Ignoring Camryn’s rant I turned to Jack, “I’m going.” I said seriously to him, “You stay and explain if you like, but I’m getting Hawthorne.” And without another word I kicked my heels into Cloven’s sides. For an older Pegasus he could move quite swiftly. Without hesitation he shot forwards, past Camryn and through the open stable doors. I heard Camryn shouting instructions to her Pegasus but it seemed he was too elated with being outside to care. Camryn’s Power wouldn’t work on this excited steed, but perhaps it would work on Merrick. Once Cloven was at full speed I lowered myself against him and prepared for takeoff. His enormous wings began to beat powerfully at my side, the joints catching my ankles and scaring me quite thoroughly. Only a few seconds later and we were airborne, soaring through the freezing mist getting higher and higher every second. I looked behind me and watched the stables becoming smaller and smaller, a black bird following at an eager pace. I smiled as R?ven caught up and soared alongside me. I felt joy and sadness at that moment as I remembered what it had been like the first time I had ridden Hawthorne. It had been wonderful and terrifying yet I had never felt so carefree. Yet now I was anxious and scared. Would I find Hawthorne? Was he still at the top of this mountain? Was he even alive? Questions ran through my head at the speed of light but I held my head high and continued steering Cloven in the right direction. We were getting quite high now, and I felt that it would be best to disappear beyond the cloud bank. R?ven swooped and twirled in the air before us, enjoying the freedom. It was truly beautiful to watch though my mind was miles away on Jack and Hawthorne.
As though summoned by the very thought Jack appeared at my side with difficulty, upon Merrick who was positively thrilled to be so high. He whinnied and flew recklessly with poor Jack hanging on for dear life, a terrified expression plastered across his face. I felt as though I had reached a new level or reckless within my life, and found that I simply didn’t care what happened anymore. Jack glared hopelessly and tried to control Merrick while I focused on what lay ahead. We flew for several minutes Merrick’s height dropping and rising randomly. Every now and then he indulged himself in a mid air twist causing Jack to fear for his very life. Cloven kept up a steady pace though after a few minutes I felt him begin to slow down and resist against the tugs I made against the reigns.
“Not far now.” I told him soothingly.
We were above the clouds now and I was positively shivering so hard that it was surprising that Cloven wasn't shaking too.
Within a few minutes Cloven had slowed down a considerable amount.
“Come on, boy.” I urged him, “You can do it.”
“Up ahead!” I heard Jack yell.
I looked up and saw Frost mountain looming ahead, a mere mile away. It seemed mystical and surreal as we flew through a rather dense patch of fog. We gained more height and soon I could make out the top of the mountain for the very first time. It was not what I had expected. Where there should have been a peak, there was an enormous castle of stone and solid ice, at least five times bigger than the Forsythe manor. Indeed, this castle could house a small community, and I reminded myself that it probably did. A few hundred people tending to Elvira Frost, all of whom lived and worked there.
I was shaking violently as we approached, yet it was no longer from the stinging cold that chilled me to the bone. I was scared. Of course I was scared. I was about to break into a level nine mage’s premises while she was currently occupied at a very important city wedding. Though I felt safe with Jack and R?ven. I knew we would have to go into hiding once we found Hawthorne. I was already in so much trouble with the authorities of Frost Arch, in so much trouble they were prepared to leave me for dead in a filthy dungeon. Clearly one more felony wouldn’t make things worse. As I thought these things I felt slightly calmer. Nothing I could do could make my situation any worse. Though at that moment a new thought occurred; what if someone got hurt? Nonsense, Jack is a healer, I reminded myself, gripping tightly to Cloven’s reigns. Though if something did go horribly wrong, how would I ever forgive myself? I hoped I would not have to make a terrible choice today. I would gladly hand myself over in exchange for Hawthorne’s freedom, though hopefully Jack and R?ven would leave unscathed. I shook the thoughts from my head, and reminded myself that it was I whom Seth Swaggart had stalked for several weeks, and at this moment I was glad of it. I would have been much more distressed if it had been Jack who was destined to die so very soon. I wondered how much time I had left. Since my encounter with Seth Swaggart several weeks had passed, so it must be soon. Or perhaps I had already evaded it? Perhaps my time in the dungeon was supposed to finish me off? Perhaps Jack and R?ven’s rescue had changed the course of things. Somehow I doubted it. Seth Swaggart had told me he had never managed to rescue anyone when their time was up. I scowled as the hood on my head fell back and my hair billowed out behind me. My destiny was not pre-determined. I determined my own destiny. I looked across at Jack, my expression hard and blazing and he understood.
We were mere seconds away from the castle of ice and stone now. Jack and I followed R?ven’s direct path as she led us around the castle to a third floor balcony. It seemed she knew where she was going. Within a matter of time we were landing softly on the small balcony. Cloven’s elderly legs shook as he came to a halt and I climbed from his back.
“I’m sorry.” I whispered to him, petting his nose.
Merrick however bounded around joyfully, whinnying quite loudly.
“Shut up! Shut up!” Jack hissed, trying to grab hold of the reigns.
“Leave him.” R?ven chimed in.
My knees buckled. I hadn’t even noticed R?ven transform and her voice had taken me by surprise. R?ven held out her pale, petite hand and helped me to my feet.
“Don’t take me by surprise like that.” I hissed at her.
She shook her head seriously and handed Jack and I what looked like ear plugs.
“When I give the signal.” She informed us. I understood, obviously. If we were in need of a getaway these would be quite useful when R?ven started singing.