Chapter Nineteen: Redemption and Retribution
"Look!" Heather shouted, pointing ahead.
Hiccup peered forward, seeing exactly what she spotted. An island. Looking lush with trees and grass plains, though plagued with cliffs and large boulders. Around the island though, was the giveaway that it was a Hunter's island; a massive fleet of ships anchored nearby.
"Think that's where they took Astrid?" Heather asked, her eyes narrowing at the sight.
"Don't know, but how about we take a look?" Hiccup asked, letting Toothless roll to the right and just above the waves. Windshear followed, flying just as silent. Hiccup then landed on a rock pillar, to which he took out his spyglass out. Equipped with his special shield strapped to his back, Hiccup was already thinking of how to check out the island.
Heather landed right next to him, though Windshear crouched low to help conceal herself. The Gronckle iron armor they fitted to her, being shiny like it normally was. It made her look more like a razor than before; and blended well with her scales, turning her into a bluish silver.
"It's a full moon." Heather whispered, looking up at the blaring light "Not good if we're trying to be sneaky."
"Not really going to do us any good anyways." Hiccup replied "Sentries are posted everywhere." Putting down the spyglass, he then asked aloud, not really expecting an answer "Why is this island so heavily fortified? And what's with all the ships?"
Heather gestured to take the spyglass. Feeling it placed in her hand, she then looked through and saw exactly what Hiccup was saying. "Wow…a guard posted every twenty or thirty feet? All along the cliffs on the north and east sides?" She whistled, impressed with the security "Definitely hiding something there." Continuing to look through the spyglass, she then had the thought "Hiccup, do you think this is where Viggo is? You know, the guy that Darien told us about?"
Hiccup stroked his chin, thinking of the possibility. "That would actually make sense. There's enough ships here for two large fleets. One could be Ryker's, and the other Viggo's." Looking over the island, trying to figure out what to do, he began to talk aloud to himself. "Can't go around from the north or east…with the extra security." He whispered, scanning the island for some kind of weakness. Heather was busy surveying the fleet, counting how many ships were anchored. "And the west side is jammed with ships, spilling a little bit to the south side." Hiccup continued to whisper, still looking for anything.
"Hiccup…there's a ship that looks different from the others. Look." Heather began to say, handing the spyglass back. Pointing to a lone ship nearby the island, she explained "It doesn't have any Dragon Hunter markings. Nor do the sails look maintained like the rest of the fleet."
Hiccup looked through, easily spying the ship. "Wow…looks like it has definitely seen better days." He said, observing it in more detail "Blankets for roofs…battered looking bow. That's definitely not a Hunter ship."
"It's docked outside of the rest of the fleet. By itself. And from the looks of it, unguarded." Heather listed, looking at Hiccup with a resolute expression "See? On a dock away from everything."
"Far enough away to not be watched by sentries on the east or other ships on the west…" Hiccup added, pocketing the spyglass. Looking at Heather, he said "What say you Heather, what're you thinking?"
"Let's check it out. Maybe use it to…let ourselves deeper into the island." Heather grinned mischievously, pulling her new axe off her saddle. Built exactly like her old one, just out of Gronckle iron instead of Windshear's scales, she flipped it open to reveal the double ended axe. Turning to face Hunter's island, she began to think of the vengeance she was going to have.
"Heather, hold up." Hiccup called out, making her look at him. With a concerned look, he then said "Chances are, that's the ship Matt was supposed to meet on. You realize that right?"
Heather's face turned dark as she nodded. "…yeah…I hope it is…"
"Listen Heather…if Strogg's here-" Hiccup began to say, only to be interrupted by a thundering sound behind them. The two turned to see black skies forming to the west, with lightning lighting up the billowing clouds. The storm was heading straight for them.
"Hiccup…if Strogg is here, I'm going to kill him for what he did to Matt!" Heather growled, her eyes narrowing as she looked back at him. Her grip tightened on her axe as she vowed "I will end him."
"Heather…let's focus on getting Astrid." Hiccup begged, seeing his friend literally change in front of him "Trust me, I want to kill Strogg even more than you do! He's taken more than one friend from me!"
"Then why are you hesitant on fighting him?!" She quickly snapped, losing patience with him.
"Because I know how he fights! He isn't normal!" Hiccup replied "We need all of us to take him down!" Gesturing to the island, he then added "That place has to be crawling with Hunter's as well. We're completely outmatched. Let's just go find Astrid, and get out."
"No. You focus on Astrid, I'll look for Strogg." Heather shot back, glaring at Hiccup.
Hiccup just shook his head, saying "Heather…listen to me. As a friend, can you hear me out at least?"
Hearing the pleading in his voice, she only nodded, slightly relaxing.
"You remind me exactly of a friend I had. One that I lost to Strogg." Hiccup whispered, letting Toothless walk closer to Windshear. "Loyal, brave, strong…" He began to list "Caring." Heather just listened to Hiccup, wanting to hurry.
"I'm talking about Ukiah." Hiccup further explained. Heather raised an eyebrow, unsure of where he was going with comparing her to Ukiah the Traitor. "Listen, the reason why he did what he did to me and Astrid, was because he was bent on vengeance. He had a score to settle with Strogg, and it cost him everything he valued. A home. A tribe. Even friends that cared for him. Heh, I took him in as a brother. All this, even after his tribe was wiped by that evil man."
Heather began to take heavy breaths, seeing the comparisons between her and him. An orphan, friendless, and mostly alone. She glanced away from Hiccup, as if his gaze was bringing her past out.
"Don't make the same mistake. Don't get caught up in trying to bring vengeance and lose everything that you do have. Even if you kill Strogg, we don't get Matt back. Is that worth the risk of losing everything?" Letting the comment sink, he then looked down, his eyes misting "I miss Ukiah. You know that? I miss who he was. But he died when he made his choice to chase after Strogg." Looking up at Heather, now with a small fire in his eyes, he quietly said "So please don't hunt Strogg. Not only for my sake, or Astrid's. Even for your sake; I'm asking you for Matt's sake."
Heather twitched, hearing Matt's name. She reached and grabbed Matt's broken goggles, still hanging around her neck.
"That's not what he would want you to become. Please believe me on that…" Hiccup finished, sitting back on Toothless."
"Fine…I'll help you find Astrid." She whispered, her mind thinking of Matt "But if we run into Strogg. I'll deal with him."
"Heather…I lost Matt and Ukiah. I don't want to lose anyone else to that madman. Just…remember that." Hiccup whispered. Heather looked at Hiccup, who had a depressed look on his face. Gesturing to the ship, he then said "Come on. We'll go low and slow. Try not to make any noise."
"Right. We'll be right behind you." Heather whispered, pulling up her cloth mask and throwing her hood over. Right before Hiccup was about to take off, she quickly said "Hiccup?"
Looking at her, he just waited to hear what she had to say.
"Let's get Astrid back. Ok?" She replied, her eyes showing that she was smiling behind the mask "I don't want to lose anyone else to Strogg either."
For the first time since they left to find Astrid, Hiccup let a smile grow on his face. Nodding he turned and took off, with Windshear right behind him; with the thunderstorm still rolling towards the island.
"My chief! My chief!" Ugo cried, running into Viggo's tent and interrupting a meeting taking place between the various leaders.
"Yeh better have a good reason for barging in here." Ryker growled, reaching for one of his swords "What is it?"
"I only answer to Strogg, my chief!" Ugo spat, unfazed by Ryker's threat.
"What is it Ugo?" Strogg asked, stepping in between him and Ryker.
"Two dragon riders! They boarded our vessel!" He reported, sounding anxious as he watched Strogg.
"Is one the brat?!" Strogg asked excitedly, completely forgetting about the meeting he was in.
Ugo shook his head "No my chief. One was Stoick's welp. Hiccup Haddock. The other was a girl I've never seen. Her dragon was silver; and looked like a razorblade!" Looking at Strogg's disappointed expression, he added "No one was on the ship to stop them when they boarded it."
"That's Heather and her Razorwhip, Windshear." Darien growled, narrowing her eyes. Looking at her bandaged hand, she then put on an evil smile "Banshee and I can handle them." Banshee, who was laying on the ground next to where she sat, then whimpered, nuzzling her bitten hand as if apologizing. "It's ok, little guy…" She smiled "If you only took some skin, it's worth being able to ride you!"
"We're ready to rush them and capture them." Ugo cut in, looking straight at Strogg.
"No. I expected Hiccup to come." Viggo replied, standing from his seat. Looking at Strogg "I purposely had you dock your ship where there was no security."
"You better have a good reason…" Strogg growled, gripping his axe.
"I do. I want them to trap themselves by looking for Astrid." Viggo explained "If everyone does what they're told, we'll all get what we want tonight." Smiling at Strogg, he then added "Me with the Dragon Eye, you with Astrid; and more importantly, an idea on how to track this vagabond; Ukiah."
Strogg just growled, slowly releasing his axe.
"Darien, do you think you can accompany me and Ryker?" Viggo asked, turning to face her "Will your injury-"
"It won't be a problem." She cut in, raising the hand up. Her entire hand was swallowed up in wads of bandages, covering it completely and hiding the shredded finger "What do you need me to do? Ride and bring them down?"
"No. I know you're anxious to fly against them. But we both know they'll be able to out fly you and Banshee. You still need to practice riding." Viggo answered "No, I just need you to bring Banshee with us."
"Of course." Darien replied, smiling as she stroked Banshee's head. The Flightmare cooed at the stroking, rubbing against her as if asking for more.
"Strogg. Just in case of some unforeseen events, why don't you go guard Astrid and the Skrill in the cave? We know they're here for them anyways." Viggo suggested.
Strogg growled, not liking being stuck in a cave. Shouldering his axe, he then growled "You better hope no rider finds her. I'll not show restraint in killing them."
"No killing!" Viggo growled, only to be interrupted by Strogg.
"Yes, killing. Only if they step in the cave." Strogg growled, glaring at Viggo "If your plan works, then you shouldn't have to worry about it. If something goes wrong, consider this a consequence!" At that he and Ugo stormed out of the tent. "Ugo, take the rest of the men and stay on the ship. If they try to run back, intercept them."
"Yes my chief." Ugo's voice sounded, getting farther and farther away.
"Madman…" Viggo growled, shaking his head at Strogg's defiance. Turning to Dagur, he then instructed "Dagur. I don't need you. Darien will suffice. Stay here and wait."
"What?! What am I now? Chopped dragon bait?!" He cried angrily, shocked at the order.
"Stay here! That's your role!" Viggo demanded, narrowing his eyes at him "I'm not in the mood for another person to decide to do whatever they want!" Turning, he and Ryker walked out of the tent. "Come Darien, we're going to get the Dragon Eye."
Darien followed him, with Banshee close behind. Stopping at the tent's flap, she turned and looked at Dagur, who was glaring at her with his crazed anger. After a second, she smirked and said "Viggo offered me a position as one of his lieutenants. I'll get my own fleet and men under me, so I said yes." Winking at him, she then said "I'm the one that's going to make our family's lineage great." Laughing, she walked out of the tent while saying "I now know why Heather left you. You're pathetic."
"Hiccup, no one's here." Heather whispered, running up from the hold of the ship "It's empty."
"I've seen two patrols, but they've walked past the dock." Hiccup whispered, looking over some crates he was hiding behind "One just barely passed by."
"Why would there be a ship completely unguarded?" She whispered, kneeling down next to him, peering at the island.
"I was wondering the same thing…" He whispered, looking at a pathway that led deeper into the island "It…it feels like a trick. A trap even."
"I got that feeling too." Heather admitted, turning to look at him with a worried look "Makes sense though. They knew we'd be coming to look for them, since Matt never…" She stopped, unable to finish her thought.
"So, we have two options." Hiccup whispered, peering at the pathway "We go back and grab everyone else, and then come up with a plan to try and get Astrid back."
"Or…" Heather asked, waiting to hear Hiccup's idea.
"We do something that Matt would do. Go anyways." He whispered, a small smile growing on his face. Slinging his shield from around his back, he saw Heather's shocked face; which he explained "Heather, I too want revenge. I'm just trying to pick my moments."
Underneath her mask, Heather smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Well Hiccup Haddock, you ready to go?"
"I am. Though let's go slow about it. If it's too much, we'll fly straight up and away from here." Hiccup smiled, standing up from his hiding spot and raising the shield.
"I'll take the lead. Since Windshear and I have armor." She suggested, crouching as she made her way down the gangway.
"Toothless, watch our backs…" Hiccup ordered, crouching and following Windshear. Toothless growled, acknowledging the order and warily watched around them.
It didn't take them long to get to the pathway, though Heather then took her time. Traversing on the side of the trail, she swept the ground with her axe, just in case of any traps or alarms. Hiccup peered down the pathway, studying the island itself. It was a strange layout for any island actually. The trail forked just ahead of them, which the right path looked like it led to an area full of dragon cages, atop a plateau. The path on the left spiraled down along the interior of the island, almost like a massive sinkhole. The cliff sides were full of caves and caverns. With some cages showing along the pathway, being few and far between, but all guarded by at least one or two Hunters.
"Two paths." Heather whispered, stopping at the fork "What do you think Hiccup?"
Hiccup let out a sigh, quietly saying "There's a lot of cages on the right. Almost like a prison. The left looks like it has a few specific cages." Thinking, he shook his head in frustration "She could be anywhere!"
"Let's split up." Heather suggested, making Hiccup look at her with concern "I'll only look for Astrid. I promise." She assured "You go right, check out the prison. I'll go left and look into some of those cages. I'll probably finish before you, so I'll come find you after."
"You sure?" He asked, looking at her with the same worried expression.
"Hiccup, we're running out of time. The more ground we cover, the better chance we have to find her!" She hissed.
"Fine, but look for fifteen minutes. No more. After, try to sneak out. If you get in a bind, just fly straight out of here. Got it?" Hiccup instructed, grabbing her arm to make sure she understood.
"Got it. Good luck Hiccup. Be careful." She whispered, smiling at him as to assure him that she understood.
Nodding, he turned and began to silently jog up the right pathway with his shield raised and ready. Toothless was close behind, watching their backs and sides.
Taking a deep breath, Heather then began to trek down the pathway. Windshear crouched and sniffed the ground, not wanting to have her rider fall into a trap. The storm they saw earlier was getting closer, with the thundering rumblings sounding more and more frequent. The storm made her flashback to Matt for a moment, knowing he loved storms. For the obvious reason of riding a Skrill, but also just the sight was amazing to him.
Shaking her head to try and forget about him to focus, Heather rounded a corner and she let out a silent gasp. There was at least a dozen caves within the cliff walls! She had more of a chore than she thought! On top of that, a troop of nine guards were making their way up the path towards her! "Windshear! In here!" She hissed, guiding her dragon into a dark cave. Hiding behind a sizeable rock, she waited until she saw the men walk by their cave, obviously not caring to check it.
They were dressed differently, wearing dragon hide vests and chaps. Some even had decorated shields and war axes at the hip.
Watching them walk away, she let out a sigh of relief and slowly crawled out of the cave; double checking to make sure she was clear. Windshear did the same, moving slightly ahead of her. "All clear girl. Let's check the next cav-mmpph!" She cried, feeling a hand slip over her mouth.
"Shh! You'll get spotted if you shout!" A voice whispered behind her.
Windshear whirled around, growling at the stranger. To Heather, the voice was actually a nightmare. It was Dagurs. Grunting she elbowed him in the stomach, forcing him to let go. Whirling around, she lifted her axe under his chin. "Where is she?!" She hissed, her eyes narrowing at him.
"That's what I was trying to tell you!" Dagur hissed back, showing that he was unarmed "She's in the third cave down the pathway."
Heather looked at him in confusion. Why was he giving her information so willingly? A trap! He's telling her to go to a trap! "I'm sure she's there. Along with what? Two score men waiting for me?" She growled.
"No. Just one man." Dagur replied, shrugging. With as much of a gentle smile as he could, he whispered "Listen, Viggo essentially betrayed me; as did Darien. They're trying to trick you guys into going up on top where Viggo is waiting for you. You splitting up will throw a twist in his plans. Especailly if you actually get Astrid and the Skrill."
"Wait. Wasatch?!" She cried in shock "How? Matt's dead!" Lifting Dagur's head higher with the axe blade, she then growled "I've fallen for your lies one to many times. We both know you have men waiting for me inside the cave!"
"Heather! I'm telling the truth!" Dagur yelped, only to quickly bring his voice back down. "Listen, you have no reason to trust me. I get that. But if you want to save Astrid, you need to go where I told you."
Heather's eyes narrowed, feeling some kind of truth in the words, but experience told her otherwise.
"The one guard is named Strogg. He…he's the one that killed Matt. How you learned that, I'll never know. But he's the one that's guarding Astrid and the Skrill." Dagur continued to explain, making Heather stare at him in anger. Though she knew he was gone, hearing Dagur confirm it made her feel dead inside. "Listen, Viggo is planning on shipping out Wasatch as soon as he's able. Strogg's going to use Astrid to bait someone named Ukiah. You have this one chance only to free them, and get out of here!" Backing up from the axe blade, he said "Go. I'll stay here to show that I'm not going to raise the alarm."
Breathing heavily, Heather's eye twitched in anger. "You're right Dagur. You are staying here." At that, she swung her axe flat side across his head, laying him out cold "I spared you because you helped me. But we're not going to be brother and sister ever again!" She growled at his motionless body. Turning around, she whispered "Come on Windshear, let's save Astrid."
The two quickly, yet quietly jogged down the path. Heather counted the caves as she passed them "One…two…three. Here we go…" She whispered, stopping just before the entrance. Peeking around the corner, she saw the cave go deeper and then turn to the left. She saw a torches light flicker off the wall, showing that someone was indeed there.
Signaling to be quiet, Heather led Windshear in deeper. Again, stopping at the corner, she peeked around to see what was there. Her heart skipped a beat out of joy and shock. There, in a cage, was both Wasatch and Astrid. Wasatch was still alive! He was sleeping against the cage wall, with long red marks all along his body. Astrid was leaning against him, with her hands tied behind her back. Her face looked red with tears, and she was staring into nothing with an angry and depressed look.
Then the sight that made her blood boil. A massive silhouette of a man was sitting on a large rock, not moving and watching Astrid. His axe was huge! Having to be as tall as the cage! He wore a tattered cloak, though she couldn't see any more details than that. It didn't matter. She knew who he was. Strogg.
"Windshear, quill shot!" She whispered, pointing her axe at him.
Windshear roared, making Wasatch, Astrid and Strogg turn to see the Razorwhip leap into the open and sling her tail. Quills lined up and across Strogg chest, forcing to step back.
"Heather?!" Astrid shouted, trying scramble to her feet "No! Get out! He'll kill you!"
"Kill her? No, I'm going to do much worse! Starting with that dragon!" Strogg roared, getting his composure back. Raising his axe, he charged Heather with a thunderous war cry.
Heather was shocked! Taking that many quills in the chest should have dropped him! Out of reaction, Heather pushed off to the right, just as the axe crashed into the ground. Completing a side somersault, she quickly squared up to Strogg.
Strogg forgot about Heather, focusing on the hissing Razorwhip. Backing up slowly, he drew her closer to himself. Growling, Windshear lunged forward, going for his throat. Strogg was planning on her lunging at him. Using the shaft of his axe, he shoved it in her mouth and let her bite down on it. He then surprised her with his strength by twisting the handle, completely rolling her over.
Heather, who was starting to charge him, was shocked to see Windshear rolling over her! "No!" She shouted, feeling her land on top. Luckily, Windshear rolled completely over her, rather than staying on top. Unfortunately, Heather took a kick in the stomach from Strogg, keeping her down. The hit was paralyzing! The force was that she never felt before!
"Heather!" Astrid yelled, finally able to stand. All she could do was stare helplessly, trying to pull her arms out of the ropes. Wasatch was also roaring, biting the metal bars; being unable to radiate even the smallest spark. Being unable to recharge earlier in the day.
Strogg felt the dragon let go his axe, which he drew it back and brought it up and over his head as hard as he could, right over Windshear's neck.
"Windshear!" Heather screamed, struggling to get back up.
"No! Not again!" Astrid roared, her face raging in helplessness and anger.
Strogg refused to acknowledge the cries as he brought the axe down with all his strength.
The bone axe head crashed into the fallen dragon's neck, but rather than the expected result of cutting her head off; a loud, sharp sounding ping echoed in the cave; followed by a loud popping and cracking sound. Strogg stared in shock as he watched his axe rebounded back up, with the head breaking into several pieces. Staring at the now bladeless end, he looked down to see a massively dented, silver armor piece where he struck. The Gronckle Iron stopped the blade! Though Windshear was unconscious from the force of the hit, she was very much still alive.
"How…?" Strogg whispered in disbelief, astounded at the sight.
Heather grunted, sitting up from where she lay. In one smooth motion, she slashed her axe across his leg, using the moment to hit him.
"Agh!" He shouted, whirling around and kicking her across the face, launching her back down. His sheer size and mass allowed him to ignore the slash to his leg, which he did as he kicked the axe away from her.
"Heather! No!" Astrid shouted, now rubbing the ropes on one of Wasatch's spikes to try and cut them.
Stepping on her chest, to keep her down, Strogg growled "I like you. You actually remind me of Astrid."
Heather tried to push the foot off her, but could only glare back at him with hate. Looking up, she saw that Windshear's quills were lodged in a thick heavy vest, though they looked like they went deep enough to have still pierced him! Who was this man? Did he not feel pain? Was this what Hiccup meant about Strogg being different?
Seeing her stare at the quills, he smiled as he pulled one out; revealing the tip of it covered in blood. "But I already have her, and don't need another fighter as a slave." Dropping his knee on her chest, he pushed hard on her to force whatever air she had left out, and began to crush her.
"No! Strogg! Don't kill her!" Astrid yelled, watching Heather gasp for breath and also hearing a small amount of cracking as he pressed his knee down harder.
With her vision clouding, Heather swung her fist into where she slashed him, as a last ditch effort; but in the end not doing nothing to make the giant get off.
"Tell you what, I changed my mind about killing you slowly; I'll make it quick. That's the gift I'll give you." He whispered, placing the tip of the quill on her neck. Letting her eyes fill with fear, he was about to push it in when a force stabbed into his back! It dug into him, and lingered on! "Raaaggghh!" He roared, standing up and gripping where the pain flashed into his back. Then he felt it. Not a quill, or a Nadder spine, but a bolt! A crossbow bolt!
Astrid let out an audible gasp, freezing completely and staring behind Strogg.
Turning around, his blood ran cold with hate. There, standing in the darkness, was the silhouette of his vowed enemy. Ukiah.
"Leave them out of this Strogg." Ukiah growled, walking forward and reloading his crossbow. His face emerged in the torches' light, revealing black eyes and a war paint that formed a black line, running down his face at a diagonal; high left to low right. "This is between me and you."
"And Astrid." Strogg growled. Grunting, he pulled the bolt out and observed it. Made out of a dragon's tooth, probably Arrow's, it wasn't the same kind of barbed harpoons he remembered being shot with. Breaking the bolt in half, he knelt down and picked up Heather's axe. Inspecting it, he nodded in satisfaction as he folded it to be just one axe head "Forgive me for not having my personal weapon. It broke."
Ukiah didn't say anything, but just glared at him.
"After three long years of tracking you, hunting you, even losing men to you and that lizard you call Arrow. It ends in a cave with a fight to dictate Astrid's fate." Strogg smiled, squaring up to Ukiah "All we're missing is Hiccup. Then it would be just like before."
"No…it's not the same." Ukiah whispered "In ways you'll never understand."
"Nor do I care to try…" Strogg growled, testing the edge of Heather's axe "To me, it's all the same. You'll die, and your friends will pay for helping your worthless hide back in my arena; four years ago..."
"That's what you don't understand." Ukiah replied quietly. Looking at Astrid, who just stared at him through the cage "We're not friends. They hate me too."
Heather, finally recovering from getting nearly killed, rolled onto her hands and knees. Sucking in the precious air that was forced out of her, she tenderly rubbed her chest. It hurt from nearly being crushed. Looking up and seeing Strogg was distracted, she slowly crawled over to the cage, grabbing the quill that he dropped.
Strogg looked at Ukiah with a raised eyebrow, surprised at the revelation. "Then why are you here? If what you claim is true, why stop me from killing them?"
"Because I hate you. I won't give you the satisfaction of hurting Stoick or anyone from Berk." Ukiah growled, his eyes narrowing "They may hate me, but I still call them my family. Now, shut up and ready yourself. This fight's been delayed long enough."
Strogg smiled, finally being able to settle this once and for all. Dropping his cloak, he then held Heather's axe at the ready, though his one hand swallowed the handle. In the other was the handle of his broken axe, which he held onto. The end still had remains of the bone blade, but was now jagged and misshapen.
Ukiah could see Astrid kneeling down, letting Heather begin to cut her hands free with the quill. His mission was already accomplished, now all that was left was to end Strogg. Dropping his cloak as well, he revealed the long sleeved, black chainmail lined with wolf fur underneath. His dagger was strapped to his hip, ready to be drawn. He held his crossbow in a position that he could fire at any given moment. "Whatever happens, I'm not leaving until you're dead." He whispered coldly.
"Ukiah, this fight has been my only purpose for the last three years. You think I'd settle for anything less than feeding your corpse to the crows?" Strogg growled back.
"I wouldn't expect anything less…" He growled,
At that, the two charged each other, roaring at the top of their lungs.
"Easy bud…" Hiccup whispered, walking through the hallways of cages "Just look for Astrid…"
Hiccup never saw so many cages before, all being neatly organized and ready to be loaded where ever they needed to go. He wanted to break them, or at least do something to sabatoge them; but his priority was to find Astrid. Looking through the labrynth of metal bars and cages, he led Toothless down another alley of cages. The thunder from the storm rolled even closer, with flashes of lightning appearing more and more frequently. The wind was starting to rustle through the trees, creating a eerie feeling as the pressure of finding Astrid grew.
"Ugh, I need to get up high…" He growled, seeing that he was running down another generic alley way "This is basically a maze!" Seeing a large catapult ahead, he then ordered "Stay here bud. I'll be right back!"
Aiming his shield, he fired the grappling hook out of it, letting it wrap around the top of the catapult. The shield easily pulled him up and on top. "Benefits of being light I guess." He whispered to himself, letting the cable wind back inside the shield. Looking around, he found that he was in the center of the prison. But then he saw it. A lone cage with a figure in it! The person was covered with a dark blanket and was unmoving! It had to be Astrid!
"Come on bud! This way!" He whispered loudly, jumping on the cages and running along the top. Toothless leaped up, following close by.
Running atop the cages made the trek to the single cage a lot easier. Quickly arriving at it, he dropped down and whispered "Astrid! Astrid!"
The person remained unmoving. Only stirring slightly.
Opening the cage's door, Hiccup and Toothless jogged in, pulling off the cover. "Astri-What the?!"
A bright blue light blinded the two as the cover was pulled off, stunning them.
"Now Banshee!" Darien's voice shouted.
Before Hiccup's eyes could adjust, he felt a mist spray over him. His body locked up, and he just stood there; frozen and unable to even blink. His eyes stared down at a Flightmare, growling viciously at both him and Toothless.
"Well done Darien." A voice called out behind him "You've certainly proven your worth in just a few hours today!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Toothless get pushed forward, also being frozen stiff. Two strong hands then grabbed him by the shoulders, picking him up and turning him around. Staring helplessly out of the cage, he watched Darien guide the Flightmare out of the cage. Next to her was Ryker and a man he never saw before. They had two other hunters with them, armed with crossbows and were smiling evilly at Hiccup and Toothless.
The sight most confusing though, was Darien stroking the head of the Flightmare. Smiling at him, she then said "Astrid helped me. I'll let you ask her how."
"Greeting's Hiccup Haddock." The new person calmly replied, flashing a warm smile at him "I'll be honest, I've been wanting to meet you ever since I've heard of your accomplishments and exploits." Stepping into the cage, he then added "Though from what I've heard, I wasn't expecting you to fall into a trap so easily."
Staring into Hiccup's unmoving eyes, he then introduced himself "My name is Viggo Grimborn, and you have something that I've been looking for, for a very long time." Walking in, he reached into Toothless' saddlebag and pulled out the Dragon Eye. Smiling as he held it, he whispered "And you were kind enough to bring it right to me. I thank you. We Dragon Hunters will prosper with this!"
Hiccup wanted to do something, anything, to grab it back. No matter how much he strained his muscles, they wouldn't move!
"Have you ever played Maces and Talons?" Viggo asked, holding the Dragon Eye with respect "A game of strategy and cunning?" Slowly, he started to pace back and forth in front of Hiccup, who was only able to follow him with his eyes. "I'm going to assume you have, given that you've been talked about being a clever strategist. And a son of a chief." Stopping in front of him, he then said "Within the game, intentions aren't always clear; nor are the results of decisions and actions." He continued to explain. Pulling out a little figurine, Hiccup recognized it as the traitor piece within the game. "What you see and interpret, are usually different from the other's true intentions. You see me as a Dragon Hunter, who profits off selling the beasts; and while that may be true, my intentions are much more than that." Placing the traitor piece in Hiccup's hand, he then smiled as he closed the hand around the piece "I'll let you try to figure out what that is. But, in the meantime, I want to give you some friendly advice. Heather betrayed you more than once. And also her brother Dagur. The only piece in Maces and Talons that has no change in fate, is the traitor, because their role never changes. Regardless of who they side with."
At that, he walked out of the cage, which Ryker closing it shut and locking it.
"I guess I'm trying to warn you about who is actually loyal to you. Just give it a thought. It's been a pleasure Hiccup. I would have personally liked to let you go, but one of my ally's wants you. I'm sure you're familiar with a certain Strogg?"
"We both are!" A voice shouted, causing everyone, except Hiccup and Toothless, to look up.
A hail of Nadder spikes rained down into the two hunters from the storm filled sky, laying them out on the ground. A pretty blue and white Nadder then landed on top of the cage; with a rider slowly, almost pained, sliding off the saddle. The Nadder then fired a stream of fire behind Darien, Ryker, and Viggo; keeping them from running back.
"Oh? And who are you supposed to be?" Viggo asked, looking up at the hissing Nadder.
"Matt?!" Darien gasped, staring at what she thought was a ghost "Bu-But how?! You're dead! I watched you die!" She stared at the bandage wrapped around his head and eye, his one eye was glaring down at the three. Lightning lit up the sky behind him, adding to the drama of his arrival.
"Let them go!" Matt yelled over the thunder that crashed above them, holding himself up by leaning against Stormfly. Staring down at Viggo "As far as I can tell, you only have Ryker and Darien defending you. And all it takes is one Nadder spine in the heart to end you."
"You're absolutely right about that. But you also failed to notice a fourth individual." Viggo replied, letting a confident smile grow on his face.
"Stormfly, end hi-" Matt ordered, only to be interrupted by a loud screech. Matt whirled around to see a blue streak fly overhead, spraying a mist. The sudden movement made him light headed, causing him lose his balance. Toppling over, he crashed into the ground. He tried to roll back onto his feet, which his head sent him into a spinning world.
"Grab him brother." Viggo ordered, which Ryker did so promptly.
"Yer a tough one to get rid of. I'll admit that." Ryker growled, pulling Matt onto his feet.
"Shut up!" Matt yelled back, surprising Ryker by blindly letting a fist fly into his face.
Ryker recoiled back, shocked at the sudden jolt to the nose. Blood starting to run down it, silently satisfying Matt as he leaned against the cage. Knowing a fight was inevitable, he fumbeled as he flipped his knife out, letting the blade lock in place. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Stormfly frozen stiff a top of the cage, looking as if something scared her. Under her and in the cage, his heart skipped a beat as he saw both Hiccup and Toothless locked in the cage and unmoving, similar to Stormfly. Focusing back on Darien, he was surprised to see the blue streak land next to her. It was a dragon! He didn't know what kind it was, but it was an actual dragon defending her!
"You're Matt? The rider of the Skrill?" Viggo asked, raising an eyebrow "But…Strogg said that he killed you. And with witnesses."
"Boo. I'm back." Matt growled, seeing the dragon slowly advance on him.
Darien finally recovered, shaking her head in disbelief "I don't know how you're not dead, but I'll finish the job! Banshee! Now!"
"No Darien, keep him alive! I want it that way!" Viggo demanded, glaring at her.
"Take his leg then!" She yelled, placing her hand on her dagger and glaring at Matt with a wild and crazed look.
The blue dragon screeched, lunging at Matt. Matt sidestepped as fast as he could away from the cage. The dragon barely nicked him, spinning and making him stumble. The world went spinning, throwing any balance he had away. Crashing onto the ground, he tried to watch the dragon turn and was already lunging back at him. Matt raised his knife, ready to let it sink into the blue missile of a dragon, though he knew it wouldn't stop its momentum from getting him.
"Reeaagggghhh!" An ear splitting screech sounded.
Matt gasped as a large lightning bolt smashed into the glowing dragon, sending it flying into Darien and Viggo. His mind unable to keep up with what happened, his body flooded with relief and dismay at the same time! Flying through the trees, breaking a few cages as he flew towards him, was Teton!
Teton pulled up and landed over Matt, protecting him and screeching at the top of his lungs. A large lightning bolt hit him, which he simply absorbed. Ryker was already pulling on VIggo, running away from the angry dragon.
"We've got to go, brother!" He yelled, dragging Viggo away.
Darien was already helping her stunned dragon onto his feet, guiding him to follow. "Come on Banshee! We're no match for that Skrill yet!"
Teton was about to chase after them, but was stopped as Matt struggled to get onto his knees. Sending a flurry of lightning bolts, he chased them away for good; to which he looked down and tried to help Matt up.
"Teton! You can't imagine how happy I am to see you!" He whispered, rolling onto his back. With a small, tired smile, he reached up and stroked Teton's head, as he bit into his tunic and pulled him up.
By this time, Hiccup could feel his body start to loosen up. He couldn't believe it! Matt was right next to him! Alive!
"Come on…help me get Hiccup and Toothless out…" He groaned, moving slowly to the door of the cage.
Teton walked along side, slightly pushing Matt out of the way. Glaring at the two captives, he screeched aloud and fired a lightning bolt into the door. The metal fanned out as it bent at the raw power of lightning, making it easy for Matt to limp in.
"Hiccup? You ok? What's going on?!" He asked, grabbing him and gently shaking him.
"Urgh…ye…yeeaah…" Hiccup groaned, shaking his head as he felt the paralysis start to rub off. Feeling movement throughout his body, he slowly grabbed Matt and hugged him, crying out "Matt! You're alive?! How? We all thought you were dead! We found your goggles and-" Noticing the bandages around his head and eye, he then asked "Wait, what happened to you?!"
"Hiccup, later…" Matt huffed with a weak smile, breaking out of the hug "Where's Heather? We need to get out of here while we can!"
"We split up to cover more ground! She went down near the camp and I came up here!" He quickly replied "But I need to get the Dragon eye back! Viggo has it!"
"Hiccup! I'm not in the mood to debate with you!" Matt growled, slowly stumbling backwards. The recent events were really testing his ability to even stand. Teton caught him with his head, stopping him from falling backwards "We have to find Ukiah, Heather, and Astrid!"
"Wait, Ukiah?!" Hiccup gasped, shocked at hearing the name.
"He's the reason I'm alive." Matt grunted, leaning against Teton and trying to get his balance back "Right now, lets get out of here before one of us actually does die!"
Hiccup just nodded, unable to really give him an audible answer. Even after all these years, after almost killing him and Astrid, Ukiah was caring about others? How? Why? Shaking his head to finally let the remaining paralysis wear off, he then said "You owe me an explanation!"
"I will, I promise. Right now, help me find Heather." Matt answered, trying to stand on his own.
Hiccup quickly grabbed Matt, shouldering his arm around him "Come on! We'll get the Dragon Eye when we get you taken care of!"
"Forget about the damn Dragon Eye!" Matt growled angrily, walking with HIcucp out of the cage "Is it worth losing one of us?!"
Hiccup remained quiet. The answer was easy, of course not. But Viggo was a threat to all dragons with that in his hands. "Come on…" He grunted, checking his grip on him "Heather went down this way."
Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'm trying to finish this story within the week, if not, very close to then. I hope you it wasn't to bland of a chapter, and I realize that I've been a bit...redundant in themes and occasions, thanks to a few PM's and reviews. I promise I'll work on that. Thanks again for all the support!
