(( Welcome! I would like your opinion on the outcome of the coming chapters, please write a review: Do you want Hiccup to go home to Astrid as soon as he can? Or: Do you want Hiccup to go on a quest to the Northern Highpeaks to find more dragons? Have a good read.))

Chapter 43

Soon on a new mission.

Hiccup landed in front of the stables, he jumped down from Toothless and they walked through the great castle-square. Two guards recognized them at the main gate and opened it for them, they were immediately met by Aske and Sandra, and another familiar face. Joran, chief of the Trident clan.

"Ah, there you are Hiccup, Sandra told me a little about the project, I'm itching to know what your bright minds have come up with. Also, look who arrived this morning." Aske said happily, a little childish even, and nodded at Chief Joran.

Joran stepped froth from behind Aske and offered his big hand for Hiccup to take.

"A pleasure to meet you again Lord Nightwing. How's the shield maiden?"

"Astrid? Well, she's good I hope, I haven't met her in almost a month."

"You see, I've heard rumors that she is pregnant. With your baby too." He said and winked at Hiccup with an overly big movement to his bushy eyebrows.

"I can confirm that those rumors are true, she will give birth by the time of Snoggletogg."

"Good going there lad. Now, Aske told me that you and this fine lady here have evolved a plan to get rid of these damned invaders?"

"Well, it's no hundred percent guarantee, but the plan is as good as waterproof." Hiccup said and straightened his back proudly, he pulled Sandra to his side and gestured at her with his hand.

"This lady, Sandra, have been to great help. Without her this would have taken the whole winter."

Joran smiled at her broadly.

"Then I thank you too Lady Sandra. You two will be richly rewarded when the battle is over."

"That, dear friend, is up to us both to agree to" Aske said and placed his hand on the shorter man's shoulder.

"So, let's get up to my halls and have a look then." He said and led the group to a long spiral-stair.

Hiccup entered first, he carefully opened the door and found a big room with a big round table in the middle of it. There were already a few people sitting around the table, Queen Violet included and Hiccup immediately felt a knot in his stomach.

"Dear counselors, may I introduce Lord Hiccup Nightwing the Horrendous Haddock the Third and Sandra Freesdotir." Aske said and extended his arms as he presented them to the small crowd.

"All of you already know Joran. So let's get this started. Hiccup"

"So, ye... Hi everyone. As you know there is an invading force terrorizing the country. Me and Sandra was put on the task to find a way to get rid of them, while High King Aske and Chief Joran the unblooded, together with the new chief of the Southsails clan, which I had had the misfortune of never meeting, stand for the supplies and soldiers."

Hiccup looked down at the floor, he felt embarrassed over his rambling about the obvious. He cleared his throat and continued.

"Its soon winter, and from what I have heard the invaders will retreat to their camp in the southeast as fast as the first snow falls. When that happens we will have them bounded up. They are relying on a steady supply of food being shipped from the Mainlands, if we manage to disturb those transports enough we might either starve them to death or at least being out of shape, or to drag their army out to battle in the snow. These soldiers are not familiar to cold, and definitely not snow. They're from warmer parts of Midgard, shown by their skin-color. We will have a great advantage by that cause. We want their army to march in opposite direction of where we are now, so I and Sandra have put out a line of troops in the woodlands close to their camp."

Hiccup waved for Sandra to show the map to the crowd. They had put an X, marking every troop that they'd put out.

"Sandra, do you want to continue?"

"Yes my lord."

Hiccup sighed at her and stared at her with a stated look. Sandra smiled at him and mimed a 'Sorry'.

"So, as you can see, our troops have them cornered, there is just a ten minute gap between the stations by horse, and when we get the dragon riders here, the gap will be just a minute or less. No big army can slip through their watch. We will use Berk's riders to disturb the transports, and make the invaders think we're attacking from the southeast, so that's where they will hopefully direct their army. And if the events turn out like last year only half their army will be out in the open, where our ground-bound forces can take them out. And the riders can assault the fortress, maybe not destroy it completely, but still burn important food stores, camps and hopefully kill a good portion of their men."

Sandra closed her hands and smiled at the gathered.

Violet raised her hand and Sandra nodded for her to speak.

"So, I know the numbers of my men, but what about the Berkians? How many riders do you have?"

"We could have around 150 riders. All fine warriors on themselves and practically undefeatable on the backs of their dragons." Hiccup quickly answered."

"That's not enough, I have seen what a good a single dragon rider can do, but this fortress is vast, the troop you were killing Hiccup, that's only a piss in the ocean compared to this. And reports are that they not only get food delivered to them, but also troops, weekly."

Hiccup shrugged, a little offended by her harsh tone.

"This is the best we can do, at least we have the woodlands border secured. If we can cause them any pain, how small it may be, it's still a thorn in their sides. I can assure you that my riders will do their best, till their last drop of blood have left their veins."

Violet leaned back in her chair with a sly grin on her face.

"It will work, I just wanted to taunt you a little. You'll make a fine leader one day Hiccup."

Aske rose from his chair and leaned over the table.

"So, dear council, do we go with this plan? Personally I really like it, I think it will work."

A mumble came from the others and after an urging look from their High King they all agreed with a happy smile on their lips.

" I have ordered a feast for our success here today, in the honor of Hiccup and Sandra!"

The Vikings cheered and rose from their chairs, they started walking down the long stairs.

Aske stood beside Hiccup and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Good job Hiccup, I have been thinking a little about what you should do next, but I haven't made up my mind yet, see me tomorrow at breakfast, then I'll tell you my wish."

"Of course my king" Hiccup answered with a tone of fear, he just wanted to go home now.

((Thank you for reading, please review where you want him to go. Stay tuned!))