Hello, readers!
Sorry I didn't get this out yesterday. I ended up being too tired to edit and post the chapter. It's going to be a while before I update again, mostly because the baby is due this month, but also because I'm trying to decide where to take the story from here! Okay, that's not quite it. I KNOW where it's going to go, I just need to figure out how I want to get there! Hopefully, it doesn't take me too long to decide.
Thanks for the support, and, as always, thanks to my beta Fizzle for his patience and help with these chapters.
Changelog: Most of this is the second half of what used to be a single chapter. I embellished here and there to give it some length and flesh out certain scenes. Frits, I feel, is a much more consistent character than he was in the original draft. He did a little too much flip-flopping for my tastes and Fizzle helped me realized why!
~ Crayola
11 - Coax
Frits spent the next few days sequestered in his cabin, waiting for either Lorens or Oskar to let him know when Johann arrived. He wasn't merely sitting on his hands though—no, he was planning; he had to decide what he was going to do if the captain of the guard refused to help find his niece.
Everything he thought up wound up pointing to the dragon. He'd have to move past his reservations, his hatred for the creatures, and find some middle ground.
If it was for Oddny, Frits would do it.
However, he hadn't quite worked himself up to spend any time with the beast. That idea was a last resort, after all. He would wait until they made up their minds. He would hear Johann out and let Oskar make his informed decision. If it wasn't to Frits' liking, then he would see about befriending the Gronkle and take it from there.
Besides, Frits realized that he didn't need to spend any time with him. The dragon had all the attention he could ever want since he had taken quite a liking to the children. Anyone else received mistrust and suspicious looks, but so long as he decided they were harmless—or offered him tasty treats—he tolerated their presence.
Above all, though, he was happy to be fed.
They were all too eager to provide him with fish: the people of Penshaw preferred other meats most of the time, and the local fisherman now had reason to cast more than one net. The pampering was a welcome gift: it was something he'd desperately needed after chasing Oddny to the end of the world and back.
Most were as mistrusting toward the dragon as he was them, but Signy had insisted that her parents let him live on their property. They'd set up a nest for him within a hastily constructed pen, giving the Gronkle his own space with a trough for food and another for water.
Of course, he was free to come and go as he pleased, but the Gronkle saw no real need to. Not when the children visited him often and he was never want for food.
"Aren't you scared of it?" Marit snarked from a safe distance outside of the pen.
"No," Signy replied in a matter-of-fact tone, scratching the dragon's chest. She was the most smitten with the dragon, Vermund following in close second. The Gronkle was sprawled out on his back, tongue hanging loosely from his mouth. "Why would I be? He's so sweet! Look at him!"
Marit made an affronted sound.
Signy ignored her and cooed at the dragon, who was kicking his leg as she found a particularly itchy spot. In a sweet baby voice, she crooned, "Isn't that right, Rocky? Who's my sweet boy?"
"You guys named it?" Marit scoffed.
Skuli shrugged and looked over the pile of rocks he and Vermund were sitting near. Hals was nowhere to be seen, the only one who refused to participate in dragon time with the rest of them. "Signy came up with it."
"I guessed that much," said Marit with a roll of her eyes. "Why 'Rocky'?"
"Because he eats rocks!" Signy squeaked.
"Clever."
"I wanted to name him Stonecold," Skuli sulked, his arms crossed.
His sister snorted. "That's such a stupid name."
"And 'Rocky' is a smart one?"
"It sure sounds better than yours!" Signy retorted, sticking her tongue out at her brother.
Vermund chuckled and picked up a choice stone, then whistled at the dragon. Rocky lifted his head and Vermund tossed the hunk of rock at him, which he caught in his mouth, filling the pen with the sound of crunching.
The siblings' mother came out from the main house, wiping her hands off with a rag. "Alright kids, Johann's finally here."
Instantly, the relaxed atmosphere became tense and the three inside the pen exchanged looks. Marit sighed and left in a huff, irritated that her friends were held up by some girl they'd known for such a short time. Sure it was awful that she'd been taken, but were they really going through all this trouble for her?
Deep down, she knew that they'd go through it all just the same if it had been any of the others, but she couldn't help the frustration she felt. All she wanted was her friends back—and their attention.
Vermund stood up first and the other two followed. Rocky flipped over onto his claws and watched them curiously, head cocking from one side to the other. As the three children left, he followed after them, nudging Signy with his nose and licking her arm.
"Ew, Rocky!" she giggled, pushing on his head.
"Shouldn't the dragon stay here?" Skuli asked.
"Why? He wants to come!" Signy protested with her arms around Rocky's neck.
Sighing, Skuli just headed out. Vermund said, "I don't see why he can't come. No one's complained about him walking around with you, yet."
"Just don't let him off unsupervised, okay? He might get into trouble," Signy's mother said.
"Yes, Mom, I know. He's a good boy, so don't worry. C'mon Rocky, let's go."
Together, they made their way toward the docks. Rocky followed them like an obedient puppy, nudging and bumping into Signy and Vermund the entire way. Every now and again, he would escort Signy around so the citizens were used to his presence. The people of Penshaw often stopped to watch but were still too wary to approach or try to meet the dragon. It would take some time to heal the wounds left by the raids.
Oskar was already at the docks with a few soldiers and adults, all carrying things they'd like to trade. The children, escorted by Rocky and the siblings' parents, were some of the first to arrive. Trader Johann saw them walk up and raised his hand in greeting, then faltered when he spotted the Gronkle.
"Is that a—you guys too?" he asked, turning to Oskar.
The captain lifted an eyebrow. "Us what?"
Johann indicated to the dragon. "You're training the dragons too? I didn't think it would spread this far outside of the archipelago."
"You mean to say there are others with tame dragons?" Vermund asked.
"Sure! This village I frequent, Berk, they've got dragons everywhere. It's very strange, to say the least. Have you tried riding him yet?" he asked, organizing a pile of boxes that had shifted during his travels.
Signy's eyes widened into saucers. "You can ride them?"
"Oh no you don't, Signy," her father protested. She pouted and draped herself over Rocky.
Lorens showed up moments later with Frits in tow, following Lorens' suggestion to stop holding on to it. He kept it with the rest of her things, like the furs that she'd slept on while she was there, hoping her scent would remain a while longer in case they needed it.
"Trader Johann, how are you?" Lorens greeted him.
"I'm well, good hunter! If it interests you, I have some exotic pelts from faraway lands?"
"I might take a look, but first we would like to ask you some questions," Lorens said. Signy hung back with Rocky, but the rest joined Johann on his ship.
Glancing up from his organizing, the traveling merchant stopped what he was doing and looked at the convergence of people on his humble ship. He looked between them and smiled nervously while saying, "You all look so very serious. . .what is it you would like to ask me?"
"Actually," Oskar started, "it has something to do with this dragon here."
Johann was quick to say, "I'm afraid I don't know much about dragons—"
"No, not questions about the dragon. One of ours was taken by what we believe was a Viking. The dragon was merely there when it happened. We want to know if you could tell us which tribe he was from, or where they might take her," Oskar explained.
Nervously, Johann shifted his weight from foot to foot. He stammered, "I—I wouldn't know much. Who was it that was taken, if you don't mind my asking?"
Frits stepped forward. "My niece, Oddny."
"My most sincere condolences," Johann said with a solemn dip of his head. "Especially with everything that happened to your wife. I'll do my best to help if I can, but I can't promise I'll have the exact answers you seek, nor can I divulge sensitive information. . .for free."
"Anything information you can give us at all will help, no matter how small. We'll be sure to compensate you as you see fit," Lorens assured him.
The trader shook his head and held up his hand. "So long as you're not looking to start a war and use me as a means to an end, I'll do what I can to help you find the girl."
Finally, someone who gets it, Frits thought.
"Nothing like that, Johann," Lorens chuckled. "Just an idea of who they might be and where they may take her. We're not looking to start a fight and would prefer to rescue her on peaceful terms if possible. Your involvement will never be disclosed, I assure you."
"Fair enough."
"Children," Oskar beckoned, holding up an arm. Vermund came to stand by his side and Skuli moved forward as well. "Tell Johann what the man looked like."
Skuli spoke first. "We, uh, didn't really get that good a look at him. On account of. . .running away, and all. . . ."
"Sensible. Vikings can be scary," Johann commended the boy with a knowing nod.
"We hadn't expected him to show up," Vermund admitted. He felt, perhaps, the worst for fleeing considering how much older and stronger he was than the other children. "I know for sure he was big, though. Probably this tall and this wide." He pantomimed the general shape and size of the kidnapper with his hands.
From her place by Rocky's side, Signy tossed in her own memories. "Yeah, he was really big and scary. And—and he had dark hair. He also carried around this, this, double-sided. . .um. . . ."
"It was a battle axe," Vermund supplied.
"Yeah, yeah, that thing. And he had a cape," she finished with a decisive nod.
They floundered to remember any more details they could before Skuli added, "I think he was clean shaven and he a few scars on his face. Um, just small ones."
"That's about all," Vermund sighed, rubbing his head. "I don't remember if he had any unique runes or sigils on his armor. Like I said, he took us by surprise and we kind of just broke out of there. We really—we really thought Oddny was with us."
Signy bit her lip and hugged Rocky's neck tighter, trying not to let her emotions force her to tears again. The three kids gave Frits side-long glances, but he wasn't looking at them. Instead, he was staring at Johann with a tense expression.
Nodding, Johann motioned toward the Gronkle. "And the dragon? You said he was there? Doing what, pray tell?"
It was Vermund who told Johann that they'd found Rocky in a trap and Oddny had volunteered to cut him free from the netting that bound him. He finished his story; "The Viking had been coming to collect him, and I'm pretty sure he was mad that we'd let him go."
"Our other friend was with us, but he didn't want to come. Doesn't like the dragon," Skuli said.
Johann put his hand to his chin and stared down at his feet in thought, trying to fit the pieces together that they had given him.
"Hmm, he was most likely a trapper, then. They sell to the highest bidder, usually. Dead or alive," Johann mused at last, tapping his chin with his index finger. "I don't spend much time with trappers, they're always on the move, like me."
"Can you tell us anything more?" Frits begged.
Lorens stepped up and clasped Johann's hands within his, placing a small coin pouch in his grip. "Anything at all."
The trader considered the bribe, brightening with enthusiasm. "Well, I have a map. I can mark a few places I know they frequently make port."
"That would be wonderful," Lorens said, taking a step back. "These trappers you speak of, are they Vikings or something else?"
Johann's expression turned grave. "They are definitely Vikings. A cutthroat, boorish, and ruthless lot. They just chose the business of dragons as merchandise instead of raids. Some travel in small ships, but more often than not they're part of a larger fleet made up of mercenaries. They always have interesting things to trade, at least. This one time—"
"Thank you, Johann," Oskar quickly interrupted, trying to keep things on track before the trader began his long-winded stories. "Please, do show us the map."
"Of course!" Johann said with a grin, motioning for them to follow him. "Also, please do tell me more about this young Oddny girl. If I see her during my travels, I can maybe try to find out more about who she is with."
"That would be most helpful. Frits, would you mind?"
With a nod, Frits climbed aboard the ship to tell Johann all he could about Oddny, from her height to her general build to the way that—
"She. . . ," he swallowed a dry lump that was forming in his throat, "looked a lot like Calla when she was younger. Her hair, her freckles. . .just like my wife's. You've, you met her once or twice before. . .before, right?"
The trader gave him a sympathetic nod. "Yes, yes I remember. I'll keep my eyes open for her, I promise, Sir Frits."
After some scouring, Johann managed to dig up the map. Oskar did his best to keep the man from running off on a tangent, but Johann was determined to tell the tale of how he'd come into possession of the chart. They decided to hear him out while he found a quill and circled off some of the places he thought that the trappers might make port.
". . .and the man tells me this map might lead to treasure! So, of course, I gave him what he wanted and—well just look! It wasn't marked at all. That was one of the first and last times I'll be swindled," he finished with a huff, handing over the parchment.
Taking it, Oskar said, "Well, I'm glad you had it all the same. We won't take up any more of your time, and I'm sure everyone here is dying to take a look at your wares.
"Oh, it is my pleasure! Please, if you think of anything else, do not hesitate to ask."
Vermund remembered something at that moment and cleared his throat. "Actually, we've all been kind of curious as to why the dragons stopped coming out here. They used to raid us for our food and people all the time."
"Ah, yes!" Johann hummed. "I do recall that the Berkians did away with a massive queen dragon, the Red Death. She had a large appetite and if the dragons didn't fetch her enough to eat, then they were eaten. Or, something of the like."
"So they were just trying to survive," Vermund surmised.
The trader nodded. "It would seem that way."
With that particular mystery solved, Oskar, Frits, and Lorens shuffled aside to allow everyone else the opportunity to trade with Johann—the whole reason they were there in the first place. The kids even rushed forward with their own goodies, and since Johann wasn't particularly scared of Rocky, he allowed the dragon near the boat where he regaled the children with stories of a particular Gronkle that he knew fairly personally.
Rocky found so many interesting scents aboard the ship—various dragons, some exotic fish, and interesting baubles that made sounds when he accidentally bumped them.
While the kids hung on Johann's words and Rocky made himself comfortable, the three men stood in a tight circle off the boat, conversing amongst themselves while they had the privacy to do so.
"So what say you?" Frits asked, his arms crossed over his chest. He was dreading what they'd have to say about Johann's information. Particularly because Johann had said the trappers that had taken Oddny could possibly be part of a larger fleet.
One composed of battle-hardened and cutthroat Vikings.
This isn't going to happen. I'm going to be on my own.
Sighing, Oskar said, "Well, we at least have some information and a map, so we have potential locations to try and visit."
After a pause, he continued. "But. . . ."
Here it comes, Frits thought bitterly.
"If they really are an entire fleet of Viking dragon trappers. . .I just. . .we'd need to figure out how we're going to play this out. If we can come up with something reasonable, something that we could offer in exchange for her since there's no way we can fight them. . . ."
Frits pointed behind him at the children and Gronkle. "The dragon! We can give them the dragon! He trusts us, likes being around the kids. We could—we could easily subdue him now."
"Would you really have us put any of our citizens in that kind of danger?" Oskar countered. "Even if we could lull him into a false sense of security and jump him, he'd still be able to cause some serious damage before we could hog tie him."
"So sedate him. I'm sure there's something we could put in his food—"
Brow furrowed, Lorens said, "Frits, look at them. Really look at them."
Frustrated and almost furious, Frits reluctantly turned around to look as Signy, Rocky, and the other two left Johann's ship. The dragon and Signy began playfully chasing each other in circles, the young girl squealing and giggling with delight as her brother joined in and Vermund watched with an amused smile.
"What about them?" Frits demanded.
"They're completely attached. If you can convince those kids—Signy especially—to subjugate the dragon and trade him to Vikings that are likely to kill him or sell him to someone who will, then be my guest. But do you really think they'll go for it?" Lorens said.
"We're the adults. They don't have to go for it," Frits growled. "They'll get over it eventually. What if he's the only way we'll bargain for Oddny's return? He's just a dragon. What's the problem here?"
Lorens crossed his arms. "Well, that's true enough. I would value her life above a dragon's. We can't let the kids know, though. They'll make a huge fuss about it. Instead, let's get a search party going. I'll volunteer. We'll tell them we're taking the dragon because he may recognize the Viking that took her. At least then we'll be able to avoid a scene."
Frits huffed and said, "At last you finally see reason."
"I can't go with you and risk leaving my men, but I'll pick some to escort you," Oskar said. "We can ask for other volunteers, as well. We still need a boat, though."
"What about the fisherman?"
Oskar shook his head. "His boat isn't made for that kind of traveling. It should be easy to find one that is, though. The hard part will be tracking down these Vikings."
"What will we do if we can't find anyone?" Frits wondered.
"I'm sure that at least one of those places Johann marked will have others there. We'll ask around. Someone will know something. If not, well then. . .she may be lost," Lorens said, his expression grim.
Dumbstruck, Frits looked between the two of them. "How—what do you mean, she might be lost? We can't give up after that! You'll find something, right? We'll see what we can find and then look for them! We'll have a boat!"
The two men gave Frits a long look. Oskar spoke next. "Procuring supplies for a long sailing trip will be hard. We'll have to take this one step at a time, Frits."
"We'll buy a boat, gather some volunteers, and follow Johann's map to some ports. From there, we'll see what happens and make a plan. We'll just have to pray to the Gods that they'll guide us to her," Lorens explained. "They sent us this dragon, we have to thank them for that."
"How long will it take to be ready to go?" Frits huffed.
Oskar shook his head. "I'm not sure. Like I said, between supplies and readying people for travel, it may take a while."
"A while? How long is a while? Every second wasted makes it harder to find her!"
"I know, friend," Oskar sighed, patting Frits to try and calm him. "But we're doing the best we can. I can send word to our neighbors in Northpass; they've got a large shipyard and should have something we can borrow or buy."
"But it's going to take time," Lorens insisted.
Frits pulled away from them and wiped his mouth, laughing without humor. "Oddny doesn't have time! We have to do something now."
"There's nothing we can do now. We'll start preparations right away. See if you can find anyone who will go with you. Get what you can from Johann and make your own preparations. We'll leave as soon as we can, but it'll be a few more weeks. Maybe longer."
Oddny's uncle was trembling with anger, but he nodded and turned to Trader Johann's ship. Somehow, despite her father's misgivings, Signy had managed to mount Rocky and was squealing with delight as he hopped around. She looked extra small while on top of him and it was as if the dragon really enjoyed carrying her around.
Most of all, though, the dragon didn't look like it was that tired anymore.
Maybe. . . .
He glanced at the two other men—they were busy conversing about how they were going to execute the search; trying to figure out who would be the most likely to come with them. The people of Penshaw had businesses to run and their own lives. Lorens had volunteered, and maybe a couple others might, but Frits was starting to realize that he was going to have to take care of everything.
If anyone needed to find Oddny, it was him. This was his problem, and he didn't have weeks. If he hurried, he could be ready in a few days.
Jaw set, he approached the frolicking pair.
Rocky came to an abrupt stop when Frits was close enough to be noticed. The dragon stepped back warily, eyeing the man in front of him. He hadn't forgotten Frits' outburst, but Signy climbed down and approached him readily enough when Frits called to her.
"Yes, Mr. Iversen?" she asked, breathless and smiling.
"I need you to teach me about that thing—um, what's his name?"
"Rocky," she said, turning to the dragon and lifting her hand. He came over and rubbed against her side, still eyeing Frits. "Teach you what?"
Frits glanced around and took a deep breath, looking deep within himself for strength.
I can do this.
I have to do this. For her.
"Teach me how to earn his trust. Teach me how to make him like me."