Captain Hiccup Of Asgard

by geofracul

This story happens when hiccup is sent to show the big burglars that dragons are good and positive however the gods have better ideas. (this is not my story however I continued it with is promition)

19. the training begins

Chapter 19: The Training Begins

North Seas, 150 Nautical miles from Berk, Day 12 since Hiccup's Departure

Eret son of Eret leaned on the edge of his ship and spat into the sea. The spit tasted like a mixture of mead and hardtack, and signaled what he felt like at the moment. He had not captured any dragons for his master, and if he returned empty-handed, he would be executed. Hence, the mead, which was his attempt to forget this problem by getting drunk, and the hardtack, which was what he and his crew had been reduced to eating in their fruitless efforts to capture dragons.

Eret son of Eret was not an evil man. He told himself this constantly, even though he worked for the cruelest man in the archipelago, Drago Bludvist. Eret's parents had died when he was young, and he only knew that his father's name was Eret. As a remembrance of his family, he used 'son of Eret' as his title. Useless as a boy, he had been sold as a slave by his tribe, and from there managed to become a gladiator in the distant city of Rome. He could barely fight, but he managed to kill the Emperor's champion by luck in his first fight. The Emperor was enraged, and banished Eret. From there Eret took to the seas, meeting up with Germanic outcasts. They became a team and trapped dragons for food. He was still in the business when Drago Bludvist had come to him with an offer – Dragons for money. Leaping at the chance, Eret had accepted.

And now he wished he hadn't. Things were vastly unpleasant under Drago's terrible rule. Either they provided dragons or Drago would kill them. It was an unfortunate position.

"Eret," his mate said.

"Yeah," Eret groaned, getting up from his position, taking his gaze away from the foamy, cold sea.

"Eret, we haven't been able to get any dragons. I mean, we just haven't seen any. Where are they all going?"

Eret frowned. It was something he didn't know himself.

"I don't know," he replied. "But I think it's that beast of a dragon that Lord Drago has in captivity. It seems to be able to control all the smaller dragons, and it draws everything near it to itself. So there are no dragons close to us anymore. At least, that's what I think."

"I agree, Eret," the man replied.

Eret laughed, whirling on him. "You agree!" he shouted angrily. He was in a terrible mood. "Of course you agree! You're too stupid to do anything else! I should have gotten a better crew!"

"DRAGON!" the crew shouted.

"What!" Eret shouted, leaping to the bola launchers. "Where!?"

"East, sir!"

Eret swung his bola launcher to the East and stared down the sight at the approaching dragon.

"By Thor," he whispered. "That dragon is huge."

The crew was bustling about, getting their equipment ready. Eret whirled around.

"Listen up, boys!" he shouted. "If we get this dragon, we get to go back! It's big enough to be a real prize!"

The crew cheered. Eret spun back to the bola launcher and stared at the dragon once more.

"Wait, what the -" he muttered, peering closer at the object in the distance. "Umm, men!" he shouted. "This dragon has a rider!"

"What!?" The men replied, staring at the dragon.

"Yeah, and it's coming right for us!" Eret answered. "This is certainly odd! But we'll give them what they're asking for! Get ready to fire!"

Sure enough, the massive dragon was coming closer. In fact, it looked like it intended to land on the ship.

"It's a SKRILL!" Eret shouted gleefully. "If we give Drago a Skrill, then he'll give us enough cash to last a lifetime!"

The crew cheered once more.

"Get ready!" Eret shouted. "Fire all at the same time! Ready, one, two three, FIRE!"

Bolas flew from the ship towards the big dragon. With a roar, it thundered into a dive, avoiding the first few nets. However, Eret and his crew kept firing, and one of the bolas wrapped around one of the beast's wings. It started to plummet to the ocean.

Watching carefully, Eret saw the rider leap off the saddle and onto the side of the beast. He drew a thin, straight sword and hacked at the net. It fell off in an instant, and the Skrill caught itself, flying once more towards the ship.

Eret was unnerved. Who would come straight at the person who was trying to kill them unless they knew they could win?

As he was thinking this, the Skrill opened its mouth. A giant bolt of lightning flew from tits throat and struck the ship with a blast. Fire ripped across the deck, and every single one of the bola launchers was destroyed.

The entire crew was hurled to the deck by the jolt of the blast. It had been skillfully aimed; the Skrill had deliberately taken out all their weaponry. Eret could only stare in awe as his crew desperately tried to put out the flames as the Skrill came steadily closer. Then it landed on the deck of his ship with a boom. The dragon was so big that the boat tipped. Its wingspan was about as long as the entire vessel. Eret lost his balance as the beast rocked the boat. He fell on his face, and was too afraid to rise. His crew was cowering in fear as well.

Glancing up, he saw two boots strike the ground. Crawling to his knees, he saw the Skrill leap off the boat and hover directly above it. On the deck stood the rider.

He was garbed in brown armor that matched the color of his dragon, and he wore a masked helmet that covered his face. In his right hand he held a brown sword, which looked long and menacing. The rider strode right up to Eret, who held his hands up while sitting on his knees.

"Don't kill me," he begged. "I am sorry for shooting at your dragon. Please don't kill me!"

The man placed the tip of his sword against Eret's throat. Eret gulped as the razor sharp tip pricked his skin, drawing blood.

"Who are you to fire on my dragon?" the man demanded. His voice was cold as ice.

"I am Eret, son of Eret," Eret replied, still terrified by the masked man. "I am only a dragon trapper."

The rider pulled his blade back a little bit. "You trap dragons?" He demanded. "For whom?"

"Drago Bludvist," Eret replied. "The man who is building the greatest dragon army ever seen."

The man barked a short, fierce laugh. "No army is as great as mine is. But I am looking for your employer, this Drago Bludvist. Where is he?"

"I -" Eret failed to get the words out. If he informed anyone of Drago's whereabouts, and Dragon found out, he would be doomed. But then again, he was doomed anyway.

The rider raised his sword to cut off Eret's head. "You tell me where Drago is or I shall kill you on the spot, tattoo beard!" The rider snarled. The Skrill shrieked to emphasize.

"OK!" Eret cried out. "Drago is four miles south of here! But please don't tell him I told you! He'll kill us all!"

The man lowered his sword. With a nod, he sheathed it again.

"I will speak to your employer," he said. "I regret attacking you like this, but you did strike first." He glanced around at the wreckage on the deck. "I will tell him that you are in need of repairs, and that you have done a fine job working for him. I shall even suggest that he give you a raise in pay, Eret son of Eret."

Eret was astonished. "Umm, all right," he said.

The rider reached down and hauled Eret to his feet. He lifted Eret off the ground and pulled him an inch away from his face.

"However," the rider hissed, "If you tell anyone you have seen me and my dragon, I shall hunt you down. I never fail to do this to whoever crosses me. I SWEAR that shall not stop until you have been eaten alive by my Skrill. Do you understand?!"

"Yes!" Eret shouted, terrified. "My lips are sealed."

"Good." The rider let Eret drop to the floor and walked back to the edge of the deck. The Skrill lowered itself to allow the rider to get on. The man turned around.

"And Lord Zyon ALWAYS does what he swears to do," he said quietly, and then leapt on the Skrill.

Low Asgard, Day 12 since Hiccup's Departure

Loki struck Hiccup on the side of the head.

"No!" he shouted. "That was way too easy to see! The lie must be flawless, clean, and NO emotion can be shown! I could tell that was a lie just because of the way you spoke! Try it again, Hiccup."

Hiccup rubbed his head with a grimace. It was sore from being hit multiple times.

"Do you REALLY think hitting me is, uhh, necessary for this kind of training, Loki?" he asked. "I got enough cruelty from The Wolf to last me a lifetime. I don't think you need to use violence to make me understand."

Loki laughed. "Bah! Violence will be one of the few things you will truly understand when the entire training is over."

Hiccup sighed. "All right, if you say so, Father of Lies. Here I go again; I'll be dishonest at some point in this next sentence."

Loki nodded. "Go on."

Hiccup lifted his chin and spoke, trying to keep his face emotionless.

"My name is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, son of Porkbelly the Vast."

Loki slapped him again.

"Porkbelly?" he grinned. "That was amusing for you, and because it was, your face betrayed your humor. You fail again. You must leave no sign when you lie."

"I need a break, Loki," Hiccup replied, sighing. "I have to muster my wits."

"So be it."

Loki leaned back in his chair. After a brief pause, he spoke abruptly. "So tell me, Hiccup, are you in love?"

Hiccup raised his eyebrows. "In love? Yes, I am."

Loki nodded. "Does she love you back?"

"I like to think so," Hiccup answered. "I am sure she does, at least."

"Would you be able to deal with it if you returned to her, looked in her eyes, and found that she was lying about her affection?"

Hiccup frowned cautiously. "Are you implying anything, Loki?" He demanded, a bit harshly.

Loki shrugged. "Nothing in particular. But you are an heir and a hero among your tribe, and as such you may be deceived by women in affairs of love. They could only be there by your side for the power and riches, and their love may be false."

Hiccup shook his head. "Not Astrid. She would never do that."

A slight smile came over Loki's lips, and then it faded. "Very well," he answered. "If you say so. I know nothing of love, at least not that kind."

Hiccup frowned again. "Surely you had at least some attention, being the son of Odin himself?"

Loki barked a short laugh. "Who, me? The younger? Why would the girls chase me when Thor was there?" He shook his head. "Royalty is not always the reason that covetous girls come to you. Only when you are considered a REAL hero do they appear. For instance, what kind of attention did you get before you trained dragons and killed the Red Death?"

"Umm, attention was basically nonexistent at that point," Hiccup replied.

"See?" Loki answered. "Being a hero and having power is what drives these false girls to you. This Astrid girl you speak of, she only 'fell in love' with you after you killed the Red Death, right?"

"No!" Hiccup replied, indignantly. "She first kissed me after I flew her on Toothless."

"After you had harnessed the power of dragons."

"Yeah…"

"Funny, isn't it? How she only began to 'love' you until you had real authority and power?"

"That's yakshit!" Hiccup was angry. "Astrid and I are in love. Sure, we're a little young, but I was actually planning on proposing in a few months or so before I was – kidnapped."

"Oh, its yakshit, is it?" Loki was smiling. "I see, so Astrid was just harboring a MASSIVE crush on you for all that time when you were a useless runt, and OF COURSE she revealed it RIGHT after you were starting to shed that façade. Sounds like REAL love to me, Hiccup."

Hiccup gripped his chair arms. "Shut up, Loki," he whispered. "You're poisoning my mind."

Loki nodded. "Very well. I was only trying to educate, not dissuade your love. Shall we continue the training?"

"Not yet," Hiccup sighed deeply. "You don't seem to know what a 'break' is."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "What are we doing here?"

"Besides tormenting me about how my love could be false, nothing." Hiccup replied sarcastically.

Loki shook his head in amusement. "All right. We'll talk of something else instead. Do you feel like arguing again?"

Hiccup chuckled. "I could handle it, I guess."

"Then why do you despise my actions towards the people of Midgard?"

Hiccup threw his hands in the air. "No reason, other than common sense!"

Loki chuckled. "Common sense? Well, you and other mortals have 'common' sense. I have higher sense, GOD-like sense and intelligence."

"Aww, pshaw!" Hiccup replied. "The Gods are a joke. You are a lying, cheating, false snake. Your father is an overgrown yak with a temper problem. I only met Thor for a few minutes, Eir is a beautiful woman that I don't know a whole lot about, and Aiah is the most God-like of the lot so far."

Loki frowned. "Who is Aiah?"

"Oh, yeah," Hiccup grinned. "I named her Aiah. She likes it. Sweet Little One in Old Norse. You know, the purple eyed seer."

"Ahh," Loki replied. "She is an odd creature, isn't she? However, what did you think of my brother Thor?"

Hiccup shrugged. "He was a lot better than you, if that's what you're asking. He explained my situation to me, and at that point I was so confused I couldn't really tell what his character was. But he seemed really brotherly and nice."

Loki shook his head. "Forever praising Thor," he muttered in disgust.

"Hey, don't spit on your brother because he does stuff RIGHT," Hiccup snapped.

Loki's jaw tightened. "Thor is nothing but a big, happy, handsome fool with a hammer. He has the brain power of a donkey," Loki snapped.

Hiccup laughed. "Says the one with the brain power of a snake."

Loki smiled. "Oh, yes! You have a sharp tongue, boy. I like you more and more, Hiccup."

"Why is it that only the evil God likes me?" Hiccup asked.

Loki scowled. "Once more, I would not call myself EVIL," he argued. "I only see things from the proper prospective, and that viewpoint is above everyone else's, even the other Gods. Because of that I am considered evil, for they simply cannot comprehend it."

Hiccup laughed in scorn. "How is it, then, that ONLYyouhave this stupid gibberish stuffed in your head? If it's truly the RIGHT way, then others should understand it by now."

Loki nodded."I see your point, Hiccup, but it has its fallacies. I am not even being arrogant when I say that I am the smartest being on all the worlds of Yggdrasil. No one, not even my prideful father, questions THAT fact. So it is only natural that I understand things that others do not."

"Then how come you haven't been able to convince others of this 'lives don't matter' twaddle?" Hiccup demanded.

"Iwasable to – once." Loki replied. "Back before I was imprisoned I was training the first Riddari and Captain of Asgard, Lord Zyon. He doubted my teachings at first, but then he, too, came to see what I saw."

"Who is Lord Zyon?" Hiccup demanded. "He was the first to be trained by Asgeirr, wasn't he? I hear of him often."

Loki smiled. "Zyon is an odd being. He is a mere man, an Asgardian man, but he was born at precisely the moment that his mother died. His mother was a wicked woman, and she was sent straight to Helheim. So Zyon was born half in Helheim and half on Asgard. Because of that he is partly immortal."

"I'm a little confused as to what immortal means," Hiccup said. "Can immortals be killed?"

"Oh, yes," Loki replied. "Immortal just means that we never age and never die of natural causes. We can be killed, however. If you were to draw that sword on your back and cleave my head from my shoulders, then Loki would be no more."

Hiccup nodded. "OK, I get it. Go back to Zyon, please. That was interesting."

Loki chuckled in recollection. "My father thought that Zyon's half-immortality was a sign that he was destined to cheat death and do great things. When Zyon, as a child, bonded with an Alpha Skrill, my father's interest was heightened. Odin, in his 'infinite' wisdom, decided to train him with the best that the Gods had to offer. He recruited Asgeirr, the one and only living Warlock, to supervise this education."

"Wait!" Hiccup shouted, interrupting. "Asgeirr is a witch?!"

"A male witch, a Warlock," Loki replied. "Immortal, powerful, and wise, but not yet a God. However, that will come." Loki looked very thoughtful.

"Wow," Hiccup breathed. "I'm being trained by a Warlock."

Loki grinned. "I am full of surprises, am I not? Anyway, let us go back to Zyon. He was trained in the exact same way you shall be, and,"

"Did he face The Wolf?" Hiccup asked.

"Not The Wolf," Loki corrected. "The Wolf was created specifically for YOU. Zyon's beast of terror was a Scorpion, I believe. The elf Kaldr had to kill a Cobra. Each person has their own fears, and Asgeirr created each one for a different purpose. Yours happened to be best conveyed in the form of a Wolf."

"Interesting," Hiccup muttered, rubbing his chin. "So these vile demons are CREATED for the sole purpose of tearing us to pieces?"

Loki shrugged. "For that and other reasons, yes."

Hiccup shook his head in awe. "Who creates them? Asgeirr?"

Loki grinned. "You could say so," he replied. "Warlocks are quite powerful, as I have said."

Hiccup shook his head. "This is amazing. I am learning new stuff all the time. Keep going, Loki. Tell me of Zyon. How long has he been around? If he's still alive he must be hundreds of years old."

Loki nodded. "He is very old, but he is only half immortal, since only half was born in Helheim. The man half of him has died, and the dead half of him still lives, keeping his body intact. He will have become a walking, rotting creature by now."

"Wow," Hiccup muttered. "I wonder how ugly he is."

Loki grinned. "Very ugly, I'm sure. It would fit his character. Anyway, it was during his training that I tried to teach him my viewpoints, as I am trying to teach you. He doubted at first, but as he grew in might and power, he understood, and so did his Skrill, Krelvin. Together we harnessed a hatred for the throne of Asgard and the corrupt Gods."

Loki paused.

"So when I revolted, he came with me, right after he finished his training. It was a legendary tale, but not one that you will hear from any of the Asgardians. Odin erased Zyon from history. It was in the time of trouble for Asgard. I had just abandoned my father and was defeating him in the war. They desperately needed Zyon, the new Captain of Asgard, to lead their troops alongside my brother Thor. Everyone was joyous when Zyon passed the final test, and then as SOON as he did, he turned on them. He struck down FIVE GODS while they were congratulating him, and then fled the city, leaving shocked, hopeless people behind. It was incredible!"

Loki burst out laughing, a fit of humor coming upon him. "Oh, my, the look on my father's face must have been priceless! All he believed about Zyon went down the drain in a second. He was incensed. He had just lost five of his best Gods, and he attacked Zyon and me the next day in his rage. I defeated his army in the battle, of course." Loki said proudly.

Hiccup stared. "Zyon is a backstabbing cutthroat," he said angrily. "If he had an issue with the Gods, he should have been open about it and not deceived them like he did. That was unfair."

Loki laughed. "Asgeirr has surely spoken to you of fairness before. What did he tell you?"

"Basically that life is not fair," Hiccup replied, recalling his trainer's words.

"I would expand on that and say that there IS no such word as fair," Loki replied. "The word itself should even not EXIST! Fair means absolutely NOTHING, because NOTHING is fair!"

Hiccup nodded in agreement. "I've learnedthatby now."

A bell rang, and Hiccup looked up, trying to determine where it came from.

"That is the signal that it is time to progress to the next Section of your training," Loki stated. He rose from his chair. "I will tell you all about Zyon and Kaldr or whoever you want me to tomorrow." Loki extended his hand.

Hiccup stood also, grasping Loki's hand firmly.

"I am sorry to say that I actually enjoyed this, Loki," he said, shaking the God's hand. "It has been – interesting to argue with you on the lesser life issue."

Loki nodded. "It has been. You are more intelligent than anyone else I have spoken to, even Lord Zyon. I promise I will consider your arguments, but promise me that you will consider mine."

Hiccup laughed. "There isn't a whole lot to consider about that evil nonsense," he replied, releasing Loki's hand.

Loki smiled. "You shall see things from my prospective in time, I think. But for now, I will let you deliberate on it. Godspeed, my good Hiccup. And I now I must name you."

"Name me?" Hiccup asked, perplexed. "Why?"

Loki smiled. "I always name my students with the name that befits their character. After the conclusion of this session I have decided that you shall be Vaskar. It means cunning, intelligent, and wise. It is a good name. Keep it well."

Hiccup shrugged. "OK, Father of Lies." He opened the door to the cell and stepped out. Alaedlar was gone, and no one was in sight. He turned around and saw that Loki was watching him from the energy barrier.

"What a freak," Hiccup muttered, and then he chuckled.

"Vaskar, though. I like it."

Low Asgard, Day 12 since Hiccup's Departure

Hiccup had no escort as he made his up from the low dungeons of Asgard. Alaedlar had vanished, and now he was left to find his own way out of the dungeons. Eventually, after climbing a set of stairs, he found himself in the same hallway that he had been taken through when he first arrived on Asgard. Trying to guess which cell he had been placed in, he walked down the barren stone hall.

Then a door opened from one of the cells, and a golden-clad guard walked out. He faced Hiccup, and then stood still in the middle of the passage.

Curious, Hiccup walked up to the man. He did not move, and Hiccup stopped a few feet in front of the golden-clad guard. The man was at least six inches taller than Hiccup, and looked to be a formidable barrier.

"Look, I need to get past," Hiccup told him calmly. "And I know you don't talk, but maybe you could just step aside and let me get through? I need to go and train."

The guard stood still and made no move to respond. Hiccup shrugged and tried to squeeze through him on one side. The guard shifted over and blocked his way. Staring, Hiccup tried the other side. The guard did the same thing.

"Look, what's your problem?" Hiccup demanded, spreading his hands. "I need to get through. What are you doing, besides being a top-notch ass?"

The guard did not answer.

"Answer me, you useless piece of shit!" Hiccup shouted. "I'm tired of you guards keeping your mouths shut like they're glued together. Get out of my way!"

The guard did not move.

"Fine," Hiccup snarled, drawing Hicca from its sheath. He pointed it at the guard's armor. "Move or I'll run you through with this."

The guard reached out and grabbed Hiccup's wrist in the blink of an eye. Twisting it savagely, the guard made Hicca fell out of Hiccup's fingers and clatter to the floor.

"Hey!" Hiccup shouted. He reached down to pick up the sword. The guard kicked his hand as he reached for it.

"What the Hel is the matter with you?" Hiccup asked, standing up.

The guard said nothing. Instead, he reached up and removed his helmet. Curious, Hiccup wondered what the guards looked like.

The helmet came over his head and revealed a big, broad face with short brown hair. Thick neck muscles bulged from the side. He let his helmet fall to the floor with a clang.

"What are you doing?" Hiccup demanded.

The guard took a step forward and lifted a savage uppercut from the waist. Hiccup only had time to close his jaw before his armored glove crashed into his chin and hurled him backward. He landed in the stone hallway with a thud.

Immediately he leapt to his feet, furious. The guard was simply standing where he had been, and was completely calm, as if nothing had happened.

Wiping his mouth, Hiccup felt blood trickling down his lips.

"Good Gods, what is the MATTER with you!?" he roared at the man. "Are you wanting to fight me, you lout?"

The guard smiled and took off his armored gloves. Raising his fists, he gestured Hiccup to come to him.

Hiccup grinned savagely. "All right," he said. "You asked for it, you dumb moron. I've killed a Wolf that was bigger than you in single combat, and there's no vile mind attacks this time. Oh boy, this is going to be fun."

The guard's smile got bigger.

"Last warning. Get out of my way," Hiccup snarled, approaching him with raised fists.

The guard made no reply.

"You asked for it," Hiccup shrugged, and then attacked.

He didn't even know what happened, but his punches hit nothing but air. Then a blow crashed on his head and he fell like a rock to the floor. Groaning, he looked up. The guard was standing over him, laughing deep and hearty laugh.

"You move slower than a snail on a good day," he chuckled. It was the first time he had spoken.

Hiccup got to his feet slowly, realizing that this man was not a guard. "Who are you?" he demanded. "You aren't a guard."

"I am Vulcan," the man answered. "And I am the best fist fighter on all the worlds of Yggdrasil. This is the next Section of your training today. I am going to teach you how to fight with no weapons. First, though, to show you what a skilled fighter can do, I'm going to kick your ass."

Hiccup nodded slowly, rubbing his chin.

"I believe you," he said. "But look, I have a handicap that you need to know about before we begin."

"What?" Vulcan demanded, lowering his fists curiously. "A handicap?"

"Yeah, take a look at my hands," Hiccup said, showing his knuckles to the big man. "See, if you look closely -"

Hiccup attacked. With two swift, brutal punches, he struck Vulcan in the eye and lower jaw, catching the man completely off guard. Vulcan reeled backward, and Hiccup reached for Hicca. He was never supposed to let the sword leave his person, and he had been particularly angry that Vulcan had let it touch the floor. Sheathing the blade, he took up a fighting stance.

Vulcan recovered from Hiccup's solid blows and stood up to his full height. There was a scowl on his big face.

"It's not often that I fall for that one," he said with reluctant admiration, rubbing his jaw. "You show some promise, Riddari."

"Well, then maybe I have a chance at beating you after all," Hiccup grinned, doubling up his fists.

Vulcan laughed, stepping forward once again. "No, you don't," he said, and swung at Hiccup.

As the blows began to descend, Hiccup realized that Vulcan was right.

High Asgard, Day 12 since Hiccup's Departure

An hour later Hiccup was walking back to Ragnarok. He had dueled Vulcan in the dungeons for an hour exactly. After Vulcan had shown him who the boss was by utterly destroying Hiccup, he then got down to teaching, and Hiccup quickly learned the basics. In fact, he had already figured out how to punch and kick properly. Vulcan had mentioned grudgingly that his form was perfect. Even though he had taken quite a beating in the dungeon hallways, Hiccup felt cheerful. Maybe this training wasn't going to be that bad after all.

He strode into the hallway that led to his quarters, one that was crowded with Asgardian men and women. Remembering Alaedlar's advice, Hiccup kept up a soldierly appearance as he walked. It had its effect. People looked at him with respect and awe. He even heard some of them muttering things like,

"That's the new Rider. They say he's insane."

"Damn, that guy looks like a badass."

"I bet that's the new trainee. Maybe we'll finally get a good Captain after all."

Hiccup ignored the comments and turned to the door that he had come from. Trying it, he discovered that it was unlocked, and he entered. Going past his room and straight to Ragnarok, he stopped. There were two guards there once again, and Hiccup immediately got to the all-important task of teasing them.

"I'm back," Hiccup grinned. "You guys miss me?"

There was no reply, and Hiccup decided to have more fun.

"Hey, I just got done fighting a guy who disguised himself in your armor. He was trying to trick me into thinking that he was a moron, so he naturally decided to look like one of you lubbers."

No sound came.

"Seriously, that golden armor looks about as dumb as your tongues are," Hiccup muttered. "That's one thing I'm NEVER going to wear. I sure don't want to look like a fat donkey with a speech problem."

The guards made no move.

"So what letter were we on, anyway?" Hiccup asked. "It's C, isn't it? Well, I didn't bring a paper this time, but I can tell you about C. It's the third letter in the alphabet and it also -"

One of the guards pointed to the door.

"What?" Hiccup asked. "Oh, it's unlocked? OK. I'll let C pass. It will be D tomorrow, all right?"

Grinning, Hiccup opened the door and stepped in, wondering who would train him now. Looking up, he found himself in front of Asgeirr.

The Warlock was holding a crossbow, and as soon as Hiccup entered, Asgeirr raised it and pointed it at Hiccup. He froze, and Asgeirr fired.

Hiccup grunted as the bolt tore through his new armor and into his lower chest, sinking deep inside him. Staggering backward, Hiccup fell to his knees. Asgeirr had shot him directly in the sternum, which a particularly cruel move. The wound would cause Hiccup to die, but slowly and painfully. Hiccup gritted his teeth and grasped the arrow as the Warlock walked up to him. His life-blood was seeping through the hole in his armor.

"It's sad, isn't it?" Asgeirr said mockingly. "Such a small thing. An arrow. Think of everything you have ever done, Hiccup. Meeting Toothless, riding dragons, winning Astrid's heart, defeating the Red Death, becoming a hero, think of all you have done in your life."

Hiccup grunted in pain, doubling over. The pain was agonizing.

"And yet, with one shot of a crossbow, I can take that away," Asgeirr said. Reaching down, he grabbed the end of the arrow sticking out of Hiccup and, with a brutal twist, wrenched it out of him. Hiccup howled in pain.

Asgeirr twisted the buckler on his forearm, and Hiccup, wheezing for breath, fell to his hands and knees, his body healing. Asgeirr was speaking.

"One little thing can take your life away," Asgeirr laughed. "It is so amusing. An arrow. What is an arrow? It is only a little stick with a point on the end, and yet it can kill the best soldiers, even Gods. It is pathetic."

Hiccup, recovering his breath, clambered to his feet. Asgeirr handed him the crossbow.

"That device in your hands has the ability to kill almost everything simply by pulling a little trigger," Asgeirr said. "Because of the fact that a two year old girl can pull that trigger and kill the best fighter in the world, I believe that the crossbow is the best weapon ever created."

He handed Hiccup a quiver of arrows and pointed to the opposite wall of the room, where rows of targets were set up.

"I shall teach you to shoot with accuracy, speed, and efficiency," Asgeirr informed Hiccup. "We will begin at once."

"Look, Asgeirr," Hiccup replied. "Before we start I need to talk to you. First, I'm sorry for getting angry at you this morning and breaking another table. I didn't realize that I had actually beaten The Wolf. I thought I would have to do it again."

Asgeirr nodded. "Apology accepted."

"But," Hiccup went on, "I don't apologize for calling you a liar. Why didn't you just tell me some stuff, Asgeirr? Why didn't you tell me, for instance, that you are a Warlock?"

Asgeirr stiffened.

"Who told you that?" he demanded quietly.

"Loki did," Hiccup laughed. "Funny, isn't it? How the Father of Lies is more truthful than the man who is charged with my training?"

Asgeirr shook his head. "There was no need to tell you that I am a Warlock," he stated.

"Perhaps not," Hiccup answered. "But still, it was only common courtesy. You know everything about me, don't you? Aiah saw to that. It's only fair that – it's only JUST that I be told who you are."

Asgeirr shrugged. "There was no need to inform you," he said stiffly. "Being a Warlock is something I am not particularly proud of."

Hiccup nodded. "Fine. But Loki knows a LOT. When I talk to him tomorrow, will he tell me stuff about you that will shock me again?"

Asgeirr frowned. "That depends on what makes you get shocked," he said. "But I have nothing more I want to tell you about. If Loki decides to let you know things, then that is his business, but I warn you."

Asgeirr handed two arrows to Hiccup and placed one hand on his shoulder.

"Loki is a dangerous man. He will desperately try to dissuade you from everything you love, and he will poison your mind. Don't let that happen."

Hiccup nodded. "He is a smart God. I'll be careful."

"Good," Asgeirr replied. "I don't want you ending up like Zyon."

"No fear of that," Hiccup replied, loading the crossbow. "I'm not immortal. I'll die long before I can cause that much trouble."

Asgeirr just smiled.

"Maybe, Riddari," he whispered, too quietly for Hiccup to hear.

"Maybe."