The youngest Grimborn

Chapter 2: The island

The five-year-old girl jumped at the first stone. 'Ten, nine, everything's fine.' She started to sing as she jumped at the first two stones in the river. 'Eight, seven, pick your weapon.' She jumped at the next stones while she still counted them down. 'Six, five, I will survive.' She almost slipped halfway on the river but was quick to re-find her balance. 'Four, three, you and me. Two, one, kill a Thunderdrum.'

She was now across the river and safe on the grass when a stone hit her on the head and she fell backward into the river.

'Ow.' She whined as she rubbed her head. Luckily, the river wasn't exactly deep. The water came to her waist if she stood up straight and it was very calm. Yet it was still bad because it was winter and cold.

A soft winter sun lit upon the forest line. A few kids were standing there. They were older, probably about the age of seven. 'Just stay down weirdo. It's where you belong anyway.'

Her eyes teared up. She balled her fist and desperately tried to find words to fight back, knowing that she would be no match against them in strength.

'W-ell y-you- you- you s-should-'

They slowly walked closer until they towered over her small frame on the edge of the river. Preventing her from getting out of the cold water.

'W-w-we- We what? What should we do huh? Like you can do anything. You're just a freak, a weirdo. A liability. And you know what happens to those...'

The group laughed. The little girl looked up at them with fearful eyes. 'W-what happens to them?' She asked silently.

The boy, who took the role of leader on himself, stopped laughing and soon everyone was silent. He then bowed forward. 'Oh, you don't know? Well, I wouldn't tell you, don't wanna scare you.'

'That's not true! So tell me!'

'Well if you insist. They die. In the most painful way. Cause they are traitors. And they should die.'

The boy paled when a shadow cast upon him. He quickly turned around. 'V-Viggo.'

The 15-year-old Viggo looked at him with his arms folded. 'You know what bullies should do? They should run. Fast.'

All the kids quickly ran away.

Viggo sighed and helped his little sister up. 'Are you alright?'

She quietly shook her head. 'Why can't I do anything right? I'm not as strong as Ryker, I'm not as smart as you... I just wish I was good at something.'

Viggo stared at her with pain in his eyes. He knew it was hard for her. He knew Ryker blamed her for their mothers dead and made her feel bad about herself. Insecure. He quickly picked her up and held her against his chest.

'You are good at something. You make me smile, every day. No one else can do that. I would be devastated without you.'

The girl looked up. 'Really?'

'Thyra, you are my world. Sometimes you're annoying, but I love you nonetheless. Nothing could change that.'

Apparently, one thing could...

----- time skip ----

'YOU WHAT!?'

'I wanna keep her.'

'NO. Thyra, this- this beast is dangerous! We are hunters! This is what we do. It's in our blood.'

'Brother, I was gone for five years. I have been saved by dragons and they didn't lay a scratch on me. Instead, they showed me their island. Showed me the skies. Midnight is my friend, my companion. My partner! As a businessman, you should understand how important partners can be.'