This felt right. Steel on steel, unhindered this time. He could actually see his surroundings. It took four days but Eret had made the proper adjustments to his drake armour.

Astrid readily agreed to help him test it out, needing to vent after Gustav insisted on coming on their last raid. The lad had grown much over the last few years, to an extent. He was certainly more mature and the raid went well. He just never knew when to shut up. This workout was just what she needed to blow off steam from some of the comments he'd made during the flight.

She dodged his back-hand, twisting to deliver a solid kick to his head, knocking off his helmet. Her momentum carried and she landed a heavy back-hand of her own, causing him to stumble back a step, a grin tugging at his lips.

He rather enjoyed sparing with her. He was the stronger of the two, but she was quicker and kept him on his toes.

A swift flick of his machete and her axe was tossed aside. He went for the pinning shot and she gracefully danced out of its path, working with his momentum. She moved behind, pressing her boot to the back of his knee and forcing him to the ground. Grabbing the back of his collar, she pressed her boot dagger against his throat.

And like that it was over. Had the fight been real, she would have ended him before he could toss her off.

"Ég gef eftir." Replacing her dagger she released her hold, giving a little whoop to her victory.

Blood smeared on his fingers as he cradled his jaw, telling of the deep gash on his cheek. Nothing too worrying, but it would take a bit for the bleeding to stop.

"Sorry." She offered meekly, feeling a smidge of guilt.

"Bah!" He brushed her off. "It's no fun if it doesn't leave a scar. I'll tell of how the great general of Berk let me live, leaving this the only proof."

She laughed at his antics, playfully hitting his shoulder. Brushing her damp bangs out of her eyes as she removed her helmet. He sheathed his blades, grunting as he got to his feet and joined her beside the small water basin.

"Feeling better, now?"

"Much." She sighed, craning her neck and earning a pop in return. Absently running her fingers over the bandage wrapped around her throat.

"How's that healing?" He washed the blood from his face only to feel a trail start anew. Might have to see Gothi about this one.

"It doesn't itch as much." Groaning as she arched her back. "I could probably see if it can come off now. It wasn't that bad, but having Gothi look at it was the only way to get Hiccup to relax."

"He cares greatly for you. I'd probably be the same way, were I in his shoes."

She hummed thoughtfully, a twinkle in her eyes. "Well, why don't you come with me. Gothi's got to have something for that cut. And she can give the all clear so Hiccup can stop worrying." He didn't have a choice in the matter as she pulled him along. The request was more rhetorical, but he would have agreed anyway as he felt another bead of blood fall.

Skullcrusher was lazing about outside the arena. Halfheartedly engaging with the young gronkle that ran circles around him, ramming into a leg or tail occasionally. Stormfly ignored them, contently cleaning herself.

"Looks like they're preoccupied." He didn't argue that point. The beast would probably ignore him if he tried to get him to move.

"Haven't they finished the stairs, yet?"

"Almost. It helps now that the ice is gone." During Drago's attack, the great dragons ice shot anywhere it could reach, which included the winding steps that led to the healers hut. Those without ride-able dragons had to taxi with others if need be until the ice was removed and repairs could be made. "I guess we'll have to go see Fena for our problems."

There it is. "You're not as subtle as you think." Eret huffed.

"Who said I was being subtle." Astrid tugged a little harder. She was not implying anything, but it was obvious to anyone who saw them that the two practically avoided each other. Astrid felt a gentle shove might do the trick. "She seems to be well learned already in healing, from what Fishlegs has told me. But you guys act as if the other will burst into flame if you so much as look at each other. If anything, it's you who's not very subtle."

"It's not that simple Astrid." He stopped dead, forcing her to jolt back as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Breathing deeply, "It's not the same as Hiccup and Valka, she's his mother. That leaves a bond that no matter the years gives them some starting ground, at least. This is different." He began pacing. "Yes, we knew each other as children. But only children, mind you. Then they're gone without warning, and you are told they're dead, never to come back. But then they do come back, out of nowhere, and they're not dead, and you find it's someone completely different than you remember. It's such an overpowering feeling of strangeness. We are strangers, essentially, we don't really know each other yet it feels like we should know everything about each other. It's like-"

Astrid placed a firm hand on his arm, stopping his frustrated ramblings. "I get it. It's not easy. All I'm saying is that you guys probably won't know each other if you keep treading on sharp rocks whenever you're near each other." She returned to her task of pulling him along. "If you need help to break the ice, I know a little trick that will work." He chuckled wryly as she flashed a mischievous grin, letting himself be lead to a small tent at the base of the healers hut.

The "tent" was more of a lean-to, fit for one, with a little storage space. It was placed near the base of Gothi's hut. As Fena had no dragon and was more than reluctant to ride one, everyone agreed that having extra hands on the ground wouldn't hurt. Mainly for the children and others who didn't ride.

The first day was met with quiet and weary glances, as Fishlegs was helping Fena to understand Gothi's markings. The elder questioning the young woman of her experiences. Pleasantly surprised to find she was already well versed in herbs and fairly confident in fixing broken bones, mending ripped sinew and preventing infection. Having to mend herself a few times.

It was the second day Fena was visited. Fishlegs had decided to take on a tutor role. Teaching her to read and write so she could keep a journal of her healing solutions for references, when a young girl came over to them with a snivelling boy in tow.

"My brother got too close to Gus and he bit him." Fena recognized the girl. She'd seen her happily chattering away with Eret a few times.

"What was he doing there, Nati?" Fishlegs knew full well which dragon she referred to.

"Boarstaf was playing with his ball, and he threw it too far. It landed near the dragon, when he went to get it Gus bit him."

Fena tended to the boy, gently cleaning and bandaging his hand as Nati chatted with her. Asking her questions about where she came from, if she was staying in Berk, why her hair was so pale and that she thought it was pretty. She told Fena to not be scared of Eret, seeing how the two acted around each other the odd times they crossed paths. Everyone thought he was a bad guy just because he worked with Drago, but Nati went on to assure her that he might look scary because of how big and strong he is, but he was really very nice and he told good stories too. Fena simply nodded along, admitting how it just felt so strange to see him after so many years. Nati suggested that they talk about their favourite things, like it was a cure-all solution to every problem. Well, she is only seven.

The days following people slowly came to her for aid, often pulled in by Nati, and traded essentials for her skills. The people of Berk were brisk, rooted in tradition and weary of outsiders. But if Hiccup and Gothi put enough trust in her, then what else could they do. Most knew she came with only the clothes on her back, and even that was taken from her. So they traded either food, blankets, a spare cup or dish they had.

One child traded a small doll, saying it would keep the nightmares away. An older woman gave her some old clothes, as Fena now sported a light linen shirt of deep red with a simple belt and cotton trousers tied around the ankles. The shoes that came with the outfit were stored in the tent. She preferred going barefoot as long as she could, winter was the only time she needed extra coverings. A young woman gifted her an old loom of the smaller scale, thinking Fena could use to to create more bandage cloth.

The loom was half filled with a weaving already, as a small black terrible terror with a gnarled scar running across its empty left eye socket, lazed beside it. No one could understand why the irritable old dragon chose to hang about someone who seemed to dislike the creatures, but he refused to leave. He would glower if someone got too close but he didn't seem to lash out when he was there. The grumpy Gus currently lay there, chewing on a strip of dried fish, while Nati sat on a stool contently snacking on a handful of dried fruit. Fena beside her mending a stuffed bear.

Nati waved eagerly with a bandaged hand and full cheeks when she saw the two warriors approach.

"What did you do this time?" Eret was hardly surprised to see her injured hand. Nati was the fearless type, who thought after she did something. She would probably stick her hand in a beehive if you said you wanted honey, then be confused why the bees would sting her.

That was how he found her. During Drago's attack on Berk, she had gone to fetch her brothers toy he'd dropped in the panic, not realizing she was caught in the crossfire. Eret had come barrelling in just as ice shot where she would have been. She was surprised to say the least, to find herself cradled in a strangers arms, staring dumbly at the spikes of ice like they shouldn't be there. Oblivious to the war around her.

"I was playing with Inga and I fell down the stairs. Inga tried to catch me but she ended up ripping off Bugs leg instead."

Eret brushed her dark bangs aside to see a light purple bruise on her forehead. He sighed dismissively, tousling her hair, "You need to be aware of your surroundings, Nati. Even in your own home."

"Were you aware that you're bleeding?"

"Yes. That's why I dragged him here." Astrid found it quite endearing how Eret interacted with children. Her first impression of him would never imply a compassionate or gentle bone in his body. She honestly wasn't sure if he was always this way, or if his release from Drago's hold played a part.

"Were you guys on a secret mission?"

"We were sparring. Testing out the changes I made to my armour. But Astrid landed some pretty goods hits."

"Will you spar with me?" Nati gave him a hopeful look.

"One day. For now, try to be more alert of your surroundings. There'll be a new baby in your house soon, ja? Your mum will need lots of help, and you can't help her if you keep falling down stairs."

Nati shrugged him off, "We can come see Fena. She's really good with healing." He knelt beside her as she beckoned him closer, whispering, "I think she uses magic."

"I'm sure you do." They all turned to find Fena gazing off into the distance, her eyes focusing on something.

"Fena?" Her head shifted slightly towards them but she didn't look away.

"Who is that woman?" Erets brows furrowed. Astrid looked about, unsure who she was referring to.

"Which woman?"

"The one in the green dress there, by the trees. I feel like I've seen her before but I'm not sure who she is?"

"I don't see anyone by the trees."

Shaking her head Fena cut the thread from the toy and handed it over to Nati. She snuggled the stuffed bear a moment before pointing at Eret, who was still scanning the edge of the woods.

"Eret's bleeding." That brought back his attention. Fena stood before him, gripping his chin to better look at the gash. She grazed her fingers just under the edge of the cut, gauging how deep it was before ducking into the tent. Eret chanced another look at the trees as Fena re-emerged with a damp cloth and a small lidded bowl in hand.

Her lips twitched, a dismisive chuckle escaping as she cleaned the cut. Pausing a moment to brush away the few stray strands.

"What?"

"Nothing." Her voice soft, returning to her task. "Little Eret."

Removing the lid from the bowl, the mixture looked like creamed honey but it gave off a pungent stale odour he couldn't place. It stung briefly, his cheek twitched as she smeared on the cream on slowly. He watched as her eyes drifted to his tattoos, her fingers feathering over the lines. He didn't know what else he could do to prove himself to her, so he let her be.

Astrid just looked at them, the interaction was strange to everyone. Fena noticed the blood marks from her fingers, but he stopped her as she went to wipe his cheek again, a little annoyed at the awkward looks they were giving them.

"It's fine." He dismissed tiredly. She turned her attention to his hand. Examining it again, even with the glove. Spreading her palm over his, studying the size and weight of it. Her face blank, giving away nothing of her inner thoughts.

"You guys are weird. You should get married."

Eret shot Astrid harsh glare as she choked out a bark of laughter. Fena let go of his hand, looking at the child with amusement.

"We should marry, just because you think we're weird?" Nati's face was serious as she looked between the two.

"Well," Her hands crossed over her chest. "Chief Stoic and Valka didn't get married, and look what happened. You two should get married before one of you dies." The reasoning was sound in Nati's mind. When the chief had found Valka after years apart, he was lost in battle. She believed it was because their bond was severed when Valka left so they needed to have another union. Nati knew only just that Eret and Fena were separated for most of their lives and her mind came to a similar conclusion. That unless they got married that one of them would die. Nati liked both of them and didn't want that to happen.

The women chuckled as Eret hoisted the small child over his shoulder. "That's enough out of you." They walked off, "So you're some grand matchmaker now, eh?"

"You have a braid in your hair! When did you do that? You've never let me braid it before." Their voices died off the further they went. The two young women left behind, their small chuckles ending in sighs. Fena's face focused again, confusion clear in her eyes.

"So, you don't know who that is?" It was Astrid's turn to be confused, turning to the treeline to see no one there.


The smell of fish and salt water was a welcomed one as Eret strode along the docks, the few fishing boats unloading the mornings catch. His boat was getting ready for a relaunch. They had a harsh run-in with a territorial scaldron a month back that did some excessive damage to the hull and rudder fins. Wrangling the beast wasn't much of a problem for the ex-trappers. Although it did take them a bit to adjust to the "catch and release" ideology.

"Riggu. How goes the repairs?" The man in question spun about. Heavily salted brows settled easily as Eret came up beside him. Riggu was well over twice Erets age, having been the first mate to his father, and later under the lad himself.

"It fairs." Eret took stock of the men attaching the mended sail. "Berks' resources for ship repair are few. Luckily one of the merchant ships had the missing ingredients we needed for the sealer. Other than that, we should be set in the next twenty minutes or so to take her out, see how she holds. That gronkle-iron chain for the rudder seems strong enough. But we'll see how smooth she runs when we hit open water."

"I bet you never saw yourself settling for this."

"Trading in my shield for a net? No. Keeping your sorry ass out of trouble? It seems I serve no other purpose."

He shot the old man a teasing look, "Just my ass?"

Riggu shook with laughter. "Less hot air comes out of there than out of here." He lightly smacked Eret's forehead.

"Fair enough." Their laughter died out as Eret set his gaze on the distant waters.

"What would my Da say if he saw me now." Riggu was the only one he shared these moments with, confiding fully in him. He'd known this man all his life, and he trusted him with it.

"Truthfully, he'd probably feel you've gone mad. I don't think he'd ever imagine you riding the beasts." Neither did he. But now, he couldn't see himself not riding one.

"But he'd be proud of the man you've become." A heavy hand on his shoulder adding a familiar comfort. He remembered being intimidated by Riggu, when he was a boy, his stature was a sturdy and formidable one when compared to his father. It surprised him greatly to find a gentle giant behind the fierce warrior. Even as he grew to stand taller than him, his presence never seemed to change. The only part of him that did was the number of grey hairs on his dark head.

"Freya's tits." The remark seemed out of place, Eret thought. Even more-so when he turned to find Riggu paled considerably. He followed the man's stunned stare to see Fena weaving down the docks.

She was twisting and turning, taking in the harbour with interest, heading their way. A flash look of surprise crossed her face when she took notice of them.

"What are you doing here?" His tone was a little more accusatory than intented, but he had a feeling he already knew the reason.

"I needed a change of scenery. I like the waters so Astrid suggested I come see the port."

Astrid, he muttered to himself. He knew that she would push further. Luckily Fena didn't seem aware of Astrid's true intentions behind the suggestion.

"You're Rurik's girl, aren't you?" Riggu stared in solemn awe. Fena shifted under his gaze.

"If the Rurik you're referring to is my father, than I guess so?" Her shoulders tensing slightly, unsure how to respond.

"Yes," Eret clarified, rubbing his forehead. "This is Fena."

"So the rumors were true." Riggu's features softened, a gentle smile defining the wrinklings around his eyes. "The hair is a good giveaway. Never have I seen anyone else with hair like yours, in all my years of travel. But it's your face. You look just like him." She shuffled her feet, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "I remember, one year, Trud and Juvven got so drunk they passed out. Only to have you come between them and twist their beards together."

"I don't remember that." She looked between the two men, silently asking Eret for some sort of aid.

"You were still very small then. It was the last Yule festival. The one before the whole incident." Riggu looked at them both in subtle disbelief. To see them grown, alive and well, having held them both as babes.

He recalled the day they returned to the trading port. The blackened bones of shacks were sprouting moss, as the people who remained were slowly being swallowed by the earth. He remembered Eret standing amidst the charred ruins, silent tears streaming down if cheeks. It was that moment he saw his friend broken for the first time.

Those painful memories overtook him, as blue eyes misted. "I don't think he ever forgave himself for failing you, or your father. It nearly killed him, going back to that port, only to find nothing left."

"He... went back for me?"

"Excuse me, Eret?"

"What?" He snapped, all the reminiscing had gotten under his skin and made him restless for reasons he didn't quite know. The man who called over the gunwale was unfazed by the familiar bite.

"Sorry, we didn't want to interrupt what seemed like a sensitive and intimate moment." A few of the crew could be seen leaning on the rail, leaving Eret to question his remaining sanity.

"Out with it."

"We're all set to go."

"Then what are you lazy asses gawking at. Get Moving!"

The assembly jolted and ran about their work as Eret lept up on to the deck.

"Can I come?" He faced her as she came to stand at the edge of the dock, waiting for permission to board.

"This isn't some pleasure cruise."

"You know I'm more skilled than that." Dark brows furrowed further as he scrunched his nose. She fumbled awkwardly with her hands, back-tracking her words.

"Not you, I guess. He knew, uh... you wouldn't, you weren't there. But Pale-Claw was naval based. Practically slept with their ships. Yrsa never approved of me participating in raids, but the boys made sure I knew what I was doing. We would sometimes be gone for weeks at a time."

"Oh come now, boy." Riggu chided. "Let her tag along."

Riggu's reproachful look only irked him more. Perhaps that was the point. He ceased his pacing to offer his hand, thinking too late he almost retracked. He was relieved when she readily took hold of it, a firm grip on his forearm, as he did the same and pulled her onto the deck.

"You'll do as Riggu tells you." She nodded curtly as he turned to address the first mate. "You're in charge of her, keep her near the stýri. I need to see how the repairs hold without worrying about what she can and can't do."

Riggu remained stern, but eased as he led her to the helm. Her eyes danced with excitement, but she kept herself calm. Eret turned his back to them, taking a few deep breaths to steel himself.

"Loose the mooring lines and ease her out slowly!" He bellowed.

And so they did, unhooking the lines from the docking posts and pushing off. The few oars they had helped gently pull the ship from the port and out to open waters where they could open the sails.

A harsh grinding of metal resounded, cause Eret's brows to knit further. Riggu only waved him off, nothing to fret about, just the new chain adjusting. Seeing Fena's lithe frame strain with effort, as she adjusted the steering arm, strangely seemed to ebb some of his previous tension. Digging her heals to push and steer them a little further out of the shallows, under Riggu's direction.

She looked healthier, well more so than the first night he found her, she looked more lively. The afternoon sun shining upon her hair was almost glaring. But it seemed to pale when compared to the grin she was wearing. It was contagious as he felt his spirit lift with the winds.

True, riding a dragon was a thrill of itself. But nothing in Eret's mind, could ever compare to riding the waves and chasing the horizon.

"Full canvas, lads! Let's open her up and see how she does!" A chorus of ayes echoed as they carried out the order. Spreading the sails as wide as they could, catching the wind and gaining speed. She seemed to be holding, another weight to lift from his list of worries. They would cruise around the whole of Berk. The few sea stacks on the west side of the island would be a good place to test the rudders.

He brought his ship back to Berk not a month after the attack. He wanted to at least make sure his crew was alright. It took little convincing, Riggu heartily bidding good riddance to Drago, and convincing the rest to hold on to their loyalties. Although they were a bit concerned when he showed up on the back of a dragon. Hiccup would come to chat with the crew and study the ship, claiming it unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Truthfully, the new duties as chief seemed to be weighing on him, so he was looking for a distraction. Eret didn't mind that. He boasted of the design being common place back home, but his ship was a special build.

He puffed up slightly as the stacks came into sight. He joined them at the helm, Riggu was surveying the men at work, while Fena held their course.

"What do you think?" His hands rested on his hips.

"I've never seen a ship like this. It's beautiful. Riggu told me of the repairs, but she handles beautifully." She beamed back at him. All his previous tension disappeared and was replaced with pride.

"You haven't seen anything yet." A smig grin played on his lips as he came behind her. "See those sea stack, ahead."

She nodded.

"Most would have to row through, to pass in-between without risk of excessive damage." He gripped the steering arm, his arms encompassing her as he took control of the ship. "Well this ship was the first of its kind. There are the three rudder fins at the stern here, and two more fins at the bow. The tiller shifts. So I can control the aft fins," He pushed the steering grip back, feeling the heavy release and click as he shifted the position. "Or the bow fins. Or both at once. Allowing the ship to make sharp turns without reducing speed." Fena looked at him in awe and concern. True to his word the stacks drew closer and they weren't slowing down.

His heart was racing. Ignoring Riggu's reprimamding scowl as he pushed past, barking orders for evasive maneuvers. His grin only broadened, as the wind was on their side.

The harsh stone structures weren't so close to each other to present a challenge, but they would prove his point. He wasn't entirely sure what that point was, he really just wanted to show off. When he explained the advanced steering mechanics to Hiccup, he was hounded with questions of the inner workings. He was pleased to know his ship was still one of a kind.

The world seemed to fade away as he drove them around the first few towers. Feeling the waters move beneath him, the chains bellow shifting, focused fully on the winding path ahead. He was completely in his element. Fena flinched at the odd rock that would fall from the stacks as wild dragons left their perches. Riggu was directing the men to aid Eret's direction.

The were nearly out of it when a small group of wild natters passed above them. Only to have a random natter barrel in from the starboard side and slam the leader of the group into the upcoming stack. Clearly two males duking it out, but their fight caused the unsteady stack to crumble just as they were passing it by. Riggu ordered the sails open full as Eret held their heading, straight ahead and they'd be out in a few meters.

Fena gawked as the stack fell into the waters behind them. Spars rubble scattered at their feets as the impact wave gave a little extra push, spraying a mist across the helm.

Fena ducked under his arm to lean over the rail, watching the stone sink under their wake.

"That was incredible!" A crack of a whip cut short her praise. A sharp cry of pain followed. The turned to find one the main lines had snapped, catching one man off guarding and leaving a harsh looking cut on his shoulders. Riggu was tending to the man while ordering a new line. Fena snatched up a coil of rope and rushed to the bow. With speed and agility, it was Eret's turn to stare in awe as she easily clambered up the curve of the sail beam and replace the line. When the line was secure, she came back down, turning her attention to the injured crewman.

His point, whatever it was, seemed to be made. Riggu would chew him out later for this, but it was worth it in the end. He would just make sure Astrid never heard about it.