Heart of a Berserker: Trust (School of Dragons)

Chapter 11

"Vulnerability is the only authentic state. Being vulnerable means being open, for wounding, but also for pleasure. Being open to the wounds of life means also being open to the bounty and beauty. Don't mask or deny your vulnerability: it is your greatest asset. Be vulnerable: quake and shake in your boots with it. The new goodness that is coming to you, in the form of people, situations, and things can only come to you when you are vulnerable, i.e. open." - Stephen Russell

Chapter 11

It was my turn for the morning patrol. Bolt and I flew around to all the neighboring islands to look for any trouble. I neared Zippleback Island when I was met by Ruffnut and Tuffnut flying on Barf and Belch.

"Brennda!" Tuff exclaimed. "It's an emergency!"

"Is something going on at Zippleback Island?" I asked.

"Yes! Dragon hunters set a bunch of traps on the island so they can catch the Hideous Zipplebacks that live in this area. I don't know when they set them, but I bet they'll be back to claim the dragons really soon."

"Alright, let's go!" I followed the twins to the island. When we got closer, they zipped ahead to scan for trouble.

"Oh no, we found Fart n Sniff!" Tuff called back to me. "He's in trouble. Quick, come meet us here, but make sure you don't he caught in any traps!"

Bolt swiftly flew down to where the twins had landed. There I found a Hideous Zippleback trapped in a net. Fishlegs and Harald stood near them, looking on in worry.

"Brennda!" Fishlegs said. "Thank Thor you're here."

Ruffnut walked up to Fart n Sniff, a sad look on her face. "What sort of monster would trap a beautiful Zippleback like this?"

Tuffnut placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay, sister. We can cut the snare net and free the Zippleback."

"I've got it," I said. I pulled out my axe and chopped the snare net rope, freeing the Zippleback. The dragon seemed to smile at me gratefully.

"Be free, Fart n Sniff!" Ruff said, wiping a stray tear. "Be free!"

Tuff however, shook his fist in anger. "This cannot stand. This CANNOT stand! The dragon hunters left traps all around the island to catch unsuspecting, innocent Zipplebacks. We can't leave them here!" He turned to me. "Can you go around the island and shoot the traps?"

I nodded. "I'm on it." I returned to Bolt, and we took off. We managed to find three traps, which Bolt shot and disabled. I flew back to the twins to report my success.

"Bravo, Brennda," Tuff said. "Bravo!"

I grinned. "That's what I'm here for." I looked around the area. "Where did Harald and Fishlegs go?"

"That way," Ruff said, pointing to her left.

I thanked her and flew Bolt in that direction. I first noticed Fishlegs and and Meatlug staring at a pile of rocks and flew past him. Then I spotted Harald standing in front of a four-headed dragon hiding in a sand pit.

Harald looked at me in relief when I landed next to him. "Ah... Brennda, mate, there's a mutant Zippleback here. I don't know what's wrong with him... and I don't want to get any closer. I could use your expertise."

I looked at Harald, then at the dragon, and then back at Harald. I burst out laughing.

Harald frowned. "I'm being serious here. I almost walked right into that thing. What's wrong with it?"

But I was laughing too hard to give him a proper response. It was precisely because he was being serious that it was so funny.

Fortunately, Fishlegs approached us to explain. "It will be okay, Harald," he said. "That's a Snaptrapper, a calm Mystery Class dragon. It likes to set ambushes to eat its small prey and it won't come up here to attack you. In fact, they're pretty peaceful if you don't get in their way."