Chapter 18

The Dragon Rise

Hi everyone! Why did it take so long to update? Simply because there are fight scenes and some strategy in this chapter. And if you know me a bit, you know I have difficulty with that. I have turned in my head different possibilities, made several drafts, almost banged my head against the computer out of frustration until I finally got something okay.

By the way, I'd like to remind readers that I can't answer if you post a Guest comment, I can only answer when people log in.

Also, many thanks to JustADerangedFanGirl, who reminded me of a detail I forgot (yeah, I must admit, I forgot it), and which will be useful! If you wonder, it's the little pocket knife Gobber offered Atsrid in the early chapters and which she kept with her.

You probably didn't read it, it's a detail I forgot to add in the precedent chapter, but Hiccup took the Lady, the Typhoomerang and Timberjack along with him (seen in chapter 14).

O o O

Hiccup…Hiccup could be Fury…

Her brain had been absolutely stuck with this idea. She had to calm down, she had other things to focus on…But could it be that her friend was alive and…No! Focus! She had to escape first. She had to get to Rona and to Camicazi. But how would she do that? Even if she managed to get to one, how would she get to the other? She didn't even know where they were! But how…

An idea appeared in her mind, she could work something with Drago, but only to a certain extent. If it worked she would be able to locate at least one of them. But she doubted it would work twice. She felt her heart clenching at this. She had no wish to let Camicazi behind, but if she had to choose between rescuing six-years-old Rona and Camicazi, an experienced warrior, she wouldn't hesitate. Cami had her chances, she was an escape-artist from what she knew. A child's safety came first.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself. Rona…It was strange, she always wanted children, she always wanted to have a girl, but she never expected to have one so soon. She didn't meet her long ago, and yet…She had already adopted her. Little thing so fragile but determined, sprinting under the sun and holding her little training axe to go and fight…She remembered how she would slid under the covers and wrap those around herself when she would get put her to bed. The sound of her voice when she called her 'mom'…What if that trauma made her go mute again? What if she never heard that voice, or never saw her again?! She had hoped she would be able to take her to Berk, introduce her to her mother and little sister. They would have loved her, she was sure of it. It could still happen! She knew it, it could still happen!

No, she liked Camicazi, but she would save her Rona first; her daughter…She could still save Cami later. In fact, when she thought about it, Fury (Hiccup?) wasn't going to let them die here, in fact, if Viggo had told her the truth, he had been following them along with Heather. She was pretty sure they had a plan, and she would be able to help out; but in the meantime, she would have to protect Rona.

Astrid rubbed her forehead and leaned against the wall. As she laid her leg down, she felt the familiar sensation of something hard in her boot. It was so familiar now she hardly paid attention to it, especially when she had been drugged. But now that her brain was clear, she remembered it. Gobber gave it to her, when she left Berk. Her eyes widened slightly as she remembered. It was on the docks, as she was saying her goodbyes.

"Very useful if you get disarmed, remember it." He had given her a pocket knife…A small knife made to be hidden easily…And she had put it in her boot. She would keep it there all the time…She checked around whether or not there were any guards around. No, no one. They were close surely, but there was no one looking at her right now. She touched her boot and felt the knife. She had a weapon! It was nothing much, really, but it was still something. She took it out and slid it in her belt, putting her shirt in front of it carefully, hiding it from sight. This was a weapon for quick assassination, not for a real fight.

She went to the bars and looked at the nearest guard: "Hey! I want to speak with Drago."

"You'll wait until tomorrow."

"No, I…"

"Tomorrow, I said! He told us not to touch you, but don't even think you can order us around."

She tried again but to no avail. But maybe that was for the best. She needed to regain some forces, being drugged for days had taken its toll on her. Relaxation in those conditions wasn't easy, but she tried to calm down and rest. Yet she wouldn't be granted peace yet.

Even though he was tired from the travel, Viggo went to Astrid again. He didn't know what to feel toward that girl. He knew Fury was the one who gave her directives, but she still managed to lie to his face efficiently. She played him and that was infuriating; on the other hand, he had to admit he was a bit impressed, he couldn't help but admit she had done something few people did, and he could respect that. Maybe that was the reason why he came into her cell that evening: because he wanted to manipulate her once again. Capturing her could only fix his mistake. He needed to do more than that. He needed to have the ascend on her, he needed to control her. And now that she didn't have Fury with her anymore, it would probably be easier and entertaining.

He found her lying on the ground, her hands were still chained. She looked like she was deep in thoughts. She gazed up at him while the guard was opening the door for him. "I wasn't expecting you to be so quiet. I expected yells and insults toward the guards."

"I would have liked to sleep, I'm saving my energy."

"For Drago's bed?"

She tensed at this, propping herself up a bit. "You vicious son of a bitch! Keep that kind of thoughts for yourself if you don't want me to tear off your face with my nails!"

"You could try. But the guards here would probably pull those off."

She looked at the man and unlike her, their hands weren't chained. Anyway it wasn't the right moment to act, it wasn't Viggo she would play. That was really frustrating! He sat on the ground.

"But now, I guess it was not really elegant to talk about that. I'll still speak of your marriage, my dear. It's quite uncommon to be engaged to two men who're mortal enemies. You'll have to choose one."

Astrid snorted, shifting slightly to sit more straightly, taking a nonchalant posture. She didn't want to look nervous right now. "And I guess you'll advise me to choose Drago. I guess you're gonna tell me that Fury won't hold up to him, that he'll never be able to save me and that for my well-being and Rona's one, I should better do it."

"Those are the first arguments, indeed. But I'll also repeat what I told you the first time we met: you could be powerful and upraise Berk again. Think, Astrid: Drago is no fool, he might be ruthless, but he isn't stupid. If you show him you want you and him to rule Berk together, he'll conquer it along with you. You'll have Spitelout's head on a silver plate before you can even realize it, and you would be able to make your tribe great again. Also, he is attracted by you, obviously, but if you do what's necessary, you could make him love you, for real. He would really treat you like a queen, you would have this island, Endris, and Berk, and maybe more. You would be the great Hooligan queen, your tribe could be one of the most powerful again, and your little girl…Imagining the life you could give her! You would give her such a legacy, it would be so easy and so glorious. You could find your dragon again too, and your friends, your Hooligan friends could also ascend to great positions thanks to you, and you could spare some of the Endrisians you like from horrible fates."

Truthfully, he did have a talent to make shiny promises. But the images of the former slave flashed through her mind. She didn't want to be queen of that. She shrugged: "You still have to take Fury down."

"He is going to fall into our hands soon enough. His foolish move is made out of love for you…"

She rolled her eyes and snorted at this. "You really think everything will be that easy? Fury won't lose easily, he'll fight to the end." It wasn't really helpful or anything, but she just needed to say it.

"We expect that. But don't fool yourself, we'll win and you should be on the good side when I'll get my own prize."

"Oh please, don't tell me you want a woman too!"

"No, I asked for Fury."

"What?!"

He wanted Hiccup?! No, Fury; he wanted Fury, he didn't know about Hiccup. Anyway, she wasn't even sure this was Hiccup. But either way, did he really mean…Oh, she knew abusing an enemy like this to dishonor them wasn't actually that uncommon, but she didn't picture Viggo doing this, especially not to Fury.

"It's pretty strange, I know. Maybe it's because he was so much in my head, maybe it's his face, I don't know. A lot of men felt humiliated for being overpowered by such a lean guy. I wasn't. He uses his wits just like me, if anything I was happy to have an adversary at my level. I don't think I will totally break his mind, I'll keep some feistiness, I'll just make him obedient enough to stay put. Then, will you really be able to marry a man dishonored in such a way?"

She felt repulsed, she wanted to gouge his eyes out! He almost sounded like he had some…twisted romantic feelings about him, and it made the whole thing even more perverse in some way. She tried to reassure herself: "Drago will never risk keeping him alive."

"Once I'll have him, he'll be dishonored; no one could accept him anymore as a chief. In fact he will have much more satisfaction to see his fierce enemy turned into my personal slave. A glorious death on the battlefield wouldn't be really a punishment for a Viking chief."

Oh no…Hiccup! In spite of his lies, in spite of what he did, she certainly did not wish him to go through that! She had to prevent that from happening!

"You disgusts me!"

"And you confuse me. You, the insurgent, the one who wouldn't submit to Spitelout, you're doing everything for a man who took you for an arranged marriage! Seems like you forgot your own values."

She huffed: "On contrary! Seeing what you did to those people made me furious at you! I was angry at Fury, but that's nothing compared to what I feel about you!"

She stopped herself here. She couldn't say too much! If he told Drago about it, her plan would never work. She lowered her eyes and sighed: "What are you gonna do to Cami now? Didn't your brother want her?"

"You really hope for her to marry Ryker?"

"It wouldn't be a bright future, not at all. But if it can keep her alive..." She let her face contort. "Where is Rona, Viggo? Where is my little girl?"

He smirked and leaned a bit more toward her, with a smug face. "Why should I tell you?"

She rolled her eyes: "Don't tell me anything. You're a snake, I would never know whether you're lying or not."

"May I remind you that you did nothing but lie to me. Oh, I don't really blame you, it's exactly the kind of methods I would use. But just acknowledge you're a snake too."

He patted her knee and she moved her leg away. "Think of what I told you. Fury is an idealist, and idealism never holds on when confronted to cold reality."

With that, he left her. She rolled her eyes, if he thought he could convince her easily he was wrong. She had always been called hard-headed and she was; many times she had been told being the insurgent would never bring her anything good, but she continued, for Hiccup. She wouldn't give up the fight now, when the lives on hundreds, thousands of people even, were at stake. She hardly slept that night.

Outside, Viggo went back to his own home. It was at the border of the village, not so far from the prison. He had built it here to be away from the noises of the people around, and it was a bit upraised compare to the rest of the town. He liked to have a view over it, he felt like he was dominating the whole town. It was true somehow.

He wanted nothing but to get into his bed right now. He noticed his brother walking out as well and coming toward him. While Ryker often annoyed him with his limited mind, he was feeling in a good mood right now.

"You know Fury is around, right? Wonder what he'll try…"

"We'll see, Ryker. Being able to react quickly to the unexpected is what makes a true genius. We'll see if I can do that once more!"

Ryker lowered his eyes a bit, not really liking that. "Viggo, I know you…You like to see this as a game between you and Fury but we're getting close to…"

He turned to his big brother a nd interrupted him: "Are you lecturing me, Ryker?"

"I'm just noticing you like to see what Fury can do, even if that means taking risks."

"Do you really think I would be idiotic enough to risk our victory? Only fools think they can control everything, truly smart people know this isn't the case. So I might as well enjoy it since it's unavoidable."

But you enjoy it too much…Ryker didn't voice that thought. It was pointless, Viggo was indeed smarter than him, and he knew his little brother wouldn't listen to him for that. He was surprised when Viggo passed an arm around his shoulders in a brotherly way.

"Our time of glory is coming. You and I, we'll have everything we always wanted."

He released Ryker and the latter wondered why he was suddenly being demonstrative, it wasn't his type. Maybe he was just euphoric, he was too in spite of his worries. After all, they were indeed going to crush their biggest enemies. With Fury heading toward them, they had a good opportunity to take him down. And with him down, the rest of the tribe would be weaker.

"We could tie our prisoners on the Main Place, and hide our men around. Then when Fury will…"

"Yeah, sure, and why don't you paint a red target around them too?" Sighed Viggo. "Fury will see the trap, he isn't stupid. No. They have to stay in jail, he'll try to get in for sure. And that's when we will catch him. We must let him think he has a chance."

He was right, it annoyed Ryker at times, but he knew Viggo was right. Once again, he wondered if he had to worry about his brother's infatuation with Fury. He would see. He hardly slept that night, in spite of the exhaustion from the travel.

Camicazi had a hard time falling asleep too. She was tormented by everything, Valka and she had an idea, and it would have to wait. When she finally got some rest, she was brutally awoken. A foot crashed in her chest. Her body jerked and she coughed at this. She looked up to see Drago towering above her.

"Hope you had a nice sleep, but now it's over." Before she could react, he grabbed her hair to yank her up. She yelped and tried to hit him but he just grabbed her wrist and tightened his hold enough to hurt her. One of the guards came and took hold of her arms in spite of her struggle, and Drago violently threw his fist in her stomach. The air ran out of her lungs, and as pain was exploding in her chest, she heard Valka scream. Two other guards were holding her so she wouldn't interfere. Two other punch followed, another in her face and the other in her stomach. She felt dizzy already, Drago had a lot of strength, and he wasn't holding back! She still took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"I don't know what you want, but go fuck yourself! You fucking liar, you said you wouldn't touch us."

"Well, I had to reassure my future wife, but now that we're together, you know what I really do to my enemies."

Another punch in the face followed and she felt blood dripping from her nose and filling her mouth. Her hair was grabbed again and she was pushed on her knees. That's when she noticed something they brought in: a bucket of water. Still holding her hair, Drago pushed her head into it and hold it in place while was trying to get away. The guard was still holding her arms, careful that she wouldn't push the bucket away. Gods, the water was cold and her lungs were starting to hurt already! She was really starting to suffocate, she was feeling dizzy and her lungs ached. Were they really going to drown her?! When her head finally pulled out, she took a deep breath and Drago made her look at him while pulling on her hair painfully.

"Now, that was just an appetizer. It can stop right now if you answer my questions."

"You didn't even ask…"

"I know, I told you, that was just an appetizer, or a warning if you prefer. Now, I'm asking questions: how many warriors Fury have? How many dragons? What are his next plans against me? Did you have spies here?"

"I'm not telling you…"

He plunged her head in the bucket again. Valka yelled at him: "You monster! You're going to kill her!"

"It wouldn't be such a big loss." He eventually took her head out, she was breathless and dizzy but she refused again. He punched her in the face again, worsening the wounds ad plunged her head in the water again. Her lungs ached even more than earlier. Blows, she could handle, but holding her breath like this was another thing. Dizziness started to overwhelm her when she was finally pulled out of the water. She coughed, hurting herself even more, it felt like she couldn't breathe anymore even with her head out. She barely had time to take some gulps of air when she was pushed in the water once more. She couldn't go on like this! She had to invent a lie, anything! When Drago took her head out again, she could just stutter: "Wai…Wait!"

He looked at her expectedly and after breathing deeply, trying to clear her dizzy mind, she finally uttered: "I…What were your questions?"

"The state of his army? His plans against me, what are those? Are there any spies?"

"We've over two thousands warriors and less dragons. They are becoming difficult to feed, we had to make sure less of those were born." She diminished the numbers, if he underestimated them, it would be better.

"Good. What else?"

"Fury wanted to reach to you through Viggo and Astrid to know more. He didn't want to make a plan until he got more information." This wasn't true either. He had plans, but she wasn't about to reveal those. Drago plunged her head in the water again and she tried to struggle; why?! When he took it out, he gave her a deadly stare: "Liar!"

"I swear!" She coughed. "He wanted to take Viggo and interrogate him! He wanted to deprive you of your best strategist! But he wanted to interrogate him first before making any plans!"

Drago's eyes narrowed and he seemed thoughtful. "Spies?"

"We tried to send some a while ago but you got them and killed them." He remembered that, he had gotten them, as well as some spies from Mala. "We didn't didn't try sending any other, we thought it would just worsen things up," she said.

Looking at her, he wasn't sure whether or not she was telling the entire truth. A smirk adorned his face.

"I'll ask your friend, we'll see whether or not she tell you the same."

"Astrid doesn't…"

A violent kick in the stomach sent her down and silenced her. He exited with the guards.

Valka rushed to her and kneeled at her side. Cami was quivering and Valka put her head on her knees and started to clean her wound immediately. In normal circumstances, Camicazi would have never let anyone put her head on their knees, but she was feeling dizzy and it wasn't time to waste her energy. She breathed in deeply and smiled in spite of all.

"Are you okay?" Asked Valka, a bit scared by that smile.

"Those guards ain't careful," she whispered. "Look."

Valka looked at what she was holding and held her breath at that sight: the key of their cell. But, didn't the guard notice it? No, of course not. It was the man guarding the door who locked them again, not the one holding her while she was getting tortured. Perfect!

"We need to get to the dragons. If we can free them, it should distract everyone and we could escape."

"Alright, but we'll need to get Astrid and Rona as well."

"We will, I promise on my honor you can trust me. I don't want to imagine a little girl in Drago's hands."

Camicazi hoped she would be loyal indeed. She tightly held the key. That was her last hope.

O o O

When she heard someone open the door of her cell, Astrid opened her eyes and was almost delighted to see Drago. He was no reassuring sight, though, but that was her chance! She stood up as he entered her cell.

"I have some questions for you."

She rose her hands: "If you want to know who Fury is, I can swear on my ancestors that he never told me his name, and he never showed me his face either. He intended to do so the day of our marriage."

"I know, and it doesn't matter anymore. I'll discover it for myself soon enough. I want more practical details. In what state is his army? What is his next plan to attack me? You know those things."

"Let me see my little girl. I'll tell you what I know if you let me see her."

He tilted his head. He and Viggo agreed they had to let them stay in that jail. But now, he had to find a way to make her talk without torturing her. He didn't intend to damage her. Maybe he could give her that, the girl was her weakness, seeing the kid scared and crying for her would make her bend to his will. Anyway, the child was kept close by, and there was no way Fury would know they were going out for a short amount of time.

But now, the girl was cunning, wasn't she? No, Fury was cunning, not her. According to what Viggo told him, Fury had directed her actions; she had been smart enough to follow those, but she had no instructions to follow anymore. He had heard of rumors about her, she was a great warrior but that didn't mean she was a great strategist. No, right now, it was only the mother talking, the hot-headed mother who wanted nothing but see her new daughter. And she was chained and unarmed.

"Let's make a deal: I let you see her but if what you tell me isn't enough, I'll torture her right under your eyes."

She shivered at this. It was a big risk; yet she would obtain nothing without risks. She thought a bit and asked: "You swear me she won't be hurt if I give you what you want?"

He shrugged: "I swear to you."

On the way, she looked around and remembered the way out. Drago was keeping a strong hold and she realized no guards were going along. No guards…It surprised her, maybe Drago wasn't expecting her to do anything. Maybe…Maybe she could try to do something now.

The forest wasn't far at all, it was a big risk, but there weren't many people around. But what would she do, after that? Hide in there with a six years old child? That was crazy! But as crazy as it seemed, it was still the best option. That was risky, but she wanted to make sure she and Rona would be free when her friends and fiancé would be here. She didn't want any of them to serve as hostages.

"If I accept to side up with you, what will happen? And if I was to marry you?" She had no intention to do that, but he had to believe she did.

"You'll get to keep her if you join me, whether you marry me or not."

"Wait…So you won't object having her as your adoptive daughter?"

"As long as she doesn't annoy me, it doesn't bother me. I intend to have heirs, one more child won't be a bother. I'm not a man of sentiment, Astrid, yet that doesn't mean I can't provide for a wife and children. That girl and the heirs you'll give me will have everything they need." That and she was apparently mute; that was perfect to Drago, he wouldn't hear her shriek around.

He led her to a regular house. The forest wasn't far, really, and Astrid was relieved to know Rona wasn't in a cell. A woman opened the door, quite pretty but her eyes were cold. She immediately stepped aside, her head bowing down to Drago. Astrid just rushed in to see Rona sitting by the fireplace, hugging her knees and looking scared. The child jumped on her feet and ran to Astrid who passed her chained arms above her head and hugged her like this. She was alive and well! That was such a relief! She looked at her face and her joy lessened when she saw a big bruise on the girl's face. She turned to the woman with an angered look:

"What's that?! What happened to her?!"

"She bit me," the other replied coldly.

Astrid quickly freed herself from the little girl and stood up but Drago stopped her. "You're still a prisoner on that island, remember that." Then, he seized the woman by the throat and growled: "As for you, I gave you a very simple task, don't mess it up."

"Y…Yes."

He was looking at her instead of Astrid and she took that occasion. She seized the knife and aimed for his throat. The woman saw her and yelped. Drago just had the time to throw himself aside. The blade cut the skin and Astrid went to stab him again when he struck her hard with his elbow. She stumbled back and just had time to dodge as he swung his axe at her. One look was enough to see his throat was bleeding, but it wasn't enough. Shit!

"You bitch!"

His insult was almost unheard; Astrid threw herself at the woman who tried to catch Rona. Unlike Astrid and Drago, she was no warrior; she didn't escape the knife. Astrid was dodging Drago's next attack as Rona's captor was falling down. Astrid dodged again; she could do nothing else, she had no reach at all! And her hands were still chained! When he swung his axe at her again, she plunged down toward his hip. She cut the strap holding the keys; the blade sliced his leg deep as she did that. Those fell on the floor as she jumped away from Drago's axe. His blade hit the floor hard as he roared in pain.

Astrid rushed to a wooden chair and crashed it as hard as she could. He growled and stumbled, but a big man like him wouldn't be knocked out like that. It still gave Astrid the opportunity to go for the keys. She seized those and rushed to Rona, grabbing her and holding her against her chest. Rona gripped her as hard as she could. They had to get out of here before someone else heard the ruckus! There was no way she could properly fight right now! She rushed outside ad Drago started to pursue her but his leg was slightly limping. As she sprinted outside, she saw a few warriors rushing toward them. Shit, they heard the fight!

She started to run aside to find a way out when both her shoulders were grabbed. He blood ran cold as she felt the extremely strong grip. Rona was still in her arms!

Before she could react, she was pulled up. Her feet weren't touching the ground anymore. Then, fire.

Fire was breathed at the enemies and then spikes were thrown as they got higher. Rona yelped and buried her head in Astrid's chest. The young woman didn't even need to look up to know which dragon was holding her. She laughed in relief as they got higher and higher, finally out of reach. More fire was breathed at the warriors before they could shoot arrows at them. She couldn't see where it came from, but some of those flames were almost purple.

"Astrid!"

She turned her head to see Fishlegs flying by her side. What was he doing here?! She didn't know and didn't care. He extended his arms to catch Rona.

"Go to him, honey."

"…Yes."

She was reassured to hear her voice again. The kid did as she was told, and Fishlegs helped both of them to get on the Nadder's back. The little girl hugged Astrid once again, and she murmured softly: "It's alright, we escaped!"

"It's not over, sentinels are coming! Kill them but we must continue to fly away!" Yelled Fury.

Mounted on dragons, some of Drago's warriors tried to pursue them. Lady and Toothless immediately fired the closest ones while Hiccup made a sign for the Typhoomerang to make his fiery tornado. The sentinels backed away at this and Hamera fired at those who were too distracted to pay attention to her. Three human bodies in flames fell into the sea while their wounded dragons fled away. Rona screamed at this and hugged Astrid tightly. The woman tightened her grip on her and ordered her Nadder to send spikes at the closest riders. One of them was wounded but the other one, riding a Gronkle, dodged and fired at them. The Nadder swiftly dodged to the side and got close enough to him.

Astrid jumped from her dragon while Rona tightly gripped the Nadder. She crashed against the Gronkle and stabbed the man before he could kill her. She grabbed his axe as his body fell into the sea. The Gronkle struggled against that new passenger though and Astrid lost balance. She yelled as she fell right toward the sea. She was suddenly caught back by her Nadder and she retrieved Rona on her back. On her side, Heather shot arrows at their opponents while Windshear would fire and even slice them with her deadly tail. They killed some of them and eventually distanced the others.

As they were flying away, she looked at the Nadder fondly. "It's the second time you come to save me while I'm outnumbered. You're the best!" The dragon grunted gently. She then turned to Fishlegs: "I knew someone would come!"

"Of course we were! I'm so glad to see you're both okay!"

Astrid was undoing her chains when she saw a black shadow, and her smile grew. Rona gave a joyful yelp. She saw Heather and Windshear as well. Fury came at her level and extended his arm enough to take her hand. She couldn't help but return the gesture. He also patted Rona's head gently. Lady approached Rona and gave her a quick lick on the face. Along with them, Astrid saw two big dragons and realized those were the Timberjack and the Typhoomerang she had seen in the woods.

"How did you know where we were?" Asked she

"We didn't, we were in the forest, trying to figure out a plan. Stormfly must have felt you were in danger, her instincts kicked in. We just followed her along with our dragons."

His voice…Her smile faltered a bit as she wondered again who he really was. It wasn't the right moment, though. She would put that aside for now. "We have to get Rona to a safe place and save Camicazi."

"We will," Heather affirmed. "We've got something for that, and with the two of you already out, it should be easier. Are you ready for what's coming?"

Astrid smirked and nodded.

O o O

Having a key to escape was one thing. Getting an opportunity to use was another. For now, there were too many guards in this corridor, and opening the door and trying to fight them off in such a state was nearly suicidal. Camicazi was simply resting for now, anger still vivid for what Drago did to her. She looked at Valka and saw how sad she looked.

"Did he treat you like that as well?"

"Not really. He avoids hurting me too much, I'm useful to him."

Sighing, the Endrisian spoke again: "Do you have somewhere to return to?"

"Not really. I…I had a place I could call home once, but this isn't the case anymore."

"Why?"

She received no answer at first. It wasn't until a long moment she heard: "My family is dead. My son and my husband." She gave no further explanation and Cami didn't ask. Valka remembered the day she learned about her husband and son's death. She had been so far away from the world that she received no news of them until she was imprisoned here. It was Drago who mentioned before her that Stoick the Vast was dead, as well as his son. It had been the worst thing he did to her, and he wasn't even aware of it.

A sudden and loud sound from afar and yells echoing through the hallway took her out of those thoughts. Cami jumped in surprise and looked at Valka questioningly. Footsteps of people running could be heard, the guards were called. What was happening? Was one of the dragons being difficult? If it was the case, they would probably come to her to calm them down.

"Everyone! We're being attacked! Come along!"

The few guards in the corridor did follow the call, except for the one near their door. "I have to guard their cell…"

"We're under attack, you dumbass! They aren't gonna tore the bars off!"

The other yielded at those words and followed them. Breathlessly, Valka realized the corridor was deserted. Cami stood and started to undo the chains;

"An attack, that's the gods helping us!"

"More like my friends coming to free us," whispered Cami with a huge smile. "Let's ease their task!"

Although their first move was to go to the dragons' area, they soon understood the battle was taking place in here. "We have to find another way…"

Footsteps echoed and the two women froze. About seven guards were rushing in their direction. "What?! Get them back!" Exclaimed one of them.

They were about to try to run when a guard suddenly slammed his hammer into another's head. They heard a violent 'crack'. The others didn't expect that, neither did the prisoners. It gave him time to crash his hammer against another man's skull. The others went to attack him. He deflated an attack and crushed his hammer in his ribs. Camicazi punched one in the neck violently, making it snap. She stole his axe and attacked as well. Valka grabbed a weapon too. The guard who helped them got his arm badly sliced but still managed to crush his opponent. Cami gutted the last man and turned to the mysterious guard while regaining her breathing. Their ally took his helmet off.

"I see you didn't lose time to escape!"

She gasped as she saw Astrid's friend, that Fishlegs guy. "What are you doing here?!

"I was sent to help you! Who is this?!"

"Valka is a friend; we wanted to free the dragons…" He laughed at this and said: "You and Fury are really alike! That's what he is doing! Come now, we have to get outside first, Meatlug and Hamera are waiting for us."

"I know the way."

They took down the few other guards they crossed, as Valka showed them the shortest way out. They went through the food stock which had a window which provided an easy way outside.

While they were escaping, the arena was a true inferno.

They had made sure to attack as quickly as possible. Yet, the guards had been expecting them. After Astrid's escape, they probably knew they would come back for Camicazi. Sadly for them, the losses after the battle against Krogan had diminished their rank, and they were about to confront some of the deadliest dragons existing.

Hiccup and Toothless took care of the flying sentinels along with Lady, Hamera and the Typhoomerang who was following the Night Furies. Hamera and the Typhoomerang were burning riders easily, their dragons would either be wounded, some were killed, but most of them made it alive. Toothless and Lady easily killed the ones coming at them, the deadly couple was more than they could handle. The female Night Fury would spin around like a tornado, shooting with a dead precision the men on the dragons. She would hardly hurt the animals, it wasn't her goal. Toothless would also make deadly shots, while Hiccup mortally wounded any rider in his reach. The sentinels were more numerous, but Hiccup and his Night Fury were stronger, better and more experienced. Slaying a rider who was trying to shoot an arrow at him, Hiccup gave his next order.

"Toothless, call."

Breathing deeply, the dark dragon roared loudly. It wasn't a roar to threaten. Toothless had always been a dominant dragon, even more than the other Night Furies. As the roar echoed, making every enemy tremble, the sentinels who were still alive also saw the dragons without riders starting to gather around Toothless. Free from their previous masters, they were free to chose, and although a few of them flew away, most of them stayed and attacked.

While they were fighting in the air, Astrid and Heather had gone with the Timberjack in the arena. Both girls and their dragons started to attack the less numerous soldiers in the ring. While the dragons were burning and tearing enemies apart, the two women sliced and maimed flesh. The Typhoomerang hardly threw any fire, and used his wings instead. Those could cut woods and easily opened human stomachs. The others in the prison were probably alerted already, they wouldn't have much time. Soon, the whole army would be alerted.

Heather ordered Windshear to slice the metal doors open. Seeing what she was doing, the Timberjack attacked the ones made of woods. Once more, Hiccup leaned down and told Toothless: "Call!"

At that second roar, dragons started to emerge from the cages and flew toward the Night Fury. Some were chained though and Windshear started to break their chains when a new whole lot of guards started to come in.

"Girls, come back!"

The two women flew toward Fury again. Astrid almost received an arrow in the face, the weapon grazed her cheek and she felt pain in her ear. She yelped and put her hand on the bleeding flesh. Shit! Ears would always bleed a lot! It wouldn't be enough to make her faint though, she had been through worse.

He sent the Typhoomerang to create a tornado of fire. Screams and yells of agonies echoed as fire invaded the ring and mercilessly burned the soldiers. He didn't even bother to take the time to watch this. He just looked around the prison, trying to spot whether or not his friends made it out. That plan to free the dragons from the cell was also a distraction for Fishlegs to get Cami out, he had to make sure…

A violent turn from Toothless almost threw him out of balance. He just had the time to push the pedal so they could keep flying. A figure threw itself at them. He and Toothless just had the time to dodge once more. Ryker! He saw the man on a Monstrous Nightmare, axe brandished. Ryker flew toward them and tried to behead the younger man who dodged and sent his sword toward his ribs. But Ryker was swift. He parried and sent his axe toward Hiccup's shoulder. Toothless and the Nightmare were struggling against each other, and a violent push from the Night Fury saved his rider from Ryker's next blow.

"I knew you would come for your little friend! Too kind to give up on anyone!"

"Come here, I'll give you a taste of my kindness!"

They clashed again, dragons and humans fighting each other. Fury almost planted his sword in his skull but received his opponent's elbow right in the face. He kept balance though and shielded himself from the next blow. Ryker tried to attack Toothless instead of him and Hiccup violently hit him with his shield, almost throwing him off his dragon. Then, he did something he hated. He slammed his sword against the Nightmare's head. The blow didn't kill the dragon, his thick skull and scales protecting him. But he bled and started to fall. Ryker yelled but kept a tight grip on the dragon and the beast managed to flip his wings clumsily. That was enough to get them to the ground. They landed in the forest! Fury was about to get down along with Toothless when he heard a voice calling him.

"Fury!"

Hiccup smiled hugely as he saw not only Fishlegs and Meatlug but Cami as well, back on Hamera. It wasn't the moment, he had to get his friends out of here, he would fight Ryker in time. He frowned though when he saw an unknown woman riding behind her. Valka tightly gripped the Bog-Burglar and bit her lip out of happiness. Oh it had been so long! So long since she hadn't felt the sensation to be in air, free and careless. She was finally flying away! After so many years, she was finally flying away! And all those dragons were finally free!

She thought she couldn't be happier, until she saw Cloudjumper flying toward them. Without hesitation, she jumped. Camicazi yelped until she saw Valka being caught back by the dragon.

Valka was elated to ride her dragon again and her friend happily greeted her. She laughed in joy. Her problems weren't over, but at least she would finally be able to regain freedom! She looked at those unknown riders, guessing easily those were Endrisians. She even saw a Night Fury, rode by a masked man. Fury! So she could finally see him for real! A wave of liveliness hit her, for the first time since she learned her son and husband's death, she felt like a heart was beating in her chest.

They reached their new hideout, where Rona had been waiting. She immediately ran to Fury and Astrid once she saw them. Hiccup gently took Astrid's face in his hands, and looked at her bleeding ear. Concern clouded his eyes as he looked at her. She was paler than before, no wonder, ears wouldn't bleed a lot. He made her sit down and Heather started to take care of the wound.

"I'll be alright, I got worse."

"It doesn't mean we should leave it like that."

He turned to Valka and looked at her. "Who are you? This wasn't your first ride."

"Not at all. I was a rider and a protector of dragons, just like you. My name is Valka."

He felt a slight pinch in the heart, that woman was named like his mother was. She explained how Drago captured her years ago, and although Hiccup wasn't so sure about her, it seemed like he had no reason to be distrustful. She really seemed to love dragons, the one she rode so naturally was at her side, leaning into her hand as she was fondly petting him. Camicazi put a hand on his shoulder.

"She helped me to escape, she was also a prisoner, we can trust her."

"I'll trust your judgment. How did you end in Drago's hands?"

"I fought him when he was just starting to rise. I thought my dragons could take him down…He proved me wrong. But what about you? I know you free slaves and dragons, but who are you really? Why such a mask?"

He straightened his stance and simply replied: "Your question could be answered, but not now."

Oh, Astrid hoped those questions would be answered indeed. His voice…Oh, she didn't dare to hope it was really Hiccup, that her friend was really alive, because deception was still possible and she didn't want to feel like Hiccup died again. She took a deep breath. "We should discuss other things, what are we doing now? Are we leaving?" Asked she.

"No. I'm sick and tired of that war; it's time to end it. We managed to release most of the dragons they used to ride, they have a serious disadvantage. Our troops are coming, along with Mala's dragons…"

"Dragons are coming that way?" They all turned to Valka after she interrupted Fury. To their surprise, she looked alarmed.

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, that's not good! Drago will probably try to use the Alpha to take them for himself."

"The Alpha?"

She explained what an Alpha was and what it could do. Hiccup listened with attention. Of course! That was the secret weapon he had! And that was why Drago wanted Viggo to steal from his library, because they wanted to know more about Alphas! Drago's biggest problems had always been that: making dragons bend to his will without breaking them completely. That had always been his and his tribe's greatest asset against him, they always had healthier and better trained dragons who wanted to fight along with them. But with that creature, he would have control over dragons with no problem at all. And his greatest advantage over him would become nothing…

"Wait why didn't he use it to get his dragons back when they flew away? Why didn't he attack us with him?"

"It took him a lot of time to capture it and train it. His control over the Alpha is still fragile. That dragon wouldn't call back the others or enslave them on his own, Drago would have to be near him and give him the order. And making him go for a war in a different territory would be risky, but if an entire army of dragons came here, served to him…"

Oh by all Helheim! He just deprived Drago from his army of dragons, but he was about to give him another! If all the dragons of his tribes suddenly turned against their owners, his people would be butchered! And Mala's tribe as well! No…No, he wouldn't allow that.

"We're getting to that dragon. Whatever happens, there is no way I'm letting Drago use that to his advantage."

To those who might wonder why Hiccup doesn't react to Valka's name more than this, remember once again that Valka isn't an uncommon name (at least in that verse). His mother wasn't the only woman named that way, therefore he would have no reason to assume that a perfect stranger is his mother, especially since he always thought she died a long time ago.

So here you go, it really took me a lot of time to write the fight scene, especially the one where they free the dragons, to obtain something at least decent.