The next morning, Hicca woke up early in an attempt to sneak out of the village and into the forest for the dragons. But, when she was about to reach the treeline, she heard "Hicca!"
I thought they were gone!
She slowly turned around and saw Austen running towards her from the direction of the forges, which were across the village.
Oh, I guess they did leave. But why is Austen here? He's never even noticed me before."
Austen reached her, not even a little out of breath. Lucky, I can't even get up the hill to my house without being slightly out of breath. He can just casually appear not tired at all after running through the village, unbelievable.
Austen's voice broke through her train of thought. "Hicca, It's not that hard to run through the village."
Oh, okay. WAIT….. I said that OUT LOUD! Well... That's embarrassing.
He seemed oblivious to the growing blush on her face, as she realised what had happened.
"Anyways,I looked for you in the forge but you weren't there. I need you to fix my axe, it's looking a little blunt." He said producing said axe from a location that was beyond Hicca's knowledge because it was like he pulled it out of thin air.
"Uhh, yea no problem. Just drop it off later today and i'll have it done in no time."
"Well, why can't you do it now. You don't have anything else to do, you're not in dragon training like the rest of us. All you do is work in the forge, and when you're not, you mess things up during the dragon raids."
Wow, way to make me feel useless Austen.
"I will have you know that even though I am not in dragon training yet, I still do things other than work on the forges all day."
"Really like what? And where are you going anyway? We aren't supposed to go into the forest. You of all people should know that with how many times your father says it."
"Well…" I trailed off... Does he really want to know what I do? Or is he going to make fun of me and my drawing habits?
"Yeaaaa?"
"I like to drawinmyfreetime." I said mushing together the last few words in fear of him embarrassing me even more than he already has.
"I'm sorry… what? Can you repeat the last part slower?"
"I said, that I like to draw." I said looking down at my boots, avoiding his gaze.
"That's what's not normal about you. I someone asked me that I would say that I practice throwing my axe. But, you…. you say you draw."
"Well, I do, okay. I'm not strong like you I don't have the muscles to do that." With that Hicca stormed off towards the forges and shouted towards Austen who was still not moving behind her; "Come on! I don't have all day and I'm guessing you don't either. So, let's get this stupid axe sharpening over with." So I can finally go into the forest to look for the black dragon that saved me from the monstrous nightmare.
She heard Austen stutter out a yes and smirked. That's what you get for doubting me. There's a lot that you don't know Austen and I'm sure that's going to continue to grow. Hicca thought walking through the village towards the forges.
*******After the forges******
Okay, now that Austen is taken care of, and long gone. As well as that one viking that was tangled in the bola, somehow, I can finally go look for that dragon, without any disturbances, and it's still pretty early so plenty of sunlight, which is good. Hicca thought as she closed down the forges for the day.
This time Hicca had no disturbances on her way to the forest. She stopped at the docks in order to get a fish in hopes that if she did actually find the dragon, it would eat it instead of her. As she walked and walked across the island it slowly grew darker and it was soon the beginning of the sunset when she was finally inside of the forest. She walked over branches keeping track of where she was by landmarks, not wanting to get lost in the forest.
"Okay, now that I'm here how the heck am I supposed to find the dragon, especially since it's a black dragon and the forest is going to be dark soon."
But, what Hicca didn't notice is that as she was walking she was heading towards a dragon's lair. But, not just any dragon's lair, the Queen's lair.
****Back to the Story****
"Oh my god how big is this FOREST!" Hicca shouted into the silent air.
She had been walking around in what felt like circles, for hours. All she had wanted to do was give the dragon a fish as a sort of 'thank you for saving me from a monstrous nightmare' present. But, no, she had to get lost because it was now dark and she forgot to bring a lamp as a 'just in case I get lost in the woods surrounded by dragons' sort of helper.
Suddenly she heard growling and froze. She listened Oh wait just my stomach oops. After realizing what had happened and laughing at how much of an idiot she was, she started walking again in an aimless direction.
After walking for three more hours, it finally became dark and Hicca was still in the same situation; she was lost. No matter how many times she looked for certain things that she used to mark her way, or used the stars like smart people do, she couldn't find her way back to the village.
"I just hope I don't end up at Mildew's house. I would rather get eaten by a dragon, than have to ask him for help." Hicca muttered, giving up and deciding to just make camp for the night against an old tree, hidden from sight.
Hopefully, I won't be seen by dragons. I'll just wake up early and run for my life the second I hear a sound.
With that Hicca laid down against the tree, and attempted to fall asleep.
Many hours later, Hicca woke up, feeling extreme warmth near her back. She slowly became aware of her surroundings and froze. That better not be a dragon…
She slowly opened her eyes, not moving a muscle and listened. She could hear slow, deep, breathing; In, out, in, out, over and over again.
She, very slowly and cautiously turned over and came face to face with the black dragon that had saved her. What happened next, well, she couldn't help it. She screamed.
