THREE MONTHS LATER

Hans stood in Lord Haddock's room, scrawling across a patchwork of parchment on the wall. He was sweating - he almost always was these days - and it took a monumental effort of concentration to keep his hand from shaking. His nose burned slightly as, across the room, one of the emperor's concoctions gave off an acidic stench. It was his seventeenth attempt at the Waters of Life.

He coughed as the smell overcame his restraint, and he held his hand to his nose to lessen the assault on his nostrils. With his free hand, he finished writing the label.

"Al…" He spoke as he wrote it out, his throat pressing against his steel collar. "...bi...on."

Upon hearing rumors of the massive isle to the west, the emperor had sought out Albion, promptly found the land, and begun his conquest of it. At the same time, he had drawn or confiscated several small maps of the coastline, and taken notes about distances and features. Now he had returned after two weeks, and it was Hans' job to compile them all into one larger work.

The master map, as it now looked, had Berk in the middle, with the immediate holdings around it shaded blue. To the south, a peninsula jutted up towards the islands, also shaded blue; it sprouted out of a large wide continent called "Europa". Berk's hold reached halfway into the mainland, with another sea marking the boundary to the south.

Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Hans removed his hand from his nose to study the maps of Albion, and began marking the new territory Lord Haddock had seized: the entire eastern coastline, and most of the northern third of the isle. Continuing to breathe shallowly, he next marked where the emperor had established new nests: two of them, to be exact, both along the ocean. And finally, major battles that had occurred between the dragons and the native armies. Hans had to mark in a blue X for Lord Haddock's victories, and a red X for any defeats.

To date, no red ink had touched the map.

With that, Hans' cartography duties were finished. The emperor's ever successful campaigns struck despair into his heart, especially since he had the personal honor of charting their progress as they unfolded. Only one fact comforted him.

Lord Haddock had not set his eyes eastward yet. Kranzgrad, for the moment, was safe.

Hans knew it was only a matter of time, though, before another expedition was sent to search for the first, this one more armed and belligerent. Not only would they be annihilated, but it would attract the emperor's attention, and draw him to Kranzgrad almost immediately. And even barring that scenario, it seemed inevitable that Lord Haddock would look to extend his reach to the east sooner or later. Hans stared at the blank space where he supposed Kranzgrad to be, and he envisioned himself inking it into existence one day.

"It's hopeless…" he muttered. Gathering all of the emperor's papers together, he turned his back on the map, trying to put the image of Kranzgrad burning out of his mind.

Leaving the emperor's room, Hans was confronted by the metallic sounds of sword upon armor. He went downstairs and saw Lord Haddock locked in combat with a stuffed dummy, which wore plating, chain mail, and a helmet. After his first campaign in Europa, he had returned concerned about his inability to fight man-to-man, and had promptly begun practicing swordsmanship.

"Aha! You might think you have me cornered, but could it be the other way round?" Taking his broadsword, he held the dummy on point. "A duel? Of course, the only way to preserve our honor! Draw your sword!"

Hans peered around the corner, watching the spectacle with amusement - an emotion rare to him now. Toothless also seemed aroused by the action, and leapt back and forth across the room, wriggling in excitement.

"You can't hide anymore, you fiend! You thought you could get away with burning down the Library of Berk, or stealing the Book of Dragons?"

Lord Haddock was having way too much fun with his fantasy. He listed off a long list of offenses against his imaginary foe, and punctuated each one with an attack. The sunlight glinted off the steel of the sword, which the emperor wielded now with an expert flourish.

"Ha! Aha!" A broad grin lit up Lord Haddock's face as he twirled around the armored dummy, parrying imagined blows. Finally he thrust under the armpit. "Gotcha!"

With the display over, Hans stepped forward. "My lord?"

The emperor startled as he realized Hans was in the room. "Oh, I, I - How long were you standing there?!"

Hans cringed at the demand. The light-hearted atmosphere had shattered. "I just came down now, I finished what you gave me."

He held out the collection of maps, and Lord Haddock snatched them away before giving a harsh glare. "Is it all accurate?"

"Yes, my lord."

"I'll go up there and check."

"Yes, my lord, it's as accurate as I can make it."

The emperor refused to relent in his scowl. Hans gulped, again conscious of the metal bound around his neck. He glanced at the Night Fury, which just stared back. His stomach was starting to churn, and he prayed that he wouldn't have to vomit.

"Lady Hofferson will be here soon. Start making dinner. And keep an eye out for Gerda."

Relieved from Lord Haddock's scrutiny, Hans immediately began setting cod to fry. The emperor paced around the room, practicing lunging with his blade, or making swift cuts through the air, or absent-mindedly twirling it in his fingers. Toothless, meanwhile, began sneaking up on Hans, who had control of the fish basket.

Hans watched as the Night Fury came up, and left the basket lid open. When he turned around again, the dragon had two fish caught in his mouth.

"Alright, you've had your snack." Hans snorted gently as Toothless slunk off with his prize. He had at first been terrified of the dragon, until he realized that as long as he was willing to look the other way when the Night Fury was hungry, the two could maintain a tranquil relationship. In fact, the dragons in general seemed to be very docile creatures - when they were not acting on the emperor's orders.

A short time later, the front door opened, and Astrid came in.

"Hey everyone." She shrugged off her coat and laid it over one of the seats, then embraced Lord Haddock.

"Good afternoon, Lady Hofferson." Hans made sure to greet her.

"Hey." The emperor melted before her, a youthful charm coming into his eyes. "How were the dragons today?"

"Oh, same as always, they're going good. I really think they've taken a liking to me. One of the Nadders, especially. I can see why you like them so much!"

"Yeah, dragons will be there for you when no one else will." He gave a fond look at Toothless. "They never turn your back on you, they never give up on you."

Hans noticed that Astrid looked a tad uncomfortable. Lord Haddock, meanwhile, seemed too focused on other matters.

"Here, I'll go put this away," he gestured to the dummy, "check on the Waters, and I'll be right back down. The thrall is cooking dinner, it should be ready soon."

"Alright, go ahead."

The emperor took his equipment and strode up the stairs, Toothless following behind. After his door closed, Astrid came over to Hans, and they both stared into the fire. His stomach continued to churn, the nausea worsening.

"How did he treat you today?"

"Good." Hans kept watching the cod, which sat in a small pan. "Hasn't struck me."

"Did he give you lunch?"

No answer.

"No, then. Add another fish in the pan."

Hans hesitated. His chest began to clench.

"Empress' orders, you need to eat."

"Thank you, my lady."

"Hans, please."

"Sorry - Astrid. It's just, when Lord Haddock is around, and I-"

"No, it's okay." She was watching his face, he could see it from the corner of his eye, but he kept his gaze on the fish. "It's okay, I...I can't imagine what you're going through. And, I'm sorry."

Hans' heart clenched tighter and tighter. "Why do you treat me like this?"

"Wha...What do you mean? I've been trying my best to keep you from Hiccup at his worst, and-"

"That's what I mean. I don't…" His grip on the frying pan trembled. "Why do you even care? I tried to kill him, and I almost killed you. I don't...deserve your kindness...I'm a miserable human being. Why else would I lose my home, my love? My freedom, my dignity? I deserve nothing, I…" He choked, and he felt his eyes well up.

Astrid reached over and took his cheek in her hand, slowly turning his face so that she could see directly into it. Her brilliant blue eyes were filled with pity and sadness. She rubbed her thumb over an ugly bruise on his cheek, one that still smarted: a reminder of the danger of not cleaning Lord Haddock's room to his liking.

"I care," she whispered. "because no one should have to live in fear. You did what you did because you were afraid."

Her soft words only pained Hans more. He turned his head away and returned his gaze to the fish. For some reason, he felt that it would hurt less if she was also harsh to him. As it was, he felt indebted - Astrid still treated him with dignity, even after he had tried to kill her lover, and nearly killed her by accident. At least if she also mistreated him, it would feel like an eye had been exchanged for an eye. Now he just felt riddled with guilt and shame.

They stayed silent for a while, Hans tending the food, until a knock sounded on the door.

"I'll get it." Astrid got up before Hans could react, and greeted the person outside. "Gerda, nice to see you. Come in, I'll go get Hiccup for the sheep."

"Thank you." Sure enough, Hans turned around and saw the poor woman holding a sheep in her arms. It bleated in annoyance, demanding to be put down. Gerda's head peeped over the wool, her sharp eyes searching for any potential threat. She came and sat by Hans, always looking straight ahead. Gerda seldom spoke, and when she did it was with as few words as possible. Her face seemed permanently paralyzed in a state of caution and worry.

Now if anyone deserves pity, Hans thought as he looked at Gerda, it's her.

The meal was now almost complete when Astrid descended the stairs, followed by Lord Haddock.

"Alright, you got one." He rubbed his hands together and took the sheep. "The Waters of Life should work this time, but you're just gonna help me make sure."

"My lord," Hans broke in from the fireplace, "dinner is almost ready."

"I know! I'll just be a minute, don't start until I get back!"

Hans shrank away at the outburst, watching as the emperor stormed back up to his room. It was a long time before he spoke up again: "Gerda, please help me set the table. My lady, if you'd like to be seated…"

The table had been graced with a rich scarlet cloth, adorned with golden plates and chalices, and the food sat ready to eat when Lord Haddock finally came down, the Night Fury in tow.

"Well, that's that." He gestured upstairs. "I'll check after dinner, see if we have an old sheep or a lamb." Sitting at the table, the emperor looked at Hans, then Gerda. "Go on then, do your work."

Gerda quickly took a small golden fork, cut a piece from the emperor's cod, and swallowed it. She washed that down with a gulp from his chalice. Then she repeated for Astrid, all while Lord Haddock watched and waited.

After a few seconds passed without her falling dead, he declared, "No poison. Good. You're dismissed for the night." Gerda bowed and left the house without another word.

Now the two began their meal, while Hans and Toothless watched. Or rather, Toothless began sniffing by the fireplace, searching for more fish. Hans came over, and with a sigh flipped the basket lid open. The dragon happily dug in.

"You're welcome."

Lord Haddock ended up finishing his meal first, and stood up. "Thrall!" Hans jerked around. "Stop messing around and make yourself useful!" With that he retreated back to his room.

Hans approached the table, where Astrid was still eating. She looked up at him.

"Here, sit down." She pushed her plate towards him - a large portion of her cod remained untouched.

"My la...Astrid, I can't-"

"Eat it," she insisted. "For my sake."

Yielding, Hans took up the fork and had a cautious bite. The taste prompted him to have a second bite with far more enthusiasm.

"Starving you won't accomplish anything." Astrid smiled as she watched him.

The door upstairs opened.

Hans nearly fell backwards out of his seat, and Astrid quickly grabbed the plate and placed it in front of herself again. He scrambled for the emperor's leftovers, trying to make himself appear dutiful, but relaxed a bit when he saw Lord Haddock's grim face. He held the sheep again in his arms, where it now slumped lifeless.

"It didn't work?" Astrid asked.

He shook his head. "I feel like I'm getting closer, but...well, maybe the eighteenth batch will work." Slinging the sheep over his shoulder, he went through the front door and outside to dispose of it.