Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "Sounds of Silence!" =D This chapter brings in my OC character, who I've subtly hinted at in a few chapters. X) *Sighs* Finally, she gets her introduction. =D
I hope you guys enjoy chapter thirteen! =D
Chapter Thirteen: An Unlikely Ally
They had gone on many stealth missions, but this one had to be the biggest one yet.
Shortly after entering the camp, the Dragon Riders decided to split up to cover more ground. The base was huge, and even though it was one of many, it seemed as if this one base could serve as the main headquarters for all of Hilmar's Dragon Slayers.
Once they reached the bottom, Hiccup and the Riders split up. The rendezvous point was the firepit in the center of the base, which wasn't very difficult to spot or locate since it was in the center of the camp. Hiccup and the Riders wished each other good luck, and they all went their separate ways.
As Hiccup separated himself from the Dragon Riders, he felt his fear ebb away. He felt a new sense of courage since entering the Dragon Slayer camp, knowing that he wasn't only saving Berk and its people, but hundreds of other vikings and dragons across the archipelago. With these encouraging thoughts in mind, Hiccup trudged through the base, keeping his head held high and staying close to the shadows so he wouldn't be easily noticed. He also avoided making eye contact with anyone so he wouldn't get called out.
After walking around for a couple of minutes, Hiccup realized a group of traders had come to this base of sorts, which explained the several carts filled with weapons and other items. The traders, however, weren't any that Hiccup recognized like Trader Johann, the over-dramatic, bumbling trader who was kind as well as he was polite. But these traders looked like they were part of a darker organization. Something that wasn't legal. Hiccup watched as several men headed up to the carts and hastily set up stands, buying all sorts of peculiar items. Vials filled with unknown substances, weapons that weren't sold anywhere else in the Barbaric Archipelago. These traders, Hiccup came to realize, were off the map. They weren't well known because they purposefully stayed unknown. Hiccup wondered how much Hilmar was paying these men for their exotic items, and how they even got acquainted.
Pulling his eyes away from the trading carts, Hiccup moved up and down the many stairs and platforms that wound around the base, seeing if he could find anything useful. He had spotted the twins, who had ventured inside of what looked to be like a shed, and he had caught a glimpse of Astrid's blonde hair as she walked into the forge. Hiccup continued on, looking for anything that looked important. Some men looked in his direction, sneers decorating their scarred, bruised faces that sent chills down Hiccup's spine despite the many torches that lit the area.
Hiccup knew that it wouldn't be long until he and his friends were discovered. But so far, the base was operating normally. It was a little strange walking through such a busy place, but hearing none of the bustling that was taking place. Hiccup sighed and tried to keep his thoughts as focused on the mission as possible instead of feeling sorry for himself.
Hiccup walked down the stairs toward one of the many buildings. It looked promising, so he decided to take a peek inside. He wondered if the other Dragon Riders had discovered anything when, suddenly, he felt a sharp tug on the collar of his tunic behind him. Hiccup froze, and he slowly turned around, finding himself face to face with a tall, brute man who had scars littered all over his face. Hiccup squinted; the man looked awfully familiar…
The recognition hit Hiccup like a Gronckle running into a wall—it was the same man who tricked him back during the patrol mission!
Immediately, Hiccup felt a hot, burning rage boil within him. It was because of this man that he had gone deaf. It was his fault that he had lost his hearing! If it weren't for him, he'd still be able to hear what was going on around him, and Hiccup wanted to land a punch dead-square in the man's scar-covered face. But Hiccup restrained his wild emotions as he glared up at the man who had rudely touched him.
The stone-eyed man appeared to ask him a question, but Hiccup clamped his mouth shut. No words had filtered through his ears, and he couldn't respond without making a complete fool out of himself. Hiccup turned on his heel and began to walk away when the man harshly yanked him back toward his direction. Hiccup stifled a cry; the man was as strong as an ox.
Again, the man asked him something, but Hiccup couldn't respond for he didn't know what he was being asked. Angrily, the man grabbed the young viking and slammed him into the metal wall of the building they were standing in front of, his large, beefy hand gripping his throat. Hiccup gritted his teeth as the man's grip on his neck grief tighter and tighter; he spat out words that Hiccup couldn't hear. He didn't know if this man recognized him from the woods, but it surely seemed so as he squeezed Hiccup's through as if it were rubber.
Hiccup's lungs screamed for air. He gasped and kicked his legs as he desperately tried to get oxygen back into him. His throat burned like flames as the man continued to squeeze. Black dots danced in his vision as the hand constricted even more. Hiccup felt his consciousness beginning to slip away, and the man squeezed once again. The young viking could only draw in short, tiny breaths, but now, he wasn't getting anything at all.
Suddenly, the man's hands were off of him, and Hiccup collapsed to the ground, his head pounding against the wood. He gasped for breath, but his burning lungs couldn't collect air fast enough. He looked up weakly to see a young woman in a hooded cloak clasped with a sharp dragon's tooth. One that Hiccup couldn't identify in his daze.
The man who had nearly choked him to death laid in a heap behind her, causing Hiccup to wonder if she had single-handedly knocked him out. The woman spoke to him; Hiccup didn't know what she was saying.
The woman gave up on speaking and she slipped her arm under Hiccup's hoisting him up. The sudden pull made Hiccup's vision blur, and unconsciousness claimed him like a treasure.
…
Hiccup woke up with a startled gasp, feeling something cold and wet running over him. He looked up at the culprit who had splashed water on him, and he was met with a concerned looking young woman. She was the same person who he had encountered on the ship during the Dragon Slayer's attack. Her raven-black hair, which had been pulled back in a ponytail the last time he had seen her, now hung loosely over her shoulders.
The woman placed the cup of water to the side and she spoke again, seemingly apologizing for spilling the water. Hiccup only blinked at her, and she eventually stopped speaking, waiting for a response.
Hiccup bit the inside of his cheek. Should he trust this stranger? She had looked ready to slice him into bits back on the ship, but now she was giving him a serving of water. The woman didn't seem like she posed any harm; she wouldn't have defended him from the brute man back outside if she did.
Hiccup opened his mouth and spoke, ignoring how his throat flared and protested against him speaking. While the young viking couldn't hear himself talk, he knew that he had said, "I-I'm sorry, but I can't hear you. I'm…I'm deaf."
The woman's eyes widened, momentarily surprised by the news, but she nodded in understanding and gilded over toward her table, which had a single open notebook on it. As she gathered what she needed, Hiccup took the chance to look around. He was in a small, enclosed room with wooden walls instead of metal. He was sitting on a fur covered bed, and a small side table sat next to him. A single window was next to the door at the front; the only other pieces of furniture were the desk that the woman was hovering over, a closet filled with black colored clothing, and a bookshelf where the woman's cutlass was leaning against. A small fire danced in the center of the room, giving off the comforting feeling of warmth.
The woman turned around from the desk, now holding the notebook and a feather. She carried a container of ink and sat next to Hiccup on the bed. The black-haired woman dipped the feather in the ink, set it on the side table, and scribbled onto the paper at an astonishing speed. After she finished writing, she handed it to Hiccup, who read her cursive-like handwriting.
My apologies about the water…I don't have much time to talk. I recognize you from the ship…Are you Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third?
Hiccup paused before dipping the feather into the ink and scribbling onto the page. Yes…Yes I am. How do you know me?
My father speaks a lot about you, the woman replied. You probably already know his name. He's the one leading this group.
Hiccup was shocked. This woman…was Hilmar's daughter?!
You're really related to Hilmar? Asked Hiccup. Hilmar the Heinous?
The woman nodded gravely, and she wrote. When we attacked your village, I was on the ship that you broke into. My father had sent me down below to grab his spyglass, but then I saw you getting away with our two maps. I also noticed your Night Fury; I find it hard to believe that you can control it.
Hiccup managed to smile a little. I don't necessarily 'control' him…He's my best friend, and we understand each other.
The woman nodded, and Hiccup suddenly realized that he didn't know her name.
I'm probably late in asking this but…Who are you? Hiccup scribbled down.
My name is Rin. Rin the Ravenous, the woman introduced herself. Do not fear the name, though. I'm not hungry for bloodlust like my father is. Rin sighed. Frankly, I'm against this 'end the peace between dragons and vikings across the archipelago' concept. All the loss that's occurring just to achieve it's…it's wrong.
Hiccup was surprised to be hearing this from Hilmar's own daughter. Why, he didn't even think he had a daughter until he stumbled across Rin. The man didn't seem like the familial type.
My father is power-hungry, Rin continued. He's using the dragons to spark the old fear of them that had died when you met your Night Fury…
His name is Toothless, said Hiccup. Rin tilted her head.
Toothless? What an interesting name for a dragon…
Hiccup smiled. It's a long story.
Rin nodded. Anyway…I come to you to offer my help, Hiccup. I don't want anything to do with this horrible ploy my father's created. I've seen too many villages burned to the ground and destroyed. Too many people forced from their homes…I'll do anything to stop it.
Hiccup read over Rin's message. Once. Twice. Three times. He couldn't believe that Rin wanted to help him and the others. But could he really trust her? Hiccup hardly knew the woman, but here she was offering her trust. She could be a spy for all he knew, but as Hiccup gazed at Rin's face, he could see nothing but desperation, determination, and truth. Rin took the notebook and feather again, and she dipped it into the ink before writing again.
Anyone who can successfully tame a Night Fury—let alone ride it—is worthy to be helped.
Hiccup let out a breath, and he nodded slowly, still wary of Rin even though she appeared to have good intentions. Okay…I accept your offer. But there's something I got to know…why can't you stop Hilmar yourself? I mean, you are his daughter in all…don't you have a say in all of this?
Rin appeared to sigh and she replied, A long time ago, back when I was only a little girl, there was a dragon raid at my old village. A dragon broke into our home, and took my mother's life without hesitation. My dad saw first-hand what the dragon did to my mother. After that, he was permanently scarred in ways that not even I can describe…I was so little, so I don't remember much, but I do remember how pained my father was after my mother's death…
Rin paused. Firelight flickered in her storm grey eyes. She dipped the feather in the ink before continuing to write again.
It's difficult to live with one who's mourning…But one day, that sadness turned into rage. And that rage into hate. And that hate into violence…My father has been planning this crazy idea for years, and it wasn't until a while ago that he finally unleashed it.
I promise that I'll help you and your friends in any way I can…I can provide you with information that may prove useful in your fight. But first, we have to get you and your friends out of here…The soldier I knocked out had shouted loud enough to alert the others that there's something amiss. Can you stand?
Slowly, Hiccup got to his feet. He had a light headache from when he had crashed against the wood platform, and his throat still flared occasionally, but thank Thor, he could stand upright and walk. The young viking was a little shaky on his legs, so Rin helped him to the door. She grabbed her cutlass and sheathed it to her back. Suddenly, her eyes widened. Hiccup felt the room shake. He wanted to ask what was happening, but without the notebook, Rin couldn't communicate with him.
Rin pushed the door open, and she beckoned for Hiccup to follow her. The two stepped out into the open. Hiccup realized that they had been in a small, regular hut that had been built near the giant firepit in the base's center. Hiccup spotted the other Dragon Riders gathered at the fire, facing an entire group of armed Dragon Slayers.
Hiccup ran over to them, and Rin trailed behind him. Astrid spotted him; relief flashed in her eyes until she noticed Rin, who was following Hiccup. The Hofferson gripped her axe, ready to strike when Hiccup quickly held his hands out.
"Don't attack her, she's with us!" exclaimed Hiccup. Astrid lowered her axe and raised an eyebrow, but Hiccup didn't have time to explain. Men began to swirl around the Berkians. Rin stepped in front of them and tried to call the men off, but they knew who her loyalties now laid with.
The Riders had been exposed, and though Hilmar wasn't there, Hiccup knew that he'd be very, very upset.
A beat of stillness occurred, and then the Dragon Slayers launched their attack. Whipping out their weapons and taking their positions, the Dragon Riders and Rin struck back, their battle cries like banshees.
Author's Note: I felt so backwards writing nice things about Johann. XD But since this takes place in RTTE season two, the Riders don't know his true diabolical intentions yet. X)
And yay! Rin finally made her entrance! =D I really enjoyed designing her character, and I really love writing her. I purposefully gave her a formal-like way of talking because...well, just because. I like the way it sounds and flows. =D
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one! =D
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
