A/N: A tremendous apology to all the readers who have waited for this chapter. So sorry I wasn't able to update.

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Swords Of Wisdom

Sixteen

Tracker

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Kristoff and the crew arrived at a tavern near a lake in Risto forest. Crystal didn’t know where the place Derek was talking about so they had to travel on horseback. It took them two days to reach the tavern.

After getting off of their horses, they made their way to the tavern door. Suddenly, the tavern door burst open and out flew a man. He landed on the dirt ground, hard. Maria and Merida exchange looks, wondering what happened. There were noises coming from inside of the tavern. Men laughing and yelling.

Derek led the folks inside. Inside of tavern was filled with people. Men and women, mostly men were drinking and were totally drunk. Crystal and the girls gagged at the smell of alcohol. Kristoff stood, studying everyone with interest. All the men had on helmets with horns on both sides. They were big and hairy. They were wearing clothes like in winter.

“See your friend yet?” Kristoff asked Derek.

Derek’s eyes roamed the tables until his eyes fell upon a dark haired woman. The woman was arm wrestling with a big buff man. From a distance, Derek could see that the woman was wining. After all the strength the man was putting on his arm to win, somehow the woman smashed his hand on the table, declaring her win. Kristoff and the girl’s jaw dropped. How can a small woman put down a man like that?

The woman took a cup of wine and brought it up to her lips to drink. But before she could do that, the man who had just been defeated, pushed her hand away, angrily. The woman was able to catch her drink before it fell. The man brought his hand forward to punch her, but the woman side stepped him and went behind him. She tried to drink her wine again but the man turned around with his axe and tried to cut her. The woman threw her cup up and with a fast pace, she ducked and kicked the man’s legs making him fall down on his stomach. The man passed out due to the how many drinks he had drank. The woman caught her cup as it fell down and proceed to her drinking.

The gang stood and stared at the woman who Derek told them that her name was Erika and she was going to help them. Well he at least hoped.

After a minute of silence, “I don’t know her but I like her,” commented Merida with a huge smile.

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Jack was dragged in to the prison cell by two guards. They pushed him inside and he landed unceremoniously on all fours. After closing the cell gate, the two guards left.

Jack looked around him and saw hay grasses and a blanket at the corner of the cell room. He let out a tired sigh and folded his legs and arms. What can he do while staying here for twenty-four hours?

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Erika took her seat while enjoying her drink, unaware of the group that were approaching her. She caught sight of Derek and scoffed.

“Oh look who it is,” she said with sarcasm. “It’s Mr Pouty boy. Where’s your crazy sister?”

“You don’t need to know,” said Derek, his voice deep. 

Erika snickered impolitely, “I do need to know, I want to get back at her for cutting my long beautiful hair.”

Maria and the girls realized that Erika’s hair was in a weird shape. The hairs at the front were long down her shoulders, but the hairs at the back was just down her neck.

“Your sister did that?” Crystal asked Derek.

Erika turned her attention to Crystal who stood beside Derek. “You already found a girlfriend to replace me? I’m deeply hurt, Derek,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

Both Crystal and Derek almost fell over. “I’m not his – She’s not my girlfriend,” they both said simultaneously while glaring at Erika.

“Whatever you say! Now what do you want?”

“We need you to track someone,” said Derek.

“And who might this person be?”

“My brother, Jack,” Maria stepped in. “Will you help us, please?”

Erika raised an eyebrow, “What’s in it for me?”

Derek diverted his gaze to Maria and Kristoff. Kristoff knew what Erika was implying and said, “We’ll give you five hundred gold coins.”

Erika licked her lips and smirked, “This Jack must be really valuable, no?” Erika stood up and threw her cup to the bartender who was able to catch it. “Come on.” She led them out the door and into the forest.

They stopped at a spot where there were no trees but only grass. Erika turned and faced them.

“What are we doing here?” questioned Merida.

Erika smirked and looked up at the sky. The gang followed her. There was nothing but white clouds in the sky. What was she looking at? And then they saw it. A bird was flying towards them. But when it came close it didn’t look like a bird at all. It had long sharp tail and wings. It looked more like a…

“Dragon!” exclaimed Maria in fright as she and Merida turned to run away.

“No, don’t!” Derek stopped them.

They watched with wide eyes as the dragon landed on the ground where Erika stood. Erika went and hugged it on the face. “That’s my boy! Did you miss me?” she was saying to him.

“You have a dragon for a pet?” exclaimed Merida with awe.

“He’s not a pet, he’s my friend, Tracker,” Erika said while stroking Tracker’s head. “Tracker can track down anybody in the world.”

“If he’s your friend, then you must be from Berk,” said Crystal after thinking. She had heard stories about vikings being dragon riders at the a place called Berk.

Erika nodded, “Yep. Now do you guys have anything that belongs to Jack?”

Everyone turned to Maria and Kristoff. Maria shook her head, no. They haven’t got anything. Somethings that belonged to Jack was in the ship and ship sank. But maybe, some didn’t.

“We could go back to the sea or the shore, maybe we can find something,” suggested Maria hopefully.

“But it’ll take another two or three days to get there,” said Merida.

Derek nodded in agreement and looked at Erika. “But on a dragon it’ll take few hours.”

Erika shrugged, “I could take you guys there but I’m afraid it’s just one dragon,” said Erika. Derek narrowed his eyes at her. Erika knew what he meant and sigh. “Alright fine! I’ll go bring some more dragon riders with their dragons. But first off, give me the money.”

“Why?” asked Kristoff, not sure if she’s going to come back.

“It’s for proof. They’re not going to believe me if I go and say some people need help and paid me five hundred gold coins.” Kristoff sighed in defeated and handed the money to her. Erika smiled in victory, “Oh I can’t wait to see their faces when they see this! I’m telling you, Vikings have never seen this much money before.” She went on Tracker’s back and Tracker took off up in the sky.

They all watched as Erika disappeared into the sky.

“Did we just loose our only gold coins?” Maria wondered out loud. 
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A/N: It's not much but please bear with me!
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Also if you have any ideas for a cover for swords of wisdom, do PM me.