Heart of a Berserker: Hope (School of Dragons)

Chapter 10

"Here's to the strong
Thanks to the brave
Don't give up hope
Some people change
Against all odds
Against the grain
Love finds a way
Some people change" 

- "Some People Change" by Montgomery Gentry

Chapter 10

I stopped running when I saw Skulder up ahead. By then my eyes were dry, but I wiped them once more just in case. Then I took a deep breath and approached my friend. "Hey there, Skulder," I said. "Hanging in there?"

Skulder nodded. "If anyone had told wee young Skulder that he would one day venture into the heart of a volcano and solve a mystery that was threatening to destroy Berk, I would have told him that he was struck by Loki! What a day, my friend. Now that we've created these vents, I think that the volcanic pressure will not build up and cause those issues again. Soon the fog will die down, and we'll be able to use the trade routes once more. Wonderful!"

I offered him a tentative smile. "Yes, that's great."

"All in a day's work, of course! It is a shame that we weren't able to bring Harald to justice. Have we been able to track that rascal down?"

I tensed at the mention of Harald. "I, uh, wouldn't know. He seemed pretty intent on escaping..."

"Are you talking about Harald?" Astrid said as she landed Stormfly in front of us. "I just returned form searching for him."

"Any news?" Skulder asked.

"No, there was no sign of him anywhere. Maybe the Green Death sunk his ship with a fireball, but somehow I doubt it. I think he slipped past me through the fog. I'll give him this much: Harald is one slippery eel! I don't think we've seen the end of him quite yet."

"He'll be back," I said, looking out at the ocean. "I still think this was just a small part of a big plan. And when he comes back, I won't let him get away again..."

"That reminds me," Skulder said. "Brennda, about Harald-"

"Guys!" Fishlegs exclaimed. He ran to us, panting and out of breath. "Hiccup said that there's something happening with the egg we rescued from Harald. He told me he needed to get it to the hatchery right away! Let's follow him and see what's going on with that egg."

I looked at the other two, and they nodded. I quickly found Bolt and climbed aboard. "Well, I'll go on ahead. I don't want to miss this!"

I arrived at the hatchery before anyone else. Hiccup spotted me and motioned for me to join him by the lava. He had placed the egg on the pedestal right near the heat.

"I'm sorry I left Dragon Island without telling you guys, but the egg is so close to hatching!" Hiccup said. "I've never seen an egg like this before. What type of dragon do you think is inside?"

"Judging from the size of the egg and how much heat it has required to hatch, I'd say it's a pretty big one," I said.

Hiccup grinned at that. "Oh, exciting!"

I moved in closer to the egg and examined it curiously. Suddenly, a large crack split it down the middle. Then more cracks appeared, revealing a large baby dragon like nothing I had ever seen.

"This... changes everything," Hiccup said.

"Do you know what it is?"

"Not a clue. But we'll discover the secrets of this new dragon together."

I smiled. I liked the sound of that.

***

I returned home to find an excited Heather eager to hear about my day. Of course, I obliged her. By the end, I was exhausted and ready for bed. Sleep came surprisingly easy, and when I woke up, it was too soon.