Wings of Gold

Ch. 10 - Old Habits

         When we reached the Edge, I expected our bristling hairs to smooth down. We'd relax, and talk about things logically rather than through a clouded lens of fear.

          That was not the case. The strange chilling in our bones was gone, but a new, betraying fear took it's place. Viggo was gone.

          "I thought you told him to wait in the clubhouse!" Shouted Snotlout as I returned from checking for Viggo in my hut. "I did genius, but if you had the ability to think just a little bit harder, it'd be clear to you that he did not listen!" I was yelling in his face by the end of my reply. "Woah woah, ok gang, let's just calm down." Hiccup said, pushing between Snotlout and I who were actively facing off. "Hiccup," Astrid piped up, "how are we supposed to calm down when Viggo Grimborn, once a mass murderer of dragons and the biggest threat to our lives, is missing?" "Well," Hiccup said, "Astrid, he was both those things before he saved my life, and before he was on our side." Astrid didn't look convinced of his innocence. "Old habits die hard, Hiccup." She spoke firmly, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. "Well, in that case why do we trust Y/N?" Hiccup said, raising an arm in my direction and effectively making me feel anything less than human. "Y/N? Are you seriously asking why we trust Y/N more than Viggo Grimborn?  You're crazy, Hiccup!" Astrid threw her arms out, striking Haddock with a disappointed look. "Listen, what I'm saying is that old habits do die hard, but when they fall they land harder as well. We can't just go assuming that Viggo is out to get us again when he could just be somewhere else on the island."

          Right as Hiccup was finishing up his speech, the twins came strolling into the clubhouse. "Hey guys, did you know about that ship leaving the edge? Could've sworn we didn't have visitors..." Tuffnut mentioned casually. "We probably did, but they were off hiding because you smell like rotting salmon tails!" Ruffnut accused him. "Oh yeah, well-" As Tuff was raising a fist at his sister, Hiccup cut them both off. "Guys, more important things than what we all smell like." He turned to the rest of the riders.

         "Everybody, mount up." He declared, causing confused looks all around. "That ship isn't getting out of the harbor."

         In the air again, I struggled to keep my mind off Viggo. More so, off the betrayal I may soon face. "There, up ahead!" Hiccup yelled, sending my nerves to the back of my mind temporarily. "Astrid, do you remember if that ship Viggo came in on was outfitted to hunt dragons?" Hiccup called out, since they were the two who went to greet the incoming ship. "No, not that I can recall. It seemed more like a cargo ship than anything capable of hunting dragons." Hiccup put an inquisitive hand to his chin. "Let's get in closer gang, be cautious though." Said Hiccup. Snotlout swiveled his head around and leaned on Hookfang's horns. "I thought this was the guy who thought Viggo was good now..." I shook my head, letting myself laugh a little before things get real. Before they get very, very real.

         Now we're diving, dropping from the sky like a fierce storm of hail. "Left wing, break off! Offer up some cover fire in case we need it!" Hiccup ordered, and off went the twins and Fishlegs. "Astrid and Snotlout, take it low on the right side of the ship, wait for my signal to board!" Astrid nodded, "Come on, Snotlout!" and they were gone, I fell in at Hiccup's wing. "Isn't it usually Snotlout and I who bank right?" I asked, squinting partially due to suspicion and partially due to the harsh wind. "Yeah well, figured you should be with me for a head on confrontation." Hiccup responded, clicked Toothless' tail into place and quickened their dive. I followed behind, Goldedge's wings curling in as I flattened myself against his silvery back.

         As the dragons' wings flew out from their sides, catching air like a mighty sail, we slowed tremendously and landed on the stern of the ship. But, to Hiccup and I's surprise, there was no one there. No hunters, no trappers, not even Viggo himself was there. "It's...deserted?" Hiccup said, turning to me to try and catch wind of my feelings on the matter. 

         I couldn't tell him how I felt about all this, because, frankly, I don't know how I feel. I expected to feel hope, or if anything sadness, dismay...But I didn't feel any of those things. I felt betrayed. That spark of betrayal flickered in between the choices it had, the choice between becoming that sadness I longed for, and the choice of bursting into a beastly rage. I pondered just as the growing flame did, absent mindedly slipping out of the saddle and drawing my sword as I scoured the ship for anyone. I laughed, how silly was I. How silly was I to have ever trusted Viggo, and even more so, how foolish was I to have worked at his side. "Perhaps the ship drifted off the docks on accident?" Hiccup asked. While the other riders were landing on deck, Fishlegs agreed. "Yeah, maybe due to sloppy ties? This could just be a huge misunderstanding." His statement was followed up by a loud thud as I somberly kicked open the door to the cabin. 

          "Trust that Viggo Grimborn will always be understood exactly the way he intends." Says I, as I push the door open for a look at the taunting game that haunts every one of our dreams.

Maces and Talons.