For the next few weeks, Caleri and Sila excelled at Dragon Training. After each training session Caleri, Buff, and Meridia would stay behind and train longer. Buff and Meridia were slowly learning how to communicate with their dragons, even if they couldn't speak words.
"Alright, guys, I think that's good for today," Caleri said. Buff whipped his brow and looked at Wingstorm.
"Ready to go home, girl?" he asked. She snorted in response and Buff climbed onto her back. "See you girls tomorrow." Caleri and Meridia waved as he flew away. The two girls mounted their dragons and Caleri was about to take wing when Meridia's soft voice stopped her.
"I followed you home one day," she said. Caleri stared at her.
"Why?"
"I, I just wanted to see where you live," Meridia replied. She hung her head. "I told my mom and she said that you and Sila could live with us until your house is rebuilt." Caleri's mouth dropped open. She was speechless for a few minutes.
"That's, that's so generous. Thank you," she whispered. Meridia smiled shyly and they took wing. Caleri followed Meridia in silence until they landed in front of a two story hut.
"This is home" the quiet red head said. They walked through the door and walked to the kitchen. "Mom! I'm home!" Meridia called. Caleri looked at Sila with a smirk.
"I think that's the loudest I've ever heard her speak," she whispered. Sila nodded in agreement. They followed Meridia and saw a huge woman with bright frizzy red hair stirring a pot over the fire.
"You must be Caleri! And your Dragon Sila!" boomed the woman. "I am Beniula, Meridia's mother." The woman held out her hand and Caleri took it. She was suddenly pulled into a spine breaking hug. She stumbled a little when Beniula released her.
"Mom, I am going to show Caleri around," Meridia said. She then took the other girls hand and showed her around the house. "This is my room," the red head said. The room seemed to be added onto and Fangmouth sat in the corner. He looked up and smiled at his sister. She smiled back and walked over to him.
"Hello," Sila said.
"Greetings," Fangmouth replied.
"Caleri, I can show you the rest of the house. The dragons can stay here and talk," Meridia said, dragging Caleri away. Fangmouth stood and stretched before walking to one of the windows. Using his tail, he flung it open and a chill breeze rushed in. Sila walked up and looked to the stars.
"Do you know where Fireeye is?" Fangmouth asked. Sila stared at the stars, waiting for them to tell her what she needed to know. They twisted and provided the shape of a Night Fury flying among other dragons. He turned his head and she caught a glimpse of his red eyes. A malicious smile went over his face and Sila shivered in fear. The image faded and Sila shook of the feeling of malevolence.
"He found a pack of dragons. He's happy where he is," Sila lied. She knew her brother was planning something bad, but didn't want to worry the rest of her family. Fangmouth sighed in relief and gazed at the sky with her. Sila knew the stars had said all they would say, so she sat in silence.
About an hour later, the girls came back upstairs, bowls in their hands. The dragons were fed and they curled up for sleep.
"Thanks for inviting us over," Caleri yawned.
"No problem, Mom says you can stay for as long as you like," Meridia said. They curled up under their dragon's wings and fell asleep.
Morning came and the girls and dragons made their way to dragon training. Buff met them on the way.
"How are you guys today?" he asked.
"Fine, what are we doing today again?" asked Meridia.
"I think we are learning to fly with our dragons breathing fire," Caleri replied. Buff chuckled and patted Wingstorm's head.
"Imagine how the Monstrous Nightmare riders are going to feel," he chortled. They all laughed at that and they were soon to the arena.
"Good morning, Vikings," said Hiccup. He was astride Toothless, and Astrid was astride Stormfly. "Mount your dragons and take flight." Toothless soared into the air and the others followed suit.
"Now, fire and flying don't always mix," Astrid said. "Sometimes the dragon will fly through the flames, and you will lose your eyebrows." She gave Hiccup a glance and he shook his head.
"The trick is to maneuver your dragon up when they are using their fire," Hiccup continued. "In the case of Monstrous Nightmares, make sure your dragon does not touch its own flame." Hiccup gave Toothless the command and he shot white hot flames at a dummy. It was flung across the arena and was incinerated.
"Now you guys try," Astrid said. The teens tried and many failed, all except the three with Night Furies. They hit the target every time, and even hit other's targets.
"No fair!" cried a chubby girl on a Gronkle. "They have Night Furies!" Some others called out in agreement and Hiccup had them land.
"No, it's because they spend extra time training," he said. The others grumbled but said no more. Sila's ears perked and the other dragons fell silent. The Vikings noticed and strained to hear. The sound of flapping could be heard and a sudden burst of fire rocked the arena.
"Run!" cried Hiccup, and that's when the panic started.