The trip had been rather quiet since they departed the cave, the only real noise was the chirping of birds and the clopping of tundra's hooves on the dirt road under her.
Mikael's senses were sharp looking out for any sign of movement his eyes scanning the brush and trees above, despite how tranquil their trek had been he couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched.
It may seem paranoid to most but after a few encounters with the dark brotherhood and their assassins, he'd developed a six sense to these things it had saved him in the past, someone, trying to shove a dagger in his back was normal occurrence these days.
Amber seemed to be doing the same. keeping her senses on high alert in case there was another attempt on her life, although unlike last time, she was expecting conflict now she knew there were people after her.
Occasionally, she would send small glances to her companion who walked alongside her, keeping up with her horse rather easily. on one of her looks she could see his eyes from under the hood they were so focused, hardened like sapphires.
She wanted to get to know the man under the hood since they would be travelling together for some time, it wouldn't be a problem if they got to know each over a little more
"Something on your mind?" Mikael asked Amber blinked looking to the side towards him while his focus seemed to be aimed at the pathway ahead "you've been looking my way for some time now like there's something you want to say something." he clarified
Amber's face darkened after being caught so easily "I was just thinking we don't know that much about each other you've told me about your home Nirn but I'd like to get to know you more."
"Not much to say really" Mikael stated "I grew up on a farm outside of Cyrodiil with my father he was part of the mages guild there "
"Mage's guild?" Amber asked
"A group of powerful magic users dedicated to the collection, preservation, and distribution of magical knowledge ensuring that citizens of Tamriel benefit from such knowledge." While the mages guilds outside of Cyrodil had been dissolved and all but forgotten by time, within the cities walls their main sect and the overall study of magic within the Empire had survived within the walls of the Arcane University
Amber looked torn between shock and awe the maidens were the only ones on remnant who could wield magic, but it seemed to be a rather common thing on Mikael's world she would have to talk about this more latter before asking "What about your mother?"
"I never knew her she just disappeared when I was a baby my father rarely spoke of her and even then, he was rather cryptic" Mikael answered, "How about you?"
"I was born in a small village in the north, my parents and I were farmers we didn't have much but it was a good life." she started a smile forming on her face from the fond memory "I grew up hearing stories about huntsmen and huntresses, even meeting some that passed through our village from time to time, it didn't take long before I had the idea of becoming a huntress in my head. My parents weren't too keen on the idea, but they were happy for me when I started training.
"Your parents sound like good people" Mikael commented
Amber smiled "They are I still see them from time to time, but I prefer to travel and see the world. Watching it change and helping others with my skills as a huntress"
"As noble a cause as any" Mikael said before something ahead of them caught his attention "Wait." he said causing the maiden to stop scattered across the road ahead of them was what appeared to be debris "there's something blocking the road ahead... it looks like something happened"
"Someone could be hurt, we should check on it to be sure." Amber said Mikael nodded the two began to make their way down the path towards the wreckage only to find what could only be described as a massacre
A delivery truck of some kind of white snowflake insignia, was stopped off the side of the road, the side riddled with bullet holes and the tires torn and flat, it wasn't the state of the vehicle that had their attention but the bodies lined up alongside it each wearing a matching uniform with the same snowflake insignia as the truck.
Their hands were bound each of them lying face down in the dirt with their throats slit
"Who could have done this?" Amber wondered as she looked down at the carnage before them. Mikael remained silent moving around the vehicle in search of anything that could tell him what happened here.
From what he could gather it seemed to be a hijacking Mikael moved towards the metal door at the back that hung open slightly peering inside and finding it empty the light from the now open door cast onto a large emblem painted on the inside of the truck a red panther with a claw mark across the centre
"The white fang" Mikael turned to find amber staring at the emblem with sad eyes
"The Faunus group you talked about" Mikael inquired
Amber nodded "They were once a group of Faunus who using peaceful protests and methods to gain equality for their species. then five years ago, their leader stepped down and was replaced, their peaceful methods were replaced by organized terrorist attacks. Humans and Faunus alike have come to fear their banner"
She turned her attention to the emblem on the side of the truck "The Schnee Dust company they've been targeted by the white fang for years because of how the Faunus labour forces have been treated" Amber said looking back over to the body's
Mikael quietly said a prayer before turning to the Fall maiden "There's nothing we can do for them now, we need to keep moving and report this to the village when we arrive" Mikael said
Amber nodded no matter how bad the situation was, they couldn't help the dead and had to move on "The village is just over that ridge" pointing to a hill where the road lead...up. Over
A large pillar of smoke was trailing over the top of the hill drifting into the sky
"Oh no" The Fall Maiden said her face going pale "T-That's the village!"
Mikael broke out into a sprint, snapping Amber out of her shock as she spurred tundra galloping after him. both reaching the top of the hill in seconds giving them a good view of the settlement below.
A couple of fires had sprouted in the village, while the sounds of shouting and combat could be heard from within, the people were fighting and from the sound of it things were getting bad
"Amber?" Mikael asked getting her attention "how are your injuries"
"I'm still not able to fight at my full strength, but I can handle myself well enough" taking out her staff and extending it to its full length. Mikael drew his ebony sword as the flames from the burning village danced in his eyes.
"Let's move"
/
Within the small village, it's residents screamed and fled for cover. The attack had happened so suddenly that there was no time to prepare, many villagers grabbing whatever weapons were on hand to defend themselves and their families while the town's defenders rallied and joined the battle.
The Grimm came seemingly out of nowhere, pouring out of the forest around them and into the village wreaking havoc on its residents. a dozen Already falling victim to the creatures of darkness, being ripped apart or eaten in the onslaught.
A mother ran with her two children by her side down a narrow alleyway between two homes desperately searching for any possible form of sanctuary from the monsters invading their town. Skidding to a halt when they were met with a brick wall with nowhere else to go.
Turning around they gasped there at the end of the alley stood four Beowolves. There red eyes glowing vibrantly with snarls rumbling from there drooling maw's as they began to close in. The woman pulled her children behind her, offering what little protection she could as the Grimm drew closer.
The leading Beowulf opened its jaws unleashing a guttural roar before leaping forward, the small family closed their eyes ready for the end a shadow passed over them and the Beowulf yelped in agony, chancing a look the woman opened her eyes
The Beowulf stood there limp, a man in a black cloak stood before them arm outstretched a long slender black blade in hand piercing through its chest where its heart would be if it had one. The man placed his boot on its chest pushing the grim off the blades it's body quickly began to evaporate.
The two remaining Beowolves charged foreword fang bared Mikael adjusted his stance slicing the first Beowulf's arm off causing it to crash into the brick wall to his left before finishing with a stab through the eye, Mikael's hand was covered in an icy mist he thrust his hand forward, a six-foot-long spear of ice shot forward pinning final Beowulf to the alley wall.
he turned back towards them "find shelter" he called out to them before racing out into the village street, Mikael wasted no time slicing the head of the first Grimm that approached him drawing the attention of the hoard 'Good' he thought summoning a bound sword in his left hand
An Ursa major charged forward it's massive size did little to faze the Dragonborn, swiping at him Mikael sidestepped the bear-like grim slashing its hind legs The Grimm stumbled slamming into one of the stone buildings on the street.
Mikael raced forward avoiding a swipe from its claws leaping upon its shoulders, the Ursa began to thrash around attempting to throw the man off. Mikael embedded his bound sword into the Ursas neck, a gargled roar escaped its maw before the tip of his ebony sword embedded itself through the back of the Grimm's skull before leaping off its shoulders.
Four Beowolves broke off from the group further down the street and began to circle him each growling and snapping their jaws at what they believed to be their next victim. Mikael looked over the new threats with a careful eye they were larger than the ones he fought before with multiple scars and more developed armour plating if he remembered correctly from what Amber had told him this meant they were older, smarter and had more experience fighting humanity.
Breaking the standoff, one of the Beowolves pounced at him. Mikael dodged to the left lashing out lopping off the creatures left arm it's pained howl cut short as the bound sword lodged itself in its skull the tip poking out its right eye, Mikael leapt over the Beowulf using its body like a springboard flipping over the other three, lashing his arm out in an arc sending a small volley of daggers downwards two piercing the bone-mask of the Grimm ending them.
Mikael landed in a crouched stance before rising he looked back at the final Grimm smirking as it charged foreword enraged by the deaths of its pack
"Fo Krah Diin"
A whirlwind of cold followed the shout covering the cobblestone road in a layer of frost as a small blizzard shot forth as the ice and snow faded into nothingness there stood the frozen statue of the Beowulf mid-pounce, Mikael walked up to the creature and gently flicked its nose, a large crack spread across its head leading down its torso before it's body shattered into frozen shards.
The bound sword disappeared from his grasp raising his now freehand with the assistance of a telekinesis spell retrieved his daggers from the disintegrating body's before taking a deep breath
"Lass Yah Nir"
A quick use of aura's whisper revealed no threat in his vicinity. the sound of hooves clopping on stones gained his attention finding amber approaching, the crystals on each end of her staff still glowing from recent use.
"The south side of the village is clear. " She said as Tundra came to a halt.
"The same here, any survivor's. " He asked hoping for a shred of good news
Amber gave him a somber smile " Many of the villagers managed to get indoors and to safety, what defenders they had held off the Grimm" her expression quickly turned to one of concern "it doesn't make sense I passed through this village last spring they had a rather strong defence force along with three hunters who lived in here, they should have been able to hold off an attack like this"
"We were attacked before the Grimm came" The two turned to find an elderly man in his late sixty's approaching them Dressed in a grey overcoat and pants with black boots his hair was a grey at the sides yet stilled held some colour with a grey beard.
Behind him many of the townspeople began to exit their homes, seeing as they were safe stood before the ones who saved their lives "Thank you for helping us, I fear that many more lives would have been lost without your aid." The old man said
"It was no trouble, we were happy to lend a hand." Amber said noticing some familiar face of those she had saved during the incursion with Mikael doing the same noticing the family of three he had saved in the villages back alleys.
Many looked at them with awe especially the younger ones, although multiple looks of hesitation and fear were sent his way accompanied by hushed chatter "Look at that armour it's like woven midnight" one woman spoke "did you see him he froze those Grimm solid" a man spoke
Mikael sighed 'some things truly never change' he thought bitterly before turning his attention to the man before him "you said you were attacked before the Grimm came? by who?"
"It would be better if we spoke somewhere more private. " The man said gesturing for the two to follow. The townspeople dispersing giving them room to pass approaching one of the less damaged buildings.
/
From a vantage point outside of the village, Qrow lowered his scroll after what he had just witnessed on film.
When they first arrived at the village Qrow was going to step in and lend a hand still very much unaware of the Fall maidens condition, but after witnessing her tear through the Grimm she must have recovered and was doing well ever since her last fight, her 'friend' was something else entirely
The veteran Huntsmen had seen some crazy thing's in his career this guy cut the Grimm down like they were nothing and his semblance first lightning, then a shock wave now summoning weapons and ice.
Qrow was...impressed, to say the least, but he couldn't shake the feeling that if this is how he fought the Grimm, Qrow could only imagine what he would do to a human opponent.
Breaking out of his trail of thought he looked down at the Scroll in his hands before sending the footage off to Oz he needed to see this Before turning his attention back to the duo although with how the situation was developing he had no doubt he would be reviling himself to them rather soon.
/
The three sat around a small table in the Inn they had been led to, Amber and Mikael stared at the man across from them now known as Conner Everwinter, as he stared into the burning fire to their left as he gathered his thoughts
"The Schnee Dust Company own the dust mines in the surrounding areas many of the residents here were employed by them, it was supposed to be a new source of income for the town...but things got allot complicated when... they arrived. " he said his voice laced with malice and sorrow
"who?" Amber asked, leaning a little closer her concern growing even more so while her partner sat listening closely
Conner looked up at the two of them "The white fang showed up at the mine a few weeks ago taking it over, they attacked the latest shipment of dust that left town before coming here demanding we give up what little dust we had left."
"We tried to fight back but their numbers quickly overwhelmed us we tried to contact the huntsmen that lived here but we've had little success, after that, they rallied up everyone in town and gave us a choice ether mine the dust for them or die. That was three days ago,"
Mikael's fist clenched slightly "Bruniikke" he muttered under his breath
"All the negative emotions attracted the Grimm horde" Amber summarized getting a nod from the man across from them "have you tried contacting vale for assistance?"
"The white fang destroyed our communication equipment we've been cut off from Vale and the other villages when the Grimm attacked we had just about lost hope...before you, two showed up." Conner said looking up at the two of them with thanks "I cannot appreciate my gratitude for what you've done and how much it has meant to the people here "
"We aren't done yet. " Mikael said rising from his seat "you mentioned your people are still being forced to work at the mine by the White Fang" Mikael inquired
"Yes, our main workforce was taken when we surrendered, they took some of the woman and children to make sure we wouldn't try to rescue take back the mine." Conner said Amber could feel the heat radiating off Mikael like a furnace.
"Then I'm sure you realize what needs to be done." Mikael said causing the two of them to look at him along with a group of citizens nearby
"Mikael?" Amber asked wondering what her partner had planned
"The white fang have gone too far and innocent lives' have paid the price, I will not stand idly by while more innocents suffer." the tone in his voice sent a shiver down the spines of all those present.
"So, tell me mister Everwinter, where is this mine you spoke of." Mikael said turning back to them his eye's giving off a slight ethereal hue.
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Boom the next chapter is out and let me just say the white fang have fucked up royal. they have no idea what's coming their way. until then leave a like, review and remember 'watch the sky's traveller'