Queen Ruby

Chapter 11

Oz is sitting in his usual place behind his desk. In front of him, an angry general Ironwood slams his fist on the desk.

"What do you mean we can't go on with the plan! We are so close to catching Salem's minions. Why can't we proceed?" Neither Oz not Ironwood have noticed me yet.

"My dear friend. The situation has changed. I am no longer in power and I cannot allow anything anymore. The Queen has returned. Only she can decide."

"Why tell her. Just do it now before she has full power again. We are wasting time here."

"Because-"

"Because Oz knows that he would be wise not to mess with me." I interrupt the conversation. The two men spun around. Oz has a sheer look of horror on his face. It's clear he didn't want me to know about any of this. Ironwood, on the other hand, looks confused.

"Excuse me but who do you think you are? This is a privet conversation." He takes a better look at me while Oz starts backing off slowly. "Aren't you the girl who went after the Woman at the transmission tower?"

"I am. I am also the leader of Team RWBY, the team that has come closer to catching Torchwick and Cinder than your military ever has."

"Who is cinder?"

"The woman from the transmission tower. Salem's little puppet in Vale."

"How-" "James. I would be careful how you talk to her."

"Sorry. That was rude of me, but I must ask of you to leave."

"I will stay here and you will tell me what you have been discussing behind my back."

"You are a student! You do not give ord-" "As you wish." Oz bows down to show his respect. Ironwood still seems not to have noticed who I am.

I sit down in a chair in front of Oz desk. And order my hairband to take in the form of a crown. It transforms into a little tiara with Ruby's on it that form little flowers. Then I think to myself that I want to look like a Queen, and I use the light to exchange my uniform for a silver dress. It's short and flows like silk on me. My shoes are gone and I am left barefoot. It's such an innocent look, it perfectly reflects my personality.

"Oz would you please explain to me why you have not told your little friend yet? I thought I had ordered you to."

"I was going to but I never had a proper opportunity. I can't just drop the bomb on them. They will not accept you easily as I did."

"I will take your advice on the matter. After all, you have more experience than I do." I look at general Ironwood. "I am Ruby Rose. I turned sixteen last weekend. I have taken my mothers position as Queen." He looks at me like he's seen a ghost. His jaw drops and I giggle.

The both of them loosen up a bit when I start laughing.

"Oz I'm sorry about our last meeting. I was tired and stressed out. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that." Oz is surprised at my apology.

"I would like to make a proposal. I am too young and inexperienced to take over my mothers work completely, so I would like you to become my representative and advisor. I know you quite enjoy your current status and are not too happy to give it to a little girl. You will make decisions and go to the meeting on my behalf until I graduate. But you have to stop keeping secrets from me and discuss what happens in meetings with me. Ok?" I put on my nicest smile as he looks even more surprised.

"It will be my pleasure to serve you, my queen. I must say I seem to have underestimated you. " he chuckles lightly.

"Oz you are not my enemy and I am not yours. We should get along." I turn my attention back to Ironwood. "As for you James, can I call you that?" He nods slowly. "Well, James. I would like to ask if you not to tell the public or anyone about me until the time comes. Could you do that please?"

"If that's all." "Thank you, James. Now would you please fill me in. I would like to know what you were talking about before."

Oz takes his seat behind the desk and Ironwood sits down next to me. I hope I managed to gain at least a bit of respect from the two men. Ironwood still seems confused. I don't blame him, he just needs time to think about what just happened.

"I'm sorry for disrespecting your wishes and orders earlier." Oz starts."And I would like to have a peaceful arrangement with you. So I will tell you what had been going on. Are you aware of the history of Salem and the gods?"

"More or less. Guard is still teaching me everything about my history and magic."

"Good. That is nice to hear. Well anyway since your mothers' death I have been filling her position. I may not be strong enough to go head to head with Salem, but I have been keeping her at bae. Hundreds of years ago I created the Maidens. Young women-" "with magic and you get reincarnated and you were my moms' advisor. Guard has told me." I interrupt him. "Well, you know more than I thought. So these maidens have been helping me with our problem but they have started to disappear. We found the fallen maiden quite injured, and now we believe that... Cinder is her name I believe, has managed to get her hands on part of the power. You uncle Qrow was the one who found her."

"Uncle Qrow is involved?"

"He knows. I send him on special missions involving Salem. He was the only member of Team STRQ who knew about your mother. He was a very close friend of hers."

"Does he know that I have accepted the Title?"

"I haven't told him. You ordered me not to tell anyone. Did you tell your team like I suggested?"

"I told them that I was picking up on my moms' work and told them about Guard. I didn't tell them his true identity of course. Do you think telling my uncle would be a good idea?"

"That is up to you." "When will he be in Beacon again?"

"Next Saturday he should return from a mission. Would you like me to arrange a meeting with him?"

"You would do that?" He nods. "Then yes, please. That would be very helpful."

"Excuse me your Hines but I need to go. My ship is to leave in half an hour." Ironwood excuses himself.

"Fine by me. But please contact me if you have information that you believe can help me solve this problem you have been talking about."

"Of course." He bows and leaves the room.