Inside the Phoenix Brazier Hall where a great brazier burned at its heart, its steady orange flame throwing light across the high-arched ceiling and the carved stone walls. Heat and incense mingled in the air, and the space felt older than the guild itself.
Lily walked with firm steps, Samuel finally at her side. George strolled in behind, humming a half-tavern tune, while Margarette led with her neat ledger pressed against her chest.
Theron was already waiting, standing tall despite his age, though he leaned heavily on his walking stick as if it were the only thing keeping him upright. It was rare for him to leave his office these days. Margarette usually handled such ceremonies, but today he had come in person.
“Ah, here we are,” he grumbled, sounding both proud and exhausted. “Two Holloways, back under my roof. I’d say the Guild feels younger already, but my knees disagree after those blasted stairs. One of these days, I’ll have someone build me a lift and spare these poor bones the climb.”
George let out a wheezy chuckle. “Bah, your knees would still argue even with a feather mattress, old man.”
Theron shot him a glare and jabbed his walking stick in George’s direction. “Why don’t you come here and take half my suffering, then, instead of mocking me from afar?”
George lifted his cup in defense, unbothered. “Not a chance. I’ve claimed the finest wine I could find in the interview chamber, and I intend to enjoy it where I stand.”
Lily leaned closer to Samuel and whispered, “Are… are they always like this?”
Samuel’s mouth twitched with a small smile. “They may look like a guild of clowns, but trust me. I worked with them for decades. Beneath all that noise, they’re dependable and stronger than they seem.”
Lily glanced once more at the bickering men, doubt still flickering in her eyes until Margarette’s voice cut cleanly through the laughter.
She had taken her place beside the brazier, her expression maintained composed.
“Samuel Holloway. Lily Holloway,” Margarette said. “Do you swear to serve the people of Heliosa under the banner of the Sun Peninsula Guild? To carry out your contracts with honesty, courage, and discipline, and to keep faith with our guardian, Shaelira, the Sun Phoenix?”
Samuel gave a curt nod. “Aye. I swear it.”
Lily followed suit. “I swear it.”
Margarette professionally dipped her quill and recorded their names in the Guild’s ledger.
Theron lifted his staff against the stone. “Now, step forward. Touch the flame, and let Shaelira’s fire bless your vows.”
Samuel went first. The flame lifted as he approached like it was aware of him. It licked over his weathered hand, not with heat but with living warmth. He did not burn. He felt only calm.
Then, Lily’s turn. The brazier’s heat kissed her skin as she reached out. When her hand brushed the fire, it didn’t simply pass over her.
The flame surged.
The flame burned a constant orange at first, but then it flared into violet, sparks jumping upward with a dry crack. The warmth rushed around her palm, not gentle but fierce, before sinking into her skin and disappearing.
She gasped in surprise, backing a little. “Is it… supposed to do that?”
No one answered. From their expressions alone, Lily realized the flame had done something it was never meant to do.
Margarette spoke first, quick to fill the silence. "No, not usually... but perhaps the flame just liked your conviction."
George tried to clear his throat and cough out a laugh. "Aye. Nothing to fret about, lass. Shaelira probably just wanted to give you a louder welcome."
Theron's eyes stayed fixed on Lily a beat too long. "Don't worry about it, Lily. The fire tests every hand differently. What matters is you swore, and the flame answered."
Lily looked down at her hand, which was still tingling. "If you say so..."
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She didn't feel like a blessing. It felt as if the flame had looked inside her and found something it wanted. She drew in a slow, measured breath, forcing her hand to calm.
When she moved back beside Samuel, Theron’s smile returned, sly and proud. “Well then. Welcome home.”
George punched Samuel’s back so hard the old man nearly stumbled. “Ha! Just like old times, eh?”
Samuel grunted, arms folded, hiding his warm smile through his trimmed mustache.
Margarette beamed at Lily. “Congratulations.”
Just then, boots clicked against the stone. Darian entered. He stopped near the door, hands clasped behind his back.
“Guildmaster,” Darian chin dipping in a clipped nod. His gaze flicked past Lily and Margarette only for a second, never settling. “H-Heard the oaths. I-I’ll… see to her probation.”
“Always punctual, Darian? Even when you pretend you’re not.” Theron teased.
“Punctual, aye. But look at him, dodging the lass like she’s a pack of wolves!” George bellowed, slapping his knee.
Darian’s throat shifted as though choking down words, but he stayed silent.
Lily folded her arms, unimpressed. “If he’s going to command me, he could at least look me in the eye.”
“Give him time, Lily. Darian commands with silence and steel. Words aren’t his weapon, don’t expect many.” Theron defended.
The brazier cracked, sending sparks into the air.
And just like that, Lily Holloway was a sworn member of the Sun Peninsula Guild.
Even as the room moved on, Theron held on to the image of that violet fire and the way it had burned only for her.
They followed Margarette into the Guild’s stone corridors, while Theron remained behind, waving them on.
“Go on without me,” he said, settling back against his walking stick. “I’ve done enough walking for one ceremony.”
Margarette did not slow. She moved ahead with tidy grace, her light brown curls bobbing with each step as she glanced back at Lily.
“This way, Lily. Since you’re new, I’ll give you a proper tour. Most recruits just skim the rules, but I like to do things right.”
George trailed behind, already half-distracted by the tavern door at the end of the corridor. “Rules, pah! She’ll learn faster spilling drinks than reading ink.”
“Captain Servis,” Margarette said sweetly, though her eyes sharpened, “you haven’t read a rule in ten years. Sit quietly, or I’ll add extra reports to your pile.”
“Heard that, lass? Barely sworn in, and already you’re getting a better education than I ever did.”
Samuel grunted. “About time someone put you in your place.”
The young clerk led them into a long corridor lined with heavy doors. She gestured neatly as they walked. “Here’s the contract board. New missions are posted each morning patrols, escorts, hunts, investigations. Guild members take what suits their rank. Higher ranks get priority.” She glanced at Lily. “Since you’re on probation, your assignments will be approved by Captain Barnes. That means you’ll be working with his squad.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Then, they turned a corner into a wide training hall. Wooden dummies stood in rows, and the clang of steel echoed from one side where recruits sparred under an instructor’s watch.
Two boys wrestled near the edge of the mat, a mess of tangled limbs and laughter. Both had messy brown hair, freckled faces, and sun-browned skin. They were nearly the same height, lean, wiry, and restless.
Jaro, a minute older, had his brother on the ground with a whoop. "Ha! I told you, I'd win this time!"
Teren squirmed free with a quick spin and shot back, "You cheated, you dumbass!" He shoved Jaro, who shoved him back, and they were rolling again, a whirl of elbows and knees.
Margarette sighed. “And these are Jaro and Teren Malinor, our youngest recruits.”
“They’re trouble,” George said proudly, as if announcing his own sons. “Born trouble. Like cats in a grain sack.”
The boys froze in the middle of their fight, their heads at the same angle. They sniffed, then both leaned slightly toward Lily’s direction, their eyes giving her that odd, appraising look as if sensing some scent.
Lily took a step back, bewildered. "Uh… are they smelling me?”
Margarette groaned under her breath. “Yes. Don’t mind them. They do that with everyone new, it’s their way of sizing people up.”
George laughed so hard he nearly toppled off the bench. “Like a pair of hunting hounds, the both of them!”
“We’re not hounds!” Jaro yelped, springing to his feet, hair sticking in all directions. “We’re the best fighters in this guild!”
Teren dusted himself off. “Except when he loses. Which is often.”
“That’s a lie!” Jaro growled.
“Is not.”
Margarette pinched the bridge of her nose. “Boys…”
Lily couldn’t help but smile. Their energy reminded her of something she thought she’d lost long ago: innocence, warmth, and a life untouched by darkness.
A low chuckle rumbled from Samuel. “They’ll drive you mad before the week’s end.”
George roared as Jaro lunged for Teren again. “Or dead of laughter!”
Margarette clapped her hands commanding. “Enough! Both of you, save it for the practice yard.”
The twins froze, then gave twin grins and identical bows. “Yes, Miss Margarette.”
As they darted off toward the mats, Margarette sighed again and turned back to Lily. She shut her ledger with a neat snap.
“That completes your orientation. Tomorrow morning, Lily, you’ll report for your assessments: health, skills, and combat trials. After that, Captain Barnes will oversee your probation. Until then, rest. You’ll need it.” Margarette extended her hand to her new guildmate. “Welcome to the Guild. It was nice meeting you and I’m glad to see another woman join us. This place has been far too full of loud, muddy men.”
Lily took her hand in return. “I can imagine. You’ve probably fought harder battles keeping them in line than any monster out there.”
Margarette laughed, and Lily joined her.
“It was a pleasure meeting you too, Margarette. Thank you.”
They stood in the candlelit hall, surrounded by names of legends past and present. Gradually, Lily began to see her own future among them.
Her journey with the new guild was just beginning, and it would test her in ways she couldn’t yet imagine.
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