Dragons are a Girls Best Friend

Chapter 13

The 'Dragon Protectors'. That sounds just right I suppose. I looked around at the others and saw that they all thought the same. "So, what do we do now?" Runa surprised us all with that question. Her dragon, Kari, also seemed surprised. Chief Hiccup turned towards her. "Now you all have to train hard to become a worthy team. So we'll be running you through some exercises to get you ready for the upcoming battle. And after your training, you'll set up base at your own island, just like we did back in the day, and set out to stop this new threat. So... any questions?" All of us shook our heads. Nope. That is until Runa raised her hand again. And again we were all surprised. It's not like her to speak out. She's usually reserved and keeps to herself. I guess, slowly, she is healing from the wound that was made all those years ago. The one that involved her brother. I hung my head ashamed. I could've done something. We all could've. We had time back then and yet we did nothing. NOTHING. "What's the first exercise going to be?" Chief Hiccup answered, "Well first up we've asked our good friends the Beserkers to help us out with a mock battle at the far side of the island. Now even though this is only a mock battle, I have asked them to make it as real as possible so treat it like the Beserkers are really attacking. So you need to work as a team and that means deciding who your leader will be and what strategy you will use. You have the next two days to work this out. Good luck!" And with that, Chief Hiccup and the others left us to work things out amongst ourselves.

"So.... leader huh?! I guess if you're sure, I could take up that role" Asta flicked her hair and smiled confidently. I face palmed. "Umm sorry to break it to you Asta but I think we should all vote on it" I carefully broke to my friend. She sagged a little bit but nodded. "You're right. I guess. So raise your hand if you want me to be leader!" No one did. Asta sighed and sat down on a log. "So, that aside, let"s have everyone's opinion on the matter. Or we could write who we want on a piece of paper and have them read out. Either way". Shelby and Kelby spoke together in a huddle before speaking, "I reckon we do the paper thing". Shelby said with Kelby nodding behind her. "Alright then. Here's paper and writing tools. Have at it!" Asta seemed very disappointed but content at what the others chose. So the paper was handed out and we all wrote who we thought would be best. Then they were all handed in and Halvar was chosen to read them out. There was one vote Asta (no surprise there), three votes for me and four votes for Runa. One of those votes i put in myself. Runa seemed shocked at the outcome but the rest of us agreed for her to be our leader. After all, she was the only one to ask all the important questions. "Me?" Runa stammered. It was the first time I've ever heard her stammer before. "I- I can't!" And with the rest of us stuck on the spot with surprised faces and jaws hanging open, she turned and ran away. I stared after her. Knowing why she was upset. I though for a bit then made up my mind.  For us to be able to work as a team, we need to put our past behind us and sort out our differences. So, naturally, being the sort of person I am, I ran after her with Aurastorm following closely behind.