A War Within 3
The silence was utterly deafening and near crushing once the flogging had finished. Every Berserker had their crossbow aimed skyward, waiting for the attack that would no doubt begin any second. Seconds ticked by slowly and every man was on edge expecting the worse but when seconds turned to minutes that dragged on and on forever one by one they began to relax. Not a sound came from the sky, not the flap of a wing or squawk of a single dragon.
"Your friends are wiser than I thought," Dagur purred happily as he stood next to Hiccup observing the sky with a satisfied grin. "Pity really, I was rather looking forward to tormenting that blonde of yours. She's pretty good with an axe I can't help but wonder what else she's good at."
It was meant as a jibe to get Hiccup going again but the Hooligan heir only made a low painful groan that sounded more animal like than human. He hung from the mast, his legs having given out shortly after the last lash went across his back, his body trembling from shock, the red raw meat of his back a startling contrast to his usually pale freckled flesh. His face was hidden against the crock of his left arm, auburn hair soaked with sweat and clinging to his equally sweaty face. He was panting, perhaps even hyperventilating and most likely had not heard a word Dagur had said.
The Berserker chief took a few minutes to admire Savage's handiwork. He had sworn years ago that no one word lay a hand on Hiccup but him however after everything Dagur had suffered at Alvin's hands thanks to Hiccup he didn't trust him not to lose control and unintentionally kill the runt – well he wasn't such a runt anymore. In fact Hiccup had grown up quite nicely in Dagur's three year absence. Not as muscular as Dagur but he was tall, nearly six feet and an inch or so talker than the Berserker chief. His arms were still like noodles but there was some definition to them, the hint of muscle but he was still very feminine in build and looked far too soft. Maybe it was a teenage thing. Perhaps – if he lived long enough – he'd grow into more of a man. Dagur hoped not. Dangling from the mast with only thick ropes holding him up and back torn open to look like raw meat while his body trembled, Hiccup looked utterly helpless and strangely arousing but then Dagur always did get off on pain, even his own. Once Hiccup was completely broken he would look breathtaking.
"I want clean clothes, now," Dagur ordered Captain Vorg as he gently traced one of the lashes, the only one that wasn't completely meshed in with all the others. Blood poured down Hiccup's back. It wasn't enough to cause him to bleed to death – Dagur had way too many plans for his brother to allow that – but it was enough to make his point and may be of other use. He took the clothes from Vorg and pressed one at a time to Hiccup's back, grinning sadistically at each cry and hiss that escaped Hiccup's lips. "Sh…sh…it's alright, brother. It's alright. You did so much better than I ever imagined," he cooed softly as he mopped up the blood with one after another wad of cloth. "Twenty lashes and you didn't even faint. That's impressive. It's something to be proud of. I'm proud of you."
It sounded as if Hiccup might have tried making some snide remark but Dagur couldn't be sure. Hiccup's voice was broken and choked with tears to the point his words – if they were words – made no sense.
"Speak up, Hiccup, our short hand's not that good," Dagur urged before shrugging and turning toward Vorg once more. "Pass these to every ship and make sure they're tied to every mast," he ordered then turned to Savage. "Separate the armada into six teams. My flag ship will be accompanied by four others. Every other team will be made of three and sent in every direction. Any and all dragon riders are to be killed on sight. Four dragons can't track six groups of fully armed battle ships."
"No, sir," Savage said in agreement as he fiddle with the whip in his hands and admired his handiwork on Hiccup's back. "What are your plans for the boy?"
Dagur growled, recognizing that hateful look in Savage's eyes. "My plans are my own just as Hiccup belongs to me and only me. You will only touch him when I allow it." He called for two of his warriors to come to him. "Take my new pet to the brig and remove that metal leg. I won't take any chances. Be gentle…we have a Skrill to find."
Hiccup's wounds were not treated, not that first day. Dagur used his blood to coat the clothes with his scent, making sure it was so strong that dragon rider searching for him was sure to go after one of the decoy ships heading far from the main convoy. Every ship within Dagur's group was kept immaculate and filled with the heavy scent of herbs and spices as if they were Peaceable ships travelling to the far northern countries for trade so Dagur wasn't in a hurry to tend to Hiccup's wounds and was more than willing to let them scar.
Excitement filled Dagur. He was on such a high that nothing could anger him. He studied the Dragon Eye for hours trying to remember what the Gustav kid had told him and how it was operated. He needed a dragon but the Nightfury was gone now, no doubt dead or soon to be. If he had caught one of Hiccup's precious riders he could have made them show him how to use it, forced them to guide him to whatever grand treasure it was hiding. Alas all he had was Hiccup and he was in no condition to be of use just yet. Dagur wasn't a patient man though. He kept checking on Hiccup, hurrying down to the brig every hour or so and standing at his cell willing him to move or talk or something, anything but the Dragon Master only lay on his side, back to the bars until late the next morning when Dagur finally ran out of patience.
"Wakey, wakey!" Dagur crooned as he dumped a bucket of ice cold sea water over Hiccup.
The cold brought new shock to Hiccup but it wasn't nearly as bad as the salt meeting his open wounds. His body jerked and he screamed, trying to roll away only to have his body shake so badly he couldn't even make it to his hands and knees. He gasped and panted, his world shifting and making little sense as large fingers tangled in his hair and yanked his head painfully back. His vision swam and it took great concentration for him to make out the voice talking to him. "Dagur?" he croaked, blinking rapidly in hope of clearing his vision.
Dagur squatted in front of him, one hand cupping Hiccup's cheek almost tenderly. "My men have spent half the night capturing you a dragon, brother. It's not much but should be enough to operate my Dragon Eye," he purred, his thumb massaging Hiccup's bruised jaw gently. "Time to show me how it works."
Hiccup blinked again, his eye sight not coming back fully yet and body hurting in ways he never thought possible. It felt as if someone had tried ripping out his inners through his back. Nonetheless he had heard what Dagur wanted and tried to shake his head. "Water," he managed to mumbled. His throat hurt. It felt like it was closing up. It was so dry, so scratchy and raw but his mind could not come up with the memory why. All he remembered was agony and screaming.
Miraculously a bladder of cool fresh water was brought to his lips and he drank greedily from it as if it had been forever since he last drank anything.
"Whoa…whoa…" Dagur cooed, pulling the bladder back and letting a little splash over Hiccup's face. "Not so fast or you'll make yourself sick." He waited a moment for Hiccup to catch his breath. "Now what about my Dragon Eye?"
"I'm not showing you how to operate the Dragon Eye," Hiccup breathed, his gaze hazy as he looked up at Dagur. "I won't let you turn it into a weapon."
Dagur stared at him in shock, not really expecting someone as physically small and weak to still be so defiant but then this wouldn't be Hiccup if he wasn't defying the norm and namely Dagur. The young chief sat back on his heels. "Uh…okay. Do you want some more water? Your throat must be parch. You were screaming worse than a Valkyrie on the warpath." He patted Hiccup's shoulder as he nodded to Savage. "Hiccup's thirsty, be a doll and give him some more water."
Hiccup let out his breath, a little hope returning to be when Dagur didn't strike out. He was in so much pain he didn't think he could handle much more but he wasn't going to let Dagur break him. He wasn't going to allow Dagur to find any sort of weapon, be it whatever secrets the Dragon Eye held or the Skrill. Maybe…maybe he could finally talk some sense in Dagur. But the tip of the bladder never met his lips. There was the slosh of water and then a tug on his hair before his head was suddenly and sharply shoved down into a bucket of ice salt water and his head completely submerged. Hiccup's hands instantly went to the ground and he struggled to shove back against Savage but all this served to do was pressed his ravaged back into the man and send such searing pain through him that Hiccup screamed into the water and inadvertently swallowed a mouth full.
The Berserker chief watched with interest as Hiccup struggled, much like he did his prey when he hunted for sport, enjoying those moments when they were about to go into the throes of death. He had Savage pull Hiccup's head out of the water before things got that far. The former Outcast dropped Hiccup on the floor and sat back as the youth vomited up water and went into a coughing fit.
"Should we try again?" Dagur purred, idly brushing wet strains of hair from Hiccup's face.
"Go to Hel," Hiccup choked, tears streaking down his cheeks but unwilling to give up. He was dunked into the water four more times before consciousness fled and he was left in darkness and nightmares once more.
Disappointed Dagur stood over Hiccup, his brows furrowed and a frown tugging at his lips. He didn't understand. He had large men, stronger men than Hiccup cave much quicker than this. Short of taking body parts the Berserker chief wasn't sure of his next step. One thing he knew for certain was that he was hard. Every scream to escape Hiccup was like music to him, a lover's plea for more. Ever jerk and spasm was like a dance and summons to be filled. He had never been so excited by Hiccup since that day on Dragon Island when Dagur had determined they were brothers and meant to be together. He was right to think of them as brothers. Hiccup was far tougher than even the men serving under Dagur. If torture would not break Hiccup then perhaps a little kindness. Besides, his injures had to be looked after before they became seriously infected. In wouldn't do to let his pet die by infection. A leg or arm was one thing. Hiccup really didn't need either for what Dagur had planned.
Very gently, Hiccup had suffered enough for now, Dagur lifted Hiccup onto his shoulder and carried him away from the brig and to the other side of the large vessel to his and to his chambers. Savage followed close behind but was sent away when he tried entered his chieftain's private chambers. Dagur's eyes narrowed as he watched the usually timid man walk away. It seemed with Hiccup in their custody Savage had actually grown a pair of balls, but then they all had suffered in prison thanks to Hiccup and revenge was something the entire crew felt was necessary but Hiccup was his and no one, no one was touching him.
He gently laid Hiccup on his belly on the small cot that served as the only bed but was much better than sleeping on a cold rock floor every night. Just the thought of it sent a wave of rage and fear through him and for a moment his fingers dug into Hiccup's pliant body, making the younger man whimper softly. With great effort Dagur banished those dark thoughts. Hiccup would pay for his lies and for helping Alvin enslave them. He would break and submit to Dagur's will or lose his mind.
. . .
Toothless was in bad shape. His wing was torn which meant he couldn't fly no matter how much he tried. The Nightfury whined and kept howling in the direction he last heard Hiccup's screams. He pawed at the ground and flexed his wings, trying over and over again to take to the air for more than a few feet. He acted even worse whenever one of the riders took off in that direction to try and locate the Berserkers. His howls grew in volume and anyone listening would thought he was being tortured. It became impossible to separate the riders without the dragon going insane. In the end Snotlout decided it best if they went back to Berk and got reinforcements. It wouldn't be nearly as quick as they hoped. Toothless might be light compared to the other dragons but he was still heavy compared to his human companions and they forced to island hop all the way to Berk in order to give Toothless and Hookfang, who was carrying him, a break when needed. Help wasn't coming any time soon.
. . .
When Hiccup awoke next he was disoriented, confused and strangely numb. Wherever he was it was surprisingly bright compared to the dank cell he had been in for the last two days. Was this Valhalla? He lifted his head slowly and blinked crusty, blurry eyes. His lashes stuck together slightly making it hard to decipher where he was but he smelt food, fresh bread and sweet meats and his stomach rumbled reminding him it had been forever since he last ate.
"Easy, don't try moving just yet," a familiar voice whispered gently. A blessedly cool cloth dabbed at his back while gentle fingers softly carded through his hair.
Hiccup murmured appreciatively and let his head fall back on the mattress. His eyes closed and when next they opened the room was slightly darker and a few hours must have passed. The grit over his eyes were gone and his face damp, the scent of sea water no longer clogging his nose. His body still felt pleasantly numb. Even his head felt as if there was cotton had been shoved in it as if he had the biggest cold since he was five. A familiar soft humming could be heard in the distance.
"Daddy," his mumbled, raising his head yet unable to make out anything clearly. "Dad?" He had to be home. He felt as if he was being gently rocked by his father or Gobber and it made him relax. He was home in bed and the nausea would go away soon enough.
A soft chuckle met his words and a gentle hand cupped the back of his head. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," he answered honestly.
"Any pain?"
Hiccup had to think. He couldn't feel anything, not even his legs. That wasn't good, he realized and it was like being slapped in the face. All of a sudden he remembered everything and the pain came rushing back. He gasped in freight and instinct took over. He rolled away from the hand on his head, crying out in pain but refusing to let anyone touch him. Scrambling to his hands and knees and pinned himself in the corner between of the bed against the wall and stared at Dagur with wide fearful eyes with just the barest hint of defiance, a defiance that was quickly wavering when as the muscles of his back tore open healing lacerations.
Dagur raised his hands to show he meant no harm and backed away from the Dragon Master. "Lay back down," he said in what sounded like a very reasonable thing for Hiccup to do. "It's alright, you're safe."
Hiccup looked around the room wildly, mentally taking in everything and judging his chases of making it to the door before Dagur caught him. His chest rose and fell rapidly and any logical part of his mind went dormant in his desperation. Without a second thought he launched himself off the bed, believing ten long strides would give him a chance at freedom only to land hard on his less than a step later when he came to the harsh realization that he only had one leg, that his prosthetic had been lost to him and he was indeed helpless. But he did let that stop him, didn't really register it as he kicked and dragged himself as far from Dagur as he could get and into a position he could defend even if that was only with his talons and teeth, thinking more like a dragon than a human.
"Whoa," Dagur breathed in both surprise and admiration. The person in front of him was not the Hiccup he thought he knew, this was a feral dragon and his instinct to hunt and conquer returned but he pushed it aside. He needed Hiccup under his control.
Getting low Dagur got to Hiccup's height. "Hey, what are you doing, hiding in the corner like a little boy in trouble with his daddy? Stoick's not here, Hiccup. There's no one here to hurt you but me."
Wild emerald eyes looked from Dagur to the door and back.
"You're not going to make it and even if you did there's like a bazillion Berserkers who'd beat the crap out of you just for trying to escape."
Hiccup shifted and he looked like he might just try for the door regardless of Dagur's warning.
Dagur's voice softened as if speaking to a wounded animal, something he really was good at because normally he'd just tear it to pieces for the sheer pleasure of it. "You're not going to run very far with only one leg," he said reasonably as he inched toward the younger man, a hand slightly in front of him. "Now take a deep breath and think. It's just you and me here, two brothers just talking like brothers should."
"We're not brothers," Hiccup wheezed, reason slowly returning.
"No? Haven't I always stood next to you? Did I help you get that Astrid girl to notice you even before you began training dragons?" He kept his voice calm and smile sweet.
"You tried to drown me," Hiccup answered but it was like he was slowly waking from a dream and seemed unsure.
"I made her save you."
"My friends will save me."
It took a moment to realise what Hiccup was talking about now and Dagur's smile grew. "What friends? Those dragon riders? They abandoned you, brother. They listened to you screams and pleas for help but it's been here three days and they haven't even attempted a rescue once. They stole your dragon and ran away."
Hiccup's head shook desperately and tears rolled down his cheeks. Huddled in the corner as he was, made him look more like a ten year old than nineteen. "Toothless…"
"Gone, maybe even dead."
The boy's eyes closed and tears rolled down his cheeks. He wasn't in the right frame of mind, his pain still raw and emotions right at the surface. He inhaled sharply when Dagur gently eased him out of the corner and helped limp across the room to a large table with a mound of food.
"Eat slowly or you'll be sick," Dagur warned like a good big brother as he brushed Hiccup's shaggy hair out of his eyes. When Hiccup didn't immediately reach for something to eat he took a tankard of mead and held it to Hiccup's lips. "Drink and eat," he instructed. He gave Hiccup endless mead that mixed with the pain and mental exhaustion finally had the young heir giving up all the secrets to the Dragon Eye and even a few key secrets to dragon training. He had done what Alvin the Treacherous could not.