Chapter One: The Calm Before the Storm


The dusk sky lit up in a brilliant orange as he wandered aimlessly in the streets. The crowds of people all hailed and acknowledged him, most smiling at his presence. As was his usual custom, Ukiah took Arrow for walk through Thariin early evening, to help boost his people's moral, since they were still rebuilding. That, and it was good for him to let his mind clear up from the daily tasks of being a chief.

Arrow himself was much larger. Now up to his waist, the Sand Wraith was almost big enough for him to ride. Almost.

"Careful Arrow, don't want to knock anyone over again." He called out, seeing his dragon run ahead to some kids playing in the central square.

As he was basking in the growth and recovery of Thariin, an oddly familiar voice called out to him. At first, he couldn't believe it. It sounded like-

"Ukiah! Ukiah! There you are!"

"Hiccup?" Confused, Ukiah turned around to see Hiccup running up to him. "Hiccup? Wh-what are you doing here?!" He gasped, seeing him run straight to him. "When did you arrive?! I had no idea! Is everything alright?"

"Alright? I'm fine! In fact, I want you to meet someone!"

More confused than ever, Ukiah watched Hiccup beckon someone forward.

A shadow, with no features or details emerged. Floating out of a dark alley, it made him instinctively reach for his sword on his back.

"Hey! Come on now! We're friends! We've known each other for a long while!" Hiccup laughed, wrapping one arm around the shadow. The shadow simply smiled, though with a sinister expression.

"Hiccup, I-I don- I don't get what's happening?" Ukiah stammered, shaking his head as if to help him understand. "Where's Astrid? Matt? What about Darien and Zekir? What happened to them? Why are you here?"

The shadow then spoke up, sounding like a ghost. "Darien's not the enemy. I am."

With wide eyes, Ukiah watched the shadow magically have a knife appear in his free hand. Without a second thought, he plunged it into Hiccup's heart!

"No!" He screamed, reaching to try and stop the killing of his friend and brother by oath. He was too late! Grabbing the wrist, he was shocked to feel nothing! It went right through! Even through Hiccup!

"Ahahahahahaha!" The shadow laughed manically, letting Hiccup's body drop.

"No…no!" He screamed, dropping to his knees to try and save Hiccup.

Suddenly, the shadow reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him. "Ukiah? What's wrong?! Ukiah! Wake up!"

Gasping for breath, Ukiah found himself looking up at his wife's face, Lydia. Staring at him with wide eyes and a terrified expression, she simply waited for him to respond.

"I…I…sorry. I didn't mean to shout…" He breathed out, feeling more confused and terrified. What did he just see?

"Another nightmare?" She asked, helping him sit up in their bed.

Breathing loudly, he looked around their chamber. The balcony was open, letting in the warm, summer night air in. Sitting up, the pale moonlight gave away the details of all the scars over his shirtless body and missing arm. It was a constant reminder of what he went through, and what he was supposed to become. A murderer.

"I…I don't know. I hope it was just a nightmare…" He whispered, kicking the covers off and walking over to a still lit candle. Using it to light a torch on the wall, he then stepped out onto the balcony to observe his kingdom, taking in deep breaths of fresh air.

Lydia pulled her nightgown tighter as she followed him, now even more concerned. "What do you mean you hope it was just a nightmare?"

Shaking his head, he rubbed his face with his one hand to help wake up. "I saw…Hiccup."

"Hiccup? Just him?"

"No. I saw him and…something else."

"What do you mean something else? And why dream of him now? You haven't talked to or seen him for a few good months now." She asked, swallowing visibly.

"I don't think it was a dream…" He whispered. "I think it was…it was a vision. Another one."

"Wait. Like the one you got about you leading our men into battle?" She asked with a horrified expression.

Only able to nod, he bowed his head almost in shame. "Gods, I thought I was done with them."

"And…what happened to Hiccup?"

"He was killed. By that something or someone I didn't recognize. And it was someone that he trusted. He was a friend with whatever it was. At least, that was how Hiccup made it sound."

"And the friend killed him?"

Again, Ukiah nodded, bowing his head a second time.

Pondering the news, Lydia was actually pretty quick to respond. Spinning around, she marched to the door, leaving him staring at her in confusion.

As she opened it, she called for one of the servants that were there on standby, in case there was need by either of them.

"My lady!" The servant gasped, standing up from her chair. Obviously, it wasn't common for them to ask for something in the middle of the night.

"Prepare two packs for a couple week journey. Include Chief Ukiah's personal armory, his armor, my traveling gear, my father's sword, and enough rations to last us at least a week of hard traveling." She ordered, sounding firm but kind at the same time.

"O-of course, milady." The servant acknowledged, bowing with respect. "May I ask why?"

"We need to go to Berk for an important reason." She answered, slowly closing the door. "Make sure everything is ready so all we have to do is get Lasher and Arrow ready. Understand?"

"I'll make sure it's done, milady." The servant replied, spinning around and marching down the stone hallway.

"What are you doing?" Ukiah asked, walking up to her as she closed the door.

"Thariin's healed. It can be on its own with the advisors you have in your council. We need to go to Berk and tell Hiccup. Possibly help him too."

"And you're coming?"

"I'm your wife. Of course I'm coming." She barked, challenging any chance that he wouldn't let her come. "Besides, Hiccup's not just your friend either!"

Ukiah let a slight smile grow on his face. He didn't know how he got someone as understanding as her. Honestly, she was the reason he hadn't lost his mind while learning how to rule. "You sure about this? I don't even know if there's a problem to begin with."

"Ukiah, I've learned to trust you and your intuition more than you realize." She growled annoyingly. "You were able to find those raiders hiding in Fallis Woods, after scores of men couldn't even find their tracks! You stopped a pirate attack with just a handful of men and Arrow, since you knew they wouldn't attack if they saw a large army! If you think something's wrong, we'll go and see for ourselves! Besides, you need to talk to the other chiefs of the Archipelago. Not only will Stoick be happy to see you, but you also need to start outreaching to others to improve relations."

Nodding, he leaned forward and kissed her on the head. "Then we leave at day break."

Smiling, she leaned over and grabbed his sword, being made out of the finest steel, but shaped like a square with a right triangle tip. The back was serrated, and the front of the blade was sharper than most razors. It was the same style of his old sword before he became chief. "I think you'll need this then."


Matt Haddock quietly opened the door to the hut. Everything was still. Peaceful. No sound of anyone being awake yet.

"…stay…" He whispered, turning to signal Wasatch and Windshear to stay outside. Creeping forward, he smiled as he saw the two beds at the end of the house. As expected, the one on the right sat up and glared at him.

"Shhh…" He whispered, putting a finger on his lips.

The individual, being Dagur, instantly smiled. Nodding excitedly, he bit his lip and turned to stare at the sleeping individual nearby with his usual insane excitement.

Smiling, Matt creeped further towards the sleeping individual. Peering over the unsuspecting person, he slowly pulled back the blanket to reveal Heather out like a light. Her hair was a mess, and she was wearing a simple grey linen tank top and some brown shorts.

Letting a mischievous smile take over his face, he shouted. "Happy nineteenth birthday!"

Gasping, she looked up just in time to see Matt tackle her. "Gah! Wha-"

"Hahaha!" He shouted, laughing as she tried to break out of his grapple.

"Matt! Wh-what are you doing?!"

"Kidnapping you!" He laughed. Using one arm, he wrapped it around her to pin her arms to her body. With his free hand, he wrapped a cloth around her head, blindfolding her.

"Get off of me, Matt!"

"Here, brother! Let me help you!" Dagur laughed, jumping out of bed and helping hold her down.

With Dagur helping, he was finally able to tie the blindfold tightly on her.

"Gah! I'm going to kill you two!" She shouted, shaking her head violently to try and shake off the cloth.

Matt and Dagur then held her arms, dragging her out of bed and outside.

Feeling the cool air, she jerked back as hard as she could. "Rrggghh! Let me go! Seriously! What are you doing?!"

Matt and Dagur sniggered, not replying to her rants. "Come on, Windshear! Help us out!"

"Windshear? Agh!"

Windshear roared happily, wrapping her tail around her and pinning her arms to her side.

"Windshear! No! Stop!" She shouted, being lifted into the air and kicking fruitlessly.

"Thanks, Dagur! I'll make sure she gets home sometime today. Or tonight." Matt laughed, jogging to Wasatch.

"Hahahaha, have fun sis!" Dagur laughed, waving at her even though she couldn't see.

"I'm going to kill you! Both of you! Couldn't even let me get changed?!"

"Kidnappee's have no say in the matter!" Matt laughed, climbing on Wasatch. "Come on boy! Let's make this a quick trip!"

Wasatch roared happily, as did Windshear. Raising their wings, they then launched into the air.

"Wagh!" Heather shouted, unable to see what was happening. "Matt! This is not a birthday treat! Gah! Windshear! Put me down!"

"Come on girl! Got some sea slugs for you where we're going!" Matt laughed, knowing he had bought Windshear's love. At least for the moment.

"Maaatt!"

Shaking his head, he continued to fly to a designated spot he had set up the night before. A certain island that, well, to be fair, was a bit of a ride. He kind of felt bad for her riding situation.

Heather, still being towed behind Windshear, continued to struggle to shake the blindfold off. "Matt! I don't even have my boots! Or my axe!"

He replied with silence. All he did was smile to himself and continued to guide the two dragons to his destination, carving through the air to entertain himself.

Heather, reluctantly, gave into whatever Matt was planning. Being betrayed by Dagur, she was indeed kidnapped on her birthday! Not that she celebrated it before. She didn't even know when her real birthday was. At least, not until she returned back to Berserker Island.

The trip felt especially long for her, considering she couldn't see anything and she was being towed by Windshear instead of riding her. After what felt like hours, she felt her dragon dive down. "Finally!" She shouted. Feeling Windshear gently land, she simply waited to see what Matt had done.

"Alright, Windshear, let her down." He called, catching her as she was dropped.

"Wagh!" She cried, shocked as she fell into his arms. "Ergh…I'm going to kill you Matt. Give me one reason why I shouldn't."

"Well, I can't think of a reason. Maybe seeing this will save my hide though."

Feeling her blindfold finally taken off, she was about to deck him in the head, but gasped at what was ahead of her.

It was a green cove with a waterfall falling into the central pond. Trees shaded the more part of it, allowing shafts of light shooting through the few gaps, adding a mystery to the sight. It was a paradise! On top of that, it was all too familiar to her.

"Matt…we came back here? Why?" Still stunned, she walked over to the edge of the still pond. This was the place where Ukiah had saved Matt. And where she met Ukiah after he disappeared a second time.

"Well, for one reason. Two actually." He replied, sliding his duffle bag off and opening it up. "First reason, to give you a break. You've been working way to hard helping rebuild our home. So that's why I kidnapped you. You wouldn't have come willingly."

Heather rolled her eyes and nodded. That was probably true.

Pulling out her armor and usual clothes from his bag, he smiled as he walked over to hand them to her. "Sorry about this. But I know you way to well. You'd just buckle down and keep working. Not taking a moment for yourself. I mean, it's your first birthday that you remember. Or at least, know about for sure! And you're nineteen!"

Taking her armor, she smiled at him. "Villain." She whispered, as she walked over to Windshear.

"I know." He laughed, turning around to give her some privacy.

Within minutes, she was changed in her regular outfit. She was even able to braid her hair as she usually did.

"Ah, ready for the day?" He smiled, smitten by her. It was a regular thing now, but he always loved her rugged, tough appearance. Though he knew her tender heart.

"Almost." She smiled, walking up to him. Planting her foot behind his leg, she pushed him back and tripped him. Crashing him on his back, she then pinned him with her knee. Smiling at him, she then grabbed his snowboarding jacket and pulled him up to kiss him. "There. Now I'm ready."

"You're still as beautiful and cruel as the first day I met you." He teased.

"I know." She laughed, getting off him and pulling him up. "So…what's your plan? What was your second reason for coming here?"

"Well. Since we have a huge party already planned back at Berserker Island tonight, I figured we'd take the moment here to relax, spend time with each other, practice sparring, visit with the others."

"Sparring? Hah! I was wondering when you wanted to practice again!" She laughed but instantly froze. "Wait. The others? Who?"

"Happy birthday, Heather!"

Gasping, she whirled around to see Hiccup, Astrid, the twins, Fishlegs, and Snotlout burst through the bushes.

"He-hey! Baby!" Snotlout laughed aloud. "How could I not forget when it was your birthday?"

"Yeah, well…considering that you didn't know until this morning…" Ruffnut began to say.

"Shut your nut!" Snotlout barked.

Astrid smiled, jogging up to her and grabbing her in a hug. "It's so good to see you again! It's been awhile."

"It has! And you're getting better!" She laughed, happy to see her friend again. "How are your…"

"Wounds?" She asked with a wry smile. "Healed. They were just lacerations. Nothing permanent. If anything, my hair is still re-growing from when Zekir cut my braid."

Matt shook his head. The memory of finding Astrid bloodied and tortured, hanging from some chains and gagged. It was a nightmare. It was the first time he really remembered Hiccup ready to fight instead of talking when Ugo trapped them in the torture chamber to kill them all.

"It's over. At least, that bit is." Hiccup interrupted, walking up to Heather. With a light, friendly hug, he congratulated her. "Happy nineteenth, Heather."

"Thank you! I can't believe you're all here!" She laughed, smiling as she was surrounded by her friends and their dragons. "Wha-did Matt tell you about this?"

"This was all his idea." Hiccup answered, turning to look at him. "He planned it all."

"Yeah, about that Mister Dragon Boarder." Tuffnut growled, marching up to him and planting his finger on Matt's chest. "You really need to liven this party up!"

"Wh-what do you mean?" He stammered, backing off from the prodding.

Ruffnut then backed up her brother, glaring at Matt as well with folded up arms. "Yeah! You call yourself a planner? A serious celebrator?!"

"No! I never-"

"There's no boar wrestling! There's nothing explosive planned!" Tuffnut cried out. "What kind of party are you thinking of?! It's a disgrace!"

Matt tried to defend himself. "I mean, this isn't the party-"

"Don't give us your excuses! You will have to answer to Chicken when you come to the Edge to be charged for your crimes!"

"Ugh, you guys!" Fishlegs shouted, making all three turn to face him. "This is for Heather! We're here to do what she wants! The party is back at Berserker Island later tonight!"

"Oh. Well why didn't you say so?" Ruffnut replied, instantly backing off from Matt, as did Tuffnut.

"Gah! I tried-" He tried to shout back, only to be cut off again.

"Not now, Matt. It's Heather's moment right now." Tuffnut interrupted.

"Ggggaagghhh!" Matt growled, curling his fists in agonizing frustration.

Laughing, Heather looked at everyone. "Really? Whatever I want?"

Everyone nodded, smiling at the prospect.

"Well, since I know how hard Hiccup works you all…" She teased, smirking at him. "How about we just relax? Enjoy each other since we haven't been together for a while. Does that sound good to everyone?"

"Are you kidding! Yes!" Snotlout shouted, sprinting to the pond. Jumping up, he then cannonballed into it. With his head bursting from the water, he continued to praise her. "Heather is such a merciful, kind, compassionate, thoughtful, caring…"

"Wooh! Yeah!" Ruffnut shouted, followed by her brother as they both also jumped in the water.

"That sounds great!" Fishlegs replied with a large smile.

Matt nodded with a smile of his own. "Figured you'd enjoy your 'day off' with everyone. Glad you're taking advantage of this."

Heather smiled at him. "This is the best surprise I've ever had!"

"I don't know about that." He replied. "Come on, I'm tired. I was up super early trying to get everything ready. Including sneaking your clothes out without you knowing what I was doing."

Smirking at him, she then teased. "Oh? I'm sorry you had to wake up so early! I know it's a sacrifice when you can't sleep in half the day!"

"Excuse me? I've been working just as hard as you re-building and helping your village too!"

Laughing, Hiccup and Astrid wrapped their arms around them, pulling them along towards the pond. "Come on, you two can bicker later!"

"Sure. I'm sure you two haven't argued once since you're officially dating." Matt teased.

"Well…we're a little more than just dating…" Hiccup admitted. "Come on, we'll tell you all about it."


"Ship ho!"

Darien perked up from her desk, looking over the underground bay. A single lookout was running to her with an excited look.

"Darien! Darien! The ship is returning!"

"Good. I was getting a little worried." She huffed, standing up and closing the Dragon Book. Since it came into her possession, she hadn't stopped studying it, trying to memorize it and copy all the important notes. It wasn't the Dragon Eye, but it had some valuable information. Unfortunately, there was nothing on the dragon she had sent for. Thankfully though, the fact the ship was returning means that they were successful in acquiring and finding it.

Standing up, she began to order the men waiting for the ship to sail into the hidden fortress. "Get the ropes ready! Help unload when it's moored!"

"Yes, Darien!"

Standing on a balcony that overlooked her hidden base, she observed everything that she had built up. Lit up with a mixture of torches and jars of glowing liquid, thanks to Banshee, her base of operations would have been envied by Viggo. Her underground base was growing, with her men either going out hunting with their now five ship fleet, and those staying were tunneling deeper into the island acting as their hideout. Inside the bay, aside from the docks they built for at least three ships, the fort was both a home and operation center for the remaining Hunters. The cells and cages had their own section as well, allowing them to store dragons for when they had to fill a larger order for…customers.

"Ah, Darien!" A welcomed voice shouted, making her smile widely. "You haven't moved from that desk! I hope you remembered to eat something while I was gone."

"Zekir. I was curious if you were sunk at all. After not showing up two days ago, I feared you lost my ship!"

"It's back." He teased, leaping off the ship and onto the dock before it was moored. Landing solidly, he then stood up and gazed up at her. Wearing his usual iron chest plate and gauntlets, he had a hood on this time. He wore tan pants with brown boots, which complimented his blonde hair and ever growing beard. Patting the ship as he walked by it, he added. "It's mostly in one piece. Those buggers didn't take kindly to us bringing one of their own with us."

"Ah, so how did you do it?" She asked, walking towards some stairs.

"We took all of them." He laughed, walking to meet her. "Most survived. Er, some. Eh…actually…"

"Just the one you were looking for?" She asked, shaking her head at news.

"Figured the hides were worth more instead of their breaths. Besides, I can break the one when it doesn't have a pack to worry about. Or to reinforce its will to fight me."

"Fair enough. Dragons that usually live in packs are harder to contain anyways." She admitted.

"So, did you learn anything regarding the Shadow Wing?" He asked as he watched as a cage began to be hoisted off his ship. In the cage, scrambling around and screeching angrily, was a blue Shadow Wing.

"Nothing really. Other than they usually have a Titan wing that's the alpha…" Turning to him with a skeptical look, she asked. "How did you get past one of those? The notes say they're giant."

"We're going to need to restock on dragon root arrows." He huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Besides getting the dragon you want to train; do you have any other good news." She growled, shaking her head in slight frustration.

"I do, actually. Only lost six men this time."

"Zekir…" She growled.

"And picked up a score more." He replied with a wide smile. "Recruiting is being very successful. I sent one of our ships to the Northern Markets to pick up anyone else that wants to join. Heard there are a few over there that are interested in joining."

"Well, that is good news." She replied, shaking her head with a smile. Watching a column of new recruits get filed down the gangway, she tried to sound frustrated with her excited mood. "You're going to be the death of me, Zekir."

"Better me than others we know." He laughed as he watched the cage with his future dragon get loaded on a cart. "Lock it up and feed it minimally. I want two guards at it at all times; and they have to make its life miserable."

"Aye, Zekir!"

"Make its life miserable?" Darien repeated, raising an eyebrow as the dragon was carted past her and Zekir.

"I wasn't idle thinking about how to train this dragon. Since I know we only have the Dragon Book, which only has Hiccup's experience in it; and we don't have the Dragon Eye, which would help us know what to do. So…I took a page out of your book. With how you befriended Banshee.

A soft growl sounded behind them, making them turn to see the blue Flightmare looking at them curiously.

"I see. Show it that you're its friend." She replied, recalling the clear memory of how she trained Banshee. Plus, how she lost her left ring finger.

"Unless we find another way. Besides, when I show it that I'm the 'alpha', it'll naturally follow me."

"In theory." She admitted. "Did you capture it yourself?"

"No. When it was carted past us was the first time it saw me." He explained. "Has no idea I'm the one that got him. Unless he knew I was in the bush when I shot him with dragon root."

"Never say they didn't see you when you don't know." She cautioned, turning to see where the dragon was being carted too.

"Darien! We got…a visitor?"

Turning around, both she and Zekir saw a small, single mast boat coasting into the cave towards the docks.

"Must've saw us when we came in." Zekir muttered as he drew his longsword. "I'll make quick work of him. Or her. Whoever decided to come in."

"Wait. I'm sure they have a reason to be here. If not, then cut 'em in half." She growled angrily.

As the boat slowly moved to the dock, she and Zekir stood to receive it. A line of Hunters also lined up, drawing back their bows and taking aim.

"State your purpose, stranger." Zekir growled, stepping forward as the boat lightly hit the dock.

The stranger simply looked up at him with narrowed eyes. He had a cloak and hood on, with a cloth mask covering his eyes. "…this the remaining Hunters? Previously led by a Viggo and Ryker Grimborn…?"

"It is." Darien spoke up, standing next to Zekir. "I'm their leader now."

The stranger raised an eyebrow at the claim.

"What's it to you?" She demanded, already not liking his attitude.

"Nothing. I can already tell you're a cut above what Viggo and Ryker were."

"And…why's that?"

"They betrayed me when I brought them their bounty mark, Hiccup Haddock." The man growled, standing up in the boat. Taking off his hood and mask, he revealed himself. Being dark skinned, it wasn't hard to see the scar that ran down his right eye.

"And you are?" Zekir growled.

"Krogan."

"Well, Krogan, what do you want? And don't dodge the question." He growled.

"Simple. I'm searching for those that will help me find these." At that, he tossed them a small, shiny object.

Catching it, Darien held it up to show Zekir. It looked like a glass piece. A lens.

She raised it up to pear through the glass piece. "What's it for?"

"It's a lens for the Dragon Eye…and something that will lead us to the King of Dragons."

"King of Dragons?"

Krogan let an evil smirk grow on his face. "A powerful dragon…"

"And you're trying to find it." She replied with a frown. "Is this your way of saying that you're hiring us?"

"This is my invitation to helping find it." He replied with a shrewd smile. "I promise, you help me and my compatriot, you'll be rolling in gold, have armadas of ships, and your reputation will return as the most feared dragon hunters in, not the archipelago, but the world."

"While you have a King of Dragons." Zekir growled.

Darien eyed the lens skeptically. "And who's your partner?"

"Someone that will reveal themselves to you if you agree. And in his own time."

Zekir turned to Darien, frowning at the proposal.

Studying the lens, Darien then said. "Sadly, the Dragon Eye is destroyed. Gone. This is nothing more than piece of glass that has a fancy etch in it."

"You really think that the Dragon Eye isn't replaceable? Or that this lens' information can't be accessed? Surely some of Viggo's notes would have information on how to operate and create a Dragon Eye?"

Darien shrugged. "I haven't seen anything like that. At least in my studies and research."

"Then, I guess I'll take my leave then." He growled. "Pitiful. Here I thought you were a leader capable of great things."

"Who said anything about you leaving?" Zekir growled, not liking how Krogan was talking to Darien.

"Calm down. Both of you." She growled in annoyance, glaring at Zekir. "Tell you what. I won't make a promise, but I'll see what I can do. However, I expect compensation for my time. My men's time."

"Fair enough."

"And I want to meet your partner. If you want full cooperation, you will tell him that I expect to see him within a month. Surely that's enough time for him to decide to reveal himself to us."

"I can't promise that."

Darien frowned. Flicking the lens back to him, she growled. "Then get the hell out of here. Figure out your Dragon Eye problem yourself."

Krogan grit his teeth. "Fine! I'll talk to him."

Darien smiled, knowing she won the barter. "And bring a couple chests of gold. I want some more ships if we help hunt this...King of Dragons."

"Grrr…" Krogan growled, handing the lens back to her. "I'll bring back enough riches to repay you for your efforts."

"Deal. I'll see what I can do. Again, no promises." She lauded as she turned to leave. "Come back after you tell your partner about this agreement."

"I will…and then we'll talk more about the details." He called out, eyeing her as she left.

Zekir, sheathing his sword, kicked the boat back so it started to drift to the exit. "Get going. I promise you, she's not as patient as she looks or sounds."

Krogan glared at Zekir, and then focused on sailing out of the cave.

Making sure he was leaving, Zekir then marched up to Darien's balcony and office. She herself was already lounging in her chair, holding the lens lazily. Feeling angry, Zekir growled as he helped himself to a pitcher of mead.

Closing her eyes, she scoffed as she felt his anger. "Got something to say, Zekir?"

"I don't trust him. At all. Can't you see what he's trying to do? He's trying to use us!" Zekir snapped out angrily, spilling some of the mead as he poured it into the mug. Ignoring his drink, he marched up to her desk. "How could you commit us to something so obscure so quickly?! You didn't even think about it!"

"And all these months, I thought you'd know when I play others into my own agendas." She laughed, surprising him with the claim. Tossing him the lens, she then opened up a drawer and pulled out two objects.

Gasping, he watched her place two more lenses on the desk.

"I know exactly what they're doing. I know exactly what they're looking for." She commented. "The King of Dragons. Viggo wasn't a fool to try and search for it. And I won't be either."

"You are a snake. You know that?" He commented, sitting down in a chair, looking confused and intrigued. He had to admit it. This was part of the reason why he was smitten with her to begin with. She was clever. Smart. And very, very deceitful.

"I know." She replied with a light, teasing tone. Pulling out a couple of old journals, she continued to explain to him. "Viggo was very detailed with his notes. Unfortunately, I can't create another Dragon Eye. If I could, I would have already."

"Why can't you?"

"I don't have the technical know-how. And there' something else with the Dragon Eye. Unwritten knowledge. Only a creative mind and one that has the hands of a tinkerer can replicate it. However, I do have a theory on how to get the knowledge from these lenses."

"Great! Still doesn't explain why we agreed to work with Krogan and his mysterious lackey."

Darien held out the two lenses in her hand. "They have more of these, I'm sure. If not, they know where to find them. So…"

"We take them for ourselves…"

"So we get more information on dragons and how to hunt them, and get paid as well. Being in charge of all our Hunters, we're going to be the army for Krogan and his friend. What can they do when we take it from them?" She laughed. "Still, I'll play being stupid and naïve' like the girl I am. Then we'll capitalize on this…partnership. Sound good?"

"Sounds good." Zekir whispered, smiling evilly at the thought.

"Until then, let's talk about your Shadow Wing. Tell me exactly what you're thinking, and then I'll help you from there…"


Wooh, I'm back. And with the Dragon Boarder story I promised! However, I need to point out a couple of things:

Firstly, I won't be able to regularly update this like I have in the past. Instead of having chapters ready and only needing to proofread them before posting, I'm posting as I write. So expect a lot more grammar issues and such.

Secondly, I couldn't contain myself anymore. I needed to post it. Plus it was requested to be posted by someone I've been talking to. That helped push me over to start putting up chapters.

So! That being said, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and are anxious to see what the tale of the final Dragon Boarder (For RTTE) entails!