The Thunder Bolt

Prologue

You have probably heard of a skyship, an incredible piece of engineering, that dominates the sky it flies in. Leo dreamed of flying one with his mother, but when she passed away on an epic expedition, all his wishes and hopes went down the drain. His uncle (Captain Storm-Breaker) took care of him and his twin-sister, Ruby. He was a kind-hearted man, with a bushy beard, the colour of pumpkins. He had a Border Collie named Buddy that always brought a smile to his niece and nephew’s face. One day he decided to take the twins on a skyship, to have the adventure of a lifetime! Until it all went wrong…

Chapter One: Jump!

“Hoist the sails, lads! This ship ain’t gonna fly itself!”  instructed Captain Storm-Breaker, Ruby and Leo’s uncle. Buddy barked happily, running over to Ruby and jumping on her lap. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, Ruby grabbed a rope and knotted it around The Thunder Bolt’s lookout pole.  Just like her Mum, Ruby loved the sky-life, waking up in the warm breeze as it flowed through her hair. They were fully compatible, apart from the fact that only one of them were still living. She missed her Mother every second of her life, but Ruby tried to hide it, she didn’t want to seem weak.  Captain Storm-Breaker ruffled his hand in his niece’s auburn hair, a warm feeling spreading from his smile. The loveable Border Collie (Buddy) nudged Captain Storm-Breaker’s arm, encouraging a stroke.

But, far below in the sky-ship’s cabin, there was Leo, snuggled up on the round window’s ledge, gazing into the eternal land that stared at him. His mind was spinning, with feelings that pierced his heart, unbidden. Losing his mum had sucked all the joy out of him with a straw, leaving him with just the scraps. Suddenly, Leo turned to see his uncle standing by his side, his crystal-blue eyes like two lagoons, with Buddy panting next to him.  “How you doing, matey?” Captain Storm-Breaker spoke with a kind voice. Silence echoed around the room. “Leo, are you… come on, Leo, you need to speak.”

“I know, I just… just, it’s hard to explain. I’m sorry.” Leo softly said.  His uncle sighed and told his nephew, “You know, the bravest thing you can do is have a thought, it doesn’t need to come out. As long as it’s in there.” With his uncle holding his hand, Leo felt a wave of happiness run through his bones. Out of the blue, Leo noticed his lip curling, Captain Storm-Breaker tilting his tricorn hat.

Then, there came a thud from up on the deck, and a yell, following a scream.

“The Wind-Howlers!” Captain Storm-Breaker whispered, “Stay here!”

Leo turned to his Captain, “What do you-”

“Those are your orders, and don’t try break them!” his uncle interrupted.  Leo disobeyed his uncle and followed him like a shadow, as they rushed upstairs, Captain Storm-Breaker snatching a sword from a drawer. Even Buddy had a terrified look on his face as he led the way, nose low. The Window-Howlers were evil explorers, who would do anything to get gold.

When they got up to the deck, they found the crew had been tied up with a rope. Ruby’s face had been painted with fear, as she shared a look with her twin-brother. Buddy began yowling, one of the enemy Wind-Howlers grabbing his collar and yanking him.

“Buddy!” Ruby yelled, desperately trying to help him.

Carnage everywhere, Captain Storm-Breaker slashed his sword across one of the Wind-Howler’s faces, but they pulled his arms behind his back. As the Wind-Howlers were distracted, Leo dragged Ruby out the rope, and held her tight by the edge of the ship. Together, they took care of Buddy; probing their fingers through his fur, making sure there were no wounds.  A blanket of goose bumps wrapping around them, their hearts beating in unison, tears fell down their cheeks.

“Jump!” their uncle screamed.

“But what about you?” Ruby cried.

“I said, JUMP! Don’t ignore me! Jump now!!” Ruby was shocked, she’d never seen him like this: afraid. The twins took each other by the hand, Buddy by their side. All three of them plummeted to the ground, falling to what should have been death, but it wasn’t, in fact they lived…