The Voyager and the Rogue

Prologue

The thunder and lightning crashed and echoed through the cloud-filled sky, the sound waves causing the whole island to tremble.

"Damn, who pissed off Thor tonight?" Came the voice of Nuffink Haddock, a boy of 15, and the youngest of Chief Hiccup and Astrid Haddock. He and his family were seated together in the main living room, a fire blazing in the hearth, illuminating the room around.

"Who knows." Replied his older sister, Zephyr Haddock, a young woman of 18.

This storm wasn't the first of the spring season but was certainly the most intense so far. Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, couldn't recall the last time the island had experienced such an intense storm before. He was already anticipating the severe storm damage that was to follow in the morning. Downed trees, damaged houses, water damage on the docks, and even potential sunken ships. And an occasional lightning strike. It was going to be rough.

He quietly uttered a prayer of safe travels for any poor soul who was out at sea tonight. A prayer that they would be spared from Thor's wrath tonight.

His beloved wife, Astrid Hofferson Haddock, caught the distressed expression on her husband's face.

"Hiccup?" She said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He quickly glanced at her and mustered a smile.

"I'm fine," he assured, "I just know that this storm is going to be really rough on the sailors tonight."

His concern was understandable. In the years following the end of the war with dragons and dragon hunters, more traders had migrated north into the archipelago, seeking to expand borders. Chieftains from other tribes to the south and East also began to expand their horizons, coming across New Berk. But Hiccup knew the seas of the archipelago were harsh and unforgiving for an inexperienced sailor, especially during the winter and summer months when the sharp cold, or unpredictable currents could ruin any trip on short notice.

New Berk was no stranger to the occasional poor soul who either washed up on the towering island's small beaches or appeared in a barely-floating ship at the docks after a rough storm.

And Hiccup was already preparing for the worst, but as always, hoping for the best.

With the storm raging on, the Haddock family eventually retired to bed, anticipating the survey of storm damage in the morning.

***

A gentle breeze blew the light curtains away from the window above Hiccup and Astrid's bed, allowing the sun to bathe the bedroom in a comforting warm yellow light.

With a groan, Hiccup sat up and stretched his shoulders. With a quick glance down, Astrid was still asleep next to him. Seeing his lovely wife still ever so beautifully asleep, a soft smile crossed his face. He bent down and pressed a loving kiss to her forehead, and then crawled out of bed to dress for the day.

After eating breakfast, Zephyr and Nuffink soon woke and joined their father downstairs. Before heading to bed last night, they had both offered to help out with the storm cleanup in the morning. It was good for both of them to help their village, especially for Zephyr, since she was next in line for Berk's throne, and she took every opportunity to shadow her father during his duties.

The three then exited the house and were greeted by an absolute disaster in the village. Men and women were already up and surveying the storm damage on their homes and farms. Many homes were missing shingles, branches were strewn everywhere, and some areas had massive puddles that were more like small ponds with all the rain.

So far... it wasn't as bad as Hiccup anticipated, but this was just the village from outside his own home. They still had the rest of the village to scout.

He decided to send his two children off by themselves to cover more area faster.

Upon Zephyr and Nuffink leaving his side, Hiccup went to go find his longtime friends and discuss with them.

He found Ruffnut, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and Minden in a group together; Snotlout and Minden with tools at the ready and already beginning repairs.

Fishlegs spotted the chief first, waving him over.

"Fishlegs! How bad?"

"Not as bad for us, but I did overhear that homes near the docks might've gotten the worst damage."

"What about the docks?"

"Eret is already out that way."

Meanwhile, Zephyr and Nuffink were making their way near the quieter side of the village; fewer homes and farms, and more forest in these parts. While Nuffink doubted there would be much here to look for, Zephyr insisted they at least check it out just to make sure. On occasion, someone would wash up on the shores in this area, though it was rare. But even still, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.

This part of New Berk had naturally forming terraces down towards the sea. Steep, moss-covered cliffs and narrow beaches of brown sand. There were towering pines perched precariously on the edges of the cliff edges, their weight slowly pulling them down towards the ground or sea.

So far, Zephyr didn't initially see anything. It was still breezy, but nothing like the wind gusts of last night. The sun reflected intensely off the surface of the sea, slightly blinding the redhead as she shielded her eyes. When her sight adjusted, something blew in her face. Sputtering, she pulled it away, surprised to see that it was a tattered piece of cloth. But the cloth texture was unfamiliar, more plantlike. It was not linen, silk, or wool. On one corner she saw a partial design drawn in red ink.

"What is that?" Nuffink questioned, leaning over his sister's shoulder to inspect it.

"I have no idea." Zephyr scanned the terraced beaches below, and to her left, something caught her eye. It looked like the top of a mast, with a torn mainsail. Immediately, oh shit-

Alarmed, she carefully scampered down the steep slope, calling her brother to follow.

As she got closer, her sight confirmed that it was a beached ship. But its design was entirely unfamiliar. Though due to the damage, she couldn't determine any distinct features. The mainsail whipped about in the breeze, and both Haddock siblings could see the damage. It was absolutely shredded, its edges tattered, and what looked like the burn spot of a lightning strike was in the dead center, which could have been a cause of the ship to possibly go off its course.

Zephyr observed the designs of the mainsail that she could make out. What looked to be painted figures, a sun, maybe birds? All painted with natural ink. With the sun shining through, she could make out the craftsmanship, it was hand-woven of what she could guess were plant fibers.

She then began to scan for survivors. Though she was anxious to find a possible corpse instead of a person, one could only hope for the best.

After pushing aside, scattered debris and fragments of wood, she saw something.

A figure, facing away from her. She spied dark skin, black hair, and red clothing. On the bare skin were intricate tattoos of unfamiliar design and origin.

Whoever this was... they were not from here.

"Are they breathing?" Nuffink whispered. Zephyr nodded. They were alive.