Yes! She wanted to call out encouragement to her friend, but dared not. The ominous hooded figures lining the walls made her stand silent and still. White and black stones littered the floor in a near-even number.
Last test, Three. You can do this.
Three climbed atop the barrels. He took an unsteady step forward, wobbled, and nearly fell. Seven squeezed her eyes shut as he slipped at the mid-point and crashed to the hard-packed dirt. With a groan, the boy climbed to his feet, brushed himself off, and limped to the center of the room.
Seven squinted at the black and white rocks in the dirt. She couldn't count, but the number looked about even.
He has a chance! But did she? Her knees shook and her stomach churned. What now?
Master Gold stood once more. "Tyros!" His booming voice echoed in the cavernous room. "Take your place before the Assembly and face your judgment."
Feet leaden, Seven joined the others surging in a haphazard parade toward the heart of the Menagerie.
"Form up," Master Velvet snapped with a withering glare.
They formed a tight line facing the seated figures. Ominous silence filled the Menagerie.
Seven waited, heart thundering. What are they waiting for? She squeezed Three's trembling hand, for her comfort as much as his.
A hooded figure strode forward, carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle.
Master Gold turned to the seated figures. "One and all, you have borne witness to the skills of these tyros. Ponder with care what you have seen." He threw back the cloth, revealing twelve identical daggers. He lifted one and held it up for all to see. "Their lives are in your hands."
He placed the blade on the ground before Twelve. The big boy stiffened, but Master Gold turned and retrieved another knife. He moved down the line until all twelve daggers lay in front of the standing tyros.
Seven couldn't wrench her gaze from the glittering dagger at her feet. Her palms turned clammy and a drop of cold sweat rolled down her spine. Master Velvet hadn't told them about this part of the test.
What does he mean by “their lives are in your hands”? Surely he couldn't—
"Masters of the Night Guild!" The booming voice snapped Seven's eyes to the seated figures. "Stake your claim, and may the Watcher have mercy on the rest."
One of the seated figures rose. A crimson armband wound around his right bicep. He towered head and shoulders above Master Gold. He strode toward Twelve, knelt, and retrieved the dagger. He moved down the line, studying each in turn. Seven cringed beneath his gaze, but he moved on with barely a glance. Picking up One's dagger, he returned to his seat.
Master Gold nodded. "Master Bloodbear has chosen. House Bloodbear would have One and Twelve. Is there any to dispute his claim?" When no one stepped forward, he crossed his hands over his chest and bowed his head. "Then they shall take their place as apprentices to the Bloodbears. May the Watcher guide them in their paths."
Master Velvet shoved the selected tyros forward. "Go, stand by your new master." The two hurried to take their place behind the huge man's chair.
Seven's stomach twisted at Twelve's smug expression. Damn him!
Another figure stood, this one with a white armband stark against his black cloak. He moved with purpose, his gait confident. He lifted Eight's dagger, turned, and stalked back to his seat.
"Master Hound has chosen. House Hound would have Eight. Is there any dispute to his claim?"
"Aye." A man with a green armband rose. "I would accept him into House Serpent."
"Master Serpent. Master Hound. Approach."
The two men approached the speaker, and a hushed conversation passed among the three. Seven strained her ears, but couldn't make out the whispered words.
Master Gold bowed. "So be it. You are content, Masters?"
Both men nodded and returned to their seats.
"Eight has been chosen by House Hound. May the Watcher guide him in his path." Eight hurried toward his new master, the man with the white armband.
The man who rose next wore an orange band. He scurried forward, as if nervous, and retrieved three of the daggers before returning to his chair.
"Master Fox has chosen. House Fox would have Four, Five, and Ten to serve as apprentices. Is there any to dispute his claim?" No one stepped forward. He crossed his arms and bowed. "They have been chosen. May the Watcher guide them in their paths."
Seven risked a glance from the corner of her eye. Only six remained: Two, Three, Six, Nine, Eleven, and her. She clenched her fists to stop her hands shaking. Three shifted beside her, a slight tremor in his hands.
The man with the green armband climbed to his feet and strode toward Two. He studied the boy for a long moment, arms folded across his chest. The larger boy returned his gaze with no sign of fear. With a slight nod, the man knelt and retrieved his dagger before slipping back to his seat.
"Master Serpent has chosen. House Serpent would have Two as servant. Is there any to dispute the claim?" Silence. "Then Two shall serve as apprentice to House Serpent. May the Watcher guide him in his path."
Seven's stomach twisted. Only five left. Knives of worry twisted in her gut. Would anyone claim her, a girl? She'd done her best under Master Velvet and on the tests. But what if it wasn't enough? What if none of the Houses chose her? What would become of her? Her gaze dropped to the glinting steel at her feet, and she shuddered.
The man who stood next wore a black armband. His head barely reached the top of his chair and he looked as round as he was tall. Seven's heart leapt as he pointed at Three.
"Master Scorpion has chosen. House Scorpion would have Three for an apprentice. Is there any to dispute his claim?" Silence filled the Menagerie. "Three shall serve House Scorpion. May the Watcher guide him in his path."
Master Velvet whispered in Three's ear. The boy stooped, retrieved the dagger, and hurried toward his new master. The wooden chair creaked beneath Master Scorpion's bulk as he lowered himself into his seat.
Seven let out her breath. They chose him! They chose Three. Relief for her friend filled her, replaced a moment later by fear. She looked to her right and her excitement faded. Only four of us now.
A quiet gasp sounded among the hooded figures. The man with the brown armband rose. He moved with fluid grace, coming to stand before her. Seven's heart thudded as she stared up at him. She couldn't see his features within the hood, but felt his gaze boring into her. He knelt and retrieved her dagger, then returned to his seat.
"Master Hawk has chosen. House Hawk would have Seven for service. Is there any to dispute his claim?"
The hawk! She'd gazed into the eyes of the raptor on the banner. Something about the majestic bird had arrested her attention. Now, Master Hawk had chosen her!
Master Gold crossed his arms and bowed. "Then Seven shall serve as apprentice to House Hawk."
The rest of the words faded as Seven stumbled to take her place beside Master Hawk. Elation coursed through her, setting every nerve on fire. He…chose me!
Master Gold turned to the only figure that had remained seated. "House Grubber, do you accept these three as apprentices?"
The man climbed to his feet, adjusted his ragged grey armband, and shuffled across the empty space. "House Grubber would have the tyros known as Eleven and Six."
"Are you certain, Master Grubber? You know the fate that awaits the other."
Master Grubber cleared his throat. "I am certain."
Master Gold bowed. "So be it. Eleven and Six are pledged to House Grubber. May the Watcher guide them in their paths." The two tyros hurried to take their places beside Master Grubber.
Nine stood in the center of the room. A flash of pity raced through Seven. The boy looked so small in the empty space, his face pale, his eyes wide. His body shook and tears streamed down his face.
Master Gold spoke in a somber voice. "Master Velvet, you know your duty."
Master Velvet knelt and retrieved the dagger. "As you say, Your Eminence." Gripping Nine by the shoulders, he led the boy from t
he Menagerie.
Seven couldn't take her eyes off Nine. Where are they taking him? What will happen to him? A howl echoed from the tunnel as the small boy disappeared from view.
Master Hawk placed a hand on her shoulder. "Come, Seven." He spoke with a rough, harsh voice. "It is time you join your fellows in House Hawk."
With a heavy heart and Nine's terrified wail echoing in her ears, Seven followed her new master from the Menagerie.
Chapter Twelve
The still, silent air of the Night Guild tunnels pressed in on Seven. She trotted after Master Hawk, her stomach in knots. Master Hawk seemed to fill the corridor, his looming presence somber and ominous. Seven dared not speak. The man radiated menace in a way Master Velvet never had. Her nervousness at the tests and excitement at being chosen drained away, leaving her empty. Fatigue and fear set her hands shaking. Her finger throbbed, sending spikes of pain up her arm with every step.
Master Hawk's long-legged gait made it hard to keep up. She soon lost her way in the labyrinthine passages.
What now? She'd been chosen by House Hawk, but why? Apprehension raced through her. Behind her lay the only life she could remember. The gloomy Menagerie and her cramped bunk room had been her world for so long. And what of her friends? What lay in store for them in their houses?
Master Hawk stopped at a set of double doors emblazoned with twin hawks. He lifted the ornate ring, clutched in the talons of the House's namesake bird.
"Welcome to the Aerie, apprentice." He pushed and the heavy doors swung open.
Seven stepped into the room, and her fear and worry evaporated in a heartbeat. For the first time in months, she saw daylight. Bright sunlight streamed in from slits set high on the wall, bathing the room in a crimson glow.
Sunset. Her favorite time of day. Blinking back tears, Seven shielded her eyes. She hadn't realized until this moment how much she hated torchlight.
She basked in the warmth, her eyes adjusting to the brightness, and drank in every detail of the high-vaulted room. An intricate network of ladders, ropes, walkways, and structures rose to the ceiling dozens of paces overhead. Shelves and tables laden with ropes, hooks, whips, knives, swords, and an assortment of unknown weaponry lined one wall. Along the opposite wall stood rack after rack of dark cloaks, hoods, garments, and boots of all shapes and sizes.
Seven glanced back at Master Hawk. He drew back his hood, revealing a hooked nose, dark eyes beneath slim eyebrows, angular features, and a grizzled face. His eyes locked with hers and his brow furrowed in a scowl. "We paid handsomely for you, Seven. Don't make me regret it."
With that, he turned on his heel and strode from the room. The heavy double doors clanged shut behind him with a ring of finality. But instead of the fear she'd felt trapped in the bunkroom with the other tyros, excitement coursed through her.
I am home.
She found herself running toward a rope ladder. Before she knew it, she'd climbed a half-dozen rungs. She hung there, closing her eyes and relishing the gentle sway. After months trapped underground, she nearly wept at the sensation. It felt wonderful to be free of the earth.
"Well, well." A voice broke into her reverie. "Less than an hour after being chosen and our new apprentice takes to the skies already."
Seven jerked in surprise and nearly fell from the ladder. A boy stood in the doorway, staring up at her with an amused expression.
She scrambled to the ground, her face burning, and forced a smile. "Hello! I'm Seven."
The boy stood a full head taller than her, with wide shoulders, and a confident smile. A messy mop of brown hair hung in his face and he pushed a strand from his dark eyes. He held out his hand. "You can call me Denber. Welcome to House Hawk."
Seven shook Denber's hand. A pair of boys trooped through the heavy double doors and stopped when they saw her. She eyed them, feeling awkward and shy.
"What's this? Fresh meat?" The boy who spoke had sandy hair, green eyes, and freckles that matched his mischievous grin.
His companion, who resembled the tow-haired boy but with fewer freckles, studied her. "I thought he said no more apprentices after you, Lem. Gods know you're enough to make the most patient House Master pull his hair out. Now he chooses another--a girl, no less. What was Master Hawk thinking?"
Denber rounded on them. "Oh, shut it, Werrin. You saw how she performed that test. Far better than you ever did."
Werrin's freckled face reddened, and his companion snickered.
Denber raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, Willem, how go the reading lessons?"
Willem's mocking laughter died and his face fell. "That's not fair, Denber! Not all of us were born with a silver spoon shoved up our—"
Denber stepped forward. "Go ahead, Willem, finish that sentence."
Willem held up his hands with a grin. "Easy!" He offered his hand to Seven. "I'm Willem, but my friends call me Lem."
"Seven." She took it with her left hand, hugging her injured right hand to her chest.
Willem shoved Werrin forward. "This dung-for-brains is Werrin. He may not look like much, but wait until you see him dance the ropes."
Seven gripped Werrin's hand. "I can't wait."
Denber waved them away. "Off with you idiots. You still have a few tasks to finish before your duties officially pass on to Seven."
"Can't say I'll lose much sleep over it." Willem threw his arm around Werrin's shoulder. "Last day of cleaning up after this lot of slobs."
"You're the worst of all, Willem!" Denber turned back to Seven and grinned. "Not too bright, but they'll be good to have on a job. Come, it's time for you to meet Conn."
"Journeyman Conn, soon enough."
Seven whirled. The approaching boy looked older than Denber, with the first hints of stubble on his broad face.
He studied her with an expression that bordered on disdain. "So, you're the new apprentice."
Seven held out her hand. "Seven."
Conn ignored it. "Until you get your new name, Seven will have to do. I see you've met the twins."
"Twins?"
"Werrin and Willem."
Denber shrugged. "They're not really twins. We just call them that because they do everything together."
Conn studied her, his expression severe. "Take her to get that finger looked at, Denber."
Denber looked like he wanted to retort. "Sure thing, Conn."
"See you tomorrow, Seven." Conn gave her a curt nod and strode away.
Seven forced a grin, but her stomach roiled. I don't like Conn. He's too angry.
Denber muttered to himself. "Stuffy, pretentious twat!" As if remembering he wasn’t alone, he grinned sheepishly. "But one hell of an instructor." He clapped her on the back. "Come on, let's see if we can't do something about that broken finger."
"Broken?" Seven held up the injured hand.
"All puffy and purple like that, has to be. Don't worry, though. We'll get it sorted out."
He led her toward the tunnels at the far end of the Aerie.
Seven pointed at the towering structure. "So what is all this?"
Denber grinned. "We call it the Perch. It's a training ground, the place where we learn the skills needed to be Hawks."
Seven stopped him, a curious expression on her face. "And what is a Hawk? Or a Hound, a Bloodbear, or a Fox, for that matter? What are the Houses?"
Denber raised an eyebrow. "I thought Master Velvet would have explained it to you by now. The old bastard is getting forgetful."
She studied the maze of ropes, ladders, and beams. "So, what kind of skills do we learn?"
"The Hawks rule the skies. That means we do all the work high off the ground. Third-story work."
Seven turned to him, a confused look on her face.
"You'll see, soon enough. Each House has its own specialty. We all serve as a spoke in the wheel that is the Night Guild. The Serpents are daggers for hire, the Scorpions handle poisons, and the Bloodbears are strong-arms and skull-crackers. The Foxes and Grubbers rule the streets—sn
atchers and rufflers."
"Rufflers?"
"Beggars." Denber strode down a tunnel.
Seven hesitated, her heart sinking. After so much time in the Menagerie, she hated to leave the sunlight and return to the gloom of torch and lamplight.
Denber seemed not to notice. "Then you have the Hounds, the bounty collectors. Trackers. They hunt down people who don't want to be found."
Swallowing, Seven ran to catch up. "So the tests, they're to help us find a House?"
Denber nodded. "The Masters choose new apprentices according to their skills. Master Hawk hasn't chosen new apprentices in years—not since the twins. It's a high honor."
"He said he paid handsomely for me."
"The Houses pay a fee for each apprentice. Helps with the feeding, clothing, and training of the next batch of tyros."
"When will that be?"
Denber shrugged. "Usually a fresh wave comes once or twice a year. Gives Master Velvet plenty of time with them before they're tested. Guild custom dictates that the tests can only take place on an equinox. Superstitions, I guess."
He pushed open a wooden door and gestured for her to enter. "This is where you'll be staying." He pointed to the nearest entrance. "That one's yours."
Seven sat on the bed. "It's so comfortable. Much better than the bunk room."
"That's the point. Once you spend a few months with Master Velvet, everything else feels like paradise. Now, stay here, and I'll be back with something for your finger."
Seven lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, letting the tension of the tests drain from her body. She hadn't realized how exhausted she was. Undergoing the tests, standing for hours as the other tyros performed, and the nervous tension of waiting to be selected had taken a toll.
The sounds around her faded into dull, soothing murmurs and she drifted into peaceful sleep.
* * *
With a scream, Seven jerked awake and bolted upright.
"Easy, Seven!" Denber's face hovered over her. "Take a deep breath and the pain will pass."
Agony radiated up her arm. Denber grasped her wrist and forearm, holding it in place as a man she didn't recognize tugged at her finger. Another wave of pain washed over her, and she tried to snatch her hand back.
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