Arriving
The sun was rising across the sea as the crew of the sailing ships emerged from their cabins. Astrid exited her hammock and walked outside, standing at the facade of the ship. She inhaled a long whiff of sea air feeling it flows through her veins. She opened her eyes and saw the great beyond shining in colours of red and gold and purple. It wouldn't be long until they reached Kumandra. She held up her axe looking at her reflection on the silver double-headed blade; she graved victory and glory for her people. She wondered what dangers they would face, what strange dragons they would encounter.
Namaari pushed a simple boat with supplies out onto the open water. She leapt off the sand and into the wooden vessel before the currents pulled her out from the shore. Namaari released the small sale and before she knew it, the wind was pushing her in her vessel across the sea. She turned and saw the land of Kumandra disappearing behind her. She shed a tear. She had lost her mother, the only family she had left. She looked at the palm of her hand and saw a side earring, her favourite item of jewellery. She felt she had failed her. She felt she had failed her kingdom. How could she ever stay behind? After everything she had done. Especially to Raya and Hiccup. And Toothless. She couldn't get the horrifying image of Toothless dying by her arrow defending his friends.
She had to get away from everything. She had to stay away from her people, her kingdom, and Kumandra before she could hurt anyone else. She stared out into the great beyond, wondering where this journey of self-exile would take her. She wondered about the dangers she would face out there. Judging from Hiccup and Toothless's story, it seemed like they had dealt with dangerous men like Krogan and possibly very wild dragons. She had to be prepared for whatever there was to come. But one big question remained on her mind. When could she ever come back?
Namaari sat in her cell, crying silently. She held her mother's earring in her hands. She wished now more than ever that she had never left her home. Her people were in danger. All of Kumandra was in danger. She had to get out somehow. She had to warn her kingdom and the other kingdoms too. But there was one problem. Nobody would trust her. Even Raya and Hiccup wouldn't. Even though she had given Hiccup the final piece of the dragon gem so he could reassemble it to bring back everyone, she had still killed Toothless. She was the reason Raya had lost her home and had been separated from her people for many years. She had caused so much pain and loss.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The loud clanging of pans made her shut her eyes. She was not afraid. She knew exactly who it was.
"Wakey! Wakey!" rumbled Ruffnut's irritating voice as she and her twin marched into the hall, Tuffnut carrying a tray of food. They marched right up to the cage, mocking frowns pressed on the prisoner's face. "Time for food!"
She opened the cage with the key and Tuffnut stepped inside with the tray, Ruffnut locking him in. "Hey! Why am I being locked in?!'
Before Ruffnut could answer, Namaari spoke first, "So I don't escape. Idiot," her head remained hung down, her hands chained to the wall.
"Oh," he realised. "Here's your food," he placed it down on the wood floor and slid it over to her.
Namaari, her wet face still hidden from their sight, kicked it away. "I don't want anything from any of you,"
"Come on. Just eat and we won't get in trouble,"
She scoffed.
"I…I…I mean eat or you will starve,"
"I'm already. Just leave me alone," she kicked the tray again and the drink and food spilt much to the twins' chagrin.
"Fine!" Tuffnut kicked the wooden mug and scooped up the food again. "You stay here and starve all you like!" he went to the door. Ruffnut let him out and they left the room, leaving Namaari to ponder on her thoughts.
Stoick headed out into the open air and stood beside Astrid. "You all right lass?"
"I'm prepared for what's to come our way. I just wanted to say thank you chief. For believing in me,"
"I'm very proud of how far you have come Astrid," said Stoick. "I've come to view you as a daughter these last six years.
Astrid twisted her head to him. "That means a lot coming from you chief,"
"Please…call me Stoick. There's something I've been meaning to ask you, Astrid,"
"Yes?"
"I think when we return to Berk…after all this is over…you should be crowned the new chieftess,"
Astrid was struck with shock. "You…you sure I'm ready for such responsibility?"
"I am," he turned around and clasped her shoulders. "I know more than ever that you will make an exceptional leader for our people. The way you stood your ground against those chiefs in the hall and chose for the benefit of our people proves how strong you are to become its next leader. There is no better person than I can ask of you to be the next ruler of Berk,"
Astrid was brought to tears. "I am touched by how you think so highly of me Stoick. But in truth, I am scared. I am scared I will make decisions and I am worried that when I take this mantle, I'll stand alone,"
"You will not be alone. You will always have me to turn to. And you have Gobber, your parents and everyone. All of Berk know how much you have dedicated your life. And Berk is more than just a place. It's a people. And those people know how much you'd put your life forward for all of us,"
Astrid had never had more weight-crushing pressure on her shoulders than before. When Stoick first asked her if she wanted to be his heir, she wondered why he would choose her above all people. He had told her it was because of "her wisdom, her strength" and her "good heart". Now that he was asking her to be chieftess once they had returned. Could she fulfil his expectations and be the chief Berk needed?
Before she could speak again, they heard Gobber approaching.
"Gobber," Stoick addressed.
"The chiefs are requesting a meeting. Drago is convinced more than ever that today we'll reach this land,"
"Tell the twins to feed the prisoner,"
"They did. She wouldn't touch a crumb,"
"We need her alive," said Astrid. "She's the only one who can tell us more about this place and our enemies,"
"Let us attend the meeting then decide what to do with her," Stoick suggested. They walked below deck to the big council room where the other chiefs gathered together at a round table with followers from their tribes. Alvin glared at Stoick and he glared back. Drago coughed his throat and they all stood around together.
"Why is this here?" Dagur pointed at her.
"'This'?" she snapped.
"Remember whom you're talking to," Stoick warned.
"Attention," Drago announced. "Our prisoner is the only one who knew about the land we're sailing to. Without any intel on what we'll come across; we'll be unprepared. These last few weeks we have been interrogating her but she has refused to cooperate. Unless you all have any other ways how to find out how to face our enemies, I may have to resort to my methods,"
"If it involves so much torture, it shouldn't be done," said Stoick.
"I request we send a scouting party to infiltrate this land and find out more about whoever we're dealing with other than dragons," Astrid's wisdom pleased Stoick. "The more we know, the higher the chances we have to defeat our enemies,"
"I agree," Viggo approved. "We must send the best soldiers. Ones adapted to stealth. The prisoner may prove herself to be useful at another time,"
"I wish to volunteer," Astrid elected. "Let me take Fishlegs and a group of soldiers with us,"
"I'll be coming along," boasted Dagur.
"Shouldn't you be here with us? You control your men," Ryker pointed out.
"I am the Berserker chief. Nobody tells me what to do," he answered back arrogantly like a child. "I'm coming along," he eyed boastfully at Astrid. "Unless you think you can stop me," he gave her a repulsive wink.
Stoick coughed his throat, putting him in his place.
A horn blew from above their heads. It meant only one thing.
Namaari heard the horn outside. Her heart rate accelerated. They were here. At her home. She became scared. She had to get out somehow. She looked at her chains. Then she looked at her earring.
Astrid and the chiefs all sprinted up the stairs to the top deck and there before was a beautiful land, flourishing in green. It was Kumandra. And beyond that place laid the five kingdoms and the havens of dragons. This was it. They had reached the end of the journey.
"We've made it," said Alvin proudly.
"At last," said Drago. "I've searched years for this place. I'm so glad my spy managed to escape whatever happened to Krogan and deliver me the information I needed,"
"Why exactly haven't we met this spy of yours?" quested Dagur.
"That is for me to know only," said Drago. "We must bring the prisoner forward,"
"We agreed we wouldn't torture her," reminded Stoick.
Drago gave him a hard look and he sighed. "Fine. I'll send the twins. But I approve of Astrid's idea,"
"I never said I didn't,"
Something about Drago really irritated Astrid but she refused to show.
On Stoick's request from Gobber, Ruffnut and Tuffnut much to their chagrin again were sent to the cellars to get Namaari. They marched down and saw her waiting for them silently, head turned away from them again. Ruffnut with a hoop of keys opened the cell again and Tuffnut entered with a pair of manacles. Ruffnut locked it. "What are you doing? Let me out of here!"
"He's locking us both so I don't try to escape dummy!" Namaari insulted. "Man! You are more stupid than you look!"
Ruffnut couldn't help but snigger at her comments. Tuffnut boiled. "Really? You're taking her side?"
"At least I'm mature!"
"Am not!
"Are too!"
As the pair continued arguing, Namaari was suddenly bursting into peals of laughter. They stared confusedly at her.
"What's so funny?" Ruffnut demanded.
"I just find it so funny that you guys are brother and sister and yet you can't get along. You're arguing over the simplest things. But…" she slapped her hands on her knees. "It seems that Ruffnut is the most favoured twin,"
Tuffnut glared at her. "What? Why?"
"Why else would she get given the most important responsibility and yet she's younger than you? She has the key to my cell meaning I'll never be able to escape. It seems like she's the cool one keeping me prisoner here while she's just taking care of me like you're soft,"
Tuffnut gasped. He glared through at Ruffnut. "That is so unfair! I'm the older twin! I should have the keys! I should have that job,"
"Well if you want it, you gonna get it," jeered Ruffnut behind her bars. "You're locked inside,'"
"Well then come inside and fight me,"
"It's so on,"
Impulsively Ruffnut opened the cell door and she jumped at Tuffnut. They wrestled, puled each other' chair and bit at each other. "How do you like that?!" she shouted.
During the skirmish, the hoop of keys which she carried on her belt slipped off and Namaari with the pointed end of her shore reached over and pulled them towards her. She undid her chains, freeing herself. She stood over the wrestling twins and they looked at her, shocked. "Some guards you are," she mocked. Before the twins could react, she sent a flying kick at their heads and knocked them out cold. She pushed them against the wall, pulling her black cloak over them to cover them. She exited her cell and closed the door, locking it.
She snuck through the inside of the giant ship, keeping very quiet. She found the storage weapon where she regained her sword and supplies. Now she needed a way out. There was no dragon on this ship. Were there any row boats? No. She could easily get caught again. Just then, she heard something clinging from far, far below. She walked down some stairs and to her surprise saw giant diving bells above a giant hatch which would open into the ocean. She looked at one of them. And thought of a plan.
Fishlegs was called to join Astrid and the chief and he followed. "Fishlegs, will you join Astrid in scouting this land?"
"Yes sir. I mean chief," saluted Fishlegs. "Just as long as Dagur isn't coming alone,"
Astrid was afraid he'd say that. "I'm afraid he is,"
"What?!" he squealed. He couldn't stand to ten feet near the chief,"
"Scared of me Guppylegs?" jeered Dagur.
"You leave him be," Astrid poked a finger at his chest. "I often wonder why you're chief. If Oswald was here, he'd put you in your place,"
"Why you little…" Dagur paused when Stoick marched closer to him. He was bigger and older than him; he wouldn't mind beating up him if he so much as touched a hair on Astrid.
"I'm coming along!" boasted the unpleasant Snotlout, appearing out of nowhere.
"Absolutely not Snotlout!" objected Astrid. "You incapable of stealth,"
"I am insulted," he whined.
"Chief! Astrid!" cried a voice. Gobber came running onto the scene.
"What's wrong Gobber?" asked Astrid.
"It's the prisoner. She's escaped!"
"What?" Stoick bellowed. They marched below decks and gathered back in the big council room. Drago, the brothers, Dagur and Alvin were there. Ryker hauled Tuffnut and Ruffnut forward by their shirt necks and pushed them towards the red-faced Berkian chief. "How did this happen?"
"She tricked us," Tuffnut simply answered, hanging his head down.
"Look at me when I'm talking!"
His heart jumped; the ashamed twins raised their heads at him.
"She tricked us into fighting each other," Ruffnut admitted, deeply ashamed of herself but more terrified of their chief's wrath.
"She opened the gate and dropped the keys!" Tuffnut blurted out, wanting to put the blame more on her than him.
"You both had one job!" berated Stoick. "And now thanks to you she's got away,"
"Don't be so sure Stoick," spoke up Alvin. "There's no row boats on this ship and no dragons. She's somewhere on this ship,"
"Then how my men haven't found her?" Viggo questioned.
"Sir!" A hunter came charging into the room. "Drago! Sir!" he screamed out.
"What?!" hissed Drago impatiently.
"All of the diving bells have been dropped underwater,"
"What?!" bellowed Drago. "How is this possible?!"
The hunter whimpered in fright.
Drago growled. "This ship was the only one that all of our diving bells,"
"If she escaped using them, there's no way she'd be able to get back up," said Astrid. "She can't survive down there for long. Let's just leave her to die and let this sea become her watery grave,"
"We're very close to the shore," Ryker reminded. "With all those bells, she could easily find a way to swim past our ships and reach the land,"
"We move now," ordered Drago. "Astrid, you will take Snotlout, Fishlegs and Dagur with you,"
"What?!" Fishlegs and Astrid whined. They couldn't take these teenage bullies with them; they didn't even care that Dagur was a chief. They knew he was only really coming so that he could prove he was a better warrior than Astrid. And Snotlout thought if he could do a really good job at this mission then she could; he would not stop trying to be the next chief of Berk.
"It is done," he slammed his metal stuff with a hook at the end on the wood, silencing them. "You will all set off now. And you two…" he pointed his weapon at the twins. "You will spend a week cleaning up the armoury for your failure. Fail me again and you'll be bait for dragons when we slaughter them,"
"No," objected Stoick. "Knuckleheads they may be, they are still Berkians,"
"Yeah!" cheered Tuffnut. "The chief likes us," he was silenced by a harsh glare.
"That wasn't a compliment. Take them Gobber,"
The disappointed Gobber pulled them away.
With no choice, Astrid went to her quarters and gathered her items. Her parents came into the room and saw her getting geared up in her armour. Her axe was sharpened and a satchel was prepared with water and food.
"Please be careful about there Astrid," begged her father.
"I will," she saw their worried faces and came over to embrace them tightly. "I love you guys,"
"We are so proud of you," her mother said. "So, so proud. Stoick told us everything. We know you'll make a wonderful chief of Berk,"
Astrid felt more faith than ever that her loved ones believed she could be a formidable leader. She walked back up to the top deck where Fishlegs, Dagur and Snotlout awaited her. Fishlegs and Snotlout were armed with hammers and Dagur had his sword and a short double axe strapped to his back and they all had bags stuffed with supplies. They were escorted to a short boat where the chiefs awaited to bid their good luck. There were so men with them too.
"My hunters will be searching the shores for the prisoner if she managed to make her way there," said Viggo. "And they will make sure no one escapes or be on the look for anyone who comes close,"
"Good luck," bid Stoick. He walked over and hugged Astrid tightly; she hugged him back. "Lead them well Astrid,"
"Wait? She's leading?!" complained Dagur.
"Hey! Her idea! Her leadership!" Fishlegs defended.
"You had better be on your best behaviour," Stoick warned Snotlout.
"Will do chief," he answered, pale with fright.
"And you…" Stoick pointed at Dagur. "You may be chief of your people…but if you so much as come back without any of them…" he didn't need to finish. Dagur wasn't the slightest bit frightened; not like before.
"Why should you even go?" Ryker complained. "If you were a chief, you'd be accompanied by your men or stay here where all the chiefs are needed,"
"Dagur the Deranged will not be lectured like that," Dagur wanted to sound dominating, and powerful enough to be deemed a leader worthy of respect. The reality was none of the chiefs believed he acted like one at all. Compared to Astrid, she was the wiser of the two. And a more formidable warrior.
The four boarded the rowboat. Taking one glance at her parents and Stoick, Astrid smiled reassuringly to them before she and her team were lowered down onto the water. Snotlout and Dagur rowed them to shore. The chiefs watched as they and all the soldiers in their boats sailed towards the shore of the new land where every dragon in the world lived.
Astrid was the first to step on her boat once her rowboat reached the shore. As she stood up, she saw the soft sand and stepped down. She looked ahead and saw blossoming green. It was beautiful. Surprisingly beautiful. It was unlike any land she had ever seen.
"Are you gonna stop staring like that babe?" Snotlout got back to his flirting.
Astrid growled. "Would you stop calling me that?"
Fishlegs whacked Snotlout on the head and stepped off. Snotlout and Dagur anchored their rowboat as the two inspected the new land's fauna. The soldiers arrived and they all started gathering their items to keep the shoreline under constant guard. It was time for the team to venture into the land. Astrid took one look back and in the distance saw her chief, parents and Gobber staring out at her. With hope. She nodded back. She looked forward again and taking a deep breath, stepped into the forest, her close friend and unwilling allies behind her.
Here it is. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. I wanted to take a break from this chapter and start another one. But I'm back onto this. I hope you all enjoyed this. Please send reviews and let me know what you all thought. Will definitely update you next week. See you all soon
