Roman Torchwick was hauled off, nursing his shoulder wound. "Neo and I will escape together! You'll see!"

By then, the crowd had run down onto the field milling around, some selling wares, some congratulating the winner-by-technicality, Yang Xiao Long. The occupants of the royalty box were in that group.

"Surely you could have found a sponsor here, Ms. Xiao Long." Ren said.

Yang scratched the back of her neck. "I guess I wanted to prove I could do it by myself." Her face was red with excitement.

Blake was hiding behind Ren, unable to face her old friend. Ren stepped aside allowing King Ozpin to pass, and Yang glimpsed Blake in her mask. A moment of recognition flashed across her face, but was quickly replaced by a serious look as the King approached.

"Ms. Yang." The King smiled. "Congratulations. You are an excellent joustress."

"Thank you, Your Grace. The complement is much appreciated."

"I believe you'll have some sponsors crowding, so I'll get this out of the way quickly."

"Your Grace?"

"You know as well as I, you may ask for a favor of the King's store-hold, and I will comply."

"Your Grace I am… I…" Ruby began bashing through the crowd towards Yang, coughing all the way. "I…" Tears came to her eyes.

Ruby slammed into Yang with an enormous hug. "Yang! I knew you could do it! I knew you'd win…" Ruby snapped to attention upon seeing the King. "Your Grace…"

"I take it this is your sister who called out the cheater."

"Yes, this is my sister Ruby, Your Grace."

King Ozpin smiled, but his face quickly fell after looking closely at Ruby's dark eyes and blue tongue. "You've caught the Grimm, haven't you?"

Ruby's eyes widened, but her expression was contorted as a cough struck her. Summer knelt next to her daughter and held her, looking up at Yang. "Your Grace," Yang said, "I would like to request some kind of cure for my sister."

The King nodded at his advisor. "Come with me." Glynda motioned to Ruby. She tentatively followed Glynda along with her mother and father. The King nodded to Yang and she followed, the guardsmen assembling behind them.

The crowd milled about them, some patting Yang on the back, some smiling and thanking the King for his latest tax break. Peter Port, Ozpin's champion, congratulated Yang as well. Ozpin smiled and waved, but in the back of his eyes there was a cold sadness. Nothing could cure the Grimm, and he knew it. Glynda led the family back to the King's carriage, which was waiting outside the field. It was a mahogany base with beautiful gold trim and green drapings.

"You've all been invited to Duke Ren's banquet to celebrate. Quite a reward, hm?" Glynda said as Ozpin helped her into the carriage.

"Exciting. I've rarely been in the castle before." Summer said, lifting Ruby's frail body into the carriage. All the excitement had made her tired. Yang climbed in behind them as the carriage took off towards the castle gates.

Taiyang had stayed behind to watch their family's food stand, so only the mother and daughters were left sitting across from the king. Yang cleared her throat.

"The Grimm; you called it?"

"Yes," Glynda replied looking at Ozpin, "It's a plague upon the body and mind that weakens the muscles, darkens the eyes, and slowly but surely, kills the host."

Summer visibly recoiled. "Is there… anything?"

Blake saw the sister princesses walking briskly out of the field, headed for a white carriage which would take them to the castle to await the banquet. It was clear none of the townsfolk wanted to speak with them. The northern royalty had always been haughty, and now they had been accused of cheating; not a good recipe for reputation.

Neptune, helm and illegal gauntlet now removed, cautiously fell into step next to princess Weiss. Blake followed.

"I am deeply ashamed, Lady Weiss, I… There was no way I could have defeated that criminal in the black armor so I,"

"Stop." Weiss' voice was sharp and clear. "You're only shaming the Schnee name further with your excuses."

Neptune stopped walking, head hung. Blake, fumbling a bit with her dress, caught up with the northerners.

"I think that boy was trying to impress someone." Blake said, her courtly accent hiding her background. She addressed princess Winter.

"Hardly." Winter replied, "I think the little blue knight was too busy impressing himself. A dullard, like most knights."

"I rather like your dress." Blake changed the subject.

"Oh thank you." Winter said, face softening from her cold stare looking down at her white gown. "It was a gift from an old friend of mine, a samurai, would you believe it."

"From the east?"

"The far east. My father likes to entertain extravagant guests at his parties. This particular easterner would always come bearing gifts. Usually weapons for my father, but Weiss and I would get nice things. Little trinkets and clothes. She was one of the kinder guests my father ever invited."

"She never brought her sword into parties either." Weiss chimed in. "All the other royalty keep their blades on them. Something about 'dueling for honor.'" Weiss spoke in a phony male accent, enticing a chuckle from her sister.

"Sounds like a wonderful friend." Blake said, smiling under her mask.

"Yes, she was. It has been many years since we last saw her. But," They had arrived at the white and silver carriage. "Now we must focus on the present. You will accompany us to the banquet?"

Blake nodded and stepped up into the carriage, followed by the princesses. She felt safe removing her mask. The carriage started off down the road.

"Sorry, I haven't asked your name. I am Winter Schnee, and this is my sister Weiss. We are the daughters of Jacques Schee, Duke of the North as you surely guessed."

"Oh yes, I'm Blake Belladonna. I'm the Duke's… Friend."

"Friend?" Weiss asked impishly.

Blake blushed. "Yes we're just friends."

"That Sunlit Knight." Weiss said. "She has a little sister, correct?"

"I believe so." Blake replied, worried that knowing too much would reveal her facade.

"The scrawny girl, wearing the red?"

"Yes that's her. I believe she was the reason the Sunlit Knight entered."

"Why?"

"The sister, her name is Ruby, if I recall. As you said she's rather thin and weak. Something to do with a disease."

Weiss recoiled in her seat. "Dark eyes? Black tongue? Please… Please say no."

"I…" Blake didn't know what to think. "Yes… Those are her symptoms."

Winter turned her head away and Weiss looked down past her black dress to her feet. Neither spoke until the carriage reached the castle courtyard.

"Well I'll see you at the banquet, Ms. Belladonna." Winter said curtly as she and her sister stepped out into the courtyard and walked briskly towards the library.

Blake stepped out and the carriage lurched away behind her. She took in her surroundings and replaced her mask. I've got to find the King. She thought. He'll have the medicine for whatever scared Weiss.

The courtyard was massive, as Ren enjoyed fresh air, so did Phyrra his advisor. In its center stood a vine-covered gazebo containing a desk and sparring materials. Cobblestone paths emanated from the gazebo like spokes on a wheel, winding through flower patches and closely pruned trees. Several busts of Ren's family stood flanking the doors that led back into the castle. Blake headed towards the northern door, the one she figured led into the banquet hall.