The London Institute

The London Shadowmarket 1 (Aspen)

Aspen Greyscar was the new head of the London Institute. She hadn't been in the position long, her predecessor Ansel Goldmark had died in the brutal but final Battle of London Bridge. As she had no heir Aspen, as the oldest eligible Shadowhunter had been put in charge. Aspen was strikingly beautiful, with hip length raven black hair that was always swept hastily into a plait, and chestnut eyes. She was only 23 but already one of the best fighters in the Institute. Sadly her job description included being in charge of several rowdy young shadowhunters, including her own brother Saskia. Overseeing their training was impossible, that's why she was grateful for the presence of Thomas Fairfox. He was the oldest shadowhunter at the institute and was sadly unable to fight due to the fact he had lost a leg in the Battle of London Bridge. He helped train the young fighters in the way of the shadowhunters.

Today was different though, it was Aspen's first visit to the London Shadowmarket since she became head of the institute. It was vital that she made a good impression on the Mundanes and Downworlders who frequented it. She had decided that her best choice of companions were Thomas's daughter Elizabeth, Evelyn Roseshadow and Stephen Lightwood. They were the most competent shadowhunters available to hand.

Aspen burst through the aging oak doors and into the training room. She was greeted with chaos. Lizzie and Stephen appeared to be yelling abuse at each other, hilariously the argument seemed to be about who would be the best at seducing Faeries. Evey was reading quietly in a corner seemingly oblivious to the carnage around her. Gabriel, Stephens's twin was throwing knives at a target with terrible aim. (Quite a few had impaled themselves in the wall behind.) And everyone else was nowhere to be seen. "ELIZABETH CELINE FAIRFOX, STEPHEN GIDEON LIGHTWOOD! What in the name of Raziel is happening here? And where on earth is Thomas?" The two teens ceased their argument and sheepishly looked at Aspen.
"Dad just went to look for Lucy and Clara." Lizzie replied.
Aspen stared disparagingly at the knife adorned wall. "Gabriel." He looked up. "Remind me to get Kat to teach you how to aim when she gets home."
Gabriel silently retreated back to his room, tightly grasping a book on weapons in his left hand.
Aspen cleared her throat. "Now then you three, make sure you look presentable! We need to make a good impression on the Shadowmarket residents."

Ten minutes later Evey and Lizzie were standing, wearing full shadowhunter gear, in the foyer of the London Institute. Stephen had yet to emerge from the bathroom. A full thirty minutes after that, Stephen finally appeared. They left shortly stopping by the kitchen to get some snacks for their journey. The mundanes on the London Underground might have been mildly surprised at the sight of three heavily armed fifteen year olds stepping onto the Piccadilly line, if it weren't for the glamour around them. After a twenty minute journey, in which Lizzie and Stephen had nearly knocked over three mundanes, they finally reached Covent Garden.
The Shadowmarket lies in a shady corner of covent garden. Aspen divided her team in half to patrol the market and listen to Downworlder gossip. Just for her own amusement she put Stephen and Lizzie together.

~ Roro