Centuries

The Invasion of Sanus

Samuel Grey was silent as he helped his father unload the fish from their latest trip. He removed his feather cap, gloved hand brushing back his dark brown, sweat-soaked bangs. His green eyes looked up from the fish-filled net when whispers finally reached his ears. The young man stands, casting a glance across the gathering crowd before following the gaze to the seas where he and many other men had returned from fishing. His eyes widened, hat falling to the ground. Coming towards the islands of Sanus was a fleet of ships unfamiliar to him.

A sharp tug on the sleeve not rolled to his elbow drew his attention, causing him to glance down. His younger brother stared up at him with wide, fearful eyes. Samuel only smiled. "Don't worry, Chris. Dad and the rest of the men will talk to Her Majesty."

-line break-

Cinder quietly read in the tree, ignoring the sounds of metal clanging against metal. Her eyebrow only quirked when the leaf to her left caught fire, but she only turned the page of her book. It's when the familiar click of heels clicking against the marble floor of Nightingale Manor that she looks up. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here?"

Glynda's gaze flicks to the brunette in the tree before focusing on the two dueling. "Isn't dangerous being out in the open like that?"

"Do I sense a bit of care, Glynda?"

"Hardly."

The former criminal purses her lips, huffing quietly. If one focused hard enough, they would see a small smirk on the blonde's lips.

Blake blocked another of Yang's attacks, the gust of fire just barely missing Glynda. The teacher doesn't flinch. Cinder frowns as she watches Glynda watching the Queen and her guard. "Blondie."

"Hm?"

"You aren't one for social visits," Cinder states simply, putting her book down, "So, what brings you here?"

This time, Glynda focuses solely on the brunette, already aware that Blake had been aware of her presence the moment she stepped out of the carriage. "Mistral has invaded Sanus." Green eyes and amber lock for a few moments before Glynda focuses on her Queen. "The citizens wish for retaliation."

Blake frowns, instructing Yang on her stance once again before addressing her former student. "In what form?"

"War, it seems, is the most popular vote."

The Faunus sighs, gesturing for her guard to stand down. Yang does so. "That isn't possible," she says, turning to face Glynda.

"You said yourself that war was just around the corner," Cinder cuts in, brow quirking. "Isn't this delaying the inevitable?"

A nod. "But I will not be the one to declare it." She focuses on the blonde once more. "Tell the citizens that they must learn to co-exist. They've done so with the Faunus. They should be able to do so with their own kind."

Yang frowns. "I don't think they will." When she feels the eyes of her former teacher and Queen, the blonde elaborates. "Professor, you were aware of the tension between Ruby and Weiss when they first became roommates. It was almost as though it was its own war had begun at Beacon with only two participants. Imagine a whole village filled with Weiss and Ruby. The tension will boil over soon enough that blood will be spilled."

"Didn't you tell me they are now in a relationship?" Glynda inquires, brow quirking. Cinder smirked.

The younger blonde clears her throat. "Well...Yes, but that was after many, many battles."

Blake sighs. "I see your point, Yang...I will try to talk to Emperor Saln about the issue. But, for now, the citizens must co-exist." She sighs again. "Let's hope this lasts longer than a day."

Glynda bows. "Of course, Your Majesty." Then she turns, casting the brunette in the tree one final glance, and making her way through the castle.

It's quiet between the trio before Yang asks, "So, how long have you and Professor Goodwitch been doing the do?" Cinder sputters unintelligibly, and Blake lets a small laugh slip out.

-line break-

"Watch it," a young man growls.

Samuel glares at him, green eyes narrowing. "I could say the same thing to you."

Mistral and Vale had been habiting Sanus together for about seven months now, despite the citizen's protest. But the Emperor and the Queen had spoken, and so they begrudgingly followed. Tensions have been running high between the citizens, little tussles popping up across the peninsula.

Who would have thought a fight between a couple of teenage boys would have begun the first battle of the Great War?

------------

Just thought I should point out that Samuel is based off one of the three unnamed finalists at the Vytal festival in Volume 3.

Vote, comment, etc! I live off of your responses, so tell me what you think!