(Chapter Twenty-One)
(Sundas 12th) (With Draco, Ciri, Geralt, and Triss)
The morning was rough for most of the villagers of Berk. The raging storm that was going on throughout the night kept most people (light sleepers) up. There were a couple of villagers that stayed up to watch over the village just in case if a fire were to break out.
When morning came the storm hasn't lifted, not in the slightest. The thunder was still loud and strong while the rain was heavy and slowly flooding some parts of the village that was lower then the rest.
Luckily for Draco and friends, Triss used a spell most of the night to keep the rain from flooding the cove. When she wasn't able to do it anymore Draco would use 'Wall of Frost' to make a small frozen bubble covering a small portion (The small house and Galaxy mostly) of the cove. Sadly the spell wouldn't last forever so he had to constantly use 'Wall of Frost' until Triss regained her strength.
When she finally regained her strength she switched places with Draco which whom has finally ran out of magicka. Tired from the constant usage of magicka he flopped onto the floor lying on his he back.
"I don't know how much longer I can take this, maybe once it's over I can try to come up with something for situations like this" he whines.
"I don't think it'll be possible, with the location you're building this house in you would need to find a way to cover the whole area to protect it from weather like this" Triss explains.
"I'll find a way but for now I'll probably have to think of something to keep weather like this a bay"
"Good luck with that" Ciri whispers.
Draco heard what she said but didn't say or do anything about it. He just let it go and rest before they have to switch again. They sat there in silence for a little bit until Ciri spoke again "This is so boring, is there anything we can do to pass the time?"
"Besides play qwent, spar, or drink, there isnt much to do especially in here and with it raininig outside that doesn't make it any easier"
"Were not here for fun and games Ciri" Triss remainds Ciri. Ciri was aware of that but it would at least pass the time.
"Yea, I know but it's just boring sitting here while it's raining, back home it didn't matter if it rained or snowed, we still did things even if it was just hunting monsters or jobs"
"That may be true but here is different, remember, we're trying to keep some things secret from these people" Geralt explains.
"I remember what we're doing but out of curiosity, what would happen if they were to find out that we had 'unique' traits?" Ciri asks
"They would most likely try to have us killed, thrown off the island or something around those lines" Draco explains.
"That would be hard since we wouldn't go down without a fight"
"That's why I want to avoid telling them or even letting them find out"
"Ryder" Geralt calls. Draco looks at Geralt "What is it?"
"Your dragon has been trying to get your attention" he says looking at said dragon that has his head poked in.
"What's wrong?" he asks getting up.
"kuzol los coming" Ciri, Geralt and Triss all look at Draco waiting for him to explain what Galaxy said.
"How long?"
"Ni lingrah, ko hin tiid do ziin omaar" Draco lets out an annoyed sigh.
"Are you going to tell us what's going on?" Ciri asks.
"He says there's going to be a raid on it's way, in about two hours at least that's what he says"
"Should we help?" Triss asks letting her spell falter. Draco would hate to bring them involved with something so trivial but with how the last one went, if it's the same kind of raid that is, he doesn't want to have them end up like him.
"As of right now we shouldn't, but seeing how the last one went for me I guess we're going to have to but right now we should wait till it happens because if we we're to tell them about the raid they would question on how we know about it"
"Who says we would have to tell them, we could just go into the village and wait until the raid happens, we don't have to tell them anything" Geralt explains.
"If we do that then Triss wil have to stay here" Draco states. Triss looks at Draco with a glare "How come?"
"I may not have known you as long as these two but I can tell is that you rely on your abilities a lot, what I'm saying is that I don't see you having any way of fighting without them"
"He's got a point Triss, I haven't seen you use anything but your abilities, I agree with Draco, you should stay here"
"Are you serious, ugh, fine, but if something were too happen that calls for me to blow my cover, I won't hesitate to do so"
"That's fine but I doubt that'll be necessary, Ciri, Geralt, let's go to the hall and wait it out there" both Ciri and Geralt follow Draco outside leaving a angry Triss behind.
(With Astrid, Fishlegs, and the twins)
Astrid was the last one to show up at the hall since she had to help her mom with a couple of holes that popped up in their home but when she finally arrived she saw the twins and Fishelgs already there eating. The three saw her and waved her down.
"Astrid, you finally made it, we thought you got swept away by the storm" Ruffnut joked.
"No, I was helping my mom with a few things before I could leave, speaking of storm, when did you guys get here?" she asks taking a seat next to Fishlegs.
"About twenty minutes ago, Fish here was already here before us" Tuffnut explains.
"Hey, I just remembered something, how do you think Snotlout is doing at the healers? Do you think that it got washed away?"
"Sadly no, I saw it on my way here" that was disappointing.
"I wonder how long this storm's going to last, I hope it ends soon" Fishlegs wonders.
"Don't know but I hope soon, the water is causing a lot of large puddles around the plaza and my house along with everyone else's houses"
"My house has already taken in some water, luckily it's minor but if this continues on the rain will make the wood of the houses (pretty much the whole house) will start to deteriorate and if that happens our homes will start to fall apart" Fishlegs explains.
"Wait, does that mean that we'll loose our home?" Tuffnut asks.
"Didn't he just say that?" Astrid questions the idiot.
"Um, did he?" everyone shook their heads.
"Just forget it, Ruffnut, how's your house holding up?"
"It's fine so far but we do have a little bit of leakage here and there"
"Same here, but it's just in the main room so it's not harming anything"
This storm seems to be causing everyone trouble. Even though not everyone is saying it but every house on Berk is having some sort of issue. It's either flooding or leakage they didn't think it could get any worse, well, it probably could, if it became cold then it would've gotten worse.
"Now that I think about it, how do you think Draco and his friends are doing?" Fishlegs wonders.
"He's probably fine" Astrid says a little quietly.
Her friends look at her and she notices this "What?" she asks.
"You said that a little quietly then you normally would, is this still about the whole winning your hand thing?" Ruffnut asks. When she didn't answer Ruffnut knew that's what it's about.
"Astrid, we've talked about this, just challenge him to a duel and then whatever happens, happens"
"I know that Ruff, I just have to wait to see him again before bringing it up" she snaps.
"Hey don't get snappy with me" "Um, guys" the two girls look at Fishlegs.
"Draco's here" the others turn to look at the hall door too see Draco, Ciri, and Geralt entering the hall.
You can tell by the way they looked that they've been walking all the way here since all three of them are soaked all the way through their clothes. Seeing through their clothes made some of the women blush including Astrid and Ruff. Some of the men had to look away so they don't get caught staring at Ciri. It doesn't seem to bother the trio from the looks of it. They came in and sat down at the nearest table next to the door not batting an eye to anyone in the hall.
"Why do you think they're here, wouldn't they have stayed at his camp to stay dry?" Ruff asks still trying to hide her blush. The others shrugged their shoulders.
"I don't know, it could just because they were hungry"
"Maybe"
"Well, this is your chance to go talk to him" Ruff whispers to Astrid. Astrid looks over to Draco's table real quick then back to Ruffnut.
"It's not the right time to do so"
"What do you mean not the right time? He's right there"
"It's just not the right time ok, now drop it before I drop you" Astrid warns.
"Fine, but if you don't do it by the end of the day, I'll do it for you" this time Ruffnut warns.
Astrid glares at Ruffnut whom was smiling knowing that she got her trapped. Astrid was about to say something but they heard Draco's voice "Hiccup, come here" he orders.
The group didn't even notice Hiccup come in but what really went through their heads was the fact that Draco called him over to their table. That was quite surprising seeing that he didn't seem to bother the lad only when he trains him does he bother talking to him.
"Ok, that's different, what do you think that's about?" Fishlegs asks.
"I don't know but from the way Hiccup is acting, it seems to be something serious"
"Or it's because he's just a whimp and doesn't know how to stand up for himself" Ruffnut adds to Astrids comment.
"It doesn't matter, he'll never become one of us" Astrid whispers. The others sercretly agreed with her. Fishlegs then adds something to that "Maybe but what if he won't end up like us but like one of them"
"That's not going to happen, not in a million years" Astrid snaps.
"Well, maybe not exactly like them but at least fights like them, to an extent" Fishlegs corrects himself.
"I highly doubt that"
"Come on Astrid at lea…" the sound of the war horn cuts Fishlegs short.
Everyone, including Draco and friends quickly stood up and ran outside. Once outside they could see that it was still storming so hearing the warn horn confused everyone that couldn't see what was happening.
"They're early" Fishlegs heard Draco whisper. Fishlegs gives him a questioning look but didn't bother to ask, at least not now.
"What's going on?" asks a random viking.
Everyone who was either exting the hall or exiting their homes came out to see only that it was storming and a large dark cloud… wait a dark cloud. Everyone eventually notice the dark cloud making it's way towards Berk but after a couple of minutes they saw a horrifying sight.
A large dragon raiding party came flying out of the clouds raining down a couple shots of fire on Berk damaging some of the houses below. Everyone that was already prepared were already waiting in small groups for when the dragons attacked.
But with this storm still going it was hard to look up to see the dragons without getting water in their eyes. Everyone that was still at the front of the hall doors went down to meet up with the others and help out where ever they're needed. The only ones that stayed were Draco and his friends.
Astrid stops to look at Draco and calls out "Draco, aren't you going to come help?"
He looks at her not saying anything but he did turn his attention to Geralt and Ciri speaking to them but with the storm she couldn't hear what he told them but whatever it was caused them to run off in different directions leaving just him and her.
"Arent you going to go?" Draco asks as he passes her on the stone steps.
She didn't get to say anything before he was already out of ear shot. Seeing that it's pointless to say anything else she takes off towards the plaza which that's where most of the fight is being held.
As she ran for the plaza she could hear people yelling, screaming, dragons roaring, swords clashing, she could even hear the chief bark orders on over the heavy rain. Luckily for Astrid running to the plaza was easy since there wasn't a lot going on as she was running but when she finally reached the plaza she was met with a huge fight between dragons and vikings.
But this fight seems a lot more violent then the past ones. The dragons aren't going after their food or livestock anymore, they're going for the people as if they're the targets which shouldn't surprise her but since they went after their livestock for so long seeing them go after the people.
She takes a quick look around the plaza to see if anyone needs help. The first thing her eyes landed on was Gobber fighting off a Nadder. At first she was going to go run over there and help him but when he landed a good hit on the dragon she could see that he won't need her help.
She was about to take another look around but that changed when another Nadder landed ontop of the house beside her. She looks up and saw that the dragon was looking down on her. The dragon lets out a loud scretch before jumping down in front of her.
Astrid backs up just a little bit to make some room between them but the dragon wasn't going to let that happen instead it charged for her blasting its sparky fire at her. Thinking quickly she dodges to the side making the dragon miss. The dragon follows its missed attack with a spine shot which she was able to dodge that two.
"Come on, was that all you can do?" Astrid taunts the dragon.
The dragon didn't like that. Letting out another loud scretch it charges for Astrid going in for a headbutt. This time she wasn't able to dodge in time and the dragon headbutted her out into the open. When it stopped she was tossed onto the ground landing on her feet.
"Lucky shot, but I won't let that happen again" Astrid was sure that she was going to be able to kill this thing but that quickly changed when another dragon, Nadder showed up beside the other one.
"Ok, I can handle two, no big deal" she quickly regretted saying that when she heard another dragon, this time a Nightmare behind her.
She takes a quick look behind her and saw the dragon but this one wasn't after her, it was battling Ciri, which was winning. The dragon was badly hurt with one of it's wings torn and has a lot of noticeable wounds covering it's body. You can also see that the dragon was in a panic trying to back away from Ciri.
Astrid turned her attention back to the two in front of her but to her surprise they were waiting there for her. She was going to question it but when one of the Nadders shot spines at her that quickly changed.
Dodging the spines the other dragon followed up the missed attack with fire. Astrid dropped to the floor barely avoiding getting burned. She quickly got up and got ready to attack for once but when she heard the dragon that was fighting Ciri let out a cry she turned around and saw that the dragon was down. Ciri then finished it off by cutting it's head off.
"These ones are a lot easier then the ones back home" she calmly states. Ciri looks at Astrid to see a dumbfounded girl looking at her "Do you need help?"
"No, I got this, but I wouldn't mind if you watched my back"
Ciri did as Astrid said and watched her back but since it was just these two she just stayed back and made sure that they didn't get away.
Astrid let out a war cry running straight for one of the dragons which retaliated with swinging its tail at her. She slide under the dragons tail and once it was past her she swings at the dragons leg. The axe made contact with its leg which the dragon let out a loud painfilled scretch when it hit.
The other dragon saw its opportunity and went in for an attack but Ciri on the other hand wasn't going to let that happen so she threw one of he small daggers at the dragons side. The dragon felt the blade pierce its skin but it didn't hurt it as much but it did grab its attention.
It looked at Ciri and charged for her forgetting all about Astrid but that's where it made its mistake because when it went to go charge for Ciri Astrid threw her now blooded axe at the dragon hitting it in its back. The dragon fell to the ground landing right in front of Ciri.
Ciri looked down at the downed dragon and just stood there while Astrid walked up to it yanking her axe out of the dragons back then bringing it down on its head putting out of its misery "You were right, you didn't need my help"
Astrid didn't say anything instead she just ran off to go somewhere else. She was now running to go look for any of her friends or family but she suddenly stopped when the sound of a loud whistling getting closer.
Every viking knew that sound and it's a sound that they thought was gone for good but they were wrong. When the whistling was now right above them it went quite but seconds after it going silent a blueish, purple explosion blew up one of the towers.
All the vikings got down when they heard the explosion hoping that it wasn't going to hit them next. When they didn't hear it come back around just yet they quickly got up from the muddy ground and went back fighting off any of the dragons around them.
The fight between human and dragon went on for about an hour or so and the vikings were the ones losing this fight. Some of them even resorted to retreating to the hall while others held off as much as they could so the wounded could reach the hall.
Astrid was one of the few that stayed and fought. Along side her was the chief, Gobber, Geralt, Ciri, Draco, and a couple other vikings. Astrid could see that Stoick was beginning to worry for his tribe but wasn't going to admit it.
"Astrid, I need you to go and catch up with those that are heading for the hall and help them if needed" Stoick orders Astrid. She complied and ran off to go catch up with the ones retreating to the hall.
"Now Draco, I need you too…" a loud boom followed by a roar cut Stoick off silencing the whole island. The dragons on the other hand scattered leaving Berk.
"What was that?" Gobber asks looking up at the sky realizing that it came from the clouds but he also noticed that the storm quickly ceased.
"Don't tell me" Draco was actually now worried hoping that it's not who he think it is.
But what happened next just made it clear that it was who Draco thought it was and he was now worried. A massive red dragon came flying our of the clouds heading straight for the small group down below.
Stoick, Gobber and the other vikings couldn't believe their eyes. Some of them even backed up thinking of running to the hall. Draco on the other hand gripped his witcher sword a little harder then before getting ready for anything that could happen.
Draco knew this dragon but not on good terms, instead the dragon has a vendetta towards Draco. The dragon was named Odahviing and he wasn't one to be kind to humans since he was with Alduin back then.
"Draco, is that?" Draco nods his head "Yes, that's a dragon that came from Skyrim, and it has a name, he's called Odahviing and isnt here to save us"
Said dragon landed in front of the group tearing down some buildings when it landed. He started at the humans looking over them but his eyes quickly halted when he saw Draco with the group "I've finally rund hi, I've finally found you, you thought you could hide from me forever"
Everyone except for Draco were stunned when the dragon spoke. Nobody had anything to say all they could do was stand there and watch "I'm surprised that you were able to find me"
Those around Draco all turned their attention towards him as he took a step forward "Niidro kosaan eruvos ruzun ruz and now we can finish what we started"
After that Odahviing let out a blast of fire which Draco and the other were able to dodge, barely. Everyone else that was there moved back towards the hall to avoid the fight but the only ones that stayed were Geralt, Ciri, Stoick, and Gobber.
"You four need to head to the hall and keep everyone there" Draco yells.
"No way, we're not running from this thing" Ciri yells back. Odahviing looks over to the others that were still here "I would listen to him, I have no quarl with you but if you interfere then I won't hesitate to kill you too" Odahviing warns.
Geralt looks at the chief and Gobber "You two need to head to the hall and protect your people, we'll handle this" both Ciri and Geralt began to walk over to Draco's side.
"We're not leaving, we'll join in the fight…" Stoick grabs his friends shoulder shaking his head "We should listen to them, I hate too admit it but I don't see us coming out alive if we fight" Gobber was wanting to say something but he was right they wouldn't survive a fight with this thing since they've never fought a dragon like this.
The two ran off leaving Draco, Ciri, and Geralt to handle Odahviing. Once out of the way Odahviing speaks to the three standing before him "You were stupid too stay but it won't make no difference to me, you'll just die along side him"
"We'll see about that" the three charged for Odahviing starting the long battle.
(At the hall)
Hours have past since the battle between Odahviing, Geralt, Ciri, and Draco started. At first when Stoick told them about it some actually wanted to go out and help them, Astrid was one of them but Stoick forbid it. Those who wanted to fight didn't see the dragon so they wouldn't have known what they were fighting up against until it was too late.
Astrid on the other hand saw the dragon and still wanted to fight it knowing that she would probably die during the fight. Everyone that was in the hall could hear the whole fight from inside, they could hear explosions, roaring, buildings being destroyed, etc.
But after a couple of hours passed the sounds have faded until it was silent. Stoick waited a couple of seconds before heading on out to see what has happened. Once outside he was met with the sight of his village mostly in ruins. He was use to it when the other dragons raided them but this was on a whole new level. Luckily some housing was still around.
He looked over the village looking for the three and the dragon and when he saw the top of the dragons spines not moving he knew that something has happened. He went back into the hall and ordered "Anyone that can fight follow me"
Those who weren't hurt which included Astrid, Fishlegs and the twins along with some other vikings followed Stoick out of the hall making their way where Stoick saw the dragon. Astrid wouldn't admit it but she feard the worst when she didn't hear anything.
Upon reaching the sight of where they were everyone stopped dead in their tracks when they saw that the dragon was still breathing and the three were still somewhat standing. But everyone can see that they were hurt and exhausted. From the looks of it Draco and Geralt took most of the blows since they have more damage to them then Ciri.
"It seems like you've run out" too everoyne's surprise the dragon began to laugh "Hi lorot you've won, this is just the beginning"
Odahviing let out one more fire breath shout making Draco and the others back up making him room too get up and take too the skies. Draco, Ciri, and Geralt all look up while Odahviing looked down "I may have lost this time but I'll be back and not alone"
Done talking Odahviing takes off back in the direction of Skyim. Once no one could see him anymore the three fell too the floor on their knees or on their butts. The vikings on the other hand ran over to the three and began to bombard them with questions.
"What was that?" "Was that dragon talking?" "Why was it here?" so on. Stoick came pushing through the crowd and began to speak "That's enough, now…" Draco cuts him off.
"Stoick, don't worry about it, I will answer your questions some other time but right now, I think my friends and I should return to camp too rest and I think you people should hurry up and begin repairs at least enough to be able to sleep in before the sun fully goes down"
The sun was still high but not as high to say that it would be lunch time, it seems to be nearing dusk. Stoick looked at the three as they got back up and slowly made their way back to their camp leaving the vikings with tons of questions, mostly about the dragon.
"He's right, everyone, we should begin repairs immediately before the sunsets" everyone did as told and took off to quickly begin repairing what they could while some went back to the hall to get some help from those that can still stand.
Astrid on the other hand stood there watching as the three disappeared around a fallen house feeling releaved. Stoick noticed this "Hey lass, have you talk to him yet?" she shakes her head.
"No sir, it wasn't the right time but sir, I do have a question?" she says changing the subject.
"What is it?"
"Earlier, do you think the Night Fury has returned?"
"It seems like, that means we're going to need to hurry with these repairs and set out for the nest soon before this turns for the worse"
"Why do you think it disappeared for so long and now decided to show up?"
"Don't know but whatever reason that is, it can't be a good one" Stoick sighs.
Astrid was thinking of saying something else but instead she stayed quiet and left the chiefs side to go help out with where ever she's needed. Gobber on the other hand walks up next to his friend "Do ya' think we need ta begin to worry about the dragon that was jus' 'ear?"
"I would say so, if I heard it right, which I wish I didn't, but it said that it'll be back and not alone, and if that's the case then we're going to be in some deep trouble, just one dragon did this much damage I couldn't imagine more of them"
"Ya' know, I think we're goin' to need to make some change around 'ere" Stoick doesn't like the idea but if changing means saving his village and people then he'll just have to swallow his pride and do it.
"I guess you're right but for now let's get these repairs before night fall" the two friends go off to help out with any repairs that they can help with.
(Back at camp)
It didn't take long for Geralt, Draco, and Ciri reached the small home that surprisingly survived the storm. But when they entered the house they were met with a angry Triss. No one said anything until they were all sitting down on the ground to rest their wounds.
That's when Triss spoke "You guys are idiots, you guys are lucky that you're not dead"
"Calm down Trissy, we're fine see" Ciri says trying to seem ok but when she tried to make herself look ok she let out a small grunt.
"Yea, you all are 'fine' you're lucky that I'm here" Triss goes over to Ciri and begins too heal her with her magic.
Triss did this until all three of them were all good as new. After she was done with healing she stood up and stood in the middle of the room "Will one of you tell me what the hell that was that was attacking the village?"
"It was a talking dragon" Ciri says making it sound like a joke.
"No, seriously"
"She's telling the truth, it was a dragon named Odahviing and he's one of the few dragons back in Skyrim that can speak" Draco explains.
"Are you serious, just one dragon did this much damage, what happened too it?"
"It got away" Geralt says calmly.
"But not without some injuries of it's own" Ciri adds.
Triss places a hand on her face shaking her head "You know what, it's been a long day and I'm tired from using so much of my magic, I'm going to go too sleep, you three can do whatever you want" the three watches as Triss goes over to one of the corners of the house laying down on some pillows and blankets… wait what?
"When did she get those?" Draco questions.
"She must have brought them or she used a portal to get them from her room, one of the two" Geralt says not sure himself.
"Lucky her but I do agree with being tired, we've had a rough day and I think we should…" he looked over to see that Ciri has already passed out leaving just Geralt and Draco the only ones up.
"I think I'm going to get some shut eye as well" Geralt just nods his head letting Draco close his eyes. After a while Geralt eventually fell asleep leaning up against the wall that he was resting up against.
For the village those who were able to do repairs continued to repair until night fell. Some house were fully repaird, at least the outside since they weren't that damage but for those that weren't repaired those who lived in them went to go stay in the guest house that luckily survived. They're lucky that they kept it a good distance away from the rest of the village.
Eventually the village and its people fell silent everyone falling asleep after a long day even though tomorrow will just be as long since they have to send those who did not survive off to Vahalla. Today was just the beginning of a long process of change and most will not like it once Stoick announces it tomorrow.