Hiccup looked up at Toothless' soft grunt. Hoark walked into the Academy, glancing around. He spied Hiccup and jerked a thumb over his shoulder. Hiccup nodded his head. He caught Astrid's eye and jerked his chin towards the entrance. She nodded but turned back as Phelgma called her name.
Just after Stoick somehow managed to convince Heather's parents to return to their island before winter, Phelgma had approached Hiccup with an idea. She and the other farmers often taught Viking children about plants native to the island. Some were good and edible, but others were best avoided unless you were apprenticing to Gothi. With dragons now living in on the island, Phelgma wondered if their young would need the same lesson. Hiccup loved the idea though he did ask her to add a lesson on what farming was. He had promised Firestorm but had been unable to deliver as Autumn wore down and Winter fast approached. Now that all harvests were in and secured, Phelgma had the time.
As Phelgma got Astrid to aid her, Hiccup followed Hoark out of the Academy. He smiled as he heard the gentle footsteps of his dragon brother walking behind him. To many that would have given cause for alarm, even now with peace between the dragons and humans. To Hiccup, it gave comfort.
They stopped at the edge of the sea stack used for wrestling and sparring duels during Thawfest. Hoark pointed down towards the bay. Hiccup looked down and his brow furrowed. He looked back up to the head shipbuilder.
"He say he need ta speak with ye, lad," Hoark said.
"Was there no Terror nearby, sir?" Hiccup asked confused.
The Terrors now prided themselves upon ferrying messages and Hiccup could see several Terrors hanging out around the docks and on various sea stacks scattered around the harbor.
Hoark cackled. "Oh, plenty. And plenty that offer ta come get ye, but I dunna mind a wee walk at times, lad. 'sides, ain't much shipbuildin' happenin'. More preppin' da ships fer winter. I dunna mind a break from da whale grease and sawdust."
"I see, thank you," Hiccup said climbing into Toothless' saddle. He stared at Hoark and tilted his head. "Would you like a lift down, sir?"
Hoark blinked. "Wouldn't that be too much fer Toothless?"
Toothless snorted. [If I can carry my brothers and Stoick, I can carry you.]
"Guess I can't argue with that," Hoark said laughing.
Sharpshot climbed over to hold the front of Hiccup's harness. Hoark climbed on and gingerly gripped Hiccup's shoulders. Sharpshot looked up at the man and chuckled.
[Toothless only goes fast when It's just us brothers out for a flight. And he's not going to let you fall.]
"That's reassurin'."
Hiccup grinned and tapped his brother's neck. "Toothless, down, gently."
[Oh, so not the Astrid Special?] Toothless asked, laughing.
"No, Toothless. Hoark still needs to work after this."
"I'm guessin' Astrid Special be da move Toothless did ta get Astrid ta apologize?" Hoark asked as Toothless rose into the air and glided down to the docks.
Hiccup chuckled. "She hates the name but Toothless and Sharpshot felt it was perfect."
Hoark snickered. "I can see why she be hatin' the name."
Toothless landed gently upon the docks near to where Hoark and his crew built and maintained the tribe's fleet. A group of four dragon, one group out of ten that aided those who worked at the docks, bowed to Hiccup when they spotted him. Hiccup smiled.
"Are you all having fun?" Hiccup asked.
[Yes, Alpha,] a grey Gronckle said, its voice male.
He and his friends straightened. A blue and gold Nadder flicked its wings.
[The fish getters love that we can carry their catches off your water dens,] it said, its voice also male. [They sometimes give us some of the fish.]
The grey Gronckle grunted. [I like to help your water den maker. I can lift the logs for him and he finds the best rocks when the day ends.]
Hiccup glanced to the other two dragons, a sliver-hued Zippleback and a red-orange Nightmare.
[I like to help both, Alpha,] the Nightmare said, its voice female. [It is amazing watching the den maker and his flock tend to those water dens. Seeing how much effort goes into keeping them floating, I feel bad for those I helped destroy.]
[We do,] the right head of the Zippleback began, its voice also female.
[As well,] the left head of the Zippleback finished.
"Water under da bridge now," Hoark said. "Hiccup, I be thinkin' the Scauldrons be wantin' ye out there fast like."
Hiccup nodded. He smiled at the four dragons. "Like Hoark said, the past is the past. We are a nest now."
[Aye, Alpha,] the Gronckle said. [Thank you.]
Hiccup waved and then tapped Toothless' neck. Toothless' wings flared and he flew out to hover near to the Scualdrons.
"Hello," Hiccup said. "Hoark said you needed to speak to me."
[Greetings, land alpha. Your nest-mate is correct. I face a problem.]
Hiccup tilted his head. From the voice he recognized the pod leader they had gifted those flowers to.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
[Our son is missing,] the second Scauldron said, it's voice female. [We were wondering if he has been here.]
Before Hiccup could answer the female Scauldron they rescued from Outcast Island lifted her head out of the water.
[Oh, forgive me, honored land alpha. I saw the other Scaulding-spitters and thought members of my pod had found me.]
"Actually," Hiccup said, "It's good that you came. This is the pod leader we met. His son is missing. Has any other Scauldrons been by here?"
The female tilted her head. [No, honored land alpha,] she said. [I have not seen any until today.]
Hiccup sighed then looked back to the two Scauldrons. "I'm sorry. She would have known if he came by."
The pod leader stared at the female Scauldron then looked to Hiccup. [I see. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. My son has just passed from youngling to adult so he has taken to wandering often. This is the longest he has been gone though.]
"I can ask some dragons to look out for him as they are out on patrols or helping our fishing ships," Hiccup said.
[Thank you, land alpha. That sets my mind somewhat at ease.] The pod leader looked to the female again. [Your pod is lost?]
[I was captured by some humans and the honored land alpha directed some of his nest warriors to free me. He has allowed me to rest in the waters around his nest until my pod can be found.]
[When were you captured?] the pod leader's mate asked.
[Three moon cycles ago.]
The other Scauldrons looked to each other then stared at the female.
[Your pod leader asked me not long after you were taken if I had seen you,] the pod leader said. [They have been scouring the waters searching for you. They have not come this way because they did not know the war between the humans and dragons had ended.]
The female squeaked. [Do you know which way they were going when you spoke with them?]
[To the southeast, not far from a Tusked-king's nest. I do not know if they are still there or not.]
[Thank you, pod leader.] The female looked to Hiccup. [Honored land alpha, I thank you for letting me rest here but I must travel to see if my pod is still there.]
"I understand," Hiccup said. "You are welcome back anytime and your pod can rest around Berk if they ever happen to come this way."
[Thank you, honored land alpha,] the female said lowering her head a bit. She then looked to the other Scauldrons. [If I see your son, I will tell him you a looking for him.]
[Thank you,] the pod leader's mate said.
The female then slipped back into the waters. Hiccup turned to the pod leader and his mate.
"That offer is for you and your pod as well," he said.
[Thank you, land alpha,] the pod leader said.
Hiccup went to say more but noted an approaching group of unknown dragons had several dragons resting on various sea stacks rising and screeching in the Old Tongue.
Kirika: Howdy. :) Oh, they'll be here. Heather will not forget those who helped and the odd way they were around the dragons living with them. Cool. I'm glad you have a great relationship with your brothers. Hehe, okie dokie, the names are now in the list I keep for when I write away from my computer.