“Of course. I’d heard by word of mouth that the Forsythe manner was looking for a maid. I think you might be perfect for the job, Avalon. I’m old friends with Master Sebastian Forsythe, the man who owns the manor. I hear he is looking for someone with particular talents when it comes to keeping baths hot, fires lit, stoves cooking and bedrooms clean. Sounds perfect to me.”
He was right of course. I could do all of those jobs. Well, almost. I wasn’t exactly a clean-freak, seeing as most things would sizzle under my touch, but of course I would try.
“That sounds wonderful Lester, thank you.”
“I’d say trot on over to the manor now. You really can’t miss it. There are three manors in Frost Arch. All you have to do is follow the main road downhill, past the marketplace. Just follow that road.”
“Thank you, sir.” I said tucking the documents into my travelling cloak.
“Off you pop then Miss Avalon.” Lester Elwood waved me from the room.
I gave a quick bow, feeling rather silly about it afterwards of course, and hurried from the room. Once I was in the long, beautiful hall again, I saw Edmund waiting by the door.
“Good luck with your visit to the Forsythe Manor, Miss Redding.” Edmund bowed to me as I approached him.
“Um. Thank you.” I stammered. His talent really did make me uneasy. What other things could he hear inside my head, that even I wasn’t aware I was thinking? I figured he must have a very deep understanding of the mind, not to mention being able to read thoughts would make first impressions quite easy for him.
I gave a weak smile as Edmund opened the door for me, and I stepped out into the chilly street. The wind had picked up, and was blowing snowflakes into my face. They melted on contact, and I barely felt the cold.
“Just follow this road past the marketplace.” Edmund pointed to the main street again.
I vaguely thought about Jefferson, and I knew he would be there, probably just realising that his furry little friend in the crate had mysteriously disappeared.
Edmund chuckled and I bit my lip, worried.
“Of course, there are some side streets to avoid the marketplace.” He continued pointing down the alley we were in, “But there really isn’t any point. The marketplace is so crowded that no one will even notice you. I promise.” He gave a friendly smile. I liked Edmund, I decided.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head and hurried from the Power Seer Headquarters.
Chapter three
A Good Impression
I was one hundred percent sure that I wanted to take the alleyways that would lead me around the marketplace, though I was certain I would get lost. I sighed and felt another twitch from my bag. My stomach gave an uneasy lurch. I really didn’t want to be caught.
Rolling my eyes, I started down the dim alleyway that curved into the distance.
“I’ll let you out as soon as it’s safe, I promise.” I told my bag, “Just stop moving.”
I kicked up the snow with my boots as I made my way through the unknown alley. Somewhere in the distance I heard a great rumbling which sounded like some kind eruption. It made the very floor I was standing on shake. Snow from the rooves around me fell to the ground with a splat and I slipped upon the black ice on the floor, landing rather hard on my bottom. A gush of fire erupted around my hands and forearms. I scowled, shook myself mentally and got up. I looked around and saw a tall mountain somewhere in the distance. It sounded as though the explosion had come from there.
Ignoring it, I pressed onwards. The road curved to the left, and I faintly heard the babble of commotion from the marketplace coming from behind the thick stone walls; people yelling prices, arguing, chains rattling, chickens clucking, babies crying, the clink of coins, and humans being bought and sold by their masters. The smell was also new to me; fish, feathers, manure, charcoal, vegetables. I faintly heard what sounded like entertainment. Yes, definitely. Someone was using their Power to entertain the folk. I heard laughter, and cheers, children asking their parents to be picked up to get a better look …
I continued down the alley, passing turns every now and then that let me glimpse the marketplace for brief seconds. I walked another hundred meters, and the sound faded into the distance. I was sure I was past the marketplace now, and it would be safe to return to the main road.