I believe this may be the chapter that makes some of you question my sanity, and with good reason. I do look forward to hearing what everyone thinks of it.
Have fun ;)
Chapter 5
It was almost noon of the next day when the Berkian longship finally pulled into the harbour and tied up at the docks near the market. Here it was more like the winter should be, for the air was cold but the sky was quite clear. Patches of snow lay in some of the shaded areas of the town and all the puddles of standing water in the street had frozen solid, and were just waiting for an unsuspecting Snotlout to slip on one of them.
"Two silver pieces to moor here" the dock master told the group as they started to tie up.
"Rubbish; the standing rate is three coppers" Hiccup replied as he retrieved the small coins from his pouch.
"Not today; tis Snoggletog and the price is two silver pieces" the man insisted.
The Dragon Riders looked to each other, but nobody had thought to bring much money because they had come to search, not to buy.
"Will this do, my good man?" Marty stepped forward and offered the man several coins that shone like gold.
The coins looked beautifully made, with a woman wearing a crown on one side and strange looking animals on the other.
"Are these real?" the dock master asked with suspicion
"They are not pure gold, but they are real coins from my country, with a small gold content" Marty answered.
"Are they worth the same two silver coins?" the man wondered.
"I would say that since you hold the only examples of these coins on this side of the world, they would be worth considerably more to any collector, and the traders that come and go from here are bound to know a few wealthy people they could put you in contact with. I advise you not be too hasty when it comes to exchanging them for local currency because you never know, a bidding war might just start over them."
The Dragon Riders could clearly see the look of unbridled greed creep over the man's face. It was the exact opposite of the look on Snotlout's face, as he realised a great opportunity had just slipped through his fingers.
"The amazing Marty comes through once more" Tuffnut cheered.
With the deal done, Marty and the Dragon Riders then headed into the market place to search for the source of their recent trouble. Many of the stalls and shops were closed for the holiday, but a considerable number remained open and were doing a large amount of trade with men who had forgotten to buy a present for their wives, and anyone who had just received a surprise visit from uninvited family members hoping for a free meal.
"Do you remember where you bought the medallion Snotlout?" Marty asked as they made their way through the crowd.
"Yes it was on the other side of the market" the determined young man said as he led the way.
The Dragon Riders and their companion followed Snotlout through the throng of shopkeepers and hawkers all vying for attention, to an empty store on the northern side of the market.
"This place is a dump" Ruffnut noted.
"Yeah it doesn't look like anyone has traded in this store for years" Fishlegs added.
"Are you sure this is the right place Snotlout" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, I'm certain" Snotlout insisted "See; it's next to the place you bought the salt and spices. While you and Astrid were doing business in there, I went in here."
"Snotlout is right" Astrid agreed "I remember he disappeared for a few minutes when we were in that shop next door."
"I guess the only thing to do is split up and search the market for any sign of this woman" Marty suggested.
"I'm going with Marty" Ruffnut said, grabbing his arm.
"And I'll go too... just to keep Ruff in check" Astrid declared.
"Okay then, we'll meet back here in half an hour, or when you find something" Hiccup told them before going off with the others.
There seemed to be no benefit to be gained by staying in the central market place, so Marty, Ruffnut and Astrid started to search some of the seedy back streets and alleys. The town was like a labyrinth, with one alley leading to two or three more. The small team soon discovered that the best way to search was for the three of them to wander each alley alone for a short distance, before meeting back at the fork they had just left.
During one of these expeditions, Ruffnut and Astrid both found their back streets soon turned into dead ends, so they met up at the cross road to await Marty's return.
"Back off Astrid, he's mine" Ruffnut said as they waited.
"What? Err... I-I'm not..." Astrid stuttered.
"Don't give me that" Ruffnut sniffed "I've seen the way you look at him, acting all shy and demure. Well it won't work, I saw him first."
"I assure you Ruff that I..."
Before Astrid could finish making her excuses, a strange glimmering light appeared in the alley, accompanied by a pleasant twinkling sound.
"Quick; get down" Astrid said, grabbing Ruffnut's arm and pulling her down behind some old crates.
"What is that; some kind of magic?" Ruffnut gasped in awe.
"How should I know; just watch and keep out of sight" Astrid snapped.
The lights grew quickly before solidifying into three strangely dressed men. They all wore black trousers with the man in the centre sporting a mustard yellow tunic, while the men at his sides wore blue. The man to the left, who possessed strange pointed ears, picked up a black box hanging from his shoulder and removed a small cylinder from its side.
"Good heavens Jim; where on earth are we?" the man on the right asked.
"Analysis please... Mister Spock" the man in yellow ordered.
"I'm afraid that the good Doctors exclamation may be a little inaccurate. For although we appear to be on Earth somewhere in the middle ages, a combination of these readings and my own feelings, tell me we are once more trapped inside yet another badly written fan fiction."
"Since when did Vulcan's start relying on feelings?" the Doctor said derisively.
"My conclusions are quite logical Captain because you see, I believe... I love you."
"No doubt about it then; this is definitely a fan fiction" the Doctor sighed.
"Then what... course of action... do you recommend... Mister Spock?"
"I suggest we look around for this particular author, who will undoubtedly somehow save the Enterprise, thus gaining our undying gratitude."
"I just hope this one is a lady who likes doctors" McCoy said crossing his fingers.
"I doubt that particular scenario will ever happen" the pointy eared man declared, as the trio walked off towards the market place.
Emerging from behind the crates, Astrid and Ruffnut just stared in wonder at the departing strangers.
"This has got to be the weirdest Snoggletog adventure we've ever had" Astrid gasped.
"What about the time that psychic spider helped you to deal with the fact that you're now a werewolf?" Ruffnut asked.
"I see your point, but no; this one really takes the biscuit" Astrid insisted.
The two young women waited in silence for a few minutes until their missing member appeared, slightly out of breath.
"I think I've found her" Marty declared "There's another alley off to the right, and I'm getting some very odd vibes from down there. Can you go and fetch the boys please Ruff?"
"Anything for you" Ruffnut replied and blew a kiss before running off.
Now that she was alone with Marty, Astrid slowly turned bright red as she summoned the courage she needed to talk with him.
"So um... when we find this woman, and save Berk by stopping what she's doing... whatever it is, what do you think you'll do then?" she asked.
"To be honest, I don't know for sure. If I have a choice in the matter, I would love to find a small island in the archipelago, build a home there and become a Dragon Rider. Most people like me do want something along those lines, but I may be forced to return to my own dimension. We'll just have to wait and see."
"Wouldn't you be lonely all by yourself?" Astrid wondered.
"Oh I'd visit Berk regularly, and I'm sure you all will pop in occasionally" Marty smiled.
"Maybe rather than live by yourself... perhaps I could live there too?" the young lady suggested.
"Astrid; are you saying what I think you're saying" Marty's eyes widened.
"I know this may come as a surprise, but I think... I think I love you and I'm sure we could be very happy together" Astrid begged.
Marty grabbed hold of Astrid's shoulders and gazed into her eyes.
"I'm sure we would be" he told her "but I'm afraid the answer must be no."
"But why?" Astrid sighed, a tear forming in her eye.
"We both know the answer to that question, don't we?" Marty said softly.
"Hiccup" Astrid nodded and looked down at her feet.
"Indeed; he needs someone like you in his life and you can't deny you really do love him too, a great deal."
"It's true" Astrid admitted "but how can I live without you."
"Yes it will be hard, but you'll just have to be strong. Brave heart Tegan... I mean Astrid."
At that moment the others arrived, and they all looked like they were ready for action.
"Is something wrong Astrid?" Hiccup asked when he saw how upset she was.
"Oh it's nothing" she replied, wiping her eyes "Just feeling the stress of the situation."
"Yes we must save Berk, everything is riding on us" Hiccup agreed.
"Come on everyone, this way" Marty beaconed and ran off into the dark alley.
"Have you ever seen anyone so brave?" Fishlegs remarked.
"And sexy" Ruffnut purred.
The Dragon Riders followed their new friend though several streets, until they all came to a disgusting old building made from planks of rotten wood. Everyone drew their swords, knives, or in Astrid's case axe, then Marty raised his powerful right foot and kicked the door in.
The inside of the room was in direct contrast to the outside. It was warmly lit, and beautifully decorated with rose pattern wallpaper, and a large ornate rug over a polished wooden floor. On the other side of the room, a small fire burned in the hearth, with a tall backed leather chair facing it.
"The jig is up!" Snotlout declared, even though he was unsure what a jig was, and what relevance its altitude was.
The chair slowly revolved to reveal an ugly wart ridden crone, holding what appeared to be a purring, furry dragon on her lap.
"Ah... the infamous Marty the Martian" she said in a crackly voice "So we finally meet; face to face at last."
Who is this strange person and what horrible fate does she have in mind for our heroes? All will be revealed closer to Christmas in the final chapter. Even more will be revealed should Snotlout's pants fall down, but fortunately they won't.
