Hadrian ducks under the archway of the gates and slinks along the inner wall, behind a gathering of barrels. Rain pounds the walkway as Hadrian races into the rounded stone turret a few yards to his left. He doesn't have long before the guards return.
He drags his cloak closer to his body. The rain is falling in opaque sheets. He'll be lucky to see two yards in front of him. Which means the guards won't be able to see him either. But it also means he can't see what waits for him in the arena. He's not too worried about the guards or the wild dragons. What he can't kill, he can elude. He's trained well. Facing Dagur, however, is another matter.
Hadrian will have to resist the urge to nail him with an arrow if he does see him. His focus is on getting Lightning out off the island. No matter what.
He rehearses his plan. Take out the guards in the arena. Find a lever, key or switch for Lightning's cage. Bail him out. Then help him escape the island even if his trust is severely broken.
It can work. It has to work.
Hadrian takes a deep breath and sprints to the arena.
Hiccup makes it to the gate and quickly rolls behind the stack of barrels, his shadow barely missing the torchlight of the Beserker guards as they walk through the gate perimeter. Toothless follows like a shadow behind him and Hiccup takes his shield, slinging it over his back. Hiccup scans the shadows for any sign of movement, though Hadrian could probably be dancing and Hiccup could barely catch sight of him. He thankfully spots the slightest bit of movement and the shadow goes to the direction of the arena.
Hiccup takes a deep breath and follows him as fast as his feet can carry him. Hiccup picks up the pace. No one seems to be following them. That doesn't reassure Hiccup about the guards on the roof, but Hadrian has quick reflexes and Hiccup has Toothless.
Hadrian stalks down the set of stairs leading into the heart of the village. He prowls his way, the shadows giving him the upmost advantage. He sees a trio of guards conversing, not even aware of his presence. A wiser man would take advantage and head inside, but Hadrian figured that the less men Dagur has, the less damage he can do is this mission goes to hell. Hadrian slings his bow off his shoulder and readies an arrow. Pulling the string back, he takes a deep breath and aims for the one in the middle.
Letting the string go, it flies true and lands in the man's skull, killing him instantly. He falls back with a wet gurgling noise, and the other guards ready their weapons.
"What was that?" one asks.
"Is someone there?" the other asks.
Hadrian readies another arrow and shoots the guard on the far left sword ready. He's down after an arrow to the back. Hadrian lined it up directly so that the arrow would penetrate the heart. The guard whirls around and runs over to the other. His demeanor diminishes as he watches the pool of blood spill out from under his body.
"Oh gods!" he cries.
Hadrian readies his third arrow and as the guard comes closer he lets it fly and when it stabs him in the knee, Hadrian coils him in a headlock and drags him back under the shadows. There he clenches tighter until he hears the pop and feels the snap. Lowering his body to the ground, a quick scan indicates that other guards are present. Hadrian notices an alleyway that cuts through the town and probably offers the closest route to the arena. He slinks along the wall and walks with steady feet.
Hiccup follows behind him and tries to catch up while trying to avoid startling him. It's hard enough that the rain is blinding his vision, but now Hiccup can barely make out Hadrian's silhouette when he steps into the shadows. As Hiccup watches little specks of Hadrian's shadow, he constantly observes his perimeter. Hiccup sees two guards step out from the shadows, but before one could utter a sound, an arrow pierces his throat. Before the other could even draw his blade, the second one finds itself in his chest. Missing his heart by mere inches. He begins to stagger away, and from the way he's walking, Hiccup feels a cold chill run up his spine.
Hadrian has poisoned his arrows.
Hiccup swallows as the man falls to the ground, coughing and gaging on his own blood and saliva. Hiccup stays plastered to the wall as Hadrian jumps down to retrieve the arrows. Then he merely vanishes into the alleyway. Knowing he can't keep up, Hiccup decides it's best to meet Hadrian at the arena. Maybe there he can convince him to come at a better time and save them both from being discovered by Dagur. While Hadrian could certainly is a master marksman, he doesn't know when to pick his battles.
Hiccup leaves his position and takes the scenic route to the arena. Most of the trail is unguarded, but that could only mean there'll mostly posted at the arena. Dagur, being as crafty as he is crazy, probably expects Hadrian and Hiccup ton fly in on Toothless, then he'll pull out his armada and capture all three of them.
The gates of the arena were locked, and two guards stood at post. Hadrian hasn't made it yet. He probably wants to take down every men he comes across to dwindle Dagur's numbers. Hiccup without any weapon but his shield, he debates his next move. His shield can only do so little. It can't quiet the guards enough before they alarm the others, and he doesn't have much heart to kill them himself. Before he could form a plan, there's the sound of a scuffle and he peaks over to find the guards knocked to the ground.
Hadrian's here.
Hiccup springs from his spot and rushes through the open gate. "Hadrian!" he whispers. He looks around at the shadow consumed arena; the moon's light offing little use even through the wrought-iron bars. Toothless follows close behind and sniffs for Hadrian's scent.
"Hadrian!" Hiccup calls slightly louder.
The dragons hiss and snarl but Hiccup keeps his eyes on the shadows. Toothless' ear twitches and he cocks his head towards the entrance. He coos and stalks his way over, Hiccup oblivious. Suddenly the torches light up and Hiccup covers his eyes. He looks through the crevice in his arms, buts hears the ambush before he could see the soldiers filing around the arena.
"Surprise, surprise Hiccup!" Dagur shouts as he unleashes a maniacal laughter.
Before Hiccup could reach back for his shield to prep for battle, an arrow pierces his chest. He lets out a nonverbal scream of pain and his vision suddenly blurs and tints everything to green. Hiccup staggers and wobbles to his knees. He mumbles Toothless' name, but the word barely sounds as he collapses to the ground.
His eyes stiffly flutter open. His body is still, and the pain in his head is throbbing slightly. Fear ices his spine as he can only twitch his fingers. He's completely paralyzed. He wasn't out for long, because the soldiers are still huddling into the arena, and around him. Footsteps echo into his ear from behind. Hiccup fears it's Dagur, but he's on the other side of the arena, a smile on his twisted face. Hiccup can't even lift his head to double check that it's who he thinks it is. The person's feet step over him and just in front of his line of vision, his feet angled away from him, so he's facing Dagur. His first and obvious guess would be Hadrian, but his mind is so blurry, mind prickling with rapid thoughts, and his fear has escalated to where he's starting to rule out reason.
Dagur claps. "Impressive. Very impressive. I couldn't have done that better myself. I thank you for your service, now, hand over the boy." Dagur commends, extending out an open-palm hand.
Hiccup lets out a slight whimper and watches as the figure slings out his bow. Dagur's expression changes, but he still laughs. "Intimidating. Now, just so we're clear. Hiccup is mine, along with that Night Fury. But I'm willing to offer you a onetime offer. Join me, and we will execute this little runt together."
Toothless. Hiccup tries to move his muscles, but he's as still as a statue. He can't even open his mouth wide enough to mutter a sound. But the figure pulls forth an arrow and loads it into the bow.
Suddenly Dagur scowls. "Do you honestly think your arrow will reach me before my blade finds your heart?" he challenges.
"Give me a reason not to try." The figure replies. His voice was raspy, and sounded as if he were speaking through static. Nearly a whisper, but still with enough tone to decipher his emotions.
"You're very clever, I'll give you that. And you would be an excellent advance to my armada, but a fool if you don't."
"To ensure an enemie's defeat, you must first undermine his allies." The figure quotes.
He then sheaths his bow and turns to Hiccup, who watches intently. Fear burns through his chest and warms his arms and legs. He manages to let out a small cry, mimicking that of a lost puppy as he's picked up off the ground.
"Oh, ho, ho, ho. Not so fast." Dagur stops, drawing his sword. "You're not leaving with him. Not without a fight." He raises his sword and takes a stance.
Hiccup feels his body placed on the ground and his savior reaches for another weapon. But instead of his bow, it's a mere dagger. He approaches Hiccup, and Hiccup can feel his eyes water and himself whimpering. The person tightens their grip on the blade, and looks to Hiccup.
He doesn't see the knife go in, but he feels it. Pain spreads through his body and his voice manages to overpower whatever poison he has infused in his veins, and screams as loud and wide as his mouth is willing to open. Tears run from the corners of his eyes as he feels the blade leave, and a steady stream of blood pools from his arm. He can't tell how much, but he's assuming it's enough for to bleed out in seconds.
"No!" he hears Dagur scream. "You a son of a-"
The figure immediately whirls around and smashes a smoke bomb to the ground. Before Dagur could even reach behind his shoulder and wrap his fingers around his battle axe. The arena clouds instantly and guards cover their mouths and cough. Hiccup feels himself lifted again, and the voice of the figure speaks.
"I'm no fool, Dagur. Crossing blades with you would be a death sentence. But I promise you, the next time we meet, it will be your undoing."
Hiccup can't fight as he turns with the figure, bleeding out and is carried off within the cover of the smoke. Hiccup can't help but smile, the slightest laugh leaving his lips, sending a tear stopped at the corner of his mouth to slip inside. In a way, Dagur loses. Hiccup believes he will surely die before they even exit the arena, but at least Dagur hasn't won. He doesn't have Hiccup, and wherever Toothless it, he can't get to him either. The last thing he hears is Dagur's frustrated scream before he feels his body relax.
The cool wisp of wind makes Hiccup's hair tickle his forehead. A breath brushes his cheek and his eyes begin to flutter open. The cooing shocks his sense awake and he pushes himself to a sitting position. The world still blurry and taking an alarming and dizzying angle. He holds his head, squeezing his eyes shut until he feels them settle into focus. He sits in the dark, wedged into a hard corner. The floor beneath him is gravel, smooth but cold.
The walls surrounding him are made of stone. Moistened with water and dripping off of stalactites that descend on him like the sharpened teeth of a Whispering Death. The droplets echo off through the walls and tortures Hiccup's throbbing temples. He places his hand down and finds himself on a wool bed roll, sprawled atop a small pile of hay. Toothless nuzzles Hiccup's cheek and Hiccup finds his dragon circled around him, protective.
"Toothless." He croaks.
Seconds go by before he sees definite edges in his surroundings. His stomach lurches as the world turns, but he blinks and holds his head. His vision slowly returns, and he finds someone standing in front of him. Instinctively, he scrambles to his feet, but fumbles. Toothless spreads one wing and Hiccup grasps it gratefully. The trembling starts in his fingertips and spreads up his arms, and soon his body is shuddering.
"Easy, easy." The figure coos. "Don't get up so quickly."
Hiccup watches as he removes his hood and mask. Cold drops down his spine like a bead of sweat, and his body goes rigid. Hiccup recognizes him. Hadrian.
"How do you feel?" Hadrian asks.
Hiccup's mouth drops in surprise and his anger boils as he thinks back to what happened. Curling his fingers into fists, he scowls and without thinking lunges towards Hadrian. Hadrian is expecting him, and he grabs Hiccup's wrist and lifts it above Hiccup's head. Hiccup hisses in pain and sends his other arm swinging towards Hadrian's jaw. Hadrian catches the other easily, and holds them. Hiccup can't beat Hadrian in a fight. He knows that already, but he's so currently consumed with blind fury he doesn't even bother to allow logic and reason indulge his mind.
Hadrian grips Hiccup's wrists hard to cease his attack, and Hiccup winces. "Hiccup, stop it!" he says sternly. Not yelling, but talking to him like he's a child. Hiccup hates feeling so small, but his behavior leaves Hadrian with no other option. Hadrian pushes Hiccup back, keeping his grip on Hiccup's wrists as he lowers the boy to a sitting position. He knees in front of Hiccup. "I am not your enemy."
"You shot me!" Hiccup yells. His cheeks are hot and wet with tears he didn't feel beginning.
"No, I saved your life." Hadrian lessens his grip on Hiccup's wrists as he speaks. "My arrow was tipped with a unique paralytic poison. It slowed your heart and stopped you from bleeding out." He releases Hiccup's wrists. "Had I intended to kill you, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"But why shoot me?!" Hiccup nearly wines. He wipes away the moisture with the heel of his hands and sniffles.
"My original intention was to use that arrow on Dagur." Hadrian answers calmly. "But I never had a clear shot." Hadrian's tone near the end sounds disappointed, even upset. It wasn't accusing, but Hiccup could still feel the burden of medaling. "I made a split second decision to get you out of the way, and it prevented your death."
Hiccup's tears have nearly dried and he sniffs as he wipes his eyes with his sleeve. Understanding soon clears his thoughts of betrayal. Had Hadrian shot Dagur, Hiccup would've easily been ambushed by the soldiers, and even flattened by the crowd. Knowing the unreasonable thinking of Outcasts and Beserkers, they would've assumed Hiccup had brought reinforcements and would've killed him on the spot. He should be thanking Hadrian, state he's in his debt. But the situation still refuses to sit right.
"You should've just shot Dagur instead."
Hadrian hands Hiccup some water, warm and lemon-scented. Hadrian sits next to Hiccup, legs crossed and waits for him to take a sip. Hiccup does to please him. "I promise you, the thought crossed my mind. The poison on that arrow took me a year to perfect. I only had enough for a single shot."
Hadrian folds his lips in and gazes at the fire, going off in his own world of debate and game plans that Hiccup had no insight of whatsoever. He has a cut at the corner of his mouth, but he seems otherwise unharmed. He has yet to hear Hadrian call him out on showing up without his knowledge. Perhaps he knew he was currently walking on eggshells, but it would seem they both are with one another.
"All I had hoped was to capture Dagur alive." Hadrian's voice is terse.
"Why capture him alive?" Hiccup asks.
"Dagur must be brought before the Acapelladome; to answer for all that he's done. He needs to pay for his abuse of jurisdiction."
"But how when he has an armada?" Hiccup clasps the flask of tea between his wrists as he feels the last of its warmth leached away by the frigid air.
"If we can just weaken his forces, or at least get back Lightning, we can easily weaken, even over power his forces." Hadrian says.
"Hadrian, we need to get out of here." Hiccup says, the pain of his wound slowly forcing its way back into his senses. From the way he could feel it, Hadrian shot him in the back of the shoulder.
"Not with you in this condition." Hadrian counters.
"I'm not letting you go out there alone." Hiccup argues, snatching Hadrian's wrist and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Hadrian takes Hiccup's hand and removes it from his wrist, Hiccup allows him. "I'm smart enough to know you'd keep your word." Hadrian slightly smiles; causing Hiccup's stomach to flutter. "Look, if I help you heal faster, will you help me rescue Lightning?" Hadrian proposes.
Hiccup pauses for a moment. His internals scream at him to deny it, but just the fact alone that Hadrian is even offering this proposition instead of just going in head on is captivating. Hiccup had simply expected Hadrian to break in and just steal Lightning back. He misjudged him.
"You really think I'll be helpful?" Hiccup asks.
"You just told me you're not letting me go alone." Hadrian reminds. "It'd honestly be a lot better if I had somebody watching my back."
Hiccup can't help but smile. "Sure. Yeah, I'll help. And uh . . ." he pauses and swallows thickly. "I, I'm sorry, about screwing everything up."
Hadrian shrugs. "You didn't mess things up. I'll admit I was expecting you sometime. You're smart unlike everyone else." He jabs Hiccup's shoulder and Hiccup forces a smile. There was a sudden sting, and that's where Hiccup notices the gauze wrap around his bicep. That was where he was shot. The color and speckles of red shows it was changed recently.
The memory of his breakdown when Hadrian did leave is not only embarrassing, but demeaning as well. While Hiccup is compelled to tell Hadrian, a feeling of hesitation tells him it could ruin his credibility and reputation he's worked hard to build with Hadrian. Someone, either Astrid or Snotlout is bound to spill it out eventually, whether on purpose or accidental. It'd be better to tell Hadrian himself, but this wasn't the right time.
"So, how long until I heal?" Hiccup asks.
"You should be fine. I found out some of the Loki tree branches actually helps in healing wounds." Hadrian says.
He gets up and goes over to Toothless' saddle bag and pulls out a branch that looks like its dry and rotted, but that's the deceiving nature of the Loki tree. Perfect representation of the Alvin. Hiccup watches as Hadrian breaks off tiny twigs from the branch and grinds them up in a mortar and pestle. He dumps the dust into a rusted kettle, boiling it into the water. He then proceeds to pour it into a small wooden bowl.
"Drink up." He says as he hands Hiccup the cup.
The liquid was a faded grey with little bits of the root drifting atop the surface and buoying to the top. Hiccup shudders and purses his lips to a straight line. But he takes a deep breath and tips the liquid back. It tastes like ash in his mouth, and he nearly regurgitated the liquid as soon as its fowl taste permeated his taste buds, but he clamps his lips tight, forcing himself to swallow.
"Ugh." Hiccup sighs as he chugs down the rest of the cup. He then tosses the cup aside and holds his stomach.
"I know it's bad, but in a few minutes, you'll be fine." Hadrian assures.
Hiccup burps, feeling a little bit of the liquid, as well as some bile sting the back of his throat. Hiccup swallows and rubs his stomach. He smacks his mouth and can't thank Hadrian enough when he hands Hiccup a plate of food. The roasted breast of a chicken, a sliced apple and a small wedge of cheese. Hiccup starts with the chicken, working his way to the apple last. Hadrian meanwhile leaves the cave to fish near the shoreline just outside the cave. He comes back with a full wicker basket filled with food. After pulling out afresh cod, he gives the rest to Toothless.
He still hasn't confronted Hiccup following him to the island, even if he had expected him. Hiccup would at least expect him to give Hiccup a simple spit of anger. Maybe he wasn't because he shot Hiccup. Maybe because of that, he feels he doesn't have the right to yell at Hiccup since he nearly killed him. But Hiccup knew Hadrian wouldn't kill him, anymore.
Hadrian skewers the cod and places it on spits across the fire. The flames lick at the fish hungrily as he rotates it one way, then the next.
"Never knew you were such a chef." Hiccup teases, taking a bite of his cheese. Hadrian smirks. "Where'd you even get these anyway?"
"The food? The cheese and chicken I stole from their storage warehouse. The rest of it I hunted."
Hiccup sets down the next bite of his apple. "Listen, Hadrian. If you're mad about me showing up-"
"Hiccup, we've been through this." Hadrian cuts off.
"I know but still." Hiccup continues. "Look, I know you're probably mad that I followed you, and I know you said you were expecting me, but if I know you like you know me, then you should be yelling at me all pissed off. I deserve it."
"Hiccup, yelling at you, would make me feel better, but it's not going to help us get Lightning back, and frankly, it'd be pointless, now that I've enlisted your help." Hadrian says.
"But still, you should. I mean, relatively speaking, holding in your emotions is actually bad for you." Hiccup assures.
"Hiccup, I'm not mad. Now get some sleep."
Hiccup hears a finality in his tone that tells him the subject is closed. "What time is it?"
"Only eight o'clock. We go for Lightning at midnight. You'll need all your strength." Says Hadrian.
Hiccup doe as told and crawls onto the wool bed roll, wriggling himself down until he's covered up to his nose in fur. He watches as Hadrian follows and plants himself at Hiccup's feet, the knife in his hand, blade out. Delicate lines of red strive along the steel; red vein-like protrusions. Hiccup swallows back the lump in his throat and before he even realizes it, he shifts and reaches his hand out. His fingers brushing the knuckles of Hadrian's hand. The rough linen of bandages greet his fingertips instead of skin. Hiccup' eyes furrow.
"Your hands," he mumbles.
"Are none of your concern." Hadrian finishes, yet he doesn't retreat.
Encouraged by this, Hiccup reaches out to touch the cut on the side of his lip but stops when he realizes what he's doing to do, his hand hovering.
What do I have to lose? He asks himself. He touches his fingertips lightly to Hadrian's mouth.
"Hiccup," he says, speaking against Hiccup's fingers. "I'm all right."
Hadrian finally pulls his wrist free and, to Hiccup's surprise, rests his hand on the side of Hiccup's face, his thumb skimming Hiccup's cheekbone. His fingers are careful.
"Thanks for not giving up on lightning. Or me." He says, a smile on his lips.
Hiccup returns his smile, and retreats his hand as a cold breeze creates goosebumps along his skin.
"What about you?" Hiccup asks.
"Oh, don't you worry about my strength. I have plenty." Hadrian says. His voice was tight. Hiccup wishes it wasn't.
Hiccup burrows deeper into the bed roll. It smells like wildflowers and something heavy, sweet, and distinctly male. Hadrian must've slept here before he found Hiccup. Hiccup can't help but stare at Hadrian's back as he's now sitting hear Hiccup's head. He rests against one of two wooden poles that support a board propped above Hiccup to keep water from dripping. Hadrian sits with one hand tucked behind his head. His blinking slow and steady.
No matter what Hadrian's done, Hiccup likes him. It's easier for him to admit that to himself now, in the dark, after all that just happened. Hadrian is not sweet or gentle or particularly kind. But he is smart and brave, and even though he saved Hiccup, he treated him like he was strong. That's all Hiccup needs.
He watches the muscles in Hadrian's back expand and contract until he falls asleep.
Hiccup wakes and the pain in his arm is nearly. All that's left is a dull throb. Hadrian hands Hiccup a dagger and slings a sheath of ebony black arrow on his back. A deadly black bow in his hand.
"Where'd you get those?" Hiccup asks in astonishment.
"The armory." Hadrian smirks.
These arrows, much like the bow, are black with red vein-like protrusions. Though these arrow seem to be made of some sort of ebony steel and have a double-pronged arrow head. The bow had the recurve design in which the tips curve away from the archer when the bow is strung. True to its predecessors, the bow's design is demonic in appearance with several spikes protruding from various parts of the body. Delicate lines of red strive along the limbs, the color matching that of crimson blood.
"Hiccup," Hadrian says. "Come here. I want to show you something." Hiccup follows Hadrian towards the near back of the cave, near the foot of the bed roll is a small crate of bottles. Each one the same shape, a thin mouth and stem, then rounding out to a wide base. They were plenty of only green.
"The greens are a new Potent Poison I call, Widow's Kiss. One drop, and it can kill in seconds." Hadrian describes. He hands the bottle to hiccup and he takes it with shaky hands.
"Where, how'd you make it?" he stutters.
"Some freak at the alchemy shop had somehow extracted the venom from a nest of black widows he keeps at the back of the shop." Hadrian explains. Hiccup thrust the bottle back into Hadrian's hands, his own shaking so bad he was afraid he's drop the bottle.
"That's, that's frightening." Hiccup says.
"Here." Hadrian hands Hiccup his old hunting bow. "You can use my bow. And I managed to snatch a satchel too. You can sue it to carry the poison."
"H-how many can you take out with just one bottle?" Hiccup asks as he slings a quiver of steel arrows across his back.
"I don't know. I haven't tried it out yet." Hadrian smirks. "Come on."
Pulling the hood over his head, Hadrian nearly blends in with the darkness of the cave. Hiccup had to double check to see he was still there. They killed the fire in the cave, and Toothless creeps on the opposite side of the cave, checking the other half.
"All clear." Hadrian whispers. He motions Hiccup over and they slowly emerge from the safety of the cave.
The stars have long since taken over the velvet night sky. Poking through the darkness and letting their light guide the boys through the woods and to the arena. The moon illuminates everything, so Hiccup had an easier time keeping up with Hadrian than he would have on a cloud filled night. The darkness obscures all but the smell and the most obvious of shapes.
They pass through a patch of pines. Sharp scent. The low-pitched call of a great horned owl echoes from somewhere to Hadrian' left. The moss beneath their boots grows in spongy clusters that spring back easily after they lift their feet. Sliding silently through a few loosely spaced pines, they brush against a wide, glossy leaf adorning a tree whose thick spread of branches blocks their view. As they see the pinpricks of light of the town in sight, Hadrian halts.
"What is it?" Hiccup asks.
They've stopped in front of a large oak, its thick branches forming a cradle several yards off the ground, and Hadrian begins to climb. He wraps his long arms and legs around the trunk and shimmies up its length until he finds a branch thick enough to support him.
"Can you climb?" he calls.
Hiccup circles his arms and feels no serious pain. "Yeah." He calls.
Hiccup grabs the neart low hanging tree branch and starts climbing. Following Hadrian's exact foot placement, he soon catches up and Hadrian help him on a branch with a fork in it.
"So what now?" Hiccup asks.
"We jump." Hadrian says. Watching him, Hiccup sees Hadrian scbn the branches around them until he finds one that reaches into the heart of the tree beside it and is thick enough to support his weight. He slowly raises to his feet, and Hiccup watches intently as he daintily places down his foot, toe first, then without using the other foot, leaps for the next tree, landing without so much as ruffling the leaves.
Hiccup can't help but laugh. Hadrian motions him forward. Hiccup draws a shaky breath and takes a step, mimicking Hadrian's motions. Hiccup looks above him, at the low-hanging branch skimming the air a foot above him, gather's himself and leaps. His feet skid along the branch as he lands and Hadrian thankfully grabs his arm. Hiccup uses it to regain balance. Hadrian then runs, grabbing branches for balance, swinging his body into the upper reaches of the tree, and then leaping for the next.
They tree leap as quietly as possible. Taking their time. Edging along the branches and using their knees to cushion each landing. Soon the lights turn into glowing windows. Quickly assessing the trees around them, Hadrian and Hiccup agree on a tall silver maple with plenty of leafy coverage but no low-hanging branches and make the three leaps it takes to reach it. About two thirds of the way up, Hiccup finds what they need and settles into a secure cradle of branches. Two of the limbs are thick enough to hold both of them should they need to leap, and both reach into the surroundings trees connecting into the village. They're high enough that no one from the ground can look up and see them through all the foliage.
So far, Toothless had silently eluded anyone as he follows the boys, scouting the ground. But not even his presence stops the night creatures from filling the night with their sounds and melodies. If the animals feel safe, so should they. Hiccup follows Hadrian's footsteps until they make it to the village. They drop down silently in an alleyway and Hadrian peers around the corner. There were two guards on post. One walking the perimeter of the arena, other two sitting on stools, scouting the streets.
Hadrian pulls an arrow out and slings it in his bow. Hiccup steps back to give him room. He doesn't use the poison, but Hiccup watches as he raises the bow and pulls the string. Hiccup can't look. The arrow lands in the far guard's skull. Hiccup knows, because that's where Hadrian aimed. The other two rise and draw their swords. Before one could utter a single word, an arrow pierces his throat. The second one finds its place in the man's chest. Hiccup can see Hadrian missed his heart by mere in chest, but he staggers. Then the final arrow embeds in his skull.
"Clear." Hadrian commands.
They sprint from the alleyway and Hiccup runs ahead as Hadrian retrieves the arrows. Hiccup slaps to his stomach as he nears the outer rim of the chain dome of the arena. Two more posted at the door. One scouts the cages. Hiccup motions Hadrian over and points to them without a word. Hadrian crouches down and nods. He then makes his way over to the small spot opposite of the entrance. He loads another arrow and pulls back. The one near the cage slopes to the ground. He was carrying a torch, so when the light jerks, the other guards notice.
They draw their swords, and hiccup watches Hadrian's master marksman training at work. Each man receives an arrow in a matter of seconds in between. They both slide between the bars and into the arena. While Hadrian scouts the cages, hiccup runs to the entrance and opens the gate, but orders Toothless to stay outside.
Hadrian slings the bow to his back and withdraws his hood. Inside the biggest cage of the arena, a collar of chains around his neck, cut marks on his face and limbs, Hiccup wasn't surprised to see the look of disgust on his face.
"Lightning." He whispers.