I'm so fucking excited!
I just saw the RWBY Project Ice Queendom trailer and a bunch of fan art for it! It's given me so many ideas I can work with for my vampire fic when I eventually get around to doing the rewrites for it.
Just from the trailer I have an idea for how that series will go. It's clear they're going with an alternative timeline. However, I'm pretty sure how we'll get to the Ice Queendom itself is through what little we've seen in said trailer. Namely, we've seen two things. Ruby and Weiss have a far harsher argument than in the original series, and Weiss and Yang have their own confrontation.
I'm assuming there may be circumstances that cause Weiss to just up and leave Beacon. Given her desperate need to show she was the best, it may be exaggerated in this series. That pressure combined with Ruby's harsher rebuking of Weiss, may be the first things to wear her down.
However, this doesn't explain why we've seen Weiss looking at herself at the end of the trailer. It may be the epihony that causes Weiss to go down the Ice Queen path by seeing what she envisions in herself as a leader.
But, I can't be sure. I need to watch the series, which I will most definitely be doing. I was getting so bored of anime recently, then this lit a fire under my ass.
Also, does anyone have any good anime reccomendations? My watchlist has kinda lost its appeal to me.
Oh, will be putting a poll up on my page because I'm a lazy bastard and forgot to do it for what Jaune's riding lizard will be called.
[Two Days Later]
The sounds of everyday life in Beacon echoed in the background as Jaune stitched together the gambeson and chainmail of Ruby's new armour. Looping leather strips through the rings and attaching them to the cloth armour was therapeutic. He could focus on this single task, sitting on the floor amidst a pile of supplies and tools. There was nothing else in the world to him.
The boy's stomach was drowning in butterflies. Whatever hormone or chemical his brain flooded into his system made him feel on edge. His hands shook despite him physically trying to hold still. Everything that had transpired in the past few days was the cause of this sensation. Crafting this elegant piece was doing nothing to relieve him aside from creating a distraction.
What am I supposed to do about this?
How was Jaune supposed to fulfil his future role among the King and his soldiers? It was an offer he couldn't turn down. It was as simple as that, but Jaune had high expectations from those above him. He needed to be perfect in the eyes of Professor Ozpin and Goodwitch to make himself feel worthy of it.
No pressure, right?
A part of Jaune would have liked to fade into the background. If Morningstar were just another sword or axe, he would be sitting on a pile of gold with no worries... Well, Weiss was such a worry, but if that was his only problem, then Jaune was happy. She was a good problem for the Paladin to have.
I just need to focus on what's in front of me... Get Ruby back into shape first; the rest can come later.
Even if Weiss was out of reach for someone as low as himself, things could change. He had years to sort out these more significant dilemmas. The best thing he could do now is help his friends with their immediate objectives. It wasn't worth getting bogged down with more pressing matters at hand.
Jaune's thoughts were interrupted by a knock coming from the door. Whipping his head around, he caught Weiss standing in the doorway. The expression painted on her face told him he had surprised her by moving so quickly. However, the girl promptly relaxed and stepped inside, leaving the door open behind her.
"Hey, anything new from Ren and Nora," Jaune asked, threading some more leather through the chain mail. "Haven't seen them in a while..."
"They're following Winter's advice and looking outside of Vale," Weiss replied, leaning against the workbench a few feet away from Jaune. "The houses in the city have all been busts."
Crap...
It was worth a shot. Jaune was losing hope there was something out there that fit everyone's criteria. Hopefully, they would pull something off and surprise Jaune.
"The bank also told us what the gold was worth, so we have an idea of what we can afford now," Weiss continued, writing the value on a slip of paper and handing it to Jaune.
The number came out to ten thousand lien in precious metals. Such a value was far lower than what Jaune would have liked, but if that was only the gold, silver, and copper, he was sure the jewellery and gems would increase that. However, Jaune needed to lower his expectations lest he be disappointed.
"Any clue on the rest?"
"Not yet," Weiss answered, shaking her head. "I was going to take Ruby and Yang to an auction house and see what we could get there."
"Yeah, nobles would go nuts for the jewellery," Jaune agreed, nodding slightly. "And Ruby's up to walking around?"
"She can make it to the bathroom on her own, so that's why I'm taking Yang."
"I see..."
Jaune looked back at Weiss. In her hands, she was cradling Myrtenaster. The damaged rapier had not been tended to in the several weeks concluding their journey. Weiss had only cleaned the blade to the best of her abilities. Any proper battle and that sword would not stand up to the test.
"You want me to fix Myrtenaster while you're here," Jaune asked, setting aside his tools and standing up to Weiss. The boy's height became apparent as he towered over the more petite girl.
"Y-Yes, I hadn't gotten around to asking..." she hesitantly replied, offering the sword to Jaune.
Taking the blade into his hands, Jaune inspected the piece in detail. It was lighter than he remembered, feeling exceptionally fragile compared to his swords. If he felt like it, Jaune could have shattered the steel with one well-placed strike.
It certainly didn't feel like the weapon a princess should have wielded. Weiss should have gotten the best kit around available to her. A glance at the weapon's stats told Jaune more.
Robyn's Sword:
Level Sixteen
Strength: 15
Agility: 38
Perception: 29
Odd...
"Do you mind if I take it apart," Jaune asked before moving forward. "I'll have to heat the guard to put it back into place."
Can't do it without heating the metal. I'll just snap it.
Weiss seemed ready to deny it but bit her tongue instead. She was not willing to risk anything happening to the sword; however, her need to have it repaired overrid that reluctance. Jaune didn't quite have the desire to inquire as to the reason. He himself was afraid to tread those waters.
"Go ahead..."
With a nod, Jaune unscrewed the pommel and set it aside. In seconds, he had the handle off and the tang exposed. Chiselled into the side of the steel was the smith's mark. He then slid off the guard and rested it upon the anvil.
"Weiss, I can also upgrade Myrtenaster," Jaune mentioned, letting his knowledge of the weapon slide. "It's pretty low level... I'd just need to heat it and work the metal. Everything would be the same except for the stats."
Weiss didn't even speak, only signalling to Jaune to continue. The girl was stressed out, watching every move he made like a hawk. Likewise, he watched the girl dig her fingernails into her palms to the point they were about to draw blood. Such an image was agonising to witness from his perspective.
Like ripping off a soiled bandage, Jaune plunged the sword and guard into the coals. He didn't have to wait long for each to glow hot. Three simple strikes with Tubal Cain's hammer, and the guard was back in shape. Another for the sword, and both were subsequently quenched in an oil bath after another round in the forge. This tempered the steel just like he'd been taught by Alexandre and his father. Only this time, with a magical touch doing hours of work in only a few seconds.
A quick polish and sharpening for the blade and Jaune promptly reassembled Myrtenaster. It appeared just like it had before. The engravings and elegant metalwork were left untouched as if it was never damaged. However, it was like a whole new sword. Better than it had ever been since Weiss took possession.
Robyn's Sword
Level Thirty-Seven
Strength: 30
Agility: 65
Perception: 36
"There, all done," Jaune announced as he wiped down the sword. The boy then stood and presented the reforged weapon to Weiss.
As Weiss took hold of the sword, she immediately inspected every inch of the blade. Finding no faults in its appearance, she fenced with an invisible enemy to get a feel for it. Already, Jaune could tell she was working wonderfully. There seemed to be little difficulty getting used to the new stats he'd imbued into the rapier.
"How's it feel," Jaune asked, sitting on his workshop as he watched Weiss.
"Stronger," Weiss answered, turning to him as she ran a hand along the blade.
Glad she likes it...
"Do you mind if I ask you about something, then?"
"What is it," Weiss replied with a puzzled expression.
"Who's sword is that," Jaune finally asked. "I saw the name in the stats. Robyn..."
A pin could have dropped, and everyone would have been able to hear it in excruciating detail. Jaune was afraid he'd offended Weiss somehow as she stood there in silence. The girl's jaw hung slightly ajar as the question resonated within her mind.
"She was a friend," Weiss answered, downcasting her gaze. "One of my bodyguards that followed me around when I was younger..." She took a deep breath and began to pace about the room. "My father figured I needed someone closer to my age as a caretaker and guard, so Robyn was chosen. She and Winter were around the same age then, and they both acted as my older sisters for several years. We'd used to play in the palace or read stories in the library together, rarely leaving each other's sight." Weiss looked up to Jaune. "I guess you could say she was probably one of my first friends at the time."
"What happened?"
"An assassin snuck into my room," Weiss continued, her voice bereft of pain. "I barely had any time to realise what was going on when he attacked me. Robyn wasn't able to get to me before he cut my face. But when she tried to grab him, the assassin stabbed her in the heart... I don't know what came over me when I watched her die, but I took her sword and froze him solid with a spell. That's when I learned my passive and lost Robyn."
Fuck...
"How old were you?"
"Nine..."
Jaune's heart ached to hear that. Killing a person at nine was far too young. And given the attitude Weiss had to her family, Jaune doubted she had a wealth of friends there for her. Winter may have been her sole support structure during that time.
Yet, it all made sense. Why Weiss wouldn't give up Myrtenaster, or the reason she was so hostile to Blake. Assassins killed what amounted to an older sister to the girl. That honorary sibling gave her life to defend Weiss, and the sword was all that remained of her. Wielding it was just a way to keep her memory going.
"I'm sorry, Weiss," Jaune apologised in earnest, feeling like an ass for bringing it up. "I shouldn't have asked..."
"It's okay; I'm mostly over it," Weiss replied, taking a deep breath and maintaining her composure. "I just hated the thought of losing her sword..." She then raised the sword horizontally, running a hand along its blade. "And I appreciate you offering to repair it. You have no idea how valuable it is to me."
"It's fine, Weiss, really," Jaune expressed with a smile, running a hand along the back of his head. "I-"
Weiss moved in and wrapped her arms around his waist. Pulling him into a hug, Jaune froze like a statue. His arms and even his breathing seized up as he felt the Mage press herself against him. All he could do was savour this instance of contact. The boy's face was red as Ruby's cloak. He couldn't even glance at Weiss to see the expression painted on her face.
"Oh shit-"
A voice coming from the direction of the door startled both teens. Weiss pulled away from him to turn and face the origin. Outside the hut, Cardin and his friends were standing behind the doorframe, trying to poorly hide from their sight. The demeanour of those who walked in on something they were not supposed to.
Weiss did not stay to determine what they wanted. Faster than Jaune thought possible, she gathered her sword and bolted from the room, blowing past the boys in a red-faced sprint. Futilely, Jaune tried to stop her, but she moved out of his reach and beyond the door's threshold.
The eavesdroppers took that as their cue to leave cover. They gathered at the door with Cardin, Russel, and Sky standing behind Dove, who took the lead. None appeared to be here to start a fight, but Jaune didn't drop his guard for a second.
"What," Jaune demanded, staring at the boys with a near-enraged expression. The type of look that could send lesser men running.
Sky and Russel backed away and into Cardin but did not outright flee. Cardin seemed unnerved yet, stood solid. Dove was the only one to make any gesture to Jaune, clasping his hands and slightly bowing, with his head to the floor.
"Dude, we need your help, bad," Dove nearly shouted in a panicked voice, still in his bowing pose. "I know we've been assholes, but where'd you get that armour?!"
"The Eagle's Armour?"
"That one," Sky confirmed in a calmer tone. "Who made it?!"
"Master Alexandre," Jaune answered with a sigh.
The expressions of the four boys seemed to drain confidence. Whatever hope they had was dashed as Vale's most famous armourer was named. It caused the knights to look to each other for any ideas to proceed within their desperation.
"That guy?"
"Yep..."
"Fuck," Russel cursed, shaking his head. "He's gonna charge us an arm and a leg for anything he's got!"
Yeah, he can name his price for anything in his shop...
"Why don't you ask your parents," Jaune wondered, leaning against his table. "You're from rich families."
Cardin's dad runs a trading guild. Sky and Russel are from manufacturing dynasties. Don't know what Dove's parents do.
"It's not like that," Cardin denied in a serious tone. "We got cut off going in here..." The boy growled through his teeth. "So, we're on our own."
"Dude, these bandit contracts barely pay anything, and we don't have the gear to do the harder quests," Dove explained further. "We just need access to the good stuff." He looked into the shop, eyeing Ruby's armour. "And you make armour, right?! Like that?!" He pointed at the half-assembled kit he'd been working on.
"That's Ruby's, and yeah, I forge armour," Jaune replied annoyedly. "It's made from enchanted steel. Master Alexandre showed me how to work it."
"Can you make us something then," Dove pleaded. "Dude, we're desperate! We'll pay anything!"
Jaune paused before he could allow a denial to escape his lips. He was angry, but he managed to reign himself in just barely. It allowed him to consider some things.
What did these knights do for him aside from screwing with him since Jaune arrived here? A normal person would have sent them on their way. A petty and vindictive person would have spread the word that they were blacklisted to all craftsmen. A small part of Jaune would have enjoyed seeing that look on their faces when he took either option.
However, there was gold to be made. Something Jaune and his friends required for their own ventures. If he could make potential allies out of the knights at Beacon, it would solidify Jaune's reputation starting here. Many would likely choose the Paladin as their smith, bringing goods and gold to his doorstep in exchange for top-quality gear.
So, Jaune had to swallow his anger and do what was necessary. The price was worth it. He didn't have to love the idea.
"Fine," Jaune agreed with a sigh, moving away from the door to allow the knights access. "It's not going to be cheap. I want three-thousand lien from each of you."
"What," several of the knights shouted in surprise.
"Dude, that's so much," Russel whined.
"That's the price," Jaune argued back. "You want journeyman level work, I'll give you the best of it. That will buy my time, rare materials, and metalwork to forge your gear. If you want normal steel, I'll knock off a thousand, and you can bother a wizard to upgrade it."
Jaune didn't have his journeyman papers, but all he had to do was ask. The pieces he's made were evidence to demonstrate that. However, he'd have to spend another few years working as a smith to have a chance at becoming a master craftsman. Alexandre was a rare breed, and he was beyond that level, so Jaune didn't dare charge anything close to his fees.
Dove contemplated the price before looking to his friends for their approval. The trio behind him nodded, surrendering themselves to Jaune's whims. Their pockets would be significantly short of coin from now on.
"I guess we have too..." Dove replied defeatedly.
"Good, you'll work for your armour," Jaune declared, ushering them inside. He walked over to where the desk was and pulled out a set of parchments, laying them on the table. "You're going to spend tonight drawing out the designs while I finish Ruby's chain mail. Then you'll help me put it together." Jaune plopped down on the ground and grabbed his sewing needle, getting to work on stitching.
On the other hand, the four stood there, staring at Jaune like he'd grown a third arm. From the looks on their faces, they weren't sure about what they needed to do. Dove at least grabbed a quill and began sketching something.
"Come on, draw something out; we can figure out the rest later," Jaune prodded with a gesture. "I don't care about the gold right now. If you don't have it by the time we're done, I've got some jobs you can help my friends and me with."
A gaggle of porters for when Jaune's group returned to the abandoned Valean city. At least people to help carry the amount of gold left on the Silent King's throne. That's the first idea Jaune had for them.
[Weiss]
Weiss watched Ruby inspect Crescent Rose as they waited outside their bank vault. Dreizehn and Zwei lay at her feet, absorbing themselves in the cold stone floor. It felt like a return to normality after the craziness for the past few weeks. Weiss needed to savour it as much as possible before the next crisis threw them for a loop. Their group did not have an excellent track record for those kinds of things.
"Have you ever been to an auction house before," Weiss asked, looking to Ruby as her friend fooled around with her scythe.
"Eh, kinda," Ruby said, giving her a shoulder shrug. "Just a spot where people would auction sheep or cows. Sometimes they'd have furniture or stuff from the mainland."
Close enough, I suppose...
"Picture this place, but much fancier," Weiss specified, reaching down to rub Dreizehn's belly. "I believe it's called the Kanitz Auction House. Nobles and adventurers gather there to buy rare artefacts or sell anything they found."
"Why didn't we go there before," Ruby wondered, leaning on the haft of her scythe.
"I only learned of it recently," Weiss replied, not meeting Ruby's eyes as she spoke a half-truth.
More like Winter, and Mother mentioned it off-hand...
Weiss was becoming rusty. In any Atlesian city, she would have found all the important locations and people within a few hours of arriving. In Vale, Weiss hadn't bothered to do that. However, it made for a surprising venture whenever she discovered something. She could really explore the city.
That seemed like more fun than having someone else draw her a map. Weiss could also take her friends out to these new locals, allowing them to experience it together.
She would have invited Jaune along had he not been busy with Ruby's armour. Despite that, he appeared occupied with whatever Cardin and his companions wanted. Sun and Pyrrha also turned her down, favouring on going with Nora and Ren, or in the former's case, saying he had errands. That left her with the sisters.
Weiss doubted it would be boring. Yang would help negotiate, and Ruby would know the good from the bad. It was a good combination for this task. Or whatever they would get themselves into.
The sound of the vault door opening alerted the girls to Yang. She walked out from the steel door with a chest in hand. As the staff locked it behind her, the girl dropped the box in front of the pair, opening it to reveal its contents. The dozens of enchanted pieces they collected were neatly layered inside.
"So, that's pretty much all of it," Yang expressed breathily. "Looks like we have more than whatever the gold was worth."
"Hopefully, people buy it," Ruby added, kneeling to inspect the contents. "Sucks that the enchantments aren't good, though..."
Many of them were lacklustre at best. The Necklace of Cheese wasn't going to be helpful on their adventures. It was more of a gag than anything adding points to their stats. Just little curios those not of the profession would pay some money for. The few items that did give stats a bonus were what tradesmen would fight over.
"Ehh, not everything can be awesome, Rubes," Yang replied, pulling a sack off her side. "We'll have to find another abandoned city..." She then opened the bag, revealing a collection of rubies and emeralds. "I also grabbed the gems and some of the regular jewellery too. So, we can fall back on that if nothing bites for the magic stuff."
I suppose we can melt them down if they're not worth selling...
"Sounds like a plan," Ruby agreed, grabbing her things. "Want to get going?"
"Are you sure you're able to walk there," Weiss asked, interrupting the girls before they could move forth with today's excursion. "I don't want you to push yourself too much..."
She just got out of the hospital. Ruby's had to take three breaks just walking to the bank...
"Eh, nah, Dad brought our horses; we'll just take them!"
...
Making their way into the stables, the trio found Taiyang hard at work. He had a gorgeous grey-coated mare aside him with a leg propped up on a pedestal. Slowly, the older man chipped away at debris caught in the hoof's frog. When he cleared the muck, the man allowed the horse to stand proper, then going to brush its flank. Further inside, Willow was tending to the other animals, including Jaune's riding lizard.
"Hey, girls, horses are ready to go," Taiyang said with a smile. "Just need to get them saddled up."
Ruby quickly moved to the grey mare, petting her on the side of the head. The horse responded by blowing air out of its nostrils and pressing its nose against the girl. The beast was happy to see her judging from the horse's body language.
"They're beautiful animals," Weiss complimented, going to pet the grey's neck. "What are their names?"
They must have cost a fortune to buy.
She and Yang watched as Willow brought out a black gelding from a stall. The blonde took hold of the horse and offered it some hay, which was eagerly devoured.
"The Valean Grey is Ash," Yang explained, brushing down her horse. "This is my boy, Midnight. He's a Mistrali Black. Our uncle got them for us a few years ago as a Quest reward."
That makes sense. I wonder what he did for the noble?
From their stories, Qrow seemed to be an adventurer of some renown. Though, his reputation did not extend as far as Jaune's father's or the Valkyries'. He wasn't mentioned at all by the Professors of Beacon. If he could acquire these steeds, it was a testament to the trust those few invested in him. Perhaps, he wasn't one for the spotlight?
"They're both excellent horses," Willow expressed from the sideline. "I've rarely had one so well-behaved." She reached back to fix her ponytail. "But, are you going into town now?"
"Yep," Ruby confirmed with a chirp, helping Tai with Ash's saddle. "Want to come with us?"
"No, I need to stay at Beacon and feed the animals," Willow politely declined. "We've finished laying the groundwork for Vale's defence, but the stable hands have been so busy with readying patrols, I thought I would help here."
"Oh, okay," Ruby replied, tightening a strap on the saddle. "You'll come to the Spring Festival, though, right?"
"Of course, you can count on it."
Weiss liked the sound of that. She'd never been allowed to attend festivals as anything other than a position among the planning committee. With Winter here, she could finally take their mother along and enjoy one. It would be the first time they'd partake in something without their nobility overwhelming the occasion.
...
Riding into Vale, Ruby and Weiss rode Ash. Yang led the way on Midnight, trotting through the streets on their steeds. Some of the locals gawked at the three women riding about on these magnificent animals with expressions of awe or outright jealousy. The blonde mane of their group leader attracted much of the attention of Vale's young men, who found themselves dumbfounded by her beauty. Yet, Weiss could see some were eyeing the two girls trailing behind.
Weiss did not love the feeling. She'd had enough of people gawking at her in her life already. Ruby, at least, seemed oblivious to it. However, Weiss felt eyes all over her.
It was giving her second thoughts about coming out here. She'd rather be back at the smithy.
Ehhh...
The thought of going back there made her stomach churn. Weiss couldn't face Jaune after what she'd just done. Hugging him like that felt so good but embarrassing that she wanted to bury her face in a pillow and scream. She couldn't believe she'd told him those things and allowed someone to walk in on them.
Why is this so difficult...
Stupid introversion!
"Hey girls," a young man called out to the trio, breaking Weiss from her self-flagellation.
Looking to the street, the friendly face of Sun emerged from the market. The boy had a chest piece thrown over his shoulder and some additional parts to an armour set. This collection was primarily a dark blue/black leather vest with red trim and metal plates riveted between the outer face and an inner lining. This studded leather was accompanied by a turtle-necked chain shirt and shoulder pads of a similar build. For pants, he'd found some dark blue trousers lined with padded leather and good boots with metal strips for protection.
"Woah, is that your armour," Ruby squealed, pulling Ash closer to inspect the boy. "Looks awesome!"
"Just spent all my gold getting it," Sun confirmed, walking alongside the horses. "Felt like the right time to get something nice. Realised I was kinda squishy after that last fight with the Silent King." He then tapped on his leg where a beowolf had clawed him deeply.
It's an excellent set of armour. Though, it seems lighter than what I expected.
"Why didn't you go with full plate or half-plate at the very least," Weiss posed as she examined the chest piece.
"Doesn't look like it, but I'm not very strong," Sun replied with an abashed grin. "Plus, I can't sneak around with that on me. I'll leave the front line stuff to Yang and the heavy hitters... More of a middle of the pack type of guy."
On a closer examination, Weiss agreed with that conclusion. The chain mail would protect from slashing or stab wounds while being lightweight. The brigandine beneath the leather face was just an added layer of protection, sacrificing defence for mobility. At the most, Sun could take a crossbow to the chest and walk away unscathed. He needed to be agile enough to avoid the blows in the first place. Wearing shorts and a thin shirt would do so, but it no longer cut it if things came to a battle.
"Hey, he admits it," Yang jested as she slowed to Sun's right. "But what're you doing right now? We could use some backup at this place. Lots of nobles we're probably gonna have to deal with."
"Ummm, okay, I got nothing else to do."
Without warning, Yang grabbed his hand and pulled the boy onto Midnight. The gelding didn't seem to notice the weight of the two. He just kept moving along like nothing had changed. When Yang clicked her tongue, Midnight began trotting, showing off his impressive strength even further.
...
Arriving at their destination, Sun dismounted Midnight and stuffed his gear into a saddlebag. The boy began looking around the nearby area, feeling the location. His practised instincts as a rogue told him much more about the neighbourhood than what Weiss was learning.
Nestled on the furthest edge of Vale's upper district was the Kanitz Auction House. It was a large manor in the Valean style, sporting the barrel-tiled rooves and Alstadt architecture typical for the city. Its plastered and timber-framed outer walls gave off a historied sensation to Weiss. She liked the home quite a bit. It was something the Mage envisioned when the group searched for a place to live.
At the front gates, guards allowed dozens to enter and exit freely. They were not scrutinising anyone for any reason. Most passersby were from the upper classes or even adventurers on leave from the Academy. However, none were recognisable by Weiss. There wasn't someone she could use as a guide to any buyers.
"Fuck, this place is huge," Yang expressed loudly, causing Weiss to cringe at her boorish display. "How much does a mansion like this cost anyway? Probably has to be a few hundred thousand lien..."
"Too much," Ruby grumbled, grabbing the sack of jewels.
"It's relative," Weiss countered without denying Yang's point. "I'd say this was the upper-tier of whatever manors there are in Vale, so you may be close to what it cost to build. Your average estate might be only twenty per cent of that, depending on materials. Anything made primarily from stone would increase it exponentially."
Weiss remembered the costs to build a large fortress on the Atlesian coast was somewhere around twelve per cent of all the lien in circulation. Of course, it took nearly fifteen years to build with conscription of labour in lieu of taxation or requisitioning skilled workers for their help. The investment became worth it as traders stopped there to resupply and trade goods, allowing the site to become a hub. One of her father's advisors mentioned it had returned nearly thirty per cent of its total cost five years after finishing the build.
"So, we're going for the second one, right," Sun asked, having glazed over at the values. "Just some house we can fix up. Nothing fancy." He looked at all the girls. "We can bunk together, maybe?"
"Separate rooms for each of us," Weiss debated. "I think that's a decent middle ground."
"I'm hurt that you don't want to share a room with me, Weiss," Yang said with a feigned offended tone. "Could have braided each other's hair and talked about boys..."
Ignoring her, Weiss led the way inside the manor. The guards gave the group a nod as they entered the gates. On the front lawn, three staff members gathered to relieve the students of the heavy chest and bag of jewels.
"Please, we can carry these for you," a young woman politely spoke, turning to Yang. The blonde complied and handed the chest over. As the servant took the box, she waited for the group to continue.
"If you follow me, I will show you where we do appraisals," an older man beckoned with a slight bow.
Nice, they noticed...
"You guys have someone who knows about enchanted jewellery," Yang questioned as she followed behind the servants. "Like a mage?"
"Not necessarily," the man replied, shaking his head. "He's well-versed in their value, however. We were sent out here to bring you to him."
"That's creepy," Sun whispered to Ruby.
"There are also many here who you might strike a deal with," the old man continued. "I hear some viscounts from the North Coast have stopped in Vale. Others are here for an exhibit on rare art Sir Von Kanitz acquired just this month. So, adventurers like yourselves won't have difficulty finding those with coin at their disposal."
Taking jewellery to the buyer should be easier than auctioning it. But, we might be able to get a higher price for it if people fight over them.
Climbing the grand staircase leading to the front of the house, the group stood in on a large patio. Other guests were mulling around, conversing, or drinking at the many tables or benches. The deck felt like more of a cafe than a manor's threshold. Though, Weiss quickly noticed how many people were spying on the students were curious glances or hushed whispers.
Should have expected this...
Weiss tuned out anything aside from the manor's front door. Before reaching it, a man walked out and greeted them with open arms. The Mage concluded this was the master of the house and the person who sent the servants for them.
The man was older, around Weiss' father's age. However, he had aged very well, appearing like a handsome nobleman mixed with a pirate. Scars crossed his face along the side of his head and cheek, exposed even under his blackened beard and combed over undercut. He didn't wear a typical doublet and instead was garbed in a fancy silk kontusz secured by buttons and a sash at his waist. At his hip was an above-quality longsword that wasn't adorned with jewels or any engraving. It was a fighting weapon.
"Ms Schnee, knew I recognised you," the man opened in a charming and elegant tone. "What brings you to my humble manor?"
He knows me? I don't think I've ever seen him before.
"I don't believe we've met," Weiss replied in a similarly polite tone. "However, I'm here with my friends to sell off some jewellery we recovered from a lost Valean city."
"Sounds like an interesting tale; I would be glad to hear it as we look over these artefacts," he expressed, turning and gesturing for the group to come inside. Reaching for the door, he opened it, allowing everyone to pass through before he followed behind. "I'm Grimwald Von Kanitz. I was a friend of Klein back when we were in the army. He's one of my best mates. Sends me letters every couple of months, keeping me updated on what's happening in Atlas."
At the mention of the Schnee Family butler, Klein, Weiss perked up. Few outside her family knew of their friendship. Klein was one of the only people the Princess trusted in Atlas aside from Winter. She even considered him a second father or honorary uncle. That's how much she cared for the older man.
Grimwald knew who Klein was. That fact alone was everything Weiss needed to know.
"Klein rarely mentions anything about his career in the army," Weiss replied, falling back to walk at Grimwald's side.
Klein only said he served a few years when he was younger...
"Eh, he's not one to relive those days," Grimwald clarified sourly. "It's a tough life. To his detriment, the man is far too gentle to be a soldier. Great medic, however. I'd have liked to see him tending to the injured as a civilian than a soldier. That's where he's at his best." He stopped in the centre of the foyer, turning to the children and clasping his hands together. "But enough of that, it's Klein's story to tell. We've our own business to attend to." He gestured to a room off to the side of the main foyer. "We can discuss the jewellery you've brought in here. There are also refreshments if you'd like some."
"I'll hang out here," Sun said, looking around the room and eyeing the art and valuables locked behind glass. "Got some pretty cool stuff."
"Me too," Yang expressed, turning to a nearby bar. "I'll let you guys handle this one. I want to talk to some people."
"Please look at some of the pieces I've got on display," Grimwald encouraged. "We're not holding an auction today, but feel free to mingle as you desire."
With that, Ruby and Weiss split from their friends. Grimwald ushered them inside a large office and gestured to a table they could sit at. Looking around the room, it was a simple office in the same fachwerk design as the rest of the manor. Bookcases lined the walls and were separated by large windows that allowed light to pour into the room, revealing a desk with an adjacent fireplace. Overall, it felt like the study of a noble or businessman with touches of a soldier's life.
"This house is really nice," Ruby expressed, plopping down at the round table. "You bought it just doing auctions?"
"No, I won my fortune through cards and lucky trades," Grimwald answered, pouring himself a small cup. "Some nobles have a bad combination of terrible hands and a reluctance to quit. It's fairly easy to gamble them for whatever coin they've in their purses." He then looked to the girls and gestured with the jug in his hand. "Would you like some?"
"I can't drink," Ruby denied, shaking her head. "Still healing from an injury..."
"It's grape juice," Grimwald explained, grabbing two cups for the girls. "I rather detest the taste of alcohol myself." He quickly poured their drinks before sitting down across from them. "However, I would like to look over these artefacts. I'm sure we can come to a deal over a story of your adventures."
[Two Hours Later]
"You managed to survive that," Grimwald asked Ruby with an expression of wonderment painted on his face. "A stab through the heart whilst being poisoned?"
The conversation had been a pleasant one. This old man with years of experience under his belt was rendered to a small child hearing a tale from their parents. He'd listened attentively as he examined what had been brought to his manor, nearly losing his focus on the jewellery in favour of their speech.
"Uh-huh," Ruby exclaimed with a nod. "It was close. I got really lucky."
You almost didn't...
"Yes, these Descendants concocted potent poisons to deal with the predators living further in the tunnels," Weiss added. "Having your circulatory system damaged was the least that could happen."
"I'm sure of that," Grimwald agreed. "At least you managed to recover these pieces. They're of exquisite quality. Though, I'd like to see the ruins from myself... From your description, they seem like quite the sight to behold."
"Talk to Dr Oobleck, and he might let you tag along," Ruby suggested. "Might be fun to go with."
"Perhaps, but I'm not built for those adventures anymore; I'll leave it to you young folk," he replied with a chuckle. "But back to business." He picked up a necklace and activated the magic contained within. A trio of dancing lights emerged from his hand, bouncing around the room. "If you're unaware of any current trends among Vale's nobles, illusion or conjuration enchantments have become a fad. Those who don't outright fear magic will spend quite a bit of coin to acquire these for parties or gifts for their children. The gems and ordinary jewellery would be prized by merchants or the wealthier craftsmen in the kingdom. So, you have no small amount of coin to be made from selling your treasure." He looked to the girls, switching from Weiss to Ruby. "What I can do is hold these for auction. My men will sell them or have them auctioned off to the highest bidders."
"How much do you think these are worth," Weiss interjected before Grimwald could continue his spiel.
"At the least, forty-five thousand lien," Grimwald answered. "I can guarantee that much. If you'd like, I would sign a letter of credit to you, saying their worth, serving in place of coin. If what you've brought me goes for a far greater price, I will send you the excess. All for a commission of ten per cent of their final value."
Forty-five thousand!
Weiss felt her heart skip a beat, hearing that value. Ruby's jaw hit the table. The two girls looked at each other, completely speechless. They needed to check if the other heard what Grimwald had said.
[Yang]
"Heh," Yang laughed to herself, gently swirling her drink as she sat at the bar.
"U-Um, are you sure," Ruby stuttered in a fit of nervousness. "That's a lot of gold..."
You got this, Rubes.
Yang heard everything that was going on inside this manor. She spent much of her time listening in on Weiss and Ruby. But, hearing the price tag on their treasures and the girls' reactions made the Brawler regret not sitting in on the talks. Yang wanted to see their faces.
They'll be all right.
Focusing back on her surroundings, Yang's vampiric senses were overclocked. All the little conversations, smells, or ambient noises were her's to witness. None were any wiser to the fierce blonde eavesdropping on their gossip. She just appeared to be a lone girl come to grab a drink and peruse the goods.
"Did you see that young man who came through earlier," a noblewoman said to her friend. "What was his name? I thought I'd seen him with the King earlier this week..."
"John, maybe," another noblewoman pondered. "Was he a faunus? I don't remember seeing a tail... He also seems like a ruffian without that armour."
"We should go talk to him." Their heels clicking further into the mansion signalled their exit from the foyer.
Heh... Sun's got some admirers.
Yang wasn't sure where he'd gone, but she figured he would be fighting off the girls with a stick. Couldn't blame them for mixing the boys up if you'd only seen them once. They really did look like cousins or brothers if you squinted hard enough. Jaune, the cute boy next door, and Sun, the roguish bad boy of the pairing.
Next to her, someone sat down, placing a heavy sack of coins on the bar. She hadn't noticed them walk up to her, but looking over, Sun had appeared without a word. He stretched his arms and legs out on the stool, appearing to have gotten bored in the last few hours.
Hmmm...
Smelling the air, Yang noticed someone else's scent on the coin purse. It had the faint hint of ambergris and citrus. Not anything Sun would ever use. Only a nobleman with serious gold would be able to afford that kind of perfume.
"So, who'd you snag the coin from," Yang asked, adjusting herself to appear casual at the bar.
The question made Sun pause, forcing him to concoct whatever story he'd need to use. "Guy named Ernst Reiling," he revealed in a hushed tone, looking to avoid the bartender's attention. "Runs a textile shop in Vale. Blake figured out he was buying stuff from some slave plantations."
What scheme does our kitty cat have planned?
Blake hated the slavers; that much was evident. From that single fact Sun let her in on, it told the blonde she was gathering dirt on everyone connected to the slave trade. How else would Sun know about him? All he would need from there was a mention of his name in conversation.
"Anyone else," Yang questioned further. "Too risky to pull it off again here."
"Nope, just him..."
Good...
As their conversation waned, Yang heard the door to Grimwald's office open behind them. She turned to see Ruby and Weiss walking out after shaking hands with the knight. Her little sister had a document in her hands, holding it as tight as possible and staring at it like she was trying to burn a hole through it.
"T-That's so much gold," Ruby thought while Yang read her mind. "Can't lose this!"
I won't let you, Ruby.
"How'd it go," Sun asked from the bar as the girls walked over. "Give you a good price?"
"Yes, it was a generous offer," Weiss confirmed, gesturing to the document. "A letter of credit and a guarantee of ninety per cent of any earnings beyond forty-five thousand lien."
Sun's face contorted into a worried expression. "You sure that was a good idea?"
Before Weiss could reply, Yang grabbed Sun's shoulder and whispered to him, "If he screws us over, me, you, and Blake can come by later."
There'd be hell to pay if Grimwald fleeced her baby sister out of that treasure. Stealing it back and then some along with burning his manor to the ground was how Yang felt the favour to be returned.
"Got it," Sun said. "Nevermind, I guess we know where he lives." He looked to the girls. "Want to get going? We can find Ren and Nora and show them what we got."
"Lead the way..."
...
Returning to Beacon, Yang smelled the scents of their friends on the street. Before they'd spotted them, she felt they'd just passed through. As they rounded their last corner, everyone, including Taiyang and Cinder, had gathered by the front gate. Each was waiting for their arrival.
"Ruby, we found something," Nora yelled at the group despite being a hundred metres away. "You have to see it!"
When they got within speaking distance, Nora bolted right up to the group. The biggest smile Yang thought possible was stretched across her lips. Whatever it was, it made Nora ecstatic beyond her normal bounds.
"Me and Renny found something," Nora practically screamed, uncaring of those passing by. "It's super awesome! Cinder said she'd teleport all of us there!"
Taking that as her cue, Cinder opened a doorway to this location. The swirling vortex remained stable as their friends passed through to the other side. The final students to follow were the riders'. Midnight and Ash were afraid of the portal, forcing the girls to gain control of the panicked mounts before entering.
"It's okay, boy, just calm down," Yang whispered as she pulled on Midnight's reigns.
Her words were just enough to make Midnight relent. Taking the chance, Yang prodded him to run through as fast as he could. In less than a second, they had left Vale and ended up somewhere else entirely.
As Cinder exited the portal, it closed behind her. With everyone here, the group took stock of just where they had ended up. In front of them was a large manor sequestered in the middle of some woods. Its grounds and main structure had seemingly fallen into disrepair over the years. To be more accurate, it had been abandoned. Nearly every window had been boarded up or had been broken.
Yang wasn't an expert on architecture, but she could tell it was a lot like Grimwald's house. The main differences were the layout and some design changes. It was a sizeable E-type floor plan with three floors and windows facing out of every exterior room. The first floor was a stone-walled base with timbered frames and plaster for the second and third. The roof was of a gentle slope, covered in wooden shingles, many of which had decayed or gone missing.
Outside, a small circle was constructed from cobbled stone around a well. Beyond that were unkempt grass and wild plants growing all around. Adjacent to the main house was a small three-floored cottage of the same design, built to house servants. Attached was a small shack with a chimney sticking out of the top.
"See, guys, I told you it was cool," Nora exclaimed as she went out in front of the group. "We found it a few hours ago. House is only a couple miles away from Vale too, so it's like a half-hour walk!"
"You've been inside," Cinder asked, placing a hand on her hip. From her expression, she wasn't sure about this place.
I know how you're feeling, Cinder. This place is a total shithole...
"Yeah, Ren, tell them about it."
"Most of the damage is cosmetic," Ren explained in a clear tone. "I only noticed a few floor joists that need to be replaced, but everything else appears intact. We would only need to replace any rotting floorboards and plaster some walls to make the house livable."
Really?
"Just need a few carpenters to take care of that," Tai pointed out. "Might cost some gold, but I think it's worth the price if everything else is okay."
"We could set up somewhere to train in the yard too," Pyrrha expressed, glancing around the massive property. "There's so much space to work with..."
Guess she likes it.
"Let's go inside," Ruby insisted, walking as fast as her injured body would carry her. "Come on!"
As if by compulsion, the entire group followed along. Stepping over the home's threshold, Yang's nose was assaulted by two things. There was the powerful scent of a vampire and a dead body somewhere. Neither caused Yang to say anything outright, but she immediately went on high alert.
Mikhail?
No, he's not here. That smell is too old.
This house had been the lair of a vampire at one point. He'd left his meal lying dead in one of the manor's many rooms. Though she wasn't sure if any other surprises were waiting for the group, so Yang tread carefully.
Wandering from room to room, the students came across a kitchen, what seemed like a dozen bedrooms, a rundown greenhouse, a dining room, a living room with a large fireplace, a library, and an observatory. The entire home was spacious enough for just the nine members of their group by themselves. Likely, they could house as many as thirty people all at once in the main house.
"The cottage has a workshop," Jaune said, having come in from the outside. "Enough space for a smithy and all my stuff too."
"I think I'll take the top floor of the cottage," Weiss expressed, following Jaune inside. "If you want the second, we might turn the house into an armoury. An enchanting table would be perfect to go along with the forge."
"That sounds great," Jaune exclaimed with an excited look on his face. "We just have to find the stuff for that!"
"If you want some help, I can speak with Professor Goodwitch about it," Cinder proposed. "There's enough space here I could have my lab, and we may work together in it."
Guess they're sold.
"The main house has about nine-thousand square feet," Ren speculated as he stood in the living room. "With just us, we can take a few rooms for ourselves and use the rest for storage. The greenhouse would be ideal for an alchemy laboratory..."
"Maybe a bit bigger, but you're close to it," Tai agreed, pressing his foot on a rotten floorboard. "You could also grow some herbs in the greenhouse and plant crops out in the yard."
"I like that," Nora expressed, sitting on an old table. "Make some homemade pancakes too!"
"Oh yeah, I got some ideas for what we can do in the greenhouse, Ren," Ruby began. "Maybe try coming up with a knockout gas or something like that..."
Yang smiled as she listened to everyone gush about the house. It was nice they all liked it for what it was worth. However, her focus turned to the dead body. Without saying a word, she slipped away and began looking for the source of the smell.
It didn't take Yang long to find it. Beyond a closed door, she found a stairway leading into the basement. Her vampiric eyes allowed her to see into the darkness with only a minor loss in colour. This feature was necessary in the decrepit bowels of the manor. Most would have broken their necks on the debris littering the floor.
Reaching the base of the stairs, Yang found the culprit. A lone corpse was lying in the centre of the room. Old dried blood-stained the tiled floor from when his jugular vein was ripped open. Just discarded here like a piece of trash after a full meal.
"What happened to him?"
"Vampire got him, looks like," Yang replied to the person behind her.
Looking over her shoulder, Yang made out the figure of Blake. Her body was difficult to see even with dark vision. The Assassin appeared more like an amorphous shadow than a person from her perspective.
"We'll have to take him into town tomorrow," Blake said, stepping down to investigate the scene. "Doesn't seem to have been dragged here..."
Looking around the room, Yang discerned this was a bath. A large basin around ten feet deep was in the centre of the space, rising to only three at its most shallow. To the side, a single tub was nestled against the wall.
"It's not gonna scare you away?"
"No," Blake replied, shaking her head. "I like it here."
[Ruby: Later that night]
Ruby laid on her bedroll, watching the sky. The cloudless night revealed all the stars in perfect clarity to her. Insects and birds chirped ceaselessly into the night, creating a cacophony of noise to fill the forest. A cool breeze swept through the camp, chilling her skin before being replaced by the warmth of the campfire.
She was so happy right now. Everyone had quickly grown to Nora and Ren's house. It was what they searched for, after all. The house had everything they needed and more.
Tomorrow, her dad would poke around and see who to talk to about buying this place. In the meantime, the group made camp in the front yard. They would start working on cleaning the house up and getting rid of the trash come morning. The manor would likely be perfect for moving in or getting carpenters to work on it within a few days.
The group's plans hadn't gone exactly the way they wanted, but they were finally here. They had the first meaningful steps completed with gold and a possible house. Both came at great risk and sacrifice, but it was done.
Once we get the gold from the ruins, we'll have enough money to take that trip to Anima or Solitas next year...
I know we can do it.
"I'll tell you how cool it is when I come back, Mom," Ruby whispered to herself.
I hope you're proud of us.
Okay, so we have a house now. Picture, Canonteign Manor in the clearing of a small forest with everything I described.
Yang has a bit of a dark side. The girl we have seen for all these chapters is not quite the one that's being revealed to us.
Weiss has taken it up to hugging now.