The Wolf, The Lion, and The Dragon - (Vol.4)

Ch.8 A Much Need Talk

3rd Pov

Around a campfire, Cyra and the others sit on four logs positioned in a square as Qrow has just finished telling the story of the Maidens. There is silence, before Qrow decides to take a swig from his flask. A bandage wrapped around his abdomen over his clothing, while Cyra's stab wound was patched with a gauze pad and a bandage strapped around her shoulder.

Qrow: "Really? No questions?"

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

Qrow: "Sure, of course."

There was a moment of silence as they slowly took in what Qrow said, before Ruby spoke again.

Ruby: "So.... These Maidens are 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?"

Qrow: "Whoever was in their thoughts last. Important distinction. Best option it is someone we can trust. But 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."

Cyra noticed the small anguish within Jaune's voice as he spoke.

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."

Cyra: "What do you mean?"

Qrow: "We were afraid that if we didn't do something, the rest would go to her as well."

Jaune: "So you forced it on Pyrrha."

Qrow: "We didn't force anything. 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 the group, looking slightly sympathetic to Cyra's predicament.

Ruby: "That guy, Tyrian - why were he after me and Cyra?"

Qrow: "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. That's why I've decided to look over you. 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."

Cyra turned her head towards Qrow so sharply that it made it look like she nearly snapped her head in place.

Cyra: "You're kidding, right? Qrow?!"

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

Cyra just pinched the bridge of her nose out of annoyance due to the thought of Qrow using his own niece as bait to lure Tyrian.

Jaune: "What is all of this? Ruby and Cyra's being hunted, the schools are being attacked, all for what?! What is the point of all of this?! Will you just tell us what's going on?!"

Cyra: "Keep your voice down! We don't who's out there, Jaune."

Qrow stares at him, then slouch over with a sigh.