Chapter 9

Encounters

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Early this morning, Camicazi was looking for Heather, she wanted to speak with her. Yesterday, she had been furious to see her and Hiccup so angry at her, and all that because of this girl! But once she had reduced a straw man into a pile of dirt to overpass her anger, she had to admit she felt bad. She thought of her friend's words and she imagined herself in that situation. Hiccup said she would do worse...She wouldn't be a dear for sure. Screw that, she would have bitten some heads off.

She had imagined herself being the one taken away, being promised to some man she didn't know, and her reaction if two women came and acted as she and Hillevi did. Once again, Hillevi's words sounded incredibly offensive, but she never contested that. And her own words...All she meant was to show her she didn't have the right to insult her tribe and chief...But it only worsened things up. Now that she thought about it, her mother would have been ashamed of her: defending a man against a woman who had to go through an arranged marriage...If someone had spoken to her the way she spoke to Astrid...

She saw Heather taking care of Windshear in her garden, the dragon's scales were starting to shine under the morning sun. Camicazi came to them and Heather frowned when she saw her.

"Okay," Cami said to her before she could speak, "you're right: I went a little too far. And yeah, I wouldn't react well if I was in her stead. That doesn't mean I'll approve everything she does or say."

Heather rolled her eyes, but she knew that coming from Camicazi, it meant a lot. She continued to take care of Windshear while replying:

"I don't ask you that, no one does. I don't know if she'll be a good chieffess or not, but I have no reason to doubt it either. And it's fine if you want her to make her proofs or if you want to challenge her into a fight, but no need to treat her as if she was inferior or anything. And you'll have to admit she defend herself well."

"Yes, but she still has to beat me. But yeah, I was wrong, I'll think before acting."

Heather rolled her eyes again, but she wasn't really angry anymore. Cami smiled to her, she was glad to have her friend back.

"Well, I'll go to see Hiccup."

"Maybe you should wait, he is out with Astrid and I guess he won't want to be bothered."

"Especially by me. Well, let's take a flight, I don't think my Hamera will leave me in peace for long if I don't fly with her."

Hamera was Camicazi's Monstrous Nightmare, a young female who had a strong attitude, and one of the few creature on this island who could make Camicazi yield to her wishes. Just as her rider predicted, the dragon flew toward them and cooed at the Bog-Burglar efore showing her back. Hamera could fly alone, but she didn't want to; Heather finished quickly with Windshear and the two girls were soon in the sky.

O o O

When Astrid understood that Fury wanted to give her a dragon, her first thought was to leave: there was no way she would accept that! His own dragon wasn't at his side anymore, he was playing with another Night Fury who just landed there. He spoke when she was about to turn around.

"I don't want to 'give' you a dragon, not exactly. I want you to meet them, and maybe a dragon will choose you. Those living in the arena have no riders yet. You don't have to give me an answer right away, I'll just introduce you to them today. They won't attack."

"I know I'm gonna live here, but I won't ride a dragon just to act like other people on this island. That wouldn't feel right."

"I don't do that for you to conform, just...You might feel more at home, and if you try it, you could like it. And you would have a loyal friend, dragons are loyal."

"Loyal? Are you kidding?"

"Certainly not. No one on this island could try to hurt you without having your dragon defending you to death."

"Not even you?"

"Not even me, dragons don't care about laws or social rank. I know you can defend yourself, but it doesn't mean you should do it alone."

At those words, her eyes narrowed, she wasn't sure of his intention but his words made her hesitate. Her stubbornness was making the simple idea hideous: her family would have been ashamed of her. Yet her family wasn't here, she would soon be alone. She had to admit that she was very curious to know more about it, discovering how a human could tame a dragon was big. Also, her strategic side approved the idea: with no dragon, she was disadvantaged here. Plus, he only wanted to introduce her to them, apparently…If that was all, she could do it, at least to learn more about the tribe's habit. Astrid looked around to see one or two Gronkles, some Nadders and Monstrous Nightmares and also a Scauldron.

"I don't know…You say the dragon has to choose me."

"It's your choice as much as theirs. You're the one who will choose which ones you'll approach, and then, among those dragons, one might decide to give you a chance. But even deciding which one you'll go to isn't easy to begin with. You can't choose one just because they look powerful or exotic, you have to find the one who suits you."

"And how do I do that?"

"Well, considering you're not a big weight we don't have to worry much about the dragon's size, it's at least that...You seem to be one for quick action, so maybe not a Gronkle...Monstrous Nightmares can be tough to train, it's not the best for beginners, or you would need extra patience, and no offense but I don't think you do."

She rolled her eyes and would have told him not to judge her, but he was actually right here: she had never been known for her patience.

"What about the Scauldron?"

"Hum...No. This one has a bad temper. I think a Nadder would suits you well. They are swift, social and gentle when it comes to the people they live with, but still very tough during the fight. Come."

He took her wrist, she got free of his touch, but still followed him until she realized he was leading her toward the dragons.

"Wait, like this? You don't...I don't know, chain them or something?"

"No, it's fine. You're with me and they are used to people. I wouldn't chain them, it would break all the trust they have toward me."

Astrid accepted to follow him because she couldn't let him think she was scared, but eventually stopped while Fury approached the dragons with no fear. Even if she had forbidden herself to like this man she couldn't help but be impressed by the way he confidently walked among animals who could have torn him apart. There were three Nadders, they greeted him by gently nuzzling their snouts against him and he petted them in return.

"Hi, I have to introduce you to someone."

He went to her and gently took her hand. For once, she didn't struggle against his touch, he raised her hand in the air, his palm on the back of her hand. She had to admit for the first time that his proximity was quite welcome.

"What are we doing now?"

"Stay like this and wait, one of them will come. They are all used to humans."

She stayed like this, a part of her was telling her to leave, but Astrid Hofferson wasn't one to show fear. She said she would do it after all. At first none of them came.

"I feel stupid, with my hand like that."

"To them, you simply seem inviting. Speak to them, but gently."

She looked at the three dragons who were watching her without coming toward her.

"Hey, guys..." She said hesitantly. "Hum... I'm a friend, I'm not here to fight...I guess I wouldn't be raising my hand in the air like this otherwise."

Oh gosh, she sounded like Fishlegs when he was trying to flirt with a girl! Hiccup smiled at her, she was obviously nervous, but she would do good, he was sure of it. One of the Nadders looked at her but returned to her fishes. Another one approached, sniffed her and seemed more interested than the first one. Her heart was beating faster, she didn't know how to handle those beasts outside of battle.

"What is it doing?"

"She, that one is a female. And she is simply getting to know you."

Astrid was even more nervous, why did she accept this?! The beast's fangs were visible, she didn't like it, she imagined the dragon suddenly closing her jaw on her...

Scales were gently applied against her skin and Astrid's thoughts were stopped immediately. The dragon was gently rubbing her snout against her hand and the Viking couldn't do anything but stand and gape. The Nadder broke the contact but continued to look at Astrid. Fury put the girl's hand on the dragon's neck and told her to scratch the Nadder here. The reaction was immediate and startled Astrid: the dragon just went lax and let herself fall on the ground, looking perfectly content. Astrid retreated her hand slowly.

"Are you okay?" Asked Fury

"Yes...I never thought I would ever do that," she whispered.

There were no trace of anger or sadness in her voice, only amazement. He couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked, and he loved the amazement in her eyes. He was eager to teach her everything possible about dragons, and show her all the fantastic world they could open to human.

"Dragons are amazing creatures, they aren't monsters as everyone think. If you allow them, they can prove it. They have feelings like us. And this one seems to like you."

But they were monsters, that what they had taught her all her life. She wanted to protest, but she looked at the Nadder and it stopped the words. The beast seemed innocent, without a trace of evilness in her. Oh, sure she had fangs, claw, muscles, spikes and fire...But her eyes were something entirely different. She turned toward Fury.

"Now, what do I do? This doesn't mean I'm accepting."

"Well, take some time to think about it. If you accept, you'll have to tame her, and make her accept you, we don't break them like most people break horses to ride them. Dragons who don't want riders are free to live without one. You'll come here daily, give her food, take care of her wounds, spend time to see what she likes and what she doesn't like. You'll start training her a little, to come at the sound of your voice and recognize some commands. Yet the true training will start when she'll let you mount on her back. But remember, you'll never be her master, there is no master here."

"Not even you?"

"No, I'm the chief because they choose me. You'll be her rider because she'll choose you…" He stopped and went on: "I know this is difficult to accept. But give it all a chance, please, you'll discover things you never thought possible. You have time to think about it."

She looked once more at the Nadder who was eating peacefully. She had always been adventurous, she always liked to try new things. This island was definitely the right place for that, she had to admit it, but still...There were so many things which went against everything she had been taught since she was little…

"I'll think about it," she sighed. "I have to leave now."

He nodded and watched as she walked away. Hiccup was more than thankful toward the gods that his idea had worked. Sure, Astrid was still unsure, but it was normal. Toothless came back at his side, Hiccup took off his mask and spoke to him in a low voice.

"I can understand how she is feeling, like she was robbed of her life and home…That's how I felt because of Spitelout after I had to run away because of him. I was so angry and scared, but at least I had you."

As if he could understand, the dragon rubbed his head against his chest and cooed gently. Hiccup petted him and had some licks on the face in return. The young man smiled and continued to stroke him while talking:

"Astrid doesn't even have that. Oh sure, she has Fishlegs, but he'll leave at a point. Sure, there are Eret and Heather, but she knows they are my close friends and they serve the tribe, so it's not the same. She doesn't have the comfort of a friend who won't care about men's laws and just defend her against any threat. She is in the middle of a foreign tribe who is living with beasts whom she had learned to fear and fight, and she doesn't even know the real face of the man she is about to marry. Plus, some people here had to make her suffer even more. She feels vulnerable and it's unbearable to her. Believe me, it is, I'm pretty sure that part of her personality didn't change."

He felt hopeful after this morning, maybe he would be able to earn her love. The dragon nudged him again and Hiccup knew he wanted to fly. He could have a flight before returning to work.

O o O

Astrid went to the marketplace, and she looked at everything around. They had a large variety of food, there were some dishes she never even saw. There were also clothes, jewelries, and weapons; coarse or fine, exotic or traditional, it was worth a look. She noticed once more that some people didn't speak Norse. Some dragons were sitting or sleeping near the stands, watching that no one stole anything. There were much more things than on Berk's market. She asked a merchant where the well of women was. She found it easily and saw Kalisha along with a small group of women. A bunch of dragons were either sleeping or playing near them. Kalisha jumped on her feet and went to her.

"I feared you wouldn't come!"

"Fury wanted to show me something, I would have come earlier otherwise."

"It's okay. Girls, this is Astrid!"

"We know who she is," said a tall and sturdy red-head who walked toward Astrid. "I'm Belda."

"Astrid Hofferson, even if you know it already."

The two shook hands, Belda had a strong held. She was also introduced to Cryda, Vami and Wollmi who were sisters and Llewellyn who didn't speak Norse very well because she came from a country south. Astrid sat on the well between Belda and Kalisha; while the maid was sewing something along with Cryda, Belda was polishing her sword, the one named Wollmi was taking care of a bow and arrows while Vami and Llewellyn were simply sorting out flowers and herbs they picked up that morning before going to the well. Astrid sharpened her axe, she looked at the dragons, they paid no attention to her, so she decided to do the same.

"It's weird Heather isn't here," Kalisha commented, "she usually come quite early."

"She probably has something important to do," Belda said before turning to Astrid: "You might have seen me already, I was here when Hillevi and Camicazi challenged you. If we can call it like that. You were quite impressive, the way you fought and talk."

"Oh, not enough to beat that freaking Bog-Burglar."

"We are trained to be the toughest, and Cami has always been one of the strongest among us," Belda said with a giggle and Astrid blushed.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were one..."

"Don't worry, I know they didn't give you a good opinion of us, but you'll see, Bog-Burglars can be good friends too."

"I did meet some in the past actually, Gildy and Rosta. We did get along well, even if we never had the occasion to see each other once more."

"Rosta? A thin and tall girl with red-hair and a long nose?"

"Yeah...yeah I think it was that."

"That's my cousin! When did you meet her?"

Astrid explained that they went on a quest to get gold back from pirates, and they had been joined by those Bog-Burglars who also pursued the thieves for the same reason. The story soon held the attention of the other girls. Suddenly, a green Terrible Terror landed on Kalisha's laps, making Astrid jump in surprise.

"She is gonna mess our work," Cryda protested.

"Oh come on! Astrid, Leafy; Leafy, Astrid." The beast looked at her but soon focused on the scratches Kalisha was giving. "She is still young, she loves to jump around."

"You all have dragons?" Astrid asked.

"Sure we do, I have the Razorwhip" Cryda said while pointing to a grey dragon who was playing with a red and green Nadder.

"To me, Nadders are the best," Wollmi said with enthusiasm, "they are playful, but they are still very tough, they are graceful and swift...I have the one who is playing with Cryda's Razorwhip."

"Monstrous Nightmares are...Best?" Llewellyn tried

"Better, they are better," Kalisha corrected. "Even if I love my Leafy, I must admit I have a little something for Belda's scauldron."

"It's normal, he is the best."

"I stand with Llewellyn," Vami added, "Monstrous Nightmares forever! Even though I would have loved a Skrill."

"Is it forbidden to have one?"

"No, it's because they never let anyone ride them, they are difficult to tame. There only three here, they fight with us, they defend the island, and they even let some people pet them. But if you try to ride them, they suddenly become wild again!"

It reminded Astrid of what Fury told her: no dragon was forced to have a rider. Belda put her axe down and she started to sharpen some arrows with the help of Wollmi. She learned the latter was working along with her husband as an armorer while Vami and Llewellyn were making soap, and scented oils.

"We have our own little fields for plants, but we needed more this morning. Chief Mala is soon going to visit for the autumn feast with people of her tribe, it's always good for trading, we have to make more than usual."

"Chief Mala?"

"An ally chief who also respect dragons very much, except they don't ride them," Belda explained. "She often visits during feasts."

"I heard they are going to have meat for everybody this year!" Wollmi said excitedly.

"Oh, that reminds me something!" Kalisha exclaimed, "I don't know if anyone told you about meat and fishes, Astrid?"

"Hum, no."

"You had meat to ease transition for you, but people on this island don't eat much meat or fish. We keep most of what we have for the dragons. We do eat some occasionally, or during winter when the harvest isn't good or during big events, but we avoid it as much as possible. You have to get used to that."

"Really?! It's sad, I liked the meal you cooked with meat and honey. You must have good harvests to allow yourself that," Astrid pointed out

"Oh, we do. Surprisingly, dragons had made that island very fertile," Cryda explained, "and I must say the lack of meat doesn't bother me much. Kalisha, be careful, your stitches are too large!"

"Sorry."

"It's not me who'll be the sorriest if your wedding dress is failed."

It was a red and dark blue dress, with some silver embroidery on the cleavage and the border of the sleeves. It was beautiful, Astrid had to admit it, even if she would usually prefer practical clothes, she didn't hate nice-looking dresses and wearing some on particular occasions wasn't bad.

"It's really beautiful," Astrid congratulated her genuinely.

"Thank you, I must say I'm glad Cryda is here to help, because I'm not so good at sewing."

"Yours will be more magnificent," Vami pointed out to Astrid, "Cryda will have to do her best."

The reminder of her wedding made her stomach churl, but she didn't say anything.

"And you have to tell me when you'll marry, and come to my workshop so I can start your dress" the seamstress declared. "It's the first time I'll design a dress for a chieffess's wedding."

"We didn't decide of a date yet. Wollmi, if you have time, could you check out my axe?"

She wasn't sure her weapon needed it that much, but she wanted to change the subject. The young armorer accepted of course, and they continued to talk for a while until Astrid decided to leave to meet Fishlegs. Belda went with her, saying she would need to train as well. While walking toward the arena, Astrid thought of another question for Belda:

"Tell me, how is it Bog-Burglars joined Fury? I would have thought you wouldn't want a man as your chief."

"We aren't supposed to obey men indeed, but this one isn't really like most men. I was freed by him, like many others, and I was given the choice to join them or go back to my tribe. The choice wasn't easy. In the end, it's their ideas which made me want to go to them. And I must say it was really awesome to see them ride dragons!" She sighed and went on: "Some among my family were really angry at me. But now that I chose him, I won't just leave like that." She smiled to her. "I imagine it was hard for you to leave your tribe, I did by choice and it wasn't easy, so you...Well, I can only guess."

"They shouldn't be angry at you, you have the right to make your own choices." She paused and spoke again: "I'm gonna miss my sister's birthday…She is going to be thirteen."

She didn't know why she was saying that, she hardly knew her, but she couldn't help it, she was worried for her sister. She had been anxious when she left, but after Hillevi and Camicazi attacked her, this worry intensified. She didn't know why, after all, it had nothing to do with her sister, but she still couldn't help but imagine that Alina would be hurt by someone too. Suddenly she couldn't help but think that she could travel easily to her if she had a dragon. After all, she knew that Fury travelled only a few days between Berk and Endris. Those thoughts were interrupted by Belda:

"Is she alone?"

"No, she has my mother, and some of my friends promised me to watch over her. But it's not the same as being here myself."

"Of course. You'll probably visit her once the situation will be more stable."

Astrid smiled at that, it was true, being here didn't mean she would never see any of her loved ones again.

"Anyway, I'm glad I have someone to spare with. If Heather didn't come to the well, I'm not sure she'll be here to spare either. I have trainees this afternoon, but it's not the same, they are teenagers, and I have to train them to go on expeditions. But maybe she'll eventually join us. Fury hasn't come to the training ground lately."

"Why?"

"Oh he probably have other things to do, apparently Drago is doing some mess again," Belda explained.

"Who is that Drago?" Astrid asked.

"Drago Bludvist, no one told you about him?"

Astrid gaped slightly at this: she had heard of him indeed, he had trapped and killed chiefs in the past. Stoick had been the only to escape, she knew that, and no one had heard of that madman since then. Apparently, he had used dragons in armor.

"We believed he was dead."

"If only! Ask more to Fury or Heather if you want, I'm not sure what I can tell you or not."

She nodded, Belda was certainly in no position to reveal important stuff. Now she was really curious and quite anxious too. Fury and his dragons were scary, but obviously Endris wanted peace. What would a man like Bludvist want?

They found Fishlegs talking with Heather and Astrid introduced him to Belda. Heather knew her already, she had always appreciated the young woman even though they weren't very close. They spared together until the trainees came. The red-head turned to them, about twenty of them had been gathered to attack and pirates and Outcasts.

"Ah, here you are! Come here, let me see what we have there!"

They all lined, they were young and it was obvious they didn't know what it meant to go on an expedition. Belda started:

"The two first things we'll take care of are those: your fighting skills and your flight skills. After that we'll focus on team work and strategy, but for now, we have to get to know your level with a weapon. Choose a partner and spare."

While they started to fight, Astrid spotted a smaller and thinner teen struggling to fight with an axe against a bigger one. The big one was clearly taking advantage of it and the thinner one soon ended on the ground.

"Get up, you whimp!"

He kicked the boy's side twice, at this second she saw Snotlout and Hiccup, and she was on him before he could do it again.

"What are you doing?"

"Well…I'm toughening him up."

"If you want to toughen someone up, you have to be sure you're that tough yourself. Come on, let's see what you're worth with someone bigger than you: try to toughen me up."

The boy didn't seem eager to do that. He tried to attack her on the side but she parried, punched him in the face and disarmed him easily. His face was red with embarrassment and Astrid sighed:

"You need to toughen up as well it seems. There is no glory beating someone smaller and on the ground, only low-level warriors tries to look better this way."

The boy just nodded, and they heard Belda spoke up:

"Exactly, if it's easy for you to beat your adversary, either you help them to get better, either you find someone at your level. Don't confound sparing and fighting, you will fight together, you're allies and you should never forget it."

Astrid turned to the two boys, the smaller one wasn't even holding his axe properly.

"Who trained you?"

"I…I was a slave in the fields, I wasn't taught to fight before I came here, it wasn't long ago."

"You shouldn't have volunteered then. But well, training with us will still be good for you."

He nodded and she started to teach him, and the other boy stayed, sparing with him and listening to Astrid. His level wasn't that good either. Astrid surprised herself being worried for their expedition. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Belda.

"Will you stay with me to train them? It would be good to have help and Heather can't stay for long."

She was astonished, but she accepted:

"Yeah. Fishlegs can help too, if he is willing to do so."

The boy nodded, though he seemed to feel uneasy teaching others how to fight, he had never been the best.

"Okay, though I'll be of more help with the strategy."

"Come on, help us."

It wasn't usual to ask a stranger to train the newbies, Belda wouldn't do that in other circumstances, but that girl was their future chieffess and her cousin had met her and Fishlegs. In her letter, Rosta had written that those hooligans had been loyal allies and therefore she was ready to give them a chance and trust them a little. Anyway she was here to watch over.

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