The carriage rattled along the winding country roads. Weiss and Ruby had left London a few hours ago, heading north towards Taiyang's last known location. He had been visiting a warehouse that he had rented out in order to help house wares he would be distributing to the northernmost areas of Britannia. It was to be a day's journey, so Weiss had enlisted the used of her family's carriage and driver. She had also brought along several ancient books that contained more information about the Assassins, Ruby's education was paramount. Especially now that they were beyond the safety of her father's influence.
Ruby however seemed more determined than ever, having even procured proper gear. It had shocked Weiss when Ruby had returned in full Assassin's gear, complete with her own hidden blade. Weiss had inquired as to where she had gotten her gear, and Ruby had explained that she had returned to her home. She had found her mother's old gear, as well as another letter. She had watched Ruby open the letter, it was addressed to her personally, a letter to her from beyond the grave. Summer had seen her death as an eventuality; she had prepared to say her goodbyes no matter what. Weiss had not read the letter, but she could only imagine what it said. Surprisingly Ruby had shed no tears, now she just had an indomitable look on her face. She is strong, stronger than I was. Her father may have been right, maybe Weiss was not as strong as she had been made to be seen, but he was wrong about Ruby. She was a fast learner and was stalwart beyond belief.
"Weiss, you said this book was pretty common amongst Assassins,"
"Yes, it is highly regarded as one of the more useful books relating to our line of work. However it is far from 'common' there are only several copies in existence, but it has been passed down through the generations of Assassins". The book was both a philosophical piece and handbook, originating in Italy and told of an old Master Assassin who helped shape the current Assassin order.
For the few hours they journeyed there was little talk. Ruby would occasionally question Weiss on something she had read, Weiss would try to answer, and then they would return to silence. She decided to pass time by cleaning her pistols, she had a sneaking suspicion that they would come in handy soon enough. "Hey Weiss could you show me how to use one of those?" Weiss looked up from her polishing, "I believe there is a book on that, let me see" Weiss shuffled around the few books they had on hand, "here it is, chapter three has a good explanation of how to operate firearms". Ruby slouched slightly, reluctantly taking the book, "Something the matter Ruby?"
"Ugh, I'm bored, reading is boring"
"You are learning how to become a highly skilled, professional killer. How is that boring?" Ruby crossed her arms, mumbling a series of complaints. Weiss shook her head and sighed, "Fine, watch here you dolt". She pulled out her powder horn and a single round bullet. "It's quite simple, you simply take your pistol, half lock the hammer" Weiss pulling back the hammer of the pistol so it stood upright. "Lift the Frizzen, and pour the powder into the pan, not too much unless you want to blow your hand off. Next, lock the Frizzen down over the pan, now you move to the other end of the gun" Weiss flipped the pistol, the barrel now facing upwards. "Pour in some powder, drop the bullet down into the barrel and use the ramrod to make sure the bullet is secure". Weiss finished the loading of the pistol; she opened the door to the carriage looking at Ruby. "Now you pull the hammer back to full cock, and pull the trigger". Weiss fired the pistol into the countryside, sure not to accidentally hit a passing farmer.
Ruby's eyes widened with eagerness, "oh that is so cool, can I have a go?" Weiss rolled her eyes in response,
"Ruby you don't just, 'have a go' this is dangerous weapon. But to answer your original question, fine, you get one 'go'". Ruby took the pistol and slowly followed Weiss' steps. Just as she finished they both heard the sound of gunfire. Ruby looked at Weiss with wide eyes, "wasn't me I swear." Weiss nodded, slowly rising to talk with the driver as she felt the carriage start to slow. "Driver, what is the problem, why have we stopped?" the man looked back into the carriage, his wrinkled face painted with an expression of fear and confusion, "S-sorry Mistress there are some people up ahea-". The man lurched as a bullet hit him square in the chest, he slumped back into his seat. "Ruby, load the other pistol quickly!" Weiss drew her rapier as she stepped out of the carriage, turning to face the four horsemen who blocked their path. They were dressed in dark garbs, tricorne hats and masks covering the lower half of their faces. "We have been expecting you Schnee, had hoped they would send the big bad wolf, but I guess we can settle for you." The man's gun still smoked from his recent shot, the others were similarly armed with carbines and swords.
"I hate to disappoint you, sadly my father was quite preoccupied. Now if you would please move aside, I have little time for this." Weiss slowly moved forward, stopping when she stood next to the seat of the driver. "Sorry little girl but we have orders to bring you in, or kill you, so how about you drop that sword and come quietly. I would really prefer it if you could accompany me peacefully, I would hate to ruin such a pretty thing." His eyes scanned her suggestively.
"I fear I have much more important business to attend to, so I will be unable to 'accompany' you."
"Ha, alright, your choice snowflake." The four horsemen charged and Weiss leapt up onto the carriage driver's seat, slapping the horse with the flat of her blade.
"Ruby!" Weiss shouted as the carriage hurtled towards the horseman. She felt shots slam into the carriage as their enemies fired their rounds. Taking the reins, Weiss prepared her rapier as the two forces past each other. A horseman's sword came swinging at her head, but with a quick flick she was able to parry the blow. The next strike she easily dodged, shifting to the side as the blade dug into the wood of the carriage.
Weiss and Ruby moved onwards, the horsemen now behind them, beginning their pursuit. Weiss looked back to see Ruby leaning out of the carriages door, wind blowing through her cape, as she fired a pistol. The shot went wide, but forced the pursuing horsemen into a wider formation. Weiss pushed the horses as fast as she could, yet the riders still gained on her. She heard the crack of gun fire as Ruby continued to exchange shots with the horsemen. She felt more shots hit the carriage; if they can reload that quickly on horseback then we might be dealing with better trained people that I thought. She had no doubt in her mind that these were Templars, or at least hired by Templars. They had waited on the road for them, but not specifically for the two of them. They are guarding something, we are getting closer. Weiss felt the carriage jolt, she looked back to see one of the horseman climbing onto the carriage.
Before she had the chance to call out, Ruby was there. She leaned out of the carriage again, this time hooking her arm over the roof of the carriage to pull herself higher. As the horseman pulled himself onto the roof Ruby fired, the shot hitting its target. The horseman's head snapped to an unnatural angle as the bullet hit him, sending him tumbling underneath the wheels of their vehicle. Weiss was returned her gaze to the road ahead, pulling sharply on the reins as the rounded a tight bend in the road. She could hear Ruby tumbling around inside as she took the turn, sorry about that.
The three horsemen took the turn easier than Weiss, and as such they had gained on her. A bullet sent splinters spiking up at Weiss as it hit a little too close for comfort. She swivelled her head at the shooter, the man holstering his carbine and leaping onto the roof of the carriage. It was her turn to defend the carriage, leaving the reins behind she rose in her seat, rapier in hand. With a wide stance the highwayman engaged Weiss. Both battled to stay balanced, while their blades clashed against each other. A particularly large bump in the road caused both of them to flail in order to maintain balance. Weiss however was faster, she regained her composure quickly, striking quickly she stabbed at the man's leg. His leg gave out and he toppled over the back of the carriage.
Weiss begun to turn back to the reins, then she saw Ruby leap out of the carriage. A riderless horse ran alongside the carriage, its rider having been dispatched by Weiss but moments ago. Ruby scrambled onto the saddle; drawing her sabre she slowed the horse in order to face the remaining highwaymen. Weiss shouted out, trying to get the girls attention, but to no avail. Riding alongside the highwaymen Ruby swung her sword, the leader engaging her in a duel.
The two had a hard time making significant blows on each other, as their horses slowly drifted apart until one would have to rein theirs over toward their opponent. Weiss heard the carriages horses whinnying in protest; she turned to see what the reason for this was. The carriage hurtled towards the lip of a large hill, the road running around the crest. "You dolt", Weiss sprung onto the roof, racing towards the horseback duel. Riding alongside Ruby and the leader was the final rider, who was hurriedly loading his carbine. Weiss leapt off of the back of the carriage, aiming for the unengaged rider. Her body slammed into his, knocking him from his seat, both of them slamming into the hard earth. Weiss used her hidden blade to finish him as they landed. Rolling out of the fall Weiss managed to remain relatively unhurt. Snatching the horse that was left behind Weiss chased after Ruby and the final highwayman.
The two had slowed now more focused on their duel. Ruby unleased all the rage that had been building in the last few days. Weiss' lessons in the back of her mind she released a series of swings, putting all her strength behind them. She battered his shorter blade aside, managing to get a slice in on his shoulder. Crimson leaked from the cut on his coat. Ruby watched as each swing or stab he made caused him to grimace, the wound being on his sword arm. He slowed his strikes, making Ruby's job easier, smelling victory she made a heavy handed swing for the man's head. Ruby looked din surprise as the highwayman smacked her blade to the side and leant in to push her off the horse. His strength was greater than hers, and he easily shoved her onto the ground. Ruby fell with a heavy thud, her sword falling out of her hand. She stared up into the man's eyes, a mix of satisfaction and anger glaring back down at her. He raised his blade for a killing blow.
Before he could bring down the blade he heard a shout, he hesitated, turning to see Weiss rushing full gallop at him. He returned his gaze down to Ruby, surprise filling his eyes. She clicked back the hammer on her vambrace, and flicked the trigger. The pistol that was built into her hidden blade fired.
Weiss watched as the final horseman slid off his horse, clutching a wound in his chest. She pulled at her reins, causing her horse to slow. She watched as Ruby ran to the man's side, her hidden blade at his throat. She didn't hear the words she spoke, she simply watched her; the girl in red kneeled, eyes filled with malice. The girl that Weiss had known, the one that had cried for her mother, trained relentlessly in order to protect her family, was gone. Weiss had seen a lot of death; she had been the cause of much of it. It did not faze her, yet this time she forced herself to look away.