On the island known as Patch, a single quaint home stood in the middle of the forest that surrounds it. Wind moved the leaves back and forth while birds chirp in the branches. The grass moved gracefully under the wind's pressure. The house is a two-story log cabin with what appears to be a sheet metal roof in dull red. Inside the house, the living room had activity. The center of the living room is dominated by a light green rug, with a dark green couch and matching chair and a wooden coffee table centered in the rug. Between the couch and chair is an end table with a lamp on it. At the end of the rug is a wooden TV stand with a holographic projector lying on top of it and a potted plant at one end. On the wall behind the TV stand is a doorway leading to the kitchen, a large portrait depicting a night scene, and a shelving unit containing numerous books. To the left of the couch is a large brick fireplace with small pictures on the mantle and a large landscape featured above the grate. To the right of the couch is a corner staircase leading upstairs, with the door to a cabinet and a pair of small landscape pictures underneath.
A low bookshelf and another green rug lie along the wall at the end of the staircase, topped by another lamp. A trio of landscapes are vertically stacked on the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Behind the couch is the front door. A barrel is tucked in the corner of this wall, next to the fireplace. There are at least three windows in the room, all hung with matching green curtains. Sitting on the couch was Summer Rose with her friend Qrow Branwen standing beside the couch on her right.
"So, you going to tell me how your trip to Mistral went?" A male voice asked from the kitchen.
"It went well." Summer answers. "Though the more interesting part of the trip happened after my mission."
The man's voice from the kitchen got closer as he spoke. "Is that so? What happened?"
"She got a lift from a Bounty Hunter." Qrow answered for Summer.
The man in the kitchen enters the doorway with a surprised look in his blue eyes.
"A bounty hunter?" the man asked. Sounding a little concerned.
"It's not what you think, Tai." Summer reassured. "Taren isn't like typical Bounty Hunters. He has a good moral compass."
Tai moved into the room. "Really? How so?"
"According to what Summer said, he brought a bunch of Grimm attack survivors to another village and didn't expect pay." Qrow explains. "I don't exactly trust him, but from my own brief encounter, he seemed tame compared to other Bounty Hunters."
Tai sits down in the chair. "Well, sounds like he's nice so far. Especially for bringing Summer into Vale."
"The only payment he received was information on a Bounty Board." Qrow notes with crossed arms. "Must not be used to the area."
"Is he a Huntsman?" Tai asked.
Summer gave it thought. "I don't think so." She then changes the subject. "How's Raven doing?"
"She's pretty bummed out she can't be in the field thanks to the pregnancy." Tai brings up. "Seven months in and she's been either bored or frustrated."
"I can see that." Qrow agrees. "My sister isn't the type to be inactive."
"I take it she's upstairs?" Summer asked.
"Yep." Tai answered. "She's currently in bed resting."
"Well, I imagine her tune will change once she gives birth." Summer said optimistically.
"I'd reckon she'd only be happy to be done with it." Qrow said with a chuckle.
"Don't say it like that, Qrow." Summer scolded.
"What?" Qrow chuckled with lightly raised hands in a defensive way. "it's how she'd act!"
"Doesn't mean you speak about it casually!" Summer argues. "The birth of a child is a beautiful thing to happen to someone!"
"And painful." Qrow adds.
Summer stands up. "Qrow!"
He just laughs at the reaction he got out of Summer while Tai only smiled and shook his head at the interaction. A knock is heard on the front door getting everyone's attention. Tai immediately stands up and approaches. He grabs the doorknob and opens the door to see a man with silver grey hair in a suit with a cane.
"Tai." The man greets.
Tai was surprised. "Ozpin! What brings you to Patch?"
"Something of urgency I'm afraid." Ozpin said. "May I come in?"
Tai nods and steps aside letting the man enter the room. Summer and Qrow were both surprised to see him seeing as they spoke to him a while ago. When the door shuts, the blonde-haired man moved to the back of the couch and rest his hand on it.
"I do apologize for my unannounced visit." Ozpin says calmly.
"Something important?" Qrow asked.
"You could say that." Ozpin vaguely answers. "recently information was brought to my attention on a matter I couldn't ignore."
"That being?" Summer asked.
"I'm sure you three are well acquainted with the Black Daggers?" Ozpin asks.
"Of course, a growing Bandit group that mainly operates in Vale." Qrow answers. "What of it?"
"Their leader, Garrick Russet, was spotted in Southern Vale by a Huntsman named Clay Marigold." Ozpin said.
As the situation presented itself to them, the three friends looked at each other. Equally understanding the severity of the situation. The vibe of the room changed as it was introduced to the tension of the information.
"He was spotted while Mr. Marigold was helping a White Fang convoy with one of their routine trips." Ozpin informs. "Luckily a companion of Mr. Marigold's managed to get Russet and his people to leave the convoy. This situation has me somewhat concerned considering the Black Daggers and their leader's recent streak of absences and growing power."
"I take it this is leading to a mission." Qrow questions.
"Indeed." Ozpin confirms. "I fully intend on investigating this situation, but I require someone to meet with Clay Marigold at one of the villages in the White Fang's path to help them with escorting the organization on their trip."
"Need both of us?" Summer asked.
"Yes. Considering Russet's track record, he isn't one to underestimate." Ozpin said. "I know the both of you recently returned from a mission, I must ask you to go on this one."
Summer and Qrow look at each other before turning to Ozpin.
"You can count on us, Oz." Qrow said.
"Which village will we go to first?" Summer asked.
"Glynda is in the process of learning that from Mr. Marigold. Once we have the location, I want the both of you to make the journey there." Ozpin instructed.
"We'll get it done." Qrow assured.
[Village, Southern Vale, sometime later]
As the White Fang finished up their job in the village, some of its members had purchased some supplies from the village and were loading them up into one of the trucks. While they did so, Ghira was speaking to the village Chief and Taren was by the trucks looking at the front gate. The plan was to leave through the opposite gate to reach the next village. It would be quicker than leaving through the front gate according to High Leader of the White Fang. While everyone else seemed calm and cheerful, the Mandalorian was cautious. The Black Daggers were still out there and just because they left them go once, doesn't mean they will again. He's fought enough Bandits to know how they would operate generally. Russet's action didn't sit well with him, and he is fully expecting a second attempt.
"Hey, Taren! you alright?" Clay asked as he approached him.
The Mandalorian turns to face him while gesturing to the front gate. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Black Daggers?" Clay asked.
"Yeah." Taren confirmed. "They let us go once, and I doubt they will again."
"Have experience fighting Bandits?" Clay asked curiously.
Taren nods. "I've fought plenty of Bandits to know how they generally operate. Russet is no different."
"Well, don't worry too much. That friend of mine asked for the next village we'll be going to so a pair of Huntsmen can be sent to help us." Clay informed. "She said they'll meet us there."
"I think you should tell, Ghira." Taren suggested. "He needs to know of more people joining our party."
"I plan to once he finishes his conversation with the village Chief." Clay said.
A commotion is heard at the truck that the two stand beside making them look towards the noise. They see one White Fang member attempting to lift a box of supplies onto the cargo bed of the truck and struggling. The Mandalorian walked over to the Faunus. The Faunus nearly dropped the box but Taren caught it and nodded his way. The two lift the box up and onto the cargo bed. The hired gun then climbed into the cargo bed and moved the box toward the others to make room for another box. Once done, he got off the cargo bed and lands in front of the Faunus he helped.
The Faunus gave a relieved sigh. "Thanks for that."
"No problem. Though next time, I'd get help." Taren instructed.
"Yeah, I plan to."
"Is everyone ready to go?" Ghira asks as he approaches the trucks.
"All the supplies is loaded up, Ghira." The Faunus said.
"How much was it all?" Ghira asked.
"Half of what it would've been. They were willing to split the price in half." The Faunus said with a smile as they were still amazed by their luck.
"That was nice of them." Ghira notes.
"Clay." Taren says, getting the fox Faunus's attention.
Clay nods and steps closer to the High Leader of the White Fang who turns to him.
"I sent word to a friend of mine regarding the Black Daggers. A pair of Huntsmen will be meeting us in the next village to help protect the convoy." Clay said.
Ghira went to speak but Clay continued.
"Now I know the aim of this whole trip, but the Black Daggers need to be taken seriously, or people could get seriously hurt or worse. Killed." Clay said, defending his actions.
Ghira hesitated before the Mandalorian hired gun spoke to him.
"Ghira."
The high leader looked over to him.
"You can want peace; you can strive for peace. But you must be willing to fight when peace fails." Taren said. "With bandits like the Black Daggers, peace isn't an option."
Ghira looked at the other White Fang members who waited for his command. He gave it thought for a moment. He wanted this trip to be peaceful and not dependent on excessive numbers of fighters. That would send the wrong message. He sighs as he relents.
"Very well." Ghira relented. "Then I suggest we all get going. Don't want to keep those Huntsmen waiting."
"You heard him people." A Faunus said. "Everyone in the trucks! Let's get going!"
The White Fang moved and they all got in the trucks. Clay went to join the Huntsmen John and Tyler in one truck while Taren and Ghira went to the lead truck. The hired gun climbs onto the cargo bed and holds a hand out for Ghira. He grabs it and the Mandalorian helped him up. The High leader walked toward a long crate and sat down with Taren sitting on a bench in the cargo bed. The trucks soon start moving as they leave the village.
[Timeskip]
The White Fang convoy finally arrived at the next village and the trucks passed through the front gate. This village was larger than the last one and seemed to be well fortified as Village Guardsmen manned posts on the settlement's wall and on the streets. As the trucks went down the main street and towards the center of the village, Taren kept his eyes open and his attention on their surroundings. Ghira said the village was named Valia, short for Valiant. They reach a circular plaza with a fountain in the middle, and the convoy wraps around the right side before coming to a stop. The White Fang disembarks from the trucks. Taren drops down and his boots hit pavement. Ghira dropped down next to him. They both walk around the corner of the truck with Clay, John and Tyler walking towards them.
"What do you need to do here?" Taren asked, looking at the large Faunus.
"The Chief requested to meet with me." Ghira revealed. "He'd been hoping to house the White Fang during one of our trips."
"Well, that's a first." John whispers to Tyler, getting a smile from him.
"I suggest the both of you go looking for those Huntsmen while I speak to the Chief." Ghira said to both Taren and Clay.
"We'll find them." Clay said with a smile.
Ghira turned and walked towards the town hall while White Fang members began talking to villagers. John and Tyler gave a brief wave to Clay while walking away. The Fox Faunus exhales out of his mouth as he looked around, putting his hands on his hips.
"Well, I suppose we start looking." Clay said. "Have an idea where to start?"
"Common gathering areas first." Taren suggested.
Clay nods. "Sounds like a plan."
"Hey, Taren!" A familiar woman's voice is heard a distance away.
This voice got the Mandalorian's attention who looked in the general direction of the voice before spotting Summer and Qrow walking towards them. the Huntress was waving to get his attention while they approached. He gave a slight wave to let her know he saw her.
"Know them?" Clay asked.
"Not personally, but I have met them." Taren answers.
Summer hurried her steps to reach the Mandalorian and his Faunus companion while Qrow walked normally.
"Didn't expect to see you again." Summer admits with a surprised but pleased look in her eyes.
"Well, I guess we share the same thoughts." Taren joked.
"What brings you to Valia?" Qrow asked casually.
"On a job with Clay here." Taren answered.
"You're Clay Marigold?" Qrow asked, looking at the Fox Faunus.
"Yep, that's me." Clay confirmed. "Did Glynda send you two?"
"Well technically that was Ozpin, Glynda did tell him after all." Summer points out.
"The headmaster of Beacon Academy?" Clay asked, genuinely surprised. "So that's what she meant by having friends in high places."
"You mean you guessed?" Taren asked, turning to the Faunus with an almost stern look in his eyes under his helmet.
Clay just chuckled sheepishly as he shrugged.
"How do you even know Glynda?" Qrow asked as he crossed his arms with a curious expression on his face.
"We met a while ago when our teams collaborated on a mission in Southwestern Mistral." Clay revealed. "She was very… how should I put it…. strict."
"She's also known as disciplinarian." Qrow said with a grin.
"Oh, don't remind me." Clay sighs. "She was certainly unwilling to tolerate my teammate's recklessness. I had to play mediator."
"Sounds like fun." Taren joked.
"I wouldn't call it fun…. But I did certainly like it when she spoke her mind." Clay said.
"Oh?" Qrow found that interesting.
"Yeah, she can be scary…. and I kinda like that." Clay admits.
"You have the fancy for Glynda?" Qrow asked in a teasing way.
"Maybe." Clay shrugs with a growing grin.
"Huh, never thought I'd see someone who likes a scary Glynda." Summer comments as she placed a hand on her hip.
"We all have our attractions." Clay said with a shrug and a smile.
Then suddenly alarms started blaring across the large village, getting the group's attention. The White Fang and the villagers were alerted by this.
"An alarm?" Taren asked as his right hand touched his blaster.
"Grimm?" Clay suggested.
Then an explosion rocked the settlement by the front gate sending smoke and debris flying down the street. Everyone turned to the blast and saw bandits walking into the settlement. A dazed Village Guardsmen who was nearly caught in the blast got up off the ground only to be shot by one of the Bandits. Amongst them was one familiar figure. One that Clay and Taren recognized.
"Find anything worthwhile." Russet ordered.