Heart of a Berserker: Love (School of Dragons)

Chapter 20

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?" – Henry David Thoreau

Chapter 20

The length of light during the day gradually increased over the following week. I spent the time either wandering around Auction Island with Harald, planning with Viggo and Nikora, or getting to know the residents better. I still did not know our next course of action, but I was laying the groundwork for what was to come.

My wound finally healed enough for a mini adventure. I asked Nikora if she wanted to visit the cave we discovered with the map, and she agreed. Harald and Viggo joined us. We reached the underwater cave with some sort of boat that sailed under the water. I did not understand how it worked, but at least we were dry when we arrived at the cave.

"Good, everything is still visible," Viggo said, the first to approach the wall. "It seems the map is no longer needed to view the engravings."

Nikora came up beside him and gazed at the wall. Her hand reached out and touched an image of he Luminous Krayfin. "What does it say?"

I glanced at Harald, who stared hard at the ground. "Uh, it tells the story of why your ancestors lost the great war."

Harald finally looked at me, and he nodded. "The tribe had a close relationship with the Luminous Krayfin," he started slowly. "They were friends. Both sides benefited." He hesitated, taking in Nikora's cool expression. "The tribe betrayed the Krayfin. They tried to control him to gain more power over their enemies. Their plan backfired when the Krayfin escaped. Without the support of their friend, the tribe lost the war and were forced to leave the archipelago."

Nikora's eyes flickered back to the wall. "You're saying that betraying the dragon caused their downfall."

"Yes... My ancestors shared a similar fate. Instead of betrayal, they hid away their dragon friends and ran."

"Berk and Berserker Island weren't innocent either," I added. "They may have won the war, but both had serious problems afterwards because of the way they treated dragons."

"And why did you show me this?" Nikora said in a calm voice. Her hand swept over the Krayfin again and then moved to her insignia.

I looked from Viggo to Harald. They both appeared curious about my answer as well. I took a deep breath before saying, "Harald thinks these stories are warnings about punishments for taking the wrong path, but I see it differently. The map was created because the four friends had hope for a peaceful future. Condemnation doesn't fit with that. Instead, I think the stories are here to help us and show us the path forward. Our ancestors all made bad decisions in the past, but we can make up for them now."

"I understand what you are getting at," Viggo said. "Berk has reconciled with dragons - starting with Hiccup and the Night Fury, you have transformed Berserkers' relationship with the Skrill, and Harald has reunited with the Light Fury."

"And now it is my turn," Nikora said. He looked at me a if waiting for confirmation.

"Yes," I said.

"I do not know if Harald told you this, but I originally planned to gain control over the Krayfin once he was full grown. I wanted to restore my clan's place in the archipelago. I believed they controlled the Krayfin in the past and knew nothing of this friendship. Even if I had known, I would have found it foolish." Nikora glanced at Harald, and her expression softened. "But now I see it is much more effective to use voluntary cooperation than control."

Harald looked at me with interest. "Do you really think you can help her and the Krayfin - Lumie - get along?"

"I don't see why not," I said. "I think it will be easier than bonding with a random dragon." I turned to the wall. "Bonds are powerful, and I believe even ancient bonds are not easily forgotten. It was a Night Fury Hiccup befriended, after all, I was drawn to the Skrill, and the Light Fury was fascinated with Harald when she was suspicious of everyone else." I gave Nikora a soft smile. "Lumie did already kind of help you out of instinct when he found your family heirloom. I think part of him knows. He'll be receptive if you put in the work."