Ozpin started to grow concerned as the sun began to sink. While the people clearing the paths were kind enough to point him in a different direction, they neglected to say how long the path would take. He had to get out of the woods before nightfall. But, alas, the sun disappeared into the horizon.
"Come on Salem," Ozpin urged. "We need to get a move on so we're not found by-'' he stops as a maniacal laughter fills the air.
"Well well. It's been quite a while since I was able to enjoy some company. I knew that storm would bring me good fortune."
Salem stopped in her tracks as Ozpin scanned the tree lines, looking for any sign of movement. He heard some rustling to his left and saw a figure dart through the shadows. "Salem go. Go!" he urged. Salem galloped as fast as she could but Ozpin could still hear the footsteps behind him.
"Your horse may be fast. But not fast enough," the figure laughed. Ozpin guided Salem around a corner and a tall, lanky man with a scorpion tail jumped out in front of them. The infamous serial killer Tyrian Callows. "Found you!" he cried out.
Salem reared up on her hind legs and Ozpin was thrown off of her into the tree behind him. But instead of his back hitting bark like he expected he instead fell through the tree and landed on what seemed to be another path. Salem had recovered from her shock and quickly ran back the way she came. Tyrian ignored her and started to look for his prey, only to find Ozpin missing. Tyrian just giggled, undeterred. "You can run but you can't hide," he said before taking off further down the path.
Ozpin was still able to hear the madman and waited until his footsteps were out of earshot. When he was certain he was alone Ozpin approached the tree he apparently went through and tried to touch it. To his surprise his hand was able to go through the trunk. The tree rippled as though it were water. Ozpin drew his hand back in and took a look at his new surroundings.
He seemed to be on a path that led to a large, foreboding castle. Seeing it put Ozpin on edge. But with Salem gone and Tyrian still looking for him, Ozpin had little choice but to go to the castle and see if he could find help.
The doors seemed to have opened on its own after Ozpin gave a slight knock. Poking his head in, he looked around to see no one in sight. "Hello?" he called out. "Pardon the intrusion but I lost my horse. Is there any chance I could stay for the night?"
"Maybe we should help him out."
"Are you crazy? When my brother finds out about this he will be furious."
Ozpin heard the voices and tried to find them but didn't see anybody. Picking up a candelabra he called out once more. "I'm sorry I can't seem to find you." Suddenly a small flame waved itself in front of Ozpin's face. Startled, he quickly pulled the candelabra away from his face and got a good look at it. It was staring right back at him.
"Sup," the candelabra greeted. Ozpin gave a yelp and dropped the candelabra on the ground where the flames were put out. The candelabra didn't pay any attention to that though as it started picking itself back up.
"Taiyang you idiot! Now look at what you've done." The clock that was previously beside the candelabra on the table Ozpin picked it up from jumped down and ran towards the candelabra who was lighting his flames back up.
Ozpin stumbled back from the two talking objects and landed on his bottom from the shock of what he was seeing. "What in the Gods?" he whispered to himself.
"Yeah, yeah, animated objects. Not something you see everyday," the candelabra-Taiyang-waved off. "But let's not worry about that. Sun's almost done with dinner and I'm sure Qrow would appreciate the company. We haven't had a visitor for some time." Tiayang started to walk- um, hopping to where the dining room was.
Ozpin, now over the shock of what he was seeing, started to follow. "Oh. Thank you. Are you sure it's not a problem?"
"It is a big problem!" The clock yelled as she followed them. "You need to leave before my brother finds you here or else we are all in trouble."
"What is he supposed to do Raven?" Tiayang asked. "He said he lost his horse and he's lucky to have avoided Tyrian tonight. He can leave in the morning. It'll be fine." The trio had entered the dining room where a small spread of food was laid out.
A little teacup saw them come in and was excited to see Ozpin. "Mom, look! We have a guest tonight." The teapot turned around and was surprised. Before she could demand an explanation from Taiyang and Raven another set of doors burst open. Ozpin could only stand and stare at the creature that had entered the room.
The two stared at each other briefly before the Beast addressed the magical objects. "What is going on here?" he demanded.
"Please Qrow. He was attacked by Tyrian and lost his horse. It wouldn't hurt for him to spend the night here," Tiayang pleaded.
Qrow scoffed. "Is that so? For all I know you could be a hunter. Out here to slay the big bad beast am I right?"
Ozpin threw his hands up in surrender. "Honest to Gods that's not it. I'm just a simple professor. I got lost in the woods because of the storm and stumbled my way here."
Qrow let out a laugh. "An original story I'll grant you that. Every single person that has come here since I became this thing has tried to kill me. What proof do you have that you're not any different." Ozpin fell silent. Unsure of what to say. Qrow scoffed. "Yeah. That's what I thought. Tell you what though. If you need a place to stay so bad then the dungeon should do just fine."
Ozpin's pleas fell on deaf ears as Qrow took him away. The others could only watch in sorrow.
The next morning Clover was tending to the farm, plucking the weeds out of the vegetables. A shadow loomed over him and he looked up to see Harriet leaning over the fence. Clover resisted the urge to sigh. "Did you need something Harriet?" he asked instead.
"I can't visit for a casual conversation?" Harriet asked.
"You're not usually a casual person," Clover countered.
"Oh you know me so well," Harriet gushed.
Clover was starting to lose his patience. "Seriously Harriet, what do you want?"
Harriet gave a soft smile and batted her eyes at Clover saying "The perfect life."
Clover scoffed and rolled his eyes. "What, you don't already have that?" Picking up a basket of carrots he had just harvested he started making his way back to the house.
Harriet followed. "Almost. But I can see it being better. Just picture it Clover. A nice warm cottage. My latest kill roasting on the open fire. And my strong husband massages my shoulders. While the children play around with the dogs. I'm thinking about six or seven."
"Dogs?" Clover asked.
"Of course not. Beautiful daughters and strong sons," Harriet clarified.
"How charming," Clover muttered as he reached for the door only for Harriet to block his path.
"Of course you would be the strong husband," she continued.
Clover was taken aback. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Oh come on Clover. You can't expect to spend your life with your grandfather on this little thing you call a farm. Otherwise you'll find yourself on the streets alongside James," Harriet said.
Clover pushed Harriet to the side and said "I'd rather be on the streets with James than be married to you Harriet. It'll never happen." He went inside and shut the door firmly behind him.
Harriet walked back to the gate in a stunned silence.
Clover rejected her. Her! Of all people. As she stormed off in a huff she passed by Elm who started to follow her. "I take it things didn't go well?"
Harriet stopped walking and took a deep breath to calm herself. "He'll see things my way soon," she declared. One way or another, Clover was going to be hers.
Meanwhile Clover snuck out through the back door to ensure that Harriet didn't try to follow him. He couldn't believe it. Harriet basically told him to marry her. Him! The husband of that brain dead, hot headed-
No way! Not happening. Clover couldn't take much more of this town. Making his way to the fields on the outskirts of town he sat down and dreamed of something beyond this. Beyond this village. Beyond this life. And maybe, someone to share that with. Just someone besides his grandfather who he could connect with.
The cry of a horse brings him back to reality and he sees Salem rushing towards him. Ozpin is nowhere to be seen. "Salem? What are you doing here? Did something happen to Grandfather?" Salem gestured back to the woods she was just from. Clover quickly untied his grandfather's bags and mounted Salem, urging her to go back into the forest.
When they reached the spot where Ozpin disappeared Clover dismounted and searched through the tree lines. "Grandfather!" he called out. "Are you here?" Clover tried placing a hand on one of the trees to try and get a better footing only to stumble as his entire arm went through the tree. "What in the-'' he breathed, sticking his arm through the tree again. Figuring out that his grandfather must have accidentally gone through here, Clover guided Salem through the magical tree and came upon a large, creepy looking castle.
Steeling his nerves, Clover approached the castle. When he reached the doors he tied Salem up to a nearby post. "Stay here okay," he ordered her. "I won't be long." Salem hooved at the ground as Clover walked up to the doors and opened them. "Hello?" he called out. "Is there anyone here?" No one answered him. The place seemed to be deserted so Clover started looking around. Thinking his grandfather took refuge here.
Meanwhile, in another room of the castle Raven was chewing Taiyang out. "I still can't believe you though it was a good idea to welcome that man in."
"I was just trying to be nice. Last I checked, turning people away is what got us into this mess," Tai retorted.
"I know that Tai but we should have kept him in another room until we explained the situation to Qrow," Summer argued. "He probably would have been more understanding then."
"It makes no difference now," Raven said. "Once Qrow has calmed down we can talk him into letting that man go."
"Hello?" They heard an unfamiliar voice echo through the halls. The three quickly poke their heads out of the door to find Clover wandering around calling out for Ozpin.
Raven swore under her breath. "He must be looking for that man Qrow took prisoner."
"Then let's bring the two together and help them sneak out," Tai said. "Two birds, one stone." He started hopping in the direction Clover went to.
"Tai, wait! Hold on!" Summer whispered as she and Raven followed him.
Clover kept calling out for Ozpin when he heard a door open behind him. Turning around, he went through hoping to find someone. Up ahead he saw a light going up a spiral staircase. "Wait!" he called out to whoever that was. "I was hoping you've seen my grandfather." He climbed the staircase and found a single candelabra in an alcove. But no one was there. Clover became confused. He could have sworn- He tried calling out again. "Can anyone hear me?"
"Clover?" Ozpin's voice came from what looked like a jail cell.
"Grandfather!" Clover cried as he rushed over to the cell door. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. How did you find me?" Ozpin asked.
"Salem came back to me and guided me here," Clover explained, grasping his grandfather's hand. It felt like ice. "You're freezing. We need to get you home."
"Forget about me Clover," Ozpin said. "You need to get out before that creature finds you here."
"What creature?" Clover asked. Before Ozpin could answer something grabbed Clover by the shoulders and pulled him away from the cell door.
"How did you find this place?" an unknown voice called out from the shadows. Clover saw the silhouette of someone but they made sure to stay out of the small light source of the sky light in the ceiling. Whoever it was though looked big and sounded very angry.
Struggling to keep his voice steady he responded. "I came here for my grandfather. Please, he's becoming ill. Can you release him? I don't have much but I can pay you."
"I don't need money," the figure responded. "What I need is peace of mind. Now leave while you still can. Unless you want to be locked up in here like him."
"There's got to be something-" Clover tried to say then gained an idea. It was crazy but- "Wait! What if- What if I took his place?" he offered.
Qrow was stunned. This guy was willing to trade places with the older man. He called the prisoner his grandfather, but even still no one would go that far for someone would they? No one did for him.
Maybe. Just maybe this man was the solution to Qrow's curse. Qrow had a lot of time to think things over in the years he's been stuck here. At first he blamed the Enchanter and his late parents for his situation. But after a smack talk from Summer, Tai and Raven, he eventually came to the conclusion that he was as much to blame. And he had to find a way to fix this. More so for the sake of the others. They didn't deserve this.
This man before him. Qrow could see unwavering loyalty in his eyes. A heart full of caring and hope. Maybe he can help Qrow feel that kind of hope as well. Hope for a better future for his family. Plus, if he was being honest, the stranger was rather handsome.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Clover."
"Very well Clover. If you promise to stay here until the end of the year. Then your grandfather will be free here and now," Qrow offered him.
Clover could work with this. At least then his grandfather can get himself to a doctor. Plus it was already the beginning of fall so he'll only be here about four to five months. He can do this. For his grandfather's sake. But the fact that the owner of this place kept hiding themselves in the shadows was making him unnerved. "Can you come into the light please?" he requested.
Qrow hesitated. What if Clover saw him and already went back on his word? What if he pulled out a dagger hidden somewhere on his person and tried to strike him down then and there? But if this was going to work, then Clover needed to see the monster that Qrow had become. Slowly, Qrow stepped under the sky light and let the moon reveal his face.
Clover recoiled in fear. What should be skin was a mass of black feathers. Hands morphed into sharp talons. Piercing read eyes over a large beak. And two humongous wings flared behind him. Ozpin was right. This was no man.
But Clover wouldn't be deterred. His grandfather was all he had left. He can do this. For his family.
Standing up straight Clover approached the beast. "You have my word."
"Then the deal is struck," Qrow said brushing past Clover to open up Ozpin's cell. "I'll let you say your goodbyes."
Ozpin rushed into his grandson's arms. "Clover, listen to me, I've already had a long life. Don't throw away yours."
"It's just for a few months. I promise I'll come back to you," Clover assured. "Just keep moving forward okay."
Ozpin nodded but there was a certain spark in his eyes that Clover couldn't help notice. Before he could ask about it though Qrow pulled the two apart. "Time's up." He dragged Ozpin out of the castle and over to where the tree was. Ozpin kept pleading with him to spare Clover's life. "Nothing's going to happen to him. You have my word. Now get out and stay out!" He threw Ozpin through the portal and the professor found himself back in the woods.
Ozpin stayed on the ground for a few moments as the sun broke over the horizon. Clover was gone. Held prisoner by some beast. And Clover just willingly agreed to this. He had to try and save him but he couldn't do it alone. He made his way back to the village in order to get help.
Meanwhile, Clover had entered the cell his grandfather was in and started to make himself comfortable. Well as much as he could given the circumstances. He was surprised when the door opened and Qrow was standing there. "Come on, I'll show you to your room," he said.
"My room? I thought I was going to stay here?" Clover questioned.
"I mean you can if you want. But if you want an actual bed I suggest you follow me." Qrow spun around and grabbed the nearby candelabra. Clover hastily followed. The two walked in silence. Clover was examining the halls around him trying to stay calm.
Tai, sensing the tension, whispered to Qrow. "Dude come on you gotta say something to the guy."
Qrow gave a sight. "Right." He raised his voice so Clover could hear. "Listen, Clover, since you offered to stay here I'm giving you some leeway. You're welcome to explore the castle to your heart's content. Just don't go beyond the garden walls and stay out of the West Wing."
"Why the West Wing?" Clover asked.
"None of your business!" Qrow snapped, getting into Clover's face. Clover jumped back in fright. By the time he recovered, Qrow had already gone ahead. Unbeknown to Clover though, Qrow started to kick himself for losing it like that.
"Smooth Qrow. Very smooth," Tai scoffed. Qrow told him to shut it. Finally they made it to one of the guest rooms and Qrow opened up the door for him.
"My servants will bring you dinner soon. Take tonight to settle in," Qrow told him before shutting the door.
The façade Clover had been portraying up till that point crumbled in an instant. Sliding down the door he brought his knees to his chest and started to cry. He had made that offer out of desperation and he was glad that this beast agreed to it. But now he was giving Clover a bedroom? Letting him explore most of the palace? That wasn't something people would normally do to their prisoners. This thing certainly didn't do this for his grandfather.
Horrible thought after horrible thought filled Clover's mind. Just what was this beast planning on doing to him?