Chapter Five: Faulty Suspicions, Real Treachery
Hiccup and Snotlout were halfway done the path to the village when Snotlout stops Hiccup for a 'chat.' "Hiccup, you can't trust this guy!" declared Snotlout in a demanding tone.
"Look Snotlout…my dad told me about the history has with the Romans. What happened to your great grandfather was tragic. But you have to realize that it happened to him, not you! Ameilianus wasn't even born at the time the attack happened!" pleaded Hiccup, hoping Snotlout would understand and see reason…which he didn't!
"This is my family honor, Hiccup! I can't forgive and forget something like this!" exclaimed Snotlout, indignant about Hiccup's response.
Sighing, Hiccup tried a different angle of argument, "Well, the village has to honor the traditions of friendly visitors to the village! Until Ameilianus or his crew do something that threatens or insults the village, my dad can't just kick them out!"
Snotlout look down in defeat, before looking up with a mischievous grin on his face and said, "Yeah Hiccup, I get exactly what you mean!" With that, Snotlout climbed onto Hookfang and rushed off into the village with a plan in mind.
"Snotlout WAIT!" yelled Hiccup, hoping to keep Snotlout from doing something stupid. Either Snotlout did not hear him or was not even paying attention because he continued to rush off to the village with Hookfang. Looking to Toothless for help, they were about to ride off when Ameilianus showed up behind them!
"Hiccup, there you are! I was hoping to talk to you about something!" exclaimed Ameilianus, waving to get Hiccup's attention. Unfortunately he and his cat Caligula were blown back by Toothless taking off.
"Sorry, can't talk right now! I'll see you at the Great Hall later!" yelled back Hiccup as Toothless took after Hookfang and Snotlout. In his rush to catch Snotlout, Hiccup did not notice that Caligula had blood on his paws and teeth, nor that Ameilianus was carrying a bloody pouch on his belt…
The wind rushed through Hiccup's hair as he and Toothless rushed to catch Snotlout. Toothless was the fastest dragon around, but Hookfang had a head start on him! Twisting and turning, bobbing and weaving, only to find that Hookfang had already landed outside the Great Hall! Jumping of Toothless as he came in for a landing, Hiccup ran over to Astrid who was right outside the entrance and asked worriedly, "Have you seen Snotlout?!"
Giving Hiccup a funny look because of how panicked and exhausted he seemed, Astrid replied, "Uh, I just saw him go inside…why?"
"Long story. Let's just say I think Snotlout may have misinterpreted something I said to keep him from fighting with Ameilianus!" explained Hiccup, in between panting from riding hard to the Hall.
"Snotlout…misinterpreting what you said? Noooo." Said Astrid, in a sarcastic tone, as she knew Snotlout only ever hears what he wants to hear, "Look, I'll try to get the other riders to keep him from doing something…Snotloutish. Just catch your breath and go inside, I'm sure your dads expecting you inside." And with that, Astrid left Hiccup to catch his breath and went inside.
Finally able to breathe properly, Hiccup rushed inside! Unfortunately, any chance at find Snotlout himself had already passed, as the packed Hall made finding anyone person difficult to say the least! The Great Hall was Berk's main building for everything from feasts, holiday, strategy meetings, and just general gatherings. Thus it was capable of fitting just about everyone in the village…which is exactly what seemed to crowd the Hall at this very moment!
"HICCUP!" shouted Hiccup's father, Stoick, from the main table. Gesturing for Hiccup to come sit by him, Hiccup did so and then Stoick asked, "So how are things going with Ameilianus?"
"You know most of my friends seem okay with him…except for Snotlout!" explained Hiccup, while looking around to see if he could find Snotlout…which he couldn't!
Sighing, because he felt he already knew the general answer to the next question, Stoick asked, "What's Snotlout done this time?"
"It isn't so much what he did as to what he's about to do." Explained Hiccup, "You see I was explaining to him why we couldn't just kick out Ameilianus and his crew (mostly by citing the tradition involving guest) and now I think Snotlout is going to try to find some way to pick a fight with Ameilianus!"
Sighing, yet again, Stoick stated, "Unfortunately, until Snotlout tries something, we can't do much of anything. The good news is that from what I can tell from Ameilianus' crew, they have been the perfect guests! Truthfully, I expected some rowdiness from being out at sea so long, but I have heard a single complaint from the village. I think Snotlout may have more trouble with his plan than he thinks he will."
It was Hiccup's turn to sigh, this time in relief! Maybe he didn't have to worry about whatever Snotlout was doing; usually his plans were only a tiny bit smarter than anything the Twins came up with, and that's saying something! Besides, Ameilianus seemed fairly easy going, able to win over anyone in one conversation! What could Snotlout possible do to set him off?
Just then, Gobber came walking over with one of Ameilianus' crewmates. The man was wearing heavy leather boots with brown leather pants and a black cotton shirt and a vest of grey wolfs fur. He stood a head taller than Gobber and was built like he was made out of solid, straight oak. The strangest thing about him was the color of his skin: a rich dark brown that Hiccup had never seen on another person before(1)!
"Ah Hiccup! Stoick! I wanted you to meet this new friend I made from the new ship in the harbor!" introduced Gobber a little loudly (possibly a little drunk), "He's the first mate to that Ameilianus kid! Funny, always thought he was a little young to be in charge of a ship, even a beat-up old one like that one! HAHAHA! Anyway, this guy's name is…is…oh I sure he told me once!"
"It's Minos." explained the newly introduce Minos, in a voice that sounded like well oiled leather(2), "and I would like to say on behalf of myself and the crew, that Berk has given a most warmed welcome indeed!"
Somewhat taken aback by the appearance and friendliness of the stranger, Hiccup and Stoick were silent for the first few minutes. Working up the nerve, Hiccup finally managed to say, "Sorry….it's just…"
"You have never met someone like me before." stated Minos simply, obviously having gotten that reaction before, "It is alright. Most people of the North are…unfamiliar with the Dark Continent.(3)"
"Dark Continent?" asked Hiccup, both intrigued and confused, as he had never heard of such a place before.
"To the south of old Rome lays a massive continent, filled with what to you would be considered new and exciting things. My family originally came from this land, only to become slaves of Ameilianus' family. When they left Rome, they took my family with them." explained Minos in an even tone.
Seeing the looks of distress on the Vikings' faces, Minos explained further, "I, myself, am not a slave. My family was freed after Ameilianus' family arrived in Londinium. I serve as his first mate of my own freewill."
Hiccup, satisfied with Minos' answer, decided to ask, "I know you haven't been to the 'dark continent' yourself but…did your family ever tell you any stories about?"
Amused by Hiccup's enthusiastic desire to learn about his homeland, Minos chuckled and said, "I do know many stories of the Dark Continent…but I know what you really want to know and, yes, from what my father and grandfather told me, there are indeed dragons. I do not remember all of the details, though there were some tribes said to have the ability to tame the 'sky serpents' as they are known as there."
"What else can you tell me?" asked Hiccup eager to learn about another culture able to tame dragons. The only evidence he had about previous dragon taming was how the Bezerkers tamed Skrill to fight for them. Still, that incident with Dagur gave Hiccup hope learning other cultures methods of taming dragons. And now Minos was telling him about another place he might be able to learn from! (Okay, it was a long shot, but Hiccup was known for taking long shot when it came to learning about dragons!)
"Unfortunately, I do not remember the tales my family told in any sort of detail." said Minos sadly. Upon seeing Hiccup looking forlorn and disappointed, Minos said while smiling, "But I can tell you of some of the personal encounter the crew and I have had with dragons!"
Hiccup's expression instantly brightened and he sat up straight, like a child about to hear his favorite bedtime story! "In fact," added Minos in joyful tone, loud enough to be heard around the Hall, "on one trip through the Isle of Men, we came across the Horrifying Sea-Hags, a legendary breed of dragons known for sinking ships and devouring there crew!" With a gesture of his hand, members of Ameilianus' crew pulled out musical instruments, among them an accordion, fiddles and bagpipes. After tuning the instruments, a lively Highland tune began to fill the Hall, and Minos jumped on the table and began to sing:
"OOOOOOOHHHH!
One day me and the boys were all out at sea,
Sailing pretty as can be,
When doldrums popped out the blue,
Stuck us down tight as glue!"
A few seconds of flute music followed before Minos continued:
"Oh my how we did curse,
'How could this get any worse?!'
When what crawled up on the deck,
But the ugliest things straight from heck!"
This time it was bagpipe music that filled the gap, before Minos continued:
"These awful things were truly a sight,
On my worst enemy I would not send this blight,
Yet it seemed we would pay the price,
For this awful throw of the dice!"
It was at this point when the remaining members of Ameilianus' crew began to stomp and perform a lively jig! Clearly the Vikings were enjoying the song, either nodding their heads to the tune or joining in the dance. It was at this point when Minos continued the song with the crew joining in the chant:
"Sea-Hags! Sea-Hags!
No matter how bravely we did fought!
Sea-Hags! Sea-Hags!
No harm to theses beast could be brought!"
"HEY!" came a shout from the entrance to the Great Hall. It was Ameilianus, clearly upset about something! Minos got off the table, while Ameilianus walked over across where Minos had been sitting. He glared at Minos, before smiling and jumping on the table himself!
"You should have told me we were doing this song!" stated Ameilianus in a playfully chiding tone, before the music began where it left off and Ameilianus took over the song"
"It was quite by chance or perhaps fate,
That we were transporting bagpipes on this date,
For will I back up from this fearsome foe,
I tripped and the pipes gave an awful blow!"
With that the bagpipe player blew as hard as he could, to simulate the effect in the story! Allowing the audience to recover from the noise, Ameilianus went right back to the tale:
"The Sea-Hags, they did fall back,
Fearing the noise more than any attack,
So with this, I gave the order,
And with the pipes we repelled the boarders!"
This time the music were mostly bagpipes with the crew stomping on the ground, recreating pushing the Sea-Hags of their ship. Finally the crew began to sing again:
"Sea-Hags! Sea-Hags!
Truly they hated the old pipes!
Sea-Hags! Sea-Hags!
Again this tool I'll never gripe!"
The music returned to the originally tune though with accordion taking over. The Vikings and Ameilianus' crew were all dancing and stomping to the tale. And with this Ameilianus sang the final verse:
"And just like that, like nothing at all,
The northern winds came a call,
We raced to shore to and told this tale,
Through every glen and every dale,
What is the lesson you may aaasssskkkk…"
And with that a pause was given in the music, and everyone was waiting for Ameilianus to continue. And then the finish:
"Always brings some pipes for nautical tasks!"
And with that Ameilianus got off the table and sat down and Minos followed suit. The music played on for a few minutes after the story was done and when it ended the Vikings applauded! Ameilianus stood up and took a bow before returning to his seat, with a wide-eyed Hiccup, an amused Stoick, and a laughing Gobber.
"Wow." Stated Hiccup simply having no words to describe the performance. Gathering himself up, Hiccup then asked, "Did all of that…really happen?"
"Of course," stated Ameilianus simply before taking a dramatic tone, "The Sea-Hags were disgusting combination of fish, frog and sea dragon, which could shoot poisonous acid out of their warts and had long tongues to grab their prey! If I hadn't trip over those bagpipes, none of the crew would have survived!"
"So what other dragons did you-" began Hiccup before being interrupted by none other than…
"HEY! EVERYONE! May I have your attention please?!" shouted Snotlout over the din of the party, which quieted down, "I did like to make a toast…to Berk's newest ally: Ameilianus!"
"Oh no." groaned Hiccup, because he knew that despite the friendly tone, that Snotlout's speech was going to end badly.
"Now, I know we haven't really gotten to know our new friend yet, so I have taken it upon myself…to tell you all what he brings to the table!" exclaimed Snotlout as he got up on a table to be seen by everyone, "He comes to us out of nowhere, telling us how he snuck out battle plans right from under Dagur the Deranged's nose (and what was he even doing on Berzerk Isle in the first place), and he has a plan that can save us all!"
With this last statement said in a sarcastic tone, Snotlout paused to let the statement sink in before continuing, "Come on! Don't tell me I'm the only one who sees this deceitful Roman rat for the shyster he is! We've all been through this routine before: Heather, Mildew, ALVIN! Are we really going to buy what this…this…Roman ship rat is selling?!"
It was at this point Snotlout started breathing heavily, fuming in anger that he even needed to say this! A shocked silence filled the Hall, as Viking and stranger alike were shocked at the display! Hiccup looked over at Ameilianus to see that he was shaking with fury, before he took a calming breath and stood up! Ameilianus proceeded to walk over to and up onto the table Snotlout was standing on! Ameilianus looked Snotlout in the eye, a calm fury lancing out, but Snotlout had a confident look on his face, as if daring Ameilianus to hit him!
Ameilianus took a deep breath and said, "I forgive you." Stunned by the unusual reaction, Snotlout stepped back and the crowd murmured before Ameilianus continued, "I had the opportunity to speak with Fishlegs about your…issues with me. I understand that your family's history with my people was most…unpleasant. I also understand how much this island has suffered because of the treachery of others…well-meaning or not. I understand where your anger is coming from and I forgive you because of it."
Turning around to face the assembled crowd, Ameilianus continued, "People of Berk, I suffer from the legacy that Rome has left on the world! They felt that their conquest was some way of sharing their greatness with the world! What an amazing lie that was!(4) I'm sure that all of you know that at the end of its days, all Rome showed were reasons to fear it! And it was that fear, which brought down any good the Empire had ever achieved! That is something I hope to change right here…right now!
"I know that there will be those who doubt my intentions! We have seen that here tonight! I will help you fight off Dagur's armada, to show the world that knowledge and understanding can stand against the forces that seek to drive our world back into darkness! We, together, shall light the world with hope and dragon fire will lead the way!"
After finishing his speech, a massive applause filled the Great Hall, as everyone was swept up by Ameilianus' speech! Well everyone but Snotlout, who was too stunned by his plan failing so spectacularly to react! Just as he was about to try and punch Ameilianus, Gobber (who somehow wasn't drunk anymore) grabbed him from the table and dragged him out the Hall! Stepping down from the table, Ameilianus proceeded to walk over to the exit, passing the center table where Hiccup and Stoick were seated.
Pausing and looking at Hiccup, he simply stated "I fear I must retire for the evening, Hiccup. I hope we can speak more about dragons tomorrow. Chief Stoick, I wish you a pleasant slumber!" Having said his goodnights, Ameilianus proceeded to head out the Hall and back to his ship. Hiccup was just glad that Snotlout's plan had failed; he did like how Ameilianus brought him down a peg! Stoick, on the other hand, held a look of concern on his face as Ameilianus left the Hall…
Whistling a little tune, Ameilianus was practically skipping his way back to his ship; called the Legacy for those who read Roman language. Walking up the gangplank, Ameilianus' mood couldn't be better…before a shape fell from the rigging! Shocked and stumbling back, Ameilianus was greeted with a familiar sight! "I told you to stop doing that!" exclaimed Ameilianus, "You're going to scare me to death one dead!"
The figure turned out to be a young woman, slight older than Ameilianus at twenty-two. She wore a red tunic that matched the shade of her wild crimson locks, and practical black pants with black boots. She had paler skin, like those found in Ireland or Scotland. She wore a mischievous smile that complimented the pale-blue eyes shining with mirth. This was Marlene, the lookout for the Legacy's crow's nest and master of the rigging!
"You know a good scare gets your juices flowing!" said Marlene, with a light mischievous tone(5), "So…how was the party?!"
"Pretty good actually!" said Ameilianus while dusting himself off, "Save for a little trouble from that Snotlout boy!"
"Oh, poor baby," teased Marlene before continuing, "No doubt you shut him up like you usually do! Was he the only one to give you trouble?"
"Truthfully yes! I was actually expecting much more trouble convincing these people…with what we heard!" explained Ameilianus slowly adopting a sinister tone, before hear a soft meow behind him, "Oh goo Caligula! Did you bring daddy a present?"
Caligula proceeded to drop the bloody satchel from early, which looked even fuller than the last time it was seen! "Oh, who's daddy's little hunter? You are, yes you are!" exclaimed Ameilianus as he scooped up both cat and satchel, cuddling the bloody feline. It was interrupted by Marlene clearing her throat, showing that she was not amused by the scene!
"Oh, relax Maria," exclaimed Ameilianus as he carefully put his cat down, "I doubt they miss a few of those Terrible Terrors!"
"I don't see why we need to harvest them at all! We have plenty of Greek fire for all aspects of the plan!" exclaimed Marlene, annoyed at what she saw as Ameilianus' cavalier attitude.
"It never hurts to have extra! Besides, they certainly won't let us harvest the other ingredient we need for Greek fire, so…what they don't know, won't hurt us!" explained Ameilianus, with a confident smile.
"Well let's hope our friend sticks to the plan." stated Marlene simply, not trusting their friend's patience.
"You sent off the message, right?" asked Ameilianus knowingly. When Marlene looked at him he said, "You are my lookout; I know you saw enough of the party to take a guess at what happened!"
"Relax, I sent a messenger bird after you left the party. We should hear from him in a day or two, plenty of time to prepare." explained Marlene calmly.
"Excellent!" stated Ameilianus sinisterly, before seeing Marlene head-up to the crow's nest, "You know, you could sleep with me tonight if wanted."
"Sorry buddy boy, I prefer the open air. Besides, you know I'd prefer your little Valkyrie!" said Marlene teasingly before disappearing into the rigging. Left with just his cat, Ameilianus walked up to the railing, while Caligula climbed up next to him. Lying down next to his owner (slave), Caligula fell asleep to Ameilianus' hand through his fur as they watched the full moon. Hearing dragons sounding off in the night, Ameilianus stared at the moon and said:
"One thing I said was certainly true: dragon fire WILL lead the way to the future!"
Disclaimer: I don't own DreamWorks Dragons franchise or the book series it is based off of. I wish I had the money to buy it; really I do! This is perhaps my longest chapter yet! Anyway, now that I have thought of it, I believe I may do a Brave/Dragons crossover in the future. Just wait until I am done with this fanfic! By the way, I made up the Hideous Sea-Hag song! Hope I did a good job, it was written purely on the spot! Anyway, hope you all take the time to read and review!
1 Yes, this character is African, meaning it would have been very unlikely for a Viking to have met or seen him. I just wanted to create a unique 'number one guy' for Ameilianus.
2 His voice actor would be Tony Todd, well known for his portrayal of the title character in The Candyman film series
3 I, of course, mean Africa. It was mostly unexplored except for the Mediterranean coastal area at this point in time.
4 Inspired partially by Zuko's speech to his father on "Day of Black Sun: Part 2"
5 I would imagine her voice actor as Nicole Sullivan, voice of Shego on Kim Possible and (hint, hint) Marlene the Otter from Penguins of Madagascar. Well this is fan fiction, so not all the ideas and names need to be original!