Heart of a Berserker: Faith (School of Dragons)

Chapter 23

"It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be alright

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing" 

- "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless

Chapter 23

Harald and I caught up with Viggo in the center of town. He had fought in the battle as well, and we invited him to join us at the School. Harald picked up Leopold, and then we were off. When we arrived at the School, I noticed the headmaster pacing anxiously near the chasm. "Hey!" I called to him as the two Skrills landed.

The headmaster brightened. "Ah! A messenger of news - good news, I hope. Please, come here and regale me with the tales of New Berk." He frowned when he noticed Harald dismount behind me. "You brought him again?"

"Nice to see you too," Harald said sarcastically.

"It took him a long time to get used to me," Viggo said to his friend.

From the way the headmaster eyed Viggo, it seemed he still did not completely trust him. "Brennda," he said, "your choice in companions is-"

"Amazing?" I said, earning an amused smirk from Harald.

"It's certainly something." The headmaster shook his head. "Anyway, tell me everything. Did Heather reach New Berk in time? Did the antidote work? Are our dragons safe?"

I gave him a quick recap of the day's events. I mentioned how Toothless and the Light Fury even helped us out. I ended with Valka's warning and decision to hold a meeting about the Hidden World.

"As much as I hope that is the last time we hear of Grimmel, I know in my heart that is not the case," the headmaster said. "A man like that will only stop when he has accomplished his goals. We cannot let him do so; nay, we will not let him."

"Of course not," I said. "We'll be ready for him."

"And Valka is right. The Hidden World Annex will be a tasty target to our enemies. We cannot keep it hidden forever. Enemy ships probe our defenses every week and it will only be a matter of time before they find this cave entrance. If they find the Annex, they can find the Hidden World... and that is unacceptable."

"Don't look at me," Harald said. "I'm not going to tell anyone."

"You're the reason it's exposed in the first place."

"How was I supposed to know it was down there?"

"Interesting question," Viggo said thoughtfully.

"But a rhetorical one, right?" I said, looking from Viggo to Harald.

"The others are arriving," Harald said, looking at the sky. "Let's go already." He climbed onto Bolt, and I followed suit.

Viggo looked at the headmaster after mounting Sanna. "Do you need a lift?"

The headmaster hesitated, and I was unsure if he was wondering whether he should trust Viggo or the Skrill. Finally, he accepted his hand and allowed him to help him onto the dragon. "Thank you."

Bolt and Sanna took off and dove down into the Hidden World Annex. It was not long before we were joined by Hiccup, Valka, Astrid, Toothless, and the Light Fury. The Furies sat back to watch the Vikings as we gathered in a circle.

"My word!" the headmaster said. "The beauty of this strange and mysterious place takes my breath away each time I see it. It astounds me that it was below our School this whole time." He looked around the cave, and his eyes stopped on Valka and Cloudjumper. "Valka! All is well?"