Without my feet on the ground, I have a hard time keeping track of where we are. One minute we're in full sun, and the next we're cloaked in shade. Toothless twists and turns beneath me, and I no longer know if we're heading to the Cove or to the clearing.
Dad says we're walking west- as if that means something to me- and the muscles of Toothless's back tense and shift as he carries me through the forest. I sigh and lay down in the saddle, letting my arms dangle down his sides. I feel the pull of his muscles as he turns back to look at me and huffs, as if to say stop being such a baby. I stretch out my foot and push his head away.
I have no doubt we'll find Bot eventually, but trudging through the forest like this is taking forever. I know that I could just whistle and Bot would be by my side in about 6 seconds, but then everyone would be asking why the dragon came for me when he's been running away from everyone else, and how I knew to call him, and other questions that would completely blow my cover. No, calling Bot is not an option; I'll just have to wait while the noisy Vikings all around me send him even further into hiding. At least he'll come out once he sees me, otherwise this whole trip would be a waste of time.
"So, what are we going to do once we find this dragon?" Mom asks.
Eret lets out a short laugh. "I was one of the greatest dragon wranglers to ever live! You just focus on finding the creature, then leave the rest to me."
"Actually," Dad breaks in hurriedly, "actually I was thinking Toothless could get it down."
"Toothless?" I echo, because that was not what I was expecting. I thought that Toothless had only come along to be my babysitter; I hadn't realized Dad might have had another reason for bringing him with us.
"Yeah, he's the Alpha." Toothless shoots forward unexpectedly, and I suddenly find myself clinging to the spines on his back, halfway out of the saddle. Dad, who is now at my side, grabs me around my waist, helping me regain my balance on his dragon's back. "All dragons have to listen to the Alpha," he continues, "so I figure, if the dragon isn't coming out on its own, we can have Toothless call it over."
Toothless croons happily and I lay down again, forward this time, my chin resting on his forehead. Dad ruffles my hair, and I swat at his hand, groaning in mock-annoyance. He chuckles.
Toothless is now walking in the middle of the group, and everyone seems to be so much louder. Sticks crack underfoot as they stomp through the forest, leaves rustle as they brush against strong arms and weapons. Bot will definitely hear us coming, I think with a hum. "Don't you think we should try to be quieter?" I suggest.
Eret, who is apparently right next to me, claps me on the shoulder. "Smart girl!" he praises, making me feel like a Terrible Terror that finally learned to fetch. "Dragons do have exceptional hearing. Perhaps a little more stealth is in order."
"Whatever you say, Eret," Ruffnut whispers lowly, earning a "Blech!" from her brother. Suddenly, it feels ridiculous that I suggested we be quieter; as if the twins could be anything but loud! Besides, Vikings hardly ever do "quiet."
The noise the group is making dies away a little. Bot will still hear us, for sure, but I appreciate the effort.
We walk for a few more minutes before Grandma whispers "I think I see it. Look, there, on the top of that tree."
Everyone stops.
Now that we're no longer moving, I try to place where we are. The air is cool and shaded, and if I focus enough, I can smell pine. I don't think we're near Bot's favorite tree, because there the air really smells of pine, but maybe we're near the clearing? It's hard to tell.
"That's definitely it," Dad says.
"So," asks Fishlegs, "how do we get it down?"
"Looks like you're up, bud." As soon as Dad says this, Toothless sits straight up and I fall out of the saddle again. I guess that's what I get for not putting my foot in the stirrup.
Toothless roars loudly, calling to my dragon. I hear the flapping of wings and a barely audible landing, followed by a nervous chirp.
There you are Bot, I think with a smile.