Chapter Text
Waves that once lapped up onto the shore in a sweet rhythmic pattern, disrupted only by the sand, were now being cut through by the hull of a boat. With its sail tattered and torn by weather, the waves brought it to a slow stop as it stuck itself in the sand with a groan. The passengers of the boat raised their heads wearily, as if the sight of land was a mere myth. Astrid jumped out of the boat first, unsteadily landing on the shifting ground below her, then stood up straight and looked out to observe her surroundings. Her braided hair was messy and tangled, and the loose strands around her face were kicked up in the breeze, obscuring her vision. A hand comes into her peripheral with intentions to tuck the strands away, but before it meets its mark she catches the hand and twists with might.
“ Do. Not. Touch. Me. Snotlout, “ she says through her teeth, glaring down at Snotlout, who is now on the ground writhing in pain.
“ Well we could have washed up somewhere worse. I mean look at this place! Its so green, and alive. I think I even see fresh water, “ Fishlegs states, excitedly. He jumps out of the boat as well, with the twins following closely behind him.
“ Oh yeah it's so amazing, that and all the dragons in the water and the dragons flying above our heads, and no doubt the dragons in those woods too, “ Ruffnut oh so cheerfully acknowledges.
“You bet it sis, and with the storm following us we will have no choice but to go into those dragon-filled woods to find shelter and firewood, “ Tuffnut adds. To add salt to their wounds, thunder sounds loudly behind them, igniting a sense of urgency in the weary crew.
“ Well, it's our only choice. Hopefully the dragons will shelter from the storm too, and we can all just go on our merry ways. Come on guys, let's go before it starts to rain, “ Astrid says, authority clinging to her words.
They all groan in agreement and grab their few belongings out of the boat and begin to trudge up the sandy shores.
The forest meets them immediately, no separation between the sand and dirt, it seems to almost mix as the path goes further in, until there's nothing but thick, unforgiving trees. The sun is still out but slightly overcast due to the coming storm. But within the thickets of the forest, the tightly wound branches and overarching leaves don't leave much space for the light to get through except for a few scattered openings. However Astrid notices the makings of a path. The bramble and weeds are slightly worn down into a footpath, as though someone, or something through walks here daily. Fishlegs takes note of this and asks the group, “ What do you guys think made this path? “
“ Something that knows its way around. I say we try to follow it, see where it goes. Its better than wandering around aimlessly, “ Astrid suggests, shrugging.
They all shrug in agreement and continue along the faint pathway, taking uncertain but speedy steps.
Eventually the thick trees give way to a clearing, where they are able to see the pinks of a fading sunset, and the darkness of an oncoming night. They wander around the circle, trying to find where the pathway continues,
“ Found it! “ Snotlout and Tuffnut shout in unison.
“ No, I found it, “ Ruffnut says.
“ Oh you always have to be right don't you? “ Tuffnut challenges.
“ Guys shut up, “ Astrid says, her head perking up as she swivels around. In the silence they hear the rustling of leaves and a set of heavy footprints. They regroup, uncertain of the direction the noise is coming from so they press their backs close to each other with their hands ready on their weapons.
Soon they hear a low rumble, the growl of a dragon. And then a shout.
A black mass comes tumbling out of the trees with a man in its grasp.
“ Ahh, Toothless put me down. Its your fault my legs all messed up anyways, “ the man whines. The dragon doesn't pay him any mind and flops on top of the man, who is now laying on the ground, “ Oof! Toothless…” he grunts. The man seems more annoyed than terrified for his life.
Astrid lets out a breath she doesn't realize she's been holding, revealing their presence. Alerted, the dragon's eyes narrow onto her, and it crouches in a dangerous position.
The man underneath scrambles upright, but now that he's visible calling him a man doesn't seem all that accurate. He's wearing what looks like a suit of armor made with dragon scales, dark black woven together against tough brown leather, with a contraption attached that looks like a pair of wings and Astrid isn't sure if they're real or fake. He has an intricately made, semi-concealed blade attached at his hip. His face is hidden by a scaled helmet, with piercing green eyes shining out of the small eye slits.
All in all, he looks terrifying, like some half-man half-dragon.
“ Who are you, and how did you get here, “ he asks, his hand sliding to his blade. The previous lightness that was in his voice was now low, and dangerous.
“ Who wants to know, Dragon freak? “ Snotlout challenges, with a pompous laugh. He is quickly humbled by a low growl behind him and turns to see a dark red Monstrous Nightmare resting on the trees above him, fire lightly lit in its mouth.
Suddenly they're all aware of the eyes further back in the forest, and realize they are surrounded by dragons.
The pieces click in Astrid's mind and realizes the mysterious man must be the fabled dragon master she has heard stories of by traveling merchants and visitors that come to Berk. They all say that he himself looks like a devil and that he rides on the back of a night fury, controlling any and every dragon to act upon his will. They say he destroys villages and kills relentlessly, building his dragon empire. And they were at his mercy here.
“ Wait, “ she starts, fumbling for some way to reason with him. “ We didn't mean to come here, I promise. We’re from Berk okay? We got stuck in that storm and our sails ripped. We eventually drifted here. We had no intentions to be here, believe me. We were heading to the markets to find a new merchant for Berk, we just got slightly off course. “ She breathes out, hopefully honesty will satisfy him and he will let them live.
He's silent for a moment, then laughs softly. He laughs?
“ A little off course? The markets are almost a hundred miles to the east. A little of course? Man you're hilarious. That storm really messed with you guys huh? “
He leans on the dragon for support, and Astrid only then notices that his left leg is entirely gone. He sighs and seems to grumble to the dragon, who grumbles back. This goes on for a few moments and Astrid looks with uncertainty to her group behind her.
“ Fine, fine, okay, you're lucky I'm tired and don't want to fight it right now. “ He says. “ I'll give you shelter for the night as long as you swear on your lives that you will not hurt any of the dragons on this island. “
“ You really think we need your help? As if we would stay in your creepy little dragon den, “ Snotlout scoffs. Only to be met with a sudden downpour of rain, and lightning a little too close for comfort. “ Or yeah, a creepy little dragon den might be nice right about now. “
The man laughs, but stands steady. “ Great. But if you want to go anywhere, I need you to swear, and you need to mean it. “ He says, the aura around him suddenly feeling heavier than the storm around him.
“ Yeah we swear, we won't hurt any dragons. As long as they dont hurt us that is, “ Astrid says, and the rest verbally agree after her.
“ That's as good as it's gonna get Bud, “ he says under his breath, “ alright follow me. “ He motions with his hand and effortlessly hops on the back of the dragon. They disappear down a path in the trees and the group unsteadily follows behind him.