“Come on,” said Prue, tapping her shoulder for Edwin to jump back up and hooking Agapantha’s arm. “We’d better get to this meeting.”

Subdued light filtered through the snow-specked glass ceiling, high above the central atrium. Below was packed with members of the Guild, and every personifate who worked there – Prue spotted Phineas and Zareen chatting together. They looked across and smiled. Edwin nudged Prue and gestured to Thackery the thunderbird personifate who was perched on an iron railing not far away, talking with Queen Adelaide.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if I was royalty too,” Thackery said. “Did I mention I was the fastest in the messenger tower?” He ruffled his feathers.

“Four times,” Queen Adelaide said snootily.

The three apprentices stood in the spot they had been in the first morning at the Guild. Soon Master Woolstenbury appeared and silence fell. She recounted the events, leaving some of the details out that she’d given Prue. She impressed how pulling together and solidarity would be vital in the coming times and how the events must stay within their walls. Zareen appeared and passed a note to Master Woolstenbury. She read it quickly then spoke.

“Governor Watson-Wentworth thanks you all for your discretion in this incident. He would also like me to iterate that he knows about the use of the unlicensed personifate and he’s agreed to overlook it, just this once.”

“Just this once? After we prevented the downfall of the Guild and his Sovereign Chancellery?” Prue whispered to Edwin. He shook his head.

“Now, I would like to personally thank the people without whom the events of yesterday could have had dire consequences for all of us. Apprentices Haywood, Snow-Moon and Young.”

Heads turned in their direction. Prue could almost feel the warmth of Agapantha’s burning cheeks beside her.

“These three apprentices showed great initiative and courage against a terrible foe. And we thank them for their service to the Guild.” Master Woolstenbury started clapping and everyone joined in.

“It was more luck than judgement,” Cora whispered from behind. “And I don’t care if you saved the Guild, you three are still weird.” She shook her head.

“If that’s what we are, I’m pretty proud of it,” said Prue.

*

The snow continued to fall for the following week and Master Woolstenbury declared the winter break early. The great lawns in front of the factorium became everyone’s favourite place for sledging and snow fights.

“My parents’ letter said the snow is so deep that all the mechanicarts between Batterthwaite and North Owlcot are out of action, so I’m going to stay here for Yule. What are you all doing?” said Prue.