To one side of the boys was an enormous frozen lake, and on the other, a mountain with dense snow-covered forest. The mission was set just after dawn. It was overcast, but the light was good. They stood right on the edge of the lake, and just below was a metre wide hole in the ice. Zak peered into the dark water.
‘I can just see the lights of our underwater vehicle,’ he said.
‘It’s a rescue mission,’ said Tom. ‘I expect this is where we return.’
The hole began to whiten and freeze over, making it harder to see.
‘Get your bearings,’ said Van, ‘we’ll need to remember the exact spot.’
The boys took a good look around.
The icy lake was several kilometres across, and surrounded by steep mountains. Where they stood the ground was flat, and snowfall continued to settle despite a blustery wind whipping it up. The forest was cut back thirty metres from the edge of the lake. Beyond that, the base of the mountain rose gradually to start with, then steepened to become a sheer cliff, which stood out due to the lack of trees. Above the cliff, the forest thickened again and remained solid right to the top, upon which four towers could be seen stretching above the canopy.
‘Cool, another cliff,’ said Zak. ‘I’m gonna make it over this time.’
‘That castle up there is our target,’ said Tom.
The yellowish stone towers appeared to be the only splash of colour in the landscape, which was otherwise dominated by just two tones, the white of the snow, ice and sky, and the darkness of the trees and rock.
‘I’ve got a small rucksack with a spare pair of ski-boots,’ said Arnie.
‘They must be for who we’re rescuing,’ said Tom, ‘Perhaps someone else better take those.’
‘Good idea!’ said Arnie.
‘Anyone got any other items?’ asked Tom.
