Soul of a Dragon Chapter 28
"speaking"- human language
"speaking"- dragonese
thinking- human thoughts
thinking- dragon thoughts
I do not own How To Train Your Dragon or any of its characters
Astrid collected some sticks and branches from the trees for firewood, the seasons were changing into the winter months and therefore it was getting older and colder as every day passed. She shivered a little as she felt s gust of cold air hit her, she removed a strand of hair away from her eyes as he finished collecting the firewood. She headed back to the village and much to her surprise she could see that there was more gruff men there than when she left for the forest. However, her surprise was immediately replaced with frustrated and annoyance as she recognized the gruff men as Drago's crew. That only meant one thing: Drago was here.
"Great," she whispered.
Ever since the chief of Berk made the deal with Drago they made it a common occurrence to stop by the village whenever they pleased and it anyone her to no end. She didn't like these men and she didn't like the way they treated others. They always acted like they could get away with anything because of their chief, they acted all high and mighty when in reality if it wasn't for their leader they would be nothing. And by nothing she literally meant nothing. If it were up to her she wipe the floor with all of them. However, he also had to remember the chief's reason for doing and putting up with all of this. To avenge his son. If it were her she probably would have done the same, she couldn't imagine losing a love one let alone a child like that. She would do it for the chief… and for Valka.
She took a deep sigh and held on tightly to the firewood, she hoped that by holding onto it she could avoid using her fists to punch one of them if they tried anything. She took her chances and started to walk to her home. As soon as she stepped into the village she immediately attracted the attention of some of the younger men in Drago's group. She just didn't understand why some people couldn't take a hint. She picked up the pace a little but much to her displeasure she felt a hand on her shoulder, that same hand spun her around. It was her least favorite of Drago's men, and that was saying something, Jareth.
"Hey gorgeous, did you miss me?" he asked.
Astrid gave him a fake innocent look.
"You were gone?" she asked sarcastically. "Maybe that's why it was so quiet."
Jareth frowned once he heard Astrid's tone, he growled a little as well.
"You should know your place little girl," he said. "It wouldn't be wise to anger a man of Drago's."
The teenage girl either impressed or frightened, she found it downright cowardly that the men of Drago just relied on their leader's reputation to get away with anything sickened her. Some of the people of Berk were watching this confrontation; they had looks of worry on their faces as they listened to Astrid's comments. She hoped that none of them tried to help her, not because she didn't want them to but because she was worried for their safety. She didn't want any of them to get hurt because of her; she could take care of herself.
"The fact that you rely on your leader to save you rather than yourself just proves what kind of a man you are Jareth," Astrid rebuffed. "And frankly I am not amused."
Jareth growled some more and this time she heard here a collection of gasps come from the other men of Drago. Jareth then snatched her wrist; the force made her drop some of the sticks and branches while some remained in her hand. She let out a gasp of pain as he jerked her wrist away. He tightened his hold on her once he had her where she was.
"Maybe someone needs to teach you how to respect your elders," Jareth remarked.
Astrid tried to shake his grip off but he obviously wasn't letting go anytime soon. She clenched her teeth and glared at the man who held her captive.
"Let go of me you son of a-!"
"Astrid!" a familiar voice called out.
Astrid turned to see her father running towards her and Jareth, his face was full of worry and fear as he saw who had his daughter.
"Father!" she exclaimed.
"Jareth," Finnr Hofferson addressed. "Please let Astrid go."
"Why? Why should I let this disrespectful wretch go? She needs to learn her place," Jareth stated.
Finnr obviously didn't like the insults Jareth was throwing at his daughter, his one and only child. He didn't like anyone disrespecting her especially not men like Jareth. But Finnr swallowed his pride and took a small step forward while holding his hands out in a peaceful manner.
"Please Jareth let Astrid go," Finnr said. "There's no need to get violent."
Ironically Vikings lived for fighting but not like this… not at the cost of a loved one. Jareth looked like he softened up a little but not the point where he was willing to give up so easily. He looked at Astrid with a sly and evil smirk.
"Maybe if Astrid is willing to apologize, I might consider letting her go," Jareth said.
Astrid clenched her teeth some more and gave the man standing before he a serious death glare, she hated this man and she hated everyone that was involved with Drago. She would never now down or submit to any of them. She'd rather die than do that but the look her father was giving her showed how much he wanted her safe. He wanted her to apologize. But she knew better, she knew that simply apologizing to Jareth wasn't going to let her go. She knew better because she knew Drago's men. She wouldn't give him that satisfaction but there was no sense of letting him think she wouldn't. Might as well have a little fun with is no so touch man. She would do it for her father and for herself. She turned to
"I'm sorry…" Astrid
Jareth smiled as did the rest of the men of Drago who were watching. They won… or so they thought. The people of Berk were helpless as they watched Astrid supposedly give in.
"Well that's bett-" Jareth started but was interrupted.
"I'm sorry for not doing this sooner," Astrid said as she held onto the biggest branch in her hand.
With that she swung the branch as hard as she could, the rest of the pieces of wood fell out of her arm as she did so. She swung and hit Jareth on the side of his face; he let out a cry of pain while everyone else gasped as he fell onto the ground. As a result, he let go of Astrid's wrist to which she was grateful for. Jareth laid on the ground clutching his bleeding ear, nose and lip. The side of his face looked all bruised and was covered in blood. Meanwhile Astrid stood over him with the same branch in her hand now covered with the red liquid. She had a look of pride on her face as she watched the man tremble in pain. Her father, Finnr, looked just as proud but he didn't speak his mind as he was still shocked at what his daughter had done. After a minute went by Astrid was the center of attention of Drago's men, they looked ready to pounce and attack but Astrid stood her ground.
"You little-" one of Drago's men started.
"Enough!" another, more chilling voice rang out.
Everyone stopped where they were as they recognized the voice, even Astrid let out a small gasp and her blue eyes widen. Everyone looked to see that it was Drago Bludvist himself standing next to the chief of Berk, Stoick the Vast. Stoick looked shocked; he saw everything that had happened as did Drago. He wanted to intervene but Drago held him back saying that he wanted to watch and that's when Astrid swung the branch. Drago looked amused and his expression held no remorse over his fallen man. If anything he looked proud and delighted, his love for violence showed through when that happened. It was something that honestly terrified Stoick.
"That will be enough for today," Drago said. "What a show and sight to behold."
Drago took several steps forward and stared at Jareth with a disappointing look, what he did next surprised everyone even Astrid. Drago kicked the fallen man hard in the gut. Jareth let out another cry of pain and he was now clutching his stomach. Jareth coughed and struggled to breathe as he was experiencing pain from not only his face but his stomach as well.
"Worthless worm!" Drago insulted. "Know how to pick your fights better; you bring shame to our name! Take him away and treat his injuries!"
"Yes sir!"
Two men came forward and with nervous looks and they picked up Jareth, they led him away from the crowds of Vikings and back to Drago's ship.
"Everyone else start heading back, we leave as soon as I get on the ship!" Drago ordered.
The men didn't argue and started to head for the ship, Drago stood there with Stoick. He then looked at Astrid with amused eyes; he took several steps towards her and was soon standing right in front of her. Astrid was looking at the madman directly in the eye, with the bloodied branch still in her hand. Deep down Astrid was nervous but she managed to keep her composure, she refuse to show this man any sort of weakness. Finnr couldn't do anything but watch as his daughter stood before the man with the dragon skin cape.
"You are a strong girl for one so young," Drago commented. "You'll make a lovely wife one day… as long as you pick your fights carefully, it would be a shame to have a pretty face like yours injured."
Astrid didn't say anything but she glared at Drago, she didn't know whether that was a compliment, an insult or a threat. Either way it sounded similar to what he told Jareth. The man that stood before her was one not to be underestimated, she knew that but right now she didn't care. She stared at the man's features and at his figure in general. Even for a Viking his body had more wear and tear than the others, the endless scars and wrinkles told a story. Plenty of stories. Stories she was sure she didn't want to hear, that was when something caught her eye. On one piece of armor she could has sworn she saw some frost on it. That was strange seeing as how there wasn't any snow on the ground here in Berk yet. It was faint but she knew it was frost, she found it even more strange that the rest of his men didn't have any on them as well. However, she decided to keep these observations to herself. She kept quiet and let Drago finish doing whatever he was doing.
Thankfully after a few more seconds of staring at her Drago finally turned his attention back to Stoick.
"We'll be taking our leave today Stoick, let us know if you've managed to find any more dragons," Drago stated. "And remember what we talked about."
"I will do so as soon as we capture anymore," Stoick answered. "And don't worry I won't forget."
"Good," Drago replied. "Goodbye people of Berk."
Drago began to walk away and the crowds made enough room for him to leave. As soon as Drago got on his ship they left, leaving the people of Berk at a loss for words and Astrid the center of attention still. However, Finnr quickly ran up to his daughter and embraced her in a tight hug. At first Astrid was shocked but she soon nuzzled into his chest. She finally let go of the bloodied piece of wood to hug her father. However, their moment was ruined when the chief interrupted them. He had look of anger on his face.
"Astrid that was reckless even for you!" Stoick yelled.
Astrid frowned and she let go of her father to look at the chief of Berk.
"Well sorry if I wasn't willing to submit to some piece of dragon bait like Jareth chief!" Astrid rebuffed.
Stoick's eyes widen as did her father's, everyone looked shocked at Astrid's attitude. Normally Astrid showed great respect for the chief and his wife but today was different. She didn't think what she did was wrong; it was about time someone stood up for themselves in front of Drago and his men. She had had it up to here with the lot of them. She couldn't take it anymore, siding and working with Drago was supposed to put an end to this war but it felt like it only prolonged it. She felt like they hadn't gotten anywhere.
"I'm sorry Chief Stoick but I just can't see any reason in helping Drago and his men anymore, at first I thought I understood but let's face it nothing has changed," Astrid explained. "We're no closer to ending this war then we were before Drago came along."
The crowd started to whisper amongst themselves, they were taking to heart what Astrid was saying. Deep down they knew that it was the truth but they could never bring themselves to tell the chief for obvious reasons. They understood that this whole vendetta against the dragons was simply more than just tradition… it was personal. Chief Stoick and Valka lost something or rather someone precious to the dragons all those years ago.
Stoick stared at the teenage girl before him; he always admired Astrid for her courage and for her determination. She brought pride to the Hofferson family… however her presence also made him sad as she presented a reminder. She was a reminder, that's what she saw in her.
Astrid was born the same year as his son.
If his son were here he would have been the same age as Astrid, he would have grown up with her in this village. He wondered if they would have been friends. He let out a sigh as he massaged the knots in his neck.
"Astrid, I am aware of the relationship between Berk and Drago's men. I am aware that we are in a comprising situation and it may seem like we haven't gone anywhere but that's all about to change," Stoick said.
"How so?" Astrid questioned.
Stoick looked hesitant to tell Astrid or any of the people of Berk, all eyes were on him but he wouldn't give in. What he and Drago had talked about was said in private, only because Drago asked it to be that way. There was another reason why Stoick wanted to keep it private and that was because he himself wasn't aware of the full story. Drago didn't tell him everything; he only told him one thing.
He told him that he finally had a way to end it all.
He didn't know how exactly Drago intended to accomplish that but he look on Drago's face when he said it made him believe it. Stoick couldn't tell them, at least not yet. He looked at Astrid one last time before turning around.
"All you need to know is that we are in good hands," Stoick. "At least that's what I keep telling myself."
Stoick didn't say anymore as he walked away, leaving the people of Berk alone. Astrid watched as her chief walked away, his shoulders looked like they were carrying something heavy on them. The tone of his voice said it all. Oh how their chief was just as lost and confused as them. Astrid let out a sigh at that idea.
I'm sorry Chief Stoick.
Her thought was interrupted by her father as he placed his hands over her shoulders; he had a small smile on his face. But there was also a hint of worry on it too.
"Let's go home Astrid," Finnr said. "I'm sure your mother is wondering where you are with that firewood."
Astrid smiled at her father and nodded her head; she picked up the firewood on the ground with her father's help. She wiped the blood on the grass and dirt before taking the branch back into her arms. As soon as they started to walk back to their house the rest of the Vikings disbanded and went back to what they were doing before Astrid's confrontation with Jareth. Astrid's actions gave the people of Berk some hope; hope that there was still some strength in this village.
Astrid and Finnr reached their house and saw Eerika Hofferson was trying to keep the fire from going out by pocking it with a stick. Eerika looked to hear who had entered her home to see that it was her husband and daughter.
"There you are Astrid!" Eerika exclaimed. "Where have you been? I sent your father to look for you when you didn't immediately show up with the firewood."
"I'm sorry I got caught up with something important," Astrid replied as she handed her mother the firewood.
Finnr chuckled a little at his daughter's comment, which confused Eerika.
"Well next time make sure you tell me if you have something important to do," Eerika said. "That way I can know, I was worried about you Astrid."
"Oh Eerika there's no need to worry about our little girl, she can take care of herself," Finnr added as he winked to his daughter.
Astrid smiled and she walked to the fireplace to help her mother, Eerika started to place the wood into the area.
"So did anything interesting happen when you were doing this important thing Astrid?" Eerika asked.
"No," Astrid replied with a sly smile on her face.
The thought of the frost on Drago's armor was still in her mind though.
Please review and leave comments, thank you for your time.
