"No, what you need to do is listen. You have no idea what The Dragon Lord could be doing to her right now. For all we know, he could be raping her or worse. You need to see that if we don't save her, Berk will never have a worthy Heir." 'My Thor, these guys were stubborn. It remined me of myself, Astrid and Hiccup.' Stoick mentally told himself.
"We know Chief, but we have no idea where he's taken her." Stoick glared right into Spitelout's heart. Filling his brother with utter fear.
"THEN FIND WHERE, DON'T JUST SIT THERE!" Stoick watched as the entire hall almost fell from their seats. "But.." Stoick was having none of their excuses
"NO BUTS. YOU ALL VOTED TO GIFT HER TO THE DRAGON LORD, NOW YOU'LL HELP FIND HER AS REPAYMENT AND A SORRY FOR YOUR CRIME!"
Everyone was silent. They all had a look of shame on their faces. A look that Stoick could use well to his advantage. "Well, don't just look ashamed, feel betrayed by yourselves. I could have you all exiled or executed for even voting to have my heir, your heir gifted off to this devil of a Viking."
Bucket soon spoke up "Yes Chief, I know. We will do our best." Stoick eyed him. A deadly glare being sent in his direction.
"NO, you will search till you find her, even if you die searching. FIND HER AND BRING HER BACK AT ONCE. OH, AND BRING ME THE DRAGON LORD AS WELL!"
Once done, Stoick walked outside. Leaving the silent hall behind him.
Walking back into his home. He sighed as he closed the door. "Where are have you taken her Dragon Lord? Where?"
'A day since Astrid was taken. Was it really that long since then. I can't believe it. A whole day without the heir to Berk'. Stoick's thoughts were interrupted by someone speaking
"Stoick, chief. We may have a problem with the search." Stoick glanced at Gobber who stood at the doorway. "I don't want to hear it Gobber"
Gobber spoke anyway, ignoring his friends deadly glare. "Well chief, Bork's notes say that Lava Hunters live with their father species and other sub-species on an island that's pretty hard to find." Turning round fast, Stoick eyed Gobber.
"Well, find it!" Gobber put his one good hand to the back of his neck. "err, that's the problem. You see... How do I say this. The island is inaccessible by boat, at least, in the way Bork drew it. Mind his notes on the island are incomplete and the island wasn't fully explored. And well"
Stoick sighed before he stood up. "Get to the point Gobber" "Aye Chief. You see, not many people have found it. Bork the Bold was the first Viking to find it, then Oswald the Agreeable, but those two are dead. And Trader Johann's been to the island. The only problem is that..."
Stoick was quick to glance at Gobber. "What's the problem now?" "Johann's been sworn to keep the island's location a secret, least he die. And um, he's not going to come around for a few months." Stoick nodded before walking to Gobber. "Then have the council ready apologise as soon as she arrives." "If she ever arrives" Stoick rolled his eyes at Gobber's terrible attempt to lighten the mood.
Infernal Island
"Morning Astrid." Hiccup spoke with a prideful yet playful tone. "Hiccup, what are you doing?" Astrid responded, with so much as a good morning herself.
Hiccup chuckled before placing her axe on the ground. "Oh, me. Just dropping off somethings. Mostly your axe. Valka had your cloths cleaned while you were sleeping. So I wouldn't move if I were you. Also, I made some improvements to your axe. You can expect a lighter swing."
Astrid nodded before Hiccup headed to the door. "Oh, and breakfast is almost ready too." Hiccup soon exits. 'Oh Odin today was going to be different.' though Hiccup.
Sitting down upon his chair at the table, Hiccup ensures that the chair next to him is left open for Astrid.
"Astrid, come, have a seat." Astrid glanced at her spot at the table. "Hiccup, why is all this going on. And why do I have something different to the rest of you?" I sighed as she sat down. The raw fish on her plate sitting there. "Astrid, when you chose to join us. The Vow and Oath takes a raw fish to be eaten. And the Fire Defender tradition is that the new member sits next to the chief or acting chief while she eats said fish. I did it next to toothless. Let me tell you that story someday. It was in hindsight, quite funny. My mother did it, your uncle and brother did it. Don't worry, it's a small fish. Not as large as say, something Toothless would want you to eat."
A growl of annoyance could be heard as everyone chuckled. Each reflecting over the size of the fish that Toothless made Hiccup eat.
"Yes girl, your too harsh. Too much raw fish would kill us. You're just lucky I was extremely sick. or else someone here wouldn't be too happy about her son being dead from a raw fish." Toothless growled once more before leaving the hall.
"Ok, this is going to be disgusting." Sven chuckles before Hiccup glared at him. He nods as took the hint and shut up.
As Astrid eats the fish, her face changes expression, showing disgust. "Your doing great Astrid, mind, you won't like what comes when you take the vow. And I don't think anyone else here did either." Everyone nodded in agreement. Valka was really annoyed by the next part when it came to her initiation.
"Dare I even ask." Hiccup smirked as he pass a plate of bread over to her. "Well, you'll find out soon enough, but Valka will help with you with the next part. Because you will have to wear the formal Infernal Tribe initiation dress." Hiccup watched with minor humor as Astrid spat out a piece of bread. "A...dress...You're...kidding...right?" Hiccup chuckled before he speak. "Is the mighty Astrid Hofferson afraid of a dress?"
Her response was a quick punch to his shoulder. "No, I just hate wearing them" Hiccup was quick to smirk before they began to finish up breakfast. "Well, I'll be having the sacred volcano prepped for the initiation later today." Hiccup stood up and started to head out.
'Oh Thor, this was going to be fucking great. I have to wear a dress. Not any dress, but an initiation dress. Who knows what that looks like. And where does it take place. In a FUCKING VOLCANO. Yep, a volcano. Off all the places this could take place. Hiccup chose the fucking volcano as the location. It'll be like a fiery hell in there.' Astrid complained to herself. If she had known the whole initiation thing was going to be like this, she'd have left to go back to Berk.
Walking into Valka's room, she sighed as Valka closed the door and locked it. "Ok, I need to get you dressed. So I'm going to ask you to place your axe down there for now. Your uncle and brother are getting a room ready for you as we speak." Astrid nodded. It all seemed to be heading somewhere. But where, well, she had no idea. "Now, let's see here. Where did I put it. Ah ha, there it is."
Astrid widen her eyes as she saw the dress. It had the Tribal crest of the Infernal Tribe, the symbol of the Inferno King. It seemed that Hiccup had designed it. The crest was a vermillion orange. Lined stripes around the neck and arm holes were coloured in a gold.
The main dress itself was a blackish red. Several dragon heads were formed out of silver, each detailed into the dress itself. "How, how did Hiccup make this?" Valka chuckled. "He drew up the designs. I made the actual dress according to his instructions and designs. But this will be what you're wearing to the initiation. I wore it before. And your the same height I was when I did the initiation."
Wearing the dress felt odd. Astrid felt uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable. As she walked along. Valka and Finn kept an eye ahead of her. Sven and Frode were already standing by the sides. Hiccup stood at the front of the volcano area. It was dressed in flags. Each bearing the symbol of each dragon on the island. At the centre. Hiccup held a book. It appeared to be the laws and codes of Infernal Island. Interesting. 'They must be new though' thought Astrid
As she came to a stop. Finn and Valka walked off and stood opposite Sven and Frode. Hiccup then began.
"Astrid 'Fearless' Hofferson. I want you to repeat what I say. I vow to Odin, that I will lay my life down to defend dragons. I vow to Thor that I will honour my tribe. I vow to Loki that I will trick and deceive when needed. I vow to Balder that I will be unbreakable. I vow to Vor that I will remain calm and wise. I vow to the gods that I shall not harm a dragon. I vow that I shall no longer refer to myself as a Viking. I vow to the gods that I shall be known as a Defender of Fire." She took a deep breath and then, she spoke.
"I vow to Odin that I will lay my life down to defend dragons" 'Thor what was I doing'. "I vow to Thor that I will honour my tribe. I vow to Loki that I will trick and deceive when needed. I vow to Balder that I will be unbreakable" 'Nothing new there'. "I vow to Vor that I will remain calm and wise. I vow to the gods that I shall not harm a dragon. I vow that I shall no longer refer to myself as a Viking. I to the gods that I shall be known as a Defender of Fire." he finished as Hiccup placed the book upon her forehead.
"Oh Thor, Oh Odin, Oh Loki, Oh Vor, Oh Balder, bless Astrid 'Fearless' Hofferson with the knowledge of this book."
Hiccup then removed the book before placing a single finger upon her forehead. He traced out the tribal crest as he spoke. "I call upon you mighty Odin. Bless Astrid 'Fearless' Hofferson with your protection. Bless her with might to stand up to those who would threaten dragons and her tribe." Hiccup then removed his hand. "Astrid 'Fearless' Hofferson. As the chief of the Infernal Tribe. I bless you with the wings of the Fire Defenders. I bless upon you, a new name. Rise, Astrid 'Fearless' Hofferson, The Dragon Valkyrie"
Astrid raised and waited for more. "You have been initiated Astrid, you are an official member of the Infernal Tribe." She sighed in relief. It's was over.
"And now, what do you propose we do. Berk will be wanting to know that you're safe and sound." Astrid thought for a few seconds. 'Should I head back to Berk. Perhaps it will grant me an opportunity to learn more. And gain inside information for Hiccup.'
"I wish to head back to Berk. To spy. My place as it's heir will allow me to gain insider information." "Then take this Terrible Terror. I've called him Persistent because he refused to leave my side. Even when Loveable attempted to remove him. Send a message with him with any information you gain. And do it in secret." She nodded before heading out. Hiccup followed soon after.
Berk
Dark, it was reaching dark as Stoick was walking along the docks when he heard Astrid climb up onto them.
Turning fast, he sprinted. She was soaking wet. "Astrid, you escaped. Did they do anything to you." Stoick watched as Astrid shook her head.
"No. But we have a bigger problem. Their island is full of dragons. More Inferno Kings, plenty of Lava Hunters, many Fire Snappers. Spined Infernal Lords. Tough Fiery Queens, Magmatic Nadder's, Magma Nightmares, Molten Bonecrushers and Infericus Flames. I barely escaped with my life. But they will be seeking me back." Stoick widen his eyes as she explained just exactly what it was that the Dragon Lord had at his disposal. "We won't be able to fight that with such little force we have. It's time to gather the other chiefs."