weiss lowered her head and closed her eyes, trembling hands gripping the hem of her tunic. "I planned to bring it over but I've been busy since I returned. I haven't looked at any of it."
It wasn't a lie, she really hadn't gone over it yet. Not much of it anyways.
"Regardless this is not something that just anyone should be allowed to carry, least of all a newly minted Hunter." The journal was handed off and Weiss didn't relax at all when the guard backed away. "The Archbishop has been hoping to speak to you. I'd suggest you follow me, unless you want to potentially make matters worse for yourself."
"If we go to him Weiss there's nothing I can do. My magic was blocked before."
What was the alternative? Flee? The man before her was a Hunter. The Church was filled with Hunters.
Returning had been a mistake. Weiss had known it was an idiotic move and yet she'd still consented to it.
Maybe the information inside the notes wasn't enough to warrant any serious punishment. Perhaps Ozpin truly was in the dark about the attacks as Jaune had suggested. Weiss swallowed thickly and forced her feet to move, every step hindered by invisible boulders bound to her legs.
Jaune didn't mention the attacks at all, just Grimm. He didn't know about the Wardens.
Her friends hadn't been told everything. Of course, they hadn't been, why would they?
The whiskered man took the lead and Weiss fell in line behind him. Both guards flanked her, their presence more intimidating than the cumbersome weapons they carried. A few new initiates still in their rooms opened their doors to see Weiss being led away by her armed escort and her ears burned, lowering her head as she tried to ignore the obvious implications.
Her shadow stretched out towards the Hunter and Weiss hissed. She could almost feel Blake's palpable reluctance as the shadow retracted, reforming around her feet. Ahead of her the Hunter raised an eyebrow in question.
"Just nervous…"
"Hm. I would be, given your position."
With that vote of confidence Weiss stepped out into the now oppressive sunlight, a chorus of conversation drowning out whatever her captor said to her. The Cathedral loomed ahead, towering over her, its white and gray stone walls appearing more like a prison than a place of learning and faith.
Somewhere inside was the master of the prison, and potentially the executioner's axe awaiting her.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Weiss wished she could vanish on the spot.
This must be what a cornered mouse feels like. A cat with its prey, trapped, toying with it before batting it around. There were ways to get out, sure, but they were all risky. And unlike a rodent she couldn't hope to contort herself into small crevices, disappear into unreachable places safe from would be predators.
Comparing herself to a mouse might have been humiliating if it wasn't so apt.
In Ozpin's tower, far removed from the clamor and excitement below, the air was deathly quiet. Weiss could only hear her own racing heart, the occasional clearing of someone's throat or the creak of a chair. Eyes locked on the floor she rubbed her thumb over the back of her hand, certain it was going to end up raw. She didn't dare look at anyone, she didn't dare speak unless spoken to.
The Archbishop hadn't spoken to her outside of a greeting. He had been pleasant, cordial. Not at all like a man looking to silence her.
That, most of all, unnerved her.
Weiss couldn't meet anyone's eyes, but she did let her own roam across Ozpin's desk. She stared at the empty rucksack that had been hidden beneath her bed. The pile of papers, some yellowed and torn at the edges, were organized into smaller piles, no doubt by content, relevance, or whatever metric they had used.
Ozpin sat at his desk and watched her as she fidgeted despite her best efforts. Any proclamations of innocence refused to pass her trembling lips. Blake, who until reaching the lifts had been clamoring to escape, now was speechless. She couldn't even be certain the Meera was with her anymore.
"Weiss…" The gentle tone Ozpin used didn't fit her reasons for being here. Weiss nodded once, stiffly. "You understand why you're here, don't you?" She nodded again. Imperceptibly. The muscles in her neck threatened to seize entirely and choke off oxygen to her brain. She almost hoped they would. "I would appreciate a vocal response, if you'd please."
"Y-Yes sir…"
"And I understand that Arthur has explained the details to you. Do you have anything to say about this?"
They were hers to carry, not Ozpin's. That even as the Archbishop he'd had no right to go into her room and search through her belongings. For some inexplicable reason they had cause to suspect her of hiding something. Weiss scrunched up her shoulders and closed her eyes. Someone had said something. That was all she could think of.
Qrow was notably absent from the proceedings.
"N-No sir."
"The information contained within these documents is not only heretical, but outright blatant lies. It's not uncommon for people to dispense rumors and try to discredit the Church. Why, if we brought in every individual who tried I imagine the city would be packed to the brim with bodies."
"That said, this information in your possession are the works of a man who very clearly had an agenda. Someone who sought to do harm to countless innocents to further his own perverse ambitions. Notes like these," Ozpin explained, picking up one of the stacks. "Are not the kind of information that we can leave laying around idly. If the wrong people were to get their hands on this, they may try to replicate his work, or become emboldened. We'd have copycats running rampant. As it stands, we barely dealt with a single Merlot, and that was thanks in large part to your efforts."
Weiss might have felt pride if she didn't expect something nasty to follow the praise. Nothing came. She pursed her lips, clenching her hands together and finally lifted her eyes to look at Ozpin.
He was the same as ever. A calm, gentle smile, posture relaxed, eyes partially obscured behind dark spectacles. He seemed warm, trustworthy, a confidant and a friend.
"This… Let's call it propaganda, is dangerous. Doubly so if one of our own is found with it. It can cause dissent, disrupt trust, and lead the public to doubt or question us." Ozpin removed his spectacles for a painfully long pause, cleaning the lenses, inspecting them. "I think it's self-explanatory then why you should have brought this directly to us."
"It is, sir."
"Weiss." Ozpin smiled again, sliding papers aside. "You're here for a gentle reprimand, nothing more. Please, relax. Beyond this there is no forthcoming punishment for your actions."
"But sir, she's concealed information from us! And we have reason to believe that she has been compromised!" Arthur, the lanky man who'd led her hear, regarded her like one might a gnat. Insignificant. A nuisance. "Surely you're not going to let matters rest so easily."
"I intend to get to that, Arthur. Please allow me to work, hm?" Ozpin waited for the Hunter to step back to his position by the door before continuing. "Weiss, there are some questions I was hoping you could answer for me, if you'd be so kind?"
She was hardly in a position to say no, now was she? Weiss listened to the drone of the grandfather clock nearby, heartbeat doubling each chime. A pale, shaking hand wiped sweat from her brow and she nodded. "Of course…" she added after a pregnant pause. "Whatever you need."
Ozpin stood from behind his desk and collected his mug, circling around and sitting on the edge. He never stopped smiling even as he drank from his mug. "Splendid," he said, setting his drink aside. "Let's start simply. Can you confirm that you met with High Commander Hazel Rainart in Holbrook?"
He knew? Weiss didn't know why she was surprised really. Ozpin knew somehow. She'd not be shocked to hear that he knew the comings and goings of every person in Vale.
"I did…"
"Thank you. That confirms the agreement that I had with His Majesty, and that you received the instructions." Weiss' face must have borne an expression of consternation because Ozpin leaned forward and gestured for her to settle. "I understand those orders must have come as confusing, and I'll admit that I was not thrilled to have to work with nobility either." The casual admission and chuckle came as a shock. Ozpin, always polite with the nobles, sounded just as fed up with them as she was.
"But the safety and well-being of the kingdom takes priority over our personal feelings. Am I to understand that you met with Miss Xiao Long then?" They had and Weiss confirmed as much. "Wonderful. While her situation is a… Difficult subject for us I admit that we made the right decision, pardoning her. I understand she was instrumental in Merlot's defeat."
"Sir…?" Weiss leaned forward in her chair. "What exactly did Yang do?"
The words slipped out before she realized it and immediately Weiss drew back into her seat, biting her lower lip. She knew, to some extent, of Yang's involvement in experiments. She likely knew more than Ozpin ever suspected even. She wanted validation though. The 'word of God', if such a thing existed.
Not the slightest bit upset by the line of questioning Ozpin pondered it for a moment, nodded, then took a stack of papers and held it out.
"Miss Xiao Long's nature is a sensitive matter, one that I would sooner dispense with and not discuss. However, I believe you've seen more than enough and deserve answers. Arthur? If you'd please."
Weiss had hoped Ozpin would share the information himself, not some mouthpiece. That they were going to share anything in of itself was promising however and she'd not shirk an opportunity to learn. If not for her own curiosity's sake, then maybe to glean information about Yang's condition.
"If you insist. I still think it's early to tell her." Arthur pulled at his jerkin's collar and frowned. "But since Ozpin insists, so be it. Yang Xiao Long is the product of an unfortunate misstep on our part. To keep matters brief we were exploring ways in which a Magi could avoid Spellcast Sickness. Several options were explored, some more promising than others. Jacobis Merlot's was one of the more… Novel solutions."
"And immoral," Ozpin added.
"Precisely. Initially the Grimm had no part in it. Their inclusion came after a period of trial and error. No, at first Jacobis sought to change the body itself, whether through medicinal or magical means, to create an immunity to the illness' effects. After exhausting all avenues however it is believed he began his ghastlier experimentations. Without our knowledge he had Grimm brought into the city and he began to find ways to imbue some of their more… Unworldly traits into people. Endless stamina, a need for no rest, and in some cases, regenerative abilities."
"He asked for recruits, young Hunters who were willing to help test new ideas. As none of his prior work had caused any significant side effects, we saw no reason to deny him. Miss Xiao Long wasn't the first to be recruited but she was the last." Arthur scowled. "Others died while he practiced his foul work, and when he finally succeeded with Miss Xiao Long, she ran rampant, slaughtered clergy and Hunters alike, and disappeared."
"However, through these notes and accounts we now realize that Merlot exercised some degree of control over Miss Xiao Long," Ozpin continued with a gesture to the piles of sheets beside him. "Rather than attempt to make a hardier Hunter for mankind's benefit he developed a personal weapon, one whose magic was amplified to the point where it would become unruly."
"How was all of this hidden from the public? I never heard of anything like this happening," Weiss asked. She'd been in Vale for years, well over a decade now. Yang and she were similar ages if not the same. It couldn't have been that long ago…
"Merlot's experiments, towards the latter end of his tenure, were carried out in secrecy. We stopped receiving reports, all but lost contact with him, and found his workshop abandoned before long. He carried out his work in the cellar of a chapel outside the city, hidden behind false walls and barriers. When Miss Xiao Long's magic exploded the building caught flame. The disaster was labeled a horrific accident and nothing more."
"A regrettable falsehood," Ozpin admitted with a weary sigh. "But we could hardly tell the public that a young lady with a Grimm sealed inside of her was loose. And so we sent people to track her down. At first to kill her." Weiss' face lost all of its color. "I did not wish for the young lady to die but you must understand; she was an existential threat to the kingdom. Merlot could bring her anywhere, set her loose, and entire towns could be erased in a day."
"Yang wouldn't do that!" Weiss protested.
"Indeed. We found out later that she managed to resist Merlot's commands, whether through recovering her will or a weakening of his hold on her. Whatever the case, we decided that she wasn't as dangerous, and Merlot himself warranted more immediate attention. Our searches for Miss Xiao Long lessened and we redoubled our efforts to find Merlot, inevitably driving him underground."
"Until recently, that is. We found familiar cases around the kingdom, and then the rest you know." Arthur stroked his mustache and furrowed his brow. "That bastard was attempting to raise an army, and he was willing to let the kingdom burn for it."
That was the brief version? Weiss shuddered to think what an in-depth explanation might entail. It was nice to finally have some background for Yang's situation though, even if the details and specifics were sparse. Why had Merlot suddenly decided to try and make himself stronger though? What made him change his focus from the Church to giving himself power?
Neither man said a word on the matter and Weiss didn't ask. If there was an explanation for that they'd tell her, or it might exist within his notes. Notes, she lamented, which were now further out of her reach than ever despite being in plain view.
"We believe now that, despite her situation, Miss Xiao Long can be trusted. And while her condition is still a cause for concern, we are working through ways in which we can help her." Ozpin took another drink and paused to adjust his scarf. "Speaking of which, do you know where she is?"
Weiss frowned. "No sir, I don't. I haven't seen her or Ruby since early this morning. They mentioned something about going out to a farm... Sir?"
Ozpin's brow furrowed and a rare look of concern flashed across his face. Moving from his desk he circled around it, opening a drawer and removing a small container. "Do you happen to know the name of the farm she was going to?"
"Erm…" After a moment's deliberation Weiss shook her head. "I don't. Is something wrong?"
"Were your friends going to ride horses, Weiss? I need you to think very carefully."
"Y-Yes? Yes, they were. I distinctly remember Ruby mentioning it." At least she was fairly certain Ruby had, it sounded right.
Ozpin cursed. It was hushed, soft, but Weiss was positive she'd heard it. Seeing the man visibly upset for the first time in, well, forever, made her fidget uncomfortably in her seat. Arthur seemed just as unsettled, pacing back and forth by the door, hand cupping his chin.
"Weiss, I need you to listen calmly. Earlier today a farm was attacked by a rogue contingent of Hunters. I don't know who authorized it, or who was involved, but we've received multiple reports of Hunters outside the walls. One of the local farms run by the Cress family suffered extensive damage to one of its fields as a result. They were after something, I fear, and I think I may know what that something is now."
Without saying so explicitly Weiss followed along just fine. She shot up from her chair, took a step forward and grabbed the weapon at her hip, not drawing it but gripping the handle firmly. "We have to help them! If Ruby and Yang were attacked -"
"We don't know for certain yet. It's possible they weren't involved. However, they have also yet to report to any summons and we've had no luck in locating them. Qrow is out as we speak attempting to track them down." Ozpin chuckled wearily. "Impossible to believe that Miss Rose might have been kidnapped yet again. Forgive me, Weiss, I do not find any of this humorous. It's just absurd."
"What's absurd is that someone is overwriting your authority, Ozpin." Arthur stormed towards the desk. "You and a select few have authority over Wardens, no one else! Everyone who might have issued the orders are accounted for and…" He stopped immediately when the Archbishop stared at him.
"Wardens…?" More disbelief than posed as a question Weiss repeated the word. "Wardens really were responsible for this then?"
Ozpin stood back slowly, smoothing his shirt and composing himself with a deep breath. "Miss Schnee," he said carefully, using her family name to make a point. "What do you mean by that?"
"I was attacked earlier by Magi in white cloaks. They attacked us," Weiss paused when she felt pain in her side, a faint but undeniable stabbing sensation. "Blake and I," she went on. "Blake's gone into hiding and I… I fled to a friend's home outside of the city. It's where I was until recently."
"And this friend of yours identified those attackers as Wardens? Based on what, exactly?"
Crap. Acutely aware of both men staring at her now Weiss dropped her hand from her weapon, not wanting to give the wrong impression. Ozpin didn't seem angry with her, not outwardly, but his unreadable face could easily be concealing it.
"I… Um…"
"Miss Schnee, please be seated." Ozpin sat before she did and removed his spectacles, running a hand across his face. "Arthur, please go get Glynda and bring her back here with you. It seems we have much to discuss with Miss Schnee. And if you can, find Miss Belladonna as well."
"A-Actually, sir…" There was the stabbing pain again. Weiss lingered before the desk and looked down at her feet. She stomped, furrowed her brow, and stomped again. When nothing happened, she huffed and pointed to the floor. "Blake is here."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Blake is…" Weiss growled. "Blake, enough already! It's fine!"
"You're an ass, you know that?"
Weiss' shadow became lighter than before. Rather than materialize as gracefully as she'd vanished in the carriage Blake more popped into existence, not there one second and the next she stood beside Weiss. Cross, red in the face and eyes boring a hole into her skull, the Meera huffed and drew up her scarf, ears folding in displeasure.
Ozpin raised an eyebrow before releasing another sigh. "Arthur?"
The Hunter paused in the doorway and glanced back. "Sir?"
"Make a stop by Port's quarters, and if he's there ask for one of his ales, if you'd please." Ozpin smiled humorlessly. "We're going to be in for a lengthy discussion, I think."
I'm going to endeavor to get chapters out 7-10 days apart. I've said this before and it's rarely worked but I'd love to get them out faster, especially where I'm trying to FINALLY establish some core stuff that I ought to have done...
*checks chapters*
Anyways, thanks for reading!