Chapter 22 - Proper Escape:
Toothless had had enough. He was sick, injured and full of anger.
He had been whipped many more times, and had large lashes all across his body now for refusing to cooperate with production earlier.
Vali was trying to force him to blow fire all night, till the morning when she had to leave to go to training.
The Night Fury simply had put it one way since she left, he was going to escape out of this horrible place next time the guards came in. He had saved up a lot of energy, as he hadn't been using it much lately.
He was going to kill every soldier he could on his way out, get Hiccup and they were going to escape together. He didn't care if he didn't take Vali or not. He knew she was one of the Six, but he was so angry at her, he barely wanted her to be around. But if Hiccup told him to capture her, he wouldn't refuse.
He had been locked up in this disgusting place for over two months since they were first captured. Toothless had a feeling that Hiccup might want to finish his training, but he didn't care. He could train with him.
As for Kormak, the guy apparently that Hiccup has been looking for, he hoped that Hiccup had found him and that he could take him away from Myrka when he escaped.
Suddenly he could hear voices outside his cell, it was Vali and some soldiers.
Get ready. You're going to need to strangle out of these chains and ropes pretty fast once they start moving you. The Night thought to himself.
He took a deep breath and wai-
That smell…
Toothless started sniffing constantly, he knew that smell all too well.
But that's impossible! Hiccup couldn't be outside!
Then the door suddenly flew upwards, revealing Vali and Hiccup, standing next to each other.
For a while, neither Hiccup nor Toothless moved or blinked. Hiccup stared at Toothless, and he stared back. Vali began to look worried.
"Hiccup?" She questioned, and turned and looked at him.
Hiccup's face contorted into a mask of anger and worry. As his eyes studied Toothless, he saw deep and thick cuts all across his body, on his chest and legs and even one on his nose.
The dark green eyes of Hiccup's then slowly moved to Toothless's tail, where he noticed one of the tail fins was missing at the end. He knew then and there, that his best friend would not be able to fly.
"VALI!"
The severity and volume of the voice that suddenly shook the dungeon threw Hiccup and Toothless out of their daze, as Hiccup spun around to witness something really terrible unfolding.
King Harun was sprinting towards himself, Vali and Toothless. Alongside him was Savas and Orah. Savas looked half angry and half worried, Orah looked furious and Harun looked absolutely outraged. Behind them were many Myrkian soldiers.
"YOU BETRAYED ME! HOW DARE YOU BRING A CIVILIAN IN HERE!" Bellowed Harun.
Hiccup decided this was it, right at this moment was when he and Toothless had to escape. He would have to scrap his plan, and work his way from here.
"It's time Toothless." Hiccup whispered, and he turned around and the Night Fury nodded. Hiccup turned back to Vali and said, "I'm sorry Vali."
She spun around just as Hiccup tripped her over and she landed on the ground a little forcefully on her head. Now unconscious.
The two soldiers next to the door that let Hiccup and Vali in, charged at Hiccup, but he punched them out of self-defence, and they went flying backwards. As Harun roared with anger, drew his sword and shouted, "CHARGE! KILL THEM BOTH!"
Hiccup drew his sword and ran back to Toothless, cutting his bindings and muzzle loose. Then putting his sword back in its belt buckled sheath. The dragon instantly charged up a blast and fired it directly at the oncoming soldiers.
Harun, Savas and Orah dived out of the way and avoided it, but the blast hit the squad of soldiers behind them and many were incinerated in it, as the blast exploded, it killed most of them.
Orah drew a bow and aimed an arrow as Hiccup grabbed Vali and held her on his shoulders, then he hopped on top of Toothless, and then Toothless ran so fast and head butted Orah before he could fire and he went sprawling into the door of a cell, either dead or unconscious.
Harun swung his sword powerfully, and it cut into Toothless's hide and he roared with anger, as he spun around and swung his tail and smashed it into him.
The King was thrown backwards against his back on a cave wall, but he was alive and moving.
Savas stood with his sword drawn, but did not attack, he simply stared at Hiccup with no expression.
Toothless turned to him, as Hiccup said "Wait. Don't hurt him."
"Savas…" Hiccup began, unsure of what to say.
He shook his head. "Quick! Get out of here! Find Kormak and unite the Six! It's your destiny! I know who you are so does Harun! Quick!" He sprinted to the door and looked out into the tunnels.
"GO!" Savas yelled, pointing his sword towards the tunnel.
Hiccup was dumbfounded, but smiled and said, "Thank you."
"Aren't you forgetting something Hiccup Haddock?"
Hiccup and Toothless spun around to face Harun, now standing and holding something in his hand. He was smiling viciously, holding his sword and something else in his other.
Hiccup lost all expression in that moment, when he realised what Harun was holding.
It was his notebook. His personal diary. The one he had completely forgotten about since he arrived here. The book that held all of his personal things. It had his birthplace written there as Berk, his full name plus personal thoughts and designs.
"Remember this?" He taunted. Waving it around in the air.
Toothless began growling angrily.
"I'd like that back please." Hiccup asked politely.
Harun shook his head and walked over to a flaming torch. "I have memorised the contents of this book, and so has my master. And unless you agree to what I am about to say-"
What just happened in the blink of an eye bewildered Hiccup.
One moment, Harun was standing and taunting him next to a torch pole, the next he was lying face down on the ground with a sword sticking out of his left arm, and blood dripping everywhere. And Savas just released his grip on the sword.
"Go Hiccup! Get out of here now while you have the chance!" Savas bellowed. Grabbing the notebook and tossing it to Hiccup, who caught it and pocketed it.
Toothless spun around and ran out of the dungeon as fast as his injured legs could take him.
Strangely, the tunnel was empty all the way back to the spot where the tunnels separated.
"Okay bud go right, and go into the far left tunnel!" Hiccup instructed.
As soon as they turned into the tunnel they halted to a stop.
There in front of them were at least thirty soldiers, lined up strategically and holding bows and arrows. All looked ready to draw.
"SURRENDER OR DIE!" Shouted one of them.
Hiccup was about to give in, thinking Toothless wouldn't be able to defeat all of them at once, but boy had he thought wrong.
The dragon shot a blast of fire so fast he barely saw it, and as soon as he released it, he gave a grunt of pain and turned to look at the wound where King Harun had sliced him with his sword.
The fire blast lit up the whole tunnel as it travelled, till it hit the tunnel roof just above the soldiers, and the ceiling came crashing down on top of them. Also revealing light from the sky above.
Vali gave a moan of pain suddenly from Hiccup's back, and Hiccup quickly knocked her unconscious again regretfully with his fist.
Toothless ran towards the light, and jumped upwards and out of the tunnel. Hiccup instantly recognised where they were as now they were on land and out of the tunnels.
"Toothless run into town! I need to get some things from my house quickly!"
The dragon roared in acknowledgement, and sprinted towards the group of houses ahead. He blasted every house in his way, scaring off thousands of people, and avoiding every axe or weapon that was thrown or fired at him.
"Stop!" Hiccup quickly yelled, they reached a few houses away, as Hiccup leapt off Toothless and dropped Vali to the ground as he ran inside whilst the Night Fury outside began to shoot fire at everyone who threatened him.
Hiccup grabbed the basket he had with the saddle and all his new clothes including his black shirt and trousers. He also shoved some extra clothes into the basket.
Then he ran to the door and kicked it off its hinges.
He saw Toothless still battling many people, and ran over to him. Putting the basket on the ground, he grabbed the unconscious Vali and put her over his shoulders, then he bent down and picked up the basket.
"TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup yelled.
The black dragon spun around and ran back towards him, firing the odd blast on the way. Toothless lifted him up and placed him on his back with his toothless mouth.
"GO TO THE PRISONS! WE MUST GET KORMAK!" Hiccup bellowed, thinking about the poor guy.
Toothless roared and charged off, bounding towards the Myrkian prisons. Once he got there, he leapt up onto the massive wall surrounding it, and landed down on top of the building there.
Then the Night jumped off and landed in front of the cells. Causing many of the prisoners now in front them to scream in fear.
"HICCUP! Over here!" Screeched a familiar voice.
Hiccup and Toothless spun to face the left side and saw someone waving their hands around madly at least thirty cells down. They ran over there, and saw Alrik.
"Everyone, it's the dragon of the night! The night rider!" Cheered Alrik, screaming to tell all the other prisoners the legend.
"Alrik where's Kormak?! We have to get out of here!" Hiccup ushered loudly, he wanted to free the slaves, but he didn't have enough time and he didn't have a plan.
Alrik pointed towards the right. "I saw the guards take him down there- WAIT!" Toothless wasted no time, and began running in that direction, desperate to get Kormak and get out of here. Hiccup had a glance behind him, and saw many of the prison guards charging towards them in the distance.
Still he kept running, until…
"THERE HE IS! COME ON WE CANNOT LEAVE HERE WITHOUT HIM!"
The dragon skidded to a halt in front of a cell that contained Kormak lying down on the ground, either unconscious or asleep. Wearing only grey, torn ridden shorts.
Toothless fired a blast at the prison cell, melting the bars and creating a hole large enough for Hiccup to get through, but it turned out unnecessary. Kormak sat bolt upright, and screamed when he saw the dragon.
"Kormak! It's me! Get on quick!" Hiccup tried to clarify.
His eyes gradually went up till he saw Hiccup, then his face burst into one of realisation, and he leapt up and grabbed Hiccup's awaiting hand.
Hiccup pulled him up and he sat behind him. "Put your arms around me." Hiccup instructed. Kormak did so, and said, "Ok come on!"
Hiccup turned back to Toothless and said, "Start running to the south! To the wharves!" He exclaimed.
And like a speeding arrow, he ran. Avoiding the guards and now soldiers, he ran across the gravel dirt, then leapt up onto the wall, narrowly avoiding all the arrows and spears thrown, till he finally left that and came back to run towards the eight wharves in the south. It took a bit of time, but they were way ahead of the Myrkian forces now.
"Go to the one on the far left!"
Toothless did so, and ran towards the said wharf.
Night was approaching fast, time had escaped from them faster than they thought. The cold chills were beginning to set in, as the sun was gradually lowering itself for some sleep.
Just when they reached it, Toothless walked along it slowly, not wanting to fall off or break it. Even though it appeared quite strong, being made of steel and wood.
Any soldier that was on the wharf jumped off in fear and dived into the water, only to begin swimming to the shore.
"IT'S TIME!" Screamed Hiccup.
There were only three boats tied to this wharf, and they had passed two of them that were already moored.
There was a scramble from inside the boat on their right, and someone finally came out of the inside of the hull through a hatch.
"'iccup! Toot'less! Kormak! Quick! Get on board!" Asan bellowed, the chief of Dyflin.
Toothless jumped on board the deck, while Hiccup got off and boarded. He went inside immediately and placed Vali into a room that can be locked from the outside. He took her sword off her and lay her down on a hammock, and locked the door.
Once out, he put the sword in a bedroom nearby, then quickly got changed into all of his black clothes. Whilst putting the other ones back into the basket.
After that, he ran back upstairs as Asan was just about to undo the moorings with Kormak's help.
Hiccup stood next to Toothless and squinted into the distance, and he could see thousands of soldiers, led by a large figure which looked like Harun straight towards the docks from Myrka markets. Though it was relatively difficult to see that far as the sky was getting darker, it was dusk now.
Suddenly a bright bolt of lightning came out of nowhere in this blue sky, and shot straight down at the oncoming army of soldiers.
"Spike Bolt!" Spat Toothless. Suddenly talking for the first time and staring into the sky.
Hiccup looked up into the sky, and saw it. A metallic purple figure descending repeatedly and blasting the soldiers. Though Hiccup could just make out one figure on the Skrill.
Then many arrows and weapons were shot into the sky from the soldiers and catapults, and a couple hit the Skrill, and it began flying towards their ship.
"Look out!" Asan yelled, drawing his sword. And Toothless prepared to fire.
"Wait! It's Gothi!" Called out Hiccup, throwing his hands in the air to stop them both.
The Skrill got closer and closer, but it's flying appeared weak and injured. Suddenly as it got close it stopped flying and crash landed onto the boat. Causing it to shake and lurch violently.
Gothi was thrown off, and went crashing into the side of the ship on the main deck next to Toothless.
"GOTHI!" Screamed Hiccup. Sprinting forwards and grabbing her. She was dripping in blood from a scar on her face.
"I'll take care of 'im." Asan suddenly said, Hiccup turned around and noticed Kormak was bleeding on his leg and face. Asan led Kormak away from the deck and retreated inside the hull to begin healing him.
"Wait Asan! There's some clothes for Kormak inside my basket down there!" He called out to him.
"Okay!" Responded Asan.
The Skrill Hiccup recognised as Spark had a couple of arrows sticking out of it, and just remained unconscious now. The boat was now heavy, but the wind had picked up. Several Vikings from below came up, and started navigating the ship.
"Hi..cup." Gothi mumbled.
He went to her side and held her head. She had an arrow sticking out of her leg and it was drawing blood, as was another arrow in her lower torso.
"I, I got as man-many Myrkians-" She coughed, "soldiers before we were hurt, they won't catch you now. But my time is nearly over."
Hiccup began to drop tears. "No, you'll be fine, we'll-"
She smiled. "No, my dear. I'm afraid I can't help you anymore. You must unite the Six, and complete your goals. Tell Spark that I loved her when she wakes up, she was my closest friend. With a bit of work, she will help you and Toothless in time. She is a Skrill, and the dragon mark on Vali is a Skrill. Those two might bond, but give it time." She explained.
"I was chosen by the gods to help guide you to be leader of the Six, that's how I know dragon language. I was born with it. But I have done all I can, and now I shall rest. Farewell, my friend."
Hiccup held her close. "No! Gothi…."
She let go of Hiccup, and her eyes fluttered closed.
Tears dropping from his eyes as he held Gothi close, not minding if her blood got on his clothes.
"Be at peace, Gothi." Hiccup mumbled softly. Releasing her and letting her body stay on the ship. Hiccup looked up to Spark, who was breathing.
"Careful! Stay away from it!" Warned Toothless suddenly, growling.
Hiccup turned to him. "What? Stay away from what?"
Toothless looked at the Skrill. "The Spike Bolt."
"Why? This dragon isn't bad." Hiccup replied, confused.
"Because," began Toothless, "Spike Bolts are my enemy. Nights and Spike Bolts are rivals. That beast has got a lot to answer for. It has killed thousands of my species!" He exclaimed, eyes narrowing angrily at the Skrill.
Hiccup sighed. He'd deal with that later. He walked up to Toothless and hugged him. Reliving all the tension. While Hiccup and Toothless were hugging, the crew on the ship began lighting several lamps around the boat.
"Oh bud. I'm so happy you're alive! It's been so long!" Hiccup nearly cried again. Hugging his best friend. After many months away from him.
Toothless relaxed and hugged Hiccup back tightly. "It has. I've missed you. I hope those Myrkians didn't hurt you."
They released each other. "Look what they did to you!" Hiccup yelled, outraged. "Your tailfin! Do you think you'll ever fly again?" He asked.
Toothless sighed, turned his head around and brought his tail close to him. "I don't think so. However I need to heal my wounds now. I'm going to start licking them. Night saliva has healing properties."
Hiccup nodded understandingly, remembering when he first met the Night, he licked his injured leg. "Sure buddy. Do you need some water to help rinse, or to drink? Would you like a cloth or food?"
Toothless shook his head. "No. Maybe later, but not yet. And soon I expect you to explain how our escape went so easily. What have you been doing since we were captured." He turned back around and began to lick the main wound Harun inflicted on him.
Hiccup nodded. "Sure bud. I will soon, I just need to know one thing first. The Spike Bolt there named Spark has got many wounds-"
"I am NOT licking the Spike Bolt." Interrupted Toothless defiantly.
"I wasn't going to ask you to. Is there any way I can heal the wounds? With water or herbs?" He asked.
Toothless shook his head. "No. I don't think so." And he began licking again.
Hiccup sighed again. "I'm just going to go inside and see how Vali and Kormak are. Just call me if you need me, okay?"
He nodded and Hiccup went inside. His Night mark glowing vibrantly blue as he rolled up his sleeves.
Hiccup walked down the stairs and through an open door, where he saw Asan wrapping some white cloth around a wound on Kormak's leg. Speaking of which was now asleep.
"How is he?" Hiccup asked, walking over to him and examining him. He had most of Hiccup's old clothes on.
"'e is vell. Ze vound on 'is leg is 'ealing quick. But ze one on 'is face is likely to 'ave a scar zare." Asan speculated. Finishing the wrapping and looking at the scar on Kormak's forehead.
There was a diagonal scar which looked like it was from a knife or blade of some sort there, and Asan got some more cloth and wrapped his head in it.
"Thank you Asan." Hiccup looked up to him, sincerely. "You have saved us."
Asan beamed. Smiling at him happily. "My pleasure boy."
Hiccup looked at Kormak's Thunderdrum dragon mark, and tapped it with his finger. Thinking, soon Kormak. Soon.
"I'm just going to check on Vali."
Asan nodded, and Hiccup left the room.
Walking through the short corridor, he pondered on what he was going to say to Vali if she was awake.
She could easily try and fight us, and it's going to be tough to convince her that she's one of the Six. But, it's my goal, and I have no choice. Hiccup breathed in a deep breath, and knocked on her door lightly before unlocking it and slowly walking in.