Tipping the Scales
idiom; to cause a change; to offset the balance of a situation
This is late, I know. But I had my thesis and I wasn't quite happy with this chapter so I rewrote it a couple of times… Hope, you like it!
Also, I completed the entire plot in my notes, and I'd like to apologize in advance.
Warnings: Vikings, some language, grammatical mistakes
Disclaimer: The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is property of Cressida Cowell and Dreamworks.
…&…
Chapter 04; before the storm
…&…
He was staring again.
Two days later and he was still at it. You'd think after all she'd done to avoid him, the silences, the cold shoulders, he'd get the message.
She had stuck to the twins, following them around and keeping them in line. The chief had made it abundantly clear no accidents would befall on Port Island while they were there. Unfortunately, they had made it a game to disappear and cause the slightest of mischiefs whenever she blinked. The fact that they still managed to escape her vigilance, after years of training, left her sour. That and they seemed to constantly seek out the Hooligans. She didn't know if they actually liked spending time with them or doing it on purpose.
Judging from Ruffnut's smug looks, her money was on the second.
So she endured it; the useless dragon information she already knew of from the Ingerman; how the Jorgenson seemed to ignore her personal space and test her patience with each flirty remark; and the awkward and miserable looks Hiccup kept throwing her way. Just like now. Gods, he wasn't even trying to be discreet. Someone was bound to notice him; a chief, her chief, his dad, or –Odin forbid– her uncle. She'll never live it down if Uncle Finn caught the Hooligan Heir blatantly staring at her from across the table; it might give him ideas. Astrid tried not to squirm at that thought.
The talk had been well underway for the day. They were discussing trading routes for what seemed the fourth time as the Ugly Thug chief argued with Madnut over insignificant details. Her chief had begun tapping his fingers, something he only did when he was on his last straw with the twins. Her uncle twitched at his side, carefully watching their chief ready to intervene when Madnut said enough was enough and went to throttle the younger chief. With the way he had been glaring and cursing the twins the past few days, Astrid was more than fine to let Chief Madnut the Unstable loose on Chief Ug the Ugly.
And all this time, Hiccup was still staring at her.
She gritted her teeth and threw him a scowl. She saw him flinch and falter, his eyes widening and his nose twitched. Curse her stupid heart that found him adorable; she should have let him sleep in the forest.
When she had stolen away from the feast to go to an overprotective Stormfly, she never imagined she'd meet with the Hooligan Heir. When he had stumbled from the darkness, her heart had gone to her throat. Stormfly, that stubborn dragon that had thought it'd be completely normal to come along while she's still wounded, was just a few feet away. All it would have taken was for him to tilt his head a little to the left, and everything she had worked for would crumble to the ground.
Instead he had focused on her and everything had spiraled out of control fast. She hadn't wanted to be that cold at first. All she wanted was to get him away from Stormfly. But then he went and opened up his drunken flappy mouth and she had felt her blood boil.
Was fame more important than your best friend?
Her eyes had burnt and her fists had crushed Stormfly's dinner; fame. Fame had been the least of her worries the last five years. The burden of knowing and not being able to do or say anything about it had nearly drowned her. The lies, the half promises, and her duty to her tribe had gathered around her like tar and stuck her on the ground. She had been teetering the line between duty and responsibility, the one Valka had drawn her in, making her do this dangerous dance between dragons and Vikings on each raid. She had been lying to everyone she loved, and her guilt had nearly eaten her alive. Fifteen year old Astrid hadn't wanted to lie to Hiccup as well.
But what did he know? The years had been more than kind to him. She had remembered being stunned when he first saw his peg leg. The guilt she had thought buried had resurfaced and all she had wanted was to go and make amends, to apologize and start afresh. Then she had seen the smile on his face, his straight back, and his clear and bright eyes when he made a sarcastic remark. The shy and hunched over boy she had befriended was long gone. In his stead was this stranger that stood taller than everyone and wasn't afraid to speak up his mind. Someone who had authority and the acceptance of his people. Astrid wanted to snort; killing that Night Fury had done him wonders.
She had been angry at his ignorance, at his success. She envied the way his shoulders moved freely, as if he wasn't burdened by the weight of the world like hers were. She had been angry and hurt by the unfairness and she wanted him to disappear for a solid minute. Then he had kissed her and her mind had cleared.
He hadn't been her first kiss. The son of one of their fishermen had been her first. Then, a merchant's boy when Finn had taken her to one of their diplomacy meets. Tuffnut's drunken dare didn't count in her mind. She had briefly remembered Ingrid saying nothing would compare to her first kiss. Yet, comparing the two, the simple, chaste peck with the fisherman's son didn't hold a candle to Hiccup's burning lips. Her mind had gone blank and had focused solidly on him. Astrid swore she could still taste him on her tongue and feel the imprint of his fingers on her cheeks.
She felt a flush crawling up her neck and hoped she wasn't as red as she felt. She could always blame the clothes; the wool and leather get up was quite stifling occasionally.
She chanced a look at the Hooligan Heir and found him looking back at her. Hiccup's eyes were burning an intense green and her fingers itched to reach out and touch him. She forced that feeling deep down and she shuddered when he licked his lips. His eyes widened just a fraction and shifted in his seat; she almost cursed herself. Of course he would remember, and of course he'd want to catch her after the meeting. Astrid figured she'd either stick to her uncle or be fast in her escape.
A fist slamming on the stone table startled her from her thoughts.
"Enough." Mogadon's hard glare pierced everyone through the sudden silence, "We have more important things to discuss than wool trade."
Something heavy hung in the room. Astrid swept her eyes around the table; stiff shoulders, narrow eyes, and scowling lips were on every chief. Hiccup had gone tense and played with the buckles of his brown vest while stealing looks to his father. Stoick the Vast merely hummed and stroke his beard. Across from him Big Boobied Bertha rolled her eyes impatiently and mumbled something to Camicazi. The Ugly Thug Chief looked bored out of his mind, while the Visithug squirmed a little on his seat. When all eyes were on Mogadon, the Meathead Chief motioned to one of his generals. Excitement fluttered in her belly, when parchment was passed around. As fascinating as wool trade and fishing routes were, half the Archipelago didn't up and leave their home islands to discuss just that.
Her mind flashed to what Tuffnut had said, and Astrid willed her body to stop trembling. Finally, she thought, information that actually mattered.
"These are raid reports from the surrounding islands on Meathead waters." Mogadon supplied, "Their raids had been catastrophic with their storages empty."
Ug snorted, "Everyone has to deal with the devils, Mogadon. Not just the Meatheads."
Mogadon just narrowed his eyes, "Aye. Now look at the bottom line."
It was almost comical watching the chiefs look down at once and collectively inhale. Her curiosity rose when she saw Bertha's grin grow.
"Sightings?" she said almost giddily. Mogadon nodded.
"Aye, from start to finish. Every dragon we downed was freed. Every catapult completely destroyed." He growled at Bertha, making his beard tremble, "On one island they caused a rockslide that nearly buried the entire village."
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Hiccup flinch.
He turned at the rest of the Chief with a solemn look, "Aye, we've been dealing with the devils for generations. And just a shy of a few years since the Riders have made their existence known." His eyes swept around before continuing. "But now their master has surfaced."
The silence that engulfed the hall was deafening. Astrid could swear she could hear herself breathing. Then it broke with the roaring chieftains. The only ones staying quiet were Stoick and Bertha along with their parties. Her own chief was silently clenching his jaw; mostly because the twins were goading everyone else along. Discreetly, she shoved Ruffnut's chair, prompting her to pipe down; Tuffnut, with a sly look to his dad, did the same. Mogadon raised a hand and waited for quiet before he continued.
"Aye, it's neither mistake nor a ploy. We had thought they were acting autonomously as a group, but events have led the question of a leader to be raised. Chief Bertha," he said called with a wave, "Of the Bog Burglars shall take the stand, as she was the one to raise the matter half a year ago."
The woman rose from her seat and her hard blue eyes swept over the assembly. "It was during the Early Freeze, when we got our most destructive raid. The beasts had been relentless and there was no end to them. We barely caught up to their destruction before the Riders came and made a whole lot mess themselves."
Hiccup kept squirming in his seat, making his father tense. Astrid ignored the Hooligans, completely focused on the female chief, her belly dancing with anxiety.
"Two riders; a Gronckle and a Nightmare. They made quick work on the nets and freed some of the downed dragons. Cami led a team that managed to down the Gronckle when he made to rescue a beast." Her proud smirk was pushed back for a pained look, "That's when he came. He burst from the shadows and blew our machines up. Then he made sure to destroy every other catapult and leave us defenseless and at the mercy of the beasts." She took a breath before looking over at her daughter, "We had many casualties that night. Cami barely got out alive." Astrid swept her eyes to the Bog Heir, noticing the scowl and the lowered eyes; she had lost someone important. Astrid felt her insides burning.
Bertha leveled a look at the rest of the chiefs, "But that's not what got my eye. It was how the beasts listened to his command, bewitched and crazed; along with his mound. Chieftains. A Night Fury has come into play."
Astrid felt herself freeze. In her mind bright green eyes flashed, along with a lithe black body, and a gloved hand inches away from her face as she fell to her death. She managed to suppress a shiver; Gods, he is their leader.
From the back of her mind the conversation with Valka burst through; He seems to like traveling alone more than enough. He doesn't deem him dangerous.
Astrid tightened her fists in fury; she knew.
"Odin above. A Night Fury?" she managed to hear the Visithug Chief curse, "However did they managed to recruit that beast? How did they even find it? Aren't they extinct?"
"Doesnae' matter. We have the Dragon Conqueror on our side. He already downed one, what's one more, aye, boy?" The UglyThug all but sneered towards Hiccup, who threw the chief a scowl as he rubbed his leather vest. Astrid would have curled her lips in disgust at the blatant arrogance, if it weren't for the silver glimpse from behind. Her eyes shifted to the Senior Jorgenson, who was thumbing his belt with a scowl. The two other generals by his side were doing the same and more flashes caught her eye; daggers. A look on the side told her Finn had also caught that little detail, but the rest of the hall remained unaware to the Hooligans' treasonous act.
It was ancient law; all weapons were to remain outside the Thing's walls for the entirety of the talks. To have the Hooligans, a tribe her own chief respected fiercely, disregard such a thing...
Her own hand fell on her skirt's side buckle and slid a few paces closer to the twins. Vigilance, she remembered Finn telling her as she thumbed Stormfly's spine well hidden in the hem, a necessity for a warrior. She had salvaged one the last time she had shed, the sturdiest she had found; she had wilted, painted, sharpened, and then sewed it beneath her lapels like a dagger, lethal and poisonous. One of the perks of the shed spines was the poison that kept into the layers, however long it was, it remained deadly. Even more perhaps as it kept maturing over time.
Her glare drew the focus of Jorgenson Junior, who like his father had gone tense and fingered his vambraces, and held it. She saw his eyes widening and he grew still. Good, let him see she had caught them in their treason. She was well into her rights to report them to the Chiefs, but watching the overconfident boy squirm under her gaze was just as fun. Maybe not yet. They weren't making a move towards the twins or her chief (not that they would, Thor's Edge was in great terms with Berk), but one was to be weary around angry Vikings.
Always be two steps ahead of your opponent. Always light on your feet. Don't move before or after; attack at the same time. It throws them off. She lived and breathed the lessons Finn had drilled into her since she could walk. So, she slowly pushed Stormfly's spine and thumbed the leather handle. She bent her knees and ground the soles of her feet. Her glare remained on the stocky teen, but took in every other move the others did. Astrid was ready to jump and act as a shield for her Heirs the second the Hooligans made their move.
"When the time comes the Norns will decide what's to be done."
All eyes fell on Stoick the Vast. He was towering over the entire assembly and his glare cutting into the Ugly Thug that had challenged his son. The Chief deflated as he met the full force of the elder Chief's glare. He murmured an 'aye' and the tension that hanged over everyone's neck disappeared. The Hooligans let their hands fall to their side and a relieved sigh came from her uncle. By Stoick, Hiccup rolled his shoulder and slumped back into his chair. His dad kept his glare on Ug the Ugly even after he turned his eyes away.
She would have done the same, Astrid noted. The Hooligan Chief cut an imposing figure with his great stature and large girth, his large flaming beard and steely glare piercing and demanding. He was a force to be reckoned, even sitting. It was suicide to go against him.
Bertha cleared her throat and looked over the two chiefs with a raised brow, "If you are done, I wasn't finished." Ug flushed at the reprimand, while Stoick tilted his head towards the Bog's Chief. Astrid barely stifled her snort.
"Back in the matter, with Stoick's Heir or not, the Dragon Master isn't someone to be trifled with."
"Dragon Master?"
Bertha grinned at the Visithug, "If you'd seen him with the beasts you'd understand. Besides! It sounds cool."
There were a few snickers and groans around the table. Astrid raised a brow when she saw Hiccup rubbing his temples and Jorgenson Junior grinning down at him. She ignored it when Bertha kept going.
"He's cunning and smarter than your usual Rider. He plans ahead and is extremely careful when it comes to the raids. He takes care of destroying our defenses so his Riders and dragons can do as they please. I advise caution, and for a plan to be formed in dealing with this new development. So far he's seen on Burglar and Meathead waters, there's no telling when he'll spread his hand."
"They have yet to come up North." Madnut cut in. "Either they don't like the cold or their base is far south. This could help narrow down their territory."
"You want to hunt them down?" Mogadon asked.
"The sooner the better. I won't wait until they reach my waters. We should have dealt with them when they first appeared."
"You fear there's more." Stoick said stroking his beard.
"Aye. With our luck and history, my friend, I fear with who they might cavort."
That drew a chill on everybody's spines. Astrid saw the fear lingering in many Vikings' eyes.
"The seas have been quiet. Bludvist is nae back." Bertha's voice resonated in the silent hall. The Bog Burglars were seafarers since the dawn of time, charged with overseeing the borders of the Archipelago with their large fleet ever since Drago Bludvist had made himself known. Challenging Bertha's rule on that was suicide; no one was insane enough to do it. Astrid stole a glance at the Ugly Thug Chief's puss face. Well, maybe one Viking.
Nodding once, the Pirate Queen deemed the matter closed.
"Either way, I agree with Madnut. We should take action and not let the problem fester any longer." Mogadon prompted. "I propose bounties for each head. Dead or alive. What say you?"
The discussion dragged on as the chiefs couldn't settle on a price. Astrid paid little attention to it. She had learnt what she wanted. Even more than she thought she'd find out. Certain pleasure coiled in her belly at the thought of the Riders getting caught and charged for their crimes. Flying dragons was one thing; turning them against the Tribes and leading the raids that took lives, was another.
Then there was Valka.
That woman. The realization of being lied to again, getting half the information on matters of dire importance, something that would either change their world for the better or worse, was churning. She forced herself not to charge out of the hall; it would draw unwanted attention. She'll wait until nightfall to make her move. She'll bide her time and wait until no one was looking, and then she would go to Stormfly and to Sneaky, because that reptile couldn't stay away no matter if she wanted him to. And he in turn would rush to Valka with a note. Because she was done being in the sidelines, and she would have to make the older woman realize she was doing more harm than good.
Astrid bit her tongue and watched the hall. Her eyes caught familiar green eyes as they leveled at her. It made her belly flip and coil, and her fingertips tingle.
Slowly, she tightened them into fists and prayed Hiccup couldn't see them trembling.
She should have really let him sleep in the forest.
…&…
For the umpteenth time, Hiccup let his head thump against the tree.
The past few days had been difficult, what with trying to get to talk to Astrid and never succeeding. Her glares were enough to deflate him for precious seconds she took advantage of fleeing or blatantly ignoring him. Snotlout had been leering and sneering at his attitude, but he didn't know what else he could do. He was at fault, coming onto her accusing and calling her names. It was surprising he managed to survive that night, what with him going and kissing her.
He cringed at the memory. He had been drunk and completely out of his mind. He shouldn't have done it, disrespecting her personal space and trust in that way. Even if he had wanted to do so since he was twelve. His dad had raised him better than that. Today's meeting came into mind and he almost groaned at his train of thought.
From the narrowing of her eyes, to the slight pouts, to the tilt of her hips, and the ways the light caught the wisps of her bangs; Hiccup had had trouble pulling his eyes off the shieldmaiden. Snotlout had noticed, what with him kicking his chair every few minutes. His dad had definitely noticed but fortunately hadn't said anything.
Then again he was more focused on the bounty the Tribes had put in his head.
Five thousand golden pieces just for him. Catching him along with Toothless would cost another five.
His dad wasn't happy. Then again he hadn't been happy since the day he was born, but he was certain there was no connection. The entirety of their entourage had trudged at their lodge in dooming silence, and after he had strongly reprimanded Spitelout, Silent Sven, and Hoark for not following Viking Law and carrying blades into the sacred meeting, he turned at him.
He didn't say anything for a good solid five minutes. Merely looked at Hiccup straight in the eye, making him and everyone else uncomfortable. Then he had sighed deeply and showed his disappointment with a scowl.
On one hand, his dad had a point. They had made a deal when all this had started, five years ago when the Red Death was slain and the raids had stopped.
"Until we find a peaceful way to bring the peace between Vikings and dragons to the other Tribes, there would be no contact. Are we clear?"
They had managed to built a solid plan. Hiccup knew change wasn't easy, five years later and his dad was still uncomfortable with dragons flying over Berk. Then again it could be that some of them still followed their past path and every day three hours into midday, dragon dung rained in the plaza. Hiccup cringed; he still had to break these dragons out of that habit, they were a stubborn bunch.
The Tribes won't be that accepting to change, the Elders had advised and his dad had agreed. In some villages there was too much bad blood with the dragons. So, they had agreed to a plan, something that covered every possibility and problem that could arise from each Tribe.
Then the raids had started anew and their plan had gone to Hel's rotting teeth.
Every year, his dad found a way to postpone initiating the first phase of their plan, and each year, Hiccup had bit down his tongue and didn't argued against it. He had plunged into his forge work and worked out saddles and improving their fire-prevention system, a new training program for the youngsters and who would be admitted into class with Fishlegs, and when Snotlout managed to drag him away from his backroom at the forge, they'd go over the Hooligan waters and map and catalogue the migration patterns of their dragon herds.
Then dragons started disappearing from their herds and Hiccup had gone to investigate. They had stumbled in a raid. He remembered feeling helpless as they watched the dragons raining fiery hell from above, how the Vikings retaliated with axes, spears, and swords that made blood flow. He had almost been sick at the sight. He wanted to intervene but Snotlout and Fishlegs had stopped him before he nudged Toothless down.
"Are you crazy?! You're Berk's Heir! Everyone knows your stupid face!"
"I can't just not do anything!"
"Hiccup, if you barge in there and start freeing dragons, you'll be shot down and at best killed. At worse, they'll take you prisoner and rally the Tribes and then Berk will be destroyed."
So he had watched as the other two riders wedged in between the crowds of bloodthirsty Vikings, freeing dragons and steering them clear of the village and traps. He had nudged Toothless above the clouds and discouraged any dragons from following any attacks at the village. Some of them had snapped out quickly and with an apologetic coo had flew home. Others were lost in their craze followed the devastation on the village.
He had made a promise to himself to follow any herd going to a raid and stopped however many dragons he could. Both Fishlegs and Snotlout had quickly agreed; his dad not so much.
"If you are seen, if they catch you, we are all done for! Is that what you want?"
Of course it wasn't. Berk was his home, and he had fought and lost a leg for his home. He also held a secret that could change the lives of everyone in their world; his dad should have known he'd be willing to risk his own life to see peace through.
"I can't stop you, but promise me this. No reckless decisions, no daredevil tricks. You stay up in the clouds and swat the dragons. The others go down and deal with the Vikings. I've lost your mother, I will not lose you too."
But then the raid in Bog happened.
Fishlegs had been downed; Snotlout was too far to help him out. So he did what he had to do. Hiccup had been disgusted and couldn't look anyone in the eye for a week. His dad had been worried and furious with him.
"Do you realize what you've done? Do you realize the danger you put yourself in? Twelve dead, Hiccup. Bertha will be out for your head!"
He let his dad breathe after that. He stopped going to every raid, and if he did, he stayed above the cloud line and worked his magic on the crowd he knew best. When they went to pay their respects on Bog a week after the letter from Bertha had arrived, he couldn't look Cami in the eyes. When he blew that watchtower he knew who had been right beneath.
He still hadn't forgiven himself over that. Hiccup was sure he never will. He knew his dad worried about the Tribe, and every measured step they took with their peace was to the benefit of their people. A single night was all it took to destroy it all.
Peace for the Bogs would come late, if at all. The wound is still fresh and bleeding; Cami will also never forgive him and would issue a blood feud between their clans and draw Berk and Bog into war. They were in a corner for the moment, and Hiccup felt responsible for the entirety of it all.
And now Drago had come into play. Not to mention that Rider.
When they came upon the Deadly Nadder during their scouting mission, Hiccup had been ecstatic. Others, there were others flying dragons, and that lost hope he had buried down for a peaceful coexistence for both dominant species of their world, was once again attainable. Then there was the full aerial brawl with Snotlout and Gustav, and then Toothless kinda shot them down. Then again he could understand their apprehension; facing a Night Fury with a rider out of the blue wasn't something they had planned. And Toothless had been hurt and grumpy all week, and his dad had been convinced the Rider had been Drago's and raised more his blood pressure than normal.
Hiccup let his head fall back, closing his eyes and feeling the breeze. His head pounded and he groaned. Where was Toothless when you needed him? For all his attitude, that lousy reptile had taken to the automated tail in stride lately.
As if summoned, a fishy breath rained over him. Hiccup grinned and cracked an eye open. Eager green eyes greeted him back.
"Hey, bud." The Night Fury gave him a gummy grin and shifted closer, "Where you've been today?"
Toothless huffed and sniffed at his head before he rolled his tongue over him. Saliva coated his upper body and made his hair stick straight; Hiccup gave Toothless a dry look.
"Really? You gonna sludge an Outlaw? You sure you can take that?" The Night Fury merely cocked his head, squinted at his human before pushing his tongue out. Hiccup let out an offended gasp and Toothless laughed with a sly look. Hiccup shook his head and grinned at his friend, "Oh, yeah? Is that how's gonna be? Well, try this on!"
He launched at the Night Fury and the rolled back in a tumble. Hiccup laughed and rubbed his slimed clothes and face all over Toothless' scales. The Night Fury groaned and shook in discomfort.
"See? It's not that fun when you're the one being—WHOA!" Black wings had come around him as his friend's short legs wrapped around his person, squeezing ever slightly.
"T-Toothless! Air!" The dragon merely laughed and flopped on the side, turning so Hiccup was beneath him and pushing all his weight on his human.
Hiccup groaned. Toothless laughed.
The night was still young when they eventually rose to the air for a flight.
"Come on, bud. Let's go see the sunset, yes? Got few news to tell you."
The Night Fury huffed and surged into the air. Hiccup's yelps and hoots with every loop echoing over the mountains.
…&…
She had been so stupid.
She had lowered her shields and allowed the twins to drag her into another run around the island and its taverns. They had taken Cami with them, freakishly attuned to her mood, and tried to lighten her up with pranks and booze. Camicazi's guard, a burly Viking called Shilva, had smiled at the twins and at her and followed around the Heirs, keeping half an ear out for threats, nursing her meads steadily as their time in the taverns progressed.
Astrid was usually like that.
Unfortunately, Ruffnut had pushed her buttons and goaded her into a drinking competition.
So the hooded figure by the door that was nursing a mug for over two hours and stared at them had taken a backseat in her mind. Astrid only took notice of the hooded stranger when they moved to leave.
"Hey!"
They quickly took off and Astrid followed, pushing past her daze. They were fast and light on their feet, and Astrid cursed the mead in her system that made her sluggish. She followed the possible spy's trek to the forest, winching when she stumbled over a root. Huffing she paused enough to let a low whistle. She wasn't surprised when a blue Nadder head appeared seconds later on her left. Stormfly had been shadowing her ever since they came into Port.
"Find them, girl."
Stormfly growled and sniffed twice in the air. She trilled and Astrid leapt on her back before the Nadder started galloping northeast. Astrid grinned and fingered her axe. Thinking they could outrun her; they were seriously underestimating her.
Then again they probably didn't count on her using a Nadder. Astrid grinned; that was even better.
Stormfly started slowing down and Astrid kept her focus forward. It was dark, but even then she could see the dark shape rushing through the foliage. Bloodlust curled in her body as she leapt off Stormfly with a cry and rammed into the spy.
They fell into a tangle of limps, cloaks, and weapons. As one they scrambled up and pulled out their weapons. Astrid had second to take notice and admire the double edged axe, before she was rushing towards her opponent.
They were skilled, she'd give them that. Each thrust was countered and parried with ease, each step measured and carefully calculated. Astrid could see the years of tiresome training routines and practice they endured to raise their skill. Unfortunately for them, they had the one thing that Astrid did. Fearless Finn Hofferson as their Master.
As her opponent turned to parry a feint, Astrid curled her lip into a leer.
She pivoted her heel and rammed her axe into the handle. She heard a cry of pain, but she didn't linger. Astrid rushed forward and slammed her palm into the spy's neck, making them take a step back gagging. She quickly dropped and spun her leg out, catching the spy and dropping them into the ground. Faster than they could move, Astrid slammed her boot on the spy's chest and dropped her axe blade at their neck.
Everything stilled. Their heavy breathing was the only thing Astrid could hear in the silence of the clearing. Absentmindedly she noted Stormfly's precise footing in the tree line on her left. They had the spy caged; should they escape her, Stormfly was right there. And no one could escape her Nadder's spines. Not even the elusive Night Fury. And if the fastest and deadliest dragon couldn't… Astrid let her grin bleed wider.
"Game's over." She huffed and reached down, "Let's see who you are."
She should have seen her mistake. The mead and Stormfly's presence had made her cocky. Astrid yelped when mud was flanged to her eyes. She staggered to her feet and fell, a weight keeping her immobile quicker than she was proud to admit. There was a cry from Stormfly and the distinct shink of Nadder spikes flying. The spy gasped above her and something heavy fell next to her head.
The seconds Astrid took to clean the sludge from her face, the spy had disappeared with not a sound more. An acidic breath came over her and Astrid groaned. The young shieldmaiden squinted up to her friend who was worriedly looking down at her.
"I'm okay. Can't see properly right now but it will pass."
The Nadder huffed and settled down beside her and looked her over.
"Only thing bruised is my pride. Gods, if Finn saw me he'll never let me live it down."
Stormfly grumbled, before leaning forward and licked her bangs in place. Gently she nudge her face and used her beak to pull her braid over her shoulder. Astrid sighed and gave her friend and appreciated scratch.
"It's okay, you worrywart. I'm fine." Then she paused and let her eyes swept the trees surrounding them, "Are they still here, girl?"
Stormfly trilled and bobbed her head to the side. Astrid groaned and palmed her eyes, removing the few gung that had escaped her.
"Well, isn't that great. The twins are gonna be all over this." There was another groan when she remembered she left the twin unguarded in a crowded place with Cami and Shilva. Knowing Ruffnut and Tuffnut, the moment they noticed she had turned her eyes away, they'd be long gone. They'd surely drag Cami along. She doubted Shilva was skillful enough to follow them.
"Come on, girl. We have to find the twins. Again. Gods, I can already see the Chief's scowl."
She made towards the Markets, Stormfly supporting her weight. Her ankle was twinging with each step and she made a note to tie it tightly when she slipped into the lodge tonight. They stopped at a crossroads, still in the forest, when she remembered the other thing she had wanted to do. Huffing, she reasoned she'd do it tomorrow, when her head wasn't pounding from the mead, or her ankle giving her a limp.
Astrid stumbled when Stormfly slid to a sudden pause. "What is it, girl?" The Nadder had frozen solid and stared at the trees ahead. "Stormfly?" Apprehension grew in Astrid and folded close to her Nadder, ready to leap on her back and hightail it out of any ambush those that might followed have set up.
Oh Gods, she hoped it wasn't the twins.
Stormfly then turned her head and narrowed eyes up, growling and hissing in the dark sky. Astrid's stomach dropped to her feet.
From afar, Port's Raid Horn cut through the night.
…&…