Chapter 14

The small motor-powered boat didn't feel like it was designed for deeper water. Technically, the strait between Vale and Mistral was not classified as open ocean, not being deep enough nor vast enough, but that didn't mean it was a shallow channel. It was filled with Grimm, each ten times larger than their vessel, and ships that took to it were normally deep-hulled and sturdy.

Jaune clung to the edge of the paltry rowing boat converted to have a motor as it bounced atop the waves. Each crest resulted in a sickening drop felt deep in the stomach, and then a lurching crash as the thin wood struck the water. Jaune would hold his breath every time, expecting to hear an ominous crack of splintering wood or feel the sudden turn of the boat capsizing.

There wasn't much conversation to be had. Roman had told him that he would need to concentrate once they reached the deep water, and he'd also mentioned his accomplice, Neo, as being mute, so Jaune kept to himself and followed the occasional orders to lean left or right. With a full cargo of passengers, Roman had explained, the boat was balanced, but take those away and the strong winds could whip them around like a toy in a bath.

Such a perilous crossing made sense for the refugees who had lost their home and were fleeing the war in Mistral, they had little to lose at that point, but Jaune struggled to stay calm even when he began to meditate. Master Ren had always taught him to find his centre, but that was always in more serene conditions. With the choppy winds, the angry motor, and the crash of every wave against the hull, it was difficult to hear his own breathing, let alone focus on it.

The only solace available was that Roman had done this time and time before, and no doubt with more panicky passengers than he. If the man was still alive to smuggle people to Vale then he had to know what he was doing.

And, sure enough, they were still alive when morning came. Better yet, the water had calmed down after a worryingly rough night. No storms, Jaune wasn't sure their little boat would survive one, but a choppy night with strong winds that felt just as bad. The morning sun brought with it stiller waters.

Neo took over for Roman, allowing him to take a much needed break. There wasn't room for anyone to sleep, but he made his way over to sit near to Jaune, making sure to take the opposite side of the bench so their weight would be balanced.

"Should be easy until Mistral now," he said, taking a swig of clean water and biting into an apple. "You doubted me, didn't you? Saw your panic last night. I've faced worse than that."

"I have not," Jaune replied. "But I'll praise your control either way. What do you do if Grimm appear?"

"We die."

"That doesn't inspire confidence..."

"It is what it is," Roman said, tossing his apple core over the edge. "Neo and I can take Grimm in a fair fight, but in a vessel this small out in the open water we'll be treading water the second it hits the boat. Like that, we're food for the fishes. We won't see any Grimm, though."

"You sound awfully confident about that."

"Course I am. Grimm are drawn to negativity and people. Us three on a tiny boat aren't going to stand out when there's a whole damn continent in turmoil not too far away. Meanwhile, you peek at the ocean to the east of Mistral, between Menagerie and Atlas, and you have ships from both sides duking it out. Hundreds of humans and faunus dying on the open water, drawing Grimm in huge numbers. I wager these waters are clearer than they've ever been."

"I see. Advantageous for a smuggler like you, I assume."

"Of course. Good for traders, too. Course, you have Menagerie down south of here, down by the southern tip of Mistral and Vale. Atlas has had to abandon those waters since the supply lines would be too long. They could be cut in half from Mistral as well. Menagerie have worked their way up about halfway through Mistral, and Atlas' naval lines have to respect that so they've given up the strait here. Or, rather, they're trusting Vale to keep it safe for them."

"How is that going?"

"Eh. Well enough from their point of view. Vale is holding the northern edge of the strait – the direct line between the city of Vale and the city of Mistral. That's enough to keep Menagerie from sailing to either city, or also from sneaking up to cause havoc in Atlas territory so, from their perspective, it's a net win. Not so much for villages and towns south of Vale that have had their waters abandoned, but everyone knows the cities only care for themselves."

"They take 99% of the tax, 99% of the funding, and now 99% of the military as well. And honestly, are they even wrong? It's the Kingdom of Vale and the Kingdom of Mistral. You could wipe everything but the cities away and people would still say the kingdoms survive. But take away the cities and let every town and village live, and it'd be like the kingdoms fell."

"I've never understood why they're called kingdoms would monarchy myself," Jaune admitted.

"Holdovers of a bygone age, I imagine. Hard enough to convince people to accept a new software update on their scrolls. You think cantankerous old farts who think they know best are going to accept a name change for where they've lived all their lives? Most people just call it Vale or Mistral anyway, and that's as good a sign as any the cities are the main powers."

"Are we safe here, then?"

"Safe enough. No Valean patrols, none from Atlas, and the few from Menagerie are really just keeping an eye out to make sure an armada doesn't try and push through. Even if they spot us, I doubt they'll care."

"Are you sure? I was under the impression they were killing everyone on sight."

Roman threw back his head and laughed. "Is that what they're saying over there? I mean, sure, maybe, but it's not like Atlas isn't killing every faunus on sight either. Ugly thing, war. That said, I've had better interactions with Menagerie than Atlas. You might, too. Menagerie will demand you not interfere. Atlas will demand you pick a side. I'll take the ones who'll let me walk away minding my own business if I get a choice."

That sounded better to Jaune as well, but then Roman didn't have the rather inconvenient interaction with Menagerie that Jaune had before. The girl, Blake, had recognised Master Ren's sect and reacted poorly. The Black Ribbon Sect, from what he recalled. Master Ren had never mentioned any other sects other than in his brief history lessons about how Remnant used to be.

Perhaps I should keep my sect to myself while I'm there...

/-/

It was around midday when they saw Mistral, and two hours later when they came close enough to make out details of a small fishing village on the shore. Detail was indistinct until they came closer, but there were a number of fishing vessels out in the shallow water suggesting the village was very much alive and bustling.

But the flag flying above it, blue with a white emblem had Roman slowing the motor.

"Well..." he said, running his tongue about the inside of his mouth. "That's different. Bloody hell, I didn't think things were going this poorly."

Menagerie had captured the village.

"What do we do?" asked Jaune. "Sail up the coast?"

"We'll run closer to an active battleline if we do that. There'll be new lines drawn up there wherever the two sides have met, and a small vessel like ours will be attacked from both sides assuming we're a landing party." Roman sucked in a breath and turned the motor, pulling them back into shore. "We're just going to have to run with this. Let me do the talking."

Jaune gripped the edge of the boat. "I don't like this."

"Yeah, well, if shit goes south it's better we be on land where we can fight than sitting ducks in the water."

That was true enough. Jaune always had the option to run and burn his aura as fuel. The faunus might put a token effort into chasing him, but they wouldn't want to commit too much to one man when there was a war on. In fact, that might be reason enough for them to not cause trouble at all. They had bigger things on their minds.

Roman slowly brought them into the shore, making it clear via their lack of speed that they were no invasion force. It gave the faunus plenty of time to see them coming, and there was a small and armed group on the wooden pier when they got close. Roman stopped the motor and shouted out, "Peace, friends. How do you want us?"

"Bring her in," a faunus called back. "You can dock her here."

Jaune remained seated, hands in his lap, as they came down and tossed ropes over, which the faunus took and secured. No one pointed guns at them, but a few of the faunus were tensed and ready to react if things turned ugly.

"Good morning to you," Roman said, holding his arms out to his side. He made a show of being unarmed. "This place has changed since I was last here. War going well, eh?"

The lead faunus, a man with black hair and tan skin, as well as two large bat wings drawn tight behind him, smiled back. "The war is going. I can't say it's going well because can war ever be good? Might I ask as to the nature of your arrival? Your vessel looks a little small to be out fishing."

"People smuggling." Jaune couldn't believe Roman would up and admit it, and neither could the faunus from their shocked expressions. "I work refugees from Mistral to Vale," he continued. "Mostly people fleeing your lot if I'm honest, though a fair few looking to avoid being conscripted by Atlas as well."

"I see..." The faunus whispered to another, who nodded and jogged off. "I take it that's why your vessel has come back mostly empty. Truth be, we had wondered why so many people were in this village. Far more than the small fishing community could house. I suppose they were looking for you."

"Most likely. I'm well-known in the area." Roman hesitated, then asked. "Are they still around?"

"We captured them. We've been keeping them prisoner since so many people in one area looking more than a little suspicious."

They were alive, then. Jaune didn't know them but he was glad all the same. It did make him wonder why the methods were different from Vale to Mistral, but perhaps it was because they were capturing parts of Mistral and needed the villages and towns alive and well. They were raiding Vale, so it made sense to cause more damage.

"We might be able to offer you a little deal. I'm just calling my—" There was a commotion in the village before a small number of faunus arrived. Leading them was a man in a black uniform with red hair. "Ah, here he is. Adam, sir. These are our guests – they claim to be people smugglers, responsible for the refugees we captured."

The leader, Adam, was straight-backed and rigid, wearing an odd white mask across his face. His red hair was slicked back around two black horns, and his hand clutched the hilt of a long sword strapped to his side.

"Traffickers?"

"I prefer smugglers," Roman said. "To traffic is to take people to a specific job. I'm a ferryman who delivers them to Vale to find their own home away from war."

Adam grunted. "Where do they go?"

"I couldn't say..."

"Vale." Jaune interrupted. "They go to the city of Vale. The villages and towns on the continent are not favourable to refugees, forcing them out at every opportunity. Vale is no better, but it's where the money and the food is. Last I heard, they were forcing refugees into camps outside the walls."

"Hm." Roman shrugged, taking his word for it. "There you have it."

"And who is he?" Adam asked, nodding to Jaune.

"I'm a traveller. I'm searching for missing family in Mistral. I've no stake in this war on either side and only want to find them."

"He's not with us," Roman added. "He just hitched a ride."

Adam grunted and narrowed his eyes behind his mask. It made sense for Roman to distance himself from Jaune, to cover his and Neo's own hides. Jaune kept his aura circulating around his meridians, ready to leap to his defence at a moment's notice. His eyes scanned the area, picking out the optimal escape route between the buildings where line of sight for gunshots would be reduced.

"Give them a bigger boat," Adam finally said.

"Sir?" asked Yuma.

"He'll be given a bigger boat and we'll release the refugees unto you, with a demand they be taken to Vale and Vale only." Adam stared hard at Roman. "Is that acceptable to you?"

"More than acceptable. It's downright generous."

"Hn. We have fishing vessels aplenty, too many since half the village fled when we arrived. These refugees will be a drain on the resources of whomever they're stuck with. Currently, that's us, but I'd gladly see Vale take the burden. Let's see how far their dedication to Atlas goes when their economy is collapsing under the weight of so many mouths."

The faunus around Adam chuckled and sounded their agreement, pleased with their leader's tactics. Not only would it strike a blow to Vale, but it would also save them having to starve or kill the prisoners, which Jaune imagined would be damaging to morale even if the faunus here hated humans. Hating someone didn't mean you wanted to slaughter unarmed people, women and children included.

"In fact, I think this could be the beginning of a business arrangement," Adam said, looking Roman up and down. "We have many prisoners across numerous towns and villages that we have to feed. I expect many would jump at the chance for freedom even if it meant leaving Mistral's shores forever. Using you means I don't have to spare any of my men and weaken the war effort."

Roman caught on quickly, flashing a smirk. "Well, well, well, I didn't think there could be such common ground between us. This sounds like quite the mutually beneficial agreement."

"We'll talk more on this in private, then. Yuma, see these two outfitted with a tent and some food. Check what vessels we have available and then bring them to discuss logistics with me before sundown. Send someone to speak with the prisoners and offer them a choice to go to Vale while you're at it."

Yuma nodded and signalled for Roman and Neo to follow him. The duo did so without sparing Jaune a glance. Their work with him was over and they owed him nothing. Jaune didn't blame them cooperating given that Menagerie now controlled the area, but soon it was him, Adam, and the man's bodyguards on the dock.

"And you," said Adam. "Traveller, was it? Looking for family."

"Yes."

"What village?"

"Argus." It was the only name aside from Mistral than he knew.

"Argus? Up north? That's a connection between Mistral and Atlas. Why would you land so far south?"

"I couldn't take to other shipping routes without travelling through the city of Vale," Jaune explained, "And they would conscript me for the army on the spot. I've already run away from one such attempt and been labelled a criminal for it."

"Conscription has begun in Vale?"

"Yes."

Adam glanced to someone close to him and whispered something to him. The faunus nodded and hurried off. "I see no reason to stop you if you don't mean us harm," Adam said, "But you hold valuable information about the situation in Vale, even if it might not seem important to you. Would you agree to speak with me in my tent first and appraise me of what's going on there?"

Information for safe passage. It was a good deal from his point of view, though he was sure Vale wouldn't agree. Information was power, and Menagerie were enemies in a war. Sharing anything would label him a traitor, and yet at the same time he was as good as that for rejecting conscription. Besides, his family were dead. There was nothing left for him in Vale.

"I only know what's been happing in the countryside but I'd be happy to share."

Adam nodded and motioned for him to follow.

/-/

Rather than take over one of the homes in the village, Adam and his forces had set up tents outside the village that they were using, and Jaune was taken to a large square one that had been set up for their leader. There, Adam had him recount as much as he could of his travels.

The only thing Jaune left out was the fishing village and his interaction with Blake.

Everything else, he told as best he could – though he also avoided mentioning Master Ren and the temple, only saying that he had been saved by his grandfather and raised by him until the he died of old age.

"I assumed you would know all this," Jaune said, come the end. "Since I hear your forces are raiding villages on the southern coast."

"Raiding does not mean knowing," Adam replied. "We send signals to Vale that we're not pleased with their supplying of weapons and munitions to Atlas but they continue to ignore us. This is a reminder we can strike at them if we want. Even so, we don't know what happens in Vale after our raiders leave. We can only guess and make assumptions. Your information gives us more to work with."

"Might I ask what will be done with it?"

Adam shrugged, sitting back. "Nothing much will change. Knowing now that Vale is struggling under the weight of the refugees simply means we'll continue as we have been. Perhaps we'll spare more people to create more burden on Vale, and as you've seen I'm already arranging to have more shipped across via Roman. Reducing the number of dependents we have to deal with benefits us and dumping them onto Vale harms them. It's win-win as far as I'm concerned."

At least the information he gave wasn't going to lead to people dying. That was a relief.

"I'm surprised you can afford to fight a war with both Atlas and Vale," Jaune said. "And even more surprised since you're essentially attacking Mistral as well."

"We punch above our weight. It helps that Atlas, for all their military, is used to fighting wars on their own terms. Us being in Mistral means they can't use their most destructive ordinance. We're also not technically at war with Mistral."

"You're capturing their villages."

"We respect their sovereignty. There are arrangements in place. We do not come close to the city of Mistral, we pay them a tithe, and that is enough to satisfy them."

Jaune frowned. "They don't care for all the towns and villages and people?"

"Apparently not. It's unusual to us as well. Menagerie is small, so every life is precious, but Mistral is content to let us and Atlas wage war on its land so long as the city is safe and they are reimbursed. It wouldn't surprise me if Atlas has much the same deal with them that we do, both of us agreeing to not permanently take land and not to involve the city in the conflict."

Even hearing it spoken like that, Jaune did not think he understood it. The concept just did not make sense, not with Atlas and Menagerie trading territory and causing the deaths and suffering of so many people. These refugees were citizens of Mistral, so surely the fact they were being harmed and forced to leave was a sign of aggression against the kingdom. To say Mistral was neutral, when its territory was being invaded from both sides, just didn't register.

But it wasn't his business.

"Is this all, then? Will I be allowed to leave?"

"We've no qualms with you." Adam waved his hand. "But I would not suggest travelling north from here. Our lines have pushed Atlas back and they've retreated a fair way to dig in once more. You won't be able to cross an active battlefield. Go east instead, and loop around the mountains into the city of Mistral itself. Neutral territory as it is, you'll be able to cross from our side into Atlas' without too much issue."

"Too much...?"

"You shouldn't face any challenges on our side at all, and Mistral simply won't care who you are so long as you're not bringing the war to them. The problem will be entering Atlas' side, but I can't prepare you for that since I don't know how it will happen."

"Can you make a guess?"

"I've a feeling they will see a young man of fighting age and feel he would be rather useful on the front lines."

"I'd prefer to avoid that."

"Then you'll want to avoid the official routes. I can't help you there, but I dare say someone in Mistral can. They'll have ways in and out, or diplomatic arrangements that might let you slip through unmolested. You will have to ask around, and potentially you will have to earn them. Or you can try and sneak through on your own."

Adam's tone made it clear he didn't care, and that Jaune's future wasn't his business once he left this camp. For that, Jaune was grateful. The less a leader of a faction cared about him, the better. Jaune linked his fist to his palm and bowed. "I'll do as you say and find a way through without Atlas noticing me. Thank you for your advice."

Worryingly, Adam returned the gesture perfectly.

"I'd noticed your jian and the way your aura was controlled," he said, "but I didn't think much of it until now. You're a practitioner, are you not?"

"Ah. I'm taught, but I don't know if I can claim to be of any note. My grandfather is the one who taught me, but only for a few years."

"What sect did he hail from?"

"He never told me," Jaune lied. "And I never thought to ask, too lost in grief for my family. I don't know if he studied at a sect and left, or if his sect closed down or was destroyed. I think he mentioned the sects died out when the academies opened."

"Hmm. That's true. We have no such academy on Menagerie, so the Black Ribbon Sect are the ones who defend us against the Grimm. They teach many of the brave and brightest to defend themselves."

"They've become like an academy, then?"

"Somewhat. I'm told the sect used to be stricter and only take those in who would swear to twenty years, but they adapted to help protect the people of Menagerie. They still have those sworn to longer studies, which they call Inner Disciples. Those are taught the secrets of the sect. But they now take in Outer Disciples, who may come and learn and stay for as short or as long a time as they wish."

"Are you...?"

"Yes. I'm an Outer Disciple. There's much that is kept from you, but they teach how to control aura, how to defend yourself, and how to strengthen your body and mind to help defend friends and family from the Grimm." Adam smiled faintly. "The flexibility of being able to choose my destiny was a big draw, and not everyone can afford to give two decades of their life to such a cause. I was a man driven by anger and rage."

He reached up and drew his mask down, revealing a hideous scar burnt into his face.

And a handsome, relaxed smile.

"But they taught me how to take hold of my rage and pick it apart, until I could see the fonder memories hidden behind the trauma. I will never forget what was done to me, but I will not let it define me."

Jaune swallowed. "That's a good sentiment, brother. A strong one."

"Indeed. I suppose you see now why our forces can hold their own. We may lack the technology and the economy of Atlas, but we are individually strong. And quite numerous. The Black Ribbon Sect is known and beloved across Menagerie."

And, meanwhile, the Lotus Sect was despised and hated by it for reasons Jaune did not know. It was a good thing indeed he hadn't mentioned his sect, for Adam might have drawn his blade as Blake had.

"I'd love to visit one day and continue my training," Jaune said, carefully. "But my family comes first. Do they accept humans?"

"The sect accepts all. Should this war end, I would be glad to show you around it. Perhaps I can even introduce you to my elder sister, Blake. She is the daughter of the Sect Head, Kali Belladonna. A rare case of an Inner Disciple who has been allowed freedom to travel and fight in the war."

That would be bad. And awkward. Also, Blake had certainly been younger than Adam, so "elder sister" must have been a term of respect to a more superior member of the sect, rather than a sign of age or relation. Perhaps he would have had numerous elder brothers and sisters as well, had it been more than just Master Ren.

"I'd like that. But for now I wish to remain outside the war."

"Understandable." Adam picked up his mask and set it back on his face. "You're welcome to travel. Should any ask, show them this seal and tell them Adam gave it to you. They will accept this."

He handed over a small wooden object, almost like a knotted bracelet, with the ends tied around and looped between one another, and a few white and red beads on it. There was writing burnt into the leather strap.

"Might I ask a question?"

Adam nodded. "Go on."

"If the scar does not bother you, why do you wear a mask?"

"To protect others from seeing it," Adam replied, without malice. "When they see a faunus branded as if he is owned, they are filled with rage and indignation. I know what that feels like and wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemies, let alone my closest allies. I wear the mask to protect them from those feelings."

It was a good reason. Jaune bowed again. "Thank you for your kindness today."

"Safe travels to you as well." Adam returned it. "Avoid the battlelines, for that token won't do you any good if our forces see a human in the heat of battle. You have entered a warzone, and whether or not you wish to avoid it won't stop others trying to drag you in. Keep that in mind and stay safe. I wish you luck with your family."

Next Chapter: 23rd July

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