Not many things could make Glynda Goodwitch falter, could make her question her steadfast loyalty to mankind and faunuskind against the Enemy who sought to extinguish their races.

But walking through the flowing waste of human civilization for the second time in a day made her doubt, oh by the Gods didn't it make her doubt her loyalty and wish for destruction, if only so her nose and sense of smell could ever recover.

She was being dramatic of course, she'd never betray her comrades and fellow humans for the Enemy, but she was absolutely, thoroughly done with everything. Her feet hurt, her skin crawled as waste flowed against it and her back ached under the strain of the small child she was carrying, who had buried his face into the back of her neck and somehow fallen asleep, leaving her to wander aimlessly as she tried to remember his vague instructions.

"Squeeze through some bars." Glynda muttered, as she came across three iron poles. There was enough room so that she could sneak in, but something about it made her wonder. It seemed too vulnerable, too open to be anything but a trap of some kind against infiltrators. Surely the architects hadn't made such a blatant mistake, especially not for a sewer tunnel that allegedly led to the Governor's Palace itself.

She raised the Disciplinarian and cast out a searching light into the oozing, disgusting river of waste, feeling with her magic for anything metal. She felt something, and further exploration allowed her to determine what it was.

A trip wire.

She kept a grip on the Disciplinarian and the tripwire itself, stepping back before yanking it with her magic.

Two giant axes lurched from the darkness into the two slots between the metal bars with a violent clanging sound as the wires holding them grew taut. Robin yelled as he startled awake and nearly fell backwards into the sewer water, if not for Glynda hastily grabbing into his flailing arms.

"M-Milady?" Robin asked tiredly. "What's going on?"

"A trap." Glynda replied, nodding forwards as the axes slid back up into the darkness. "Be careful when going through the bars. I'll hold you through, and you hold on whilst I go through myself. Don't fall in, there is a tripwire that may reactivate the trap."

"Yes milady." Robin nodded, and she shifted him around and held him forwards. He grabbed onto the middle metal bar like a monkey clinging to a tree, and she carefully stepped over the tripwire and let him clamber back onto her back before continuing onwards.

'I wonder how the sewage doesn't activate it.' Glynda wondered, stepping forcefully onwards through the waste. 'Perhaps it is some kind of spell?'

Robin tapped her shoulder eagerly, and she turned to see him pointing at a small tunnel to their left.

"The left there! I can see light!"

Glynda could see it too, and after dropping her dying torch into the sewer water she quickly turned and pulled herself into the smaller tunnel, stopping for a moment so Robin could get off before crawling towards the light, trying to ignore the damp slime that brushed against her hands and waste-covered knees or the dusty cobwebs that tangled in her hair.

However in her haste to advance into the light she misplace how truly dark it had been in the sewers, and the moment bright sunlight washed against her face she winced and suddenly lurched forward, slamming into the soft ground with a groan.

Then Robin fell on top of her, making her wheeze as the air was knocked from her lungs.

"Sorry milady!" Robin exclaimed, quickly scrambling off of her. She shook her head and slowly sat up as she regathered her breath.

"T-This…didn't…happen…" Glynda said, giving him a warning glare. Robin nodded eagerly, quickly stating his acquiescence to the order. Glynda resisted the urge to sigh and pulled herself up as she recovered her breath and her eyes adjusted to the brightness, taking in her surroundings as she did so.

They were in a small cove, with trickling water feeding into a small pond that in turn led into the steadily flowing, murky green river that Robin had mentioned. The Green River. There was a small boat moored inside the cove and a quick inspection revealed it to be full of food and spare cloaks, as well as no small fortune in treasure. But most notably of all was the signet ring of House Ironwood as well as the Governor's Seal.

"Winter must be preparing for the worst." Glynda muttered, peering over the river and noticing that there was likely no way for the average citizen or spy to know of the cove's existence, as it was sheltered by a small treeline and a craggy cliff that led up to the outer defences of the Governor's Palace.

"How do we get inside the Palace itself?" Glynda asked Robin, and the boy rubbed the back of his head nervously before shrugging.

"I'm not too sure milady, Old Tom only ever told us the way through the sewers. I haven't been here before, so I don't know any sneaky places or the like." Robin explained nervously, as if he feared her lashing out at him. Glynda sighed.

"Very well. Let me clean myself from the waste smearing my legs and then we'll scout out a way into the Palace." Glynda said, walking over to the pool and stepping into it, shivering at the chill of the cold and wiping the waste smearing her legs and skirt.

She rolled her eyes when Robin put his hands over his eyes and turned away from her, though she appreciated the sentiment. Soon enough the pool looked like it was polluted but she was cleaner than she had been and the smell of sewage was less potent. She scrambled out of the pool and tapped Robin on the shoulder so he knew she was decent.

"Do you-?" Glynda began to ask, only to be cut off as she heard a door open. "Hide!"

She and Robin scrambled behind a tree, watching quietly as a servant girl walked out of seemingly nowhere and filled a bucket full of river water, humming to herself as she did so. They watched silently as she made her way back to previously hidden door that was sheltered behind a great oak tree, and Glynda smiled as she heard the door lock.

"Follow me, and be quiet!" Glynda ordered, voice a quiet whisper. Robin nodded and she hurried over to the door, raising the Disciplinarian and unlocking it with a silent spell. She pulled it slightly ajar and slipped in, beckoning for Robin to follow. Once he was inside she locked the door again and turned around, facing a barely lit tunnel that led to the sounds of distant conversation.

"Be calm, don't make eye contact and follow my lead." Glynda told Robin quietly, watching him nod before setting off in a confident stride, Robin following her hastily.

The room they entered was a washroom, where clothes were cleaned and idle chatter exchanged between servant girls. Glynda strode calmly and confidently, as if she belonged, not raising a glance from the servants despite her frazzled look and damp skirt. Robin hurried after her, and over the frantic pounding of her own heart she could practically hear his about to explode out of fear.

But her ploy worked and they made it to the door without being challenged, though she did notice some curious glances being sent their way.

"Use your magic Robin, concentrate and follow the trail to something that seems dark, tainted even." Glynda ordered as they hurried through the halls, offering quick, polite nods to whatever to the few guards that they passed.

"I-I don't…"

"You can do it." Glynda reassured, favouring him with a smile and squeezing his shoulder gently. "All you need to do is focus. You found me, remember?"

Robin nodded, a serious look falling over his face as he exhaled and closed his eyes. She stopped and hid him in an alcove, waiting patiently as his face became a frown and a soft whimper burst out of him before he panted and nodded.

"There's something close. Follow me." Robin said determinedly, and Glynda followed, watching with a worried look as he staggered purposely down the grey halls, sweat trickling down his face and breathing ragged.

They came across two guards, who immediately pointed their spears at them, which wasn't surprising considering Robin's sickly, almost frightening disposition. She had demanded too much of him, especially at such a young age and with untested ability. She cursed herself silently and used the Disciplinarian to manipulate the guards armour, forcing them to knock themselves out with a helmeted headbutt.

"Hide in that alcove over there, regain your strength and wait for me to fetch you." Glynda told Robin, gently guiding him into the alcove and hiding him in there, worry growing as he practically collapsed within. She wiped the sweat from his brow with the cuff of her sleeve and smiled at him warmly to mask her concern. "You did a good job today Robin. I'm impressed."

"T-Thanks…m-mi…lady…" Robin panted, eyes drooping and head lolling to the side. She reached forward quickly and sighed in relief when she felt his pulse. At least she knew his limits so when she tutored him, which she was determined to do now, she could do so in an effective way that wouldn't hamper his growth as a wizard.

After gently raising his head so he was in a more comfortable position, Glynda turned around and made her way to the door he had led her to, the guards sprawled against the floor. She could hear the muffled sound of conversation within, and she gently opened the door and peered inside.

The smell of dust and faded paint was potent, and she surveyed the room carefully, taking in the faded clouds and sun and bright blue paint and the empty, dusty cribs. In the middle of it all was a haggard woman, bleached white hair a tangled mess and skin bone-white, with pitch black bags under her hollowed eyes and a distant smile on her face as she clutched a tattered, threadbare child's teddy bear to her chest.

"I love you too Willow. And you Whitley, Bleiss, Slate, Helle and James Junior. Your father will be here soon and he loves you too. We all love you. Love you so much."

"By the gods…" Glynda muttered, horror on her face as she noticed the dress and snowflake brooch on the woman's shoulder. "Winter Schnee?"

The woman turned, eyes dull and tired but that horrifically happy smile spread across her face.

"No, no. No Winter here. Just a happy mother and her children. Aren't they all so beautiful." Winter exclaimed happily, gesturing at the empty room in front of her.

"What in the name of the gods happened?" Glynda asked herself, and a flash of emotion flickered in Winter's eyes.

"Nothing happened!" Winter hissed, making Glynda blink and take a step back in fear of what she was seeing. The woman immediately relaxed, happy tone returning to match her happy smile. "Nothing is wrong. See? Willow, Whitley, Bleiss, Slate, Helle and James Junior. All happy and smiling and playing and loving. If you are here to ruin the fun then you can leave, I want my children to live happy lives."

Glynda stared at the empy room, taking in the neglect and dust and cobwebs and feeling a heavy feeling settling over her shoulders. As far as she knew Winter hadn't sired any children, but this room seemed to suggest that she had at least planned to.

"Oh Winter." Glynda murmured quietly, as the quite possibly insane woman went back to 'playing' with her children. "I'm so sorry."

Fortunately the woman didn't hear her, and Glynda shook her head as she tried to focus on a way to address this.

The Enemy's influence was clear. It was taking some sort of negative emotion, likely grief in this instance, and twisting it so it became all encompassing. Glynda felt her fists curl as her hatred for the Enemy grew, before she banished such thoughts before it could take advantage of them. The Enemy was still weakened and exiled, but it had considerable influence in the world yet, as seen before her. Glynda shook her head again and cast her mind back, thinking of a spell that could perhaps dispel the negative, corrupting influence that was so clearly on display here.

Then her mind wandered back to a memory of her last meeting with a fellow colleague, someone else who knew of the darkness waiting to be unleashed onto the world once more. She raised the Disciplinarian and muttered a few words, forcing her magic to the forefront of her mind as she cast a spell outside her domain of metal manipulation, something strenuous and draining.

"Libertas ex tenebris." Glynda proclaimed, and a lance of green energy shot from the Disciplinarian and struck Winter, who howled in agony and writhed on the ground in pain.

Her body shivered and twitched wildly, but as Glynda watched silently the bags around her eyes faded, still present but not as dark, and the life seemed to return to her eyes and skin.

Minutes passed, and Glynda flinched at the pained cries and howls and moans that burst from Winter, unable to help her as she didn't know the spells and healing was not her domain. But eventually, thankfully, they gradually died down until Winter groaned and looked up.

"Where?" Winter muttered, voice tired and eyes bleary before she took in the room. "Why? Who?"

The last question was directed at Glynda, who bowed politely.

"My name is Glynda Goodwitch, I have come to heal yourself and your husband from your ailments." Glynda explained politely, and Winter's eyes narrowed into a hostile look.

"I know better than to trust witches and their aid." Winter spat angrily. "Tell me your true purpose or I'll have you burned at the stake."

Well this wasn't good. Glynda had been hoping that Winter's more…radical actions that she'd seen over the past day had been solely due to the corruption of the Enemy, rather than pure madness on Winter's part. Even Glynda couldn't cure that, let alone someone specialised in the healing arts.

"I am not lying to you my lady." Glynda continued calmly. "I am only here to offer my assistance."

"Liar!" Winter hissed. "Guards!"

Glynda winced, and Winter's burning glare would've eviscerated her if looks could kill.

"Why aren't my guards responding to me?" Winter demanded, and Glynda coughed awkwardly, wondering where her plan had fallen apart and how she had done so poorly.

"They weren't very…diplomatic, my lady." Glynda explained, forcing a stoic mask to settle over her face. "I had to knock them unconscious. They aren't harmed, I swear it."

"Lady Protectress!" Someone cried, and Glynda jumped as what seemed like an entire castle's worth of guards stormed into the room. "We heard screaming?"

"Arrest this witch and throw her into the dungeon!" Winter ordered, storming out of the room. "I want her alive and the interrogation room ready by tomorrow morning. Lockdown the castle and double the amount of patrols tonight!"

"Yes ma'am!" The guards exclaimed, saluting as Winter stormed past them. Two of them stepped forwards, grabbing her arms roughly whilst another grabbed the Disciplinarian from her hands.

"Make this hard." One of them growled. "I fucking dare you. It'll be fun breaking your pretty little face."

Glynda said nothing, hearing the man scoff before she was dragged along by them, a dozen or so other guards forming a wall of armoured men around her.

She glanced into the alcove where she had hidden Robin as she passed it, catching glimpses through the bobbing armour of the guards around her.

It was empty.

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The hall of Ansel's keep was filled with the noise of feasting and merriment. Minstrels played songs from an array of instruments from flutes to lyres to harps and bards bawdily told tales of heroes and monsters and myth.

And Juniper Arc watched it all with the detached look of a woman whose life was falling apart around her.

She had played no part in planning this feast. No, Tock did. She had not spoken to her husband in a week since their last conversation, but Tock had. When the growing number of lords had arrived at Ansel before the feast, Juniper had been forced to watch whilst Tock stood at her husband's side and greeted their guests.

The priestess had come from Mistral a few months ago, not long after Jaune and Saphron had left for Queen Weiss' betrothal ceremony. She had been all sly smiles and cryptic words, and Nicholas had dismissed her as he usually had.

Tock had uttered the usual prophecies and warnings and Juniper had focused on helping her husband rule his family's ancient domain until all of a sudden the priestesses' words of warning had come true.

Dragon's grew bolder, burning lands and pillaging keeps. War was waged between Mistral and Atlas-Vale and a deadly storm had ruined the land. The Governor of Vale was struck down by subversion and the eldest child and only son of House Arc were dead.

After that Nicholas hung to every word that came from the woman's mouth. It had been seemingly normal at first, but then he'd begun to grow distant and sickly, sick pale, tiredness in his slumped, hunched posture and a haunted look to his normally jovial, if not stoic, eyes.

Now Juniper was…there. She wasn't his wife anymore, just in name only. He hadn't slept in the same bed as her for a month now, and she didn't want to know the answer to where else he could've been staying.

She sipped her wine, not caring if it had been poisoned by that vile witch of a priestess or not anymore. Anything to distract herself from the perpetually dark thoughts that haunted her every waking moment was welcomed.

"Mama?" Hazel asked, the voice of her youngest instantly recognisable to her despite it's unusually quiet tone. "Do I really have to marry Lord Shandry? He's old."

Juniper frowned and reassuringly wrapped her arm around her youngest's shoulder, holding her gently as she surveyed the man Nicholas had given away their daughter to. Lord Shandry was old, his hair whiter than snow and face a permanently ruddy red, so she didn't have the heart to scold her daughter for being so frank in her assessment of him. The fact Nicholas had just thrown away their daughter's future to a man old enough to be her grandfather utterly disgusted her.

What happened to the man who would chase off suitors? Who promised to let their daughters have a say in the decision-making process? Who promised to let Juniper have a say in the future of their children? Who promised to be hers until death did them part?

She shook her head, stroking an astray curl of her youngest's hair gently as she did so.

"If he's alive by the time you come of age then yes." Juniper answered, leaning close to whisper into her ear in a conspiratory way. "But by the looks of it he won't be, so don't worry about it."

Her daughter giggled awkwardly but favoured her with a beaming smile, something Juniper returned, a weird feeling bubbling inside her as she did so. Normally she was the disciplinarian and Nicholas the one they had wrapped around their finger. Nowadays…

"Is Saphron and Jaune really dead?" Her daughter asked, face solemn again and the sudden question making Juniper freeze up in surprise. "Tock keeps saying they are. I don't like her."

"That makes too of us." Juniper sighed, before cupping her daughter's face gently and staring into her eyes, eyes that looked just like her own. "I'm afraid they are. I don't want them to be, but there are too many reports saying they are. I'm sorry Hazel."

"I-I really want Jaune back p-please?" Hazel begged quietly, eyes welling up with tears. "I k-know I'm not good and s-sometimes sneak into the kitchens for t-treats but I'll stop if I can have my brother back, I p-promise I will!"

"Hush now." Juniper shushed quietly, pulling her daughter into her lap and hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry but I can't do that. It's not your fault Hazel. I swear its not your fault."

"So sure about that are ya?" Taunted a cruel voice that Juniper recognised instantaneously on account of it belonging to the person she hated most in this forsaken world. "Everyfin 'as a consequence ya know and every sweetie you stole meant the Goddess 'ated your brotha more and more until she-"

"That's enough." Nicholas interjected, startling both Juniper and Tock with the heat in his tone and the fact he was intervening at all. "You're making my daughter cry Tock. I won't have it."

"I nevah meant to do that of course Lord Arc." Tock conceded, lying as blindingly obvious as the sun. "Just thought the thought was fun is all."

"My son's death is no laughing matter." Nicholas retorted coldly, before he slumped back into his seat, eyes growing dull and bored once more whilst his face was a distant, almost slack look once more.

"Go back to your seat Hazel." Juniper ordered gently, noticing the lords below were watching closely. "Dry your eyes and remember…"

"Arc's don't cry." Hazel mumbled, wiping her eyes before hurrying off.

"Good girl." Juniper said, smiling even if she wasn't sure her daughter heard her.

"I thinks its time for a speech Lord Arc." Juniper head Tock say quietly. "Give 'em a show."

"My lords!" Nicholas boom, making Juniper blink as he went from almost corpse-like to showmanship-like within an instant. Behind his back, she cast a look at Tock, who only winked at her before turning back to Nicholas, who had finished with the usual pleasantries and had told a joke that had made the lords laugh. "I am afraid that we have dire topics of discussion ahead, so those with no stomach for talk of treason should leave this room now."

A hushed silence fell over the room, as if they had just been told their parents had been brutally murdered.

"No takers? Very well." Nicholas said, tone serious and face stoic. "Vale has been run roughshod over, its resources have been stolen, its wealth plundered and its future destroyed by the ambition of one family. The Schnee. Our Governor was a good man, and I am glad to say he was amongst a precious few I called my friends. But his wife is not a good woman. His body isn't even cold and yet she tries to steal his title, to use it for her own betterment to usurp her own sister's throne!"

The nobles mumbled to each other, Juniper watching with a tight chest and worried look. Part of her, deep down, had hoped the past few weeks were a fever dream, or failing that a cruel prank. It seemed like they weren't.

"I say I will have no part in it! I will not take my men across a frozen sea toa frozen wasteland to help a foreigner take a foreign throne!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, low at first but gaining. Juniper swallowed, her throat dry as she watched on.

"I say we usurp the foreigner occupying our lands! I say we take back our Kingdom! I say we take back our destiny! What do you say?"

"Down with the Schnee!" A few chanted, likely planted agents to help rile up the crowd of drunk nobles.

"I can't hear you!" Nicholas bellowed.

"Down with the Schnee!" Came the cry, louder now and echoing across the hall.

"What are we fighting for!"

"Vale!"

"And who are we fighting for!"

"Our children!"

"And who will lead us!"

"Arc!"

"That's right! I have the blood, the swords and the experience. I will bring back our lost freedom, restore our lost honour and reforge our lost Kingdom!"

"Arc! Arc! Arc!"

Juniper raised her cup of wine to her lips, taking a sip as the chant of her husband's name and that of her daughter's echoed through the room, her heart pounding in her chest as the realisation her husband had sparked an uprising settled in her mind.

She almost wished Tock had poisoned her wine.