1). The Daustain Incident
...It was a clear sky that day, he awoke with Astrid in his arms...
1747 A.D
The Daustain
Northern Atlantic
British Sovereign Waters
Hiccup awoke from the sounds of anarchy.
The sounds of the creaking antique hull echoed through the vessel. He could hear the sounds of yelling from his peers.
The ancient ship they had renowned as the Daustain, a former French naval frigate constructed in the 16th century had run aground on a rock cluster, or atleast it had appeared that way.
Leaping from his tattered bunk the 18 year old was dazed and confused on what was going on.
It had just been over 3 years since himself, Fishlegs and Tuffnut were exiled from the isles of Berk and sent adrift on a deteriorating Langskip (Warship), Hiccup and Fishlegs were exiled on the account of treason, false evidence had been constructed. Accusing the two of them of treason and conspiring with Alvin, the Leader of the Outcasts.
No official government report was conceived, they were just blacklisted from the territories of the small but ever growing Empire.
It was this Event which lost him his rightful place on the Berk Throne, Snotlout became the only aire and in Hiccups eyes the perpetrator, Tuffnut would be later banished for leaking information about the corruption the new government under Snoutlout had endured. A noble act by an incredibly stupid and arrogant boy.
Out of common sense and the flicker of Freindship the unlikely group of boys stranded at sea manged to gain control of their vessel, eventually finding a way out of the Arcipelligo and into the Northern Atlantic. After an incursion with the Royal Navy they managed to arrive at the port town of Ringkobing, this however is another story..
Hiccup now fully aware of his surroundings stumbled across the sleeping quarters when he was again struck down.
The large vessel had subsided allowing water to pour through the gun ports. He was then propelled to the opposite side of the vessel as it had once again subsided, ceasing the leakage.
Now inundated with sea water Hiccup gained his footing and walked out of the sleeping quarters.
The vessel was swaying from Port to Starboard, disorientating Hiccup.
Taking a sharp left Hiccup was inches away from crashing into Fishlegs, within that 3 year period all that had changed was his appearance. His prosthetic leg was all the remaining evidence of their former past. He now proudly paraded around in an Officers tunic, formally belonging to the Royal Navy a gift from Captain Rellick. He also boasted a Dutch cutlass of 15th Century design, a rare weapon in this age.
He stood there, bright red and gasping for air.
He gasped, 'Hi..c.cu.p'.
Hiccup replied with a stern voice of displeasure, 'What is going on?'
'The.. ship.. has collided with a shard.. of rocks.' He managed to blurp out, turning a deeper red from his exhaustment of stamina.
'What are those rats at the helm doing?' Hiccup remarked. 'Have they lost sight?'
Fishlegs didn't answer and simply rushed into deck further exhausting himself. As he climbed the creeping steps, being pounced Port to Starboard as the vessel subsided he stated 'Come.. '.
Hiccup followed without hesitation and what he saw stunned him.
The helm of the ship was gone, over half of the frigate had disconnected from the bow. This explained the rattling and creaking of the hull in the later hours of last night.
'How did this happen?' He responded, gasping in surprise.
Tuffnut walking towards the two remarked sarcastically 'Loki is punishing us'. Making a speech gesture with his hands.
Hiccup let a chuckle escape from his mouth, Fishlegs took a more serious tone to the question.
'The split.. in the hull, the one we.. warned Captain Rellik...about, the ship likely..'
Fishlegs was interrupted by Gubble, the former Royal Navy sailor grinned, he had assumed command in the absence of Captain Rellik.
'What are 'ye thick pig lovers standing there for, fold the sail.'
Other Cabinboys were grabbing crates and shifting
The Cabinboys ceased all conversation and rushed to the single remaining mast, damaged from the high winds, a likely cause of the ship splitting they attempted to fold the ancient cloth.
'There's no.. point of saving it..' Fishlegs remarked still gasping for air.
Fishlegs was right, unleashing his Dutch cutlass he began to cut away at the ropes which secured the sails in place. Almost simultaneously the peices of fabric flew from the mast, landing on the black scorched beach beside them.
After over 3 hours of salvaging the ship, carrying every piece of equipment they could find they launched themselves onto the scorched beach. Peering around Hiccup noticed a large cave with what seemed to be a purpose built walkway, an ancient walkway which had seen better days.
'Alright lads, gather round'. Gubble commanded.
There were 12 of them gathered around him, mostly cabinboys of 13-17 years in age who were all in different states of physical and mental condition. Many were disoriented by the crash, querying to themselves on what will happen to them'.
The only common ground they currently shared was the fact that they were soaked from the gusts of rain, poring down.
'Myself, Jangle and Zulu will salvage what we can from the frigate, you toasters will remain here and prepare a camp site.'
'Understand?'
'Yes, 'Captain' they all replied. Gubble allowed a pride smile which blissed his normally demonic face.
Everyone besides Gubble, Jangle and Zulu climbed aboard the Scurage.
Hiccup began to walk away, abandoning the task given to him by acting Captain, Gubble. Fishlegs paced after him.
He walked in the direction of the cave and inspected the walkway, he was startled by the size of the cave which could dock a galleon. The entrance appeared to have been damned to prevent water from entering, this intrigued his bustling imagination.
'Hiccup', Fishlegs shouted.
'What are you doing, if Gubble catches you he will scold you with a Chain.'
'Relax my friend, I am only inspecting this cave'. He replied with a confident tone.
'We can.. do this later, let's focus on the.essentials for now...' he was interrupted by the screaming of the crew setting up the camp.
'DONT'T LEAVE US' they yelled.
Hiccup was confused, looking at the wreck of the Daustain he managed to glimpse at Gubble, Jangle and Zulu rowing on a small boat.
Hiccup and Fishlegs starred in disbelief, Order was now a thing of the past for the survivors.
Temporarily atleast..