Lyda Fox's Story

Spire eyed Hari. "Fortunately, you're one of a kind. Calm down, squirt," he said, not unkindly, but not exactly warmly, either. This spazzy kid was going to be a handful, he could tell.

As each recruit responded to Spire's call by heading to the corner, Spire made mental notes of their notable traits to help him learn their names. Mind you, he didn't care to learn them in the slightest, but he needed to do a meticulously good job with these runts to prove he'd learned his lesson so that he wouldn't have to go through this next year.

-

Aedric studiously pretended not to know his cousin/step brother the same way Spire studiously pretended not to notice him. After exchanging a grin of eager anticipation with Abigail, Aedric glanced at Silas and his smile faded. "Hey--Are you all right?" he mumbled, a hand half-extended, ready to steady him if he fainted or something, genuinely concerned that the guy might be having some kind of medical emergency.

-

"All right," said Spire when they had all gathered, half-dropping the air of formality now that he had a bit of distance from most of the experienced Hounds - at least the ones who wanted his blood. So far, he had gotten along with Lyda just fine. She seemed competent and had thusfar failed to annoy him in any poignant way. Tough enough, but reasonable and patient. She seemed to make a good Yin to his Yang. "Time to show all you around. If you have any questions, I'll respond to Agent Schippers. Or sir. Hell, just Spire if I like you enough."

He paused a moment, his pale eyes settling on each recruit for a few seconds. Half of them looked like scrawny teenagers. And even among those who looked to have a few more years of life experience under their belts, Spire could see expressions of fear. Spire often failed in interpreting subtle emotional changes on peoples' faces, but this fear wasn't subtle - especially on one young man, the pale, dark-haired one; the blanched terror on his face gave Spire a vague flicker of familiarity (someone he had spoken to on a hunt in a town, somewhere, perhaps?).

They were going to get eaten alive. Possibly literally. He had meant to save this for last, but he had an inkling to separate the wheat from the tares now.

"First of all, I'm going to take you to meet a friend of mine." He moved toward one of the buildings, unlocking and holding open the large, wood-carved door for the flood of future Hounds with a flourishing gesture.

Past the entry hall, along a corridor, through a locked door, down a very, very long flight of stairs. The walls were sturdy stone, marked here and there by stark decoration - banners and memorial tokens. Spire was taking them beneath the Hunter's Court.

At the bottom of the staircase stood two identical, thick, iron-enforced doors, each adorned with several layers of locks and deadbolts, one leading left and one leading right. Spire set his hand on the door on the right, lit by a humming fluorescent light overhead. "Fragment cells are through this way. Each one is kept in isolation. It's rather the whole point of our operation here." He set about unlocking the other door, the one on the left. "And this way is the, ah, power supply for the tech around here."

Behind the the door was a small room, and yet another door. A technician sat before a panel that blinked with dials and electronic readouts - technology that would look strange and new to many of the recruits.

"You know what to do," Spire said lazily to the technician.

The technician had opened this door for Spire before, but never with an entourage. His gaze slid over the recruits nervously, and he gave Spire a worried glance, followed by a questioning one at Lyda to make sure this was really okay, but then he did as he was told.

Stiflingly warm air rushed out of the opening. Spire smiled into it as it ruffled his hair, and he crossed the threshold, guiding his little herd of underlings through after him.

Aedric thought he knew what was coming, but he nevertheless felt the blood draining from his face as an involuntary lurch of pity mingled with horror twisted in his stomach.

A much larger space greeted them on the other side, though its occupant didn't seem able to enjoy much of said space. She was what looked like a tall, red-haired woman, bound by chains and four thick beams of heat-conductive metal which thrust through her arms, between the radius and ulna, and apparently bored straight through her shins.

Spire turned his back on her to face the recruits, smiling placidly as though unaffected by the nightmarish scene behind him. "This is The Red Beast. You may have heard of her. We go way back." He winked briefly over his shoulder. "Don't we, Red? Now listen, all of you, stay behind the line unless you want your skin melted off," he directed, indicating the bright white band painted onto the concrete floor in a wide arc around the Fragment, an indicator of how far one must stay away to avoid any projected attacks from the creature.

Spire, however, did not follow his own advice, and he turned back to the Fragment and stepped tauntingly just over the line.

"Hello, Red, how's work?" Spire asked in a cheerful, playful tone. "Would you like to say hello to the rising generation of Hounds?"

"All right...time to show all you around. If you have any questions, I'll respond to Agent Schippers. Or sir. Hell, just Spire if I like you enough."

As the group was moving forward, Demetrius took the time to study the others, glancing at each one while he thought to himself; it was in his nature to want to seek the proverbial gold at the end of the rainbow, after all.

Aedric Terrence...definitely someone I could get along with. He's too much of a wimp to do anything immoral...but he does seem to have the capacity of doing something stupid.

Abigail Smith...while she's definitely odd, she seems like someone who I could legitimately trust. Perhaps not if she knew my secret, though. Even with one arm, it looks like she could pack quite the punch.

Hari...just like Aedric, his lack of experience is gonna probably end up causing something bad to happen. I don't know if it'll be to me, or him, or to anyone and everyone, but I do know for certain that it'll certainly be a pickle to get out of.

And finally--Demetrius took a good, long look at Silas--...Silas Kost. Although I think our relationship could remain amicable, his nonchalant, almost overconfident features tell me that he can't be trusted if we're both found out. It'll be some time before I can begin to properly trust him.

As for Spire Schippers, Demetrius had a slowly-growing distaste for his superior. It was clear that he didn't truly care for his subordinates. However, Demetrius was a soldier. No matter what he thought of the people leading and directing him, he should never question their legitimacy--that is, unless they violate his beliefs. Which didn't seem completely out of the realm of possibility for Spire.

Demetrius was brought out of the confines of his mind when he noticed that they were walking into a certain building, stepping down an expansive flight of stairs that ended at two metal doors. "Fragment cells are through this way. Each one is kept in isolation. It's rather the whole point of our operation here."

His eyes widened in shock when they entered the corridor. All around his flanks, Fragments were lined in solitary cells. What he couldn't fathom, however, was how many he recognized--both from Saltmaw and during his travels as a wanderer.
Ilirath...Sivreo...Bareol...this is where they took you guys after you were captured?

He stopped in his tracks when they came upon the last cell, which was already facing the group. An expression of terror befell his face when he saw the Red Beast restricted by chains in the center.

She had nearly killed him during one of her last rampages.

In the chaos that was tearing up his usually-structured thoughts, he became worried for Spire when he entered the Red Beast's radius of destruction.

"Would you like to say hello to the rising generation of Hounds?"

Demetrius didn't care what happened next; he just didn't want to be recognized by the Red Beast. He knew for sure that it would place unwanted suspicion on himself.

Abigail stuck close to Aedric. Even though she thought him a wimp at times he was the only one in this group she truly trusted. She was quite shocked seeing Spire show up, though not so shocked at the way he carried himself. Spire was an ass but she knew he could be be trusted.

Abigail followed Spire and the rest in silence. That was until they opened the doors to the cells. Deeper and deeper they went. Abby peeked in a room or two but never for long. She glaced at Aedric from time to time. Part of her wanted to say something but she stayed quiet.

The group finally came to another door and Spire opened it. Beyond the door lay something the likes of which she had never seen. Spire called the female creature the Red Beast. A very fitting name she thought as she stepped closer.

"So this is a fragment?" Abby asked as she stepped up close to the line making sure not to cross over it as she studied the creature.

Silas watched but barely reacted to the apperance of Hari and Ms. Fox, still pale from the unpleasant arrival of Spire. It took him a few moments to notice that Aedirc was speaking to him. Silas managed a small nod and a smile. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." Silas forced the color to return more than aware that his reaction was being noticed. He took a deep breath. Everything was going to be fine. He could handle Spire. When the time came he could handle him. After all Silas had the surprise advantage. He could catch the Hound off guard, he could kill him before the man even had a chance to strike back.He smiled at the thought of finally seeing Spire's crushed body, bloody, and broken. Finally an end to the nightmare.

As they walked among the cells Silas sported wided awestruck eyes. He couldn't believe his eyes. Fortune had smiled upon the fragment. His enemy had served as his guide, bringing Silas to the cells of his siblings. He was prepared to be patient. Prepared to wait for his oppritunity to find this place, and already in less than a few hours he was here.

No longer steeped in fear he wore a calmer form of cautiousness, though his stomach twisted and turned, an unease creeping up his back at seeing his brethren stuck in cages. He didn't let this unease take shelter on his face, instead he studied the fragments within the cells, seeing who he recognized, who would cause the most damage once freed. As he did so he began to imagine himself locked behind bars once more but quickly pushed the thought from his mind, not caring for the memories being brought to the surface.

He looked at the fragments within the cages. Many of them looked at his little group with ire that stung like acid at skin.
Many others just seemed to stare at the walls of their cells, dejectedly, and empty, all hope for freedom gone.I will not let this be me. Not again. Never again. Don't worry brothers and sisters. When the time is right. I will set you free, and the Hounds will die

As the technician opened the door Silas found himself wondering exactly which of his kin lay behind the door. It was a sturdy looking cell. Far more so than the ones they had passed beforehand. Whoever sat beyond it certainly seemed a higher priority. One the Hounds would least want escaping. Silas made a mental note of this cell for the future intending for this one to be one of the first gifted with freedom.

Upon entering the room the temperature immediate and almost violently changed, his brow began to sweat. Was it the heat or the creature that sat before him? Spire called her the Red Beast, an appropriate moniker if there ever was one, one that rang familiar bells. Silas never had the pleasure of meeting this one, but her name was spoken by the Hounds in hushed whispers. This one scared them and from what he's heard for good reason.. She stood kneeling like a dog, trapper with no hope of escaping. Her limbs were speared leaving her incapable of moving, the cursed things leaving hideous scars across her flesh. She was broken, chained, and yet somehow still radiated an aura of pure power, and strength. She was not afraid. You hate him too. Don't you sister? Don't worry. Just give me time, and I can give him to you

"So this is a fragment?" Abby's question broke Silas from his shifting plans. He looked at her than back towards red. He moved back a bit from the line but kept his eyes focused on Red.Looks like it, yeah. I've never seen one so close before. The Red Beast? I've actually heard of her I think. She's killed dozens of Hounds right?"

To the south...To the south east?....To the...The...How were the trainees doing? She wondered why she was walking to the south now. Why was that actually? Did she have something important to do? If she had something important to do surley she would not have forgotten. She must have been on a lovley stroll surley, with a nice sun and many new faces walking around it was definitely a lovely stroll.

Deciding it was best to go check up on the new people, she turned around and began to head north west. That's where that man told them to gather. She was curious to find out about the new Hounds that would join them now. She only spoke to them for a few merry minutes. They had the strangest questions. And they were strange people.

They would be good company she was sure of that. And perhaps she could lend some of her knowledge to them. Yeah, she was ready to meet them. After wandering around the town for a few minutes longer than needed to look at some interesting sights. Weeds growing on stone...such a sight indeed. It was interesting to see nature retake land. Even hard stone was no match for the growth of nature.

Oh yeah, the new recruits. She soon arrived at the entrance of the cells and wandered inside. There were faces she has never seen. Oh! She remembered one face! Not The Red Beast of course, some other Fragment. Yeah, their leader during that time messed up hard and got her team in very big trouble. It was a little bothersome, was she mad? Sad? Neutral? She was not sure what she felt during that time. All she knew was that he sucked as a leader during that time and a bit of people were killed.

New recruits, of course. Walking behind Silas, Karolin tapped him on the shoulder. "How goes the tour?" She asked unsure if she startled him or not.