Viggo spent the next week continuing to recover. Thanks to Valka's excellent healing skills, and also the water he was drinking every day. Apparently, it was meltwater from the nest itself and Valka knew that it strengthened and helped speed up healing for dragons, and it appeared to do the same for humans. He was quickly returning to a healthy state, his skin no longer ached with every brush against his clothing, and his back gave him no more pain from his arrow wounds, the only injury that hadn't changed was his left eye. He could get some sense of light and darkness, but that was it.
Valka had told him that while she knew of healers that could heal blindness caused by lightning, she didn't have that knowledge herself, and much like Gruff the hobblegrunt, he would have to adapt to his new situation.
Which he was doing, slowly. It took him a while to work out depth perception again although if he tried, he doubted that he'd ever be able to shoot a bow accurately again, but he hardly felt at a loss for that. He was surviving just fine so far without his eye.
Thunderstorm was of course a great help. He seemed to understand that Viggo preferred when he approached from his right side, but once they were together, he always walked on Viggo's left, protectively watching his blindside, and Viggo always felt just a bit safer knowing he was there. Not that he ever felt like he was in danger from any of the other dragons, but there had been times when curious dragons had approached him on the wrong side and he had no warning before an inquisitive snout was pressed against his face.
Valka had by now shown Viggo all the different areas of the nest and he was allowed to come and go as he pleased through the icy caverns, although he was still mostly reliant on her and Cloudjumper for aerial transport around the nest since Thunderstorm still hadn't allowed him to ride on his back, but that was a goal Viggo had been working steadily towards.
It was early morning in the nest, and Viggo had a good feeling about today, he'd been using many of the training techniques he had witnessed Hiccup using, as well as tips from Valka to strengthen his bond with Thunderstorm. Like always Viggo began by extending his hand and closed his eyes until Thunderstorm walked over and placed his snout beneath his palm. Viggo then gave him a fish as a reward and spent some time scratching his back, which soon had Thunderstorm's tail whipping back and forth in happiness.
"Good job Thunderstorm," Viggo said to him, he then walked in front of him and placed his hand on his snout once more. "What do you say we get some fresh air? Hmm? We've both been cooped up in here for weeks."
To Viggo's surprise and delight, Thunderstorm nodded his head and then sunk low to the ground.
"Go on Viggo. He's ready, and so are you." Valka whispered from where she was watching nearby beside Cloudjumper.
Viggo nodded and climbed onto Thunderstorm's back and sat down so his legs were resting against the sides of his neck, there was just enough room for him to sit in front of the large spikes that ran down his spine. Although there wasn't that much room in front of his legs before the crown of spikes on his head poked up. He'd have to be careful he didn't accidentally poke himself.
Thunderstorm stood up, and Viggo lightly grabbed onto two of Thunderstorm's horns to help him keep his balance, and thankfully Thunderstorm didn't seem to mind, but Viggo could feel in his hands, the horns felt as sharp as spear tips, he wasn't that confident in how well this would work.
"You alright Viggo?" Valka asked with a chuckle, "You look like a newly hatched dragon right now, the look on your face."
"This is already something I never thought I would do." Viggo admitted, "Although I do have some concerns. Hopefully, I'll be alright for today, but I think I'll have to make a saddle at some point."
"A saddle? What for?" Valka asked. "You know you're on a dragon, not a horse."
"Hiccup and the Dragon Riders all use saddles. I'm sure it makes it more comfortable for them to fly and easier to stay on the dragons."
"Oh really?" Valka asked as she climbed onto Cloudjumper's back and stood tall like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Yes, I suppose even they aren't quite as naturally skilled as you are in flight." Viggo laughed. "I'm sure you could certainly teach them a thing or two."
"Well, we'll have to see what we can do, but we can at least do a test flight today, especially since now that you're on his back, Thunderstorm looks like he's raring to go out."
Indeed it was true, after they both adjusted to the feel of each other, Thunderstorm had been pacing restlessly from foot to foot, glancing back at Viggo again and again, but not rushing him.
"Well, I don't want to keep you waiting." Viggo reached out to pat Thunderstorm on the top of his head. "Lead the way."
"Let's go Cloudjumper," Valka said and Cloudjumper leaped from the cliff edge they were standing on and into the open air in the middle of the nest.
With one more glance at Viggo, Thunderstorm roared like thunder and followed Cloudjumper into the open air.
Cloudjumper led them through the main inner cavern and then turned into a darkened tunnel that was still plenty big enough for the dragons to fly through without any worries. There were several twists and turns to the tunnel, but Thunderstorm was flying just as confidently as Cloudjumper, although as Viggo held into his horns, and squeezed his legs to the sides of his neck to hang on, he could only think that a saddle was definitely needed, and also gloves of some kind, he could feel his hands being scratched up already.
But just as quickly, the dragons made one more turn and bright white light started glowing in front of them until they burst out into the sunlight.
Viggo had to squint for a moment for his eye to adjust and the first thing he noticed was the frozen ocean that seemed to stretch out as far as he could see in front of him. He couldn't imagine any ships moving through that, not even his gronkle iron ships would possibly make a dent in ice so thick.
And then the dragons turned to the side, and Viggo gasped in awe at what was behind them.
The outside of the nest was even more impressive than the interior. Forget being a glacier, this was a fortress of imposing teal ice spikes that seemed to rise even higher than it looked from the inside, Viggo could remember his attempt to construct a dragon-proof fortress out of marble, this made his construction look like a set of children's blocks. From what Valka had told him, Drago, and possibly Johann and Krogan had plans to attack this place, and even though he knew the Alpha wasn't home, what could possibly hope to take down this place? Not even all of Krogan's singetails combined would be able to make a dent in it, much less when you considered the thousands of dragons inside that would surely defend their home tooth and claw.
"Viggo! How are you doing?" Valka shouted, she ordered both dragons to pause and hover in place for a moment.
Viggo smiled widely. "Valka, the nest, it's even more amazing than I thought! I really want to meet the Alpha when he returns."
"I'm sure you will. But how's flying so far?"
"Well, I haven't fallen off yet, so I'll take that as a positive, although no offense to Thunderstorm, I think some adjustments will have to be made in the future. But I'm ready for more!" He reached out to pat the side of Thunderstorm's neck. "I'm ready to see what Thunderstorm can do."
"Then follow us! I wouldn't mind seeing a skrill in action as well. Cloudjumper!" Valka ordered and they flew off, out over the frozen sea.
"Come on Thunderstorm, follow them," Viggo ordered, and Thunderstorm took off with a roar, quickly catching up to Cloudjumper and then easily keeping pace with him as they flew on over the ice and sea stacks. The whole time Viggo was genuinely smiling, smiling like he hadn't since he didn't even know when.
So few things had ever given him such a pure rush of feelings, from the adrenaline pumping through his blood to happiness and trust in Thunderstorm, who seemed to be enjoying their flight just as much as Viggo was.
All his previous experience at riding dragons, he'd always been so distracted by his schemes or his missions that he'd never truly taken the chance to enjoy flying through the sky. He had ridden Toothless, Stormfly, Krogan's singetail, and the monstrous nightmare that he escaped the cave-in with, but as Cloudjumper and Thunderstorm continued to fly and seemed to find their stride as they flew faster and faster, and Viggo was pretty sure, both were trying to show off for each other with their acrobatic twists, turns, and tricks.
Valka was obviously in her element atop Cloudjumper's back, similar to how he had watched Hiccup and Toothless fly, Valka and her dragon were perfectly in sync. Valka seemed to know when she could stand tall, and when she needed to hold on tighter so that she seemingly had no fear of falling, and perhaps complete trust in her dragon. Even when Cloudjumper made a large loop in the sky where he went completely upside down for a moment, Valka was still laughing with joy.
Thunderstorm was in an equally playful mood, and thankfully he seemed to understand Viggo's lack of experience meant he needed to be a bit more careful, but that didn't stop him from making quick turns and dives as he swooped playfully around Cloudjumper, showing off his lightning-quick speed.
And even though Viggo was caught between holding on for dear life and wincing at the new pain in his hands, when he checked them for a moment, his palms and fingers were scraped and bleeding as if he'd fallen on gravel, but between the cold air, and his heartbeat pounding in excitement, he could barely feel the sting anymore.
Valka eventually led them to a nearby island with a large cliffside. The strong winds blowing against the cliff created such a strong updraft that the dragons were able to spread their wings and simply glide in place over the air current. Viggo could even feel his body being pushed slightly up from Thunderstorm's neck, but by holding onto his horns he was able to stay connected to him.
Valka surprised him even more when she fearlessly walked across the surface of Cloudjumper's wing, which was apparently strong and stable thanks to the wind, and then she stepped across Thunderstorm's wing and stood on his back behind Viggo.
"Call me impressed, you won't catch me doing that anytime soon."
"I don't expect you to, but I can see it in your eyes, this truly is your first flight, isn't it?" Valka asked smiling widely as he felt like he was.
"That it is, certainly the first one I've genuinely enjoyed." Viggo admitted, "All my previous flights were complicated by their circumstances to say the least. And never on a dragon I could trust, or that trusted me."
"Ahh, when I'm up here, I don't even feel the cold, I just feel free," Valka said with joy. "And Cloudjumper's definitely happy to have someone new to show off to." Valka laughed.
"I'd loved seeing what the two of you and the two of us can do as well." Viggo smiled back at her. "Although I do admit I'm a bit curious…" Viggo said slyly.
"About what?"
"How about a little race? I've read that stormcutters are incredible flyers, but strike class dragons, such as the skrill are the fastest flyers of all dragons. How about a little wager?"
"I suppose… what do you have in mind?"
"Simple really, whoever loses has to cook for the next week," Viggo suggested, since he recovered, he had insisted on doing his part around the nest anyway he could, one task he could do was cook his and Valka's meals.
Valka smirked, "Oh really? You're an even worse cook than I am." Valka laughed, "But sure thing. Valka calmly walked to the edge of Thunderstorm's wing until she reached the wingtip and let it dip down below her.
Viggo's heart stopped for a moment before Cloudjumper silently rose up on Thunderstorm's other side, with Valka safely on his back.
"Oh, you should see your face!" Valka laughed, "But you're on Viggo, the first one to land on the beach is the winner!"
"Ready Thunderstorm? Show me just what you can do." Viggo whispered to him, and Thunderstorm growled in response.
"Alright Viggo, on three?"
"Count if off Valka." Viggo nodded his head.
"On your mark, 1, 2, 3!" Valka shouted and immediately Cloudjumper, who had been gliding on only two of his wings, extended his second set of wings and took off with enough force that Viggo could feel the wind from his wingbeats.
"Thunderstorm!" Viggo shouted and in response, Thunderstorm roared and closed his wings to dive down for several hundred feet but then used his speed to rise up once more, Viggo could feel his stomach drop, but his heart was pumping with adrenaline once more.
Both dragons were weaving around sea stacks in their way, and Cloudjumper, despite his larger size seemed to be just as agile as Thunderstorm was at navigating the narrow stone towers with ease and maintaining a healthy lead of about three hundred feet.
Viggo realized when Valka looked back at him with a glance that displayed her excitement, thrill, and confidence over her potential victory that while Thunderstorm was flying faster than before, he was still glancing up at Viggo, making sure he was still steady on his back the whole time. Viggo was touched by the gesture, but he didn't become a leader by not doing anything and everything to win.
"Thunderstorm," Viggo called out, "Show me everything you've got, I know we can do this. You're one of the most feared dragons in the archipelago, let's show them your speed."
Thunderstorm roared loudly and then instead of continuing through the sea stacks, rose up, higher and higher into the sky. The whole time they had been flying, the sky had been overcast, but no signs of any storms, but now Viggo could swear he saw the clouds darkening slightly, and a strong, pungent odor surrounded him, it took him a few moments to recognize it, and in that time he could feel the hair of his arms standing straight and tall. It was then he knew, it was the smell that followed the skrill's lightning attacks.
"Thunderstorm!" Viggo shouted in warning, but the dragon either didn't hear him or ignored him.
Viggo felt a few sparks zap his hands as small flashes of light raced across Thunderstorm's scales. "Ow! Thunderstorm! Slow down!" Viggo tried again, but it was all for naught.
Thunderstorm had just overtaken Cloudjumper who was still flying quickly at a lower altitude, while more and more sparks raced across Thunderstorm's body, each one also running through Viggo.
Thunderstorm roared loudly and began a steep dive towards the quickly approaching beach, but as he did so, the lighting sparking across his body flashed even brighter and stronger, and suddenly Viggo felt a burst of pain and then nothing.
Valka was carefully tracking Viggo's flight during the race, as he overtook her and Cloudjumper she felt proud that he was doing so well, and he obviously trusted Thunderstorm. As she and Cloudjumper approached the island, she was ready to admit defeat, expecting Viggo to already be on the beach, but he wasn't there and when she looked to the sky, she quickly realized why.
Viggo had fallen off high above her, and he was quickly approaching the ground, while Thunderstorm was desperately diving down trying to reach him, lighting sparking across his body.
"Cloudjumper! Go!" Valka ordered and she knew he saw what she was seeing he put on another burst of speed, flapping all four wings as fast as he could go, his head constantly turning to track Viggo's limp form, but before they could reach him, with only about hundred feet between Viggo in the ground, Thunderstorm reached Viggo and harshly grabbed him in his talons, and after roaring loudly, opened his wings as wide as they could go, turning his vertical dive into a very steep dive, still flying almost faster than Valka could track, until he managed to slow down enough to circle around and back to Valka.
Valka and Cloudjumper landed on the beach and Valka waved and shouted to get Thunderstorm's attention. "Bring him here!"
Thunderstorm, with panic filling his yellow eyes gently lowered Viggo's limp body down onto the sand of the beach and then settled down beside him as Valka rushed over, and grabbed his wrist to check for a pulse.
Thankfully she found it quickly, and it was still strong. Valka gave him a visual inspection, he was unconscious, but didn't appear to have any physical injuries as far as she could see, but she recognized the burnt smell from when Thunderstorm and Viggo both arrived and she put two and two together. "Oh Thunderstorm…" she said softly.
Thunderstorm understood her meaning and lowered his head to the ground in shame.
Valka thought for a moment, the best thing she could do was just do everything she had done for him before, her mind was already running through the list of herbs she used when Viggo suddenly convulsed and woke up with a harsh cough.
"Ugh, what happened?" Viggo reached for his head like he had a headache.
"Viggo? Thank Thor! How much do you remember?"
"I uh, Valka, I remember we were racing…but then nothing."
"I'm pretty sure that when Thunderstorm flew at his top speed during the race, he was using the power of his lightning to fly faster, and he shocked you on accident, you fell off, but Thunderstorm caught you. And now here we are."
"Thunderstorm?" Viggo sat up with some assistance and noticed his dragon's crestfallen face. "Thunderstorm, come here." Viggo extended his palm and Thunderstorm slowly stepped closer and pressed his snout against Viggo's palm.
"It's alright Thunderstorm, don't blame yourself. The race was my idea, I just wanted to see what you could do. I should have realized your powers make you the dragon who you are. This wasn't your fault, and this had to happen at some point. Thank you for saving my life, once again."
Thunderstorm growled, and after giving Viggo a cursory sniff to make sure he was alright, still looked somber, but wasn't as upset as before.
"Viggo, are you feeling alright?"
"Well, I'm not as dead feeling as I was the last time I was struck by lightning." Viggo attempted to joke, "but that's another problem we'll have to add to the list."
"Alright, well, we should get you back inside, and I can check you over for anything. Do you feel more burns or anything?"
"No, actually, just a slight headache," Viggo answered.
"OK, do you want to ride Cloudjumper?"
"No, Thunderstorm is my partner, and I still trust him. I trust you." He said to his dragon and slowly stood himself up and climbed on top of the skrill's neck once more. "But I won't complain about getting back inside."
"Yes, it appears you've had enough-" Valka trailed off when both Cloudjumper and Thunderstorm suddenly turned their heads sharply and looked out at the frozen sea. Valka seemed to be studying Cloudjumper closely for a moment and then she silently stared out as well.
Viggo glanced over in confusion, but he couldn't see anything happening, but then he heard it, several large crackling sounds, like something was shifting the ice beneath the frozen white surface.
"Valka, what is it? What's happening?"
Cloudjumper roared loudly and proudly, twisting his head to shoot a stream of fire up into the sky for a moment. Viggo was surprised and when he returned his gaze to Valka's, she was wearing the brightest smile he had yet seen from her.
"Viggo, you're in for a real treat if you feel up to it. The Alpha has returned."
"He has? How can you be certain?"
"Cloudjumper knows, now come on." Valka climbed atop Cloudjumper's back once more "Let's get inside so we can welcome him home."
"Of course, after you. Let's go Thunderstorm."
Thunderstorm roared in response and both dragons lifted off into the air and Cloudjumper once more led the way back inside the nest through the icy tunnels.
When they made it back inside to the main atrium of the nest, Viggo was even more shocked, it truly seemed like every single dragon in the nest was flying around in excitement, all of them flying towards the center, although they all made their way for Cloudjumper to pass through them, and Thunderstorm was thankfully still able to follow in his wake. Although all the dragons were pretty much flying wingtip to wingtip, there were several times Viggo narrowly avoided being scratched on his face by a stray claw or wing.
He could feel the energy of the beast like a physical force, every dragon knew what was happening, and Viggo could feel his own pulse pumping quickly in excitement as well, his previous injuries and aches forgotten, he felt like he had to witness this event, now that he was here, it was too important to miss.
Cloudjumper finally landed on a cliffside near the center of the nest, which stood above one of the largest pools, and countless other dragons were all landing around the area as well.
Thunderstorm came to a stop and after Viggo dismounted and walked over to stand by Valka's side, Thunderstorm still stayed right behind Viggo, on his left side, glancing over at Cloudjumper as they waited.
"He should be here any moment now," Valka said.
"So I take it he's a Tidal Class dragon?" Viggo asked.
"Yes, all these pools lead directly out to sea so he can come and go without damaging the nest." Valka answered, "But a word of advice, don't be afraid Viggo, and show your respect, just as you would to any human leader. This is your moment, if he says you must go, you will be going."
"Understood," Viggo nodded, doing his best to hide his nerves. How could he possibly earn the respect of a king of dragons?
Then from the pool, large bubbles started to rise and burst on the surface, and all the dragons quieted. It was the most silence Viggo had experienced since he had arrived at the nest, the only sounds were of the constantly flowing waterfalls, and the bubbles breaking the water's surface down below.
And then from beneath the water, two large white spears jutted up, up and up, followed by a massive spiky head emerging from the water, sending up tidal waves all around it. And more just kept coming up. Viggo had thought the shellfire was the largest, most powerful dragon he could find, but this creature dwarfed even it.
The Alpha was standing up out of the water on what appeared to be its hind legs, showing its underside to Viggo, and while he was frozen in twenty different forms of awe and surprise, Viggo rapidly tried to take as much of it in as possible.
The Alpha was mostly white as snow, with hundreds of black-tipped spikes along its back and neck. The spikes on its neck almost appeared like a mane or perhaps a crown ringing his head and protecting the vulnerable area. Its front legs seemed relatively small for its size, which of course meant they were still huge, it had no webbing between its claws like many tidal class dragons but appeared to have fins extending from its arms. Its belly appeared to not be as armored as its back was, although Viggo was certain its scales were more than durable enough to protect it even without the forest of spikes on its back. Viggo noticed that on its neck, he could see hints of blue that matched the color of the ice that made up the nest, likely the location of its ice organ.
The Alpha spread its wings, and Viggo assumed based on their shape and size, the Alpha couldn't fly, but its wings were more likely designed for swimming. But he lost all train of thought when the Alpha lowered its head and Viggo took in its face. The most prominent features were the two massive tusks that jutted forward from the front of its face. Viggo was surprised at the relative smallness of its teeth, making its mouth almost look fishlike, although, with tusks like that, this dragon wouldn't bite in a fight. But what shocked Viggo the most were its eyes, the exact same shade of teal blue as the ice that surrounded him, but the moment he even caught a glimpse of its eyes as it roared, Viggo felt lost in them. In that one moment, Viggo could feel his intelligence, his heart, his strength, his power.
While Viggo stood frozen, the Alpha roared loud enough that it echoed throughout the entire nest for nearly a minute, and then every dragon bowed its head and wings to the ground, even Cloudjumper and Thunderstorm. Valka did as well, kneeling low and spreading her arms wide behind her, Viggo managed to break himself out of his stupor and tried to quickly copy her pose as best as he could.
The Alpha dropped back onto its forelegs, creating a large tidal wave in the water and all the dragons looked up silently still. The Alpha stood there for a moment, seeming to be taking in all of his subjects, but Viggo could pick up on a strange humming sound, that felt like it was just on the edge of his hearing.
Valka was still kneeling but no longer bowing, and Viggo once again copied her, stepped closer to her, and whispered. "What is happening?"
"He is telling everyone where he has been and what he has done with his mind. That humming sound is how he gives his orders on masse to the flock." Valka whispered to him. Her eyes kept darting between the Alpha and Cloudjumper, watching for both of their reactions.
After about two minutes, the humming sound stopped and all the dragons roared loudly for a long moment, while Cloudjumper and Thunderstorm both nudged their riders with what even Viggo could tell were smiles on their faces.
"I take it there's good news?"
"Yes, but I can't hope to understand myself." Valka admitted, "Cloudjumper, was this for an egg?"
Cloudjumper nodded his head.
"And is it safe now?"
Cloudjumper nodded once more, his eyes sparkling with something, Viggo had a sense that there was a lot more in the Alpha's report than Cloudjumper could hope to communicate with Valka.
"So is the Alpha here to stay?"
Cloudjumper once again nodded, and Valka let out a sigh of relief. "That's good, I've been so worried about Drago and now Johann and Krogan while he was away. Nothing will be able to harm us now that he's returned."
Valka stood up, straight and tall, and despite her minuscule size compared to the Alpha, he seemed to zero in on her.
He took a few giant, splashing steps closer to their cliff until his face was the only thing Viggo could hope to see in front of him.
"Alpha, I am so glad you have returned, this is an important day indeed, and Cloudjumper and I have much to tell you about. I fear we are facing graver threats than ever before, but I also have good news." Respect dripped off every word Valka spoke, and was just as present in how she held herself. She truly was treating the Alpha like royalty.
Valka stepped back to grab Viggo's arm and pull him with her closer to the cliff edge. "This is Viggo Grimborn, formerly one of the leaders of the Dragon Hunters, but he says he has changed his ways. He has spent the last few weeks here healing and assisting me in my duties and preparations, I believe he is trustworthy, and so does this skrill, who has chosen him as a rider, just as Cloudjumper chose me. I believe he is a worthy ally, but I will leave the decision to you, my Alpha." Valka bowed her head solemnly.
Viggo glanced at her for a moment, feeling absolutely bewildered, and when his gaze returned to the Alpha, he froze. The Alpha's intense teal eyes were completely focused on him. Viggo thought he could hear the strange humming sound once more, and he wondered briefly if the Alpha could read his mind like the dragons.
"Great Alpha," Viggo said when he found his tongue again, pouring every ounce of respect and admiration he was feeling into his words. "Yes, I am Viggo Grimborn, and I led the Dragon Hunters which I know have been a scourge on your kind. But I was shown a different way, both by Valka and by others like her. I know I was wrong for most of my life. I have many regrets, but one thing I don't regret is learning all I have these last few weeks from Valka, Cloudjumper, and from Thunderstorm. They have already taught me so much. Whatever you decide I will accept, and I promise no matter what, I will never harm another dragon again. I swear it to you, Alpha." Viggo bowed his head similar to Valka and waited for him to pass judgment, prepared to be crushed by a tusk or frozen solid at any moment.
What he didn't expect though, was the feeling of a light wave of cold air passing over him. It was enough to give him goosebumps and make him shiver, and it felt like his hair, beard, and eyebrows were suddenly frost-tipped, but he wasn't frozen.
He glanced up at the Alpha, Viggo couldn't read its expression, but it didn't seem angry at the least.
Valka chuckled beside him. "He likes you. He just accepted you into the nest Viggo, you and Thunderstorm are now both a part of our flock. And he is now your Alpha."
"Thank you, great Alpha, Thunderstorm and I will serve at your pleasure in any way we can."
The Alpha blinked his eyes at him, and despite the chill on his face, Viggo felt a warmth flow from his chest, far more than just relief that he hadn't been turned into an ice sculpture, but that whatever the Alpha's abilities were, he knew he had just seen everything within Viggo and despite his past misdeeds, accepted him into his flock anyway.
The Alpha turned his attention back to Cloudjumper and Valka and together they began giving a report about what the Alpha had missed when he'd been away, including both things going on within the nest between different dragons, from what Viggo could tell from Valka's words at least, but also much of the information about the threats from Johann, Krogan, and Drago. Although Viggo noticed that she refused to mention anything about Hiccup. While Cloudjumper added his own commentary that Viggo couldn't even pretend to understand.
Viggo took a few steps back and laid a hand comfortingly on Thunderstorm's side. "Well Thunderstorm, it looks like we passed the test."
Thunderstorm rumbled low in response, showing Viggo the ever more familiar dragon smile of his.
"Let's do our Alpha proud."