First, let me say WOW! Over 40 Follows already and it's barely starting! You guys are amazing!

CB73 - Every time I post a new chapter, I can't wait to read your reviews. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such enticing summaries for each new segment. I love them!

Another big thank you to all those that have Favourited or Reviewed it so far. It helps to motivate me as I'm now starting work on the sequel. Every single review I get is greatly appreciated. With that said, let's get this show on the road :D

*

Hiccup sat astride the saddle, clinging tight with his knees as he stretched his arms out to the sides. Closing his eyes, he revelled in the feel of the wind on his face. Though it was nearly summer, the air still held the chill of spring. It did not bother the young rider. He just felt a wonderful sense of freedom as he rode the currents with his brother.

It had been nearly a year since they had left Berk behind and he was now 16 years. His rite of passage into manhood celebrated quietly with new friends instead of the ridiculous ceremony that would have been required back home. He had to admit that he had found himself a comfortable place here. Eret senior had even offered him a permanent job in the forge. Hiccup however, found that he was unable to accept this offer.

The place and people were pleasant enough, but it just didn't feel like home. There was a nagging sense in his core that he wasn't supposed to stay here. Perhaps it was just what Gobber used to call 'Wanderlust'. Many a Viking had suddenly acquired a taste for adventure and could no longer settle in any one place. Convinced that something better was waiting just over the horizon. Toothless feeling much the same way. Whatever the reason, the two of them had been using any free time they could wrangle to get out flying.

They had begun to venture further afield during these flights. Their explorations leading Hiccup to discover that there were actually many other small villages scattered about inland. He had also begun to suspect that this land was not as large as it had originally appeared. That it was in fact an island much like his own homeland, albeit a substantially more sizeable one. Perhaps one day he and Toothless would just continue flying until they discovered what, if anything, lay beyond the boundaries of this land as well.

Toothless curved his wings around an updraft then and brought them into a slow backwards flip, ending back below the cloud cover. It was dark enough now for them to be hidden from view against the sky. They were just about to make another lazy turn and begin their leisurely glide back to the village when Hiccup spotted strange lights and fires on the ground. Seating himself properly in the saddle, he banked Toothless downwards towards the scene. Hoping to get a better view.

"There is some sort of small battle going on down there, I think," came Toothless' voice in Hiccup's head. As they got nearer, even Hiccup's weaker human ears could suddenly hear the sounds of men shouting and metal clashing. They swooped in close and saw a small village under siege. Running along one whole side of the village was a stone wall with a large gate. Near this dividing wall, Hiccup could see a group of men from one of the northern tribes fighting with what appeared to be soldiers in full battle dress.

While the soldiers were distracted, the remaining tribesmen were busy raiding the village of valuables. Even at a quick glance Hiccup could tell that the soldiers, though highly skilled, would not win. They were severely out-numbered. Even if they did manage to drive off the men they were fighting, the village would already be devastatingly pillaged.

Hiccup urged Toothless downwards and they began to fire shots at the raiding barbarians. Toothless being mindful not to hit any of the timber and thatch homes with his fire blasts. Igniting the village would be the opposite of helpful. Hiccup taking up his bow and quiver from the saddle bag as he began to loose arrows at the tribesmen that were clashing with the soldiers. It didn't take long before the tribesmen simply lowered their weapons and fled back through the gate in the wall. Clearly they did not much care to face an angry dragon that they could not see. The soldiers however, were looking up to the sky in search of their salvation.

When Hiccup chanced to land near the troop, most of the men dropped their weapons and lowered to the ground in stunned obeisance. Convinced that this being must have been sent by the gods in answer to their prayers for aid. Hiccup merely stared around at the men, confused by their behaviour. Surely they had seen a dragon before?

From amongst the ranks, an older man rose slowly to stride forward. Bowing once again to Hiccup and Toothless, he began to speak in a dialect that was drastically different from any Hiccup had heard yet. With Toothless translating for him, Hiccup tried to convey to the soldier as best he could that he did not speak their language. Realization dawned in the man's eyes and he instantly switched to a Celtic language similar to what Eret's tribe spoke.

"My name is Marcus Laelius and I am the commander of this particular garrison. I offer you my gratitude for your assistance in defending the Empire during this skirmish. I must know something however before I offer you any other boon. Are you ally or enemy to my Emperor?"

What a strange name, Hiccup thought. These men seemed civilized enough, and they were certainly well equipped for battle despite their small number. Just what was an emperor though? Was that what they called their chief? Toothless mentally shrugged at him, being unfamiliar with the term as well.

"We must be careful how we respond. We do not want to offend them, but we do not know to whom they answer and would not want to give them our allegiance without further information."

As happened so often, Hiccup was surprised at the amount of insight Toothless displayed. He, in fact, often possessed more knowledge of the complexities of human politics than most of the Vikings back on Berk. After deliberating for a moment on his words, Hiccup gave the best answer he could think of.

"I am no enemy to you. Nor am I an ally to your emperor, whom I assume to be your ruler or chief. My dragon and I are free to assist those we choose instead of being bound to one empire. That is the way I wish to remain. I simply saw that your men were out-numbered and granted my aid. I do not approve of one sided battles and the lowly tactics of destroying homes and food needed by the common villagers. I could not simply turn my back and allow the people to starve."

*

Marcus was rather impressed with this answer. So this boy was a mercenary who refused to be ruled or bought. He wondered if he was available as a soldier for hire instead, and if so, what his price would be. He was certain that Emperor Hadrian would be more than happy to offer almost anything to have a soldier on dragon back assisting his legions. The boy seemed intelligent and he was also sitting astride a large black dragon. Marcus quickly realizing that he would have to word his offer very carefully if the boy was to trust him. The youth and his dragon could just as easily destroy the whole village and garrison on his own. Well before cavalry reinforcements could arrive from the nearest fort.

"Young man, we are in your debt. However, we are but a small garrison stationed to defend this particular gate. I am sure that my Emperor would be pleased to grant you almost any compensation you might desire, in return for defending his lands and people. If I may be so bold, I would ask you to consider meeting with Emperor Hadrian in person. He will be making a visit to our command headquarters in Petriana over the next moon to assess the defences himself. If you would be willing to hold council with him at that time, myself and a few of my soldiers are already preparing to travel there to meet with him. We would welcome you to accompany us and I can offer you my guarantee that no harm will come to you or your dragon as long as you are with me."

Seeing the doubt crossing the young man's face, Marcus was quick to add, "you would not be required to state any allegiance at this time. There will be many outsiders present at the headquarters. It is also a time to barter treaties with the surrounding Britons. We offer local tribes north of the wall traded goods and protection in exchange for art, food, and supplies that the empire requires or desires. We are not at war with most of the tribes beyond the wall. Only a few have caused us issue, so we usually do not see fit to close our gates to outsiders that may need shelter overnight."

He glanced resignedly around at the signs of battle in the village. "The type of skirmish you witnessed is a rare occurrence and thus we are not as well outfitted to repel such invasions as I would like. Once again I thank you for your assistance."

*

Hiccup consulted Toothless before answering the commander. "What do you think bud? Should we take his offer to meet this Hadrian? We don't need to promise anything to anyone and we could probably fight our way out if they try anything funny." He felt the vibration through the saddle as Toothless hummed his agreement.

"This is true. Judging by what we have seen here, this man's words ring true. They are not outfitted for major battle and are no better armed than most villages in the archipelago. We also have the added benefit that they are clearly not practiced in the ways of dragon fighting. Did you see their faces when I landed before them? Priceless."

Allowing himself a soft chuckle at Toothless' words, he turned to Marcus again. "I accept your offer to accompany you. If this is a trick however, be warned, I can destroy you as easily as I can defend you. Do not make me regret my actions here. When will you be departing for this Petriana place?"

"Consider your warning heeded young man. I do not doubt that you would be a dangerous foe if I were to double-cross you and I value my life too much for that. We shall leave in 10 days time. Meet us here if you wish to travel with me and my men."

Hiccup nodded once and prepared to begin the flight back to the village. He would need to consult the Eret men about this before deciding his course of action in Petriana. Before Toothless could lift off, Marcus held up his hand, begging Hiccup to pause.

"Wait a moment young man. I must send a runner ahead to prepare the outpost's garrison for your arrival. It may help to make it less of a shock for them. May I ask you what name I should give them?"

Hiccup looked down at his brother who gave him a wink and a nod of approval. If they were going to continue fleeing the past, he might as well do the thing properly. He smiled at the commander and replied in a tone of authority, "You may call me Scáth Rothaí." Then Toothless extended his wings and leapt into the night sky, leaving only a gust of wind behind them.

*

Hiccup, meet the Romans. Romans, meet Hiccup. Or should I say Scáth Rothaí...

The twisty-turns of our story are beginning to arrive. How do you think the meeting with the emperor will go? Will Hiccup be enticed by the wealth of the empire and venture beyond the wall? Will he become a citizen of Rome to escape his less-than-perfect past? Or will the Eret men convince him to stay?

A note for those that are confused, since it's hard to write into a story without making it awkward and staged. In my story, Hiccup is one year older than Astrid. For followers of cannon, you will already know that his birthday is on February 29th, or the leap day. Though they probably still celebrated it on the 28th most years, just like we would. I'm not sure what month I'm going to place Astrid's birthday in. I'm very open to suggestions :)

Interesting Points:

- Petriana was really and truly the main headquarters for the multiple garrisons stationed along Hadrian's wall.

- Emperor Hadrian really did travel all the way to Briton to inspect the wall and meet with the representives of the garrisons at Petriana

- Also, if you're not already a huge history buff it might seem crazy to have Hiccup's birthday as a leap-day. Interestingly enough, a form of the leap year has been around since as early as the Sumerians and then later the Egyptians. Julius Caesar adopted Egypt's 365 day calendar after decreeing a 445-day-long year dubbed the 'Year of Confusion' in 46 BC. This was to correct the huge discrepancy of missing days that their previous calendar systems had left them with. After everything was lining up again, he mandated the new calendar (the Julian Calendar, of course) to be a 365.25 day-year. Thus giving us a new version of the ancient leap year, adding an extra day to February every 4th year.

It was still not a perfect system and every 128 years we end up with a new discrepancy to the other side. Hence why it was later remedied by the Gregorian calendar that we still use today. This version made it so that every leap year divisible by 100 (like 1900) is skipped unless it is also divisible by 400 (like 2000). You're welcome, fellow nerds :)