Guys…that How To Train Your Dragon 2 trailer…I just died a little bit. It looks so great! I'll definitely be seeing that movie this summer.

So, we got the idea of how the dual perspectives will be working, so expect that throughout. Gives me more time to hold onto the cliffhangers planned for later in the story. Insert evil smirk here…Haha.

Review replies:

Mara911: Thank you very much! Enjoy the chapter!

Tasermon's Partner: Thank you! Also, thanks for the input about chapter length. These opening chapters are a bit short due to the two perspectives, but the chapters will start to get longer as the story progresses.

Guest (anonymous): I loved the chat between those two as well. It was fun to write because I could see that whole scene play out and it, at least to me, felt like it could fit into the storyline established by the movie/TV show. Here's the next update!

Next chapter starts…now!


Chapter 3: Solitary Mission

Hiccup knew that Astrid was right. The longer he put off going to see his father, the thought of eventually having to would grate at him. Not to mention that he would probably just anger his father. Stoick the Vast did not like to be kept waiting. The relationship between Hiccup and his father may have improved greatly following the defeat of the Red Death, but the boy definitely did not want to mess it up as it continued to mend.

The head dragon trainer watched as his best friend, his second-in-command, his dare-he-say-it girlfriend left for the academy. It was now or never. Taking a deep breath, Hiccup turned and set course for his house. As he walked, he found it easier to just clear his mind and focus on setting one foot…or prosthetic in front of the other. Right…Left…Real…Fake… Each step bringing him closer to his house…and his waiting father.

All too soon, Hiccup had arrived to the hill where his house sat, overlooking the entire village. He took a deep breath and jogged up the steps. At the front door, his hand hovered, ready to push it open. It'll be okay. This won't be like the "talks" he used to have with me. Pushing the door open, Hiccup readied his usual excuse just in case. "Whatever it is that happened, Dad, I didn't…" His words died abruptly as he saw his father seated in his favorite large chair near the firepit. The expression on the chief's face was serious, and yet, somehow as stoic as his very namesake.

"Thank you for taking the time away from your academy tasks to be here, Hiccup. Please sit down."

The no-nonsense tone that his father was using told Hiccup not to argue or retort with some witty comment. Instead, he silently dropped down into a nearby seat.

"I know that you're wondering why I asked you to come home so I'll get right to the point. Earlier today, I received word from a neighboring island. They have heard about Berk's success with training dragons and letting them live amongst our Vikings. Since the raids no longer pit the dragons against their people, they have wished to train the dragons living on their own island. However, they have not been as successful with the training and have requested assistance from our dragon trainer. That would be you, Hiccup."

It was a good thing that his father had asked him to sit because Hiccup was overwhelmed by all that he had just heard. He was glad that this village wanted to get to know their dragon inhabitants and work with them. He was overjoyed that they had requested him personally to assist with this training. As Hiccup continued to muse over all that he had just heard, his father continued to explain more details.

"This would be an excellent opportunity to reestablish the peace between our two islands and to be sure that our alliance remains intact. What do you say, Hiccup? Will you be accepting this offer?"

"Uh…well…" Hiccup stumbled out in reply, his thoughts still trying to catch up with all that he had heard. "Actually, this would be good academy experience for us. Helping this village to train their dragons, I mean."

"That's the hard part about this deal. The village chief has requested that only one of our trainers arrive to help them. Their villagers tend to be very reclusive and do not take well to large crowds of visitors. Because they only would like one trainer, we'd have to send our best and, as head dragon trainer of the Berk Dragon Academy, that would be you."

Hiccup was a bit perplexed by this. To him, this offer did not sound legitimate. It sounded, instead, like a hoax. "Is this offer for real, Dad? Cause it sounds to me like…" He was cut off because he could voice his opinions.

"Trust me, Hiccup, it is. When I was still new to leading Berk as chief, I traveled by ship out to this island to meet with their leader and be sure that our peace negotiations still held. This village is every bit isolated as I have said. It would be unwise to anger them by sending more than one trainer."

"But, Astrid…"

"…will have to just run the academy here in your absence instead. No, Hiccup, you either have to go alone or you won't go. Although, I do not recommend the latter. Believe me, as your father, I have my own reservations about this as well, but, as the chief, I know that the prosperity of the village is just as important…if not more so."

Knowing that he would not be winning this, Hiccup finally consented to his father's request. "Okay, I'll do it. Just…give me some time to get some stuff together. Also, I need to tell Astrid before I go; she would want to know."

"Of course, son. I will send message back to their chief telling him that you will be arriving by dragon within the fortnight. That should be plenty of time for you."

Retreating up to his room, Hiccup began to search for some wicker baskets to pack provisions for the trip. He knew that he would need to return to the academy soon to alert Astrid; she had specifically asked him to do so, he remembered. However, before he could do this, Hiccup wanted to be sure to calm his jumbled thoughts. Why was he so nervous anyway? It probably would not be that bad. All he'd have to do is show their village trainers his methods and make sure that they understood. Once they were able to train their dragons on their own, he could return home. It should be easy…hopefully.

Outside his open bedroom window, Hiccup could hear the sounds of the village below. The familiar hustle-and-bustle from the town streets, the rustling of dragons' wings overhead, and the very faint sounds from the Berk Dragon Academy. Hiccup would definitely miss Berk while he was away.

The wicker basket he had found stood, empty and waiting, but Hiccup did not pack it just yet. Packing the provisions he would need for the trip would make it feel too real. He needed to talk with Astrid. What would he say? How would he tell her that his father was making him travel away from Berk without her? Finally, Hiccup decided that the packing could wait. He had time to do that. Right now, all he wanted to do was talk with Astrid.

Hiccup left his bedroom and walked down the stairs to the main part of the house. Surprisingly, it was dark and silent; his father must've left and returned to his chiefly duties around town. The walk to the academy felt shorter than usual as Hiccup's thoughts preoccupied him.

Entering the academy, Hiccup saw Toothless perk up. His best friend had been lying curled in a corner with his head on his paws. All activity in the arena ceased as Hiccup stepped in, his friends all waiting to hear what he had to say. There was so much that he could have said in that instant, but the only words he spoke aloud were "Class dismissed!"


Well, this chapter's a bit longer. They'll continue to lengthen as this story progresses. Next chapter is Astrid's again and it'll pick up from this point.

Next chapter: Currently, I'm thinking it'll be after the Christmas holiday. I'm probably going to try to aim for Thursday after 10 PM US East Coast time.

As always, thank you all for reading and supporting Wheel in the Sky!

Posted: December 23, 2013