Sunday six!

The plot thickens!

Slowly, with a hint of reluctance in his tone, Kalim continued, "As is our custom, the accused - nay, the guilty - may choose his punishment; a quick and merciful death, or to be expelled from this guild, stripped of his contacts, any possessions given to him a member of this guild, his title and all that comes with it. He may choose to leave with nothing but the clothes on his back and the skills he learned. Should our Lady of Shadows take pity on him, he may survive, though it is most unlikely." Kalim nodded to the guards on either side of Tessani, who hauled him to his feet. "So, how will you choose, Shadowbinder?" Kalim asked, his arms folded into his robe.

Considering that Tessani's the protagonist, we can safely say he survives the beginning of his own story, right?