Chapter Five: Friend or Foe
"Alright, let's start again." Matt groaned as he paced around his former room.
Night had settled. And after their recent fight at the Northern Market, everyone thought sleep would be easy. It was the opposite actually.
Heather was sitting on the loft; letting her legs dangle from top all while she was sharpening her axe. "Forget it, Matt. We're not going to figure out who put the bounty on me by guessing what we don't know."
"It doesn't make sense. Why would she get rid of one of Viggo's maps?" Hiccup huffed as he stared at the map Matt had traded for his knife. "Darien would hold onto anything that would have been his. He taught her everything she knows!"
"Minus Ryker." Matt added sarcastically.
Astrid, who was busy stroking Wasatch as he slept, also shook her head. "…and me…"
Everyone looked at her, with Heather stopping sharpening her axe.
"I taught her how to ride a dragon. That was all my fault…" She whispered.
"That wasn't your fault, Astrid." Hiccup quickly defended. "You were forced to!"
"She was using Wasatch against you. She knew you wouldn't have a choice if she used someone you knew." Matt added, shaking his head angrily. "If you want to play the blame game, I've got you all trumped. She's here because of me! Because of my journal! And I failed to kill her when I dueled her last year."
"Ugh, can we change the subject?" Heather growled as she fell onto her back and lay on the loft. Staring at the ceiling, she quickly and angrily added. "This isn't helping us! We can't sleep, we can't figure out who put a bounty on me, can't figure out why, and we still have no idea where Darien is!"
"Found Zekir…" Matt added sarcastically.
Astrid then stood up from Wasatch. "Heather's right with what she said before. We can't guess what we don't know. Let's go over what we do know though."
Hiccup nodded in agreement. Taking a seat on Matt's old desk, he began to list the clues and facts they did have. "Darien and Zekir are rebuilding the Hunters. We can safely assume she at least wants Matt dead, given what Zekir told us."
"So let's stick with the fact she wants all of us dead." Heather huffed, sitting back up to pay attention to the list.
"Of course." He agreed. "Heather's bounty has no relation with Darien or Zekir. So it's someone that knows of her, but hasn't come to show us who they are."
"And we don't know why." Matt added.
Astrid quickly cut him off. "Shh! We're talking about what we do know!"
Hiccup looked over at Heather's bounty, lying next to the map. "Savage got his bounty from a trader, not an island…"
"Which means the person is traveling around. Or at least, using traders to distribute the bounty." Matt observed, shooting Astrid a glare to dare her to interrupt him again.
Hiccup began to stroke his chin as he slowly nodded in agreement. "Something along those lines."
"What I don't get is why it wasn't posted at the Northern Markets." Astrid called out, moving to take a seat with Hiccup. "If they really want Heather, then why not put it where a lot of bounty hunters move in and out of? Or at least help spread the word."
"Not to mention the fact that most, if not all bounties were people who did wrong." Matt threw in. "None of them were really people in position like Heather. Sister to the Berserker chief."
Hiccup's head slowly rose up, looking at Matt with an expression that was showing he was getting an idea. "…except one…"
Heather and Astrid watched as Matt slowly reeled back, as if realizing what he was saying.
"Uh, care to clue us in?" Astrid huffed.
"There was one bounty. A girl that is supposedly a leader of an island. Like a chief. What was it again, Hiccup?" Matt asked aloud.
"Wingmaiden Island." He quickly answered, jogging to the map he set down. Scanning it with his finger, he smiled as he found it. "Here! Exactly West of us."
"Great. Why do we need to go to it? Get the bounty ourselves?" Heather grunted sarcastically as she started to walk down the stairs.
"It's kind of a long shot, but if we can ask her why she has a bounty on her, maybe we can figure out why you have a bounty on yourself!" He replied with a smile.
"Two people. Both girls. Both in positions of power. Similar bounty rewards. Both need to be alive. There has to be a connection." Matt seconded. "It's worth a shot."
"Okay, so we just fly in there and ask them to see their leader? To ask her about the bounty on her? You don't think they'll react badly to that?" Astrid challenged.
"What? I thought you'd be up for blindly scouting out an island that's home to a people we know nothing about; I mean, it could be similar to how we met Mala and the Defenders of the Wing. What's the worst that could happen?" Matt teased with his usual laid-back smirk.
"Matt…" She growled with her fist curling. It was her idea to scout out Caldera Cay, which led them to be captured. Granted, Hiccup was all for it too.
"And if there is no connection, we can at least make some more friends." Hiccup reasoned, looking at Heather who had just arrived at the map.
Sighing, Heather shook her head. "Fine. It's not like we're having much luck with anything else. Might as well see if there's a connection. What's this person's name anyways?"
"Amber…A…uh...Allie?" Matt began to list, trying to remember. "I remember it started with an a. We'll have to ask Snotlout since he kept her bounty."
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Of course he would."
"Good. It's settled then. We leave at daybreak." Hiccup announced. "At least we have a plan. Better than just waiting for something to happen, or to hear about anything."
"Yeah, something is better than nothing." Matt admitted with a smile.
At that, all four of them stared at the island labeled Wingmaiden Island, wondering what the future would bring involving another village.
The group were flying close together, just above a sea of clouds that made it a majestic flight. At any given point, one of the Riders had their hand sticking out, touching the clouds as they flew on. It was a serene moment, almost as if they were flying just feet above a field of flowing cotton. However, it was quickly interrupted by a certain individual.
"Just remember! I'm the one that found the bounty!" Snotlout shouted as the group continued to fly their course.
Since they left on their trip, he was persistent in ensuring everyone knew he was the one that found the bounty, and thus the reason to talk to Atali of Wingmaiden Island.
Matt had enough of the constant reminding, to which he finally called back. "Don't worry, Snotlout! We'll tell her you're the one that spotted her bounty and took it yourself. I'm sure she'll be flattered to know you picked her over all the other bounties you could have chosen. Don't think she'll be upset at all that you wanted to meet her because of the bounty placed on her head."
Staring at him, Snotlout then leaned closer to Hookfang. "That's sarcasm, wasn't it? Why was he sarcastic? Me meeting a girl is a blessing to them!"
Hookfang snorted, rolling his eyes at the conversation.
"Hey, Hiccup. Can I ask a question…" Heather called out, gliding Windshear closer to him.
"Yeah? Go ahead!"
"It just occurred to me, even after all this time, you still don't have the Dragon Manual. What have you guys been doing without it?"
Hiccup flashed a pained smile at her. "Well, Fishlegs-"
"I've been compiling a new one!" Fishlegs interrupted with a smile. "I've already put down things we all remember, and I even had some old Dragon Eye notes lying around! We got most of what we lost!"
"And besides that, I've been busy myself." Hiccup added, shaking his head at Fishlegs' excitement. "Remember that design I showed you when we left Thariin?"
"The Dragon Eye that you're rebuilding." Heather recalled, nodding in remembrance of him showing her the diagram.
"It's almost done. I haven't been able to work on it since…well, you know. With what's been going on." Facing forward, his face let a real, relaxed smile grow. "Give me a few more days, and we'll be able to see everything those lenses have. We'll have the Dragon Manual back and more!"
"Doesn't it concern you with who has it though?" Matt asked, diving down in-between him and Heather. "I mean, Darien already knows how to ride a dragon. What could she be using it for? Why would she want it?"
"To hunt dragons." He replied simply. The memory pained him. Of everyone to have it, she had to be the one that finally wrested it from the Riders' grasp. Possibly the smartest and most competent enemy they crossed; and she was finally able to get something that others failed to. "Look, we'll get it back. And we'll stop her. It won't do her any good at Outcast Island, since she'll be locked up for life."
"Yeah. Locked up." Matt huffed, shaking his head slightly. He already resolved her fate, so he'd let Hiccup believe what he wanted. Turning to Heather, he then mentally prepared himself for a conversation that he had no idea how it would go. Gently guiding Wasatch next to her, he slowly pushed Windshear away from the group.
"Matt?" She asked, looking at him in confusion.
"Hey, can we talk for a second?" He asked.
"Oh. Sure! What's up?"
"I…I don't know, honestly." He began to say. "Did you hear about Hiccup and Astrid?"
Heather's body tensed up, praying that he wasn't going to talk about what she was thinking he was wanting to talk about. Swallowing, she shook her head to play dumb.
"They were betrothed. I honestly have no idea what that is, er, was…but it made me think…"
Suddenly, Heather saw a quick blur dart in and out of the clouds behind Matt and under the Riders. It had scales, yet…looked like it had legs and arms of a human!
"I was thinking…why didn't-"
"Did you see that?" She shouted, pointing behind him.
"Heather, don't chang-"
"I'm serious! I saw something right there! It looked like a dragon! Er, I think it was at least…"
Hiccup stared over at her with confusion. "What do you mean you think it was a dragon?"
Heather shook her head, as if second-guessing herself. "I…I don't know. It had wings, but…"
Matt slowed Wasatch down to a hover, as did the rest of the Riders. Looking around the clouds, he asked. "Are you sure you saw something?"
"I think so. It had a helmet, but…wings too." She replied, shaking her head in confusion. Now she really had no idea if she saw something.
"Uh…Hiccup? Guys?"
Everyone turned to Fishlegs, who was gaping at something ahead of them. As they did so, everyone let out an audible gasp. Even the dragons were shocked at what they were seeing. Shaking his head, Matt wiped his goggles just to make sure he was actually seeing what he was seeing.
Three people slowly emerged out of the clouds in front of them. As they slowly rose above the clouds, it became clear to see their wings attached to their back. All three were hovering in front of them and wielding spears.
"Uh…h-hello." Hiccup greeted, unsure of what to say to the flying strangers.
"Hail, travelers." One of them called out, slowly moving closer to them. "You're approaching Wingmaiden Island. Due to…circumstances, we must know your intentions and reasons for coming to our island."
"Uh…to visit your leader. Atali." Hiccup answered.
The three Wingmaidens looked at each other. "Why?" Asked one, gripping her spear as if to get ready to use it.
"Uh, what else? This!" Snotlout threw in, holding the bounty out to show them.
Almost instantly, the Wingmaidens readied their spears as if to charge them.
"Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Hiccup shouted, raising his hands up, as did everyone else. "We're not here to collect the bounty! I promise that!"
"How can we know you're telling the truth?" The leading Maiden growled.
"Listen! We're trying to figure out who put the bounty on her!" He answered with some disparity. Gesturing to Heather, he added. "Our friend, Heather, also has a bounty on her; and we can't figure out who did it! Like your leader Atali, she's wanted alive. We think there's a connection between the two!"
The Maiden eyed Heather suspiciously, until Matt pulled out the bounty to show her. Gliding over to him, she snatched the paper and observed it.
"We just want to know what you know." Matt whispered, seeing her compare the drawing to Heather.
"Nadia, go tell Atali we are having guests. Iona and I will escort them to our home."
"Yes, Minden." One of the Maidens answered, turning and diving into the clouds.
"Follow me. However, I must ask you to stay close and don't wander."
"More than reasonable." Hiccup replied, visibly relaxing that they were being allowed to visit.
"Iona, escort them from behind. Ensure there's no tricks or deceit." Minden ordered.
Matt looked at Heather with some worry, who simply shrugged in answer to his quizzical look. "Well, at least they're willing to talk. More than could be said when we first met Mala."
"Still feel like a prisoner though." She replied, glancing back at Iona who was tailing them.
"To be fair, if they came to visit us, we'd probably be just as cautious."
As the group followed Minden, they finally broke through the clouds. The village was beautiful. With structures places all over, it was built similarly to Dragon's Edge, in regards to having ramp ways and small bridges connecting each structure. The structures themselves were more like tents, having cloths draped over to make up the walls and doors, essentially being flaps.
"Come, this way." Minden called out, banking to the left to land on a large platform.
Seeing her bank, Hiccup was the first to see a baby dragon clinging to her back, acting as her wings. Surprised by this, he refrained from asking until a more opportune time arrived.
As the entire group landed, Minden then approached the one she sent ahead of them, Nadia.
"Atali is coming, Minden." Nadia reported, bowing slightly to her.
"Thank you, Nadia." Turning to the Riders, who were dismounting from their dragons, she then ordered. "I will ask you to leave your weapons in their sheaths. Preferably on your saddles."
Hiccup instantly obliged. Taking his sword, he slid it in one of the saddle bags. Astrid did the same, as did every Rider. Matt drew one of the daggers he bought. Being reminded that his knife was gone forever, he shut his eyes and then slipped it into Heather's bag, since he didn't have any strapped to Wasatch.
"Guests, welcome to Wingmaiden Island."
Everyone turned to see a slightly taller woman walk up to them. Having memorized the bounty's description, Matt instantly recognized her as Atali. Red hair, green eyes, wearing a crown-like helmet; it couldn't be denied, even if she tried.
"I admit, when I was told we were being visited by those that were riding in on the back of dragons, I was intrigued." She replied, stopping next to Minden. "However, when I was told of your reason, I couldn't help but feel some concern." Bowing slightly to greet the Riders, she then introduced herself. "I am Atali. Leader of the Wingmaidens. You wished to see me?"
"Uh, yeah! Was about the bounty on you, but now it's to figure out how you fly!" Ruffnut shouted, staring at the wings on all the Wingmaidens nearby.
"Uh! H-hold on!" Hiccup called out, sliding in front of the twins. "I mean, it is a question, but I think we should introduce ourselves too. Right, Ruffnut?"
"Heh, whatever." She replied with an unconcerned expression.
"I'm Hiccup Haddock. From the island Berk. We set up a new home called Dragon's Edge, east of here." He began to say, slowly approaching Atali. "With me are the twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston; Snotlout Jorgenson, Fishlegs Ingerman, Astrid Hofferson, my brother Matt Haddock, and Heather from Berserker Island and sister to Chief Dagur."
Each rider greeted Atali and the Wingmaidens as their names were announced, except Snotlout who simply winked at her.
"It is a pleasure." Atali replied with a smile. "Now, I was told you were curious about the bounty that was placed on me. That you think it'll help your friend who is also in a similar situation?"
Hiccup nodded, beckoning Heather to step up with him. "Yes, Heather here is also a target. The thing is we don't have an idea whose targeting her. We thought it was the Hunters, but after we had a run in with them, we found out that wasn't the case. We were wondering if you had any idea who had put the bounty on you so we can try to figure out if there's any relation."
Atali simply looked at him with an apologetic expression. "Unfortunately, we are in the dark as much as you are. It was quite a surprise to learn I had a bounty. I learned about it when a trader of ours showed up with a few men to capture me."
"I'm going to assume they weren't much of a problem for you." Astrid observed, smiling at the thought.
"Other Wingmaidens ensured my safety." Atali replied with her own smile. "But since then, we've been very cautious with who we let near our island. Aside from my safety, we have to be careful with our young Razorwhips."
At that, a baby Razorwhip head popped out from behind her shoulder, growling as if to say hi.
"Wait, those are baby Razorwhips?" Matt cried out, shocked as the Razorwhip began to rub against Atali.
"Of course. They're the reason why we're able to fly."
"I saw that when we were being led by Miden." Hiccup called out, gesturing to Miden. "How did you all get baby Razorwhips? Do you do anything with them?"
Heather simply stared at all the Wingmaidens as she started to notice all the baby dragons latched to their backs. That's why the wings were so familiar to her.
Atali smiled at the question. "It's the entire purpose of Wingmaiden Island."
"Being what?" Heather asked.
Atali turned to her and smiled at her. "You have a beautiful Razorwhip. Heather wasn't it? How did you meet your dragon?"
Heather nodded to confirm that was her name. "Thank you. This is Windshear. I found her injured by a Typhoomerang, so I helped her recover. She never left my side since."
Atali smiled at the news. "That is wonderful to hear that you and your friends are kind to dragons. Windshear probably came from here. It is more than likely that these are her brothers and sisters."
Heather stared at the Razorwhip clinging to Atali, as well as the other Wingmaidens with their respective Razorwhips. Then she noticed something. "Wait. What's wrong with their eyes? Are these ones blind?"
All the Riders then noticed, seeing the dragons looking like they were squinting.
Atali shook her head with a warm smile. Rubbing her baby dragon's head, she explained. "Fortunately, no. When a Razorwhip is born, it is nurtured by its mother for at most a year. After which, they still need to develop and grow. Sadly, they're no longer looked after by their mothers and are left to fend for themselves."
"So you take care of them until they can take care of themselves." Hiccup finished, seeing where she was going."
Atali nodded. "It's a mutual understanding between us and their mothers. If we don't, male Razorwhips will feed on them. It's part of the reason why there are no men on this island. Female Razorwhips feel threatened and are protective of their young that are still in their care. Before Wingmaiden Island came to existence, the Razorwhips almost drove themselves extinct.
Heather turned to Windshear, who simply smiled and nuzzled her. "I guess we get to learn more about you girl…" She whispered, stroking her neck with a sheepish smile.
Matt glanced at Windshear, and then to the Wingmaidens. "So…are we being threatening since most of us are guys here?"
Atali shook her head. "Not here, since we take care of the Razorwhips ourselves. However, if you go to the north side of the island, where they tend to nest, they would most likely retaliate against you."
"Note to self. Don't fly north." Matt muttered to himself.
Turning to Hiccup, Atali gave him an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry I couldn't be more help in regards to finding the founder of Heather's bounty. Like I said earlier, I'm just as confused and concerned about who placed it on me."
"That's alright, Atali. We knew it was a shot in the dark to begin with." He replied with his own smile. "But at the very least, we're glad to have been able to meet you. Having more friends is never a bad thing."
"Agreed! It is well to have a knowledge of others that have a care and passion for dragons as well." Atali exclaimed with a wide smile. Beckoning him and the others to follow, she asked. "Now, I know you probably traveled far to get here, would you like to rest your dragons? I would very much like to show you the newborns that will soon come into our care."
"Of course! We're not in a big hurry to get back anyways." Hiccup laughed.
"Agreed. My leg can use a break." Matt huffed, massaging his leg as he deactivated his brace.
"Minden, guide their dragons to the grooming station. I'm sure they'll enjoy a moment to relax there."
"Of course, Atali." Minden replied, bowing to her. Turning to the Riders, she let a smile grow on her face as well. "I'm glad you came with peaceful intentions. Sorry for being so defensive and untrusting when we first met."
"Trust us. That wasn't close to the worse reception we've had." Matt laughed, limping up to her with Heather alongside. "It's been the best by far."
Minden looked at him with surprise. "Really? What happened when you arrived to other islands?"
Matt smirked at Hiccup. "Well…it involved being knocked out, getting locked up, put on a farce of a trial, and almost executed. So, let me say again, this is by far the best reception we've ever received."
"I can see you've had some adventures." Atali laughed, hearing about their previous experience of visiting another island. "Come, we'll have some of our best food prepared. This is a time to celebrate. A new friendship that can help further the cause of dragons!"
"Uh, Hiccup." Ruffnut called out, making him turn to face her. "I saw a Boar Pit when we flew in. Tuff and I are going down there."
Sighing, Hiccup shook his head. "Fine. Just don't break anything. Let's stay on the Wingmaidens good side, okay?"
"No promises!" Tuffnut yelled, sprinting away from the group with Ruffnut close behind.
"Well, I guess we'll hear from them pretty soon." Matt said aloud. "Come on, I need to sit down. Hiccup and I are on our last leg."
Everyone groaned, with Heather face palming herself.
Smirking, Matt laughed aloud as he added. "Pun intended!"
Even Atali snickered at the joke. Shaking her head, she observed. "You Riders sure are a unique group. Please follow me. I feel I'm going to have a few questions for all of you."
"Ask away. Just make sure you don't ask Matt anything." Astrid growled, hitting him in the shoulder.
"Ah, you're so mean, Astrid." He laughed. "I have a whole book full of puns just itching to be used!"
"No!" Everyone yelled as they all followed Atali and a few other Wingmaidens to the designated tent.
"All of them were there?"
"It's the only reason I wasn't able to drag Matt here."
Darien frowned as she stared at the map with the Northern Market circled on it. Stroking Banshee's head, who was purring in his sleep, she simply pursed her lips in frustration. "They're going to on the lookout for us."
"I know."
"Close all recruiting trips from here on out. I'll keep that to only one ship and one captain after we collect all the Singetails we need. We need to start being a little more defensive and wary of the Riders. The last thing I want to do is lose assets to needless trips."
"Of course. I already did that with my men. I'll pass the message to the others." Zekir replied, taking a seat across from her desk. "But…there's one more detail I need to tell you about."
Looking up from the map, she simply waited for him to tell her.
"Apparently, there's a bounty on Heather."
With a somewhat surprised expression, she sat back in her chair. "Oh really?"
"And they think we put it on her."
Darien simply pondered the news, puzzling together what it might mean.
"It brought us onto their radar. I'd imagine that was the reason why they were at the Northern Markets to begin with. To get a clue on us."
"Possibly. It explains why she and Matt are no longer at Berserker Island according to my spies. They're probably on the run. Or having Hiccup and the others help them find out who did it."
Concerned, Zekir leaned forward with an anxious expression. "Listen, Darien. I don't know who put the bounty on her, or what their intentions are for her, but I don't they they're on our side. Or even willing to want to work with us."
Darien shallowly nodded. "I agree actually. Chances are they can be possible allies, even customers and clients. But I'm inclined to believe there's a different kind of motive for them wanting Heather. If it was us, it'd simply be for revenge, or to force the Riders into a disadvantage."
Zekir also nodded, agreeing with her.
Pulling out one of the lens that Krogan gave her, she held it up to study it. Frowning, she peered through it, eyeing Zekir.
"Thoughts?" He asked, unsure of what she was thinking.
"Isn't it a little…timely?"
Unsure of what she was meaning, he simply waited for her to finish her thought.
"We've been a decent size for a dragon hunting group for a while now. Big enough to catch the attention of a few tribes and islands, even some traders. And now, just now, Krogan decides to include us with his little scheme and plan?"
"You suspect him of being behind Heather's bounty?"
"Not him per say, but a conspirator for sure. We know he's not the brains behind the movement he's part of. He's just a member of it." She corrected. "Whoever his partner is, is the one calling the shots."
"And you think he put the bounty on Heather."
Darien simply nodded, setting the lens down. "The question is why. And I aim to get an answer to it."
"Are you sure they're the ones behind it?"
"Of course I am. Krogan's motives alone point to them fighting against the Riders. He wants to put Hiccup down himself. He even volunteered to persuade him to make us a new Dragon Eye. Whatever Heather has, or whatever they need her for, there's a reason."
"When is Krogan's partner supposed to meet with you again?"
"Any day now. And he's not going to meet with me."
Shocked at the claim, Zekir shook his head to make sure he heard right.
"Listen. I need you to screen this partner for me. You were once a Chief. You had to deal with other rulers before. Sadly, I still lack…experience in regards to sensing motives."
"You want me to chat with this partner."
"I want Chief Zekir to chat with this partner. I'm going to be with you, but you're the one that's going to feel him out. If anything feels wrong, or if you feel he's not being truthful, we're calling this deal off. And telling the Riders who placed the bounty on Heather. I'm not ready to wage war with them yet, and that will buy us some time."
Zekir nodded in agreement. It was the first time he saw Darien unsure of her abilities, but she did have a point. He was a lot more experienced in regards to dealing with shady rulers and making back room deals. In a way, he had even more respect for her. She knew her weaknesses.
"I'm sending two of our biggest ships to collect the Singetails for Krogan. Worst case scenario, we sell them for ourselves. In the meantime, we're going to be busy with you while we wait for this partner and Krogan's dragons."
"Busy with what?" He asked, finally relaxing in his seat.
Letting a wicked smile grow on her face, she turned to look over her loft. Straight at where they had a single caged dragon held. "Getting you on the back of your dragon that you aptly named King."
Sorry for the super late updates. School was a killer, and thankfully it is over. At least for now. I will be taking a summer class to speed up my graduation, but I doubt that will actually affect my time with writing. Due to only taking one class. So, anywho, here's to the continuation of the last DB story!