“Yes, Rain Forsythe is getting married to Theodore from the Arthfael family across the city.” Jack reminded me.
“Oh. I didn’t know it was so soon. I guess I should be paying more attention to things that happen around the manor.” I had never spoken to Rain Forsythe, and I had only ever run into her by accident at least three times. Each time she had ignored me and let me continue with the heating of the bath. She was a deathly thin girl, so skinny the bones of her wrists and hips stuck out rather harshly. I often wondered if she remembered to eat regularly. Although she was thin and willowy, her face would be quite pretty perhaps if she had more meat on her bones. Her jaw line and cheekbones were very prominent; she had heavily lidded eyes, and an all over snobbish disposition.
Jack shrugged, “None of the staff really care. It just means extra hard work on the days leading up to the wedding.”
“The wedding will be at the manor?” I said rather shocked.
“The Forsythe manor is the largest mansion in Frost Arch, apart from old Frosty’s lair.” Jack pointed to the ever prominent peak that rose above the clouds. The mountain was quite intimidating.
“Isn’t there a cathedral or somewhere for them do to it?” I said looking around.
Jack chuckled, “Of course, but the Forsythe family has many friends … they wouldn’t fit in the local church.”
I rolled my eyes, “Typical.” I muttered, “If they won’t fit in a church, how will they all fit into one room of the manor?”
“Oh, we have a function room that stays locked most of the time. It doesn’t really get used apart from special occasions.”
“I should have known.” I sighed, “They have everything.”
“Pretty much.” Jack agreed, “But you don’t even know the half of it.”
“I’m not sure I want to.” I frowned.
We had continued through the city, and I thought about all the extra work I would have to help with when it was the days leading up to the wedding. I’d probably be cleaning the manor from top to bottom vigorously with the maids.
I shivered and pulled my coat tighter around my body. Jack laughed and slung his arm over my shoulder casually, pinning me to his side. I shared his body heat up until the moment we were outside Gretchen’s Messenger Service shop.
As we entered I spotted the grey haired, plump woman right away. She was sitting behind the counter eating a rather delicious looking pastry. Spoils. My mouth watered. I hadn’t had anything that delicious looking in a long time. My stomach grumbled angrily.
“Jack.” Gretchen beamed, her mouth full of pastry.
“Morning Gretchen.” Jack grinned and leaned on the counter casually, “You are looking lovely today.”
Gretchen swallowed and coughed before waving her hand airily. Like before, she ignored my presence, “Aren’t I spoiled?” She smiled, her two chins wobbling as she spoke, “Two visits from you in one week!”
I glanced at Jack, wondering when he had been here at all this week. That package had been three weeks ago. He flushed pink but talked intently to Gretchen.
“Would I pass up the opportunity to see you?” He said incredulously, “But of course, as usual I’m on a mission.”
It was then that he took the bag from his shoulder and placed it upon the counter.
While they were discussing the wedding invitations I turned to see the map sprawled out across the wall. It was so large it took up most of the space. Surrounding it were leaflets that had been pinned up saying numerous things like; Humans for a Pittance, every day at the marketplace! Or F.A Library, You’re Source For Knowledge. I ignored the unimportant flyers and scoured the map.
I looked hard at all the little names of towns and cities across the paper. There were so many I doubted I would be able to read them all before we would have to leave. Mortlock stood as though it was throbbing like a swollen thumb, but I ignored the painful pang in my heart and kept looking. Flamethroat Valley, Concord City (the place where the Realm of Mage’s lived. It was from here they governed our world), Hew Town, Athol Hills, Knox Lake and Scyre Village were some of the places I read. They had the largest names in print upon the map, so I assumed they must be big tourist or economy spots. In my quick scour of the map I didn’t see a Phoenix Arch there at all.
Jack was finishing up with Gretchen and handing over a rather large amount of gold for the mass of wedding invitations. I turned to face them now and spoke to Gretchen for the first time.
“Excuse me. Where is Phoenix Arch on this map?”
Jack’s eyes were round and shocked, though I didn’t understand why. Charles was no longer here so I saw no harm in asking anymore. Jack put his hand to his temple in frustration and pretended he hadn’t heard me.
“What did you say?” Gretchen asked, her eyebrows rising so high that they were in danger of becoming lost in her fly away hair.