Stayed over at my mother's place last night to make sure she was okay. She had a bad moment that we think is a mini-stroke, and today she's being looked after by my sister. I'll be going back to check on her later and taking my pc set-up to her house.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 76

The Malneux family grounds were much larger than Ruby expected, bigger even than the Arc mansion's, and she had been so sure the Arcs were the richer family. The grounds were ringed by green hedges but spanned out into the distance with redwood fences sectioning off small paddocks. Within those, horses of different shapes and sizes grazed. A large and muscular mount was being taught to run in circles on the end of a rope held by someone in the centre. Its large body bounced as it trotted, and it looked like a warhorse even from a distance.

"Lady Arcanist. You wished to see the Matriarch?"

The guard who had allowed her entrance interrupted her thoughts. Twice her age and with his head bowed respectfully, he hadn't questioned her reason for coming nor had he tried to keep her out. He wore a padded gambeson over a tunic, both split down the centre with blue on the left and white on the right, reversed for his trousers. Though he had a sword strapped to his waist, there was no armour besides that.

"Ah." Spacing out wasn't something an esteemed Arcanist was meant to do and Ruby grasped at the first excuse she could. "I was distracted. That's a fine horse."

"The master's pride and joy, that stallion has sired two steeds purchased by knights of the Kingdom and one that was bought by the royal family itself. It has won several awards."

"The Malneux family breeds horses, doesn't it?"

"They do, Lady Arcanist. Though the family has business in several other fields, husbandry is cause for its greatest fame. There are few families in Vale that can boast the same knowledge as they." He gestured away from the paddocks and stables. "If you wish it, I can escort you to the main building and advise the matriarch that you wish to speak with her."

Ruby nodded and let the man lead her away from the fields. The Malneux mansion wasn't quite as dramatic as the grounds, and it was there that the difference in wealth between the Malneux and the Arc was most obvious. The building was beautifully kept and covered in pretty blooming flowers, but it was just a little plain, a little square. The statues outside – predictably of horses – were very handsome and surprisingly tasteful, but everything just looked a little less impactful. Basic in a way Ruby couldn't fully put into words.

It was still more than everyone in the slums put together could afford.

There were two more guards on the front entrance, and they stood to attention as she approached. Again, they didn't try to block her access. One placed a hand on the door and opened it for her and her guide, letting them into a warm foyer with a small table and bench to one side and a grand staircase leading up the far end to a second floor. Open archways spanned off to the left and right, the masonry above and around them styled in white marble with patterns of flowers and horses at the peak.

"If it would not be too much trouble, might I ask you to wait here while I alert the madam as to your arrival? I could send someone with refreshments if the Lady Arcanist wishes it."

"I can wait."

He bowed and backed away. "You have my gratitude."

The guard exited through the left arch and Ruby took a seat on the wooden bench, idly glancing around the opening hall. Aside from the odd sculpture on raised plinths, there were family portraits along the walls, some painted stylistically and some with a more realistic bent. The largest stood at the top of the stairs, centre faced for anyone walking up them. It showed a man and a woman, likely the current heads, but no children. None of the paintings showed any children, though she did spot Martyn in a picture of the three of them, with Martyn looking close to fourteen.

Her curiosity didn't have much time to be sated as the guard returned and beckoned her follow him again. "The matriarch has agreed to meet with you in the conservatory. Please follow me and I shall escort you to her."

The `conservatory` was an outward facing room made of pure glass, the price of which Ruby couldn't even imagine. It was so pointless, too. A single thrown rock would shatter it all, and yet an older woman sat in the centre upon one of two chairs with a book on a small table before her with a glass of fragrant tea.

Black of hair with hazelnut eyes, her face was worn and wrinkled in places but surprisingly friendly – especially for someone related to Martyn Malneux. She rose slowly, her dark blue dress shimmering and several golden bracelets running down to her wrist.

"May I present Melania Malneux, matriarch of the Malneux Family. My lady, this is Arcanist Ruby Rose of the Collegium." He bowed again. "I shall leave you to your meeting."

"Thank you for showing me here," Ruby said quickly.

The guard blinked and bowed his head again. "It was no problem, my lady."

"A polite Arcanist." Lady Melania offered a hand. When Ruby made to shake it, the other woman cupped Ruby's in two of her own and smiled warmly. "That is a pleasant surprise. Welcome, dear. It's so nice to have a visitor."

How was this Martyn's mother!?

"Polite?" Ruby asked, trying not to show how shocked she was. "Are the others not?"

"Oh they are. Perhaps I spoke unfairly. Arcanists are unfalteringly polite but they are also so very dismissive. Especially of those who have neither magic nor political power. It speaks well of you to thank the common man for his work, I hope you don't lose that kindness as you grow older." She sat, gesturing to the other chair. "Please take a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"Sure. And I won't. Stop being nice, I mean."

"I'm glad to hear that." Melania poured Ruby some tea. It smelled of random herbs and flowers smashed together but tasted clean and refreshing, not as sweet as she would have thought. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the Collegium today? It's not about Martyn, is it? His letters, sparse as they are, suggested he was doing well."

Ugh. Martyn. "He's doing alright," Ruby said. "We were classmates for a while."

"Oh. You are friends?"

"I-In a manner of speaking…" she lied.

"Oh dear. Not friends, then." Melania smiled past her fingers. "You needn't lie to make me feel better, my dear. My son can be quite prideful at times, but he is a good boy. He's just so competitive. If he is rude with you then it's only because he respects you enough to want to compete with you."

Martyn? Respecting her? Ha. Yeah right.

"I guess. He's looking to join the Crimson and be a combat Arcanist. I joined the White." Ruby shrugged. "We don't really have the same interests. I saw him at the ball though, and he looked okay."

"I'm glad to hear it. There have been so many… rumours from the Collegium lately. First the murders, then the broken wall and the flooding, now the Grand Arcanist refuses to answer to the calls of the nobility and a Nevermore lands within your grounds. You'll pardon a mother fretting for her son, but no one has any answers for us!"

"I… don't have any either." Ruby winced at the disappointment that flitted across Melania's face. "It's not because I'm withholding it though, I genuinely don't know. I only became an Arcanist a week ago. I know nothing."

"Hah. They are as tight-lipped with their own as they are with us, I see."

"Yeah. The Grimm died really quick, though."

"Well, that's good and all but I'd rather it came nowhere near my son at all!"

Ruby was willing to bet everything she had, Melania and the other nobles didn't know about the Azure Archives. If they did, they'd have been horrified to know some of their children were drafted down there to help evacuate people fighting an army of Grimm. I can't tell her either, or the White will probably be angry at me.

"He's definitely safe. I can say that for sure. Does he not write?"

"Oh, he does. Regularly at that. Once a week – such a good boy." Melania smiled and Ruby had to resist the urge to giggle. Martyn definitely hadn't admitted this to anyone. "Once a week just feels so long when you've been able to see them every day. You'll understand one day when you have children of your own. I understand Initiates not being able to leave the Collegium at will, but I wish they would let us in to visit."

"Wait, they don't!?"

"You didn't know?"

"My parents died a long time ago." Ruby said. "I came from Menagerie."

Only one of those things was a lie.

"Oh my. I'm so sorry. Pleas forgive me. To answer your question, the Collegium does allow some visits but very limited. Once a year for their birthday or a tragedy. Initiates are allowed to attend a funeral or at the deathbed of a relative so long as they have an Arcanist escort, but other than that they cannot leave, and we cannot enter. Even when it is their birthday, we are only allowed two hours maximum, and all gifts must be searched. It's ridiculous." Melania said, huffing. "What do they expect we'll try and smuggle into the Collegium? Weapons? They are learning magic for goodness sake. They don't need sword and spear to harm someone."

It did sound a little extreme, though knowing what she did about the Collegium she couldn't say any of it surprised her. I guess that explains why I've never seen nobles coming and going as they please. I can't believe I never noticed that.

Too much good food and magic distracting her. It was probably the same for everyone else there, with people so excited to learn magic, fit in and become Arcanists that they never question the restrictive measures.

"I'm sure you didn't come to hear an old lady ramble, however. What is it you wanted of me? If it's not about Martyn, I'm not sure how else I can be of use. Ah. Unless this visit is political? I really do prefer those things be addressed to my husband. I much prefer horses to schemes and politics."

I guess I've found which parent is the Malneux, Ruby thought.

"I came to ask about a rumour I heard…"

"A rumour?" Melania leaned back. "I'm really not one to involve myself in gossip between Houses-"

"It's not like that. It's just…" Ruby really hadn't put any thought into how to phrase the question, so she just went with it. "Is Martyn an only child? I heard you and your husband might have had a second."

"A second…? For a moment I thought you were accusing me of infidelity, but a second between us? No." She laughed. "I'm not sure where you heard that rumour from, but Martyn is the only child we've ever had, though I wish it were different…"

"You do?"

"Oh yes. I've always wanted a daughter to go with my son. Rickard is satisfied with as few or as many children as I wish, but I've longed to have a daughter. Something about it just feels right."

"I see…"

"Not that Martyn isn't a good boy," she continued, lost in her daydreams. "But I'd love to experience the other side of things, to dote over a beautiful little girl. She'd have black hair like me, sleek features and the most striking eyes. Molten gold…"

Ruby's head snapped back. "What was that!?"

"O-Oh. I'm sorry, I was just imagining what it might be like." Melania laughed. "I wonder if she'd love horses as much as I do? I can imagine placing her on the back of one and leading her around the paddock." She sniffed suddenly, pausing to wipe at her cheek.

There were tears running down them.

"Oh my, what's gotten into me? For a moment I could have sworn the image was as clear as day. Oh dear, I'm being so very silly. Forgive an old lady her daydreams. Ah, but I wish Rickard and I had tried harder in our younger years. So much lost time, and I'm sure Martyn would have idolised his big sister. He'd have followed her everywhere, his chubby little legs pacing along after her…"

The woman became silent. Pensive. Ruby leaned forward but it seemed as though she'd been forgotten entirely. "Mrs Malneux?"

"O-Oh! Ah, I apologise." Smiling, the woman dabbed daintily at her cheeks with a silken handkerchief. "I'm not even sure why I feel this way, it's all fantasy at this point. I'm sorry, my dear, but I really think I need to cut this short. To answer your question, no, sadly we have no other children. Only Martyn."

"That's fine." Ruby glanced at the walls. "Do you have any paintings of him as a child? I thought it might be fun to tease him over seeing those."

Melania giggled. "I feel like I should protect his honour but hearing of such a pretty girl showing interest in him makes me feel differently." Ruby could have gagged. "The family portraits are in the main hall. We have them painted every few years."

"Really?" Ruby asked. "It's just that there weren't any of Martyn when he was younger. The only I saw had him already in his early teens."

"Odd. I'm certain we had our paintings made when he was young. Why, I can still remember posing for one with him as a baby." Her eyes crossed. "Hm. I wonder if they've been taken down for cleaning or touching up. The paint dries and flakes, you see, and there's nothing worse than faded colours."

It hadn't looked like there were any paintings missing. There would have been a clear patch on the wall otherwise. Unless they replaced the absent painting with a new one temporarily. That's not impossible. Nobles might not like to see a spot of bare wall.

"There definitely are paintings of you all, right?"

"Of course. A child is a big deal among the families, especially a first heir. Rickard and I dote on him. I'll have to ask the servants to look round later," she said. "If those paintings have been taken down, I'd like to know where they are…" Suddenly, she smiled. "Was there anything else, dear? I do hate to rush you, but I have a lovely dinner planned for Lady An Ren. She wants to surprise her son with a foal for his birthday, one that can grow into a fine steed for when he graduates."

"Lie Ren?" Ruby asked.

"Why yes, do you know him?"

"He's a friend of mine!"

"My, what a small world we live in." Melania clapped her hands excitedly. "Would you like to stay for dinner as well? I'm sure An would love to hear of what her son has been up to."

"I can't." Ruby grinned apologetically. "I have a meeting with Lady Arc, and I don't want to be late. You can tell her that Ren is doing really well, he's picked the Azure Arcana and he's happy there. I saw him studying yesterday and we talked for a bit."

"I will pass that on. Thank you for coming. Would you like me to summon someone to show you out?"

"That's fine. I remember the way." Ruby stood and bowed awkwardly. "Thank you for your time, Lady Malneux."

"Such a lovely girl you are." The woman stood and curtseyed back. "Your mother would be proud of the woman you've become. Of that I am certain. You are welcome back any time, dear."

On the way out, Ruby stopped to check the paintings again. There were no empty patches, no paintings of Martyn younger than his teenage years and no hints of the golden-eyed daughter Melania had so unwittingly described.

/-/

Two for two saw Ruby admitted to the Arc manor and also instructed to wait until Lady Juniper Arc could make time for her. As unannounced as the meeting was, she supposed it was understandable she wouldn't get immediate access. The Arc family also had portrait paintings in their main hall, and there were a lot more people in them. Jaune had said he had seven sisters so that made sense. It wasn't hard to pick out the one boy in the paintings.

"Lady Rose." A servant bowed for her. "Lady Arc will speak with you now."

Juniper Arc was stood waiting for her in an enclosed study with a single tall window. Instead of a dress, she wore tight grey trousers and a white blouse with a brown cloak over her shoulders. The woman's fingers were stained with ink and she was wiping them on a white cloth when Ruby entered. Bookcases lined the walls, filled with tomes. Several lay half-open on the closest desk, but Juniper reached over to close them when she caught Ruby's interest.

"May I help you, Arcanist?"

"Um. It's Ruby. I was here before-"

"I remember. You are an associate of my son."

"I'm his friend."

"So you claim," Juniper said. "I see you're an Arcanist now." Her lips turned downward. "Of the White. What has the Arc family done this day to see your kind come? Has one of my daughters displayed a gift requiring she be taken away? Am I to lose another child?"

"No!" Ruby cried. "I want to help Jaune!"

The grown woman watched her cautiously. There was distrust there and not much hope to counter it. "And how would you suggest to do that? My son deteriorates by the day and may soon end up like his father. The White Arcana assures me that nothing can be done."

Of course they would. The Huntsmen were too valuable.

"What makes someone immune to magic?"

"You're asking me that?" Juniper asked. "You might as well ask me what makes a child have the spark. Magic is your expertise, not mine. All I know is that my husband had this quality and my son inherited it."

"He was born with it? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. The Emerald Arcana was there at his birth, as they are at all births among the nobility. They eased the process and often use their magic to check on a child's health."

Ruby wondered if they were checking on more than just health. While it might make sense that nobles would hire them and the Collegium needed the money, having an Arcanist at every noble birth in the city would also let them document and keep an eye on all the children.

"When the Emerald Arcanist held my baby, he proclaimed that his healing magic would not work on him. The same as it did not for Nicholas. Luckily, Jaune was perfectly healthy, but we knew from that moment he was different." Juniper's eyes closed. "The Collegium claimed him on the day of his birth."

"They didn't take him away, though."

"No. They allowed me to raise him – as though they have the right to determine otherwise – but his ultimate fate was always sealed. By law, any child or adult shown to possess the qualities of a Huntsman must be enrolled in the Collegium. That law was created by the King. Though I'm sure the Collegium had a hand in it," she added in a whisper.

Definitely. Why not use your influence to get hold of every magic-immune child?

"All of this you should know as an Arcanist of the White." Juniper said. "Or is this some test?"

"It's no test. I really do want to help Jaune."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Why not? He's my friend."

"Friendship is so luxurious a term but like most luxuries, it means little. My son won't remember your face or name within a few years so why do you cling to his? Is it fame you seek? Wealth? I have and will continue to reject all suits for him, so you can take your proposal and throw it in the river."

"I don't want any of that!" she argued. "I care about Jaune. I want to help him!" Before Juniper could demand more answers, she said, "And I don't think his memory loss is natural. I think it's being forced on him!"

That stole the wind from her sails. Juniper recoiled, hand flying to her mouth. It lasted only a second. Bursting past her, Juniper slammed the door shut and locked it, then rounded on Ruby with narrow eyes. One hand slid to her waist and Ruby noticed the knife, hopping back.

"Whoah! Whoah!" Ruby's hands came up. "I'm on your side!"

"How am I supposed to expect that!?" Juniper snarled.

"W-Well why else would I mention this? I think Jaune and Nicholas were made to forget things using magic. I wouldn't say that if I was trying to work for the Collegium."

"As if it isn't obvious! I've known this for years!"

Ruby's mouth dropped. "You… You have…?"

"Of course I have!" Juniper snarled. "Do you think I wouldn't pay attention to my own son? His memory was excellent, he was always so smart, and the symptoms only ever showed after the Arcanists took him away for another one of their tests." She laughed bitterly. "They could tell me it was natural all they wanted but I'm no fool."

"B-But you said it was an illness…"

"Why would I not? How much do you think one person can do against the might of the Collegium? I had to pretend I believed that nonsense they fed me, otherwise they might have done the same to me!" Angrily, she released her knife, realising that even if she tried to use it, Ruby could react faster. "None of my daughters showed any signs of memory loss. Jaune would get better, too, whenever he was away from the Collegium. Of course, they didn't let that stand. More visits, more demands, until eventually they secured permission from his father to move him there permanently. His father who was already so far gone that he couldn't think for himself!"

Ruby had underestimated her. She hadn't even imagined another person might have put the truth together before her, but why not? Juniper had been mired in this far longer than she had. A good mother would notice when something is wrong with their child. I'm surprised the Collegium didn't wipe her memories just to be safe.

Juniper must have been a good actor.

"I want to help get him back." Ruby lowered her hands. "I don't like this, and I don't want Jaune becoming like his dad. There are times when he even forgets me! Then he comes back, remembers, and acts like nothing ever happened. It hurts."

Juniper's eyes watered. "Try being his mother…"

"I want to help." Ruby repeated. Her eyes slid to the books. "Is that what you're doing? Trying to research it yourself?"

She looked like she wanted to lie but there wasn't much point now. "Yes. I've been procuring books from any and every merchant, some as far flung as Vacuo. What I truly need is forbidden, though. I doubt anyone would have access to it other than those deep within the White Arcana. If they haven't been destroyed already."

"What if I could get you those books?"

"It might help, but even then, I don't know. I am no Arcanist and if this is done by magic then I'm helpless to fix it."

"It can't be." Ruby pointed out. "Jaune is a Huntsman."

Juniper's eyes widened. "True. Then how…?"

"I don't know but I'm going to find out."

"You're serious about this." It was more statement than question. Juniper Arc bit her lip. "There are… no, I cannot say. The risk is too great. Let me simply say that you – we – are not alone in this. Should you prove your intention, I might reveal more to you."

"There are others working against the Collegium?"

"No. Yes." Juniper sighed. "There's not much hiding it, is there? There are other Houses that have lost members. Others that we believe have been manipulated against their will. The Collegium exists on a balance between power and law. We are supposed to be the ones who keep that balance in check, but the Collegium runs roughshod over us, take our children and now take our memories. We nobles have always been a paranoid lot. There used to be fears of children replaced with Arcanist changelings, and while many of those foolish conspiracy theories were proven as such, some have come true."

It was human nature to fear that which you didn't understand. For the nobles, who were supposed to be powerful people in the Kingdom, having other people going around with magical power was sure to create instability. Mistrust. Fear. A lot of that would be unfounded, but it wasn't too hard to imagine the nobles always keeping a wary eye out.

And now that the White Arcana had crossed a line, they'd been found out. By some, at least. Those that confront the White Arcana are probably made to forget and then monitored from then on.

"I visited the Malneux House earlier." Ruby said. "I'm sure she had a daughter once, but she can't remember it. I think she's also been made to forget."

"She has." Juniper stated. "I met her daughter, a beautiful and spirited girl obsessed with horses. The official story is that she died of an illness and her parents, stricken with grief, have convinced themselves that she never existed at all. All their servants are told to never mention it for fear of upsetting them." Juniper scowled. "Told that by the Collegium."

Cinder hadn't been handed over willingly, then. She'd been taken by the Collegium, and her mother, father and brother had been forced to forget she ever existed. Ruby closed her eyes and felt her stomach drop out. How would Cinder react to that? How were you supposed to?

"It's not right." Ruby said. "It's not right."

"It isn't. Might makes right, however. That has always been the way of things. To the Collegium, it is better to do this than risk all-out civil war, and there are plenty within the noble families who agree. Conflict could destroy our world."

"What about you?" Ruby asked. "What do you think?"

"My family are my world. The Collegium has already attacked it, stolen my husband and my son away and are even now slowly destroying them. I don't mind returning the favour. To hell with what that means."

Next Chapter: 14th February

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