The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 9

It took some self-encouragement, but I actively tried to make Eyarr more comfortable. I showed him my kinder side, but I remained cautious, not letting him too close. It was worth mentioning that he struck up a good friendship with Ana's son, Dustin, and Zyrah's son Tannr. When Eyarr wasn't in the house, I often saw him with Dustin and Tannr, talking about Gods knows what. But I was happy to see him slowly come out of his shell.

In one conversation I'd overheard him chat about with Dustin, Eyarr was sharing tales of the sights he'd seen and that he picked up on a few languages. It intrigued me. And I felt there was more of a possible connection if I expressed my interest.

I was still taking mini-lessons with Hiccup to improve my Norse, per my request, even though he insisted I was fluent. But I was always eager to learn more. After all, I had the benefit of being the chief's daughter, which enabled me more access to learn new things others couldn't. On top of my people skills with my mom, my sister and I would learn survival skills from our father. Since, well, before he and Mom met, he was a fisherman. I learned to cast nets, build traps, and learn the behavior of schools of fish.

Around the same time, I recall Astrid chatting with Ruffnut and Minden about the possibility of his weapons range.

It made me laugh. The Berkians, all so fascinated by this stranger. I'd never seen anything like it. Valka had mentioned that Hiccup and Astrid didn't typically gossip, but when it came to dragons and weapons, respectively, they couldn't help it.

I decided I'd learn more about him independently since he was my guest, and I felt the obligation.

It just so happened I found Eyarr sharpening his sword one afternoon. I was walking by with Ana, and I spied him. It was a mundane chore here on Berk since I'd seen numerous people sharpen their weapons. I'd even visited the forge to see Hiccup and Gobber at work. The forge was utterly fascinating since there was nothing like it on Motunui.

Ana must have noticed my expression and let me join him since she encouraged me to get to know him better.

He didn't see me approach him, but he was pleasantly surprised.

"What, do you need anything?" He asked, putting his whetstone down. I shrugged.

"Mm! Nah, just curious, I just like watching the process of sharpening weapons."

"Do you want to try? It's not that hard." I shook my head.

"Thanks for the offer, but I prefer to watch." I then considered an offer that would be my way of getting a taste of his skills, "by the way... if you're ever down for it, maybe we could spar?" He blinked in astonishment at first, but then I saw a sly smile creep across his face. He returned to his sword and whetstone, slowly scraping the latter across the blade's edge.

"That would be very interesting," he paused for a moment. "Have you sparred before?" I grinned.

"Oh yeah. I used to spar with my dad and sister growing up. I'm capable." He raised his eyebrows and chuckled a bit.

"Alright. Tomorrow afternoon then. How about it?"

"Perfect!"

We parted ways for the day, doing our usual stuff. When I went to the Haddocks for dinner, Ana and her son Dustin also visited. I stuck with Zephyr most of the time and finally told her about my spar session with Eyarr tomorrow. She was surprised.

"No offense Laeli, but I don't think that's a battle you'll win." I shrugged.

"I never said I intended to win, but I just want to know what he's capable of." Ana overheard me.