AWOO, everyone! I'm back in the States and feel a lot more mature than I was when I left. I had a major experience on my last day, when I visited the Writer's Museum in Dublin. Looking at all of those people, seeing what they accomplished in such a short amount of time, and reading about how their works affected Ireland and literature itself was like a wake-up call for me. I've decided to stop sitting on my novel and start submitting it to agents. Wish me luck! In other news, I'm going to look at starting a fanfiction-writing blog within the next month, among other projects. I'll keep you guys posted.

In the meantime, enjoy!

It was a cloudy morning as Qrow shouldered his bag and walked alone to the edge of town. His eyes were hard and his mouth was in a thin line. Several flasks of whiskey clanked in his bag and against his leg. He would probably need it all before he was done.

He was just stepping onto the forest path when a familiar voice stopped him. "Not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?"

Qrow turned to see Taiyang standing in the shadow of a building, his arms folded. "Eh. Never been one for goodbyes. Must run in the family."

Taiyang rolled his eyes as he approached. He shoved a small satchel into Qrow's hands. "Some extra ointment, and some herbs to help if you get yourself too drunk." Unlike his brother-in-law, Taiyang's eyes were red-rimmed and his face was chapped from several nights of crying.

After their encounter with Weiss, Ruby, and the other werewolves, they had approached the Elders with a request to track down whoever was left of the transformed wolves and Huntsmen who had clearly failed their mission. They had been denied, and more werewolf hunts in the immediate vicinity had taken up most of their time since then. Jacques Schnee had started paying gold for every werewolf pelt brought to him. He spent most of his time in his house. When he was spotted, there were dark bags under his eyes, which held a borderline manic gleam.

Meanwhile, the Vale Huntsmen were beginning to show clear signs of fatigue. There were far more casualties than there used to be. Half of Cardin Winchester's hunting party had been wiped out in one night just a week ago. His father was almost as zealous about the increased hunts as Schnee was.

Qrow, of course, had never been one to follow rules, and he was sick of waiting. "Sure you don't wanna come with me, Tai?"

Taiyang shook his head regretfully. "They need me here. Huntsmen are dropping like flies. The werewolves are getting bolder and more aggressive. I trust you to do what needs to be done." He hesitated before pulling the scrawny man into a hug.

Qrow stiffened. "Jeez, are you gonna kiss me next?"

Taiyang laughed, a few tears escaping his tired eyes. "Don't die, you old bird. You're the only family I have left now."

An unexpected tightness arose in Qrow's throat, along with an annoying itch behind his eyes. He blinked rapidly, glad that Taiyang couldn't see, and awkwardly patted his friend's back. "Okay, now. Don't get all sentimental on me. I'll be back soon."

Taiyang wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "Make it quick, okay?" he breathed.

Qrow nodded solemnly. "They won't feel a thing. May the Maidens still accept their souls." He had never been a religious man, but the sentiment felt right.

Not wanting to prolong this goodbye, Qrow patted Taiyang once more on the shoulder and turned on his heel, entering the woods. It would be difficult to pick up the trail after so much time, but he wasn't too worried. He had all the time in the world, and had no intention of coming back to Vale until he knew that his nieces were at peace.

Scenario after scenario passed through his head whenever he tried to figure out what had gone wrong. Why hadn't the kids been able to find Weiss? They had been given the perfect second chance after committing the crime of letting a werewolf go. Not many people would have been offered something like that.

Now, not only was Weiss still at large, but Ruby was apparently a werewolf rather than dead. And where were the Huntsmen? Had the werewolves killed them? Would Qrow find a pile of bones and rotting flesh bearing the weapons of Yang and her friends? He shuddered at the thought.

What was even worse, however, was imagining poor Ruby and Weiss. His sweet, adorable, kindhearted little niece and the snobby, snooty, but also warmhearted woman she had loved were wandering the woods as hellish beasts. Their souls were probably all but absent at this point. Yet, Qrow had some hope. The fact that they had been together told him that some semblance of their humanity remained. As long as that was true, he still had a window. He could still kill them and hope that they wouldn't be damned.

His chest ached and he took a swig of whiskey before turning his attention to the path. He couldn't bear to think too deeply about what he was going to have to do.

First Raven runs off with those bandits, he thought with a grimace. Then, Summer dies. Now, the kids are either dead or running around as mindless beasts. I'm starting to wonder if we're the damned ones instead of those wolves.

….

Winter didn't even wince as hot wax burned her fingers for the tenth time that evening. She was used to the sensation. She had been lighting many candles lately, so her skin felt every bit as numb as her heart.

The doors to the church opened, letting in a rush of outside air. Even though all of the windows were open, the inside was hot and heavy with the summer heat and the many burning candles within.

After lighting yet another candle and muttering another prayer, Winter turned to see Taiyang Xiao Long walking down the aisle. He reached the end, knelt in front of the shrines, and walked over to the priestess. "Maidens bless, Winter," he greeted.

"Maidens bless, Taiyang." Winter inclined her head as she held out her basket of candles. "Are you here to light your candles?"

"Yes, thank you." Taiyang smiled tiredly as he took two candles from the basket. He lit the first and placed it on the Spring shrine. God and Maidens, please look after Ruby as she wanders aimlessly through no fault of her own, and accept her when her end finally comes, he prayed. After a moment's silence, he lit the second candle and placed it on the Summer shrine. God and Maidens, watch over Yang, whether she's lost or a beast like her sister. Bring her home if you can. If you cannot, please take her into your care. He paused in front of the God shrine and said a quick prayer for the other Huntsmen who were either dead, missing, or transformed. He turned to see Winter watching him.

"I heard that Qrow left this morning," she commented.

"Yes." Taiyang smiled a little. "He never was one to let things lie."

"In this case, I would call that a good thing," Winter said. "I hope the Maidens guide his footsteps."

Taiyang looked carefully at the young priestess. Her posture was stiff and she had a fixed, neutral expression on her face. There was some makeup on her cheeks, which was starting to fade, and revealed the bags beneath her eyes that she was clearly trying to hide.

"Would you like to come to my house later on?" he asked.

"If you need spiritual guidance, I would be happy to make a house call."

Taiyang shook his head. "No, I mean…" He spoke in a quieter tone. "You've been doing so much for everyone in Vale, but I have a feeling that you haven't really been able to talk to anyone." He highly doubted that Jacques had done anything to comfort his remaining daughter.

Winter hesitated, then slowly nodded her head. She had to look away from Taiyang's concerned, paternal gaze, though. It was threatening to draw out the tears she had become so well-practiced at holding back. "I have time in the evening. I will come over as soon as the church is closed."

Taiyang smiled. "Maidens bless, Winter."

A few hours later, Taiyang was busy setting out bread and checking a stew pot he had had on the stove throughout the day. Thank goodness I have a good amount left. Technically, house calls by a priestess didn't require more than an offer of bread and wine, but he wanted to go the extra mile. He knew that Winter wasn't the type of priestess to indulge in extravagant pleasures, as other holy people were known to do. She had totally rejected wealth when she left her father's home and took her vows.

A polite knock at the door signaled her arrival. "Come in!" he called, ladling stew into two bowls.

Winter stepped into the house, still clad in her white priestess robes and holding a copy of the Good Book, which was customary when making house calls. She paused briefly to inhale the comforting scent of homemade stew. She normally made due with dried meat, bread, and whatever fruits were in season. "Hello, Taiyang. Thank you for inviting me."

Taiyang placed the bowls on the table and pulled out one of the chairs. "It's no problem. Have a seat, please."

Winter politely inclined her head and sat down in the offered chair. She placed her book to the side and waited for Taiyang to sit down. "Shall I say the prayer?"

"Go right ahead." Taiyang felt a slight flush of guilt at the fact that he didn't pray before every meal. Eh. I'm sure the Maidens don't mind if I forget every now and then.

Winter folded her hands. "We thank God and the Maidens for the food we are about to receive, and thank the beasts and plants that give us sustenance. Amen."

For a few minutes, the only sounds were the tearing of bread and the clanking of spoons against the earthenware bowls. Winter tried not to eat too quickly, even though the stew was delicious.

Finally, Taiyang spoke up. "How have you been, Winter?"

"I have been well," Winter replied automatically. "The Maidens keep me strong with each passing day."

"Okay." Taiyang folded his arms. "How are you really doing?"

Winter hesitated. "I…"

Taiyang shook his head. "Nothing you say leaves this house, Winter. Look, we've both lost loved ones, and the sting is still as painful as it was months ago. You can talk to me if you want to."

"I…" Winter took a breath, glancing toward the door. Ever since the supposed deaths of Ruby and Blake, she had acted as a pillar of strength to the townsfolk. Even after Weiss's horrific transformation and the disappearance of the other Huntsmen who were friends with her, Winter had remained strong, knowing that the confused villagers needed to know that God and the Maidens were watching over them.

Yet, she knew that Taiyang was different. He was a father, a true father who was so unlike the one who had raised her. He wouldn't judge her, even if she broke down crying. She certainly would try not to do so. Still, it would be nice to talk to someone about her confused, conflicting thoughts.

"I just don't understand," she admitted. "How could Weiss have allowed herself to be turned? She knew the consequences better than anyone. I know she was grieving for Ruby and Blake, but I can't believe that her judgment would be so clouded." She shook her head slowly. "I still have nightmares about her turning into that monster, right there in the middle of town."

Taiyang nodded, not saying a word as Winter paused to take a breath.

"And now, Ruby is apparently a werewolf and is in the woods with Weiss. What am I supposed to even think?! Did she find Ruby and let herself get bitten? Was she tempted somehow? And…" Winter felt tears prickling her eyes. "And, I can't help but wonder how much of her human soul is left. Is she even Weiss anymore? Did the beast take over completely? Does my sister…simply not exist anymore?"

She paused to dab at her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she murmured. "I know you've been suffering even longer than I have."

"Don't apologize," Taiyang said. "There's nothing wrong with crying or worrying. I just said you can talk to me."

"I know, and I'm truly grateful for that." Winter tried to regain her composure. "I pray for them every day. All of them: Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, Ren, Nora, Velvet, Coco, Fox, and Yatsuhashi. I light eleven candles and say eleven prayers. I try so hard to have faith, but…" She shook her head. "I don't know if I can have faith knowing that my sister, Ruby, and all those other children are damned, dead, or lost. Yet, I have to act like I do for the sake of everyone in Vale."

Her shoulders slumped with sudden exhaustion. "I don't know how much longer I can do it. Father's mania only makes it worse."

"I can understand it, in a way," Taiyang murmured. "I know your mother was killed by werewolves."

"There's more to it." Winter stopped short, giving Taiyang a measuring look. "You understand that I am saying this in confidence."

"Of course."

Winter took a breath before explaining. "Mother never should have been a Huntress. She was too sickly and weak. More than that, she was softhearted. She believed that it was possible to save werewolves while they were alive by converting them to the church."

"Really? I never heard about that."

"She only told Father, and he made sure she didn't mention it to anyone else," Winter said. "It wasn't quite blasphemy, but it was close." She stared at the table. "What was blasphemy was letting a werewolf go during a hunt."

"What?!" Taiyang gasped. "During a hunt?" That was not only a blasphemous act, but it jeopardized the lives of any other Huntsmen in the woods.

"Yes. There were fewer werewolves close to Vale at the time, so it was her first time seeing one up close. She thought it was different from the Grimm and pitied it. Father was there. He only told me about this after I took my vows." Her brows furrowed. "I suppose he thought I'd only keep the secret if told in the confessional. He said that the creature had fur the color of blood."

She wiped her eyes. "Mother was killed less than a year after that. Now, my sister may have allowed herself to turn, and her friends may have spared her. History is repeating itself. I only hope that their souls can still be saved."

Taiyang mopped up the rest of his broth with his bread. "Know what I think? Being a werewolf doesn't damn a soul to Hell after death."

"What?" Winter blinked in confusion.

"It just curses you to a damned existence," Taiyang explained. "Once a werewolf is dead, I like to believe that the human soul that was trapped is freed and allowed to go to the Maidens. It just doesn't make sense that a good person could be damned for eternity just for getting bitten by a werewolf or Beowolf alpha. I mean, so many of them are Huntsmen who got bitten while defending others. No merciful God would damn them after they made such a sacrifice."

Winter thought about it. "That…does sound slightly better." She felt a small glimmer of hope and found herself able to smile a little. "Thank you, Taiyang. Even now, I can learn more about God and the Maidens from the people of Vale."

"You're welcome." Taiyang took Winter's bowl. "It's small comfort, in my opinion. I'd just rather have my kids back."

"I agree," Winter sighed. "They all had so much to live for." She paused, unsure of whether to say what she said next. "You…were aware of the feelings between Weiss and Ruby, were you not?"

Taiyang's throat tightened. "Yeah. I knew about that. I like to think that some of that love remains, even now that they're beasts, and that's why they were together."

"It is a nice thought," Winter agreed. "I…would have been willing to bend the rules of the church to marry them officially, if things had been different."

"I would have been honored to have her as a daughter," Taiyang said, his voice trembling. He wiped some new tears from his eyes. "You too."

Winter felt her eyes burning. She opened her mouth to say thank you, but could only let out a sob. She covered her mouth quickly, her face flushing with shame.

Taiyang strode over and wrapped his arms gently around Winter's shoulders. He felt her stiffen before leaning against his chest, crying softly. She stood up and returned his hug, her shoulders shaking as she finally let out months of pent-up sadness, confusion, and anger. As the priestess sobbed, Taiyang felt his own tears starting to freely flow.

The two held onto each other for a long time, a pair of grieving individuals who had to keep pressing forward despite losing what they had loved the most. Afterward, they said quiet, subdued farewells. Winter took her book and bowed her head to Taiyang, putting on the mask of a composed priestess once more.

Once she was gone, Taiyang left the kitchen and sat down on the large bed Ruby and Yang had shared. He lifted a pillow to his face and sniffed before starting to cry softly once more. Yang's familiar smell was fading, and the last trace of Ruby's had left weeks ago.

"I'm sorry, Summer," he whispered, hugging the pillow to his chest. "I'm so sorry."

…..

Cinder paced back and forth inside her den, her ears flat and her fangs bared. Her head was buzzing like a hornet's nest. She felt as if lightning was hitting every fur on her body. Yet, she felt tired, so tired.

She could feel her increased use of the alpha stare beginning to affect her, yet she couldn't stop. The refugees from Adam's pack needed guidance. They still weren't capable of thinking for themselves. And there were so many of them! What if they overtook Cinder's pack? Had it been a mistake to accept them? Was the new territory really worth this?

Yes! Of course it was! Ever since Pyrrha's departure, the attacks from the humans had increased tenfold. Cinder needed more wolves to defend the pack.

But what if they were disloyal, like Pyrrha had been?

She would just use the alpha stare one more time if needed. Yes. That was what she could do.

Just thinking of that traitorous usurper caused Cinder's teeth to gnash and her blood to burn. She still remembered with bitterness the day when a rogue beta dared enter her territory and lay claim to her wolves on Pyrrha's behalf. There had been so much confusion at the time, he had actually managed to get away with a few. Cinder couldn't let something like that happen again.

"Leader Cinder?"

Cinder looked toward the entrance to her den. Emerald was standing there, looking at the ground and shifting nervously from one foot to the other. Letting out a huff, Cinder sat down and nodded for the beta to enter.

Emerald bowed her head respectfully and sat down in front of the gold and red wolf. "Leader, can we talk?"

Cinder sighed, allowing her bestial form to retire and give way to her human form. She usually hated changing back into her human form before morning, but lately, her wolf form was feeling increasingly exhausting. A small, sleepy part of her mind was a bit concerned about that.

Also, she was always happy to speak to Emerald. Out of all the members of the pack, she was the most loyal, closely followed by Mercury. They had been with Cinder since the very beginning, when she first found this territory, before the human town was large enough to be a true threat. Now, with Cinder's reeling mind and short temper, Emerald was one of the few who would still directly approach her.

"What is it?" she asked as soon as she could speak.

Emerald looked up shakily, trembling a bit as she met her leader's gaze. "I'm worried about you, Leader. You've been using the alpha stare so much, and-"

"It is not your place to worry about me," Cinder cut in sternly. "The leader worries about the pack, and the pack currently requires me to use the alpha stare more often. Until we can trust our newcomers, this is a necessary evil."

"But Leader, you know what will happen if you keep going! You'll go mad, just like Adam did!"

Smack!

The mention of Adam's name flared a sudden, fierce rage in Cinder's chest and she silenced Emerald with a firm palm to the cheek. "Do not compare me to that dog!" she growled.

Emerald hugged herself, resisting the urge to touch her stinging face. "I…I'm sorry, Leader," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I'll go now." She moved toward the den's entrance.

Cinder blinked, her eyes widening with horror as her anger faded just as quickly as it had arrived. She saw only her loyal beta's fearful posture and tears. "Wait!" she called.

Emerald froze, her shoulders tensing.

"Come here," Cinder ordered, trying to make her voice gentle. Guilt turned her stomach as she looked at Emerald's worried, defeated expression. When the beta drew close, Cinder wiped the tears away and hugged her gently. "I apologize. A leader should not take out her frustrations on her subordinates."

Emerald tried to relax, though her heart was pounding. Her beloved leader had never held her like this before. "I forgive you," she breathed. How could she say anything else? She swallowed loudly before chancing a suggestion: "Couldn't you ask some of the other alphas to use the stare in your stead? You don't have to do it alone."

Cinder nodded slowly, her brows furrowing. Why hadn't that occurred to her before? It was so obvious. Her mind was just so hazy… "Yes. I will do that." She held Emerald against her for a little longer than necessary, drawing comfort from the beta's familiar warmth.

What is wrong with you? she scolded herself. You're apologizing to a beta and showing clear weakness. Maybe the stare was affecting her more than she had previously figured.

She let go of Emerald. "You may rest here if you wish. I need to speak to the other alphas." Pushing any other thoughts from her mind, she left the den to find the alphas.

Emerald let out a sigh of relief, curling up on a bed of moss and cloth, inhaling her leader's scent. The lingering warmth she felt made her quickly forget the palm-shaped bruise forming on her cheek.

It's about time we got a perspective from Vale, and it felt right doing it after the 50th chapter. A little reminder of what the mindset of the unconverted is, as well as a look at our dear Cinder, will add a bit of perspective for later. I'm glad I got a chance to portray Cinder and Emerald's relationship, if even a little. It's not a healthy one, but I think it's the best either of them can hope for (unless Em gets a redemption arc in canon). Once I get around to typing "Diamond in the Rough," I'll get to delve into it a bit more.

If you like what you see and want to show extra support in exchange for rewards, my P/atreon is Solora Goldsun.

Peace out!