Chapter Nine: Ice and Fire
Thunderchild awoke face down in snow
I really must stop getting knocked unconscious he thought
He slowly stood up, trying to ignore the thumping pain in his head, looking around he could see no trace of the Cleyra or her crew.
"Where the hell am I?" he muttered
He rubbed his hands together, it was bitterly cold. Looking around he could see that he was at the top of a very tall mountain, to the south, well he presumed it was south. He could just see what possibly were the ruins of the Cleyra settlement in the dawn light. He shivered.
Damn it's cold here he thought.
He turned around and faced in what he could only hope was a northern direction, where the Cleyra had hopefully landed. He hoped he could make it to the ship before he froze to death, it was bitterly, bitterly cold.
Domino stood up, wiping the blood from her eyes, running her hand across her forehead she felt a gash on it from where she had struck the main mast. She tore part of her clothing off and wrapped it tightly around her head to stop the bleeding. Then she looked around assessing the situation.
The Cleyra had crashed into the side of a snow covered mountain. The damage to the Cleyra looked bad but there was nothing major wrong with the structure of the ship, Domino hoped they could be flying again soon.
She saw Zidane approaching.
"Hey Domino, are you ok?"
"Yeah, how bad's the damage?"
"Pretty bad, the engineers reckon we won't be flying for at least five hours while we try to get the engines going again, even when we do get flying we'll be at half speed too"
"How's the crew?"
"Not too bad, we're all accounted for except for one, injuries aren't too bad"
"Who's missing"
Zidane grimaced, not wishing to break the bad news to Domino.
"Thunderchild, he fell overboard shortly before we crashed, I've sent people out to look for him, but they can't stay outside for too long because of the cold."
"Yes, it's freezing here isn't it?"
Zidane nodded
"It doesn't bode well for him"
Domino stamped her foot.
"We have to do something! I can't just leave him out there to die!"
"Domino, you're in no fit state to do anything! We're lighting a beacon for him, we'll just have to hope he sees it"
Domino went to run off the ship to find Thunderchild but Zidane grabbed her by the arm
"No Yugami. Leave him"
Domino protested and struggled but Zidane was too strong for her and she eventually gave up and let him take her down to her cabin.
Thunderchild stomped through the knee high snow, shivering violently. He stumbled and fell face down in the snow, for a moment he lay still then he painfully pushed himself back up again and carried on, stumbling as he trudged. He had lost all feeling from his thighs downwards and he fell regularly.
The snow whipped up and blinded him, making him fall over again. He tried to get up again but couldn't, he looked up into the snow and shouted with all his strength.
"DOMINO!!!"
Then he collapsed and lay still, the snow gradually piling up on his body.
Domino lay on her bed, she thought she heard someone calling her and she listened intently. When she heard nothing again, she dismissed it as the howling of the wind outside.
She sighed
Stay well Thunderchild she thought
Thunderchild felt warm…
I must be dead he thought
He opened his eyes to find himself on the same mountain top as he had collapsed on earlier
This is a very sadistic afterlife he thought
He turned over to look at the sky and found something blocked his way, it was feathery almost like a birds wing but…a lot bigger…
Thunderchild looked around, standing next to him with its wing protecting him from the driving snow was the Silver Dragon he had ridden earlier. He smiled.
"Thank you" he said
Not a problem master the dragon replied
You can use telepathy too? Thunderchild asked
Indeed, all silver dragons can
I thought I sent you all back
I could not leave you master
Thunderchild shrugged
Well, thanks for coming back. You saved my life
I know
Thunderchild tried to stand up and failed miserably, he cursed
Do not try to move master, you have suffered lots the Dragon warned
I have to find Domino, she could be in trouble
The Cleyra ship is fine master, I saw it as I returned to you
Can you take me back to them?
The Dragon snorted
You are injured master, you must rest
Thunderchild opened his mouth to say something but was suddenly overcome by fatigue and his head fell back into the snow as he returned to a deep sleep.
Domino had had enough, she was tired of being confined to the Cleyra, she needed to find her love. The wind had picked up and it drove the snow in violent flurries, several crewmen had to regularly sweep the main deck clear or the ship would have been buried.
She waited until Zidanes back was turned and then darted off the side of the ship, Zidane turned and saw her go but couldn't reach her to stop her in time.
He cursed but let her go, he knew better than to get in the way of a determined Domino.
She bounded through the snow, calling out Thunderchilds name both by thought and out loud. She ran through the snow, falling here and there in hidden dips.
"THUNDERCHILD!!?" she cried
She ran for what seemed like hours, looking around every boulder for a sign of him, then she stopped and realised that she had lost sight of the Cleyra.
The snow whipped around her feet and blasted into her uncovered face, she was alone and cold but she had to find Thunderchild, she couldn't leave him. They had been parted once and that was bad enough, she couldn't let it happen again.
She stumbled through the snow, her energy beginning to fail her.
THUNDERCHILD?!!
She stumbled and fell, she couldn't push herself back up again, the cold had got to her too much and she fell back down again. So she reached forward and begin pulling herself forward, crawling through the snow. Her strength failed her.
Thunderchild… she thought, almost a quiet as a whisper.
Then she collapsed.
Awaking from a blissful sleep he heard her.
Thunderchild… she called
He sat bolt upright and looked around
Domino?! he thought
The Silver Dragon lying next to him turned and looked at him
I heard her too master, she is having difficulty
I need to get to her Dragon!
The Dragon rose steadily to its feet and then offered a claw to Thunderchild to help him get up.
Thank you Dragon, do you mind me calling you Dragon?
It is what I am
I know but do you have a name?
The Dragon shook its head
Not that I know of
Thunderchild climbed unsteadily onto the Silver Dragons back
Then I shall call you Silveria, do you mind?
The Dragon began walking.
Not at all, Silveria is a noble name, I shall carry it with pride
Thank you Silveria. So, do you know where she is?
Silveria stopped and sniffed the air.
It is hard to tell in this wind but I believe we are travelling in the correct direction
Thunderchild nodded
Lets just get to her Silveria, I don't want her to be hurt. I couldn't stand her to be hurt
The Dragon began to canter, moving along at a bulky bouncing pace that almost threw Thunderchild off.
Less than a mile away Domino awoke again slowly, looking about to regain her bearings. The cold bit at her bones, she wasn't used to this type of climate, she couldn't take the cold very well. She curled up in a ball, she had failed, failed to save her love and now she was going to die too.
Oh well she thought At least I'll be joining him, wherever he may be.
Domino?! she heard
She shook her head, she was hearing things again, the wind and then snow played tricks on her mind. It was a near death thing she supposed.
DOMINO?! this time she heard the voice quite clearly
Thunderchild? she asked
DOMINO! Where are you? asked the voice
I…I don't know…I
She felt faint again and collapsed back into the snow, overcome by the freezing temperatures.
Thunderchild began to panic after she stopped talking to him.
Silveria, she's dying! We have to find her now!!
Silveria nodded and began to run
I know where she is now, she is not far from here
After a minute they came across the small body of Domino, curled up in the snow. Thunderchild jumped off the back of Silveria and ran over to the body. He checked her breathing, it was shallow but still regular. He picked her up, she was as cold as ice, and carried her over to Silveria.
How far are we from the Cleyra? he asked Silveria
About 10 minutes walk
Can't you fly?
Silveria shook his head
Not in this weather
We must find shelter and fast or I'm going to lose her!
Silveria looked around, scanning the mountain side.
This way, there is a cave not far from here, it will suffice
Take her first, make a fire, and get her warm. I will follow you thought Thunderchild to Silveria
Master I cannot leave you, I have no other purpose
Dammit Silveria! If she dies I will have no purpose!! NOW DO IT!!
Silveria reluctantly left Thunderchilds side and carried Domino off to this cave. Thunderchild followed his tracks but soon lost sight of the dragon in the driving snow. However, fortunately the snow took longer to remove the tracks and Thunderchild was able to follow them without much difficulty. After a few minutes walk he reached the cave that Silveria had mentioned. Inside a large fire was burning and Silveria sat near the entrance to the cave blocking the cold wind from entering. Thunderchild patted the dragon on the back as he struggled into the cave.
Thank you Silveria
Lying next to the fire was Domino, still out cold. Thunderchild walked over to her and sat next to her, he took off his robe and placed it over her to keep warm and then he waited for her to regain consciousness.
He waited for hours, she was in a deep sleep. Thunderchild thought she would never awaken. He cried over her still form.
Domino, come back to me he pleaded to her.
He cradled her head in his lap and checked her pulse, it was steady and stronger than before. He reached into his robe and pulled out a flask of water, he shook it and was relieved to find that it had thawed out from being a container of ice as it was earlier.
He took a swig of water from the flask and splashed some on Dominos lips. It seemed to awaken her slightly as she stirred and then opened her eyes.
"Thunderchild?" she asked very weakly
"It's me Domino, you're going to be ok" he assured her
"How? I was freezing to death in the snow"
"Silveria helped me find you"
"Silveria?"
"I'll explain later, now you rest, your body is exhausted. You nearly died out there"
Domino nodded and closed her eyes
Thunderchild lay her head back down and walked over to the cave entrance. The snow storm had abated and he could see the mountainside a lot clearer than before. He knew he had to go to the Cleyra and get help. He alone couldn't do much except keep Domino comfortable but she did need food, something he also needed but was out of.
Silveria. What direction is the Cleyra in?
The Silver Dragon stirred and extended a long feathery wing in one direction.
It is in that direction master, what are you planning?
I need to go and get food for Domino, and for myself. I shall set out for the Cleyra now
Master, let me accompany you.
No Silveria, I need you to stay here and watch over Domino. Keep her warm like you did me, I won't be long
Silveria bowed his head
As you command
Thunderchild patted Silveria on his head
You are truly most loyal and noble Silveria, you have done well. I could not thank you more
It is my wish to serve you in any way master
Thunderchild bowed to Silveria
And serve me well you have, now, I won't be long. Watch over Domino
With that Thunderchild began walking in the direction that Silveria had indicated. Now the wind had abated the going was much easier and Thunderchild walked strongly through the snow, knowing that every step he took was bringing safety and life back to his Domino.
Before long he saw a plume of smoke on the horizon, running faster he saw, much to his relief that it was only a beacon made next to the crashed Cleyra.
It was the first time Thunderchild had seen the damage caused by the impact of the airship, all of the main masts had been snapped in two, the front of the ship had caved in and the side had deep gashes in it. Thunderchild shook his head, would this ship fly again? Would they make it to this Black Mage Village? Thunderchild didn't know but he intended to find out. Walking down the slope to the Cleyra he started waving his hands, trying to attract the attention of someone on the deck.
"OI!" he shouted
After a while, Zidane appeared on the main deck
"Thunderchild?! Where's Domino?!" he called
"She's ok but in need of food and water!" Thunderchild shouted back
Zidane nodded and ran off, after a couple of minutes he reappeared walking through a hole in the lower part of the ship and jumping down onto the snow.
"Thank goodness for that," he said "I was beginning to get worried about her. Genomes don't take the cold very well"
Thunderchild nodded
"I know, she was nearly dead when Silveria and I found her"
"Silveria?"
"I'll explain later. We're in a cave not far from here, we had to take shelter during that storm or she would have died. Can you bring me some food and water?"
"Yes, I'll do that now"
Zidane turned to leave but Thunderchild stopped him
"Zidane! How are the repairs going?"
"Slowly but surely, we should have engines back within the hour"
"You mean this thing can still fly?!"
"Just"
Thunderchild raised his eyebrows as Zidane darted away to get food. A couple of minutes later he returned with two bulging bags and some furry robes.
"This should do" he said "Try to get back here soon, we'll be ready to go within two hours"
Thunderchild nodded and thanked Zidane. Then he turned and began walking back the way he came, using the tracks he had made during the outbound journey to guide him back to the cave.
When he got there Silveria was backed into a corner of the cave with Domino threatening him with a sword.
Thunderchild! Help me here, this dragon's come to attack me
Thunderchild laughed and walked over to Silveria
THUNDERCHILD! BE CAREFUL!! thought Domino at him
It's ok Domino, he thought back Silveria's a friend
A friend?!
Yes, and what's more he helped me save your life
Domino looked astonished
He did?
Thunderchild nodded
And mine too. If it wasn't for Silveria we'd both be dead now
Domino sheathed her sword and walked over to the Silver Dragon
In that case, I thank you Silveria for saving my love and myself
Silveria snorted and rubbed against Domino
The honour is all mine Mistress Domino, for you to brave the storms to find the master makes you an extremely honourable person. I salute you
You can communicate telepathically?! asked Domino, yet again surprised
It is a Silver Dragon trait confirmed Silveria
Wow, thought Domino What other secrets do you have then Thunderchild? Black Mage powers, telepathy and now a summoner
Thunderchild shook his head and shrugged
I dunno Dom, most of this is being made up as I go along. I don't know my own powers!
Domino patted him on the back
I can understand how frustrating that must be for you
Very Thunderchild confirmed
Something caught Thunderchilds eye at the far reaches of the large cave. It was a glint of metal. A sword perhaps? Thunderchild suddenly felt very vulnerable in this mountain cave. Domino sensed his change in mood.
What's the matter?
Stay here Domino, I want to check something out he cautioned
He walked to the back of the cave and through a passage into a large cavern, at the back of the cavern lay the something that had caught Thunderchilds eye, but it was too dark to fully see anything.
Drawing his sword, Thunderchild thought long and hard of fire and sure enough his sword burst into flames which lit the whole cavern. At the back of the cavern was a stone circle, about four times his height with seven chevrons on it. Inside the stone circle was another circle with different symbols on it. Thunderchild thought he recognised some of them.
"That one's Taurus, it's a star constellation I think" said a voice behind him
Thunderchild whirred around to see Domino standing behind him
"I thought I told you to stay where you were" he scolded her
"I know, and I ignored you" came the simple reply
Thunderchild rolled his eyes and shrugged, he knew it would take him a while before he got used to Dominos attitude to life, in a way he was jealous of her careless ways, but he knew only too well that actions had affects.
"I wonder what it is?" he pondered out loud
"I dunno," said Domino "It looks old though, very old"
Thunderchild walked up to it and tapped the surface, it seemed fairly solid. He wondered what the symbols had to do with it, maybe they were destinations or something.
"I suppose we'd better let Regent Cids people know about it, they look the type to be interested in this sort of thing."
FLASHA street in Ankh-Morpork, not the usual bustling Ankh-Morpork that Thunderchild knew but a quiet sombre city, living in fear.
FLASHThunderchild staggered, clutching his head.
"Thu? What's the matter?!" cried Domino
FLASHAn ages old ruined city, trees growing through the rubble of houses he once knew and loved. A city deserted, silent and alone.
FLASH"What the hell?" asked Thunderchild
The visions suddenly stopped. Thunderchilds balance returned to normal and he shook his head, clearing his mind.
Domino was at his side, holding his arm, helping to keep his balance.
"What happened?" she asked
"I don't know, but something's wrong. Not on Gaia but on the disc, I can feel it. Something is terribly wrong. We must get back to the Cleyra now!"
He ran out of the cave dragging Domino behind him, as he got back to the front section of the cave he called out to Silveria.
"Come Silveria, we have to get back to the Cleyra"
Silveria lowered his back and Thunderchild jumped on placing Domino in front of him. Unfolding his wings, Silveria walked outside and began to run at high speed flapping his wings as he went.
Thu? I'm not sure about fl-
Silveria launched himself into the air, flapping rapidly to gain height he turned and began to head back to the Cleyra.
See Domino? It's not so bad, Silveria is a good flyer
Thank you master replied Silveria to Domino and Thunderchild.
Domino remained unsure, seeing the ground that far down was unnerving to her but she supposed Thunderchild was used to it being an ex-fighter pilot.
Suddenly she picked up a strong sense of concern from Thunderchild, turning she saw him looking intently at something in front of them. Turning back around she saw to her horror a fireball rise up from where they were heading.
The Cleyra? she asked
That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Come on Silveria! We're running out of time!
They sped towards the burning horizon.