Dragon Riders: The Old Orders
Chapter One
Part One – Dragon Perches
After 300 years of fighting, and several more months of tension – during which the Vikings and dragons strived to coexist, things were finally starting to settle down.
Hiccup's plans for the dragons – having dragons plow fields, and scaring fish out of the water and into the fishermen's nets... to name a few – had been put into effect. As Hiccup had hoped, this had gone a long way towards securing the dragons' place on Berk...
There was only two question left... One: 'How could they stop dragons from accidentally crushing people's houses?', and Two: 'What were they going to do with all the free- time they suddenly had?'... Plowing the fields – which used to take weeks, now took a mere two hours per field. And fishermen had to bring their catch in by midmorning – their boats simply wouldn't hold any more, at that point...
Nobody was surprised to hear that Hiccup had found a solution...
"Dragon- perches!" Hiccup had announced. "The dragons are landing on our houses because there's nowhere else for them so land. –– So: We reinforce the roofs, and add extra supports. We build structures that are designed specifically to withstand and distribute the extra weight!"
The idea turned out to be a... multi- step process. There were a few... 'Roadblocks' – Supports wouldn't hold, and it eventually became clear that wood wouldn't suffice: They needed to use another building material. After some thought, they settled on metal – strong and stable.
Vikings were very efficient builders, and it wasn't long before the work was finished: Every house in the central part of Berk now sat nestled between the new metal beams and support columns...
Then the trouble began: Storm clouds began to gather, and lightening flashed... Some of the bolts hit the metal beams – causing the dragons to scatter – and both dragons and Vikings scattered to find shelter...
Part Two – Departure
Three days later...
The storm still had not moved on – and people were beginning to get nervous; murmuring that Thor was angry. Attempts had been made to placate the god, but... nothing seemed to be working.
Then it happened: Toothless had jumped onto one of the perches, and a bolt of lightning had crackled down – narrowly missing Toothless, who'd managed to dodge it in time... Unfortunately, Mildew saw this – and wasted no time, "Did you see that? – The lightning was going after Toothless! Thor's angry because we've been harboring the 'unholy offspring of lightning and death?"
The news spread and before long, a mob had formed – demanding that Toothless be sent away... or even offered as a sacrifice to Thor...
Hiccup, his father – Chief Stoick, Gobber, Astrid, and several others – tried to reason with them, but it soon became clear that they weren't about to back- down... Hiccup tried to explain his recent discovery – that the metal was what was attracting the lightning – but no one believed him...
Finally – Hiccup made up his mind, and both he and Toothless slipped inside Hiccup's house. They gathered what supplies they needed, and then they returned outside. With Stoick's help, Hiccup quieted the crowd, and said, "This won't solve anything – Toothless isn't responsible for the lightning – The lightning is being attracted by the metal. If you want Toothless gone, Fine... but I'm going with him."
There was a moment of stunned silence – Hiccup saw that both Astrid and his father were about to speak, but Hiccup overrode them, "He can't make it on his own – and I wouldn't want him to."
Astrid looked frantic, "But... You'll come back, right?"
Hiccup nodded – though he directed his words to the crowd, "Eventually... Once all you all realize that this didn't happen because of Toothless. – You'll see: The lightning won't stop when we leave!"
With that, Hiccup leapt onto Toothless's back – and they took to the air. The crowd turned – and watched... As Hiccup grew smaller, and smaller – finally vanishing from sight...
...
Astrid's P.O.V.
When Hiccup and Toothless finally vanished from view, Astrid felt as though her heart had been torn in two – As though something irreplaceable had been taken away from her... 'Hiccup said they'd be back...' Astrid reminded herself. 'He said they'd be back...'
She jolted back to reality as thunder boomed, and lightning split the sky – hitting more of the metal posts – as the storm continued to rage...
Hiccup and Toothless had left Berk... but nothing had changed.
A minute later, Stoick spoke, "I want those dragon- perches taken down at once." The Chief's voice was so full of anger that the villagers before him scattered to do as Stoick had ordered.
Then Chief Stoick turned to Mildew, and added, "And if I hear one more word out of you before they're down – Thor help me, I'll have your head on a pike." – Mildew's eyes widened in obvious fear, and he hurried away.
Stoick, meanwhile, turned to stare of in the direction where Hiccup – his son, and Toothless – who'd saved his son's life, had vanished...
The following morning...
The Vikings of Berk worked through the night to dismantle the dragon- perches. – The anger in their chief's voice was such that no one dared suggest that they stop and resume in the morning...
So it was that when the sun finally began to rise, there were only a few left standing.
When they started, the overall mood was a combination of shock, worry, and disbelief. However, once they'd dismantled nearly half of the metal structures – the storm had started to break- up... and there had been fewer and fewer flashes of lightning...
Then a feeling of shame, sadness, and remorse spread – as they realized that, once again, Hiccup had been correct... But by now, Hiccup and Toothless were long gone – and they knew there would be no catching up to him now...
...
Hiccup's P.O.V.
As Hiccup and Toothless flew, Hiccup's head was full of different emotions. He wasn't 'angry' at the villagers – They were afraid that they'd angered a GOD, after all. –– He also knew that – if he hadn't acted... He decided not to think about what would've happened.
Instead of 'angry', he felt... Tired... tired, and sad – Leaving his home had not been easy.
As they flew, Toothless had warbled what Hiccup took to be an apology. He patted the dragon's neck, "This isn't your fault, bud... Mildew's never liked dragons – and the others... They were scared. Besides, we're a team – and that's never going to change."
They'd stopped on a small island – about fifty miles away from Berk. There, they ate and slept. The following morning, they continued to fly in the same direction as before.
Hiccup wasn't sure why they'd picked this direction, but he had a feeling that it was important – Somehow...
They continued to hold that course until mid- afternoon – when another island appeared ahead of them. As they drew nearer, they saw that it was – or seemed to be – uninhabited.
When they reached it – however, they saw what looked like smoke from a campfire... Cautiously, they approached it – finally landing at the far side of the large clearing with the fire was burning...
Next to the fire, a man was sitting on a log. The man was clad in a blue cloak, under which he wore a set of armour.
As soon as Hiccup had dismounted, Toothless surged forward – ignoring Hiccup's attempts to call him back...
Hiccup hurried to catch up, and then stopped short – stunned by what he was seeing: Toothless had run right up to the man, sniffed at him briefly, then walked to the far side of the fire, and sat on his haunches...
Hiccup approached cautiously, and managed to say, "Uh... Sorry about..." His sentence drifted off as the other man turned to look at him...
The eyes that landed on Hiccup were unlike any that Hiccup had ever seen. They were strong, steady, and seemed as though they could see the very thoughts forming in Hiccup's mind... Then the man spoke – in a voice that was both commanding and relaxed, "It's alright – I'm quite used to meeting inquisitive young dragons... and some of whom were not nearly as well- behaved as your friend, here." He gestured to the other side of the fire, and Hiccup sat next to Toothless.
Once Hiccup had sat, their unknown host spoke again, "I couldn't help but notice your saddle... and the prosthetic- tail. What happened – if I may ask?"
Hiccup hesitated, and then he began to tell the story of how he and Toothless had met, and of everything that had happened since.
When he finally finished, there was a moment of silence. "I see... You've accomplished a great deal, and at a young age, too – Impressive."
"And... How did you end up here?" Hiccup had told his story, and it seemed only fair that their still unknown host return the favor.
His first 'answer' was a chuckle, then, "In order to understand my story, I'd have to go further back – and explain how earlier events shaped my own life. – It'll be a long story..."
For the next hour, the man spoke – telling an almost- unbelievable story. First he talked of a war between elves and dragons, and their eventually making peace – even binding their two races together with magic. How this, in turn, had lead to the rise of the Dragon Riders. (Hiccup didn't fully believe it, but apparently these Dragon Riders were immortal – 'unless poison or blade claimed them.) –– Of how humans had later joined in this spell – allowing humans, as well as elves – to become Riders.
As their conversation entered its second hour, the tale continued.
Their host told of a Rider – Galbatorix, and the thirteen other Riders who he'd corrupted – fought and destroyed the others of their order. Then that King Galbatorix had ruled this land – Alagaesia – for close to a century. How Galbatorix's enemies had united to form the Varden – an army dedicated to ensuring Galbatorix's demise.
Of the sapphire- blue dragon- egg the Varden had stolen from Galbatorix, How it came to hatch for a human – Eragon. Of the battles he fought in, and the dangerous knowledge he came to possess (– though nothing about what these secrets might have been). How it was Eragon who cast the spell that killed Galbatorix...
Finally: Of how Eragon and Saphira had left Alagaesia – To raise the dragons, and the Riders elsewhere... but never to return...
There the story stopped...
Hiccup's head was full of thoughts, comments, and questions – but he asked the most immediate question first, "But... where do you fit into all of this?"
An instant later, they heard a sound – getting louder, as it drew closer...
'THUD' – 'THUD' – 'THUD'...
Then a MASSIVE sapphire- blue dragon landed in the empty end of the clearing...
Suddenly, a series of thoughts shot through Hiccup's mind... 'Sapphire- blue... The egg... They left Alagaesia...' –– Just like that, Hiccup knew who he was talking to...
"You're... You're..."
"Yes, Hiccup. I am Eragon – and this is Saphira."
There were several minutes of silence – while Hiccup worked to comprehend what he had just been told. Finally, he managed to say, "If humans are part of this pact... How could we not know? – My people have been fighting dragons for centuries..."
"It may be that only the 'groups' who were represented during the casting of the 'binding' spells became part of it... That seems to be the most likely possibility. – In any case, if your people are trying to 'cooperate' with your local dragons populations, such a bond could go a long way in accomplishing your goal..."
Hiccup felt a surge of energy run through him – could feel his spirits begin to lift... "Is it possible?! – Could you really...?"
"Magic is bound to what is most commonly known as 'the Ancient Language'. To use it, one must state their intent in this language, and be able to fuel the spell. For this, one would need to use the true- name of the language. As I am one of only three people who do this name: Yes, I can forge a new pact... If I find your people are worthy, and would make good riders."
Eragon paused for a moment, considering the two of them – Hiccup, and Toothless.
"The two of you would – I think, be worthy candidates... Saphira?"
Hiccup turned... and almost jumped out of his skin: He was looking directly into one of the blue dragon's eyes. – Saphira snorted once, and then turned away.
When Hiccup turned back to face Eragon, he saw that the latter was grinning. Then Eragon said, "If the two of you want, I could forge a bond between the two of you – and only the two of you." Eragon lifted a finger – for emphasis, "This is not a choice to be made rashly: If you take on this bond, you could live for hundreds – maybe thousands – of years. You would watch people you know now – age and die, while you – after a certain point, would remain largely untouched by time. –– Though from what I gleaned from Toothless and your minds... Astrid does have the potential to be an 'exception' to that rule..."
For the next half- hour, Hiccup thought about what he should do. Finally he said, "If you are willing, I would like to be a Rider in full – bonded to Toothless."
Eragon nodded – seeming to snap out of some kind of 'daze' – then he stood, and walked over to a mound of saddle- bags. A moment later, he returned with a large leather book – opening it, as he sat. Then he began to speak – and, while Hiccup could not understand the words, he could feel the power they contained...
Part way through the incantation, Eragon spoke a single Word – and it was as though a shudder passed through every molecule in Hiccup's body... and the world around them.
Hiccup knew immediately that it was the name of the Ancient Language – but... mere seconds after he'd heard it, it vanished from his mind.
When Eragon finished binding the spell in place, he turned to Hiccup, "Place one hand on Toothless – Like you did when you met him."
Hiccup did... and a charge of energy rushed through him. For a moment, Hiccup's vision flashed. When he could see again, he found himself staring at the silvery mark that had appeared on his palm...
Finally, Hiccup found his voice, "Thank you... What now? Do we go back to Berk?"
Eragon shook his head, "Now we will start your training. I am not assuming your position in Berk, so it is essential that your education be at least underway – when we return. Once there, I will train you – and perhaps I may start with a few others, if they show promise. –– But first things first: Shall we begin?"
To be continued...