Cloud's Journey: Home

Mystery Search

How had Bjorg gotten in and out of my house without my knowing? I mused the next morning. And why didn't he take anything? I had searched my house--twice--and found nothing missing.

Confused, I closed the door and walked into town. The incident was strange. I would have to ask Bjorg, or maybe Egil, about it.

I was looking for either of them in town when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Cloud!" Fishlegs called as he approached.

"Hi, Fishlegs." I waved. "What's up?"

"Those Hexaplex trunculus papers you gave me? There was a language in the notes I couldn't understand, but last night I found a book translating it. It talked about how rare and expensive the Hexaplex dye is. But that's not the point. Do you still have that message in the bottle?"

"I have the message , but not the bottle." I told him, crossing my arms.

"Well I want to see if it's the same language and if we can translate it." Fishlegs said. "Do you mind?"

"No." I smiled. "That's fine. Come on!"

I ran to the stairs, Fishlegs behind me, and went for rolled up message. I frowned, and scanned the stairs.

"What's wrong?"

"It's gone." I said.

"Gone?"

"Gone!" My voice's pitch rose a bit. How hadn't I noticed? Bjorg must have stolen it.

"But why did he?" I mused out loud. "Was it valuable?"

"Why did who steal what valuable?" Fishlegs asked.

Should I tell him? No, it was too early. Or was it? The dragon riders could help me solve this mystery.

"I explain later." I told him, striding to the door.

"Where are you going?" Fishlegs' voice went high with worry and confusion.

I left and closed the door behind me. I knew Fishlegs wouldn't ransack my house.

Now where was the guest home? I tried to remember where I had seen Stoick escort the Skellingtons on their first night here. I scanned each house. All looked the same.

Maybe they would be at the dock. I realized. They were building a boat to get off Berk, weren't they?

I ran in the direction of the docks. Stopping on an overhang to catch my breath, I looked down below. There were men working, and there was a half finished ship, but from the height I couldn't tell if the Skellingtons were there.

To get to the docks I had to make my way down ramps that scaled a cliff. It was a long way down. Out of instinct I stayed closer to the cliff side of the ramps.

On the docks, the salty air was filled with the bustling of men carrying fish or equipment and the splash of the sea on the sides of the boats. Moving around people as I headed for the half finished ship, I searched the men for a sign of the two brothers.

Hammering away on its side, Bjorg raised his head. When he saw me, he smiled and walked over.

"Mornin', Lass." He greeted. "Wha' brings ye 'ere?"

"Mr. Skellington," I crossed my arms. "I was wondering if you've seen a rolled-up piece of paper. One has gone missing from my house."

Bjorg's smile was replaced with a frown. "No, I don't know wha' yer talkin' about."