"We can't do that!"
"Out of the question!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Are you serious?! There's no way we should do that!"
Just as Ochako had expected, everyone was against her idea.
Even Mirai, standing to the right of Toshinori, lost his calmness and joined in on the yelling.
"We can't take that risk, you foolish girl! Who knows what'll happen, if we have her placed with that Night Fury!" He exclaimed, slamming his hewing-spear against the ground. "For all we know, she could control the dragons within the pens to go berserk and attack us, as soon as we open the doors to the pens!"
"And what about the death of the Chief's wife, their son, Izuku, Cindy Arashi and her unborn child?! We demand justice, for what the Night Fury had done to them!" Mitsuki added in, raising a fist and her axe in the air. "As such, my son has earned the right to kill that monster!"
Standing off to the side on the left-side of the chief, next to Sorahiko, Aizawa stared down at a blushing, embarrassed, but determined Uraraka.
She wasn't one of his top students in Dragon Training; not one to favor killing living creatures, unlike most of his students. But, has proven to be a reliable protector to guard/protect others, and one of his most dedicated observational student, besides Yaoyorozu and Katsuki.
He still worry on whether or not she'll ever become a true Viking, if she doesn't make a dragon killing in the raids. But, on the fact that she'll help gather herbs for Chiyo and the healers, hopefully she'll gain the gods favor on becoming a healer.
She stared up at her chief, who folded his arms over his chest. After a few stomping of Nighteye's weapon, everyone present within the Mess Hall finally quieted down.
"She may have been chosen by Freya, herself, but she's still a trespasser on Berk. And, on top of it all, she's on the side of dragons." Toshinori stated, reminding the girl. "Not only that, but after examining her gloves and removing all of the hidden weapons she carried on her person, it's obvious that she's more dangerous than she appears. What guarantee would we have, that she won't use the dragons against us?"
The fifteen year-old glared up at the blonde. While she's scared for what she was about to do, she also felt it was injustice of them to not see what they were doing was killing Freya's Chosen.
So, she didn't hesitated to speak her mind.
"She's literally starving herself to death, and is sick from the infection in her neck wound that Bakugō caused. And, truly feral or not, her response to refuse medical treatment is her not being able to trust us, after said attack towards her and her dragon." She pointed out. "She damaged her voice from calling out to the Night Fury, and is still trying to call out to him, trying to let him know she's okay. If she was going to have the dragons in the Death Arena to attack us, she would've done so, as soon as she was placed in the cell. Or, better yet, when we separated her from the Night Fury in the Death Arena. Not reassuring her dragon that she's still alive. And, from how sick she is and how thin she's getting, she won't be alive for much long and we'll have to deal with a grieving, angry dragon."
"Which will be resolved, once I chop off its head and mount its head on a pike!" Katsuki cut in, standing with some of his friends off to the side, glaring at his classmate.
Ochako glared back at the older-teen.
"We can't always solve our problems with violence, alone!" She stated, hands clenched into right fists. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be forced to fight in a seven generational war with the dragons that our ancestors fought in!"
Coming up to her right, Asui Tsuyu came up.
"Our opinion and feelings towards the dragons shouldn't be important, right now. Kero." The younger-girl chimed in, agreeing with her friend. "What truly matters, is the safety and protection of our village. And if we don't find a new method to stop the raids, we'll all starve our freeze to death."
Then, Kōji Kōda raised his hand in the air and, using his hands, formed words to speak. Yaoyorozu, nearby, translated for him.
"'Not only that, but the animals are so scared, some have already stopped giving us milk and/or eggs. And their food supplies are either burnt, or spoiled from the dragons' blood soaking the ground.'" She translated. "'And while I understand survival of the fittest and want to fight to protect my family and the animals, I don't want to keep killing, anymore, when it hasn't been working all these years.'"
Momo nodded her head to their extremely shy friend.
"We should, also, consider the fact on how much resources we've used up, that have been wasted on continuous repairs." She added in. "Even if we found a way to ward them off, that would be more effective to our survival than continue a war we aren't going to win in."
Ochako turned to some of her friends, smiling in gratitude of them backing her up to her argument.
Around them, some Vikings whispered amongst themselves. Some seemed to be considering what she was trying to say.
Seeing as a good time to step up, Sorahiko stepped up and turned to the now thinking chief.
"The youngsters have a point, Toshinori." He commented, pointing his cane towards the Mess Hall doors. "Instead of stubborn pride and following viking traditions, we should find another way to put an end to this war. And that girl, whether she truly is chosen by Freya or not, could very much be our last chance to save our home. And you know we need to act fast, or we will have to tell our people what we may have to do, if we keep losing this ongoing war."
Bringing up the topic, made the forty-five year-old viking wince and clench his teeth.
His cousin, next to Mirai, took a step forward and raised his Skeggøx in the air.
"You can't be serious, Old One!" He yelled. "We're Vikings! It's an occupational hazard! We know the risk, like our ancestors before us! Did they backed down to the dragons, when they were out numbered?! No! Thor gave them strength, and helped them claim Berk for us! We won't abandon our home, and we won't turn away from our heritage!"
Sorahiko glared at the forty-six year-old glared at his chief's cousin.
"So, you would rather we die, following our ancestors actions, hoping Thor would grant us his help as he did the first generation of Berk, instead of taking this offer Freya has given us that could help us put an end to this war?!" He replied, pointing his cane towards the younger-viking. "That is treason! You wish to sentence us to death!"
Mirai then stepped forward, getting between the two before they attempt towards each other.
"Cease this argument! Both of you!" He demanded, becoming the peace keeper. "This is not the time to claim treason, nor is it the time to lead our village to genocide! -He turned to stare down at Ochako.- What we're here for, is to decide on whether to go along with this Ochako's suggestion or not."
Many eyes turned to their chief, who seemed to be in thought on what he should consider on doing or not.
Aizawa raised an eyebrow, curious as to what Toshinori will do. While he isn't keen on continuing this war and will do anything to put an end to it, he isn't really comfortable on having the girl be anywhere with the dragons.
Especially, the Night Fury.
Raised by them or coexisting with them, it didn't matter to the thirty-one year-old male. Dragons are dangerous to humans, that just one breathe of fire will kill a whole person.
'Why would her own parents allow her to be with the dragon? Let alone, a Night Fury?' He pondered. '...Unless... They're dead...?'
Just then, the doors to the Mess Hall opened and came running is Iida, another of his students.
"Chief!" Tenya called out.
Other vikings moved out of the speedy viking, allowing him to the front and, before the chief, he kneeled on the ground to bow in respect.
He was slightly panting, a bit out of breathe. Indicating that he came running, without stopping.
As soon as he caught his breath, he raised his right-hand up.
In his hand, an arrow. And, wrapped around the arrow, is a note.
"An arrow had been fired at the Yak Shed!" He informed, clearly worried and a bit shaken. "My brother and some of his men are scouring the area to find out who fired the arrow! But, so far, there's been no sign or reporting of ships coming to Berk!"
The news was very troubling to the Vikings of Berk.
Including Toshinori and Enji.
The chief took the arrow from the teen, and removed the note.
Within the note, a letter was written... The letters were written in red.
...
...And, from the smell of it, it was blood.
People of Berk,
You've imprisoned two member of our Flock.
To show you that we don't intend to do any harm on your island, we've coursed the dragons to uninhabited islands nearby to scavage for food. In exchange, we require the release of the Night Fury and his rider.
You have until the New Moon to release them.
Do so, and we shall leave Berk. We'll even fix your raid problem, permanently.
Refuse, and the next raid will commence. And you'll end up losing more than just your livestocks.
...Kill them, and we'll bring forth your demise. Gods, be damned.
This is your only warning.
-The Eldest Human Hatchling of the Night Fury.
Toshinori glared down at the note, hands shaking in rage.
It's already the half moon. Meaning, the new moon will take place, soon.
Whomever dares to make a threat upon his people, will fall to his axe. Even if what they're doing and offering is a message from Odin, himself. This is their fight, and they'll handle it, themselves.
He turned to his cousin, handing him the note to read.
"Scour every inch of Berk," he hissed. "And when you find them, bring them here for execution."
Just as pissed off when he read the note, Enji stormed off, letting out a quick whistle for some of his best men to follow him out of the Mess Hall.
When he was gone, Toshinori turned back to Ochako.
An answer has been made.
"We shall wait until tomorrow. If she's alive in the morning, I shall permit her to be moved to the Night Fury. If she dies, the Night Fury dies... When that happens, we must evacuate off of Berk."
Hours Later...
Ochako stares down at the cooked chicken.
She isn't in the mood for food.
She didn't see what was written on the letter, but whatever it said, she found it unfair that her chief is going to wait until tomorrow to allow the girl to be moved to the dragon's pen at the Death Arena.
As if he was punishing her. Like she was the one who wrote it.
'It's not right,' She thought. 'He knows that we need to let the Night Fury know she's okay. If he doesn't see her, he'll believe that she's dead and will start going on a frenzy. If not him, then Freya will bring forth her anger unto Berk, for harming her chosen.'
"Hey, Ochako."
The fifteen year-old looked up and saw Ashido, Momo, Jirō, Hagakure and Asui standing before her, each holding their own cooked chicken.
They all came over and sat at the same table with her. Asui and Hagakure sat to her right, Ashido in front of her, while Yaoyorozu, Ashido and Jirō sat across of her.
Clearly, they want to know what's on her mind.
"You doing okay, Ochako?" Mina asked.
The second youngest-girl of the group let out a deep sigh of disappointment.
"Not really," she admitted. "I was hoping the chief would see reason, and let her be reunited with the Night Fury."
Her friends felt bad for their friend. They can tell this was really eating her.
Hagakure looked a bit nervous at the bringing to of the Night Fury.
"Well, I mean, you gotta admit, the suggestion is a bit crazy; the Night Fury is the Unholy Offspring of Lightning and Death, itself. So, you can't help but see why he would hesitate to the idea."
"That, and the fact that the Night Fury is the very dragon that killed his wife and son, over fourteen Winters ago." Yaoyorozu added in, not in the least sorry for bringing up the truth and showing her anger towards the dragon.
Jirō let out a deep yawn. She appear to not be able to get much sleep.
"Yeah, but if it'll get that beast to shut up and stop keeping us up all night, I'm willing to go along with Uraraka's plan." Kyōka replied, resting her head into the palm of her hand and picked at her meal.
Ochako knew better than to be angry at their words, since it's almost instinctive of Berk to hate dragons for any reason, with reason or no reason.
She went to eat her meal, only to then stop and her mind to go towards the girl in the dungeon, starving and getting sicker from her infected neck-wound.
'Is she still refusing to eat? Is she getting too sick, that she can't stomach food without pain or puking it up?'
Ochako can't bring herself to eat her chicken. Instead, she got up from her seat and grabbed her chicken, heading for the doors of the Mess Hall.
Her friends were taken back by her sudden choice to walk off.
"Ochako! Where are you going?!" Hagakure called out.
The short-haired girl turned to her friends. Determination shined over her face.
"If the chief wants to have our guest hold out one more night in her cell, without caring her condition is, then the least Berk can do is ensure that she keeps up her strength and show Freya we deserve her favor."
"You sure you want to go in there?" One of the new guards asked the teen.
"The chief may not approve of this." The second new guard added in, as he looked over his shoulder and stared down at the girl within the cell. "Even though we can't stand the sight of a child suffering, and being treated as some criminal from Outcast Island."
Ochako stared down at the girl lying on the floor, on top of the hay pile.
Because of her hooded-cape, she can't tell if the girl is breathing or not. Fortunately, though, when the girl curled in further into herself of a tight ball, reassured Uraraka that the girl is still alive.
However, the fact that she hadn't eaten in a week and hadn't gotten medical treatment, means she can still end up dying.
The fifteen year-old turned to the guard closest to the door.
"I'm certain," she answered. "Please, let me in. I need to try to get her to eat something."
The two guards turned to each other, both still looking uncertain if they should be doing this. But, knowing this was the right thing to do and wanting to help in any way possible, the guard closest to the door opened the cell-door and allowed the teen into the cell.
"She may be weak, but don't let your guard down." He instructed, as he closed the door behind her. "If she attacks, we'll intervene and you must leave the cell."
The teen nodded her head to his warning, then turned back to the girl she came to see.
She hadn't raised her head to see who came to her cell. Either she was tired and didn't want to use up whatever energy she had left in her body to see who it was, used to the sound of the door cell opening and closing and wasn't interested on what was going on behind her back, or is deep in sleep and her body is slow to wake her up, Ochako didn't know.
But, she knows whatever it takes she must help her survival.
She kneeled beside the girl and placed the clay-plate on the ground, purposely having it make a scraping sound against the stone to get the girl's attention.
The sound did seem to rouse the girl, her body shifting a bit from within the hooded-cape. But, other than moving a bit in her spot, the younger-girl didn't look over to see Uraraka and seem to went back to sleep.
The fifteen year-old let out a deep sigh.
"Sorry to have to do this," she muttered.
She raised a hand and tapped against the girl's shoulder.
After a few tapping, the girl jumped from her spot and stumbled to shift her body to face who it was that touched her, flashing her teeth and growling a low, crackling sound.
When her blurred vision sees that it was the girl from earlier that touched her and is in the cell with her, she stopped growling and allowed her lips to rest back over her teeth. Though, her eyes still glared mixed feelings: Curiosity, confusion, a bit of relief and irritation.
And when her green eyes looked down and saw another cooked chicken is presented to her, she seemed to figure out what was going on.
...To Ochako's disappointment, the girl crawled towards the back corner of the cell and took a spot on the cold ground. Her back turned to her visitor.
The older-girl let out a deep sigh, picking up the plate and getting to her feet.
"Here we go," she grumbled.
She walked over to the girl, knelt down and sat the plate on the ground, tapping the girl on the shoulder to get her attention.
A low rumble came within the hooded-cape.
Ochako, however, wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"You need to eat," she ordered. "You're going to die, if you don't eat. If you went let us treat your wound, at least kero up your strength by eating."
Again, the younger-girl uncurled from her spot and crawled towards the other side of her cell, taking a new spot.
That got Uraraka to force out a firm smile, going over and doing the same action.
"You're not going to get rid of me, that easily." She stated, folding her arms over her chest. "I don't care if we end up doing this all night, you are going to eat. Whether you like it, or not."
And so, for nearly half an hour, Ochako kept true to her word and kept following the girl, chasing her and having her barely take up her new sleep spot before moving to a new one.
The two guards would look over their shoulders and see the older-teen pestering their prisoner/guest, intruiged of her stubbornness to complete her task but certain it'll be in vain. Still, they do hope she would, somehow, succeed.
After moving to a new spot for the seventy-eight time and Ochako taking her spot close to her and setting down the plate of food, did the younger-girl finally grew tired of being chased and forced to eat their food.
She got up on all-four and faced Uraraka, snarling at her.
The fifteen year-old was a bit taken back of the sudden tone, knowing this could end up with her getting attacked, even if the one issuing the threat can barely do much.
Yet, she held her ground and folded her arms over her chest.
"Eat the chicken, and then I'll leave." She promised.
When the girl came towards the girl, being almost face-to-face with her, the two guards got on high alert and went for the door.
Ochako, but breaking eye contact with the younger-girl, held up a hand towards them.
"Don't." She hissed, not in the least concern over her safety. "This is our only chance to get her to eat. We must get her to choose life, if we are to put an end to this war."
The two hesitated, but didn't open the cell door. Though, one of them kept his hand on the bar, ready to force it open if she gets hurt in any way.
When the girl stood back to be in a couch position, almost towering the older-girl, both hands held up to her chest, as if ready to pounce, it looked as though she was going to attack.
...
...
...What happens next, was something none of the vikings expected.
She had her right-hand grab for part of her cape and held it in a way like a bird would hold it, but a bit crooked and odd. She then let out a low rumble, a bit scratchy, but still able to imitate the sound of a wound animal.
A dragon.
At first Ochako didn't get what she was doing.
Seeing the confusion, the younger-girl leaned on the ground and, with her right-hand still holding out her cape in an odd angle, limped around the ground on her left-hand.
She made coo sounds, as she continues to imitate an injured dragon.
"Her. Haw! Urah-! Ah-hack!"
Still, Ochako didn't get what the girl was trying to make her see.
Annoyed, the girl stopped limping and crawled towards the barred-hole at the back of her cell, pressing her body against the stone-wall and stretching her hands as close to the hole as possible.
Then, she barked, screech, snarl or cooed out as loud as she could.
"Haur! Haur! Ha haw rauh! Aaow!"
Seconds later, the cries of a desperate, concern, yet relieved Night Fury called back to the girl.
Uraraka and the guards felt guilt in their chests, as the girl couldn't keep standing and nearly dropped to the ground on all-fours, if she didn't keep pressing her body against the wall.
She then turned back to the older-girl, who could only shrug her shoulders and shake her head.
"I'm sorry, but I don't get what you're trying to tell me." She apologized.
A grumble left the girl's throat, face-palming herself.
She then grabbed for part of her cape in her right-hand, again, flapping it in frustration, pointing a strict finger at it with her left-hand.
"Urrah." She grunted.
Then, she pointed a finger to the barred-hole over her head. Where they can still hear the Night Fury calling for her.
"Herrrahk!" She barked, slamming a hand against the ground. "Aur, urraw!"
And, again, she grabs for her cape with her right-hand and made it flap. But, this time, she crouches and used her left-arm to flap alongside the cape.
To Ochako, she appears to be imitating a dragon, flapping its wings.
'Wait a second... Wing... Night Fury... Awkwardly holding the right-wing... Flapping...'
Suddenly, she was starting to put in the pieces, as to what the girl is trying to tell them.
"...You want us to help your dragon's wing, that Katsuki injured?"
To her answer, the girl ceased her little game of charades and pulled her hooded-cape around her body.
...And, to her shock, the younger-girl nodded her head, once.
It was more than enough to tell her that their guest/prisoner can, without a doubt, understand them.
Ochako turned to the two guards. Both were stunned that their prisoner answered the teen's question.
"Inform Chief Toshinori that she can, in fact, understand us." She ordered. "I'll continue communicating with her. Also... Ask Chiyo if she or one of her healers can go over to the Death Arena, and see if they can evaluate the Night Fury's injured wing."
Both didn't seem so certain of her request, since the chief may want to interrogate the girl, himself, despite unable to properly speak from an injury to her neck. And unless they are Enji, Bakugō or the chief, himself, none would be willing to set a single foot towards the direction of the Night Fury.
However, this was something important, that the chief must know about. And, perhaps, if she does cooperate, maybe she'll see that they aren't as bad as she suspect them to be.
"You sure you want to stay in the cell with her?" One of them asked, as the second guard left to go for the Healing Quarters to ask Chiyo to take a look at the Night Fury.
"She's too sick and weak to even leave the village. Let alone, escape the dungeon and fight off the guards standing in attention outside of her cell. Which is you two." Ochako pointed out, as she turned back to the younger-girl. "Besides, I sense that she won't attack me. And if she does, I can protect myself and subdue her, thanks to my training from my teachers."
Both are aware of the training she's been put through, and had witnessed her teachers training method that had them taken back that none had been killed. So, they know that she can take care of herself.
With those thoughts in mind, the two were finally convinced to leave their post. Though, told her if, somehow, their guest overpowers her and run away, to alert any guard nearby to help her recapture her.
After promising them she would do as instructed, the two left, leaving Ochako alone with their guest/prisoner.
The fifteen year-old stared at the younger-girl. Her brown-eyes narrowed, getting serious.
"I have them go check on the Night Fury, just as you'd asked. Now, I need you to help me, by getting your strength back and eat." She instructed, pointing at the plate of the cold chicken.
The girl stared to where the chicken was, growling lowly at the food like it offended her. Then, turning back to Ochako, she shook her head.
...Then, raised a hand and pointed it to the ground... And... Drew a dirt-drawing of a wood on fire, then that would turning into a pile of ash.
Ochako, while impressed by the drawing, was very confused.
"Ash, from wood?" She asked, earning a nod from the girl. "Why wood ash, when we can get you fire from the torches to help warm you up a bit?"
The younger-girl shook her head. She pointed at her drawing of ash pile, then to her neck-wound, where it continues to be red, leaking of pus and infection.
Ochako was stunned by what the girl was trying to tell her.
"You want me to get wood ash, to put on your wound? -She got up to her feet.- Let me get our Healer. If you let her treat you-!"
The girl snarled up at the older-girl, stomping her left-hand into the ground, over her drawing. Clear that she wants wood ash to be brought to her, to treat her wound. Nobody else, but herself.
She, again, grabbed for her cape, shook it a bit to imitate quick flapping, and pointed out the bar gap of the wall.
Making it clear that she wants the Healer to heal her dragon's injured wing.
Ochako let out a deep sigh of defeat.
"...Alright." She submitted, getting to her feet. "I'll go and get some wood ash, for you. But, I'm going to lock the gate."
The younger-girl let out a low rumble, but nodded in understanding. Then, patted the ground with her hand and drew more drawings of some herbs.
One that looks like aloe vera, one that seems to be leaf-shape of mint and some garlic. She drew a circle around the mint and garlic, and then pointed to her belly. Indicating that they're for her stomach. While for the aloe vera, she pointed to the neck.
The older-girl looked over to the chicken next to the girl, then back at their guest.
"...Will you, actually, eat them?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "If I get those items, you'll eat?"
The younger-girl, curled on the ground within her hooded-cape, nodded once.
Given the answer she was hoping to get, Ochako beamed down at her.
"...Okay. I'll go get those, too. And, I'll see if Chiyo or one of her colleagues are checking up on the Night Fury." She reassured, leaving the cell and closing the door, locking it in place. "I be right back. Just, rest up for a moment... -She gave her a look that seems to be full of hope.- I swear, if you do this, we'll reunite you with your dragon, tomorrow."
As the older-girl ran off to gather the stuff the younger-girl requested, the prisoner/guest turned to the cold chicken on the ground.
While she has no intention on eating it, she does have use for it.
Grabbing at the leg with her mouth, she crawled towards the back-wall of her prison. When she got to the wall, leaning her burning body against the cold-stone, she used her left-hand to take the chicken out of her mouth.
Then, after some wincing from the dryness and pain in her thought, made some cooing sounds, similar to a Terrible Terror.
...She knew that her brother had convinced and lead the raid to the other islands close to Berk, since their scent had faded into the wind. But, despite able to hear the Queen's Song like the other dragons, the Terrible Terror were wise to not join the flock to steal, being too small to carry anything heavier than a single salmon and easy picking to be killed off by the Vikings.
And while most remain in the forest, others will sneak into Berk to try and scavenge whatever leftovers they can find to bring back to their flock.
And after calling out for a Terrible Terror for a few minutes, a reddish-brown Terrible Terror crawled through the bars and skittered down the wall to the girl, purr-chirping at the girl and the sight of the chicken, the girl held up the chicken.
"Urrrr~... Heek, kau!"
"I need your help."
Ochako returned, posthaste. In her left-hand, a bowl full of wood ash and a few aloe vera. In her right-hand, a full garlic and a few mint leaves.
She would've returned earlier, but had to convince Chiyo and Anan to go into the Night Fury's pen, with the agreement on having Ryō and Sekijirō go in with them to help pin the dragon down, to examine the wing and treat it. Apparently, the dragon didn't comply until Endeavor left the Death Arena, entirely, to even allow the other Vikings close to him. And where he threatened them with his Plasma Blast of they muzzled him, he did surrendered to binding him in chains.
...To her surprise, despite the warning growls and snarls, she was amazed that the dragon didn't so much as flinch when they came to his wing. He did winced in discomfort when they splint his wing and wrapped it in wool-bandages, but didn't dare make a step towards them when they finished examining him and when the two teachers/vikings unbound him from chains.
Though, he did went back to going for the small-opening in the wall and coo-wobble for the girl. As if he knew that none of the vikings would try and attack him, with his back turned to them and after they just splint and wrapped his wing.
'Something just ain't right,' she thought. 'The Night Fury is supposed to be one of the most dangerous dragons, in all of the Archipelago. In fact, not much is known about them, except them being the Unholy Offspring of Lightning and Death, itself. The only thing we know from the Book of Dragons, is to hide and pray that they don't find us. And yet, we've all seen the dragon before our eyes and that a human is accompanying it. Which means... Is the Book of Dragons, wrong about them?'
She paused in her steps, staring down at the bowl of wood ash and aloe vera in her hand.
'...The chief had stated, even proven from the black-scales he presented to the village, that a Night Fury came to our island and killed both his wife and son. And, from what Todoroki told us from what his father told him, the chief is positive that this dragon is the one who killed his family.'
Her hands clenched slightly around the garlic and mint leaves, but not hard enough to crush them.
'...I... Don't think Chief Toshinori is right about this... I think the Book of Dragons, is wrong about the Night Fury... Maybe, even about what we know about dragons.'
She then looked up and continued for her destination, back to the girl locked up in the cell.
'What I do believe, is that Freya has sent us an answer, and it lies with the girl and her dragon. As such, we need her to help her get through the night and reunite her with the Night Fury.'
When she arrived to the cell, the two guards had returned to their posts and when they saw her, they allowed her to go back in the cell, where the girl remained curled against the wall.
Ochako went to her, kneeled beside her and laid out the items to the shivering girl.
"Here," she announced. "I've brought you what you've asked. Now, will you please allow yourself to eat and have your neck-wound treated?"
The girl stared down at the items the older-girl presented before her.
A low moan left her, as she shifted from her spot to hunch over the bowl of wood ash, aloe vera, garlic and mint leaves.
First, she took the aloe vera leaf and, clenching her hand into a tight fist as it can be, brought it down in the middle and crushed it to have its middle open. Then, she dabbled three fingers into the sticky liquid producing from the plant and when the three fingers are coated in its sap, brought her left-hand to the right-side of her neck and rubbed the sap against her, now, opened, leaking neck-wound.
Ochako watches with great focus, as the younger-girl winced and hisses in pain from rubbing the sap against and around her neck-wound, as she uses her right-hand to gather some of the mint leaves and garlic, eating it.
After dabbling her left-hand into the aloe vera and rubbing its sap against her neck-wound a couple more time, she gathered a hand full of wood ash, which had a few ashes that are still warm and holding heat, and dropped it into the plant and rolled the ash into what remains of sap it had left, making an ash-like paste. Making the inside of the plant completely black, and sticky from its sap.
And after gathering the paste into her left-hand, she covered the whole right-side of her neck in it, coating the wound in wood ash aloe vera sap.
And to finish it off, she pulled the inside of the leaf from its connection to its bottom-half, having two strips of the leaf in her hands, and then placed both of the two strips of the plant against the opening of her neck-wound, covering it from anything that could try and get in. Like makeshift-bandages.
As soon as she was done and pulled the hood to cover her head and neck-wound, the girl went to eat the rest of the mint leaves and garlic, satisfying her hunger without overrunning it with food that won't soothe her sick state or fight off the infection that's in her body.
Ochako was very much taken back by the girl's choice to treat her wound with the few items she was given, though wasn't certain if she should've had wood ash go into and against the open wound in her neck. And when she thought about it, the fifteen year-old was curious as to how the wound remained opened, the whole time she was in the cell and had her claws and few small-knives removed from her person.
'Her cloak shows to be made of dragon scales. Perhaps, she was able to remove one of the scales to cut open her wound to drain it and have it open to place the aloe vera and wood ash into it.' She concluded, finding it to be the only possible solution.
A deep sigh of relief left her, as she watches the girl slowly stalk today's the bed made of hay and curled into a tight-ball, letting out a big yawn from having food in her belly.
Ochako smiled gently at the younger-girl, as she gathered the bowl of wood ash that still remains and heads for the door.
"Thank you," she said to the tired girl. "And I swear, as soon as our chief wakes up and sees that you're still alive, he'll keep his word on allowing you to be reunited with the Night Fury."
...
...As she left the cell, she didn't expect a low moan of a howl to come from their guest, who lifted her head and muster what little strength she had left to howl, like a wolf.
The guards and Ochako were surprised, to say the least, as the girl curled in on herself and seemed to have, finally, fell asleep.
"That was weird," one of the guards commented.
"Maybe her voice has gotten worse, that she has to result to howling like a wolf." The second guard suggested.
"Maybe..." Ochako agreed, but didn't sound completely on board to the thought. 'It was like she was trying to talk to us, but what is she trying to say? Maybe, there's something about wolves that she wants us to look for or be weary of.'
She waved a goodnight to the two guards and checking on the girl one last time, Ochako makes her way for the exit of the dungeon and for home
Not once taking notice of a Terrible Terror flying in the sky, heading beyond the sea for a merchant.
The Next Day...
Toshinori, Mirai and Shōta walked down the hallway of the dungeon. Their footsteps echoing all around them.
The two guards, hearing their steps and seeing their chief, immediately bowed when the forty-five year-old chief came forth and stood between them.
Within the cell, the girl sat in front of the back of her cell, looking up through the gap. Beside her, a bowl of wood ash sat, seeming to have been used from her hands coated in ash.
She slightly turned her head to her left and as soon as she saw the chief, she lifted part of her lips and snarled.
Nighteye glared back at the girl.
"You Insolent child. You still refuse to show any respect to our chief?!" Mirai scolded, holding his hewing-spear up and went to open the door.
Toshinori laid a hand on his right-hand man's shoulder, stopping him.
"Stand down, Mirai." He ordered. "She doesn't have any loyalty of Berk to see reason to show respect to one who isn't of her tribe. Don't take her response to show signs of anger, as any insult. -He turned to Aizawa, who simply stared at the child.- Go on in, Shōta."
The thirty-one year-old went into the cell, prompting the girl to turn her back to the wall and snarl up at the adult. Her eyes zooming in on the rope he held in his hands.
To him, she almost looks like a hissing cat, when wearing the hood of her cape over her head.
He stood a foot away from her, then couched to be eye-level with her.
"...So, you lasted through the night." He said, which was the closest to giving out a compliment.
He then took notice of the aloe vera covering her neck-wound.
"And I see you've, finally, have your neck treated."
The girl, still, didn't answer him and kept lifting her lips and flashing her teeth at the adult.
He was never one to become favorite towards any child within the village. Not even his nephews can convince him on who he should favor more.
...He wanted his unborn child to be the only child to ever be held close to his heart.
...
...Yet, having this girl reject him and view him as a threat, did made his heart clench a bit.
He glared back at her.
"We're going to take you to the Death Arena, where your Night Fury will be waiting for you." He gave it to her straight.
Her lips lowered and her snarling ceased. Her eyes remained hardened, but they weren't glaring daggers at him.
'This confirms to what Ochako and the guards have informed us. She isn't fully feral as we expected. Good.' "Here's the deal: Regardless of your current state, we aren't going to take any chances of you trying to make a run for it. And because of that, you are going to let us bind you arms in ropes. -He held out the rope.- And if you refuse or fight us, we'll back down on our deal and will consider killing your dragon."
The threat caused the fourteen year-old to growl lowly at him.
...
...And, again, hissed out her words.
"Moe. Stuah."
Toshinori and Mirai were taken back by her words.
Shōta let out a deep sigh.
"Yes. I know. To you, we're monsters. But, guess what? Your dragon is the true monster, for aiding the raid for stealing our provisions and killing us." He countered. "And if you want to see him alive, let alone to have us treat him for his injuries, you'll not fight us and will comply to our demands. Deal?"
...Her response, was to lean her back against the wall, stand up as high as he could, all while using the wall as support to loom over Aizawa.
...
...And, much like the Night Fury did in the woods with Katsuki, let out a loud shriek of a scream to his face.
The thirty-one year-old didn't flinch in the slightest. As if he was dealing with a demanding, spoiled child that was throwing a tantrum when they didn't get their sweet roll.
Her shriek of a scream did caused her to collapse to her hands and knees and cough, but it wasn't something too concerning for the adults, as they'll have Chiyo to give her something for her throat to help ease the soreness.
Shōta waited for her to catch her breathing and when she remained hunched over, he went over to began binding her arms up in ropes. She did turned her head to glare at him, but other than give him a serious, angry look, she didn't fight him once at tying up her arms together.
As soon as her arms are bound in front of her and in a tight knot that would be difficult to break out of, Aizawa stood up and slightly pulled on the rope, prompting her to began following him.
Toshinori and Mirai both take a step back, as the guards opened the cell door to allow Shōta and their guest/prisoner out. The girl did glared up at the two vikings, but then lowered her gaze back down to her bound hands and awaited for her captor to pull her to wherever he wanted her to follow.
The chief gave thanks to the two guards and went around the girl and Aizawa, taking the lead for them to follow him, with Mirai following a step behind him.
Aizawa pulled the rope slightly, indicating the girl to follow, though went at a slower paste to follow his chief since the girl showed signs of still be physically weak from self-starvation and illness.
'Whoever it was that written that threat of a note, could possibly be someone this girl knows.' His thoughts went back to the letter was found on an arrow that was fired at the Yak Shed. A dark, uncomfortable feeling trickled down his back. 'If we don't find out who sent the letter before the New Moon comes in, I don't want to think about what the chief will decide to do to the girl, if it means drawing out the sender of the letter.'
TBC
R&R
