The following morning, Eyarr and I made it back to the market we'd been camped near for the past few weeks. Eyarr wanted to make me a saddle that would fit on Riptide's back and just to show me how to work with leather, as I was unfamiliar with using the material. I always thought it was interesting to see how many people in the North wore leather and how they could make all sorts of things with it. The craftsmanship was remarkable.

Eyarr was gone for a couple of hours to get the supplies, leaving me with the dragons and starting to lightly pack our stuff in anticipation of our trip to Eyarr's past.

He finally returned with a bag full of supplies.

"Alright, Laeli, I'm gonna show you how to make a dragon saddle." I nodded and watched him first take measurements of the area on Riptide's back that would be appropriate for me to sit and where it would be most comfortable so that it wouldn't get in the way of his shoulders and wing movement.

After taking the measurements, he wrote them on a piece of parchment, appearing to make a few more mental notes. He grabbed the leather, metal, and twine from the bag.

"So… you made all of your gear by hand? Including Cliffire's saddle?" He chuckled.

"Not all of it. The saddle, yes, but a number of my belongings I traded for, like my sword and some of my books."

"Really?" He nodded, not saying anything further on his trading, and I didn't push it.

We sat near the fire pit, it being midday with plenty of light. He laid the leather out on the ground, tracing the shape needed with charcoal.

It was the first time it hit me how skilled and handy Eyarr was. It was one thing seeing the things he had made himself. It was another to see him make stuff. It was very impressive and fascinating.

For hours, he worked on the saddle mostly in silence, periodically requesting my assistance with certain tasks, such as holding the metal pieces and twine, cutting, and organizing. He was totally focused on his work, and even when he asked me to do something, I barely uttered a word not to distract him.

We worked on the saddle well into the late evening, by the time the moon rose. Eyarr worked on the finishing touches, finally leaning back, flexing out his sore hands, then placing them on his thighs.

"Finally done!" He boasted. I came over to take a look, and I was quite impressed. I looked at him, giving him an encouraging, proud smile. He stood and held it up in his hands like a trophy, turning towards Riptide, lifting the saddle for him to see. Riptide didn't seem too fazed by it; if anything, he was curious about it.

Eyarr gave me the saddle to remind Riptide that I was going to be his rider. Riptide observed as I gently set the saddle on his back, waiting to see if he would reject it. So far, so good, though. Eyarr helped me secure it in the proper places, making sure nothing was too tight or too loose.

Once we were confident with the saddle, we stepped back to allow Riptide to process it and start to get used to the new sensation. He grumbled from deep within his chest, and Cliffire made a noise in response from behind us. I guessed it was Cliffire just assuring Riptide that it was okay.

"Well, at least they're getting along!" I remarked.

"Let's wait another day before we leave, allow Riptide to get used to it, and so we can pack and get ready. Sound good?" I nodded.

"Sounds like a plan."

After another long day, I was beginning to feel restless about being on the move again. I couldn't sit still, constantly pacing and looking out towards the ocean, watching the horizon.

"Are you doing okay?" Eyarr asked, concern in his voice. I nodded, hands on my hips as I continued to pace.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. Just antsy."

"About what?"

"Being on the move again. I always get like this the day before I'm set to travel somewhere. I guess it's just my curiosity and excitement about the unknown. Just the anticipation of it gets my adrenaline going." I bounced on the heels of my feet, feeling my gut twisting up.

"Sure you're not just anxious?" I shook my head.

"I was always taught never to fear the unknown," I replied matter-of-factly.

"If you say so." I just rolled my eyes at him, "In the meantime, I found the map I was looking for."

"Oh?" He nodded hesitantly.

"Yup… I haven't looked at this in… a long time." I frowned.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. He didn't reply, but I could sense he was deeply bothered by the contents of his map. I couldn't tell if it was a fear of telling me or just unsure how to say it. I caught a glance at the map, where there were illustrations of a forest on a shoreline. Deep within the marked woods was a house, and next to that house were what I guessed to be instructions of some kind that read; "Everything you need is waiting here". I didn't get to read the rest of it as Eyarr hastily folded it back up.

"Are you okay?" I tentatively asked. He furrowed his brow for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. He pursed his lips, tapping the folded map against his palm. Finally, he snapped back to reality.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm good." He paused again, "Let's uh… finish packing." His hand grazed my lower back as he made his way to his supplies and started putting stuff away and extinguishing the embers of our fire pit. I glanced over at Cliffire, I knew that Eyarr and Cliffire had been bonded for many years, and the dragon knew things I didn't. Cliffire snorted, shaking his head.

I decided not to ask any more questions, instead just following Eyarr's lead and continuing to pack.

Once we were sure we had everything, Eyarr looked at the map again.

"Okay, just follow me."

"How long should it take?"

"From here? A few hours. It's not too far."

"Lead the way." Eyarr and Cliffire took off, heading west. I patted Riptide on the neck, and he took off as well. It was weird as I felt my body flail around as he climbed higher into the sky, but I maintained my grip on the saddle, trusting my dragon that he wouldn't let me fall.

Once he leveled out next to Eyarr, I stole a glance at him. He had a new look of determination on his face.

"Laeli, I need you to know something important." He finally spoke.

"What is it?"

"Everything you're going to see at this place is everything you need to know about my past. And why I've cut it out of my life. It's going to be overwhelming. Not just for you, but for me as well."

"Eyarr, it's okay. I know you've been through a lot, even if you don't tell me everything. I don't want you to feel obligated or forced to. It's your choice." He sighed.

"If I'm going to show anyone, I'd rather show you over anybody else." I could see some relief wash over him. I was mentally preparing myself for the worst, whatever it was. It had been eating at him for longer than I could ever know. And maybe this was like a final test of sorts, to see if I could handle everything about him, including his emotional baggage and whatever trauma was nagging his brain.

For hours, Riptide and I followed Eyarr and Cliffire's lead. I took the time in the skies to admire and savor the crisp air. It was exhilarating. I'd never reached out to the clouds before; they felt cool and wispy around my fingers. A soft vapor. I relished in it, hearing the wind in my ears whipping through my hair. It was still mildly nauseating to be so high above the ocean, looking down from thousands of feet.

I could see the tiny figures of whales breaking the surface below us. Their mighty bodies broke the powerful waves. Riptide and I shared a glance, and I nodded, confirming his idea. He then took a sharp nosedive at an intense speed, I hollered the whole way down as Riptide banked on a breaching whale, splashing us with ocean spray. I leaned over, skimming my fingers over the surface, gazing at my reflection. I couldn't help but grin ear to ear, seeing myself like this.

I craned my neck up, hearing the beating of Cliffire's wings above us. Eyarr was beaming. I gave him an exuberant smile in return.

"Looking like a real dragon rider!" He cheered above me. I nodded, pulling Riptide up so we barreled around Cliffire.

"I'm starting to feel like one!" I confidently replied, pumping my fists in the air. Together we flew, soaring through the clouds, cheering each other on. I finally felt like… I found myself.

We flew for hours, just being ourselves. And I loved every second of it.

Then, the energy changed just as the sun began to set. I noticed Eyarr visibly tense up after hours of being loosened up and relaxed. The emotional front he'd had when he first arrived at New Berk reappeared, his features becoming tense.

Cliffire dipped below the clouds, and I urged Riptide to follow. Upon leaving the cloud cover, the woods below us came into view, with a heavy fog covering the tops of the trees. I could pick up on the negative energy radiating off the land. I stole a glance at Eyarr, and for the first time since I met him, he looked scared.

I began to wonder if this was a good idea.

I saw the roof of a house peeking out from the dense forest. As Eyarr said, it was built near the fjord. If it didn't creep me out so much, I would have considered the landscape to be beautiful.

Cliffire landed in an open spot next to the house, and I did the same.

I finally got a good look at it.

The main house was long, with an extended roof, a front porch, and a short set of stairs. On the right side was an extension with a large window facing us. The front of the house had various carvings in the wood, with figures like Odin, Thor, and even Loki for some reason? It had depictions of slaughtering dragons carved on the posts. I felt a chill run down my spine at the sight of it.

"Are you sure about this, Eyarr?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. He straightened his back and slowly nodded his head.

"I am. Follow me."