Chapter Seventeen
"No…" Ukiah whispered, staring at the axe. His blood froze as he quickly snatched the axe from Hiccup "Where did you find it?!"
"Under the leaves over here." Hiccup frantically answered, pointing to where he found it. Looking at Ukiah with worry, he asked "Who do you think got her? Murky? How?"
"I don't know…" Ukiah whispered, trying to calm his thoughts. As far as his tribe's ability to remain calm during intense situations, he was finding that to be very difficult to do. Facing back to look at the skid marks he found "But it looks like she was being dragged that way."
"Come on! We have to catch them!" Hiccup loudly yelled, running past Ukiah with Toothless close behind.
"Hold on, Hiccup!" Ukiah called out, grabbing his shoulder "I don't want to end up in the same position as Astrid! Let me take the lead. I don't want to exactly follow these tracks. Let's hang to the side a bit and move quietly. Ok?"
Hiccup stared at Ukiah, realizing the wisdom in what he was suggesting. Slowly nodding, Hiccup whispered "Sorry, Ukiah. I just…I don't know what happened…or why it happened. If it is Murky, why would he do this?"
Realizing that Hiccup cared a great deal about Astrid, similar to how he felt, Ukiah simply nodded. "Come on, we'll find her." He whispered. Then putting his finger on his lips, he crouched and moved along the tracks, about five feet away. Hiccup followed closely, after having strapped Astrid's axe to his saddle on Toothless. Toothless himself creeped slowly behind the two, being eerily quiet. Ukiah made a mental note that Night Furies were able to sneak on the ground as well as fly almost invisible.
"Why are they leading this way?" Hiccup asked quietly, sounding confused.
"What do you mean?" Ukiah asked, not letting his eyes rest from staring at the tracks to their right. His ears also were tuned to anything that might have sounded out of the ordinary.
"Where these tracks lead, it's heading to a rocky bay." Hiccup explained "There's only cliff faces and rocks. They go to nowhere…"
Ukiah's brow furrowed, also puzzling over the mystery. Not only about where they were heading, but why Murky would kidnap Astrid to begin with. "How far is the bay you're talking about?"
"Shouldn't be too far." Hiccup replied quietly "A few hundred feet at most."
"…You're sure no one followed you..." a voice sounded, barely audible.
Ukiah froze in place, with Hiccup and Toothless doing the same. Signaling for them to stay put, Ukiah crept forward as silent as possible, almost like a ghost.
"…Aye, though I'm sure her friends will try to find her…" A second voice replied, getting louder as he crept closer.
Crawling behind a thicket, Ukiah peered through a small opening. He couldn't see who was talking, only their legs. But the sight that made him flare up in anger, was Astrid lying unconscious between the two people talking. It didn't take him long to figure out one of them was Murky, but the other was wearing some kind of armor. His view of the knee down didn't help either.
"We could tie her to a tree and leave her. She won't know what got her." Murky suggested, lightly tapping her motionless body with his foot.
"She'll know you're involved in something." The stranger grunted, a little angry at the idea "No, we're taking her back to our camp. I'll have guards posted to intercept her friends, if they come." After a moment pause, the stranger growled "You should have gone back with her Murky. Now that you took her with you, it's only a matter of time before her friends figure out she's missing."
"Bah, by that time, they'll be preoccupied with Strogg and his fleet tomorrow." Murky huffed, blowing off the concern.
Ukiah's blood froze. Strogg?! Was Murky working with him?
Seeing the stranger pick up Astrid, he then heard "Come on Murky. Let's see what we can do to get out of this mess you created for us. I don't even know how you were able to knock her out in the first place! I've seen her fight! Malke was struggling to get an advantage when he fought her."
"It was easy when she turned her back to me. All I had to say was 'I'll come and apologize'. Heh, she never saw it coming." Murky replied. Pausing, he then added "At least you have a prisoner now." Trying to cover up his screw up, he kept on saying "That'll keep others from trying to get to you."
"Shut up Murky…" The stranger replied quietly, disappearing into a thicket "Strogg was impressed with this girl; if anything, he'll keep her as a statement to Stoick and the others, after he kills…" His voice faded as they walked farther away.
Ukiah's blood boiled, hearing that she was going to be kept as a trophy. Crawling back, he was surprised to see Hiccup was already next to him.
"I can't believe it…" He whispered, shaking his head "Murky…is a traitor?"
"And the reason Astrid's in that mess!" Ukiah growled. Then a thought hit him. She was in this mess because of him! She went to get Murky because of the way he was acting! Shaking his head, he whispered "I'm such an idiot…"
"What was that?" Hiccup asked, not hearing what Ukiah huffed.
"Nothing. We're going to get her back." Ukiah growled, his rage starting to build. Using it to motivate himself, he then said "Come on, let's see where they're taking her."
They crawled after Murky and the stranger, being careful not to make too much noise and to give their position away. Toothless crept slowly behind them, unfortunately, unable to go through the same thicket they crawled under.
"Stay there bud, I'll be back for you in a second." Hiccup whispered, ushering him to stay.
Toothless let out a quiet growl, understanding what Hiccup was asking. Laying down, he almost turned invisible in the darkness. Smiling, Hiccup turned to follow Ukiah, who was now laying down on the ground, peering at something.
"Hey…Hiccup…" Ukiah whispered, a hint of shock and worry in his voice "We may have walked into a bigger problem…"
Lying next to Ukiah, Hiccup saw exactly what Ukiah was meaning. Next to the cliff that over looked the bay, he saw a camp of twenty or so people. A few huddled around a small campfire, others posted as sentries, and a handful sleeping under hastily thrown up lean-to's; built out of branches and other foliage, it was a perfectly camoflauged camp. "Oh good…I was thinking it was going to be too easy to get her back." Hiccup huffed sarcastically, staring at the camp.
"Look, there she is." Ukiah pointed out.
Sure enough, there she was. Draped over the shoulder of the stranger, he watched her get set down into one of the many lean-tos. Two guards stood next to where she lay, talking to the stranger. Murky, was busy setting his stuff out next to the campfire, sharing a few of his supplies with the soldiers.
Staring at the camp, a thought came to his mind. Looking over at Hiccup, who was gripping the dirt angrily as he could only watch Astrid, he asked "How good is your and Toothless' stealth?"
"Got an idea?" Hiccup asked, glancing at Ukiah.
"Kind of. It gets her out of here, and us in a position to get some reinforcements." Ukiah answered, looking over the camp "Get Toothless and fly in the air. Blast the center of the camp, and disappear for a second."
"While you do what, exactly?" Hiccup asked, raising an eybrow.
"I'm going pick these invaders off, one-by-one. I'm hoping that they'll be focused on you." Ukiah explained "By the time they realize I'm here, I'll lead them on a foot chase; whoever's left at least."
Hiccup put the plan together in his head, saying "Letting me have an open shot for Astrid."
"Exactly. And to take her back to Berk." Ukiah added "I need you to tell your dad what's happening. Get Arrow for me, and whoever else wants to fight. We're going to end these guys"
Hiccup nodded, though appeared hesitant about something "What…what about you? Are you going to be able to hide from these guys while I'm heading back to Berk?"
"I'm not hiding. I'm taking the fight to them." Ukiah growled, readying his crossbow "I plan on you hurrying and helping me out."
"No, that's way too risky!" Hiccup hissed, glaring at Ukiah.
"Riskier than trying to sneak into the camp, past the posted sentries, past the two guards around her, and then get out without alerting the rest of camp?" Ukiah growled, returning a glare of his own "You have Toothless, you're the fastest way to get news to Stoick; and to get Astrid out of here. Besides, I plan on finishing these guys off with the rest of you guys. Not by myself."
Hiccup continued to glare at him, still not liking the plan. "Fine, but don't do anything that isn't necessary! Wait for us to help you!"
"I'll avoid them Hiccup, trust me. This is my arena, not theirs." Ukiah acknowledged "Now get going! Wait until you see most of the camp running after me, got it?"
"Got it. Be careful Ukiah." Hiccup whispered, crawling back to where he left Toothless.
Ukiah then silently dumped his quiver full of blunts. Grabbing the handful of real bolts he kept on himself, he slid them behind a belt to hold them in place. Making sure they were secure, he kept an extra one nearby. He already has his two prey selected. As much as he wanted Murky, he resolved to ensure the two guards next to Astrid weren't going to be near her when Hiccup would go pick her up.
Watching the camp, he saw the stranger that was their apparent leader, walk out from a lean-to. He was wearing different trimmed armor. Then the object he recognized. A decorated shield, with a picture of a slain dragon. It was a champion! Which one, he didn't know, but it didn't matter. It made sense given the conversation he overheard. He saw Astrid fight, and knew that Strogg wanted her. He was his next target after the guards.
Slowly, a whistle began to sound off; starting very slowly, but gradually getting louder. Growing into a high pitched scream, Ukiah braced himself. It was a sound he grew to love, knowing full well what was going to happen.
"Night Fury!" A soldier screamed recognizing the distinct scream.
Boom! A blue explosion went off in the center of the camp, creating a pandemonium among the soldiers. The whistling sound blew over, indicating Toothless just flew overhead. Focusing on the two guards, he aimed his crossbow and held his breath.
"Get the bolas out!" The champion roared, running through a pocket of fire "Get ready to take it down!"
"How?!" A soldier asked loudly, twirling a pair of bolas and scanning the sky nervously "It's a Night Fury for Odin's sake! You can't see it!"
"Stop telling me what you can't do, and just do what I ordered!" The champion screamed, also scanning the night sky.
"Ogghhh…" a voice sounded to his left. Glancing over, he saw one of the two guards he had posted over his prisoner fallen over and motionless. Both were on the ground actually.
"What the…" He whispered, jogging over to them. As he inspected one of them, he saw a crossbow bolt sticking out of the neck of the guard. Just as he realized what happened, he felt a stinging lightning bolt slam into his side. The shock factor then registered, causing him to collapse. "Gah!" He roared painfully. Looking at his side, a single crossbow bolt stuck out of where his metal plates were connected. The thin metal that served as the latch for chest and back plate couldn't stop the bolt from entering, but had indeed saved his life. "We're under attack!" He roared, rolling onto his hands and knees. Crawling behind a lean-to, he continued to shout "There's an archer in the trees! Find him!" At that, Ugo tried to pull the bolt out, which was harder than he thought.
Ukiah cursed quietly, angry that he didn't take many of the attackers as he wanted to. Standing up in the brush, he aimed, and fired a bolt into a soldier who was still scanning the sky, knocking him down.
"There he is!" A voice shouted, which made Ukiah book it into the trees.
"After him!" Ugo shouted painfully "Everyone get him! I want him alive!"
A crowd of the remaining soldiers charged in the direction of where Ukiah disappeared to, leaving Ugo and Murky, who was helping him.
"No one followed you huh?" Ugo growled, glaring at Murky "Seems that a Night Fury found us…"
"I didn't see them!" Murky defended "I waited to see if anyone was coming! I promise Ug-"
"Shut up and help me get this bolt out." Ugo grunted, shifting to sit up "Never mind that Ukiah was a hunter and probably tracked you!"
Murky was defeated, knowing that it was his fault that Ugo's camp was discovered.
"Rwooaarr!" A familiar roar sounded, causing both men to whirl around and gape at the Night Fury that basically fell out of the darkness. Landing, Toothless snarled at the two as Hiccup leapt off and ran to where Astrid lay.
"Wait…they ride their dragons?! You never told me that Murky!" Ugo gaped, staring at the black Night Fury. The Night Fury was different too, at least from the one they had back in Thariin.
Hiccup ignored them, running to Astrid and grabbing her arm. Shouldering her, he essentially dragged her to Toothless, all the while glaring at Murky. Making sure Astrid wouldn't fall off, he leapt onto Toothless, which he then said "Don't bother coming back Murky. You're dead to us." At that, Toothless launched into the air, disappearing into the night.
Watching where they flew off to, Ugo groaned in anger and frustration. He had a prisoner that Strogg wanted, and could have used her as leverage over Stoick. Now that was all blown away. They were on a time limit now, and he was going to make the most of his position behind Berk. "We've got to move…" He grunted, trying to stand up "We need to do as much damage as we can for Strogg's fleet."
"B-but I'm not a soldier!" Murky began to argue, only to cut off by Ugo grabbing his throat.
"I don't care!" He hissed in pain, with the bolt still in his side "You're the reason we're in this mess! You're coming with us!"
Murky could only nod, unable to breathe or speak.
"Good. Now, lead the way to Berk. We'll pick up some of my men on our way." Ugo growled, letting go of Murky and limping into the trees.
Gasping for breath, he rubbed his throat to massage the pain away. Sulking back behind Ugo, Mukry couldn't help but regret his choice to survive the war.
Gobber walked through the two massive doors into the Great Hall, smiling widely.
Stoick, who was busy talking to a few villagers and preparing for the upcoming fight, noticed his happy looking friend. "Gobber? What's got you so happy?"
"Oh nothing, Stoick." Gobber replied, taking a seat and filling his mug of a hand with a drink "Nothing other than Hiccup, Ukiah, and Astrid proved to be more than ready to fight. Your council should be satisfied with those three at least."
"Hiccup too?" Stoick asked in surprise.
"Aye, he's a clever one Stoick. You knew that before we had them do this." Gobber answered, taking a large swig from his drink. Wiping his mouth, he then added "Granted, none of those kids need more training. They need more experience."
"I know, Gobber." Stoick huffed, turning to the rest of the men he was talking to "We'll finish this tomorrow. Get some rest and get ready to start building up our walls and catapults."
After several acknowledgements, Stoick took a seat alongside his friend. "Did he really impress you that much?"
"Hiccup? Yes, he's a lot stronger that he was, even two months ago." Gobber replied, smiling at Stoick "I can't imagine what he'll look like a year or two from now."
"Aye…me too." Stoick whispered, feeling proud of his son. He was different, not like any other Viking on Berk; or anywhere for that matter. But that's what made him, well, Hiccup. Relishing in the proud feeling he had, he turned to Gobber and asked "The others? How did they do?"
"Eh…they're just inexperienced." Gobber answered, shrugging his shoulders "They're able, but just lack that important piece of any warrior."
"Hmmm…" Stoick growled, shaking his head "And yet the council won't let them get that experience…"
Suddenly a commotion started to sound at the door way. Looking over, they saw Hiccup run through the small crowd, Toothless following closely with Astrid lying limp on him. "Dad! Dad!" He shouted, running towards Stoick and Gobber.
"Son, what's going on?" Stoick asked, alarmed at the tone of Hiccup's voice "What's wrong with Astrid?"
"She's hurt! Unconscious!" Hiccup cried out, stopping and trying to pull her off.
"I got her, Hiccup." Gobber quickly said, switching his mug hand for a hook. Seconds later, he was carrying her to a clear table.
"What happened?" Stoick asked again, making Hiccup look at him.
"Murky…Murky betrayed us!" Hiccup cried out, his words rolling out at a hundred miles an hour.
"Son!" Stoick shouted, gently shaking Hiccup "Slow down and start from the beginning!"
Taking a few breaths, and finally relaxing, he began to explain "Ukiah and I went to find Astrid after the training session. We found out Murky knocked her out and took her to a camp. One of Strogg's captains, or champions; whatever he's calling them, was there! They were holding her prisoner when Ukiah drew the camps attention away!"
"Murky…with some of Strogg's men?" Stoick asked, staring at his son intently "Here already on Berk? Are you sure?"
"Yeah, there aren't very many of them. Twenty, maybe twenty five. I saw that unique looking ship in the bay on the north side of island." Hiccup expounded "That's probably how they got there ahead of the rest of Strogg's fleet. Ukiah drew the camp to chase him, leaving Astrid unguarded. Toothless and I swept in and grabbed her." Looking over at Astrid, he quietly added "I spared Murky…"
Stoick just nodded, knowing his son wouldn't want to kill anyone if he didn't have to. "Where's Ukiah now?"
Hiccup's head snapped towards his dad, realizing that he had forgotten about helping Ukiah "He's still out there! He's planning on me bringing Arrow and others to finish them off at Raven Point!"
"Go get him!" He roared, realizing Ukiah was fighting by himself "Get him away from Strogg's men, and keep him away until I get there with a group of men! Don't fight them without us, understand?"
"Sure! I'll go get him! But what about Astrid?" Hiccup asked, looking up at his dad with worry.
"She'll be fine, son. Just go and get Ukiah! If they capture or kill him, us fighting Strogg will be for nothing!" Stoick urged, trying to get his son to start moving "Go! We'll talk more about what happened when we get back."
Hiccup glanced at where Astrid lay, Gobber checking her head to make sure she nothing else was wrong. Finally, letting out a frustrated sigh, he nodded and turned to run to Toothless.
"Sven! Get thirty of our strongest men and meet me outside of town! Get the rest of the dragon riders! Move!" Stoick ordered. Looking at Gobber, he then grimly said "Get Gothi for Astrid. I want you to start turning the Great Hall into a hospital. I have a feeling we're going to be needing it in the near future…"
Hiccup was already on Toothless and flying out of the Great Hall, looking for Arrow. He knew that he told Ukiah otherwise, but for the first time, Hiccup realized exactly what could possibly be the price for fighting for the last Crevite.