renegades, httyd

xlii. Troubling Thoughts

renegades
chapter forty-two

     Things were tense. Ruffnut was annoyed with Snotlout and her brother, and Hookfang was too, huffing and storming around as his rider laughed with Tuffnut like they were now the best of friends. Revna tried to talk to me about Harald, but I knew her heart wasn't in it. She was angrily loosening Moonstone's saddle with her hair in her face━since Astrid had always been the one to do her braids for her. Revna had very long hair, and now that it wasn't pulled back in twists and spins, it cascaded out of the loose braid she tried herself. And it was only adding to the annoyance. The boys, Speedifist, Wartihog and Clueless were celebrating our win, but they kept glancing over at me━they wanted to know whether we were leaving or staying, and I didn't know either. Instead, I was trying to think about Harald, and what he was doing━what this all meant. But I never had an answer.

      I was worried for him, but I wanted him to suffer. I wanted to forget he existed and yet wanted to know what he was doing. I didn't know what that made me, but it was something I couldn't say, because no one would understand. Everyone━even Astrid, Rev and Hiccup would look at me like I was crazy. I guess I was. Since the letter, everything was different, and strange, and confusing and stressful. 

     "Did you see that look on Ryker's face?!" Snotlout was saying and I crossed my arms, leaning against Winglash's temporary stall with a frown on my face. Ruffnut stormed over and grabbed his leg. Snotlout squealed in alarm when she tugged him right off the saddle and to the floor before marching off. Tuff jumped to the ground beside him, brow arched.

     This didn't deter Revna's brother for he just stood up and grinned, "I was like: 'Tuff, now!' and you were like━"

     "'Your wish is my command, Snotman'!" continued Tuff, hand to his chest poshly, "And then━"

     "BAM!" 

     They laughed. Hookfang huffed and made his way into his stall himself. Revna gritted her teeth at her brother, and unhatched the last buckle, letting Moonstone free. She sat beside her and I gave the Sand Wraith and Saber both a scratch. I glanced at my friend, concerned. Hesitant, I decided to say, "Do ... do you want to talk about it?"

     "No," she said immediately. I didn't expect it━she was always open to me. But whatever this was, Revna was determined to keep it to herself. As was Astrid. "Did you know Harald was working for the Hunters?"

      Her abrasiveness caught me off guard yet again. I froze a little, feeling a pang of hurt at the glower she held. "N━no," I stammered eventually. "I had no idea where he was. We searched for him, but he got away quickly━perhaps this was why. I..." I stopped myself, setting my jaw and looking away. My fingers itched for my necklace, but it was still back on Berk. If these were the people Harald meant, I didn't know how I felt━they didn't seem to have armoured dragons. In fact, they hunted dragons to sell them. But I still felt that grow of fear━was Viggo the one who ordered the descent of armoured dragons to destroy my home? Why would Harald willingly work for him? Would they recognise me━?