"Next is Ruffnut and Tuffnut," I say.
Astrid yawns, twisting around and trying to get the kinks out of her back. Fishlegs looks almost as tired, but more hopeful for what this new day could bring. Nightstar romps around near us, clawing at the pebbles around the beach and rolling around in them to scratch her back.
"How are we going to find those two exactly? We only have one dragon," Astrid points out.
"Yeah. I could try to carry all of you, but it'd be hard," Nightstar says, galloping over to us and straightening up as she sits down.
"No, Nightstar. Don't strain yourself," I tell her, patting her shoulder.
Fishlegs glances over at Astrid, slowly leaning closer and placing his hand next to his mouth.
"So she can really talk to her dragon?" he whispers to her.
"It's more like she understands some of the language. Either way, we have to trust her. She's our only chance," Astrid returns at the same volume.
I walk closer to Nightstar, acting as though I'm not hearing they're conversation. I murmur under my breath to my dragon, pretending to be discussing a plan with her. In truth, we're both listening to the conversation happening behind us. I flicker my gaze to them every now and then.
"...Hey Astrid?" Fishlegs asks after a moment.
"Yeah?" She looks over at him, face straight.
"I'm...uh...I'm sorry. It's not your fault that this happened," he says, shuffling back and forth on his feet. "It was wrong of me to be mad at you...or any of our friends."
Astrid's face floods with surprise, yet relief. "We were all grieving, Fish. I forgive you." She pauses, a small smile gracing her tired face. "I forgave you long ago."
"Really?"
"Really."
He smiles, his bottom lip trembling. Without any warning, he lets out a loud wail and scoops Astrid into a tight hug. She wheezes at the movement, patting him awkwardly while simultaneously trying to escape his grip. I almost laugh.
"Alright guys, I've got a plan," I say, returning their focus to me. Fishlegs releases Astrid as I rest my hand on my hip. "I think we have to find more real dragons. Alrek couldn't have killed all of them, right?"
"I guess." Fishlegs shrugs. "But I doubt it." Astrid nods in silent agreement.
Nightstar perks up, nudging me with her paw. "We could go and find them."
I shake my head, glancing at her. "I can't leave. But..." I lift my pointer finger and aim it at Nightstar. "You could find them."
The Night Fury snorts and stamps her foot. "I don't want to leave you, Thora."
"You have to," I retort. "Hurry, Nightstar."
She sighs and nudges my face with her wide nose. I wrap my arms around her neck in a hug, sending a silent prayer to the gods for safety.
"I'll be swift," she promises.
With that, she turns and bounds away. With a few powerful flaps of her wings, she sails into the air and spirals into the grey sky. Astrid and Fishlegs let out odd noises of confusion and almost panic.
"Woah! Hey hey hey!" Astrid shouts.
"Where's your dragon going?!" Fishlegs demands.
I smirk just a little bit. "She's going to get some new recruits," I answer, turning to them. "Until then, we have to hang tight."
YOU ARE READING
Soul of Furies (Book Three)
FanfictionThora has reached thirty-three years of age, and she's doing just fine with raising her children and her clan of Night Furies. However, her peace is coming to an end. Almost ten years ago, she was killed in a battle against her greatest foe, Alrek...
