Biggest idiots on the planet back for more!
-HTTYD-
Oh no. She was in trouble. Cloudjumper had that look in his eye. Valka considered backing up, but she could hardly outrun him.
"No no, Cloudjumper don't you da- ahhh!"
He leapt forward, flat of his wing joint jiggling her belly until Valka was in fits of ticklish laughter, unable to fend him off. Cloudjumper had discovered she was ticklish years ago, and he seemed to enjoy the sound of her laughing hysterically so sometimes he would just attack her with tickles, only abating when he realised she could no longer breathe. He roared with laughter too, stopping rather suddenly and looking over across the room.
Gasping for breath and wiping tears of mirth from her eyes, Valka pushed herself up on her elbows and looked over herself, saw Eret and Tripfire had just walked in.
"What did I just witness?"
"Cloudjumper... likes to tickle me."
A few stray giggles bubbled out of her - it probably sounded mad to Eret.
"Right... no! Don't you go getting ideas!"
Tripfire seemed intrigued, butting her head against Eret's stomach and watching him wriggle away. Valka got the feeling Eret was ticklish too. Sure enough, she floored him with a long lick and nudged him down, imitating Cloudjumper and placing the flat beneath her wing claw on Eret's stomach. She pushed a little too hard at first and Eret grunted, but he was soon laughing and squirming to escape too, which amused his dragon no end as he struggled to get her name out between breathless giggles.
"Trip-Trip- Tripfire!"
Valka watched him too. He was so lit up, pure and happy and free to just fool around like that without fear or danger. Tripfire laughed along with him, clearly as excitable as Cloudjumper about reducing her human to such a state. As Valka watched, she worried slightly - back when Cloudjumper was learning how to interact carefully with her fragile human body, there had been a few acci-
"Ah!"
There it was. Forgetting to mind the sharp point of her wing-tip, Tripfire had accidentally scraped the front of Eret's shoulder. He was only wearing a light tunic for around the nest, and it stood little chance against dragon claw. Tripfire backed up immediately, face fallen and panicked as Eret sat up, hand pressed to his shoulder coming away bloody. And yet...
"Hey, it's ok girl. Just a scratch, I'll be fine!"
Tripfire warbled, a low, sad sound. Eret winced as he stood, but he reached out his clean hand to her, ignoring that it must pull at the cut and trying to pet her. Tripfire flinched away, eyes still full of worry. Eret didn't relent, insistently trying to comfort Tripfire until she let him touch her again, though he stopped her butting her head to his shoulder.
"I know, you didn't mean it Tripfire. It's ok. I just need to go clean it up, alright?"
He was hurt, and he was worried about her. His dragon. The one who'd hurt him - accidentally, but still... Valka marvelled once again at the change in him, watched him smile reassuringly at Tripfire before he turned to go treat his wound. He struggled for a minute before turning to Valka.
"Could you help me get this off? I can't raise my arm properly. You're welcome to check me out while you undress me."
And there went the moment. Valka rolled her eyes at his cheek, but she did see how he might struggle to get his tunic off one handed and went to help. Though Eret was tall, with him sat down she had to bend to reach the bottom of his tunic, lifting the fabric up most of the way with ease. His skin was warm against the back of her fingers where they brushed his sides, a faint tremor barely evident but Valka worried he was in more pain than he let on, his good arm slipping out of the tunic first so she could slide it over his head, then finally his injured shoulder before it fell to the floor.
He'd lost some weight when he first got to the nest, between the aggravated wound and probably the stress and everything else. Not to mention he didn't think much of Valka's cooking... but Eret had filled out again with all the dragon-work and his own cooking, shoulders and back covered in broad muscles she could see move beneath his skin as he fussed with a nearby cloth, wiping blood off of himself.
Realising she was staring a little - and immensely glad Eret wasn't facing her, because he'd never let her live it down! - Valka shook herself mentally, then circled around to check his injury. It wasn't deep, a little jagged from where he'd jumped in surprise and quite long, so it would be annoying for him to move as he would probably pull it open a few times.
"Here, let me."
Valka took the cloth and dabbed him, feeling a sense of dejavu to when their lives first collided together. Eret watched her face, then her hands, as Valka cleaned his wound gently to assess it properly.
"You'll live."
"Oh thanks."
"Well, you've certainly had worse."
The scar on his other side, splayed across his chest so close to his heart it had damn near killed him, was healing, but Valka thought perhaps the internal scars might take longer. Eret had been branded like an animal for failing a madman, it was no wonder he flourished in such a fear-free environment now.
"Stay there a moment."
Picking up the basket of supplies, Valka dabbed a salve over the cut, covering that with a bandage and wrapping his shoulder with a cloth to hold it in place better.
"Try not to move too much, but it should heal quickly."
Her fingers had lingered on his shoulder a touch too long, but Eret wisely chose not to comment as Valka turned away, tidying up and throwing the tunic in the wash pile to be cleaned and mended. Now he was patched up, Eret stood - still bare on his top half, Valka absolutely didn't notice - and went back to trying to pacify his worried dragon.
"See, I'm all good now. I'll be healed up in no time. I'm not mad at you, ok Tripfire?"
"Rrrowwww."
Tripfire did not seem convinced, but Valka could barely tear her eyes away from how tenderly he treated the dragon, stroking her chin until his fingers must have hurt for it. Even Cloudjumper seemed to find no fault in it, Eret forgiving Tripfire so easily possibly even earning him a point or two with the male Stormcutter.
Maybe.
The strange moment was all but forgotten by dinner... at least until Valka had to check on his wound the next day, fighting not to flush when she prodded his already-warm skin for signs of overheating or tenderness. It was healing, but Valka wrapped it again to be sure and told Eret he was still grounded. He didn't argue, instead working more on his design for his flight suit.
"Hey, I have something to run by you."
"Oh?"
Eret tapped his charcoal against the parchment, nodding in time with it.
"There's a trader island I know, where dragon scales are a very good currency."
"I sense a downside."
Eret sighed.
"It's a trappers trading island."
Valka frowned, shaking her head.
"Absolutely not!"
"I'd be fine. They know me there."
"And if they've heard about you being ousted from Drago's operations? You'd be dead, you idiot."
Eret actually had the nerve to roll his eyes, like Valka was being overdramatic or overcautious.
"Then I say I branched out on my own. I'd be turning up with a bag of scales, they wouldn't have much cause to doubt me. Look, if you're really against it then we'll figure another way, but it would be a really good way to do a big supply run with something you literally have just lying all over the place."
"And how do you plan on getting there? If you suggest flying Tripfire there, I will let Cloudjumper throw you off the cliff again."
Cloudjumper perked up. Valka gave him a sidelong look, which didn't seem to dissuade his want to throw Eret.
"I am injured, you wouldn't!" Valka crossed her arms, and Eret retreated "ok you would. I would want to fly part of the way, sail the last stretch. Too many patrols to fly in anyway. And you know I wouldn't risk Tripfire."
Yes. Yes she did. Valka resigned herself; he was going to do something stupid eventually.
"You're not going alone."
"What?"
"If, and that is a big if, you go to this island, I'm going with you."
"Have you gone mad? Talk about walking into the dragons den... ok, bad expression, but you know what I mean."
Valka smiled.
"I'm more unknown than you are. Nobody has ever seen my face in a fight."
Eret opened his mouth, then closed it again as he presumably realised Valka was right. Hw frowned, thinking.
"Alright. But you'll have to go as my wife."
The ludicrous nature of his comment almost entirely quieted Valka's mind from tearing up painful memories.
"Excuse me?"
"Trust me, it's safer that way. A lot of trappers don't see women much above dragons. The only way you could go on that island and not be at risk of being the next thing up for auction is if I say you already belong to a man."
Valka wondered if it was worth getting her staff to hit him with. Irate at the whole situation, Valka left him with a parting quip.
"If you try to touch me, I will offer you to a dragon as a snack."
Eret gulped.
Even as they prepared for the trip a few days later, Valka still didn't think it wise, but Eret assured her it was one of the two quiet times for trappers as it was - one right after mating season, to let dragon populations stay so the supply did not dwindle, and another right before dragon hibernation season, biding time and building supplies for the easiest of all hunts; a sleeping dragon. The more she heard, the angrier Valka got at the despicable creatures that were dragon trappers.
Clearly Eret was an anomaly. If she'd known when he landed what she now knew from him, she might not have even given him a chance.
"So, what is the plan?"
"There's an island a couple hours sail from the trapper island... it's where they dump injured dragons to, you know, wait it out, so it isn't real busy anyway. Then go back and harvest" Valka felt sick "but it's almost exclusively used by the clan that focus a lot on Boulder Class dragons. Given that most wild Boulders are settling down to hibernate, best odds are it will be pretty empty. Still, that's why we're going at night with your Changewings. There are spots these guys can easily hide for a few hours. From there, we can sail. There's always boats, but we can take one if you're worried. Six hours without the dragons, tops."
Since he was the one with a saddle, Eret also had designed saddlebags, which mostly got used for Tripfire to put pretty things she found in. Eret had to keep telling her she couldn't keep small fruits like berries in there as it would get crushed and ruin the bags. Currently, the saddlebags were filled with a couple of sacks of scales, not too varied a mix - not all the dragons Valka housed were native to the area, and it would be suspicious. He'd also designed a sort of carry-bag for the Windgnasher who insisted on coming, in case he had too many things for Tripfire to carry back alone.
The ring felt uncomfortably heavy on her finger as Valka suited up, having insisted Eret at least cover his distinctive facial tattoo and wear a different style of clothing to his home-influenced Sami attire while they flew. He agreed, thankfully, so Valka didn't need to threaten him with her staff. They'd done a last check on any sick or injured dragons since they'd be gone much of the night and some of the morning, but with the supply of food, water and rest, all ought to be fine until they got back.
Tripfire was still mournful of her accidentally injuring Eret, less willing to be exuberant when they flew and overly cautious and gentle rather than boisterous and playful as usual. Eret gave her extra chin scratches before he climbed up on the saddle, pulling the hood up to obscure his recognisable features while he sat on dragon back.
Whistling to the Changewings, Valka thanked them for being willing to come on the trip, and they took off before they risked losing more of the night. She did have to admit Eret's saddlebags came in useful when he produced yak jerky and water canteens as they landed to water the dragons partway there, and Tripfire certainly appreciated the smoked salmon he tossed her.
"You want one Cloudjumper?"
Refusing to take a treat from Eret, Cloudjumper turned his nose up at it.
"Hmmph."
Eret actually laughed.
"Suit yourself!"
Valka would have chided Cloudjumper, but she knew the boys would just have to work it out themselves. Refuelled, they continued on, Valka's stomach churning at what they might find on the island Eret took them to. Changewing scouts returned with news it was clear to go down, and while there were a few bones scattered around, that was the worst she could see where they landed.
"Ok. Listen up you guys. This should be safe enough, but if anyone comes and you don't feel safe, then go. You can always come back for us, but not if you're captured."
Eret was the one to pep talk them, surprising Valka with his forethougth and his willingness to let them leave him behind. She felt bad for doubting him, but the island they stood on unsettled her greatly with its usual purpose. She reluctantly removed her armour and hid the distinctive attire under thick brush, feeling incredibly exposed and like she was playing a facade of something she had no right to call herself. A wife. Eret looked her up and down, her simple dress and braided hair a passable attire she felt.
"Well, I wouldn't marry you, but they don't know that."
"I'm not above letting Cloudjumper dunk you."
Winking, Eret was unconcerned.
"Why Valka, I didn't know you cared what I thought. Come on, the sooner we do this the sooner we can get out of here."
They bade goodbye to their dragons for a time, and Cloudjumper was as unhappy about it as Valka. Tripfire was not impressed either, it seemed, but needs must. Transferring his haul to his own bag, Eret led her. Valka followed him through countless trees, the air heavy with the smell of death and loss and gods she was not alright at all with it. Every step she feared was on land that had witnessed a dragons final breath, scared and alone and-
"Valka?"
Eret had stopped, looking at her now and Valka realised the chill on her face meant she was crying, tears rolling down her cheeks. His fingers closed around her wrist, standing close.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even think how hard this place would be on you. The water isn't far, can you make it?"
Valka nodded, and neither commented as she tried not to look and Eret led her by the hand still holding her wrist. She heard the sounds of running water and it filled her with relief, that she'd be off this awful island soon. Not that leaving her dragons there felt good, but if they had come this far she might as well see it through. They found a small boat they could use, and Eret thankfully let Valka largely work through her sadness in peace, though when he saw her shiver as they waited for dawn to break over the horizon, he pulled the fur wrap from his shoulders and dropped it over hers. It was warm, and she knew it was from his permanently-heated skin.
That fact was more difficult to shift from her thoughts than it should have been.
"Aren't you cold?"
He shook his head, settling back down and glancing to the fading stars.
"Nah, I grew up up North remember?"
Valka glanced around, spotting land in the distance.
"Is that where we're going?"
"Yeah. I know you'll hate it, but try not to talk much. I don't think anybody will recognise your voice when it's not screaming bloody murder, but better safe than sorry."
Fiddling with the ring on her finger, Valka nodded. It wasn't a bad point he made. The island floated into view as Eret brought down the sail of their ship - sailing had never been Valka's strong suit, though knots and mending sails were easy for her, and Valka never complained about being put to work on repairs. Meanwhile Eret was a well-travelled sailor, and an excellent navigator according to himself. He'd gotten them there, so Valka had no reason to doubt him on it yet. He docked htem efficiently, seeming quite at home and knew his way round, dropped a handful of scales on the guards table in silence.
The guard leered at her, and Valka hated to admit she already saw the point in Eret's plan, as the smirk faded when he saw Eret grab Valka by the arm and pull her along. Climbing a winding path, the sun was beginning to eek its way over the horizon, chilled air starting to warm.
Valka didn't offer Eret his wrap back. He gave it to her. He could ask for it back.
As they reached the level where some traders had clearly worked through the night, Eret's hand left her arm, sliding down until his thick, rough fingers slid surprisingly gently though her own. Valka's heart fluttered oddly in what she was entirely sure was surprise.
Neither brought it up, and so they continued on. Holding hands. Like that was a perfectly normal thing they did.
She supposed it made sense if they were playing married, but still.
"Not seen yer around for a while now, ya deer rutter!"
Valka could only stand in quiet shock as Eret let her hand go - she didn't miss it, not at all - to throw his arms around a man several inches shorter and wider than him, none of the extra inches muscle.
"Yeah, long story Tar. I'll tell you all about it sometime, but I got things to do and this to deal with."
'This' turned out to be her, Eret gesturing at her as he spoke. She was definitely going to hit him. Tar looked Valka up and down, his unwelcome smile showing several missing teeth Valka sincerely hoped had been knocked painfully out of his head.
"I could help ya there."
"Hey, hands off the wife Tar."
"Bit old for marriage ain't she?"
Valka already wanted to leave, Eret had once kept some truly awful company.
"That's the point. Too old to bear, good for sailing and not worrying."
Those words stung, though not for the reasons she reckoned they would have thought. Valka fought not to cradle her belly, mind drifting to her baby boy out there somewhere... would he come somewhere like this, carrying his spoils of battle?
"What yer in the market for anyway deer rutter?"
"Just some supplies. Leather, dragon grass, that sorta thing. Everything where I remember?"
"Aye. Drop by if ye got time, ye can tell us how the old wife is."
If he said a single word of the sort, Valka would feed him to the Bewilderbeast. They finally escaped the horrid man, Eret resuming holding her hand like nothing had happened but she had every impulse telling her to shove him and his horrid attitude away.
"I had to talk to Tar, he's like an unofficial greeter who gets paid to pass the details on to rival trappers. They call him Tar cus he sticks to you whether you want it or not."
"And he calls you deer rutter because... ?"
"My people, my tribe? We herd reindeer. The rest I leave to his colourful imagination."
Eret moved them through the half-empty streets, turning this way and that and still holding her hand until he came to a stop at the front of a little wooden store, the heavy smell alerting Valka to the possibility it sold leather he wanted. Her suspicions were confirmed as they went in, Eret swapping a few overflowing handfuls of scales for some admittedly very fine skins, though his tone continued to be incredibly demeaning and at times repugnant.
"Wife? Where's your ring then?"
"Why would I wear one? Then women would know I was married!" the two storekeepers roared with laughter at Eret's 'joke' "nah, I lost it in a hunt and just haven't bothered replacing it."
"Speaking of..."
"We heard you walked out on Bludvist."
Valka froze; she was worried this would come up.
"It's complicated, but yeah I'm striking out on my own now. Doing alright, just needed to pick up some stuff and nowhere else was open."
"Cheek!"
Glad when they left, Valka continued to loathe every second but as the streets woke up, she soaked in information, able to stroll through anonymously and listen in without suspicions raised. Eret stopped off at a quirky little herb stand, picking up what looked to be a bag of dragon grass, tightly stitched.
"Good lure that."
The only upside to the men dismissing her as little more than Eret's property? They spoke freely in front of her, as though she wasn't even there. Valka listened as they joked about how effective the sedating effects were.
"Almost takes the fun outta gutting em after."
"Yeah. Well, I better get going before the nagging starts. Come on."
Three more stops, and only one of them didn't act like Valka was invisible. That wasn't an advantage - he asked Eret if he felt like sharing.
"No thanks, I don't know where you've been."
"Spoilsport. She's easy enough to look at though. Cost you much?"
"Trade secret. You got any more of these?"
By the time they left, Valka was prepared to throttle Eret and about a dozen other men on the island. Away from humans and people seeing her, Valka had forgotten such things to the back of her mind. Even visiting her friends, they had different ideas, more respect between men and women.
Eret dumped his considerable haul into their little boat, waved to the guard and waited until they were a little ways away to turn to Valka.
"I'm so sorry. I don't... I didn't mean a word of it, I just know how these guys are and I wanted to make sure they didn't pay too much attention to you, so you can stay safe out there. I respect you so much Valka, I swear."
Gone was the cold, callous man who'd described her as a half dozen unflattering things in only the last hour or so, and in its place was a nervous, babbling idiot who didn't want Valka to hate him for the grotesque things he'd said for cover.
"It takes more than male ego to knock me down. Focus on getting back, it's lighter than I would have liked for the flight home."
Eret complied, though when they stepped back onto the island he faltered for a few seconds before reaching out and taking her hand again, waiting for Valka to look at him.
"I'm sorry."
"You said."
"No, I mean it. Honestly, my father would have threatened to disown me from the tribe if I ever spoke to or about any woman like that! I won't pretend we're Defenders Of The Wing level, but I was not raised to see women the way those guys we just left do. Do you forgive me?"
"If you didn't mean it, what's to forgive?"
Eret hesitantly moved his expression to relieved, and Valka braced herself before they headed back throught the awful forest. The sound of Cloudjumper was an utterly welcome one, though the dragons jarred her effectively when they all looked at one specific spot - Valka still held Eret's hand. She let go immediately, clearing her throat. Eret did the same, already packing up bags for flight.
"Suit up, let's get home."
She had to give his fur back to put her armour on. The flight back was colder, but quicker as they had cloud cover to hide amongst, letting the dragons hit a better speed. Valka was very relieved to see the nest come into view, landing with the sense of home infusing her like the warmth of a thousand dragons all cuddled around her.
"Hey Tripfire, I got you something!"
Eret had the sack of dragon grass in his hand, and it had the full attention of several dragons, though they were lingering back just enough to not intrude as Eret tossed the bag to Tripfire. She sniffed it curiously, then began to roll around with it, letting out random happy noises and rubbing her face on the sack as best she could, finally flopping down with the sack resting over her face.
Valka couldn't help laughing at the truly bewildered look on Cloudjumpers face.
-HTTYD-
Dragon nip toys would have been a hilarious addition to Berk. Just drop the pouches everywhere and watch high dragons happen.