Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD
A/N: I've decided to try something a bit different for the rest of these short stories, guys. I'm going to plan them out, write them out, and post them all in one go. This means you'll have to wait longer for the chapters, but it also means that you'll have more to read when I finally do finish them. Sound good?
Warrior or Whisperer – Part Four
Hiccup, Toothless and Aksel were searching the storehouse for clues. It might have looked like a dragon had been there, but things weren't always as they seemed. For one thing… "No spit" Hiccup muttered.
"What?"
"There's no spit, on the ropes, where the food's been torn away. See? It's dry" Hiccup explained. Aksel came over and rubbed the frayed rope between his fingers; Toothless sniffed at a bit.
"Huh. And there should be, if a hungry dragon had taken the food. Right?"
"Exactly" Hiccup nodded, moving away to study a nearby set of claw marks. They didn't seem deep enough to be from a real Fire-Scale, in his opinion, nor smooth enough. The edges were too jagged…
"Hiccup?"
"Yeah?"
"Cinder didn't do this" the other man said resolutely. "I know my dragon, and she would never steal food."
Hiccup smiled reassuringly at him, and came over to place a hand on his shoulder. "I know, Aksel. Cinder is a good dragon, and I'm sure she's innocent; but she was out last night and I still need to ask her about it. She might have seen something" he explained, assuming that his friend was wondering why he and his dragon had had to stay behind. Sure enough, Aksel looked somewhat relieved as he nodded in understanding. Hiccup clapped him lightly on the shoulder and moved away again.
*Over here* Toothless called him over to the door. The dragon gestured with his snout at some dark spots spattered on the floor, and explained, *It's blood. Human blood*.
Frowning curiously, Hiccup reached out and lightly touched the stain. Aksel, who had followed him, peered over his shoulder. "This must be from Nikolas" he realised, "Except…" His frown deepened. "Hey, Aksel? Does anything about this bloodstain look off to you?"
"Uh, should it?"
"Well, think about it. Nikolas said a dragon had knocked him aside, knocked him out, but the stains are right in front of the door. If a dragon had knocked him to one side, and he'd hit his head, then the stains ought to be on that wall there, and the floor below it – and look" he said, noticing something else. It was hard to see in the gloom, so he silently asked Toothless for some light. In the glow of the Night Fury's flame, the two men peered at a small, blood covered floorboard nail, slightly upturned.
Hiccup poked it gingerly with his finger and frowned. "It's not really sharp, but you could cut yourself on that, if you stepped on it…or fell on it, for that matter" he mused. It was a clue, and a good one, that Nikolas' story hadn't been entirely straight.
Aksel caught on quick. "You think he was lying? That he's in on this sabotage?"
"I think he wasn't telling us everything he knows, is what I think. Good job, bud" he praised Toothless, who warbled happily. "Have you picked up any other human scents?"
*Yes, on the floor, and the scratches are covered in metal scent. I can't make anything out clearly, though. The smell of smoke and fish is too strong, it's making me hungry* he complained. Hiccup reached out and pet him reassuringly.
"What'd he say?"
"That he can barely make out any human scents, they're getting covered by the smell of the fish and smoke. Also that he's hungry. So am I, come to think of it. You wanna go get breakfast?"
Aksel grinned at the prospect of food. "Definitely. So, uh, what did you want to talk to Ormar about?" he wondered, as they left the storehouse.
"That's private, I'm afraid" Hiccup replied, as Aksel walked over to Cinder and climbed into the saddle. Hiccup mounted up as well and asked, "You wanna race?"
"I thought you guys couldn't fly yet?"
"No, but we can run. Just close your eyes and count to ten."
"Okay – one, two, thr-hey, wait a minute!" Aksel exclaimed, eyes flicking open, but Toothless and Hiccup were already halfway up the street. "Up, Cinder!"
Given that Cinder could fly, and he could not (which was annoying), Toothless knew they weren't going to win, but it was still fun to race. Besides, sometimes it felt good to lose, if it made a friend happy to win. Hiccup had taught him that.
During breakfast, Hiccup picked at his food and chewed without really tasting anything; his mind was elsewhere. Should I really tell Ormar about the heart bind?
It was bothering him, nipping at the back of his mind. He trusted Toothless completely, and his other half made a good point when he said that the whole mess with Adulfr and the war had started, in some sense, because of misunderstandings and rumours getting out of hand.
Yet the thought of telling a complete stranger something so personal…no, but he didn't have to tell him everything. The most that a lot of people knew was that he could understand dragons, and he left it up to them whether it was a curse or gift from the gods, or some strangeness in himself, or if he was simply lying.
*What's wrong? You're not eating* Toothless noted, coming over after eating his fill to lay his head in Hiccup's lap. Hiccup scratched behind his ear-flaps and he purred blissfully, letting his contentment seep through the bond to his other half to relax them both.
*I'm not that hungry*.
*You need to eat, Hiccup. You're helping my wing heal, and you need your strength. Now eat your food, or I'll share mine* he mock-threatened. Toothless had long been of the opinion that his human did not eat enough food, and the quickest way to make him do so was to offer to share his own meals.
Sure enough, Hiccup started eating more of his breakfast. *I'm just not sure if I should tell Ormar about…you know. That I can understand dragons*.
*Don't tell him, then*.
*But you said you think I should*.
*Never mind me. If you don't want to tell him, then don't tell him. Simple*. Really, why did humans have to make everything so very complicated?
*But you're right. Ormar obviously knows something, and I need to know what. Part of me wants to tell him and part of me doesn't…I'm not making sense, am I?*
*What are you afraid of?*
Hiccup had to think about that for a moment. *Being betrayed, I suppose* he said at last, *Being taken advantage of. I don't think Ormar would betray us, but…I'll admit I get that wrong about people sometimes* he confessed sheepishly.
*You don't have very good survival instincts* Toothless agreed. He thought he understood, though. Hiccup was afraid of what might happen if he told Ormar he could understand dragons, because Ormar was a stranger. So many mights and ifs, and he didn't know how humans got anything done when they were always, always worrying about things that only might happen and not what will.
*How about this. You show him that dragons can talk and I will tell him that if he threatens us, I'll kill him*.
Hiccup was torn between exasperation and amusement. *Overprotective reptile* he said teasingly.
*It's a good plan*.
Hiccup made a decision. *I won't tell him everything. Only that I can understand dragons, but not how. The less he knows, the better. If he asks, I'll explain more, if I can*.
*Whatever you think is best*.
*Just don't threaten to kill him, please*.
*I make no promises*.
After breakfast, Hiccup approached the chief's second-in-command and cleared his throat. "Ormar, could we talk?"
"Oh, yes, of course" the man nodded, remembering. He led them to another room to talk in private, leaving one of the ever-present guards outside. "See that we are not disturbed" he ordered. When the door was closed behind them, he asked "Is something troubling you?"
"No" Hiccup replied automatically, before correcting himself to "Yes. Sort of. I mean…okay, look, Ormar, it's not that I don't trust you, or anything, it's just…I kind of get the feeling you know something about me that you're not letting on. So, err, without beating around the bush or anything…what do you know about me?"
Ormar blinked at him. "Know about you? Only what I've been told. You hail from the Northern Archipelago, you are wed to the chief of your tribe, you ended a three hundred year war between your people and local dragons with the aid of this Night Fury you trained, and you are...the one who killed Drago Bludvist in battle, are you not?" he rattled off.
Most Vikings – indeed, most warriors would feel pride at defeating their enemy. Hiccup only felt uncomfortable at the reminder; not because he felt guilty, Thor forbid, but he just didn't like the thought of killing in general. "Yes" he admitted, "but it wasn't as impressive as everyone probably thinks."
Ormar seemed amused. "You are the most modest hero I've ever met, Hiccup Haddock; but I still don't understand what you're asking me. I've heard all the rumours about you, but you've already made it clear that they're false."
Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh…well, I wouldn't say all of them…at least not entirely" he admitted. Ormar raised an eyebrow. Hiccup decided to just be blunt about it. "Listen. You have to swear to secrecy, Ormar. I don't even know for sure if I should be telling you this, but you cannot tell anyone. Tell no-one of what we speak about right now. Do you understand?"
"I swear to Heimdall himself that not a word of what you tell me will pass to another's ears through my lips" Ormar swore, before inquiring, "Now tell me, what is this great secret?"
Hiccup took a deep breath. "Yesterday, you said it seemed like I could understand dragons the way I've proven they can understand us…what would you say if I told you...that you're right?" he asked.
Ormar briefly looked surprised, before schooling his features into an expression of interest. "I suspected that you could" he confessed at length, "but I didn't want to ask outright, for fear of being dismissed as a fool, a madman. You did, after all, dismiss all the rumours. So it is true? However did you come to have such a gift?"
Hiccup hesitated. "That I can't tell you, Ormar. It's too dangerous. Still, I suppose you'll want proof?"
"After what I've seen you do, I'm not sure I need it, but very well. Although I don't see how you can"-
"Trust me" Hiccup insisted, stepping closer. "Err, sorry. I kind of have to invade your personal space…you might want to close your eyes" he suggested.
Ormar frowned, but did as he was asked. Hiccup took a deep breath, gathering all his willpower with it, placed a hand on the man's forehead and the other on his dragon's forehead. Using himself as a living conduit, he and Toothless pulled Ormar temporarily into the pack web.
It was over in seconds; Ormar jerked away, and Hiccup staggered back, clutching at Toothless for support. *I've got you, Hiccup, you're alright* the dragon crooned.
"Thanks, bud" Hiccup smiled, regaining his balance. He rubbed his head and complained, "I wish there was an easier way to do that", before looking over at Ormar, who was staring at Toothless with slack jawed amazement. "Er, Ormar? Are you okay?"
"Th-the dragon – it spoke!"
"Oh. Yeah. Um…surprise?"
*Hello* Toothless greeted. Ormar gaped at him. He looked over at Hiccup and asked, *Why do you humans always stare like that?*
"Well, a talking dragon isn't something that most people see – hear, rather – every day" Hiccup smiled. He turned to Ormar and inquired, "This proof enough for you?"
"By the thunder of Thor – that is incredible. His mouth isn't even…it's as if I can hear his thoughts!" Ormar said wonderingly, looking from Toothless to Hiccup and back.
"Yeah, it's called thought-speak. Also, uh, it's kind of rude to talk about him like he's not there…"
"Oh! Yes. I'm sorry…Toothless" Ormar apologised to the dragon, who acknowledged it with a nod.
*It's fine…but now that you can hear me, there's something I need to tell you* he declared.
"Yes?"
Toothless suddenly advanced on the man, glaring his most menacing glare. *If you turn on us, or betray us, or hurt my rider in any way, I will make sure you regret it for the rest of your very short life* he growled.
"Toothless, stop threatening him. We're not supposed to be making enemies here, bud" Hiccup said calmly.
*I know. I'm just warning him what will happen if he does become an enemy* Toothless replied just as calmly.
Hiccup sighed. "Sorry, Ormar. He's just being protective."
"Quite…Toothless, I mean you and your rider no harm. I will not betray you" he told the Night Fury. Toothless could sense that he wasn't lying, so he backed away and returned to Hiccup's side. Ormar breathed a sigh of relief.
"Remarkable. If people only knew…"
"Oh, believe me, I wish I could show everyone how dragons aren't so different from us" Hiccup admitted, "but this – you hearing them – only lasts a couple of hours, at most, and if I share the gift with too many people I start getting migraines."
"A pity. This would do much to turn folk's minds in your favour, if they could comprehend dragons as you do."
"Tell me about it. Right, now that that's settled, I think we'd better have a talk with Cinder."
They found Aksel grooming Cinder in the courtyard behind the lodgings. Ormar watched with interest as the Nightmare…Fire-Scales, Hiccup had said they called themselves – lowered her head in a bow towards Hiccup and Toothless as they approached. *Hello, Alphas* she greeted, before her rider noticed and turned as well.
"Oh, Hiccup, hi. Um…is he supposed to be here?" Aksel asked, glancing at Ormar.
"Yes, uh, Toothless and I brought him into the web" Hiccup admitted, "He can hear thought-speak."
Aksel's eyes widened, and Cinder pulled back in surprise. "He what? Boss, are you sure that's a good idea?!"
Not entirely Hiccup said privately. Aloud he answered, "Don't worry, Aksel. He's been sworn to secrecy, and Toothless has already made it very clear what he'll do if Ormar betrays us" he explained, giving his dragon a pointed look. Toothless purred innocently at him.
"Besides, he has a lot of influence with the chief. If he hears Cinder's side of the story for himself, he can persuade Ragnar not to blame her or the other dragons for the storehouse theft."
Aksel still looked doubtful, but he nodded warily. A hopeful look came over his face as he asked, "So, uh, I don't suppose I can…?"
Hiccup sighed, and beckoned him closer. Once he'd brought Aksel into the pack web – and he could already feel a headache coming on – the five of them, three humans and two dragons, faced each other in a loose circle. "Cinder, tell us what you were doing last night."
Cinder whimpered and cringed a bit, stretching her neck out to expose her throat in submission. *I'm sorry, Alpha-Hiccup. I didn't mean to hurt that human, the food-guarder, it was an accident!*
"The food…you mean Nikolas? So you were near the storehouse last night?"
Aksel looked alarmed. "Oh no, Cinder, you didn't really steal, did you?"
*No!* She snarled a bit in frustration before catching herself, and snorting out a plume of smoke. *I was hungry, so I left the stables to find food. I did land near the smoky fish-cave – but it was only to smell the very good smell, I wasn't going to steal the fish, really!*
Hiccup decided to let it slide. "And then?" he prompted.
*I was going to fly out to sea and catch some fish, but then I heard something scratching and tearing, inside the fish cave. I thought maybe there was a dragon in there, stealing food, so I tried to pull the door open. I…sort of broke it* she admitted with a sheepish whine. Well, that explained the broken door.
*I looked down and there was a human there, a male. I didn't do anything, he just stared at me and I stared at him, and then he fainted! I could smell blood and I tried to help him, but then there were more humans running at me, with sharp blades, so I panicked and flew away. I fell asleep on a sea stack, that's why I came back late*.
"These other humans, did you see where they went?" Hiccup asked urgently. Cinder shook her head.
*But now we know it was humans in the storehouse last night* Toothless said triumphantly.
"And why the blood from Nikolas' wound was right in front of the door. So he must be in on this, if he lied."
"Probably didn't want to admit he'd fainted, the coward. I bet that Isak put him up to this" Aksel declared suspiciously, "he obviously has it out for dragons, the jerk. What's his problem?"
"Not everyone likes dragons" Hiccup reminded him, "and not everyone wants to give them a chance either. Still, sabotage? That's going a bit far." Hiccup turned to Ormar and asked, "Ragnar isn't bothered by the protests, is he? He doesn't seem that unreasonable."
"No, this sabotage is more desperate than I'd have thought. As your friend says, it would not surprise me if Isak is behind this, in some way. The man has always tended to act first and ask questions later."
"I know the type."
"I don't know him well" Ormar mused, "but I do know that he and his brother, Hafni, were in the army that fought your people at Adulfr's command. Their ship was attacked and sunk. Isak survived, but his brother did not. The thought of living alongside the creatures that killed Hafni must tear at him inside."
*Are we supposed to feel sorry for him?* Toothless asked incredulously, even as he moved to comfort his other half, sensing a mix of dark emotions rising in him. *We were fighting, our pack was defending our home. Your pack chose to come and challenge ours, it's not our fault – it's not Hiccup's fault if our enemies are killed!*
"He's not saying it is" Hiccup defended, "He's just saying that's probably why Isak is being so hostile." He sighed and leaned against Toothless, running a hand over his face. "We shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't be trying to make this place like Berk; even we took a while to get used to life with dragons, and I can't expect things to change overnight. I…was just trying to help, and instead, I'm making things worse" he said, self-deprecating.
*Stop saying that. You've done nothing wrong*.
"Toothless is right. Come on, boss, you meant well. If these guys don't want to live with dragons, that's one thing, but they're breaking rules just to get their own way. That's not your fault, it's theirs" Aksel insisted. Hiccup smiled gratefully at him. "Besides, now we know it isn't the dragons who stole the food, so we can clear their names" he added.
"Not really. All we have to go on is dry rope, a misplaced bloodstain, and Cinder's word. Don't get me wrong, Cinder, I believe you" Hiccup reassured her, "but the other humans won't, even if I could let all of them hear thought-speak. Which I can't. No, we need some proof."
Aksel looked at him expectantly. "Do you have a plan?"
Hiccup's brow furrowed in thought. After a moment he declared, "I think so. First I want to follow up on a few hunches. Toothless and I are going back to the storehouse; Ormar, if you don't mind coming with us…"
"Not at all" the man agreed. Hiccup turned to Aksel and instructed, "Go find the others, tell them what we know, and that I'll tell you all the plan at lunchtime." Aksel nodded and climbed into the saddle; he and Cinder took off, leaving Toothless, Hiccup and Ormar to make their way to the storehouse.
They were escorted to the storehouse by two of Ragnar's warriors, 'for their own protection'. The gesture was not unappreciated, but the presence of the chief's second in command and two burly spear wielders did not do much to discourage the hostile stares and not-so-subtle whispers as they passed by.
"Sorry about the walk" Hiccup said awkwardly, "If Toothless hadn't strained his wing in the crash-landing, he'd just fly us there."
"I've walked these streets all my life, it doesn't trouble me" Ormar reminded him, "and it isn't all that far."
"Heh. Once you have a dragon, walking any distance seems too far. Or maybe I've just gotten lazy."
*You've definitely gotten lazy* Toothless teased him.
*And who's fault is that?* Hiccup retorted.
Ormar did a slight double-take, hearing the other man speak without his mouth moving. This gift he had, to hear the thoughts of dragons and allow others to do the same, was incredible. Ormar was intensely curious about what or whom had given him this gift.
When they arrived at the storehouse, Eret and Sky Fire flew down to meet them. "Hey, boss. Any progress?"
"Yeah, we'll talk inside" said Hiccup, nodding towards the storehouse, the broken door of which had been removed. He made to walk inside, but a sword blocked his way, startling him. Nikolas was holding the hilt of the sword and scowling at them. "No dragons!" the old man snapped. "I don't care who you are, make those beasts stay out of my storehouse or you're not coming in!"
"Okay, okay" Hiccup held his hands up placatingly, "They'll stay out here, just so long as you don't keep pointing a sword at them." Nikolas glared at him, then sheathed the weapon and grunted a moody affirmative. Hiccup looked over his shoulder at the dragons and ordered, "Toothless, Sky Fire, wait here."
As their riders disappeared inside the storehouse, the dragons moved to wait out of the way. Nikolas didn't brandish the blade at them again, but he did squint suspiciously at them. They ignored him. *Alpha-Toothless, one of the scents I picked up outside this wood-cave was Cinder* Sky Fire revealed.
*It's okay, we know she was down here last night* replied Toothless. He told the Spike-Tail everything they had found out, from Cinder's tale to the probable reason the human's ringleader was so against dragons.
Inside the storehouse, Hiccup was filling Eret in. "We've been doing a bit of investigating ourselves" Eret explained, "Sky Fire caught a human scent and we followed it to the docks, but he lost it after that. We flew out to have a look around, but I couldn't see anything. Then again, the tide's in."
"How do you know it was a human scent?"
"Well, because I asked him if it was a human scent, and he nodded. Besides, it couldn't have been a dragon. I mean, what kind of dragon steals food from right under human noses and then walks away?"
"Good point" Hiccup nodded, moving over to the wall, in particular a set of 'claw' marks. "Toothless said that these scratches smelled a bit of metal. I wonder…" He pulled the small dagger from its sheath on his arm and set the point to the wood.
He scored a line down the surface alongside the claw marks, that barely looked different to the others. Then he dragged the blade through a piece of rope, shredding it so that it looked just like the 'chewed' pieces.
"Fake scratch and bite marks" Eret remarked, grinning, "You're a genius."
"I just had a hunch" Hiccup shrugged, though he was pleased it had proved fruitful. That would have been embarrassing, if his idea had failed.
"So, you have a plan, I take it?"
"Yes."
"…You gonna let me in on it, or what?"
"Yeah. At lunchtime, with everyone else. Ormar, can you tell the chief what we've learned? Show him the scratch – no, knife marks, if you need to" Hiccup advised the man.
"Yes. I'll do it now. He's probably wondering where in Midgard I've gone off to" Ormar commented, before adding, "Oh, but if you could join us at the Althing-House as soon as you can…I'll have the guards show you and your dragon the way." With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the storehouse.
When he was gone, Eret lowered his voice and asked, "Boss, are you sure it was a good idea, telling him about…you know, that?"
"What have I told him? Nothing, really. Only that I can, y'know, h-e-a-r dragons. I haven't told him how it's possible. Besides, Toothless made it quite clear what would happen if he did betray us. If something goes wrong, we can handle it, Eret. Trust me."
"I do trust you. I just don't know if I trust him."
"Well, if he does turn on us, you have my full permission to say 'I told you so', alright?"
"Deal. So, now what? You do realise Nikolas is gonna be livid if he finds out we're damaging his precious storehouse even more, right?" Eret inquired.
"Yes, I am aware of that."
"Oh, that's good" Eret said sarcastically, "So…"
Hiccup was about to reply, when they heard a knock. They looked over to see Mik standing in the doorway. "Hi, Hiccup. I heard you were here, so, um…d'you wanna come berry picking? There's loads this year, and in summer it's like, the one thing you've gotta do. Except swim in the lagoon, of course, but what can top that?"
"That's a really nice offer" Hiccup began. Eret cleared his throat pointedly. "….but I can't. Sorry. I have to go meet the chief – your father, at the Althing-House."
Mik's face fell, disappointed. "Oh…that's fine…"
Impulsively, Hiccup added, "Eret'll go with you, though."
"You what?"
"Not me, you. Come on, Eret. You could take Mik for a ride on Sky Fire."
"Yeah, and then the rest of that rabble he hangs out with will want a turn as well."
"So get Aksel and the others to help. It'll give you something to do until lunch" Hiccup shrugged, walking towards the doorway. Eret followed him, frowning. Outside, Hiccup beckoned to Toothless, who climbed to his feet and stretched before padding to his rider's side.
"Sir, we have orders from Ormar to escort you to"-
"The Althing-House, yes, I know. We're coming" Hiccup nodded. "Eret, keep everyone out of trouble. Or try to. Mik, sorry about bailing on you like this. Believe me, I'd much rather go with you than to the Althing. I don't suppose it can wait until after lunch?"
"Oh, sure. No problem. I mean, the berry bushes aren't gonna grow legs and wander off!" Mik laughed.
Hiccup smiled, and nodded to Eret. "See you at lunch. Have fun."
"I can't believe you're leaving me to babysit" Eret groused. Mik glared at him indignantly.
"Oi! Who are you calling a baby?"
Hiccup and Toothless left them to bicker and followed the guards to the Althing-House.
Much later, after he'd convinced Ragnar and the other chieftains that the storehouse theft was no fault of dragons, and somewhat reluctantly suggested placing barrels of Icelandic eel outside the restocked and remaining storehouses to ward off actual dragons (if only to appease the likes of Darius, who stubbornly insisted that dragons could still raid), Hiccup felt drained.
At lunch everyone was waiting to hear his plan, but Hiccup was starving and finished his meal before he started explaining. All day a little of his strength had gone to dulling the pain in Toothless' wing and healing it; they needed it to be healed by the evening for the plan to succeed, or else they would have to leave it in the hands – and talons – of their friends.
At last he called for attention, and all eyes turned to him. "So here's the plan. We get in the air tonight and watch the storehouses from above. If anyone sees the culprits break in and steal, don't engage them, just follow. They'll lead us right to wherever they've hidden the rest of the stolen food, and then we'll ambush them. Any questions?"
"What if they don't try to steal anything tonight?"
"Then we try again tomorrow. Chief, obviously my allies and I can't stay here much longer" said Hiccup, turning to Ragnar, "but if you set men to guard the storehouses, sooner or later the real culprits will slip up…just as a suggestion, of course."
"Of course. We will catch these treasonous thieves red handed!" Ragnar declared, thumping his fist on the table.
"I've got a question" said Eret, "How are you and Toothless gonna do the stakeout? His wing's bust."
"It's just a pulled muscle. He'll be fine by this evening, at the latest; and if he isn't, then I'll have to leave the matter in your hands, Odin forbid."
"Nice to know you care" Eret snarked right back.
The plan was simple, but it would be effective – of course, it all hinged on another theft taking place. There wasn't much they could do about that, though. It was the best they could do for now, so everyone agreed, and if they came up with something else then all the better.
"What did you find out?"
"They're planning an ambush, to watch the storehouses from their dragons in the sky and follow us."
"And if we do nothing?"
"Then they'll try again tomorrow night. He's convinced the chief to set guards to catch the thieves, hoping we'll slip up sooner or later."
"We should stop this. There's no sense going to so much bother when nothing will come of it."
"I'll decide when we stop. The Dragon Whisperer, is he part of this ambush plan?"
"It were his idea. He said the Night Fury's wing should be healed by tonight."
"Then we need to prepare. Gather the nets, the darts and chains. Let them do their little stakeout, they'll find nothing…but an ambush of our own."
"What about the other thing? About the Dragon Whisperer understanding dragons?"
"Never mind that. He was either lying, or exaggerating. Either way, I don't care. I'm not interested…but I can think of people who would be."