Chapter Three
"Hiccup! Hurry up son!" Stoick roared from the docks to the ship.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Hiccup yelled back, grabbing a small, heavy pouch off a barrel. "Dad seems a bit on edge right now." He muttered as he ran down the gangway. His prosthetic caught the end of the plank, causing him to stumble and almost fall into the water.
"Finally." Stoick grunted, ignoring the fact that Hiccup tripped up "I thought you were packing the entire ship for you daypack!"
"Just because I had to go back to the ship to get my gold doesn't mean that I was going to take three days to do it." Hiccup huffed back, standing up straight from his near swim.
Stoick just grunted and began to make way to the Thariin Keep set on a hill to the east. To which the ship's crew, Astrid, and Hiccup have never seen anything like it before. The grey stoned castle was big enough to fit the entire village of Berk! The size of the village of Thariin was equally impressive! It was exactly what Stoick had said it to be! Ten Berks altogether! Gawking at it, Hiccup noticed his dad seemed to be un-phased by the sight. He just kept on his quickened pace and headed straight for the massive castle. Astrid and Hiccup were having a hard time keeping the same pace.
"He's in a hurry isn't he?" Astrid whispered, jogging along just to keep up.
"Yeah, I guess he's really anxious right now. He doesn't want this meeting to be a waste of three weeks. Not to mention another three weeks sailing back!" Hiccup quietly replied.
"It better not be a waste of time; I can't stand that ship any longer!" Astrid growled, a little agitation in her voice.
"Heh, you and me both!" Hiccup smiled, agreeing with her. Watching his dad take the lead, his thoughts turned to the dragon he encountered a few nights ago. When he told everyone what happened, everyone kept an eye out for a Night Fury looking sea dragon. It wasn't long before Hiccup's dragon became something of a joke among the crew. Even Astrid teased him a little about it, even though she really believed him.
Hiccup knew that he saw a dragon, one that was never seen before; at least, in their records. Puzzling over the mystery, the thought of Toothless came into his mind. He missed his friend, and wished he stayed back at Berk rather than come on this trip with his dad. His thoughts were interrupted as Astrid pulled him along, since he was starting to fall behind.
The Keep was a lot farther than what all three of them thought. They've been walking for only five minutes and were just barely seeing parts of the village. The village itself was unique. It was built around a small bay that led back to the port. Along the water front were two platforms, with merchant stalls and other tables littered on them. One platform was low and right next to the water front. The other was sitting on stilts and standing over the lower platform. The markets seemed to be separated for a reason, but before Hiccup and Astrid could think about why, Stoick's angry shout grabbed their attention
"Oi! You two quit gawking and keep movin'! I'll leave ya behind if ya don't keep up!" He thundered, which made a few of the locals back away from the angry Viking.
"Sorry dad! Just looking around and-" Hiccup began to say, only to be cut off.
"You can look around after we meet with chief Strogg the Stone. I need to get there as soon as possible!" Stoick replied loudly, continuing his warpath down a street "Just stay with me, and don't get side tracked!"
Hiccup knew that his dad was under a lot of pressure and didn't even bother looking at anything else, even a fight that was taking place between a group of local's down another street.
Another fifteen minutes passed by, and the group finally made it to the Keep; well, at least to the pathway of steps that led up to the Keep. Hiccup and Astrid were surprised at how fast Stoick climbed the flights of stairs. Even Astrid, who was one of the most active and fit Vikings on Berk, was having trouble keeping up with him. Shaking her head, she then huffed out "Could you imagine living in a place that big!? I think I'd get lost in it for the first month!"
"I don't know if I could find my way out." Hiccup replied, a little out of breath "This entire place is huge! I didn't think this many people could live together!"
"Same here." Astrid answered, returning her focus to what was ahead. They were just arriving to the top, and a massive Viking was standing there, as if waiting for them. Chief Strogg the Stone.
The Viking was huge! Stoick was big, even for a Viking; but Strogg was 6 inches bigger in both height and width! The sight of him made Hiccup feel small. Well, smaller at least.
"Stoick the Vast, it is good to see you again!" Thundered Strogg, with open arms "I thought that was you making your way up here!"
"Like-wise…Strogg, like-wise" softly replied Stoick putting his hand on Strogg's shoulder. He seemed to be a little reserved at first, but that was quickly forgotten as they both embraced each other, as if they were trying to squeeze each other's head's off!
"Ohhhh…that's probably why dad was in such a hurry! He wanted to see an old buddy he never mentioned to me about" thought Hiccup, a little annoyed that his dad failed to mention that to him.
"Now then, who do we have here?" Strogg asked, looking down at both Astrid and Hiccup. "Your own?"
"Only one, and that's Hiccup" Stoick said proudly, looking at his son.
"Ahh…so you're the one who defeated the Red Death!" Strogg exclaimed, eyeing Hiccup. With a slightly confused look, he then added "I don't know if I would have believed it if you told me yourself."
"I know, I know…" Hiccup replied, again a little annoyed "That's about what everyone says when they first meet me."
"Hopefully we won't need your…dragon slaying skills while you're here." Strogg said jokingly, gesturing to Hiccup's metal leg "Wouldn't want you to lose your other leg!"
"Yeah, that would definitely be most unfortunate if that happened." Hiccup replied, a little agitation in his voice.
Astrid up until this point was enjoying the conversation. But after all this attention to Hiccup, she couldn't help but feel a little envious of Hiccup. Looking up at Strogg, she then took a small step forward; just to get noticed by Stoick.
"And this is Astrid Hofferson" Stoick announced, seeing Astrid step up "She is a true warrior in of herself!"
Strogg turned his attention from Hiccup, and stared at Astrid, almost studying her. She was holding her axe in a way that a confident Viking warrior always does, with a small arrogant smirk on her face. He knew she could fight, even at a young age. He knew she could stand her ground.
"I guess if there is a dragon raid while you're here, we'll be in good company with her." Strogg smiled, nodding approvingly.
"Oh sure, take all the credit away from the dragon slayer." Hiccup thought to himself, a lot more annoyed at this point. Looking at Astrid, he then thought about what he said. Truth was, Strogg was right. Astrid was a better dragon killer. Good thing she doesn't want to. Just thinking of Astrid going back to wanting to kill dragons gave him a chill down his neck. "Good thing that she won't go back." He reaffirmed in his mind.
"Come Stoick, we have much to catch up on, and to discuss. The two young ones can wander through the Keep if they wish to, and I have a table of the best food in all of Thariin prepared for you all." Strogg offered, gesturing towards the massive doors behind him.
"Thank you, but I think that they wanted to go and explore the village." Stoick quickly replied "They were as distracted as newborns learning to walk."
"Yes, we would like that. We've never seen a place so big before!" Astrid confirmed with great timing. Hiccup nodded his head as well, reinforcing what Astrid said.
"Very well, when you come back, the guards will let you in." Strogg said, glaring at the two guards posted in front of the giant doors, giving them a sign of 'don't bother them'.
With a sigh of relief, Hiccup and Astrid both thanked Strogg for his kindness and began to descend the flights of stairs. Both of them were excited to see other Vikings in a whole new setting, wondering what they would see and who they would meet. Little did they know was that one person they would meet, would change their lives forever.
The road that led to Thariin Village from Fallis Woods wasn't so much a road as it was a trail; and only a trail if you knew where to look for it. Having lived in Fallis all his life, Ukiah was really the only person who knew the trail. In fact he was sure that he was the one who blazed it to begin with.
Walking through the woods put Ukiah on edge. He didn't like it as much because he wasn't hunting, which made him feel soft and easy to stalk. It made him feel defenseless and helpless. The thought made him laugh lightly. He was far from helpless; not only was he carrying his crossbow, loaded with a bolt; he also had a friend watching him. Arrow, his most unlikely friend.
He had told Arrow to stay and explained to him that he would be back in three days. Of course, he never planned on Arrow listening to him. The dragon had a hard time separating himself from Ukiah, only when he went hunting.
Shaking his head, he turned around and caught a quick glimpse of Arrow's green eyes in some brush. Realizing he was spotted, the dragon which quickly disappeared. Hearing Arrow run noisily away, Ukiah then shouted "We gotta work on your stealth friend! You may be invisible at night and in the dirt, but man if everything can't hear you anywhere else!" Laughing, he quickly turned and continued his journey, while keeping an eye out for small game that he would use for his food on the trip. On all his trips, he usually picked up a couple of rabbits and birds that wouldn't weigh him down, and were still good eating.
Having left early that morning in the dark, the trip was taking all day, as the sun was low in the sky. He figured he had two hours of light left. Picking up his pace, he tried to make more headway. He wanted to try and set up his stand and make a few trades before the market closed. He usually only stayed in the village for one and a half days, and the remaining pelts and leather that he didn't sell; he usually gave to the blacksmith for crossbow bolts. An agreement they made among each other.
Reaching the top of a hill and edge of the forest, he could see Thariin Keep and the village below it. It was still a good two miles away, but short enough where he knew he'd make his goal. Seeing the Keep, Ukiah suddenly flared up with hatred. It wasn't the actual building that set him off, it was the person living in it. Strogg. Ukiah was one of few who knew his true colors; a ruthless tyrant who only cared really for himself, who enjoyed watching death as though it were a game. To add to his list of reasons to hate Strogg, was that the man only had one passion; making sure the dragon arena was full of dragons or criminals.
The dragon arena was the one thing that Ukiah disagreed with most Vikings. Not only because he had a dragon that was his friend, it was just a rule that he lived with. He hated any kind of animal, dragons included, suffering. The arena was only a tool to kill dragons in a slow and degrading way. "There's only one way to kill anything," Ukiah angrily whispered to himself "and that's to do it quickly."
Most times, Strogg liked to have dragons pitted against each other; but when dragons were thinning out in the cages, they would have the villages' most prestigious warriors fight them. If they won, they were on a road to become a Champion of Thariin. You had to kill at least one of every kind known dragon in order to achieve the status, minus the Night Fury, as no one had seen one; let alone capture one. Then when the dragons were down to two or three left in the cages, they pitted them against the village criminals and outlaws. It was an execution for either one, though weighted in the dragon's favor. The only incentive for the convict to win was to be able to live one more day. It was just a way to prolong the inevitable. Ukiah watched one match, and it was a criminal against a Gronckle. Watching both fight only to survive made him sick to his stomach. He swore that he would never go to another match again.
Still thinking of Strogg, Ukiah's heart began to beat faster. The real reason why he hated Strogg, was the reason why Ukiah had no home or family. At least that was what his guardian, Jessika, told him. And given that he was alone most of his life, he just accepted that to be the truth that he would never be able to understand. He didn't know how, or even why, but all he was told was he didn't have a family because of that man and a large raiding party. He didn't get details because Jessika disappeared after going to the village for a trip, when he was barely seven. He still had no idea what happened to her, though he decided her disappearance was due to Strogg; though he had no proof.
His thoughts were interrupted as he found himself approaching the front of the gate of Thariin. Being halted by the gate guards, he quickly explained what he intended to do. After watching them talk among each other, and checking his loaded basket strapped to his back; one then escorted him to the market place and gave him an assigned spot to sell his goods.
His assigned spot was at the upper marketplace, an area designated for those that didn't live in the village or those who had unique goods to sell or were foreigners. The lower marketplace was made up of locals, such as farmers, butchers, and blacksmiths.
Most of the vendors had a table or stall to display their items. Ukiah only had a small woven blanket which was designated only for displaying his merchandise. After laying the blanket down and organizing his pelts and leather apparel, he began calling out to people:
"You there! Yes you! You look like a true Viking warrior! How about a new leather belt to carry your axe?" or "Wouldn't the lady of the house love this nice bear pelt as a coat or a blanket? Only ten arrowheads!"
Honestly, he didn't really need to say anything. He was one of the few who sold pelts and furs and it was always lot easier for a Viking to buy or trade new fur boots than to hunt an animal down. It wasn't long before Ukiah had a group of people around his spot. It was going to be a good day, he could feel it.
"Wow can you believe the size of the market alone?!" Astrid exclaimed, staring at the crowd of people.
Hiccup was equally amazed at the shear amount of people bustling around. "It's huge!" He replied in awe.
"Come on, let's check out the all the stalls and stands!" Astrid shouted excitedly, jogging to the stands. Shouldering her axe, she received a few quizzical stares, as no one really carried their weapon around. It didn't take her long to notice the stares. "You'd think that these people never seen a weapon before." She whispered, staring down a gawking local.
Hiccup also got a few curious looks too, with his leg "I guess Vikings in general. I don't see a single person who hasn't lost a limb!"
Shrugging at the attention, Astrid then walked up to a stand that had some bread laid out to be seen. Hiccup felt his gold clink together as he followed her, letting his eyes begin to search for what he was looking for.
Stoick had given each of them twelve gold coins, and they both wanted to get something so that they could remember this trip; besides how long of a trip it was. Hiccup actually had second motive to shopping with Astrid; he wanted to get something for her to remember him by, and of course the trip. He was a little shy about the thought of buying her a gift, because he was used to…well you know, flying on a dragon with her, having Toothless carry her as they went hiking around Berk, sharpening her axe in Gobber's shop. The usual stuff! This was different, because it was going to be first thing that he would give her that would be a real surprise.
After browsing a few of the stalls, they learned that all the vendors on the lower platform had only local stuff such as food. After talking to a few of the stall owners, they were directed to go to the upper marketplace. Excited about the new options they discovered, they started to visit every vendor they could.
Walking up to a stall, they both stared at a selection of curved swords. Both had never seen anything like them before.
"Huh. These look interesting." Astrid said aloud, running a finger down the side of the blade.
The shop owner smiled as he watched Astrid stare at the blade, and explained "They're called scimitars. They're more common in the south desert lands, far away from here."
"Interesting…" Astrid replied, flicking the metal with her finger. Looking at the owner, she asked "Can I hold one?"
"Well…I usually, don't let kids play with them, but…" The owner smiled, as he pulled up a scimitar "You seem to know how to handle a weapon."
Astrid smiled at the comment, and handed her axe to Hiccup who stumbled slightly at the sudden change in weight. Grabbing the hilt of the sword, she stood back and gave it a few swings. "Ugh, it feels different." She commented, a little disappointed "It's feels like the weight isn't balanced."
"That's because you're probably used to a longsword!" The owner replied, watching Astrid strike at an imaginary target "The curve places the weight differently than what you're probably used to."
Looking at the sword, she then gently handed it back. "Do you have anything more…traditional?"
"Let's see here…" The owner replied, looking in a cupboard behind his stand.
Hiccup handed her axe back, smiling as well "Why are you so interested in weapons? We have plenty of those at Berk."
"Why do you like creating stuff?" She retorted back, smirking at him "You have your hobbies, and I have mine."
Hiccup just shook his head with a smile. Returning his attention to the owner, he then thought "I don't want to get her another weapon. I want to get her something…special."
"Ah! How about this dagger?" The owner asked, smiling as he pulled out an iron dagger. The blade itself wasn't entirely impressive, even to Hiccup; but the handle was beautiful. It was a carved wolf head, looking like it was howling. The detail was incredible, with small blue gems for eyes, and a silver-like dust coated the fur.
Astrid's eyes lit up at the dagger, seeing the detail in the handle. Reaching up for it, she asked "How much?"
"Ah, well for your pretty face, ten gold." The owner smiled, seeing Astrid hold the dagger with care.
"Deal!" She immediately said, reaching for her pouch. Pulling out the two coins, she handed the bag to the owner.
While the owner counted the coins, Astrid handed it to Hiccup. "Think you can help me put a better blade in the handle?"
Taking it carefully, Hiccup inspected it. The iron was dull, but was still solid. "I don't think it needs a new blade. Just needs a little action on the whetstone." Hiccup answered, moving onto the handle. The detail impressed him. He kind of wished he had seen it first, to give to Astrid. This would have been the exception to getting her a weapon.
"Thank you!" Astrid replied with a smile, turning back to the owner.
"Any time, young one." The owner smiled "I wouldn't have sold you anything if you hadn't already had a weapon with you."
"I guess that's still something we're getting used to." Astrid replied, turning and watching the crowd. It was getting noticeably less busy.
"Better start heading back where you came from." The owner instructed "The market closes when the sun sets. Wouldn't want you two to be out on the streets alone."
Hiccup felt like something hit him in the stomach. He was running out of time to find something for Astrid! He knew they were staying for at least a week, but he wanted to do this as soon as possible!
Astrid thanked the shopkeeper again, starting to walk away. Turning to Hiccup she then said "If what that owner said is true, we don't have any more time to browse. We can come back tomorrow for you, Hiccup."
Hiccup frantically began scanning the platform, hoping to see something that would catch his eye.
"Come on Hiccup! Let's head back up to the Keep." Astrid urged, pulling on him.
Defeated, Hiccup followed Astrid while looking at the ground. He wanted so bad to surprise her, but it looked like he was going to be waiting another night.
As the two began to make way to the stairs that led down, a single voice caught both their attention. "Don't leave! I'm open all night! Leather belts have never been so easy to get! Don't get me started with the pelts!" The voice called out, as if the person was trying to pull some of the local's attention towards him.
Hiccup was thrilled when he heard the voice. Turning to Astrid, he then asked "One more stop? He said he was open all night!"
"Fine, I guess we can see what he has." Astrid laughed, seeing the excitement in his eyes.
Walking alongside each other, they quickly found the stall. Not even a stall, but a person standing next to a blanket covered with pelts and other leather gear. The owner couldn't have been more than a year older than themselves. He looked like he was confident and strong, but in his own way. His black braided hair and his smile seemed to be able to calm even the most frenzied feelings. The hazel eteHis gear seemed to amplify his looks as well; with the leather vest that had plenty of markings and broken straps, blood-stained gauntlets, with a dagger strapped to his chest.
Now, Astrid always liked Hiccup. Even a little bit before he learned how to train dragons; though he was a mutton head and weakling most of the times. Now she had even more reason to like him! However, if Hiccup wasn't available, this kid would have been something to look at. Maybe even…chase after? The thought made Astrid feel a little anxious. She never had to look for someone, as most of the boys on Berk followed her all the time; mainly led by Snotlout.
"Hello there!" The owner replied with a wide smile "Take your time! I'll be here all night!"
"Why's that" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
Waving to a guard that walked by, the kid explained "I actually don't come here that often, and don't stay too long. Where other traders stay for a few weeks, I stay at most a day. So the guards let me stay open all night, even if no one's really here to buy. It's essentially my bedroom too."
"Where are you from then?" Hiccup asked, standing next to Astrid.
"I'm from here, just not here; I live 20 miles east in a forest." He answered "That's why I don't set up in the market below, since I'm not really a local."
"Huh. Well we're not from here either." Astrid replied, smiling at the teenager. Gesturing to the pile of pelts, she observed "So you're a hunter then, aren't you?"
"What gave it away?" He asked jokingly, pointing to a crossbow set against the wall.
"That must be fun…what's your name?" Astrid followed up with, starting to browse a selection of leather belts and such.
"Ukiah" he replied, bowing slightly to her as he introduced himself. That was all he was known as: Ukiah. No last name, no title, just Ukiah.
Astrid nodded in acknowledgement and then something caught her eye. Kneeling down, she picked up a leather headband with unique carvings in it. They were carvings of Swallows, each one having a unique pose.
Hiccup was studying what Astrid was holding, thinking he may have just found what he was looking for.
Ukiah also saw the interest on Astrid's face. Jumping on the moment to make a trade, he then explained "That's the best one that I made in this lot. It took me two attempts on separate headbands to get the pattern looking how I wanted it to, and then three days of patient etching just to get it done with no mistakes." Chuckling, he then added "You have no idea what I went through to finish that thing."
"Wow, it's beautiful…but I don't think I can afford it." Astrid said sadly, holding it loosely in her hand.
"Well, it happens to be ten arrowheads, but since you two look like nice people, and have been very kind to me by visiting my stall while everyone is closing; I'll sell it for five instead." Ukiah announced, smiling at Astrid. Though he knew he could get a better trade out of that specific headband, she was cute! When he saw her, especially the way she was carrying her axe, he knew she was a special girl. If he could give this to her, maybe she'd remember him. Maybe.
Astrid's face displayed a great amount of grief, as if a knife was being turned in a wound. "We don't have arrowheads…I only have two gold pieces."
Before Ukiah could talk about a deal, Hiccup stumbled as he ran in between her and him. Tripping over a pelt that he was pretending to look at, he excitedly asked "I only have gold too, but will twelve work instead? I bet you could buy more arrowheads with that then trading a headband for them!"
Looking up at Hiccup and realizing what he was doing, Ukiah laughed, saying "Fair point, I'll sell it to ya' so you can give it to your friend! How 'bout nine gold? I can't be in good conscience knowing I took all of what you had."
"Deal!" Hiccup agreed loudly, smiling from ear to ear.
Astrid looked at Hiccup with a great deal of embarrassment and amazement on her face. As Hiccup gave the gold to Ukiah, he turned to Astrid smiling. To which Astrid quickly changed his facial expression from happy, to pain, with single a punch to the arm.
"Oof! I thought we were done with that part!" Hiccup shouted, rubbing his arm tenderly.
Without saying a word Astrid grabbed Hiccup's shirt, pulled him closer, and kissed him. "Thank you." She whispered.
"Ah, I guess we're not done with that then…" Hiccup replied with a smile.
Ukiah being a spectator, felt a little bit of a sting. He should have known better that a girl as pretty as her would have had someone special. Turning to Hiccup, he hid his disappointment by asking "You're a lucky Viking, you two close?"
"Wha-What!?" Hiccup stuttered out of shock. Even Astrid looked horrified at the comment.
Seeing them flounder a little, Ukiah silently let out a whoop of joy. Not wanting them, especially her, to catch on, he laughed and began to push them away "Never mind. Forget I said anything. However, you guys better start heading back home, the town guard aren't really friendly when kids are in the streets at night, and some of the locals aren't much better. 'Specially if they've been drinking."
"Thank you Ukiah, maybe we'll see you tomorrow before you leave." Astrid said hopefully.
"Well, I'll be here all day tomorrow; I'm leaving the morning after. If anyone you know needs some furs or a new leather belt, don't be afraid to bring them with you!" Ukiah replied with a smile "Or…you can drop by and say hi. I'm not opposed to that either."
The two waved good-bye as they started their trek back to the docks. As they walked, Astrid took off her old head band and put the new one on, making sure her hair was the exact same way she had it before. Watching her, Hiccup was absolutely smitten when he saw her do this. Seeing the small, goofy grin on his face, she punched him in the arm a second time.
"Agh! Well it was worth it." Hiccup chuckled, his smile staying on his face.
Watching the two go, Ukiah wished that his one friend could be here with him. Sighing, he then knelt down and made sure his pelts were organized the way he like them. Sitting down and leaning against the wooden railing behind him, he looked up into the night sky thinking of Arrow.
Little did he know, was that he wasn't really alone, and was looking straight at his very friend. When Arrow watched Ukiah walk into Thariin, he couldn't stand the fact that he couldn't see him anymore; so when night fell, he flew up high enough to not be seen and was flying circles around Thariin, watching over Ukiah.
Ukiah continued to look up into the night sky, and obviously not seeing Arrow, pulled a fur pelt over him and fell into a deep sleep, this time with both eyes closed.