Chapitre 39
Viking's way

When Frost opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was a throbbing pain in his head. The first thing he heard was a deafening buzzing and some muffled distant voices. His head was throbbing and his whole body was numb. He opened his eyes with difficulty and was instantly blinded by sunlight. It took a moment for his eyes to get used to it, still everything was white. He was surrounded by ice.

His first reflex was to swim to the bars he noticed, that seemed to seal a window, so he could see where he was. It was a giant ice tower, deep underwater, though it seemed to rise high above the sea too. All along the walls Frost could see other barred windows, cells. He looked up and tried to identify the place, and what was this smaller tower in the middle of this one. It seemed empty, but there was a commotion at the top of it, which seemed to be barely above water.

Countless merfolk were placed around it, looking at it, as if it was some podium were stood a spectacle. There were hundreds of merfolks and the pale colors and large fins said they were enchantresses. It looked like every single merfolk from Sinterklass had gathered there. Was he in their ice fortress ? But how ? The last thign he recalled was…

A door behind him was slamed and he turned around in a jolt. That's when he realise he was not alone in this jail. Selina and his father were here too, both chained like him. They woke up and stood as guards entered the cell. Seven of them. Was that many people really necessary ?

Frost staggered seeing their dark glare and their sneer, and visibly his father didn't like it either because he stood in front of him.

''It's time.'' One of the guard stated.

They entered and grabbed the chains of their prisonners, dragging them with them. Nörth tried to fight back and keep his son next to him, but they quickly got separated. While Selina was struggled like crazy and screaming, Nörth managed to whisper something to his son.

''I'm sorry you had to wake up to this…''

Frost froze. That didn't sound like excuse for the poor sight of Selina's panic, that sounded like a warning the worst was only yet to come. Despite the fact Nörth managed to knock out one of the guards, the others got a hold of him and managed to drag their prisonners where they wanted to, towards the podium. It was surrounded by some blurred aura, bearly visible, but it felt magical. Frost could feel this magic tickling hisbody even before they reached it.

The crowd gathered around the podium wwas hysterical, between impatience, entertainment and rage. They spread up as the guards made their way among them. On the podium, for everyone to see, stood three ice pillars and a group of enchantresses in human shape. One of them stood out, she was wearing a crown made of ice shards and an ice scepter.

The prisonners got hoisted on the podium. First Selina, who was caught up by two of the queen's guards. Deprived of her totem, Selina stayed in her mermaid form but Frost got surprised to see she was still breathing. It didn't take long for him to understand it was the magical barrier's doing. Selina was chained to the first pillar, and Frost realised the other two were for his father and him. Nörth was the second one to be hoisted up, yet once the tip of his tail touched the ground, it turned into two scaly legs covered with scaled patterns that looked like tattoos. He made used of it and fought harder but three guards grabbed his arms and led him to the second pillar, chaining him.

Then it was Frost's turn. Two guards lifted him and threw him on the ice, as if waiting for his tail to turn into legs like Nörth's had done. But it wasn't the case, he crashed on the ice, his fins still there, which earned him boos from the crowd and some harsh words.

''Damn hybrid !''

''Abomination ! Start with him !''

A merfolk hiden in the crow even threw a stone to him.

''Leave him alone !'' Nörth snarled.

The enchantress queen remained calm and solemn, silently raising a hand to soothe her people.

''It appears we have one more candidate for the disgrace.'' She claimed, a smile in her voice.

The crowd roared in delight and applaused, while Frost froze as he saw Selina's face blench from all colors. If she knew what was the disgrace and was afraid of it, he didn't.

Once Nörth was properly tied to his pillar, like Selina before him, the guards picked up the young prince and chain him to the last one. Then the ceremony began. The queen walked to face her people, in front of the prisonner, and opened her arms as if she was about to hug the whole crowd.

''My dear enchantresses, people of Sinterklass, rejoy ! Today is a great day ! Because today will mark the end of an era, the end of Santaklaussen ! We have their king !''

The crowd's clamors rose up and echoed within the giant tower's core. The queen let them rejoy for a moment, then rose her hand again to make silence.

''Today, we will execute their sovereign, and his bastard offspring ! And, while we're at it, we will also disgrace Selina the traitor, who turned her back on us to help them. Shame on you, young girl.''

Selina didn't reply, her head hanging low in shame and fear. Frost felt confused, but he knew they wouldn't make it out alive. Death was awaiting for the three of them. This thought built up panic in him, thought it was not what was worrying him the most. All he could think about was the vikings. What had happened to them ? Where were they ? Had the enchantresses done something to them ? How were they ? How were his friends ? How was Baby Tooth ? How was Nuffink ?

The queen swiftly walked to Nörth, who was silent by glaring at her.

''Unfortunately we can't disgrace you, but don't worry my fellow king, we have the right punishment for you and your title.''

She gestured to another enchantress who looked really old. Her back was bent and her face was covered with wrinkles. The queen smiled warmly at her and put a hand on her back, helping her to get closer.

''Female enchantresses produce venom for their entire life. If those from younger ones get the victims really sick and can kill in a matter of hours, those from older ones offers a slow and painful agony.''

Her smile fade and her mauve eyes turned darker. ''You will suffer, like you made our people suffer.''

Said people applaused again, some merfolk shouting louder.

''Cut his head off !''

''Bleed him like a seal !''

''Kill him !''

To each of their yells, Frost tensed up even more. He could barely comprehend how one could have so much hatred in them. Moreover, his father had never attacked their people, he had even offered peace and alliance to them, but they had declined because he had fallen in love with their princess. How was this a crime ? Each scream and hateful yell was feeding the queen's sinister smile. She even chuckled.

''Oh but don't worry, my fellow king, you will have plenty of time to see us disgrace your precious monster.''

Nörth snapped and tried to smash the queen's skull with his own, but she jumped back and the chains held him back.

''I forbide you to touch him !'' He hissed.

''And who are you to give me orders ? You are no king here.''

''I do not need to be king, I am his father.''

She chuckled even more and send a couple guards to hold him while the old mermaid made her way towards him. Nörth tried to stay stoic when she plunged her sharp dark teeth in his ribs, unlike Frost and Selina who yelled and trashed, trying in vain to help him.

Their protests only annoyed the queen, who turned around to slap the jade mermaid in the face. She instantly went quiet, holding back sobs. As to Frost, he tried all his might not to yell at the queen and spat at her face, still he kept on pulling on his chains. The queen smirked and unsheated a dagger, running the blade under his chin and forcing him to look up at her.

''Hum… Such a shame you are half reef merman, you would have been a beautiful enchantress. I almost have scruples damaging such a pretty face.''

Frost flinched when he felt the blade cut his cheek, the blood slowly dripping along his jawline. The queen sneered.

''Almost.''

Some laughter rose from the crowd, then yells encouraged her to continue. She licked some of the blood on her blade, then turned to face her people, rising her hands.

''Calm down, we are not in a hurry. What about we take our time to make it last longer ?''

''You're a monster.'' Selina hissed.

''Let us start with the traitor.''

The jade mermaid din't have the time to see the queen move she felt a burning stinking pain blaze her left hip. In front of her horrified eyes, the queen brandished on of her light jade fins, freshly torn and covered in purple blood. The young girl's scream was so loud and high pitched it was barely audible, still it tore her throat.

''No !'' Frost gasped.

How could this queen dare to do this ? Didn't she have a heart ? Fins were a merfolk's proud, touching it was attacking the merfolk's dignity itself. That's when Frost realised what the disgrace was. Edelweiss' cut and finless tail came back to his mind, and he wondered if the enchantresses had done it to the witch.

Visibly, Sinterklass was delighting in Selina's pain and horror, seeing another one of her fin being ripped off her fed the cheers and roars of the public. No one was caring nor even paying attention to the poor mermaid's cries. They were even fighting to catch the lifeless fins the queen was throwing them, as if it was trophees. And the queen kept on cuting and ripping off, none of Selina, Frost or Nörth's protests could stop her. They ddin't even seem to reach her.

This queen was heartless, she seemed to be also deprived of honor, she was just… cruel. No mattered how much Frost was screaming at her to stop, she wouldn't listen.

''Please, don't do this ! Leave her alone !''

''Do you really think your pleads move me, you anomaly ? You are not even to speak. You are nothing but an abomination I would gladly send back to nothingness. You are nothing.''

Frost suddenly felt a horrific sense of déjà-vu. It had happened barely a week ago, when Cörail and Limönn were fighting Hiccup. He had been unable to stop them, just like he was unable to save Selina. But was it really the case ? Was he really that helpless ?

''Then go ahead.'' He said.

''I beg you pardon ?''

''You are after me, so leave Selina alone.''

''Do you hear this ?'' The queen scofed and laughed, adressing the crowd.

''Frost, no…'' Selina panted, her voice twisted with pain.

Her tail, now deprived of any fin, was completely covered in blood, the only skin visible among all the red had also turned a dark purple. She had already lost a lot of blood and her strength had vanished with it. It looked like she could die within the next second, and Frost knew she couldn't bare anything more. He had to help her. He forced a smile for her.

''It's alright, Selina.''

''I wouldn't be sor sure, if I were you.'' The queen sneered.

Frost flinched and tensed as he felt cold fingers brushed his hip fin. Usually, this was an intimate and sensual gesture, but knowing what she was planing to do, it had turned into a heavy threat.

''What do you think about it ?'' The queen mused, her voice so soft it was even more menacing. ''Should we start with Sinterklass' fins…''

She trailed her fingers on Frost's right hip fin, then went to stroke the one on knee-level.

''… or Santaklaussen' fins ?''

Her voice became sharp when voicing the reff city's name, but she didn't left room for Frost to reply as she ripped it from him. His throat burnt as his cry of pain echoed within the tower. The pain send electric jolts in his whole tail while his blood poured and colored the ice with hue of mauve and purple. His mind fogged up, he couldn't even differenciate the cheers of the crowd from the screams of his father and Selina. He gritted his teeth and forced his breath to slow down, before he felt something soft caressing his face.

He opened his eyes to find the queen stroking his cheek with his freshly ripped fin. She was looking at him with a satisfied smile on her pale blue lips, she was delighting from his pain, cruelty was the only thing visible in her eyes. That's when Frost realised there was nothing he could say to convince her to stop. She wouldn't listen anyway. There was no way she was going to stop. She was enjoying every single second of it. Ans her eyes told him she regaled from his cries of pain. So there was no way he would give her this pleasure.

He breathed in and glared at her. Obviously, she didn't like this and looked down to his fins, as if contemplating which one she would tear off next. When her fingers brushed the tip of his left hip fin, Frost felt fear get the best out of him, but he wouldn't give up. He didn't know where the vikings were, if they could be searching for him, it felt like he was all alone against this queen. He was afraid but still didn't want to give up. He had to fight back. He was not going to let her win and break him. So when she took a hold of his fin, he did the first thing that came in his mind to defend himself. He did what his father tried to do minute sago, he whacked his head in the queen's.

The hit was harder than he had expected, stunning him. As silence filled the tower, he shook his head trying to get back his sens and was met with a sight he had not expected to see. The queen was bent forwards, holding her nose from which was pouring purple blood. He had not expected to break her nose, though he had expected her wrath.

''How dare you ?! Guards !''

The merfolks in ice armor got a hold of him and started to beat him. Nörth and Selina yelled even louder but Frost could barely hear them over the chaos coming from the crowd. Other guards were trying to hold back the merfolks that wanted to beat down the hybrid to for hurting their queen. Seeing the guards hit him over and over again. Frost barely felt it. The pain for his shaking tail was so vivid and burning the constant strikes from the guards were mere pokes to him. However, when one of them hit him in the ribs, instincts took over him and, without his control, his powers unleashed.

Everyone started at the ice explosion that shook the podium. The guards were thrown back, two of them falling in the water, and the ice and frost even broke the chains holding back the white merman. Even the pillar succumbed to the harsh attack and broke. Frost foudn himself sprawled on the floor, his wrist free but the pain written in his whole body. Pain from both his beating and the outburst of his powers.

He panted heavily and tried to look throught blurred vision. He could almost make out frames, but it was only thanks to colors. Sounds were just as fuzzy, countless voices screaming and shouting words he couldn't distinguish, but he could feel the shock and hatred residing in it. His head spun and he felt like puking, his forehead falling against the soothing cool ice while his whole body was shivering and throbbing. He felt so tired, it would be nice if he could just fall asleep. The pain would face away, the sounds would quiet down… As his mind was slowly getting numb, he head another voice. This one seemed closer, calmer, warm and so familiar.

''Wake up, son.''

''Father…'' He slurred.

''Wake up. You have toget up.''

''I can't… so tired…''

''I know, but you can't. Listen to me, my boy. You have to get up, now. Don't you realise what you just did ? You broke free ! Now you can free us. You can defeat our enemies and free us. You hear me, son ?''

''I can't… too… too weak.''

''No, you're not. You are strong, son.''

''No, I'm not…''

He choked as he felt a nacre-tasting liquid pour in his mouth. Was it tears ? When had he strated to cry ? Why was it increasing the pain from his aching body ?

''Yes, you are.'' His father said.

How could his father say this ? He knew how his training with his brothers had been in vain, how he had not made any progress in years. He knew his borthers had been lying saying he was getting stronger, because it had never been the case. His father seemed so convinced by his own words, he wasn't even realising how wrong he was. Frost knew he was not strong, he was the weaker of all the merfolks, couldn't even steal his weapon from Cörail.

His father didn't know him. He had spent his entire life in the same palace as the king, but they didn't know each other. Why was he speaking ? Why couldn't he just let him sleep ?

''You are stronger than you think. You can fight against any enemy and defeat them. Not because of physical strength. It's your monde and will. You are strong because, no matter how many time you are beaten down, you always – always – rise up again, and never gives in to hatred. You are strong at the core, in your heart.''

Frost felt new tears roll down his face, but these were different. Why did his father's words touched him close to home. Why did they sounded so true ? How could he even know that ? When did his father had noticed he had never given up ? Had he seen their trainings ? Had he seen how he would stubbornly get up everytime Cörail would push him to the ground ?

He opened his eyes and fought through the veil of pain, searching for his father's eyes. He found the king still chained to his pillar, looking down at him with an expression he had never seen before on his face. Was this… proud ? It was so strange. It was still complete chaos around them, he could still hear the crowd howling and roaring, he coudl still feel and hear the guards that had come back to beat him, but it felt like everything was numbed. Everything was numbed and blurred, save from his father.

Nörth smiled at him and nodded.

''Now rise up, my son.''

Frost frowned with determination, then closed his eyes. Gathering his might, he willed strength into his arms and started to move, pushing from the ground despite the guards still striking him. He felt waves of cold and warm rush within him, tickling his skin as sparks were building up in his core. He focused on his magic, with only one thought in mind : save his father and Selina.

Nuffink was not unhappy to find back his dragon and continue the searching with him. They were way faster on dragon's back and could scan the glaciers from the sky, searching for the sligthest movement or frame. The vikings were angrier than ever. With their faithful winged friends, whomever happened to attack them would have a glimpse of Death itself. But time was clicking against them, and they felt like running in circles because everything was looking alike in these damnes frozen lands.

After several hours, Sneezelout was the one to snap.

''Enough is enough ! I can't see anything in all this freaking white ! How many icebergs did we check ? How do we even differenciate them ?!''

Nuffink didn't replied but clenched the handles of his saddle harder. Pouncer even heard his rider's knuckles crack. He looked back to his viking and whined though he knew he couldn't sooth him. Only one thing could, and it was finding Frost.

The dragon grumbled, upset and irritated by his own helplessness, then he came out of his thoughts as he saw his brother bustling about. Ruffrunner suddenly dove and reached a small ice floe he started to sniff.

''What is it ?'' Birdlegs enquired.

All the dragons stopped and looked at him.

''I think he smelt something.'' Zephyr proposed.

The draogn didn't mind them and lifted his head, his ears oppping up, his eyes darting towards the horizon. The other dragons started to react, as if they heard something for the distant, something the vikings couldn't hear. The younger and grumpier of the Night Lights growled and too off at top speed. The other tried to catch up, shaking about their riders though it amused Sneezelout. The dreadlock viking chuckled but quickly quiet down as the wind carried distant screams. Everyone stayed silent so they could listen to it. It was faint and muffled, but there was a lot of voices. A crowd. It took them a bit of time to get closer and finally distinguish complete chaos.

Tons of voices were screaming, both of horror and delight, other voices were yelling almost audible words but there were also clashing sounds and what sounded like waves crashing over a crystal tingling surface. The dragons kept on soaring and, soon enough, they found themselve heading towards a huge ice block, rising from the waters like a giant tower made of ice. The voices seemed to come from inside of it.

When the vikings and dragons flew above it, they looked down into the opening and finally got a view of the chaos they heard. The first thing they saw was the blue and white flashs of light, then the swirling waves and ice explosions. They noticed hundreds of merfolks circling some sort of stage in the middle of the tower, where the elemental fight was occuring. They couldn't really distinguish anyone in this mess, but most of the vikings were ready to bet the ice explosions were from Frost.

''Spread up !'' Astrid instructed. ''Zephyr, Nuffink, search for the prisonners, the acurate shots from your dragons will be more likely to disarmed the guards ! The others with me, we'll disperse the crowd ! Fire as much as you want, we have to make them plunge !''

They were about to strike when Ruffrunner outpaced them. Roaring furiously, he dove head first and shot a plasma blast towards the center of the swirling water. The impact was so powerful it shook the whole tower, creating a wave that pushed the crowd against the walls. Enchantresses strated to panic as they saw the dragon landing on the podium. They screamed and started to swim away, many dove into the waters while others climbed on platforms on the walls, turning their tails into legs as they had totems. But they ddin't tried to attack.

Ruffrunner landed and ran towards the white merman surrounded by attacking guards. Said guards were afraid and hastily backed from the enraged dragon who only stopped when he found himself above Frost, shielding him with his own body. He remained like this, roaring while a blue-purple light was whistling in his mouth and throat.

Stupor took over panic. The merfolks froze and stared at the dragon, mouth agape, especially the queen Anissa. She dropped her scepter and fell to her knees, quickly followed by all her guards.

''A scale bird…'' She stammered. ''The Gods from the sky are among us…''

The viking made use of this lull and landed too. If a sole dragon had been enough to astonish them, seeing six other joining him managed to petrify them.

Birdlegs, Sneezelout, Igvid and Zephyr dismounted their dragons and went to free Selina and Nörth, while Astrid stayed on Stormfly's back to threaten the enchantresses. Nuffink also dismounted Pouncer to join Ruffrunner and Frost. The dragon was reluctant, but he ended up stepping aside to let the viking pick up his rider.

Nuffink gritted his teeth taking in his boyfriend's state. He was covered in bruises and cuts, on his arms, his torso, along his tail… He was missing a fin on knee-level, on his left forearm and the one on his back was half ripped off. Thought Frost was perfectly conscious and had found the strength to use his powers to fight the queen and guards… all alone. Nuffink was impressed, he had to admit it.

''Nuff…'' Frost whispered.

The blond viking didn't like how his boyfriend was sounding, he seemed in so much pain and exhausted.

''Oh Gods, what did they do to you ?'' He growled.

''Selina, she… she needs help…''

Nuffink aimed to hush him, tell him to save his energy, but the queen intervened. Though she wasn't threatening, her voice was filled with wonder and admiration.

''You control the Gods from the sky… Who are you ?''

Nuffink didn't know what was holding him back from gut this mermaid on spot, she had dared to harm Frost, she didn't have the right to even talk to him. However, his anger died down as he noticed her face. He found the same expression on her guards, and the merfolks on the plaforms. All of them were agape, staring at the dragon riders. Granted they were impressive. All of them were dressed in their scale-armors which almost looked like a second skin for merfolk.

The queen had called the dragons 'Gods from the sky', they seemed to worship and fear them, and that gave an idea to the blond viking. If he didn't wanted other merfolks to go after Frost, he had to give them a good reason to leave him alone.

''We are the dragon riders.'' He claimed, his voice firm and imposing. ''And from now on, Frost, Selina and king North are ones of our own. Whoever harm any of them, in any way, will be chastised in fire.''

He frowned and made a sign to Pouncer. Said dragon roared to ge tthe other's attention, and all of them spat fire towards the sky. The powerful explosions of fire from different colors made the merfolk jolt, some of the screeched from fright.

Nuffink gathered Frost in his arms and stood proudly, glaring down at the kneeling queen, who cowered on helself.

''As you command, noble dragon rider…'' She stuttered, shaking.

Despite the fact she was already kneeling, she knelt even more, bending her back and resting her forehead on the ground, tot he extend her crown slipped from her head.

Inwardly, Nuffink sighed in relief. Outwardly, he kept his intimidating act and remained stoic. Slowly, he xwalked back to his dragon. Zephyr had taken Selina with her on Dart's back, while Nörth was sitting on Firestorm's back, behind Igvid. Pouncer waited for his rider to sit properly before taking off without asking. The other dragons followed. Ruffrunner was the last one as he took the time to roar on the merfolk beforehand.

Hey guys !
Just a word to tell you this week-end I'll visit my sister I haven't seen in months so I won't be able to update this story. But I'll be back next week, promise !