We arrived at Outcast Island once again. It looked gloomy against the dark sky. Alvin stood on the pier next to the ship that would take us to Berk.
"Well, now, look who's here," he said.
"Let's spare the pleasantries. The fact is, I can't do this forever."
"You're right, boy, you can't. That's why we're going to strike hard and fast. I have a proposal for you, Hiccup. If we do this plan, the people of Berk won't be able to hunt dragons for months!"
"Alright, let say we accept this proposal. What's the plan?"
Alvin laughed roughly. "I mean the armory of Berk!" he said. "Take away their weapons, and they can't fight dragons, now, can they?"
"You'll leave them defenseless!"
"Not completely. Just whatever is in their armory. They'll still have the weapons from their homes."
I thought about it. Something didn't seem right. But… Alvin had a point. If we left the villagers of Berk with only a few weapons, they wouldn't be able to hunt the dragon's nest for months. Not until Gobber had made more. And maybe by then, I could convince them…
Alvin placed his huge hand on my shoulder, leading me, still riding on Toothless, onto the ship as his men got ready to shove off. "This attack is a change of plans from the others," he said. "Your dragon will provide you with cover fire, see? You'll sneak in and take out the viking guarding the armory."
"Whoa, whoa, hold up," I said. "I can't take out a guard! And I don't want to hurt anyone, remember?"
"Don't worry about it. You'll take out the guard with this." Alvin lifted a large battle hammer up off the ship's deck. "And you won't kill him, just knock him out for a few minutes. A little runt like you wouldn't be able to kill him, anyway."
"Why this elaborate set up?" I asked. "Why so complicated? Why don't I just blaze in on Toothless and take the place out?"
"We'll keep yer dragon to cover you from behind," Alvin explained. "Hopefully, they won't even see him. And you'll wear a helmet that covers your face. If anyone sees you, they won't even know who you are."
"Why the secrecy?"
"I want to make them angry at me, not you," Alvin said. "Then, when they restock their armory, they'll attack Outcast Island instead of looking for your dragon nest. I'll have the even battlefield you insist I have, and they'll leave the dragons alone. We both win."
I thought about it. It didn't add up, but… I had to do this. It would stop these attacks for several months. I had to do this one more time.
"Alright. I'll- I'll do it. If I can."
"Remember, block out the feelings. You're doing this for the dragons. Don't let the feelings get in your way. You're helping everyone."
"Yeah," I said, with an empty feeling inside my stomach. "I'm… helping."