AN: Hello everyone! We're nearing the end! It's so surreal... Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter, a rare perspective for this one! Also, sorry for the exposition dump in this one.
Music: "Piece by Piece" by Kelly Clarkson
NOTES!: "The problem with becoming the kind of hero you needed yourself is that it can't change the fact that nobody came for you."
Chapter 31: Piece by Piece
Talia sighed heavily, sinking back into her large chair.
It had been exactly one week since the dam fiasco at Sharktooth Way, and the world was finally starting to make some progress in shedding the harsh winter season. Spring was coming quickly as buds began to poke through despite the frost and snow that still lay on the ground. Much of what was left was quickly turning into slush and mud that stuck to everything.
Despite it being as difficult as pulling out a baby dragon's tooth, she'd finally gotten the Council to approve several more dragons, the training program Cat had offered, and the most recent surprise Cat had decided to spring on her.
She hadn't known about Emma's apprenticeship, so to have Angor Rot show up first with Claire and the others was a shock to say the least. Needless to say, she gave Cat an earful for not keeping her informed about his crew that she didn't even know he had. The Council had not been happy to hear that a known assassin like Angor Rot and Emma Frost, the traitor who stole the Moonstone, were both under the command of her Champion. There were a lot of ruffled feathers that needed soothing, including her own.
Cat was adamant about it though. He stood before the Council and told them directly that Emma was his charge. He claimed her as his apprentice and that if anyone took any issue with it, they could bring it up with him. So, of course, Talia had to back him.
Despite the uproar and the compromises that had to be made, they did pull through. The Council was desperate to get the Moonstone back, for many reasons Talia was sure. She managed to earn enough votes to leave the issue for the time being because the Moonstone was the only thing keeping Emma alive through her "illness", and since she was technically under the command of the Council now, it would be safe.
All of the issues and decision making were probably the easiest parts of politics. As far as the Royal Council went, it was fairly easy to get most of the other members to listen to reason or to see sense in others' suggestions. It was the nobles that weren't on the Council. As powerful as the Royals were, they couldn't go completely against their people as that would only lead to a revolt. So other nobles outside of the royal families found power by influencing the population. Mostly fearmongering and propaganda. These were the people Talia despised working with and who she received the most backlash and resistance from.
Noblemen like the Duke of Weselton and the Knights of Gabylonia held prejudice against not only pirates, but dragons, too, and it was Talia's job to represent both. Of course, she had to snort at the irony that one of her biggest critics was her estranged father.
Despite the struggles, her reunion with Fireworm, and Eret's reunion with Sleuther, were some highlights in a pretty stressful and tiring week. When Cat and Emma finally returned with the new dragons they decided to bring to Hogwarts, Talia was able to shake off a bit of the heaviness clinging to her.
The massive doors of the Great Hall opened and the second it was wide enough for her, Fireworm came wiggling through. Talia couldn't help the grin as she stood from her seat and ran down the dais to meet her sweet little Monstrous Nightmare at the bottom of the steps. Fireworm was so excited to see her, she was wriggling around far too much to hug properly.
"You've gotten so much bigger!" Talia said after their initial greetings, scratching Fireworm's chin even as her bottom half kept swinging back and forth wildly.
"She hasn't had a growth-spurt in a while now. I'd say it's about time we started getting her fitted with a saddle." Cat recommended, walking up beside the short Nightmare and patting her shoulder affectionately. Fireworm grumbled excitedly at the remark, looking between Cat and Talia as she hopped a few times.
"Are you sure she's okay to be a riding dragon? I don't want her getting hurt." Talia told him, but Cat just shook his head.
"She may be smaller than the average Nightmare, but she'll carry a person just fine. She's bigger than Toothless now." He pointed out, and Talia couldn't really argue that. Fireworm had grown to be about two feet longer than Toothless, and her wings were well proportioned.
Even though she agreed to Cat crafting a saddle for her, Talia didn't imagine Fireworm would see much battle in the war. Fireworm followed her eagerly, and when Talia took her seat at the Royal Council, Fireworm curled up around her chair, resting her head on her boots or lap. Fireworm would only see battle when Talia had to go, and being on the Council meant her abilities to leave, even for a short time, were extremely limited.
For the next few days after Cat and Emma's return, Talia made a point of stopping by the old Dragon Training arena to look over the lessons. Astrid and the other Berkian teens paired well with Cat's pack and they bonded quickly. Unlike the Royals, Talia was aware of Cat's helping the teens when they'd come looking for the Buffalord. So with the first few lessons going well, most of the Council was pleased, which at that moment seemed to be part of Cat's goals, though those could change with the drop of a hat. She knew his main goal was hiding his powers, and that it was made difficult when he had to keep shifting between constant fighting and fine dining with the nobles. Teaching these lessons gave him an excuse to fly more, which helped.
Eret was also trying to help them both in his own way. He spoke with the other pirates and soldiers often, trading stories and conversation. He told stories about some of their adventures and encouraged some more favorable rumors about Cat especially. Talia was pretty sure he was doing it partly just to mess with Cat, but she also knew the power of popularity was not to be underestimated. Just look at the likes of Humongous the Hotshot Hero for proof.
It was around mid-day in one of the training rooms and one of the rare times Talia was free to do as she pleased. She and Cat arrived, hoping to get in some sword practice, and Toothless and Fireworm followed right behind them.
"If there's one thing that I've learned these past few years, it's that Brave Men don't Kill dragons. Brave Men ride them." Eret's voice carried naturally through the hall, over the dull background noise of conversation and clanging practice weapons.
"What has he gotten into now?" Cat muttered, casting a reluctant look at Talia, but they approached the rather large gathering off to the side of the room. Half were pirates, and the other half soldiers, but there were a few bright red uniforms that marked the presence of a few Knights.
"Or maybe you're just so cowardly you let your beasts fight for you!"
"Oh, no." Talia sighed, recognizing that voice anywhere.
Sir Blucher, her father, stood at the center of the circle with his arms crossed and a sour expression marring his features. Eret was standing opposite him, also with crossed arms, but he was grinning wickedly. Justin was off to the side with some of the other Knights, looking uncertain as the pirates and soldiers started exchanging handfuls of coins for bets.
"What's going on." Talia raised her voice, catching everyone's attention to the point where the crowd parted around her and Cat.
"Your Majesty! I was just entertaining some friends about our epic adventure to Break Neck Bog!" Eret told her grandly, bowing to her. Talia raised an eyebrow, and Cat rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, come on! Finish the story! Did you get eaten by the cloud monster or not?" Tuffnut spoke up from the other side of the crowd, and Talia paused before shaking her head and ignoring it.
"And that story somehow came to an esteemed Knight questioning our abilities?" Talia asked, turning her eyes to Blucher. The man didn't seemed impressed by her stare. If anything, the look he gave her might make one think he was dealing with a petulant child.
"I will stand by my words, girl." He growled. "You haven't done anything for yourselves! Every victory you've gained has come from those beasts."
If it weren't for Cat's hand on her shoulder, she might have actually punched him right then. Her fists balled at her sides and she glared at him as fiercely as she could. A look that she knew for a fact had caused grown men to wet themselves. Cat moved forward then, hand still on her shoulder, and gave him a level stare.
"Perhaps if our skills and our teachers are in question, a demonstration will be necessary?" Cat suggested. A low murmur went up all across the hall as the tension gathered them more and more attention.
"Is that a challenge?" Sir Blucher dropped his arms and puffed out his chest against Cat's calm.
"It is an offer to end a trivial matter peacefully. A duel to prove our honor." Cat corrected.
"And will you be fighting in this duel as Champion for the pirates." He spat the word, and Talia's temper flared again.
"No." She snapped, stepping forward and shrugging off Cat's hand. "I will. And you can send out any swordsman you like."
She whirled around and stomped off to the corner to prepare, shrugging off her coat as she walked. Cat and Eret were on her heels, the dragons fumbling over their tails to turn around and catch up. The entire room seemed to split in two, in fact. The pirates and the viking teens came off to Talia's side while the soldiers and Knights went to the other.
"Are you sure about this?" Cat wanted to know, lightly tapping her elbow in an attempt to remind her to keep her head.
"I'm sure." She bit out, untying her sword belt so she could take up a practice sword, which Eret handed to her. Talia stopped and gave him a look. Eret just shrugged.
"There are two types of friends." He said.
"Talia?" She turned at the sound of her name uttered so calmly and with a touch of sadness. Melquiades stood before her, watching her with an understanding most probably wouldn't think he was capable of. "I know this has been a long time coming, and I won't stop you. But, please be careful." He said to her, and Talia actually felt some warmth at the concern reflected in his eyes.
"Thank you, Melquiades. You're a true friend." She nodded to him quietly, and he smiled, giving her a respectful bow.
"Now go kick his ass." He encouraged. It startled a laugh out of her.
"Justin!"
The call made them all turn to see that Justin, the current Champion of Gabylonia, of all people, was still standing in the center of the room. He was looking over at Talia and the others with hesitation written all across his face. He seemed caught between the two sides, and Talia lifted her chin when he looked directly at her. She would not let it hurt a second time.
"Justin! Come over here and prepare to duel!" Blucher ordered him firmly, but Justin didn't move. He looked to each side again, and then his eyes fell on Sir Blucher as he backed away, shaking his head.
"No... This is wrong. We shouldn't be fighting like this." Justin declared, and to Talia's surprise, he turned around and marched over to their side.
He slowed when he got close, however, searching her face for any sign of welcome or friendship. Talia stared at him for a long moment, shocked by his actions and searching his face as well. She found regret, but also hope, and though there was still a lot of hurt in her heart, she nodded to him. Justin smiled and walked closer, extending his arm to her. Talia grasped forearms with him and when they released the Knight passed her to stand by Melquiades as she finished preparing for a duel.
Talia was about to step out to meet her opponent when a large hand dropped onto her shoulder. She turned and found both Eret and Cat standing there. Eret silently squeezed her shoulder, giving her a smile and a nod. When she looked to Cat, he paused and then spoke up.
"Rule number forty." He said, and Talia smiled in spite of herself. "Be so Good, they can't ignore you."
Encouraged and strengthened by their support, Talia gave Fireworm a quick scratch on the top of her head and then stepped out to face her opponent. Her father stepped forward along with another Knight that Talia knew as Legantir. Sir Blucher and Talia stood opposite each other, practice swords in hand as Legantir stepped off to the side. He looked at them both and then sighed heavily.
"If we must do this... Cross your swords!" He ordered and they obeyed. "Fight honorably and well. Guard!"
Blucher swung his sword around and met Talia's with a loud, clear ringing sound. He bore down on her, trying to force her onto her knees. Talia held strong, the muscles in her arms screaming. Blucher's eyes widened; she was stronger then she looked. He broke away and circled her. She watched him steadily, waiting for the movement of his torso that would give away his next thrust.
He whipped his sword down and in. Talia struck it away and slid her own blade straight toward his heart, ready to pull back if she had to. Blucher stepped back hurriedly, and Talia jumped away before she became off-balanced.
"A child's trick!" Blucher scowled.
Eret winked at Cat, who smiled in return.
Blucher was circling while he searched for her weakness. He lunged in and out, striking with great speed and power as he looked for her one failure to fend off his blows. But Talia parried his attacks and watched for an opening she could use to knock the sword from his hand.
Blucher continued to rain attacks upon her. He tried several attacks from above to see if her strength would fail her. He tried swiping at her from both sides to see if he could slip past her parries. And he even tried bringing his sword down and then angling it upwards, coming at her from underneath. Each time proved less fruitful than the last as Talia matched his skill with her own.
Sweat was beginning to collect on her forehead, and Sir Blucher's shirt and tunic were soaked through on the chest and between the shoulder blades. He was breathing in deep, heavy gasps, while Talia was only slightly out of breath.
There was a second of opening, but she saw it. Talia lunged forward, faster than the Knight could blink. He stumbled back as Talia came at him with a furious crescent-moon strike, attacking first from one side and then from the other, slamming into his defenses. Blucher stumbled further and she lunged.
In a flash, it was over. She stood over the man, her sword pointed at his throat while he was on his ass, sword scattered across the floor and away from him. She was panting, but she'd won, and when sound came back to her, she realized her friends were cheering for her.
Talia dropped her guard and turned, walking away. She paused a few feet away from Blucher and turned just her head back to look at him.
"Those men are my family. And they have more honor than you could ever hope for." Talia told him quietly.
With that, she turned back towards Eret, Cat, and the dragons. She picked up her pace and ran to them, jumping into Eret's open arms to be twirled around in a hug as Cat and Toothless laughed and nudged her playfully.
This was her family. And she wouldn't give them up for the world.