Stoick looked over at Sharpshot as the Terror hopped down from Hiccup's loft. Stoick smiled softly. Sharpshot looked gloomy. Stoick knew why. It was why he felt an ache within his own soul.

"Sharsphot," Stoick said causing the small dragon to jerk slightly. "Come here. Sit with me a bit, lad."

Sharpshot walked over to where Stoick sat in his chair, a plate of Eydis honey mush on the table before him. Stoick smiled and patted the table.

"On up here, lad."

Sharpshot's wing flared and the Terror fluttered up to land on the table away from Stoick's food. Stoick looked up as the two Changewings staying to help guard the island stuck their heads over the edge of the loft.

[We shall go for a patrol,] the female said.

"Aye. When ye return meet me in the Great Hall. Ye know where that be?"

[I do,] the male said. [You allowed us to sleep in it when we aided during the Tail-stinger attack.]

"Ah, ye was here fer that? Thank ye fer yer help."

The male chirped. Sharpshot looked up and chuckled softly.

[Humans are big on thanking us even when are just doing our duties.]

Stoick grunted. "Even Vikings need acknowledgment and appreciation fer what they do. Why would ye dragons be any different?"

Sharpshot tilted his head. [For some nest, duties are just that. Things we must do. Alpha and queens don't always give thanks for nest-members doing their assigned tasks.]

"Well, ye be here in dis nest now. Even if some of ye's jest here to aid while others are gone. Ye'll get yer praise for the things ye do."

Sharpshot chuckled again and then his face fell. [You and your son are a lot alike, Stoick.]

Stoick sighed. "Aye and it took almost losin'm fer me ta see that."

[We shall go now,] the female Changewing said and she and her mate left through the opening in the roof before Stoick could reply.

Sharpshot chittered. Stoick looked back down.

"I miss'm too, lad. I do be wonderin' why ye didn't go."

[Alpha wished I stay here. To help guard the nest in his absence. And so that you wouldn't be all alone.]

Stoick sighed again. So like his son. "I see. So, what be ye plans fer the day?"

Sharpshot blinked then he lifted and lowered his wings like Shadowfire did at times. [Sneaky and Buttercup are with Elder Sage today for some lessons that Iggy and I can't join them on. I have nothing really special planned.]

"Wanna come with me? I have some chiefin' ta do 'fore I meet up with the Council and the Elder dragons that remain in the nest. We were gonna discuss some ideas 'fore safety. That's why I asked them Changewing's ta come."

[You would want me to join you?]

"Aye. Look, I be knowin' ye had a father, lad. And I in no way wish ta take his place, but.. well ye and Toothless 'ave become somethin' of sons ta me. Jest like Hiccup. I'd like ta git ta know ye a bit more. We can talk as we go about chiefin'. So ye up for it? Helpin' deal with stubborn Vikings? Maybe see what Hiccup'll have ta do when he takes da chief's place."

Sharpshot smiled. [I will. Thank you.]

He awoke. The alpha of the nest had let him rest and sleep for the night before meeting to discuss his reasons for visiting. He sensed and smelled movement at the entrance to the small den he had been given. He looked up. A Tall-singer stood just beyond the opening, by the scents a young and female one. He stood. The Tall-singer tipped her head in a show of respect. All dragons seemed to do that once they realized who he was. His kind did guard the way to the ancestors and had done so since dragons had been created and formed at the beginning of all time.

"The alpha hopes you have slept well, honored Way-guard. He and his mate, as well as his eldest son and his son's mate await you in the middle of the nest. I shall guide you there."

He did not speak. She would not be able to hear his words. He did drop his head, also in a show of respect. The Tall-singer backed away so that he could leave the den. She turned and led him down corridors he had traversed the night before. They arrived at the main cavern within the nest. Water bubbled at the bottom of the vast opening. Ledges of stone and green plants that thrived and flowered in the heat created by what lay under the water were scattered all over the walls of the cavern. Each had a connecting corridor that led to a different part of the nest.

The Tall-singer stepped forward, looking up that the biggest ledge. He knew it had been carved out just for the alpha and his flock to roost there when welcoming visitors to the nest. He had seen it when it was being created by their fire after all.

"My alpha, I present the honored Way-guard who has visited our nest," the Tall-singer said, bowing.

"Thank you," the male Wind-shrieker said looking down.

The Tall-singer bowed, wings spread and then stepped back so he could step forward. He tipped his head, but he did not give the wing-spread bow. The male was a friend, a friend for a long time, but just a friend. All Way-guards would only bow to one Alpha. That had been something all dragons, even those massive alphas in the Days of Chaos, knew. It did not stop them from trying to be that one alpha and wreck death and destruction that was still felt to this day though.

"Welcome, honored friend," the male Wind-shrieker said. "You have not visited this nest in many seasons. May I know the reason for this visit?"

He stared up at the alpha flock of the nest, remembering when the male who now had dragons bowing to him, had played around the paws of his father. He even remembered when that father played while his father conducted nest business. This nest thrived and he was pleased to know that. Just as he was pleased to know it would make history once more. He spoke and saw all four Wind-shriekers lift their sensing lobes.

/He comes. I must show him the way./

"Ships be ready, Chief."

Alvin grunted, standing from his chair. "We sail by da moon, boys," he called to everyone in the cave. "Make fer da north bay. Be too far fer watchers ta reach Berk proper 'fore we be on da island in force. Head straight fer da village. We take it while da dragons be gone and dem Berkians be sleepin'. Kill none. Target be da lad. We 'ave'm we 'ave da dragons."

Savage just stood there staring. Alvin's eyes narrowed.

"Move!"

Savage squeaked and rushed out, the entire lot of Outcast rushing to follow him. Many got caught in the door. Alvin rubbed his forehead.

"Good help be so hard ta find."