39. Voyage

                                    

                                          
***
                          
By the next morning, Victor had arrived at Berk. He was waiting for Iris in the Great Hall with Hiccup. When she entered with Tuffnut, Victor smiled widely. Holdin out his arms for a hug, he expressed, "look at you! How proud you must be to become a mother."
                          
Iris smiled in return and accepted the hug. "I didn't expect you so soon," she admitted as they released one another. 
                          
"Stormchaser and I came as soon as we got your letter," Victor explained, frowning in empathy, "I'm so sorry for the loss; Thorn was a great man."
                          
"Yes, he was," Iris agreed. Then, it was time to get down to business. They talked for hours, discussing what could've happened, and if it could be connection to the previous invader dragons. 
                          
"Hmm.." Victor hummed. Putting a hand to his chin, he thought. 
                          
"What is it?" Iris wondered aloud. 
                          
Victor gave her a grave look and explained, "I'd hear an old legend that some dragon species were born opposites, and have the ability to equalize one another."
                          
"Uh, what's that supposed to mean?" Tuff's voice was confused and worried. 
                          
"It means, my friend, that if it's true," Victor began, "your sand wraiths may never get their healing properties back."
                          
Iris squinted her eyes; something wasn't right. "How would that work, Victor?" She questioned. 
                          
"Well, it could be as simple as an exchange of fire, acid, or, in this case, venom," he furthered his explanation. "It is said that such opposing species stay away from one another, not wanting to risk losing their abilities. But it seems these devilish dervish came after you, instead."
                          
"It would seem that way.." Iris agreed, still not feeling quite right about the subject. 
                          
"And you think this legend could be real?" Hiccup asked. 
                          
Victor gave the chief a sideways grin, "for as long as I've studied dragons, I've proven more than a few legends to be quite real." He then frowned and looked to Iris, "I'm very sorry."
                          
"..No...there has to be a cure," Iris demanded. 
                          
"...There may be one," Victor hesitated, "but it's far too big a risk to take, especially for you right now."
                          
"I want to hear it," Iris told him firmly, "those are my people, my dragons."
                          
Victor sighed and began to pace slowly, hands clasped behind his back. "If the venom of the devilish dervish could be administered to your wraiths in combination with their own, perhaps," he spoke unsurely, "but I've no idea if it will work."
                          
Hiccup gave Iris a firm head nod before announcing, "if we have a shot, we have to take it."
                          
"Does this mean we have to go milk a devilish dervish, for it's venom?" Tuffnut asked, fearing he already knew the answer. 
                          
"I'm afraid so," Victor responded, "on the bright side, it won't be too long of a sail; I know of an island inhabited by these dragons not far from here."
                          
"Wait, sail?" Hiccup questioned. 
                          
Victor shook his head, "my apologies, I should've clarified. We cannot fly there, it would be much too risky for our dragons."
                          
"I can't say I disagree with you," Iris added. She then sighed deeply and asked, "when will we be set to leave." The three men gave her wide-eyed looks. "What?" Iris wondered. 
                          
"Iris, I don't think you should go," Tuff began hesitantly, placing a comforting hand on his love's shoulder. 
                          
Iris gave him a weak smile before responding, "I'm sorry, Tuff, but I have to. I know it's dangerous, but this is to save my people."
                          
Tuffnut sighed and responded, "then there's no way I'm not coming, too."
                          
"Perfect, we'll leave at noon," Victor confirmed, then turned to Hiccup, "is it possible we may borrow a ship?"
                          
Hiccup smiled, "Eret has a ship that hasn't been used since the war; ask him." Victor gave the chief a respectful head nod. "I would join you, but I'm afraid I'll be all tied up today," Hiccup frowned. 
                          
"Not to worry," Victor told him, "a smaller party is better, anyways."
                          
"Uh, I don't think we should have a party on an island full of deadly dragons," Tuffnut suggested. 
                          
Victor looked like he had no idea what to say, which made Iris smile in amusement. "Does he know..?" Victor began. 
                          
"Don't worry about it," Iris assured her friend with a grin. Then the three were off to find Eret. 
                          
***
                          
The dark ocean water moved slowly against the wood of Eret's ship as they sailed off later that day. Iris took on the deck, leaning on the railing of the left front of the ship. Eret had Tuff helping him with the sails, which left Iris alone for a bit. However, she was quite thankful to have this alone time; there were some things she needed to think about. 
                          
But as fate would have it, her thoughts were interrupted by a friendly voice. "Are you alright?" Victor asked as he approached Iris with a worried frown. 
                          
Iris looked out to the horizon and sighed, "I'll be fine, once the sand wraiths are back to normal."