Daughter of the Wing [ON HOLD]

<Chapter 8>

"Of course there's a storm" Tora grumbled and trudged along the muddy ground. "I told them there was a storm brewing but did they listen? Noooooooo. Stupid riders and their stupid dragons" She kicked at a rock and sent it flying, a loud thud indicating that she had hit a tree.

On their 'rescue' of Gustav a month back, Hiccup had noticed a few stranded islands along the west of Dragons Edge. He had decided today to go out and explore them, arguing that there may be new dragons and maybe even one for Tora out there. They had set off today despite Tora's warnings of a storm coming in. She didn't know how she knew it, the sky was clear and as blue as ever, but she just had a feeling.

Turns out her feeling had been correct after all. They were about 3 quarters of the way to the island when a vicious wind had picked up, tossing around the airborne riders and flinging her into the ocean. Clouds had appeared from nowhere and large rumbles of thunder were heard on the horizon. Adjust the confusion, the Riders had flown off, leaving Tora to swim as best she could towards the island in the distance.

A few hours later and she was wandering around; cold, wet and annoyed. "Ok Tora, stop it. Complaining about the past isn't going to help the future. Think, what do I need to do" She scolded herself. Shivering slightly, she made a list of priorities in her head and ticked them off on her fingers.

Shelter
Food
Water
Warmth
Some way to signal her friends

She glanced around the island. Thank the gods it wasn't raining yet. Yet. She could smell it arriving in the air, the smell of a downpour hinted in the wind.

"Don't think about that now. Shelter. I need shelter" Tora continued her trek around the island, using her staff to slice a path through the bushes and low lying branches. She kept her mind alert and ears open, ready to defend herself at any new noise. Occasionally she thought she heard a rustle of leaves but when she whipped around to face the culprit, there was nothing there. Still, it was a new island with the possibility of new dragons. And she did not want to be taken by surprise.

Finally, she spotted the dark opening of a cave in the distance. "Yes, thank the gods!" She breathed and almost teared up at the thought of a warm shelter from the rain that had finally hit. Staff still at the ready, Tora advanced cautiously towards the cave. If there were any creatures on this island, dragons or otherwise, this cave might be where they lived. And the last thing she wanted to do right now was fight for shelter.

Tiptoeing around the edge of the entrance, she paused and listened for any signs of life. Then, with a quick peek inside, she ducked in. The relief from being out of the rain and finding somewhere where she could dry off almost overwhelmed her and she dropped to the ground with a sigh. "Time to take a breather" she mumbled and closed her eyes.

Tora was almost asleep when she heard the slightest noise, a scritch scritch of scales over rock. Instantly alert, she grabbed her staff and brandished it before her. Startled, the dragon backed up rapidly and tripped, falling against the cave wall with a thud. From there, it adjusted itself and glared at Tora accusingly.

"Hey, don't glare at me! You're the one who scared me!" She argued. The dragon huffed, picking up on her condescending tone, and shuffled around the cave. Tora continued to watch it, staff still out before her but held on with a slightly looser grip. So far, the beast only looked curious and not like it meant to harm her. Still, she couldn't be too sure. Dragons were tricky at the best of times.

Tora watched as it hobbled along the cave, using the wall as a support. She wondered why until she saw its leg. On its hind left leg, there was a deep gash that was oozing blood. The Crimson colour was blending into its white scales, creating little rivers that dripped onto the stone floor. "Oooooh, you poor thing! How did you even get that" She muttered. She glanced up to meet its eyes, an azure blue that matched some of the scales on its tail. There was a deep intelligence in its eyes, unlike that she had seen in the other dragons. It seemed to be studying her as much as she was studying it.

Tora weighed her options and then, with a sigh and slight grumble, placed the staff back in its sheath. Hand out, the way she had seen Hiccup do it, she slowly approached the dragon. The dragon eyed her warily, turning its head to watch her with both eyes. "Easy honey, I'm not going to hurt you" She reassured it, "I'm just going to have a look at that leg of yours". Her hand was inches away from its snout, and although it continued to watch her, she saw less mistrust in its eyes as though it understood her words or motives.

"Easy there, now le-" She was interrupted as a tongue of flame curled past her head, missing her face by inches. With an agility that spoke of years of training, she ducked and rolled, coming back up in a defensive stance with her staff once again back in her hands. Behind her, the dragon growled at the newcomer blocking the cave entrance.

Why was it always Monstrous Nightmares?

Hey guys! Taylor here! Sorry for the long update, writers block is seriously the worst! Anyways, back on track now! Yay! Thanks heaps to the people who comment and vote, it really makes me feel good 😊👍🏼 If you have any ideas or theories or even questions, feel free to inbox me! Thanks chickas!