So many readers (current count, around sixty), I must express my gratitude to you all.
Just started writing chapter 29 of the Life on the Belt story so it should be ready to go well before Christmas (maybe this month).
Beware the Wrath of the Nadder Rider
Chapter 4
"Hiccup has trusted you for a long time Fishlegs" Stoick nodded sincerely as he finished off his little pep talk "and I myself have been impressed by your level headedness and quick thinking in times of crisis, so all I expect of you today is to consider everything that comes up from one point of view; what is best for the village, its people, and its dragons. Keep those words first in your mind and you will do fine. Remember this lad; you now speak with the authority of the chief."
Stoick then handed his shield to Fishlegs so others could see who was in charge for themselves. Less than a minute later Stoick collapsed onto his bed and began snoring.
"I'm not sure about all this Astrid" Fishlegs shivered a little as the pair walked down the steps and away from the nasal roar emitting from the chiefs house "Why would Stoick think I should be the one in charge of Berk today?"
"Because I suggested it to him" she replied.
"You did? But I thought you were angry with me; so why would you want to have me put in charge of the village today?"
"I'm not angry with you Fishlegs" Astrid smiled warmly.
"You could have fooled me earlier."
"Come on Fishlegs, you are one of the most reliable members of the Dragon Riders and one day in the future, when Hiccup is Chief of Berk, you will have a big role to play and you don't want that day to sneak up on your without gaining all the experience you can get."
"But I have a hard enough time controlling Snotlout and the twins, so how am I going to cope with a village full of Vikings?" he shook his head as they reached the bottom of the steps.
"That's why today is a good day to start" she punched him softly on the arm "Half the village is sleeping off the last week of parties and celebration, and most of the rest are still paralysed from excessive ale consumption."
"And what if something goes wrong like a sick dragon, an attack from the Outcasts, a volcanic earthquake..." Astrid could sense a full blown panic attack coming on.
"Alright then" she sat Fishlegs down on the steps "Let's think about that for a minute. You were in charge of the group sent to find Hiccup when Stormfly was sick last month, and you did a fine job that day. And let's consider an Outcast attack; what do you think you should do?"
"Well firstly I would sound the alarm and call the village to arms. Then I'd try to slow the enemy down with boulders and Gronckle lava while everyone was getting organised."
"See Fishlegs" Astrid reassured the young man as she stood and walked to a nearby house "you already know what to do."
While Fishlegs considered her words, Astrid drew back her foot and kicked the side of the house as hard as she could. A look of confusion on the Gronckle riders face soon turned to one of surprise when Ruffnut Thorston fell to the ground with a thud.
"So just do what you always do Fishlegs" Astrid continued "Look, think and act accordingly... you know, like Snotlout wouldn't."
"I err... okay Astrid... I'll do my best."
"I know you will Fishlegs. Now then; what are you up to Ruff?" Astrid asked as she turned to the dirt covered girl stumbling to her feet.
"Me? Err... nothing Astrid... just enjoying the morning and keeping an eye on the village. You know... like a good Dragon Rider should."
"Don't lie to me Ruffnut; you and that halfwit brother of yours have been lurking about since first light. And where is King Dork anyway?"
"Standing over there with his Gronckle" Ruffnut replied.
"HEY!" Fishlegs protested.
"You know very well who I'm talking about" Astrid sighed as she rubbed her forehead.
"I think you mean whom surely" Ruffnut declared, not realising the risk she was taking with her own well being.
If anyone was wondering about the line
"You were in charge of the group sent to find Hiccup when Stormfly was sick last month."
It refers to the story 'The Quest to Save a Nadder by Stripesicles222'. A jolly good read. Well, only one more chapter to go with this one and it should be up within a week.
See ya soon, Marty.
