"Wake up, you lazy dog!" The insult came from someone out of Lyra's closed eyes. "Noooooooo," Lyra moaned, hugging her pillow. "Too early."

Lyra would immediately regret saying so, as cold water was dumped directly on top of her. The water slapped against her skin. The cold felt like needles piercing her skin. Lyra sat up, coughing and spitting out water. She gasped, her wet ebony hair falling onto her face.

Fox dropped the bucket onto the floor, looking quite amused. Lyra felt the water pooling onto her bed. "A simple 'wake up!' would've sufficed." She spat. Fox's mouth quirked upwards. "It would've, but dumping water on you seemed much more fun. Get up. General Brooks would like to see some of your abilities." "Why?" "I dunno. Classified. Now hurry up and get dressed. You're going to be late."

Fox turned on her heel and exited the room. Lyra muttered under her breath something about stupid foxes Lyra quickly changed into some trousers and a white tunic, and grabbed her violin. She put her black hair in a braid to ring it out.

Turning to Lilia's office, she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned, and in her surprise, punched the man in the arm. Caspar didn't even flinch. Lyra cursed, nearly dropping her violin, her hand twitching.

"Ow! Why are you so muscular?" "Wrong way, lass. Lilia's in the training room." "How do you know about that?" "She's lookin' at everybody's abilities. I heard she's putting together a team." "To do what?" "I dunno. Training room's that way." Caspar didn't even bother to greet her. Lyra thanked him, and quickly headed down the hallway.

The confusing halls twisted and turned, and eventually, Lyra came upon a door. Praying that it was the training room, she opened the door. She barely had time to duck as a burst of music came, and a dagger imbedded in the wall behind her.

The attacked came from a girl with copper brown hair, and sharp features. A small scar ran down from her eye to the corner of her mouth, and her face was beaded in sweat. Lilia Brooks sat behind her, and clapped. "Well. I'm impressed. Good job." The girl nodded, dipping her head. "Thank you, general." She had a long southern drawl. She was definitely in one of the warmer districts. A clarinet was tucked into her hands, and a dagger sat in the other. Her pants were three sizes too big for her, and it seemed odd.

The girl looked at Lyra, raising an eyebrow, and then roughly turned and slammed the door shut behind her. Lilia Brooks looked at Lyra. "Come in. You're late." "Apologies, um, general."

Lyra brushed a wet bit of hair from her face. Lilia scrunched her eyebrows. "Fox?" "How did you know?" "She was rather infamous for that." Lyra chuckled. "So, from what I heard, you can heal, and war play?" "Yes ma'am."

Lyra analyzed the training area. It was large and dome shaped, with a straw dummies lying all over. The dirt floor was covered with scuff marks from previous battles. "Alright, Lyra. Choose a dummy, and impress me." Lilia waved a hand.

Lyra went forward, feeling quite awkward. What to play? She put the bow to the strings, and played a soft melody. It didn't do much. The music waves made a bit of straw blow around. She heard a grunt from Lilia. Do better.

She ripped a chord, making the whole violin vibrate. The music waves smashed against the dummy, making it explode in a huge poof of straw and clothes. The dust kicked up. Lyra coughed, a bits of hay falling onto her hair.

She turned, Lilia sat with large eyes. "Um," Lyra brushed a bit of hay off her shoulder. "Probably shouldn't have been so enthusiastic." Lilia nodded. "No, no, you did well. I'll consider you for the team." Lyra tilted her head. "What's this team for, general?"

She regarded Lyra with her cold eyes. "I have a plan. To really spark the rebellion. But I need a team of at least ten warriors for my plan. I'm looking at everybody's abilities. Thank you, Lyra Grey. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lyra felt a lump in her throat. "Yes, general." She turned on her heel and left the training room. Lyra shook her head, and bits of hay fell from her hair as she walked down the hallway.