Fourth Chapter! This chapter is short but that's only because the next one makes up for this.
Knife climbed out of bed feeling better despite yesterday's experience. She quickly got dressed and ran down stairs to grab a chicken leg from last nights leftovers. The house was empty she figured everyone must have gone to where ever they needed to be, which meant she was late. Darn it! I'm late, I cant believe they left me! She quickly ran out the door and up to the stables. Thorn, Toothless,Stormfly, and Skull were nowhere to be found. Not only did they leave me but they left me stranded!She adjusted the strap on her bag and ran toward the arena.
At the arena the students were recieving their next lesson from Astrid. "I once had a mentor named Gobber. He taught us that its not just all about dragon riding but also about the riders themselves. Today were doing one on one combat training without dragons, and without weapons,"She explained. Fishmeat unsteadily raised his hand. "Yes Fishmeat?"
"Um... I dont exactly feel comfortable with fighting..."Fishmeat answered.
"Yea that's cuz you'll lose," Crushnutt laughed.
"Oh really Crushnutt. Than you fight him. Just hope that he doesn't go berserk on you." Astrid informed him.
"Wait, what? Nevermind than."Crushnut replied waving his arms. Astrid smiled and Fishmeat smiled and mouthed "thank you". Than Knife ran in through the gate. She stopped at the group panting and huffing, her hands on both knees.
"Knife what are you doing here? Did you run here from home?" Astrid interrogated her. Knife lifted her hand to signal "give me one second to catch my breath"
"I...did..run. Whoo... as to why i'm here I told you guys i'm not staying home."Knife replied finally standing up straight.
"Alright than, well were doing hand to hand combat today to take a break from the dragon riding,"Astrid explained to her.
"Yea and we know why,"Stinklout snickered. Knife glared at him.
"What was that Stink? You tired from riding dragons all ready?"Knife retorted.
"Alright enough you two why not just settle this one on one," Astrid suggested.
"Gladly,"Knife said getting in a fighting stance facing Stinklout.
"What? I'm not gonna fight a girl. I dont fight girls," Stinklout explained.
"Good neither do I. But sometimes when life hands you lemons, you just throw them at peoples faces," Knife commented egging Stinklout on.
"Oh that's it your on."
"Bring it on Stink."
Stinklout rushed at Knife throwing a right cross. Knife quickly dodged left and did a sweep kick knocking him on to his back. Knife stood up once more taking a fighting stance. Stinklout cllimbed back to his feet charging her once more only this time to recieve a kick to his chest knocking him back once more.
"Fight over. Knife is the winner," Astrid anounced , Knife through up her hands in victory. Stinklout brushed himself off fury surging up in him.
"At least I can ride a dragon!," Stinklout spat.
"What did you just say,"Knife snarled.
"You heard me!"
"Your just angry cuz I beat you. No one likes a sore loser, Stinklout. Like your dad."
"At least my parents are proud of me!" Anger welled up inside of her, she looked at her mother's face. The shock on her face didn't tell her if what Stinklout said was true or not. Is he right? Knife looked at Tornado standing among the other dragons.
Knife closed her eyes and shouted," At least my parents like eachother!" Everyone grew silent.
"What?..." Stinklout asked tears welling up in his eyes. Knife didn't answer she didn't look at any of them she ran to Tornado and climbed on his back and flew away. What have I done?She became angry with herself and continued to fly home.
At home she sat in her room staring at the window, life continued on in the village. I can't believe I said that to him. No he deserved it, he pushed me so I pushed back. Flash backs of Stinklout began to flood her mind. At least my parents are proud of me! Are my parents ashamed of me...no is mom ashamed of me... Though the thought that stuck with her was, At least I can ride a dragon! I can ride a dragon...I can tame Tornado and I'll prove it!. Knife packed her bag with food and rushed outside to Tornado.
"Alright Tornado you and I are going out for flying practice. You better not throw me off this time. Or you will regret it," Knife explained to the dragon and climbed on his back. She looked back at her house. I'll be back. I will become a dragon rider you'll see. "Alright lets go Tornado." Tornado took off flying toward the sunset. Back in the house on her bed was a note to her parents.
"I'll make you proud, love Knife."