The Branwen Tribe

Weiss didn't recognise any of the people around her, but she didn't need to. They were clearly bandits, hoping that the girl they had discovered would fetch a high price. The woman in the middle appeared to be in charge. Really? She was the leader? She didn't seem particularly fearsome. She was about the same height as Weiss, and appeared to only be a few years older than her.

"What do you want?"

"Straight to the point. I like it. We don't normally deal in trafficking people - not really worth our time. But, once we realized we had a Schnee, that changed."

"You're going to ransom me back to my father, is that it?"

"Just keep quiet and cooperate and you'll be back in your mansion before you know it."

"You know my sister, don't you? Winter Schnee? Special Operative of the Atlas Military? She's in Mistral now, and when she hears I'm missing, it won't take her long to find me - and you."

But this didn't seem to scare them. Instead, they began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Clearly, you're out of the loop. Your sister isn't in Mistral anymore. No Atlas personnel are in Mistral anymore. General Ironwood closed the borders and recalled all his little troops and tin cans. No one is coming to save you."

The words hit Weiss hard. After everything she had been through... the fall of Beacon, the drama back in Atlas, and her daring escape... this was how things would end. Would her father pay the ransom? She doubted it, and even if he did, she would just end up back where she started. For the first time in a long time, things felt truly hopeless. And then they got worse.

The woman who had been talking to Weiss made way for someone else, much taller and older then her. Weiss was sure she had seen this woman before. Clearly for the wrong reasons...

"I trust that Vernal has briefed you on your situation."

"Yes, Raven."

Raven began to look her captive up and down. "I think it's time we get a good look at you. Take off your clothes."

The request shocked Weiss. She was expecting the worst, but... to do that... in front of a group of complete strangers...

"Don't waste my time, Schnee. Either you take them off, or someone else will do it for you."