“Avalon Redding.” I shook his hand.
“Wow.” He gave a toothy smile, “I can see why you never get cold.”
“Sorry.” I muttered, stuffing my smouldering hand back into my pocket. At a first touch, I was sure that the warmth would be bearable, but the longer you left your hand there, the hotter it got, until your skin was burning.
“It was nice. I’m chilled to the bone.” He smirked rubbing his hands together, “So why are you headed to the Manor?”
“Lester Elwood said I might be able to find work there. He said that the Master was looking for someone with a gift similar to mine. Do you live there?”
“I work there.” Jack confirmed, “Live there too. Healer.” He pointed to his chest.
I smiled, “I wish I could do something useful like that. All I’m good at it ruining things, and setting people on fire.”
“Excellent. It should warm the place up a bit then. I can see why Master Forsythe would want a Fire Mage. It gets rather cold in the Manor.” He gave a laugh, mist coming from his mouth due to the cold that I couldn’t feel, “At the moment the maids just light the fires with matches. Takes ages to warm up.”
I smiled but I didn’t have a clue what ‘matches’ were. At that moment I felt my bag twitch. Damn it, I though, I forgot about you.
“Do you think I’ll get a job there, then?” I asked Jack wearily.
“No problem.” Jack nodded, “I don’t think we even have a Fire Mage in Frost Arch.”
Maybe this cold city was the perfect place for me after all.
We walked together, chatting casually for several minutes, passing snow covered trees. Jack was friendly and very funny. I guessed that Jack was around twenty, give or take a year, though after a couple of minutes of conversation I came to the conclusion that he definitely did not have the mentality of a twenty year old. He seemed the kind who enjoyed practical jokes and being smart in situations that did not call for it, yet he radiated good.
Jack Greenwood was tall and lanky with big hands and ears, but there was definitely something handsome about him. His grin was wide and reached his eyes which crinkled at the sides. When he spoke he used his arms and body animatedly to illustrate his meaning or to exaggerate a point. His hair was short, black and windswept, and his complexion was quite pale.
We were on a winding road now, out of the heart of the city, and on our way to the Manor. I desperately wanted to set my little pet free, though I was worried what Jack might think. He seemed nice enough. Beside me he was shivering, and chattering away about someone that also worked in the Manor. I tried to be inconspicuous as I pulled my bag from my shoulders, and untied the string leaving an opening at the top. I put it back over my shoulders, and continued my pace. Hopefully my little friend would escape without Jack noticing. I felt the weight in my bag shift instantly, though I heard no noise. I assumed it had made a run for it though I didn’t look back to see if there were miniature footprints in the snow. We rounded a corner and came to a large white field. The road continued, and about a hundred meters in the distance was a large and eerie looking mansion made from grey stone. A low wall surrounded the perimeter, and beside the mansion I could see stables and fences, though no horses were in sight. Behind the mansion was a vast, dark forest.
“That’s it.” Jack nodded towards the enormous estate.
I gulped, “I’m going to get very lost.”
“Naw, it’ll be all right. I’ll give you the grand tour once I introduce you to the Head-of-Staff. I’m sure you’ll be hired right away.”
I felt a little bit sick, but I gave a nod.
A few minutes later and Jack was leading me around the building to an entrance at the back. He knocked on a door with peeling white paint, and waited for another staff member to open it. It was only a few seconds before a voluptuous, curly red-haired girl was ushering us in.
“Hey Cam.” Jack said to the fiery-haired girl as he took off his cloak and hung it on a nearby hook. Jack turned to me and offered to take my travelling cloak.
“Who have you brought back with you this time, Jack?” The girl named Cam nodded in my direction as I removed my cloak and bag, making sure to hang onto the papers that Lester had given me.
“This is Ava. She’s going to be inquiring about work. Ava, this is Camryn. She handles the stables.” Jack hung my things on a hook.
“Hello.” I muttered, barely making eye contact. I hated that I was so shy all of the time. My social skills were really awful.
“Hm.” Camryn eyed me up and down before turning back to Jack, “She looks an awful lot like-”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” Jack agreed before Camryn finished her sentence.
“Who do I look like?” I demanded.
“Master is in the study. Though I suggest you go and speak to Charles first.” Camryn cut in, her tone dripped with sarcasm.