The images began again. Gobber smacked the backs of Ruff and Tuff's head before walking to the end of the table.
/You need to live and breathe this stuff./
He swiped a plate aside and dropped a book on to the table in its place.
/The dragon manual. Everything we know about every dragon we know of./
A loud peel of thunder echoed. Hiccup blinked as the Terror squeaked and tried to bury into his belly.
[I hate storms,] the Terror whispered.
[I do as well,] Shadowfire said.
[But you are big,] the Terror said, looking up.
Shadowfire chuckled. [Fear knows no size. I disobeyed Mom once when I was your size. I snuck out of our den and got caught in a bad storm. I have feared storms ever since.]
Snotlout scoffed. "A dragon that is a coward."
[Mindless words from witless beings do not dictate who I am. I advise not speaking anymore, hatchling, lest you hurt yourself.]
"Huh?"
[Exactly.]
Hiccup, the dragons, and Gyda chuckled. Hiccup noted the Terror seemed calmer even as the sounds of thunder from the images echoed in the cavern. Gobber's voice caught everyone's attention.
/No attacks tonight. Study up./
Gobber left. The teens reacted to his order. Tuff had been trying to stand on its point but it fell as he jerked.
/Wait, you mean read?
While we're still alive?/
"No, Ruff," Gyda said. "People can read while they are dead."
Snotlout's comment from the images earned several groans from Vikings and dragons alike.
/Why read words when you can just kill stuff the words tell you about?/
[If he is the future of your previous flock, Alpha, I fear it will not survive,] the male Nadder said, shaking his head.
/Oh, I've read it like seven times. There's this water dragon that sprays boiling water at your face. And there's this other one that buries itself for like a week…./
Fishlegs trailed off as Tuff held a hand in front of his face and made a closing motion.
/Yeah, that sounds great. There was a chance I was going to read it…/
His voice trailed off and Ruff spoke.
/….but now…./
Snotlout stood.
/You guys read, I'll go kill stuff./
He walked away. Ruff, Tuff, and Fishlegs following. Fishlegs continued to speak of the dragons in the book.
/Oh, and there's this other one that has spines that look like trees./
Hiccup stood and walked over to stand near Astrid and the book.
/So, I guess we'll share…/
Astrid shoved the book toward him and stood.
/Read it.
All..all mine then. So, okay I'll…see you.../
Astrid left, not saying a word.
/Tomorrow./
The images shifted, showing people leave as time moved. Hiccup was left. He placed a candle on the table and sat down. He opened the book and began reading, while speaking to himself.
/Dragon classification. Strike class. Fear class. Mystery class. Thunderdrum. This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools. When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight./
[Here's a thought, don't startle them,] Shadowfire said. [I highly doubt any of you would like to be startled.]
Gyda snickered. The images showed Hiccup turn a page in the book.
/Timberjack. This gigantic creature has razor sharp wings that can slice through full grown trees. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Scauldron. Sprays scalding hot water at its victims. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight./
A loud peel of thunder echoed. The Terror jerked. Hiccup tightened his hold upon the small dragon.
"Shh," he whispered. "I'm here."
[Thank you, Alpha.]
The images showed Hiccup turn another page.
/Changewing. Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight./
He began to change page after to page. The drawing also seemed to move as he commented upon several dragons.
/Gronkle. Zippleback. The Skrill. Bone Knapper. Whispering Death. Burns it victims. Buries it victims. Chokes it victims. Turns its victims inside out. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight./
Hiccup stopped upon a page that held no drawing only two words at the top of the page. There were several line of runes at the bottom as well.
/Night Fury. Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lighting and death itself. Never engage this dragon. Your only chance; hide and pray it does not find you./
Hiccup pulled his journal and opened it to the page with his drawing of Toothless. He sat the journal down on the book.
Watching the images until that point, Toothless dropped his head between his forelegs. Hiccup stared at him and grew concerned when Toothless' entire body began to shake.
"Bud?" Hiccup asked.
A loud, choking, laugh filled the cavern. Hiccup frowned. Toothless lifted his head and stared at Hiccup.
[Your former flock thinks..] Toothless started laughing again and could not finish.
"Uhm.." Hiccup began, looking at Gyda.
"I think he's amused your people believe he's the offspring of two of your gods," Gyda said.
[Yep,] Toothless said, taking a deep breath. [Dragons..dragons don't know about Viking gods. We take wisdom from Elders and our ancestors. And I came from an egg.] He shook himself and snickered. [Oh, Vikings can be amusing.]
Hiccup snorted. "Silly reptile," he muttered.
[Careful, brother. I'll go lighting and death on you.]
Hiccup snorted. "Who'd get your fish then?"
Toothless jaw dropped then he grunted, eyes slitting. [Ooo, you play dirty when you want to.]
Hiccup grinned, reaching over and scratching Toothless behind his ear. The images began again and pulled Hiccup's attention. A sail with a painted dragon run through by a sword appeared. Stoick stood near the map on the ship's deck.
/They're close. I can smell them./
A thick fog bank covered most of the sea and hugged the sea stacks hidden within.
/Take us in./
The helmsman heeded Stoick's order. The first disappeared into the fog. The other two followed. A light flashed and the silhouetted of a dragon stretching appeared amongst roars and splintering of wood. Hiccup and all who had not gone on the hunt jerked. He turned, trying to see his father, but found his line of sight blocked by the male Nightmare. The Nightmare curled his neck towards the barrier and then looked back. He leaned down, whispering into Hiccup's ear.
[He is fine, though his face looks tight.]
Hiccup nodded but his own voice from the images kept him from responding.