The Night Rider: Book Two

Chapter 38: Preperations

ASTRIDS POV.

Astrid wandered aimlessly through the cluttered streets of Berk, feeling entirely useless. Hiccup and Heather were off negotiating for Stoicks life, and here she was, on Berk, doing nothing. She kicked a small stone in the road and it clattered away, bouncing off the wing off a sleeping Nadder. The dragon opened its tired eyes and glared at her.

"Sorry." She said. The Nadder continued to stare at her for a moment before it shut its eyes again and fell back asleep.

She found her way to the mead hall through her wandering. It was pretty empty. There were more dirty plates and half-filled mugs of mead than there were Berkians in the large room. But, that was pretty standard for Berk. She spotted a specific Viking sitting at a table with his back turned towards the door. His shoulders were slouched and she could only guess at the crushed expression on his face. Snotlout.

She walked over to him and sat down beside him. She wasn't quite sure what to say to him, even though she could sympathize with him. She'd lost both her parents, and he'd just lost his father. Astrid raised an arm and placed it on his back.

"I'm sorry, Snotlout." She said. She wanted—needed to say more. But nothing came to her mind.

Fortunately, he spoke.

"Why'd he have to go, Astrid?" Snotlout asked her. "Who couldn't he have just stayed home?"

"Because he's a Yorgenson. And a Yorgenson never stays home when there's trouble."

Snotlout scoffed. "Oh yeah, really? Well hear I am! On Berk, while Stoick is captured and could die!" He was feeling the same way she was. Useless.

"Your dad loved you, Snotlout." She said. The words only seemed to crush him more. Maybe she shouldn't have said that to him. She knew that he and his father had a rocky relationship with one another.

"Oh please, Astrid! I'm his least favorite son!" Snotlout exclaimed, and he began to sniffle.

"Why? Because all your siblings are one of the original dragon riders? All of them helped rescue their cousin from a Dragon Hunter arena. Trust me, Snotlout. He loved you, and you weren't his least favorite son." Astrid assured him. Snotlout buried his face into his hands and she knew he was moments away from beginning to weep. She also knew that Snotlout would hate if she watched his walls of strength crumble, so she stood up, patted him on the back once more, and left the mead hall. Hearing his faint whimpers as she left.

She felt so useless, but she didn't have to be. If Hiccups negotiations with the opposition were to go wrong, the first place they'd come to would be Berk. And she could make sure that if they did, Berk would be ready!

She sprinted through the streets, looking for Gobber. And, with the village as packed as it was with stray dragons, that was no easy task. But eventually she found him.

"Gobber. I think we should prepare for an attack." She told the iron mason.

Gobber rubbed his brow with his hook and nods. "Aye, it wouldn't be a bad idea." He agrees. "Just incase something goes wrong, and Hiccup and Stoick—don't return."

The way he said the final two words made her realize something. Hiccup and Stoick were Gobbers only family. Not by blood, but the only thing that came close for the man. All his other family was long dead. If he lost Hiccup and Stoick, he'd be alone.

"It's just incase. They'll be okay." She found herself reassuring him. Gobber gave her an appreciative smirk.

Island preparations began quickly. Dozens of Berkians volunteered to help. Which wasn't surprising. Gobber got to work in the forge. Crafting as many arrows and spare weapons as his forge could manage. Around the docks on higher ground Snotlout positioned half a dozen arrow barres for archers. If Hunter ships docked and Hunters unloaded and tried to take Berk by ground, they'd need shields!

Three dozen Berkians were assigned as ground defense. If Hunters did attack on foot, their job was to stop them at any cost.

Astrid put the twins in charge of the catapults that could shoot heavy boulders to any ships that would approach. They seemed a little too exited for this role, but it didn't matter. If they were exited to sink the ships, it meant they'd sink them better. And that was fine for her.

Fishlegs had an idea for an evacuation for young ones and injured dragons. She suggested they be taken to the oasis where Hiccup had dropped her off at when he'd returned her to Berk after she'd been taken by dragons.

Hours later, those preparations and half a dozen more were completed, as night set and the stars arose over Berk.

Astrid on Stormfly flew up to an elevated position and watched over the calm sea. They had the first shift of night time watch. But even if they didn't she'd still be watching. She couldn't sleep anyway, she was too busy worry about Hiccup. What was happening with him? She hoped he was okay.