CHAPTER 8
Tengan sat on her bed, awkwardly slumped over her bedside stump. Crushed under her was a journal, a quill, and several pieces of parchment in varying crumpled states. Her inkwell thankfully still stood sentinel at her right elbow. Fanned out on the bed around her were several overlapping pieces of parchment. Through a few scratch outs, blotches where water had splashed against them, and one poor piece that had burned edges from a Hookfang tantrum, snatches of her cramped writing from events over the last few weeks could be read.
'On Berk there is an event called Bork Week where the locals celebrate the first viking to document dragon behavior. This celebration occurs around the time of planting and incorporates telling of stories, feasts, and tests of strength. The keeping of these original records and documents is highly regarded and is passed from one caretaker to another once in generation and after much deliberation. This year, Hiccup was entrusted as the successor due to his accomplishments running the Berk Dragon Academy. On the second day of the event, It was discovered that one of the villagers introduced false information about a fictional Isle of Night (a home for Night Furies) leading to the almost collapse of the island as a rival group on Outcast Island attempted to-' The rest of the page was obscured by her lengthy transcription of Bork's notes as well as the original copies of the fake ones Mildew slipped in.
Another piece of paper stuck out oddly from the pile. '-ban on all flying. A move seen as rash by many of the villagers, especially the Dragon Riders. Their response was immediate retaliation by forming a Dragon Flight Club that flew exclusively at night. The nocturnal habits of normally diurnal dragons were observed. Notable examples were-' A large satchel rested on the lower half of the page. Spilling from the opening in the bag was a long list entitled GRONCKLE IRON containing different types of stones written out countless times in varying combinations and quantities. Small notes accompanied each cluster of stones. The ones closest to the top of the page reading things like 'Meatlug refused' and 'Mixture set, shattered when tempered. Less sandstone?'
Slowly, the sun began to set over the village and the light crept away from the sleeping teen. When the rays were almost two thirds of the way across the room her slumber was interrupted when Astrid quite literally kicked the door in. "TENGAN! You ready?"
Tengan screamed in shock and flung herself backwards on the bed, sending a shower of paper, quills, and the half empty ink bottle into the air. With another cry, she managed to snatch the bottle halfway through its arc towards the floor. "Astrid! You know I hate that." She groaned, struggling one-armed into a sitting position.
"I know. That's why it's fun." Astrid chuckled in response at her eyeing her bleary eyed houseguest. "I hope you finished all your note taking because all of that is staying behind!" Astrid placed her hand under Tengan's arm to help the girl on her feet.
"What? Come on Astrid, stop messing around. You know I have to take notes-"
"Not tonight! Tonight you're training as a Dragon Rider. We'll all be splitting up and I don't want to have to come rescue you because you walked headfirst into a Typhoomerang while drawing a map. Besides," She quickly stooped to gather an armful of pages from the floor before depositing them in a messy heap on the bed. "You've got the best memory of any of us. I mean, except for Fishlegs. You'll be able to write down everything when we get back tomorrow morning!"
Tengans feeble attempts to argue were drowned out as Astrid shuffled her out the door and into Stormfly's saddle. Quickly, she patted her chest where a small leather folder with a few sheets of blank paper bound together and a stick of charcoal sat protected in her clothes. An apology gift of sorts Hiccup had traded for when Johan swung back around before heading out to open sea. "Fine! But I get to direct Stormfly to Dragon Island. It'll help me remember the weather patterns and star charts when I'm recording this later."
The two girls and Nadder landed among the gathering group on the deserted shore just as the Sun slipped below the horizon and the first few stars winked into existence.
Hiccup waved in greeting to the pair. "Ah there you are! We were just deciding who is going to skip the drill to stay with the dragons so they won't help us."
Fishlegs eagerly bounced on the balls of his feet. "It should be-"
"ME ME ME!" Tuffnut cut across him. "You know dragons from your books but I know them here" He caressed his growling stomach almost lovingly.
Tengan cast a questioning look at Ruffnut who returned the gaze with a patient shrug.
"Tuff's right, Fishlegs." Hiccup admitted. "If Alvin attacks us with wild dragons we all need to be ready to deal with that. You'll see Meatlug in a few hours."
Snotlout laughed at the look of defeat on Fishlegs' face before yanking his lantern from the stockpile and striding off into the woods. "Watch and learn how a real viking does it ladies! I'll be the first one back!"
"It's not a race Snotlout. Stealth is the name of the game." Hiccup called, grabbing a lantern of his own and following.
Tengan waited for the other girls to grab their gear before she took the last lantern, waved a farewell to Tuffnut and the dragons, and set off, loosely following the path the others had taken. Several times the light from their lanterns bobbed in the distance, the light growing dimmer along with their owner's footsteps. After a while all she could hear was the sound of her own lantern swinging and feet plodding softly on the packed earth. Several times she stopped to gaze at the night sky to orient herself under the stars that had become almost as familiar as the ones back home.
On her third pause, a rustling in the brush caught her attention. Lifting the lantern for light, she watched as four Terrible Terrors stalked towards her from the treeline. Two had their wings half furled while one of the others let out a low, warning growl. Mentally, she flipped through her notes on Terrors before bringing out her small leather folder. The metal catch holding it shut reflected the bright light of her lantern onto the ground, catching the dragons' attention. With rapid movements, she had the patch of light dance on the forest floor before the tiny pack, quickly entrancing them. Once all four heads were whipping back and forth to follow the light, she had it dart into a nearby thicket. A sigh of relief left her as all four Terrors started after the much more interesting prey.
Resolving not to stick around for when the dragons realized the deception, Tengan started off at a light jog, angling away from the brush. Several moments later a weird chorus of howls met her ears. It didn't sound like any creature she had ever heard before. Almost human, but not quite. Biting her lip, Tengan's head swung between the general direction of her goal and the direction of the sound. 'What if it was a hurt dragon? Or a new species entirely? I mean, we decided speed wasn't the goal. I can take a little time to investigate.' she reasoned, angling on her new course to investigate.
As the sound grew louder, Tengan dampened her lantern. It seemed wherever this thing was, it either was creating a light source or was guarding one, as an orange glow quickly grew between the trees before her. Squinting in the brightness after her eyes had adjusted to the nearly moonless night and soft glow of her lantern, Tengan went to place her hand on a nearby tree trunk but missed entirely. She rolled forward into a campsite before landing on her back, startling the two howling humans up off the ground. Scrambling back to her own feet, she discovered the source of the noise was none other than Hiccup and- "Dagur?!" she cried out in disbelief.
"Tengan?!" both boys echoed back at her, a look of pure shock on Dagur's face and one of exasperation on Hiccup's. "Why-" Dagur started.
"Did you follow me out here?" Hiccup cut him off in an unnaturally loud voice as he stared wide eyed at Tengan. "You knew I was going dragon hunting tonight! Alone!" His voice pitched higher.
Tengan bought herself some time to think by dusting off her clothes before deciding to mimic a stance her mother often used when irritated and placed her fists on her hips. "I know! And you thought you would just leave me behind when I specifically told you I needed more notes on proper hunting techniques!"
Dagur roared with laughter. "In the doghouse now aren't we Hiccup?" He shoved past the smaller boy before grabbing Tengan by her upper arms and shaking her slightly. "He was just telling me how the Night Fury got away the last time I was on Berk. And you? How did you survive that Monstrous Nightmare?" His face was full of manic energy.
Sparing a quick glance at Hiccup who still wore the unhelpful expression of one caught between a dragon and a stone wall, Tengan stammered back. "Well I…. Actually I have you to thank for that Dagur!" She wiggled out of his grip. "I, uh, remembered all those tales you told me on how you fought off larger dragons and tried to copy a few moves. Eventually the Monstrous Nightmare decided I was too much trouble and dropped me on the beach."
Dagur's grin widened. Before he could respond, Hiccup cut between them. "And that is why I didn't want you out here! You should head back, it's much too dangerous."
"Oh let her stay, Hiccup! Between the two of us we'll be able to take down anything on this island. Besides," he sidled up to Tengan, letting his arm slide across her shoulders. "It'll be nice to have someone write the amazing epic of how I defeated a Night Fury! You did bring something to write with, hmm?" He turned, still holding her shoulders in a vice grip while gazing expectantly down at her.
"O-Of course I did." With somewhat difficulty, she extracted the small folder and piece of charcoal.
"Perfect!" Dagur cheered before steering her to a fallen log and all but forcing her to take a seat. "Before we get started on the hunt, I want you to know exactly why and how I ended up here. You see, I haven't been able to get you and that Night Fury out of my head, Hiccup!" He rounded on the other viking, pulling a sword out from the dirt and pointing it's blade tip at Hiccup's throat. "It was like you knew that dragon. I decided I needed to know dragons too… Are you getting all this?" He spoke over his shoulder to Tengan.
"Oh! Yeah, of course." She jotted down a few quick shorthand phrases before sharing a quick look of helplessness with Hiccup who sat captive across the way. The next fifteen minutes or so saw Dagur gradually speaking less to Hiccup and more to Tengan as he described stalking each of the species present on the island and the accompanying scars he had acquired along the way.
"And this scar I got from a Timberjack." Dagur droned on, pulling aside his breastplate to bare his chest where a long, still angry, pink scar of puckered skin sat above his left pectoral muscle. "Go on." he leaned in, smirking down at her. "Touch it." Without waiting for a response, one of his rough hands grabbed hold of her smaller one and pressed it against the warm flesh. "Pretty savage, right?"
She was saved from responding when the distant roar of a dragon snapped Dagur's attention away from her as he responded with a crazed cry of his own. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she leaned forward and mouthed "What's going on?" to Hiccup.
"I don't know. I'm sorry. Again." was his silent reply. Clearing his throat, Hiccup addressed the Berserker. "So Dagur, it's been great catching up but-"
"You're right Hiccup! I've been so distracted I've forgotten my main goal. It's time we took down that Night Fury!" Dagur pounded his fist against his chest as the firelight danced across his face. "I can feel he's near. And I know you do too Hiccup. Let me grab my gear and we'll be off, brother!"
Tengan and Hiccup exchanged looks of utter confusion. Checking over her shoulder to make sure Dagur was distracted packing, she hustled across the campsite under the pretext of examining one of the dragon skulls decorating the camp. "Hiccup, we can't let him find Toothless. And, brother?"
Hiccup hastily whispered his reply. "I have no idea. And trust me, we won't. He's safe in the cave with Tuffnut. Just follow my lead, ok?"
"Oh Tengan~" Dagur called in a sing-songy voice as he shouldered his way between them. "Make sure you stick close to me. I wouldn't want you to miss a second if this." With a howl, he charged into the underbrush, leaving Tengan and Hiccup to scramble awkwardly after him.
It was a lucky night for the wild dragons when Hiccup and Tengan had happened on Dagur. Several times they were able to distract him from spotting one or had dissuaded him from attacking through some convoluted excuse on how it would tip off the intended target. As minutes turned into hours, Tengan began to wonder what they would do if they couldn't shake him before dawn. What would happen when the other Riders, noticing their absence, took flight to search for them. How could they maintain the secret?
Fortunately, or more aptly, unfortunately, they didn't have to wait until dawn. A rustle in the bushes prompted Dagur to dive behind a nearby boulder for cover, dragging the other two with him. Hiccup ended up pressed between a log to his left and Dagur's shoulder to his right while Tengan had the incredible misfortune to stumble and land on the ground with her back against the boulder. Dagur quite literally towered over her as he leaned in to the line up the sights on his crossbow. Neither of the two failed to notice their close proximity, although one seemed to be enjoying it much more than the other. "Hold still." Dagur smirked down at the girl trapped beneath him. "I think I heard the Night Fury."
"Actually, I think it's more likely a wild Yak." Hiccup whispered.
Tengan twisted the little she could to peek out behind their shelter, desperately trying to ignore the tight feeling in her gut from being so close to a boy who was quite easily pinning her down without much effort. "Actually, it's a Snotlout." she huffed before wriggling out from under her captor, bumping against his chest several times in the process.
"Close enough." Hiccup chuckled before stepping out from their cover to join her.
"Guys! Oh my god this place is awful. It's crawling with wild dragons!" Snoutlout complained before composing himself. "Well, not that I couldn't handle it." he cocked an eyebrow at Tengan before flashing what she counted at the nearly 250th flirtatious smile she had received since landing on the isle. It really was amazing that he never gave up on any of the girls in the group. And a little desperate.
"Snot...hat? Was it?" Dagur droned in an unusually flat and dismissive voice as he sidled up to Tengan. "Hiccup? Tengan, I understand, but why is he following you around?"
"Snotlout was supposed to stay at basecamp!" Hiccup stammered as he rounded on Snotlout. "Remember? You were to stay behind while I. was. hunting. dragons. in. the. forest."
"You're doing what in the where now?" Snotlout replied, face screwed up in confusion.
"Not the sharpest arrow in the quiver." Dagur murmured to Tengan before nudging her forward and away from the newest addition to the group and in the direction they were previously heading.
Stealing a quick glance back at Hiccup and Snotlout in hushed conversation, Tengan attempted to keep Dagur engaged as they walked. "So, the last time we spoke you had mentioned the possibility of me visiting Berserker Isle to study your people's fighting style a bit more." She attempted a casual smile.
Dagur grinned wolfishly back at her. "Remember that, do you? Yeah" he added casually, rolling his shoulders. "I think we could arrange that. Once I get that Night Fury I can take you back with its head. You'll love the stuffing and mounting process we've developed. Much better than any other clan around."
She was saved from responding by a familiar high pitched scream. The group turned to see Fishlegs glancing at each of them in turn.
"Fishlegs!" Hiccup cried out. "Since you're here, you can help us hunt dragons!"
"Yup!" Snotlout added. "You can help us hunt dragons out here. Which is what we are doing! Hunting! Dragons!"
"Oh. Yeah, got it!" Fishlegs responded rather quickly.
"Hiccup, your definition of alone, and mine, are very different." Dagur remarked before turning towards their original destination, once again physically herding Tengan along with him. "You know, Hiccup." he began. "You and I are very much alike. Both born leaders to chiefs who had to be eliminated for us to seize control. Just say the word and I'll-" He fired a bolt over the group's heads, pinning Fishlegs' lantern to a nearby tree trunk and startling a cry from the rest of the group.
Seemingly attracted to their cries, something in the nearby bushes rustled. Dagur threw his arm out to stop Tengan before kneeling down, signaling to the others to follow. As they did he murmured out of the corner of his mouth while keeping his eyes trained on the brush. "Which one of your friends will it be this time Hiccup?"
"It's hard to say really." was his deadpan reply.
Tengan's heart dropped into her stomach as what was unmistakably a plasma blast landed feet away from Dagur before Toothless' reared his head over the smoldering brush.
"The Night Fury! Oh brother you've done it! You've led me right to it!" Dagur cheered, raising his crossbow to take aim.
"Dagur wait! I want to do it!" Hiccup shouldered between Tengan and Dagur, yanking the crossbow into his possession.
"I saw it first!" Dagur all but whined back at him. "And I brought the crossbow!"
Tengan used the confusion to back away from the arguing duo to join her friends. "Got any ideas?" she whispered, eyes locked on the two.
"No but I think Astrid does." Snotlout responded flatly, eyes locked on the arguing duo. "She's hiding in the bushes behind us."
Just as Dagur reclaimed his weapon and took aim, a group of Terrible Terrors burst from the nearby brush and jostled Dagur, sending the bolt astray where it embedded itself in a tree trunk.
"What's wrong with you guys!" Astrid's angry voice preceded her entrance. "I almost had those Terrors and you scared them off!"
"Terrors, shmerrors, we're hunting a Night Fury!" Dagur shot back. "Did you leave anyone on Berk?" he asked Hiccup in exasperation before stalking off to retrieve his bolt.
"Did he just say-" Astrid began.
"Yup." Tengan cut in.
"If Toothless is loose, that means the others are too. You guys need to take Tengan, find the twins, and get out of here with your dragons. Don't worry, Dagur won't hurt me. I'm his brother." Hiccup chuckled at the absurdity of the statement.
Before Astrid could reply Dagur returned and slung an arm over Hiccup's shoulders. "Come, Hiccup! While the trail is still fresh."
"Right." Hiccup raised his voice so the others could hear. "I can't hunt with an entourage. Go back to Berk! Leave us to our business!"
"You're right, it's probably better this way." Dagur nodded. "Sorry Tengan! I'll be sure to fill you in on all the details as we sail back to Berserker Isle!"
"Don't ask." Tengan mumbled in response to the questioning gaze she felt from her friends. "Let's just find the dragons and figure out a way to get Hiccup out of there."
Thankfully, Meatlug, Stormfly, and Hookfang seemed to have been close behind Toothless, for they showed up seconds after the pair had left. Finding the twins was as simple as following their usual trail of loud arguing. Within moments Tengan was settled behind Snotlout on Hookfang and winging her way back to the beach Dagur and Hiccup were headed to with the group. "Woah! Land!" she cried out to the others. "It looks like a ton of ships are docked in the cove!"
The rest of the flock dove sharply towards the ground and out of sight. Just as Hookfang's claws scraped against the rocky ground, Hiccup came into view on Toothless.
"Thank Thor you two are alright!" Astrid called out. "What's with all the ships?"
"Dagur brought the armada." Hiccup glanced over his shoulder before continuing. "And it looks like Alvin isn't the only threat we need to be aware of anymore. He knows about the Riders. And he's not happy about it. His men are on the way."
"We can take them!" Snotlout shouted and thrust his fist in the air, nearly jostling Tengan out of the saddle.
"Not today." Hiccup replied calmly. "It's been a long night and we're all tired. Dagur will be back. And when he comes, we'll be ready."
Nodding in agreement, the group took off and circled towards the rising sun and back towards Berk. Tengan sat quietly most of the flight back, trying not to think about how unlikely it would be that she would have another chance to go searching for a partner now that Dagur and Alvin knew about the island's trained dragons.