My eyes were glued to the boulder that was getting closer and closer to us. My body was just like frozen. My breath was caught up in my throat and I felt like my heart stilled.
The boulder was not even fifteen feet away from us when I snapped out of it and tugged hard on the pommel of Phantom's saddle.
„Phantom!"
Before he could do anything we got hit by the cobble and I was shoved off the Sand Wraith's saddle during the collision. We were both plummeting towards the dark ocean bellow.
"AH! PHANTOM!" I shouted on top of my lungs and raised my hands towards my friend like wanting to grab onto him.
Suddenly a net shot from behind him and wrapped around him.
„NO!"
He fell into the water and the men from the deck started to drag the net up.
I looked under me and realized I was getting closer and closer to be submerged in the cold embraces of the waves. My heart was racing. I had never been so scared before. Fear flowed through my veins and I felt paralyzed.
I closed my eyes as I was about to collapse into the sea.
But I felt nothing. Like... nothing. Literally nothing. Nor cold, nor the water. Just something holding me by my shoulders.
I took in a deep breath and opened my eyes slowly. I was gliding above the surface of the water.
I wasn't dead... I am not dead!
A relieved sigh left my mouth and my lips tugged into a small smile. I moved my head to the side and saw a black paw. I furrowed my brows and looked up slowly.
Black skin.
Well better said black scales.
A Night Fury.
"T-toothless…?" I asked quietly, still shaken up by what happened few moments ago.
Toothless looked down at me and gave me a gummy smile.
"You got her bud?" questioned a male voice from above and in a glimpse I recognized it. It was Hiccup.
Oh Thor. Oh Thor.
He bowed down to the left and looked at me. And I looked at him.
Those forest green eyes were so alluring and his auburn hair flowing and shinning slightly in the morning sun.
His lips tugged into a small smile and then he spoke softly "Well hello"
I think I was blushing because I felt my cheeks warm up a bit.
I smiled back a bit shyly "Hey and umm thank you for saving me…" I trailed off and suddenly it hit me like a yak. Phantom. I had to save him.
My eyes searched around fast for him and turned dark when I saw some men dragging him out of the water and onto the deck of one of the ships. As I looked a bit closer I noticed that his saddle was gone, so as all my things along with it.
Great.
I pushed it aside though and balled my fists „We have to get my dragon back!" I shouted, anger feeling my body.
"Okay. Let's go bud" is all I heard before I noticed that we were speeding up towards the ship.
In no time we were above it, after we avoided some nets and chains.
I glanced below at the ship and saw the men trying to get Phantom into a cage. I had to do something. I couldn't just stay here and wait with crossed arms.
So I released myself from Toothless' paws and fell down towards the deck. I landed on one of the guards, knocking him out. The other men stared at me and started to approach.
I gulped and got up slowly.
"Alright, this wasn't the best plan" I said quietly as I looked behind at Phantom and glared at the two men that were in front of the Sand Wraith, blocking my way to him.
I had to act fast.
I quickly grabbed the axe of the unconscious guard and ran towards the two.
"AH!" I shouted as I kicked in the shin of the first one, then hit him square in the face. He fell on his side on the wood with a thud.
I shifted my gaze to the other one and stared at him coldly. I then ran towards him and attacked.
It was all like in slow motion. I swung the axe at him and he managed to block it with his sword.
The sound of metal colliding.
I gripped the wooden handle of the axe tighter and tried to send the opponent's sword flying away.
The man grinned and chuckled darkly. It pissed me the hell off.
With a last effort I pushed him backwards and hit his sword hard, making it fly out of his hand. I punched him hard in the face and ran to Phantom.
"I am here boy" I said hurriedly as I cut the net with the axe.
He got out and I hopped on his back fast. He shot a blast at the other folks and flew off the ship.
I petted Phantom's head and pointed one of the other vessels. He dove down towards it and blasted the side of the ship. Water flowed in the ship through the hole and it started to sink slowly.
I looked around and saw a big explosion next to the last ship.
"Hahaha yeah!"
The twins. Duh.
We flew to Sekweya who was hovering in the air next to a blue Deadly Nadder. I glanced at the blonde rider. She looked at me with narrowed eyes like she suspected something. As if I cared.
"Who are you?" she suddenly asked.
"Um I'm Marianne and that's Ingrid, my friend"
"I know her. I never saw you before. What are you doing here?"
She definitely had something against me. Mostly trust issues for sure. I guessed.
"We were flying around and got the Graveyard and then after we fought off some eels we heard the explosions and roars and flew here to find you all"
She wasn't satisfied at all.
What the hell did she have against me?
I heard some wing flaps from my right and saw Hiccup and Toothless.
"What's wrong Astrid?" he asked calmly.
"Nothing, Hiccup. Everything's alright" Astrid said. Her eyes never leaving mine. Her frown not leaving her face, anger and coldness in her eyes. As she gripped tighter the pommel of the saddle, her dragon let out a growl that perfectly expressed what her rider was feeling. Hatred.
She looked at the others and then they flew away. Ingrid as well.
Oh well.
I knew that Astrid had something against me, but I couldn't figure out what for now. One thing was certain, I wouldn't mention it to anyone, even though I was sure the others noticed as well.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Hiccup speak.
"She has a bit of trust issues sometimes"
"Can't blame her. I have the same, usually" I replied as I kept my gaze glued to the group flying away in the distance.
He chuckled lightly "Think you two will get along pretty soon"
"Hope she won't kill me till then" I said and laughed a bit. He joined me happily.
"Alright. Let's go to the Edge" Hiccup replied after a bit and flew in front.
I followed him and Toothless with my eyes and completely forgot that we had to fly after them.
„Someone's in love, hm?"
I shook my head slightly and hopped out of my daydream. I looked down at Phantom and rolled my eyes "No, I am not"
He chuckled in his own way „Sure? You're looking at him like he's a chicken and you haven't ate anything in a month"
"Yes, I am sure" I replied as I crossed my arms other my chest. Then the thought of him stole me again and I felt my cheeks warm up.
I didn't even realize when Phantom started to fly after them and soon caught up.
„You should talk to him. Oh and by the way, I think he's looking at you now" Phantom said and snickered a bit.
I glanced to my left and saw those forest green eyes again. I tried to stay chill and act normal, but I felt like a little girl who's got a crush.
"Hey"
"Hey you"
Haha he replied. Okay, I am losing it already.
"Oh um so how's the Edge?" I asked with a smile and slapped myself inwardly.
Stopped making a fool out of yourself.
"It's a beautiful place. You'll like it" he thought for a moment and then spoke again "You didn't tell me why you want to come there with Ingrid actually"
I was expecting to hear this question.
"Well actually I got on you by mistake. I was searching for Johann but I guess that could wait now. Who the hell where those guys?"
He looked straight forward and mused for a bit before answering "Well, they are dragon hunters. We are aware that their leader is Ryker Grimborn"
"Oh... Then I guess I could help you with them, if you don't mind of course and the others too" I stated firmly. It wouldn't be so bad to help them, especially since I could find more information about the hunters like this. Two birds with one rock.
"Hm yes, we could use some help I guess. Well anyway, wouldn't mind telling a bit more about yourself?"
He wants to know more about me oh sweet Thor.
I wanted to slap myself.
Snap out of it damn it.
He could want to know more about me for no reason, not that he likes me or something like that. But maybe... I mentally slapped myself again at the thought.
Bring yourself together damn it.
"Haha I am not such an interesting person to be honest. I grew up on Berk like Ingrid and all of you. If you heard about the Ankers, not such an old family but still" I chuckled slightly and then bit the inside of my cheek.
"Yeah, I heard something about it. Think your father is a fisherman, right?"
"Yep, he is and my mother helps Gothi around. I didn't really have any friends back on Berk so I felt kinda lonely. But when I've got Phantom on a Snoggletog from Trader Johann I was extremely happy" I said as I scratched the scales from the back of his neck making him purr.
"Never saw this dragon in real before. Just some notes in the book of dragons" he replied a bit to himself as he glanced at Phantom.
"Well the egg looked a bit weird but I thought it was one of a Deadly Nadder, just dark brown and at the texture like the sand" I petted Phantom's side "He's like my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without him" and with that said I leaned forward and hugged his neck.
"That's awesome" Hiccup said with a smile.
"Yeah... He's the best" I replied and chuckled a bit.
„What's that? Don't like him anymore? Always knew you love me" I heard the dragon say in a playful tone. I wanted to whack him with something in that moment.
"Oh shut up you" I replied without even thinking twice. I froze slightly as I realized that Hiccup had heard me too for sure.
"Did you just address to your dragon or…" Hiccup trailed off in disbelief as he looked at me confused.
I felt so awkward in that very moment. It usually didn't happen. I should have been more careful... Stupid stupid stupid.
Now I had to tell him or deny it. But in both cases I didn't know how he would react. But one thing was certain, I would look like a freak in both situations. So what was there to loose…
