Early the next morning, Molly woke up and went to wake Astrid to come out of her room to help her tend to Elijah and JennyNora, but before she could even push open the door to her oldest daughter's room she heard the soft moaning coming from the Deadly Nadder. Molly barged in the room and saw Astrid's dragon, Stormfly, staring at the empty bed with a knife stuck in the middle. Molly gasped from shock. She stumbled toward the bed and yanked out the knife. She looked at it and couldn't decipher why it was in Astrid's bed. She went to back to her bedroom and roused her husband, Achelous. When he came to, she gave him the knife to examine it and told him what she knew. He got up on his feet with the knife in his right hand. He examined the knife and felt that it was meant to be used a warning to the village, but he didn't know what the warning could be. He had an inkling of who left the knife, but he was unsure. Yet He was sure that whoever left the knife took his daughter as hostage. He looked into his wife's eyes.

"Molly, I'm not sure who did this. Perhaps if we showed this to the chief he might have some clue as to what could have happened to Astrid."

"But what could have happened to her?"

"All I know is that someone took her as hostage and using her to get someone in the village to come to them."

"Well, what are we waiting for? We need to show this to Stoick."

"I'll go to Stoick, Molly. You stay here with Elijah and JennyNora."

"I just hope that Astrid will be brought back to us safe and sound."

"I do too, Molly. I do too."

"Good luck explaining things to the chief."

"I will. I shouldn't be long though."

"I'll be here at home."

"Right then. I should be going now."

Achelous kissed Molly on the lips and then left the room.

Moments later, Achelous arrived at the chief's house on the hill. He held the knife in his left hand while he pounded on the door with his right. After a few knocks, Stoick opened the door.

"Yes? Can I help you, Achelous?"

"I have a grave problem."

"Come in."

Achelous came in the house and Stoick closed the door after him.

"So, what's the problem?"

Achelous showed Stoick the knife. Stoick raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"What? The knife?"

Achelous shoved the knife in Stoick's face.

"But look at it! It doesn't look like something we would make."

Stoick grabbed the knife from his face and looked at it more closely. The blade's was made out much cruder metal and the handle was wrapped in simple leather and then what really gave Stoick a huge clue to who left behind the knife which was the crest on the butt of the handle. He looked grimly at Achelous.

"I think I know who left behind the knife."

"Who?"

"The Outcasts."

Achelous looked simply enraged when he heard that name.

"Those good for nothing…When I get my hands on them I'll…I'll…."

But Achelous could not finish his thought as Stoick placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong, Achelous? Where did you find this knife?"

"My wife, Molly, found it stuck in Astrid's bed."

Stoick knitted his eyebrows in immense displeasure.

"Why would the outcasts take Astrid? Unless…."

"Unless what?"

"They must be thinking of luring Hiccup to them since he has great knowledge on dragons and they're using Astrid to lure Hiccup to the Outcasts."

"Since your son and my daughter are such close friends?"

"Something like that. I do know that they are close and I'm sure that if one of them was in danger the other one would do what can to their friend."

"What do you suggest we do, Stoick?"

"I'll wake up Hiccup and hope he'll have a plan so we won't have to deal with the Outcasts anymore. Achelous, go back to your house. Once I know what we're going to do, I'll let you know."

"But Stoick…!"

"Achelous, I know you're scared of what could happen to Astrid, but we need time to think of a counter attack."

"I guess so…."

"Achelous, have faith that we will get Astrid back."

"Okay…."

"Now, go back to your family. They'll need you at this critical time."

"You're right, Stoick. I will. But you better find a way to bring back my daughter."

"I will. I won't let anybody be left behind, especially in the clutches of the Outcasts."

"Okay."

Achelous then left the house and went back to his home with some hope in his heart that Astrid would be returned to him and his family in one piece. He considered the possibility that he should put his faith into Stoick's son Hiccup especially since he has been making a name for himself after redeeming himself once he defeated the Green Death.

Meanwhile, Stoick looked at the knife one last time and knew that it belonged to the Outcasts. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew that Astrid was in trouble. But what really troubled Stoick was how Hiccup would take the news. He knew that his son would not take such lightly about the Outcast especially when it concerned one of his closest friends. If Stoick knew one thing about his son it's that he was protective of Toothless and Astrid. Hiccup certainly was protective of all of his friends at some extent, but he was particularly protective of Toothless and Astrid. Stoick felt that Hiccup had an inner calling to keep those closest to his heart safe from any real danger. Stoick made his way up to Hiccup's room in hopes that he wouldn't act like Dagur the Deranged once he shared the news of how the Outcasts kidnapped Astrid. He could only hope and pray that Thor lent him strength to be able to control his son and help him stay calm.

To Be Continued…