Silvertip Mountain after dark

Another voice rose up, the howl long and powerful, making Toothless's note sound incredibly weak in comparison. It shuddered at the unearthly noise so close by, pressing itself against the boulder instinctively. Its eyes darted to Leader and when it saw that it was her jaws that were parted in song, its ears quivered upright. It watched and listened, its fear dissipating to be replaced with admiration and a fierce sense of loyalty—not that Toothless realized it consciously.

Springing to its feet, it bounded after Leader when her song ceased and she began to lope up the mountain with Toothless hot on her heels. In fact, it was so eager this night to stick close to her that when she stopped, it bounced into her hind leg and fell backward as if it had slammed into a wall. Unhurt but surprised, its ears flattened and it chuffed apologetically, squeezing its eyes closed in case of pending punishment. When none came, it slowly cracked open an eye and lifted its head. And another notch of trust was writ into its wordless mind.

At first, it didn't understand Leader's gestures, though they were emphatic and drew its attention. But, though Toothless was mute, childish and feral, it was not dumb. It realized, from Leader's earlier call and now her gesticulations, that she wanted it to help her track. Toothless wondered if she was looking for a den again, then shook its head no. Judging by the bloodlust in her voice—and in her murky brown eyes, now that it glanced at them—she was on the hunt.

Typically expressionless, Toothless's face suddenly transformed. Its eyes narrowed slightly, its ears slicked backward and a strange grin crawled onto its black lips. Its teeth slowly became exposed and its tail gave a single, whipping lash. It hadn't survived all on its own by magic and here now was the chance to give back to Leader by demonstrating the skills of a Night Fury.