They landed on a dock in Iceland.
Even though it was summer, there was a chill.
The Orcs that they were used to hauled the airship just like they normally would.
The only difference was that there were no songs or laughter.
The thick steel chains made sure of that.
As the ship was secured, Grizzly spoke.
"I need you three to wait for me here. I need to make some arrangements."
Bell asked, "How long will you be gone?"
She sounded very anxious.
"I don't know, I have to find out where the trial is and how far out Aleksandar is."
She just nodded at his answer.
Eragon spoke up.
"Why can't we wait on the ship?"
The old man sighed.
"They are afraid you will try to run; they need to see you."
Ryan looked around.
All the people wore pelts.
What was strange was the way these pelts were worn over regular clothes.
They were barbarians, but they weren't stupid.
Ryan felt a smile form on his lips at the thought.
He shook his head to clear it of unnecessary thoughts.
He needed to focus.
"Ryan? Why do you do that?"
He looked over to Bell.
"Do what?"
"I don't know how to explain it. You try to get rid of happy thoughts, I guess?"
He looked at her with a frown.
"I need to stay focused on the mission."
He said it as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"We aren't on a mission. We are here to help Eragon."
He took a deep breath.
"What if things do not go according to plan? We might have to fight our way out, and I have to be ready."
He felt another pang as she looked down while wringing her hands.
After a moment, she looked up.
"I know. You don't have to worry on your own. Come sit with us and we'll work on battle strategies."
He nodded and followed her to sit next to the Draconian.
There were three stools next to the airship.
He had thought she was serious, but Eragon had handheld game systems for the three of them.
"I am glad you could join us. As the newcomer, you have first dibs on what we play."
For a moment, Ryan wanted to yell at him, but he relented with a half-smile.
"Street Fighter, and this time I will beat you."
This caused Eragon to laugh.
"We are brave today, let's get it on."
They played together for about an hour, and in between the games, Eragon told them about the Dwarven Queen.
"The King said that I helped without parley, but I just blanked. I wanted to ask for gold later, but I forgot."
Bell slapped him on the back.
"Sure you did. You're a terrible liar."
Ryan had a smile as they bantered.
That smile vanished when he heard snickering.
He saw three young men standing on the other side of their ship.
"What do we have here? A blue lizard, a ginger and a pocketknife ear?"
Before the others could answer, Ryan answered, "A blue Dragon."
Everyone on both sides was stunned by his words.
Eragon laughed, and Bell shot up and stomped towards them.
"He is a half-Elf."
As she got close, one of them pulled back his fist.
Ryan ran as fast as he could.
Just before the man's fist reached Bell's face, he managed to grab his wrist and slammed his elbow into the attacker's face.
He was knocked out.
Ryan placed his hand on Bell's shoulder and moved her behind him.
"Do you two wish to fight too?"
They looked at their friend on the ground and advanced.
The first tried to punch, but Ryan blocked with his elbow.
A crunch was heard as his finger broke.
Ryan grabbed his wrist in a split second and threw him over his shoulder.
As he fell, Ryan darted to the next attacker.
He ducked underneath another punch and struck him in the ribs.
As the man doubled over, Ryan grabbed the back of his head and drove his face into his knee.
In a few seconds, three young men were lying on the ground.
They all groaned in pain.
He looked back at Bell, and her eyes were wide.
Eragon stood next to her as she spoke to Ryan.
"Ryan, what was that?"
He frowned, "What do you mean? They wanted to fight."
She held up her hands, a small blush crept up her neck.
"Not that."
She looked like she wanted to say more, but she stayed silent.
Ryan was confused. What did she mean?
Eragon spoke up as he turned her to him.
"That doesn't matter, B. What does matter is that you are ok."
As they spoke, they heard a person laugh.
It was an older man with white hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Good day, young man," he held out his hand to Ryan, "My name is Bjorn, and I was quite impressed by your skill."
Ryan looked him over.
He wore a clean silver suit with a loincloth over his trousers.
He shook his hand.
"I heard the Vikings hated half-breeds."
The older man smiled at him.
"Those values are outdated. I would prefer for us to be more progressive."
Eragon moved next to Ryan.
"If that is the case, how about you shake my hand?"
Ryan noticed a small twitch in Bjorn's eyes as he shook Eragon's hand.
Bell then entered the conversation.
"Why did those jerks attack us?"
The group looked at the trio limping away.
Bjorn sighed, "They are taught wrong by their parents, and their parents are taught wrong by the Guild. It is an ignorant cycle."
Eragon then asked, "If that is the case, what can you do about it?"
Bjorn looked at him with a smile.
"I can't do anything. It is the people who have to decide. They have to decide that another's life is worth something."
Bjorn then drew their attention to the Orcs working.
"These poor creatures, they have to toil so that we can live easier lives. If they were not here, that would signify their value to my people."
Bell decided to ask, "Why don't you just set them free?"
"Not only will my people revolt, they will be more radical in their beliefs."
After a few seconds of thought, Bell asked again, "How would you set the Orcs free?"
He smiled at her, "You need to use traditions to your advantage. That is the only way you can have the elders and youngsters agree."
Ryan listened to the old man.
He then asked, "What traditions can help us?"
"You have stumbled onto one of the important ones. Don't you find it odd that you fought in the street and you weren't punished?"
Ryan looked at the streets, and people were walking as if nothing had happened.
Eragon spoke up, "You bring up a good point. What is your deal with fighting?"
"In the Viking Clan, strength is vital, and you can make wagers or just fight for fun."
Before the crew could speak, he looked at his watch.
"It seems that I have to go. I wish you luck."
He turned and walked away.
Eragon looked at the others.
"Was that weird to you guys, too?"
Bell nodded, "Who was he?"
Ryan said, "He is probably highly ranked."
Bell then frowned and asked, "What makes you say that?"
"The way he spoke, and how he just happened upon us. He knew we would be here and wanted to use us in his scheme."
Eragon scratched his chin, "If his scheme also helps the Orcs, it can't be all bad."
Bell then said, "Yes, but why would he come to us?"
Eragon thought for a moment.
"Maybe it has something to do with the trial. He could try to leverage that."
Bell looked lost.
"How, though?"
Ryan processed everything.
"He gave us all the information. If he truly wants to free the Orcs, he will set the stage for us."
Eragon nodded, "It really doesn't matter if we try to figure out what happens. How about another game?"
The next half hour was spent on idle chatter about Eragon's escapades in the Dwarven city while they waited for Grizzly.
When he finally arrived, he seemed older.
He took a big drag.
"I have some bad news, all the Guilds are here. They want to meet all of you."
Bell stood up.
"Is Aleksandar here?"
Grizzly shook his head.
"The trial won't officially start without him, but they still want to meet you."
Ryan looked up at Grizzly.
"That sounds like intimidation tactics."
The old man smiled with the cigarette dangling from his mouth.
"That is because it is. Don't worry, nothing will happen to you while I'm here."
They all got up and followed Grizzly.
Eragon held back with Ryan.
He whispered into his ear, "Earlier, Bell thought it was super cool that you defended her."
Ryan froze, then blushed and then walked next to Eragon that he was shielded from Bell's view.