Chapter 42: The Founding of the Order
'While the 'founding' of the Ruby Order is relatively well-documented, both in the White Book, where Ser Barristan listed knighting Lady Brienne Tarth, Jon Snow and Lord Lancel Lannister as one of his achievements as Kingsguard, and in various private correspondences, it should be obvious to any diligent scholar that this was not the actual founding of the Ruby Order but merely the first time native Westerosi were recruited as members and joined Lady Ruby, Lady Weiss, Lady Blake and Lady Yang. Those four were members of the Ruby Order long before they arrived in the realm, as evidenced by the documents covering their arrival. That they mostly called themselves 'Team Ruby' and not 'Ruby Order' is almost certainly owed both to a simple linguistic difference and an obvious attempt to establish themselves at court before revealing that they were female knights once they had gained enough influence to overcome any resistance to those claims. That Lady Brienne's knighting was more or less accepted without too much resistance proves the success of this tactic.'
A Treatise On The Ruby Order, by Maester Kennet Bracken
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Today was the day! Lancel Lannister - soon to be Ser Lancel Lannister! - struggled to maintain a stoic, calm expression as he walked through the Red Keep's yard. Today, he would swear his oaths and join the Ruby Order! Today, he'd become a knight serving the Seven Who Are One through their Blessed Messengers!
He took a deep breath and straightened even more - or tried to - as he passed two servants carrying baskets with fresh bread. The smell wafting up from the loaves was tantalising - he had spent the night in vigil, praying for guidance, and hadn't eaten since noon yesterday - but he steeled himself against the temptation. And swallowed the spit gathering in his mouth. He could feast once he was a knight.
Once he was past the servants, he took a few deep breaths, the cold morning air filling nose and lungs as he approached the steps leading to the Kingsguard's training yard. Once more, elation filled him, almost making him smile widely at the honour of being able to train alongside the most famous Order of Knights.
The most famous Order for now, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind, and he did his best to crush it. Becoming a knight meant dedicating your life to upholding honour and doing your duty. A true knight was humble and pious, not vain and glory-seeking. And he would be a true knight, serving the Seven and the Four Maidens. And Lancel knew very well that he was still far from even coming close to the skills of any Kingsguard. He had no reason to dream of surpassing them.
He stumbled a few times on the uneven steps - said to be a test to weed out spies and others who had snuck into the keep, made even harder with the sun just having risen above the horizon - but made it to the bottom, to the training yard, without falling and making a fool out of himself.
"Lancel! Good morning."
And there were the others who would join the order today. Lady Brienne, Jon Snow and Gendry Storm. The heiress of Lord Tarth and the bastard sons of Lord Eddard and the late King Robert. His future brothers and sister.
Suddenly, he felt even more of a fool. Lady Brienne was an experienced warrior, equal or superior to most knights he knew in skill and power; he had seen her fight before. Jon was a great swordsman, lauded even by Ser Barristan the Bold, despite being Lancel's age, and he had been a steadfast companion to the Four Maidens since they had met at Winterfell. And Gendry was not merely a friend of the Four Maidens but one of the few who understood their craft and might be able to create wonders like those they talked about. Some Septons called him the Smith's Favourite. And he was deeply pious and humble despite this; Lancel had seen him often praying in the Great Sept. He could be knighted today as well; the Four Maidens had offered him a knighthood, but he had declined, stating he didn't feel ready for such an honour yet.
Who was he to compare himself to them? The eldest son of Kevan Lannister, eldest younger brother of Lord Tywin. Former page of the King - who had been poisoned while Lancel had been serving, He had not accomplished, not earned anything.
"Come join us!" Lady Brienne called out again. "We've got hot tea. Team Ruby will soon arrive."
Lancel was walking towards them before he realised it. Lady Brienne had called on him, after all. And hot tea would be great; the morning air was still very chill; Summer had definitely passed. "Thank you, my lady." He bowed deeply. "And good morning to you, Jon, Gendry."
"Good morning." Gendry was as pleasant and humble as always.
"Good morning." Jon, on the other hand, sounded nervous. He kept gripping his sword and glancing at the stairs on which the Four Maidens would soon arrive.
And then the ceremony would take place.
Lancel swallowed, taking a few more deep breaths, then went and filled his cup with hot tea. He almost burned his tongue and lips, but the warm liquid steadied him. He was going to be a knight, and he wasn't going to be shaking like a leaf when he did.
"Keeps the cold away," Gendry said, taking a cup himself. "Best drink it while it's still hot."
"We don't have one of Team Ruby's magic bottles that keep tea hot for hours," Lady Brienne said.
"They're not magic." Gendry shook his head. "I asked. They are…" He blinked, licking his lips. "...insulated. They are made of two shells, and there's nothing in between."
"Nothing?" Jon asked.
"Not even air." Gendry nodded. "Without air or anything, the heat cannot escape, or so I was told. But to craft one such bottle is beyond anyone. You need tools and materials that don't exist here." He sighed. "Marvels like their weapons."
Lancel nodded. Gendry had seen the Four Maidens working on their weapons. Had even assisted them, if the rumours were true. He would be the most knowledgeable about them. The Maidens wielded weapons that could cut through boulders as easily as Valyrian steel parted flesh and pierce or shatter the thickest plate. Lancel had seen that with his own eyes at the Battle of the Maidens. Holy weapons strong enough to withstand the Maidens' strength.
He glanced at his own sword. It paled in comparison. It was a good blade - his father hadn't skimped when he had it made for him after Lancel had become a squire - but it was no Valyrian steel blade. Nor blessed with holy might.
"Here they… no, it's not them," Jon suddenly spoke up.
Lancel started to sigh softly with relief - and froze again when he saw who was walking towards the yard. Ser Barristan, followed by Ser Arys Oakheart. Ser Boros Blount and Ser Preston Greenfield. The Kingsguard - all of them who were available right now; Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Meryn Trant would be guarding the royal family. All dressed in their shiny armour, white cloaks billowing slightly in the morning breeze.
They would not only serve as witnesses for the founding ceremony; Ser Barristan the Bold would actually knight Lady Brienne, Jon Snow and Lancel.
Lancel swallowed. He couldn't help feeling like a fraud. He hadn't done anything to earn this. He wasn't trusted by the Four Maidens like Lady Brienne and Jon Snow. He wasn't as talented with the blade. He had been the King's squire - but not for any merit of his own except for having been born a Lannister. And what was that name worth now, after his cousins had so utterly disgraced themselves?
"Good morning," Ser Barristan greeted them with a smile as he approached.
"Good morning, sers." Lady Brienne nodded at them.
"Good morning," Jon Snow followed.
Lancel managed to nod; his tongue didn't seem to want to move. He could feel the gazes of the knights on him. Judging him. Finding a boy where a knight should be.
Gendry, unfazed, bowed his head. "May I offer you some tea, sers?"
"Thank you, Gendry," Ser Barristan took a cup, followed by his brothers.
Lancel refilled his cup as well. The sun had fully risen now. Not much longer, now. Soon…
A cloud of red petals appeared in the middle of the training yard, then formed into the unmistakable form of Lady Ruby with her scythe, Crescent Rose, in hand. "Good morning, everyone!"
Lancel was on his knee before he could meet her eyes. "My lady."
So were the others, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes. Except for the Kingsguard, of course.
"Ah, get up, please! The others will arrive soon - I went ahead to check if everyone made it," Lady Ruby said.
How considerate! Even though Lancel would have had to be dead to miss this!
"Everyone is ready, my lady," Ser Barristan said.
"Good! And thank you again for agreeing to knight our friends!" Lady Ruby bowed her head.
"It is an honour, my lady."
It was an honour to be knighted by the most famous, most honourable knight in the realm, Lancel thought. An honour he didn't deserve, but would strive to earn anyway.
"And there are the others!" Lady Ruby turned to smile at her friends who had just arrived.
Almost against his will, Lancel looked at them. Lady Weiss. Lady Blake. And Lady Yang. Striding across the training yard with an unearthly grace that hid their power and strength. The Four Maidens. Blessed by the Gods. When he saw them smiling at him and the others as they greeted the group, he averted his eyes, blushing.
No one else was here. Just the Four Maidens, the Kingsguard. And them. Behind him, a crow cawed. Once.
"Alright!" Lady Ruby spoke up. "We're here to found the Ruby Order. A chivalric order to serve the Seven above all. To be brave for the Warrior. To be just for the Father. To defend the Children and the innocents for the Mother. To be humble for the Crone. To be kind for the Maiden. To be hard-working for the Smith. And to be merciful to those you send to the Stranger."
Yes. Lancel took a deep breath. Those were the words of the order. The words of the Seven.
"Do you swear this on the Seven Who Are One?"
For a moment, every noise seemed to have disappeared. Even the winds seemed to have stopped.
Lancel swallowed. This was it.
"Yes," Lady Brienne said. "I swear."
"Yes," Jon Snow added. "I swear."
"Yes, I swear!" Lancel said, his voice almost breaking.
After a moment, Gendry added: "I swear."
"Witnessed," Lady Ruby stated, and Lancel heard the sound of her scythe unfolding, followed by the weapons of her friends clearing their sheaths - or sliding forward, in Lady Yang's case. "Then raise and be welcome in the Ruby Order."
As Lancel rose, he saw all Four Maidens were saluting them just as the sun had risen enough for the shadows cast by the walls to withdraw, bathing them in its warm light. He swallowed again, then drew and raised his own blade with sweaty hands, returning the salute.
"Thank you, my ladies. I will strive to be worthy," Lady Brienne said, voice full of conviction.
"As we all shall," Jon Snow added.
Lancel managed to nod, certain that his voice would desert him right now - his breath surely tried its best.
Gendry must have nodded as well.
Lady Ruby nodded again. "With that said…" She looked at Ser Barristan. "We have three warriors who have sworn their oaths and are ready to serve as knights."
"As I have seen, my lady," Ser Barristan replied with a bow before turning to face Lady Brienne, Jon Snow and Lancel. "Kneel."
Lancel went down on one knee once again.
"Lady Brienne Tarth. Do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?"
"I do."
"Then rise, Ser Brienne."
"Jon Snow. Do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?"
"I do."
"Then rise, Ser Jon."
Lancel froze when he felt the blade touch his shoulder, the weight pressing down on the mail.
"Lord Lancel Lannister. Do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?"
"I do," Lancel breathed.
"Then rise, Ser Lancel."
He rose, his legs not failing him thanks to the Grace of the Seven, and blinked as his eyes suddenly seemed to grow wet even though the wind had still not returned.
"Yes! Our first knights!" Lady Ruby cheered.
"And the first lady knight of the realm!" Lady Yang added. "Way to go, Ser Brienne! And you as well, Jon and Lancel!"
"Indeed," Ser Barristan said.
"Thank you," Lancel heard Lady Brienne say.
"Thank you," Jon echoed her.
"Thank you," Lancel repeated.
"And now, after the ceremony, the celebration!" Lady Ruby announced. "We've got a feast waiting for us!"
"A breakfeast!" Lady Yang added with a chuckle.
"Yang!"
Lancel took a few deep breaths and tried to subtly wipe his eyes. As the group started to head towards the stairs, he turned and looked around once more. He was a member of the Ruby Order. And a knight. This was an honour - and an obligation he would struggle to fulfil for the rest of his life.
Somehow, while still daunting, he didn't feel as scared any more.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Ruby Rose bit into her second honey cake and savoured the sweetness filling her mouth for a moment before swallowing, then took a sip from her hot honeyed milk. Ah! Almost perfect. Perfect would have been a batch of chocolate chip cookies, of course. But it was still a great breakfast - or 'breakfeast', as Yang had joked - after the founding of the Order and the knighting ceremony for their friends. Replenishing your energy after your vigil was just common sense after all, and cake was the second-best way to do that. They should do that after each future ceremony. Not too often, though - that would be unfair for the servants who had to prepare the food.
And they wouldn't call it 'breakfeast'. Traditions were not founded on jokes. And definitely not on Yang's puns.
But, speaking - or thinking - of traditions… "So! Now that you're members of the RWBY Order, you need to pick your emblems," she said.
"And your style!" Yang added after finishing the last piece of the sausage on her plate.
"Emblems, my lady?" Lancel blurted out, then froze for a moment.
"Yes, emblems!" Ruby reached down and pulled the buckle with her emblem off her belt. "This is mine."
"And this is mine!" Yang pulled her jacket down, exposing the emblem on her top.
Lancel was already blushing and looking away.
Blake and Weiss were, of course, a bit less… Yang about showing their emblems.
"Anyway!" Ruby said. "Those are our emblems."
"I thought those were your house's coat of arms, my lady," Lancel said.
"Ah, no - we picked our emblems. Though sometimes, a family shares an emblem. I have the same as my mother had."
"All my family members share the same emblem," Weiss added.
"Oh. Do we have to abandon our family's coat of arms?"
"What? No!" Ruby shook her head. "You don't have to abandon anything! You just have to choose an emblem for yourself."
"And pick your style!" Yang repeated herself. "One of the ground rules is that you wear what you want!"
"As long as it's not a liability in combat or other duties," Weiss added.
"Yeah." Ruby nodded again while flagging down a servant to get her another honey cake.
"So, go wild!"
"If you prefer your current styles, then that is obviously also alright," Blake spoke up. "You aren't obligated to change unless you want to."
"Yeah!" Yang nodded and grabbed another sausage.
"So… we could just pick our coat of arms and our colours, then?" Lady Brienne asked.
"Yes." Blake had just said that, hadn't she? Ruby managed not to whine that that would be boring. It was their decision what to wear.
"I can pick whatever I want?" Jon asked.
"Yeah!" Yang nodded at him, then at Gendry. "You too!"
"I am no knight, Lady Yang."
"So? You're a member of the order. And I bet you'll be a knight soon enough. But you don't need to be a knight to have an emblem and your own style," Yang told him.
"We'll also have a unifying sign," Weiss said. "A striped band."
"Red, White, Black and Yellow," Ruby explained.
"Your colours." Lancel pointed out. He looked a bit awestruck.
"Yes!" Ruby pointed at him. Then her cake was served, and she had to get a refill of her hot honeyed milk, and…
"You are disgustingly alert for such an early hour, cousin."
Lord Tyrion was about to join them in the mostly empty hall.
"Cousin Tyrion?" Lancel sounded as surprised as Ruby felt. "You are up this early?"
"Hah!" He didn't look as if he had just gotten up - he looked as if he had drunk throughout the night and was on his way to crash into his bed.
Ruby knew the look; Uncle Qrow had crashed quite often at their home. Sometimes literally.
"You're a knight and member of the order now?" Lord Tyrion grabbed a plate for himself and started loading it with some of the food on the table. He went for mostly greasy stuff, or so it looked.
"Yes, cousin. Ser Barristan knighted us." Lancel bowed his head towards the knight.
"And it was an honour, ser," Ser Barristan replied. The other Kingsguards nodded, though they were pretty quiet in Ruby's opinion. Had they had to stay guard for most of the night, maybe? They were only seven to guard the entire royal family, and Ruby knew from one of their missions how guard shifts were messing with your sleep schedule.
"Definitely. Not many can say that they were founding members of a new chivalric order," Lord Tyrion smiled. "Uncle Kevan should be proud."
"I didn't do it for pride, cousin. I did it because it's the right thing to do, as the Seven decreed."
"You don't care about pride? Are you sure you're a Lannister?" Lord Tyrion laughed at his own joke, but Ruby wasn't sure if he was entirely joking.
And Lancel didn't seem to be sure either.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Ruby smiled at the new members of their order. "So! Now that we've recovered the calories we've burned…"
"And then some," Weiss muttered next to her.
Ruby ignored her partner. She was an active girl, a Huntress in training, and she needed the calories. That she also loved sweets was just a bonus. "...we need to talk about how the order's gonna be organised."
The blank looks Brienne, Jon, Gendry and Lancel were all giving her were not promising.
"I assumed we would be doing what you need us to do, my ladies," Brienne said.
"All of us are going to do what's needed," Ruby told her. "But we have to talk about how we're going to be organised. We can't just have everything depend on us being around. We want this to last even after we're gone."
The others exchanged glances. "Do you mean if you're gone back to your world?" Jon asked.
"Not just that. But we want the RWBY Order to last even after all of us are dead," Yang told him.
"A legacy," Weiss added. "Our legacy. And that means we need to decide how we are going to run the Order. Define its organisation."
Without too much confusion and detailed rule sets covering tons of parchment, Ruby thought. "Yes. Now, for the foreseeable future, we're going to train you all up and see that you've got the gear needed to do what's needed."
"Which is mostly fighting." Yang grinned at Gendry. "We'll have you up to speed in training before you finish crafting the arms and armour for everyone."
Gendry's smile felt a bit forced, but he should be used to Ruby's sister - they hung out at the smithy often enough. Besides, Yang wasn't that rough in training. Ruby would know.
"So… you intend to have us take over if you leave?" Lancel asked with a pretty queasy expression.
"Yes." Ruby nodded encouragingly at him and the others. "You'll do fine."
He didn't seem to share her opinion, but that was probably just nerves. Ruby knew all about nerves, too. And the best way to deal with them was to do something. Or try something. "Anyway, so… unlike the Kingsguard, we won't have a simple goal. Well, it's actually simple - do what's right - but we'll have to be sure we know where we're needed." She nodded at Blake. That was her friend's speciality.
"We'll need information," Blake said. "Information so we know where we are needed. Information that we can trust, so we won't get manipulated into doing the bidding of those who want to use us for their own goals. Information so that we're not surprised by plots and attacks."
"My lady, do you think the Order should have a Master of Whispers?" Lancel asked.
"That's a question for you all," Ruby said.
"Having one person responsible for handling information is more efficient since they can more easily compile different information to get a clearer picture, but it will also mean that that person will have a significant influence on the entire Order. If they make a mistake, the consequences could affect the entire Order and beyond. And should they become corrupt…" Blake trailed off as she tilted her head. "Even if they aren't the actual leader, they could control them by manipulating the information they pass on."
That was a sobering thought. And everyone - Team RWBY and their new Order members - Team BJGL? BLJG? BJLG? Ruby didn't think any sounded good - understood that.
"But what's the alternative?" Gendry asked.
"Have such information collected by everyone - ideally, people, especially the smallfolk, will inform us when we're needed - and then discuss it together," Blake replied. "It will be easier to spot fake information when it contradicts others' information. But it will also take longer to get a grip on something and longer to act on it. We are currently doing things like that, but that doesn't mean it's the best solution."
"But that's for the big stuff. If you're alone somewhere else and hear about something, you'll have to check it out and decide what you'll do anyway. Can't really wait for orders from the Order," Yang said.
"Yes. Communication is too slow to centralise every decision," Weiss said. "Which means every member will need to be ready to make crucial decisions."
Everyone nodded at that. Good. Of course, they were not used to scrolls and CCTS.
"Does that mean we'll be sent out to other regions?" Jon asked. "To, ah, patrol them?"
"Like Ser Duncan the Tall?" Lancel perked up.
"That depends on you," Ruby replied. "Someone has to be available at the headquarters - which we'll have to pick, actually, but we can probably buy a suitable building - but if you want to roam and fight where you are needed, that's OK."
"It's what many Huntresses do," Yang added. "Go where you're needed. And there are lots of places where you're needed."
Everyone seemed to agree with that, which was good.
"Though we do need a structure and organisation - and, ultimately, numbers - to tackle problems that a single knight cannot solve," Weiss said. "You can't run the Order without that. Not if you want to keep up standards. For the immediate future, we can do that, but others will have to be ready to step in - we might be called away from King's Landing to deal with something, for example. So, while we're doing most of the work now, you should already be thinking about who can take over."
Ruby nodded. Like, if they found a way home. Or heard about a possible way to find a way home.
Jon and Lancel both looked at Brienne. And then at Gendry. Who stared at them.
"You're the one living here," Jon said. "And Ser Brienne, you've got the highest rank here."
"I do, but… that doesn't translate to the Order's ranks," Brienne replied, looking at them.
"No, it doesn't. But you are the one most used to the Court, right?" Ruby asked.
Brienne slowly nodded. "I serve where needed." She was clearly unhappy, but that couldn't be helped. "But I think I will need training for that."
"Yes. We'll show you the ropes," Ruby said.
"And I guess the first order for the Order will be to recruit more people as we train you and then them up," Yang said. "So we have more people for all the jobs we have."
The four new members were eager to agree with that, so Ruby narrowed her eyes a little at them. "That doesn't mean you will get out of thinking about this. We need your input as well!"
If she had learned anything at Beacon as the leader of Team RWBY (well, apart from learning how to be a leader), then that being a Huntress didn't just mean learning how to fight Grimm, it also meant learning how to fight paperwork!
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Weiss Schnee wasn't prone to carrying grudges or being petty. And she understood perfectly that not everyone had had her upbringing and education. And she was well aware of how limited the education, even for royalty, was in Westeros. But, really, it didn't take that much to understand the basic principles of proper organisation and business plans! The Order's members would have enough time to study her plan before they reached the necessary size to implement it. Gendry was a smith; he would need to know how to run a business anyway, and that included proper accounting and planning. Most small businesses failed not because they couldn't make a profit but because they couldn't manage the cash flow, after all.
"Look," she said, forcing herself to smile. "All I am saying is that we need to plan for the future, and my proposal really isn't that complicated. It's a simplified version of the standard Atlesian business organisations compliant with the pertinent regulations."
Ruby grimaced. "Weiss, partner, friend, bestie - we went over this already. No one here in Westeros can understand half the words in your proposal. I don't understand half the words in your proposal."
"Me either," Yang added. "Might as well be speaking another language. Business speak or something."
"That can be easily remedied with a few lessons," Weiss replied.
"Even if we understood the proposal - I got the gist of it," Blake spoke up, "it is still overly complex for the organisation of the order. We currently have four members, and we'd need five times that number just to staff your proposed auditing department."
"That can be scaled down at the beginning, provided we have a trustworthy head of the department," Weiss countered.
"And they would oversee an accounting department we are currently missing as well," Blake went on.
"That we need an accounting department should go without saying. How can you manage your finances without one?" Weiss snapped. Really, those were the fundamentals.
"How do the nobles here do it?" Yang asked.
"Badly," Weiss replied. "They would do much better with proper accounting."
"Which they don't know, and neither do their stewards," Blake said. "That's why I told you that your proposal is too complex. It's like trying to teach the smiths here how to make mechashift weapons when they cannot even make firearms."
"It's not nearly that complex!" Weiss defended her proposal. "And just as we wouldn't send people who haven't been sufficiently trained into battle, we shouldn't let people without the necessary training handle the finances of the order."
"Yes. Which means we need to either recruit an experienced member or train one up," Ruby said. "And since no one except you knows enough about accounting and stuff…"
Weiss groaned. Yes, that was an aspect she had not quite thoroughly considered. The local education system was completely insufficient for their needs. "We should found a college as well," she muttered. "The apprenticeship system is outdated."
"And we should abolish the monarchy and feudalism while we're at it," Blake said in that seemingly bored tone she used to convey sarcasm.
Weiss flushed a little. "I am aware that the conditions to implement my proposal aren't currently present, but we should think ahead. Both Blake and I are aware of how bad it can be when organisations get taken over by corrupt leaders." She looked at Blake. Her friend should be her ally.
"Yes," Blake agreed. Or seemed to. "But in both cases, the problem lies with spotting said corrupt leader and countering them before they get entrenched in their position. That is why we need to foster a culture of critical thinking, of questioning orders and decisions, instead of blind obedience."
"Without regulations that hinder corruption and prevent embezzlement, that task will be much harder," Weiss objected.
"In theory, yes. But we cannot have half the order enforce internal regulations and policies and remain an effective organisation," Blake said.
"Sounds like government," Yang joked.
"Dad does complain about all the paperwork he has to do at Signal," Ruby added. "It cuts into his teaching time."
"That's why my proposal also contains regular checks for redundancies and efficiency," Weiss pointed out.
"Which requires even more members with a specialist skillset and the experience to use it effectively," Blake said. "If we ran things like that in the White Fang, we would have spent all our time doing paperwork and having meetings."
That would have saved quite a few lives, in Weiss's opinion.
"Like a political party." Yang chuckled at her own joke.
"You can't compare the White Fang to the RWBY Order," Weiss argued. "They are completely different organisations!"
"Actually, there are more parallels than might be obvious at first sight," Blake said. "Both the order and the White Fang will have to operate in small groups most of the time, often in areas where the authorities are hostile, and go against the law of the land when needed. Members will have to make their own calls on how to proceed in any given situation and cannot count on swift support from the main base of the organisation. And both will have to rely on networks outside the main governmental organisations for funding - donations and services in the field by Faunus respectively smallfolk - while having an organisation sidelined by the government as an unofficial backer, Menagerie in Remnant, the Faith here."
Weiss blinked. That was… actually quite sound arguing. Still, a terrorist organisation wasn't a chivalric order! "Yet, the RWBY Order is an official organisation. We will be working with the government."
"As long as they aren't evil!" Ruby interrupted her.
"Yes, that goes without saying." Weiss made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "But we will be operating openly and in compliance with the law. Most of the time," she added before Ruby could add a disclaimer about evil laws. "And we won't fund ourselves by running protection rackets or robbing businesses."
"Well, looting bandits and pirates is still OK, right?" Yang asked with a grin.
"Unless their stuff was stolen and we can return it to the owners," Ruby said.
Blake said nothing but slowly nodded, which Weiss took as conceding that point. "At the very least, we should leave my proposal to the Order so they can study it once they need it." She'd have to annotate it thoroughly, of course. But she refused to let all her hard work go to waste!
"Good idea!" Ruby beamed at her.
Weiss took that as a qualified success.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
"Lady Weiss!"
"Lady Margaery." Weiss nodded at the noblewoman and subtly glanced around to check if Lady Olenna was about to descend on her as well. That wasn't the case. "Good morning." She'd already done her morning training session, now extended to include the new members of the Order, but it was still closer to morning than to noon, even accounting for the shorter days in autumn.
"I heard you founded a new chivalric order."
Weiss doubted that anyone in King's Landing, much less the Red Keep, wasn't aware of that. She nodded politely anyway. "Yes. The RWBY Order. Though, technically, you don't need to be a knight to join, even if most members will likely end up knights."
"Ah." Lady Margaery nodded as she fell in next to Weiss.
It was going to be one of those walks. Well, Weiss wouldn't mind talking on her way to the Tower of the Hand. "We're still in the process of starting up the order," she went on. "We have the tenets down, but there is a lot left to organise."
"I would imagine that. Founding a new order is a daunting undertaking." Lady Margaery nodded. "Though you have the support of the Faith."
That wasn't a question. Weiss nodded anyway. "Yes. The High Septon has been very supportive."
"And Ser Barristan knighted three of your members."
Weiss bit back a comment about Lady Margaery knowing everything already. "Yes. And the fourth, Gendry Storm, will likely be knighted once he finishes his training."
"Yes, I've heard about him. But I was more curious about Lady Brienne - Ser Brienne now, I think." Lady Margaery lowered her voice slightly. "As I understand, that was a controversial choice. Ser Barristan was truly bold there."
Weiss frowned in return. "Ser Brienne is an accomplished and honourable warrior, and all of us trust her to uphold the chivalric ideals and vows of our order. If neither the High Septon nor Ser Barristan, the most famous living knight in the realm, would question her knighting, why would anyone else? Because she is a woman?"
Lady Margaey slowly nodded. "As I understand the situation, that is the issue some people have with it."
Meaning, some sexist nobles took offence. They had expected that. Weiss made a point of shrugging with a dismissive sniff. "I don't think the opinions of those who would rank their views above the Faith's should be considered worthy of attention or consideration."
"Of course not. Though I expect many to wonder if you're going to knight more women."
"If they can be trusted, pass our training standards and take the vows, of course, we will," Weiss said.
"Not many women will be able to do that, though - few noblewomen train with weapons," Lady Margaery said.
"Not many smallfolk, men or women, are trained with weapons either," Weiss replied. "And those who are often cannot be trusted." Most sellswords had a reputation for a reason, for example. "We would provide the training for our members."
"You would take in smallfolk, men and women, and train them as warriors? And then knight them?"
"Yes." Weiss nodded. That should have been obvious with Gendry being a founding member, shouldn't it? Or did they think he got in because, like Jon, he was a noble's bastard? Something to look into.
"I see." Lady Margaery's smile looked a bit forced, but that might just be Weiss's imagination.
In any case, they had reached the Tower of the Hand and parted ways. Weiss focused on the impending meeting with Lord Eddard. Hopefully, the others were already here and hadn't been delayed.
On the other hand, if her friends were delayed, Weiss might get to pet the adorable wolves again while waiting.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Blake Belladonna was very glad they didn't have to wait overly long for Lord Eddard to receive them. Seeing her friends carelessly pet the direwolves of the Starks as if they were harmless pets was unnerving in the extreme. Sure, in theory, they couldn't easily be hurt thanks to their Aura, but if they let their guard down, fooled by the beasts, and one of the wolves decided to bite down…
She shook the disturbing image off and focused on Lord Eddard, who was seated behind his desk. He looked tired - slightly, at least - but that was normal for him, or anyone in his position who took their duties seriously. Of course, Headmaster Ozpin never looked that tired, though he might just hide it better when meeting his students.
"I understand that you've founded a new chivalric order," Lord Eddard said after they had exchanged greetings,
"Yes. The RWBY Order!" Ruby replied. "It might sound a bit egoistical, but since we founded it to leave a legacy we can be proud of, it felt honest to name it after our team, right?"
Lord Eddard blinked - he should be used to Ruby's manner of speech by now - and nodded.
"It's not as if founding a chivalric order is prohibited," Weiss added. "And the High Septon gave us his blessing."
"Indeed, you are correct. No one is questioning that, rest assured, my ladies." Lord Eddard smiled a little.
"But they are concerned about the order itself, right?" Ruby nodded with a wide smile. "We can assure you, they are our trusted friends and they won't be doing anything we wouldn't do either, so there's no need to worry!"
Blake suppressed a snort. She was aware that this would be a reason to worry for many nobles at court.
"Yeah," Yang added. "The RWBY Order won't be taking sides in politics. Just doing what's right."
Lord Eddard's already tight smile slipped a bit more. "Some might say that that is taking sides, my ladies."
"Isn't everyone supposed to take the side of what's right?" Ruby asked. She tried to sound innocent, but Blake knew her well enough to tell she was faking it.
Lord Eddard probably did as well since he frowned a little. "As I have come to realise since I came to King's Landing, people often disagree about what's right."
"That's when things need to be talked out," Weiss said.
"But if push comes to shove…" Yang shrugged. "We and our friends will stand for those who cannot protect themselves."
Blake nodded. Someone had to in a world where nobles waged war over insults and for pride. And greed, of course. And ambitions. And without any care for the smallfolk under their care.
"I see," Lord Eddard said. "You plan to expand the Ruby Order then, or so I have heard."
"Yes. Provided we can find enough trustworthy members," Weiss replied.
"Many might flock to your banner," Lord Eddard said. "Even those who are not suited to the life of a knight."
Was that a comment about his children? Arya, perhaps? Or a warning about dishonourable people trying to join?
"Yeah!" Ruby nodded. "We'll do our best to weed out those who can't be trusted to uphold their vows as knights."
"And the Order will be organised to make it hard for any members who turn out to be dishonourable to hide their intentions and ill deeds, much less prosper," Weiss added.
"If they survive the avalanches of red tape, first," Yang muttered under her breath, too low for anyone except Blake to pick up.
She had to suppress a snicker. Weiss did mean well, very well, in fact, and she had made a huge effort, but she just didn't understand - or refused to accept - that her proposal was impossible to implement in Westeros. It relied on skills and procedures that didn't exist or were limited to very few people who were unlikely to join - or impossible to be trusted should they wish to join - the RWBY Order.
"Still, you cannot guarantee that all your members will be honourable. Even the Kingsguard has seen members break their vows," Lord Eddard said.
"Of course not," Ruby said. "But we will do our best to prevent this."
"And we did take steps to ensure that no member will be caught between two conflicting oaths," Weiss added. "Their vows to the Seven will always take precedence."
"Not all of your members follow the new gods, though," Lord Eddard said.
"You mean Jon?" Yang asked before going on without waiting for an answer. "Do you really think he'll break his oath, no matter what gods he swore to?"
"Of course not!" Lord Eddard quickly said.
"And as many of your people, he acknowledges the old and the new gods, doesn't he?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, he does."
"Then there shouldn't be any problem." Ruby smiled.
"In the past, followers of the Seven have been hostile to those who worship the Old Gods," Lord Eddard said.
"We'll make it clear that attacking people for their religion is against the vows they have taken," Ruby said. "Though we might make exceptions for evil gods."
Yang nodded. "Yeah, that drowned god sounds rather fishy."
Blake smiled at the joke while her friends rolled their eyes.
Lord Eddard, as usual, didn't react. "It was also noted that one of your members is Lancel Lannister."
Ah, noble politics. Blake resisted the urge to shake her head and sigh.
Yang didn't, and Ruby frowned. "He's his own person. We don't judge people for what their families do and did. And he seems trustworthy and eager - he spends a lot of time in the Great Sept. Less now, since we're training hard, but still."
"You don't think he will act in his family's interest?" Lord Eddard asked.
"Not any more than Jon will. Or Brienne," Weiss replied.
Blake half-expected Lord Eddard to comment about that, or about Brienne's knighting, but he merely nodded in apparent acknowledgement. Whether he actually believed or trusted their claims, she couldn't say - Lord Eddard had a great poker face.
"I see," he said. "That should allay some of the concerns voiced."
"We haven't been doing Lord Tywin's bidding," Blake said. "And neither will our order."
"I know, though with the obvious need for funding for your order, and Lord Tywin's known wealth and willingness to use his gold to gain influence, there was some substance to that concern despite your past," Lord Eddard said.
"That's exactly why we are not going to rely on him or others for funding," Weiss said with a slightly triumphant smile.
"Then how will you fund your order, my ladies?" Lord Eddard asked.
"First, with our own money. And then through smaller donations from various people. And the Faith," Weiss replied.
"Yes. We won't let anyone buy the RWBY Order," Ruby added. "It'll be independent so our members can do what's right without being beholden to anyone!"
Lord Eddard didn't comment on that, but Blake saw his twitch a little. "Thank you, my ladies." He took a deep breath. "I also have a personal concern to discuss."
"You mean your children?" Weiss asked. "Bran and Arya already asked to join, but they're too young."
"They have to be at least fourteen to join," Ruby asked. "And they won't be sent out on missions until they're ready and at least fifteen."
"Missions?" Lord Eddard asked.
"You know, hunt down bandits, look for missing people, check on rumours, rescue people, that sort of stuff," Ruby explained. "Like missions for Huntresses. It is the RWBY Order, after all."
"Ah."
"Anyway, we won't let your kids join until they're fourteen," Ruby said. "So, don't worry about that."
"But once they are old enough, you'd let them join even against the will of their father?"
"Yes." Ruby nodded without hesitation.
This time, Lord Eddard didn't bother to hide his grimace. "That won't be popular with many nobles."
"Just because it's unpopular doesn't mean it's wrong. And just because something is popular doesn't make it right," Ruby said in a firm tone.
Lord Eddard met her eyes for a moment before sighing.
Well, he should know that nothing would keep Bran and Arya from joining them - anyone who spent enough time with the two would know that.
But Lord Eddard would now also know that the Order taking in kids without parental consent was their intention. If a kid wanted to escape an arranged marriage, the Order would offer them a way out.
It was the right thing to do, after all.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Yang Xiao Long dropped in a split and let Jon's sword pass over her head, then swept him off his feet with one leg while she turned on her hands, making Lancel back off before he joined Jon on the ground. That gave her enough time to roll forward and come up in a combat stance to face Brienne's charge. She sidestepped the first swing and evaded the shield blow with the same motion, then slid behind her to send her sprawling with a gentle kick.
That left Lancel, who was in a guard stance, almost hiding behind his shield. It didn't help him - Yang circled him, waiting for the first misstep, then dived in with another roll that ended with her legs clamping around his. A twist of her hips and he went down as well.
She rolled over her shoulder and got up. "Good progress here. You need to work a bit more on your footing, everyone."
Jon sighed, Lancel groaned, and Brienne nodded. Par for the course for training with them. "Break time!" Yang announced, patting her top to get rid of the sand and dust that clung to the fabric.
She needed new clothes as well, she realised as she walked to the rest area. Not because she had outgrown her stuff like Ruby, but even reinforced by Aura, the fabric wouldn't last forever. Not when she was wearing it every day and used it for training, and had to have it washed so often as a result. Aura only protected the clothes when she was wearing them, after all.
That was the same for everyone. And their new members could use new outfits as well, once they picked their styles. Maybe they could make an Order event out of it?
She picked up the jug of water and took a few large swallows. Ruby was training with Gendry, Arya and Bran. She was going much more lightly on them, of course - none of them were on par with Brienne, Jon and Lancel. Aya and Bran had more training, but Gendry had the muscle from smithing - and he was still growing. He'd be a terror with a warhammer, or anything heavy, once he was grown up. Like his father.
She caught Hunter and Nymeria trying to sneak up on the snack basket and snorted, freezing them in their place. "Not on my watch, you two!"
They whined and begged, but Yang was used to denying Ruby more cookies, so two wolves didn't really impress her. "Sorry, you can't get the snacks. We need them. We have to…"
She trailed off as she spotted a servant rush down the stairs, almost stumbling on the uneven steps. Something must have happened. Something urgent.
The others had noticed as well. Ruby stopped her bout, and Blake and Weiss, who were training with Ser Barristan, also stopped and watched the servant approach.
He went straight for Ruby. "My lady!" he blurted out, slightly out of breath. "I was sent to inform you that there has been an incident in the dungeons."
Yang's eyes widened. Varys!
"What happened?" Ruby asked.
"The prisoner and a few guards have fallen ill. The Lord Regent suspects that they were poisoned."
Yang cursed. They had expected this, but to have it happen…
"Training's over. We need to look into this at once!" Ruby declared.
Yang nodded and handed the basket to Jon before following the others out of the training yard. Time to see how bad it was.
Blake grabbed the jug of water on the way, and Yang raised her eyebrows at her.
"Varys might need some water to talk," she said.
"Good thinking." Yang smiled. Her partner was the best. Then she blinked. And her partner might have experience with keeping prisoners gagged. Well, she was still the best.
*****
"They haven't moved Varys from his cell despite his illness?" Ruby asked as they approached the entrance to the dungeons - after a brief detour to get some makeshift masks from scrap fabric.
"The Lord Regent deemed it safer for him to remain there, under guard, my lady," the servant replied.
Well, if it were anyone else, Yang would have expected that to be an attempt to ensure that Varys died from his 'illness', but Lord Eddard was too honest for that. Although if he was influenced to decide that… Damn, Yang hated how suspicious the court made her.
"The darkness and dampness won't be good for his health," Weiss commented. "And if he was poisoned with the guards, I would question that he is safer down there."
The servant didn't answer that. Yang hadn't expected him to - that would be questioning the Lord Regent. Servants didn't do that here. Probably not back in Remnant either, but Yang hadn't really had any experience with servants there. She'd have to ask Weiss about that if she wanted to know.
"What about the sick guards?" Blake asked.
"They were moved to a room and placed in quarantine while the Maester discerns whether the illness could spread or not."
Whether they were poisoned or are actually ill. Then again, what if they were deliberately infected with an illness to spread it to Varys? Or was she getting paranoid here?
"So, after we checked up on Varys, we can visit the guards," Ruby said.
The servant tensed up as they entered the guard room, and the new guards inside were not looking any better. They would know that whether it was poison or an actual illness, they were in danger either way. Yang was a bit tense, too - not that she'd let it show, of course. She had to keep acting confident and optimistic. Not just because she had a reputation to maintain, but also so her friends and others didn't lose hope.
And projecting confidence meant people didn't try to play games with you. They got into Varys's cell without any trouble from the guards, nor did they protest when Weiss ordered them to leave the guard room so they could talk to Varys in private.
Varys himself looked pretty bad, even in the dim light of the lanterns they had brought. Pale, sweating, and the way he was shivering… "You look like shit," Yang told him when she removed his gag.
He tried to chuckle and coughed instead, and Yang quickly stepped back. She was wearing a mask, but it wasn't exactly much better than a scarf wrapped around her mouth and nose, and she'd rather not catch anything in case it was an illness.
"Here." Blake handed him a jug of water. When he narrowed his eyes at it, she explained: "It's our own jug, which was sealed until we opened it."
He drank some, then coughed again. "I guess there's no point in not indulging myself. I am already poisoned, after all."
"Are you sure? Did you recognise the poison?" Weiss asked. "It could be an illness as well."
He shrugged with a faint snort. "What would be the difference? I have no doubt that the guards were ordered to ensure the conditions of my captivity would weaken me as much as possible in order to ensure I die before a trial can be held. If that means sacrificing a few guards…" He bared his teeth as his lips pulled back. "A small price to pay for silencing me. And less suspicious than people disappearing for your curses."
Yang rolled her eyes. "Are you still stuck on that? We're no witches!"
He laughed at that, though it ended in a cough. "You do not need to keep up the pretence. I know what you are. Better than anyone - except, perhaps Lady Melisandre. And I know I will die before I can spill your secrets to the court."
"You're crazy!" Ruby blurted out.
"You're paranoid and delusional," Weiss added.
The man had the gall to grin at them. "As I said, you don't need to keep up the pretence. We're alone here." He chuckled again until he coughed, then drank some more water.
"So, you don't know how you were poisoned," Blake said.
"I know that, of course! The poison was mixed into the food, so the guards were affected as well. Quite ingenious to use them as tasters. That forces the various people interested in silencing me to either sacrifice their better guards or risk having useless guards be fooled by their rivals' planted spies. Either way, you weaken the nobles. And yet, a bit too obvious - it shows your hand."
Yeah, the guy was a lunatic. Yang shook her head.
"Alas, even though I did my best not to underestimate you, you still managed to foil my plans. But I die with the satisfaction that I at least managed to sabotage your own. You will never reach what you seek in Essos; I have ensured that."
Ruby blinked. "What we seek in Essos? Do we seek anything in Essos?"
Varys chuckled again and turned his head away from her.
Yang was tempted to kick him. Lightly. Just enough to bruise his ribs. But he was a helpless prisoner. And, apparently, poisoned and dying. Unless that was a ruse. And he had sabotaged their research for a way back, or so it seemed. Or that was what he wanted them to think in a cheap attempt to get back at them. Or this was some reverse syke stuff, and he expected them to think he was trying to trick them into going to Essos so they would not go while their goal was in Essos…
"Maybe I shouldn't overthink this," she muttered. "He's obviously not all there any more."
All that plotting stuff was making her paranoid. Like so much else in this world.