Astrid was woken up by an army of maids rushing into her room by the first sun rays. She groans and presses one of her pillows into her face. Maids didn't disturb her as they had enough work on their hands already. Several maids were preparing her bath, bringing buckets of warm water one after another into the wooden bath while other maids were preparing her dress. Astrid lifts her pillow a little to peek at the dress. It was a beautiful dark blue dress, precious gems shining at every inch of the dress, reflecting the sun around her room. When she tried the dress for the first time, she blushed at the deep v-shaped neckline and split at her right leg, exposing her skin to anyone with every step she took. She didn't know why, but she fell in love with that dress at first sight. She wondered if it was because that dress would send ripples of unease throughout the nobles of the mainland or because her movement was not as restricted in that dress as it would be in a dress from the mainland. Ugh, she wanted to throw up. The dresses from the mainland were always the same. Big skirt with a tight corset. Many noble women from the mainland were not as slim as their corsets made them. But who would have thought when most of the time they are sitting at their asses doing absolutely nothing except manipulating everyone around them.
Astrid smiles as she remembers when her mother bought it from one of the Northern tribes' merchants. It was a beautiful afternoon spent with her mother.
"I am sorry, my lady," One of the maids speaks up from the tub. "But your bath is ready." Astrid sighs as she stands up from her bed. She walks towards the maids and disrobes her nightgown. She shivers and walks inside the tub. She sank into the warm water, and maids rushed to her. She, however, immediately stops them.
"Ladies, please..." She says, and the maids look at her. Most of them were new since most senior maids were attending to more important duties. "Just hand me the soap, and I can clean myself." She continues, and most of the maids look uncertain between each other. However, one of the senior maids takes the soap and hands it to her. Then that same maid rushes the other maids out of the room. Soon, Astrid was left alone.
Astrid sighed as she sunk deeper into the tub and relaxed every tense muscle she had. Also, it helps her with her headache, which she has had since she woke up. Water scented with lavender always had these kinds of effects on her. She relaxed in the water for a good while, and then she started to clean herself. A soft knock came from the door.
"Who is it?" Astrid asks, and soon Amelia's voice sounds from behind the door. "It's me, milady."
"Feel free to enter, Amelia," Astrid says, and Amelia soon opens the door. As soon as Amelia opened the door, Astrid could smell the wonderful scent of Amelia's tea. Even strongly scented water was no match for her teas. Astrid must admit that she was pretty addicted to her teas, and no one made teas as good as she.
"Good morning, Astrid," Amelia says as she carefully closes the door with a tray in her hands.
"Good morning, Amelia," Astrid mumbles, and Amelia smiles. "I tried to stop them, but they followed your mother's orders."
"Yeah, I guessed as much. Would you lend me a hand?" Astrid asks her personal maid. Amelia puts the tray down, fills a cup and brings it to Astrid. Astrid takes the cup with a soft 'thank you'. After that, Amelia was immediatelly behind her, cleaning her hair. Same as before, it was the only task which Astrid allowed. She hated when somebody was touching her other than her family and, of course, Amelia. Because of that, she never allowed anyone to touch her.
"How are you feeling?" Amelia asks while she is doing her work on Astrid's hair.
"Good, despite the growing headache and the situation I am in," Astrid answers sipping slowly from a hot tea and groaning in satisfaction.
Soon, Amelia was done and took the cup from Astrid's hands. Astrid stands up and takes the towel from a nearby chair. Astrid thoughtfully dried herself while Amelia busied herself by straightening Astrid's bed. When Astrid was dry, she dressed in dark blue undergarments. She then walks towards the mannequin holding her dress. She takes the dress and pulls it over her head. She then moves towards the mirror to take a good look at herself. She saw a beautiful woman standing in front of the mirror. She was beautiful despite her clean but tangled hair. She was not blind. She knew that many people were looking at her only because of her beauty, but she always hoped that she would meet someone who would like not visible traits more than her body. But that hope was in vain.
Astrid takes two emerald earing from her jewellery box and the small wooden medallion which her mother gave her the other day. She puts them on and then sits in front of the mirror with a sigh. Soon Amelia is behind her brush in her hand and starts brushing Astrid's hair.
"The special guests of your parents arrived late in the night," Amelia says, and Astrid looks at her in a mirror. Her sour look was, in an instant, replaced by curiosity. She continues when Amelia sees that curious look on Astrid's face.
"They had an assassin on the ship. She was trying to blow up their ship, but luckily the son of the high chief was able to stop her in time." Amelia then leans closer to Astrid's ear and whispers. "Also, the high chief's family arrived at the palace late at night, and your father personally welcomed them in a courtyard. Even more shocking is that one of our archers tried to kill the High Chiefs' son when he was standing in front of your father." Astrid covers her mouth, and Amelia continues. "The archer was unsuccessful in his task because one of Erik's men saved him. The archer then jumped down from the walls and killed himself." Amelia retreats her head and continues in her work on Astrid's hair.
An assassin? Astrid thoughts. In a castle's walls? How could that be possible? Her thoughts raced through her head when the sound of a horn could suddenly be heard. Astrid looks out of the window. Her father wanted to begin in the morning. She sighs; she can wait until two more sounds off the horn. She needs to be in a ballroom with her family by that time. There, they will welcome their guests. Astrid notices that Amelia is almost finished with her hair.
"Amelia, I will take a short stroll in the gardens." Amelia looks at her in shock. "But Astrid, your clothes..." Astrid rolls her eyes. "I am going to take a walk, not lie down in the dirt."
"As you wish, Astrid," Amelia softly says. "But be careful if something happens to your dress, your father will hold me personally responsible."
"Don't worry, Amelia. You can even go with me." Astrid says as she looks at her in the mirror. Amelia looks at her, too, and Astrid smiles. "It will be fine."
Hiccup looks out of the window from his room. He heard the first horn announcing that everything would begin in a short while. Hiccup was, however, nervous. He still had no idea how many people were after his life or who had the audacity to kidnap Taramis. Everyone must know that the heir of the Northern Tribes will look for him. Hiccup sighs. At least his sister calmed down. She went to take a small stroll through the royal gardens. At first, Hiccup refused to let her go alone, but after she glared at him, he let her go. Erik also reassured him that he tightened up the security after yesterday's events. He had no reason to doubt Erik's words, but he hoped he was not wrong. Suddenly a little green dragon was hovering in front of him behind the window. It was a terrible terror, and it was not a rare sight to see them. They were everywhere. Like seagulls, they were pretty annoying for everyone but not dangerous like other dragons. Also, they liked to eat seagulls, and because of that, many sailors favoured them over seagulls.
Hiccup opens the window, and a small dragon flies inside and lands on Hiccup's shoulders. Hiccup laughs as he scratches the dragon beneath his chin. The terror happily chirps, and Hiccup picks up a small piece of dried meat from his nightstand.
"Here you go, little guy," Hiccup says as he hands it to him and the terror slowly takes it from his fingers. Hiccup then picks up a small piece of paper that was tied around the terror's leg. As soon as Hiccup takes the paper from his leg. Terror flies out of the room, and Hiccup closes the window. He then unwraps the paper and reads it.
My liege, I may have some information about the possible suspect. I sent Erin to the royal gardens. She will be waiting for you near the main fountain. Meet her there in ten minutes. When you have time, visit my shop, Bits and Pieces. You will find it easily, believe me. Cami.
Hiccup was still not dressed for the ball, and he cursed himself. If he dresses now, he might miss Erin. If he dresses later, he might miss the beginning of the ball. He sigh. His parents will be pissed. He quickly walks out of the room and makes his way towards the royal gardens, asking for directions along the way.
Astrid and Amelia were wandering aimlessly in the royal gardens. Astrid sighed in satisfaction as the headache finally disappeared. She loved this garden. This garden always calms her down, no matter how angry or irritated she is. Suddenly, the peaceful time was over.
"Leave me alone, for goddess sake!" A woman's shout came in front of them. Astrid and Amelia looked at each other, and soon a furious-looking woman appeared in front of them.
"But, fair lady!" A short boy appears behind her, and he freezes when his eyes stop at Astrid. Astrid ignored the boy as she recognised him immediately. It was Gustav, a soon-to-be squire of Snotlout of house Jorgenson. Gustav was as insufferable as his lord. But at least Snotlout knew his bounds. Gustav, however, did not. Her father threatened to cut his head off if he once again troubled Astrid. Since then, he was pretty terrified of her.
Astrid takes a good look at the woman in front of her. She had auburn hair and shining green eyes, and her dress was not commonly used on the mainland. Astrid guessed that she was from the tribes, and the dress indicated that she was not an ordinary woman from the tribes.
"Is there a problem?" She asks, and Gustav's face turns white. The woman exaggeratedly threw her hands into the air. "Is there a problem?" The woman repeats, and Astrid winces. The woman in front of her was truly irritated.
"My dear brother had his life on the line twice in a few days. His soon-to-be squire was kidnapped, and this little shithead," She points at the boy behind her. "Won't even let me be to relax in this beautiful garden! The first day on the mainland, and I am on the verge of my sanity!"
Astrid glares daggers at Gustav, and he slowly backs away. "I will take my leave..." He says as he turns around and runs away. "I will report this to Snotlout!" Astrid shouts after the boy.
"I am so sorry, lady..." Astrid does not finish, and the woman in front of her sights. "Axelia..." She says, and suddenly Astrid could swear that the woman in front of her was sad. "Axelia The Merciful, of house Haddock. At your service, my lady." Axelia went to bow, but Astrid interrupted her. "No need for that." She says, and Axelia looks at her, uncertain. Astrid extends her hand. "I am Princess Astrid, of house Hofferson. It's a pleasure to meet you, lady Axelia."
Axelia reaches out and shakes Astrid's hand. "Likewise, my lady."
"I am sorry about my first impression," Axelia says as she scratches the back of her neck. "The last few days were not quite nice to me, and my nerves got better off me. It will not happen again."
"Don't worry about it, my dear," Astrid says with a wave of her hand. "I know Gustav, and if he troubles you ever again, just come to me. I will deal with him." Axelia wanted something to say, but she was interrupted by a second horn announcing that the ball would soon start.
"That cues me to see if my family is ready for the ball. I will be delighted to see you there, my lady." Axelia says and bows her head a little, and Astrid mirrors her. "I will be glad to see you there, too, lady Axelia."
Axelia makes her way back into the palace while Amelia looks at Astrid. Before Amelia could say something, one of the maids ran towards them.
"Amelia!" The maid exclaims as soon as she is near them. "Adeline is looking everywhere for you!"
"What for?" Amelia asks, and the maid shrugs. "I don't know but hurry!" The maid says and runs away.
"Are you ready to go back, my lady?" Amelia asked, and Astrid shook her head. "Few more minutes. I want to visit grandfather's fountain."
Amelia sighs. "Don't be late. Your father would be angry."
Astrid rolls her eyes. "Yeah, I know."
Hiccup arrives in the gardens and soon finds his way to the central fountain. It was an excellent place to meet since the central fountain was surrounded from every side by a hedge, and there was also just one entrance.
Erin was sitting at the fountain's edge, her hand drawing images on the water's surface.
"Erin!" Hiccup says, and Erin's head shoots in his direction. A big smile crept up on her face, and she quickly stood up. As soon as he comes closer, she embraces him. "Hiccup, it is so good to see you! I haven't seen you the whole year!"
Hiccup hugged her back, and they soon sat side by side on the edge of the fountain. "I am sorry, Erin. Last time I was at Wingmaides Island, you were on your own mission."
"Yeah, I know." She says and caresses his chin. She was always trying to get his attention, but he always turned her down.
"Erin..." Hiccup says, and she can hear a warning in his voice.
"Sorry..." She slowly says as she retreats her hand. She knew he was not for her, even if she wanted him.
"Cami says that you have some information about Taramis's kidnapper," Hiccup says as he tries to clear the awkwardness between them. Erin was a sweet girl. But she was not for him. His mother drilled that into his head as soon as he was of age. She taught him that he should never play with women's emotions when he knows he cannot be with them. Wingmaidens elders initially pushed Erin to get Hiccup's hand, but when he started his quest with the mainland, they understood that he would probably not choose his wife from the tribes.
"Ah, yes. She managed to figure out who that man was." Erin says, and Hiccup looks at her in shock. "She did? How did she manage to do it so quickly?"
"Well, the spy network you build is working exceptionally. As soon as she sent out terrible terrors, she got an answer from a cell operator working in Jorgenson's territory. He says that they sighted the man who matches the description at the skirmishes with roaming tribes." Erin says, and Hiccup furrows his brows. So, Taramis's father had finally reached his son.
"The roaming tribes kidnapped Taramis..." Hiccup says, and Erin nods. "This is bad." Hiccup sighs as he brings his hands to his face. This was his doing. If he didn't punch Taramis on the ship, they would be together during the docking procedures.
"This is my fault," Hiccup says with a weak voice. Erin places her hand on his back. "It is no one's fault." She says, and Hiccup shakes his head. "It was my idea to improve relationships with the mainland, and I decided to come here. I decided to bring Taramis with me. They would not have reached him on our islands."
"First of all, it was Taramis's decision to come here with you, and also, you don't know if they would not reach him there. Your message said that they used Orrisa. Someone must have helped them to get that ship. No one can tell me they got away with that ship without anyone noticing them. Someone must have helped them. The merchants from the northern markets that supposedly fished up those crates? It cannot be a coincidence. Someone is actively working against you, Hiccup. The two assassination attempts and kidnapping of the man that was always putting your safety above his? Someone powerful and dangerous is against this plan of yours."
The duo was interrupted by the sound of a horn coming from the palace. Both of them stand up. "When you will have time, come to the shop. Cami expects you, and she has much more to report."
"I will. Say thanks to her for me." Hiccup says, and Erin nods. " See you soon, Hiccup," Erin says and walks away. Hiccup sighs. He looks at the water inside the fountain. If any god can hear me now, please protect my friend.
He turns around and walks towards the only space in the hedge. He was looking at his feet when suddenly he crashed into something or rather someone.
"Ouch..." Hiccup says, which is mirrored by a feminine voice. Hiccup looks up, and a breath catches in his throat. In front of him stood the fairest of the maidens he had seen. The dark blue dress, blond hair, blue eyes and red lips left a permanent imprint on his mind. Also, he immediately recognised the tribe's medallion protecting the maidens from the wrong suitors.
"Forgive me, milady." Hiccup quickly says, embarrassed that he was not paying attention. "I was not looking in front of me."
Astrid cursed herself when she managed to hit someone. Of course, it was just her luck. Once she was not looking in front of her, and at that moment, she managed to crash into someone. She looked up, and her mouth was suddenly dry. The green eyes of the man in front of her cast a spell on her. She felt weak in her legs just looking into his eyes. She was not paying any attention to her surroundings anymore. Only his green radiant eyes. She felt as if she had gotten lost in a forest. She barely noticed that the stranger was speaking to her. She shook her head and managed to get out of her trance.
"Forgive me, my lord. I didn't see you there." No more words could be said between them because another loud horn could be heard from the palace.
Oh, shit! Both of them thought at the exact moment, and at the same moment, the duo ran to the castle, not really caring about the looks both of them were getting from the servants.
Lilith was doing everything she could to save her son, but he was severely injured, and her healer options were limited on the ship without using her powers. She knew Moloch's interrogation methods. A few people were able to withstand them without breaking. She hates that she was not able to stop this interrogation altogether. She was forced to let Moloch gain some information from him before she could meet him. But she hoped Moloch would not be this cruel to the leader's son. Of course, his father was wicked, and she was not different, but she at least had her mother's feelings towards her son. His father, however, had absolutely no feelings towards his son. He only looks forward to using his son towards his selfish goals. She at least was ready to use her son while her son was happy with the choices she made.
She frowns as she thoughts back to the Moloch words. She was not aware that her husband had a new ally. Of course, Moloch could be lying, but he was not the lying sort. But suddenly, it made more sense. Her husband was, till now, uninterested in finding their son. Even when the control of their son would be a victory for him, her husband must have met someone that was interesting to him. Otherwise, Astaroth would never bother with any mortal. There must have been something she could not see yet. But she has her secret weapon too. This Axelia, which Taramis was lucidly talking about. She must be important to him. She knew that the chief's son was important to him too, but Astaroth knew that too. No, this Axelia will be an ace up her sleeve. She can definitely control her son with love. She looks back at her son. He was squirming and sweating from the fever. She looked around herself to check if she was alone. Not satisfied, she walks to the door and locks them. That should be enough to protect her. She walks back to the bed and hovers one of her hands above her son's forehead.
"Tenebris in me mando ut corpus hoc curem. Radices tenebrarum, ipse tuus est." Her voice was at first soft, but with each word, an eerie feeling filled the room. Her voice grows darker and darker with each passing moment. Her eyes soon turned black, and the black mist appeared between her hand and Taramis's forehead. The dark fog disappears into Taramis's forehead, and his mother stops. She smirks when she sees her son stop stirring, and his breathing turns calm. It will be interesting to see how Taramis and Hiccup, one son of darkness and the other son of fire, handle this situation. She starts to laugh in a dark voice. Her husband has already lost and doesn't even know it yet.
Moloch walks through the ship, angry at Lilith. She always disrupts his fun, and he would have so much fun breaking that fucking boy. He opened the door leading to his quarters and was surprised to see a cloaked man sitting on one of the chairs.
"Moloch..." The man said, and Moloch frowned. "What do you want, Krogan?" Moloch asks. Krogan takes down the cape and stands up. Krogan has dark, olive-toned skin, black hair and a goatee. He's relatively thin but has a muscular upper body.
"Did you get any information for Drago?" Krogan asks, and Moloch turns his back to Krogan with a sneer. "No, since Lilith came to take her boy from me," Moloch says as he makes his way towards the bed. Krogan doesn't answer, he just smirks. He walks silently towards Moloch, who still has his back facing Krogan.
"That bitch. I can't wai...t tch..." Moloch didn't finish his sentence since Krogan plunged the dagger into Moloch's neck. Moloch still manages to turn around and face Krogan. Krogan was smiling darkly at Moloch.
Moloch slumps on his knees as he holds the dagger plunged into his neck. Black blood was rushing through his finger, but he still managed to smile. "Yo-u thi-nk... this dag-ger will ki-ll me?" Moloch says with a guttural voice, and Krogan's smirks darken. "You think Drago doesn't know of your origin?" Krogan says, and Moloch's smile fades. Krogan comes closer as he understands that Moloch is no longer a threat. He crouches in front of him. "That dagger is not mine. It's Lilith's."
Moloch's eyes widen while Krogan's smirk widens too. "Drago knew that ordinary meanings cannot kill you. Just like Lilith and Astaroth and some others from your tribe. But he also knows that the weapons you all carry can be used to truly kill any of you. So, I stole Lilith's dagger. Astaroth will see that she killed you, and we will use that situation."
Krogan brings his head closer to Moloch. There was only a small fire of life in Moloch's eyes. "It's time for you to die, demon." Krogan still could see a small surprise in Moloch's eyes.
"No one will stop Drago. No one. Demons, Dragons, men. They will all be conquered by my master." As soon as he said that, Moloch breathed his last breath. Krogan laughed, and he kept laughing for a long while.