The Lost Account of Ernest Reacioux

Journal of Ernest Reacioux

DAY 5 – Evening

It’s been four days since we passed the Frozen Step. Even the top-of-the-line airships suffer in this cold. The air is too thin for proper propulsion, and the engines keep freezing.

We broke through the ice north of Vavir. Ig’Narion’s Back lies ahead. The mountain is so much larger up close. Its peaks rising beyond the clouds, as though reaching for Sol herself. The Dwarves of Vavir warned us. Yet they didn’t stop us. The mountain is holy to them.

Ig’Narion’s Back. Named in their creation myth. The literal back of their god, buried in the ice to protect the world.

We have no time for such superstition. We are explorers. We will pave the way for those who follow. The future is in science, not stories.

We commissioned a magi-tech vehicle to bring us most of the way. Internal heating, air filters, fuel for a full return journey. Zayne-Tech was happy to oblige, imagine the publicity if their craft is the first to reach the peak.

Tomorrow our true climb begins. The tracks can handle a 55-degree incline, or so we’re told. With the terrain worsening, I doubt we’ll make it that far. Most likely we’ll abandon the vehicle within three days and continue on foot.

DAY 6 – Late Afternoon

Good progress today, but we were forced to halt. A storm rolled in from the east.

Little warning. The clouds darkened and the blizzard swallowed us whole. Even the heaters are struggling. Our only hope is to wait it out.

DAY 8 – Morning

The blizzard has eased at last.

We spent most of the night digging the vehicle out. I am not optimistic. Shavl believes he can modify the heaters to help melt the ice faster. Any “adaptation” that raimex makes worries me, but we have little choice.

DAY 8 – Evening

We managed to get the vehicle moving just after midday.

It moves sluggishly. The snow damaged the tracks. Jon and I patched them this evening, they should hold for tomorrow’s push.

I doubt we’ll get farther than another day in the vehicle. Snow hides every landmark. Even with the dwarf charts, we are navigating blind. Breaking the news about walking the rest will not go well. This tin has become home far too quickly.

…

Shavl did not take it well. Cursed at me in raimex, then stormed out.

Jon and Lena stayed quiet. Adam kept whispering prayers and counting supplies. The boy is far too young. Shavl slamming the door did not even stir him.

DAY 9 – Morning

Shavl was mumbling last night. I thought he was still angry, but no, he was asleep. It wasn’t Raimex. It wasn’t any language I know.

Adam says this is the third night in a row.

I only noticed because I woke to stretch my legs.

DAY 9 – Evening

Morale is low.

We leave on foot tomorrow.

As predicted, the snow has grown treacherous. Jagged black stone breaking through, forcing us into narrow paths. It looks like obsidian, but far more brittle. I’ve taken a sample to bring back. The rest can wait. For now, we focus on the ascent.

DAY 10 – Evening

The climb was difficult. The forest of stone gave way to steep elevation. Incredible to think we walk where no mortal ever has.

The higher we go, the more beautiful the world becomes.

Our tents are equipped with Zayne-Tech heaters. Heavy fuel, but once spent, the crystals can be discarded. The load lightens each day. We mark the trail with flags.

We ultimately brought only two tents. I share with Shavl. Adam grew tired of his mumbling, and Lena prefers to stay with Jon (preferably just Jon, really). I let the boy choose. Forcing him would only worsen morale.

DAY 11 – Evening

Hard going, but steady progress.

The air is thinning. Soon we will enter the cloud layer.

To stand above the clouds… to see the whole world below… a sight unseen since the age of dragons.

DAY 13 – Evening

Progress halted. Visibility is impossible at this altitude. We can’t plan our ascent when we can barely see our hands.

Morale drops further. I sleep poorly, Shavl’s mumbling wakes me constantly. When I confront him, he seems offended, almost upset.

DAY 14 – Evening

Little progress, but the weather cleared enough to chart a possible path, assuming the snow doesn’t shift overnight.

Food count is off. I swear some rations are missing. We aren’t eating more. Exhaustion, perhaps.

DAY 15 – Morning

I woke to the tent open.

Shavl outside, barefoot, stepping through the snow.

Sleepwalking.

…

His feet show early frostbite. No memory of leaving.

It was like he was… entranced.

DAY 16 – Morning

We hoped he’d improve. He hasn’t. Worse, we’re low on heater fuel. Some of it is missing. Along with half our food.

Arguments all morning. Everyone blaming everyone.

Adam and Lena want to turn back. Jon tries to mediate, but even he wavers.

…

Shavl has passed. We wrapped his body.

Lena insists on taking him with us, despite the weight.

DAY 18 – Midday

We made camp early. Mist too thick to see through.

We didn’t hear the rumbling.

Lena had no time to react. The snow torrent came down fast.

The weight of Shavl’s body dragged her.

Gone in seconds.

DAY 19 – Morning

Jon and Adam barely speak.

Rations are nearly gone. We melt ice for water. Filthy stuff.

We had two tents, but carry only one now. Lighter that way.

DAY 22 – Evening

The clouds begin to thin.

The air grows thin as well. We have magi-tech breathers, but they won’t last long.

DAY 26 – Evening

We saw Sol again. Her warmth, her light.

We broke above the cloud line. Golden clouds stretch forever. Above them, the mountain rises higher still.

Ig’Narion’s Back never ends.

DAY 31 – Late Afternoon

The mountain opened beneath us. A quake.

A vast crevice split open.

Jon fell instantly. The rope held for a moment, but Adam and I… we couldn’t…

We had to cut him loose.

…

Thank Sol it was Adam’s turn to carry the tent. Though, Jon had most of our food.

DAY 33 – Evening

Only Adam and I remain.

There is no food.

DAY 36 – Evening

I go alone.

This mountain. This cold. This ice.

DAY UNKNOWN – Morning, I think

The stories were true.

The peak is no mere mountain.

It is a tomb.

Frozen bones stretch across the landscape. Massive, ancient. Some still with flesh clinging. Dragons, thousands of them. Their skulls large enough to stand inside.

I shelter within one now.

I endangered four good people. My ambition killed them.

Jon. Lena. Shavl.

Adam.

Adam…

There was no food left. I…

I am so sorry.

…

Only me now. And the peak still rises above.

Soon the heater fuel will be gone. No food. No more melted ice. Filthy, bitter.

The ice here is ancient. Older than the Fall.

Something lies beneath it.

Bones… and something else.

…

I hear rumbling.

…

No, moving.

…

Beneath the ice. Scales.

Golden. Bright. Alive.

A dragon.

A, living dragon.

I…

I must dig.

…

If I return with this discovery, I will be remembered. The greatest explorer who ever lived…

…

It looks at me again. Through the ice.

Pity in its eyes.

Ha.

Let it pity me. I will be the one who…

…

No.

No, the sound. Gods, the sound…

…

It’s in my head.

It won’t stop.

…

I dig.

I must dig.

I must…

…

There are more.

Dragons.

Laughing beneath the ice.

Breaking through…

…

This journal must be read.

Warning… must warn them… No one should ever follow me…

…

How?

How do I…

…

Ig’Narion calls.

His voice… in the stone… in the ice…

The ice is home.

…

I walk on his back.

I hear him.

…

His way is true.

Shesh marr gurach so’delack.

I…

My mind…

I am… who…?

…

Thrin so’leckna truoa…

The ice opens.

The golden scales shine.

They whisper.

…

I join them soon.

Soon…

Beneath the ice…