It was late, almost three in the morning. The sky was a beautiful black, lit up by thousands of tiny stars and a huge white orb in it's centre, Jackson Overland Frost walked peacefully though the grassy field. His staff thrown carelessly over his shoulder.
"Full moon," he said to himself "everyone says that means the man in the moon is watching over us... protecting us" he whispered and looked up, he laughed "you know," he now spoke out loud as if to somebody else "my dad believed that! He died on a full moon!" he shouted the last bit more like an accusation before laughing.
"Quite ironic," Jack said, now leaning on his staff "I for one, don't believe in any of does stupid fairytales. Is there not enough magic in the world without making up pointless stories?" he asked loudly twirling around in the air letting the wind carry him as if to make his point.
He sighed as the moonlight blinded him, he rolled his eyes and looked away "stupid moon," he mumbled "worst than the sun" he said turning around and heading back towards his home. He knew he would not sleep but at least that way he would be there in case Pippa woke up.
"Jack!" Pippa shouted running down the stairs that morning, Jack smiled and sat up.
"How you doing this morning?" he asked with a grin.
"I'm doing great!" she shouted jumping up and down with excitement "what are we doing today?" she asked, eyes bright.
Jack laughed "well I've got training in the morning and you've got school but... how about we go ice skating this evening? I have something important to tell you..."
She laughed punching the air "yes! I love ice skating! Will you teach me how to do a twirl?"
Jack smiled "if we have time," Jack said kissing her on the forehead and handing her a bowl with cereal in it "now eat, your cereal before it gets all soggy" he warned.
Pippa smiled and sat down grabbing a spoon as she began to eat. Telling Jack about the beautiful dreams she had last night, Jack listened happily. It had taken a while for the two children to get to where they were now. With both parents gone it had been hard to overcome the depression, but they were both strong and all though it had been scary. They made it through. Together.
Jack laughed "what strange dreams you have" he said.
"There not strange! There magical!" she shouted finishing up her cereal.
"This is magical" he said grabbing his staff and tapping the ceiling.
Pippa rolled her eyes "show off" she said but smiled up at the beautiful frost patterns.
"Now go get your stuff!" he pushed her towards the stairs "if you don't hurry I wont have time to walk you to school" he threatened making her hurry up.
Jack's grin vanished as soon as his sister was gone and instead he frowned. Going over to his room past the living room, he quickly got changed. He put on his old brown leather trousers, perfect for moving around, his blue hoodie and then some bits of armour. The best thing to compare them to would be bike pads, covering his knees and elbows and then some for his hands. He entered the living room and practised some movements with his staff while he waited for his sister.
"Jack! I'm ready!" Pippa called, Jack stopped his practice, smiling as he entered the kitchen.
"Looks like you've got sports today" he said.
"Battle training! Same as you," she said proudly.
"Wow, aren't you a big girl, how about we warm up?"
"Warm up?"
"Bet I am faster! Race you to school!" he shouted and suddenly ran out the door.
"Hey! Jack! That isn't fair!" she shouted following Jack as fast as she could, laughing as she caught up, she knew Jack let her catch up, but it still felt great.
Eventually they reached the school, Jack had beaten her. Pippa was panting, hands on her knees, Jack laughed "you need to do more exercise!"
"No I don't! You can't expect me to have as much stamina as you! You're a warrior!"
Jack laughed "I guess so, I leave you here, you can walk home alone?"
"Of course! I always do," Pippa pointing out rolling her eyes.
"Asking is still polite!" Jack said throwing his hands in the air, grinning "I'll see you later!" he said and flew of, the wind carrying him faster than anybody in the tribe could run. Pippa waved goodbye before entering her small school.
Jack landed in the courtyard of his 'school', taking in a deep breath of cold air before heading towards the main doors, before he arrived they where opened, the director, his mentor and the tribe leaders came out. Jack's eyes widened with surprise.
"Oh Jack, you are here!" his mentor smiled walking over to the young boy.
"Good Morning Sir," he said, bowing "I didn't know we had visitors" he tried to sound apologetic.
"Ah yes, as you know young man, it has been five years since the last tournaments and, as tradition goes, there will be another very soon."
"The tournaments..." Jack whispered, as he fought of them, he was very much aware of them. Five years ago, nearly five years ago, he lost his father to them. Every five years they where held, every tribe, town, city... whatever they chose to call themselves. Were allowed to chose a challenger, a warrior. Then they would all fight in a battle to the death.
It was not as violent as it sounded. Not all tribes chose to enter, many of does who specialized in healing and such avoided it. And even if you did enter, you where free to step down. Of course, that rarely happened, once you chose to be a challenger, most would fight until the very end, including Jack's father.
"I know of them well, I was going to speak of you about them... later."
"Why not now Jack?"
Jack raised an eyebrow "it is not worth the times of such important people."
"Ah, Jack, if it is about the tournament then it is most definitely worth our time, well, go ahead, do tell us."
"Well you see... Sir... I was planing on volunteering as a challenger" Jack said running his hands though his snow white hair.
His mentors eyes widened "J-Jack...?"
"I fought you said there were no volunteers from the school?" the tribe leader asked, smiling at Jack.
"Well..." the director began to explain "we just found out now" he said a simple hand gesture accompanying his words.
"But did you not ask?"
"You see, we forgot Jack was eighteen... he was seventeen until very recently" Jack's mentor explained, he looked at Jack, in all honestly he wasn't sure if Jack was, but guessed Jack would not want to volunteer if he was not at least the right age.
"Well there are no other volunteers so you are the challenger representing Burgess! Congratulations...?" he was holding out his hands.
"Jackson Overland Frost" Jack said shaking it.
"Jackson Overland Frost..." the man repeated memorizing the name "well, seems my business here is done, thank you for your time" he said bowing to the two other men before leaving, waving to Jack.
Jack looked up at the other two who looked a little shocked by what had just happened. He laughed "I said it would be best to speak in private," he pointed out.
The rest of the day was hard. His mentor made him work very hard that day, he had scolded Jack for not waiting another five years and attempted to convince him to back down. But Jack refused. So instead he did his best to force as much knowledge into the kids head as he could in the little amount of time they had left.
Jack arrived at home much later then he fought he would. Pippa had the ice skates already and a picnic packed, she was trembling with excitement and Jack forgot about his exhaustion almost instantly. They walked to the lake where they always went to ice skate and have picnics.
At first they skated in silence for a while, going around in circles, Jack had his staff and was making beautiful frost patterns on top of the ice. Finally Pippa broke the silence "so, why where you so late coming home? Did you get in trouble?"
"Not exactly..."
"You going to tell me?"
Jack suddenly stopped and Pippa almost fell in an attempt to not bump into her brother. She looked up at him, Jack looked hesitant and a little sad.
"Pippa..."
"Yes, Jack?"
"You know what happens in a few weeks right?"
Pippa turned to look at the ice "the tournaments... where father died."
Jack sighed and nodded "yes, and, you see..." he wasn't sure how to continue, he took a deep breath, took one look at his sister's face and decided to just let it out, fast "I volunteered."
Pippa's eyes widened and she turned to look at her brother, taking a second to fully take in what Jack had just said "you.. volunteered...?"
Jack nodded. Looking away "I want to honour our father, Pippa..."
"But what if you die?" she whispered and grabbed Jack holding him tightly "I can't lose you too!"
Jack closed his eyes and knelt down, holding her close "I wont let that happen" he whispered "I'm the best of my age remember!"
Pippa looked at him for a second "your not even old enough, your not eighteen yet?"
Jack shushed her "I know, but you can't honestly expect me to wait another five years, can you?"
"Jack... I love you."
"I love you too... but I have to do this, Pippa... I will win, I will win and when I do... we will have enough money to support our little family for the rest of our lives, I will honour our father and... and..."
"And you will prove yourself?"
Jack hesitated then nodded, looking at his sister, waiting for her to speak.
"Jack... I love you..." she whispered and sighed "but you are as stubborn as a mule! I know from experience... just... promise you'll come back, I don't care if you win, just promise me you'll come back."
Jack smiled and cuddled her close "I swear on my soul, my staff, on the snow and on the wind," he whispered, this reassured Pippa who smiled and cuddled him lovingly.
"Good luck, Jack."
"Thank you, Pippa."