Fan-Fic Fridays: The Secret Symbol - Chapter 1: Rogue Dragon Rider, Part 1

The Secret Symbol

Chapter 1

Rogue Dragon Rider, Part 1

Jarl Brodd Mollerson & Annabeth Everdeen

         Today started off like most any day.  The sun is shining, the air is clear… and a fight with your girl.  It started over a meaningless topic.  Though, maybe it is not meaningless to her.  In any case, I am locked in a battle right now.

         My name is Jarl Brodd Mollerson.  Mystery Conqueror at your service.  My girl, who I am fighting at the moment is Annabeth Everdeen.  Berserker and sister of Dagur the Deranged.  I know.  Can I pick them, or can I pick them?  Out of all the people to fight with on what started out to be a great day, I had to fight with this girl.

         Annabeth yells at me, “You are going to wish you had never started this fight.”

         I called back to stop her advance, “Me start… you were the one who initiated the first blow.”

         “First blow?” she retorted, loudly.  “You invited me to come down here.”

         I reply, “Yeah, but if I had known you would have been set off by one little thing, I would have told you to stay away.”

         Annabeth disgustingly sighed.

         The fight went on for several minutes, maybe even ten minutes.  Remarks were exchanged.  Some fists “may” have even been thrown.  Finally, I was able to pin her to the ground after she had “accidentally” tripped.  I put my right foot on her chest, pinning her to the ground.

         “You are defeated,” I said triumphantly and pointing my right hand at her.

         Before Annabeth could answer, my sister Asvord, walked over to where I had been fighting Annabeth in a field next to my family’s farm.  Asvord came over from behind me to my left.

         “Are you two done fighting yet?” Asvord asked.

         Annabeth was about to say something when I lifted up my head to look at my sister next to me, I chimed in, “See for yourself.  I believe this fight is done an-.”

         I felt something hit my right hand.  I started to stumble back, and my foot came off Annabeth, then something grabbed me around the waist.  Before I knew it, I am on the ground looking up at my opponent.  What Annabeth did was knock my right hand with a blunt object, causing me to lose my concentration and footing.  Using both her legs to wrap around my waist, she nearly threw me to the ground.  Now she had me pinned under her by sitting on me.

         Annabeth smiled, “Don’t take your eye off of your opponent.  You never know what they will do.  You must be on your guard at all times.”

         Asvord repeated, “Are you guys done now?”

         Annabeth replied without looking away from me, “Yes, I think we are done here.”

         Annabeth got up off me.  She reached out her right hand to help me up.  I grabbed her hand with my right.

         Annabeth was going to let go, but I held my grasp of her hand; I then stated with an exaggerated, aristocratic voice, “Oh gracious victor.  You have beaten and humbled your opponent by your elite skills as a fighter.  Would you grant a meager request to a defeated viking?”

         Annabeth slightly turned her head back from left to right; she hesitantly answered, “And… what… would… that be?”

         I smiled, replying in my normal voice, “To kiss the hand of the most beautiful girl I have ever met.”

         After saying that, I then raised her right hand up and kissed it.  Looking up at her, I could tell she is blushing.  I have noticed a nervous twitch she does.  When Annabeth is nervous or is blushing in this case, she will use her left hand to brush her purple hair back behind her left ear.  These strands are shorter and are usually right by her face.  Annabeth does not need to brush them out of the way, as they do stay out of her face, but that is why she brushes them anyway.

         Annabeth gave the same look I get from Asvord and Elsa when I act this way.  Maybe the look is just what girls do; I do know.  Although, since it is Annabeth, the look is different than the looks I get from my sisters, for obvious reasons.

         A moment after I stood up straight and let go of her hand, both Asvord and Annabeth took a big step backwards.

         I began to ask, “What are you do-?”

         Again, before I could finish, a great big old pile of straw came tumbling down over my head.  My face had to be priceless, because as soon as they took that step back, I began to think something like that was going to happen.

         Irritated, but in a good way, I slowly turned and asked, “Okay, who did that?!”

         “Your mother,” answered the voice of the culprit.  “You have a problem with that?”

         Turning fully around, I saw in the loft of the barn mother standing with her left hand on her hip and a pitch fork in her right hand.

         Spiting straw out of my mouth, I replied, “No.”

         “Well, okay then,” mother responded.  “I would have said ‘Too bad,’ if you had said, ‘Yes,” anyway.”

         I just chuckled and shook my head.  Brushing the straw off my shoulders, I walked back over to Annabeth and Asvord.  Not more than a second after I came over, did they step back in unison again.  This time I looked back behind me.  I saw nothing.

         “Hah,” Annabeth quipped.  “Made you look.”

         “Oh, come on you two,” I replied.

         Annabeth and I picked up our weapons.  I holstered mine as Annabeth returned her swords to their sheaths.

         The two girls mounted their dragons while I mounted mine.  We flew back to Berk.  The plan was to go to my house, but seeing Hiccup and his gang still here, we decided to fly over and say, “Hi.”

         We saw Stoick, Gobber, Bucket, and Mulch walk away from Hiccup and his group.  After we landed and started to walk over to Hiccup, we heard him say, “…And we need to find out who it is.”

         I asked, “Who what is?”

         “Oh, hi, Jarl,” replied Hiccup.

         “Hi,” I returned, as well as the other girls did.

         Annabeth asked, “What is up?”

         Astrid stated, “Rogue dragon rider.”

         “Rogue dragon rider         ?” I echoed.

         “Someone on a mysterious dragon attacked the fishing boats this morning,” Hiccup explained.  “Bucket and Mulch saw the whole thing.”

         Asvord offered, “Anything we can do?”

         “Thanks for the offer,” assured Hiccup.  “We’ll look into it first.  But if we need anything, we’ll be the first to call on you guys.”

         Fishlegs questioned, “I thought you guys were going back out to Mystery?”

         “We were,” I responded.  “But some of the crew isn’t ready, so with this new development, we can stick around for a bit.”

         With that, Hiccup and everyone flew off to inspect the damage done to the ships.

         Annabeth repeated, “Rogue dragon rider.”

         Looking at Annabeth, I saw a look of despair come across her face; she also grabbed her left elbow with her right hand.  Anora came over and lowered her head next to Annabeth right side.  Annabeth smiled, slightly, and petted her dragon.

         “Annabeth,” I said.  “You had nothing to do with this.  Just because you are not from Berk, doesn’t mean that everything that goes wrong in and around Berk is your fault.”

         “I know it isn’t,” she agreed.  “But I can’t help but feel slightly to blame because of who I am.”

         Asvord swung her right arm around Annabeth -before I could use mine because of Anora being in the way- and tugged her a couple of times, “Oh, come one Annabeth.  You are a part of the family now.  We’ll always stick by you… unless you try and dump my brother again.  Then…”

         All three of us chuckled at the reference.

         “The only time I would ever ‘dump’ Jarl, ever again, would be because of a mystery or something; and so, I could gain intel for you to use to foil somebody’s evil plot,” Annabeth declared.

         I added, “We just recently got done with a mystery, and you are already setting me up to foil someone else’s plot?”

         “Well, you do have that Dragon Eye map to follow,” said Annabeth.  “Have you gotten any further with that?”

         “No, I can’t make much out of it.  Besides, with the last mystery and Hiccup using the Dragon Eye most of the time, there hasn’t been much of a chance to look at it,” I answered.  “Although, I did sketch what was displayed from The Eye when I had the lens in it.  So, I don’t necessarily need the Dragon Eye to study the symbols.”

         Asvord finished, “Even then, isn’t there more to the puzzle?  The lens you have now is only part of an entire picture.”

         “That is also true,” I replied.  “Once we get back to Mystery, we can start working on it right away.”

         The most of the rest of the day was spent packing “all the necessities” for the trip back.  A couple of saddlebags worth with an extra larger bag, with various things inside, to put on the back of my saddle behind where I sit.  That is what I packed, which I thought was quite a lot.  Apparently, girls pack two to three times as much stuff as boys do.  Though the girls here on Berk, seems like half the things they have are weapons of some kind.  My two sisters are no exception.  I think either Astrid started a trend or it was already a trend, and the boys just did not pay any attention to it.

         I had gotten word to the rest of our group; that is going back to Mystery with the rest of us, to meetup at The Great Hall to have an early supper.  Early as in not even late afternoon.  Mother was fixing a special meal for us to have.

         My family got their early to ready the meal and reserve enough tables and seating.  There would not be enough room in The Great Hall for all of them, so we all decided either they all come, or they all stay home.  We agreed on the latter.  The parents of all the kids are coming as well.  This will be a sending off party, you might say.  Then again, it is not like we will never see our parents again.  They can come out as often and as much as they want.  But I am sure they know and are thinking that us kids are not really kids anymore.  We are young adults with our own plans and need to be out on our own to prove we can take of ourselves.  We miss the rest of our families, and I am sure they miss us too.  But apart, we can get so much done.  The kids our working and the parents can get more done around the houses and farms than they could if we were there.  -Clears throat- Or that we do not have to do any chores.  However, we have our own chores to do at our outpost.  In most cases, even more chores.  So, when my father “unintentionally” put it that way to my mother, she stopped rather quickly to complain about us not being home enough to take care of the home chores.

         “The more work you do for yourselves, the better,” she said.

         So, in a way, we would actually do less work at home, yet it would not be as much fun.  Being adventurous, out on your own, yet having to do more chores is a fairly good trade off.  Though… as Asvord has let me know several times before… what in the way of chores do we actually get done at Mystery?  Eh… probably not that much.

         Before long, the rest of the crew came: Cazi, Annabeth, Ali Clar, Angie, Ashley, Meen, Explod, Garth, Hattori, and Hyrith.  Yes, Hiccup’s gang totals six and my crew totals thirteen.  I just like being in a larger group, plus it makes it an “even” Baker’s Dozen.  I has more options that way.  Although, you could count The Twins and Snotlout a few times each.  In the end, it would probably even out.  And what is with all the “A” girl names?

         When everyone got settled into their chairs, mother and a few of the other mothers helped serve the food.  We were actually able to reserve one of the special back dining rooms to the party.  The main dish is fresh grilled yak steaks.  Side dishes include corn, salad, and rolls.  Salad dressing is mother’s best oil dressing with tomatoes, onions, and carrots finely sliced.  Good ‘ol yak milk to drink or either grape juice or cooled water.  There are also a couple of bowls of apples too.  And for dessert: Buttercups.

         After a few hours of eating, laughing, and spinning a tale or two, most everyone had gone on home.  All that is left is my family and the Olson family, of course, Annabeth too.  Our crew is supposed to leave tomorrow, but that may be put on hold.  I do not know.

         My sisters, Cazi, Annabeth, and I sat on some benches in front of the room where we ate.  This was off to the side from the main entrance.  If you were to come in, it would be off to the right.  Technically that would not be the “back” of The Hall, but “back of what” is all about where your perspective is.

         Reclining, as much can on a bench, we rested and watched as the Academy Riders with Bucket had come in.  Bucket kept going on and on about the rogue dragon as Fishlegs drew Bucket’s description of the dragon on the back of an old shield.

         “Man,” Asvord declared.  “Bucket is really worked up about this.”

         Cazi added, “I’ve never seen the guy like this before.”

         Elsa and Annabeth had no comment as they just observed.

         By what I could tell from this far away, Fishlegs is just about done with the drawing.  Bucket gave him the last few details before… he ran away in fear.

         Off in the distance, I heard Fishlegs say, “I’ve never seen anything like this, in the Book of Dragons or Bork’s Papers.”

         Hiccup decisively answered, “But there is one place we haven’t looked yet.”

         Fishlegs added, “I was only able to make the drawing as detailed as it is because…”

         Fishlegs happened to stop as I unexpectedly recognized the drawing, I stood and said, “Wait a second.”

         Fishlegs finished, “…of the only other dragon that looks as similar as this drawing…”  Fishlegs shot a glance over in our direction.  “…Anora.”

         This “woke up” Annabeth from her relaxation.  All of a sudden, this just got personal.

         I think Annabeth fully expected Hiccup to come over here and start asking her questions, but as I figured, Hiccup did the opposite.

         “You guys wait here,” he said.  “I’ll go get the Dragon Eye.”

         Annabeth had started to take a few steps forward but stopped in her tracks when Hiccup said that.  I still do not think Annabeth has fully understood what it means to be a part of a family.  She has come a long way, but her being a Berserker and not a whole lot of people knowing that, has caused her to doubt herself from time to time.

         We all try to play it cool and relaxed, but that was least any of us were.  When Hiccup returned with the Dragon Eye, the five of us walked forward slightly to hear better what Hiccup and them are all saying.

         Hiccup began, “So.  I’m thinking since Stormfly is also a Sharp Class...”

         Fishlegs finished, “Her magnesium blast could possibly illuminate some information about this new dragon.”

         Hiccup pointed to a nearby barrel and Astrid then threw two knifes, blade down, on top.  Hiccup laid the Dragon Eye on top of them, tilting the front of the eye up onto the knifes.

         “Stormfly?” asked Astrid.  “Easy now.  Just enough to light the dragon eye up,” she said as she hugged her dragon.

         “Deadly Nadder,” declared Fishlegs.  “I must have missed some of this the first time around.  Uh, who’s got some chalk, I have to translate it.”

         Hiccup replied, “Fishlegs, now’s not the time.”

         Hiccup turned a few disks on the Dragon Eye.

         Fishlegs: “Speed Stingers, one of my favorites.  There’s always so much more to learn.”

         Snotlout rolled his eyes, “Oh my Thor.”

         Hiccup pushed on, “I- I know Fishlegs.  I got it.  Later.”

         The next slide that came up was, in fact, that of the same dragon as Anora.  By now, I was expecting that, but Annabeth was not as her mouth fell slightly open.  If she was expecting it, she did not want it to be true.

         Snotlout acknowledged, “That’s it.”

         Astrid read and pointed it out, with a slight inclination of excitement, “It’s called a Razorwhip.”

         Hiccup finally smiled, “Okay Fishlegs.  Do your thing.”

         Studying the slide for a brief moment, Fishlegs replied “Okay.  Razorwhip.  Sharp Class dragon.  Long spiny barbed tail.  Very aggressive.  Very dangerous.”

         Snotlout laughed, “Yeah, we got that.  Give us something new.”

         Fishlegs angrily asked, “You wanna to do this Snotlout?”

         Snotlout his normal “boldness” stated, “Uh, duh.. I would-…  But I’m just… you know… I don’t feel like it right now.”

         Fishlegs stared down Snotlout, “Continuing on.  This symbol indicates that it can use its tail to wrap around her victim and literally squeeze the life out of them.  Unless it is in a hurry, then it just slices you in half.”

         Tuffnut then said as if he was already, “head over heels” for the dragon, “Punch me, because I must be dreamin- Ow!”

         Ruffnut punched him.  Now he was actually almost head over heels for the dragon.  Well, he asked for it.  Do not say things like that around either of them, especially Ruffnut.  Or you will get literally what you asked for, like a punch to the face.

         At the same moment Fishlegs said, “her,” Annabeth flinched.  Usually, most people just use “him” when they refer to any animal.

         I thought to myself, “Why did Fishlegs use ‘her’ instead?  Was he thinking of Anora?  Was that what Annabeth flinched about?”

         Astrid questioned, “Fishlegs, is there anything about this dragon that won’t kill us?”

         Ruffnut got involved and asked, “How ‘bout its eyeballs?”

         “Nope, poisonous tears,” responded Fishlegs.

         Tuffnut rejoiced, “Poisonous?!  I love it.”

         Hiccup hurriedly interrupted and asked: “Poison is fantastic.  Fishlegs.  Is there anything might help us locate it?”

         Studying the slide again for a brief moment, Fishlegs read off a list of things, “Top speed… mating rituals… oral hygiene… feeding habits…”

         Hiccup broke in, “Woah-woah-woah-woah, wait.  Go back to that one.”

         Fishlegs went back two, “Oral hygiene?”

          “No, feeding habbits,” Hiccup said.  “If we can figure out what this thing eats, then we might be able to figure where this thing eats.”

         Searching for that topic, Fishlegs answered, “Hm-hmm.  Sea slugs!”

         “Where?!” gasped Tuffnut.

         Tuffnut nervously walked backwards and tripped over Ruffnut’s left leg, who stuck it out intentionally.

         Fishlegs smiled, “It eats sea slugs.”

         “Slugs!” Tuffnut replied disgusted.  “I hate those slimy monsters.  There just snails without homes.  Giant homeless snails!”

         Hiccup stated, “We’ve come across a few islands out there that are just crawling with sea slugs.  Hopefully, our Razorwhip is feeling hungry.”

         Astrid then cautiously said, “And hungry for sea slugs, not vikings.”

         Annabeth was about ready to step forward, but I ran a few steps in front of her to make sure she did not say something she did not mean.  Saying something out of “the heat of the moment” usually does not mean what you are trying to say.  Playing it safe, I took over for her.

         “Hi, guys,” I said.  “We could not help but over hear the last part of your guys’ conversation.  Annabeth, as you may well know has a dragon quite similar to the one you guys are talking about.”

         Hiccup nodded in agreement, “In fact, I think Anora and this new Razorwhip is the exact same species.”

         Annabeth expected him to say, “same dragon.”

         “I think we finally found another dragon like Anora,” Hiccup said.  “Are the islands in question the same islands you go to feed your dragon.  I just recalled something you said that you feed Anora sea slugs.”

         Annabeth was taken back by the situation.  She fully expected all of them to blame her for this attack on Berk’s waters, even though she knows she did not do it.  Anora does not have to be the only Razorwhip out there, just as Toothless does not have to be the only Night Fury out there.

         “Uh… where are the ones you are talking about?” she finally said.

         Hiccup pulled out a small map from a pocket and pointed out the island he was talking about.  Annabeth acknowledged that they were, in fact, the islands she goes to, a majority of the time.

         “Since we can’t cover all those islands effectively,” Hiccup pointed to his group.  “Could you and some of your crew, Jarl, help with the other islands?”

         “Sure,” I answered for us.  “By the looks of the islands, I won’t need to many.  I think what we got right now is good.”

         “Then it is settled,” Hiccup announced.  “Let’s see if we can’t get ourselves a rogue dragon, and possibly the rider too.”