Soul of Furies (Book Three)

Chapter 10: Astrid

Unfortunately for me, saying Astrid's name only serves to make her angrier.

"How do you know my name? How do you know Hiccup?" she demands through gritted teeth.

I can't even bring myself to answer her questions. "What happened to you?" I whisper, half to myself and fully prepared not to get an answer.

"I asked you a question, stranger," she seethes. I feel her dagger nick my skin, making me wince.

"I'm Thora," I respond, deadpan. Just as I suspected, she registers no knowledge of knowing my name. "I'm not from here. I'm just looking for Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third."

She studies me for a moment, giving me a chance to really look at her. To be blunt, she looks awful. Her hair is dirty, her face is scratched and scarred, and the bright-eyed look she once had in her blue eyes is replaced by a steely, cold one. The fiery, strong-hearted Astrid I once knew is no more.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Thora, but Hiccup isn't chieftain anymore. He hasn't been for a long time," she utters, her tone wavering just the slightest bit. Her eyes fall to my necklace and she gasps. "How do you have that?!" she demands, jabbing at the blue gem.

"It's mine, it always has been," I respond, hoping that she doesn't decide to cut my neck more.

She lets out a harsh, mocking laugh. "That's rich. That necklace belongs to Alrek."

"Son of Asmund?" I guess, again watching her resolve crumble for a second.

"Look, I don't know who you are or why you came to this gods-forsaken rock, but you're freaking me out. How do you know all this?" She pulls the dagger from my neck and I swallow, my arms starting to ache from being held down for so long. "And how do you have a Night Fury? I haven't seen one since—"

I know only two things for certain. One, I don't exist in this time and place. Two, if I claim anything about being the one who defeated Alrek or anything of that sort, Astrid is going to kill me.

I suppose it's time for me to do what I do best; lying.

"Hiccup summoned me," I say, fitting puzzle pieces together as I go. "I can prove it. He told me that Alrek has a sword, unlike anything you've ever seen. It has a black gem in the hilt and a blade that seems to glow with power. Alrek attacked Berk with an army of demon dragons with blood red eyes and smokey skin. He has very red hair and a matching beard and scars lining his arms, legs, and face," I say, watching her expressions switch and change with every word.

Astrid stares at me, then up at Nightstar. She laughs again, but it's sadder this time.

"Boy, you really took your time getting here, now didn't you?" she asks. "But...I don't know what else to believe. Everything you've told me is correct."

"Because Hiccup told me," I say.

"Stop. Saying. His name..." she demands, her words chopped. She takes a slow breath. "I want you to tell me everything about how you two know each other, or so help me I'll get you jailed for treason."

I scramble to formulate another story. "I'm from a village called Hermaōr, which is where Alrek is from. We specialize in magic, but Alrek betrayed us and turned to evil...using his necklace for it. Hiccup met Nightstar and I on one of his long flights out on the ocean, and I agreed to come and help Berk should they ever need it." I muster the saddest, most regretful look that I can. "My village...Alrek destroyed it in a jealous rage. I was forced to run." My voice wavers, almost breaking, but I swallow and keep a strong face. "I've been trying to find Berk ever since. I promised Hiccup that I'd help him and...I don't know, I needed somewhere familiar."

Astrid stares at me, as if thinking the story over in her head and deciding whether to trust me. After a few terse seconds, she slowly gets off of my body, gripping my hand and pulling me to my feet. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"When can I see him?" I ask, brushing off my clothes.

She gives me an incredulous look, but it's also pitied. "You missed your chance, Thora. Hiccup died almost ten years ago."