Soul of a Dragon Chapter 21

"speaking"- human language

"speaking"- dragonese

thinking- human thoughts

thinking- dragon thoughts

I do not own How To Train Your Dragon or any of its characters

Stoick couldn't believe what Drago had just proposed to him. His blood boiled over the thought of working with the madman. Especially after all he had done, his crimes were not only against dragons but to humanity as well.

He really is a madman! Why would he come here to ask this of me of all people? Then again his reputation exceeds far beyond any lands with Vikings.

Stoick stood up from his seat and slammed his fists into the table. Drago remained where he was and didn't say anything at the chief's reaction. If anything he looked amused.

"I don't know what is more foolish!" Stoick yelled. "Your arrogance or this proposition!"

Drago didn't respond to that either, he waited for the chief to calm down before saying anything else. Nothing would have made him happier than to punish Stoick for his behavior but he knew that he had to be careful. He needed the chief and Berk.

The people of Berk could be what is missing from my plan. If I can get their chief on my side I will have no problem locating the nest… and maybe just maybe I can find that boy and his dragon in the process.

Even after four years he never forgot about that boy and the Night Fury. But then again it was pretty hard to forget about the defat he and his men had suffered under those two along with the other dragons that had come for them. He knew what the boy's secret was… or at least he had an idea on what it was. He needed to find the boy in order to confirm though. With Berk's help that shouldn't have been too hard.

He saw that Stoick had calmed down and managed to sit back in his seat. Drago took the opportunity to speak and he was careful with his words. He didn't have the patience to deal with Stoick's anger.

"I understand your rage Stoick," he said. "But over the last years I have learned much about the world. One of those lessons is that there is a time and a place for everything. I am in need of assistance Stoick. The time for that assistance is now and the place is here."

"Why my village Drago?" Stoick asked.

Drago smirked; he knew precisely why he had chosen Stoick's village to aid him in the search. A reason that the Chief of Berk couldn't deny himself.

"You have been searching for the nest just as long as I have Stoick," Drago said. "If I'm going to work with anyone I want that someone to have knowledge about the goal. While you haven't been able to find anything at the same time you have learned new tactic in searching. Who could ask for a better partner to work with?"

Stoick's eye twitched a little at the sound of Drago addressing him as a partner. He didn't want to be affiliated with his man but Drago was bringing up a good point. He wouldn't say it out loud though. He would never admit to him being right.

"And then there's your motivation," Drago added.

His hands turned into fists at that.

"You lost something very precious to you Stoick and that is why you have an intense hatred for the flying beasts," Drago stated, I too have lost precious things to them and my hatred is the result of that."

"I will repeat myself; we are not the same Drago!" Stoick rebuffed. "Don't act as if you can understand what Valka and I have been through!"

"But I do!"

"No you don't!"

"I do understand Stoick!" Drago shouted.

Drago stood up from his seat and pointed to his arm with a look of disgust on his face.

"I live with a constant reminder of my losses! I wake up every morning and see what is missing along with the memories of how it went missing!" Drago firmly stated. "What do you have to remind you of your losses? An empty cradle that's what!"

Stoick couldn't take it anymore; he leaped from his seat and ran over to the man. He grabbed him by the collar and did his best to lift him up but Drago fought back. He punched Stoick with his prosthetic arm and sent the chief downward to the floor. Just when Stoick was about to stand up again Drago blocked him by placing his prosthetic hand to his neck.

"You talk about being foolish and yet you yourself just did something foolish right now!" Drago stated. "Do not make do something you'll regret Stoick."

Stoick panted but he didn't move from where he was trapped. Drago could end his life right there without the use of the weapon. Drago was a weapon. And for that he needed to be cautious. He looked the scarred man right in the eye.

"Don't speak of my son Drago," Stoick said. "Sixteen years of being constantly reminded of it has taken a toll on me."

"I can see that," Drago replied. "Your actions show it."

Drago stepped back and released Stoick from the threat he placed on him. The Chief of Berk stood up and rubbed his face where he had been hit.

"You see Stoick," Drago said. "We really are not so different. You hold the same intense hatred as I do when it comes to the dragons. Aren't you tired of having a reminder that holds nothing but pain and failure?"

Drago's words were hitting Stoick but he made no comment on them. It was true though, he was tired of having to look at the cradle that belonged to his infant son. Valka had hidden the cradle from him but you didn't need to have the real thing in front of you in order for it to affect you. Stoick had the cradle in his mind. The image was forever burned there and the pain of it was carved into his heart. After his lost his son he had two titles brought onto him besides the Chief of Berk. He was a horrible father and a horrible spouse.

He failed to protect his first and only child and he failed to give Valka anymore children that would have eased her heartbreak along with constantly leaving her alone to deal with the pain by herself. Not that he wouldn't have loved to have more children with her but he allowed his fears to get the best of him. He feared that if he had another child that child would have suffered the same fate. And then more pain would come. He feared that he wouldn't have been able to protect him or her. He couldn't bring another child into a world where dragons ruled and Vikings were a constant target. They were selfish reasons, he knew that but they were reasons nonetheless. HE didn't know if Valka had the same fears as well. He never bothered to ask her.

That's the problem with me. I cannot talk to anyone like that nor can I listen to everything that is being said. Despite this she still loves me… I am not worthy of such love. Valka deserves better… a lot better.

He shook the thoughts of his wife away as he remembered the situation he was in. He knew that this couldn't go on forever. He refused to be one of those Vikings who spent his days searching for the nest and die with nothing to show for it. He would find it and he would have something to show for it. But if he accepted Drago's aid… he would be getting himself to a situation that would be hard to get out of.

At times like this he hated that he was the chief. He had to do what was best for his village. The people of Berk couldn't handle going on these searches forever and leaving their families behind constantly. Tired didn't even begin to describe what the village was going through. They couldn't keep living like this and he knew that. Maybe help is what they needed but why did it have to be Drago Bludvist?

"Your people need my people and my people need yours," Drago said. "We need each other in order to end this war Stoick."

There was nothing more Stoick would have liked than to end this war that had plagued Vikings since the beginning of time. He wanted to destroy the creatures and bring peace to all Vikings and their families. He wanted a world where they didn't have to live in constant fear. He wanted revenge! He wanted it so much!

What should I do?

"So," Drago started. "Do we have a deal Stoick, Chief of Berk?"

Drago held out his hand to him. Sweat beaded down Stoick's face as thought about his decision.

I'm going to regret this I know it… but I'll have to deal with that later.

With hesitation Stoick held out his hand and shook with Drago's. The grip was firm but still showed hesitation on Stoick's part.

"Deal."

A smirk spread across Drago's face as the deal was complete.

"Excellent."

The men pulled their hands back once it was over and Drago turned around. He started to walk back to the door.

"I must go spread the news to my men," Drago stated. "I suggest that you do the same with your people. We can discuss more later on tonight and then my men and I will leave for a short while in order to send word to the others."

This caught Stoick's attention.

"What do you mean by that?" Stoick questioned.

"Several of my men are in other locations right now, trying to look for more areas they have missed. But don't worry they'll be on the same page as us. Until then Chief Stoick."

With that Drago left, his dragon skin cape trailing behind him. The doors closed and Stoick was left alone with his thoughts. This deal didn't mean that he trusted him, he knew there was something more behind it. Why wait so long to ask for help?

I know he must have other motives for searching for the dragons' nest. The only question is what are they?

He let out a sigh and walked out of the Mead Hall. As soon as he opened the door he saw that his people were out there waiting anxiously for him. He stood proud and tall, trying to hide the regret he felt. He readied himself to declare what he had just done right now.

I will have my revenge. For you my son. My Hiccup.

Please review and leave comments, thank you for your time.