Chapter's ready and it's almost 8.5K words, I told you this one was going to be longer. Actually its the longer I have written. So! here's the chapter:
Chapter eleven: Unexpected Visit.
Worst days of winter had pass and eventually Toothless and I leaved the nest.
It was fun and I learned a lot about dragons; little, insignificant things that no one would care because it doesn't help you to kill them. But it meat that they were smarted than we thought and still was a lot to learn about them.
For example: dragons sleep in piles on winter –at least the colder days- to keep warmth; and even when they don't hibernate they do sleep a lot, even for days; but babies don't, they just sleep for a few hours and are running all around most of the day.
Since I don't sleep as much as they do, dragons took me as babysitter. Some days I woke up buried in babies. And when I tried to draw they took my pencil away and they wont give it back until they lose interest in it.
Dragons can survive weeks without food, even when they eat at least once every day -Toothless said he once didn't eat for two entire moons, I guessed he meant months, when I asked him "Aren't queens supposed to watch you have enough food?" he got away from me and pretend to sleep-.
Unfortunately, I can't survive that much. Fortunately, babies can't either. So every couple of days the queen and a little pack leaved the nest for food. Since I was going to eat too I leaved with them.
Toothless was buried in dragons or pretending to sleep most of the time when they leaved so some of the dragons let me ride them; they let me on land where I had put traps in hope a hare would get trapped. To my surprise they did and even other rodents that I didn't know what they were along with what I think was a fox. There are no that kind of animals around the Barbaric Archipelago but I had seen them in a book we had on Berk's small library.
But that had been at least a week ago. And now Toothless and I were walking on the woods. Last night a big snowstorm made us land and shelter inside a cave at the bottom of the mountain. The snow was still falling and we couldn't take fight so we decided to walk to keep moving.
Toothless was bouncing around the snow, jumping to every lump he found, before returning to my side cooing snow, snow, snow. I couldn't stop smiling at the overjoyed dragon. "And to think that the Dragon Manual describes you as death and lighting's child." I chuckled as Toothless rubbed his back on the snow, his tongue lolling on the side.
Slowly I took a handful of snow and made a ball out of it, I played with it on my hand before aiming to Toothless; he was too busy smelling the air to notice. With a grin I threw the snowball to the back of his head.
Toothless turned, "We're close-" the snowball hit him on the face, cutting whatever he was going to say. He stared at me, face covered in snow and a bitter expression. I made my best to not laugh and pretended being surprised.
"Wow! Where that came from?" I frowned and looked around; he grimaced and growled, "What? It wasn't me!" I said but failed in keeping a smile. Toothless shoot a small fireball, I yelped and recoiled as the fire hit the tree at my side, "Hey! That almost- Agh!" A bunch of snow fell over me and I fell face-first on the ground.
Toothless laughed a dragon-laugh as I stood up shaking the snow off; I pouted at him and made another snowball. I was just going to throw it when a weird sound came in our direction, a very loud squeal.
"What the heck was that?" I asked and walked towards the sound. It wasn't a human sound, neither a dragon –not one that I knew at least-. Toothless joined me and called my name.
"Human nest close," he said smelling the air again, his ear-flaps lifting. He pointed to our right, "There." I frowned and looked the way he indicated, I made a hand gesture to Toothless to stay put and walked. Just a few steps forward was a path, most of the snow was pushed away and the grass underneath was crushed for being trodden so many times.
"Let's get away from here." I turned to Toothless, he was sitting on the same spot, "You are right, we are close to a village." I walked to the dragon, "Let's get you a safe place to hide, I need to go to-" There was the sound again, louder this time, closer. Very close, indeed.
Toothless roared my name. I turned just in time to see a four-legged animal running in my direction. I yelped and covered my face with my arms on instinct; thanks the gods Toothless' instincts were better, he roared and stepped in front of me, stopping the animal.
It whinnied and rose up on its back legs, Toothless bared his fangs and let out a bellow of challenge, his wings half-unfurled. The animal returned to its four legs and jogged around the place, making distressed sounds before turning to run but it fell.
The animal tried to stand up as Toothless bellowed another warning. "Toothless, stop." I said softly and pulled from the saddle. He returned to all four and looked at me confused. "I think it's wounded." I gave a step forward. The animal tried once again to stand up, this time it could, though now I could se blood on its right leg.
It snorted and stared at me, "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you." I said slowly walking forward with my hands extended to it. Its eyes switched to the dragon at my back and snorted, "He's not going to hurt you either," Toothless was the one who snorted now, a kind of "speak for yourself".
The animal seamed more calmed now though. I lifted my hands to its long face, it nickered and gave a step forward, I held its head and gave a better look at the animal: It had a long face, its neck were long and thick, with long, dark brown and light blonde hair at the top of it that spread to one side and on its forehead, between it's ears. Its legs ended in hooves and its tail was completely made of long hair, same color as the one on its neck. The animal's skin was of a beautiful light brow.
"What are you?" I asked, more to myself. I surely had seen it on a book in Berk. I pet its forehead and paid attention to the reins attached to its its head. The animal obviously had human owner.
"A carry-animal." Toothless said and I turned to him, he was several feet away from us, no wonder why the animal had calmed.
"A what?" I asked confused.
"Carry-animal," Toothless repeated, "Humans use it to carry those thing you use to get food from the ground," he tried to explain, "Sometimes ride them."
"For farming?" I asked, still trying to figure out what it was. Dragons' definitions don't help a lot.
"I guess." Toothless said, they really didn't name some things like we do. That was kind of an issue in our communication; even when I understand him more he uses… different names. Dragons just name things for what they are… literally.
"Horse!" I almost yelled, "You are a horse, aren't you?" I told the animal, not expecting for it to respond but I had the weird habit to speak to things I that doesn't speak.
"That's what you call them?" Toothless asked, he snorted and added lowly, "That's stupid."
"I herd that." I ran my eyes through the rains again and slowly caressed the horse's neck, "How close you think the village is?" I asked Toothless turning to him; he shrugged a looked away.
"Why don't you ask your new friend?" Toothless snarled, the sound made the horse tense. I rolled my eyes and walked to the dragon after calming the horse. I took the cloak off my shoulders and get my vest and harness made a questioning sound.
"I am going to the village," I said as I let the harness on the ground and put everything else on.
"Why?" Toothless asked a little worried as I untied the bag from his saddle.
"These don't fit me," I told him holding the bag full of clothes I stole, "But I can sell them and buy something the proper size." I put the bag on my back, the strap crossing my chest. "You go find a safe place to hide." I searched for the moneybag inside the satchel and put it inside the vest. Toothless made a worried sound, "Don't worry, bud. I'm going to be fine."
"Why can't I go?" He asked with big eyes.
"It's dangerous for you, I don't want anyone to see you, they could hurt you." I said and gave a last smile to the black dragon before turning to the horse. "Come, let's get you back home." I grabbed the reins and began to follow the path
It took me a long time to arrive the village and, gods, wasn't it big? I walked different paths until I found a big plaza where kids were running and teasing each other. The horse had followed me without doubt. Anyway I didn't lose the rains.
In the few minutes I had been here I had at least seen three smiths -maybe I could ask for a job- and lot of people with carts, some pulled by horses and some pushed by the owner. They were carrying fruits and vegetables. Maidens were carrying basket with their food, fishes and plants. And even when I did draw their attention they kept on their own business. Stranger should be common here.
The smell of food made my stomach grumble and the sent of salty water gave me felling of home. Wherever you walked in Berk you could smell the ocean and the forest, aside of the usual Viking-smell.
I kept walking and found a path that leaded down, to a place that just could be a market, after it ended the port began. It had more ships than it could hold and everyone was unloading their freight.
Hesitantly I took the path, suddenly not so sure if I should be here. I was an outcast. What if someone recognize me? I told myself to don't be stupid; no one here would know me.
"Come on, brother!" A distressed voice rang over everyone else's conversations, "You gotta help me." I turned to the voice, why? I had no idea. In a stand a red-haired man, no older than 19, was talking to an equal red-haired man who was buying fish, maybe a couple of years older. Both looked very much alike.
"You lose her you find her." The older redhead said, a little bored with the talk, as he paid for the basket of fish and thanked the lady of the stand.
"I went for her last time!" the younger whined.
"Yes, because you lose her last time too!" the man pocked the other in the chest with every word, put the basket under his arm and leaved.
"Please!" the younger caught him on the walk, "Mom's gonna kill me if she knows I lose her again."
"Great, I wont have to deal with you anymore." The older said with a smile, there was no doubt they were brothers.
"I-I will give you my dessert for a week!" he insisted, the older brother thought it for a moment.
"Nah, I'm good." The younger brother stammered for another proposal and I ignored them and began to look for the stands with clothes, there should be one close here. I pulled from the rains so the horse would follow but it neighed and walked away, I pulled the reins harder and tried to calm it.
"Kyla!" I her someone scream and I turned to see the younger brother running to us, the horse nickered quietly and walked to the boy. He raised his hands and grabbed the horse's head; the read-haired boy patted the animal with a smile, "Where did you go?"
The older redhead that had followed his brother at a slower pace, turned to me, "You found her?" he sounded impressed.
"Yes, she almost ran over me on the woods." I said and pointed to her right front leg to add, "She is hurt, I don't know how badly, I have never seen this animal before." Both brothers turned their eyes to her leg.
"Really?" the younger said as he checked the injury, "From where are you?" he turned his eyes to me, confused and curious.
"Far north." I simply said and thanked the gods my panic at the question didn't show, "It is a horse… isn't it?" I asked slowly, don't wanting to make a fool of myself for not knowing an animal that was obviously very common in here.
"Yes," the older said, "How did you managed to get her here?" he asked patting the horse's forehead with his free hand, "She doesn't listen to anyone, less someone who just meet."
I shrugged, "I… have a way with animals." The brothers exchanged an impressed look.
"I'm going to take her back to the farm," the younger redhead said, he thanked me, remarking how his mother would had killed him if she knew the horse escaped again, before he leaved.
The older stayed at my side and sighed as he saw his brother leave, "My brother is a cabbagehead, every time he is going to use her she escapes." He said with a smile, his grey-ish blue eyes turned to me and he offered me his hand, "My name is Birger, by the way." I smiled and shook his hand. Birger gestured the way his brother had taken and added, "The cabbagehead is my brother Samir." He made an expression that told he wasn't happy Samir and him were related.
I chuckled, "My name is Hiccup."
"Hiccup?" he asked, clearly confused. I flushed a little and began to stammer.
"Where I came from it's believed that bad names would keep away gnomes and trolls." I gave him a half-hearted smile, he laughed a little, "Yeah, it's stupid, I know." I admitted, laughing with him, "but nothing had kidnaped us so…" I shrugged.
"Then it works," He smiled looking me with a funny expression.
"Hey, there are worst!" I said but couldn't contain a smile and began laughing again.
He stopped laughing and put a hand on my shoulder, "Anyway, thank you a lot, really. If there is anything I could do to compensate…" he trailed off.
I sighed thinking, "Well, if you could tell me where I could sell and buy some clothes would be fine." I said with a little smile.
"Of course!" His face lighted up and instantly began to guide me trough the market. I liked him in the minute; he was nice and helped me to sell everything, even when I just wanted him to tell me where were the stands of clothes.
He told me where not to buy anything -clothes, food, whatever- they were frauds and they would take advantage of the fact that I wasn't from here.
We visited different stands, he sometimes would bargain in what I wanted to buy and tell lies to sell my clothes more expensive. That horse was really important or this guy is way too friendly.
I didn't bought much, a new pair trousers and long-sleeved tunics, and even when I didn't want to sell the cloak a man said he hadn't seen fur this fine in a whole year and gave me good money for it. And to think it was nicer before winter and baby dragons.
So, I bough another cloak, one that did fit me, and a new bag since mine was bitten and torn by hatchlings. Birger didn't ask why the clothes were bigger than I needed or the causes for the state of the bag, even when I saw the question in his eyes.
I really liked him.
I realized the sun was already going down too late. I should be with Toothless by now. Ohhh he was going to be mad at me. I bough a basket full of fish to compensate and said goodbye to Birger before leaving to the forest.
It took me a little while to find the way trough the houses but I found the path and kept following it for a few minutes until I was sure I've got out of sign and entered the forest.
"Toothless!" I yelled after walking for a while without knowing where I was. I've got no idea of where I let Toothless before and it was easier if he found me, "Buddy, where are you?" I asked walking deeper into the forest, I sighed when I felt his eyes on me and said, "I brought you fish."
Toothless jumped down from a tree and sat on his haunches with big, rounded eyes. He swept his tail side to side and purred, "I'm beginning to wonder if you like me or just the fish I give you."
"I like you," he said walking to me and nuzzling my chest, "and I like fish too." He added smelling the basket, almost making me drop it as he pushed it with his nose.
"Stop it," I said laughing and pushed him away, "now, where are we going to sleep?" I asked him and he guided me trough the forest.
"Go away!"
The loud roar made me pop up my head. I blinked trying to clear my blurry vision; all I could see was white, brown and green. I focused on the black dot and close one eye to focus better.
Toothless was snarling to something brown, a tree? No, it was too light.
"Kyla?" I asked with a sleepy voice, the horse neighed at her name.
"Tell her to go away!" Toothless turned to me, seeing now I was awake… short of. I sighed and stood up.
"What are you doing here?" I asked and released a slow yawn and stretching; the horse whinnied. Right, I can't understand. "Let's get you back, again." Rubbing my eyes I took her rains.
"You going again?" Toothless asked walking to my side to stop me.
"I'll just take her back and return." I said but felt another yawn crawling in.
"Like yesterday?" he asked annoyed.
"Hey, I brought you fish." I recalled him. He let me go but threating I better bring fish.
I arrived the village with the intention of just return the horse and leave but as soon as I stepped on I realized I had no idea where the brothers could be. I walked to the first man I found and asked for Birger and Samir; the man had looked at the horse and said something under his breath that sounded like a tired "Again" and indicated me the way to their farm.
The place was big; a longhouse was the first thing I saw, after it was a big space for crops, and fences with chickens, yacks, sheep, and a four-legged pink animal, there was another thing that looked like a house I guessed was where they kept their horses. And not so far from the longhouse was the storehouse house, outside it were fish-drying racks and at the side a new building half-finished.
I took the path to the longhouse; I stopped a few steps from the door, inside a woman was screaming, she sounded more than angry; it scared me just hearing her, she should be Birger and Samir's mother.
"You lose her again?"
"It's not like I wanted her to scape." Samir said. Bad idea. He yelped and I could hear things hitting the wall. Holly crap, no wonder why they thanked me so much.
"Mom, please stop throwing things. We will find her," Birger said; I walked to the door to deliver the horse and don't get them in more trouble. "She couldn't get too-" I was going to knock when he opened the door and stopped in his tracks looking me a bit confused, "Wha...?"
I lowered my fist, "When I woke up she was on my camp." I shortly explained.
"Whose that?" the women asked and pushed Birger away from the door. She was a short, chubby maiden. She wear a simple, blue dress and apron, it was a bit stained in blood that I hopped where animal. Her hair was brown with some white strings that give away her age pulled back in a low braid; her eyes a beautiful shade of blue.
"Uh, she is Hiccup. The girl I told you." Birger said and I couldn't help but blush, he had told her about me?
The maiden looked me up and down, "It seems like a foreign lass can make your work better." She said and slapped the tall redhead's arm. He flinched and caressed his sore arm with a slight pout. I couldn't resist a smile. "Now do something right for once and take Kyla to the barn." Birger took the horse's rains from my hand and gave me a tight smile. I knew the feeling, I never liked when my father scolded me in front of someone.
"Thank you… Hiccup, was it?" the woman said.
"Yes, ma'am." I said then smiled, "You are welcome."
"Oh, and you have manners!" She said delighted, "Most of the kids that leave their villages don't care to keep them." She huffed. Kids that leave their villages? "Did you already have breakfast?"
"Uh, no ma'am." I said still confused.
"Well, come in then." She said and didn't let me respond as she pulled me inside. "Pick that up," she ordered Samir and he began to pick up bowls and spoons from the floor.
The place was different than I expected. Yes, I expected it to be big. Yes, I expected to have a kitchen, a fireplace and a table. But I didn't expect it to be two stores tall or the table to have a dozen of chairs.
A small wow leaved my lips as I tried to take everything in. This was absolutely not like Berk. "This place is big, how big is your family?" I asked before I could stop myself. The woman laughed slightly.
"It's just my husband, these two and me," she said, "but we give shelter to kids like you."
"L-like me?" I asked confused again.
"Yeah, the ones that leave their villages," Samir said taking the bowls to the kitchen, "though you look too young, I thought people didn't leave until they are 17."
Oh! So that's why Birger told her about me. "Where I came from we can leave earlier." I lied, I had never heard of such a think. We don't leave our tribes unless you marry someone and go to live with them. Or if you are an outlaw.
The maiden sighed, "I still don't know from where are you," she said thoughtful, "there's no more towns north from Heynes."
"Uh, I came from farther this island." I said, receiving a little laugh form Samir and his mother.
"Sweetheart, this is no island, you are in Norway." The brunet told me with a sweet smile.
"Oh," I mouthed, "sorry, I lost my map and actually don't know where I am." The woman gave me another smile and caressed my hair.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Now sit. Samir, call the other kids please." She told her son in a softer voice and the redhead ran upstairs. "Oh, and my name is Thyra." She said with another smile. "Please Hiccup, sit." She insisted after seeing I was just awkwardly standing where she left me.
I sat on a chair a bit hesitantly; I should go back with Toothless but the food smelled so well… I may stay a little. Birger entered the house from a back door with another man.
A Viking taller than Birger; his hair was as red as his and Samir and the three shared the same gray-ish blue eyes. He was obviously his father. The only difference was that the older man had a short beard.
Birger and him were laughing as they entered the house but stopped at the annoyed glare of Thyra. "Hi, honey." The tall Viking said to his wife and tried to kiss her on the cheek but Thyra slapped him on the chest.
"Do not "honey" me," she said with an angry stare. Birger took advantage of it and took two biscuits from the kitchen and hided them on his back as he slowly walked to the table. "Don't think I didn't saw you." Thyra pointed to Birger with her knife, "You have lived here for 22 years, I know you Birger."
"It was for Hiccup," he said offended; I frowned at him, I didn't want to be part of this. "And one for me," he admitted after a glare of his mother. He sat at my side and gave me the bread; I smiled in return and bit the soft biscuit. Sweet Freyja, it was delicious.
The bearded Viking sat in front of me with a tired sigh, "And you must be Hiccup."
I swallowed the bread before answering, "Yes, sir." I smiled.
"Well," he offered me his hand, "a pleasure meeting ya', the name's Haldor Baugsson." He said with a warm smile.
I shook him hand with a smile, why was everyone here so nice? "The pleasure is mine, sir." I kept my manners. Not every Viking on the Archipelago had them, and if they do they don't bother to show them. But as the Chief's daughter I was taught to be respectful when I meet new people.
"So, from where are you?" he asked, and of course he had to ask hat. I didn't like to lie, every time I do the true exploded on my face. But once again I was forced to, now to my own protection. I don't know what they would do if they know I'm an outlaw.
Something that sounded a lot like a thunderstorm climbed down the stairs and at least seven young adults ran to sit on the table, including Samir. "Do not run on the house!" Thyra screamed but the didn't listen. Four boys and two girls that I didn't knew sat at the table, pushing each other on their way. They all were around 18 and I couldn't stop feeling smaller.
"Uh…" I stammered, distracted by the others sudden presence. I blinked twice to focus again on the question, "from Berk," I said without thinking.
"Berk?" Haldor asked confused by the name, "I have never herd of a place called like that." What. Have. I. Done. I shouldn't have stayed in here.
"It's on… the..." I tried to think on something but nothing came in mind, "the Barbaric Archipelago," I said in surrender. My words should have caused some effect on the table because everyone went silent and stared at me. I blushed, I never liked when people stare at me.
"Have you fight dragons?" A blonde girl asked and a storm of questions followed.
"Okay, okay. Everyone shut up, we are going to eat." Thyra said and they did, the temper of the woman was not to be questioned. Thyra put different dishes on the table, some with bread, some with dried fruit, but what made my mouth water was a hot cauldron Thyra held.
She walked around the table serving the yak stew on bowls. I thanked her when she gave me mine and began to eat with the others.
"So, Hiccup, do you have siblings?" Thyra asked after sitting by her husband.
"No," I said a bit uncomfortable, I didn't want to speak of my family.
Birger huffed, "Good, you didn't have to deal with a cabaggehead." Samir frowned at him and threw a piece of bread to him.
"Don't throw food." Their mother said in a hard tone. Birger picked up the piece of bread and ate it with a triumphant smile that pissed off his brother.
"You let your parents alone?" a black-haired boy asked.
"Ram!" Haldor scolded. I looked down and bit my lower lip.
"Don't feel bad," a female voice sounded from the end of the table, I raised my eyes to her; it was the blonde girl that asked me for the dragons, "I'm only daughter too." She said with a smile. I returned the smile but it dropped again.
"Yeah… but I just let my father," there was a pause and I cursed myself for making the comment, now I had to explain, "My mother died long ago. It hurt when I leaved but… I just couldn't stay there." I shrugged and my response was followed by an uncomfortable silence.
Ram broke the silence, "So you let your father alone?" Thyra threw a spoon at the boy and scolded him saying he would work double time; Ram groaned but didn't say a word.
Thyra sighed and turned to me, "I'm sorry for your mother," she took my hand and squished it lightly, "And, if you want, you can stay here too." She smiled.
My mood changed quickly, "Oh, no. I can't- I'm good, it's okay." I stammered looking for an answer.
"Hiccup, it's okay. This is what we do." Birger shrugged, "you can stay for a few months and pay with work at the farm."
"Yeah it's not that bad work in here," the blonde girl said, "and you have food and a roof to sleep under."
"And having another girl wouldn't be bad," the other girl, a brunet with long disheveled hair, added; she should be the younger here, "It's starting to smell too much to men here," she said as she pushed a shorthaired blond boy's face away.
"I don't really know anything about farming." I said still trying to make up excuses.
"You can help Thyra in the kitchen or making fabric," Haldor said. Why they had to be so nice?!
I opened my mouth to say I was fine but Thyra spoke first, "Yes, do you know how to cook? Or anything else you know to do…" she trailed off.
"Y-yes, I know to cook" I answered, "and I know basics of healing," why I keep talking? "But it's okay."
Samir laughed, "But Hiccup, it's winter. You should be frizzing out there."
"Nah, it's worse in Berk." I said and it wasn't a lie.
"Is it true that they train you for battle before fifteen?" a brunet boy –about 18 years old- asked.
"Ulman," Haldor warn him to don't ask questions just with the tone of his voice.
"What?" Ulman said, but I was glad they changed the subject.
I laughed a little, "We are sent to another island for training for a year when we turn eight." The answer brought various wows to the table. I smiled, their reaction was weird for me, it was just the common thing on the Archipelago; I guessed it was different out here.
"Have you killed a dragon?" The blonde asked again.
"Lana, shut up." Thyra said in a hard tone, "You don't have to answer, sweetheart."
I smiled, "It's okay," at least this theme didn't bother me. I shrugged, "No, I hadn't. I know how but…" I befriended one and don't want to kill them anymore, "Dragon Training it's kind of a competition, the one who do better gets to kill their first dragon in the arena, in front of everyone. And I didn't win." I lied, "After Training you can leave if you want." I added another lie.
"So you made the same mistake than me and leaved on winter?" the brunet girl affirmed more than asked, resting on her elbows, "I leaved at my first chance too."
"And do you have jobs or something at that age?" an auburn-haired boy asked.
"Uh, not exactly. We help on our houses or help the village elder with the wounded." I explained, "But… I did have a job, well, kind of. I'm a blacksmith."
"A blacksmith?" the blonde boy said in awe, "but- how old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen?"
I shrugged, "I have been an apprentice since I was nine." I made a pause, "Well, I still more practice with some things, but I'm really good with details." In the last weeks I was in Berk Gobber taught me to make axes, he was going to wait until Training was over but since I was doing so well he began to teach me before. But still I didn't acquire that much experience to do it perfect.
"Well, if you are staying in town for a while I heard Thorvaldr was hiring people." Samir said scratching his ear, I guessed Thorvaldr was a blacksmith.
That wasn't a bad idea.
The rest of the breakfast continued in question of the live inside the Barbaric Archipelago. It seemed like not much leaved the fog. Just rumors of how bad the battles against dragons were.
I thanked the gods no one insisted on me staying again.
After breakfast the teens leaved to their usual activities; except Mr. Baugsson and Birger, along with the auburn-haired boy –whose name was Gabe- who were going to the town.
Gabe was leaving the farm to continue traveling to wherever he was traveling to. He said that worst of winter was over and he was returning back south. The 19-year-old boy hugged and thanked everyone as he leave the house.
The only thing I could think was on how kind this family was. They gave shelter to people they didn't know, and they didn't care about their pasts. Leif, the blond boy, had actually been disowned for speaking to harsh to his father two years ago; when he turned 17 he leaved.
Mr. Baugsson offered to take me to the blacksmith, what I accepted happily. Even when the farm was outside the town it just took us a few minutes to arrive. We walked to the docks first where Gabe's small ship were tided up.
He was already leaving when a familiar voice shouted, "Hey, wait!" we turned to see Samir riding a black horse, thanks gods there weren't too much people on the port. He pulled the rains and the horse stopped with a whinnying. The redhead boy jumped down and threw a bag to Gabe, who already had a foot on his ship. "Your pay," he explained, "for the last days."
"I didn't complete the week," Gabe said and made gesture of giving back the money.
"Dude, it's yours. You earn it." Birger said and friendly pushed the boy inside the ship.
Gabe chuckled out a laugh, "Thank you," he said looking at the three Baugsson redheads. Then he turned to me, why to me? "I would really reconsider their offer, Hiccup. The Baugssons are very nice people, you don't see Vikings like that everywhere."
"Ow, come on, you are making me blush." Samir said mockingly waving a hand to him. They all say the last farewells and Gabe set sail.
I sighed, he was right. They were nice people, and I'd take his word: I would not see this often. As if to prove it a familiar voice called out behind me, it wasn't the good familiar voice that would make you smile because someone you know was there. No, it was a voice that made every muscle of my body go still and my heart to skip a beat.
"Hiccup!" The Baugssons turned first, their eyes shifted between the man and my wide-eyed expression. I twisted my body to face him, he was standing at the edge of his ship, his arms wide open and a maniac smile on his face, it kind of suits him.
"D-Dagur?" My voice was higher than normal, I tried to hide my panic, "Wha-what are you doing here?" I stammered, well done, Hiccup.
"Uhg, my father sent me here to do some things," he said, walking down the plank, "he just want me out of the island." He pulled out his sword with a bored expression as he talked, then gave me mischievous look and pointed me with his sword, "What are you doing here?"
"I-I…" I stammered once again. I couldn't tell him my father sent me too because the Baugssons would know I had lied to them. But I couldn't say what I told them because Dagur knew I couldn't just leave; not being the Chief's daughter and the heir of Berk.
"Oh! Don't worry. I already know." Dagur said and saved the sword on his back and eyed the three redheads at my back, "Why don't we have a walk?" He took my wrist rather hard and pulled me to the town. Another hand reached my wrist; it was strong but gentle. I looked up and saw Haldor's serene expression, a warning on his eyes that told he couldn't take me.
Dagur turned annoyed, baring his teeth, his green eyes filled with fire. I took Haldor hand before Dagur could make him see why we call him "Deranged". Giving my best fake smile to Haldor I said, "It's okay, he is a-" My eyes darted at Dagur, "an old friend." I finished, Haldor's look spoke by itself; he didn't believe me. "I just didn't expect seeing him outside the Barbaric Archipelago." I shrugged and got both hands off me. I gestured Dagur to keep walking and I followed him.
We passed trough the market and into the town, he looked everywhere for a way to enter the forest and pushed me trough an alley. We entered the forest without a word and as soon as we were out of sigh I stepped apart.
"What do you mean you know?" I asked.
He sighed, "Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccie, Hicc," I frowned at my own name being repeated so many times but say nothing, "Did you really think that what you did would stay on Berk? The whole Archipelago knows by now what you did. The word has spread fast and had leaved the fog-wall. Soon every Viking will know about you."
I felt my blood leaving my face, the whole Archipelago? It had been just a few months! Two, maybe three, and it was winter, not many ship sail from island to island.
"That's why I want to make you an offer." Dagur said pulling his shoulders back.
My eyes went wide remembering a meeting with the Berserker tribe many years ago, I was just a kid, five or six years old, when Dagur's father had offered my father a marriage treatment between the hers of the tribes. I had immediately pull a face, I didn't liked Dagur, he was too violent, and I liked him less after he tried to drown me when I was trying to learn how to swim later that morning.
I think that's why I never learn to swim.
"I'm not going to marry you." I gave a steep back with a disgusted face. Dagur began to laugh maniacally with his hands on his hips, the action made his horned helmet bounce on his head.
"That's a good one, Hiccup." He said as he pulled a tear apart. "I don't want to marry you. I never did. That was one of my father's idiotic ideas." He said and looked to the distance. "You know, he had become soft. He is not what he used to. Having ideas of peace and all those pacts between tribes?" he sounded disgusted, " 'Oswald the Agreeable' what kind of name is that for a Berserker's Chief? That's why I'm going to take his place."
"I didn't know that he was going to name you chief."
"Oh, he is not." My eyes opened wide as I understood the situation, he was going to rip the title off his father, he was planning to overthrow him, and knowing Dagur it was just one way he would do it. Dagur was more than ready to kill his own father.
"And my offer… is a place at my side," he extended his hand to me, "sister." I frowned and shook my head lightly. There was no damn way in Midgard I was going to help him. "C'mon, Hiccup." He put an arm on my shoulders, "You, with your dragon, help me get rid of my father and then I will help you to take back Berk."
"What?!" I looked at him in shock.
"Berk's throne should be yours, not your stupid cousin. He's the new heir of the Hairy Hooligans. And to be honest, he is going to take the place down." He moved in front of me and gasped my shoulders on his hands, "But you, sister, are the legitimate heir, think about it." He put his arm around my shoulders again and held me thigh, with his free hand he gestured to the trees, looking beyond them into an imaginary situation, "An armada made by Berserkers and dragons. No one would stop us, we could take everything we want."
He looked at me and said with a mad smile, "So, what you say, sister? Let's go to Berk, and take back what is yours."
"And kill my own father?" I asked and was very pleased at the disgust on my voice, "No, thank you." I steeped away.
"He is not you father anymore, Hiccup" Dagur insisted, "He disown you and outlawed you."
"No," I said firmly, "I outlawed myself. And if I did it was because I didn't want to be there. And I don't. Want. To return." I marked every word, hoping that way they would enter in his thick head, "No matter the circumstances, I'm not going back."
He pulled his shoulders back and looked me down, "Fine." He said and walked to the village.
"Wait!" I ran to his side in panic and stopped him, pulling form his arm so he could face me. "I'm not going to let you tell them."
He laughed, "What? You don't want your new friends know who you really are? What you did and why are you here?" he leant over me with his eyebrows raised. And I dawned on that he was one head taller than me, he obviously was stronger and he had a weapon with him.
The chances of winning a fight against him were null but I pulled my shoulders back and extended my back the more I could.
He huffed at my stance and rose up, "Don't worry, I'm not going to tell them." The continued walking to the village, letting me standing in the same place almost mouth open.
"You- you are not?" I stammered.
"Nah," he said like nothing, then stopped and turned with malicious eyes, "the true will get out, sooner or latter. And you-" he pointed at me and began to slowly walk towards me, "- would need to get out of here. And you will find another place where you thing you are safe but the same will happen." He stopped when his face was a few inches from mine, "You have no home, Hiccup. One day you will miss Berk, you will miss have a bed and a roof over your head. And that day you'll remember my words." Dagur rose up again, "And you will come to me, sister."
Dagur turned and kept walking like if nothing had occurred. Gods, he was crazy.
I followed him back to town, but even then I couldn't get his words off my head. He was right. And as much as I didn't want it to happen; they will end figuring out the true and I would need to leave. It's going to be the same everywhere.
We arrived the docks, I raised my eyes form my boots and was really surprised when I saw three redheads waiting for me. Dagur walked to his men and said, "The offering is still on foot. One day you would want to accept… and I'll wait you, sister. You know where I will be." Yes, taking down other tribes.
I crossed my arms over my chest and turned, I needed to get away from him. "Hiccup, are you okay?" Haldor asked worried and I felt bad about his tone, they didn't even know me.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said but his eyes on my back as I walked made it obvious that they didn't believe me, I sighed and turned to face them, "look, Dagur… er… it's not actually a friend." Samir raised his eyebrows in a we-noticed-that expression, "He was a guy from another tribe, my father and his were friends and we saw each other a lot." It… wasn't completely a lie, "he and I have different points of view that always lead us to discussions; now that I leave my village he expect me to have change." I shrugged marking that was all.
They looked at each other; they weren't very convinced but didn't make any questions.
"Well," Haldor sighed, "let's get you to Thorvaldr's blacksmith," I smiled to that and relaxed a bit. Being on a forge is what I needed, the smell of metal and burning coal, the clank of metal as a hammer re-shaped it. Yes, that's what I needed.
The teens leaved to their usual activities on the farm and Mr. Baugsson guided me to Thorvaldr's blacksmith. He warned me that the man was a grumpy one and advised me to be respectful and don't ask dumb questions.
"No, no!" a voice with thick accent shouted as we got close. I slowed my steeps to hid behind Haldor and pocked my head from his back. The smith was a fully open space and inside a big, bald man with black mustache was yelling to a 15-year-old boy who was infuriatingly looking down, fighting scream back at him.
"Ya' need ta let it heat up!" the man, who obviously was Thorvaldr, threw a piece of metal that was barely red into the forge with his forceps.
"It was already hot." The kid said slowly to keep his anger down but it was already showing.
"Not enough ta mold it," Thorvaldr said grasping the boy's arm so he would look at him. I ignored the scowl and gave a hesitantly steep forward to get out of Haldor's back and inspected the smith.
My eyes fixed on the forge and I frowned, the coal was burning in a low flame, how did the kid expected to heat up something with that? "The forge isn't hot enough," I said before my brain could authorize it. It was the third time this day and I blame waking up so abruptly.
The man yelling stopped and I looked around me, I was a steep from the forge and three pair of eyes was upon me. The blood ran to my face. "What?" the blacksmith asked bitter.
"T-the forge," I said again, "isn't hot enough." The man released the boy from his grip and eyed me up and down before nodding at me to continue, "May I?" I asked gesturing to the forge and the man gestured me to go ahead.
I steeped closer to the bellows and pulled it, the heart of the forge lighted up slowly. There were tongs hanging at the side of the forge and I took one with confidence to move the piece of metal that had fallen over another and pulled the bellows again.
Their eyes were still on me but I wasn't nervous or uncomfortable, neither my blood ran to my face. I knew what I was doing, and if felt good doing it again.
I notice the pieces of metal were a broken sword and said, "To weld metal you need to heat it bright red or white," I said turning to the blacksmith, "and that flame wasn't going to do the job."
The man huffed, "Not bad," he said and handed me a sword, "What's wrong with this sword?" I took it –incredibly its height didn't take me down- and the moment I did I realized, but everyone would realize there was something wrong with the balance.
"Bad balanced," I quickly said and put two fingers under the blade, close to the handle and it almost fell; the handle was too heavy. But that was too obvious, I inspected the sword, "the handle in falling over," I noticed and then put the end of the handle in front of my face and extended the sword, I twisted it and found another mistake, "it's not straight," finally I looked at the edge, "aand it's bad sharpened," I turned it back.
"Lucky guess," the boy huffed.
"I'm a blacksmith," I told him harsh.
"You aren't older than me, you are too young to be a blacksmith." He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me an onceover. Of course he did, as skinny and thin as I was no one would ever believe I work in a forge.
I looked at Thorvaldr's eyes and showed him my hands. Maybe I didn't have muscles but my hands were all proof I need I ever worked on a smith. The man took my hands and passed his thumb over my palms. They weren't long or big, just the opposite, my hands were small and lean, but were filled with calluses from years of forge-work and scars and burns than even filled my forearms for accidents with the weapons and fire.
"Huh, how old are ya'?" the man asked releasing my hands.
"I'm going to be sixteen by the end of the winter, sir." I tired to keep the manners, "I have been an apprentice since I was nine." I said solemnly. To that he looked impressed.
"From where did you pulled out this girl?" he asked Haldor.
"She comes from the Barbaric Archipelago," Haldor answered, "an island called Berk."
Thorvaldr looked even more impressed, "and are ya' still an apprentice? Or ya' dominate everythin'?" he asked me.
I didn't let my panic show, "Everything, sir." He inspected me again, scratching his baldhead, already considering hiring me. I put my hands on my back to hide my crossed fingers.
"I'll tell ya' what. You work a day with me without pay, to see what ya' can do, lass." I smiled and nodded, I wasn't expecting less, I was a foreign. But this could be a chance, Dagur was right, they will find out. But it can take then time and I'm going to use that time. "When can ya' begin?"
"Right now, sir." I answered, ohhh, Toothless is going to be so mad.
I want to thanks everyone's help and thank the new followers for spending your precious time reading and reviewing this fanfic, you guys are amazing!
School is getting close and my updates will get slower than they usually are but I'll try to update at least one chapter more before it begins.
Thank you guys, you are all amazing! keep reading, keep reviewing, and I'll keep updating!