CHAPTER 3
Morning broke with clear skies, taking Throk and the riders towards the island. All night Astrid and Valka had waited, but Hiccup remained motionless and Astrid began to grow weary. She lay her head down against the bedsheets just close enough to touch Hiccup's chest with the crown of her head and continued to hold his hand with hers.
It was supposed to be their knot-tying day today. How could this have happened? How? She thought back through all the times
they had had together, all the moments that they shared. All those happy memories. Had flown together. Had hugged. Had kissed. "Life is too short. Stop wasting time. You two are perfect," Heather's voice rang in her head. Oh! If only! They would have had so much more.
Memories flashed through her mind. She thought of the time in the woods when she had once been temporarily blinded. He had been so gentle and supportive. She remembered him saying to her, "There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Always." How she wanted to go back to that moment! How she yearned for it to be true. She had not been able to see back then but she was able to recall the tender caress of his hand on hers. His soothing voice. The breath on her cheek as he'd moved in to kiss her. She closed her eyes tight, clinging onto that moment with everything she had, willing herself to make the memory real.
As she silently prayed, she didn't notice the small twitch of his finger inside her hand, nor the change of rhythm of his breathing until she heard Valka say, "Hiccup?" Astrid looked up sharply and saw his eyelids flicker ever so slightly. "Hiccup, can you hear me?" his mother said again.
Toothless appeared by the side of the bed and gave his rider a lick on the cheek. Suddenly, with eyes still closed, Hiccup gasped. Oh the relief!
"Hiccup!" cried Astrid and she threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. He winced at her grip and she reluctantly let go. She watched him try to stir but he was too groggy. His eyes continued to flicker but remained closed and he began to pant weakly, his bottom lip moving up and down slightly.
"Pass him the broth behind you please," asked Valka. "He's thirsty."
Astrid took it in one hand and then, placing another gently underneath Hiccup's head, she raised him up and positioned the tumbler against his lips. Keeping his eyes closed, he drank thirstily. Some liquid spilt over the sides of his mouth and Astrid pmoved the broth away to clean him up but he begged for more. It was a long, slow process but once his thirst was quenched, Astrid lowered his head back onto the pillow.
"How are you, Hiccup?" she asked but he didn't answer. His eyes opened a fraction, just for a moment, then his head lolled to one side and he fell back off to sleep. But he looked more content somehow and Astrid was sure a little colour had come back to his cheeks.
As planned, Throk and the riders set off as soon as day began to break and they arrived at the island just as the sun crested over the horizon.
"There," called out Throk who was seated behind Fishlegs on Meatlug. "That's the island." From a distance they could see a jagged edged cliff overhanging a sandy beach and the stream within the ravine winding its way down from the woods on its left.
"Ooh!" said Tuffnut in amazement. "Hey, sis. Sharp pointy rock up ahead. Fancy getting Snotlout to see how hard it is with his head?"
"No one will be doing anything of the sort," bossed Heather having overheard. "We're here to figure out what happened to Hiccup, find his things and that's it. No funny business."
"Don't you think she's beginning to sound a little too much like Astrid?" Tuffnut mumbled to Ruffnut.
"Uh huh."
"Take us down to the beach," requested Throk. "We'll commence our search from there." They swooped down and dismounted their dragons.
"So where do you suggest we begin, Throk?" asked Fishlegs petting Meatlug.
"Before we commence our search it is right to inform you of your chief's current state of health as this will aid us in our mission." They all turned to face him. "He has sustained a serious blow to the head rendering him unconscious. It appears that sometime later he was then beaten and robbed of his armour and left strung to a tree in the woods up there to perish. Our search today is to confirm this in as much detail, find those responsible, and locate any missing goods."
The riders listened astounded. Even the twins exchanged disturbed looks.
Throk continued. "I tell you this now, not to cause you distress, but so that we may be able to perform our search to the best of our abilities. You see those woods at the top of the cliff? Toothless' distress call came from up there and that is also where I found your Chief Hiccup. However, as I climbed the ravine from the beach I came across a trail of blood which suggested he must have begun down here somewhere. I suggest we split into two groups. Tuffnut, Ruffnut and Snotlout, you head left of the stream and Fishlegs, Heather and I will journey right. Search for anything that may suggest movement. And be vigilant. It has been nearly a day since I was last here and the tide may have diminished some of our clues. We'll meet back here shortly."
Following Throk's instructions the group split. It wasn't long until Fishlegs spotted the cave.
"It may be possible they came in here to hide from the storm," he said.
They entered and spread out, and Heather soon cried out, "There's something on this rock over here. Come look."
Throk bent down next to her to examine the substance. "Dried blood. About two days old. That correlates with the day of the storm and confirms he was here. I believe we can now be certain the storm caused him to have some accident."
"Aren't we underneath the jagged cliff face?" questioned Fishlegs.
"It was a vicious storm," replied Heather. "Very difficult to see more than a few feet ahead of you." Without speaking a word, they had all come to the same conclusion what must have happened.
There was nothing else to find either within or without the cave so they returned to the stream to join the others. The twins and Snotlout had found nothing so they all made their way upstream into the woods.
"I found him here tied up to that tree branch and cut him lose," said Throk and bent down to examine the ground. "A disturbance in the mud here. You can see from these markings that there was a scuffle. And here, torn pieces of this tunic." He picked up a piece and passed it to the group to examine.
"And over here there are two sets of footprints in the dried mud heading in that direction," said Heather.
"We're done here," said Throk after a while. "Follow me," and following the footprints, he led the group to a small village with a selection of huts, a market place and a tavern at the top of the steep main street.
"Everyone, spread out again and we'll reconvene here," and they split into their designated groups.
They browsed the stalls. Tuff and Ruff kept finding bric-a-brac and strange looking items in which to find amusement. Snotlout ignored them taking his task more seriously.
The people behind their stalls jeered at the twins. "Stop you hooligans!" said one. "Either buy something or be on your way!"
"Touchy," complained Ruffnut. But as she turned away she saw Snotlout standing motionless staring at something.
"Hey. Isn't that Hiccup's dragon blade, Inferno?" she asked.
"And his armour," added Tuffnut.
Snotlout flung himself at the tradesman behind the stall and grabbed him tightly by his collar. "You! Tell us where you found that. Now!"
The tradesman crumbled in his grip. "I – I – I bought it off two men yesterday morning. P-p-please don't hurt me."
"And that armour?"
"Same."
"Who were they? Tell me!"
"I love it when he gets cranky," smiled Ruffnut to herself. "Just look at those muscles bulge."
"One called the other by the name of Berthel."
"And Amos the Lamos," Snotlout said catching on. "Arrrgh! I hate that guy!" He took a moment to cringe and then added "where did they go?"
"T-t-to the t-t-tavern," replied the tradesman and desperate to be rid of them he added for good measure "and they're probably still there. They talked about living like kings." With that, Snotlout released the tradesman.
"We'll take those," said Tuffnut, as he and Ruffnut grabbed all of Hiccup's belongings.
"Hey!" yelled the tradesman. "I bought all that fair and square! And it cost me a pretty penny too!"
"And it will cost you something much more valuable still if you don't shut it!" snapped Snotlout. "These are stolen goods!" The tradesman cowered behind his stall defeated and Snotlout and the twins walked over to the tavern.
As they entered they heard people raising their goblets in cheer, panpipes and lyres playing and in the middle of it all singing their hearts out were Amos and Berthel.
"More, give me more, give me more
"If I had a heart I could love you
"If I had a voice I would sing
"After the night when I wake up
"We will all live like kings!"
They were completely wasted. Snotlout had no patience and marched straight up to them. Though he and Hiccup may not always see eye to eye he was a good, loyal friend as well as his trusted chief and these two pieces of filth had hurt him. Hurt him bad. He grabbed them both by the scruff of their necks and threw them out into the street.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't tear you limb from limb right now!" he bellowed.
Across the street Heather, Fishlegs and Throk overheard and came running over. "You found Inferno! And the flight suit!" cried Fishlegs in amazement.
"And the two mutton heads responsible for it all," answered Tuffnut.
"This will never end 'cause I want more
"More, give me more
"Give me more…" continued the brothers in their lurid song, oblivious to their predicament. Snotlout moved in for a punch but Throk stopped him.
"They are not of a mind to be dealt with here," announced Throk. "We will return to Caldera Cay with them as our prisoners and question and punish them accordingly."
Snotlout begrudgingly stood back. Then, both he and Throk grabbed a brother and threw them over their shoulders. Ruffnut stroked Snotlout's arm admiring his strength and the group then mounted their dragons and took back to the skies.
It had turned into a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly on the archipelago sea and Caldera Cay was full of life. People bustled here and there, children laughed and played and tradesmen went about their business.
Inside the room the atmosphere was subdued. Astrid sat and waited. A few hours had passed since Hiccup last stirred and it was now midmorning. Stormfly was outside feeding and Valka was giving Cloudjumper his morning flight leaving Astrid and Toothless alone with Hiccup. She needed sleep but her concern for him meant she wouldn't settle.
It hurt to look at him lying there on the bed so still. The blood on his head dressing had turned a murky brown, the swelling on his face had calmed down but the bruises were turning an ugly shade of yellow. In an attempt to push her fear aside, she looked away and began to talk, pretending he was listening.
"Everything's going well on Berk. I managed to pull off Basher's speech okay. A few people asked after you but I told them you'd had to go on an errand somewhere and would be back in a few days." She sighed in the silence. Why wouldn't he wake up? "I saw Heather yesterday and she told me she and Fishlegs are now officially betrothed. But you already knew that of course. I am going to be her maid of honour isn't that something?"
She dared to look at him but he didn't move. Or at least she was probably seeing things. So she looked away again and continued.
"Throk has taken the riders to the island he found you to see if they can confirm what happened to you and to find your things. They went off early this morning, and your mum's out with Cloudjumper but should be back soon." She paused for a while to try to collect herself. "And it's our knot-tying ceremony today." She closed her eyes tight to stop her watery eyes from running. No. She wouldn't cry. But she couldn't go on either.
As she sat there hunched in her chair, she heard Toothless stretch and wander over to the other side of the bed to give Hiccup a sniff. Astrid looked up and watched. Toothless sniffed again and purred, then licked Hiccup's face. Slowly Hiccup blinked his eyes open.
"Hiccup! Oh Hiccup, thank goodness. How are you feeling?" She restrained herself from hugging him again but placed both her hands on his right arm eagerly leaning over him.
He turned his gaze over to look at her but didn't answer. He looked slightly dazed. Then, in the corner of his eye he spotted a big, black creature on the other side of his bed. He turned to look and saw two huge eyes and an even larger mouth with sharp teeth baring at him.
The dragon! It was here! Panic took over and clumsily he tried to scramble out of the bedsheets and sit up. He placed himself between the dragon and the girl behind him and, though his efforts were weak, he dared to push the dragon away from them. His head swam but he ignored it determined to protect her. The dragon miraculously whined and skulked into a corner of the room.
Astrid was stunned. What was going on?
"Hiccup. What's wrong? Why did you push Toothless away?" But Hiccup stayed where he was, too fearful to move. His arms were weak and shook from having to support his weight. Astrid was worried he might overdo it and make himself ill again so she tried to soothe him. She placed a hand gently on his shoulder and said "It's okay Hiccup. Please lie down," but he didn't budge. "Hiccup, it's Toothless," she said again. "Look, I'll show you."
She got up from behind him and walked towards where Toothless lay cowering. As Hiccup noticed her go he made a grab for her but missed and flopped forward. He repositioned himself and scuffled backwards to the top of the bed. Realising he could no longer help her, he froze in fear.
Astrid bent down next to the upset Toothless. "Hello, boy. There. It's okay," she said soothingly. Hiccup watched as she talked to the beast and gave his hide a stroke. "There, you see? Everything's okay," she said looking up at Hiccup. "Would you like to have a go?" she asked him.
Hiccup looked at Astrid unsure and then back to the dragon. He didn't move but his posture eased slightly. The dragon wasn't attacking her. What was going on?
"See, Hiccup. It's only Toothless. Your dragon." Why was Hiccup like this? "Come on, boy. Let's go say hello." She encouraged Toothless back over to the bed. She saw Hiccup tense again as they approached. "It's okay," she said. "Look. Everything's fine." She offered Toothless her open hand and he gave it a quick sniff then gently placed his snout inside her palm. "There. Good boy." She then looked up at Hiccup. "Why don't you have a go?"
Hiccup looked at her uncertainly and back to the dragon, but he didn't move.
"Why don't I help you?" She reached out and took hold of his left wrist. She tried to move his arm towards Toothless but halfway Hiccup resisted her grip. "It's okay," Astrid said again.
Hiccup looked at her. Finally reassured, he gingerly let her place his hand out to the dragon. Toothless looked up at Hiccup and then placed his snout inside his palm. Stunned, Hiccup exhaled and the side of his mouth twitched into a half smile. This was amazing. He had thought the beast a vile, vicious creature with only the desire to kill and destroy and here he was, his hand inches away from its mouth and it was… purring. Hiccup looked up at Astrid smiling in amazement but saw sadness in her eyes. Why was she upset?
Then all the adrenaline in his body that had built up suddenly wore off. He felt exhausted and his head became fuzzy.
"Oh no! Hiccup!" Astrid said, noticing the change in him. She placed her arms around his waist and carefully helped him lie back on his pillow. She watched him as he gradually collected himself. "Are you alright?" as asked apprehensively. But he didn't answer. Astrid passed him a drink of the broth from the side of the bed and he took it.
Feeling better again, Hiccup decided he wanted to sit up. As he awkwardly pushed himself up he felt something strange under the bedclothes. Pausing, he moved the bed sheets away revealing his prosthetic leg. He studied it with curiosity. Astrid watched him tentatively. Slowly he turned sideways and placed both feet on the floor.
"What are you doing?" asked Astrid.
Hiccup put his hands on either side of himself and attempted to raise himself up.
"Hiccup! No!" cried Astrid but it was too late. Hiccup's legs couldn't support him, his head span and he fainted. Both Toothless and Astrid raced to catch him. Hiccup landed on top of Toothless' snout while Astrid managed to grab an arm to stop him from hitting the floor. She pulled him towards her and held the unconscious Hiccup in her arms.
At that moment Valka came through the door and seeing them all in a heap on the floor ran over and said, "What happened?"
"He tried to get out of bed. Help me put him back." Together the two women eased Hiccup back onto the bed gently lowering his head down on the pillow.
"Why did he get out?" asked Valka.
"I don't know," Astrid replied. "He looked at his metal leg and for some reason thought it was a good idea to try and stand. Valka," she added. "He was frightened of Toothless. It was as if he didn't know him."
"Didn't know Toothless? Astrid, that's ridiculous."
"No. Really. He was terrified. You didn't see him. He tried to protect me from him and used himself as a human shield. Valka, what's happened to him?"
Valka didn't know what to say, but just then Hiccup began to stir.
"Hiccup, you're awake," said Valka relieved. "How are you, dear?" She caressed his hair lovingly. Hiccup looked up at her with the same dazed look from when he'd first woken but didn't reply. "Hiccup, darling. Can you hear me? Say something."
He opened his mouth to talk but no words came out. It hurt to try. The side of his head protested. Determined, he tried again. A sharp pain shot through his skull. He winced and closed his eyes tight. Oh, how it hurt!
On seeing his anguish, Valka decided to take another approach. She carefully took his hand that he had raised to the side of his head and said, "Okay. Never mind, dear. How about we start with 'yes' and 'no' questions? Do you think you can manage that?" Hiccup smiled weakly at her. "Yes. Great. That's a start." She thought of her first question. "Hiccup. Do you know where you are?"
Hiccup looked around the room taking it all in. He shook his head.
"Okay. You're at Caldera Cay, the Defenders of the Wing Island. They've been looking after you for us. You've had a nasty accident and have been asleep for some time. Do you remember what happened?"
Hiccup took his time to think. Then, when nothing came, he shook his head.
"Nothing? Nothing at all?" Behind her Astrid watched in horror as Hiccup shook his head for a third time. Then, thinking back to what Astrid had said Valka braved a daring question. "Hiccup. Do you know who I am?"
Hiccup looked at her then slowly shook his head.
"And…?" Valka timidly glanced at Astrid.
He looked Astrid up and down. Once again he shook his head. Both women stared at him, stunned. He knew something was wrong. He knew they expected him to recognise them but he didn't. He didn't know them. Why didn't he know them?
Breaking the awkward silence, there came a knock at the door and three people entered. It was Queen Mala and two of her specialist healers.
"I pardon the intrusion but I wish to announce that your riders and Throk have returned successful in their quest and would like a word with one of you. Also, I need to inform you that our healers require an examination and a changing of the head dressing. Do we have your permission to go ahead?"
"I'll go," said Astrid curtly, seizing the opportunity to get out of there.
"That would be fine. Thank you, Queen Mala," replied Valka a little more politely.
Astrid slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it in shock.
He didn't know her.
Heather was in the corridor waiting and came up to her.
"Are you alright, Astrid? You look awful."
"I'm fine," she said,shaking herself out of the trance. "So, what did you find out?" She wanted to change the subject fast. Concerned for her friend, but knowing she wasn't going to get anything out of Astrid just yet, Heather reluctantly obliged.
"We're over by the jail pit," she said and led Astrid out of the healing centre over to where everyone else was waiting.
"What did you find out?" asked Astrid in monotone. She was sitting on the decking of a hut, arms resting on her knees, with everyone else standing around her. She sat in silence as Throk took charge to explain their theory. He talked about the cliff, the blood inside the cave, the trail of it up passed the stream and the attack in the woods. Astrid didn't once react which unnerved Heather. She had expected Astrid to be shocked in hearing their news.
When Throk reached the part in their story where the twins and Snotlout had located the dragon blade and flight suit, and had captured Amos and Berthel, she stood up and said quietly, "Take me to them," and tightly clasped her axe she had brought along with her. She followed the others to where they were being detained.
Inside the prison chamber, she saw Amos and Berthel slumped on the floor, still humming their song.
"Open it up," she ordered. Throk obliged and everyone else stood back. Astrid dropped inside and bent down next to Amos.
"Why?" she asked almost politely. Amos looked at her, still taken by the drink. "Why did you do it?"
"Hey, beautiful. Fancy a night on the town with me?"
Something snapped inside Astrid. She threw her hand around his neck and pinned him to the wall. "TELL ME WHY! WHY DID YOU HURT HIM?!"
Amos gagged. He couldn't breathe. Sobering up a little under the duress he looked at Astrid more closely. "Who?" he choked out.
"Don't play games with me! You and your brother over there hurt Hiccup! Tell me why!"
"Let me go. I'll talk," he said hoarsely and Astrid loosened her grip on him but kept dangerously close. Amos coughed and spluttered as he recovered with his back still against the wall.
"Tell me," she repeated.
"That dopey old fool. He just appeared out of nowhere. All alone. No dragon. Berthel and I. We was strapped for cash and there he was. All the loot on him you could ever want. Hey Berthel, am I right?" he called to his brother.
"Yeah," Berthel replied still slumped on the floor in the corner of the room. "Live like kings."
"Not right in the head he was. Mumbling. Making no sense. Talking mumbo jumbo. In a right old state," and with that he stopped. His face turned green, gagged, and threw up all over himself.
"So, you're telling me you attacked a vulnerable person who needed serious help, who couldn't defend themselves, just so you could rob them and get wasted?"
"A vulnerable lunatic," laughed Amos.
"Live like kings," said Berthel again. And the two began to snigger.
Astrid stood up. Her eyes murderous. She raised the axe high above Amos' head. She'd kill them. She'd kill them both. No one. No one would EVER hurt her Hiccup and get away with it!
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" chanted the twins behind her wanting a taste of blood.
"YAAAAH!" she yelled about to bring the axe down for a crashing blow.
"STOP!"
There was no more Amos. Astrid had lost him. Instead there was only Fishlegs and he whimpered, shaking with fear.
"FISHLEGS GET OUT OF MY WAY!" yelled Astrid.
"No! Astrid. You can't do this! Please!"
"GET OUT OF MY WAY! NOW!"
"Please don't, Astrid. It's not right. This isn't how justice works."
"They hurt him! They deserve to die!"
"Maybe. Or maybe not. But not like this. Astrid, this isn't what Hiccup would want. You know that. And please, move that axe away," he squealed.
That did it. Fishlegs was right. Hiccup… her Hiccup would never want her to lash out like this and kill in cold blood anger. Slowly, she lowered her arms, dropped the axe and let it crash to the floor of the pit. She collapsed onto her knees, wrapped her arms around her chest and heaved. Her Hiccup. The Hiccup she loved. The Hiccup that loved her. Where was he?
Heather jumped in and gave her betrothed a relieved squeeze and then, cautiously, approached Astrid, bending down to look at her.
"Astrid?" Astrid didn't move. "Astrid come on. Come with me," Heather said soothingly. She gently placed her arms around her and encouraged Astrid to stand and leave chamber.
"Astrid, what's the matter? Tell me," Heather begged once back on ground level. But Astrid didn't speak. It would just make it true.
They made their way back to the healing centre and Queen Mala met them in the corridor to greet them.
"Your chief is awake and recovering well. His head injury remains the most serious but the bleeding appears to have ceased. His mother says you're all welcome to visit him if you wish, but only briefly. Do not over strain him: he must rest."
They all entered the room. Astrid deliberately fell to the back of the group which bewildered Heather but she said nothing.
Hiccup was sitting in bed, propped up by pillows. He had a fresh bandage wrapped round his head, his dirty, ripped tunic had been replaced with a new, clean one and he had been given a proper wash. His face and arms were still covered in cuts and bruises but he looked overall much better. He turned his head on the pillows to see who was coming.
"Look, Hiccup, here are your friends," spoke Valka. "They've come to see you."
"How are you feeling, Hiccup?" asked Fishlegs. Hiccup smiled back politely.
"Hey, H," said Tuffnut. "Thor! They really did a number on you, didn't they? You look like dragon droppings." Heather elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up.
"Hiccup," Valka spoke again. "These are your friends. They've been worried for you. This here is Ruffnut. Then there's Snotlout, Tuffnut, Heather, Fishlegs and of course you've already met Astrid." Hiccup shyly raised his hand in greeting.
"How is he, Valka?" asked Fishlegs again, beginning to suspect something wasn't quite right.
"He's recovering well, dear, thank you. But he needs a lot of bed rest. The knock to the head has caused some injury and he…"
"He doesn't remember," interrupted Astrid croakily. Everyone turned to look at her. A single tear silently rolled down one cheek.
"Is Astrid crying?" asked Tuffnut.
Astrid looked at Hiccup and saw him looking back at her with curious concern. No. She couldn't take it. She couldn't stay here. Without saying another word she turned and left the room.
"Oh dear," sighed Valka. "Everyone, may I ask that you stay with Hiccup. Heather dear, you too if you please. He must not be left unattended. I shan't be long," and she left the room.
She found Astrid leaning against the corridor wall staring into space. Valka placed her hands on both of Astrid's shoulders.
"Astrid. Astrid, look at me." Astrid forced her gaze over to Valka, her whole body rigid and her eyes crystal with unfallen tears.
"Go and rest, child. You're exhausted."
"I can't," croaked Astrid.
"I know this must be hardest on you, but you have to remain strong. And to do that you need to look after yourself." Astrid just stared at her, unresponsive. "Can I make a suggestion? He's recovering well. I will stay here another day just to be sure, but then I'll go back to Berk and manage things with Gobber there. You stay here with him."
"But he told me not to let you do too much. That…"
"He fusses too much. I am quite capable of looking after myself, you know," Valka said sternly. Then, more gently, "Let me go. I'll be quite alright. You stay here and look after my boy for me. He needs you."
"But how can you be so sure? How can he need me? He doesn't even know me!"
"The ways of the heart are a mystery to us all, child. I know it is difficult to accept right now, but in the last six months I've been back at Berk I have seen the way he is when he's with you. Even in these tough times after his father's death I can see you're everything to him. Astrid, believe me, I know. Deep down, somewhere, my Hiccup still loves and cares for you. You need to stay with him and you'll both get through this." And with that, Valka pulled Astrid towards her and they embraced.
Astrid tossed and turned in the bed that had been provided for her. She just couldn't get comfortable enough to settle. Stormfly was in the corner of the room resting. She had been well cared for by the villagers whilst Astrid had been with Hiccup all this time. At least she hadn't needed to worry about her. The villagers at Caldera Cay worshipped dragons and even had a huge boulder class variety defending their island from the lava flow called The Great Protector. Dragons were cherished and they had looked after Stormfly well.
Astrid continued to struggle to sleep; she was just too wound up. The events of the last couple of days whirred round her mind in a barrage of mixed emotions – anger, hatred, fear, sorrow, despair – all jammed up inside her threatening to explode. She couldn't take it any longer. Beyond exhaustion but too fired up for sleep she decided to give up, grab her axe, and go to Caldera Cay's training grounds.
The grounds were set inside a wide clearing surrounded by the tall trees of the woods just outside the village. Scattered randomly within the large rectangle were high log posts used for climbing practice, stuffed mannequins, target rings amongst other things used for training. No one else was about so she had the place to herself. Just how she wanted it.
Astrid began by spinning her axe, warming up her wrists. She lunged forward stretching out her calf and thigh muscles, then straightened. She lunged again on the other leg and straightened. She struck left, twisting round to warm up her back and torso, then again right. She span twice round and lunged forward. This felt good, just what she needed – to switch off her mind and let her body take over. She was a warrior, the General of Berk's Dragon and Fleet Army and her training had been neglected of late. She needed this.
She began to build up speed. Side kick. Lunge. Turn. Lunge. Spin. Lunge. Run. Jump. Attack. Drop. Roll. Defend. Back up. Strike. Faster and faster she went. Drops of sweat touched her brow.
How dare they? She thought. They deserve to die after what they did! Kick. Step. Twist. Lunge. Doing that to him! Jump. Thrust. Turn. Kick. Hiccup, sick in bed because of them! Side kick. Lunge. Turn. Lunge. Spin. He can't remember me because of them! Lunge. Run. Jump. Attack. We're not getting knot-tied now because of them! Drop. Roll. Defend. Back up. Strike. It's not fair! Side kick. Lunge. Turn. Lunge. Spin. Lunge. This shouldn't have happened! Run. Jump. Attack. Drop. Roll. Defend. Back up. Strike. It's not fair!
Two axes clashed together. I'll kill them! Side step. Block. Counterattack. Clash! I'll make them pay! Strike. Clash. Strike. Clash. Duck. Block. It's their fault! Back step. Block. Spin. Counterattack. Clash. Their fault he's like this! Twist. Lunge. Jump. Block. It's NOT FAIR!
She was fighting someone else. She had hardly noticed Heather arrive. Together their axes collided over and over as the two girls danced across the grassy grounds. It felt better fighting with someone. There was resistance. Unpredictability. Conflict. Onwards they battled. Sweat poured down Astrid's face and back. Her arms ached and a tear escaped down one cheek. Step. Kick. Block. Thrust. Her chest heaved and another tear fell down the other side of the face. Strike. Clash. Strike. Clash. Duck. Block. Her vision blurred. She could no longer see well. Heather kicked her in the chest and she was knocked backwards onto the grass and an axe appeared inches from her throat. The dam broke. Tears fell freely down her cheeks and Astrid rolled sideways on the grass, brought her knees up and hugged her chest. And she wept.
Disregarding her axe, Heather bent down next to Astrid and gently eased her up. Both of them covered in sweat, grass stains and mud, Heather hugged her friend as Astrid clung tightly onto hers. All the pain, all the anguish, bubbled over the surface and washed over her in a sea of torment and grief.