Winter Camp - Part 6

Ignis had managed to locate a small bag of charcoal just behind the hut in a small fireproof can. He dusted off the grill, albeit this seemed rather pointless as snow had begun to fall again. The sun was quickly setting to boot.

"Another frosty night," Ignis observed. "I just hope the snow doesn't pile on much more."

Noctis was leaning over the dock, chipping away at the ice with one of his daggers to make a somewhat smooth opening.

"That will have scared any fish away," Noct groaned. "And you're certain that the fish won't be - you know - dead?"

"Some might, but most fish that live in waters where snow falls are able to survive for a few months. They eat heavily in the fall to preserve resources and their digestion slows in the winter months and colder temperatures. In fact they'll be slower and hungrier so you should find them refreshingly easy to capture," Ignis said.

Noctis summoned his fishing rod and set to work stringing up some Baleen string he'd kept in his pouch. He set to picking out a lure, finally setting on one in the rough design of a tonberry and strung it up.

"Too bad we aren't in Galdin," Noct shrugged. "For a variety of reasons. But mostly because Trevally have a great taste to them."

"I find the Crag Barramundi to possess a more complex flavor. Though I suspect that's what you might call 'challenging'," Ignis replied, slowly pouring some briquettes into the grill.

The line was baited and the lure was in the water. All there was to do now was hope for a bite. And hope he caught enough for all of them. And hope Prompto would even make it through the night in order to eat it.

"So, Specs," Noctis began slowly. "About Prompto."

Ignis nodded gravely. "I've seen worse situations. But he was oxygen deprived for a considerable time, to say nothing of the intense cold. Even with all the magical healing at our disposal the body needs time to adjust to the shock."

Noct struggled to find the right way to word his question but finally settled upon bluntness. "Could he die?"

Ignis folded his arms and lowered his head. "Under any other circumstances his recovery would be all but assured. But it is a possibility," Ignis patted Noctis's shoulder. "However I believe I have taken all the necessary steps to prevent that."

"Even so. He's in this damn mess because of me," Noctis cursed. "We all are."

"We all knew what we were getting into Noctis. We are your Crownsguard," Ignis said reassuringly. "This winter excursion is simply another part of that."

Noctis brushed some of the powder off his shoulders and redoubled his grip on the rod. He felt little confidence in the answers he'd been given. Even as logical as Ignis always was, the thought that his best friend was now facing death because of him - and that if things didn't improve they all might be joining him - was too much to deal with right now.

"So," Noctis said, clearing his throat. "What is our next move?"

"A good meal and sleep for starters. Then in the morning we make for the Haven. If Prompto hasn't-" Ignis changed his tone mid-sentence. "If Prompto is still unconscious we'll have Gladio carry him."

"Then what. Ride out the storm?" Noctis asked.

"As best we can. The weather report calls for two more days of snow not including tonight. Then maybe a day or two for the roads to clear," Ignis answered.

"So almost a week," Noctis groaned. "We keep letting the storm dictate what we're going to do instead of getting out ahead of this mess."

Ignis folded his arms, but seemed pleased somehow. "Oh? And what would you propose we do?"

"I say we forget the Haven. We're near enough now that we can make it to the Wiz Chocobo Post within a day, even with the snow. We head there in the morning," Noctis said.

Ignis nodded. "A tough call that will place a great burden on those travelling with you, but is ultimately the right decision. Now you are thinking like a king."

Noctis allowed himself a brief smile at Ignis's praise before the line tugged, and the rod nearly slipped out of his slack grip. He gripped it tighter and pulled back.

"There's only one way to go, straight up!" Ignis said. "Reel as hard as you can!"

Noctis leaned back, fighting with the fish. Whatever it was, it was a feast waiting to happen. The line tensed up and Noctis gave just the tiniest bit of slack before yanking it back. He felt the tension of the line slipping - the fish was running out of room to squirm. With a final sharp tug the fish broke the surface of the water. It was a Crag Barramundi alright, but it was one of the fattest ones he'd ever seen.

"My goodness, that's an extraordinary catch," Ignis observed. "Too bad the hut's owner is gone - I've no doubt that would be a record."

"Right now, I'll settle for it making a suitable meal," Noctis clutched the fish in his jaw-trapper and handed it to Ignis.

Ignis set to work gutting and cleaning the fish and lit the grill. Noctis let his warmth-starved skin drink up the heat from the small flame.

"Gladio, we've got fire and food!" Noctis shouted.

Gladiolus opened the door to the hut and gently closed it behind him. For one he betrayed a hint of discomfort as he huddled over the grill, letting his hands catch some of the flame.

"I know we're all cold, but do try not to crowd me, I have some work yet to do," Ignis said, though he was only half-serious.

There was a distant rumble overhead.

"Bloody hell, another dropship," Ignis cursed.

Gladiolus peeked around the hut. "Don't worry, it's not heading our way. Looks like you called it - she's heading for Lestallum."

"Finally a bit of luck," Noctis said, though he was secretly lamenting the fact that Lestallum would not be a safe port of call for a while.

Ignis's cooking was a thing of beauty to watch. He was as artistic in the preparation of the meal as he was in the final product, slicing through the meat with a practiced hand and applying various pinches of spices which they all knew would result in a perfect culinary blend. He extracted a few leek stalks from his personal store and set a bit on each plate - the fish was fat enough after all to feed the four of them - even if Prompto's meal would have to be set aside for now.

"Well that's something at least, a proper meal to end the day with," Ignis said. "And tomorrow, under the orders of His Majesty, we make for the Wiz Chocobo Post."