Hi this is my first attempt at writing in a while. I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and reviews. Thanks in advance.
Stoick had not expected to wind up getting stabbed today. The very notion was laughable at best. For one thing he was Stoick the Vast! He was the Viking chief and supreme warrior of Berk, the most thriving of all the Viking Isles. Secondly they weren't at war with anyone; they hadn't been for near on two years, including both dragons and other Vikings.
The last week had been a part of that, it was a chief's duty to visit and renew peace treaties almost annually with their allies. Most of these allies weren't keen on Berk's other inhabitants hence he was travelling by ship.
And through the fog as well; this gods forsaken mist had began to appear shortly after they'd passed Dragon Island, returning from the last of the tribes. Vikings were not new to mist or storms, it was a part of life out on the sea and they'd long ago gotten used to it. But he was unsettled.
It echoed out across the surface of the water. Spitelout at the helm moved to say something but the chief growled a warning, "I heard it too." he pointed over towards the right side of the ship, where a dark silhouette was looming into view, "To port." He said in a low whisper. The crew knew that tone and each one readied their weapons.
They heard it again; a splash. Once again it echoed across the water, but unlike the last one, it was accompanied by voices.
"Watch this one, he's a fighter." A booming voice called. A hearty laugh followed as the Berkians heard sounds of struggling.
"You call yourself a Viking! I didn't realise you pirates were such cowards!" This voice sounded desperate. And, to Stoick's fury, young; almost like his sons except for an odd accent. "Why don't you face me one on one! Are you too scared?!" As much as Stoick admired the owner of the voice's courage it was also a sure way to get you killed.
The ships came into view: a longship alongside a trading vessel. Stoick felt a nudge on his shoulder as one of his crew pointed out the sails. One was a plainly striped blue on green which he instantly recognised as trader Johann's merchant ship. The other bore a red horned helmet across a black background. This could only mean one thing, they were Outcast pirates. As they glided around the trading vessel they realised what was happening.
The pirates were dropping the merchant's crew into the sea one by one, who were bound and weighted. This was all taking place on the far side of the marauder's ship and as such no one had yet noticed the new ship arriving. Their eyes were focused on a youth struggling with his captor whilst yelling taunts at the surrounding Vikings.
With a gesture from Stoick the Vikings docked alongside Johann's ship with practiced precision and silently sneaked aboard with their chief in the lead. A lone sentry stood guard over the taken ship but even he was distracted by the commotion of the young boy. Spitelout dispatched him with ease as the crew braced against the far gunwale waiting to strike.
"Just throw him over the edge Grognarr, he isn't worth the effort." The highly decorated outcast with the booming voice ordered. "Then we'll deal with Johann!" Stoick immediately singled him out; Johann was well known on Berk and an honorary member of the clan. No one would harm him and live.
Knowing that it was now or never Stoick hefted his war axe and gave a bellowing war cry as he vaulted over to the pirate's ship, his men following fearlessly. Most of the pirates were cut down before they could react, those that were smart swiftly jumped into the water and began swimming. Some were foolish enough to fight back but were quickly overrun. No outcasts were left alive on board except for the booming voiced pirate who had swiftly pulled Johann out from his place of imprisonment and placed a knife against the bearded man's throat. Stoick held up a hand to stay his men.
"Don't take another step or I'll kill him!" Came the obvious threat.
"That boy was right," Stoick goaded, "You are a coward!" Speaking of the boy, he wondered what had happened to him. In all the fighting he'd lost track of him but he couldn't get distracted now. He needed an opening to rush in and end this.
"You aren't one to talk Stoick." The outcast cracked a toothy grin, "we've all heard about how Berk relies on dragons to fight their battles." The outcast retorted as he started to back away towards the edge of the boat. "Now I think it's time I made my ex-."
Stoick felt something fly past his ear. The outcast halted mid sentence as an grey feathered arrow shaft sprouted from between his armour plating on the right shoulder. Stoick was stunned for a heartbeat before seeing his chance as the pirate stumbled back. The chief swiftly rushed forward as he raised his war axe. He swung his axe downward at the same moment as his opponent raised his sword. The honed iron easily bit through armour and flesh so that a second later the Outcast's corpse fell limply to the ground.
"Who fired that arrow?" He bellowed to the surrounding Vikings.
He turned towards the youth who had been captive only moments before. He had a second of realisation before everyone let out a resounding gasp. Confusion furrowed his brow before he looked down at the sword buried in his stomach. Only then did the pain kick in, followed by the numbing sensation as he slowly lost blood. And for the first time in his life he fainted.
So that was the prologue and also my first attempt at a cliff hanger. I hope you enjoyed it but let me know anyways.