For as long as I can remember, we have been been at war. No, that's not true. There was a brief time when all came to existence. The others and I lived in peace. Even the Wolf stayed his distance. Peace faded away when Maleficent became tired of our ways. I believe she was jealous and lonely. After all, everyone came to see me and ask for advice. She is just as powerful as I and yet she remained alone in her dark castle. Whatever the case, Mal came with a force unlike any we had seen before. Where she found them, I may never fully understand. Creatures of dark magic. Soulless beings cast their shadows over the land and the Kingdom fell into fear and chaos.

That was a long time ago. We never managed to stop Mal and her forces. As time has gone on, my friends have grown old or died, but their legacies haven't. I've kept a close eye on their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Their bloodlines are special. They are talented fighters, skilled magicians, and some even have more...unique abilities. My research has also managed to find new bloodlines with desired qualities. You see, these are my soldiers. My only hope of ever bringing peace back to the world. My only hope to get my son back.

Most of them are young and brash, but they have loyalty. They know why it is that I send them into danger. They know that the evil in the shadows must be dealt with. With proper training and encouragement, they might just become the Hunters that I need them to be. With the love and support they receive, they might end up calling Kingdom Guild their home. I fear that something is coming. Something that they are not yet ready for. I only hope when the time comes, that we will all know what to do.

The Kingdom Guild, tactfully hidden away in the back rooms of the popular brothel, Beauty, houses a number of talented warriors. The brothel itself is not very high end, but is also no poor man's adventure. Beauty is more of a local attraction, bringing in men from Golden City and lonely travelers that pass through. Sometimes the customers catch sight of men and women dressed in strange attire and brandish weapons of all sorts walking around the brothel. The companions have been taught not to talk about it as most aren't skilled enough to come up with a convincing lie. Those that can make up stories about travelers, guards, or just future employees they're considering. The later often sparks curiosity and prompts more questions. If you can manage to get past Paul, the over-sized bouncer at the door, you find a whole nother world in the Guild Hall.

The atmosphere is similar to an inn and tavern, with a wide variety of individuals engaged in activities. The bar is always stocked and run by a burly man named Woody. Don't cause any problems in his tavern, if you know what's good for you. He keeps his ax sharpened and tucked away under the counter. The other notable piece in the main tavern is the Contract Board. Nobody really knows where most of the contracts come from. They just kind of appear when nobody is looking, but occasionally Snow or another member can be seen tacking one up. The later event involves contract with low pay, but are considered favors for the posting member. Of course, this is just the beginning of the Guild.

From their, multiple doors provide exits to different wings of the building that include individual rooms for the Hunters, training grounds capable of practice for a large assortment of skills, an extensive Guild Library managed by Belle, and of course a Supply Shop run by Rumple. It's said the little goblin can get you anything you need in the world. Careful, if it isn't currently in his shop, he tends to charge more than money for it. Some members would say that whatever you need can be found in Kingdom Guild, but if it can't then you'll have luck in Golden City.

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The door to the brothel bust open with a crack of lightning and thunder blasting from outside. The rain poured down and drenched the pale-skinned woman standing outside. Snow hated getting caught in heavy rain. She was drenched and probably looked a hot mess. She could feel her jet black hair matte down around her face and neck. That's what she gets for being the guild babysitter. They find a new recruit and Merlin volunteers her to go and grab them. The customers had been intrigued by the random burst of excitement, but the regulars knew to go back to their business when Snow entered and scoffed at them. The water dripped down onto the wooden floors and carpets as she marched into the center of lobby area and just stood there. She spun around to look at her charge. It actually brought a smile to her face.

The young woman's dark blonde hair was matted just like Snow's, the makeup ran down her face, but her skin seemed to just be glistening with the water droplets. She was the definition of hot mess, but Snow didn't much like snooty nobles. This girl was a bit of a brat and it made Snow rather happy to see her in such a state. She turned back around and spotted Lady Jane, the mistress of the brothel. She gave Snow a disgusted look. This was no regular brothel. The whores were not called such, but referred to as companions. Jane ran a different kind of business and she had her own form of class. Snow looked around and hollered.

"Red! Get out here and clean up this mess!" Her tone wasn't mean or angry. It was demanding. Snow carried authority in Kingdom Guild and sometimes she let that get to her head. The door behind the front desk started to open. Paul stepped aside, knocking over a lamp that had been resting on the end table next to him. A woman with blonde hair up in a ponytail. She walked out, the weight of her wing-hilted sword causing the sheathe to bounce around against her hip. She walked right up to stand next to Snow and frowned at the sight. "What is it, Ellie?"

"Just making sure you don't give my hunter too much trouble. That and I hate when you pick on Red." Ellie caught a glimpse of the pretty young maid entering the room. Snow found her about two years ago. Due to Red's unique conditions, only contained by the strong magic in a silver collar she wore, Snow always gave the poor girl a hard time. It didn't really matter how hard Little Red tried. Snow always saw the beast within people. "Jane has four other maids you can call on. Try bothering one of them next time."

Ellie ignored Snow's attempt at a rebuttal and stepped towards the drenched girl. "My name is Ellie, I'm sure you have a lot of questions. There will be plenty of time to answer them, but what do you say we go back and get you dried off? Oh, and Red when you finish out here, Merlin asked you to come back with me."

"What?!" Snow piped up. She looked over the maid and sighed. She couldn't believe they were really going to let her out on the field. It was like taking a rabid dog off the leash in a public park. "He can't actually be considering..."

"Just relaying the message. So, Red can come back with us when she's ready."

Red cleaned her hands in the bowl. The room she had just cleaned wasn’t the worst she had encountered here, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. Fortunately plenty of soap and water was always available. Just as she finished drying her hands, she heard her name being called from the main room.

"Red! Get out here and clean up this mess!" Ah, Mme Snow had returned. Hurrying out she took note of Mmes Snow and Ellie, as well as the new girl. Well dressed, and not at all pleased with her locale. Outwardly she ignored the three, gathering rags and a mop to clean the water tracked in. With half an ear she listened to the two argue over her. It was an old conversation, spoken many times with different words. She continued cleaning till she was addressed directly.

“Oh, and Red when you finish out here, Merlin asked you to come back with me."

"Oui, Madam." Red did not look up from her work but seemed to increase her pace, eager to move on. A smile appeared on her downturned face. At last, she would be allowed to contribute in a meaningful way. Absently she rubbed her neck against the silver collar hidden under the ruffles of her maid's outfit.

Moments later, the front door opened once more, and a maid moved in carrying a few bags under her arms, followed by the coachman with a begrudging look on his face as he pulled two heavy trunks in the door. "Aye, I'll be getting the last one, just a moment." he said, going back out into the wet to fetch her last bit of luggage.

Mademoiselle Eulalie Bellerose, formerly of La Havre, and heiress to the Comt & Comtesse de Canton, currently of La Havre, was seething. First, there was the weather. Well that couldn't be helped, but someone who knew their place would have waited out the storm at the port rather than dragging her into a sopping carriage with a flimsy roof that had bounced and buckled its way across the city leaving the warm, dry steamship behind. Damner cette pluie, et au diable cette femme! Merde tout cet endroit. C'est la maison d'un cochon... Eulalie stood cursing them silently. She forced herself to keep a straight face, but the urge to wrap the snooty Snow in brambles was there. Then there was the fact that she was sent to the damned colonies for one little mishap with said brambles on a rival... That cow deserved it... she thought.

In a prim French accent, she turned to the girl who introduced herself to her as Ellie. "Allo, thank you. I shall appreciate a hot bath later as well." Eulalie expected the girl already knew whom she was. Surely this was news to have a noblewoman in such a place, inherited nobility no less, none of those purchased titles. She could trace her lineage all the way back to La Belle au bois Dormant. She gave an order to Georgine, her maid, to follow to the room and direct the placement of her luggage into said room as well, then turned back to Ellie, looking expectantly at her as she was prepared to follow.

On the first floor of the brothel Devin leaned against the railings, clad only in his trousers. He was curious about the loud noise and talking going on the ground floor, which was unusual for the brothel. Peering down he saw a sodden Snow, dragging another woman into the place. Devin whistled softly as she walked through the doors. She was a gorgeous brunette, and despite her sorry state she looked absolutely radiant compared to Snow. The woman appeared far too classy to be another addition to the ranks of companions they had, so she had to Guild-related business.

"What's going on?" a woman's voice asked from behind. Devin half turned and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her towards the railings. She was a girl who didn't look a day older than twenty, and was in a further state of undress than Devin.

"Just some noisy people moving in. You wouldn't know who she is, would you?" Devin said, still focused on the commotion downstairs.

"Nope," she answered, tone disinterested. People went in and out all the time. She snaked an arm around Devin. "Let's go back in- I believe we were in the middle of something."

"Give me a moment, sweetie. I think this might be important," he said softly, patting her on the head. He then raised his voice and shouted towards Snow, "Hey Snow! Who's the new girl?"

Ellie dropped her jaw at the sight before her. She had expected the young Eulalie, but not the half a house she brought with her. She quickly gathered that the extra girl was some kind of servant. She glanced at Snow, who merely sighed and looked to the floor. Non-guild members were not allowed in the hall. Surely, Snow would have explained this to Eulalie, her companion couldn't come with her.

"Um...Eulalie, dear, our group is very exclusive. I don't have the heart to turn away your friend, but she'll will have to live and work here in the brothel, then. She is not allowed in the back rooms with us." Ellie frowned. She really didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. If it was her call, she would gladly welcome the young servant, but as it was there were rules to follow. Only guild members could be allowed access to the hall and Paul knew exactly who was a member and who was not. He'd keep the girl out, even if it meant he had to drag her back out into the rain.

"Well, I see you'll have your hands full. I have to talk to Belle about something. Good luck." Snow was so coy as she spoke. As much as she hated having to go out and collect the new recruits that Merlin found, she hated babysitting them even more. She was ecstatic when Merlin appointed Ellie as the official trainer. It meant Snow could focus on her guild duties and stop dragging snot-nosed brats through the mud. She laughed at how literal the statement was. They've dealt with nobility before, but this girl took the cake on prudish. Much longer in the carriage and Snow might have left her in the rain somewhere. She caught the manly voice from up top and turned to look up.

"For the love of...put some clothes on Devin and get down here! Seems like your training is finally paying off."

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. Red and Devin are to come back today. Well, I'm going to take our newest member to her room and you two can meet us in the tavern." Ellie smiled at Red and Devin. She loved getting to welcome members officially to the guild. Many of the higher ranking members believe that you aren't truly part of the Kingdom Guild until you strike out on your first hunt. She looked back at Eulalie. Usually new recruits had a few months to adjust, but Merlin insisted she get the girl out in the field ASAP. Proper introductions would have to wait. "Let's go see your room. You can leave the bags. I'll have Paul bring them back later. I'm sure Red or Snow can find accommodations for your friend."

"Oh yeah, because I got nothing better to do. Red can show the servant around." Snow marched back around the counter and disappeared into the Guild Hall. Ellie gave an awkward smile to all of them and led Eulalie back into the hall.

Amid the half clad women was a half clad young man she assumed to be a male prostitute. She'd heard of such things. How French of them. He was handsome enough, but Eulalie had no need of prostitué.

But she needed to return to the topic of her maid. Mon Dieu, must everything be explained to these Americans? Eulalie lifted her chin at the suggestion that her ladies' maid not be welcomed. She followed Ellie and attempted to explain.

"Her name is Georgine Bonhomme, and she is my lady's maid. I have in my possession a statement of her clean criminal record in France, and a letter of her good standing from mon pere, et she has her passeport. A lord does not travel without his valet, and a lady does not travel without her lady's maid. Surely you have maids, staff, non? Women who make beds and lay out clothes, non? Bien sûr, vous le faites. Washing, ironing, et, ah, the hair, she sets it up. All of that. She will work and live where your servants work and live, s'il vous plaît. She came all the way from La Havre with me, and she will continue to be in my services. En plus de, she is the only one I can trust should the family streak of narcolepsie affect my senses. So, she is not unlike a dog to see for the blind." She stopped in the hall, ready to refuse to go further, awaiting a response. "Surely you can arrange some form of... of a hall pass, for her to tend me as is her duties. You take this from her, you take away her livelihood and all she knows. This is her profession, and America is not her home. Certes, vous voyez?"

Red watched Snow then Ellie and the new one, Eulalie, disappear past Paul. Finishing with the puddle by the door, Red moved to the poor maid left behind. She could only guess what was going through her head.

“Vous êtes Français, non?" Red asked, hoping to find a native French speaker. The Lady had a better accent then she did, but she had only been a peasant after all.

«Yes,» The girl replied in the same language. «I am Georgine, attendant to Lady Bellerose.»

«I am called Red. Come, I will show you where you are staying.» Noticing her companions hesitation Red hastened to reassure her. «None here will harm you. Madame Jane does not allow her maids to be interfered with.» Red ushered her into the maid rooms and got some warm water for her to wash up in. With a brief explanation to the other maids, she rushed back out. The sooner she finished cleaning, the sooner she could go through the door. The sooner through the door... Another smile flittered over her face. Fortunately the luggage was already gone by the time she came back out. Cleaning the last of the water and mud, she set Paul’s lamp back upon the table. Everyone in the place ignored her, barring Paul. Maids weren’t worth their time. Finishing her duties she straightened her dress and stood before Paul expectantly. He looked her up and down for a moment, then nodded and stepped aside. Back straight, Red stepped forward and opened the door.

Devin's teeth flashed as he grinned at Snow's reaction. She didn't answer his question, but instead was told that a meeting with Merlin awaited. He let out a long whistle. Devin wasn't expecting a mission, although he supposed that one was long overdue. The hunter had already been languishing in the Guild for three weeks. In between the regular training sessions he had gotten to know much of the ladies in the brothel.

"Roger that, Snow," Devin said and saluted the woman. Kissing a disappointed Kassandra goodbye, he retrieved his clothes from the room and dressed. Merlin was located in the inner sanctum of the Guild, a place not privy to the eyes of the public. This was as secret as clubs could get, but it dealt not in entertaining rich guests or depraved pleasures. The Guild, as it was known, hunted things most people didn't even know existed. Monsters. Through a stroke of luck Devin had met an agent who was convinced of his abilities, and here he was, a ready volunteer in Merlin's army. He still wasn't sure if he was mad.

When the rest of the party saw him again, Devin was fully clothed, and leaning against the wall outside Merlin's room.

"Don't worry, dear. As I said, your friend will be welcome to stay here in the brothel. I will speak with Merlin about giving her access to the Guild Hall to assist you, but for now she must remain with the other maids. You have to understand, that's a first for us so I can't make any promises." Ellie tried to explain as clearly as she could. It wasn't rare for people to bring pets with them to the Guild, but a person was a completely different story. If she wasn't going to be useful in taking over Red's duties, Eliie wasn't even sure she'd be allowed to stay. Eulalie had to learn to count her blessings and be gracious. Ellie frowned at the thought of some of the more rugged members giving the poor girl a hard time for having a servant in the first place. Many members were underprivlaged or even orphaned before they came to the Guild.

"Here we are. This will be your room. I'm sorry, but we're a bit tight on space these days so you will be sharing Red's room." Ellie had led Eulalie to one of the rooms beyond the tavern. It was a quiet hall with numerous doors on each side. The dorms were most of the Guild slept. Those that could afford a place in the city often left the crowded area. Ellie pointed to the end of the hallway. "Beyond that door is the Guild Library. Belle manages it and can help you find anything you need. Trust me, she's read each of them at least a dozen times."

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"Devin, what are you doing! You're not supposed to be over here." Snow had rounded the corner. Her brow furrowed and she marched down the hall when she spotted the young man by Merlin's room. It wasn't necessarily off limits, but it was an unspoken rule not to disturb him. He never answered his door unless he summoned you. As his second in command, Snow was really the only on that had free access to the room. She walked up to the door and pulled a rusty old key from her pocket. She slid it into the keyhole as she looked up at Devin.

"Aren't you supposed to be meeting Ellie in the tavern? I swear, you keep acting all free-spirit and you'll get your team killed." She warned as she turned the key and opened the door. An odor of various chemicals and potions brewing flooded into the hallway. The crack that Snow had made showed stacks of books as tall as Devin. He could hear Merlin humming an odd tune and various animal calls.

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The tavern was alive at this time of the day. With the weather being rotten outside, most of the hunters were socializing or doing research. A few members stood at the Contract Board, taking a gander at the latest additions for their next hunt. Woody, a burly man with a big bushy red beard, stood behind the bar. He was busier than usual, but didn't move too fast in getting the pints of ale to the hunters. His sour face lifted slightly at the sight of Red.

"Little Red, over here! Every hunter gets a free ale on the honorable day they officially join the guild." He pulled out a clean mug and headed to the large barrels behind him. He filled the mug to the top and set it on the bar for her.

Eulalie regarded the room dubiously. It was small. The beds were small. The room was small. She wondered how she'd fit her trunks in there. Everything was so plain, so brown. American. Quaker. And she was expected to endure all these things without her maid, and have a room mate? C’est des conneries! She crossed her arms defensively. She heard Ellie saying something about a library and reading everything twice, good for her.

"C'est bien." she said, though her voice did not sound like all was fine. She started entertaining the idea of buying a house for herself to live in. She could afford it. She was quickly losing the desire for conversation. She sighed. Planning other arrangements would take time.

"If my trunks can be brought in, I can unpack." she said, resigning herself for the time being. She had no idea where the trunks would go while she unpacked, and after she did so where she would store them. There must be a cellar. With rats in it. She would have to lock them up. One could be kept at the foot of the bed, for more storage. Lockable storage. Red, she is the help. Mon Dieu... I am in hell. She resolved to write to her parents and strongly protest her banishment.

Sheepishly Devin sauntered away from Merlin's room after Snow's admonishment. He saluted the woman as he left, honestly puzzled as to why he had misheard Ellie's command. It wasn't his usual nature to make mistakes, especially one as large as this. Quickly he made his way across the Guild headquarters to the tavern.

Devin managed to find his way despite never having set foot in the establishment since his arrival. It was peculiar, but there was something in ale that just didn't sit well with his taste buds. He spotted a slight girl at the bar and joined her. Fleur was "Little Red", a fellow newbie hunter who hadn't been assigned their first mission yet. Devin supposed the meeting tonight was to cure that, and the lady that entered the building was an informant or client. He was eager for a mission- it has been long since his arrows have found their mark in some foul beast's heart.

"Hello, Fleur," Devin said, moving in close to her. She was a cute one, and Devin couldn't help but feel a certain protective instinct for her. That didn't mean that he didn't try to get into her pants, though.

"Seems like we're finally going on a hunt. Our first hunt, together. I think I'll enjoy working with you." Woody eyed him suspiciously, as he was an unfamiliar face.

Red was not having second thoughts. Second Thoughts had come and gone nearly two years ago as she crossed the Atlantic. Apprehension when she saw where she was expected to stay and work. Misgivings the first time someone showed her how to use a gardening tool as a weapon. Trepidation when she was taught to fire a pistol. Concern when she heard stories of the monsters the hunters had to fight. No, second thoughts had come and gone, leaving steely resolve in their place. She sipped her ale slowly, too polite to turn down the bitter drink.

It was ironic. In the brothel no one paid attention to her as a maid. She was unavailable and not worth their time. Here in the Guild no one paid attention because she was a raw recruit and not worth their time. She didn’t even have the advantage of being a fresh face like the Madame Bellerose. The people here had seen her before, either cleaning in the brothel or the guild hall or on occasion being allowed to train in the courtyard.

She stiffened slightly as a figure slid into the seat next to her.
"Hello, Fleur. Seems like we're finally going on a hunt. Our first hunt, together. I think I'll enjoy working with you." Devin. Red relaxed. Devin was a shameless flirt, but that didn’t mean as much after working around ‘ladies of negotiable virtue’ for two years. Plus he didn’t know.
“Bonjour, M. Devin,” she replied softly. “I ‘ope we will ‘ave many successful ‘unts togezer.”

A great, raucous laughter filled the brothel as Jack, Harry and Rebecca entered the den of debauchery together.

“Oh! And dear god, did you see his face?! He was all ‘Where’d all th’ cash go?’ While you’re running down the street with what musta been about a dozen sacks of cash and coin! I tell you Harry, if I didn't know you so well I’d say you were a master thief!” Jack burst out in laughter as he paraded his group of friends to the entrance to the Guild Hall.

“Evnin’ Paul, how about we catch a drink sometime, ‘ey old chum?” Jack spoke as he brushed off his drenched shoulders and shook his wet, shaggy hair. It was a great night, he was already drunk, alongside of his friends and he still had a fresh palm print across his cheek from his night of trying to snag a pretty girl into his bed for the night. “Ah, what’s the point, you never move too far from this door anyhow. You just be a good guard dog and watch for any miscreants, other than myself of course.” He loved to joke with Paul, loved to see how far he could push the man. Jack wondered how he’d fair in a bout of fisticuffs with the old brute, but then he remembered the last guy who tried and quickly straightened up.

“Well that’s enough of that, any word that I’ll be getting past you? Or does Snow still have that stick up her ass about me? Lovely gal, she… I’d love to get her between my sheets if you know what I mean. Don’t ya Paul? She’s a right beauty she is, and boy the things I’d do to her if I could just- Ahem… I got to be a professional, see; I’m part of this here esthabilshment and… oh my, Harry! Catch!” He shouted as he collapsed backwards into Harry’s waiting arms, laughing in his drunken stupor.

“Sorry for that Paul, Jack had a might have had too much of the whiskey tonight and may have had his block knocked off by a proper lady. Can we uh, get him to his room now? Becky, grab his damn legs already, he’s too heavy for me to drag around, the ass can’t seem to keep settled for one night after a successful ‘job’. I swear it’s like he thinks he’s some sort of genius.” Harry spoke as Rebecca moved around Harry to grab Jack’s legs.

“Yea, see, this is about where I want to see you, Becky. Right there. Right in between me… oh no…oh no… Oh!” Jack sputtered as he shook his head. “Alright that’s enough, the room is spinning and I’d like to get off. Harry! Rebecky! To my room! HYAH!” He shouted with a drunken laugh as Rebecca shook her head at his comments.

A few forgotten moments passed and Jack found himself still not in his room, still dressed and still with a terrible spinning headache. “God damn, I told you to my room. You dunderheads!” He shouted as the commotion within the brothel got louder as more patrons were coming in from the rain. “Ah, hell with it, I’ll just sleep here until Snow or Elle wake me, maybe they’ll send me on a real job instead of one I make up for a quick buck.” Jack mumbled then closed his eyes, not drifting into slumber, but more into a state of not giving a flying shit about the rest of the room unless someone called his name.

It wasn’t peaceful, but it sure beat the room spinning in circles while his head was pounding and his cheek still tingly with the stinging sensation of the slap he had received from a beautiful British lass he had met earlier that night. Recounting the events of that encounter, he chuckled and smiled to himself. “She’da been a right naughty little girl in my bed if I just got her there.” He laughed then raised his hand up. “Harry, one of these days I’m gonna score me a great woman, and damn me if it happens to be Rebecca. She is quite a wonderful woman you know… I just aint got the courage to tell her… ya’know?” Jack spoke then had a gentle hiccup. “She’s right here still isn’t she?” He spoke when he noticed that he didn't hear Harry’s voice, until just after his question.

“Ya, she sure is Jack. But it’s okay, I don’t think she heard you.” Harry said with a wink to Rebecca, this was a common occurrence whenever Jack got drunk. He’d say something he’d likely regret later, but not remember he’d said it at all.

"Paul will bring them up later, but we have to get downstairs. I'm afraid you'll have to air dry until then." Ellie smiled at the poor girl. Surely, she wasn't used to this kind of treatment. Neither was Ellie when she first started, but it was the way of their life. You could spend weeks out in the field and it conditions get even worse. Best she caught on now that her life of luxary was up. They were here to make the world a better place. Not to be pampered. Ellie shut the door and put an arm on Eulalie's shoulder.

"It's not so bad when you get used to it. You'll come to love this place. I promise." She tried to be as reassuring as possible. If the young girl was anything like Ellie when she first showed up, then nothing could be said to make her feel better. She just needed time. Another brief smile and she started to lead Eulalie back to the tavern.

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Paul stood quiet as he was bombarded by Jack's jokes. His body was still, but his mind was quite active. He let a smile slip on his face as he imagined the thrashing he wanted to give the arrogant prick. The boy wasn't even a proper hunter, and yet he strutted around like owned the damn place. If he had met the boy years ago, then he would have taught him a thing or two. However, he was too old. Paul was still a member of the guild, but age was catching up to him and he wasn't as agile in the field as he needed to be. Two years ago, a very pissed off vampire had captured and tortured him. He had witty remarks like young Jack. He had his tongue cut out for it. After that, the hulking giant officially retired and took up post as a Guild Guardian, one of the few that always remain behind to protect the Hall.

"You three are at it again, huh? You fools will never learn." Paul looked up at the approaching man. He wasn't as big as Paul, but still large compared to most men. He had an excessive amount of hair on his face and body. It was easily noticeable since the man never wore a shirt. They guild members called him Beast, thanks to his unique abilities. He was one of Paul's friends from his hunting days. Paul stepped aside and opened the door while Beast stepped partially into the Guild Hall. A few curious eyes from the tavern turned to look.

"Stand back." They had to be quick, lest wandering eyes in the brothel notice. Beast bent over and grabbed Jack's leg. In the next instant, Beast's muscles doubled in size and his hair engulfed his body. If you had blinked, there would be a silverback gorilla standing where Beast once had been. The ape pulled on Jack's leg and used the momentum to swing him up and onto his shoulder. Paul slammed the door shut. The gorilla snorted and started marching the intoxicated fool to his room.

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"One day, Beast is going to break that idiot's neck." Woody grunted at the sight. He hadn't moved very far away from the fresh young faces that joined him at the bar. It was mostly because of the Devin boy. He hadn't been beyond the brothel much, but word travels fast. Drunk hunters often say more than they should. Woody had heard plenty about the attitude the boy carried with the women. For some reason, Woody had a soft spot for Red. He'd be damned if he let an idiot like Devin take advantage of her.

"Oh! Beast, put him down. I need him, too." Ellie had appeared with Eulalie from the dorm hall. She caught sight of the gorilla carrying the familiar frizzy hair. Merlin gave her a longer list than usual of trainees. She was having a hard time remembering everyone. She quickly crossed over. She punched Beast in the arm as he prepared to toss Jack up and let him fall to the floor. The ape grunted and pulled out a chair. He rather aggressively planted the inebriate into the chair before disappearing into the courtyard.

"I told you. You have your hands full." Snow was descending the staircase in the corner of the tavern. She carried a few items in her arms. The largest and most obvious items was some red fabric and a quiver of arrows. "Red, Devin, come join us." Ellie pulled out a seat for Eulalie and sat down at the table with Jack. Snow joined them and laid the items out on the table. The fabric was some kind of cloak. There was the quiver of arrows and a small, odd looking book next to it. Finally, a rifle scope. The rest of the hunters in the tavern stood up and gathered around the table with curiosity. It was a big deal when guild members officially joined the hunter ranks. Once the new recruits sat at the table, Snow pushed the items towards them. The cloak to Red, the quiver to Devin, the book to Eulalie, and the scope to Jack.

“Thanks ape!” Jack spoke just before Beast left earshot, the ride nearly made him sick, but at least he was in the guild hall, and his hazy eyes allowed to be opened once he heard Elle’s calming voice then the stern and unforgiving voice that was the ‘ice queen’ Snow. She wasn’t really the ice queen, but she certainly did make him but a block of ice on his package one time due to how hard she had kicked him for his comments. “Oh, you shouldn’t have, I man seriously… You shouldn’t have Snow. You know about me and you know I hate this magic crap. Please tell me this scope isn’t enchanted so that I could see a freckle on the ass of a rat a mile away. I could do without seeing that and I could really do without Merlin’s garbage. I don’t need this magic to do my job.” Jack spoke defiantly when he looked at the scope and huffed at the seemingly regular items the rest of the party got, but Jack knew better. He knew each and every one of those items was magical and had some special property to them… Wouldn’t be Merlin’s little guild without it.

“So… You dragged me in here to give me a ‘gift’ I didn’t want, now I suppose you’re going to tell me I can’t work with Beck and Harry anymore and tell me this is my new crew and I have to deal with it? Huh? That about right? Miss Tightass over there with her little white dress all wet and soiled from the rain and this… this brute, Devin, beside me being the big, macho jackass that he is. The only one here that I actually give a shit about is well, Little Red here, and Elle… course I could care more about this pretty looking princess beside you Elle. Introduce me, give me a chance to woo you miss, and I’ll show you what a real American Man can do for you.” Jack said with a wink, still slightly slurring his words and swaying in his chair while he examined the scope. He was fairly good at judging when bad news was coming, and not working with Harry anymore was the worst he could think of at the time. Of course it’d be worse if Becky had heard his comment from earlier. The thought that she did made his cheeks suddenly flush red, he had feelings for his former coworker, but he was too proud to get rid of his philanthropist attitude to admit it to her or himself. “Well… out with it.”

Eulalie followed Ellie into the tavern with a stiff jaw and eyes hard with frustration. All she wanted was a bath, her things to be in her room so she could change, and her maid to aid her in the endeavor. She watched the 'Beast' person, if he was one, plop a drunkard into a seat, and was more than a little wary of taking the seat next to him that Ellie offered her. The drunkard was an awfully loud man and he stank to high heaven, mostly of alcohol. She resolved to sit, as she felt she really had no choice at the moment. When Ellie slid the little jeweled book her way, she hardly had a moment to look the gift over before he started yammering again.

"-give me a chance to woo you miss, and I’ll show you what a real American Man can do for you.”

Eulalie snapped to attention, her brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Ma chère cochon, je couperai les couilles." she said as sweetly as she could muster. She even batted her lashes lightly before turning her attention back to Ellie and the little book. He'd have no idea what she said, but anyone who spoke French would know the man risked being neutered.

At first she thought it was a Book of Hours, and wondered why she would be handed a prayer book of all things. It was the right size, fitting in her palm, with gilded pages and little gems set in the leather binding. Then she read the title. "Le Grimoire de la Belle au bois Dormant... but, this was lost!" she said, looking up at Ellie suspiciously. "Where did you get it?"

Ellie did all she could to ignore the drunk. Jack wasn't really that bad of a person, but what little filter he had disappeared when he drank. Nobody really blamed him, it was the way alcohol worked. He just let it get the best of him too often. Snow on the other hand let her smile grow wider and wider as he rambled on. She knew this wasn't how he planned on becoming a hunter and it was making her night. Jack was the kind of arrogant kid to make a gal want to stay single the rest of her life. She was more than happy to deliver the bad news.

"Jack, reel it in. You're embarrassing yourself. We told you from the beginning that you may not get to work with Harry and Becky. This is your team. Your family, and we protect our brothers and sisters here." Ellie looked down and pondered Eulalie's question. She didn't know the book had been lost. Frankly, she didn't know what made the book special, but Merlin was the one that had it.

"Merlin has his ways, my dear. I'm sure he came across it and was saving it just for you."

Red sat cautiously at the table with the others, taking care to keep Devin between herself and Jack. Listening to the man’s drunken rant made her cringe. When Snow slid the cloak to her she was confused. Were they so enamored of their pseudonym that they would give her a cloak to make it even more appropriate? She cringed again as Jack’s coarse tongue got him threatened with castration.

Picking up the cloak she examined it, partially out of curiosity, and partially to ignore the rest of the table. It was a half-cape and hood, made of some thick material, perhaps leather. The whole thing was dyed a dull red, or perhaps had merely faded to its current coloration. A gesture from Ellie encouraged her to try it on, so she swung it around her shoulders cautiously. It fit well enough, but seemed rather underwhelming considering the way she was being watched. Tying it in position she looked to Ellie for further instruction. Red stiffened as Ellie gestured at her neck.

Slowly, hesitantly, she reached under the ruffles of her dress and undid the clasps on the collar. She had worn it for two years without fail. The only exception had been six months after she had arrived and had nearly ended in three deaths, one of them being hers. But here in the center of the Guild was probably the safest place imaginable. As it came away she felt a rush of energy.

“Mon Dieu!” she gasped. Her mind registered Mme. Snow watching her with narrowed eyes and one hand on her hilt, but it didn’t matter. She felt great, alive. Red had forgotten how tired the collar had made her when she first donned it, and had no memory of the other time taking it off beyond undoing the clasps. Tossing the engraved silver collar onto the table she stood up and spun around, laughing like the teenage girl she was for the first time since her parents died. Stopping as she realized all the eyes on her, Red retook her seat. Eyes once more cast down and a rosy blush upon her cheeks, but still a smile upon her lips. “Merci,” she whispered. “Pardonnez-moi.”

Devin's grinned stretched even wider after Red's reply. The greatest benefit of coming to the Guild was the sheer variety of girls that graced the place. Red's accent was just so charming. Any further attempts to converse were cut short by a series of events. A great big ape lumbered towards them, carrying the struggling form of a man over its back. Ellie appeared shortly, and commanded it to put the man down. The ape abided and planted him on a chair, who turned out to be Jack. He drew back to avoid his breath. Devin had nothing against the man but he was utterly intolerable when drunk.

Ellie led them to a table where Snow, who had joined them as well, laid out several items. Devin's eyes immediately darted to the quiver of arrows. He wasn't surprised when it was pushed towards him. Each of them were receiving some equipment to aid them in the upcoming equipment. Devin snatched it up and pulled one of the arrows out. It was beautifully crafted, better than anything he had ever made, and was tipped with a razor sharp arrowhead that gleamed brightly. Devin tested the edge with his finger and examined it closely. Realization dawned on him.

"Silver arrows… I've never been able to afford more than a couple of them. Always kept them for the worst. This will be very useful," Devin muttered. Beside him Jack continued his drunken drawl. Devin ignored the man and leaned in closer to the girls. Eulalie, the woman he saw enter the brothel was here, and it didn't look like she was just an informant. Snow had given her an item too, which meant that she was a recruit. The woman was speaking French, that much he could figure out.

"Hello, I don't believe we've met. Name's Devin, and it's a pleasure to meet you, miss," Devin said, trying to sound as friendly as possible. Never would he pass up an opportunity to get to know a woman better.

Snow stood proudly over her new recruits. For all the cold-heartedness she radiated, Snow really did care about the guild members. She knew that each kid she dragged in here kicking and screaming was a new family member to watch her back. This was the safest place in the world and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Well, that settles it then. You are all officially hunters, and with that comes your official guild names. I think yours has all ready been assigned and is suiting, Red." Snow gave a curt nod to the cloaked girl. Her brief stint of euphoria actually brought a smile to the ice queen's face. Red had been weighed so heavily since she arrived, it was reassuring to see there was still a girl there. Some of the members that stood behind Red patted the girl on the back. "Eulalie, I had a chance to look at the book of yours and I think Briar Rose, or Rose for short is appropriate. Devin, you have natural talent with the traditional tools of the hunter ancestors. I think Huntsman is rather suiting."

"Finally..." Snow paused with a heavy sigh before continuing. Some of the other members took the chance to pat Eulalie and Devin on the back. These were new recruits, but they'd be welcomed in with open arms. "Jack, you were difficult. You have a uncanny arrogance that is at constant odds with a wandering and curious spirit. Ellie came up with Sawyer, so we're going with that. Congratulations to you all."

Snow let the excitement seep in for a moment as the other hunters swarmed the table to congratulate the newest members. Drinks were offered, hands were shaken, and a heart-warming song even broke out. It was some old tune that Woody knew about a famous hunt against a legendary vampire. Ellie fanned out her arms and shushed the group. It took a few minutes, but eventually all fell silent and returned to their spots to continue their own affairs.

"Unfortunately, we can't really celebrate. Merlin gave me a contract for you and requested we go immediately. So, head to your rooms and get ready, we leave as soon as possible." Ellie folded the piece of paper and put it in her pocket. Paul was crossing the room with the majority of Eulalie's luggage balanced carefully in his arms. "Eul--sorry, Rose. You can follow Paul and get something clean on."