WARNING: This is a sequel to The Girl Made of Marble, so it's advisable to read that one first. If you're really, really smart you could understand most without it, but come on, it's like 25k words, don't be lazy. It will also be darker, as the initial chapter might suggest, so I understand if you want to give this a skip.
If you're still here, or back here already, then welcome to the first step of this new journey.
1. Trail's Gone Cold
The girl walked in a brisk pace through the dimly lit swamp, despite the sinking terrain underneath her feet. Accumulated mud coated her boots all the way to her dark pants. The red cape over her shoulders was torn and scratched at the bottom, in serious need of a visit to the seamstress. Not that she cared, the cloak had once been her most valued possession, but her priorities had been forced away from the frivolities of clothing. Her face was resting in a half-frown, no smiles or giggles in her expression those days.
She was tired from the constant walk, aching muscles all the way to the bone, but she pushed through nonetheless, driven by relentless determination. At long last, her destination began to appear over the horizon, a large building with lights pouring through the windows.
The White Fang. The inn where gathered all who desired not to be found by the human communities and governments. Not too many people knew about it, and none of its regulars parted with the information keenly. It was, in summary, a safe haven for all kinds, mostly non-humans tired of being chased and hunted by mankind. Hence its swampy location, a dark and forsaken place no one dared to look in, and the perfect hiding spot.
A shady establishment, no doubt about it, there were even rumors about a terrorist organization assembling in secret inside. The huntress wasn't there for them, but she herself was counting on the secrecy of the place. It had been a difficult choice to resort to it, but options weren't exactly in great number at the moment. She hoped at least for some privacy while handling business, protected from the prying ears of her target, who managed to remain one step ahead at all times. It was hard to track down someone with such a good network of spies.
Nearing the entrance, she checked the concealed knife on her left leg, ensuring it remained ready but hidden. She had left the bow and quiver behind, too inconspicuous for a social call. It made her feel unprotected, but having a weapon out in the open would've given her more trouble than otherwise. It would be hard enough to get inside as is, the last thing she needed was to appear to have murderous intent. Stopping for an instant, she touched the small crystal inside her pocket, refilling her confidence.
Reaching the wide open door, the roaring sounds of clientele enjoying their evening could be clearly heard within. Two figures were standing by, flanking the entrance on both sides. The man on the right was tall and bulky, thick muscled arms appearing from the sleeveless green coat he wore. The garments underneath looked black under the moonlight, with a long cloth hurdled around his waist. To the left was a shorter, yet still taller than her, man with burnt orange hair all the way to his chin, covering most of his dark-skinned face. Unfazed by the temperature, he only had a vest the same color of his hair, and black trousers. His eyes were a clouded white, but he was not any less alert for it.
Before the red-hooded girl could enter, the taller man placed one of his arms in front of her, and roared menacingly.
"You have a lot of nerve coming back here, human."
She stared back at his eyes with burning fury, not in the mood for his nonsense. Before she could fire back the words screaming in her mind, there was a voice heard calling out from inside.
"Let her go, Yatsu. She's with me."
The bouncer looked back at the brunette woman who had spoken, and reluctantly lowered the barrier. As the archer walked in, she heard him whisper a warning.
"You better not start any trouble. Your friend isn't here to save your skin this time."
She sneered at the blatant threat, and moved on.
The wide room was bustling with activity, tables filled with customers eating, drinking and talking all around. Some, although not all, proudly displayed signs of not being human. Tails, ears and horns, even one towering man-tree, oak-skinned with small branches growing out. There was no stigma in there, no reason to hide. They could be free.
The huntress got a couple of looks of mistrust, from people who recognized her. She understood why, this was their house and not hers, she wasn't welcome. To say the truth, she missed her house.
Her contact was sitting by the bar and the silver-eyed girl lowered her hurting body on top of the stool next to her. The woman gestured the bartender to fill her empty glass, then looked to the newcomer.
"Want something?"
"You know exactly what I want."
"Damn, Ruby, can you take it easy for a second? You're with me, no one is going to hurt you here. And from the look of things you could use a break." It was true, she desperately needed some rest. And knowing her company, she would get no answers until she humored the request, so she nodded in agreement.
It was undeniable as well that no one would dare to attack as long as she kept close to the brunette. Despite her lean and toned body, she was not at all defenseless. Below her kind face and long hair, she had a full set of dark brown clothes that could have been mistaken for measly cloth by the untrained eye, but were in fact made of hardened leather. It was, for all purposes, armor, but one meant for mobility rather than sheer protection. Still, it wasn't just her outfit that struck fear in the enemies who were unlucky to cross her, but what she was.
A shifter. She had been born with the ability to take many forms, albeit only for a short time. It was a rare and powerful trait, and even if she preferred stealth and infiltration, she could just as easily take on foes with the power of a small army. Not many people would willingly face someone as mighty, and for good reason. It was truly a blessing, and more than a little strange, how good-natured and friendly she was, not one to hold grudges despite the poisonous atmosphere she liked to frequent.
"So, I don't see Blake today. Where is she?" The first question pertained to their mutual friend, the lycan who had been the entry pass for the archer's first visit to the inn.
"We got separated."
"Is she still upset with Yang?" Ruby gestured affirmatively, allowing the obvious next question to surface. "Are you still upset?"
She sighed deeply, sinking down on her seat, and took a sip of the glass that had appeared in front of her while she wasn't looking. The alcohol burned in her throat, but also dulled her nerves. Sometimes it was lucky how little she was used to liquor, the slightest amount being enough to work the desired effect.
"Wouldn't you?"
The long haired woman looked defeated but comprehensive about the response. She might've not known the huntress' blonde sister well, but it was easy to understand why her actions were so hard to forgive.
"So..." She finished the new drink, but made no motion to ask for more. "Onto business. You're still after the Schnee, aren't you?"
"Yes. The trail's gone cold again, she always knows my next move."
"You could've come to me sooner, you know I don't mind giving you a hand."
"Does that mean you have something?" The short-haired girl asked hopefully, yearning for a new piece of the puzzle.
"Yes, I've been after someone myself, a bounty hunter, and I heard some rumors. She was last seen here, and she's said to be heading north." The shifter pointed to a village in a small hand-drawn map she pulled from her pouch.
Ruby took note of the information with a subtle smile. North meant away from her path, but it also meant the prey was on the run from her. All things considered, it felt like a victory.
"Thanks. Oh, and..." The silver eyed girl pointed to the bartender. "...you should ask her out."
They both looked at the woman who stood behind the bar, cluelessly cleaning a glass from a patron who had left. She was quite good-looking, short brown hair framing her face, a single long strand running down her right cheek, slightly lighter in tone at the tip. She also dressed very sharply, a stylish corset over a beige shirt and pants that looked quite expensive, both dark brown with black highlights. Many customers came in trying to woo her, but were promptly dissuaded by her refined brawn, unexpectedly having a sharp mouth and a mean punch.
"What?" The brunette wasn't expecting the remark, but Ruby had long noticed her subtle glances. There was something there, it just needed a push.
"I mean it, Velvet. You never know when it's the last time you'll see the ones you care about." The archer got up to exit, now that the business was finished, but her arm was grabbed, and she was met with worried eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just tired. It shouldn't be long now till it's over."
And with that she walked away, leaving behind the stunned Velvet staring blankly.
It was late when Ruby managed to return to her campsite. Everything was where she'd left it, no man lurking around those parts. She picked up the cold leftovers of her last meal, a roasted squirrel, and took a bite. It tasted horribly, because of the ash she had spilled on it to avoid predators, but it didn't matter as long as it fended off the hunger.
She removed the knife from its strap, placing it under her bedroll for a quick draw if need be. Then she lied down, deciding to rest for the night. Her portable cot wasn't necessary to provide heat, the red cape was more than enough, but it helped fight the elements.
Before falling asleep, she fumbled in her pocket, playing with the small amber crystal inside.
I'm so close, Penny. I'll make this right, I promise.
It feels so good to be back in this world again.
I actually wrote most of this chapter before I even finished The Girl Made of Marble. It's the core set-up for the new story I was aiming to tell, and it's meant to raise a lot of questions that will be slowly answered along the rest of the way.
As always, don't be shy with the reviews. It's your feedback that fuels my writing.