The night air was bitingly vicious, nipping unforgivingly at the tips of her ears and nose, turning them an irate red. Weiss shifted the leather blanket up closer to her face, moving closer to Qrow. He grunted in response, a puffy cloud of steam exploding from his nostrils.
High above them the moon shone brightly, illuminating everything well enough for safe travel down the mountain pass. The moon was like a watchful eye, Weiss thought, surrounded by its millions of unblinking helpers. A watchful entity. She corrected her previous thought.
On either side of them forests rose up like long, seeking tendrils, piercing the sky like spears as they rose and dispersed with the raised rocky ground. Regardless, they were long and shadowy, and every movement that Weiss caught with her peripheral vision caused her to grow more edgy. She wasn't used to this kind of travel, and she had long lost her eagerness for great adventuring. She'd have given anything for some sweet pampering.
Although Ruby's snores couldn't be heard, Weiss knew her friend was in the back doing just that. The brunette had retired long ago, probably seeking some protection from the bitter environment. Weiss was too anxious for sleep, her thoughts constantly rotating between her home and her future. Qrow probably didn't mind the company too much, either. At least, she hoped not.
"So, when and where are we stopping?" Weiss asked, speaking clearly. The wind was pretty loud up here, whistling and echoing through the peaks and natural eaves, and the crunch of the horse hooves on stone and snow didn't help.
"We stop when we need supplies, and or rest, and we stop where we can get supplies. And or rest." Qrow answered back, and Weiss huffed. She didn't like him, not at all. In addition, he smelled heavily of ales, and it made her wonder just who this Guild was into hiring.
They had been on the road for two days, and had just left Atlas behind, a great white shadow that loomed behind them, watching them depart under the dark sky. Weiss had spent the entire day looking over her shoulder at it, the great mountains of Coldfort still somehow visible even this far away. Her heart had ached then and it ached now.
"So, what's it like out in Vale?"
Qrow spat into the wind. "A lot warmer than this is."
"Ha ha." Weiss deadpanned, and Qrow shrugged. "Regardless, if that's the case, move faster." Weiss mumbled, admittedly discomforted by the freezing climate around them. It's not that she wasn't used to it, she just wasn't used to long exposure to it.
Qrow chuckled, and took a hand off the reigns to reach under his cloak, pulling out a small object. It only took Weiss a moment to realize it was a flask. "Here. Take a swig, you'll feel better for it."
Weiss eyed it with distaste. "Er, no thanks. Really, I'm... F-f-fine." She chattered, shivering as a particularly strong gust of wind wormed its way in beneath all her covers and furs.
Qrow growled lowly, shoving the flask into her. "Take it and try it. I need both hands to do this."
Reluctantly, and still shivering, Weiss took the metal flask and brought it underneath the blanket, where she unscrewed the cap. She took a sniff and coughed, wrinkling her nose at it. "Eugh... It's so... Potent."
Qrow chuckled, giving her a grin. "You bet. That'll warm you up nicely, through and through."
"Right." Weiss mumbled through numbed lips. She took another weary sniff, deciding it smelt like whisky. Well, that's not so bad. She tried not to think too much about it having been used as she brought the cold metal to her mouth, the fumes strong enough to make her eyes water. The liquid poured down into her throat like dragon's fire, burning and searing everything it touched. She jerked the drink away with a violent cough, although she'd already swallowed the stuff. It burned its way into her stomach, leaving a trail that quickly became soothing. In the pit of her belly there was a heat that spread throughout her, immediately warming her limbs.
"That's... Strong." She coughed, screwing the cap back on and passing it to Qrow, who promptly unscrewed it again and took a mouthful of the foul stuff. He brought it back down and put it away, smacking his lips as he did so.
"Yeahp, that's the stuff. Does me good. Will do you good, too." He said.
"I highly doubt I'll be healthier for it." Weiss said, her eyes still watering. Tears had already frozen dry to her cheeks.
"You're not going to see Atlas again for awhile, princess." Qrow said, a hint of sympathy on his voice. Weiss frowned at the thought, even though she already knew it.
"I know. I came to terms with that when I decided to become a huntress."
Qrow nodded sagely. "Yeah, well, you'll be a sore one if you don't learn what it means to be one."
Weiss looked at him queerly, unsure what he meant. Was he asking her to tell him what being a huntress means? If so, she already knew. "It means honour, of course. And being able to do what other's cannot. It's my duty to protect the lower folks."
Qrow snorted. "You're going to be a poor huntress if you think that's all there is to it, Schnee." He said, voice cold. "Oh, look at me, I'm a princess and I've got special powers. I'm going to save the world and be a hero." His voice dripped with sarcasm, and Weiss felt offended. The word cretin almost fell out of her mouth.
"If you think that's why I'm going to be a huntress-"
"You're becoming a huntress because the Hunters need you to. But you're also becoming a huntress because you want the glory. Have I hit the mark? I probably have; you Schnee's have a pretty good track record for being the same." Qrow spat again, "Look, princess. There's a lot more that goes into being a hunter than you think. It comes with a lot of things, and morals are the entirety of it all. Anyone with a sword and a semblance can be a huntress, but only someone with the right ideals can be a good one."
Weiss bit her bottom lip, anger building inside her. "What do you possibly know of my ideals, my ambitions?"
"I know that you've got the wrong ones." Qrow said, voice without any malice. It was calm and almost sad, and made Weiss bite her tongue. Her anger burned, and she had to exercise her will power to keep any smart remarks in check. After all, it wouldn't do to start making enemies already.
A silence fell over them, and all that could be heard was the rhythmic sound of hooves on the rocks below and the roll of the wagon wheels. Weiss sat with Qrow for a little while longer, absorbed in the words of their brief but seemingly important conversation. Eventually the effects of the alcohol wore off, and the chill seeped deeper into her bones. She wrapped her arms around herself tighter and tried to fight off the shivers.
"Go on back and get close with Ruby. She could probably use your body heat and you could use hers. And some sleep." Qrow said. Weiss didn't even protest, surprised by her body's eagerness as it mechanically climbed up over the bench and pushed past the canvas flap into the stocked back.
Ruby was pilled beneath multiple blankets and her cloak, cushioned between propped up leather bags of traveling clothes, provisions and water skins. Weiss crawled over to her and set to shaking her awake.
"Bleh, Yang, go away!" Ruby complained, slurring. Weiss' brow furrowed, having never heard of this Yang up until now.
Weiss shook Ruby even harder this time, and the younger girl's eyes popped open. Her hair was an absolute rat's nest and her face was pushed up against the side of a bag in such a way that her bottom lip was pushed open and to the side. "Weish?"
Weiss rolled her eyes, and began to shift things so that she'd be able to fit in with Ruby. "I'm coming in for some sleep. I'm tired."
Ruby propped herself up on her elbows and shrugged. "Okay, cool. It's kind of warm under here, but I don't mind being warmer." She said with a yawn.
Weiss pushed the improvised siding out of the way and fell into the small space, immediately shedding a layer of her clothing. The cold nipped at her even more exposed body, and she began to shiver violently. "Here." Ruby said, and Weiss felt the familiar weight of Ruby's cloak settle across her shoulders. "I've been all wrapped up in it, so it's nice and cozy."
Weiss smiled her thanks, drawing it close around her as she lay down and faced away from Ruby, pulling the blankets up over them both. The heat of the cloak immediately went to work, thawing her from the outside and working hard at her inner flesh. Still she shivered, the cold in her marrow. Her teeth chattered in rhythm with the steady bump of the wagon, and particularly violent shivers racked her body from time to time.
"Yeesh..." Ruby said quietly, and Weiss felt the younger girl pull at the cloak.
"W-wha-at is is?" Weiss tried to sound annoyed, but it was somewhat nullified by the comical shivers.
"Just... Gah, stop fighting me! Here, gimme." Ruby wrestled the cloak away, and before Weiss could react, Ruby had already wrapped her limbs around Weiss and was hugging her like a sloth on a branch. At first, Weiss was uncomfortable with the situation, stiff as a board and on the verge of telling Ruby to untangle herself. However, once the cloak was re-added and Ruby's own personal body heat warmth had started to set in, Weiss sighed and let it go, deciding she really didn't mind. Ruby's breath was hot on her cheek, and helped warm at least one side of her face. "There."
Weiss, sleep having already begun to creep up on her, did not reply. Instead, she loosened herself up and clung to one of Ruby's hands, as a show of appreciation. She hoped that would do, because almost immediately after sleep took her.
Weiss stretched as best she could in the confined space, immediately taking note of all the stiffness in her muscles. A groan of discomfort escaped her. "Ruby."
No answer.
"Ruby?" Weiss asked again, looking over her shoulder. In Ruby's place was empty air, and for the first time Weiss noticed the rays of sunlight that sneaked in through the gaps in the canvas fabric, casting patchy shapes on the contents inside.
The wagon had also stopped, she realized. The air was no warmer, and Weiss felt regret when she threw the blankets off. She was quick in wrapping herself back up in all her leather, which had grown chilly and stiff itself. Outside she could hear the muffled voices of Ruby and Qrow, joined by the crackles of an open flame.
She squinted her eyes at the blinding sun when she stepped out, finding herself in the middle of a clearing. The ground here was grassless, and rocks seemed to jut out from everywhere. Around them was the forest they'd seen alongside the path, plus a trail that Qrow no doubt took to get down here.
Ruby and Qrow were sitting around a small campfire, cooking something in a pot. "It was pretty cool, Unlce Qrow! Running around in castles at midnight is probably my new favourite thing."
Qrow laughed. "Well, at least your friend isn't too stuck up for your antics."
Ruby laughed with him, reaching over the pot and gingerly dipping a finger in, immediately yanking it back out with a hiss and sticking it into her mouth. She sucked on it for a moment before humming her approval. "Stew tastes, uh... Exquisite!" Ruby praised it, and Qrow shook his head as he chuckled.
"Hey there, Weiss. How's your back?" He said, looking up at her. Weiss jumped, not aware that Qrow had seen her.
"Sore, I suppose." She admitted, moving over to sit on a cushioned crate next to Ruby. The younger girl beamed at her, like a rainbow. A really bright and happy rainbow. Weiss had to make an effort to keep the grimace off her face; she certainly didn't feel happy.
She was eager, though, and hungry. "So, is the food ready?"
Qrow snickered. "Almost four days out and you're already talking less like a pampered brat."
Weiss soured, and rolled her shoulders. They both popped. "You'd do well to mind your tongue. Regardless of where I am, I'm still the rightful heiress to Atlas. If it was my wish, I'd have you turned into a wanted man."
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "She always like that?" He asked to Ruby, who clammed up and remained impassive. Qrow rolled his eyes, though he did grin. Obviously Ruby's silence stood for a yes.
Weiss huffed and reached into her coat, singlehandedly unclipping her royal brooch and bringing it out in her hand. It was opal, shined and buffed and immaculately unscathed, hugged snugly by an intricate silver metal designed to look like a chain of sleek serpent dragons, writhing and wriggling around each other. It was so detailed that each scale was both noticeable and to scale with the miniature bodies. She traced a cold thumb along its smooth surface, frowning. It was a gift from Winter, her sister. They hadn't seen one another in years.
"That's pretty." Qrow commented, staring at it with interest. Weiss snapped her hand to her chest, training her eyes on him wearily. "Whoa, whoa. I'm not a thief; I'm a hunter. I don't steal from my charges." He said, indignantly. Weiss felt a little shameful, but she stood by her reaction. It was a precious loom, and she would protect it with her life.
She brought it back out into plain view, showcasing it to both Qrow and Ruby, who had admittedly seen it before but seemed to never tire of it. Indeed, the younger girl stared wide eyed at it still, entranced at the way the sunlight sparkled off the metal. Qrow observed it from a distance, nodding to himself.
"You know, something like that could get lost or damaged pinned to your tunic." He said, and Weiss realized he was right. It would only take one rough jostle to lose the item, and she may not even notice. The thought of damaging it was equally worse.
"Well, what should I do with it?" Weiss asked, concerned. She didn't like the thought of leaving it in a travel bag, but she didn't want to put it in a pocket, either. She liked wearing it.
Qrow rubbed his chin for a moment, then seemed to brighten with an idea. He got up wordless, heading for the wagon and leaving the two girl's behind.
"He's a little... Odd." Ruby said quietly when he was out of earshot. Weiss nodded in agreement.
"You both are, but I think I like you more."
Ruby giggled, and Weiss smiled. Ruby giggles were fun to hear, so light and airy and bubbly. Weiss thought there was a lot of words that could describe it, and she couldn't remember ever hearing one quite so jovial. At first she'd thought she was annoyed by it, but it didn't take her long to realize it was envy. She'd never been able to laugh quite like that.
Qrow returned from their carriage with something in his hands. He sat back down on his rock, and hung a black chain out for them to see from his index finger.
"Ooooh." Ruby breathed, and Weiss too was impressed. It was shiny ebony, and glinted where the sunrays touched it. She thought there were little protrusions in the links, almost like thorns.
"It's made of Obsidian. Rare material, very durable. Not likely to break. If you want, I can fasten it to your jewellery and you can wear it like a necklace." He said, and Weiss felt a sudden appreciation for the hunter. She knew Obsidian wasn't cheap, and it also wasn't the kind of thing you just pick up.
"I'd be ashamed to ask it of you, such a fine chain as it is." Weiss said, but Qrow snorted.
"I don't really care for it. I was gifted it by a wealthy woman who warmed my... Anyways, it was payment for a job. You want it or not?"
Weiss bit her inner cheek. This man was so crude. "Well... If you insist, Qrow." She said, holding the brooch out to him with more than a little apprehension. He took it and pocketed it without a word, with the chain.
"Alright. I'll have it for you as soon as I get time." Qrow told her, and Weiss nodded. Her hand closed into a fist, a feeling of loss overcoming her. It wasn't that she felt like she'd lost something; it was more like she felt as if Atlas had lost her.
"Alright, then! Stew time!" Ruby suddenly exclaimed, drawing Weiss out of her dark reverie. Qrow rubbed his hands together in anticipation and for the first time since waking up Weiss appreciated the full smells wafting from the pot. Ruby reached for a stack of three wooden bowls and set them on her lap. She then began to drop ladlefuls of steaming stew into the top one, brown and thick, generously filled with carrots, potatoes, turnips, and beef strips. An entire cloud of fog seemed to surround Ruby. "First off; Weiss!"
Weiss eagerly accepted the wooden dish, paired with an equally wooden spoon. It was alien for her, but she was a little excited by the idea of eating from such a thing. It made her feel like she truly was on a journey. She was a little weary of the food, used to fine cuisines as a daily thing, but it smelled good. "Blow on it or it'll burn your tongue." Ruby advised her, and Weiss' eyebrow twitched.
"Ruby, I know this."
Ruby was silent for a few bashful seconds. "Right." She finally said, and Qrow coughed. The brunette filled up Qrow's bowl then and passed it to him, the brown liquid sloshing dangerously close to the brim. Qrow took it without hesitation and immediately began to attack it with vigour.
Weiss inched away out of instinct, disturbed by Qrow's display of voracity. Ruby even seemed embarrassed by him, a nervous giggle escaping from her lips. As she began to fill the last bowl, presumably for herself, Weiss turned to hers, gingerly testing the consistency with her spoon. It was indeed thick, but not in a gelatine way. It was more like thick cream.
"Go on, it's good." Qrow assured her, and Weiss fought to keep her expression polite. She was almost certain he'd find anything appealing after that display.
Forcing some courage, Weiss filled her spoon with some broth and a chunk of carrot, bringing it to her lips and blowing on it. The heat it gave off warmed her face, and it smelt even better. Flavour imploded within her mouth when she stuck the spoon in, and she realized that her stomach was indeed craving for food.
Soon enough, the three of them were eating the stew with almost equal fervency. Of course, Qrow had slowed it down a lot.
At the end of their fasting, Weiss set the bowl down with a content sigh, having scraped the bowl clean. Ruby and Qrow both chuckled, and offered her more. "No, thanks. That's enough for me."
"Suit yourself." Ruby said, shrugging and feeding them both some more. Weiss watched the icy blue sky, clear and pristine out here in the wild without coal smoke to smog it up. A black bird flew overhead, circling them, and Weiss smiled softly. She liked it out here, even if it was colder than she would have preferred it.
After Ruby and Qrow had finished they stacked their bowls with the pot, filling them with snow. He had them stay sat around the fire, which he fed another log. Weiss was growing restless herself, eager to be off.
"Should we not be leaving now?"
Qrow's expression grew solemn, and he shook his head. "On the way here we saw something."
At this Ruby seemed to shrink into her cloak, a look of anger on her usually delicately happy face. It was such an immediate change, and Weiss felt the hairs on her neck stand up.
"A wagon was waylaid on the road," Qrow continued, "all destroyed and bloodied. It looked like nothing more than a farmer's load, and there were two horses, torn up and gored." Weiss listened intently, wondering if it was Grimm, Orcs, White Fang or all three.
"My guess is wolves. There were canine prints with claw marks to boot, but nothing big enough to signal Grimm. However," He said, and looked directly at Ruby as he did, "that doesn't make it any less of a threat. It's a pack, and a large one. We don't want anything to do with it."
Ruby looked at him defiantly, her silver eyes glaring. "We have a duty to try and help the missing persons!"
Qrow sighed. "They're dead, Ruby. No doubt about it. They couldn't take the horses because they were still harnessed to the wagon. They dragged the people or person back with them to their den and had their way with them. We don't fight wildlife, we fight monsters."
Ruby scowled, and threw her hood up over her face. Weiss was shocked; she'd never seen Ruby be anything but happy or mildly snarky. She caught Qrow looking at his niece sadly, before his expression turned stern. "Your duty is to kill monsters, not get torn apart on a foolish and righteous driven mission to get vengeance on some wolves. You'll have plenty of chances to do such, if you live long enough. So get over it and move on, kiddo." Despite the harshness of his words there was an undertone of sympathy and understanding.
"I concur. It's a tragedy, but it's also unavoidable. I say we keep a close eye out for the pack, however, while we travel. If we get a good excuse to take care of them, it would do any other travelers of this pass some good." Weiss suggested, and Qrow nodded.
"Exactly what I was thinking."
Ruby sighed, obviously still not happy. Qrow clasped his hands before his knees and gave Weiss a look she didn't understand, but it felt as if he was comparing them.
"Very well. Pack up, put out the fire. Weiss, get your weapon. I want to see you two spar." Qrow ordered, and Ruby almost immediately perked up.
"You mean we finally get to show you just how good we are?" She asked, excitement oozing out of her pores.
"I get to see just how sloppy your swordsmanship is." Qrow corrected, and Ruby harrumphed at him. All the same, she began to rinse out the dishware with the snow. Weiss left her to it and went to the wagon to retrieve their weapons; Myrtenaster, her rapier, and Thorn, Ruby's aptly named short sword. In truth, she was simply eager to fight Ruby again.
She came back with them both in one arm, and Qrow immediately told Weiss to draw her weapon, which she did after setting Thorn against a stone. The thin blade came swishing out of the white leather scabbard fastened with silver. Qrow nodded thoughtfully at it, putting a thumb to his lips.
"Pass it here, let me see it."
Weiss did as she was asked, and Qrow immediately did a basic form with it. He did a bit more of it, and mixed in some fancier movements and footwork. Weiss was humbled; she hadn't expected him to know any fencing, nor did she expect him to appreciate such a classy weapon form.
"It feels nice. Grip is a bit small for me. Let me guess, custom made?"
"Yes. My father gifted it to me a few years ago, when my aura and therefore semblance became apparent."
Qrow nodded, handing it back to her. Weiss found that it fit perfectly into her smaller hands. "Good. Ruby says you're good. I hope so, because she is. It would be a pretty sore spectacle if she wiped the floor with you from the start."
Weiss bristled, gritting her teeth. "I'll have you know that I received proper training from professional duellists from all over Remnant! If anything, you should be more worried for her; I've beaten her more than she has me."
Qrow raised an eyebrow, and Ruby seemed to stiffen. "Right. Proper training, no doubt. How many of them were hunters?"
Weiss grimaced. "At least half."
Qrow smiled angelically at her. "I'm her Uncle."
Weiss sighed, an understanding coming over her. Qrow was far too good at setting her back on her heels without any effort, and that was likely because of her own ineptitude to hold her tongue. "Fair point. But I've still got a higher win rate, so my point still stands."
Ruby got up then, retrieving her sword and swishing it in the air before letting it rest at her side. She gave Weiss a flat expression, and Weiss couldn't help a twinge of guilt. She gave Ruby an apologetic half smile, and Ruby responded with a shrug and a quirky grin.
Of course, everything was fine.
"Alright, then. Get to it over by the tree line, I'll finish with the fire and come over to observe after."
"Alrighty." Ruby agreed, and took the lead. Weiss followed after, wishing she could shed a layer of leather. It was weighty stuff.
They both took their stance in front of one another, weapons held out at arm's length and faces set. "It's been a little bit, hasn't it?" Ruby commented, and Weiss realized with a start that it had. In fact, it had been almost two weeks.
"Yeah. I remember our bouts fondly, though. I'm eager to test you again."
Ruby nodded, and they both took breaths. Their muscles tensed under the clothing, their warrior spirit emerging. With it came a grim expression on both their faces, a steely glint in their eyes.
Their swords touched tips.
Before Weiss could react, Ruby was spinning off to the side and striking for Weiss' right leg. With a sharp breath she stepped behind her left leg and Ruby's strike went wide, but the brunette was already going for her second attack. She stepped in close and pulled her arm back for what looked like a jab. Weiss leapt back and immediately re-situated herself in the span of a split second, nimbly leaning to the side to avoid the coming stab and strike at Ruby's exposed stomach.
Thorn flashed to Ruby's side instead, deflecting Myrtenaster and also presenting Ruby with Weiss' open body.
Ruby's sword was mere inches from Weiss' collarbone when Weiss leaned back and ducked low, rolling out of the way and standing back up into a stance. Ruby turned to face her, still calm. Weiss was shocked; she hadn't seen Ruby so fast or so ferocious during their sparing before. That footwork was new, even.
The crisp clean air was hot on Weiss' throat, and she forced herself to breathe lighter. Such fast reactions were taxing.
"Pretty decent." Qrow admitted, appearing behind them. Weiss looked back to see the fire put out and immediately was thrown from her feet, breath knocked out of her lungs. She landed roughly on the ground, wheezing. Qrow began to laugh, and even as she began to realize what had happened Ruby was by her side, apologizing profusely and ashamedly.
"I am so, so, so sorry, Weissy! Please don't hold it against me or nothing!" She begged, grasping for Weiss' hand. She looked a lot like the warrior Weiss had thought she was when she'd first laid eyes upon her from her father's throne room, face flushed, lips sucking in the cold air, her eyes wide and alert and her hair windblown across her face.
"That was incredibly poor spirited, Ruby." Weiss said flatly, and Ruby bowed her head.
"Yeah."
"I thought it was pretty smart; Weiss' own fault for turning her attention from the battle. It wasn't quite over, was it?" Qrow said, still chuckling.
Weiss glared at him, even if he was right. She already knew this, but she still hadn't expected it from Ruby. There was something off about her, a farmer's daughter, being able to get the upper hand on Weiss like that so fast.
In fact, she'd never seen Ruby move so fast. Ever.
"Qrow is right." Weiss admitted begrudgingly, and Ruby smiled hopefully at her. "Defeat accepted."
Ruby laughed then, and Weiss felt herself begin to giggle along with her. It was infectious laughter.
"Alright, get back up and start at it again. This time try to keep your eyes on the Rose, Schnee." Qrow ordered, and the two obediently got into positions again after Ruby helped Weiss up.
At the end of their sparring, Ruby was five to one, and Weiss was flabbergasted. She'd always thought they were on equal levels of skill, but Ruby proved to be a master of reflexes and footwork that Weiss had never seen in her before.
"You did... Impressively well." Weiss admitted to Ruby as they loaded back up into the wagon.
"Eh heh, thanks." Ruby accepted the compliment, seemingly embarrassed. Weiss guessed it was from the sudden display of hidden skills, and tried not to sulk too much. She was annoyed, but she kept it to herself.
As soon as they both found seat up front, Qrow turned to Ruby.
"Right, Pipsqueak. Bow and arrow, all yours. Keep your eyes trained, try not to shoot anything prematurely." Qrow ordered her, handing her a yew bow and a quiver of arrows. Ruby accepted the task with gusto, even going as far to snap a salute in Qrow's direction. He chuckled at her, and Ruby took up position back of the wagon.
Weiss sat down next to him, feeling cool. The sweat from working herself so hard to try and keep up with Ruby was cooling down. "She's pretty good." Qrow said, and Weiss' face darkened.
"Better than I was previously aware of. For three months."
Qrow laughed, low and amused. "She's been learning to fight since she was twelve, Weiss."
Weiss wasn't surprised to hear this. Ruby would have had to be learning for quite some time in order to be that well developed. "If she'd deemed it intelligent to fight me with her entire skill set, perhaps our sparring would have actually helped me progress further than I have."
Qrow spat. "Probably. But she's got something to prove, just like all of us."
Weiss looked at him, curious. "What's that?"
A ghost of a smile appeared on his face, and he looked at her with sad eyes. "To be the best huntress and warrior Remnant has ever seen."
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Of course I know that. She's told me, and we share very similar dreams. I feel betrayed, even."
Qrow nodded, turning his attention back to his team of horses. They were back on the road by this point, and immediately the trees were surrounding them. The path was curvy, and disappeared around a bend just a little way from where they currently were. "Yeah, similar dreams, different reasons. Ruby has something to prove to a person, rather than an entire world."
Weiss mulled the words over in her head, an interest in knowing more about Ruby's past suddenly sparking in her brain. "Ruby didn't talk much about her past at all. Would you mind?"
Qrow shook his head. "Her past is pretty much my own past, Weiss, and I sure as hell don't plan to discuss it with you."
Weiss scowled. "You hunters are very unlikable."
Qrow chuckled, a sarcastic sound. "Yeah well, unlike princesses in fancy castles, most of us have had a bad time with life. We don't make it a point to be overly charming."
Weiss fell silent, and turned her attention to the horse team. The sun was halfway across the sky, and midday was fast departing.
A long, piercing howl split the nightly silence, and Weiss woke up with a jolt. Her breathing was heavy, and she felt adrenaline running in her veins. A nightmare. She thought, sitting up and looking to her side. Ruby wasn't there.
The lack of bumpiness and sound signalled that the wagon had stopped moving. Qrow was probably catching some sleep, which would likely mean watches. With a sigh, Weiss wrapped herself back up in the blankets and fell back down into the makeshift bed, trying to hold onto the last tendrils of sleep.
Another howl rent her ears and made her blood curdle. "Curses." Weiss hissed, flicking the covers away and fishing for Myrtenaster. With rapier in hand, she slipped out of the wagon onto stony ground. A campfire off to the side lit what appeared to be a plateau in an orange red glow, illuminating one large pine tree taller than any Weiss had ever seen.
Ruby sat next to the fire, hood drawn and shadowed, bow resting on her knees. Another howl erupted from somewhere in the wilderness, and Weiss bee-lined for the fire. Ruby looked up with a start at her approach, fully drawing an arrow. Weiss froze, almost tripping over her feet.
"Oh my gosh, Weiss!" Ruby breathed in relief, releasing the tension on the string and settling back down. Weiss let go of her breath and sat down next to Ruby on a conveniently small boulder. It was lumpy and uncomfortable, but at least she wasn't on the ground.
"How long have we been stopped?" Weiss asked. She'd left for bed before they'd picked a place to stop, growing weary of traveling the road beside Qrow.
Ruby shrugged. "Few hours, I s'pose. I took first watch."
"Ah."
Silence fell between them, and Weiss felt the air was heavy with a subtle tension. Whether it was from Ruby or herself, she couldn't be sure. "Are you feeling okay?" She asked, out of real concern. Ruby cast a grave appearance in her scarlet cloak and heavy shadows.
"Just a little cold!" Ruby assured her happily, and Weiss smiled. The tension seemed to ease, and she wondered if she had just been imagining it.
A long, mournful cry no doubt belonging to another wolf echoed through the mountainous region. Weiss shifted in response, but Ruby didn't even raise her head.
"Did they just start doing this?"
"Yehp. They're loud and annoying, and I wish one would just show up so I can shut them up." Ruby huffed, and Weiss silently agreed with her.
Weiss rubbed her bare hands together, holding them close to the flame. The light danced and flickered on her digits, and she made amusing shapes by bending her fingers this way and that. "You think we should have gone after the pack." Weiss suddenly said, making it sound more like a statement than a question.
Ruby raised her head to Weiss. "Yeah, no doubt we should have. People are just going to get attacked and die if we don't take care of them first."
Weiss bit her bottom lip in thought. These creatures troubled Ruby, and while their thoughts on the matter were a little different, she wanted to try to put the other girl's mind to rest. "Ruby, there'll always be another pack, or even just another predator. If it isn't the wolves, it's a bear, or a Grimm, or bandits, or worse. Sometimes it's best to just... Leave it be."
Ruby scoffed angrily, "It's not right to just sit here and do nothing,!"
"Qrow is the only one capable enough to take on such an enemy, and neither of us have our semblances. It would be a foolish risk."
"That's our job as hunters."
"Our job is fighting the evil in the world. Wolves that kill to survive aren't evil, Ruby. They're just like us, really. We take lives every day, we consume animals, tear down their homes. If we have a right do such things, don't they?"
Ruby seemed to grow silent for a moment, and Weiss imagined she'd hit the right notes. "Yeah. Maybe, I guess, that makes sense."
Weiss sighed. "If the chance presents itself, we should definitely take on the pack. But we shouldn't go looking for the contest."
Ruby nodded, and Weiss sighed. Another wolf cried, but this time Weiss let it go without a reaction. "You wanna stay out here with me?" Ruby asked innocently. Weiss, who had already made plans to do just that seeing as how sleep had left her and the wolves weren't going to allow her to find it again, agreed.
They spent the night watching the flame, the stars and moon having hid behind heavy darkness.
The wolves never stopped howling, and never stopped growing closer.
The next few following days on the road were spent moving faster than before, and Ruby never stopped looking out for the wolves. Once she'd even seen one from far away, watching from a quickly receding mountain line.
As the horse team worked harder and breathed more labouredly, the air grew milder and the snow receded dramatically. The ground levelled out and they eventually found themselves running a straight road that was smooth, the forest dispersing around them. A few layers of leather were shed, and the sun breathed new warm life into them. Despite the tension of being chased, their spirits were all raised.
"It's going to be a pretty day." Qrow commented, the sleeves of a grey wool tunic rolled up and leaving his muscled forearms bare.
Weiss herself was wearing her coat, made of the richest and most oiled white leather, material brought all the way from Vale itself. She wore her hair loose, Myrtenaster belted to her side by more white leather and gold. "Yes, I'd say so."
The sky was a brilliant blue, accented by fluffy clouds. There was no sign of rain, and Weiss felt that this was what she'd been waiting for on the journey.
"Hey, guys! Guys! I can see the river from up ahead!" Ruby shouted, racing back towards them over a small rise on a chestnut mare apparently named Summer. She'd been acting as a forward scout ever since they'd gotten to the level grounds, Qrow having slowed the pace again. The pack had likely stopped chasing them.
Qrow sighed. "Shame it's not whisky."
Weiss scoffed, but couldn't help but grin. Even Qrow's personality was appealing to her today. "I for one will be glad to wash up."
"Too true." Qrow admitted, and then shouted, "Alright, kiddo! Go further ahead, find the nearest village! We'll stay at the riverside!"
"Understood, captain!" Ruby yelled back, turning her horse around and bolting off at speeds that made Weiss nervous. A cloud of dust erupted around the spot Ruby had just been.
"I really hope she doesn't break a leg." Weiss said, and Qrow chuckled.
"You need to stop giving her so little credit, princess. She's been horse riding since she was seven. Farms and all."
Weiss huffed, once again being reminded that the farmer's daughter was apparently more fit than she was for this hunter job. "I find it ludicrous that Ruby is this much more skilled than I am. Is she really so young?"
"No doubt about it!" Qrow said with amusement, and Weiss scowled.
"Then, how?"
"It's simple." Qrow said, looking Weiss in the eye. "She was trained by hunters, and she's dedicated to it. A level of dedicated that I haven't ever seen in a hunter before." He chuckled. "In fact, it's downright scary sometimes."
As they breached the rise, Weiss could see Ruby and Summer's departing forms, red and brown blotches on fields of gold. She watched them the entire time until the pair had slipped out of view over another hill.
The day was middle aged by the time Weiss spotted Ruby again, coming over the horizon. "She's on her way back!" Weiss called to Qrow, who immediately began to saddle up the horses again, who had been grazing on the dying grass.
As she watched Ruby approach closer and closer, she realized Ruby was having her arm frantically, Thorn drawn. "Qrow, I think something's wrong."
"What?" He snapped, crawling up onto Weiss' small hill to see. They sat up there waiting for her until she got back.
"Attack!" She yelled frantically, and both Weiss and Qrow tensed. "There's a village and it's being attacked!"
Qrow was a bolt of action. He leapt down the hill and grabbed Summer's reigns, leading her and Ruby to the other horses. "Where and by who?"
"Just up that way a little," Ruby said, pointing in the direction she'd come, "and Grimm." She climbed down off of Summer, sheathing Thorn.
Qrow cursed, tying Summer to the wagon. He then started to untie each of the harnessed equines. "We're going fast. Leave the wagon behind, we'll come back for it later. Right now we have bigger issues."
"Right." They both said in unison, leaping up onto the bare backs of each horse. Weiss sat upon the grey one, a stallion unnamed.
"I really hope we're not too late."
Wow. 75 followers. I'm... Wow. I don't know what to say, other than thank you for all the support! I'm going to stop calling it out, but I just wanted to thank you guys all for such an incredible following already. I'm stunned.
If you have questions, criticism, anything, don't be afraid to leave it in the reviews or pm me. I appreciate constructive criticism the most, not going to lie.
Chapter's will probably average around the lengths of this one (7000 words) and 3000.
Please, enjoy!