Scars. That's the first thing Hadrian can see. The only thing that registers to his senses, as he gazes upon the Skrill huddled in its cage.
The marks dominated the dragon's skin. Tearing across his snout, Hadrian notices a few gatherings of scales curved upright from lash marks. Looking at the key rack, where there should be keys, Hadrian can see the whip. It was a lethal looking thing with a trio of roped tongues, plaited and velvet. The deep color maroon on its cracker.
Hiccup walks up and sees Lightning. He can't help the gasp that escapes his lips. He looks to Hadrian, but sees no sympathy in his eyes. Hiccup would have been disappointed if he had. Without a word, Hiccup goes over and flips the switch to Lightning's pen. There's the loud clang of the tumbler, then the doors open ide on rusted hinges. Lightning's eyes pop open, and he slowly raises his head.
The stink of an unwashed body, stale urine, and infection breaks through the cloud of water lilies. On seeing nothing but his silhouette, Lightning shrinks back against the stone walls like he's anticipating an attack, even though he has never hurt him. Hadrian feels his heart tighten as he sees the pair of flawless rubies glare into his soul. Hadrian can see through the rough exterior.
There's pain.
So much pain. But Hadrian allows the small smile to turn up one corner of his mouth. These scars came from defiance. Refusing to follow the rules of Dagur, and willing to accept the punishment. These scars are a symbol of his independence. His spirit, that refuses to be broken. White-hot triumph races through hum at the thought of Dagur getting constantly thrown off, Lightning's refusal to obey, and he fists his hands.
Hadrian takes a step forward, and Lightning sneers.
"It's okay." Hadrian coos, soon realizing he still has the hood of his cloak up. He pulls it down and ruffles his hair. Lightning's hissing ceases and he cocks his head. "It's me, Lightning." Hadrian whispers.
The dragon slowly and wobbly pushes himself to his feet. Hadrian's heart sinks when he sees more lash marks claiming his legs. Lightning fumbles, and so he wouldn't have travel, Hadrian rushes to the Skrill's side. He manages to ease Lightning back down to a seated position and kneels down next to him. Braising his fingertips over Lightning's scars with a featherlike touch, Lightning winces and whines.
"Oh, Lightning." Hadrian croaks. His voice sounds tight and fierce. Anger builds inside him, replacing his blood with bitter water and filling him, consuming him. He wants to break something, or hit something, but he's afraid to startle Lightning. He clamps his lips tight to keep from sobbing, but it pushes back, and Hadrian allows his sobs to escape. A mixture of anger, happiness and triumph mix together.
Hiccup takes steady steps inside and watches as Hadrian sniffs and hugs Lightning's snout. The dragon coos and nudges Hadrian playfully. Hiccup notices the slash marks along the Skrill's legs and walks over without thinking.
"Any chance we can fix them?" he asks Hadrian.
Hadrian examines Lightning's face, then carefully makes his way around. Lightning's wings were severely tattered; most likely from him trying to protect himself. Hiccup drifts his hand to the wing, and after Lightning' nervous twitch, he settles. Hadrian lifts the harness on his neck up a few inches, revealing raw sores beneath them.
"This is my fault." Hadrian whispers, but Hiccup catches it.
"Hadrian," he lifts stands to his feet.
"If I had never captured him this never could've happened -"
"Hadrian!" Hiccup grabs Hadrian's shoulders. "This isn't your fault."
"He deserves to be free." He says. "To be back in the wild. Free of any problems."
"You're letting him go?" Hiccup asks, a sting of pain in his heart.
"I have no right to keep him if it means, this." Hadrian looks to the scarred dragon.
Lightning whines and lifts his head. As Hadrian walks over, he nuzzles his head into Hadrian's hip. Hadrian kneels down and gently pats Lightning's nose.
"We need to get him out of here." He says.
"I'll see if I have some remedies in Toothless' saddle bag. Then we should try and wrap the fresh scars." Hiccup instructs.
Hadrian stays by Lightning's side, lathering his neck with a special salve Hiccup learned from Goathi, then carefully wrapping gauze around it, tying simple but taut knots to secure it. The sores on Lightning's neck were probably due to constant friction, nothing Hiccup couldn't handle. Hadrian sits, legs crossed, petting Lightning's snout with gentle strokes and Lightning coos, burrowing his way into Hadrian; as if trying to burrow inside him and feel safe.
Hiccup then walks up, his hands glowing a pale purple light with speckles of a darker shade scattering inside. He eases them down onto Lightning's bandages and takes deep breaths. When he's done, Lightning flexes his legs and coos. Hadrian watches in awe as he sees the lash marks on Lightning's wings evaporate before his very eyes. The skin enclosing the openings until all that remains are scratches.
"I've managed to reduce the injuries to a minor scratches, but he'll still need the bandages in case they rip." Hiccup says. Hadrian nods.
"Let's try and see if we can get him to walk." Hadrian suggests.
Hadrian holds Lightning just under his chin and gently helps push the dragon to his feet. Lightning whines as he applies weight to his back right leg, but as he's eased out of the cage, he limps, but still walks.
As they circle the arena, Hiccup keeps an eye on how Lightning adjusts to his back leg. The more he walks on it, the better it seems to feel. Hiccup shudders to think how long he must've been in the cage for his back leg to fall asleep. After their sixth lap, Lightning ruffles and shakes himself out like a dog would after a bath. Hadrian pets his side and he nuzzles Hadrian's cheek.
"Think he can handle the journey back?" Hiccup asks.
Hadrian looks to the sky where the first colors of dawn were breaking through the suppression of dark clouds on the horizon. He pulls on his hood and pats Lightning. "We should go."
Hiccup nods and as he turns around, Toothless' ear twitches and he snarls. Lightning crouches and hisses.
"Something's up." Hiccup warns, Hadrian already pulling out his bow.
Suddenly the gate at the entrance to the arena slams shut and guards armed with crossbows rush around the perimeter, aiming at both Hiccup and Hadrian. Hiccup's hands are shaking and he can't do anything to stop it. He breathes quickly through his nose. Dagur comes up from behind an Outcast and Berserker, a smug smile on his face.
"Well, well, well. Even with an impressive ally Hiccup, you're still so predictable." He snorts.
Hiccup can see Hadrian's hand twitch in the corner of his eye, but Hiccup's fingers are already on the trigger of his crossbow. He activates it and readies an arrow. Dagur's eyebrows raise, but he doesn't act intimidated.
Hiccup's finger hovers above the trigger.
"Get your bows off of us." He says.
"You won't shoot me." Dagur replies.
"Interesting theory." Hiccup says. But he can't murder him; he can't. Hiccup grits his teeth and shifts his arm down, firing at Dagur's foot. He screams and grabs his foot with both hands. The soldiers immediately release their arrows, and Hiccup closes his eyes and concentrates.
"Ita tee belle!" he says, and a grainy mist seeps from the cracks of the arena and encloses over them in a domelike structure.
Hadrian draws his bow and fires at Savage's leg. Hiccup doesn't wait to see if the arrow hits him. He grabs Hadrian's arm and sprint. Toothless shoots at the lever to the gate and it rises. The circle of protection stays with them until they've cleared the perimeter of the arena.
If they can make it to the alley, they can disappear into the buildings and they won't find them. There are two hundred yards to go. Hiccup can hear footsteps behind them, but he doesn't look back. Hadrian grabs Hiccup's hand and squeezes, pulling Hiccup forward, faster than Hiccup's ever ran, faster than he can run. With Toothless taking the lead, Hadrian stops and pushes Hiccup ahead, then Lightning. He readies an arrow and rapid fires three; each one finding a different target of the soldiers. Hadrian attempts to catch up to Hiccup, but stumbles behind them. He hears the click of a crossbow.
The pain is sharp and sudden, beginning in his shoulder and spreading outward with electric fingers. A scream stops in his throat, and he falls, his cheek scraping the pavement. Hadrian lifts his head to see Hiccup's knees by his face, and yells, "Run!"
Hiccup's voice is calm and quiet as he replies, "No."
In seconds they are surrounded. Hiccup helps Hadrian up, supporting Hadrian's weight. Hadrian has trouble focusing through the pain. Outcast soldiers surround them and point their bows.
"Berkian rebels," Dagur says, standing on one foot. His face is a sickly white. "Surrender your weapons."
Hiccup grunts as he tries to support Hadrian, and just as he was about to open his mouth, a shrill shriek rips through the air. Hiccup whips his head back, Hadrian attempting to peer over his shoulder. Lightning roars, his wings raised and a fierce snarl on his face. His body glows as lightning ripples across his scales, glistening them to mimic a twinkling of midnight stars.
As Lightning opens his mouth, Hadrian raises his hand and fists Hiccup's vest, yanking them down to the ground. The impact sends sharp pulses of pain through Hadrian's shoulder, and he can see Hiccup covering his head as dry lightning strikes over them, ripping through their ears. Hadrian's hair stands on end as he lays there stiff, unable to move his arm. Hadrian grits his teeth and considers lunging across the alleyway and fighting the soldiers. If he didn't have an arrow in his shoulder, he might.
He turns his head to Lightning. As more guards file in, Lightning runs to stand over Hadrian, whipping his wings back and forth, flickering bolts of lightning as a way of intimidation. Anyone who still persists is met with the merciless strike of a hundred million watts of raw power. He's protecting me, Hadrian thinks. Blood runs down Hadrian's back. The pain has been so constant for the past minute that he has gotten used to it, like a person gets used to the warning signal of the horn on Berk. Through the pain, Hadrian can feel
Hiccup raises his head slightly as he watches the power of the Skrill at work. The lightning makes a direct hit with one soldier holding a metal spear. The bolts travels along the handle to the end, where it connect to the next soldier wielding a metal axe. And so on until nearly the entire mob of them are glowing with electrical veins, their beards and hair standing on end, and the smell of burned skin permeates the air. Toothless then knocks them all back with a plasma blast and Hiccup pulls himself on the saddle. Hadrian tires to push himself up with his good arm, but it's not strong enough. Lightning then nuzzles his way under Hadrian and lifts him to Hadrian slides along his head and onto his neck.
"Let's move!" Hiccup orders and the dragons turn and run.
Hadrian manages to swipe a crossbow from one of the roasted soldiers, avoiding looking at the burnt corpse. With his good arm, he shifts the weapon and raises it up. He was about to fire into the crowd, but he catches sight of something above him. A large wood two-by-four wedged between the two buildings, to keep them from collapsing on one another. The arrow won't be enough. Hadrian then turns to Toothless.
"Toothless!" he screams.
The Night Fury turns his head and looks up. He coos and Hadrian aims at the crowd. The arrow flies and the men stop to all dodge. In that moment, Toothless fires a plasma blast at the board and it breaks like tissue. Hadrian doesn't look as he hears the pieces of the board fall, the sound of screaming men, and finally the sound of rubble and stone crumpling down. The screams deteriorate, but that could be because they're finally getting away.
Hadrian watches as they weave their way through alleyways, sticking close to the shadows, Hiccup in the lead. Toothless nearly invisible with his dark scales. Hadrian tries to get a good grip with his good arm, to steady himself on the bumpy ride, but his vision has since started blurring. He's losing blood, fast. He can't remove the arrow himself, and he can't tell how far the cave is. But Hiccup must know, about him and where they're going since he seems to be picking up speed. Hadrian can feel his eyes getting heavy, but he keeps them open until he feels a sudden drop. His stomach lifts inside of him and he digs his fingers into Lightning's neck and soon he feels a swoop and everything levels out.
With the calming air whispering through his strands of moistened hair, Hadrian distracts himself with the flapping of Lightning's wings as he peers down beneath him. The lights of the village soon become pinpricks as they fly high and out of sight.
They practically swoop into the cave tucked away under the hillside, and the atmosphere matches that of the chaos from before. Toothless ignites the fire while Hiccup scrambles through Toothless' saddle bag. Lightning lands and lifts his head to peer at Hadrian. Hadrian tries to lift himself, but it feels like there's liquid lead in his veins, suppressing his muscles.
"Hadrian here!" Hiccup's voice urgent. Hadrian grits his teeth and forces himself to move. He bites his lip to keep from crying out, but a groan escapes him anyway. Hiccup goes to Hadrian and lifts his arm across Hiccup's shoulder, and helps him across the room.
The cave is dimly lit, but Hadrian can see every familiar thing using the sleep roll as a point of reference. Hadrian focuses on his walking as Hiccup guides him to the bed roll. Now that they're safe, the adrenaline that propelled him here is fading, and the pain is getting worse.
"Here, lay on this." Hiccup instructs. He had taken the hay from underneath the bed roll and drizzled it along a wooden pallet. Where he got it from, Hadrian doesn't know, and is too in pain to care. Hadrian sinks to his knees. Water drips from his clothes into the stone floor. A sob rises within him, desperate for release, and he chokes it back.
Hiccup produces a first-aid kit and brings Hadrian a bottle of water. There is no better place to need help than in a room with Hiccup and a Night Fury. Hadrian glances at Hiccup as he strips off his vest and rolls up his sleeves.
Hadrian lies on his stomach and Hiccup cuts a piece of Hadrian's uniform away from his shoulder with his knife. Hiccup peels away the square of fabric, revealing a surprise to Hiccup. A tattoo. The tattoo of a dragon, done in a tribal design. On his back is more ink that skin. The dragon's head start at the top of his spine. Delicate lines spew from its mouth to mimic fire. From there, the dragon's intricate body wavers its way down his back, the wings spreading over his shoulder blades. Hiccup stares at the tattoo with a look of fascination and shock. he would've stared longer of it weren't for the arrow sticking out of the dragon's left wing; and Hadrian's moan of pain.
Hadrian grips the pallet as Hiccup gets the antiseptic.
"Have you ever taken an arrow out of someone before?" Hadrian asks, a shaky laugh in his voice.
"The things I know how to do might surprise you." Hiccup replies.
A lot of things about Hiccup might surprise Hadrian. He thinks to Hiccup being a Valkyrie and bites his lips.
"This will hurt." Hiccup says.
Hadrian squeezes his eyes shut and preps himself. The cool slip of the blade is al Hadrian feels it penetrate into his skin. Pain spreads through his body and Hadrian screams through grit teeth digging his nails into the pallet. Over the screams, Hadrian hears Hiccup ask him to relax. Tears run from the corners of his eyes and he does what Hiccup tell shim. Considering this is payback for shooting him in the arena. The pain starts again, and Hadrian can feel the knife moving under his skin, and he is still screaming.
"Got it." Hiccup says. He drops something on the ground with a ding. "The arrowhead was the problem. "
"No shit." Hadrian breathes. This back moistened with sweat.
Then Hiccup laughs. Hadrian can't remember the last time he heard Hiccup laugh. The sound makes him smile.
"What's so funny?" he says, sniffling.
"You're lucky. Any deeper and that arrow would've pierced your heart." Hiccup says
He cleans the skin around Hadrian's wound with something cold. "Okay, stitching time." He says.
Hadrian nods. Hiccup threads the needle like he's done it a thousand times. "One, he says. "two . . . three."
Hadrian clutches his jaw and stays quiet this time. Of all the pain he has suffered today – the pain of getting shot and taking the arrowhead out again, and finding Lightning slashed and beaten, this is the easiest to bear.
Hiccup finishes stitching Hadrian's wound, ties off the thread, and covers the stitches with a bandage. He helps Hadrian sit up and goes over to the barrel tucked away in the corner. Pulling out a long-sleeve, blue tunic, he helps guide Hadrian's arm through the left sleeve, and Hadrian pulls the rest over his head.
Lightning walks his way over to Hadrian, and Hadrian has to resist wrapping his arms around the Skrill, so they result in shaking and a large smile splitting his lips. He leans to his right, his hard scratching at Lightning's s chin. His forehead meets with the Skrill's muzzle.
He's back, Hadrian thinks. He's finally back.
Hadrian can't help but let out a laugh past his lips. It sounds more maniacal, but the feeling of joy and triumph is infecting him so much he doesn't stop. Hadrian can feel the electricity hum beneath the scales of the Skrill. The prickling sensation making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Hiccup skewers a salmon and places it along the spits wedged between the circle of rocks that border the flame. Toothless has helped himself to the rest of the batch. With little wildlife on Outcast Island, Hadrian reminds himself of the sheep meat he bought from Trader Johan.
He rummages through his pack made of an old blanket and rope, and finds it as he left it; wrapped together in a paper package tied off with a string. Leaving the meat raw, he pulls at the string and the paper falls open like the opening of a flowers petals.
Sitting next to Hiccup, he hugs his knees with his good arm. Hiccup rotates the fish manually and a growl erupts from the pit of his stomach.
"I'm gonna guess you're hungry?" Hiccup tease as he chops the fish in half. "When was the last time you ate?"
"What day is it?" Hadrian jokes. Which would've been funny if it weren't a high possibility that he really hasn't eaten for days. Even when he was nursing Hiccup, Hiccup can't recall him ever munching on even an apple.
Hiccup manages to whip up some roasted salmon, core an apple and make some blueberry tea. He sets the tray up and hands it off to Hadrian. Brewing up his own bowl of fish stew, Hiccup settles himself next to Hadrian and watches as he eats his meal. Hiccup keeps the bowl between his wrists, allowing the tendrils of steam leach into the air.
"So, um, if this is the appropriate time, may I ask where you got that tattoo?" Hiccup eases his tone, carefully wording it as to not make Hadrian choke on his food.
Hadrian simply smiles and swallows the last of the salmon, take a sip of tea and smiles. "I was waiting for that." He says.
"So . . ."
"I believe I got during my night of debauchery." Hadrian says. "I'm actually surprised it came out so well. The gut at the shop probably thought I was some lunatic."
"I'm surprised he didn't stop you." Hiccup says. Hadrian laughs. "It looks good."
"I hope it's allowed."
"I don't see why not."
"I'm just glad I was intoxicated. I didn't feel a thing." Hadrian smiles. "I think I still owe him." he says scratching the back of his neck.
The boys looks to the entrance of the cave, where Toothless and Lightning are settled against the east wall. Toothless offers a fish to Lightning and coos. Lightning barks in reply and chomps off a piece of meat and drops it in Toothless pile. Hiccup and Hadrian smile as they observe their dragons.
"So, what do we do now?" Hiccup asks Hadrian.
Hadrian looks to him, then away, gazing off. "We go, I guess."
"You guess?"
"Honestly I didn't think we'd get this far." Hadrian admits. "I didn't know what I would do when I found him. But it was my intention to save him. It was, not easy but, I expected something, more."
"Don't jinx us." Hiccup jokes. "When should we go?" Hiccup asks.
There's a pause before Hadrian answers. "Does Lightning look like he can fly yet?" Hadrian retorts.
"I'd say so. What time is it?"
"Just about the break of dawn." Hadrian says. "No doubt they'll come looking for us."
"But you can't possibly steer Lightning with just one arm."
"I'm only down a limb, Hiccup. I'm not paralyzed." Hadrian counters. "And I can use it, just can't just much strain on it."
"Exactly. And you don't even have a saddle."
Hadrian gives him a look of annoyance, but Hiccup only raises his eyebrows. "I'm going to hold off on the saddle for a while." Hadrian points out, and Hiccup nods. "But Lightning can't fly without me. He needs me to steer him. I think we can handle it."
Hiccup silent, but sighs. "So when do you propose we leave?"
"Once we finish eating, then we can go. If we stick close to the water's surface, we should be able to go unnoticed."
"What about guards on patrol?" Hiccup asks.
"If I calculated the angle of elevation right, they shouldn't spot us." Hadrian theorizes.
Hiccup looks to him wide-eyed. "Listen to you."
Hadrian looks to him questionably, then his eyes widen. "Dear gods, what's happened to me?!" He pretends to act scared, and Hiccup shoves him.
"Let's pack up."
Hadrian packs his damaged suit into his bag and Hiccup stores away the rest of the food in Toothless' saddle bag. He straps the bow and quiver of arrows next to the bag and slings his shield over his back. Hadrian keeps his own quiver slung smoothly against his spine and keeps his bow griped in his left hand, than gods he's a right-handed shooter.
The night sky has since surrendered to the early morning lights of the dawn; but the sky was grey with clouds, thunder rolling in the distance. The glass smoothness of the ocean eases its calm sense into Hiccup's nerves. He didn't realize until they were about to cross the threshold of the cave that he realized how nervous he's been; he's only managed to avoid it thanks to the numbing effects of pure adrenaline. Hadrian suddenly stops.
"What is it?" Hiccup whispers.
"Hold on," Hadrian says. He goes over to the rocks that stack their way up to the cliff that overlooks their hiding spot. He grabs a branch above him, growing out from the crevices of the rocks, but only pulls himself up with only his right arm. Hiccup is surprised he's still able to do that. He watches as Hadrian's back muscles expand and contract, then stands hunched, near the top of the rock wall. A few pebbles fall to the ground when he shifts his weight. He stands on his tiptoes and squints.
At first, he sees nothing but a stretch of skeletal trees, a strip of empty ground, and a field that lie beyond it. But approaching the strip of bare land are a few moving specks – silver, when the light catches them. Armor, with scales – dragon scales, which means only one thing. Outcasts.
A breath hisses between Hadrian's teeth. He doesn't allow himself to think; he just puts one foot down, then the other, so fast that the pebbles start to pour form the cracks and topple toward the ground. As soon as his feet touch the earth, he runs.
He snatches Hiccup's arm and keeps his bow gripped in the other. Hiccup and the dragons follow without question. Toothless and Lightning easily keep up with him and Hiccup. Toothless constantly surveying the field. The cliff side dwindles lower and lower as they round to the shoreline. Hadrian slings his bow on his back and holds his right arm against his chest as he sprints faster, the arrow wound in his shoulder throbbing with each footstep. Faster. Faster!
When they reach an outcropping of rocks, Hadrian throws them both to the right, down into ankle deep sea water. The rocks are close together and the waves cover up their heavy breathing. The rocks turns this way and that, every other jagged one receiving a slap of water.
Both Hadrian and Hiccup's lungs sting from a lack of oxygen, but they are not far from the field where the soldiers were original spotted. Hadrian's hoping that they kept advancing closer to the cave without suspicion. Sweat runs into Hadrian's eyebrows.
"How well . . . do you know . . . the routes around here?" Hadrian asks through heaving breathes.
"Pretty good." Hiccup swallows, but it feels like there's wax in his throat. "Why?" he can barely see Hadrian between the spots on his vision, but Hadrian touches his shoulder.
"We need to get out of here." Says Hadrian. 'But we need to make sure we're not spotted. Otherwise they'll follow us."
"Berk can handle them." Hiccup counters.
"I got what I wanted. We need to leave now, so we can plan in advance. Not with them following on our tails and having Berk under a surprised attack. Worst of all, Stoick will think it's my fault." He pauses to take a few more breaths. "At least if we leave now we can calm him down enough."
"Trust me, he'll understand." Hiccup retorts.
Hadrian doesn't argue, instead he scours ahead, peering between a gathering of foliage. Their branches grow into one another, creating a maze of leaves and twigs. Most of the guards have gone to the cave, two have spread out scanning the field. This isn't good. If Dagur knew where they were, then once it's discovered they're gone, the whole armada will cover the island soon. And they will have nowhere to go.
Hadrian motions Hiccup to come closer. As Hiccup comes up, Hadrian pulls out an arrow and dips the tip into the potent poison he showed Hiccup back in the cave. Hiccup's throat pinches, but he focuses on the danger instead of the poison. Hadrian fires at the two guards standing by the strip of bare land. The arrows hit them both in the head, and they slump to the ground.
Hadrian grabs Hiccup's hand and they spring form the bushes, Hadrian taking off to the end of the field, and Hiccup follows close behind. Hiccup takes notice to how their feet automatically go into sync with one another. Inside, outside. Inside, outside. They are now just on the outside blacksmith's forge and they duck behind another gathering of rocks. Given that Hadrian has Hiccup's old memories of Outcast Island, he's not surprised when he leads Hiccup down a few bare roads, through a narrow trail – located beneath a few patrol bridges and into the open barren wasteland without interference.
"Where do you usually go?" he asks, glancing over his shoulder at Hiccup.
"Once we're in the sky, we usually head north." Hiccup points. "If we can just take off, without being noticed, we can make it back to Berk and warn everyone."
Hadrian loads an arrow into his bow, and keeps his fingers positioned on the string as he creeps his way into the open. Hiccup recognizes Hadrian's expression as the one he wears when he's hunting. Hiccup mounts Toothless, his shield on his right arm, the quiver of arrows pressing against his metal leg. Hadrian takes the lead, Lightning close to his side and Hiccup and Toothless bringing up the rear. Hiccup keeps his head turning and turning while Hadrian focused straight ahead.
Suddenly a voice rings out. "Ha! Here they are - !" a guard shouts, but he's cut off as an arrow lodges into his throat.
Hiccup looks as Hadrian loads another one, but that one soldier's call was enough. Hiccup peeks over Hadrian's shoulder and sees a few Berserkers with weapons, heading towards them. Hadrian looks back. Far behind them, another group of Outcasts run down the strip of land, toward them.
Hiccup gives Hadrian one quick look, and Hadrian instantly mounts onto Lightning; the Skrill purrs and even, smiles. They both take to the sky, just as the soldiers had closed in on them. Hadrian shoots an arrow and takes out one Berserker and then an Outcast. Toothless shoots a plasma blast, and the group of Outcasts scatter. Hadrian shoots another arrow, this time Lightning shooting at the arrow.
The lightning zooms and sticks to the arrow, following it as it hurdles towards the men. A trail of bolts trickling behind it when it makes impact, at least five men each get shock and fall to the ground. Hadrian looks to Lightning, and lightning purrs.
"Hadrian look out!" Hiccup shouts.
Looking up, Lightning barrel rolls out of the way as a boulder hurdled towards them, now landing in the ocean with a giant splash. Hadrian squints, peering at the ground when he sees more men rolling in catapults, Dagur at the head of the line.
"Thought you two could escape me did you?!" he calls. But he quickly ducks as an arrow zips past his head, just missing his ear; so much he feels the horn of his helmet vibrate from the braise. "Why you little-!" he ducks as another arrow comes again, missing his head.
"Shut up you deranged dumbass!" Hadrian provokes. Lightning roars and suddenly spews out a concentrated beams of powerful electrical white fire. The men scatter, but Hadrian watches as the bolts hit one guard, then bloom out to every other soldier who couldn't get enough distance.
Hadrian can sense danger before it happens. A shift in the air currents and Hadrian yanks Lightning to the side, avoiding a trio of arrows. Lightning roars and lifts higher into the clouds. Hadrian shifts as best he can to kneeling on the Skrill's neck and keeps his left hand gripping the horns on Lightning's head. Prepping himself for what comes next, he tightens his hand until his knuckles turn white.
Lightning looks back briefly before he hisses and let's ripples of bolts travel across his scales. The lightning seems, to come in from every angle traveling through the clouds and to Lightning. Hadrian clenches his teeth and tries to ignore the immense throbbing in his shoulder as he feels the current travel through the bones of his body. Once Lighting's done, Hadrian releases his iron grip. He fists his hand and wiggles his fingers. At least his range of motion seems fine.
Hiccup and Toothless dive head on towards the catapults. Toothless unleashing a plasma blast on each ship. Fire blooming from their centers in seconds, then licking its tongues along the dry grass and trees. Lightning and Hadrian follow behind, Hadrian loading and firing as much arrows as he can, aiming at each member still stumbling or dragging themselves away from the fire. Dagur's still standing, and as if in sync, Hadrian and Lightning dive down. They circle behind Dagur and an arrow whizzes past his head, so close to hitting him that it moves his hair. Eyes wide, Hadrian twists his body, using his left arm to pull back the string of his bow, forcing a searing pain through his body, and fires three arrows in a row. By some miracle, one of the arrows his a guard, and Hadrian's eyes water uncontrollably from the pain in his shoulder. He just ripped his stitches. He's sure of it.
They swoop down and Hadrian jumps off Lightning, rolling onto the ground. Lightning continues to fly overhead and Toothless and Hiccup take on a gathering of Berserkers. Another guard stands across from Hadrian. He drops flat on his stomach and aims his bow at elbows resting on the floor. He stares at the steel pinprick of his arrow and Hadrian fires. The guard slumps to the ground.
Slowly Hadrian gets to his feet, holding his left arm against his chest. He has tunnel vision. He is running along this path and will not be able to stop, will not be able to think of anything, until he reaches the end.
Tongues of flame press behind him. He lets Dagur turn to him and smiles. He raises his crossbow, Hadrian gripping his own bow. Dropping it in a split second, Hadrian runs; grabbing Dagur's wrist. He feels Dagur's muscles shift as he pinches the trigger and ducks his head just in time. The arrow hits a rock behind Hadrian. Gasping, Hadrian kicks Dagur in the ribs and twists his wrist to the side as hard as he can. Dagur yells and drop the crossbow. Hadrian then spins and throws Dagur over his back.
Dagur backflips over and lands sliding on his knees. Hadrian stares into Dagur's dark, merciless eyes for an instant before Dagur punches him in the jaw. Hadrian's head jerks to the side and Hadrian cringes away from him, flinging his hands up to protect his face. I can't fall, he thinks. I can't fall or he'll kick me, and that will be worse, that will be much worse. Hadrian punches one way, and when Dagur moves his head, like a viper, Hadrian sends his other hand flying and it lands in Dagur's eye. Ignoring the throbbing in his jaw, Hadrian kicks Dagur the stomach.
Dagur catches Hadrian's foot and pulls him down so he falls on his shoulder. The pain makes Hadrian's vision go black at the edges. Hadrian stares up Dagur. Dagur pulls his foot back like he's about to kick Hadrian, and Hadrian rolls onto his knees, stretching his arm out for the crossbow. Dagur grabs Hadrian by his hair and yanks him to the side. Hadrian reaches back and grabs his wrist, but his head soon smacks into a rock. A warm trickle streams down from his temple, blood. Hadrian struggles to get his hand to grip something, but he does and tries to get his knees to stop shaking.
His head throbs. He stands. He hears a click. Hadrian spins around, bringing his elbow up as he does, and thrust it toward Dagur's face. It catches the end of his chin, but not hard enough to do any damage. Dagur grabs Hadrian's right arm with one hand and presses a crossbow stirrup to Hadrian's forehead with the other, smiling down on him.
"I don't understand," he says. "how you could possibly be stupid enough to come here when I have an armada, and you only have a hiccup and two dragons."
"Dragons that can kick your deranged ass." Hadrian defies.
"But you're now defenseless and your, backup is busy with my men. You really aren't that smart at strategy are you?" Dagur pouts his lips in mock pity.
"I'm smart enough to this this!" Hadrian says. He stomps hard on Dagur's foot, which Hiccup fired an arrow into mere hours ago. Dagur screams, his face contorting, and drives the stirrup of the cross bow into Hadrian's jaw. Hadrian clenches his teeth to suppress a gran. Blood tickles down Hadrian's neck – he broke the skin.
Through all that, his grip on Hadrian's arm does not loosen once. Hadrian tries to figure out what he can do that will be painful enough for him to release him. He'd just decided on a hard kick to the groin when Dagur slips behind Hadrian and grabs him by both arms, pressing against Hadrian so he can barely move his feet. Dagur's fingernails dig into Hadrian's skin, and Hadrian grits his teeth, both from the pain and from the sickening feeling of Dagur's chest on his back.
Hadrian immediately brings his heel up, hard, between Dagur's legs. A high-pitched cry hitches in Dagur's throat, stopped before it really began, and his hand go limp for just a moment. In that moment, Hadrian twists his body as hard as he can and break free. He needs to get back to Lightning. He needs to find Hiccup. He needs to-
Dagur grabs Hadrian's elbow, yanking him back, and pushes his thumb into the wound on Hadrian's shoulder, twisting until the pain makes Hadrian's vision go black, and Hadrian screams at the top of his lungs.
"I thought I recalled you getting shot in the shoulder." Dagur says. "It seems I was right."
Hadrian's knees crumple beneath him, and Dagur grabs Hadrian's hair almost carelessly, dragging him towards a gathering of standing stones. Hadrian's follicles tingle, rippling across his scalp. His body throbs with lingering pain. When he sees the stones, Dagur tosses Hadrian against them. Thankfully Hadrian had enough reflexes to turn so his back slams against the cold stone. The cold doing little to stop the pain.
Pushing himself on shaking arms, Hadrian looks to see Dagur with his bow, an arrow loaded. But before he even clasps his finger around the trigger, a blast sends him flying back. The blast resonates through Hadrian's head and tears streamed own his crimson cheeks.
Hiccup and Toothless land just past a wall of flame. Hiccup dismounts and rushes to Hadrian's side. Hiccup pulls his arm across his shoulders and hauls Hadrian to his feet. Hiccup has his shield slung over his back, and has a determined look in his eyes. Toothless and Lightning stand guard as Hiccup pushes Hadrian against a rock and takes off his vest.
"You need to leave." Hadrian gasps.
"We need to leave." Hiccup says. He makes his vest into a sling for Hadrian's arm, slicing a deep v into the fabric, then tying the ends around Hadrian's neck. Using the scraps to pat away the blood on Hadrian's forehead. "I've taken care of the rest of the soldiers, we should be clear." Hiccup picks up his bow and the sheath of arrows, offering it to Hadrian. "Think you can get on Lightning?"
Hadrian nods.
Hiccup takes Hadrian by his good arm and guides him to Lightning, who turns and angles his head so Hadrian can mount.
"Here they come" Hiccup says, looking around the corner of a rock. Dagur stands up and aims, Toothless fires. "Come on!"
Suddenly Hadrian grabs Hiccup's hands and looks him in the eyes. His arm out of the sling, but still tied around his neck. Hiccup watches Hadrian's long eyelashes move as he blinks. Hadrian touches Hiccup's cheek. "You have to go."
Hiccup feels cold trickle down his spine.
"I won't let them take Lightning again. Get back to Berk." Hadrian cups Hiccup's cheeks. His hands are cold; his palms are rough. "I'm going to distract them. You have to fly out of here as fast as you can."
"No." Hiccup shakes his head. "I'm not going anywhere without you."
Hadrian smiles. "Be brave Hiccup."
Hiccup feels his lips on his forehead and then he turns and runs through the fire. He holds his bow and starts to shoot. The guards start running.
Hiccup sprints to Toothless and mounts, Toothless communicating with Lightning, and Lightning takes off. As they ascend, Hiccup looks over his shoulder to see if any soldiers are following him. But Hadrian fires into the crowd of guards, and they are too focused on him to notice Hiccup.
A sound erupts from Lightning; a mixture of a cry and a roar. Hiccup whips his head back when he hears it, and sees the soldiers firing back. Hiccup yanks on toothless, and they stop.
Hadrian stiffens, his back arching. Blood surges from his shoulder. Whether it's another wound in his abdomen, dyeing his shirt maroon. A patch of blood spreads over his shoulder; whether it's the same wound or a new one, Hiccup can't tell. Hiccup blinks, and the violent red stains the inside of his eyelids. He blinks again and he can see Hadrian laughing as Snotlout jumps into a tub of water from his butt being on fire.
Hadrian falls, first to his knees, his bow drops, the hand limp at his side, and then to the dirt, slumped to the side like a rag doll.
He is motionless.
Dagur orders his men to cease fire.
Lightning rages into a frenzy. Toothless roars. Hiccup clamps his hand over his mouth and screams into his palm. His cheeks are hot and wet with tears he didn't feel beginning. A pinprick of hope barely stays alive as he watches two of Dagur's men take Hadrian by the arms, dragging his body away; smears of blood trailing behind him.
Hiccup's blood cries out that it belongs to Hadrian, and struggles to return to him, and he hears Hadrian's words in his mind as he feels Toothless turn, telling him to be brave.
The flashback of Hadrian crackling into a hollow shell, back when Hiccup was battling a succubus, sears itself into his brain. He watches Hadrian diminishes before his eyes into dust. Pain stabs through Hiccup as everything he is made of collapses, his entire world dismantled in a moment.
Somehow, Hiccup grips the handles of Toothless' saddle. Lightning follows close behind.
I am brave.
He doesn't realize it until that moment that Hadrian's stubbornness and determination had taught him an important lesson: how to keep going.