Chapter 5

"I don't think there's anything else for us to do in Ferox." Blake said as the group stood outside the arena. "The exiles will support us or they won't. The Khans will be ready for war or they won't. There isn't much we can do about either."

"So what's our next move?" Yang asked.

"I think I can help with that." Pyrrha said. "Ylisse has a very friendly relationship with Ferox. If we can rally them to the cause Valm will be very hard pressed to defeat both at the same time. My estate isn't far from the border. If we head there I can get in touch with the nobles and work on getting an audience with the Exalt."

"That's a fantastic idea." Weiss said. "How well connected are you?"

"As a countess I'm well acquainted with most of Ylisse's nobility." Pyrrha replied.

"You're a countess?" Weiss said. "What are you doing as a retainer in Ferox?"

"I came here to fight." Pyrrha said. "Ylisse has been at peace since before I was born and it looked as if that would be the case for a long time. Ferox is almost always at war with Plegia. Fighting in tournaments is one thing, but fighting on a real battlefield is an entirely different experience. I don't just want to be someone who puts on a show. I want to fight for justice. That's why I'm willing to follow you even though you don't have the coin to pay me."

"Wow, you're so cool!" Ruby exclaimed. "You're like a hero straight out of the stories Yang told me when I was little."

"I just want to do what's right." Pyrrha said.

"That's what makes you so awesome!" Ruby exclaimed. "You could just keep fighting tournaments and live a life of luxury, but you're willing to give it up for the greater good."

"I suppose it's a noble goal." Pyrrha shrugged. "I don't think it's that big a deal."

"It is a big deal." Blake said. "If more people were like you and less like her father, the world would be a much better place."

"I'm reflexively insulted by that, but I really shouldn't be." Weiss sighed. "He needs to be stopped."

"So, Pyrrha, have you seen any real combat?" Ren asked.

"A little, but not much." Pyrrha admitted. "The last war with Plegia ended just after I arrived. I have trained extensively with Ferox's top fighters though."

"That's a relief." Nora said.

"That's right, you're from Plegia." Yang said. "How'd you end up in Ferox."

"I'd rather not talk about it." Nora said. Tears welled in her eyes but she suppressed the emotion. "I'm going to get something to eat before we leave." With that she ran off.

"Sorry, I didn't mean…" Yang called after her, but she was gone.

"I suppose I should tell you." Ren said. "Better that than having you all wonder."

"If it's too painful you don't have to." Yang said.

"It's fine." Ren assured her. "I've come to terms with what happened." He paused and looked off into the distance. "When we were kids Plegia was at war with Ferox again. We lived in a village near the border. Whenever Ferox invaded their army would end up passing through. They mostly left our village alone. When this particular war started, the village leaders decided to side with Ferox. There wasn't the same religious conviction that kept most of Plegia in line and the rule was oppressive. Unfortunately the Plegian army got to our village before the soldiers from Ferox. They went about killing everyone and burning the place to the ground."

"How did you survive?" Pyrrha asked.

"Nora and I were out in the forest." Ren continued. "She was climbing trees and I was using magic to make sure she didn't hit the ground too hard if she fell. We heard what was happening and hid, but a Plegian soldier came to search the forest. He spotted me and drew his sword, but Nora jumped out of the tree she had been climbing and landed on his head. He fell down and she knocked him out with a rock. The commotion attracted other soldiers so I drained the unconscious soldier's life force to make a shield around the two of us. A few hours later the vanguard of Ferox's army arrived and the Plegians ran off. Nora and I were the only ones left alive."

"That's horrible." Yang groaned. "I'm so sorry I brought it up."

"Like I said, I've come to terms with it." Ren said. "Anyway, the general leading Ferox's army asked us what happened. When we told him he was impressed by how we'd survived. He took us along with the army and then when the war was over he took us to his home and raised us as his own. He was a minor noble who ruled a village near the border where Nora and I first met the rest of you. We were treated like family and trained alongside the other children in the village. Everything was going well until he died. Then we were just outsiders, from Plegia no less. There had always been some resentment of the special treatment the general gave us and without his protection the villagers took out that resentment on us. We were forced to move out of the general's manor and into a shack outside the village. We no longer had a place where we really belonged Your arrival was the perfect excuse to expel us entirely. I thank you for taking us with you. It means more than you know."

"That's awful." Weiss said, on the edge of tears. "I promise that when this is over I'll make this right. I don't know how, but I'll do everything in my power."

"You're too kind." Ren said.

"No, the world is too cruel." Weiss countered.

"Hold on a moment." Blake cut in. "You said you drained the Plegian soldier's life force to shield you and Nora. That's dark magic."

"I grew up in Plegia." Ren said matter-of-factly. "Dark magic is pretty much all they teach. I'm well versed in more...acceptable magic as well. If it makes you uncomfortable I can limit myself to the use of more conventional arts."

"You don't seem evil enough to be a dark mage." Ruby blurted out.

"Not every dark mage is evil." Yang said. "Real life isn't like the fairy tales."

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to imply…" Ruby started.

"Don't worry about it." Ren said. "Most people would have run away in terror by now."

"I still feel kind of bad." Ruby sighed.

Pyrrha did not like the direction of the conversation and decided to refocus the group. "I should go make arrangements for our trip to Ylisse." She offered. "I can get us horses. If we leave soon we can be at my estate by tomorrow evening."

"Excellent idea." Weiss said. "Ruby and Blake, go with her. Yang and I will procure the necessary supplies. Ren...make sure Nora's alright." Ren nodded. "We'll meet back here once we've got everything together."

With everything gathered the group set off for Pyrrha's estate on horseback. Her county was located in the corner of Ylisse, bordered by both Ferox and Plegia. As such it was one of the most strategically important parts of the country. As Pyrrha explained, her set of weapons - Milo and Akouo - had been bestowed upon her family by the Exalt generations earlier and passed down since. Her parents had died of disease when she was young, so the weapons and the county had passed to her. Since she was underage at the time, the Exalt had assigned one of his most trusted advisors as regent. He remained in place when Pyrrha left for Ferox, with the Exalt's blessing, to gain more combat experience.

Pyrrha guided the party, riding her pegasus at the head of the column. She occasionally took to the sky to scout ahead, but mostly remained grounded. "Your pegasus is really pretty." Ruby said.

"Keeping my mount well groomed is part of being a Pegasus Knight." Pyrrha said.

"Could you teach me to ride a pegasus?" Ruby asked.

"Well, how's your horseback riding?" Pyrrha asked.

"You know how this horse threw me twice when we first got it?" Ruby said. Pyrrha nodded. "It usually goes worse."

"Maybe I should teach you how to ride horses first then." Pyrrha suggested.

"Why?" Ruby groaned. "Me and horses just don't get along."

"Why?" Pyrrha repeated. "Because if you fall off a horse you get a little bruised, maybe break a bone or two. If you fall off a Pegasus...well...splat."

"But I...that's a good point." Ruby conceded. "I guess it would make sense too. I am Master of Horse after all."

"That's a grand title for someone your age." Pyrrha observed. "No offense."

"Before we fled Chon'sin Weiss didn't have a lot of options." Ruby admitted. "Yang, Blake and I were pretty much the only ones she could trust. Well...maybe just Yang and I. She doesn't seem to get along with Blake."

"You've all been through a lot, haven't you?" Pyrrha sighed.

"It's not so bad." Ruby said. "At least not for me. I got to travel the world and meet cool people like you." Ruby frowned. "But Weiss lost everything."

"Not everything." Pyrrha said. "She still has her friends. That's something. It can be lonely at the top and she's blessed to have you."

"I'd prefer if you didn't talk about me like I'm not here." Weiss shouted from farther back in the group.

"Sorry!" Ruby and Pyrrha replied in unison.

"So...you're really good with your lance." Ruby said. "Can you use any other weapons?"

"I'm proficient in the use of most arms." Pyrrha said. She was being modest. In reality she was an expert in just about everything - lances, swords, axes, hammers, bows, javelins, she was even gifted in the use of magic.

"Well...could you teach me to use a bow?" Ruby asked. "I know you already said you'd teach me to ride, but I got this awesome bow for winning the tournament and I want to be able to use it."

"I'm not sure how good a teacher I'll be, but I'll do what I can." Pyrrha agreed. "I am your comrade after all."

"Comrade sounds so stuffy." Ruby complained. "How about friend?"

"Friend?" Pyrrha gasped. "I'm not…"

"Are we not friends?" Ruby asked.

"That's not it." Pyrrha said. "I'm just not that familiar with the concept. When I was growing up I was surrounded by adults. There was really no one my age, so I never really had a normal friend. Then when I got older I was too busy training and fighting in tournaments. I guess you'd be the first real friend I ever had."

"We're all your friends!" Yang called.

"Yeah!" Nora exclaimed.

"This...this means a lot." Pyrrha said. She was briefly very emotional, but quickly brought herself back into line. "Thank you."

"A week ago I was running a duchy." Weiss sighed. "Now all I'm running is a band of weirdos."

"This band of weirdos is going to win you an empire." Yang encouraged.

"I certainly hope so." Weiss said. "Then maybe Blake will tell me what business the two of us have." Blake just glared at Weiss. Pyrrha seemed to perk up at the comment but said nothing. Weiss noticed. Pyrrha knew something. Weiss would have to ask her later.

The group traveled through the night and into the following day, arriving at Pyrrha's county a little after midday. The border garrison detached some soldiers to act as an honor guard to escort the group the short distance to the estate. Upon arriving in the county's main village - Nikopolis, whether it was named for Pyrrha's family or her family was named for the place had been lost to history - the locals lined the streets to get a glimpse at their returning lord. A princess was among the group but the locals were only interested in Pyrrha. The group was showered with flower petals by the cheering crowds as they made their way through the streets. Even Weiss had never experienced anything quite like it. Pyrrha seemed embarrassed by all the adulation.

After passing through Nikopolis it was just a short trip through the countryside to get to Pyrrha's estate. They arrived late in the afternoon. The soldiers that had accompanied them headed back to their posts at the border and the locals that had taken to following the group returned home. "I imagine the reception I'll get when I go home won't be quite so grand." Weiss groaned.

"The people of Chon'sin love you." Yang encouraged. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled by your return, regardless of the circumstances."

"I want to believe that." Weiss sighed. "I just…"

The conversation was interrupted as the group approached the manor house. The doors opened and several soldiers emerged in double file. They split, lining either side of the stairs that led to the door and knelt before their lord. Then a tall, lanky man stepped out of the doors and waited at the top of the stairs. "Welcome home Countess." The man said with a bow.

"It's good to be back." Pyrrha said. "Thank you for taking care of things while I was gone." She turned to the rest of the group. "Allow me to introduce my regent…"

"Uncle Qrow?" Yang gasped.

"You know…" Pyrrha started.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby exclaimed. She rushed to him with all the super-natural speed afforded by her weapon and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

"Hey kiddo." Qrow said. He tussled Ruby's hair. "Good to see you."

"Qrow Branwen?" Blake asked.

"I see introductions are mostly unnecessary." Pyrrha said, amused. "Well, Qrow Branwen, meet Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren. And may I introduce Her Majesty…"

"Princess Weiss." Qrow finished for her. "I take it the rumors are true then."

"Unfortunately." Weiss confirmed. "And war is coming."

"I know." Qrow said. "I assume you're here to rally allies to your cause."

"We are." Weiss said.

"If my nieces are on your side, I am too, I guess." Qrow said. "Though now my regency is at its end and I am without a title."

"Just put in a good word with the Exalt." Pyrrha suggested.

"Of course, Countess." Qrow said. "I'll head to the capital and arrange an audience."

"Not just yet." Pyrrha said. "I have returned and with distinguished guests. We must have a banquet. Please join us."

"How can I say no?" Qrow laughed. "I'm not one to pass up free booze."

"Or any booze." Pyrrha observed.

"Sounds like you haven't changed since you left Chon'sin." Yang said. "Dad said he never saw you without a drink in your hand."

"I am what I am." Qrow shrugged. "So, should we head inside or are we going to stand out here all night?"

"Oh, sorry, where are my manners?" Pyrrha scrambled. "Come in, come in. I'll have the servants prepare your quarters immediately."

Qrow remained by the door as the group headed inside. Ruby and Yang remained with him. They still had some catching up to do. "What have you been up to?" Yang asked.

"You know, fighting for peace and justice, searching for your mother, chasing girls, the usual." Qrow answered.

"Have you found mom?" Yang asked.

"Yeah, sort of." Qrow replied. "She's in Plegia. Unfortunately that puts her beyond my reach. Maybe your showing up will draw her out."

"I hope so." Yang said. "I have a lot of questions for her."

"Me too kid." Qrow sighed. "Hey...uh...I'm really sorry you kids got caught up in this war. Being an exile is rough, I know. The Exalt and I knew the Emperor was up to something, but we never imagined he would do something so...despicable. Arranging the deaths of his own wife and daughter...just to start a war."

"We're going to stop him." Ruby said. "And we'll make Weiss the new Emperor."

"Are you sure she's any better?" Qrow pressed. "She's a Schnee. In my experience…"

"Don't even imply that Weiss is like her father." Yang growled, getting in Qrow's face. "She's a good person. She's shown us and the people of Chon'sin nothing but kindness."

"Looks like I touched a nerve." Qrow smirked. "Young love is a beautiful thing."

"What are you talking about?" Yang demanded.

"Nothing." Qrow said. "I'm just an old drunk spouting nonsense."

"We know you too well for that to work." Ruby said.

Qrow shrugged. "We should probably head inside." He suggested. "Your friends are waiting."

Weiss found Pyrrha conversing with one of her servants. After receiving his orders the man rushed off. The banquet was being set up on very short notice and everyone, Pyrrha included, was scrambling to get things ready. "Countess, do you have a moment?" Weiss asked.

"Of course Your Majesty." Pyrrha said. "I cannot refuse a request from my liege."

"First off, I'm not paying you, and I rule nothing, so I'm not your liege." Weiss said. "Second, you'll soon find that my retainers are very capable of refusing my requests." There was an awkward silence. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you about Blake."

"I don't know her well." Pyrrha said. "In my capacity as a retainer for Khan Glynda I was acquainted with the Chon'sin exiles but I didn't get to know them. What is it you want to know?"

"Blake said she and I have some business with one another." Weiss replied. "She refused to explain, saying she would once the war was over. When I mentioned this on our journey here, you took notice but said nothing. What do you know?"

"She's quite influential with the exiles." Pyrrha said. "She's a top candidate for their leader if they regain their kingdom."

"What does that have to do with me personally?" Weiss pressed.

"You specifically, nothing." Pyrrha answered. "Your family...that's a different story."

"What do you mean?" Weiss asked.

"It's why she's so influential that matters." Pyrrha continued. "It's only a rumor, and not even all the exiles believe it, but supposedly Blake's descended from Chon'sin's rightful royal family. Maybe rightful isn't the correct word, I mean no offense…"

"None taken." Weiss cut her off. "But that's absurd. The entirety of the old royal family died in the conquest or in exile, leaving no heirs."

"What if that's not the case?" Pyrrha pressed. "Blake's an orphan, but her father was supposedly the last living heir to the throne. Some say she's illegitimate, but given the lack of other heirs, she's as close as Chon'sin is going to get to its old royal family. That is if it's true. What do you think?"

"I don't know what to think." Weiss sighed. "That's something I'll have to sort out with her. What I think doesn't matter anyway. What matters is what she believes."