Adina

13. Kari

I have been on the island that I once called home for a little over one week now. I have had little human interaction except for when the four guards that come to bring me soup once a day and the restroom breaks twice a day when I am accompanied by two female guards. Otherwise, I have remained shackled and chained to a metal chair. I sincerely hope that Vi and Rykie show.

Fire and Fear. Screams and Storms.
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From the high vantage point held by my dear brother and me, we can see the entirety the main island of Snake’s Den. Currently we are waiting for the start of the initial assault. The assault that is most essential to my plan. The plan to get back my little girl.

‘My little girl,’ I think skeptically.

Ever since the moment Adina come into the world of the Dragon Hunters since I saw her for the first time on that fateful day, the child has mystified me. She has slowly crawled in and found a place in my heart. I place I never knew needed to be filled. I have never thought of or cared for someone like this since my grandfather disappeared with the Grimborn Family Heirloom. I could never find the importance of forming an attachment.

As we continue to wait, I nervously begin tapping my fingers on the dirt beneath me. Since becoming chief this is the first time that I have actively participated in a mission. When it comes to events like these, I direct the entire battle from my office. I never needed to. I could easily manipulate a warlord without him even realizing he was being manipulated, but I need to be here for little Anu.

The soft sound I make quickly draws the attention of my brother, who comments,

“Calm doon, Viggo. we will gie Adina back.”

“Of course brother,” I say stiffly, “I know that. After all the plan was created by a mastermind.”

“If ye ur sae calm, 'en wa dae ye keep tappin' loch 'at,” Ryker questions amused, not at all nervous for the upcoming battle.
I look to my brother to give him an angry response but I am interrupted when an explosion sounds and becomes visible on the furthest island from our destination.

The initial assault has begun.
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(9 days ago, the day of Adina’s disappearance)

Sitting at my desk, I have every document available that has information pertaining to The Snake’s Den Islands. Chief among them being that supplied by Adina. I have to admire the child’s skills in art and cartography.

I continue to study the history and geography of Snake’s Den when Ryker enters my office, reporting that the ships are loaded and ready to go. Standing up from my desk, I grab all of the paperwork regarding my plans and walk past my brother through the door.

“Viggo, wha-,” Ryker questions, looking so utterly confused.

“Are we going or not dear brother,” I smile playfully.
Ryker responds by shaking his head and then hurrying after my quickly departing form.

By the time we exit our home’s waters, night has fallen and I am still trying to come up with a cohesive plan. Flustered I slam my work down on my desk and rub my eyes. Glaring for a moment at the pitiful amount of work that I have made thus far, I force myself to again, look at the map drawn by Adina.

Due to the lack of light provided by the moon, I hold the paper closer to my candle to get a better look. Upon doing this, I begin to take notice of small marks appearing on the paper. Marks that were not there this morning. I am holding the paper closer to bring the almost imperceptible marks into greater clarity when Ryker enters my quarters.

“Viggo we shoods make it tae-,” Ryker starts to say before stopping when he sees me intently staring at the map that is so close to the candle it could almost be set alight. “Whit ur ye daein'?”

“Ryker, come here and hold this,” I say earnestly.

Coming to my desk, Ryker holds the map in front of the candle, as I take hold of another map and quickly draw a quick sketch of the recently secret marks.

“Viggo, teel me whit ye ur thinking. Usually ye arenae secretife ay yer plans frae me,” Ryker comments.

“My thinking, brother, is that we have been in the presence of a mastermind,” I respond with a grin.

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(Present)

With the explosion of one of the storehouses belonging to Snake’s Den serving as a distraction, the men of the island begin pouring out of their homes, with weapons in hand, towards the explosion. Where the dragon hunters lie in wait, all according to the plan.

Running down from our vantage point, Ryker and I begin our race to the tent suspected to hold Adina. The downside of this is that we would have to go through the remaining men who have stayed behind to protect the isle. Unsheathing our weapons, we charge at the remaining forces that stand in our way.

Sticking by each other’s sides, we engage our enemy. At first, they are caught off guard, having been distracted by the explosion, Ryker and I were able to strike down a few of the soldiers before they were even able to react. However, that small victory was short lived due to their larger number, and they quickly begin to surround us.

Side by side, my brother and I fended off the Snake’s Den men. Dodging and striking, we are able to deal with some devastating blows but still gain a few injuries from the strikes that managed to slip past our combined defenses.

Suddenly, sailing through the air towards me comes two arrows.
Pivoting to the side, the arrows streak by, passing just above where my shoulder used to be. Quickly looking behind me, I see a black-clad man with his sword raised above his head, impaled with an arrow in his eye and through his neck. Turning back around I direct my sight to the direction from which the arrows came to see a slim figure with a bow standing atop a roof a little ways from our battle.

Jumping down from the roof, the figure makes its way towards the battle forms of Ryker and myself, shooting off arrows at the soldiers as it came.

As the figure comes into hearing range, a female voice reaches our ears, “Follow me, quickly.”

“And who might you be?” Ryker and I ask in unison.
Pulling off the hood and mask covering her face the woman responds, “My name is Kari and I can help you find what you seek.”

A/N
And she's alive!!! Mother Kari to the rescue!!!
I think this would be the first time that I have not put Adina's pov directly into the chapter. I hope you guys were all surprised by Kari's return. I have been subtely hinting that she was still alive throughout my story.
And again, I hope you have enjoyed. Comment or vote and now peace out.