Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 15: of Love and War

The room was dimly lit when Blake woke. The weak light of early morning, just before sunrise, filtered through the window. Blake smiled as she felt Jason's arms still wrapped around her, strong and powerful yet gentle and warm. Blake reached up and gently touched the mark at the base of her neck as the memories of the previous night came rushing back. The heat that had been bothering her for the last week had dissipated, replaced by a cozy warmth. She smiled as she nestled herself back under the blankets, pressing herself closer to Jason as she did so. Happy and content, she closed her eyes and drifted back off to sleep, purring softly.
When she next woke, the room was filled with bright, early morning sunlight was shining through the window. Jason stirred slightly beside her before sitting up and stretching. He looked at Blake.
"Sleep well?"
She nodded and kissed his cheek.
There was a knock on the door and Talia entered with a tray of food.
"Look who's awake."
She said, grinning.
"You two missed breakfast but we saved you some food."
Talia placed the tray of pancakes and fruit on the bedside table before retreating to her own bed and sitting down, pulling out her scroll to check the days weather.
"With any luck,"
She said, glancing up at Jason,
"we'll be in Vale by evening tomorrow."
Jason nodded.
"By the way,"
Talia said, checking a message on her scroll,
"I've just received a message from father. There's a meeting of Royal Army officers in Vale tomorrow night and he would like us both to attend, you especially considering you're role within the army."
Since he had been put in charge of the Royal Army a month earlier, Jason was technically the highest ranking military official there was, although his official ranking was high-general.
Jason nodded.
Talia sat back on the bed as Blake began to eat.
"So,"
Talia said, grinning at her brother,
"Did you two have fun last night?"
Blake blushed red as Jason grinned.
Talia smiled back.
After a couple of minutes, Yang entered, giving Talia a quick kiss as she sat down. Jason and Blake finished eating and got dressed before planning the day.
"I've been wanting to try out some of the new ranged capabilities on Gambol Shroud."
Blake said, taking her weapon from it's case.
"I can help with that."
Yang said, giving Blake a grin.
"I've got to work on some strategy and tactics. I received some security footage of a Royal Army decision against a grimm attack yesterday. I need to review the footage for the officers meeting."
Jason said.
Talia glanced at her brother.
"I think I can help with that."
They all stood up. As they did so, Blake leaned in close to Jason nd said something in a language Yang didn't recognize. Evidently Jason and Talia did however as they both grinned.
The two groups said goodbye to each other, yang and Blake heading to the training car while Jason and Talia sat down at a desk to watch the video of the Grimm attack.
As they walked to the training car, yang looked at Blake.
"What was that language? The one you used back ther I mean."
Blake was silent for a moment before she answered.
"It's an old Faunus dialect. Most Faunus learn it from an early age."
Yang nodded.
"What did you say."
Blake blushed a little.
"Katar khol. It means 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
Yang grinned as they entered the training car.
"You two are really sweet together you know that?"
Blake smiled as she pushed the button on the wall to set up the targets and Yang inspected Jason's additions to Gambol Shroud.
"Looks a lot more powerful now."
Yang said, taking a look at the design.
"But if the build quality is anything to go by, the recoil should be fine."
Blake took the sword back from Yang and wrapped the ribbon around her arm. Blake flopped the small catch on the hilt and laid the blade flat along her arm before locking it in place. She rested her index finger on the trigger, took aim at a target, and squeezed.
Almost instantly a burst of three dust bolts fired from the gun. The target flashed red as the compacted dust bullets struck dead center.
Yang let out a low whistle.
"Damn, he sure knows how to make a good weapon."
She said.
"That's dead accurate."
Blake grinned. It felt so good to have Gambol Shroud back, especially with Jason's improvements.
Blake returned the blade to its normal upright position. Making sure Yang wasn't in the way, Blake spun quickly, dropping to a knee and firing several bursts into the wall of targets. When she stopped and looked up, she grinned. All five bursts had found the center of there respective targets.
The two trained for another hour, Blake getting used to having a ranged weapon again for the first time in months, before heading back to the sleeping car to see how Jason and Talia were doing.
When they got there, they found the two sitting at the desk looking grim.
"Bad news?"
Blake asked.
When Jason next spoke it was obvious that he was fighting to keep his voice level.
"Bad news, yes. I had given specific orders as to how to defend Stravia village, using the natural defenses of the cliffs etc. Whatever Idiot was in charge their chose to directly disobey orders."
Jason took a heavy breath.
"No civilian casualties, luckily, but half the defense squad was lost. Casualties that could have easily been avoided if they had stuck to my plan."
Jason felt himself calm slightly as Blake placed a hand on his shoulder.
"There's nothing you could have done."
She said, her voice soft and soothing.
Jason looked up at her.
"Maybe so."
He sighed.
"Come on."
Blake said.
"We should probably go have lunch."
The small group headed off to the dining car as the train rolled on through the hills. One day until vale.