The Dragon Master

Chapter 4 - New Heir

As his mind was struggling, a rough hand gripped her shoulder.

"Hey babe, you look really tired and hungry," Snotlout said seductively. "Let us eat-"

Before Snotlout could finish his words, a heavy fist landed directly on his face.

"First don't call me babe, I'd rather marry Yeti than be your 'babe'," Astrid exclaimed angrily. Her fists were still threatening the pained Snotlout. "And secondly, I don't want to eat with a jerk like you!"

This performance resulted in a lot of murmuring.

"Owhh"

"Great"

"A Valkyrie dropped a mutton's head"

Astrid, who didn't care about the muttering, walked with steady steps towards the nearest table to eat. There she was greeted by her father. Harold gave his daughter a proud smile. He seemed to have noticed the incident.

"Well done Astrid, what a shot!" Harold exclaimed in praise. Astrid smiled while sit beside him.

"We just need to increase the power," said Harold again. "At least it might not only break the kid's nose, but get his head off of it!"

"Harold!" cried Ingrid, who had been by his side for some time.

"Sorry just kidding."

Astrid just laughed lightly while turning her head. Her father had a strange and terrible sense of humor. He is a very good and skilled fighter. You could say he became Berk's three best fighters, apart from Stoick the Vast and Spitelout Jorgenson. Harold is a very cheerful person, but when it comes to Hiccup, he immediately becomes cold. Harold seems to really hate Hiccup.

A big, heavy step towards the table where Astrid and her parents were.

"Hello Harold!"

Astrid looked back and presented their chief, Stoick the Vast.

"Hello Ingrid, Astrid." he cried again.

"Aye Stoick!" answered Harold cheerfully.

Stoick smiled slightly and sat down in a chair. Astrid thought silently. It was not usual for the tribal chief to sit with a small family. Usually, tribal chiefs will sit on their thrones or sometimes gather at a table to discuss matters. Harold seemed to have realized it too.

"Sorry Stoick uh chief, didn't mean to be rude," said Harold awkwardly. "It's not usual for you to sit with a small family, I mean you're chief and-"

Stoick interrupted Harold with a laugh. The Hofferson family's face was slightly confused.

"So you noticed that huh," Stoick said with a chuckle. "Here, how do you start?"

Astrid noticed the awkwardness in Chief Stoick's voice. It's not like the usual Stoick. A voice booming with incredible authority, now speaking awkwardly? What is it?

"All right," Stoick said with a clearing throat, straightening his oversized body. "What Hiccup did this morning, not really, the bad things that Hiccup has done so far have been very detrimental to the village. I've always noticed that that kid is just causing trouble which could lead to disaster for Berk,"

"I've been thinking all day," he continued. "Hiccup isn't like your average viking, he's too small, too weak and too ugly. He could never be a viking, let alone chief. I mean, well, I noticed that my nephew Snotlout isn't cut out for this title, he's too stupid and reckless, so,"

Harold and Ingrid's faces brightened. They seemed to begin to understand the direction of this conversation. Astrid, who was listening to this conversation, understood even more. Is it?

"I see that Astrid fits this title perfectly," said Stoick. "Astrid is strong, smart, dedicated and confident. This makes her a good match for what I'm about to release."

"Basically I decided to have Astrid replace Hiccup to become Berk's heir."

Hearing that last sentence, Astrid's eyes widened in surprise. This was so unexpected. Wait! If Hiccup is no longer heir to Berk, then his life will be over. That is, the title became Hiccup's main weapon when he was being bullied. By losing his title, people will freely bully him. Astrid couldn't think at all.

There was an uncomfortable silence in this group conversation. Until finally Harold broke the awkwardness.

"Are you serious?!" asked Harold excitedly.

Stoick laughed. But Astrid noticed there was a hint of sadness in his laugh. Like a sadness held so hard.

"Sure," Stoick replied. "Congratulations Hoffersons, and Astrid, chief training will be taking place next month."

With that Stoick got up, smiling. He walked back to his throne, leaving the Hoffersons behind.

Harold and Ingrid squealed with joy and hugged each other. They muttered words of gratitude like 'Odin always has a plan' or 'Thor's hammer flew through Berk and worked wonders for the Hoffersons'. However, Astrid was not listening. Her mind is blank. She ignored her parents who were now hugging her and saying how proud they were to have a daughter like her.

"I, will become the chief of the Berk tribe?"