Chapter 1

Astrid was many things, and know in many ways on Isle of Berk. A warrior, a Fearless Hofferson, angry crazy lady, dangerous, and beautiful, among many other things. She also considered herself to be one of the best fighters, trackers, and stealthiest Vikings in training. But one thing she was not was patient or gracious when someone stole her thunder when it came to fighting dragons.

So for the first time that she could really remember she was extremely jealous of another Viking, and not just any Viking, but the chiefs own son. To most this would seem rather common place till they learned that the chief's son, Hiccup, was a small kid with hardly anything special about him. He was a little smaller than her, and much weaker and exceptionally more clumsy and likely to cause disaster.

So if anything he should be jealous of her, but sadly that was no longer true. Over the course of a two week period while they had both partaken in dragon training Hiccup had gone from the Chief's greatest disappointment, to the talk of the town and leading contender for taking the number one spot in dragon training.

That alone would not have made Astrid this made or jealous though. It was the simple fact that everything he did, which seemed to be nothing at all most of the time could drop a dragon, either living it in some sort of trance, or straight out asleep. And now everyone, well nearly everyone as she was not in that group, among the villagers not currently out looking for the Dragon's nest were trying to get advice and admiring him like he was some big hero.

But today that was all going to change, Astrid had promised herself that much. The day before she had seen him out in the woods with some weird sort of bundle. Today after their training she was going to tail him to where ever it was he was getting this training, after all no one just got as good as Hiccup had become, especially him. She was going to force his secret dragon skills out of him one way or another.

It was lucky that when he had left she had been able to hang back just enough, that he did not notice as she started tailing him. First to his house, where he grabbed some sort of weird leather harness in place of his normal fur jacket. He also was carrying a small bundle with him, he quickly cast his eyes about before heading off into the woods behind his house and away from the village.

Astrid smirked carefully moving along, her axe that she normally kept with her was at her house, in place was a sword and smaller set of daggers. These would be lighter and much quieter and as such would make it much harder for Hiccup to notice or hear her. And it seemed to be working, as even though he would look about every once and a while.

Finally they reached the point where Astrid had seen Hiccup the other day. But this time without him spotting her he walked normally continuing down till he reached a cut in some rocks. Hiccup then vanished to the left side of the rocks, Astrid rapidly moved forward determined to not lose him. But her need to keep Hiccup in sight, caused her to near fall off the rather sudden cliff lick edge that the rocks hid.

But catching herself she was able to back up just in time, keeping her from falling down into the large inland cove. Backing up she quickly hid in the rocky passage better, but soon realized she could not see Hiccup at all down in the cove. Astrid moved back as this cove was nicely in closed meaning she could watch from the edge in another location.

She soon found the perfect spot by some bushes, right at the edge of the cove. What she saw when she looked down into the cove caused her to cut herself with one of her daggers just to make sure she was well in truly awake. Hiccup was down in the cove with a dragon, and not just any dragon, it had to be a Night Fury. But where it really got weird was the fact not only was neither of them fighting, but Hiccup was feeding the beast and talking with it like they were best friends.

Astrid could only stare as Hiccup gave the dragon a back rub after removing a saddle from its back, as he went on about some plan. But Astrid could not quite make out what he was saying, and moved a little closer, but this caused her to move onto a shelf of unsupported dirt.

Without any solid rocks or roots holding her up the shelf gave out without warning, and Astrid suddenly found herself tumbling end over end into the deep cove. She land hard on the ground, her yell of shook and pain very easily heard by Hiccup and the dragon. Astrid tried to get up but as she pulled her left leg she found that she had pulled one of her muscles making it nearly impossible to move fast.

As such Astrid settled for rolling over and into a sitting position as Hiccup walked over, looking both surprised and annoyed. The dragon behind him kept looking between Hiccup and Astrid hissing and growling. As Hiccup stopped a few feet from her Astrid sighed, this was not what she had planned but she might as well make the best of it, she could tell Gobber all about what was going on here later.

"So I guess this is the part where I explain why I am out here," Astrid said.

"Yes, though I can kind of guess why," Hiccup said, with a small shrug.

"Oh then tell me why I am out here," Astrid asked, not really able to hide her annoyance.

"Well seeing as what I saw yesterday I would say working out your anger at my beating you in dragon training. But since you are here currently I would also add tracking me down to see why I am doing so good in dragon training, which you then put your foot on the wrong spot while hiding and fell," Hiccup said, easily figuring out Astrid's reasons.

"Lucky guess," Astrid said.

"No not really, simple logic. But that also leaves me with a small problem, what to do with you. I cannot let you tell the town about me and Toothless yet," Hiccup said closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"You and who?" Astrid asked.

"That is right I guess you would not know him," Hiccup said before gesturing over to the dragon, "Astrid meet Toothless the Night Fury I shot down two weeks ago. Toothless meet Astrid, and no you may not hurt her."

Astrid was about to make a comment about dragon's would never listen to a human, but then Toothless gave Hiccup a glare and walked off looking like he was sulking of all things. Astrid felt her mouth fall open in shock as she watch this. Hiccup could not help but chuckle seeing this expression.

"So do you need some help or would you rather remain stilling on the dirt," Hiccup asked.

"I am just find her thanks," Astrid said as she moved her leg and foot lightly to see how bad the damage was and winced noticeably.

"Are you sure you don't look…" Hiccup began but Astrid quickly cut him off with, "I am just fine!"

"Okay your fine," Hiccup said backing up a step or two.

"So what now," Astrid asked, as she took a few breaths to calm herself down.

"Well right now we have to see how badly you are hurt, then we can go from there." Hiccup said.

"I am okay, just pulled something in my leg when I feel, nothing is broke," Astrid said.

"Are you sure," Hiccup asked.

"Yes I am sure," Astrid said, carefully keeping herself calm.

"Okay so at least that is good, now we need to deal with what you have seen and what you're allowed to say if anything back at the village," Hiccup said.

"What are you talking about I will not reveal anything," Astrid said lying with ease.

"Yes, that is true, even if you are lying to me," Hiccup said, he did not believe for one second she would not rat him out.

"What you don't believe me," Astrid asked.

"Well then, you tell me why you were trying to kill trees yesterday?" Hiccup asked, but Astrid did not reply and so Hiccup added, "You and I both know that you will rat me out to Gobber or even my dad first chance you get as of right now. So we are going to do something about that."

"Like what, you know as well I do that even slightly hurt I can more than take you in a fight," Astrid pointed out quickly enough.

"True, but can you take on a dragon," Hiccup asked as he began walking towards Toothless.

"Wait you're not going to feed me to your pet are you," Astrid said reaching for her sword.

"No, not at all. Everything we know about dragons is wrong, and having him kill you would truly not help me at all, or any of my plans. But he can pin you, so that I can remove all your weapons safely, unless you want to give them up before I ask his add," Hiccup said, with a small smirk.

"And you're not worried about me stabbing him," Astrid asked drawing out her sword.

"No, and you might want to put that down," Hiccup said.

"Yeah like I am going to do that," Astrid said slowly standing up, though her stance was shaky.

Hiccup rolled his eyes as suddenly Astrid found the sword in her hand blow clean out of it, as Toothless had launched a rather small fireball at it. The blade landed a good thirty to forty feet from her, hardly a long distance but with her legs this shaky and sore it might as well be a mile currently.

"As I said you might want to put it down, Toothless is not to fawn of weapons being pointed at me let alone himself," Hiccup said moving in front of Toothless to stop him from attacking Astrid.

Astrid sank to the ground slowly, watching in surprise as Hiccup calmed the dragon down with some words, and a light scratching around his chin. She realized this was how he had done in some of the dragons at the arena as they calmed down in much the same manor. By the time Toothless was completely calm Astrid had time to think of a possible get away plan, assuming this all went like she hoped.

"So, Astrid, what are we going to do with you?" Hiccup asked again.

"I don't know, tie me up and make sure I don't speak," Astrid said with a hint of sarcasm.

"While possible I rather not." Hiccup said as he slowly began to pace about.

"Figured as much," Astrid said.

The group remained quiet for a few minutes before Astrid finally decided to ask something, "Hiccup you changed a lot. Your no longer… well weak to be honest, now there is a confidence and strength about you, was it the dragon that did that?"

"To answer that… I have always been weak, but I have always been determined to prove everyone wrong. Problem is most times I tried doing that it ended… well you know," Hiccup said.

"In complete disaster," Astrid supplied.

"That is one way to put it. Thing is though I was also strong and confident in my own way, I cannot out muscle anyone, but I can build stuff that lets me beat them in all ways. My spy glass lets me see better and longer than anyone else, the weapon that brought down Toothless could throw a bola easily three times the distance and speed of a normal Viking own throw. Problem is when no one else realizes this they tend of look on these as failures, or useless which then reflects back onto myself," Hiccup explained.

"So your experiment to train a dragon is one of these plans," Astrid asked.

"Well that is more of an accident, as most of the trick I use down in the ring I learned by working with Toothless here. I have been working on helping him fly again by becoming a Dragon Rider, the first Dragon Rider." Hiccup said sound a little proud of the small title.

"Like the chin scratching thing," Astrid pointed out.

"Yes, that is a big one I can use," Hiccup nodded, before adding quickly, "but it is not the only one I use."

"So what will your father think of this," Astrid asked.

At this point Hiccup flinched noticeably at this question, and looked away, "I rather not think about that till after I am done with my last and most recent idea."

"So mad, disappointed, and angry," Astrid supplied again.

"Add in hurt, betrayed, and confused and you got it I am sure," Hiccup said, before sighing and looked back at Astrid, and asked, "Do you know much about my mother?"

"No," Astrid said a little taken by surprise by the question.

"My dad does not talk about her much, but I got much of the full story, and what she was like from Gobber, when I was working at his forge. She was the same as me in many way, not a Hiccup mind you, but she never believed dragons were evil. And the only time she attacked was when I was in danger," Hiccup said.

"So… where are you going with this?" Astrid asked.

"About fifteen years ago during a dragon raid, a dragon had broken into my house. My dad had seen the dragon in the house and ran for it. When he got there he noticed my mom staring at the dragon with an ax in her hand. My dad attacked the dragon quickly seeing as it head was next to my bed, he scared it off and grabbed me escaping from the house, but he could not get my mother as the dragon flew off with her," Hiccup said, sounding sad.

"So he saved you and the dragon killed her," Astrid said, "Still sounds like evil beasts to me."

"I find that hard to believe. Gobber said that my mom was staring at the dragon, so it had plenty of time to hurt of even kill me, yet it did not do that. Plus even after my dad rushed in, it only fled grabbing my mom, if anything I believe it was in some way protecting her thinking my dad a threat," Hiccup said.

"Oh please we both know the dragons always go for the kill in the end," Astrid countered.

"Yes that is why your sword was knocked from your hand, rather than you being killed," Hiccup countered.

Astrid blinked as she realized that was true. As she began to think about it more she realized more and more deaths were pretty far between and were usually not fully the dragons fault. But there was still the fact that the dragons would raid them none stop.

"Well what about all these attacks on us," Astrid tried.

"Raids, they are normally after food and supplies. As fire is their main weapon and we use wood for many of our buildings it makes sense the amount of destruction. Besides are we the of the Vikings evil," Hiccup asked.

"No we are not evil," Astrid said rather sure of her answer.

"But in the past we have raided other tribes for food, so since we follow the same path of the dragons and raid others for food we must be evil," Hiccup said, finally finding a way to get through to Astrid with some logic.

"I… okay fine, they are not evil. But that still is a lot of food they steal, where is it all going," Astrid asked.

"Currently I don't know, but I am pretty sure they are not eating all of it themselves, even babies would not eat much more than a Terrible Terror," Hiccup said, sighing.

Astrid nodded, but was not sure what to say in return. Not only had Hiccup countered the normal arguments that any Viking would have with good logic. When she compared a dragon raid to a Viking raid she realized there was truly not much difference. Killing happened only because the defenders did not want to lose food and would fight back. People who stayed out of the battle never got hurt, much like Hiccup who only got into trouble with the dragon when he tried to actually fight.

"So… what is the plan," Astrid finally asked, her tone was no longer strong but rather a softer one of defeat.

"First I plan on releasing the dragons in the Killing Arena, then I am going to find out what is going on at Dragon Island. Then last of all I am going to go looking for my mother," Hiccup said, his voice steady and firm.

"That is a rather big job for one person," Astrid said.

"True, but if you are willing, that can be two people and six dragons," Hiccup said offering her his hand.

"You trust me," Astrid said rather surprised.

"Now I do, once you realized that there was not too much difference between them and us. And you were willing to expect that they could be good, I knew I could trust you to help me, or at least not rat me out," Hiccup said with a small chuckle.

"Thanks I guess," Astrid said taking his hand and was able to stand up again.

Hiccup smiled and helped her collect her sword then helped her over to Toothless. Where he introduced her to the rather small dragon, or at least small by dragon standards as he was still as bigger than a horse with ease. As Astrid got to know the Dragon better Hiccup went about getting some stuff together as to help Astrid out of the cove.

By the time the sun was settling Astrid and Toothless seemed to trust each other rather well. Not nearly on the same level of Hiccup and Toothless own bond, but that would come one day they were sure. Hiccup then got Astrid onto the saddle and they set off back towards town, but as they got closer to it, Hiccup spotted something that sent a chill up his spin, his dad fleet was back from trying to find the dragon's nest.

"Oh no," Hiccup said, before direction Toothless to land on one of the strong stone pillars out in the ocean.

"What is the matter," Astrid asked.

"My dad's fleet has returned," Hiccup said point out towards the docks.

"How can you tell, I cannot see anything in this darkness," Astrid said.

"There are currently two ships that belong to the Berk fleet anchored at port, both of which show signs of a heavy fire damage. The only reason they would be back this soon is a loss of supplies or a powerful storm forcing them back," Hiccup said.

"I am still not sure what you are seeing, I can barely make out the docks and ships at this distance. Let alone if they are damaged or not," Astrid said.

"Well as I said before I am more skilled at something's then you are," Hiccup said.

Hiccup then directing Toothless forward till they were within a Stoick throw of the port. By this point Astrid could easily see Hiccup was indeed correct, as with the addition of torches other people from the town where helping everyone off the badly damaged ships. Hiccup got out his spy glass and began looking carefully about for his father.

It took only a few minutes, before he found him talking with Gobber not far up the ramps, looking less than happy. His face then turned too surprised, before finally stopping on thoughtful. Hiccup then watched them head up into the village itself, and lost them amongst the houses.

"Well great my whole plan just went up in smoke unless I act on it now," Hiccup said

"Why is your father being back so bad," Astrid asked, "Well I know why it is bad, by why is it really bad?"

"Let's just say I think I have a better time convincing him out at sea that dragon are not as bad then back in town, where he probably has heard about my 'skills' at defeating dragons," Hiccup said, with a slight groan of annoyance.

"Yes, he can be…"

"As unmoving as Thor's hammer?" Hiccup supplied.

"I was going to say stubborn but that works to," Astrid said, "So what is the plan?"

"I am breaking the dragons out tonight, while you head home," Hiccup said.

"But wait what about me joining you," Astrid asked.

"I am about to attack the Dragon Killing Arena with loads of Vikings that are probably not in the best of moods going to be pulled into defending it. If anything goes wrong, I might just be banished, you would not be so lucky," Hiccup said, "Besides, if something goes wrong you will be the only one that can stop all this fighting and find my mother."

"I… Okay find I will stay behind, but just make sure it doesn't go wrong," Astrid said.

"I promise, after all I am Hiccup the Dragon Rider," Hiccup said grinning.

"Right, let's go dragon boy," Astrid said with a small laugh.

Hiccup smiled and had Toothless carefully fly around the outside edge of the village before landing. They rode Toothless carefully into the town avoiding the light before dropping off Astrid at her house. Astrid by this point could walk almost normally again and quickly vanished into her home. At which point Hiccup nudge Toothless and they were off and back out of the town quickly.

Hiccup then moved about and began circling around the island. With some luck Toothless and Hiccup were able to find a good place to hide, while Hiccup dismounted and went down to the arena to free the dragons. Now while it was true that he could just have Toothless blast the cage from a distance, it would lead to more problems as the force of the blast when it hit the doors keeping the dragons in their own cells, could hurt the dragons he was trying to free.

But there were a few things Hiccup had not counted on. First was the route he had picked, while it looked okay from the air was not as straight forward as he had thought. Second it seemed that some of the Vikings were camping out next to the arena overnight. As such by the time he got down there he was badly winded from being forced to take an even longer route than he had planned. But as he got to the cages edge he saw something that made him stop in shock.

Astrid at the other side of the cage by the control and had just pulled the levelers to release the dragons. Hiccups heard the gears begin to turn down below that began to open the locks to the different cages. She then ran towards the main gate and cranked it open. Hiccup ran for her to get her out of the way as without him around the dragons would just flee as fast as possible.

The result was Astrid got hit hard by the Gronckle's tail and the Nadder's wings as they passed. By this point the other Vikings had woken up, and Hiccup realized he needed to retreat as there was no saving Astrid at this point, and save his plan as well. Quickly he began climbing the rock, and was soon at a safe distance as many other Vikings came running.

Pulling out his spy glass he soon found Astrid, appeared to have a small bump on her head, but otherwise seemed to be just fine. Problem was from this distance he could not hear what was going on. But throw his spy glass he saw he dad show up then Astrid cuffed and led away. By the time everything was quiet down below Hiccup had made up his mind on his next course of action, save Astrid then flee Berk.

Astrid awoke the next morning, not to her normal room, but a cell in the town jail. It took her only a little bit to remember why she was hear and her rather stupid idea. She had convinced herself, though she did not remember how that Hiccup would be unable to free the dragons alone. And as such made her way quickly to the arena where she found no sign of Hiccup at all.

Astrid at this point made an even dumber move and had released the dragons, thinking they would react much like Toothless had. Problem was she remembered a moment too late, was that the dragons only listened to Hiccup and as such quickly moved to flee the Arena. They ending up knocking out her in their rush to escape for a few moment. She had awoken to Mildew yelling at her, and lot of the other Vikings in the tribe around her all looking angry. Once Hiccup father had shown up, and the cuffs were placed on her hands she realized just how much trouble she was really in.

"Here is your meal Astrid," a voice said, which Astrid recognized as Gobber's

"Thanks," Astrid said getting up and grabbing the cup and bowl of soup.

Gobber waited by the door as she ate before finally asking, "Why did you do it lass?"

"Do what?" Astrid asked.

"Free the dragons?" Gobber replied.

"I had my eyes open to the truth, they are not some evil beasts, and needed to be freed," Astrid said.

"A rather unpopular opinion, only a few have ever shared," Gobber said, "You know what is now coming right?"

"A trail then punishment, probably banishment," Astrid said, keeping her tone level, she was not about to lose it now.

"Yep, you really stirred up a hornets nest, banishment is the best you can hope for," Gobber said.

"So when is the trial?" Astrid asked, after finishing her food.

"In about any hour, so if you have any ideas about defending yourself I would start thinking of them now," Gobber said before leaving.

Astrid nodded and sat back down on the bench that doubled as a bed. As she waited for her turn to be taken to the great hall where her trial would be, she tried to come up with some sort of good defense. But she was not Hiccup and could not use logic on the level he did, so just saying they were good and pointing out exams would not have a good enough impact on why she had done so. As she thought about this, she never notice Hiccup enter into the area, till he spoke causing her to jump in surprise.

"Hello Astrid," Hiccup said, "how you feeling after last night."

"An idiot and a fool," Astrid said, "where were you last night?"

"Making my way around form a different location, I had only just got to the arena when you pulled the levelers."

"That would explain why I never saw you," Astrid said, as Hiccup nodded, before she asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"Well… yes," Hiccup admitted after a few moments.

"Am I going to like this?" Astrid asked.

"Well considering the amount of trouble I went through setting this up last night… probably not, but you will be free," Hiccup said.

"So… what is the plan?" Astrid asked.

"Cannot tell you that, otherwise you might rune this plan as well," Hiccup said, "So just trust me I will help you escape."

"I, fine I will trust you," Astrid said.

"Good, just try to not do anything rash between now and the trail," Hiccup said, before glancing at something outside the door, "I got to go now."

Astrid nodded as Hiccup vanished from view. She sighed after he left, she could not blame him for not trusting her with his plan this time, and she had acted stupidly rash. She noticed Snotlout show up and try and comfort her and make her fall for him in spite of all she had done. But really all he was doing was building himself up saying he could have taken on all five dragons without them escaping, like she had tried to do, but only better.

Astrid was saved from this rather annoying and slightly sickening display of Snotlout's so called Viking skills, by Stoick himself along with the others to escort her up to the Great Hall. Astrid was cuffed and soon they were headed up towards the Great Hall. As they passed out of the main part of the village and reached the great stairs that led up to the Hall, everyone noticed a large shadow pass over them.

Stoick was the first to call out Dragon Attack. As a Deadly Nadder swooped down and attacked the group. Astrid dove for cover behind a boulder, hoping to Thor that this was not Hiccups plan. Sadly for Astrid this was Hiccup's plan as two other dragons swooped down and began causing the group to disperse more. And before Astrid could even think about running for better cover yet fourth dragon dove in out of nowhere and grabbed her up.

Astrid was carried away from the village till they were a safe distance away, before it put her down and then landed itself. It was only at this point she was able to realize it was Toothless, and Hiccup was grinning at her from its back. He dismounted and pulled a short sword from his side and place it hilt first into the dirt. Astrid taking the hint rammed her cuffs down onto the point of the sword breaking them in two.

"So how is my rescue?" Hiccup asked as he saw Vikings running towards them, one of which happened to be his dad.

"Once we are safe then I will tell you," Astrid said as she and Hiccup got onto Toothless's back and flew over the village, and landing on Hiccups own home.

"Why are we not leaving yet," Astrid asked.

"I want one chance to talk with my dad before we leave," Hiccup said seeing the group heading towards them rapidly.

"Are you sure this is a good idea," Astrid asked.

"No, but then again, tell me a good one I had since trying to train a dragon," Hiccup pointed out.

"Okay I guess you have a point," Astrid admitted.

"Hiccup what is going on here," Stoick asked, as he slowed to a halt not far from the house.

"I am riding a dragon, and saving Astrid from a trail," Hiccup said simply.

"I can tell that much," Stoick said.

"As for why I am doing this; I found proof that my mom was right. Dragons are not evil, and can be trained. Now you know that I plan on leaving and ending this war between our tribe and the dragons once and for all." Hiccup said rather firmly.

"Now you are just talking crazy. Dragons are evil look how many they have killed in their attacks against us," one of the Viking said.

"Yet I am riding one and it is not attacking or killing anything. Besides, if they were truly evil why have we not been destroyed? We may be tough beyond measure, but we are hardy strong enough to stand up to a group of dragons actually bent on killing us," Hiccup said.

"Then what are they after if they are not bent on killing us," Stoick asked.

"Food, each raid has always left us with a house or two destroyed, while months' worth of supplies of food vanish after each battle. They are looking for food and taking it much like our tribe used to take food and clothing from other tribes when we used to conduct raids ourselves," Hiccup explained.

"What, you think we are no different than those beasts?" Gobber asked.

"Once upon a time yes we were the same, now we are a greatly respected tribe. The same can be true of the dragons," Hiccup said.

"Now Hiccup you listen to me…" Stoick began.

"No now is the time for you to listen father. You and Gobber always said I not a Viking and this is true. I am a dragon rider, the first dragon rider, and I shall stop this war, wither you believe it is possible or not," Hiccup yelled down, causing his Stoick to take a step back in surprise.

There was some mutter about the group, as they listened to Hiccup speak. Astrid smiled to herself, seeing that Hiccup in some ways could take control of the tribe and lead them well where he needed them to be. Stoick looked at Hiccup closely before finally putting away the sword he had been holding.

"Son, what is it you want in return for stopping this war," Stoick asked with a grim tone.

"I want nothing other than the war itself to be ended. Then I shall return here, wither I stay or not will be up to the tribe and you father. But I will continue working with the dragons, they have become my closest friend and family, in a way no one else has," Hiccup said, watching as a look of hurt and pained flashed across his father's face.

Hiccup sighed to himself before touching Toothless lightly on the head. Toothless spread his wings before with a great pump was airborne. Hiccup kept himself from looking back till the village was barely visible in the distance. He knew if he looked back now he would not be able to follow through with this. He may not always like his father, but the look of betrayal that had been on his face was almost too much.

As Hiccup passed the last of the stone pillars that surrounded the island of Berk, he saw the other dragons form up on either side of him. Toothless glanced up and gave Hiccup a said look of understanding. Astrid also could feel the hurt but was not sure what to say, words and confront was not really her best skill.

Back on Berk watched as the group of dragons faded from sight Stoick stood. For the first time in his life he was truly unsure about what he should do now. He went into his house and pulled from a high shelf out a helmet, it was to be Hiccups upon his return. Sighing he placed it carefully on his table, before sinking into one of the chairs a lone tear making its way down his face.

"Good luck son."