The young hunter took a breath of fresh air. Life on the sea had always made him feel at peace. The dragon hunting ship glided through the water effortlessly, causing only the slightest of sounds from the ocean below. It was enough for him to her the gulls cry from above. He allowed himself to crack a smile before returning to his duties. Loading balistas, sharpening swords and axes, testing them, mostly anything weapon related.
It was either that or guard the few dragons down in the hold. A task that immediatley dropped his smile.
A heavy sigh passed through his lips as the thought of said beasts rippled through his mind. Why the gods would allow such dangerous monsters to roam within the world of man he did not know. What could they offer other than destruction and pain?
Nothing. That's what. Cursed demons, the lot of them.
The hunter quickly shook the thoughts from his head. The last thing he needed was to be distracted. Especially when there were dirty grappling irons needing cleaned.
Not to mention that this ship would need all hands on deck should 'they' appear.
It wasn't so long ago that the dragon hunters had come across a group of dragon riders that had threatened to stop as many of their operations as possible. So far they had succeeded on a large scale. A good 30% of ships, similar to the one he was on, had been stopped, their cargo of dragons stripped clean and freed. The process had been... irritating. Many ships had been lost because of their pestering.
Luckily he had yet to experience such an attack. He was far too young in his career for it to happen to him, yet at least. Though it didn't mean to say that just because he was new, it didn't mean that he was incompetent. His ambition to seek out and extract his version of justice from the dragons was enough for him to join the ranks of the dragon hunters. A simple job like any other in his opinion. One where he gladly accepted the risks.
Unlike most other hunters, he wasn't driven by the goal or obsession of profit or any kind of gain, but rather the satisfaction and vengeance of giving those fire breathers the punishment that they had rightly deserved. Though the reasons why, he had not mentioned. It was rather unlikely that anyone aboard this ship cared. Not that it mattered to him. The last thing he needed was to think back on painful reminders of the past.
All other thoughts of dragons and pain aside, he returned to his work, coming up upon the first grappling launcher. Carefully installing the safety pin, he removed the grappling iron from the mounted weapon and inspected it. Filthy. Of course. Was he the only one on board who cared about the state of equipment?
A huff of air rushed from his nostrils as he grabbed a rag from the side and begun wiping whatever stains could be found from the metal device. A few minutes of expecting, he nodded in satisfaction and placed the grappling iron back where it belonged.
He continued this with the next several weapons and devices littered across the ship. After half an hour, he took a short break. He was doubtful that anyone would mind. Once more did his mind return to the sea.
The salty smell filled his lungs as he allowed himself to be cast back into the past, focusing on a much more pleasant memory. Times of when he and his grandfather would go fishing together. Those were certainly the days.
Unfortunately the pleasant memory did not last long as he heard some slight commotion from behind. He turned to find that a spy of his boss, as well as the highest ranking hunter on the ship had returned from the hold and was now on the deck.
He huffed once more in irritation. This spy was surprisingly young. The same age as he was. Though how she had managed to obtain such a position in Viggos business he did not know. She seemed alright at least. Tougher than the hunters on the ship, that was for sure. Not that the hunter had any quarrel with the spy. If anything he respected her skill and bravery. It was much rather her... companion that irked him greatly.
A roar from above blocked out the shrill gull cries and a lengthy shadow passed over the ship. Her pet was never far away was it?
Looking up, he saw the twenty foot long beast blotting out the sun above him. So much for a calm relaxing mission. The hunter merely muttered something unintelligible under his breath and resumed his duties. He turned, only to find himself face to face with the spy herself.
"Miss Heather"! He exclaimed in surprise before dipping his head forwards, bowing to his superior. Had she heard him muttering at her dragon? "I apologise for my lack of professionalism! I meant no offense to you or your dragon"!
He hoped that his apology would be enough. Any hunter stupid enough to lack respect did not last long in Viggos army. He kept his head lowered not daring to look her in the eye. Mostly because he partially expected that he would find her with her personal weapon in hand, ready to strike.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spoke.
"You can stop bowing now". Her voice was surprisingly lacking of malice. "You're kind of embarrasing yourself".
The hunter rose to see the spy smiling rather than giving him a sour look.
"Of course, miss Heather. I'll return to my duties at once". He nodded, feeling the urge to keep himself from making another stupid mistake and turned back, ready to head towards the nearest net trap. Perhaps he had merely been let off with a warning. Whatever the case he felt it best not to provoke chance.
"Actually, I'd like to talk to you for a moment".
The hunter stopped. Those weren't the most encouraging words to hear. Usually uttering those words resulted in some form of punishment. Though it wasn't like he had much choice. He turned back round.
"Of course miss Heather. How can I be of service"?
"Well for starters you can stop with the whole 'miss Heather' thing". She smirked. "Secondly, I couldn't help but notice you're a little young to be a dragon hunter. Aren't you"?
The young hunter blinked. It seemed weird that she would ask such a question, considering her own age. Nonetheless he answered.
"Old enough to serve mi- um, Heather".
"I suppose... I take it you didn't decide to try something less, well, dangerous? Hunting dragons isn't exactly the easiest job in the archipelago you know".
"No, I suppose it isn't. Though it does give me purpose, being here helping stop the most dangerous creatures known to man".
The spy paused for a moment. Her eyebrow raised slightly.
"What's your name"?
"Farran".
"Farran, listen to me. I get that you feel a sense of pride doing this. But you're only going to get yourself in trouble". Farran was puzzled. She sounded as though she was trying to convince him to quit. "I'm sure that you know how risky business is considering that we have dragon riders to worry about".
Farran looked away for a moment. He gave himself a few seconds to formulate a suitable answer. Once he had done so, he faced Heather once more.
"Indeed, I am aware". Farran replied. "Though I would respectfully argue that without risk comes no reward. I house no regrets joining".
"And if you were to die in service to Viggo? Would you regret it then"? Heather challenged.
Farran couldn't help but huff in amusement. "Not as much as one might think, so long as its a fitting end". He turned to face the ocean, keeping his back to Heather. "We all die eventually. Not all of us get to choose when or how either. So if I were to die, at least it would have some form of meaning, including serving in an army that's capable of serving me justice".
Farran stopped and reflected on his words. It wasn't something he expected he'd talk about to another soul. But it would help solidify his argument.
"Bold words, I know". He continued. "But rarely are we given the things we want most in life".
"I know what you mean"... He heard, barely audible. He turned his head.
"Pardon? I didn't catch that"?
"Nothing! Forget about it"! Farran hesitantly broke his gaze with the spy. "Well you didn't seem too calm earlier when first face to face with me. For all you knew I was going to end your life right there".
Farran allowed himself to smile, even though no one could see it.
"Like I said before. As long as it's a fitting end, I don't mind how I go. Being killed by someone just because I said something foolish in front of her doesn't exactly fit inside of that category".
For a moment, there was silence. Farran tensed. His tone for the last few moments had been so casual that he had almost forgotten that he had been speaking to someone who easily outranked him. Not to mention his last couple of sentences had been laced with sarcasm! Idiot! How could he have been to stupid! Was he trying to hammer the final nail into the coffin already? This would result in consequences most certainly!
Farrans jaw clenched as he felt something land on his shoulder. He slowly looked down to find Heathers hand upon it.
"Farran. Can I ask why you think this way about your own life"?
For Farran, things were getting stranger and stranger. Why did this spy care so much about such a small matter? At least it should have been a small matter to her.
"It's complicated". He tried playing off. The result, the hand over his shoulder clenched tighter.
"Then perhaps you could un-complicate it". Her words made it sound more as though she was giving an order than a request. Farran faced Heather once again and found himself unable to cooperate.
"Forgive me, Heather". He started. His tone as calm as he could make it. "I just don't understand why such a personal matter would matter so much to someone of greater importance".
For a few seconds he received no reply. Though it wasn't long after that the hand on his shoulder loosened his grip. Her own tone started becoming sympathetic.
"Look, Farran. I too have had moments where I've disregarded my own life. I can tell you from experience that that kind of thinking can put you in serious danger, fitting end or not. The same could be said for your friends if they were to follow you". She took a moment to look up at her dragon, still happily flying above.
"Then it is just as well I have no friends". He shrugged. This talk had gone from being worrisome right down to annoying. Why was she so eager to pursue the facts about his life? Was this a test? Did she doubt that he had the spine for this sort of business? That all his talk was merely nothing more than empty promises? If so than he wouldn't allow himself to prove her right. No, he would get his chance eventually. Where or when though was the issue. For now however, this chat had gone on for long enough.
"My apologies Heather, but it seems I have spent much of my free time already talking. It would be wise for me to return to my duties before the captain finds me slacking off".
He hoped that was enough. It should have been enough. But it seemed that the spy was as persistent than ever.
"If he does I'll excuse you for it".
Farran mentally sighed. To think that earlier talking to a valuable member of the dragon hunters would have been an honour. Now it was just slightly infuriating. It was beginning to make him slowly hope that something, anything at all would come up just so he could escape this talk.
"You said earlier that this army is capable of serving you justice. What did you mean by that"?
"When I joined the dragon hunters, I cared little about personal gain. Instead I strived towards the goal of avenging what I lost. You know how it used to be once, when dangers of dragon attacks threatening to happen every few nights".
"You lost your family to dragons". Heather filled in the blanks.
Farrans jaw clenched and his hand rolled into a fist. She had filled in A blank.
"Yes, I lost most of my family. At a young age too. But when your entire village, your home is taken to you too... well, no one should have to experience that. But I did. Myself, my uncle and a lucky few were able to escape! All that I saw were monsters from the pits of Hel that showed no mercy and no compassion to those unable to defend themselves! Everyone I ever knew, gone in a single night! Damned monsters! I hate them! Every! last! one"!
Farran snapped back into reality as his hand suddenly stung. He looked down to see that his nails were digging into his hand. Any harder and it may have broken the skin. Though upon inspecting the damage there were markings of where the nail had nearly dug into him. It kept him from blowing up at least but the anger that had been slowly rising up inside him had certainly not gone unnoticed. He now found himself looking at a partially surprised Heather now. And looking round a few hunters had heard him too. Even the flying monster above was looking down in curiosity towards him. Farran calmed himself and controlled his breathing.
"Apologies once again. I merely lost my composure for a moment. Through I hope that I have been successful in answering your question for you". He spoke to Heather, trying to leave once more. Only this time, she didn't try to pull him back. With that done, he returned to his duties and focused once again on the only thing that helped calm his mind. The deep blue sea itself. Today was going to be a long day no doubt, but at least he had the ocean to help soothe him. After all, it was one of the few things he knew that couldn't be taken from him. Not even by dragons.
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Well, here it is. A fan fic on How to train your dragon. Took some time to come up with this one but here's the start of it. Glad to get it up off of the ground and onto this site :)
So anyway, yeah thanks for reading this first chapter of Fractured! Hope that you enjoyed what you saw and will consider coming back for more! So until next time, goodbye.