Hey, guys! I hope that you are enjoying the story! As of now, I finally finished every detail of my plot for this story so I expect that it will be a lot easier for me to write this story. But since the Christmas are coming near, my free time is nowhere to be found. You also noticed that this is the third chapter for two weeks and I have no idea if I will be able to keep this number of updates. But, I will try. Anyway, I want to thank you all for favs, follows and reviews. I always enjoy reading reviews :) Anyway, thank you all and feel free to leave a review :)
dragonsofdarknessflame - Well, I don't want to spoil anything, but I will only say that there is special road for him to go :)
Enjoy new chapter!
In the woods outside the monastery, Astrid, Heather and Taramis hide with their weapons ready, waiting for Asger's assassins.
"We were lucky to get Hiccup's message in time. Starky has earned a lifetime of fresh fish." Astrid says and Taramis chuckled. "Agreed."
Taramis's face then darkened and continued. "Now, anyone coming from Voxaston will have to come through this forest. We just have to wait." Suddenly, they spot three assassins creeping along the path. Nocking an arrow into her longbow, Astrid's pulls back her bowstring and focus on the first assassin. She notices that the wind's blowing to the right, so she aimed her arrow slightly to the left of the first assassin's head. She fires the arrow, sending it flying into the head of the first assassin. It strikes with a sickening thunk.
The assassin collapse to the ground and the second one shouted. "What was that? Who is out there?" Nocking another arrow, Astrid aims at the second assassin, but her view is obscured by trees. Astrid's waits till he creeps past the trees, giving her a clear shot. Her arrow punctures a gap in his armor just above his breastplate. He falls to his knees, his hands grasping at his neck.
The third assassin whirls around with his axe drawn. "I see you, girl!" As the assassin nears on Astrid's position, she drops her bow to the ground and yanks her sword from its sheath.
"This is the end for you!" Assassin shouted, closing in.
"I don't think so," Astrid said with a frown. She jams the blade of her short sword up into the assassin's jaw, perpendicular with his skull and the assassin collapse in a heap.
Astrid's breath out the air she didn't know she was holding and suddenly she hears Taramis calling her. Astrid saw that Taramis's and Heather's swords were stained with blood. Suddenly, the sound of horses galloping fills the forest.
"It can't be..." Taramis breathe out and dozens more assassins rush through the forest, some on horseback, others marching on foot.
Astrid frowned. "Asger didn't just send assassins... He sent an entire army!"
Taramis turned to Astrid. "We can't stop them all."
Astrid nodded and said. "The monks... We have got to get back to the monastery."
"We won't be faster than mounted soldiers!"Heather said but Astrid shook her head. "We still got to try."
Keeping to the shadows, Astrid, Heather and Taramis make their way back to the monastery. They soon found the monastery is in flames. Asger's soldiers swarm around it.
"Damn. Damn!" Astrid cursed burning with rage. She turned to Taramis and Heather. She saw that Taramis had tears in his eyes while Heather had her hand on his shoulder.
"I never imagined he would send so many. They had us badly outnumbered. There is nothing we could have done." Taramis said shaking his head. Astrid knew how painful was this sight for Taramis. He was practically raised here. Astrid placed her hand on his other shoulder. "Do you think the monks made it out in time?"
Taramis shook his head again. "They knew it might come to this. I am certain they made it out." Astrid turned back to the monastery and then she gasped. "Oh, no..."
From behind a pillar, she watched as two of Prince Asger's soldiers drag one of the monks forward.
"Where is the false empress?" Baril asked with a smile.
"I do not answer to you." The monk answered his head high.
Baril's smile widened. "You know, I have never tortured a monk before. Will you hold out longer than a common man?" Baril asked and when monk didn't answer, Baril just laughed. "Oh well, only one way to find out. I will need my tools."
"Stay if you must, but I am leaving. By being here we are already going against King Agnar's wishes." Stoick suddenly said and turned on his heels. He motioned to his soldier and they began to leave.
"You mean we are following Prince Asger's orders!" Baril growled. Stoick looked at Baril and frowned. "We both know the king didn't care for Asger's plan. besides, the girl and Hiccup is not here. Which means they were warned. They knew we were coming."
Baril growled but he finally gave up. "Fine. Soldiers! Take this man with us for questioning."
"No!" The monk shouted struggling against the grip of two soldiers.
"We cannot allow this to happen!" Astrid said turning back to Taramis and Heather.
Taramis shook his head with a sigh. "We don't have a choice... If we reveal ourselves, we risk everything the monks fought for."
Astrid looked back at the soldiers leading the monk away and she clutched her fists. "You are right. We have no choice." Together they turned around and went back. As they creep through the forest, Astrid breathes deeply, trying to block out her rage.
Suddenly, Taramis pointed to the sky. "Astrid! Look!" There was Sparky circling overhead.
"Sparky is circling the monastery! Quick, call him now, before Asger's people see him!" Heather said and turned to Astrid. Astrid whistled two short blasts and Sparky went towards them.
"That's it!" Taramis cheered. Sparky veers sharply and lands on Astrid's wrist. Astrid smiled as she petted the little terrible terror. "I knew I remembered it. Hello, friend. At least we managed to save you."
She scratched his chin and continued. "And I have got a mission for you. I need you to take a message to Hiccup."
Meanwhile, at the temple, Baril gazes out at the woods. "Stoick! Did you see that?"
"See what?" Stoick turned to him irritated.
"I think that I saw a small dragon... most peculiar," Baril said and Stoick sighed. "Everything about you is most peculiar. Focus on what matters." Baril growled but he didn't say anything.
Later that night, Astrid, Taramis and Heather were camping out.
Astrid sighed as she watched how Heather was cooking chicken over the fire. "The monastery is destroyed... The monks were driven out... All because of me."
Taramis looked at her with a sad face. "You can't blame yourself. They knew the risk of keeping you hidden. Now you must be strong. As you were before. When you attacked the Outcast's kingdom. The best way to honor the man who taught you to fight better then ever is to use what he taught you to defeat King Agnar."
Heather nodded as she handed them a piece of a chicken. "I couldn't agree more. With Agnar taking the bulk of his forces west, there won't be a better time to take back Voxaston."
"That is true..." Taramis nodded. "But what about Asger's army?"
"We have roughly fifty protector monks..." Astrid finally said and Taramis smiled as he started to recognise his Empress.
"And now they have even more reasons to help you against Asger," Heather said and Astrid nodded. "We also have King Throk's soldiers. He said that he can bring thousand of his hidden soldiers if we will help him save his kingdom afterwise."
"That is a start, but we will need more. Much more." Taramis said and two women nodded.
"What about my people?" Astrid asked and Taramis scratched his chin. "Your people will rally against the Berkians. But they are village folk. Blacksmiths and merchants. Farmers and milkmaids."
Astrid then looked at her protector. "Then we will find soldiers. Surely there are others who will stand against Asger!"
"Well..." Heather suddenly spoke up and when they looked at her she continued. "Once we find enough soldiers to build an army, we will need food, weapons, armor..."
"I didn't forget about that," Astrid said nodding. "We will need enough coin to pay for all that."
"And siege weaponry," Taramis said as he threw some bones into the fire. "Don't forget about that. Voxaston's walls are impregnable. There is Hiccup's flare in them. That is why your grandfather made it the heart of the country."
"I know I didn't forget about that. But let's worry about that later." Astrid said as she wiped her hands into a cloth. "Asger will be looking for us. We don't have much time."
"But where should we go first?" Heather asked as she looked at Astrid and Taramis.
"Well, I heard rumours that the man, who bravely took away the soldiers during our run from a Lainid's capital, in fact, made it out and he collected many men from our destroyed army."
"Fishlegs?" Astrid asked with hope in her voice. Taramis saw that Heather was looking at him too and he nodded with a smile. "That is correct." Both women smiled back at him.
"Last I heard, he was spotted roaming the grasslands, trying to avoid Agnar's men."
"Then we got to find him and convince him to join us!" Astrid said and Heather laughed. "I doubt that Fishlegs will need convincing."
Suddenly, Sparky squeaked and Astrid smiled. "Sparky will relay our plan to Hic. I know him, he will figure out a way to help us bring down Voxaston."
Taramis chuckled. "Knowing Hiccup, he won't rest until he hands you back your crown himself." With that, a silent grows between them and soon they decide to get some sleep.
At the Voxaston castle, Hiccup and Terek were hauling kitchen supplies when a familiar cry sounds from above. Hiccup looked up and saw Sparky.
"Sparky!" Hiccup breaths out and whistles two short blasts. Sparky circles and lands on his arm.
"There is something tied to Sparky's leg," Terek said pointing on the leg of terrible terror. "Is it from Astrid? Did your warning reached her in time?"
Pulling off the message, Hiccup releases Sparky, but before he can read what Astrid wrote, a soldier spots him.
"What is this? A couple of lazy servants wasting time?" The soldier said as he was marching towards them.
"We were just hauling these supplies to the kitchen." Hiccup defended and the soldier snorted. "Looked like you were just standing around waiting for them to haul themselves!"
The soldier then kicks over a basket of fruit and smirked at Hiccup. "Best pick that up, boy."
Hiccup clenched his fist but then he tried to get some control over him and bowed. "Yes, sir. Of course." Hiccup bend down to pick up the fruit, but as he was looking at his hand, he saw fire flickering along his palm. Hiccup, however, clench his fist one more time and take a deep breath. The fire disappears, as though pulled back into his mind.
When he finished he turned back to the soldier and bowed again. "Sorry for taking your time, sir."
"You would better be. Now get out of here!" Soldier growled and both of them rushed away.
Back in the kitchen, Terek looked at Hiccup. "That was close. Did you manage to hold onto the message?"
Hiccup smiled as he pulled out the message somewhere from his clothes. "Right here. Let's see what it says."
'Now is the time to react. Before the winter thaw, I will return to attack Voxaston. And take back our home once and for all.' Hiccup read and Terek smiled. "It is going to happen, isn't it?"
"Asger is going to fall. Hard." Hiccup said with a devilish smirk.
"And we will be helping the empress every step of the way!" Terek said excitedly. He then looked at Hiccup with a somewhat serious face. "You and Astrid... You were close, weren't you?"
"As close as a disavowed child and an empress can be." Hiccup said as he sat down on the chair.
"Doesn't sound very close to me," Terek said as he inched his head to the side.
"Well, she appointed me as her advisor and we spent a lot of time together. But most of the time it was formal. But there were times when we were alone in the garden. Or when we trained. We were by each side after she saved me from Berk. And sometimes she even kissed me."
"The Empress kissed you?" Terek said in bewilderment. Hiccup's face grows hot, and he quickly looks away.
"It wasn't... I... Well... She..." Hiccup started to stutter and his face was red as a tomato. Terek smirked, somehow proud that he made Hiccup blush.
"Anyway, you are from Berk?" Terek suddenly changed the subject as he wanted to stop teasing Hiccup. Hiccup nodded and Terek asked. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Hiccup took a deep breath and slowly he told him his story.
Meanwhile back in the camp, Taramis went into the forest, checking on some sounds. Suddenly, he saw Heather coming out of the bush and she shouted slightly as he scared her. "Oh, Taramis... It is only you."
Taramis smirked as he was watching her. "Only me, indeed. You sure know how to make a man feel appreciated." Heather raised her eyebrow and came closer. "Very funny. I meant that I was sure that you slept."
"Yeah, I was sleeping. Until you woke me up. With that rustling." Heather suddenly came as close to him as she could, and he blushed. Hard. "So since I already woke you up, why don't you use that opportunity?"
Taramis blushed even more but Heather didn't care. She kissed him, completely oblivious to Astrid who was watching them from a shadow with her smirk, her hand on her neck. She went back and as she tried to get some sleep again, but she was thinking about Hiccup and praying that he would be alright.
"I would really like to give your father a piece of my mind." Terek said and Hiccup laughed. "You need to stand in a line for that. Anyway, we have bigger things to deal with right now. Like preparing for Astrid's attack."
After two days of hard walking through the grasslands, Astrid turns to Taramis. "Are you sure Fishlegs and his men are around here?"
"Rumors and gossips are all we have to go on. Mercenaries don't set up long in one place unless there is profit in it." Taramis said and suddenly a man and a woman step out of the high grass, each wearing vastly different gear.
The woman was in the late twenties, brown eyes and hair which were pulled into a ponytail with a few streaks of hair losing up across her temples. She had a simple brown armor made out of leather.
The man was past his thirty years and he had too brown short hair and brown eyes, but he also had a beard. He wore a full silver armor with a blue scarf on his neck.
"Stop right there!" The woman shouted and the man continued. "What are you three doing here?"
"I recognize that armor... It is a Voxaston armor." Astrid said and the man looked at her surprised. "You are familiar with this armor?"
"If you are a Voxaston soldier, you must be loyal to a man with a name Fishlegs," Astrid said and the man growled. "I was a Voxaston soldier! But there is no Voxaston anymore. Not in any way that matters! I ride for myself now."
The woman smiled and interrupted the man. "This is all very entertaining. But You are suspiciously close to our encampment. You think we would last long out here if we let anyone just wander in?"
"This is a misunderstanding," Astrid tried to explain. "We didn't mean to intrude."
The woman glared at her. "Whether or not you meant it, here you are."
"We were seeking you out," Taramis spoke up. "We need to speak with Fishlegs."
"Demanding, aren't we?" The woman now glared at Taramis. "Well, you are in no position to ask for anything. Hand over your weapons!"
"What?" Heather asked surprised.
"This is our territory." Woman continued. "Here, you do what we say."
"Now!" The man shouted.
Hiccup, Risa and Terek were loading up a wagon when a group of soldiers rides through the gate, led by Stoick. He dismounts and begins talking with Baril and Asger.
"I have to hear what they are saying. I need to know if Astrid is still alive!" Hiccup whispers to siblings.
"How are you going to sneak over there without the guard spotting you?" Terek asked his face down.
"Maybe one of us can distract him for you?" Risa suggested and they looked at each other. Hiccup sends Risa and she makes her way over to the guard, positioning herself so he turns his back to Hiccup.
"What are you doing over here?" The guard asked and Risa smiled. "I just wanted to take a break from all this hard work." She then puts her hand on his gauntlet. "And you looked a little lonely over her with no one to talk to!"
Guard suspiciously looked at her. "You are flirting with me, aren't you?"
Rise smiled at him even more softly. "Nothing gets past you, does it?" She asked and guard shook his head. "No... In fact, some of the other guards call me Gorin the Watcher."
"Tell me more!" Risa pleaded and Hiccup smiled. It was working. As the guard begins to ramble, he moves closer to Baril and his father. A moment later, he is pretending to scrub the wall near Stoick, Baril and Asger.
"It was a fool's errand. Empress was gone before we ever go close." Stoick said as he was standing tall.
"You weren't fast enough, then!" Asger growled.
"On the other hand," Baril suddenly spoke up and pointed to the monk. "We did secure a captive. A most exquisitely resilient captive." The monk said nothing only growled.
"That is no way to treat a prisoner," Stoick said frowning.
"You mean traitor. Baril, take your time with this one." Asger said with a wicked smile. "And find out what he knows about the Empress or Hiccup!" Asger turns and leaves.
Baril turned around and face the prisoner. "Let's take our guest to the dungeon, shall we?" The guard shoves the monk with the butt of his sword. "Move!"
The monk stumbles and falls, and the guard starts kicking him brutally. "On your feet, prisoner." The guard brings his foot back for another kick but Hiccup dives between the guard and the monk, knocking aside the next blow.
"Stop it! You are going to kill him!" Hiccup pleaded.
"Hey! What in the three hells do you think you are doing?" Guard shouted. Hiccup help the monk to his feet.
"This man is a traitor to the crown!" Baril barfs at Hiccup. "Maybe you want to join him in the dungeon?" Hiccup turned to his frowning father and he just hoped that it was still a man who raised him.
"Please. I couldn't watch his cruelty. Regardless of his crimes... Prisoners should be treated with dignity." Stoick was taken aback as if would recognise something. Hiccup just hoped that he didn't blow up his cover. Yes, he painted his hair, he had an eyepatch. But still, Stoick was his father. If someone should recognise him, it would be he.
"I..." Stoick said as if he came up from a trance. "I agree with this servant."
"Thank you." Hiccup said bowing. Stoick turned to the guard. "Guard, take the monk to the dungeon. There is no need for further abuse."
Baril growled and glared at Stoick "Fine. I will wait till I have all my tools. After I am through with him, he will be spilling his guts. Literally and figuratively." Baril strides off, and the soldier drags the monk away. Hiccup rushed away not noticing that Stoick was watching him and furrowing his brows.
Later, in the kitchens, Terek grins. "That was amazing. Hiccup, you are like a hero in one of the legends of every kingdom on Mainland!"
"I have to admit. I am impressed." Risa said smiling at Hiccup.
"And this is just the beginning." Hiccup said determinedly. "I am not going to let them kill that man. I am going to save him."
"I will help!" Terek said, raising his hand. "I am going to do everything I can. Just like you, Hiccup."
"Terek, we should be cautious." His sister reprimanded him.
"Come on, Risa!" Terek whined. "You are with us, too, aren't you?"
Risa shook her head. "There is just no stopping you, is there?"
"Does that mean you are in?" Terek looked at his sister with a smile. Risa chuckled. "I am in. Just promise me you won't tell mother. She has enough to worry about."
"It is a deal, then." Hiccup said, smiling.
Astrid, Heather and Taramis reluctantly hand over their weapons.
"And your money, too." The woman said, smirking.
"Amelia! We are not thieves." The man reprimanded her.
"Taking money from captives doesn't always make you a thief. Sometimes it makes you a plunderer or a conquerer..." The woman who was named Amelia protested.
"They might be Fishlegs's friends. Do you want to explain to him why we stole from people asking to see him?" The man asked her, clearly angry.
"This patrol was much more interesting before we got paired together!" Amelia shot back.
The man sighed. "This sort of thing is exactly why Fishlegs insisted that patrols have at least one of his former soldiers."
"Blah, blah, blah," Amelia said, clearly annoyed. "Don't take their money, I have got it. Come along, you two."
As the trio is led through the grasslands by the mercenaries, Astrid whispers to Taramis. "I thought that we can trust Fishlegs. Why not tell his people who we really are?"
"A lot can change in two years. We are vulnerable, like a newborn. This world is not safe for us yet." Taramis whispered back.
"Yeah, I got that when they took our weapons," Astrid said annoyed like hel.
"As far as I can tell, they are only being cautious," Taramis said scanning the duo in front of him.
"At least this is a chance to impress them. We will need their support to..." Astrid was, however, cut back, when Amelia suddenly turned to them. "Hey! Something on your mind? What are you two whispering about?"
"Er, just that you and your companion seem mismatched," Taramis said, quickly covering it up. Amelia raised her eyebrow at them and Astrid continued. "Yes, one of you seems to have gotten the lion's share of the armor. He's got full armor, and you have only got woven leather to protect you."
Amelia laughed. "Ha, pretty boy Hoark is just like all the rest of Fishlegs's men. Castle-born, so cocky and prim with all their fancy armor and shiny swords from Voxaston. Between you and me, he spends hours trimming that beard."
"At least I take the time to wash myself regularly," Hoark growled at Amelia. "Some of us hold ourselves to higher standards."
"Amelia, you weren't ever a soldier for Voxaston?" Taramis suddenly asked.
Amelia huffed. "Oh, not me. I am a mercenary, through and through. Everything on my back, I paid for myself. I follow Arvid. I have been in his outfit for eleven years now. Hoark here came with Fishlegs and his company. He is still getting used to the mercenary life. Bet he misses having someone to bow to."
"Very funny, Amelia," Hoark growled. "I am done fighting for kings. What have kings ever done but sit on their thrones, polishing their crowns while men like me die in the mud for them?"
"Does anyone really polish a crown?" Amelia sniggered.
"You blame the royalty, Hoark?" Heather asked not staying silent.
"I went away to war with promises that my family would be looked after," Hoark said with a dark voice. "But when the war was lost and I finally made it back, our home had been burned and my wife and son had starved to death after Berkians attacked."
Astrid was hit by this. How many of her people had this same fate? "That must have been devastating. I know what it is like to lose someone you care about." Astrid said clinging her hand on her necklace.
Hoark's face softened. "It was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. Not everyone can understand that. I am glad you do."
"Believe me... I get it." Astrid confirmed.
"Anyway, that is how I ended up in Fishlegs army... At least he keeps his promises." Hoark said with a small smile.
"Well, the Fool Empress and her generals got her due. Hoark is just sore that he was on the losing side." Amelia said with a small laugh.
"The Fool Empress?" Astrid nearly growled at Amelia.
"You know the one," Amelia said with a smile not noticing the warning in Astrid's voice. "Lost her war because she needed to go dancing on some kind of ball, where they tried to establish peace."
"And so you call her the Fool Empress?" Astrid shot at her.
"Yeah, got a problem with that?" Amelia's smile faded and looked at Astrid.
"No, no problem at all." Astrid suddenly said with a smile.
"That is what I thought," Amelia said.
"We are surprised," Taramis suddenly whispered to her. "We thought you would lose your temper."
"I don't like what she said, but we need these people on our side. Starting a fight wouldn't be smart." Astrid said and Heather silently giggled. "Hiccup would be proud of you."
They enter the mercenaries' sprawling camp. All around them, armed men and women bustle about, sparring, drinking and laughing.
"There are hundreds here... I didn't expect so many," Astrid said surprised.
"Two thousand, actually," Hoark said with a smile. "The biggest mercenary force in the Kingdoms."
"This is a most impressive encampment," Heather said with a smile.
"Yeah, it is good to return to the modest comforts of home," Amelia said with a smile. "Tents. Hot meal. And lots of ale. Speaking of which, we have been out on patrol too long. I need a drink. How about you, Hoark?"
"You can't seriously want to stop for ale now." Hoark glared at her. "Not when we have got these three with us."
"Ain't like they are going anywhere," Amelia smiled at him. "Why not take a break? We have earned it."
"Typical mercenary," Hoark huffs.
"You talk so high and mighty, but you are one of us now." Amelia glared at him.
"That may be, but at least I still have discipline." Hoark shot back.
"Discipline is for fools." Amelia retorted back. "Have a drink with me. We can play some knife games, and our guests can wait."
"I don't know," Hoark said unsurely.
Astrid whispers to Taramis while both of them argued. "This could be our chance to get to know them... To figure out what they are willing to fight for, other than gold."
"And just how are you planning to persuade them to talk to us?" Taramis asked with raised eyebrow.
Astrid smirked and said. "That is easy. A little ale ought to do the trick."
"The drinks are on me!" Astrid said out loud and the duo looked at her.
"You... want to buy us both a drink?" Hoark asked surprised.
"We could all use a break," Heather said as she saw what Astrid was planning.
"You hear that? I like the way these two girls think." Amelia said to Hoark with a triumphant smile.
Hoark shook his head and smiled. "Very well, Amelia. You win again." Hoark leads the way to where the mercenaries have set up a barrel of ale and logs of fallen trees to sit on.
"Five pints!" Amelia shouted.
"Five?" Taramis asked in bewilderment.
"Your woman is buying. You are drinking with us, then." Amelia said with a smirk.
"Yeah, she is not a monster, Taramis," Heather said and Taramis scowled. When one of the mercenaries brought them an ale, Astrid took. "Cheers!"
Taramis looked at Astrid and Heather and they both were drinking. "Is this wise?" He asked with a frown.
"Taramis, we might be slaughtered by mercenaries before nightfall. Let's at least have some fun before that. Besides, this is all part of getting to know them!" Astrid said and Taramis huffed.
The five of them joins a circle of mercenaries sitting on the ground. One of the mercenaries twirls a knife in his hands and then gives it to Hoark.
"What is the game tonight? Flinch?" Amelia asked with a smile.
"I will play!" Hoark said. "And I am wagering a day's pay."
"There ya go, Hoark," Amelia answered with a smirk. "You do know how to have fun every now and then."
"It is only fun if you win," Hoark said as he hands over a bunch of coins to the mercenary taking bets.
"What is this game?" Astrid asked intrigued by it.
"Flinch," Amelia answered. "You throw a knife as close to your own foot as possible. The winner is the one who gets the closest without bleeding."
Hoark squares off against another mercenary. They both stand with their feet apart and throw their knives.
"Here goes," Hoark murmurs and then he hits his own foot. "Dammit!" He cursed loudly and mercenaries around him erupted in laughter.
"Cheer up, you can always win back your money," Amelia said with a smile.
"I am more concerned about my toe, right now!" Hoark growled.
Amelia laughs. "It is barely a scratch, you baby. All that armor... You soldiers are all the same. It is like you have forgotten what it is like to bleed for a living." As mercenaries continue the game, Amelia takes a big swig of her beer and turns to the trio.
"So what is the story of three of you?" Amelia asked with a smirk. "Are you siblings? Friends? Lovers?"
"I beg your pardon!" Taramis said taken aback. Amelia laughed. "You don't have to beg, and you certainly don't need my pardon."
"I meant, how could you assume such a thing?" Taramis continued.
"Easy there, your lordship," Amelia smirked at him. "Didn't expect you to be so high and mighty about it. Most men would be flattered. Well, what is the story then? What is going on between, ya know?" Amelia gestured to them.
"Heather and Taramis here are a couple for several years. To me, they are like my siblings. My own brother and sister." Astrid said truthfully, surprising her.
"Like your own siblings, sure, but that never stopped a man, did it?" Amelia said with a smile. "Believe me, it would stop Taramis," Heather said. "And if not then my axe would stop him surely." She added and Taramis went red. Amelia erupted in laughter.
"The honorable kind, huh?" Amelia asked after a moment. "Thought all honor left this land when the empress was driven away."
Just then, Hoark clears his throat and steps up to them. "Enough gossiping, you four. I am tired of stabbing myself in the foot. I want to see someone else bleed for a change." He then turned to Astrid. "Will you play, girl? I am going double or nothing in the next round. Come on, don't let me down."
Astrid smiled. "I think that I will play. I am good with a knife."
"Now that is what I like to hear!" Hoark said with a smile.
"Too bad you are going up against me. I can't pass up a shot at taking Hoark's money." Amelia said with a smirk.
"Why you sneaky little..." Hoark started but Taramis interrupted him. "Ahem. Have faith in Astrid. She is more than capable."
"She would better be," Hoark said with a frown.
"What is more I am up to a challenge," Astrid said with a smirk. Hoark hands her his knife. Astrid stands across from Amelia, who grins at her and taps the flat side of her own knife against her palm.
"Are you sure you want to play? Toes don't grow back, you know. And your knife is as sharp as they come. So are you ready?" Amelia asked and Astrid grinned. "Of course. I am always ready."
"Good, because there is no backing out now," Amelia said and then she asked. "Who should go first?"
"I will go first," Astrid said with a smile.
"Cocky," Amelia said. "Stupid since you have never played, but I like stupid." Astrid only smirked. She remembered the first time when she showed to Hiccup her throwing skill. Truth to be told he was speechless.
Astrid holds the knife in her hand, hefting the weight of it.
"Just throw it already!" Amelia said, little annoyed.
"Do not rush her! My money's at stake." Hoark said to her.
"Take your time, Astrid," Heather said and Astrid smiled. She trained a lot with Heather. She would not lose this one. Astrid locks her eyes with Amelia. She smirks at her and Astrid smirked back. Astrid slowly exhales and flick her wrist, releasing the knife. The knife lands in the ground with a thud so close to her boot that it scratches the leather.
"Can't get closer than that," Astrid said with a huge smirk. "Your turn." Amelia immediately hurls her knife towards the ground, not breaking eye contact with Astrid the entire time. Astrid looks at the knife. The blade is embedded in the ground barely an inch from her boot. After measuring the position of the two knives, both Hoark and Heather confirms that Astrid's knife is closer.
"I won!" Astrid said with a smile.
"We won..." Hoark said with a big smile.
"See, there, Hoark? She is good luck for you! You finally won." Amelia said as he patted his back.
"It was no big deal," Astrid said still smiling.
"I knew I liked you! You are all right, Astrid!" Hoark said and her smile widened. "Thank you. Seems like you folks like to gamble."
"Everything we do is gambling. Just sometimes you pay with coin and sometimes you pay with your life." Hoark said as he took his coin. "At least this way, I believe in what I bleed for... money."
"Have you no sense of honor left?" Taramis asked surprised and a little sad. Hoark shrugged. "Not really. Not unless there is a profit to be made from having honor, and then I would reconsider."
Amelia laughed. "Very funny."
"Come along, now," Hoark said. "No more delays. We would better get you to Fishlegs."
The mercenaries lead them to a tent at the center of the camp. A familiar bulky man stands inside, overlooking a table covered in plans and maps.
"Travelers here," Amelia said. "They say they know you, Fishlegs."
Fishlegs's eyes go wide when he sees the trio, but he quickly covers it up. "Travelers? You let just anyone walk into the heart of our camp?" Fishlegs asked surprised.
"We took their weapons. And they wanted to talk to you like I said." Amelia said with a frown.
"Give us a minute." Fishlegs said and Hoark and Amelia leave. Fishlegs turns to Taramis furiously. "You brought her here? You are supposed to be her bodyguard, Do you have any idea what danger you have put her in?"
"The entire world is dangerous for her now!" Taramis huffed and crossed his arms. "Obviously we would hope for a better reception than this."
"A better reception?" Fishlegs asked in bewilderment. "This isn't the grand hall, Taramis. That life is over, for all of us. There is no returning back!" With this words, they were totally shocked.
"Fishlegs, please hear me out," Astrid said and he gave her his attention like every time she asked like that. "King Agnar has sailed for the Blood Empire and left himself open to attack. Together, we can retake Voxaston!"
"He has?" Fishlegs asked shocked.
"Yes," Astrid said and looked him dead in the eye. "You have the army we need. Join us." Fishlegs looked torn. He sighed and answered. "You make a good point, but my answer is still no. Agnar's too powerful..." His face fell. "You are two years too late for that speech."
"It is not too late! I have more than thousand troops who pledged to help me retake Voxaston." Astrid said and Fishlegs was again surprised. "You do?"
"You sound impressed," Astrid said with a smile.
"I am. But it doesn't change anything." Fishlegs said again and they were taken aback. "The best I can do now is sneak you both out before the others realize who you are. I am sorry. But I can do no more."
Fishlegs started walking out of the tent and as he opens the tent flap to leave, they see an enormous man waiting on the other side. He was bald and had huge armor combined with mail. "What the hells, Fishlegs?! You meeting without me?!"
"This is personal, Arvid. I was just meeting with an old friend." Fishlegs started but Arvid growled. "Old friend, my ass. You are an awful liar, Fishlegs. And I hate being lied to!" Arvid reaches down and grabs Astrid's chin.
"You are the Empress. I know a royal, pampered face when I see one." Arvid said with a smirk.
"You are mistaken." Astrid saw taking a step back.
"Am I?" Arvid holds up a crumpled wanted poster with Astrid's face sketched on it. "You know king Agnar, do you?" Astrid didn' answered just glared at the man. "Well, he knows you." He continued. "Turns out, his whelp put a bounty on your head, your Majesty," Arvid said last two words with irony dripping from his mouth.
"Turning you in will be the easiest coin I have ever made!" Arvid said with a smirk and the trio took a step back while Arvid was laughing like a madman.
