‘So why are you going to Concord City?’ Jack asked.
‘Oh, nothing too exciting, I can assure you’ she waved her hand airily. ‘The truth is, my family has gotten into a spot of money trouble – and as the eldest I am now required to take care of myself. So, off to the capital city I go!’
‘Money trouble?’ I repeated. ‘Why rent a room then? You could save your money and camp instead, like Jack and I have done.’
Georgia raised her eyebrows as though this was unthinkable. ‘And look at the state you’re in!’ She waved a hand in my general direction. ‘You poor thing, you look as though no one owns you.’
I flattened my damp hair, rather self-consciously.
‘When do you expect to arrive in Concord City?’ Jack inquired.
Georgia thought for a moment. ‘At this pace, a few days. Thank goodness I’m not walking, can you imagine? I suppose I would have blisters all over my feet already.’
As she spoke, the blisters on my own feet throbbed angrily.
Jack nodded in agreement and shovelled more food into his mouth without taking his eyes off Georgia.
Begrudgingly, I began to eat my own food that had just been brought to me. I watched Jack eat, while he watched Georgia – who ate as though she was a princess. I, in comparison, must have looked like an absolute slob. My hair was damp and tangled, my boots were worn and my feet were blistered and bloody. My dress was torn around the edges and was fairly dirty too. There was still dirt under my fingernails. Georgia, on the other hand, was immaculate. Shining hair, neat clothes and manicured nails.
Soon the conversation turned to Powers. Jack talked about his Healing abilities and, when asked for a demonstration, he complied by slicing his hand with a knife. Georgia gasped, but a moment later burst into applause when she saw that the wound had vanished.
‘Didn’t that hurt?’ she said in awe as Jack mopped up the blood with a napkin.
‘Nah,’ said Jack, puffing out his chest. ‘I’m used to pain.’
I snorted into my food, catching their attention.
‘And what do you do?’ Georgia asked.
‘Can’t you tell?’ I said through a mouthful of food. ‘I’m charming.’
Georgia pursed her lips.
‘Avalon is a Fire-Mage,’ Jack cut in. ‘Aren’t you Ava? Right? Show her.’ Jack’s smile faltered as he saw my expression.
‘We have a name for Fire-Mages in Black Town,’ Georgia said with a smirk.
‘What’s that?’ I asked, not taking my eyes off Jack.
‘Fire-Demons,’ she said icily.
‘How lovely,’ I said, putting my fork down. ‘I think I’m full. Jack? Are you coming?’
‘What? Oh, in a minute. I’m just going to finish talking to Georgia.’ He turned back to her without another word.
I was momentarily stumped and stood at the table for a few seconds before finding my feet and walking out of the dining room. I was extremely annoyed with Jack, but I wasn’t sure why. I decided that I was just tired and grumpy from the past two days of walking. I shouldn’t take Jack’s actions to heart. Besides, I knew what he was like around women.
~
I slept extremely well that night. In the morning, my legs were stiff as though they were made of lead. Everything ached from travelling, yet we weren’t even halfway through our journey. When the morning had reached the seventh hour, I dressed silently, brushed my hair and went to the adjacent room to knock on Jack’s door. Once again, just as it had been last night, there was no answer to my knocks. Agitated, I gathered my things, slung my rucksack over my shoulder and descended the staircase, which took me to the dining room. Jack was not here either. I had figured he would be having breakfast, but no, he was nowhere to be seen. A smiling old lady was clearing away plates and bowls from the table.
‘Was Jack here?’ I asked her.
‘Oh yes, your brother already had breakfast,’ she said. ‘I believe he is in the stables right now.’
‘The stables?’ I frowned, ignoring the brother remark. ‘We don’t have a horse.’
‘He went with Miss Devereux. She asked for his assistance in preparing her horse.’
‘Devereux?’
‘Yes, dear. Georgia Devereux.’