Again, I must wait until the cover of darkness to initiate my first move. Unfortunately it means going back to sneaking around, and I hate the idea of betraying my friends. I hate that I had to use good people. Maybe we could be friends and allies another time but I shouldn't even hope for that. I don't deserve it. But, I need to focus on my duty. I owe it to my parents. Only when I'm free from these chains of obligation can I be free to be me. Only then can I let people in.
While Hiccup and his father are asleep down stairs, I jump out the loft window and dash to Astrid's house, taking the long way around to avoid patrolling guards. I come to the back of Stormfly's stable, and walk along the side of it sticking to the shadows. I jump through my second window tonight, into the stable, and Stormfly raises her tail in defense. Even when she sees it's only me, she doesn't back down. Astrid probably trained her to hate me. Rightfully so. Luckily I've come prepared.
I pull out a chicken leg from my bag I grabbed from the Great Hall at dinner earlier then throw it to the other side of the stable. Stormfly is distracted enough to leave her flank exposed, on the side where the large saddlebag is. The book is still poking out of the top. Gotcha.
The Book of Dragons is directly in front of me and all I have to do is step forward to take it. For me that book means unlocking infinite possibilities. My fingers are grazing the smooth leather cover, when the stable door is violently kicked open and in comes a fuming Astrid. "What are you doing to my dragon?!"
"Nothing at all," I evade. "Nothing you didn't expect anyway. You're clever Astrid, but you're too late." Before Astrid can react in any manner I jump through the window for the last time tonight, book in hand yet feeling hollow inside.