It was over.
Lily’s muscles hurt, her throat was dry, but she had stood her ground. Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about the moment when Master Theron had shouted across the yard.
Enough!
His voice still rang in her ears. She sat near the long windows, the sunlight moving across the stone floor. She replayed the moment in her mind. The violet fire, the way her vision flickered red. Was she in trouble already? Would they send her away before she even started?
“Damn it,” she scolded herself.
It was in that restless silence that she felt someone staring at her.
Across the hall, half in shadow, a group of five men bunched together in a tight circle. They weren't speaking loudly, but their low murmurs and sideways glances were clear enough. One elbowed another, and another leaned on a pillar.
Then, their conversation died away and slowly all of their eyes settled on her.
Lily’s brows knit.
The moment she lifted her face to look at them, they shifted. Suddenly studied the masonry, coughed into their fists, or muttered at their boots. One smacked his companion on the shoulder as if they'd been joking all along, while another let out that short, high-pitched yapping, a chattering noise that might have been a laugh.
Lily’s patience was thin after the assessment. So she rose to her feet, meaning to march over and demand what they wanted.
The group startled like crows. Chairs scraped, boots shuffled, and in a tangle of motion, they hurried outside the door.
She stood watching the empty corner, annoyed. “What was that about?”
“Hmm?” Margarette appeared at her side, balancing a tray of parchment.
“Those men.” Lily jerked her chin toward the hall’s end. “Five of them. They were watching me.”
Margarette turned to see, but the spot was empty now. She frowned. “I saw no such thing. Likely just some of our more foolish members trying to catch a look at the new girl. Happens sometimes.”
“Yeah, right. Men are the same everywhere. I’ve traveled enough with my dad to know.”
Margarette arranged her papers. “Best to avoid them. New recruits draw eyes, but not always the right kind.”
Lily gave a dry shrug. “I know.”
When she turned toward the outer door, they were there again, peeking through like boys at a fair. The moment her eyes locked onto them, they flinched in a mess of limbs, one tripping over another’s boots. Then all at once, they bolted. Boots clattering down the corridor, laughter trailing behind them.
She exhaled, half exasperated, half amused. “Stupid fools.”
At last, the doors of the chamber opened. Master Theron entered, his walking stick tapping quietly on the stone beside him, the instructor at his side, both carrying scrolls sealed in wax.
“Lily, your assessment is complete. You have shown strength, skill, and discipline. But also…” his expression tightened, “…a fire that must be restrained. Power without control leads only to ruin. Do not let instinct rule you. Sharpen your mind, and let discipline guide your hand. Power is an edge, it can defend, or it can cut.”
The instructor unrolled the scroll. “Your trial period is set for six weeks. We’ll check your progress at the first and sixth weeks. It might last up to three months if needed. Rules: no jobs alone, no dangerous hunts. You will only work with a team.”
Theron pulled a small object from his cloak. Bronze shone in the light, the Sun Peninsula symbol stamped into the temporary badge for new recruits. He put it in her hand. “Starting tomorrow, you will be with Captain Barnes. But from now on, you are one of us.”
Lily fastened the badge to her chest. The bronze caught the glow of the setting sun, its weight pressing warm and real against her.
“It suits you.” Theron smiled at her. “Shaelira rises with those who rise with it. Wear it well, and in time you may earn its gold.” He paused briefly before continuing. “Do not give up, Lily. You are at the first step of a long road. Walk it with honor, and you will make your place among us.”
With a final nod, he turned away, leaving her.
As the sun slanted low, Lily stepped out into the amber light of Solmyra. Muscles still ached and her mind still reeled, but her path had been set.
Tomorrow, she would meet Darian.
She walked through the city with her thoughts heavy. Her fingers brushed the badge on her chest, still half-afraid it might be taken away.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Don’t blow it, she told herself. She had her chance now. To be accepted into the Guild meant more than survival. It meant she could finally plant roots here. After years of running, years of scraping through loss and hardship, this was her chance to begin again. To belong.
...
The streets were still busy as she passed by, but the noise was softer now, shops closing, birds settling into their nests.
When she went under the main archway to the market, a thought caught in her mind.
Apples.
Samuel had nearly finished the last one that Juliene had given her.
And honestly, she wanted to see Juliene again. Remembering his kind manner, even his awkward cute smile, made her feel warm inside.
She tied Merry securely to a strong post just outside the market entrance, giving the mare a pat. Then, trying to look casual even though she was nervous, she slipped into the busy but shrinking market. Hopefully, he hadn't closed yet. Navigating the narrow lanes, she slipped to the stalls which were already closed or half-packed, until at last she reached the very last corner.
There he was. Juliene's stall was still open, a small spot of light in the dimming market. He was carefully arranging a crate of deep red apples, polishing each one with a soft cloth before setting it out.
Why was he still putting them out when everyone else was packing up? she wondered.
"You're not closing yet?" Lily asked barely above a whisper, but it still cut through the hush.
Juliene visibly startled, dropping an apple with a soft thud. He spun around, his pale face flushing.
"Lily! You... you startled me! I didn't see you there." He quickly stooped to pick up the fallen apple. "Hi. How are you?"
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you. Just surprised to see you’re still out here.”
Juliene shrugged, a hint of fatigue in his shoulders. "I always stay late. Until sundown, sometimes even a bit after. If there’s still light, I might still sell something."
Lily frowned, a line deepening between her brows. "But it gets dangerous after dark. Out here, on the roads. What about stray wolves or even bears? You can't protect yourself." Her hunter's instincts rose, and worry surfacing within her.
He gave almost a sad chuckle. "I'm not afraid. I'm used to it. The nights are usually quiet around here. Besides," he pointed to the two full crates of apples near his feet, "Losing two orders like this… that’s a week’s meals gone."
Lily felt pity. Juliene’s openness made him seem vulnerable, and she suddenly found herself wanting to protect him. The irony made her smile. Just last night, apples had made her angry. She thought of a solution right away.
"Canceled orders? Well, that's just bad luck for them, good luck for me. I'll take them."
Juliene felt genuinely surprised. “Both crates? Lily, that’s—”
“I said I’ll take them,” she insisted. “Dad likes apples, and I can bake pies with the rest. It’s settled.”
He paused but then let out a small relieved laugh. “You’ve just saved me a week’s worry.” His icy blue eyes widened. “Wait… you bake? Pies? I always thought you were just… the sword-swinging type.”
Lily brushed a stray hair from her cheek. “It’s just a hobby, for when I’m not working. I’ll bake one for you too if you let me buy those apples.”
“Of course! Yes, absolutely!”
Renewed energy brightened Juliene. Before Lily could say anything else about delivery, he dashed behind his stall. He reappeared almost instantly, pulling out a sturdy wooden wheelbarrow. He quickly took the apples from the display, carefully placing them back into the two waiting crates.
"I'll deliver them to your home immediately! Just give me a few minutes to close up the stall."
Lily found herself helping him, lifting one of the heavy crates and carefully putting it into the wheelbarrow. Her strength made it easy for her, but she saw how hard it was for him. He quickly closed up his stall, tying down his canvas cover.
"Thank you, Lily," wiped a stray strand of dark hair from his forehead. "This is... truly one of my best sales today.”
"It's no problem. You know, my house is a bit far. It's outside the city, up on the opposite hill."
Juliene shook his head dismissively. "Oh, I don't mind! It's a nice walk. Besides, I always walk home anyway."
Lily reached for her coin pouch. "Here, let me pay you now, and I can just bring the barrow back tomorrow."
Juliene shook his head quickly. “Oh, no, no. Don’t worry about the distance. I’ll walk you home. It’s the least I can do after you saved my day.” His eyes were earnest, soft with gratitude.
A nervous excitement ran through her at the thought of him walking her home. She kept her face steady, but her lips betrayed her. “If you insist.”
She brought Merry from the post, tying the wheelbarrow’s handle to the horse’s harness easily. Years of carrying animals and supplies had made these actions feel natural to her. Soon, the barrow rolled smoothly behind them as they walked together.
As they walked, the sun dipped behind the hills, casting the sky in a gold and purple hue.
“You… joined the Guild?”
Lily was a little surprised. “How did you know?”
Juliene pointed to the badge on her chest. “I noticed the Sun Peninsula badge you’re carrying.”
“Oh, this?” she glanced down at it. “Aye. I had my health and skill assessment today. Breath drills, blade tests, all sorts of that. Tomorrow I might begin my probation work.”
Juliene sighed, a sad note as he spoke. “Wow. That’s… incredible, Lily. It’s really something. I always dreamed of joining, too. The pay is good, and the life seems exciting. But with my health… it was never really possible.”
He looked down, nudging at a stone with his boot. “My shop does fine most days. But when the harvest turns bad… or when orders get canceled, like today, I have to stretch every coin until the next season.”
He tugged his sleeve, thumb rubbing the worn seam as if the cloth itself held his worry. “See this? I’ve sewn the same shirt five times. It won’t last another winter.”
As they walked up the hill, he went on. “It’s fine when the baskets sell well. But if I get sick…” He stopped, then forced a short chuckle. “Let’s just say I can’t afford to miss work.” The sadness in his words was a quiet reminder of how close he was to losing everything.
Lily listened in silence. She knew that kind of fear barely getting by, never sure if tomorrow would be okay. And yet here he was, still working, and still kind.
“You know what? You don’t give yourself enough credit. Strength isn’t just about swords or fighting. Real strength is getting up each morning and facing the day, even when it’s hard. It’s choosing to stay kind, no matter how much the world tries to change you. That’s braver than any battle I’ve ever fought.”
Juliene stared at her, surprised. For a moment, he just lingered, as though no one had ever said such words to him before. Then a quick, almost shy smile flickered across his lips. There and gone, but his gaze stayed on her. “I… I never thought of it that way. Thank you, Lily. Truly.”
Lily returned his look with a warm expression.
She didn’t know it yet, but this small kindness would matter more than either of them could guess.
👀 What do you think about those men watching Lily back at the Guild?
