(Chapter Nineteen)
(Fredas 10th) (With Draco)
The night was rough, mostly for Draco since he was still hurt but it had also effect the other three due to the constant work they did all night just to get a small portion of the house that Draco has plans for but luckily they were able to finish that good portion so if they were too fall asleep they had a decent place to sleep and speaking of sleep, two out of the four fell asleep about two hours ago before the sun began to rose over the ocean.
Geralt and Draco were the only ones still awake finishing up with what theyre doing which was installing the last wall of the structure. It was the wall that had the door that would enter into the man hall of the house but as of now this will have to do.
When the wall was finally installed the two decided that it was time to take a break. They went over to sit on the floor across from the two sleeping women that were cuddle up against one another . Draco scans the room making sure that they didn't miss anything, when he couldn't find anything missing he closed his eyes letting them rest for a little bit.
"I'm surprised you haven't been found out, especially with that dragon" Geralt comments.
"I'm surprised too but I'm glad they haven't found us, what I think it's because nobody goes this far out" he still worries about it though.
"Besides that one lad you mentioned but on our way here I smelled a female not too far from here but still far enough" Draco's eyes slightly opened.
"I forgot you have heightened senses too, I've noticed it as well but it's not a mystery though"
"It's that blonde from the docks, the one up from next to the chief?" Draco nods.
"Yes, from what I know she comes into the woods often but never go in too far even though there was a couple of places that she's been that was quite a good ways from the village but they were quite old"
"Probably about a couple of months old but nothing older, also, have you ever though about using one of the potions I gave you or at least remember how to make some, if you recall you're fighting someone today" Draco groans completely forgetting about it but remembering it just made him angry.
"I was going to use a potion but it busted when on the landing, and the island doesn't have any of the ingredients to make another"
"That's some bad luck, so you're going to fight him like that, that's a reckless move even for you" Draco couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"I could get Triss to heal you"
"No, it would seem strange if I suddenly get all of my strength back after what I went through, I'm already getting questioned if I'm human or not" Geralt chuckled.
"Wait till you start getting called freak"
"I thought it was mutant?"
"It depends on the people, they could call you whatever they feel like calling you"
Both Geralt and Draco looked over to where the girls were lying after hearing one of them moving in their sleep "Why are you guys so loud?" Ciri asks rubbing her eyes.
"Sorry Ciri, but you do know it's morning?"
"Yes, I'm aware it's morning, we've been up all night working and have you guys ever thought to get some rest yourseleves, you have a fight later today remember?"
"Yes I remember, but I'm not tired, I'll get some sleep once the fights over with"
"Draco, that's stupid and you know it, you're not going to be able to focus on lack of sleep" Ciri snaps sitting up in an upright position "One of these days death is going to catch up with you and we may not be there too help"
"I wouldn't mind being healed but remember what I said in the letter, we can't use our spells so that includes healing ones"
"Then you plan to fight that idoit like that?" Draco nods "Yes, and I'm not too worried, he may look strong but that idoit is just that an idoit, he uses more bronzes than brains"
"If you think you can take him then go ahead but don't say I didn't warn you" again Draco rolls his eyes.
"What time is that fight anyways?" Ciri asks.
"Not sure but we'll find out once we go into the village"
"Then should I wake Triss?" Ciri asks with a devilish smile.
"No, I'm already up, I couldn't stay asleep when you guys are talking" Triss raise's up from her slumber into an upright position.
"Aww man" Ciri whined.
"Ciri, you know that I'm not going to let you do that to me again right?"
Draco looks at Geralt confused but he just shakes his head telling Draco to not worry about it. Draco shrugs his shoulders "Ok, I was going to ask what that's about but I'm not going to, since you two are awake do you guys want to go get something to eat, I know that their food isn't what you guys are use to, I'm still not use to it but I'm having to suck it up"
"Sure, but luckily for us we brought something of our own to help with that" Ciri crawls over to grab the bag she had on her and opened it up.
She stuck a hand down into the bag and when it hit something glass like she pulled it out. It was a bottle of white wine "I know that you prefer red but we didn't have time to hunt any down so we just grabbed this"
"That's fine, it's not going to kill me"
"With the state you're in I wouldn't be surprised if it did kill you, well, more like you getting yourself killed after drinking it" Ciri laughed placing the bottle down onto the floor.
"Wine's not that strong, I would have to drink lots of it before it does anything to me"
"You said that last time but when morning came we found you passed out on the floor"
"Hey, that was Frey's doing she spiked my drink" Draco defended.
"Yea, yea that's what you said the first time"
Draco let out a huff getting up from the floor deciding that it was time to leave before she messes with him anymore. Upon leaving the house Draco was greeted with a passed out Galaxy lying right in front of the small structure.
'I should just leave him be' he thought slowly walking passed his scalely brother.
Not far behind him Triss, Ciri and Geralt were following only a couple of feet behind him "How do you plan to take on that small man?" Geralt asks.
"How I usually take small problems on, play it off for a little bit then wait for the right moment to strike"
"In the shape you're in, I doubt "playing it off" will be an issue, also, I need to know one thing, what was the start of the whole thing anyways? I mean like what caused him to want to challenge you in the first place?" Draco almost forgot to tell them why this all happened.
"From what I know, which honestly is pretty stupid but supposbly that dumbass thinks that I'm going for the blonde viking you saw yesterday, some people even think we're already a thing which is nonsense, don't know which it is but he said he wanted to challenge me for her hand"
"You know what that means right?" Ciri asks in a concerned tone.
"Depending on which one you're meaning"
"There's only one meaning and it's for her hand in marriage" Triss explains.
"Ok, we were thinking the same thing then but it doesn't apply to me due to me not being part of their clan, while living here I've learned a couple of things about here and seeing that you actually have to be part of the clan or have a high statues or something around those lines, so even if it is for "her hand" it won't effect me in any way"
"You don't know that, with some of what you already told us it seems you've gained some attention and that could actually make it possible to marry her even if you're not part of their clan" Geralt jumps in.
"I haven't made that much of an impact, yea I saved a couple of kids and helped fight off a few raids almost getting myself killed in the process but I doubt that would make much of an impact" Draco explains almost having a solid reason, almost.
"Remember that just "small things" like that could make a big impact, you got to remember that"
"Yea I'll remember that but if it gets to that then I'll have something to worry about but right now I'm just worried about getting off this rock" Draco reassures.
"I'm curious, what if after winning this duel, you're then pulled to the side and was told that now you have to marry her?" Draco can tell that she's going to push this on until something is brought up or happens.
"Then I'll just have to explain to them that it's not possible"
"If you think that'll work then go for it but from the other worlds I've been through, small things have huge impacts"
"Ciri, leave the man alone, you know that nagging him won't do any good" Ciri looks at Geralt "Like how it's no good on you?" Triss let's out a light chuckle.
"Very funny"
The group enters a awkward silence for a bit but it doesn't last long. Once they reached the edge of the woods one of the vikings, whom being Fishlegs was running across the bridge towards the group "What is he doing?" Ciri asks.
"I have an idea" Draco whispers.
"Draco, Draco!" he calls out as he gets closer.
"What is it Fishlegs?"
"Draco (gasp) I was told (gasp) to come get you (gaps) to take you (gasp) to the arena" Draco was right on the dot knowing what it was going to be about.
Even though he knows what it's about but he just had to ask "Why?"
"For the fight with (gasp) Snotlout, they're already waiting in the arena"
"Why so early?"
"Actually, everyone was excited to see it and they didn't want to wait so instead Stoick had everyone head to the arena and get their sits" Fishlegs explains.
"What if I didn't show up until later?"
"Then they would just wait until you show up I supposed"
"Fine, we'll be on our way" Fishlegs nods his head and takes off into the direction of the arena he just came from. Draco looks at Geralt, Triss, and Ciri.
"I guess we should hurry up before they send someone else" the trio nodded agreeing with Draco.
Even though they're still a decent distances away from the arena they could already hear the Berkians at the arena chanting and laughing from where they're at.
"This is insane, why is everyone so excited to see such a boring fight" Draco wondered a loud.
"They may not have a chance to see fights often I'll assume, are you sure you did nothing else to gain this much attention?"
"Everything I told you is all I've done, nothing more"
"You sure? Because I wouldn't think that a bunch of vikings would be interested to see a fight with a cripple and an idiot" Ciri was joking about the cripple part.
"I'm not cripple" Draco argues.
"Then you're good at acting like you are" Draco playfully glared at Ciri.
"Enough you two, we don't need to be wasting time, besides, he needs to get his head on straight"
"It is on straight" this time all three of them gave him questioning looks.
"If it was on straight you wouldn't have let that idiot get too you"
"And don't go saying that it was because he brought up Rias, but he's just using it to get under your skin" Triss adds.
"It worked, he got under my skin and now he's going to pay for it" they could hear that his voice was now filled with anger.
The trio looked at one another not sure what they should do or say to him but even if they were to try to say something he won't listen at this point. Knowing that talking to him won't do anything they went quite for the rest of the walk to the arena.
Five minutes passes and they could finally see the arena as well the huge crowd of people surrounding it. It didn't take long before one of the vikings saw them walking this way and called out to everyone, mostly to the people that were in the arena that they were on their way.
"I didn't take notice to it before but now, I can see that there's a lot more people then I first thought" Ciri comment.
"It makes you wonder where they're hiding everyone"
Draco scanned the crowd to see that on every face they were excited to see something happen. The way they looked at them it makes you wonder if anything fun actually happens here.
Walking along the outside of the crowd going for the entrance, upon reaching the entrance he was met with the faces of Gobber, Fishlegs, and the twins "'ey lad, I see ya still a cripple" Gobber jokes.
"I'm not a cripple, how many times do I have to say that"
"I'm playin' with ya lad, don't get all mad"
"I'm not mad, I just want to get this over with"
Ciri leans in close to Triss and whispers "He's mad" Triss nods. Draco heard them though he turned around and glared playfully.
"Lad, are you sure you're going to be able to fight in the state you're in?"
"Yes" Draco had a lot of confidence in that reply.
Geralt jumps in "He'll be fine" Gobber looks at Geralt questionably but didn't say anything since these three have known him longer then them so he has to trust their words.
"Ok, if you say you can then I won't stop you, I'll open the gate for ya?" Gobber hobbles his way over to the lever that opens the door.
Draco looks back at Ciri, Geralt and Triss "I'll see you guys after the match" the trio nods their heads before breaking off to go sit in the front row.
Draco turns his attention away from them after a couple of seconds then slowly makes his way down the slope that lead to the now open gate of the arena. Inside he can already see Snotlout standing there with his mace in his hand and shield in the other along with a idiotic smile.
Draco could feel anger boil inside of him but he knows he has to keep it under control. So taking a deep breath he calmed himself down. Draco walks pass the blacksmith not saying another word to him. Once inside the arena he heard the gate close behind him.
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show, I didn't think you were going to show" Snotlout says making fun of Draco.
"Shut up and get ready" Draco snaps. He turns his head up to the stands and took a good long scan of the crowd surrounding them.
When he saw Stoick standing on the opposite side of the arena he then turned away waiting for the man to speak. Stoick saw this and decided that it was time to get this dual started. Stoick stands up and begins too clam the crowd down "Ok! Everyone settle down!" he yells quiting the crowd.
Once the crowd is fully quite Stoick began to speak again "Today, a duel has been issued between Draco and my nephew, Snotlout, both are fighting for the Hofferson lass's hand (look down into the arena) are you two aware of the rules?"
Snotlout nods but Draco didn't. Stoick saw this and began to explain "For those who don't know the rules, the one to get three direct hits or whoevere surrenders first will lose the duel, the hits can not be fatel" Draco nods now knowing the rules.
"Both of you ready?" They both nodded this time.
"Ok, Let the duel begin!" the crowd lets out loud cheers and roars of excitement.
Snotlout and Draco stared one another down for a little bit before Snotlout spoke "You know that this wouldn't be happening if you just did as I said and leave her alone"
"If YOU remember I didn't agree to nothing that you've said and even if I did I wouldn't want anything to do with her, I'm only here because I'm stuck here" when he said those words he wasn't aware that Astrid heard all what he said and it hurt.
"Well, since you're friends are here why don't you leave then, it would be better for the both of us that you did"
"You wouldn't understand even if I tried to explain but if you're just going to keep talking I might as well leave now because this is boring"
"Fine, I was giving you some time to think of a plan but I guess you don't need it" Snotlout charges for Draco, which only just stood there until Snotlout got close and moved to the side but once Snotlout passed him, Snotlout then elbows him in the back knocking him forward.
Draco catches himself then turns around but as he turns around he alone saw it for a slpit second before dodging was Snotlout swinging his mace at his head. He follows it with another swing which Draco dodges again but seeing that he was close he changes tactic and rams into Draco knocking him down onto the ground.
"Come on, is that all you can do, this is already getting boring, seeing how you are I can't believe that you was able to take out a huge dragon"
While Snotlout was bullying Draco, Geralt, Triss, and Ciri while in the stands were talking "What do you think he's planning?" Ciri asks Geralt.
"From the way he's letting the viking hit him, he's waiting for an opening because if he wanted to finish it quick he would've used his sword by now, but since he has to be careful he's going to let him get hit a couple of times" Geralt explains in a whisper.
"Isn't that stupid though? He's already hurt so why let him get hurt anymore?"
"A simple man like the one down below won't do a lot of harm to our friend down there, this viking is just messing around and thinking of it as a game"
"Well, then he's an idiot too"
Back down in the arena Draco has already gotten back up but was having to avoid Snotlout's attack one after another. By this point Snotlout was getting bored with this whole cat and mouse game and had to say something "You know what, I'm getting bored, but before I end this I would like to say one thing to you, the "girl" of yours, is she just as weak as you?"
Snotlout waited for an answer but instead of words he was quickly greeted with a fist to the face breaking his nose "UGH! What the-" he wasn't able to to another word in because he then felt a flat hard object hitting the side of his head knocking him down to the ground.
He was able to look up but while he looked up he was met with a blade pointed between his eyes "She's a lot stronger then you would ever be, if you want to live after this I would shut up if I were you" Draco's voice became dark but it didn't faze Snotlout.
"You can't do anything to me, remember the rules Stoick said, you can only strike me three times or if I surrender, but I don't plan on surrendering anytime-" Snotlout wasn't able to finish his sentence since Draco knocked him out using just the sheath for his blade but he swung it hard enough to actually knock Snotlout out.
The crowd was quiet but that quickly changes the crowd exploseds into a roar. Draco didn't take notice to the cheers neither did he take notice to his friends that were entering the arena "It seems like you won but you could've held back a little"
Draco turned to say something but Stoick spoke up "Now that was a show! I'll admit that I thought it was going to come out differently but this was something else! I would like to say that Draco Ryder is the winner of this duel!"
Draco eventually took notice and looked up at the roaring crowd but didn't say anything. All he wanted to do is go get something to eat. Draco scanned the crowd real quick before turning his attention to his friends "Lets go get something to eat, I'm hungry"
"Then lets go get something to eat, I'm hungry too" Ciri comments.
The trio followed Draco as they leave the arena, while leaving they were met with Gobber that's been standing at the entrance for the whole duel and next to him was Fishlegs "Ya were right lad, you were jus' fine in there"
"I told you (looks at Fishlegs) you got something too say?" he asks tiredly.
"Yes, Astrid said that she needed to talk to you"
"Why?" Draco could hear Ciri chuckle form behind him but didn't react.
"She didn't say but she wants to talk to you, she said that she'll be at the forge" Draco looks behind him to look at the others but they didn't say anything, Ciri only laughed, Triss kept quiet, and Geralt, he had nothing to say.
Turning his attention back to Fishlegs he says "Sorry to say but we're going to go eat in the hall and I don't plan on stopping because once we're done eating we're going to go back to my camp for the remainder of the day"
"She says that she really needs to talk to you"
"Fishlegs (Fishleg flinches) like I just said, we're going back to my camp when we're done, so talking to her will have to wait" he pushes past the two followed by Ciri, Triss and Geralt which were close behind him.
"I think we should go 'elp the idiot that's in the arena" Fishlegs nods his head in agreement.
The two head on in entering the arena to go pick up the unconscious Snotlout that was still lying on the ground "Hey Gobber, what do you think he said to make Draco do this?"
"If I 'ave to take a guess, it 'ad to do something about 'is wife, this lad doesn't know when to quit" the two stand over the uncouncious body of Snotlout for a little bit "I fear that this lad will get us all in trouble someday"
"I think he already has" once they were done speaking they carefully pick up Snotlout placing both of his arms one on each of their shoulders then began to drag him out of the arena.
"Hey Gobber, how do you think Astrid feels about all of this?"
"I honestly don't know lad, but I can say that she wasn't 'appy when the duel was 'apping"
"What do you mean?"
"She looked upset, I think, I'm not good with women"
"Could it be about what Draco said during the fight?" Gobber looks at Fishlegs confused.
"What ya mean? Did 'e say somethin'?"
"Yes but I couldn't hear what it was but I wouldn't doubt it if she did"
"If that was the case then it must've gotten to her"
"What are you two talking about?" Stoick's voice was heard on Fishleg's left side. The two men to look at their chief.
"Jus' talking about what this lad said to get himself knocked out"
"He said something?" Gobber nods.
"I would assume so, that's what the lad here says" Stoick looks at Fishlegs.
"Well, during the duel it looked like Snotlout said something to Draco but I couldn't hear what it was but it seemed to have gotten to him"
"I could take a guess that it must have been something about the lads girl back home, I swear this lad is going to get himself killed"
"Stoick, what's goin' to 'appen now that Draco won the lasses hand?" Gobber asks changing the subject.
"I can't really say, I can't force the lad to follow the laws, but I bet ya the Hofferson lass won't let him get away from this, it was about her after all"
"I don't think that lad knew what 'e was fighting for"
"Actually I think he did but he didn't care since like you said, no one can make him follow our rules or traditions so I doubt he'll follow through with this" Fishlegs jumps in.
Stoick was about to comment on what Fishlegs has just said but then a familiar voice could be heard calling his name from behind them. He turns around to see his brother Spitelout and he didn't look happy at all.
"Stoick, I would like ta challenge Draco!" he was angry that was clear and Stoick could already guess why.
"Why do you want to challenge him?"
"'cause he made a our family name a laughing stock"
Stoick looked around and saw that no one was laughing, actually they seemed all confused just like him "How did he make a laughing stock out of your name?"
"It's 'cause my son, your nephew and future chief just lost to an outsider weaker then him, he should know his place"
"Spitelout, I don't know if you've been paying attention or not but that lad isn't as weak as you think he is, you've seen how he fights dragons so fighting a man isn't any different the only difference is the fact that he was hurt from the last raid, and I think he does know his place but just not here"
"That's why I want to issue a duel with him, he needs to know 'is place on Berk, if we don't do somethin' 'e'll just keep walking over us"
"Spitelout, would ya shut up, that lad hasn't walked over no one, 'e doesn't want anything to do with Berk and 'e doesn't even come to the village enough to walk over anyone, get that through ya thick skull and listen to the chief" Gobber snaps.
"Spitelout, my answer is no, I don't want anyone else messing with that lad, he hasn't done anything wrong to give us any reason to do anything so stop your complaining and get over it"
Spitelout was pissed and stomped away ahead of everyone "Do you think he'll listen?" Fishlegs asks.
"No, but it doesn't matter I have to give the say so to let a duel commence and the only reason why Snotlout was able to have his was because he was being accused being with the Hofferson lass but when Snotlout brought up the lads wife it made it final, since he accepted the duel" Stoick explains.
"I bet ya that Spitelout will do somethin' to get a duel with 'im, just ya watch"
"I'm not betting anything since we know it'll happen, but I have to get going, make sure Snotlout gets to the healers and once you're done I need you to go start the repairs on everyones gear" Gobber nods.
Stoick splits off from the two going off in another direction while Fishleg and Gobber continues on to the healers hut to drop Snotlout off.
The two men were walking through the middle of the plaza which has become very busy but out of all the people Fishlegs was able to spot one person. It was Astrid still standing in the front of the forge. She seemed to have noticed him since she was now walking up to them.
"Fishlegs, Gobber, have either of you seen Draco anywhere?"
"He should've walked through here already, did you not see him?" She shook her head "No I haven't"
"Well, then I can tell you that he might be heading to the Great Hall. At least I think he is, you could check there"
"Thank you Fishlegs, I'll see you around" she takes off.
"Do ya think 'e's there?" Gobber asks.
"I'm not sure, but since he does that quite often everytime he comes here, he always goes to the hall to get something to eat"
"How come ya know that?"
"It's hard to miss someone dressed the way he does" Gobber couldn't argue since it was true.
The two continued on towards the healers hut in silence having said all they wanted to say to one another but it was awkward because of how quiet it was. Once they reached the healers they dropped Snotlout off letting the healer deal with him. After dropping him off they went their separate ways to do their own things.
(Time Skip)
(With Snotlout)
Hours have passed making night fall all over Berk and Snotlout was still at the healers hut but he was finally waking up from his long sleep. Upon waking up he looks around to see that he was in the healers hut and he also saw that Tuffnut was there too.
"Look who finally wakes up" Tuffnut teases.
"What happened?" Snotlout asks not sure what really happened. The last thing he remembers was getting knocked out by Draco and that was it.
"Well, if you can remember the part of you getting knocked out during the duel then not much has really happened, well, except for what happened in the hall, but I don't think I should say" Snotlout glares at him.
"Well, I could tell you but I don't know much about it, but it was some sort of conversation between Astrid and Draco then after that your dad got involved saying that he wanted to duel Draco, that's as much as I know, everything else I wasn't there for or just wasn't paying attention" Tuffnut explains.
"I'm going to get that guy, ohh, I'm going to get him good"
"How do you plan to do that? With his friends here I doubt you would be able to do anything to him"
"Don't worry about that, I'll come up with something" Snotlout had an evil smile.
"If it's something awesome count me in"
"Oh, it will, but first I have to get out of here" when he tried to raise up, he was hit with what felt like a brick to the head. Laying back down in the bed he lets out an annoyed sigh.
"I guess it'll have to wait till I'm better, I won't be able to think with this headache" Snotlout adds.
"Yea, I was told by the healer that if you tried to leave to tie you down" Snotlout looks at Tuffnut confused.
"Really?" Tuffnut started to laugh.
"No, she just said that you'll be here for a couple of days since he fractured your skull when he hit you with the sheath" Tuffnut lets out a yawn before standing up heading for the door.
"Well, I'm going to head on home, you better hurry up and get better dude, it's boring out there" after that he leaves heading home.
Lying in the room now alone Snotlout's mind begin to fill with ideas of what he could do to get back at Draco but for now he should rest so tomorrow he could plan out his next move which more or less will get him into trouble, but he doesn't care.
While Snotlout was deep in thought he didn't realize that someone was standing just right outside of the door. The person that stood there heard everything that Tuffnut and Snotlout talked about and begin to think of something of their own.