The Third Revolution of 1634

[choki]

Before Yvonne could answer him, a cracking sound echoed through the silent park. Someone, whom Yvonne never would have imagined, was standing in front of Jacob. With that familar stern look on his face, Alphard Black stood strong, blocking Jacob's exit.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Jacob fell back on the hard ground in surprise.

"Wha... -?" he managed to get out.

[choki]

"Who are you?" Alphard spoke sternly.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"You just appeared out of thin air in front of me, and you want to know who I am? Who are you?"

[choki]

"What is a young man like yourself, doing outside at these strange hour?" he questioned back, in a stone cold tone. Alphard spotted the broken ropes lying on the grass not far away. He could tell that those ropes were magically conjured and the only person capable of doing that among the two youngsters was his daughter. However, it would also had meant the young man standing in front of him was capable of breaking it.

Although he was not sure what had happened between the two, he was determined to find out, especially when his daughter was in the picture.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"Who are you," he said, perhaps a little stronger. This was getting tiresome. He really just felt like going home.

[choki]

Alphard said nothing. Remaining perfectly still, he commanded a dominant presence.

Yvonne knew Jacob would be in trouble if he continued his discourteous way towards her father. She and Jacob were already exhausted after the earlier incident when both pitted against each other. If her father and Jacob were to engage in a fight, surely the more experienced elder would triumph.

But why should I be bothered about the stranger? This thought was not exactly new to her. While trying to disapparate from the castle, she had felt the same thought.

From the way the two were looking at each other, Yvonne had to think fast. She knew she was nuts the instance she realised she was actually worried about the stranger rather than her father. Then an idea struck her.

Immediately she gave a moan and feigned fainting. As predicted, Alphard disregarded the young man and hurried over to his daughter. Yvonne hoped the man would take this opportunity to run away as far as he could.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Unpredictably, Jacob too turned his attention toward Yvonne.

"My house is... just around the corner," he pointed out to the larger, older man. "If you need it..."

The old man stared at him, put an arm aorund his daughter and disappeared.

Jacob Smythe blinked. Had he actually just suggested that? It must have been because... because he had thought he was alone in being special, and then... a witch?

He shook his head, and walked home.

[choki]

Yvonne couldn't believe her ears when she heard Jacob's offer of help. Though surprised, she had to remain silent and still before her father suspect anything.

The next instant, she felt a floating sensation and she knew they had apparated off to a familar place - the Black mansion.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

By the time he had walked home and seated himself in an armchair by the fire, he had thought fully about all his options. Now that he knew that magic was real...?

There was a crash outside; it sounded accidental. Jacob peered out the window. It was a group of funny-looking men and women - about six of them - and they heading up the path to the door.

Jacob bent his head in curiosity; it had been a strange night. He waved his hand to put the fire out (it did so, instantaneously) and hid behind the door.

[choki]

"What happened!" Yvonne recognised the voice - her mother's.
"Who did that to her?" Her siblings questioned one after another.
"We will talk later." Alphard said, effectively silencing the crowd.

Yvonne continued her pretence - this time to avoid a long lecture from her father and an overly concerned mother. She knew it was rather nasty of her to let her parents worry but there seemed to be no other way out of this sticky situation.

Once her father left after carrying her to the bed, Yvonne sprung up from her bed.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

The group of strangers did the exact opposite to what Jacob was expecting. They knocked on the door. Jacob remained hidden. The knocker knocked again.

"Hello!?" the knocker called out cheerfully. "Master Smythe?"

Jacob had wisely put a noise barrier around his father's room; there was no risk of the shouting waking up him.

But he hadn't done any such thing with the neighbours, and these visitors were very, very loud. Grudgingly, he opened the door.

"Oh, hello? Asleep were you?" said the knocker with an annoyingly happy look on his face. Jacob feigned a yawn. "Yes, actually. How may I help you, my father is upst -"

"Oh it's you we want," piped up young woman from the back of the group. The rest of the group frowned at her, clearly indicating that the knocker was the only one of the group that should be participating in the conversation. She shrugged, "well it is..."

Jacob stared at the knocker.

"Let me introduce myself," the man said. "My name is Almerick Sawbridge," he said it impressively, as though it was supposed to astound Jacob that this man was present at his door. "Perhaps you've heard of me."

Jacob shook his head. "What can I do for you, Mr Sawbridge?" Almerick was indeed a large man, perhaps 30, with a thick dark beard. He had a montrous sword hanging from his belt.

The other member of the group introduced themselves before Almerick could continue. The young woman that had piped up earlier out of turn told Jacob that her name was Elfrida Clagg.

[choki]

Slowly, she crept to the opposite wall and placed a device of her own - a eavesdropper tool. As expected, her father and silbings were discussing in the study room next to her room. She listened intently.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"We need you to come with us, Master Smythe?"

"Do you now?"

"Yes. On an urgent matter."

"What if I say no? A group of strangers in funny clothing appear in front of my home and ask me to follow them? Who do I think I am?"

"I think you are special, Master Smythe."

He had said the magic words...