Journey: Part I

HICCUP

"All right gang, let's relax for a bit."

I hear sighs of relief from Snotlout and Fishlegs. I hear Stormfly's wings beside me level off. We had been flying for the past couple of hours in tight formation, heading due South. I wanted to put some distance between us and Berk—and all those who didn't think I should "go gallivanting off on some half-baked quest the month I become chief," to quote Spitelout. I looked back at the others.

Snotlout was falling asleep in the saddle. Typical. Fishlegs was checking our map. Also typical.

It's been three days after my talk with Tuffnut. We awoke the dragon riders that same night, and showed them the hidden ink. I also remembered what the page reminded me of—the Dragon Eye. This made me nervous—I didn't want to confront the Dragon Flyers or the Hunters again, especially without a base of operations.

Tuff made me promise not to tell anyone what he had told me. He didn't want everyone to worry or care because, in his words, "they're too intelligent. They'll start worrying. Except for Snotlout. He isn't intelligent. He'd just laugh. I don't want that either." I had no idea where he got that from, but I let it pass. From what Tuff's told me, he deserves a bit of a break.

Since this was an official rescue mission, every person had a part to play. The twins were the destructors—the people who would mindlessly blow something up if I told them too. Or even if I didn't. This thought had cheered Tuffnut considerably. Fishlegs, as expected, was in charge of the map we drew based on the symbols on the page. They translated roughly to one word-"southward" which we took to mean "go south." Fishlegs alone could actually translate Latin—he read about it somewhere in the books on the Reaper. We still don't know what the symbols on Tuff's back say, because we haven't told Fishlegs about them yet: and like I said, he's the only one who could read Latin. I told Snotlout he was the attention-grabber: the most fabulous and muscled person in the group, and he would make all the enemy look his way in awe. He's really just called a diversion, but I wanted to make him feel good about it. Until he found out, of course. Astrid is the battle-planner. She's responsible for organizing the rest of the riders into formation and kicking people's asses. She excels at that. Probably because she really enjoys it. At least, I thought I enjoyed it. We had a bit of a fight when I told her—she wanted to help me rescue the author of the note. This was one time I actually put my foot down. I told her there was no way I would need anyone else to rescue the poor soul. Did she really think I was that incompetent? I pretended to be angry, because I hoped that would make her drop it. She looked kind of hurt, and just walked out. I saw her organizing the other riders though, so hopefully she agrees.

In reality, I just really, really don't want to lose anyone. I know I will have the most dangerous job—she will have the other riders as a safety net, while I'm scanning the island alone. My dad always said: "A chief protects his own." I can't let him down. Not just after he dies. I can't.

I try to think about something else, and screw my eyes tight for a couple of seconds, then open them again. I know: the note!

The note. I have to admit, I've got no clue what the author meant by "Burning scales and Freezing sight" or even the "Twilight hour" bit. However, everyone agrees it sounds really ominous.

I hear Stormfly's wings getting closer behind me.

"Hiccup? Are you all right?"

ASTRID

I sigh inwardly in relief. Hiccup has kept us in formation for the past 2 and a half hours, and I wasn't sure when he was gonna let us rest. There wasn't any point exhausting ourselves or our dragons when we need to rescue someone. Especially from something that sounds really dangerous, like the note says. And over something so uncertain. I still don't know how he believes this isn't a trap; he was acting sort of weird when he showed us the secret ink, like he was holding something back. I shrug this thought away. There was no way Hiccup would hide anything we needed to know. Hiccup. Hmm.

I look over at Hiccup. He's in the exact same position that he's been in the whole ride—back slumped, legs still, head up, turning from side to side every few minutes, then settling back center. I remember what he called it: scanning the horizon, looking for any sudden danger. It made sense, but I didn't like him working this hard. I've already argued with him over the ridiculous jobs he's assigned us. I mean, I understand the twins and Fishlegs, maybe even Snotlout. But having himself as rescuer? The most important job? By himself? I mean come on. I could at least help. He got really mad when I told him that, but I don't think he was actually mad. I think he's just trying to fill his dad's shoes. But I really don't understand why we can't do it as a pair. I don't need to be a battle-master or whatever he calls it. The rest of the riders are already good at fighting as a team—we've been doing it for the past 7 years, and our dragon's just fought off a Bewilderbeast, the alpha species, for gods' sakes! I mean I know Toothless did a lot, 'cause he's the king of dragons now, and Hiccup did a lot too, 'cause he rides him and stuff…but that's besides the point! He needs us. We're a team. I mean, I think…

Hiccup has been really distant for the past month. He hasn't talked a lot, always engrossed in some project or another. I understand he's grieving, but even Valka isn't like this, and she is—was—Stoick's wife. We didn't bring her along, because she would probably try to convince us to stay. I know Hiccup loves her, but it must be hard to gain a lost parent then immediately lose the other one. But this is getting worrying, even for me. Even when we talked last week, I had to get back to Berk really soon, and I could tell that he'd been crying anyway. His eyes gave him away. They were all red and stuff—and he looked really sad. I don't like them that way. I like them their normal emerald, deep and beautiful, the way they accent his impossibly cute brown hair, always tousled like he just got out of bed but still perfect…

GAAAAHHH! Stop thinking about how cute Hiccup is!

It's really irritating. No matter how much I try, I just can't see Hiccup not wanting us anymore. Not wanting me…

I look over at Hiccup. He's sagged down in his saddle, head down. I guess he's taking a break too. He suddenly scrunches up his eyes, like he's in pain. All doubts about him are instantly dispelled from my head. I urge Stormfly a little closer. She squawks in protest, but I still urge her on.

"Hiccup, are you all right?"

He turns his head in surprise, then visibly relaxes when he sees me. He smiles, but I can tell he's exhausted. "Just enjoying the view." He says. He seems to have forgotten about our fight, thank the gods. Whenever we argue, I always feel like I've done something hurtful, no matter how much I think I am right. I never apologized before I got him as a boyfriend; now I've done it at least a dozen times. I don't really mind though—he always makes me feel better. So perfect.

By the gods, I'm doing it again, aren't I?

Hiccup straightens a little and turns in his saddle to look at me. I can feel myself blushing when he smiles again, this one full of laughter. I know I'm grinning like a maniac, but I don't really care. My gaze wanders shyly upward, above his head.

And my heart instantly stops beating.

I'm too paralyzed to say anything, but Hiccup must have noticed my gaze, and he whipped around.

And we both stare, dumbstruck, at the sight of the giant, and I mean giant, Whispering Death barely 20 meters away.

The dragon narrows its eyes' and snarls, showing its horrible fangs. That's when I realize—the eyes are flaming, great licks of fire reaching out of its sockets and up to its ears. Well, where its ears would be, if it had any.

It hesitates for a moment, as if unsure what to do.

And of course, that's the moment that Snotlout screams.

The eyes widen in surprise, then turn to slits in anger.

It's tail lashes out, and the last thing I remember before the sky turns black is Hiccup's perfect smile.