The journey to Viggo had been a quiet one.

When the ship had finally arrived to pick the young hunter up, there was no wasting time as the crew quickly confirmed who he was and took him with them. The captain whom had recently accompanied Farran was left to attend his duties once more and yet despite being surrounded by a fair few hunters, the young hunter experienced something he had not expected to feel, especially with everything he had been through since Rykers failed invasion. Loneliness. An odd thing to feel when he should have felt more positive emotions, but for whatever reason the crew seemed distant not only to him, but each other.

So far, Farran had spotted at least twelve members of the crew. The number was enough to keep the ship up and running but it seemed strange that there would be so few on what was essentially a defensive ship. Unlike the normal talkative sailors that Farran had known on the other vessels, these ones did not speak a word. Not to him or each other. Not even to order each other around. All they did was perform the necessary tasks needed to keep the ship at its current speed. To the hunter, this told him that these men were either very well disciplined or were fearful of their captain, who Farran had not met. Other than this odd behaviour, they looked and seemed like the normal everyday hunters he was used to. The same could be said about the ship too.

As stated earlier, it was a defence-class vessel. Its sleek design and lack of the support deck which usually hung on the side of standard hunter ships showed that it was designed with the intent for speed while still remaining a dangerous ship. Its armament consisted of two arrow launchers and two catapults that had been tied down with rope. Its small height suggested that the ship lacked a cargo deck for carrying dragons and imagining that crew quarters existed, it would have been either merged or built next to the armoury. All and all, it was a powerful vessel. Yet even with its impressive speed it still took two days for it to retrieve and escort its objective (Farran). One day to arrive at the hunter shipping docks and another to return to Viggo.

When they arrived at Viggos island it was night, but from what Farran could tell the island was mostly made up of tall rocky hills that surrounded the land mass inside. At least that was what he had expected upon seeing the land even from a distance. The only way to dock was to go through a tunnel that cut straight into the rock and out the other side, though whether it was a natural formation or man-made was hard to tell. The hunter was surprised with how easily the crew could navigate the waters despite having to suffer minimal light and tight quarters. Obviously they had done this many times before. About halfway through the tunnel, a light could be seen as they made a sharp left and upon getting closer noticed a docking area made up of both stone and wood that led to a flight of stairs travelling upwards, likely to the surface. This is where the ship finally stopped and came to rest.

Once it was tied to the docks, Farran found himself escorted by two of the silent sailors up the stairs and through a narrow cavern that looked as though it stretched on forever. After ten minutes of walking through it, Farran was once more exposed to the moonlight as well as dense grasslands and dozens of cages, some housing dragons while others didn't. The hunter ignored the snarls and pained howls from them and marched forwards until he arrived into a more open area of the island, apparently the centre of it. In it was only a single pathway that coiled round the area until it formed a small flat mass of ground in the very middle, big enough for a tent to be pitched. And indeed there was one, the same size as Rykers. It was quite clear who it belonged to.

Steeling himself, the young recruit walked the path. It didn't take long until he reached the tents entrance. He slowly raised his hand to knock, but before his hand touched the wooden support...

"Enter." Called a calm collected voice from within.

The voice caught Farran by surprise. It did not sound anywhere near as rough or commanding as Rykers was. Choosing not to waste time thinking about it, the hunter entered.

Where the outside had been freezing cold, the inside of the tent was blissfully warm thanks to the single lantern that hung down in the middle. The rim of the tent was covered with barrels and chests containing what only the Gods knew. Behind it was a small arming station made up of several axes. Sitting on top of it was the skull of a dragon Farran was unfamiliar with. And in the middle was a table. One his side was an empty chair while on the other side sat...

"Welcome Farran. I trust your journey was a pleasant one?"

There he was. The leader of the dragon hunters himself, sitting right there mere feet away from the young hunter. The man was nothing like Farran had expected to appear or act. Given the few intimidated hunters that spoke tales of knowing and seeing Viggo he had expected a giant of a man with the heart and compassion the size of a grain of sand. Now seeing the legendary hunter with his own eyes, the opposite was true! Viggo did not carry the same hefty muscles that Ryker or his men did and other than what seemed to be claw marks that covered the sides of his neck he seemed not so ferocious or dangerous. Of course, looks can always be deceiving. His manner and behaviour was more in relation to a friendly neighbour rather than a cold blooded dictator like so many stories would have you believe. For a few moments Farran wasn't even entirely sure if this person really was Viggo. Nevertheless, he answered the question.

"It was, thank you." He bowed respectfully.

"Good good. I'm glad to hear that. Come, sit down."

Farran did exactly that and sat down on the only other chair in the room. Viggo nodded to the hunters by the tents entrance and watched as they left the two all alone. The young hunter could see the nearly non-existent smile on his face.

"You know most hunters that join my business do so with the intent to make easy money or an easy life. People who carry that sort of mindset often don't progress to reap the rewards of a higher calling, nor do they amount to anything of worth nor effect. But for those who join with the goal of say, exacting vengeance against dragons can prove to be a useful tool if given the right job, would you agree?"

"I suppose..." Farran paused. "Metaphorically speaking."

Viggo chuckled barely. "Allow me to cut to the chase. I am prepared to reward you handsomely for the crucial information you carry, should it be true. My hunters, while simple minded and lacking of ambition are still loyal to me and my cause, especially given the right, shall we say, motivation. So to hear of even one traitor, specifically one with much power and potential resting among my hunters ranks is really quite upsetting."

Farran open his mouth to speak but before he could, Viggo silenced him by the gentle wave of his hand.

"Yes, I am aware that you have no interest in being awarded. I know well you'd rather see the downfall of dragon kind after having your own village burned to nothingness by the ruthless beasts and see Viking prowess triumph over such an opposing threat. Is that not right?" The man grinned, taking in the surprised look on Farrans face, knowing well enough that he wasn't wrong.

"That it is." The young hunter admitted after a few seconds of stunned silence. "You know my intentions?"

Viggo stood up from his own chair. The smile while still friendly on the outside warned of venomous words and thoughts within. To any, despite how reassuring it may have seemed, housed another intent entirely.

"I make it to know everything about anyone who so happens to catch my eye. For example, your letter was all the persuasion I needed to check your background." Viggo paused for a second. "Now then, enough pleasantries. Please, enlighten me with this valuable information you have to share. A piece of parchment can only offer such limited value, but here face to face, we have all the time in the world."

Farran did not waste time. He listed every single detail that he could remember, including even the details of the riders base when Viggo asked. Even when he gave his leader every minute analysis from his mind he found himself being questioned on everything up to the point where he was repeating him. Unlike the captain from the Swift Arrow, Viggo was understandingly more demanding when it came to scooping up every last bit of information. After perhaps an hour of this, Viggo had decided that he had stripped everything valuable from the hunters mind and relaxed, no longer staring down at him like a vulture would its dying prey. The experienced hunter took his seat yet again and thought in silence. After a while he turned back to Farran and gently clapped his hands together.

"Well that is quite the dilemma. And even more unfortunate that even my own brother has failed to notice what's right under his own nose, a matter that will need to be resolved at a later date. For now however, we must act while there is time."

Farran nodded in agreement. "What would you have me do?"

"The only thing that is expected as of this time."

"Which is...?"

Viggo stood up and walked on over, past Farran and to the entrance of the tent. He didn't say a word as he walked out but it was obvious from his manner and general movement that Farran was to follow him. The young hunter rose from his chair and exited the tent at once. The two walked together along the coiled pathway and continued their conversation.

"Do you remember the ship you arrived on earlier today?"

"I do, yes."

"Good. Then you won't mind telling me a bit about it?"

Farran gave a bit of thought as he tried to remember what details he could. "It's a ship designed for speed which limits how many hits it can take before sinking, yet equipped with a strong enough armament to make it easy to defend against dragon packs and other ships. When I was onboard it the ship was travelling at roughly seven knots with favourable wind. Unfortunately the only faults that caught my eye was the lack of the captain and the ships name. An unusual circumstance given the other ships I've had the pleasure of working on."

Viggo nodded and waited for Farran to continue.

"Yet even with the lacking structure of command, the crew were well disciplined. They tended to the ships needs without a more experience sailor giving orders. A rare case I must admit. From what I could tell there are only two decks. The one below houses the crews quarters and armoury, or at least I would assume given the nature of the ships purpose. It's also limited to a crew between ten to as many as twenty two."

Farran finished his observation and waited to hear the reason why his commander had asked him for details about a single vessel out of the hundreds that made up his fleet. It was an odd request but certainly not without reason.

"Impressive. You know your ships I'll give you that." Viggo mused. "But yes, as you so kindly stated it does lack authority. A weakness that our enemies could exploit, which is why I think that you would be a suitable candidate for the role, wouldn't you agree?"

The young hunter almost tripped over his own feet as the words sunk in. Had he heard right? He had expected something a bit simpler like a new weapon or at the most a hunt for a rare dragon. But being offered a whole ship? Even for uncovering a traitor like Heather, such a reward was far too generous! Perhaps this was another test like with the dragons duel? He had never 'technically' been in a position to lead others which only put more pressure on him. He felt himself more the kind of person to receive orders than give them. It was hard for him to even tell what emotions he was supposed to feel at such an announcement. Happiness? Worry? Curiosity? A mixture of all three? Whatever the case the young hunter was unable to keep his silence on the matter.

"It is... quite an honor." He answered. "I'm just unsure why you would give the role of command to one so lacking of experience?"

"Lacking of experience?" Viggo asked amused, not bothering to look back. "There is no need to be so modest my dear hunter. You have after all spent a fair portion of your life at sea, both in and out of my business. That alone is enough experience to put you above most of my hunters here. Besides, it helps to have a focused mind to stem the flow of chaos that many Vikings seem to lack."

Viggo was right. Farran had indeed spent a good portion of his life at sea, though most of it limited to travelling and fishing. Still, he had managed to pick up on many useful tips and skills along the way. But in his mind, a leader needed more than careful eyes and a few tricks. While Viggo had simply handed him the biggest offer he had ever received he still wasn't convinced on taking up such a sudden and immense responsibility.

"Even so, I do not know whether I am capable of going from a sailor to a captain so quickly."

Viggo chuckled. "I don't plan to hand my ship over to you JUST yet, if that's what you're so worried about. I merely stated that you would be a suitable candidate, nothing more. If you want it, you're still going to have to earn it. Which is why you'll be staying here for a couple of weeks I'm sure you understand. Just a few tests to make sure you truly are worthy of your own ship. I look forward to the results, either way."

Viggos words calmed Farran a little. He had no trouble staying here, that was easy. The only problem was the one he had come here for in the first place. The hunter hesitated for a second but managed to voice his concern.

"I understand. Though what of the traitor?"

"Well if she's the headstrong fighter you claim that she is well, that's easy. All we need to do is bait her into staying within our reach before striking."

"How?" Farran couldn't help but ask. Viggos cruel smile returned.

"Simple. I'll introduce myself to her."