The ship slowly sliced through the waves. Roughly pitching and heaving on the waves as they sailed. The occasional wave would break on the hull, showering the people on deck with ice-cold seawater. Wooden beams and locks softly creaked as the wind pulled on them, swaying the damaged vessel from port to starboard.
They stood on the bow of the ship, gently looking out over the waves. The almost endless expanse of sea extending towards the horizon, before clashing against the sharp cliffs of an island. The island was large, sharp rocks rising from the rugged sea. There were frozen peaks on top, snow covering each surface it could stick on.
Ragnar looked at the island calmly, Heather standing next to him. Above them flew the rest of the dragon riders, along with Bolt, who kept looking down to make sure his rider was fine. Shimmer would occasionally pop out somewhere around the ship, but as they got closer to the island she decided to stay more under the surface.
There was a tension in the air, a tension he hadn't felt in a long time. It was a strange mixture between curiosity, fear and anger. A mixture that only forebode one thing, trouble. What they were doing was dangerous and reckless. It was on the fine line between bravery and foolishness, so much that it might even work.
Heather knew it too, he felt it. It radiated off her like heat. And it was evident in the way she held his hand tight with hers. She was nervous, which wasn't at all surprising. The plan they had was dangerous and almost suicidal. If something went wrong then they'd be in big trouble.
Heather looked at him, his eyes were squinted just the tiniest bit, peering out to the horizon. His breathing was calm and even, his warm breath forming clouds thanks to the cold temperature outside.
He turned his head, looking at her. His lips forming a nervous but soft smile. "How are you doing?" He asked calmly. Scanning her face for signs of distress or hesitation.
"I'm alright." Heather said calmly. "A bit nervous," She admitted honestly. "but alright nonetheless."
"The nerves are heathy." Ragnar said with a weak smile. "They keep you on edge."
"I guess so." Heather said, looking out across the sea. The island growing ever larger on the horizon.
They were silent, standing on the bow, the ship calmly heaving and pitching on the waves. They only heard the splashing of water as waves broken on the hull, raining down on the deck behind them. They heard the soft muttering of crew, who were also very nervous. Betraying their employer wasn't something they did often. And most were nervous about having to lie to Drago.
"I, erm, I have something for you." Ragnar said as he fumbled with something around his neck. Heather looked surprised as he lifted his necklace over his head, his mother's necklace. He presented the pendant, slowly swaying from the chain as the ship rolled on the waves.
Heather looked at the swaying pendant, before looking back at Ragnar, his look determined. "But, this is yours." She said as she kept switching between the swaying pendant and Ragnar's face. "It's your mother's."
"It was hers." He corrected her. "And it used to be mine." He continued as he reached around her and locked it behind her neck, gently laying it down on her shoulders and neck. "And now it's yours."
"I, I don't know what to say." Heather said as she lifted the pendant, looking at the decorated item that now hung loosely from her neck. She looked at Ragnar, noticing that he had his eyes on the pendant. "Are you sure?"
"I'm completely sure." He said as he looked at her, a warm and confident smile on his lips. "It belonged to the most important women in my life." He began. "And now it belongs to her again."
She looked him in the eyes, they were the same as always when he looked at her. This soft and gentle look, like she was the most beautiful creature on all of Midgard. She slowly leaned in towards him.
Their lips met gently, touching with a carefulness they had never before. They both closed their eyes, calmly relaxing in each other's embrace. It wasn't a passionate or heated kiss. It wasn't a battle for dominance or a proof of their love to each other.
It was a reminder, a reminder to both of them. It was their best way of telling each other watch their backs out there. It was a warning, a warning of what they'd lose if one of them was lost during the upcoming actions.
It served as a promise. A promise that whatever they currently had would stand the test of time, and would continue to blossom long after this was all behind them.
Heather sighed against the kiss, a sad tone. Although this moment of intimacy had soothed some of her nerves, it gave birth to a lot of new ones. She had been scared that they were both going to get hurt, or worse. But now she feared a single thing: That one of them was going to get hurt. And that the other would have to continue on.
She tried to push the thought away, burying it underneath the soft fluttering she felt during that moment. Calmly standing there on the bow of a trapper's ship, resting and relaxing in the embrace of her loved one. It was perfect.
Their kiss was suddenly interrupted, like a knife striking a beating heart, ceasing its action instantly. They both looked up, calm and rested. But also madly annoyed.
"My sincere apologies." Eret said as he stood behind them. One hand resting on his blade. "But it's time."
They could how their friends were prepared for the infiltration, Ragnar stripped of his weapons and their hands tied securely. They were guided below deck, underneath the large iron hatch that served to lock dragons inside the ship. He looked at Bolt, the Skrill besides him getting restless, peering down often to see if his rider was surfacing from the deck again.
"Don't worry Bolt." Hiccup addressed the dragon. "He'll be fine." He said as he looked down. "They'll be fine."
He felt a soft change in the breeze besides him, and turned to his other side, noticing that Astrid had just caught up with him from further down the pack. "What do we do?" She asked over the sound of the wind.
Hiccup looked at the large rocky island in front of them, searching for a suitable place to land and begin their own infiltration. There was a small piece of snow on the left side of the island, large enough that it could mean that there was a way further into the island.
Eret had given him a quick and basic explanation of the Templar base of operations. The island they had decided to shelter in was basically one big natural bridge. A rind of rocks surrounded the open centre, where they had constructed a large floating harbour of stationary and mobile ships. In the centre, chained to Drago's flagship, they held another Bewilderbeast. One that was controlled by Drago.
"We land there!" Hiccup answered as he pointed at the snow covered location on the cliff side. "Seems like a good place to head further inward."
"Alright!" Astrid said as she signalled Stoick behind her to follow. Usually the chief wouldn't take orders from anyone, but he decided to make an exception this time. Stoick was sitting tensely in his saddle, a sturdy grip on the handlebars of the saddle.
He was in conflict with himself, on one hand he wanted his son and his friend to finish their task. To end the 'Templar' problem in the archipelago and to let them handle the work. On the other hand he felt a bloodlust he hadn't felt since his wife had been taken from him by the dragons. Drago was the second thing to separate him from his wife, and he wouldn't lose her again.
His fingers ached at the thought of it. Longing for the strong handle of an axe or sword in his hand. He knew that Hiccup and Ragnar could sometimes spare people if they felt like it was just, but he wouldn't. He had seen enough suffering by the hands of Drago in the short moments that he saw him, he would finish him.
He looked around him calmly. This wasn't how he'd usually do these kinds of things. Enemy strongholds and bases were always tough nuts to crack, and he'd preferred to sail out to here with an armada. But with his wife captured they couldn't risk being detected early and Drago using her as bargaining, although Stoick doubted he was capable of bargaining at all.
If they sailed out with an entire armada they would be discovered as soon as they appeared on the horizon, let alone the facts that it would take a good week to prepare the entire fleet for such an endeavour, and sailing there would take even longer. This was, although not his first, the best choice.
He trusted Hiccup, and Ragnar. They had experience with this kind of tactic and were used to doing things their way. Perhaps with a bit of combined arms and mixed tactics they'd be able to completely put down the Templar actions in the archipelago once and for all, although he still wasn't sure if that was what he wanted.
He still wondered what would happen if when this was all over. Hiccup had promised he wouldn't just leave, but Stoick didn't know if he was ready for him to say goodbye.
There was only a small part of him that truly feared Hiccup leaving. Since he was pretty certain that he would stay, or at least visit extremely regularly. Otherwise he'd have the axe-wielding equivalent of a Valkyrie following him through the nine realms. And although Hiccup sometimes seemed to make a game out of getting Astrid to chase him, he was sure he didn't want that level hunting, even as an assassin.
He saw the way that Hiccup looked at Astrid, and he was able to recognise it from a mile away. He cared for her as much as she did for him. It wouldn't surprise the old chief if he had during all the time he was away. Stoick may have been blind to a few actions of his son, but nothing was as obvious to the village as his interest in the Hofferson girl.
Stoick calmly flew behind them, he still didn't like this way of attacking. But who was he to question it if it worked. They had the five best warriors of Berk with them, if not of the whole archipelago. HE was certain that this would work.
Hiccup landed calmly on the snowy outcropping, watching as the trapper's ship slowly sailed towards the entrance of the Templar base. It didn't take long for the small vessel to disappear between the rocks.
Hiccup calmly slid form his saddle, switching the lever on Toothless' saddle as he did so. His foot landed in the thick snow. It reached up to just below his knee, so they'd be sure to leave a clear trail if they weren't careful. He looked at Astrid and Stoick, who also calmly landed behind him. Bolt landed near the group, the Skrill carefully watching the opening through which his rider's vessel had disappeared.
"So, what now?" Stoick asked as he made his way through the thick snow. He had to lift his feet high to be able to walk through it, it was almost like walking through water. "What's the plan?"
Hiccup looked at Stoick, shifted his gaze to Astrid for a second, and looked back at his father. "You're probably going to disagree with me here." Hiccup said. "But I want to go in alone."
Stoick thought deeply, but before he could object Astrid had beat him. "And why is that smart?" She asked, not at all in favour of the idea of her boyfriend going into the enemy stronghold alone.
"It'll be easier, one person can hide more easily, can sneak around quicker, that sort of stuff." Hiccup explain. "Besides, if something goes wrong, and I'm not saying something will go wrong, but if something does, then we'll need some sort of surprise backup or a plan B."
"And we're you're plan B?" Stoick asked with a raised eyebrow.
"When you say it like that it sounds bad." Hiccup argued before continuing. "I'm just thinking, if I go in we'll have three men in there." He said. "Ragnar, Heather and I." He summed up. "And if something goes wrong you can come in with the dragons."
"I still down like it." Astrid said as she looked at Hiccup, her arms crossed.
"I don't either." Stoick said, a smile growing on Astrid's face when she heard the chief's comment. "But I suppose it's better than risking us all in the same attack." He added, causing Astrid happy smile to dissipate.
Hiccup noticed this all too well. "Okay, thanks." He said to his father, before turning to Astrid. Who looked at his with a soft scold, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
"I'll be quick and careful." Hiccup said as he quickly checked a few straps on his armour. He looked at her, she was trying to keep up an angry façade, but it was slowly cracking, showing signs of her true emotions, mainly worry.
"Just," She began, sighing. "Just don't do anything stupid." She said as she looked at him. "Like, I don't know, dying."
Hiccup chuckled softly, earning the soft scold from Astrid again. "I'll do my best." He said softly, before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. Astrid immediately relaxed when his lips touched her skin. It reminded her of calmer times, when her blood wasn't rushing through her veins. It wasn't the possibility of a grand battle that she was nervous for, she never feared combat. But she did fear for the safety of Hiccup. Especially since he could often be a bit reckless.
She watched as Hiccup headed off, making his way through the snowy dunes inside the island, heading towards the first docks and ships. He moved slowly and carefully, making sure that he wasn't leaving a trail that could be seen from the base. Toothless made a soft croon as he watched his rider make his way towards the Templar ships and buildings, but stayed mainly silent.
Astrid and Stoick laid kneeled down just behind the top of the snowy dune, where they'd be able to occasionally peak at Hiccup but would stay well hidden.
Stoick walked over to Toothless, aiming to calm the Nightfury with a few soothing words and some gentle petting. But to his surprise the Nightfury was extremely calm, only his ears standing up straight, carefully listening for possible sounds of distress.
He looked back to Astrid, noticing that she was continuously peeking over the edge, watching as Hiccup made his way through the snow. She'd back down after a while, only to peek again after a few seconds. Stoick sighed, he knew how he'd always keep an eye on Valka during raids. Such was the way of love.
"He'll be fine Astrid." Stoick said, Astrid looking at the large chief with worried eyes. "Trust me."
"I know." Astrid said as she turned around and hid behind the dune again. "I just worry for him."
"That's normal." Stoick said he leaned against Skullcrusher.
"Aren't you worried for him?" Astrid asked. "Don't you fear something might happen to him?"
"I have always." Stoick said as he looked at Astrid. "For every day of my life." He added. "But since his return I started to realise that he can truly handle himself." Stoick explained. "No doubt about it."
"So you don't worry about him anymore?" Astrid asked surprised. "You just assume everything will go fine?"
Stoick looked at Astrid, and she could see the restless look in his eyes. "I never said that." He said calmly.
Eret walked across the wooden planks nervously, his hand resting on the hilt of one of his blades. He was heading for Drago's flagship, the pride of their armada, to which the Bewilderbeast would be chained when he wasn't released.
Four of his crewmembers were with him. Acting as extra guards to help with the dangerous prisoners. They carried harpoons and spears, occasionally giving the assassin or his female companion a shove to enforce their act.
Eret readjusted the sack he had swung over his shoulder, it contained the weapons of Heather and Ragnar. He'd have to somehow get them to them when they were done. But he still needed to think about how he was going to do that.
The pier creaked softly underneath them as they walked over the water soaked planks. Compared to a few months ago the place was deserted. Since many ships had been destroyed during the assault on the sanctuary. Only a couple of ships remained, some small and some larger vessels. Mainly the ones who happened to be at the back of the force, or which just hadn't received that much damage.
They slowly made their way towards Drago, who was standing on the bow of his ship, calmly tapping his boathook on the thick iron chains that went into the cold salt water. They'd probably have to be replaced in a few months, since the salt would quickly eat away at the large links.
He heard the soft steps of feet on wood behind him, and slowly turned around. His large dragon-skin cloak softly catching the breeze that flew through the caverns. One of his goons was walking up to him, slowly.
"Erm, Sir Drago, Sir, I, well, Eret is here." The goon stuttered, taking a step back to distance himself a bit from Drago. The battle at the nest had left the remains of his army rather scarred. They had only attacked villages and islands before that, and many had seen comrades fall in the past battle.
"Eret?" Drago asked surprised. He hadn't expected the trappers to return. He'd better have some dragons with him, for his sake. "What does he want?"
"He, he has prisoners, sir." The goon said as he took another step backwards. "I think one of them is an, ehm, an assassin."
Drago's eyes went wide. "An assassin?" He asked, earning a soft nod from the goon. "Well, that's, interesting." He said calmly, taking a step towards the goon. "Get them to me." He demanded calmly, the goon nodding and quickly running off the fetch Eret and his crew.
Drago slowly walked towards the gangplank of the ship, seeing Eret and four of his crew already standing down on the docks. In front of the five stood two prisoners. Their hands bound behind their back. One of them was a girl, perhaps even a young woman. Whilst the other was a tall man, clad in a mixture of robes and armour.
He had a fire in his eyes, a strong angry flame that tried to lash out to anyone who dared to look at him. The gaze of a warrior, a fighter. He was the one to really look out for.
He slowly made his way down the gangplank, calmly walking down. He kept a keen eye on the prisoners. The girl's eyes were all over the place, perhaps to look for an escape, perhaps to avoid Drago himself. The assassin's eyes were calm, he had probably already observed everything. He was looking straight at Drago, challenging him.
"Eret." Drago said softly, the male trapper looking at the Templar nervously. "What a pleasant surprise."
Eret shuffled on his feet. "I hoped this would compensate for the lack of dragons recently." He said as he averted his gaze from Drago, in fear of him seeing right through his lies.
"This is a nice start." Drago said. "A very nice start." He added as he turned to Ragnar, looking at him closely. His Nordic heritage was clearly visible in his build. "I knew there were assassins in the archipelago." He started. "But I never knew that Vikings could choose such a foolish path." He said as he walked around him. "Quite a surprise."
"Luckily I already knew that mankind could be cruel and heartless." Ragnar responded. "So aren't really special." He said with a mean, challenging, grin.
Drago chuckles softly. He liked the fire that this boy had, if only he could get him to his side, he'd be a great asset. "Cruel and heartless." Drago repeated. "Whatever is necessary to safe this world." He said as he looked at the group of Souther Templars who still stood on the ship. They chuckled softly, nodding to Drago.
"Safe it?" Ragnar asked. "From what?"
"First, you assassin scum." Drago summed up. "Then, the dragon scourge." He added as he lowered his tone. "And finally, anyone who dares to speak up."
"There were two of them." Drago exclaimed loudly as he turned his focus to Eret. "Where is the second one?"
"We only found these two." Eret said nervously as Drago approached him. "It's a miracle we manged to capture them really."
"Yes." Drago confirmed. "It is." He turned to the assassin. "Take them to the cells." He commanded Eret and his crew. "Put with the other hag." He ordered, heading back to his ship. Eret's crew started to guide the prisoners away, one of Drago's goons escorting them to the cells.
"Oh, and assassin?" Drago asked from halfway the gangplank, stopping the group from leaving. "Start thinking about where your friend might be, we wouldn't want to have to hurt you or your little companion." He commented, before signalling the group to continue. Leading them away from his sight.
One of the Templars approached him. "We shouldn't keep him here." He said with a foreign accent. "He should be executed at once."
"And why is that?" Drago asked calmly as he turned to the Templar.
"He'll attract more." The Templar said. "The other one will try to rescue him."
Drago was silent, looking at the Templar. "That's the idea."
The iron door of the cell creaked softly. And Ragnar and Heather were pushed in roughly. Valka jumped up when she recognised the two, and stepped over to hug them. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she stepped behind Heather to untie her binds, worry on her face.
"We've been captured." Ragnar said as he watched Valka undo Heather's bindings. He walked to the bars of the cell to see if there were still guards standing near them, but they had moved away. "It's part of the plan." He added silently.
Valka was finished with Heather's bindings, and moved on to Ragnar. They both watched as Heather moved her hand to her mouth and removed a lock pick from between her teeth. "Finally." She softly sighed. "That thing was starting to hurt."
Ragnar chuckled softly as Heather placed the lock pick behind her belt. A safer place for it. She stretched her mouth, and neck. It wasn't easy to hide the lock pick in her mouth, especially since she had been trying to find a place in her mouth where she could place it so she could talk if Drago asked her a question.
"So is this plan of yours?" Valka asked after she undid Ragnar's binds, his knots significantly tighter then Heather's. "Besides escaping unarmed into a stronghold of dragon abusers."
Ragnar looked out the bars, noticing that Eret had managed to leave the bag with weapons on the other side of the docks. Slumped against a crate. "That sack has weapons in it." Ragnar explained as he looked around further. Making sure there were no guards around. "We sneak out, find your staff and we take down Drago." Ragnar explained shortly. "Simple as that."
"Are you alone here?" Valka asked as Heather started lock picking the lock.
"No." Ragnar said. "Stoick, Astrid and Hiccup are somewhere here too." He said softly. "Along with their and our dragons."
"Alright." Valka said as Heather cursed softly. It was a rather good lock on the door. "Let's do this."
"Got it." Heather said softly as the door opened. She placed the lock pick back behind her belt and they headed for the sack of weapons.
Drago walked impatiently on his ship. Wondering what he should do. He had send the Templars off, not wanting to hear their wining about what he should do with the assassin. He knew the other one would come for him. He'd try to sneak into the base and free him before either escaping or coming for him. So he'd have to make sure. That they would be caught before then.
He wondered when he could expect them. The other assassin would notice if his partner didn't return. And it wouldn't take long for him to think about the possibility of him being captured. They had dragons, and dragons weren't difficult to track.
Wait, where was the dragon of the assassin?
He softly cursed, the reptile had probably gotten away. Which was a shame, he heard one of them was a Night Fury, and the other a Skrill. Both fine additions to his army. But if the dragon escaped he could warn the other assassin.
He had four days, no three, tops, before the other one could arrive. So he'd have to reinforce patrols and guards around the base, as well as add more sentries near the prison and the outskirts. He'd start with that tomorrow, so he could make his plans this afternoon. The assassins were the only threat to him. As soon as he had the hammer not even the Templars could stop him. He didn't like those foreigner sticking their nose in all his business. He'd have them killed as soon as he had that hammer.
He sighed. The coming months would decide what would happen to the world. And he was certain that he'd play a large role in it. Not just the archipelago would be crushed beneath his feet. But also the rest of the world. He had heard the stories from the foreigners. They didn't know dragons in their lands. They only knew large armies filled with people. So if he attacked with the winged beasts, he was bound to be successful.
Those Templars thought he was their ally, that he was just one of their goons, placed somewhere in the hierarchy of their system. They'd find out how wrong they were.
A yell distracted him from his joyful thoughts of world domination. He looked to the port side of his ship to see a group of dragons, flying up and away. Quickly disappearing out towards the port. He'd have to use his Bewilderbeast soon, since the control was dissipating with some dragons. But what interested him more was why the dragons managed to escape.
Were the traps getting rusty? Springs worn out? He didn't know the technical aspects of it. They worked, and that was good enough for him.
He heard walking on the deck behind him, and sighed. When did these foreigners learn what 'leave alone' meant? He turned around, and a smile crept up on his lips. He had expected one of the Templars, or one of his stupid goons. But instead there stood another assassin. This one a bit taller, calmly looking at him from the shadow of his hood.
"And so the second assassin shows himself." Drago said as he turned around to walk to the other side of the ship. Grabbing the bull hook that leaned against the railing. "Come to free your friend?"
"I believe that's already being taken care off." Hiccup answered as another yell was heard. More dragons flying up into the sky behind him. "Looks like your numbers are dwindling."
"Perhaps." Drago said as he looked at the assassin. "But you're still on the losing team." He said, before charging at Hiccup.
Hiccup extended Inferno, using it to deflect the bill hook. Drago was surprised by the sudden appearance of the blade. He hadn't expected the small metal cylinder to be a weapons, let alone a complete sword.
He swung again, kicking the young assassin back with his feet when he deflected the blow. Hiccup rolled backwards, getting back up on his feet in one swift movement. Drago swung again, wildly but coordinated. He wasn't trying to hit the assassin. He was trying to stall, waiting for Templars to join him in the battle.
Sure enough, two of the knight ran up the gangplank, clad in armour and wielding swords. Holding them with white knuckled hands. They feared the assassins, and they weren't too happy with another one of them on the ship.
They looked at each other. Taking a deep breath before they charged at the assassin. Drago watched with a smile. Finally he'd be rid of the assassins, the last obstacle. The knights charged, one of them using his sword to charge, aiming to stab Hiccup. The second held his sword high above his head, aiming to swing at Hiccup.
Dagur's smile faded when the assassin dodged the first soldier, who quickly tried to slow down from his charge. He turned to the second one, who was preparing to swing at the assassin. Drago watched as the assassin ducked underneath the blade, his hand moving swiftly towards the chest of the Templar. Drago watched as the man's blade dropped, stumbling further. His hands grabbed to his chest, before he dropped down onto the deck, lifeless.
The other Templar turned around, running at Hiccup with his sword aimed at stabbing him again, anger fuelling his charge. Hiccup parried his attack with his sword, sparks igniting the gel that covered the blade. The flames climbing up the length of the weapon. Sparking fear in the eyes of the Templar.
Hiccup made quick work of him, stabbing him in the chest with his off-hand. Retracting the blade quickly after the stab, making sure that Drago didn't see the weapon. He didn't know how much Drago knew about them, so it would be smart to not take chances. If he could keep a weapon a secret it could help him greatly.
Drago looked with a dark interest as the second Templar slumped down on the deck. He looked at the assassin, the ends of his sleeves covered with blood, small drops dripping from behind his hands. Drago had almost forgotten about the famed blades of the assassins that the Templar's had told so much about. They must be incredibly effective weapons in the hands of a master.
But he needed to think about the problem at hand. He was still on his ship with an enemy warrior. A highly skilled one, that was something he had already proven. Drago though calmly, looking as the assassin turned his gaze to him again, like a dragon looking at his prey.
But Hiccup's gaze was diverted to something else though. There were heavy footsteps on the gangplank. He looked to see the decorated helmet of a knight rising above the deck of the ship. He was clad in heavy armour, a mixture of steel plates, iron mail and robes, which covered some of the joins, making it difficult to spot weak spots in the design. He carried a long shining sword, and a long and decorated shield, the emblem of the Templars on the face of it.
Hiccup turned to him, seeing him as a bigger threat then Drago, since he didn't really look like he was looking for a fight. The large knight held his sword calmly, looking at Hiccup, challenging him to make the first move.
Hiccup inclined, charging at the knight, his sword extended and ready. He was aiming for the neck of the armour, since it was probably one of the weaker spots. He closed the gap quickly, ducking out of the way form a blow from the knight, only to be slammed with the shield.
He rolled backwards, getting on his feet quickly. He hadn't seen how the knight had managed to do that so quickly, but he was certainly impressed. The armour was thick, and probably heavy, but it seemed to still allow for good movement. Hiccup looked at his target. Perhaps the back was less armoured, but he would need to have to good look at it.
The knight slowly walked towards him, his armour clattering softly as he approached. His steps were heavy, and his feet moved slowly. Hiccup felt himself slowly walking away from the knight, trying to find a way to attack him.
He charged again, this time paying careful attention to the shield. It started the same, he parried the first blow, this time dodging the shield. He tried to stab the knight, but his blade wasn't able to pierce the thing chainmail of the knight.
He cursed softly as he rolled away, making sure there was a safe distance between him and the knight again. How was he going to defeat this large monster? How was he going to stop this large warrior that towered over him?
He slowly led the warrior in circles. Hoping to suddenly get an idea of how to defeat the large knight. He charged again, it was better than doing nothing, perhaps he could discover a weakness somewhere. He parried the first blow and the two clashed swords again, Hiccup making sure he stayed on the offensive. Using quick and accurate strikes to make sure the knight would have to do his best to parry them.
But the knight was well trained, he raised his large shield in front of him, using it to shield his body behind the large metal object. He calmly approached Hiccup, who now found himself unable to attack. He was slowly pushed back along the edge of the ship, the bulwark along his side. He was slowly approaching the aft. He could really use some help.
His pleas were answered, since from the corner of his eye he saw movement. Drago also noticed it, but too late, for Ragnar had already made his way halfway through the deck, sprinting at the heavy knight. The knight looked to the side, discovering the attacking assassin too late. Ragnar jumped in the air, his feet landing on the side of the knight.
He was pushed against the bulwark with such a force that he toppled over it, he grabbed onto the side with his hands, his sword falling on the pier below. But the heavy armour proved to be his downside this time, since he couldn't hold himself up for long. His hands slipped and he fell down, crashing through the planks of the pier. He quickly disappeared in the dark water, a stream of bubbles rising from the rippled water where he was submerged.
Hiccup helped Ragnar up, and they looked at Drago. He had made his way to the bow of the ship, where he was standing between two large chains that lead down into the sea. He wore a grin on his face. He knew he wouldn't be able to defeat the two assassins. But he had one big advantage.
He yelled loudly, banging his bull hook on one chain and then the other. He kept screaming as he continued to bang the bull hook on the chains. The sound ringing out through the air. Hiccup and Ragnar looked at each other with a raised eyebrow. They didn't understand what Drago was doing.
The ship started to rock, a large mass of water rising form the centre of the base. They didn't need long to realise that Drago was somehow causing this, and they charged at him together. But the ship suddenly pitched up, sending the assassins falling backwards and rolling towards the aft. Drago was holding onto the bulwark.
Their dragons flew towards them, circling in the air above the ship. Waiting for a signal that they needed to attack or help them. Drago looked at them, a Skrill and a Night Fury, followed by four more riders, fine additions indeed.
The ship levelled as Drago's Bewilder beast surfaced. The two chains leading to his tusks still sternly secured. Hiccup and Ragnar looked at the large beast with worry, Drago yelling loudly while he swung his bull hook over his head.
AN:
Alright, sorry for the cliff-hanger but I had to stop here. Got exams tomorrow. I want to have the next chapter up in a week or so, since the story is really close to being finished. Sorry if this feels rushed or has a few errors. I have struggled with this chapter quite a bit and am really finding trouble making time to write for this.
My motivation for the story has run pretty much dry, and the only thing that's really keeping me going is that I want everyone to have an ending for this and that it means I can continue to write something else. Which I really want. I've written a few chapters for the next story but it'll take a while for that one to finish.
For those who are interested, it's about Hiccup running away and starting his own tribe. How does he do that? Where? What happens when Berk find out? Well, that's something you'll have to read. I have the entire story overview done and so far it's on 43 chapters or something like that. Of which I've already written 5. :D The chapters are each around 8000 words and I'm really proud of it. I think it'll be my best story yet.
Anyway, if anyone is interested in it I could use beta readers and people to give me feedback. If you're interested you could send me a Pm or leave a review saying so. Please note that an account is useful since that's an easy way to communicate and send files between people.
Anyway, long story short. NTEP is almost finished. I can't wait to start on other things and I hope you all enjoyed. I'm sorry you have to keep up with my shit :P
Take Care!
R4y