(Chapter Twenty-Four)

(Middas 15th) (With Galaxy)

Like most morning Galaxy was the first one up before anyone at camp but not long after waking up he began to hear commotion in the small structure. He could probably take a guess and think that it's probably Raven, or Hana. He's honestly surprised too see that she decided to show herself but he won't mention anything to the rest, yet.

He carefully walks around the corner of the structure so he could get a good look at the front door waiting to see who would be awake. When the door opened he wasn't surprised to see that it was Raven dragging (not really) Draco and Sal outside. She was all excited about something.

"Come on guys, its been too long since we've last bathed in a hot springs together" Raven wined. Sal and Draco (mostly Draco) sighed before speaking.

"I know I said we would go to the springs today but I didn't think it would be so early in the morning" Raven put her hands on her hips.

"We used to go to the springs at times like this all the time back in Skyrim, so what's the difference?"

The two men didn't know what to say. Draco looks over to Galaxy and asks "Do you want to come with us?" the dragon looks at the others waiting to see if they had anything to say but when they said nothing he nodded.

Draco turns to look at Raven "Ok, fine, lets go" Raven couldn't help but smile taking the lead with the two following behind them.

Galaxy on the other hand had to use he dragon made ramp that he carved out of the stane wall so he would be able to make it out of the cove anytime he wanted but carving it wasn't easy. It took him a couple of days to carve it but it came out nice in the end.

Galaxy would've thought that Draco would've asked the dragon how that ramp got there but this is Draco that he's talking about. He doesn't really let little things like that get to him.

The dragon slowly made his way up the ramp. Upon reaching the top he heads in the direction where the three humans were climbing up but when he looked he saw that they've already made it to the top and was already making their way to the springs.

"Hold on, where's Hana?" Galaxy wondered looking back down at the house. He didn't see her come out with the others so maybe she isnt awake.

He shouldn't really think too much on it but something about her makes his scales crawl. He knows why but he can't tell anyone about it since it would bring up some trouble. He shook his head ignoring his thoughts and returns to following the three humans to the springs.

But before he disappers into the woods he takes one more look at the house. This time he saw Hana standing at the door watching as they walk away. He couldn't help but think that she might cause some trouble while they're gone.

(With the gang)

This is the first time in a long while that Astrid and her friends have all been up this early, it's probably because of the voyage to the nest tomorrow that got them all nervous. The gang sat in the hall talking amongst each other about what could happen once they get to the nest.

"Do you think Stoick has a plan to deal with the nest?" Ruffnut questions.

"I would assume that he does, he wouldn't send his people on a suicide mission without a plan, would he?" Fishlegs began to panic.

"Calm down Fishlegs, our chief always has a plan" Astrid reassures Fishlegs.

"You sure about that, ever since that outsider came Stoick seems a bit off, if you know what I mean" Snotlout was blaming Draco.

"You're just mad that he kicked your butt" says Ruffnut.

"Like I said before he just got lucky, next time I'm sure I'll win"

Tuffnut and Ruffnut just snickers "The day you can beat him would be the day we call you chief"

Upon hearing this Snotlout just smiled thinking of all the things he could do if he became chief and the others can see that's what he's clearly thinking about. They ignored him and went back to their conversation.

"Do you think we could take the nest?" Fishlegs asks getting back on the subject at hand.

"With all of the available people that are going on this trip including Draco and his friends I think we have a chance to take it down" Astrid hopes.

"We don't need them, all you need is the Snot-man" Snotlout already came out of his fantasy world and began to boast which everyone ignored. Snotlout saw this and let out a huff standing up from where he was sitting.

He walks out of the hall saying not a word to the others. The others didn't care since lately he's gained a bigger head somehow even after losing terribly.

"As I was about to say, since they're coming along I've been wondering something, what do you think they plan to do? You know that they won't follow any plan that Stoick would make up" Fishlegs brought up a good question.

Astrid was going to speak but Gobbers voice cut her off "I don't think that's all true" Gobber takes a seat next to Astrid.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because… hmmmm, because the lad knows wha' 'e's doin'" that was vague.

"That makes no sense Gobber"

"Maybe to ya young ones but it's true, that lad will follow a little bit of the rules, or plan but not all, 'e's never been to the nest so 'e wouldn't know what to expect like the rest, but 'e's one to think fast when 'e sees the situation" Gobber explains taking a swig of his mead.

"So, you saying that he'll do something different then the plan the chief's?" Tuffnut asks clearly confused. Gobber rolled his eyes.

"Yes Tuffnut, that's what Gobber's saying"

"Thank ya Astrid" she nods her head with a smile.

"Well, if he plans to do something different then what do you think he would do?" Ruffnut asks.

Gobber was about to say something but a unfamiliar voice spoke up "Kon'nichiwa" everyone sitting at the table quickly turned to see that it was that girl Hana that was with the other two that came off the ship.

"Um… do you know what she's saying Fishlegs?" Astrid whispers rubbing her neck again.

"Sorry, no I don't but it sounds familiar" he whispers back.

Hana stood there looking at everyone at the table waiting to see what they'll say. She could tell that they were looking over her and they weren't the only ones staring. She could feel all eyes on her. At least the ones that were in the hall.

"Sorry miss, we don' know what ya sayin'" Gobber apologizes. She looks down at Gobber with a small smile.

Gobber couldn't help but feel uneasy about her smile 'What's up with this lass?' he wonders not wanting to say that out loud. But what Gobber didn't know was that she was thinking of something of her own.

'If only' she thought still smiling.

"Gobber, I need you too…" Stoicks voice fades as he notices that Hana was standing right next to him. He didn't notice her.

She looks up at him and smiles but doesn't say anything instead she turns around and walks off heading for the hall doors and leaving the hall. Everyone in the hall couldn't help but watch as she walked out.

"Well, that was weird" Ruffnut comments.

"You could say that again"

"I will, that was weird"

"Gobber, what was that about?" Stoick asks the old blacksmith.

He shurgs his shoulders "I don't know but she's given me some bad feels" it's hard for him to explain what it is but it's not a good feeling. It feels like something is warning him.

"I get what Gobber's saying, something about her throws me off as if she's not who we think she is"

"We don't know anything about her" Ruffnut adds.

"Not personally Ruff, just how she's acting, I feel like that she isnt really like that" Astrid explains the best she could.

"I understand what you mean, the way she was looking at us, her eyes didn't hold the same kindness that she was selling us, at least I think, sense we can't understand her we can't judge her character too much"

"Lads got a point, we know nothing about any of them but I get what you mean as well, enough of that though, Gobber I need you to go to the forge and begin repairing any weapons or anything we'll use during the fight" Stoick says. Gobbers nods following Stoick out of the hall.

"Hey guys, do you think something;s off about those two?" Astrid asks.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean ever since Johann left they've been acting strange"

"They seem fine to me"

"That's because you haven't been paying attention"

"Astrid, I think you're just over thinking this, think about it, the dragon attacks have been getting worse, new people are showing up out of the blue, etc" Fishlegs tries to explain.

"That may be true but something just still seems off"

"Come on now Astrid, you just want to talk about Draco" Ruffnut teases.

Astrid cheeks go red "No I don't!" she snaps. Ruffnut couldn't help but laugh at her friends embarresment.

"Your reaction says otherwise"

"Ruffnut, if you don't shut up I'll…" Astrid quickly goes silent when she heard the doors open along with some familiar voices.

"See, told you it was fun" it was that girl Raven.

"Calm down" Draco says trying to get Raven to calm herself.

"Come on Raven, calm down a little, we know you're excited but don't over do it" Sal enters the conversaion trying to help Draco calm her down.

Raven lets out a playful huff turning around. Draco looks over to Sal and gave him a nod mentally thanking his friend for calming her down. Sal nods back.

The trio take a look around the room seeing who was all in there. Draco's eyes landed on Astrids table. Astrid and her friends were staring back at them. Draco, Raven and Sal walked over to their table.

"What are you guys doing here so early?" Fishlegs asks the trio.

"We're here to grab something to eat"

"Also showing us around" Raven adds.

The trio takes a seat at the end of the table but still near Astrid and her friends. Astrid turns away just a little to hide her blushing cheeks. Draco looks at Astrid for a quick second but then turns away.

"So, Draco, you going to introduce us to your friends?" Ruffnut asks.

"We can do it ourselves" Raven snaps.

Raven always had a bad temper when it came to vikings especially after what happened. Draco and Sal have been telling her to just forget it but she's too stubburn to do that.

Draco was going to say something but Raven spoke again "Name's Raven Blue, strange name I know"

They look at Sal "Name's Sal, I won't say my last name since it's difficult to pronounce"

"Well, it's nice to meet the two of you" Fishlegs says being as nice as possible.

"Back at you" Sal smiles.

The table fell silent for a second before Raven up "Well, this is weird" she wasn't wrong. When silence fall over anything or anyone it gets weird.

"Yea, um… Draco, where are your other friends?" Fishlegs asks trying to start up a conversation.

"Not sure, but they should…" Draco was cut off by Ciri's voice.

"You talking about us?" everyone at the table turned their heads too look at Ciri, Triss, and Geralt.

"Were you guys that close behind us?" Draco asks.

"No, we were in town for a little bit gathering supplies but then we saw you enter the hall so we followed" Triss answers. The trio stood at the end of the table where Draco, Raven and Sal sat at.

"What supplies did you gather?"

"A few supplies for the raid on the nest" that's when Raven realized something.

"That just made me think of an idea, we should have a sparring match, just as a warm up" that wasn't a bad idea.

Draco looks at the others. When none of them objected Draco stood up, Raven and Sal quickly standing up right after him "Hell yea!" Raven exclaims. Draco and his friends began to leave the hall but not without followers. Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs were right behind them.

Draco wasn't going to say anything to them since this is common for this too happen. Once out of the hall Draco came to a stop when he bumped into someone. Looking to see who it was, it was Hiccup.

"S-Sorry Draco, I didn't mean too…"

"Don't worry about it, come on, you're coming with us" Hiccup looked confused but did as Draco said and followed them.

Draco and friends went on their way to the arena but on their way there people would gather and follow them. The chief and Gobber were the first since they're always interested in seeing what they do in the arena, at least sometimes.

Next were just some of the other vikings along with Astrid's other friends. They were bombarding her with questions with what was going on and the only thing she told them was that she was going to see Draco and his friends spar.

"Are you sure it's ok for them to watch us spar?" Raven whispers to Draco.

"Yes, we're not going to go all out this time" he whispers back.

"Oh, ok"

"What about your blade then?" this time it was Sal that whispered.

"I'll use the one that i asked Geralt to bring back from his vineyard"

"Oh, that one, I guess we shouldn't use our own weapons either?" Raven asks.

"No, you can use them if you want"

Raven just smiles. Draco wouldn't want to use the weapons that the berkians have since they wouldn't last that long in one of their sparring matches.

"Great, because from the look of their weapons they wouldn't survive a long spar"

"What wouldn't last?" Gobber asks.

"Nothing, don't worry about it" Raven says. Gobber just looks at Raven wondering what they were talking about.

Draco looks back at Gobber "We're talking about your weapons, they wouldn't last long during one of our spars" he explains.

"Why ya say that? Is ya spars that good?"

"You could say that"

That made Gobber more interested in watching this along with Stoick wondering what one of their spars were like. The rest of the way to the arena was full of small talk since they couldn't think of anything to really say to Draco or his friends. The ones that mostly said anything to them were Astrid, Ruffnut, Fishlegs, and Hiccup plus some of the other girls but they didn't really get much out of them.

When they arrived at te arena Draco and everyone noticed that Hana was waiting there for them. At least that's what it looked like since she had on some different armor on then she was wearing before.

"What is she doing?" Astrid asks from behind Draco.

"I think she's going to join in on the sparing?" Sal didn't really know but just thought that could be the case.

"What weapon does she weild?" Draco asks.

"Don't know, we didn't see her carry one"

"I guess we're going to find out during the match"

Getting to ear shot Draco speaks to Hana "Anata wa shiai no tame ni koko ni imasu?" Hana nods.

"Hai, sorede yoroshikereba" Draco nods.

All whom followed including Triss went over to the stands while those who are joining in the sparring they went into the arena. Once they were all in the arena they went on ahead and went over their weapons of choice.

Raven going with her bow, Sal going with his two handed sword, Geralt and Ciri going with their iron swords, Draco going with his iron sword, and Hana, she just stood there not even showing her weapon yet. This confused people as well not seeing Draco use his katana.

"Everyone knows of the rules but for those who don't" he looks at Hana "The rules are simple, who ever gets nicked or blood is drawn is out, or who is put into submission" Hana nods understanding the rules along with those who already know it.

"Ok, everyone have their weapon of choice?" they nod again.

Seeing that everyone is ready they split off into different parts of the arena making some distants between them. When they were in position Draco looks at everyone one more time before starting the match.

"On three we begin"

"1"

"2" everyone gets into a battle position except for Hana which was making Draco a little nervous.

"3!" everyone starts their attack.

Raven being the only one using a bow she tries to keep her distant but Ciri went for her first Sal and Geralt went after Draco but Draco was going after Hana which whom was still standing there.

As he got closer he saw that she began to move but when he saw what she was oulling out he jumped back but quickly turned around to defend himself blocking Sal's attack. He could sense that Geralt was closing in and was pushing Sal off of him to block Geralts attack but a loud snapping sound followed by a metal sound caught everyone's attention.

They all looked to see Hana wielding a razored whip and she just attacked Geralt which dodged her attack. That's when it hit Draco that she was going to be a tough one.

The match went on for about three hours or so. It was about thirty minutes before the first person to get out and that was Raven, not surprisingly. The second was Sal then Ciri. The last ones standing was Geralt, Draco, and Hana.

Everyone in the stands were mind blown to see that their spar match almost looked like it was a real battle to the death. Some of the Berkians couldn't even think of doing something like this in a sparring match without coming close to actually killing one of their own.

The remaining three stood in the middle of the arena waiting for one someone to move. Draco looks over to Geralt. Geralt did the same nodding his head aware of what Draco was thinking.

The two split up and began to surround Hana whom has been watching their every move but she knows her limits with her weapon and right now she is quickly losing her advantage.

As the two get closer she starts to jerk her head around to keep an eye on both but it's getting harder so she's going to have to do something about this soon. The first one to make a move was Geralt who charged at her. She quickly strikes back cracking the whip at him nicking his side but just seconds later she felt a blade slash her side.

She looks down to see and saw that it was Draco's blade that got her. she shrugs her shoulders aware that she's just lost. In the end Draco came on top just by a hair if it wasn't for Geralt she would've won that.

The crowd in the stands began to cheer the group of friends on. Those who were in the arena huddled up in the middle to talk a little bit.

"Ok, I think there's a few things that need to be worked on but everything else was amazing, the ones who need the most work is Hana and…" Raven cuts him off "Yea, yea, we know it's me right?" he nods.

"Yea, I get it, I'm not the strongest like the rest of you but you know I'm not good with a sword"

"We know Raven, and that's why I still want us to teach you on sword play"

"But you know how hard it is for me to learn something like that"

"Was it easy for you to learn how to use a bow?" she shook her head.

"Then learing to weild a sword is just about the same, just closer up"

"Yea but…" the crowd of people were pouring into the arena.

"That was so cool"

"How did you use a sword like that?"

"What kind of weapon is that?" the questions and comments kept building up.

One comment though caught their attention "You looked like you were really trying to kill each other" Fishlegs says. Draco and friends look at one another but it was Raven that spoke.

"We were, at least we acted like it" everyone around went quiet.

"Wait, really?" they nodded their heads.

While they continued to talk Astrid couldn't help but think about her duel with him after the raid on the nest "Will I be able to beat him?" she thought to herself.

"Hey Astrid?" Ruffnut whispers "Are you sure you still want to duel him?"

She didn't say anything "After what we just witnessed I hate to say it but I don't think you'll have a chance of winning" still didn't say anything.

"If you're having second thoughts you should go—" Astrid cuts her off.

"Ruffnut, I'm not backing down, so just shut it"

"Ok, ok, I was just trying to help" Astrid rolled her eyes.

Draco and friends along with the crowd they began to move out of the arena to get back to work. Draco and his friends begin making their way back to the hall to grab something to eat after a long match like that but Astrid stops him for a second "Draco, can I talk to you for a second?"

Draco looks at her then his friends "Go on ahead, I'll catch up later" they nodded leaving him behind.

"What is it Astrid?"

"I wanted to ask if you're still keeping your promise to duel me after the raid on the nest" he nods.

"I don't remember promising but yes, I'll still duel you after the raid" she went a little stiff.

"Ok, good, also…" she looks around to see if anyone was around before speaking again.

"Also, I was wondering if you decided what you would want if you win" he looks at her confused.

"What do you mean? I don't think we ever talked about some sort of prize"

"We didn't, it's tradition in a way"

"The only thing I want is to get out of this mess" that hurts.

"Is it really that bad?" she asks.

"Yes, I'm stuck on an island that I'm not use too, so yes it's that bad" that's what he meant…

"I was talking about… never mind, I got to go to the forge to get my axe repaired"

"I can do that for you" she looks at him.

"Really?" she aks a little bit cheerful.

"Yes, it'll give me something to do and I have to stop by there myself to do something"

"Ok" the two began making their way to the forge instead of going to the hall.

As the two walked to the forge they had little small talks about how he learned his style of fighting and how long has he been doing it etc. He gave decent answers but still hid a lot of the truth but she didn't know that.

After about a couple minutes of walking the two reach the forge. They both could see that someone was already there because the sound of someone hammering on some metal from inside the forge. Since they didn't see Hiccup or Gobber when they were leaving the arena they could only guess that it was one of them.

"Anyone in here?" Draco asks entering the forge.

"Aye, I'm 'ere" it was Gobber. A small cough could be heard "And the lad too" he adds.

"Gobber, may I use the forge for a second?" Draco asks taking Astrids axe from her hand that she was holding.

"For what?" he shows Gobber Astrids axe.

"Ah, the lass need's 'er axe repaired?"

"Yes, Draco said that he would do it for me since he had to come by anyways"

Gobber looks at Draco "What did ya need to come by fer?"

"I needed to buy some nails" Gobber gives him a confused look.

"Fer what?"

"I'm building a house at the cove in the forest" Hiccup, Gobber and Astrid all look at Draco.

"Why at there?" Astrid asks.

"It's peaceful" that's all he said before walking over to a grinder.

Gobber was going to question him about it a little more but didn't "'ow many nails do ya need?"

"A few dozen, I got the coin for it" he takes out a small pouch of coin placing it on the table next to the grinder.

Gobber takes the pounch nodding his head letting Draco know that he can use it. Draco takes a seat in front of the grinder and begins to grind the edges of the blade while Astrid leanded up against the table that he's near.

Gobber couldn't help but look at the two every now and again. He was glad to see those two finally getting along but he's noticed something off about Astrid lately, he just can't point his finger on it.

While Gobber and Hiccup worked the two would occacionally listen in on what the two were talking about every so often but most of it was just small stuff nothing too important. Hiccup felt a little jealous but wasn't going to say anything about it.

Gobber would smile whenever he would hear the lass laugh at whatever Draco would say even though when he was using the grinder he couldn't reall hear much of what he said. After an hour he was done with her axe.

Draco looks over the axe before handing it back to Astrid. She takes a couple of swings with it to see how it held. It was perfect, at least to her it was. The axe felt lighter then before but still had weight behind it and the blalde itself looked a lot sharper.

"Thank you, it's perfect" she thanks with a smile.

"You're welcome (looks at Gobber) thank you for letting me use the forge, also do you have the nails?" he asks. Gobber holds out a small wooden box of nails handing it to Draco.

Draco took the box then places it inside of his bag "You're welcome lad, now run off, your friends are waiting for ya" Draco turns to the window to see Sal and Raven along with Hana waiting outside of the forge.

The two leaves the forge to greet his friends "How long have you three been waiting out here for?" he asks. Raven holds out a piece of bread and a cup of mead.

"Not long, what were you doing in there?" Raven asks. She looks at Astrid and smiles.

"Just sharping her axe and grabbing some nails"

"Why nails?"

"It's for the house, I want to work on it a little more before tomorrow" Hana looks at him. He notices this "What?" she shrugs turning away.

He looks at her confused but says nothing. Instead her turns to Astrid "I'm heading back now, see you at the docks tomorrow" he says leaving her side while Raven, Sal, and Hana follow. Astrid didn't get to say anything before he got out of ear shot.

The four friends talked a little as they made their way back home "So where are Geralt, Ciri, and Triss?" Draco asks.

"They've already went back on home"

"They also said that they would be using the springs too" Sal adds.

"Ok, that's fine (turns to Hana) Doko de sore o tsukau koto o manabimashita ka?" he asks changing languages.

"Sore wa sūnenmaedatta, darekaga sore o shiyō suru hōhō ni tsuite watashi ni misetaga, anata ga mita yō ni watashi wa mada renshū ga hitsuyōdesu"

"Anata wa jissai ni kanari jōzu ni yatta, sore wa anata ga sore o dorehodo umaku tsukatta ka ni tsuite kowakatta" she smiles bowing a little bit taking in the complement.

"So you plan for us to work all night on the house even though we have a raid tomorrow?"

"Not all night, just a small portion of it"

"And we're not using our magic right?" he nods.

"Don't you think that'll be a little difficult?" Sal asks.

"Maybe but we don't know much about this queen, all I know is what Galaxy told me"

"Which isnt much I presume?"

"Right, he's told me that she's very big though so I would assume that'll be a littlt difficult"

"Should we really go after this thing then, it's a suicide run"

"It may be but these dragons are becoming an annoyance and causing a lot of trouble for these people and myself, since we're stuck here until Galaxy is ready to fly again"

"So, we're doing it for the people?"

"Yes and no"

"That's makes no sense"

"Don't over think it"

"Hey you two"

"What?" both Draco and Raven asks.

"We're back home" the two look to see that they some how got down into the cove without realizing it.

"Took you guys long enough" Ciri comment.

"Sorry, Draco was flirting with the blonde viking"

Draco glares at Raven whom was smiling "No I wasn't, why would I do that?" Raven shrug her shoulders leaving their side to go see Galaxy which Hana has already beaten her to.

Draco shook his head and turned to look at Geralt, Triss, and Ciri "Ok, so since we still have time I want to work on the house a little bit before tomorrow morning, will you be willing to help?"

Geralt looks at Ciri and Triss who shrugged their shoulders "Sure, we'll help" Ciri says. Geralt nods agreeing to help as well. Raven calls out "We've already agreed!"

"You didn't have to yell you know"

"Yea but I felt like it" she smiles.

"We should get to work now, the sun won't stay up all day for us to stop talking" Draco nods.

Draco and his friends began to work on the other half of the house started with the foundation. Galaxy helped out with that part since using his strength to put down some of the foundations while the others worked on the pillars and other parts of the house.

Everyone had their own part to work on. Geralt and Sal chopped down trees. Raven, Hana, and Ciri helped out with making rope. Triss did most of the cleaning of the wood but would get help from the other now and again while Draco and Galaxy would work on the foundation along with other parts of the house.

The construction took four to five hours to work on until the main hall of the house was omplete. There were more parts of the house they need to work on but that would have to wait for some other time because one by one everyone started to fall asleep throughout the whole time they were working.

First it was Ciri and Raven followed by Triss, next Sal, and lastly Draco and Geralt leaving just Hana and Galaxy. The two sat down next to the burning fire that Galaxy lit up a hour or two ago.

"Fod dreh hi mein wah tinvaak normally?" Galaxy asks. Hana shrugs her shoulders looking around the cove.

"Whenever I feel like it I guess, it's just too much fun messing with people, you know how it is"

"Hi mindok hi lost wah lingraav hinmaar ruzun lingraav hi"

"I know but I'm not doing anything wrong, at least not yet" she says with an evil smile "Besides, she won't do anything as long as I don't screw anything up"

"Zu'u tovok vir lingrah that'll laat" the dragon rolls his eyes laying his head down.

"Oh don't be like that, you know I can be a careful person"

The dragon doesn't say anything. Hana takes that as she needs to go to bed now which she doesn't really want to do but she has to act a little bit longer until the right moment. She gets up and away from the fire to head on inside the house to get some sleep leaving Galaxy to sleep outside but he didn't go to sleep for another hour or so since he felt eyes watching them and the only person that could give him this feeling would be one person.

"Fos los dreh het?"