Just want to issue a fair warning going into this chapter. While I toned it down a fair bit from its initial inception the first part involves some stuff that people may or may not like reading. May be a non-issue, but I want to give folks a fair notice before going into this chapter.

Also since I neglected to mention it earlier I wanted to thank everyone for continuing to read along with my little story. We recently broke 20k views, and while I hardly do this for the metrics that still feels like a milestone that's worth acknowledging. So... Thank you! I hope I continue to put out a story that people enjoy.

Anyway, let's get into it!

Upon waking Ruby realized two things: her head ached, and she couldn't see a thing. After a silly moment of wondering if she'd gone blind, she realized a fold had been placed over her eyes. Thin enough that she could just make out a candle nearby but heavy enough to obscure all else. Without a clue as to where she was she turned her head and tried to reach up to remove the blindfold.

Her hands were bound.

Oh crap… She tugged at her wrists. Rope dug into her skin, not harshly, but enough to know the knots were firm and unyielding. She tried the same with her legs and felt the chair she was in rock when her knees lifted, pursing her lips and trying to push her legs apart, maybe break the rope.

"R-Ruby…?"

"Yang!"

Her head whipped to her right and she still couldn't see her sister, but she'd heard her, she knew she had.

"Ruby… What are you… Doing here?"

She sounded tired. Weak. The few words that Yang uttered were sluggish, dragged through knee high mud after being made to march for miles. Any vigor finding her sister she felt was dwarfed by the bubbling panic that began to fester inside of her.

"Yang! Where are you? Why am I bound? What's going on?" She pulled again at her restraints again, rocked the chair to try and break free. When it nearly tipped over she squeaked. When the bindings held firm she growled, as if she could intimidate the rope to unravel for her.

Her sister coughed, or maybe laughed, the sound raspy and pitiful. Someone shifted on a table and she heard wood creak, the telltale stretch of leather straps being pulled taut then going limp again. Chain rattled and Ruby could picture the manacles that must be around her sister to hold her down. Secured to a bed like a prisoner.

"Why…?" she whispered plaintively.

Yang hadn't done anything wrong! They'd protected the kingdom; they'd kept out of trouble. Bitter tears seeped into the blindfold and Ruby grit her teeth, pulling on her restraints until her wrists ached, skin rubbed raw from rope.

To her left hinges squeaked and a door opened. Silhouettes against flickering flames moved into the room, one far smaller than the others. Narrowing her eyes to try and pick out any distinguishing features she leaned away when one of the figures moved towards her, pulling her head back on instinct. A hand gripped her head and she tilted it to bite at the offending limb only to squint against the surprisingly bright light when the fold was removed.

It was the bearded man from her room and behind him twin girls, neither of whom she recognized. They all wore the same white cloaks.

"What's going on? Why are we here?" she pleaded, searching for sympathy in the faces of the few and finding none. They exchanged looks, one of the girls even smiled at her, but they kept their silence. "Someone tell me what's going on!"

Someone else entered the room then, a lanky man with perhaps the most condescending smile Ruby had ever seen. Yang had said before some people had a face you just wanted to punch and she'd always thought that was ridiculous; how could you just want to punch someone you didn't know?

Right now she really wanted to punch this man.

"How delightful, she's awake," the mustached man said. "Junior, keep her still, won't you? We don't have much time."

"Time for what?" Ruby pulled against the large hand on her shoulder, eyes going wide as the man sauntered over to Yang.

He took his time placing the bag down beside Yang's head. His back was to her and she couldn't make out his face, but she watched his shoulders square, one hand raise in a fist before lowering slowly, fingers flexing.

The resounding crack of a palm against flesh made Ruby cry out where her sister didn't.

"Don't touch her!"

"Her? This thing before you is a beast, child, not a girl. An abomination." Yang spat out blood and the man chuckled before striking her again. "And a horribly rude one at that. Do you know how bothersome it is to get blood out of clothing?"

Yang's face she could see, and her sister sneered, swollen, split lip pulling back. "You hit… Like a girl…"

"Witty as ever. One would think you'd learn to mind your mouth." The man made a point of wiping his hand clean, then dropped the cloth on Yang's chest as he went to his bag. "That meddlesome woman won't bother us here, so I believe it's time we did a little experiment, don't you?"

Woman? Peach! Ruby pulled against her captor again and looked around in a desperate bid to figure out where they were. It was a small room, underground, with a small barred window revealing moonlight outside, the pale blades of grass just poking into view. Tools hung from a nearby wall, a mud-encrusted shovel, a dulled pair of shears. There was a rake with a few teeth missing and a saw, rusted over and probably useless now. Her first thought was a shed, except what shed had barred windows and a door with a bar to seal it shut?

"Ruby… It's… It's gonna be okay…"

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that. You might not want to count your blessings so soon."

"If you touch her…"

"You'll tear me limb from limb, yes, we've been through this tired exchange several times." The man drew a knife, blade curved, a sickly elegance in the jade colored grip, its quillon an asymmetrical serpent. "Now, hold still and be a dear and show us what you can do, you wretch."

Yang's face kept a sneer even as her eyes went wide and panicked. Ruby pulled against her restraints again, stomping her feet and trying to drag her chair closer.

"Stop! Please, don't hurt her!" she pleaded. Yang turned her head and her expression softened, sparing a smile even though she was in a far worse state.

Her face then twisted, and she let out a howl of pain as the knife dug into her flesh.

Only a cruel blessing of the man standing between them kept Ruby from seeing what was being done, although her sister's reactions - legs kicking, head tossing, face going red as a cry shook her, made it perfectly clear. The man finished his work and he set the knife aside, blade soaked partway with a deep crimson blood.

"Let's see the beast at work…"

For that he stepped back, proud of his assault on Yang. His mustache quivered and his eyebrows raised watching black smoke leak from the bloody gash on Yang's abdomen, pouring out in such volume that it obscured the blood leaking from it.

"Fascinating…" He leaned down and Ruby blanched as he ran a finger through the wound, drawing another pained cry from Yang. "And repugnant," the man scowled, wiping Yang's blood on her own tattered shirt. "A crime against nature. This is no healing magic; it's a parasite seeking to preserve its host."

Yang's trembling lips hurled hushed insults and she cried out again, lifting herself off the table as her wound was pressed on both sides. Flesh visibly mended but it took time, stitching itself together, flesh binding to flesh. Black scales along her hip glistened, turned a deep red from blood, and it began to pool on the table beneath her. Her sister let out another cry and she collapsed back on the table with a shudder, face glistening with sweat.

"She claims she can cure you, that she can remove this… Thing," his face twisted with contempt. "Do you know what happened to the girl she treated in Ambrose?"

"Stop it! Stop hurting her!" Ruby kicked against the floor and tried to knock her chair over. She tried to use magic, felt her body vibrate and tense, but she remained put. "Leave her alone!"

"She died. The parasite was removed but it killed the woman. No doubt your sister will suffer the same fate here. A tragedy," he sighed, then sneered. "Although I hardly think erasing a blight on the Church is anything but a miracle. She's fortunate that Ozpin deigned her worth preserving at all."

Unable to go anywhere from her spot Ruby sank into her chair, fighting back tears. Yang stared up at the ceiling, face tight, twitching occasionally as black mist continued to rise from her wound; even if it sealed, she doubted the pain went away. Muscle fibers mending, potential organs being repaired, if that much was even possible. Healing or not there would be a lot of pain with what had been done.

And the man just didn't care. He regarded Yang as a curiosity, taking to the knife again before shaking his head and setting it aside. Ruby had dared hoped there was a glimmer of decency in the man until his hand made Yang's head snap violently again, palm turning red.

"Disgusting."

Junior shifted behind her and she felt his hand loosen on her shoulder. "Sir? If she finds out about this -"

"You have your orders to subdue Miss Peach if she tries to interfere. She is here to keep our 'guest' alive, nothing more." Like the world's most deranged songbird the man strutted towards her, smiling, hands clasped behind his back. "You wanted to see your sister, didn't you? Well," he smiled. "Here you are. You can thank us whenever you'd like."

Thank him? Through angry tears she glowered at the man, kicking her legs out to no avail.

"Hm. I'm feeling generous. Let her stay a while, Junior. Move her closer even. Give them one last evening together." The man returned to the table and began to gather his bags. "Perhaps just this once I'll show a monster mercy."

"You're the monster!" Ruby yelled shrilly. "You're hurting Yang! You… You bastard!"

She could barely hear her sister call her name. Ruby glowered at the man, resented everything about him. His self-assured air, the cool, almost detached look in his eyes, the smug resting face he wore, like someone who knew they were smarter than you, stronger, and would remain so no matter how much you kicked and screamed.

She'd never hated someone so much. She loathed him with such intensity that she thought she might be ill.

"Tomorrow we'll attempt the operation. No promises for how it turns out," he hummed as he went to the door. "Miltia? Melanie? With me. Junior, move the girl closer and stand guard. Half an hour, not a second longer."

Ruby turned to face Junior, pleading with him to do something, anything. Why did they take orders from such an awful man? They were Magi, weren't they? They could fight!

"Understood, Watts. Your will be done."

"It is not my will; it is the will of the gods." Watts paused at the doorway and adopted a thoughtful look, intensely fascinated in a button on his doublet. "It is forever the Church's duty to snuff out Grimm and all manner of beasts who threaten the kingdoms. This is no different. No beast shall be spared just because it masquerades as a young woman."

"She isn't a monster! She's my sister!"

"Once, perhaps, but you've seen what she does. That girl is no longer one of us. The gods have abandoned her. Merlot's unholy experiments have tarnished her." Watts smiled. "Consider what we're doing a blessing. If the operation succeeds, then she'll be among the gods' blessed few. Should it fail," he shrugged. "Well, then she'll be released from her torment. Either way I think she should count herself fortunate."

"Don't look at me like that, child. I am only doing my duty to protect Vale and her people. It is the job of every Hunter, yourself included." He sneered at her, mustache bristling. "Perhaps tomorrow will serve as a reminder that you serve the Church, not yourself."

Ruby could understand Raven at that moment. The burning desire to do harm to another, to do to them what they had done to someone you loved and cared for. Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed it back, forcing herself to watch as Watts ascended, leaving with the twins and her alone with Junior and Yang.

They had done something to her mother too hadn't they? She'd been loath to believe the Church capable of something like that before. Watts had singlehandedly convinced her otherwise.

The chair lifted off the floor and Ruby protested being moved as her bindings pulled against her wrists. Then she was set beside Yang, gagging at the residual smell of rotted flesh, of soured eggs, fecal matter, and other noxious scents mixing together.

Miasma. She remembered the smell vividly from before, it was difficult to forget, after all.

"Half an hour." Junior regarded her with cloudy eyes and a flat expression, turning and leaving the room without another word. No pity, no sympathy.

How could everyone be so cruel? So uncaring?

Yang coughed, wheezed, and Ruby did her best to lean forwards. Unable to comfort her sister she did the next best thing and nuzzled her head against Yang's hand, hair crumpling against the bandages around it.

"H-Hey, Rubes…"

"Yang…" her voice broke and she nestled her head against her sister, sobbing as fingers worked their way through her hair. "I'm sorry! I… I can't…"

"Hey… It's okay, Ruby. It's alright…"

"No it's not! Look at you!" Hair fraying at the edges, skin somehow paler despite it only having been a few days, and that was to say nothing of the blood coating Yang's abdomen or how she was shackled to the table like an asylum escapee. "We have to go! Let's go and -"

"I look like shit, don't I?" Yang interrupted. She tried to look at herself but couldn't lift her head high enough. Chuckling, she turned her head instead and smiled at Ruby. "Relax, Rubes… We'll get out of this."

How? Yang was bound, her magic cut off, and when Ruby wasn't bound her magic was cut off too!

Except it hadn't been, not inside the house. Were only select areas blocking it? "Yang, can you use your magic?" Her shoulders fell when her sister shook her head.

"Too weak. Heh… Bastards have been starving me, and that Peach lady keeps giving me medicine, makes me woozy."

"What about changing?"

"Same problem. It's… Heh… Looks like if I'm useless then so is it." Seeing Ruby's face fall she stroked her sister's hair as best she could. "Hey," Yang cooed. "We'll get out of this. Weiss is still out there with Blake, right? We just gotta… Hang tight for now."

"But tomorrow…"

"They're going to have to try a lot harder than that to kill me, sis. Besides," she winked. "I got an idea."

Ruby perked up immediately, dragging her chair closer so Yang could whisper, not that she spoke much higher than that to begin with. She turned her head and leaned as close as she could, straining her ears.

"Talk to Peach… Make something up. Get an elixir from her, tell her it's… I dunno, for your stomach or something." She smiled sadly. "Wouldn't be a stretch, looking at ya right now."

"O-Okay, but what for?" She couldn't fathom how an elixir for a sick stomach would help them.

"Me. Ginseng root, white oak bark…" Yang furrowed her brow and blinked as sweat dribbled into her eyes. "Uh… Some kinda mint, and I think there's some sorta meat too. Boil it up and bring it with you tomorrow."

"And this will help you?"

"Either it'll help, or it'll make me shit my pants," Yang laughed weakly. "Can you do that, Ruby? It's gonna be risky."

As if everything about what they were doing, where they were, wasn't already dangerous. What was one more risk? Ruby gave the best smile she could muster, nodded, and tried to free even just one hand to grip Yang's with. Unable to wriggle free she leaned down and laid her head against Yang's palm, letting her eyes close.

"I love you, Yang."

"Love ya too, Ruby. We're gonna make it out of here, I promise. Just be strong, okay? Your big sis has got this."

Or Weiss would, or someone would. Maybe Ozpin would realize what was happening and have it stopped, or barring that, Raven would appear. Heck, at this point she'd accept help from Grimm if they made a big enough scene.

Her smile came easier that time and Ruby nodded.

It wasn't their first brush with disaster, and it wouldn't be their last, she'd make sure of it.

All she had to do was get a drink.

/+/+/+/+/+/

Something was off. Maybe it was the unusual stillness of the air, how the wind itself seemed too shy to make itself known, or how despite a cloudless evening where the moon, high above, cast the city in a pale glow and yet almost no one was out and about. It was as if Vale knew that something was amiss, bubbling beneath the surface.

Yet for all this supposed knowledge Weiss found herself unable to grasp it. She couldn't understand why her friends weren't in their quarters despite the lateness of the hour. Nor could she fathom why, if not in their rooms, they weren't at Monty's Corner enjoying a late meal, or at the training grounds, or perusing the markets for some late-night supplies. She encountered a handful of people among the closed shops and vacant stalls, a few guards half-asleep at their posts, leaning on halberds for support, and the occasional worker heading home after a late evening.

A lone beggar sat beneath a dirty, ratty blanket propped between two barrels in a narrow alleyway. He regarded Weiss with a half-filled smile, green eyes peering through matted, unkempt greying strands of hair.

"Lien for the needy, miss?"

Weiss had a need too. A need to find her friends, to have someone with her tomorrow that she could irrevocably rely on. She left the man with a few coins, muttering well wishes that she doubted he could even hear.

Goodwitch was trustworthy enough, she supposed, but she was of the Church. Whether she believed them to be running afoul of the people or not was irrelevant; the seeds of doubt had been planted and took root. Qrow was the same way and the fact that he was the uncle of two of her friends didn't absolve him of suspicion.

Did she even have to justify why she felt wary of Raven?

Beneath a low burning lamppost, she stopped, wincing as her fingers kneaded at tension behind her eyes. Since leaving she'd been hounded by an incessant throb. Stress induced, she surmised, brought on by worrying after her friends and her apprehension about tomorrow.

The city wasn't on edge, she was. It was late and people were turning in for the evening or shuttered inside of taverns, losing themselves and drowning their gripes in ale and draughts.

Weiss searched until she heard a distant bell toll once. There would only be a few hours more until they were to gather and prepare for their journey. Roman had found information, their resources were being gathered, an attack prepared. Still nursing her headache, she returned to the Cathedral, pausing briefly along one of the bridges spanning a canal to watch the moon's reflection dance on the water's surface.

Tomorrow would work out, it had to. Ozpin would have contingencies in place, measures to ensure that they would succeed even if they were outnumbered. No way would he send Goodwitch and Qrow into a potentially fatal situation.

In almost a fugue she reached her quarters, trudging to her bed and collapsing in it, staring at the dark wall beside her pillow until sleep claimed her at last.

It wouldn't be until much later that Weiss would learn her friends had been sent out on missions the day before the raid.

/+/+/+/+/+/

The sun had scarcely risen and already Weiss was paying for her mistakes. Her late night wanderings rewarded her with a restless mind and an equally fitful night's sleep. The few hours she had gotten were spent with troubling dreams, plagued with 'what if' scenarios where everything went wrong.

Gathered with the others of her party in Ozpin's tower it was all she could do to keep her head up, eyelids weighing her down to grant her some much needed sleep. An inexplicable chill prevented her from resting even now however. A block of ice in the pit of her stomach melted, filling her veins with ice water.

Now that the day was here, she dreaded it even more.

Ozpin and Goodwitch were the only two present who seemed remotely awake. Qrow, with less reservations than herself sat in one chair, head bobbing, rubbing his face regularly to chase away fatigue. If she were honest, he looked dreadful. Hair a mess, clothing crumpled, bags under his eyes. It was natural considering both of his nieces were missing. She wanted to extend a word of condolence but couldn't think of anything to tell the man. Did he understand that her smile was meant to be one of comfort? Or did he take it as pity?

Roman, Raven, and Neo were not with them. They would meet later; Ozpin had assured them. To no one's surprise none of them wanted to be anywhere inside of the city.

"And so, everything is in place." Ozpin shuffled papers on his desk, pausing to drink from his mug. He flicked the corner of a paper, rolling his tongue in his mouth. "I will not lie to you; this is an incredibly risky operation. If we employ more forces, then discretion isn't possible. You have been chosen because you are believed to be among the more capable of our members."

He smiled at Weiss and she couldn't help the heat that rose to her cheeks or the pride that swelled in her breast. "And, admittedly, some of you may be along to ensure that our other companions behave themselves."

"Hng." Qrow's head lifted with a start and he blinked as Goodwitch scoffed at him.

"Qrow? You're certain you're up for this?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, Oz." Said the man rubbing his face as if to try and smooth out his stubble with friction alone. "No way in hells am I missing out. Besides, who else is going to keep my sister in check?"

"I can think of one other person who might be interested," Ozpin mused.

Goodwitch sniffed, posture rigid as ever. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, sir."

That they were cooperating - Hunters and criminals alike, seemed more outlandish than any magic. Yet Weiss supposed it shouldn't be that novel considering what she herself had been through, and she could hardly have been the first. 'The enemy of my enemy.' A cushy philosophy, albeit one that felt as concrete as a bridge made of woven reeds.

"Your associates are waiting outside of the city walls. Roman, Lord Bisset," the Archbishop chuckled, shaking his head as he sat back. "Whoever he deems himself to be has assured me that he's discovered the location of Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long. As the matter dictates, we will unfortunately not be able to provide support, nor can we use carriages to deliver you, lest we draw attention to ourselves."

"So, I come to you with this: you will travel in pairs and congregate at the manor, then prepare and initiate the plan from there. It is not uncommon for Hunters to be seen moving together and it is perhaps our best chance of traveling without cause for concern. As such, we have arranged for our groups."

Qrow groaned aloud before Ozpin elaborated and Weiss could already guess who he was stuck with. They might be siblings, but it was evident there was little love lost between the two Branwens. Weiss wondered if it had always been that way. If Qrow and Raven hadn't been closer at one point in time.

Come to think of it the fact they were even siblings at all was odd, although no odder than Yang and Ruby, she supposed. One a Muran, plain as day, and the other Dimuran, patches of black scales, a propensity for heat and violence, and a terrible reputation for an equally explosive temperament.

"Yes, Qrow, you will be traveling with your sister. Please keep an eye on her and should anything happen you are given free reign to act as you see fit."

"Understood," the raggedy man mumbled with a nod.

Family, Weiss knew, wasn't just about looking alike. It was who you considered family that mattered most.

More a shame then that she was without her own right now.

"Roman and Neo will be traveling together and are expected to have intimate knowledge of the manor grounds. They will provide a layout upon your arrival and, at least initially, I ask that you three defer to their judgements about how best to proceed."

"With all due respect, Ozpin, that sounds like a terrible idea," Goodwitch said. She shook her head and Weiss felt compelled to agree. "Relying on them more than we already are sways the power dynamic. I loathe to give them the idea that they have any kind of say in matters here."

"We do rely on them, however, and they are fully aware of where they stand in this situation. Please, Glynda, allow them to exercise their knowledge, and once the fighting inevitably begins, I trust that you and Qrow will know how to handle things best."

Qrow snorted. "Sure. She'll just yell at 'em until they drop dead."

"Or they'll be knocked out by your odorous stench," Goodwitch retorted. "Honestly, when did you last bathe?"

"Dunno, what year is it?"

"I must stress," Ozpin interrupted, "That you all cooperate with one another in this. Our most modest estimates put the enemy at equal numbers but there is no telling whether there are more who have defected and are cooperating. Qrow, you're to identify the greatest threats and disable them as swiftly as possible. How you do that, naturally, is up to you." So much for delegating the fighting to them. "Beyond that I'm certain you'll handle this well."

Handle fighting their own he meant. There had to be some reservations among them about what they were doing. Yes, those responsible had violated the laws that governed them but they were still kindred spirits, men and women fighting to keep Remnant safer. There was a good chance that some of them would even be friends.

If that knowledge bothered either Magi then it was hidden well, Qrow behind a lethargic mask of indifference, Goodwitch behind her stony, unapproachable stare, lips in their permanent downward turn.

"Glynda and Qrow are both in possession of a Waystone. Should the situation become too dangerous to continue then I ask that you flee, if given the chance." Qrow's feet slammed into the floor and Ozpin held up a hand before the man could begin to protest. "If they're still alive then there's something they want from the girls. They won't kill them after all this trouble," Ozpin said. "Relocate, yes, but their lives would still be secure. We can mount another offensive and take them by force if need be."

"Oz, you're asking me to abandon the girls! I'd sooner let one of those bastards kill me than do that."

"I am asking you to consider your value beyond this mission. Make no mistake: I seek their return as well. But to say that Vale would be sorry for your loss is an understatement. All of you," again he looked to Weiss as he spoke. "Are valuable for what you can offer. And please do not take this as my suggesting you are merely assets: there is a lot of good you can do beyond this mission. The world is safer for your presence alone, whether you know it or not."

"I'm not leaving them," Qrow reiterated.

Despite the giddiness welling inside of her Weiss nodded along. "I can't either, sir. They're my friends, and if I can't save them then who can I save?"

"Idealism is a dangerous thing, Miss Schnee," Goodwitch warned.

"Yet caring for one's friends so deeply as to risk oneself is admirable. I'm not asking that you flee immediately, only if the battle proves to be unwinnable for you. While there will be six of you in all I cannot say with certainty that I trust half of our forces." That was a sentiment Weiss was sure they could all agree on. "And so, I'm asking you to simply be mindful of how events unfold."

"Now, I'm certain that you all are tired of listening to an old man ramble. Our allies are beyond the gates and ready to mobilize once you arrive, and the plan is laid bare; reach the manor, ascertain the enemy's whereabouts, locate Miss Xiao Long and Miss Rose, and retrieve them by any means necessary." Ozpin rose from his desk, the early morning sun blocked by his tall, green-clad frame. Weiss found herself oddly transfixed as she looked upon the Archbishop with a sort of reverence. It was like the heavens themselves were in favor of their crusade and Ozpin, the architect of it, was being heralded as the hero he was.

Pride that Weiss had forgotten for a time swelled within her. Her fingertips went to the mark on her neck and she smiled, her middle finger tracing one of the lines. She was a Hunter, a member of the Church and a sworn protector of not just Vale but Remnant as a whole.

Secrets aside there was satisfaction in knowing what she meant, both to the organization and to the world.

What she meant to her friends, and what they meant to her. She'd gladly risk herself on this mission if it meant seeing Ruby and Yang safe. She'd trust in Ozpin's plan for it, even if she herself hadn't been made aware of some of the more intimate details.

The wearisome headache that had plagued her the night before was gone now.

"I wish you all the best of luck, and safe travels. Remember that you are among our greatest, and that I hope and expect you to do your utmost in securing our family from these defectors." Ozpin placed a hand on his chest and the three of them, as if compelled, mirrored the gesture. Another wave of elation rose in Weiss and she couldn't help but smile. "Edos guide you, and may you find success. For Remnant."

"For Remnant," their voices rose in unison.

For family.

/+/+/+/+/+/

"Family, huh?"

"His words, not mine."

Raven laughed, the sound bitter and clipping. Her swords clinked together, and she rested her hand on her hip, appraising Qrow with a mocking smile. "Dear brother, I am flattered that you consider me family."

"I consider you family in the loosest sense of the world, Rae."

"My heart is touched, truly."

"If you two are quite finished bickering," Goodwitch interjected. Weiss shuffled awkwardly from the sidelines, nervously thumbing the handguard of her rapier. Roman and Neo had been just as silent as she was, albeit the latter didn't have much choice. "Could we please proceed with the meeting? I would like to leave sometime this week if possible."

"Finally, a voice of reason," Roman sighed.

Both twins tore their gazes from one another and stared down the well-dressed impersonator. "Shut up."

"My, you two can agree on something," Goodwitch mused. "Unfortunately for us all however this next step demands that Roman speaks, and so I'd defer to him." She narrowed her eyes at the Branwens and tapped a finger on her bicep, arms crossed. "That is, of course, assuming you two can remain silent long enough?"

"Sure. I still think this whole thing's going to go up in smoke though," Raven muttered.

"With you around that's all but guaranteed," Qrow said.

Well at least now she was convinced they were siblings. They certainly bickered like siblings.

"Roman, if you'd please?" Goodwitch urged. "Before I find myself with two corpses…"

"Ah, right! Ladies and gentlemen, and uh… Weiss." Roman chuckled, rubbed the back of his neck, and turned to Neo. She looked at the tall man without a clue and he made a few hand gestures which she returned quickly, too quickly for Weiss to follow. "Fine, be that way. Since someone forgot to bring along our written findings," Neo pointed at Roman. "I'll have to recount everything from memory, so bear with me."

"We're fucked."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Raven! Anyways, the location in question is none other than Lady Lavender's estate, which lies roughly ten miles southeast of the city. Under normal circumstances it's heavily guarded, albeit by the usual schmuck in chain and sword, but there are plenty of Magi crawling around." He sighed. "Particularly the sort that could kill me with a flick of a wrist."

"They're Wardens, yes?"

"Unless someone else makes a habit of wandering about in showy white cloaks then yes, they're Wardens. Honestly, I thought I had a knack for flair, but you people don't know the meaning of the word discretion do you?"

"We're supposed to be able to be identified by people who might need us," Goodwitch said, leveling her expression even as her voice became clipped. "Just as the marks serve to indicate who and what we are."

"Fine, but white? It's garish!" Said the man sporting a snow-white coat. "Plus, how easily they would stain -"

"If you women are done talking fashion," Raven quipped. "Then I'd like to get to it."

Weiss pursed her lips and stifled a bout of giggles. Qrow was much less reserved and snorted before chuckling loudly. She wasn't far off; Goodwitch and Roman squabble like two women fussing over the newest fashion in the markets. Although she'd seen more than her fair share of men just as picky.

"As I was saying, there are clearly Wardens out and about. The best guess we have is five -"

"Your best guess?" Qrow balked.

"But there could be more," he continued apace. "If you ask me this is a fool's errand, we should just try to negotiate with these people for their return. Everyone has their price, after all." Roman smiled at Weiss. "And I happen to be rather excellent at figuring out what that price is."

"Have you seen who is in charge of this operation? Notice anyone important coming or going?" Goodwitched asked. "We need names if you have them. Having some semblance of an idea who we might encounter would allow us to better plan."

"Lady, if I had names, I'd give you them, but I don't know these people from a hole in the wall. There's some big guy that stalks around the yard, dragging his knuckles like a Beringel, and a couple of girls. Beyond them I haven't got a clue who they are." Roman frowned, twisting his cane in hand. "Although… I did notice one woman there that I definitely recognized, one of yours." He snorted. "You people really have an awful time keeping your own under control, don't you?"

"This woman has a name?"

"Naturally. Thumbelina Peach, one of your organization's most renowned healers, and should I say, perhaps one of the worst actresses I've ever seen. The lady walks around trying to pretend everything is fine but even from a distance I could tell she looked ready to snap."

A shiver ran down Weiss' spine like a spider's thread, her breath hitching in her throat. Proctor Peach was there? She'd been such a kindly woman in Ambrose. A bit strange, certainly chipper given the dire situation they had been in, but she'd seemed a decent sort. She almost didn't want to believe the same woman was involved in this. Goodwitch didn't appear to either, face twisted in a complicated mask, brow furrowed, and lips drawn into a thin line.

"It would explain why she's been absent. She mentioned traveling to see some family after all she'd endured." The stern woman shook her head. "But to think she's involved in this…"

Weiss struggled still to accept that. As a belltower inside the city struck six she shivered again, and not from being in the shade of the walls, nor from the pointed look Raven was giving her, silently asking what the issue was. Humorous, in a sad way, that the bandit alone was the one to notice her discomfort.

"Well, at least that's one less person we gotta worry about fighting," Qrow mused as he scratched his chin. "Healer's aren't exactly the fighting type."

"Quite. She'll be easily subdued, and questioning her could provide some invaluable insight into what happened. Until then however, Roman, could you describe the layout of the manor? Whatever you can provide."

"With pleasure. Neo? Fetch me a stick, would you?" The small girl - woman, regarded Roman with something akin to righteous indignation. She made another hand gesture, one Weiss didn't know, then a cruder one, one she most certainly did, before marching off. Since she couldn't reach into the tree nearby she scoured the ground for fallen limbs, returning soon after with a twig, one small enough that Roman would either have to sit or bend over to use.

Realizing this the dapper man scowled, crouched down, and began to draw in the dirt.

He could lie, he could cheat, he could steal. One thing Roman could not do, however, was draw. The box that represented the manor itself was lopsided, the subsequent boxes around it, Weiss assumed, were other smaller buildings on the property. No floor plans. "We couldn't exactly get inside the manor," the faux nobleman explained.

Fair, although that put them at a grievous disadvantage. Weiss asked if he at least knew where Ruby and Yang were being held. The answer was vague; Ruby had been seen in the windows of the manor, second floor, first floor, or in other words, they had no idea. Yang hadn't been seen anywhere inside of the manor.

"But Wardens come and go from this building all the time." Roman pointed to a small rectangular structure behind the manor labelled 'shed?' "Usually in shifts of a few hours, typically one but sometimes a pair. Unless you all can think of something else that they'd be going inside for then I doubt we need to search the other buildings."

"This is the best you could do?" Raven scoffed.

"Hey, you try slinking around a heavily fortified house! Without Neo's magic I would have been killed a dozen times over! Hells, they almost caught me even with her magic!"

"Sounds like you just suck at your job."

"Have I done something to deserve all of this today? Honestly," Roman sighed. "With how much you're asking of me I'd imagine I'd be due a little more respect."

"You impersonated a nobleman, violated numerous laws, collaborated with a wanted criminal." Weiss hesitated to point out that they were now doing the very same thing. Goodwitch, however, shot her a preemptive glare that kept her mouth shut. "This is your reparations, if you're lucky. Now, is there anything else?"

"Yes, actually. There's a brick wall circling most of the property, and typically guards stationed everywhere they can put them. However…" He drew a circle along the northernmost wall. Or maybe it was south? "There's a large oak tree that grows along the wall and its branches extend over the wall. Even better? We could feasibly use those branches to get inside the building. Enter from the second floor and canvas from there."

"Which, by the way, I have a plan for. Neo can disguise the two of us as members of the staff and leave ahead of you all. We'll see if we can't find anything, and in the meantime, you just sit tight and wait."

It seemed like a sound enough plan although more than just Goodwitch looked dubious. "And we're supposed to trust that you two won't run off?" she asked.

"You're not exactly known to stand your ground, Torchwick," Raven sneered.

"And where would I go? Half of you know where my estate is, one of you knows me well enough to track me, and I'd have the entire Church on my ass! Believe me: I'm more afraid of what you lot will do to me than them."

Qrow smiled and snorted. "Yeah? Good to know."

"At any rate, that's the layout and, by my estimates, where we'll find the lizard girl." Both Branwens glowered at him and Roman chuckled uneasily, holding up one hand and easing back. "Uh… Yang, that's where we'll find Yang."

The knowledge that Ruby and Yang may be separated made an already difficult task borderline impossible. They would have to coordinate their efforts somehow between two different areas and figure out a way to get both sisters out safely. What I wouldn't give for someone with telepathy right now…

A horse whinnied nearby, and everyone went silent. Emerging from within the walls with a full coach, a disgruntled couple inside bickering while a beleaguered coachman sulked at the front, picking at his coat.

The people weren't what troubled Weiss, oblivious as they were. Both horses were looking at them, or through them. Neo let out a huff beside her and raised her hand to cast a spell, another illusion. Her foot dragged across the grass and both horses cried out, rearing up and kicking their legs. Roman dragged her back and the coachman, along with his passengers, all began to look around, eyes finally turning towards the right wall.

The pale grass beneath the wall's shadow was bare, save for a lone stick laying some ways from the tree. Nothing that would spook the horses could be seen, nor could the guards that came out to inspect the commotion notice anything amiss.

"Bah, stupid animals," the coachman snapped. Reassuring the men in uniform all was well he gathered up the reins and got the horses moving, something they were only too willing to do. As the vehicle rolled away the two guards looked around again, shrugged, and went back to the gatehouse.

They kept silent a moment longer, just in case. Weiss inhaled as quietly as she could upon realizing she'd stopped breathing, rubbing her forehead and closing her eyes.

Nothing they were doing was illegal technically, although it would raise questions. No, they were hiding because they needed every bit of secrecy they could get. The less the enemy knew the better and when the enemy may well be in the walls with them, perhaps even nearby, they couldn't afford not to be cautious.

When no one else came out the group released a collective sigh, Neo most of all. Weiss watched as the air around them shimmered and the field concealing them shrank; an incredibly useful class of magic, illusions, if somewhat poorly suited for combat. It made her curious just how Neo was expected to fight people of possibly Qrow's caliber.

"I'm hardly an expert on illusion stuff." Speak of the devil. Qrow glanced around, scratched his stubble, then appraised Neo with a curious smile. "But do animals see through your spells, squirt?"

Neo puffed her cheeks up indignantly, stomped her foot, and stuck out her tongue. "They probably heard us," Roman answered in her stead. "She can mask sight but nothing else. Guard dogs will be a problem if the manor has any, by the way, although she and I never noticed any. Still, it might not hurt to wash up before we go breaking in."

Limited then, illusions, but still useful. Their job would be infinitely easier so long as Neo could maintain her and Roman's disguises.

There was more to discuss. How they would exfiltrate; they had the Waystones but those were intended as emergency use only. There was also the matter of who would seek out which girl. Weiss couldn't say she had a preference - she was hardly about to choose, although she felt a slight inclination towards Ruby. She suspected Qrow did too, which left Raven and potentially Goodwitch to seek out Yang with Roman and Neo as wild cards.

Goodwitch and Raven. Because that wasn't a disaster waiting to happen.

Golden rays spilled across the morning sky, turning the dim heavens a fiery orange. Another bell tolled inside the town, just past seven. It would take roughly two hours to travel to the manor by foot, depending on speed, and by then most of the manor's staff would be awake.

A clandestine mission was out of the question for two reasons: they didn't have a Faunus among them, and time was of the essence. The longer they waited the more danger the sisters were in. Gods willing the people in the manor wouldn't expect a daytime raid. Only an idiot would attack in broad daylight, after all.

Weiss smiled nervously. Well, six idiots.

Roman and Neo departed first, although not until they were some ways from the wall. The air seemed to crystallize then crack as the spell was dispersed and Neo relaxed, wiping her brow and waving to the group. Roman bowed, wished them well, and promised to see them soon.

Qrow and Raven went next. Before they were out of earshot, before they had even taken half a dozen steps even, they began to argue. Something about Qrow smelling of liquor, and Raven smelling of "a donkey's wet ass mixed with rotting skunkweed." Weiss hadn't noticed a pungent odor about the bandit, but she suspected neither had Qrow. Raven's face matched her eyes and she swat at her brother, shouting a string of expletives that could make a seasoned sailor blush.

Then it was just the two of them. Wanting to say something inspirational, something to spark a fire inside her superior, Weiss' lips worked over soundless words, racking her brain for something, anything that might come across as poignant.

"Let's… Let's do this…?"

Goodwitch didn't have to facepalm; Weiss was way ahead of her. Spotting the woman marching down the road through her fingers she jogged ahead to catch up then slowed to keep pace, drawing up her white hood when Goodwitch did the same.

"We'll stop every hour to drink and have a light snack, nothing more. And since we have the liberty of traveling the main road perhaps we'll acquire a means of transportation to hasten our journey."

Weiss' eyebrows raised in surprise. "I thought Ozpin told us not to use any vehicles?"

"He spoke of the entire group traveling by carriage." I'm not so sure he made that distinction, ma'am. "And to be frank I will be damned if I must endure sore feet while being made to work with such insufferable deviants."

"Um… I'm not so sure -"

"Miss Schnee, perhaps when you're a bit older you'll appreciate how unappealing walking great distances can be." She wanted to point out that the woman was neither that old nor the distance too long. She also wanted to live to see tomorrow and so she said nothing.

Instead she opted for the diplomatic approach. "I understand."

"Good, then you will cover the expenses accrued by our transport then. You do have Lien on you, do you not?"

"Well yes, but -"

"See to it that you pay whoever picks us up for their discretion."

She lifted her coin purse and shook it, lamenting at its already anemic state. It would probably be the last of her money for a while unless she was somehow paid for this effort of theirs. She doubted it. Cradling her money with all the tenderness of a lovestruck mother she closed her eyes and sighed wistfully. It was a small price to pay for her friends' sake.

"Yes ma'am."

"Excellent, then pick up the pace. The sooner we find transport the better."

And another chapter in the books! Next few ought to be a lot of fun, I think. Hell to write but fun for y'all to read.

I have two iterations of them, and while they ultimately tell the same events they're done drastically differently. I'll have to play with them a bit more and see which I like better.

Until then, stay awesome and have a wonderful week!