Horse gave birth to a foal at 2am last night. Thankfully it was without incident, and I didn't even have to help pull it out the birthing sack or – and far worse – out of HER! All I had to do was help it stand up a little and find her mother's teat, then make sure she didn't fall on shaky legs. Still, been up since the early hours of the morning. Was so relieved when I log onto my pc and today's lesson asks to rearrange for next Saturday.

Yessssss… Thank god…

And hey, a foal birthed on mother's day. I'm sure there is a name for it we could do based off that but I'm too damn tired to think of one!

Cover Art: GWBrex

Chapter 10

It was after two days of trekking through thick snow and heavy winds that they spied orange light in the distance, flickering between the trees and moving jerkily from left to right. Pushing through branches bare of leaves and caked in white revealed the light dancing like a firefly, and as they grew closer still Jaune saw it for what it was, a lantern affixed to the outside of a gate hanging on a metal chain and being tossed about in the wind. Wooden walls stood behind it, surrounding a small village that couldn't have been much larger than Ansel. If it weren't for the sure knowledge they'd travelled away, he might have thought they'd gone in a full circle and come back home – that was how similar the village was. He supposed there was only so many ways you could build walls, and any village looked the same covered in snow and frost.

"Moss Creek." Taiyang said, his voice raised above the wind. "We can stay the night and maybe another as well. Warm up and catch our bearings."

Two whole nights in a warm room sounded good to him. In all those times he'd dreamed of travelling, he'd never really realised how cold and miserable it could be. He'd camped out with his father and sisters before while hunting but never in the winter. The worst they'd ever faced was rain or wind, and animal skin tents shielded against the worst of that. It didn't here. Awkward as it had seemed at first Taiyang had instructed them all to share a tent and huddle for warmth. It was the first time Jaune ever slept with a girl not related to him flush against his body, and all he'd been able to think about was how bloody cold it was.

Trudging and crunched through snow shin deep they approached the closed gates. To the side of the lantern clunking against the wood was a smaller door that Taiyang hammered on with a rock picked up off the ground. It took a while, long enough that Jaune wondered if everyone inside wasn't wrapped up warm indoors, but just as he was about to ask if they should camp outside a slat in the door opened.

"Who's there at this time of night?" a voice asked loudly.

"Travellers!" Taiyang said back. "Myself, my daughter and my nephew." Jaune jumped at being called the man's nephew, but he could have passed as it and it was as good a cover as any. "Our village, Patch, was destroyed and we're moving through here. We've just come from Ansel. We're not looking to stay long," he promised. "One night or two – we'll pay and then be off."

"Weapons?"

"A hunting spear each, a bow, a sword and some knives. That's all. We'll gladly hand them over."

"Aye, I bet you will. Hang on."

The latch slid shut and a heavier bolt scraped across. The door crunched inwards, driving a curved line through snow as the man hauled it open with several jerking tugs and much grunting. Inside, a fire burned from the sheltered door of a wooden shack within which two more men stood with hands on their weapons. Jaune carefully kept his spear on his back and his hands in the open, away from Crocea Mors.

"You'll need to wait for the mayor to come down and vouch for you before we let you in proper." the first man said. "But you can come warm yourself by the fire. We're not savages here."

"Thank you." Jaune said. Ruby and Taiyang echoed it, and they moved into the wooden shack and sat down, crossing their legs. It was as much to show the guards they weren't dangerous as to warm up, and sure enough they lowered their guards. One even came and offered them some warmed wine, which Jaune held in his hands until they were warm and toasty.

Taiyang immediately took to chatting with the two guards while the third went to fetch the mayor, telling them about what befell Patch and asking if any other survivors had come this way. None had, or if they had then they'd not stopped at Moss Creek along their way. Jaune tensed a little when Ruby shuffled across to sit closer to him and leaned into his side. The small shiver he felt told him it was for the heat. He was honestly impressed she'd taken the two days without complaint, and even more so that she'd dragged her wounded father all the way to Ansel.

Footsteps crunching loudly in the snow heralded the return of the guard and an overweight man who must have been the mayor of Moss Creek. He wore a thick copper chain around his neck with a small set of scales hanging from it, had a heavy beard and a thick moustache turning grey at the tips. He might have looked jovial if it weren't the middle of the night and cold as sin, and the smile he offered was tinged with annoyance.

"Welcome to Moss Creek," he said regardless. "My name is Leopold, the mayor here. I'm told you travel from Ansel, and before that Patch."

"Patch was destroyed," Taiyang said. "My daughter and I travelled to Ansel where we met up with my nephew. We're looking to meet up with relatives a ways to the east and were hoping we could stay in Moss Creek for a couple of nights. Two at most. Just to warm our bodies for the next leg of the journey. We have coin and can pay fairly."

"Then I doubt there'll be much problem other than your weapons."

"We're happy to surrender them to your care so long as we get them back." Taiyang gestured to Jaune. "My nephews' sword is a family heirloom, and it would devastate him to lose it. It's all the boy has left of his father."

True in ways that Jaune found uncomfortable to think about. Nicholas was alive but given who he harboured inside him, and the risks posed it really might be the last he'd ever see of him. Jaune's pained expression must have said more than Taiyang ever could for the mayor and guards nodded sympathetically.

"No man or woman here will steal from travellers under my eye," Leopold said. "You may leave your spears and the bow with the men here and I'll keep the sword if it pleases you. Your knives, you can keep a hold of as long as you promise to not use 'em on anyone here."

"That's fine with us." Taiyang surrendered his spear to the nearest guard and Ruby did the same. For Jaune, it was hard to give up Crocea Mors, but the promise of warm food and board won over. The mayor took it under one arm and promised him he'd get it back. "Is there an inn we might stay at?"

"Aye. I'll escort you there and introduce you to the inn keep – prevent any rumours that way. People are gonna be curious enough about you as it is. How is Ansel by the way? I'd heard it was a good harvest, but we've not heard of them since the snows hit."

"They're doing well." Jaune said. The lack of news would save them hearing about his exploits until after the snow thawed, but it was a stark reminder that he wouldn't be able to settle down here or anyone nearby. The story of his fight against the Grimm and subsequent flight from Ansel would spread with the first of the merchants. "Most are spending their nights drinking at the tavern. Mayor Cobbin is still hale and hearty, if a little tired of putting up with unruly villagers."

"Cobbin is still alive and kicking, is he?" Leopold laughed and motioned for them to follow him out into the snow. Moss Creek was a small place set on the side of a small river that ran under a section of the walls. It was frozen over now, the surface dotted with snow with the odd, small crack opening up to the sound of faintly trickling water. "Fierce fella, he is. If I didn't know better I'd say he used to be a general by the way he talks. Always good at keeping people under check. Fine man, he is. Fine man."

"He's the best mayor I've ever had." Jaune said honestly. He owed the man his life. "No offence of course."

"Hah! None taken. Cobbin and I go way back. Sent food the last time our harvest failed, he did, and told us we could wait til the next to pay Ansel back. Never known a fairer man." Leopold seemed to have warmed up to them quickly now that he knew they'd come from Ansel. There might have been doubt before, and anyone would be wary of three strangers travelling when none with any brains would. They might have been bandits, thieves or murderers exiled from their village. "Here's the inn," he said, casting his lantern toward a building shaped like a long triangle with wooden walls and a thatched roof. It sloped all the way to the main wall of Moss Creek, which had been incorporated into the wall of the inn itself. Two chimneys poked up, both smoking. "Come on in. You must be freezing your toes off after travelling so far. Not a good time at all to be out. Reckless, even."

"Needs must." Taiyang said. "We couldn't depend on Ansel's charity all winter."

"We're not so hard off that we couldn't look after ye…"

"No. That's generous, sir, but I don't want to run the risk of missing my family. If I don't show all winter, they might think us dead and move on."

"I won't force you." Leopold said, and Jaune caught the faint relief there. He'd made the offer to look after them in good faith but even Moss Creek likely didn't have a harvest good enough to account for three new residents in the middle of winter. It would put a strain on families, to say nothing of finding them somewhere permanent to stay. "You're welcome to stay a few days either way."

The inn was as long indoors as it was without. While back home the tavern had been roughly square with a second floor, this one was more like a long tube with two firepits needed to heat the full length of it. There were only a few drinking at such a late hour, but they all paused to watch the strangers with curious and wary gazes.

Leopold made a show of talking loudly to the innkeeper. Loud enough for everyone to hear and hopefully spread the news on the next morning and avoid any silly rumours. Taiyang played along, answering much the same questions that Leopold had asked – why they were out so late in the winter, what happened at Patch and how they'd come from Ansel. Like with the mayor, the news appeared to satisfy the innkeeper and the nearby customers, who went back to their drinks and chatter without any fuss. It wasn't long before they were showed to a large room that was to fit the three of them – as generous as could be offered, even if they had to pay for it. Jaune made to offer one of the silver coins Cinder had given him, but Taiyang stopped him.

"Best not to show wealth like that off so easily. I doubt the good folk here would steal from you, but they would sure as all ask how a hunter's boy came by it."

"Oh. Right." Jaune let the coin purse go. He really didn't want to bring up Huntresses, aura or anything related to that here. "I'll sleep on a bedroll tonight."

"Don't be daft. You take one bed; Ruby and I will share. We'll all need to be well rested for the next leg of the journey." Ruby was already shucking off her outer layers and crawling under the sheets of the bed pushed up against the left wall. It was a simple hay mattress wrapped in linen but after two days in the snow curled up for body heat, it looked divine. Taiyang went over to join her.

Jaune removed his own wet clothing and laid it by the window, ready to dry tomorrow. Stripping down, he crawled under the sheets and was out before he could even think to try and fall asleep.

/-/

It was as the left flank began to crumble that he knew it was over. The main force held the middle with intense discipline, while the volunteers on the right had the passion required to hold and even begin to push through. The left, commanded by his own son, were the ones to falter, and the reality of it brought a sour taste to his mouth. They had not even been cut down to a man; his son, and his generals, had fled, taking the lasty vestiges of morale with them and causing a full rout. On the eve of their victory no less.

"Coward!" a woman next to him roared, as if she might be heard over the distance. "We had them – we had the whoresons right where we wanted them! Sir, I'll go out there personally, rally the men and-"

"It's over."

The attackers on the left flank turned and attacked the centre line from the side, buckling their forces and cutting through the ranks. His men fought bravely, more valiantly than his own flesh and blood, but against the Huntresses they held little hope of survival. As the first ranks fell, the line twisted to try and accommodate the new front, but the enemy's line rallied and pushed all the harder. From there, it was but a matter of minutes. Minutes that passed by in seconds as their men were slaughtered. There was no surrender, but they knew it would never be accepted. The Church would not allow heathens to live.

"Damn it!" his companion snarled. "We have to retreat. You can't die here-"

"I must. Salem will not stop until I am dead and moved onto the next. You know this."

"Baldric-"

"Ozma. You know who I am."

"I know you're still you in there no matter what you say."

He chuckled. "Perhaps. Well then, Altessa, if you will but do me one last favour – live. Flee and live. For Baldric, if not for me. I shall go down and face them, face her, and bring an end to this war before the hinterlands are put to the holy sword. It is the least I can do for dragging you all into my affairs."

"You didn't drag us into shit."

"Even so, it's time for you to leave."

"Baldric…"

"Jaune."

"My name is-"

"Jaune!"

/-/

Jaune's eyes cracked open to find Ruby knelt on the edge of his bed. Her hands were on his shoulder, shaking him. "Jaune, wake up!"

"Hngh. Is… Is something wrong? Are we in trouble?"

"You were tossing like mad. Did you have another nightmare?" It hadn't felt like one, not quite terrifying enough despite that he remembered it with a clarity most dreams never left behind. "Or was it…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Was it a vision?" Curiosity sparkled in her silver eyes. "What was it of?"

No one had ever asked that before, funnily enough. Oh, his parents had tried to make sense of his dreams when he was younger, but they'd written them off as fancy. No one had ever really wanted to know what it was he saw. There was a part of him that didn't want to say but pretending this wasn't happening was a strategy that hadn't worked in the past and certainly wouldn't now. Perhaps it was time for a change of pace.

"It was a battle. I was commanding it, or Ozma was, in the body of someone called Baldric. Is the name familiar to you?"

Ruby shook her head. "Nope. I don't think anyone records the names of the Dark Lords. Or if they do then no one remembers them. We just call them the Dark Lord. Baldric must have been the name of one. Where was the battle? That might help."

"I don't know. Some mountainous area. I was, or he was, more focused on the fight itself. His son held the flank but fled and it all went wrong. It felt, or he felt, like they were winning. Like they might actually win."

The thought was worrying, because he didn't know what a victory for the Dark Lord might mean. It was shocking enough to hear him talk with that woman and sound so normal, even nice, but then the worst of scum still saw themselves as a good person. Just because he could be amicable with one woman didn't mean he wouldn't have caused untold grief and tragedy across Remnant.

The Eternity Queen ruled fairly as far as he could tell. She sent her Chosen out to protect villages from Grimm, the taxes and tithes she demanded were fair and measured as a percentage of how much they gathered, and so never left any to starve. There were no wars beside the occasional conflict with bandits and Grimm, and whenever a Dark Lord rose to start one, and while banditry and crime still existed it wasn't like any ruler could just stamp it out.

What does the Dark Lord hope to gain by killing her? Is it just for power?

Maybe. But then why had those people, humans themselves, chosen to follow him in that vision? Why would they raise their hand against the Eternity Queen and plunge the land into war? They had to have some reason, but not knowing where they were from or who they are he couldn't piece it out. For all he knew, they might have been exiles and bandits themselves, or barbarians from a distant land. They'd mentioned the hinterlands, but that wasn't a location he knew. It sounded more like a catch-all term for a wild and unclaimed area of land. Maybe they had been savage locals outside the Eternity Queen's rule who had wanted to invade and take land and plunder.

"I doubt we'll find anyone who knows of history in a village like this." Ruby said. "I bet we could if we went to a town, though. Or maybe even one of the four major cities. Dad told me they have libraries there, huge halls full of books on history, medicine, astrology and everything else you can think of."

"Find out?" Jaune parroted. "We…?"

"Well yeah." Ruby grinned. "Don't you want to find out who this Baldric was?"

"Not really." He swung his legs out and Ruby shuffled away, giving him room to climb out of bed. He still had his underlayer on, but she turned her back on him all the same as he dressed himself. "I'd rather not think about it at all. I just want to find some village far away that I can settle down at and live a normal life. As much as I have left, anyway."

"But if you found out more then maybe you could stop him taking over."

Jaune paused with one arm through his jerkin. He hadn't thought of that, though the more he did the less hope he felt. "I doubt they'll have books laying around telling me how to hold back the Dark Lord from driving me insane. That would be a little too convenient."

"Was the man in your vision insane?"

No, actually, he hadn't been. Baldric, or Ozma – whichever it was at that point – had seemed calm and collected, even introspective. Jaune had been in his head, living his moments, and though he'd sensed frustration and a sense of defeatism over the battle there hadn't been anything to suggest his mind was deteriorating. "No, but all the recent Dark Lords have been insane. Or they were driven insane."

"Maybe something changed." Ruby said. "Or maybe they did something wrong."

"And what, you think if I do the right thing then I might not…?"

She shrugged. "Maybe."

What was the right thing, then? The answer was obvious – wage war on the Eternity Queen. At least, that'd be the right thing from the Dark Lord's perspective, and maybe that was why Baldric had been able to avoid his fate. The recent Dark Lords might have all gone insane because they tried to fight against him. It might have been the Dark Lord destroying their minds in an attempt to take over.

He didn't want to start a war, though. He didn't even hate Salem – and the sudden lance of pain in his skull wasn't about to change that! Jaune cupped his head, one eye closing as he felt the stinging, constant spike behind his eyeball. Was the Dark Lord punishing him for saying her name? Was he making it hurt whenever Jaune expressed resistance to his goals? To hell with that! He was no man's slave, least of all the lord of all evil. I'd rather go insane than drag everyone into a pointless war and get them killed. Take your punishments and shove them up your ass, Ozma. The pain was already beginning to dim anyway.

"It couldn't hurt to check though," Ruby continued. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"The Huntresses ask why I'm looking for information on the Dark Lord, test me and find I have aura. Then I'm locked away or killed." That was the end of the discussion as far as he was concerned. "Where's Taiyang?"

"Dad's out talking to locals and gathering news about the path ahead."

"Do you know where we're headed?" Ruby shook her head, making Jaune frown. "Why not? Didn't he say it was family?"

"I was born in Patch and never met any other family. They're probably from before dad moved there, or maybe they moved out before he had me. I was a little more focused on keeping dad alive than caring about them."

Fair. She'd had to drag his near-dead body to Ansel, then had to deal with him nearly dying if not for the freaking Dark Lord of all people healing him. No wonder she was trying her best to help him and be friendly. "I just hope they're far enough from here not to get any news," Jaune said. "Moss Creek is going to find out about me with the first traders."

"We'll be long gone by then."

"But where can I go? I know Ansel isn't the biggest of villages but news like this, of a man with aura, is going to spread, and if Tulle sends a letter to the church like Cobbin thinks he will then it'll reach the Huntresses." At that point it wasn't going to matter how far he went, his description would be spread across all of Vale, and perhaps even to the other realms. "Where can I go that this won't follow me?"

"You'll find a place. It'll work out."

Jaune wished he could share her confidence. All this standing around talking about it was only making him fret more. He was about to ask if she wanted to go get breakfast when the village bell began to toll urgently. Jaune and Ruby's heads both whipped to the door, Ruby breaking first and running over to yank it open and see what it was. Were they under attack? Had the Grimm followed him here? That didn't seem possible – they'd only been here a single night!

The inn was already busy, and people were standing up from their tables nervously when he stepped out with Ruby. The twin firepits burned still, the only warmth against the snow outside. There was no screaming outside, a good sign if there ever was one, but the bell continued to toll. The doors to the inn swung open and Mayor Leopold entered – he looked flustered, but not afraid, and that was assurance enough their lives weren't in danger. He still worried Taiyang had gotten into trouble but decided to wait and see what would be said.

"All need to gather out in the square!" the man called. "Come now – orderly. You've time to put on coats but keep hoods down. We must make a good impression."

"An impression to whom?" someone asked. "What's got you in such a fuss, Leo?"

The answer came not from Leopold, but from the woman who walked in after him – and without any words being spoken. Tall and willowy, the woman's hair was as white as snow, cut short to her shoulder and tied up behind her head with but a few bangs falling down to frame a pale face set into a deep frown. She wore a white tabard over light chainmail that glinted with reflected orange light from the nearby fire, knee-high grey riding boots and white hose clad tight to long, powerful legs. At her left hip swayed a blade as thin, slightly curved blade, while a straight dagger was buckled to her other. A pale blue cloak had been swung over one shoulder and fell down her back, clasped at the front with a golden broach in the shape of an eye surrounded by a solid ring, or a wheel. The Goddess' insignia, the holy symbol.

"That would be because of me," the woman said in a clear, ringing voice. "Winter Schnee, Chosen of her Goddess, the Eternity Queen. If it would behove you all, I would speak with your village outside. Promptly."

Chairs scraped, men and women stood and bowed. Some made the sign of Salem while the elders bowed their heads respectfully. Only Jaune did not, remaining stock still and gripped with terror in the far corner of the inn. He stepped back toward his room, only for Ruby to grip his hand and stop him. "Don't run," she hissed. "She'll see you!"

"They're here!" he whispered back. There was noise enough with people clamouring to obey that no one could have heard him. "The Huntresses are looking for me already! We need to get out of here now, while they're distracted."

"We don't know they're here for you. Us. Stay calm."

Ruby tugged him along, and Jaune noticed the Huntress looking their way. It was too late to make a run for it now. Swallowing, he bowed his head in what he hoped look like fearful reverence, reached back into his room and took his coat, swinging it on over his body. The Huntress had already turned away, stepping back outside and not once reacting to him. It gave him the courage he needed to follow Ruby outside to where the rest of the village were already huddling in a confused, awkward group. Taiyang was among them, and he quickly waved the two of them over. Ruby hid against his side while Jaune struggled to keep his breathing even.

There was just the one Huntress this time, though judging from the rank she'd given herself this was no mere Huntress. This was one of the best. While she had brought no other Huntresses, there were three men in leather and cloth armour dyed white that stood by four horses. One of those looked far grander than the others, both in breeding and in livery – white cloth embroidered with golden thread hung down its sides, while golden tassels coated its bridle and reins.

"You have the Goddess' gratitude for your swift response." The Huntress said to them all, tearing Jaune's attention back to her. "You need not fear – I am not here to discuss tax nor to administer punishment. The womenfolk shall separate from the men and form a line. None older than thirty winters. Hurry now, the sooner this is over and done with the sooner you might all go back inside where it is warm."

Jaune sagged as the girls of the village slowly stepped out. It wasn't for him, then. This was to test for more aspirants, more Chosen recruits. He'd been tested as well in Ansel, but only because he'd been singled out by the others as strange. No one here had any reason to think that, he hoped, and so there was little reason for this Huntress to pay attention to him. Ruby, on the other hand, looked nervous as she was drawn away.

Like in Ansel, Winter Schnee moved slowly down the line of young women, touching them one after the other. Her hand glowed a pale whitish-blue, and each and every one of the girls gasped at the sensation. Jaune knew first-hand how odd it felt. Only one of them received a coin, a girl with dirty blonde hair who was older than they. She looked as excited as she did afraid, staring down at it as Winter moved on to Ruby. Her hand reached out and for a second Ruby backed away. The Huntress paused.

"Fret not. There will be no pain."

"A-Ah. Y-Yeah." Ruby cringed and tentatively reached out a hand. The Huntress took it, the glow returned, and yet again there was a gasp.

This time, it was not from Ruby.

"Your potential is great…" the Huntress said, shock writ across her face. "Never have I felt such a strong connection to the Goddess. Tis a miracle you have not been found before now." A coin came out and was pressed into Ruby's hand. "I sense great things in your future, child."

Jaune's stomach dropped out and he felt sick. He looked to Taiyang, wondering if the man would grieve the loss of his daughter or feel happy that she was to be taken away to a life of relative luxury. There was neither emotion on his face, only a tense set to his jaw as Ruby looked back at them nervously. Taiyang nodded, and Ruby nodded quickly back even as the Huntress placed a hand around her shoulder and led her back to her men. Taiyang gripped Jaune's arm and lugged him away as the villagers began to disperse and chatter.

"Prepare your bags," he said. "We leave within the hour."

"What about Ruby? Don't you want to say goodbye?"

"There's no need. We travel east, but slowly – she will catch up with us soon enough."

"What? But the Huntress is going to take her to Vale. Why would Ruby leave her, how would she even? You can't run away once you're called to serve the Chosen. It's a commitment for life."

"Aye, it is." Taiyang grimaced, sucking in air between his teeth. "We – that is, Ruby and I," he said, "-may not have been entirely truthful about what happened at Patch…"

Not entirely truthful. A little, a tad, but not entirely.

Next Chapter: 3rd April

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur