Author's Note: I am aware that the TV series will do this in a week or so, but here's my take on it.
This fic is a project that will serve mainly as a means for me to retain my sanity in school. I have an outline planned out already, but I can only write when my muse hits me, when I have the time, or when I just need to take a break from everything else. That being said, please be assured that I fully intend to see this story through to the end.
Disclaimer: I do not own How To Train Your Dragon.
Thornado growls softly as his rider sighs and strokes its unbroken left wing. Stoick looks up worriedly when Gobber makes his way over to him.
"That's some damage he took from the cliffs, but with Gothi's herbs and enough rest, he should be fine after a few days," Gobber assures his friend, shooting Thornado a toothy grin.
Stoick nods and sighs again, turning his gaze towards the forest. "If only Hiccup were here, he'd –"
"Chief!"
The two Vikings turn to see Mulch running up to them, Bucket trailing not far behind him.
"There's a ship that just arrived at the docks, and the captain's asking to speak with you," Mulch explains, panting slightly.
Bucket nods frantically. "Big ship!" he exclaims enthusiastically before frowning sadly. "But it looks broken."
Stoick nods in understanding and turns back to Gobber. "Take care of Thornado for me while I settle this matter. With Hiccup and the others away on their survival camp, you're the next best person who knows how to care for the dragons."
"Aye, they won't be back for a few more days, but don't you worry! Leave him to me," Gobber replies, petting the Thunderdrum's head and earning an affectionate purr.
As Bucket had described it, the ship was large but it had clearly seen better days. A good portion of its sails were ripped while its body sported at least ten holes and no few burn marks, complete with pieces of wood jutting out at several places.
The crew, numbered around twenty, waits patiently on their worn vessel. Their captain stands at the edge of the docks, perking up when Stoick finally appears to address him.
"I am Stoick the Vast, chief of the Island of Berk," Stoick introduces himself. "What business do you have here?"
The captain gives a small respectful bow before replying. "Greetings, sir. My name is Mando, and this is my crew," he gestures to the crowd behind him. "We are a band of travelers, heading towards the northern mainland. We have been at sea for a month now, and we humbly request that you allow us to remain on your island for a week and provide us with supplies to restock and repair our ship."
Mando clears his throat nervously before continuing. "We do not have much to give in return, but my crew and I, we are good with our hands. We are willing to do work around your island as payment. Sharpening tools, herding animals, chopping wood – just name it, and it will be done," he promises.
Stoick looks thoughtful as he considers the offer. Behind him, Mulch and Bucket eagerly start to discuss a list of chores that needed to be completed, trying unsuccessfully to be discreet. Mando breathes a sigh of relief when Stoick nods his head and smiles at him.
"Very well, I accept," he says, holding out his hand which Mando happily shakes.
"Has anybody seen Kinai?" Mando asks, looking around the ship. His crew members either shake their heads or respond with a negative answer before going back to their previous tasks.
Night has fallen after their first day of work and the travelers have retired to their ship. Stoick had apologized for the lack of accommodation for their new guests, but Mando waved it off, assuring him that they had no qualms about sleeping in their vessel.
The captain scans through the crowd once more, looking for their missing member. The boy was late. Everyone else had already returned from their work and was either in the midst of their dinner or preparing to turn in for the night.
"Hey Mando," a tired voice greets him from behind.
Mando turns around to see a raven-haired teen slowly making his way down the stairs. His posture leaves no doubt as to how exhausted he is, so Mando quickly pulls out a nearby chair for him. The boy gratefully sinks into it before slumping over the table and burying his face in his arms.
"Long day?" Mando pats the teen's back sympathetically, earning a muffled groan. "I am sorry, Kinai, but you know how it is. We have to work and earn our keep if we want to –"
"I know, I know… We don't take anything we can't pay back. I get it," Kinai sighs, waving an arm lazily. "The guy who picked me sure knows how to make the best of it though."
Mando frowns, remembering the grumpy, skinny old Viking who had gleefully hauled the teen off to his house after Stoick had informed his people about the travelers' agreement to work for them for the next week. The captain swore he heard the man muttering something about fresh meat, but as much as he didn't like the ugly look in the Viking's eyes, according to the deal he had struck with Stoick, if any of the villagers wanted to claim one of his crew as a week-long personal servant, he could not refuse.
"Listen, Kinai," Mando starts with a serious tone, remembering what he had originally wanted to tell him. "The chief had to attend to other matters, so I did not get a chance to speak with him about it today, but –"
"Don't bother," Kinai murmurs sadly, raising his head to stare at the captain with ice-blue eyes. "Mildew… he said…"
But the teen is unable to finish his sentence and looks away dejectedly. Mando sighs in disappointment and reaches out to squeeze his shoulder in comfort.
"Then you know what you must do," he says solemnly.
Kinai nods.
Author's Note: Hiccup and the other dragon riders will show up in the next chapter. As for Kinai's physical appearance, other than his black hair, think of Jack Frost from Dreamworks' Rise of the Guardians. In the meantime, thank you for reading. Comments are greatly appreciated :)