renegades, httyd

xxxiv. Skulder's Adventure

renegades
chapter thirty-four

     Heading outside of the Archipelago wasn't something that I did often. But when I did, there was a breath of excitement, like I was breaking into uncharted waters where anything could happen. Feeling the breeze through my hair ... that was perhaps one of the best things about flying. The breeze in your hair, the clouds drifting past you, the smell of the ocean sifting up and the world out there to explore━I understood why Hiccup loved being out here so much. 

     Winglash loved long trips━well, I mean, it depends on the day. Some days she's so energetic that she will happily go on a trip as long as this. Other days? Not so much. Other days it might take a whole hour to drag her out and fight the saddle on her (and I mean literal). These days usually ended up with me on the floor, glaring up at her as she preened her wings to wait when she decided it was time to go for a flight.

     I told Speedifist and the boys to keep an eye on Harald since I was leaving briefly. Speedifist had been satisfied and triumphant over his suspicions being right, so I had a strong feeling I could rely on them to make sure Harald didn't do anything. There was still a chance he might not, but after the chat I had with him in the Hangar, I had a terrible feeling. 

     It made the trip out past the Archipelago towards the set of islands around Dragon's Edge quiet. I tried to spark up a conversation with Hiccup, but I didn't know whether it was my worries over everything, and what I was choosing not to tell him, or what happened yesterday that made it awkward. 

     I knew he kept glancing at me, concerned. I kept my gaze in front, hoping he wouldn't see the look on my face. I didn't know whether the shame and guilt and worry could be read like an open book. 

     Should I feel ashamed for not telling Hiccup what the conversation with Harald was about? I was keeping it from him to help him━he was so stressed already. And I don't have to tell him everything, right? 

     No, I don't think it was shame. I think it was the want to tell him, but knowing I should hold back until things settle over. 

     (Like a lot of things). 

     In the end, Hiccup decided to speak up, "You won't believe what Fishlegs and I found the other week. I mean━it came out some strange circumstances. Tuffnut believed he was turning into a Lycanwing, and we were trying to convince him otherwise. And we found━on Lycanwing Island━that the story was just told to scare people away from Dragon Eye lenses."

     I nodded, giving a small hum to let him know I was listening━well, sort of. 

     "And then just last week we had to steal the Jorgenson Ceremonial Axe from a Armourwing," Hiccup chuckled to himself. "A Jorgenson and a Hofferson getting married━" he scoffed, shaking his head, "━guess it is true it'll never happen."