The last few sparks of the transformation's fire had just faded away when a crooked grin split wide across Hiccup's face.
Astrid had come all this way for him.
"What– I mean, how are you here? How did you get here? When did you get here?" He asked, a slew of questions tumbling rapidly out of his mouth as he tried to wrap his mind around her sudden appearance. Though he was thrilled to see her, he couldn't quite fathom how she had made it to the nest. "That is – it's great that you are here, I just–"
"Hiccup," she cut him off with an amused laugh, blue eyes crinkling. "Breathe."
"Right…breathing. That is a thing… That I can do…"
He didn't flinch when she socked him in the shoulder, having expected her typical act of retaliation. If anything, the sting of it was a relief – physical confirmation that she was really standing before him and not simply a wishful vision conjured by his mind. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them.
"To answer your question…" Astrid nodded towards something behind her, "you remember Stormfly?"
"Stormfly?" Hiccup echoed in confusion, eyes finally breaking from Astrid. The name didn't ring a bell. In truth, he hadn't even noticed that she wasn't alone, having been too enraptured by her sudden presence in the tunnels. He was surprised to note that the blue Nadder from Berk stood a few paces away, watching their interaction with open curiosity.
"I named her."
"Oh. It, uh, suits her," he replied somewhat distractedly, still trying to sort through everything. If the Nadder was here…and Astrid was here…did that mean… "Wait, are you saying…did you two fly here?"
Astrid nodded, eyes lighting up. "Crazy, right? You're not the only one who's had an adventure this week," she joked, "I wanted to see what I could learn from her while you were gone, and it just sort of spiraled from there. For the record, flying was not my idea – but how could I pass up that chance when she let me?"
Hiccup could understand that. Flying was like nothing else in the world, and something he'd grown to wish that his loved ones could understand. Try as he might, he'd never been able to find the words to properly do it justice when they did ask. Now, maybe he didn't have to – Astrid had done it.
It wasn't exactly the same, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that – she hadn't been carried by her wings. Yet, she'd still had a chance to soar through the clouds and see the world from above. To taste the freedom of the open skies in a way most of Berk couldn't hope to imagine.
Once again, Astrid had impressed him with her daring spirit and her willingness to understand every part of his world, even if it was a daunting task .
It meant everything.
"That's…incredible," he said, reaching out and squeezing her forearm. Being this close to her again, he felt his heart begin to stutter in his chest. It had only been a few days, but he was taken aback by how much he had missed her in that short time.
"Yeah, well…how could I pass up being Berk's first ever dragon rider?" She asked, a challenging glint in her eye.
Right. She'd probably done it simply to prove that she could. Astrid Hofferson did not back down from anything, and he'd always loved that fire inside of her.
Loved. He shoved the thought down hard, not ready to wrestle with the implications of what he knew was too deeply rooted to ignore forever.
"So, about that…you're not going to believe it, but that title's already been claimed," he admitted with a wry smile. "You're actually the second."
For a moment, it was silent.
"What?" Astrid's voice rose an octave, disbelief clear as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Gods – no, it's not dragon 'riding' if you're the dragon, Hiccup. That's just called 'being a dragon'."
He laughed freely, shaking his head. "Well, yeah. Obviously!" He agreed. "Of course I didn't mean me."
Though he'd toyed with the idea of learning to fly on dragonback from Valka, he ultimately decided against it. He had his own wings...at least, half of the time...and that was enough. Being on a dragon's back – it just wouldn't be the same.
"Then who?"
"You remember that woman I told you about? The er, dragon expert who lives here?"
Astrid nodded, expression clearing as she put the pieces together. "Right, you said she was a dragon rider, but my point still stands. I'm still the first from Berk–"
Hiccup shook his head sharply, and Astrid cut herself off.
"She's from Berk!?"
Hiccup steeled himself, taking a deep breath. It was hard to admit the truth aloud, as he'd barely come to grips with it in his own mind. Still, he couldn't keep things from her.
"Astrid…she's my mother."
Astrid was quiet as she followed Hiccup through the cave network. After the massive bombshell he'd just dropped, she didn't have the faintest idea what to say. Hel, she didn't know what to think .
Valka's (assumed) death had been a cornerstone of her own fear of the dragon raids growing up. Knowing that someone as powerful and strong as the chieftess of the tribe could be so easily taken had instilled within her a determination never to meet the same fate. It had been a driving force in her resolve to train for years…and it hadn't happened?
At least, not in the way that Berk had believed.
Poor Hiccup.
She couldn't imagine what the revelation must have been like for him. If her world was rocked by the truth, his had to be teetering on the edge of collapse. Even from the outside, most of Berk knew the Haddock family dynamic had been greatly shaped by the loss of Stoick's wife. That it had wrought a certain level of darkness over their home that had persisted through the years.
She wished she knew what to say to him, but the words wouldn't come. There was no easy comfort for this. He'd been through so much in his life already…she hated knowing that the rug had been ripped out from underneath him once more, especially when he was just now finding his footing.
What could she possibly do to steady that?
Giving up on words that she knew would be inadequate, Astrid picked up her pace until they were walking shoulder to shoulder in the tunnel. She reached out, carefully threading their fingers together and squeezing his hand. It wasn't much, but she hoped the contact offered some level of assurance that she was there for him.
Hiccup squeezed back gently, the tips of his claws brushing lightly against her skin.
"You ready?" He asked, nodding towards something ahead – an area where the ice seemed to grow brighter, moonlight spilling in.
Astrid glanced back over her shoulder, ensuring that Stormfly was still following them. The blue Nadder caught her eye, bobbing her head up and down a few times and shuffling forward.
"Yeah," she agreed, turning her attention back to the boy beside her.
His green eyes were fixed on her with a surprising intensity, earnest emotion clear within their depths. Vulnerability. It wasn't the first time she'd caught him looking at her like that, nor the first time she wondered what it was that was going through his mind in those moments.
"Hiccup?" A new voice interrupted, loud and echoing in from the center of the nest.
He startled, turning towards the sound. The moment was over…that strange emotion was gone once more.
Astrid pushed down her disappointment, instead taking a step forward and tugging him with her. "I think that's your cue to introduce us?"
"Be right there!" Hiccup called, raising his voice.
He led her the rest of the way through the tunnel, pausing when they reached the end.
Astrid's imagination had not done the nest justice. Despite Hiccup's vivid description of the sanctuary, she'd still failed to grasp the true scale of the place. Craning her neck up, she gaped as she took in the towering structure of ice stretching above their heads. It seemed to go on as far as her eyes could see.
"This is…"
Insane? Amazing? Impossible?
"I know."
Astrid squeezed his hand tighter, stepping out onto the lush grass of the hidden island. It was a marvel, having such a paradise tucked away from prying eyes. No wonder Hiccup had been so eager to return. It was breathtaking.
There weren't too many dragons milling about, but it was night. She could still pick up the range of tracks left throughout – clear signs of the different species that called the place home. If the tracks were any indication, it had to be buzzing with activity during the day.
Atop the crest of a hill ahead, a lone figure stood with her back to them.
That must be Valka.
"Mom?" Hiccup called out.
The woman turned towards his voice, her smile quickly evaporating as her eyes took in Astrid's presence. A tension filled the woman's posture, and the former chieftess squared her shoulders. She brandished her staff almost defensively as she made her way towards them, gaze never wavering.
"She doesn't look too happy that I'm here…"
"Too bad," retorted Hiccup immediately, though she could hear the nerves in his voice. He glanced over at her before adding, "I'm happy that you're here."
Astrid knocked her shoulder into his, rolling her eyes at the cheesy comment. It felt good to hear him say it, and that rush of warmth made her entire impulsive journey all the more worth it.
"Who are you," asked Valka sharply and without preamble, coming to a stop a few paces away. She eyed Astrid with suspicion, gaze flickering down to their interlaced hands.
"Mom," said Hiccup in a warning tone, "this is Astrid Hofferson. Remember? I told you about her – the one who helped me, back in the ring? Astrid, this is my mother, Valka."
There was a chattering noise behind them, and Hiccup added. "And that's, um…sorry, what did you say her name was again?"
"Stormfly."
"Right," he said, "that's Stormfly. She brought Astrid here."
Valka's attention flickered to the Nadder for a moment, suspicion replaced by a mix of surprise and confusion as she tried to put the pieces together. Whatever impression she'd had of Astrid, the dragon's connection to her seemed to throw a wrench into it.
"They're here to…" Hiccup trailed off, turning to face her with a raised eyebrow and an unspoken question. It occurred to Astrid that she'd never gotten around to explaining why she'd made the trip to the nest – and he hadn't asked. They'd simply been content to be reunited.
"To check on you," filled in Astrid, with sincerity.
Hiccup's cheeks went light pink at the admission, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Worried about me, again?"
"You keep giving me reason to be," she challenged, rolling her eyes. Before Hiccup, no other person in her life had given her cause to worry so often, or so deeply. It was like trouble was always chasing him, and he never fully outran it.
Astrid wondered exactly what it was about the chief's son that pulled those protective feelings to the surface.
Valka cleared her throat, reminding the two of her presence. "Be that as it may…I can assure you that Hiccup is quite safe in my care," she stated primly. "Though your…dedication to my son is admirable, it is a danger to have outsiders in this haven. I must ask you to leave at once."
Astrid rocked back on her heels, a bit of anger spiking in her gut. Before she could speak on it, Hiccup chimed in on her behalf.
"No, you can't do that! Astrid is not a danger to the nest," he argued, anger lacing his words. His fingers squeezed tighter against hers, and she could tell he was distracted by the way his claws had begun to dig into her skin. She kept her face neutral to avoid calling attention to the small spike of pain, rubbing her thumb against his hand in soothing motions until his grip loosened.
"I won't hurt any of the dragons," assured Astrid, locking eyes with Valka. "You have my word. I'm not sure what all Hiccup's told you, but we don't do that anymore on Berk. We're trying to learn about them, not to harm them."
Valka shook her head. "The word of a stranger means nothing to me. I only asked as a courtesy, in light of your apparent friendship with my son, but now I must insist that you leave at once." She pointed her staff towards the tunnel system with force, a clear dismissal of the young woman before her. Her tone turned more threatening as she continued, "you may either leave of your own free will, or I can drive you out myself. The fact remains, you must leave this place – and believe me when I say that it is in your best interest to keep its secrets to yourself."
Indignation flared in Astrid's gut, and her free hand curled into a fist.
How dare-
"If you can't take her word, take mine: you can trust her," promised Hiccup, words coming slower and more serious than usual, like he was buying himself time as he reached some sort of decision. He straightened up, speaking with careful conviction as he recited a string of startlingly familiar words. "I promise. With the gods as my witness, I swear that I trust Astrid Hofferson with my life and all that I am. On my honor, let our lives be entwined and let our fates be shared."
It was a solemn vow that every Berkian knew by heart, but very few ever dared to speak. The traditional words were taken very seriously by the tribe and could never be taken back once spoken. As such, they were only shared once a decade at most.
Astrid's gaze snapped back to him, eyebrows raised high at the declaration. While she was immensely flattered that he held her in such high esteem to trust her this way...she knew how much weight those words carried. It was a binding vow of sorts, permanently linking two lives together.
What in the name of the gods is he doing?
The honor of the speaker hinged on the actions of the person mentioned, and it was no small decision. Astrid's own cousin had been shamed into exile as a result of the betrayal of one such bond. It had forever damaged his reputation and his standing within the village, as his judgement had been proven to be faulty. He'd lost everything because he'd trusted the wrong person.
After that incident, Astrid's mother had routinely cautioned her against such vows, adamant that she never take such a foolish risk herself. She'd never fathomed that she'd be on the receiving end of one.
Did Hiccup understand the gravity of what he'd just said? He'd been gone for so many years, perhaps he didn't grasp the enormity of what he'd done.
Valka, however, seemed to know the weight of it. The former chieftess coughed, choking on whatever she'd been about to say. Her eyes were wide, expression taken aback.
"Hiccup…" Astrid shook her head slowly, a bit dazed and unsure of how to respond. A lump of emotion had formed in the back of her throat, making it hard to get the words out.
It was a foolish choice, but undeniably sweet all the same.
Valka recovered faster, eyes returning to their entwined hands. "I...see," she murmured, taking a slow step back. "Very well, I suppose you leave me no choice in the matter. Miss Hofferson, for now I will take you at your word and allow you to remain through the night. Do remember that if any harm comes to the dragons at your hand, I will show you no mercy. I know the cruelty that is Berk and I am not naive enough to believe that rot does not run deep. I find it hard to believe you'd be an exception, but I will not dishonor my son by giving you no chance to prove yourself. I will be watching you carefully – is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." Astrid grit out, wondering how her friend could be related to such a charming woman.
"That one's called a Rumblehorn," explained Hiccup, gesturing excitedly towards the heavily armored dragon that was sleeping just a few paces ahead of them. "They're part of the Tracker Class – Mom says they have one of the keenest senses of smell out of all dragons, can you imagine? They even use it as a way to keep track of where their enemies are in a fight!"
Astrid nodded, trying to commit the new knowledge to memory. Admittedly, the many dragons Hiccup had shown her were beginning to blur together a bit in her mind, as he'd been at it for hours. She was tiring, but seeing that unbridled passion on his face…she didn't have the heart to stop him.
"Oh!" He spun, nearly knocking into her as he did. "I almost forgot – you probably want to know about Nadders, right? Since you bonded with Stormfly? Right, I probably should've started with that one…"
And just like that, he'd taken off towards the Deadly Nadder, leaving Astrid to watch him go with amusement. He was still talking, but he'd gotten far enough away with his long strides that she couldn't pick out the words anymore.
She spared one last glance at the sleeping Rumblehorn. Tracker Class. Keen sense of smell. Maybe she ought to tell Fishlegs when she returned to Berk. For whatever reason, he'd been spending an awfully long time studying the Book of Dragons lately. Maybe the discoveries would interest him.
Nodding to herself, she set off after Hiccup. He was grinning at Stormfly, scratching lightly at the scales under her chin. The Nadder nuzzled against him, leaning into his touch with glee.
He looked so at ease – lighter than she'd seen him in a while.
"She is a beauty," a quiet voice commented from behind Astrid. "In a typical flock, she'd have a high ranking for that – Nadder's are known for their vanity, after all. Tell me, how did you two bond?"
Astrid had a feeling the question was a test of sorts – that Valka was not asking out of mere curiosity. She weighed her words carefully before responding, hoping the truth would ease the woman's worries.
"Hiccup told me about what you do here," she said, waving her hand in a wide arc. "We'd both been curious about dragons for a while, and he was eager to try to copy your success. He tried it a few times and it did work for him, but when he wanted to show me…well, we felt that it would be better if I tried it because otherwise, we just weren't sure if he'd really mastered what you do…or…"
"Or if the dragons recognized one of their own." Valka finished steadily.
"I take it he's told you everything?" Astrid asked, watching as Hiccup play-wrestled with Stormfly, making silly faces at the dragon.
"I'll admit I do not fully understand it all," said the former chieftess, voice dropping lower to ensure her son would not overhear. "I have seen many cases of dragon magic throughout the years – minor healings, memory alterations and the like – but nothing to this degree. Night Furies have always been a mystery since they're simply too rare to study, but this far exceeds even the wildest of rumors. He very well may be the first of his kind."
Astrid hummed in agreement. If Hiccup weren't the first to be transformed by a Night Fury's curse, she was confident they would have heard about it. Hiccup's secret remained a secret through sheer luck and special circumstances – saving the village from a centuries-old threat and being the son of the chief had offered him a unique level of protection. The ordinary man would not have so many ready to rally behind him under such a curse.
In those circumstances, Astrid didn't even want to consider what would happen to that unfortunate soul. She doubted it would end well.
"Hiccup has always been one of a kind," she said instead, remembering the boy he'd been in their youth. He'd never been a traditional viking – he simply thought and acted too differently from everyone around him to fit the expectations. It had been apparent to everyone in the village from the time he could walk, much to Stoick's initial displeasure. "The curse may have made that true in new ways, but he was always going to break the mold."
She had little doubt Hiccup would have found a way to change Berk at its core, even without ever taking that fateful shot. He was far too clever and far too passionate to be boxed in by convention for long.
Valka reached out, gently grasping her shoulder and directing her so they were face to face. Her earlier hostility and suspicion were gone, replaced by something more akin to understanding. "You care for him."
"He's my best friend," she admitted with ease. "Of course I care."
"Hmmm," responded Valka, a strange look in her eye. "He cares for you deeply, that was clear to me when he made that vow."
The vow.
"If I'd known he was going to do that, I would have stopped him. He really shouldn't have–"
"He wanted to," corrected Valka, reaching out somewhat hesitantly to rest a hand on Astrid's forearm. "I'll admit, as I've been watching the two of you tonight...I fear that there is a chance I may have been a little unfair to you."
A little? Wondered Astrid in debrief, still irritated by the woman's immediate attempt to drive her away.
"You must understand my need for caution – there are many who rely on the safety of this nest. I cannot put their safety at risk or take chances lightly. Doing so could cost lives," continued Valka, gesturing widely around the expansive nest. "One mistake could cost everything."
Astrid could understand the fears of the former chieftess. After all, the woman had served as a guardian for the sanctuary for two decades. She'd made it her home. It was only natural that she'd feel a degree of responsibility for its continued survival and wellbeing.
"That being said, there is something to be said for a mother's intuition, is there not?" Valka asked, giving Astrid a meaningful look. "I'm not blind to the bond between you both – it would be obvious even without the vow. As a parent, I cannot express how grateful I am to know that he's found someone who can accept all of him. I hadn't thought it possible, especially from somewhere like Berk. Make no mistake, I am happy to see you prove me wrong. I am. I must thank you for being there for him, when I...wasn't."
Gods, what could she possibly say to that?
"Astrid!" Hiccup's call interrupted them, unintentionally rescuing Astrid from the awkward conversation.
Shooting Valka a tight smile, she quickly excused herself. Her emotions were high, strained from the uncomfortable conversation and revelations of the day, and she poured that energy into her stride as she took off towards him. Her boots thumped against the earth, announcing her arrival before she'd fully reached Hiccup.
"Having fun?"
"Oh yeah," laughed Hiccup, ducking low to avoid Stormfly's curious nose. The Nadder had taken an interest in his hair, sniffing intently at the auburn locks. He contorted, avoiding the hot bursts of her breath. "How could I not? Your dragon is all over me…"
As the night stretched on, a sense of trepidation set in. Astrid couldn't shake the thought that Hiccup seemed happier in the nest. He was so much more at ease in his skin here than he ever was in Berk.
Perhaps…perhaps this was where he belonged: surrounded by dragons and able to pursue his passions without the constant pressure of fitting in with the village. A life free of the reminders of the viking war with dragons.
It hurt to consider, because if that were the truth…was it really fair for her to ask him to return? If he were to stay, it would mean she'd have to accept a life without him. Sure, he'd be a day's flight away and certain to visit his father on occasion…but for the rest of the time, he'd just be gone .
Astrid loathed that thought. A week without him had been chafing at her insides more than she liked. If that were to become a more permanent arrangement…it would likely fester into an open wound inside of her.
When had it gotten to a point where Hiccup Haddock was the glue that held her happiness together? Despite that reality, she knew she couldn't be selfish about this. His happiness mattered just as much, if not more to her – and Thor, she hated that. No one had ever gotten under her skin the same way.
"Hiccup?" She had pulled him away from his mother, leading him towards one of the many streams. Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, as if she were unsure of her footing on the terrain. In truth, she wasn't sure if she could say what she needed to say looking into his eyes.
"Something's bothering you."
He had always been too observant for his own good.
"I just…" She paused, taking a deep breath before settling down on the shore. She stuck a hand in the stream, watching the water ripple around her fingers.
"Astrid, you can tell me anything," he said earnestly, taking a seat beside her. "You know that, right?"
Gods, he was too kind. She had to do it.
"Being here seems…good for you," she started, frantically trying to pull her thoughts together into something coherent. "You're happier...more like yourself than ever. If this is where you want to stay…if you feel like you belong here, I just want you to know that I understand, and I'll tell Berk whatever story you need me to."
It was quiet for a moment as Hiccup processed the meaning of her words. Then he scooted closer, until they were shoulder to shoulder.
"I'm not going to lie, this has all been an incredible experience and I am happy here. I mean, it's incredible! This week has been something that I'll never forget, and I'm grateful for the experience – truly." he admitted, "but as great as it is, Berk is my home, and it always will be. I-I wouldn't trade that for anything, Astrid. That's where I belong…with my Dad. With you."
Her breath hitched and she finally looked over, seeing the truth reflected in his green eyes.
"Are you sure?" She didn't want him to give up this opportunity to appease her, or his father. He'd had so many choices in his life taken from him – she wanted this one to be his, and his alone.
In answer, he reached out and cupped the side of her face. His eyes flickered down to her lips and back, steeling himself before pulling her into a deep kiss. It was a far cry from their kiss in the arena. It was filled with much more intensity, as if Hiccup were trying to prove something to her in that moment. For Astrid, whatever that was didn't matter. The only thing that did matter was the feeling of his lips on hers and his fingers drifting down her neck. She reached out her hands and gripped his tunic, curling her fingers tightly into the fabric as she drew his body closer.
They'd kissed before, but never like this.
She allowed herself to get fully lost in it, letting the outside world fade away completely. All her worries and anxieties were replaced with a bubbling, chaotic warmth that rose from the very depths of her heart. It threatened to consume her, burning her from within, but she latched onto the feeling with reckless abandon.
In that moment, Hiccup was her entire world. In that moment, she understood with perfect clarity. Somewhere along the way, she'd fallen in love with Hiccup Haddock.
She only returned to reality when he finally broke it off. She reluctantly relaxed her grip when he pulled back, eyes roaming his face as she took in the sight of his crooked smile. He looked adorably disheveled: tunic rumbled, cheeks flushed and eyes bright with excitement. It was enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Through his ragged attempts to catch his breath, he insisted, "I'm sure. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Astrid grinned back, leaning in and eagerly capturing his lips once more.
Hiccup stood at the edge of the tunnel, watching as Stormfly disappeared into a speck on the horizon.
Memories of the kiss continued to cycle through his mind. There'd been something different about it – some sort of shift had occured between the two of them, unspoken but silently agreed upon. It filled him with both excitement and nerves, as he had a feeling it would change the very fabric of their relationship. It was a sign that they would become more to each other than they'd been, and he longed to ask her what it all meant...but he'd have to wait a little longer.
He was sad to see Astrid go, but they both knew it was necessary for her to return home before she was missed. She hadn't told anyone that she was leaving, and having the both of them unaccounted for would not sit well with Gobber.
Hiccup was not looking forward to the inevitable confrontation with his mentor. From the sounds of it, he'd already chewed out Astrid simply because she'd been covering for him.
He was sure to get his own earful when he returned.
That time was coming up quickly, and he resolved to return the set course for Berk the following morning. It had been an eye-opening adventure, and had returned something to him he'd thought lost forever – but it was time to go home.
He just needed one more night to say his goodbyes.
Gobber didn't like the look of the ship that had pulled into Berk's harbor. It only took one glance to know that it was not a merchant ship, and had an alarming number of crewmen aboard.
Having unusual visitors while the chief was away did not sit well with him.
He'd set a course for the docks as soon as he'd realized the ship was not merely passing by. On instinct, he'd switched out his hook for a battle axe, wanting to be battle-ready at a moment's notice. That action hadn't escaped the notice of his tribesmen, who'd similarly armed themselves and followed him down to the water, forming their ranks behind him.
"Oi!" Gobber yelled once the ship was in hearing range. "State yer business 'ere."
"Greetings," a smooth voice rang out. The ship's crew parted to allow a man with dark hair and a short beard to approach the rail. "We are simply here to seek shelter. Our outpost was destroyed, and we need some time to restock our provisions while we regroup."
Gobber raised an eyebrow. There were no outposts near Berk that he could think of, save for the…
Poachers.
An icy feeling settled in Gobber's gut. Stoick would not be happy to know that they'd disrespected his demands and approached Berk.
"We 'ave no inn, I'm 'fraid." He informed, "Best try the next island."
The man shrugged, taking the information in stride. "An inn is not necessary, I assure you. We are more than willing to set up camp in the woods, or on the beach if you prefer."
"Tryin' th' next island wasn't a suggestion. I kno' exactly who you lot are, and you kno' yer not welcome on Berk."
"And why is that, I do wonder?" The man asked, voice remaining calm and smooth despite Gobber's building agitation. He grasped his hands behind his back, arching an eyebrow. "Why does Stoick refuse to show us any hospitality? We are, of course, willing to pay handsomely for the trouble."
"Stoick's reason's are 'is own. The fact remains: you are no' welcome 'ere." Gobber growled, raising his axe. "Now…are ya gonna keep trespassin' or are ya gonna be smart and get ou' of our harbor?"
Behind him, he could hear the clink of metal as his tribesmen brandished their own weapons.
"Gentleman, please. There's no need for such hostility," said the stranger, raising his arms in a show of surrender. Despite his easy-going tone, his eyes were dark with anger. "We'll be on our way."
The rest of the crew scrambled to adjust the sails, following their apparent leader's claim. All the while, the man watched Gobber with a dark gaze.
Even once the ship was long gone from the harbor, Gobber could swear he felt the heat of that gaze burning into him like a brand.