My mother died when I was two, and since I'm an only child, my dad and I are the only ones who live in the chief's house, which sucks because we hardly talk.
Oops, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Rory. I am a fifteen-year-old girl trying to hold her own in a clan of Vikings. I have bright green eyes and auburn hair that I usually put in a messy bun or ponytail. I stick with comfy clothes rather than armor or spikes, except for the one I keep in my hair. I cannot Viking for my life. I don't get along with my father, and only talk to him on good days. I only own one weapon, a dagger called Nyx. I made it myself and carry it everywhere. I was never very strong, so without anyone knowing, I taught myself to fight. It was a style that focused on speed, not strength, but I did get strong enough to punch teeth out, which was kind of refreshing. And I only have one friend; and we don't really talk anymore. Astrid and I grew up next door and used to be inseparable until she turned 11. She is gorgeous, and the other kids started to notice her. I guess I'm kind of pretty too, but I always try to play it down, and prefer to be alone. Anyways, Astrid became known, and we haven't spoken besides Hi and Bye since. I work as a blacksmith every other day, 'cept Sundays, and Gobber, the head Smith, has tolerated me and taught me to always have a witty retort ready. Other than that, I like to explore the forest in my backyard - there's half an island waiting to be discovered! By the way, I should mention that our island pests are a bit more serious than others. Dragons.
Whew. Now I can get back to the story.
It was a gorgeous night lit by the village torches, and the air was filled with the sounds of an ever-waging war against man and beast.
"Here," I was constantly being given weapons to sharpen on the... sharpener. Gobber dressed for the occasion and turned to me. "Stay. Put. There." He ran out yelling like the Viking he is.
I took in the scene for a few moments, then ran home, straight into my backyard and the woods. When the screaming intensified, I grabbed hold of my wooden contraption. I heard a call of "Night Fury!" and looked for a shadow against the night sky. There! I yanked the lever and destroyed the thing, but not before it tossed a bolas at the shape in the sky. It was a cannon of sorts, meant to throw the bolas for me, and my latest invention. The shadow let out a scream and fell to the ground in the undiscovered part of the island. I let out a whoop and made a mental note to investigate tomorrow.
After sprinting back to the blacksmith's, i noticed that the fighting had died down. Gobber entered minutes after I did, and looked shocked to see me.
"You actually stayed?"
"Oh sorry, did I not cause enough trouble? I'll try harder next time. Promise," my voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Well I just didn't expect you to listen. Always tryin' to help and whatnot," he shot back.
I sighed. "Trust me, I've learned my lesson. You think I enjoy listening to the resentment in my fathers voice?" I mimicked his accent. "Excuse me, but I ordered an extra large boy with beefy arms, extra guts and glory on the side. This here, this is a talking fishbone of a girl!"
"Just stop trying to be something you're not," Gobber advised, and then limped away on his wooden leg. I darted home and up the stairs to my room, which has roof right out the window that I can sit on and draw. Nobody can see me unless I hang my feet over the edge, and there's a ladder in case I want to leave without letting my father know. Besides the no friends issue, my life is pretty quiet and nice, but I secretly longed for action and adventure, and a friend who would never leave.