Night Fury's Wrath

Chapter 101: Dragon Rider [Part 1]

-Here we are! This is a special multi-part chapter focusing primarily on Astrid's POV, which will begin to answer some questions many of you have asked before... such as what's happening to the "sanctuary" island, for one. 

Anywho, let's get to it before I end up spoiling something. Enjoy!

-NFD

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Skrrritch!

Skrrritch!

I glared at the stone in my hand, which had done absolutely nothing to fulfill its intended purpose. Instead, my axe had practically chewed it up and spit it out. 

"I don't get why you bother. Your metal-claw still works." I winced as Nox's words were turned from animalistic sounds into unnerving layers of whispers in my head, as per usual. I didn't think I'd ever get used to it.

"There's a lot that goes into maintaining an axe," I answered with a sigh. "It maintains discipline, too, something you obviously need..."

The dragon in question, my unexpected friend and partner, lounged lazily on her back and somewhat on her side, a sturdy rock right across the middle of her spine, making for an uncomfortable-looking position; clearly, she didn't care much. At least we were out of the rain, which pattered on the thick tree canopy shielding us, though Nox wasn't too happy about that. Rain was rare lately, since it was usually cold enough to fall as snow. A well-worn saddle rested safely out of reach, since the young dragon was prone to forgetting it was there and damaging it if left attached or nearby, a fact I had learned the hard way several times.

"I'm a dragon," Nox replied, broken by a yawn. "I do what I want!"

I couldn't keep my eyes from tracing the still-healing burn scars littering Nox's body. From what I'd learned by being around Hiccup, now called Auroon, and his whole crazy family, their species was extremely durable. Things that would've destroyed a human tenfold or, if they were lucky, horribly handicapped a person, usually only slowed them down. Even if something did take them down, I envied how rapidly they could heal from it, even without magical aid. 

So, when something happened that not only took a Night Fury down, but even with magical assistance, it still hadn't healed? That was terrifying. And it had happened to my friend.

I noticed one of Nox's brown eyes on me an instant before she let out a gusty sigh, her black belly deflating. "You worry like a mother..."

I was already reaching into my sack for the sticky salve. "It's hard not to when you romp around like a baby dragon with no regard for your injuries and don't you dare try to run away." 

Nox froze stiff when my eyes snapped back to her face. Neither one of us moved a muscle, locked in an intense staring contest. Her left paw twitched, and I curled my lip in an imitation of a snarl. I'd picked up a few habits from being around dragons for so long, and there was one big reason I didn't bother breaking those habits.

My attempt to copy draconic behavior was enough to make Nox back down, even if reluctantly, but I knew from experience living with her that it would work. "That stuff hurts," she mumbled.

"It helps you heal," I replied firmly. I wasn't so sure it really affected dragons like it did humans, but it made me feel like I was doing something to help. "I'm not letting those wounds get infected."

"You don't need to tend to me all the time," she complained as I stood with the jar of salve. It was my only jar left, as my other suitable containers had long since broken. A couple of them, Nox herself broke. "I'm a tough dragon."