Dark Snow

10

Yay! Finally, 10 is done. Be ready for a bit of a ride on this, the end is a real cliff hanger!

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     It was snowing, one of those storms that appeared out of nowhere and buried igloos and made the wings of whoever was attempting to fly through the storm so heavy with water and snow that they would crash into the ocean, and sink below the waves. But young Blackice was desperate. She flapped harder and harder, pushing herself to the very limits of her ability. Finally, her wings gave out, and she crash landed on a familiar bank of snow. Leaping to her feet, she rushed to the storm shelter, pounding on the heavy stone trapdoor built into the rocky face of her island home. "Let me in," She shrieked. "They saw me! Let me in!" The door flew open, and cold, comforting wings enclosed her. "Close the door," whispered a calm voice. "Hopefully they'll pass right by." "Of course," replied the NightWing, slamming the trapdoor in place, and rolling a heavy boulder in front of it. The family sat in the darkness, waiting, listening, for a sign that they had been discovered, wrapped together like they'd never see each other again.

Blackice's eyes shot open. She blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the feeling that she was being stalked. As she raised her talons to wipe the sleep from her eyes, she discovered her knife clutched in her claws. She dropped it in surprise, and it clattered to the floor. Just like... Her mind sang. But she refused to finish the thought. She became aware of a pounding at her door. She hurried to her water basin, splashed some water on her snout, then opened the door. Coyote stood there, holding a platter of food. "Hi!" He exclaimed. "Good morning. I thought you were hungry, so I brought you something." He held up the slab of raw meat, freshly cut by the looks of it. Blackice took one look, and her stomach heaved. Some buried memory sang darkly in her head, and she immediately tried to quash her queasiness. "I'm not that hungry, actually," she said, ducking her head. "Oh, ok," replied Coyote. "Maybe later. Anyway, I came to tell you that Serpent is looking for you. He wants you to meet someone." Blackice nodded, grabbed her pouch from a shelf, and stuffed a few small throwing knives and a couple chakrams into it. Coyote watched her intently, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable. "Ok, let's go," Blackice finally said, striding out the door with him and locking it behind her. When they finally reached the main training courtyard, Coyote stopped. He gazed at her with his black eyes, the expression on his face unreadable. Blackice looked back, but turned her head away as Serpent approached. "Coyote, Blackice," He said briskly. "Blackice, we're not training here today, we're going to Jujube's private courtyard. Coyote, Flurry is training with you today." Coyote bowed his head, and walked slowly away. Blackice watched him for a second, then returned her attention to Serpent. "Come," he said, spreading his wings and leaping into the air. Blackice followed him, flying up and over the wall that surrounded the main building. They flew all the way to the outskirts of the Tsuyoi camp, to the barracks where the warriors stayed. Serpent passed over the first six sets of barracks, landing in the courtyard of the seventh. Blackice followed. They landed in the middle of a group of SkyWings stretching their powerful wings. All of them wore green armbands. "Where is Nimbus?" Serpent inquires to one of the SkyWings, folding his wings back and raising his head. The SkyWing surveyed the courtyard, then pointed at a bright orange dragon that was staring at Blackice curiously. Serpent started toward the dragon, motioning for her to follow. "Good morning Serpent," said the orange dragon, bowing his head at the elite. "Who is this?" "I'm Blackice," she replied, tilting her wings back. "Yes," Serpent said, glancing at her. "A, um, special charge of mine. Jujube sent me to fetch your apprentice. He wants her to train with him today." "So it's confirmed, then?" The orange dragon asked. Serpent gave a tiny nod. It was like a different language to Blackice. She watched Nimbus amble away before turning to Serpent. "What's confirmed?" She asked, confused. "Nothing to worry about, Blackice. You'll find out soon anyway," he replied, watching the other SkyWings train. She sat quietly, her tail twitching impatiently. Her mother's voice rang in her head. Stop that with your tail! Patience is a virtue, a virtue you must learn. Blackice stomped her talon down on her tail, forcing it to stay still. She stared at her claws, trying to figure out when that memory had happened. "Alright," a voice said. Nimbus had come back, this time followed by a smaller dragon, her scales the color of pale amber, a blue armband around her arm. "Thank you, Nimbus. If Jujube permits, I'll bring her back by midnight," Serpent replied. "Blackice, this is Wren, Wren, Blackice. Come, we have much to do." He lifted off into the air. The SkyWing glanced at her, before quickly following, her powerful wings kicking up dirt and dust. Blackice blinked to clear the grit from her eyes, before taking to the air.