Wayfinding Berk

19. Sound The Drums of War

19. Sound The Drums of War

"There were just so many ship, like three whole fleets!" Astrid said as Hiccup wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. "A-and the boats were huge! Like bigger than the ones we've seen dragon hunters or Drago use!"

"How big exactly?" Moana asked Maui.

"Think...kakamora ship size, when it's split off into more ships." The demigod answered and shuddered before saying, "They're coming close Moana, do you guys have everything ready?"

"We've still got some more weapons to make, but we've supplied the cave for the elderly, women, children and injured." Moana replied. "We should at least get everyone ready at the moment."

"Oh Moana! Guess what we did!" Ruffnut said excitedly. "You know how Pua is huge and strong enough for you to climb on his back?"

"Er...yes?"

"Well, we have taken it upon ourselves with Eret's help after he got tattooed, to make him some armor!" Tuffnut explained happily. "Since you all don't use metal, we've used wood for the armor and sharpened his tusks!"

"She's going to ride a pig into battle?" Snotlout asked and scoffed. "How embarrassing would that be?"

"Well Fishlegs rides on Meatlug, what's the difference?" Tuffnut challenged. "Aside from the fact that Meatlug can fly, isn't fluffy and eats rocks while Pua runs quite fast, eats vegetables and is veeeery fluffy. Her dragon can't leave the water, and it will look very cool when she charges into battle with Eret on Skullcrusher!"

"Now that would be cool." Maui chuckles. "And that is a good idea, giving Pua this...armor thing...he will be safe!"

"How many days do we have left till they arrive?" Moana asked Maui.

"Give or take...three days if the wind doesn't speed them up."

"Good. You, Astrid, and the crew you took get some rest, we have some preparations to finish."

As the rest of the group left the healing hut to finish their work or help the others with their tasks, Moana was making her way up to the tallest mountain on the island. As she climbed, she tried to shake off the fear that kept twisting in her stomach. Starting today, they only had three days left to prepare for the battle. Should she have sent everyone off to another island to face the enemy alone, but now everyone might die because of her.

"Moana." Moana gave a small gasp and turned to see Eret and Skullcrusher standing several feet from her, worry and concerned etched on their faces. The dragon strode over, crooning softly and rubbing his snout on Moana's hand. Moana gave a small laugh as she knelt down to press her forehead against his horn. "Figured you'd be up here." Eret stated when she stood up.

"Yeah, I normally come up here when I need a break or if I need to clear my head if being by the sea doesn't help." Moana replied and glanced at the pile of flat stones that had a large shell on top. "I don't know if I can do this. Lead my people into war, that's what I'm worried about."

"They're choosing to fight with you because they know you'll do everything to protect them." Eret assured her. He looked like he wanted to take her hand, but placed his hand on her shoulder instead. "No chief or leader ever wants to go into war, unless they're some nutjob."

"I...I've been thinking Eret, what if I went in alone and gave myself over to them-"

"I'm going to stop you right there and tell you not to go with that plan."

"But I haven't even-"

"You are not giving yourself over to a bunch of psychos who think burning you in an active volcano is a guinness idea! I absolutely forbid it Moana, I absolutely forbid it!"

Moana frowned. "Who do you think you are, my father?" She asked angrily.

"Your husband." Eret replied firmly. "I know we pretended to be married, but I swore to your father and Maui that I would keep you safe. And keeping you from doing something stupid like handing yourself over to those people is what I'm doing to keep you safe Moana. Your people need you, if you die they won't have a chief anymore. If your father died in this war and you are dead as well, who will rule and guide the people?"

"That's not what-"

"Be smart about this Moana! You can't just do something crazy and expect it to work!"

"Well who said I had to do this alone?"

"What?"

"I said I'm not doing this alone Eret, this sort of crazy plan needs you, our dragons dragons, Maui, Hiccup and the others." Moana explained and began to explain her plan.

"This is crazy, why didn't you tell us this earlier?" Eret asked when Moana finished explaining her plan.

"Well I wasn't sure it would work, but most of my crazy ideas when dealing with dangerous things leave me alive." Moana replied and gave him a grin. "So what do you say, should we do it?"

"Well, if your last insane plans actually worked, who's to say it's not going to go bad this time?" Eret said with a shrug. "So, how do we celebrate if it works and we win?"

"Eh... picnic with the others down by a nice private area I sometimes go to?" Moana suggested. "And maybe I'll have you guys get special tattoos?"

"It will be worth it when Snotlout screams. He literally cried getting a little fish on his back." Eret laughed and Moana giggled, recalling that moment before pulling a serious face.

"Come on, let's go tell the others and I'll let the village know what's going to happen. It's time to sound the drums of war."