Whispers of Another World

Chapter 41: Captured...Again

   Alaya was tied up near the back of a tent.  The sun glowed outside of the Zippleback hide, and a small beam of sunlight shone through the crack in the entrance.

   Alaya sighed, glancing at the ropes.  It only took her a moment to realize they were only around her hands and waist.  She rolled her eyes, and after a minute of wiggling, she managed to stumble to her feet.  Not that she was stupid enough to try escaping - especially not when she could hear the voices of several Hunters right outside - but she preferred standing up as opposed to leaning against the hide of a dead Zippleback.

   Why.  Why is it me every.  Single.  Time.  Can't they grab Hiccup or something?  He kinda deserves it, grieving or not.  Alaya felt a sharp sting in her chest, as though she was being scolded for shaming Hiccup's grieving.  

   Alaya glanced around.  She doubted they left anything helpful like a knife or anything, but chances are a tooth, a sharp scale, or a claw might've slipped underneath the tent walls.

   "Why hello there.  Standing well, I see."  A smooth voice said.  Alaya jumped back in surprise, promptly landing on the dirt.  Ow.  Good thing the tent's empty, right?

   Another voice chuckled in amusement but stopped abruptly.

   "Alaya, is it?"  Alaya shifted into a position where she was sitting, but not leaning against the hide, and looked up.

   Chocolate was staring down at her, with someone else beside him.  Alaya growled.  She recognized her - she was the person that had threatened Paradise so that Alaya would surrender.

   "Told you."  The black-haired girl said.  Chocolate rolled his eyes.

   I'm getting a sibling vibe.  Alaya guessed, chuckling faintly as she remembered her and Allen's playful remarks at one another.

   "Alaya, is it?"  Chocolate repeated.  Alaya nodded.  "I am Viggo Grimborn, leader of the Dragon Hunters.  You did me quite a favor revealing the location of the Dragon Eye for us.  Of course, you also stole it, so...we'll call it even."

   Alaya winced and glanced at the ground.  Really?  That's the first thing he brings up?  She thought.

   "Come,"  Viggo said, suddenly bringing her to her feet and cutting her ropes with a dagger she hadn't even seen him unsheath (or sheath).  "Walk with me."  He nodded to Black (the girl) and left the tent, walking Alaya to the end of the little Hunter settlement they had before speaking.  Alaya guessed this wasn't their main island, since it was set up more like a camp, and they didn't need to walk far to get to the nature part of the island.

   Alaya was so caught up in the beauty of the island - the emerald green leaves, the jade green grass, the mahogany-colored bark - that she didn't even notice when Viggo asked her a question the first time.

   "Alaya?"  Viggo said.  

   Alaya snapped out of the beauty, blinking rapidly.  "Oh, sorry, what?"  She said.  I really need some sleep that isn't on the dirt ground.

   "I trust you're doing well after Paradise's...accident?"  Viggo asked.

   Alaya tensed, wishing she'd kept her focus on the island.  "Of course."  She said quickly.  She didn't like this guy - how he talked, the way he asked questions - it was like he knew everything that bothered her, and just the right way to ask it so it bothered her even more.  Also, he was acting like they were friends like they knew each other from Kindergarten or something.  They weren't friends!  She didn't even know him!

   "It was unfortunate.  Such a bright and confident dragon, wasn't he?"  Viggo continued on.

   What are you rambling on about?  Alaya wondered, fighting back tears.  No.  She would not cry.  She hadn't cried over Paradise yet (mainly because she'd been taking every opportunity to deny his death over and over again) and she wasn't going to start now.