To my absolute relief, it wasn't the voice I thought it was. It was instead a silky voice that belonged to Viggo. "I-uhh, I am- I wanted to get an early start on the... decorations?" I stutter, completely caught off guard.
He gave me a stern expression but moved forward. I would be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated, so I stood there, rocking back and forth on my heels uncomfortably.
When he stood in front of me, I slowly looked him in the eyes. His eyes were penetrating like winter and his gaze was strong, daring me to look away. "Why?" He asked simply. I quickly shunt my gaze a leaf falling to the ground. "I.." My voice dawdled off.
He stayed silent waiting quietly for my response. " Why, what exactly?" I asked nonchalantly and cautiously.
"You know Johan of all people would try to trick you, yet you allowed him to betray you." He said, still giving me a face clear of emotion. My head slumped down in shame trying to avoid his steel-like stare. I held up the Dragon eye and waited for him to take. He did after I saw him hesitating a bit.
I couldn't help but think that that was my apology to him. " You were surprised when I announced your birthday to be on Dead of Night." He stated although it sounded like a question.
"Y-Yeah... I completely forgot about it." I sighed, my head still down. " We are going to the markets tomorrow for a meeting with Krogan and Johan." He informed. My eyebrows hunched together. " But aren't they already here?" I questioned, looking up. "No. Johan went with Krogan to the Northern markets to get a grasp on what he said I should mind my own business."
"But he does know that the Dragon Riders go there too, right?" I requested. He hummed in thought. " I think he is well aware of that, I think that's exactly the plan." He answered. " The plan?" I asked, shocked.
" Do you mean he WANTS the Dragon Riders to hear him?" I said, coming up with a conclusion. "That is IF Hiccup and his friends come to the markets."
"Oh." I sighed. There was a fire inside me, a fire that reached two sides. Ryker once told me, the sides were good and bad. But at this very moment, I didn't know which one was which. "You'll need your rest, you look tired," Viggo spoke up. "Oh! Uh, yeah I'll go. Night." I said awkwardly. " Night Imora." He nods and wanders off.
I fell into my soft bed, my glorious soft bed. I didn't know how much I missed it as I smelled my pillow. I sighed, full of content. I laid there for a moment, my head congested with thoughts. The night was relatively young, so I walked over to a table where my bag was neatly seated. I opened it and pulled out a few papers that I stole from Hiccup's hut.
I fell back down to my bed and examined the papers thoroughly.
The sketches were drawn with a passion for knowledge and the ideas themselves made me stare in awe at them. ' I wonder if he'll know that I took it?' I stare at the papers for a long time. I don't know why but I couldn't help myself from doodling side sketches of his ideas. The night persisted as I continuously overlook the papers.
Eventually, I fell asleep snoring loudly on the thin sheet of paper. I woke up the next morning feeling drained of any energy. It felt weird having my usual enthusiasm gone and the constant chatter of Terrible Terrors on The Edge. Somehow I didn't want to leave my tent at all this morning, I wanted to hide away and stay inside my little home.
Unfortunately, I knew there was no escaping a meeting, especially while it has this much information. I got up and stretched preparing my muscles for the day ahead.
The dirt felt as if it was creaking under our weight as we walked over to a wooden cavern. Guards were walking around us three like we were some kind of royalty. The sun was baking anything and everything it came to touch, including my daggers - which I had to remove a few just to make sure I don't get blisters.
Ryker's gigantic form was luckily blocking out most of the light for me as we walked. Then, as sudden as a lightning strike, a glint caught my eye. it was shiny, beautiful, and looked like an ancient warrior artifact. My legs instantly made its way towards the weapon ignoring a look from a few guards.
I stood in front of what may even be better than a dagger. Before me, laid a bow, innocently glimmering in the sunlight. I reached out to touch it and let my fingers rest on the cold metal. It was made from silver with diamond shapes covering the front. Next to it, laid the quiver, filled with three arrows. It was made out of black leather that fit the arrows nicely.
"Good mornin' meh Lady! Wha' can I do for yeh today?" A friendly Viking asked appearing behind a wall of Dragonskin covers. " How much for this?" I asked quietly, pointing to the bow and quiver. " Twenty pieces of gold me love," He answered cheerfully. I quickly pulled out a small bag of coins. Tugging at the rope to let go so that I could count, a hand appeared out of nowhere and dropped a bigger pouch of coins onto the table.
I didn't even think to turn around as I quietly pocketed my bag. " Twenty more arrows then." Ryker's gruff voice spoke behind me. My head sunk to my shoulders in humiliation as I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. " Comin' right away fine sir!" He agreed cheerfully, scuttling around for more arrows that look alike. After a few seconds, he placed them all in with the three arrows that came with the quiver.
" There you go! A fine bow for a fine Lady!" He smiled happily and placed the quiver full of arrows in my hands. He was a little hesitant with the bow, but he placed it carefully in my hands. His cheery voice dropped to a whisper, " Take care, for this bow guides both the dark and the light. Don't let it go." His voice sent shivers down my spine as I held it firm in my hands. He stood straight again and smiled brightly.
Ryker's hand dropped on my shoulder almost making me lose balance. He guided me to the rest of the group where Viggo was staring with amusement. I glanced back at the man who waved, smiling. Somehow... Just somehow I think I knew what he meant...