Chapter 22: Hard Lessons

Snotlout zipped through the air on Hookfang. Haldor tried to keep up on his Snifflehunch, but he fell behind. Snotlout landed at the base first and struck a confident pose. "I told you Monstrous Nightmares are the best," he said once the other Viking finally landed.

"You two are pretty fast," Haldor said as he dismounted. "But Brightclaw has his strengths as well."

Snotlout looked the Snifflehunch up and down. "Which would be...?" He did not mean to be rude, but he did not understand why someone as cool as Haldor had such an odd dragon.

Haldor smiled, not seeming offended in the least. "He can fly for long periods of time with great weight on his back without getting tired, he's extremely loyal, and he has an acute sense of smell. He can actually sniff out if someone is a friend or foe."

"Really?" Snotlout looked at Brightclaw with newfound respect. "That is pretty cool." The dragon suddenly bounded over to him and started sniffing him. Snotlout laughed when his nose tickled him. Satisfied, Brightclaw moved onto Hookfang.

"He likes you," Haldor said in approval.

"Of course he does! I'm a likable guy."

"I've noticed Eira seems to like you as well," Haldor said casually.

Snotlout noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere, and it made him uneasy. "Is there a reason she shouldn't?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm simply looking out for her."

"I'm not going to hurt her, if that's what you're suggesting. I like her too."

"I know you would not intentionally hurt her, but..." Haldor paused as if searching for the right words. "She is quite sensitive. You need to be careful about what you say and do around her."

Snotlout felt calmer when he saw where Haldor was coming from. Still, something irked him about his assessment. "I'm working on that, trust me, but I'm not going to treat her like she's fragile. I know you're her brother and everything, but she's stronger than she looks. You trusted her to leave her home and fly all the way out here on her own. You need to trust she can take care of herself."

Haldor dipped his head in acknowledgement. "You are right. I am glad she has someone like you to support her."

Snotlout had an odd feeling this had been a test. Oh well. At least it seemed he passed. "Eira and Swiftwings can always count on us, right Hookfang?"

The Monstrous Nightmare snorted in agreement.

Haldor smiled. "Excellent. I will return to Torvald soon, and I am glad to leave her in good hands." He paused. "There is one other thing... Do you know how she got that scar on her forehead? She would not explain it to us, and we did not want to pry."

Snotlout froze. If Eira did not want to tell her family about what happened with Dagur, was it really his place to explain? Then again, her brother was probably just looking out for her again. What if he thought one of the riders caused the scar? Was this another test? If so, what was the right answer?

"It's alright if you do not want to tell me," Haldor said after a moment of silence. "I probably worry too much."

"She got it saving someone," Snotlout said quickly before he changed his mind. "It was very brave of her, especially considering he was an enemy at the time."

Haldor raised his eyebrows in interest. "Was?"

"It's... er... complicated."

Haldor nodded. "I understand. Thank you for telling me. I am glad she has the courage to follow her convictions."

Snotlout hoped he had not said too much, but he thought Eira needed to give herself more credit. "We all appreciate her. So... thank you for trusting us."

"Of course. Shall we see what the others are up to?"

Snotlout welcomed the chance to end the conversation. Maybe now they could get back to doing something fun!

The dragon riders finally ran into the dragon hunters again, but it was not quite as either side expected. It all started when Astrid investigated a ship of dead Vikings, all with pale green skin. Fishlegs suggested they died from the Scourge of Odin, a plague that wiped out many Viking villages centuries ago. Astrid assured everyone she was fine, but by the following morning, it became apparent she was very sick.

Snotlout and Eira returned to Berk for help - Snotlout to grab Gothi's notes and Eira to consult Asmund. Eira came back empty handed. Torvald knew of no cure. Everyone was gathered in Astrid's hut to look after her when Snotlout returned. He handed Hiccup Gothi's book, and Hiccup scanned the pages.

"Fishlegs, look!" Hiccup exclaimed. "In Gothi's notes there's a cure for the Scourge of Odin. A green solution made from the saliva of a Buffalord dragon." He frowned when Fishelgs winced. "What? What is it?"

Fishlegs shifted nervously. "Well it's just..."

"There aren't anymore Buffalord," Astrid said from her bed. "They were all hunted to extinction during the Scourge's last outbreak."

"There are none in Torvald either," Eira said, "but that doesn't mean there's not a few hiding somewhere. Some dragons are good at that... especially if they've been given a reason to hide."

Hiccup nodded. "Exactly. We need to get out there and find one."

"But we don't even know where to start looking," Fishlegs said. "There's no mention of the Buffalord anywhere. It's like they were wiped from history."

"There's got to be information somewhere," Haldor said. "We can do this if we work together."

Everyone else agreed.

Eventually, they were able to piece together an old map and find the potential location of Buffalord dragons. And then, when they arrived on the island, they saw it: a sturdy dragon perfectly content staying right where he was. When the riders tried to bring the Buffalord back to Dragon's Edge, he exploded in a rage. Then, back at the island, he returned to his tranquil demeanor.

So, if they could not bring the Buffalord to Astrid, they had to bring Astrid to the Buffalord. Snotlout immediately flew off to fetch her. Eira made a mental note about how helpful he was being throughout this whole ordeal. Even though the two of them fought all the time, he obviously cared.

When Astrid arrived on Stormfly, Hiccup helped her to the ground and set her up against a rock. Then he used a cup to collect the Buffalord's saliva and offered it to her.

"Nothing's happening," Hiccup said.

"Maybe it takes some time for the antidote to work," Fishlegs said.

"No, something's wrong."

Fishlegs skimmed through Gothi's notes. "It says the green solution will cure the Scourge. 'Green Solution.' 'Cure.' That's all it says."

Hiccup frowned. "But the Buffalord's saliva is clear. What does it mean, 'green solution?'"

Snotlout glared at the twins, who were munching on green herbs. "How can you guys eat at a time like this?"

"Hey, people deal with stress differently, okay?" Ruffnut said.

"And we're eating what the Buffalord eats, because, hey, who doesn't want sweet-smelling droppings?" said Tuffnut.

"It's a victimless crime."

Fishlegs's eyes went wide. "Wait, Hiccup..."

Tuffnut looked down and frowned. "It's all over my pants." Indeed, his pants had turned as green as his mouth.

"The herbs," Hiccup said. "It must be what the Buffalord eats mixed with the saliva that creates the antidote."

"Which would stand to reason why it won't leave this place," said Fishlegs. "It can't be away from the herbs it eats."

"Then we need to get the Buffalord to eat the herbs," Eira said.

The task was not too difficult. The Buffalord welcomed the herbs offered to it, and soon his dripping saliva turned green. Just before Hiccup could collect the saliva, however, the dragon hunters appeared out of nowhere and captured the Buffalord.

Hiccup glared at their leader. "Viggo!"

"Hello, Hiccup," Viggo said with a cocky smirk. "Thank you so very much for this gift. I do apologize that you won't be able to use it to save your little friend."

"But how?" Fishlegs said in astonishment. "There's no trace of this island anywhere. How did he find it?"

"Who cares?" said Snotlout, mounting Hookfang. "We've been dying for a little action."

Eira and Haldor flew beside each other on their respective dragons. Eira remembered how she always wanted to join Haldor when he fought dragon hunters in Torvald, and now she had the chance. They worked together to blast at the hunters in an attempt to knock them back.

"Pull up, riders," Hiccup said after only a minute of fighting. "We can't risk hurting the Buffalord. We need it. Viggo, release that dragon. You have no idea what you're doing."

"Oh, I beg to differ, my dear Hiccup," Viggo said. "I'm keenly aware of my actions. This dragon is exceedingly unique. It will elicit a considerable bounty on the open market. You should have left well enough alone, Hiccup. My fishing boat was no place for you or any of your riders."

Hiccup froze. "Your fishing boat?"

Eira gasped in understanding. "No..."

Viggo turned to Ryker. "Move him." Then he looked back at the riders. "It's simple really. Supply and demand. I knew where to get the supply if only I could generate the demand."

"You're a monster!" Fishlegs exclaimed.

"Fishlegs, I'm shocked. I'd have thought you were above name-calling. 'Monster?' No. 'Savy businessmen?' Indeed."

"And what if the dragon was extinct?" Hiccup said with a dark expression.

"I tend not to dwell on the 'what-ifs,' my boy. Leaves you barren."

"But all those people!" Eira cried. "Does life have no value to you?"

Viggo looked at her as if considering her. "Life has value, but some losses are necessary."

"But to let people die?" Eira gripped Swiftwings' saddle tightly as she fought back the tears. She knew the dragon hunters were cruel to dragons, but this was something else. This was inhuman.

"Eira," Haldor said from beside her, shaking his head. "He's not worth it."

Viggo's eyes flickered to the older boy. "Do I know you from somewhere? Where are you from?"

"They're from Torvald," Snotlout said. "You have a problem with that?"

Eira saw something in Viggo's eyes that made her blood turn cold. "Not at all."

Snotlout turned to Hiccup. "What are we waiting for? Let's take this psycho out already!"

But they did not get the chance. Ryker raised his axe above the Buffalord's head in a threatening manner.

"I would think twice about your actions, Hiccup," Viggo said.

"And your profits?" said Hiccup.

"Like I said, business is business. This? Oh, it's a loss I'm willing to incur. Question is, are you?"

Hiccup stared at him long and hard before answering. "Okay, Viggo. Okay, you win. Take him. Take the dragon. But leave us with what we came for, the Scourge antidote. Buffalord Saliva. I'm not leaving here without it. That's a loss I'm not willing to take."

"No," Astrid croaked. "Hiccup. Don't give him... Not for me."

"Do we have a deal? Or are both leaving here empty-handed? Your call."

Eira thought he might refuse out of spite, and the idea chilled her. "Please, Viggo." If there was any humanity left in him...

Viggo promptly gathered the Buffalord's saliva and handed the cup to Hiccup. "I've truly missed our time together, Hiccup. My brother leaves something to be desired in the repartee department. My boy, don't look so morose. It takes all the fun out of it. All's well that ends well. Hmm?"

Hiccup raced to Astrid and gave her the antidote. To everyone's relief, she immediately looked better.

"I'm afraid our time must end, Hiccup," Viggo said. "We will continue our contest in due time." He started for his ship with the Buffalord in tow.

"He won't get far," said Tuffnut. "Let's go after him."

"Yeah," Snotlout agreed, "I'm sick of that smug-"

"No," Hiccup said. "Stand down. We agreed to let him leave the island with that dragon. And that's exactly what we're gonna do."

Eira wondered at his decision, but she did not have to wait long to understand. As soon as the ship left the island, the Buffalord exploded in a rage, and the dragon hunters were forced to let him go. Eira smirked as the dragon landed in his field, now content.

"Well, that leaves just one thing to do," Hiccup said.

The riders flew off to the ship that had started everything. Astrid spoke the last rights, giving them a proper sendoff. Eira felt her heart twist painfully as she thought about everything that had transpired.

"Are you going to be alright?" Haldor asked softly.

"I - I don't know," she said honestly. She sucked in a sharp breath. "It's just Viggo. He - I mean, we were taught there's good in everyone, and usually I can see that. But with him-"

Haldor gave her a sympathetic look. "I know. I still believe that too, but with some people, it's buried too deep to reach. You can't save everyone, Eira."

The young girl lowered her head. "I know. I just didn't know anyone could be so cruel."

"Then it's a good thing you have a crew of good people to stop him."

Eira looked at him to see him offering her a gentle smile. "Thanks. You're right. We will stop him. We have to." Because it was not just dragons' lives that were on the line. This was even bigger.

Six weeks passed by in a flash. Haldor ended up spending Snoggletog at Berk. He assured Eira that their family would be perfectly fine on their own, and he wanted her to have one of her siblings there. She appreciated the gesture. The traditions were different than what they were used to, but they enjoyed it all the same.

Once they returned to Dragon's Edge, Haldor prepared for his departure. Eira watched him as he packed up his things in her hut. When he was finished, he turned to her and said, "How about one last flight around the island?"

Eira smiled. He did not have to ask her twice. The gathered their dragons and took off. In the middle of their peaceful flight, they took a break at a quiet pond surrounded by trees. Their dragons drank while they stood together near the water.

"I want to thank you for your hospitality," Haldor said, finally breaking the silence. "I know it must have been different to have me here."

Eira shook her head. "It's been fine. You fit in well with everyone else."

Haldor smiled. "I am glad. Your friends are wonderful. I have no doubt you will accomplish all of your goals. And if you ever find you have too much to handle, you can always ask Torvald for help."

"Thank you, Haldor. I hope it will not come to that." She paused. "Do Ingrid and Oliver really want to visit as well?"

Haldor chuckled. "Indeed. And probably even more so when I return with my stories. But don't worry; we can discuss that after your next trip."

Eira nodded. "Sounds good."

"Now, there is something mother and father wanted me to ask..." He looked away, for once seeming uncomfortable.

Eira did not like the uneasy feeling that filled her chest. "What is it?"

He gave her a guilty look. "You know how they were before you left. They want to make sure you're taken care of, so if there's any young Viking who has caught your eye..."

She suddenly understood. "N-Not at all! There's no one I'm interested in yet." She gave him a weak smile, hoping he bought it.

Haldor looked her over. "I see. I will let them know. I do not think you have to rush anything, but they tend to worry."

"I know..." But at least they weren't here to force her to meet suitors anymore.

"Anyway, shall we get back? I believe Hiccup said something about a proper sendoff..."

Eira grinned. "Yes, let's go!" She had to admit, she would miss her brother when he left. But he had his duties like she had hers. And neither of them could fail.