The next day I walked into the city alone, intent on sending my letter. I would have invited Jack but I knew he would ask questions about it. Every time I thought about the letter my mind wandered off to Noah unintentionally. I entered the Messenger Service shop, the bell clanging loudly. Once again it was empty so I waited by the counter nervously. I heard footsteps coming. Probably lovely old Gretchen. I highly doubted that she would give me cheaper delivery if I flirted with her too. The thought made me shudder. However the body that entered through the adjoining room was not the plump frame of old Gretchen, but the amazingly beautiful form of R?ven, the girl who could morph into the elegant black bird.
I felt intimidated by her beauty but put my insecurities aside and fumbled for my letter, placing it upon the counter.
“Um, hello. I, uh, have a rather long-distance letter I need to have delivered, uh, please.” I found that I couldn’t string a coherent sentence. R?ven did not speak but just looked at me intently. I remembered that Jack had told me that he had never heard her utter a word before.
I cleared my throat and continued, “Um. I need it to be taken to the little town of Mortlock, just north from here. I’d like it to be delivered … rather fast … if that’s okay. The address is on the letter.” I added.
R?ven nodded curtly, took my letter and tucked it safely under her arm. I remembered how much it had cost for Jack to get a message delivered within Frost Arch, but I had no idea how much a letter to Mortlock would cost.
I was about to ask, however, when R?ven pointed to a large map pinned to the wall on my right. I looked at it closely. A little tag marked ‘YOU ARE HERE’ in the centre of the map. A closer look told me that all the neighbouring towns were also labelled on this map which seemed to show the whole of England. I found Mortlock easily on the map, and next to it was a little tag that read;
Normal Delivery; 5 gold pieces
Express Delivery; 7 gold pieces
The prices seemed to go higher the further away they were from Frost Arch. I nodded. This price was perfectly reasonable now that I had my new and improved wages. I dug in my pockets from my little money pouch and extracted the correct amount of coins. R?ven held out her petite hand into which I dropped the money. She gave me a swift nod and left the room again. I swallowed and left the shop. I wasn’t quite sure if R?ven was capable of smiling. And why was she so silent? Was she mute? Not much use having someone who can’t talk running a shop, I thought.
As I stepped out onto the street I heard my name being called from a distance. Looking towards the heart of the city I saw a lanky figure waving its arms and jogging towards me. Jack was pink in the cheeks, but he seemed cheerful. He was grinning broadly as he swaggered to a halt in front of me.
“Hello.” I said, mildly surprised, “I-I didn’t know you were in the city.”
Jack shrugged, “I’m always wandering around where ever I’m needed. Besides, it’s for a special occasion. What are you doing here so early anyway?”
I tried to deflect the question, “A special occasion?” I faked interest.
Jack grinned sheepishly, “A present. For you.”
“For me?” I said rather shocked, and much more interested now.
From his breast pocket Jack pulled out two thin, slightly transparent slips of paper with fine lettering printed upon them. They flapped merrily in the wind as he handed me one of them. Written upon the fine paper was the words; MADAM FEATHER in an elegant script along with times, dates and other inconsequential information.
I looked up at Jack who was still grinning at me.
“You’re taking me to see Madam Feather?” I asked with raised eyebrows.
“Like I promised.” He added.
It was true, he had insisted upon taking me to see a performance by her, but I hadn’t actually expected him to go through with it.
“Jack, how much did these passes cost?” I frowned.
“It doesn’t matter. You have to see her, it’s amazing.” A dreamy look appeared in his eyes.
“Jack.” I frowned handing the pass back to him.
Jack rolled his eyes and took the pass from me, “It’s for tonight, at ten o’clock, so there’s no turning back now. Non-refundable.”
“You shouldn’t have.” I rolled my eyes.
“You’ll be done with work by then, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” He smiled, rather pleased with himself.
“I’ll give you the gold for my pass.” I said rummaging around in my coin sack.
Jack frowned, lines forming on his forehead, “It’s a gift.”
“Which I did not earn.” I said matter-of-factly, jingling the coin sack at him.
Jack shook his head and pressed the gold back into my chest, “I’m treating a lady friend. Now be quiet and take it with grace.” He smirked.
I scowled and stuffed my gold back into my pocket, but cracked a sincere smile when I saw how pleased he was with himself.