My apologies for taking so long to update. For the last few weeks I had to deal with matters that required my attention and time. Well that and i only got my internet set up in my new place today. Just so everyone knows I am not to to stick to a schedule, since i have other things on my mind, but i will keep updating this story. If i do drop it i will say so.
Again sorry for taking so long.
Chapter 8
Hiccup pov
I was stuck up in that tower by myself for an hour. I wondered if Eleanor had the triplets lock me up here since she was worried about Merida. Luckily for me, Maudie came around the top of the tower (with another stick), it seemed birds sometimes nest up here and it is her duty to deal with them. After she asked how I locked myself out, I simply replied with "The triplets". She nodded in understanding at me. Apparently I wasn't the only target for their antics. She was still a little nervous around me but at least we seem to have a common enemy.
When I got back into the castle I went around looking for those four. After a few encounters I found out there were a variety of small passages throughout the castle. I decided to get them later since I have a class to prepare for. I have to get Sprout away from them; they could be a bad influence on him.
I donned my black armor and roused Toothless and the others. Yesterday Fergus told me that I could use the field near the castle for the lessons, since there wasn't anything of importance going on. He said something about that they used it for an archery contest a few years ago. I came across Merida and asked her to get the others. With Merida dealing with the others I gathered my dragons out in the field for training. For the training session I had Hookfang, Stormfly, and Barf/Belch. It was best that Meatlug rested for a while till her leg healed. I wasn't being protective, just thorough. I probably would have had Sprout here too but….well I already know why he's not here.
After a while my students came and were ready for the lessons, without weapons. I told Merida that they were not allowed to bring any weapons, not even a dagger. Dragons like people are naturally skittish when someone one a sword at them. What I had planned for training was a few things I learned that helped me with my dragon training on Berk. Meaning, I made sure to bring four pouches of a certain plant for training.
"Alright let's begin dragon training" I stated
"Why train them when you can just kill them?" I heard
I looked over to the side to see the three lords approach us. It was Lord Dingwall that voiced his question. Though their sons agreed with the training, their clansmen decided to stay on for a while until they seen what they can do. You don't buy an axe till you're sure it can behead someone I guess. I replied "Lord Dingwall the reason we are training and not killing is because this is more of a long term solution then the other way. Besides any idiot can kill a dragon"
Lord Macintosh laughed "Ha! Unlikely, it takes skilled warriors to take down a dragon"
I replied "If they don't know what they are doing. Merida, mind giving me a hand"
"Sure" Merida replied. She walked over to me and Stormfly. "What do you want me to do?" she asked.
"Scratch Stormfly right here" I pointed to section behind Stormfly's horns. "What?" she asked
I sighed "Just scratch her"
She complied and began to scratch Stormfly where he pointed to. Stormfly was enjoying it, I could tell. She always had a weakness for scratching. Now for the finishing touch. I told her to scratch her chin. Once she did that, Stormfly collapsed. The onlookers (including Merida) were shocked. MacGuffin walked forward and lifted up Stormfly's head. No reaction of course. The scratching is effective on dragons.
Macintosh said "It's…."
"Incapacitated yes, but alive" I finished. "It's a little something I came across when training Toothless. A little scratch and you have one downed dragon. More effective than a sword don't you think." They nodded in agreement. I turned to the lords. "Is there anything else you would like to say?" They mumbled their pardons and left the field. When they were gone Merida asked "What else is there?"
"Well since MacGuffin stepped forward it seems we have a volunteer" I answered. MacGuffin dropped Stormfly's head and turned to me. I removed one of the pouches from my belt and threw it to MacGuffin. After he caught it he removed one of the pieces of Dragon Nip from it. These four pouches of Dragon Nip were all I had left after the Lure Cloak. Good thing I gathered so much before I came here. He looked at me questioningly.
I stated "What MacGuffin is holding is called Dragon Nip. A plant that is native to the Viking Archipelago. It is very useful against dragons. For example" I turned to Hookfang and ordered "Get him" Hookfang roared and charged MacGuffin. This made MacGuffin so nervous he dropped the bag. I was surprised that he did not run but instead held his ground. Well, he held the piece of Dragon Nip in his outstretched hand and closed his eyes, Déjà vu anyone.
Before our eyes Hookfang skidded to a stop in front of him and sniffed his hand. MacGuffin opened his eyes and looked at him. He then moved his hand around and Hookfang followed him with his head. Hookfang then rolled over onto his back in submission. After that, MacGuffin picked up the pouch and looked at it wondrously. I grabbed the rest of the pouches and threw one to Merida, Macintosh, and Dingwall. Though I would be there for the remainder of today's training, this was a safety net in case there were any…violent encounters for the next part.
Dingwall asked "How come we haven't heard about this from the traders?"
"The traders don't know about it. Neither do the Vikings. Besides me, you guys are the only one to know about this." They seemed pleased with that last bit I added.
"Well now that I've armed you with what you need, we'll continue on to the experience portion of the lesson" They gave me questioning looks. I sighed "I believe in learning on the job. If you expect to learn how to train dragons, then what better way than going out into the field to do so?"
"Wait, do you mean we'll go get our own dragon?" Merida asked excitedly. To be honest letting them ride on Stormfly or the others crossed my mind, but I simply couldn't. They've come to mean a lot to me over the years. So I decided to take them over to the lake with the dragons for their training. I've kept an eye on the lake for the past couple of days fortunately. They're still there, fishing.
"Yep, now get on. It's a long journey." I stated
Dingwall stuttered "You mean…ride the dragons?"
"No, we're going to skip down to the lake. Yes, ride them! Or would you prefer you're carried by their talons" I said. They all shook their heads at me. So they each mounted a dragon. Macintosh got on Stormfly. Dingwall got on Barf/Belch. MacGuffin got on Hookfang. Since I wanted Meatlug to rest so that her leg would heal, Merida will ride with me. I made sure they each grasped onto the straps of the pack so that they wouldn't fall off.
"Well then let's go" I said.
We all took off into the sky. I could never get enough of this. The rush of air, the exhilaration, it was great. The others on the other hand were gripping onto their mounts tightly. Guess being a few hundred feet off the ground made them a little nervous. Though Merida kept a firm grip on me, she was laughing with delight. Looks like she might be built for this.
