The girls looked at each other before slowly walking forward, Yang placing the lantern on the table in front of her as they sat down.
"Thank you, now please tell us. How did you come to find this lantern?" Asked Ozpin as he gestured at Said Lantern.
Ruby looked around at the people at the table. She recognised Oobleck and Port, next to Ozpin's right was a woman with blonde hair who she guessed was Glynda Goodwitch, the Vale witch master, and next to Ozpin's left was an empty chair.
"We didn't steal it" Said Ruby and all gazes turned to her and she flushed slightly "we accepted a contract to kill a feral dragon. This lantern was around it's neck and it had corrupted the dragon"
"And how did you know it was corrupted?" Asked Oobleck leaning in
"Feral dragons don't talk, and it's eyes weren't normal. They were a bright red, the exact same as these wolves we encountered on our trip back" Said Yang crossing her arms.
The members of the council looked at each other before a door at the back of the room opened and Qrow walked in and sat on Ozpin's left.
"Can you tell us more about this encounter?" Asked Ozpin
"We were camping out when we were set upon by a massive pack of these black wolves with bone white armour and red eyes" explained Yang
Ozpin glanced at Qrow who tilted his head in a nod.
"Do you have any idea what this" and with a gesture and a green glow the lantern floated into the air and up to float in front of Ozpin "is?" The girls stared in awe at the magic before Yang shook herself out of it.
"We just assumed it was an enchanted lantern" shrugged Yang
Ozpin nodded then looked as if he was going off into a look of deep thoughtful when Glynda coughed "Ruby rose and Yang Xiao Long. Daughters of Taiyang who runs the tavern on patch"
"Great place, great alcohol" commented Qrow
"and is the last person to have known contact with both Raven Branwen, notorious Orc tribe leader and Summer rose, a fairy who disappeared under mysterious circumstances" said Ozpin "I've met him and he would occasionally do jobs for me here and there, he's already told me a bit about the both of you" he smiled kindly at them
"You have been adventurers for three years and have achieved the ranks of master bringing in several objects that required notification by the council" said Ozpin while Oobleck and Port nodded "but this may be the most important item you have retrieved"
"But of course, we cannot forget about your two travelling companions" he said as he stared down at Blake and Weiss.
"Weiss Schnee, recently but no longer inheritor of the throne of Atlas" said Ozpin "What were you doing in Vale killing a dragon?"
Weiss hesitated slightly "I have fled my home after talks of arranged marriage were discussed, I wished to make a name for myself by slaying the dragon and signing up for the adventurers guild" she said professionally
"By yourself?" Asked Port one of his bushy eyebrows raising
"Yes" said Weiss slightly flushing
"Naturally, we will have to inform your father of your location" Ozpin smiled upon seeing Weiss pale "However, we cannot keep you here against your will for fears of starting hostilities with Atlas or other kingdoms. And also it wold be against your rights as a citizen to keep you hear without your consent without having committed any crimes" Weiss relaxed.
If it was Atlas they could happily keep her locked up and never let her out until she was needed for something. However Vale and the other kingdoms gave women a lot more rights then Atlas.
"And Blake" said Ozpin as the councils attention turned to her and Blake began to sweat "We know nothing about you so please, tell us a bit bout yourself" said Ozpin warmly
Blake gulped before breathing deeply and slowly "I was travelling from mistral and I ran into Yang in a village, they offered me a spot on their quest and the need to travel with them for as long as I wanted" she explained and partially lied.
"Well then, allow me to welcome you to Vale" Said Ozpin in a friendly tone but the glint in his eyes made Blake think he might suspect her actual origins. "Do you have a last name?"
Belladonna would be too obvious, even if Menagerie was a little island without much to its name.
"Shroud" she lied as the first thing she could think of.
Ozpin nodded before turning back to the rest of the girls.
"This is an incredibly powerful artefact" he stated gesturing to the Lantern "powerful and dangerous. So much so that when I hid it I wiped my own memory of its location to be safe" He steepled his fingers "This is the lantern of knowledge. And it is one of four relics of equal power"
"I can assume you've been out of the loop for several days?" Asked Ozpin as he looked at them and
the girls nodded.
"Recently Vale, the other kingdoms along with the strongholds of other races have been under siege by a new threat" he leaned forward "they are called the Grimm, and I'm afraid that I have a tale to tell"
The girls were stunned at the news but each leaned forward.
"Long ago the world was much like it is today. Then something fell from the sky, a rock as black as night that soon melted into a black liquid substance that soaked the earth of remnant. I cannot be certain what happened next, I can only fill in the gaps" Said Ozpin apologetically
"What I can assume is the liquid activated something, maybe it touched a long forgotten shrine or an artefact similar in power to the lantern, maybe it soaked straight through the earth to hell or maybe someone used it in a ritual not realising the consequences. But soon after it fell from the stars creatures began attacking settlements and people, they were pitch black with bone white armour and red eyes"
The three girls eyes widened.
"The wolves you encountered- They are called Beowulf's by the way- are simply a type…a form, if you will, that the Grimm can appear in. But in a partially brutal battle where humanity went to reclaim one of its fallen kingdoms. She appeared" Ozpin gave a wave of his hand and in their minds appeared the image of a bone white woman with red eyes, around her a battle was raging of people in armour the girls had never seen before and the creatures of Grimm. "She is a demon, I do not know her origins, nor her motivation. But I do know her name is Salem and she has a particular hate for me and a love for destruction"
"Why does she hate you?" Asked Weiss
"She had four followers. Horsemen of the apocalypse, if you will. One of them was her lover and I slayed him in battle. In revenge she made these relics to rule over the world. If she were to control all four relics she would become a literal god"
"So, if she made them" said Yang "she must have had all four in her possession, so how did you stop her?"
"We sent our best spy into her lair and after many moments of slowly losing territory and hope he appeared with this very lantern" he gestured at it "she was still formidable, but no longer godlike. I eventually slew her in battle. But a few days later our original spy spotted Grimm activity- which had been dying- near a mountain. He investigated and found Grimm performing some sort of ritual and a half completed reconstructed body for Salem to inhabit"
"Me and the other powerful mages were in the assault of the base and using a lot of our power sent the Grimm base into a pocket dimension, but not long after a wise and powerful soothsayer lay dying, I was there to witness his final prophecy, so great and terrible was it that it drained what little life he had left. It told of Salem's return and her lust for revenge"
"How do we know you aren't making this all up. I don't remember any of this in any history books or such" said Blake sceptical.
"That is because this was several thousand years ago and I'm an immortal wizard. Originally a battle mage, I volunteered to undergo a curse that would enable me to walk remnant forever to prepare the world for her next coming, over time my magic has grown in power and I have been able to save the world from many calamities over the years"
"Alright… so why was the dragon feral but able to talk? Is it due to this… relic, being the relic of knowledge that allowed it to keep the knowledge of tongues?"
"Exposure to the lantern can induce insanity due to over exposure of knowledge, that is likely why your dragon could speak" explained Ozpin
"Okay… so why didn't it cause us to go insane?" Asked Weiss
"That is a good question that I have a theory about, but no evidence for. Salem had her followers and I gained mine over the years such as the members of this council and now you. But earlier on, I gave four women powers of the seasons" explained the headmaster
"What? And you think we have this power?" Asked Yang incredulous "I think we would of noticed"
"Not all of you, but two of you" said Ozpin and he turned to Qrow who sighed but leaned forward
"Yang, your aura is taking damage and dealing it out twice as hard" Yang nodded "then why does your hair light on fire when this happens?"
Yang went to answer but couldn't find one so she countered it with "but surely I would've noticed if I had these 'legendary powers' like you say" she questioned
"It might be dormant and simply waiting for the right trigger to activate and manifest, in the meantime you'll be stuck with flame hair and increased ability and manipulation of heat and fire"
"That is kinda your thing Yang" pointed out Ruby.
"And you, ice queen" Said Qrow smirking slightly as Weiss scowled "you unlocked your aura when you were five"
"How did you know that!" Asked Weiss in shock
Qrow laughed "I'd be a shit spymaster if I didn't know important secrets of other kingdoms" he said "so not only that but you have a profound affinity with ice, and aren't particularly bothered by the cold" he crossed his arms and leaned back "a pretty strong case for the Winter maiden"
Weiss remained quiet as questions and revelations swirled through her brain.
"Quite" Said Ozpin "But I acknowledge that, that only explains why two of you were able to resist its pull" he turned to Ruby "you have silver eyes"
"Yes I do" agreed Ruby not quite sure what else to say.
"Yes. Silver eyes have been a thing for a long time but very few people have them. What people have long forgotten is that the silver eyes were an ancient magic and people with them- no matter their race or species- have always been great warriors. Which explains-"
"That's why you're a shit fairy!" Said Yang "sorry, councilman Ozpin" she said respectfully bowing
"It's quite alright, and yes. As your sister put it, that is why you are a… not very fairy like fairy" he said slightly amused.
"Woah" breathed Ruby as she poked her eyes as if expecting something to happen.
"And finally, you Blake shroud" Said Ozpin "I do not know much about you but I have a theory, are you in any way religious? Do you have a belief in a god?" Asked Ozpin
"Yes" nodded Blake
"Mkuu?" Guessed Ozpin after a few seconds
"Yes" nodded Bale again in surprise
"You might have had immunity due to your belief in Mkuu" Said Ozpin
"But dragons have belief too" pointed out Yang "they believe in Rakash"
"But That is not a God, that is a place they believe they go too" Said Ozpin "they do not believe in a god" he turned back to Blake "your belief in your god might of overridden your belief in the lantern if that makes sense"
Blake wanted to say that it didn't and that non of this made sense but she simply nodded.
"Alright" Said Yang leaning forward "is that all, congratulations on finding this relic that I lost, by the way you have powers? Is that all?" She stood up "what should we do now? We can't just go back to the way things were by the sounds of it"
"I'm afraid that is true and I'm sorry you have been caught in the middle of this, but for now I have called for messengers to take messages to the leaders of every kingdom with a description of the Grimm and it's abilities and forms. Due to their ability to sense emotions and be drawn in by negative ones, the vytal tournament will still be held soon to hopefully boost positive emotions" explained Ozpin.
"For now, go about your daily lives, continue taking quests and travelling and helping others, we'll call for you when we need you for something"
"Oh, Yeah. Just go live our normal lives now that we know this information" said Yang sarcastically
"I cannot apologise enough" repeated Ozpin "but you are here now, and you nor I can change this"
~§~
~several years earlier~
"Get back here Kid!"
"Where'd she go!"
"Try that way!"
Emerald ran through the forest as the people chased after her. Tears fell from her eyes as she ran.
She didn't know where she was or where she was going, she knew though that she did not want to go and the people chasing her had bad intentions for her.
She continued running.
She needed to run.
She wanted to live!
Emerald ducked behind a tree and looked out into the forest, in the distance were orange glows that slowly drew closer.
"Do you see her?"
"Where could she have gotten too?"
She gasped and began to run again only for her foot to hit the ground and then breakthrough it. She fell forward and put out her arms out to steady herself only for them also to break through the moss floor and she fell, down into a dark abyss and-
Crunch
Emerald screamed but quickly covered it up so the people didn't find her, she was still being chased after all.
She curled in on herself and wept silently as overhead she heard footsteps and more voices.
"Where the fuck is she?"
"How could you let her escape! She was a one in a fucking million!"
"I thought she was in her cage!"
"You know she can manipulate what you see! Argh! Do you know how much she would of sold for? She was young and pretty too!"
"Well let's keep looking, and when we find her"
Several sinister chuckles rang out and Emerald whimpered slightly. She had heard stories of what they did to attempted escapees
Eventually the voices faded and Emerald was alone. She stayed like that for hours before eventually beginning to get cold and looking up.
She was in some sort of underground area, it wasn't a cave but more like a pocket that the forest had grown around as moss and cave plants surrounded a stone alter and her eyes widened.
It was a worshipping table where you would place a sacrifice and the deity of the altar would appear and thank you and offer you some protection for your offer. By the looks of it no one had done so for a long time at this table.
She felt around in the pockets of her rags and found one last possession that she had kept hidden from the men. She pulled out a beautifully carved wooden statue that was to some god and scowled at it. Which ever god it worshipped hadn't done anything to help her, she kept it because it was the last gift from her mother who she barely remembered the face of at this point.
She crawled forward wincing from the pain of her broken leg and reached up her hand to place the object on the altar.
Nothing happened and she began to sob again, she was going to die here, pathetically lying on the ground with her broken leg. She shivered and wondered what would kill her first, the cold or starvation? Maybe dehydration.
Then the cold went away and was replaced with a calming warm which made her relax. She looked up confused and saw that the altar was producing an orange light around the chamber despite the rock not actually glowing.
Then a figure appeared, composed purely of flame and in the shape of an adult woman.
It looked down at her and crouched before reaching a flaming hand forward, Emerald flinched away from it but the figure kept coming and Emerald closed her eyes. But instead of scorching fire there was a low warmth on her face, she opened her eyes to see the figures outstretched arm and felt the flaming hand on her cheek as it wiped away her tears.
"Help me" she whimpered "Please"
The figure smiled down at her "Of course" it said in a velvety female voice "MY little Emerald"
~present day~
"I have another tribute for you my lady" said Emerald as she dumped the dead man on the altar
"Emerald, you don't have to do this for me" cooed the fire deity as it happily accepted the sacrifice.
"But how could I not repay the one who saved me and gave me everything?" Asked Emerald as she stayed kneeling
"Oh, Emerald" sighed the deity as it swooped down and scooped her up "you gave me new life after my long slumber, that is payment enough"
"But I cannot give you your greatest desire" said Emerald miserably
"And that is fine" said the deity "I can live out the surface world through you. Tell me of the latest going's on"
"There are creatures out there" said Emerald "they are attacking everyone and the world is going crazy out there, traveling is becoming nearly impossible and patrols have doubled"
"You will be safe within these walls my little gem" said the deity soothingly
Then there was a rustling from above and down through the hole Emerald had just hopped down from appeared a creature with tendrils and a glass orb with red mist circling inside.
In an instant Emerald was shoved behind the deity and a bout of fire was shot at the creature. It quickly avoided it with an unnatural speed and using one of its tendrils a portal opened. Out of it stepped a woman with ivory skin and red eyes. She looked over the scene.
"How interesting" the woman said as she looked them over
"I am the deity of this shrine and this is my priestess!" Said the deity "you will leave at once and never return"
"Oh, but I think I have a much more interesting offer" said the woman as she glided forward and casual waved off the wave of fire shot at her.
"Stay back!" Said the deity
"Tell me, if you could, would you leave this place?" Asked the woman passively
The deity considers the question when the woman didn't show any signs of hostility.
"Yes" answered the deity finally
"Then I will grant you this gift in return for one thing" the woman leaned forward "your unquestioning loyalty"
The deity frowned at this.
"Let me give you a little… incentive" and the woman tapped her flaming chest and slowly skin grew across her torso and spread over the rest of her while Emerald stared in surprise.
"With this form you only have access to a few of your powers, but in return you may leave and see the world" the woman leaned back and the spreading of skin stopped as the half deity half human basked in the air hitting her chest and the sensations of touch and smell.
"I accept, on the condition that Emerald stays with me" she said finally
"Good choice" grinned the woman as she waved her hand and the skin fully grew over the deity. She grew black hair that went into a braid over her shoulder and her now physical eyes were roaming over her body in amazement. "But it would not do to have you walking around in such a lack of clothing" said the woman as she gestured again and a crimson dress spread from the deities chest and downwards covering her.
"And for the final touch, what is your name?" Asked Salem grinning and showing her sharp teeth.
The woman looked up to reveal golden eyes that shimmered with a hidden flame.
"Cinder, Cinder fall"
~§~
"Alright then" Said Yang as she stretched. They had woken up in a room that Ruby and Yang recognised as an adventurers guild room despite having no memory of how they got here. "alright, What should we do now"
The council had told them before they departed for the guest rooms in the palace that they were to stay together for both protection and so the council could easily keep track of them.
"Well, nothing has changed" Said Ruby
"How can you just say that!" Said Blake angrily "everything has changed!"
"No, she's right" Said Weiss
"Sure, I now know why I'm… the way I am but that doesn't change anything. And sure Yang and Weiss you've discovered you might have powers beyond comprehension but you don't really know how to access them so for now we should continue as if nothing has changed" explained Ruby
"Okay…" Said Blake seeing the logic "so what would you normally do?"
The sisters looked at each other "Well we'd say we should maybe visit Dad then we'll go check the board and accept a quest" Said Yang
"Though since you two aren't adventurers we'll have to sign you up with the guild. Then we'll take something easy for your first official quest"
Weiss was about to protest at this but Yang beat her to it "Yes, we know your capable of something difficult but if we're forming a four woman team then our ranking will go to adept because two novices and two masters, so adept is the middle ground" Explained Yang "we won't be able to accept master quests"
Weiss huffed but backed down.
"So, shall we go take a look at the board?" Asked Ruby as she stood.
There were General sounds of agreement as the other three stood and they followed Ruby out the room, they walked through the adventurers guild with Yang and Ruby looking around concerned at how empty it was with very few people about.
They stopped at the reception desks and after Blake and Weiss filled in an application form they were accepted quickly due to Ruby and Yang backing them.
When they got to the board room it was full of adventurers standing round and deliberating over quests as the sounds of quests constantly being added and removed echoed out through the room. The girls saw why though when they saw that the quests on the board were at least three layers thick with parchment.
"This is gonna be hard to get through" Said Ruby
"We just need to get to the adept section" Said Yang as she began walking through the crowd the other three girls following through the path she made through the crowd many voicing complaints but not willing to truly start something with the halfling, especially when they got a look at her muscled body or clawed gauntlets and remembered what happened to Cardin.
Eventually they were in front of the board.
'Creatures attacking the village of Hallow'
'Creatures attacking the town of Dean'
'Creatures attacking trading caravans on south pass'
Was the general theme as the quests piled on top and overlapped each other.
"Well then let's have a look through" Said Ruby as she began looking over the board with Yang following and Weiss and Blake standing behind the two more experienced girls.
"Ah, this one sounds good" Said Yang as she showed Ruby a quest parchment
'Deity temple need's clearing of creatures' was its title and below it went into detail of how a shrine temple in the mountains had been overrun with the creatures- Grimm- and the local town needed it clearing so they could appease the local deity.
"Yup, that sounds good" nodded Ruby as they signed their names and accepted the quest.
"So were going to meet a god?" Asked Blake confused and conflicted as they left.
"No, deities aren't gods" Said Ruby "think of them as a species that require an altar to appear in our world. They also have power in our world that makes people think of them as gods but the truth is that they gain power from sacrifices and the occasional pray" explained Ruby
"Okay, So can't it clear its own temple?" Asked Blake
"Yeah it could but that would require it to work. Deities hate working unless the right motivation or prize can be offered in return which is why when something is sacrificed they'll grant the giver a protective charm or even make their crops grow healthy which is common and likely why the towns folk want their shrine cleared" Ruby explained
"Oh, That simple then" Said Blake
"Look, we go clear temple and the deity might give us something" Said Ruby tired of explaining "its how Yang got her gauntlets"
~§~
"Listen up" Said Ruby as she sat down at there little corner table in the corner of the adventurers guild mess hall "we need to plan the journey and get provisions for the road"
"And how are we going to pay for those?" Asked Blake
"We've got a lot of saved up gold" Said Yang "honestly we could retire happily but where the fun in that?" She asked grinning as she took a swig of mead.
"Yes, So" Ruby took out the parchment and unrolled it of the table to reveal a map that Blake and Weiss looked over in curiosity.
"It's coming close to rain season so taking the mountain pass wouldn't be a good idea" Said Blake having learned route planning skills from her time in the fang.
"Yes" agreed Ruby "given that the shrine is on the other side of Vale it will definitely be in rainy season by the time we're coming back"
"And preferably we want to pass by another population centre on our way over and back" Said Yang as she began tracing routes with her finger.
Weiss chewed the inside of her cheek feeling a little left out and annoyed at not being able to contribute as she looked over the map. It showed a large area of Vale with lines marking routes but several symbols that Weiss did and didn't recognise. But she still felt like contributing.
"Given that the Grimm are around and likely going to make travelling harder, maybe we should take a stop at Kress" she pointed to a town with a little castle symbol marking it out as either a small city or a town with a fort.
"Hmmm…" hummed Ruby as she trailed a route with her finger "Kress is a small city so we'll find more provisions there" she started "but the fastest route has a few hazards along it, but your right that given the Grimm we should probably head that way and quickly" Said Ruby nodding in approval and Weiss felt satisfaction.
"But what about after Kress?" Asked Blake
"We'll pick a route when we get into Kress" Said Yang "the locals can tell us if there's any Grimm activity on certain routes so we can try and avoid them, or maybe clear a route for 'em" Said Yang
"I'll go secure provisions" Said Ruby as she gathered up the map
"You gonna need help carrying them given your buying for four now, Blake can you go help her?" Asked Yang and Blake nodded following the smaller girl out before Yang turned to Weiss "We're gonna get you some armour"
"Do I need-" Weiss cut herself off as she and Yang both looked at the bandaged wound.
"Correction, we're gonna get that healed up. Then we'll get you some armour" said Yang as she stood up.
Weiss followed her through some corridors and up stairs and eventually found herself in a large room with beds.
"This is the minor injuries unit in the guild" said Yang "but more serious cases are taken to the hospital" she explained as she walked over to a corner office and knocked lightly before taking several hurried steps back.
Weiss looked at her confused before the door burst open to reveal a ginger girl with a pink skirt had kicked it open with a manic grin.
"Hi Yang!" Said the girl excitedly "Who's your friend?" The girl asked excitedly but before Yang could answer the girl was in front of Weiss "Hi! MynamesNoraandimtheassistantnursetonurseRenwhoseagreatguyand-"
"Nora!" Snapped a voice from inside the office and a boy with black hair with a pink stripe in it and a green tunic walked out. On his arm was a small patch of a green plus symbol to show he was trained in healing magic.
Nora gasped "Sorry Ren!" Said Nora as she dashed over to the man's side.
"Yang" nodded Ren in a very calm voice "It is a pleasure to see you again"
"You too Ren, hows business been?" Asked Yang as she lead a confused Weiss to a bed.
"Oh, same as always" shrugged Ren before smiling slightly as he followed them to the bed "however one case stands out to me from a few days ago… a man was rushed in after he had been slammed into the arena floor" he rose an eyebrow while smiling amused "sound familiar?"
Yang chuckled "No, I did smash an asshole into the floor a few days ago, but no men" she said grinning
"That is good to hear" Said Ren as he turned to Weiss "and what is your name?"
"Weiss schnee" she said finally shaking herself out of her confusion and shock
"Oh? The Weiss Schnee?" Asked Ren raising an eyebrow and Weiss nodded before he turned to Nora who was staring out the window, apparently having lost interest "Nora, your friend here is a princess"
The girl gasped as she grabbed her face before she rushed over and began bowing and bending over "I'm so sorry for my behaviour your holiness"
"Wrong title"
"I'm sorry Your excellency"
"Closer but still wrong"
"I'm sorry…. My lord"
"Wro-"
"Close enough"Ren was interrupted by a flustered Weiss "You don't have to do that" said Weiss uncomfortable at Nora's constant bowing.
"Sorry" said Nora as she stopped bowing
"So, what seems to be the problem?" Asked Ren
"Wolf scratch" said Yang as she undid Weiss's bandages, much to her annoyance
"I can do it myself!" She said annoyed
"I know, it's just quicker with two hands y'know" Said Yang shrugging as Weiss pouted
"I can speed up the healing of this" Said Ren as he inspected it "But what caused it? I've never seen a wound like this. It's similar to a wolf but there are small differences"
"A new monster" said Yang "there's gonna be information about them soon but basically an evil wolf"
"How evil?" Asked Nora "like, eat all the pancakes evil? Or just the regular evil?"
"Eat all the pancakes evil" said Yang and Nora gasped in shock
"You'll feel a slight tingle" Said Ren as he raised a hand to the wound and hovered over it, after a few seconds a green glow emanated from his hands as wispy tendrils reached out and flowed into the skin of the wound.
Eventually Ren pulled his hand away and the glow dissipated to reveal the wound now healed but three scars on the skin.
"Is there any way to remove the scars?" Asked Weiss as she looked at them
"Scars are a sign of honour" said Yang "they make you better then you were before"
"The scarring cannot be removed, magic does not seem to repair them" Said Ren "But Yang is correct, they aren't something to be ashamed of"
Weiss still glared at the marks, as it hoping to scare them away, but they stayed stubbornly not intimidated by the glare because they were, after all, just scars.
"Come on then" Said Yang "we need to go get you some armour"
"Right, Thank you for your services" said Weiss doing a little curtsy
Nora gasped as her eyes widened in amazement "a princess just curtsied you" she whispered in awe
"It was a pleasure" Said Ren doing a little bow before walking back into his office followed by Nora as the two girls left.
"For the record I'm not wearing your barbaric armour"
"My armour isn't barbaric"
"It has spikes on it"
"Their for protection"
"Like your natural charm isn't enough"
"There we go! Your getting it!"
~§~
"Alright Blake" said Ruby as they approached the market "follow me and you'll be fine"
"It can't be that dangerous" said Blake
"That's what I thought when I was fifteen, then I was pickpocketed and had no money" said Ruby gravely
"I think I'll be fine" said Blake having experience in both pickpocketing and protecting from pickpocketing.
"Alright, first we're gonna want to pick up an extra bedroll or two just in case" said Ruby as she lead Blake through the street, Blake being disoriented slightly from the sensory overload of smells and sounds.
They walked along the street before approaching a stall with several fabrics, rugs and rolled up bedrolls on display.
"Hello, ladies! See something you like?" Asked the stall keeper.
"Yes, I'd like to buy these two bedrolls please?" Said Ruby as she pointed to two of the rolled up bedrolls.
"Of course! I'll give you those for 100 gold" he said
Blake frowned at the price but was beaten by Ruby "please, I'm not an idiot, these are easily worth 25 gold"
"75" replied the man grinning as he enjoyed the bartering
"45"
"60"
"50" Ruby stuck out her hand
The stall keeper considered it for several seconds before sighing "50" he agreed as he shook her hand.
Ruby thanked him, payed him and collected the two rolls before moving along into the street, Blake following quickly.
"Now we'll grab food" said Ruby "and we'll be mostly done"
"Wait, that's it?" Asked Blake surprised
"Yeah, a lot of what we need will be in the journey over such as fire wood, Yang being a lighter and streams and springs for water" she snapped her fingers suddenly "but we haven't gotten you anything, you just have those clothes and nothing else"
"It's fine" tried Blake but Ruby was already walking off somewhere else.
Eventually they found themselves in a tailors and Ruby was already talking and bartering with the shopkeeper who she knew well.
Eventually Blake ended up with a set of Black tunics and trousers and- after Ruby made her try it on and then after a lot of insistence from the excited girl- a white jacket that had tails that went down to her heels.
"As you're a stealth based fighter this should be enough protection" said Ruby "armour would give you away or slow you down. Plus it looks pretty good"
Blake looked at herself sceptically but decided to not voice her complaints as she likely wouldn't be heard by the excited girl.
"Now we need food" said Ruby "and while we can get some cured meats and such, we're gonna need something that'll last us a long time"
Blake's eyes widened in horror "You don't mean"
"Yes, I'm afraid so" said Ruby gravely
~§~
"Is this the lightest armour you could find?" Grumbled Weiss said as she wore leather armour similar to Rubies but dyed white.
"That's the lightest armour they sell that will actually protect you" grunted Yang
"But that combat skirt" groaned Weiss in memory as she struggled with saddling her horse with her armour on
"Wasn't protective at all" dismissed Yang as she saddled a horse easily
"Hey guys!" Said Ruby happily as she bounded in two bags over her back "Got the horses signed off?"
"Yeah, these two over here" called Yang as she patted the rump of one of the two horses next to hers.
"Awesome" Said Ruby as she handed Weiss one of the bags and slung the other one over the horse she chose.
"Here's yours" Said Blake as she passed Yang a bag and walked over to the remaining horse.
"What's this?" Asked Weiss as she pulled out a pale brown biscuit.
"Kitu" groaned Ruby, Yang and Blake.
"What is it?" Asked Weiss as she inspected it sceptically
"Basically it's slightly sweet if you concentrate but otherwise tastes of nothing" Said Ruby as she secured the saddle to the horse "but it lasts a long time being resistant to water and other weathers and is magically packed with energy" she held up a hand without even looking and stopped Weiss putting it in her mouth "it's also incredibly chewy"
Weiss huffed but put it back in her bag.
"We ready?" Asked Ruby looking round as the others nodded "good, let's go"
~§~
Yeah, so that happened. New adventures and stuff
It's really fun to write like this where I can create my own universe of sorts with the fantasy setting. A lot of things are inspired from Skyrim and The Hobbit.
You'll notice I don't try to describe there armours or people's faces and clothes and that's because I think it's both irrelevant and boring and I think it's better to let the reader fill in the gaps of what someone looks like or what the armour or clothes look like.
But I do enjoy describing machines and creatures, I will admit that's my weakness.
See ya