"These berries are just what I need to sweeten the taste in my tongue."
"I'm with you on that, Fishy."
Fishlegs and Snotlout gorged themselves on the berries that Sayla and the other Wenja gatherers had amassed. The Twins calmly ate skewered fish that they were roasting on the campfire whilst Hiccup and Astrid feasted on a deer that the wolves brought down when they were experiencing their vision.
"Resting on this sunny day is just what we need after that battle with the Udam," said Tuffnut while leaning onto a rock behind him.
"Yup. Resting with little to no worries, brother," Ruffnut replied with agreement.
"We still have work to do, guys," Hiccup reminded them. "There are many other Wenja scattered across Oros. If we don't find them, the Udam or other kinds of trouble will."
"Hiccup is right."
Everyone turned their heads around to see Sayla who was holding a spear that only the Udam could craft.
"Two of our hunters and I killed an Udam not far from the village this morning. I took his ears and his weapon."
Astrid stood up to take a closer look at the spear. She noticed that it was slightly sharper, sturdier, and had a coloration that was darker than the spears the Wenja made.
"We will also need to strengthen our weapons if we wish to defeat Ull in the future," declared the chieftess as she handed the spear to Hiccup.
"I'm with Astrid. We have a lot of work to do."
"But before you go, you should know that there are some Wenja who can truly help in improving certain skills. Bring them back so our tribe can be strong again."
"We will, Sayla," assured Hiccup.
"Hiccup, there's something you should know."
Astrid's statement made Hiccup tilt his head with confusion.
"The Wenja are still weakened after the Udam attack. They will need their leader to look up to. The others and I will journey throughout Oros and find the remaining Wenja while you stay and help with what you can."
"Astrid, I…"
"No need to worry, Chief," Snotlout guaranteed as he stood up and patted Hiccup's shoulder. "We'll get back in one piece, and besides, there won't be a lot of mischiefs happening in our absence. You can count on us."
"This is probably one of the few times when I say that I'm with Snotlout."
"Fishlegs…"
"Relax, H," interrupted Tuffnut. "You can do this. We'll be back together before you know it."
"Cross our hearts and hope to die," Ruffnut added. "Although I might want to leave that last part out."
With the voices of many outweighing his, Hiccup exhaled and gave his wife and friends a nod of approval. Astrid smiled and kissed Hiccup on the lips as the others sauntered to the cave to prepare what they needed.
Hiccup, Sayla, and Tensay waved their five friends farewell as they left the village with the owl, the wolves, and the dhole accompanying them. The young chieftain whispered 'be safe' he turned back to see what can be improved in the village.
"Off to adventure!" proclaimed Snotlout as they crossed the great river.
"I sure hope that we know what we're doing."
"Nothing's gonna happen, sweetie." Ruffnut soothed her husband's worries away when her lips pecked his cheek. "We'll stay together no matter what."
"Keep running!"
Astrid's scream resonated through the forests as her group sprinted as fast as they could to outpace four massive, rampaging mammoths that trampled anything in their path.
"We can't shake them off!" shouted Tuffnut.
"And they'll crush all of us at once if we stick together!" Ruffnut added.
"What? No!"
"Ruff's right, Fishlegs!" insisted Astrid. "I don't like it either, but we'll regroup when we lose the mammoths!"
"Then good luck to us all!" Snotlout exclaimed.
With the decision made, the group split up to escape the pursuers. The ploy succeeded as each mammoth decided to focus on certain targets. Snotlout and the wolves sprinted north, Fishlegs darted northeast, the Twins and the dhole dashed east, whilst Astrid and the owl headed south.
