Maybe this wasn't a better position, but I was committed now. I mean, it was still a little awkward feeling, but less so than being held.
My legs were fine, a little bruised if anything, but I could have walked out of the building myself instead of this. It would probably take me ten or so steps to match their one. So their thirty seconds to get from point A to point B might take me five minutes.
It was too late now, and I didn't want to push my luck by suggesting yet another alternative. I was grateful that they at least treated me as a person, despite the fact that I now feel more like a parrot perched on the former pirate's shoulder, be it my own doing or not.
I also wouldn't complain if someone actually offered me a cracker right now.
The mid-day sun was harsh on my eyes as we left the building, and once they adjusted, I was met with a face I wasn't really expecting to see yet.
"Heather, what are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Hiccup greeted the raven haired axe-maiden, but she just shrugged off his concern.
"Everything's fine, Hiccup. I mean, the hunters have been a real pain recently, but I came here because Dagur was getting antsy and wanted to know what's keeping you."
"I told you he'd send an escort." Astrid gave Hiccup a cheeky grin.
"Actually, you said he'd send a search party."
Heather's dark green eyes locked on Eret and, in a sudden rage, slammed his back against the wall, pinning him there with her axe at his throat. See, no one wields a sharp object just to knock someone unconscious. She held the blade firm enough to draw blood. The force of it all nearly sent me flying back, my foot almost getting pinned between Eret's shoulder and the wall.
"Wait, Heather! It's okay, he's one of us."
Eret took her surprise as his chance to break free. With quick moves, he had her axe twisted out her hands and brought her to the ground, pinning her beneath him.
That sent me soaring. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, but when you're in that do-or-die moment, you don't always remember to tuck and roll. I don't have that kind of parkour training.
I don't have any parkour training.
The only thing I did remember was the time I was thrown off an atv and broke my arm. This felt very much the same. I hit the ground hard and fast that I don't remember how I got so far away from the two warriors. All I knew was my ears were ringing, my body was buzzing, and I couldn't feel my left arm.
I hate this. Seriously, whoever is in control of this adventure, either put me out of my misery or give me some sort of magic fix to this. Like some ancient rune stone that can change people's size, or like that crystal thing from Gravity Falls.
Somebody was yelling, but I couldn't tell you what they were saying. Looking back, it was probably something to do with Eret being a trapper, and Hiccup coming to his defense while Heather was being skeptical, as they were trying to pry the two apart.
I was more focused on pulling my spirit back into my body before it completely got away from me, trying hard to blink away my spotty vision. The world around me was coming back to life as the two were brought back up on their feet. It was almost comical to watch Eret realize I was no longer with him when I heard my name being called. Heather stared at him like he had lost his mind as he patted himself down, spinning about while scanning the ground. I had to laugh as he even looked down his shirt.
I stiffly raised my right arm to try and wave them over when my voice wouldn't work, cringing at the added pain to my already bruised muscles. Either my luck was turning, or they had really good eyesight, as both Hiccup and Eret came to find me sprawled in the short grass. I can't tell you what the others were doing as I couldn't see them, but I could hear Astrid and Fishlegs trying to explain who I was, and why I was like this, to Heather.
Hiccup looked relieved but concerned, while Eret just looked at me as if he knew this would happen and I had done something stupid.
"If you would have just let me carry you–"
"First off," I bit back. He was not gunna put this all on me. "You could have said no. Second, there was no chance of me coming out unscathed, no matter the position. And thirdly--I can't feel my arm, and I'm trying really hard not to panic!"
"That's because it's dislocated." I cried out at the touch as Hiccup assessed my shoulder. "Luckily, it should pop back into place, with a little force."
"She'll need something to bite down on." It was slow movements, but there was no way these guys could be gentle with moving my arm into position. I was very close to losing it as Eret took a light hold of my arm, pinching my shoulder between his finger and thumb, feeling about for the best angle to do this on such a small body. Hiccup took out his knife to cut off an end of the leather string binding one of his books.
"Try and stay still." I was trying, but the body does tend to jerk away from the thing causing you pain. It's instinct. "Have you never dislocated your shoulder before?"
"No, I haven't." Was this his way of distracting me? Because it's not working. I took the scrap of leather between my teeth as Hiccup wrapped his fingers around my torso, helping to keep me still as Eret prepared to reset my joint.
"Luckily for you, I have. Several times." Well good for you. "It will be over before you know it." There were definite teeth marks in the leather as I lurched forward. Eret gave me no time to think about it, forcing the joint back into place just as the words left his mouth.
"Ouch." Ruff winced from somewhere nearby.
"Even I heard that." Tuff cringed along with his twin.
"There ya go." Hiccup said softly, letting go as I curled into myself. Tears streaming down my face, trying to breathe deeply as I waited for the pain to dissappear. "Is she going with you?"
"I've got room in the saddle bag for her. Best way to keep her out of further trouble."
"Are you sure?" Hiccup asked, more unsure about the transportation method but seeing some sense in it.
"Yeah, it's fine. I had nothing to collect from the Edge, just came along should you run afoul." Hiccup pursed his lips, with Eret still being fairly new to dragon riding he probably wouldn't be as much help as he thinks.
"How are you all so calm about this!?" I was done. Everything had gone past its boiling point that I couldn't contain it anymore. "How are you so unfazed by all of this?" I gestured to myself, but they were quietly testing out the word unfazed. I guess that doesn't translate either.
"Granted, this is a bit strange." Hiccup spoke calmly, only irking me more. "But we'll figure it out."
"As if getting taken from my home and dumped here, like this wasn't enough, I have no way to defend myself except by means of a giant chicken! And then you show up and act as if this is a normal occurrence. But it's not, and it's utterly terrifying because you're all just so-so huge and I'm, I'm..." Weak? Helpless? Impossibly small? I felt so pathetic. "And even though you've done nothing but try to help me, all I seem to be capable of is bitching and complaining. And I-I just... I don't get it. Any of it." If I didn't feel like a child before, I do now after that tantrum.
Just looking up at them was intimidating, even though they've been nothing but gentle and patient with me. Don't get me wrong, I would love to be riding on the back of a dragon and going on adventures with these guys, even at my age. The real world, or I guess my world, sucks. But even knowing that, at this particular moment, I just want to go home.
"No, it's understandable." New tears trickled down my cheeks. Of course, he'd still be understanding. "I don't think any human could be prepared for this. You've made it pretty far on your own, even with the odds working against you. But you're not alone, and we're not just going to leave you. At least, not until you can stand on your own two feet again." Calming down, I wiped the tears away, mentally and physically drained. Hiccup helped me to my feet as Eret offered his hand again.
"Come on, little Spörr, you need to rest." The ascent was brief, still just as odd feeling as before, but slightly less terrifying. Skullcrusher was curious about the commotion as he ambled his way closer, Eret making sure the dragon didn't bother my injured arm as he tried to sniff out who I was. I can now proudly say that I have touched a dragon, scratching the beasts nose as he whined lowly, nudging his rider.
I was tentatively set on the saddle seat, leaning against the horn while Eret shuffled a few things around in the saddle bag.
"Are you sure you want to go with him?" Although the question was directed at me, Heather kept a cold eye on Eret. It would take her a bit, but she'd warm up to him eventually, just like she did with Dagur.
"We'll be fine. Don't worry about us, princess." Unless he does that.
"Don't call me princess." Heather jabbed at his chest, snarling.
"Your brother is a king, is he not? That would make you a princess by association." Eret looked down at her, unbothered by her judgments.
"That's not how it works!"
"Close enough." He shrugged her off, obviously done with the conversation.
"Okay, that's enough out of you two." Astrid led Heather away, just as she looked about ready to tear at his throat again. "Let's go before his Highness sends an armada."
I just stared out at the horizon, mulling over everything that has transpired in the last few hours, shivering slightly at the gentle breeze coming up from the coast. Eret must have noticed because he shrugged off his furs, folding them as best he could and placing them in the bag, the ends spilling over a bit.
"Won't you be cold?" I looked up at him apologetically.
"I'll be just fine. Don't you worry about me." Of course I'm going to worry, even if there's not much I can do about it, part of me still feels guilty when people go out of their way and all I can say is thank you.
"Chin up, eh." He smiled softly as he gently lifted my chin, giving him a half-hearted smile of my own. Heaving a shakey sigh as he let me push his hand away. The somber moment didn't last long, though, as he made to tousle my hair, yet again. Seriously, why? He stopped when I shooed him off. That's when I looked up and noticed the dried red streaks running down his throat.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Gesturing at my own neck. He looked confused a moment until he felt the wound himself, noticing the dried blood on his fingertips. He merely brushed off my concern, flashing that ever confident grin.
"Just a scratch, nothing to worry about. I've had far worse." He pointed to a few more prominent scars on his arms, but I knew which one he really referred to. "Now, I've made it all nice and cozy for you, so come on. Rest up. From what I've heard, this Dagur fellow seems like a lively one, but I feel like he'd enjoy your spitfire attitude." He waited for me to climb onto his open hand again, since I wouldn't be able to get into the satchel nest myself. The world spun a little as I got to my feet, and he waited patiently as I shook off the wave of light headedness.
"Hard to see you as a ruthless trapper, being all considerate and comforting."
"Don't say it too loud. After all, I've still got a reputation to keep." He got down to be more eye level with me, winking playfully as I rolled my eyes.
"And what if I refuse?" I turned my back to him.
"Ah, well, that's when I don't give you much of a choice." He blew a puff of air at my head, gaining my annoyed attention before gently but swiftly sweeping me off my feet and depositing me onto the rough furs. They weren't stiff or bristly, but they certainly weren't silky or soft either. "Try to relax a bit. We'll be there before you know it, little Spörr."
"Tell me what that means."
He chuckled at me before closing the saddle bags cover, jostling my surroundings when he mounted the saddle. There were slivers of light peaking through two slits at the side of the bag. At least I wasn't in complete darkness.
The take-off felt similar to an airplane, the slight pressure of force when it lifts from the ground, like someone is sitting on your chest. But with added turbulence since these wings had to move to keep us airborne. The harsh whistling of rushing air through the small windows only added to the annoyance of my ears popping. I wonder what the view is like? And I may not find out, struggling to get my footing even though the furs were fairly stiff, my body was beaten and begging for sleep.
I surrendered, though it wasn't very restful. I wasn't sure how long the flight was going to be, and I lost track of time as I dove in and out of consciousness. I couldn't make out much over the rushing wind, but I heard some people talking. I was just about to fall asleep when a sudden jerking startled me. I caught Hiccup's voice, practically ordering Eret to stay out of range. A small argument could also be heard as Snotlout protested against the idea being paired up with him to make sure we stayed off to the side, eventually having Heather volunteer in Snotlout's place. I heard something about a scouting ship and not being that much of an issue, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Then I dozed off again. A bit longer this time. I was semi conscious when I heard more conversing, this time without the roaring wind overlapping it. We must have landed, but I couldn't find the energy to wake up yet. So I just lay there, snuggled into the fur, listening.
"You missed all the fun! These guys are desperate, I mean, trying to attack the island from opposite sides at the same time? Obviously, they didn't know what they were getting themselves into." I recognized that manic laughter. It was contagious.
"What are they after?"
"No clue. My dear Mala managed to take one prisoner on the other side of the island and is interrogating him now. I almost feel sorry for the poor kid."
"How's she doing?" Fishlegs asked. My back was to them as the flap was opened, my face buried into the furry nest I made. Someone started prodding about, making sure I was still breathing. Heaving a deep sigh, I rolled over, settling back down contently, I guess it's time to get up. It's not really like I slept much anyway.
"She's fine. Best to let her sleep a bit longer." I opened my eyes just as they closed me back in again. How sweet, but it's too late, I'm already awake, and my stomach is growling again. It was a little easier, now that we weren't moving, to sluggishly climb my way up to the small opening at the side of the bag. The sky had clouded over, but it was still bright to my sleepy eyes.
I saw a few defenders practicing their skills with each other on what looked like a sandy beach. Some were sharpening weapons, a few were caring for the injured, and I think I saw two people hefting away a possibly dead body? It was pretty bloodied. Okay, so not very PG like the movies.
I sort of half hung myself out of the bag, breathing deeply the salty sea air. Snotlout and the twins were grumpily cleaning up debris, most likely given the task to keep them out of trouble. Eret and Fishlegs stood next to Skullcrusher, listening to the report of recent hunter activities. Standing a few feet away was Hiccup, Astrid, Heather, and Dagur. One of my favourite people, along with the twins. I tend to gravitate towards chaotic energies. It's too much fun.
I guess me poking my head out was enough movement to draw Dagur's attention as he stared at me curiously.
"What is that?" He pointed at me as I waved back.
"That is Millie." Hiccup explained as Dagur made his way over. "We found her at the Edge, fighting for her life."
"And what is she?" His gaze was intense. The colour of his green eyes was almost unnaturally vibrant.
"She is hungry, and her legs are starting to cramp." I shuffled around a bit, my good arm starting to tingle from the awkward position. "If his majesty would be so kind as to help me out of here rather than just staring at me like a creep, it would be greatly appreciated. Since I can't do it on my own with my arm all busted up."
A couple of the group members tensed as Dagur lifted the flap to the bag, but I wasn't too worried about him. He lifted me from the furs, still trying to figure me out. I stretched gingerly, wincing at my bruised shoulder and tender ribs. How long does it take for a dislocated limb to heal once it's been reset?
"How are you like this?" He poked me. Another one of my pet peeves. Grunting at him as I hit away the opposing digit.
"I will fight you." I glared up at him, very much over the inspection. He blinked back at me before a wide grin spread across his face, turning back to Hiccup.
"Oh, I like this one."