CHAPTER 13: Report
Finally, after sailing on mercilessly choppy waters getting seasalt in their mouths, Gobber and Eret were now back at New Berk, within the vicinity of it anyways.
And it wasn't their original boat that they sailed on initially to get to Ancient Island - under Yurlin's prerogative a couple of his own vikings had sailed them back on their own boat. They insisted on Gobber and Eret relaxing on the entire way back, another goodwill gesture from Yurlin's part.
Gobber wasn't all that concerned about allowing the Ancients to sail them back to New Berk - they were only being told the directions where to go by him. But Eret didn't like it. For the sake of pragmatism and maintaining order until they got back up to New Berk, he kept his mouth shut about his hesitations.
"Here we are gentlemen," one of the Ancient sailors said, "what a cluster of rock your island is, it's tall!"
"Yeah yeah," Gobber agreed, "the kid made a wise decision in my humble opinion to take us up there - after all, I was the first one who suggested we start buildin' huts there when we first arrived to it!"
"You're a very efficient tribe. That doesn't surprise me in the slightest given you're the tribe of Stoick the Vast. How do you get up there, so I can take you to the appropriate position to do so?" the Ancient sailor asked.
"We've heaped up a coupla' man made lifts tied with the finest rope. There's a couple over there."
Upon hearing that, the Ancient viking sailor gently adjusted the sails of the boat and began the process of overcoming the steadily choppy sea waters. The two sailors came with the letter Yurlin had written to be given to Hiccup - they too were going to join them in going up to New Berk precisely to meet Hiccup.
Hiccup was pacing back and forth inside his house. Eret and Gobber had been gone for much longer than he expected. He wondered what on earth they were up to.
Astrid was taking care of Zephyr and Nuffink whilst Valka remained in the hut with Hiccup. The Berkian Chieftan didn't know what to expect nor was he able to guesstimate when Eret and Gobber would be back.
"I just don't get it, mum. I sent them both to just have a little diplomacy - it's been ages," Hiccup said, resting his palms on the wooden table near him.
"It's the seas, they're vast and incredibly diverse. They're probably on their way back now, we've just gotta wait," Valka said.
"You know, I feel totally non-dignified worrying like this, like the teenager I used to be. I just feel like I don't have the space nor the...what's the word, 'permission' I guess? to act this way. I'm supposed to be the Chieftan, in the steps of dad."
"Don't you say that about yourself Hiccup. Your father was constantly doing the same thing - just because you're Chieftan doesn't mean you can't be human. You're not a superhero, you're human. Don't beat yourself up over that."
"But then I look across to the kids too and I don't want them to view me as a...softy - when they're older they'll have to take the top role of our tribe and I don't want to set a bad example. Gosh, what is happening to me?"
"Hiccup, just stop. You'll always be the man your dad was. Zephyr and Nuffink feel safe with you, they adore you, and they'll grow up to be competent strong vikings because of you and Astrid guiding them along the way. You can always count on that."
Hiccup was saying all of this out of stress from the totally unique situation he found himself in with the Ancient tribe. He just wanted Gobber and Eret to be back so his worries could be calmed. But deep down, he did have a tiny sense that he wasn't 'manly' enough to be a good role model for his kids. Part of that was down to the fact Drago Bludvist survived.
It made Hiccup question - did he fail by being unable to get rid of Drago in the first place after that battle between Toothless and his Bewilderbeast? he pondered it quite often. The man who killed his dad was still alive, and although Hiccup was able to come across as now accepting that, deep down he felt ashamed of himself for not destroying Drago in the first place as he originally thought he did.
Nonetheless, he continued pacing up and down struggling to comprehend the potential situation ahead of him. Out of nowhere, a knock on his hut door could be heard pelting across the room.
Upon hearing it, Valka voluntarily stood up and headed towards the wooden door to open it. She knew Hiccup was a bit overwhelmed at the moment so she went ahead and answered the knock for him.
Opening the door, it was a couple other Berkians who manned the manual wooden lifts on the edges of the island.
"Hey," one of them said to Valka, "Gobber and Eret have returned and they come with a few visitors...and a letter."
Almost instantly, Hiccup turned towards the door and paced over to it, perking up. He accidentally nudged into Valka's shoulder due to how quickly he made his way over.
"They're back?" he questioned.
"Yes, they've come back, we've just pulled them up the lifts and they come with a few new faces. They want to talk to you, Chief."
"Okay, we're coming over there now."
About ten minutes of walking later and Hiccup was at the edge of New Berk followed by Valka, Astrid and the two kids. He got outside the terrain of the forests towards the edge of the island and saw Gobber and Eret as they were escorted by two oldschool looking vikings.
"Gobber, Eret, you're both back!" Hiccup said, relieved.
"Aye mate, how's things been?" Gobber asked, as Eret maintained a blank face still.
"I've just been pondering to my mum for the last two hours where you guys were - but you're back! and uh...you've brought some new folks over?"
Hiccup looked over to the two vikings who actually looked semi important despite their archaic viking gear.
"Good day, Chieftan Hiccup!" one of them said, walking up to Hiccup and extending a hand out.
Unsure as to who these vikings were, Hiccup nonetheless returned the favour and shook his hand. It was a very tight grip, like the viking was excited to be meeting him.
"We're from Ancient Island, we come bearing a message from our leader and Chieftan, Alfa Yurlin."
Hiccup instantly nodded.
"Ohhhh, of course!" he said, "so is everything under control? like, there's nothing out of the realms here? it's just that those other Chieftans, my old 'friends' if you will, were concerned about the ongoings and they just wanted me to make sure everything was in order."
"There has been mutual agreement across all our parties, Hiccup. Our leader made it clear to them that we're all for peace, and it's normal for tribes to disagree in this manner."
Gobber seemed to nod in agreement.
"Aye Hiccup, that Yurlin was praising Stoick like no end - he seems a jolly good chap for a fairly young Chieftan!" Gobber insisted, won over by Yurlin's positivity around Stoick and the Berkians in general.
Eret was just stood there behind the entire group, blanked out and focusing on the surroundings around him. He picked up a twig and just started snapping it and multiple others in an attempt to make the time go faster whilst the group spoke. He seemed to want no part in it.
Valka noticed Eret's body language - but she stayed put with Zephyr and Nuffink, due to the presence of the two Ancient vikings. But Eret's frozen mannerisms didn't go unnoticed to her.
"The other Chieftans in question had sailed home to their respective tribes, through no bad faith of course. They sailed back knowing full well that we were still on strong terms. Like we say, disagreements aren't uncommon between tribes these days."
Hiccup looked at the letter that one of the Ancient vikings held.
"And you've got a letter there you said?" Hiccup asked.
The Ancient viking holding the letter swiftly held it out for Hiccup to take, at which he did with quite a rapid pace.
"It's from the leader and Chieftan himself, Alfa Yurlin. He's very keen on the prospect of a treaty between our tribes - I think we've got plenty of similarities between our tribes, Chief - Alfa Yurlin feels the same way. There's major scope here. He knows you're scared about Drago Bludvist still being alive, and that's where a potential treaty can work."
"Well...thank you very much. I'll read it now and whenever possible again I'll write yet another reply letter to be sent to your island. We both seem to know the directions to our respective islands so from my part, can I just send another of my guys over to your island whenever?"
"Absolutely. Even though there's no treaty in place, the leader still views you guys as allies. He wants to take the world back to the period of seven generations ago, the true viking period, and he knows you want Drago Bludvist to be eradicated in that process, just like we do - any ally of his is welcome to sail to our island whenever. We'll inform what's been said today between us and you to the leader himself."
"Thank you guys very much, we'll gently escort you off our lifts and you can sail back safely!" Hiccup said, once again shaking the hands of the two Ancient vikings.
"Likewise, sir Hiccup!"
Back in the hut no less than half an hour later, Eret and Gobber were sat on one side of the table, Hiccup and Valka were sat on the other. Astrid was tending to Zephyr and Nuffink on the other side of the room.
"What's the report then?" Hiccup said, looking at Gobber in particular.
"All in all Hic, that Yurlin fella is a lot more positive and prideful of us than ya would originally think. He loves Stoick...he kept telling us how sorry he was for losing him..it was like he was your brother or somethin'. We got ourselves an explanation for why he withdrew his lil' tribe from their treaty with the others - he's all for peace and made it clear that he wants to work with us."
"Is that all?" Hiccup asked, "in that case, why the hassle and the problems? Dagur nor Alvin told me about his true nature, because he sounds like a completely harmless Chieftan."
Out of nowhere, Eret decided to jump into the discussion after remaining blank faced for ages since he returned to New Berk.
"No Hiccup, no - I'll tell you what happened back there. Now I kid you not, I'm all for diplomacy mate, and I'm all for keeping amends between tribes. But this Yurlin guy feels like a snake. Shifty, changing his tune every minute to accommodate the words we spoke to him every passing second. I should know one when I see one, I used to work for Drago and I was practically enslaved by him. It just didn't feel right, it felt like a con."
Hiccup couldn't believe the contrast that had just sprung out of nowhere - Gobber saying that Yurlin was peaceful and positive, and Eret coming out with a completely opposite perspective. It caused him to remain silent for a few seconds after Eret finished talking.
"And you know that sailor just now who told you that those Dagur, Alvin, and Heather lot and whoever the others were had sailed back? they didn't sail back - they were forcibly removed from our company the second we were told we were going to be meeting Yurlin. They never sailed back on their own prerogatives - why do you think they're not here with us now? that sailor viking lied to you."
Hiccup didn't know what to think.
"What are we...uh, to make of all this then?" Valka asked.
"We've gotta maintain our space because something didn't feel right the moment I stepped into that room with Yurlin. That's my take on it, and everybody wears a mask, it's only a matter of time till they pull it down and show their true colour - Yurlin is a snake, and a very clever one at that. He's even got cunning mannerisms that Grimmel could've only dreamt of having."
Hiccup remained silent, taking aback at what Eret had just said.
"If you think I'm being dramatic, Hiccup, open up that letter and read what he wrote to you. I'll bet you it's got some pretty sneaky little proposals in it," Eret said.
Hiccup was so mindblown by Eret's words just now he completely forgot he even had a letter. He raised it up and started ripping the letter open.
Holding the bare paper out in front of everyone on the table as he started reading it, silence broke out in the room.
Dear Hiccup,
I have had the upmost pleasure in meeting your two Berkians - Eret, and Gobber. Our meeting today has so far felt warm, good faith and highly engaging. We've talked about everything, from standing up against the threat of Warlodism and the unvikings, and a potential pact between our two tribes. I know your tribe very well and I understand the sensitive backstory you have with your dad. No boy at your age should have lost his father.
Stoick the Vast is somebody I consistently refer to in my speeches to the Ancient men and women. He was the epitome of what I want to see in the world. I know, as his son, you hold the same values, and I am angry for you in how he was killed. Drago Bludvist must be stopped at all costs and it's in our duty to hold any aggression of his back that he may wish to impose on the archipelago. In light of our meeting with Eret and Gobber, I've outlined many areas for which a pact could be arranged.
The Ancient-Hooligan treaty would cover many areas for us to work on, in light of Drago Bludvist's continued existence.
#1 - Barge and Naval agreement. This part of the treaty would call for our barges and boats to work together, where we control designated areas of the seas of the archipelago. Our tribe will cover the central archipelago seas and your tribe can cover the other half.
#2 - On land agreement. In a world of uncertainty with the Warlords rearming and rebuilding with Drago at their helm, it must be incumbent on our tribes to patrol and monitor the islands of these seas to ensure stability. The Ancient men will cooperate with your own men to maintain such stability by monitoring various islands. Where an enemy is encountered, we work together to destroy them.
#3 - Alliance against the Warlords. Fundamentally, this part of such a treaty is where I feel we will meet the most common ground, and why I am so passionate about it. You see, I have it in my intention to eradicate the world of Drago and his irk, and I'd like to say that in achieving this, I will be serving a purpose for yourself and your tribe. A strong, fearsome Ancient tribe will act as a barricade between your tribe and the other tribes, against the Warlords.
My conviction in this area lacks any doubt. If you join us in this goal, which is what my proposed treaty will ultimately culminate in, we will crush once and for all the very vikings who destroyed your father, the vikings of Drago's type. A great war to end all wars will be raged against Drago and the world will see everlasting peace once and for all.
If you'd like to reply further, my men will be taking your two vikings back home to your island - inform them if you'd like to take anything further.
Fear not, Hiccup Haddock, the great son of the legendary Stoick the Vast - my tribe is all about peace, we have no unreasonable demands to make, we will not pursue aggression, we will not threaten the balance of power, but when it comes to the Warlords, war is inevitable. But it is a war that once won and fought, and I know we will win it, peace will be truly guaranteed forever and ever, for 1,000 years to come - in thanks to your tribe, and the new Ancient tribe that has come about under my leadership.
Such a war will only last for a few weeks, because the Warlords only need their doors kicked in and the whole rotten foundation will come crumbling down like an abandoned hut! so there need not be any worries about causalities. I'm empathetic towards your situation so such an assurance is one I'm inclined to make to you.
God bless you, Hiccup.
Alfa Yurlin, Leader & Chieftan of the Ancient Tribe.
Hiccup folded the letter up. Looking blankly ahead to the space between Gobber and Eret, with widened eyes.
"Exactly. I told you something was going to be bloody dodgy in that letter."
"No," Hiccup said, "it's...the notion of working together in an alliance against Drago resonates with me...but he wants us to join him in a potential war?"
At the mention of 'war', Zephyr and Nuffink looked towards the table as Astrid remained put with them. She tried to distract them, but the word was too implying and significant for them to ignore.
"I still think he's got good intentions and he's quite right in making a stand against Drago and the Warlords...but a war? I'm a dad, I've fought all my wars back when I was a teenager - the last and closest thing to a war I ever fought was when we had to defeat Grimmel. Back then, I wasn't a dad. This time, I am. I didn't actually think Yurlin was serious about a war."
"This is the problem, Hiccup. This is EXACTLY the same sort of rhetoric I overheard countless times from Drago when I was with him," Eret said.
"But hang on a minute, I reckon he coulda been talking in a figure of speech sorta thing...who knows?" Gobber intervened.
"The bottom line is you guys, I have zero desire to involve ourselves in any war. We fought those battles years ago - the one I intended to be the very last was Grimmel, and ten years on, we've succeeded in keeping that peace. I've got the two kids now, that is absolutely a red line for me - we are NOT going to be in a war. Why should Zeph and Nuff relive those sorts of horrors we faced with Drago after he killed my dad? not going to happen."
Hiccup folded the letter up further and placed it back down onto the wooden table. Zephyr and Nuffink suddenly joined him besides his chair as Astrid had failed to stop them.
"Dad...what do you mean war?" Nuffink asked, his eyes looking concerned as he held his father's arm.
"No, nothing, it's okay you guys. It's okay. It's just...viking talk. When you grow up you're gonna hear that word thrown around a lot," Hiccup replied, "we're past those days thankfully."
"You know something Hiccup, the more we assure ourselves of that, the more concerned we should probably be. I just...I have a feeling something is coming down the tracks," Eret said.
"Like I said, Eret, our tribe will stay away from the central archipelago if that's the case. I will never ever put my kids through anything like that ever again, and I want to relax for the rest of my life with my family and my tribe. That's the bottom line and that's how we're gonna play it."
Hiccup appreciated Yurlin's ideas and motives in that he wanted to create a mega alliance against the Warlords, but Hiccup was a dad and he was never going to put his kids through the horrific battles he faced as a teenager and a young adult years ago prior to having Zephyr and Nuffink.
Little did Hiccup know though, Yurlin's true nature was still concealed. Nothing was implied about his expansionist plans for living space for his tribe. Something was going to give eventually.