The Mysterious Frozen Fire - Chapter 12: Invasion!
The next few chapters are going to be action packed. This chapter starts it all off! Enjoy!!
The Mysterious Frozen Fire
Chapter 12
Invasion!
After such a question was asked, no one seemed to know what to say in response to the question I thought to myself, “The fact that my dad may or may not be alive I cannot think about or spend too much time mulling over it. I’ve had my suspicious starting back in the middle of my first mystery when my mother retold how they were attacked and father died in the ensuing battle. However, I need to stay focused on the tasks at hand, especially my new found foe. I need to be prepared physically and mentally the next time I meet the Read-haired woman.”
It almost got to the point of being an “awkward” silence, until Adam Thorvald knocked and entered the room.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything,” he said as he apologized.
I replied, “That’s okay. We were just thinking of a question that was asked and couldn’t think of a way in answering it. What do you have behind your back?”
Adam then smiled, “It is my Snoggletog present from myself to you.”
Adam revealed a gold plated helmet with raised wings above both ears. The helmet looked very well crafted.
“I wanted to do something special as a gift for the holiday, and I heard from your mother that you did not have a helmet. So with an idea about the look from your mother, a few pointers from Hiccup in making it, and the use of Gobber’s shop, I made this helmet for you Jarl,” Adam spoke.
I took the helmet and tried it on. It fit me perfectly. It was snug on my head, but still lighter than other helmets I have tried.
Adam added, “Since you helped bring my family back together, I thought the least I could do is to give you a special gift.”
“I thank you Adam,” I said and shook his hand.
I was about ready to tell Adam how much I liked it when Gobber entered the room abruptly, without knocking.
“Sorry to barge in like this, but there is a situation arising out in the seas; there are ships waiting to attack our Isle of Berk.”
Pretty much all of us jumped up because of the news, all of us except Asvord who could not really “get up” from her bed. Several of us asked, “Who is attacking us?”
Gobber answered and said, “Savage, and what looked to be like half of the Berserker Armada.” We all looked at each other with shocked, grave faces. “Stoick and hiccup have ordered every available viking to arm themselves for battle and every available dragon rider to mount their dragons and be ready to defend their home, Berk. Every viking and dragon rider are to meet with Stoick and Hiccup, respectively. They’re both going to be at the bottom of the steps to The Great Hall.”
Everyone then exited the room fairly fast to go get their dragons. After everyone had left except myself, Elsa, Asvord obviously, mother, and Gobber, mother said, “I’ll stay behind with my daughter, if that is alright.”
Gobber said he perfectly understood and then left.
Elsa started shaking from being afraid. Elsa ran to her and mother said, “You can stay with me, Elsa. Jarl, before you go I want you to know that I love you.”
She gave me a big hug and kissed me on my forehead.
Asvord then said, “Except for the kiss on the head, I love you too brother. If it wasn’t for my blasted injury, I’d be right by your side.”
I knew my sister did not really mean that about the kiss. Elsa looked like she was about to cry and then hugged me very tight. After the hug I replied, “I love all three of you very much. And.. I will see you all again.”
When I exited the room, I saw there was hardly anyone left in the Hall. As I put on my new helmet, I had a feeling I was going to be late because I left later than any of the others. So I went the back way to the secret passage down to get my dragon, Fredrick.
Now, I knew my way around the tunnels, it did not take me more than five minutes to get to the exit of the tunnel I took before. It also helped I was running the whole way.
When I came to where the tunnel stopped, I saw Fredrick, Spiker, Fintan, and Meatballs were the only dragons left. I called for my thunderdrum to fly up to where I was. I mounted him and started to fly out of the cavern. My sisters’ dragons wanted to come with me, but I told and signaled them they could not and to stay in the cavern.
I then stopped and thought for a minute or two before exiting on my dragon. “They could stay in The Great Hall with my family as the last line of defense.”
I then led the three dragons around and let them in the Hall. I informed one of the guards at the door what I was doing and to let my family know their dragons were here. I turned around and saw Hiccup finishing up in assigning places for the dragon riders to be stationed. I was not equipped for battle, so I urged Fredrick on to swiftly fly back to the house and stable. Once I entered the stable, I immediately dismounted and saddled Fredrick with a different saddle. Different from the one I left in the cavern where I put my dragon up last evening before the blizzard hit.
This saddle was another one given to me as an early Snoggletog present from Hiccup. This saddle was different from my other one because all the metal used in making it was made from Gronckle Iron. The iron alone made it lighter for the dragon. The design of the leather was also improved so there could be less leather. The leather saved was exchanged for some extra padding for the rider and between the saddle itself and the dragon. The saddle also had built in saddlebags and holder pockets for two extra quivers to be put on each side of the saddle at the bottom. Additionally, the saddle had a place on the back, right behind the seat for the rider, to place and secure an extra bow along with a sleeve to slide in my sword. Near the my left side, if I were sitting on the saddle, was a raised hook where I could slide my shield over and secure it with a leather strap.
I saddled my dragon and then loaded my gear onto the saddle: the two extra quivers, packed extra bolas in my saddlebags, inserted my sword in its sleeve, and attached my shield to its hook. I then put on my battle gear. I grabbed six, small bolas and attached them to my belt, three on each hip. I then put on my gray bracers which had a thunderdrum crest on each of them; also strapped on my armor shoulder pads. And finally, criss-crossed my main bow and quiver over my head and shoulder.
Doing all of this took about seven minutes. If you add the eight in which I used to lead my family’s dragons into The Great Hall, I am now over fifteen minutes behind and going to report late to Hiccup.
When I led my dragon out of the stable and shut the doors, Hiccup and Toothless where running by, looking both to their left and right. Hiccup saw me coming out of the stable and stopped to say he was looking for me.
“I told a select group of your friends that I picked specifically to stay hidden and observe from atop your ‘donut hole’. You are also part of this group. They’ll fill you in on the details of your group’s task. I need to get to the docks and lead the dragon riders,” Hiccup said. “Oh, and be sure and take the back way through the forest. This way none of the scout-watchers from the Berserkers can see you go back there.”
“Okay, See you around,” I replied, jumping on Fredrick.
Hiccup waved and jumped on Toothless and flew their way down to the docks.
I nudged my dragon with my feet to lift off. With the help of the reins I kept my dragon as low to the ground as possible taking into consideration a thunderdrum’s wingspan. I guided my dragon the back way through the forest in route to the top of the “donut hole.” This way of going is actually part of the racing track my sisters and I have; except for the fact this time I am flying to the top and not through the “donut hole.”
I recognized the friends hiccup had picked for the special group as soon as Fredrick and I cleared the back top ridge of the “dount hole.” Of my friends that were chosen for the group are as follows: Cazi Olsen with both her skrills, Garth of Izar, Annabeth Everdeen, Explodantor, Ashley Sorethon, and Hattori Korozinu.
My friends heard me fly up with Fredrick and called me over to the front ridge to observe the events down below. Cazi then caught me up to speed, “Nice of you to join the party,” I nodded, smiled,… and bowed. “Hiccup wants us up here as a last line of defense. This is one of the best observation places of Berk. If for any reason Savage were to be able to get through Berk’s navy and take hold of Berk, we are tasked to take Savage and his men by surprise. Thus giving our fleet and vikings the diversion needed to capture the rest of the Armada; or at least send them in full retreat. Hiccup picked this specific group because of our dragon types and or our skills as riders and warriors. Savage would not be expecting a small team of vikings and dragons, especially when there is a Stormcuuter, a Tide Glider, and two Skrills. Not to mention Explod, Ashley, and Hattori when it comes to being skilled riders and warriors. Those three are also the most experienced with battle outside the Academy riders, myself, Annabeth, and you Jarl. Garth was chosen for he brings a wild card factor because of his Tide Glider. This would make up for the lack of experience in dealing with Berk’s enemies, but takes nothing away from him being skilled in battle in his own right.”
“I totally agree with that thinking there,” stated Garth. “Cazi and I were just talking about her Skrills before you came up.”
Cazi said, “Yeah. Could you believe that where Garth comes from they think the Skrill dragon is so rare it is near extinction?”
Garth added, “Let alone the fact in seeing two Skrills in the same region, even trained for that matter.”
Garth and I got to talk a little bit more about himself. I learned the name of his Tide Glider to be Riptide. Also that he had been in a few battles himself on the Isle of Izar. He told me Riptide as abnormally strong for a Tide Glider. Garth said he probably would not be here today if it was not for his dragons strength saving the day, more than once back on Izar. Riptide started to get a little restless and fidgety.
“Woah there girl. Shh, easy,” he said calming his dragon. “She is uneasy at first when she is around new dragons, not to mention new friends.”
Annabeth replied, “Well Riptide does not have anything to worry about.” Her dragon Star Scream started to try and make friends with Riptide. “Though watch out, he can get knaggy.” Riptide then ignored Star Scream for the moment and looked like she started a conversation then with Fredrick. Garth added that his dragon could go toe-to-toe with a thunderdrum any given day.
“We should try that some day with a race or contest,” I replied, for I loved competitions.
“I’ll take you up on that,” Garth agreed.
All then started to get quiet as we stared down at Dagur’s armada; or what is left of it. No one on either side had yet made a move to attack. Through the help of an eye piece gifted to me from Hattori for the holiday, I determined the distance of the Armada back to Berk’s fleet. Savage had positioned his ships just out of range from our long range catapults built by the docks. Our fleet was positioned about fifty or so yards from Savage’s ships. We were too far away from the positioning of the two fleets to distinguish people. But two flag ships from either side started sailing towards each other. Looking through the eye piece I then was able to spot Savage by his distinctive shoulder pads. The way he was standing was like he was waiting for something.
As we waited, my thoughts started to mull over what the Red-haired woman had said. I turned my thinking from about my dad to now the weather and our surroundings.
It was an overcast day and seemed to be warming up slightly from the morning chill.
“I think I just figured out what Savage is waiting for, “I spoke aloud and passed my piece down the line.
Everyone agree once they had their turn to look through the eye piece that Savage was waiting for something.
Explod questioned, “But what could that be?”
“Do you guys feel like the air is warming up?” asked Ashley.
I gave the question, “What happens when the air around us starts to warm, but the air near the ground is still cold from the snow?”
“Oh no,” Cazi realized.
“Oh yes,” I said with a reluctant tone.
Hattori, Explod, and Garth said at the same time, “He’s waiting for fog.”
We all looked at each other and knew this would give Savage an advantage us Berkians had not thought of. I then strategized a plan in my head, starting with the fog, “Once the fog settles in over the sea, it will be in Savage’s favor. The Berkians would not be able to see what they are fighting, if Savage stalls for very long. The fog would allow a few Armada ships to slip past and possibly… I do not really want to think about what might happen next.”
It was then suggested by Annabeth we should move our position closer, “So we would be able to help out in the fighting a lot faster and still be under the fog,” Annabeth stated.
We all agree and then decided on the next place where we could camp out and wait.
Explod then thought out loud, “Instead of going all at once, why don’t we split up and go individually to a hidden spot of our choice.”
Cazi agreed, “Good idea. This way we could still stay in a position to help Stoick and Hiccup, but be able to do so much faster; not to mention if we go individually, less likely to be spotted by Savage and company.”
I added, “If anyone sees something or is trouble, call out by having your dragon fire three shots in the air or making three loud dragon calls of your dragon type. This will be our signal to regroup near the roof of The Great Hall to relay to the others what the one saw.”
“We’ll be right under everyone’s noses,” Annabeth chuckled.
By the time this was all decided, the fog had already started forming out in the open ocean waters and building up a high band near where we are. This high band would give us the coverage needed to fly directly over Berk, if we so choose, and not be seen by Savage or the Armada; or even the vikings of Berk. We split up and flew our separate ways.
I did not realize how quiet it had actually gotten until I started flying with the air hitting my face. There was no wind today. The waves were also very calm in the sea and ocean. It felt to me like Fredrick knew what was going on as he took broader, fewer strokes of his wings to take me where I was guiding him.
Where we were going I had not really decided until I saw a slight break in the fob coming up. I saw down ahead the Dragon Academy. From above the Academy was a thin rock ledge that stuck out from the main mountain. This overhang is where the mechanical chain was attached to that would raise and lower the moveable cage roof of the ring. Fredrick and I flew down and perched on this overhang, giving us a good visual spot to see the docks, the main part of Berk and the forest behind the Hall. And of course the area of the sea where the two sides of the battle was at.
From below, I could see the meeting between Savage and Stoick was still going on. I took out my eye piece to get a closer look at the meeting. This meeting kind of remind me of the time when Alvin had the meeting with Stoick about some fishing waters back a few months ago. This meeting however now felt different because Dagur was not waiting of to the side for he had been missing since Hiccup’s encounter with him and reuniting the Screaming Death with its mother.
I could only hear a muffled argument going on between the two leaders of the two sides. On the other hand, I could see through my eye piece the men aboard each flag ship much clearer now than before. I spotted Gobber in Stoick’s ship plus the vikings manning the oars. The same thing looked to be on Savages ship with his seemingly second in command with their men manning the oars.
The conversation went on for several minutes. Stoick looked to be getting very irritated by Savage and finally told him off. Savage stepped back from Stoick’s ship only to take a lit torch nearby and lit a large basin of oil on fire. Savage then pointed back in the direction of Berk. All of a sudden I started hearing a faint whistle growing louder by the second.
“Wait a second,” I said turning back to look up. “That sounds like…”
I was cut off by a wave of long range arrows whizzing down. They came down all around lodging in the stone around me.
“Arrows flying through the air!” I exclaimed.
I swiftly maneuvered my dragon down in front of the Academy to protect us both from the flying arrows. At this point I was down on my dragon hovering in mid-air over the water’s edge.
I started to think, “If there are soldiers coming from the other side of Berk, no one will know they are coming.”
Just then an arrow zinged off the stone over hanging wall to my right, the arrow then glanced off and clanged off my new helmet. Good thing I got one to wear. I whirled around to look behind me to see a group of Berserkers in two small landing boats.
“Hey you missed that dragon rider, you censored,” one Berserker said to another, I am guessing the one who fired the arrow at me. “You couldn’t hit the water if you fell out of this boat.”
I retorted with a witty comeback line, “Would you like me to test your theory? Fredrick. Fire!”
Fredrick shot a large blast knocking the vikings from both boats into the water.
I then told Fredrick through pulling up on my reins to gain some altitude. I saw once I got higher, one-fourth the amount of the Berserkers that are in the ships in front of Berk, are coming up from behind Berk.
I then quickly told Fredrick to shoot two short blasts back at the Berserkers in the water. These two blasts were to signal my friends.
“The grandstand by Savage and his fleet was just to stall and divert our attention to them while secondary forces got into position from behind and sides of Berk,” I thought to myself. “Every available Berkian are either in a ship or on the dock front. Hiccup and the Academy riders along with any other dragon rider were each stationed on at least once per ship.”
I then said under my breath, “Myself and my six other friends who stayed behind are the only ones closest to stand between the counter-attack and Berk!”
“Hey you missed that dragon rider, you censored,”
Derp Derp Derp
Lucky you got that helmet!
Arg. I wish there was a list of words that aren't really bad words that you could look at to make sure you don't post something to might be censored. Because I don't want to come across as I meant something else, but just in fun the Berserker said the word "M-o-r-o-n" to his fellow Berserker when he missed Jarl.
Arrrggg! Where is that Edit button For Threads! We need that feature back!
Battles with sneaky strategy are so cool.
And... I agree... it's really annoying to be accidentally censored. Happens to me all the time in game chat.
(all 3 pics by goldenfury360 (aka Hyrith))
by SoulStereo
(free lineart base found 
by me
Sefarva blinkie by DuskDaybreak
I just noticed you used one of my sig pics. Thanks! I did think it was awesome, but thanks. Great, but maybe not awesome.
And thanks for making it :) I like it 'cause it reminds me of cool illustrations in old books.
Plot intensifies. o_o
Awesome!
Maybe you could add in that Cazi does direct combat ;)
That will come in a later chapter.
Here is the link to Chapter 13: http://forum.schoolofdragons.com/content/mysterious-frozen-fire-chapter-12-battle-tested
Sorry for the delay in posting my chapter, but this week has been extremely busy for me, and I have not had much time at all to work on my book. I do have half the chapter typed up, so I should get it posted Friday Night.
***Edit*** Oops wrong chapter. Meant to post this in Chapter 13.
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Wait it censored me. It was supposed to say m-o-r-o-n.