Left In The Night

Chapter 48

After Hiccup left the meeting area, the others dispersed as well, off to do their own set of chores and duties, with their dragons in tow. Zyrah, Konall, and Rurik were left to do their own thing
"So what now?" Rurik asked, leaning against Killgrave. He was impressed with his sister's speech earlier but was curious as to what the next step in her mind would be. Zyrah didn't answer him, becoming lost in her own thoughts, staring at her father's sword, staring at the runes on the cross guard; ᛒᛚᛟᛟᛞᚱᛖᛈᛖᚱ...

Bloodreaper.

Ever since she acquired the sword, alongside her mother's, she had always ended up using her mother's sword instead, even as a dual sword wielder. Her mother had never given her sword a name, which for some reason made it easier to bear. She always carried it in her right hand, and it was always the sword she primarily used to defend herself.

As complicated as her relationship was to her late birth parent's weapons, she wielded them wisely, especially since she had the blades reforged. As of late, she used her father's sword to free dragons instead of bringing them harm or slaying them, bringing a new sense of honor and reputation.

"Hey, sword girl, I'm talking to you," Rurik called. Zyrah glanced up from her sword, not particularly amused with his nickname for her.

"What, Rurik?"

"I'm trying to ask you what the next step is? Unless your whole speech was just to get Hiccup going?"

"I mean... kinda sorta? Hiccup is the chief, so he has to figure out a way to execute this plan, especially since we want it to work. It's a waiting game now."

Rurik eyed his sister closely, noticing how she was still distracted with her birth father's sword.

"Hey, look at me," He gently commanded, taking a seat next to her. He could see the way her features were focused, how her eyebrows knitted together tensely, and the purse in her lips as she thought; about what, who knew. What he did know for sure, was that she was thinking of every possible avenue this war could end peacefully. She was a peacemaker... sort of. She and Hiccup wanted the same thing, but as evidenced by the events only a few months ago, Zyrah had a much more direct approach.

Rurik never truly imagined his sister taking the life of another, given how they would always joke about "killing" their older brothers for minor infractions caused by annoying older siblings... but that was a simpler time, when they were kids, saying dumb things, intentionally antagonizing their brothers to get a reaction out of them. Because that's what siblings do.

"I know the past few months have been rough on you, and I know you want to find any possible avenue to end this war, but remember what Dad always used to tell us?" Her eyes shifted in his direction, and she slowly turned her head to face him, knowing exactly what he was referring to.

Together, in unison, they said, "Don't sharpen your sword if you're not going into battle." Konall's ears perked up, having not heard that saying in a long time. Given he, Rurik, and Zyrah were the same age, he practically lived in their house.

When the three were growing up, they trained together, learning to fight, which is where Zyrah acquired her love of swords. They started early, about age six. And then, when Konall and Rurik bonded with their dragons, Zyrah stood back and watched as they trained alongside other kids their age, Zyrah's brothers, and their peers. It was a unique and exciting upbringing.

Konall didn't know when exactly he realized he was in love with Zyrah, but he knew it had to be one of the first times he saw her win a sparring match with her bare hands. And she wasn't even fighting one of her brothers.

In his mind, Koala could see the ways Zyrah was still the same girl he always knew, yet he could see the changes carving deep into her head.

"Hey," he finally spoke up, joining Zyrah on her opposite side so she was between the two, "take a step back from trying to provide all the solutions. I can see the wheels turning in your head," she rolled her eyes at him, but Rurik nodded in agreement. "No wonder you and Hiccup get along so well." Came his remark.

"Ending this war is a team effort, both you and Hiccup have that mentality that only you, as individuals, have the answers for everything. I know I don't have the answers to every question asked of me, and you know you don't either." She pursed her lips and frowned. Zyrah did not want to admit he was right... but he was right.

"So then what? We can't just sit around waiting to be attacked."

"No, but we can let off some steam! Come on, let's go on a flight, just the three of us, like old times!" Rurik offered, grabbing his sister's hand, and whistling for Killgrave. The red and purple Nadder squawked in the distance and flew to his rider within moments. Lightbolt also answered Konall's special call, ruffling his crown of spines.

Of course, Zyrah could never resist a flight with her two favorite people. And so, she mounted Blueheart's saddle, and the two plus Nightfire took off after Killgrave and Lightbolt.

Where're we going? Nightfire questioned, circling above and around her mother.

Just on a casual flight, Killgrave replied, grinning at his 'niece'.

Together, the small troupe flew around the Edge, taking in more of the landscape and surroundings, observing the dragons native to the small island. Smidvarg squawked when he noticed the group, calling out to them.

Hey! Where's the Alpha? He called.

You're looking at one of them! Blueheart replied, roaring in his direction. The white Night Terror flew up to meet the female, flanked by a few common Night Terrors nearby.

Ah, so the tales are true, Night Furies are not extinct. He remarked, hovering in front of her, causing Lightbolt and Killgrave to stop, which allowed the other Night Terrors to check them out. Blueheart raised a brow, now curious.

Aye, we're not. But we're far from populous.

Hm. I've overheard word from other dragons that Hiccup is up to his planning again. What has changed?

A lot. We're flying around the island to help our riders clear our heads... and maybe scout out the island. I do know you have had your fair share of dangerous encounters in the past. Smidvarg confirmed with a squawk.

That I have. Smidvarg accompanied the four dragons and the three riders, giving them an unofficial/official tour of the island. The white Terror expressed interest in speaking to Toothless and his group on how the Terrors might be able to help, and Blueheart relayed to him what had been occurring on Berk since the Riders left the Edge. Smidvarg was disappointed but not surprised that trappers and hunters had become worse.

Humans are everywhere. Soon, I doubt we'll have much left of our own. We have to fight to the end, together.

While Blueheart was right about a meeting occurring, she did not express much interest in what the riders were discussing, as it was mostly Hiccup debating with his council on issues regarding trade with other islands and the distant mainland. With Berk's sudden upheaval, it caused disruptions in trade and other communications. Hiccup had received reports from various partners questioning the chief on what happened.

As the meeting was mainly about political and trade topics, this was also something Zyrah was disinterested in, not that it concerned her anyway.

Elsewhere, Smidvarg arrived with a few members of his flock, requesting to speak to Toothless, and so Blueheart allowed her mate to chat with him.

As Blueheart lounged outside the clubhouse with Nightfire, grooming the hatchling, her mind began to consider all the possibilities of how this war could end. It was Berk, their allies, and the dragons versus the trappers and hunters. It had once been just Vikings versus dragons, but the world had become so much more complicated.

All Blueheart wanted was for all Night Furies to be left alone. She was tired of her species being the ultimate prize. She wanted her daughter to grow up around her kind, but being out beyond the island was putting a target on her back. Life had become far too risky. It was not fair.