Chapter 5 Trapping the mind II: pride
\/—•—\/
"He is what?" Yelled one imposing figure. In front of him stood a group of five Viking in different outfits- those who abandoned their trapped comrade on the island. The five were all fierce Viking warrior, best of their tribe, but they all shivered in fear, cold sweat dripping off their neck. The man in front of them was a mountain. The captain's quarter was spacious on this ship, as it was of Headless fabrication, capable of holding at least ten people, along with a huge table covered by one gigantic map of the Archipelago and beyond. But his sole presence managed to convey the feeling of oppression.
His imposing height forced him to keep his head bent at all times, and, from time to time, he reached up with his massive hand, scarred and rough from multiple combats against all kinds of opponents, to massage his sore neck. He wore a dark brown armor that constituted of several articulated thick metal plates that protected his abdomen, torso, and back, sliding smoothly against each other when he moved. The rest of his body was covered by a dark brown, hide like material: Headless soft armor. Only this time, the rivets and metal lines on the arms and legs were in reflecting gold off the torches bent to the walls. His outfit was completed by his two-shoulder pad: two catastrophic-quaken jaws that he had personally hunted and slew himself on Dark Deep.
"He was killed by a trap, commander," said a member of the Nighheim tribe, voice higher than usual.
"Detail" The commander growled, anger distorted his face, the rictus made the small pair of parallel scars that run from his chin to his neck dance. His black eyes shone with menace. The other Viking squeaked before adding hastily
"We were inspecting some sort of spyglass on this island. "he pointed on the map.
"He asked us to have a look around and we parted our way in the forest. We heard a loud snap and scream, and we rushed back, to find him nailed to the group a by trap." He swallowed nervously
"We tried to retrieve him but when we heard a dragon approaching, we ran."
"What type of dragon was it?"
"I don't know for sure, all black, slim form, huge wings, four-legged, and head in the shape of a triangle." The commander leaned in close and stare at the NightHeim member intensely. The poor Viking had the vivid impression that he was being stared down by a ferocious dragon. After holding his gaze for an uncomfortably long time, the commander uttered these words.
"It was a Night Fury. And I'll go retrieve the body because you're a bunch of incompetent yak head. I want you all to remember one thing. "He looked at all the five members. "You may come from different tribes, but, in here, you are all brothers for a bigger cause then your small people disparities. And we don't leave a brother behind. So, you will pay your respect to him in front of the body. Am I understood?" The sudden relief hit all of them like waves. They nodded frenetically, content to not be punished more. Even if they didn't understand what the bigger cause was, the commander's words managed to lit a spark of guilt in them.
"Good" the commander added "now get out of my sight "he ordered, quickly followed by a rumbling of five Viking rushing toward the door. He passed his hand in his middle length, grey hair, trying to restore some order in those, in vain. Maybe I should get some of that oil he uses, he thought to himself. He reached for, turned right at the end of the hallway to access the private areas of the ship. He stood before a dark wooden door and knocked. Shortly, the door slid into the wall. The commander stepped in the room; the door slid back in position silently behind his back.
He was greeted by a tall, thought a head shorter than him, and slim figure. The man wore the Headless soft armor as well, only this time, the rivets were incrusted with a dark, shiny gemstone. Everything about this man was perfect. From his golden hair, trimmed perfectly short, to his pale grey ensemble, a short-sleeved vest that was prolonged with two pieces of fabrics, circling around his leg expect for the inside, and were joint slightly below his waist. It was made out of precious, exotic material, sliding the faint light in the room, without a single fold. He was like the royalty from the distant mainland, offering a net different image than the traditional Viking. Eyeing the visitor, he raised a cup and took a sip out of it. His gesture was calculated to be perfect. He said in a soft, nasal voice "The reasons for your visit are numerous and all share a common link: me. Therefore, I wonder what in my range of ability can satisfy your inquiry?" The commander grumbled
"Can you stop talking funny, princess? Would concise and quick kill you?"
"If my rhetorical expression accommodates you, I can only offer my apologies "the man answered and didn't bulge at the tease.
"There it is" the other man growled "words with too many syllables. Anyway, two things."
"Details your wishes"
"First, give me some of that oil you use to keep your hair in order"
"Past events illustrated your neat refusal of said product. I wander the explication behind the sudden urge of its property"
"Unlike you, princess, my hair tends to brush against the celling very often. Sometimes, I wonder if your point of differentiation is being a girl." The commander chuckled, but his interlocutor's eyes narrowed.
"Do you confirm your speculations "he scowled
"Of course not, I kind of like having you around, my little princess, as the fight would be too easy but, I really hope it's not something as simple as this."
"I can return the same observation, after all, what sets you apart, other than your strength, Magnus? And as a matter of fact, confidence is a good trait to have, but don't let it evolve into a blinding one, such as pride. In addition, as a matter of fact, I managed to hold my ground for half a lantern against him."
Magnus, the commander, grinned "You're in dangerous water, Eir, and I also stood half a lantern. I wonder what his point of differentiation though, after all, he's the best, man moves like a shadow."
Eir nodded at the statement "He has integrally morphed into one."
"Anyway, I asking you to come with to a certain island, we have matters to attend." By the time Magnus finished, Eir was already at the door, having moved around the table with feline grace. And to his big surprise, the commander found a small bottle in his hand.
"What is delaying our departure?" Eir asked,
"Shouldn't we report to Tyrad before going," Magnus asked
"He left specific instruction." Eir smiled smugly. Magnus frowned but followed the other Headless warrior in the corridor.
"Fill me up on the way" The two Headless emerged on the deck, and around, a good number of ships of various size and design were docked around, connected with wooden planks. But the boat they were on was unique. Bigger, two mats, and the deck were layered with diverse mechanical weapons, from ballista and catapult to more unique instruments destruction. Eir marched towards two men leaned against one of the mats and spoke.
"Einar, Ulrik, would you please follow me."
•—0—•
When the four Viking accosted the island, they immediately split up. After some wandering along the shore, Eir noticed something wrong with the water. When they scoured through the traps, realizing that it was only a cage trap and no traces of blood, Magnus scowled that he was being lied to. Eyeing at Eir to get some privacy, the other Headless just chuckled lightly
"Your worries are unfounded, they know" gesturing Einar and Ulrik. Magnus grumbled reluctantly and said
"Then we should scout the other two islands as well" But Eir said "
There is no need" before leading them to the spot he was before. Surprised draw on Magnus's face when everything clicked
"He's officially crazy" Smugly, Eir disagreed
"I'm afraid that he previously dissected and understood the cognitive pattern of the target, and thus, knew the integrity of the risks he faced." To the confused faces of Einar and Ulrik, Magnus sighed
"Don't worry, he is always like this, and before you ask, there is no need to search the other two islands in this cluster, because" He pointed out in the horizon "They are here." In the water, aligned with Magnus' arm, a single, broken line of bright blue substances broke the sea's surface. It was short, but further out at sea, a good eye could spot the same pattern. Flightmare algae.
\/—•—\/
Shadows started to lengthen before completely disappearing as the silver light replaced the golden one. Astrid told Hiccup that she was leaving. He answered by a nod and safe words as the blond Viking hoped on Stormfly. Finally, Hiccup broke the silence between him and Grim. "So, anymore you want to share?" He asked "You want to earn our trust, this is how"
The other one grinned at him "Fair point" He paused "Let's start by the switching island move, smart but won't be effective very long."
"How's that?"
"Because they will know about this island, sooner or later "Grim growled "You think Tyrad didn't attend the battle?"
"Well, I didn't see anyone important when the ship sunk" Hiccup replied, his lost sarcasm coming back.
"And these thoughts would get you killed. He is always watching" Grim insisted "studying, at the limit where light meets the shadow, where no one ever looks. And when he finds out, he would not hesitate to send assassins on you. The Nightheim tribe is a perfect choice, for starters."
"You should consider a carrier change, like poet. And what's the main course?" Hiccup sassed Grim sighted at the reply
"I really hope sarcasm isn't your last defense." he though a bit before saying "two days, at most two days before they find about this island. And when they find out about our little safe haven, it will quickly turn to Hel."
"So, what do you suggest? We lay some traps?" Grim grinned at the request
"Now we're talking. Do you have something to draw?" Hiccup went to his hut and fetched some paper and a charcoal stick and handed them to Grim. "What materials do you have here?" The prisoner asked.
"Some gears, switches, a lot of ropes "Hiccup answered, hand caressing Toothless' head, resting on his lap.
"How longs are the ropes?"
"Between five and forty steps, and it can be trimmed."
"So," Grim smiled " how do you want your traps ?"
"Not burned, with sauce and the side, "Hiccup said, receiving a sight from the prisoner "On a more serious tone, what do you mean by that?"
"Kill trap or alarms?"
"Alarms, but I want it silent," Hiccup ordered
"Of course," Grim answered before starting sketching on the piece of paper. It took some time because his hand was still tied but when he finished, Grim handed the paper to Hiccup, who has accepted it reluctantly. Hiccup scrutinized the layout of the trap on the paper, before raising an interrogative look upon Grim.
"I get it" he sighed "You still don't trust me. I wonder what I have to do, because, I really want to take revenge." "
No, it's not that," Hiccup argued, but was promptly cut off
"I'll get some sleep, and tomorrow, I will lay one out in front of you to show that it is functional." Yawned Grim before promptly laying down on the ground, his tied hands didn't seem to bother him. Fishleg emerged from his small hut and went to sit beside Hiccup.
"What's wrong?" Asked the husky Viking
"Well, Grim seemed pretty genuine about helping us. He even drew some plans for traps" He handed the plans to Fishleg "But I can't trust him fully."
"What part of him don't you trust?"
" He's" Hiccup hesitated " too eager, to helpful. He didn't fight, he didn't yell, he just came to us."
"Yeah, it's true, but it's not something so abnormal. Maybe he really thought that you are going to kill him straight away."
"Of course not, I'm not like this" Hiccup responded firmly.
"I know, but he didn't. By the way, the plans look functional. But I will still need to see how it is laid out."
"Maybe." Hiccup answered " He said that tomorrow, he will demonstrate it. I just hope I make the right decision. What if I'm wrong and all of is a trap ?" Worry tainted through the auburn Viking's voice.
"Hiccup," the blond Viking said firmly. "You are our leader for one specific reason: you care for us more than you care about yourself. This is what makes you second guess your decision because you will fear that it will harm us, but upon all the decisions you make, it's bound that some of them will be bad ones. You just have to know that we are grateful for the right ones, and we are here to support you for the bad ones. What matters is you make the ones that you feel are right, because, it will be the ones that are right for us."
An honest, heartfelt, genuine smile drew on Hiccup's face at the words. It was more than some simple speech, it was an act of complete, almost blind trust.
"Wow, I didn't know you have it in you Fishleg. thank you," he said profoundly
"Now you do "The blond Viking smiled.
"Can I ask you a favor?" Hiccup cut off?
"Of course, but why?" Fishleg was surprised by the request.
"I know that I might be your chief, but I know that my judgment isn't always perfect, but my position among the tribes just makes the others follow through, even if it's wrong. So I want you to stop me when this situation happens when my decision would cause more harm than good. Don't be intimidated, stop me. I trust you."
Fishleg raised his hand to Hiccup's shoulder "Of course, Hiccup, of course. So "he added more cheerfully "do you want me to watch over our prisoner when you get some rest?"
"Thank you, but no."
"You know, as your friend, it is also our duty to remind you that you aren't neglecting yourself for us. "He rose" If you're feeling tired, come get me" Fishleg parted, feeding some pebbles to Meatlug who had been woken by the conversation between the two friends. On the ground, rolled on his side, back facing the conversing pair, Grim silently fetched out a small book hidden in a pocket below his torso and scribbled a few words on it before putting it back in its shelter.
The next morning, Hiccup sent Fishleg, Snotlout, and the twins to take over Astrid's positions on the lookouts, entrusting the husky Viking with the task of making sure nothing happened to the most troublesome elements of the group. When the blue and golden Nadder landed in the clearing, Hiccup informed her rider of the traps. Immediately, Astrid battered away any sign of exhaustion. Leaving on foot, they followed Grim into the forest, but not before Grim made a loop with the longest cord and tied a rock to it.
"You take your longest piece of cords and you go straight away from the camp, slowly extending unwrapping the cord. You can stop earlier, but you cannot go further than the length of the rope. It works better with a single piece." Grim explained Astrid, where traps and tactics are her areas of expertise in her Shield Maiden training, asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"What's the point of this cord then?"
"It acts as the chain between the trigger and the alarm," Grim said, as he reached the end of the long rope that he was laying on the ground since their departure. He then reached for a couple of metal pins and planted in the ground, three on one side, one on the other before stretching a rope between them. He roughly covered it with some leaves and branches. It was hidden but couldn't resist to an acute warrior scouting for traps. The two dragon riders were suspicious at the whole act but gave him the benefit of the doubt.
Grim then tended another cord in an arc behind the 'trap' and this time, he connected it with a rock that's was suspended in midair. Tugging on the rope, the rock fell, without much noise. Grim added a couple of granites and large pebble underneath, and tested it again, satisfied at the unmistakable dry sounds it produced. He repeated the contraptions at various chock point, and soon, the north side of the very small island was entirely laid out. Grim handed the last rope, almost as long as the first one, to Astrid and asked
"Trim it" The young women, startled by the blunt request, replied
" What ?"
" Make it as thin as you can without breaking it. I would have done it myself but I doubt that you would have handed me a weapon." Reluctantly, she sat on a nearby rope and started working on it with her axe. When she was done, the cords were as thin as a small twig and Grim took it from her hand and attached it to trees around the whole area, this time, surprisingly, at chest high. The trio then returns to their first location, where Grim connected the other end with the cord laid on the ground. He then tossed the latter on a tree. At this strange image, Hiccup asked
"Care to explain all this?" He gestured the ground, them the air. Grim answered with a small laugh
"Patience. This is the most efficient trap possible."
"How's that?"
"Well, imagine that an experienced warrior came through here. He doesn't if know there are traps or not, but he will be alert. He sees this" Gesturing the first, not so hidden pins and cord " He may think it's a trap, but he also would suspect that it is a bait." Hiccup nodded indicating that he's following. "Then, he will look around, still suspicious" Grim continued "and when he will find this trap" he pointed at the rock "That will confirm his suspicions, that the previous one was a bait. Of course, he will feel successful, they are all the same, according to the ratios, because they were able to outthink you. They might disable it, or not, but the point is he will think that is clear, no more trap. Hence this rope" He pointed at the thin cord, hung chest high is the hidden trigger. The whole point is that there is just the right amount of tension in the rope that it will snap at any slight pressures on it. It will release the chain and the lever will pull up. Alarm. And this has effectively trapped our poor Viking's mind as he will believe that he has bested you. "
Grim turned around, facing the rope that had traced their path." And now, the last step" said him "is on the way back, wrap this rope around trees to assure that there is enough tension. If done correctly, the rock that I first tied should be in the air. Let's head back. "Hiccup and Astrid followed Grim on the way back, noticing how he thoughtfully hid the rope in the densest part of the foliage. Arrived back at camp, they found the rock in the air, just as Grim said. "So" he proposed "I will do the south side while you two traps east and west."
"No, I'm staying with you. "Hiccup said firmly
"You still don't trust me, don't you? What I have to do in order to earn your trust. What happened to the optimistic Viking?"
"Wait..." Hiccup was set off by Grim's words but Astrid cut in
"It's okay, you can do the south side" her suggestion was welcomed by a nod of Grim, who quickly set up the necessary and vanished into the forest. When Hiccup was sure that the prisoner was out of earshot, he asked Astrid
"You trust him, don't you?" His tone was neutral
"Well, I think that the trap he built is really clever, I mean, who thinks like that, I'll be fooled" she admitted, "What's wrong with him in your view."
"I agree that the trap is impressive, but he seems too eager to help us, you know "Hiccup looked up, emerald meet sapphire.
"I know babe, but sometimes, betrayal can make a man ache for revenge. "she said "and look broken. So, I think he's more or less trustworthy and watching you overthink everything exhaust you, and that worries me."
"Alright, I trust you Milady" Hiccup smiled, that genuine smile that she could never get enough. Astrid gasped when he pulled her into a soft kiss, but Hiccup wasn't going to get away that easily, she thought, so she returned the kiss with ardor and fervor, leaving the two of them breathless.
"If this is what overthinking gets me, I would do it more often." Hiccup sassed, earning him a solid jab in the shoulder. They resolved to concentrate on their task, and soon, they parted in opposite directions. The rest of the day was uneventful, and with the addition of a prisoner, the preplanned patrol schedule had to be discarded. Hiccup relieved the four Viking on lookout and took their place, alone, by dust. Back in the camp, Astrid and the twins were chatting on night watch while Grim lied on the floor, dozing off in sleep.
Even with traps that were highly effective in Astrid's judgment, Hiccup insisted that the prisoner should be guarded. Oblivious to all of them, a small boat accosted the east beach of the island. The two figures, one feline and massive traveled with ease and silence upon the forest ground. They quickly located the barely hidden " bait" rope on the ground. Kneeling, the slim one counted the pins holding it and said: " The south side is safe, tell them to bring the materials."
