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"I can't believe we're doing this."
"Vessa…."
"No, I can believe we're doing this."
"Look I'd do it myself-"
"If you weren't up the duff by Mr. Lunatic."
"That was uncalled for."
"You're sending one of your only riders with the liar to get back parents you're not even sure exist over information that may or may not be useful to you."
"Well when you out it that way, just, Vessa I'm not even sending you."
"Yeah, you're sending Fishlegs, Fishlegs. I mean, this kid can't handle it."
"It's too much of a risk for you; I'm not putting you in that kind of danger."
"I can handle danger; that was my job."
"Prostitutes have a very diverse job description."
"You have no idea. But seriously, send me, I know how to handle stupid men, hell dress me up like Heather, I doubt they'd be able to tell the difference."
"They're not that stupid, your face is shaped differently, not to mention the color of your skin."
"I don't know, I have a feeling you could take a young girl from anywhere around here, color her hair with soot and that'd be enough."
"Give some credit."
"I don't think I will."
"Look this is only going to happen if and only if Dagur feels her information is useful. Nothing is ironclad until then."
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"Their plan is to take Hiccup and your baby for themselves and use them to conquer both the Berserkers and the Hooligans using their bloodlines, epically if the baby is a boy. They planned to force you into a partnership and kill you so they can take Hiccup and force her to train dragons in exchange for her child's safety. They're just preparing and biding time until the baby is born. Alvin also, he wants, he wants to make Hiccup his woman and have her bear him a son which will serve as the heir to Berk, as an ultimate insult to Stoick the Vast. They want dragons to enforce their will and even damage the other islands by letting loose angry wild dragons. They want to break you. Once they're done with you Alvin planned to take your sister as a trophy and use her to control Hysteria." Heather heard a loud crack and flinched. Underneath his hand, the wood armrest was breaking under the strain of his hand. Dagur had never been so infuriated, no man alive or dead had ever had the utter gall to target those closest to Dagur. Really there were only two, technically three people he cared about in this world and Alvin was threating the wellbeing of all of them. Although he was angry, Heather saw no aggression being directed towards her she continued a little more meekly now.
"The book needs to be retrieved. They'll learn a little but not much. Eventually they're going to realize the only one who really known about dragon is Hiccup. They'll come after her before the baby is born if it comes to that point. They're willing to wait for the baby but not enough that they're going to let your forces increase. They've even been scouting the shores to see what Hiccup's patterns are in preparation for an eventual abduction. Dragons or not, Alvin sounds like he's been interested in her for quite some time." Dagur was taking several deep breaths; Hiccups' hand covered his right one on its armrest. Hiccup looked very pale, this news was unsettling. Vessa had to intervene and lead Hiccup away so she could sit down and catch her breath. Heather watched d as Hiccup sat in the corner breathing in and out with her arms wrapped over her belly. What Alvin wanted to do, it wasn't a fate Heather would wish on anyone.
"Now please, I want to get my parents out of there."
"We will." Dagur said strongly.
"But I need some time to think this over."
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The minute they were alone Dagur immediately made a grab for her, pulling her up against his body, burying his nose into her hair. This was different form the anger he displayed before. This was fear. This fear was for her, their child, even Brenna, all focused on Hiccup. She wrapped her arms around him too, this was scary. It was one thing for your home to be threatened, but quite another be threatened so personally. Alvin wanted her, just her and all that came with her. He wanted Dagur dead, he wanted to separate them. Hiccup reached her hand to the nape of his neck, touching the strands erupting from is plait. Hiccup feared for Dagur as well. Dagur was a young, up and coming chief, full of youthful strength and ignorance. Alvin was experienced in his craft, and he would be able to hold his own against Dagur. Until now, Dagur had seemed like some unstoppable force that couldn't be put down. But a personal target of him and those he loved made a threat very real.
"He won't hurt you, I won't let him." He growled, rocking her in his arms. Her own arms came up, wrapping firmly behind his neck and using it as leverage to pull herself to face-level.
"He won't hurt you either, I won't let him." Hiccup whispered into his ear. Dagur pulled back enough to examine her expression, and then a smile crept over his mouth and let out a dry guffaw. He kissed her brow and hugged her again.
"Hel hath no fury." He muttered.
X
"So, um, Vessa." The roman's eyes snapped to Heather.
"Don't talk to me." She said simply, flicking her head in dismissal.
"It's going to be a very long trip if we're both quiet."
"Yes, and I prefer silence to a child's pathetic lies."
"Can you really blame me for lying?"
"No, but the endangering of my mistress isn't something I easily forgive, no matter the reason."
"You're pretty loyal for a thrall."
"Very few masters treat their thralls well."
"But you're still a thrall, what did she do to inspire your level of loyalty."
"Why?"
"It's a long ride, and I'm curious I guess."
"Because she's the first person to treat me like human being."
"Not even your parents."
"I was sold to a brothel when I was old enough to walk and my master realized I would be pretty and sold me off."
"Did your parents…"
"I would assume my master and father were one and the same, and I was told by one of the older whores who taught me, they heard my mother brought the idea up in the first place in return for gold that could lead to her own freedom."
"You were a…"
"I was raised to be as a whore, I was a whore."
"How did a Roman come this far north?"
"There was a captain who was fond of me, a younger commander but he was kind to me, despite buying my body. He had a mission to scout this area, and had the misfortune to run into the Berserkers. I'm sure you can figure it out from there."
"The Berserkers are fierce warriors."
"But still human, just as capable of laughing and loving as anyone else. I remember seeing Hiccup for the first time very clearly."
Vessa helped set things up for the meal later that evening, her and the other serving girls, a nice substitution word for whore who didn't get paid. The lot of them were thralls, slaves captured in wars, Vessa was the only one not of Viking descent. Some of men thought she was prettiest; others thought she was too scrawny, tastes Vessa supposed, but there was no disputing that she was the only one trained in this profession. Vessa went outside to fetch one of the jars of preserves with other girl when she saw a small procession coming up the path. There warning long was the Chief and his mad son, but here was a face Vessa didn't recognize. She was a mousy little thing, short and thin, hair that was more brown than red and a stubby nose with a face smattered in freckles. She wasn't very pretty but she was hardly ugly either. But the girl was well dressed, in bear furs and finely dyed wool. Vessa turned to the other girl with her.
"Who's that?"
"You haven't heard? Chief's son just got married, that's his new wife, heard she's the daughter of the Hooligan chief."
"Poor thing looks terrified."
"Wouldn't you, being married to him?"
"Yeah, I would."
The weeks passed and the girl did how to have a strange habit of getting into trouble. She was hardly as meek as she appeared when she first came to the island. The girl seemed determined to make something of herself and didn't turn out to be early as sheltered as she first seemed. But when with Dagur she withdrew from the world, Vessa saw it in her timid countenance with the boy. But there was an angle she could work here. Vessa was known for her skills in the bedroom and this girl seemed to need those skills dearly. Initially the young wife had been wary of her but soon the professional relationship become more than professional. They became friends. Hiccup kept her word and made her a handmaid but protected her, something she never had to do. Hiccup was something indeed, she was someone Vessa could laugh with like a girl for once in her life. Was this normalcy? Because she was staring to like it.
"She is something."
"Yeah."
"She's lucky to have so many people looking out for her. I know you won't believe me, but I want her to be oaky. She was nice to me, a stranger. She should be happy."
"She will be."
"You don't know that."
"But I can hope."
X
It wasn't too long before Heather and Vessa made their approach to Outcast Island. Vessa had convinced Heather to go in with their plan of making Vessa appear as a prisoner. Heather agreed and stared to their the Romans wrists together only to get scolded an told she had no idea how to tie a knot, leading to an awkward lesson on how to accomplish such a thing without a proper demonstration. Heather had to admit being harped at by the Roman really wasn't her cup of tea. When they approached Heather immediately put on her acting face. Vessa, she found didn't very act very hard, seeing as angry-captive was similar to angry-handmaid-forced-to-help-her. When they got to the shows they were great with a mix of confusion and elation by the Outcasts.
"Well, well, found the book and a prisoner dear."
"The Roman saw me taking the book, he would have told Hiccup." Heather shrugged. Alvin touched the girl's jaw.
"Hiccup's Roman slave."
"Yeah, her name is Vessa." Vessa said nothing, playing her part well, glancing around as if she were confused.
"Ca she understand us?"
"No, Hiccup says she only speaks Latin and a little Norse."
"How is that?"
"Hiccup speaks Latin, and Germanic, a little Gaelic and French. She's good with languages." Though she doubted Alvin would ever know how good she really was. Alvin stared at by Vessa suspiciously, obviously trying to recall if he observe anything that contradicted Heather, but coming up with nothing he imply hel out his hand to Heather.
"The book, now."
"My parents, first." Heather retorted.
"It seems you learned a bit from the mouthy whore."
"I don't get it; if she's such a whore than why do you want her as your woman?" Heather sneered. Vessa kicked her ankle as a warning.
"Not that it's any concern of years, but it's the principal of the thing. She's got her blood and it's all I need. This little whore is far prettier anyway, wonder how much Hiccup values yer life?" He grabbed Vessa's chin who spit in his eye.
"Though ye said she don't know Norse."
"I think she could guess what you were saying."
"Never mind the Roman, let's go see your mummy and daddy shall we." Heather nodded. Vessa kept step with her, playing her part of an ignorant foreign thrall well. Vessa watched as they were led to the dragon training arena where, as she said, were Heather's parents. Vessa nudged Heather lightly turning her gaze to the caged dragons. Yes the plan would work out very nicely. First Heather hesitantly walked to the center of the arena, Vessa stood the side, watching, and waiting. Heather's hesitance vanished quickly as she dashed to her mother and father, running to their embrace. Vessa felt her heart thud in sympathy, watching Heather act as the child she was, finding comfort in the arms of her parents. Vessa turned her gaze on Alvin and his men, trying to work the magic Hiccup knew so well upon the dragon.
It didn't take them long to realize that the book alone wouldn't be enough.
X
Dagur stood at the harbor, ready to onboard the fastest ship in his fleet, readying to receive the soon to be fugitives of the Outcasts. A few men stood by, readying the ship. It would be a swift trip and fairly easy operation, Hiccup was the only one seeing her spouse off, it was merely a gesture of comfort. Dagur sighed once, eyeing Hiccup before he got ready to leave. Dagur kissed her mouth briefly; Hiccup hugged him before they separated. Dagur patted her belly with the back of his hand before giving her a cocky smirk. He got on the ship. All Hiccup could do was smile and wave as he departed.
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Vessa could have laughed if watching them attempt to train a Nadder f there weren't such a risk to her often safety. Heather had not been allowed to leave until Alvin was satisfied with the book, which Vessa expected but Heather didn't. Vessa knew plenty of men like Alvin over the years, he was a man who was reluctant to relinquish his toys. Vessa watched as the Nadder strikes at one of the men. Alvin wasn't happy the results, he pulled faces and grunted at every failure. It was then he remembered Vessa.
"Oi, Heather, bring the roman over 'ere." Heather looked between them before nodding to going to Vessa. Heather made a show of pulling Vessa to the Nadder. Vessa looked at the beast, it was red different from her Cassia. But it was a nadder, as vain and preening as any Nadder and she knew how to appeal to them. She held out her hands, imitating Hiccup in her calm demeanor. The nadder was unruly, making a show of spitting and growling but Vessa did not falter, she made hushing sounds. Slowly the nadder cocked it head at her, noticing she was different form the other humans. Slowly the dragon came closer, sniffing her like a dog but Vessa didn't flinch once, even when the dragon snapped its jaws. But slowly the nadder came in and touched its nose to her hand. Once everyone was watching, she caught the nadder's gaze, she simply jerked her head in the direction of the men, it eyed them before screeching, Just as expected the man drew their weapon and the nadder went after them with flying tail spikes. Vessa whistled the Nadder looked at her. Vessa grabbed onto the spike and hoisted herself on the dragon's back, only pausing to reach out her hand to Heather.
"You coming?" Heather barely blinked before grabbing Vessa's hand and hoisting herself on the dragon as well. Vessa had the Nadder take flight, only swooping low enough to pick up the Heather's parent in its talons before swooping away over the bay. Vessa steered the dragon far from the island until she saw a familiar flag.
"Took you long enough."
"I don't think you're capable of any form of patience."
"Maybe, you're just slow." Vessa urged the dragon to touch down. It did, cheerfully. Heather and her family were realized.
X
When they got back to the Talon, Heather had to fight n urge to run up and hug Hiccup, thanking her for everything. It would be welcome, Hiccup may have helped her, but she was still angry. Heather knew that. But she showed her gratitude by kneeling before them, thanking them profusely. It was an odd comfort to see Hiccup uncomfortable with a sign of respect like that, that she was still a humble young girl. Heather noticed they were already setting up a ship from them to leave in, making sure their chief made it back safely before Heather would have her own departure. It hurt to know the tribe was eager to be rid of her but she could hardly blame them for it. She had cause trouble to their beloved Hiccup. The fact she was leaving with the head attach was nothing sort of a shock by the people, but Dagur had made a deal and he was going to keep it. Something he might not have done if Hiccup wasn't always one step behind. Her parents were quick to board the second ship, no intention of being around the feared Berserkers any longer than necessary. Heather though had to make her gratitude known.
"Thank you, for everything."
"Let us know next time there's a problem." Heather nodded shamefaced and returned to the boat where her parents were waiting.
"And heather?"
"Yeah?"
"It was nice to meet you." Heather smiled and nodded. She got on the boat and went to her family an only looked back once as they sailed away. Hiccup was watching her, to make sure she departed safely, her soft smile making Heather feel some measure of redemption. Dagur tapped her shoulder, kissing her on the mouth before the pair departed from the harbor. Heather smiled, Hiccup deserved to be happy and she hoped Dagur and the baby would make sure that continued. But a sense of dread washed over her as well. So she bent her head and muttered a prayer to Frig, a prayer to keep that imperfectly perfect family safe, for them to flourish in whatever hardships awaited them.
She owed them that much.
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Princess: Ugh, this had taken so long, so sorry. I have had so much writer's block with this. I wanted to smack my head into the wall. A bit of Vessa back story and utter writing adaption fail. I swear I started writing this many months ago and it simply didn't want to be written. The next chapter will be better.
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Reviews:
Pony1997: Sorry, life can be hard.
REBD: She really was, if Dagur had his way, this might have ended very differently.
Aipom4: Indeed
Anie6142: Now we know.
Black-Fire fox: I really appreciate it, here's a new chapter for you.
Wikisorcerer: Trust me friend, I have plans for that, I have plans.
Faegirl123: It was unintentional but notable. And we'll be seeing her later.