Chapter 41: Beyond What We Know (Part 1)
"Look at this. There are maps we have never seen, writing we can't read, dragons that we don't recognize. It's incredible. This Dragon Eye, this is proof that there is a whole other world out there, a world that must be explored." Hiccup explained to the Berk Council the following morning of our discovery.
"This sure beats normal council business." Gobber noted with some curiosity in his words.
I glanced at the council members and noticed their uncertainty in all of this. Stoick must have as well because he spoke up.
"It's alright lads, you can speak your mind. We're a council after all, that's why we're here."
Spitelout huffed with his arms crossed. "We've been at peace for three years, best years on Berk I can remember. I think you know as well as I do, when you go looking for trouble, you usually find it."
"I'm with Spitelout," Sven piped in. "if that Dragon Eye leads to unknown places and new wild dragons then no good will come from any of that."
"We completely disagree, Sven." I stated, a bit upset. "Look around you. How-how can you say that no good can come from discovering new species of dragons? Know if they're out there? We have to find them."
"You're just saying that because you're a Night Fury lass." Spitelout retorted.
I glared at him and was about to say something, but Hiccup stopped me by resting a hand on my shoulder.
"Also, if there is anything you and the other riders should be doing is hunting down Dagur and putting him back in jail, where he belongs." Spitelout continued.
"Another reason to go." Hiccup agreed. "Dagur was heading beyond our borders. He thinks we won't go past them. But that's where we'll find him. And just to clarify. It'll just be Kala and I that will go. The other riders have other things to focus on here at Berk. The two of us don't."
Spitelout looked towards Stoick. "Stoick, anytime you like to chime in, we can put this thing to rest."
"You're right Spitelout, let's put this to rest."
"Chief…" Hiccup and I said in devastation, fearing the worst.
"Let me speak you two. This is as important for you to hear as it is for them." Stoick bluntly stated. "Spitelout, you're absolutely right. These have been some of our best years. Nothing is more important than peace, peace among us, peace with our neighbors."
Hiccup and I sighed in defeat. It was clear that they wouldn't allow us to pursue this.
'I knew we should've just up and left without saying anything..now we'll never be able to leave..' I thought sadly.
"And peace with our dragons." Stoick continued. "Having said that, let me ask you this Spitelout. When you and I first had Alvin in our sights and everyone was trying to tell us to leave well enough alone, what did we do?"
"Crush them, that's what you did!" Gobber chimed in proudly.
Stoick chuckled a bit and nodded. "Thank you Gobber."
"My pleasure chief." Gobber joked.
"When Valka was taken, and I went in search for her, could anyone have stopped me?"
"Well, technically you're the chief so no." Gobber chided and I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing.
"Yes Gobber, fair point, but you know where I'm going. Think of the most important thing in the world to each of you." Hiccup and I glanced at each other when Stoick said that. "Ask yourselves honestly, how far would you be willing to go to get it? What are you willing to risk? Hiccup and Kala's lives are dragons. Their lives will always be dragons. And will continue to be. We can't stop them from going if we wanted to. So we might as well support them."
My eyes widened at that. 'So he's not going to stop us?! I thought for sure Stoick wouldn't want us to go. Maybe he's finally accepted that Hiccup will never accept him as his father anymore.'
Stoick smiled at Hiccup and I. "Go, find whatever it is out there that's pulling on you two. You find it, Berk will be right here waiting for you."
"You best get out of here before all this nostalgia wears off and he changes his mind." Gobber encouraged with a smirk.
Hiccup and I nodded and rushed out of the Great Hall, Dragon Eye in Hiccup's grasp and smiles plastered on our faces.
Once outside I immediately transformed and tried the best I could to be patient as Hiccup secured our belongings to my saddle. After a couple of minutes he mounted my back and secured himself then we were speeding away from Berk in no time at all.
~~~HTLANF~~~
After about a day of searching for a nice island to call our own, we finally found the perfect one. It was about the same size as Berk and had lots of cliffs and a couple mountains here and there.
"This place looks perfect!" I chimed in joy.
Kala crooned in agreement as we landed in a clearing close to the ocean.
"It's easily defendable and has lots of coverage. Plus the view is amazing."
I dismounted Kala's back and removed our belongings as well as her saddle and tailfin. She transformed and spun around excitedly to get a good look around, her cloak billowing in the breeze as she did.
"It's beautiful here! The gods must be in our favor for once, Hiccup." She smiled towards me, her eyes glimmering with happiness and excitement.
I don't think she's been this excited in a long time. I smiled back and nodded in agreement.
"Seems like it. Let's set up camp and get some shut eye. We've been traveling for a little over a day now love."
Kala nodded and the both of us got to work on setting up camp.
~~~HTLANF~~~
The next morning came with an interesting start.
Kala and I were woken up by the loud commotion of none other than Astrid, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Fishlegs. Well, more like everyone besides Fishlegs.
The both of us groaned as we got up, only to regret it as everyone was surrounding us with upset looks.
"Are you kidding me?! Why didn't you say anything about leaving?!" Astrid yelled very irritably, looking about ready to chop our heads off.
"I thought it was very clear why..you guys have other things to worry about now.." Kala retorted, yawning in between.
"Not to mention we've wanted to leave Berk for a while now.." I added. "We just weren't given the right opportunities until now.."
Astrid huffed in annoyance and crossed her arms. "Right. Sure you have. I can't believe you! We're a team for Thor's sake! You should've told us!"
"Yeah man! Not cool. We're just as curious about what's out here and stuff just like you guys!" Snotlout stated.
Kala and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes.
"Well maybe the reason we didn't tell you guys is because some of you never listen to orders and a certain someone can never take the hint." I retorted very irritably, looking at Astrid when I said the last bit.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I haven't tried to hit on you at all. I'm just being a good teammate."
Both Kala and I gave her a deadpan expression. "Right. Sure you haven't." We both said sarcastically.
I sighed and rubbed my temples to keep a headache from forming. "Alright, fine. You guys can stay."
"Aw yeah! Adventure here we come!" The twins said as they headbutted.
"Don't make us regret this decision." Kala said, tiredness still coating her voice.
Snotlout patted both our shoulders with a smile. "Don't worry about it. We'll make sure you won't regret a single thing."
"I have a feeling that I shouldn't believe that statement." I said with a sigh.
'Well there goes our chances of being on our own..'
~~~HTLANF~~~