Arabelle delicately held the teacup in her hand. It was still hot, and the warmth was comforting to her as she sipped on it. The taste and smell was foreign, but not unpleasant. Anything was better than the meager food she ate at home, and since she’d arrived in Alestead she’d been eating like a queen.

Home. That damn farm and house was no longer her home. Her brother was her home, and he was here now. This was her new home.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax into Wyn’s couch. His apartment wasn’t too big, but it was far nicer than what she was used to. When he told her the price she nearly spat out her drink, and she actually did when he told her how many crowns he was making per day now. He didn’t mention how much money he was making in his letters, only that he had a plan to pay back the debt. Now she understood he was serious.

That information was another point to her becoming a Climber. Not that she had to tell Wyn about it, yet. The gods only know how he was going to take it.

Her brother came out of his bedroom wearing a set of clothes that looked clean. And expensive. Something like what Roscoe would wear, if not a bit more subtle. Still, it was a good look. His tunic and pants matched, and they looked comfortable.

“How much did that set you back?” Arabelle asked.

Wyn chuckled as he poured himself a cup of tea. “About thirty crowns. But that covered two sets of them and new boots, too.”

Arabelle couldn’t believe it. Thirty crowns for clothes. It wasn’t that long ago when she was scrounging whatever coins she could just to escape her hell hole of a life, and her goal was half that sum.

“I could easily get you some if you want,” Wyn continued. “Tasha already offered to take you shopping and pay for you but I won’t let her do that. I can afford that much, at least.”

“She also said I could stay at her apartment. Apparently it’s twice the size of here? How did she pull that off?”

Wyn held his tea while it cooled, slowly smelling the fragrant leaves. “Her name is Tasha St. Clair. She’s a noble.”

Arabelle paused right before her cup was to her lips. “A noble? As a Climber?”

“Yea. Didn’t I tell you that in my letters?”

Arabelle shook her head no.

“Huh. Well, it’s not my story to tell, but she wanted to escape her family’s expectations and live her own life. So she came here.”

“I understand that. Though I think our backgrounds are… a little different.”

Wyn laughed causing Arabelle to smile. She hardly ever heard him laugh. It was nice to see him comfortable and not stressed.

“So what did you think of the trials?” Wyn asked. “I know it was a lot, but hopefully it was entertaining, at least.”

“That’s one way to put it. So you can just… do magic? Just like that?” She snapped her fingers for emphasis.

Wyn pulled up his sleeve and showed her his Ruby Magician mark. “With this, yea. I have access to some skills and spells and have mana to use them. It’s a bit more complicated but not nearly as complicated as magic outside the city.”

“Roscoe mentioned something about that. That the tower’s magic fades the longer and farther it is from the tower and city, which is why all of the gear that leaves here doesn’t last too long and isn’t as powerful.”

“That’s a good thing. There’s so much of it around here, it would completely change the world. You have no idea.”

Not yet, Arabelle thought. “I’m sure. But you and your friends were really impressive. It was all impressive, to be honest. And I can see why you appreciate them so much. You work well together.”

“We do. I’m very fortunate to have them.”

Arabelle took a slow sip of her tea and Wyn did as well.

Arabelle started to ask about the food in the city but stopped herself. That would be a stupid question. Wyn apparently had some reservations himself, as he kept fidgeting in his chair.

Why was this so awkward? They were siblings. And the only family that each of them cared about. Had life for them really changed that much?

“So what do you -”

“How do you -”

They both paused, waiting for the other to speak.

Wyn sighed. “Should I go get a piece of paper so we can actually communicate?”

Arabelle spat out her tea at that. She cursed from burning her lip, but it only made Wyn laugh.

“It’s not funny!” Arabelle said.

Wyn laughed harder.

The conversation eased after that. They felt more comfortable with each other, more relaxed and less formal. Despite desperately wanting to reunite they hadn’t spent much time together in years. Wyn went to war quite some time ago, and only days after he returned he set off for Alestead. They communicated more in letters than in person. They were both different people, now.

But that was alright. They could learn about each other in time.

“When are the others coming?” Arabelle asked.

Wyn looked out the window. It was dark out, and the moon and stars were shining brightly in the sky. “Should be any time. Thanks for staying, though. I really have missed you.”

Arabelle softly smiled. “I missed you, too. Though you know it wasn’t easy being there alone. With him.”

“I know.”

Arabelle took another sip of her tea. “And not just when you came here, too. While you were at war. He wasn’t as bad, then, but I could tell he was getting worse. Not that your time was any better. I know that.”

Wyn sat down his teacup and ran his hands through his hair. “Still, I shouldn’t have left so suddenly when I came home. I’m so sorry. I left without talking to you, I… I didn’t even discuss it with you. And you’re more family than that bastard ever was.”

Arabelle didn’t know what to say. He was right, and she was still upset about him leaving. She never felt as though she had much say in anything. Not until she decided to leave, which was both exhilarating and frightening.

But it was still a decision she made.

“What I mean to say is that it won’t happen again,” Wyn continued. “Now that we’re together, we need to be honest. Open. Anything you want to ask, ask.”

Arabelle didn’t have to think too hard. “What did you and father talk about that made you leave so suddenly? Was it only the debt? I know he messed up a lot, and I’m sure it’s no small amount since you left so fast and are working so hard to pay it back. But was that really it?”

Wyn paused before answering. Arabelle could sense his hesitation. “He wrote me while I was away about our debt, but it was manageable then. Some gambling losses here and there, nothing too life altering. But right before I came home, he told me we were in much more trouble than before. So I rushed back and he told me the amount had more than tripled.”

Arabelle’s eyes widened. “Tripled? How?”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Well, you know him. He made one bad decision after another. Some bad deals for the farm didn’t go his way and he kept drinking whatever sense he had left. But it was a lot, Arabelle. 75,000 crowns.”

“75… 75,000. Gods. It’ll take years to pay that back!”

Wyn chirped a laugh. “They gave me until the end of the year. So no, I only have four months left.”

“We have four months left.” Arabelle put her hand on Wyn’s arm. “You’re not alone in this. Not anymore.”

Wyn patted her hand. “You’re right. We have four months left. But with how successful I’ve been climbing it’s actually feasible, believe it or not. And now that our father is dead, he can’t make it any worse.”

Arabelle sat back into the couch and hugged herself. “I don’t want you to have to shoulder that burden, though. Not alone. Surely I can help?”

“You can! Find work that’s tolerable, even if it’s not with Benedict. Though I do really like him. Learn, grow, figure yourself out. You’re not under his thumb anymore. You’re safe. Live your life.”

Wyn was right. And Arabelle did want to do exactly that, but it was likely not how Wyn expected it.

“You’re right. I’ve been thinking -”

A knock at the door interrupted her. Wyn smiled at her and sat his teacup down. He then walked over and opened it, and his friends and group were standing in the hallway. They were all holding up folded pieces of paper. One of them - Marcy, Arabelle remembered - held out a sealed envelope to Wyn.

“This was outside your door,” Marcy said. “Looks like it’s time we discussed our next move.”

*****

Ardwyn Thatcher,

Congratulations on your success at the guild trials! You’ve proven yourself to be not only a capable Climber but a potentially valued guild member. In your short time you have accomplished much, and your trials showed your potential. That, in of itself, is a feat worthy to be proud of.

Without further ado, you have received formal invitations to the following guild(s):

The Defenders

Alistair Junkies

Twilight Blades

Because you have received more than one invite, you must attend the Guild’s Gala, where you will choose your guild or decline all offers. A written letter expressing your desired guild is not enough as the guilds would like to interview you personally. Failure to attend will result in forfeiture of all guild invitations.

The Gala will be in two days, Faesday, at 8pm. Please dress formally and expect to see other participants, guild members, and sponsors. It will be in The Defender’s private guild hall outside the housing district. Directions are provided on the back of this letter. Dinner will be provided and served first followed by an evening of mingling and interviews. Attendants will direct you to individual rooms where you will privately discuss your possible guild choice.

Again, congratulations, and we can’t wait to see you!

- Guild Hosts

Wyn stared at the letter for a moment. He couldn’t believe it. He had hoped for an invite but didn’t expect to be invited into almost every guild that was participating in the trials. The fourth one, the Stair Chasers, was the newest guild and didn’t extend an offer. Did the others really need members that badly or did they actually consider him that worthy? And why didn’t the newest one, who presumably needs members more than any of them, not invite him?

There were a lot of unknowns. But to Wyn that was alright. The fact that he was invited at all was fantastic.

“The letters came sooner than expected,” Wyn said. “How did you all do?”

Everyone was lounging around Wyn’s apartment, all holding letters except Arabelle. She was still cradling her teacup in her hand like it was the most precious thing in the world. Wyn could tell she was nervous, and it was understandable. After everything she went through recently, she now sat around strange people who she just saw wield incredible magic. It would be pretty jarring.

“We all got multiple invites,” Cedric said. “So that’s a relief.”

“More importantly, we all got invites to the Twilight Blades,” John said. He was stretched out on the couch beside Tasha and Arabelle, both of whom looked more uncomfortable than him. “Does it really matter who else?”

“Not if that’s who we’re choosing,” Marcy said. “And it probably goes without saying, but we are choosing a guild, correct?”

They all looked at each other before Wyn spoke. “We came this far. And I think they would have the least likely chance to split us up. Though I won’t know until we can talk to them.”

“Hopefully they’ll take us all together,” Cedric said. “We do work well as a group, and it would probably be more complicated to split us up to form new teams. But I’m not a guild officer and don’t know for certain. Every guild is different.”

“That’s something we can talk about at the Gala,” Tasha said. “Did Faye say anything to you two?”

Marcy and Cedric exchanged a look.

“She was unusually cryptic,” Marcy said. “But she didn’t seem concerned about the possibility we would be split up. She did say they were looking for two groups, so if we all joined that’s nearly one entire group right there. The odds of us staying together are higher. And at least most of us staying together are guaranteed. It’s the other guilds that are wanting more members that could split us up.”

Wyn didn’t like the sound of that. Even if some of them remained partnered up he wanted them all in his group. But surely the Twilight Blades wouldn’t do that.

“I don’t even want to talk to the other guilds,” John said. “I was only invited to the Stair Chasers and the Twilight Blades. But that’s fine, it’s less people I have to turn down!”

“The Stair Chasers are a newer guild,” Cedric said. “They have the biggest stake here. Apparently they received some serious funding and are wanting to boost their numbers right away.”

“Is that bad?” Arabelle asked.

“Newer guilds are wild cards,” Marcy said. “They don’t have the reputation of more established guilds, though they usually have more upfront funding from sponsors that lets them spend money more loosely. But they also have a tendency to sputter out quicker with poor management. We’ve seen it time and time again.”

“But that still leaves us with needing to know about if we can stay together,” Wyn said. “Because if we get split up I don’t think I’ll want to join any group.”

“But Wyn, the Twilight Blades are small enough that even if we split up we’d still be around each other all the time,” John said. “We’d move into the guild hall and interact together! Train together, eat together. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I really want this. The opportunity is too great.”

Wyn paused. He didn’t expect John to want to join even if it meant their group split up. More so, he didn’t expect to feel so hurt by it. The statement felt like a sting to his leadership and their friendship. But he knew this was coming. Ever since John brought up the fact that he wanted to join a guild he knew this conversation was going to happen.

“I can’t do that,” Wyn said. “I’d rather go without a guild than us split up. Trust is not so easily gained, especially here. I know how well well climb together, and I wouldn’t us to lose that benefit just to be in a guild.”

“I don’t think you fully grasp how elevated you’ll be in a guild,” John said. “The benefits are far higher than climbing on our own. Sponsors! Information! Gear! Think of the training and resources!”

“I’m thinking of us.”

The group sat in silence for a few moments. Wyn was trying to wrap his head around John preferring a guild over them. He took a deep breath and thought about when he confronted Cedric threatening to quit. It took courage to say what was needed. He thought he left behind his life of being a captain, but being this group’s leader carried some weight of importance, too.

“John,” Wyn said, his voice low. “You’re valuing the guild over us. That’s what it sounds like you’re saying.”

John scoffed. “That’s not what I mean. Come on, Wyn. You said it yourself you want to prove your worth as a Ruby Magician. Wouldn’t being in one of the most respected guilds in Alestead show that?”

“Yes. But ultimately I care more about us climbing well and successfully than proving my class.” He glanced over at Arabelle, who quietly watched their conversation. She didn’t offer any sort of response.

“We’ll be better in the guild. Do you not think they’ll invite quality people? And this is all under the assumption they’ll even separate us! We could likely stay together, and we’ll be in the same guild anyway!”

“It’s not just that,” Marcy said. “It’s the fact that you don’t care and are placing us second.”

John started to speak but paused and took a breath. “I’m trying to be rational.”

“I understand that,” Cedric said. “But I also understand how much it hurts for your group to leave you behind. It’s the principle.”

John leaned back into the couch and ran his hands over his face. “Yea, alright. I see your point. I’m sorry. I don’t want us to be split up, I just see us as still being together even in the same guild.”

“I see that, too,” Wyn said. “But how about we wait until we talk to them in person. Maybe we don’t even have to worry about it if they’re going to keep us together. It could be something we negotiate, too, if other guilds want us.”

“They’ll know they are our first pick,” Marcy said. “Cedric and I have talked to Faye too much about joining to realistically pick another guild. But it’s worth a shot.”

“That gives you all some time to think on it,” Arabelle said. “Are you going to go back to climbing until then?”

“I think we should,” Wyn said. “We have two days before the dinner, after all.”

“I vote we take some time off,” Tasha said. “We’ve been running ourselves ragged this week. I’d like to take it easy.”

“I second that,” John said.

Wyn wanted to argue but didn’t want to push it. They had been incredibly successful when they found the secret room and cleared it over and over, easily making up two week’s worth of rewards. Plus, with Arabelle now in the city, he could actually take some time with her.

“Yes, of course,” Wyn said. “You’re both right. Arabelle, when do you start with Benedict?”

“He said as early as I wanted,” Arabelle said. “I could go by and ask to wait a few days, though?”

Wyn smiled. “That would be great. It would be nice to have some time off for a change.”

Tasha leaned forward and clapped her hands together. “There’s a little cafe just outside the merchant district that has the best breakfast food. And beside it is a wonderful seamstress with absolutely stunning work. I’ll make sure to get you some clothes first thing tomorrow!”

Arabelle started to protest but Tasha abruptly stood up. “First, though, we need to get cleaned up. It’s getting late and this is your first night in the city, so you need to be welcomed properly. Wyn, meet us in front of the guild hall at eight o'clock sharp. Arabelle, let me show you to your room.”

Wyn stood with Arabelle and walked both of them out along with John. The Squire said his goodbyes to Tasha while Wyn gave his sister a hug.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Wyn said. “It’s great to have you here.”

Arabelle and Tasha walked away while Wyn and John stood outside in the hall.

“She’ll be fine,” Marcy said from inside Wyn’s room. “Tasha will spoil her.”

Wyn sighed. “That’s what I’m worried about.”