Chapter 11: Preparing for Battle

Merida's POV

I shot awake. I had the dream of being shot with that crossbow bolt again. I looked over at Toothless and Starlight. They slept peacefully. I looked at Hiccup. He was fast asleep. I sighed.

I got dressed in a simple robe and exited the house. I looked over the Edge. Tents of the soldiers were dotting the area as far as I could see. Guards walked the area, keep a look for enemy attacks. Above it, all was the command center. A light shined from inside.

"Who's up at this time of night?" I whispered.

I walked over to the command center. I peeked inside. Ambassador McThorn sat at the table, drinking and writing.

He smiled. "Always a night owl, Princess."

I hid. He chuckled.

"Don't worry, you're not bothering me. Come in."

I made sure my robe was secured and walked into his view. He looked up at me.

"What keeps you up, lass?"

"Oh, a traumatic experience."

"Well, I'd suspect you've had quite a few."

"Yeah. What about you?"

"Not so much."

The room fell silent. I watched him work. But then the burning question came to my mind.

"Haggis, What Clan are you from?"

Haggis laughed. "I'm from your Clan. Your father was a good friend. But I left the castle to seek my fortune."

"Hmm. You find it?"

"I did. But she died."

"Your wife?"

"Yeah. That was five years ago."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's all good. When I came back, Narissa took Dunbrock over."

I sighed. "It's a mess."

Haggis got up and walked to the mead barrel and grabbed two mugs. he filled them us and walked over.

"Ya, it is. But we are the fighters against the evil," he said as he handed me the mug. I took it and took a sip.

"Yeah. What about the people? They must not like Zika and her rule."

"They didn't like it at first. A lot of people joined the resistance right after she took over. There were revolts and riots. Zika just had them killed, but it wasn't enough. So, she offered the people something. If they give a monthly offering, She would give them whatever they needed. Schools, Cathedrals, food, water. Soon the people fell in line."

"Well, I guess that would make them join her."

"They haven't joined her. They still hate her rule, it's just if they don't give the offering, the things they need go away."

"Hmm, good to know."

…

Haggis and I spent the rest of the night talking. When the sun began to rise. I looked over at the beach. Three women sat there, by a fire.

"Is that my mom?" I asked as I walked to the edge of the platform.

"Yeah. With Adrianna and Valka. They sit down there and have breakfast every morning." Haggis said as he slapped his belly. "Valka's eggs are to die for."

I looked out in the cove. A ship started to come in.

"Looks like the scouting mission was a success," Haggis said.

"Yep."

…

Jack and Rapunzel walked up to the clubhouse. Rapunzel kept her head down and didn't look at anyone else.

"Huh, odd," I whispered.

Hiccup, Elsa, and Anna walked in, followed by Cassandra and Heather.

"What do we got?" Hiccup asked.

Jack walked over to the table. "Well, first things first, Jake is alive."

"Wait, Jake Cross?" Anna asked.

"Yes," Rapunzel said quietly.

"How?" Elsa asked.

Jack shrugged. "Narissa raised him back from the dead after we disappeared. But he doesn't have his staff, so he just stays at Berk."

I looked over at Rapunzel. She stayed quiet. It didn't seem like her.

"Anyway, here is where we need to control the battle," Jack said. He circled three points in the battle map.

"This is where the troops come in." He circled a strange building.

"And down here, is a secondary target we can strike for a distraction." He then crossed out a spot on the far side of the map.

Hiccup looked at it. "If we can control the battle, we easily take the island. Commander, what do you think?"

"If I may," Heather asked. "My agents can attack the secondary target."

"Yes, While the main army takes the main town," Cassandra said. "The troops will be scattered. We can work on getting control of these locations." She pointed to the map.

"Alright," Elsa said. "Merida and I can lead the charge. Hiccup, Anna, and Rapunzel will take care of the siege equipment, along with Jack. Where do we need to get to?"

"The great hall. That's where Grimmel will be. We get him to surrender, we have Zika's Brother. We could end the war."

"Sound good to me," I said.

"We all clear on the plan?" Hiccup asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Alright. Let get ready to go."

…

Grimmel's POV

I sat at the head of the table. Ryker sat at the end, looking over a map. My Deathgripper dragons were staying put, eating slowly.

"Ryker, how are the defenses coming?"

"Good. Everything is good to go."

"What about the contingency plan?"

The door opened to reveal Varian, Narissa, and Lady Deathstrike. Narissa was carrying a black staff over her shoulder.

"Right here, Grimmel," Varian said.

Behind them, a giant ball was brought in. A few dragons pulled it in. They then set it up in the middle of the room. Varian walked over and pulled a switch. The ball then dug itself into place.

"What is it?"

"This baby is going to turn Berk into a volcano. Once Narissa sets it off with her magic, this whole island will blow, burning any chance of the Kingsman taking it." Varian said.

"Good. But let's try to make sure that doesn't happen." I asked.

Suddenly, something caught my eye. I looked up to see someone on the rafters. I whistled.

My Deathgrippers jumped into action. They attacked the intruder and knocked him down. Lady Deathstrike jumped and grabbed him. He wore a grey cloak and a mask. Deathstrike took off his hood and took off his mask.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my father's experiment gone wrong," Narissa said as she walked over to Jake.

Jake struggled to get out of Deathstrike's grip.

"We can't let him get word to the Kingsmen. Chain him."

Prepare for Battle!

Thanks for Reading. Please Review. Chapter 12 will be here soon.