Chapter 13: Crown of Wood

Wilhelm Schnee the Interloper

"King of the Faunus. What do you make of it Lagune?" It had been near a week, a cooler autumn week at that since Wilhelm had been captured. Not much happened to Wilhelm since then; he was dragged off to a less than affable cell and few visitors aside from a brute of a faunus man with a red lion mane who wanted to know why Wilhelm was here and some wolf-woman always wanting him to sign a fine sheet of paper claiming he was a well-mannered and well-kept hostage, standard action whilst holding someone of the Schnee prince's class, a document he refused again and again to sign. No one told them anything straight about the outside world however. Still there were whispers from the guards, the little notes in the papers Wilhelm scanned in their hands, most of all a brand new seal marked with a black flame in a lotus with a gold crown around it. King of the Faunus, Charles Cid.

"Shut up," Lagune groaned. He was such a spoiled companion. Ever since he came back from the hospital bed crippled on his right leg, the general did nothing but cry and whine. The battle broke him, no one respected him, least of all Wilhelm. They were both treated well enough, this cell was lined with cloth, the heater was on and books were at their disposal though Wilhelm had already read them all. Despite this as soon as Lagune was asked to sign, he did quickly thinking his life in danger. Wilhelm instead bid his time, plotting this all out, this dance between him and Nimh. He plotted revenge.

"Like King of the Valian Faunus I can buy, but King of the Faunus, all inclusive. That's a bit presumptuous don't you think?" Wilhelm replied kicking around some ornament that had made its way onto the floor from the rather dreary cobble stone walls. There were two windows, though they were completely out of reach and only let moonlight in. Chairs sure, and even a desk to ponder the time. Beds too though Lagune never moved from it. Wilhelm sought entertainment in tormenting the failed general and his own machinations.

"He's a usurper!" Legune could flail around rather liberally for a broken man.

"And you're a cripple, but seriously I think the title has a ring to it really," Wilhelm stated looking at the time, so perfectly did the sounds of steps match the time, "plus he's married to the newly named Queen of Vale so it sounds about the perfect match. What would that make their kids? Princess and prince of Vale or the Faunus? You see this is why Valian Faunus is a better title, then they can be the royal family of all Vale and it just rolls better.

"Shut up, she's a thief, a god damn thief!" Lagune shouted madly and wildly thrashing about. Wilhelm ignored him as best he could, sliding the wooden desk near the cell door, presented with an open chair on one side, and the finer chair for his side. Siting down it was just the right time. Time for the wolf to come howling.

"We have guests Lagune, be presentable."

The door lock turned, popping open with a thud, one of the guards, some lion woman and a similarly bunny fused specimen came in with pikes and claymore set. Still they were dwarfed by the wolf amongst them. The one Wilhelm was proud to know came by the name Azura, the tank slayer from before. A Huntress of unparalleled skill. Hopefully not too much skill.

"Schnee, are you going to waste my time again today," Azura asked not taking the offered seat, though she did slap the papers down on the desk with a rich and hateful thud. She was tired of his posturing and delays, but there would be none. Lord Schnee is a tasteful title.

"No, I think I'll sign your paper, even more if you'll let me. I just want one thing," Wilhelm asked, pointing the steel covered beast a seat though behind the blue tinted black hair and burning eyes it was obvious she did not give a damn about Wilhelm and his gifted seat.

"What's that?" the wolf asked, not immune to the requests of Wilhelm Schnee. No matter who you asked, the Schnees controlled the north both with their wealth and ties to the kingdom of Atlas so strong they were feared rightfully by many Kings of Vale, this King of the Faunus was in no way a different sort of enemy. He didn't want war with his family, else Charles would not have stopped that bolt, would have let it struck. They are desperate. So Azura could take her seat, wait patiently for the two to talk things out, come up with an agreement. Wilhelm had time; it was a peaceful little place after all, besides the groaning man.

"I want to meet our king."


"The Simian Chief writes to say he's thankful to have his son's body returned to him and that more of his tribe intend to join us and acknowledge the assent to the throne." The shouting was loud, the voice familiar. Same lion man from before, had to be after all who else could make the world shake with such obnoxious ease. Wilhelm had been brought, just as he had expected to, the camps outside Fort Castle. The new king had taken up residence again in these dreary soaked pavilions over the rock and stone fortress people had slaughtered themselves over. There was still cheering even now, Wilhelm could hear it in the camps. How long do these people need to drink and celebrate their triumph over an idiot and his toy army? Perhaps that was bitterness speaking. Though he wore no chains on him, no cuffs or restraints, allowed to dress as proper as he had before, Wilhelm was a prisoner. The large iron beast behind him was evidence of that. Azura's scowl so deep the young man thought it might be a permanent vestige on her visage to mark the former distain.

"You never heard that," she stated, gently pushing Wilhelm forward in the camp. Oh he heard plenty.

"The confederate Faunus to the south say they'll support us if we move on Vale city, we will need more support to take the capitol however." The next report was not nearly as loud, but still could make itself heard over the roaring. A field had been cut out, the earth still muddy and barren from the move. Many raised seats by separate torches lit to illuminate the dusk evening.

"Ice Marsh claims neutrality, I believe they will defect to our side given some time and promises to end a few territorial disputes settled," a much smaller, but precise voice spoke. Most of the camp seemed to silence when she started. This part of the plan seemed to make more sense. Denounce the king and see who would follow suit. Appeal more to the traditionalists measures of right or wrong. Explained the titles better too, and who thought of this. Though Wilhelm had not heard that voice in person since he was a child and rarely on radio, he knew it was Maledetta, the bride to be that never was.

She was a smart girl, Wilhelm remembered that. Most at the Vytal festivals went after heirs, girls and boys alike trying to win over Weiss' affection yet none wanted the second, none gave the ten year old Wilhelm their hand and asked them to dance. None wanted his favor...except for one little girl with black hair and dull weak eyes. A doe they called her, Maledetta Cid. Heir to Fort Castle. Little doe was smarter than all the other sharks. She wanted Schnee money, but not Schnee order, not the strings that came with someone so powerful as Weiss. Wilhelm didn't know it as a kid, too busy being happy anyone paid him any mind and they danced. Later that day their engagement was finalized, never to be broken until today.

This wasn't a dance floor in Vale Castle. This was a muddy little meeting pavilion open to the many Faunus nobilities beside merchants of death and dust. This was a crowed of warriors, many who had injuries, scars, battered sprites and bruised bodies. This was the winning side cheering her, and she was still just a little doe playing them all beside an equally played young man, the man that would have been Wilhelm. He hated this faunus would-be-king, though perhaps he should be thankful. Seeing this brilliant little woman play politics like a violin, this likely spared Wilhelm a horrid fate. The same mercy would not be returned.

"Charles," Azura started, earning mixed looks. Warriors looked on in love and admiration, who couldn't after seeing her on the field, but the chiefs seemed distrusting. Is there some bad blood here? Wilhelm couldn't help thinking. Whatever bad blood was there the man of the hour, Charles, seemed happy to see her and no matter how angry she seemed, Wilhelm could see a subtle smile in those blue eyes of hers.

"King Charles!" the large lion corrected in a shout. The many of the faunus cheered and repeated the pointless title, though all it did was make the man of the hour sit even more uncomfortably in his high seat. The king wasn't dressed like one; still in leather armor with nothing regel about him whatsoever. Perhaps that was the point, a puppet king. Someone to have a title in the meantime. The Battle of Fort Castle, more like slaughter, was the crowning jewel to him. The black cat was famous now, who better to be the puppet. How tight were the strings? How easily could they be twisted and pulled? Wilhelm intended to find out exactly if this doll wanted to be a king or just the royal illusion.

"Shut up Murray," some people were immune to this facade. Azura for whatever reason was clearly disillusioned, "Charles, he signed the papers, the Schnee boy wanted to meet with you however." All eyes shot to Wilhelm. One would think being in an animal's pen, surrounded by the biggest beasts would be scary, but the anger in Wilhelm, perhaps a touch of madness now, made fear laughable.

"Don't like the king title much Azura?" Wilhelm joked, taking the stage before them all, front and center before the large pavilion map. The only one who seemed as uncomfortable as Wilhelm, was Charles if that could be conceived. This confirmed something, the boy knew he was tied to strings, he lacked the confidence of a king in his own right. The kid was as smart as they say then. Perfect.

"I don't either to be honest. I don't intend to be king for long, just a temporary formality until real reform can happen in this country, least that's the plan," Charles admitted, leaning back in his chair eyes darting between the young Schnee and the center map.

"So King Charles, I should say thank you, for the hospitable treatment," Wilhelm started taking a step in front of the map. He wasn't talking to the crowd; he was talking to the little Faunus king. The rest of them could all be traitors and part of this conspiracy, the only one that could be bet on is this one, the one that saved Wilhelm on the airship, took that bolt.

"Wilhelm Schnee. I know your name, many faunus families have been abused by Schnee mining practices, but many more have been saved by your machines and technology. Honestly I don't know how to feel about you," Charles replied leaning forward in the seat, those amber eyes locked.

"I think that's mutual, a year ago your name wasn't anything more than something on a birth record if that," Wilhelm began, sliding his hand on the map, remembering the pieces, chess pieces. Each different with a different meaning. Only Charles and his commanders would understand them, clever.

"Schnee don't you even bother-" a voice called from the back, but it was not deterring at all, it was expected.

"But! You've become famous, in a year you've become king of your small, albeit growing, nation. I can respect that." Respect was a strong word, if not the most apt. In any business deal one needs to know how to sweeten people up first, make them more comfortable.

"If you can respect that then why are you even here? Why did I have to commandeer your ship. Not very respectful to take my home." Take your home? Wilhelm questioned in his mind with burning fury, this was supposed to be my home! Still he smiled, though the grimace that hid below that smile pushed so hard to come out, begged even. These acts were getting harder.

"Mind you, we were being ambushed, I came to seek answers, not to kill anyone. You're not stupid, that is what one would describe as your essence. No one tells about how you're the best fighter, that's more, Murray, chief Murray right? More his line of work. I'm not a fighter as well, I'm a thinker, and man that deals with money. My sister is the fighter." Small hidden threats as well as suggestions were important, if casual. Nothing big enough to lead to an accusation, nothing that made you anything more than a simple whisperer of nightmares that may or may not come on a passing fancy.

"Point being?" And Charles was smart enough to know to ignore it.

"You don't want to fight and you don't want to fight my sister. I want to go home, see my family and important people to me," Wilhelm added directly with a bit of a plea, a wish for something almost anyone in the crowd could agree. Truthful too. Wilhelm wanted to go home so badly, the Roses, they need to know what's going on, I need to see Qrow again. Somehow tell him...everything.

"And if I let you go?" Charles asked, not so stubborn as to deny the musing.

"The thing is you can't I still have questions I need answered. Who murdered Wernher Schnee." The path of blood was impossible to revoke now, he was here and there was no turning back. Uncle was cold sometimes, forgetful, but he was still family, he was a good man and nothing was going to stop Wilhelm from finding the truth until someone cut out his goddamn beating heart.

"And I have no reason to let you go," Charles added, which was true, Wilhelm was a valuable prisoner after all, "the murder was not us by the way, your Uncle was a good man." He was.

"That's why I have a suggestion. I'm not a fighter, but I have teeth. I Challenge you to a duel." Madness, absolute madness. Risking it all in something Wilhelm considered for so long below him. Today he couldn't be the banker, he had to be Weiss. Remembering everything she taught him. No smiles, only the more serious of glares, the Schnee fury burning in him. Today there was no such thing as Wilhelm, that creature did not exist, there was just two Weiss', two blizzards made of animosity and ready to take the blade to anything that got in their way, ready to cut down a million if it meant getting justice.

The crowd reacted in a mix of ways, some shouting curses, others laughing the Taurus dead silent behind her grimm mask while Murray just giggled. Wilhelm didn't care what the reaction, there was only two people here. A man dressed in white born again from ice and fury and a supposed king who could maybe, just maybe stop it all.

"No," Charles balked, sitting more straight and on edge. He could see the blizzard coming. "I'm not the strongest, remember?"

"You don't need to be. you can pick someone else. Azura right? Let her do it. Fair duel right? No Semblance, no shields or guns, just our armor and swords. You may call the match if any of us are in danger or Aura gets too weak." Wilhelm would have stuttered at that suggestion, had this been the same Wilhelm. Now with a frozen heart and weeks of planning, he figured the wolf out. She was a beast unbreakable with her shield in hand, Wilhelm had seen it. She was completely horrific by any measure, but take away her shield, she was heavy, weighted and strong, but not impossible to fight. The semblance was a risk, so taking that away was a must. After all whatever could make this huntress more animal could not be good.

"No," Charles replied steady without a hesitation steady and unphased, not so prideful to be an idiot and accept. Clever was good.

"Don't you want to know what's the bet?" Wilhelm suggested taking a step towards the king. Azura blocked his path, oh she was frightening wasn't she, but Wilhelm had to believe in his plan.

"N-"

"Castle White and the Schnee dust. The North even," Wilhelm cut Charles off, side stepping Azura.

"Charles do not listen to this man, Schnees are liars, their blood comes from Atlas, they are loyal to no one," the Taurus murmured when most others were silent. The ancient exodus from Atlas was a legend no one seemed to forget, insufferable insults, but Wilhelm needed to say nothing, the bet was too big to be refused. Charles waved and so it would be done. All were silent.

"I make you this bet, I lose I will be sworn to you and the knights under my command as well, however few, to you as well as my personal wealth. You will allow me to investigate the murder of my uncle with your own detectives. My sister will not fight me and might even side with you if you help me bring the murders to justice." From within Wilhelm could find the truth, even if it meant being a turn coat. If the Faunus were all guilty the fine pleasure of destroying them on the inside bit by bit. Once you take down a few chiefs, what's left of this army? Farmers and outlaws?

"And if you win?" Charles asked, more cautious than ambitious. The false title hadn't gone to his head quite yet.

"I get sent home with all of my men, after swearing an oath to never harm a Faunus, as well as acting as an envoy to my sister about you, and your work. I will arrange a peaceful terms between our family and yours. In exchange I return and am given free reign to investigate the murder on my terms, my way, with my knights with a promise, that whoever is involved in this conspiracy against the two of us, you'll hang yourself." Charles was dead silent, he had a thick upset grimace on his face knowing full well how the bets were trapped. In both the only constant was the investigation of a murder that everyone felt was a crime. By denying him this it was as if you admitted to shooting Wernher himself. Now he had to accept, just to save face. It was public, that was the luck that was the plan. How angry it must feel, Wilhelm thought silently, to know you trapped yourself just by letting me talk in front of everyone.

"You're a smart man, Azura?" Charles sounded so tired, already defeated, but the crowd wasn't. Common soldiers shouted in excitement, camp alive with excitement. Whatever happened, at least Wilhelm would put on a good show.

"Yeah I get it, no killing right?" Azura answered, walking passed them both. That was it, time to make a fool of himself.

"Can I be given my sword then?"


"Do you intend to ruin Charles?" Maledetta asked. She had come as soon as the arena was patched together. For their credit the Faunus people did away with the normal pomp and circumstance for everything was absent. No fine wooden battle coliseum like they had in Beacon. Instead they cleared out a patch of muddy earth with only wooden posts to mark the divide, a few with hung lamps as light. Beyond that was a massive audience more animal than man it seemed. Horns and teeth given form covered in fur and filled with fury, this sort of sporting event was popular though Wilhelm felt like the posts almost protected him from the beasts than more than it did them from the battle.

On one side a small girl with tall rabbit ears loaded armor onto Azura, she seemed sweet on her and the Wolf seemed content to smile and not devour the bunny. Wilhelm was not given the same luxury, he had no squire, no one to give him anything aside from the sword that was rightfully his sisters. The only person who came to greet the Schnee was Maledetta.

"I intend to get the debts to my family collected, that's all." Someone frankly he did not want to see.

"Do you consider us a debt…" The woman asked, playing the doe again, her fine black silken dress, more in the Faunus style than the proper western. She still had hair made of woven thin strains that long since passed those dimly lit eyes of hers.

"Does he know you're playing him?" Wilhelm asked, not with any venom, just curiosity. Wilhelm had no armor to put on, no point when a zweihander would cleave it. Instead he unhooked his coat tossing it aside, it was warm but weighty and could barely block a bad arrow shot, a thing he didn't need. His undershirt as well, let the cold wrap around him, be his armor. Schnee's weren't supposed to be cold, they were blood of Atlas. Next were the leggings of his pants, sliced so nothing would slow his movement, fine shoes tossed into the mud as well next to the fine dress shoes and all other amenities. Perhaps they would laugh at him, near naked in sliced clothes, his chest bare and chilled by autumn wind. If there were, shouts outweighed them.

"We are married, whether we want it or not, what affects one affects us both," the young woman defended, maybe even truthfully, "I like him too. He's got a good heart, together we can do great things, that's still worth something Wilhelm."

"Another time we might have gotten along, the three of us," Wilhelm admitted. Had they been born in a more peaceful time, had Charles not been what he was, had he not stolen everything from Wilhelm, had Schnee blood not soaked the floor. Maybe then.

"But not now?"

"and never again." Wilhelm walked out into the muddy circus seeing all he needed to, the king stood at the far end, surrounded by his chieftains and knights, Murray and the Taurus most noticeable. Their champion was visible, coolly walking out as the rain lightly began to drip on them.

"Shall we begin kid? You can still back out." Wilhelm couldn't hear anyone else, feel anyone else, just the beast of iron. Azura Thrym, the big bad wolf. Her blood and black armor lined with azurite facings and blue cloth, the heavy shield was off, her hand left slack and bored. In the right was a massive sword, the Zweihander, the whole thing lined with dust crystals, something interestingly lose hanging off it. That marred face and deep blue eyes were hidden by a helm marked with a wolf's mask. A boy versus a wolf, story as old as time.

"Go!"

The slack form burst forth, the tornado of energy and rage, the sharp edge slamming down for Wilhelm's head. That man would have died, but right now he wasn't him, he wasn't the smiling boy he left, he was stone cold ice.

A quick side step and thrust sent the rapier chipping away at the blue azurite. It was auseless, but important step. One failure and Wilhelm stepped back, not letting the blade swing back into his skull. The space granted, Wilhelm readjusted his strategy. Let the wolf charge and that she did. Blade with so much force it could carve a nevermore barely missed Wilhelm, stepping aside, smacking the helm lightly with the blade, the iron mask shifting slightly.

Do it. Force of a monster propelled that sword right around. Any idiot caught blocking would be dead, crushed in a moment. Wilhelm was a different kind of idiot, falling backwards, hand stretching out just barely under the blade. Catch it, catch it. Catch It Gods Damn It!

A kick landed in Wilhelm's chest, the energy of it easily cracking his ribs if he had not so quickly brought up his aura. Instead his body tumbled through the mud, bashing right into the wooden posts. It hurt, hurt so badly, the ribs screaming even if dulled by the mystical properties in Wilhelm's body. His mind though, rested firmly in the palm of his off hand. A stone loosened from time and combat, finally torn by nimble hands. A stone made of frost dust, a piece of this unlikely victory. Of all the dust stones engraved in the blade to come loose. Ice, the gods have a mocking sensibility.

"Kid, be done with this, throw the fight before I hurt you," Azura spoke softly, lifting her blade as Wilhelm stood. Who she looked like a winner, her helm shifted mud covered but unharmed. Wilhelm on the other hand was covered in mud, the rain kind enough to clean his hair, but not enough to hide the new bruises.

"It's cold today," Wilhelm whispered as Azura swung the zweihander. Wilhelm dived forward, under the strike and below the legs, but with dust in hand he activated his semblance, cheating yes, but no one would know. Frost was forming on the cool earth early this fall, just lightly in the mix of watery mud. Azura slipped as she turned, that mass of iron tumbling right into mud. Wilhelm, knew where his ice formed, kicking himself up into the solid bits of earth, hand tight on the rapier switching to the offensive. Azura was on the ground and Wilhelm had the advantage. He pressed it, slashing the tip between the blades of the armor, first the knees and shoulders.

"Call it!" Wilhelm shouted, jabbing into the beast's leg as it tried to stand. Every time she moved to get up, the Schnee put her back down. The mud and ice sucked her down in her own armor, no semblance let her over power. Nicks again and again, some that might heal clean, other little scars.

"No!" Azura roared, spinning a sword around, again had the edge that would split ursi and a kick back that shattered the earth below the blade. Wilhelm was still too nimble, still on his feet while Azura could not stand, a beaten and trapped wolf. All that muscle, all that power, and she couldn't stand yet to use it.

"Call it!"

"Shut up bastard!" A swift moment passed, too fast for Wilhelm to think or record, but it ended in blood. Azura was on top of him, sword tossed away, her helm tossed away and one of her facial scars cut back open, dripping blood lightly onto the young man's cheek. Her hand was choking Wilhelm, but the rapier was tightly in her neck, a little pressure would nick it.

"It's over! Wilhelm wins! Medics!" Charles' reason would stop the fight though the beast was not soothed; instead she was crying angry, animal eyes looking into him as the woman was pulled away. She blared and wailed no, but no one listened. Wilhelm, just laughed, laughed sitting in the mud and rain. He won, cheated, but won. When Weiss heard of this, how she would giggle like the schoolgirl she never was. A good story to say the least.

"Let me kill him Charles, he's insulted us!" the Taurus shouted taking center stage, her blade unfolding into a horrible spear sword Wilhelm couldn't trick in the same way. It hurt so much to stand, the beaten ribs and screaming head. The Schnee could stand, but just barely on his strongest leg, but there was no way in hell he was going to die in the mud.

"No, he won I won't start a war over a murder. Wilhelm tomorrow we'll write up my response to your sister and your oath and from there you can be on your way." The question of whether Charles had a crown of wood or worth seemed to come to an end here today. Based all on this one moment. The Taurus was silent, that grim bone mask saying nothing.

"Fine I won't kill him, as you wish king." A moment passed and Wilhelm walked, stepping past the Taurus over to Charles. Perhaps to ask for medicine or just a place to sleep slightly more protected. Maybe he could talk to Charles, they could never be friends, but warn him of what was brewing. He was clearly not involved in the conspiracy; why not turn him against them. While the enemy of an enemy is not always your friend, doesn't mean the damage they can do is real.

"Your family will burn." A whisper so light Wilhelm could barely hear it.

"What?"

There it was, black and feathered just like the nevermore it came from, but most of all it hurt, it hurt so much. The strike turned everything a shade of red, deep and hazy, the kind of pain that cripples you. Wilhelm could feel it sap away at his body and make him want to fall as the rupture in his chest drain what was left of Wilhelm into the abyss.

No!

God damn it no!

There wasn't sound in Wilhelm's world, the abyss all around him only rescinded by the color of that nevermore feather lodged in his chest. Fury was his blood, ice his veins. He would make them understand the hell they had wrought. Though his eyes weld in red, his semblance froze the ruptured heart. There was no time to speak, nothing to say, just to prove. Grasping suddenly at the Taurus, her neck in Wilhelm's hand, the dust stone pressed in her throat, he would make her understand. Understand that even if history would forget Wilhelm, a fool who died at Fort Castle, the Taurus wouldn't, she would know it was this Schnee ghost who would bring them never ending winter. Just as the ice from his dust creped up this woman's neck and cracked her mask Wilhelm would be the seed that grew the flower of ice in the Faunus heart. This crime would shatter it, this crime would drown her people and damn well as she watched him die, watched that last breath choke on his blood filled lungs, she would know how she killed her people. The mask cracked open and Wilhelm looked into her eyes.

The snowflakes will suffocate you all.

*** Wilhelm Schnee is named after Wilhelm the I, Emperor of Germany that along with Otto Von Bismarck, modernized German and formed an empire that would not fall till WWI

Volume 2 episode 3 did make this A.U. unfortunately, though I'll be trying to retroactively keep the A. to a minimum and adjust to this (such as Schnee's being from Atlas is sort of represented here)

Thanks to TCR for the edits and LazyKatze for being my partner in crime for all this crazy nonsense.