Chapter Ten – War of The Kraken: The Chief of Berk

Part One – The Pride of Berk

Several hours later,

When Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly returned to the cliff top where Hiccup and Toothless had waited for the Kraken Fleet; they found Arianna and Tanya waiting for them, standing right where the two Night- Furies had dropped them off. Hiccup and Astrid had dismounted, and came over to join the sisters.

Tanya hesitated for a moment, than asked, "What… What's going to happens to us now?"

Hiccup removed his helmet, and set it down on Toothless's saddle. He smiled, reassuringly, "First of all: I think we could all do with something to eat; it's about time for lunch. After that," he shrugged, "I'm sure you've got questions, and the two of you may know something that can help us retrieve the rest of the Krakens' hostages."

A shadow fell over them, then; and they looked up to see a Night- Fury swooping towards them, carrying a struggling Lord Malik. When the black dragon was within hearing distance, Hiccup called, "Ah, good… How many do we have, now?"

'Twenty-five; not counting this one,' the Night- Fury answered. 'The rest have gone to their gods, if any gods will take the sort of scum who'd work with Drago Bludvist.'

Hiccup nodded, "I suppose that's just as well… Where are the others?"

The Night- Fury landed in front of them, though he kept a firm grip on his captive. 'We're gathering them near the jail; Gobber, Eret, and a few others are relieving them of their weapons, and other equipment… they won't be needing it, anymore.' He paused for a moment, 'What should be done with this one?'

Hiccup considered for a moment before he replied, "Put him with the others, for now; I'll send for him when we're ready." The dragon nodded an acknowledgement, than rose back into the sky.

Astrid clapped Hiccup on the shoulder, and gave him a quick kiss, "Another win for Berk!"

Hiccup nodded, and turned back to Arianna and Tanya, "Originally; I planned to locate the hostage- ships, than bring the hostages here, with an offer of safe- sanctuary. The letters would've been the most efficient way, to get word of the change- of- circumstances out to the southern chiefs." Hiccup was silent for a moment before he continued, "The letter is still an option, of course; or I can arrange for a Night- Fury to fly you to his ship, after nightfall… I understand it's been four years since you were seized; that's too–"

Astrid, who'd been keeping pace with them as they walked, came to an abrupt halt. "Four years; are you kidding me?"

Arianna nodded, "It felt like forever … every night, we'd have to serve supper to the lords, and their men, in their hall; and clear away the dishes, afterwards. We'd pray for freedom, all of us; but instead, every so often, they'd bring more hostages to their main stronghold…" She looked first at Hiccup, than Astrid; "Is this… real; are we really … really free?"

Before Hiccup could answer, Cloudjumper landed; a short distance away, and Valka slid down from his back. They came to join them; Valka's expression much as it had been, after Hiccup had relayed his plan to the Northern Chiefs. She pulled her son into a hug, "You've done it again, Hiccup; every time I think I couldn't be any prouder… and your father…"
When she pulled back, a few moments later, Hiccup introduced her to the new arrivals; Arianna, and Tanya.

Valka's expression became serious, "The Kraken Lords have much to answer for, but believe me: they will answer for it… My son never leaves a job half- done!" She clapped Hiccup on the shoulder, as she spoke.

Hiccup smiled, a little self- consciously, and nodded. "We were just on our way up to the Great Hall; figured we could all use some food."

At the word 'food', Tanya's stomach growled. Tanya smiled shyly; and, in a soft voice, said "Food does sound really good."

Five minutes later; in the Great Hall of Berk,

By the time they arrived in the Great Hall; the tables were packed, and the hall echoed with the sounds of laughter, and conversation. As their group entered the hall, making their way toward the table at its head, cheers and bellows of greeting and approval sounded from all sides. Hiccup took his customary place, in the middle of the head table, and Astrid sat to his immediate right. Valka sat to Hiccup's left; Arianna and Tanya took the last two seats on that side.

The meal itself was uneventful; Hiccup gave Arianna and Tanya a general outline of his plan, detailing the different stages.
When he finished, Arianna and Tanya took turns speaking; telling Hiccup, Astrid, and Valka everything they thought was, or even could be, of use to them. It was hard, at first; but it seemed to grow visibly easier, as the awareness that they were finally free began to sink in.

Part Two – Alpha of The North

Forty five minutes later,

As the meal was drawing to a close, Hiccup asked Gobber, and a few other men, to bring Lord Malik to the Great Hall. Once the words left his mouth, the mood in the hall became more serious: triumphant, but serious.

The moment he saw Hiccup, seated at the head- table; Lord Malik scowled, "I bet you think you're so high-and-mighty, don't you…" He spat in Hiccup's direction; "You're no better than we are… You've got power, and the moment you had a chance, you took hostages!"

Angry mutters filled the hall. Hiccup simply raised an eyebrow; and the corner of his lip twitched. "'High and mighty'? You shouldn't talk; you 'kraken- lords' are so blinded by your pride and arrogance, two of you had to come all the way to Berk before you realized that you're losing this war." The hall filled with howls of laughter. Arianna and Tanya first reacted with shock; but even they were chuckling, a moment later.
When the hall again grew quiet, Hiccup continued, "And, for the record: You aren't a 'hostage', nor are those who were taken with you; you are 'captives'… There is a difference."

Lord Malik snorted, "You think giving it another name changes anything?"

"'Captives' are a reality of war," Hiccup said coolly. "When you defeat an enemy, you kill them, capture them, or let them flee; A 'hostage', has done nothing to deserve being seized; taken as a means to exert 'influence' over the group to which they belong."
Lord Malik made to speak; Hiccup held up a hand, silencing him. "You may think otherwise, but we are on Berk, now… My family has ruled this island for generations," Hiccup gestured towards the rows of portraits hanging on the wall: each depicting a previous chieftain, and his son. "Your opinions carry no weight here, lord Malik; and, with your forces so far south, any threats or insults that may occur to you mean nothing."
After a brief pause; Hiccup continued, "Save for an attack that did little more than amuse the local dragon population, for a few hours; none of the crimes you've committed have been against Berk. Therefore I, personally, have no grounds to have you executed. That being said: I know, for a fact, that you Kraken Lords have been backing Drago Bludvist; who has inflicted a great deal of harm to all the tribes of the Archipelagos."

Lord Malik's eyes had gone wide, "Dra-Dra-Drago was not a full- member of our council, though! He… he was only an applicant! He…"

"Did what he did to buy his way into your little … conquerors' club; to pay the … the membership- fee!" Hiccup's voice had turned cold as it had during his meeting with Emric. Shocked silence fell over the hall, as the reason for his anger became clear to them.
Hiccup heard his mother gasp; glancing out the corner of his eye, he saw that she had a hand over her mouth, and her eyes were glistening. "You claim Drago acted on his own, then; that you Kraken Lords knew nothing of, and take no responsibility for, his actions… Is that it?"

Lord Malik nodded vigorously, "He was supposed to subjugate tribes; to bring them under our control: prove his worth! W–We didn't know he… he'd…" Hiccup raised a hand, and Malik stuttered to a stop.

"If you're going to lie, at least try do a better job of it." Hiccup said, his voice soft; the way it got when he was truly angry. "Emric said you 'kraken lords' were the rulersof a southern 'empire'; and that you knew of me 'by reputation', from survivors who'd followed Drago."

Lord Malik took a deep breath; visibly struggling to regain his composure, "You already know we equipped him; and of course our men reported back to us! How is that relevant?"

Hiccup almost smiled, "I recently had a conversation with one of the southern- chiefs you 'lords' brought north; he had quite a lot to say, too. For instance: that you have a fleet of two- hundred ships between your two hostage ships, and your … 'forward line'."
He leaned forward, "When the Night- Furies moved against Drago's fleet, they didn't just blast randomly; they kept count: one- hundred ninety five, including those that fled south ... Do you honestly expect me to believe you 'lords' would give Drago, a 'mere applicant', that many ships; then come north yourselves, sharing a 'mere' two- hundred between you?"

Lord Malik became visibly uneasy, "I… I… I don't know what you're talking about! This… this is nonsense! What–"

This time; Hiccup did smile, "You know exactly what I'm talking about; but, you clearly aren't about to say it, so I will: Each of you 'kraken- lords' has your own fleet, and each of you gave a portion of it to Drago; then, doubtless, began to build their replacements. The important question is: 'how many'."

Lord Malik sneered, "If you think I'll tell–"

"I never asked you; Malik, and I don't need to." Hiccup said, calmly. "It would've been a small portion, so Drago wouldn't think he had 'too much' pull; a tenth, perhaps … A hundred ninety- five split thirteen ways is fifteen; if it is a tenth, each fleet would total a hundred fifty ships; for a grand- total of nineteen hundred and fifty." He tapped a finger on the table. "And, of course, we need to account for High- Lord Malchior's vanity, don't we; another fifty ships, perhaps, for an even two- thousand." He raised an eyebrow, "Am I thinking along the right lines, 'lord' Malik?"

Lord Malik's face, already the color of snow, acquired a greyish tinge. "How… How could you possibly…?" His question went unfinished, and the silence in the hall became absolute.

Finally, Astrid found her voice, "Hiccup… Hiccup; are you sure about this? If you're right…"

"Astrid," Hiccup turned to her; holding her gaze for a moment, though he said nothing.

A moment later, Astrid seemed to relax; took a deep breath, and exhaled. "You're sure about this?"

Hiccup gave her a reassuring smile; than turned to address the crowded hall, "Everything is under control… The wild- dragons of the Archipelagos, and the far- reaches, have been mobilizing for days, now: they, and their Alpha, are with us."

"Their… their Alpha?" Malik's voice was barely more than a whisper, but the hall was so quiet that everyone heard him. "But… but Drago's Challenger killed the Northern Alpha!"

Hiccup sighed, "Drago's Challenger slew the White Sentinel; who had been The Northern Alpha: the dragons' greatest protector, for centuries; and for a brief time, Drago's Challenger held undisputed control of all Northern- Dragons… Yes. But, when Drago attacked Berk, his Challenger was overthrown, and another dragon claimed the title."

'Yes…' Toothless said; rising, and moving to Hiccup's side. 'Iam The Alpha, now.' He raised his head, and roared; and every dragon in the Great Hall of Berk, answered with roars of their own.

Malik's eyes rested on Toothless for a moment, than returned to Hiccup. "Y–You shouldn't even be alive, now … I saw that axe hit you in the shoulder! It should've… you shouldn't…"

Hiccup smiled, "There's a lot more to this armor than meets the eye: Its origins are unique; there is nothing like it in the world, nor will there be."

Part Three – Secrets of the Dragon Armor

For a full minute, there was silence in the hall. Finally, Lord Malik asked, "'Unique' how?"

"Deep beneath the caverns of the Night- Furies' ancestral home, there is a pool of molten magma. For near six hundred years; when a Night- Fury sensed his, or her, life was nearing its end; they would plunge into this pool: A ritualistic end, 'Returning To The fire'." Hiccup paused; to let that register, "As Night- Furies grow, their scales thicken into a sort of armor; once fully- grown, swords and axes barely scratch them … Over the centuries, the scales of generations of Night- Furies mixed with the elements of the earth: forming an ore, unlike any other. Soon after their colony moved to Berk, one of their Elders gave it to me; asking me to 'honor the memories of their ancestors, and make their armor my own'."
A brief pause; then, in a softer voice; he continued, "I hadn't intended to forge a sword, to be honest: just the armor; but the process required me to enter a deep, trance- like state… When I came out of it, there it was!"

Lord Malik eyes were bulging, again; and he seemed unable to find his voice.

Hiccup's expression became thoughtful. "I cannot explain how it happened, but a portion of the consciousness of those Night- Furies also resided within the ore. That portion, now resides within the armor and sword, themselves."

Lord Malik was so surprised; he seemed to forget his 'unease'. He snorted, "Oh, come on… You're making things up, now!"

Hiccup made to speak, but before he could, another voice said 'UNACCEPTABLE!' Tendrils of shadow shot into the air emerging from Hiccup's armor; forming into the shadowy likenesses of a dozen Night- Furies.
'ARE WE REAL ENOUGH FOR YOU NOW, KRAKEN- LORD?' murmured one shadowy Night- Fury, as it padded towards Lord Malik on clawed feet that had no substance.

'WE ENTERED THE MAGMA WHILE WE LIVED, YES,' whispered another. 'BUT WE WOULD ONLY HAVE LIVED A FEW MINUTES MORE, AT MOST, IN ANY CASE.'

'SINCE THEN; WE HAVE, AND WILL, DONE MORE GOOD FOR THOSE NOW LIVING THAN WE COULD HAVE, EVEN IF WE COMBINED ALL OF OUR FINAL MOMENTS, AND GAVE THEM ALL TO ANY ONE OF OUR KIND.'

'WE SERVE AT THE SIDE OF THE PEACE-MAKER, AS HE STRIVES TO CREATE A NEW WORLD; BETTER, EVEN THAN THAT IN WHICH WE LIVED…' added a fourth. 'WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE THAN THAT, AT THE END OF A LIFE WELL-LIVED?'

The fifth might have smiled, 'HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR YOUR CRIMES, I MIGHT HAVE PITTIED YOU; IT WILL BE A BETTER WORLD: PEACEFUL, DRAGONS AND HUMANS LIVING SIDE BY SIDE… ALL ENMITY FORGOTTEN; AS THOSE WHO'VE YET TO LEARN FIRST PROVE THEY CAN BE TRUSTED NOT TO ABUSE THE KNOWLEDGE, AND ARE THAN ENTRUSTED WITH IT.'

Then the shadowy dragons spoke as one: 'IT WILL BE A BETTER WORLD; BUT YOU, MALIK, WILL NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE "THE DREAM OF THOUSANDS" BROUGHT TO LIFE … YOUR DOOM IS ALL BUT UPON YOU!' Than the shadowy dragons dissolved back into thin streams of shadow, and melded back into Hiccup's sword, and armor.
A moment later, they were gone, with no sign that they had ever been there.

As the last shadow vanished into his armor, Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "As unexpected as that was," he considered Malik's expression, "I suppose it makes my point: I'm not making things up, Malik; there're forces at work that you can't begin to comprehend."

Part Four – For Freedom

A moment later, a Terrible- Terror shot through the doors of the Great Hall; closely followed by a second, and a third. Each shot down the hall, deposited the scroll cases on the table; next to Hiccup's bowl, and flew off to find perches.

Hiccup picked up each scroll, in turn: unrolling it, and examining their contents. A moment later, he smiled. "These are the last of the reference points: I now have everything I need to locate the hostage ships… By tomorrow morning, my scouts should have tracked Lord Bane to wherever the Kraken Lords have relocated their command ship to; they will have relocated it, by now; but surely a Kraken Lord would know where to go."
To the hall, at large, Hiccup said, "So close… We are so close, now! You heard them," he gestured to where the shadowy Night- Furies had stood, "'a better world'; 'dragons and humans, side by side'… It is the future; our future, unless we let them," he gestured at Malik, dismissively, "take it from us. I won't let that happen; we won't let that happen…"
Hiccup looked around the hall, and his voice hardened, "Those who have yet to lose their freedom, will not lose it; and those who have, will have it back."

The bellows, and roars, of approval reverberated through the hall; and everyone, save for 'lord' Malik, was shouting.

To Be Continued…