Toothless pulled out of the dive quickly as we were shot at again. I just knew we had to reach her in time. Stormfly was frantically trying to protect her rider from Alvin who was approaching with an evil expression on his face. "Bud! We need to get closer!"

Toothless made a grumbling sound, 'I know!" He dove again this time swerving to avoid more projectiles. Why oh why couldn't this raid have been closer to duck or at night? Toothless' black scales stood out sharply against the brilliant blue sky. As arrows whistled by I set up Toothless' tail fin so he could fly on his own as I prepared to dive off. Upon hearing everything click into place, Toothless rolled to the side one last time and I released myself from his saddle. He warbled to me to be careful and dove to help Stormfly.

As I approached Alvin from where he was approaching Astrid, he turned around a smiled evilly at me, "Well, well, well, Dragon Conquer come to surrender yourself to me? I'll leave your little girlfriend alone."

I drew my sword; it was a very light weight weapon, something that I could use. I was suddenly very thankful that I had actually taken the time to learn how to wield a weapon. Alvin simply smirked and hefted his own much thicker sword. I narrowed my eyes as he still approached Astrid who was trying to fight her way back to Stormfly. "Astrid!" I yelled at her to make her turn out of the way of Alvin's mad swing. If he thought he could make me come with him by attacking her he had another thing coming. "Alvin," I hissed, "leave her alone."

"Think you can make me, boy?" the Outcast said with a mad grin as he made another grab for her. Astrid sidestepped it.

"Alvin, I challenge you to a duel. No one interferes. Just you and me." I growled. I was not thinking clearly or else I wouldn't have challenged the bigger man to a fight, but I was furious.

His grin widened as he agreed. Astrid looked pale as she whistled for Stormfly and Toothless both. Alvin approached me and for a moment the world stood still and then the fight began. I winced with every block I made. The arrow heads that I still had yet to pull out bled a little more with each hit. I scored a lucky hit on Alvin and his eye flashed with anger that I had managed to score a hit on him. After that hit his attacks got more ferocious. I was so glad in that moment that I was smaller and quicker than him. If I didn't block the swing I dodged it. He ended up getting a hit on my shoulder. The armor that was supposed to block out all but the sharpest arrows nearly failed to stop the sword. The pain left me momentary dizzy and Alvin was able to get another hit in, this time on my stomach. I winced and quickly checked it. It wasn't bad. It was deep, but more than likely not fatal. "Now, now, Hiccup, this can all end if you just surrender to me."

Wincing I hissed out a reply, "Never. I will never join you."

Alvin glared at me, "Not a very good thing to say to a man who holds your life in his hands, boy."

I just glared at him and swung again, this time the sword went flying from my hands as he blocked again. I backed up a step. Toothless was too far away I could still see him, but if Alvin wanted me dead he wouldn't have any problems or issues doing so. Alvin advanced and I kept backing up. "So, Dragon Conquer, surrender now or forfeit your life."

I glared at him, "I'd sooner die."

Alvin cornered me by a rock, "Then so be it." He raised his sword and my world went black. The next thing I knew Astrid was holding me, while shrieks of pain filled the air. I knew they weren't mine as I was struggling to breathe. She was near tears. I remember her telling me I was an idiot and that I didn't need to defend her. I told her of course I did. When she asked me why, I told her I loved her. Those were my last words as a living human. When I next awoke I was the Spirit of Autumn.