Chapter Two

Part One: They're... Gone...

Astrid's P.O.V

Today was the sixth day after Hiccup and Toothless had left the island of Berk, though the mood of the villagers hadn't improved much. – This was largely because there was no way for people to distract themselves: Everywhere you went – Every time you turned around, you saw some at least one dragon... Either near- by or from a distance.

Hiccup had brought the dragons into their lives. Hiccup had found a place for the dragons on Berk – he'd even found ways for all of them to benefit from their various skill sets. Then, when Hiccup had tried to explain what was causing the lightning, all but a few of them refused to listen... Choosing to blame Toothless – Hiccup's Night- Fury partner...

Now they were both gone, and no one knew when they would return – or, though none of them wanted to even think about it – IF they would return... – The world could be a dangerous place...

People went about their daily tasks, but with little enthusiasm. Days passed like this. – They'd known that they'd 'feel' the absence of Hiccup and Toothless, but none of them had expected that it would be like this...

Ever since Hiccup and Toothless had left, Astrid had felt... lost. It was as though some feature of the landscape – one she'd always counted on being there... had vanished: As though two mountains had vanished – and you couldn't not notice that they were gone...

Astrid had spent every minute she could with Stormfly – either flying, walking, or just... sitting with her Deadly Nadder. –– Whenever they flew, they kept their eyes peeled for the slightest sign of the black dragon returning. Also – instead of flying over the island of Berk, they'd fly within sight of the ocean: So they'd know when the Night Fury and his Rider returned...

On the sixth day, a few of the dragons began to get... restless. Astrid stepped- up. –– She enjoyed the work: It made her think of the days... before the 'lightning incident.'

The following day, however, the formerly- agitated dragons settled down again. In fact... all of the dragons seemed... calmer –– As though they knew something that the humans didn't...

Part Two: A Rider- In- Training

Hiccup had always been both intelligent and observant, as well as having an extremely good memory. These qualities proved themselves invaluable – as his training began.

Before they'd started, Eragon had informed both Hiccup and Toothless that – for as long as he and Saphira were training him, Hiccup and Toothless were to refer to Eragon and Saphira as 'Ebrithil' – which meant 'Master' – in the Ancient Language. As Eragon had said, "We are your teachers, and you our students."

During the first three days, Eragon instructed Hiccup in the proper use of Ancient Language – paying particular attention to grammar and pronunciation. –– When Hiccup finally asked why it was so important, Eragon explained the danger of making a mistake when casting a spell. The gist of Eragon's explanation was: 'The spell would do what it was told to. A mistake – however small – could weaken or kill the spell- caster, or cause an unintended effect on the person or thing that the spell was meant to affect.'

During the afternoon of the fourth day – and for the next two days, they started to do some work with magic... Though only a few spells, none of which required more than a small amount of energy. Eragon also explained that gemstones could be used to store energy for future use – but that it was 'a topic to be explored at a later time'.

On the morning of the seventh day, Eragon brought him to a smaller clearing – not far from the one where Hiccup and Toothless had met Eragon. In the middle of that clearing sat a broad stump, where Eragon told Hiccup to sit – and then explaining what he was to do: "Open your mind, and listen to the 'voices of the forest'. Remain here for two hours, or until you have heard all you can. Then return to the main clearing, and tell me what you've learned." (Hiccup wasn't sure how or what this was supposed to teach him, but he figured it was a 'this will make sense in due time' kind of deal.)

Eragon left, and Hiccup opened his mind. At first he'd found the experience unsettling, but after a few minutes it became... relaxing. He lost track of time as he shifted his focus from one feature in the clearing to the next. He wanted to see how it all... connected – he knew it had to. On several occasions, he thought he'd reached a point of general awareness... but it always slipped away – a moment later.

After the two hours had passed, he returned to the main clearing. Once there, he explained what he'd experienced – and he'd tried to do – to Eragon.

When Hiccup had finished, Eragon considered him for a moment, then said, "You still have a ways to go, but you are on the right track. A general awareness it precisely want you should be trying to achieve." Eragon was quiet for a moment. "You're making progress – and far faster than I would have expected. – Perhaps it's just as well..."

At first, Hiccup was glad at the prospect of returning home... then the last part of Eragon's sentence registered... "Has something happened?" Remembering, he added, "Ebrithil?"

"A few of the dragons were beginning to get a little restless – but I was able to calm them from here. In any case, I believe we've made enough headway, for now. We will leave for Berk tomorrow morning, and continue from there."

Hiccup's mind was buzzing, but he managed to say, "Yes, Ebrithil." He turned, intending to go and prepare Toothless's saddle bags, but... "Ebrithil... How is it that you can send your thoughts out as far as Berk?"

"I can do a great many things, Hiccup – Many of which go far beyond what you would consider possible. You are making progress, but you have barely begun to learn what We are capable of. – Now... I suggest you get ready for tomorrow. It'll be a... interesting day"

To be continued...