As my horse neared the gate, I dismounted, making sure my hood was in no danger of falling. As if signaling my approach, a roar of thunder echoed across the sky. Grabbing the reins of my horse, I slowly walked to the gate, an elderly man pushing it opening and waving me inside the town.

"I'll send somebody to let the Lady Arc know you've arrived, master hunter," the elderly man said, pointing at a relatively young boy and making a 'shoo' gesture at him. "If you'll follow me, I'll lead ya to the town hall."

I nodded at the elderly man and handed Shadowmere's reins to a stable hand standing nearby. "Take care of my horse boy," I told him in a low voice. The stable hand nodded vigorously and carefully led my horse away.

As I followed the elderly man, I could feel dozens of eyes follow my movements, many curious, some suspicious. We approached a large building scarred from what seemed to be fire. The elderly man slowly started pushing the door open, his old age making it a challenge. Frowning, I helped the old man push the doors open and he shambled over to a chair and sat down.

"These ol' bones aren't what they used to be," he said tiredly. "Thank ya for helping with the door, kid." I smiled softly from under my hood.

I went to say something to him, only for a pair of footsteps to cut me off. Turning towards the still-open door, I watched as a breathtaking blonde woman walked into the town hall, wearing a full set of silver plate armor.

"You are the hunter I sent for, yes?" the blonde questioned. I nodded. "Good. My name is Joan Arc. You are?"

I crossed my arms. "You can call me Nightshade," I told the blonde warrior. The woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully before gesturing for me to follow her.

We entered another room, this one housing a table with an old map on it. On the map was a dagger stabbed into a certain area.

"In times recent, this town has been plagued by a witch. A witch with the ability to throw fire from her hands. The townsfolk sent a messenger to Silver Court, begging for us to help them. I was sent here. The day after I arrived, a witch showed up, demanding I leave if I value my life. I grabbed my arms and armor and we battled. The aftermath can be seen either on this building, or with my shield," the warrior said, gesturing to a shield that had almost melted completely.

"I know not of her intentions, but this witch has made it clear she means harm. You might be wondering why I do not simply hunt this witch down," I nodded. "Should I leave to hunt the witch down, I will leave this down without defense, as the local guards are still injured from when the witch first appeared. If I leave this town defenseless, there will be no way to protect the town should the rest of the coven attack."

I nodded thoughtfully. "A sound strategy, Lady Arc," I complimented.

The knightess blushed. "Please do not call me that. The locals in this village assumed I was of royal birth, and gave me that title. Call me Joan."

"Very well Joan. Where do you recommend I start my hunt?"

Joan pointed to where the dagger was stabbed into the map. "When I fought the witch, I gave chase as she fled and tracked her to this marshland. Due to the conditions, I couldn't continue to track her path. I am hoping you can, as King Ozpin speaks volumes of praise about his mighty hunters."

I opened a patch on my left bracer and pulled a stick of charcoal out and started drawing a quick path from the town to the marshland on a sheet of parchment.

"If you do not mind my asking," Joan started, making me look up. "Are you the same Nightshade that slayed a family of drake Grimm?" I felt my face heat up, and was glad my hood hid my face.

"Yes, that would be me. I take it word travels far?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

"I heard from a close friend of mine that works as a royal courier. She claimed to have met you, funnily enough," Joan said, smiling softly. I thought back to that event from a year ago, trying to remember any sort of courier.

"I don't quite recall. Might I trouble you to describe her?" I asked Joan.

"She's a person of small stature, black hair with the ends colored red, very energetic and prone to excitement."

I searched through my memories, trying to find anyone matching that description. "Ruby?" Joan nodded. "I remember her now. She was a very happy person, always talking about her friends and her family. I do seem to recall her saying something about a brilliant knight that I might like meeting," I said with a smirk, watching Joan's face burn bright red.

"As entertaining as this might be," a new voice cut in, making us turn to the newcomer. "I'm sure you have a job to do."

I frowned at the hostility of this newcomer. "Still angry that I could fight the witch but you could not Cardin?" Joan asked, a blank expression on her face.

"You got lucky, girl," Cardin said, seething. Joan scoffed.

"Regardless of my luck, I drove the witch away when you failed to," Joan said icily. "He has a point, however. I wish you luck with you hunt, Nightshade."

I nodded, shouldering past the angry local and heading towards the front gates. When I reached them, I headed to the stable where Shadowmere was being kept, grabbing my gear from his saddle. Running my thumb along Gambol Shroud's blade to check its sharpness, I heard rapid footsteps approach.

The boy from the gate earlier ran into the stables, out of breath and holding a package. "Lady Arc sent me to bring you this. She said to tell you that it has never failed to bring her luck in a fight and hopes it will help you as it has her."

Grabbing the bundle from the boy, I opened it to see a beautifully crafted silver necklace that smelt somewhat of wolfsbane. I put the necklace on and nodded to the boy. "Give her my thanks."

Ignoring the boy, I turned to Shadowmere and patted the stallion on the nose. "You'll be staying here for this hunt buddy. I will not risk you getting hurt by some foul witch." The horse tossed his head as if disagreeing with me. Chuckling at my horse, I slid Gambol Shroud into the sheath and attached it to my belt.

Drawing my hood closer around me, I walked out the gate and started making my way to the marshlands drawn on the small map, the quiet croaking of frogs my only companion.

Arriving at what I could only assume to be the clearing Joan mentioned, I placed my hand on the hilt of Gambol Shroud. Pulling the weapon free, I waded through the clearing towards a tall and old oak tree that loomed over the clearing.

As I neared the tree, my vision suddenly went blurry and the world around me was coated in a gray haze. Illusion magic, I thought.

"Show yourself, witch! Your illusion magic does not affect me!" I shouted, hurrying to wipe the haze from my eyes.

"You'll be even more of a problem than I originally thought, then," a voice behind me stated. I spun around and faced a dark-toned woman with green hair. The witch smirked. "You may not be affected by illusion magic," she started, holding out her hands and summoning a ball of fire in each hand. "But fire burns all!"

I threw myself to my left as the witch launched both fireballs at me, soaking my clothes in the process. Scrambling to my feet, I tightened my grip on Gambol Shroud and sprinted towards the witch, forcing her to retreat. Instead of completely charging at her, I stopped a few feet away, staring her down and holding a hand behind my back.

"What's the matter? Scared?" the witch mocked. I smirked behind my cowl, activating the trigger of my wrist crossbow. I held Gambol Shroud up and narrowed my eyes at the witch, preparing to attack.

I lunged forward, Gambol Shroud raised in a feint. The witch frantically threw her hand up, and I felt the water beneath me respond, exploding up and flinging me back and knocking Gambol Shroud out of my hands.

I slowly pushed myself up, staggering to my feet. Wiping the water from my eyes, I looked up, my eyes going wide in shock and pain as I felt a blade pierce my chest, slightly below my ribcage. The witch smirked and pushed the blade deeper.

"Not so much of a problem after all," the witch said arrogantly. My arm shot out, grabbing onto her shoulder. I raised my left arm and fired my wrist crossbow into the witch's neck. The witch staggered back and collapsed, dead. Grabbing the hilt of Gambol Shroud, I jerked the bloody blade out of my chest.

Shakily raising my hand to my mouth, I let out a sharp whistle, hoping Shadowmere would hear. Pressing my other hand against my wound, I leaned against a close tree, breathing heavily. I thanked any deity that listened when Shadowmere galloped into the marsh clearing, sending water up with every step. The black stallion reached me and lowered himself, making it easier for me to get on his back. Once I had situated myself, I patted Shadowmere's neck lightly. Once the stallion started moving my vision started going black. Shadowmere hadn't left the clearing when I blacked out.

When I started coming to, I could hear a pair of voices arguing intensely. I tried to move only for somebody to hold me down as voices became clearer.

"-waking up!"

"-give her – now you-"

"-ang on Night-"

The voices faded out as I blacked out again.

The next time I came to, it was silent. Slowly opening my eyes, I waited for my eyes to focus. When my eyes were no longer blurry, I pushed myself up and looked around.

"Oh good. You're not dead. I'll let Lady Arc know," a voice said, making me turn towards the door just in time see it close. Reaching behind me, I adjusted the pillow on the bed and leaned against the wall. I was sitting in silence for a few minutes before the door flew open, revealing Joan and the old man that was at the gate.

"I'm glad to see you awake," Joan said, sitting down in a chair next to the bed.

The old man chuckled. "I told ya she'd be fine. Have a little faith in your elders, kid."

"Yes, I suppose I should have trusted your skill with medicine, old man," Joan said. "Now then, tell me what happened."

I sat up a little more, wincing when I felt pain flare in my side, quickly grabbing my stomach. The old man was at my side in an instant pushing my hands away and rolling up my tunic to look at the wound. The old man slowly peeled away the bloody bandages and made a sound when the wound was revealed. The skin around the stab wound was paler than the rest of my skin, likely due to blood loss. The old man fished a roll of clean bandages and a small unlabeled jar out of a bag he had. Opening the jar, the old man placed a pale-colored paste on his fingers, and spread it over the wound. I winced as he spread the cold paste over the fresh wound. Once the old man finished tending to the wound, he wrapped my midsection with a cover of fresh bandages. "Now that my work is done, I'll leave you two ladies to your business. My wife is likely worried sick," the old man said, gathering his supplies and walking out the room, closing the door behind him.

"Now that you are clear to speak, tell me what happened," Joan said. I gave a tired sigh.

"I got to the clearing you showed me on the map and the witch appeared. She threw me off my feet, disarming me in the process. The witch grabbed my blade and stabbed me with it. When she did, I shot her with my hand crossbow. Speaking of, where is my gear?" I asked Joan. She gestured to a bundle wrapped in linen.

"I must thank you," Joan said. I looked at her questioningly. "Had it not been for your actions, this witch would likely still be terrorizing these people. You succeeded where I failed. For this, you have my utmost respect." I felt my face heat up at the blonde knightess's praise.

Before I could reply to what Joan said, the door was thrown open. "Lady Arc! You must come quickly, there is a witch demanding to speak with you!" a villager said in a rush. Joan quickly stood up and slung a shield resting against the wall over her back and marched outside. The villager looked at me with wide, panicked eyes. "You must help her! She can't handle a fight with both!"

"Both?" I asked.

"There is a powerful witch and a warlock here! You must help Lady Arc!" the villager said frantically. Nodding at the boy, I stood up, ignoring the pain in my side, and grabbed the bundle with my gear. Forgoing my usual outfit, I grabbed Gambol Shroud and my wrist crossbow and quickly put the gear on.

I rushed outside, followed by the panicked villager. Joan was standing in front of a witch dressed in red dress and silver-haired warlock. The witch looked over towards me and sneered. "Mercury." The warlock looked towards the witch. "Kill the mutt." I growled in anger at the witch's insult. The warlock smirked and walked towards me.

"If you give up now, I'll make your death painless," the warlock said with a smirk. I responded by drawing Gambol Shroud and shooting an arrow into his shoulder. The warlock growled in anger. "I'll rip you limb from limb!" he bellowed, ripping the arrow out of his shoulder. I shoved the boy behind me and ignored Joan and the witch starting to fight. The warlock's hands ignited with fire as he charged towards me, leaving trails of embers as he swung at me. Ducking under the first swing, I almost collapsed when pain shot through my chest. Taking advantage of pause, the warlock hit me in my chest and threw me on my back. I struggled to push myself up when the warlock's boot connected with my stomach, making me cry out in pain.

The warlock smirked down at me. "How does it feel Knightshade? Knowing you, the mighty Grimm hunter, was brought down by a warlock? How does it feel mutt?!"

I let a shaky breath. "I'm not a dog, I'm a cat!" I shouted and stabbed him in his right knee. The warlock let out a pained shouted and jumped back. Breathing heavily, he ripped Gambol Shroud out of his leg and glared at me with murder in his eyes. Before he had the chance to act, a golden gauntlet smashed into the side of his face and the warlock crumpled.

I slowly started to climb to my feet when a hand grabbed my shoulder and roughly pulled me up. Turning towards the person who helped me up, I let out a pained laugh. "Always had a habit of arriving at just the right time, eh Blake?" Yang asked. I nodded in relief and the brawler pressed Gambol Shroud into my hand. "You help her, I'll handle this scum," she said, gesturing to the unconscious warlock.

Joan and the witch were trading blows, forcing each other on the defensive and back. I dashed over, raised my blade, and slashed downward, giving the witch a nasty slice from her right shoulder to her lower back. The witch staggered forward, dropping her blade, and Joan stabbed the witch in her chest. "You chose the wrong person to fight," Joan said and shoved the witch off her blade. "Thank you," she said to me. I nodded.

"Well that certainly was fun!" Yang exclaimed brightly. Joan just stared at Yang blankly.

"Not that I'm complaining, but why are you here Yang?" I asked the brawler. Yang gestured to the warlock.

"Bounty hunting. Got a tip that this scumbag was here. Arrived at the nick of time it seems," Yang explained. "Well, as fun as this was, I'm going to bring this fool to Vale so I can claim the bounty on him. Catch you later kitty cat," Yang said with a wink towards me. I shook my head at my friend's antics. Yang grabbed the warlock by his feet and dragged him away.

With the rush of combat disappearing, I became aware of the sharp pain in my chest, and staggered, Joan catching me before I could fall. "Let's get you inside and make sure you didn't get hurt again," the knightess said, smiling softly.

I ruffled Shadowmere's hair as the black stallion tossed his head. "I'm fine buddy. Somewhat worse for wear, but fine," I comforted my horse. Placing a foot in the stirrup, I hoisted myself on Shadowmere's back.

"Leaving already Nightshade?" I turned to face Joan as she leaned against the door of the stables.

"My job here is done. I see no reason to remain," I answered calmly, adjusting my mask. Joan nodded slowly.

"Mind if I travel with you?" My head shot up. "Don't look so surprised. It's a long ways to Beacon, and even further to the Silver Court. I could use a bit of company. What do you say Nightshade?" Joan asked, mounting a tan horse.

I smirked and tossed Joan her necklace back. "Call me Blake, and do try and keep up," I said, and urged Shadowmere forward, the stallion rearing up and launching himself into a gallop.

Fin.

I'm not dead! Yay! I surprised myself with this chapter. Didn't expect it to clear 3000 words. If it seems to jump around, I wrote what came to my mind. Didn't have any sort of plan for this. Until next time. –Dys.