Hi all not really much to say on this chapter. Hope you like it.
Chapter 29
Corvus came too, laying on a pile of hay. Dawn was just beginning to creep its way across the sky tuning it a dark blue to a pale pink with wisps of cloud shadowed in the morning light. He sat up lifting his hand to his head as he immediately regretted it. His head swam, it felt like someone had forged a blade on his head. As he sat up Fishlegs came over.
"Steady. Take it easy. You were..." He would have continued had Sigrid not barged him out of the way. He waited a moment to compose himself again as much as allow the Night Fury to calm down. "As I was saying. You were knocked from the saddle and hit the ground. Thank Thor you landed where you did or we'd have been in a worse stat than this. As it happens aside from a serious blow to the head your fine, though I would take it easy for today. Drink lots of water and let me know if you feel dizzy or sick. Oh and absolutely no flying for at least twenty-four hours."
"Thanks. Aren't you a bit young to be the Village Healer?" Asked Corvus getting to his feet with Sigrid's assistance.
Fishlegs smiled. "I'm only her apprentice." He quickly added "But don't worry she says I'm her best."
"Well thanks anyway. What happened last night?"
"Not sure the full details but Astrid will know. We did bring one down though." He looked saddened "It's a shame it was necessary, and not without cost."
Corvus' head dropped a little. "How many?" His tone too dropping.
"Three villagers dead outright, five men injured, two of those are critical. As for Dragon losses only two lost one other injured." His expression seemed to fall even more. "But it'll never fly again."
"I'm sorry for what has happened."
"No. Don't be. From what Hiccup told us in his dream we all died so this is somewhat better. Now if you'll excuse me. I have other patients."
Corvus left the barn come healing house and stepped into the crisp cool morning air. His breath left faint clouds in the air and he pulled his collar up around his neck. The Healer, Fishlegs hadn't said the names of the dead and injured but a quick look around before leaving told him that none of his were in there at least. He found his way to the Village square and found Astrid, Hiccup, Toothless and the others. Corvus let out a sigh when he saw Aileas and Stormchaser too, as well as a shock of fire red hair in the mix. Someone called his name and the group turned to looked at him before being parted by Piper. She sprinted over to them before taking Corvus in a crushing hug.
"Don't you ever care me like that again. You hear me?" She sobbed.
"I can't make a promise you know I can't keep." He said smiling holding her as tight as she did him.
Piper pulled back and looked him in the eye. "You ever scare me like that again your gunna wish you had died." and Kissed him.
The others came over. Hiccup smiled and Gobber gave him a friendly pat the back that nearly sent him flying.
"By Thor's Hammer."Said the Blacksmith "I have never seen flying like that. Even from these two." He gestured at Hiccup and Astrid who looked slightly offended.
"Could someone explain what happened? You know after I hit the ground."
Hiccup nodded "Follow me." They all began walking towards the building Corvus' Night Haunter had fell into. Hiccup continued as they passed a Bola Launcher that was being dismantled. "The one you allowed us to down is in here subdued, though for how long we don't know. After it fell the others went in to a frenzy. They seemed to lose all tactics and just attacked at random." His voice dropped. "That was when we lost people. One of the Sky Reaper's had reached it's shot limit and the neighbouring Launcher was out of ammo and the shots came through. Bjorn, Scarr and Farangur were killed in the blast. One of your Reapers too." Corvus felt a pang of guilty, not just for the dragon but for the men as well. They had trusted his plan and by extension him, now they had paid the price.
"And the Haunter I helped bring down?"
"In here." Hiccup rapped his knuckles on the wooden door and the sound of movement and growing could be heard from inside. A few seconds later and Spitelout's face appeared at the door.
"Chief, these chains and muzzle won't hold him for long."
"I know. I have a Gronkle Iron muzzle cooling now as for the chains, Ruff and Tuff are getting me theirs." Spitelout raised an eyebrow. "Didn't ask, and I don't want to."
Spitelout stepped back and let the group in. It was dark inside, not too dark that they couldn't see but a stark difference to the dawn outside. As they moved further in they heard deep growls and the chink of metal on metal. Slowly as their eyes adjusted they saw a dark shape spiralled out on the floor. Hiccup and Astrid almost took pity on the creature but then they remembered what they could do and what it had been sent to do to Berk. The Haunter was at least twice the size of Toothless, its scales were jet black, more so than Toothless' and less reflective. Were it not for the blue smear down it's right flank they could have easily missed it. Upon seeing them it attempted to rise but the chains and straps held it in place. Corvus took a lantern from a hook on the pillar next to him and stepped closer to its head. It watched him as he moved around from it's right side. Corvus froze as the left side of it'd head came to view. Where it's right eye was red with a yellow slit and glowed slightly the Haunter's left eye was damaged the eye itself a milky pink with the glow and a long line scare across it.
"What is it?" asked Hiccup joining Corvus at it's head.
"I know this particular Night Haunter, and it knows me." He snarled reaching behind himself and unsheathing his right-hand axe. "More importantly It knows this." He held the axe and twirled it in his hand lighting the blade. The Night Haunter recoiled as if in fear. "And I have a score to settle with this one." Corvus smiled wickedly.
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