Warcraft belongs to Blizzard Entertainment.

RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.


Chapter 4: Crows and Concerns

Alexstrasza clenched the muscles in her arm as she brought the small hand shovel down into the dirt. She dug a small hole in the ground and tossed the soil aside. There were beads of sweat falling from her brow as she repeated the act over and over.

It was a strange feeling. This form of exertion. Here she was, the great and majestic queen of the dragons, essentially trapped in the form of a human woman she had molded to nearly mimic the image of another. Now on her knees in the grass at the side of the home of those who were kind enough to allow her to stay with them until she had recovered enough to leave on her own accord.

These aches and pains she was feeling in her muscles were something new. Whenever she took mortal form, she never really did anything that was physically strenuous. Only in her natural draconic body did she know anything that closely resembled what she was feeling right now.

This weakness that had plagued her since her emancipation from the Orcs was a new form of restriction. One she had never suffered before. Not even during the war with the Incarnates. They had beaten and nearly killed her on several occasions, but she always made a quick recovery. Such was the benefit of her flight.

She pondered on the nature of the spell Malygos must have cast in those final moments as she dug a small trench system between and around the rows of holes she had arranged.

It was clear her brother had nothing but vengeance on the brain. She did not blame him for she did as well. While she pitied Neltharion for what he had become, it did not change what he had done. Justice had to be meted out.

Was it because she was away from Azeroth that brought about this weakness? Or was it something else? Was it the fact that she squandered what little strength she had on saving the family that now sheltered her? Perhaps, but if that were the case then she would pay the price a hundred times over.

Did Malygos, in his madness, craft a makeshift spell specifically designed to kill an Aspect?

If he did, he came frighteningly close. It's been nearly two months and she still only has the strength of an average human female. At the very least she can move around normally without risk of fainting or tripping.

The days had become rather peaceful. She dedicated most of her time to her studies of language and 'physical therapy' as Taiyang phrased it. It entailed putting her body into action in order to aid in her recovery since she was close to crippled when she arrived in this world. It focused on tiring herself out but not to the point where she strained or injured herself.

Right now, she was gardening. A pastime that Taiyang admittedly indulged in himself. While she found it satisfying as well as she enjoyed the cultivation of nature and life, this also felt rather silly.

She could bring entire forests to lush vibrancy with just a single breath. Given enough time and effort she could breathe life into almost any terrain and soil. She had attempted it in the sands of Kalimdor. But the emergence of the minions of an Old God made that little project nearly impossible as her flight did not have the numbers to take on the Qiraji.

That and Neltharion had another scheme in the works that kept her from aiding the mortals that confronted and sealed the Old God away. Good thing Nozdormu's flight was there to offer aid.

Standing up, she felt hot. It was uncomfortable but compared to the discomfort of chains and immobilization, it was almost a comfort by comparison to feel anything caused by exertion. Some weeks ago, she began to have dreams. More like nightmares.

She would be trapped in the cave once again. This time in her human body. The Orcs would constantly mock and ridicule her while she watched the Xiao-Long family suffer. Her eyes would fixate on the mental simulacrum of the two little girls crying as they suffered at the hands of her jailers. All the while her black kin soared above, cackling madly as she could do nothing.

She woke up with a shock each time but had enough composure to keep herself from screaming. That was a relief in itself. She was asking for so much from this family and she did not want to add to their woes by disclosing her irrational fears.

Her time in captivity had left its mark on her. And her inability to completely alter her form until her powers returned brought some sense of being in a form of confinement. Even if it were only a mental one. She wanted to soar the skies again, but she was 'grounded' as the children put it.

Those two made all the tedium worth it. Their beaming smiles and boundless energy were always a treat. She would aid them in their academic studies. Admittedly also using the opportunity to learn for herself. Not infant was she but she quickly deduced that the humans of this world were vastly different from those on Azeroth. When the children returned from the public institution of education known as a school, they were tasked with completing several small activities given to them by their educators.

Alexstrasza had offered to take Taiyang's place in this 'homework time' while he prepared dinner. The girls were more than eager to accept. It was strange. It was still strange, but she found it enjoyable to spend time with the children and offer what little wisdom she had.

As it turns out, there were at the very least four main languages that the humans of this world utilized. Valish. Atlassin. Mistrali. And Vacu. She made it her personal mission to learn all of them so when she scours the world in search of a means to return to Azeroth, or better yet her fellow Aspects, she could blend in no matter where she was or who she spoke to.

The most common of the four is Valish. It was practiced in all four Kingdoms alongside the respective language.

The sun was beginning to set. Taiyang and the girls should be returning soon. She had to finish so she could join the children for their studies.

Looking over her work, she gazed over the large plot of carved up soil. Organized into four small rectangular patches separated by trenches she dug. Across each flat plain was a series of small holes. Grabbing a small packet, she tipped the open packet above one of the holes and allowed a small seed to fall into the open soil. This action was repeated for each hole. Once each had a seed, she covered them all with a layer of dirt.

Turning around she walked to the side of the house where she placed a watering can on a wooden crate. Placing the hand shovel and packet down, she removed the gloves Taiyang had recommended she wear. It was such a silly thing. She had no qualms about touching dirt, and she never had to worry about catching any mortal disease.

When her fingers clasped around the handle for the watering can, she felt a small disturbance in the wind around her. One advantage of taking to the skies was that it taught her to read the airflow even when trapped in the form of an entirely different species. At first, she wasn't concerned, that was until she felt the pulse of magic.

She held onto her calm and carefree demeanor as she quickly ran her mind through the possibilities. Taiyang had said that magic was an extreme rarity in this world and those that possessed it were dangerous.

While the odds of encountering one of these individuals was highly unlikely, she could not argue that she felt magic. It was crude and unrefined. Clumsily used. As if done on reflex rather than intention. Malygos would scoff at the mere notion that someone would bother weaving such a half-baked spell. He would not even deign to call it a spell. What was his word for subpar magic again? Parlor tricks? Yes, that was the phrase.

Taking hold of the shovel once again and braced her hands to cast out her flames. While her powers were still recovering, she still had enough to use for combat. But first she needed to be sure the one behind her was an enemy. It would be foolish to get into unnecessary fight while she was recovering.

Turning, she held both the watering can and shovel upright, pretending to be a clueless maiden, like the ones she had seen in some of the villages in the human villages of Lorderon.

The fake smile she wore turned into a real look of surprise as she saw a man standing between her and her recently built garden. He wore a grey dress shirt with long coat tails, black dress pants and shoes. Across his back was a tattered red cloak and a large claymore with a segmented blade.

He gave her a casual smile they attempted to display a level of friendliness. Key word attempted. His posture was far too relaxed for being around a stranger. To someone of Alexstrasza's age, who had been the victim of deception and observed many deceptions by mortals this man was an open book.

"Oh, um hello." She said with her usual politeness. There was no reason to be hostile. He was a stranger, but who would not be weary of a stranger.

"Hey there." He said with a casual manner. "You new in town?"

"I am." Alexstrasza answered not dropping her smile.

"Really." He said, glancing around. "Well, what's a pretty lady like you doing at my family's house?"

Alexstrasza blinked and gave the man a once over. Now she recognized him from the picture in lounge. "Oh. You're Taiyang's brother in-law."

The man flinched as if struck. It would appear that he was unused to the term. How strange? Perhaps he did not have a good relationship with the father of this house? That was strange as both Tai and the children always spoke fondly of the man.

He nervously scratched the back of head in a bashful manner. "Yeah. That's me. You've heard about me?"

"Yes. Ruby and Yang always have good things to say about you, sir."

"Well." He kicked the grass below his feet in a carefree manner. She could see how forceful the action really was. "Glad to hear they still like me. Kids are very forgetful."

"Not when it comes to family." Alexstrasza corrected.

"I guess." He shrugged before grinning. "Now why are you here? You a housekeeper Tai hired or something?"

"Oh. Excuse my poor manners. My name is Alexstrasza."

He gave a long-drawn-out whistle. "That's a pretty unique name. You're not from around here, are you? Where are you from? Mistral? Vacuo? You're not Atlassian. That's for sure."

The dragon queen gave a short giggle, finding amusement in his prodding. He found her suspicious, which was fine. She'd only been here for two months, and he was known to be gone for months at a time. Taiyang said that the man before her often went on very important missions. What those missions were did not matter to the Red Aspect. If life was in danger, then she would be there to defend it.

"Well, that's my secret to keep. As for your other question. I am no housekeeper. I am in fact, a tenant." Alexstrasza kept her words slow as she spotted hints of red and yellow out of the corner of her eye which only broadened her smile.

"Well, that's news to me. Just how…" He did not finish speaking as a loud pair of voices called out.

"Uncle Qrow!"

The man known as Qrow was blindsided by the pair of little girls who jumped straight into his chest despite his sudden a protest.

Yang and Ruby's sudden attack had thrown him off balance and forced him to the ground with the two still on top of him.

The Dragon Queen watched the scene with a happy smile as the children greeted their uncle. He did not appear to be a bad man, judging by the content smile on his face.

Alexstrasza paid them no mind as she walked past. The children were too excited with their uncle to notice her at the moment, so she decided to water the garden she had just planted while she waited for them to calm down.


Taiyang approached the admittedly humorous scene before him. His precious little girls were dogpiling that clumsy drunkard he called a brother while the mythical beast taking the guise of his dead wife was pouring water over a freshly dug patch of ground.

Normally, she would be gushing over the girls. They even ran around the house in a frenzy to find her. But it looked like they found a better target.

Taiyang could do nothing but sigh as Qrow suffered his punishment for showing up unannounced.

Again.

The two had this discussion over and over again. If he wants to visit the girls without incident or complaints, approach him in private.

His blood pressure only rose as he saw Ruby trying to reach for Harbinger's hilt. How many times must he tell Qrow not to bring that thing with him when he visits?

"I am pleased to see the children so happy. I assume they had a pleasant day?" Alexstrasza inquired standing next to him.

"They don't get to see him often anymore. Not since he got a new job working for the Headmaster of Beacon." He lied, not wanting to bring her into the horrid realities that he was forced to suffer thanks to the bastard at the top of that stupid tower. He walked away from that life but unfortunately the damage had already been done to the family.

Not that he believed that she couldn't handle it, but he felt she had gone through enough to last a lifetime and deserved some sense of peace before she started looking for a way to return to her world.

Also, the girls really enjoyed hanging out with her and it was better if the enjoyment was not tainted by the dark clouds of a secret war that had nothing to do with her. For he knew the type of woman this dragon was. She had a heart of gold with the fire of a star trapped inside.

It wasn't just her appearance that she shared with Summer after all.

"I am aware. He sacrificed a lot while you suffered the loss of your wife."

Taiyang lowered his head in slight shame. "Yeah. He had my back when that happened. I shudder to think what would have happened to the girls without him."

Alexstrasza grabbed his arm and smiled. "Be thankful, not ashamed. Few are blessed with someone so loyal to be a part of their family."

"I suppose you're right." He smiles, standing up straighter.

"Does his new occupation often take him away for months at a time?"

"Yep. Fighting the Grimm is no joke. While he's a cocky drunk, he's still one of the best huntsmen out there. The Headmaster sends him out to deal with some of the nastier forms of Grimm. Keep them from putting people in danger." Another lie, but only partially as that witch often used innocents to test out her new toys and Qrow's job as Oz's personal spy often puts him in the best positions to deal with them.

"A preemptive culling. Such is necessary to protect those who cannot defend themselves." She nodded, approving of the notion.

"You sound like you have experience with these things?"

"I have partaken in many such endeavors. While I defend life there are many creatures that are just too destructive to be left to their own devices."

Tai noticed the slight frown on her face when she said that. "You don't look happy about that?"

"I rarely ever am. I don't relish in destruction on any capacity. Even that of my worst enemies. I slay because it is the only option that remains to allow me to protect those who deserve to live. I am not a judge or executioner. I am a guardian, and if that means I must kill to perform my duty then so be it."

Tai did not give any form of reply to that. It was clear that some aspects of the dragon's role back on her home world did not sit well with her. He found it funny that a large red scaled reptile would have issues with killing. Especially since she is a carnivore.

"Auntie Strasza!" Called Ruby, running towards the dragon woman.

Alexstrasza got on one knee and opened her arms for a welcoming hug. The two fell into a warm embrace as the little girl ran to the older woman.


Minutes later in the lounge, Taiyang and Qrow stood by the windows. Both men watched the girls and Alexstrasza sitting on a wooden bench. All of them were engrossed in a book.

"They look pretty happy together." Qrow said while holding a bottle.

"Yeah." Was all Taiyang said in response.

"Well." The former member of the Branwen Tribe said in an almost boring manner, alluding to the fact that he was not entirely pleased with this development and that more questions were inbound.

"Mind explaining this for me? I bust my ass for three months and when I come back there's some strange lady is living with you and the kids. I thought you were done with relationships man?"

Taiyang could see that Qrow was not trying to joke around. While he acted cocky and aloof most of the time, he took the safety and wellbeing of his family very seriously.

"It's nothing like that." He answered, turning to the photo of Summer on one of the small tables around the lounge. "There's no relationship other than her helping me take care of the girls."

"Right." Qrow said with no hint of playful teasing or sarcasm. For that Taiyang was silently grateful. "So, how did this come about? I doubt you just walked around town asking for some help. Especially when you have all of Beacon on speed dial. Hell, I'm pretty sure even Glynda wouldn't be able to say no if you asked."

Taiyang couldn't help but grin at the mention of Glynda and her soft side when concerning children. "Yeah. She was always weak to kids. Summer really brought that out of her."

"Yeah. So, who is she?" Qrow asked, now deciding to be more direct.

Taiyang walked back to the window. With each step he wrestled with the idea of telling his friend the truth. The thing that kept his mouth shut was Ozpin. If Qrow weren't so loyal to the man Tai would not have put any thought into it.

"She's a traveler. She's been moving across Remnant looking for old ruins and pieces of old civilizations." Taiyang put on a joking face hoping Qrow will be fooled. "She believes in magic."

That offhanded remark had done its job and nearly caused him to choke on his drink.

"If you spill that on the carpet, I will pluck your feathers when you try to leave." Taiyang warned.

Qrow held up a hand and coughed for a few seconds before catching his breath. "I'm good. I'm good."

After regaining some of his composure, he put the bottle down so he could have a more productive conversation.

"She tell you this herself?"

"Yeah. She's pretty open about it. Saying she believed that aura is just another form of magic or something." Tai said, recalling the comments the dragon woman made about a huntsmen's abilities.

Qrow scoffed, as if he found the comment ludicrous. Tai did not blame him. If it weren't already known that the woman was a large red shapeshifting dragon from another world, then he would have brushed it off as insane too. But her arrival and apparent knowledge of the concept of magic threw nearly everything he knew about the topic into question.

"Well, I'm sure Oz would find that funny." Qrow said making Tai frown.

"Then don't bother telling him." Taiyang said in a passive aggressive manner.

"Sure. He'll just brush it off anyway." Qrow shrugged. "How'd you meet her?"

"Me and the girls were enjoying a game of catch by the forest. Firecracker hit the ball too hard and sent it into the trees and Ruby ran after it. We met as she was passing by. She was very nice and polite, and we parted ways. Then me and the girls were ambushed by a pack of Beowolves."

"Anyone get hurt?"

Taiyang gestured to the trio. "She did."

"You said she walked away."

"She did." He lied. Remembering that the dragon was in fact asleep at the time, and he was trying so hard to get away from her that he let the Grimm sneak up on them. "The mutts cornered me and went after the girls. Then she showed up and saved our behinds."

"You getting slow Tai? A couple of Beowolves should be a walk in the park for you?"

"Not when I'm holding Yang in my arms. She nearly crippled herself in the process."

Qrow raised an eyebrow and glanced outside again. "She looks fine to me."

"That's because she didn't get hit. Her semblance did it. She couldn't walk properly after that."

"What kind of semblance overload are we talking here? That's pretty serious."

"You flew over the forest on the way here?"

"Yeah."

"Did you see a big trench in the ground?"

He saw Qrow's eyes widen as the realization hit him. Taiyang understood completely. The gouge caused by her crash was at least a hundred meters long.

"She did that?"

Taiyang nodded. "She's tougher than she looks. But she fell flat on her face after that."

"And you just brought her home?" Qrow asked, now showing his true opinion on the matter. "Tai, someone with that kind of semblance is extremely dangerous. And to have her around the kids is a very bad idea."

Taiyang hit the wall with the side of his fist, he knew Qrow would have this reaction, but it still bothered him. Ozpin's overcautious nature was affecting his brother-in-law to the point that it started to blur his morals.

"She threw herself under the bus for us, Qrow. You expect me to just leave her?"

"You could've taken her to the hospital or something."

"It was a semblance overload Qrow. You know the stupid policies; they would have rejected her. Remember all the times we got hurt because of your semblance?"

The scraggly man turned to the side in indignation. "Bunch of assholes." He muttered.

"Besides." Taiyang continued. "She's not a bad person and she's only staying until she's back to one hundred percent."

"Is that why you have her gardening for you?" Qrow said with a smile.

"Cut it out." Tai said with a semi-serious frown.

"Hey. Its not my fault you have a thing for strong women, and she does kind of look like the shortstack."

Now Taiyang chuckled. Qrow had no idea how accurate he was, given that the appearance Alexstrasza wore was completely deliberate. "I guess he does."

Then his face became slightly more serious. He wanted to change the subject. The longer he spoke about what happened the more likely Qrow would pick up on his lies. "So, anything I should know about?"

Qrow tilted his head slightly. "What? Suddenly interested in what happens now?"

It wasn't an insult, but Taiyang had been very insistent on not knowing anything about the secret little war going on. But there was a clause that he made an exception for.

"I'm just worried. A pack of Beowolves ambushed me and the girls saw the whole thing. You know why that would make me a little paranoid."

"Hmm." Qrow turned to the laughing trio outside and focused on the girl in the red dress with silver eyes. "Yeah. If she found out, Patch would be swarming with Grimm."

"So, stop leaving me in the dark." Taiyang punched Qrow's shoulder. "Give me some details. Or are you so traumatized that you need something stronger?"

Qrow got the message and put on a sad smile as he sat on the couch. "She's been quiet lately. Nothing too impressive. Modified Sphinxes, a Nuckelavee, and some King Taijitu."

"None of them heading for Patch?"

"Nah. They were sent to Anima. I got most of them, minus the Nuckelavee."

"That's a relief. Hopefully the locals can deal with it." Taiyang sat next to his friend and relaxed into the couch cushions. "You staying for dinner or do you have another mission lined up?"

"Actually, I can do both." Qrow said, leaning forward. "My new mission is to patrol around Patch for about a week or two."

"Something wrong?"

"No. Just some rumors Ozpin told me about that got him a little worried."

Taiyang sat forward and looked at Qrow with his brows furrowed. If that stupid wizard was rattled by a rumor, then it warranted nearly every huntsman's attention. "I'm listening."

"Weird shit man. Farmers crying in the night saying they saw a monster skulking about in the trees outside their farms. People on the road, reporting a strange shape following them as they drive by the forests. Trackers sent to find out what it said they found tracks of some sort of multilegged animal they've never seen before. They also said that they keep hearing a strange hissing sound as they were being led in circles."

"A new type of Grimm? Maybe she managed to slip this one by you?"

"Maybe." Qrow sighed. "It wouldn't be the first time. I can't keep track of everything she does. I'm just one guy. It was easier when Rav was around."

Taiyang gave no reaction to the name of his ex. Instead, he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You're doing your best. Anything else about our mystery monster."

"Only one thing and honestly that's why Oz has me on the job rather than looking for more Maidens."

"What is it?

"The tracks were all covered in ice that refused to melt. They say it lasts for days before it starts to thaw. Cold enough that you get stuck when you touch it and giving you near instant frostbite."

Taiyang's eyes widened. "Are you saying that she managed to infuse a Grimm with ice dust?"

"That's what everyone at Beacon thinks. Port wants to charge over here himself and see if he can track it down and frankly, I think Oz might let him try if I can't find it." Qrow leaned back again. "What bothers me the most is that it hasn't attacked anyone yet. Even those trackers, who I'm sure it had dead to rights. That means we might be dealing with an Alpha or Elder, and I'm hoping it's the former."

Taiyang silently agreed with him. Alphas were a whole mess of trouble, but Elder Grimm were in a different league. Frighteningly smart for a Grimm, capable of causing large scale destruction through rallying other local Grimm. Alphas were smarter than normal, but Elders were the Alphas of Alphas. Not to mention since it required them to be extremely old, that meant they were stupidly hard to put down, even without their intelligence.

"If you find it, give me a call and we'll deal with it together." Tai offered.

"Thanks man. Glad to see you haven't gone completely soft on me." Qrow chuckled.

"Don't push it." Taiyang warned with a smile.

"Now if you don't mind me asking, what's for dinner? I've been flying for close to eight hours and I could use some grub."

Taiyang scathed his chin and stood up. "Haven't given it much thought. Let me see if I can get you something before I start for real."

As Tai waled away into the kitchen, Qrow stared out the window. His gaze was not on the woman sitting with the two little girls. It was on the small black avian sitting in the tree above them. Watching them silently. Its head twitched and turned to look at Qrow. The man gave it a harsh look before it turned and flew away.