Winter woke with a start to her sister wrapping her small arms tightly around her waist. Winter looked around and saw the cart of faunus children, now empty. Ruby sat next to Qrow who was barely conscious but bandaged up. Oobleck rushed over to examine Winter.
"It appears you have exhausted yourself and drained your aura. That was quite a show out there, very good job." Oobleck commented quickly.
"Thank you but, I wouldn't say any of it is good. People are dead, Qrow is hurt, the children are-"
"Safely delivered to the neighbouring town." Oobleck finished and nodded. Winter sighed in relief and tried to sit up. She held Weiss closely and sniffled.
"Weiss, I am so sorry you had to see that." Winter frowned. "I promise you it was an absolute emergency."
"It's okay Winter, really. I just, I've never seen you so angry before." Weiss shrugged,
"I've never really been able to be angry before." Winter patted her head and made to stand.
She was definitely tired. She felt like she was made of concrete and lead. Weiss helped her up and she was able to make her way over to Qrow. He looked up slightly at her and smiled slightly. He then flopped back into the position he was in before. Oobleck approached.
"He is stabilised for now but I'm afraid poison is beyond my abilities at this moment. He needs to be taken to the nearest hospital in Haven."
"Then let's get him onto the ship immediately." Winter bent to help lift Qrow into the cart.
"I'm afraid that would be highly absurd Ms. Schnee. In order to sail to Haven we would need to sail the whole way around Anima which would take far too long. It is much faster to go by land, barely a day's journey by cart. You must take him. It is not safe for us to stay at this port however so we must regroup at Southport. Unless he dies, in which case we would have no way of knowing. Anyway, we must all depart immediately." Oobleck sped about, gathering the children, including the two strange children than helped them fight Tyrian.
Winter was stunned, exhausted, barely able to stand, but determined. This man had saved her life, it was time for her to repay her debts. She helped load Qrow into the back of the cart and used her jacket as a cushion for his head. He was flitting between lucidity and sleep. Ruby said a tearful goodbye and had to be dragged away by Weiss, although she was also wary to send the pair off alone.
Winter headed off, following the signs for Haven. She kept Qrows sword by her side and a dagger in her belt. She kept the cart moving swiftly to prevent any unwanted passersby. As exhausted as she was she drove through the night, tears streaming down her face. This was too much, far too much. She was exhausted in all forms of the word, she was drained emotionally and magically. She was starving and she was terrified; of bandits, of Tyrian, of Qrow… She couldn't think like that.
She allowed the mule to stop for some water and grass but she couldn't let herself rest, she had to stay on guard. She moved to the back to check on Qrow. He was obviously in pain. She reached for his arm to check his pulse and was surprised when he grabbed her hand. She looked at him. He looked her in the eyes, unable to speak but begging her not to let go yet.
"I'm so sorry, I should've stopped it. This is all my fault. I could've stopped it, I don't know what-" Winter paused as he gripped her hand tighter to shut her up.
"Thank you," he breathed in shakily, "for saving Ruby. I can't..."
He ran out of breath again and squeezed her hand tightly as a fresh wave of pain hit him. She smiled at him and patted his hand. She leant down and kissed his forehead as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. She took her hand away and wiped her eyes as she headed back to the front of the cart and took off as fast as they could.
They arrived in Haven in the early hours of the morning. The sun was beginning to rise and Winter was sure that if she were not so exhausted that it would have been breathtaking. She saw a large white building with an H on and and hurried towards it. She secured the mule and cart in the back and then hoisted Qrow over her shoulder and slowly they made their way to the door. The receptionist was looking down at stacks of paperwork when they entered.
"Hello, welcome to Haven general hospital. What brings you in this m- AHH!" The woman squealed in shock at the sight of them.
Winter stood carrying Qrow. Her hair was stained and dishevelled, parts of it matted with unknown blood and mud. Her clothes and skin were splattered with blood and she was covered with countless gashes, bruises and scratches. Heavy black bags hung under her eyes and she look ready to collapse. Qrow was just as dirty, his shirt covered in blood, mud and poison. He was barely conscious and Winter was terrified that she would drop him.
"Please, he's badly hurt." Winter begged.
Qrow was quickly wheeled off to the emergency center. Winter tried to follow him but the receptionist stopped her and handed her several sheets of paperwork to fill out. Winter grumbled but complied. It took almost an hour to complete, but she was done. She handed the papers to the receptionist.
"May I go after him now? Where was he transferred to?" Winter asked in her most regal, commanding voice.
"Are you close family?" The receptionist asked. Winter frowned.
"No we are not related, that would be ridiculous." Winter laughed.
"Then are you his wife?" The receptionist asked. Winter froze, not sure if she wanted to cry or laugh or deny it. The receptionist continued talking, oblivious to Winter's struggle. "I can only give information to close family members or a spouse." Winter sighed and breathed in deeply.
"Yes. I am, his wife. Take me to my... husband." Winter said, trying not to laugh or cry or trip over her words. She hoped to all things good that Qrow never found out about this or she would never hear the end of it.