Update 31st October: No internet today due to storms over here, so have had to drive into the office on a flipping Sunday to finish work I cannot do without it. I'm going to be stuck here until 6pm, so there won't be any chapter today. I'm very sorry - feels like I'm stuck repeating that of late, but thank god I have a new starter coming soon, so things should go back to normal.

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 108

The Arc Manor was as beautiful as she remembered it being the first time. The tall hedges surrounded well-kept lawns and some people were riding horses in the distance, taking them over brightly painted jumps. The distant laughter belied the danger outside. It was likely Jaune's sisters had never seen the Grimm, nor had they experienced the hunger she and hers had. They'd been born lucky, though their brother had not.

Ruby eyed the letter she'd brought with her again. Marriage? Jaune and her weren't like that despite the rumours she let play out. She didn't think she could see him that way and she was fairly sure he felt the same. Jaune never struck her as being interested in anyone. That didn't mean much in the world of nobles of course. Blake hadn't even seen her fiancé since she was a child, and Weiss would have taken anyone of a higher station. It was entirely possible Jaune's mom would set him up with someone regardless of his feelings.

Possible, but not likely. Lady Juniper Arc hadn't come across like that, and had expressly forbidden all suit for him, or so she'd heard. This must be to do with the other thing we talked about. The noble families concerned about the Collegium. Why would they call me now, though? Did they hear about my arrest?

She'd be surprised if they had. The Collegium had always been a mystery to the city before and she doubted that was only to the slums. The White Arcana wouldn't feel comfortable letting news get out about their dirty business but given that all Arcanists were nobles it was possible family had informed family and someone let it slip far enough to reach Lady Arc's ears.

The guards had evidently not been warned of her arrival. They crossed the wooden hafts of their halberds before her, closing off the gate. It was a symbolic gesture to an Arcanist, and she was kinda impressed they offered it at all.

"I've been invited."

"Does the Lady Arcanist have the seal to prove such?"

Ruby fished out her letter. "I have this."

One of the men leaned forward to inspect the wax seal on the bottom of the letter. The one on the envelope had broken on opening it, but another existed within, beneath the elegant writing. The guard straightened and drew his halberd back, the other following his cue.

"Welcome to the Arc family manor," he intoned. "I shall escort you to the main building."

Ruby wanted to say it wasn't necessary, but it was more statement than offer. The man opened the gate and led her through, leaving his companion alone. Ruby was escorted down the white pebble path past a tinkling fountain and several brightly painted carriages left by wood and stone stables. The hewn rock steps led up to the large front door, pinned open despite the chill weather, and inside to marble floors, burning torches and tall pillars.

The servant waiting within had been informed of her arrival apparently. She offered a polite curtsy and a "Lady Rose. Welcome. The Matriarch awaits you in her study. I shall lead you there."

A flight of stairs, a narrow corridor lined with family portraits and paintings, silver plaques beneath detailing names, dates and titles, and then a small, wooden door into a small room – small for the manor, larger than Ruby's own bedroom – which had been converted into a study with bookshelves and a desk. At it sat Lady Juniper Arc, her blonde hair pulled up and pinned into her bun, her finger resting on an open book while a candle burned away nearby.

"My lady," the maid curtseyed again. "Your guest has arrived. Shall I prepare tea and light snacks?"

"No, Catelaya. We are not to be disturbed. See to it that our privacy is kept."

"As my lady wishes."

The maid, Catelaya, backed up without turning her back on them and drew the door shut. Her heels clicked away down the corridor, and soon Ruby stood alone with a very powerful woman.

The street urchin meeting with one of the High Nobles. I wonder what dad would say if he saw this…

"Take a seat." Juniper Arc indicated a second seat about seven feet from her. "We have much to discuss. Would you like some water?" She held a crystalline jug in hand. "I assure you it isn't poisoned."

Ruby hesitated. "I… didn't think it was until you said that…"

"Hmhmhm." Juniper chuckled and poured two glasses, then sipped from each daintily. "Then yours must have been a much kinder upbringing than my own. It's not so common, but, well, it wouldn't be the royal court if one person didn't die each year of mysterious circumstances."

"This isn't about marrying Jaune, is it?"

"Do you wish it to be?"

"Not really. Jaune is my friend…"

"Few are those who would dare call the scion of a High House friend so casually, Lady Rose. Decorum dictates you should call him an acquaintance at best, at least until I am consulted."

Ruby sipped her water and met the other woman's dark blue eyes. "Jaune is my friend," she said stubbornly. "Who is and isn't his friend is for me and him to decide. Not you."

"Well said." She was all smiles again. Ruby had the feeling she'd passed some test. Not a difficult one. "I happen to agree. My son should choose his own future. I must step in occasionally of course, any parent should have the best interests of their children in mind, but my role should ever be advisory, steering him away from mistakes wisdom has taught me to notice. It is not to control or make his decisions for him."

"No one should have that power," she went on. "Not I, not you…" Juniper leaned forward. "Not the Collegium of Magic. Certainly not the White Arcana or the Grand Arcanist."

And there they were. The harder test. Well, it would have been for any other Arcanist loyal to the White. Ruby simply nodded her head. Jaune's mom was right. The Collegium shouldn't be deciding what Jaune could or couldn't do. Ruby agreed with that more than anyone. "I feel the same way."

"I'm glad to hear it." Juniper Arc leaned back, a little more relaxed. "I believed you did the first time but I'm sure you understand my caution. Do you remember what we spoke of before?"

"That some families are concerned with how much control the Collegium has."

"Precisely. I had to ask to see if you hadn't been made to forget, turned into an agent of theirs. You may still have, but at this point there isn't much time for caution. Is my son well?"

"He was still himself the last time I saw him," Ruby said. That had been a few days ago and he'd been… off. Not worryingly so, like forgetting her, but more in the sense of having an off day. He'd appeared tired and worn, only managing a small smile for her and a brief conversation. "He said he was being put through harder and harder training."

"But is he still himself? Is he subservient to the White?"

"No."

Juniper leaned forward. "You're sure? How can you be sure?"

"Because…" Ruby wracked her mind. How could she be sure? Glynda would have had him pretend to be normal, and it wasn't like they had any secret codes to share. Her eyes widened. "He disobeyed direct orders to protect me!"

"He did?" Juniper's breath came out in a rush. Her shoulders slackened and she let the hand holding her crystal glass rest on the desk. "That is welcome news. When was this? In what way?"

Ruby told the story of Merlot's arrest as quickly as she could; how Jaune had been ordered to kill all the Arcanists in the same way the other huntsmen had, but how he'd had the presence of mind to not only recognise her but disobey that command and even defend her and Merlot against his fellow huntsmen. Juniper listened, her lips curling upward as Ruby finished the telling. It was the best proof Ruby could have possibly given, and it was clear the woman needed to hear it.

"Thank you. Thank you for telling me. It warms my heart to know he's still…" Her face twisted unpleasantly. "Still himself. I've put in requests to see him, but they have been denied."

"Denied!? On what grounds?"

"Oh, logical grounds. The Grimm threat, the heightened security within the Collegium and how if they made an exception to allow me in to visit my son, they must then contend with every noble wishing to do the same for theirs. Nothing I can truly argue against without appearing woefully dramatic."

No nobles were being allowed in to visit? That felt odd, especially since there weren't any rules keeping them from leaving anymore. The lockdown had been lifted and Arcanists could come and go as they pleased, either to visit or to spend time outside the walls.

"Is that what you summoned me for?" Ruby asked. "To find out how Jaune is?"

"That was part of it. Not all, however. You are a rare contact within the Collegium that isn't entirely loyal to its ideals and my… associates have asked me to enquire on several issues."

"You want me to spy on them."

"No. Simply to share your insight. Give an Arcanist's point of view on some events happening within the royal court. Have you kept abreast of the news?"

Ruby shook her head. She'd been in a cell for one week and stuck in the Collegium for a month after. Besides, she didn't have any family in Vale who could keep her up to date, and her interest in noble affairs was thin at best.

"Then you likely haven't heard that the Collegium has nominated Lady Goodwitch for the seat of Grand Arcanist."

There wasn't much to be surprised about at the news. If anything, she was more surprised it hadn't already been announced. Glynda had said she didn't want the seat, but someone in the White had to take it and she was the most respected and the highest authority. It was an obvious pick. "Why hasn't it been announced yet?"

"Because it has not been approved."

"By who? I don't think any other Arcana would question her."

"The nominee for the seat of Grand Arcanist is selected within the Collegium," Juniper explained, "but it is formally approved by the King or Queen of Vale. Without their approval, it cannot be officiated."

Ruby almost spat her water out. If the previous news hadn't been a shocker, this was. "W-Why?" she stammered. "Why would they let the king have any power over them? Why would he say no?"

"The first goes back a long time. You have to remember that nobles, and especially the royal family, are desperate to maintain their power. Change is frightening because it threatens to upset the comfortable status quo they have achieved. The formation of the Collegium was one such moment in history, and while it would make Vale stronger, it worried a lot of nobles at the time, who feared they might be supplanted by these practitioners of mysterious magics."

"The discussions were fierce and ultimately it was the Arcanists who compromised," she continued. "They did so partly because they had to, but also because they had the position of strength and thus could afford to. Some of those compromises were that noble children would have precedence on places within the Collegium, others were that no Arcanist could take a position of authority or office within the city. Others are laws on what can and can't be done, what is forbidden and what is not, but among them was a minor caveat that the royal family had final say over whom became Grand Arcanist. This was symbolic at best. Little more than a way to show the king and queen were technically above the title of Grand Arcanist. The right has never been exercised, and the approval has always been a rubber-stamping exercise. Little more than a reminder of co-operation between the city and the Collegium. There has never been a case in history where the power has been exercised."

"Until now." Ruby said.

"Until now. We were as shocked as anyone else and had a few of our people close to the queen ask what prompted the king's decision. Apparently, the king had many meetings with Grand Arcanist Ozpin before his death, and the claim is that Ozpin specifically asked the king not to allow certain people to take the position."

Whoah. If that were true, then… what did that mean? Obviously, Glynda must have been on that list, so it must have meant he didn't trust her. How far, though? Ozpin had always seemed pretty nice, especially to her. They hadn't talked much, but he was never as paranoid as Glynda and Ironwood had been, always siding with her and suggesting they were too quick to accuse. That wasn't a very White Arcana attitude. Had he fallen out of favour with them?

Had the White been in some way responsible for his death? They said it was the Wildmage, but what Wildmage? That had been her! They'd implied there was another and she believed it, but what if there wasn't? What if they'd just used the convenience of her appearance to kill the Grand Arcanist?

If so, that was a conspiracy of epic proportions.

"What's happening now then?" Ruby asked. "I guess this is why we haven't heard about it. They wouldn't want to announce that the king said no to Glynda. Is there someone else being put forward?"

"No. The Collegium are pressing the issue. Not threatening, not yet, but they are insistent that Lady Goodwitch is the best choice and are busy trying to convince the king of this. Several courtiers have been quite vocal in support of this, and quite a bit wealthier recently."

"They've been bribed."

"Probably. Alas, bribery is not illegal so it wouldn't matter if they had. What's surprising is just how much the king is sticking to his stance, however. The king's power is… more form than function. He is obeyed, paid homage to, and he has power and influence, but he only keeps it so far as he keeps us, the nobles, happy. And we only keep our power so far as we keep the commoners happy."

Or sedate. No one in the slums had been happy. They'd been contained, however. Locked behind gates and high walls where their poverty couldn't infect the better people. Ruby gripped her glass just a little tighter but didn't bother bringing it up. The slums were gone, their people dead. There was no fixing that now.

"We're worried that the Collegium will continue to push." Juniper went on. "Even now, they are claiming that the Collegium cannot adequately deal with the Grimm threat without leadership. That they need a leader to unite them."

"Bullshit!" Juniper jumped at the sudden exclamation, and even made to reprimand her language like Weiss would have, but Ruby spoke over her. "The Grimm are done. They don't have a leader anymore and we're just waiting for their last numbers to die out!"

Juniper Arc looked stunned. "They… are…?"

It was Ruby's turn, confusion settling in. "You didn't know…?"

"Know what?" she snapped. "All we know is that the Collegium believes they have an opportunity, that they believe victory may be close, but that they need their new Grand Arcanist. What's worse, they also want to expand their authority to command the king's army. Lady Goodwitch has said that with united force of both magic and steel, she believes they can take the fight to the Grimm and end this once and for all."

Lies. Bold-faced lies. Glynda had the sceptre and could use it if she cared to. With Merlot gone, there wouldn't be any more Grimm either, but then it'd been a month already and the last Grimm hadn't thrown themselves at the walls to die. There had been a few attacks, but small and measured.

That shouldn't have been the case. Grimm were mindless and aggressive, designed to hunt down any magic users they found with no regard for their own survival. The very second Merlot died, they should have been hurling themselves howling and braying at the walls of Vale, trying to claw through to the Collegium and all the ambient magic within.

And yet they weren't. They were being patient. They were waiting. They were under someone's control again, obviously, because Grimm couldn't be those things, but with Merlot dead, the only person who could control them was…

"The White…"

"What?" Juniper demanded. "The White what…?"

"The White are in control of the Grimm," Ruby whispered. "Glynda is controlling them. It's not that she thinks the sceptre is a problem that needs to be hidden away; it's that they're actively using it to expand the Collegium's power."

The King held symbolic authority, but it was authority. The White were all about maintaining the balance of power, but that wasn't truly it, was it? The White were about protecting the Collegium and their way of life. Or they had been.

Once upon a time the Collegium had been designed to accept any and all students. Yes, according to Juniper they'd made a concession to prioritise noble families and their progeny, but after that they should have opened their doors to everyone else. They didn't. Why? Because it had been ages since their formation. Generations. The people in command had changed, and the ideals the Collegium had been founded on would have changed as well.

As more and more noble families became Arcanists, they would have formed alliances. They would have preferred other nobles too, likely looking down on poorer students. The poorer Arcanists had to work to earn money and support themselves, but the nobles could afford to take time to become powerful, aim for positions of power, and they had the support from other nobles to claim seats like the heads of the Arcana, or even the Grand Arcanist.

Over the years, over the generations, the noble families would have come to control just about everything in the Collegium, including the White. Why then, would they bother to work to maintain the original ideals that they didn't really agree with anyway?

Why not change things slowly? Why not get rid of the poor students polluting the school, make it so that only noble families were accepted? No one could argue with them. The White's role must have changed from enforcing the Collegium's will to enforcing the will of the elite, the powerful families that had turned the Collegium from an institution to a playground for noble children.

Except that they couldn't hold office, which must have annoyed them to no end, especially when they realised they were more powerful than normal people. Once they had power, why not reach for more? Why not try and change those laws the Collegium was founded on? It sounded like they were trying to do that now, but they may have been doing it for years now, or even decades.

It's corrupt. It's all corrupt. I… I knew that, though. Didn't I?

Dredgers left to die, nobles sending their sons and daughters to become Arcanists, all that magical power consolidated into the hands of the people who already had power. They just wanted more. More and more. Arcanists weren't wise – they were greedy. Greedy, spoilt children.

"It's all a lie." Ruby said. "All of it. Merlot was right."

"What is? Explain!"

"The Grimm are controlled by a sceptre. The White captured it. The Grimm were supposed to throw themselves to their deaths, but they haven't been. The war is over. We could stop the Grimm at any point. Order them to kill themselves. The White won't, though, because they want to use the excuse of the threat to push through changes to their power. To make the city trust new powers to them first, then reward that trust be `saving` the city and reaping all the glory." Ruby laughed bitterly. "It's all one big power grab, and Ozpin knew it. He must have known, and that's why they killed him."

/-/

Ruby told Lady Arc everything she could.

It was dangerous for sure. If the White found out, she wouldn't be sent to the Sanctum – she'd be killed before it could spread. The same went for the Arc family, who would either be brainwashed by the potions or killed outright. They could even say Lady Rose went mad and took them hostage, killing them and dying in the effort. It would be swept under the rug.

And yet she didn't care. They'd swept the slums under the rug, swept the deaths away, and they'd even killed Merlot. There was so little loyalty in her left, especially with Weiss having gone rogue and the Azure disbanded. She was all but made up to go to Menagerie with Blake and start a new life there. Maybe she could fine and invite Weiss to go with her.

Leaving the Collegium here and the White Arcana to chase them would be a bad idea however, and maybe a part of her wanted vengeance as well. They'd killed her friends, her neighbours, and it had all been a waste! Merlot told them to move the civilians out. The Grimm would have ignored them if the Collegium just fought. Instead, they'd used human shields and then drowned those shields in a trap for the Grimm. Pointless. All of it. All of that death and misery, just so that nobles could be nobles, because having power over magic wasn't enough and they wanted more.

Maybe the Collegium had been wonderful once. Ruby believed it probably had been – founded on ideals, hope and dreams. Before powerful people and their lust for more power corrupted and turned it into this. Now, the White Arcana wasn't trying to protect the balance. They were a gentleman's club trying to keep their own members in power.

Well, the best way to counter that was to tell the other nobles what was going on. Pit them against one another. Let it be a civil war if it wanted to be. She was beyond caring. All those selfish people could fight among themselves while she took her family and departed this sorry hellhole.

"This is madness." Lady Arc hissed. "If Goodwitch thinks she can get away with this, she has another thing coming. The families will not stand for it, nor will the royal family. You have done a good thing today, Lady Rose."

"Have I?" Ruby asked bitterly.

"Yes. They will be brought to task. Brought to justice. Your involvement will be kept in the strictest confidence, I assure you. With this, I may even be able to free Jaune of their control and-"

Hasty knocking sounded on the doorway. "I'm sorry for the interruption my lady!" Catelaya sounded frantic and panicked. "This is an important matter! May I enter?"

Lady Arc rolled the scroll she had been writing on up and hid it in a drawer on the desk. "Of course, Catelaya. Please come in."

The maid looked frazzled and flushed. It was clear she'd come running, her face sweaty and her black and white clothes smudged with grass stains. She curtseyed, but it was clumsy and not at all like before.

"M-My Lady," she stammered. "There is news. T-The Grimm had launched an attack. Flying monsters that traversed over the outer walls and struck deep into the city. Several landed in the Upper District."

Juniper sucked in a breath.

"Your family are safe," Catelaya said quickly. "The grounds were spared any of them, and the guard manned every gate and have been on high alert ever since. Most were rounded up and killed quickly, I hear, but… but…"

"What is it, Catelaya? Speak!"

"T-The King, my lady," the maid whispered. "H-He was touring the district. His carriage was caught by Grimm and…" Her eyes closed. "He and the queen were both slain."

Oh dear.

Is anyone surprised really? Power corrupts, and an entire institution co-opted into serving the purposes of nobles? We have that over here practically with military institutions and political offices, and I'm pretty sure the US has similar with politicians, important state positions, etc.

They're supposed to be positions anyone can apply for and run for office, but realistically speaking they are more kept to wealthy and powerful people who can buy support. It's who you know, not what you know, and with the Collegium being forced to keep their members out of office, well, you can imagine some people wouldn't be happy about not being able to have more power.

Next Chapter: 7th November

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur