"Where are we going again?"
"The Edge. Hiccup and the others have to chase down those wild twins and stop them from following some dragon called an Eruptodon."
"And they trust you to watch the Edge?"
"Hiccup did specifically ask that you come with. Something about being the responsible one."
Iris laughed at Dagur's words. A few days ago a Terror Mail had come in asking Dagur and Iris to keep an eye on the Edge. Without a second thought Dagur agreed. Meanwhile Iris was hesitant to have both of them leave Berserk but Rohan assured her everything would be fine. He insisted she think of it as a late honeymoon opportunity, four months after their wedding.
Growling Enigma excitedly spat a ball of fire into the air before them. This time Iris ducked and buried her face in her friend's mane before they went through the thick black smoke. It was something Enigma had been doing lately when she was overly excited. Meaning Iris had plenty of practice keeping low and her mouth shut to avoid breathing in smoke and being covered in soot.
The last two months had gone by like a blur. Iris had been practicing her swordsmanship with Dagur while Ellie healed. Somehow she was improving but she didn't trust herself in a fight yet. Her luck she'd cut herself with her own sword. Dagur of course claimed she was doing amazing but she told him he was prejudice since they were married.
Early crops were harvested and kept the whole village busy. Peas and beans were shucked and dried, cabbages were sliced and pickled, sunflower heads were picked and set out to dry. The first crop of wheat was being harvested. Iris had showed how to harvest as much wheat as possible without losing much on the ground as well how to take the remaining stalks and dry them to be straw. That also involved a lesson on how to tie the resulting straw once it was dried.
There was enough to keep everyone busy while they were gone. The new docks were coming along nicely thanks to the help of the Gronkles and Windstrikers. A local Scauldron even helped thanks to the payment of fish for his troubles. They even had a female Timberjack join them. She immediately bonded with Ellie much to the widow's surprise. They were a perfect pair though.
Overall, life was good and peaceful. Iris had worried it would drive Dagur bonkers not having something to fight or try to kill but surprisingly he kept himself busy with his chiefly duties as well as taking it upon himself to train their own Berserker Riders. Rumor had it the Dragon Hunters had a new leader who managed to get his own version of Riders that he called Flyers. So keeping their Riders in tip top shape was Dagur's priority to face this new threat.
"Want to race?" Dagur asked with a dangerous grin.
"What do I get when I win?" Iris asked cockily.
"Whatever you want," he purred with a wink. She giggled at his words. "So?"
"Slow poke," she teased.
At her words Enigma dropped into a nose dive to pick up speed. She leveled out before hitting the water and shot across the water. Waves rose in their wake as the pressure from Enigma's windstream collided with the water. Above them Dagur was shouting but Iris ignored him.
Enigma flapped her wings furiously to continue the momentum she had. However Jager had an advantage with his massive wings and was able to pick up speed without diving. Iris looked up with a grin.
"Come on girl," she urged. "Let's show them who's the best." Enigma growled eagerly.
She angled herself upwards, shooting back up into the air. While Jager was able to pull ahead as they ascended, Iris kept herself low on her friend's back. The Fury Howler snarled eagerly as she pumped her wings. They were gaining on Jager and Dagur.
"Cheater," Dagur shouted with a cackling laugh.
"Slow poke," she shouted back, laughing herself.
Enigma lurched forward. However Jager also lunged forward to keep up with the female. They were neck and neck for a few moments until Enigma suddenly swerved to the left to go around a sea stack.
The Edge quickly came into view as they did their best to stay ahead of Jager. However he and Dagur had been training. Suddenly he dove himself and used the momentum like Enigma had to speed up. Iris laughed as they passed below them and reached the island first. They'd beat them next time.
"You've been practicing," Iris laughed as Enigma grudgingly landed.
"Of course," Dagur bragged. "How else would I be able to beat your cheating ways?"
"Its not cheating if it works," she teased. He just grinned as Jager shook himself, now relieved of his saddle. "Go on Enigma, tourment your friend."
With a playful growl Enigma leaped at Jager. The other dragon jumped back and bounced off while she followed. Iris and Dagur followed after them as they headed to the main building of the Edge. Nothing had changed since the last time she had been there. It felt like years when it had only been months in reality.
"He really left a list of things I'm not allowed to do," Dagur grumbled.
Iris snickered and took the paper from him as he went to pout at the table. The list of things Dagur wasn't allowed to do was fairly long but what surprised her was that there was something written for her. She wasn't allowed to let Dagur do anything that was listed that he couldn't do. She looked at the list left for Dagur and about choked at the last one. Written in bold letters was absolutely no intimate acts. By the gods what did they think they were? Animals? Looking over at Dagur, who was brooding, she blushed. She didn't want an answer to that question.
"So far nothing interesting," Iris commented three days after their arrival. "I do enjoy the Night Terrors though. Think we could bring some home?"
"Absolutely not," Dagur answered. "The Terrible Terrors are enough of a headache."
"Awe but they're so cute."
Dagur just opened an eye to stare at Iris. Currently they were sitting on the sky dock. He was laying on his back, enjoying the sun, while Iris was watching Enigma and Jager snatch fish out of the ocean with their claws. It reminded her of watching bald eagles grab fish. She stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to chuckle, and leaned back on her arms with a content sigh.
"I could get used to this," she said. "No responsibilities. Just patrolling and keeping things in order. My favorite person next to me and my two favorite dragons flying around."
"I think a lot of people would be heartbroken," Dagur said sleepily. "Ellie and Rohan come to mind."
"Ugh I know, I know. A girl can day dream. Doesn't mean I'm going to do it. Imagine, us being Riders flying around dealing with people's problems." She thought for a second. "Actually never mind. No thank you."
"I knew you'd come to your sense."
"Stop laughing at me."
Suddenly Enigma roared and flew into the air from the beach. She landed with a thud behind them, causing Dagur to scramble to his feet, but growled excitedly. On the horizon was a group of dragons.
"Looks like they are home," Iris said brightly.
"Darn," Dagur yawned. He leaned against Enigma as he rubbed his face. "I was just thinking about taking a nap."
"That's all you have been doing," she teased.
"Well I'm not allowed to do a lot of things except nap."
She just stuck her tongue out at him again and squealed when he tried to grab her tongue. Making a face she hide on the other side of Enigma. Jager was flying overhead roaring excitedly.
"Welcome home," she said brightly when the Riders finally landed. All looked worse for wear and exhausted. "Not a fun mission I'm guessing."
"The twins almost got us killed," Snotlout growled, glaring at the two who tried to look innocent.
"There is a type of dragon on that island no human should ever face," Astrid groaned. "And thanks to those two stalking the Eruptadon we had to face them!"
"I'll tell you guys more later," Hiccup sighed. "Right now I think we could all use a good wash and some food. Maybe some sleep."
"Go wash up," Iris ordered. "Dagur and I will whip you all up something to eat before you go to bed."
"Dagur cooking?" Snotlout asked nervously.
"I'll have you know I am a fine cook Snothat," Dagur scoffed.
"Less bickering more washing," Iris drawled.
With little fight the tired Riders headed off to go wash up. Iris knew after being here the past few days there was a woman's bath and a men's bath. Both had hot water thanks to the island volcano. The dragons groaned and whimpered as they headed to the stable. Enigma exchanged a look with Jager before both dragons took off and headed towards the ocean.
Iris decided something warm and didn't require much chewing was a good idea for a meal. Thankfully she had some soup stock cooking since this morning with plans to make such a meal for later. It would be fine using it earlier than planned.
"Cut up these potatoes for me?" she asked Dagur. He took them without complaint and began chopping them up. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said. He grinned as she placed a kiss on his cheek.
With Dagur working on the pile of potatoes Iris pulled out a hunk of meat she had cooked yesterday. It was venison and would be perfect in the soup. She cut the large hunk into bite sized portions before tossing them into the simmering stock. Dagur had already added his potatoes and was working on carrots without her even asking.
It didn't take long for the meat to soften along with the potatoes and carrots. Iris was just starting to ladle it into bowls when Hiccup dragged himself in. She placed the bowl on the table as he sat with a groan. Once she placed a spoon next to him he dug into the soup.
"We had to face some dragons called Sentinels," he said after taking a few bites. "They guard the resting place of all dragons. They can counter any and every attack from any dragon. We barely made it out of there with help from the Eruptadon. Otherwise we would have been trapped there forever."
"That does not sound ideal," Iris muttered.
"I wholes agree," Hiccup sighed. The other Riders started coming in and sit down. "Thank you for watching the Edge of us. For making us something to eat as well. You didn't have to."
"You've all helped us once or twice," Iris drawled as she handed out bowls of soup. "Its the neighborly thing to do."
"This smells amazing," Snotlout groaned.
"Enigma and Jager caught enough fish to feed the dragons," Dagur said as he stepped in. "They've eaten their fill and passed out for the day. I'd eat your fills as well and head to bed if I were you. Iris and I can keep an eye on things."
"You guys have already done so much," Astrid started to say.
"Eat then sleep," Iris ordered. "Neighbor chieftess orders. Otherwise I'll send Dagur to get Stoick and he can order the same thing. We'll stay another day or two until you are all functioning again."
"You don't have to tell us twice," Tuffnut said.
"Aye," Ruffnut agreed.
"Fine," Hiccup said. "We'll listen to your orders. As long as its not a problem with either of you."
"The only problem I have is that list you left me," Dagur drawled. He sat next to Hiccup, throwing his arm over the other boy's shoulders. "Brother, don't you want to be an uncle?" His words caused Hiccup to choke.
"Stop trying to kill him," Iris scolded. She ignored the wide eyed stares the other Riders were giving her. "Hiccup, ignore him."
"I wish I could," he muttered as his face turned bright red.
Iris shook her head and handed out hunks of bread to everyone. Soon there were requests for more soup so she went around filling bowls.
Everyone looked worn to the bone, even the twins who usually never looked tired. Ruffnut leaned against Tuffnut who was trying to keep from face planting into his bowl. Next to them Snotlout looked to already be asleep while slurping the soup Dagur finally left Hiccup alone Astrid leaned against him. Bags hung under her eyes that matched the ones Hiccup was carrying. Finally Fishlegs started to snore, his spoon a few inches from his mouth as his eyes tried to roll back.
She clapped her hands, startling everyone back to reality, and shooed them off to their respectful huts. They didn't have any fight as they slowly walked off. For a second Iris was worried Snotlout would fall asleep on the doorframe but Dagur poked him in the back and sent him scurrying off.
"They're exhausted," Iris said with a sigh. "I'm sorry I volunteered us staying longer but I can't in good conscience leave them this vulnerable."
"I don't blame you," Dagur said. "From what Hiccup told me, it was one hell of a fight against those Sentinels. And I was the one who said we'd watch everything. You didn't volunteer anything."
"I guess you're right. Should we go check on their dragons one more time? I know you did already but-"
"After you my sweet."
All the dragons were snoring peacefully in their pens. Iris was surprised they would willingly go into the cage looking things but Dagur claimed they were actually comfortable in such pens. She shook her head but stepped out so he could close the door.
Enigma and Jager were perched on the meeting hut, the tallest building on the island. Both were on alert, scanning the horizons and listening to the winds. It was quite adorable watching both their ears twitch and shift.
With nothing left to do but stay alert for any surprise attacks, Iris went back to the dining hut to clean up. Dagur stayed outside, something about taking Jager on patrol. That left her alone with her thoughts. Which were rather boring if she was honest.
"Times like this I wish I have the talent to sing amazingly," she muttered in English.
A small chirp caught her attention as she pulled the soup off the fire. One of the Night Terrors, a tiny one, sat on the table watching her. It was half the size of most Night Terrors. She offered it the bone from the roast which it took eagerly. One thing she learned about small dragons was the easiest way to become their friend was to feed them. That got her stuck with Screechie but she still loved the god awful Terror.
"That good?" she asked the small dragon. It cooed before going back to gnaw off a bit of meat. "That's good. Don't tell the others. They'll all be here begging and I'm not staying long."
The Night Terror looked at her, blinking curiously, only to focus back on its bone. She scraped the left over soup from the bowls in a bucket along with the half chewed pieces of bread. Maybe she'd toss it in the ocean for the fish to enjoy. Before she started wiping down the table, two more Night Terrors showed up and began investigating the bucket.
"Absolutely not inside," she scolded when one tried to reach in. "Here. I'll take it outside. Leave the bucket when you're done."
The Night Terrors screeched eagerly and darted out the door. Another one just landed outside, obviously drawn in by the excited screeches, and zeroed in on her bucket. Quickly she set it down before the three mobbed her.
"Oh no."
Another Night Terror was on the table only this one was eyeing the first's bone. First growled as it scooted away with the bone in its maw. That didn't stop the second table Night Terror from creeping after while sniffing eagerly. Before a fight could break out Iris scooped up the small one, along with its bone, and glared at the other one.
"They had it first," she scolded as the first Night Terror eagerly relaxed in her grasp to enjoy the bone. "Shoo. Go outside and get something from the bucket before the other ones eat it all." A series of high pitched shrieks from outside made her wince. "Oh no."
Iris eased the door open just a crack to peek outside. A mob of Night Terrors fought and squabbled over the bucket, which was tipped over. Everything spilled onto the walkway but that didn't stop the Night Terrors from fighting over soup broth puddles. One even tried to take the bucket but two other ones stopped it with shrieks.
"This isn't good," she muttered. They all froze, hearing her voice, and turned as one to stare at the door. "Shit!" She yanked the door shut. "We're screwed!"
"This is all your fault," she mock scolded the first Night Terror. It just nuzzled her. "Dagur told me no so no sucking up. Otherwise I will hide you in my bag and sneak you home." The sound of small bodies hitting the door made her groan. "And your friends might follow. Let's handle them first. ENIGMA!"
She knew the Fury Howler could hear her. It was a matter of when she'd get her butt over here. Sometimes she could be a lazy and spiteful dragon. However the sound of wing beats and a deep growl told Iris she did answer timely this time. Shrieks filled the air along with smaller more frantic wing beats. It was only when Enigma chuffed that Iris opened the door though. She did not want a pile of Night Terrors trying to hide in the dining hut.
Chest puffed out Enigma cooed proudly. The Fury Howler was indeed proud of herself for chasing off the mob. Iris scratched her chin, cooing praises, while the Night Terror she held moved to lay on her shoulders. Enigma eyed the small dragon.
"Think we should bring them home girl?" she asked. Enigma huffed, rolling her eyes. "Kill joy. Just like Dagur."
The Night Terror gave a soft whine only to begin purring when she scratched its forehead. She smiled at the dragon. It gave her total cat vibes.
"Don't worry," she whispered. "I'll sneak you home."
For someone who is an introvert I spent too much time around new people this weekend. Time to recharge. But I got plenty of ideas for future stories. Not in the HTTYD universe though. Other worlds.
