"You know, I don't like being kept in the dark," Hiccup noted from a few paces behind them.
Astrid turned to give him an amused glance.
"Daylight is coming in a few hours," Eret said from her side. "Are you getting tired?"
Astrid turned to look at him. He was walking a few steps away from her. "No," she said. "My muscles can handle more than just holding a lantern."
"Good," Eret said. "You're pretty strong."
"Is this the part where you say 'for a girl'?" Astrid asked, ready to show him exactly how strong she actually was.
Eret smirked at her. "Where I come from, women have to be as strong just to be able to survive the harsh climate. I would expect no less from you."
Astrid returned his smirk, "Then I think I'd fit in nicely."
Hiccup caught up to them, falling into step on the other side of Astrid. "What are you two talking about?" he asked.
"Strength," Astrid said. "Something you'd know nothing about."
Even in the luminescent darkness, she could see Hiccup's face was taut and tight-lipped. She chuckled as he muttered something about being perfectly strong, when all four stopped suddenly after hearing a twig snap in the brush.
"Remind me why we're not traveling during the day?" Eret asked.
"There are many villages in this area—people could be wondering about—we don't' want Toothless discovered," Hiccup said in a hushed whisper.
"I know why, it was a rhetori—"
"Shh," Astrid interrupted, when another twig snapped. Then, suddenly, a fox ran out into the path, pausing for a moment in panic to stare at them, before scurrying along on its way.
"It was just a fox," Astrid breathed out, letting the tension that had built up release.
"How many people can Toothless fit on him?" Eret asked.
"Max? Probably two or three. But definitely not more with most of our supplies on him," Hiccup answered as they continued down the path.
Astrid shivered, pulling her cloak closer around her. She was exhausted—despite having slept during the day. Not to mention it was far chillier without the sun warming the earth. The only warmth available to them came from the lantern she carried in her hand.
"Are you cold?" Hiccup asked, concerned.
"It doesn't matter," she said.
"Maybe we should take a break," Eret said. "Start a fire and—"
"No," Astrid said firmly, "We continue on."
There was no use arguing. They continued to walk for quite some while, until suddenly they heard another twig snap.
"Another fox?" Hiccup suggested, pulling an arrow from his quiver and notching his bow regardless.
Astrid fingered her sword hilt as Eret played with the hilts of the long hunting knives he bought in a village they passed through. "Not a fox," she muttered, hearing more twigs snap.
"Whoever they are, they're tall—and heavy," Hiccup replied in a calm whisper.
Toothless emitted a small growl, looking towards the right. "Coming from the Northeast," Hiccup said, pointing his bow in that direction. Astrid drew her sword with silent expertise, placing the lantern on the ground beside her.
"No killing," Hiccup whispered.
Astrid and Eret nodded, as something emerged from the trees. It was a man, tall and reedy, with a long hooked nose and wicked looking eyes. He looked at them in surprise, before lazily drawing his own sword. "And who are you?" he sneered haughtily, gazing at them in disdain. He looked past them into the darkness to see Toothless. "A dragon?" he grinned a gruel smile. "Well, I guess I'll be killing only three of you."
"Take another step and this arrow goes through your throat," Hiccup warned, aiming his bow.
"Idle threats," the man said. "Who do you think you are?"
"My name is Hiccup," Hiccup answered, his arms unwavering.
"Well, my name is Alvin the Treacherous—ruler of The Outcast lands, the True King of the Wilderwest, and a lieutenant in Drago's army."
"Drago?" Astrid's eyes bulged for a moment, before she took a threatening step forward. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Got lost," he said, shrugging, "While looking for some dragons."
"Why would you need dragons?" Hiccup asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Alvin replied, glancing at his sword with a pleased expression, before looking back at them. "Now, if you excuse me, that dragon is worth more than your three lives put together."
"Not if I kill you first," Astrid growled, having had enough of this man's pomp and grandeur. She leapt forward, Alvin quickly blocking her blow with his sword, taken aback for a moment.
"Don't think I won't kill you, cur," Alvin warned as he thrust his sword at her. She parried, knocking it away from him. He stumbled back slightly.
"Hiccup!" she called, "If he's working for Drago, we can't let him live!"
"But—"
"Do it!" she yelled, "Shoot him in the throat."
Alvin straightened shakily, "Don't do it…" he pleaded, turning his attention from Astrid to Hiccup. "Please… I'm only a simple man—Drago, he… he's making me do all these horrible things…"
"He's lying," Astrid said. "If he's really the ruler of The Outcast lands, he's just as terrible as Drago."
"Please…" Alvin dropped to his knees, holding out his hands to Hiccup.
Hiccup's bow lowered slightly.
"If you won't do it…" Astrid lifted her sword above her head, ready to smite Alvin with a deadly blow.
Quick as lightning, the man grabbed his sword, swinging it through the air, slicing her side. She let out a cry, dropping to her knees and her sword at the same time, grasping her side. Alvin let out a victory cry that was quickly strangled, as an arrow lodged itself in his throat. He dropped to the ground, choking on his own blood, before he finally stilled permanently.
She heard Eret and Hiccup call out her name, as they hurried to her side.
"Are you alright?" Hiccup asked, trying to help her.
"I just got sliced," she said, breathlessly, "Of course I'm not alright."
"We have to stop the bleeding," Eret said.
"Right," Hiccup said. "We have to get your doublet off."
Astrid nodded, and allowed the men to remove her doublet and shirts, and brassiere. She shivered in the night as they laid her down on a clean blanket.
"I knew the spirits would come in handy," Eret said, fetching some things. He washed away the blood, cleaning it, and wrapped her up again. "She should be fine—as long as we can control the bleeding," he said. "But we should really stitch her up."
Astrid looked at Hiccup, who was holding onto her shoulder tightly. "How do you feel?" he asked, worry in his eyes.
"I'm…" she took in a ragged breath. "I'm tired."
"Try not to sleep," Eret told her. "Not until the bleeding has stopped. We need to get her to a healer."
"There's a village not far from here," Hiccup said. "I can ride with her on Toothless."
"Can Toothless fly with the two of you? That would be faster."
"Yeah," Hiccup nodded, "I'm sure he can."
Together, Hiccup and Eret lifted Astrid. They lifted her, wrapped in her cloak, onto Toothless' back, and Hiccup quickly got on behind her, holding her tightly. "Hold on Astrid," he whispered in her ear.
"I'll go East," Hiccup said, "We'll meet there. There should be a village called Mistofer there."
"I'll meet you there, then," Eret said.
"Will you be okay?" Hiccup asked.
"I'll be fine," Eret said. "Just worry about Astrid."
Hiccup nodded, "Let's go, Bud!"
Toothless launched himself into the air, quickly surpassing the trees and entering the dark, night sky.
Hiccup studied the ground with an intense, desperate gaze. They had passed that glen at least three times now, and still there was no sign of the village. Or any village.
"This makes no sense," he muttered. "We should have passed at least one village by now."
"It's okay…" Astrid murmured in his arms. "I'll be fine."
"No, you won't," he replied angrily, tightening his grip on her and adjusting her into a more comfortable position. "I don't understand what's going on."
"Look!" Astrid pointed down at the ground, and Hiccup looked down to see a small cottage in the middle of a clearing—smoke rising from a small chimney.
"I guess we'll just have to take what we can get," Hiccup said. "Down there, Bud!"
Toothless made the descent, slower than what was usual for him, to save Astrid the pain of an uncomfortable landing. They landed in the clearing and Hiccup quickly dismounted, lifting Astrid off Toothless and into his arms. "Don't worry," he said, "I'm sure whomever lives here can help us."
He tried to walk forward, but Astrid was too heavy, so he lowered her to the ground and walked with her leaning on him. Her breath was labored, and he could almost feel her pain and exhaustion. "It's okay," she said when he sent her a worried look. "It feels worse than it is."
"Still," he said. They reached the front door, and it opened to reveal a woman who looked so old that for a moment, Hiccup was stunned into silence.
"Children…" the ancient woman said, beckoning with a long, twisted finger, a long, sharpened, dark nail attached to it. "Come inside…"
Hiccup glanced behind them to see Toothless looking concerned. Indeed, he, himself, had his reservations. This woman looked… foul. And smelled foul too. But he couldn't risk letting Astrid's wound becoming worse, so he helped her into the cottage. The cottage itself was foul as well—though not so much as the woman herself. At the crone's indication, Hiccup helped Astrid onto the small cot.
"She was injured during a fight," Hiccup said, turning to look at the woman, "Can you help us? Can you heal her?"
The only lady traced a finger with the nail of another. "I can," she said, "But first… would you like something to drink?"
"What?" Hiccup stared at her, dumbfounded. "No—I…" he shook his head vigorously. "We just need someone to stitch her up."
"Indeed, it is a precarious situation," the old lady said. "It would be tragic if she died—such a lovely girl. And although you barely know her, I know you care for her."
"Look, can you heal her or not—" Hiccup looked at Astrid to find that she was no longer conscious. "Astrid?" he knelt quickly by her side, touching her neck, and closed his eyes in relief when he felt a pulse." This was a mistake," he said, standing. "You can't help us—we'll continue looking for a village." He got up, about to hoist Astrid into his arms, when the door slammed shut of its own volition, the sound of the lock snapping into place sending shivers down Hiccup's spine.
"How did you…"
"Surely you can guess what I am…" the woman said, gazing at him with pale grey eyes. She smiled, revealing blackened, pointed teeth.
A witch. The word fell into Hiccup's mind without much effort. He took a step so he stood between the witch and Astrid.
"Do not worry, Hiccup," the witch said, "I will not touch the maid. She will die anyway—which is all very good for me. No… the reason I brought you here today—was because I wanted to see you."
"See me?" Hiccup repeated warily, still gazing at the woman with uncertainty.
"You see, I am a witch. A witch by the name of Excellinor—and I am just an old woman, living on my own. All on my own, save for my only son."
"Son?" Hiccup echoed.
"Yes, I do believe you've met him," Excellinor narrowed her eyes.
"Alvin?" Hiccup asked, dumbstruck.
The witch's mouth widened to an impossible width, though there was no humor in it. And yet, Hiccup could see there was no maternal grief in her either. She had no love for her son.
"I'm sorry," Hiccup said. "He attacked us—he was going to kill Astrid, I had no choice."
"Oh, I'm sure that isn't true," Excellinor said. "And I'm sure you're not sorry. And that grieves me, young man. I believe… you must be punished for your sins."
"I…" Hiccup took a step back, his calf hitting the cot. "Stay away from us."
"It's too late," Excellinor cackled. "The curse is already set."
"Curse?" Hiccup's hands felt numb, and he reached for his knife, having left his bow with Toothless.
"Yes… if there is anything you wish for—it is happiness. Happiness with a family, happiness with a love," her eyes flickered to Astrid, who had awoke due to the urgency in Hiccup's voice. "Happiness with yourself…"
"What are you talking about?" Hiccup whispered.
"My gift you, human, is the curse of unhappiness. Never shall you find or hold onto happiness. For as long as I live. And I assure you—I shall outlive you a thousand fold."
"Hiccup…" he felt Astrid's hand sneak into his own, tugging him out of his shock. "Hiccup, we need to leave here."
"Right," he turned and grabbed her, hoisted her to her feet and dragging her towards the door. The door unlocked on its own, swinging open.
"Have fun, my dear," Excellinor said, watching them as they left her home. "You'll find it hard to find."
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled, and the dragon bounded over. "We have to get out of here," he said, nearly throwing Astrid onto the dragon's back with force he did not know he possessed. He jumped on after her, grabbing her tightly to secure her, and Toothless leapt into the air. They rose far above the tree tops, and Hiccup could see a village in the distance, where he could have sworn there was only forest before.
They flew quickly in that direction, not noticing the witch's cottage disappearing from existence.
TO BE CONTINUED….
And the plot thickens! Looks like Hiccup may actually now have a reason to go North with the others ;)
Thanks SO MUCH for reading!
See you next time!
