Chapter 4 - Unwanted Greeting

Hiccup tossed and turned in his blankets trying to get to sleep but it was no use he just couldn't put all the terrible things he had leant that afternoon out of his mind. Sighing he finally gave up on sleep and tossed his blanket aside. He picking himself wearily up from the deck where he had been trying to catch a few hours sleep before quietly moved through the other sleeping bodies. He pushing aside the fabric of the makeshift tent they had erected on the deck of the Falcon using the spare sail and stepped out into the cold night air.

He stretched to relieve the stiffness in his back and glanced at the stars, reckoning that it was about midnight. The current watch stationed at the side of the rail turned and nodded to him in acknowledgement and he nodded in return before pulling his cloak around himself against the chill and moving to the front of the boat. He stood there for a few moments watching its progress through the now black waters before sitting down on the wooden curve at the base of the Falcons figure head. In this position he was successfully hidden from view and could be alone with his thoughts.

He couldn't deny that his father's 'lesson' only a few hours before had shocked him deeply. It had just been too horrible to take in. Berk had always seemed a quiet, friendly community until then. The thought that they had participated in bloody ritual battles and either sacrificed or been forced to give up people to sacrifice was just something he couldn't comprehend. These were his people and he would be their Chief some day. Hiccup tried to shake the morbid thoughts out of his head. Berk wasn't like that anymore all this happened a long time ago and his father had said that they had long since stopped the practice. He was relieved at that, he wasn't sure he could let anyone be harmed in that way even if it was to protect the tribe and prevent war. His mind drifted back to their conversation.

"Did..Didn't the tribe try to stop them it?" Hiccup had asked in a shaky voice.

Stoick nodded.

"At first they did, but any resistance resulted in the tribe being exterminated or driven from their homes. In the end the chosen sacrifice went willingly, knowing they had to give themselves to the gods to keep their people safe."

Hiccup looked back down at his hands noting that they were shaking with the horror of what his father was telling him. Stoick leant forward and took Hiccups shaking hands in his own.

"I remember when your grandfather first told me this story. I remember feeling shocked and horrified at our past…ashamed of my ancestors. I also felt ashamed of my own behaviour. This was the turning point for me when I realised my responsibilities as the future Chief, as you have done. I learnt a valuable lesson that day. I know now as a Chief that fighting is a way of defending your home, your people and your family not for glory. From that day on I started to listen to my father, started to learn. I never wanted us to fall back to those dark times ever again and I pledged my life to my tribe and still do, day in and day out and will continue to do so until I pass that responsibility to the next Chief, if he's worthy."

Hiccup finally spoke.

"I'll try to make you proud Dad. I'll keep trying to learn, to get better, I promise."

Stoick leaned forward and kissed his son on the forehead and smiled.

"That's all a father can ask Hiccup."

Hiccup came back from his recollection and sighed. What a lesson that had been to learn. He was determined now to be a Chief that his tribe would be proud of and look up to. He wanted to always do what was best for them, keep them safe and well provided for. To never let them fall back into those dark days. He smiled wryly at how much had changed in his way of thinking after only a few short days. He hoped his father was proud of him because by the gods it hadn't been an easy ride for either of them.

Hiccup started violently as a hand on his shoulder jolted him awake and he tumbled from his perch to the floor in a tangle of his own cloak.

"Ow," he said indignantly as he looked up at Astrid who was doubled over with laughter.

"S..Sorry," she said trying to get herself back under control as Hiccup unwrapped himself from his cloak and stood up, rubbing his now sore backside.

"C..Couldn't resist," she finished as she wiped a tear from her eye.

Hiccup made a 'humph' noise of annoyance as he dusted himself off.

"What were you doing out here anyway?" She asked, finally getting control of herself.

"Couldn't sleep," he said shrugging.

"Well you looked like you were asleep just now."

"I meant earlier in the night."

"Oh, you don't normally have restless nights...do you?"

"Well no but I had a lot on my mind," he said solemnly looking out at the first sign of light across the horizon where the sun was starting to make its appearance. Astrid noted the change in Hiccup.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked more seriously.

He looked at her.

"Not really," he said.

"Sure?"

He ruffled his hair in an absent minded way.

"My Dad and I had another one of those talks. It was quite intense."

"Oh...one of thoooose talks," she said playfully.

"You should have asked me," Astrid said sidled up to him seductively.

A look of horror and panic crossed Hiccups face as he grasped her meaning.

"W..what no n..not that kind of talk," he said waving his arms out in front of him in a panicked gesture.

Astrid pouted and looked disappointed but dropped the look when she noticed the dark serious one cross Hiccups face as he looked out absently at the sunrise again.

"Sorry," she said simply and slipped her hand into his, he griped it tightly.

"It's Ok. My Dad just shocked me a bit yesterday. He told me something's about our history and about the tribal gathering that I would rather not have known."

Astrid squeezed his hand.

"Tell me."

Hiccup looked at her. For a moment he contemplated keeping this to himself. He didn't want to upset her but then he realised she would likely accept this better than he had. He looked at her beautiful features, the way her braided hair shinned gold in the early light, they way she always looked perfect whatever time of the day it was, the way her blue eyes looked at him with love and understanding. They always shared everything. It hadn't always been that way. When they were younger she had seen him as the useless Viking everyone else had but after he had trained Toothless she had seen him differently and they had grown closer and closer until he had plucked up the courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. He needed to talk about this and he knew that Astrid would listen. He took a deep breath and began to tell the tale once again.

Astrid looked at Hiccup stunned as he finished telling the story.

"Great Gods. I never knew, I don't think anyone does," she exclaimed shocked.

"Apart from the Chief, his son and his girlfriend now," Hiccup added. He felt better after telling Astrid. She had listened to him without comment and had accepted his own fears and acclamations that he would never let anything like this happen again.

"How about something to take your mind off things," she said letting go of his hand and walking a short way across the deck to where she had stowed her possessions.

"Like what?" He asked intrigued, looking around the deck. People were starting to rise from their sleep and the morning activities of changing the watch, setting the sails, preparing breakfast were well underway.

Astrid came back carrying her sword.

"Well, I was thinking we could have a little sword practice. I'm going to seize up if I don't hit something soon and you still need lots of practice even if you do seem to have a natural talent for it," she rolled her shoulders to advertise her stiffness and eagerness.

Hiccup flinched at the word 'hit'. Astrid being cooped up was never a good thing but he had to agree with her, hitting something right now seemed like a very good idea.

"Ok I'm in," he said as he dived back into the makeshift tent and emerged carrying his sword and his knapsack.

Astrid smiled and slipped a wooden sheath over the blade of her sword. They used these to prevent serious injury when training. Hiccup however couldn't use the wooden sheath on his sword as the standard sword every Viking used was just too heavy for him. He was built for speed not brute strength and whilst he had put on a fair amount of muscle with his training and years of flying on Toothless he still struggled with the heavy blade. Instead Hiccup had made his own sword which was thinner and lighter than normal and had a slight curve to it for quickness of movement. He drew it and looked at it with pride. He had tried several techniques in its forging before getting the mix of metal and the temperatures right but the end result had produced a metal that was both lighter than the standard sword and stronger. Everyone had laughed when he had first drawn it. They thought it was too weak, that it would shatter on the first blow but they had all been taken back when he had showed them what both he and the sword could do.

Seeing as the standard sheaths wouldn't fit the size and curve of the blade, and even if they had it would have added to much weight, Hiccup had come up with an alternative method of protecting the blade when sparing. He reached into his knapsack and pulled out a long strip of leather. He then proceeded to wrap this around the blade securing the end by the hilt. This acted just as efficiently as the wooded sheath and didn't impede his movement.

"Ready," Astrid said as she started to swing her sword in a series of practice warm up moves.

"Ready," he said assuming an open stance with his feet and holding his sword at a slight angle to the front of him. This was his standard opening position. It allowed him full movement from the off. Astrid assumed a similar stance of her own.

Without any signal to start they started to circle each other keeping a wary eye on each other's movements, waiting for the first move to be made. Surprisingly it was Hiccup that made the first move. He dove to the side and swung a well aimed although short swipe at Astrid's side. Astrid blocked the blow easily and Hiccup quickly withdrew his arm back to the ready position.

"Nice try," she said smirking

"Just warming up," he countered with a slight shrug.

Astrid made the next move and made a quick dash at Hiccup. As she swung her sword at his chest he stepped back letting the swing miss him but Astrid wasn't done. She pivoted around him with lightning speed and swung her sword again this time aimed at his back. Hiccup wasn't to be caught out though and dropped to his knees before rolling on the deck, the sword whistling harmlessly over his head. In one fluid motion he was back on his feet and circling her again, his sword held ready.

By now their sparing had caused some interest and people were starting to gather around the couple to watch. Astrid and Hiccup paid them no attention and continued to focus intently on each other waiting for the next move to be made. Hiccup unleashed a series of strokes that caused Astrid to step back but despite his attack she blocked each one with ease. She noticed that Hiccup was swinging a little too wide and smiled to herself. He was off balance. Using this to her advantage she copied Hiccups move from earlier and ducked to the deck. With nothing there now to take the weight of his swings Hiccup stumbled forwards and then fell to the deck as Astrid soundly kicked his legs out from under him before jumping back to her own feet. Hiccup sensed the danger and rolled to the side as Astrid's blade came crashing to the deck where he had been only a few moments before. He rolled onto his back and lifted his sword out in front of him to block Astrid's returned blow. Their blades making a dull thud as their sheathed surfaces collided.

"Ready to give up yet?" Astrid asked as she smirked above him.

"Not really," he said with a smile as he kicked out with his good foot and pushed her away.

Back on his feet they continued to spar, trading blow for blow. The crowd cheering and groaning in the appropriate places as they chose sides for the final victor. Stoick watched with interest. His son really did show a talent for the sword, alright he was left handed which was a little strange for a Viking but then there were lots of things strange about Hiccup. Stoick grimaced as Astrid made a particularly hard swing at Hiccups side which he only just blocked, their blades dragging along each other until finally disengaging. It was then that Stoick noticed something of concern. There was a glint of metal from Hiccups blade. The last clash had started to dislodge the protective wrappings from the metal. He tried to give a shout of warning as Hiccup leapt forward for another attack but his voice was drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. Hiccups blade made contact with Astrid's arm and there was a bright spurt of red as blood was drawn. In the heat of battle Astrid hadn't noticed her injury but Hiccup had and dropped his guard in alarm.

"Astrid..." He started to say but never got a chance to finish as Astrid dropped to the floor and swung her leg out, catching Hiccups prosthetic and knocking him heavily to the floor.

Hiccup rolled to his knees and coughed violently as he tried to regain the breath that had been knocked out of him when he froze, feeling the pressure of Astrid's blade against his neck.

"You're dead," she said.

"You sure about that," he said and she looked down to see Hiccups own blade inverted and pressing against her stomach.

"Guess it's a draw," and she lowering her blade. Hiccup did the same and sprung quickly to his feet turning to Astrid and grabbing her arm gently.

"You're hurt."

She looked at her arm stupidly and noticed for the first time the deep cut and rivets of blood.

"Oh, I didn't realise. How….?"

Hiccup pulled her over to sit on a barrel and began digging in his knapsack for a clean bandage. He always carried a medical kit with him after all he always seemed to need it himself but he never expected to need it for Astrid because of something he had done.

"It was my fault, the cover slipped from my blade. I couldn't have tied it tight enough," he said with remorse as he cleaned and wrapped her wound. How could he have been so careless?

"Sorry," he said simply keeping his eyes on his work. He didn't want to look at her right now. He knew she would be mad at him for being so careless, so useless.

"Hey it wasn't your fault we were going at it pretty hard. It was an accident," she said noticing that Hiccup still wasn't looking at her and she grabbed his chin and forced him to look up.

"It wasn't your fault, I'm not mad at you."

"I'm really sorry Astrid."

Astrid kissed him.

"I know, it was a good fight though," she said smiling

Hiccup noticed how her eyes shone and he shook his head in defeat.

"Trust you to only be happy when you're injured."

Astrid punched him on the arm and he rubbed it with a look of injury feigned on his face.

"Good fight you two," Stoick said as he approached the pair after shooing off the last of the onlookers back to their tasks. He clapped Hiccup hard on the shoulder right where Astrid had just punched him.

"You're getting good boy, a real chip off the old block."

"Thanks Dad," Hiccup said rubbing his sore shoulder with a winch.

"STOICK."

All three of them looked up at the cry from the top of the mast where the lookout was posted.

"WHAT IS IT SVEN," Stoick shouted back.

"STORM AHEAD," the lookout responded pointing to the ominous looking clouds ahead that were already starting to light up with flashes of lightning.

"Great, just what we need," Stoick grumbled and with that he started to shout orders at the crew.

"CHECK THE SAIL."

"MAN THE OARS."

Hiccup groaned as he got up from Astrid's side. Great a storm meant a rough last day at sea. With any luck it wouldn't last long. He turned to Astrid.

"I've got to go man an oar. Will you be ok?"

She gave him a withering look that spoke volumes.

"Ok, Ok I was just asking," he said stepping back before turning and running across the deck to take up his position at the oar.

Astrid watched him go and smiled. She thought about how much she loved this gangly, unorthodox Viking. Everyone had thought she would have gone for Snotlout or one of the other strong looking warriors in the tribe but she had learnt that there was more to real warriors and Heroes then shear muscle bulk. She had fallen for Hiccup. In her eyes he was the tallest strongest Viking there was, the perfect Hero and he had proved time and time again that he was the measure of others in the tribe and more so for only Hiccup pushed aside the boundaries to see what really lay beyond. Who would have thought that the tough and rough Astrid would go for the sensitive type? But she didn't care, he was her unorthodox Viking and she loved everything about him.

Hiccup leaned heavily on his oar in exhaustion. He had been rowing for most of the day and his muscles ached. He wiped his damp fringe out of his eyes and stood shakily. The storm had dropped in its ferocity now and whilst the thunder and rain continued the high winds had dropped allowing the Falcon to be piloted without the aid of the full oar crew. He stretched and winched as he felt his back crack and pop with the movement.

"Need a drink?"

He looked over as Astrid approached holding a welcome cup of water out to him. He took it greedily and drained it in one go.

"Thanks," he said wiping his hand across his mouth.

"You looked like you needed it."

He nodded.

"How's the arm?" He asked.

"Stings a bit," she said stretching it out.

"Sorry," he said looking mortified again.

"Will you stop apologising I told you it was ok," Astrid said with a flicker of annoyance.

He was about to respond when a shout from the mast drew his attention.

"LAND AHEAD."

Forgetting his sore muscles Hiccup quickly handed back the mug to Astrid and started to climb the mast to join the lookout.

He reached the platform quickly and looked out excitedly to where Sven was pointing. It was faint through the thick mist but he could just make out the outline of a distant shore and a large mountain. They had made it. The island of Thor was ahead of them.

His excitement growing Hiccup climbed down the mast, dropping the last few meters before dashing towards the tent where his father was sleeping. He pushed back the fabric and approached his father, reaching out to gently shake him before leaping back. He had learned a long time ago that waking his father was a dangerous activity and he had nearly met his end by sword or axe several times. Sure enough Stoick sprang to his feet brandishing his axe. Hiccup quickly stepped back, his arms up defensively.

"Dad it's me, please don't chop me."

Realising it was Hiccup who had woken him and not some marauding invader Stoick relaxed.

"For the love of Thor Hiccup I could have killed you."

"I know Dad it's not exactly fun for me either," Hiccup said lowering his arms.

"Why did you wake me?"

"Land Dad, were here."

Stoick quickly sheathed his axe and exited the tent. They were closer now and the shore could be made out more clearly. Hiccup could see that the shore was mainly made up of a shingly beach and looming over the whole island like some giant sentinel a mountain cast its shadow. The island was shrouded in thick mist and dark shadows from the clouds overhead. It looked like the sun rarely shone here. Seeming to understand what Hiccup was thinking Stoick spoke.

"During the 'Time of Offering' Thor surrounds the Island in his might," he explained and as if to highlight this lightning struck the top of the mountain.

"Does he ever leave?" Hiccup asked a little fearful.

"Yes, normally after the festivities have been completed and the sacrifices have been accepted."

"Oh good," Hiccup said shivering slightly as a cold breeze sprung up.

"I see that we are expected," Stoick said pointing at the beach.

Hiccup looked over the rail towards the beach and to where his father was pointing. He could just make out several figures in what seemed like yellow robes standing on the shore.

"Who are they?" He asked with interest.

"Temple guards."

"Guards!" Hiccup said sounding a little alarmed.

Stoick chuckled.

"It's ok Hiccup. It's part of the ceremonial welcome. When we first land on the island, we are viewed as invaders. We have to be challenged and then taken to be presented to the Elder who will confirm our identity and accept us."

Hiccup didn't feel very convinced. As they got closer, he could see that they were heavily armed and looked more than a little menacing.

"If you say so Dad."

"Don't worry son, just follow my lead," Stoick said reassuringly.

The main fleet held back as the Falcon completed the journey into shore its keel finally catching the gravely shore until the boat came to a stop. The water was shallow here and they climbed down ropes before wading the last few meters onto the shore. Hiccup inwardly cursed, he was going to have to treat his leg again, seawater was not going to be good for it. Hiccups trepidation grew with each step but he kept his head held high just a step behind his father as they approached the guards. He was the son of the Chief he had to show that he was worthy to be there.

One of the guards stepped forwards and raised his spear in a challenge to Stoick. Stoick raised his hands in an open gesture and then proceeded to remove his weapons, laying them on the shore in front of them. He gestured to the rest of the tribe to follow suit.

"I come to offer my tribe's worthiness to the great God Thor," Stoick said in a well-practised monotone.

"Do you come in peace and pledge to respect the will of Thor and his chosen ones whilst on his sacred Island?" The guard asked in an almost bored tone. He had clearly gone though this ritual several times in the last few days and was getting bored of saying the same few words.

Stoick continued the ritual.

"We do, we wish to show that we are worthy to be in the great God's presence and bring sacrifice to be duly made to him."

The Guard lowered his weapon.

"I see your intentions are clear and honourable but it is not my place to judge your worthiness. I will take you to the Elder so that she may make judgement upon you and your tribe."

Stoick nodded and started to follow the guard as he led them along the beach. Hiccup made to reach down and pick up his sword but he caught his father's eye and saw him shake his head wordlessly. Getting the message, he stood quickly and followed. The remaining guards gathered up the weapons from the ground before following them. Hiccup fell into step behind his father, that was close he had nearly made a mess of it from the very beginning. Why hadn't his father told him about the ritual? He would have known what to do. Hiccup glanced back and saw Astrid a few meters behind him. She winked at him and smiled which made him feel a whole lot better.

The Berk party followed the guard up a path from the beach, which twisted and wound its way through the rocky base of the mountain. Hiccup followed his father who seemed to know where he was going even without the guard leading the way and he wondered how many times he had made this trip and if he had ever accompanied his grandfather. Hiccup had never met his grandfather. Stoick had become Chief before Hiccup had been born. He knew where his monument was and had accompanied his father each year during the ritual of the ancestors to pay tribute but he wondered what the man had been like. He knew from his treasure hunting a while back that not all of his family had been like Stoick the Vast. There had been members of his family like himself. Hamish the II had been a 'Hiccup' like him and for him to have been named 'Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III' Hiccup supposed that there would have had to have been a two previous to him with this name. Lost in his daydream Hiccup nearly collided with his father when he stopped suddenly. Jolted from his thoughts Hiccup looked around his father and nearly let out an audible gasp. What was before him was the most beautify set of buildings he had ever seen. The temple complex shone in the half dusk light. The walls of the buildings seemed to be made of white stone but they shone like nothing he had ever seen before.

"Behold the Temple of Thor," the guard enunciated proudly and as if to highlight the introduction a flash of lightning lit up the buildings with a fiery glow.

They now proceeded to move down into the stone valley and then through the main gates of the temple. As they drew closer to the buildings, Hiccup could see that it was not white stone but instead the walls were inlaid with white seashell. Shell that shone in the light making it look like it was on fire. Hiccup was suitably awestruck by the craftsmanship and he longed to touch one of the walls to find out how they had been made. As if reading his sons mind Stoick turned to look at him and shook his head.

"Don't," he said firmly.

"I wasn't going to...I"

"Hiccup I mean it, don't."

He felt a little hurt and upset at his father's instant jump to conclusions. Well yes he had been fascinated but he wasn't going to investigate now, maybe later, but not now.

They finally came to a halt in front of the great hall in the centre of the complex. Two more guards stood in front of the closed main doors one of which now stepped forward. Their own guide stepped forward to meet him.

"I bring invaders who claim they are here to present their worthiness to the Gods," he stated in that same bored voice.

"Only the Elder can declare them worthy," responded the guard at the door.

"Let them pass so that she may make her judgement," their guide stated.

The two guards nodded and simultaneously opened the doors allowing them to pass.

They passed through the archway and into the main hall. At the far end, through another set of doors, sat a great dais and upon it, seated in a high backed ornately carved chair, sat an old woman in the same yellow robes.

'Guess that's the Elder,' Hiccup thought as they approached. Behind them, the doors slammed shut.

In the firelight that now illuminated the hall Hiccup could make out the faces of others. Not all of them were wearing the yellow robes of the temple, some were in similar garb to themselves and Hiccup guessed these were the other tribes and their entourages. In fact, he recognised a few of them from gatherings on Berk. The hall fell silent as the Elder stood.

"Who comes before the chosen Elder of Thor?" She boomed.

Hiccup was impressed despite her apparent age she had a voice that would make the mountains quake.

"I Stoick the Vast of the Hooligan Tribe," his father boomed back.

"I knowest thee Stoick the Vast and recognise you as a Hooligan, state your purpose in coming to these shores. Do you come with honourable intentions?"

"I come to make homage and sacrifice to the Gods so that they may look fondly upon us once more. I also come to introduce my son to the Gods so that they will know him on future visits," Stoick added putting his arm on Hiccups shoulders and ushering him forward.

The Elder turned her attention to Hiccup who swallowed nervously as everyone in the room now turned to look at him.

"By which name shall we know thee son of Berk?" She said addressing him directly.

"Hiccup...Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, son of Stoick the Vast," he replied making the speech up on the spot. Why hadn't his father warned him about this, it would have been nice to have had a chance to practise.

"We know of thee, Dragon conquer. We believed you to be taller."

Hiccup inwardly groaned at this, why was it so hard for everyone to believe but he relaxed when he noticed that the Elder was smiling and felt the colour rise to his cheeks.

The Elder continued with the ritual.

"Do you and your son pledge to respect the laws of this island and abide by all that is demanded of you?" She said addressing them both now.

"We do," father and son, stated together.

She nodded and gestured to the surrounding crowd.

"Then step forward Stoick and Hiccup of the Hooligans and be greeted by your fellow tribes."

With that, Stoick stepped forward and Hiccup joined him. At the same time, each of the tribal leaders stepped forward encircling the pair and raised their hands in salute, which Stoick and Hiccup copied.

Then without further ceremony, the ritual ended. The circle broke and loud talking began to fill the hall. People started to come forward to shake Stoick's hand, welcoming him and there were talks of battles, trade and tribal affairs. The entire mood seemed light and friendly and Hiccup was glad that the stiffness and formality was over. It had been very uncomfortable for him but he was glad he had not embarrassed himself or his father.

Bored of the shop talk his father was undertaking Hiccup started to wind his way through the crowd of people in search of Astrid. However, after a few minutes he gave it up as a bad idea. There were just too many people and he realised he would never find her in this throng. He settled instead against a pillar at the side of the room to watch.

He was happily daydreaming when a voice behind him called his name. He spun round in alarm but there was no one there. He had been sure he had heard someone say his name. This in itself was not what had made Hiccup move with such speed it was the horrible familiarity of the voice itself. He knew that voice and it filled him with a feeling of dread, but he could not be here...could he? He spun around again as he felt someone approach him from behind and came face to face with the one person he had feared meeting when he had heard that voice. Standing before him with his usual insane grin on his face was Alvin the Treacherous. Hiccup began to back away but collided with another person behind him. He spun again to come face to face with Dagur the Deranged. Great could the day get any worse? Keeping his eyes on the two men Hiccup began backing further away until he felt the cold stone of the wall behind him, he was trapped. He glared at the two people in front of him and gritted his teeth as they advanced on him. How in Thor's name did they get onto the island?

"Now, now Hiccup that no way to greet two old friends is it," Dagur said as he leaned in close and Hiccup stiffened as he felt the tip of a dagger press against his ribs.

"What do you want?" He said through gritted teeth sounding braver then he felt.

"Aw I'ccup I thought you'd be glad to see us," Alvin said with a leering grin across his face.

"We want the same thing we always do," Alvin said leaning in closer to Hiccup.

"Not going to happen, I'm not training your dragons for you," Hiccup said defiantly.

"Oh goody," Dagur said in a singsong voice withdrawing the dagger from Hiccups ribs and stroking the blade with unnatural fervour.

"Guess we get to kill you then."