Glad to see everyone felt as bad for poor Weiss as I did. I was also interested to hear that apparently the manga actually shows a little more of Ruby having a temper and being willing to stick up for herself. Sounds interesting. I never actually thought to read it since I assume it's just the same story as RWBY and thus I'd know everything in it.

Is it worth a read? Not just as a "must have" for a fanboy, but genuinely, does it have stuff I'd find interesting, already knowing how the story goes?

Let me know. I might check it out if it does.

Chapter 10

"You're being absolutely childish."

"I had your best interests in heart."

"Don't you dare ignore me! I am Weiss Schnee, twenty-seventh in line to the throne!"

"Ruby?"

"Ruby, please…"

The pleas went ignored as Ruby took her tray and pushed her way down between two Initiates she didn't know. They looked at her strangely but, deciding if she didn't care then neither would they, went back to their meals. Weiss was left with her own, eventually moving over to a different table.

Why is she looking so glum? She gets to avoid my `barbaric eating habits` and sit with people her own class. Stupid Weiss. Ruby growled as she ate, earning bizarre looks from the people on either side of her. She ignored them. Strange looks were commonplace for her. The only thing they did was curtail her ability to lift a few pretty baubles.

With the day's lessons over, dinner was typically a lively affair. The students who were older would have practice and training, or even jobs, but for the younger initiates it was the start of relaxation time. It should have been for her as well, except that she had to be at the Sanctum within the hour thanks to Weiss ratting her out.

"There you are." Coco laid her own tray down on the other side of the table, nudging someone aside with her hip to squeeze in. "Didn't see you over with the other first years."

Ruby scowled at her.

"Don't look like that. I'm a warden. I have to report missing initiates. And it's not really your roommate's fault, you know."

"How isn't it? If she hadn't told, you'd have never known to tell the Arcanists."

Coco winced. "Well… yeah…" She looked away and back again. "Is that why you're avoiding her? Come on, don't you think that's a little mean? She was just looking out for you."

"She spends every day telling me off for something or other. I can't go two hours without her insulting me for my manners, speech, eating habits, the way I wear my robes, how I clean our room or how I apparently sit like a man."

"Ah. That… Weiss is pretty high up in social ranking."

"I don't care."

"Yeah, I suppose you wouldn't." Coco sighed and leaned one elbow on the table. She picked at her food – something which got on Ruby's nerves since she would have killed for food like this and Yang likely still was. "That's not why I came over, though. You've got hours in the Sanctum tonight."

"Are you leading me there?"

"No!" Coco recoiled at the suggestion and shivered. "No, I… I don't really like that place." She wasn't the only one to show such a reaction. The boy to her left scooted away.

"Then what do I do, just turn up?"

"One of the guards will come collect you outside the main school building. They do most of the work there, so they know the way around better than most. Listen to what they say and you'll be fine." Coco hesitated, then added, "And think about giving your roommate another chance, okay? It'll be an awkward few years if you don't."

Again? Why was everyone acting like it was her fault for this or that she hadn't given Weiss a chance already? She'd bent over backwards to try and keep the peace between them. She tried to change her habits to stop Weiss complaining.

"It's not me who didn't give any chances. I put up with constant insults."

"I know. It's just… It's one mistake she's made, okay? People make mistakes. And you could have told the Grand Arcanist what you were doing. Whatever it was, it couldn't have gotten you in more trouble than this."

Coco had no idea.

Rules could be broken. Tenets could not.

And Weiss? Weiss could go dunk her head in a bucket of water.

Ruby pushed the tray away, food and crumbs devoured. "I'm done."

Coco sighed but didn't stop her standing and leaving. "Can't say I didn't try…"

As big as Coco made it seem, the argument between her and Weiss was pretty much unnoticed by most of the initiates. Life continued and the dining hall was loud with noise and the clatter-clatter of trays and cutlery. No one looked her way as she slipped out and onto the lawns, then made her way to the school building as instructed.

The sun was beginning to set and casting a red glow over Vale. The Collegium's walls were tall enough to impede that, casting a dark shadow over half the grounds and the school included. Despite the late hour it was still open, both for self-study and access to the library. A couple of initiates and even an Arcanist or two walked past her as she waited on the steps. One of the Arcanists huffed, clearly having expected a polite nod and a `good evening, arcanist` from her. She fired it after him, acting like she'd been distracted. Which was fair, since she was.

Not with Weiss, though. As much as Coco might act like she was being unfair, Weiss had broken a cardinal rule. A tenet of the slums. And sure, Weiss didn't know those rules, but surely even nobles knew you didn't rat one another out like that.

Her thoughts were on the Sanctum, and what it meant. Ruby shivered and rubbed her hands together. Would she have been thrown in if they found her outside the walls? Maybe. It sounded like an extreme punishment for just that and maybe they'd give her another chance. They might have put her in the Sanctum for a shorter time, though.

How bad was it, anyway? What happened in there? Would a week working in it break her spirit?

Guess I'm about to find out…

White gravel crunched and her ears perked up, catching the heavier tread of an armoured boot. Her eyes trailed up the steel-toed leather boots to steel shin plates, a leather gambeson and steel shoulder and neck protectors. A rich cloak in purple hung down the person's back, while a strange emblem of an hourglass between two arching pillars sat on their breast. Scaling higher, she found herself caught by blue eyes and a nervous, almost forlorn, smile.

"Hey Ruby…"

"Jaune!?" Her mood evaporated and a little cheer shone through. "You're my guide for tonight?"

"Yeah. Is that okay?"

"Okay? It's great!" Someone she knew – and better than that, someone she was on good terms with. After Weiss and then Coco, it was a welcome relief.

One for Jaune as well apparently, for his smile became a little more honest, almost relieved. He stood a little taller, less slouched, and his posture switched back to how he usually was, balanced on one foot with a hand behind his head. "Ha. That's good to hear. To be honest, I was a little worried it wouldn't be."

"What? Why would I be angry having a friend do this?"

"Well…" Jaune trailed off for a second before answering, "It's a punishment. Right?"

"You're not the one punishing me, though."

"True." He let the last of his nerves go. "I guess I just thought I'd earn some ire by proxy. Sorry. That was a bit stupid of me. You ready to go? I'll understand if you're not. I might be able to buy you a few minutes to gather yourself."

Ruby shook her head. The offer was a good one, but she'd only work herself into a worse panic. "I'd rather just get it over with."

"Alright. Come on. I promise nothing bad will happen to you there."

That helped more than he knew. In her head she'd imagined hard-bitten men and women and cold walls, cruel guards and harsh conditions. Seeing Jaune took a little of that away, partly because of how nice he was and because he didn't seem much good at lying. Yang would have called him a patsy. He'd have never survived the slums.

"Is that your full uniform? It looks different from the other guards."

Jaune looked down at himself. The purple cloak differed from the usual red of the Collegium guards, while the emblem on the chest and predominantly leather armour was the same. Collegium Guards weren't decked in heavy armour or anything, but they at least had breastplates, bracers and steel-studded leather foulds – the skirt-like armour that attached to the bottom of the breastplate and protected the thighs. His armour was almost all light, and while it would offer some protection against arrows and weapons, it wouldn't do much against a well-delivered knife.

"I'm not actually a Collegium Guard," Jaune said. "I'm actually a Sanctum Guard. We just train together This is the uniform of those that work at the Sanctum."

Oh. That explained the lack of metal, then. Not much use against magic she assumed. The leather would make him quicker on his feet, too, and Arcanists probably didn't rely on bows, arrows or swords to do their fighting. "But you told me you were a Collegium guard like Sun."

"I… actually, I never quite said it." He looked away awkwardly. "I just let you assume it…"

She was more impressed by the deceit than upset. "Why?"

"Most Arcanists don't much like us."

She was about to ask why again before the obvious answer hit. "Oh. Oh, right. I'm not like that, though." Even in the slums she had a fairly good relationship with the guards. Then again, Junior always paid his bribes on time. "Is Sun a Sanctum Guard as well?"

"No, no. He's Collegium. You're really okay with this?"

"Sure." She nudged him in the side with her elbow. "It's not like you're arresting me, is it?"

He smiled back. "No. I'm just showing you around today and making sure you don't get lost."

"Then it's fine. I don't care what colour cloak you wear. Purple looks good on you."

Jaune's face coloured and he looked away, picking at his cheek. "T-Thank you."

/-/

The Sanctum was hidden away at the far back of the Collegium, out of sight behind a wall of prickly hedgerows and a wrought iron gate pulled shut at the front. From the outside it looked like the mansion of a particularly wealthy noble. It even had a pretty fountain and gardens outside, while the main building had beautiful tall windows, expressive architecture and white pillars of solid marble.

"It's a lot less… um… horrible than I expected."

Jaune laughed as he came back from talking to a guard in a similar outfit to his own. The gates opened before them and he led her through. "We have to keep a lot of people here and it was found that the prisoners reacted better to not being treat like animals. That was way before my time. The interior is pretty nice, too."

"No cells?"

"None. Each guest gets a full bedroom with whatever they like in it, within reason. The windows are all covered on the outside with little metal bars, but we try to create the illusion of it not being a prison. Not that it always works…"

Of course not. It's still a prison. Even if she was locked inside and had all the luxury she might ever want, she'd still be kept away from Yang. Again, she had to remind herself she wasn't here as a prisoner. "What now?"

"Now, we get you signed in the front as an aide. That way no one thinks you're being put in here permanently. You'll get a cloak like mine to wear temporarily. On the other nights where I'm not guiding you, make sure to come here first."

"Will I be in trouble if I don't?"

"Nothing too bad," he said with a smile. "You might be detained if they think you're a prisoner, but just explain and they'll check the records. Once they see you're not on them, they'll figure it out and let you go."

Jaune brought her into the main building's foyer, which contained shiny floors, pillars and a balcony on a second floor. Several figures looked down from that – some in the robes of Arcanists. They saw her and grimaced, turning away. On the ground floor numerous guards in the purple of the Sanctum milled, while two guarded the door, relaxed but ready to interject if anyone tried to slip free.

All eyes were on her, measuring and deciding what she was. Ruby tensed and Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder, leading her toward a wooden counter, behind which sat a much older guardsman of some sixty or seventy years.

"Ruby Rose for her detention," Jaune said loudly. The guards nearby relaxed and looked away, their curiosity satisfied. He'd done that for her, making sure everyone would know she wasn't a prisoner. "She's going to be working here for a week. Evenings only."

The man wrote something down and placed a wrapped package on the counter. Jaune opened it and let a long – almost too long for her – cloak of purple unfurl. It was so big she had to let him help put it on, bunching it up over her collar and using her Arcanum to pin it to her initiate robes. Even then it trailed behind her on the floor.

"You'll just need to be careful you don't trip," he said, far too amused by her glower.

"Are you calling me short?"

"Snrk. No…"

He totally was. Ugh. Lack of food again, or maybe just her mom, who Yang always said was fairly short herself. Being short and light had always been a good thing in the past, so she wasn't going to get too upset by it.

"You're needed in the Sanctum tomorrow night," the man behind the counter said.

Me…?

"I am?" Jaune asked. "So early…?"

"You'll be switching shifts. Almondale is sick and doesn't have the strength. Someone else is covering tonight, but we need you to take over tomorrow and for the rest of the week." He nodded to her. "See her set up with tasks for the full week. If she has any questions, she can come to me or one of the others. I'll make sure everyone knows we have an initiate on punishment detail. Nothing will happen to her."

"Right." Jaune looked bothered, though not at her. "I guess there's nothing to do about it. I'll report to the Sanctum tomorrow morning."

Ruby waited until they were alone, Jaune leading her through one of the corridors, before she asked, "I thought this was the Sanctum."

"It is. Sort of. This is technically the Sanctum Estate. The Sanctum is… it's not something you ought to worry about." He grinned wearily at her. "I'll show you the kind of work you'll be doing. It's not nearly as exciting as you'd imagine."

/-/

"Hey, initiate. Mind if I have a word?"

Weiss tensed, finger holding the spine of a book in the grand library, ready to draw it out. Her breath escaped in a rush from her nose and she turned, forked insults on the tip of her tongue and ready to flay the skin from whomever dared interrupt her.

The words died on her lips as she found Warden Coco Adel before her.

"Warden," she said, bowing her head respectfully as custom and training kicked in. Warden was an honorary title and one without meaning outside the Collegium, but she was a part of that now and so Coco deserved every bit of respect a courtier would. "Of course," she demurred, "I can always make time for you. Would you care to speak over tea or in the privacy of my room?"

"Nothing so formal. Here is fine."

Here? The library? Weiss glanced around. It wasn't really the place for a meeting, but she supposed the people within were far enough away that they would not be heard. That might also be a sign that this was a simple message to be passed on.

In court, the where and when could dictate what was to be said. Clearly nothing with any degree of secrecy required, and thus, nothing she ought to feel too concerned about. "Very well, warden. I am at your service."

"I was hoping to talk about that cute roommate of yours."

And just like that, Weiss' polite smile withered and died. "What about her?"

"You know that my job is to look after you initiates. That includes sorting out trouble, be that you two shouting too much or two roommates having a falling out." The older girl let the hint lay bare for a moment before she continued. "You and Ruby have had a bit of the latter. You know I'm here if you need advice."

"I thank you for the thought, but I am perfectly capable of dealing with Ruby myself."

Coco's face showed little confidence. "You sure?"

Weiss tensed. "Do you doubt me?"

"If I can be frank, yes. I doubt you."

The candid response rattled her. No one would have dared speak to her like that outside these walls. No one would question a Schnee's capability to complete any task, especially not before she had even had a chance to show her results. Her hackles rose and she stood on tiptoes, fighting for that little bit of height – a futile effort against Coco Adel.

Stop, she told herself. This is the Collegium and she is my superior. What's more, rank means nothing here. It was painful, but she forced herself back down onto her heels and struggled to hold back her furious retort.

"Is that so?" she managed, words clipped and tense.

"You've not had much luck as far as I can see, and believe me, I've been watching. The two of you have become quite the spectacle."

How galling. How annoying. Ruby didn't seem to notice no matter how many times Weiss tried to point it out. Or to be more specific, Ruby didn't seem to care. It's like her reputation means nothing to her. Doesn't she see that by presenting such a disjointed front, we open ourselves to ridicule?

"I've tried to explain the matter to her," Weiss said. "I've told her how childish she is being."

"Ah." Coco looked anywhere but at her. "And in those very words, I bet?"

"Of course."

"You ever think that might be the problem? You calling on me when you found her missing might be seen as a breach of trust by some, but I doubt it would be enough to have her act like this. That said, it might well be the straw that broke the horse's back."

"A straw added to what? I have been nothing but considerate to her."

"You've been critical," Coco pointed out. "And not exactly subtle, quiet or gentle about it. You know, I spoke to her this morning and the one thing she complained to me about was – what was it, the constant barrage of insults?"

"I do not! I…" Weiss trailed off. Her lip shook. "I have offered criticisms… and suggestions. I – I only offer them out of a desire to help her."

"Hmhm. And did you make that clear to her?"

"No." She hurried to add, "But only because it should be obvious. I'm taking time and effort to teach her proper decorum. Me – Weiss Schnee. That is no small gesture."

"It's not, but did she ask you to do it?"

That shouldn't matter. It was her duty to help those below her. It was a charitable act on her side, something that deserved praise or gratitude from Ruby, not this melodramatic cold shoulder. Weiss huffed, giving her answer by refusing to say a word at all.

"Hm. Well, think on it a little. Maybe it's that you're not translating your intent. Or that she's not picking up on it. That might be something for you to discuss between you. Preferably before this gets any worse."

"I am confident we will have the matter solved within the day, warden Adel."

It was obvious from the lack of a response that Coco didn't feel the same way.

/-/

Working in the Sanctum wasn't all that bad.

Cleaning, washing up and chopping vegetables – the exact kind of menial tasks a noble would find appallingly dull and offensive, but which she'd done time and time again to earn a little food or drink. It was downright relaxing, and that left her grinning, especially at the thought of the Grand Arcanist and all the others thinking they'd punished her.

Once she finished chopping a veritable army of carrots and leeks and poured them into the broth, she moved on to sweeping the hallways, using a long broom to dust the floors. Guards walked by every now and then without comment. Whenever a robed figure appeared, however, Ruby's interest peaked.

Prisoners of the Sanctum. People like what she could be. Ruby watched them curiously, noting how they walked and acted, how they held themselves. Their robes were bright and colourful, and they looked well fed and healthy. More than that, they were free to roam the building as they wished. When she'd been made to polish the shelves in the library, much smaller than the one in the school, she'd noticed at least eight of them reading in various spots.

They didn't look or act like prisoners.

But to a one, they despised her. The glares they fixed on her were so much more than what Jaune or the guards received. In fact, they seemed determined to ignore Jaune entirely and focus all their hate onto her.

It must have been Arcanists who put them in here. Or maybe they blamed all Arcanists since the Sanctum was run by the Collegium. Once she realised the chance of talking to any of them was close to nil, she kept her head down and focused on the work at hand.

"Finished."

"So I see." Jaune looked around with a little awe. "Most nobles aren't as quick as you. Or rather, they're as quick but not has hard working."

"You mean they complain and whine," she guessed.

"Ha. Yeah, they do."

Ruby grinned, "So, punishments like this happen a lot?"

"It's not rare. I'd say we have someone on punishment detail every week. Don't let that get to your head, though. There's only fifty-two weeks in a year and hundreds of initiates. You don't want to be sent here multiple times."

She didn't intend to be caught multiple times. Once I get a better grasp on my magic it'll be easier to sneak in and out.

"You'll be doing the same jobs tomorrow," he said. "But I'll not be around to keep an eye on you, so if you run into any trouble ask a guard for help. Do you want me to write down a list of the jobs or can you remember them?"

"I can remember." Wanting to change the subject, she looked back into the library and said, "Aren't you worried about people trying to escape? They're just allowed to wander around wherever they want."

"It's not a problem. We're trained to deal with Arcanists and even if they did escape, they'd only be breaking out into the Collegium. Once we raise the alarm, every Arcanist will come crashing down to subdue them. And most of the people here aren't that dangerous."

"They're not?"

"No. The really dangerous Arcanists don't let themselves be captured. Those are usually the ones who go out in big battles. Or so I'm told. I've never seen one, obviously." He laughed. "But yeah, the ones who get brought here are typically small deal criminals. They might have misused their power, delved into things they shouldn't or have no desire to submit to the Collegium. They're dangerous, but more dangerous the city and the people in it."

"Hm. What kinds of people?"

"Well…" Jaune glanced into the library and kept his voice down. "You see the blond man there? Jerome DeFort. He was found developing spells that play with people's minds. He had a young maid locked in his basement he was trying to turn into a slave. She escaped and raised the alarm and the Collegium brought him to justice."

"The brunette in the corner," he went on. "Samanara Ansar. Collegium trained. She had a childhood friend that was supposed to marry her, but by the time she got out the Collegium he'd moved on and taken a wife. She killed them both and surrendered straight after."

Nasty people, then, but no worse than what existed anywhere else in the city. The main difference was the power they wielded, which required a more long-term solution. She could see why they'd not want to let someone trying to make mind magics back out. The other… the word `psycho` came to mind.

"And in the corner with the black hair, the one reading that book by the candle? That's Cinder. Cinder Fall."

Ruby saw her. Elegant and attractive with slim features and bright yellow eyes. "What did she do?"

"It's not what she did but what she is. She's a Wildmage."

/-/

Wildmage.

The moniker, the title, followed her all the way through the Sanctum and haunted her after, back to her dorm and long after Jaune bid her goodnight.

There was a Wildmage in the Sanctum.

So close. Within touching distance.

"You had your first night in the Sanctum," Weiss said. It wasn't really a question since she knew that was where Ruby had been. She was sat on her bed, legs crossed and a book in her lap. She'd been awake when Ruby returned. "How was it?"

Conversation now? Ruby spared her roommate a look and turned away, taking off her robes and dumping them by the bed. She heard Weiss' `tut` and instantly decided not to fold them up as she'd planned to, just to show her.

"You can't just ignore me forever on. It's childish and petty."

"I'm getting undressed," Ruby snapped back. "Didn't you tell me it was rude to talk to someone when they're getting changed?"

"Ah, yes. Well… I'm glad you listened." Weiss' deflection turned into a scowl as she focused on the other part of Ruby's response. "Why are you so snappy at me? I was only asking a question."

"I've just got back and I'm tired." Not to mention her mind was on fire with the knowledge a Wildmage was there, close enough for her to talk to if she had the chance. And better still, Jaune was going to be busy tomorrow with his Sanctum duties. "You can at least wait a minute for me to answer. The Sanctum was fine. Nothing happened. I cleaned the floor, chopped food and did chores."

"How menial." Weiss shuddered. "Does that mean this silly little display between us is over? Because it's about time. You made a scene today and people have been talkin-"

Ruby interrupted her by loudly ruffling her blankets and crawling underneath. "Not anymore, it isn't." she said. That had been Weiss' chance – granted since Coco asked so nicely – and the first thing she'd done was insult her again. "Goodnight, Weiss."

"What? Ruby-"

"Goodnight, Weiss!"

"You – You insufferable child! I am trying to make peace between us."

Yeah, well you're not doing a very good job. Huffing, Ruby dragged the covers up over her head and cut off the noise. There were bigger things to think about. Much bigger things.

/-/

She was on edge all day. Breakfast was sparse for once and lunch was the same. During lessons, she tapped her fingers rapidly on the desks, barely listening as teachers droned and Weiss ranted loudly and passive-aggressively over her childish behaviour in avoiding her. Ruby sat alone, and Weiss, in some stupid attempt to make her feel bad, did the same.

Ruby didn't feel bad. Her mind was on the Sanctum.

When dinner came around, she stuffed her face and ran off early, dodging Weiss and Coco long before they could try and corner her. Crumbs spilled from her mouth as she made her way to the Sanctum and waited outside the gate, fidgeting as the guard came up.

"From last night," he said. "I remember. Head on in but don't forget to grab your cloak."

"Yes. Yes. Thank you."

She darted across the gardens and up the steps to the main door. Taking a deep breath, afraid to act too suspicious and draw attention, she slowed herself to a nervous walk as she entered and approached the desk. The same elderly man as before was behind it, and he recognised her without incident, pulling a package onto the counter and scratching what she assumed was her name down on a parchment.

"Our newblood is busy today. You know what tasks you're given?"

"Yes, sir."

"Sir?" The man let out a long and nasally laugh. "First time one of your Ilk has called me sir. Polite for a noble's get. Go on, then." He pushed the cloak into her hands and waved her on. "Or do you need help tying that?"

Her bright red face said everything.

Ten minutes and a bunched-up cloak folded over one shoulder later, she rushed into the kitchens, accepted the cutting board offered be the chef – who was neither guard nor prisoner, and just worked there – and started to cut potato and garlic with speed that would have had Yang fearing for her fingertips. The chef must have thought the same for he hovered over her shoulder and told her to tuck her fingers in if she was going to cut like that. Once she had, and once her knuckles were guiding the knife, he nodded and went back to seasoning meat.

No Jaune and no watcher, but she still had the chores. The constant thunk-thunk-thunk of her knife echoed through the kitchen and she filled her board before lifting it up and sliding the finished goods into another tray. Not a soup or a stew today. Apparently, they were having something nicer.

"I'm done with the potato and onion."

"Green beans and asparagus next," the chef said. "And don't mix them up."

Ugh. More? Ruby's feet tapped on the floor impatiently as he brought them over, floating in buckets of clean water. The second they were down she had ten sticks of asparagus out and was slicing them to pieces.

After the beans came onion and Ruby cut and wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, crying like she'd just been told Yang died. If there was a technique to it, the chef was a meanie for not telling her and she had to pause every now and then to wash her face. Thankfully, once those were done and poured into a bowl to be used later, the chef looked over her work and grunted his approval.

"You work fast. Wish every brat we get would be the same. You're done here."

Thanking him and pulling the apron over her robes, she darted out and grabbed a broom from the cleaning cupboard, then scaled the grand staircase with its glass chandelier above to the second floor. Torches burned warmly in their sconces as she tried to avoid sprinting past the guards. She kept her head down, muttering polite greetings as she passed. There was no sign of Jaune.

She swept like a woman possessed by sanitary spirits. Her broom blurred left and right, kicking up clouds of dust that were dispelled toward open windows. A few people looked at her askance, but no one could say she wasn't doing her assigned jobs, so they moved on with hands over their mouths. The prisoners were less charitable about it, scowling at her or muttering insults she could only vaguely hear.

Side-stepping her way down the main corridor, she kept up the frantic pace, making sure to do just enough to show an obvious improvement but not enough to slow her down. If anyone asked, she could play dumb and no one was here to watch her.

The very second she could call it done, she hurried back and stored the broom away, then took her cloth rag and dashed back to the library. Her heart was beating furiously, and her head pounded with it. The very real fear that she might not be there – that she might be doing anything else – had her terrified. She couldn't just ask where to find the Wildmage. That would be way too suspicious.

Relief came crushing down. She was there, sat at the same table she had been the day before, reading the same book by the same low candlelight.

Other prisoners – or `guests` as Jaune put it – were also in the library, but they kept to themselves and few were close to her. There were two Sanctum guards in the room, but they were sat at a main desk and weren't paying attention to anything going on. They were ready to react to any noise or violence but obviously didn't expect any.

Suddenly faced with her quarry Ruby felt lost.

Could she really just walk up and talk to a Wildmage? Just act like that was normal? Jaune hadn't said there were any rules against interacting with the people here, and her chores for the evening were done. She just had to polish the bookshelves here, some of which were close to her. She dithered by one further away, running the cloth over the wood and trying to think up the best way to approach the woman.

What could she say? Hey, I'm a Wildmage, too. What is a Wildmage exactly?

That might get her tossed in the Sanctum.

But I can't not talk to her. I need to know what I am and why the Collegium is after me.

It took ten minutes for her to clean her way to that set of bookshelves. The Wildmage didn't react, still looking down and reading her book as Ruby stood behind her, so close that if she were to step back her bum would bump into her back. Her muscles were tense. The shelf was polished clean and had been for the past minute. Now, she was rubbing the varnish away.

And then the woman sighed. Audibly.

"Are you going to speak to me or simply stare for the rest of the evening?"

Ruby jumped. The rag fluttered to the floor. "S-Sorry! I… I mean, it's not like I was looking."

"I noticed your interest yesterday. You were with the empty-headed one." The book closed softly, and the woman placed it down, scraping her chair back and turning. Her eyes were a fierce golden colour and looked Ruby up and down critically. "You have not once taken your eyes off me. Either there is something you want, or you find me so alluring you cannot resist." Her lips tugged. "We can retire to my room if you wish it…"

"I'm not like that." Ruby ducked and picked up her cloth. On the way back up, her chin was caught by the Wildmage's hand, two fingers against her neck. Ruby froze.

"What, then, is your interest?" Cinder's eyes burned into hers. "Come to gloat at the dangerous Wildmage brought low? Or is it that the term interests you. You are still young. I bet you don't even know what a Wildmage is. Do you?"

"No." She saw the opportunity for what it was. "Will you tell me?"

"Knowledge for the sake of knowledge." Cinder snorted and let her go, turning back. "I am not some idle curiosity for you to delve into. Leave me."

Fear drowned out common sense. "No," she begged, catching the woman's elbow. "Please. I… I need to know!"

Golden eyes locked onto her again. They narrowed, looking her over once more but with a new air. The woman's lips thinned and drew into a line. Her eyes flicked away, toward the doors, and then she rose, pulling her arm free.

Ruby's heart sank.

"Follow me."

What-? There was no time to ask questions. The woman took her book and walked purposefully away. Ruby scrambled to her feet and shadowed her, making sure the guards didn't see it as her following but instead leaving on her own affairs. Cinder turned left out the door and Ruby right. Then, after a second, she darted left and after her.

They walked by a Sanctum guard coming the other way. He ignored Cinder and nodded to Ruby. She returned it, murmuring something about needing a broom and not meeting his eyes. Her heart was in her throat, but he didn't react and let her go on by. Cinder took another left and passed through an open archway. The corridor within was narrow with doors on either side. Coming to one, she turned and entered it.

Ruby followed.

And was instantly slammed back against the closed door.

The Wildmage was on her – one hand on the woodwork by her face, a knee between Ruby's legs and a hand on her chin, holding her face close. Their eyes were but inches apart, their faces closer still. Ruby froze, one hand falling to the knife hidden under her robes. She didn't draw it. Not yet.

"You're not the first to ask me what a Wildmage is, but you're the first to ask with such fear. The others, they demand answers and walk away offended when I refuse them. They act as though secrets are theirs by right of birth of virtue. But you. You need the answers, don't you?" The woman's lips pulled into a satisfied smile. "Little Wildmage."

I know people wanted Weiss and Ruby to sort their issues this chapter. I'm aware of people saying I have a tendency to drag out issues into going on way too long – and I won't say you're wrong. Don't worry. I fully intend for Ruby and Weiss to go head-to-head next chapter. I just wanted to let them have at least a full day of ignoring one another before they confront the issue.

On the Sanctum, people have drawn similarities to Dragon Age, which I can see with the Templars and whatnot. The inspiration for it here actually came from DOTA, though, and from a weird source. That card game "Artifact" which had a single card called "The Tyler Estate". On it was an image of a stately building with a gate, along with text suggesting it's a prison for wizards who go against the rules of some conclave. I kind of just liked the image.

Next Chapter: 17th September

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