A/N: Hello everyone, it has been awhile. Thank you very much for reading.
Artesys- I am glad that you enjoyed the last chapter. I felt like it was a stroke of genius to have Asher be a little unsung hero. I am sure that the others will see him as a good guy. He is beneath his flirtatious nature.
Hofund- Thank you for your review. I am glad that you enjoyed the chapter.
Firealis- I do like to think that they all have become closer and in that they are worried for each other. Asher is a sweetheart, isn't he.
There was so much to take in. Oriole couldn't even focus on her captors. The ceiling was higher than the grand hall back at Dale. It was domed with gold fixings. The light from the sun made the stained glass glisten. She couldn't recognize the stories depicted with the colored glass. The marble floor was cold under her battered bare feet. Hooded men shuffled to and for as they lit the candles on the candle sticks. She watched as they placed red flowers at the foot of a large gold statue. The statue of the man was imposing.
"Miss Amari, you have requested an audience with me?" A man's deep voice called out. In comparison to the the other hooded men, this man's hood was down. His old seasoned face told of past sorrow. His dark brown eyes looked over the trio. The war lord and her second in command looked like a contaminant in the sacred place. Filth that needed to be removed, though Oriole thought she probably looked the same.
"Yes, can we sit somewhere to speak," Amari asked, folding her arms across her chest. Demetri narrowed his blue eyes threateningly at the old man.
"But of course, my conference room is this way. Follow me," the man answered as he turned as shuffled away. The visitors walked silently behind as the elder led to an unimpressive wooden door. He opened this door and allowed the three to enter.
The table and chairs in the bare room were plain. "Please sit where you will like," the old man said, waving his hand over the room. Demetri guided Oriole to a seat beside him and Amari took the one next to him. The man sat on a seat across from the group. "I am surprised that you have requested to see me. Not many outside Nullah know me by name."
"I am only a concerned citizen of Remnant with a desire for change. A Remnant united," Amari replied.
"Is this your reasoning for abducting the princess of Dale?" the man asked, looking directly at the orange-haired girl. He looked at her down his nose. "We do not speak with their kind." Oriole frowned at the man. "The Dalians have turned their back on the Brother when they freed Faunus from slavery. The Faunus are less than human and only exist to serve humans."
"True, the people in Dale are foolish and those who rule it are incompetant," Amari replied, smoothly.
"Excuse me? I escaped from you twice already. The incompetant one seems to be you," Oriole snapped. She grinned at the angry expression on the other woman's face.
"If you escaped, why are you here? You gave up your freedom for the life of a Faunus," Amari replied. The old man wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"She's a friend," Oriole defended her voice was a bit uncertain. Was the Faunus really a friend? A friend would have helped her escape. "She's a good person," the princess said more confidently.
The religious leader and war lord had ignored her to continue their conversation. "As you said the people of Dale are misguided. The Glen, Rift, and Ravine are in the same position. Between the city-states is nothing but danger. If we had a strong leader, we can unite and bring the other states to the light," Amari stated.
"Why come to me? Dale and the Glen are allies and each have a large number of huntsmen in their guildes?" the old man asked. "Nullah doesn't have the strength to challenge both."
"Dale will bend to our will now that we have Oriole. They will be mere puppets on our strings now that both heirs are lost," Amari replied. "With my army, we can easily take the Glen. Rudol is searching for his youngest son, Emir. Their huntsmen are scattered and they suspect the Rift. The Ravine is suffering political unrest since the Vermell's assasination. Now is the ripe time for us to unite Remnant."
"Why should Nullah follow you? We may have the strength to conquer the others, but why should we follow you?" the old man asked.
Amari smirked, "Because the Brother has chosen me." The old man rose an eyebrow. "Allow me to explain. You believe in four maidens that have power bestowed upon them by the Brother." The Amari's eyes began to glow, giving off a pink light. A mini tornado formed in her upturned hand. The old man looked shocked, his jaw dropping. "What do you say?"
"You have indeed have been blessed by the Brother. But where are the other three. I cannot make a decision until I see them." Amari growled and ground her teeth. "Very well. But when the Grim come crashing through your walls, you will know that the Brother disapproved of you and your people will know it as well. If you will excuse us," Amari stood suddenly. Demetri pulled Oriole to her feet. The three walked out. Oriole struggled to keep her balance as the taller man pulled her roughly and quickly as he followed his boss.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Carmine counted the coin that he was paid. The shorter bespeckled man standing in front of him was waving him along. "You were paid, mercenary. Leave our company," the man said. Carmine stuffed the coins into his pouch and walked across the encampment. The men were standing as if waiting for orders. They shifted impatiently, giving him no notice as he walked to the campsite that was his.
Sitting by the campfire was Roux. The Faunus girl was tending to the fire; it was a sight he was used to from this journey. The picture wasn't complete without the princess chattering and the two laughing. The mercenary slightly missed the noise. Her ears twitched as he stepped on a tiny twig, purposely announcing his presence. "Hey handsome, how did it go?" She asked putting a hand on her hip.
"I got my payment. I will be returning to my home," Carmine replied coolly. Roux nodded, looking at the crackling flames. She busied herself by tossing more twigs into the fire. The taller man crouched beside his bag and began packing it. He traveled light so it wouldn't take long.
"It was nice to meet you. I hope you get all that you want," Roux said, her voice a bit wistful. "We'll miss teasing you." She was avoiding his gaze.
"Your company wasn't too bad," Carmine said, he tossed his full bag over his shoulder. Silence grew between the two. The mercenary couldn't leave things like this. "It may be a while till my next job. I may travel the continent searching for work, who knows what people I will meet. Maybe some Faunus as annoyingly orange as you."
Roux perked up, " My siblings. If you find them, can you direct them to the guild building in Rift? I am willing to pay you anything." Her ears stood on end, her eyes looked up at him in a way that made the mercenary shift uncomfortably. He never really saw someone look at him so hopefully. The Faunus woman reached into her money pouch. She held out the half full bag to him. "I can get more."
Carmine took the bag and looked inside. Copper coins shone back at him before he tossed it back to her. "I don't accept payments until the job is done, completely done. I expect my full payment when I find them all." Roux blinked in surprise before giving him a cheeky grin. Her eyes looked wet though she wiped it away.
"Aww, look who has a heart," she cooed, "Too bad Oriole isn't here. She would enjoy seeing this."
Carmine bristled at her tone, "It is just good business practice. I must be off. Every moment I am here is another minute that I am not making money." He looked away from the woman.
"Thank you, Carmine," the Faunus woman called out as the mercenary walked away. He looked back once and gave her a small wave. He turned away once again and walked away. It was quiet, his footsteps nearly silent.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Jay looked beside him to his companion. Tanya's tawny hair was starting to curl as it dried. The quiet between them was comfortable but the prince did miss the noise and buzz that surrounding his ragtag group of rescuers. He wanted to talk to her but about what. What did he know about her? "So where are you from, Tanya?" Jay asked. "I don't think you said."
Her beautiful chestnut eyes looked at him. She was judging him on some criteria he did not know. "I'm from Nullah," she answered simply. Her voice didn't hold a lovingly tone rather one of anxiety.
"This must be like coming home then," Jay said. "Maybe you can show me around. Tell me more about Nullah. All I know are rumors." He said trying not to let any of his distaste of the city state's leadership show.
Tanya cut a branch to clear their path. She shook her head. "No, I rather not return to Nullah. I… don't have good memories there." Her whole body sagged tiredly.
"Would you like to sit down? You look tired," Jay asked, reaching out to hold her shoulders to hold her up. He released her immediately. "Sorry I shouldn't touch you without permission."
"I wouldn't mind a short break," Tanya admitted. The two sat on a fallen tree. The prince wished that they had something to eat, but their supplies were gone. Ivy's cart hadn't crossed the bridge before it collapsed. Tanya looked distant, her eyes not seeing the trees.
"You don't have to go to Nullah if you do not want to. You can go wherever you want. I don't want you to feel obligated to follow me," Jay stated. He picked at the loose bark of their seat.
Tanya gave a small smile, "Thank you for your concern, but I can't leave you." The prince jolted at the sentence. His heart raced a little, but he was sure the girl didn't mean it in the way he thought. "Do you remember how we met?"
"Of course, you came up to Shiloh and me outside the guild," Jay stated, "I was very surprised and grateful. I didn't need to offer you anything and you were willing to help."
"Well, we met before. You paid for me before one of the shop keeps got too angry," Tanya replied. "If anything I want to return the favor." She gave him a small smile.
Jay laughed, "It was just fruit, Tanya. A couple pieces of silver would have repaid that. You don't have to risk your life or face Nullah because I bought fruit for you."
"But I do. You are so much more than me. I'm just a worthless F-"
"Stop. Do not finish that sentence," Jay commanded. "You are not worthless. You are one of the most amazing person I know. You have had my back this entire journey just because a couple of pieces of fruit. You saved me on the bridge and Asher from the Death Stalker. Whoever told you that you are worthless is completely wrong." The prince nodded. "I have been around people who are ordered to protect me and to befriend me. But without any orders you have done that."
Tanya smiled softly, "You don't even know me. If you did, you wouldn't say that." She sighed sadly. "We should continue looking for everyone else." She got to her feet as Jay did the same.
The pair walked side by side in silence. The trees were thick, but they could hear Nevermore's flying above. Tanya picked some berries that were starting to shrivel at winter's approach. "I love these," she admitted. "They grow around Nullah. My adoptive parents and I would pick them and my mother would bake a pie with them." She dropped some into Jay's hand.
"They sound nice," Jay admitted, "I wished I knew my mom. She left though, off with her lover."
"I'm sorry to hear that. My mother died when I was fourteen. She got sick and then everything changed," Tanya replied sadly. She tossed the berries to the ground as though they became bitter. She looked at the prince before shaking her head.
"You can tell me if you like. If Oriole taught me anything, is to listen," Jay replied.
"I don't want to bother you," she muttered. Jay crossed his arms and rose an eyebrow. "If you insist. My father blamed me for her getting her sick. The church leaders said that we were cursed for our wrong doings. That was why my mother got sick." The girl wrapped her arms around her waist. She didn't look at him as her tone became watery. "My father, he.. he .. he was going to kill me. I had no choice. I know what I did was wrong, but I didn't want to." The girl's story was deteriorating into sobs.
Jay could connect the dots easily enough; she defended herself. The prince wrapped his arms around the sobbing girl in a hug. She cried and struggled to catch her breath. "You did what you had to do. No one can blame you," he soothed as he patted her back.
"But the Brother says that we shouldn't kill," Tanya replied, "And I killed the man who raised me."
"You killed the person who was going to kill you. I am sure that the Brother understands," Jay replied. He released her from his hug to look at her. She had her head down, looking at the ground. He nudged her chin so she would look up at him. "Tanya, if it is any measure of comfort, as the Prince and Heir of Dale, I pardon you."
Tanya nodded and wiped her tears away. She gave him a grateful smile that made Jay's stomach do a flip. "Let's find the others. I am starting to feel hungry." The prince hurried away from the girl, not looking back at her.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Ivy tossed twigs into the small fire she started. Her blue eyes looked back at her patient. The tall man was laid beside the fire. Salken took in a lot of water and used a lot of aura. She was worried, but he would be fine. He needed a full meal when he woke. And a simple roasted vegetables and berries wouldn't be enough. The older woman picked up her now dry bow. It would be easy to use her Semblance to call an animal to her, but the thought made her sick. No, if she was hunting she wouldn't cheat. She turned away from the river and through the woods. She followed the thin game path worn through the trees.
She walked easily across the ground. Ivy stepped off of the path to wait. She knelt to the ground and waited. She hoped that nothing came by and she would go back to vegetables. As she was about to return to Salken, a rabbit hopped onto the game path. Its nose wiggled in the air sniffing for danger. Ivy silently apologized as she nocked an arrow. She pulled back the drawstring. Ivy hesitated only a second before releasing the arrow. Her aim was true and the arrow struck the rabbit through the eye, killing it instantly. It didn't even twitch as it fell to the ground lifeless. Ivy stood up guiltily and knelt beside the small mammal. "I am so sorry my friend, but Salken needs the nourishment. Your sacrifice has granted us life and will not go to waste," she whispered to the dead animal. She hung her bow off her shoulder and gently picked up the game. She held it tenderly as she return to Salken.
The teen was sitting up, slumped on his knees tiredly. He gave her a glance as she walked towards him. "I will have some food done soon," she explained as she got to skinning the rabbit. Her hands were shaking.
"I can do that if you don't want to," Salken offered, holding his hand out to take the knife. He was quick though sloppy as he skinned and dressed it. He skewered the rabbit and dug the food into the dirt beside the fire. The two were quiet as the food cooked. The two had nothing in common and it showed. The younger man laid out his soaked books. The ink on the pages smeared into an illegible mess.
"Would they dry?" Ivy asked as he looked longingly at the books.
"No, they are ruined. They were rare books as well from my family's private library," Salken admitted. Ivy handed him the small pot. He took a sip of the piping hot stew. The two shared the pot of stew. "Are you using your familiars to search for the others?"
"Yes, I sent out some blue jays to look for them. I hope none of them are hurt," Ivy replied. "The others, not the birds. Though I am concerned for the birds as well." The two shared the cooked rabbit and ate till just the bones remained. They spoke little of the woods and books.
Loud caws overhead stopped the conversation. Ivy looked up to see a large Nevermore perched in the trees above. It was about the size of a small dog. Its red eyes burned brightly.
Ivy could feel her blood run cold. She wasn't in the woods with a young man; she was a young girl. There was blood as animals threw themselves at the Beowulf. Someone stepped in blocking the view. All she could see was yellow robes. The air sparked with electricity, but Ivy was miles away trapped in her mind.
Salken blocked the feathers that shot at the woman who crumbled to the ground. He rose his blade and electricity hit the tree where the Nevermore perched. The bird dove and Salken kept up the lightning. The grimm cawed angrily as it banked. Salken pressured it to keep away. The beast must have decided that it would find an easier meal and it flew away.
Salken turned around to check on Ivy who was still shaking. The reader raked his brain. Was she under some sort of spell? Was the rabbit they ate cursed? A faint memory of reading about something like this sparked. It was called battle shock. When people who saw battle, saw ghosts of past battles. He sat down beside the panicking woman. "Ivy, do you hear me?" he asked. The woman nodded jerkily. "I need you to do something for me," he said calmly. He was sure he was doing this wrong and he wasn't remembering correctly. "Can you list me five things you see? You can take your time," he coaxed.
Ivy rose her head slightly, her blue eyes were jerking side to side. "Trees, the river, you, rocks, a bird," she answered slowly. Her shakes slowed slightly. "Where's the grim?"
"I chased it away. What do you hear?" Salken asked.
Ivy quieted as she listened, "the river's bubbling, birds, I hear the Grim. It's still here," Ivy answered starting to panic again.
"Shh. Where do you hear the Nevermore? Is it close or far?" Salken asked.
"It- it's far away," Ivy answered. She took a deep breath and she appeared to have calmed down. "It's far away," she repeated.
Salken smiled at his success. He could point out how she was afraid of Grim and ask her to explain, but he decided to respect her privacy. "Jay? Tanya? Ivy?" a voice that sounded a lot like Asher called out.
"We're here," Salken called back. A blue bird flew by his face to perch into a tree.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Asher was growing annoyed with the forest. "We need to cross the river," Shiloh stated as the two stopped to catch their breath. Her faded eyes looked over the rushing water. She worried her bottom lip. Asher really didn't like seeing her so nervous, so unsure. The blind girl was always a source of calm assurance.
"We don't have to cross here. There is a shallow portion further ahead. We can cross that easier," Asher suggested. "Besides. Some of the others may have landed on this side of the river." Shiloh nodded and followed the dark-haired teen.
"You know a lot about Remnant," she noted, "I have to admit that I know much less."
Asher shrugged, "It was the only form of escape I had. My dad expects a lot from me and my brothers were all bullies, so books became my escape." The two made good progress through the thick trees.
"I loved to read as well. My father read to me when I was a child. They are some of the most precious memories of mine. It is regretful that your father isn't the same," Shiloh responded, letting Asher guide her away from a particularly sharp plant.
"Ehh, We can't really pick our parents," Asher replied with a shrug. "But we get to pick our friends which is great because I for one like my new friends."
The other girl blushed slightly, "I do as well. I have been looking for a guild to join. Perhaps to find a place to belong once again, but I think I found something better." She smiled cutely.
"Me, right? I know I am a catch," he joked, flexing his arms. The blind girl rolled her eyes.
"No, I meant Jay. Isn't he charming?" she answered, she turned away trying not to laugh at the other's reaction. Asher stood stunned at the honest answer.
"You wound me," Asher replied. Shiloh stopped, putting a finger to her mouth. The teen stopped speaking and mimicked the girl as she knelt close to the ground.
"There's a couple of Ursa's ahead," she stated. "You're still a little low on aura," she stated looking over to him.
"Maybe we can just avoid them," Asher responded. His green eyes looked, searching for the grim.
"It is too late. They smelled us." Shiloh sighed, "I can share my aura with you. It is a part of my Semblance. But be careful we will share everything even damage."
"That's incredible. Don't worry. We can do this," he assured. She nodded before a comforting warmth surrounded him. He clasped her hands. "Let's do this." Both teens stood up drawing attention to themselves.
The large bear-like creatures broke through the underbrush. They were slightly taller than the pair, but judging from their heavy plating they were older than they looked. The two teen separating and each Ursa focused on one of them. Asher trusted Shiloh to hold her own. He unfolded his glider. Using his Semblance, he flew off the ground, giving the Ursa an aura-enforced kick. The beast stumbled. Asher folded the glider. Wind whistled past his ears. He thrust the point of the folded glider between the bone plates of the Ursa. The beast roared. It seized as a bolt of lightning struck its back. Asher manipulated the wind to knock Shiloh's Ursa off its feet as a thanks.
The dark-haired teen rolled under his Ursa's paws and struck its ribs. The Beast roared, but Asher silenced it with another stab through its throat. The Grimm bubbled dissolving into smoke. He looked past his dead opponent to see Shiloh stand confidently over the smoking pile in front of her.
She was beautiful, her burgundy hair becoming loose from its braid. She looked up at him, breathing heavily. The warmth of her aura disappeared quickly, but she kept looking at him. "You were right. This fight was easy."
"Of course, we are a great team," Asher replied confidently. A bird flew between the two. The small blue thing flew around their heads. "A blue jay?" he asked.
"That has to be Ivy," Shiloh struggled to look at the fast bird. "Lead us," she spoke to the small jay. It sung, but flapped loudly down the stream.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Harriet wiped her brow as the last of the Creeps faded away. Her companion dropped off his perch in the trees where he had struck the grim. He landed so softly, his wolf-like ears twitched. "I am impressed," he stated. "You are quite skilled."
Harriet blushed, "Thank you. You are too." The two followed the river. "Have you ever been this far from Dale?" she asked.
"No, though I wished I had before I became Robin," he stated. "It is calm out here. The forest appears to be undisturbed in comparison to Dale."
" I love the flowers here," Harriet stated.
"They grow near Dale as well," Robin stated bluntly.
"I guess I never took the time to notice them. Whenever I went into the woods it was to train. Survival training."
Robin frowned and his ears turned back. Harriet found it interesting that she could tell his feeling with just his ears. "That is a shame. The forest is more than just resources to draw from. It is also a beautiful masterpiece to rival the greatest art piece. My home is just as beautiful. My mother has taken care to plant many different flowers around the houses there."
"I would love to see that. That has to be amazing. You are all living outside the states. How do you do it?" Harriet asked. "How do you keep the Grim from attacking?"
"They attack, but everyone is trained to beat back smaller Grim," Robin responded, "If a larger Grim appears we have carved out safe shelters in some of the larger trees for the children." Robin spoke about his village to the girl who seemed to take everything in.
"You must really want to go home," Harriet responded.
"Of course, but I have to find Oriole first," Robin replied. "I can't turn my back away from their cause. If it was my sister, I would like the same. Though I know I wouldn't receive the same treatment."
"I would help you. It is my duty as a huntress. I am sure the others would agree," Harriet said with conviction. "They will accept you. You just haven't allowed them to." The Faunus's amber eyes looked at her thoughtfully. His gaze was so intense that Harriet could feel her face warm up. He gave her a smile that made her melt a little.