How to Train your Nation

Chapter 4

Three viking longboats skirted the edge of the fog blanket that hugged the area known as Hell Hind's Gate. Hamish studied a map of the known area around Berk and glared into the fog.

"I can almost smell them. They're close."

The captains of the other ships, Tino and Berwald, called to their crews to keep close to the chief's ship. Hamish spoke up.

"Take us in."

All three ships melted into the fog. Soon after, a fiery explosion lit up the fog bank and a Monstrous Nightmare roared.

Peter made his way to the arena, his mind full of questions about the mysterious Night Fury. Perhaps Mathias would know more. As he got to the arena, he could see that a maze of sorts had been put up. The other teens were already entering the arena, so he hurried to join them. Mathias lowered the gate and opened one of the pens. Out came a bird-like, blue Deadly Nadder. Giving a strange screech, it nimbly hopped up onto the nearest obstacle as Peter tried to speak to Mathias.

"You know, I noticed the book had nothing on Night Furies. Is there like, another book, a sequel, maybe a little Night Fury pamphlet or..."

A jet of fire blew the head of the axe off, alerting him to the possibility it may have been a better idea to ask about the dragon before he was in an arena with one.

"Focus Peter! You're not even trying! Today is all about attack. Nadders are quick and light on their feet. Your job is to be quicker and lighter."

Toris was suddenly confronted by the dragon. Several spikes were flung at the teen, who protected himself in the nick of time by raising his shield. Most missed him, but a few embedded themselves in his shield. He yelped and ran away from the dragon.

"I'm really beginning to question your teaching methods!"

Lovino and Natalia approached as Toris ran off.

"Look for its' blind spot. Every dragon has one. Find it, hide in it, and strike."

Unwittingly, the twins found themselves right in front of the dragon. Natalia pulled a face at a certain smell.

"Ugh, you've been eating old tomatoes again haven't you?"

Lovino looked unimpressed and shoved her back.

"You don't like it then get your own blind spot."

Natalia headbutted her brother.

"How about I give you one?!"

A screech from the dragon reminded the twins that they were still in training. A jet of whitish fire spewed forth but missed them both as they fled. Mathias grinned.

"Blind spot, yes. Deaf spot, not so much."

Running past, Peter paused to try again.

"So, how would one sneak up on a Night Fury?"

Mathias rubbed his brow.

"No-one's ever met one and lived to tell the tale, now get in there!"

Peter drew back slightly.

"I know, I know, but, hypothetically..."

"Peter!"

The scrawny teen turned to see Elizabeta and Gilbert squatting nearby. Elizabeta gestured for him to do the same, mouthing 'get down' to him as she did so. Around a corner came the Nadder, stalking the teens. Silently noting where its' blind spot was, Elizabeta and Gilbert managed to sneak past without being detected, but Peter accidentally banged his shield against the ground, alerting the bird-like dragon. Hopping up onto the barricades, the Nadder began to chase Peter again but ended up faced with Elizabeta and Gilbert. Raising her axe, Elizabeta made to try and scare the dragon off but was forestalled by Gilbert.

"Watch out babe, leave this to the awesome me!"

Gilbert flung his mace at the Nadder. The heavy weapon missed and clanged against the wooden barricade. The dragon gave a sniggering roar as Elizabeta gave Gilbert a withering look.

"Even the awesome me can't see with the sun in my eyes! Do you want me to block out the sun? I could do that because I'm awesome, but I don't have time right now..."

The Nadder charged at them. Separating, the dragon chose to chase Elizabeta, knocking over the barricades as they ran. Toris, Natalia and Lovino all fled from the collapsing obstacles. Gilbert did his best to avoid them, but Peter took the opportunity to try and question Mathias again.

"Has anyone ever seen one..."

"PETER!"

Peter turned to see Elizabeta scramble up a collapsing barricade, the Nadder hot on her heels as it charged for her. She yelled for him to move too late, and came falling towards him, her axe in hand. Peter was knocked over and heard a loud 'crunch' near to him. When the dust cleared a little, he could see Elizabeta's axe was embedded firmly in his shield, and Elizabeta herself was sprawled on top of him. Lovino wasted no time in mocking them.

"Ooo, love on the battlefield!"

Natalia chimed in, looking disinterested.

"She could do better."

Peter was flushing bright red as Elizabeta struggled to free her axe from his shield.

"I mean... couldn't you..."

Behind them, the Nadder pushed its way out of the wreckage and screeched. Elizabeta gasped and renewed her efforts to tug her axe free, despite putting her foot squarely in Peter's chest to do so, and then his face. As the dragon charged her again, she tugged both shield and axe free, spun around and belted the dragon around the head with the two weapons, shattering the shield and nearly knocking the dragon out to boot. Wincing, the dragon retreated into its' cage. Mathias spoke up.

"Well done Elizabeta."

Looking at her weapon, Elizabeta turned her ire on Peter.

"Is this some kind of a joke to you or something? Our parents' war is about to become ours."

She leveled the axe at him with a scowl.

"Figure out which side you're on."

Gilbert and Toris said nothing as Peter got up and left the ring. Lovino and Natalia had already left. Walking to the granary, Peter picked up a large fish and a shield that had been left on the ground. He belatedly remembered his dagger, untouched during the training session and still sheathed in his belt. He then ducked into the forest and headed for the cove where he'd seen the Night Fury last. Making his way between the rocks and roots of old trees, he held the shield first and cautiously looked into the cove. He threw the fish onto the ground, but no dragon appeared to devour his offering. Nervously he tried to enter the cove itself, but the shield got stuck and wouldn't budge. Ducking around it he tried to pull it free but without success. Sighing, he picked up the fish and looked around for where the dragon might be if it was still there. Unknown to him, the jet black Night Fury had been perched on a rock just above where he'd entered the cove, watching him the whole time. As he moved further in, the dragon kept its' slitted green eyes on him. Suddenly Peter noticed the Night Fury and gasped in surprise and shock, although more surprise that he hadn't noticed the dragon before. Snarling, the dragon made its way towards him, looking malicious but not openly hostile. Catching the scent of the fish, the Night Fury's eyes seemed to change somehow, the pupils becoming rounder as it paused in front of him. Nervously, Peter held the fish out to the black dragon. Walking very strangely indeed, the dragon neared him, seeming almost like a curious puppy. Suddenly it paused and snarled again, catching the glint of Peter's dagger. Peter held the fish in his left hand and brushed back his jacket with the other, revealing the iron blade. The dragon snarled threateningly. Peter drew the dagger and dropped it away from him. The dragon made a gesture with its' head towards the water. Scooping the blade up with his foot, Peter threw it in the water. The dragon watched the blade sink, and then returned his full attention to the scrawny teen, sitting down attentively. Once again, Peter held out the fish. This time, the dragon crooned slightly as he cautiously advanced on him. Peter spoke in surprise as the dragon opened his mouth to eat the fish.

"Huh. Toothless. I could have sworn you had..."

Suddenly, two rows of white pointed teeth emerged from the pink gums and seized the fish. Swallowing it almost the way a bird would, the dragon licked his lips in satisfaction, leaving Peter very surprised.

"...teeth."

Licking his lips again, the dragon advanced on the viking teenager, his hunger still present and hopeful the boy had brought more than one. Peter backed away as the dragon seemed to hope for more.

"Uh, uh. No, no no no. I... I don't have any more."

Upon hearing this, the dragon seemed to consider something. Briefly his eyes looked in opposing directions as he began to look like he was choking. Peter watched in mingled fear and surprise as the Night Fury actually regurgitated half of the fish into his lap. Peter looked down in distaste.

"Ugh..."

The dragon seemed to rear back and actually sat on his haunches in a very human way. Breathing in shock, Peter sat up too, the half a fish still in his lap. The dragon looked at him in a peculiar way, almost as if he was pleased with coughing up a fish. For a long time, the two stared at one another, Peter silently confused by the dragon actually giving up half its food to him in such a way. Deciding to give the viking teen a clue, the Night Fury looked down at the fish half in Peter's lap. Peter looked down too, sighed in resignation, and took a bite out of the raw, regurgitated fish. He tried to fake pleasure at its' taste, and re-offered the fish to the dragon. Still with an almost smile on his face, the dragon mimicked swallowing. Peter gave the dragon an incredulous look and swallowed the mouthful of fish, trying not to be sick in the process. The dragon looked pleased and licked his lips briefly. Peter smiled in response, silently wondering if he was about to throw up. The dragon looked at the expression on Peter's face and did his utmost to mimic it, to the teen's amazement. He started to get up, reaching a hand out to the black dragon. Not interested, the Night Fury gave a warning growl before lopsidedly flying to the other side of the cove, onto a slight rise covered with grass. Shaking his head, the dragon breathed fire onto the ground and paced in a circle. Stamping out the flames, he looked pleased and lay down to rest. A bird on its' nest above tweeted, catching his attention. As it flew away, the dragon watched it go, before realising that Peter had followed him and was sat nearby. The viking teen raised a hand in greeting, but the dragon simply began to make himself comfortable with a surly expression, which if translated into words, had a very clear flavour of 'Whatever' to the boy. As he curled his tail around, pointedly avoiding looking at Peter, the teen edged closer and tried once again to touch the dragon. Raising his tail before the boy made contact, the Night Fury gave the boy a withering, exasperated look, prompting him to get up and leave, aware he was annoying the dragon. Almost seeming to roll his eyes, the dragon got up too, and began to scale a nearby tree to sleep upside down. Peter sat down on a rock and began to mull over what he'd seen and experienced that afternoon as the dragon slept.

It was nearly sunset by the time the Night Fury woke up again. Yawning a little, he soon saw that the boy was still there, his back to him. He ambled over to the scrawny teen and soon saw he was sketching in the dirt. Watching, the dragon followed every movement Peter made with his stick, until the youth had done a rough but accurate sketch of the dragon's facial features. Crooning, the Night Fury got up and tore a branch off a tree. Bewildered, Peter looked as the dragon began to make a maze of squiggles all around him. Peter got up and tried to walk out of the maze, stepping on one of the lines in the process. The Night Fury snarled warningly, making him stand still. Lifting his foot up, the dragon soon returned to his calm, gentle appearance. Deciding to test the dragon, Peter put his foot down on the line again. Again, the dragon snarled, but as soon as he lifted it up, the dragon returned to his calm demeanour. Placing his foot where the ground was smooth did not provoke a reaction beyond the dragon's crooning. Smiling, Peter made his way through the maze, not once stepping on the lines. He was so engrossed in the task that he didn't notice where he was going, and abruptly realised he was mere feet from the Night Fury. He felt it exhale onto him and looked up in surprise. The dragon almost seemed to nod at him as he looked back at the teen. Curiosity overwhelmed him, and he reached out to touch the dragon yet again. Still wary of ulterior motives and unsure of how trustworthy the boy really was, the dragon snarled gently, but soon returned to a quiet visage when Peter lowered his hand. Looking down, away from the dragon, Peter held his arm out, only a foot or so short of touching the dragon, hoping the dragon would grant his silent request. The Night Fury watched as the teen extended his arm to him, and studied it curiously. He hesitated before leaning into the boy's touch, eyes closed. Peter looked up in amazement as the dragon opened his eyes again. Snorting softly, the dragon scurried off to the other side of the cove. Peter looked around before making his way out of the rocky cove and back to the village. As he got back, Toris waved to him from up at a campfire the others and Mathias had made up by one of the catapults. Peter followed the bulkier teen and joined them, although none of the other teens said so much as a word as he skewered a fish on a stick and held it over the fire to roast. Mathias had an entire chicken on a spit in place of his missing arm, and the others had significantly larger portions than Peter did. For a while they made small talk before their food was cooked, and then they began to eat. Gilbert spoke up.

"So how did you lose your arm anyway?"

There was a silence over the campfire. Mathias broke the silence with a tale of his.

"It wasn't long after Snoggletog many years ago that we had an attack by a flock of dragons. All of you were just toddlers. I was fighting a Monstrous Nightmare when I got too close. I hit him around the snout with a hammer that had a rotten handle. The hammer broke, and with one twist, he took my hand and swallowed it whole. And I saw the look in his face; I was delicious! He must have passed the word, because it wasn't a month before another one of them took my leg."

The teens all gasped in awe at the tale except for Peter, who was quietly keeping an ear out for more information on dragon habits. Toris spoke up.

"Isn't it weird to think that your hand was inside of a dragon. Like if your mind was still in control of it, you could have killed the dragon from inside by, crushing his heart, or something."

Gilbert, Natalia, Lovino and Elizabeta all gave Toris strange looks. Gilbert was the first to speak.

"I swear, I'm so ANGRY right now! I'll avenge your beautiful hand AND your beautiful foot! I'll chop off the legs of every dragon I fight, with my awesome face."

Mathias shook his head.

"No, it's the wings and the tails you really want. If it can't fly, it can't get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon."

Peter perked up, listening closely to the blacksmith. Mathias yawned widely.

"Alright, I'm off to bed. You shouldn't be long too. Tomorrow we get to the big boys. Slowly but surely working our way up to the Monstrous Nightmare. But who will win the honour of killing it?"

Lovino put his food down with a smug grin. Unseen by the others, Peter left.

"It's gonna be me, it's my destiny! See?"

He showed the others an obscure marking on his left. Toris gasped.

"You had a tattoo?"

"It's not a tattoo, it's a birthmark. Means I'm born to be great."

Gilbert and Toris looked awed. Elizabeta looked indifferent. Natalia spoke up.

"I've been stuck with you since birth, and that was never there."

"Yes it was! You've just never seen me from the left side until now."

The twins began to bicker, joined by Gilbert and Toris. Elizabeta watched curiously as Peter made his way down, but soon ignored the teen in favour of her food and a few tales of her own.

"Well I almost managed to kill a Zippleback three weeks ago. I hit one head with my axe, and it must have seen me as a real threat, because it scrambled over itself to get away."

Mathias walked to his home, quietly thoughtful. It was nearly midnight when the other teens were asleep, but Peter was hard at work in the smithy. Drawing a new tailfin on his illustration of the Night Fury, he set about builiding an artificial one. Despite his talent for trouble, he had an equally strong talent for creativity. He drew a rough sketch of the larger tailfin and began to make the metal rods to hold everything together. Webbed together with strong, sturdy leather, he soon had a functional alternative fin made in less than an hour. Exhausted from his long day, it was all the teen could do to stagger home and sleep.