Chapter 9: Idle Introductions
Hey guys! First I gotta say, I'm sorry to you all for not posting more chapters. I had hit a huge writers block after Chapter 8 so I figured I'd just set it aside for a while and come back to it later, well… I didn't realize it was over a year later. So! Here I am now, getting you another chapter!
Roars echoed among the villagers. Vikings seemed content with hollering to each other from far away. Most were hollers of needing more weapons, or someone barking orders to a group of people and dragons to do something. The entire village was preparing for a battle. The creaking of large iron-adorned wooden wheels sounded from the cliffs as they carried Hiccup-brands of long range projectiles that shot spears out like harpoons. Younger Vikings began tacking up there dragons for flight while older or far younger Vikings that haven't yet earned their right of passage as warriors were on standby to aid where ever they would be needed. Berk was restless.
A scout came landing close to where Stoick stood as he shouted orders left and right. The village chief gazed the scout's way, his eyes showed haste and impatience. "Stoick! The armada is close!" Jeered the scout. "They will be reaching Berk within the hour!" Stoick hadn't thought twice about the next orders. "Go tell the air battalion to be on standby, they take to the skies in 30 minutes! Hide them in the clouds and wait for the signal!" The scout nodded and took off towards the stables as the great leader took off to find his son.
Meanwhile, Millia was busy, helping to hide away treasures, get a medical building set up with backup supplies stored in other locations. She even packed a small first aid kit for herself in which she tied tightly in a recently stitched dark tan coloured leather satchel. The key was to make everything look natural so when Larzel and his men are in Berk, nothing would raised suspicion that they had been preparing for them. Millia had made it clear to Stoick that dragons in her country were still hunted and unless they need them to fight, that the dragons should remain unseen.
It seemed like everything was going according to plan, though a little rushed to finish preparing everything. The dragons took to the skies with their riders, hiding in the low-hanging clouds around the island. Everyone still on land were going through the plan and their roles in their minds. Everyone knew to act as though they weren't ready for a battle. Stoick was now at the stables, the egg in his arms, with Hiccup and the group preparing the last dragons for flight, including the Nightmare that Millia and Tuffnut rode earlier. Millia was with them too, strapping up for the flight to the nest. Tuffnut was already on the Nightmare, keeping it steady for Millia to hop on. This time, she sat behind Tuffnut, keeping enough space between them for the egg to sit.
Astrid proceeded to strap supplies onto the Nightmare, mostly food, as they were unaware of how long it would take for this all to pass. Stoick approached the dragon, carefully lifting the egg up and into a leather and clothed pack strapped to Millia like one of those frontal baby carriers that have not yet been invented. Millia stroked the egg gently, feeling the creature's energy inside. Indeed, they are connected those two. You could see partially inside a small figure moved slightly as she touched it.
"We will send someone to come get you when this is all over. Tuffnut, keep them safe, we're counting on you," Stoick chimed to the young Viking. Tuffnut nodded, and glanced over to his friends. Snotlout looked upset. Apparently he had been begging the chief to let him take Millia to the nest, but Tuffnut had claimed the role already long ago.
Birna had approached the dragon next, taking Millia's small dainty hands into her own. They felt rough to the young woman, and were considerably larger than her own. Millia didn't mind it though, Birna was like a mother to her while she stayed in Berk. "You be safe now, child," the woman cooed to her practically adopted daughter. Millia nodded and gave her a sweet smile as Tuffnut jeered the dragon with the reins and it began to take off into the air. Birna was definitely reluctant to let go, but Stoick coerced her to step back, his hands on the woman's shoulders. They watched as the dragon and its passengers disappeared into the clouds. A sinking feeling overcame Birna and the chief, a feeling that wasn't good to have at this time. "I hope they'll be alright," mumbled Birna. Stoick's grip on the woman's shoulders tightened. "So do I…" Not long after, Snotlout and Fishlegs remained on the ground while Astrid, Hiccup, and Ruffnut joined the air strike up in the skies.
It felt like a huge stage production and it was five minutes until curtain. As the ships came into view, they just as quickly arrived to the ports down below but did not dock. Instead, the armada let their anchors drop and a few men boarded a small boat which proceeded to the dock. In the boat was Larzel, Sir Wilfred, and a few other men. The sound of an alerting horn blow bellowed through the air from a lookout tower. A few large, bulky Vikings descended down the creaky wooden stairs and pathways that protruded from the cliff facing to the docks, with the village leader, Stoick leading the way.
To most of the Vikings, it was torture just waiting to see what will happen. The anticipation was thick in the air, but they managed to keep their reserve and act normally. The village had fallen in love with Millia, she had become one of them, family, and each and every Viking was determined to keep their new family member safe.
As the boat approached the dock, Stoick sized up the inhabitants. All of them were fairly tall and lanky. Especially one of the men who carried himself with importance seemed especially crooked and thin. The other man, who wore a strange uniform seemed to have a bit more muscle on him, and his eyes felt a little more trusting than that of the crooked man. Stoick's chest puffed up as he glanced their way, making eye contact with the crooked one. "Visitors are not welcome here," began the chief. "State your business then be on your way."
The crooked man didn't seem to pleased with the hostility right from the start. "Now now Viking, don't be hasty. We're on the search for a fugitive of our country but I'm afraid we're running low on supplies. I only ask that you let us stay for a day to restock and we'll leave," the crooked man slithered to the Viking brute. "This criminal is very dangerous you know. I will need my men to check your island to make sure no uninvited guest is hiding about. Once it's clear, we'll be on our merry way," he chirped with a smile just as crooked as his stance. The man waited a moment while Stoick contemplated. "Very well," said the chief. And with that the man jumped out of the boat and onto the dock, followed by the other. The rest of the boatmen pushed off the dock and returned to the main ship.
Now that the ships were at the docks, it was quite clear that they were at least three times the size of the Viking ships. This concerned Stoick, unsure of just how much fire power these ships had, and how many men were in each. No matter, they had a plan of their own. "And what are your names?" Asked Stoick to the man. "You may call me Larzel, and this is Sir Wilfred." Larzel answered while waving a hand to the other man as well. "And yours?" Stoick began to turn towards the stairs as he answered. "Stoick the Vast, I am the leader of this Village."
Sir Wilfred remained silent during this time. He turned back to glance at the ships for only a moment before following the others up the docks. This was going to be a very long night…
Oh man! What's gonna happen?! See you in Chapter 10!
