The Sky at the Azuris

I remember the weight of the guild's wooden doors beneath my small, trembling hands. They felt rough, worn by the many travelers who'd pushed through them before me—renowned adventurers, skilled warriors, healers, and mages. I was none of those things. Not yet. I was just Trey Austere, a timid boy of ten, hiding behind my older sister's confident stride. At the time, I didn't fully grasp how significant that moment would be. Myrina, with her bright laughter and sunny grin, stood in front of me, one hand resting casually against her hip as she pushed the door open wide.

The inside of the Adventurers' Guild was far louder than the city street outside, bursting with clashing chatter and the scent of alcohol from a nearby tavern section. The place teemed with life: a blacksmith corner to the right, forging tools clanging in the background, and a bustling board of quests pinned to the far wall, battered from constant use. My heart thundered in my chest. I wondered if my anxiety showed on my face. Myrina's presence comforted me a bit. She was always so cheerful, so unafraid.

She cast a quick glance back at me. "You good?" she asked softly. Her voice came out gentle, laced with genuine concern. I nodded, though my throat felt tight. Even if I had wanted to speak, words would have refused to form. It was my first day setting foot in the guild as more than an observer, and I already felt overwhelmed.

At the receptionist desk, a woman with warm brown eyes and a soft smile waved at Myrina in recognition. I recognized her as Nerissa, a close friend of my sister's. Her hair was tied in a neat bun, but a few strands fell around her face, giving her a relaxed and friendly appearance. Myrina greeted her, all bright energy and laughter, then gently nudged me forward.

"And who's hiding back there?" Nerissa teased, stretching forward to look me in the eye. "Could that be Trey?"

My stomach churned with nerves. "Y-Yes," I managed, keeping my gaze on the tip of my shoes.

"Stop teasing him," Myrina said with a grin. "He's shy. You'll scare him off if you poke too much."

Nerissa chuckled, leaning her elbows on the counter. "I remember him from your stories. He's taller than I expected." She lifted her chin, then focused on me again. "So today's the big day, huh? Ready to join the Adventurers' Guild?"

Even the word "adventurer" made my fingers tremble around the small pouch in my hands. "I'll… do my best." My voice came out like a squeak.

A few passersby in the hallway shot me curious looks. They were clad in tough leather armor or carrying large weapons. Every so often, someone would give me a friendly grin or ruffle my hair in passing. I tried not to show how each interaction startled me.

"Wonderful," Nerissa said. "We'll get the paperwork out of the way first. The fee is ten silver coins." She motioned to a small sign on the wall that read: "Trainee Registration Fee – 10 silver."

Myrina fished out ten silver coins from a small pouch at her waist. She slid them across the desk. The coins clinked in Nerissa's palm, and I couldn't help but stare at how easily Myrina handled everything. I barely had enough sense to stand still without shaking.

Nerissa gave me a reassuring smile as she counted the coins. "I'll just head to the back room for the official guild emblem," she said, then disappeared behind a heavy curtain.

I let out a shaky breath once she was gone, trying to calm myself. Myrina put a hand on my shoulder. She always knew when I needed a moment of reassurance. "You'll do great," she said. "And if anything comes up, Nerissa will help. She's the best friend you could ask for in a place like this."

I mustered a small nod. "I'm just… scared I'll mess something up."

"You're too hard on yourself," Myrina replied. "Everyone starts somewhere. Today's your first step. Don't worry about fighting monsters or braving dungeons—yet. You'll be running errands until you're older."

Despite her comforting words, my heart still pounded. I was relieved I wouldn't have to fight any real monsters, but anxiety about even the simple errands churned in my mind. A second later, Nerissa returned, holding a small emblem made of tin, attached to a thin leather cord. She held it out toward me.

"This is your Guild Emblem," she explained, her voice gentle. "It identifies you as a G– rank member. Wear it or keep it somewhere safe. Congrats, Trey. You're officially part of the Adventurers' Guild!"

I stared at the metal piece resting in her palm. Though modest in design, it felt impossibly important. I reached out, and my fingers brushed its cool surface. The symbol engraved in it was a simple letter "G" with a tiny dash below it. My new rank. I swallowed hard, carefully lifting it. "Thank you."

"Don't lose it," Myrina teased. "Or you'll have to do a bunch of extra paperwork and pay another fee."

I slipped the emblem around my neck, conscious of its weight against my chest. "I won't."

With that out of the way, Myrina placed a rolled parchment on the counter, giving me a quick, mischievous wink. "I'm also here to finalize a quest I completed." She turned her attention to Nerissa. "Could you stamp this? I need to leave for another one soon."

"Sure thing." Nerissa pressed an official stamp onto the parchment. Red ink bled through the edges, marking the quest's completion. "The payout will be ready by tomorrow."

Myrina shot me a fond glance. "In the meantime, Trey, Nerissa will help you settle in. I have a quest to handle."

She gave me a gentle pat on the head—something she'd done since I was little—and headed for the door. I followed her retreat with my eyes until the large guild doors swung closed behind her, leaving me alone with Nerissa in the bustling hall.

"Don't worry," Nerissa said. "I'll show you what to do. Since you're still only ten, we've got a special training program for younger recruits—mostly reading and writing, errands, that sort of thing."

I exhaled, some tension slipping from my shoulders. "That sounds… manageable."

Nerissa beckoned me to follow her down a long corridor branching off from the main hall. I caught glimpses of various other rooms—some with blackboards, others with shelves of battered tomes and notebooks. Adventurers drifted by, some looking bored, some excited. A few nodded in greeting as we passed, although I tried to keep my eyes on the floor.

"First," Nerissa said, stopping before a door where muffled voices sounded from within, "you'll be attending this pre-adventurer class. We have it on Mondays and Thursdays. You can't do errands on those days, since the class takes priority. Think of it as your foundation for everything else."

I fiddled with the edge of my shirt. "All right. Thank you for guiding me."

She smiled and opened the door, revealing a modest classroom. Desks lined up in rows, though there weren't too many—eight in total, as I soon counted. A woman with short, neatly trimmed hair and a no-nonsense expression noticed our arrival. She paused in her instructions to wave us in.

"That's Nanda," Nerissa explained quietly. "Former D-rank adventurer who decided teaching suits her better. She's tough but fair."

I stepped in, feeling every pair of eyes in the room land on me. My face burned. Nanda offered me a brisk nod. "So this is the new recruit, right?"

Nerissa confirmed, "Yes, Trey Austere, Myrina's younger brother."

At the mention of Myrina's name, I sensed a flicker of recognition in Nanda's eyes. She gestured for me to come closer. "Well, Trey, you're welcome here. We'll whip you into shape if you're willing to learn. Let me introduce you to the class."

I forced my gaze up, scanning the children who sat at the desks. A few were around my age, one maybe a year older, and each had a distinct look in their eyes—some curious, some distant, some brimming with energy.

Nanda cleared her throat. "Class, this is Trey Austere, our newest addition. He's ten years old, same as some of you, though a few of you are older by a year. Make him feel at home, okay?"

Several small heads bobbed in acknowledgment. I swallowed, wishing I could vanish into the floorboards.

Nanda pointed to an empty seat next to a girl. "Trey, sit there. That's Mya. She's the daughter of an alchemist and should be able to help you catch up."

The girl named Mya raised a timid hand, signaling me over. She had wide eyes and a tiny frame, her face partially hidden by hair that fell into her cheeks. I took my seat gingerly, hoping the chair legs didn't squeak too loudly.

"H-hello," Mya said softly. "I'm Mya. Let's be friends?"

Her warm tone eased my anxiety. "Yeah," I whispered back. "Nice to meet you."

Nanda addressed the rest of the class, pointing first to a tall boy with a lean build and an expression that hovered between bored and proud. "That's Lyan, son of a noble. He's eleven."

Lyan offered me a curt nod, though his eyes glimmered with challenge. He turned his head dismissively, as if to say, "Show me what you've got."

Next, Nanda indicated a broad-shouldered kid in the back. "Bruen, ten years old, son of a carpenter."

The boy's gaze was intense but calm. He crossed his arms. "Hey," he said flatly, not unkind, just matter-of-fact.

Nanda moved on to a tall, lanky boy wearing a mischievous grin. "Finn here is eleven, son of a merchant, so don't be surprised if he tries to sell you something or prank you."

Finn laughed, tipping an imaginary hat in my direction. "Welcome aboard, newbie."

A smaller boy with glasses balanced on the tip of his nose was introduced as Arlo, the son of scholars. He didn't stand up, merely observed me with sharp curiosity behind those lenses, then gave a small wave.

Nanda pointed to another child who looked about my age, bouncing in her seat. "Lina, daughter of an innkeeper," she said. Lina beamed excitedly, brushing strands of hair out of her face.

Then there was Milo, an orphan who lived in the local orphanage, glowing with an almost feverish enthusiasm whenever anything heroic or adventurous was mentioned. "I-I read a lot about heroes," he stammered, "especially their monuments…" He fell silent, realizing he was babbling.

"And that's everyone," Nanda concluded. "Since you're new, Trey, we'll see how your reading and writing are. Today's lesson picks up on some basics."

Nerissa gave me one last encouraging pat on the shoulder. "I'll leave you in Nanda's capable hands." Then she left, her footsteps echoing in the hallway as the door closed. I clenched my fists beneath the desk, hoping no one noticed my anxious posture.

"Now," Nanda said, turning to the blackboard, "we're reviewing simple words and phrases. Even if you've done this before, you could use the practice. Being able to read a quest notice properly can save your life in the future."

Lyan let out a low sigh, rolling his eyes. I heard him mutter, "We should be training in swordsmanship, not scribbling on paper."

Bruen glanced at him with mild disapproval. "You can't even read your father's royal orders if you don't learn, right?" he said, blunt as a hammer. Lyan's face twitched, but he didn't offer a comeback.

Meanwhile, Mya slid her notes closer to me, in case I needed a guide. I appreciated her kindness. My reading skills were passable—Myrina taught me the basics—but the formal script used in quest postings was often more complex.

Nanda wrote a few lines on the board and asked us to copy them. The scratch of quills on parchment filled the silence. I found a rhythm in writing each word, my fingertips shaking a bit until I forced myself to relax. With every line, I felt a mild sense of relief. It felt less frightening than I'd imagined.

At one point, Mya leaned toward me. "You spelled that word wrong," she whispered, pointing to my parchment. "It's spelled j-o-u-r-n-e-y."

"Oh," I whispered back, quickly correcting it. "Thank you."

She nodded, her expression warm, then turned her focus back to her own work.

Nanda scanned the room, occasionally giving pointers, but mostly letting us work. "Lina, read the sentence you've written," she instructed at one point. Lina's voice rang out eagerly: "The merchant went across the plains to buy silk."

Finn seemed bored, slouching over his desk, occasionally wiggling his quill in the air. Arlo quietly read from a reference book, hardly looking at the blackboard. Lyan continued to fidget, as if this was beneath him. Bruen, arms folded, watched everything with cool detachment.

I sensed time trickling by, each minute a little less terrifying than the last. Maybe it was because Mya was patient, or maybe I was too absorbed in trying not to embarrass myself. By the time Nanda declared the lesson over, sweat dotted my hairline, but I felt a certain satisfaction.

"All right, that's enough for today," Nanda announced. "Review these letters and words. We'll pick up again next class. Don't slack off, or you'll pay for it when quest time comes."

I let out the breath I'd been holding. Other kids yawned or stretched, the tension of studying now replaced with anticipation for the rest of the day. We started gathering our quills and parchments into small satchels.

"Hey," Mya said timidly, her bag hanging from a narrow shoulder strap. "Want to walk home with me?"

I blinked. No one had ever invited me to walk home with them before. I was used to being overshadowed by Myrina. "Uh… s-sure," I replied. "Yes."

She beamed, though her smile was delicate. "Great."

From the front of the classroom, Lyan brushed imaginary dust off his coat and scoffed. "I'm heading in that direction, too. Might as well walk together."

I turned, noticing him slip an arm through one strap of his bag. He didn't look at me, more like through me, as though he couldn't be bothered.

Bruen stood near the door, arms crossed over his broad chest. "Same direction," he said gruffly. "Let's go."

Glancing around, I realized that the other classmates—Finn, Arlo, Milo, Lina—seemed to be heading separate ways. Mya, Lyan, Bruen, and I, however, were all apparently in the same direction. My pulse picked up again, but I tried to keep calm.

Nanda called after us. "Make sure to review your notes, Trey. Catch up with the rest by next week."

I gave her a small bow. "Yes, Ms. Nanda. Thank you."

Soon, we stepped out of the classroom. The corridor was less busy now than it was earlier in the day. Lyan moved briskly, his posture rigid with confidence, while Mya and I walked side by side, our footsteps in a more relaxed rhythm. Bruen's heavier tread lagged a few paces behind us, though his presence felt like a solid wall at my back.

We exited the guild into the afternoon sun. The main doors slammed shut behind us, muffling the hum of adventurers inside. I squinted at the sudden brightness, adjusting the strap of my small satchel.

Mya was the first to speak. "So… how did you find the lesson, Trey? I mean, do you like reading?"

"I…" My words stuck for a moment. "I'm not great at it, but I'm willing to learn."

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I enjoy it because my mother always taught me to read alchemy recipes. She says it's the backbone of her craft."

"That's pretty neat," I said, genuinely impressed. "Alchemy recipes must be difficult."

She paused. "They can be, especially advanced ones, but I'm only allowed to study the simpler ones for now."

Lyan, several steps ahead, tossed a glance over his shoulder. "Just don't spend your whole life on books," he said in a clipped tone. "If you want to be a real adventurer, you need skill."

I flinched, uncertain whether he was directing his criticism toward me or Mya. Mya's cheeks turned pink, but she didn't reply.

Bruen's voice rumbled from behind us, cutting through the tension. "Knowledge is also important if you don't want to die on a quest," he said flatly. "Better to read a map right than to wander in circles."

Lyan gave a dismissive shrug. "I never said learning was useless. Just that it's pointless if you never pick up a weapon."

I wondered if they were always at each other's throats like this. Lyan's competitiveness seemed to clash with Bruen's stoicism, and I found myself stuck between their opposing energies. I struggled to find my voice, worried I'd only embarrass myself.

Mya tried to steer the conversation to calmer waters. She cast me a soft glance. "Trey, do you live near the city center?"

"Yes," I said. "I share a small house with my sister. Myrina's out on a quest right now."

Her eyes brightened a fraction. "You're lucky to have someone in the guild with you. I'm an only child, so it's just me and my mother."

Lyan snorted. "Luck has nothing to do with it. He got in the guild because of Myrina's rank."

My cheeks heated. The jab cut close to the truth. Myrina's achievements were the reason I was here at such a young age. "I… I know," I admitted quietly.

Mya frowned at Lyan. "He'll earn his own rank in time. Don't be so harsh."

Lyan didn't bother turning around. "I'm just stating facts."

Bruen didn't say anything, but I felt his gaze flicker over me. The group fell silent for a while as we navigated the cobblestone streets. Buildings rose on either side—shops selling potions, blacksmith forges, and a small stable behind an inn. The city was alive with midday bustle. I tried to keep my head up, to take in the sights that I usually missed while hurrying around with Myrina, but my nerves made me more focused on my footsteps.

Eventually, Lyan came to a halt at a crossroad. He turned, facing us with a cool stare. "This is where I split. I have some training to do before the day's done."

Mya gave him a polite smile. "See you next time."

Bruen merely nodded. "Right."

Lyan's eyes lingered on me. "Don't be late next class, or you'll fall behind."

I managed a quick nod. He spun on his heel and strode away without a backward glance. Mya and I continued forward, while Bruen's heavier steps paced behind us. When we reached another fork in the road, Bruen halted.

He spoke to me in an even, practical tone. "My place is over there. Make sure you practice your writing tonight."

"I… I will," I said, feeling a tightness in my chest. Something about Bruen's bluntness made it clear he didn't sugarcoat anything. But it wasn't unkind. It was more… firm.

He nodded as if that settled the matter, then trudged toward a row of houses in the distance. Soon, it was just Mya and me on the cobblestones. She tugged on her satchel strap, adjusting the weight.

"Do you mind if we keep walking together a bit more?" she asked. "I pass through the center to get to my street anyway."

My throat went dry. I wasn't used to people wanting to spend extra time with me, outside of Myrina. "Sure," I murmured. "That's fine."

She smiled, a gentle warmth in that expression. "Thank you. So… how are you feeling after your first day?"

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. "I'm… relieved, I guess. Before this, I worried I'd have to hold a sword and fight. But errands and lessons… I think I can manage."

Mya nodded. "They ease us in gradually. Some kids are excited to jump into real adventuring, but the guild knows better. They don't want to put us in danger."

We fell silent for a bit, our shoes scuffing against the cobblestones. Up ahead, I spotted the familiar fountain marking the central square. Water trickled from a carved stone statue of a knight, shield raised, sword pointing skyward.

Mya cast a thoughtful look at it. "That statue is one of Milo's favorites, you know. He loves stories of knights and heroes."

I remembered Milo's excited face in class. "He seemed really passionate," I said.

"Yeah, maybe too passionate sometimes," she replied, smiling softly. "He tries to memorize every hero's name carved into the city monuments. Impressive, but it's a lot."

I found my gaze drifting back to the statue. My grin emerged before I realized it. Heroic figures like that always fascinated me, too, though I was too shy to admit it. Maybe Milo and I had more in common than I thought.

We passed the square, weaving between some merchants closing their stalls for the day. The sky had turned a soft orange hue, and a gentle breeze ruffled the ribbons in Mya's hair. I glimpsed the side street that led to my small home, and my stomach tightened at the notion of saying goodbye.

"I'll turn here," I said, inclining my head toward the narrow lane. "Thanks… for walking with me."

Mya's lips curved into a small smile. "Anytime. I'll see you in class next week, Trey."

I nodded, unsure how else to end our conversation. She offered a little wave before continuing down the main road. I watched her go for a moment, struck by how I'd made a friend in a single afternoon—maybe even more than one, if I could call Bruen's straightforward acceptance a form of friendship. Lyan was another story.

Shouldering my satchel, I made my way home. The place I shared with Myrina wasn't grand—just a modest two-room dwelling—but it was warm, and it was ours. She wouldn't be back until later, maybe even after sunset, depending on how her quest went.

I quietly let myself in, set my things on a rough wooden table, and gently ran my fingers over the guild emblem hanging around my neck. G– rank, the lowest of the low. Before joining, I might have felt a twinge of disappointment at being so far down the hierarchy, but now all I felt was relief. This was my first step, small and shaky as it was.

A wave of exhaustion hit me. The adrenaline of meeting new people, attending class, and simply existing in that busy environment had drained what little courage I had. Yet beneath the tiredness, I sensed a flicker of something else—some faint spark of determination. I recalled Lyan's dismissive glance, Bruen's blunt remark, and Mya's gentle encouragement.

I wanted to show them I wasn't just a timid little tagalong who happened to have a strong older sister. Maybe, in time, I could prove to myself that I was worthy of that guild emblem.

The sun dipped lower, gilding the streets in copper light. Thoughts whirled in my mind, replaying the day: Myrina's confidence, Nerissa's warmth, the bustle of the guild, Nanda's classroom, the diverse personalities of each student, the walk home with Mya, the friction with Lyan, Bruen's unyielding gaze. I breathed it all in.

I placed the emblem gently on the table, staring at the engraved G–. My lungs filled with the evening air, and I whispered to myself, "Tomorrow, I'll do better."

Then I snatched up a piece of parchment from a shelf, sharpened my quill the way Nanda taught, and started practicing my writing. Mya had corrected me earlier—journey. I wrote that word repeatedly, each time focusing on the letters until they felt natural under my fingertips.

Despite how normal and mundane it might seem to write the same word over and over, it was my start. My adventure might not involve slaying monsters or diving into dark dungeons yet, but for the first time, the future felt more expansive than my fear. I had a guild emblem with my name on it. Even if all I did was errands for now, that was enough.

I kept writing until my hand cramped, the sun finally sinking below the city skyline. Candles flickered along the windowsill, casting shifting shadows across the room. I pressed my quill to the parchment one last time, forming the letters carefully:

J O U R N E Y

I let the word sink in, thinking about what it truly meant. A journey was more than traveling from place to place. It was growth, courage, and maybe even forging friendships that would help me become something more than a timid kid. I was only ten, but I believed I could do it—with Myrina's support, with Nerissa's guidance, and maybe with new friends like Mya by my side.

Tomorrow, I'd set foot in the guild again, probably for errands or more lessons. But that was all right. Slowly, I closed my eyes and let the tension leave my shoulders. For the first time in a long while, I felt a subtle thread of hope weaving through my heart, giving me the strength to keep going.

And so, my days as a G– rank adventurer began.