After stopping the drill from penetrating the wall Meridian, Hiccup and the others found no problems getting to train and making their way into the capital. The distance between the outer wall and inner wall was quite a leap, about 30 miles and on my journey they saw beautiful wide open fields.
"Look the inner wall!" Heather cried.
Immediately they all looked up and indeed they saw another wall just as grand as the outer wall approaching them.
"I can't believe we finally made it to Meridian in one piece," said Fishlegs excitedly.
"Let's not jinx it, I mean we could find the entire place besieged by dragons or the Empire decided to attack from above," said Snotlout.
"Look at the twins were the only one to drunk cactus juice," said Astrid rolling her eyes.
"Just say that with stuff happens to us," said Snotlout defensively.
"I just hope we can find our dragons," said Ragnar hopefully.
"The problem is it's a very big city," said Hiccup.
"Come on I'm sure we'll be able to find eight dragons in a single city," said Snotlout folding his arms.
However when they exited the tunnel through the inner wall they found that Meridian had to be the biggest city in the entire world. It was 10 times bigger than the North Pole and was filled with tracks and each section of the city was closed off by a wall.
"Oh," said Snotlout.
Eventually they stopped at the train station and got off it and then looked at the horizon in front of them.
"I've never seen a city this big before," said Ragnar in wonder.
Hiccup grimaced. "Sadly I'm predicting that we're going to have some problems because of its size."
"What makes you say that?" Fishlegs frowned.
Then once the train left they saw a young woman smiling at them in a very creepy manner.
"Hello," she said approaching them. "My name is Jade, I have been given the great honour of showing the Avatar around Meridian." She then looked at each and every one of the others. "And you must be Astrid, Ragnar, Heather, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Welcome to our wonderful city, shall we get started."
Astrid nodded. "Yes, we have information about the Fire Empire Army that we need delivered to the Earth King immediately."
"Great, let's begin our tour," said Jade cheerfully as if she hadn't heard a single word Astrid said. "And then I'll show you to your new home here. I think you'll like it."
Astrid looked at the others and they merely shrugged.
Astrid then approached Jade. "I think you probably misunderstand what I said, we need to talk to the King about the war. It's important."
"You're in Meridian now, everyone is safe here," said Jade.
Everyone just stared at her.
Soon they were in the carriage and began making their way through the slums and Jade wasted in no time to show them around.
"This is the lower ring," said Jade.
"What's the wall for?" Heather asked.
"Oh, Meridian has many walls. There are the ones outside, protecting us, and the ones inside, help maintain order. This is where our newest arrivals lived as well as craftsmen's and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively." That's when they noticed two thuggish looking people in the alleyway's sharpening their swords. "You do want to watch your step, though."
"Why do they have all these poor people blocked off from one of the city?" Fishlegs frowned.
Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "Social standing, the nobles do not want poor people wondering around in their precious city."
Fishlegs looked at him. "I take it things are different in the Empire?"
Hiccup folded his arms. "In my day, there was no real distinction between the common people the nobility, the only real difference with the houses we lived in."
Astrid sighed. "Sadly things have changed now, Drago has pushed more and more people out of their homes for the nobility. We would not everything is not as prosperous as you might think."
Meanwhile Eret was wandering around the streets in the slums and then Bjorn approached him holding a vase of flowers. Eret immediately gave him a sceptical look.
"I merely want a new place to look nice, in case someone brings home a lady friend," said Bjorn.
"This city is a prison," said Eret. "I do not want to make a life here."
"Life happens where ever you are, whether you make it or not. Now come on, I've found some new jobs and we start this afternoon."
Unbeknownst to them they were being followed by Jet and following him, reluctantly, were Smellerbee and Longshot.
"Look at them, Firebenders living right under everyone's nose," Jet spat.
"Jet, you saw a man with a hot cup of tea, it doesn't prove that he is a Firebender," said Smellerbee. "And even if he is, are we supposed to attack him? I thought we were starting over here, changing our ways?"
"We are… when I get the evidence I need, I'll report them to the police and let them handle it," said Jet. He then looked back at them. "Okay?"
Smellerbee and Longshot looked at one another and had their misgivings.
Meanwhile Hiccup and the others soon entered into the middle ring.
"This is the middle ring of Meridian, home to the financial district, shops and restaurants and the University," said Jade.
"Yes we met a professor from the University," said Astrid narrowing her eyes. "Thanks to here we located a secret library, where we discovered information about the war that is absolutely crucial for the King to hear."
"Isn't history truly fascinating?" Jade smiled she then turned her attention to a building they were passing. "Look, here's one of the oldest buildings in the middle ring. Town hall."
The carriage then stopped and she got out.
"Is she death or something?" Ruffnut asked.
"Yeah, she seems to hear every other word we say?" Tuffnut nodded.
Hiccup folded his arms. "It's called being handled. Believe me it's what we nobles are used to."
"He's not kidding," said Snotlout gruffly. "You remember how they treated Ida?"
Jet had followed Eret and Bjorn to a tea shop and was leaning against the wall listening and watching through the window.
"Well, you certainly seem like official tea servers," the owner and nodded appreciably. "How do you feel?"
Eret narrowed his eyes. "Ridiculous."
Bjorn was trying to fasten his apron, but it was just too small for him. "Uh, does this possibly come in a larger size?"
"I have extra string in the back," said the owner and immediately poured some tea out. "Have some tea while you wait."
He then made his way to the back and Bjorn immediately drank it and instantly backed away from it in disgust.
"This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice," he said with disdain.
Eret rolled his eyes. "Uncle, that is what all tea is."
Bjorn immediately stared at Eret. "How could a member of my own family say something so horrible?" He then immediately grabbed the teapot. "' going to have to make some major changes around here."
Jet immediately backed away from the window just in time to avoid getting doused by tea.
Eventually Hiccup and the others found themselves in the central ring and it was home to the grandest buildings that anyone had ever seen.
"The upper ring is home to our most important citizens," said Jade cheerfully. "Your house is not too far from here."
A few moments later they were riding past the Imperial Palace and had to be the largest building in the entire capital. The strangest thing was the very few guards around the entrance to the Palace.
"Where are the Palace guards?" Astrid frowned.
That's when they saw some shady-looking individuals in the shadows.
"Aren't they The Jade Vipers?" Hiccup asked.
Jade smiled at him. "Oh, you've heard of them?"
"Who hasn't heard of the secret police," said Hiccup narrowing his eyes. "I've heard that they make people disappear when they asked too many questions."
Jade immediately shook her head. "I'm afraid you got quite the wrong idea, they are Cultural Authorities of Meridian. They guarded all of our traditions."
"I don't suppose it will be permitted to see the King?" Ragnar asked.
"I'm afraid not," said Jade shaking her head. "I'm afraid one does not just pop in unannounced on the Earth King."
Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "Make you wonder how many people get to see the King?"
Eventually Jade took them to a lovely looking house and immediately stopped the carriage.
"Here we are, you're new home," Jade smiled.
Then suddenly a messenger rushed over towards Jade and handed her a scroll. She immediately open the mouth and smiled at Hiccup and the others.
"More goodness, your request for an audience with the Earth King, is being processed and should put through in about a month," Jade smiled. "Much more quickly than usual."
Astrid stared at her. "A month?"
"Six to eight weeks actually."
They then made their way into the house and it was actually quite charming. It has a marble floor, several separate bedrooms and a beautiful balcony looking a peaceful scenery.
"Isn't it nice?" Jade asked. "I think you'll really enjoy it here."
"I think we would enjoy it more if we weren't staying so long," said Astrid folding her arms. "Is there any possible way to see the Earth King sooner?"
"The Earth King is very busy running the finest city in the world, but he will see you as soon as time permits," Jade assured.
Hiccup looked out of the window. "If we're going to be here for a month, we should spend our time looking for our dragons."
"I will be happy to escort you anywhere you would like to go," Jade assured.
Snotlout narrowed his eyes at her. "We don't need a babysitter."
"Oh, I won't get in the way," Jade assured blocking Snotlout from reaching the door. "And to leave you alone would make me a bad host. Where shall we start?"
The first place they tried was in the lower ring, they went to the nearest animal store. Here people could buy animals for a certain amount of price, along with their feed. They had hoped that the owner had heard something about their dragons.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything about those dragons you spoke of, let alone the Night Fury," said the store owner apologetically. "To be honest I wasn't even sure there were any Night Fury left in the world."
"Okay, but if someone were to steal these particular dragons without anyone knowing, where would they go?" Hiccup asked.
"Where's the black market? Who runs it?" Astrid asked Simon a hand on the table. "We know you know."
The store owner then looked at Jade, who was still smiling and saw her shook her head. He immediately began to sweat in buckets as he looked at Hiccup and the others.
"That would be illegal," he said.
"It's the black market? Of course, it illegal!" Snotlout yelled in frustration.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you," said the store owner strongly. "Now will you please leave your friends are disturbing my animals."
The twins were in fact prodding at the animals in the store.
Next they went into the middle ring to the University, hoping that someone there might be able to leave them in the general direction.
"Hmm, I've never seen any Sandbenders or nomads around here," said a student. You should ask Professor Zak, he teaches the class on desert cultures."
"Right, and which of your professors could be asked about the war for the Empire?" Astrid asked.
"Uh…" the student turned towards Jade, who shook her head while smiling. Astrid caught her for a brief second with the corner of her eye and the moment she turned around Jade stopped. "I don't know, I'm not a political science student I have to get to class."
He then got up so suddenly that he tripped dropping several of his scrolls.
They had spent the entire day without getting anywhere close of locating Toothless and the others or any knowledge that could help them in the war against the Empire. They returned back to the house and Jade immediately stepped into the carriage.
"Well, I'm sorry no one seen your dragons, why don't you get some rest?" she suggested. "Someone will be over with dinner later."
They then watched as she left.
That's when they noticed that someone was looking at them from behind his door on the opposite side of the lane.
"How about we get some answers?" Astrid asked.
They didn't waste any time making their way towards the house opposite them and they knocked on the door. The man who watched them earlier than opened it and smiled at them and immediately his eyes fell upon Hiccup.
"You're the Avatar, I heard you were in town," he said. "I am Falcon."
"Well, it's nice to meet you Falcon," Hiccup nodded.
"So Falcon what's going on with this city? Why is everyone so scared about talking about the war?" Astrid asked.
Falcon then looked at them nervously. "War? Scared? What do you mean?"
Snotlout raised an eyebrow. "I feel you shaking."
"Look I'm just a minor government official," he said. "I have waited three years to get this house, I don't want to get into any trouble."
"Get in trouble with who?" Heather frowned.
"Shhh!" said Falcon frantically. "Listen you can't mention the war here. And whatever you do, stay away from the Jade Vipers."
He then closed the door in front of them.
That night, Jet was spying on Eret and Bjorn in the apartment buildings, hiding himself behind some laundry there was set up an online. Eret was laying down on the bed while Bjorn was setting up the teapot.
"Would you like a pot of tea?" Bjorn asked.
Eret groaned. "We've been working in a tea shop all day. I'm sick of tea."
"Sick of tea?" Bjorn stared. "That's like being sick of breathing!" He then began to look around for the spark rocks. "Have you seen our spark rocks to heat up the water?"
Jet smiled to himself. "They're not there," he said releasing his palm which contained their spark rocks. "You'll have to Firebend old man."
However instead Bjorn left his gaze from the window.
"Where are you going?" Jet frowned suspiciously.
Bjorn then returned with some spark rocks. "I borrowed our neighbours, such kind people."
He then immediately lit the stove and began to boil the water.
Jet clenched his fist in frustration and hid himself from behind the laundry.
The next morning Heather made her way outside and grabbed the newspaper, she opened it up and asked then immediately ran back inside.
"I got it! I know how we're going to see the Earth King!" Heather announced suddenly.
"How are we supposed to do that?" Snotlout asked with scepticism. "'One does not just popping on the Earth King.'"
"The King is having a party at the Palace tonight for his daughter," said Heather. "The Palace will be packed, we can sneak in with the crowd."
"Won't work," said Hiccup shaking his head.
"Why not?" Fishlegs frowned.
"Because apart from me and Snotlout, the rest of you have no experience when it comes to dealing with nobles much less loyalty," said Hiccup. "Don't take this long way, but a society crowd would spot you a mile away, most of you don't exactly have the proper etiquette."
"Can't you teach us?" Astrid asked.
"You want me to teach you how to come ladies and gentlemen, in just a single day?" Hiccup asked.
"Can't be that hard," said Ruffnut.
"I'm sure we can do with a bit of practice," said Tuffnut.
Immediately they took down the curtains and wrapped them around their shoulders.
"Excuse me, Mr Ragnar Keatson, Miss Astrid Hofferson, Mr Fishlegs Ingerman," said Tuffnut putting on a pompous voice.
Ruffnut then approached Hiccup. "Avatar Hiccup, it is a real pleasure to meet you."
Immediately the two of them began to bow constantly until they actually hit each other on the heads.
"This is how it goes, Heather, Ragnar and Astrid might pull it off," said Hiccup. "So long as they pose as a lady in waiting, an adviser and bodyguard. Fishlegs, I have very confident you can do the same, but with gonna need someone to watch out for the twins as they can barely pass everyday servants."
"But I feel so fancy," said Ruffnut.
Later that night, Fishlegs and the twins waited for Hiccup and the others to return. They were getting proper outfits for the party tonight and were playing a simple game of air, water, earth and fire."
"Earth!" Fishlegs yelled holding out his fist.
"Fire!" the twins yelled stretching out their palms.
Fishlegs smiled victoriously and the twins groaned.
Eventually, Hiccup and the others returned wearing the outfit's. Hiccup and Snotlout were dressed as young lords, Heather was wearing a lady in waiting outfit for higher nobility, Ragnar was wearing a robe with the hood over his face to hide his tattoo and certainly look like the wise adviser and Astrid was wearing armour which bore the rank of lieutenant.
"Nice work with the outfits," said Fishlegs.
"We'll find a way to get into the party and let you in through the side gate," said Hiccup as they made their way to the door.
Meanwhile, Jet was beginning to lose his patience and keeping a close eye on the tea shop where Eret and Bjorn worked.
"Jet!" said Smellerbee as she approached him. "We need to talk."
"What?" Jet jumped, but relaxed when he saw that it was only Smellerbee and Longshot. "Oh, great it's you guys. Where have you been? I could really use some help with surveillance here."
"We've been talking," said Smellerbee as the two of them approached him. "And we think you're becoming obsessed with this. It's not healthy."
Jet narrowed his eyes. "Oh, really? You both think this?"
"We came here to make a fresh start, but you won't let this go, even though there's no real proof," said Smellerbee.
"Well, maybe if you helped me!"
"Jet you've got to stop this. They couldn't affect is all you know, like Astrid, trying to get far away from the Empire as possible."
"And maybe you forgotten why we need to start over," Jet snapped. "Maybe you have forgotten how the Empire left us all homeless. How they wiped out all the people we loved, if you don't want to help me I'll get the evidence on my own."
Jet then turned his back on them and started to make his way towards the tea shop.
In the tea shop, business have been booming ever since Eret and Bjorn had been employed. Bjorn was proving himself to be quite the skilled tea maker.
"This is the best tea in the city," said a guard.
"The secret ingredient is love," Bjorn smiled.
Eret merely shook his head as he took empty cups.
The store's owner smiled at Bjorn. "I think you are due for a raise."
The door then slammed open and Jet entered the tea shop narrowing his eyes at Bjorn and Eret.
"I'm tired of waiting!" he roared he then immediately pointed towards both Eret and Bjorn. "These two men are Firebenders!"
He then immediately drew his blades and everyone immediately backed away from him.
"I know their Firebenders! I saw the old man heating his tea!"
The guards in the tea shop and looked at one another and then back at Jet with sceptical looks.
"He worked in a tea shop," said one of them.
"He's a Firebender! I'm telling you!" he roared.
"Drop your swords boy, nice and easy," the guard warned as he and his friend rose to their feet.
Jet glared at Bjorn in advance towards him with his blade raised. "You're going have to defend yourself, then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do."
The guard was about to grab his swords, but Eret stepped forward and sacked them first. "You want a show, I'll give you a show," he said as he brandished them.
Eret then immediately pulled a table towards him and kicked it over towards Jet, but he sliced through it and slammed his blades on top of Eret's. Eret then immediately jumped out of the way and landed on one of the tables, Jet then began to slice it, but Eret was proving to be very athletic as he maintained perfect balance despite the table being short of two legs.
He then jumped in the air just as Jet sliced through what remained of the table and plunged his swords down towards him. Jet quickly jumped back and then charged at him at full speed.
Meanwhile Hiccup and the others were joining the crowd that were making its way into the Palace.
"Invitation please," said the guard.
Snotlout then held out the Jorgensons crest. "I think this will do."
The guard looked at it and narrowed his eyes at them. "No entry without an invitation. Step out of line please."
Snotlout looked at him crossly. "Look I've got important business with people inside which could seriously damage the economy if I do not talk to them."
"Step out of line please," the guard repeated.
With no other choice that will force to get out of line and that's when Heather noticed a well-dressed man exiting from a cabbage and got an idea.
She then immediately approached him. "Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but am afraid that my lords have lost their invitations, they constantly lose things. I don't suppose you can help us, our family is inside and I'm sure they're very worried?"
The man looked at them for a few seconds and bowed respectfully. "I'm honoured, please come with me."
They then began to follow the man as the approached the main gate, he bowed respectfully and allow them to enter.
They soon found themselves at the great hall and it was quite a spread and there were hundreds of aristocrats littering the place gorging themselves on talking to one another.
"It's beautiful isn't it," said the man. He then looked down at them. "By the way, I'm Lambert Stonefoot. I'm a cultural minister to the King."
"I am Lord Harold and this is my compatriots Lord Snotfang," said Hiccup gesturing to himself and Snotlout. "Comping nurses are adviser Agnar Starfang, our bodyguard Lieutenant Hoverson and our maid Freya Brightlight."
"Now where is your family?" Lambert asked looking around. "I would love to meet them."
"Uh, I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon," said Hiccup. "Thanks for all your help."
He and the others were about to walk off, but no sooner have they left that Lambert mysteriously appeared right in front of them.
"Don't worry, as your escort it would be dishonourable to abandon you ladies without finding your family first," said Lambert. "We'll keep looking."
Meanwhile Fishlegs was with the twins outside the side entrance waiting for Hiccup and the others to clear the way.
"Where are they?" Fishlegs asked frantically. He then shook his head and worry. "Something must have happened to them."
"Then it's a good thing we came up with a backup plan," said Tuffnut.
Ruffnut nodded. "Yeah, you dress up as a ghost then you jump out of the garden to cause a distraction and then we blast a hole in the wall…"
"Or we could go in with these guys," said Fishlegs noticing a few servants carrying supplies of a wagon.
"Hiccup said that you might pass as servants," said Fishlegs.
"Fine, but remember that ghost plan I think it's a winner," said Ruffnut.
Meanwhile in the lower district, Jet had just sent Eret flying out of the shop and the two of them were still clashing their blades against one another.
"You must be getting tired of using those swords," said Jet looking at him directly in the eye. "Why don't you go ahead and Firebend at me?"
Bjorn along with the shot owner and the customers leaned outside with deep concern.
"Please son, you're confused! You don't know what you're doing!" Bjorn yelled frantically.
Unfortunately Bjorn's words fell on deaf ears and he kept on clashing against Eret. He then began to link his thoughts together to extend his reach, but Eret didn't slow down the slightest.
"Bet a little fire blast will help you right now," said Jet as he swung his blades around.
Eret then dug one of his blade into the ground right in the handle of Jet's blade trapping it in the ground.
"You're the one who needs help," Eret corrected.
He then immediately swung his blade towards Jet, who immediately leaned back and watched as Eret sliced through the grass in his mouth. He then immediately jumped back and landed on top of the well and looked at the crowd which had now gathered around them.
"You see that! The Empire is trying to silence me!" he yelled. "It will never happen!"
He then looped his blade on the well and swung towards Eret with his feet forward.
Meanwhile at the Palace, Fishlegs and the twins were dressed up as servants pouring wine into the goblets of empty glasses belonging to the higher nobility as was presenting them trays of food.
"Where are Hiccup and the others?" Fishlegs asked looking concerned.
"Forget about them, we should keep an eye out for the King," said Tuffnut.
"We don't know what he looks like," Fishlegs reminded.
"You know Royal, flowing robes, fancy jewellery," said Ruffnut.
Sadly that description fit pretty much everyone in the Great Hall.
"That could be anyone," Fishlegs pointed out.
"I see you guys are having fun," said Hiccup's voice next to them.
Fishlegs turned and saw Hiccup and the others standing next to them. "You found us."
"It wasn't difficult," Ragnar admitted.
"Well thank you for letting us in," Tuffnut glared.
"Sorry, but the guy who escorted us in won't let it out of his sight," said Heather apologetically.
"What guy?" Ruffnut asked.
Hiccup and the others turned and found that Lambert had completely vanished into thin air. They only had a few seconds to process this when suddenly Jade showed an approach them with a frantic look on her face.
"What are you doing here?" she said no longer smiling. "You have to leave immediately or will all be in terrible trouble."
Hiccup then stepped up to her. "Not until we see the King."
"You don't understand, you must go," she said.
She then shoved him so hard that he tripped and crashed into Fishlegs, who unfortunately was holding a jug of wine at the time. The wine fell through the air and landed on the poor lady not too far way, she was now completely drenched from head to toe in wine.
"Our most humble apologies," said Hiccup approaching her.
Hiccup then took a deep breath and unleashed steam from his nostrils, then using Airbending he guided the steam towards the woman and is immediately dried her out. Of course this naturally got the attention of everyone around.
"The Avatar," the woman gasped. "I didn't know the Avatar would be here."
Jade's smile completely vanished as the entire crowd looked directly at Hiccup.
Ragnar then leaned in towards him. "Keep their attention while we'll look for the King."
"Everyone, please watch closely," said Hiccup.
He then immediately somersaulted and landed on the table, he then began to bend the wine from the cups and spun them around above his head in the beautiful movement of colours. Everyone immediately turned their attention onto him and clapped.
Meanwhile Eret was still clashing with Jet and eventually this caught the attention of the Jade Vipers.
"Drop your weapons," said one of them.
Eret and Jet immediately disengaged and Jet then pointed an accusing finger at Eret and Bjorn.
"Arrest them! They're Firebenders!" Jet announced.
"This poor boy is confused, we're simply refugees," said Bjorn innocently.
"This young man, wrecked my teashop and assaulted my employees!" said the teashop owner accusingly.
The guard nodded in agreement.
"It's true, sir. We saw the whole thing, this crazy kid attacks the finest tea maker in the city," said Eret.
Bjorn blushed. "Oh… that's very sweet."
The Jade Vipers then approached Jet.
"Come with us, son," said one of them.
Jet then immediately swung his blade towards him, but he merely courted in his stone fist. He then quickly disarmed him and the two of them grabbed him, they then forced his hand behind his back and locks them in place with stones. They then promptly began dragging him away and he struggled the entire time.
"You don't understand!" he yelled. "They're Fire Empire! You have to believe me!"
Unsurprisingly no one believed him and he was immediately dragged into a cage. Smellerbee and Longshot when the crowd and watched as the carriage was taken away and then immediately left.
Meanwhile at the Palace, several guards entered with two carriages and they could see the shadows of two figures. One was obviously the Earth King while the other was his daughter, who this party was erected for.
Astrid and the others immediately saw the Earth King and towards Hiccup, who was still distracting the crowd.
"Hiccup the Earth King," Astrid whispered.
Hiccup then wasted no time turning around to face the Earth King. "Greetings you're Majesty," he said making his way towards the front.
However, for some strange reason the guard immediately took the Earth King and his daughter away and advance towards Hiccup. Fishlegs and the twins attempted to approach the King before he left, but were immediately grabbed by the Jade Vipers and were dragged away. The Jade Vipers also snatched Astrid and the others. When Hiccup made his way to the front meeting him was none other than Lambert.
"Avatar Hiccup, I assumed it was you," he said. "And it is a great honour in meeting you. I was not entirely honest here when we first met, I am in fact the Grand Chancellor of Meridian as well as the leader of the Jade Vipers. I would like to talk to you, your friends are waiting for us in the library."
Hiccup could tell that despite his cool expression, he was in fact threatening Hiccup. With no other choice Hiccup followed him and knew that he lost his chance to talk to the Earth King.
Hiccup soon met the others in the library and Lambert sat directly in front of them.
"Why aren't you allowing us to talk to the King!" Astrid demanded. "We've got information that could defeat the Empire!"
"The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day-to-day minutia of military activities," said Lambert dismissively.
Ragnar looked at him forcefully. "This could be the most important thing that he has ever heard!"
"That's the point," said Hiccup narrowing his eyes. "I know for a front the Earth King took the throne at the age of 4, far too young to rule. I know for a fact that you ruled in his place."
Lambert smiled. "It easy to forget that you are technically older than the Earth King, you have to be 10 years old when he took the throne."
Hiccup nodded. "I get the strong impression that he might not even know that the war actually exists."
Lambert gave him a cold look. "What's most important for the King is to maintain the cultural heritage of Meridian. All of his duties relate to issues of decrees on such matters, it's my job to oversee the rest of the city's resources, including the military."
"So the king is nothing more than a figurehead," Heather concluded.
Snotlout looked outraged. "He is nothing more than your puppet!"
"Oh no, no," said Lambert dismissively. "His Majesty is an icon, a God to his people. He can't sully his hands would be hourly changes of an endless war."
"But it's not endless," said Astrid in disbelief. "We found out about the solar eclipse that would lead the Empire defenceless. You could leave an invasion to—"
"Enough!" said Lambert getting to his feet. "I do not want to hear your ridiculous plan! It is the strict policy of Meridian that the war not be mentioned with in the walls! Constant news of escalating war would throw the citizens of Meridian into a state of panic."
In an unknown location, members of the Jade Vipers dragged Jet into a rocky cell and immediately strapped into a chair.
"You have to believe me, they're Firebenders!" he yelled. "They won't stop until they win the war!"
They then immediately put stones around the crown of his head and then forced his head back into the chair. Jet looked forward and saw a member of the Jade Vipers in front of him standing in a circler track.
"Calm down," he said calmly. "You're safe now."
"Our economy would be ruined… our peaceful way of life… our traditions would disappear," said Lambert.
A lamp was now circling around the track again and again.
"There is no war in Meridian," said the Jade Viper.
Jet stared at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? Where do you think all the refugees come from, you can't hide it?"
"In silencing the talk of conflict, Meridian remains a peacefully orderly utopia. The last one on earth," said Lambert smiling at their shock.
Jet's mouth was completely covered in stone and his eyes were following the lamp.
"There is no war with in the walls," said the Jade Viper. "Here we are safe. Here we are free."
Ragnar looked at Lambert in disbelief. "You can't keep hiding the truth from all these people, they have to know."
"I'll tell them," said Hiccup marching up to Lambert. "I will make sure that everyone knows!"
Lambert then approached him and narrowed his eyes. "Until now you have been treated as our honoured guest, but for now on you will be watched at every moment by Jade Viper agents. If you mention the war to anyone you will be expelled from the city."
"You can try," said Hiccup narrowing his eyes. "I think you'll find that all of us aren't pushovers."
Lambert turned his back on him. "I understand that you are looking for your dragons…" He then turned around and smiled at them, "it would be a shame if you were not able to complete your quest."
Hiccup immediately glared at him, understanding his meaning.
"Now Jade will show you home," said Lambert.
The door opened, but entering into the room was a completely different woman wearing the same robes as Jade.
"Come with me please," he said.
Heather frowned in confusion. "What happened to Jade?"
"I am Jade, I will be your host as long you're in our wonderful city," said the new woman.
Hiccup and the others looked at one another and couldn't believe the corruption that was inside the city.