As the light had come and gone the next day, the temperature quickly dropped to freezing, making frost spread among the land. The moonlight felt as light as a candle in a dark forest, as it reflected off the ocean's water. The Dragon Riders held their clothing tighter to their shivering bodies, flying feet above the raging water.

From what the escapees had told Berk was that this specific man, Trygve, was someone who was not to mess with for entertainment. They still hadn't come out to tell the Vikings what the man had done to all of them, or even how he has gotten a hold of them, but it was clearly so traumatizing that they refused to open their mouths on the subject.

As for Ulf, when Hiccup showed him his best friend, Toothless, and he was in clear awe. Hiccup had decided that he wanted to become good friends with them, as they seem to relate in a bunch of things. They were the smallest of their group and were about the same age. Even with their one day of bonding, Ulf refused to let up about what happened.

So, now the gang of Dragon Riders were now headed to the offending ship. The riders watched as the ship seemed to grow larger as they flew closer. The sail waved in the wind, as the water foamed against the ships wooden sides. Immediately, the riders sensed something wrong with the crest on the sail.

It was a symbol, nothing that they had seen before. It reminded them of war, as it was a crimson shaded heart, not the love type either. It had a, what looked to be, bloodied dagger going through the middle of it. It was unsettling, leaving a seeping chill run down the riders' spines.

Tuffnut breathed out, eyes practically glued to the sail. "How awesome is that? I mean, that's the epitome of violence. Truly magnificent."

"'Tis brother," Ruffnut chimed in, a grin stretched on her face. "I get the shivers just looking at it."

The rest of the group groaned. "We really don't need to hear about your... shivers." Snotlout interjected, looking like vile had just climbed up his throat. The rest of the batch of riders agreed, looking slightly disturbed.

"What? Just being honest," She snickered. "I think Barf agrees with me."

Hiccup glanced back at the twins' dragon, noticing that they were both shaking, just before his own best friend started to as well. Toothless snarled, his pupils turning into cat-like slits. Hiccups attention was pulled from the twins and back to Toothless, noticing that the dragons' teeth were now bared.

Around him, the groups' dragons had joined in on the aggression, worrying their riders. All the humans glanced at each other, seeming to come to a conclusion that whatever was on that boat, it was distressing.

"Hiccup," Astrid said, eyebrows furrowing. "Clearly this is not good, should we really go in closer?"

Everyone stopped mid-air, hovering above the raging waters. The wind bit through Hiccups clothing and hair, nipping at his skin. It was bone chilling. He debated going back to Berk with the crisp air alone.

"No," Hiccup announced with finality. "It's just a scouting mission, we're not engaging them. We should be fine. If they decide to attack then our dragons will pull us out of there, you guys know that."

Fishlegs didn't seem so sure. "I don't know, Hiccup," He rubbed Meatlugs head. "When attacked the dragons natural instinct is to fire back..."

"Well then," Hiccup pulled Toothless to swoop closer to the beautifully crafted, terrifying ship. "Let's pray that they don't attack."

With that, the gang continued on with their scouting mission, speeding towards the boat.

It was quiet for the next couple seconds but quickly descended into chaos. It started with quiet chatter emanating from the ship, then grew into angered yelling. The group of dragon riders watched as the men gathered their canons and arrows. Fear spiked their heartbeats.

"Nevermind!" Hiccup called out to his friends, frantically pulling at Toothless' saddle. "Let's not going any closer! How about we do not engage them!"

"I agree!" Fishlegs screeched, feeling Meatlug shaking more ferociously. "They are definitely looking for a fight!" Snotlout with Hookfang raced pass the duo, nudging them, almost mockingly. "No, Snotlout! This is a scouting mission!" He then muttered to himself. "Chief isn't going to be happy if we engage without him knowing."

"Awe, come on guys! A little bows and canons aren't enough to defeat us! Snotlout! Snotlout! Oy! Oy! Oy!" Hiccup heard the twins giggle maliciously.

Tuffnut sat up on his saddle higher. "Ah man, he is totally gonna be shot out of the sky! Gotta get a good seat for this!"

Hiccup let out a breath of annoyance. "Snotlout! Get back here!" He watched with the rest of the riders as Snotlout sped up closer to the ship.

A boulder was shot at the two, missing them by a hairs length. Snotlouts grin was as big as ever, as he twirled, and looped closer to the attackers. Snotlout let Hookfang shoot a breath of fire at the wooden ship, setting it ablaze. The fire licked at the men on the ship, as they shot at the Jorgenson.

"Okay, new plan," Hiccup said, fingers rubbing his temples. "Get Snotlout back before he gets smashed by a boulder. I'll try to reason with the people on the ship. Astrid you and Fishlegs take out their cannons, and bows. Ruff and Tuff, get Snotlout to stop. I don't really care how, just no shooting him out of the sky, got it?"

Ruff and Tuff seemed to deflate. "Awe," The corner of her lips turned down, as she pretended to wipe a tear away. "I really wanted to see him go for a swim."

"Worry not, sister!" Tuff exclaimed. Hiccup felt that he might have made a mistake letting them do as they please. "We could snatch Snotlout upside down and watch as he empties his stomach into the sea!"

"I like how you think."

Hiccup sighed, as Toothless let out a growl of annoyance. "I know, Bud," He scratched the ear of his companion. "Alright, gang! Let's go!"

With that, the group flew to go get their friend. Meatlug and Stormfly went side by side to destroy their enemy's weapons and cannons. Barf and Belch raced towards the screaming Jorgenson, enjoying the view of Snotlout almost being crushed by a boulder, before going in closer. Toothless avoided the attacks and landed on the ship swiftly.

Hiccup held his hands out in a sign of mercy and gave them his best smile. They didn't seem impressed.

As Hiccup observed the men on the ship, he noticed how they were living in top shape. Well-fed men had gold jewellery and not a scratch of poverty on their bodies. Hiccup felt disgust surge through him, remembering the shape that Ulf was in. These were the Vikings who did that to him? Hiccup was suddenly not very interested in talking to them.

"You ride those beasts?" One of the men spoke, holding his spear out threateningly. Hiccup could only nod.

"You attacked those men?" Hiccup asked the same informality as the rich folks.

"What men?" Another one asked, a smug smirk painted on his face.

"The men you turned the dragons against." Hiccup hardened his voice, not intentionally. "Who are you guys?"

There was one specific man in front of the crowd, seemingly uninterested that their armory was being blown to smithereens by Hiccups group. "You're Hiccup, aren't ya?"Hiccup tried to ignore that jolt of anxiety that pooled in his stomach. "Yeah, we've heard a lot about ya. You're quite famous among this part, yes? That's why... what's his name... Alvin doesn't like ya that much, I take it."

"Are you with the Outcasts?" Hiccup asked, steeling his glare. This earned a hearty laugh from the man, almost bouncing off the waves of the ocean.

"With those amateurs? No, Thor no! I would never be with those scoundrels. Idiots, the lot of 'em."

Hiccup nodded. "At least we can agree on something." He swallowed. "Are you with Trygve?"

"Anyways," The meathead continued, ignoring his question. "You're the only one with a night fury, so you're clearly the... Dragon Conqueror... smaller than I thought. Perfect for bidding though." He seemed to be talking more with his crew then the boy in front of him. Toothless let out a protective growl.

"Bidding?"

A shot of fire hit the ship, making it sway with the waves. The fire was spreading more and more, it wasn't too long before Hiccup knew he had to get off of it. The rest of Hiccup's group seemed to have had enough with the small battle, that was supposed to be a scouting mission. They were trying to call Hiccup off the ship.

"Seems like ya kiddies want ya. Whattaya say, boys? Do ya think he'd be a winner?"

"Nah," Hiccup heard the offending man's crewmates reply. "But he would rank in the dough."

Hiccups defenses were rising, it was clear that these men were not about to turn to the dragon-loving side, and he should get going.

"What kind of business do you guys run? Trading? Hunting?" Hiccup asked, impatiently.

"You'll know soon enough."

That was the last thing that Hiccup heard before a spike from Stormfly was embedded in the wood just mere inches away from the cruel man.

"Hiccup let's go!" She exclaimed. "We need to report back to Stoick, we've done enough damage."

Hiccup nodded, as Toothless took to the air. The teen then noticed the true damage him, and his team had done. There was no way that the ship would stay afloat long enough for the Viking's to get to shore. From what he has heard, though, it didn't really matter to him.

"See you soon, Haddock."

With that, Hiccup and Toothless flew back to his group, and they all sped their way back to Berk.

Hiccup couldn't help but feel the uneasiness pool at the bottom of his stomach.

-o-o-o-

"You engaged them!" Stoick's voice bellowed throughout the comfort of their own home. It wasn't that comforting at the moment, Hiccup thought. "When I specifically told you not to?"

Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck, taking in a deep breath. "It didn't happen however you think it did," Hiccup defended, watching as Stoick's expression didn't change to any happier. "Um, it happened so fast! First, we were just flying towards it, then we noticed them getting ready to shoot us down, so we all agreed to turn back!"

"Then what happened? Surely their ship didn't just follow you! The dragons are faster than that!"

Hiccup nodded, biting the inside of his cheek. "Well, we could have left... if Snotlout didn't go rushing forward..." He trailed off, while Stoick rubbed his hands on his face.

"So, it was Snotlout's fault? You're supposed to be their leader, Hiccup. You tell them what's okay, and not okay." Stoick reprimanded.

The smaller boy let out a snort, getting ready to retort. Stoick noticed and was already rolling his eyes. "Well, you're my dad, and I still do things you tell me not to. That's just what teenagers do, I guess." Stoick sighed, looking completely done with Hiccup's sarcasm.

"Son," He put his hands on the teen's shoulders. "You're being a bad influence on them-"

Hiccup cut him off, indignantly.

"Wha- Me? I tried to tell them not to, but Snotlout never listens!" He claimed, hands waving through the air. "You know what that's like with Spitelout!"

"Maybe it's just a Jorgenson thing," Stoick remarked, observing how Hiccup smiled at his joke. He wanted to keep that smile on his face, no matter how mad he was supposed to be at this moment. "Alright, son, what happened after?"

"Well, uh, I told them all what to do, and the followed. I took up the job to talk to the men on the ship," Stoick's hand clenched, already refraining from yelling at how stupid of an idea that was. Hiccup seemed to always want to find the best in people, it was infuriating most of the time. "And talk to them, I did," Hiccup let out an angered laugh, thinking back to the great condition those men were in. "They weren't firing at me, just threatening, which is normal. But they said something about bidding and winners."

Stoick's hand found his beard, a clear expression of thoughtfulness.

The fire burned behind him, giving the room a slight warm glow. It was quiet for several moments after, they both just listened to the embers crackling. Stoick seemed upset at what Hiccup told him, and his mind already had an idea as to what those men were doing to the escapees.

"They were with Trygve, yes?"

"Um, they didn't tell me. I asked, but they ignored my question."

Stoick shrugged, sitting down in his chair. "That's a good answer as any, Hiccup. From what Vidar has told me, they have to be working with Trygve."

The boy nodded. "So, what do you think they mean by bidding and winners?"

"I think they are," Stoick trailed off, debating on telling his only son of what horrors those men did to their new-found friends. "Kidnapping people and having them fight in arenas. Like gladiators."

Hiccup nodded, the anxiety that had faded from his earlier fight came back full force. That meant they wanted Hiccup to fight in some arena. There was no possible way that Hiccup could survive that without Toothless. Stoick noticed his sons face tighten with distress.

"It will be alright, son, we'll put a stop to them."

"Ye-Yeah, of course, dad." He stammered. Toothless cooed affectionately, rubbing his head against Hiccups arm. Hiccup huffed out a forced laugh and rubbed the dragons head.

"There something else you want to tell me, son?" Oh, nothing, other than that these people want to have me fight, just for some quick cash.

"No, I think that's all. I'm tired, I'm gonna go to bed."

His father nodded, putting his large hand on top of his son's head, and messing up his hair. The smaller exclaimed offendedly, whilst Stoick bellowed out a laugh.

"Alright, we will talk more in the morning. Mead Hall with your friends and I'll bring Gobber, and Vidar's group."

Hiccup then left the living room, climbing the stairs, Toothless following suit. He could hear Toothless voice out his concern, but Hiccup assured him he was fine. The floors creaked underneath him, as he walked to his own room, his metal leg clanking.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, the boy let out a long, stressed sigh. Toothless cooed for his best friend.

"Don't worry, Bud, they aren't going to touch you, I won't let them."

Toothless growled with annoyance, nudging his riders side with more force than usual. Hiccup let out a yelp as he hit the ground.

"Alright, Bud! I won't let them touch me either!" Hiccup let out a laugh, as looked at the dragon's face. His eyelids were low, in a clear sign of annoyance. Toothless let out a garble, sounding like he was talking back at Hiccup. Toothless then picked Hiccup up by the back of his vest and set him back on his bed.

Toothless grunted, going to his own area to fall asleep. Hiccup let out an airy chuckle, feeling a bit better by his friend's antics.

"Goodnight, Bud."

Toothless murmured out a reply, making a smile appear on the auburn-haired boys face.