Chapter 15 – Rescue & Escape
Astrid's heart stopped as she watched Toothless dive into the flaming inferno before her. He couldn't be...they wouldn't?
They had reached the island only a few moments before and seen the smoke from the air. She had steered Toothless towards it knowing instinctively that was where she would find Hiccup. They had caused a stir when they had landed and normally tough Vikings had backed rapidly against the wall at the arrival of a Night Fury in their midst.
The courtyard was small and as she dismounted she looked desperately around for Hiccup. He had to be there, she couldn't be too late she thought in concern when she saw no sign of him. Then Toothless had given an almighty roar before diving right at the pyre. It was then that she realised the terrible truth as she watched Toothless pull at the wooden structure with his paws howling in concern.
She placed a shaking hand across her mouth in shock and felt her knees weaken when Toothless started to back up dragging an unconscious and burned Hiccup with him. She dashed forwards ignoring all those around her. Her only focus being the limp form of her boyfriend which she gathered up into her arms and hugged, desperately searching for signs of life. He was breathing but it was laboured and ragged.
She glanced at his body, taking in his injuries. His lower right arm, hand and shoulder were burned and blistered, as was his left calf. The fabric of what looked like it used to be a white tunic, black now and sticking to the damaged flesh. He was covered in smaller superficial burns along his body and face and his hair was singed at the ends. His face stained with soot, sweat and what looked like tears. There was also a deep gash on his left wrist which looked like it could have been caused by a claw and the remains of a rope from where he had been bound.
She looked at him in alarm as his breathing became more of a gasp and then slowly began to fade. Then it seemed too ceased altogether and she began to panic. She shook him, tears streaming down her face as she did so.
"Hiccup...Hiccup don't you dare, " she shouted in anguish, pulling him closer to her.
"You can't leave me...not now...," she sobbed.
And then she punched his chest. She did it again, and again, and again.
"You're not dying till I say you can...you can't die...I won't let you...I won't...," and with that her strength failed and she buried her face into his chest and wept.
Hiccup was falling, the dim light above him becoming fainter and fainter. He was not falling fast but drifting slowly downwards towards the blackness below him. He was at peace. There was no pain, no fear, just blissful peace. He gently closed his eyes as the darkness grew around him, it would be over soon.
Then he sensed something rising from the black depths below him. It wrapped itself around him. Warm and gently like the arms of a mother and he stopped. Then the gentle voice he had heard before spoke to him.
"Not yet my brave Hiccup, not yet," it whispered.
"You have still much to do my little one," and with that it began to gently carry him upward back towards the light.
"M...mom," he whispered as he realised who it was that held him.
"M...mom I want to stay, I want to stay with you," he cried out as the light grew brighter.
The arms grew tighter around him.
"You will...one day my brave child but not yet...not yet," she said and gave him a firm push upwards letting him go as she did so.
Hiccup began to rise faster now towards the light and he turned, desperate to grab a glance of her, of what had lifted him from deaths dark embrace. But there was nothing, just darkness.
"I'm proud of you Hiccup...so very proud...," the voice said, fading now, barely audible as he rose higher.
Then another voice came, insistent and panicked. It was calling his name and as he rose higher and the light grew more intense he recognised it.
"Hiccup...Hiccup..."
It was Astrid's voice.
"Hiccup...don't you dare...don't even think about it...," the voice sobbed.
"You're not...you can't...not till I say you can."
"Do you hear me Hiccup Horrendous Haddock you're not dying till I say you can...come back to me...please come back to me," and at that heart wrenching sob from the girl he loved so dearly Hiccup turned from the darkness and reached for the light.
Hiccup took a deep and desperate lungful of air as he came back to himself. He was greeted by a world of pain and the smell of burning. He then began to cough violently.
"Hiccup...Hiccup oh thank Thor...Hiccup look at me...wake up for me...please," Astrid's voice begged desperately and at her insistence he opened his eyes.
He promptly shut them again as the light stabbed at them harshly and they began to stream and sting. He began to cough again and felt something press to his lips. Cool water started to flow down his throat and he gulped greedily trying to lessen the tightness and soreness.
After a few short moments he chanced opening his eyes again and blinked a few times. Astrid's face swam into focus.
"A...Astrid," he said in a weak voice, his throat sore from the smoke and heat.
"Oh Gods Hiccup...I thought...I thought I had lost you," she sobbed wrapping her arms tighter around him as he lay in them.
Hiccup tried to focus on his surroundings as his vision cleared and he waited for the world to stop spinning. He was lying on the floor of the courtyard with Astrid wrapped protectively around him. The now collapsed pyre was in its full inferno, flames licked the sky. The temple staff and other Chiefs were backed up against the wall. They looked fearfully towards them but it was not Hiccup and Astrid that they were focusing on. Standing protectively between them, his wings extended and growling deep in his throat was Toothless. It had not been a dream after all.
"Y...You came back for me," he said his voice laced with pain as he started to become aware of his wounds.
She hugged him tighter to her chest.
"Of course I came back... Oh you...you stupid...stubborn...noble...brave...idiotic...fool, " she chastised as she swept her shaking hands through his russet locks, her relief at hearing his voice overwhelming her.
"Careful, you might have left a few out," he said in a small whispering voice, a pained smile touching his lips as she berated him.
He tried to sit further up but hissed in pain as he stretched his burned and swollen flesh.
"D...did you bring more offerings?" He managed to say through gritted teeth but before Astrid could answer him Toothless gave a loud growl and sprung into the crowd around them.
The crowd scrambled back in alarm and Hiccup just got to see the backs of Dagur and Alvin as they fled the courtyard.
Despite the pain and lingering effects of the drug Hiccup felt a surge of anger and a rush of strength that should not have been possible to someone in his condition. He pushed against Astrid and turned onto his side before rolling to his knees and trying to stand. Astrid cried out in alarm and concern as he struggled.
"Hiccup...what are you doing?...You're in no condition to...," but she stopped when he turned his head to her and she saw the fierce fire of determination and anger in his eyes.
"They're not getting away...not this time. Help me," he said and held out his less injured hand to her.
Astrid thought about it for a brief moment and then did as he asked. When Hiccup was like this there was no arguing with him. She helped him to stand and wrapped his left arm around her shoulders for support.
"Toothless, here bud," he called and Toothless spun around and bounded up to him. He butted Hiccup gently, aware that his rider was injured, whining in concern.
"I'm all right bud, thanks to you and Astrid," Hiccup said in a horse voice as he scratched the Night Fury affectionately between the ears. He then noted the change to his riding gear.
"Astrid we need to follow them. I need you to fly Toothless for me," he said. Unwrapping his arm from Astrid's shoulders and grabbing hold of the harness for support.
"Hiccup you're in no condition to fly," Astrid said firmly.
"Astrid please, I know what they did to Berk I'm not letting them get away," he said frustrated.
She looked hard at him and then sighed before helping him up onto Toothless's back and climbing up herself in front of him, clipping her foot into the pedal.
The crowd around them shrunk further back in awe and Hiccup could hear whispers of 'Night Fury', 'it's a miracle', 'surely a sign from the Gods', but he took no notice and wrapped his left arm around Astrid's waist. She quickly glanced over her shoulder at him and he gave her a determined nod. With that she gave Toothless a gentle nudge and they took to the sky.
As they soared out of the courtyard and over the complex Hiccup began to scan the ground for a sign of Dagur and Alvin. The sea fog was blowing in again and it was difficult to see the ground but through a break in the white mass he caught a brief sight of them fleeing in the direction of the beach. Astrid had seen them to and Toothless dived.
As they drew closer they could see that the beach was not empty. In addition to the remaining Berk ships which were still in various states of repair there were now Berserker and Outcast ships moored just out to sea and several landing boats on the beach. At first Hiccup thought that Dagur and Alvin had planned their escape as well as their attacks but then he realised the ships were there for him. Dagur and Alvin had fully expected to be sailing from the island with him as their captive, willing or otherwise.
Dagur being the smaller and lighter of the pair had reached the boats first and had started to help his men push it back to sea.
"TOOTHLESS, FIRE," Hiccup shouted, his voice weak but loud enough for his friend to hear.
Toothless let out two plasma blast one after the other, which hit the water around the boat. Dagur and his men were flung back and laid motionless for a few moments. Toothless flared his wings to land and Hiccup felt something familiar being pressed into the palm of his left hand. It was the hilt of his sword.
Realising that Hiccup was going to fight whatever her objection, Astrid had decided that he need to be armed. She drew her own axe from her belt as they touched down and supported him as he slipped from the saddle.
"Stay here," she said firmly as she dashed forward meeting the attack of the first Berserker to recover.
Hiccup took deep breaths as he clung to Toothless's saddle. His right arm was aflame with pain but he tried to ignore it as he focused on Astrid's fight. She was doing well but several others had joined the fight now and she was rapidly being overpowered. One of them crept behind her and he saw the danger to her immediately. Forgetting the pain he ran forwards and blocked the attackers blow before it could make contact with her. The blow was heavy and it jarred his left arm but he held firm pushing back against the blade with a strength that was surprising even to him. The man staggered back and then came at him again.
Back to back they fought. Astrid had taken down two and was being hard pressed by three others. Hiccup had two of his own to be concerned with and ducked under the guard of one, aimed his sword low, slashing at his thigh. The man went down in a howl of pain and the other faltered. Surprised at how fast the injured boy had been. The move had been successful but it wasn't without cost as Hiccup began to breathe heavily and tire. His lungs burning from the smoke he had breathed, his limbs and wounds painful.
He spun as Astrid gave a cry and he saw her clutching at a deep cut in her forearm. There was blood now on the handle of her axe as it ran down her arm. It did not stop her though and she gripped the axe now with two hands before giving an almighty cry and swinging it in a wide arc. Her aim was true though and it made contact with the body of one of the men and he fell instantly leaving only three left between them.
Hiccup shouted to Toothless.
"FIRE BUD"
Three rapid plasma blasts caught the men and knocked them off their feet to the ground. They lay there motionless, unconscious. Thinking the threat over Hiccup relaxed his guard, feeling tired but victorious. The feeling lasted only a few brief moments before he sensed something behind him. He spun round but it was too late. A large and powerful hand gripped his left wrist and his sword fell limply from his grasp. In the heat of the battle he had forgotten about Alvin and now he was held tight in his clutches. Astrid surged forwards with a cry, raising her axe high as she saw Hiccups predicament but she slid to a halt as Alvin spun Hiccup around and pressed a knife to his throat.
"Ar wouldn't if I were you missy," he said in his low rumble, pressing the knife harder against Hiccup throat to emphasise his meaning. Hiccup gritted his teeth as he felt the knife bite into his skin.
"Dagur hurry up with those boats," he shouted over Astrid's shoulder. Reluctant to take her eyes off of Hiccup Astrid chanced a glance behind her and saw Dagur pushing one of the landing boats back into the water.
"If you don't want your boyfriend's blood on your hands you better back up girl," Alvin threatened as he drew Hiccup closer and grabbed his burned right arm. Hiccup howled in pain as his damaged flesh was squeezed, the arm twisted painfully behind his back.
Alvin then began to drag Hiccup towards the boat, being sure to always keep Hiccup between himself, Astrid and the Night Fury. Toothless growled and began creeping forward, low to the ground his teeth bared and his lips drawn back in a snarl at the man who threatened his friend. Alvin leaned in close to Hiccups ear.
"Ar told you I'ccup, I always get what I want. One way or another," he crowed.
Hiccups eyes caught Toothless's and something passed between them. Hiccup smiled.
"And I told you I wouldn't train your dragons," he said quietly before digging his prosthetic hard into Alvin's shin.
"TOOTHLESS FIRE," he shouted as Alvin loosened his grip and dropped the knife slightly from Hiccups throat in pain and surprise. Taking the opportunity Hiccup reached up with his left hand and pulled the knife away, diving for the beaches surface before Toothless's blast hit Alvin square in the chest and sent him crashing to the ground.
Astrid rushed forwards to protect Hiccup as Dagur ran towards him, his face filled with fury, his arms and sword flailing wildly, howling like an animal. It seemed that deranged was not the only name that suited him. He really was a Berserk as his tribes name suggested. Astrid braced herself for his attack but before he could reach her a line of flame separated them. Astrid glanced around for the source and let out a cry of relief. Hookfang sailed over head, followed by the twins and Fishlegs. The other dragon riders had arrived. With Astrid and Hiccup protected the four of them turned their attention to the ships letting loose fire, gas and lava to sink them.
Through the wall of fire Astrid saw Dagur grab hold of a dazed Alvin and together they began to run towards the boat. Astrid let out a shout of frustration. The fire that had saved Hiccup and herself now allowed their enemies to escape. Unable to stop them all Astrid could do was watch. They were soon in the water and rowing out towards the ships which were beginning to turn and frantically row their way out of the harbour at full pelt. Dagur and Alvin reached the last of the ships and their men pulled them aboard before joining the race to escape. It wasn't long before the ships had been swallowed by the fog and pursuit became impossible.