[Listen to Nordic Viking music while typing this. Really puts you in the mood. And the themes I was listening to just really suited the whole training theme. Well, here's day 1 of training for Hiccup.]

Hoffersons Retreat

Hiccup walked into a clearing, following Birger, Dagmar and Astrid along as they came to a stop. The four had traveled far across the island to this clearing. A small stream flowed from a small cave. Around the edge, trees stood tall, acting as a natural wall. Some of the trees had targets painted upon them. Birger dropped a bag full of weapons on the ground while Dagmar took Astrid to the side.

"Astrid, you will help train Hiccup." Dagmar said, her voice low enough so that only Astrid heard her. "But why, why can't he just stay in the forge on Berk?" Astrid asked. Her voice as low as her mothers. Dagmar glanced at Hiccup and Birger. The two discussing which weapon or weapons Hiccup felt comfortable using. "You saw how that Night Fury went right after him. Trouble will find him, no matter where he stays. It's why we must train him." Dagmar paused as a smirk formed on her lips "Don't tell me you're getting jealous that he might be better then you?"

Astrid bit her lower lip. "It's... It's just that. What if he can't handle any of the weapons?" Dagmar placed a hand upon her shoulder. "Astrid, darling, never judge someone by how they look. For all you know, he could lift an axe just fine. He had no problem lifting your fathers axe or mine when he delivered them to us earlier in the week after sharpening." Astrid glanced off towards Hiccup. Seeing him holding a crossbow. "Perhaps, perhaps not. But I don't think I'm just ready to accept him for who he is yet. Perhaps if he shows more warrior like skills, then I might." Dagmar removed her hand. "Astrid, even if he doesn't change, you have to just accept him for who he is. No matter what he looks like. You think you can do that for me, for your father, for your brother, for your uncle?" Astrid nodded slowly.

"I might downsize the crossbow, make it smaller to use and store. Thus not limiting my agility." Birger nodded at Hiccup's idea for the crossbow. "It could work. Dare I say it dam will work. If anyone could downsize a crossbow and have it still work as effectively, it better dam be you, else I'd be questioning where we stand today. Now, as for melee. What do you think you'd handle well?"

Hiccup looked at each weapon layed out before him. "Well, while on the journey, I ruled out a few different weapons. I ruled out a mace, hammer and sword. And my mother's axe remains untouched back home. So I think I'll go with the axe. Besides, I've got more then enough on how to make an axe work effectively." Birger chuckled. "I'm sure you do. I mean, who else would we let make our family axes. We're not letting Gobber do it again. Lad, his forging skills don't even compare to yours."

Hiccup chuckled. "Thanks, it feels good to be complemented and encouraged." "No problem Hiccup." exclaimed Dagmar. "Now, let's get you into the basic swing of things with an axe." Hiccup nodded. Grabbing the training axe from the ground. Birger walked forward and stood still, his axe in his right hand.

'Right, so the first thing you need to know about an axe is that they come in several different styles. Each style works for different people. Us Hoffersons tend to use the double bladed battle axe style. Your father's axe, the single bladed style with a small hook at the end. A hatchet style axe, is useful for certain things, but your mothers axe, small handled but large blades is versatile. So we're going to train you in the ways of both axes." Hiccup nodded.

Birger lifted his axe into the air. "Now, every axe has a balance point, most times, you find them in the handle between the join of the axe head. But on some occasions, you can find them in differed places depending on the axe type." Hiccup glanced down at the axe in his hand. "Hatchet styled axes have their balance point further back at the blade style tip. While the versatile types have there's located towards the bottom of the handle."

Hiccup found a comfortable grasp upon the axe in his hand. Birger then walked over. "Ever balance point is important in learning how to swing it at an effect angle and strike. If you wing incorrectly, it could be dangerous. But us Hoffersons have found another use for the balance." Hiccup nodded. Listening to every word. "When throwing an axe, it's important to note that the balance will help the axe remain midair and swing onwards till it comes into contact with it's target. Astrid, if you could please demonstrate?"

Astrid nodded, grabbing her axe and swinging it with full force, the axe lodged itself into a tree. Hiccup watched the entire motioned. "As you can see, effective, but sometimes not productive. When it isn't productive, perhaps you find yourself in a situation with many enemies closing in. Throwing you axe will only delay them a short while and leave you defenceless."

Astrid returned with her axe. Dagmar soon grasped her axe. "If you ever find yourself in this situation, it's often best to keep hold of your axe, as well shall demonstrate right now. Astrid, defend yourself." Birger and Dagmar charged towards Astrid. She ducked and used her axe to block both blades. Astrid then rolled back and swung her axe forward, catching Dagmar off guard. Dagmar fell to the ground with surprise. Birger was quick to come up behind Astrid. Aiming his axe above her head before he stopped.

"Now, Astrid left her behind open to attack. When that happens, it is often best to move to the least crowded side to avoid a fatal injury." Hiccup nodded, watching all happen. "An axe is strong and durable, it is versatile but can be overpowered if used incorrectly." Birger walked back to where he was standing. "If used incorrectly. Your foe could easily use the blades to pull it from your grasp. Leaving you defenceless and in a less then pleasing situation."

Hiccup bit his lip. "Ok, so when do I begin the physical training?" Birger placed his axe upon his back. "Once we've all had a good nights rest, today, you learned some of the basic information on the axe. How effect it can be and some of it's weaknesses. Tomorrow, we go over the basic steps with the axe. If you need to modify the axe to better suit your body, feel free to use the forge." Hiccup nodded, rolling the axe in his hands. "Yeah, I might lighten the handle, allow it to be a faster swing. There doesn't happen to be a library around here with training books is there?" Dagmar stepped forward. "There is, feel free to go in and look, you after all, a guest here. And we treat guests with utter respect. Especially if they're the son of the chief of Berk."

Berk

Gobber sighed, The gang had read the book but got caught up on some of the more intriguing dragons within it. "Alright you lot, if you want to pass Dragon Training, you're going to have to go through the Deadly Nadder, and well, at the rate you're all so indulged in that book. I'm starting to think you'll never get to facing the devil." Fishlegs turned the book sideways. "No, that's not it, uh, why doesn't this make sense, who wrote this in here anyway?"

Gobber's curiosity got the better of him. "Who wrote what." Picking up the book Gobber widen his eyes. "I... I recognise that hand writing... Oh Thor" Gobber fainted. The gang was quick to his side. "What the? Gobber fainted. And he doesn't seem to be waking up anytime soon. But why?" Fishlegs eyed the note in the book. "It might have something to do with who wrote the note. Look. It's biased towards dragons, almost as if who ever wrote this is defending them." Snoutlout was quick to grab the book. "I might not be one for brains. But this really does seem strange. How did someone who's biased towards dragons remain in Berk for so long?" The gang shrugged there shoulders. "Perhaps it's because they left before hand, or were never from Berk in the first place." "What ever it is, we're going to have to find out who wrote it." Spoke Tuffnut. "Well, I guess we have a mystery on our hands then."

Hiccup's first day of training starts with information about axes.

The gang is really into the book of dragons. But why is still unknown.

Foreshadowing in this chapter.