Mysteries Beyond (Dragons RTTE Fanfic - Sequel to Deception)

Chapter 9

Flying conditions remained favorable from dawn to dusk, as you journeyed north throughout the day, only taking occasional breaks for the dragons to land on small islands and quench their thirst. The relatively clear skies this far north gave good visibility, and the ample winds allowed Sclera and Amethyst to glide through the air, without tiring too much. In fact, you had made so much progress, and the dragons still energetic at night fall, that you decided to continue flying through the night. The temperature dropped gradually, as the stars took their places and the moon hung in the sky. It was a still night, but the cool northern winds kept you refreshed. Down below, the glaciers that emerged from the depths of the ocean were illuminated by the moon's striking glow, whilst the waves lapped at their edges. Your arms felt a little cold as another breeze swept over you, and you had to suppress a shiver, but that didn't really matter to you. Nothing compared to freedom like this. You weren't even tired; something about your hair dancing in the breeze, and the sensation of the moon seeming so close you could almost reach out and touch it, made you feel so alive.

You glanced over at Viggo. He too was studying the moon intensely, while Sclera flew straight ahead, throwing the occasional glance to Amethyst, who he flew neck and neck with. You had to admit, for someone who had only just begun flying a dragon, Viggo's skill was exceptional. You had been flying for years, and sometimes you forgot that this was one field he had far less experience in than you.

'It must be difficult for him.' you thought, 'Betrayed by his own brother, then losing his tribe...We're all he's got now...' You found yourself wondering about his past: why had there always been such and icy relationship between Viggo and his brother? How had he been so feared and respected by his tribe, yet now they had turned their backs on him? What had made him different to any other dragon hunter you had ever seen?

After flying through the night and most of the next day, you finally decided to take a proper break, once you found a suitable island. Such an island did eventually come into view, a little before the sun began to dip below the horizon. The outer edges were covered in ice, but it was clear that the centre of the snow-covered island was founded on solid rock. The island wasn't very large, with only a few spruce trees dotted sparsely around. You landed near one of the trees - it would provide a good shelter for the night, seeing as there were no caves on the island. Beside the tree, Amethyst raked away the layer of snow with her talons, to reveal the rock beneath, littered with the remains of the brief summer's arctic vegetation.

"I'll take care of the food if you take care of the fire." you said, as Viggo began arranging sticks and bracken in the small patch that Amethyst had cleared. Viggo nodded, as you began rummaging through the bag of provisions Valka had given you. Eventually, you knew you would have to go back to fishing and collecting food for yourselves again but, for now, you could rely on the provisions. You took out a small package that appeared to be several fish wrapped in a cloth, and laid them on the ground beside you. Just as you were about to unwrap them, your attention was caught by something from within the bag. You peered back in to find what appeared to be a piece of folded parchment with your name on it. Looking up, you could tell that Viggo was now striking the fire with his ignited sword, before diverting your gaze back to the parchment. You lifted it out of the bag between your fingers, confused. Was it from Valka? I had to be, didn't it? You would have recognized Viggo's handwriting. No, this was definitely not Viggo.

 The cackling of the fire reminded you that it was almost ready. You shoved the parchment in your pocket, resolving to read it later, and quickly turned your attention to preparing the fish for cooking, before placing them in a small, saucepan and bringing them over to where Viggo was waiting beside the fire. The dragons' eyes lit up at the prospect of food. You tossed a few fish to them first - after all, they were the ones who had been flying this whole time. Viggo then offered to cook the fish for you and himself, which you accepted, using the time to gently pat your pocket to make sure the parchment was still there. It was. Amethyst gave a satisfied yawn after licking her lips, and then plodded over to you to rest her snout on your knee. You smiled as the young Changewing let out a heavy sigh, and steam escaped her nostrils in the darkness.