How to Train Your Dragon Slayer

Chapter 4

Sitting cross-legged on the cool grass, brow furrowed slightly in concentration, Hikari carefully counted out the money she had hoarded over the last few months.

Her skills as a blacksmith had gotten her some temporary work at local forges along the way, but the pay was proving to be rather inadequate.

Rubbing her eye with the heel of one hand, she let out a sigh, resigned.

This’ll have to do.

A soft nudge to her back pulled Hikari from her thoughts, twisting around to face big, worried green eyes.

“Hey, bud.” She greeted, mood lightening as she scratched the scales around the dragon’s jaw and earned a rumbling purr for her efforts. “Are the others back from hunting yet?”

Toothless nodded after a moment, wriggling his way into a hug and setting his head on the girl’s lap with a happy sound.

Running her hands over the Night Fury’s ear-horns, Hikari looked up from the sprawling dragon to see how the rest were faring.

Stormfly and Meatlug were lowering a net full of fish onto the ground, the former snapping at the trio of Terrors trying to get a head start on breakfast.

Barf and Belch were fighting over a particularly large catch, hissing and snapping at each other, and so failed to notice Hookfang take the fish for himself.

Ash was sunning himself on a self-cleared patch of ground, lazily watching Silvertongue and Smog chase each other around in circles with excited yips.

Smiling at the sight, Hikari leaned over to gather her hard-earned Jewels into a neat pile, folding the bills tight before placing them into an old drawstring pouch.

Eyeing the worn leather, Toothless stretched to rub his head against her chest, snuffling at his girl’s chin and receiving a giggle in response.

“Alright, alright!” Hikari yelped, arms wrapping around the dragon’s thick neck as she pressed a kiss to the Night Fury’s snout. “I love you too, bud.”

Warbling in that cheerful way he often did around his girl, Toothless rolled onto his feet, shaking out his wings before jerking his head towards the pile of fish that would be the group’s breakfast.

Brushing off her threadbare leggings, Hikari secured the pouch to her hip and followed suit, smiling.

“Better get some before they finish it all.” She teased, laughing outright at the startled expression on the Night Fury’s face before he took off and leapt into the fray like a black arrow.

No matter what hardships she had to face, she would not trade this for anything.

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Magnolia was proving to be one of the busiest towns Hikari had visited since coming to Fiore.

If she had thought that first port town was loud, she was sorely mistaken.

Trying to keep her feet from pulling a coup and introducing her face to the floor, Hikari navigated the bustling streets with wandering eyes, trying to find a good store for the supplies she needed.

Bandages, medical tape, splints, soap-Damn it, what else was there?

Frowning to herself, she started ticking the items off on her fingers, trying to remember what had been missed.

Bandages, medical tape and splints to restock the kit, soap for what’s left of my clothes…I guess clothes should go on the list, too, and-

Hikari squeaked as she walked straight into what was apparently a solid brick wall, tripping over her own traitorous feet as she bounced off.

“Oi!”

Before she made a fantastic head-over-heels spill on the cobblestones, two strong hands caught her by the hips and lifted the girl right off the ground instead.

Green eyes met red, and Hikari was very suddenly reminded of the first time she had properly met Toothless.

“Watch where you’re going, pipsqueak.” The man warned roughly, setting her back down now that the danger of falling had passed.

Damn, but he was huge!

Hikari was used to being the smallest person around, but this guy must have been ten times her size!

And covered in piercings!

Flushing at her own clumsiness-and the warmth she still felt from where he had picked her up-, Hikari nodded jerkily, untying her tongue with a sharp intake of breath.

“Yeah, uh, sorry. I’ll-I’ll do that.”

Cutting off her own voice to keep from rambling, she averted her eyes nervously, and so did not see the way he took a deep breath through his nose, eyes narrowing.

Was that…?

Bowing her head quickly, Hikari mumbled out another apology before taking off into the crowd, still burning on the inside from the brief encounter.

Left with only the ghost of her scent, the heavily-pierced mage stared at where she had disappeared, interest thoroughly roused.

She had smelled like fresh pine and grass, like heat and smoke…

Like dragon
.