Moon Fire

Chapter 9

Astrid stood up from the table, gathered her breakfast dishes, and put them in the sink. As she turned around, she accidentally slammed face-first into her mother and baby sister. "Oof! Sorry, Mom."

"Oh, it's alright, sweetie," Phlegma replied, shifting the infant from one arm to the other to give the tired one a break. Whatever had ailed her a few days ago, she'd recovered quickly and was back to her usual self again. "Hurry, now, you'll be late for training."

Astrid nodded and obediently went to her room to grab her axe. On her way out, she embraced her mother and gave her sister a little peck on the nose. "See you later, Asta," she said, smiling. Little Asta flapped her arms like a bird and made the most adorable random baby noise that made Astrid's heart just melt into a blob. She shared a "Odin's beard, this is the cutest thing ever" look with her mother, making her laugh in agreement.

"Love you, Mom," Astrid called on her way out the door, getting a goodbye wave in return. She trotted down the stairs, heading for the Training Center. As she was leaving the village, however, she saw Magnus trudging up from the docks. Just seeing him made her remember a couple of nights ago when he'd gone after Hiccup and she'd had to help him to Gothi's. Anger surged through her veins and she fought to keep her face calm and indifferent. She kept going, about to pass him, keeping her distance and hoping that she wouldn't have to say anything to him because she really did not trust her voice right now.

"Good morning, Miss Hofferson," Magnus said. Dang it. Now she had to respond.

"Morning, sir." The word "sir" left a nasty taste in her mouth, like eggnog gone wrong. Why did the man who crushed her lifelong dream and routinely beat her boyfriend have to be the chief? Maybe if she just kept walking and put a big enough space between them, he'd get the hint that she didn't want to talk.

"Are you alright, Astrid?" Magnus persisted, changing his course slightly to stay with her. So much for that endeavor. Why couldn't he just leave her be?

Calm down, it's not like he killed him. Just act normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'm fine," she lied, throwing in a small yawn for good measure. "Just tired, I guess."

Instead of being satisfied and walking away, Magnus sped up a little, enough to make Astrid turn to face him. She gave him a "What is your problem?" look instead of the burn-clear-through-your-soul-death glare she had on standby.

"Now, Miss Hofferson," Magnus chided, as if scolding a young child, "I know you're lying to me. I asked you an honest question, and I expect an honest answer." She wouldn't have been surprised if he'd wagged his finger in her face.

"I'm not lying, sir!" she replied, not bothering to hide her indignation. I just never get a proper chance to see my blade cleave your skull in two, that's what's bugging me. Was Magnus seriously trying to get the same reaction out of her that he did Hiccup? If so, that wasn't happening. Astrid stood her ground. "I don't lie to anyone."

Magnus stared hard at her, and she had a feeling that were she in Hiccup's shoes, he'd have pressed harder. As it was, she returned the look in full. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Magnus tilted his head to the side a little and asked another question. "What do you know about the rebellion?"

Would this man never shut up?

Astrid drew back, more for a need of personal space than alarm. "What are you talking about?" she spluttered. Even though she knew that Magnus knew about the rebellion, it still made her nerves a bit jumpy. Fortunately, she could hide that well.

A flicker of impatience crossed the acting-chief's face. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."

"No, I don't."