A cold wind had begun to blow across the island of Berk, bringing with it the promise of winter. The inhabitants of the island, however, were not concerned with the nearing cold season as they sat in their seats cheering on the dragons racing through the course below them. And there, sitting on his throne, was Chief Stoick the Vast. He watched the dragons expectantly, noticing at once that two were missing. Rolling his eyes, he smiled as Astrid and her dragon, Stormfly, soared overhead.
"That's my future daughter-in-law!"
Now, where Hiccup was, no one could easily say. Stoick's eldest child, however, could be seen from her perch on Berk's highest peak. This was Aska, Hiccup's older sister and the rider of Oakheart the Bronze Wing. Her long brown hair and blazing green eyes were an exact replica of her brother's, though her skin was a touch darker due to many hours in the sun patrolling the boarders. She listened to the race below her, yet she never took her eyes away from the horizon. After all, danger could arrive at any time and in any form. She had to be ready to defend her people. With her life, if she must.
"Aska!"
She turned in surprise to see a familiar blacksmith slowly making his way towards her on the back of his dragon.
"Gobber," she sighed with a smile, "you should be watching the races."
"And you should be in them," the blonde viking chuckled as his steed gave a sigh before collapsing on the landing pad, "your father was looking for you."
Aska avoided his gaze as she sighed, "Dad and I...need some distance."
"Uh oh," Gobber frowned, "what happened?"
"He...wants to make Hiccup the next chief. Not me."
"Ouch," the blacksmith flinched, "have you spoken to him about it?"
"You know dad. It always turns into a one-sided conversation. He kept going on about how the people look to Hiccup now, since he tamed the dragons."
"Well he's not wrong."
"Dad trained me for years because he kept telling me I would become a great chief," she frowned, sitting down beside Oakheart, "now he wants Hiccup to take the job. What was all that training for then? Who am I supposed to be if not the Chief? What...am I supposed to do with my life now that I'm just Hiccup's sister."
"Don't tell me you're jealous of Hiccup."
"No, of course not," she said quickly, "I love my brother. I just feel so...empty now. Like I have no more purpose here."
Unsure of how to answer, Gobber sat down beside her and proceeded to watch the water with her.
"You know," he ventured cautiously, "I could always use a new apprentice. If you're willing to learn."
Aska gave him a small smile, "I'm a warrior. I wouldn't do well cooped up in a forge. Thanks Gobber."
"No harm in trying," he chuckled, leaning back into his dragon, "try talking to Stoick again. That's all I can say."
"Aska," the pair glanced up to see Astrid flying towards them, "have you seen Hiccup?"
"He's probably off exploring again," she said, pulling herself to her feet, "we'd better go find him before my dad sends out another search party."
Oakheart purred as his rider climbed into the saddle. Taking to the air, the girls turned their dragons towards a small group of islands far in the distance. Aska couldn't help but smile as the wind tore at her hair and stung her eyes. It was a good sting, a good cold, that she wouldn't trade for any other feeling in the world.
