Chapter Ten
Ukiah was already awake before the sun began to shine through his little window. Taking it as a sign that everyone would be getting up for the day, Ukiah flung out of his hammock and jumped to his gear. His arm sent a numbing feeling up his arm, telling him to slow down a little. Sitting down on the crate, he began to pull his hunting pants on. Chuckling, he realized he never really slept last night, due to the fact that he kept on thinking of him riding Arrow. "I'll finally see what it's like to fly…" He whispered, still thinking it was just a dream rather than a reality.
Someone knocked on the door to his room. "Come in, almost done in here!" He called out, reaching to pull his first boot on.
Both Hiccup and Astrid walked in, with smiles on their faces. Astrid was holding a coil of rope loosely in her hand as well.
"Ready to see what it's like to be a dragon?" Hiccup asked, smiling at Ukiah.
"I think I was ready when you suggested the idea! My body just disagreed." Ukiah answered excitedly, pulling his last boot on.
"I think it still disagrees." Astrid said a little concerned, noticing that the bandage on the arm was still leaking a little bit of blood out of the end "Wanna change bandages?"
"Nah, I'll be fine." He replied, unconcerned with it as he finished strapping his the boot on. Jumping up, Ukiah made way to the small pile of his equipment on the other side of the room, grabbing his leather strips that were his gauntlet-like wrappings. The slashed one was still useable, but was shorter from what it was before Malke got his arm. "So, anything I need before I jump on him?" He asked, as he started to wrap his forearms.
"Definitely" Hiccup stated with a tone that suggested that there was no other alternative "You're going to need something to hang on."
"Alright, what do you suggest?" He asked, straightening up after he finished wrapping his last arm. He tested it to make sure it wouldn't fall off.
"Already got what you need." Astrid answered, lifting the coil of rope she had.
Ukiah couldn't help but smile. His friends were genuinely interested and helping him. It was something he never really had in his life before.
"Come on, let's go!" Astrid continued to say, excited for him "Get a shirt and get up on deck!"
Ukiah laughed as he grabbed his hunting vest. Following the two up to the deck, he called out for Arrow. Not even a second later, Arrow flew right in front of Ukiah and rammed his head into Ukiah's chest for another rubbing.
Almost being knocked down, Ukiah laughed as he rubbed Arrow's head with extra energy. "Ready boy?" He asked happily. Wagging his tail, Arrow stepped back with sand trickling out of both corners of his mouth.
"I'd say he's more excited than you are!" Astrid commented, smiling at Ukiah.
Hiccup couldn't help but feel how excited he was for Ukiah and Arrow. He remember when he rode Toothless for the first time. The thought made him glad that they were already on his way back home, even though it was going to be another 2 weeks. Reminiscing in his memory, he smiled as Ukiah kept on playing with Arrow. Shaking his head at the happy pair, he grabbed the rope out of Astrid's hand and called out "Come on, let's get the rope on him so you can hang on. Trust me, if he's anything like Toothless, you'll need it."
Ukiah couldn't help but feel excited as he helped Hiccup tie the rope around Arrow's neck, and around his chest. Arrow though excited to fly with Ukiah, wasn't too fond of the rope harness. He twisted his head with a facial expression of detest as the rope tightened around him. Ukiah softly laughed and rubbed Arrow's head, whispering "Just for me friend, I need something to hang on to."
Still not entirely thrilled about the rope, Arrow lowered his shoulder so Ukiah could get on easier.
Almost floating, Ukiah leapt onto the neck of Arrow. Landing between two spikes, his back almost had a natural saddle with how the spikes were laid out. Situating himself, he grabbed the makeshift harness. Double checking that it wouldn't choke Arrow, he pulled on the rope a little bit. Confirming that it was good, he turned to Astrid and Hiccup with excitement all over his face.
"Remember, hold on tight! Toothless likes to shoot like a lightning bolt whenever we start to fly. I imagine Arrow will too." Hiccup warned.
Checking his grip on the rope a second time, Ukiah took a deep breath, trying to get the nervousness out.
"Just tell him when you're ready, he'll do the rest!" Astrid added.
"Okay…you ready Arrow? Let's g-" Ukiah was cut off by the sudden launch into the air.
Arrow shot forward just like his name, an arrow! Ukiah didn't need to check his grip on the rope, because his fists were clenched around the rope so tight, that death would be the only reason why he'd ever let go.
Arrow flew forward for a bit, then immediately pulled up to begin climbing at an incredible speed! Ukiah's breath was taken away at the sudden change in direction! It was a feeling that he never felt before; and probably would never have, if he hadn't met Arrow! "Whoa! Whoa!" He shouted into the wind "Arrow! Slow down!" His cries were either ignored, or not even heard. The wind rushing by sounded like a waterfall, it was so loud he could barely hear himself. "If this is how fast he goes up, how fast can he go down?" Ukiah wondered to himself, checking his grip and pulled his body closer to Arrow's. He was able to slide his shoulders under two angled spikes, helping him stay on.
No sooner had he finished that thought of how fast Arrow could go in a dive, Arrow began to do just that; leveling off from his climb for a moment. Ukiah then saw how high they actually were, and it scared him. He never looked down before because he was so focused on what was ahead of him. Now, he was forced to look down because it WAS in front of him! Losing his breath again and almost his stomach, Ukiah clung for dear life as Arrow screamed downward. The sound of the screaming air was rich and clear in Ukiah's ears. It still gave him the chills.
Watching the water get closer and closer, Ukiah began to pull up on the rope out of reflex. Arrow responded quickly to Ukiah's pull and leveled out just above the water.
Still having his heart pound through his chest, Ukiah rested for a minute thinking of what had just happened. He had just ridden a dragon! More importantly, he was still on Arrow! It was amazing to feel oneself move faster than the wind!
Getting his nerve back together, Ukiah grabbed the rope and pulled it to the right which Arrow responded with a bank to the right. Laughing now, Ukiah pulled left which Arrow promptly turned in that direction. Finally getting a feel for flying on Arrow, Ukiah yelled above the roar of the wind "Okay Arrow, now I'm ready! Give me your best!"
When the words fell into Arrow's ears, he instantly re-acted. Rolling a whole rotation, Arrow then pulled up and flew even faster upwards. Ukiah was ready this time, keeping himself tight to Arrow's neck. Arrow took a second and looked into Ukiah's face with an expression of 'do you trust me?'
Ukiah, seeing this, smiled and nodded. "I'm with you regardless. Do what you want!" He shouted.
Not even double checking with Ukiah, Arrow rolled over and did another dive, this time a lot more vertical. Ukiah kept his body hugging Arrow's neck, letting the spikes hold him down. Arrow stared at the blue sea that was coming closer every second. Narrowing his eyes, he straightened out his body even more; making him a sleek line, ready to cut through anything. Ukiah felt Arrow's body shift a little, knew exactly what he was going to do. Realizing it was a bad idea to let the dragon dictate what they should do; Ukiah laid his head on Arrow's neck to make him tighter and prayed to the Gods.
From Hiccup and Astrid's point of view, they were doing another generic dive. Arrow was diving at incredible speeds; the air was rich with the screaming dive. They stood there amazed at the sight, at least until they saw them getting way to close to the water.
"Pull up! Pull up!" Hiccup shouted, even though he knew it was useless. Hiccup had been on Toothless doing a dive into water before, but not at full speed! Astrid stared with wide eyes, watching Arrow scream towards the water. Watching helplessly as the two crashed into the water, Hiccup leaned against the edge of the ship. A pillar of water shot out from where they crashed into, taking both their breaths away.
"What'd he do?!" Stoick roared behind them, running to the side of the ship. He had been watching the two since they took off.
"Ukiah and Arrow just crashed into the water at full speed!" Hiccup cried out, still leaning over the edge of the ship and scanning the water to see if he could see any sign of them.
Suddenly, a loud splash sounded off behind them, followed by a joyous roar. Whirling around, they were relieved when they saw Arrow and Ukiah fly around the ship.
"They must have swam under the ship!" Astrid shouted excitedly, finally relaxing as she realized what happened.
"Amazing…" Hiccup whispered "He is a Tidal Class dragon! No doubt in my mind now!"
"That was idiotic!" Stoick breathed out angrily, interrupting both their thoughts "He's still recovering! What was he thinking when they did that?"
"Dad, I don't think Ukiah had much say in it." Hiccup answered, watching the two coast in a wide circle around the ship "Arrow was probably testing Ukiah, seeing what he could do with him."
"Doesn't change the fact that it was stupid for him to try flying. He's only been moving around for two days!" Stoick growled.
On the back of Arrow, Ukiah couldn't believe it! He just dove into the water at speeds that he didn't even imagine traveling at. More importantly, he was still alive! Looking down to Arrow, he shouted happily "We did it friend! We did it!" Arrow reacted by doing a quick roll and roaring. "Come on; let's do another fly by!" Ukiah laughed, tugging on the harness and guiding Arrow towards the ship.
Hiccup, Astrid and Stoick; along with the crew, watched Ukiah and Arrow turn towards them. Stoick was still frowning at the recklessness. "Boy's going to get himself killed." Stoick said shaking his head.
Watching the two scream past the ship made Hiccup suddenly sick inside, because he was missing Toothless even more now. Looking at Astrid, he guessed she was thinking the same thing.
"WOOH!" Ukiah cheered as he passed the ship. "This is amazing Arrow!" Then looking down at his friend whispered "Thank you…"
Arrow just kept a straight course, smiling wider and letting sand trickle out of his mouth, showing he acknowledged the compliment.
Raising his head, Ukiah saw a white glimmer ahead. Sitting up straight, he squinted to try and make out what he saw. His hunter trained eyes caught a glimpse of something up ahead. It was small due to the distance. Pointing to it, Ukiah asked "Do you see that Arrow? Let's check it out."
Slightly diving to accelerate a little more, Arrow flew faster towards the speck. As they got closer, Ukiah saw exactly what it was. It was a ship! It was a little different than the usual Viking ship, because it was smaller and had a sleek, almost flat design. On top of it was a massive sail, carrying the plank of wood of a ship, at a speed that made it a lot faster than any other. Though it was lower in the water, it seemed to cut through the sea like a hot knife through butter.
"Come on! We've got to warn the others!" Ukiah roared, pulling Arrow around and hoping they weren't spotted. He knew this would be too good to last. It was only a matter of time before Strogg would come after them.
"Are you sure it was a Thariin ship?" Stoick asked with concern.
"Not really, no. But why would a ship be coming our way that fast?" Ukiah answered, swaying a little bit trying to get used to the deck moving up and down. It was hard to walk again after riding Arrow. His balance was thrown off a little. Plus, his arm's bandages were shredded after the dive, causing him to bleed a little bit again.
"What kind was it?" Stoick continued to interrogate.
"Couldn't tell; it was one that I never seen before. It was like an arrow in the water, pushed by a massive sail. It was moving faster than any ship that I've ever seen." Ukiah replied. Looking around their ship, he followed up with "Even this one."
"We'll be ready for them" Stoick growled, his eye's narrowing.
Astrid and Hiccup were only spectators at this point, but Hiccup then asked his dad "Can we just attack them with Arrow? I mean they wouldn't be able to do anything about it."
"No, because it's only one ship, not a fleet" Stoick answered resolutely, looking down at his son "I'd think that if they were meaning hostile action, they would bring a few more ships just to make sure they would win."
"So we're waiting for them?" Astrid asked, not liking the idea.
"Kind of, I'm going to let them catch up to us first." Stoick responded, then turning to Ukiah and Arrow "However, I do want you two ready to fly when we meet up with that ship, just in case they do try to do something that I don't like. Can you do that?"
Ukiah and Arrow looked at each other, which Ukiah quickly replied "Of course! If it helps in any way, we'll do whatever you need."
Nodding, Stoick walked off making a few orders to try and help speed up the ship. He was going to have the Thariin ship work to get to them.
"Ukiah, you need to tell us what you thought of flying!" Astrid said excitedly, trying to change the subject.
"Hm? Oh yeah!" He replied, obviously distracted by the current event. He was so worried about him endangering his newly found friends, that he almost forgot the incredible experience he just had. Forcing a smile, he began to tell them how his flight went.
It didn't take him long to remember the incredible experience it was, getting excited as he thought more about it. "It was the most amazing feeling I've ever had! Being weightless and falling and…and…" He couldn't get the words to describe what he experienced. Looking at Hiccup and Astrid with a sheepish smile, asked "You know what I'm talking about don't you?"
Smiling, both Hiccup and Astrid nodded. It was exciting seeing someone experience what they lived with. It reminded them how lucky they were.
"The dive really about did me in though, but now I feel I can do anything with Arrow!" Ukiah began to explain, rubbing Arrow's head "It was the most exciting experience I've ever had. And terrifying as well!"
"It was the same way for me. Toothless gave me a ride to remember when Hiccup kidnapped me." Astrid commented, grinning at Hiccup.
"He what?" Ukiah asked raising a brow, turning to Hiccup "Couldn't talk to her, so you stole her?"
"What? No!" Hiccup cried out, seeing what Ukiah was meaning. Astrid also looked embarrassed at the comment.
"Oh?" Ukiah asked, raising an eyebrow "Then why did you kidnap her?"
"Uh, well, you see, I uh, I was trying to keep him a secret and well…she found out. I stopped her in order to try and show her how amazing Toothless was!" Hiccup stuttered out. Rubbing the back of his head to try and kill the embarrassed feeling he had, he added "But he had a different idea of how to show that to her."
Astrid, recovering from her awkward reaction, laughed as she replayed the experience in her mind. It changed her life forever. And now, she was watching it change Ukiah's. Looking at him, she smiled, personally glad they freed him from Strogg and Thariin.
The three spent the next hour talking about dragons and tips with flying, trying to take their mind off of the ship that was coming. It worked actually, until they heard a "Ship Ahoy" from the watchman on top of the mast.
Running to the side, the three peered over the edge of the ship and saw a massive sail basically flying towards them. It had a white flag on top of its mast as well.
"Looks like they're coming with peace in their mind" Ukiah observed, his voice cold "I highly doubt that it's going to be of any favor to us."
No one said anything, but just stared at the approaching ship. After a minute of silence, Ukiah finally broke it with saying "I got to go get my gear, never know what may happen."
"I agree; I should have my axe with me when we meet up." Astrid added, nodding in agreement with him.
"Oh. I should go and…get my dagger!" Hiccup threw in so that he wasn't left out of the group.
A short few minutes later, Astrid and Hiccup were watching Stoick grab a rope that was tossed over. After tying it to the side of the ship, Stoick began to converse with Ugo, who was acting as the leader in charge. Ukiah was on Arrow's back, ready for the word to fly and take out the Thariin ship. Honestly he was hoping that would be the case.
"Stoick the Vast, I am Ugo, a champion of Thariin. I am acting on behalf of Chief Strogg the Stone. We come to you this day, to talk about the past events that have taken place in Thariin; which everyone on board your ship was involved in." Ugo declared, looking up from his ship at Stoick.
"Yes, I know who you are, Ugo. And the reason why you're here. How about telling us what you want? I doubt it was to tell us your fancy title." Stoick thundered down on Ugo, his eyes narrowing.
"Fine." Ugo growled back "Strogg the Stone is willing to forgive you and your tribe the trespasses committed, on one condition. It is the only condition that he desires and nothing else will satisfy it. He wishes you to surrender the poacher Ukiah to us."
As if a fist hit his stomach, Stoick lost his breath. He looked over at Ukiah, who by this time dismounted from Arrow and stood up straight, ready to cross ships.
Ukiah was torn. He obviously didn't want to go because it would mean certain death. However, he also didn't want to have all his friends punished because of him. Besides, why would Stoick go to war with Strogg if he didn't have to? Shaking his head slightly, he patted Arrow's head and whispered "Good-bye friend…Hiccup and Astrid will take care of you…"
Astrid and Hiccup gasped and they looked at Ukiah, leaving Arrow and walking towards Stoick. "There's that helpless feeling again…" Hiccup whispered.
Astrid only nodded as she stared at Ukiah. Why did Strogg want him so bad? To send a ship to pick him up? She gripped her axe as she watched the fear and anxiety on Ukiah's face.
Stoick seeing Ukiah walk towards him, turned and faced Ugo. "That is not an acceptable condition. We will not agree to it!" He roared, glaring at Ugo.
Ukiah's mouth dropped open. Was he actually defending him? "Why? I'm no one worth going to war for." He thought, trying to think of a reason to keep him.
"Stoick, be reasonable. We are the most powerful tribe known, and you're denying a basically free pardon? That makes no sense!" Ugo questioned, shocked at the answer.
"I said no." Stoick repeated, glaring at Ugo "If Strogg wants to change his mind as to the condition; I'll be more than happy to discuss it. However, a life is not worth a 'pardon' as you so called it." Stoick continued in a more aggressive tone, gripping the railing of his ship "If not a change to the conditions, we will be more than happy to receive him with the drums of war sounding off."
"Stoick please!" Ugo almost begged "I can't return to Strogg with this news!"
"Then I guess you better not go back." Stoick growled, untying the rope from his ship "You have five minutes to leave us before we take matters into our own hands."
Ugo roared in a fury, seeing that Stoick wouldn't budge. He then let his rage control his words, yelling "You'll be wishing you took the offer Stoick! When you witness your village being burned, your men being slaughtered, and your son dying because of your arrogance! But you'll be spared to live with the guilt and agony of losing your tribe!"
"One minute!" Stoick roared, raising his hammer to which all the men behind him followed suit by drawing their weapons.
Ugo glared at Stoick, wishing he could kill him right there. Grunting, he then ordered "Take us away; set us at full speed back to Thariin."
Within that minute, the massive sail began to disappear into the distance. There were a few minutes of silence, other than the few orders Stoick gave to get them back to full speed. After resuming their course, Stoick stood at the back of the ship, staring into the direction the Thariin ship disappeared too.
Ukiah, seeing a moment to talk to him, slowly walked next to the Berk chief. "Why? Why did you do that for me?" He asked softly, looking at Stoick with curiosity in his eyes.
Hiccup and Astrid walked behind the two, not wanting to miss a word in the conversation.
"You know your own history, right boy?" Stoick asked, still staring across the horizon.
"What do you mean?" Ukiah asked, confused at the question.
"I know you're from Crev. Do you know anything about it?" Stoick clarified, finally looking down at Ukiah.
Ukiah was shocked to see the fearless leader's eyes misting slightly. He was also surprised that he knew he was a Crevite. Shaking his head, he whispered "No, I don't. Other than the few things I remember from what my guardian, Jessika, told me."
"What did she tell you?" Stoick pressed, not taking his eyes off of Ukiah.
Confused, Ukiah began to wrack his mind. "Well, I know that Strogg was the one who destroyed my home. And my family. But as far as traditions and customs, she only told me about my war paint. She disappeared before I was old enough to recall everything she taught me."
"Do you know anything about you're war paint?" Stoick followed up with.
"No, other than it's what the warriors wore in battle." Ukiah replied, shaking his head. Looking at Stoick with curiosity, he asked "How did you know that I was a Crev? And why are you interested in the war paint?"
Stoick let out a long sigh, looking back up at the infinite sea. "Because I was there. I was there when your home, nay your people, were destroyed."
Ukiah gaped at Stoick, shocked at the revelation. "Yo-you were there?" He asked in different tone that Hiccup or Astrid ever heard before, almost hateful and hurting.
Nodding, Stoick turned to face Ukiah, with watered eyes. "I'm sorry…it's haunted me ever since we finished that battle. I thought saving the remainder of your people would calm the guilt I felt, but it didn't. Heh, I reckon I saw you when we took the survivors to Thariin..." Sighing, he then whispered "That's why I'm defending you; protecting you. I won't let the last Crevite fall because of me again."
Ukiah just stared into the water, his head whirling with the new information. This man was there?! He helped kill his people? Taking deep breaths, his seething temper was interrupted as Stoick rested his hand on his shoulder, making him quiver at the touch.
"Ukiah, I know you're a Crevite because of that war paint. All of your warriors wore it the day we fought. It signifies something." He whispered, looking at Ukiah with concern "I realize what I did is unforgivable, but at least let me help you now. Let me…try to repay you for my mistake."
Hiccup stared at his dad. He knew how hard it was for him to act that way, and he didn't realize that Ukiah was part of his dad's past! Which meant…he was part of Strogg's past too! It made sense why Strogg wanted him dead! Hiccup watched Ukiah, hoping he would forgive his dad.
A few minutes passed by, with Ukiah staring into the water and contemplating the new information. Astrid couldn't help but think Ukiah was going to turn on Stoick. She gripped her axe to be ready in case a fight should break out.
"Stoick…I can't forget what you did to my people. Probably my parents too." Ukiah whispered hoarsely, finally breaking the silence and turning to look up at him "But I don't need to forgive you. What's done is done. You've saved me from Strogg, and you refused to let his champion take me back. As far as I'm concerned, you and I are more than even. I owe you."
Stoick nodded, agreeing with what Ukiah was saying, and also relieved.
"I just ask that I'm the one who ends Strogg." Ukiah added, standing up straighter "I expect you to let me fight him if the opportunity permits."
"We'll talk when it arises. Just know this Ukiah, you have a home on Berk." Stoick whispered, acknowledging Ukiah's request. Ukiah just gave a simple nod, returning his gaze to the sea. Stoick then turned around and started to issue orders "Set the sail for more than it can handle! We'll only have a few weeks to prepare for war, at least before the Thariin ships arrive at Berk. Get the oars out! I want non-stop rowing until we get there!"
Hiccup and Astrid slowly walked up to Ukiah, not really sure what to say. Before Hiccup could even utter a single word, Ukiah said "I guess that explains why your dad is helping me."
"Are you really the last of your…" Hiccup began to ask, his voice unable to finish the question.
"Tribe?" Ukiah finished, his face forming a frown "I think so. At least, the last one that cares…"
"I'm so sorry…" Astrid whispered quietly "I can't even begin to know what that's like."
"Heh, it's alright. I've been alone most my life. This is the first time I remember actually having friends." Then, grimly, Ukiah added a few chilling words "Besides, you might just find out what it's like if Strogg wins the coming war."