The Hunter’s Hold sat beside the sea. A large grey brick wall kept the winds of the coast at bay. The great waves washed up the cliffside beneath the keep in a great display of white and blue. Seventeen sat on a bench by the docks while Brom spoke with a police officer. They exchanged words, papers, and coins. The Hold looked old and out of place, a relic from an era long past. The world around her was that of steam and metal, but the Hunter’s Keep had a look of bone. A look that many, it seemed, disliked. Brom had told her about it on the way over to the docks.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡTys4W1amfU
“They don’t feel they need us anymore,” Brom said, taking a swig from his flask. “Not many things go bump in the night anymore, and the things that do are too scared of this modern age to crawl out from whatever hole they’re hiding in.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡpawMXhNut7
“But, you all still work?” Seventeen asked. The automobiles whizzed by with clunks and wheezes of black smoke. The factories pumped out steam, and electricity thrummed in the air. “People like the Cauled Man still exist?”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8QIiXddIW
“Wish it were as simple as that, lass,” Brom said as they rounded a street corner. The police wore green uniforms with silver buttons and trappings. The younger one frowned at Brom, the older one tipped his hat. “Time was we were the only thing keeping people alive. Now people don’t have enough courtesy to acknowledge what we did for generations.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBumGroQND
A large ship of gas bladders and propellers moved slowly over head. All the noise, all the sights, everything was becoming too much for the young girl. Seventeen began to shake, her fingers twitching. Brom sighed. “Be sure to breathe there, girl,” he said in a kind voice. “Focus on your breath, your heart, not the blimps or the cars or the people. Ground yourself for now.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdOhZMyMg2
Seventeen did as he said, and for a time it helped. Everything lessened, the harsh sunlight gave way to calm warmth, the sounds gave way to repeated patterns, and before she knew it, Seventeen was sitting on a bench at the docks looking up at the Hunter’s Hold.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8aKRtI5Gq
Brom walked over after finishing up with the police officer. “Now anyone besides me or Donic asks? Your name is Quinn,” Brom said. He handed her some papers, a likeness of herself on a small note, and some documents. “I had these written up by a friend so if anyone asks,” Brom pointed to the picture and the papers, “This is you.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A2wXIXlzL
“Why do I need these?” Seventeen asked. She held the forms in her hands and looked through them. She began to understand a bit better now. Identification, Medical Records, Birth Certificate, and Citizenship Papers. She was being given a past, a life to call her own. Quinn, she could work with this, she was Quinn now.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjZNBYzaLQ
“I’ll be sure to stick to it,” Quinn said. She smiled slightly. “Thanks, Brom.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZnqQR8Wx
“Don’t thank me yet,” Brom said with a frown. “You still have to deal with Cowl.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY8Cv5lsqU
“She can’t be that bad?” Quinn asked, standing up and straightening her jacket. “Can she?”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqeddPcN0X
Brom grimaced, a toothy half smile that showed little else but pity. “You’re in for a trip, girl,” he said, then gestured Quinn to follow him.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdDDB3uscq
The gates to the hold were a carved silver steel. Pictures of battles against beasts, abominations, and great construction projects could be seen as simple carvings. They looked ancient. A blue clad man stood at the gates, saluting Brom with a fist placed to the heart. “Captain Brom, good to see you sir,” the man said, a silver badge hung from his lapel depicting a wolf's head on a black field.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLo8nUdInE
Quinn surmised it was a badge of office, guards must have to indicate their allegiance to the Hunters.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB4RPiG16H
“This is Quinn...Cadwell,” Brom said, gesturing to Quinn. “She’s a Prospect, here to join the others.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKUBnvFSXR
The man looked over at Quinn, who stared at the ground with her fists in tight balls at her sides.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXCH50BjJY
“A bit young, don’t’cha think?” the guard said.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmA3dplUrr
“And talented,” Brom beamed, “Consider her my pupil, guardsman.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqcv1z0HrY
This elicited a response from the guard who starred a bit wide eyed at Quinn. Quinn was thin but athletic, with deep blue eyes and shaggy black hair. Nothing seemed to stand out to the guard about the girl, save that she could probably use a good meal and some sleep. copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKVbs1c4kV
“Strange days when you take on students,” the guard said suspiciously. “Though I suppose it’s not my place then?”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iiDlw3Hqv
The guard turned the cubic silver knobs of the door. Quinn could here gears shift, and tumblers slide as the door slowly opened without another sound. The hold was divided into five larger sections: a courtyard, a large central keep, a series of dormitories, a workshop, and a research building. There were already several people standing in the courtyard chatting. They all looked stronger than Quinn, older and better fed. There were two girls who looked similar, one blonde and the other grim. A younger man with dark green eyes. A man with dark skin and well kept clothes. A tall man with a mop of blonde hair. But there was one who stood out, a girl with strawberry blonde hair that tumbled down to her shoulders. She looked over in Quinn’s direction, and Quinn could feel...something rush over her. Heat and embarrassment, deep curiosity, and a flutter of anxiety in her head. Quinn’s eyes darted away, back to her feet. Brom chuckled, “Those are your fellow prospects, girl,” he said in a low tone. “Be sure to not let your temper get the best of you.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92VlyXVyEn
“Do...do I have to go over there?” Quinn said quietly. “I’d much rather have a needle in my arm again.” Quinn laughed nervously.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc7soAtAEO
“Go on, girl,” Brom sighed. He pinched his brow. “Put on a brave face then.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6OlskoaL
Quinn began to walk forward toward the small crowd. She put on her best attempt at a brave face, all the while her heart raced inside her. Why was this imposing? They were just people, right? So why did it hurt so much?copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNPElMAUq
“Who’s this then?” the boy with green eyes said. He sounded terse, if not annoyed. “Didn’t hear anything about last minute applicants.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsD4U2EoCj
“She was with the Captain,” the blonde girl said. “Must be important.” Her voice was melodic and round. She sounded like a bell.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡc90jYlMjKW
“I-I’m Quinn,” Quinn said. “I...I only just got here.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EgStVegv9
“Weird name for a girl,” the green eyed guy said with a shrug. “No skin off my nose. Names Van, Van O’Drolen.” Van walked over and shook Quinns hand vigorously. He gestured to the Blonde Girl who had spoken a moment ago. “That one with the scrutinizing an’ such is Ophelia, her younger sister there is Patricia.” The grim looking girl didn’t even look at Quinn, just stared into the middle distance. She looked tired, if not a bit bored.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBlxwncV0
“Names Wyman,” the dark skin guy said. After he shook Quinn’s hand, he wiped it off on a cloth from his pocket. He seemed a genuine sort, with a bright smile and warm hazel eyes.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8aws8RerC
“I’m Sam,” the tall guy said. He waved awkwardly from where he stood, then crossed his arms.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwgrpKmE1R
The girl with strawberry blonde hair smiled a bit. “I’m Bastine,” she said. But made no move toward Quinn. “Not much else to tell.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIkp4RWr4S
“Nice to meet you all,” Quinn said after a moment of silence. The air grew tense and awkward as the others seemed to expect something of Quinn.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz0C5sKXHc
“I...haven’t been here long,” Quinn said. Not exactly a lie, though not a full truth either.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡASIRk8CGMD
“Not from Gheriwck then?” Bastine said. One of her eyebrows raised.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAmSZqKWSO
“No, not from Gherwick,” Quinn repeated.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡOknOXthHrZ
“Then where are you from?” Van said. “I’m form Ditspar, obviously. Wyman is from Gherwick, Ophelia and Pat are from Fareun, Sam is Ilstinian, and Bastine?” He looked over at Bastine. “What about you, Bastine?”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1SCScLuSx
“Nowhere important,” Bastine said. “I traveled a lot.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r7uj7V33O
“Fair enough,” Wyman. “You ever come to Gherwick?”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS8fG6JYNb
Bastine thought for a moment. “A while ago, for a little while,” she said. She wore a smile but Quinn could see a hint of sadness in her eye. Bastine’s heart was racing, her blood was rising as if embarrassed. She was hiding something, but what Quinn couldn’t say.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHdPk525AV
“What about you Quinn?” Bastine said, taking notice of the new girls stare.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJmKdGS9KV
“Around,” Quinn said quickly. “About the same as you.” Quinn could feel her temper rise. Why was she getting frustrated? Why were her palms so sweaty. Her eyes shot behind her as footsteps approached. None of the others seemed to notice Donic appear amongst them save Quinn.copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCO6SvcBt0
“Good to see you all,” Donic said. He wore a patch over his missing eye and a long duster stitched together with white thread. The woman from back at the mansion was behind him. She had bleached blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail beneath her hat. What was her name again? Erin, was it?copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrI0h26j8G
“So many of you willing to join us,” Donic said grimly. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.” He smiled. “Welcome, Prospects.”copyright protection79ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMpBwDhpN1
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