Chapter 34: Dragon Eye of the Beholder (Part 3)
As Kala and I were flying over the ocean once more to go search for new dragons, I could hear Stormfly trying to catch up to us.
'What is Stormfly doing all the way out here?' I thought as Kala slowed down to let her friend catch up to us.
I looked over at the Deadly Nadder and deadpanned. Astrid was riding her, and she looked like she wanted to try and be all flirty with me. Again.
'Why couldn't it have just been Stormfly for once?'
"What is it Astrid?" I asked as I looked forward once more to keep my composure.
Ever since the incident a few years back, I have struggled with keeping my anger under control around Astrid. Rightfully so, considering she tried to kill Kala when she found out about her ability to become human.
"I wanted to talk with you. I've been chasing you since the armory." She said with a sweet undertone to her voice.
"Okay, and?" I asked, trying my hardest to not start an argument with the girl.
"Well can we? It's kind of important."
"Is it more important than finding a new dragon to add to the Book of Dragons?" I inquired, slowly starting to lose my cool.
"I'd like to think so." She said with a bit of an attitude.
I sighed and looked at her with the same deadpan expression I have reserved specifically for her. "I'm kinda busy, Astrid. Can't it wait?"
"I-I mean it could, but-"
"Great. Later." I said, looking forward again as I adjusted Kala's tailfin to help her speed up.
Kala crooned politely to Stormfly and took off as the Nadder squawked back just as polite.
~~~HTLANF~~~
As Hiccup and Astrid were conversing, I had a kind talk with Stormfly.
"So how are your hatchlings doing?" I asked happily.
"They're doing great. Almost old enough to find mates of their own. When are you and Hiccup going to make it official?"
I blushed deeply under my midnight scales and I stuttered. "W-well..s-soon I hope. But I don't want to pressure him or anything. It's a rather big commitment, ya know?"
"Very true. Just wanted to ask." She said with a hint of a laugh.
I shook my head with a smile, but then lost it as I heard the annoyance in Hiccup's voice.
"Seems like Astrid is angering him again." Stormfly noted.
I nodded in agreement. "She always does nowadays. I get angered by her as well."
"You have the right to, dear. She threatened your life a few winters back. Both of you are allowed to be upset about that."
"Yeah. Still though. Just the fact that she's still doing this makes me angered to no end." I sighed, then felt Hiccup change the position of my tailfin. "Well, I'll talk to you later, Stormfly. It was nice talking to you."
"You as well Kala." She said as Hiccup and I sped off.
I looked up at Hiccup and crooned worriedly. He smiled at me softly and scratched my head.
"I'm alright milady. Just tired of Astrid thinking she can get me to be hers." He explained, a bit of exhaustion noticeable in his tone.
I nodded and huffed softly as I looked forward again. Her advancements on Hiccup have slowly become more intense as the years passed. It's like she has become desperate to get him to fall in love with her.
As we flew, both of us kept an eye out for new dragons. Even though we've traveled to every possible place we could, it didn't hurt to see if a new species migrated into the area.
After a couple hours, my wings started to get tired so I signaled to a sea stack to land on. Hiccup smiled a bit with a nod and adjusted my tailfin so we could land. Once out of the air, Hiccup hopped off and grabbed his spyglass from the satchel attached to my saddle. I looked around with my earplates moving every now and then to see if I could see or hear any dragons nearby.
"It doesn't seem like any dragons are around except for you love. Maybe today just wasn't the day for a new entry." Hiccup sighed out as he lowered his spyglass.
I huffed softly and nuzzled his side reassuringly. He smiled and scratched my head gently.
"Thanks Kala. Guess I was just hoping to have something to keep me busy. Kinda weird to be the only one that is wanting to search for new species, ya know? Like, I'm glad that everyone is finding what they wanna do in life, but it's a bit hard to get used to."
I nodded in agreement. It was definitely something that would take some getting used to. We got so used to the others coming along in search of dragons over the past couple of years. The thought of just the two of us doing it was odd.
Just as Hiccup was about to remount, he groaned as he noticed something come our way.
"When will she take the hint and stop trying?" He said low enough for only me to hear.
I tilted my head a bit and looked in the direction he was and groaned in my own draconic way. Astrid had followed us yet again. It's like she has devoted her life to angering the both of us to no end.
"You find anything Hiccup?" She asked sweetly, the words sounding too nice.
"Why do you care? Not like you were even helping in the first place." Hiccup retorted with his arms crossed.
"I was just curious. Anyways, I came to tell you the great news."
"That you joined the Berk Guard? I already knew that." Hiccup said monotonously.
Astrid's eyes widened a bit, a look of pure shock adorning her features. "How did you?"
"Chief Stoick. He tells me everything chief related any chance he gets me alone. Well. Me and Kala alone really. But that's not the point. The point is I already knew you became a shieldmaiden. So congrats or whatever. Good for you. Now will you leave me alone?"
Astrid looked down, a bit of anger noticeable in her eyes. She looked at me for a split second with murderous daggers, then smiled sweetly to Hiccup.
"Sure thing."
And with that, Astrid steered Stormfly back towards Berk.
I looked at Hiccup to see him glaring at Astrid as she and Stormfly left. He looked like he was about to murder someone. Which is reasonable. I walked up to him and nuzzled his side purring. I felt him relax and rub my head gently.
"I'm okay milady. Just wish that she would leave me alone for good. It's like she blanked out the fact that I belong to you."
I nodded in agreement and crooned softly. He smiled and rested his forehead against mine.
"I love you, Kala."
I purred happily and crooned as my way of replying.
~~~HTLANF~~~