Chapter 17

The Game Ends

Hi! Sorry for the time it took, I thought it wouldn't take that long, but it did. I hope you'll still enjoy it, though!

They got captured! Camicazi, Rona, Astrid…They got captured! How did they learn! He should have known Viggo was too good for him! He should have captured him a long time ago! But no, he wanted to know everything about Drago's plans! He wanted to play smarter than him! Well, there he was, with his smart plans!

"What are we gonna do?!"

That was the first question he heard. He knew what he will do: murder them all.

"We'll follow them, but not too close, I don't want them to see us. We'll try to attack by surprise and get them back before we get to Drago's island."

Astrid…Oh, he was keeping a calm stance, but in reality, he was alarmed, he was distraught, angry and scared, really scared for the three of them! Camicazi, Rona, Astrid…

"We shouldn't have let them go! We should have burned them down!" Heather exclaimed.

"Yeah, we should have burned them, attacked them with our swords and they would have used Rona and Astrid as human shields!" Heather's eyes widened slightly at this, realizing it would have happened like that indeed. "I'll get the three hem back, they would be dead already if they wanted to kill them. They would have let me see it."

They would probably bring them to Drago, Viggo wouldn't take the risk to piss off his chief by killing precious hostages. And knowing both Drago and Viggo, they would probably wish to use them, Hiccup was sure of that. So he had some time to save them, but they needed to act fast.

"Kalisha is alive! She just got knocked out!"

He saw Eret coming back, out of breath. At least one good new! He started to prepare himself to leave, his companions following him. Maybe they would be able to get them before they reached the island, but it wasn't certain. He turned to Heather and Fishlegs.

"We're going to follow them. Eret, you and Belda will gather our troops, send a message to Mala, tell her we could need reinforcement. It's time to end this all!"

"You want a final battle?"

"Yes. We toyed around for long enough. After what happened, Drago won't stay in his lair, he will attack me soon because he'll think I'm vulnerable now. I have to act before he does, we'll save them and then make our first move against him. Heather, Fishlegs and I will go first, free them and do our best to prepare your arrival. Now let's leave."

They prepared quickly and they both got on their dragons. Fishlegs didn't know if he was a good rider already, but it didn't matter. He had to try, he couldn't let his friend like this! He got on Meatlug's back and the dragon gave him a heart-warming look. She won't let me down. It doesn't matter if I'm not a good rider, she is a good dragon.

"Come on, girl, let's save Astrid!"

Fury gave Toothless something which belonged to Astrid and they flew up in the air. The Hooligan was nervous, but this wouldn't stop him. For now, all he had to do was to follow Fury and Heather, it would be simple. Yet he was pretty astonished he was part of this. He went to Fury's level.

"Thanks for trusting me with this."

"You have my trust? Fishlegs? I know you're able to do it."

"How?"

"…I'll explain everything in time, for now, let's focus."

He nodded and they kept following them. Yes, they would succeed, they had no other choice.

O o O

Viggo and his men weren't really good at riding dragons, but it wasn't complicated to make them go from one point to another. Neither of the two women could tell whether or not the travel back had been long, because they had been drugged for most part. They had let them regain consciousness at times to drink and eat, but that was pretty much all. It was impossible for them to know when they reached the island, but when they did, Astrid and Camicazi had regained some consciousness.

Through her dizzy mind, Astrid could see an island with many watch towers, many buildings, and huge mountains. Maybe it was because of her nauseous, foggy state, but that place seemed grim, and kinda lifeless. They landed beside a big building. When they were forced to get down from the dragons' backs, they heard Rona cry and yelp. Astrid saw tone of the men carrying her away.

In spite of her drugged state, she yelled like a demon and rushed to the men and punched him as hard as she could. The man lost his breath at this. Before she could hurt him again, two strong arms were grabbing her. She struggled, roared like a monster hit them, kicked, bit, punched, but her body wouldn't respond as well as usual. And they started to beat her when they understood that holding her wouldn't be enough. She saw Camicazi trying to fight as well. She tried to hit one of the soldiers with her elbow when a violent punch landed on her cheek.

She was pushed inside the building they landed next to, and her foggy mind knew only one thing: she had to save her little girl! In spite of all her fight, she got thrown in a cell, as well as Camicazi. She tried to get up, when she got kicked and pushed against a wall.

Another punch landed on her cheek and this time she stumbled, and kick followed to make her collapse completely and her breath was cut short. Camicazi released a yelp as she was punched violently in the guts while two men were holding her. A tight grip on her hair yanked Astrid up and she was thrown violently against a wall, she just had time to put her bound hands before her to spare her face. Her hair was pulled again and she just had time to see Camicazi getting kicked on the ground too.

She was kicked again and another blow was about to land on her when they heard a loud voice:

"That will be enough, men."

They stopped hitting them but still held them to make sure they wouldn't try anything. Camicazi had an eye closed and getting purple but it wasn't stopping her from seeing two big men standing. Unlike Astrid she knew them; the Hooligan couldn't help but be creped out by the biggest one. It wasn't because of his gigantic frame, or because of the scars on his face. It was his expression. Even a hungry vulture would seem more tender than this!

Cami spat on the ground at his sight: "Astrid, hope you're 'honored' to meet Drago Bludvist."

The man smirked: "Still so rough, let's hope your friend knows her manners a bit more."

He advanced toward her and Astrid made sure to keep a composed stance, even though she was intimidated. It was his big frame, she had seen and fought big men. But it was this expression…He looked demented, cold but with something burning and only waiting to erupt. Plus he was eying her…Oh she knew when a man was ogling and he was. Yet fear didn't stop her from asking questions.

"Where is the little girl? Where is Rona?"

"She is safe and sound for now. After all what would be the point in killing her? You should worry about yourself."

"Let me guess: we'll be lucky if you only behead us properly before your entire tribe," the bog-burglar hissed.

Drago didn't even spare her a glance and looked at Astrid hungrily while answering Camicazi:

"It would be a big waste. We have a lack of females recently, we can't waste good pieces like this."

"Are you fucking kidding us!" Camicazi yelled.

"One of my men can have you," he told her before turning to Astrid again, "and you...Oh I would be delighted to get Fury's fiancee before he could even touch you. I heard he chose you among all the girls of your tribe, no wonder."

It wasn't exactly true, but she didn't bother about that. He started to get closer, one hand approached her face and she spat on his cheek immediately.

"Don't even think about it!"

He was startled at this and she was pretty sure he would hit her. But instead he wiped his skin with his fingers and gave her a twisted look.

"No wonder she was called the insurgent!" With that he liked his fingers clean while giving her a lustful look. She felt nauseous at this. "I must say this was enjoyable, but you should be careful. Remember that little girl who is counting on you."

Astrid felt an icy shiver going through her. Indeed, if she made a mistake, Rona would pay for it. If they wanted to escape, there would be one chance only.

"Can I take the other one?" Asked Ryker. "I always had a thing for her."

"Like hell!"

"You can, Ryker. Now you should both listen to me carefully: you can talk and we'll treat you respectfully and won't take your honor. But if you refuse to speak and you'll be marked as our slaves and we'll use you without the slightest consideration."

"So if we talk, you let us leave? I don't believe that," Cami grunted.

"I don't say we'd let you leave, I said you would be treated respectfully. Ryker, make sure she is locked away, don't touch her for now, I'm a man of my word, she'll have a chance to cooperate."

"I like to take my time anyway."

He took her by the arm and pulled her to come with him. She hated that but she didn't try to resist, it would be useless, there were too many of them. She needed her energy to attempt an escape. Drago looked again at Astrid and took her by the arm to make her follow him. His grip was firm, but not painful.

"If you think of trying anything, remember my hands are strong enough to tear that kid apart."

"What kind of man shield himself behind a little girl."

"The kind who knows how to hurt a mother right to the core."

He tightened his grip around her wrist and Astrid winced in pain. Her stomach churned as she understood the message: she made a mistake by provoking him. That mouth of hers…She really never learned to shut up! He pushed her inside a cell.

"Sit down," he ordered, "you're exhausted."

Astrid sat and tried not to look completely miserable in spite of her swollen and cut lip, in spite of the bruises on her and the dirt and the mess of hair she had. She was scared, even though she would do everything not to show it, she was. She heard the sound of water, a slight soft sound, followed by footsteps coming closer. Suddenly, she felt something wet pressed against her face and she backed away slightly. Drago was holding a wet cloth and that was maybe the weirdest thing she ever saw. He pressed it against one of her wounds once more and murmured softly:

"You could end this well for you..."

"I would be a prisoner and your mistress. Wonderful."

"Not a prisoner, nor a mistress, I have better for you."

"What?"

"If I do conquer Endris, I'll also submit Mala, and I'll have three powerful islands under my power, and it will be only the beginning. I'll have power and riches but I'll need heirs and a wife."

"Wait...You're proposing me to...to be your wife?!"

"I wasn't kidding when I said I liked you. I'm aware I'm not an attractive man, but at least I'm a real man, not a fishbone like Fury. And I'll be one of the greatest chief ever, more, I'll be a king. And I'm not forcing you in any way. If you prefer, you could simply be one of my generals. Either way, I want you to join me willingly."

She was breathless at this. Was this man really...No, he couldn't have any feelings for her, he didn't even know her! She was just a nice prize, and that was all. Before she could give him a reply, Drago spoke:

"I'm giving you time to think about my proposal. However, you need to decide quickly whether or not you will join me."

"And what about Camicazi?"

"I don't trust her, she'll betray us, but she will be treated well if you both behave."

"Why would you trust me more?"

"Because you might realize you made a mistake trusting Fury. Maybe you felt cornered to do it, because you had nowhere to go anymore, but now you do. You didn't go to them willingly, she did. Think, Astrid, you have the choice with me. You'll stay locked away but we'll treat you well, and we'll continue to do so if I have a good answer."

He could see she was hesitating, maybe some times in the cell would do her some good. He would have her fed, though, she was lean, just as he liked, and he wouldn't want her to become too thin. Her whole body looked so firm, those breasts of her, not big but perfectly round and her legs looked perfect through those pants…Oh no, he didn't want to damage that.

He left her there and walked away, thinking of what just happened. Taking Fury's fiancee for himself...That was definitely a nice perspective, his enemy's taste in women were fine. Not only she was beautiful, but tough and if he could get her to come to his side, she would probably indeed make a good wife for him. And anyway if she wasn't good enough, he could still kill her. He hoped it would work but if it was necessary, he would snap that pretty neck of hers.

O o O

"Get your hand off me!"

"Calm down, lady, I'm only holding your arm! We'll do more when Drago will win!"

Ryker was leading Camicazi through the prison, looking at her up and down. She wasn't really pretty, but fine enough, and she was a strong, hard-headed one, quite like him. He would take her as his mistress, whatever, if she wasn't nice enough, he could sell her or kill her.

"Don't even think that will happen."

"Consider it, that's your best chance to live. You could give me some sturdy kids."

"Is Drago giving the same speech to Astrid?"

"Don't know, don't care. That's what I'm telling you. Let's hope this will give you time to think. This one will be perfect, at least that one won't try to touch you, and maybe you'll learn what disobedience brings."

She was pushed into a cell which already contained another prisoner. This made her forget Ryker and all his absurd propositions. The person was in the shadows, and she stayed on her feet, in spite of the pain. She had to show them right away she was no one to mess with, she knew by experience cellmates could be dangerous or very annoying.

"Who are you?"

"I should be the one to ask that," answered a womanly voice. "You're the one who just came in."

The woman sounded tired, exhausted even, there wasn't any sarcasm or mockery in her voice. She was here since a long time, Cami was pretty sure of that.

"My name is Camicazi. That's all you need to know for now. Who are you?"

"Camicazi…I think I already heard that name from Drago's mouth a few times."

"You spoke with Drago?" What kind of prisoners would speak with him on a regular basis? She obviously did if she heard her names several times. Who was this woman? She could see her raising her head to look at her.

"Camicazi…You're with that Fury, right?" Her voice suddenly sounded more hopeful.

"Yes, now tell me who you are!"

"…You probably never heard of me. I lived with dragons for a long part of my life, I wouldn't go much to other humans. I started fighting Drago years ago."

"You…Were fighting Drago? Why didn't you contact us? We would have been happy to get an ally!"

"I was imprisoned before Endris became a big tribe. I tried to escape several time, I even managed to screw some of Drago's plans."

Cami shook her head: "I don't believe you. He would have killed you if you did."

The woman stood and walked slowly to the bars. She saw her face thanks to the torch lights, it was thin and something seemed familiar. She had long, messy brown hair, and she was very lean, too much. She had a small, sad smile.

"Sometimes I wished he killed me. But he needs me, he hoped I'll give in, but I'll never do it! He just punishes me instead, force me to do things, or see things I didn't want."

"That's sad, but that doesn't answer my question. I won't repeat myself again: who are you? What's your name? Why are you here?"

"My name is Valka."

Valka…She remembered Hiccup's mother was named like that. But she was dead, this was surely another Valka, that name wasn't so rare. The woman went on:

"I'm here because Drago want someone to take care of his dragons! His torturers can hardly feed them properly! One in particular needs a lot of attention, the Alpha."

"The Alpha?"

She looked at Cami questioningly: "Endris doesn't know, yet? Drago has an Alpha dragon."

Alpha…They knew a bit about those dragons, the Red Death had been one, and thankfully, Hiccup and Toothless managed to kill it, giving the Archipelago some peace. An Alpha in Drago's hands…oh Gosh, so that was his new weapon? Oh, Thor!

"Where is that beast?"

"Chained in a pit. Why?"

Camicazi's head suddenly throbbed. The drug's effects were dissipating but she was still a bit dizzy. As for her body, it was sore. She needed to rest a bit and clear her head. She already escaped other tricky situation, she could find a way. The trickiest part would be to find Astrid and Rona. She leaned against the wall and breathed in deeply. The woman named Valka gave her some water, the only thing they had been given in this cell. She didn't know if she could trust that Valka, but it would be a risk she'd have to take.

In her cell, Astrid was looking around. Her entire body was hurting, but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt thinking of Rona. There would have been a better way to get her back, she was pretty sure of it, but her foggy mind had stopped her from acting rationally. Hel…She hated herself right now!

Stop hating yourself like this, there is no use. Just work to get her back!

Not too many guards, she had to steal keys, or get someone to open the door one way or another…She didn't like the way Drago looked at her, she knew what lust looked like in a man's eyes, and that was it, except there was no love, not even tenderness or any other felling; Just raw desire, and that wasn't good. She heard footsteps and a familiar form advanced toward her cell, escorted by two big guards. She backed away from the door, understanding who it was.

Viggo opened her cell and got in. The two guards stayed outside, just watching from a distance from any move. He approached her slowly, threatening, even though he wasn't really doing anything to scare her. She kept a stoick face, her eyes screaming 'stubborness'. He stopped, looked down at her and sat to be at her level. He didn't utter a word, she was probably sure he wanted her to snap or something. She wouldn't do that. Instead, she calmly said:

"You knew since the beginning, didn't you?"

He smiled bitterly, his eyes joyless in spite of his victory.

"Well, I'd like to say yes, but it would be a lie. I must admit you got me, I believed what you said and I even started to feel some friendship for you. I understood lately;" he smirked, some dark satisfaction enlightening his eyes. "You betrayed yourself with that kid."

"What do you mean?"

"When I saw you with her, there was something…Strange about the way you behaved. I thought you simply didn't want that child to see me at first, but something in you bothered me. I asked my last spy to tell me who that kid was, and she told me you adopted that kid along with Fury. So when you lied and told me she was just a trainee of yours…"

Astrid internally cursed herself. What an idiot! Oh, why did she have to betray herself like this? But she couldn't have told Viggo she took a little slave as a child, he would have understood something wasn't right as well.

"People always do stupid things because of their feelings. Fury trusted you too much with that mission, probably because he is in love with you. And he is doing something stupid again. He was following us, you know."

"What?!"

"Of course, with Heather, and I don't know who the other guy was, but it doesn't matter. They almost got you back at one point, but they failed. I guess it only fueled his anger, he is throwing himself in our jaws."

She felt burning anger at this: "So what? Is he in jail already? I don't think so. He already tricked you in the past, don't forget that! It cost you that Krogan's head! You made mistakes too, and I don't know what he is planning, but he isn't stupid enough to waltz in and let you capture him! He surely has a plan, don't overestimate yourself!"

His smirk dropped slightly. At her surprise, it seemed to her surprise that he was really considering that possibility. That was definitely a proof of his intelligence: he never underestimated his enemies.

"You're probably right: he isn't that reckless. That's maybe one of the reasons why he gave me so many difficulties. But I know he is coming, and I still managed to capture you. Maybe you shouldn't overestimate him and yourself."

"Are you here to gloat?"

"No. Forgive me, I was starting to forget the true reason of my visit. I want you to tell me who Fury is. I'm pretty sure you know something."

"Why do you need me to tell you that? From the way you speak, you'll capture him soon and discover for yourself."

"He won't give up without a fight. And as you said, anything could happen."

Of course, he hoped Fury's identity could be a weapon to use against him! S if she would give him that!

"And if I don't tell you anything?"

"I'll make you talk."

"Drago wants me in one piece."

"There are many ways to torture someone without damaging their bodies. Trust me, I know about it, I became an expert in that art."

His tone let her know he wasn't kidding. She wasn't scared of pain, but she knew torture would exhaust her, and she had to keep all her strength if she wanted to escape. With Rona prisoner, she and Camicazi were really disadvantaged. They would have one chance and no more.

"We agreed he wouldn't show me his face or tell me his real name," she immediately said, "in order to make sure you wouldn't know anything."

Viggo frowned. "His face? He didn't show you his face?"

"No. We had to be sure…"

"Now that weird. I know he is human already and so does Drago. He has a normal face, why didn't he show it to you? He knows already that I saw him, so why would it matter, as long as you don't know his name..."

Astrid was taken aback, Viggo genuinely looked confused. And now that she thought about it, it was weird indeed.

"I don't know. Fury hardly explained anything about him or about his past."

He narrowed his eyes but didn't seem to doubt that.

"He had always been wary. Indeed, I can believe he didn't tell you anything. I shouldn't lose my time with you. Camicazi was around him for a longer time, she'll give me much more information than you."

"Don't touch her."

Viggo smirked and left her alone. Astrid prayed they wouldn't hurt her friend. Oh, what could she do? She would have only one shot. She had to try to find a way to escape, yet her mind drifted somewhere else. Fury…What Viggo said just rose questions she couldn't ignore.

If he was human and not a monster, and if his enemy already had an idea of what he looked like, then why hide his face from the beginning? The only reasons for someone to hide their face were those: the shame to be seen, or the necessity to keep their identity secret. If fury had a normal, even handsome face like Viggo said, he had no reason to hide from her. In fact, showing her his face would have reassured her when she was so hostile toward him. So it wasn't out of shame. His secret then? But if his face was unknown to her, then why…

It was like a big slap in her face: he had kept his face a secret because it wasn't unknown to her. That was the only possibility!

How didn't she realize that sooner? Fury…Who was he? From what she knew, he couldn't reveal her face because he didn't want someone to know his real identity, and didn't care that people of his tribe saw him. Which mean that she met him in the past, without his mask. She tried to think, she tried to remember everything that happened, which could have given her a hint. Then it struck her. The first night they spoke, his voice had reminded her of someone. She had even told him…What was it? She remembered: It's funny, your voice sounds like my friend's one, but it's the only thing you two have in common; he was nothing like you… His name was Hiccup, and he is now dead.

His name was Hiccup…

No! No, it couldn't be! Hiccup was dead, wasn't he? They found some clothes and blood…But they never found a body…No! That was ridiculous, wasn't it? Hiccup would have came back to them…but with his uncle mistreating him…Maybe he was captured and took that occasion to be free…No! No, it couldn't be! It was impossible! Fury had a voice like Hiccup had, but that didn't mean they were the same person! Yet the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Endris was built some times after his disappearance; he had been lenient toward Berk, accepting a trade while he could have asked for more, but showed despise toward Spitelout…She didn't see anyone she knew who could match Fury more than him actually…And now that she thought about it, some of his manners and gestures were quite similar to her childhood friend's…Hiccup…

Could Fury be…Hiccup?

Yep, she kinda guessed! And Valka is in the game! We'll see how it turns out next chapter!