Breaking Point 2
"Okay…whoa…I can handle that," Hiccup squeaked, trying to escape the women meticulously bathing him. Shortly after being captured he had been marched across the island to the Hunters' camp while Toothless was carted off toward one of the ships. Hiccup had tried going with him but Ryker had grabbed his shoulder and all but shoved him into the tent with the waiting women to be "cleaned". Now he had four women scrubbing every inch of his body and being very thorough about it. His clothes were also being scrubbed by other women. Not one of them talked and when he attempted to snatch a cloth away from one to wash his gentiles on his own his hand had been slapped and he had no choice but to endure whatever they did. "Seriously?" he asked, looking pleadingly toward Ryker, who just smirked.
"Don't forget his hair. You may need to remove the braids to get to his scalp. Viggo wants his squeaky clean," the Hunter answered with a tiny chuckle when Hiccup tried to bat away the many hands only to get dunked under the water when the women deemed it time to rinse the harsh smelling soup off him before beginning the whole process yet again. Ryker only laughed merrily at the boy's plight and leaned against a post to keep a close eye on the prisoner.
It was perhaps one of the most embarrassing moments in Hiccup young life. While the women were very businesslike about the situation they did grope, grab and scrub places Hiccup would very much rather be left alone and even poked and prodded places that he didn't think needed such vivid attention.
Once the bathing was done he was wrapped in a surprisingly soft towel, dried – again by the women who simply refused to believe he could do anything for himself – and then lathered head to toe in a sweet rose oil. It left his hair feeling slightly greasy and he did his best to wipe as much of it out as possible before putting on his freshly laundered clothing and prosthetic leg. Everything had the sweet rose smell and it made his nose wrinkle, not accustomed to such a feminine scent on him.
The moment he was free of the woman Ryker had his arm and was dragging Hiccup across the camp toward a small dock then across a gang plank to what appeared to be the Hunters' flag ship while yelling orders for the others to back up camp and prepare to make sail. There was a buzz of activity as tents were taken down and captured dragons loaded onto ships. Hiccup watched it all in horrid fascination as dozens upon dozens of caged dragons being moved. The Hunters were experts and moved quickly and fluidly, working in well-oiled teams and completing their assigned jobs quickly. But Hiccup didn't have much time to appreciate it before he was tugged below deck, past seemingly endless cages filled with dragons – he tried to spot Toothless along the way but Ryker wasn't above dragging him if he didn't keep pace so Hiccup didn't get much time to inspect each cage he passed – until they reached crew quarters, passed a mess hall, more rooms until finally they reached a large thick door much like on the Reaper, that could only belong to the captain of the vast ship – Hiccup had honestly never seen a ship so large before and the size unnerved him a little.
He squared his shoulders when Ryker opened the door and did his best not to trip when he was pushed inside. He glanced behind him to glare at the large Hunter but Ryker had already turned around and was shutting the door behind him.
"Forgive my brother," Viggo said from where he sat at the head of a surprisingly small table. It may have been a desk but it was set for two and the man was staring intently into a low box as if studying something. "He doesn't quite see my vision nor understand why I'm letting you live."
"Quite frankly neither do I," Hiccup answered honestly, eyeing the man and wondering if he could make a break for it or if Ryker was waiting for him on the other side of the door. Curiosity got the better of him as he studied Viggo. They had only met briefly when Hiccup was trying to save Heather and other than a little game of cat and mouse that Hiccup lost, they barely spoke. Now was Hiccup chance to talk with him, maybe convince him that dragons were not just animals to be captured for profit, to sale their pelts or for meat. This might be his chance to make things right. Slowly he approached the table and glanced at the box. Maces and Talons, he should have known. "Why didn't you kill me?"
Viggo only hummed and moved a game piece. He then sat back and gestured for Hiccup to make the next move. "Why kill a valuable asset?" the man asked as he weaved his fingers together and watched Hiccup.
The youth frowned but he could take a hint and after much consideration moved what must have been one of his pieces before sitting down as well. "And just what makes me a valuable asset to you? The fact I ride a Nightfury or because I can train dragons?"
Viggo didn't answer right away, his mind preoccupied with his next move as he studied the board. "Those are impressive gifts. Even you friend, Dagur, admires you for them."
"Dagur and I aren't friends," Hiccup objected, a little perplex at the idea that Dagur admired anyone let alone him.
"Oh, well he'll be a little disappointed to hear that." Viggo made his move and again gestured for Hiccup to make his. "Tell me, Hiccup, how long have you been able to speak Dragonese?"
The youth ignored him in favor for the board game. This was just another form of interrogation and he wasn't going to fall for any traps. He hesitated a moment before moving his next piece. "How long have you been hunting dragons?" he countered as he sat back.
Viggo hummed and nodded to himself as he stared at the board. "I must have been about thirteen or fourteen when my father let me join my first hunt. A dangerous business dragon hunting is." He traced the scar along his neck with two fingers. "I wasn't exactly a natural at it like my brother, but I learned to outsmart the beasts."
Hiccup blinked and looked up, surprised by such an honest answer. He hesitated a moment more. "I was pretty little when I started studying dragons. I didn't want to be scared of them so I used to imitate Terrible Terrors whenever I could get close to one. I must have been around seven or eight."
"Terrible Terrors?" Viggo mused before giving a genuine laugh. "Well work your way up, my grandfather always said."
Hiccup eyed him for a moment, surprised by the man's reaction. This was not what he was expecting when he was captured. "Why do you do it? Why capture and sale dragons? They can be the most loyal friends you could ever want."
Viggo looked up and regarded him for a long time before answering. "Why grow and nurture yaks or cattle or sheep? Dragons are animals just like any other and men still need to eat."
Hiccup opened his mouth to argue but Viggo's words made him rethink them. "Okay, but we don't eat horses, right? People ride them on the Mainland and treat them just as we treat our dragons."
Viggo chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "Ah…to be young and so naïve. An animal is simply an animal to be used and discarded as needed. But I will admit, dragons are very special and worth a thousand times any one horse." He weaved his fingers together and rested his chin on them as he leaned his elbows on the table. "You obviously love the creatures. I can't say I blame you, they are fascinating creatures. Your Nightfury is rare and can fetch a handsome price on the market." He raised one hand to stop Hiccup's panicked objection. "I have no interest in selling it at this time. His fate is completely up to you."
"What do you want?"
"Simply to talk. You'll be surprised how much you can learn about someone by simply talking," Viggo answered, studying the board again but not making a move.
Annoyed, Hiccup ran his fingers through his hair before frowning at the oily feel of it. "Alright…then what did you want to talk about?" he asked, silently noting the ship was moving as it swayed ever so gently.
"Anything you want. Feel free to ask me any questions you have," Viggo purred, acting like the perfect host.
"Are you going to kill me?" Hiccup asked, the question popping onto his tongue before he could stop it.
"No," Viggo answered simply.
"And Toothless?"
"That is up to you."
"Me, how?"
Silence reigned again as Viggo continued to study the game board.
Sighing, Hiccup tried thinking of another question. There were thousands running through his mind but they all led back to Toothless and his friends and making sure no one he loved or cared for was hurt. He had to protect them, no matter what, and keep Viggo away from Berk and his tribes' dragons. Dragons were not just another animal to be sent to slaughter and used for food or leathers and the fact Viggo had suggested as much made Hiccup rethink eating meat altogether.
"May I ask you a question?" Viggo asked with exceptional politeness that it took Hiccup back. He wasn't used to the bad guys being so well mannered. He gave a tiny nod. "What are you plans for the future? You seemed to be someone who enjoys adventure and exploration. I can't see you staying trapped on one tiny island."
"I'm the future chief of Berk," Hiccup answered as if that explained everything.
"So Dagur says, but that's not you, is it?" Viggo purred, leaning forward and staring straight into Hiccup's eyes. "You don't want to be chief, you want to be free to roam and discover new dragons."
Hiccup listened silently as Viggo voiced every thought he ever had since befriending Toothless. It was chilling, as if the man was able to reach into his head and read his mind. Yet he couldn't find the words to stop the man. He was fascinated and horrified and found himself staring at Viggo with open awe before shaking his head and trying to center himself. "Whoa… Hold up a minute. Yeah, okay, so maybe I don't want to be chief, maybe I do want to explore and discover new dragons but I have responsibilities. I have a tribe and friends who rely on me. I can't be like Dagur and just take the title chief and then disappear and forget my tribe. I mean, even if I wanted to, I can't just say no to becoming chief. Trust me, I've tried."
"What if you could?"
Hiccup just stared at him, confusion momentarily written on his face before turning into a frown. He'd heard this before. He had been much younger then but he had heard this type of talk before. He kept his face blank as he studied the board. "And what would you propose; my father living forever and remaining chief? I suppose I could go for that." He shifted his weight slightly toward the edge of the chair as he moved one of his pieces, blocking Viggo's and defending his chief, a clear sign of his loyalty to his father. He gazed through his long bangs at the man, almost challenging, waiting to see Viggo's next move and knowing the necessities wouldn't last much longer. He placed the majority of his weight on his bad leg, ready to bolt at any given notice.
Viggo chuckled and leaned back in his chair, not bothering with his next move. "Well I can't give him immortality but I'm sure he could handle another decade or two as chief while you see the world."
Okay, that took Hiccup by surprise and he squinted at the man to see if he was serious. "Ah…and what would I owe for such a gracious offer?"
Viggo regarded him for a long moment. "Just you Thor given gift of talking to dragons. You could keep them calm through transport. Maybe even stop them from trying to escape."
"You think I'm going to help you take all these poor dragons to slaughter?" Hiccup almost choked at the very thought. "Yeah…no." He stood and kicked back the chair so it wouldn't be out in his way. Then, just to distract Viggo, he flipped the game board before turning on his heel and making a break for the door. Mentally he pictured what was waiting for him beyond so that when he yanked the door open he dove for the ground, rolling under Ryker rather than slamming into him. He quickly rolled to his feet and kept running.
"What the…" Ryker grumbled as he looked after the blur of red and green that had sped past him. He glanced to his younger brother in confusion as Viggo strolled out from around the table with the little figurine of Hiccup's chief in hand.
The younger man only smiled. "Check mate," he drawled as he leisurely passed Ryker and stepped into the hall.
Ryker rolled his eyes then his shoulders. "You and your games," he growled, following his brother in exasperation.
"Patience, brother, patience," Viggo purred as he eyes the wooden figurine as casually strolled in the direction Hiccup undoubtedly went.
. . . . .
"Toothless!" Hiccup yelled as he ran into the dragon kennels. He looked anxiously into one after another but not one held his dragon. And while his heart tightened in fear it didn't stop him from opening each cage and releasing the captured dragons and yelling in Dragonese for them to all flee for their lives. They raced past him to the nearest hatchway and freedom. Hiccup ducked and elbowed his way through them to get to the other cages, opening each without a care for himself, his mind focused on only one goal; finding Toothless and getting him clear of the ship before one of the Hunters decided to try taking his pelt. His heart raced when he reached the last cage yet all that was there was a large Gronkle who gave him a mournful look before fleeing with the others. Toothless was nowhere in sight which meant he had to be on deck.
He hesitated a moment before grabbing a torch off a wall to use like a club. No doubt there would be warriors top side ready to attack him the moment he tried freeing Toothless. So rather than rushing up the stairs to get to his best friend he moved slowly, keeping just out of sight and gave the Nightfury howl. Nothing. He waited a moment or two before doing it again. Seconds ticked by and then a faint, rather garbled howl returned to him. It made his heart clench. Toothless was muzzled, that was the only reason that howl would sound so horrid and muffled. He peeked over the edge of the hatch and looked around. There were cages near the front of the ship but he couldn't really see what dragons were in them as the Hunters ran about trying to catch the escaped dragons. He waited a few seconds more before making a break toward the cages, dashing behind the mast when a Hunter got a little too close then howled again.
The returning howl was louder this time, not so muffled or hoarse. Hiccup took a deep breath, a sense of relief filling him. Yes, it still sounded a little odd, but that was to be expected with a muzzle. Once Toothless was free of the cage and muzzle he'll be back to his usual self. He silently moved between the cages, not bothering to unlock anymore until he had reached his best friend. It wouldn't be long until the Hunters realized where he was going or what he was after. Toothless meant everything to him and he wasn't going to try escaping without his beloved dragon.
"Toothless?" he called softly as he rounded a covered cage, almost certain it was the one he was searching for. "Bud?" He grabbed the thick canvas and was about to pull it off when another howl caught his attention and made him pause. He turned toward it, thinking maybe he had the wrong cage when a fist suddenly met the side of his head so hard that he all he knew was pain before Dagur's smug face filled his vision, then he blacked out.
Dagur caught him before Hiccup hit the deck and held the younger man in one arm. "Hate to tell you, brother, but your precious little Nightfury isn't on this ship," Dagur cackled gleefully as he held Hiccup's unconscious form. "By now he's far far away and won't be bothering either of us ever again." He gave Viggo and Ryker a wide grin as they strolled toward them. "I told you he'd stop at nothing to get to that dragon."
"Including costing us our entire catch," snarled Ryker in outrage.
Viggo tut-tutted as he inspected Hiccup's slumped body held almost possessively in Dagur's arms. "Dragons come and go but a Dragon Whisperer…that is worth more than a hundred Nightfuries."
Ryker gave a snort. "And you think he'll just do what you want? The boy's tougher than he looks and far too defiant. You can't break him like a dragon."
"Perhaps," Viggo agreed, rubbing his chin in thought. "But then again everyone as a breaking point, we simply need to find his and exploit it." His smile grew. If there was one thing he was good at it was breaking people.