I'm back again. And I have nothing to tell you. Just read, author's note on the bottom. Special thanks to assasins death though. I like your input.
Chapter 8: Rising tensions
Great hall, Late afternoon, 266 ADF
The tree returned to the great hall after the events of the sparring fight between Hiccup and Astrid to sit back, relax and talk a little. Since it was almost time for dinner. They had gotten seated at one of the table and gotten a drink
"So remember to train with your left hand, it will be very advantageous for you in a fight." Hiccup said sipping his mug.
"How so?" Astrid asked.
"Most attackers she'll face will be right handed. And they are used to fighting right-handed opponents since left-handed warriors are kind of rare." Hiccup responded.
They both nodded in understanding and went on with their casual conversation. Ranging from subjects like work and living on Berk to the many places Hiccup had seen. During one point of the conversation Fishlegs had decided to join them on their table.
"Hmm, I seems we have a new face on the table. May I ask who you are?" Hiccup questioned the newcomer.
"Uh, I-I'm Fishlegs. Nice to meet you." Fishlegs said nervously.
'Fishlegs, he was mentioned during the loyalist's meeting. Said to be smart but unaware of the situation. And he is a blabbermouth. Be cautious with him.' Hiccup quickly thought. "Ryder, pleased to meet you too." He said.
"Hey fish, what are you doing here?" Astrid asked.
"Well uh, I heard Ryder was from this far away land and I wanted to ask him some questions like where he lived, what's its like there, are there any dragons…" Fishlegs started rambling.
"Whoa there, slow down man." Hiccup interrupted. Fishlegs effectively shut up and gulped nervously.
"I can't understand a thing you say, can you please talk a little slower. Also you don't need to be afraid to ask questions, I'll answer them as I see fit." Hiccup said with a comforting tone.
Both Hicca and Astrid chuckled at Fishlegs's antics. It was no secret he was nervous talking to strangers.
"Alright, I heard you were from this land called Draconia right?" Fishlegs asked. To which Hiccup only nodded. "What's it like there?"
Now Astrid and Hicca were intrigued as well. Ryder never talked much about his homeland and when he did he only gave obscure answers. Now he might tell them some history about his people.
"I do. And I suppose you want me to tell about my homeland do you?" Hiccup asked back.
The three teens present nodded in confirmation. They were on the edge of their seats in anticipation for a good story.
"Very well." Hiccup said. He then took his map book out of his pocket and laid it open on the table. On the page with the Archipelago and the Draconian continent displayed. "Draconia is the name of my home continent as well as the empire that spans this entire landmass. The empire was founded 266 years ago under our first emperor. A dynasty that still prevails until this day." He explained while motioning over the map with his hand.
"Your home is an empire that has existed for 266 years? That is almost as long as Vikings have been living here." Fishlegs exclaimed.
"Yes, it seems the Archipelago and the continent were settled around the same time. The reason why you don't know about us is probably because we tend to keep to our own. It has only been a few years since our trade convoys have been sailing freely into Viking territories." Hiccup said.
"Wait, you all knew about us all along?" Astrid asked surprised.
"Quite so, we do extensive research to know who our neighbours are but none actually seem to notice us." Hiccup answered.
"So you hide?" Fishlegs inquired.
"Not exactly, we just keep to our own but we don't try to keep ourselves a secret. We just keep ourselves busy with other thing." Hiccup said. 'Like war perhaps.' He thought.
"And so you're ruled by an emperor? What's his name?" Hicca inquired.
"The name of the current emperor is Dytaldir. Husband to Empress Yelena and father to princess Maery. Current ruling royal family of Draconia." He said.
"Have you ever seen them in person?" Fishlegs asked. By now multiple Vikings had joined around the table entranced by Ryder's story about his homeland.
Now was a time for some lies. They couldn't know he was raised by the imperial royal family. "I only saw them once. From very far away. I haven't been in the capitol a lot." Hiccup answered.
"Ow, do you have any dragons out there?" Fishlegs squealed.
Hiccup chuckled. 'A true nerd.' He thought. "Yes Fishlegs, we do have dragons in the homeland."
"So do you have any cool ones?" Fishlegs asked.
"Ooh like a dragon whose skin that burns hotter than the sun!" Tuffnut proclaimed. During the story the twins had joined in as well.
"Come on Tuff, That's ridiculous. There's no way such a dragon could exist." Fishlegs said.
"On the contrary actually." Hiccup said. Al the Vikings present eyes went as wide as dinner plates. They couldn't believe that such a dragon actually existed.
"Aha I said it. The nut is all knowing!" Tuffnut proclaimed.
"The nut is all seeing!" Ruffnut continued.
"The nut is all believing!" They said simultaneously.
"Is this normal?" Hiccup asked Astrid sideways.
"Yeah, you get used to it though." Astrid answered.
"You were going to tell us about this dragon?" A random Viking suddenly said.
"Ah yes, the one with a skin hotter than the sun. We call it the fireworm. And they come in a variety of sizes. You could compare them to a scorching version of a beehive." Hiccup explained.
"Do you have any other dragons there?" Fishlegs inquired.
"Loads actually, but I don't know which one you are familiar with?" Hiccup said.
"Nadders, gronkles, zipplebacks, monstrous nightmares, the usual." A Viking said.
"Okay I know those we tend to see them as well. But we have some others as well. Like the fireworm, Raptors, Stormcutter, skrill, scuttler, and a whole lot more."
"What is a raptor?" Fishlegs inquired.
"A raptor is a breed of dragon. We believe it is a cousin breed of the speedstinger, only they are bigger and have no poisonous tail gland. They are about three meters tall and have no wings." Hiccup explained.
"How do you know all this?" Fishlegs asked.
"It's obvious. The lad has killed his fair share of them isn't it?" A Viking deduced.
Several ooh's and aah's went through the crowd in conformation. Hiccup just face palmed. Though only Hicca noticed this.
"So how many dragons have you killed?" Astrid asked.
Now Hiccup had a bit of a dilemma. Sure, he did kill one dragon in his life. But if they found out which one they would ask questions and figure out he wasn't who he told them who he was. "None, we don't do that in Draconia." He answered.
"What? Why not you say you have tons of dragons out there? Why don't you kill them, it's only natural." A Viking said.
"It's not for us. I know you might not accept my reasoning for not killing dragons but that's just how I was raised. Just like you guys. You see dragons as pests and think they all need to be exterminated. We in Draconia just say live and let live. They roam free and don't bother us and we leave them be as well." Hiccup said.
Some Vikings nodded slightly amongst each other. There was no denying Ryder's logic. There was however one who just had to ruin it.
"That a load of crap Ryder! Dragons don't deserve to live! Not here, nor in your pathetic homeland!" Snotlout accused. "You have no right to even speak like that! We all know it's against the laws of nature itself!"
Astrid and some other Vikings from the loyalist committee scowled at Snotlout. He just blatantly insulted a guest in the village.
"What the hell Snotlout! The guy is just telling about his homeland, have some respect for that!" Astrid said angrily.
"Hmm, he is just a wimp. He never even killed a dragon and says we should just let them live and be friends with them! Is that what you want?" He proclaimed to everyone present.
"That's not what he said Snotlout! You are twisting his words!" Another Viking said.
"That doesn't change anything! He defies all sense of nature with his stories! All dragons should die." Snotlout proclaimed again.
"You have quite the nerve Snotlout. You insult a man's tradition and a guest to the village. You say my ideas are faulty even though I just said we have a different upbringing and thus different ideas about the world. It stand to reason we think differently." Hiccup said calmly. This calm statement shut the rowdy Vikings up as they didn't expect Ryder to react so calmly at the insults.
"But they are still wrong! Let me tell you this Ryder. You are on our island and you better respect us. And I want you to stay away from my future wife!" Snotlout grinned.
"I AM NOT AND I NEVER WILL!" Astrid screamed over the table. If looks could kill Snotlout would have been 2 meters under the ground now.
"Ah come on Astrid, you know you love these." Snotlout smirked while flexing his muscles. Astrid and a few other made gagging noises.
"You really are sad Snotlout. In the short time I have been able to figure you out entirely. You are bold, brash, and think with your muscles and have a brain the size of a pinprick." Hiccup said casually.
Snotlout was fuming. This guy had the gut to insult him, Snotlout Jorgenson and stay calm about it. "What did you say you wimp?! I am much more than that! I am Snotlout Jorgenson,…" Snotlout began.
"Oh, I'm sorry guess I forgot to say you also have an ego bigger then this hall." Hiccup quipped.
This comment got a few snickers in the crowd and a burn comment amongst it. Snotlout however was fuming with anger. He would not let this stand.
"Take that back you worm!" He screeched.
"Hey, you insulted me and my country. I think I have the right to do the same with you." Hiccup said. "Though that does not mean I mean any offence to the rest of Berk. You have been excellent hosts." He added the last part to the crowd earning some cheers of gratitude.
Snotlout was now red hot with rage. He was losing this argument and had no comebacks. But not for a second did he think about backing down.
"That's enough! I challenge you for a duel Ryder! To prove to everyone what a wimp you are and to prove to Astrid that I am the better Viking!" Snotlout yelled.
"SNOTLOUT! WHEN WILL YOU TAKE A HINT!" Astrid yelled. "I'M NOT YOURS, NEVER WILL!"
"Ryder you don't need to do this. Stoick will understand." Hicca said.
"No, I have had enough of you Snotlout. And I do not wish to disrespect the chief by refusing." Hiccup said standing up.
The crowd gasped. Ryder had accepted Snotlout's challenge. Many thought the lad would lose horribly seeing his lean stature.
"Ryder, you really don't have to. Certainly not for me." Astrid said.
"But I want to Astrid. No one should call himself a man with those words." Hiccup answered while looking at her. Then he straightened out and looked at Snotlout. "When?"
"Tomorrow two hours after lunch! Don't be late, if you dare to show up." Snotlout snickered.
"Very well. Now could you leave so that I can finish my story in peace?" Hiccup inquired.
"Fine, not like I wish to stay to listen to a traitor. Neither should any of you." Snotlout spoke.
"Just leave Snotface. No one is going to listen to you." Astrid said.
To this Snotlout scowled and took his leave. When he had exited the great hall everyone settled down again.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through that Ryder. He really is a jerk most of the time." Astrid said.
"Don't be it's not your fault. Besides you seem to have a tougher time than me." Hiccup said.
Astrid nodded solemnly.
"So should I continue with my tale?" Hiccup asked the crowd.
"AYE!" The crowd answered.
"Alright then!" Hiccup said.
Hiccup continued to tell the tales of his homeland until far into the night. Although it was a version of the story that hid his true identity and any evidence of the war and his mission. He told about the land, the great cities like the capitol and the smaller villages and natural wonders spread around the continent. Some dragon related facts were told when he and the crowd were marginally drunk until the one question was asked.
"So where did you grow up?" A random Viking asked.
"I was raised in a small village in the countryside. I had my parents and an older sister for company. Life was simple there but I always longed to see the world. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for the life I had in that small village. It could have been much worse." Hiccup explained.
"Worse, it seems to me you had a pretty good childhood. Didn't your parents love you?" Astrid asked.
"That's the thing Astrid, the parents I grew up with are not my real parents." Hiccup answered.
"They were not. But then…" Astrid began.
"Yes, I was adopted. At a very young age so I never knew my real parents. I don't know if they are even alive." Hiccup said dejected.
Astrid looked at the ground for a moment. This man had done so much in his life but he had never had the chance to meet his real parents. It made her think about how lucky she was to still have both her mother and her father with her.
"But who knows, maybe they are alive and out there somewhere. And maybe I'll find them someday." Hiccup said hopefully.
Astrid then did something she never did before. She hugged him to give some comfort. "I'm sure you will find them someday Ryder."
"Thanks Astrid, I really appreciate it." Hiccup answered.
"You still don't have to fight, you know that do you?" Astrid asked.
"Yes, but I want to." He said.
Their interaction had all but gone unnoticed by one person. Angus Hofferson, who was intrigued because he had only seen this action from Astrid once. But that was almost 18 years ago. Something to think about.
As for Hiccup, he still had no idea how close he actually was to his real family. One only needed to look far enough.
Done. And before you say anything, yes I know it took a long time and that this is a short chapter and it might be disappointing but it was an idea from a loyal reader to build up some tension between the two cousins. So I thought up this chapter as a filler. It was hard and that's why it took such a long time to write. And also because I've been obsessively watching Code Geass an RTTE season 2 (it just came out). So I've been a little distracted.
Reviews:
UserJay: no I don't. I just write when I feel like it. It comes more natural to me. But I do try to make progress.
assasins death: it seems you got your wish. I hope it was satisfying. Thanks for being such a loyal supporter of my story. Hope hearing from you again.
Grima: you don't say?
Ghost Dragon Master: nah man sacrifice them to Cthulhu that much worse.
CartoonLoverBecky: well I'm not because I know how it ends. Glad you like it.
DeathStrike59: my ego is growing. I'm honoured you say that.
Maerk Andrew: technically Hiccup is not a prince because he is adopted and I will say it again he is not alone (apart from Toothless) but I won't tell you what that means. *evil laughter
mc arno: perhaps one day. Though there is one who will go there for sure. Try to figure out who.
OechsnerC: I wholeheartly agree. But let's save that for another time. He still has his part to play.
Prima Belladonna: telling you that would be spoilers would it not?
Guest: uh are you familiar with the interface because may 3 was when chapter ONE was published. Learn the facts bro. (no offence intended, just putting it out there.)
So I hope you've all enjoyed. I've been .
Dismissed