We ended up staying at the Forge well into the morning, drunk in each other's presence. If there was such a thing as overdoing it, we didn't understand the concept. For us, spending the waking day and restful nights with each other meant everything to us; our time apart was by necessity. She had my back since we were children, albeit she was a bit rougher around the edges in our younger days, but she always supported me. Believed in me when no one else did, drove me to make the decisions that I made that lead us to where we are today. I've said it before, I'll say it again; I couldn't have done any of this without her.
Would I have still shot down Toothless, undoubtedly; what would have followed is an entire different future where I could've gotten away with my pre-mediated escape from Berk instead of killing the Monstrous Nightmare I'd later know as Hookfang. I was prepared to leave my people and my family behind for my beliefs and it was her that stopped me, that made me reconsider my path and come up with an alternative. That's what lead to the Red Death encounter, after that, everything changed for the better.
Lying with her in the forge, our naked bodies pressed together as the sweat from our actions sets in, our swallow breathing barely allowing our bodies to recover. We had gone until our muscles wouldn't move us anymore. Her legs had faltered, and she couldn't sit up, my own member lay partially limp, unable to stiffen after the time we spent. Still, now, laying like this was nearly as perfect as all that we had just done together. I know there are some Viking couples that don't center around intimacy, friendship and barely respect, but ours certainly did. Our intimacy, our friendship, our base respect for each other was the very core of our relationship. We didn't need alone time, and I honestly cannot imagine a time in my life where I would ever need it. Maybe after another challenging decision or struggle would I think I needed to be alone, but even in that situation, I didn't. I needed her, like always, and like before, she wouldn't let me suffer alone; nor I, her. So long as she believed in me, I would find a way, even if I didn't believe in myself.
While we were by no means ready for marriage, what with the trapper threat still looming, but my mind could not stop drifting to that next step in my life with her. Formally and officially declaring that we were together from then on until Valhalla and Beyond. The thought genuinely made me smile as I lay there with her in my arms, her light breath running across my chest as she lays partially on top of me with one of her arms outstretched over my chest.
"Have you slept?" I hear her voice whisper softly against my skin as I smile, running my hand up her back now that I know she is awake, prompting her to press closer, our bodies providing extra heat.
"A bit, just been thinking." I answer softly as I feel her lips gently press against my shoulder.
"About?" She asks
"You. Us. I'm just… happy. I don't know how else to say it." I reply, rolling onto my side to look at her, seeing her smile towards me as I press my lips against hers.
"I'm happy, too." She replies softly. "You should really try to rest before we go back to Swallow." She says, brushing my hair and nestling her nose into my neck, closing her eyes as she does.
"This is rest, it's perfect." I answer as I hear her softly moan a response, tightening her embrace as I close my eyes as well. We had a few hours yet til first light, and it seemed like we would spend them here, naked in each other's embrace.
We both ended up stirring just a little before first light, as we had become accustomed to doing. Outside the Forge there was a crisp cool like the winds carried the sea's cold temperature up to Berk. The ice from the Leviathan still present and resonating only made the winter weather worse, for now the average temperature on the island was far colder, especially in the early morning hours. Luckily my room in the Forge was well insulated, I had made it so that when I needed an escape from my father when he was trying to convince me to be chief, and I couldn't just ride out on Toothless, I had a place to hide and work. Gobber was aware of my little room, but never entered it on his own accord, I believe he genuinely respected my need for privacy. Adding a small bunk in here, maybe a small vat of water and another chest for spare cloths and honestly, Astrid and I may spend a lot more time in this little room than our house. Our house, yes, it was my house, but it was still our house. A part of me wanted to completely build a new home just for us, but that would wait til after marriage, I imagine.
Slowly, we rise together, our bodies still close as when we stand we embrace for a moment. The forge itself had long since died but the embers still kept the small insulated room warm. Grabbing a bucket and cloth, we wipe each other down slowly. I could tell we were each taking our time on the other, appreciating each other as we did. Afterwards, we suited up in our flight suits. Astrid's blue Nadder-Scale suit was exceptionally form-fitting and looked amazing on her; such to a point my eyes lingered longer than they needed too but she certainly didn't seem to mind as her lips pressed to mine. She and I were the only two with fully functioning dragonscale flight suits, Fishlegs was closer but he wanted to add things like a front-pouch to his, for reasons he wouldn't say. The twins were, ah, well, they were further along than Snotlout who still had several points without proper fire proofing. With as many times as Hookfang has set that guy on fire, you'd think he'd know to fire proof but it did make for entertainment for the rest of us.
When we opened the door from the forge, we were met with a sharp and brisk cold wind that cut across our faces; rounding the corner we found our dragons had taken refuge inside the main forge itself. Patting them down, we headed to the Great Hall to gather up a small bit of food then to the Academy where we spend the next thirty or so minutes going over plans between each other, before anyone else got there. Sometimes, the others had good plans and perspectives that were helpful but most times, it was Astrid's plan, or our combined plans, that ended up saving the day. Working on a board together, bouncing ideas off each other, no interruptions or side remarks, it was honestly enjoyable even if it was about a damnable task. Not long after, we had come up with a varied plan and the others started filtering into the Academy. Heather was the first to arrive and she shot both Astrid and I a knowing glance.
"So, where were you two last night?" She asks playfully as my face flushes and I turn back to the chalk board, ignoring the question with a light chuckle.
"Going over battle plans and training exercises, visited the forge to work on modification ideas too." Astrid retorts with a smile and I nearly choke at how accurately deceptive that is to reality. Modifications to the room in the forge, some training exercises as she called it last night, some plans. She could really spin her words almost as well as her tongue. I suddenly mentally slap myself for thinking like that with other people starting to filter in.
"Oh, hey, moving on. Other people are here." I exclaim with a light laugh, pointing as the others start filtering in. Heather rolls her eyes as Astrid pats me on the shoulder with a light laugh. She knew that made me feel awkward when they did that in front of me. After some coercion, everyone was sitting, or standing, in front of a pair of small fires with Astrid and I standing in front of a chalk board.
"Alright, gang. We know the mission and we don't know the terrain. We know the target and we don't know their numbers, but they do know to expect us. With that being said, we are not splitting up. We are going to systematically clear each area together, watching each other's wing. We'll be flying by threes. Eret, Astrid and I are Wing One, Fishlegs, Twins and Dagur are Wing Two, Snotlout, Heather and my Mother will be Wing Three." I explain.
"Our wings doesn't mean we're splitting up. We will when we have too, but if we don't we won't. Everyone will have two MomMare Gel Jars prepared and if you have your flight suit, wear it. This is the time to field test it." I state, pointing to how both Astrid and I were wearing our dragon-scale flight suits. "We're wings up in fifteen minutes. Our mission will be as follows." I begin.
"First, we're going to do an aerial recon of the collapsed mouth of the cave where Snotlout and I entered, then fly around the island to the channel on the west that leads through the swallowing sands. If those ships are still there, we will board and investigate them before sinking them completely. My wing will board. Wings Two and Three will maintain aerial oversight. Then we enter the alcove, carefully." I explain.
"Wing Three enters first, sweeps the initial entryway for traps, followed by Two then One. We'll clear any ships, then move into the caverns beneath the island. Flying high using the stalactites as partial cover from any traps. We'll go to the cave in where we dropped the roof on Krogan and investigate from there. Questions?" I ask and look around the room. There was, of course, a series of random questions from the twins and Snotlout that had largely little to nothing to do with the mission itself, but it is what it is. Shortly thereafter, we were up in the air. This mission had a different air to it, there weren't any jokes leading to Swallow like there was last time. We fly in our wing formations and even the twins had a serious face on this go round, as though even they were done with the threat of Krogan.
It was continuously refreshing to see that even the twins were capable of being serious occasionally. Granted, that seriousness was usually as short lived as any humility Snotlout could ever muster, but it did exist and seeing it was reassuring. Thinking back to when we first formed the Academy, even I gave Hiccup a hard time on occasion, though I supported him more often than not. Snotlout was the rambunctious rebel and the twins were, well, almost the same as they are now. But watching them genuinely listen and pay attention during Hiccup's breakdown of the plan, even after fielding some of their crazy questions, made me feel a little better.
The flight to Swallow was short on the backs of dragons, especially given what we had learned in recent years. Flying in our wings, I was to Hiccup's right as Eret was to Hiccup's left. Dagur led the twins and Fishlegs while Valka led Snotlout and Heather. I made sure the Aux riders were keeping their shift going, and even noticed a few new Vikings walking with Gustov and Sven about joining the Auxiliary team. We may soon need a secondary Aux Team; a tertiary team.
We arrived at Swallow before too long and the mouth of the cave that collapsed on Hiccup was still collapsed. He had mentioned it was hundreds of feet long in terms of rubble, so there was no chance anything short of a major operation would ever be able to reopen that cave. Hiccup glances to me and I nod as we fly past it, not needing to waste any more time than required. Circling the Island Northwest to the western side, we spot the damaged ships on our initial flight; the ones destroyed by Eret and Dagur before still smoldering. Hiccup leads us around the island again, going from the south to the east then back across the north to the western channel. It took an extra couple minutes to do the full circle, but it helped ease the minds that there were no ships lying in wait.
Diving towards the ships, I counted two sunk in the rear, one sunk in the lead and another three jammed together in between them with no activity on the decks. It was quiet, very quiet. Almost too quiet. Hiccup gives us the signal to land and Eret and I follow him down as we land on the first of three ships. Arming up with his shield and dragon-blade, Inferno. Me with my axe and Eret with a pike, we slowly make our way down the deck. Inside, we find empty dragon cages, used supplies and some papers left in what was probably the captains' cabins. Hiccup takes the papers, and we hop to the next two ships finding them in a similar situation.
"They're completely empty?" I exclaim, glancing to Eret who shrugs.
"They were full of Trappers when we attacked them, I didn't see any dinghies so maybe they escaped through the channel." Eret suggests and Hiccup nods.
"Probably, or they made their way back into the alcove. Okay, Wing Three, High Alert. Breach the Alcove!" Hiccup calls out as Valka leads Snotlout and Heather with a crisp nod, diving inside the alcove. After a few seconds, Dagur leads the Twins and Fishlegs. Eret, Hiccup and I take a moment to sink the remaining ships in the straight by puncturing the hulls before following suit.
Inside we see three of the six ships that had been there before were sunk, the other three seemed barren with the ramps not remade. It's as though they completely packed up and left, but got out some other way. Glancing to Hiccup, I shake my head.
"Hiccup, this doesn't look right. How did they get out?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"I don't know. My first thought is Krogan is further along than I thought with capturing and harnessing dragons. He has the experience with the Singetails. The warlords may not know anything, nor have they seen anything through the Dragon Eye Lenses. Good thing is, if we can take Krogan out, it's a secret he likely hasn't shared." Hiccup states.
"Dragon Eye Lenses?" Eret asks on his wing and he nods.
"They were glass lenses that we still have for an artifact called the Dragon Eye that revealed all secrets of every known dragon in existence; even Drago's Leviathan. We destroyed the Dragon Eyes for fear they'd be misused by people like Krogan." Hiccup explains. We had the lenses safely locked away on Berk, only Hiccup and I even knew where they were and its no where anyone would think to look. Plus, only Hiccup could even remake a Dragon Eye, without that, the lenses were worthless.
"Alright, what's the plan?" Dagur calls out
"Dagur, take your wing and search these ships. When you're done, we're all heading into the cave. Look for papers, I found a few on the other ships." Hiccup calls back.
"You got it, brother!" Dagur replies and he, the twins and Fishlegs dive in.
It certainly was odd and made me feel like this entire place was about to explode. It was so quiet, still and ominous. Where had all of the trappers gone? Their supplies. They just vanished but left no footprints. Did they try to make it across the swallowing sands on foot and were lost to the Swallowing Sands? That's the most likely, logically and mentally appeasing, answer. The more likely was that Krogan survived somehow, and he had trained dragons that carried them out; but he considered his men expendable. Maybe he was contracted to care about these trappers.
Not long after did Dagur and the others emerge from the ships, all carrying some manner of parchment which they all flew to Hiccup who stored it in his little book. Hand motioning the other two wings to hold, Hiccup led his wing inside the cavern with the others following suit. He and I knew this cavern all too well, but so did Snotlout and Heather, which is why they were in the rear.
We found residue of traps, the remainder of bolas and arrows but no men. When we got to the Killzone where Hiccup and Snotlout were nearly pelted alive, we found it empty. Devoid of all life, though the emplacements were still there. We took a little extra time and demolished each emplacement just in case, but we found no signs of anything else.
"Alright, team." Hiccup states, landing Toothless as we all land in a circle around him. "We have a choice. This island is riddled with smaller caves connecting to this one in a large system. There is a chance that the hunters fled through these tunnels, but it'd take hours to search all of it even if we split up. Thoughts?" Hiccup asks as Dagur shrugs.
"I'll be frank, Hiccup. I think they left. Their trap failed, this island has zero strategic or tactical value. It's highly inaccessible by ship and barely accessible with trained dragons. They abandoned it and took what they could." Dagur states plainly and I actually agreed with him.
"I have to agree with Dagur, Hiccup. I can't see any reason they'd stay. This island is a death trap waiting to happen, it has no life on or under it, not even dragons call this place home." I state and he nods.
"Anyone else?" Hiccup asks
"I've got to agree with those too, Chief. Though, I'll add, I think that before we leave, we collapse the cave entryways behind us and do another cursory sweep of the island, collapsing any cave we find." Eret states as Dagur laughs.
"I like this guy, Hiccup. Uh, what was your name again and where did you come from?" Dagur asks as I stifle a laugh at his random shifts while Hiccup sighs.
"Oh, gods. Okay, later for that. For now, I agree. Let's return to the entryway of this cave and blow it. Twins, that's all you." Hiccup states.
"YES!" They exclaim together. "Do you feel this, sister? It's my heart rejoicing as our fearless leader finally gives us something to blow up!" Tuffnut states
"I know, brother!" Ruffnut adds as Hiccup sighs. I glance to Hiccup with and see a frown on his face.
"Hiccup, what's wrong?" I ask as the twins quiet down to listen.
"I just, don't know what to make of this. Krogan has become even less predictable than before. We really need to catch this guy, and fast." Hiccup states and I smile, moving Stormfly closer to him and taking his hand.
"We will." I say simply and he smiles weakly. "Let's collapse this cave system and get back to Berk. We have some papers to look at, don't we?" I say, trying to cheer him up. They were honestly probably nothing of importance seeing as they were left behind but that didn't matter. Hiccup nods with a smile and we all take off.
Expecting an ambush at the mouth of the cave, I don't know what was more surreal, that we weren't ambushed, or that we darted out expecting to be ambushed. Dagur hung with the Twins while they demolished the entryway while Valka took Snotlout and Heather and sunk the remaining ships and destroyed any remaining ramps. Following that, we all flew out together and circled the island half a dozen times in sequence. Fishlegs keeping track of our locations, we collapsed at an additional four entryways before the morning turned into afternoon and we decided to call it a day and return to Berk.
We left their with more questions than answers and a general sense of unease at Krogan's next move, but at the very least, we had confirmed we destroyed one of their main operating points in the southern part of the Archipelago. Next on the list was the island of Tomorrow, after we sift through the papers we found, that is.
