Hi, friends!
Fingers crossed that this chapter isn't saturated with errors. Not had much time with the new job starting up today. As I write this, I'm rushing to get things together before heading out. Even if it's a mess I hope you enjoy nonetheless.
When they crested the horizon and saw solid ground waiting to greet them Raven decided she had never seen a more beautiful sight. Cypresses and palms raised from the ground, tiny specks until their craft drew closer, sails billowing with eager thrusts of wind. As if the ship itself were keen to make landfall and be rid of the ocean. The closer they came the more she could make out. A few buildings dispersed among a clearing in the trees, a modest farmland to the right of the settlement. With the sun's early morning rays still spilling over the lands before them Raven had trouble making out specifics, everything blurred against the light. A bed of golden wheat, buildings constructed of stone and wood not unlike those found in Vale. As they came nearer still, she began to make out people as well.
Infinitesimally small dots milling about. Insignificant, buzzing gnats just starting their day. A place much too small for a vessel their size to usually make landfall, Raven realized, noting the tiny dock that stretched out to welcome them. Small fishing crafts listed on the gentle waves, rising higher as the water from their craft tossed them about.
If not for her charming demeanor, and a few threats, the captain would have brought them to a major port. That meant risking Hunters warned of their arrival, guards who knew enough of her to make things difficult. And so Raven had given them a small nudge. Coerced them into doing as she wished, and hells take any other passenger who complained.
Long gouges in the deck made her smile, as did the pale faces of the nearby crew. From the stern of the ship at least the captain had the nerve to glower at her, ashen faced though he may be.
Raven liked him at least. A bit of spine to make him humorous.
Chains groaned and the ship beneath her jerked as anchor caught rock, sails drawing in under the masterful hands of the ship's crew. Determined not to look like an uncoordinated calf she used the railing to steady herself, took a deep breath, and began walking towards the bow, her own face turning a lighter shade as nausea continued to plague her.
Tai walked at her side and, gods take her, took the time to apologize to the crew and thank them. If she weren't convinced releasing the rail meant falling over Raven would have slapped him.
"Raven, thank the crew for their help."
She tried to tell him what he could do with his well-wishes but a gurgle and retching came out. Raven clamped a hand over her mouth and closed her eyes, slowly counting down until her stomach settled.
"Do you need a minute? I could get you some ginger before we leave."
"What I need," Raven hissed, lowering her head and waiting for the wobbling in her legs to subside. When it didn't she scowled and started forward again. "What I need is to get off this godsdamned floating coffin."
"Did we die?" She looked at him like he'd sprouted a second head. "We made it to Mistral, didn't we?"
Not the point. Raven stalked towards the bow, up to the bowsprit jutting out over the water. The ocean continued to lap at the ship's sides and threw saltwater up, making the spar slick and precarious. No smaller craft to go ashore. The captain had refused to yield for them there and shy of killing the man, and damning themselves, Raven hadn't been able to convince him.
Two hundred yards remained between them and the shore, to the narrow, far too distant dock that offered solid footing. How she wished she could turn into one of the birds she summoned. Taking flight would make everything so much damned easier.
"Raven? We could try to swim."
Her answering look left Tai stepping back with his hands raised and a meek smile on his face. No, she would not swim to shore. Beyond the fact she didn't know if she could swim that far it would mean soiling her clothing with seawater. Her hair too, an already unruly mess on the best of days that had become knot-ridden and crusted by salt from so many days at sea. So no, Tai would sooner find her commandeering the entire ship and sailing it right into the shore than swimming.
Tentative, she took a step forward and placed her boot on the bowsprit. Pressed down and found the extension of lumber solid, the metal rings binding it together and the brackets on the ship holding firm. Taking a deep breath, she stepped up and held her arms out to her sides, biting back a whimper as she slowly made her way out.
If she pretended she was over solid land doing this then it didn't feel so bad. Except the constant crashing of water made that impossible, and she didn't dare close her eyes for fear of losing her footing.
"What the heck are you doing?" Tai climbed up to join her and, damn him, had a far easier time of moving than she did. He glanced down at the water with a frown before focusing on her again. "If you're not going to swim then what are you doing out here?"
Being an idiot, obviously. A wind hit them, and Raven couldn't suppress the yelp as she wobbled, dropping to her knees and gripping wood hard enough that her nails dug into it. Her eyes snapped shut and she waited until the wind subsided before cracking them open, forcing herself to look straight ahead and not down.
"We could probably send a signal out to the town, have someone come and get us," Tai suggested.
Sure, they could, but then they would be indebted to these people. Having no plans to linger in the fishing hamlet she didn't want to owe anyone a favor. Clenching her chattering teeth she stood again, gingerly removing her wind-aspected sword, well aware any sudden movements might disrupt her balance and send her into the water.
Swimming wouldn't happen, not in a million years. And considering they didn't have any craft to take to shore…
"Grab on."
Tai paused, blinked, looking at the sword in her hand and furrowing his brow. "To the sword?"
"To me, you daft man! Hold onto me!"
Tai remained where he stood on the bowsprit. "Why…?"
"So I can throw you in the water. Why do you think?" She wriggled her sword and gasped as she went with it, catching herself and shivering.
"You're going to stab the water?"
"For fuck's…" Raven stepped back and reached out, grabbing Tai's wrist and pulling him forward. Nearly sending the two of them tumbling into the ocean. Nearly screaming as she felt her foot slip only for Tai to catch her and keep her upright.
"Do you want to tell me what you're planning or am I going to have to wait?"
She considered it, briefly, before shaking her head. Talking about it might lead to her reconsidering, and the sooner they were off the ship the better. Throwing caution to the wind she grabbed Tai by the waist and held him close, flicking her sword once and lowering into a crouch. Two hundred yards could be covered easily enough provided she angled it right. Assuming no errant winds swatted them from the sky and tossed them into the frothy surf below.
Spotting water slick rocks jutting out beneath the water's surface, the shimmering, green-tinted ocean clear enough to see the sandy expanse below, Raven made a mental note of not crashing into them. As if she needed more of a reason to not end up in the water.
Tai must have pieced things together because he went taut at her side and his arms leashed around her waist, tightening to the point of pain. "You're not."
"Don't let go."
"Raven, we can get a boat!"
"Nope." Raven fed her magic to the blade and felt wind begin to gather at their backs, bending the air to her whims and readied herself for flight.
"Raven, let me go."
The bowsprit beneath them held even as pressure built, their clothing whipping about and her unkempt main writhing. Raven tightened her grip on her sword and drew a deep breath, forcing down her nerves and reservations as she focused on the dock, on the small group of people gathering atop it. Two hundred yards. Insignificant. She had made far more perilous leaps before.
"Put me down or I swear to Edea -"
"Thanks for the help!" Raven shouted back, turning her head just enough to grin at the balking crew behind them. "Don't die out there!"
Before common sense could talk her out of it she unleashed a burst of wind that threw them up with enough force to push the bow of the ship down.
Weightlessness greeted them. Wind howled past her ears, stinging her eyes and threatening to wrench Tai and blade both from her grip. Despite her heart leaping into her throat Raven forced a grin, laughing in pure terror as they raced towards the dock. Waves crashed against rocks beneath them and she watched the water come closer and closer.
A hundred yards out and the water sprayed high enough to douse them, flying through a high burst that left them soaked.
Raven tightened her grip and readied her knees for impact, summoning whatever magic her racing mind could manage to help.
Fifty yards and Tai howled at her side, head buried against her and eyes squeezed shut. She would have joined him if landing and not dying hadn't been wholly contingent on her not fucking things up.
Ten yards and they were just over the dock. People scrambled back and another wave slapped her feet, made her wobble and lean forward. Raven felt her arm shift and Tai went tumbling from her grip with a shrill squeal and disappeared into the water below. Her feet managed to stretch out enough to take the brunt of the landing, wind reducing the impact but still sending pain racing up her legs. One second, she stared down at water, the next wood, and with a tumble she rolled on the dock and somehow managed to come upright on her feet.
Heart thundering, Raven remained still as she waited for her stomach to roil or her legs to give out. Neither happened. Cheering to herself she glanced sidelong as she heard sputtering and, to her delight, cursing, watching as Tai climbed out of the water and onto shore, cassock dragging behind him, blonde hair matted against his scalp.
You're the one that suggested swimming, she taunted, smiling.
A blade hissed, a harpoon in her vision made her turn towards the villagers with her. Men who looked more prepared to shit themselves than attack her, weapons trembling. Raven's lips twisted into a smile as she slowly stood, flicking droplets from the black scales on her cheeks.
"Who are you?" one of the men demanded, voice as steady as the waters behind her. "Identify yourself!"
Adorable. He thinks he's a threat!
"Me? Oh, well that's easy. I officially identify as a fucking problem." Raven grinned and swat aside the harpoon, her face aching from her sheer delight as she watched the men skitter back. Her sword raised and she took her time pointing at each man before her. "Your fucking problem," she continued. "But a problem nonetheless."
Dry land. Frightened civilians.
It's just like home.
She took another step forward and paused. Tai, who had made it to the dock, stopped in his tracks too and turned his head away.
Raven's cheeks swelled and she dropped her sword arm, clamped a hand over her mouth, then removed it and doubled over.
A bit too early for bravado, it seemed.
/+/+/+/+/+/
As Hunters, even in training they were meant to learn a variety of skills. Rudimentary medicine, basic formations in which to gather a town's local guard to help defend itself. They were taught how to forage and hunt, how to erect basic shelters. Fishing, weapons maintenance, and simple tailoring to repair clothing. Some skills were used more than others; Weiss had hardly practiced the more civilian skills since her initial training with them.
She had learned to wield her magic, learned the points where several varieties of Grimm were the weakest, and ways in which she could track the beasts.
For the four years of her training, and more besides since then, she had never learned how to deal with an enemy-turned-zealot.
To be fair Weiss doubted anyone had been trained for that.
A night spent in the caverns beneath Pradalia hadn't been pleasant. Not when her body ached from her fight, bruises littering her fair skin, her hand burned raw from wielding her rapier. With precious few sleeping rolls available and both children and elderly Faunus present she, like the others, had forgone any accommodations.
Stone grated on her and bit into sore muscles. Air chilled by the vapors from the waterfall, and the sound itself, kept stirring her from slumber and forcing her to move.
When sleep had finally claimed her she'd welcomed it willingly and drifted into a dreamless trance. And only once the sun's rays had begun to peek into the cavern from the hole above, golden rays shyly peering into their makeshift chambers, did Weiss force herself to rise and ready for the day. Every inch of her protested when she moved. Her legs had gone stiff, her back feeling as though she'd been trampled, and the wound on her neck burned. Her bleary vision had yet to clear before someone knelt beside her and a hand rested on her back to help her rise.
Feeling like she had gargled sand she still managed to speak. "Thank you, Ruby."
"Mistress?"
If Weiss had the mobility she'd have jumped to her feet and gotten far, far away from Nike. Instead, she let out a startled gasp, stiffened, and drew away from the bracing hand on her back. Half expecting a blow to follow she groped around in the still dim cave for her rapier and found its chilled grip nearby, dragging it closer just as Nike's wings shuffled.
The Faunus moved so her wings blotted out what sparse rays of sun had begun to spill into the cave, eyes on Weiss herself and wholly uncaring of the weapon she threatened to wield.
"Ma'am, are you alright?"
Not a hint or whisper of the threats to cut her down from yesterday. Genuine concern colored Nike's tone and showed on her face, blatant and open.
It took her a long moment of staring for her sleep-addled mind to process the sight before her. Enough time to get a proper look at the face of the woman who not a day past had tried to kill her for a half-brained lie.
Emerald green eyes not unlike Pyrrha's stared at her beneath a knitted brow etched in worry. Freckles littered Nike's face, dotting her full cheeks, the bridge of her slender nose, and the corners of her gemstone eyes. Long red hair had been tied back in a tidy plait that ran down her back but long bangs had come free at some point and hung just over her right eye. A solid jawline, thinner lips, and as Nike shifted Weiss noted the Hunter's Mark peering out of the collar of her silk kirtle. Leather creaked, the Faunus' cuirass flexing and bending to accommodate her solid build within.
"Lady Lummiare?"
"Don't call me that!"
Nike reeled back at the sudden retort, frowning. "But you're my lady. If not that then what do I call you?"
"I am not your lady. I am not some goddess." Weiss shook her head both to chase away residual exhaustion and to dispel any such ideas. "You are mistaken, Nike. Do not call me that."
Forcing her legs to cooperate with her Weiss stood, ignoring how her palm hissed as she gripped Myrtenaster, bandages making her movements stiff. Sheathing it, she padded to the waterfall and the crystal pool beneath, ignored the spray that began to soak her as she dipped down and submerged her face inside. The cold water jolted her awake immediately and she rose with a gasp, wiping away water and shaking her head again, ponytail whipping against her back.
Too early for this. For being awake, nevermind being followed by some misguided fanatic.
Fabric tore and she looked over to find a length of cloth held out for her, an earnest Nike offering it over. A wing had extended to block the spray from peppering her further.
"Please, use this to dry yourself."
Being dry did sound nice but the compunction of letting Nike grovel over her, accepting even the smallest of favors, stayed her hands. Weiss waved it off and continued wiping her face as she walked from the main body of the cave and into a narrow tunnel, retracing her steps as she headed towards the surface.
A tunnel freshly carved courtesy of Manon's magic, the stone held an unnatural smoothness to it, enough that her hand dragged across the walls without catching on anything. Without light she used her Elven hearing to listen to the echoes of her own footsteps, navigating via a poor woman's version of echolocation.
Before long the waxing rays of sunlight beckoned for her, the air warming as she neared the surface. Weiss squinted against the light and stepped into the open air, loosing a sigh as she came to gaze out over Pradalia itself. A doorway carved into a cliff at the rear of the city, hidden partially by hanging vines and mossy rocks with just enough of a path carved into stone that they had climbed the cliffside single file last night. Weiss debated for a moment going back down that path to the city, in part to find supplies but also for some time alone.
The latter became impossible when she heard Nike emerge from the cave behind her. Felt the woman's presence at her back and sensed Nike's eyes watching her every movement.
"I simply… Played to that belief, enhanced it a little. She'll be more than happy to assist you however she can now, Weiss. You're welcome."
Not Nike's fault, she reminded herself. Perhaps of everyone last night none of them had suffered as much as the Faunus, her mind compromised and made into an unwitting servant of an enemy. The thought made Weiss' stomach roil and she counted herself fortunate she had yet to eat. Last night or that morning.
A little. Making Nike think her a goddess a "little" would mean keeping her distance, being respectful, and not acting like she had one singular purpose in her life. Weiss half expected to be offered to be carried once they set out on their journey.
Sighing, she crossed her arms, rubbing them as the chill of the cave continued to cling to her, Pradalia's waking sun not yet warm enough to wash it away.
For what precious little she had seen of the city - she and Qrow had arrived at dusk and hadn't made it a point to explore - Weiss thought it to be rather beautiful. Unlike anything in Vale with its white stone buildings, red tiled roofs, and the circular structures that accompanied the more familiar boxed ones. Whereas Vale separated its districts by clear divides Weiss could not make out any such divisions here. Large buildings had been erected around more modest ones, shops sharing streets with homes and public spaces. All roads appeared to be paved, several plazas and parks had been interspersed throughout, making the city far more welcoming than Vale had ever seemed.
Weiss wished she could have spent some more time in it. Properly exploring and learning about the new city, the new kingdom, and all of its peoples.
Instead she and the others would be leaving within an hour or so, departing yet another piece of civilization for the wilds.
Shivering, Weiss had just begun to rub her arms when Nike stepped forward, studying her and attempting to angle herself to block the winds that rolled across the cliff's face. Too tired to argue and, as ashamed as it made her feel, too grateful for the reprieve, Weiss settled down and swallowed thickly.
"Nike?"
"Yes, Lady Lummiare?"
Cringing hard enough to agitate her injuries Weiss turned to the woman and frowned. "Weiss. If you insist on following me everywhere, especially in public, then none of that goddess nonsense." She held up a hand before the woman could begin to protest. "You will address me as Weiss. Nothing more, understand?" A reticent nod. "Good. And stop following me everywhere. I'm not some helpless babe. Please. I'm not used to having someone trying to wait on me hand and foot."
Best to cut the head off the problem before it could continue to grow.
"I cannot do that, Weiss."
"What? Why not?!" Weiss balked.
"It is my sworn duty to ensure your safety. As we've been over countless times, ma'am." Nike lowered her head and a ghostly smile formed on her lips as she placed a hand on her heart. "It is an honor and a privilege to protect my village's patron. No duty is too insignificant or trivial for me, I assure you. It is no inconvenience for me."
Weiss grimaced, turning her head to hide it. She could always throw herself from the cliff, she supposed, to escape this madness. Although Nike would doubtless leap after her long before she could ever be hurt. Folding her arms again and shuddering at the unpleasant crawl along her spine she closed her eyes.
Well, at least getting Nike to call her by her name had been easy enough.
"Nike," she mumbled, galled by how swiftly the woman snapped to attention just at her name. Gods help me… Weiss frowned and looked out over the city again, wondering where in the world Nike's partner had gone to. "Do you not find it odd that a god walks among mortals? That doesn't confuse you at all?"
"There are ample records within the Church of such events, so no, it does not bother me."
Weiss' eyes nearly popped from their sockets as she whirled on the woman. "What?!"
"You are not the first of the heavens to walk among us, Lumi- Weiss," Nike corrected herself. "There are countless stories of gods and goddesses doning mortal forms, appearing in times of great strife to help guide humanity towards salvation. Or to live among us and witness how we have prospered under their auspicious rule." The Faunus' smile warmed and she bowed her head. "You especially have given my people much and more, and for that I am eternally grateful."
Oh gods, she'd be sick if this kept up. Just how thoroughly had Rhodes distorted Nike's mind? What were the limits of this perverted reality?
Besides the point… How accurate were those supposed stories of gods among men?
One tale had stuck with Weiss throughout her years. A creation myth, one of several surrounding Remnant itself. One which she had come across while idly reading in the library, not through lessons vetted by Church doctrine, yet allowed to persist nonetheless.
The gods, as the story went, formed Remnant on a whim, deigning to use their powers to create something new. Utilizing their chosen elements and cooperating they created the world as she and everyone knew it. Ginrei and Genrei, brother twins and masters of Water and Earth respectively, worked in tireless tandem to form the planet itself. Once rock had taken shape and the oceans, springs, rivers, and lakes had dotted the planet's surface they stepped back and allowed Edea to work. The Mother of Winds breathed life into the world, giving way to creatures that walked on all fours, swam, flew, and burrowed beneath the surface. In a single sweep of her hand she had formed lush vegetation; sprawling jungles, vast plains, corals and reefs and every fathomable kind of life on Remnant. These three gods: Ginrei, Genrei, and Edea had formed the basic building blocks of their world.
Edos, Father of All Gods and Patron of the Heavens, created the sun by which Remnant would count its days. And to accompany the sunlight Zorander, the embodiment of night and shadow, fashioned the moon from residual magic courtesy of Genrei, dragging it across the sky every evening to lull the world into a restful slumber. The world itself had been completed, Remnant made whole. Yet their work remained undone.
A ship without any masters would drift listlessly, never arriving anywhere or achieving anything. A useless piece of flotsam. And so, in desiring stewards for this new world, humanity had been created. Like a potter taken to clay Edos himself fashioned humanity, and the Faunus if Weiss assumed rightly - the book had notably held no mention of them, giving them shape. Yet without the ability to govern, protect, or develop themselves humanity were but soulless puppets in need of instruction. Edos could have gifted all of that himself in His infinite power and yet, as the story went, He had granted that duty to His offspring instead.
From Xion, god of scholars and learning, humanity gained enlightenment. From Ralthor, god of fire and the forge, humanity learned to defend themselves from the Grimm. The story, as Weiss recalled, had no mention of where Grimm had come from. Only that the felled beasts appeared one day and plagued humanity ceaselessly.
Kind of how Nike now hovered over her like an overbearing mother.
Working in tandem, Edea and Lummiare created the seasons. For Edea's part she created spring and summer, seasons where fertility in both mankind and the world flourished, where crops might grow and life may begin anew. Lummiare provided fall and winter with her cold embrace, allowing the earth to rest and prepare for the next cycle so that the lands might remain ever fertile. Where Edos had breathed life his counterpart, Kalom, Lord of the Afterworld would serve as a guardian and guide beyond the veil, claiming those whose mortal lifespans had extinguished and delivering them unto the gods in paradise.
How much of that story might be true would be anyone's guess. Weiss had never given it much merit, not when science had begun to develop and explained away some of the mythos. How magma rose from Remnant's body and formed new lands. How humanity itself, not some god divined hand, reaped and sowed crops, worked to maintain fertile lands and developed more. Some things they couldn't explain away; how humanity came to be, where the Grimm came from. But Weiss had found over the years that mankind, not gods, had created the world in which they now lived.
Perhaps that made her a heretic. She might well have been cast out of the Church for ever voicing such beliefs. And yet Ozpin or anyone else had never foisted any firm ideals upon them in all their years as Initiates. Rules of conduct, yes, and laws by which every Hunter need abide by, but never any religious doctrine. That had been reserved for the masses and those who sought a guiding hand.
A hand no more real than Weiss' own status as a goddess. But people who were desperate, or willing, if she were fair, sought guidance wherever they could. Comfort too. And she could no more fault those people than she could Nike for believing in whatever madness Rhodes had implanted within her.
"Hey."
The simple, gravelly word pulled Weiss from her musings, looking back at Qrow who seemed unusually awake for the unsightly hour. Weiss nodded once, glanced at Nike, then forced a small smile. "Hello, Qrow."
To Weiss' surprise, and relief, Nike stepped aside to allow Qrow to come closer. Not compulsive enough to keep her friends and allies from her then. A small mercy from Rhodes.
Barring any railing or wall to slouch against, Qrow instead took a seat on the edge of the small outcropping, dangling his legs over the ledge. Fresh bruises bloomed on his neck and face, on his exposed forearms, some of them hidden by thick bandage wraps. Weiss hadn't asked him how his battle with Greyson had gone, hadn't had time, and judging by his ginger movements and the way he winced as he shifted she figured about as poorly as her own.
"You gonna be ready to go, Ice Queen?"
Too tired and too sore to bother correcting him Weiss nodded. "We don't have any supplies, or hardly any. Shouldn't we shop for some before we depart?"
Qrow cast a meaningful look towards Nike, then her, and offered a subtle shake of his head. Too risky to go into the city, too likely that she or him would be recognized. Rhodes hadn't tampered with everyone and the likelihood of a civilian spotting them, ratting them out to the guards, would be too high.
"We'll pick up supplies where we can on the road. There will be enough of us that we can hunt and gather whatever we need," Qrow continued. "We'll have to, considering Cinder and her runts are coming with us. Can't believe that she's tagging along…"
"I for one think it is admirable she's standing against her former master."
"Come again?" both she and Qrow asked.
"I do not understand why you two seem so confused."
Weiss could think of about a million reasons why she felt confused. She settled on one. "Cinder Fall is the leader of the Maiden Fleet. She's a wanted criminal, is she not?" A look down the shadowy tunnel they had just emerged from. "A rogue Hunter, perhaps, or at the very least someone the Church should very much like dead."
"You vetted her, did you not, Weiss?"
She'd done what? Looking to her right she found Qrow staring at her, eyebrows raised as he too awaited an explanation. She would give one if she had any to give. Taking a breath, Weiss turned towards Nike and inclined her head. "And why did I vet her, Nike?"
"You thought she seemed reluctant to continue down her path and thought it wise to give her a second chance. While it is… Unorthodox, I will admit, far be it from me to question your wisdom. If you believe she is worthy of another chance then I will follow you wholeheartedly."
Okay then. Yet another fabrication of Rhodes' but one that Weiss would, for the moment, welcome. The last thing they needed to complicate their journey was infighting among members. Given their lack of supplies, the fact they were as a collective wanted dead or alive, and had now effectively kidnapped a Hunter she figured they had enough hanging over their heads.
"By the way, you spoke of supplies a moment ago? If you would like, I can go and obtain whatever we need for the trip ahead." Nike gestured to the satchel hanging off her right hip. "I have Lien to spare, should you require it. I may even be able to acquire a horse for you if you so desire."
Tempting, but so many levels of wrong that Weiss couldn't in good conscience agree to it. Couldn't entertain it beyond a brief, fleeting thought. "We'll manage, Nike, thank you. I'd prefer to keep your money for an emergency."
Not that having no food, shelter, medical supplies, or even a change of clothes didn't constitute an emergency. Weiss hoped the next town wouldn't be too far off, and word of what had happened in Pradalia hadn't reached their ears. Nike accepted her decision with a reluctant bow, wings tucking in tight against her back. "As you wish."
"We've got a destination now at least, and a way to actually get there." Qrow sighed, rubbing at his face with both hands. His shoulders rolled and he let out a groan. "All we gotta do is survive until then." He looked over his shoulder and gave a smile that fell well short of his eyes. "Survive, and march right into the capital. Simple, right?"
Life had always been anything but, yet Weiss nodded all the same.
/+/+/+/+/+/
Their departure from Pradalia, as it had been with so many others, came and went with little fanfare.
No ceremonies or cheers. A few well wishes from Sun and his group, a pitiful share of rations from people who couldn't spare them, and that had been it. To avoid complications they left in the dark, trudging up paths Manon had carved through the rock. Funneled through a tunnel too narrow that even Weiss needed to turn sideways at points they left the city through the back, clambering through an overgrown, forgotten cave that Manon had stumbled upon in his work.
In stories the start of a new adventure usually was commemorated with something momentous. Here, in the somber air, cloying from humidity with insects buzzing incessantly in her ears, Weiss couldn't find a sliver of happiness for the situation.
Their numbers had swelled with the addition of Cinder's crew and Nike. More mouths to feed, more people to concern themselves with. Another person for Weiss to feel obligated to help. Another life relying on her. Weiss shivered, wishing she had something to hold to keep away the cold. To stave off the gnawing dread that had clung to her like a cloak since the day before. Her eyes went to Ruby who stood on the other side of their group. Eyes forward, weapon in hand already, with the immovable wall of Yang between her and her sister.
Clearly, Yang hadn't forgotten what happened the last time she and Ruby were together. And despite having saved her, Ruby had given no indication, no desire to be close to her as well.
Just as well, Weiss decided, stifling the emotion swirling inside of her, swallowing back the lump in her throat and refusing to let her eyes even prickle. This way she could focus on what needed to be done. Helping Yang, Nike, and once everyone else had been helped, saving herself as well.
Maybe Ruby would welcome her back then and whatever fledgling romance they had before could be rekindled. Or perhaps it had been an intimacy born of desperation; their lives had been hellacious for some time now so perhaps Ruby had just looked for something more. Something beyond the blood, fighting, and danger that lurked around every corner for them. If a distraction was all Weiss would be then she would play that role. Gladly. Anything to ease Ruby's pain even at the cost of her own comforts.
Maybe that was love. Maybe she was insane.
The dark, rolling hills that crawled out before them offered no answers. The silent farmlands provided plenty, but no solace. Not for her.
"Well then," Weiss found herself saying, taking pride in keeping her voice steady. "How about we get moving? Before our fleeting fortune leads a contingent of guards to us?" No laughs at her bleak attempt at humor. Just the tired, shuffle of resigned bodies as they began to descend into the valleys beyond Pradalia, moving as a silent force. Feeling Nike's eyes on her back she glanced over her shoulder and inclined her head in silent question.
"Wherever you lead, I will follow."
Unable to fake a smile Weiss nodded curtly, inhaled, and continued to march.
Towards the capital. Towards answers to their problems.
And away from Pradalia, another potential memory ruined by her incompetence.
Not much to say here beyond thanks for reading. Take care, stay hydrated, and stay awesome!