Ch. 2 Kings, Queens, Jacks and Roses

Qrow the Young Hunter

"Qrow, Qrow! I can see it!" Summer shouted from the top of the wheat cart, little red hood flapping in the Autumn wind. Qrow sat still, uninterested in the city's horizon. This should be just a short stop on the way to Vale, it was better there. They could live well off of his work in the capitol. No more cold winters for Summer, all they had to do was get enough money to run to Vale by Airship. Maybe they could leave for Mistral after that. Summer might miss the snow, but life there was peaceful and a Hunter could find good work. Either way, a warring Vale was no place for him to raise Summer.

"Brother, it's like you said, Winterplace!" Qrow leaned back into the grain stack of the carts rear, facing the back he just watched the Northwater River winding its way to meet the white river and wrap around Castle White. There they fused and became the Long-White running all the way to the sea. Qrow had a certain fondness for the Northwater. Not as big as the White, but it ran all the way from Snowy Forest, through Nördlichste Castle in the mountains. He grew up by the Northwater, and while summer likely was too young to remember, they swam in its rapids every time the warmer days allowed. This place was the end of his home river's reach, the last time he ever planned to see it.

"Wintertown, little one, Wintertown. Sit back down you'll bother our driver." Qrow called back to Summer. She was always a girl blessed with far more energy than Qrow had, among many other gifts. Much more excited about the journey than her older brother was, Summer had little to no connection with the old family village in Snowy Forest, though she claimed that after she became the world's greatest huntress it would be home again. That place was not meant for people. The war drained the north of Hunters to manage the Beowolves and the money to pay the few that remained to do so. The capitol was their future, if Qrow had any say in this.

"You didn't even look." Summer complained pulling on her red little dress, matched with the long red cloak, almost too long for her and ruffled from use. It was their mothers before she passed in the last war. Both a soldier and a Huntress. Qrow had followed in her footsteps, but refused to follow in her folly. A Hunter is no soldier; their abilities were for killing soulless monsters not enemies of a king he had never met.

"I don't need. I know what it looks like." Qrow lied to heckle his excited sister. The poor girl was giddy at the thought of a big real city. Nördlichste was the biggest town she had ever seen, and aside from the fortress there, the town was barely twice the size of their home village. Truth was this would be the biggest city he had ever seen as well. Sure towns like Vermilion and Ramsgate were fairly well sized this far from the capitol, but Wintertown that was another beast entirely. The home of modern dust technology some claimed it the Capital of the north, calling the Schnee family the "Kings in Vale" as opposed to the King of Vale. An audacious statement for sure, but not without merit. The new Schnee Company logo was appearing even in Qrow's village.

"Liar, I bet you couldn't tell me the color of the tallest building." Summer replied with a smile, catching her brother red handed, however Qrow was not without a trick. Flipping his scythe, the metal reflected what was behind them. The image was blurred, but the city was massive, stretching its reach across the horizon. Airships floated above the city, small trade vessels, and four large military ships, all with a red and white snowflake crest. It was difficult to make out from the reflection where the cities out walls and the river met. Pipelines seemed to run throughout and smoke emptied out of wintertown's corners.

"White and black, it's the Castle." Qrow let out with a cunning smile feeling completely satisfied, his silver eyes returning to the beloved country side. Coming into town as well were other carts, some powered by dust others by horse, packed with food and water for the city, easily building up stockpiles for the Schnee. A reasonable response with rebels just outside the Schnee holdings. Leaving on the same road and river, boats loaded with dust for the front lines both north and towards the mountains. Despite the war, or perhaps because of it, trade seemed bustling.

"Cheater. I saw that." Summer complained stamping her feet down on the grain bag. The vibration was no more powerful than the wheels on cobblestone, but Qrow still worried it might startle the horses.

"You didn't see anything little one, now sit down please." Qrow called out gently, not wanting to raise his voice at Summer. She pouted, but did not argue. Summer was a good girl, though willful and energetic, her silver eyes always thirsting for adventure and trouble. One might describe her as a bit of a tomboy, black hair cut barely past her jaw, not long like the other girls her age. Got in her way she said, and Qrow felt strangely proud of that sort of thinking, even if willful. "Sorry for the loud morning my friend, she has never seen Winterstown." Qrow added speaking to the driver up front. A somewhat gaunt, but sweet man, He was kind enough to help a Hunter along the path. Sure it made certain no one would attack his small shipment, but Qrow had no delusions this was anything, but a free ride.

"Aye, here is the future. The little miss can be as excited as she please, doesn't hurt no one anyhow." The old driver shouted back, likely rubbing his bald head as Qrow had noticed him to do whenever he spoke, overly mindful of his thinning hairline.

"Told you I'm fine!" Summer called hearing her defense. She seemed happy still taking in the sights, her kicking her legs in a childlike fashion. She was always more fascinated with people where Qrow preferred silence of a nice riverbed or meadow. Soon even that disappeared. The scenery around Qrow began to shift a little. Around the road small wooden stake pits sat silently, the earth uplifted to form small rifle trenches. Stakes began to give way onto a small wooden palisade, the first of many stops.

"Halt! What's your business?" One of the guardsmen shouted. Warm cotton coats running long to their boots, a more personalized version of the kings regulars, dressed in Schnee white hosting rifle and pike on their shoulders. Some had the bonus of a plate of armor over their fusilier's coat, though most didn't. Hunters could use their aura to supplement armor, but to the average riflemen without unlocked aura, it meant nothing to a well-placed round of fire dust.

"Just more food grains for the market sir." The driver replied with a nod. The guard made note of the Rose family however and raised an eye in protest. Perhaps war refugees had become a sort of issue. "Just some of the family, come here to help me unload is all sir." Summer was smart enough not to protest, instead just excitedly watched the guards go about their duty, fortifying the outside defenses.

"Alright, no Faunus so I'll let you in. The main gate will require a sort of refugee tax and safety deposit. Have twenty lien ready, you'll get ten of it back on your return. Have it ready." So that was a problem, or at least the Schnee had no qualms about recovering war debt through the needs of others. While refugees would be a fiscal drain in the long run, putting the burden on neighboring merchants traveling through every day the cost could easily be recovered and then some with the blame resting on the common people running from the war. Clever.

"Understood and thank you sir." Was the only reply. A whip and the horses marched forward. The road past the palisade was more congested, load trucks and nervous horses moving both ways. Summer stared silver eyes wide at the mass of tents and wooden defenses that had been popped up along the inside of the barricade. Small mounds and hills formed cannon emplacements and dips into trenches. All trees had been cut down for the bulwark and chains ran under the water waiting to be pulled to lock any boats out of the river. The camps seemed orderly however, with few vestiges of the more unsavory camp followers were about and all and all the affair seemed peaceful.

It wasn't long before the main gate came into view. Outside it three lines formed. One composed of people and outgoing vehicles picking up their butchered deposits, a second the line of refugees and merchants offering their tribute. The last line was slower, a mix of both. Faunus all being searched checked and paying twice the taxing and receiving none back from what Qrow gathered out of the shouting. In much of north Vale the war brought little peace for the Faunus. Even in his village old Faunus families were seen with more distrust.

The king's call to forcibly "relocate" Faunus had seemingly fallen on deaf ears by north Vale's more independent lords, starting with Lord Schnee himself. It was not out of selfless love of course, but need of workers. The winters were rough on the newly industrial north and Faunus made perfect workers. Many went north to seek asylum, but found it a false promise, serfdom as opposed to relocation. This population disparity caused the revolution to be strongest in the north, at least in Vale. Of course rebellion lead to distrust between races and even human serfs began to see them as enemies. Qrow felt for both parties. The northern lords ran things as they always have and now were suffering penance for a king's ignorance and the Faunus who fought to have any sense of freedom. Gods be good he would have no part in this feud.

"It's so big!" Summer shouted in glee, pulling Qrow's eyes in front of him. Somehow they had gotten past the gatehouse and into the city streets. While the river ran not eight hundred feet from Qrow, he could not see it. The buildings stood each at least two stories, many above that. The city street was paved cobble stone, and light fixtures hung at every corner, something Qrow had only seen in the richest parts of other towns. Smoke piped out of some factories, and lights out of the stores. The smell of flowing water mixed with the scent of people, dust and industrial smoke. All above them was the one thing Summer watched. Carved from moonstone bright white wherever the sun touched it, but black in every shadow was Castle White the family sigil flying at every tower. Yet the flag of the king and Vale was strangely absent.

"We are headed there Summer, business with the master of that castle. Excited?" Qrow asked with a smile, ruffling his little sister's hair. She was still fascinated by the fortress, eyes locked onto its fantastical moonstone look. Qrow knew it was not truly made of the remnants of the moon, at least he did not think so, but the way it seemed to exist only in two shades, something only the moon did. It was astounding.

"Really? Are you a knight now brother?" Summer seemed even more fascinated by that. In no way was Qrow a knight, a dead concept from a dead time, already romanticized despite being in living memory. Perhaps he was just bitter due to mother. Either way it was good to see such a happy mystified smile on Summer.

"No better, a Hunter." Qrow replied with a wink as the cart began entering the main plaza. The center of town was filled with food and specialty tents, merchants and business proprietors filling the corners, most notable was of course the Schnee Company acquisition agents, searching for any hint of storable goods, and Schnee money lenders. Above the plaza, guards stood watch, the snowflake banner proudly on display. Here the smoke was lessened, and the lively scene seemed organic. It was here the cart came to a sudden stop.

"Knight sounds better though." Summer complained sliding down the pile of wheat grains. She seemed less interested in the hunter title, but Qrow knew she looked up to him, thinking him some hero of the people. Stepping off the cart Schnee acquisitions moved in to be the first offer. The drive seemed pleased, the thin old man stepping up to Qrow.

"You, young man, take care of yourself and your sister. Can't have no harm coming to either' you." He raised his hand to shake Qrow's, while the young hunter rummaged through his pockets for some spare Lien. The old driver just shook his head no and pressed forward with his surprisingly large hands, the hands of a farm worker. "I'll have none of that Mr. Rose, just a good shake from one friend to another." A good for of man for sure. Perhaps Qrow could return the favor one day. Until then with a shake they departed, and with Summer in tow the young hunter walked towards the towering moonstone monolith.

The closer they got to Castle White, the narrower the roads and older the buildings became. Wintertown got its name from only existing during winter, when farmers without farms to tend to would seek work here. Most went home in spring, but every year a few stayed, and from them Wintertown had become a true metropolis.

"Summer, I plan to speak to the lord of that Castle, be mindful and a proper lady while we do so, alright?" Qrow lectured grasping hold on his sister's hand. She was very bright, but still only eight years old. Although many would remark that Qrow was just a child at fifteen, his mature features disguised that.

"I'm not a lady, I'm a girl. I don't have to be mindful." Summer always had an answer to everything. She took a strange pleasure in disrupting Qrow. She wouldn't cause any real trouble of course, but these were high class people, even if of questionable morals, lacking any sort of filter was dangerous.

"So you're just a child then? Should I send you to bed early each night like a little girl?" He replied with a vaguely disguised threat. Soon the smell and sound of flowing water was back, even over the jabbering of other pedestrians and trucks. The road opened to the flowing Long-White River, the bridge connecting the city to a hill that had become an island. It was here the Northwater merged with the White river.

The Schnee had built their castle on the hill the river ran against, choosing to dig out a moat, turning this wide yet tall hill into an island. An outmost rampart rapped along the moat, only exposed for the immaculate moonstone bridges. The island was in no way small, between its outer wall and inner keeps, there must have been many spacious apartments, that or copious amount of open nothingness.

"I'll be good…" Summer said small hushed voice, in mild awe of Castle White. The bridge across was simple enough, though guards more plentiful. The bridge was designed to be raised and lowered for ships, such a thing Qrow had seen only a few times. Regardless it seemed perfectly stable and traffic across was orderly. At its gates more guards stopped them, these more well equipped in the true armor, plates with the Schnee crest engraved in them. However at the mention that he was a hunter, they stepped aside escorting the Roses inside the inner walls.

Qrow was both surprised, and uncomfortable with what he saw within. The apartments he expected were there, but most of the space was left for drill yards, barracks and stables. Each and every part carved moonstone. Rifles could be heard shooting along the range, and the straight path up to the Castle itself was rather decorative, yet practical with partitions and iron fencing every few feet. Everything about Castle White seemed to serve a military purpose, aside from the Castle itself. From the outside light could be seen emptying into the sky from some sort of open ceiling. The Architecture seemed rather archaic, almost like a church, yet the towers clearly served a marshal purpose. More than anything, with its both black and white monochrome color, and particular design it seemed something timeless, not made by hand like some of the other ruins.

A line had formed along the entrance, many other petitioners here to take to their matters to the Lord. Such an old way of doing things seemed silly, but the Schnee were known for doing things in the more feudal way. Qrow quickly saw to his black and red leather armor, making sure whatever dust or smudge he could quickly clean would be handled. Summer stood restless however as the line slowly thinned. Eventually the Roses were allowed in and the sight was even more unnatural.

"To Otto Schnee, Lord of Castle White and the three rivers. I come with a message from the Lady of Fort Castle. She asks that you raise your army to break the Faunus scourge there in the name of Geordie, King of Vale. She asks you do this for our beloved king and all of humanity." A lone messenger read off a letter within a room of wolves. The main hall was long and open to the elements, chilled autumn air drifted in through the exposure and beams of white light colored the floor. To the left many men and women dressed in the modern business attire stood unamused, clearly a political faction onto itself. To the right stood men and women, all in the white uniforms of the guardsmen, with the addition of metals and accents to mark them as officers. They stood more at attention, each seeming more angry than disinterested. Above them all in a highchair of carved Moonstone was the one this whole circus waited on.

"If our beloved King wants my help, he can very well ask for it himself. The fool brought this on us anyways. I don't see the point in cleaning up his mess. Tell the fine lady that Fort Castle's problem is exactly that." Lord, or Herzog in the old language,Otto Schnee. Supposedly the most powerful and rich man north of Vale, and hopefully Qrow's newest employer. The man had famously founded the Schnee Company with his brother, the modern arm to their traditional family. Though the founder of the modern family was supposedly Konrad Schnee, Otto had made them a household name as far as Qrow's old village. He was also famously irate and clearly past his prime, the old man carried himself well. Wrinkled, but unbent, Otto was still tall, hair thinning, but with the famous silver and eyes of ice. Qrow noticed a sort of mocking grin he had, like the man was amused by everything.

"My Lord that is our king?" The messenger muttered just loud enough to spread a slight murmur throughout the court. The left laughed, right frowned, and the center line of petitioners whispered rumors. All of this Old Otto seemed to find amusing.

"Bloody much to show for it, eh? Perhaps I should march our army with a Faunus flag, bet that would jostle that fat fool quite a bit. Ha! Oh how I would love to see it. Old Geordie might just kill over!" Otto joked alone laughing heartily at his own jest. Both parties had mixed reactions, some smiling others looking both ways in fear of judgment, but no one chuckled as hard as Otto. "Enough, I have been charged with protecting the rivers, and in the king's name the rivers are ours. If the Lady seeks asylum we can protect her, but my knights remain here, just as my daughter said to you before." Otto gave with all officially required acknowledgements of royal authority. He waved the messenger away, strong hands calling for the next partition.

In front of Qrow was some sort of man at arms, dressed in a similar uniform; however the snowflake crest was a deep red. Stepping up to emptied floor, the man seemed small despite his sturdy posture. Lord Otto rolled his eyes at him however, clearly expecting something.

"My Lord, I come with word from Vermilion. Our warden, your cousin my lord, he requests the Vermilion Guard be allowed to return home. Better to hold your lands at the border, than here at the center. I am sure you will see sense in that where others have not." Another set of murmurs exploded as Summer fidgeted in line. Poor girl was not suited to this sort of thing. A loud stomp rang through the hall, followed by another. Bolting through the military right was a woman.

"What is my title?" She shouted, dressed in a long white and red officer's coat. It's reached all the way down her heels, the purest white Qrow had ever seen. Almost as white as her skin. The jacket and heels were ordained in red and blue, though only slightly. The Snowflake crest was clear on her jackets front, buttoned straight and perfect. The woman's silver hair was long reaching all the way past the small of her back, yet the bangs cut short and straight as not to interfere with her sight. She had the deepest blue eyes, and a snowy complexion, marred only by a small, but jagged scar on her lip. She was a beautiful woman, but frightening to the core and the muttering behind Qrow only reinforced that. Word was she was the Queen of Ice and Snow, the Heiress to Otto, oldest child of the family and the strongest Knight in the Schnee holdings.

"Weiss Schnee the second, lady of Castle White?" The Vermilion man shot back, not easily impressed or intimidated, however he did not reply rudely. This woman was above his station and Qrow could see the sense of inadequacy start to set in as she approached him.

"And what else?" She asked closing the distance; this Weiss was taller than him. She did not smile, did not share her father's sunny disposition.

"Heiress to Lord Otto." The Knight replied somewhat more feebly. He took as step back, only slightly and Weiss took a step forward to match.

"Hochmeisterin des Ritterordens. A knight above all knights. I am the commander of our forces, including the Vermilion Guard. From Castle White I can lead an army to any corner of our holdings in just over a day. Tell uncle if he wants his men back he will have to take them." The shot of her voice was ringing through the halls, as much of the right party broke out into smiles and laughs, most loudly of course was Otto, the uncaring old man he was. The knight's expression twisted between embarrassed and anger, turning redder as it went. "Next time, speak to me directly sentinel and we may avoid making another scene. Do not attempt to circumvent my authority again. You are dismissed." Weiss added refusing to take a step back before the knight did.

"Haha, the mouth on her! I most certainly raised you child. The motion stays, next petition." Otto said with a laugh forcing the Vermilion knight to leave.

"I told you knights are cool." Summer whispered pulling Qrow's leather armor, like the child she was. He nearly started fighting with his sister right there before another booming call snapped him back to reality. Slightly unnerved, the young hunter walked into the light, center of the room all eyes on him. Summer followed, but clung closely to him, disliking the attention

"You, boy, I do not know you. State your business." Otto stated coldly, the old man seemed to be getting tired despite his previous bouts of laughter. Qrow inhaled a deep breath, silently clearing his throat and nerved. He looked right at Otto, never letting his silver eyes turn away, just staying focused, serious. He was a Hunter, and Otto was an old man, no Ursa.

"My Lord. My name is Qrow Rose, this child is my sister Summer Rose. I have come here looking for employment. I am a Hunter, Beowolves are my specialty, but I have taken down much stronger prey before. I wish to do some work before moving on to Vale." Qrow spoke clearly, hoping not to seem desperate or showy. Let them no he was not interested in wasting their time, but rather perform simple business. Otto smiled at this, though the look in his eyes told Qrow that the old man was not on the same page.

"So you heard we are stocking up on Hunters. This is true. Ever fight a war before Mr. Rose was it?" He asked leaning forward in his chair. All the hunters and huntresses were finding work as soldiers, as they did too often in war, forgetting their purpose. Qrow would not continue his mother's mistake.

"No my lord and I don't intend to. My scythe is meant only for the soulless." He did not try to sound snarky, instead preferring clear and concise. Otto was less amused, but not angry. The right group immediately lost interest in Qrow though some chatter could be heard from the left faction.

"And there you go suggesting they have souls. I'm looking for skinners, not an idealist. Let a day's hunger go and perhaps you'll change your mind. Until then, good day Mr. Rose. Next." Otto called and already behind him some woman began to take the same short walk to center stage.

"Understood my lord. Good day." Qrow added, feeling a sense of dread and discomfort. He had no idea what they could do. The little Lien they had could not get them out of the city, nor provide them with living conditions. Perhaps he could find his sister some shelter, but not both. "Come Summer, we have to see to a place to sleep" Qrow whispered, pulling on Summer who seemed vaguely aware of the situation. She said nothing as they walked back through the crowd of petitioners. Footsteps seemed to hurry behind him, but Qrow did not take much note, concerns of food taking priority. Perhaps manual labor could be worked out,

"Mr. Rose! Would you please wait a moment?" The footsteps found a voice, fairly pleasant and formal. Qrow turned around to find in a fine fur trimmed jacket not unlike the knights, a man he recognized from the left group. Dressed in all white, this time with no red, but more blues. His clothing was more comfort focused, though not lacking in that small quality of formal knighthood.

"Who are you?" Qrow asked taking note to memorize the man's face. He was young, not much older than Qrow if at all. He was clean shaven, skinny like Otto, yet livelier and even a little red. His hair was short silver, but the same ice eyes as the lord. He was decidedly handsome, unusually so even.

"My name is Wilhelm Schnee. I run Schnee Dust Company. I have a job for you." He said in a smooth voice not as hostile as any of the other members of the family, gifted with a much easier smile and softer personality.

"I will not kill Faunus. I'm sorry." Qrow responded animatedly. He didn't mean to sound rude, but he would not be a part of this folly.

"How about a Nevermore?" Wilhelm replied with an easy smile.

***First off I'm SOOOO sorry this is late. Had some work, a calc test and personal emotional stuff all kind of hit me so I'm really sorry about this. I got a paper to write than back to work with me.

I wanted to do a few thank yous. First to Frozenhikki who provided all the german translations for this, next is to Kuribayashi for giving me permission to reference Vermilion and basically make it canon in the Vale series because it is the best Fanfic. Of course they are set many many years apart. Both of them are really cool people and talented so check out their stories if you haven't already.

I had a few questions on this, but for the timeline I'm putting the Faunus war around 40 years prior to the events of RWBY proper. I based this off a researching small tidbits of world history we know and I think that estimate functions. I feel like with what little info we have it's the proper place, and thematically it's stylized as the later imperial age and fall of classical feudalism with a little dash of world war one added. Next in this chapter before some of you get mad about Summar having a red hood not a white one, relax I got this, I know just wait.

Hope to see you soon and thank all of you who are giving Autumn Vale a chance, I know it's a bit different so thank you guys and gals so much! Chapter of Melting Vale will be up as soon as it gets finished through beta!

Elfen.