Chapter Nine: Quiet Confessions
The flight was silent. Which had never changed since they left Wingmaiden Island. There was a lot to think about. Not only was Ukiah back with the group, he brought the news that they couldn't trust anyone they considered to be a friend. At least, trust them like they used to. Thankfully, Dragon's Edge was coming up, and they were only minutes away from being home.
Hiccup shook his head in frustration and worry. He didn't think he'd be the center of attention, at least, now that Viggo and Ryker were gone. But here he was. A prime target and already had an action made against him. Which Ukiah thankfully stopped.
Shaking his head, he pulled out the Dragon Eye he was building. Staring at it, he simply contemplated what he should do, and what he needed to finish the Dragon Eye.
"So, does it work?" Ukiah asked, coasting Lasher next to Toothless.
Hiccup shook his head. "No. Not yet. I got the lens to sit in it correctly, even to where I can twist the dials on it; but I need some gems that can filter the light through. It's supposed to help reveal what the lenses have etched in them. Otherwise, it's just shining a light through a glass piece."
"What kind of gems do you need?"
Hiccup let out a depressed sigh. "It's quite a list. We still need a turquoise, sunstone, amethyst, ruby, topaz, and a sapphire."
"That's all?" Ukiah jested, letting a wry smile grow on his face. "Sheesh, might have to go back to Thariin just to see what we got in our treasury."
"I might take you up on that." He replied with a tired smile.
"Might make you anyways. Until we get this…'friend' of yours found out." Ukiah replied with a frown.
Frowning, Hiccup turned his attention. "I don't want to live in a closet, Ukiah. I still have things I need to do. Things I want to do."
"And I'm going to let you. I'm just going to weary of who you're with."
"So you're not going to let us have alone time?"
The two looked up to see Stormfly cut in-between Lasher and Toothless. Arrow simply rolled around Stormfly, growling happily at her.
"Ukiah, I know you want to protect Hiccup. Trust me on that. I'm probably more passionate about it than you are." Astrid continued to say. "But even I had to learn to let go a little bit. Even when I knew he would be in danger."
Ukiah shook his head and sighed. "I know, Astrid. I really do. I just…after what I've done to Hiccup. To…you. I feel like-"
"You owe us?"
"I'm not killing myself anymore. At least, not like before. But I still need to show you that I've changed. I'm no longer the Crevite I was. I still get that feeling. That cold, numb anger…but I don't want anything to do with my past. Nothing. I haven't even used my warpaint since I left Jessika."
"You don't have to prove anything to us. But you do need to ease up a little." She replied. "In order for us to fight whoever is targeting us, we need to have friends to watch our backs."
"And I'm not ignoring your warning!" Hiccup chimed in. "We're going to talk about what you saw in your dream. Maybe I can figure out some of the mystery."
"Maybe you can." He whispered, nodding in agreement.
"Come on. You can help me clean up my hut. We'll talk there." Hiccup continued to say as he started to turn Toothless towards his hut.
"I'll make dinner!" Astrid called out. "I'm sure we're all starving!"
Both Ukiah and Hiccup silently gagged, and Snotlout simply pulled a faced as if he was about to throw up.
"Uh…thanks…Astrid…" Hiccup called out with a forced smile.
Smiling, she banked Stormfly to the clubhouse, excited to make something for everyone.
"I have some dried meat we can snack on." Ukiah said aloud as he went to Hiccup's hut. "So we won't starve."
"Thanks." Hiccup groaned, still not looking forward to Astrid's meal.
As the two landed at his hut, Hiccup opened up the main doors to let Toothless and Lasher in. As he did so, he frowned as he saw his place all torn up and wrecked. Papers, tools, even his Dragon Fly suit was thrown on the floor.
"Well, guess he could have gotten away with the Dragon Eye." He muttered, kneeling down and picking up some of the debris.
Ukiah instantly began to help him, starting with some papers. As he tried to organize them with his one arm, he noticed what the top paper was. A blueprint. Of a knife.
"Hiccup…what is this?" He asked, flipping it over to show him.
"Oh that?" He replied, only needing to look at it for a split second. "That's going to be Matt's knife. He traded his that he had from his old home for a map we needed. Felt bad for him, so I wanted to make him a new one."
"Huh. It's neat. But why does it need Nightmare gel?"
"Reasons." Hiccup replied with a small smile.
Shaking his head, Ukiah continued to help pick up the mess.
"Hey, Ukiah?"
Looking up, he saw Hiccup's furrow his eyebrows.
"Do you think I'm really in danger?"
Sighing, Ukiah nodded. "I do. But I don't know who it was that was after you, or when they'll strike."
Nodding, Hiccup paused for a second.
"Thinking of who it might be?"
"Maybe. But he's not a friend." He whispered. "Last year…when you were gone at your home island, Matt and I were tagged with a bounty."
"Astrid told me about it." Ukiah recalled.
"We were caught by a man that wore a cloak and hood. And I just barely recalled that." He whispered with a frown. "That's why the description was so familiar to me. I couldn't figure out why every time someone would talk about this guy, I'd feel like I knew what they were saying."
"You think this is the guy that's trying to get you?"
"Maybe…but it sort of explains the bounty on Heather. And Atali. I just can't figure out why they're wanted. I have the Dragon Eye, and there's no bounty on me. He just came straight here and wrecked my place."
"Did you get your bounty hunter's name?" Ukiah pressed, seeing a possible clue to the mystery.
"No. He never said his name." He answered while shaking his head.
"Hey, it's something. Maybe you'll recall more as we go."
Hiccup only nodded. Picking up one of Toothless' tails, he then asked. "Mind if you tell me what you saw? You know…when I was killed in your dream? While it's just us two?"
Ukiah nodded, setting down the pile of papers he gathered. "Sit down, Hiccup. I want you to pay attention. If anything sounds familiar, tell me."
Nodding, Hiccup took a seat on the desk, ready to hear the tale.
Sighing, Ukiah prepared himself to retell the vision and dream he had, of witnessing Hiccup being killed.
Zekir spun around the barrel set up as an obstacle, moments before it was smashed by a large mace.
"Too slow and predictable!" He shouted at the man who he was sparring with. "I can read you as if you were a map! Shake up your style. Even your attacks. You always strike at me with your mace above you. I can always dodge your swings!"
"Oh, yeh!?" The man roared, getting flustered that he was being taught by someone much younger than him. "How's this then?!"
Zekir watched the man palm a small crate resting nearby, to which he readied his feet to respond. The man's size and strength catapulted it straight for his head. Frowning, Zekir simply slid to the left, letting the crate fly by and smash into King's cage. "Predictable again. You were too slow when you grabbed the crate." He muttered, knowing that the man would go into an uncontrollable rage.
"Raaggghh!" the Hunter roared as he raised the mace above his head.
Zekir simply rushed the man, throwing off the man's timing. With a sparring sword, he thrust it in between the man's legs and tripped him up as he ran by.
"Wooaahh-uphh!"
Not wasting a second, he spun around and planted his knee into the man's back. "There. See? I did something you never saw me do. Now you're face first in the dirt."
"Get off of me!"
Zekir pushed his knee in further, forcing the man to arch back in pain. "Not until you promise to change up your fighting style. Got it?"
"Errghh…" The man growled, having an internal debate.
Scowling, Zekir jabbed his knee down further and with extra force.
"Gah! A'ight! A'ight! I'll do something different!"
"Good. Next!" Zekir roared, standing up and not even helping the man back up.
"Zekir, you've been working them over for days." Darien replied, having watched his fights and instructions while leaning against a support beam. "I think they need a day or two to internalize what you taught them."
Frowning, Zekir looked at all the Hunters looking beat up, bruised, and sore. He had worked them over. Giving into Darien's suggestion, as to not show that he was usurping his power in his position as second-in-command, he nodded as he called out. "Fine. Two-day break. Then meet back here at dawn. The last one here fights me first and alone."
The men slowly walked away, each giving Darien a grateful expression for the short break.
Having conversed with a couple of the passing men, she then walked up to Zekir who was busy putting away the sparring swords and weapons used for their practice.
"Hmm…I wouldn't count on them protecting you anytime soon." He huffed as he slid his sword through one of the mounts.
"That's why I have you." She teased, smirking at him. "Besides, by the time you're done with them, they'll be able to conquer islands."
For the first time since learning Ukiah was hunting him down, he let a faint smile grow on his face. "I think we're still a far cry from that. But they're making progress. Can't say they're not."
"Now, since they're having a break, let's get your training started."
His eyes slightly widening, Zekir turned to King's cage. King was sitting there, eyeing Zekir. Not warily, but curiously. The dragon looked like it had a firm scowl, something Zekir valued when ruling. To be indifferent and to let actions speak instead of hallow promises and fancy words.
"Think I'll ever get to him?" He asked, letting Darien stand next to him.
"That's entirely up to you. You've known that from the beginning."
Letting out a sigh, Zekir was about to step up to the cage when he heard several footsteps walking towards them. Both he and Darien turned to see Krogan and several different looking men marching towards them. They had sleeveless dragon hide shirts, as well as war tattoos along their arms and some their faces. Most had a half-face mask, only allowing their narrowed eyes to be visible. They all had a similar vibe and expression Krogan had, though his a lot softer than rigid.
"Krogan. Who are these men?" Darien asked with a raised eyebrow.
"My men. My flyers."
"Flyers?"
"Yes. Flyers. They're going to be the ones riding the Singetails you captured for me." He replied with a resolute tone.
"Easier said than done." She replied with a frown. "I only have time to teach Zekir. And even then, we're not progressing very fast."
"No, Darien, you won't be teaching them how to ride. I will be."
Both Darien and Zekir recoiled back in shock.
"Do you even know how to ride a dragon?" Zekir growled.
"I know how to make them submit." He replied. "And then riding them will be easy. I don't play around with them like you or the Riders do. I don't waste time trying to get on their good side. Dragons only have two purposes in this life. To submit, or die."
Darien frowned at the subject. Though she was a Hunter, she knew that Banshee was loyal to her because she was his friend. Not his master. "You'll run the risk of having them betray you." She tried to warn.
"Not if I don't give them the option to." He quickly cut in, stopping her from continuing her lecture. "I simply wanted you to see the men I'll be using to ride. We'll be busy at where you've been keeping our Singetails."
"If one gets out, we're not catching it for you." She growled, not liking being talked down to.
Looking at Zekir, Krogan let a sly smirk grow on his face. "We'll see who gets into the air first, Black Heart. I'd wager that beast will take your head before letting you climb on his back."
King, who was scowling at Krogan, then let a long, warning growl. His teeth bared, he simply stood on all fours and looked like he was ready to pounce.
"Careful, Krogan." Zekir growled. "King may not like me, but I doubt he likes me less than you."
Krogan simply chuckled as he spun around to walk away. "I'd like to see him try to best me. And let's make this a race. I'll bet a chest of gold I'll have my men all flying before you can even get on the back of your 'King'."
Watching Krogan and the Flyers leave, Zekir reached and gripped the pummel of his broadsword. "It's going to take everything for me to not kill him."
"Even I'm starting to get annoyed." Darien admitted. "The moment I meet his friend, I'll make my ultimate decision if we keep trying to work with them. And they're not exactly on my good side."
Letting a breath of air to vent his frustration and anger that he was bottling up inside. Unable to successfully calm himself down, he let out a war cry that echoed in the caves and underground fortress. Spinning around as he drew the broadsword with both hands, he brought the blade down and over the lock of King's cage.
Ping!
Darien gasped as she watched the lock break at the force striking it. "What are you doing?!"
Zekir simply ignored her. Driving the sword in-between the cage and the door, he pushed against it and burst the door open, letting it violently swing open.
Even King was caught off guard with the action, as he simply stood there on all fours with a surprised expression.
"Get out of here, Darien." Zekir growled, dropping the broad sword. "This is between me and King."
"Banshee!" She called out knowing she was going to need him if anything went wrong. Jogging away, she knew Zekir was acting on his emotions. It was the do or die moment for him. She just hoped it wasn't going to be the die part of his gamble.
Drawing his longsword, Zekir also tossed it next to his broadsword. "Come on. You want to see strength? You want to see me angry?" He growled, seeing King slowly step out of the cage. "If there's anything of me that you like, or that you don't like; now is the time to show me!"
Staring at the two swords laid out, King slowly stepped out of the cage. Eyeing Zekir carefully, he sniffed the weapons. Then in a flash, he let out a vicious snarl and launched at Zekir.
"Zekir!" Darien screamed.
"Gah!"
King rammed his head right into Zekir's chest, acting as a powerful battering ram.
Zekir was launched backwards and tumbled over, using his agility to spring back to his feet. To his shock, King simply glared at him, slowly circling around him as if studying him.
Though he wasn't sure why King wasn't attacking him after stunning him, Zekir let his rage out. Between learning Ukiah was after him, Krogan's teasing, the general frustration that he couldn't take Matt when he had him, and now he was being played with by a dragon. Rushing King, he side stepped a snap from the Shadow Wing's mouth, getting a clear shot at his head. Leaping forwards, he tackled King and plowed him over onto his side. Gritting his teeth, he continued to pin King down to the ground.
By this time, several Hunters and even Krogan had arrived. Hearing the shouting and Darien calling for Banshee, they were all shocked to see Zekir pinning King.
"Get your arrows ready!" One Hunter shouted, nocking an arrow and aiming at King.
"No! Hold your arrows!" Darien roared.
Staring at Darien, the Hunters slowly nodded in obedience.
Zekir didn't even hear them. Or notice the crowd. Staring right into King's eye, his face darkened as his anger and frustration continued to surge through him.
Whap!
King slapped his tail across Zekir's face, knocking him off. Feeling Zekir finally release him, King rolled to his feet and snarled at him. However, he kept on circling him. Not capitalizing on Zekir being stunned.
Shaking his head, Zekir glared at King who continued to walk around him. "Come on! Show me what you got!" He roared.
Responding to the challenge, King fired a blast at his feet, knocking him off his feet and onto his back! Zekir tried to roll with the inertia to get back on his feet. Between the heat, rocks, and debris from the blast, he barely realized that King was already on top of him and pinning him down.
"Gah!" He roared, feeling King bite into his shoulder. Ready to feel it get torn off, he was shocked to feel that the bite was more of a nibble. He was simply resting his teeth on his arm!
King continued to hold Zekir down, growling and glaring at him. Fighting Zekir's attempts to get free, he finally leaped off of him and continued to circle him in a studious manner.
Grunting as he rolled to his feet, Zekir glared at his foe. He wasn't trying to kill him. He was…sparring with him.
"Zekir?" Darien called out, shocked to see that King didn't hurt him any more than he could have.
"Shut up!" He snapped. "This is my moment."
Realizing he was caught up in the moment, she shouted to her men. "Get out of here. All of you!"
Slowly, unsure of what they were seeing, the men obeyed the order. Even Krogan slowly stepped away, still eyeing the spectacle.
"I expect a chest of gold…" She growled as he walked by.
Glaring at her, Krogan simply walked away with a few of his future Flyers.
Zekir walked over to one of the many shields littered around the sparring pit, all while eyeing King with suspicion and wonder. Did he just appeal to the Shadow Wing? Was this what he had to do?
King then growled angrily, now approaching the Black Heart. Then, with lightning like reflexes, leaped at him.
Zekir was ready. He was a dragon killer before he became a master swordsman. He knew how to counter and predict the beasts. Regardless of what they were.
Swinging his shield, he also sidestepped the charge. The shield made contact with the side of King's head, knocking him away. But King also learned with Zekir. Using his tail, he swept it under Zekir's feet, tripping him up as he sidestepped away.
"Gah!" He grunted, falling onto his side. The blow he delivered to King's head did stun the dragon though, as he was laying on the ground opposite from himself. "Come on!" He roared, rolling to his feet. "That all you got?"
King roared angrily at the challenge. Leaping to his feet, he turned and faced his foe.
Darien watched the two square off again, this time relaxing. They were bonding. In their own way. As it should be.
Hearing a soft, confused growl, she smiled as she looked down to see Banshee standing next to her. The Flightmare stared at the fight with confusion, unsure of what to think of the spectacle.
"Hmm…reminds me of when we first met. Remember, Bansh?" She whispered, kneeling down and stroking his head. "You wanted to rip me apart at first."
Cooing at the stroking, Banshee simply rubbed against her, leaving a light blue hue on her clothes.
"This is like that. I guess they have to prove to each other that they're strong enough to trust each other." She whispered, watching Zekir jam a spear shaft in between King's mouth to try leverage him off his feet.
Banshee growled as if understanding what she was saying. Laying down, he watched the fight to ensure Darien wouldn't be caught in it.
Sitting down cross-legged, Darien smiled as King broke the spear shaft and head-butted Zekir away from him. "Now, let's make sure these two don't kill each other. Mind helping me with that, bud?"
Again, Banshee let out a small growl.
The two watched the fight continue, with Zekir mounting on the back of King and trying to grapple and hold onto King as he thrashed around to get him off. The thought hit Darien with a profound laugh. "We train dragons so strangely." She muttered, eyeing her missing finger in recollection of her experience.
"Huh…huff…errggg…" Zekir groaned, resting on his knees and glaring at King with almost a hateful expression.
King himself was standing on all fours, though visibly breathing hard and also glaring at Zekir with a look to kill.
"Had enough yet, dragon?" Zekir groaned, slowly standing up and using a broken spear to lean against. "I…I can…do this…all day…" He breathed out, struggling to make the sentence complete.
"Errggghhh…" King grunted, almost reluctantly getting ready for another fight though his body position was slouched and not ready to receive a charge.
Zekir shook his head ever so slightly. Even if King didn't react fast enough, he knew he had no energy to actually pin the dragon down again. Looking at his left arm, he was three red slashes across his bicep. King left him that when he had used a dagger to push him off of him. A fair trade.
As the two stared at each other, they both felt they were at an impasse. At least, more than when they've been fighting each other.
Breathing hard, Zekir turned to see Darien for help. Seeing her and Banshee still sitting there and watching them, he didn't get even an expression. She made no face. No hint of what to do. She just sat there with a stone expression while stroking Banshee's head.
Seeing Banshee eye him, he slowly and reluctantly got an idea. Closing his eyes, he dropped the broken spear.
King then also straitened up, as well as he could.
Slowly, while holding his slashed arm, Zekir made his way to King. Oddly, King didn't do anything. He simply eyed the approaching foe with a solemn expression.
"Good fight." He huffed, stopping just feet away from the Shadow Wing. "Been a long time since someone, especially a dragon, made me hurt."
King simply eyed Zekir with no expression.
Unsure of what to do, he simply stood there and waited for the dragon to do something.
After what felt like minutes of staring at each other, King slowly inched towards Zekir. Almost hesitating against the idea, the dragon leaned his head close to where he slashed Zekir and sniffed his hand that was holding it.
Unsure if he was meaning anything else, he slowly withdrew his hand to uncover the wound and tried to reach for King.
Growling, King forced Zekir to stop. Slowly, he inched closer to the injured arm and slowly tried to help stop the bleeding by resting his own head against the cuts.
"Is…that your way of saying you trust me?" Zekir whispered as he let the dragon try to doctor him up.
King, as if in response, growled. Not menacingly, not warily; but warmly. As if inviting him to be friends.
"He wanted to see if you trusted him." Darien called out.
The two turned to see her and Banshee stand up.
"I think he wanted to trust you, but he had make sure you trusted him." She continued to say. "What better way than to let him try and help you after what he did to you."
Not saying anything, Zekir gently rested his other hand on the back of the Shadow Wing.
Nothing happened.
Zekir's face slowly grew into a smile. Not even his tired and worn out expression could hide the sheer delight that he finally earned King's trust.
Darien stopped just a bit away from the two with a growing, sinister smile. "Now, your real lessons begin."
"Good…" Zekir whispered with a tired voice. Watching King look up at him with a resolved expression, he quietly added. "King and I are ready to learn."
Sorry for the long delay and update. Life's been crazy. Between working full time, summer classes, sisters getting married, and family reunions; it can be safely said that I'm looking forward to my last two semesters of full-time school. I actually had more time then!
Anyways, hope it was enjoyable!