Looks like this is where chapters begin to get long. Normally, I'd only update on weekends, but I don't have too much homework today so I thought I'd finish this chapter!
Chapter Two: Honored Guests
There was nothing Hiccup loved more than flying with his best friend Toothless. They did it every morning of every day. That morning, they did a whole lap around the island before heading to the Dragon Training Academy to do a little studying. But for Hiccup, mostly it was trying to keep the twins from fighting, watching Astrid beat up Snotlout for making moves on her(which Hiccup is finding becoming increasingly irritating) and helping Fishlegs add some small details to the Book of Dragons.
Landing Toothless on the grassy hill of his house, Hiccup slid off the back of his dragon. "Well that was a fun flight, wouldn't you say, bud?" Hiccup asked his dragon. Toothless enthusiastically pounced forward, heading for the Haddock Household.
It's been weeks since the incident with the Whispering Death, and a couple of days after the ending of Bork Week. Admittedly, the dragon air show went pretty well. Hiccup grinned to himself. He truly was worried for nothing when he was thinking that Toothless needed a Night Fury companion.
The young boy furrowed his eyebrows.
It was that thought that got them into so much trouble with Alvin and the Outcasts. Sighing, Hiccup continued to make his way up to his house. "I wonder how Mildew's doing," said Hiccup grimly. "I guess we'll have to go back and rescue him some time."
Reaching his arm forward, Hiccup pushed against the wooden door of his house. Inside, what he saw made his heart sink. His father was standing in the middle of the room with Gobber, who was attempting to tie a golden belt around Berk's chief. Stoick sucked in his stomach.
"Oh no," Hiccup groaned. "The ceremonial belt? Again?" Toothless lowered his head. No one forgot what happened the last time a guest came to Berk.
"Don't worry," Stoick told his son. "It's not Dagur and the Berserkers this time." Upon hearing this, Hiccup allowed himself to breathe out a sigh of relief. His father sucked hard and Gobber quickly secured the belt with a click.
Hiccup stepped forward. "Then who is it this time?"
"The Bog Burglars and the Meatheads are visiting later today," Gobber answered, peering his head from behind Stoick. "They requested a meeting regarding the dragons."
"And considering how we're all part of the Inner Isle Alliance, it shouldn't be a bad idea. Considering that Alvin has Mildew whom you've showed the method of how to train dragons to."
For the second time in five minutes, Hiccup's expression darkened. "Who knows what Alvin is doing with him," he murmured softly. Quickly, Hiccup shook off the dark thoughts. "The Bog Burglars and the Meatheads, huh? So that's good old Mogadon and Bertha."
"That's right," replied Stoick. "And their heirs are coming with them too."
Immediately, Hiccup could tell where this was going. "Please don't tell me I have to keep them company."
"Yes, yes you do," Gobber answered casually. An exhausted groan escaped Hiccup's lips. Stoick simply chuckled before turning to look at his son. "Relax. They're not as insane as Dagur."
Forcefully, Hiccup let out a small yet nervous laugh. "Yeah, let's hope so."
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Gentle waves crashed into the wooden supports of Berk's docks. Hiccup stood there, with his father and Gobber to his sides looking out towards the open sea. The sun was about to touch the horizon, so their honored guests would just make it in time for dinner in the Meade Hall. Stoick and Gobber looked proud, ready to represent their tribe.
"The heirs of the Bog Burglars and the Meatheads," Hiccup whispered, leaning towards Gobber. "They're aren't anything like Dagur, are they?" The blacksmith could hear the small tint of worry and comedic fear in his apprentice's voice.
"Who knows."
Hearing this, Hiccup mentally groaned and allowed his straight posture to waver slightly. Quickly, he recollected himself and straightened his thoughts. Or rather prayers saying please don't let them be like Dagur, please don't let them be like Dagur.
Gradually, the shapes of sails could be made out in the far distance. The wind blew steadily and the Meathead and Bog Burglar ships continued to sail forward. After a couple of moments, the wooden ships reached the docks.
Lines were thrown over to the dock in which other nearby vikings, including Sven, caught and tied them down to the poles supporting the dock. Both ships combined contained a dozen or so vikings.
A bright brilliant Monstrous Nightmare was painted on the sail of the Meathead ship, while the Bog Burglar's was decorated with an elegant Deadly Nadder. Hiccup held his breath. Unlike with Oswald the Agreeable, Hiccup had never met the chiefs and heirs of the Meathead and the Bog Burglars. His father always left the island when they had something to discuss between them. For them to bring the meeting straight to Berk, it must be something important.
On the Meathead ship, one of the men stepped forward. "Presenting, the proud and powerful chief of the Meathead Tribe, Mogadon!" A large and muscular viking rivaling Stoick in height stepped off the ship. The two men greeted each other with handshakes and pat on the backs.
From the Bog Burglar boat, another viking stood forward. "Presenting the master of burglary, the ruler of the Bog Burglar Islands, Bertha!" A tall female viking strode forward. Her blonde hair being covered by her viking helmet. Stoick and Mogadon walked over to greet her as well.
"Bertha!" Mogadon exclaimed cheerfully. "Long time no see. I take it that you're doing well?"
"Very well, thank you, Mogadon," Bertha replied calmly. But judging from the smile on her face, Hiccup could tell that she was as excited as the other chiefs. Noticing the small viking heir, Mogadon peered over Stoick's shoulder and Bertha followed his gaze. Seeing the other chiefs looking at him, Hiccup swallowed the large lump in his throat.
Stoick turned and gestured towards Hiccup. "And this is my son, Hiccup."
"Oh, so this is the one who trained the dragons," said Mogadon. "His reputation is well-known throughout the Allied Inner Tribes."
"Yes, yes, even my daughter has heard of him. She was jumping out of her boots when she realized she would be able to meet him. And she's been awfully hyperactive during the entire journey here. We had to keep her below deck to prevent her from going on a burglar rampage above deck."
"Is little Camicazi that troubling, Bertha?"
"Stoick," Bertha answered, in a slightly more serious and offended tone. "Camicazi's not little anymore."
"Neither is Thuggory," Mogadon added. "We can't be treating them like they are still small children."
Stoick sighed, remembering that he has to give Hiccup more responsibility as well. As the adults continued to talk, Hiccup noticed that a young viking teenager from each of the ships hopped onto the docks. One of them a tall muscular young man. The other, an average sized girl with messy blonde hair.
Bertha and Mogadon stopped their kids for a moment to introduce them to Stoick. For a moment, Camicazi's blue eyes met Hiccup's. Berk's young heir managed to catch the adventurous and mischievous gleam in her eye. But when Hiccup caught Thuggory's, he received a cold stare instead.
Camicazi suddenly ran towards Hiccup, taking out his hand and shaking it. "Hi, I'm Camicazi, heir to the Bog Burglar Islands. Nice to meet you!" she said rather quickly.
"Yes," Hiccup began to reply nervously. This was a completely different situation to Heather. "And I'm-"
"Hiccup, Stoick's son," Thuggory suddenly said, walking up towards Camicazi and Hiccup. He sounded very mature and his voice was stern. "I've heard about you and your trained dragons from my father, as well as the story behind that metal foot of yours. Where is this 'Dragon Training Academy' he spoke of?"
"That's right!" Camicazi chimed enthusiastically. "I really want to see your dragons and how you train them and-"
"Alright, alright, I get your message," Hiccup answered. "Follow me this way. I'll take you to our Academy." With that, Hiccup turned and started heading up the docks. For a moment, Camicazi and Thuggory stayed behind.
"Do you think he knows anything?" Camicazi whispered.
"From the looks of it, I don't think so," Thuggory replied in the same quiet volume. "Don't say anything. Yet. They'll be here soon."
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"Wow!" Camicazi breathed in awe when she saw the emblem of Berk's Dragon Training Academy. Hiccup asked for Astrid to hold onto Toothless while he greet their guests. Toothless wasn't exactly a hundred percent reassured without his rider around. So as soon as Hiccup stepped into the arena, the Night Fury pinned him to the ground and started licking his face.
Laughing, Hiccup slowly stood up. "Camicazi, Thuggory, this is my dragon, Toothless." Hiccup then gestured to the other viking teens in the arena. "And this is our team of dragon trainers: Astrid and Stormfly, Fishlegs and Meatlug, Snotlout and Hookfang and Ruffnut and Tuffnut with Barf and Belch."
"Impressive," Thuggory muttered under his breath, not wanting to admit too much that the place was actually pretty cool.
"So this is a Night Fury," said Camicazi. Slowly, she reached out in an attempt to touch Toothless' head. As the girl's hand drew near, Toothless took one sniff at her. His eyes immediately widened. This scent...
The Night Fury suddenly leaped backwards, it's teeth coming out from it's gums. Camicazi gasped slightly in surprise as Hiccup looked at his dragon in confusion. "What's wrong, Toothless?" he asked, taking a step closer and bringing Camicazi's hand with him. "It's just Camicazi. She's a friend."
Toothless growled. This scent...there's no mistaking it. Sighing in defeat, Hiccup turned to look towards Camicazi. "Sorry about that," he mumbled. "Toothless isn't usually like this."
In the corner of his eye, Hiccup could see Thuggory, Snotlout, Fishlegs and the twins talking to each other. Slowly, Astrid made her way up to Hiccup. "What's wrong with Toothless?" she asked.
"I don't know," admitted a confused Hiccup. "The only time I've known that he doesn't let someone touch him, or growl when doing so, is when he doesn't trust the person."
"Well you seem like a very nice person, Hiccup," said Camicazi, earning Hiccup and Astrid's attention. "I can see why the Night Fury decided to choose you as it's rider and devote it's loyalty to you."
"Wait," Astrid spoke up. "You know something about dragon loyalty?" Camicazi bit her lip and redirected her gaze to the ground guiltily. "About that..." she began.
But suddenly, a loud roar echoed in the skies above Berk. Toothless' eyes sharply perked up and the dragon clenched his jaws. That roar. He's recognize it anywhere. It was like a childhood haunted memory.
The other dragons started squawking and roaring as well. Snotlout hurried over to Hookfang to calm him down and Fishlegs had to give Meatlug a hug. Hiccup and Astrid stood dumbfounded.
"What...was...that?" Astrid whispered.
"I have no idea," Hiccup replied in a similar clueless attitude.
"Looks like the rest of my party has arrived," said Thuggory proudly. In the skies, five figures appeared. Five dragons. Squinting, Hiccup managed to make out three vikings riding the dragons. He could not believe what he was seeing. There are people other than his friends and father who knew how to ride dragons? 'Impossible!' Hiccup thought. He wanted to agree with his thoughts, but there was no way he could deny the sight in front of him either.
All five dragons were different species. There were four he recognized. The Deadly Nadder. The Whispering Death. The Changewing. The Monstrous Nightmare. Somewhere inside his brain, Hiccup realized that this was the very same Whispering Death he and Toothless fought a while ago.
'I thought they settled the grudge,' Hiccup clenched his fists. 'Then what's it back for?'
The five dragons landed in the arena. The dragon in the center was a brilliant dark purple. Two of the vikings on the dragons were boys and one was a girl. Thuggory walked over to them. "Svala! Kodran! Alf! What took you guys so long?"
"Well we got here didn't we?" Alf, one of the boys answered smugly. "Honestly, we had to fly all the way to Berk. Plus, we had to bring both yours and Camicazi's dragons."
"You guys have dragons?" Fishlegs squeaked out. Shakily, he pointed to the purple dragon in the center. "Is that...a Skrill?"
"Indeed it is," Thuggory answered proudly. "I have to admit I'm quite honored it chose me as it's rider."
"What do you by 'it chose you'?" Snotlout jeered. "We were the ones who chose our own dragons."
"Really?" Svala, the female viking questioned. "Ours just came up to us while we were alone and lowered their heads towards us."
The Skrill in the center eyed Toothless. 'So we meet again...Turlough.'
'Auki,' Toothless growled menacingly in return. 'What are you doing here?'
'Finishing old business.'
As the dragons interchanged growls, Hiccup stood in the center, unsure of what to do. "Toothless, you know this dragon?" he asked. He groaned and gripped his hair in frustration. "I don't understand. What in the name of Odin is going on?!"
"Here's whats going on," said Thuggory, ignoring Camicazi's shameful expression. The young Meathead heir stepped forward. All ten dragons in the arena suddenly all snarled at each other in unison. A boastful smug appeared on Thuggory's voice before he pointed his finger at Berk's heir.
"I, Thuggory of the Meathead Tribe, challenges you, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third...to the Dragon's Game!"
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And Hiccup is challenged!
The rules and why do Thuggory and Camicazi know about the Dragon's Game will be explained in the next chapter.
Svala, Alf and Kodran are my OC's, so are their dragons, with the exception of the Whispering Death. Camicazi's dragon is also somewhat of an OC. Another OC will be introduced in the next chapter: "Challenged".
