We arrived at Gothi's tall hut to see Vern sitting down on the balcony of it with Gothi applying some sort of herb to his back. Based on what my eyes see alone, he was making a tremendous recovery that pleased everyone as we got closer. Eret made his way over to his friend and they greeted each other with a forearm handshake and nod.
"Thank you for getting me out of there, that Masked Man is an evil man akin to Drago." Vern states and Eret nods, glancing to Hiccup and I as we approach.
"Vern, this is Chief Hiccup Haddock the Third of the Hooligan Tribe. You're on Berk and you're safe." Eret explains as Vern stands. The man is easily the size of Eret of not a little larger even having to lean forward to take stress off his back. He stood a foot taller than Hiccup but he acted much like Eret did after he joined our tribe.
"Chief Haddock, thank you for the rescue. Eret's told me enough about you and what you've done for him to have my respect. Your healer is one of the best I've ever seen, though she doesn't talk much." Vern says as he approaches Hiccup, glancing back at Gothi as Hiccup laughs lightly.
"Yeah, well, she doesn't say much at all to be honest. We're glad your okay. Introductions." Hiccup pauses and glances to me. "Astrid Hofferson, Berk's General. Behind me is the Chief of the Berserker Tribe, Dagur and his sister, Heather. One of our strongest allies." Hiccup explains and, for some reason that I can hardly fathom, I actually felt my heart sink a little bit. Like I wanted to be introduced as his Chiefess, even if we weren't married. It was a weird feeling to have.
"Verner, son of Jayce of the eastern mainlands, please call me Vern. A pleasure to meet you all, wish it could've been under better circumstances." Vern states. He had the voice of a mercenary, not a sailor.
"Vern, what happened?" Hiccup asks as Vern sits back down and Gothi resumes her application. We all give him space but stay close enough to listen.
"Khan, the one who I ended up working the most for, apparently sent word for an old acquaintance who had been lying low since Drago. Days later, a man in a cloak and mask showed up. His entire right arm was scarred from a burn of some form and he carried a large axe. He was soft spoken, even kind sounding at first." Vern explains slowly and I frown, my hand finding Hiccups as he glances to me and nods.
"He told us what an excellent job all of us were doing, and how he was going to help us. He had changes, new ideas that some of the boys didn't like. One of them spoke out about it and the guy literally killed him on the spot. Didn't even act like it was a thing, just asked if we had more questions and moved on. It was surreal; I'm no stranger to death but that was just cruel." Vern continued and I saw him wince with something Gothi did.
"He is a cruel man. His name is Krogan and he was one of Drago's top men. We thought Drago had him killed." Hiccup states. "He mentioned a scar, maybe a dragon trap." Hiccup guesses and Vern nods.
"Trap or no, Drago failed. I started poking around like normal; Khan wouldn't have even noticed but Krogan caught on far to quick. When he caught me writing a mail, he had me bound and interrogated me. Asking me what I knew about you, your raids, any other turncoats. Fortunately, I didn't know anything cause honestly, I would've broke. He nearly carved out my eye." Vern says as his finger traces the wound over his eye. Sighing, he shakes his head. "He had me tied to the main mast and lashed 39 times, then left me there. He only moved me to the top of the mast the morning you showed up and saved me. I think he was expecting it." Vern adds and Hiccup nods.
"Well, you're safe now, and able to move and fight soon." Eret adds with a smile and Vern just sighs, shaking his head and relaxing his shoulder.
"No, Eret. I'm out. I'm not going through that again, I'll tell you what I know, but that's all I can do." He states, looking to Eret and Eret's shoulders drop as he nods somberly.
"I understand, my friend. You've done more than I asked and endured more than anyone should have too." Eret responds.
Looking to Hiccup and I, Vern nods his head. "Chief Haddock, I'd appreciate passage back to the eastern mainlands if you have a trader that travels that route." He asks and I glances to Hiccup and he smiles, nodding.
"We do, they won't be here for at least a week though. You can stay as our guest until then, I'm sure Gothi won't mind." Hiccup states and Gothi glances at him from over the mans shoulder and shrugs. "But, you will tell us what you know?" Hiccup asks and Vern nods.
"They're weaponizing dragons en masse to wipe out Berk. Apparently, since Drago's defeat, you've been the talk of the Archipelago. It's either people want to befriend you or kill you; as a people. Drago held the massive force together with fear and now that it's the three, they're having a harder time because they tried splitting it up equally which is a logistical nightmare for them." Vern explains and I feel my gut drop. "They don't have an answer for your Night Fury yet, but that is one of the reasons they are seeking exotic and rare species like the Doomfang. They have trapping operations scattered about the archipelago and beyond. Since Krogan, as you call him, showed up; they've been supplied with all manner of trapping methods like Dragon Root Arrows or cages." Vern continues and I tighten my grip on Hiccups hands. It was like Viggo and the Hunters all over again.
"What do you know about their next move?" Hiccup asks
"I know they aren't giving up on the Doomfang, and that they are supposedly tracking down some massive white dragon. The plan is overwhelming force, but they aren't ready yet. Not with the Dragon horde that lives hear ready to defend it." Vern states and I feel my breath release.
"Are they targeting any of our allies?" Hiccup asks and I glance back to Heather and Dagur who so far have just been listening.
"He's sniffing out turncoats in their ranks. They don't consider the Outcasts nor the Defenders a threat. The Wingmaidens and The Beserkers have been whispered about, largely because of the dragon use." Vern states and glances to Dagur. "I'd recommend shoring up your defenses, Chief." He says and Dagur frowns, narrowing his eyes. Sometimes Dagur scared me when he did that, because I remember all too well when he was an enemy.
"Oh, we will." Dagur says softly and looks to Hiccup. "I'm flying back tonight and sending a mail to Mala. I suggest you get in touch with the Wingmaidens as well. Heather?" Dagur finishes glancing at Heather.
"Dagur I-" Heather pauses and glances at Hiccup and I. Dagur places a hand on her shoulder and nods.
"I'll send a mail here if we need help. If you don't hear from me either by Terror mail or in person in three days, then something's wrong." Dagur finishes and he and Hiccup exchange a forearm shake.
"Got it. Be safe." Hiccup says and he nods.
"You too, brother." He answers and turns before looking back over his shoulder. "Watch over my sister." He adds before heading down. The rest of us turning to Vern.
"Anything else you know?" Hiccup asks and Vern shakes his head.
"Not of any consequence." Vern answers and we all thank him. Before leaving him and Eret, he calls back to us. "Hey, Chief Haddock. When you catch this Krogan, give him one for me." He states and Hiccup nods.
"This time I plan to see to it personally." Hiccup says and Heather and I both exchange a glance. He sounded like the old Dagur in that moment, like Viggo or even Krogan. It made Vern smile, it worried both of us. More to talk about privately, later. I'd make him open up.
Rounding up the rest of the riders after hearing Vern's information was easy but the day of testing the suits was over. After relaying all the information we had heard, I left the floor open to discussion about what our next move was. Astrid stayed close by my side, her hand not leaving mind since arriving; something was bothering her.
"Alright, so, let me get this right. We know Krogan's back, and you, and more importantly all of us, are on his kill list?" Snotlout asks as I nod. "Okay, so, what're we doing about that."
"Look, they won't attack with our personal Dragon Horde here. We have hundreds of Dragons on Berk that are all ready to defend their home. Dagur returned to Berserker Island to shore it up, and I'm sending a T-Mail to both the Outcasts and the Wingmaidens tonight." Hiccup states.
"So what, we just wait?" Tuff asks
"Waiting blows." Ruff adds
"No, we're not waiting. We know they are still after the Doomfang and I'm pretty sure they are after the Screaming Death as well. Vern mentioned a large white dragon. If they can harness that, we're in for a lot of hurt." I state and turn towards Astrid.
"Astrid, we're going to need the Aux riders to start expanding their ranks with our more experienced flyers." I state and she shifts but nods. I can't tell why she's uncomfortable, but our hands are still together and when I try to release them, her grip tightens. It's something else.
"Got it. I'll talk to Gustav." She states softly and Heather walks closer to us.
"Let me handle them. I can be just as tough as Astrid on them." Heather states and I nod. I think Heather was trying to give us time together, she saw her unease also.
"Okay. Fishlegs, comb through the Book of Dragons on any exotic and powerful species. I almost wish we'd kept the Dragon's Eye, but I'm rather glad we destroyed them. One less thing to worry about." I state.
"Got it, Hiccup. I'll come back with more tomorrow." Fishlegs states and I smile, nodding.
"What about us?" Ruff and Tuff ask almost in unison.
"We know that they are still after the Doomfang. So, you two and Snotlout will be making daily flybys of Hysteria with my mother and Eret. Starting tomorrow." I state and the twins laugh as Snotlout frowns.
"Again sticking me with them." He exclaims.
"Fine, Snotlout. You fly with my mom. The twins fly with Eret." I answer with a sigh and he smiles.
"I can deal with that. Alright" Snotlout states, turning to leave as I flag him down.
"Woah, woah, woah. Did you ever finish your suit?" I ask and he waves me off with a shrug.
"Yes, Chieftain. I fixed it all. It's perfect. Better than yours." He says, jumping on Hookfang and taking off. I glance to Astrid and smile, but her eyes are distant as she looks at me. I'm genuinely worried now.
"Alright gang, break." I state and everyone else tears off. Before too long, it's just us in the Academy and I turn to Astrid and take both of her hands in mine and lean in, kissing her gently on the lips. "Hey, what's wrong?" I ask softly and she sighs.
"Hiccup. What did you mean earlier?" She asks softly, looking up at me.
"What do you mean? When?" I ask, my eyes searching hers.
"When you said 'This time I plan to see to it personally.' Regarding Krogan." She asks and I sigh, closing my eyes.
"I meant that; this time, I wouldn't leave it to the gods to decide. This time, we take him down, we capture him and imprison him and throw away the key. And if need be we…" I pause and shake me head, I feel my body shiver. "If need be we kill him." I say softly and open my eyes. I can see the glisten of a tear on hers as I reach up and wipe it.
"That's a road I don't want to see you walk, Hiccup." She says softly. "You sounded like Krogan, like Viggo. When you said it to Vern. I heard the anger in your voice, and it worries me." She admits and I shake my head, leaning in and gently kissing her. I feel her press her lips to mine before pulling back and resting our foreheads together.
"Astrid; I'm not them. We're not them. I don't want to kill him; I want peace. And if you don't want me to see him killed; then I won't. We'll find another way, together, like we always do." I say softly and I see her solemn face turn into a light smile as she nods.
"Together, like always." She answers with a whisper and presses her lips to mine. Breaking for a moment, she releases a long sigh and wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace, resting her forehead to mine as we slowly sway. "Thank you, Hiccup." She says softly with her eyes closed.
"For what" I ask, my arms wrapping around her waist as we sway.
"Being you, and no one else. I want you to know, no matter what happens, no matter what route we travel with Krogan." She begins and I lightly peck her lips.
"It'll be together." We say almost in unison, prompting us both to laugh lightly.
"I needed to hear that." She whispers and I smile.
"I didn't mean to scare you, Astrid, or imply I'd do anything to drive you away. I don't know how my father did it, but I can't imagine a world without you in it. I can't imagine not having you by my side." I state and she smiles.
"You'll never need to. I'm here to stay, and I'll admit, I'll send Krogan or anyone else to the underworld myself if they tried to change that." Astrid answers with a strong, yet soft voice. "I just don't want that to be our plan." She finishes and I nod.
"We never go for the kill." I state and she smiles. Like Dragon Training back when we were kids, how Gobber explained the dragons always went for the kill but in truth, never went for the kill unless they had too. It was the same for us; we'd never go for the kill unless it was us or them.
The sun is nearing the sea as dusk is almost upon us, I feel Astrid's grip around my neck tighten as she takes a deep breath. "Still want to spend some time at the Spring?" She asks and as I look at her face, I can see a smile hiding a very light bite of her lip. Seeing her look at me like that made me want to melt in her arms and do whatever she wanted. Maybe she knew it was the case. Leaning in, I peck her light on the lips and tighten my own grip around her waist, pressing our hips together in our sway.
"Yes." I answer simply and she smiles. "I want to go now." I begin, lightly pecking her lips. "I want to strip you of your cloths." I add, kissing down her neck as she gasps and closes her eyes. "And I want to see how many traditions we can break in one night." I finish, biting her neck gently before kissing my way back up to her lips. My tongue finds hers and we leave the world behind as our tongues dance and our lips lock; drinking in each other's presence so much so we are left in a light pant when we finally break. Both our faces flushed red and her eyes staring into mine with that smile.
"I think we should get going, I'm eager to see how many we can break…" She pauses and leans in, biting my ear softly before adding. "Plus, I'd like to not have to be quiet." She adds and I smile. I loved hearing her sounds of pleasure.
"Let's go." I whisper and she smiles. Hopping on Toothless and Stormfly, we head back to the house and gather our stuff. We leave in our rider suits but have blankets, start sticks and the like as we take off again. The dragons would be nearby this time, but they'd be fine. I think we both needed this.