‘Did … did she say where she might go next?’ Jack asked in a softer voice.
His father looked to Caroline to answer the question, who bit her lip, thinking hard.
‘Oh … no, I don’t think she talked about seeing anyone else.’
‘Where is Avalon’s family? Her parents? Aren’t they looking for her?’
Jack nodded. ‘Her mother and sister have taken shelter at a lodge in Hew. They can’t travel far with Helena’s condition-’ Jack stopped talking before he revealed too much about Avalon’s little sister. ‘Her father is traveling to Flamethroat to visit a … friend.’ They didn’t need to know that this ‘friend’ was actually Robert Scotland, another member of H.E.L.E.N.A. (The Human Emancipation League).
Jack didn’t know where to go next. He’d been so sure that Avalon would go to his father’s home. Who else was there? There was R?ven in Frost Arch, but Avalon wouldn’t be stupid enough to go back there. There was one thing that comforted Jack, and that was the fact that Hawthorne was with Avalon. With him, she would be safe.
So where to try next? Perhaps Jack should also head to Flamethroat Valley to meet with Avalon’s father, Kenneth.
No … that wouldn’t be a very productive thing to do. Jack thought long and hard about what to do next before it struck him.
Concord City.
It sounded crazy, and Jack knew Avalon would not be there, however, if she was captured, surely they would take her to the Realm headquarters? It was his best chance of finding her, anyway.
‘Thanks for your help,’ Jack muttered, getting up from the sofa.
‘Where are you going? You need to rest,’ said his father. ‘You’ve been traveling for days.’
‘I need to find her,’ said Jack, picking up his satchel and slinging it over his shoulder.
‘Have a rest, just for a couple of hours, at least,’ said Caroline.
‘No, I’d rather not stay here,’ he replied bitterly. Caroline dropped her gaze and looked at her lap, ashamed.
Jack’s father got up and crossed the sitting room until he was a foot away. ‘At least take this, Son.’ He pressed a small pouch of coins into Jack’s hands.
‘What’s this for?’ Jack asked, holding up the bag of money.
‘To buy a horse,’ his father said. ‘You’ll get there quicker. There’s an auction in town every Saturday. If you hurry, you might make it.’
Jack looked down at the money and felt guilty. ‘I can’t take this. It must be all of your savings.’
His father shook his head. ‘Take it. Like you said, you need to find her … and, well … it’s our fault she isn’t here at the moment.’
Jack eyed his father. ‘Why? You didn’t call the guards here.’ He paused. ‘You didn’t, did you?’
His father gave a slight jerk of the head, indicating to Caroline who sat behind him, unaware of the exchange between the two men.
Jack felt another wave of anger, but clenched his teeth together and repressed it. Through gritted teeth, he hissed: ‘And why would she do that?’
His father winced. ‘It’s … complicated.’
Jack lowered his voice further. ‘Thought you’d get the reward money, huh? Are things really so tight that you need to sell out my girlfriend to the guards?’
‘It’s got nothing to do with money,’ said his father. ‘Just … just trust me okay?’
Jack scoffed and took a step away from his father. ‘Yeah, trust. Whatever.’ He wasn’t sure there would ever be anything between the two of them, not for a very long time, at least. Too much pain had been caused by his abandonment of Jack when he was a child. ‘I’m out of here.’
Jack turned towards the spiral staircase that led to the shop below, ignoring his father’s protests.
Once he was on the street again, Jack took a deep breath and began walking. His legs ached from the three day trek to Scyre, only to find disappointment. He’d been so sure Avalon was here.
Jack decided to take his father’s advice, and went to the marketplace in Scyre to search for a ride. He’d been given enough coin to afford two horses, if he pleased.
Just like his father had said, there was an auction taking place where farmers and breeders bought and sold horses. However, it looked as though the event was coming to a close. Much of the crowd was beginning to disperse just as Jack arrived.
‘All right folks, don’t go anywhere yet. Last horse of the day, and it’s not one to miss. C’mon now, get your pocket money out, and let’s start the bidding at thirty gold.’
The many men and women that were standing around the circular pen lost interest as soon as the price had been named. They muttered to one another, scoffing at the specimen on show before them. Jack squeezed through the crowd until he was against the gate and could see the auction taking place.