“You’d think that.” Jack agreed, “But she charges a lot for her services, and no one can really afford her trinkets apart from the four richest families in Frost Arch. The rest of us are pretty much in poverty.”
I assumed that the Forsythe’s and Elvira Frost were two of the four. I asked Jack about the other two, and where they lived.
“Well you’ve got the Arthfael.” Jack pointed somewhere to the west, “The Masters only daughter, Rain, is engaged to the Arthfael's only son, Theodore. I’m not quite sure if it was an arranged marriage, however the families do get on quite well.”
I nodded, and remembered someone else telling me that little fact.
“Then we’ve got the Trumble’s. Quiet family. They mostly keep to themselves, but sometimes make appearances at events, like important weddings or meetings.” Jack indicated somewhere to the east.
By the looks of it, these three very rich and powerful families were stationed around Frost Arch. Forsythe was to the south. The Arthfael family to the west and the Trumble’s to the east. Of course, Elvira Frost was stationed upon her intimidating mountain to the north.
It felt almost like a square surrounding the city. Then another less pleasant thought crossed my mind. No. It seemed like a guard. But what kind of guard? Something that watched over the Mage’s of Frost Arch? Or perhaps they were positioned so to trap them within its walls. I shivered at the thought.
We were now on the path that led towards the manor. The sun was higher in the sky now, shining bravely. I wondered what Hawthorne was doing. Probably chasing some critters no doubt. As usual we entered through the back door of the manor, circling round the house. We kept up a string of easy conversation along the way.
A familiar noise made my heart stop dead. A high, shrill yelp. I stopped and swirled around. Jack looked confused.
“What was that?” He wondered.
“P-Probably a wild animal.” I shrugged it off as if it were nothing. I knew it was Hawthorne, but I couldn’t tell what kind of cry that had been. Was he okay? I looked around but I couldn’t see him anywhere.
The next thing I knew something collided with my chest and I fell back into the snow with a crunch. Hawthorne had come bounding out of the nearby vegetation and launched himself at my chest with joy. Only he was heavier. I gasped. He was bigger still!
“Argh!” Was all I could manage in my surprise.
Jack blanched, confused and bewildered.
“No!” He cried as Hawthorne licked at my face excitedly.
I tried to explain, but I couldn’t talk. I was sure from Jack’s point of view it must look like I was being attacked by a wild animal that had come running from the dense trees.
I spluttered and tried to push Hawthorne off me, but he was so excited that I was back he simply thought I was playing.
Jack aimed a kick at Hawthorne to get him off me. He thought I was being mauled. I reacted instinctively.
I rolled Hawthorne under me just in time to feel Jack’s boot collide with my ribs. I heard a sick crack and I knew he had broken at least one rib. Pain seared through my chest as I collapsed to the ground.
“Avalon!” Jack said panicked. Hawthorne growled menacingly at Jack once he was upright, the hackles on his back standing on end. Not to mention his coat had turned jet black in his sudden anger. He looked absolutely terrifying.
“No! Hawthorne! Jack! Stop it!” I panted, crouched over in the snow. The pain seared and my extreme body temperature melted the snow around me.
Jack’s hands fluttered wildly around me as though he wasn’t sure what to make of the situation.
“It’s okay Jack. He wasn’t hurting me.” I tried to explain. My secret was out now, I guessed.
Hawthorne looked at me with worried eyes, whining gently as though he knew I was hurt, and that he had done wrong. I petted him reassuringly.
“This … this thing … you know it?” He asked.
I looked up at Jack with pleading eyes, “He’s mine.”
Jack looked between us, and I suddenly wondered if he would turn me in. Surely … he wouldn’t. His expression suggested otherwise.
Chapter Six
A Son Returns
I grimaced in pain as I looked up at Jack, waiting for him to say something. I tried to get up, but just groaned and flopped back down onto the snow.
Jack sighed and knelt beside me, Hawthorne glaring at him reproachfully.
“I’m very sorry I hurt you.” He said helping me onto my back. I concentrated hard on reducing my temperature.
“It wasn’t you’re fault.” I rolled my eyes.
Jack very gently put his hands over my ribs once I was cool enough to touch. I felt my face flush pink, and Hawthorne growled as though he wished no one to lay their hands on me. I was rather pleased that he felt so protective.
“It’s okay.” I cooed and Hawthorne huffed impatiently, his coat lightening to a medium grey.
“Two cracked ribs.” Jack analysed just by holding his hands against the problem area.
“Can you mend it?” I asked.