THIRTY SIX: Defence and Attack

Crowds were waiting outside the Archipelago High Court in Berk Town as Tallon Fury arrived. In fact, few cheers rang out as his limousine pulled up, the tinted windows adding to the air of mystery as the familiar shape in the mirror shades emerged, his dark slim-fit black silk suit and white open-necked shirt elegant but casual enough to have a few female admirers gasping and whistling. Heather emerged in a little black dress, also wearing sunglasses in the bright sunshine. Snotlout emerged from the front seat while Cami looked up from the driver's seat and winked, then pulled away as soon as her charges were dropped off by the waiting Fishlegs. Immediately, the billionaire was surrounded by journalists, all hoping for a word before the proceedings.

"Mr Fury-do you resent being dragged through the courts?"

"How will you answer the allegations?"

"Do you think you can defeat First Minister Grimborn?"

Hiccup raised his hands and offered a broad smile, showing no signs of irritation or exasperation.

"The First Minister has to do what he feels is in his and Berk's best interests," he said equably. "Regrettably, I do not agree with his ideas of what is in Berk's best interests. And maybe that is it at the root of this case. He seeks to prevent my ideas for your future prosperity being put to you, the people of Berk and allowing you to make the choice. But I can guarantee that I am fully eligible to stand for election. After all, Berk is my home and all I want is what is best for my home."

"But…what about the First Minister's claims?" a brassy-haired woman asked. Hiccup paused and fixed her with a stern look, his emerald eyes flinty.

"That's why we're here," he reminded her, the humour slipping from his voice. "To test his claims in a court of law." And then he winked. "But-spoiler-he won't win. He has his allegations and I have the truth. And sometimes, the truth isn't what you want to hear and isn't what you want other people to hear but if you play the game of litigation, you have to be prepared to lose."

"Are you prepared to lose?" a reporter from 'YAK MONTHLY' magazine called. He was a typical Berkian-solid and unimaginative with braided Viking hair and a magnificent brown beard. Hiccup turned back towards the court.

"I have already lost everything once," he said. "So I know possessions are fleeting, life is transient. I know exactly what is at stake and I would never have entered this contest if I had not been prepared to pay the price. The question you should be asking is: How much is First Minister Grimborn prepared to lose?" Then he nodded. "Thank you for coming!" And with that, he vanished into the building.

oOo

He sat in the little room they had been assigned outside the court to finalise their case. Fishlegs was already within, dressed in a three piece brown pinstriped suit, a crisp white shirt and spotted green bow tie. Husky and generally thoughtful, he looked stern and on point as he carefully checked his papers and handed the bundle to Hiccup for his perusal in the court. Frowning, the lawyer smiled at his client.

"Are you ready?" he asked Hiccup.

"Are you?" he batted the question back unanswered. Fishlegs shrugged.

"This is what we have plotted for years, Ingen," he murmured. "This is what I trained for, what Grimborn tried to deny me. My face didn't fit and I had this unfortunate knack of finding the holes in his cases. I'm ready. But are you?" Hiccup flipped through his packet and glanced down the first page.

"This is probably the most personal," he admitted. "Because I have to strip away some of my mystique. If we don't win, I'll be almost fatally vulnerable. But Viggo Grimborn has to fall. What he did to Mayor Stoick and the island can never be forgiven."

"What he did to the Mayor's son was worse," Fishlegs murmured. "Are you sure you want me to bring that up?"

"Only if necessary," Hiccup conceded, curiously apprehensive at hearing the details of his conviction and betrayal rehearsed in front of the court once more. "But if it is-go for it." His phone beeped. "And our guest will land in an hour. Is that too soon?"

"No-he's expressed a desire to observe proceedings," Fishlegs mused. "I've already prepared various reports that will counter any arguments Grimborn has but he could still spring a surprise. And Heather and Cami are online and can access whatever you need-I've put them in a room down the Hall. Snot and I will be there with you." Hiccup checked his watch.

"Showtime," he murmured and rose, wishing briefly that he had a tie to adjust. Then he walked to his friend and threw his arms around Fishlegs, hugging him fiercely. "Thanks, my friend. No matter what happens, there is no man that I would rather have with me in this battle. You are my truest friend." Hugging him back, Fishlegs sniffed.

"Right back at you," he mumbled. "Now let's go kill him!"

The two men were joined by Snotlout-who had remained outside the door, making sure that no one interrupted them-and they marched to the courtroom. Hiccup heard the hubbub of the press and public in the gallery grow in volume as he appeared and he adopted his amiable expression and glanced up to acknowledge them. Fishlegs was completely focussed and Snotlout looked grim and in control. Grimborn and his team were already at their table, talking in low tones. The First Minister and his Chief Prosecutor, Iliev Hansson and deputy Prosecutor, Ulf Knutsson, were already ensconced at their table, talking in low voices. They felt confident, on their home turf and secure in the knowledge that the balance was in their favour. Hiccup calmly took his seat and stared ahead.

This is for you, Dad, he thought silently as he stared at the shield of Berk, placed boldly above the Judge's seat on the traditional dark wood panelling. I'll protect her for you now.

They all rose when the usher announced the arrival of the judge-and Hiccup snatched a glance over at the First Minister, whose face had gone cold, his mouth a hard, angry line. Judge H Hoark walked proudly into the court and took his seat, his cool brown gaze sweeping over the court.

"Be seated," he said firmly. Viggo was instantly on his feet, his powerful fists clenched and eyes glittering with anger.

"Your Honour, I was given the understanding that Judge Jarg would be presiding, as he has done with honour for so many years over cases of such significance in Berk's courts," he announced loudly. "In a matter so essential to the successful and prosperous future of Berk, it is surely wise that a judge so familiar with the ways of Berk makes the decision…" Hoark chuckled and pushed his half-moon spectacles further down his nose, peering at the irate First Minister.

"Strangely, the Central Constitutional Court of the Archipelago-which has jurisdiction in matters such as this-takes a different view," he announced. "Judge Jarg has been your close associate and friend over the entirety of the eighteen years you have worked on Berk and it is apparent that he is not in any way capable of neutrality or non-bias in your cases. His conflicts of interest are vast and impossible to ignore. So he has, of this morning, been removed from the Archipelago bench in perpetuity and every one of his judgements is in the process of being reviewed."

There was a gasp from the public gallery.

"This is unacceptable!" Viggo growled. "I shall appeal…"

"You cannot!" Hoark snapped. "Assignment of judges is solely the purview of the President and the Central Judicial Bench of the Archipelago. You have been assigned a judge with the necessary skills, expertise, experience and neutrality to render a fair judgement in this case." And then he leaned forward to stare coldly at Viggo. "Unless you feel cheated that the loss of the unfair verdict you had relied on?" Gritting his teeth, the First Minister sat down.

"I merely feel aggrieved that I was not informed of such a major change of personnel in such an important case," he said through gritted teeth. "However, it will make no odds to the outcome." Hoark nodded and looked over at Hiccup.

"Are you dissatisfied with the choice of presiding officer, Mr Fury?" he asked reasonably.

"Not in the slightest, your Honour," he said, nodding. "I am certain the Central Judicial Bench will make precisely the right choice for such a contentious and high profile case. And the decision to avoid any suspicion of bias is vital in reassuring the people of Berk that they are being served honestly." The unspoken words for once hung loud in the court. Hoark waved and sat back.

"Mr Hansson, would you please lay out the particulars of your case as to why Mr Tallon Fury is ineligible to run for the Office of First Minister?" he invited the man. Hansson rose, a severe thin dark-haired man with piercing blue eyes in a sharp black suit.

"The Office of First Minister is a grave responsibility and should be treated as such," he announced. "It should not be open to any interloper to merely walk in and buy. Yet that is precisely what Tallon Fury is doing. He has walked into Berk, purchased a large house and much land at Raven Point. He has joined into Berk society on his own terms. The man is still a partial recluse. And he has made some public donations to great fanfare and his own aggrandisement. He has played on his rescue of a young man injured in a motocross competition and swept him heroically off to specialist facilities on Dragon Island, playing the hero!" Hiccup felt his fists bunch: he had never spoken to anyone about Fink's accident and resented that his private concerns-which had never been intended as any sort of publicity attempt, merely a desire to help a young friend-were being painted as a callow charade. Hansson walked past him smugly, gesturing to his seething shape.

"And suddenly, this adventurer wishes to become First Minister. But in what way has he demonstrated any lasting dedication to Berk? He's been resident here for six months! It could be a fad-here today and then gone next year! There is a minimum residency requirement for First Minster for precisely that reason: six years. He fails abysmally. He is wholly unsuited, unqualified and ineligible for the post." He cast a smug look at Fishlegs and then sat down.

The husky man shuffled his papers and slowly got to his feet, his blue-green eyes hard with his determination. Fishlegs was usually the mildest and gentlest of men but facing this battle, there was a look on his face no Berserker would dare to scoff at. He nodded and faced the judge.

"Your Honour, I am grateful for the opportunity that you have offered me, to argue the case in front of the people of Berk," he said. "And for the record, I do agree with Prosecutor Hansson: the Office of First Minister is a very grave responsibility and should indeed be treated as such. It is not a personal fiefdom nor a possession to be hung onto, denying others the opportunity to serve. Yet too many times has this court and unspecified forces ruled against or forced out anyone who would challenge the present incumbent of the post. There has not been a contested election for the post of First Minister for sixteen years. Sixteen years! That is not only unhealthy: it's a dictatorship."

"Objection! The people of Berk are happy with their leadership."

"They have not had a vote for First Minister for sixteen years! How do you know?" Fishlegs retorted.

"Objection overruled. Let the man speak!" Hoark announced boredly.

"By law, there is meant to be a public vote for First Minister every four years," Fishlegs announced. "But there hasn't been one since Viggo Grimborn took to office. Not one single chance to vote for or against the leader."

"Objection! There were no opposing candidates!" Hansson put in. Fishlegs opened a brown leather-bound book clearly marked 'BERK CONSTITUTION' in gold lettering and turned to the relevant page.

"In the event that no candidate stands against the incumbent, the public votes must still be run, allowing the public to state whether they are 'content' or 'not content' with the incumbent's performance in the role of First Minister. If the majority vote 'not content', the incumbent is by law required to stand down and a new election to be held with at least two candidates for the post of First Minister," Fishlegs quoted. "First Minister Grimborn has failed to hold the legally mandated votes and his term of office is thus void."

"Fascinating though this is, it bears no relevance to the facts of this case," Hansson sneered.

"In fact, it does," Fishlegs told him sternly. "It sets a pattern of behaviour that Viggo Grimborn treats the Office of Minister as his personal possession and will do anything to hang onto it-even ignoring his constitutional and legal obligations to hold votes and prevent intimidation of opponents, allow appropriate public funds for debates and to allow opposing voices to be heard."

"All decisions to defer votes were run through Judge Jarg," Viggo put in.

"Which is why he has been disbarred," Hoark announced. "All those decisions were patently illegal and in direct contravention of both the word and spirit of the constitution of Berk and the Archipelago. I'll allow this line of argument."

"First Minister Grimborn has a pattern of behaviour of deterring any opponent and warning off or buying off those who refuse more subtle means of deterrence," Fishlegs reported. "This was all run through the auspices of your brother, Ryker Grimborn." Viggo looked up sharply, eyes narrowing as the man spoke calmly. "Ryker Grimborn, who has been running his own private 'security force' that has, in fact, been used for threats, intimidation, kidnap and even murder. Ryker Grimborn, who is in custody for murder, intimidation, actual bodily harm and terrorist offences. Ryker Grimborn who has offered sworn testimony as to his actions-including kidnapping and assaulting Tallon Fury at your direct behest to dissuade him from running as First Minister."

Fishlegs handed a confession to the Judge and Hoark scanned it, then nodded so that Fishlegs placed it onto the table in front of Viggo. The First Minister pointedly ignored it.

"I move that information be stricken from the record!" Viggo snapped.

"Denied. You really don't like anyone challenging you, do you Mr Grimborn?"

"Any other fantasies to peddle?" the First Minister sneered. Fishlegs turned back to his table and retrieved another packet of documents.

"This is evidence of Mr Tallon Fury's residence on Berk for the last six years three months and eleven days, proving that he qualifies on residence to apply for the post of First Minister," he announced and laid the documents on the table. Grimborn peered at the lease and snorted.

"These are in the name of Ingen Dodmann!" he sneered.

"And that is my real name," Tallon announced clearly to gasps from the gallery. There were the staccato clicks of the lenses as the reporters snatched the latest scoop. "You can clearly see that I signed that lease for an apartment in Lower Berk just over six years ago, right at the beginning of my journey."

"This could be anyone!" Hansson sneered but Fishlegs gave a smile and opened his second packet.

"There is graphological evidence that it is my handwriting, DNA evidence from the original document and fingerprint analysis, all of which proves I am the signatory," Tallon announced clearly. Hansson inspected the documents and his face looked like thunder as he realised that they had used every single one of Viggo's preferred laboratories, graphologist and technicians for the reports. Objecting to the reports and rejecting their validity or accuracy would open up a hundred cases to appeal.

"This is weak," Hansson snapped.

"But valid," Fishlegs retorted.

"Why Berk?" Viggo snapped. Tallon gave a small smile as he inspected the fuming First Minister. He glanced around.

"I have an affinity to Berk," he revealed. "I spent much of my youth here, up in Raven Point and down in the town, enjoying the brisk weather and our warm hospitality. I love our nine months a year snow with the three months of hail. I love that we have an extra an extra season, 'devastating winter' which like 'even more wintery winter' where you can get frostbite on your spleen-or so I have been told." There was a ripple of laughter from the gallery as the locals recognised the sentiments of someone who had spent considerable time on the island. Tallon looked up with a smile.

"And I have family here-a cousin. So when the time came to stop wandering and settle down, I chose to set down my roots here." He didn't look at Snotlout, instead looking directly at Hoark who had known Stoick and who he prayed to Odin didn't recognise Stoick's son. He had planned this moment shortly after his father had died, knowing that revenge would take time but now that he had the means and motive, he would succeed. He tunnelled for five years to get out of Jotunheim: he knew that he could wait six or more to oust Viggo. So he had used the small amount of money he brought with him to get the apartment as 'Ingen' as a base And he had visited Berk numerous times over the years-in disguise, watching and observing and putting his plans into place. He had been to Berk often enough to ensure he still qualified as a resident…though he had hardly slept, for fear of discovery…even when his business had been taking off and he was becoming a successful billionaire. But sitting here in court, facing the man who had betrayed him and driven his father to his death, made all those sleepless nights worth it.

"The electoral rolls and utilities and rates prove that he has continuously owned and kept the residence throughout the whole six years," Fishlegs announced, ignoring his cogitations. The usage of electricity and gas showed intermittent occupancy-he knew the twins had slipped in as well to visit their family which helped his case. But no phone records: he had kept to a cell phone for the entire time, so there was no trail for Viggo to follow. He blinked and snapped his attention back to the present, seeing Viggo's face twist in fury.

"But you also own an apartment on Dragon Island and at least one other residence by your main development and manufacturing facility," Viggo challenged him.

"And yet, according to the Berk Constitution, you are not required to be solely resident on Berk, merely a resident of Berk," Fishlegs pointed out. "And he fulfils the residency criteria, which was your objection to his candidacy."

"I agree," Judge Hoark commented. "If that is all, I can render my judgement immediately…"

"No, your Honour-it is not!" Hansson snapped. "This man is attempting to buy the First Ministership and his inappropriate ambitions and desires must be thwarted!"!"

"Explain," Hoark snapped.

"This man has started bribing the electorate!" Hansson announced. "He has made generous donations to hospitals, schools, libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, charitable institutions, galleries, homeless facilities…" There was an outbreak of laughing.

"So philanthropy is now a crime in Berk?" Fishlegs asked in shock. "That's not in the laws or constitutions!"

"But his gifts completely undermine the First Minister's policies…" Hansson argued.

"Policies which starve charities of support, keep the hospital and schools underfunded and degrade the quality of life for all here," Tallon announced, rising. "I approached First Minister Grimborn when I planned to announce my fund to support small business and start-ups and he was completely against any initiative to support new businesses. He felt that would be unfair and would skew the market. Despite philanthropy being an established means of the very wealthy giving back to their communities across the entire world, Grimborn was adamant that he didn't want any generosity messing up his iron-fisted rule."

"I cannot have unregulated goody-goodies throwing money around and giving the public institutions more than I deem they need!" Viggo growled.

"No-you can't," Tallon announced and nodded, Fishlegs flipped open his laptop and the screens in the courtroom came alive with a presentation. "Under your administration, spending on health, housing, welfare, schools, leisure and the arts has reduced by 37% and is the smallest per capita (adjusted) of all the Archipelago Islands." A series of bar charts and pie charts flashed up. "At the same time, restrictive laws, freedom of speech laws and all criminal offences have doubled in the Berkian penal code." More charts. "More people in Berk are arrested for 'treason' under the direct order of the First Minister than the rest of the Archipelago combined."

"I have a proud heritage in protecting our islands from the actions of traitors," Grimborn announced pridefully.

"In fact you made your name on one such case," Fishlegs announced, his eyes sweeping over the rigid shape of Grimborn. "A young man who was accused of a minor infringement, of making a mistake and breaking a prohibited airspace. You changed the charges to high treason with flimsy or no evidence of intent and summarily had him convicted and thrown into Jotunheim prison on Freezing-To-Death for life without parole. You and Judge Jarg refused all appeals despite there being ample grounds to appeal and instead awarded punitive damages against the convict's family on a matter for which, again, there was no evidence and many, many doubts."

"OBJECTION!"

"You started down this route," Hoark commented coldly.

"You used the popularity and notoriety this gave you to stage a coup and oust the previous Mayor (who was the First Minister). The Council voted you First Minister directly from Chief Prosecutor despite that being illegal. You had only two years Berk residency and thus were ineligible for the post. Yet you gripped power and never relinquished it, despite NEVER being elected and ignoring all the requirements for eligibility and constitutional legalities and and requirements."

"I am not the one on trial here," Grimborn said.

"You should be," a new voice said from the doorway as the tall shape of Throk emerged into the courtroom. "Special Investigator Throk, Archipelago Secret Service, your Honour. I am here because the First Minister has finally provided an opportunity to deal with his illegal rule."

"What does that mean?" Viggo snapped and rose to his feet, making his preparations to leave. Throk gestured and the court ushers stood by him, making him resume his seat.

"OBJECTION!" Hansson snapped. "There is already a trial in progress…"

"First Minister Viggo Grimborn's objections to Tallon Fury's candidacy as First Minister is dismissed. Mr Fury is to appear on the ballot for the post next month. In the interim, Viggo Grimborn is removed from the post for blatant and persistent violation of constitutional requirements as he has never been legally elected to the role or held any legal ballots for the role either for election or confirmation of satisfaction. Therefore as of now, Viggo Grimborn is removed as First Minister and all rights, monies, perks, rewards and considerations due to that role are removed dating back to the day of that private illegal Council Vote sixteen years ago. Seize Mr Grimborn's house, freeze his accounts and all businesses until such time as the rightful monies of the people of Berk are returned."

"NO!" Viggo screamed and lurched to his feet. "You have no right! I am the Minister, the ruler of Berk and no one has any right to take it from me! You are all traitors and craven liars…"

"Restrain him!" Throk commanded, walking forward. "It is interesting that you invoke the notion of treason when you condemned an innocent man for treason while you yourself are a traitor!"

There was an audible gasp.

"Judge Hoark-I need you to indulge me and perform an immediate arraignment of this traitor, now he has finally presented himself to the courtroom," Throk announced. "Tallon Fury has assisted the Archipelago Government in informing on his illegal and frequent trips to the traitor Drago Bludvist on Icefell, no longer just prohibited airspace as it was sixteen years ago but the acknowledged stronghold of the deadliest enemy of democracy in the North." Tallon nodded and Fishlegs swapped presentation on his laptop.

"As part of a business deal, Mr Fury sold two aircraft to Mr Eret Eretson, pending satisfactory payment per the legally binding contracts. As no monies have yet been received despite several months passing since the deal, Mr Fury has maintained his rights to collect and record all transponder journeys to add depreciation of worth to any litigation to recover the aircraft in question." Fishlegs flipped up the images. "However, he noted there was a discrepancy between the standard transponder and the unique factory fitted tracker…" A second map was overlaid and a route flashed up in red.

"The red routes are the discrepancies," Tallon said clearly. "These routes vanish on the transponder or are misattributed. Or just stop. When this was brought to my attention, my agents began surveillance and we have recorded twenty-three instances of Viggo Grimborn boarding planes for Icefell, staying between two and forty-eight hours. We can tie him to getting on, taking off, returning and disembarking those flights. And there is no reasonable justification that can be offered for such frequent and persistent criminal acts."

"I was attempting to broker a deal with Bludvist, to maybe defuse the situation that has been boiling between our factions over the last twenty years and avert a war!" Viggo offered smoothly.

"The Archipelago Government considers all contact with Bludvist treason unless as an authorised emissary of the United Archipelago Government-and there are none authorised," Throk announced. "Certainly not an unelected lawyer come First Minister with no experience or skills in diplomacy and no authority to undertake any negotiations. I am shocked you think such a pathetic lie would sway anyone's perceptions! Therefore you are hereby charged with High Treason on top of these charges of corruption and dictatorship. You are remanded into my custody and I apply for immediate extradition to Dragon island."

"GRANTED!" Hoark snapped and slammed his gavel down. "Viggo Grimborn is to be taken to Dragon Island immediately from this court. Freeze all assets, accounts and close off all his offices as of this time."

There were gasps and boos. The people of Berk were on their feet, waving their fists at their former First Minister, shocked at hearing tale of his mismanagement, corruption and treachery.

"Traitor!" The word was yelled from a dozen throats in the gallery as Throk cuffed Grimborn. Viggo glanced up with a furious leer.

"You wanted ruling with a firm hand!" he scorned. "You wanted security, safety, order. I gave you all that and more. And all I asked in return was your loyalty…"

"And the opportunity to run Berk into the ground so we would welcome the traitor Bludvist as a supposedly 'better' option to the current government," Fishlegs announced, standing abruptly. "You destroyed homes, families, careers just so your friends could prosper and you could prepare the way for Drago Bludvist. At last, we will finally get to chose our own leader!"

"Bludvist is coming!" Viggo snarled. "And your pathetic forces will never stop him!" Throk gestured and he was hauled away. Hansson looked up and then glared at the judge.

"I'll appeal!" he threatened.

"Go ahead," Hoark said sharply. "He's being extradited as of now and he is removed as First Minister. The Council Chair will act as interim First Minister until elections are held in three weeks." He slammed his gavel down. "COURT ADJOURNED!"

Tallon Fury rose to his feet and walked to glare one last time into Viggo's eyes.

"You haven't won," the deposed First Minister promised. Tallon didn't blink.

"Yes, I have," he said. "Just be grateful Jotunheim no longer exists so you can't spend time there. I bought it and blew it up." And then he took off his glasses and stared into Viggo's dark eyes. "Goodbye, Mr Grimborn," he said and turned away. "You are not fit to be even mentioned in the same breath as my father. He was a good man. And you…are just trash. And you'll be discarded and forgotten just as easily."

And then he flipped his shades back on and walked out of court into the glare of the cameras, after pausing to murmur a final sentence to Fishlegs.

"Final phase. Call in all our debts."