No personal space. At least the others had the excuse that I was injured, but Dagur was too curious. I almost wish they did see me more like an animal, there'd be a lot less examining and a lot more just leave her be, she bites.
"I still don't understand how you're so tiny." He was lifting my arms, poking my sides, scrutinizing me. He finally stopped when I cried out, cradling my left arm as he brushed against it. He froze in mild panic.
"It's fine, I'm just a little battered and bruised." Sighing heavily while rubbing my sore shoulder. There was still a hint of worry in his eyes, but he seemed to relax.
"What happened to you?" He was still watching me closely, but there was a little more space between us.
I examined the wrappings around my torso to see a few spots of blood but nothing too concerning. Same with my shoulder, though it was buzzing from the movement.
"We found her on the Edge, struggling for survival. While a feral and desperate Terror hunted her down, thinking it had found easy prey. Only to have the Noble Chicken take the mini Millie under her wing and fend off the fiend for three nights straight." Tuffnut dramatically recounted my story. I only just realized that my name made me the biggest short joke ever told.
"Huh, it must have been desperate. That chicken is feirce." Indeed she is. Those birds can be scary when they want to be.
"Even when we showed up, it still found an opportunity to pin her down. It took me a moment to realize what was happening, and that she wasn't just a mouse it had cornered." Thanks Hiccup, that's just the ego boost I needed. But at least now I know why it took them so long to react in the first place.
My head started pounding, I couldn't help the groan that escaped when my stomach rumbled painfully, curling into myself.
"I didn't do it." Dagur flinched away, careful enough as to not drop me.
"It's not you, you dope. I'm just getting hungry."
"She's been starving for the last three days. It was lucky we found her when we did." Fishlegs said.
"Ah. Well, we can do something about that. The defenders have a patrol going, but there's not much to be done until my beloved Mala returns." Dagur gave a signal with his free hand, a few defenders returned a form of salute before continuing on whatever they were doing. "We can discuss the hunters attack in better detail in the war room, and see if you can offer any insight or ideas, brother."
I was preparing to be transfered over to someone else, but Dagur just kept me close as he turned on his heel and made his way up the hill. Granted I was still a bit tired, but I was getting restless again. I wouldn't mind actually stretching my legs.
"My legs are fine. I can walk, you know."
"I'm sure you can, but it's too risky." He held me a little closer as his fingers curled slightly.
I know Dagur can be overly protective, but I wasn't expecting him to get attached so quickly. Well, anyone of them, really. Should I be concerned for these guys? Or is it their constant face-to-face with almost certain death that they are just more easy going with the unknown. Which seems backwards to me. Wouldn't you be more guarded around the unknown, even in a fictional world? But maybe this isn't fiction. Maybe the world I knew is fake and--NO! No, I am not going down this rabbit hole with myself. My head hurts enough as is. Just try to take things as they come, we'll figure this out.
We made it up the hill, the "war room" being more a large table in the middle of the military camp. There were defenders scattered about, regaining their strength with food and drink, chatting amongst themselves. You could make out the peaks of rooftops in the distance, about a mile or two away, down a gentle slope.
I was set atop the table, noticing the large map sprawled out, held in place with a few rocks with figurines representing the ships and fighters of both friend and foe.
"Here, drink this. It'll help dull the ache and warm the blood." Dagur held a rustic looking mug near, helping me to take a drink of the strong liquid. He chuckled as I coughed from the bitter taste, I was more for ciders than ales but I'm in no position to be picky.
Everyone took a seat as Dagur pulled off some peices of chicken to give to me, explaining the morning events we missed. A part of me wondered if this more tentative side to the berserker was to make up for the past or if it was a growing practice for the future. I wondered if perhaps Mala was expecting, but I feel that if Dagur knew that he wouldn't be as calm about her being far from his reach.
Dagur explained that the heavy rains carried over briefly into the morning, only stopping after the sun had fully risen. It left a heavy fog behind. Patrol didn't see the coming attack until the first shot was fired. It was maybe 15-20 minutes into the fighting that one of the villagers came running into the fray, to say that the hunters had landed on the opposite shore. As this side was mostly taken care of, Dagur took a larger portion of the defenders with him while Mala stayed with a smaller group to finish off that end. And that was it. It had started not long after Heather left to fetch them, and ended just before they arrived. So an hour at the most. I wasn't fully invested in it to be honest but I was listening, and there was something that stuck out in my mind.
"Excuse me, my King." An anxious looking young woman with sandy coloured hair came forward. Her bright eyes scanning over the group.
"This is Siggy, the neice of our elder Tofa." Siggy bounced on her heels when Heather introduced her to the group.
"It's an honour to meet you all. I've heard the stories and it all sounds so exciting."
"Did you need something?" Dagur asked, bringing her attention back to him.
"Oh. Right, yes I do. Well, my aunt does. She wants to see her." I just stared at her in disbelief as she pointed to myself. Are all these people unbothered by my current height? This can't be normal. Looking between Dagur and Heather, as they should know their people best, they both assured me I was in good hands. Literally. It certainly didn't feel that way as I was briskly lifted off the table, held a little awkwardly as we swiftly made our way towards the houses.
"I am sorry, but I was told not to delay. My aunt saying it was of the utmost urgency that I bring you to her." She explained hastily.
"How is it that everyone I've met so far, seems to be so--" how else could I put it, as some words don't translate well, "--accepting of my stature?"
"Perhaps they've seen others like you. I know I've seen several little peoples over the years."
"You have?" Could there actually be others out there, in similar situations to myself?
"Oh yes. They are quite lovely and very kind. They always come when I'm sick, and they always bring more of the same mushrooms my aunt gives me to make me feel better." Well, there goes that theory.
Out of all the nice homes we passed, it made sense the one we were going to was the odd one out. There were thin dark curtains flowing in the breeze and hanging at odd places, the doorframe had no door but symbols and runes carved into it. There were herbs drying, animal bones were tied up in certain patterns and hung in intervals all over the place. The only light coming from the fire at the very back of the single room, warming a small pot, the heavy earthy smell wafting through the house from the boiling liquid. Oh yes, I was very safe. If I die here, I'm haunting them all.
"About time, girl. Bring her in, and set her there." Siggy obliged, in a bubbly manner. I was attempting to get over my mini heart attack, the old woman coming from nowhere and behind us yet, her arms cradling heavy wood for the fire. Dusting off her hands, she turned her deep wrinkled face my way. Narrowing her dark blue eyes at me we passed a silent but very tense moment.
"Too big. Siggy, take it in a hair. We don't need her drowning in it." They seemed like opposites. Siggy was a bit odd, but seems very sweet and effervescent. While her aunt seemed to be more cold and bristly. She spooned a portion of the pots liquid into a shallow blow, grabbing a small fistful of cloth, setting on the table beside me. "Strip."
"What?!" They're both crazy.
"Oh please, child." The old woman huffed irritabily. "Those clothes are hardly appropriate for these climates. And those injuries are sure to get infected without proper care. And no doubt you didn't have time to bathe while you were adjusting to your position. So off with it, all of it, and let me do my job."
Oh yes, very safe. But I was more afraid of what would happen if I didn't comply. I can't say I know the characters well, and with the bit of Throk coming to "claim" Ruffnut as his own, there could be some differences in what is culturally "acceptable". But I honestly don't think Dagur or Heather would allow this woman to stay if she was an issue. Her reasoning seemed sound, I mean nurses would do similar procedures to heal and care for patients, but her bedside manner could use some serious work.
With little to no natural light coming through, it made the room chilly, not like the hags demeanor was a comfort either. I was knocked down to my knees as the bowls contents were poured over my head like a rushing waterfall. The old woman returned to the pot, tossing my old clothes into the fires before refilling the bowl. When she returned I was scrubbed down, quite thoroughly, as the few open wounds I had were cleaned of any dead skin before she applied a paste of sorts and wrapped them in clean linen. All-in-all it only lasted about two minutes, but it was the most awkward and uncomfortable two minutes of my life. Well, that's not entirely true, but I'm not going into that one right now.
Siggy came at her aunts behest, helping me dress in the clothes that I was told were made specifically for me. They were a little more rough feeling, but not quite as stiff as you would find most modern dolls clothes to be like. They were very well crafted as well. Strong and sturdy stitching that wouldn't tear easily. And simple enough in style that I could manage dressing myself even in my condition. Even the ties on the pants were meticulously crafted and comfortable to tie.
The trousers were of a looser cut and tapered at the ankles, similar to a pair of sweat pants. The shoes were more like socks that wouldn't stay up properly. The tunic had capped short sleeves and the hem went down to about mid-calf, with slits on either side going up to the hips. There was a thick fur-lined leather vest that went over the shirt. Everything was coloured in muted earthy tones, except for the sash-like over-belt that was a rich sapphire blue. My arms were wrapped roughly in leftover cotton scraps to act as arm guards of a sort. I was definitely warmer, and Siggy was very gentle in rebraiding my damp hair, but I still had no idea as to why this woman needed so urgently to see me just to give me a bath.
"Don't give me that look, you're feeling better already and you can't hide it." She called over her shoulder from the fire. "I don't have time to answer all your questions, these younger defenders got too cocky and now they need my healing should they wish to see the next Yule. As you have said before, this adventure was intended as a lesson to be learned, but it got skewed in the process. I've seen the path of your coming, and what will come. You will be faced with a heavy choice, but it will be easily made for you. Now, the young miss Heather is passing by, no doubt blowing off steam for yet another petty problem."
"To be fair, she has been through much." Siggy spoke softly, earning a scoff from her aunt.
"As have we all. Her experience does not give her the right to be puffed up with indignant pride and hot-headed arrogance. Although, I do suppose that much can't be helped, with berserker blood and all. Off with you both, get going, girl. And bring back mistletoe, about three bundles, when you return." I was gathered up hastily as Siggy rushed for the doorway, nearly toppling over Heather in the process.
"Oh, I'm very sorry, my Lady Heather. I'm in a bit of a rush, my aunt needs a few more item. But here is your guest back. Looking all pretty and fresh now." I was passed off quite clumsily into Heather's hands as Siggy waved a cheery goodbye and bounded on her merry way.
"Alright then." Heather watched her leave, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "Um, that seemed like a quick visit. What did she want?"
"Aside from giving me a change of clothes and a rather awkward sponge bath, I honestly don't really know."
"Tofa really is a great healer, and her foretelling hasn't been wrong yet, but she can be a bit difficult even at the best of times. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I guess. Although I feel like I left with more questions than answers." Heather hummed, making her way back to group at her own pace. "She said that I was right. Like the stories, there was supposed to be a lesson to all of this, but it got skewed along the way."
"Hiccup was talking about that. I don't ever remember hearing stories quite like yours though, but at least you've got some sort of guide to go off of, right?" We received an odd look here and there from a passing defender, but no one really seemed bothered. Then again, it was hard to tell what they were thinking behind those masks.
"Those old stories, they could be nightmarishly dark. They rarely ended well, if ever."
"Now that sounds familiar." Heather chuckled. "But I'm sure they were exaggerated. Made up to keep children in line."
"I hope so." Heather seemed to slow down as she continued to meander her way towards the group. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." You are not. "It's just, that trapper guy. There's something about him that just irks me. Hiccup is far too trusting for his own good. Like, he hardly knew the guy when he passed off Skullcrusher to him. He's brash, and arrogant, and that dumb smirk of his is not as charming as he thinks it is. I just don't understand how he managed to weasle his way in." She paused beside the pathway to finish her ranting.
"You know these guys better than I do, but if the dragons thought he was a threat, I'm sure they'd act on it, right? They seem pretty fierce in protecting their dragons that I'm sure they wouldn't let anyone near them if there was an issue." Heather was fighting it. She knew I was right, but she was still struggling with the idea. "It's not like you have to marry him, right? No one is saying you have to love the guy, or even like him. But I feel like you should have a little more faith in your friends judgements. I mean, just look at me. It's not that I'm ungrateful, but I have to put my life quite literally into their hands. I have very little room to doubt their intentions."
"That's fair, I guess." She muttered. "It must be challenging."
"A little. I'm not overly fond of the idea of not being able to do things myself, or being unable to pitch in. But I could have been left off with far worse people."
"That's true."
Heather heaved a deep sigh, seemingly calmer, continuing on her way.
"Seeing as we are fairly close though, would you mind setting me down? I would really like to stretch my legs a bit before I become a complete vegetable." And maybe adjust these clothes a bit, the vest is a bit heavy for my liking.
"Oh. Yeah, sure." Thank you Heather, for not baby-ing me. It felt good to have my feet on solid ground again, my legs were getting a little stiff. "I'll meet you over there, then."
"Try not to kill anyone."
"I make no promises." She laughed and left me behind, answering a few confused stares. She and Astrid kept both Dagur and Hiccup in their seats when they tried to come get me.
I took several deep breaths, just reveling at the place I'm currently in. I started off on The Edge, and now I find myself on the island of the Defenders. I wonder if I'll get to see Berk. Their voices carried on the breeze, some frustrated points countered with mocking laughter, and I felt myself smile. I was very fortunate it was them that found me there.
The walking was good, except for the "shoes". I just removed them, if I really needed to I could wrap my feet in the extra cotton from around my arms. They were put on pretty thick. The other thing that went was the vest. It felt like I was walking in a brace. It was so heavy and stiff it was hard to breathe, it may have been warm but it was not worth the discomfort. The sash was wide enough if you spread it out, it could always be a shawl or scarf if I was desperate.
Dagur lept off his seat, ducking under Heather's reach as he lay on the ground when I approached.
"What ch'ya doin?"
"Thinking."
"About what?" He was like a child.
"Are you like this with everybody?"
"Only if they're cute." Screw you, buddy. Giving my best scowl I went up and kicked his arm. Which was a mistake because those braces are made of metal and I ditched the shoes. I tried hard not to show it, but Dagur's little giggle told me he already knew that wasn't a smart move. So he's also going to join this little game too, great. I'm going to go mad if I'm not already.
"Seriously though, something's just been bugging me about this whole hunter attack, thing. Can you help me up, I wanna look at the map." Millie wants uppies, I was very tempted to make grabby hands.
"Sure." My heart dropped when he pushed off the ground, seeing those muscles work was almost terrifying at this size. Luckily I don't think he noticed me pale, setting me right in the middle of the map.
"Hey, what does dohpe mean?"
"What?"
"You said, it's not you you dohpe. They mentioned you have a different native tongue, and some words don't mix. So I wanna know what it means, because I've never heard it before."
"Oh, um.. it depends on the context. In that instance it's more like a childish insult, kind of like calling someone an idiot but gentler." I'm very glad I landed in this time frame, because if this was younger Dagur, I'd probably be dead by now. He just listened patiently, "And the other way of putting it would be more of a good thing, kind of like praise. For example, watching you fight would be pretty dope." Which was true. It would be intimidating but amazing to watch these guys in action.
He hummed thoughtfully, quite possibly taking my last example more to heart by the gleam in his eyes.
"What about unfaced?" Fishlegs asked. "I heard you say it back on the Edge. Does it have something to do with our reactions? Because I kind of got that feeling."
Too much to think about, I can't keep my thoughts straight, stumbling to process a response while remembering what I was thinking about in the first place. "I'm sorry, my mind is a little scattered. Thinking of too many things. Umm.. unfazed does deal with reactions, I guess. But more on the note of not having them. So you guys just seemed so accepting and unperturbed by my.. being this way. You semed unfazed. If that helps." Fishlegs wrote it all down, possibly with the words spelt incorrectly but it could be more a reference to help prevent further confusion. "Okay, while we are on this subject. You never did explain what a vegiseer is."
"Ah, sorry." Hiccup brought out the book with the symbol to help explain. "The vegvisir is sort of like a compass. It has marks for North, South, East, West, but it doesn't actually keep true North like this one." He pointed to his actual compass attached to his arm guard. "It's meant more to keep your soul and spirit aligned. To help guide you along your path, sort of thing."
"Ah. What about Spörr? Is someone gunna tell me what that means yet?"
"Spörr?" I turned to Heather, her annoyance with Eret might just settle this whole thing.
"Yeah. He keeps calling me Spörr, like some pet name and no one will tell me what it means."
Heather opened her mouth but Eret tried once more to redirect to conversation. "Hey, you said there was something regarding these attacks that was bugging you. So what's on you mind?" Heather and I just scoffed at him.
"I wasn't talking you." I was very tempted to flip him off, but I wasn't sure how acceptable that sort of action was for this time period. Reading once that it could land you in very serious hot water at one point in history, I think.
Heather moved around to sit beside Astrid, across from Eret, as she bent low to tell me, "Spörr is a type of bird."
"Now you've spoiled the fun of it." She stuck her tongue out at his dismay, enjoying his mild annoyance that his game had come a sort of end.
"You know," I stiffled a yawn, "I'm way too tired to deal with you right now. So I'm just not gunna talking to you for a while." Not that I was actually upset with him, but it was all a part of the game, that I just scored a point on.
"Oh, come on, Millie." I only shook my head at him. Looking to Heather I mouthed my thanks, silently celebrating my "win" before turning my attention back to the map. "Fine. I'm taking my furs back, then." Damn it. I got them all comfy, too. It was tempting, but I held my tongue and shrugged my indifference, stepping over to the south shore on the map.
"If I remember correctly, you said the first shot came from this side of the island, right?" Dagur confirmed. "And then you were told a larger force landed on the opposite shore? I think, I remember hearing something about a scouting ship as we were flying in. What side of the island was that on?"
"We were coming in from the East, so," Hiccup moved one of the peices resembling a boat, "It was around here."
"Huh. That leaves this whole end open. Did anyone report anything supspicious or out of place on the west end?"
"No one said anything. Most were to busy in the fight, the few who did remain to scout out the surroundings never reported anything else. What are you thinking?" Dagur looked over the map again.
"I don't know really. I mean, I've never been in a fight, never fought in a war either, but I've studied and learned from those who have. And this whole thing feels like a set up, like a distraction." It was harder to get a birds eye view from here, but there was the volcano where the Eruptodon lived, and just out of sight on the west side of it was a small cove. "Are there accessible antichambers in the volcano that would hold anything valuable?"
"There are several chambers that are accessible, yes. But they don't have anything worth stealing. Just the inscriptions on the stone walls. But I doubt those hunters would get past the Eruptodon."
"There's an Eruptodon on this island?" Eret tensed, only having heard the stories of the titan but never actually seeing one.
"It's amazing." Fishlegs brought out a different journal with sketches and info on the great dragon. "Truely an incredible creature."
"Anyway," Astrid butted in before Fishlegs could go off on a stats spiel, "If there's nothing of value inside the volcano, then what would they want from the Defenders that they'd be willing to risk losing an army for?"
"Maybe they're searching for something other than gold and treasure. Something older and ancient. Maybe they're chasing a legend and thought it would either be hidden deeper in the volcano or they'd find a clue there." I couldn't shake the feeling that we were missing something right under our noses. Maybe the hunters still have a grudge against Dagur or Heather, or they were coming for the titan dragon, or something else entirely.
"Ah good. You've all made it here. I feared my husband would tear across the seas himself if you didn't turn up soon." Mala sauntered over, head held high in her regal way, with Throk following close behind. "I'm assuming he has filled you in on the assault we forged through?"
"He did." Hiccup stood to greet her. "He also mention you took a prisoner for interrogation. Have you gotten anything out of them?"
"I have." She stood beside her husband, explaining what she'd learned from the hunter. "It took a while but he cooperated eventually. He claimed the first wave was to see who would respond to an initial attack and how many. A scouting ship relayed the events to the second wave, which attacked from the opposite shore in larger number, to draw out more of our forces and keep us divided. He claimed they were after yet another lens for the Dragon Eye, as you so cleverly put it, and that all clues led them here--"
"--WHOA! Hey, hello." Toppling on my backside as Mala flinched back, as if she'd touched a cockroach or something. "I've had enough manhandling for one day. I'm not a freaking pawn on your board!" Mala sputtered and stumbled over herself, I'd never truely seen this woman freak out in any episode she was in, but everyone's got their fears. I'm guessing hers are either mice or bugs. Or maybe the supernatural? Either way, she struggled to regain her regal like composure as she not so subtly stood behind Dagur. Now that's a reaction I might consider to be normal. The incoming knife assault from Throk was not.
I scrambled back, putting distance between us and finding refuge with Ruffnut. With their past history, she might be able to dissuade him better than most. Watching the chaos from a distance, Hiccup and Heather working to calm him down while Astrid stealthily stole the knife form his hand. Dagur worked on comforting Mala while they finally managed to talk Throk down, that man being dramatic as ever.
"What is it?" Mala stood a little taller but still refused to come out from behind Dagur.
"This is Millie." Hiccup spoke, "She's a long story."
"Were pretty sure she's cursed." Said Tuff, still sniggering.
"Just like we'll be."
"You're still going on about that, Snotlout?" Ruffnut rolled her eyes, continuing to keep up her arm barrier for me, with me peeking over her arm braces.
"Oddly enough," Dagur interjected, "Millie was thinking something felt off about the attack. Thinking it was a distraction. Although, I thought we got all the lenses and you destroyed the eye? You're sure they came here for a lens?"
"Quite sure. He didn't say much else, only that their suspicions as to its location led them here." Mala assured. The air became heavy as everyone absorbed this new information, Eret being the only one unperturbed as he didn't know what they were going on about. But he seemed to understand the threat behind the situation and sat there solemnly as they all thought on their next move.
"What do you propose, brother?"
"With your permission," He answered slowly, "Mala, Fishlegs and I will double check the passages in the volcano. Astrid and Heather, you, Dagur and Eret can do a perimeter sweep to make sure we didn't miss anything. Question any patrol to be sure there are no snakes in the grass. Snotlout can gether monstrous nightmare gel, and the twins can gather zippleback gas, so we have an arsenal for any future attacks. Throk, can you see to it that they get it done, and don't set anything on fire in the process."
"Ouch, I feel personally attacked right now." Tuffnut mocked injury.
"Is there anything I can do?" I knew there wasn't, but I wanted them to know I wasn't about to stand aside if I could do something to help.
"You can heal up and rest for now. As much as we appreciate the offer, I don't think there's much you can do in your current state." Fair enough. Nap time.
"Let's not waste time, then." Off they went, dragons in tow, to see what they can figure out.
"Saddle up, sailor. We're taking the south side, I'm keeping my eyes on you." Eret grinned down at Heather, much to her annoyance.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." She glowered in response as he got more eye level with her. "You're making this far too easy." He was quick to dodge her incoming fist, which only further grated on her nerves as he mounted his saddle.
"It's about time, although I didn't think he was your type." Dagur teased. "Why don't you fly with me. I'm not sure I can trust you two alone."
"Don't even start, Dagur! Or I'll murder you after I'm done killing him!"
"I think it would be best if you go with Dagur, Heather. I'll fly with Eret and we'll meet back here when we're done." Astrid mounted Stormfly, who was anxiously moving about, ready for some action. Dagur pushed Heather in the opposite direction before her heated glare caused them to spontaneously combust. And they were off to the skies, leaving me with the double trouble, a spooked twit, and an overzealous drama king.
This should be interesting.