Firebird

Chapter 2- Astley Rickett

Chapter 2- Astley Rickett

   I had no idea what Chalavar meant by ‘forever’. I mean, sure his circus has been around for awhile but not forever. Nothing lasts that long.

   The back of my neck itched like poison ivy. I felt a mark there but couldn’t make out what it was with my fingers. I still didn’t feel quite right, but couldn’t place what was wrong.  

   The rain seemed to fall harder with every step as I walked through the circus’ campsite. My reddish blonde hair clung to my face. Every inch of me was sopping wet. Mud squished and slurped under my feet.

   All the performers had disappeared into their tents. Thunder roared and boomed, shaking the ground. A burst of lightening temporarily blinded me. I desperately needed a shelter. There had to be someone who would let me in or at least tell me where I could go. I spun, quickly examining the tents.

   “Oi! Over here!”

   I turned and saw a blonde head poking out of a tent flap. He waved for me to come and I did, almost slipping in the mud. He held the flap of the tent open and I ducked in under his arm.

   It was small and warm inside his red and beige tent. There was only a cot, a stool, and a backpack. The man sat me on the wooden stool then traveled to the back of the tent where he picked up a ratty, patched up top hat. He gave me a small smile and reached his arm inside.

   I was shocked. His arm kept going in as if the hat had no end. After a bit of rummaging he pulled out a blanket. “There we go! This hat is in desperate need of a cleaning.”

   I wrapped myself in the blanket. “How did you do that?”

   He winked. “Magicians never give away their secrets. You must be new.”

   “Uh... Yeah. I just got here today.”

   He sighed and sat on the small cot in front of me. He was a young man, about twenty five or so. His face was thin as was the rest of him. Blonde stubble covered his chin and under his nose. His deep blue eyes twinkled with playful slyness.

   “I see. Welcome Aurabella. I’m Astley Rickett.” He shook my hand.

   I stared blankly at him. No one knew my full name. Only my parents. He grinned. “I may know your name but I have no idea what part of this circus you will join.”

   “I haven’t exactly decided that. But I was hoping an aerial contortionist or to be part of Fargus Phinnigen’s show.”

   “Fargus? Good luck. Chalavar is very selective when it comes to the finale.” He rubbed his hands together then held one out, palm facing up. He waved his other hand in front of it. When it came down, there was a steaming glass tea cup full of hot chocolate sitting on his hand. He offered it to me.

   I started to drink but he stopped me. Again, he reached into his hat and pulled out a handful of miniature marshmallows. I raised an eyebrow at him as he poured them into my cup.

   “Where did those come from?”

   “My hat! Silly girl.”

   “Seriously. How do you do that?”

   “Magic.” He handed me the hat so I could look inside. It seemed perfectly normal and completely empty.

   He conjured a cup of hot chocolate for himself. I shook my head in awe. “That’s truly amazing. How long have you been doing that?”

   “Ah. Years and years. Since I was only a toddler. I learned from gypsies, other magicians, and a good bit of my family. I was always told magic was what I was born to do.”