I don't own Httyd or any of the affiliated contents only the plot and my OCs.
Clouds billowed past the armor-clad figure and his dragon as they soared over what was once their home. Neither was worried about being seen in the cover of the pitch-black night sky as they inspected the village below. He silently make note of its considerable increase in populace. Anger and nostalgia filled the man as they made their last pass. It had been years since they left, but the wounds inflicted upon him had cut deep and not nearly enough time had passed to fade the scars into forgiveness or acceptance.
As they straightened their flight toward the south, a deep rumble drew the rider's attention. "What is it, Toothless?" He whispered.
The dragon pointed his snout to a set of ships sailing below, flying the colors of Alvin the traitor. A smile grew on his lips as they soared towards the larger ship that was barely visible in the dim moonlight.
Within the hour, they came in and landed roughly on a large ship as it sailed across the bucking sea, unhindered. Without dismounting, the pair stood alongside a larger man leaning against the railing, a map and star chart in his calloused hands.
"Captain, I found four outcast ships. They're just north east of where we're heading. Easy marks."
The large man looked up, mildly interested, and in his metallic smooth voice quietly asked. "Is that right?"
"Yes Sir."
The larger man gave him a dead pan stare. "What did I tell you about that, Wingless?" He almost snarled, emphasizing the name he had been given.
"Um... not to?" He replied smiling sheepishly.
"That's right. Now go get the other two dragons up and ready."
"Got it, Ironside!" he yelled, steering Toothless into the dragon hold, where the other dragons awaited.
Shaking his head at the boy, the captain walked up the stairs to the prow, ringing the bell hanging in front of the wheel as he passed. The crew rushed to the surface before the ringing died. Looking at the monstrous crew, below he raised his voice, sounding like the roar of forge's fires. "Helmsman, correct our course to the north east. Crows, look for Viking ships! They'll be single or two deck vessels. As for the rest of you; Prepare for Battle!"
He was pleased to hear their answering roars. A deformed man with crane legs and feathers for hair took the wheel and two huge, bird-like creatures flew to their roost at the top of the mast.
The rest of the crew was just as strange. They ranged from the half troll first mate, to his Cat woman wife that had come up beside the captain.
"Hun, are you sure he's ready to lead a raid like this? I mean I know he has his brother and their friends, but still he's only twenty two." She worried, rubbing the hilts of the two short swords sheathed at her hips. Her brown and blond striped tail curled slightly.
"It's time he fought without us there, Felica. I did my first raid at sixteen and look how I faired."
Felica gave him a look of irritation, her bright orange eyes large in the dim light. "Yes, Captain Iron Side. You and that demonic metal of yours were fine and unkillable."
"Well, he has a metal leg after beating that monstrous dragon." The captain offered, a hint of humor edging the comment.
"You know that's not the same, you metal minded lug." She teased, pushing him with a clawed hand.
The young man in question landed in front of them atop his dragon, whom he considered a brother, as he tucked a scroll into his belt. "Felica, we'll be fine. I have Toothless with me and he'll have me."
The captain looked at him with pride. "Go get 'em Wingless."
Saluting the imposing captain, he let out a roar as a Skrill and Toxic Nightshade leapt into the air with them. Leisurely, the three flew far up into the cover of the smoky grey clouds, stealthily flying towards the unsuspecting ships.
The faint rumble of thunder filled the sky above Alvin's ship. Walking aboard, he looked for clouds in the dark sky to no avail. Searching the horizon to the south, he saw the vague outline of the large ship as it crested the horizon. Its lanterns, glowing like fireflies, were the only distinguishing features looming in the distance. Stepping to the rail, he tried to judge its true size. A high pitched whistle shattered the silence before the ship in front of his exploded into an inferno of blue flames.
Quickly gathering his senses, he bellowed for his men to prepare for battle. Before they could answer, lightning struck the ship to the aft repeatedly, electrocuting those aboard. The panicked men ran top side, yelling terrified battle cries. A moment later, the men on the port side of the ship began to cough, some falling in the ocean while others fell to the deck with gargled screams.
For the first time in decades, fear griped the strong out cast as a nightfury heavily landed not two feet in front of him, and a young man slid from the saddle on its back. "Hello Alvin." The man said coolly. " I know you normally wouldn't do this sort of thing just for the fun of it, so I'll put it this way. Deliver this to Stoic or we'll deliver it with your corpse."
Wingless began to pull a roll of parchment from his belt. A skull-shaped seal of black and red wax held it firmly together. An outcast raised his axe to charge the intruder, but his battle-cry ended in a gargled scream as the Skrill pounced on him. Its claws easily ripped the leather and chain mail armor, sinking into the soft muscle below like a knife through warm butter. Blood seeped from the puncture wounds, splattering onto the deck with a sickening slosh.
Nodding shakily, Alvin accepted the scroll and watched the dragon rider glide to the large ship. Still shaken, Alvin bellowed to his men. "Quit ya gawking and get sailing! We need to get to Berk now!"
Landing back on the ship, the captain looked to Wingless. "So?"
"It went perfectly. He's taking the scroll to Stoic now." A smirk curled at the corners of his mouth as he removed his mask and joined his father at the railing.
"Are you sure about this Wingless?" The captain asked, a hint of concern concealed in his normally even voice.
"Of course I am. They gave me nothing but grief and heart ache. Even so, I will still give them the chance to do this peacefully. I have not forgotten their cruel and barbaric ways. With that in mind, I promise not to let my guard down until we've left." He vowed.
Ironside patted him on the back. "Alright, then. We should be there by midday. Go get some rest." The captain retreated to his quarters at the aft and Wingless retired to the dragon hold as his brother had.
I would like to especially thank my Betareader for helping me to achieve the depth I've been striving for and to the readers who were so supportive of my first rendition of this story. Your support has spurred me to do even better stories for you.
