I hope you all spent a wonderful time this Christmas! Onto the chapter!
Heather was careful with each step she took as she approached a large clearing surrounded with burning torches acting like a protection spell against any creature that might want to emerge into the open and surprise a bunch of unsuspecting Hunters. She guessed she could consider herself one of those creatures. The Berserker narrowed her eyes while Windshear growled low at her side as if she was making an observation on the sight.
All was too quiet to her liking.
"You're right, girl," said Heather, tightening her grip on her ax's handle as she narrowed her eyes on every shadow cast by the torches. "I was expecting easy. Just... not this easy…" The Razorwhip rattled her scales as if expressing her agreement.
The raven-haired girl bit her lips, scanning the area one more time should there be a lookout or some sentry of any sort just waiting for her to make a move. She was far more comfortable sticking to the shadows while she searched for any sign of Hiccup, but she knew she would have to step into the open to move forward with her search.
"We can't stay hidden forever," she said, ordering her dragon to stay put while she went on to investigate. She set one foot into the clearing, leaving her safe place and exposing herself to any sort of weaponry just waiting to meet her skin. She stood still another moment before deciding to confirm the path clear. She didn't wait another second after that. This wasn't a friendly competition. Well, it was, but not all players in this game were her friends.
She sprinted across the clearing as swiftly as a Speed Stinger, observing her surroundings for any clue on Hiccup's location. She came across multiple empty cages lying around like forgotten runes, zigzagging through the yard like an eel in treacherous waters. It was then that she finally picked up on loud and deep voices and came to an abrupt halt, instinctively pressing her back against one of the cages, freezing still as if she'd been sprayed by a Flightmare. She steadied her breath to hear better, but it sounded like the voices were moving away. She would've liked to hear what these men were saying, having hoped for a clue. It wasn't the first time she'd gone undercover in enemy territory. She'd encountered many soldiers with loose lips. It had always come to her advantage; holding information she shouldn't possess under other circumstances. But her clue was gone. She had to keep moving.
She peered over her shoulder, watching the two Hunters move away, crossbows in hand. These must've been patrols, which meant they were probably guarding something nearby. Her green irises moved quickly, her focus jumping around for something distinct among her surroundings. She froze on a dark entrance at the foot of a steep cliffside, torches shining bright to indicate its existence. She couldn't see much light shining from inside, and she guessed it was for good reasons. She shifted her attention back on the Hunters, walking further away. She had one shot before they doubled back. She rolled back in the open and sprinted across the yard of empty cages and dove inside the cavern entrance as swiftly as a Night Fury under the cover of darkness. When she was inside, behind the curtain made of dragon scales, she waited, holding still, should the two Hunters notice her presence and come nearer to investigate. But when silence followed, she released a sigh and turned her attention to the interior.
"Another system of tunnels?" she whispered to herself, eyeing around at the stone walls. "Man, what is it with bad guys and tunnels?" She began to make her way deeper, noticing rooms carved on her left and right. It was dark inside the multiple small caves as she walked past them, her only source of light being the dim torches held on the main hallway's walls. All she could make out were crates and barrels, suggesting these extends to be storage rooms.
She kept on walking, her posture relaxing only slightly in the absence of known danger. It was quiet. The lack of space made every noise sound absorbed. It was a good thing as well as a bad one. She knew the bear waiting in its cave wouldn't be able to hear her coming, but that also meant she wouldn't be able to hear an attacker approach. At that thought she spun around, expecting Krogan or Viggo to stand talons out. But there was no one. There was nothing. She was starting to think she'd run into a dead-end and wondered if the other guys were having better luck with their search.
She was about to double back, thinking about the two Hunters pacing outside, when the sharp sound of what she could identify as chains caught her attention. If there were noises down here, that meant there had to be movement and chains did not simply rattle from a breeze. She grabbed her ax, the sound of her blades sliding against one another letting them know of her presence. A stern look washed over her face, turning her vivid green eyes into flaming emeralds. She turned the corner to come face to face with a dimly lit-up room, confirming her suspicions.
There sat Viggo Grimborn at his desk facing her, and Hiccup Haddock at his side. At first sight, she thought he was willingly sitting at the crime lord's side like a loyal foal under a certain venom's effect. But Hiccup's posture was one of defeat, and it didn't take her long to notice the shackles at his wrists. And when he looked up at her, there was no relief. There was no spark, no hope. The green in his eyes had returned, but they weren't the same shade and Heather wondered if she would've preferred having to face a villainous Hiccup bursting with strength, power, and energy rather than having had to see him like this.
"Miss Heather," said Viggo, speaking softly as he slowly raised his gaze to meet hers. "What a delightful surprise. I have to admit, I did not expect your visit this early. What brings you to surrender yourself to me?"
Heather shifted her emotions and bared her teeth at the Hunter and his assumptions of her surrendering.
"There won't be any surrendering anytime soon," hissed Heather, holding her weapon before her. "You had your fun. Now hand him over, and I'll be on my way."
"Really? After all the trouble he's caused?" said Viggo, getting up slowly while the chair screeched against the ground's stony surface. "You would risk your own life to save the one who's poisoned your team?"
"The only one I'm counting responsible for any poisoning is you, Viggo," said Heather, giving him a silent warning as he circled around the desk. "You're nothing but a coward and you know it... using your adversaries to do your bidding."
"Mmh," hummed Viggo, smiling down on her as if she were nothing but a lost child. "Perhaps. But a leader must also be ready to do whatever it takes to ensure victory, doesn't he?"
Heather glared, holding her ground despite the fear shooting down her spine. Knowing her friends would have no clue where she was should anything go south crept in her mind just like the Deathgripper venom had done to Hiccup.
"I was certain that Astrid would've come herself," observed Viggo, returning behind the desk as if he wasn't in any position of danger. "Perhaps bringing a few of what remains of the Dragon Riders, if they're still standing at all?"
"I wouldn't worry about the others," said Heather, swinging her ax threateningly, daring him to try anything.
"You're right, I wouldn't," he agreed, leaning back comfortably in the chair. "My plans always fall perfectly into place. And this one's no different."
"You're a monster," hissed Heather, thinking back of the nasty things Hiccup had said that, really, were just echoes over the man sitting right across the room from her.
"A monster? Me?" said Viggo, acting offended. "Let's not be ridiculous. I am merely exploiting and finally putting to good use. Isn't that right, Hiccup?"
Hiccup frowned heatedly and turned away, tightening his lips. Heather's stomach churched at seeing her former leader act so quiet. Despite showing signs of disgust and anger, he still bit back his tongue, something he never did for she'd seen him use his secret weapon multiple times against his enemies. But the Rider didn't sass his captor, and Heather couldn't come to think of the motivation he had to hold back.
"You've had this your way long enough," snapped Heather, raising her voice and gesturing to the Hunter with her blade. "Now hand him over."
Viggo smiled, eyeing the sharp blades mockingly.
"Why are you really here, Heather?" asked Viggo, tilting his head to the side to express his curiosity. "You're hurt, aren't you? Seeking a distraction to flee how you truly feel toward the ones you call your friends."
"Don't even start," warned the Berserker. "I've heard you once before through your puppet. I'm not stupid enough to listen to it twice."
Viggo hummed approvingly, slowly clapping his hands.
"Smart girl," he said. "Still, hasn't it helped you come to realize something?"
"Yeah. Yeah it did," said Heather, taking a step forward, the length of this conversation beginning to get on her nerves. She knew all too well Viggo's strategy; his ability to toy with the mind. "I've come to realize that the only people I need in my life are the ones who need me in theirs," She shifted her attention on Hiccup who still stared down at the cold hard ground, only half listening. "Even when I have nothing to offer them but myself."
Hiccup hesitantly raised his head and met her gaze.
"Now. Hand. Him. Over. And no one gets hurt," repeated Heather, returning her eyes on the Dragon Hunter.
"Do you truly believe me ready to yield my asset to a single Berserker without much of a struggle?" said Viggo, eyeing her up and down as if she were no match.
Like a string pulling from the corner of her mouth, a smirk stretched across Heather's face.
"I'm certainly hoping for a struggle," she said before swinging her ax and launching herself at the Dragon Hunter.