The Night Rider: Book Two

Chapter 28: Paintings of a Happy Family

HEATHERS POV.
11 Days Ago

Windshear's metal wings flapped heavily through the blue sky. Heather was sitting on the saddle, pawing at the bandages around her wound. She should have asked, or maybe tried to steal some pain meds from the medical hut when no one had been watching on Berk.

Berk—she'd heard of Berk before. It was one of the strongest and most prominent Viking clans in, and even out, of the Archipelago. But, she'd never even considered the possibility that that was where Night was from. She hadn't thought about it much recently. When she'd first met the man in dragon scales, well, he hadn't worn dragon scales back then, just leather. That was besides the point. When Heather had first met him, she'd wondered where he'd come from, and had asked him several times. But he'd always avoid the question and she eventually stopped asking. Soon, it just bled into the mystery around him. But now that she knew where he was from, it felt... weird.

But, at the same time, exiting. After all, she did have a crush on him. It'd started during the first war with the hunters. When they'd fought together, through fire and flames. She'd never told him, and she didn't think he knew, or liked her back. And obviously he never would, because there was definitely something going on between him and... what's her face? Astrid. It was obvious, to everyone except them. But right now she didn't like Night. Right now, she hated him. How could he? How could he have kept Dagur, Dagur! Of all people! Prisoner, without telling her?

He knew what he had done to her. Taken from her! Dagur had killed her whole family. Destroyed her island! Her home! Her family! And he'd kept her away from him... she'd never felt this betrayed before. And she never expected to... especially from Night. After all... he was—Night. The person she could rely on the most! Her friend. Family in a way!

Heather balled up a fist and slammed it down against the hard metal of Windshear's back. The dragon whimpered questioningly. Heather quickly realized that she had done and patted the spot comfortingly. "Sorry, girl." She apologized through the thin cloth mask that concealed her features. Windshear cooed back in understanding. Heather spotted a small trading ship down in the water, it's single said billowing in the strong winds. It's wooden hull, slicing through the ocean waves. Heather recognized the ship, and the clumsy, fast talking, trader instantly. Trader Johan.

Heather directed Windshear down towards the deck of the ship, and the two landed with a thud, scaring Trader Johan so severely. He almost jumped from his skin, and over the side of the boat down into the churning ocean waves.

"Oh, Miss Heather!" Trader Johan exclaimed, his rapid breathing steadying. "You scared me! Thought I was seeing a ghost!"

"What do you mean 'ghost'?" She questioned him.

"Oh, well. I had heard you had been done in! Killed, in a fearsome battle against Hunters with the Night Rider! And, may I say, I'm elated that the news I heard was wrong!" He yipped.

"I'm glad to hear it too, Johan." She replied. She'd known Johan for years. Since before she met, Night. After her and Windshear had become a team, fighting Dragon Hunters and Dagur. Johan was a frequent informant for her about their whereabouts. His intel was never wrong.

"Well, Miss Heather. May I say, you seem troubled. Is everything alright?" He asked.

Heather huffed. "I'm fine." She said, although she knew that Johan could tell she was lying.

"Nevertheless, I have news! But, you may not want to hear it. Since, you're fine." He said.

"What is it?" She asked.

Johan got a familiar look on his face, and she knew what his news was before he even said it. "I have the location of one, Dagur the Deranged!" He exclaimed.