Fate's of the Trade

Chapter 4, Episode 8: A Much Needed Focus

Around a campfire, Ruby Rose, Qrow Branwen, Jaune Arc, Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie sit on four logs positioned in a square. Cloud has just finished telling the story of the Maidens as he cleans his blade. There is silence and Qrow takes a swig from his flask. He has a bandage wrapped around his abdomen over his clothing.

Qrow: Really? No questions?

Jaune: Of course we have questions. This is just... a lot to take in.

Cloud: *sighing* I don't blame you. Take your time.

Ruby: So these... Maidens... They're powerful fighters that don't need Dust to use magic.

Qrow: Yeah.

Nora: And there are four of them?

Qrow: Yup. Always.

Ren: Which means that, whenever one of them dies, the power transfers to someone - a female - that they cared about?

Cloud: Not exactly. Whoever was in their thoughts last gets it. It's an Important distinction. Best option is someone we can trust. Regardless, their souls become combined, in a way.

Jaune: And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha... the night the tower fell. You were trying to turn her into one of them.

Qrow: The previous Fall Maiden, Amber, had been attacked. She was young, inexperienced. And her assailant, who we now know is Cinder, somehow managed to steal some of her power, but not all of it. We were afraid that if we didn't do something, the rest would go to her as well.

Jaune: *looking angry* So you forced it on Pyrrha.

Cloud: We never forced anything onto her. We explained the situation and gave her the choice, and she chose. You were there, you heard her.

Jaune hangs his head for a brief moment before getting up and walking several feet away from group. Qrow watches him go as Cloud shakes his head and puts his sword on his back.

Ruby: That guy, Tyrian - why was he after me?

Qrow: *sighing* Well, you definitely painted a target on your back with what you did at Beacon. I told you having silver eyes is a rare trait. And the fact that you were able to use them seems to have upset some very powerful people. Not many people know about the silver eyes. Those that do aren't very happy that one has surfaced. That's why I've been keeping an eye on you in order to make sure you were safe. All of you.

Ruby: Well, then, why not just travel with us? It seems like that would've been way easier.

Jaune answers her loudly enough to be heard, but with his back still turned to everyone.

Jaune: He was using you as bait.

Qrow: Look, I wouldn't put it like that - it's complicated.

Cloud: Ruby was never bait, it's because of specific circumstances that we couldn't get close.

Jaune: *turning back to face him* What is all of this? Ruby's being hunted, the schools are being attacked, all for what?! What is the point of all of this?! Will you two just tell us what's going on?!

Qrow stares at him, then slouches over with a sigh as Cloud's eye's seem to slightly glow for a second before he looks a Jaune.

Qrow: Would you sit down? You're stressin' me out, 'kid.

Jaune sits back down on his log and crosses his arms. Qrow starts to take another swig, but changes his mind before the flask reaches his lips.

Qrow: Not many people are super religious these days.