Chapter Four: The Northern Fights
The flight was unusually silent, minus the regular arguments between Snotlout and the twins. Honestly, Matt relished in it. He forgot how much he missed flying with Hiccup and the others. Not that he disliked living at Berserker Island, he just missed the lifestyle of being at the Edge. Especially since he was always busy with helping rebuild or maintain the village. Granted, Heather was a natural when it came to helping others on her island, since that was what she cared most about.
Looking over at her gliding alongside with Fishlegs, he let a small smile grow. She was still beautiful. Regardless of some of the stubbornness that showed on her. As to why she didn't tell him anything about a betrothal gift, he decided to wait to ask her after things cooled down a little bit. If anything, he could think of a gift to get her while waiting.
"All the more reason to find who put this bounty on her in the first place…" He growled quietly to himself.
"Alright, there's the island!" Hiccup shouted. "Remember, Astrid, Heather, and the twins together; Matt, Snotlout, and Fishlegs with me."
"Got it, Hiccup!" Fishlegs shouted.
Gliding over to Heather, Matt then asked. "You sure you still want to come? We don't know who could be waiting for you over there…"
"I'm sure Matt!" She growled, getting tired of his wariness. "I want to help solve the problem! I can't do that if you sit me out everywhere!"
Pursing his lips, he simply nodded. He still didn't like the idea of her exposing herself, but also knew she'd just get into trouble by herself without anyone with her.
"Don't worry, Matt. It's not like she'll be helpless." Astrid chimed in, smiling at him. "I won't let anything happen."
"I know, I know. But please remember to signal us if something happens. I know both of you, you won't ask for help until you absolutely need to."
"He does know us." Heather teased, winking at Astrid. "Don't worry, Matt. We'll be sure to signal you. If something happens. As far as we know, nothing will happen."
Scowling at them, he shook his head as he banked away from them and lined up with Snotlout.
"Ready?" Astrid asked, smiling at Heather.
Nodding, Heather let Windshear dive down, heading to the market side of the island.
Matt, watching them leave, shook his head. "Was I ever that bad, Hiccup?"
"Oh yeah. Especially when you first came back." He laughed. "Come on, we'll check out the docks."
As the group followed him down, Matt instantly noticed that everyone was a lot warmer and friendlier than the last time he visited there. In disguise as a Defender of the Wing from Caldera Cay. Though they had a few typical reactions from villagers seeing dragons, most of the dock workers and villagers ignored the otherwise odd sight of people riding dragons.
Unbuckling his bindings, he jumped down from Wasatch, which his leg gave him slight grief. "Rrghh…great." He huffed through gritted teeth.
Hiccup smiled as he slid off Toothless, who simply wandered to the edge of the village to wait for him.
"So, what's the plan? Ask around if anyone seen any Hunters? See if Darien or Zekir is just wandering the docks?" Snotlout asked sarcastically.
"Actually, you were right with asking people if they have seen anything. Every one knows Viggo is gone, so if they've seen Dragon Hunters, that means we can find out where Darien is."
"I'm going to ask some other questions too. Regarding the bounty on Heather." Matt announced. Pulling out the paper, he glared at the drawing of Heather. "I want to find who did this…"
"I don't see why we can't find out both. Come on." Hiccup replied, throwing an arm around Matt and pulling him along. "Besides, you can help me find a chain for Astrid's Betrothal gift. I like that idea."
"Sure, just don't forget the reason why we're here." He huffed, walking with him to some stands set up next to the docks.
"Ahem!" Snotlout interrupted. "I believe I can be of help with the chain!"
"Oh? Why's that?" Hiccup replied with an annoyed look.
"Because I liked her looong before you did! I know her better than I know Hookfang!"
Matt rolled his eyes as he let Snotlout cut in between him and Hiccup.
Noticing a jeweler stand, Hiccup instantly made his way to it, with Snotlout tagging along while explaining why he was better at picking something for Astrid than him or Matt.
Catching his eye, Fishlegs then began to tap Matt's shoulder excitedly. "Ooh! Ooh! Look! Matt, look!"
Turning, he saw what got Fishlegs excited. A stall with a selection of maps for sale.
"Come on! This might help Hiccup chart how long it takes to sail from island to island!"
"Fair reason." Matt agreed, walking with him. Honestly, he was looking for shady characters; something that would scream bounty hunter.
"Ooh! Matt! This one has a course straight to Berserker Island! And Dragon's Edge!"
Matt turned to look at the map, Fishlegs was holding. Sure enough, it was one that had the Edge on it. Noticing something, he slightly scowled as he took the map away and continued to study it.
"Look! This one has Berk on it too!" He cried, grabbing another map and staring at it. "Outcast Island, Dragon Island-"
"What about Caldera Cay and Wingmaiden Island? Cause this one has them."
Fishlegs looked up at him in surprise. "What?"
Flipping the map around, he pointed at Caldera Cay, or Mala's Island. "Look at this map. It isn't a normal chart."
"How can you tell? What makes that one different? I mean, besides other islands being on it."
"Look at the border along the map. It's art. It's not just a run of the mill style. Someone put time in this. And then there's the paper quality. Feel yours and then this one."
Fishlegs did so, and instantly noticed a difference. Matt's was high quality grade. "How did I not notice that?!"
"You were excited. It's not every day you get to find some maps." Matt replied with a smile. "When it comes to actually reading them and navigating, I'm just as clueless as a Terrible Terror."
"You're better than what you give yourself credit." Fishlegs replied, still studying the map. Suddenly, his face lit up with terror, making Matt look at him with concern. Turning to the trader, he then asked. "Where did you get this?"
Surprised by the question, the man shrugged. "Uh…don't know exactly. A small group of men came by earlier last month. They were selling everything they had for rations and supplies."
"What kind of supplies?" Matt followed up with.
"Lumber, nails, tools. Things that would help them build or repair buildings."
"Or ships?" Fishlegs pressed.
Thinking, the trader slowly nodded. "Hmm yes. I suppose. The same material and equipment would be needed."
"What're you thinking, FIshlegs?" Matt quizzed, now deeply concerned with the conversation.
"Look! At the bottom right corner!" Fishlegs whispered, looking as if he had seen a Flightmare land in front of him.
Glancing at the corner, Matt's heart stopped. He almost wished he couldn't read Viking runes after seeing what he saw. "Ho-how? How did one of his maps get here?"
There, in small, fancy writing, were the two letters. "V.G."
Viggo Grimborn. It made sense! It was one of his maps!
"Matt! We need this! Look!" Fishlegs cried. "These are islands we know about, but they also mark positions of hide outs, old forts, even islands to hide on! This was his personal map! The one he probably used to scheme with! See?! There's an underground bay on this island!"
Swiping the map, Matt pressed the trader for more information. "Who exactly sold this to you?"
Panicked at the intensity of Matt's voice, the trader backed off a little while shaking his head. "I don't know! I swear! We just assumed they needed supplies fast so they were selling everything except the ship's sails!"
"What did the ship look like?"
"We'll…it was large. Had a pontoon attached to the sides…"
"Did it have a crest on the sails of a dragon getting run through with a sword and arrow?" Matt quizzed, recognizing the description to be one of the Hunter's classic ships.
The trader shook his head. "No! It had a faintly painted skull on the sails. A dragon's skull! It was one I never saw before."
"Still sounds like Darien…" Matt growled, glancing back at Fishlegs. Handing him the map, he asked. "How much for this?"
The trader instantly brightened up at the subject of a purchase. "Well…that's a great question. I don't exactly have a price, but seeing that you hail from some…interesting places, I'm willing to part with it for those…uh, things around your neck."
Matt instantly gripped his snowboard goggles as if to protect them. "Nope. Not negotiable. I can't replace these, and these were the last things my father gave me."
"Well, then I guess those boots are interesting enough."
Matt rolled his eyes. Great time to wear his usual snowboard gear. "None of my gear is tradeable. End of discussion. I have some gold pieces. Will that work?"
The trader shook his head. Lifting up a bag, he explained. "I have enough gold that I can retire! I'm looking for something…exotic! Something different! If you don't want to trade any of your stuff, I guess I'll be having that map back."
Matt's eye twitched angrily. "Not even a good word with Berserker Island to set up a trade route? That's not enough for you?"
"Hah! I'm an old man." The trader replied. "I'm done sailing. I let people come to me now."
Fuming, Matt dug into his pockets, feeling his gold burn his hand. He didn't have a lot, but since he was essentially the Skrill Master at Berserker Island, he didn't have to worry about being penniless. Then he felt something. His heart snapped as his hand wrapped around it, but he knew exactly what he could trade for the map.
"Wha…what about this…" He whispered, reluctantly showing him what was in his hand, being his knife.
"Eh…don't even know what it is to care about it."
Fishlegs gaped at him. "What? Matt! No! That's your-"
Matt flipped the blade out, cutting off Fishlegs. The trader's eyes lit up with awe as he gaped at the marvel.
"This for the map. And a few more things." Matt growled. "I can't replace this either, and I'm not going to just give it away."
The trader nodded in agreement as he took the knife and held it up. Fumbling with it, and with Matt showing him, he eventually folded it closed. "Deal."
Matt then reached over and swiped three daggers laying on the table, all with decorative ivory handles. Cycling each one to be held in his right hand, he tested their balance and weight.
The Trader gaped at Matt. "Now, hold on-"
"I'm giving you a one of kind weapon. There is no price to that. You can give me the three daggers, a hatchet, and a map for it." Matt barked, obviously ticked off at the deal. "Now, what say you? Hmm? Should I have my friend trace the map instead?"
The trader looked up at Fishlegs, who magically drew a piece of charcoal out as if it was planned. "Urgh…fine. It's a deal."
Matt then grabbed the only hatchet he could find. Fumbling with his load, he and Fishlegs walked away.
"Matt! Why'd you do that?!" Fishlegs asked, gaping at him with wide eyes.
"We needed the map. And he wasn't going to take anything else unless it was unique." He replied, trying to forget about it. "Besides, I can get other knives and daggers. Maybe not like that one, but something similar at least."
Frowning, Fishlegs looked up to see Hiccup and Snotlout talking to Trader Johann.
"Well, you make a trip pretty quick." Matt called out, seeing Johann laughing with Hiccup.
"Ah, Master Matt! I should have figured you wouldn't be too far from here!"
"Hey! What'd you get?" Hiccup asked, looking at Matt's personal arsenal and Fishlegs' map.
"Oh, some stuff." Matt replied with a somewhat forced smile. "Some new hatchets, a dagger…oh! And a map that was previously Viggo's."
Everyone gasped as Fishlegs revealed their purchase.
"How much did this cost you?"
"Nothing really…" Matt whispered.
"Only his knife. His personal one." Fishlegs announced. Seeing Matt's death glare, he quickly apologized. "Sorry! I just wanted them to know what you did to get it!"
"Your what?!" Snotlout shouted. "You got rid of the only thing that makes you useful."
"Never mind that I ride a Skrill. Or that I can still throw a hatchet." Matt fired back. "But yes. I traded my knife for all these things."
"Matt…you didn't have to-"
"Let's drop the subject okay?" He vented out angrily. "It's not helping me talk about it. Besides, it was mainly for the map. These things were additions."
"What's so special about the map then?" Snotlout replied with a smirk. "A guide to where to find the twins a brain each so they don't have to share?"
Fishlegs shook his head. "It's a map with all of Viggo's previous hideouts. Underground rivers, hidden oases, even old forts and dragon prisons!"
"Ooooh…I dare say, that is a rare find!" Johann chimed in, inspecting the map. "Unfortunate Viggo is dead and the Hunters long forgotten now."
"Except Darien…" Matt growled. "If she took over his empire, or what's left of it, she'll know some of these spots."
"Letting us finally learn where she is…" Hiccup finished, stroking his chin methodically.
"So that's what we found. Any luck on your end?" Matt asked, sliding the hatchet and two of the daggers into his duffle bag.
"Johann's helping us out, actually!" Hiccup replied with a smile. Then, a lot quieter, added. "Thanks, Matt. I know that was a sacrifice. I promise to make it up to you."
"Yeah, we'll see. I just want to find Darien. Then we can worry about getting me another knife." He replied, with a forced grin. "That, and I guess getting this stupid bounty off Heather."
"Speaking of which…did you learn anything in regards to her bounty?"
Playing with the third dagger, he shook his head. "Nothing. I haven't even seen her picture posted anywhere. Granted, I haven't been looking all that hard since I was trying to bargain for a map."
"Come on, we'll talk to people as we make our way to the other group." Hiccup replied, guiding him along the path. "Thanks, Johann! Let us know if you find anything else about Darien or any of the Hunters."
"Of course, Master Hiccup! It's been a pleasure to see you so soon as well!" He called out, waving goodbye to the Riders.
"What were you talking to him about anyways?" Matt asked as he playfully flipped the dagger in the air. It wasn't like his old knife, for obvious reasons, but he felt he could adapt with it.
Hiccup smiled as he flashed him a bluish silver looking chain. "He helped me with this. I thought it'd look good with the betrothal gift for Astrid."
Matt swiped the chain and observed it in more detail. "It'd compliment her very well, Hiccup. I like the blue hue to it. It'll make her eyes shine even more."
"Thanks, Matt." He replied sheepishly.
As the group continued on, with Snotlout talking about what he'd get for Astrid, and Fishlegs constantly bumping into other people due to his attention on the map, Matt saw something that caught his attention. A bounty poster board. Walking briskly over to a large sign with several papers nailed to it, he ran his finger over each paper as he scanned them.
"See her on here?" Hiccup asked aloud as he stood next to him.
"Not yet. I haven't even seen anything like her. She's not on here." He replied as he continued to scan it.
"Move aside, Haddock. I have an eye for her beauty." Snotlout cut in, pushing Matt away.
"Grr…" He growled, feeling his leg jolt with the stumble.
"Hmmm…no." Snotlout announced, tearing off the paper from the board. "No. No. Definitely not. That's a guy. And this isn't as pretty as her."
Each word resulted in a bounty being ripped away and tossed into the light sea breeze.
Looking at each other with annoyed expressions, Matt and Hiccup shook their heads.
"It's possible that her bounty was taken off. By another bounty hunter or by Savage." Fishlegs suggested.
"No. Savage said he got the bounty from a trader." Matt argued. "Unless he's lying to us. Which I guess Dagur will find out sooner than later after he questions him."
"Oooh…hello!"
The three turned to see Snotlout holding out one particular bounty. With a smitten expression, he flashed it to them. "Maybe I'll become a bounty hunter just for her!"
Matt frowned at the picture. It was a woman with very fair complexion. Since it was a charcoal drawing, knowing the color of hair and eyes is impossible to tell, save the small description box, which read: Green eyes and red hair. Usually wears a crown-like helmet. Leader of an island called the Wingmaiden's. Wanted alive.
"Atali?" Hiccup muttered, raising his eyebrow at the picture. "She doesn't look like the person you put a bounty on."
"Neither does Heather." Matt huffed, turning to walk past the board to some market guards. "If you find another one of Heather's bounty, let me know."
One of the guards noticed Matt walking to them, to which he silently squared up to him.
"Hey, does this bounty board have anyone watch over it? Like maintain it?" He asked, gesturing to the board behind him.
"Might have to. If your friend keeps tearing them off like that…" The guard growled, shaking his head at Snotlout's continued efforts in searching for Heather's bounty.
"So…no then?"
The guard nodded, resting his club on his shoulder.
"Great. You wouldn't happen to have seen other bounties like this one, have you?" At that, he flashed the picture of Heather to him, covering up the amount of gold so the guard wouldn't be tempted to look for her.
Studying it for a moment, he shook his head. The other two guards also looked at it, followed with the same answer.
Defeated, Matt was about to leave them, until one of the guards said. "To be fair, we haven't seen anyone at the bounty board for a couple of days now. Possibly weeks. It's been pretty quiet of recent."
"Really?" Even more confused, Matt folded up the paper as he pondered the news. "Thanks, sorry to bother you. I'll make sure my friend cleans up after his mess."
The guards all nodded, silently thanking him for making their lives a little easier.
"Hmm…I swear I looked at every single one." Snotlout replied, stumped at the fact he didn't see another one of Heather's.
"Forget it. Just clean up your mess. I promised the guards you would." Matt huffed, picking up some papers to help. "So, found out something. The bounty didn't originate here. It must've come from another island."
"The guards told you that?" Hiccup asked, also helping place the bounties back on the board.
"More or less. They said no one has really been at the board. Not like us at least. Which means these are older bounties."
"Mmm…I'm going to take my chance with this one." Snotlout called aloud, holding up Atali's bounty.
Shaking his head, Matt then started to make way to where Heather, Astrid and the twins were supposed to be.
Fishlegs kept on staring at the bounty in Snotlout's hands. Nodding slightly, he then turned to his map. "Hmm…Wingmaiden Island…where did I se-"
Suddenly, the sky lit up with two bright orange blasts, making Matt's blood freeze.
"Those're Stormfly's shots!" Hiccup shouted.
"Yeah, we can see that, genius! Come on!" Snotlout shouted, running past him.
Matt didn't wait for them, nor did he care. He was already sprinting up the path past the bewildered crowd. Activating his brace that Hiccup had built for him a long while back, he felt his leg stiffen up and the pain slowly die away.
The four continued to bolt through the crowd, all watching them with curious looks. As they neared the center of the market, they could see a large crowd of people circled around something.
"Outta' my way!" Matt roared, inserting himself in between people. Fighting to get through, he finally got into the open to see what was going on.
Heather, Astrid, and the twins were all back to back and surrounded by a dozen or more Hunters, with Barf and Belch collapsed on the ground nearby. There were quite a few other Hunters laying nearby, telling the story that they didn't fare as well facing the trapped Riders. Stormfly was pushed into a corner of a building by three more hunters, all holding spears to her, and Windshear was circling around two more that were keeping her away from her rider.
"Matt!" Heather shouted, seeing him push through into the clearing.
Matt didn't waste a moment. Seeing two Hunters with bows aiming at the surrounded Riders, he hurled the dagger in hand at one of them.
"Gah!" The Hunter cried in pain, feeling the blade enter his back.
Seeing his friend collapse, the second Hunter whirled around and drew a bead on Matt.
Running at him, Matt shoved off his foot to the left, and then planted his other foot down to push himself to the right while ducking down an imaginary obstacle. The movement flustered the Hunter, but lit Matt's leg up with the needle-like pain. The Hunter tried to hit the charging Rider as he loosed the arrow far to the right of Matt, since he over corrected in trying to shoot him. That was all Matt needed. Closing the gap between him and the Hunter, he superman tackled him to the ground.
The crowd all panicked, seeing the altercation escalate.
With the panicked screams and the dust kicked up from the tackle, Matt rolled with the Hunter who was trying to pin him. Gritting his teeth, he kept on rolling with him, keeping his inertia going. He'd be in a bad position if they ever stopped.
"Gah! Guess I have to do this myself!" A voice shouted, making Matt's blood freeze. He couldn't see, but he instantly recognized it. It was Zekir!
Gritting his teeth, he felt himself slowly overpowered by the man he was wrestling with. Finally getting pinned on his back, he glared at the Hunter who was sweating from the abnormal exercise. Unable to move his arms, being held by the Hunter, he did the next best thing.
"Knock, knock!" He roared, lifting and slamming his head into the Hunter's nose.
"Raaggghh!" He screeched in pain, letting go of Matt to cradle his now bleeding nose.
With his hands freed, he swung a right hook and caught the stunned Hunter in the side of his head, pushing him off. Rolling to his feet, he was grateful to see the Hunters all backing away to regroup.
"Get up!" Astrid shouted, grabbing him by his tunic and hefting him onto his feet.
"Urgh, thanks." He growled, slipping out his new hatchet he had traded. "What happened?"
"We were jumped! We were browsing around when Barf and Belch took a Dragon Root arrow!" She answered. "Not only that, but Zekir's here!"
"I heard him! Where is he?" He growled, scanning the group of Hunters.
"Don't know! Come on! We need to get out of here!"
Matt then turned and bolted with her, seeing Hiccup, Snotlout, and the twins up ahead. Heather and Fishlegs were right behind them, coaxing their dragons to help drag Barf and Belch away from the market.
Glancing back behind them, Matt saw the Hunters already charging after them, some even shooting a few arrows.
"Ragghh!" Astrid roared, swinging her axe to strike at an arrow that got to close for comfort. "Stormfly! Spine shot!"
Stormfly squawked angrily, spinning around and flinging her tail spines at such velocity that the air whistled as they sailed through the air.
The pursuing Hunters dove out of the way, with the few in the back getting drilled by the spines.
"Wasatch! Where're you!" Matt roared, turning to keep running with Astrid and Stormfly.
The answer was quick to come, as a lightning bolt struck near the array of Hunters.
A death defying screech ripped through the air, making even Matt's blood run cold. Wasatch surged above the fight, letting lightning radiate all over him. Taking a wide banking turn to line up for another shot.
"Take cover!" The Hunters roared while scrambling for anything to conceal themselves from the Skrill.
"Come on! Wasatch is buying us time!" Astrid roared, grabbing Matt's bag and pulling him along.
Matt wasted no time turning to run with her. As they fled from the market and the storm Wasatch was creating, it didn't take them long to catch up to Heather and Fishlegs, whose dragons were still towing Barf and Belch. The twins were helpful as ever, as they were blaming each other for what had happened.
"Are you guys alright?" Hiccup asked, seeing them run up with Stormfly.
"We're fine. How about Barf and Belch? How long until they're up in the air?" Matt pressed, ignoring the concern for them.
"If it's a standard Dragon Root arrow, they'll be down for hours." Fishlegs replied grimly, holding the arrow in his hand and inspecting it.
"Then we're stuck here until then." Heather growled, standing up from the downed dragon. Gasping, she shouted. "Matt, look out!"
"If you want it done right, you gotta' do it yourself!"
Matt felt himself get slammed from behind and face first in the ground.
"Zekir!" Astrid roared, holding her axe up and ready to cleave him in two.
Zekir ignored her, as he held his broadsword close to the back of Matt's neck. "…you have no idea how bad I want to do this…"
"Then what's stopping you?" Matt growled, unable to turn and face him.
"Darien. That's who! She wants you personally!" He snarled, looking up to face all the dragons and riders surrounding him. "Move one more inch on me and he's dead!" At that, he pressed the sword down against Matt's neck, cutting him slightly.
"Stop! Stop!" Hiccup shouted, dropping his sword and raising his hands. "Don't kill him!"
Reluctantly, every rider did the same while telling their dragons to back off.
"Come on!" Zekir growled, jerking Matt up onto his feet.
"Gah!" He grunted with his leg in pain.
"Zekir! It's me you want! Take me instead!" Heather cried out, stepping forward with her hands raised. "I'm right here!"
"I know I bought you as a slave a year ago…" He growled, grabbing Matt in a chokehold. "But I don't care about you. No one does! I only care about bringing this piece of garbage to Darien…"
Everyone's face twisted in confusion at the claim.
"Why? Did you think you were valuable? That you could negotiate who gets taken?" He chortled, smirking at them. "You never fought someone like me. I'm not like my father, Strogg. I go for who I want and don't beat around the bush! Ask Ukiah. I never toyed with him, and I made his life hell!"
Hiccup's face darkened at the subject. It was still a subject close to their hearts. The fact he took Ukiah's arm and killed Arrow the first Sand Wraith.
"Then why did you put a bounty on me?!" Heather roared.
Zekir simply stared at her, confused at the claim. "I…I would never put a bounty on you. I'd just take you if I wanted! If someone put a bounty on you, it wasn't me or Darien."
Heather's face paled. She had no bargaining power for Matt. That, and the fact that someone else was after her.
"Now I think we talked long enough." Zekir growled, pulling Matt back. "Come on, kid. Darien wants a word with you!"
"Urgh! Yeah! Great!" Matt growled, fighting to pry Zekir's arm away from his throat. With his free arm, he shot his elbow into Zekir's side, only to feel it connect to his iron chest plate.
"That's it!"
Matt's world was rocked as Zekir brought the pummel of the sword down into the back of his head. Even though he wasn't unconscious, he wasn't able to fight him.
"I promise! One move from any of you, and he's dead!" Zekir roared, dragging Matt back towards the market with the sword held close to him.
Hiccup wracked his mind. He had to get Matt away from Zekir! And fast! Then, he saw his answer. Creeping through the trees, as if stalking Zekir, was Toothless! Zekir was backing straight into him!
Getting his attention, he sent a hand signal to his dragon.
Toothless simply nodded, almost grinning at the command. Staring at Zekir, he then began to charge a small plasma blast.
Hearing the high pitch scream-like noise behind him, Zekir whirled around just in time to see Toothless fire at him.
"Garrghh!" He roared in pain as his sword was blasted out of his hand. Though he kept his grip on Matt, he now had no threat on him.
"That's the thing, Zekir. You haven't dealt with us before." Hiccup yelled, snatching up his sword and charging after him. All the Riders did the same, with Heather and Astrid running right next to Hiccup.
Zekir grit his teeth as he shoved Matt into Hiccup. Leaping back, he drew his second sword strapped to his back, being his longsword. Not even caring about Heather and Astrid who were closing in on him, he spun around and slashed at Toothless.
Seeing him just a tad too late, Toothless leaped to the right, only catching the tip of the sword down his front left leg.
"Toothless!" Hiccup screamed in a panic at seeing his dragon get cut.
The action even caught Astrid and Heather of- guard, who momentarily froze at the sight. He was supposed to focus on them!
Zekir then surged through the brush and trees, heading back to the market and knowing it was a fool's errand to stay and fight.
Shaking her head, Heather was about to charge after him, but was stopped by Astrid.
"Let him go! If we go after him, we'll just be running into his men!"
Gripping her axe, she reluctantly agreed. Sighing, she turned to see Matt sitting up and holding his head. Fishlegs was already there trying to help him. Hiccup was with Toothless, inspecting the slash and
Astrid quickly walked up to Hiccup, kneeling down to help him take care of the wound.
"Thankfully, it's not deeper than the slash the Razorwhip gave him back in the dragon fighting pit." He whispered, obviously relieved that it wasn't serious. "I'll patch it up while we wait for Barf and Belch to recover."
Astrid nodded, grateful it wasn't serious. What a nightmare. It was like a flip of switch and suddenly they were already back in a war with the remaining Hunters. Shaking her head, she turned to see Heather helping Matt stand, all while inspecting his head to check for any blood. Turning back to Hiccup with a worried expression, she whispered. "And what's worse? We still have no idea who wants Heather. Or why…"
Hiccup let out a long sigh. "I'll add to the worse of it too. Whoever it is, they aren't working with Darien or Zekir. We have two enemies we're fighting, and we don't know where any of them are."
Whelp! There you go! Finally finished the chapter. Hope it was enjoyable! If anyone was wondering, the story will include moments from Season 5 and 6.