A Poison Named Calypso (Viggo X OC)

Chapter 9: Two Steps Ahead

It's finally here. After a long, long long long time, it's here!

Please forgive me, and please enjoy :)

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The dragons and their riders soared high above in the cloudless sky, bathed in the light of the moon. They were little specks of black amidst the glow of twilight, a sharp, noticeable contrast, but not a soul below saw them, for there was only the ocean that stretched as far as the eye could see. (Perhaps the fishes and sea dragons caught a glimpse—but certainly no human laid their eyes on the group led by the mysterious Night Fury.)

The night might've been calm and serene, but that didn't mean the Riders were—and the tension and the unspoken words crackled like impossible lightning in the clear sky.

Hiccup's thin fingers were wrapped around his saddle, his teeth grinding upon themselves. He flew far off in front of the others, lost in his thoughts and the scream of the wind.

Somewhere along the way the mysterious slave girl, Calypso, had fallen asleep, and was now hunched over Hiccup's shoulder. The sight of their proximity made Astrid growl in anger, and she immediately vowed to break them up or so the gods help her.

"Uh, Hiccup?" she called loudly. "We've been flying for a while now...we should stop and take a break. Our dragons are tired," she added.

"Barf and Belch aren't!" Ruffnut piped up unhelpfully.

Astrid glared at them.

"Why're you looking at me like that?" Ruffnut said loudly, almost like she was offended, of all things. She turned to her brother and asked, "Do I have something on my face?"

"Yeah," Tuffnut said, then jabbed a finger and motioned to his entire face. "I do too."

"Oh yeah." The Twins chuckled, snorting in laughter at each other's bright blue algae-covered skin.

"You guys might want to fix that," Hiccup suggested as Toothless drifted closer to the others. (Calypso was still asleep, despite Toothless' movements.) The Berkian's eyes caught Astrid's, and he gave a pained smile to her, silently telling her that he was worried. Perhaps he was stressing over Viggo, or Heather, or something else entirely.

But that could wait. "What are we going to do with her?" Astrid said sharply, drawing a sigh from everyone but Hiccup.

"Well...I was thinking she could stay with us while she heals—she's been through a lot, Astrid."

She could only nod at his words until Fishlegs piped up, voicing her mixed thoughts exactly.

"Hiccup, this might be a mistake—trusting her, I mean. After all, we just met her, and she was with Viggo this whole time. Don't you think...you know...?"

Hiccup nodded. "We'll be careful. But...I've got a good feeling about her. I think we can trust her, gang."

Astrid turned away in annoyance, careful to keep her face still.

Hiccup was a trusting person, but gods it'd do them good if he would try to be a little less trusting.

Stormfly tilted her head and squawked, as if she picked up on what her rider was thinking. Astrid gave her a gentle rub.

"Well, I think she's gorgeous," Snotlout announced loudly, his eyes dreamy, and he propped his elbows on Hookfang's horns. "You think there's room on the Edge for a 'Mrs. Jorgenson?'"

Astrid scoffed loudly. "Dream on, Snotlout. You don't stand a chance—and besides, I think she's already taken."

"What?"