Between Waves and Clouds

PART 5 - WAR OF THE NORTH

Chapter 35 - Princes of the north

Astrid had just left them for a few minutes, things seemed to be completely calm within the cave. Hiccup, seeing how Frost was preoccupied, smiled and patted his head.

''It's gonna be alright. We'll find her. She won't hurt you.''

''That's not what I'm worried about...'' Frost admitted, snuggling in the fur cloak.

''You're thinking about your staff, aren't you ?''

Frost shyly nodded, but the chief was puzzled.

''How is this stick that important ?''

''It's not just a stick, it's a totem. It's a magical object that turns my tail into legs. Since I don't have it anymore, I can't get back my legs, I'm stuck in the water.''

''I see. No wonder you really want to get it back. Do you know where it is ?''

''It fell from the cliff, I suppose it's deep in the ocean, somewhere.''

''It must have not fell far away, but the current must have dragged it farther.''

Frost let out a grunt as he burried his face in his hands. What was he going to do if he couldn't get back to the land ? He couldn't live in this cave, how was he supposed to be with Nuffink if none of them could breath in the other's 'life environment' ?

''Let's take care of Igvid first.'' Hiccup suggested. ''Then we'll ask help from all the riders to get your totem back, okay ?''

''Thank you.'' Frost was so moved and warmed he thought it was just a dream.

The boy and the chief looked at each other for a moment, eyes filled with gratefulness/ kindness. That's when a deep voice boomed.

''Fröstkel !''

The voice boomed like thunder itself, echoing within the cave's walls. The white-haired merman flinched as he recognized it. He looked towards the entrance and saw two familiar faces. But it was not possible, they couldn't be here. Hiccup was confused when he saw them, and even more so seeing Frost's reaction.

By the entrance of the cave stood two young men. One seemed to be the same age as Zephyr and Gorth, the one was a bit older. Both were tall, with broad shoulders and arms, and they had amazing colors. The older one had dark blue hair and his skin seemed also blueish. The other one was as colorful but his blue was a bit greenish, both had azur blue eyes. They also had darker patterns on the skin that looked like tattoos representing scales.

Chest bare, they were wearing epaulets and armbands that seemed to be made of stone or nacred reef, along with skirt-like tunic made of seaweed. They also had jewels, a necklace made of pearls and teeth – surely coming from marine mammals. What stood out the most for the viking chief was the scars they had on each side of their neck and ribs, three parallels lines that looked like Frost's gills. If their strong stature was not enough to make them intimidating, their nacred trident did. Both weapons were a dark green covered with nacred reflects, the spike in the middle was two times longer than the other two and seemed to be dreadfully sharp. Frost froze, looking flaberghasted at the two men. They had legs ! While the blue-green one seemed to be relieved but on guard, the blue one was furious.

''Cörail ? Limönn ?'' Frost gasped.

''Hi, Fröstkel.'' The green said, waving.

''You ungrateful brat !'' The first one barked while stomping towards them. ''Do you have the slightest idea how arduous it had been for us to find you ?! The king is sick worried because of you and what you have done !''