Chapter 2: The Man in Black

Cast...

Man in black:...?


Mildew and his associates, Drew and Gobber, had carried Iris off to a small boat which was docked in Berk Channel.

After Gobber had placed her in the boat, Mildew started putting bits of a uniform wherever he could on Iris's horse.

"What are you doing?" Gobber asked.

"This is a uniform from Hollow Bastion." Mildew replied. "And Hollow Bastion is the sworn enemy of Berk. By leaving this evidence, the prince will think his bride-to-be was kidnapped by enemy soldiers, and when he finds her dead body at the borders of Hollow Bastion his suspicions will be confirmed!"

"Wait," Said Gobber, who had just joined the other two. "You didn't say anything about killing anyone."

Mildew slapped the horse, causing it to take off toward the Castle. "You were hired to help me start a war," He said. "Which is very prestigious work."

"I just don't think its right, killing an innocent girl."

"Am I going mad, or did you just say you were thinking? I didn't hire you for your brains, you walking land mass!"

"I agree with Big." Said Drew. "Killing her would be wrong."

"What happens to her is not you concern!" Mildew snapped. "I will kill her when the time comes. And remember this: When I found you Drew, you were so slobbering drunk you couldn't even buy brandy!" He turned to Gobber, who was actually afraid. "And you! Friendless, helpless, brainless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were, unemployed in Greenland!" Mildew stormed away and got into the boat, soon followed by Drew and Gobber.

Drew and Gobber began casting off, but Drew noticed Gobber's sad expression.

"That Dr. Mildew…" He said. "He sure canfuss."

"Fuss, fuss…" Said Gobber. Then he smiled. "I think he likes to scream at us."

"Probably he means no harm…" Drew continued.

"He's really very short on charm."

Drew chuckled and gave Gobber a friendly smile. "You've got a great gift for rhyme."

"Yes, some of the time." Gobber smiled back.

"Enough of that!" Mildew snapped, as he stood on another part of the ship.

But as they sailed off, Drew and Gobber continued. "Hey Gobber, any rocks up ahead?"

"If there are, we'll be dead."

"No more rhymes now!" Mildew shouted. "Imean it!"

"Anybody want a peanut?" Gobber asked.

"AAAARRRRGH!" Mildew screamed.

Later, after the sun had gone down, the boat reached foggy waters, far from Berk.

Drew stood at the helm, Gobber watched over Iris who had finally woken up, and Mildew sat nearby.

"We should reach the cliffs by dawn." He said.

Drew nodded and looked briefly behind them.

"What are you doing?" Mildew asked him.

"I'm making sure no-one is following us." Drew replied.

"That would be inconceivable."

"Despite what you may think," Said Iris. "Youwill be caught. And when you are, the prince will see you hanged!"

"The only neck on this boat you should worry about is your own!" Said Mildew.

Drew glanced over his shoulder again.

"Stop that!" Mildew shouted. "We can all relax. It's almost over."

"You're sure no-one is following us?" Drew asked.

"That would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable. No-one in Hollow Bastion knows what we've done and no-one in Berk could have gotten here that fast." Mildew started to relax, but looked back at Drew. "By the way, why do you ask?"

"No reason." Drew replied calmly. "It's just that I looked behind us and something was there."

"WHAT!" Mildew jumped up and ran to look out the back of the boat, as did Gobber and Drew.

They looked out into the fog, and there it was. A dark ship. It was a good distance away, but it was gaining.

Gobber and Drew seemed worried, but Mildew tried to stay calm. "Oh it's probably just a local fisherman." He explained, more for his benefit than anything else. "Yes, a local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise… at night… through eel infested waters…"

Iris didn't bother looking out at the mysterious ship. She knew now was her only chance and ran to the edge of the boat. She hesitated only a moment before she jumped.

Mildew and the others turned around when they heard the splash and saw Iris swimming away.

"AAH! GO AFTER HER!" Mildew screamed at Drew.

"I don't swim well." Drew admitted.

Mildew turned to Gobber. "I only dog-paddle." The huge man said, not realizing how ironic such a thing was.

Mildew growled, and then bellowed out orders. "Veer left! Left! Left!"

Iris swam as fast as she could, but heard an odd sound. She stopped and looked around her.

"Do you know what that sound is Highness?" Mildew called out. "Those are the shrieking eels! They always get louder just before they feast on human flesh!" Iris looked, but couldn't yet see these eels… though she could definitely hear them. "If you swim back now, I promise no harm will come to you! I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels."

Iris hesitated, not sure what to do. Then, she froze in fear, for a gigantic eel, with razor-sharp teeth had surfaced, and was coming straight towards her! Closer, and closer, and closer…...

Suddenly, Fishlegs put the book down again. "She doesn't get eaten by the eels you know." He said to the other teens, who looked worried.

"Huh?" Snotloud asked.

"She doesn't get eaten by the eels." Fishlegs repeated. "I was telling you that because you guys looked worried.

"I wasn't worried!" Snotloud lied.

"Well… maybe we were… concerned." Hikari admitted meekly.

"Yes, but we're fine now." Said Astrid, finally loosening the grip she had on her pillow. "You can continue."

"You sure?" Fishlegs asked. The three teens nodded. "Okay then. Now let's see..." He picked the book up again. "Okay, as I was saying… 'Do you know what that sound is Highness?' Mildew called out. 'Those are the shrieking eels!'"

"No, no," Said Snotloud. "We're past that part."

"Oh yeah." Said Fishlegs. Okay then, let me get back to where we were. okay. Closer, and closer, and closer…

The eel was almost upon Iris. She closed her eyes and said a final prayer, but a strong arm lifted her out of the water just in time.

Gobber lifted her up and set her back down in the boat.

Drew looked out and pointed to the dark ship. "I think he's getting closer." He said.

"Never mind!" Mildew snapped, as he tied Iris's hands. "He's no concern of ours. Sail on!" He turned to Iris. "As for you, you must think you're pretty brave, eh?"

Iris glared back. "Only compared to some." She said defiantly.

Dawn finally came, and the dark boat was still following them. In the morning light, Drew saw that the ship was being sailed by a man in black armor. He also wore a mask.

"He's almost on top of us now!" Said Drew. "I wonder if he's even using the same wind as us."

"Whoever he is," Said Mildew. "He's too late! Look!" He pointed to some impossibly high cliffs. "The cliffs of insanity!" Mildew quickly got the other two working to make it to the base of the cliffs. "Hurry! Move the thing! …the- the other thing! Move it!" He looked back at the mysterious man's boat. "We're safe. Only Gobber is strong enough to climb those cliffs. It'll take that meddler hours to sail around and find a harbor!"

The ship stops and Mildew, Drew, Gobber, and Iris get off.

Gobber strapped a harness to his back, which Drew secured Mildew, Iris, and even himself to.

Gobber found a rope that had been left hanging from the top of the cliffs and began to climb swiftly.

Gobber and the others were already far above ground when the man in black (I'll just call him The Man from now on.) Finally reached the cliffs and got out of his boat.

He looked up at the giant figure carrying three people up the cliff. Then he grabbed the rope and climbed after them.

He may have been far behind, but at the speed he was climbing he was gaining fast.

"He's climbing the rope…" Drew said, as he noticed their follower, hardly believing it himself. "And he's gaining!"

"Inconceivable!" Mildew screamed. "Faster!"

"I thought I was going faster." Said Gobber.

"You were supposed to be this colossus, this great legendary thing! And yet he gains!"

"Well, I'm carrying three people, and he's only got himself."

"I don't want excuses! I'll just have to get myself another giant, that's all!"

"Don't say that Mildew. Please?"

The Man was still gaining, getting closer and closer.

"Did I mention your job is at stake?" Mildew shouted.

Gobber finally made it to the top and everyone was glad to be back on solid ground.

As soon as he was out of the harness Mildew looked over the side of the cliff. The Hedgehog was still there. He took out a knife and quickly cut through the rope.

The rope fell and everyone looked over the side, expecting to see the Man falling as well.

But no! The Man was still there! He was holding on to some loose rocks and began to climb up without the rope.

"He didn't fall!" Mildew turned red as a tomato and screamed "INCONCEIVABLE!"

"You keep using that word…" Said Drew. "I don't think it means what you think it means."

"Whoever this man is, he's obviously seen us with the princess, and therefore must die!" He turned to Gobber. "You, carry her!" He looked at Drew next. "And you, we're going ahead. Stay here and make sure he dies. If he falls, good. If he makes it to the top, kill him!"

Mildew was about to walk away but Drew stopped him. "I want to duel him left-handed." He said, placing a hand on the sword he has been carrying this whole time.

"You know what a hurry we're in!" Mildew shouted.

"If I fight him with my right hand it'll be over too quickly."

"Oh fine! Have it your way!" Mildew turned away again.

Gobber put a hand on Drew' shoulder. "Be careful." He said. "A man in a mask can't be trusted." Drew nodded to his friend.

"I'm waiting!" Mildew shouted.

Gobber picked up Iris and walked away.

Drew briefly looked over the cliff to see if the Man was at the top yet. He wasn't.

Drew began to pace impatiently.

But he got tired of waiting, so he looked over the edge again. "Hello there!" He called, in a casual manner. The Man looked up briefly and grunted. "Slow going?" Drew asked.

"Look, I don't mean to be rude," Said the Man. "But this isn't as easy as it looks. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't distract me."

"Sorry."

"Thank you."

Drew walked away from the edge and began to practice his sword fighting techniques. But he got impatient again and went back to the edge. "I don't suppose you could speed it up?"

"If you're in such a hurry," The Man replied. "You could either lower me a rope or find something useful to do!"

"I do have some rope, but I doubt you'd want my help, since I'm just waiting around to kill you anyway."

"That does put a damper on our relationship."

"Look, I promise not to kill you till you reach the top."

"That's comforting, but you're just going to have to wait."

"What if I gave you my word as an Spaniard?"

"No good. I've known too many Spaniards."

"Isn't there anything I could say to make you trust me?"

"Nothing comes to mind."

Drew pondered a moment, but then his face became serious and he looked down at the Man. "I swear on the soul of my father, Aster Knight, you will reach the top alive."

The Man looked back up at Drew for a moment. He nodded finally and said "Lower the rope."

Drew lowered the rope immediately, and the Hedgehog quickly climbed to the top.

No sooner had he gotten both feet on the ground then he drew his Flare Katana. Drew shook his head. "Rest first. We'll start when you're ready." He said.

"Thank you." Said the Man. He went over to a large rock and sat down, immediately pulling off his shoe and dumping out the huge rocks that had somehow gotten in there during his climb.

Drew sat down nearby and tried to get a good look at the Man's hand. "Excuse me," He said. "But you wouldn't happen to have six fingers on your left hand, would you?"

"Do you always begin conversations like that?" The hedgehog asked.

"Sorry. It's just that I'm looking for a man with six fingers."

The Man raised his left hand. There were only five fingers.

"Ah, I didn't think so." Drew said, somewhat disheartened.

"Why are you looking for a six-fingered hedgehog?" The Man asked.

"(Sigh) you see, ten years ago my father was slaughtered by a six-fingered man. I've been searching for him to get my revenge."

"Really?"

Drew nodded. "My father, Locke, was the greatest sword maker on all of Island of Berk, where I'm from. One day, a six-fingered hired him to make a sword—the finest he'd ever made." Drew drew his sword and handed it to the Man. "This is the sword my father slaved to make. His best sword… and last."

The Man looked closely at the sword. It was magnificently crafted, and had a golden handle, with what looked like little different color gems decorating it. "I've never seen its equal." Said the Man, honestly impressed beyond words at the beautiful sword.

Drew took it back and looked at it. "My father slaved for a year before it was done. The six-fingered hedgehog came back for the sword, but at one-tenth his promised price. My father refused… so the six-fingered man stabbed him in the heart… and killed him. I sought him out and challenged him to a duel."

"And..?"

"And… I lost. The six-fingered man left me alive, but gave me this," He pointed to a scar on the side of his face. "And this." He pointed to an identical scar on the other side.

"How old were you?"

"Ten years old. When I was strong enough, I devoted my life to the study of sword fighting. So that when I find the six-fingered hedgehog I can say to him, 'Hello. My name is Drew Knight. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'"

"You've done nothing but study swordplay?"

Drew chuckled, but without humor. "It's more pursuit than study lately. It's been ten years, and I still haven't found him. I'm beginning to lose confidence. I've just work for Mildew to pay the bills. Not a lot of money in revenge."

The Man gave a small, brief, but friendly smile. "Well, I certainly hope you find him someday." He stood up, so Drew did the same.

"You are ready then?" Drew asked.

"Whether I am or not, you've been more than fair." The Man replied, drawing his blade.

Drew prepared himself and smiled. "You seem like a decent guy. I'll hate to kill you."

"You seem like a decent guy. I'll hate to die." The Man said that, but clearly had no intention of dying that day.

"Very well." Said Drew. "Begin!"


Chaos dose not own The Princess Bride or HTTYD but she owns Iris, Hikari belongs to WingBladeWeaver1357, and Drew belongs to RedDiEnd.