ACT I
Chapter One: Mala's Questions, Jessika's Answers
Matt stared at the ground, leaning against the back wall of the room he was locked in. After what he figured was a couple of hours, he gave up trying to break free from the ropes tying his wrists behind him. Looking up at the door, he reviewed why he was in such a postion.
They were captured. He, Hiccup, Heather, and Astrid. Caught by a group calling themselves the Defenders of the Wing. Led by a woman apparently named Mala, being called queen. Scoffing, Matt let out an angry, vented huff. And now they were suspected as Dragon Hunters. Never mind that they rode in on dragons, and the small fact they had saddles on them.
"Hmph. Can't say I blame them though…" He huffed to himself, letting his head hit the wall as he looked up "I said sneaking around was a bad idea, and what do we do? We do it anyways!"
Thinking of Hiccup's poor choice suddenly made him flash with worry. Recalling to when Viggo expressed his fear for Matt becoming the leader of the riders, he couldn't help but think of the possibility that he could wreck Viggo with his experience and thought process. It scared him. Did Viggo really know him that well? Well enough to know his future?
Forcing an angry scoff, Matt shook his head angrily. Of course not! Viggo only had one agenda. To set himself up for the future. He had no interest in his or any of the rider's welfare. He would not fall into Viggo's trap or manipulations. He'd never give in to the poison that Viggo tried to plant in him.
He then turned his mind to Heather, trying to forget Viggo and the conversation he had with him. How was she doing? Was she being tortured? Again? The thought made his stomach hurt. Why was she always involved in some of their more dangerous missions? More importantly, why was she always in these situations. Her entire life has been nothing short of an ordeal. She lost her family twice, now three times with Dagur being killed. She's been held hostage and compelled to do things against her will more times than not. And she's never had a home longer than a couple of years. At least not without a hitch.
His thoughts were interrupted as heavy footsteps sounded, echoing in the hallway. The sound caused his heart to start pounding, making him sit up straight. What was going to happen to him? Hearing a bolt get slid out, he watched as the door quickly opened up, revealing two ninja-looking guards armed with spears and the man with slicked back, orange hair, tied in a long pony tail and introduced as Throk.
"You! Get up!" He barked, letting the two guards walked to grab him "It's your turn to be questioned by the queen."
Frowning, Matt felt himself get grabbed and hefted onto his feet. Shoved forward, his leg quickly flashed up and down with a lightning like jab, forcing him to crash onto his knees. "Agh!" He groaned, clenching his eyes shut "Easy! I have a bum leg!"
Throk simply grunted, shaking his head at Matt. "Take him to Queen Mala." He ordered, stepping out of the way.
Matt again felt himself picked up, though this time he was being carried by his arms. Feeling the ropes bite at his wrists, he growled as he was walked past Throk "Where's the others? My friends? Our dragons? If you hurt them…you better hope you can run faster than lightning!"
"Keep quiet. You'll learn for yourself soon enough." He snapped back, following Matt and the guards.
Frowning at the possibilities of what happened to the others, he watched himself get guided out of the building and towards a stone pathway. Two massive stone slab pillars stood up and over, holding up the massive statue of the mystery dragon. The stone floor was also organized decoratively with stone slabs, creating some sort of court. Ahead of him was a raised platform, with Mala staring at him with narrowed eyes and a confident smirk, as if already deciding his fate. Glancing to his left as he passed one of the pillars, he cried out "Hiccup! Guys!"
Standing there, with their hands still tied behind them; were Hiccup, Heather, and Astrid. Behind them their dragons! Wasatch, Windshear, Toothless, and Stormfly! Though, they were being fed something he never saw before. A fruit? Since when did Wasatch ever eat fruit?
"Just answer her questions, Matt. Show her we're friends! Not Hunters!" Hiccup called out, only to be struck with a spear pole by one of the guards.
"Silence! You've already been questioned!" Mala ordered, staring at Hiccup with fire in her eyes. Looking over at Matt, who was now limping towards her without his escorts, she called out "You stand accused of being a Dragon Hunter and a subjugator of dragons, like your friends before you. Do you deny this?"
Matt stopped right at her throne, pursing his lips and glaring at her. "Of course I deny it. It couldn't be the farthest from the truth." Raising an eyebrow, he then observed "I thought these were just going to be questions. This sounds more like a trial."
"It is a trial. And you will be expected to answer my questions!" She barked angrily "Let's see how differently you answer than your friends."
Matt stood straighter, ready to defend himself and his friends. If he was good at one thing, he was a talker.
"What is your name?"
"My full name is Matthew Cleo Haddock. Everyone calls me Matt." He replied. Nodding towards Hiccup, he added "I'm Hiccup's brother."
"Interesting. He said the same thing, though you look nothing alike." Mala observed, raising an eyebrow to the claim "Matthew Haddock, do you admit to forcing your dragons to carry you on their backs?"
Matt laughed at the question. Smiling, he shook his head and replied "It's more like forcing them to leave us alone. They get really agitated if we don't fly them around. Let me tell you abou-"
"Silence!" Mala roared again, pounding the armrest of her throne. Seeing Matt quiet down, she then quizzed "Then why did you use them to secretly land on our island? In the forest?"
"Ok, that was Hiccup's idea." Matt began to explain, ignoring Hiccup's angry glare "I wanted to fly here and introduce ourselves. Also, to see if you were friendly or not." Shifting his tied hands, he sarcastically added "Guess we found out."
"Why didn't you do as you said you wanted to?" She quizzed, a satisfied smile growing on her face "Why did you still 'sneak' behind our village anyways?"
Taking a deep breath, he thought of his answer. Shrugging, he replied "It's not that hard to guess why. It's the same reason your men do as you say. Hiccup's our leader. He makes mistakes, sure, but that doesn't change the fact that we follow and trust him. Granted, my idea was better, at least I think it was; but I'm not a dragon rider if I don't follow who's in charge." Gesturing to Throk, who was standing next to her, he explained "Much like your big guy right there. He's loyal, is he not? He wouldn't be who he is if he did his own thing, would he?"
Mala frowned at the explanation.
"He's still quite the talker, huh?" Heather whispered to Astrid, who shallowly nodded.
"Yeah, it's good to know he's quick with words." She replied equally quiet "I mean, he is a Haddock. They can't help but whine all the time. At least Matt can argue though."
Hiccup quickly glared at her, wondering what she meant by that.
"What? It's true Hiccup! You and Matt can't shut up sometimes!" She replied back, smirking at him. Suddenly a guard batted her in the head, silently ordering all three of them to be quiet. Frowning, they all turned and listened to the conversation.
Contemplating her next question, Mala leaned forward and picked up Heather's axe sitting next to her throne "Your brother says you were armed for self-defense. I say you came here looking for a fight. What say you?"
"He's right. We took only that which we thought we needed to defend ourselves, should we need to. Had we come expecting a fight, we would have been armed quite differently. Me for example. I only brought my knife." He pointed out, seeing all their gear piled next to her. Pointing to his little, folded up knife, he began to say "If I was 'looking for a fight' as you say we were, I'd be carrying my two hatchets and a shield. Maybe even some armor. We came to explore and see what was here, not fight."
"Because of the Great Protector. The dragon Viggo Grimborn sent you to steal from us."
"Wha-What? What Great Protector?" Matt asked in confusion. Glancing up at the massive statue of the mystery dragon, he guessed "That thing? Is that your Great Protector?"
"You're dodging the question, which leads me to believe that you-"
"I'm trying to answer your questions as truthfully as I can!" Matt cried out, staring at her in frustration "Listen, I want to tell you everything! We have nothing to hide! If you want to hear our story, then let me tell it! If you keep interrupting me, jumping to conclusions before I finish, then we don't have a snowball's chance in hell to show we're who we say we are!"
Mala scowled at his outburst, though stopping Throk from running down to Matt.
Seeing her remain silent, he quickly added "If you want to hear my story, and why we came here in the first place, then let me tell you. If you have no intention of hearing us out, I have no reason to be nice anymore."
"Matt!" Hiccup shouted, seeing him start to get angry.
"Being nice, you say?" Mala repeated, surprised at the claim and ignoring Hiccup's outburst. Matt was saying exactly what she was hoping for. Something to condemn them with.
"Yeah, or at least keeping someone's frustrations in check." He began to say. Gesturing with his head to Wasatch, who was busy watching him, he then explained "You see the purple and black dragon? That's a Skrill. One of the more powerful dragons anyone in the archipelago has seen. Supposedly untrainable and even seeable, but I broke that thought. I trained him." Standing up straight, he then said loudly "But the kicker is that I haven't trained the one Skrill, but actually two. The other fled when we were captured by your men. When he comes back, and trust me when I say he will be back; once he sees how you're treating us, you're going to have more than just Dragon Hunters to worry about. He's destroyed a village single handedly before."
"Are you threatening us?" Mala growled with narrowed eyes.
"No! That's the last thing I want to do! I'm trying to warn you!" Matt quickly replied, shaking his head fervently "I'm just saying that if you don't want to give us a fair trial, then you have to fight lightning. Once you make a threatening move towards any of us, they'll defend us!" Stepping back, he added "If Wasatch, the Skrill right there, rages at any point, I'll be the only one that can calm him. You see, he is a lot more calmer and laid back of the two. The other one, Teton, I might have some trouble containing him. He's a bit wilder and tends to hold more of a grudge. At least Wasatch is more curious and not as impulsive." At that, he turned to look at Wasatch and shouted "Right bud?" Wasatch roared loudly, scaring those nearby away. Lightning ran down his back, as he stood up taller and stuck his chest out.
Mala watched the Skrill respond to Matt. Concerned that he actually had some control of the dragon, she was also slightly curious. Turning to Matt, she looked at him with an intrigued expression "You've answered…very differently from your friends. Even other Hunter's that came before you. While most beg for their lives, your friends simply wanted to prove they weren't Viggo's soldiers. And then you yourself are breathing threats and promises. Why?"
"Again, I'm not threatening you. I'm trying to stop you from doing something that might hurt your village and your villagers. I'm the only reason why Wasatch hasn't burned your village down. As to why? I'm simply standing with Hiccup in that we want to be friends and allies with you. However, my priorities are to protect my friends; and I'll do everything in my power to make that happen. If you have no intention to believe us, then I guess I'll have to act on my own to make sure we live."
"Matt! Stop!" Hiccup shouted angrily at him "This isn't helping our case!"
"No. Continue." Mala interrupted, sitting back in her throne.
"Listen, I just explained what my Skrills would do if they raged, and I'm going to try and keep that from happening." He continued to plead "They're proud dragons. They'll fight to the death to prove they're the strongest. Wasatch and Teton would have ripped each other's throats out if I hadn't stepped in. That being said; as proud as they are, and untamable as they usually are, ask yourself this: Why didn't he already tear me apart? The answer is simple! We're friends to dragons!"
"Yet you ride them and make them do your bidding. How is that being a friend to them?" She quizzed, leaning forward on her knees and looking at him skeptically.
"If they didn't like or trust us, they wouldn't let us on to begin with. And as mentioned before, I'd either be ripped apart already or fried from the inside out." He quickly explained "The trust between dragon and rider is a two-way street. In order for them to trust us, we have to show them that we trust them with our life. We show them that we care about them more than ourselves."
"How did you show the Skrill you trusted him more than your own life? If he's as proud of a creature as you claim him to be, I'd imagine it's a pretty steep price to pay…"
"Honestly, it was a mutual thing at first." Matt explained "We were both held captive by…some bad guys. They wanted me to pacify Wasatch for them. So, they could use and abuse him as a weapon. Instead, we escaped together. In fact, the reason I limp is because of our escape together. I would have died if it hadn't been for Wasatch. My leg was slashed before we could get away." Gesturing to Hiccup, he continued to say "Hiccup saved Toothless- er, the Night Fury from a very real end. Protecting him from some angry Vikings that wanted blood. In return, Toothless saved him, only unable to keep his foot. Astrid fought, and will fight, tooth and nail to protect Stormfly, the Deadly Nadder. And she knows that. Stormfly is equally fierce in protecting her. Heather healed Windshear from a Typhoomerang attack, and the two have become inseparable. They depend on each other as if they were each other's last family member."
Mala stroked her chin. Glancing at the other prisoners, she saw Heather close her eyes, stifling a sob. Family seemed to a tender subject to her. Astrid's countenance darkened as she turned to see Stormfly being held back, as if resolving something in her mind. Hiccup looked the same. Resolved, with a hint of honesty. He seemed to amplify Matt's claim.
Using the moment of silence, Matt took a step forward, making every guard ready their spears in case he was going to try something. "Please listen, your Majesty. If there was any part of you believing me, or my friends before me, then hear the truth in this claim. If this was a life that involved cruelness and oppression, then I wouldn't have chosen it. You see, I left a life behind to be a Dragon Rider with Hiccup. If this wasn't something I didn't believe in, or thought was right, I wouldn't have sacrificed so much to be here. I left a life of luxury, fame, and even a bit of wealth. Even…other family."
Raising an eyebrow, she listened intently.
"I left…a whole other world. A whole other lifestyle to be here. To be with Wasatch. To be a Dragon Rider. I am here to fight to protect them from men like Viggo Grimborn and his brother Ryker. That's the same resolve inside all of us. For me. For Heather. For Astrid. And the one that feels the strongest about that, Hiccup. We are friends to dragons, like yourselves. Let's let this be something that will unify us."
"I thought you said you were a brother to Hiccup? He didn't mention anything about a lifestyle before." Mala quizzed "Is he withholding from me? Or are you lying?"
Sighing, Matt shook his head. Unfortunately, he was going to have to lie a little bit to explain this bit. "Neither. I promise he was truthful and open with you, and I didn't lie to you. I was a lost brother and son. How we were separated, we don't know. I was raised in the deserts of a land called Utah. I had all the luxuries and opportunities anyone can imagine. By mere chance and a large miracle, I found my way to Berk, meeting Hiccup and finding my family. The family that I longed to be with. That is the truth and all I have to say."
Slowly nodding, Mala stared at him, though with narrowed eyes.
Seeing her expression, Matt then hesitantly asked "Is…there something wrong, your Majesty?"
"Yes…with two things actually." Mala began to say, reaching for something next to her throne "Firstly, putting aside the fact that you were all trying sneak behind our village, we were justified in our actions of capturing you and putting you on trial for being Dragon Hunters. We were attacked by a dragon rider on a Flightmare a couple of weeks ago, with one of Viggo's fleets. Because you all neglected to admit such an attack, I have to assume you're here to do Viggo's bidding."
Matt's blood froze, realizing exactly who she was talking about. Darien!
"The second issue I'm having, is this." Pulling out a rolled-up paper, she then demanded "Why did you have in your possession a map with Viggo Grimborn's writing, and also carrying his signature? With our island marked on it?"
"Oh no…" Astrid moaned, her face paling at the sight of the map.
Hiccup and Heather glanced at each other in horror. That was a bad sign.
"Wait, that's because he's trying to keep us apart!" Matt cried out "Listen! Your island is on his side of the ma-"
"Enough!" Mala roared, standing up from her throne with map in hand "I can only assume that in the truth that you're not Hunters, you're working with them as allies! Riders and Hunters! With that in mind, regardless of how you may treat dragons, or how you claim to treat dragons, I find you all guilty! You are no different than Viggo Grimborn or any of his men! Assisting the enslavement of dragons!"
Matt's heart sank, seeing that there was no chance to recover from this. Looking over at Heather, he simply wished he made her stay at Dragon's Edge. Or do something other than come with them.
"I sentence you to where all dragon hunters are sentenced. The Nest!"
"No! You got it all wrong!" Hiccup cried out, trying desperately to change Mala's mind.
"Matt!" Heather shouted, getting pulled back by a guard.
"Get off of us!" Astrid roared, feeling two guards grab her by her arms and forcing her to walk.
Thinking fast about their sentence, an idea quickly popped into his head. Looking at Mala, he then shouted "Wait! Hear me out on one last thing! A last request!"
Mala shook her head, standing by what she said "You and your friends get no more chances…I have spoken."
Ignoring the two guards that grabbed him, he shouted desperately as he was pulled back "Let our dragons be our executioners instead!"
Everyone froze. Guards, villagers, even Hiccup and the gang. The request was unusual. Unexpected. It made Mala and Throk look at each other in surprise.
"Listen…" Matt continued to say, feeling the two guards stop dragging him backwards "I'm guessing this 'Nest' is a death sentence. If so, then let our dragons do the job. If you think our dragons are as oppressed as you say they are, then they'll be more than willing to tear us apart. Wouldn't you agree?"
Hiccup and Astrid stared at him in shock and then relief. They knew exactly what he was trying to do. Heather herself gaped at him in horror at first, until he explained why he was requesting that form of execution specifically. It was genius really.
"Wouldn't it be more just- er, well, there's nothing just about this; but satisfying? Wouldn't it satisfying if they were the cause of our deaths? If they were able to take out their anger out on us?" Matt continued to press, not taking his eyes off Mala. He had to sell this. For all their sakes.
Slightly nodding, Mala let a smile grow on her face "You surprise me, Matthew Haddock. Others in your position would normally beg for their lives. As they have time and time again." Folding her arms, she asked "What sets you apart from those cowards?"
"Well, I'm not a Dragon Hunter. Nor in league with them." He replied with a shrug "The same goes for my friends." Standing up straight, he then said "But my reason? If I'm to die, I want it done by the one I called a friend. If I truly mistreated him, then this is best way I can see myself atoning for being that kind of person to him."
Mala nodded, accepting the answer. "Secure them in the square and prepare the dragons to be released upon their former task masters! Let justice be served by the oppressed!"
A cheer rang out from the crowd as Matt was dragged alongside Heather. Being pushed ahead so that he was walking on his own, er- limping on his own; he simply flashed a small smile to Hiccup, who was nodding approvingly. Letting out a long sigh, he turned to Heather and whispered "I'm sorry, Heather. I thought I could talk some sense to them, proving who we really are…"
"Don't apologize, Matt. That was amazing!" She whispered with a flash of her comforting smile "She barely gave us a breath to reply to her questions. She really listened to you! Besides, you put us in a position to get our dragons back and escape!"
Nodding, Matt continued to limp along with her, being marched to where they were to be executed, knowing very well what he had done. If this didn't convince Mala and her people that they were friends to dragons, then at least they'll be able to get away. Maybe even pay Mala back for holding them captive and refusing to listen to them. Continuing to limp along with Heather, letting the wheels turn in his head of how to show the Defenders of the Wing how powerless they would be against a Skrill and his rider.
The fire crackled loudly as Jessika dumped an armful of dried driftwood onto it. The flames instantly began to burn brighter from the extra fuel and from being stirred up. The fire reflected off the empty houses and cliff walls of what was formerly Crev. With the lights flickering, and the shadows dancing, the feeling was haunting, though she grew to accept it. Letting a small smile grow on her face, she turned to look at Ukiah.
Sitting cross-legged, he stared into the fire with a blank expression. To her, it couldn't have been more readable. She could almost hear his thoughts, as his face betrayed him and showed the turmoil inside. His life…she knew it wasn't an easy one. She felt bad that she abandoned him, but it was one of trials required for him, and it proved more useful than she expected. Seeing his stub, the only thing remaining of his left arm, she wondered the exact tale of his loss. Just the fact alone that he lost his arm probably caused him part of his silent grieving, though she felt that was only small part of his grief. There was something else…hurting him.
Not only that, she could feel the passion and fury within his friend, Lasher. Lying behind Ukiah in a position that he was protecting him, the Triple Stryke never left his side. The beast eyed her, still unsure of her and her intentions.
Her intentions. The thought made her laugh inside. She had no intentions, other than filling Ukiah's parents' last wishes. And fulfilling her duties as Crev's last seer. Her entire purpose, her life, was based on teaching him all about the Crevite's way of life; and creating Ukiah into the leader he needed to be. All this had nothing to do with her desires.
Letting out a loud groan as she took a seat across from Ukiah, she reached for her staff, littered with all sorts of bones, teeth, and claws. Small pelts hung from the top as well, adding to her mysterious role. Staring at him from across the flames, she smiled a little broader. She still couldn't believe it. He finally came. The destined one. His purpose would be a blessing for the name of the Crev. With an arm, or not.
Reaching for a pouch, she pulled out several small stones, inscribed with random scribbles. "What's the matter, Ukiah? I can hear you thinking." Lightly shaking her hand, she played with the stones in hand "I'm sure you have questions concerning…your origins."
Ukiah finally took his eyes off the fire. Staring at her, he then whispered "There's a lot to think about; but what I guess what's bugging me the most is that after all this time where I thought you were killed, you were here. Why did you leave me? Why didn't you take me with you?"
Jessika shook her head, letting the little rocks clink against each other "I couldn't take you. Even if I wanted to…"
"Why?" He growled, feeling his temper start to flare "I was eight! I could have died!"
Smiling, Jessika lightly shook her head "It was all part of the plan. I was bound by oath that I would leave you after you were deemed old enough to be on your own."
"By who? Who binds someone to an oath to leave a kid alone in a forest?!" He yelled angrily, grabbing a stick and hurling it into the fire. Embers spewed out, lighting up his face as he stared at Jessika "I was alone for most of my life. I've had no one to talk to, no one to bide with! Who in their right mind made you leave me?!"
"Who?" Jessika repeated, unconcerned with the tantrum "Who else could have the power to decide that for you? Your parents."
Ukiah recoiled back, shocked at the news.
"Now…before you ask any more questions that you think are important, let me tell you the fate of the Crev…" Jessika whispered, tossing the stones on the ground and stared at the pattern they made "To start, we Crevites never had elders. At least, that wasn't what they were called." Looking at Ukiah across the flames, she explained "They were called seers. They prophesied and saw the future."
"Hmph…they didn't see that Strogg would come and destroy you, did they?" Ukiah observed with a certain hate in his voice.
"That's another tale to tell. And it was our destruction. Not mine personally." Jessika corrected "You're a Crevite, Ukiah. It's your heritage."
"I know! And it's caused me all the heartache and pain I've experienced in my life!" He barked angrily. Waving his stub at her, he shouted "I lost my arm because of it! I lost Arro-" He quickly shut up, unable to say the name. Clenching his eyes shut, he simply turned away from her.
Seeing tears begin to leak through, she asked in a kind tone "Who did you lose?"
Not bothering to look at her, he simply whispered with a cold tone "Someone closer to me than anyone else in the world..." Wiping his eyes, he then growled "Listen to me, Jessika. Being a Crevite cost me everything I held dear. I'm not including my life when I say that. My friends, those I call family, even my adoptive island was almost destroyed because of who I am! I don't want anything to do with being a Crevite anymore! Aside from that, its' almost killed me on more than one occasion!"
Jessika looked at him with an understanding sadness. Glancing down from his gaze she quietly asked "But…what about those that were killed for it? What about your parents?"
"Apparently, they tried to have me killed too!" He growled, settling back against Lasher. Folding his arm across his chest, he sarcastically added "Since they loved me enough to have you leave me to fend for myself."
"I promise you that they did that to help you, not to create your end. They knew what you'd become. Look at yourself now." Jessika pointed out, using her finger to draw in the dirt, making lines to each of the stones she tossed earlier "Would you have become who you are now if I hadn't left you? Would you have become strong?"
Ukiah stared at Jessika with disgust "Oh? I'm stronger now that I lost my arm? I can't even aim a crossbow accurately anymore! Let alone reload it quickly!"
"Who said you could only fight with a crossbow?" She asked, still drawing in the dirt.
"It's the only weapon I've ever used. With the exception of the dagger when I had to." Ukiah scoffed, shaking his head at her "I'll never be the same…"
Stopping her drawing, she looked up at him with narrowed eyes "If your father and mother were here, and heard you say that, they'd punish you in front of the village for believing that!"
Ukiah glared at Jessika, seeing the fight in her eyes. The hood of her tattered cloak couldn't conceal the what burned inside. Lightly shaking his head, he then asked "Who were my parents?"
"Your father was a respected person…a feared warrior." Jessika began to say, easing up at the subject "He was incredibly skilled with the crossbow. He never missed. If he did, it was when he chose to." Relishing in the memory, the fire in her eyes slowly disappeared, being replaced with a bright light "Even as a youth, I knew he was a leader. If there was any criticism of him, it was because he never aspired to be chief." Chuckling, she shook her head and stared down at the stones and dirt drawings "He should have been given the title…but he was Chief Bard's best friend, and refused to take his life."
"Why would he need to take the life of his friend to be chief?" Ukiah asked, having his suspicions and fears confirmed that his people were killers.
"Only the strongest could lead the tribe; and to show that, you had to kill the man supposedly stronger than you, or higher in position. For your dad, that was the chief." She explained with a calming smile "Your father and Chief Bard were best friends; and even though your father could have, he never craved for it. He was only concerned for you and your mother."
"My mom…" Ukiah whispered, his eyes turning towards the fire. Almost hesitantly, he asked "What…what was she like?"
"She was a beautiful woman. She was often rumored to be sent by the goddess Freyja, taking piece of her beauty with her. Though her beauty had little do with her ferocity and relentlessness in a fight. She could rival your father. She made her own blade, being a crude but effective design. Occasionally, she was known to fight with an axe occasionally." Jessika laughed "Before I became Seer Sigrund's apprentice, she tried to teach me a thing or two about swinging a blade. She wasn't that much older than me, and we were friends as well." Looking at Ukiah, she twisted her face and smiled at him "You…you have her eyes. And face. You look just like her. You have your father's hair, and his mouth too. Though he had a heavy beard, so I rarely saw his smile. When he smiled."
Ukiah slowly rubbed the scruff on his face. Days of journeying, he never bothered to shave. Not that he had enough on his mind. Shaking his head, he then looked up at her with a renewed vigor "Why would they have been angry with what I said about not being the same?"
"Because the point of being a warrior is to constantly change and grow." She answered softly "You can't stay the same and expect to overcome the challenges that arise. When you're not growing and becoming stronger, your enemies and rivals are surpassing you."
Ukiah felt like Jessika punched him in the gut. He never really did sharpen his skill as a fighter. He only trusted in his ability to win. He never really sharpened his skills. Was that why Arrow died? Was he not the warrior he needed to be to end Zekir? All because he failed to continue to increase his skill and talents?
"I can hear your mind, Ukiah." Jessika called out, slowly picking up the stones from the dirt "You're…hurting. In pain. Not physically, but…emotionally. Mentally as well."
Ukiah just stared at her, shocked that she read him so well! "How…how di-"
"I told you. I was the seer's apprentice before I was charged with you." She replied with small smile "I'm willing to bet the only reason why I became the apprentice in the first place, was because of your parents. Besides, I haven't been idle while we've been separated. I've been training myself to become the seer needed to guide you. To help you."
Ukiah could only stare at her, wondering what she did know about him, and what she meant about guiding him.
"Come. You're exhausted and in shock." Jessika spoke up, pushing herself up with her staff "We'll talk in the morning."
"Wait, Jessika." Ukiah called out, rolling to his feet "Why did you say you became the apprentice because of my parents? What's the point of you teaching me about being a Crevite? Is it part of the oath you made to them?"
Smiling, she slowly walked over to him. Lasher also stood up, staying on guard as she approached. Ignoring the dragon, she reached down into another small pouch, being black. Rubbing her fingers in it, she then slowly drew a black line down his face, high left to low right. The Crevite war paint. "You see, Ukiah…I need to explain something to you first." She began to say "The Crevites were gifted. There's a reason we were the only tribe that had seers. We could see the future to a degree. And even…the past. More importantly, you didn't need to be a seer to have these visions."
Ukiah swallowed, recalling a vision he had earlier in his life. One where he witnessed Crev get destroyed.
"Why do you think you were able to fight with a crossbow?" Stopping him from answering, she continued to say "Yes, you used it every day for hunting, I'm sure. Since that's why I left the crossbow with you in the first place. But why did it feel normal when you were fighting? Fighting is very different from hunting."
Ukiah stood there, nodding in understanding. At least he thought he understood.
"You were fighting with your father with every bolt you fired. He guided your hand." She whispered, sending chills down his back "And you were with your mother every time you drew your dagger. I'm sure she helped you know when to strike." Pressing her finger a top of the line of his war paint, she continued to whisper "The war paint symbolizes that connection. Your ancestors and family are above you." She then began to slowly drag her finger down the line, right until she got to the end "Coming down to help you. That's what the war paint means. That's why I made sure you learned that piece of tradition before I left you."
Standing there, not really seeing anything, he simply stared at the ground. His mind was racing. It all made sense! He had no knowledge of how to fight afore meeting Hiccup and Astrid. Then, as if he'd been fighting all his life, fell some of the strongest warriors in Thariin. Looking up at Jessika, he the choked out "Wh…wh…why did they want you leave me? What did they have planned for me?"
Shaking her head, Jessika simply patted him on the cheek "I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. I promise. When you're awake, and refreshed; and possibly a little more coherent. In the meantime, think of what I told you, and how it's relevant to why they wanted me to abandon you."
Nodding, Ukiah slowly began to walk with her, still thinking of the possible reasons why his parents wanted him to be orphaned. Then the thought hit him. He didn't know their names! Turning to Jessika, he was shocked to see her already smiling at him.
"You're an open book, Ukiah." She teased "Your mother's name was Norah. Norah the Unyielding. Few men could cross blades with her and survive. Those that did, left without an arm or leg." Stopping, she then grabbed Ukiah by the shoulders, whispering "Your father? Your father was named Toeken. Other men called him Toeken the Harpoon. None could last from any of his bolts. I said this before, but I don't think you understand. He could not miss with his crossbow. He was rumored to be the only man that Death feared. He alone slew an entire island by himself. It took him three days and two nights to accomplish the task; but after, the island was left empty and desolate."
Ukiah stared at her, finally learning about his parents. A gift he was sure he'd never get to learn. Though, he wasn't sure if it brought him peace or more nightmares.
"However, that was not his greatest accomplishment." She announced with misting eyes. Seeing Ukiah hang onto every word she was saying, she let a soft, comforting smile grow on her face. Stroking his cheek with her hand "Your father, Toeken Legna, took Norah Yggrald as his wife. Then the two had the joy of their lives; being both their greatest accomplishment they ever attained, and being the blessing from the gods to us Crevites. You. They had you as a son, Ukiah Legna. And they knew your future. Even before Seer Sigrund could confirm it. You…you are to revive the tribe of the Crevites, and lead them as they would have been led before. With wisdom, understanding, and without feeling. That's why your destiny is to become the most feared Crevite that ever lived. Where Death feared your father, I sense you lived a life where you and Death are friends. You…you experienced death, didn't you? Your parents knew of your fate…and have blessed you with a title because of it."
Ukiah stared at her, feeling a sudden feeling of intensity. He couldn't explain it, but it made him feel sick. How did she know how many times he brushed sides with death? How did his parents know? And what title was gifted to him?
Knowing his thoughts, Jessika took a step back "You! You Ukiah, have been blessed with a title not only selected by your parents, but blessed by all the entire tribe of the Crevites! Ukiah Legna, the Herald. Death's Herald!"
Wow! It feels so good to post a new story! I had ideas burning in my head since RTTE Season 4 came out, and now I can finally put them on paper. This chapter actually written at the close of the last story, given that it was originally planned to be entered in as the last chapter, but I felt this was a better starting point. I'll update as I can, and I'm aiming for finishing this story at the end of August. Hopefully sooner.
That being said, this is going to have two acts. Mainly to consolidate the story and to distinguish the different events and plots that will happen. And it is not a small amount. I won't be making a separate story for Act II, but rather put in a chapter filler that separates the two. You'll know when Act II starts.
Now, as a PSA, the title Closure does not entail that it's the end of the series. At least, I'm not planning on it being the end. The way Season 4 ended was just a perfect way to clean the slate and have everyone reach some type of conclusion/closure in their lives; hence the title. Now how that closure will come, heh, guess you'll have to wait and see!
Again, I'm very happy to be back, and hope you all enjoy the new story! Thanks for all the support!
-Dustnblood