Viggo's Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Days

Part 6-Drowned

Viggo grimborn was nothing if not proud, and he showed everyone a fearsome viking with no weaknesses. Naturally, nobody could ever know that the great Viggo couldn't swim. Ryker knew, but that was an unfortunate necessity- besides, Ryker probably wouldn't even remember something like that, or Viggo hoped he didn't.

It wasn't just a weakness- for a viking, it was just plain embarrassing. What kind of self respecting viking couldn't swim? It had never been a problem-up until now. Of course it was right in the middle of a fight against the dragon riders.

Astrid got in a lucky shot that knocked Viggo off of his dragon, and the hunter twisted himself, expecting to see a ship's deck to roll off of. Instead his heart froze when he saw nothing but blue waters below. He hit the water feet first and sank, struggling wildly as the surface got farther and farther away.

Viggo's vision went black, and he felt his body relax as it sank.

An explosion of pain in Viggo's chest made him sit up suddenly, twisting to the side and throwing up until he felt shaky and hollow inside. Water streamed down his face, and the tough viking continued to cough, panic feeling like a vice on his heart. Someone was smacking his back to force more water out, and as the coughing slowly ceased Viggo sat back, breathing hard.

Someone shook him, and Viggo opened his eyes to see Ryker standing before him, eyes wide with fear. "Viggo! Viggo, wake up!" When Ryker realized Viggo's eyes were open he lay him back quickly, making Viggo's head spin. "You were dead. One of the soldiers got you out, but I almost thought it would be too late. You were blue!" Viggo was surprised at how upset Ryker looked, and how much his chest ached from the ordeal. Viggo shakily reached out and grasped Ryker's shoulder comfortingly, a small smile on his face.

Later, Ryker was eating in the ship's galley after getting Viggo to his rooms, and he overheard two crewmen talking. "Why didn't he just swim? It wasn't that long a fall. Kinda sissy if you ask me." The other crewman was about to add his own opinion when his face froze in fear. "What? What is it?" The first man turned to see Ryker standing right behind him, furious.

"Disrespecting our leader? I believe that counts as treason." Ryker pressed a blade against the base of the man's neck, only deep enough to hurt and bleed a little, while the other man looked on in horror. "If I hear anything like that ever again, rest assured- I will see how well you can swim- with cannonballs tied to your legs."   

*one more part coming! I have loved writing these so much :) Thank you all for your reads, votes, and comments.*