Cloud's Journey: Home

Cold Blood

"Sail's up n' ready!" Bjorg called from the deck of the ship, now named the White Cap.

"Good." Hiccup nodded from atop Toothless. He landed his dragon in front of us and dismounted. "Pack up, guys. We're ready to move out."

Everyone dispersed to get their dragons. This time, even I had a dragon to fetch.

"Bluewing, give me that." I snatched the canteen from the blue reptiles jaws. While I stuffed it into my satchel, he smacked his lips and then leaped up onto my shoulder, as heavy as when he'd been hiding in my satchel. At least he'd caught fish for me that morning.

"Let's go." I said, heading to where everyone was gathering again. My fingers went ahead and scratched Bluewing's chin.

"Alright, mount up." Hiccup instructed when I arrived.

I stepped up beside Hiccup and Toothless. "Can I hitch a ride?" I asked.

"Sure." he said. I smiled and waited for him to mount up before climbing up behind him.

The White Cap was already back on its northern bound journey. The dragons flew after it, catching up in no time. My white braid blew behind me and Bluewing pawed at it.

"Quit it." I scolded, taking him off my shoulder and putting him in the satchel. I tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear and leaned on Hiccup's shoulder.

"How'd he sneak into your satchel in the first place?" Hiccup asked.

"I have no idea." I replied.

"Hmm. Bjorg, where does the map say to go now?"

"We're 'eadin' in the right direction." Bjorg called back.

"If you know where to go, why'd you want me to come?" Hiccup asked.

"It's the actual treasure 'untin part that drives us batty."

"Ok." Hiccup rolled his eyes.

We traveled on. The morning was left behind as we flew into the afternoon. Beneath us, the White Cap was beginning to sail past icebergs.

I pulled my vest tighter and hugged Hiccup's waist before I looked around. The sky and ocean seemed a lot bluer out here.

Bluewing poked his head out of the satchel and barked.

"I know it's lunch time, but I don't have any fish with me right now." I told him. He disappeared back inside the leather bag. I could hear him knowing on the canteen.

"If you chew a hole in that, I'll rip your wings off." I told him.

On the waves below, the chunks of ice were getting bigger. They were hitting the White Cap with loud thunks! The Skellingtons steered around an especially thick one.

"Watch out, there's more ahead!" Hiccup warned.

"Got i'!" Bjorg acknowledged.

Egil was shivering, though he'd remained calm since he'd woken up. "We're gonna freeze in our skins if i' gets much colder." he said.

"Eh, toughen up." Bjorg smiled, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. Egil flashed him a quick smile, then stared out to sea.

"How much farther?" Hiccup asked.

"Should ge' there by dusk." Bjorg replied.

At lunch, we ate on the wing. Hookfang and Bluewing dove into the sea to catch food for themselves. Snotlout sat shivering in his wet clothes, the cold wind whipping around him. The sun fell closer to the sea and the icebergs grew larger.