Frost Arch (6 page)

“No Sir. I assumed they would be the same as any other law that governs this world.”

He smiled, “To your left there is a scroll of parchment hanging from the wall. Perhaps it would be best if you read the laws of Frost Arch before you decide to live here.”

I looked to my left obediently, and made my way over to the decrepit parchment that hung there behind a class case. I gazed up at the faded lettering that read:

Frost Arch
Law

Law 1
: It is law of Frost Arch that once a child turns ‘the age of Insight’ [Ten years old] that they are to be presented to the Official Power-Seer for Power analysis. Every child must be recorded. All new comers to Frosts Arch that are over the ‘Age of Insight’ must also be recorded by the Official Frost Arch Power Seer
.

Law 2
: It is law of Frost Arch that every child should present themselves to the Official Power Seer once a year if between the ages of ten and eighteen, [The age of full Power-Development], to update recordings if necessary
.

Law 3:
It is law of Frost Arch that Mistress Elvira Frost may, at any given time, have access to the Power Records made by the Official Power-Seer
.

Law 4:
It is law of Frost Arch that citizens who pose a possible threat to the way of life [designed by Mistress Elvira Frost] may be banished from Frost Arch. Death Penalty may apply to those who directly challenge Mistress Elvira Frost’s Authority
.

Law 5:
It is law of Frost Arch that any Citizen with a Power-Level of Eight or higher are to submit themselves to the Official Power-Seer [regardless of age] every year for Power Stability Checkups. If it is found that a person is unable to control their Special Ability, this may result in banishing
.

Law 6:
Mistress Elvira Frost may excuse certain citizens of the compulsory Power Stability Checkups
.

Law 7:
It is law of Frost Arch that any citizen who fails to comply with the aforementioned Laws are submitted for questioning to an Official Frost Arch Psychic, appointed by Mistress Elvira Frost
.

Law 8:
Any traitors to Mistress Elvira Frost and her authority as Frost Arch Governor are to be imprisoned immediately
.

I didn’t know who this Mistress Elvira Frost was, but by the sound of this document, it was quite obvious that she was not someone to mess with. She was obviously the founder of Frost Arch, as it was so named after her.

I made my way back to the blind Power Seer.

“So I guess I have to be analysed for recording then, don’t I?”

I was vaguely aware of movement inside my duffle bag which was slung over my shoulder casually.

“I’m afraid so.” Lester Elwood nodded, “Now please, don’t be alarmed, and hold still.” He spoke as he got up from the chair. He was hunched over as he hobbled to where I stood. His senses must have been good, because he stopped short just one inch from where I was rooted on the spot. Lester Elwood held his hands up towards my face, and his index fingers pressed against either side of my temple. Several seconds later, the old man was hobbling back towards his chair on the other side of the desk.

“That’s it?” I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding, “You’re done?”

“That is all it takes.” He said shuffling papers around his desk. Lester felt around, but seemed to find what he was looking for. A moment later he had a quill and ink in his hand, and he was scrawling neat writing across a document.

“Fire Mage.” He noted. “Level … hm … level five, by the feel of it. Though I’m not sure. It seems … squashed, somehow.”

I had no idea what the man was saying. Probably barking mad.

“There’s a numeric system to measure Power?” I asked.

“But of course.” Lester seemed shocked that I had doubted otherwise, “Everyone knows it here in Frost Arch.”

“Mind sharing?”

“Well a Power Level of zero, obviously that means human. We only allow humans here for trading at the marketplace of course. No human is allowed to make a home for themselves here. Pure slaves.

“Levels of one or two usually indicate that they are half human, half Mage. Of course this is almost as bad as being pure human.” He scoffed, but continued, “A Power level of three or four is really quite unfortunate. It just means that they are a pure-blood Mage that is quite weak. It’s hard finding work at that level. Mages like that are usually given worthless jobs, or try and make their own way by trading in the Marketplace.

“Level five or six is very common, average if you will. Every day jobs for those ones. Mainly Serving masters with a much higher Power Level than their own. No one in their right mind would hire staff that is stronger than them.

“Seven or Eight is seen as a reasonably high Power level. It’s respectable, and most Mages of Frost Arch with this Power Level are doing quite well for themselves.

“It’s very uncommon to find a Mage with a Power level exceeding eight, with one rare exception to our city. Mistress Elvira Frost is the highest level Mage I’ve come across in many years. A level nine. Not that it’s a good thing. Anything higher than a level eight becomes unstable. Dangerous. Destructive. We’re lucky our leader is incredibly talented.” Lester trailed off.

“Is there a level ten?” I pondered.

Lester’s face contorted, “In my ninety years on this world, I’ve never come across a level ten Mage before. Not that I want to.”

“Why not?” I said, genuinely interested now.

“I’d have to be bonkers to want to come face to face with death itself.” He said baffled. “A level ten … is … unimaginable. The Power would be so immense … I’m sure they wouldn’t even survive their own gift. I’d go as far as saying a level ten Mage wouldn’t even make it out of childhood alive, let alone their entire family.”

I raised my eyebrows, “I had no idea such Power could exist.”

“Well lucky for us, it doesn’t.” Lester seemed to be growing tired of my stupidity on this particular subject.

“So I’m a level five …” I said, rather beat about it. I thought that I might at least be a little above average. I thought I was rather dangerous.

“Yes. Level Five. Fire Mage. Average Power.” He stamped something onto the documents he was scrawling on.

“So what do I do with these papers?” I questioned.

Lester folded the documents in his wrinkled hands and slid them across the desk to me. “You show these when looking for work … when entering the city … or … when questioned at random by Guards of Frost Arch. Make sure you keep them with you at all times.”

I nodded subconsciously as I took the papers from the desk. Work. I hadn’t even thought about what I was going to do with myself.

As if Lester had read my mind, he asked, “Do you have any idea how you are going to make a living here Miss Avalon?”

I gulped loudly, “Well … I thought I would have a look around and maybe …” I trailed off, not exactly sure what I was going to say.

“I quite possibly have an idea, if you don’t mind me prying.”

My mouth twitched, “I don’t mind. Any help is good, right?”

“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.

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.

I turned at the next alley, and made my way back on course. I felt far too exposed on the wide street. Shops lined either side of the street, though there weren’t many people in sight, only those popping in and out of the doors, ignoring my presence. I was just another body on the street. I looked at the signs that hung over the shop windows; Palm reading, Messenger service, Jewellery, Armoury, Herbal Medicine, Psychic.

Sitting just beyond the last store, a scrawny boy completely dressed in ragged black clothes was leaning on the stone wall, his head between his knees as though he were crying. He was probably homeless I assumed, not to mention freezing to death. Pity welled in my heart as I came level with the boy. My walking slowed to a stroll as I gazed at him. To my surprise his head snapped up in the instant that I became level with him. His face was contorted into a scowl so menacing I actually tripped over my own feet in shock. He had a pale, severe face that was far too thin and dark rings around his eyes as though he had not slept for weeks. The boy was glaring darkly at me, and I was sure that my heart had stopped completely for a brief second. My mouth became dry, and I couldn’t find my legs anymore. I couldn’t move. What was he doing to me? I stared into his pitch black eyes, obvious fear across my face. My body shook as I tried to force it to move, but I was frozen to the spot against my will, my eyes glued on this boy who looked no older than myself. I needed something, anything to break my gaze away from those disturbing eyes. Next I couldn’t breathe. A clamp as cold as ice came down on my lungs, choking me.