Dark Valkyrie

Twenty Eight: The Enemy of All

Twenty Eight: The Enemy of All

Trader Johann's very familiar ship, the Yakmina, was found floating a mile or so off the coast of the Shivering Shores. She looked apparently undamaged-but there was no sign of the colourful shape of Johann on board or in the seas close by. With no evidence of violence and no signs of a struggle, the ship was towed into the main harbour and the Chief sent word to all the surrounding Tribes. The Dragon Riders of Berk obligingly sent out patrols to look for the missing Trader, but unfortunately came up dry. Presumed lost, the Chief kept Johann's ship for a year and a day in case he returned, but after that day, he sold the vessel and the goods and used the money for the public good.

The disappearance and presumed death of Trader Johann was talked about for a while among the Vikings of the Archipelago, but as time passed and other Traders adopted his routes, he was finally forgotten.

oOo

Life on Berk was strange as Astrid tried to readjust once more to being among her family and Tribe. Her parents had been overjoyed, silently hugging their daughter and welcoming her back without any admonishment-though the worry in their eyes was chastisement enough for the errant daughter. The other Riders were welcomed as heroes and they settled back into their old roles-though all were restless, staring at the horizon far more than they had previously. All volunteered for long patrols and any sort of mission off Berk-because they were used to no longer being restricted by its constraints.

Still hyper alert, there had been a few incidents when people had sneaked up on Astrid or approached without warning, trying to pat her on the shoulder and greet her. All had been understanding about their bruises and-in one case-the broken wrist but the people of Berk soon learned to announce themselves to Astrid before they approached the serious and always-alert warrior. The Berk Guard had asked her if she wanted to rejoin them-but she had demurred, reminding them that she needed to check with her Betrothed and readjust before she committed to anything.

She remained close to Hiccup at all times, watching him with an unsettling intensity and sitting by him as he recuperated and tried to build up his stamina working in the forge. When he wanted, they sparred and she never pointed out any deficiency of his technique or stamina, merely silently wrapping her hand around his as his grip faltered and brushing a kiss on his cheek. And he knew that he was steadily improving, every muscle worked hard by Astrid as she quietly and determinedly set about repairing him. He never minded her presence, always seeking for her whenever he left the house and finding her waiting. Gobber went as far as making sure there was a special 'Astrid chair' ready whenever Hiccup came to help out because he knew she would be there, gently tidying or just talking to her beloved.

Stoick and the Council had requested a report from her on her actions because they needed to assess the risks of her actions to the Tribe. Everyone there had sat silently as she honestly detailed her adventures, how she had ruthlessly and methodically destroyed the Hunter organisation of Viggo Grimborn, how she had annihilated his Tribe and erased them from existence-though she had spared the weak and infirm-and how she had killed Krogan without hesitation. Finally, she recounted her encounter with Johann and how she had warned Berk and then run, knowing the Bounty Hunters would be on her tail. And finally, she reported how she and Hiccup had devised the plan to end Johann once and for all.

Stoick had sat back in surprise at her actions and blown his cheeks out. The young woman facing him, a slender and beautiful Valkyrie, had done more than a host of seasoned warriors. And while her actions had primarily been against the Dragon Hunters and those who had kidnapped his son and abused him so terribly, then planned for him to die, the destruction of the Hunter Tribe would be the sticking point. And he knew why she did it-it was an action of astonishing ruthlessness and determination in order to protect Hiccup from ever being claimed as a slave by anyone of that clan-but it was not a justification that he could share with anyone without betraying Hiccup's shame. And Dagur's words rolled round his head, now more than ever.