Everknight

Chapter 12

Qrow Branwen sat impatiently on his uneven wooden chair, bouncing his legs restlessly. He had his hand wrapped around a mug of golden ale but didn't bother to drink it.

He needs to be sober when dealing with his sister.

Lil' Miss Malachite said that the Everknight summoned Grimm from a red portal, and the only person in his mind that could do something remotely similar is Raven. It's too much of a coincidence for Qrow to pass up. He needs to make sure that Raven isn't involved with Salem in some way least he has to confront her which will make things really, really complicated since she's Yang's mother.

If Raven isn't involved, then he can at least work something out with her so she can keep an eye out for Salem's Knight.

I really need a damn drink to calm my nerves. Qrow eyes the mug in his hand, feeling the cool liquid humming around the edge. Just a sip.

A swirling red and black portal suddenly tore open at the opposite end of his table. Qrow sighs and lowers his drink to face the emerging figure. Raven Branwen. His older twin sister.

"I see that you still haven't broken free from your alcohol addiction." She taunts him.

Ever since Raven left Yang when she was a baby and returned to the Branwen bandit tribe, the Branwen twins have not been on good terms. Combined with your typical sibling relationship of driving the other up the wall and they'll likely draw blood if one pushes it too far. Maybe even a limb or two.

"Raven."

"Hello, brother."

She pulls up a seat and sits down, removing her Nevermore mask to reveal a face that's strikingly similar to Yang's if she were older, had red eyes and black hair. With an unfriendly smirk, Raven rests her hand on the Nevermore mask and half shrugs with the other, urging him to not beat around the bush.

"Right, right. I'll get straight to the point."

"Like you could even walk in a straight line, much less see straight." Raven eyes the mug of golden ale, then to Qrow. "Why did you call me here?"

Qrow scowls, "I'm getting there." Raven rolls her eyes and slouches in her chair, further irritating him. "Visited an information broker somewhere in Mistral. Said broker mentioned something about red portals and Grimm."

"I have no idea what just said. Give me some context here."

He leans closer and speaks in a lower tone. "Do you know someone called the Everknight?"

"Qrow. I have no freaking clue what you're talking about." Why couldn't they meet in a desolate area? She would even be fine risking the Branwen tribe's current campsite instead of meeting in a tavern. "Enough with your stupid spy speak and get on with it!"

He knew his sister long enough to discern that she wasn't lying. The confused irritation is difficult to fake, especially when it comes to math and literature. Raven would throw a fit about it back when they were students at Beacon Academy.

He lets out a long sigh of relief and slumps over. "Thought so..."

Raven angrily raps him on the head with her knuckles. "Don't make me stab you. What is this all about?"