Wings of Gold

Ch. 4 - In Times of Need

          I think I was engulfed in the darkness below deck for around an hour. I noted we didn't change direction, meaning the ship was still headed past the Edge. Do they know of the other riders? Do they work for Johann? Maybe they're unaware of any of that, perhaps they work for themselves, killing and selling the hides of dragons. I forced myself to think on the bright side, just as I was about to begin feeling around the darkness I heard ruckus above deck. The familiar sound of Goldedge's signature screechy-growl sparked the fire within me to fight. I stood up, my hands still tied in front of me, and kicked around until I found the stairs, when I focused at the ceiling I could see the outline of the hatch from where the light got in. I made my way up the stairs and threw my shoulder at the hatch repeatedly, the shouting and growling above me continued relentlessly. When I finally broke through the hatch, I was stunned by the brightness. As my eyes adjusted, I recognized Goldedge's scales glinting in the sunlight, the only other rider there was Hiccup. Hiccup on Toothless...and, someone is riding Goldedge?

          I peered to see who was in the saddle, but before I could pin who it was, my eyes fully adjusted and Viggo was jumping from Goldedge's back. He wielded his sword as he fell, landing with a strong swing that took out the poor hunter in the way of his sword. He landed with a solid thud in front of me, hurriedly cutting my bindings before swinging around to meet his victims. I let him keep the hunters busy while I located my weapons. I barged into the captains cabin of the ship, interrupting the leader's hovering over a map. He charged at me, pulling his fist back to prepare to pummel me. I ducked to avoid his punch, than dove towards the table where I spotted my sword laying. I grabbed it and swung around, "GRAHH!" I shouted a war cry that'd make berserkers shiver, bringing the sword down on his shoulder with so much force he crumpled instantly, grabbing at his wound. I grabbed him by the hair and dragged him harshly out onto the main deck, trickling blood all the way.

          Viggo stood solemnly, surrounded by his short-lived contenders. He looked at me, with no regard to my luggage, "I assume you had no trouble retrieving your stolen items?" He strode over to me, I noted Hiccup going below deck. "No trouble at all," I replied. I released my hold of the leader and drove the tip of the sword into the soft flesh of his neck. "Who do you work for?" The man leaned away from my sword, choking out his response. "You won't get anything out of me!" I raised my eyebrows at Viggo, who'd been standing behind the man, out of sight. He came into the hunter's sight and took his place at my shoulder. "Viggo, Viggo Grimborn?!" The hunter stuttered out, his eyes widening. "So, now that you've met my accomplice, who do you work for?" I asked the question seriously, staring coldly at the hunter. "I told you, you-," His terrified voice was cut off as I pressed the edge of my sword further into his neck. He didn't speak. "Goldedge, sinch." I used the vocal cue with pride, Goldedge swiftly wrapped his tail around the hunter. He sinched his tail tight around the hunter, lifting him from the ground as he went pale, blood dripping down to the deck from his new wounds. I kept my sword pointed at the hunter, signaling to Goldedge to keep him there. Viggo peered at the hunter, than gave a careless sigh. "Useless, get rid of him." He said off-handedly, turning away and walking towards Hiccup, who had returned from below deck. I gladly swung my sword to the side, pointing towards the ocean. "Goldedge," I said seriously, though admittedly I was glad to get to use this cue, "Rid." Goldedge wasted no time in flinging the hunter overboard. He landed with a satisfying splash in the water.

          I joined Hiccup and Viggo on the main deck, Toothless ran over and initiated a play fight with Goldedge. "Anything below?" I asked, sheathing my sword. "Nothing but typical trading goods, fish, bread, produce." Hiccup responded. "Perhaps the ship was really run by traders, but was overrun with hunters." Viggo brainstormed, though it was obvious he was correct. "They were sailing right towards the Edge, with only one ship, did Johann really think one ship could hurt us?" I spoke sarcastically, obviously Johann was smarter than that. "Well either these guys don't work for Johann, or this is-," Hiccup cut himself off, saying his next words loudly with growing fear. "a distraction! We need to go, NOW." We were already mounted up as he finished his conclusion.

          We flew hastily back to the edge, Hiccup and Toothless leading the way. "So, Goldedge let you ride him?" I smiled at the thought of them finally getting along. "Well, I was speaking with Hiccup in the clubhouse when Goldedge flew in wildly. When I saw that you weren't with him, I knew something was wrong. He dragged me out of the clubhouse, it was more his idea than mine." Viggo gently patted Goldedge. "In times of need, people will do anything to save the people they love." He spoke in a low tone. "And dragons, I suppose." He added.  "I guess so," I said, already losing myself to the thoughts of their combined determination to save me.