The Power of Gold Chapter 12
Camicazi and Naginatta returned to their island the following day, bearing their recovered treasure. Bertha was both overjoyed and furious to see them, because they hadn't told her they were going on a journey, or where they were going. But her mood softened when they presented her with the big lump of gold that they'd re-burgled from their sister Sukiaqui.
"So that's who took it!" she exclaimed. "I almost feel better, knowing it was her. I didn't like the idea that someone who isn't a Bog-Burglar could pull off a caper like that at our expense."
"Is she likely to try it again?" Chelsea wondered.
"Chief-Night-Fury has flat-out forbidden her to try it," Nagi said.
"It was pretty clear that she didn't like that order," Cami added, "but I think she'll obey it."
"So that little adventure is over and done with," Bertha decided. "We'll put the gold back into the treasure house, and life will return to normal."
"Mother, that is not going to happen," Cami said firmly. "Our lives are never going to be normal again."
"Why not?" the chief asked, puzzled.
"Because Trader Johann has been telling everybody about our gold," Cami explained. "That's how Su knew about it, and that's why the Thunderheads tried to raid us. Every Viking in the Archipelago knows, or soon will know, that the Bog-Burglars have a ton of gold in their treasure house. That Thunderhead raid was just the beginning."
"A ton of gold?" Bertha queried her. "Nobody said anything to Johann about a ton! We gave him one fist-sized chunk in payment, and it was a woman-sized fist."
"Yes, but you know how Vikings are," Nagi said. "Every time they tell a good story, it grows. By the time Johann brings the story to the most remote tribes, our stash of gold will be the size of his longship! Everyone is going to want a slice of our treasure, and most of them won't try to do it with trade agreements."
Bertha realized that this was true. She stopped to think about it.
"By the way," Nagi added, "Chief-Night-Fury sent a message to you. He says that Su never could have gotten away with her burgling if the treasure house had been guarded by dragons."
"Maybe not," Bertha said, "but our days of dragon guards are over. Remember?"
"I remember that they stopped the Thunderhead raid in its tracks," Cami began.
"And they nearly ruined our tribe in the process!" Bertha cut her off.
"That's better than what the Thunderheads would have done to us if they'd gotten through," Cami argued. "Maybe the dragons didn't fight a perfect battle, but they defeated our enemies."
"We didn't take a single casualty, either," Nagi added. "Could we have done better without them?"
"Are you saying you want to bring the dragons back?" Chelsea asked her.
"I'm saying that, as long as we have all that gold, it's going to be a magnet for every raider within a hundred miles of us," Cami said heatedly. "We can't fight off all those raiders! It's just a matter of time before one of the tribes surprises us, or totally outnumbers us, or just gets lucky. They'll take everything we own, kill half of us, and take the other half away as thralls like Alfrún used to be. We need those dragons to help protect us, or the Bog-Burglar tribe is going to be wiped off the map!"
"Do we have any other options?" Bertha wondered.
"Well, we could use some of that gold to bribe another tribe to help protect us," Chelsea thought out loud, "but now that everybody knows how rich we are, there aren't any guarantees that our 'protectors' wouldn't take our payment, then turn on us and steal even more of our gold."
"If we bought help from Berk, they wouldn't turn on us," Nagi suggested. "They're mostly lawful-good over there, and Chief-Night-Fury keeps his promises. They would protect us without betraying us."
"I'm not sure they'd be willing to get involved in our wars, no matter how much gold we offered them," Cami said hesitantly. "Chief-Night-Fury doesn't seem to care much about wealth."
"It doesn't matter," Chelsea countered. "Berk is too small a tribe to defend us against the bigger tribes. They don't have enough warriors to make a difference if the Berserkers or the Northlanders hit us. The only real help they could offer us is their dragons, and that brings us right back to where we started."
"The only other option," Cami said slowly, "would be to get rid of the gold, so no one will want to –"
"Blasphemer!" shouted Bertha.
"Heretic!" cried Chelsea.
"Infidel!" Nagi exclaimed.
"Do I need to wash your mouth out with soap, young lady?" Bertha added. "That's not how I raised you!"
"It was just a thought," Cami said defensively.
"Well, think of something else!" Chelsea told her.
"Think hard, all of you," Bertha said. "We need a plan, and we need one soon. There might be another raid headed for us right now, and we have no way of knowing about it until they appear over the horizon. If they come at night, they could even take us by surprise."
"That's another reason to bring back the dragons, Mother," Cami suggested. "They're the best long-range scouts we'll ever have."
Bertha sighed. "It looks like I'm getting pressured in that direction from all sides. I have to think this over."
"Think hard, Mother, just like the rest of us," Nagi said impishly. But they all knew it wasn't funny. The Bog-Burglars were facing an existential crisis. Bertha excused herself from her usual chiefly duties, leaving Chelsea in charge. The chief paced back and forth, back and forth, thinking of all the possibilities and ramifications of the trouble her tribe was in. At last, she stopped and rounded up her sister and her two daughters.
"For the good of my tribe," she said heavily, "I am going to have to humiliate myself and admit that I was wrong. Cami, Nagi, I know you just got back here, but I have to ask you to sail to Berk again. I need you to deliver a message to their chief."
o
"They want you back," was how Chief-Night-Fury summed up the message. He had called all the adult Night Furies together at the Nest, where Camicazi and Naginatta stood nervously, holding the parchment with their mother's written message. Anya stood by, ready to translate the dragons' words so the humans could understand what was going on.
"Are they going to make a yoyo out of us?" was Six's first question. "Are they going to take us back because they're desperate, and then kick us out again when we don't do things the Bog-Burglar way, and then beg us to come back again when another crisis arises? I can't live that way, and I won't ask the other dragons to live that way, either."
"That's a reasonable question," Mother-of-twins nodded. "I know I wouldn't want to live that way."
They summed the question up in Forge, and Anya translated.
"I can't make a promise in my mother's name," Cami said, "but we're in need, and that need isn't going to go away tomorrow, or or next week, or next month. We've realized that we have got to have what your dragons can offer us. We need you as scouts, we need you as defenders, we need you as guards... and some of us like having you around as friends. My mother doesn't understand the 'friends' part, but she realizes that our people need your dragons, or else there won't be any more 'our people.' Our tribe needs you."
"I just want some kind of security," Six answered. "I'm willing to reestablish our nest and resume our scouting and guard duties. But I need to be halfway sure that, if we move back there, we can stay this time."
"As long as we've got that gold," Nagi said firmly, "then we're going to need you. That's the best security we can offer."
"That's pretty good security," Smith-flies-for-fun commented. "You know about the Bog-Burglars and their money. They wouldn't let go of their gold even if the Midgard Serpent wanted to eat their whole island to get it."
"I'm not completely convinced," Six said. "I've been watching those Bog-Burglars, and they seem to live by the slogan, 'It's not the having, it's the getting.' They live for the thrill of the theft. Once they have what they want, it goes into the treasure house and they hardly think about it again; they're too busy planning their next burglary. Chief Bertha is completely pragmatic; she does whatever works. She might decide that the gold is more trouble than it's worth. If that happens, then she'll probably decide that we're more trouble than we're worth as well."
Once Cami had heard the translation, she burst out, "But my mother isn't the only one making decisions on Bog-Burglar Island! Her sister Chelsea, Nagi, and I are all putting pressure on her to bring the dragons back. Chelsea wants you because she thinks you're the best solution to our problems. Nagi and I want you because we like you, and that isn't going to change anytime soon. If my mother tries to kick you out again, we'll say something about it! We won't just stand there in silence."
"Like you did last time?" Chief-Night-Fury challenged her.
"That one took us by surprise," Nagi admitted. "Our mother didn't talk about her decision with us. That's a violation of our unwritten tradition; the chief is supposed to discuss major decisions with her advisors. We won't allow her to do that again."
"You're making some pretty brave promises," Mother-of-twins noted. "You say you'll go up against your own chief and your own mother! Not many Vikings can do things like that and live to tell the tale. How much are those promises really worth?"
Cami stopped, glanced at her sister, and took a deep breath. "I swear by the name of Nocha, the Bog-Burglars' ancestral chief, that I will do everything in my power to bring the dragons back to my island and keep them there."
Nagi raised her right hand for a moment. "I also swear by Nocha, I'll do like my sister said."
Six nodded, satisfied. "That's good enough for me. A Bog-Burglar can't make a more solemn promise than that. I'll go see how many of our dragons are willing to try again. Thing Two, are you willing to come back with us?"
"Yes, I am, as long as Alfrún is willing to go back with me," Thing Two said firmly.
"Yup, she's found her human," Six whispered to Bang and smiled.
"I heard that!" Thing Two shot back. "At least I didn't turn my human into a dragon!"
"You make that sound like something bad, young Night Fury," Faithful-brother growled. "I, for one, am very glad that she did!"
"Knock it off, all of you!" Astrid roared. "We've got enough stress around here already; we don't need to make up new excuses to butt heads."
"Mom, how come you never found a human?" Thing One asked.
"I did," she smiled, relishing the memory. "But just when I was starting to think that he was the one, we both got turned into Night Furies." She leaned against Hiccup, who also smiled.
Alfrún had to think it over. She liked Berk about as well as she liked the Bog-Burglar tribe. Her work on the fish-sorting team was a mindless dead-end job compared to being a Bog-Burglar smith's apprentice, but smith's apprentices didn't eat as well as fish-sorters. She finally asked Thing Two, "Do you want to go back, or stay here?"
IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU,
I WOULD GO BACK IN
A HEARTBEAT.
"Then we'll go," the woman decided. "This kind of bouncing from island to island isn't fun, but it's still better than my previous life." She packed her few belongings and announced herself ready to travel. Meanwhile, Six and Faithful-brother had visited the other dragons and found that most of them were willing to try again. They also picked up three new volunteers who regretted not joining the initial expedition.
"Okay, how are we going to do this?" Six asked. "Camicazi and Naginatta left their island without knowing for sure if they would convince us to try again. If we just show up over their island, they won't be expecting us. They won't know that we're coming in peace. There might be trouble." Anya translated for them.
"I can ride you, Six," Cami suggested. "We'll lead the flock of dragons, so my people will see me on your back and they'll know that everything is good."
"That leaves me sailing our ship home single-handed," Nagi fussed. "If the wind dies, I'll be dead in the water – we need at least one oarswoman on each side, or that little ship is going nowhere."
"Our big dragons can carry the ship in the air by holding onto the ropes," Faithful-brother offered. "Kind of like what they did to pull it out of the water so the humans could repair the hole in the bottom. You know the Bog-Burglars won't throw any spears at us if we're carrying a ship!"
"That would be a very bouncy, uncomfortable ride for us," Nagi decided. "I don't get seasick, and I never got airsick, but if you put the two together, it might push my stomach over the edge."
"You're quite the complainer, sister," Cami said archly.
Alfrún spoke up. "What if Thing Two and I led the flock? I'd be easy to see in my pale dress on a jet-black dragon's back. They'd know a person was riding a dragon, and that would send the message that we're the dragons who want to live among them."
"The other alternative," Faithful-brother said, "is for Cami and Nagi to sail home, and for us to follow them the next day. They can arrive and spread the word that we're coming in peace, and the Vikings can prepare another welcome for us, like the last one."
"Is this about getting another free fish, like the one they gave you the first time?" Six smiled.
"It was a very tasty fish," Faithful-brother admitted.
"I like Alfrún's idea better," Cami said, "for one big reason. We don't know when the next raiders are going to set their sights on my tribe. I want the dragons to get back to our island and start their scouting patrols as quickly as they can; I don't want them to wait. One day later could be one day too late."
"I agree with that," Nagi nodded.
"All righty, then!" Six shouted. "Thing Two, take charge of your rider. Dragons, we're going to try this again! I can't guarantee you a better result this time, but I think we and the Vikings understand each other better now. That should have a positive effect on how we all get along. I'll be flying in the center of this formation; Thing Two and her rider will be in the lead. We all know the way, so let's do this!" The dragons rose into the air, sorted themselves into a roughly spherical formation, and headed for their new home. Again.
When they were a little more than halfway there, they noticed a fleet of longships below them on a similar course. The Night Furies had a quick conference, Faithful-brother explained their thoughts to Alfrún in her rudimentary Forge, and she and Thing Two spiraled down to check out the ships and their sailors.
It looked like some of them were preparing to throw spears at the dragon, until someone shouted, "Hey! There's a girl on its back!" That made them hold their fire. Thing Two glided next to the biggest ship, and Alfrún called, "Where are you headed, boys?"
"We're going where the money is, pretty lady," the captain called back, eyeing her in a way that made her cringe. "Once we get some, I can dress you up a lot fancier than that homespun dress you're wearing. Maybe you're looking for a good man to keep you company, hmm?" He thrust his pelvis at her twice; she threw up in her mouth a little.
"No, thanks," she finally answered. "I like being a free agent."
"Then stay out of our way," the captain shouted. "We're going to raid a Viking village, but my men wouldn't mind a little dragon-slaying along the way." An assortment of shouts and grunts showed that his men agreed wholeheartedly. Thing Two climbed straight up and out of spear range, they rejoined the dragon formation, and Alfrún made her report.
"It looks like Camicazi was right," Six decided. "Those men are headed for the same place we're going, and they call it 'where the money is.' They're after the Bog-Burglars' gold, or I'm a Terrible Terror. We're going to have to repel a raid as soon as we land and get organized." They summed that up in Forge so Alfrún could understand what was going on.
"If we're sure of their intentions, then why not attack them right now, while we're here?" she asked.
"Is daytime," Six answered. "Dragons fight best at night. Vikings fight worst at night. If we attack now, we get hurt. If we wait until night, Vikings get hurt, not us."
Alfrún nodded. "That works for me." They continued on their way, and reached Bog-Burglar Island about an hour later. Again, they landed and walked into the village. No one was carrying any weapons this time (except for the watchwomen). Bertha was on the other side of the island, supervising the recovery of a beached ship, so Chelsea took control of the situation.
"Why are you here?" she shouted.
Alfrún slid off her dragon. "We're here for the same reason we came last time – to help protect you, to find a place to live, and to learn how to live together."
"'We?'" Chelsea questioned her. "Are you speaking for the dragons?"
"Yes, I am," she replied. "We talked it over in the air. I'm slowly learning their Forge language, so they can tell me the broad outlines of what they're thinking. But before we go any further, I have to tell you that there are six longships headed this way from the east, headed for, in their words, 'where the money is.'" She had Chelsea's full attention now. "They'll probably hit these shores about halfway between sunset and midnight tonight."
"So why didn't you sink them already?" Chelsea demanded. Alfrún began to answer, but Six grunted and got everyone's attention. Six had no problem letting Alfrún handle the social niceties, but if they were going to discuss battle tactics, it was time for the head dragon to take charge.
DRAGONS FIGHT AT NIGHT.
THEY GET KILLED IN DAYLIGHT.
"Okay, that makes sense," Chelsea said. "Can one of you fly to the other side of the island and bring Chief Bertha back here in a great big hurry?"
"I'm on it," Faithful-brother nodded, and sprang skyward.
"While we're waiting for the chief," Chelsea added, "maybe you could get organized so you can terminate those raiders with extreme prejudice? As soon as the sun goes down, and as soon as Bertha gives the word, you'll be ready to take off and do what dragons do best."
I HAVE A BETTER IDEA.
WE KNOW ABOUT ONE RAIDING
PARTY. WHAT IF THERE ARE
OTHERS? I WANT TO SEND OUT
PATROLS IMMEDIATELY.
"Okay, that makes even more sense," Chelsea nodded. "You do what dragons do. I'll double the guards, just in case."
Six took charge. She selected eight pairs of Nadders and other fast-flying species, and sent them out to the eight points of the compass, with instructions to fly high, search well, and return to the island as soon as they saw anything, or just before sunset, whichever happened first. The other dragons wasted no time in finding their sleeping places and taking a nap. Tonight promised to be a busy one, and they wanted to be rested and refreshed after the flight from Berk.
Bertha returned, riding on Faithful-brother's back (reluctantly), about ten minutes later. Chelsea gave her a report, while Six stood nearby. Bertha listened, nodding now and then, and turned to face the dragon.
"You've done well, so far anyway. If you can keep all those Vikings off of our shores, then I'll really congratulate you. Oh, by the way, welcome back!"
WE'RE GLAD TO BE BACK
They waited to see if any of the scouts found anything worth reporting. They didn't have to wait long. One pair returned after barely half an hour, and a second pair came back a few minutes after that. Both of them reported seeing fleets of human ships headed for Bog-Burglar island.
"Is there any chance you both saw the same ships, or that one of you saw the ships we already overflew?" Six asked them, just to be sure. There was no chance of that; they were all sent out on very different courses, and each raiding group had a different number of ships. Six told the Vikings what they'd seen.
"Three sets of raiders, all at once?" Chelsea said, and turned just a little bit pale. "Their love of gold is going to be the death of us!"
Bertha set her jaw firmly. "How many of those raiders can you dragons take out?"
IF WE FIGHT THE NEARBY ONES,
WE'LL HAVE TO FIGHT IN DAYLIGHT
AND SOME OF US WILL GET HURT.
ONE GROUP, YES. A SECOND GROUP,
MAYBE. ALL THREE, NOT A CHANCE.
"That's bad," Bertha said. "Is there anything else we can do?"
YES, BUT YOU WON'T LIKE IT.
"All right," Bertha said, and took a deep breath. "We're desperate. Let's hear it."
Six was startled to realize that Chief Bertha of the Bog-Burglar tribe was willing to take advice from her, a dragon. She also realized that, as soon as she made her suggestion, that willingness would vanish like a dry leaf in a Nightmare's fire, and she and the other dragons would probably be sent packing again.
Why do I keep doing this to myself? she wondered.
It must be because my father was born a Viking, she decided. Now I've got stubbornness issues, too. She extended one claw and began writing on the ground.