The Wild Stryke

Chapter 15

  "How are you feeling today, Aquil?" Dusk flapped his wings vigorously, wind buffeting the pine forest. Aquil was submerged under the huge lake, eyes unblinking as Dusk dropped a generous mouthful of fish into the water. 

  "Thank you," Aquil muttered as way of answering, mouth scooping up the fish and chuffing it down his throat. "It's getting warmer by the day. I'll have to coax the ice up again." 

  Dusk shook himself, getting rid of the stray water droplets, then dipped his head and snatched up a fat tuna. "You mean we will. I'll have to do a quick perimeter run again; the Scauldrons are getting more and more daring by the day - and Thunderdrums, too. Sooner or later, we may have to move once more."

  Dusk sighed. "Times of peace don't last for long; there's another island further north, with a comfortable bay, overhanging trees - and ample fish; pike, trout and perch for days." 

  Aquil gazed mournfully at the pine around him. "As it may be, in sooth, I shall miss this humble island."

  "Don't worry, Aquil. We'll be fine." Dusk gobbled up two more morsels. "Shall we leave for the waters at sunhigh?" 

  "Sunhigh. I'll see you by the ice-cracked tree." Aquil lowered himself into the water again, disappearing into the depths. Dusk caught a glimpse of soft waves rippling, a smooth shadow moving past the lake, towards the open seas. 

  Dusk shook himself once more, and took off into the skies, adamant to feel the clouds along his spine one more time. 

  There was a prickling up his spine. A foreboding presence was pressing upon Dusk's wings. 

  "You sure this is it, bud?" Hiccup patted Toothless' head, grinning as Toothless replied with a confident half-warble and a strong beat of his wings.

  "Finally!" Snotlout leaned back on Hookfang's saddle. "It's been ages since we've seen Pitch, and I've been itching for a rematch with that Bewilderbeast." 

  "Hear, hear!" Hookfang snarled, snout bared in a smirk. 

  "Settle down, boys," Astrid called, accompanied by Stormfly's sharp squawk. "We don't know yet if Pitch is still under the Bewilderbeast's control; we might hurt him by accident if we go in, maws blazing." 

  Fishlegs nodded his assent. "We've got to isolate Pitch somehow, separate him from any influence, then bring him back." 

  "Wahey!" Ruffnut complained. "Are we just gonna leave the Bewil-thingamajig be?"

  Tuffnut cracked his knuckles. "I'll say. We're gonna light his icicles right up!" 

  Hiccup sighed. "I don't disagree with you, Ruffnut, but the Bewilderbeast, although previously an Alpha, shouldn't be able to compare to the actual reigning Alpha. Case in point, Toothless. If problems arise, Toothless should be able to provide a little bit of cover." 

  "...Fine." Tuffnut and Ruffnnut crossed their arms in unison. "But no promises." 

  "Good." Hiccup lowered his body, moving into a more streamlined position. "Then we'll reach Icicle Pine Island at a little earlier than noon. C'mon, let's go!"  

  "It's all quiet," Dusk murmured, strong wings gliding meters from the crashing sea. "Perhaps the Scauldrons are all talk after all; I don't see any of those wily elders." 

  "Hmm." Aquil kept pace beside Dusk, easily reinforcing the ice barriers as they went by. "I have certain doubts. Perhaps you were correct; this peace seems...artificial. I fear we may move sooner than anticipated."