Chapter One

"You're positive. You're certain that Viggo's hunting the Treaty Waters?" Talen growled, staring at his friend and acquaintance in disbelief and anger.

"Absolutely, mate." Eret said aloud, shaking his head in anger. "I had to leave because his fleet would have ended me and me crew. I've had to find employment elsewhere, which I was lucky to find someone who needed a lone dragon hunter."

"Who?" Talen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't know his name yet. He had a man named Krogan talk to me. Told me this person is someone who needs dragons. Lots of them. Has an army and a navy to back me up. Pays well too."

"Heh, well I wish you luck, friend." Talen replied with a forced smile. The truth be told, however, was that he was busy thinking about the news that Eret brought, rather than the young dragon wrangler's new circumstances. The Grimborn brothers were hunting in neutral waters. Waters agreed that they wouldn't sail into to keep the peace among the three parties. The Grimborn fleet, Eret's crew, and the Wrathen clan. Shaking his head, Talen walked Eret to the gangway that connected his unique ship with V shaped masts. "Thank you for the news. We'll be sailing to stop them immediately. Peacefully or violently."

"I'd offer my help, but I need to report to my employer soon. He likes to remain hidden and doesn't often come out of hiding." Eret continued to shout, walking onto his deck. Turning to face Talen, he then shouted. "Be careful Talen, Viggo's got twice the fleet he had before the treaty. He's gotten bolder for some reason."

"Aye, that doesn't concern me; especially since I have the White Wake armed and ready to wage a war." Talen replied, unconcerned with the warning.

It was true. The massive ship was loaded with an army that could conquer islands; as it was intended for. It was indeed an icon in the Southern Seas, and fleets meant nothing to it. It was at least twenty times longer than any warship and five times wide. Five, strategically placed massive masts powered the behemoth of a ship, placed across the deck like an arrowhead. The bow of the ship had a massive iron dragon head, used as a battering ram that cleared small sea stacks and large ships alike. There was a reason why the White Wake was feared. And not just because of the size of it. It was who controlled it. Talen Wrathen, the Chief of the Marauders, and his men that made up some of most viscous dragon hunters known. Made up of kin and family, who were placed in leadership positions; he also drew quite the crowd of dragon hunters, mercenaries, and raiders; making up the foot soldiers and grunts that bolstered their ranks.

"Take care, friend! I hope to see you on open waters again!" Eret yelled while waving goodbye as the lines holding the two ships together were released. "Kick Viggo in the teeth for me!"

"Likewise, Eret; take care with your new employer." Talen shouted, turning to walk away.

"Chief, did I hear right? Viggo's gone into the seas we set up for the pact?" Gunjar asked, moving to walk alongside his chieftain. Being the captain of the ship, plus the cousin of the chief and appointed patriarch; he was often with Talen to know what he was thinking, and to know what he wanted done.

"Aye, you did. Viggo and Ryker are in the very area that we agreed to leave alone and let Eret hunt." Talen growled, shaking his head at the news.

"What are we going to do?" Gunjar asked, looking at Talen with concern.

"We can't let this go by another day. We sail north west immediately." Talen ordered, letting out a sigh of frustration at the task. "Have the men set the sails to carry as much wind as possible. We need to stop Viggo permanently."

"Aye chief, I'll get it done. It's a shame, you know? That we have to leave these warm waters during the turn of the season. What should I tell the men as to why we're not going back home yet?"

"Tell them I'll explain everything to everyone at daybreak. This is an emergency that needs to be addressed immediately." Talen whispered. The task seemed to weigh on him as if he had agreed to conquer the world. It was a little overwhelming, even for the seasoned warrior and raider.

Gunjar nodded and began to walk away.

"Gunjar." He called out to stop him. "Can you send Teeth to me? I need my swords sharpened."

"Aye Chief, will do." He acknowledged, altering his path to stop by the ship's newly appointed blacksmith.

Sighing, Talen walked briskly to his room, ignoring the greetings and hails from passing crewman and Marauders. "Why Viggo…you know what we're capable of…" Arriving at his door, he simply walked in and slammed it shut behind him. "Did you think we've forgotten about the agreement? Or that I'm too old to deal with you two whelps?"

Flopping into his chair, he let out a long sigh and looked at himself in a mirror that he looted from a large castle when he started out as a marauder and dragon hunter. His white hair was shaggy, and dropped down over his ears. The white seemed to amplify the silver colored eyes. He had a full short, white beard, which he kept trimmed; making him different from the rest of the crewmen and other chieftains, as he didn't let it grow out. He wore a darkened leather vest, with a long wool shirt underneath. His attire was simple, with only small metal plates protecting his knees. His face was soft and otherwise comforting; unless you knew who he was, and on the other end of one of his two silver, decorated longswords. To be fair, he was unique in regards that he was the oldest active chief and marauder in his surrounding area. This was supposed to be his last trip as Chief of the Marauders, giving the title to one of his two children; both being on this trip with him. He didn't deny it, the Marauders needed a fresh leader; someone to give them a hope that they weren't going to fall apart when he would no longer be among them. He just wanted to make sure that whoever would take over the Marauders, they'd be more than able to carry his legacy forward; which he already knew who that would be.

Reaching for a pitcher of mead on his desk, he poured himself a goblet. Regardless of excuses and desires to go home, he had to delay his retirement to teach Viggo that the Marauders weren't to be crossed; not that he was particularly excited to retire. The more he thought of the responsibility, the more he actually began to realize the opportunity that was starting to show itself. Viggo Grimborn, and his brother Ryker, had declared war on them, and so it was about making it a quick and decisive victory; and to prove his successor's ability to lead the Marauders. In a sense, it was a blessing in disguise.

"Father!" A voice shouted from outside, with the door being blown open wildly to reveal a young man, wearing a chest plate of polished iron and trimmed with gold. He had brown hair, trimmed short on the sides, but had a long pony tail on the back, going down to the bottom of his neck. This was Mikael, one of Talen's kids; being opposite of his father by being flashy, demanding, and frankly obnoxious. The only thing that wasn't flashy was his simple sword with an ivory pummel strapped to his waist.

Talen's eyes narrowed as he took a swallow from his drink, wishing it was stronger. He needed the alcohol to deal with his brat son. "Yes, Mikael?" He whispered tiredly.

"What's this I'm hearing that we're sailing north?!" He shouted, slamming the door shut and standing in front of Talen's desk. "We were supposed to be home last week!"

"As with everything we do, that was an estimate. We needed to fill our cages and cells with dragons before we started back home." Talen replied, not caring about the temper tantrum Mikael was displaying. "And this is an emergency. We need to deal with this now, not later."

"Why can't it wait until at least Spring?!" Mikael whined, sitting in a chair across from his dad. "It's late in the summer, going into fall; and now we're deciding to go north? Besides, who cares?! We're profitable enough without hunting there, why care that the Grimborns are?" At that, he grabbed the pitcher and poured himself a drink, not catching his dad's twitching eye.

Reining in his anger, Talen swallowed another large gulp of his drink, praying that the God's had miraculously turned it into something harder. "Because, my lazy and complacent whelp, if we don't stop them there, where they agreed to not hunt, then what will stop them from coming into our waters?" Setting his goblet down, he drew a knife from his belt and pointed it at Mikael. "This is a warning to all other hunters and tribes. Proof that we're not to be crossed. We set these boundaries so that all could prosper, and now we're maintaining those boundaries. Something you need to learn if you ever hope to lead the Marauders."

Mikael glared at him, shaking his head angrily as he took a large swallow.

"If you were Chief and Patriarch of our clan, what would you do knowing a pact was broken?"

"Hmph." Mikael grunted, drinking noisily from his mug. "I would go home first and wait until Spring. Get ready to send my men to put the axe to the oath breakers."

In his anger, Talen flung the knife forward, sticking it into Mikael's mug and sending it flying across the room. Mikael, stared at his dad with wide eyes, shocked at how close he was to death.

"Wrong answer!" Talen roared, launching to his feet and surprising his son with his speed. "My legacy, The Wrathen legacy, didn't happen because I waited until the moment was just right! I did what I needed to! Regardless of what time of the day, week, month, year, or season! This is why you're not going to be chief!" Snorting angrily, he then growled. "I should have never listened to that wife of mine to take you on my last trip! You've been nothing but a pain and a mistake this entire expedition!"

"It wasn't my idea to come with you! I wanted to stay and govern from home! Not on an old, tub of a ship!"

Talen shook his head angrily. "You. Can't. Rule. What. You. Don't. Know." He growled with chagrin. "If you think you can lead our men and clan from a desk, you're hopeless and don't have a breath's chance to become chief."

Before Mikael could reply, a light knocking sounded at door. Talen sent a hate filled glare at his son to silence him, before calling to whoever was outside. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal a bone armor clad person. With shaped dragon bones covering their body, they had a large helmet with what looked like dragon horns as well. A midnight black chainmail veil draped over the person's face and under the helmet's opening, masking the individual's identity save the eyes. The armor and helmet covered any kind of body features, adding a sort of mystery to the stranger.

"You called, father?"

"Ah, Teeth, thank you for coming by." Talen called out, his face visibly relaxing at seeing his other kid and the future chief of the Marauders. Mikael's on the other hand, darkened and flushed red.

Teeth wasn't their real name, just a nickname that was given by the clan and crew when adopted by Talen; which was a funny story of how they became an active member of the Marauders, and ultimately got the name.

Grabbing his two longswords leaning against the wall behind him, Talen then walked up to the blacksmith and warrior. "Your brother and I are having a…discussion. I'll talk to you later tonight." Handing the swords over, he then asked. "In the meantime, can you sharpen these for me? By now I'm sure you know we're going to war, and I know that you've been busy running the forge since Torlund was…killed last week."

Teeth's eyes went misty behind the bone helmet, telling Talen that the memory of Torlund's death was still fresh in the young blacksmith's mind. Letting Teeth take the swords, he whispered in a tone as comforting as he could muster. "I'm sorry, Teeth…he was a lifelong friend to me too. You do him honor by being the White Wake's blacksmith. He couldn't be more proud than to have you take over."

Sunk behind the helmet, Teeth's eyes closed as they nodded in acknowledgement.

Gesturing to the swords held by Teeth, he then explained. "I'd do it myself, but you have a special way with the silver. You truly are an artist with that kind of skill."

Teeth simply nodded, and replied with a hoarse whisper, being slightly muffled by the black veil. "No problem, Chief. I'll get it done by morning." Turning and walking away, Talen and Mikael then heard. "Oh, Mikael? You should start calling him chief instead of father. Since he's not going to be your chief for long, better start practicing so it's not hard when I take over and you report to me." At that, the Marauder's blacksmith and future leader walked away, disappearing from view.

"Come back here, you mutt, and tell that to my face!" Mikael shouted, standing up to chase Teeth "You'll never be my leader! And you'll never be a Wrathen! You know it! We all know it!"

Talen grabbed Mikael's shoulder, stopping him from pursuing his adopted sibling. Closing the door, he then growled. "Why can't you be like Teeth, heh? Loyal, brave, competent…" His eyes narrowing, added with venom in his voice. "Willing to do what needs to be done!"

"I'm not here to please you. Chief." Mikael spat out, marching past his dad. "I'm here to take what's rightfully mine!"

"If it were by rights of birth, I'd have disbanded the Marauders long before you could ever take over." He growled, letting his silver eyes narrow. "I'm giving the title to the one that's earned it!" Gesturing to the door where Teeth disappeared too, he added. "Teeth has more than earned the right. Something your mother never taught or told you."

"I was taught how to rule! Not waste time hunting beasts or commanding drunk and stupid men!"

"You might know how to rule, but you have no knowledge or experience of how to lead. They are spate entities entirely. Your mother was adamant that you were better off staying at home to learn how to be a chief. Only if she knew that you can only learn so much without experience. It was wrong that she kept you from going on our excursions and hunts with Teeth and I."

Mikael just glared at his father. Unable to come up with any solid comeback, he then barked as he stormed away. "I'll be in my cabin. Tell me when we're done wasting time and decide to go home!"

Talen watched his son open the door and storm out of view, leaving the door wide open. Shaking his head, he then whispered silently to himself. "Congratulations, Mikael. You're officially no longer considered to be the Patriarch of the Wrathens. You simply gave it to Teeth."

Shutting the door, he then turned to look at a map hung up on the wall. Staring at the top of it, labeled the Northern Archipelago, he shook his head. Regardless of how short or long this fight was going to be, he knew that it was going to be the proving fires for Teeth's future role as chief.

"What's going on?!" Heather called out as she sprinted into the clubhouse. Originally looking for Fishlegs, she couldn't help but hear what sounded like clashing of steel! Taking a deep breath, she shook her head to see both twins ramming their heads together, their helmets making a terrible clanging sound.

"Oh hey, Heather!" Tuffnut laughed, holding his head as he smiled at her, just before continuing the head butting.

"Ugh, shouldn't be surprised. Hey, have you seen Fishlegs?"

"Uh…not here!" Ruffnut replied loudly, over a thunderous clang.

Ignoring the otherwise odd sight, she simply followed up with another question. "Do you know where he went?"

"I think he went to the arena. He's trying to teach Meatlug something new." Tuffnut answered, keeping up the pounding.

"Really? Like what?"

"Don't know. It sounded boring and made us want to fall asleep. That's why we're doing this!" He followed up, swinging his head back and then bringing it forward with extra force.

CLANG! The helmets rang aloud, knocking both twins on their butts.

"Oh hohoho…good one bro!" Ruffnut cheered, holding her head and smiling from ear to ear.

Heather rolled her eyes, walking out of the clubhouse and down towards the arena. Since Hiccup and Astrid left on a scouting mission, both she and Fishlegs were running around, trying to contain the twins destructive nature; and keeping the bored Snotlout busy with anything other than either hitting on her, or doing whatever he wanted. However, at this point, it was sounding like she was the only one babysitting.

Shaking her head, she checked her pouch for the letter she received from a Terrible Terror sent by Hiccup. About something the two found while on their mission. Holding the letter, she let her mind drift into how different her life had changed since she joined Hiccup and his gang. Different? Definitely. Better? She didn't know. It wasn't like it was a bad thing, but she didn't know if it was the best thing for her. It was so different than what she believed herself to be. After being shipped off and left as an orphan by her brother Dagur, and then losing her adoptive family years later to the same man, she just expected to be alone the rest of her life.

Dagur. Shutting her eyes, she quickly dismissed the thought. She was so convinced that he was evil, and that he wanted nothing more than death and destruction in life; that she didn't even bother to listen to him that he was trying to change. A decision that ended up with him dying to protect her and Hiccup's gang. Her only family member, killed by her anger and unforgiving heart. Wiping a single tear, she then stopped the memory from going any deeper. She had to find Fishlegs, and tell him about the letter. Walking into the miniature arena, she easily spotted him talking to Meatlug.

"Fishlegs!" She called to him as she pulled the letter out. "I just got a Terror mail from Hiccup! You need to read this!"

"What?!" He cried out, turning and staring at her with wide eyes. "What does it say?"

"They're following one of Viggo's ships they found." She explained, handing it to him. "Loaded with supplies and equipment; no dragons though, at least for now."

"So, he's looking at this as an opportunity?" Fishlegs replied, taking and reading the letter.

"And as a matter of prevention. It sounds like an easy target. They say it's heading to another island south east from here. Hiccup thinks they're going to try and get a load of dragons; and if we stop that ship, it should help slow down the Hunters efforts, and maybe even clue us to where Viggo is hiding the Dragon Eye."

Fishlegs just nodded, reading the letter. It said everything that Heather had explained.

"When do you want to leave?" She asked, knowing he was the one 'in charge', and she wanted him to feel like he was.

"Oh! Uh…" He stammered, fumbling the paper to fold it back up. "I guess sooner the better. How long do you need to be ready?"

"D-don't you remember? We're ready to go. It's a matter of grabbing the packs that we prepared for everyone and getting on our dragons."

Fishlegs silently chewed himself out. He completely forgot that they prepared the packs for this very reason! "Of course! Sorry…yes, let's go now."

"You go grab the twins. I'll get Snotlout." Heather suggested, turning to walk up a ramp to a hut with a large S on it.

"Sounds good. Meet up at the hanger and then we'll head out." He shouted while still feeling completely embarrassed. Watching her walk away, he let out a sigh of disappointment in himself. "Still not quite the leader I was thinking myself to be." He whispered to himself. Truth was that it was Heather herself that made him nervous. He liked her. A lot. And he knew she liked him too. "Ugh, why's it so hard then?!" He growled to himself, angry that he was so easily flustered by her.

Turning to Meatlug, he then called out to her. "Alright girl, let's get going!"

Meatlug growled, wagging her massive tail like a dog and smiling happily at him.

Still debating his dilemma, he quickly climbed on the saddle as he pondered possible solutions. "Come on, let's go grab the twins!"

"It's weird." Astrid said aloud, looking through the telescope. "For a ship loaded with that many cages and dragon hunting equipment, there aren't that many crewmen. Or Hunters in general."

The two were laying a top of a grassy hill, covered with brush and small trees. Having left their dragons in a cave, they went to scout where the ship had anchored.

"I've noticed that." Hiccup agreed, gesturing for the telescope. Feeling it placed in his hands, he then scanned the ship moored in the bay below. Pushing aside some brush that was in his way, he then suggested. "I think that this isn't really a ship meant for hunting."

"So…like a supply ship?" She asked, resting her chin on her hands as she stared down to the ship.

"That's the only thing that makes sense to me." He replied, focusing on the apparent captain of the ship "Ugh, I hope Fishlegs and the others get here soon. It'd be a perfect time to strike."

"We sent that Terror mail not long ago. I don't think they'll be getting here anytime soon. Besides, we know that the twins and Snotlout will drag their feet, plus Snotlout trying to 'impress' Heather along the way. They'll be lucky if he doesn't land them in some sort of adventure themselves!" She pointed out, turning to look at Hiccup. "Are you sure leaving Dragon's Edge in Fishlegs' hands was a good idea? Remember last time we left him in charge? The twins and Snotlout used all our Nightmare gel for fun!"

"I'm sure." He replied, putting the telescope away and turning to look at her. Flashing a smile, he explained. "He has Heather to help him. We both know how Snotlout folds over for her. And she can handle the twins easily."

"So you left it in her hands." Astrid summed up, turning to look at where Stormfly and Toothless were hiding. They were peeking out of the cave, curiously watching their riders.

"Didn't want it to sound like that, but yeah, that's exactly what I did. Why do you ask?"

"Well, if this is a supply ship that's lightly manned." She began to say. "Then other ships are probably coming here to meet up with it, right?"

"Probably. Given that it set anchor here for no other apparent reason."

"Listen, if we wait, chances are that a bigger fleet is coming. Instead of waiting for the others and lose this chance, lets hit it hard now!"

"No. Its way to-" He began to say, only to be cut off.

"Risky? Did you really just say that with a straight face?" She teased.

"I was going to say unnecessary. We can wait for everyone to get here. We're not in that much of a hurry."

"Hiccup, you and I both know that even if we had the whole team, we can't take on a whole fleet without exposing ourselves to more risk!" Gesturing to the lone ship, she continued to argue. "It's an anchored, lightly guarded supply ship. Toothless alone can take care of it! He's done it before!"

Glancing at her, and then back to the ship, he let the wheels turn in his head.

"See! Easy!" She pressed again, smiling at him, knowing full well she won the argument.

Sighing, he just shook his head and said "Almost too easy. Viggo's crafty remember? He's usually two steps ahead of us."

"Hiccup! It's a single ship with a few men! If it was a trap, don't you think it'd have as much men to use all that equipment?" She cried out. "What if it's part of a future plan? Shouldn't we try and stop it to frustrate Viggo?"

Looking at her in the eyes, he then reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But we wait until tonight. That gives Fishlegs plenty of time to meet up with us, and gives us some cover. I want to have as much of an advantage as possible, alright?"

"Sure, I'll agree to that." She replied, smiling from ear to ear. "Just watch Hiccup, this'll be the easiest raid we do!"

"Heh, with that attitude, I guess it will."

Hey! It's good to be back! I hope this was a good chapter to start out on, and judging by the draft...heh, it's going to be a long one. Hope you enjoyed it!