B7C1

Rather than pay them attention, I rummaged in the saddlebags and brought out a flat plank of wood and a hammer. It was but the work of a moment to tear down all the signs pointing to the other villages, leaving only Ansel's remaining. Beneath it, on the pole itself, I hammered the sign which contained a message in Weiss' neat and elegant writing.

Ansel stands

Food, water and shelter available

Refugees welcome

Taking a moment to inspect it, I let out a long breath. News of Ansel had spread since our return. Not because of us, per se, though our presence had helped make the village far safer than it had been before. But as the only village to have not only withstood but beaten back the Soldiers sent to raze it, Ansel had garnered a well-deserved reputation as a haven. That had prompted many refugees to come for aid.

[...]

Weiss sat behind a wooden desk that had been set up near the front gates of Ansel with a member of the local militia on either side of her. She looked overworked, her Mage's robes wrinkled in a way the normally proud girl wouldn't typically allow. Despite that, she managed a smile for girl I led forward, one hand still on her back as someone came to take Faith away to pasture.

"Another refugee?" Weiss asked. She smiled for the young girl's benefit. "Welcome to Ansel. We've got food and room aplenty, but I'll have to take some details for the sake of organising things. And to see if there are any family here looking for you. If you're missing anyone, we can try and help you find them."

"No one," the girl whispered. "There's no one left."

Weiss' smile fell. "I'm sorry to hear that. But we'll see you safe. Don't worry." Her eyes met mine. "Yang is looking for you, by the way."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I think it's about the walls. She's over on the south-side of the village now." Standing, Weiss came around the table to take the girl away from me and let her sit in the seat she'd just vacated. "I'll see her settled, Jaune. Pyrrha already came back and I just finished finding room for them. One of the children even has grandparents here who were happy to hear they survived. They agreed to take them in."

"That's great. You'll be safe here," I said to the girl. "And you can trust Weiss. She'll look after you."

The girl nodded. For the first time, she relaxed, practically sagging into the seat. "Thank you…"

[...]

Relief efforts had begun almost immediately. Any thought of Ansel being a holiday from the trials at Beacon had been quickly abolished. Thankfully, everyone in the Guild was only too happy to help. Velvet had taken to weaving clothing, bandages and even tents for the refugees, as well as lending her experience as Seneschal to Weiss in organising people's living and the allocation of supplies.