Astrid was awakened by the dragons roaring at first light, she groaned and pulled the covers over her head tiredly. "Astrid. I can hear you're awake. Come out here to eat breakfast." Ryder called to her now. Astrid mumbled as she threw the covers off and put her legs over the edge, she yawned putting her boots on and then fixing the bed before exiting the room and seeing Ryder at the table eating, Toothless was eating fish again. "If you have to relieve yourself, the bathroom is over there. Just remember to use the bucket of water to flush it out and refill it afterwards." Ryder stated pointing to a smaller room in between the bedroom and small locked room.
"Oh um...Thanks..." Astrid replied as she walked to the room and went inside. It was small, enough room for a metal tub to bathe and bench with a hole in it. She took notice of the large water bucket and some thin cloth on a small shelf. It was actually much more advanced than back on Berk where you'd relieve yourself in a metal pan than have to dispose of it yourself. That's how Stoick made it be which always bothered her, from what Astrid could see whatever went in the hole following down and emptied out back with the help of the water bucket. Seeing the fields out back she understood why it was set up that way, all waste would degrade back in to nature. What an interesting way to do it and Astrid wasn't about to complain.
Astrid did what she had to and flushed it out, then refilled the bucket before coming back out to the main area to see Ryder still eating slowly, there was a plate for her across from him. She sat down and started to eat as well. "Feel better today?" Ryder asked her.
"Much...That paste is incredible. Some of the bruises are already fading...Not even Gothi's medicines work this fast...How do yours?" Astrid asked gently.
"All things you will learn in the next week. Was meaning to ask yesterday, do you know how to use a weapon and shield?" Ryder looked at her.
"Yes...I know how to use an ax best..." Astrid replied.
"I'll bring you one from the weapons shed." Ryder nodded.
"Ac–actually...I–I have my own ax...with my things that are in that bag." Astrid replied nervously.
"I told you not to bring anything other than what I said to bring." Ryder sighed heavily now.
"I know...I–I'm sorry but...I couldn't...leave it behind. I–it means too much to me..." Astrid said softly lowering her head. Ryder could heard sadness in her voice now.
"Did you bring anything else other than what I instructed too?" Ryder asked now. Astrid nodded slowly. "Show me." Astrid got up and dragged her bag over, she opened it up and started placing the things on the floor she's brought. Ryder moved beside her looking at everything. Astrid had different sets of clothes, blankets, a pillow, bedroll which is what he told her to bring, then he saw some pictures, the ax, and a few small trinkets that he recognized. Ones she'd had since she was little, that her parents gave to her.
"I–I only brought things that held meaning to them. I cared less about everything else...But these pictures, the ax, and trinkets...are things I couldn't leave behind. I'm sorry..." Astrid said lightly.
"Its fine. Due to the types of missions we'll be on. I suggest you leave the pictures and trinkets here for safety. The ax can come and I'll get you a shield." Ryder said calmly.
"Thank you...I'm sorry I disobeyed you..." Astrid said to him.
"Forget it. Finish eating. Daylight is wasting." Ryder said walking away from her. "And smart move bringing more than one blanket, as well clothes for all types of weather. I commend you for such." Ryder said as he disappeared in to the locked room and shut the door. Astrid put her things away and finished eating, she couldn't help but notice the sun was barely up. It had to be way early for that.
"Toothless?..." Astrid asked, he looked at her. "Is there a sun dial anywhere?" Toothless motioned with his head for her to look near the main window that showed the dragons area. "Oh, thank you." Astrid smiled as she walked over to it and looked. Her eyes went wide, it was barely 5:30 in the morning! Toothless warbled a laugh seeing her reaction to the time as Ryder came out holding something under his arms wrapped up.
"Something wrong?" Ryder asked with an amused tone.
"It's so...early...The sun is barely up." Astrid mumbled.
"You've been up way earlier with my raids on Berk. At least I let you sleep until daybreak. Me and Toothless were up at 4am." Ryder chuckled as Astrid faced him seeing what he was holding in his arms.
"What's that?" Astrid asked now.
"Part of your first lesson. Follow me." Ryder said to her heading towards the main dragon area, Astrid followed with Toothless behind her. Astrid was amazing at the sight before her, so many dragons. He hadn't been kidding about the thousands when he mentioned it to the people of Berk the other day.
"Wow..." Astrid breathed out.
"Welcome to The Sanctuary, where the dragons reside within the nest." Ryder introduced her as he set the item folded up down.
"Its incredible..." Astrid smiled looking around.
"And you can admire after the lesson. Come here." Ryder said, Astrid walked beside him now. "Your first lesson is going to be training a dragon and believe me it is very different than what you learned on Berk. First, you're going to earn your dragon's trust. So lets get her over here shall we?" Ryder said as he gave a whistle and the nadder from yesterday came over with a squawk. "Astrid, Stormfly. Stormfly, Astrid." Ryder introduced.
"She's...beautiful up close...and she looks familiar..." Astrid stated now.
"She should. She's one I rescued from Berk, one used for dragon training." Ryder pointed out.
"Oh...Well then I think first maybe I should apologize." Astrid said softly as she remembered what Gobber had said in training that all dragons had a blind spot. The nadder's was just in front of her nose, Astrid took a deep breath. "H–hey Stormfly..." Astrid waved her hand a bit to get the nadder's attention so she'd be able to see her clearly. "I–I wanted to apologize for attacking you on Berk during training...I–I hope we can get past that...and work together..." Astrid said trying to keep her nerves under control with a hand out.
"What part of listen to your exact words doesn't she understand?" Toothless asked.
"Ssh Toothless...Stormfly remembers her and Astrid is actually doing the right thing by apologizing to her and showing she means no harm." Hiccup stated.
"I won't hurt you...I don't live with those savages anymore. I–I'm staying here with Ryder and Toothless...I promise...If you give me another chance...I–I can be a friend to you..." Astrid said gently as Stormfly purred lightly and closed her eyes pressing her snout to Astrid's hand which Astrid couldn't believe, what that supposed to happen? Astrid was about to pull her hand away when Stormfly moved on her own and then nuzzled against Astrid's face with a soft squawk and Astrid looked to Ryder now.
"Well done, Astrid. Very well done." Ryder said with a nod.
"I–I don't understand...What did I do?" Astrid asked.
"You apologized to her, and showed her you meant no harm. You earned her trust but it goes two ways...She trusts you. Now do you trust her?" Ryder asked.
"I do." Astrid smiled as Stormfly squawked happily nuzzling her again.
"Good then we just bypassed about 20 minutes of work. Now the real training starts." Ryder said as he knelt down and pulled the cover off the item he had set down revealing it to be a brown saddle with two handles sitting at the top, two stirrups on either side, then a slightly raised back. It was so well polished. "Time to learn how to saddle up and fly." Ryder stated.
"Teach away." Astrid smiled widely now, this was so exciting. She actually earned Stormfly's trust without guidance or being told what to do. She felt very accomplished now.
"Lets see if you can impress me again. You try first and I'll correct." Ryder said handing her the saddle now, it was a bit heavier than she expected. Astrid nodded to him as she faced Stormfly again thinking what to do. Stormfly was tall and Astrid couldn't reach her back with her standing so getting her to crouch down would be a good start.
"Uh...okay...Um..." Astrid began to think, she didn't just want to demand the dragon to sit. 'Come on Astrid...think!' She thought then got an idea. Astrid adjusted the weight of the saddle to under her arm and raised her hand up and giving a few motions as it got lower from its position. Stormfly squawked contently as she bent her knees and lowered to the ground tucking her wings in.
"Now tell me how you knew to do that?" Ryder asked.
"I watched you do it to Toothless in the village. I was...winging it." Astrid giggled a bit.
"So you were paying attention. Good. We'll cover more hand signals later...Now I'll help you with the saddle because it if gets put on wrong, you could fall off." Ryder said as he walked beside her and took the saddle gently laid it over Stormfly's back, he adjusted the straps and locked them in place. He used a charcoal pencil to mark where the straps locked so she'd be able to remember.
"It looks so good...when did you get that?" Astrid asked referring to the saddle now.
"Get it? I made it, Astrid. Last night actually." Ryder chuckled as her eyes widened.
"You...MADE this saddle? Last night! Is there anything you can't do?" Astrid asked in shock.
"Nothing so far. Now I'm going to ride with you on her and show you what to do and when I feel you're ready, I'll let you take over." Ryder climbed on Stormfly and then offered his hand to Astrid, she took it and Ryder pulled her up and in front of him. "Alright, feet in the stirrups and hands on the handle bars. Until I feel you can fly free reign...you're going to be attached to the saddle when flying." Ryder said as he pulled out a brown belt and wrapped it around her waist, tying it in back with the 5 ties. He took the two strings at her sides and clipped the metal parts to the hooks on the saddle.
"Okay...so what's first?" Astrid asked.
"First of all you need to relax. Believe me, I can tell you're scared. It's your voice. If she knows you're scared, she will think you don't trust her to keep you safe in the air. I told you, everything with dragons is trust. Their's and yours. So take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and wipe your mind of all fears. Focus on nothing by flying and knowing Stormfly won't let anything happen to you. Just like Toothless doesn't let anything happen to me. This is no different. You're on the back of a dragon with me and you are safe from harm. When you're ready, give her a light kick with your heal so she knows to get up, then a second one for her to take off. Make sure you're holding on, nadder's have the second fastest speed next to Night Furies. Don't be afraid. Keep saying that to yourself. Think of something that makes you feel safe...and hold on to it." Ryder told her calmly.
Astrid nodded as she closed her eyes slowly and took a deep breath letting her mind instantly go to Hiccup, thinking about all the good times they had together as kids. They had always been there for one another, even though Hiccup was the one to get beat on and teased Astrid got hurt a few times too for trying to interfere and Hiccup didn't care about himself. He was always trying to help her, a smile spread across her face now. She trusted she was safe and Hiccup was with her always, even though he was gone, she knew his spirit was with her. She knew Stormfly wouldn't let anything happen to her, she felt a strange bond with Stormfly, it happened when her nose was to Astrid's hand. An unexplained connection they shared now, full of understanding, trust, acceptance.
Astrid took another few breaths before lightly kicked her heel against Stormfy's side and Astrid felt Stormfly stand up with a squawk. Astrid smiled now as she opened her eyes, confidence returning to them before giving another light nudge and Stormfly flapped her wings taking to the air quickly. Astrid hung on to the handle bars tightly, it was an amazing feeling to be sitting in front, being in control. Astrid couldn't understand how much she truly misunderstood dragons, they weren't vicious beasts at all, but intelligent and gentle creatures. "While she can fly on her own as she has for years before, when a dragon accepts a rider, the dragon put their trust in them to fly them. She will be relying on you completely. Flying is easy. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to everything around you at all times." Ryder told her.
"Got it. So how do I steer?" Astrid asked.
"Lean carefully the direction you want to go. The more your lean to left or right, the sharper Stormfly will make the turn. There's a tree dead ahead, get around it. Like this..." Ryder said as he put his hands on Astrid's shoulders and leaned right pulling Astrid along with him so she'd understand the feeling, Stormfly avoided the tree. Astrid saw the rocks they were headed for and she quickly leaned left as Stormfly turned and flew past the rocks. "Excellent job. You react well and didn't panic. Now for something more challenging..." Ryder stated.
"Alright, lets do it." Astrid replied.
"While we're in the air, we often get fired at by arrows, catapults, grappling chains, or nets...you need to know how to dodge them and it's not as simple as leaning left and right...These moves involve flips, sharp turns, rolls, and when it calls for it...firing back." Ryder explained as he whistled for Toothless who launched in to the air and started firing blasts at them. Astrid barely had time to avoid them all but she managed to do it while holding on and keeping calm. "Good work, Astrid. Think you can do it on your own?" Ryder asked.
"Yes I can." Astrid said. Ryder stood up now and jumped off making her gasp then she saw Toothless swoop in and Ryder land on Toothless's back.
"Don't even try it. I trust Toothless with my life, I know he'll always catch me. You're not ready for moves like those yet." Astrid nodded to him still a bit in shock. "Good, lets see you fly solo then with a little follow the leader. Do what I do." Ryder said.
"Lead the way!" Astrid called to him. This went on until lunch time before they landed which Astrid managed just fine with minimal difficulty, she went to get off Stormfly but her boot got stuck on the saddle and she started to fall but felt Stormfly's wing tuck slightly and hold her up. "Thanks Stormfly..." Astrid whispered as Ryder came over to get her loose and held her down.
"See, once you earn a dragon's trust and loyalty, there is nothing they won't do for you." Ryder said.
"I do see it now...Is this...what Hiccup tried to show us, or wanted too?" Astrid asked as they headed inside to eat.
"It was. Better to be at peace than fighting right?" Ryder replied walking beside her. Astrid nodded with a sigh. Once inside Ryder made them something to eat and gave the dragons a snack. After eating they spent the second half of the day going over facts about nadder's so Astrid would know what to do if they were attacked and she could fight back from the air. They took one more flight before dark so Astrid could practice with Stormfly's fire, and spines on her tail. Because Stormfly had dead accuracy it was easy and Astrid did great on timing when to shoot them.
Ryder was watching from the inside, Toothless beside him. "She's doing quite well for a first timer...She needs to work on landing and turning though. Few close calls." Hiccup stated.
"She'll get better with time. She knows how to fly and make shots, that's enough for now." Toothless replied.
"Oh are we done being a negative Night Fury now? You were so against this yesterday..." Hiccup remarked.
"Shut it, Hiccup...She's growing on me alright? She's not so bad..." Toothless said.
"Awe, you do care Toothless..." Hiccup teasted.
"I will roast you..." Toothless hissed out.
"Alright calm down..." Hiccup chuckled a bit. Ryder stepped forward now and gave a whistle for Astrid to come back in, she nodded and flew towards the ledge and got off Stormfly rushing inside, her dragon following her. "Good work today, Astrid. By far, I'm impressed." Ryder said.
"Thank you...but I couldn't do it without Stormfly here...we just work so well together. Don't we girl?" Astrid asked smiling as Stormfly nuzzled her cheek. Ryder chuckled now. "What are we working on tomorrow?" Astrid looked at Ryder now.
"Dragon calls, hand signals, and possibly some weapon training." Ryder said to her.
"Can't wait...So is she...going to be beside me all the time like Toothless is with you?" Astrid questioned.
"Unless you tell her to stay in one spot, yes. Wash up for supper, I warmed some water for you already." Ryder said pointing to the bathroom.
"Thank you...Stay here girl, I won't be long..." Astrid said petting the dragon's neck getting a purr. Stormfly sat down as Astrid went to the bathroom for her bath. It was 20 minutes later when she cleared her throat nervously opening the door a crack. "S–say Stormfly, can you bring me the bag against the wall over there behind you?..." Astrid said. Stormfly squawked and got up, taking the bag in her mouth by the strap and bringing it to Astrid. "Thanks girl..." Astrid rubbed the dragon's nose before closed the door and quickly dressing herself and then coming out.
"Word of advice, leave a set of clothes in there from now on." Ryder snickered, Astrid blushed fuming angrily at him.
"Zip it, Ryder..." Astrid replied crossing her arms over her chest then heard Toothless chuckling a little, "You too, Toothless..." Astrid added with a huff as she sat got half a barrel of fish for Stormfly and then sat down at the table to eat her own food.
"We're just teasing you...Hiccup did it once too." Ryder chuckled.
"He did?" Astrid asked softly.
"Yeah, first bath here he wore some of my stuff until his clothes dried but forgot the set on the table when he went in." Ryder told her.
"Sounds like Hiccup alright...I wish he was still here...we both could of run off together and changed the world about dragons..." Astrid smiled but looked down sighing with her eyes closed. Ryder closed his eyes now as he stood up and turned his back to her. "Is...something wrong?" Astrid asked seeing him now.
"Astrid. Just because he's dead, doesn't mean he isn't with you anymore." Ryder said in a quiet voice. "No matter where you go, he is close by." Ryder added as he walked off slowly. Astrid watched but didn't understand, why had Ryder walked away from her? Did he not like her talking about Hiccup? Did he feel bad for not making Hiccup return to Berk, and letting him die? Astrid watched as Ryder disappeared in to the room that was kept locked with Toothless.
"What did I say girl?..." Astrid asked sadly as Stormfly cooed softly beside her. Astrid ate her food and cleaned up her area before pulling out the bedroll, pillow, and blanket from her bag. She set it all up and laid down, Stormfly came over and curled up beside her gently. "You're the best, Stormfly..." Astrid whispered as she soon fell asleep, few silent tears falling from her eyes.
