One Day Later
Styr Agnar dueled with Throk to sharpen his skills. His sword clashed against the Defender's ax. They traded blows but neither could knock the other over. As the two blades struck each, a horn was blown and the Defenders and Calvery Team mobilized to defensive positions. Styr jumped on Sky Smasher and C Team launched into the skies. He was prepared for battle, but he saw five dragons carrying a boat. He grabbed his spyglass and saw Hiccup's team and A Team. But there were several wounded dragons in the boat. Styr flew next to the boat to see more Riders than Dragons, everyone's face was grim. They just fought a battle and lost. Now, they were here to rebuild their forces.
"The Northern Fleet decimated the Edge. It's all gone." Hiccup reported to the Defenders and C Team. Queen Mala was sad to hear of the devastation Hiccup and his Riders faced. Three Dragons were gone and the Hunters were most likely one their way to the Defenders to finish the job against the Riders. The Queen looked at the map on the table. She saw little longships representing the Hunter fleet. If the Hunters arrive, the battle will be short and end like the Edge.
"So what do we do?" Mala asked and Hiccup looked at the men and women gathered around him.
"We need new tactics. The usual strike and run tactics aren't holding against Viggo's Allies." Hiccup replied grabbing a Longship piece. "We need to change the board."
"I got an idea." Asta Thorlak remarked and all eyes turned to the young Rider as she grabbed a book from her coat. She placed it on the table for Hiccup to see. "I've been designing a ship with Raganfast that uses Gronckle Iron."
"What could a new ship do against those monstrous ships?" Katla asked sharply still angry at the loss of Sparkle.
"It can dive under the sea." Hiccup answered and Mala raised her eyebrow. The gathered crowd whispered amongst themselves since no ship can do such a thing.
"So what's the plan with these ships. Fighting will be difficult with them." Throk remarked.
"Not unless we loaded Monstrous Nightmare Gel Bombs. Lit the fuse, seal them up. Close the hatch and let them float to the unsuspecting ships. Then boom." Asta said and Mala saw the usefulness of such a vessel.
"How long until you make a working prototype?" Hiccup asked handing the book back to her.
"A week maybe." Asta answered and the crowd knew that is how long they have until the Hunters could arrive.
"The Defenders will do all they can to aid you." Mala promised.
"And I'll help. I want some revenge on the Hunters." Gunni remarked punching his fists together.
"So we got a solution to the ships, but there is still the Flyers and the risks to our dragons." Hiccup said and Gerd Mordottir stepped up.
"I've been experimenting with gliders and I think with the right modifications, I can turn the Monstrous Nightmare Bombs in gliders. Then once the Dragons let them go, they fight at a safe distance and let the bombs strike the ships." the Viking remarked and Hiccup rubbed his chin.
"The problem with that is the Flyers. They could just blast the gliders and the fuses may go out before that." Heather added.
"I did say modifications." Gerd replied.
"Do it. It'll at least get the Hunter spear guns away from the Dragons." Hiccup remarked knowing that most of the Dragon receiving treatment, suffered from the spearguns. The Riders and Defenders spent the next day discussing war plans.
The Next Day
Hiccup woke up the sound of screaming Vikings. He got off of the hammock the Defenders set up in a weapon storage hut. Toothless groaned from wanting more sleep and Hiccup smirked. He grabbed his shield and swung it on his back before grabbing his sword. He opened the door to see Frida Mak arguing with her betrothed Egil Surt. Their Hideous Zippleback lay on the ground next to small sacks. Frida had a ripped bag in her left hand and a mace in her right. "What's going on?"
"This idiot let a bag get snag on Smelly's teeth ripping it letting the Zippleback go." Frida answered and Egil was quick to retort.
"No, this one distracted Smelly by giving Zip a fish, which resulted in the bag ripping." Egil replied and Hiccup rubbed in between his eyes.
"Okay. Here is what's going on. You too are going to take a break and let Grettir and Kori take over. Got that?" Hiccup ordered and the two nodded. They got on the Zippleback and flew off. Hiccup walked through the village and saw Gerd building the first prototype of his glider bomb. He walked over to see the progress and Gerd walked through how it works. The wings and tail were obviously used to glide. But the front was round so when it strikes the surface of something, it'll push a steel rod against flint lighting the gel, then boom. Hiccup was impressed by the design. Gerd his Mudraker, Little Horn was going to test it soon after some final adjustments. Hiccup walked through the village to find Asta and Skard Audun, feeding several Gronckles and molding the molten lava they spew into armored plates for the submersible ship. Heather and Hild were working on a launcher for the Zippleback Gas bags. Hiccup saw every rider working on defenses or so new project, but there were a few notable absences. Katla, Aron Jokulson, and Darkdrum. The Rider decided to head for the beach to find him and when he got there he saw Aron saying goodbyes to his friend.
"I already lost so much Darkdrum. I can't let the Hunters take you from me. Go home to the depths. You'll be safe there." Aron said as he placed his hand on the Thunderdrum's snout. "Live."
The Thunderdrum understood what his human friend wanted and dove into the sea. Hiccup watched as Aron stood up in silence. He gave up his best friend so he could live past this battle. The Rider grabbed the saddle and turned around to face Hiccup. Aron looked at the ground. "I'm not a coward."
"No one said that." Hiccup replied.
"But it was what you were thinking. I let Thunderdrum go and now I'm grounded. I can't fight." Aron remarked and Hiccup interrupted the Rider.
"You wanted your best friend to live. We all understand that." Hiccup said putting his hand on Aron's shoulder. "I understand that completely."
"How?" Aron asked and Hiccup motioned him to sit on a log. The two sat on the log and Hiccup told the story of how life was for him on Berk. How he was the walking disaster and the black sheep. But when he found Toothless, Hiccup used what he learned from the Night Fury to survive Dragon Training which lead to him being top of the class. When he was picked to kill a dragon, he left. He couldn't stand against his father, his tribe, and the only people he has ever known. Hiccup explained what he did was more cowardly than what Aron was doing and the Rider hoped that the Viking would feel better for letting his friend leave.
Katla was leaning against the rocks next to the pool of lava where the Dragon Eye once was hidden. So much death for the Eye. She lost her lover, her Dragon, and herself. She was enraged with the death of Kolbein that she made everything second and made finding the truth her first priority. Now her best friend was gone and it was all her fault. Katla looked at the Eruptodon and wondered why she was still here. Why she was so reckless, that she risked Sparkle's life and lose it. The guilt was overwhelming her. As she stared at a sleeping Eurptodon, she heard footsteps come closer. "I see that you have much on your mind."
"Queen Mala." Katla replied as she bolted up as the Queen arrived.
"I've come here to make certain the Great Defender is safe and well feed. It's calming to me." Mala said looking at the dragon waking from its slumber, before turning to the Viking. "I am sorry for your Razorwhip, Sparkles."
"Thanks." Katla said rubbing her left elbow.
"What is on your mind." Mala asked.
"It's my fault Sparkles is gone." the Viking answered and Mala put her hand on the young woman's shoulder.
"In war, we lose friends. It is the cost of defending what we love." Mala replied and Katla knocked her arm off.
"Except I was reckless. I wanted revenge and now Sparkles is dead." she remarked holding back tears. "I was blinded by my anger, that I lost the one person left in my life."
"You are not alone. You have you fellow Riders. They will be with you." Mala said and Katla closed her eyes seeing Kolbein and Sparkles together.
Three Days Later
Hiccup watched as the prototype ship was dropped into the water. Asta, Skard, Gunni, and Throk climbed down the hatched and moments later it was sealed closed. The crew used paddles to sail forward and Raganfast Omen flew over the ship on his Gronckle, Flo. B Team was able to make it yesterday and the Viking was proud to see something he helped design being used on the sea. When it was out of the dock, it began to sink below the surface. As it sank, Gerd walked behind Hiccup and reported to him the number of Glide Bombs they had and launchers ready for the coming battle. Hiccup turned back to the ship hoping that it would be a success. Moments later four barrels floated up showing they had survived. But now the crowd prayed to the gods that their friend make it back up. When the ship breached the surface, the Riders and Defenders cheered. Now they need to make more to show Viggo and his Allies the wraith he brought upon themselves.
Elsewhere
Krogan studied the maps of Caldera Cay when Ragnar the Rock entered his personal quarters. The two worked differently, but both respected each other. When the Riders caused Krogan pain to get the Eye, he called for his Allie. Now the Riders were on the run thanks to the General's work. "What is it Ragnar?"
"That Viggo is an annoyance. Constantly saying the Riders will change tactics. But their tactics are limited to their dragons and we already broke them. How long until we get rid of him?" Ragnar asked and Krogan smiled.
"Until we get the location of the Bewilderbeast. Then we can cut Viggo lose." Krogan answered before going over the plans for the assault.
Viggo listened in on the two Northern Allies and he knew that his time was running short. He wanted to find the Eye so the two could leave him to hunting dragons. But based on their tones and wording, he knew that his time on the living plain was running short. Which leaves little option but to sabotage the fleet to help the Riders. While they are a pain, they will be useful to keep Krogan under control and give Viggo time to outmaneuver the traitor.
