Chapter 15 - Two Plans:
"So there you have it. That's my explanation." Hiccup finished at last, observing Kormak for a response.
Hiccup had just told him everything from the beginning. How he was born with the dragon mark, thinking he was meant to take down a Night Fury.
When he did, he bonded with him and learnt he had the Night's Mark. Apart from the fact that it meant he was going to get dragon characteristics, it represented that he is the leader of the Six. And his goal is to find and bring together the other five people who are branded with dragon marks.
He described how he had to find the Six their dragon bonds, and once the Six and their dragons are united, they will conquer the evil, injustice and corruption that plagues this world.
He also told Kormak that he was one of the Six, and that when he was ready, he would need to bond with a Thunderdrum dragon.
"So, let me get this straight…" Kormak began, leaning forward in his chair and raising his hands into the air as if about to gesture at something, "I have to get a dragon to bond with, and then I'll be joining you on a quest to find the other four and do the same with them?"
Hiccup nodded. "That's it. For now. But I have to do more work here before we leave. We cannot leave till I find Toothless, and hopefully I'll find the other one who's somewhere here in Myrka."
Kormak smiled. "Sounds freaking awesome."
Hiccup laughed. "Anything sounds better being out of a prison."
"Yes that's true." Kormak replied, nodding. "I'm so happy to be out of there at last."
"So am I." Hiccup said.
"So what now?" Kormak asked him.
Hiccup cleared his throat. "Well, we should probably try and stay indoors today and maybe tomorrow. I would like to keep a low profile."
Kormak nodded, "Yeah that sounds wise."
Suddenly Hiccup heard footsteps outside the door, just before there was a knock.
"Hide!" Hiccup whispered, as he stood up rather fast, and Kormak scrambled into the kitchen area to hide behind a wall.
Hiccup strolled over to the door and opened it.
There stood a regular looking Viking man.
"Hello, I am the neighbour next door to your right. May I please speak to your parents?" Asked the man, smiling in a fatherly kind manner.
Expecting it to be someone far more hostile like a soldier or guard, Hiccup suddenly wasn't sure what to say.
"Uhhh… I actually own this house."
The man raised his eyebrows and gave a suspicious look. Also glancing down and his eyes rested on Hiccup's Night mark for a fraction of a second. "You're only a kid. Now come on, where are your parents?"
"No he doesn't, get back here bro!"
Hiccup spun around and Kormak was walking over to him, with a confident look on his face.
Hiccup walked over to him with his head hung low and sat down at the table as Kormak walked to the door.
"I'm sorry about him, he thinks he owns the place. When I actually do!" Kormak exclaimed, jerking his head behind him. At which Hiccup let out a faint chuckle.
"How may I help you?" Kormak asked. Then suddenly Kormak recognised the person. He knew that guy sold fruit and mainly apples in the markets. Kormak had been a slave for a year and as he did his master's bidding, which often included going to the markets to get food, he began to familiarise himself with storemen.
Kormak didn't know if the man knew him, so far he showed no sign of recognition. He hoped he didn't know he was a slave.
"I'm the neighbour next to your right, I just wanted to meet you. I saw the vacant sign had been taken away. So I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Erp." The man held out his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you. I'm Kormak. And this is my brother Hiccy. Hiccy get over here and say hello!" Kormak yelled behind him, as he shook Erp's hand, and Hiccup stood up and walked rather childishly towards them. Erp glanced down again for a slight fraction of a second and saw the Thunderdrum dragon mark on Kormak. Before looking up.
"Hello." Hiccup greeted, extending a hand and shaking.
"Hi Hiccy. I'm Erp."
Hiccup nodded, and turned around again to walk back to the table.
Kormak shook his head in an exasperated way. "Sorry about him. Anyway, it was nice to meet you."
Erp nodded and said, "You too, but wait before I go, I would like to give you something. You probably have one by now, because they are all over the markets. But here's one just in case. You might want to consider it one day."
Erp reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment.
"Thank you, good-bye." Spoke Kormak, accepting the parchment and shutting the door as Erp said goodbye and left.
"I think that went rather well," commented Kormak, now walking over to Hiccup, "quite smoothly."
Hiccup smiled at him. "Indeed. Great idea. Thanks. But Hiccy? Really… That's like really sappy…"
Kormak laughed. "I think it was suitable. Plus I think I'm going to call you that now. Hiccy."
Hiccup sighed and banged his head on the table. "Oh bugger. What's the parchment say?"
Kormak unravelled it and passed it to Hiccup. He took it and instantly recognised it as one of the posters all over the markets he saw last night and this morning.
"'For the first time ever," Hiccup read out aloud, "you can join voluntarily! That's right! Myrka's Army is holding a training exercise for Myrkian Vikings in one month's time to join in the arena. It's basic through to advanced sword fighting skills. The Army will only take in fifteen people, and your training will begin and take approximately two months.
Once the training is complete, the judge and manager of the training will determine whether you are able to be eligible to join the Army. If you aren't, you will go back to your regular work. If you are, your last task to join the Army will be to kill a slave and a dragon in front of our King and town. All of which by the decision and authority of King Harun's daughter, Vali.
To sign up, please put your name, gender, age and number of the house you reside in on a piece of parchment and hand it in to one of Myrka's soldiers. If you're accepted into training, a soldier will deliver a note to your house letting you know if you're in. It'll provide details of exactly when and where to meet, and what to bring.
Good luck to all participants! Hail Harun!'"
Hiccup looked up and passed the poster to Kormak. A wide smile on his face.
"This is it." He spoke.
In a few minutes Kormak read it then looked up to Hiccup with an you've-got-to-be-kidding-me face. "Are you seriously saying we're going into this?"
Meanwhile in the cavern next to Myrka's forge…
Something had happened.
He knew it. And he had a feeling he knew what had happened.
Toothless was smiling to himself.
The security around the Night Fury had doubled. There were more guards, and he was spending more time in the dungeon.
He had a feeling he knew why. He knew that Hiccup was captured just like he was, and if Hiccup were to escape, that would mean sometime he'd try to fetch him. Hence the guards.
He was proud that Hiccup had obviously achieved it. But, this also brought a bigger problem.
It would be very difficult to sneak out of such a place. Toothless wasn't sure how the boy would be able to do it. Plus Toothless doubted he'd be able to fly again, with only one tailfin.
Toothless suddenly heard approaching footsteps, he lifted his head off his paws, and his ears raised up vertically. Now looking outside the bars.
"All right! Ready for another day of work, black dragon?"
Vali came striding in, many guards behind her, and all holding weapons.
Toothless blinked. As he couldn't really do much else. Being still muzzled, and chained he couldn't move much at all.
"Come on you idiots! The swords won't make themselves!" Vali shouted at the guards, who were trying to unlock Toothless's cage.
The guards had shaking hands as they were trying to unlock the door as fast as Vali wanted. "Y-yes ma'am." One of them stammered.
At last the key entered the keyhole, and the dungeon cage door swung open, the old rusty metal creaking and groaning as it swung.
The guards strolled in and began pushing Toothless's cart that he was imprisoned on towards the forge.
A few hours later while Toothless was working on blowing some fire for the blacksmiths, a soldier looking Viking came walking in from upstairs. Carrying a piece of parchment.
"Excuse me my lady Vali." He politely bowed to the woman.
"What do you want?!" She demanded, turning to face the soldier rather aggressively.
He stood up to his fullest height and held out the parchment for Vali. "I have the details of the first willing participant for the sword fighting training exercise next month."
Vali snatched it out of his hand and read the name and details.
"He's male, fifteen years old and lives in house 195. His name is… That's his name? That's got to be the stupidest name I've ever heard of. Who in their right mind would name their son Hiccup?"
Immediately, Toothless stopped blowing fire, widened his eyes so much and snapped his head to look at Vali in a quick motion.
HE IS ALIVE! I KNEW IT! Toothless yelled happily into his thoughts. Excitement bubbling through him.
"HEY! What do you think you're doing?! Back to work!" Vali shouted at Toothless, noticing he wasn't blowing fire anymore.
Back in the house numbered 195…
Hiccup walked in, closing the door behind him.
Kormak was fast asleep on one of the chairs by the fire, which was now lit as it was approaching evening and getting chilly.
Hiccup went into the kitchen and put the supplies he had gathered from the markets onto the benches, before he too himself went over and sat in the other chair opposite Kormak.
He stared into the fire, watching the flames dance among the wood. Thinking.
Well, I have successfully given my details to a soldier to hopefully be accepted into training. I think this would be a perfect opportunity to learn some skills. I may be strong, but I have no idea how to wield a sword properly.
Though if I manage to win, I will not be killing a dragon or a slave. In fact, hopefully it will be the exact opposite.
Kormak began to stir, moving around a little to get comfortable in the chair.
"Everything go all right Hiccy?" He groggily asked, his eyes drooping.
Rolling his eyes at the name, Hiccup answered "Yeah, delivered the note to a soldier. And also got some more supplies."
Kormak nodded, his eyes still shut. "Good. So you think your plan will work?"
"I hope so. I'll be starting tomorrow. You sure you'll be all right here? I'll drop in when I can to see how you are."
Kormak waved his hand in the air dismissively.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. You do what you…need to….do." He trailed off, his mouth opening and a loud snore ensuing.
Smiling to himself, Hiccup leant back in his chair and kept his eyes fixed on the dancing flames.
Watching, thinking, Hiccup thought.
Now, all I need is a bit of luck. I've gotten this far, just only a few things remaining. Don't worry Toothless, I'll find you soon. I've got some things to find out first… A plan.
Three weeks later…
'Hiccup of house one-hundred and ninety five, you are hereby accepted into Myrka's sword training exercise for the Army. Please bring a sword that's in good condition along with you to the arena. Meet at the arena's entrance in three days with your sword. Bring no one except yourself.'
Yes! Hiccup cheered in his mind. Everything is going perfectly…
Hiccup Haddock sat down at the table, and started eating his dinner. Starting with the chicken ribs, he devoured it.
He really was beginning to love cooked food. It was such a relieving taste, it was so good being out of prison even though it had only been three weeks and a day since.
Once he had finished dinner, he left the house in the dark of night, and made his way to a place to deliver a note.
When Hiccup returned, he went through the house and up to his bed to sleep.
Even though Hiccup had plans in motion, there was one crucial thing that Hiccup was unaware of. Something that could result in a failed plan.
Erp just withdrew his head from peeking out his front door, his eyes were on Hiccup till he went inside. Hiccup wasn't the only one with a plan.
Later that night, on a remote island a fair distance from Myrka…
He was running, as fast as his little legs could carry him. He was on a mission. Of top priority.
Though, he knew he wasn't little. He just felt little. Like a tiny spider, a young one tangled in the strands of the web.
He ran and ran, determined to make it to the hill on time.
True, he was nervous. Terrified, but it was necessary and he had been doing this job for years. All he cared about was getting the job done. And right now he was doing it and quickly.
He had just arrived at the island, though it didn't exactly take him long to get there. Thanks to the King's secret form of travel for him.
He didn't mind doing dirty work. After all he was paid for it.
Finally, nearly out of breath, he reached the top of the hill. The vast darkness looming ahead sending chills up his spine. However, he knew he need not enter it.
"Messenger Orah delivering message from King Harun of Myrka! On highest priority! Level five!"
As per normal, a man with horrific scars all across his body, long lines that resembled whip lashes and burn marks that were cut into his skin, on his face, back, chest, everywhere. Only wearing a pair of grey torn shorts, came wincing and limping out the darkness and up the hill to meet him.
"Level five? Highest priority?" Questioned a sudden, deep and dark voice. Not the man's. It's slow, drawling creepiness sending a cold chill up both the Viking's backs. "It's been sixteen years since I last had one of those."
"Take the note from him." Spoke the voice. Suddenly the air began to feel very hot and frightening to Orah. He had never delivered a letter of a level five importance. He hoped he didn't do anything wrong.
With trembling hands, the bloodied man took the note from Orah's outstretched one.
"Orah, leave." Said the voice.
"Yes master." Right away, Orah bowed to the bloodied man and beyond. He could not see beyond the bloodied man, it was just like a jet black wall behind him. And Orah sped back down the hill, his business concluded.
The bloodied man turned around and returned into the darkness. The man could not see, for he was blind, and he felt the note leaving his hands.
He heard a deep, deafening furious roar within a few seconds. One of the many the man had grown accustomed to. Though this one was so loud it nearly broke his ear drums. He slammed his hands to his ears.
The man knew one simple fact. This creature that resided there that governed all, was not a dragon. For it spoke and read Viking Norse. But he knew it couldn't be a Viking as it seemed too large. But, it was something evil and had an incredibly high amount of authority and power.
As soon as the beast had finished its ferocious roar, which was enough to send the gods cowering the man thought, he felt a hand. A human hand suddenly grip his shoulder. Not an abnormally large or small hand, a normal adult sized hand.
"Listen to this, young Viking…" Said the voice.
The man began to shake horribly in fear.
"'Master, I send this message by Orah on a level five urgency.
Something has come to my attention, o' wise master. The matter is currently under control, but this could get out of hand and you must know.
A few weeks ago, my soldiers captured another dragon, though this one was with another rider. It wasn't the same dragon or Viking we lost all those years ago, this one is male.
The matter of urgency is this: He has escaped the prison and is planning on doing some sword training. He is already quite skilled because he managed to knock out two guards, and badly injure one with no weapon!
But this isn't the worst of it master! One of my best spies has informed me of the following.
He is UNITING THE SIX! He has the Night Fury dragon mark on his right arm! That means he is the leader and wisest of the Six. He escaped with another Viking who also has a dragon mark! Soon master, I predict he will unite the Six.
But, I have a plan. My daughter is one of the Six as you know. I know Hiccup Haddock (that's the Viking with the Night Fury mark's name) is going to try and escape soon permanently with Kormak (the other guy with a dragon mark) and his dragon.
I will offer him a choice master. He can choose between escaping with Kormak and his Night Fury, and if he chooses that I will terminate my daughter so he can't unite the Six. Or he can choose to stay and live as a slave for the rest of his life.
Master, what do you think of this choice? If you have a better one or if you approve, please tell me soon master.
From your loyal servant, King Harun of Myrka.'"
The bloodied man was shaking violently with fear now, his skin was practically crawling off him, and he had never felt a hand on his shoulder from the beast before. As a matter of fact, he had never felt the beast before at all. Apart from the burns and lashes he had received.
The beast stopped talking, and the hand gripped the man's shoulder even harder. It was beginning to hurt. The Viking was now completely confused. This beast that lived here couldn't possibly be human, so what is this hand?
"You know what this means? Pathetic scum?! It means it's finally time to prepare my forces, gather my strength, and that of my loyal servants. Put things into motion. For we must ensure that the peace and light never returns to this world!" The creature roared triumphantly.
The nails of the hand on his shoulder suddenly dug into his skin. As if they were becoming long claws. The nails or claws pierced into his skin, sending the man screaming in pain.
"MASTER! Please stop!" The man desperately pleaded.
A cruel, gut wrenching laugh echoed around the man. "And as for you, you are no longer of use to me."
A second later, the spot on the hill upon where the scarred man was standing became a deep black hole in the ground, sizzling with heat and fire.
As the beast licked its lips from the fire blast, it smiled. "The Six, and Hiccup with Night's mark, bring it on."