THIRTY THREE: Open Season

"What the Helheim were you thinking?" Eret's voice filled the office, his dark eyes glittering with fury as he paced back and forth before the First Minister. He paused and glared at the calm figure seated behind the heavy desk. Viggo made a note on the paper sitting before him and then looked up at the enraged shape.

"I believe I was not thinking anything," Viggo told him, his precise diction cool.

"Don't play games with me, Grimborn!" Eret snapped. "They were your men who snatched Fury. Why did the bastards take my daughter as well?"

"Maybe you should ask your daughter why she's keeping such undesirable company?" Viggo shot back sharply. Stopping abruptly, Eret stared at him in shock.

"This isn't about my daughter-who was there to thank the man who awarded her the Island Art Prize," he snarled. "This is about those rabid dogs that you employ who snatched a young girl along with their target! Zephyr is my daughter. She identified herself and your men should have left her there and just taken the target!"

"You seem remarkably hypocritical when you have used those 'rabid dogs' on numerous occasions to warn off undesirable attention and claims from legitimate innocent people who have been cheated by you," Viggo pointed out, his tone cold and expression exasperated.

"Maybe your men should listen to what they're told and recognise the names of your allies!" Eret hissed. "And she said they threatened her again in the base." He leaned forward, his hands resting on the desk as he tried to intimidate the First Minister. Losing his patience, Viggo glared at the taller man.

"Remove your hands or I will have them removed," he hissed. Eret sneered.

"How?" he retorted. "Way I heard it, Fury took out your best enforcers."

There was an awkward silence and the Casino Owner could see the irritation in Viggo's face at the hit. Zephyr had been shaken and Astrid had immediately swooped to protect her daughter from Eret's rough questioning but of the few facts he had gleaned, the most disturbing was that Fury apparently owned his own protection who had no qualms in launching an armed incursion against the kidnappers. Zephyr and Fury had been led away but the chatter of machine gun fire and explosions suggested that the Grimborn enforcers would not be capable of assisting Eret in the future.

"Yes," Viggo growled through his teeth and Eret's dark eyes widened.

"Odin's Balls-they did wipe them out!" he breathed. Viggo nodded once, his face suddenly like thunder.

"My brother had left by the time they arrived-but yes, the rest are gone," he said coldly and then took a deep breath. "And the news that Fury has his own muscle is disturbing, to say the least. I still need to assess how we can use this to information and whether we can employ this to undermine him."

"Maybe this was a mistake," Eret taunted him. "Thinking you could threaten a man who is worth more than you and all your friends combined."

"Money doesn't equate to courage or determination," Viggo reminded him tightly.

"But I think we realise that he owns all of those in abundance," Eret taunted him. "Tell Ryker I want a word with him. About Zeph. She may not have said much but my wife is very clear what he said-and what he threatened." Viggo waved a hand dismissively.

"My brother appears to be off the grid for the moment," Viggo lied. "I will forward your message."

"Maybe you should remind him that he and you both have daughters-and that neither of you would accept what you did to my daughter," Eret sneered. "It was only the threat of Johann that warned Ryker off. But if I see him, I'll break his jaw. Tell him that!" Then he spun on his heel and walked out as the First Minister watched him with a roll of his eyes.

"You really don't understand that we have bigger problems," he murmured. "Fury knows that we're onto him. And I will be astonished if he doesn't make a counter move. After all, there is only room for one alpha on this island-and I don't intend to relinquish my position without a fight."

oOo

"Mr Fury will be starting with a statement and then he will take questions." Fishlegs's mild voice was more steely than usual as he faced the assembled press. Local, Archipelago-wide and international journalists were all crammed into the Great Hall, which Fury had hired for his press conference. The battered shape of Tallon Fury, his horrible bruises on display, was sitting at the centre of the table, facing the Press. Mirror glasses shielded his eyes and he was dressed casually in a dark red shirt and deep charcoal grey suit as he faced the press. It was obvious that Snotlout stood station at the end of the table and he was flanked by the twins as well. Glancing across the room, he gave a small nod.

"Thanks for coming," he announced, his voice a little thick from his split lip but he smiled. "I regret having to do this but I'm afraid this has demonstrated something deeply worrying in the state of this island. Something that no man should be prepared to tolerate-yet which seems to be the accepted way of things here."

He took a breath.

"Two days ago, I was kidnapped from my own property. Men entered my estate and took me and a young woman at gunpoint. The young lady-Zephyr Eretson, the winner of the Berk Schools Art Prize who was visiting to discuss her scholarship choices-was terrorised. We were transported off island and when there, I was assaulted." He gestured to his face. "The criminals indicated they felt my presence on Berk was a nuisance and that I was meddling in affairs that I had no right to. That the governance of the island was the possession of those in power rather than in the remit of the democratic college of Berk voters. And they indicated that they had no qualms in targeting my friends and family if I did not desist."

He leaned forward.

"I will not desist," he said in a low voice.

There was silence as Fishlegs looked up and nodded. He mouthed 'two thousand and thirty seven.' Hiccup nodded.

"It was clear the villains had ties to those in power and were acting on behalf of someone within the power structures," he continued evenly. "They gave no names and of course, I am not accusing any specific person-since it is evident that those in power have much to lose and would rather tie matters up in court than address such rank criminality. My only crime is to be a public-spirited citizen, a philanthropist who wants to give back to the island that has welcomed me so warmly. But it seems that is enough to make me a criminal in some people's eyes."

He lifted his head.

"This island deserves better. This island deserves someone who cares for the people, who will not tolerate thuggery and brutality, intimidation and cronyism. This island should be a democracy not a dictatorship. So bearing that in mind, I am announcing my candidacy in the upcoming elections for First Minister of Berk."

There was an eruption of sound as all the journalists leapt to their feet, hands in the air and asking questions. Sitting back, Hiccup exhaled, feeling exhausted. This was the highest risk gambit he had made, the one that exposed them all-but his friends had been unanimous in their support.

"You know this will get rough, Ingen," Fishlegs had said.

"I can back down. They threatened you all."

"Hey, we threaten each other on an hourly basis-but you are our friend," Tuff told him easily.

"And if these guys threaten us, backing down won't stop them. It will only encourage them," his sister added.

"I'm with you," Heather had added.

"To the end," Fishlegs added as Snotlout had nodded, grasping his cousin's hand.

"He has to be stopped," he agreed. "We're all in this-no matter how far it goes."

Fishlegs was standing up and taking the first question so Hiccup blinked his attention back to the scrum of journalists as the first one started to ask for more details about his adventure.

oOo

The press conference had dragged on forever and it had been very clear that Tallon Fury was lagging but he had answered every question with careful precision, never making a statement that could be taken as slander but clearly implicating those in power for his attack. The journalists had been mixed in their responses-some welcoming, some hostile, some desperate for some juicy personal nugget about his obscure private life but in the end, they accepted that they had gleaned all the information they were going to get. So finally, they filed out as the man collapsed back into the chair.

There was one person left in the seats, sitting patiently as the storm had swirled and crashed around her. In front of her, the little group slowly began to rise and gather themselves but Snotlout walked over and tapped the exhausted Hiccup on the shoulder. Sighing, he opened his eyes behind the shielding glasses and saw the patient shape. Slowly, he straightened up and glanced at his friends.

"Could you give me a minute?" he asked gruffly and after sharing a number of looks, they rose, though Snotlout only retreated about ten yards, refusing to leave his cousin and charge exposed once more. Finally, Astrid rose, her eyes locked on his slumped shape. Running his hand through his dishevelled auburn hair, he sat up slightly and watched as the woman walked slowly forward, her blue eyes locked on his face. She was dressed in a simple navy linen dress with white strappy heels and a clutch purse, her golden hair braided over her shoulder. He nodded. "Mrs Eretson. What can I do for you?" She paused and finished up facing him across the table.

"Could we talk? In private?" she asked him quietly. He sighed and gestured at the stocky shape of Snotlout, the bodyguard's eyes locked on his battered cousin.

"I think I may be grounded by my security adviser," he said with enough chagrin to have her smiling slightly.

"Please?" There was an edge to her voice. Quietly, he glanced over to Snotlout who gave him a very old-fashioned look. In truth, he was exhausted and still in pain but there was something about Astrid, about the quiet plea in her eyes that had him pausing. He sighed.

"Would you like a coffee?" he asked her, rising stiffly. The flicker of pain on his face had her lunging forward the catch his hand. "Because I really need some caffeine." She nodded.

"Very much," she said as she moved to his side. He gave a small chuckle.

"Your husband may take issue with me walking around holding his wife's hand," he pointed out as she scowled.

"Screw him," she growled. "He doesn't. And he doesn't care. I'm his trophy, his symbol of victory. And anyway, he asked me to get closer to you." He danced over to her, seeing the tightness in her beautiful features.

"That was before I was tenderised by Ryker Grimborn's thugs," he told her softly as they made their halting way through the Great Hall and to the 'Meade Hall' Coffee Shop opposite. "Now, I'm probably persona non grata and should be avoided at all cost." He looked up as they entered the traditional space with its dark wood-panelled walls and floor and light oak tables and booths. Art deco lamps hung over each table. Unsurprisingly, the twins were already in there, having secured a corner booth for their friend and the adjacent table for themselves. A waitress walked over as soon as Hiccup entered, escorting him to the table and taking his order for a caramel latte while Astrid chose a macchiato. Only when the blushing young woman withdrew did he look into Astrid's azure blue eyes. "Okay, we're as private as I'm going to get," he told her.

"I wanted to thank you," she said without preamble. "For what you did for Zephyr."

"What, getting her kidnapped?" he asked dryly. The waitress brought their drinks and the blonde pressed her lips closed until the younger woman withdrew. She shook her head.

"She couldn't stop saying how kind and reassuring you were to her," she told him and her voice softened.

"Was that before or after I had the crap kicked out of me?" he asked her dryly. A small smile lifted her lips.

"According to Zeph-both," she told him, her eyes softening. "I heard you begged them to let her go. That you protected her, attacked her captor to get him away from her. To divert his attentions from her to you. That was very brave and completely…" She sighed and shook her head. "Protecting her is meant to be my job. I-I just wanted to kill the men who snatched her, who hurt her and who tried to take her innocence. Gods, I was to see them dead! And I-I can't say how grateful I am that she is safe…" He managed a small smile and sipped his drink.

"She didn't really need much protection, to be honest," he admitted. "She was terrified-that was for sure and I did what I could to reassure her-but I knew I was the target. And Ryker threatened to rape her. But though she was scared, she showed she was your daughter. She fought back. And what kind of man would I be if I let her get hurt. They were always going to beat me: ay lease I spared her that." He rested his glass down. "Astrid-has your husband promised her to Johann Trayder?" Her brow furrowed and she paled but slowly, she gave a small nod.

"I think he has," she whispered. Her lips pressed together and for a moment, there was a desolation in her eyes.

"Astrid…" She looked bleak but she shook his head.

"Tallon-please," she sighed. "He's a terrible gambler. He indulges his mistresses. He uses the Casino as a fund for his gaming. For years. He has no clue about business. He bought the Casino from Johann Trader years ago at an excessively high price-and I am sure that part of the deal for it was my daughter." She paused and swallowed. "He's an evil man."

"He's a powerful man," Hiccup told her thoughtfully, hearing the infinitesimal break in her voice. Astrid was a strong woman who had survived marriage to Eret-there was no way he could ever imagine there was any love or even affection there now-but the plain fact was that Zephyr was getting older. In fact, she was now the same age as Heather when Johann had taken her and that small portion of Hiccup Haddock that wasn't the revenge-obsessed billionaire Tallon Fury was trying to remind him that she was in imminent danger. She grasped his hand tightly.

"So are you," she breathed. "Tallon…can't…can't you do anything?"

He almost broke then, almost revealed it all because he was tired. Tired of hiding. Tired of hating. And tired of denying that she was still the woman he had loved. Whatever had caused her to marry Eret had long since died and she was left as much a prisoner as he had been on Jotunheim, only in a much lighter and more comfortable cage. It was clear to him that she was going to lose her children as well-Fink would have to leave and Zephyr…well, either he smuggled her away or she was taken by Johann for the debts Eret had accepted.

Why would a man sell his own daughter?

"I'm not sure I can," he murmured. "Not yet."

She withdrew her hand, a disappointed, almost bitter look shadowing her wide eyes.

"I'm not sure how long she has before Johann takes her,' she said shortly. He sighed.

"Astrid-if I can do something for her, I will," he promised. "But at the moment, I have more pressing concerns with the Grimborns. Ryker wouldn't make a move without Viggo's orders so I know that I am on their most wanted list. Viggo sees me as a rival and we all know what happens to his rivals. So I either back down or fight back." Then he stared into her eyes. "And I'm not backing down."

"People who challenge Viggo end up imprisoned or dead," she warned him.

Done one. Not planning on the other, he though ironically.

"I'll be careful," he told her with a small smile and for a moment her eyes glittered.

"I wasn't asking you to be," she reminded him.

"But I will anyway," he reminded her. She sighed.

"For what it's worth, I think you'd make a better First Minister than Viggo," she said. He shrugged.

"I would say I couldn't be worse but I never believe in tempting fate," he replied smoothly and then grinned. "I am willing to try and do better than he does." She nodded, a small smile lifting her lips.

"I think that's good enough," she confessed. "And for the record, I'd vote for you."

"I may hold you to that," he quipped as she rose and drained her cup.

"And if I hear anything that hints at something like…what happened, I promise I will let you know," she added fiercely. He looked up into her determined face and caught her hand again-just for a second.

"Be careful," he told her gravely. "Don't put yourself at risk for me. I have protection." She smiled and disentangled her hand from his once more.

"Now it's my turned to tell you that I'll be careful," she reassured him and turned to the door. "Thank you, Mr Fury. I really am grateful."

Snotlout, the twins and Hiccup all watched her leave, every eye turning back to the billionaire. Hiccup sank back in his seat and pinched the bridge of his nose. Tuff opened his mouth.

"I know what you're going to say," he said.

"You're not looking at her like an enemy, Ingen," Ruff murmured.

"And she's offering to help," Tuff added. Hiccup shook his head.

"Stick to the plan," he murmured. "She was ordered to get close to me. She's doing what she was asked."

"Ingen…" Ruff murmured.

"It's too risky for the kids," Hiccup said quietly and pushed his latte aside. His face set into an implacable mask. "They already tried to harm Fink because of Eret's debts and Zephyr was taken when they targeted me. I've declared my candidacy. It's open season on aerospace billionaires. So it's finally time I fought back."