Chapter 14 - Escape:

The following morning, in Myrka's castle…

"WHAT!"

"I'm so sorry sir. We just don't know how he did it! It was like he had some sort of abnormal strength and speed!"

Several guards were kneeling in front of King Harun in his castle in Myrka's north. Harun was sitting in his chair, his red eyes blazing with fury as he glared down at the guards below him.

"Search everywh-"

"We already have, sir!" Interrupted one of the guards.

The King snapped his head and turned his eyes to face the guard who had spoken. "You dare interrupt me? You will be sorry for that."

Very quickly Myrka's soldiers came into the hallway and seized the guard who had spoken and took him away. Now there were two guards left.

"You two. Have you searched all the prison area for them?" Harun asked, now looking back at them.

"Yes sir. We found nothing."

"Right. SOLDIERS!" Harun yelled, his voice booming around the hall.

Five soldiers wearing a similar uniform to the guards, but with these uniforms there were no two brown line streaks going horizontally. It was just a plain black t-shirt with two red stripes going vertically down from each shoulder. Suddenly they came rushing in.

They kneeled to the ground and bowed to their King, "Hail Harun! What is it you require sire?" They asked simultaneously.

"Get any off duty soldier and ones that are doing lesser important duties, and get them to patrol Myrka's Markets. And the East and South sides too. Tell the soldiers around this castle to patrol double time and report anything suspicious. Also double the security surrounding the black dragon in the forge."

"Our first dragon rider we captured, escaped all those years ago, do not let this one do the same. He is probably somewhere in the markets, the housed area or heading to the docks. Go!"

"Yes sire and hail Harun!" They shouted together and saluted him, then standing up and they both sprinted off to complete their orders.

Harun turned to the prison guards.

"As for you two, tell the other guards to patrol the prisons double time. Double the punishments for any crime and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Off with you!" He ordered.

"Yes sire and hail Harun!" And they too saluted, then rushed off.

Harun leant back in his chair, watching the guards leave.

"You will regret trying to escape. Dragon rider." Harun murmured to himself. As he clutched his sword's handle tightly in his grip.

The previous evening in Myrka's prison…

"What in Thor's name are you talking about? There's no way we could possibly get out of here. Besides why would you want to rescue me?" He asked, looking downright confused.

"Because," Hiccup began, "You are extremely important to me. I'm going to need your help in the future. And nothing is impossible."

Kormak let out a snort. "This is impossible." He muttered under his breath.

A minute of silence passed, before Alrik suddenly broke it. "You know, he's right."

Both Hiccup and Kormak turned to face him, looking very confused. "What?" They both said.

Alrik turned and faced them from his cell. "I underestimated this guy, Hiccup, when I met him. He's so small and looks like a light breeze could blow him over. But appearances can be deceiving. I learnt he has got a lot of strength and determination. He reminds me of my father. Before he was killed, he told me some words that are burned into my memory."

"Sometimes it's the people no one imagines anything of, who do the things, that no one, can imagine."

Hiccup was speechless. Stunned by the words.

Kormak looked at him, and smiled. Hiccup looked back and smiled too.

At last, he turned around again to face Alrik. "Thank you Alrik. That was touching."

He nodded and smiled. "Now you've just got to figure out how to break out of a massive prison."

Hiccup chuckled. "I've got a few ideas. Also, by the way, I'm sorry Alrik but I can't-"

"No no. You do what you have to do. You don't have to get me out." He dismissed.

Hiccup sighed. "I'm sorry, I can't get you out yet."

Alrik just nodded. "Do what's necessary."

Kormak was now so excited. "I'll get to see my brother again! Polk must be in bad shape. And mum. Oh mum…" He deflated, looking down at the ground sadly.

"Hey…" Hiccup put a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be all right. I'm sorry but we won't be escaping Myrka yet. Yes we'll hopefully get out of the prison area, but I have a couple things to do here before we leave."

Kormak looked at him. Hiccup noticed that his eyes were a hazel colour. Just like Polk's.

"I hope you explain all of what the hell you're talking about soon." Kormak replied.

Hiccup smiled. "I will. Now can you tell me why and how you were taken from Dyflin?"

"How does he know I'm from Dyflin…" Kormak muttered under his breath, facing the ground. He looked up to face Hiccup and took a deep breath in.

"The high majority of food for most tribes is bought and traded in the markets. So nearby tribes depend on Myrka to feed their own. So they travel to Myrka and go into the markets to get and trade their food."

"The Myrkians always travel to most tribes in the surrounding islands and archipelagos too. However, Myrka does travel around to almost all the tribes nearby once every two months not for trade, but for selection. To seize one person except the chief, and bring them back to become slaves, or gladiators for the arena."

"All these people here in the prisons are slaves from other tribes that Myrka has collected for many, many years and are suffering punishment for a crime. The rest of the slaves are out doing their masters bidding. Myrka's residents sometimes commit crimes too. It's not just the slaves."

"So when half of Myrka's fleet arrives at your island, you know they are here for the selection of one person. And once they decide who they want, there is no refusing. If the tribe refuses, Myrka destroys their home and kills everyone. All tribes around here are outnumbered and outmatched so they have no choice but to oblige."

"However, I know there is one tribe that does not come to Myrka for anything, and Myrka does not go to them. The tribes are enemies, but neither is willing to attack the other. Myrka has power, force and numbers. But the other tribe, The Bog Burglars, have strategy, they are smart and determined, stealthy and quick.

"So that's what happened to me. I was chosen to come here. I've been a slave for a year, and this time I committed my first crime, which was forget one thing on a list of food items for my master. He cut my leg with a knife here, and he sent me to prison for a week and ordered me not to be whipped or healed, so I could bleed."

"But thankfully you saved me and persuaded the guards to have me in here. And for that I'm so grateful."

Kormak hugged him, and Hiccup smiled into his shoulder and patted him on the back. Kormak began to cry.

"I just m-miss my little brother, I always took c-care of him. I miss my family so mu-much." He stammered, as tears began to fall and drip down Hiccup's back.

"I know you do." Hiccup replied. Feeling moved by the emotion and affection of Kormak. He kept patting him reassuringly on his back.

Over the time they had been talking, the sun had dropped further down in the sky, and things were starting to darken.

Hiccup and Kormak released each other. "How's the wound? Feel any better?" The auburn haired teen asked.

Kormak bent down and examined the knife cut. "Yeah, feels better and looks better. Thank you. But if I touch it or nudge it, it's bound to start bleeding again."

Hiccup now examined it too, "Yeah probably. Best not to touch it then."

Hiccup suddenly heard lots of footsteps.

"Guys! They're coming!"

Alrik had whispered as loudly as he could to Hiccup and Kormak, as the guards began filing out of the gates holding the usual food and water.

Kormak stood straight up as if about to make a salute.

"Calm down. Let me handle this." Hiccup whispered. "Stand next to me." Kormak instantly did so. They were standing in the middle of the cell.

"Good luck!" Alrik whispered.

"Hey Alrik, one last thing to say to you." Hiccup started, saying it quickly. "I hope to make the prophecy come true. I am the one who rides the dragon of the night. I'm the Night rider. My mark," Hiccup showed his wrist in Alrik's direction, "is Night's mark. I will try to free the slaves of Myrka, end the corruption and evil of the century. I make that a promise."

Hiccup nodded to him, as Alrik's & Kormak's jaw's dropped. He quickly lent down and picked up a handful of mud.

The guards approached, and finally the usual chap unlocked Hiccup's cell at last and walked in holding a cup and no plate.

As soon as he bent down to place the cup on the ground, Hiccup threw the mud straight at the guard's head.

It splattered onto his hair, and he staggered backwards, swearing and raging in the cage's door's frame a little, spluttering.

Hiccup seized his chance, ran forward and push-kicked him in his chest with his right bare foot. The motion sent the guard yelling in pain and being almost blasted backwards. Sent sprawling onto his back and sliding along the muddy ground. The dragon strength in his muscles acting almost like a solid wall.

Half stunned at what he had done in a matter of a second, he ran back to Kormak who looked like he was in shock, and tripped him over and caught him in his hands.

He carried Kormak out of the cell, and now he was really in shock. He stared awed and terrified at Hiccup's face at the same time.

At that moment all the other guards from the other cells locked the doors they were currently attending, and then began charging at Hiccup.

The guards were no match in speed for Hiccup, running at least three times faster than everybody else. He zoomed ahead as if he was just riding the wind and avoiding obstacles. But the gravel hurt his feet, but he would have to put up with it.

Hiccup ran towards the gates where the guards came out, and occasionally kicking and knocking any guard out of his way with his feet and shoulders.

"PRISONER ES-" Before the guard had even finished his sentence, Hiccup had reached him as he was closing the gate, lent the top of his head down and smashed his head into the guard's chest at his full speed of running. The force hurt his head & neck a little, but he paid it no mind.

The guard was sent flying into the distance, and crashed into a rock protruding out of the ground.

Now past the gate, which was now closed, facing the entrance and exit to the building of the prison, he sprinted to the door and smashed it open.

The door flung off its hinges and was sent pelting across the room, till it hit a guard standing at the other end, who screamed in fright. Hiccup wasted no time and ran to the nearest exit. Sprinting out and leaving dumbfounded guards behind him.

Now recognising where he was, he ran forward still clutching Kormak in his arms. He knew where he was going. He was now running along the dirt road track from the prison that led to Myrka Markets.

He saw the sign which said 'Myrka Markets' on a wooden panel hanging over the entrance, and he sprinted in underneath it. Kormak's brown hair waving in the wind.

The markets were nearly empty. He stopped running and stood still, examining his surroundings. There were stalls, wheel barrows, crates and things everywhere. But he couldn't see many people at all. Only a couple moving in the distance along a laneway.

He sprinted to the right, hoping to run away from the people.

He passed hundreds of stalls, supply stores and everything in between. Hiccup was hoping to run to the housing area.

But as he ran, he suddenly noticed something. There were posters on every available pole, wheelbarrow, and even some on the ground. As he ran, he couldn't read them that much, but after time of running and seeing the same thing. He could make out a few words.

'For the first time ever, you can join!' Is all he could read due to the speed he was going.

Kormak was still in his hands and looking like he had passed out. As Hiccup kept running he took a glance down to check Kormak's leg.

It was bleeding again, the motion must have got his blood pumping, or he might have accidently knocked it. It was dripping out of his wound and onto Hiccup's shorts and bare legs.

He looked up again and slowed his running down. He was thankful it was night time. There were no people around his current position yet.

Then either by chance or luck, there was a cloth on the ground ahead.

He picked it up and saw that it looked more like a brown dish cloth used to clean dishes, but that didn't matter. He needed to stop the bleeding now.

He pressed the cloth against his wound as he sat down. Kormak let out a grunt of pain.

Hiccup knew he couldn't stay where he was, so he stood up and picked Kormak up again. Keeping his right hand pressed against the wound in his left leg.

He started running again. Continuing his running northwards.

Suddenly he noticed someone ahead of him, so he ran faster and right past the person as fast as he could. Not even looking at who it was.

Hiccup heard a shout behind him but he was going so fast that he didn't even catch the words.

At last after all the running, the markets finally came to a stop and there was another dirt path ahead of him. This one was empty too, luckily. Up ahead he could see houses. So that must be the homes of Myrka's Vikings.

He ran straight towards it. Eager and hopeful to find a house that was empty.

Going through the entrance, he ran forwards for a distance, following the straight road.

On his sides, small pathways lead to houses on his left and right. It was quite extraordinary to see everything lined up so perfectly. He noticed that every house had a number just above the front door.

He wasn't sure which one to take, all the houses looked exactly the same.

Then suddenly he saw a sign outside one of the houses. He skidded to a halt and turned around to go back towards it.

In front of the house was a wooden sign with the writing sketched onto it, saying 'vacant.' The house's number was one hundred and ninety five.

Cheering with joy in his mind, he kicked over the sign and picked it up. Then he approached the door and opened it.

Closing it behind him, he examined the place.

It was a decent size, though rather smaller than his own house back on Berk.

It had a fireplace with wood in it to his right, with two chairs around it. Straight ahead of him was a table with four chairs around it. Further straight ahead led to a kitchen with cutlery, plates and bowls and cups.

To his left were stairs that were against the wall leading up to what must be bedrooms.

Hiccup dropped the sign and kicked it towards the fireplace.

He then walked up the stairs to find one open room, with two beds. With sheets and pillows.

Relieved, he walked over to a bed and placed Kormak down. Thanks to Hiccup's marvellous eyesight, he could clearly see the wound now on Kormak's leg. He kept some pressure on it, and the blood eventually stopped seeping out.

Tired now after all the running, Hiccup tucked Kormak into the bed, but first made sure that his bleeding was stopped. He was asleep now for sure, Hiccup noticed his breathing was no longer erratic but slow and relaxed.

Then Hiccup realised they needed clothes. Seeing that they were both shirtless and had only had torn prison shorts on.

He turned around to see if there was a wardrobe or something that had clothing.

Fortunately there was.

Hiccup went over to it and opened it.

He pulled out some grey trousers and a brown shirt.

He took them over to Kormak and pulled back the sheets. Hiccup closed his eyes in respect as he took off Kormak's shorts, now knowing he was completely naked.

Hiccup had to open them to pick up the trousers and kept them open so he could see what he was doing. He dressed Kormak into the clothes which just fit him, but were a little oversized.

Realising this would be a big problem for himself too, he went back to the wardrobe and found two belts.

He fastened one around Kormak's waist, pulled the sheets over him then went back to the wardrobe to find his own clothes. He managed to first find a large black shirt and a skinny dark green pair of trousers too.

He took off his shorts and placed them next to the ones that he took off Kormak.

The trousers fit well but he still put the belt on just in case. As he placed the shirt over his head, he realised that this shirt was definitely way too big for him. He laughed to himself as he saw the end of the shirt going past his thighs.

"Oh well, this'll do." He whispered to himself.

He then saw two pairs of boots, and got them out and tried them on. They both fitted him, and he took one pair over to Kormak and they fitted him too. So he went back to the wardrobe and placed the boots on the floor.

Closing the wardrobe, he hopped into the other bed himself, hopeful of finally getting a proper and comfortable sleep.

He had begun forgetting about his wounds on his back, so as he lay down, it painfully reminded him they were still there, stinging badly. He groaned a little in pain and turned on his side so the pain stopped.

Now alone to think to himself, he thought about what was going to happen tomorrow.

Kormak was going to ask so many questions and he would have to answer and tell him truthfully. Now that he had gotten out of prison, he had to stay out. And keep Kormak out. He had three main goals.

He knew that the guards knew he was caught riding Toothless. So the security around him must have been increased. So it would be too risky going to find him yet.

So, Hiccup's main priorities were, getting himself and Kormak back into good physical shape and healing the wounds. This included staying out of prison, finding sufficient food and water for them both. Keeping Kormak safe and maintaining a low profile.

On that thought he realised he should wake up early tomorrow so he could go and find some food and water. Bring it back for himself and Kormak.

His second priority was to establish the safest escape route out of Myrka should the opportunity arise. Along with that, he could not leave without Toothless and Kormak.

He remembered Asan, the chief of Dyflin, saying that they got their food supply from their main trading partner, and Kormak said most tribes get their food from Myrka. So he could possibly hope for something to turn out in that respect.

His third priority was to find Toothless. That was the most important thing, but Hiccup knew he could not leave without Kormak either otherwise this would all have been for nothing.

Fourthly and lastly, he knew there was another person in Myrka who had a dragon mark. The last person in this retched land, was another one of the Six. If he could escape with them all, then he could rejoice in the fact that three of the Six have been found.

After that would be an interesting turn of events. He would have to help Kormak and whoever was the other one, find their dragon. Kormak's mark is a Thunderdrum. Perhaps the best place to get a Thunderdrum, would be Dyflin itself. Asan said there are many around their island. Plus the one in the forest might still be there.

Then would be the fact of finding a dragon for the other person who is one of the Six. He wondered what mark and dragon that persons could be.

When that is complete, then comes the really hard part. Find the last three of the Six. But in Hiccup's mind that time is ages away, he has to focus on the present and he knew that.

The following morning…

He was awoken by the smell.

Ohhh what is that lovely smell…. He thought.

Suddenly he was brought back to his senses. A spot on his left leg was sore and stinging. He was lying down on something really comfortable, and he was wearing…clothes?

He opened his eyes and sat up, realising he was in completely unfamiliar surroundings.

The windows shone light in from the skies above. He looked around the room and saw another bed directly opposite his own with dirt marks all over it. The sheets looked carelessly thrown over the bed.

Memories of last night came rushing through him, he was carried by Hiccup from the prison!

Where am I now? Kormak thought.

The smell again attracted his nose, and he stood up.

His brown shirt fell down a little as Kormak examined the clothes, they were a little big on him, but certainly were a lot better than muddy filthy torn shorts. He tightened the belt a little around his grey trousers.

So Hiccup must have dressed me.

Blood rushed to his face and ears in embarrassment.

"Come on down, breakfast is served." Called a slightly familiar voice downstairs.

Kormak gradually walked down the stairs, limping. Breathing in the sweet smell of cooking food.

Hiccup heard Kormak's light footsteps coming downstairs. So he rushed and took the cooking meat out of the pan above the fire, and placed it onto the plates.

Once done, he walked over to the table and placed two plates opposite each other, next to cups of water.

Kormak stared shocked at the sight.

"Come on." Hiccup gestured to the food. "It's not going to eat itself, hurry up and dig in."

Hiccup sat down, took his boots off and Kormak slowly followed suit.

They began to dig into the food, and Kormak suddenly realised something.

"This isn't dragon! What is it?!" He asked excitedly, chewing on it slowly.

"Beef." Hiccup answered with his mouth full. Also twisting his lips into a smile.

Kormak looked so grateful. "Thank you so much."

Hiccup nodded in appreciation. As he dug into it, he was so thrilled he had managed to get some beef. But that was not all he had gotten.

Earlier this morning he had snuck out really early among all the other Vikings and entered the markets which were completely bustling with people.

Hiccup realised one simple and easy fact for him, one that made him really appreciate his small size. Staying stealthy and pick pocketing was so easy when in such tightly packed corners. He had pick pocketed many people, and for the first time he was introduced to these small metal things, that apparently Vikings called money.

He had never known of such a thing on Berk, everything was simple and people shared, there was no such thing as money as far as he knew.

All he had to do was pick pocket people for money, and do what the store people say, is 'buy' the food. In other words, he had to give some money to the storemen and in return for the amount of food he wanted.

So he did that, and got plenty to last for days. However, he had to be careful to try and avoid the men in uniforms. He had seen many familiar people who were wearing similar uniforms to the guards in prison. He guessed that these people were soldiers, or the market guards or something.

Getting the water was more difficult. There were queues of which people had to line up to get barrels of water. The barrels were heavy, even for Hiccup. He could only carry one, and he brought it back to this house. Where he filled up the cups with water.

Then another thought suddenly struck his mind.

The compass! Gothi's compass! I didn't find it, I forgot! I wonder what happened to it. Hiccup thought.

"So, you've got a lot of explaining to do."

Hiccup shook himself out of his thoughts, and looked back at Kormak who was looking at him expectantly.

"Indeed. Where would you like me to start?"

"At the beginning." Kormak replied, now taking a sip of water and wiping his mouth. His plate was finished and so was Hiccup's.

Hiccup wiped his mouth with his sleeve, took a deep sigh and leant back on the chair, though it hurt his wounds a little, he didn't mind.

"My home is far away from here, on an island called Berk. This one night, only about a week or two ago now, our village just started to be attacked by dragons…"