For note, this prologue of sorts actually takes place six years after the last arc. The next chapter will take place one year after this.

I didn't want to be here.

Yet here I was, in the Council Chamber, standing before the Heads with my Branch behind me and Taboo standing to my right.

The long table and chairs had been shoved to one side for this, the ceremony. For taking the Oath of Head.

Alfred had been strong right until the end, but eventually he couldn't stop the march of time, and he passed away. No one else was stepping up, not that I blamed them, but they all kept on coming up with the same excuse; the position was mine by right, as the most powerful known Descendant of Jack Frost.

In theory if the most powerful didn't step up, or was shown to be unsuitable, the position would be taken up by someone more suitable. This wasn't happening in this case.

I had finally caved in, and here I was. It didn't make the whole thing any less embarrassing though. At least they had the sense to not have flaming torches being flung around in celebration.

In front of me stood the other four Heads, with Jason holding a large book, which I was pretty sure was just for show. On the cover the Order's logo was emblazed in silver; a boar in front of a new moon.

Each Head was in what could be called their robes of office. What they were actually wearing were smart or casual clothes (depending on the person) in the colour associated with them and a cloak the same colour, emblazed with HOG's logo and bordered with their corresponding symbol.

I wasn't in a cloak thankfully, but I didn't doubt that I'd have to wear one at some point in the future.

Somewhere on each of the Heads was some kind of weapon, I assume ceremonial. Jason had a long sword, with a golden hilt and a red and gold scabbard. Said scabbard being decorated with round bells and swords, with the letter H and HOG's logo intertwined between the red and gold colouring.

Alexander had a leather holster around his waist, holding a boomerang on his left. The leather strap was etched with flowers along the strap and the holster studded with green and electric blue gems.

Claire seemed to have a sabre, with a solid purple scabbard decorated with gold feathers and teeth. Hers also had the letter H and the HOG logo somewhere, but this time in silver.

Finally, Samson had a gladius, fitting for his short stature. The pommel had a five pointed star on it and the scabbard was decorated with yellow and gold, which seemed to shimmer. The patterns and shapes seemed to shift and change the longer you looked at it. The only consistencies were the H and HOG logo.

Behind me stood my Branch, and this was extent of the audience. I had to push hard on that one, as I was the first Head to be officially initiated. Alfred had taken the Oath in the middle of a war, there wasn't time to have a proper ceremony.

I also had my medal hooked into my shirt collar, which wasn't my idea, but both my Branch and the Heads had said that it was a good idea. Once again the medal was associated with embarrassing spotlight situations.

Jason, who was in a bright red suit as well as his cloak, flicked to the correct page and began to speak.

"Jacqueline Davies. You were nominated by Alfred O'Donnell, the previous Head of the Descendants of Jack Frost, to be his successor. Do you accept this?"

I took a deep breath, here goes nothing.

"I do."

"Then now you take the Oath. Repeat after me."

I mainly stared at the front of the book as Jason spoke, half hoping this was some bad dream. That maybe Taboo would suddenly start roaring and I'd wake up in bed. However, the longer Jason went on the more I realised that this was wishful thinking.

Once Jason was done I repeated the words.

"I, Jacqueline Olivia Davies, accept the position as the Head of the Descendants of Jack Frost. To uphold peace and order, to lead in times of strife, to hold back fear from the mortal realm and to keep the balance the past bought. This I swear from now until my dying day."

"And so it is done. You are now a Head of the Human Order of Guardians." Said Jason with a smile, presenting the book towards me as my Branch clapped behind me, with Billy whistling.

I held out my hand and tapped my finger against the circle next to where my name was writing itself in, allowing a small seal of frost to form in the shape of an eight sided snowflake.

I was now a Head, for better or for worse.