Hi! Sorry the chapter's late. No excuses, other than hard writer's block and some Skyrim addiction.
The late day sun cast a golden light across the weathered stone. The carved alcoves above were deep set with shadows, moss and vines blanketed the pillars that withstood the weight of a mountaintop. Two large doors of polished wood hung shattered on rusted hinges. A robed statue watched over the terrace from ceiling height, unmoving, unthinking.
Roman eyed it with distaste. Its hands were hidden somewhere beneath the folds of its heavy cloak, and unseen eyes seemed to bore into him and pass silent judgement. My position is my position. He thought darkly at it, to counter the imagined accusations.
A man in black leather and white plating that overlapped itself down his arm's approached, face masked by more plating in the shape of a Grimm skull. His studded boots clacked sharply on the cracked, stone floor. He stopped in front of Roman, assuming a lazy pose. Roman kept his expression flat, despite the annoyance that flared within him. If he'd come to expect one thing from the White Fang, it was that disrespect was all he could.
"We found the dust, and there's a lot of it. What's next?" He asked. He had a nasally voice.
Excitement spread like fire through Roman. He disregarded his anger, deciding he could deal with issues such as deserved respect later. His eyes lit up beneath his brimmed hat. "Take me to it. Show me!" He urged, and the subordinate shrugged.
"This way.." He said gruffly, leading past the broken doors. Their shattered remains were lost beneath the vegetation that grew overtop them on the ground. Idly, Roman wondered how long it would take nature to reclaim this lost city.
The hallway was dark and smelled of mould and dirt. Sunlight streamed in through cut out slits in the wall, illuminating the dust motes in the air. Black braziers were cold and empty. Their footsteps echoed throughout the forsaken halls, through dark antechambers with shattered stairways. His gloved hand brushed along wooden rails, long since having turned rough and gravely rather than smooth.
"It's down here." The soldier said brusquely, trecking down a set of stairs. Roman had to work hard not to trip on any of the wide cracks on his way down. The steps seemed to reach down forever, and Roman estimated they were at least a mile within the earth by the time they stopped. Two more White Fang guards awaited, spears in their hands. They made no signs of noticing either of them, other than pushing an iron door open upon their arrival.
They swung inwards, the metal hinges grating on each other as clouds of rust erupted from them. A red glow emanated from the chamber within. Roman couldn't help the maniacal smile that slipped past his calm mask.
They stepped into a chamber that was almost three miles in circumference and the doors swung shut behind them. A loud empty boom echoed and bounced off the domelike ceiling, before ebbing away into silence. The walls were lit in crimson, revealing carved statues of knightly figures. Roman's breath caught in his throat when he laid eyes upon the center of the room.
The floor dropped down into a large depression. He approached it cautiously; weary of the brilliant scarlet that shone from its depths. He began to laugh when he peaked his head over the rim.
Barely visible through the radiant, he could make out the shape of a red dust crystal so large it was likely two-thirds the diameter of the chamber. It glowed so brightly that it almost appeared white. Roman's quite laugh broke out into an uncontained cackle.
The solider stayed away from the edge, watching Roman with obvious disturbance. Roman didn't care; let them think what they would.
It was he who had delivered the means of Vale's destruction into the hands of Cinder.
It was he who would survive in the end.
Roman's triumphant laughter echoed through Mount Glen.
The horse's hooves beat upon stone tiled ground. Ruby bounced from one end of the bench to the other, leaning over Qrow and Weiss with exclamations of "ooh," and "Aah!". Weiss scowled when Ruby roughly pressed herself against Weiss' shoulder; not only was it uncomfortable to be pushed so, but it was awkward as well.
Qrow simply grinned contentedly, obviously not perturbed in the slightest. All around them shoppers milled about them, passing behind and ahead of them. They paid hardly any mind to the three travelers, though, either rushing to get home to relieve themselves of their packages and parcels or to spend coins on new ones.
They had stopped at a port city, a trading hub between Atlas and the rest of the kingdoms, as well as the only feasible way for cross continental travel. Its name was Travesty. Ruby had inquired about it curiously at first, but when Weiss began to recite the history of suffering the city had formed its foundations upon the brunette had quickly lost interest.
"You know, I don't get why all those ladies wear makeup and fancy dresses. From my experiences, they only make you uncomfortable." Ruby voiced, sitting down and staying still for once. She was eyeing a particular group of large woman, their dresses frilly and pompous. They held delicate umbrellas in their plump, jewellery garnished hands, and ridiculous hats with colourful feathers from exotic birds pinned into their material.
"Human society is comprised out outward appearance and political intrigue behind closed doors, Ruby. A person's greatest weapons are there wealth and standing in the royal hierarchy." Weiss told her, and Ruby scoffed.
"Why do I need a fancy dress? Thorn is the only weapon I need, and I'd say I look fine without all those powders and waxes."
Weiss felt a small smile on her lips. "I don't doubt it. However, while a sword can win you a battle against one or two enemies, being the ruler of a kingdom through political prowess can win you victories against entire nations."
Ruby shrugged, brushing a hand through her hair. "I don't like politics. They're messy, and the people involved in them aren't overly likeable."
Weiss nodded her head. "I'd agree."
Qrow lead them past a colourful gathering of merchant carts, sellers selling all forms of items. The most eccentric of them being the skulls of various animals, carved and painted to resemble mocking of Grimm creatures. They were meant as charms as to ward the creatures away. The throng of bodies and voices pressed in on all sides. Weiss wondered if they'd ever make it through. Eventually the horses did push out of the gathering and onto a much emptier road. The smell of salt was strong in the air here, overpowering the meat and spices that permeated the city square.
With the liveliness of the trade center seemed to go Ruby's excited behaviour, and she mellowed. Weiss would have liked to ask her questions now about her past, her heritage, what Vale was like. After pushing a few times at Qrow, however, she had garnered that he didn't want Weiss prying in either of their pasts. It was none of her business, after all. She disagreed; if Ruby and her were to be partners, they should be familiar with one another.
"How are you enjoying Atlas, then, Ruby?"
Ruby seemed surprised to hear the question. "Hmm. I'd say that I've had a, uhm... An acceptably wondrous time!"
Weiss felt pleased. "I'm glad."
Qrow stopped at a tavern dubbed Coattails & Veils, the painted visage of a woman wearing a tall hat hanging from a wooden tab above the door. Through the wooden walls, they could hear the making of merriment as if a circus had deigned to enter, even if it was only midday. "Pay for two rooms, wait here for me." Qrow directed, and started to hand Weiss jingling pouch of coins.
"Nay, I can pay for it myself." She said, holding a hand out in refusal.
Qrow shrugged, pocketing the money again. "Suit yourself. Dust knows I don't mind. Now, off with you two."
When the two of them were standing on the ground, Qrow sped off in the same direction, towards the docks.
"So, what, are we just supposed to wait in a room until he comes back? It's still early..." Ruby pouted, looking in Qrow's direction with resentment.
Weiss looked around. She didn't want to deny Ruby the opportunity of exploring more of Travesty, but she didn't feel like Qrow would be gone that long. "We're to do as Qrow said, Ruby. I'd rather not incur his wrath."
Ruby stuck her tongue out at Weiss, but offered no words of protest.
Weiss felt out of place as she stepped into the tavern, the smell of heavy mead assaulting her. Roast ham wafted from somewhere deep within and raucous laughing boomed throughout the lively tavern. Ruby looked around with a grinning face, her feelings towards the Coattails & Veils having changed.
They stepped up to a counter, where a woman with brown, curly hair smiled at them. She had a pair of floppy ears that matched the colour of her hair atop her head. "Aye, how may I 'elp you?" She asked with an accent.
Ruby's attention snapped to the girl, who she stared openly at. "We request two rooms for the night." Weiss said, dropping a white coin purse on the counter. The woman flashed them a bright smile and pried it open, spilling the contents onto the wooden surface. Ws looked over and caught Ruby staring at the woman's ample bosom, then glancing at Weiss' own, which weren't even noticeable under her thin layer of leather.
Weiss swatted Ruby's shoulder conspicuously. She yelped and stared at Weiss with alarm.
"Right, I'll show ye to yer rooms, then! This way, please!" The woman said happily. When the woman stepped out from behind the counter, Weiss flushed. Her dress was cut very short, revealing even up to her thighs, which were looked creamy and smooth. Weiss wondered how such a creature had ended up working an inn rather than bedding a lord.
Unsurprising, Ruby stared transfixed at the woman the entire time. Weiss swatted Ruby again, and the brunette looked at Weiss, abashed.
"So, what brings ye 'ere to Travesty?" The innkeeper asked, leading them up a steep set of steps. Weiss kept her eyes cast downwards. She wondered if she'd accidently walked into a brothel rather than an inn. Modesty wasn't really an issue with her back home in her keep, where she'd grown up with the maids and other noble daughters, but in unfamiliar cities like this, she simply felt too awkward.
"Traveling. To Vale." Weiss answered shortly, noting that Ruby was red faced and looking down at her worn boots. At least the girl was part shameful.
"Vale!" The woman exclaimed, her entire body bouncing as she miss-stepped and caught herself. "Oi, sorry 'bout that. Anyhow, Vale, eh? I 'ear it's a great place, ne'er been there me'self, though."
Weiss nodded, before realizing that the woman couldn't see her and feeling like a fool. "Yes, I hear similar. I'm excited to get there."
They made it to the top of the stairs and immediately banked right down a hallway with white plaster walls. The woman pulled out two sets of keys made of cold iron. "They're marked fer ya, same as the doors. I hope ya enjoy yer stay! And," She said, turning to face them and flashing Weiss a sultry grin, "if ye find yerself needing anything, I'll be downstairs. We offer all sorts of services here." Her tone of voice left little to be implied.
With that she took her leave, and left Weiss sputtering for a response. She suddenly realized why Qrow had chosen this tavern; it suited him. Ruby looked offended that she hadn't been addressed as well, but Weiss could understand why. Ruby's features were still soft and childlike enough to pass her off for a youngster.
Weiss found the door with a square carved into its wooden surface, matching the notched rune in one of the keys. Swinging the door open, Weiss felt disdain build in her. The room wasn't large, and only housed a single bed, a muggy mirror hanging on the wall next to a stand with a pair of unlit wax candles and a washing basin large enough to only sit in on the floor. It was steaming, and Weiss wondered if the staff regularly switched water for unclaimed rooms. Back in Coldfort it was a common practice to simply always have bathing water, whether it was an occupied room or not.
"It's... Quaint." Weiss said, her upper lips curling in a bit of a sneer. Ruby giggled at Weiss' response, then threw herself at the bed, flopping down into it with a great whoop. Weiss rolled her eyes. A single draped window cloaked the room in a shaded darkness. Weiss went over and pulled the curtains to either side of the frame, appreciating the view of the docks it gave her. Ships of huge size docked there, and workers milled about like small ants to unload cargo from their decks. Masts spiked upwards, looking like swaying poles as the waves of the blue sea rocked their hulls from side to side.
Weiss sighed, and began to throw away her leathers as she turned away from the view. She stripped down to a simple cotton pair of traveling trousers and a silken shirt that hung loosely on her. "Who's washing first?" She asked, while simultaneously motioning for Ruby to remove her boots.
Ruby began to tug them off without argue. "Uhm, you can go first. I'm probably dirtier."
Weiss accepted this and dabbed her toe in the water. It was nice. Although, she wished she'd brought some of her bathing oils and scents with her.
She stripped out of the rest of her clothes and stepped into the small basin, kneeling down and picking up the bristle brush beside her. There was a sponge as well, which she submerged in the water and wrung out before scrubbing at herself with it. It felt good to rinse the dirt and sweat from her skin. "So, Ruby, I wanted to inquire about your home. It seems rude of me to not ask, as you know a great deal about mine."
Ruby looked over from the bed, her eyes not even bothering to travel Weiss. She felt a pang of envy; her body really didn't leave anything to the imagination. "Oh, you know. It's small."
"Yes, but surely there's more to it than 'It's small.'"
"Not really. It's farmland. There is my dad and then there's my sister. Oh, she left a while ago to become a huntress as well. Maybe we'll see her!"
"Perhaps. What's her name?"
"Yang."
"Ah." Weiss thought back to Ruby's dream those many nights ago. So, that was Yang. "Ruby, if you could get my back for me?"
"Sure!" Ruby happily agreed, leaping from the bed and taking the sponge to Weiss' back. One of her soft hands were placed on the small of Weiss' back. It followed the sponge up her spine and between her shoulder blades. "Wow, you know, you have really smooth skin."
Weiss nodded. "That's the fault of many expensive oils."
Ruby giggled. "I always thought they were a little ridiculous."
Weiss sighed. "Your disregard of finery is foolish. There's nothing wrong with being culturally adept."
Ruby scoffed and finished washing Weiss' back. Weiss scooped up some of the water and ran it through her hair while Ruby sat behind her on her knees.
"Have you ever been drunk before?"
"Me? No, not once. I've tasted whines before, and your uncle's strong brew. But I've never been drunk."
"I have. I toppled an entire keg of ale on my dad. He laughed, and we both smelled like beer for weeks." Ruby snickered, and Weiss tried not to think less of Ruby for it.
"So, what is it like in Patch?"
Ruby paused in her scrubbing for a moment. "Kind of like Travesty in that its got a port city, but more... Grey, sodden, you know? Less happy and stuff. It's a rough place." Her washing resumed.
The image of a foggy island with rocky cliffs and harsh terrain entered Weiss' head. "Was it hard growing up there? What kind of education did you receive?"
"Oh, uhm, you know..." Ruby gave a nervous titter, "I mean, it was fun growing up... As for education, well, I didn't really get much... I can read, and I know my figures, but that's it."
Weiss nodded. "That's more than most of the lower folk get. Count oneself lucky."
"Lower folk?"
Weiss looked at Ruby queerly, then shrugged. "The peasants. The farmers and militia. Or, in other words, the lower folk."
Ruby was silent for a moment, then seemed to accept the term and grunt in indifference. She finished with Weiss' back almost right after.
"Alright, your turn." Weiss announced as she wrung her hair out and stepped out of the water. She shivered in the cold, naked as she was. Ruby kindly averted her eyes, and Weiss made it to the bed where her pack of personal belongings lay.
Ruby stripped out of her clothing and fit herself into the basin. She was a little broader than Weiss, and a lot curvier. Weiss appraised her body with an appreciative eye. When Ruby was grown, she'd be quite a woman to look at. Ruby herself was modest, turning away from Weiss and going through the process with haste and silence.
"Do you need your back done?" Weiss asked, slipping her shirt over her head.
"I 'spose." Ruby answered, looking over her shoulder and holding out the sponge. Despite her curvature and well-balanced body, she also somehow pulled off looking gangly and bony. It was an odd image.
Ruby hid her face while Weiss did her work, taking her time while she traced Ruby's back. To her great surprise, Ruby housed thousands of small white scars, not large enough to raise any bumps but enough to be seen.
"Ruby... These scars, they're the marks of one who's had a lot in life that's far from fair." She breathed, tracing a single scar that traveled the width of Ruby's shoulder blades. It was wide and raised, the flesh a puffy pink. Ruby shivered.
"Grimm. That's what Yang says." She shrugged.
"Grimm?" Weiss inquired, pressing the flat of her hand in the middle of Ruby's scar. She imagined Ruby would have had to be young if she didn't remember. And yet, the scar almost seemed fresh.
"That's what they say. I don't really remember, so I can't really argue it."
Weiss nodded, letting her hand travel the length of the scar one more time before she finished washing Ruby's back. When she was done, Ruby stepped out of the basin and dressed herself faster than Weiss had ever seen her do anything else. The front of her body was very shapely, Weiss thought, more than a little grudgingly. Weiss had gotten her face from her mother, but not her body, a fact she envied.
They sat together on the edge of the bed a few minutes afterwards, Weiss intertwining her delicate fingers through Ruby's thick hair, twisting it and removing knots. She had begged Ruby to allow her to deal with the rats nest it had been. "So, have you ever met the Headmaster of Vale's hunting guild?" Weiss asked.
"Nope. I wanted to, but he was off- Ow! Watch it!" Ruby hissed, jerking away when Weiss yanked at a particular knot that was being stubborn.
"Sorry..." Weiss muttered, and Ruby settled back down.
"Anyhow, he was off on a mission, and I had to leave to Atlas first."
Weiss nodded. The tip of her tongue prodded at the corner of her mouth as she carefully and meticulously weaved Ruby's strands of hair out of their tangled embrace. A feeling of succession ran through her when she could finally freely move her fingers through Ruby's hair, which was so thick and soft that Weiss was able to compare it to even her own.
Qrow suddenly burst into the room, announcing his arrival with a loud belch. Weiss looked at him, undignified.
"Dunce! We were just washing only minutes ago; what if you'd walked in on one of us? Perhaps be a little more careful about such things!" She scolded, and Ruby snickered.
Qrow stared at her blankly, then shrugged. He looked a little abashed, if only by a little. "Sorry, princess. You have my word that I'll be careful from here on out. Anyways, just wanted you both to know that passage has been secured to leave for Vale tomorrow. It'll be in the early morn; they're reports of White Fang around, and I'd like to be away from here before one of you end up dead." He said all of this as if it was only a minor detail, but Weiss' pulse quickened dramatically.
"White Fang? Should we not leave now?" Her voice was high pitched.
Qrow shook his head. "Tomorrow is the best I could do. Besides, we need the rest. The man we'll be traveling with runs a merchant boat, and he's not the nice kind. He only agreed because I'm good with a sword."
Weiss paled. White Fang, in the city with them.
She thought of her mother, and emotional pain lashed with hunger at her. She withdrew from it, blocking out all thoughts of such things. It didn't do to dwell on them.
"Very well. We'll remain in our rooms, and stay vigilant." She managed in a calm voice. Ruby had already removed Thorn from its scabbard and leaned it against the stand. Qrow nodded and left.
And then they waited.
To the Guest Review; I trust in my reasons for making Ruby a better swordsman. Just because they received similar allotted amounts of time for training doesn't equate to them being perfectly equal. I don't feel like writing a novel here, but I would love to discuss it with you through PM's if possible! I have many reasons, and would certainly appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
To the rest of my readers, thanks for reading, following, favoriting and reviewing! Hope you enjoyed!