For the second night of their stay, a campfire was in order. As hot as it could get during daytime with the summer sun glowing lively against the sapphire-blue sky, nights could equally get unpleasantly cold. Hiccup had considered the risks they were taking by lighting up the night to warm themselves up. At least there weren't any Dragon Flyers to be concerned with. The enemy they were dealing with here was on foot as much as they were, and Hiccup doubted the Hunters would come after them this late after dark. Dragon-hunting training would more likely take place during the broad light of day.
He and Heather sat close to the fire, warming their skin by the warmth of the dancing flames as they licked the dry pile of branches and foliage they had gathered. They had managed to find a few berries to fill their stomachs; although both Riders would've preferred to get some meat in their system. But their options were currently limited, and they had to run with what they had.
A lot had happened during the day. With a failed escape plan and the newly learnt information that they were playing prey on dragon-hunting training ground had been a heavy load to carry ever since they got back from the Dragon Hunters' campsite.
Heather sighed, holding her hands up to expose her palms to the fire as she thought back on the recent events.
"Those poor dragons…" she said, shaking her head sideways. "Captured and caged only to be hunted down and killed for sport. Hiccup, what are we going to do?"
Hiccup leaned back, using his hands as support against the ground while he looked up at the starry indigo sky visible through the canopy.
"Well, we can't count on the dragons," he said, studying the sparkling dots glimmering against the dark background as if he was analyzing their options in the stars. "Engaging the Hunters to free those dragons would be pointless if they stay grounded."
"Can't we break those tail manacles?" suggested Heather, straightening up a little.
"If that was an option, I doubt those dragons would still have them on," said Hiccup, sighing. "If they can't break them or melt them, it must be reinforced iron – dragon-proof iron. We'd need strong firepower, maybe a combo or Gronckle lava and magnesium flames to even think of melting the metal. And that's firepower we don't have." Heather met his gaze again, tightening her lips as she brainstormed for other options. Hiccup pushed himself forward again, exposing his hands to the flames before continuing. "This is a training ground for hunting, which means they must arrive with new dragons every few days or so. So unless we find ourselves dragons with these abilities, I'm afraid flying off won't be possible. We'll have to think of something else…"
Heather looked down, completely discouraged by their lack of ideas. She followed Hiccup's gaze, staring up at the sky. She wished she was up there too, free and far away from the ground. She let her mind wander off, and wondered about Astrid and the other Riders.
"Do you think the others know where we are?" she wondered aloud, never taking her eyes off the hypnotizing little specks.
Hiccup exhaled, letting his shoulders loosen up. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I wouldn't count on a rescue any time soon." For a moment, his mind wandered to Toothless, and Hiccup wondered where his dragon could be. He remembered Toothless had been taken aboard another vessel during their capture. They'd been separated, and Hiccup realized he'd been too concerned with his own survival to even think about his dragon. He mentally punched himself for that.
Heather's head suddenly snapped back straight and her eyes lit up. Hiccup noticed the sparks in the emerald of her eyes and he raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Hiccup," she said, a hint of enthusiasm to her tone. "Y-you said the Hunters arrive with new loads of dragons every few days, right?"
"Well, logically, yes," he said, unsure where she was going with this.
"Hiccup, those dragons wouldn't have manacles on yet," she explained, hopping to her feet eagerly while Hiccup remained sat, elbows resting on his knees. "All we have to do is get them out of their cages."
"I guess it's worth a shot," said Hiccup, nodding as a plan slowly formed in his mind. "But keep in mind that a new shipment means twice the amount of Hunters. You sure we can handle that?"
"A Dragon Rider and a Berserker?" said Heather, crossing her arms over her chest as a smirk stretched her lips. "Ha. They won't know what hit them."
…
The wind howled as the fleet sailed across the waves of the wild and unpredictable sea. It was but another workday for Ryker as he stood tall and proud on the upper deck, hands crossed over his chest as he looked out at the island they rapidly neared. With the strong winds coming down from the north, the trip to the dragon-hunting training grounds was an easy and swift one. The Dragon Hunter shifted his weight as his focus moved from the islet on the horizon to the dragons growling and whining desperately in their cages aboard the vessel. Under other circumstances, the beasts would be locked and secured below deck in order to avoid attracting the attention of a few Dragon Riders who could be flying by. Ryker knew they would be thrilled to swoop in and free their catches. But these dragons wouldn't be aboard for very long. They were nothing but common dragons, used for training.
Delivering these shipments was a boring task, but Ryker knew what he had to do. And under his little brother's orders, he knew he ought to ensure the training of their recruits as well as inspect the base for no flaws. With the war stretching on, they couldn't afford loose loops. They needed their soldiers sharp and on task.
The vessel entered the bay and docked. The men hurried around the deck, tightening the ropes and raising the sail. They unloaded supplies as well as the dragon cages, ignoring the desperate calls from the dragons ripped from their freedom.
Ryker walked down the plank, approaching the soldier in charge as he ordered the cadets off to the camp. The men moved out, and Ryker followed after them to assist the training. They made their way to the campsite located in the dead-end of the dry canyon, and Ryker couldn't be more bored with his post. He approached the leader of the operation, standing by as a critic to the training's introduction.
"Listen up, cadets!" said the one in charge, standing tall with his hands reached behind his back. The rows of Hunters stood attentive, chins held high. "It is imperative for your training to be complete before you be sent out there hunting, legitimately." He paced before them, making gestures as he spoke. "For generations, we Hunters have claimed the seas and shores that by all rights belong to us. However, war is inevitable, and the conflict with the Dragon Riders grows stronger with every battle. On these grounds, you will not only learn to hunt dragons... but them Riders as well… Now. Let the hunt begin!"
The cadets cheered and the dragons were released. The Monstrous Nightmares and Deadly Nadders snarled at their captives as they swung the gates open, unhesitant to flee. There were attempts to fly off, but the manacles on their tails pulled them right back down to the ground. Some slammed the heavy metal against the ground, but to no avail, and went with a ground escape, seeking shelter in the woods before disappearing among the shadows to be hunted down. The Hunters grabbed their weapons hurriedly and set out, loud and confident.
Ryker hadn't missed the statement the Hunter in charge had so confidently spoken, and grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him around to confront him.
"What do you mean 'them Riders as well'?" hissed Ryker, fists balled at his sides.
"I have some new training targets for our new recruits," said the Hunter all too smugly, reaching his hands to his sides and expecting his leader to be pleased with the news. "I'm only doing these Hunters a favour by including the enemy in this program."
Ryker's patience had run dry and he closed his massive hand around the Hunter's throat, lifting him off the ground easily. The soldier yelped and grabbed hold of the arm holding him off the face of the Earth.
"Which Riders?" hissed Ryker.
"The Night Fury Rider and that traitor…" gulped out the Hunter, fear-stricken.
Ryker threw him on the ground, taking a step forward imposingly while the Hunter backed off quickly.
"And where are they now?" growled Ryker, eyebrows furrowed furiously.
"Loose," replied the Hunter, arm held over his face defensively. "But don't worry about them. They're not going anywhere…"
Ryker unsheathed his toothed sword from his back, pointing the sharp tip down at the soldier, letting him know it was the last time he was messing up.
"If your new recruits kill that boy," growled Ryker dangerously, shoving his weapon forward. "I kill you."