Chapter 17 - Need A Sword:
He was standing there, at the top of the hill. Awaiting something. Staring into the darkness.
He wasn't alone, he had company. Five others to be exact. All of them standing next to their bonded dragons.
They were waiting, they knew the evil was here, but is it still?
Suddenly he heard a voice behind him, a familiar voice that he would never have expected to be here.
The voice spoke, "Surprise!"
His dragon and he spun around, along with the other five and their dragons, to face it. A look of terror and shock on all of the Vikings and dragons that made up the Six as they saw their worst enemy.
"Ahhh No!" Hiccup bolted upright, panting, sweating and shaking in his bed. Looking around as if expecting to see what he saw in his dream standing there.
It was early morning, and Hiccup looked down at the sheets and saw they were soaked in sweat. He was having a nightmare.
He took his legs out of bed and threw back the sheets, now with his legs and feet on the ground, he put his head in his hands.
"Only a dream Hiccup. Only a dream." He told himself. He took many breaths, trying to calm himself down.
His breathing slowed to normal, as he began to relax.
"Now, what's happening today…?" He spoke to himself. Now thinking of things to do.
Sword!
Hiccup's eyes widened at this thought, realising he needed one as soon as possible. Myrkian sword training begins tomorrow.
He stared at the floorboards endlessly, as if a sword was going to appear there, thinking over and over where he was going to get one from.
Standing up at last, he changed into his day to day clothes and walked downstairs. He noticed the fire was out as was expected after all this time, and the temperature had dropped considerably.
Hiccup started to shake a little from being cold, as he approached the window to let some air in.
The second he opened the window, his vision was blinded by the sheer amount of white snow that covered the ground. The sun was beaming from its spot on the horizon, making the snow gleam very brightly.
He turned his face away from the gleaming shine of snow, but kept the windows open as he turned around and walked into the kitchen.
Hiccup made his morning breakfast, and ate it at the table. Now looking at the compass Gothi returned to him last night on the table.
Whilst doing so, he began to think about what he had been told by Gothi last night. He took a glance at the window of which her dragon Spark had burst through, half expecting them to do it again.
Something really evil out there, mysterious. It holds a high amount of authority and has a lot of power.
Those aren't the best combinations…
Hiccup shook his head.
No, I can't concentrate on something like that. I've got priorities first. I need a sword for training and I need to focus on my plan.
This really evil thing can wait.
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, the breakfast complete.
He took the plate to the kitchen and left it there, not being bothered to wash up right away. He wanted to get the day started.
Hiccup dug his hand into his pockets to see how much money he had.
There were a few coins, but not much. There wasn't anything to buy today, unless he found a weapon store that sold swords.
He knew he had to do some more pick pocketing, and this time he thought he'd chance a walk to the docks in south Myrka too. He hadn't been there yet, and wanted to see what it was like.
Looking around the room, he spotted his boots and put them on his feet.
He took a quick drink of water, then he rushed back upstairs to find a coat. He found one, and as expected it was far too big for him. As he draped it around him, he felt like he was putting a large blanket around himself.
The dark blue coat was furry and thick, he could feel himself warming up quickly in it. For a moment he felt like it was the chieftain cloak that his father Stoick wore, back on Berk.
Shaking himself from those dangerous thoughts, he walked back downstairs now finally warming up and headed out the door.
The chilly breeze immediately became more apparent as he shut the door behind him. He felt really lucky to have the coat on. He felt sorry for all the slaves and prisoners who had to bare this weather.
As he turned and looked around him, he saw the usual amount of busy bustling people heading south towards the markets and docks.
The ground was covered in thick white snow. The sight was quite blinding, it took Hiccup many moments for his eyes to adjust.
He joined the crowd of people walking towards the markets. This time however he noticed many more slaves walking around. Their shirtless torso's and grey torn ridden shorts quite apparent.
Thinking over this as he walked with the crowd, now along the muddy dirt track in-between the houses and the markets, he realised he hadn't seen any female slaves or prisoners. Hiccup vaguely remembered Alrik mentioning something about how the guards separate the two genders.
Looking around him, he saw snow everywhere. The entire area was covered in bright white snow. The storm last night being the cause.
"Ouch!"
"Sorry! Sorry." Hiccup apologised. He accidently trod on a guy's foot. He happened to be a slave.
Instantly, everyone around Hiccup suddenly stopped as they turned and looked at him. The slaves looked shocked, and the Myrkian Vikings had mixed looks.
Some looked angry, others looked suddenly really nervous.
A million thoughts suddenly rushed through Hiccup's head at the same speed that blood and heat rushed to his face and ears.
"Criminal! Traitor! Seize him!" Many Vikings suddenly started shouting.
Realising this, Hiccup suddenly ran through the people towards the markets, pushing and shoving with strength. While the Myrkians behind him were shouting and pursuing.
Finally he reached the markets where the noise was tremendous, and there were hundreds of people walking around. He walked as if he was one of them rather quickly, shoving past a few.
At last when he considered himself safe from the Vikings earlier, he began to relax slightly.
So it must be a crime to apologise to a slave. How horrible. Hiccup thought. Despising Myrka more and more with every passing minute.
With his short height, his presence went unnoticed by many Vikings of whom he was now stealing money from. He bent down and moved around in-between the Vikings like a stealthy predator looking for prey.
He dug his hands into people's trouser pockets, waistcoat pockets and retrieved many coins which he filled into his own.
Silver, gold and bronze coins of different sizes, but mostly flat and circular in shape.
A number of people did turn around and/or immediately put their own hands into their pockets when they felt an intruding one in there. But Hiccup was too fast, and manoeuvred in-between the people too quick for anyone to see him.
He felt like a dragon flying around in a forest or amongst sea stacks, comparing it to avoiding the sea stacks and trees.
Once he gathered enough to half fill his pocket, he stopped and began to walk normally. Still heading southwards amongst a large and dense amount of people. He observed and looked around him, though difficult to see due to be being smaller and shorter than most, he caught glimpses of the stores and carts around him on either side.
"Two Yak ribs for twenty rupees!"
"Freshest stock of corn, broccoli and other vegetables here! You pay, we give!"
"Dragon meat! Many types of dragon meat sold here! It's cheaper and fresher than other stuff!"
Hiccup nearly regurgitated his breakfast when he heard that, and the smell too, this was the first store he had seen that sold dragon. As he rushed to get past it, he glanced over at the store, and saw much red looking meat like mutton, but more bloody. He even saw a whole head of a Terrible Terror there.
Disgusted, he walked faster and faster. Listening to the people shouting out what things to buy at their stores. Also feeling the crunch of snow beneath his feet quite interesting all of a sudden.
"Apples! Ten apples for ten rupees! It's a bargain! Come and pick the best ones now before we run out! Ten apples for ten rupees!"
Hiccup almost jumped at the familiar voice. He looked in the direction of the voice, and noticed his neighbour Erp. He was selling apples, he was holding a red one in one hand and shaking hands with someone with the other.
Approaching the store now, he looked at the crates of apples. Some green and red, they looked quite nice.
"Ah Hiccy! Good morning!" Erp barked, smiling cheerfully as he gazed at Hiccup and the people around him.
"Hi." Replied Hiccup, thinking of Kormak instantly at this new nickname.
"Where's your-"
"How much for all these?!" Suddenly demanded a gruff and old looking Viking who was holding three apples in his hand and several coins in the other.
Erp turned and looked at him, quickly responding "Three rupees sir!" Erp held out his hand to the old man.
The old man let out a huff, muttering "preposterous" under his breath. But anyway he took three bronze coins and slammed them down into Erp's awaiting hand and marched off into the crowd.
"Brother? Kormak is out getting something. You seem very busy, I'll come by later?" Hiccup inquired. Taking a step away.
Many people came from the crowd and were now beginning to look interested in the apples, even more now were wanting to buy them.
"Yeah, see you!" Erp exclaimed, very busy.
Hiccup smiled at him and turned around to walk back into the mass of people. Resuming heading in a southerly direction.
As he kept going, walking as per normal he thought of an idea.
Whilst he was pick-pocketing earlier, he did see several swords that people wore in sheaths on their belts. Most were quite large, maybe too big for him. But if all else failed, then he might have to steal a sword the same way he had pick pocketed people.
However he knew that would be more difficult, as pulling a rather long sword out of a sheath would certainly attract attention, especially that of the sword's owner.
But he may end up having no choice, if he couldn't get one by any other means.
Giving a few deep breaths, he looked up at the sky as he walked. Staring into the heavens above the clouds. The deep blue mixing in with scattered wispy white clouds.
He missed flying, greatly. The feeling of the air flowing through his clothes. Blasting his hair backwards. Plummeting to the ground at top speed or accelerating to the heavens.
Suddenly the noise of people began to increase as more and more people were now around. Hiccup looked down from the sky and noticed a sign hanging in-between two buildings over the path, at what seemed to be the entrance to a large fountain and masses of crowds.
The sign read 'Central Market Plaza.'
Hiccup had not seen this area of Myrka markets before. He saw many seats around the fountain that most were occupied with Vikings.
He walked up to it and found a seat that was empty. He sat down and looked around, observing everyone and everything in front of him.
Finally managing to actually get an accurate and descriptive look at this place, he studied it all.
There were people of all shapes and sizes. Various widths and heights. People with strange spiked helmets, a number of which stood out more so than others.
What is the fascination with spiked helmets? Hiccup wondered.
He saw people with helmets with one spike sticking straight up, and two going horizontally. Like a mast on a ship. Some people had curly spikes that twisted and had no symmetry or appeal at all.
Most people had long beards, but of many different colours. Some brown, grey, black and even ginger.
Then there were the slaves. Hundreds if not thousands of them, walking or limping around the markets doing their master's biddings. They all were easily recognisable with their bare torsos and torn grey shorts for the guys, and then he realised he finally saw female slaves. They were wearing brown braziers and shorts, limited clothing.
Hiccup felt awful watching them, he wanted to free them all. He could barely bare watching them all treated so in-humanely.
Well that ain't going to happen unless you go through with the plan and it all works. So get going!
Hiccup nodded to himself, realising his brain was right. He needed to get going.
He stood up and resumed heading in the same direction that he was heading before. He circled the fountain, and once he passed it, he continued walking in that direction.
It took him about another twenty minutes before he finally came to another opening where the buildings ended and he could see the wharves in the ocean. There were at least eight wharves extending far out into the sea, surrounded by hundreds of boats in the harbour.
He looked up and saw the back of the sign above him once again hanging in-between two buildings. It read, 'Myrka Docks.'
Now at southern Myrka, he kept walking to get familiar with the area.
He took several steps and began walking towards the wharves, but then somebody pushed past him in a hurry.
"I'm so sorry sir!"
Hiccup nearly fainted when he saw who it was, his face going white. And the person in question stared at him for a moment too, before turning around and running south towards the wharves.
"Wait!" Hiccup yelled after him, regaining composure and giving chase. "Stop!"
The person instantly stopped and turned around to face him.
It was Alrik.
Hiccup and Alrik were surrounded by many people, most of which were holding wheelbarrows and crates, walking in-between the markets and the wharves. Transporting goods and trade.
"What in Thor's name are you doing here?" Hiccup whispered to him as he approached and they began walking next to each other towards the docks.
"Good behaviour, they let me out a week early. Only to serve for another master. I'm currently running to his boat to fetch a handkerchief he apparently left there. What are you doing here?" He replied and asked, blinking several times and keeping his head low.
"Okay. I escaped with Kormak successfully. We have a plan in motion. I'm just going to have a look around the docks as I haven't seen it before." Hiccup explained.
Alrik nodded. "I'm guessing you flew here on the dragon of the night. I believe you with what you said. I'll do anything to help you should you need any." He offered kindly.
"Don't smile!" He quickly interrupted before Hiccup spoke. "Or be kind to me too loudly! I'm a slave who has to do exactly what you tell me in public because slaves have to do what their masters instruct. That's why I stopped running when you told me. Around all these people, it appears to them that you are my master, so if I'm seen disobeying you, or if you're seen being nice to me, problems could arise." Alrik whispered, explaining many valuable details to Hiccup.
Hiccup nodded. "Okay. Thank you."
Alrik smiled slightly but then stopped. "Look, I have to go to get this handkerchief or I'm going to be punished if I'm not fast enough. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"
Hiccup considered this for a moment. Before realising the opportunity and seizing it. "Just one thing thanks. Do you know where I can get a sword?" He whispered, his mind racing with hopeful thinking.
Alrik paused and looked rather confused for a moment. "Hmm… Tell you what, when I head to the docks theirs always many hundreds of boats there. I'll get the handkerchief I must, but I'll sneak around and see if I can nick one from someone else's boat."
Hiccup gave him a worried look. "But I don't want you to put yourself in dan-"
Alrik scoffed. "Oh please. It's the least I could do. Especially if you're the one the prophecy spoke of. It's worth the risk."
Hiccup was still not convinced. "Alrik…"
He winked at him suddenly, and sped off towards the docks.
Hiccup sighed and watched him go. Very tempted to yell out stop so he'd have to obey with all the people around. The auburn haired teen instead continued walking at the same pace towards the docks. Watching all the mud that Alrik's feet were kicking up behind him.
A light breeze ruffled Hiccup's hair as he looked to the east. The wind was coming from the east, which made Hiccup think about what lay east of here. As his mind wandered far further than where his body was presently situated in, he continued his walk. Enjoying the cool morning breeze.
The snow had covered the entire area. All was white and was rather blinding to Hiccup's sensitive eyes. From the mountains to the east which were barely visible due to the distance, and across the deserted dirt plains to the west which were no longer brown.
Hiccup looked back to the south, watching the waves gently lapping against the sand of the beach, and wood of the wharves. He found it quite a calming and reassuring sight, an assurance of a constant and ever changing presence.
Even the smell of the salty fresh sea breezes smelt wonderful. A much nicer scent than the stinking smell of the dragon meat in the prisons and sewerage.
Hiccup now thought that Myrka had one, just one, positive. The location, scenery and environment seemed spectacular.
"Sir, I have it for you!"
Having been completely immersed in the beauty and scenery of the surrounding county, he nearly jumped six foot when he heard Alrik's words and sudden close proximity presence.
Alrik was carrying a white handkerchief in his left hand, and a rather large sheathed sword in his right.
"Oh Alrik!" Hiccup exclaimed, smiling.
The both of them suddenly realised Hiccup had just made a serious mistake.
Several people around them instantly turned and looked at Hiccup. Surprised, angry and nervous, they all were mixed.
Dropping the happy emotion immediately, as a man dressed in a uniform similar to that of prison guards marched up to him. Hiccup thought these people dressed like this were Myrkian soldiers.
"Did you just smile at this scum here?" He demanded. Hands on his hips and tapping one of his feet.
Hiccup now looked furious as he turned to face Alrik. "How dare you! Slave! I've had enough of your rubbish! Give me that sword and get back to the house! Now!" He yelled at him.
Realising what he was doing, Alrik suddenly passed him the sword and ran off back towards the markets.
"Sorry about that stupid slave." Hiccup apologised to the man as they turned around and watched him go.
The man eyed him suspiciously. "Look kid, I'm a soldier and if I see you do anything else suspicious you'll be punished under the law! Get back to your business." He ordered, giving a stern look.
"Yes sir."
Hiccup took his cue and walked rather quickly back towards the markets, grasping the sword tightly to his chest.
As soon as he entered the markets he smiled.
Whew that was a close one! Hiccup thought, now looking down at the sheathed sword he had acquired.
Yes! Thank you Alrik! Now training will start tomorrow and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Hiccup thought cheerfully.
The next morning…
Hiccup awoke early in the morning, wanting to get an early start. He opened his eyes and sat up, breathing the crisp morning air through his lungs.
Turning to his right and placing his feet onto the ground, he saw the sword laying on the floorboards just ahead of him. He smiled at it, before stretching and standing up.
He got dressed in his usual long sleeved black shirt and dark green pants, put his boots on and attached the sword to his belt before heading downstairs.
Hiccup was unsure of when the training actually started on this day, the note delivered to him had only just mentioned to meet at the arena today, not a specific time. But he guessed it was starting in the early morning.
Getting his own breakfast, he ate it rather quickly before standing up at last and heading out the door.
It was early, nearly dawn to be precise. The sun looked like it was below the horizon, and nearly ready to show itself.
The air was cold, the sky was blue and Hiccup was ready.
He made his way to the place he needed to meet, the arena. Walking through the village tracks heading northwards in the opposite direction to everybody else, who all were going to the markets.
It took him over half an hour to exit the housing area, before he began walking on the dirt track that led to the arena.
He had really underestimated its size. It was huge. Massive securely built metal wiring rising up out of the dirt ground around it like a gigantic net. Similar to the arena back on Berk, but far larger.
At last he made it there and saw a sign at the front just above the gates that said, 'Myrka Arena.'
The gates were fairly wide and made of steel, and just as he walked up to it, he heard a voice.
"Hello?"
Hiccup turned to the left and saw a rather large sized Viking who had a very youngish looking face. His body was well built, muscles were practically bursting from within his shirt. He had clearly trained for this. Hiccup guessed his age would be between twenty five and thirty.
"Hey." Hiccup replied, walking calmly over to him.
He stopped in front of him. "Are you here for the Myrkian army sword training?"
Hiccup nodded to him, "Yes, but I don't know whe-"
The guy chuckled, giving Hiccup a glance up and down and putting an expression of pure unbelieving judgement.
"Follow me." The guy said.
"Okay."
He turned around and walked back the way he came from. Hiccup followed him, staying behind.
He walked directly around the arena till it came to another entrance. Hiccup noticed another person standing inside the arena just next to the door on the other side.
"Ah, he the last one?" Asked the other person. A younger bloke, only about Hiccup's age. He pulled on a chain and the metal gates of the door lifted up rather slowly.
"Yep." Said the muscly guy, waltzing straight through once open and not looking at the younger Viking.
Hiccup followed, but looked at the young guy as he passed. He lowered the gates again and this time followed Hiccup down the steps now.
Hiccup looked ahead of him as he went down the steps, going past all the seats on either side of him, he noticed a blood stained dirt circle ahead that resembled the area where the battles and training took place. Also their appeared to be people already standing there.
As they approached, he could hear voices. He counted all the people ahead of him. There were at least thirty four.
There were fifteen soldiers all standing side by side each other and twelve ordinary Vikings many varying in age and size. And it appeared to be four additional soldiers who were standing next to a woman.
Hiccup's mouth dropped open.
This woman was very attractive. Her clothes appeared to be almost moulding into her skin as they looked tight. Highlighting her curves and features. Her trousers were brown and her shirt was black.
She had very long sleeves, and a sliver looking symbol on her shirt. It was some symbol of authority he guessed. She looked only a couple years older than himself.
"Excuse me my lady Vali, the last recruit is here." Interrupted the muscly guy.
His words made everyone's heads turn at once to look at Hiccup, the muscly guy and the younger boy.
"Ah about time! Good so this is all the recruits! Excellent!" She smiled. She walked over to Hiccup, her dark green eyes nearly dazzling him. Hiccup felt his face and ears go red.
"My name is Vali and I'm the judge and manager of the sword training event. I also run Myrka's forge which handles our Army's weaponry. What's your name and where do you live?" She asked, standing in front of him as the whole crowd of Vikings and soldiers stared at him. She gave a thorough look up and down his body, which sent even more heat to his face.
Hiccup was nearly at a loss of what to say. "Uhh-h Hic-Hiccup. Hou-house one hundred and ninety five." He choked out.
Vali nodded. "Good, you're the right person. You got a stupid name though, I mean honestly!" She spoke exasperated. The crowd laughed.
"Now please remember as I've just said to the others, we'll all meet here every day from now on for a period of two months. Always meet at dawn, you arrived here late, so don't do it again. Arrive here at dawn every day. We will train for five hours every morning from dawn. Are we clear?"
Hiccup nodded. "Yes ma'am."
She smiled again, "Now go stand next to everyone else."
He sped off without question and did so.
Vali raised her arms high and spoke happily, "Welcome to the army's voluntary sword training!"
As she raised her arms, her sleeves fell back on both her arms and Hiccup's jaw dropped again for the second time this morning. Hiccup's eyes rested for a couple of seconds on a dragon mark on Vali's right arm.