On the Horizon (BOTGD flashback)
December 1036
Twelve-year-old Grey hurried as she put on her boots while her Night Fury watched her intently. Once she was dressed and brushed her teeth and hair, the young Viking was ready to start the day. Her father had promised her that they would get to have another sword fighting lesson that morning, so she made sure to be up early before she would have to do her morning chores.
“Okay, ready, girl?” Grey asked her dragon.
Shadow crooned excitedly as she stood up from the floor and stretched.
“Great!” Grey said excitedly. “Come on, Dad’s probably waiting for us downstairs.”
The young girl and the Night Fury ran down the stairs of the Bergman household, and as they descended, they saw Grey’s mother Ingrid stirring something in the pot over the fire.
“Morning, Mom!” Grey said happily as she and Shadow bounded down the stairs.
Ingrid looked up and smiled as her young daughter walked down with Shadow. “Oh good morning, Grey,” she said with a raised eyebrow. “You’re up early.”
“Yeah,” Grey replied as she grabbed her coat. “Dad and I are supposed to train today before I do my chores.” She looked around only to see that her father was nowhere to be found. “Where is he?”
Ingrid furrowed her eyebrows together in concern. “Oh, I’m sorry, my little Grey,” she said. “Dad isn’t here. He’s in a meeting with Chief Hroar and the other Widerwestern chiefs now.”
Grey groaned as she slumped in disappointment. “Aw man…that’s today?” Grey asked. As the Chief’s second-in-command, it was Sven’s job to attend meetings with the Chief, and that included the annual meeting with the Wilderwestern chiefs. Usually that involved the chiefs coming to Haligan Island or Sven and Hroar having to travel, and this year the meeting was on Haligan Island.
“I’m afraid so, dear,” Ingrid said nodding.
Grey sighed. “Did he say how long it would take?” she asked.
“He didn’t,” Ingrid replied, “but perhaps, if you sit down and have some breakfast and get your chores done, you and Dad might have some time to train by the time he’s done.”
Grey smiled. “Okay,” she said. She took her coat off and walked over to the fish basket pulling out some fish for Shadow before taking her place at the table to wait for breakfast.
——————
Sven sat with Chief Hroar at the head of the table in the Great Hall. All morning the Wilderwestern chiefs had been pouring in with their elders and second-in-commands all morning, and they all congregated around the large table ready to start the meeting. Once everyone was settled in, he turned to his best friend, Chief Hroar signaling him that the meeting was to commence.
Chief Hroar stood up and silenced the crowd. “Fellow chieftains, elders, sirs,” he said, “it is with great pleasure that Sir Sven and I welcome you to Haligan Island for the annual meeting of the chiefs.”
Applause and cheers rang out in the Great Hall.