They returned to the small cavern Toothless' father lent them when they were studying the tablet Skulder had found. The gold, silver, and gemstones now sat in the smaller chest from the vault. Snotlout, Tuff, and Astrid inspected and tested the three weapons also found. The armor had been carried back by Meatlug and was placed in the bigger chest from the village Skulder was investigating. That armor had been a mix of leather, metal, and dragon scales, with the majority of it being dragon scales, had Hiccup's mind whirling. He knew before he laid down to sleep that night he would have to draw in the journal he kept with him at all times. Too many designs and ways to improve the armor flooded his senses when he and Fishlegs took them off the stands.

They swirled still, but his focus rested upon Gyda's hand as she held the cylindrical thing found in the smaller chest while Fishlegs carefully inspected the two lens like devices found along side it. Hiccup titled his head. Gyda and Shadowfire both looked lost, more so than when Gyda had read her father's letter aloud. It was clear both knew what the thing was and both were in shock about its appearance.

"Gyda?" Hiccup began softly.

Gyda jerked, earning a gentle coo from Shadowfire. The mage took a deep breath, though it did not seem to help her any. She still looked thoroughly confused.

"It's called the Dragon Eye," she whispered finally.

Ruff scoffed. "Who named it that?" she questioned. "It looks nothing like a dragon's eye."

Because he had been watching, Hiccup saw Shadowfire's gaze flick to him for a heartbeat before returning to his mother. Hiccup frowned. Apparently he had named the device in the tales they knew. Hiccup had no clue why his future self would have named the thing that. Ruff was right. It did not look like a dragon's eye. If anything it looked like an ornate, and oversized, sword hilt that had somehow lost its blade. Or hid its blade inside it until needed. That thought sent Hiccup's mind into an even bigger twirl.

"What does it do?" Skulder asked.

Gyda ran her thumb over the lens set in the carved open dragon's mouth. "It projects images when a dragon holds their fire in their throat near the other end."

"And what are these things for?" Fishlegs added, holding up one of the lens like things.

"They hold the images projected."

"Will you please show us?" Skulder asked.

To Hiccup's surprise, Gyda shook her head.

"It's locked against outside interference. Fiddle with it and you risk setting off a trap."

"What trap?" Hiccup asked, his eyes narrowing.

In answer, Gyda turned the device and tapped a small section just under the open mouth and lens. Hiccup went to lean in close. Gyda jerked the device upright. Hiccup stared at her frowning.

"It will shoot a poison tipped dart."

"I volunteer Tuff."

"No."

"Yes, boss man."

Hiccup inwardly groaned. He had told all his friends, Ruff and Tuff included, to call him by his name. All the others would, unless he was actively being the heir to Berk before other Vikings or he was actively being the alpha of the dragons to other dragons. He was neither the heir to Berk nor the alpha to the Berkian nest right then, at least not in an active role. This did not seem to matter to the twins. They remained steadfast in calling him 'boss man' most, if not all, of the time. He was certain they chose to call him that because they came up with the title and just love using it. They could also be doing it as some Loki inspired prank and they were secretly waiting to see how long it took him to snap. Hiccup would not put that past them.

"How does one unlock it?" Skulder asked, drawing Hiccup from his thoughts.

Hiccup was grateful Astrid was preoccupied. She would have pulled him out of the cavern to have words over his lack of focus. He knew she would not take his explanation of having so many ideas racing around his mind as a valid reason either. She loved that his imagination was so different from normal Vikings. She told him that many times when they were with just their dragon chaperones, but she, and her mother, stressed the importance of being aware of his surroundings at all times.

They also said that his getting lost in his thoughts should only happen when he was in his room at the end of the day. There was too much going on and too much to do during the day for such things. He knew they were worried he would miss something and get hurt. He also knew he could no more turn off his mind than he could stop eating entirely. It did not matter the time or the place, his mind latched onto an idea and ran with it more often than not.

[That will have to wait.]

Everyone spun to the cavern entrance, finding Shadewing standing there.

[Hiccup, Toothless, Sharpshot, and Onyxwing, Father requests you four to join the flock in the royal chambers.]

"Just them?" Astrid asked, staring at the dragon.

Shadewing smiled. [Yes, future queen of her nest and protective mate of her alpha,] he said with a teasing tone. [Just them.] His smile and his tone dropped with his next words though. [This is a matter for flock and flock alone. Please follow me.]

Hiccup shared a glance with Onyx and Toothless as they followed Shadewing out of the cavern. Toothless looked confused, but Onyx seemed to know what was going on. Whatever it was did not seem pleasant if the sorrow Hiccup saw in Onyx' eyes was any indication.

They reached the royal chambers and found more guards than was normal in the corridor. Hiccup frowned when Toothless moaned and Sharpshot seemed to grow uneasy, if his squirming was anything to go by. Onyxwing appeared to grow more morose with each step.

They entered and Hiccup froze. Seated opposite the entrance, but able to see from the angle she sat, was Toothless' aunt. Arrayed in front of her were Toothless' parents and Spitfire. Haizea, the hatchling, and Toothless' boys were no where to be seen, or heard.

[My mate and nephews are taking my son around the nest so everyone can meet him,] Shadewing said softly as he moved into the cavern and stopped beside Hiccup. [Father did not want the young ones to be here for this.]

"Um, what is this?" Hiccup asked in a whisper.

[It is a flock trail,] Toothless' father stated, shifting so he could stare over his wing at them. [Come my sons, my ancestor. This elder has abused her position and must make amends to the nest. That she is also flock and has lied to her flock and to her alpha is gravely serious. She must be held accountable for her actions. We as her flock must pass the judgement.]

Hiccup jerked, his gaze snapping between Toothless' father and Toothless' aunt. Both just watched him. His gaze then found Onyx. The dragon walked slowly into the cavern, his head lowered. Hiccup stared at Shadewing next. The heir prince just moved to Spitfire's side without a word. Toothless nudged Hiccup and he stumbled forward but did not move further. Toothless' father stared at him with a confused expression.

"Wha.. what will happened to her?" Hiccup asked, forcing the words past dry lips.

[She has violated Civility Laws, Hiccup. She has defied nest rules. She has harmed those she was supposed to guide and nurture. She has harmed you, my son.]

"I know," Hiccup said in a small voice as all of this started to feel like a nightmare he once had.

Though in it he was the one facing his father and the Council as they publicly decided his worth to the tribe and thus his continual existence. It had not ended well and he awoke in a cold sweat.

"But what happens to her?"

[Exile, young one,] Toothless' mother whispered.

"No!"

Hiccup raced around the line of dragon, placing himself between them and Toothless' aunt. He stared at Toothless' father.

"You can't exile her!"

Kirka: Thank you. I am honestly shocked this story has gotten this long. Hehe, yep, I had to put that phrase in there. From pretty much the beginning I have had the plan to put the Dragon Eye in the vault they find here. It's been a bit torturous keeping it a secret this long and I'm glad I can now reveal it. Thank you again.

Literally Nobody: Hehe, I had to put that phrase in there. And it's been my plan from pretty much the beginning to have Hiccup find the Dragon Eye here. There have been many times I wanted to blurt out the secret but then I'd remember how fun it is shocking my readers and I'd zip my lips again. The chapter naming thing comes from my steadfast desire not to spoil anything at all. Aye, Grimmel is dead. His family however…is not. Viggo will be coming. I promise. Hiccup and Astrid are my OTP. Hehe, Skulder is awesome. I love doing quests with him in School of Dragons. Thank you. Have a good day/night as well.