Chapter 6: A meeting with Cid
Domino awoke with a painful headache, she was in her cabin on the Prima Vista, standing up slowly and gingerly she made her way over to the window, the city of Lindblum sprawled out below her. Parts of it newer than others, because of the destruction caused by an eidolon during the Alexandrian conflict.
She remembered what she had seen, who she was and who that Thunderchild was.
Who could have thought it, after all these years that Yissan would return, she was so surprised to see him alive. She hadn't even realised who he was until her old memories had resurfaced.
Had the memories been a two way thing she wondered did Thunderchild know who he was? She had to find out.
Rather unsteadily she walked out of her cabin onto the top deck. On the way she passed Zidane.
"Dom! Are you alright? What did he do to you?"
"Er, oh Zidane..ow," she winced as she tried to wave to Zidane "I'm ok, he didn't do anything, but I need to speak to him, urgently!"
"Well, we tried to shut him in his cabin but he got out, we've had him under surveillance ever since he left the Prima Vista, although he doesn't know it"
"And where is he now"
"Well, strangely he went straight to the nearest cathedral and hasn't come out of it since."
"Thank you Zidane"
"No problem, are you sure you're ok?"
"Fine Zidane, I've never felt better"
She walked down into the theatrical district of Lindblum and to the cathedral that Zidane had directed her to. As she entered, she felt Thunderchilds thoughts.
I'm going crazy, I'm going crazy she could hear
No you're not Yissan, It's really me she thought back to him as she walked down the aisle behind him
Thunderchild stopped kneeling at the altar at the front of the cathedral and turned around. He wasn't wearing his usual armour but was wearing a dark red cloak with loose fitting clothing underneath. As he saw Domino he burst into tears and ran towards her, sweeping her off her feet in a hug that she thought would damage her ribcage
"It's really you Jara, I thought I was dreaming!" he cried
She hugged him back, decades of repressed emotion surging through her, then they stopped and looked at each other.
"I knew you weren't dead, I knew you would come back to me" she sobbed
"I'm back Jara, and I'm never going to leave you again" he promised
Then they kissed and hugged again, both thinking the same thoughts
I love youSomeone politely coughed behind them, they both turned to see Zidane standing at the door to the cathedral.
"Erm, is there something you're not telling me Domino?" he asked quirking one eyebrow.
"There's a lot of things Zidane, things I've only just found out." She replied holding Thunderchilds hand.
Thunderchild smiled "Things that go back long before you were made Zidane"
Zidane frowned "Made? How do you know? Domino, what have you been telling him?"
"I've told him nothing Zidane, nothing he doesn't already know"
Zidane shot Domino an incredulous look.
"She's right Zidane, it turns out that I have a closer link with this planet than I realised" confirmed Thunderchild
The three walked outside the cathedral and spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the memories that had been uncovered, and of the love that Thunderchild and Domino now felt for each other.
"What did I tell you TC," said Zidane "She's crazy about you!"
Thunderchild laughed and replied "Yeah, and you were right, it took a helluva lot for her to admit it"
Domino gently punched Thunderchild on the arm and then gave him a warm heartfelt hug. Just then a Imperial guard ran up to the three of them and saluted
"Master Zidane, Mistress Domino and guest, you are invited to attend the court of Regent Cid"
Zidane smiled and stood up
"I've been waiting for this, I knew Cid would call on us when we reached Lindblum. He'll know a lot more about this mage issue"
Thunderchild eyed the Imperial Guard and then extended a hand
"The names Thunderchild by the way"
The guard saluted
"Greetings Master Thunderchild"
Thunderchild saluted him back smiling
Then Domino grabbed him by the arm and walked him off in the same direction Zidane had just left, Thunderchild keenly watched all the happenings of Lindblum. He was beginning to warm to this city, if it wasn't for the mist, airships and lack of obvious crime it'd be just like home. Thunderchild stopped suddenly and frowned. Except Ankh-Morpork isn't home is it? Your real home was wiped out years ago he thought
Domino turned to him
What's the matter? she thought to him
Thunderchild frowned, trying to remember how to use his newly made telepathic link with Domino
Akrekodopp---
Pardon? came a puzzled reply from Domino
"Sorry," said Thunderchild "I don't think I've got the hang of telepathic communication"
"Just don't think about it and do it" said Domino
If only it was that easy, thought Thunderchild and then jumped I did it!
Well done Yissan
Thunderchild blushed slightly
It's been years since I've been called that, I kinda prefer Thunderchild
Ok, Yis-er-Thunderchild. Did your disc-parents call you that then?
Well, sort of. They actually named me Khit-Ghot-Jip
It's ok Thunderchild, don't think about using your telepathy. Just focus on the thoughts
Err, I didn't Domino, that's what they called me. It's Klatchian, it means "Child of the Storm" since they found me in a thunder storm
Oh I see thought Domino
Zidane shouted at them from the end of the street and waved them to come on
"Guess Zidane wants to see us" said Thunderchild
Domino nodded and they both ran after Zidane.
"Come on you two love-birds," he joked "There's a lot that needs to be done"
He ain't kidding thought Thunderchild
Domino nodded
They walked over into an air cab station, inside it a large blue ship with two propellers waited.
"This cab departs for the palace in two minutes" announced one of the station staff
They hastened aboard.
"So," said Thunderchild "How exactly does this cab work then?"
Zidane shrugged "I dunno, 'cept it does"
Domino gave Thunderchild an equally blank look
"Oh well," said Thunderchild I guess I'll have to settle for it working…after all it's better than it not working" he looked down into Lindblum at that point.
The air cab rattled into life and flew out of the station and into the skies over Lindblum
"One thing I have been wondering," said Thunderchild "Why is that part of Lindblum look new while the rest of it looks like it's been around for ages"
Zidane bowed his head slightly, and sighed slightly. Domino explained for Zidane.
"During the Alexandrian war, one of Queen Brahnes eidolons wiped out the whole industrial district of Lindblum. Hundreds were killed."
Thunderchild regretted asking his question
"Hell, I'm sorry. What a terrible thing…"
Zidane looked at Thunderchild
"Hell, Thunderchild we lost a whole planet to something worse than one of Brahnes eidolons."
Thunderchild nodded, but remained silent.
Deep in his mind he heard the voice of hundreds of minds speaking in unison
WE ARE THE BORG, RESISTANCE IS FUTILEDomino must have had an inkling of his thoughts as she placed an arm around his shoulder.
There was nothing you could have done to have stopped them she consoled him
I should have died trying!!
Then you would have never have seen me again
Thunderchild turned and looked long and hard at Domino, watching the way her eyes seemed to glow with an inner energy, how her hair glistened like fire in the sunlight. He knew that she was right, he couldn't be without her. It was as though the rest of his life was meaningless, that he only lived to be with her.
I love you Domino
I love you too she replied
Thunderchild rested his head on her shoulder as they rocked gently in the turbulence of the air over Lindblum, Zidane watched them both and sighed softly.
What's up with Zidane? asked Thunderchild
He's missing his own love, the queen of Alexandria
Brahne?
Hell no, her daughter
Ah, poor kid, it must be hard for him to be on the open road all the time, no real family
Domino looked at Thunderchild
But that's exactly what it's like for me and you
That's true, I never thought of it like that before
Then the air cab entered a covered area which Thunderchild correctly assumed was the next station, it slowed down and stopped and the driver of the air cab called out.
"Imperial Palace, this is Imperial Palace!"
Thunderchild brought up his head from Dominos shoulder and got up.
"Right," he said "Lets go and see this Regent fella then"
A little while later they reached the lift that led from the lower levels up into the throne level. An Imperial guard made sure they were all aboard and then operated the levers to begin the lift on its journey.
"What a place" Thunderchild said, clearly awestruck by the palaces magnificence.
"Don't you have anything like this on the Disc?" asked Domino
"No way! If someone tried to build something this rich in Ankh-Morpork they go away one night and come back in the morning to find someone had stolen it!"
"Life sounds very hard in Ankh-Morpork"
"Only in some areas. Well, most areas," He paused, trying to think of a way to explain life in Ankh-Morpork "Well, it's an art living in Ankh-Morpork. Unofficial crime is almost non-existent, the Thieves Guild makes sure of that"
"Pardon?"
Thunderchild sighed, he'd never quite fully understood the whole Thieves Guild system, only that it had worked, in some form.
"Well, every thief in Ankh-Morpork must belong to the Thieves guild, otherwise something unfortunate happens to them. Everyone who lives in Ankh-Morpork pays a fee to the Thieves Guild and in return there is a limit to how much can be stolen from them. It's complicated but it stops the crime situation from getting out of control, which in Ankh-Morpork wouldn't take much."
Domino quirked her head onto one side, her hair spilling over one shoulder.
"Here the is hardly any crime because of policing"
"Oh, we have the City Watch, but they mainly concentrate on unlicensed thieving and murders."
Domino nodded. The lift then reached the upper level and stopped, the guard opened the lift door for them and Zidane, Domino and Thunderchild walked out into the corridor.
Thunderchild ran over to one of the paintings and closely examined it.
"Wow, look at the skill in this. So…detailed"
A voice from behind them spoke up
"I'm glad you like it, it is of my grandfather"
They all turned around to see who had spoken.
"Regent Cid" said Zidane
"Zidane, it is good to see you again. How is Garnet?"
The Regent, a quite attractive man in his late twenties, walked over to Zidane and shook his hand
"I haven't seen her in a while" admitted Zidane
"It is a shame, I would imagine she misses you, after what I have heard out of Alexandria since she became Queen, she has quite a soft spot for you"
Zidane bowed his head, obviously thinking of what he had left behind, of what he had sacrificed to return to the open road. The Regent turned to Domino and Thunderchild
"Ah, and Domino. I have heard much of you, it is a pleasure to finally be able to meet you." He reached out and kissed Dominos hand.
"Likewise Regent Cid, Zidane has told me much of you."
"All of it good I hope"
Then the Regent walked up to Thunderchild
"I'm afraid I do not know much about you friend, only that you are new to the land but seem to already have found your feet"
Thunderchild smiled and nodded
"Of which I owe much to Zidane, Domino and the Tantalus band, without their generous hospitality I would have come unstuck very quickly."
Regent Cid smiled back and then turned around.
"Come, there is much we must talk of, and little time to talk in. I hear that you haven't eating in a while, shall we dine?"
Thunderchild raised his eyebrows
"Is your intelligence service that good?"
The Regent turned around slightly to look at Thunderchild and said
"Not really, I heard your stomach rumbling"
Thunderchild heard Domino snigger behind him and smiled to himself.
I like this Regent guy thought Thunderchild to Domino
Me too, he's just like Zidane described him Domino telepathically replied
They walked through many more richly decorated hallways, Thunderchild marvelling at each new splendour that greeted them. Then they emerged into a Dining Hall, that had a table large enough to sit at least thirty. On it was laid many delicious looking items.
Zidane hesitated slightly
"I just hope we manage to finish this meal without being drugged"
The Regent smiled
"Yes, I hope so too. Garnet proved…resourceful then"
Domino and Thunderchild gave each other a puzzled look and then Domino shrugged.
These two go back a while, back to the Alexandrian war
They each took a seat and helped themselves to the food. At first Thunderchild was reluctant to try the alien food but then found to his pleasure that it was quite edible and was, in fact, very delicious.
"You visit Lindblum in troubled times Zidane," said the Regent "I have reports from across my territory that Black Mages are on the warpath. I have no idea who is controlling them this time around"
Zidane nodded and said:
"The Tantalus group haven't had contact with the Mages yet, however Thunderchild has"
The Regent turned to look at Thunderchild
"Really? How so"
Thunderchild put down his leg of…well, he didn't know what it was or if it even was a leg but it looked like one, and cleared his throat.
"Well, I fought against two Black Mages on the Discworld and then one of them transported me here."
"Hmm, so you're saying that the Mages are about, not only on the Mist Continent but on this Discworld too"
Thunderchild nodded then the Regent frowned.
"If this is so then the controller of the Mages must be even stronger than I thought"
Zidane nodded
"This is also what I thought"
The Regent paused and looked at each of his guests in turn.
"I also don't think their controller is actually on Gaia"
Zidane raised an eyebrow "Really? Where do you think the controller is?"
"Of this, I cannot be sure. Possibly this Discworld, possibly not. There is only one way to find out though…"
Thunderchild looked up
"Return to the disc? How?"
The Regent took a long sip of his drink
"By the same way you got here, Mage Transport"
Thunderchild laughed
"I hardly think a Black Mage is going to offer to teleport me back to Ankh-Morpork," he looked at Domino "Are they?"
"There is a way"
Thunderchild gave Domino a blank look
"How?"
"A group of self-aware Black Mages broke away from Brahnes control during the Alexandrian war and set up a village on the Outer Continent, they aim to live out the rest of their natural lives in peace there, in an attempt to forget the reason they were created."
"Which was?"
"To kill"
Thunderchild downed his drink Damn, that's strong stuff he thought
"So, they'd be able to teleport me back…"
"Us"
"Us? I'm sorry Domino but I don't think it'd be a good idea if you came back to the disc with me, it's not Gaia. Things are not as safe, even in the supposed 'safe areas' in the main cities"
You think I don't know that Yissan? I can't be parted from you again. I cannot bear to be without you!
I couldn't bear it either, but what if something happens to you?
I can take care of myself, and you and Zidane will be there too
Thunderchild sighed
"Ok then Domino, if you think it's for the best."
Zidane and the Regent shot each other a look
"Thunderchild? Domino? What just happened?"
The two blushed, having their telepathic secret revealed.
"Me and Domino can read each others minds, we can talk to each other…telepathically. I think it was a by result of the psychic loop I accidentally created"
Zidane smiled slyly.
"What other secrets do you two have, eh?"
Domino punched Zidane on the arm
"Oi Zidane!"
The Regent laughed, it was a warm and welcoming laugh. One that expressed that even after defeat, humiliation, and occupation that laughter could still be felt and expressed. Regent Cid had gone through more in his reign than the majority of his predecessors and knew that he had already written himself a large place in history. He had wished for a more normal reign though, one that hadn't involved him becoming an oglop for a lot of his time. Still he thought I shouldn't have gone off with that lady while I was married, I guess Hildegarde had a right to have me turned into an Oglop.
"How can we get to the Black Mage Village though, I mean, it's on the Outer Continent, there's an ocean between us and there, and there's no Mist for our ship to use" said Zidane, breaking the Regents line of thought.
The Regent thought long and hard.
"I can lend you one of our steam ships, it will take a day or two to prepare for launch, but it'd be safer than taking to the seas"
"More flying?" asked Thunderchild
Domino nodded
"Oh great"
The Regent then decided to try to explain to his guests the design and construction of the airship Cleyra, named after the settlement obliterated by another Eidolon in the Alexandrian war.
After this the meeting split up as it was getting dark outside and Thunderchild and Domino were starting to feel tired, it had been a long day for them. The Regent had them shown to special rooms in the palace that had been prepared for them. Zidane was shown his room and left the company bidding them goodnight.
Thunderchild and Domino were guided into a large room by an Imperial guard, It was spacious and luxurious with a very comfortable looking double bed against one wall and a veranda facing out into Lindblum on the other side of the room to the door.
The guard bowed to them and went to leave
"Err, excuse me," said Thunderchild "There's been some mistake, me and Domino should have separate rooms."
"I'm sorry sir," replied the guard "but you're down here as sharing a double bed."
Domino walked over and dismissed the guard
Don't worry Thunderchild, I requested we have a room together
Really? Whys that?
Domino threw her arms around his shoulders and drew him close for a long drawn out kiss that seemed to last forever.
Well, it's been many years. I think we have a lot to catch up on