Disclaimer: I do not own How To Train Your Dragon.
"What do you mean 'hide the dragons'? And who are all these people around the village?"
Gobber sighs before explaining the travelers' temporary residence in Berk while they repair their ship and stock up on supplies. "We don't know what they think about dragons, haven't had a chance to ask the Captain about it since he's busy running around all the time, but yer father thinks it's best to lay 'em low fer awhile, at least until we're sure they won't go reaching for a weapon when they see one."
"Makes sense, I guess," Hiccup shrugs.
"Don't worry about it! They'll be gone by tomorrow, so it's only fer a day!" assures Gobber, patting the teen on the back. "How did yer survival camp go?"
Everyone jumps in to talk about their adventure with the Changewing as the blacksmith and the riders herd their dragons back into the forest.
Fishlegs and the twins have already returned back to their houses, leaving Astrid and Snotlout tagging along with Hiccup as he heads towards the forge to make the new saddle.
"When I get my hands on one of those guys, I'm gonna make him clean my room!" declares Snotlout, puffing his chest out in a show of superiority.
"They're not slaves, Snotlout," scolds Astrid as she glares at him. "Sure, they offered to do work for us while they're here, but that doesn't mean you can boss them around."
"Oh yeah? Well if they're staying here and taking our food, then they have to do whatever we want! Tough luck for – Hey!"
Snotlout whirls around when he swings his arm and smacks it against something hard next to him. Several pieces of firewood clatter to the ground as the person carrying it stumbles backwards at the force of the Viking's arm.
"Watch where you're going!" Snotlout snarls, glaring at the bewildered raven-haired teen with the pile of firewood in his arms.
"S-sorry! I was just passing by, didn't think you would suddenly stick your hand out," the boy apologizes, stuttering slightly at the heated look on the Viking's face.
Astrid punches Snotlout in the arm while Hiccup bends down to retrieve the fallen firewood. "Don't worry about it," he smiles comfortingly. "No harm done, right Snotlout?"
"Are you kidding me? He needs to clean my entire house for that!" Snotlout protests, earning another hard punch from Astrid.
"Don't listen to him," she says, turning to the teen and eyeing the large load in his arms. "You need any help with that?"
"Oh no no no! Please don't trouble yourselves! I got this," he rushes to reply, shooting them what is supposed to be a reassuring smile. "If you could put those on top, I'll be on my way," he says, nodding his head at the fallen firewood in Hiccup's hands.
"I know you guys are working to pay for supplies, but I guess we should thank you for all your help around the village," Hiccup says gratefully as he adds the firewood on top of the pile. "My name's Hiccup, by the way. And this is Astrid."
The raven-haired teen smiles cheerfully at them. "I'm Kinai. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hiccup and Astrid."
"Where are you going with all that?" asks Astrid.
Kinai's friendly grin drops into a grimace. "Mildew wanted to stock up a month's worth of firewood," he explains. "After that, I don't know. Probably wants me to fix his roof or something next."
The three Vikings winced in sympathy at the mention of Mildew's name.
"Knowing him, he probably declared you his servant all week and is milking every ounce of energy from your soul. How's he treating you?"
"He's – uh…" Kinai hesitates, unsure as to how to describe the old Viking without potentially offending them.
"Rude and bad-tempered?"
"Demanding and bitter?"
"A grumpy old jerk who should just do us all a favor and throw himself and that sheep of his off a cliff?"
"Snotlout!"
"What? You know you were thinking it…"
Kinai laughs, tension draining out of him as his shoulders sag with relief. "All of the above," he says, shrugging helplessly.
Hiccup smiles encouragingly and pats him on the arm. "Yeah, well, hang in there. You guys are leaving tomorrow, right? You'll be free from his clutches in no time."
"Thanks Hiccup. Well, I'd better get going," Kinai shifts to adjust his grip on his load before setting off. "See you around!"
"I should start working on that saddle," Hiccup sighs once Kinai is out of sight. "Hopefully it'll be done by tomorrow and we can give it to that Changewing."
"Stormfly and the other dragons should be keeping him company, so he won't be causing any trouble," Astrid says, giving him a light shove towards the forge. "Now come on, get to it!"
"And just what do you think you're doing? I told you to fix the roof, not the ladder! Stupid boy, don't you know how to listen to instructions?" Mildew snarls at a startled Kinai.
"B-but the ladder isn't sturdy enough!" the teen tries to explain. "I was going to fix the roof after I'm done with –"
"No more excuses, boy!" the Viking growls angrily, shaking his staff at him. "You think just because it's your last day of work you can slack off? Now get up there!" he yells, taking a swing at his head.
Yelping in shock, Kinai swiftly ducks and drops his tools, scrambling to place the ladder against Mildew's house.
"Go on! What are you waiting for?"
Gulping nervously, he begins to climb, his knuckles white as he slowly makes his way up.
Hiccup smiles proudly at the finished saddle resting on the forge's workbench. After sending Astrid and Snotlout back to the forest to help him take measurements, he was able to craft the saddle according to the Changewing's specifications.
Nodding to himself in satisfaction, he yawns as he stretches his arms over his head.
"Nighttime already?" he says to himself, noticing the dark skies outside the forge. "Time to head home then. I'll deliver the saddle tomorrow."
"Are you finished yet? You know you can't leave until my roof is fixed!"
Kinai sighs when his tired hands finally hammer the last nail in. "I'm done!" he calls down, sending Mildew a glare which he hopes the Viking wouldn't catch.
"Finally! Now get out of here!"
Cursing the ungrateful Viking under his breath, Kinai begins to descend the ladder but he only manages to take two steps before the next rung he steps on suddenly gives way with a sickening crack of splintering wood.
Letting out a cry of fear, his hands grasp desperately at something to hold on to, but the exhaustion in his overworked body prevents his reflexes from reacting in time and Kinai feels himself falling for several horrifying seconds.
The ground rushes up to meet him as he crashes to the earth and everything turns black.
Author's Note: Huh, looks like my chapters are getting longer and longer. But you guys aren't complaining, are you?
Anyway, I am in need of some suggestions. Namely, ideas for payback on Mildew. If you like, I can get the Changewing to help out too, so if anybody has anything they would like to see, please do let me know.
Thank you for reading. Comments are greatly appreciated :)
