Heir and Pride

Chapter Fourteen

It was after lunch the next day when the ship returned from the search for the dragons' nest. Three had set out and one, badly scorched and damaged, had returned. But-miraculously-everyone was home safe: Stoick had led the defence in the vicious attack they had endured on entering Helheim's Gate and his leadership had made sure no one was left behind. But two ships were lost. Gobber was first at the docks, offering his hand to help his friend from the ship. Stock looked tired and his legs were shaking but he walked proudly from the vessel, acknowledging the salutes of his admiring and grateful shipmates: though Spitelout could fight better, Stoick had pulled his weight and his leadership was the reason they had come home at all.

    

"It's such a relief!"

    

"Out with the old, in with the new!"

    

"No one will miss that old thing anyway!"

    

Stoick frowned at the cheery chorus from villagers who had remained behind, waving and going to greet their returning friends and kin. The Chief turned to his friend.

    

"He's gone?" he asked, his face aghast. He hadn't been proud of the boy but if he was dead... But Gobber didn't look distraught, more...embarrassed.

    

"Er, most afternoons, actually," he said mildly. "But who can blame him? The life of a celebrity...He can hardly set foot out of the house without being mobbed by his new fans!" Stock stopped and stared at him.

    

"Wait-are we talking about Snotlout?" he asked. Gobber gave him an exasperated look. The man could be dense sometimes!

    

"No, Hiccup!" he snapped. "Your son? You know-skinny runt, dark red hair, green eyes, freckles, stammers, universally despised and hated by his family and village..."

    

"I know who Hiccup is..." Stoick snapped before his brain caught up with his mouth. "Wait-Hiccup is doing well in dragon training?"

    

"Leading," Gobber told him. "He seems to have a way with the beasts! And you've just come back in time: it's the final decision tomorrow. He's up against Astrid for the honour of killing the Monstrous Nightmare!" Stock blinked and turned to his friend.

    

"Where is he?" he demanded.

    

"I told you-he goes most afternoons. Probably for a walk. It seems to clear his mind. But in the evening, he always goes to the forge to put in some work for me. You'll find him there!" Gobber gave a grin. "Now tell me about your trip. Find the nest?"

    

"Not even close!" Stock growled. "It was a complete disaster...those beasts will drive us into the sea if they have a chance. I can't wait to see how my son kills those creatures!"

oOo

At the same moment, the boy in question was soaring above the cliffs on one of those creatures, checking the prosthetic tail assembly and nervously rechecking everything. Today was the big trial of the whole system: if it worked, they were in business and Hiccup could fly anywhere with his friend. He leaned forward, feeling infinitely safer in the saddle now he was able to hold on with two hands. He rechecked his lines and then fiddled with his cheat sheet.