I had always wanted to try sky diving. Not free falling. There's a big difference. Gustav tried to keep up with me on the arena floor, keeping calm despite the panic in his eyes. With quick thinking he raised his helmet above his head, upside-down, and brought it down with me to help ease the impact. Cradling the opening of the helmet against his stomach, trying to calm his rapid heart.
I could feel his heavy breathing, as he shakily laughed off the close call. Taking a few deep breaths he looked down at me.
"That was a close one." His smile more of a grimace.
"Good thing you've got fast reflexes."
"Yeah." The colour returning to his face. "What exactly happened up there? Everything started off so smoothly." I was placed atop the shoulder of a nearby training dumby while he readjusted his headwear. Wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
"He's stubborn." The Terror squawked proudly from the railing above the arena. "And not used to taking direction. I think that's the longest he's let me on his back, though. Aside from when we're hoping around. So it's a start."
"Maybe a saddle would help. If anything, it could have a safety harness to keep you from almost plummeting to your death."
"I wouldn't want to bother anyone with that."
"Never hurts to ask."
True.
Still, there were only so few skilled in the craft, and their attention was sorely needed elsewhere. Farming tools needed to be repaired or sharpened, armor and weapons needed to be maintained. I wasn't a soldier who needed to be riding out with the cavalry, so my needs weren't top priority. I was fortunate enough to have Valka recommend and encourage dragon training for myself, after she came back from scouting to find the small Terror curled up around me.
At first there wasn't much thought to it. The dragon was still quite feral but seemed to stick close to me. On his own whims carrying me off out of harms way. Be it stampeding dragons or oblivious children. Eventually letting me on his back to hop from rooftop to rooftop, but never actually flying. We were put in the care of Gustav, the leader of Berk's B Team, for training. The boy was only mid teens, and still a bit brash, but he was taking on the responsibility like a seasoned veteran.
"Are you okay, though? Anything misplaced or broken?" The panic returned to his eyes. A subtle fear that his life could be over should anything happen to me. I guess Astrid chasing off the twins in my defense helped instill that fear.
"Nope. Nothing to worry about. There might be a bruise or two, and maybe a slight headache in the morning, but I'm fine." Giving him a big thumbs up, he relaxed again. The poor kid. "Thanks for catching me."
"Luckily, you're easy to catch. Try catching Spitelout Jorgensen. My arm still doesn't bend right." He moved his left arm about, flexing it in and out where it stopped just shy of full extension. Unable to move it any farther no matter how hard he tried.
Ouch.
I was carefully set on the cold stone floor as he made his way to the entrance.
"Come on, I'll meet you at the gate, then we'll head over to see Gobber about a saddle for Buckshot."
As part of the dragon training routine, I was to run from one end of the arena to the main gate at the end of each session, to ensure I kept in shape and could more or less keep up with everyone else. Today was no different. Being drilled by the Sargent to 'pick up the pace' and 'move your feet' until I finally reached my goal. After three weeks of this warrior training I could actually go from one end to the other without huffing and puffing. My ribs were still just a touch tender if I pushed too hard, or twisted the wrong way, but otherwise I was finally healthy. He settled for a slower and steady pace so I wouldn't get left too far behind as we made our way down the road.
The smithies shop was a little ways off the path to the arena, and once we reached busier streets I was then carried to our destination. If it wasn't so blazingly obvious you would never know I wasn't a local. Given the same rights and treatment as any other denizen of the island. There were a small few who shared Snotlout's superstitious attitudes, but most were more polite about it.
Gobber's shop was relatively quiet. The only noise was the cursing from inside that said anyone was even home.
"Tíkarsonur, that hurt!"
"Everything alright, Chief?" Gustav called into the workshop, turning the corner to see Hiccup biting and sucking on his thumb, spitting out the blood.
"Yeah, just cut myself trying to put this stupid thing together." He gestured to the mostly completed Dragon's Eye. "I don't know how they did it the first time."
"Which means you should probably leave it alone." Gobber huffed. "The hunters may be resourceful, but they're not quite as stubborn as you are. You get that from your father."
"We can't take that chance." Hiccup scrounged around for a clean cloth. The cut on his thumb wasn't very large but it was pretty deep, a small trail of blood running down his palm.
"You sound like him, too." Gobber grumbled, turning his attention over to us. "How's the tiny terror training going?"
"Actually, that's why we're here." Gustav placed me atop the table so he could help Hiccup with bandaging the cut. "Millie needs a saddle. Preferably with a harness."
"If it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all, lass. Although I will be honest with ye', I've not crafted a saddle for a Terrible Terror before. It might take me some time to get it right."
"That's not a problem. I'm in no hurry, and I'm sure you've got more important things to worry about."
Right on que a local man came up with a broken plow pulled behind a rather exhausted looking yak, gaining Gobbers attention.
While I waited I took a little wander about the workbench. Noting the various tools and schematics littered about. Coming across a conical shaped bit of glass about half my size, spotting a bit of blood on the point.
"Buckshot's not very good at taking orders, eh?" Hiccup picked up the glass peice, wiping it clean on his shirt.
"Maybe some dragons can't be trained."
"It's possible. You'd have a heck of a time trying to train a Foreverwing." He looked over the schematic, making sure he was doing everything right. "But we've trained Terrible Terrors before, so it can be done."
I came about the bottom of the page, looking between him and the images.
"Simple tricks are different from full-fledged flying." I meandered my way over to the Dragon Eye, trying to match up the schematic in my head with the device. "And when you've been free for so long, no amount of trust or loyalty is gunna make you want to put on a saddle and carry someone on your back at their whims only."
"True. I remember putting the tail on Toothless for the first time. He accidentally swept me up with him in his excitement at the thought of freedom." _I remember that, too._ "I think he was a bit annoyed when he realized he needed me to help him fly, after he shook me off and crashed into the pond."
"But now look at you two." Gustav beamed. "Look at Berk! Could you imagine what life would be like if Toothless was free? Or if you had killed him?"
He meant well, but he still struggled with sensitivity. You could see Hiccup's mind turn at the possible outcomes, if Toothless could've flown away. Or if he could have done what everyone else would have without a second thought. It was starting to weigh on him. But he dismissed them, focusing back on the schematics.
I could understand. It must have been an incredibly difficult choice to make, especially if he didn't know this would be the outcome.
It was strange. I could see the movies playing out in my head, and yet they seemed so distant. I felt like I knew them before. But now I know them better, and on a level I'm sure many would kill for. Maybe not in this exact predicament, but they might just take whatever came their way. It has been an unforgettable experience thus far. And despite the unfortunate occasional mishaps, I have enjoyed every moment of it.
And yet, everyday, there is this growing pang in my heart for home and how I seem to be drifting further away from it.
But there was no time for sad thoughts right now, there was work to be done. Shaking my head in hopes of dispelling the heaviness creeping up on me, I peered in over the opening of the Dragon Eye.
"Were you trying to put that bit, there, in this slot?" There were two tight metal prongs along the inner canal meant to hold the frame that was fashioned onto the glass peice. The pointed end aimed at the light source, while the wider end would help direct the beam outward. At least from my understanding, anyway.
"Yeah, but it's finicky and slipped."
"Need a hand? It looks like there's enough room I can hop inside and hold it steady while you force it into place."
"Sure. Let's give it a shot."
There really was just enough room if we did this right. Trying to hold the piece steady without getting my knees crushed was the challenge for me. I ended up draping my upper body over it to help keep it from moving about. Hiccup used a scrap of cloth as extra padding so he wouldn't cut himself again on the sharp metal edge as he tried to force it into place.
I still, will never get used to that feeling. His thumb pressing firmly onto my back. And once again I was reminded of how much power they could have over me. How easily they could break my neck, even unintentionally. I know they would never do anything to put me in harms way, but it was unbearably unnerving. I squeezed my eyes shut tight until he removed his hand.
"That's good like that. I can hammer it in the rest of the way. Thanks, Millie." Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile as he helped me out of the device.
"No problem. Glad I could be of assistance, for once."
Picking up a tiny hammer, one used more for detailing or punching holes in leather, he carefully fitted the glass piece in the rest of the way. Checking it to make sure it was in properly.
"I think it's almost ready. Fishlegs is just down at the docks, hopefully trading with the merchants for a piece we're missing, but it should be done by the morning."
"Then you'll finally know what all this fuss was about." I said, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants.
"And you can leave all this nonsense behind you and focus on ye'r chiefly duties."
"Oh, come on, the village is fine."
As if to prove him wrong, there came a rising clamor of angry screeching and alarmed cries. Hiccup banged his head on the workbench while the rest of us watched the chaos unfold outside.
Two male nadders were duking it out, most likely over nesting and territory, as it was that time of year for them, and it was starting to get out of control. Even Toothless' commands were being ignored as he tried to break them apart. Must be some girl they're fighting over. Probably Stormfly. Their fighting left quite a mark on the buildings around them, as well as several civilians who had nadder spines sticking out of limbs.
Gobber sent the boy a firm look.
"Yup, right. I'm on it." Hiccup groaned. Calling out for Toothless' attention as the two set off to settle the dispute before it got even worse.
"Sorry, lass, but the saddle may have to wait until we get this mess dealt with."
"That's fine. I just wish there was more I could do to help, though."
"Once we get Buckshot trained, I'm sure we could find something for you to do." Gustav encouraged. "You could probably do night patrol."
It was a possibility. But I would definitely need a trained dragon to fly with. So I'll aim for that, as a start. Then I can actually start earning my keep.
The dragons were calmed and the afternoon was spent taking in the total damages. Making note of what supplies would be needed to fix it all, and healing those that needed it. Luckily, no one was seriously injured, but there would be definite scars.
As the day went on, the skies clouded over and the island was set in a fluffy blanket of fresh snow, the final send-off of the winter season. Only stopping just as the sun was setting. Buckshot brought me up to the perfect sunset view atop one of the tallest buildings on Berk, happily munching on a stock of yak jerky one of the children gave him. He had definitely gotten comfortable with the idea of living on an island co-inhabited by both dragons and humans, but he was still incredibly independent.
The few night torches were lit as the sun disappeared, giving the snow-covered village a cozy glow.
"What d'ya think, Buck? Time to head back down?" He stretched, letting out a low yawn. Waiting as I climbed onto his back. His long spines did make it a bit uncomfortable, but it was bearable. Better that trying to wade my way through foot deep snow.
With a little hop, he began the gliding decent from Gothi's hut. Slowly circling his way down.
"This isn't so bad, is it? Wouldn't it be nice to go out more? Maybe even get off the island once in a while?" He groaned at me, not appreciating the direction I was taking this. "We could do the training, and prove ourselves, and-" he began to dive. "Okay! I guess not!" I cried out over the rushing wind.
But he wasn't done. Similar to Toothless, Buckshot didn't hold back. Barrel rolls, duck dives into the snow, swerving in and around people and buildings, maintaining a high-speed.
"Alright! Forget I said anything!" He maneuvered through the thick pines that bordered the village. The wind knocked clean out of me as I was deposited onto a thin branch, Buckshot disappearing into the trees. I was left hanging there, trying my best to hold onto the branch, taking deep raspy couhing breaths.
"You're not fooling anyone, you know!" I barked out hoarsely into the dark woods. Grunting as I tried to readjust my position. "You could have left long ago. You could have killed me and gone on your way." No response. Not that I expected one. "You trusted me when I said you'd be safe here. Trust me on this."
Silence.
Snow covered quiet. There was the odd sound of snow falling off the trees, but I was on my own. Swinging my foot up in an awkward hold, grunting and groaning until I managed to flip myself on top of the branch, laying there like a big cat resting in the trees.
"Great." My ribs were definitely bruised after that gracefully forced dismount. The pain was dull, so I knew nothing was broken, but it wasn't ideal. "Can I not go a full day without almost dying?" There was a distant crunch of snow.
Then another.
And another.
Slow and steady. I sat up and scanned about. The dim lighting from the distant street lights not showing much past the first five trees.
"He-hello?" Nothing behind me, but the movements continued. "Anyone there?"
No response.
There was a short pause before I heard it again. I couldn't see anyone on the nearby road. Everyone was likely in the hall, so I couldn't call out to any passers-by for help.
Most dragons here were friendly, but there's still the odd feral beast roaming about. From wild boars to bears to big cats. They didn't play a part in the movies, but I was warned of what came alive at night on Berk.
crunch
The branch was low, but the ground was still too far away. Even with the foot of snow beneath me, I still don't think I'd be able to walk away. I'd be lucky to crawl.
CrunCH
It was getting closer, with no signs of stopping. The branch was thin, but if I could stand up on it and jump, I could probably reach the branch above me. And if I could climb up higher, maybe this thing wouldn't be able to get at me.
CRUNCH
I was on my feet, stretching as far as I could, my fingers brushing the underside of the branch above. This thing was right on top of me, but I couldn't see it anywhere.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared to jump.
"Boo."
I jumped out of my skin, screeching and tumbling over the branch I was standing on, gripping it at the last second. Wrapping my arms and legs around it, my body shaking as I waited for the end.
Wait a hot minute.
My terror turned to anger as his laughter grew.
It finally registered that it wasn't some rogue dragon or wild cat coming after me, but someone who wasn't going to live long after I was through with him.
"Bastard!" I glared up at Eret. A wide grun plastered on his face as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I thought you were some wild animal coming to kill me. What the hell were you thinking!?"
"That you made it too easy."
He kept grinning at me, my scowl not quite as scathing as I hoped it would be, considering I was hanging off a tree branch like a sloth.
"It's not funny." He watched me struggle to get back upright.
"It was brilliant."
"You're just as bad as the twins." I muttered under my breath, huffing when I was finally seated. What made matters worse was that my scowl was met by his waist, which meant he was looking down at me with that stupid smug grin. "How did you even know I was here? When did you get back?"
"Just now. We were flying in when I heard you raving to skies." Skullcrusher stood down the road, preening under the saddle. How did I miss him? "I think you're going a bit mad, aren't you?"
Sucking in a deep breath I craned my sights upwards, ready to snap back at him, only for my mind to go blank. Clearly, shaving was not a priority, a short beard growing along his jaw, his tattoos barely visible under his lip. And I won't lie, it actually suited him. I honestly didn't think facial hair would be his thing, but hot damn I was not expecting that.
I tried to look somewhere else, hoping to regain my train of thought when I noticed something else was different.
"What happened to your furs?" His shoulders were bare, save for his tunic that now held the owl pin.
"I feel so missed." I stuck my tongue out at him. "Sent them back home. Proof to my mother and father that I'm still alive, but my work here is not done."
Eret held his hand underneath where I was seated and I happily accepted the invitation, dropping down into his hold. A familiar sense of awe washing over me when his fingers curled slightly to help keep me steady as he shifted into a more comfortable stance, leaning back against the tree. His hands were a bit larger than the others, if I outstretched my arm it might just reach the second knuckle on his pinky.
"So I take it the repairs were made, and your crew is headed back to your homeland?"
"Yes." Was his simple response. He seemed quite tired, to be fair, there were faint dark circles under his eyes from what I could tell.
"How was your time with the defenders?"
"I spent most of my time in the shipyard." His hands were a bit more rough than last time, fresh calluses marking his palms from the hard work. "The royals were still trying to piece together Ravna and her part in all the chaos prior."
"Ah, I see."
"The only real issue was returning Dagur's crossbow Teeny had purchased. Luckily, it was resolved without much incident."
"I'm sure the others would love to hear about that. They should be in the Mead Hall by now. It might also be a good idea to inform the Chief that you're back."
He agreed, helping me onto his shoulder as we set the course down the snowy road.
"Onwards, Chauncey. To the Mead Hall!" His fingers wrapped firmly around my waist, dropping me off on a nearby chopping block beside a random house. He turned on his heel and made to continue on his way, leaving me behind.
"What, hey!"
"I'm not some damn ox here to cart you around as you please." He bit. And I felt it. Flinching back at his tone as I looked at him.
"I–I'm sorry. That's not what I meant." My eyes stung, threatening tears. "I'm still trying to figure things out. I guess I've still got a ways to go." His look softened, but he held firm. "My sisters and I used to say that to each other when we were younger, carrying each other on our backs for our games. As we got older, we still teased each other about it."
He came back, looking down at me.
"I guess I've gotten comfortable here. It feels like home even though it's not." My throat was tight and try as I might, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Why am I still here? I've been trying to figure this out, and I can't. What lesson am I supposed to be learning? To trust people? To rely on others? To not be so stubborn?"
I looked up at him through the tears, the sympathy in his eyes not making me feel any better.
"I thought that's what I was doing. Is it not enough? What if I can never go back? Look at me! I serve no purpose like this. I can't do anything, or be anyone, or anything other than a hindrance or a hazard! I just don't understand, and I'm scared! I don't know what to do anymore."
I didn't mean to just spill out all my troubles on him.
I didn't mean to let things get this far.
I thought something would have happened. Something would have changed. I would wrack my brain until I got migraines, but nothing was ever made clear as to why I was here, like this, and what the lesson was if there was one.
I heard the snow shift under his weight when he crouched down. Brushing his knuckles over my arm and back in a comforting gesture.
And it was working. I choked down several shakey breaths, wiping away my tears. Very gently he lifted my chin, his dark eyes shining with a warmth that seemed to melt away all my troubles.
"I can't say I have any answers for you. But I'm sure we'll figure this out. You're not alone, Millie."
"You said my name for once." I smiled weakly at him.
"Only this once, little Spörr." His playful smile returning, making to tousle my hair but I ducked out of the way. Having my spirits lifted, I collected myself.
Let's try this again.
"Would you care to accompany me to the Mead Hall?"
"I'd be honored."
Cheeky. He helped me onto his shoulder once more, keeping his hand nearby as he stood to his full height, relaxing into the steady stride down the road.
Words could not express my gratitude to him, to any of them. But with Eret, I could get away with showing it. Steadying myself I placed a firm kiss on his jaw, hoping he could feel it as much as I felt the scratch of his beard, and hoping that I wasn't just making a fool of myself. The tug on his lips and the gentle turn of his head to try and glance at me said he could.
"Thank you. For listening."
He chuckled, pressing me against his neck in a weird sort of embrace.
I muttered a curse when a familiar screech rang out through the air, knowing what was coming next. I was not, however, expecting to be smothered. Eret's hand coved my body as a small dragon swooped in, drawing blood as he took a swipe, trying to pry his hand away. I could feel his jaw and shoulders tense as he scanned about for the dragon. Spotting the Terror perched on the roofs edge, glaring and hissing at him.
"Hey!" I pushed his hand off, staring the Terror down. "Buck, enough! You left me in a tree, so you don't get to be so defensive. Or possessive."
The Terror screeched back, as if defending his position in that he was coming to my aid. But he was just being jealous. Didn't matter who I was with; Fishlegs, Skaulder, Astrid, even Hiccup, the Terror took some issue with it. Stalking them and occasionally carrying me off when he had the chance.
"You know this dragon?" Buckshot grunted at Eret, watching the trappers' movements carefully.
"That would be Buckshot." He puffed up at the mention of his name. "You remember the Terror from the Edge? The one that tried to roast me alive?"
"The one that shot my foot? Yes, I remember him." Buck crowed, proud of his prior actions.
"Ooh, that was you? Well, I'm his rider now."
"I'm not even gone a month, and you join the ranks?"
"You've been gone a little over a month."
"I have not."
"I'm pretty sure you have."
His brows knit as he thought hard on the subject.
"Have I really been gone for a whole month?"
"At least. If that beard is anything to go by."
I had to laugh as he scratched his chin, completely caught off guard by the stuble he felt. His mind had clearly been elsewhere while he was gone, muttering a curse under his breath.
"I think it looks good and you should keep it, but it's your face. Do what you want."
"Well there's no point in doing anything about it right this second." Buckshot followed from above, hopping along the rooftops as we continued on our way. The Terrible Terror wouldn't be much of a problem for Eret on a whole, but he still kept his guard up, for my sake it seemed. "So how'd it come about that the dragon that wanted you dead, is now out to save you?"
"We figure he may have been a runt, fighting to survive in a world much bigger than himself."
"Aren't you two just perfect for each other." Eret chuckled.
"Ha ha, cute." I made myself more comfortable, sitting down and leaning against Eret's neck. Showing Buckshot that I was not moving and that he needs to get over it. "Anyway, I fed him some fish, he saved me from the twins, and we've been training for a few weeks now."
"What did those two do now?"
"You really don't wanna know. But they are now exiled to Mildew's farm for the Spring, under penalty of Astrid."
He let out an exasperated sigh, scrunching his nose and massaging the space between his eyes.
"Odinn's beard, how are those two still allowed on this island? I'm honestly surprised she hasn't done off with them yet, from what I've heard of 'em."
I didn't have an answer for him. It was honestly by some sort of divine intervention that those two are still alive, what with all the extreme sports they get into on a daily basis.
A commotion at Gobber's shop shifted our focus. Several familiar dragons were gathered outside, along with their riders.
"A-ha, it is the moonlight!" Hiccup held onto the Dragon Eye. Moving it about to get the best angle, faint glimmering specs of light bouncing off the floor and walls.
"Ooo, this is so exciting! New dragon knowledge!" Fishlegs squealed. Meatlug squirming in excitement with him.
"The image is a bit weak, though." Astrid tried dusting off the shop floor with her foot, seeing if it would help clear up the picture. It did not.
"Well, the moon is waning. It might work better when it's full."
"That's a few weeks away. Can't you invent something to shine fake moonlight or something?"
"And how would you suggest I do that, Snotlout?"
"I don't know. You're the inventor." Snotlout huffed. "So invent."
"Stormfly!" Astrid's calls were once again ignored by the dragon at the sight of her second favourite person.
I held onto Eret's hair when the dragon gave him the usual greeting. Knocking him down to the ground to nuzzle until she was pulled off. Unfortunately my safety tactic ended up with few strands of his hair caught up in some of the leather accessories I had on. At least nothing was broken or dislocated this time.
"Sorry." I apologized again, hearing him wince as he got back to his feet.
"You know, this isn't what they mean when they say to get tangled up together."
"Shut it." He helped pull me loose, only to have Buckshot come swooping in to the rescue.
Toothless called an end to his attack, but he wasn't very happy about it. Perching on Eret's shoulder smoking up a storm, with me in-between the two.
"Welcome back." Hiccup greeted. "I see you've met Buckshot."
"Indeed." The dragon growled lowly in affirmation.
"Okay, that's enough out of you." I hopped onto the Terror's back. "Come on, let's go over to Hookfang until you cool off." The Monsterous Nightmare was one of the few dragons Buck actually enjoyed being around. Much to Snotlout's annoyance. He glared at us when we landed on the Nightmare's head, trying to shoo us away, but Hookfang pushed him back and welcomed us gladly. If only to piss off his rider.
"What's all this about?"
"We got the Dragon Eye reassembled, and it appears as though the lens reacts with moonlight." Fishlegs explained. The image fading away when the clouds rolled in.
"It's something you'd have to have been there for to understand." Snotlout said.
"It's not that complicated." I said. He turned to snap at me but Hookfang whacked him upside the head with his tail, making Snoutlout pout but ultimately keep his comments to himself. The Nightmare purring proudly when I scratched the scales between his eyes.
"Hookfang!" Snotlout whined but was once again ignored.
"Huh, looks like I got back just in time." Hiccup passed off the device to Eret so he could study it himself.
"Almost. We figure a full moon might give us a clearer image. And that's at least a fortnight away." Hiccup explained tiredly. Atleast we're one step closer to solving this mystery.
"Until then, you could always test out your other theories if dragon fire would produce an image." Eret handed the device back.
"We tried that and it doesn't work." Fishlegs noted. "Moonlight was the only light source that gave us anything to go off of."
"Ah, I see. Then it's back to waiting."
"Yup. And your timing couldn't have been better." Hiccup slapped Eret on the back. "There was a small mishap with some Nadders and some building need to be repaired. We could use the extra set of hands."
"I'll head down to the lumber yard in the morning."
"Perfect. Thank you." Hiccup returned his attention to Fishlegs and his journal, going over what details his friend could roughly make out of the dull image.
Buckshot and I hopped up onto the roof of the shop when Snotlout called for Hookfang, saying it was time to go, and the dragon finally obliged an order.
Eret turned his attention turn over to Astrid, who shook her head lightly at the muffled sound of Hiccup and Fishlegs talking shop, most likely to continue on well into the early hours.
"So, the twins are exiled—"
"You don't wanna know! Trust me." Astrid ground out. "If Hiccup hadn't suggested Mildew's farmstead, I would have tied them to a boat and cast them off to Outcast Island for this one."
"Wow." Eret huffed in disbelief. "I'll take your word for it."
Astrid breathed deeply, steeling herself before continuing any conversation.
"I can see your mind was elsewhere while you were gone. The beard looks nice."
"I told him that already." We followed the two in the direction of the Mead Hall.
"Don't get too used to it." He looked up at me, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Why not? What's wrong with it?" Astrid asked.
"Nothing. Just personal preference." Fair enough. I will miss it, but it's not my face. I don't have to wear it.
"How'd it go with the defenders?"
"Not too terrible. But those royals are something else." Astrid and I stiffled our giggles when his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
"Let's grab a drink, and you can tell us all about it."