Here we go

Chapter 18

"I'll tell you what I can…"

Ruby leaned forward ominously, causing the floor to crack further. There was no Wildmagic involved in that, just rotten floorboards. It served the same purpose in making the Arcanist grimace. The last time they'd met, their roles had been reversed. That wasn't the case now. Even if the Arcanist knew she couldn't do anything without alerting her hunters, she couldn't be sure Ruby wouldn't risk it.

"My name is Blake. Blake Belladonna. I'm an Arcanist from Menagerie, which you've probably already figured out because of the Arcanum you're wearing. It used to be mine."

"I thought these were bound to an Arcanist forever…"

"They are. I just found a way to change that." Blake brought out a hand, showing off a small gemstone trapped between her fore and middle finger. Just the one, a round stone that was a murky grey in colour.

I haven't seen that colour before, Ruby thought. Silver and white, but never dark grey.

"As you've probably heard, Menagerie was destroyed. Not just the Collegium but the entire city. Those that could evacuate did so, but almost everyone in the Collegium, including the Grand Arcanist, fell."

"Fell to what?"

Blake's eyes glinted. "Grimm."

"Grimm!?" Caught between a gasp and a laugh, Ruby shook on the spot. It was horrible, she knew, and Grimm were no joke, but for them to take out an entire city… "How? You hear about Grimm every now and then in the outskirts, but there's more danger from bandits. They kill a traveller occasionally – or we assume they do when blood and guts are strewn everywhere – but they're not exactly a problem of city-ending proportions."

"That's what we thought as well…"

Ruby's laughter died. "You're being serious?"

"They didn't come without warning," Blake spat, glaring at the closest wall. "That's what makes it so galling. We had reports of sightings months in advance, then attacks on outlying homes for several weeks. Everyone just thought it was activity stirring them up, so Arcanists were sent out to deal with them and that was that. Grimm were rounded up and killed as they always were. The Grand Arcanist didn't even think to send out warning to the other Collegiums. Why would he? It was business as usual."

Business for the Arcanists maybe, but this was the first Ruby had heard of it. Grimm were a present but rarely seen threat for most people in the city. At least, those that saw them rarely lived to tell of it. They prowled the outskirts and abandoned forests beyond the farmlands but never strayed closer. There were always stories of Grimm coming in the night and taking away children, but once she'd been old enough to figure out that was bullshit, she'd asked the guards outside the walls – those that weren't ass enough to beat you for interrupting them.

Grimm were real, but they didn't bother you if you didn't go looking for them. The guards had seen them in their time, but never had to fight them. No one did. They never strayed into the farmlands or close to the city.

If Blake was right, that was because of the Arcanists.

Is that why the Arcanists were leaving the city when I first snuck back in? Were they going to fight Grimm? Does that mean I really did see a Grimm in the outskirts? The red eyes among the trees came back to her. No. It was probably just blood like the captain said. If it'd really been a Grimm, it would have attacked me.

"What does that have to do with Vale or me?" she asked. "And why did you need me at all? You're an Arcanist."

"I'm a Rogue Arcanist."

"Only because you choose to be," Ruby accused. "You have an Arcanum and it let me get into the Collegium, so you could as well. I doubt they'd say you broke the tenets just for surviving the fall of Menagerie."

If they let her in thinking she was an initiate from Menagerie, then they'd let Blake in as well. It didn't make sense otherwise. The only reason they called people Rogue Arcanists was because they chose to go against the Collegium. One being destroyed by external forces hardly counted.

"I have… reasons to not want to go back."

"And do those reasons explain why you sent me instead? So Menagerie fell. That's bad, but it's not like there have been Grimm attacks here. Why do you want to stay hidden? And if you really didn't want to come to the Collegium, why come to Vale in the first place?" Ruby stepped forward. "You're hiding something."

"Aren't we all?" Blake countered. "I have my reasons."

"Not good enough when I'm in danger!"

"I didn't expect you to be a Wildmage. I wouldn't have come anywhere near you if I'd known!"

Wildmages hadn't been treated any better in Menagerie by the sound of it. Used to it by now, Ruby crossed her arms and waited, foot tapping on the floor ominously. "That doesn't answer my question. Why did you want someone else to go into the Collegium? And why someone who didn't know anything about magic. I could have been captured." Her eyes narrowed. "Or was that the point?"

Blake's silence was telling.

It wasn't uncommon in the slums to send someone on a doomed mission to deliver a message. Sometimes the attempt itself was the message, like paying someone to mug a person they couldn't hope to take just to remind said person they were in danger. And if the mugger got himself killed in the process? Well, that was a shame but hardly the problem of the one paying.

She sent me in expecting me to be caught. I was supposed to be found.

"Why? What's the point?"

"Menagerie was no accident." Blake looked frustrated but faced with an angry Wildmage and unable to explain in an acceptable way why she'd tried to sacrifice her, knew better than to dance around the topic. "It was an inside job. I have reason to think the same is going to happen with the Collegium here."

Ruby sucked in a sharp breath. "And Vale?"

"If it's anything like what happened to us, the city would be destroyed."

Killing her, Yang and everyone else in it. Assuming Blake was telling the truth. There was a chance she wasn't; having been caught trying to throw her to the wolves, it'd make sense for Blake to try and win her over now by making the mission her problem as well.

I can't confirm if she's being honest or not. And I can't get rid of her in case she is…

Clever. Ruby scowled.

"I can't tell you how it happened," Blake said, "And not because I won't. I was there to witness it, but only in terms of the Grimm attacking in numbers never before seen. The city fell first, but once the Grimm were inside, they all but ignored the people – rushing straight for the Collegium. We were overwhelmed within the hour. Counter measures were employed, but they weren't enough. The entire kingdom was slaughtered."

Ruby's heart skipped a beat. If this was even remotely true, it was terrifying.

"Then why didn't you come tell the Collegium here? Why involve me?"

"As I said, it was no accident and I've no idea if the same people who orchestrated it are involved here. I don't even know who they are. They'd know who I am, however. My name might not mean much to you, but it would to anyone from Menagerie. I need to stay hidden. But I needed someone within the Collegium to act on my behalf."

Ruby blinked. "Me."

Blake winced. "No. Whomever discovered you…"

The Arcanist who caught and expelled her – or even just threw her in prison for impersonating a noble or the Sanctum for being a filthy Dredger posing as an Arcanist. If they didn't just kill her and call it an accident. They'd have been in possession of her Arcanum, so maybe she could have used that to find them. Blake wanted someone on the inside to do her bidding.

Instead, she'd stumbled across a Wildmage.

"That changes now of course," Blake said. "Otherwise, I'd have let that huntsman kill you on the rooftop. I'm willing to work with you. You help me investigate the Collegium and find those responsible for Menagerie, and I'll see to stopping them. It would be a partnership."

"Awfully generous of you. Since I'm still deciding whether to kill you myself…"

Blake tensed.

It was just a bluff. Killing Blake now would not only draw every one of these so-called huntsmen to her, but also deprive her of the only person who knew more about the events in Menagerie. It was good to see the wind ripped out of her sails though, and as a reminder that she wasn't one to be toyed with. She wouldn't forget that Blake initially planned for her to be captured.

"I did save your life back there…"

"I wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for you in the first place."

"You're a Wildmage. Your power would have spiralled out of control eventually. If anything, I've given you a stay of execution." Blake opened her arms. "And I'm not above assisting you in the future. I can hide you when you need to drain your surges – even teach you a few tricks to avoid or deal with the huntsmen."

Making her more and more valuable. Ruby growled under her breath, already aware that just by virtue of being able to hide her surges from the Sanctum, Blake was too important to not work with. It meant the difference between life and death.

That doesn't mean I have to trust her…

"Let's say I do agree to work with you." Ruby ignored how the girl's shoulders relaxed. "What would that mean?"

"You've already infiltrated the Collegium, so the hard work is done. I'd want you to keep an eye out for anything unusual, but until the Grimm start to act up, I'm not sure what that will be. One thing you could do is try to find out more about them."

"The Grimm?"

"Yes. The Grand Arcanist knew things, but none of us did." Blake pocketed her gemstone. "I'm not sure if that's intentional or not, but two-stone Arcanists were sent to cull Grimm regularly, especially when their numbers began increasing. There has to be a reason they were sent."

"Because they're stronger," Ruby offered. "Seems obvious to me."

"But they're not. Not all of them. A single stone Crimson Arcanist is stronger than a two-stone Emerald and Azure, at least in combat. Every Arcana has its individual strengths. Whenever I tried to ask, I was told the Grimm were just monsters and that was all that mattered. For an institution which prides itself on knowledge and understanding, the lack of such encouraged around the Grimm is disturbing. Almost intentionally so."

If they were hiding things, it wouldn't be the first time. "What makes you think they'd tell me?"

"Different rules for a different Collegium. It may be that the knowledge isn't concealed here, but if it is then you might need to find it by… other means. I was hoping to draw the attention of a two-stone Arcanist who could gain access legally, but that's not the only option."

"You want me to sneak in and steal from the Arcanists?"

"Would it be the first time you've done so?"

"Yes!" The Initiates didn't count. Not even slightly. "You're asking me to steal from Arcanists."

"Not them," she said. "They wouldn't be good enough. I'm asking you to steal from the real Arcanists. Those in positions of power."

"Is that supposed to be better?" Ruby asked. "Because it sounds worse."

"You're a Wildmage. Whether I like that or not, you have a unique set of skills that no one else can match. And I'm prepared to help by drawing attention outside the Collegium if you need me to. I know I betrayed you," Blake said. "I misled and tricked you into a bad situation, but I did it with the best of intentions and I'm willing to make amends."

"Your good intentions can go jump off a cliff," Ruby snapped. "If I do this, I'm doing it for me."

And Yang, Weiss, Jaune, Sun and Cinder, but the less Blake knew about all those people the better. She wasn't about to volunteer information on her weaknesses to this woman. Not after everything she'd done. Saving my life earns you yours, but it's not going to make me forget you lying to me or throwing me into the Upper District to be caught handing that Arcanum in.

"That's enough," Blake said. "It's all I'll ask. And I will make good on the money I promised you. More than that, I'll stay in the slums and defend your sister from the huntsmen. I'll do all that and more, so long as you help me."

"Help you keep Vale safe?"

"Yes."

"I want more in return."

"More?" Blake's expression twisted. "What more could you possibly want? Do you realise the fate of the city is at stake here?"

To hell with the city. The city had done nothing but shit upon her and Yang. Ruby stuck her jaw out and waited. The thing about negotiation, as Junior had taught her through example, was that if the other party needed you, you could walk away with anything you asked for. And right now, Blake needed her.

"Very well." Blake sighed. "What do you want?"

"I want to know what role Wildmages have in this and why the Collegium hates them."

Blake's lips drew back into a wince.

/-/

"Are you fucking joking?"

Yang punched the table, rattling it and the earthenware beakers of boiled river water sat on top. Making their way back to Junior's had been dangerous, but with Blake to keep them hidden from the huntsmen, they'd made it back without problems, and in time to find Yang waiting for them, safe and sound. As planned, the huntsmen fighting her had kicked her off and given chase the moment he could, leaving an unimportant target behind.

"Are you fucking joking?" Yang asked again, snarling at Blake. "Or do you really expect us to believe you don't know a damn thing about Wildmages?"

"I'm afraid it's true. I only know that they're dangerous."

"Piss off. If you don't know shit, why do you think they're dangerous in the first place?"

"It's what we're taught…"

"And you just take it, just like that, without asking a single question?" Yang sat back when Blake didn't answer. "Fuck me. Are you sure this is a school? Doesn't sound like they're teaching much up there. Just feeding you shit you're expected to swallow."

Ruby sat without speaking, a huge smile on her face. Any anger directed at Blake was reinforcement of her own and a reminder that she wasn't the only one who thought this whole thing was a pile of crap. Wildmages were dangerous just about everyone said, and now not even an official Arcanist knew the reason why. Blake was no Initiate. She was a one-stone Arcanist. A professional.

"I'm sure we would have been told why in time, but I don't know the specifics just yet." Blake sat tightly, aware that no one here was a friend and occasionally looking toward the sword and hand-crossbow she'd been forced to leave by the door. "If Wildmages knew why they were so deadly, they might use whatever that is. The Collegiums can't allow that. Secrecy is important. Knowledge is power."

"And like always, the nobles have to hoard that to themselves," Yang sniped. "Great. I bet anyone who asks too deeply disappears, too. Wouldn't surprise me at this point. What of those guys who went after Ruby?"

"The huntsmen. They're… enforcers, for lack of a better term. They ensure Arcanists follow the rules."

"I thought that was what the Collegium was for."

"The Collegium sets the rules and teaches people to follow them. Naturally, there must be a branch which deals with those who go astray. That's the huntsmen." Blake touched the spot where her Arcanum would have hung and, finding it missing, clutched her hand into a fist and brought it back down to the table. "They belong to the Sanctum and are a secretive order. As you saw, magic also does not work on them, making them the perfect hunters for Wildmages and Arcanists."

"Is that a spell?"

"I don't know."

Yang slammed her hand on the table again.

"I don't!" she insisted. "Why would they tell an Arcanist the methods by which their Anti-Arcanist enforcers operate? It can't be a spell, though, I'm sure of that. Better Arcanists could detect and unravel it if that were the case. I sensed no magic around them whatsoever. There's nothing there. Almost an emptiness…"

Like the Sanctum. At the time, she hadn't thought to check, but now that Blake mentioned it, she hadn't sensed anything from the Sanctum Huntsmen. It was like they were perfectly normal people with no magical ability whatsoever. No spells cast on their clothing to protect them and no spells cast by them in the pursuit.

Knives, training and reflexes were their weapons, and enough to let them keep up with a messenger in her own home. That was more worrying than she cared to admit. With the bells everywhere, they can sense every surge of mine. Unless I let Blake hide them.

Indebting her further and further.

Ruby met Yang's eyes and nodded subtly. Yang raised an eyebrow, tapped a finger on her leg and nodded back. Play along for now. Things might change later.

"So," Yang said, leaning forward. Her foot slid next to Ruby's so she could tap on it to stop any line of questioning. "You want my little sister to run jobs for you in the Collegium? That's a tall ask, especially if you – a trained Arcanist – daren't do it yourself."

"My methods are almost entirely focused around my magic. That's no use against a Collegium."

"What proof do we have you're not the one behind the fall of Menagerie?"

"What!?" Blake's eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. "How- Why would you-?" She bit down, hissing through her teeth. "Menagerie was my home! I had family there! I would never destroy the world I loved."

The anger appeared genuine. Ruby tapped Yang's foot.

"Hey. I'm just being careful." Leaning back, Yang let it go. Blake didn't relax but did calm down, hands slowly coming to rest on the table. "We've got to think of ourselves, yeah? And hearing about how the Grimm are going to destroy Vale is a little unbelievable. I've seen maybe one in my life and it was being hunted down and killed by the guards."

Yang had seen one? When? Ruby stared at her.

"Couple a years back," Yang said. "I didn't tell you because it didn't seem like a big deal. And it's not," she said to Blake. "Grimm kill people that are unprepared or wandering through the outskirts without protection. They're no more dangerous than wolves or bears."

"Wolves and bears won't attack unless hungry or threatened. Grimm kill without purpose." Blake's eyes were clouded. For her, the Grimm must have been a lot more terrifying, given what she claimed to have seen. "And I can't say for certain Menagerie's fate will befall Vale. If it doesn't, we'll be fine, but even you have to have heard about unusual activity in the outskirts. People vanishing. Roads becoming dangerous."

Yang shook her head. "Nope."

"I… I did…" Ruby winced as they both looked her way. "It was after I took the job from Blake. Junior sent me out to talk to the guard captain in the East Farm Watchtower. He said there'd been homes burned in the outskirts."

"Shit." Yang swore. "And you said you saw red eyes…"

"He told me it was blood."

"It might have been."

"It might not have been," Blake interrupted. "And blood does not burn down homes and slaughter its people. Grimm do."

"Or bandits. Or drunken fucks passing out and dropping a torch." Yang scoffed. "Bit much to jump to monsters roaming through the forests murdering people, isn't it? Or some conspiracy to destroy the city."

"Too soon for now," Blake agreed, "But not for long. I intend to investigate. If you wish it, I'll take you with me."

"Fine," Yang said.

"No!" Ruby argued. "It's not safe!"

"Okay, fine. I won't go." Yang said it so easily that Ruby knew it was horse shit. The very second Yang was out of her sight, she'd be following Blake to find out for herself whether this was true. Ruby glared at Blake, imparting a message.

Anything happens to Yang and she would not be pleased.

Meeting her gaze, Blake nodded.

"Once you see for yourself, you can tell Ruby. I won't ask her to do anything dangerous in the Collegium until then and I'll still hide her surges whether I'm proven right or not. How is that for a deal?"

"It's generous… provided you follow through."

"Ruby knows my name now and were I can be found if she's captured." Blake met her gaze over the table. "This blade cuts both ways now. The Collegium would not take my aiding a Wildmage well…"

"We have to make a decision soon," Yang prompted. "It's late. Or early. You'll need to get back into the Collegium before anyone notices you're missing."

Ruby stared at the hand offered across the table. She'd already decided what to do – not because she wanted to, but because it was the only real option. The only reason she was stalling was to make Blake squirm, but Yang was right. The only one that was going to suffer was her.

"We have a deal." Ruby's hand gripped Blake's. The faunus tensed as ice gripped it, encasing both their hands together. Ruby drew her close, leaning over the table and smiling. "This time, make sure you stick to the deal. Or I will find you."

Blake swallowed.

"Noted."

/-/

Getting back into the Collegium was surprisingly easy. All the people out for her were in the slums, letting her wrap herself in invisibility once more and slip inside, then pull off her cloak and bundle it up under her initiate robes. The Collegium was still and quiet, the dorms dark at what had to be three or four in the morning.

Doors squeaked and floorboards creaked as she tip-toed through, slipping in toward her and Weiss' room. She was careful opening it, pausing when Weiss smacked her lips but continuing when the white bob of hair sticking out from the blankets rolled over to look the other way. Ruby crept into her own bed and kicked off her shoes.

Without the surge bubbling through her, she felt lighter than she had in a while. It was hard to place it at the time, but now when she laid back, she felt more comfortable. More rested. It was like laying down on a cold rock on a hot day, whereas before she'd been constantly agitated and restless.

Finally, I can get a proper rest.

Two hours later, Weiss woke her up.

/-/

"I don't know why you're getting so antsy at me," Weiss said. "You always drag me up at six to watch the Newbloods train. I assumed you'd want the same again here."

"Ughhh." Ruby groaned pitifully.

"You've only yourself to blame for being out so late."

Ruby moaned something useless again and Weiss rolled her eyes. If she didn't want to be so tired, she shouldn't be sneaking off all the time. At least she warned me this time so I didn't panic, she thought, taking a seat under a shaded tree and letting Ruby collapse next to her. This time, Ruby had trusted her enough to tell her she'd be missing – and Weiss would repay that trust in kind by keeping the little secret. That was what one's word was for, after all.

It was nice to have someone trust her so. Proving that faith correct wouldn't be so hard, but that didn't mean Ruby could be allowed to stay in and miss lessons.

"We have that orientation in a few days, Ruby. You don't want to be put in detention and miss that. Do you?"

"No, Weiss…"

"Just think of it. We're going to be exposed to all the Arcana available to us. Isn't that exciting?"

"Yes, Weiss…"

"I know we won't be asked to pick just yet, but it's still a momentous occasion. We should consider every option and choose carefully. Aside from being limited to just two, it might be years before we can master one. Can you even imagine if we chose poorly and regretted it?"

"No, Weiss…"

"Exactly!" She took a deep breath. "I suppose we should try and remain calm, but that's difficult. Have you put any thought into what Arcana you might choose?"

"Yes, Weiss…"

Weiss waited for an answer. It didn't come.

"Ruby!"

"Yes, Weiss…"

"Ruby…" she growled. The little Arcanist was all but fast asleep against her side, curled up with her knees tucked against her chest. "Oooh. You're fortunate you are adorable like that, Ruby, or I would shake you so hard right now!"

"Hngh. Weiss…" Ruby curled up tighter. "No more lectures, Weiss. I'm a noble lady… hmm…"

"Tch. You dolt."

There's at least two hours before lessons. I suppose a nap is allowable. Weiss took her roommate and drew her head up so it rested in her lap, much like Winter used to for her. "Consider yourself fortunate, Ruby. I'm only keeping bugs out your hair."

Weiss sat beneath the tree as other initiates came to watch the Newbloods. The number varied each day but there were some that came without fault, herself and Ruby now technically among them. What that might mean for her reputation she wasn't sure – it might even be good, seeing as how she was otherwise considered cold and unfeeling.

The spaces around them were quickly taken, some bringing towels or blankets to lay down and others simply crossing their legs and sitting on the grass. The Newbloods arrived quickly, strutting in that way they did when they knew they were being watched. She had to roll her eyes at it. I'd like to say `men` but there are women among them too. How pathetic.

It never lasted. Once the training began, their pomp would soon be replaced with sweat and stress as they struggled to score in the upper half of the pack in what was a gruelling test of endurance. The audience didn't mind, tunics becoming that much more see-through when wet. Weiss normally ignored it, but if she had a favourite then she supposed it would be Lord Jaune, though only for Ruby's sake.

I don't see him among them today.

Her hand came up to her face. "Don't tell me Ruby and he were together."

The scandal that would be. At least if nothing came of it. Despite their noble nature, flings were surprisingly common among the upper elite. So long as said interactions didn't result in children, that was. If that happened, marriage was quick and common to patch it up before anything might imperil the family name. If Ruby and Jaune spent the night doing that, it would certainly explain her exhaustion.

"And suddenly, I'm much less happy about having your head in my lap. Ew…"

"Ahoy Lady Weiss," a familiar voice called. "Is there room for another?"

"Lord Jaune?" She rotated her head in time to see him coming up her way, pacing his way through the assembled initiates in a long runic rather than his usual gambeson. He even wore a cloak of sorts, swung back over his right shoulder and down the front and back, covering his arm. Certainly not suitable attire for sprinting in the morning sun. "You're not running today?"

"Not today. And call me Jaune please. I prefer it that way."

"Then you must call me Weiss." Anyone else might have been denied the simple pleasure, but he was both a friend of Ruby and her champion, standing up for her against Malneux. For that, he had her gratitude. "And yes, there is room. Take a seat. I'm afraid Ruby isn't in a position to talk, however."

"I can see that." He laughed quietly and settled down close but not too close.

Had it been just the two of them, she was sure jaws would wag, but fortunately Ruby and her known association with Jaune prevented that. A few people were looking their way, but mostly at him and out of curiosity as to why he wasn't training.

Although Ruby likely never noticed and certainly wouldn't care, the way she and Jaune interacted was far from the average for two nobles in their position. It wasn't just the fact they were in a relationship of sorts, but how they spoke and how physical they were, laughing, trading light blows and hanging off one another.

What Ruby didn't realise was how much of it was her and her alone. Around her, Jaune was much more guarded – or rather, he acted as he was supposed to, and she did the same. They both sat tall and still, smiling genially but not making any overt gestures that might give anything away. If Ruby were awake, she would have quickly dragged them both down to her vulgar level.

Weiss was surprised to find she missed that.

"Why is Ruby so tired?" Jaune asked suddenly. "Did she not sleep?"

Weiss shot him a sideways glance, half-expecting a smug smile. There wasn't one. So, Ruby hadn't been with him last night. In that case, it was her duty to deflect the question. "She ate too much at dinner and couldn't sleep. The whole night was a constant barrage of waking up and falling asleep again."

Given Ruby's legendary hunger, it wasn't even remotely unbelievable.

"I see!" Jaune laughed charismatically, which was to say it was a perfectly feigned and carefully crafted sound he'd likely been taught from a young age. Designed to lower guards and make women swoon. Or such was the theory. Weiss, and any other noble lady worth their salt, ignored it. "I get that with certain foods too. Spices don't agree with me. I hope she'll be okay."

"I'm sure she will after a quick nap – and perhaps no breakfast today." Weiss eyed him again. "But you still haven't answered my question."

He smiled dazzlingly. "Which one?"

Evasive of him. How droll.

"It's rude to make a lady repeat herself. Why are you not training today? I don't claim to know your schedule, but I see Sun down there, along with Lieutenant-commander Alabaster, who I don't believe would let anyone off from training no matter their rank."

"Ah. You caught me." His smile faltered, though only for a second. It became smaller, more honest and just a little embarrassed. That was the real him. He broke eye contact and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm actually injured."

He used his left arm to brush his cloak to the side, revealing a tight set of bandages wrapped around his right shoulder, along with a sling holding his arm still. He let the cloak fall back to cover it when she gasped.

"How did this happen?"

"Training accident," he admitted ruefully. "I parried late, got caught and didn't move with the blow. A comedy of errors with my shoulder as the punchline."

If so, it wasn't a very funny joke. The bandages covered much from view, but the fact he had them in the first place was troubling. This was the Arcane Collegium.

"Why haven't you had someone from the Emerald Arcana treat you?"

"Well… Lord Alabaster seemed to think I should suffer through it. I think his words were - `to remind you to dodge better the next time, you lazy sack of horse manure`." Jaune grinned. "I'm cutting off a little of his more colourful language there."

"That seems an unusually harsh punishment. You can't train with an injury like that." She scoffed, concerned not just for his sake, but also the unfairness of such a decision. "You should protest to someone higher up. This can't be the best way to do things."

"It's fine, Weiss. Leave it." He tugged his cloak tighter over it, concealing it from view. "It doesn't hurt, and a few days missed training isn't so bad. It's not a broken bone despite the sling. That's just to keep me aggravating my shoulder. I'll be back to swinging a sword in a couple of days. In fact…" He sighed. "I came to tell Ruby something and I won't have a chance to tell her later. I don't want to wake her if she's so tired. Could you pass a message on for me?"

Weiss inclined her head. "Of course."

"Please tell her that I shall be occupied for the next few days. Tell her it'll be the same reason as last time – work related. She will understand." Left unsaid was that she wouldn't. He looked at least a little sorry for not telling her. "And tell her that I came to warn her but didn't want to wake her up." He smiled. "Just in case she thinks I didn't try."

"I'll tell her. How long will you be?"

"A couple of days. I can't really say for sure." He grunted and stood, keeping his cloak over the injury, no doubt to stop the gossips going wild. "It's nothing dangerous and Ruby will know that. I just wanted to tell her ahead of time. I'll see you when I'm back, Weiss. Good luck with your studies."

"And to you as well. I shall pass on your message."

This chapter was torture to write for some reason. I don't know why.

So, Blake has come and dropped some little bits of lore, but also more questions than answers. Ah, that's beginning to become the way of this story, isn't it? I bet people all but forgot about the Grimm by this point. Or assumed I had, lol.

Next Chapter: 1st December

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur