Wolves And Dragons

Aboard The Dragon Slayer

"So you believe that Drago has soldiers and trappers milling around on his old fort?" Astrid asked as the gang flew out towards the said destination.

"He never leaves his forts fully abandoned." Eret explained. "He may have left several men on there."

"Gee that's great." Snotlout said sarcastically. "Now we got to fight more of Drago's men."

"Well it'll be worth it." Astrid said. "Besides, I'm kinda curious to find out what kind of girl Lupa is. She sounds pretty fun."

"Oh she's loads of fun." Eret said with a laugh. "She was always fighting with boys bigger than her and always asks me to help with her revenge and we'd always get into trouble."

"That kinda sounds just like us!" Tuffnut cheered.

"Are we there yet or did we get lost when you were chit chatting?" Snotlout interrupted.

"We're here." Eret said.

What looked like the remains of a large fort built into a mountain came into view. The entire place was empty except for the crows that were perched on the roofs of abandoned buildings.

"Oh my gods." Astrid murmured. "It looks like a grave yard."

"It was one when people were still here." Eret said pointing to the arena. "Every few days someone would die from a sparring accident or a wild dragon."

"Yeesh no wonder you joined us." Snotlout said shuddering.

They all landed their dragons on a sturdy roof and climbed down. No sign of life except for the crows were there. Eret motioned for them to follow him and they slipped through between the buildings and split up.

Eret walked towards a large familiar building. It wouldn't hurt to take a look inside right? He walked to it and carefully entered. It was empty with a small bit of light shining through the one window. Large weapons were hanging on the wall as well as a large Deathsong head. Bret shuddered remembering how the head used to frightened him. He always felt as if it was watching him with the creepy glass eyes.

"So what did you get into trouble for now?" Eret gasped and whirled around to see Bardolf sitting at his desk string something warm with his pinky.

"What are you doing here?" Eret asked hiding the fear in his voice.

Bardolf looked at him calmly. "You've grown so much since I'd last seen you. When was the last time we talked? Your eighteenth birthday was it?"

"And you still look the same." Eret said. Bardolf chuckled and stood up from his chair.

"You look so much like your father when he was your age. Especially that nose." He said tapping Eret in the nose.

"You haven't answered my question." Eret snapped batting his hand away.

"And you haven't answered mine as well."

"I'm no longer part of Drago's army anymore. I'm done with hurting dragons."

"Then you should have left with your sister instead of coming back here." Eret felt his body get tense. He placed a hand on the hilt of hissword and took a step back.

"How did you know I helped her escape?" He asked.

"I was watching you both all along. But I don't tattle." Bardolf answered cooly. He opened his mouth to say something when an arrow shot through the window and hit his shoulder.

"Bardolf!" Eret yelled rushing over to him.

"Get out of here now!" Bardolf gasped ripping the arrow out of his shoulder.

"No you're coming with me." Eret said helping his mentor to his feet and leading him outside. 'Who's the attacker?"

"Him." Eret looked to where Bardolf was pointing and saw a figure standing on the roof of a hut with an arrow pointed at them. "Targeting Drago's lead men. Thought I outran him."

"Come in I know somewhere you can hide. I've been living on this island with the dragon riders who brought down Drago." Eret said hurrying him through the place.

"Little rebellious now aren't you? You are much like your sister now defying Drago."

"Please don't bring her- look out!" Another arrow whizzed by them and hit the side of a house. "Less talking more running!"

Eret staggered as he dragged Bardolf through the houses when Bardolf have a yell. Eret glanced back to see two arrows poking from his back. He groaned looking up at the roofs to see their attacker pointing their bow at them.

"Leave me please Eret. Get out of he tee e before he kills you." Bardilf wheezed slipping his arm off of Eret and staggered to a hut. With a painful groan he slid down to sit.

"No I'm not leaving you here to die. I just can't." Eret said rushing to him and kneeling down. He keot an eye on the archer but kept his attention in Bardolf.

"I have a confession to make before I die." Bardolf said looking at him. "Your father....he was my half brother..." he wheezed. "I knew your mother and we were both in love with her but Eret won the right to marry her."

"So you're my uncle?" Eret asked shocked.

"Yes....but your mother....she loved both of us.....but she still loved me the way she did even after she and your father married. One night she came to find me and....."

"And what?"

"Remember how surprised how your little sister came out looking like your mother entirely with no traces of your father? Your sister....Lupa....she's my child not your fathers...."

"T-that can't be true!"

"She bears the mark of the wolf they way i do." Bardolf tore his shirt to reveal a dark marking on his left shoulder and chest. Eret recalled seeing that mark on Lupa but was always told by their mother that it was only a birthmark. "The heirs of my tribe are born with the crest of the wolf. The shape differs but the message is always the same: they bear the wolf, they lead the pack."

"Bardolf tell me you're joking!"

"I'm not. I've kept an eye on you and your sister for as long as I could. I was so heartbroken when I discovered she left but I was also glad because she could follow her destiny of destroying Drago." Bardolf said as his voice started getting softer. "Take care if her as you always have when you find her."

"I-i will."

"Good boy. Be a good wolf and keeo your sister safe." And with his uncle breathed his last.