New Chapter! I like new chapters. They're new.
Guest: A sequel? You mean, another chapter! I should certainly hope so! I don't really need to answer your question, it will answer itself in just a few moments.
Guest: Oh, good! Everyone seems to be coming up with such great theories on this story. I'm so glad I'm making everyone use their brain! I'm glad you think they're good, though I'm not sure Sophie could be classed as 'scary'. Anyway, thanks again!
The blade sat against his collarbone, threatening death with every passing second. As he looked into the cold, triumphant eyes of the runaway before him, he began to think of his family, his friends and his dragon. All of them, so very precious. Would he be missed? What kind of a funeral would they give him? One of a hero, who protected the Book of Dragons with his life? Or that of just another, regular Viking? Perhaps, he would now never know. Instead, with Meatlug held tightly in his heart, he closed his eyes and waited for the end to come.
But, before Kat could enjoy the feeling of sliding the blade through the boy's throat, the doors crashed open once again. She turned to look in horror, knowing she was discovered. As a huge bulk came stomping through the door, she turned back, a strange look on her face. Fishlegs opened his eyes just wide enough to see it. She looked... scared.
There was a voice in the back of her mind that was urging her to finish him. What's the point of doing half a job? Kill him, do it! Kat let out a strangled groan, her hands beginning to shake. She knew this was wrong. It's easy! Just force the blade through! But suddenly, she found she could not. She looked between the sword and her victim, then closed her eyes. She couldn't do it. She couldn't.
"Hey! Get away from there!" The unmistakable, booming shout of the Hooligan chief echoed around the wide halls. His furious, rugged face was illuminated in the spitting firelight, a fierce snarl curling underneath his knotted red beard. He drew a deadly-looking sword of his own, a huge, thick metal piece as heavy as it was long. However, the chief swung it about as though it was no more than a child's toy. He brandished it with an earth-shattering howl as he stormed across the hall towards her. Looking hurriedly between Fishlegs and Stoick the Vast, her doubt was extinguished. She drew back the sword and swung, scoring a long, lethal gash across his throat and shoulder before bringing the Sword up to meet her new foe.
The weapons came together with a terrible clash that bounced again and again from the walls, mixing in a tune with the others that followed it. Stoick's bellows mixed in with the melody, a music to which Kat could dance as she avoided the powerful blows. Her sword was like a baton, swinging from her wrist, an extension of her own arm. As she ducked under the chief's arm, she found herself acutely aware of the pitiful little cries coming from the wounded boy who was still slumped against the table. If she could just slip away from this fight, she could escape and be certain that the chief wouldn't follow her; he would be too occupied with this child.
She feigned left, swinging right as Stoick tried to hit the sword that was no longer there and bringing the blade back around to knock his weapon back and set him off-balance. Stoick was certainly clever and strong, but he lacked the speed and grace of the young girl he was fighting. Ducking under a desperate swing at her head height, she slammed the flat of her blade against Stoick's chain-mail kilt and finally made good her escape. Her feet pounded across the stone floor as she made a mad dash for the door. Stoick's last attack was to swipe his sword in a vain attempt to stop her. It caught her neck, though only lightly, leaving a thin sliver of blood in its wake.
Then, she was gone. Into the night, lost from sight. The Hooligan chief almost followed her, but Fishlegs had finally found his voice and called for help in the most plaintive of whimpers. For a second, Stoick lingered, before giving in and letting his sword find its way back into the sheath. He looked almost tired, not physically, but tired of the pain Kat's attacks caused. Now he, the chief, would have to clear up the mess she left behind. Turning, a soft, fatherly look washed his rugged features clean and he moved the few steps to the young boy's side.
Fishleg's had a look of utter horror frozen on his features, his hand clasping the gaping wound on his shoulder. Kat's swing had thankfully missed his throat, but every movement of his arm sent pain shooting through it. His breath came in short, sharp gasps, more from the shock than anything. Stoick bent down on one knee, silently examining his young patient.
"Don't worry, lad, it's not that bad. No need to panic." His deep, calm voice relaxing the plump Viking before him. Fishlegs looked up at the chief, his eyes wide and shining with respect. The man had just saved his life. Stoick returned a great, kind smile, all of his bloodthirsty, brave bravado gone. He reached out and helped Fishlegs to his feet, then held his left arm firmly and led him away from the hall. Fire teams had already begun to extinguish the flames, Astrid and Hiccup among them. They cast their comrade heartening looks as he was led away towards the infirmary.
Outside, the air was cold and clear, the night sky arching over-head, peppered with tiny stars that glittered. Fishlegs stared up at them, wondering if they were the eyes of the ancients staring down at him and knowing he wasn't going to join them. At least, not tonight. With the chief's support, he made his shaky way to the infirmary, trying to ignore the cold blood clinging to his shirt and congealing on his fingers.
"That was too close!" Kat stormed, stamping back and forth in front of Blueflame. They were hiding in a clearing not far outside of town, from which they could see everything that was going on below. Kat herself was in a rage, her cheeks burning red with fury. "Why couldn't I do it, Blueflame? Why couldn't I kill him?" She howled. Screwing up her face, she allowed herself to fall back against the great dragon's flank. Blueflame's soft breath tussled her crudely braided hair, as though he was trying to comfort her, and he hummed an agreement as he touched her shoulder with his nose.
"I know, I know, you don't like it when I'm upset... but I just can't help it." She turned to the dragon, who watched her knowingly. "Why couldn't I?" Sighing, she finally let it go, trying to relieve the pressure building in her chest. To try to forget the experience, she turned her attention to the town seething below her. Though no buildings were on fire, the attack on the great hall had brought every man, woman and child out of their houses to watch what was going on, and chief Stoick and his underlings seemed to be having a very hard time in controlling the throng. She laughed. The madness pleased her.
"Wouldn't it be so beautiful, my dear? The whole town, bathed in flames. People running, screaming, trying to fight what they can never defeat..." She exchanged a look with the dragon beside her, who gave a low, resonant moan. Kat felt it thrum through her bony back."I know, I know, you'd like that." Kat stared into the distance, her eyes glazing over as she folded her arms across her chest. "When I was little, my father used to tell me stories. Stories of great dragon attacks that led to the most destructive force on earth, worse than Thor's lighting. He called it a 'Fire Storm'... Where the dry winds whipped the flames into a frenzy, a wall of fire that just wouldn't stop. Thousands could be killed in a single night, and there's just nothing you can do to stop it." She smiled very slightly. "That's what I want to see. Before I die, I want to see a Fire Storm."
"Shame, you'll never get the chance!" The startling voice was brash and harsh-sounding, shocking Kat out of her reverie. She leapt onto Blueflame's back as a Nadder came sweeping into the clearing, landing heavily, wings splayed in an attempt to intimidate them. Kat didn't even have time to think of a smart comeback.
"Stormfly, get her!" Astrid roared from her dragon's back. The bird-like creature squawked, her jaws flying open and a blinding burst of magnesium flame leaping forth. Blueflame stumbled back, rumbling in surprise. Then, as he got to grips with the situation, he snarled, sending back his own flame attack.
The Nadder was quick, dodging with ease and jeering, tossing her head from side to side. Again, the sky was lit with blue flame, and again, Stormfly was just a step ahead.
"Is that the best you've got?" Astrid teased, her lips twisted in a cruel, mocking smile. Kat scowled at her.
"At least not all the people in this ridiculous little town aren't useless!" Kat shot back, yanking her dragon's reins.
Blueflame released a third burst of fire, to which Stormfly responded by whipping around and lashing her spine-covered tail. A few barbs broke away, and, released, they whizzed through the cloud of fire, picking some up on the way, and thudded into the dragon's thick skin. Blueflame reared up, howling with pain. His wings snapped open.
Astrid threw herself onto Stormfly's neck as the enormous beast came barrelling overhead through the smoke, wings thrusting him into the air over the village. She looked back and watched as he loosed a stream of his strange, liquid fire, catching multiple houses as it hit the ground. The thunderous roar came shortly after, shaking the very ground they stood on. With a sharp word, the blonde urged her dragon into the air. The Nadder was fast, making short work of the distance and again loosing a few spines.
Blueflame twisted about, so fast that the other dragon and rider had no chance to get out of the way. His enraged bulk slammed into the avian creature, knocking her senseless, his viscous jaws the only thing preventing her from falling as he clamped one wing between his strong, flat teeth. Astrid let out a scream, for her dragon more than herself, though she was clinging on to the saddle for dear life.
"Have a nice trip!" Kat was mocking her from the back of the bulky dragon. She caught a snapshot of the terror on Astrid's face, a look that almost made her stop, almost made her regret what she'd done, before, with vigour, Blueflame tossed both dragon and rider as far away as he could.
Stormfly snatched a cross-beam with her feet as they were catapulted towards the ground, managing to slow them both enough for the landing to only be a minor accident. However, she didn't get up as her rider did, shooting to her feet and catching a glimpse of Blueflame and Kat as they disappeared into the darkness.
I am so, so sorry for the wait on this chapter! At first, I missed the deadline and thought 'oh, I better get going', but them there was lots to do,and the longer it's gone, the less I've wanted to do it because of the pressure I've put myself under. However, it's here now, so enjoy a nice dose of action!