Sarash nodded knowing all too well what the hunter in front of him spoke of before sharing what he knew.
"Destro took several from my little workshop, yes... All of them designed for the same purpose..."
"And what purpose would that be?" Farran inquired.
The long bodied man gestured for the hunter to follow him deeper into the workshop where he showed Farran an old desk with several sketches of barrels and what resided inside. From what the hunter could tell it looked like some kind of powder wrapped in a strange material with a length of rope tucked in at the top. The young captain couldn't make sense of the device but it was clear it held the answer to his question.
"This is an old design, but one that can give promising results if made properly..." Sarash smiled wickedly.
"What is it?" The young captain couldn't help but ask as his eyes remained glued to the image.
"I call it an ocean burrower." The inventor basically gleamed. "I created it as a means to force those irritating tidal class dragons from deep waters to the surface, depending on the size of the fuse of course... And unfortunately there are those more barbaric that prefer to use my beloved creation as another form of ammunition for their catapults against warships, the simple minded fools..." Sarash growled at the thought. "Needless to say I now only supply these particular barrels to a select few commanders and unfortunately for you, Destro is one of them..."
"Unfortunate indeed." Farran repeated. "And what if I told you that Destro used some of these barrels to force a particular dragon to attack my ship? Is it not clear that he has no intention to use them for the purpose you intended? To be used against dragons and not your fellow vikings?"
Sarash mumbled and stroked his chin in thought. Hunters attacking other hunters with his own weapons would put him in an uncomfortable position and he knew it. The inventor decided to scavenge for more information. "That is indeed infuriating... but it's your word against his I'm afraid, and Destro has always fairly compensated me for my troubles. Unless you have proof of these claims?"
"Would having my ship torn apart by an angry tidal class dragon count?" The hunter countered.
"What kind of tidal class? Scauldron? Thunderdrum? The most common of ocean beasts is not enough to turn my head young hunter..."
"How about a grappler?"
The name seemed to be enough for Sarash to take a further interest in the subject. "A grappler you say...? Hmm... Those shelled abominations often prefer to keep to the sea floor... For one to breach the surface would be a worthy feat, and something my ocean burrowers are certainly capable of... interesting... But I doubt you would stroll all the way up here with such claims without proof now would you?"
Farran nodded. "Indeed not. The claw of the beast should be ready to unload from my ship soon. If I show you it, you will reconsider supplying Destro and his crew?"
"Indeed... I would also add a request if you'd be willing to hear an old man out..."
"I'm listening."
"If you are able to deliver me a few scraps of the arm, shell and flesh, I'll be willing to offer you Destro's supply of ocean burrowers..."
Farran raised an eyebrow at this. "You would do that for dead dragon flesh? Why?"
"For the flesh, it would be beneficial to see what dragons would react to it... We may be capable of enticing dragon traps with better bait with the right knowledge and testing... As for the shell well, armor is welcome in many shapes and forms..."
Farran seemed satisfied with the answer. Not to mention a few of Sarash's ocean burrowers may become useful in the right situation. At least he would use it against dragons rather than trader ships. "Very well then. My men can handle that. They'll deliver what they can before days end." The hunter began to leave the workshop.
"Oh, and one more thing I should point out..." Sarash quickly spoke up, halting Farran in his tracks. The hunter turned his head.
"Yes?"
"Once Destro is aware of his lack of supplies, it is highly likely that he'll be coming for you... I'd watch your back young one..."
"I should say the same to you. You accepted the deal."
"True, but Viggo won't take to kindly to the death of his most trusted researcher... you on the other hand..."
Sarash was telling a bitter truth and Farran was well aware what it implied.
"Destro is a brute. He focuses on destroying his opponents as quickly as possible with a lack of tactical strategy. I'll handle and deal with whatever is thrown my way."
"Of course... Be well..."
With those parting words, the hunter left the old man to continue dabbling with his experiments. Right now Farran had to switch from his issues with Destro to planning the demise of a particular raven haired dragon rider.
./././././././././././././.
For Heather the last few days had proven challenging. Settling down at Dragons edge had felt more like a trial by fire thanks to Windshears overprotective streak, and the ongoing nadder migration hadn't made things any easier. Had it not been for Fishlegs, his ingenuity and the hunter ambush, she would have most certainly left the edge by now. And yet here she remained. The riders, her friends had even managed to build her her own hut as a means of solidifying their respect to her. A lovely reminder of what she felt she could call her new home, but still, even with this positive turnaround, her mind shifted to the many threats that would try to take it away from her.
The new official dragon rider sat down near the cliff edge. Her legs dangled over the side and her hands supported her weight as she leaned back. She couldn't help but turn sour upon the thought of her so called brother entering her mind. An insane monster whos actions made her stomach turn. While she remembered all too well of what he did for her back when Viggo knew her true allegiance, one good deed did nothing to erase a lifetime of cruelty. If she ever saw him again she wasn't sure what she would do, but she knew it wouldn't end well either way.
Eager to get the psychotic lunatic out of her mind she switched to another, more dangerous foe, Ryker. A viking focused more on strength than wits, that much was clear considering how much time she had 'served' at his side. Harsh, loud and foul breath were the three top thoughts that came to mind thinking of that man. Not to mention that he was quite paranoid up to the point that he didn't even trust his own men. Perhaps it was a weakness that could be exploited somehow?
Next to cross her mind was Viggo. The worst of the lot. There was not much to say since she had spent so little time in his company, but unlike Ryker, he was smart. Very smart. He had known her true colors the moment he laid eyes on her as well as get the upper hand on Hiccup and the other riders. A feat that very few had accomplished. It was obvious why he was the head of the dragon hunters. It also warned her that the fight ahead was going to be long and tough to overcome. But if anyone could stop him it was Hiccup. He had to.
Finally, perhaps the most mysterious to her, Farran. The one she had spent the most time with after Dagur. From the moment she first met him she knew he was just another pawn, which normally wouldn't have made him much of a threat. But the young hunter had proven to be more dangerous than she had expected. After all, he discovered her role as a spy before anyone else and had escaped capture from Dragons edge. How he had done so none of the riders knew. His skill with a blade was admittedly better than the average hunter, likely he has had plenty of practice. Finally, perhaps he strangest detail about him that she knew, his fury. The incident with the snow wraith was still clear in her mind, like something had snapped inside of him. Despite this, the young hunter was strong, determined and cunning. Not as much as Viggo or even Ryker, far from it. But against Dagur, she could see the young hunter standing a fair chance.
She wondered if the young hunter was even aware that she was still alive. Heather would make sure he knew either way. She was eager in the hopes of paying Farran back for their duel from months back.
A few heavy footsteps snapped Heather back into the real world and she checked behind herself to find Fishlegs himself walking up to her with a gentle smile on his face. She smiled back as the knowledge-hungry viking spoke up shyly.
"Hey."
"Hey." Heather responded in amusement.
"Everyone's getting pretty hungry so we're about to serve up dinner, if you'd like to join us?"
"That sounds great. Who's cooking tonight?"
"Well it's certainly not going to be the twins I'm sure you'll be relieved to hear. Their recipes are... questionably edible." Fishlegs responded with a shudder. Thank Thor that Hiccup had chosen to ban the two from using the kitchen ever again after their last attempts at cooking. He could still taste Tuffnuts jellyfish pie surprise even now. Heather chuckled.
"Maybe you could give it a go?"
Fishlegs looked surprised. "Really? I'm not much use when it comes to working on my culinary skills."
"Hey, never know until you try right?" The black haired rider replied as she got to her feet. "I think it would be nice for everyone."
"Heh. Well, um... okay sure. I suppose I can give it a try."
"Good, because I wasn't planning on taking no for an answer." Heather teased making Fishlegs give a small laugh. The two began heading back to the assortment of huts the riders called their base.
"You know, I'm really glad we chose this spot to build your hut. Seemed like you were really enjoying the view before I came along." Fishlegs noted.
"Oh, actually I was more occupied with my thoughts."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Mostly on the dragon hunters."
"...Oh."
"Sorry, guess I'm ruining the mood bringing it up?"
"Nono it's okay! It makes sense considering you spent so long spying on them. You probably know them better than the rest of us combined."
Heather made a murmur of agreement.
"Anything you'd... like to talk about? Believe me, talking about your feelings really does you a world of good."
Heather smiled at Fishleg's thoughtfulness, but quickly switched to a frown as she reminded herself of the four foes she had just been thinking about.
"Just planning on working up the ladder, from the lowest foot soldier to the general and how to stop them. There's more than enough targets to go for. Auctions, hunter operations, trapping grounds, each one destroyed would be a loss that Viggo will feel. Not to mention that Ryker and Farran will need dealing with first, and now that Dagur's vanished into thin air we-"
"Farran?" Fishlegs repeated. "Isn't that the hunter you caught and left in our care?"
"The very same. Why, what's wrong?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all! It's just, well..."
"Well what?"
Fishlegs gave a small sigh. "Look Heather, I know that the two of you have a bit of a..."
"Grudge?"
"I was going to say history, but grudge works too I suppose. Anyway what I'm trying to say is even though this Farran character did escape here from Dragons Edge, Thor knows how, he's still just, as you said a foot soldier. Maybe it would be best to focus more on the bigger, more obvious threats like Viggo?"
"Foot soldier or not, he's determined. You know that Fishlegs."
Indeed he did. He could recall the memory of giving the young hunter the chance to surrender shortly after the failed invasion Ryker had spearheaded. Of course instead of laying down arms Farran had wasted little chance in trying to shoot him and Meatlug down. Heck, he was even willing to die than surrender upon learning a wild pack of dragons were coming to kill him after unknowingly shooting their leader.
"Ehhhh... I guess I can't deny that. I mean if we do happen to encounter him again, and he ends up being a serious hindrance to us then we can sort it out there and then. But right now? Well, maybe we could leave the strategy for tomorrow and worry about what I'm going to cook tonight? Oh, whatever it is I bet I could use some of those herbs I've been growing! What do you think?"
Heather allowed herself to settle down for a moment and felt a more positive mood wash over her. Maybe Fishlegs had a point. Tomorrow could wait, and she didn't see any possibility of the hunters attacking so late in the day as night closed in. They'd be at a serious disadvantage. With that logic the toughened warrior allowed herself to relax and switch her thoughts from bloodthirsty vikings to the no doubt delicious meal that Fishlegs had in store for everyone.
"Whatever sounds good to you, I'm sure we'll all love it too." She blushed before the larger of the two escorted her away from the cliffedge and up towards her new home.
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Wow... it has been a while since I worked on this hasn't it? Holy moly... Well hopefully the next chapter will take a little less than 10 months to write, fingers crossed ^^