Free Frost Arch by Kate Bloomfield

as not to be overheard talking about his Masters truthfully.
    “Then there’s Mister Theodore from the Arthfael family. He isn’t related to anyone here by blood of course, but he is betrothed to our Master’s daughter. He lives with his family in a manor on the opposite side of Frost Arch. Well respected family. They visit often, so make sure you stay out of their way.”
    It was an awful lot to remember, and I repeated the names in my head to try and retain the information. Master Forsythe, the man of the household was married to Winifred. They had two children together who were grown-up named Rain and Noah. Rain was betrothed to someone called Theodore Arthfael, who was part of a very important family on the opposite side of the city. I hoped I had it right.
    “I think I got all that.” I said slowly, “So how many people work here?”
    Charles did a quick count in his head, “at least fifteen other people besides us.”
    I raised my eyebrows, “Fifteen people to look after a family of four?” I said amazed.
    “Well … There is the specialised household staff,” Charles pressed on, “Like myself. I manage the other staff; make sure everyone is on task and doing their jobs. I also organise wages, and hire new staff. Then we have our chefs who plan and prepare every meal. We have someone to train the Pegasi, and organise travel throughout the city.” I opened my mouth to ask what ‘Pegasi’ were, but closed it again when Charles continued talking, “You already met Jack our household healer. We’re quite lucky to have him actually. Most people would kill for live-in healer. We have a messenger too. Then there are the odd jobs here and there that need to be done, so we hire servants to clean dishes, mop floors, dust tapestries, and feed the humans.”
    “There are humans here?”
    “Oh, a few. We’ve got a couple in the basement dungeon right now. Not good for much really, seeing as they can’t even string a sentence together. Though I suppose that’s our doing really.” Charles said thoughtfully.
    “So what do you use them for?”
    “Slave labour of course. Always good to have a few humans handy, as you don’t have to pay them see? Once they’re bought and paid for that’s it really. They’re cheap too. We mainly get them to wash the linen. Simple job. Can’t confuse them too much otherwise they get upset.”
    I nodded, my stomach twisting painfully as I thought about Helena back home. I had never actually seen a human before. I wondered whether they looked different from us. I was sure you wouldn’t be able to tell Helena was void of Power, as she looked a great deal like my mother. But pure humans I was curious about.
    “So where do I fit into all this? I’m a … a servant?” I guessed.
    “Not quite.” Charles said leading me through another doorway, “The position you will be filling will be parallel with your Power. As you may have noticed Frost Arch is a rather frigid place to live, so you’re job is quite relevant. I’d define your position as … more of a dignified maid, minus the vigorous cleaning that the servants do. All I want you to worry about it the constant temperature of this manor, whilst making sure that nothing catches on fire. Make sure, when you go into the Master’s study to light the fire, that you never set foot upon the upper landing. If the Master finds out that anyone but himself has been there, well, it won’t be pretty. Do you think those chores will be a problem?”
    “No sir.” I lied.
    “Good, good. Of course I will have other chores to keep you busy. Sometimes I may request that you make a trip to the marketplace for me, or the kitchen may require your help at meal time if we have guests. Lots of different things.”
    As we had been talking Charles had led me back down into the kitchen that I had entered the manor through. My bag was still hanging from the hook by the door. Around me Mages were bustling here and there preparing dinner for the