Due to a severe windstorm causing my internet to act up, I was unable to post a chapter yesterday. I apologize for that. Do not fear though, you will recieve two chapters. Enjoy.
In the time since the mated pairs and the three visiting flocks left, the Scauldrons, a pod of fifteen adults who could fight if called upon, and the Tide Gliders, a pod of ten that came with the Changewings, worked out places to live in the inlets and coves around the island while both groups set their patrol routes with input from Hiccup, Stoick, Hoark, and his top fishers.
The Scauldron pod also had five fledglings. They were hidden in a sea cave Ringifire found while taking her hatchlings to explore the caverns under Berk proper. While the fledglings' parents were out on patrols two of the Tide Gliders and all of the youngling Scauldrons, which were five in total, would guard the cave.
The Changewings found homes with the villagers. Tribe members stepping up to house the guest guards in their huts as they were able. The Hoffersons set that example by housing two of the eighty. Those two respectfully did not sleep in Stormfly and Windwalker's den. A gesture that Hiccup knew Astrid appreciated.
The Head Guard, as befitted her status in her own nest as well as her kinship to the queen of that nest, stayed with Stoick, Hiccup, Toothless, and Sharpshot in the chief's hut. Her mate, who also volunteered for the task, stayed with them as well.
After finding dens for most of the nest dragons, Hiccup noted that none, including the mated pairs that were gone, wished for a den near the Northern Swamp or the jut of land that extended out in the north bay and prevented the swamp water or the river that flowed from it to reach that bay. Hiccup did not think much about it when finding those dens. He knew from everyone's time in Gyda's home as they watched the gods' message that dragons had a powerful sense of smell. Given that the swamp was off putting to even Gobber, who did as much as he could to get out of Wash Day, Hiccup figured the nest dragons did not want to live near the smell. That the Flightmares avoided that jut of land though they did stay in a cave in the swamp confused Hiccup. He resolved to find out why later. No nest dragon acted as if the jut of land was a threat so it fell to a low priority for him.
Right then he had more pressing matters. The absence of their dragons weighed upon his friends. He and Gyda decided to up their karate training in the hopes of occupying them. At different points in the day he and Toothless, Torgeir and Firestorm, and Gyda and Shadowfire gave the other teens rides so they still got into the skies. He noted each time his friends, even Astrid were reluctant and fidgety. He laid that to their missing their dragons.
This day, three weeks since the dragons left and just after their morning training with Gyda, Hiccup, noting the teens were even more despondent, decided to have Snotlout ride with him and Toothless, Fishlegs ride with Torgeir and Firestorm, and the twins ride with Gyda and Shadowfire. Since Moondust had told Hiccup any teen could ride upon her back if they needed, Hiccup was going to have Astrid ride her. That way all the teens could get some flying in and not wait any turns. He thought a great plan until Astrid looked as if she was in pain while sitting upon Moondust's back.
"Astrid," Hiccup asked, helping her off the female Night Fury's back and sitting her down on a barrel left out after some axe throwing practice Eydis had put him and Astrid through the day before. "Are you okay?"
"It's nothing, Hiccup."
"No. We're not doing that, Astrid. No one is to let any problem, pain, concern, or issue fester. Not anymore. We are a team. All of us. Now, what is wrong?"
Astrid grunted, her hands fisted. "When Stormfly and Windwalker left that for that first month, I felt like something was missing inside. Flying with you and Toothless didn't really help. In fact, I felt resistance to flying. Not enough to stop me though." She took a breath through her nose and Hiccup heard the slight snarl undercutting the noise. "With Moondust..I felt like I was betraying Stormfly and it hurt." Astrid frowned then her eyes widen and she looked towards Moondust. "Sorry," she said. "It.. You didn't do this."
[Ease your worry, Lady Alpha,] Moondust said. [I hold no offense. I am curious if that is also the reason Alpha was reluctant to ride upon my back when Toothless was sick.]
Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck, causing Sharpshot to snort and lightly smack his hand with a gentle paw.
[You'll rub a wound there, brother,] the Terror muttered.
Hiccup grunted but focused upon Moondust. "I didn't lie to you. I really didn't want to hold your sensing lobes while flying but I did feel the resistance to fly with you. It may have hurt but I was so worried about Toothless that I didn't notice really notice any pain."
"You probably didn't feel any pain," Gyda said, "just the resistance. I'm sorry, Hiccup, I should have realized this might happen. Back home bonded riders don't ride other dragons, so it's not widely known what the effects of a rider riding a non-bonded dragon is. My dad knew though. Not sure how he knew, but he did. A rider with a full bond between themselves and their dragon will feel resistance at even the thought of riding another dragon. The resistance is small if the dragon in question is bonded to another. It's even smaller if the other rider and their dragon is family, flock." Gyda gestured to all the riders, even Torgeir and the three remaining bonded dragons. "We have formed a flock of our own by being riders and bonded dragons. Moondust, though a part of the nest is not a part of this flock."
"I rode Windwalker and felt the same level of resistance as when I rode Toothless," Astrid said.
"And I've ridden Boulder before, when he and I went looking for some special rocks for Meatlug," Fishlegs commented. "I felt odd but I thought it was because Boulder and I were still getting to know one another."
"We've ridden Sugar and Spice before," Ruff said. "Barf and Belch had a sick tummy and Gothi had us getting something from the Northern Swamp to help him."
"We felt weird but nothing like what Astrid was saying," Tuff said.
"Windwalker, Boulder, Sugar and Spice, and Wingblaze are mated to bonded dragons," Gyda said. "They are apart of this flock we've created. The bond recognizes them. Moondust is not. The bond doesn't recognize her."
"So, you're saying when T mates with Moondust, she'll be flock?" Tuff asked.
Hiccup grunted. "Tuff, Toothless and Moondust aren't courting each other."
"I was just asking as an in case thing you know."
Gyda pinched the bride her nose and Hiccup felt like doing the same.
"If," Gyda began, "and that is a big if, Toothless and Moondust of their own will decide to become mates, then yes, she will be flock and the bond will recognize her just like it does the others."
"So, we're back to the others taking turns amongst you, me, and Torgeir?" Hiccup questioned Gyda before Tuff could ask the question Hiccup saw in the teens' face.
"Yes," Gyda answered. "Sorry, Moondust."
[Do not apologize,] she said. [I still hold no offense.]
Hiccup frowned. "Then how will we do this?"
"Hiccup," Astrid said. "Go on and take Snotlout up. I'll wait. I wanted to speak to Moondust anyways."
Hiccup looked down at her, cupping her cheek. "You're sure?"
She smiled and nuzzled into his hand. "I'm sure. Go. I'll be here."
Hiccup placed a soft kiss to her forehead then ran his fingertips across the top of Moondust's head before moving back to Toothless. He climbed into the saddle. Sharpshot crawled over his shoulder and hopped off onto the stone floor. Hiccup stared down and lifted an eyebrow.
[I will stay, brother,] Sharpshot said. [Sneaky and I will help Moondust watch over Sister.]
"Sister?" Astrid asked.
Sharpshot curled his neck so he could stare at Astrid. [Yes, Sister. You will be my brother's mate soon after all.]
[And I consider you a sister, if that is okay,] Sneaky said from her place upon Astrid's shoulder.
Hiccup watched Astrid gently pull the female Terror into her lap and scratch her horns.
"It is okay and thank you," Astrid said.
Sneaky nuzzled into Astrid's frame. Sharpshot turned back to Hiccup and bowed before bounding over to sit next to Astrid's foot. Moondust also bowed to Hiccup and moved over to sit on Astrid's left said, her tail curling around to rest next to Sharpshot. Hiccup smiled then nodded to Snotlout, who climbed up behind Hiccup and held onto Sharpshot's clawholds. Hiccup tapped Toothless' neck. Toothless' wings flared. He rose to a hover. Fishelgs climbed on Firestrom, holding onto Torgeir's shoulders. Ruff and Tuff joined Gyda upon Shadowfire. Both dragons rose to hover as well. Toothless shot out of the entrance, Firestorm following. Shadowfire chuckled and brought up the rear.
Hiccup glanced back as they banked over the Academy. Astrid was looking at Moondust and scratching the Night Fury's head. Hiccup smiled.
"Okay, Toothless, you decide the flight today."
[Sure, brother.]
With that Toothless banked out over the waters near to the harbor and then banked again, heading towards the cove.
Prince: Hehe, just a small bit of protection. I think Alvin's gonna wish he'd stay at home for Snoggletogg.
Dark: Oh, there will be. Just not in this book.
Quest: Hehe, he wouldn't mind them worshiping from afar and as long as none touched her. Well, it would kinda hard to commit a crime when everyone had cricks in their necks from looking up at those floating achievements
Kirika: It'll be priceless don't you think?