Behind the Mask

The Dragon's Eyes - Part II

Ok....I don't know about you guys but I absolutely love this picture of Toothless. It's soooo realistic. Anyway, chapter seven is up!!! Obviously you knew that or you wouldn't be here but I just wanted a reason to scream through text and that seemed like the best excuse at the time. *realizes I didn't have to say all that and now I look kind of dumb*

*clears throat* Ahem...Read on.

Toothless' POV:

I was frantically trying to get back to Hiccup as fast as I could, but with much caution. Because if we got off course in the storm there is no telling how long it would be before I could get back to him. That might be too late. My heart lifts when I finally see the cave entrance where I left him. I fly faster toward it and swoop right into the opening with the girl still in my talons. The fire I had lit earlier was flickering dim, but still holding on. I shot another plasma blast at it to revive it while I placed the girl gently on the stone floor.

When she touched the ground she seemed greatly relieved and almost looked as if she wanted to kiss it. I can't blame her. I did kind of spring that trick on her fairly fast. I've only ever done it to Hiccup and.........well, I think it is fairly safe to say that he was a lot lighter the last time I had to do it. I watch her carefully. She does not know what to do, doesn't know where we are or why she is here. I'll show her. I shake off the rain from my flight and walk over to her. Nudging her shoulder once more to show her I meant no harm still. To my surprise she did not pull back but put a hand to my muzzle again, petting me. I come around behind her and push her forwards, putting her on her feet while she stood confused. I shoved her forward gently toward where I had lain Hiccup. I stopped pushing and came around beside her once more. She seemed frozen again, and with good reason. Hiccup was shaking and gasping for breathe at every flinch of pain. I could not stand to see him like this. I am so glad that she was there when she was.

Astrid's POV:

The dragon swooped downward in the air, gliding fast into the cave and gently setting me down once we were inside. I was wet and cold, but it could be worse. At least I was now inside a dry cave.........with a fire going. I only noticed this because the Night Fury shot a blast at as small lingering fire that would have gone out soon if not for his intervention. Was this where he came from? Is that why he grabbed me? To bring me here until the storm subsided? I can only assume so..............but where is his rider? Surely he would not have taken me without the mysterious man's consent.

The dragon shook the remaining water crystals off of his scales and walked over to me, nudging my shoulder again. I pet him once more. He was such a gentle beast.........why is it that the one who took Hiccup couldn't have been this docile. Maybe the chief's son would've survived then. The Fury came behind me and pushed me to my feet, then proceeded to nudge me forward and further into the cave. He stops.............and I see why. I freeze and the dragon comes to stand beside me once more, sitting and watching his rider nervously but patiently.

The stranger who had saved me was tossing and turning on the cave floor before me, shaking and vibrating violently with each spasm. He cried out in pain when his breath would let him. I could hear his wheezing, and the mask he wore only amplified the sound. He would double over on his side, groaning at the pain I saw him feeling.

I instantly know why the dragon came for me............he did need my help. His rider needed my help, and desperately by the looks of it. The first thought that came to my mind was poison. That was the only thing I knew of that could cause such pain and violent spasms. I pushed my legs to move out in front of me as I walked toward the man who cried in agony. I knelt beside him, but he didn't look at me or even take notice. How long had this been going on? He'd been fine when he was talking to me in the forest..........wait! When he flew off, he must've known something was happening and wanted to get out of there as fast as he could. Sadly that might have been the death of him if this was what I thought it was. The only thing I know that was strong enough to cause these symptoms was Xenlaixin. The strongest of the poisons. It was extracted from a rare snake venom, only found in a certain archipelago...............Berserker Island.Those idiots must hate this guy something fierce if they spent some of their precious venom on him. One drop was enough to wipe out an entire village for months if not treated right away. The venom was toxic to the body if left inside the bloodstream for too long, and by the fierceness and frequency of his spasms I'd say it had sat dormant in his blood for at least a couple weeks, waiting for the perfect time to take effect. The dragon sat quietly behind me and I watched him warily to make sure he wouldn't jump me as I pulled up the man's sleeve to find what I was looking for to prove my assumption. I flipped his hand palm up, undoing the leather arm-guard to reveal the skin beneath..................and I saw it. Two small piercings on his lower wrist. No way.........it looked like the Berserkers had just injected pure venom into him without treating it. They had just forced the snake to bite the stranger, leaving him with a scar and impending demise. Oh when I get my hands on them......especially Dagur, I'm gonna give em what for; and I don't mean with words. Dagur the Deranged, was called deranged for a reason. He was a madman, torturing without cause to get what he wanted. He'd learned a long time ago that he shouldn't mess with Berk..........the hard way, but we still keep our eye on them. Someone like Dagur was unpredictable in his decisions, and having the wisdom to stay away from us one day could just as easily turn to foolish banter the next. That put me from zero to one-hundred really fast, no matter why he claimed he had the right to do such things. He was a pirate and a mad murderer, who killed without cause and tortured without reason. I hate that snake for all he did to my family, and if I ever catch him................boy will he be sorry.