Astrid couldn't believe that she was getting out of Berk finally, and she got to travel with Ryder and Toothless. Astrid combed through rest of her shack making sure she had everything she wanted. She never wanted to return to this place if she didn't have too. She had to do everything Ryder said or he said he'd bring her back. Astrid looked around, she had her pictures, ones she treasured and would never leave behind. Astrid also had clothes for all kinds of weather, her ax, blankets, a pillow. Giving a nod satisfied she had all she wanted, she closed the bag up and slung it over her shoulder as she walked out of the house with a genuine smile on her face.
Astrid began her walk through the village, heading towards the forest entrance which would lead her to the cove. This was it, leaving Berk forever and she couldn't wait. As she was walking she saw Stoick step in front of her, blocking her path to walking. "Ex–excuse me sir..." Astrid said gently.
"And where do you think you're going?" Stoick asked roughly.
"I–I'm meeting Ryder in the cove...We're leaving on a mission." Astrid said nervously. Now she saw Snotlout, and the Thorsten twins. The 4 of them laughed now.
"You, on a mission with Ryder? Hah, that's rich Hofferson." Snotlout remarked.
"Y–yes, I am...He asked me to go..." Astrid replied trying to get around Stoick and the other teens but it was no good, Snotlout pushed her back and she stumbled a bit. "Don't touch me..." Astrid said quickly.
"Or what? You gonna cry again?" Ruffnut snickered as she and Tuffnut did a high five.
"N–no...I just need to get to the cove...I'm supposed to be there already. Ryder is waiting for me...Please let me through." Astrid asked trying again, and once more she was pushed back.
(Cove)
Hiccup and Toothless were waiting in the cove, Stormfly and Sharpshot were chasing one another. "It's been an hour, where is she?..." Toothless asked now.
"She should be coming any minute now...It's a long walk, she probably got tired and took a break." Hiccup replied.
"No...something is off here. I heard how excited she was when you said we'd take her...She would of been here by now, she would of run to get away..." Toothless growled a bit.
"Are you saying something happened?..." Hiccup asked quickly.
"I don't know, Hiccup. I'm getting a bad feeling...Get on. We're going to make sure nothing happened." Toothless ordered him. "You two follow." Toothless said to Stormfly and Sharpshot. Ryder jumped on Toothless's back and the took off, now flying over Berk. The scene was clear to see, she was being pushed around and hurt. Ryder's anger rose without hesitation, he didn't even give Toothless the command to fire. Ryder narrowed his green eyes as he jumped off Toothless's back and landed on the ground in a crouch position. It wasn't long after before Toothless landed beside him, as well Stormfly and Sharpshot snarling.
"Get away from her now..." Ryder warned in a dangerous tone. They quickly backed away hearing the malice in his tone, he faced Astrid with worry, "Astrid...Are you alright?" Ryder asked offering his hand to her.
"Y-yes just...s–sore..." Astrid whimpered with an arm over her stomach as she got to her feet with Ryder's help. He helped her over to Toothless now and let her sit on his back. "Thank you..." Astrid said trying to smile. Ryder wasn't having it as he clenched his fist tightly.
"So, who wants to be the unfortunate soul to tell me what happened here before I start attacking whoever is closest." Ryder asked keeping his temper under control.
"Just giving her what she deserves." Spitelout sneered.
"I made it clear she had nothing to do with Hiccup's leaving. He chose to go because of what you people do. What you just did to her, is what he suffered everyday for 10 years." Ryder remarked.
"Oh it wasn't because of that...She was lying, saying you asked her to come with you on a mission. We don't deal with liars." Stoick answered now. Astrid coughed a bit getting Ryder's attention, he could see how much pain she was in.
"Hiccup, she's coughing up blood..." Toothless said angrily but with concern in his voice.
"I did ask her to come with me actually." Ryder stated coldly as he got a few gasps from the crowd of Vikings around him, "Ever think to ask me? You just beat her for no reason at all...And now someone is going to pay." Ryder stated coldly. "Astrid." He said.
"Y–yes?" Astrid replied weakly.
"Who put their hands on you first?" Ryder asked.
"Him..." Astrid coughed again pointing to Snotlout, this time Ryder could see the blood Astrid was coughing up and his blood began to boil with rage. Ryder saw Snotlout laughing it up with his friends, Ryder walked up to him and brought his fist back punching the boy right in the face and sending him back a few feet. Snotlout sat up looking around wondering what just happened, he then moved his mouth around and spit out two teeth into his palm.
"Let that be a warning for the rest of you. If something like this, ever happens again to someone I said to stay away from...I will bring the dragons here to raid like you've never seen before." Ryder hissed out as he picked up Astrid's bag, before walking towards Toothless and getting on his back. "You get raided by 25 of my dragons. I doubt you want to handle the entire nest with thousands. I wouldn't take that as a light threat if I were you. It's a promise. Hold on, Astrid. Toothless, take us to the nest." Ryder ordered.
"Don't need to tell me twice." Toothless retorted. Nothing else being said, Toothless spread his wings and launched into the sky once Astrid secured herself to holding on to Ryder. Stormfly and Sharpshot followed quietly. Ryder was silent during the flight, they'd already been flying about 40 minutes and his eyes stayed forward. Astrid could feel his heart pounding in his chest while she held on to him. She could tell how angry he was that she'd gotten hurt again.
"Y–you didn't...have to do that for me..." Astrid finally said.
"They had no reason to harm you. They never have...I can see why you wanted to get away so badly now." Ryder replied, his voice was low but not cold. "Thank Toothless, he's the one who felt something was off when you didn't show up after the hour was over." Ryder added now.
"Oh...Thank you, Toothless..." Astrid said reaching a hand over and rubbing the side of his neck. Toothless only crooned quietly in response. "Where...are we going?" Astrid asked him.
"The Dragons Nest..." Ryder stated. "We should be arriving in 20 minutes..." Ryder said to her, she nodded and closed her eyes laying her head on his shoulder from behind. Ryder didn't flinch, he just glanced at her seeing a big bruise on her cheek. Berk would get what was coming to them but not today. Today he was just glad Astrid was safe and with him now, where he could protect her.
(The Dragons Nest)
When they landed and dismounted off Toothless, Ryder led Astrid inside past the dragons and to another part in the massive nest which was a rock formation that reached high up. There was a singular opening to get in but it was guarded by two large changewing dragons who blended in to make the entrance look sealed by rocks. Astrid watched it happen and was rather amazed such dangerous dragons were under his care and never attacked him. As Ryder helped Astrid inside she noticed that this section of the rock was like a small home.
The rock was the base and there was wooden beams to support the structure, Astrid could visible make out the main room where there was a table, places to sit and a large opening in which he could see all the dragons, then there were two distinct rooms but sealed off with doors, the one room on the right was locked tightly with a chain. Ryder got Astrid to a chair and sat her down. "Don't move..." Ryder stated as he walked off to get a few things.
This place was amazing, Astrid couldn't even process that this place was only an hour away from Berk it now made sense why they were the main target for raids and how Ryder was able to conceal himself. Anyone sailing by just saw a giant rock with no dragons. It was genius to her. Ryder returned with some bandages and pastes again, setting them on the table. "Thank you for what you did for me..." Astrid managed to say looking away again.
"I never break a promise or go back on my word. You'll learn that very quickly here." Ryder told her calmly.
"I–I already learned that...when you stuck around for lunch to tell me what Hiccup said, and when you stopped me from...wanting to...well you know..." Astrid mumbled embarrassed at herself for allowing him to see such a weak and broken side of her.
"Suffering years of abuse can do that to a person. Drive them to the brink of insanity, making them do things they normally wouldn't." Ryder stated as he began applying the paste to her visible wounds, it only took a few minutes. "Where are your other wounds or bruises?" Ryder asked.
"Back, sides, stomach..." Astrid sighed.
"I won't touch you without permission..." Ryder said.
"You have my permission..." Astrid replied shyly as she raised her shirt just enough to show her back, sides, and belly. Ryder could see the amount of bruises in those areas and it made him angry again. He heard Toothless croon and he sighed as he applied the paste to the affected areas then stepped back as Astrid lowered her shirt again trying to hide her blush, though she didn't know why she was. Ryder was only applying paste to her bruises and wounds, perhaps it was just the fact she lifted her shirt to a complete stranger. "So...when do we go for your business?..." Astrid asked.
"When you've healed. You can't ride in that condition for a few days at least." Ryder stated.
"But I thought you said this was an urgent matter?" Astrid reminded him.
"Its only as urgent as I deem it and right now, you healing so you can learn to fly a dragon is more urgent." Ryder said crossing his arms over his chest as he watched Astrid's eyes widened now.
"Le–learning to fly...a dragon?" Astrid repeated nervously.
"I did make it clear that Toothless can't carry both of us and the double the gear...You said you'd do anything to come with me, right?" Ryder asked. Astrid nodded to him, "Then you're going to need to learn how to fly on dragon back, your own dragon. We'll start in the morning, I already have the dragon picked out." Ryder told her.
"O–okay...So we're staying here for now?" Astrid asked.
"Yes. A week and no more." Ryder said as he dropped his arms and walked away towards the room on the left. Astrid sighed softly, riding on dragon back? Her own dragon? That was nerve-wracking. Sure the dragons listened to Ryder but would one listen to her? Hiccup got the Night Fury to take him, so why couldn't she learn to do it. Astrid took a deep breath, yes she could do this. It was her one way out of Berk, she had to do it.
(Hours Later)
Ryder had fixed them up a quick meal of boar chops, corn, and potatoes. He set it out on the table and got Astrid her plate first before himself and sat down. Toothless was happily eating a half barrel of fish, the other dragons in the nest left to get food for themselves. Astrid could see as they left for a few minutes and then returned, laying down to relax. Astrid was curious how Ryder was going to eat with the mask on, maybe she'd get to see him with it off? Those hopes crashed when she saw lift the bottom part of the mask just enough to show his mouth and eat without a problem. Astrid sighed and began to eat as well slowly.
"Sorry it's not much. We weren't expecting guests." Ryder said after a long silence between them.
"What?...Oh no, this is perfect...It's very good." Astrid smiled to him. "I've actually never had boar chops before, or potatoes mashed was it?" Astrid asked.
"Mashed potatoes. You boil them until they get soft, drain the water and mash them down to how they are now. Add a little butter and there you have it." Ryder explained.
"Never knew you could boil them that way. So you've learned a thing or two with all the traveling?" Astrid asked.
"You could say that, yes. I have many trade partners." Ryder said taking another bite of his meat.
"And...these other places beyond the archipelago...they don't mind dragons?" Astrid looked to him curiously.
"They did until I showed them they didn't have to fear them. There will always be wild dragons in this world, its their nature. I take care of the dragon problems, and they pay me with things like this. There are foods stored here you've never had or seen." Ryder replied.
"That's pretty cool...You're so lucky to have such freedom, learn things, see new places..." Astrid sighed softly.
"Well you're going to be traveling with me now so you'll get all that too. Just remember what I said, Astrid. I know everything seems amazing but its not. There are many who hate dragons and always will, some people kill without reason and there are some minds who won't be changed. Some of us were just born different. Like Hiccup and myself, we saw truth, and understanding in dragons while others like Stoick and the rest of Berk saw they were beasts needing death." Ryder said in a serious tone as Astrid listened to him. "Toothless and I travel near and far and we've gotten in to a few tough spots like being captured, held prisoner, tortured for information about flying dragons and how to control them. These are all things you face with when you travel with he and I. I want you to be aware of the danger, this is far worse than any raid or beating you've ever received." Ryder stated.
Astrid looked down at her plate now, moving the food around with her fork. It was a little scary to think things could be worse than what she already endured. "Once I teach you how to ride a dragon, to gain their trust and understand them...That is knowledge I've entrusted to no one else, Astrid. And if something like what Toothless and I have faced happens, I need to know if you can keep your mouth shut under pressure, or hours of torture. You don't know what some of these men are capable of and with the knowledge I possess about dragons...in the wrong hands could be bad. Very bad." Ryder said now.
"W–what kinds of things...have you endured?" Astrid asked finally.
"Beatings that could keep you immobile for days resulting in possible breaks and sprains, having your skin purposely cut and bleed until you lose consciousness, no food or water for extended periods of time, whipped, chained, unable to go to the bathroom until you urinate or shit yourself, the list goes on. With you being a girl, I wouldn't put it past them to rape you for hours on end until you break. I'm sure if the bastards really wanted to, they could of raped me but it never got that far since I'm far smarter than they are and have found ways to escape with Toothless." Ryder explained. "These people have no limits, Astrid. What we face is true danger and you wanting to come along just to get away from Berk is by far the stupidest thing I've ever heard..." Ryder scoffed.
"And you're just as stupid for allowing it...If I can just add that in." Toothless grumbled now.
"Quiet Toothless..." Ryder warned as Toothless closed his eyes laying down again after eating. "What I'm saying, Astrid is I cannot personally guarantee your safety out there. I'm not bringing you so I can be a guard. I brought you because you begged me too and were willing to do whatever I say in order to come. I can see the fear in your eyes from me telling about how dangerous this can get. I still have my doubts that I made the wrong choice. If things got bad, not only do I have to get Toothless and I out, but you too and your dragon. That's more work for me and a great deal more danger that everyone is exposed too. I make you one last offer to go back to Berk with a dragon protector, Astrid. If you have any reservations or doubts about this lifestyle...Tell me right now." Ryder said firmly.
There was no denying she was scared, the thought of being captured and tortured raked at her insides. But for some reason, she didn't feel weak and defenseless around Ryder. She felt like her old self before Hiccup died, before they stopped being friends. Astrid had her fighting spirit back, she looked at Ryder with serious eyes. "I'm not going back there. I can do this, Ryder. I will do whatever you say without an argument and stay out of your way." Astrid replied.
"And if we get captured and you have to face the things I have? Do you believe you can handle it and keep the dragon knowledge a secret?" Ryder asked crossing his arms over his chest. Astrid stood up now with determination in her eyes, a look Ryder remembered from the past.
"I'll guard it with my life, Ryder." Astrid said firmly.
"Good. That sounds more like the Astrid that Hiccup told me about. Unafraid and full of determination." Ryder said calmer now. Astrid smiled now giving a nod. "Finish up. We got a lot of work to do tomorrow." Ryder added now as he started walking away.
"Ryder, before you go...One question?" Astrid asked as Ryder faced her. "Where am I sleeping?"
"You can take my room over there." Ryder said.
"Then were are you going to sleep?" Astrid blinked a bit that Ryder just gave up his bedroom for her.
"I'll sleep out here with Toothless." Ryder stated.
"Isn't that...uncomfortable on the hard rocks?" Astrid asked now.
"Depends on the situation. I sleep against him which is rather comfortable and warm. You'll understand when we travel, we make camp quite often in the forest." Ryder informed her. "The reason I said we'd leave in a week is because I'm about to give you a crash course on dragon training, fighting, and survival skills. These are things it took me years to obtain and you're going to learn it in 5 days." Ryder said to her.
"I know I can do it." Astrid said firmly.
"Remember that you said that. Goodnight, Astrid." Ryder said as he left with Toothless to check on the dragons. Astrid sighed as she finished her food and cleared her plate, cup, and utensils. She found the place to wash them and set them to dry before going to Ryder's bedroom and opening the door. It was basic, a bed and place to store clothes and other things. Astrid took off her boots and laid down on the wooden frame, pulling the covers over herself and sleep taking over moments later.
Ryder walked with Toothless around the dragon nest in silence. "You honestly think she wouldn't crack under pressure and torture? Hiccup need I remind you that the thought of you dying drove her to want to kill herself only hours ago..." Toothless stated.
"I know bud. I saw the fear in her eyes when I told her what could happen...but she showed me the determination I remember when we were kids. On Berk, I couldn't see it but now that she's away from there...she knows she is safe from them. If things get bad, we can tell Stormfly to bring her back here and keep her here until we get back...She said she'd do as I say and if I say its to dangerous for her, then she will listen." Hiccup replied.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Hiccup. That's all." Toothless sighed out.
'I hope so too, Toothless. I hope so too.' Ryder thought as he looked up at the night sky over them.
