Chapter Five: Hunters Hospitality
"By the time Dagur and Darien flushed us out of our hiding place, I thought we were in the clear; I just didn't know anything about the Ryker and his Dragon Hunters." Heather whispered, leaning against Matt "I flew right over them, and gave them a clear shot at Windshear with their dragon root arrows." Shaking her head out of frustration, she whispered "If I'd known that Dagur had an ally, I wouldn't have flown in a straight line." Looking down at her shackled hands, she added "And I've been their prisoner since then; almost two months now."
"God, Heather…" Matt whispered, his heart shattered at hearing her tale "Had I even the slightest idea you were captured, I'd have been looking for since then." He looked over her as he spoke. Her armor, though similar to what he remembered her by, was cracked, and in places shattered. She had dry blood stains over her shirt, and a large cut on her lip. She indeed looked like she went through Hell and back. Just looking at her made him guilt ridden, as if someone punched him in the stomach.
"What I don't get, is why Dagur didn't give us a ransom note. Or at least use you as bait to get us." Astrid called out, leaning against her cell door across the hallway.
"Probably because he didn't need anything from you guys. Or biding his time." Heather replied, looking over at Astrid "I was enough for what he needed."
"What'd he need you for?" Matt asked, looking down at her with sadness and concern.
"I thought it was going to be having me to help capture dragons for him, like I did for him before I left him; but Ryker's already doing that." Heather answered, looking at Matt in the eye "He wants me to teach Darien how to train and ride dragons."
"Why? What's he planning her to do for him?" Astrid called out, alarmed at the news.
"I don't know. All I know, is that he's holding Windshear hostage against me." Heather answered, looking over at Astrid "I've been able to hold off on giving in to him, since Ryker won't let him hurt her. Well, any more than what Ryker's done already to her. Apparently, a Razorwhip is rare enough to be valuable to him." Her old self was starting to return, now being with Matt and her friends; though the circumstances could have been better. Looking up with fire in her eyes, she growled "I'm going to kill them for treating her like she's some kind of…thing! They've been using her to build blades for axes and swords."
"You mean using her scales?" Matt asked, looking at her with shock.
"Yeah, like my axe and what's left of my armor; but instead of letting them fall off, they're pulling them off of her before they're ready." She growled, her eyes narrowing "A couple of times they've pulled some off too early, and I could hear her screech in pain."
Matt squeezed Heather, as if trying to magically comfort her. The last two months were hell for her, and he was too busy to even think she was in danger. Closing his eyes, he silently cursed himself for being so casual about her situation.
"I won't give them what they want! I won't!" Heather growled, her eyes narrowing.
"Which leads me to my next question. If they want you to for training dragons, what do they want from us?" Astrid asked, looking methodical as she asked the question.
"Why don't you ask Ryker yourself?" Darien interrupted, walking into view. Three other guards were with her, opening the cell the others were in. "Ryker wants to talk to you. Come on." She ordered, reaching in and pulling Astrid out. Shoving her into one of the Hunters, she then instructed "Put the lovebirds in their new cell. I'll talk to them in the morning."
Matt's eyes narrowed as he stood up. Helping Heather stand as well, he just continued to give Darien a death glare; as that was all he could do. The two remaining guards opened the cell door and ushered them out. Walking along side Heather, he let the guards coral them to their new cell in the next room over.
"You're lucky that you have some guards with you." Astrid growled, being pushed forward by Darien "Or I'd have already taken your head off."
"Oh Astrid. Always acting tougher than you actually are." Darien teased, causing Astrid to turn and glare at her "I think I've trumped you twice, and you haven't beaten me once!"
"Ooohh, you little-" Astrid began to growl, about to tackle Darien.
"Careful. Your friends might suffer if you don't choose your words or actions carefully…" Darien warned, smiling at the reaction she got out of her.
"You're playing with fire Darien." Matt growled, being marched behind her "She's not one that takes tauntin-"
Wham! Matt's world was rocked as Darien spun around and slammed her armguard into the side of his head.
"Matt!" Heather and Astrid cried out, each being held back by a guard. "Get off of me!" Astrid growled, fighting against the guard that was keeping her from charging Darien. Heather could only helplessly watch, unable to do anything.
Gasping, trying to see past the stars circling in and out of his vision, he heard Darien kneel down next to him "I don't take taunting very well either. Matt." She hissed with venom in her voice. Standing up, she then barked "Get them in their cell!" Grabbing Astrid by her shoulder plate, she spun her around and shoved her forward "Move! Ryker's waiting for you!"
Astrid wasn't even able to look back at Matt, as he was dragged into a cell. Heather was also pushed forward, stumbling onto her knees. Hearing the cell door slam shut, she quickly went over to Matt. Rolling him onto his back, she did her best to comfort him.
"Ugh, I hate that witch." Matt groaned, blinking his eyes as he got his vision back.
"Me too." Heather whispered, trying to cradle his head with her restrained hands. "Now, shut up and relax. Let me take a look at your head."
"Heh, good to be with you again, Heather…" He whispered, smiling at the inside joke between them.
Heather let a small smile grow, gently shaking her head. She then joked sarcastically "Same here Matt. Glad we're captured together, where we're getting beat up and under the constant threat of being killed or tortured. It's great to be with you too."
Laughing lightly, Matt then slowly sat up. Rubbing where Darien hit him, he could feel a bump growing. "Is it bleeding?" He asked, patting it and looking at his hand to check himself.
"No, you're good." She replied, scooting over to the wall. She then settled herself by leaning against the moist wood.
Matt also scooted over, sitting right next to her. He then whispered "We'll get out of this. I promise. I wish I could get you out of those irons right now."
"I know you would if you could, and I don't want to doubt that we can get out." Heather replied "But how? Now that we're separated from the others, how are we going to coordinate with them?"
Matt was silent for a moment, unsure of how to answer. As he was thinking, he could hear a muffled voice sound to his right. Focusing, he pressed his ear against the wall.
"So…do you think they'll drown us, and then beat us to death…or, beat us to death and then drown us?" Tuffnut's voice sounded, though very muffled through the dense wood wall.
"Hold that thought, Heather." Matt whispered, turning to smile at her "Though we're in a different room, we're closer than we could've asked for! They put us right next to Fishlegs and the twins!"
"So we're going to shout through a wall to communicate?" Heather huffed, rolling her eyes.
Shaking his head with a smirk, he then gripped his shark tooth bracelet. Breaking the woven band, he then grabbed one of the three teeth. "Not shouting, whispering." At that he began to use the tooth to dig out in-between two planks.
Seeing what he was doing, Heather smiled as he worked to clear out the crack. "You know, you are a Haddock, aren't you?"
"Believe me now?" Matt joked, smiling back at her as he continued to work on the wall.
"Hey, morning bud." Hiccup announced, watching Toothless start to wake up. Toothless let out a long yawn, stretching as he stood up. Shaking his head to wake up, he then bolted forward towards the ocean. Watching Toothless run, Hiccup saw Wasatch continue sit and stare out at the sea. The Skrill never slept that night, once they found the island they camped at. He was too worried about Matt to even think about sleep.
Honestly, Hiccup didn't sleep well that night either. Almost all of them were captured. Snotlout was lucky that Toothless was able to tow Hookfang through the sky, not to mention the fact that both he and Toothless weren't hit during the hail of arrows. By all rights, the Hunters should have gotten them all. Well, minus Wasatch, who probably would have raged and charged the Hunter's anyways, leading to his capture.
Letting out a long sigh while shaking his head, he stood up and walked over to where Snotlout and Hookfang were sleeping. "Hey Snotlout, you up?"
Moving his helmet that covered his eyes, Snotlout huffed out "Yeah." Pointing to Hookfang, he added "Somebody snores…" Hookfang, obviously awake, roared angrily and shot a stream of fire at him. Ducking, Snotlout then yelled angrily "Hookfang!"
Hookfang just growled, daring Snotlout to come at him.
Shaking his head at them with a small smile, Hiccup turned to see Toothless walk up to them and dropping a few fish at their feet.
"Great! I am starving!" Snotlout exclaimed, walking up to the fish "We'll cook these up an-"
Hookfang quickly scooped up one of the fish, right before Snotlout was able to grab it.
"Okay, okay." He said with an annoyed tone. "Alright then, we'll ju-"
Again, Hookfang swiped the fish before he could grab it.
"No. Stop it." Snotlout said as gently as he could while swallowing his anger. Kneeling down, he went to pick up another fish, only to see Hookfang swiping it before he could grab it. "Hey! Hey! Gimme that!" He shouted, trying to grab the fish from Hookfang's mouth. Hookfang lifted it up barely high enough for Snotlout to not be able to grab, toying with him.
"Looks like someone's feeling better." Hiccup observed, smiling as Hookfang continued to mess with Snotlout. Shaking his head, he then opened up his map and continued to stare at it. All last night, he tried to figure out where the Hunters were going, but he was also trying to think of what to do when they found them. Down to two riders and three dragons, their options weren't looking good; especially since the Hunters were willing to hold their friends hostage, like they did with Matt to Wasatch.
"What are you doing?" Snotlout asked, seeing Hiccup stare blankly at the map.
"Trying to figure out where the Dragon Hunters are headed." Hiccup replied simply, not taking his eyes off the paper.
"That's a bad idea. Even if we find them, they have those 'one shot and you drop' poison arrows." Snotlout objected, his eyes narrowing. "What do we do then?"
"Well…I…uh, I actually have…uh, no idea." Hiccup admitted, rolling his eyes at the assurance Snotlout was giving.
"I gotta be honest, that's not the answer I was hoping for." Snotlout chuckled, causing Hiccup to turn and glare at him. Shrugging at the angry stare, he then said "Okay, we always knew this could happen. And that day has come. Hiccup's gone dry. It's up to Snotfang to come up with a plan."
Hiccup rolled his eyes as Snotlout began to focus on thinking, making it as visible as ever to show he was really trying to think of something.
"Come on…Come on…" Snotlout grunted, trying to figure something out.
Staring at the map, he interrogated it as if it held the key to their success. Minutes of struggling with it, he simply closed his dried eyes and let out a long sigh; in an effort to drown out Snotlout's audible efforts of thinking. Walking forward, he opened up his eyes in time to see Wasatch only feet away. Eyeing him, he almost looked like he was begging Hiccup to come up with something, anything.
"Don't worry boy…we'll get them back. We always do." Hiccup assured, petting the Skrill's massive head "We always do…" He repeated.
"Now…just need to squeeze some brilliance out of this thick, beautiful skull!" Snotlout groaned, his eyebrows furrowing as he spoke.
A thought hit Hiccup, thinking about what Snotlout said. In excitement, he shouted "I got it!" To which Snotlout whirled around angrily.
"Ooohhhh…I was so close too!" He moaned, glaring at Hiccup.
Ignoring him, Hiccup turned to Wasatch and asked "Hey bud, mind helping us out? We could use it."
Wasatch roared, standing up straight and sticking his chest out. Lightning ran up and down his back. His eyes burned with the white coloring of the lightning. Of course he would help. That was what Matt ordered him to do.
"Come on Snotlout. We've got some hard riding to do." Hiccup announced, climbing on Toothless. Leaning closer to Toothless, he whispered "Alright bud. Time's against us."
Toothless roared, already anxious to get going.
Launching into the air, he could hear Wasatch flying next to him. Snotlout was right behind, with Hookfang growling.
His idea summed up in one word, risky; but if it worked, effective.
"Alright Hunters, let's see you try to counter this." Hiccup whispered, his voice growling.
"Awww…look at 'em. So cute together." Darien's voice called off, sounding like nails on a chalk board to Matt.
Grunting, Matt woke to see Darien standing in front of the cell door. Heather woke up too, having had her head resting on Matt's shoulder as she slept. Staring at her, they saw Astrid being marched by a lone Hunter. She glanced over at them and gave them a quick, brief reassuring smile, just before disappearing behind the doorway.
"Well, looks like you two got some rest." Darien continued to taunt, smirking at them "Unlike Astrid...heh, Ryker kept her up all night."
"What do you want, Darien?" Matt huffed, standing up. Heather followed suit, glaring at Darien.
"Ideally, your cooperation." She replied, batting her eyes at him "I mean, if you don't, Ryker sees no reason to keep on board. Alive at least. Maybe as a chew toy though."
"You know, I was feeling like I would be willing to help you guys out; but then you hit me in the head last night; so now I'm not really wanting to." He replied with a thick, sarcastic tone. A smile flashed across his face, adding to the sarcastic response.
Instead of being angry, Darien just smiled and shook her head "Oh Matt, you never change. When will you realize that we have the upper hand here? We have all the high cards."
Confused at the saying, Heather turned to Matt, wondering what she was talking about.
"I have a Skrill. That's a pretty high card. Maybe an Ace of Spades." Matt replied simply, shrugging at the analogy.
"Ah, your Skrill. You see, that's what I'm wanting to talk to you about." Darien replied, smiling at him "You see, Dagurs' tasked me with a special…job. He wants your Skrill."
"Oh? And you thought that I'd be willing to help you with that?" Matt scoffed, shocked at the request "You think I'm just going to hand over my best friend? To you and Dagur? To the Hunters?"
"And you know better than anyone how a trained dragon acts when separated from their rider." Heather threw in, a smirk growing on her face "Remember when you were in the same cage as Windshear when you just captured us? I do!"
"Shut up!" Darien barked, hitting the cell door with her arm guard. "Remember Matt, this isn't about you. It's about Astrid. The big kid. Those twins. Even Heather."
Matt froze with anger, his blood pumping through his body with each word she said.
Seeing his reaction, she continued to flaunt over him "What are you willing to do for them?" A wicked smile growing ever so slowly "Or, what are you willing to let them go through before you give in? Should we grab Astrid and find out now? I'm sure Heather has the same limit as you do, in teaching us how to train dragons ourselves."
That was it for him. Matt's hand shot out from the cell door, which he grabbed her by the chest plate. Pulling as hard as he could, he slammed her into the door.
"Gah!" She cried out, her head hitting the metal bars hard. The Hunter that escorted Astrid ran in. Seeing what was happening, he was about to help her. "No! Stay back. I got this." Darien growled, glaring at Matt.
Not caring what she was saying, Matt lowered his voice and whispered "I may not be in a position right now Darien. But I promise you, when I get out, you'll be just a standing dead person. Nothing will stop me from hunting you down."
"If I recall correctly Matt, that's the same promise you gave me that night I came here; and nothings come of it." Darien spat back, her eyes narrowing. Not saying anything, she reached into a pouch strapped to her belt. A familiar click sounded, making Matt look down. It was his knife. The one he gave Heather as a gift when she left.
"I took it from her." Darien whispered, an evil smile growing on her face "She can't really hold onto things very well. Even friends and family."
Heather flushed red with anger, wishing her hands were free to help strangle her.
Matt didn't say anything, but just looked up and stared into her eyes, trying to show her the hate he had.
"Now Matt, think about what I asked." Darien whispered, slowly pushing the knife closer to his stomach. He could feel the point of the blade push against his vest, but he refused to let go of her.
"Matt!" Heather gasped, see that he was refusing to move away from the blade.
"Help me get your Skrill, and more importantly, control it." She continued to say, pushing it slowly farther into the vest. Matt flinched slightly as he felt the blade begin to dig into his skin, but still refused to let go of her; his anger greater than the pain. He hated her, and wanted to show it. "And I'll keep you and your friends alive. At least, a lot longer than Ryker has planned for you."
The blade kept going deeper, making Matt tremble in pain. "Gah!" He shouted, being pulled off by Heather. Gripping where Darien pushed the knife in, he looked down to see a fair amount of blood coming out. Not saying anything, he just glared at her as he applied more pressure to the wound to slow the bleeding.
"Take some time to think about it. Think about what'll happen to your friends." Darien replied, smiling as she wiped the blade "I'll be back to hear your answer sooner or later." Folding it and placing it in her pouch, she walked away laughing.
Staring blankly at the cell door, Matt shook his head angrily. Only when Heather gently pulled him back to sit down, did he realize that the stab had a lingering stinging feeling.
"Why'd you let her do that?!" She complained, moving his hand away from the cut. Seeing the blood, she gently used one hand to put pressure on it, being unable to use both.
"Ugh, we gotta get you out of those things…" Matt groaned, feeling the stinging grow more. Looking at Heather, he explained "I did it to show her I'm not afraid of her. She'd have kept on walking over us if she felt like she could."
Before Heather could say anything, Astrid's voice sounded off through the crack Matt had carved out. Having destroyed the shark tooth he used, he was able to create a sizable hole that allowed them to communicate back and forth quietly.
"I told Ryker what he wanted to know. The location of the Dragon Eye." Astrid was saying, which both Matt and Heather listened intently.
"They're after the Dragon Eye?" Fishlegs asked, his voice concerned at the thought.
"It's very important to the Dragon Hunters." Astrid's voice answered "Apparently, they've been looking for it for a long time."
To Matt, her voice sounded almost faked. "Maybe she's just tired." He whispered to himself, to which he grunted as Heather pushed her hand onto the wound with more force. She too looked like she was listening intently.
"And where did you tell them where it was, loose lips?" Ruffnut's voice sounded.
"Back at Dragon's Edge, where it's being guarded by all the other riders we left behind." Astrid answered, throwing her voice a little.
Matt's head perked a little, interested in knowing what Astrid was talking about. Heather also looked at Matt with interest and confusion.
"What? No one's-" Tuffnut's voice began to say.
"Supposed to know about it! I know!" Astrid's voice interrupted, a hint of frustration in it.
"Oh…clever girl…" Matt whispered with a smile, resting his head against the wood. She was stalling. Buying them time.
Hearing Astrid's voice whisper, he then heard her say "We just need to get the message to Matt and Heather somehow! If they question them and they tell a different story, we're all going to be busted."
"Won't be happening." He whispered loudly into the crack.
"Matt?!" Her voice called out, surprised to hear it.
"And Heather." Heather added quietly, smiling at Matt.
"Yeah! They were moved on the other side of the wall!" Fishlegs voice hissed "Matt dug through the panel gaps! We can talk with him!"
Hearing some boots scuffling next to the wall, he leaned down to look through the crack. Smiling, he stared at Astrid's surprised eye. "Matt! This is incredible!"
"Shh!" He hissed, glancing back at the door to see if anyone was near "It's only good for us if they don't know about it!"
"Right, so we need to start thinking of ways to get out of here. Any ideas?" Astrid asked, looking around her cell.
"Well, whatever it is, don't depend on Matt for too much heavy lifting." Heather whispered, looking down at her blooded hand, still pressing against Matt's cut.
"Why? Care to explain?" Astrid asked, a flash of worry sounding in her voice.
"It's not that big of a deal. It's just bleeding." Matt began to defend.
"What?! Why are you bleeding?" Astrid hissed, now sounding angry
"Darien stabbed him while trying to exhort us." Heather replied, ignoring an angry glare from him "I think the knife went deeper than he thinks it did; without bandages, it'll just open back up and keep on bleeding."
"Keep him still Heather, we'll think of something." Astrid whispered. Hearing her turn away from the crack, she began to talk with Fishlegs and the twins.
"Ugh! Easy Heather! It's not hurting to the point that you need to push my stomach in." Matt grunted, shifting into a more comfortable position.
"I'm keeping you from moving!" She whispered, glaring at him "Besides, not the first time I've tried to stop you from bleeding."
"Heh, yeah that's true…" Matt whispered, grabbing and pocketing the two remaining shark teeth he had. About to pull out his hand, he felt the cloth he found brush against his hand. Pulling it out, he stared at the charcoal writing.
"What's that?" Heather asked, seeing the cloth.
"Something I found on Changewing Island." He answered, not taking his eyes off it.
"What's it say?" She asked, peering at it with a raised eyebrow.
"Dunno. Can't really read your guys' runic writings yet." He replied with a shrug "I think it's a message to me though."
"Let's see…" She whispered, looking at the cloth. Moments later she looked surprised. Glancing up at Matt, she explained "It says 'I also had your friends.' What's that supposed to mean?"
Again, Matt shrugged "I have no idea." He whispered, looking at it blankly "All I know is that this person has been following me for a few days now. Perhaps weeks."
"Wait, someone's following you?" Heather asked, looking at him with concern.
"Honestly, I think they're stalking me." He answered, looking up at her "The only evidence I have is this cloth, and a pair of eyes I saw yesterday. But I keep on getting hints and small tips that someone's watching me."
"Matt…this is serious!" She began to say, only to be cut off.
"We'll worry about it when we escape." Matt quickly threw in "Right now, let's just get you and Windshear out of here."
"Us. All of us out of here." Heather corrected, looking at him with resolve.
"Alright! Everyone, up and at 'em." Darien's voice sounded, obviously from Astrid's and the gang's room "Ryker wants to talk to all of you."
Hearing their cell door open, Matt began to stand up, only to be gently pushed down by Heather. "Only if they come to us…don't move if you don't have too." She explained with a small smile.
Darien then walked into their room, followed by a group of Hunters escorting the gang. Smiling, she opened up the door and gestured for them to come. Seeing Heather's hand placed over where she stabbed Matt, she then jeered "You're included too. Lovebirds."
Scowling, Matt grunted as he stood himself up. Heather was forced to take her hand off, needing to balance herself to stand up. Her hand was covered in red, signifying how much he was bleeding.
Matt stood close to her as they walked out of their cell. The wound was still stinging and jabbing at him, but Heather's hand had slowed down the blood flow.
"Here. I sort of felt bad with what I did to you." Darien smirked, handing Matt a cloth "Sort of."
Frowning, Matt took the cloth with his blooded hand and placed it over the wound. Not saying anything, he just waited to be guided away.
Smiling, Darien turned and began to march ahead, leading them deeper into the ship.
As they walked through another doorway, Heather gasped in horror. "Windshear!" She cried out, bolting past the Hunter next to her.
There, in the cage to the left of them, was the Razorwhip. All four claws were chained down, with her tail secured down; preventing her from even shifting it. A big chain was wrapped around the dragon's mouth, keeping her muzzled in a more barbaric way. The sight that made even Matt sick to his stomach, was that some of her scales were missing, exposing her flesh that looked raw. Seeing Heather outside of her cell, she simply whimpered, really unable to move or growl.
"Get back here!" A Hunter growled, grabbing Heather's shoulder guard.
"You're hurting her!" Heather cried out, whirling around and swinging her cuffed hands into the side of the Hunter's head.
Matt raged too after seeing Windshear in that state. Mainly out of guilt than anger, he ran at the Hunter, who was still recovering from Heather's blow. He grabbed the shoulders from behind and kicked the Hunter behind his knees, causing him to crash onto the deck. He was about to kick at the fallen Hunter's face, when he was pulled backwards. Held by two Hunters, he could only watch as Heather was grabbed by a single one.
"Well, that was certainly fun to watch." Darien jested, walking in between Heather and Matt "Didn't think we'd get that reaction out of you that early."
Heather just glared at Darien, wishing her hands were free.
Smiling, she then said to one of the Hunter's "Take the others to Ryker. I'm going to have a word with Heather. Alone."
The Hunter nodded, motioning for the two holding Matt to follow. Matt tried to fight being dragged, but ultimately was compelled to leave. Glancing behind him, he watched helplessly as Darien opened the cage to Windshear's cell. He lost sight as he walked down a hallway; to which all he could hear were Heather's cries to stop, and a loud groaning from Windshear.
"So…any questions regarding the fate of yer dragons?" Ryker asked, glaring at the dragon riders. After showing them that they were being used for harvesting resources; from making metal from Meatlug, to making spear and ballista tips from Stormfly's spikes, to prepping to skin Barf and Belch for their dragon hide; he showed them all what their dragon's fates were.
"No!" Ruffnut cried, leaping onto a guard "Please! Please don't hurt our dragons!" Sliding down onto her stomach, she held onto the legs of the guard and continued to beg "I'll do anything!"
"Yeh want to save your dragons? Then give meh some information." Ryker demanded, glaring at Ruffnut.
Staring at Ryker for a moment, Ruffnut then said "No! Never!" At that she stood back up and walked back over to her friends, receiving some quizzical stares. "Sorry about that. Lost my head there for a second."
"Grrrr…." Ryker growled, glaring at Ruffnut.
Matt wasn't paying much attention, having gone completely numb. Heather was alone with Darien, who was doing who knows what to Windshear; even Heather herself. How did Darien turn to be so evil? Was she always like that? Just able to hide it? Sighing he shook his head in frustration and sorrow.
"Sorry I'm late Ryker, had to teach Heather something about obeying orders." Darien's voice interrupted his thoughts and whatever Ryker was talking about.
The group whirled around, shocked to see Heather being escorted by two other Hunters. Her face looked distraught and drained, and she didn't even bother to look up at them. Darien walked up to Ryker with a smirk on her face. Standing next to Dagur, she asked "Did I miss the tour?"
Ryker just frowned, not taking part of her joking attitude. Looking over at Matt, he then said "And now for yeh…Matt."
Matt tore his gaze from Heather, looking up at Ryker who was walking towards him.
"Yer friends know what's at stake if they don't give meh information about the Dragon Eye, but yeh…yeh have something I want." He whispered coldly, his eyes narrowing at him.
You? Or Dagur?" Matt replied, his eyes narrowing at him "Not quite the same thing Darien told me."
"Yeh have loose lips, Darien." Ryker growled, glaring at the girl "The less they know, the better. See that yeh remember that." Turning to Matt, he then growled "Here's the deal, Matt the Dragon Boarder. I will let yer friends go, with their dragons; right now. Even Heather and her precious Razorwhip. If yeh swear to help meh get yer Skrill. And then, I won't even keep yeh as a prisoner; I'll let yeh become a Dragon Hunter. To fly for us, to fight with us, to be protected by us."
The thought of the others getting a free pass energized him. With the wheels turning in his head, he was about to ask a question regarding their guaranteed release when Astrid shouted "Forget it! Don't do it Matt!"
She was followed by Fishlegs, saying "You're not really trusting them, are you?! They'll just keep us on another ship!"
Facing them, Matt was about to argue, but was interrupted a second time by Heather. "Don't do it Matt! Don't give them Wasatch for us! He's your dragon! Your friend!"
"Enough!" Ryker roared, silencing everyone. Stepping right next to Matt, he lowered himself so he was eyelevel with him "Make. Yer. Choice." He whispered with venom.
Staring at Ryker with anxiety, Matt then let his eyes harden as he finally shook his head.
"Then die right now!" Ryker roared, grabbing Matt by the throat and slamming him into the wall behind him.
"Gah!" He choked out, his blooded hands gripping the massive forearm.
"Matt!" Heather cried out, running to him but was stopped by a Hunter.
"Let him go!" Astrid shouted, about to run at Ryker. Two Hunters grabbed her by her arms and held her back. Fighting her captors, she continued to shout "You're killing him!"
"Aye, since I have no use for him!" Ryker yelled back, not taking his eyes off Matt.
"Ryker! I still need him though!" Dagur yelled, walking up to the massive Viking "Drop him, now!"
Reluctantly, Ryker did. Letting go of Matt, he watched him collapse onto his knees and gasping for air. He had one hand rubbing his throat, and the other holding his cut. "Get them out of my sight…" He growled, staring down at Matt.
Darien knelt down and picked him up. As she did so, she swung her fist into where she stabbed him earlier, opening the wound.
"Oomph!" He spluttered, folding over in pain.
"Stop it!" Heather shouted, pulling against Dagur.
Smirking, Darien didn't say anything as she pushed the gasping Matt ahead of her.
Astrid just glared at Dagur and Darien as they walked ahead of them with their prisoners. Muttering under her breath, she whispered "Don't worry guys…we'll all get out of here. I promise."
