Dagur's POV of 'AView of a Skrill' Part 1 and 2

When word came to Dagur the Deranged that his uncle, Captain Vorg of the Wolfwind, had discovered a frozen Skrill he had been stunned and then joyful. His great-grandfather Drake had been the first Viking to ever tame a dragon, and a Skrill at that. The symbol of his tribe had been given flesh and blood. Drake had harnessed his Skrill and directed its lightning at foes. Stories were still told by those Drake attacked of Berserker fleets that attacked behind harnessed dragons that brought down lightning from the sky and destroyed everything in their path.

Now Dagur had a chance to do the same.

Drake had kept a journal of his research into Skrill and other dragons. There were sketches of the harness he had used to control his Skill in it, and they were detailed enough that a new harness had been made. Oh, Dagur had relished the idea of seeing the look on Hiccup's face when the runt realized he had a Skrill under his control.

He also had his secret weapon – his little sister. Kata had tamed a Terrible Terror as a child and even now it perched on her shoulders and slept in her room. She could tame the Skrill enough for him to harness it – Dagur knew she could!

If Drake's notes were accurate then the Skrill could draw lightning to itself so it never ran out of shots, and apparently a Nightfury's plasma blasts were useless against its lightning. Dagur hadn't understood what that had meant, but looked forward to finding out. Better yet, Drake's notes said that because of the lightning storied in its body, a Skrill could remain safely frozen for decades. That meant it was probably still alive.

Then Vorg had returned and said that Hiccup had taken custody of the Skrill. Dagur didn't think he had been too harsh on Vorg when he had announced that Vorg had found a Skrill and then lost it to Hiccup. The only thing to be done was to go to Berk and get his Skrill back himself.

He had arrived on Berk just in time to see the dragon riders harrying his Skrill, trying to drive it into the water. The look of shock on Hiccup's face when he saw Dagur and his ships was worth the trip. After they chased off the riders, Vorg had said that Hiccup was running away. Dagur knew far better. They were simply regrouping. His frustration had mounted and he had pushed his uncle clean off his own ship and then turned back to his Skrill.

The legends and sketches, and even the toy Skrill he had as a child paled in comparison to the real thing. Its mighty roar echoed across the skies, a magnificent sound not heard by the Berserker's since Drake's time a hundred years ago. He was so close to having a dragon that would defeat Hiccup and his Nightfury. It took effort not to bounce on his toes in excitement.

Then the Skrill had come back. It circled the boats at a distance, just within the cloud line and come closer. Dagur could see its shimmering violet scales as it banked around the Berserker crafts. It was quiet and did not attack. It was simply looking.

As it circled, Dagur saw that its left wing had scars. On its second lap around he boats, Dagur placed the scars as a Monstrous Nightmare. Suddenly, he remembered Drake's journals. Drake had said that the first Skrill he had tamed, had been found on the ground. Its left wing had been damaged from Monstrous Nightmares. That same Skrill had vanished later. The last Drake had seen of it was it taking on three Nightfuries.

This Skrill had been found frozen in the ice, but there was no way to tell for how long. It had the same scars, but was it his great-grandfather's Skrill? If it was then it hopefully remembered that Berserker ships were friends.

It actually looked like it might land on one of the boats. Please do, Dagur asked the Skrill silently. Land. I won't hurt you baby.

There was a click behind him and he turned to see a crossbow bolt go flying towards the Skrill. The Skrill barely dodged it. It gave a roar of shock. Clearly, it had not been expecting to be attacked.

"No!" Dagur shouted. He jumped to the Berserker that had fired the bolt and slammed him in the face with his own crossbow, knocking him down. Desperately, he looked up just in time to see the Skrill vanish into the clouds again.

That imbecile! The Skrill had been about to land, and he has scared it off. Dagur didn't get a chance to shout before Berk's dragons returned just as he predicted. He had to abandon the Berserker who had scared off the Skrill and focus on the new attack at hand.

Despite a brisk order to his troops to stay on their target and focus on the Skrill, they had scattered and went after the dragons. Dagur supposed he couldn't blame them. When you were attacked by dragons, you defended yourself.

Oh! If only they hadn't shot at the Skrill!

Out of the corner of his eye Dagur saw the Deadly Nadder and its female rider. He had stepped behind the mast to avoid a barrage of spine shots. That girl had done that on purpose. She was as feisty as Kata, but his patience for her was far more limited. Then he realized that the Nightfury hadn't been among their numbers and instantly realized that Hiccup was up to something.

The sky had suddenly lit up then, as bright as sunlight, and he had been able to see his Skrill easily. What was Hiccup doing? Lightning continued to flare all around the area form the Skill's presence, and he had focused on dealing with the dragons at hand.

The orange light faded and was replaced by flashes of purple ones – a Nightfury plasma blast – and something else that he didn't recognize. Amid the chaos of the ships he had grabbed a crossbow, intent on paying back the girl who had shot at him.

A crewman had drawn his attention before he could take aim and Dagur had turned in the direction he was pointing. He smiled. Flying amid the storm clouds was the Nightfury and it was being chased by his Skrill. Hiccup wasn't in a position to get his Skrill either it seemed.

The crewman that had pointed them out suggested withdrawing, and returning for his Skrill another day. Dagur had recognized it as Captain Vorg and threw him overboard again. That had startled Vorg's crew, but they had been quick to resume their previous tasks.

A minute later he had seen firsthand what Drake had meant about a Nightfury's attack being useless. As his Skill had taken a shot at a Zippleback, Hiccup had shot a plasma blast at the lightning. The two attacks had simply canceled out. There had been massive explosion of a plasmatic electrical surge that had knocked all three dragons out of the sky.

Hiccup had landed on his ship, nearly on top of him, and all Hiccup had said was "sorry about your deck."

Despite a swing at Hiccup, the boy had gotten away. Pheraps knocking his uncle into the sea a third time was overkill, but he had been frustrated and Vorg had been a convenient way to take out that frustration.

There was no sign of his Skrill. They had been forced to pull back and leave it.


Now Dagur was all the more determined to get his Skrill. He understood why a Skrill made a Nightfury's attack useless. The attacks canceled out but where Nightfury's had a six shot limit, a Skrill could continually recharge itself. Eventually, the Nightfury would run out of shots and the Skrill could blast it out of the sky. Oh, if only he could find where it had gone.

It had reappeared in the last place he could have suspected – in a letter from Alvin the Treacherous. Alvin claimed he had the Skrill and was willing to speak with Dagur about an alliance. Dagur had no choice but to go. Once on Outcast, he had been escorted to the Outcast's arena.

Once there, he had greeted Alvin cheerfully and even shaken hands with the Outcast chief. The Skrill had been brought out. Two Outcasts were holding it in place with a collar. The dragon hadn't liked the rough treatment and had flared its wings, revealing a swirling pattern on the undersides. It had stood taller, revealing itself to be larger than Dagur had first thought. To see it up close was even better then on the boats earlier that day. Some of its stored lightning had crackled over its scales.

One of the wimpier Outcasts had walked up behind him. He didn't understand Dagur's admiration and respect for the Skrill. "The only thing a dragon understands is a staff to the snout!" Then he had the audacity to raise the staff he had been carrying as if to strike it.

Dagur had his axe out before he realized and held it between the Outcast and his dragon. "Touch him with that stick and I'll make you eat it," Dagur had threatened.

The Outcast had been confused as to why Dagur was protecting the dragon. Those Outcasts were such a naïve bunch, and had no idea what they were dealing with. He had said as much and told the Outcast with the staff that the Skrill should be out of the storm. The Outcast had rolled his eyes and hadn't believed that Skrill really drew their power form lightning. That stupid, smelly old man.

Then lightning had flashed down, drawn to the Skrill's metallic spines and it charged him. Dagur smiled. The dragon noticed that Dagur was watching him and spat a bolt of its lightning. Dagur stepped to one side at the last second and the Outcast had been sent sprawling.

Dagur loved it when he was right. A lot of people thought that since Dagur didn't have an interest in taming dragons he knew nothing about them. In order to be such an accomplished dragon killer he had to know a lot about a lot of dragons: their behavior, abilities, firepower, and of course weaknesses. He knew as much about dragons as any dragon trainer. Skrill were his specialty. He had memorized all of Drake's notes on them.

Just like he had read, the Outcast was only able to speak gibberish after being struck by his Skrill's lightning. At least he didn't have to listen to him anymore. He glanced back at the Skrill as he laughed. Had Dagur imagined it or had the Skrill waited until he was looking to spit a bolt, knowing then that he would be able to step aside?

Their lesson learned, the Outcasts shoved the Skrill back into its tiny cage. Dagur walked over to the Skrill's cage. He cooed to it as he promised that it would soon be free to strike back. His intent was to pay Alvin for his smugness after Berk was burned to the ground personally, and he had little doubt the Skrill would enjoy it. It seemed pleased with him and let some lightning crackle over its scales.

Alvin had predictably spoiled his good mood by reminding him that the Skrill wasn't his yet. Dagur gave him a smile and then let it drop. Not his, that Skrill was his! He shoved past some of his Berserker soldiers in frustration as he stalked out of the arena.

What right did Alvin have to keep his Skrill from him? None that was what! Dagur suspected that Alvin's nickname of Treacherous was well-earned, and doubted that this alliance was going to end without bloodshed. It would be Alvin's blood.

Next up on his list of things he had to go through but hated was a meeting with Alvin in his throne room. Once there, Alvin had vetoed his brilliant strategy and promised him that he would not get his Skrill until after Berk was destroyed. Dagur half-wished Hiccup had been the one to catch the Skrill. At least Hiccup wouldn't go on with this ridiculous farce. Alvin was pretending to act like they were real allies, but there was no way this wouldn't end in betrayal.

Although Dagur had made light of Alvin's mistrust, tensions were running high. Vorg has asked him why they needed him and really, all they needed was the Skrill Alvin had locked in the arena. Alvin needed Dagur's knowledge of the Skrill and their vast armada.

Dagur had no intention of going along with Alvin's plan. He had the harness for his Skrill on Vorg's ship already, and thanks to Alvin's stupidity he also knew exactly where the Skrill was being kept. It might take some time to get to his Skrill, but he would.

Someone – one of his Berserkers named Buffnut apparently – had interrupted his conversation with Vorg with smacking his food. Oswald had always smacked his food, and it had become a pet peeve of Dagur's. Listening to that smacking at every meal, as if Oswald didn't have to bother closing his mouth as he ate because he was chief, drove him crazy. That irritation meant that Dagur had surprisingly good table manners. Other than the fact that he had a tendency to throw his knives had dinner that was…

In exchange for letting Buffnut keep his legs the Berserker had recited a poem. It was not what Dagur had expected, but he supposed it was fine enough and so he had announced that everyone could have some of the Outcast's food. That rallied a few cheers despite Alvin's scowl.

That Outcast his Skrill had zapped walked over to the table and dropped his plate, staring at Buffnut as if he suddenly had towheads. "Blacda! Blacda!" Mildew had shouted, trying to say something. He wasn't able to though since he had taken a dose of the Skrill's lightning.

"What is your village babbler going on about now?" Daugr asked as he looked at his reflection in his axe. He still remembered Mildew from the arena. Alvin didn't bother to answer and just left. That suited Dagur fine and Buffnut shoved Mildew away.

"Great idea babbler," Buffnut said. "A song. I should sing a song!"

Buffnut started it hesitantly, but quickly picked up the pace. Dagur was faintly impressed that Buffnut was able to come up with a song like that. Mildew had come up again and this time Buffnut had knocked him out cold.

Dagur liked that. Buffnut certainly was one of his Berserkers. He and his Berserkers left the throne room and most returned to the fleet. Dagur and a handful of others circled back around to the Outcast's Arena. Merrik quickly took out the guards with his longbow and waved to Dagur that it was safe to enter.

Dagur did so and walked over to the cage where his Skrill was. He put two fingers to his mouth and gave a two note whistle. There was movement inside the cage and the Skrill raised its head. It was muzzled now and tied to the cage walls. They dared tie up his Skrill like some common dog?

With a nod, one of his troops opened the Skrill's cage door. Dagur drew one of his throwing knives and sent it spinning through the air. It neatly sliced the rope tying the Skrill down. The Skrill shook its wings and walked out.

Wary of the dragon, one of his troops drew its sword and raised it. The Skrill growled.

Dagur whirled around to face his troop. "Drop that!" He ordered sharply, his back to his dragon.

He remembered one of the first things Kata had told him when she had trained him on how to behave around her Terrible Terror. 'Don't threaten him. If you threaten him then he will respond in kind. Make him understand that you do not intend to hurt him. Then he'll relax around you.'

The dragon tilted his head curiously at him.

Dagur's Berserker stood down, and Dagur turned back around to face his dragon. He drew one of his knives and cut the rope off. The dragon worked its jaw muscles and raised its wings. Lightning jumped down from the clouds to charge on the dragon.

Wondrous. It was absolutely wondrous. Dagur smiled at the dragon. His dragon lowered himself back onto his wings and stepped forward. While the rest of his Berserkers stepped back Dagur held his ground. He wasn't bold enough to hold out a hand to the dragon, but he relaxed his stance.

The dragon sniffed the air, testing Dagur's scent. It must have found something to its approval because its spines relaxed and it sat down. Dagur hadn't been sure what to expect with his Skrill, but this was not it. It seemed tame. He wasn't going to argue with his good fortune.

When one of his Berserkers stepped up behind him, the Skrill's spines straightened and it growled. The Berserker quickly scuttled back a few steps. It seemed his Skrill wasn't tame to everyone. That was good.

They led the Skrill back to the ship and Dagur left the blade he had thrown in the Skill's cell. He wanted Alvin to try and stop him.

His next possible problem was the harness but the Skrill looked at it and sat down on the deck of Vorg's ship. Dagur realized it was sitting in the perfect position for them to attach the harness.

Dagur realized that his guess before by Berk had been correct. Skrill could remain frozen for decades at least so why not a century? This Skrill was probably one of Drake's that he had used against his foes. That was fine for Dagur. His interest was in killing dragon not taming them. Drake was his ancestor, and that was probably why it liked Dagur so much.

Dagur didn't harness it up immediately. As Vorg and his crew sailed the ship towards the rest of the fleet, Dagur overlooked his prize. This was the first chance he had to really examine it and he could feel his excitement growing. Although scars marred its skin in several places, he could easily see the ripple of muscle underneath. Lightning flickered around its scales, showing off its immense power.

Although Dagur didn't appear afraid, he was still a little wary as he finally gained enough courage to reach out a hand and touch his Skrill. Its scales were smooth, feeling not unlike polished metal. Since Skrill's had metallic scales that did not surprise him much.

The Skrill made a purr like noise and Dagur smiled. Great-grandfather Drake had trained this Skrill well. As he walked, he realized that among the scars was a Nightfury bite on the right side of its neck. His Skrill had fought Nightfury before. That would be how it knew that its lightning could dissipate a Nightfury's blast.

After a little longer, some of the crew brought up his Skrill's harness. His dragon settled down and resumed its previous position. It did not move as the harness was attached. After it was attached though it shook itself and the harness came off.

The dragon gave the crew an annoyed look, as if cross that the harness had been put on wrong and sat still as they tried again. After a little while they finally got it. No sooner had the last strap been tightened then trouble approached.

"Sir!" One of the Wolfwind's crew called out, "there's an Outcast ship heading this way."

Dagur looked over the bow of the ship and smiled. "Faster than I thought." He had planned to have rejoined with his armada by the time Alvin caught up to him, but he was flexible.

His Skrill seemed aware of the situation. It spread its huge wings and beat them downwards. A wind ruffled Dagur's clothes as the Skrill took flight. For a moment, Dagur was worried that the Skrill was going to fly off, but that was in vain. The dragon remained hovering behind the sail of the ship, out of sight of the closing Outcast boat.

At a signal from Dagur, two of the crew grabbed the ropes attached to the harness, keeping a loose enough grip on it to let the Skrill beat its wings freely. Dagur walked over and stood by the bow of the boat, axe in hand. He tossed the axe lazily as the Outcast ship blocked his way and both craft slowed to a stop.

Alvin was impudent enough to first demand Dagur to answer him and then to order him to hand over his Skrill. As if. And he was Chief of the Berserker Tribe – not a boy! It was little wonder that Alvin had been outcasted from Berk. If Alvin had been a Berserker, then Dagur would have thrown him out to.

The look on Alvin's face when Dagur announced he had changed the deal and revealed his Skrill flying behind the sail was priceless. Then Alvin jumped aboard the Wolfwind and knocked Dagur to the ground. Dagur wasn't worried. He had been looking forward to putting that arrogant Chief in his place and gladly engaged him.

For a while, Dagur was winning, but then he lost his axe. Alvin didn't give him a chance to draw his sword on his back and he borrowed some of Kata's tactics to dodge the blade. His Skrill had not interfered, but now let out a small trill as if reminding Dagur that it was there.

Dagur took the reminder and jumped back over to his Skrill. He grabbed ahold of the ropes hanging from the harness and made sure he was holding them correctly. Lightning would channel down the rope and electrocute him otherwise.

"Oh," he challenged Alvin. "I think it's time you did some running!"

Pure fear spread across the Outcast Chief's face as he finally realized what he was up against.

Dagur yanked downward on the ropes and the Skrill had shot. It's first shot had been a near miss, and its second Alvin had jumped to one side to avoid. Alvin had looked around desperately for a way out and finally jumped overboard.

That amused Dagur. Swimming wouldn't work either and he gladly yanked the harness one last time. The Skrill spat a final bolt as Alvin ducked beneath the ocean surface. The water conducted the lightning and a huge energy built-up appeared glowing white hot. It faded after a few seconds although lightning was still left dancing across its surface. That took care of Alvin and that would show him to call me a boy! Dagur thought victoriously.

Savage and some of his goons boarded the Wolfwind, but Dagur gave them a onetime offer to join him or Alvin. Dead fish were floating to the surface of the ocean where his Skrill had struck, making it fairly obvious what had happened to Alvin. They quickly surrendered to his leadership.

Wolfwind led the Outcast ship back to the Berserker fleet. Dagur let the Skrill land and groom the spines on its wings. It was as if the dragon knew it was about to be presented to the Berserker fleet.

This was perfect. Although Dagur was Chief, he had killed his father rather than be appointed and his recent blunders with Hiccup and Toothless had given him a bad image. First, he had not realized that the Berkians were lying to him and that the "dragon attack" during the signing of the treaty was a ruse. Then when he did realize he had been tricked, Hiccup and Toothless had defeated him and left him on the beach near his armada, limping from the Nightfury's plasma blast he had taken.

His men had been starting to wonder just how good of a leader he was. Having the Skrill changed all of that. The loyalty of his men restored, Dagur was able to sail to the harbor where his new fleet of Outcast and Berserker ships awaited.

Dagur retrieved his axe and went to stand back on the bow of the boat. The Skrill's lightning had made the hair on his arms stand up. To have such pure power, and for it to be within his command! It made Dagur rather giddy and it was not easy for him to hide his excitement.

Dagur's Berserker soldiers stayed on their ships as Dagur jumped back aboard the dock and Savage went to round up the Outcast's ships. Dagur noted the Berserker soldiers watching the harnessed dragon obeying Dagur's orders before going back to readying for the invasion of Berk.

The Outcasts were not too pleased with the change in leadership. Dagur was about to start shouting at them when his Skrill took off. Dagger wondered what it was doing until it roared loudly, drawing lightning to it and shutting everyone up. After a quick circuit around the fleet, the Skrill landed back next to Dagger. It tilted its head at him, as if surprised that Dagur was surprised that it had helped. Dagur didn't argue, but he did wonder how the Skrill had gotten the harness off.

After that, the complaints vanished and Dagur was able to wait patiently for Savage to report that his new fleet was ready. The Skrill's harness was reattached onto it.

Eventually Savage did return and Hiccup suddenly dropped into sight. Dagur had been shocked when he turned around and saw the brat that had been causing all of his troubles just flying there. Hiccup had made him look like a fool and now he was challenging Dagur to a fight.

Savage told him not to, but Dagur's wanted to give Hiccup a taste of defeat. He wanted to embarrass him. Wanted to shoot him down and take Hiccup for a prisoner. With a quiet snarl, he knocked the Outcast back and jumped back aboard Wolfwind to grab the harness's roes. His Skrill had seemed eager for a rematch against Toothless. Hiccup had beaten him before, but now that Dagur and the Skrill were working together he knew he could win.

For all the talk about fighting, Hiccup was quick to turn tail and fly off. Dagur had given chase, jumping from one spire of black rock to another with a death grip on the ropes. He had never flown on a dragon before and didn't like being high in general, so seeing the landscape form this angle made his head spin. To clear it, he focused on his opponents.

Hiccup flew to a stop on top of a ridge and Dagur's Skrill landed opposite of him. Dagur landed, glad to have his feet on solid ground. This was his day, his moment of victory at long last. Even faced off, Hiccup threw around insolent insults just as Alvin had. It reminded Dagur of why he had tied up Hiccup and used him as a target for his knife throws.

Toothless had fired a few plasma blasts but Dagur hadn't flinched. His Skrill didn't even bother with a lightning bolt this time. It simply let lightning crackle across his wings and swatted aside both of the Nightfury's attacks. Oh, this was almost going to be too easy. Dagur was actually a little disappointed.

His Skrill fired a few shots that Toothless dodged and there were a few more explosions as the shots of the two Strike-Class dragons cancelled out. Dagur stepped forward eagerly and then Toothless fired another plasma blast.

His Skrill charged his wings and swatted aside the blast, making lightning channel down the ropes. Dagur didn't understand what was happening as the force of the Skrill's lightning was suddenly channeled through his body. He was knocked off of the ledge he was standing on by its force and crashed onto the ground.

Lightning surging through his body, scrambling his nerves, he forced himself to stand. He wasn't able to stay standing long before the lightning made him pass out and he collapsed again.


Dagur regained consciousness slowly. It took him some time to adapt to his surroundings once he opened his eyes. Things were blurry and his whole body felt sore as if he had been tossed off a cliff – which he supposed he had been.

Something moved in his peripheral vision and he tried to draw his sword. The action was lazy as if his nerves didn't want to obey him.

"Easy," the movement told him, "I'm on your side Chief."

Dagur narrowed his eyes, and his sight finally focused enough so he could see it was Merrik. He relaxed and looked around. His weapons were in one pile to one side and his armor with it.

He tried to ask, "What happened?" But what he really said was, "bvladersa." Dagur growled and looked down. Right, Skrill lightning made people talk gibberish. He'd have to stay quiet until the effects wore off.

Merrik seemed to understand the question. "You got electrocuted. Let me guess, you weren't holding the ropes right? Kata told you to be careful. Lightning travels down those ropes."

Dagur ignored him and stood. Okay, so he hadn't made sure he was holding the ropes right. So what? The room spun a bit, but Dagur managed to shake it off and stand. He looked at Merrik expectedly.

"After you blacked out, we saw your Skrill chase off Hiccup and Toothless," Merrik handed him back his sword and Dagur swung it over his shoulder so it rested across his back. "We've recovered its harness – your dragon must have shaken it off so he could fly better – and we've fixed its damage. The Skrill hasn't returned yet."

Dagur narrowed his eyes. His Skrill had chased off that runt, but it hadn't come back. Surely, it was alright. Of course it was. It was a Skrill, and it could handle a Nightfury.

"Vorg sent out some of the fleet to go look for it," Merrik continued. "If it beats the Berkians then it's likely it will come back on its own, but if it doesn't… Well, Strike-Class dragons can't swim so it's probably a good precaution in case it gets shot down."

As if his Skrill would lose to Hiccup. Dagur rolled his eyes at that.

Merrik picked up his bow. "That's pretty much all you missed. The Outcasts are behaving themselves. Actually," Merrik paused, "there is one more thing. You've been unconscious for two days."

Dagur straightened and whipped around to look at Merrik. The movement was a little too fast as it made the room spin again. Two days?

"No reports of the Skrill or the Berkian Riders yet," Merrik cautioned, "but I'm sure something'll turn up."

That was cheerful. Dagur waved a hand and Merrik took his leave.

Two days. Wow, that was a surprise but at least it hadn't been two weeks or something like that. Dagur told himself to relax as he started putting his armor back on. Since Dagur couldn't speak, he relied on Vorg to manage things until his voice returned to normal.

The hours of that day passed tortuously. Each one went by without a report of his Skrill, or better yet, the dragon flying overhead itself. It made him wonder more if Hiccup had managed to defeat it. He stole some paper and ink and drew the Nightfury as he remembered seeing it. His memory wasn't as sharp as Merrik's, but he was sure he had a good representation.

Dagur actually was fairly good at this, but he had never given any serious consideration before. He drew several pictures of Toothless absentmindedly. There were Nightfury bitemarks on his Skrill, Dagur remembered, it had fought Nightfury before.

What if it hadn't won though? What if that was the battle that ended with him being frozen in the glacier? What if Toothless had done the same to his Skrill or worse?

What if, what if, what if, Dagur scolded himself. Thinking like that was wasting his time. He added a few words onto the latest Nightfury drawing. The words were made of four runes and spelled out the word 'kill.'

He tried saying something to himself quietly, but it came out only as gibberish. That side effect of Skrill lightning wasn't supposed to last this long, but he had been hit by an unusually large dose of its lightning.

Dagur took one of his throwing knives and tossed it into the air after he pinned the drawing to the wall. It spun end over end and he plucked it out of the air, its blade between his fingers. He did it again. His fingers did not get cut. He tossed it up in the air again and caught it with his other hand without looking at the blade.

It seemed his reflexes at least would recover. His image to his men after getting electrocuted by his own dragon might not.

Savage came then. Dagur stopped tossing his blade around and held it firmly in one hand. Knowing better then to try and speak he looked over at Savage expectedly, awaiting his report.

"The fleet has returned Dagur," Savage reported warily. "No sign of the Skrill… or the dragon riders."

Dagur looked away from him to the picture of the Nightfury with the word kill on it. He tightened his grip on the knife in his hand and stabbed the image of the Nightfury in its stomach. The blade vibrated in the stone from the force behind the blow.

Savage realized how high Dagur's temper was and wisely beat a hasty retreat.

Dagur let him go.

Hiccup, Dagur thought, you can embarrass me and my fleet but you've gone a step too far this time. That was my dragon. The dragon of my people! I will make you pay for taking it from me and for killing it as you probably did. I swear it!


Dagur managed to tame the Skrill, although to be honest Drake did most of the work for him. If he wasn't Drake's descendant it never would have worked. Though to be honest, Dagur had to earn the Skrill's trust anyway and somehow he managed it. I think he actually became a little fond of it.

Don't give me a weird look. So what if Dagur can draw really well. What, he's not allowed to have layers?