A/N: Okay here's another to fill our time and place in more ideas.
Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own.
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
Hiccup pounded hard on the shield with his hammer as he fitted the last modification. "Okay, that should do it. What do you think bud?" He asks showing her the shield. Toothless just grumbles and rolls her eyes. "Oh come on. It's got a few attachments now. Ones especially for this trip. Watch." He throws the shield outside and both watch as it comes close to a viking, making the large man stumble back a bit, before coming back to his hand running along a cable. "Better huh? I lose the shield sometimes so I thought this might be making things easier."
"Hiccup, you ready?" Stoick calls.
Hiccup turns to the voice. "Coming dad!" He turns back to Toothless who just has a look on her face. "What?" She rolls her eyes and readies for flight. Hiccup gets on and they both take off to the docks. "I have to make a few modifications to your saddle so I'll do it on the boat ride over." He tells her as they reach the docks.
"You ready for this son?" Stoick asks as three ships are about to cast off.
Hiccup nods as both Toothless and Hiccup board the lead ship. "Let's just hope that the other clans are ready, because if they are not then we are done."
"Don't worry Hiccup." Gobber says walking up.
"Take care of him Gobber." Stoick says.
Hiccup turns to his dad. "You're not coming?"
"I have to stay here and watch over Berk." Stoick says.
Gobber taps him on the back. "Don't worry boy, uncle Gobby will be with you."
Hiccup raises an eyebrow. "Gobby?"
Gobber shrugs. "Eh, funniest name I think of."
"Ok, that means I will have to…" Hiccup dread was cut off by a fire blast coming from the deck. "What the heck?!"
"Sorry Hiccup." Fishlegs apologized as he scratches Meatlug. "She's kinda antsy."
"It's ok, just make sure she aims off the ship." Hiccup says.
"You hear that Meatlug. Make sure you're over the side of the boat." Fishlegs said as Meatlug nods.
Hiccup sighs and goes over to Toothless who has found a warm spot. "Hey girl. You ready for an adventure that will possibly kill us, again?" He asks as he lays down beside her. Toothless licks Hiccup's face making him wipe off the saliva.
"All ship set sail!" Gobber says.
Hiccup looks ahead of their destination. "Here we go, again into possible death."
After nearly a week of sailing the Berk fleet finally saw the other clans. "Gobber, I see the Belquin and Yorbenda clan ships." A sentry says.
Gobber looks up from his woodwork on making a duck. "Great, let's go meet them." He looks back to the other riders and sees that most of them are asleep. Gobber chuckles at what he's going to do. He takes out a call horn and blows it right near them, jolting them from their sleep.
"W...what is it are we under attack?" Astrid asks grabbing her axe.
Gobber laughs. "No laddie, of course not. I just did that to wake you up."
"What for?" Snotlout asks annoyed.
Gobber tosses Hiccup the horn. "The clans are here. We are going to meet them, so look decent."
"Ok, Snotlout, Ruff, and Tuff, get to Hookfang and Barf and Belch." Hiccup says.
They headed to their dragons while Hiccup turns to the rest. "Astrid, Fishlegs, you're with me. We're going to make an advance meeting."
"Got it." Astrid says getting on Stormfly.
Hiccup sighs and turns to Toothless. "You ready or going back to sleep?" Toothless huffs and lays down for him to get on. Hiccup chuckles and gets for them to both take off and catch up to Astrid and Fishlegs.
"So we are agreed that depending on the situation we will start building fortifications wherever we land?" Gunnlaugr asks.
"Yeah, I think that is best." Vilkatla says.
Hiccup looks to the map. "So where do we try to land? Along a supposed river or just the largest beach we could find?"
"That is what your clan's first part of the landing will be. Take some of the Yorbenda clan with you so they can spot for the two riders you choose to scout." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup sighs and turns to Vilkatla. "Who would you recommend with us?"
"Hey, you two go with them." Vilkatla calls to the two Yorbenda standing idle.
Hiccup looks to two Yorbenda and then back to Astrid and Snotlout. "Astrid, Snotlout, you two are scouting. Pick these guys up and scout ahead for us. We also need a path through some of the reef."
"Check for a landing area first in case you can't find one." Vilkatla says.
Astrid and Snotlout land near the boat and picks up the two Yorbenda before hovering. "You got it guys." Astrid said as they fly ahead of the boats.
"All we can do is wait for the others to show up and for them to return." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup then looks to the supplies. "What do we got for the camp and how long are going to last?"
"A lot of smoked meat and fish along with a lot of mead and hopefully we will find a water source." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup sighs and looks ahead of them. "Well that should hold us for how long, because I don't think these guys like to starve?" He asks looking to him.
"Depends on how many the other three clans bring and what supplies they bring but knowing the Vladimere clan they will most likely bring a lot of food because they are big eaters." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup then looks to them both. "So what do you guys want to talk about in the mean time? I mean it will take a while for the others to come back."
"Well we could discuss your knowledge of dragons as you are the first rider." Vilkatla says.
"Hold off on that until we get our three fleets into a defensive formation. Who knows what's on that island?" Gunnlaugr says.
The whole fleet soon hears a roar and it doesn't sound like theirs. "Hiccup, was that your friend's dragon?" Vilkatla asks.
Toothless growls as Hiccup steps up to the front. "I don't think so. But whatever is there sounds like it's mad."
"Oh no, not again." Gunnlaugr says.
Both teens looks to him. "Again?" They both ask.
"Battle stations, battle stations, we got a huge Scauldron coming our way!" Gunnlaugr yells and immediately all the vikings started to prepare and arm themselves.
Hiccup sighs and turns to Vilkatla. "Try to keep him under control. We are not here to kill." He said as he mounts Toothless and takes off.
"You will soon learn that sometimes it is kill or be killed." Vilkatla says seeing Gunnlaugr grab a harpoon.
Hiccup shakes his head and flies off into the air to get a better look. "Okay where are you?" Toothless growls slightly as she looks around the dark blue water.
"Hiccup, is it true?" Fishlegs asks joining him on Meatlug.
"True what?" Hiccup asks trying to spot the water dragon.
"We got a Scauldron?" Fishlegs asks.
"Sound like it and everyone is preparing to destroy it." Tuff says as he and Ruff join Hiccup as well on their dragon.
Hiccup shakes his head. "We can't let them kill it. We have to scare it away."
Fishlegs looks to the Viking getting spears and harpoons. "How, we can't scare it until its above water?"
Hiccup thinks heavily as the situation comes into play. Viking above water ready to strike, Scauldron underwater that shots scalding water and boils the enemy. Which an attack underwater would be best, but...
Toothless growls as him. "What is it?" Hiccup asks almost annoyed. Toothless looks off to the side pointing out a large mass approaching the fleet underwater.
Hiccup growls. "There's got be a way to...wait that's it! Toothless remember when you and me played underwater and you roared?" Toothless nods at him. "Well you busted my ears, what's that say about a dragon?"
"Um...is it me or is that Scauldron bigger than the one you described?" Fishlegs asks.
Hiccup looks to the water dragon as it grows bigger as it approaches. "Okay, this a problem. Toothless I need you to plasma blast a line to draw it away. We don't want to fight something this big."
"It look like its heading for the ship you just got off of." Ruff says.
Hiccup slaps a hand to his face. "Great! Toothless, it's now or never!" Toothless plasma blasts the water three times causing a loud explosion.
The Scauldron slows down before turning around and heading back to the island. "Great, well at least we established a territory." Hiccup remarks as they head back to their boats.
"Aw, I wanted to fight that huge Scauldron." Tuff says.
Ruff looks to her brother. "You can't fight smaller. I doubt you would last one second."
"Would so." Tuff says.
Ruff smirks. "Well I could..." Their dragon smashes them together to shut up their bickering. "Ow, do that again."
"Thank you Barf and Belch." Hiccup says getting off of Toothless as Gunnlaugr just glared out on the water.
Gunnlaugr then turns to Hiccup with the same glare. "What did you do that for? It'll be back madder than before and you made it worse."
Hiccup tries to look innocent. "Hey, at least I bought us some time here. We wouldn't have survived against it."
Gunnlaugr walks off with a huff. "Sorry about the Captain. He lost five friends to that Scauldron before you found us. He has felt responsible ever since." A Belquin viking says.
Hiccup then looks down as what he said before hits him. "Great, now I made it worse."
"The Captain will keep his personal feelings in check until he at least gets another shot. He won't endanger the expedition for his revenge though." The Belquin viking says.
Hiccup looks to the viking. "Better hope he does or we're done for." He then goes to Toothless and rest beside her. "Wake me up when they come back bud." Toothless responds by wrapping her wing around him.
Hiccup was roused from sleep by a loud horn. Looking around he saw it was now night and the number of ships had more than doubled. "If that Scauldron is any indication then the dragons on the island might be bigger than normal ones." Hiccup heard Gunnlaugr's voice.
Hiccup follows the voice to another ship and finds the rest of the heirs. "Well we just wing it." Vilkatla counters.
"That horn was your clan's right does that mean the scouts are returning with a report?" Eldnarr asks.
Vilkatla sighs, "Yes and they found a large landing beach enough for the whole fleet, almost surrounded by a reef except for one place so we got one shot."
"It will take too long going one ship at a time and if the ships are attacked my multiple Scauldrons like the one from earlier than it will cost us a lot." Askatla points out.
Vilkatla shrugs. "Where are we going to place them then?"
"I think the best way to solve this is by doing the original plan and use some of the riders and their dragons to lift some of the boat and carry them while others take the path." Gunnlaugr says.
Everyone nods and looks to where Hiccup should be sleeping and finds him awake. "Hey there, heard the plan, let's get started." He takes some rope attached to the ship and attaches it to Toothless. "Let's go bud and grab the others."
"Hold on Hiccup we are not ready for that yet. While you were asleep Gunnlaugr here had your riders patrol so we didn't get taken by surprise from another Scauldron. They all currently too tired to start carrying ships so we are letting them rest until morning." Aldulfur says.
Hiccup silently groans. "Well might as well get some work done while I wait." He unties the rope and goes by Toothless and grabs some tools. He then begins to make the modification he wanted to do in the harness and saddle into the night.
Later that night he heard Gunnlaugr talk again. "Get some sleep you two, I'll take over the watch for a while."
Hiccup stops his work for a moment to look over, but he just shrugs and continues to work, trying to stay quite as possible.
"I thought you were asleep?" Gunnlaugr asks quietly as he got to them.
"I stayed awake working on her saddle and harness. Needed to do some anyway. So want to talk about earlier?" Hiccup asks putting his tools down sits on an upturn bucket.
Gunnlaugr nods and sits on a crate. "Sorry for just walking away like that. Attacks can wreak havoc on a mind."
"I have been through a few dragon attacks in my day so I can understand." Hiccup says fiddling with something he made.
Gunnlaugr looks to him. "What kind of attacks?"
"You know the usual dragon raids where they attack and stole our livestock and kidnapped a few vikings every so often." Hiccup says.
"I see. This is one of your first time commanding your clansmen isn't it?" Gunnlaugr asks.
Hiccup shakes his head. "I sort of been the leader of the riders for a while now. Especially after the Red Death."
"But have you yet to lose someone or make a choice where you had to sacrifice something for the good of the majority?" Gunnlaugr asks standing up and looking out to the darkness of the night.
Hiccup looks to him. "Yeah, Toothless or my dad done by Dagger." Toothless peeks an eye open at the mention of that.
"Then you know some of the weight that comes with being a leader." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup nods and reaches behind him to tell if Toothless is still there. "Yeah and it really pulled me down when it came to it."
"Your father has had to deal with that for a lot longer and someday you will have to deal with it too." Gunnlaugr says.
Toothless saves him some trouble and places her head under hand. Hiccup smiles as he feels her there. "Yeah, but that's a long ways away and more training for the ultimate position of Berk."
"Good best get ready, the sun is rising." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup nods and gets up and stretches. "You want to wake the others and I'll get the riders?"
"Let them have a little longer. It may be the last time they can sleep peacefully for a while." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup nods and looks to his reminding job on the saddle. "I guess I can finish the modification to wait for them."
"Hiccup." Gunnlaugr says getting his attention.
Hiccup looks back to Gunnlaugr. "Yes?"
"Watch yourself out there, this is going to be extremely dangerous." Gunnlaugr says not turning around.
Hiccup's smile that he had on falls at that. "We are going into unknown territory. Expect the unexpected."
"No matter what, you must survive for the sake of your clan above all others." Gunnlaugr says making Hiccup feel a little pressure.
Hiccup looks to Toothless who was watching him. "Yeah, I guess that is the right way here."
"Then there is nothing left to say." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup turns back to him to see him getting some ropes and tying them to the boat. Hiccup looks to Toothless who has a worried look. "That day when I had to make a choice, my first thoughts went to you. But then it tuned to finding a way to get both of you back with me." Toothless encircles him with her wing. Hiccup smiles as she gives a gummy smile. "Thanks girl. Now let's finish this work on your saddle." He said getting back to work.
A few hours later horns and bells were sounded waking everyone up. Hiccup looks up from his final piece in his work and looks out to the other boats. "Looks like we're about good to go. You ready bud?" Toothless smirks and stretches what she could. "Well let's get ready too." He pounded his hammer one last time and places the tools away.
"Hiccup." Astrid calls as she and the other riders land close to him and Toothless.
Hiccup looks up to them. "Give me a few seconds and I'll be up." He ties the last pack on the saddle and gets on. "Let's go." Toothless growls and flies up to them. "Okay, what do we got?"
"Besides us, three Monstrous Nightmares, four Gronckles, six Deadly Nadders, two Hideous Zippleback, and Gobber's Boneknapper." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup sighs and looks down to Gunnlaugr. "The ships ready?" He calls down.
"Gobber had them prepared last night, but we will need at least two dragons for each and there are more than thirty ships in all." Fishlegs says as Aldulfur waves up at them confirming they were ready.
Hiccup looks back to the other dragons they have in thought. "Okay so we'll do it all at once and as much as they can carry and then go back for the rest."
"I was asked to help guide ships through the fog so we can bypass the reef and sail some through." Astrid says.
Hiccup nods. "Okay that makes our jobs easier. Anything else I should know about?"
"I think that is Heather down on that ship below us." Snotlout says.
Hiccup looks down as well. "Huh, so it is. Anything else?" Snotlout opens his mouth to speak. "That is not about Heather." He closes his mouth.
"Nothing comes to mind." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup looks out to the ships moving to the island. "Then let's get this done." He steers Toothless over to the lead ship and follows it. Everybody else starts to head for a ship of their own while the entire fleet travels closer to the island.
After the fleet makes it to the reef the riders start hooking on the ropes on the dragons and lifts them away into the fog ahead. While Astrid steers the smaller ships through a safe passage through the reef. After an almost two hours they were almost done and waiting for the last ship to come out of the fog.
"Where are they?" Hiccup asks particular no one as he watches the thick fog.
Screams were heard through the fog. "They are in trouble Hiccup, go help them!" Aldulfur yells.
Hiccup immediately speeds off into the fog looking for the ship. "Guys! Where are you?!" He calls out as they fly through the fog.
They soon bump into something that makes them tumble down into it. Hiccup groans as he looks up and scrambles back. Toothless growls into the fog for the creatures that cleaned the bodies left behind. "Oh man." Hiccups says getting a good view, but was drawn by someone groaning in pain. Racing over Hiccup finds a viking missing an arm.
Hiccup looks him over and finds no other injury besides a few scratches. "What did this, what happened?" He said getting a few cloths from Toothless's saddle.
"It was like nothing I had ever seen." The viking says as the boat starts to leave the fog.
Hiccup nods as he dresses the wounds. "Hang on, keep talking to me."
"Watch the waters carefully, it came from the sea." The viking says.
Hiccup pulls tight on the cloth. "What came from the sea?"
"A monster." The viking says as other ships neared them.
"What kind of monster?" Hiccup asks.
"Hiccup what happened?" Aldulfur asks as he jumped onto the boat.
Hiccup looks around as well. "I would tell you if I knew, but this one needs help."
"Quickly get the healers, we have a survivor!" Heather yells and the vikings start scrambling.
"Hang in there, you're going to make it." Aldulfur says.
The viking nods as he was being tended too while the others look through the ship. "What could have caused this?" Aldulfur asks while the ship was towed to the shore.
"He said it was a monster. Which is odd, he could have just said dragon." Hiccup says.
Aldulfur looks to him. "Then we are dealing with something else. We need to be careful and stay together at this point."
"And it was the Trentanor's ship that got hit. Typical, the ones who are best at building and forging are always the first ones to get targeted." Eldnarr says walking up.
Hiccup pulls a tattered cloth from a cargo pile. "Its first rule of war, but here, I think these things just took an easy strike."
"We should have stuck to the original plan, but the Yorbenda heiress want to do this fast." Eldnarr says.
Hiccup opens a food crate and finds it full. "Well that made us leave behind a ship and hope it would catch up. Fat load of good that did. And I found another piece of evidence that said this is just a strike of opportunity."
"It seems so, so that means that this was the fault of the Yorbenda heiress." Eldnarr repeats.
"Lock it down Eldnarr." Gunnlaugr says walking up to them.
Hiccup closes the crate and calls over to other vikings. "Get this unloaded and get this boat ready for a funeral. And he's right Eldnarr. We can't point fingers because we didn't know what was going to happen." He said turning to them.
"Then no more doing things the fast way. We were careless there, so no more decisions to put us at risk so we can get done faster." Eldnarr says walking away.
They both watch as he walks away. "So what if we have to run?" Gunnlaugr asks Hiccup humorously.
Hiccup elbows Gunnlaugr with a smile. "Let's get the boat ready." Hiccup says.
Gunnlaugr nods and helps the others prepare the ship. While Hiccup heads to the shore after jumping off the ship. "How are we doing with the camp?" He asks Astrid.
"Well the two female heirs are currently arguing whether or not to make a camp here or further inland." Astrid says.
Hiccup sighs and brings a hand to his head. "We need to establish here first because this is unknown territory. We can't go inland either until we find somewhere good and know we can protect it. I'll talk to them."
"Need help?" Astrid asks as he walks away.
Hiccup turns back to her walking backward. "I handled you and Toothless, what's different?"
"I'm telling you, staying here leaves us open to attack from whatever attacked that ship." Askatla yells.
Vikartla growls at her. "And if we go inland then we might attack on all sides!"
"Your lack of foresight already cost us one ship of my clansmen. I won't have your reckless behavior cost us more!" Askatla yells.
"Enough!" Hiccup yells as he comes between them. "Look whatever attacked that ship only did it in the fog. Which means that it doesn't want to be seen and if we go inland then we are in unfamiliar territory, we can't take that chance."
"We are already in unfamiliar territory." Askatla reminds slamming her fist on the table.
Hiccup shakes his head. "We already got the area under watch and under control. We are good for now, but is the first spot we make camp until we find a better place. Besides, you want to meet that creature in the forest?"
Askatla glares at Hiccup before leaving. Hiccup sighs and looks to Vikarta sadly. "Sorry, but logic is winning in this and past experience with dragon attacks."
"Glad you see things my way." Vikarta says proudly.
Hiccup shakes his head. "No your side might have problems too and I choose the only one that would all the people safe...well safe as can be." Vikarta then starts glaring at him.
Hiccup sighs and heads back to the dragon area. "Just safety, not sides. Remember that."
Hiccup walks out of the camp to see some vikings already at work. "Astrid, Ruff, Tuff, and Snotlout can I see you?" Hiccup asks.
"What's wrong Hiccup?" Astrid asks as they step up to him.
"I want you four to take your dragons and scout a bit. I don't want to be taken by surprise while we build up the landing point. Use your horns if we have trouble." Hiccup says. They nod and head back to their dragons. "And stay out of the fog and cloud and go in pairs."
"Gotcha." Astrid says getting on Stormfly as Gobber walks up.
"Gobber you recognize those claw marks on the ship?" Hiccup asks.
Gobber shakes his head. "No and that worries me. I think we are dealing with more new dragons."
"The survivor called it a monster instead of a dragon. What do you think that means?" Hiccup asks.
"Then we are definitely in unknown territory. I suggest we make camp here, wait for them to come back, have the funeral, and then hoof it through the dark and scary forest." Gobber said.
"I agree with you there, but at least two of the heirs are already mad at Vikarta and that hurts our unity." Hiccup says.
Gobber nods. "That happens in something like this and you know it. You have been on it before and you can deal with it. The only thing none of us are prepared for is these new dragons or monsters."
"We have huge Scauldrons, a human like dragon, and now an unknown dragon or monster." Hiccup lists off.
Gobber pats his back. "Or dragons. But don't you worry. With our brawn and you young kid's brains, we can get through this."
"Funny, you use to say I needed to stop being me." Hiccup says.
Gobber laughs. "That was before you became yourself."
"Gobber you best go help them seeing as you are the blacksmith of our village." Hiccup says.
Gobber nods and heads off. "Don't be afraid to come to me if you need help, I helped your father remember?"
"I know, but right now we have to look after the wellbeing of six clans." Hiccup says sounding like Stoick for a second it made Gobber blink in surprise. Gobber shakes his head and continues on thinking it was the island playing tricks.
Hiccup looks out across the area and sees the dragons getting ready to rest while the camp was being set...and there's another argument. Hiccup sighs. "This is going to be a long trip."
Later that night the camp and makeshift borders were set with small defenses and everyone went to the shore to see the boat off.
Askatla carries a torch as she looks over the group. "Anyone have anything to say?" She asks.
"Not mu…" Hiccup was cut off by a horn being blown. "That's one of my riders. We got company coming!" Hiccup calls.
"Battle stations, battle stations. Archers get to the walls!" Gunnlaugr orders.
Hiccup heads up to a crude watch tower and looks in the direction of the forest. He sees riders coming back with faint yelling heard from her direction.
"Dragons! They're on the land and they're fast!" Snotlout yells as she rushes back with Hookfang shooting fire at whatever was down there.
"Where's Astrid?!" Hiccup yells.
"She stayed behind to slow them down!" Snotlout yells.
Hiccup turns to Gunnlaugr. "Do whatever you can to stop them from getting in. I gotta get in air." He said running off to Toothless.
"Careful, they are small, but they are fast." Snotlout calls as Hookfang ignites some trees.
Hiccup jumps down onto Toothless and they both take off. "Alright girl, let's see what we're dealing with. We have to light some trees along the tree line so let's go." Toothless flies up before coming down onto the tree line and firing some blasts that set the trees on fire. As she was going along he finally sees one of the creatures. "What the?"
"Is that a Speed Stinger?" Fishlegs asks.
The 'Speed Stingers' hisses at the fire before heading along the line to find another way. "I don't think so, it's not acting one!" Hiccup yells back as Toothless stops firing.
"Hiccup, they are closing in on the fortifications." Fishlegs yells.
Hiccup growls and turns to the vikings in the ground. "We have no choice, fire the arrows!"
"Archers fire!" Vikarta orders and a volley of arrows flies towards the charging 'Speed Stingers'. A good number fall as they keep charging at the fort's walls and gate.
Hiccup watches as the 'Speed Stingers' stops before the wall and hisses before running around it in both directions. "They are coming in from the sides!" He yells as Toothless fires a blast at a chunk of the group.
"Askatla, is our surprise ready for our guests?!" Gunnlaugr calls.
Askatla grins. "You bet! Just get them through the gaps in the wall!"
The riders try to steer them through the places where the gaps were with attacks their dragons had while the ones on the ground prepared for close quarter combat with spears.
"Shields up, give them the spear wall." Aldulfur calls.
The beasts finally show up at the gaps as the vikings set up the wall. The 'Speed Stingers' rushed forward, not knowing what was in front of them. Soon the traps worked as the 'Speed Stingers' fall into the pit and are squired by the waiting stakes. Those who weren't tried jumping out of the pit but were greeted with crossbow bolts.
After a while of waiting for more to show up they faintly let their guard down. They look inside the pit and sees that these are not Speed Stingers.
"Hiccup." Gunnlaugr calls to him.
"I know these are not Speed Stinger and it looks like they are starting to back off!" Hiccup calls back.
Gunnlaugr looks to Gobber. "Get one of those things out and find out what it is. The rest of you, reset the traps and get these barriers ready for another assault and plug the holes, I don't care if you have to work all night to do so!"
The vikings rush to do what they were told and several of the creatures were brought out of the pits to be examined.
"Where is Astrid?" Hiccup asks looking around before they heard a loud roar like they have never heard before.
"Askatla, is your new toy ready for use?" Gunnlaugr asks.
Askatla shakes her head. "No, I need more time to set up the sling and the ammo."
"You have until whatever that was gets here to do it, if not then we are calling off this whole expedition!" Gunnlaugr yells.
Hiccup looks around more frantically. "Has anyone seen Astrid?!"
"I think I know where she is." Snotlout says.
Hiccup's eyes widen and was about to zoom over when a streak of lightning shot from out of the forest and into the sky shortly after another roar. Soon spikes came through and embedded itself in the sands and walls.
Hiccup recognized the spikes. "Let's go! Those are Stormfly's spikes."
"And there is Stormfly." Fishlegs calls as Stormfly is flying back looking a little hurt.
"Stormfly." Hiccup calls to her. "Who did this?" Stormfly just nods her head to the forest and heads down to Gobber to heal up.
"Come on guys!" Hiccup says about to rush off.
"Hiccup, don't leave the camp!" Gunnlaugr calls.
Hiccup stops Toothless and turns to Gunnlaugr. "We have to find her! We can't leave her in this place."
"Hiccup you are in charge of all your clansmen here, you can't just run off to save one. You will endanger many more by doing so!" Gunnlaugr calls.
Hiccup frowns. "Then what do we do?"
"Whatever made that roar is most likely huge. If this camp falls who knows how many will die and you and your dragons are our best defense!" Gunnlaugr calls.
Hiccup groans as the situation comes to hand. He sighs and takes a deep breath. "Then we move the camp!"
"You can't make that call Hiccup, it has to be a majority's decision." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup groans some more and turns to the other riders. "Did you find any buildings or anything for a good camping spot, otherwise we might lose her forever?"
"Hiccup, sometimes as a leader you must make decisions that sacrifice things and people to protect the whole." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup was about protest before Toothless growls at him. He glares at her. "What is it?" He asks harshly. Toothless just growls and starts to land. "What are doing?!"
"Making the right call." Eldnarr says walking up. "That's what she's doing." Toothless throws Hiccup off of her and lands on the beach. "She understand what's going on, but you're blinded."
"But Astrid..." Hiccup started.
"Might already be gone." Heather says walking up.
Hiccup turns angrily at her. "So we just forget about her?!" Toothless growls again before hitting in the back of his head with her tail, knocking him out.
"Thank you. Hopefully he will cool down when he wakes up." Heather says patting Toothless.
Toothless nods and goes over to him and starts to drag him where they were placed to sleep.
"Let's offer up a prayer for Astrid." Heather says.
Astrid awoke with a headache. Looking around she finds herself in a cave with no light shining into it.
"Finally you woke up, I was worried that you fell into a deep sleep." A voice said.
"Who is there?" Astrid asks looking around not seeing anything.
Suddenly something appeared before her. "Better?" The thing asks.
Astrid gasps as she saw a thin dragon hanging upside down from a wooden beam across the ceiling. "What the heck?" She asks more curious than afraid.
"I must say I'm surprised, you didn't go for your axe." The dragon says.
Astrid feels around her back but doesn't find her favorite ax. "Hey give it back, that's a family heirloom."
"It's where I laid you down." The dragon says.
Astrid feels around on the cool stone ground and feels something wooden. Bringing up to her face she sees it's her ax. "What are you? You are not a regular dragon."
"Gee, what was your first clue? The fact I can talk or the fact that you were surrounded by several types of dragons?" The dragon asks.
Astrid stiffens and looks around. She then sees a head pop up and then a chirp. "What the heck? What are these guys, they are not Terrible Terrors?"
"No, not those, look up and you'll see a few dragons." The dragon says.
Astrid looks up to find whispering deaths, a ground grappler, and a few terrible terrors sleeping on or hanging from the woodwork. She then looks around the cave to find it almost like a building on its own. "Where are we?"
"My home." The dragon says as he throws the little creatures some meat causing them to run after it.
Astrid watches as they fight each other for it. "What happened?"
"You were attacked by one of the bigger reptiles of this island." The dragon says flipping off the beam and landing on his hind legs and standing up like a human. Astrid watches as his tail slightly wags behind until she turns away. "Something wrong?"
Astrid points to him. "Clothes."
"What are you talking about, I am wearing clothes?" The dragon says and Astrid turns back around to see him wearing leather like clothing.
Astrid smiles slightly. "Not your color that's for sure. Anyway thanks for the rescue, but I have to go now." She said as she gets up.
"Not a good idea right now." The dragon says.
Astrid looks to him annoyed. "Why not, I can handle myself?"
"Well one, you're still hurt as I had to bandage your head and one of those large reptiles I mentioned is currently hunting near here." The dragon says as the little creatures come back and start chirping again. "Ok, ok, here you go." The dragon says tossing more meat to them.
Astrid ignores the creatures as they go after the meat. "Why didn't you get me to my friends? You obviously saw them."
"Well because I took a bad hit to my wing saving you last night and I can't fly right now." The dragon says frustrated.
Astrid groans until a large creatures like the little ones came up beside her. She watches as it watches her until it starts nuzzling her. "Uh, what's up with this one?"
"Motherly to all others here." The dragon says turning away giving Astrid a look at his bandaged wing with dried blood all over it.
"Whoa." She said quietly. "Um, is there any buildings nearby?"
"None all too secure. The original vikings of this island realized that early on and built their homes into the mountains or underground." The dragon says.
Astrid watches as he goes to the mouth of the cave. "So nothing at all on this island, just the old clan, the dragons I can tell apart from, and these guys?" She asks pointing to the near her.
"Partially right, the vikings that inhabited this area are no longer around." The dragon says.
Astrid looks confused. "Did they...?"
"It was the large reptiles that hunted them all down." The dragon says sadly.
Astrid couldn't place her finger on it, but something wasn't adding up. "How could you know that? If you were a regular dragon creature then you would barely know about the clan. The only way you could know is if..." She looks to him shock.
"Yeah, you're looking at the last and cursed member of my clan." The dragon says.
Astrid looks confused. "What happened? What made you cursed?"
The dragon looks out the entrance and sniffs the air. "It's coming this way." He says before whistling, waking up the ground grappler. The ground grappler then jumped down and helped him start pushing a large boulder to the entrance sealing it.
"What's coming?" Astrid asks as the cave becomes covered in darkness.
"The large reptile. We called it the Spinosaurus. Because of its large spine fin. It may end up fighting the other large reptile in the area." The dragon says.
Astrid looks out into the gap before it closes. "What other large reptile is out there?"
"We called it the Tyrannosaurus." The dragon says as he and the ground grappler walk back.
Astrid looks to the boulder before walking back and tripping on something making her fall. The dragon catches her before she hits the ground. "Can we have some light?" She asks as she righted herself.
"We don't usually use fires in here because we can see in these low lights and you're about to trip over a rock." The dragon says.
Astrid freezes and slowly moves her foot forward, feeling a rock ahead. "Well I don't have that."
"Hold on, I think I have some wood around here somewhere." The dragon says as Astrid hears him rummaging around.
Astrid waits until she feels something running along her foot. "Hey, get off." The creature leaves her foot and heads somewhere while she looks out anything weird. She closes her eyes quickly as the cave was filled with light.
"Here we go, one lighted cave." The dragon said giving her a torch.
"Great now what?" Astrid asks taking the torch.
"Just wait around, that Spinosaurus isn't leaving for a while." The dragon says walking away as the ground grappler climbs back to where it was sleeping.
Astrid looks around the cave and finds it filled with the creatures all taking a spot and her old resting spot. "Where can I rest?" She asked looking to her.
"Just pick anywhere, we are not picky." The dragon says climbing up the wall and into a hole.
Astrid looks at him as he crawls into the hole until his feet were left dangling out. She sighs and looks near the entrance and sees a spot away from them all. As she sits down she places the torch on the ground in front of her and lays down.
Yet, only one thing went through her mind. 'Where are you guys?'
Hiccup groans as he was waking up. Looking around he noticed he was sleeping on Toothless in his tent.
Hiccup grumbles a bit before getting up a bit, before being pushed back by Toothless's tail. "I know you're awake girl." He said as he looks to her. Toothless pretends to be asleep.
Hiccup shakes his head and pokes her head. "Come on, let me up."
Toothless finally relents and lets him up and gets up with him.
Hiccup smirks in victory before remembering what happened. "What the heck Toothless? You knocked me out."
"And for good reason." Gobber says walking in with some food and throws a smoked fish to Toothless's open mouth.
Hiccup shakes his head. "Where's Astrid?"
Gobber shakes his head. "Can't find her in the air and we are not risking going into the forest with those things out there."
Hiccup sighs and tries to get up before Toothless knocks him back down on the ground. Hiccup looks to her in irritation. "What are you doing?" Toothless snorts and places her tail over him. "I don't need you watching me like that." Toothless growls and towers over him. Hiccup became genuinely afraid as Toothless came close to him.
"Toothless, that's enough. I think the other dragons need your help." Gobber said.
Toothless snorts in Hiccups face before leaving. He watches as she leaves. "What's wrong with her?"
"She's worried about you cause you're not thinking straight and Astrid is most likely gone by now." Gobber says.
Hiccup stands up and sighs. "We are going to find her and get her out of here."
"Hiccup you can't just run off on your own here." Gobber says.
Hiccup looks to him. "Then what do I do? Leave her here?"
"You can't act as you wish Hiccup, you have to think of everyone." Gobber says.
Hiccup looks irritated. "I am thinking of everyone, including Astrid."
"Hiccup!" Fishlegs calls from outside.
Hiccup rushes outside where he finds the rest of his team looking antsy about something. "What is it?"
Fishlegs jumps up and down as he couldn't contain his excitement. "We found something really good. Something that proves we are not alone here."
Hiccup looks confused. "Uh...those dragons or whatever they are, already tell you that."
"Besides those. When I went out with Meatlug we saw a building." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup looks confused. "A building?"
Fishlegs nods. "Yeah, but not wood, but stone and some metal."
"Did you check it out?" Hiccup asks.
"Ah no, you see there was a large one of those creatures roaming around it." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup groans and turns around a bit before looking back at them. "How big was it?"
"Big." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup face palmed. "Okay listen, how about this, how does the building look, is it broken in places or holding together?"
"Holding together, but plants are growing on it." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup points to him. "Good enough." He then turns to the other heirs. "Guys, we're moving the camp."
"Did you not hear Fishlegs, a big version of those creatures from earlier is roaming around it and you want us to move out of this fort with all our food and supplies and hike across the forest just to get there?" Askatla asks.
Hiccup shrugs. "Pretty much."
"Girls." The three male heirs say almost in sync and the girls smack Hiccup.
Hiccup recoiled from the hit. "Ow!" He looks back at them. "Look, we came here to stake a claim on this island and map it out. If we leave, what does that make us?"
"We are not leaving, what we are doing is called gradual expansion." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup shakes his head. "Look we need a more permanent position and this building might be it. It held after all this and the dragons here and a gradual expansion? Have you seen the island size?"
"And where are we going to have a port if we go further inland?" Gunnlaugr asks.
Hiccup looks aghast. "You do realize there is a reef and doesn't allow passage to all, but the smallest ships and even then it's not enough to survive."
"Well where would we put the ships? After all most of our supplies are still on them." Gunnlaugr argues.
Hiccup pokes at his own head. "Think, if a building like this was made then there is already a dock, maybe better than what we could make in a short amount of time."
"The fact still remains, where would we put them with most of our supplies and I don't know about you guys, but lugging around large amounts of dried meats and smoked fish in a forest full of creatures like dragons doesn't sound like the best idea." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup sighs and rubs his head. "Then we take over the building with an advance team. Whoever built this building must have had a map in there."
"Ok, that sound reasonable." Gunnlaugr says acting calm again and walking to an armory area.
Hiccup stares as he walked away. "Did I just convince...?" He asks in disbelief.
"When you stopped trying to get the entire camp to move there, you made a wiser decision." Vikartla says.
Hiccup just stares until he walks away. "I need a drink."
The other heirs looks on in shock as he heads for the storage area. "Did he just say he need a drink with what I think he said?" Askatla asks.
"What?" Vikarta asks.
Askatla looks to the rest. "I asked the rest of his team and they said he doesn't drink at all, ruins his flying. And now he drinks?"
"Probably just going to soak his head." Gobber says coming up to them.
All the heirs looks at each other confused. "Let's just get the team ready and maybe get some meat to move the creature away long enough." Askatla said as she walks away from them.
Hiccup drinks the last of his mug before throwing it to the side. "I'm such an idiotic heir." He said as Toothless came up beside him. "I doubt I would be worthy for the title of chief, maybe blacksmith, but no chief."
"Hey Hiccup." Heather says walking up.
Hiccup looks up a bit before looking back down. "Hey Heather, how's the family?"
"Good now that we are back with the clan." Heather says sitting beside him.
Hiccup smiles sadly. "Good for you. When does the advance group move to the building?"
"Well they are still picking who is going, so what is wrong? Are you sad about losing Astrid?" Heather asks.
Hiccup nods slowly. "I and the others have been through a lot. Astrid more than others. And yet...I can't leave her here, where there are these dragons or whatever they are with her. It doesn't feel right. It almost like when I keep losing Toothless at times, but I always find her again and I hope the same for Astrid."
"Hiccup, I know you don't want to hear this, but not everything ends happily. Sometimes you lose people and dragons no matter how hard you try." Heather says gripping his shoulder.
Hiccup sighs and leans back into the ground. "I just want my friend back."
"A lot of us here have lost friends and friends, especially after the incident with the boat. But we can't run off halfcocked, it won't bring them back and others may die because of it." Heather says.
Hiccup looks to her. "Then what do I do, forget about her?"
"No, you honor her memory and remember all the good times you two had." Heather says.
Hiccup sighs again and sits up as Toothless nuzzles against him. "So what are you doing here exactly? I thought you would with your family after what happened?" He asks rubbing her head.
"Well you see my family has, for before I was born, a marriage contract with the chief's family so I'm here supporting my betrothed." Heather says and Hiccup notices the engagement necklace.
Hiccup looks away as he looks to the crowd of vikings. "Who is it?"
"Hiccup, I'm of the Vladimere clan." Heather says.
Hiccup smiles slightly. "Yeah, you would fit into that. Are you coming along on the takeover?"
"That depends. My betrothed is a bit overprotective." Heather says.
Hiccup scoffs and smiles. "Well I think a huge reptile is enough for a no." He grunts as he gets up and heads for the armory. "I'll see you later when we take over the building."
"Maybe not, I can be very persuasive." Heather says patting the awe strapped to her hip.
Hiccup chuckles. "I can bet, how do you think Toothless and Astrid took control of the group at times?"
Heather shakes her head in amusement and looks to Toothless who had a smirk. "You need to learn the human way at times, otherwise you might lose the human." Heather advices.
Hiccup stops by his tent and grabs his shield before heading to the armory to get the ammo needed to use his shield and he knows he will need it. "So anyone decided to go?" He asks Askatla who just walked in.
"We are deciding who goes and who stays because we can't risk all of us." Askatla says.
Hiccup nods. "So who de we have got so far?"
"That is just it, we all want to go and taking one has positives and negatives, for example, if I go then I can inspect the structure and see if it is viable, but by doing that I'm not here to work on our best possible weapon for the big creatures." Askatla says.
Hiccup sighs. "So does that mean I can't go?"
"Oh no, you are going so you can get out there, but people will be with you so you can't just rush off." Askatla says.
Hiccup groans slightly. "When do we leave?"
"Talk to the others, I'm busy taking inventory as the viking who was supposed to do this was taken by your clansman Gobber to help examine those creatures we killed." Askatla says a little mad.
Hiccup stops as those creatures came to mind. "What the heck were they?" He asks himself. He shakes his head and leaves with what he got and heads for Gobber.
He came upon Gobber near the makeshift forge, looking over the new creatures they killed recently.
"I need one of those little hammers." Gobber tells the ones helping him as he looks over the head.
Hiccup comes up beside the table as Gobber got the tools. "What are we dealing with?"
"Well for one no fire sacs so it doesn't breathe fire, but its teeth and claws are no joke." Gobber says.
Hiccup looks over the creature. "And how are the teeth and claws?"
"Like dragon claws and teeth so sharp it can kill us easily without armor." Gobber says.
Hiccup looks to feet and notices one thing. "What's with that claw?"
"It looks like it has an anchor like function." Gobber says moving it.
Hiccup nods and was about to head out. "Anything else I should worry about with it?"
"Not that I know right now." Gobber says using a cutting hand.
Hiccup sighs. "Okay, we'll continue on it and if we find something over there that might help I'll give it to you."
"Thank you." Gobber says waving with his real hand.
Hiccup walks away, but is then stopped by Gobber. "Remember Hiccup, this is not Berk and Outcast Island. The rules change." After that Gobber heads back to work while Hiccup walks away with that thought.
Hiccup walks around for a bit longer till Fishlegs comes up. "Hiccup."
Hiccup looks to him as Meatlug lumbers by him. "You volunteered? Are you sure?"
"Well more like told I was volunteered by Snotlout." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup shakes his head and looks to the group approaching them. "Well, I'm dead because I'm not going to survive with her." He said pointing to the group.
"Hiccup there you are, we finally decided who goes." Askatla says.
Hiccup sighs. "Okay, well do you have a plan to get through the forest?"
"Yes, we do, now come along." Askatla says.
Hiccup watches as they walk through to the forest with Hiccup and Fishlegs behind them. "Someone want to tell me what the plan, especially with the huge lizard is." Hiccup said after a while.
"Oh you see your rider that informed us that, Fishlegs here, was more than happy to volunteer for that." Askatla says with an evil smile.
Hiccup looks to Fishlegs. "Did you?"
"I haven't seen Snotlout since I was informed about this." Fishlegs says.
"It was Heather's idea." Askatla says.
Hiccup face palmed. "Of course."
"It was that or my betrothed would have split him in half." Heather says.
Hiccup looks to her. "Heather, where's your betrothed?"
"Right here." Aldulfur says smacking Hiccup on the back.
Hiccup stares at him and then at Heather and then back again. Finally he just huffs and walks away. "I give up on the whole love thing at this point. I'll never understand it."
"It was arranged Hiccup." Heather reminds.
"Still got to love him in some way." Hiccup said not looking back.
"We will see." Heather says.
Toothless watches as he hurries up to the group while some stayed a little behind. She moans quietly as the things he said came to mind. "Hey, what's wrong girl?" Heather asks.
"I think she smells something." Hiccup says.
Heather looks to him. "And what is she smelling?"
Toothless walks over to a bush and pulls out a piece of fabric. "That's Astrid's." Hiccup say taking it.
Heather looks it over and then looks around. "Seems the fight where Stormfly got hurt was here. I doubt we would find her in this area now. Come on, let's get moving."
"There was a struggle here." A Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup looks around as well. "Yeah, we can see that. I think the broken tree and scorch marks gave it away. But this is just the first area to look around in. I won't look in a forest alone though." He shakes his head as grips the shirt tightly. "Come on, we wasted enough time." He said walking away.
"There was four here." The Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup finally grows frustrated. "Hey! You want to look through this area then fine. But we don't have the luxury here in the forest. We'll come find you after your scream."
The Yorbenda keeps looking. "She didn't die here." He says getting Hiccup's full attention.
"Then where did she go?" Hiccup asks.
"Look closely and you will see smallish dragon footprints near where she was sprawled out and the small groves there lead me to believe it picked her up." He says.
Hiccup takes a sharp breath. "Which way did they go?"
"I can't say, the tracks end so it must have flown her away. But judging from this patch of dried blood its hurt." The Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup stares for a few moments before Toothless shakes him out of his thoughts by nudging him. "I'm okay, I'm okay. Mark the direction in which they went and we'll use whatever maps we will get to find the spot where she is being held."
"Hard to say because…" The Yorbenda clansman goes silent when they hear the bushes rustle.
"Get ready." Askatla says quietly and readying her weapon.
"Here it comes." A viking says and a Terrible Terror jumps out of the bushes and latches its mouth onto the viking's nose.
They watch as the Terrible Terror just stays there. "Uh...we got worked up for that?" Aldulfur asks in disbelief now putting his weapon away.
"Get it off, get it off!" The viking yells while waving his arms in the air.
Everyone just stares as two more vikings help him. "Seriously?" Hiccup said.
"Reminds me of the twins." Fishlegs whispers to Hiccup.
Hiccup nods. "Let's hope that they don't become like them. The last thing we need is a burned forest."
"Let's get moving." Askatla says.
After getting the Terrible Terror off and placing it back at the trail edge they continued on and eventually came upon the building.
Hiccup looks over the building as they hid in the tree line. "Where's the lizard?"
They all hear a scream coming from far away. "Snotlout." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup takes a quick look around. "We won't get a better chance, move!"
All the vikings charge with weapons drawn and make it into the building. The clansmen shuts the door behind them as everyone else looks in the huge room.
"Is everyone seeing what I'm seeing?" Hiccup asks.
Fishlegs pushes one of the bones slightly. "If you mean old bones with skulls of what we have been seeing then yeah."
Heather looks around before spotting something. "Guys, there's something here." She said to them walking over to a picture.
"It looks a little worn but it seems to be a map." Hiccup says.
Askatla runs to her clansmen. "Get this thing copied. Everything about it. And make a few copies." She then turns to Fishlegs. "As soon as they get them copied, find what looks like a dock and head back to camp to tell them where and head there." She then takes a big breath before looking around. "This is quite incredible. I wonder how long all of this took to make." Askatla says.
Hiccup taps a wall with his hand. "Whatever it is, it still may hold after all this."
"But the problem is the entrance is large enough for probably one of those huge monsters to enter." A viking says.
Hiccup looks to the door and then to the door. "Try to find something strong to lock the door and try a crisscross lock."
"I say we just seal the door completely." Heather says.
Hiccup looks to her. "Then how would we get out and when the others get here when they want to, how would they transport large amount of goods? Through those?" He said pointing to the windows above the door. "See if you can block those for the time being too." He said to the vikings.
"This place is huge, I doubt that is the only entrance and exit. So that means multiple entry points." Heather says.
Hiccup looks to the door again. "Okay we'll seal it up for now. After that we start searching the place one area at a time. As we find each door to the outside we seal it and makes this the only one, except for one door on the other side, if possible, to easily get out."
"Or easy to get in with those smaller ones." Heather says.
Hiccup nods. "Maybe, but for now, this is our main entrance because we know it. We don't know the other entrances and exits yet. Until then, it's sealing time."
"Wait, wait, wait, we don't have the manpower to seal this quickly and how long can Snotlout keep that big one distracted till it comes back to its territory?" A viking asks.
Hiccup looks to the area. "We then stake a claim on the territory. We just need to stay quiet and move quickly if it does come back. We can plan our move from there."
"Then we should explore the area for other entrances first so we don't get flanked or the big one comes crashing through that one." Aldulfur says before they heard a roar close by.
Hiccup waits for a bit before speaking at a lower tone. "Okay, me and Fishlegs will search with our dragons. The rest of you, work in pairs and block the doors to the outside. Some of you need to stay here and block the door, start with crude and then work your way up. Try not to make a sound for all of you. If you get attacked, make it quiet and quick, we don't need to the attention."
"I don't think we have much of a cho…" Aldulfur was cut off by a second roar. "Was that a different roar?" Aldulfur whispers.
Hiccup nods. "Territory invasion or challenge, either way we got time and they are busy. That means we have be quick on the doors. Let's get this done." He said looking for his first choice.
"You heard the man move quickly and weapons drawn." Heather says with her axe now in hand.
"No." Hiccup said harshly. "Too much noise if you miss or you might make the enemy cry out too much. Use a dagger or the arrows you got."
"Hiccup, those littler ones went down only after several arrows." An archer says.
Hiccup nods. "That's because we didn't know what to hit. By the looks of things it's going to be close attacks and you can find the weak points. And by the way..." He picks up a rock and throws it to the wall away from him, making an echoing sound. "Stone really makes loud noises. So metal to stone or other metals is not good."
"Ok, let's hurry then and work as fast as we can because we are going to attempt to leave before dark." Heather says.
Everyone nods and picks a random hall while some stayed behind and barricaded the door. Hiccup steps around, making a clicking sound as he step making him wince. "Dang it. Oh wait, I got some cloth." He said digging into Toothless's saddles. He brings out a cloth which he wraps around his metal foot and tests it out. After finding it doesn't make a sound he continues on.
Teams of twos are walking together bows drawn as they search. They soon came across a door and then open a door and bring in the torchbearers. They find the room is very spacious with several table like areas. "What is this?" A viking asks.
"I think they were breeding those things." Heather says picking up a shell.
They look ahead to see the other broken shells in the other tables. "Let's hope they are gone from here." A viking said.
"These shell are ancient, I think that is a good assessment." A Yorbenda clansmen says looking over the eggs.
Heather nods and places the egg shell down. "Odin is the only one allowed to play god on us with his sons. But for our own only brings Helheim."
"Come on, this room is not the one we are looking for." A Yorbenda clansmen said walking out.
Fishlegs, Meatlug, and two other vikings were moving along when they came to a door. "Let's check in here." Fishlegs whispers.
They open the door, but we're assaulted by a bad smell. "What the heck is that stench?" Fishlegs said covering his nose.
A Viking walks in before seeing the bad spread of food. "Must be that." He said nasally looking to the rotten food.
"Looks like a great hall or dining room." A viking says holding his nose.
Fishlegs looks around before seeing another set of doors build differently from the rest. "Kitchen must be in there. We can handle the rotten food later. Let's see what else is bad in there." He said walking to the doors.
The two vikings follow him in and they see mostly what appears to be metal. "No wooden container?" One asks confused.
Fishlegs looks to an open box and picks it up. He shakes it and hearing something, pours it on the metal tables. Out comes what looks like grains they use to make the bread. He then becomes curious of the table as the grain like pieces slide on it. He swipes a large chuck and sees it just fly away, leaving nothing behind.
Fishlegs chuckles as he looks to the wasted food. "Must have been easier to clean, smart."
"Hey, there is a door over there." A viking says seeing a better made door than the ones they came through.
"I'll check it out." Fishlegs says before looking through the window and then falls back surprised. Fishlegs quickly opens the door and finds large meat hanging from hooks, covered in ice and the room freezing cold. "This is a storage room, but it's cold and there's meat. Good ones at that and good enough to trap one of those smaller ones." Fishlegs says looking at the frozen corpse.
The vikings look to the frozen corpse. "Is it good enough to eat or should we go with the ones hanging?" One asks.
Fishlegs closes the door. "I think this could come in handy later, but I would go with the hanging ones. Come on, we still have to find the doors."
"We follow you." A viking says as they leave the kitchen.
Hiccup held his breath every time his metal foot hits the ground, but luckily the makeshift covering did its job. And good thing because the floor changed to a metal floor with box shaped holes in them.
Hiccup looks around the room as he sees another room in a larger room filled with tables with something on them that they all had. "What do you think bud? Weirdest thing we seen all our life." He asks her.
Toothless growls lightly. "You don't like it either huh?" Hiccup asks. She shakes her head. "Well we just have to the close the doors and then leave with what we can find and that's it."
Hiccup walks to the other room in the main room and goes to the door. He reaches for the handle and tries to open it. It just jiggles a bit. "Locked, huh?" Hiccup says nodding to Toothless as they start walking back.
As they walk back a loud clicking sound was made from where they were. They both look back and see nothing. Hiccup looks to Toothless with a curious look. "Want to check it out or wait until we come back?" Toothless looks for a bit before nodding to him.
Hiccup heads back and tires the door and finds it open. "Weird." He steps inside to see boxes on top of tables that light up with something. He looks back to the door and sees something. "Well that explains the lock." He said seeing the lock on the door.
Hiccup hears something from behind and pulls off his shield and finds Aldulfur's group. "Don't scare me like that." Hiccup hissed lowly.
Aldulfur just shrugs. "Hey, door was unlocked after I used this near the door." He said holding up a rectangular black and white paper. "Pick it off a skeleton that was here."
"You would not believe what we found." Heather says in a whisper.
Hiccup looks around. "Let me guess, an egg?"
"Try an entire hatchery, we think they may have been breeding those creatures." Heather says.
Hiccup looks around and looks to the lighted up boxes. "Well these might tell us more if we can understand it." He said looking to the weird symbols. He then looks to the books and opens them. "These have pictures, but even I don't understand it."
"Hiccup, Hiccup is that you?" Hiccup hears Fishlegs whisper.
Hiccup looks to the door he came through and sees Fishlegs's group. "Hey, what did you find?"
"A great hall like setting and the kitchen. This place's meat storage is so good that it trapped one of those smaller ones and froze it to death." Fishlegs whispers.
Hiccup nods before looking to all of them. "Any doors?"
Heather looks up as the other say no. "Hiccup, what's that?"
Hiccup looks up and sees partially lighted symbols. "I don't know, but those are arrows on the side. Let's follow those."
"Archers keep your arrows notched." Aldulfur says as they follow the symbols.
They follow the arrows and soon come upon a red door. "That's weird, this one is different than all the rest." Hiccup said as he looks it over.
Heather places a hand on the handle, but Hiccup stops her. "You do know that red is bad right?"
Heather moves her hand away. "Looks like we found a way out." Heather says.
Hiccup sighs and looks back the way they came. "Well I don't think we have to block this. Let's find more like this and see what we can do about it. After that we meet up in the main room, so let's hurry this up because it's getting late."
"What about one of those big creatures? We haven't heard anything in a while and that worries me." Aldulfur says.
Hiccup starts to walk back with the others following. "Then we just check and see if it's there. If not we make a run for it and get back to the camp. And if it is well...let me think about it."
"We could hang in the more enclosed areas, but there is no guarantee it can't bust down the walls." A viking says.
Hiccup keeps walking as they enter the lobby. "Well we could stay here until it starts sleeping. I mean something that big has to sleep heavily."
"You want to risk that on an assumption?" A viking asks.
Hiccup shakes his head. "It's just a suggestion, besides I'm open to ideas here."
"Well let's just get back to camp where we are at least safer than here right now. You go to the upper level and look out the window." Heather says pointing to an archer.
The archer nods and tries to find a way to the window. Hiccup looks to one of the mapmakers. "Have you finished making the map?"
"We each drew a part we will combine them into one huge map when we get back." One says handing Hiccup several pieces of papers.
Hiccup combines the pieces on a table nearby and looks it over. "We have a small problem." He points as to building. "This looks like our building, while the docks is all the way across the island." He said moving his finger along a path to what looks like a docking area.
"That is bad. We have to cross across the entire island." Aldulfur says mad, but holding his anger in.
"Wait." Hiccup said stopping him. "Seems like there are lines blocking these red circles while keeping the green open to the largest areas. I think these are the creatures in the circles."
"That's no good, the large ones are already here so that is old habitats." A Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup keeps looking over the maps. "What happens when you enclose a group of animal?"
"Depends on the animal." The Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup nods. "And what does yaks and chickens do?"
"They tolerate each other, but we are taking predators here." The Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup smiles. "I know, see I think the green circles here are for safe creatures while the red you watch out for. Now I notice that it works on the same style as dragons. Place them in an enclosed space, after a while take it away and they act like it's their territory. The reason that big creature is out there is because we are near a red circle."
"I see where you are going with this." Heather says.
Hiccup nods. "And therein lies the problem. The camp in the red circle area."
"Well not much we can do about that because there is no viable area for us to land our ships in and even if you are correct some of the predators must have migrated a little south because of the prey." Aldulfur says.
Hiccup sighs. "I know, but think about this, if this building held up after this long then what would their dock be. Heck, they must have had a way to store supplies there too if they transport to other parts of the island. The docks look a little better chance of surviving."
"Then I would suggest when we set out, make a little detour and head south as well like this road like part." The Yorbenda clansman says tracing a path.
Hiccup looks to him. "And what of the camp and who would lead them to the docks?"
"Let's look at it like this, we are not guaranteed with the camp so either we take this path or we try and whether the creatures." Heather says.
Hiccup shakes his head. "We can't do that to the creatures already here. And besides...you know what, let's head south. I think they are still stubborn as me and since I came up with this...you guess what will happen." He said relenting.
"We'll consider it and see if it is the best course." Askatla says coming down the steps.
Heather looks to her confused. "Is it nighttime or is it just me?"
"No, the sun is setting though and no sign of our big creature so let's move out quickly." The archer by the window says joining them.
Hiccup looks to them. "So where should we go, the docks or camp?"
"Camp because I don't want to be out in the open all night." Askatla says.
Hiccup nods and packs up the map. "In that case, grab what you can and let's get out of here and keep that paper, we might need it later on other parts of the island."
"You heard him. We are out of here. This scouting mission is over." Askatla says.
Everyone rushes to pack what they can as the archer went back up to keep watch. Hiccup takes one last look at a particular part of the map while Aldulfur packs the paper away with the map.
"Fishlegs, I need you and Meatlug with another clansman to head back to the camp by air. They have to know what they are dealing with as soon as possible." Hiccup said giving him the bag. "Tell them what we found."
"Got it." Fishlegs says before grabbing a mapmaker and taking off.
"Let's hurry, if the big one sees Fishlegs it might come back." Hiccup says rushing out the door.
Everyone quickly follows him as they close the door behind them and head into the forest. After a while of running Hiccup looks back and slows down. "Okay, I think we got far enough away, we can take it a little easy now." Hiccup said slowing down.
"Hiccup, you hear that?" Heather asks questioning the sound or lack of.
Everyone looks around for any noise. "When the sounds quiet down Loki's daughter comes out to play." Hiccup recites as they quicken their pace.
"We are definitely being hunted right now." A Yorbenda clansman says as they start running.
Hiccup then realized their mistake. "Stop!" He whispered harshly as he came to a stop.
"What, what is it Hiccup?" Heather asks coming to a stop like the rest.
He turns to the rest. "We are giving it what it wants. It wants a hunt and the end usually involves the prey running."
"I see, do what it or they don't expect." The Yorbenda clansman says as everyone readies their weapons.
Hiccup turns to Toothless. "I need those ears of yours to hear the grass moving." He said as he turns back to looking around. "We can't face it head on, but maybe buy some time as we slowly head back to camp." He said walking as normal as he could.
"If it is that big thing then we would hear it. It must be some of those smaller ones again." A viking says.
Hiccup looks around as he continued to walk. "That's why I told Toothless to hear for grass. There is no grass on this trail so it's not us. And no, definitely not the big one. Move away from your territory and lose it to another. It's not going to take that chance after the last attempt."
"Wait, right there on the path ahead of us. There is one there." A viking says pointing it out.
"You're right, but why is it not in cover and just standing there?" A Yorbenda clansman asks.
Hiccup then remembers the tactic. "How else would you confuse the enemy?" When the others look to him in confusion he turns to Toothless. "Plasma blast on the right side in five seconds. After that, everyone run."
"I can shoot the one in front of us as well." A Yorbenda clansman says.
Hiccup shakes his head. "Don't need to. Now!" Toothless plasma blasts to her right making a cry ring out while the one in front went away. "Run now!" Hiccup yells running down the path with everyone following.
As they run some of the creatures were gaining on them. "How can this get worse?" A viking asks and as if Loki's daughter was listening they heard a nearby roar from behind them.
Everyone glares at the Viking who looked sheepish as he ran for his life. Hiccup looks behind him to see the creature front the building chasing either them or the little ones. "Keep running and don't stop!"
"We are almost back to the camp!" Heather calls.
Hiccup looks behind him to see how far they were and unfortunately feels something missing from his right leg. He then realizes what happened. "Odin's beard!" He yells as he fell from his missing foot.
Toothless quickly grabs his metal foot and then pushes him onto her back as she kept running. "Thanks girl." Hiccup said as he looks behind him again to see the large one getting closer. "Move faster!"
"I can see the camp." Heather calls and as they near the camp they see what could only be described as a giant crossbow bolt shot from the camp that hits into the large ones shoulder.
The large lizard roars as it falls to the ground and slides. Toothless comes to a stop and growls as she looks back at it. "I don't think its dead yet." Hiccup said. He then hears the machine at the camp loading another shot. "Wait! Don't fire until my command!" He calls to them.
"Is that my ballista finished?!" Askatla yells.
Hiccup hears a loud clang, probably from Askatla hitting another person over the head for touching her toys. Instead he just watches as the large beast just looks at him and Toothless lying on the ground. "Why aren't you getting up and attacking?"
The creature doesn't move as Hiccup feels the ground rumble a bit. "What is that? You wouldn't happen to know, would you?" He asks sarcastically to the creature.
The creature tries to get up as another large creature came into view. This one had a large fin like thing on its back and a long jaw. Hiccup just stares as it comes to the one they shot down and was about to bite down on it.
Hiccup then made either the bravest or stupidest thing he ever did. "Toothless, plasma blast on the new one!" Toothless looks back at him shocked, but quickly complies.
"That's it, that's what attack the boat!" A one armed viking on the wall yelled as the plasma blast hits the new creature in the face causing it to roar in anger.
Hiccup then looks back to the camp as the new creature was about to charge. "Fire the bolt!"
The bolt was launched and it seemed like time stood still as the bolt neared the creature before skewering it through the center of its chest. The creatures roars a bit before collapsing.
Hiccup stood still as he watch the supposedly dead creature until he was sure it was dead and then turns back to the first one. They both watch each other as the situation came at hand. Everyone at the camp stood still as they waited for anything to happen.
"Dang, me and my heart." Hiccup says finally.
It had been several days since Astrid had awoken and she was feeling a little anxious being stuck in the cave all that time, but on the brighter side her head felt better. That was more than she could say about the cursed viking who rarely even moved even for food.
"Pacing back and forth won't help time pass." The cursed viking says still in the hole.
Astrid looks at him annoyed. "I'm way too worked up. I need to go outside."
"It has only been a few days, wait a few more and things will quiet down out there." The cursed viking says not sounding as well as he did days ago.
Astrid looks to him now worried. "Hey, are you okay?" She asks softly.
"Been better." The cursed viking says.
Astrid walks over to his spot. "Want to tell me what's bothering you?"
"My body is the only thing." The cursed viking says.
Astrid thinks for a moment. "Why don't you come on out and I'll see what I can do?"
"I guess it couldn't hurt." The cursed viking says crawling out before falling to the floor below sweat pouring from his head.
Astrid helps him sit up as she looks him over. "What happened?" She asks feeling his head.
"I don't know." The cursed viking says as Astrid feels great heat from his head.
Astrid sighs as she finally knows what's going on. "Who did your bandage?"
"I did. None of the others really have the coordination to do that." The cursed viking says closing his eyes.
Astrid shakes him awake. "Wake up! You have to stay awake for this. You got infected because I don't think you did the bandaging right."
"Makes sense I think." The cursed viking says.
Astrid quickly takes a look around the cave. "Have you got anything to help?"
"Just wait for the next night and the moonless sky. I should be good then." The cursed viking says a little weaker.
Astrid shakes her head. "No you won't because you're losing your color and that's bad."
The cursed viking says nothing and just leans against the wall.
"Hey, tell me how to fix this?" Astrid said shaking him.
"I don't know, all I know is how to bandage stuff up." The cursed viking says.
Astrid then racked her brain for when the dragons back home got infected and thought of what to do. She then remembered on a particular problem they had. "I'll be back. I just need a little something from your buddies."
"Be careful. Surge gets a bit defensive around new things." The cursed viking says.
Astrid nods and heads for a Terrible Terror. She picks it up as it protested the unwanted movement. "Sorry, but I need your drool." She said checking his mouth.
"Do what she says Burn." The cursed viking says as the bigger of the creatures Astrid didn't recognize walks over to him.
Astrid goes back the cursed viking as the Terrible Terror salivates. "Keep going." She then turns to the cursed viking with a grimace. "Sorry, but you are going to have to drink this."
"I have done worse things to survive." The cursed viking says petting the creatures head.
Astrid nods and holds the Terrible Terror over his mouth as it salivates more. "It will help with the infection. Drink whatever comes out."
The cursed viking just followed Astrid's instructions. Astrid watches as he drinks the salvia and looks to his wings. She then sees some color returning and sighs in relief. "You're going to be okay." She said giving him the Terrible Terror to hold on his own.
The cursed viking takes the Terrible Terror and hold him close. "Hope you don't think this is weird." He said to both of them.
Astrid's eyes then turn to the injured wing and realizes he hadn't change bandage since she woke up here and thinking about it, she wondered if he even cleaned the wound before bandaging it up. "When was the last time you touched that injury?" She asks.
"When I bandaged it, why?" The cursed viking asks.
Astrid unwraps his bandage and sees the injury worse than ever. "I need another Terrible Terror here. You didn't clean or even set the bandage right."
"Alright, Burner." The cursed viking calls and a red Terror crawls out of one of the holes in the wall.
Astrid takes the Terrible Terror and holds it above the injury. "Start drooling." She said to it.
The Terror complies and starts drooling and the cursed viking's claws start to dig into the ground and hisses in pain after he let's go of Burn.
Astrid starts to wipe whatever grime was on the injury. "It'll be over soon." She said to him as she cleaned the last bit of dirt as she let's go of the Terror. Burner and Burn now free scamper off back into their hole in the wall.
"Where did you learn to be a healer?" The cursed viking asks.
Astrid smiles as she redo the bandage and tears a part of her shirt to use as a clean part. "Train in the woods alone and you pick up a few things. The dragons were more helpful after we learn what they can each do." She warps the bandage around the area. "Terrible Terrors are resident to most poisons because of their saliva and blood. That's how they survived for a long time."
"I see…" The cursed viking stops. "Come to think of it I don't even know your name." The cursed viking says.
Astrid smirks before pulling on the knot she made. "It's Astrid and you?"
"It's been so long since I used it I can barely remember it, but I think it is Calder." The cursed viking says.
Astrid nods and sits by him. "Well you're bandage up now and better than last time, healer." She accuses playfully.
"I'm no healer at best, just a wild animal trying to survive." Calder says sounding like he was going to sleep again.
Astrid smiles faintly. "Would a wild animal save an outsider?"
Calder didn't answers and his breathing slows. Astrid sighs and heads to her spot she have been sleeping in for a while. She was about to lay down before feeling something poke her back. She looks behind her to see the same large creature that was near Calder while she was healing him. She waits for nothing until it nuzzles her and then nods to her before walking away. Astrid looks at it for a bit before going back to sleep again. Her mind wanders back to what Calder said. 'Just wait for the next night and the moonless sky. I should be good then. What did you mean by that?' Astrid wonders as the small fire in the cave starts to go out.
"Someone want to explain what the heck in Valhalla happened back there?" Eldnarr asks anybody in particular.
"A lot of thing, mainly some disturbing things too." Heather says.
"I'll tell ya what's the biggest." Gobber said getting a wrapping. "Me taking care of this beast." He said walking back to the large beast now laying on their campground.
"Seriously, Hiccup disappears and brings back the craziest things." Fishlegs says. "Just look at the dragons we got."
Heather sighs and looks to Gobber. "How is it?"
"Well, we managed to remove the bolt and patch it up. All we can do now is wait and see." Gobber says.
Heather than looks to where Hiccup was sitting away from everyone. "I think I should go..." She feels a tail rest over her shoulder and sees Toothless. "Well, you're his best friend. I guess its better." Toothless walks away to Hiccup while the rest look to the creature. "Now what do we do after he's better?"
Fishlegs shrugs. "Wait for Hiccup, his plans may be stupid and crazy, but they win us something big in the end."
"We have a few hidden ballistas aimed at it so if it tries anything we can put it down." Eldnarr says.
Fishlegs looks to him sternly. "Only do it if Hiccup knows its trouble. Otherwise he would shut down at that point and not help anyone."
"Right, right. Now let's look over this map that was brought back." Eldnarr says as the five look at the map pieces.
"Fishlegs, please get Hiccup so we can discuss this." Gunnlaugr asks. Fishlegs nods and heads to Hiccup. "Okay, we need to figure out the size of this place first."
Hiccup strokes Toothless's head as they smile at each other. "Thanks for cheering me up bud. But we still need to keep going here and I think we can stay for a longer time thanks to our stupidity again."
"Hiccup the rest of the leaders want to see you about the next course of action." Fishlegs says.
Hiccup nods and gets up. "Make sure that thing doesn't do anything stupid." He said heading for the other heirs.
The heirs listened carefully as the mapmaker and hunter from the Yorbenda hunter finish telling the theories they came up with. "Thank you both. So there is a harbor here, but we would have to go across the island to reach it." Vikarta says.
"So then we would need to send another team, one by land and another by sea." Hiccup said walking up.
"Some good came from earlier, at least we killed the creature from the mist so I feel safer sending out our ship." Askatla says.
Hiccup nods. "And Snotlout, how's he doing?"
"Oh, he is over there telling how brave he was luring the creature or in his version creatures away." Askatla says rolling her eyes.
Hiccup chuckles. "Okay, then I want him on boat duty while I and the twins are going by the land team."
Everyone looks to him in surprise. "Uh...Hiccup, you know how the twins are right or did saving that beast gave you amnesia?" Fishlegs asks.
"I know, but their dragon will be needed for a plan I have cooked up." Hiccup says.
"Very well, but I request a boat be sent back to the chiefs of our clans with the heads of some of the creatures we killed. Including the big one." Aldulfur says.
Hiccup scoffs. "That's not happening on my watch."
"I'm talking about the dead one." Aldulfur says.
Hiccup stares at him. "Good, because if you didn't then I would have left right now with that thing."
"I think it is a good idea sending back a few trophies with our wounded, will both impress and boast the moral of the clans." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup sighs and then looks to the large lizard still resting. "Listen I don't know if it will act like what we expect, but something tells me that if you let it go with me with it then I think we can gain something."
"Hiccup, still talking about the dead one, not the one sleeping." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup nods. "I know, but we have to deal with our next moves, especially our new friend there. The boat ride back is dealt with and the new paths are made. But what becomes of the camp is up to you, I won't have any part in it."
"We will be remaining here for now and will be sending scouting parties out to survey the area before we set out." Gunnlaugr says.
Hiccup looks around a bit before looking back at them. "How about we all rest for now. It's getting late and we haven't really rested since this while day began. I'm going to turn in and the rest of you should do the same, but some of the clansmen should work on getting the teams ready to move out at first light."
"I don't have any objections." Gunnlaugr says walking away.
Heather nods. "Me either. Goodnight guys." She said walking away.
The rest said their goodnights too and headed to where they were sleeping, leaving Hiccup at the table with the map. And he was looking at the markings that wasn't there before. "You sly dragon." He said looking to Gunnlaugr.
Hiccup shakes his head and heads to his sleeping tent where Toothless was already resting, but was awoken by him. "Sorry girl." Toothless smiles and opens her wing for him which he accepts. "Sorry for how I'm been acting lately. Here's hoping I can do better than that." Toothless smiles and licks him on the cheek, already forgiving him.
In Gunnlaugr's tent, Gunnlaugr sat alone while reading a book till someone entered. "I was expecting you Vikarta." Gunnlaugr says.
Vikarta smirks. "Did you now? Your specialty is tricking others and mine is watching them."
"My specialty is poisons and manipulating is a second though." Gunnlaugr says bringing out a small bottle of green liquid.
Vikarta smiles. "That's a bottle of your finest mead. Going to share?"
"No, this is a special poison I cooked up for a certain Scauldron." Gunnlaugr says swishing it around in the bottle.
Vikarta tilts her head to the bottle near him with the same color. "Then what's that?"
Gunnlaugr smiles. "That's the mead. Want some?" Vikarta nods which made Gunnlaugr give her the bottle. "Don't drown it in one go."
"So was it wise to say that to him and leave those things on the map when no one was looking?" Vikarta asks taking a swig.
"What Hiccup needs is closure even if what he finds saddens him." Gunnlaugr says.
Vikarta sighs as breathes out from the hard mead. "And if you find a skeleton picked clean? How would that affect him?"
"He must learn that not everything ends well. Just like we did with that incident." Gunnlaugr says sadly.
Vikarta nods as she remembers. "I don't think you brought me here to remember old memories."
"He is naive like we were. That's all I'm saying. So what is bothering you besides that?" Gunnlaugr asks.
Vikarta sighs and looks at him. "When did you sleep last?"
Gunnlaugr thinks back. "I think about a few hours ago."
"Over the last few day how much have you slept?" Vikarta asks.
"A few hours." He said embarrassingly.
Vikarta puts down the bottle. "Come on, you're going to sleep now. I'm not going to let you be useless because you can't stay awake." Vikarta says.
Gunnlaugr blushes red as he was set up for the night. "And you're helping because?"
"You don't get to comment." Vikarta says dragging him along.
Gunnlaugr huffs and smile. "So what if I need to speak?"
"I think that mouth of yours is going to be too busy to do that." Vikarta says with an evil smile.
Gunnlaugr grows confused. "Being busy? What do you mean by that?"
Vikarta brings Gunnlaugr close. "Geez I have to spell it out for you." Vikarta says before kissing him.
Gunnlaugr becomes wide eye before falling into it. Vikarta smirks in the kiss before letting go. "So?"
"I say I'm going to be busy." He said agreeing with her.
"Good boy." Vikarta says reinitializing the kiss.
And that's the second one. Hope you had fun reading.