Silence, Kiora discovered, was more painful to the ear than a massive explosion. Its definition was a deathly quiet, the absence of sound. But to Kiora it felt like the absence of life itself. For two days it had swallowed her up. For two days she had sat shivering on the hard, stone cold floor of the cave. She was surrounded by dragons but they made no noise. Beathen usually sat across from her, but ever since dropping the news of Toothless' demise he had not spoken a word except to explain their predicament.
Toothless. Oh gods, Toothless.
The escape had failed. Toothless was dead. Kiora and Bea and all the Furies were trapped in a cave, safe but devastated. They had not only failed to escape Yahata, they had lost even more freedom. The dragons were unable to go anywhere outside the cave. Scarlip and his cronies now knew Bea was involved with the dragons. After telling her about Toothless, Bea had told Kiora that someone had seen him. The watchers and hunters had certainly increased their patrols and were searching the island thoroughly for any sign of them. It would be way too risky and hella stupid to leave the cave.
But Kiora did not want to leave. She never, ever wanted to leave. She never, ever wanted to return to Berk. She never wanted to see her mother or grandmother again. And above all, she could never, not for the rest of her life, face her father. Because of her, his best friend was dead. Toothless would never even had been in danger if it wasn't for her pride and stubbornness. Kiora had selfishly drug him into her scheme to prove her worth. She had miserably failed.
Kiora's stomach suddenly clenched painfully. She took a deep breath and pushed down on it. The pain briefly subsided. That was their other problem. None of them had eaten in two days. They had no food stored in the cave and couldn't leave. Trapped, silent, hopeless.
Another hour passed. Finally, Bea stood up an stretched his long limbs. He started for the cave entrance.
Alarmed, Kiora shot to her feet. "Where are you going?'' Her voice was raspy from not haven spoken in so long.
"We need food.'' Bea's was hoarse too.
"You can't go out there!'' Kiora exclaimed.
"We have to eat,'' the boy persisted.
Kiora's stomach gave another painful lurch. Bea was right. They did have to eat eventually. Kiora realized she had been secretly hoping she would starve to death. She shrugged off the idea. It was stupid. She couldn't help anyone if she was dead.
"Fine,'' she snapped. "But don't get yourself killed. And good luck finding food for forty dragons.''
"I'm only finding you and I a squirrel or something. It's almost dusk. Once the sun has completely set I'm releasing Giselle and Swiftwing to hunt for the dragons. Not all of them will be able to eat tonight but they can go longer without food than humans.''
Kiora felt a tinge of worry. Not only for Bea, but also Swiftwing. She didn't want to lose another dragon. Or friend. But Kiora had no choice but to let Bea and the dragons hunt.
"Careful,'' she told him.
"I will be.'' He smiled and disappeared into the dark.
Kiora sent a prayer to Stoick the vast for Beathen's safety. Then she reluctantly sat back down and played her new favorite game. Waiting.
Beathen returned one hour later with two fat squirrels. Kiora and he quickly cooked them and then preceded to scald their mouths in the hurry to fill their whining stomachs. Kiora never knew such a simple meal could taste better than the grandest feast. After they both finished easting, silence lapsed again. Kiora found herself staring into Bea's blue eyes. Their gaze met for a long time. It was only broken when Bea stifled a yawn.
"You should get some sleep,'' Kiora encouraged him.
Bea seemed reluctant to oblige, but Kiora finally convinced him to curl up by Giselle and take a nap. With nothing better to do, Kiora got to her feet and wandered over to Swiftwing.
"Hey, girl.''
The Light Fury blinked thoughtfully. Kiora ran her hands down Swiftwing's head, neck, and shoulders. She remembered her father doing the same to his dragon. His dragon, Toothless. But Toothless was gone now. And it was her fault. Her fault. Her fault. My fault. Everything is my fault. Everything is always my goddam fault!
She suddenly pulled away from Swiftwing. The dragon eyed her warily. Kiora's heart fluttered in her chest.
"I can't stay here,'' she gasped.
With that, she turned and fled.
Kiora wasn't sure how long she ran. She ran until she no longer could. She pushed through the forest, sprinting like the enemy was on her heels. Branches cut her face and arms as she pushed through the denser parts of the forest. Finally, Kiora stumbled and fell to her hands and knees. She stayed there for several moments gasping for air. When she caught her breath, she sat back on her heels. Kiora rubbed her throbbing temples. Her stomach pinched from over-exertion. Her eyes smarted. The various cuts and scratches on her face and arms stung wickedly.
Night had fallen. After being stuck in the cavern for two days. Kiora was hesitant to go back. The night was chilly and gusty and she was shivering, but anything was better than waiting like boars at the slaughter. Kiora rubbed her arms absentmindedly, deep in thought. Should she make a break for it? Run away, leaving the island for ever. She would need a ride. Swiftwing would be perfect. The only thing holding Kiora back was Beathen. She couldn't leave him to deal with her mistakes. It wouldn't be fair.
Snap.
Kiora whipped her head around, suddenly alert. Everything was quiet. . . And then another branch broke somewhere close. Murmurs. Someone was coming. Kiora leapt to her feet. Ignoring her pained body, she scrambled up a tree. Kiora tried to be as silent as possible. The hunters could not find her. If they did, she would be killed for sure. Maybe even without questioning. Kiora's foot slipped.
Snap.
She had tried steadying herself on another branch, but it had not held her weight. Emitting a small cry, Kiora grabbed for another branch with her arms. Her hands wrapped around a sturdy limb. She steadied herself. Kiora let out a sigh of relief. She had almost fallen to her death.
"What was that?''
Kiora froze. She had momentarily forgotten about her predicament. If the hunters had not heard her climbing the tree then they had certainly heard the branch snap and fall. But the voice. . . It sounded vaguely familiar. Like a dream or a dream of a dream. . .
"I dunno. We should check it out. Come on.'' Another voice. A woman.
Kiora stiffened and felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. She new that voice. She knew it well. Tears popped into Kiora's eyes.
Light footsteps get closer. Kiora peered through the tree, trying to get a better glance at the two people who had come into view. A man and a woman. They were both tall and thin. The man had auburn wind-swept hair and the woman had long blonde hair. Kiora had to bite her tongue to keep from crying out. They had come for her. After all these weeks, they had finally made it to Yahata. How they had found it, Kiora had no clue. But she had a decision to make. Should she reveal herself? She did not have much of a choice, did she? Slowly, Kiora climbed down the tree, being as quiet as possible. Her parents had still not noticed her. She dropped down lightly behind them. They continued walking away. Kiora wrung her hands nervously. It was now or never.
"Hey,'' she called, her voice cracking terribly.
Hiccup and Astrid whirled around, weapons drawn.
"Hey, hey.'' Kiora held her hands up to show she was unarmed. She was trembling rather violently.
"Show yourself!'' Hiccup snapped. Kiora was taken aback for a moment. Then she realized her parents couldn't see her in the dark. They had no torch. Kiora was too far away from them for any recognition to take place. She took a deep breath. Guilt threatened to crush her.
"He said show yourself!" Astrid's tone was vicious.
Scared to wait any longer, Kiora stepped forward. Her mother recognized her a second before her father. Astrid dropped her battle-axe, both hands flying to her mouth. Hiccup lowered his Dragon Blade slowly. His gaze was hard-set and his eyes cold. Gods, how was Kiora ever going to explain to him what had happened to Toothless?
"Hey Mom, Dad.'' Kiora's voice was hoarse. She cleared her throat. She stood up straight and blinked back tears, struggling to keep her voice even. "I am. . . really sorry. I know that isn't enough and you are absolutely furious—as you should be. But I screwed up, and I know that now. I never should have left home. I swear to all the gods I'll never do it again. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought that maybe, if I was good enough, if I found the Night Furies, people would respect me and maybe, I dunno, listen. For once.'' Kiora's voice was choked with emotion but she carried on. "But I was wrong. I didn't help anyone. I. . . I only made things worse. I was selfish and only had my own best-interest in mind. I regret it dearly. I regret everything from leaving Berk to causing you to search for me. I was stupid. And others have payed for my mistakes." She averted her eyes, not daring look at her father. "Thank you for finding me,'' she whispered. "I'm so sorry.''
Kiora raised her hand to brush away the tears, but Astrid got there first. She had her only child swept up in a warm embrace within seconds. Kiora could hold the tears back no longer. She cried freely onto her mother's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry,'' Kiora sobbed over and over.
"Shh, it's okay,'' Astrid soothed her, stroking her hair.
After another minute or so, Kiora pulled reluctantly away. Hiccup was standing by, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "Dad, I'm really sorry. Honest. I know I'm a terrible person. Please don't be ashamed. I want you to be proud of me.''
Hiccup sighed and dropped his hands. "Are you hurt?''
Kiora shook her head.
Hiccup gave her a disappointed, but loving just the same, smile. "Come here.''
Kiora threw her arms around him. She buried her face in his shoulder, not wanting him to see her tears.
"I am proud of you, Kiora,'' Hiccup told her softly. "Your mother and I are both extremely proud—but we're proud of who you are, not who you try to be. The Kiora I know and love is not the one who ran away. It's the one that is kind and brave and funny. You've made a lot of mistakes. But we'll never stop loving you.''
"So you're not mad?'' Her voice was muffled by his shoulder.
"I was. But now I'm just so glad to have you back that I don't care. You've learned your lesson, I think.'' He suddenly gave her a cocky smile. "And I can't help being a little proud that you've survived alone all this time.''
Kiora wiped her eyes. She was so relieved he wasn't mad. She took another big breath. "But I wasn't alone.''
"True.'' Hiccup cocked his head. "Kiora, where's Toothless.''
Kiora swallowed hard, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Why do you ask?''
Astrid shot her a confused glance. Kiora's stomach twisted.
Hiccup held her gaze. "Kiora, where is my dragon?''
"I—" Kiora began, not quite sure of what she was about to say.
"Get down!'' Astrid suddenly whisper-yelled.
The family dove behind the tree Kiora had hid in.
The sound of footsteps once again filled Kiora's ears. But this time it was only one person.
"Kiora?"
Kiora relaxed. "It's okay" she mouthed to her quizzical parents. She stood up and walked away from the tree.
"Kiora, there you are!'' Beathen hugged her tightly. "I've been looking everywhere. Why'd you leave the cave?''
Surprised by his act of sudden affection, Kiora pulled away quickly. "I'm fine,'' she told him.
"Yeah, but why—?'' He expression suddenly changed to one of alarm. "Kiora, hide, quick!''
Hiccup and Astrid had emerged from behind the tree.
"It's okay, Bea,'' she assured him. "These are my parents.''
"Your. . . parents.'' The words didn't seem to sit right with the boy.
"Yeah, my parents. You know, my mom and dad? Here, I'll introduce you.'' Kiora quickly introduced Astrid and Hiccup to Bea. Astrid patted his arm warmly, but Hiccup just gave a curt nod.
"I'm Beathen,'' muttered Bea.
Hiccup's eyebrows shot up. "Heathen?"
"No, Beathen,'' he repeated.
"Beathen.''
"Yeah,'' shifted awkwardly. "It means life.''
"Indeed,'' Hiccup murmured skeptically.
"He's my friend,'' said Kiora, somewhat defensively.
Astrid nodded enthusiastically. Hiccup was unamused. "So, Kiora. Toothless.''
"Right. Uh, Dad—"
"That's why I was looking for you,'' said Bea, as if he had suddenly remembered something important. "I found him!''
"Found who?'' Hiccup demanded sharply.
He knows. Kiora was too terrified to speak. Bea "found" Toothless? What did he find, a dead body? Oh gods, please let it not be a dead body, please, grandfather, anything but that. She did not know what she would do if she had to show Hiccup to the lifeless body of his best friend. It was cruel. And Hiccup had already caught on to the fact that something was amiss with Toothless.
Bea ignored Hiccup. "He's alive, Kiora. Scarlip has him. I spied on their camp. He's in a cage and he's hurt, but not dead yet.''
Kiora felt like a huge bubble of stress had popped inside of her. Not dead!
Hiccup paled. Astrid took his hand. "Kiora. . . you aren't talking about Toothless?''
Kiora sighed. "Come on. It's not safe here. We should get back to the cave. I'll explain everything.''
Happy American Thanksgiving! If you aren't American, Happy Random Thursday!