Dark Snow

24

Hey guys, I'm sorry about not posting for a while. I have a ton written, and now that I'm off of school cause of the whole Coronavirus thingy, I can hopefully get all of them (up to chapter 32! yay!) posted by the end of this week. I know I'll have at least two posted today. Thanks for your patience, and as always, enjoy!

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     Blackice spent the night sheltered on the small ledge. Usually, the cold didn't bother her, but tonight, the wind howled, and tried to pull her off the ledge, shrieking when it didn't achieve its goal. Blackice kept her claws clenched onto the rocks until she couldn't feel her talons. All the while, she kept her eyes focused on the cave mouth, in case Breaker left, or that other SeaWing. By the time dawn had come, Blackice's claws were blunted and sore from hanging onto the ledge all night. She spent the next hour sharpening each and every claw to her liking. When she was done, and the sun still hadn't come out from behind the puffy white clouds, she sharpened all her weapons as well, and reorganized her bags. At last, Blackice spotted movement from the corner of her eye. The green SeaWing from before slid out of the cave and into the ocean, swept away immediately by a wave. Blackice yanked off the bag tied across her chest, and pulled some weapons out. She pulled on the hood she had packed, and checked both pouches to make sure she had the supplies she needed. She removed her personal possessions, instead packing throwing knives in their place. She also disposed of her money pouch, hiding it under a rock as well as her satchel. She also removed her Tsuyoi armband. She didn't want anyone to realize who sent her. As she tucked everything away, she heard a small clatter of metal from the large bag. She opened it up again, and blinked at what she found. It was a sort of metal contraption, with straps that made it look like it fitted on her talons, with razor-sharp blades that attached to her claws to make them longer and sharper. A note was skewered on the end of one. Blackice pulled it off and read it softly. "You might need these. SeaWings have fish-hook claws." She laughed, then fitted the straps around her wrists, adjusting the blades. At last, she spread her wings, and flew down to the cave. She ducked inside, and immediately almost stepped into an underground lake. The cavern ceiling dipped down, all the way to the water. Blackice hissed, pacing along the rocky shore, the blades on her claws clicking against the pebbles. Of course they live underwater. Their SeaWings. Blackice sat down, flipping her tail out of the way of the lapping water. The cave echoed with the sound of dripping water, and several drops landed on the hybrid's snout and shoulders. After what felt like several eternities, Blackice noticed something odd. Off to her left, near the back of the cave, there had only been smooth, dark water. Now, what looked like the tip of a stalagmite poking up through the water. Blackice watched it intently for a while longer, and realized the water in the cavern was definitely draining. Blackice examined the cavern again, poking her snout into every crevasse, and concluded that the cave must fill at high tide, and drain at low tide. There must be a hidden tunnel or something under the water, she mused. No one can enter their home unless they come at exactly the right time. Blackice glanced around again. Clever. I definitely underestimated SeaWings. Glancing quickly outside and seeing that it was almost midday, Blackice found a dark ledge slightly above the water level, and curled up, resisting the urge to fly back and retrieve her satchel. I might have to wait until night falls for the lake to completely drain. Ah, well. Guess I can rest. Blackice made sure she was well-hidden, then closed her eyes, resting her tail over her nose.

How long have I been sleeping? was the first thought that popped into Blackice's head when she woke with a start, almost tumbling off the ledge. The hood slipped over her eyes, and she lifted it back into place, almost stabbing herself in the process with the blades in her claws. Blackice lifted her head, and saw that what little light came through the cavern entrance had turned the ground pink. It's sunset, and I haven't heard or seen anyone come by. Better go back to my ledge. Blackice gathered her wings and leapt off the ledge, strutted out of the cave, and flew back to where her original perch was. Just as she landed, the green SeaWing from before popped out of the ocean, and spread an enormous net out onto the beach, full of wriggling silver fish. Breaker slid out from the shadows of the cave, and helped her start sorting the fish by size. Blackice turned away, tugging her bag out from under the rocks. She repacked everything, removing her hood and claw extensions, but she left her armband in her bag. She then continued to watch the two SeaWings and fiddle with the dagger she had taken from her parents' house. Eventually, after dark fell, the two dragons slipped back into the cave, leaving the net out in the open. Blackice's stomach growled, and she tried not to think about the last time she'd eaten. Eventually, hunger overcame her willpower, and Blackice stowed her bags in her hiding place, then swooped down to the net. She found the smallest fish possible, breathed a small breath of frostfire on it to burn it a little, then gulped it down. In one motion, she whirled and took off back to the alcove where she was sheltering. The claws of hunger clenched her stomach once again, but Blackice wasn't willing to take another fish and risk being found. It would be a long night. Around dawn, the green dragon had disappeared into the ocean yet again, bringing the net full of fish with her, but Breaker was still in the cave. Blackice had seen him come out with the green SeaWing, say something to her, then go back into the cave. They'd seemed to be angry. Maybe I can use that against him, Blackice thought as she spread her wings, stretching. She lay down and rolled over so she was resting in the morning sunlight, her eyes closed. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she suddenly felt a talon on her shoulder. Forgetting where she was for a second, she rolled over and blinked sleepily at the dragon that loomed over her. She wasn't sure who she was expecting, but suddenly seeing the dragon she was supposed to be spying on suddenly peering down at her with curiosity written on his snout was definitely not who she wanted to see waking her up. She leapt to her talons, trying to hide the emotions that decided to march across her snout. Guilt, shame, embarrassment, anger, both at him and herself. Breaker just looked at her, showing nothing. His stripes flashed softly, like he was deep in thought, before he slowly opened his mouth. "I know who you are," he said, in a strong, yet quiet voice. Blackice flinched, looking down at her talons. Her claws clenched and unclenched. She had been discovered, and next was the part where he dragged her off to the queen of the SeaWings, where she would be interrogated, then executed. But what Breaker said next took her by surprise. "You're that dragon that has been sheltering in our cove and taking some of our catch," said the gray-blue dragon. "Maybe because you don't have anywhere to go?" He gave her the tiniest of grins. He doesn't look angry at all, Blackice realized. She gazed deep into his blue eyes, as dark as an abyss at the bottom of the sea. He looks... sorry for me. Breaker spread his wings slowly, as if trying to be non-threatening. "Why don't you come to my home?" he asked, spreading his talons in a welcome way. Blackice couldn't help but notice the muscles rippling in his shoulders and wings as he turned with his wings outstretched and glided down to the beach. After a moment's hesitation, she followed.