The Dragon King: The Eye and the Alpha

by Threni

It has been one year since the events of "The Dragon King" and life on Berk is a good as can be expected. And then one day they receive a message from a mysterious tribe ordering Hiccup to return to them something he swears he never stole. What follows is series of adventures and discoveries that will forever change their lives...and could also destroy them.

15. Chapter 15

I Own Nothing

All Rights Reserved

Chapter 15

Bound For Home

Draccus rolled over gasping for air. "You really know how to exhaust a man,"

"I've had a lifetime of practice," the woman lying beside him smiled archly. "Want me to exhaust you some more?"

"Later. Later," he smiled at the thought, and then grew serious, "First, tell me what happened on your mission. Did they retrieve the Eye? Will Viggo succeed in getting what he wants?"

"I don't know. I lost them after Iceland. I decided I'd fulfilled my orders enough, so I came back."

"And was Viggo displeased?"

"Not at all. I probably killed one or two of his friends, as Viggo wanted. It doesn't matter much to him what happened, so long as Hiccup finds the Eye, which I believe he will. Hiccup is a very determined man; and quite an attractive one too!"

Draccus groaned in frustration. "Then Hiccup can't return. The Eye must not come to Viggo!"

"Why do you want it that way, Mi Amor?" she purred in his ear.

But Draccus was not one to be caught by a pretty face. Or so he told himself, anyway. "I merely think it would be safer to kill the Dragon King and be done with it. He's too dangerous to the Dragon Hunters to be left alive. And I think Viggo is making a mistake in trying to manipulate him to bring us what we want."

"Ah," she sighed, "And you know, Mi Amor, I agree,"

"You do?"

"Sí. I've known Hiccup for a long time." She gestured to her missing eye, the only part of her body that was not beautiful and the only part covered. "This happened because of him and his allies. And I only escaped by hiding among the prisoners they sent to Berserk for ransom. There were so many prisoners nobody ever noticed an extra. Muy estúpido!"

"Very clever," Draccus grinned.

"I know. So if you want me to go and kill him, just say so."

"And you'd do it?"

"Sí. But you are aware, I trust, that killing him now means he can't bring us the Dragon Eye, which means all of Viggo's plans will be for nothing." She climbed onto him and very slowly started licking his chest.

"That's just what I want, Adoncia," Draccus grinned. In the rush of the moment he forgot about the caution he prided himself in a few minutes earlier. He grabbed her shoulders. "Listen to me, Adoncia. Let Viggo fail. Then he'll be ousted. Then we can be the ones pulling the strings, not my brothers. There's nothing we can't accomplish together. Help me become leader of the Hunters and you'll get whatever you want,"

"Right now I want you," she whispered. "Let Hiccup live a little longer. Just for now, forget him and the Eye and your brothers. We'll get to work in the morning."

"I reckon I can wait that long." Draccus grinned wolfishly.

It was amazing what a beautiful body could accomplish. By this point Draccus's caution was completely forgotten; his discretion was like butter over a fire. In between kisses, Draccus told her all about how left out he always felt and how he wanted to be the one in charge. She sympathized completely, urged him to do exactly what he planned, and swore she would help him in every way possible.

That morning Ryker Grimborn was having his customary breakfast of meat and gruel, when the servant girl barged in to say the Spanish prostitute wanted to see him and his brother.

"For the last time, you will treat me with the respect I deserve!" he shouted after her.

"I already do," she shouted back before getting out of earshot.

"I hope Viggo breaks her soon, because I can't stand much more of it!" he grumbled. Adoncia came in, looking rather disheveled but with a triumphant look in her eyes. She blew Ryker a kiss and walked upstairs. Ryker decided to stay where he was and finish his breakfast. She did not return until sometime after he was done.

Well?" he said impatiently.

"Draccus is plotting against you and Viggo. He wants me to kill Hiccup at once and not let you get the Dragon Eye,"

Ryker at once grabbed his sword. "Why that foul little—I'll slaughter him like a pig!"

Adoncia was not fazed by the anger. "Viggo wants him alive for the moment."

Ryker froze. To displease Viggo again would be a huge blunder. "Why?"

"Perhaps," Adoncia suggested slyly, "since I am pretending to be an ally of Draccus, I can find out how far this treason extends,"

Ryker put his sword away. "All right. If Viggo ordered it, it will be so—but not for long!"

"Viggo wants him alive and watched until the Eye is ours."

"I'll do the watching," Ryker suddenly grinned. "He's always wanted to be involved in the family business!"

"That's just what Viggo has in mind. Meantime, I have to go. We must know if the Dragon Eye has been found and where Hiccup will bring it."

"And set up an ambush?" Ryker grinned.

A little while later, Eret son of Eret was walking down a corridor fuming. He was bored and tired of everything. Tired of being a hunter with no work, tired of all the spying and vague double talk everybody seemed to be going on about these days. He just wanted things to be simple again. In the past it was catch the dragon, deliver it, collect the rewards, and have a mug of mead later. There were no schemes, no questions of ethics, no grandiose plans, and no questions of loyalty. It was just honest men at work for an honest reward. And he blamed the Dragon King. He respected the man, certainly. He knew the man had done some good things, but the fact remained if the King had not come, dragon hunting would still be profitable and there would be no problems with its management.

Adoncia caught up with him. He knew perfectly well what kind of woman she was and despised her, yet when he saw her wearing a riding outfit that really brought out the shape of her body, he could not help but stare and feel his heart beat a little faster.

"Buenos dias, Mi Amor," she said seductively.

"Good morning," he said stiffly. He wondered if this woman ever stopped acting voluptuously. "Are you off again?" he gestured to the bag she was carrying.

"Sí. But first, Viggo sent me to ask you something. He hears you're unhappy with the way things are."

"Aren't we all?" Eret asked evasively.

"True. But he hears—to his great displeasure—that you were thinking of giving up and finding some new occupation. He knows, of course, it isn't true. He knows the great Eret, son of Eret, would never abandon dragon hunting."

"Of course not," Eret said quickly, "but first give me dragons to hunt."

"You know we need the Dragon Eye for that now."

"Do we really?" Eret asked. He was somewhat skeptical that this Eye was some miracle device that would solve everything. It sounded to him like the gold at the end of the rainbow.

"Sí. And Viggo wants you to help us get it. You might want to consider that not helping us in this great matter would make him very unhappy—and it would be such a shame to learn that Eret, son of Eret, was not a devoted member of our little business."

Eret swallowed. "What does Viggo want me to do?"

Adoncia grinned.

Way out somewhere in the middle of Greenland, completely unaware of what was going on in the rest of the world, Hiccup was lying in a pile of snow.

"Out on ice caps

We sketch out maps

To lead us safely home

We leave tonight

When the moonlight

Is really—

All right, what rhymes with 'home'?" He mused, tapping his charcoal stick against his head. "Hmm. Rome, roam, foam, gnome,—doesn't really make sense. Oh well, anyway, Bud, I've got the route finalized. We'll return to Iceland, then make for the Hebrides, and from there move east to Berk! It'll be more direct this time. There's no need to detour around England and Ireland."

"Works for me," Toothless said impatiently. "Can we get going now? You guys have been packing all day!"

"How about 'when the moonlight/is really bright'?" Snotlout suggested, smug at his own poetic genius. He was strapping his pack onto Hookfang to make sure it fitted properly.

"That doesn't fit the rhyming scheme," Hiccup retorted. Sometimes it was annoying and troublesome having conversations in two different languages at the same time. "Ruff, Tuff, how's the diving gear coming?"

A loud bang was heard.

"Sounds like it's coming well, I'd say,"

Toothless was appalled. "You spent nearly a week making that and now you've had the Twins destroy it?"

"Well it's too cumbersome to carry and they have no use for it here! Although, some of the pipes might have come in handy as spare weapons…ah, but we're armed enough; and we're carrying that box too. We've got enough bulky things to deal with. Relax bud, I've got the designs. We'll build an improved version when we get back. And this time I'll be the one to use it."

They had decided to leave at night, hoping any spies or pursuers would not expect it. Windshear would carry the Eye, and as it was in a cumbersome box, the rest of Heather's gear, baring personal items, was divided amongst the others. Heather allowed Hiccup to hide the Snow Wraith Key in his prosthetic, as a precaution. The lenses were also distributed amongst everyone excluding Heather. This way, if any of them were captured, their captors would gain little materialistically. It also meant if any of them got lost or killed, the items they had would likely be lost with them, but that risk existed no matter what choices and precautions they took.

Astrid clapped her hands together. "Well, that's the last of our gear. All that's left is to wait for nightfall!" Then she decided to double-check everything.

"Hey Hiccup…" Heather gestured to one of the passages. Valka was emerging from it. Hiccup, uncertainly, went over to her.

It had felt awkward enough saying goodbye to his father back on Berk, but this was downright uncomfortable. What exactly was he to really say?

She shifted her weight uncertainly and looked at her feet. "So, you're off?"

"Tonight,"

"I don't suppose there's any chance you'll stay longer?"

"We got what we came for," Hiccup said evasively.

"Yes you did," Valka's nervousness vanished at once. "And you should drop it in the ocean this minute."

Hiccup's nervousness vanished too. "The deal was to give it to Mala." The others stopped what they were doing to listen.

"And what is she going to do with it? Throw it into the sea?"

"Possibly,"

"Then save her the trouble and do it now!"

"Why didn't you? Why choose a lake in Greenland when you had plenty of water to cross before you got here?"

"I wanted the Bewilderbeast to have a look at it first!"

"And I want Mala to have a look at it first, so she knows we succeeded!"

"And what happens next?" Valka demanded. "What if Dragon Hunters set a trap? What if Mala or someone close to her is secretly in league with them? What if this pursuer of yours attacks again? What if Mala decides to use the Dragon Eye for her own advancement?"

Heather could not stay quiet. "Queen Mala would never do that!"

Valka eyed her skeptically. "Newfound power often changes people, you know,"

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "How do you know I won't use it for my own advancement?" he asked rhetorically, "But seriously, if I get a hint of treachery or danger, I'll do what I can to keep the Eye safe. We all will." His eyes glinted as he spoke. "And if you're so worried about it, come with us! A Stormcutter and another fighter won't impede our safety!"

"I'm sure a Stormcutter would find Berk's climate appealing," Astrid added.

Valka knew what she was hinting at and looked almost ready to agree. Then she wavered. Back and forth her resolution went. She had gone through this countless times during the past two decades, and it had never gotten any easier to pick an answer. Abruptly she turned around and walked away.

The Riders exchanged confused glances.

"What's she doing?" Tuffnut asked.

"I guess she's not coming with us," Ruffnut told him, "Though I don't understand why. I mean, what's so special about this place that a single dragon and his rider can't leave it and see their family for the first time in over 20 years?"

"You wouldn't," Hiccup said heavily, "You've never had to be afraid of how people would react if you returned home."

"And you're just going to let her walk off like that?" Astrid exclaimed.

"Personally I think she's just afraid and is making excuses to convince herself not to come," Hookfang remarked.

"Maybe, but those fears aren't exactly groundless," Stormfly said.

"Yes. For instance, what do you think the Hatchling's sire would do to Cloudjumper if they met?" Meatlug asked.

"There's only one way to find out," Fishlegs pointed out.

Hiccup's hand slid up to his shoulder, but he sharply pulled it away. "I promise you, Meatlug, I would not let Stoick put a spear or anything else into Cloudjumper. But guys, I imagine every reason we can give to come with us has already occurred to her. She needs some space and time to think. We've presented all the evidence, and now the jury has to decide. We'll be seeing her again before we leave, don't worry."

"Do you actually want her to come with us?" Astrid asked him, "Have you decided you'll let her be your mother?"

"I don't know, Astrid. And I don't see any use in saying 'yes' to that if she decides to stay here." He looked at the sky and spoke to himself, though loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Why must life be so full of confusion and misery? Every decision brings on new controversies, every action questionable, and every sentence interpreted differently. I almost wish we were all actors and could get some moments of rehearsal, so that when a mistake is made we can just say 'start the scene over.' But nope, we only get one chance," He sighed miserably. "What did the Gods hope to gain by molding the world this way?"

Valka went straight to the Bewilderbeast, who was in already deep conversation with Cloudjumper. Several Typhoomerangs were nearby but only listening.

"There you are!" the Stormcutter said with relief, "I was starting to wonder if they had abducted you."

"Well, Valka? Is the Dragon Eye going with them or staying here?" The Bewilderbeast interrupted.

"They won't part with it until they give it back to the Defenders." She said bitterly, "If we take it back now Hiccup will probably want nothing to do with us anymore."

"So?" Cloudjumper said.

"He's my son, Cloudjumper! Do you think I want him to sever all ties with me now that we've finally met?"

"So you want to head back to Berk?" The Bewilderbeast asked gently.

"Yes—no—I don't know!" she cried, "They keep urging me to, but what will Stoick say? What will I say to him? How do I explain all of this? The last time I saw him he was drunk and cursing dragons—Hiccup say's things are better now on Berk, but are they really?" she flung herself onto a pile of snow and slammed her fists into it.

"There is only one way to settle these questions forever," The Bewilderbeast said, unaware of what Fishlegs had said. "Though we could always send a scout there to assess the matter first,"

"I say we take back the Dragon Eye and stay here," Cloudjumper said, "Let those Vikings deal with their own problems."

"You used to be much more eager to help others," The Bewilderbeast remarked. "I seem to recall you once wanted to take on the Red Death yourself."

"That was all before that monster Bludvist nearly killed me. I felt invincible in those days. But the way I see it, we could help those Vikings a million times and they would not care nor learn any lessons. Furthermore, we were informed the Eye has information on Bewilderbeasts—we cannot allow anyone else to gain that information and use it to take you down, Alpha, especially now that our location has become known. To let the Eye go off to strangers and run the risk of being taken is pure folly. It is perfectly safe here, so here let it stay."

"That is true to an extent," the Bewilderbeast agreed, "All the same…Valka, it is your decision, of course, but is there really a need to go back to Berk, if that is what's worrying you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your son and his friends intend to bring the Eye to those Defenders, and then help them dispose of it, am I correct?"

"That's what they said, anyway,"

"But does that mean they are going to Berk itself? Undoubtedly in the end they will, but from what we have heard, these Defenders may insist upon receiving the Eye on ground of their choosing, someplace known only to them."

"It's possible," Valka said dully.

"Well then, I will allow the Riders to leave with the Eye. No, do not argue, Cloudjumper. I have decided to give them this chance. But I feel I am justified in sending someone after them, to ensure everything goes well. Since you have a personal interest in this and know the region, Cloudjumper, Valka, would you do this for me?"

"What do you want us to do?" Cloudjumper asked sharply.

"Follow those Dragon Riders and make sure the Dragon Eye ends up disposed of safely. Whether you decide to reveal yourselves to the Riders or to Berk I leave to your discretion."

"So you want us to follow them?"

"Yes. And if Valka decides she wants to see Berk again, you will take her there, Cloudjumper."

Cloudjumper knew he would have to obey his Beta and that further arguments were useless. As for Valka, she saw that this suggestion was only dodging and delaying the question, not settling it. Still, she suddenly felt much better now that she had been given a postponement.

"But are we going to tell your son about this?" Cloudjumper asked.

A new dilemma, but this time she had an easy answer. "No. If nobody is aware we're following them, we remain a secret ally and an unknown factor. If we travel with them, their enemies will know it. And if I…if I can't bring myself to come back to Berk, then Hiccup won't have to see me turn around and leave him at the last minute."

The next time she saw Hiccup night was starting to fall, and she was completely unprepared for what she saw. Toothless had a giant stick of ice stuck to his tongue and Hiccup was holding a canteen of water next to an ignited Hookfang. Her son and Hookfang looked very amused, while Toothless looked ready to gag. "Steady, Hookfang, we don't want to set the canteen on fire."

"Wouldn't that make the water warm?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't be able to carry it then, would I? All right Toothless, hold still."

"Thith ith no thun,"

"Well I told you not to pick it up! Oh hi, Valka. Be just a minute. I was drawing in the snow to pass the time and this lizard here decides he wants to join in, and wouldn't you know, his artist's brush froze to his tongue." He carefully poured the warm water onto the Night Furies tongue. It took a few minutes but the ice finally detached. Hiccup at once began applying bandages. "Thanks Hookfang. I can take it from here. Go tell the others we'll be leaving soon." He looked up at his mom and grinned. "I guess this proves dragons do need humans for some things, doesn't it?"

Valka smiled. "I suppose so. Although I think humans need dragons more, don't you?"

Hiccup nodded. "So, what is the jury's verdict?"

"Sorry?"

"We're leaving very soon. What are you going to do?"

"Hiccup, are you sure bringing the Eye back is wise? Wouldn't it be safer to keep it here and not get further involved in this?"

"Maybe getting involved creates new problems, but I'd rather try and resolve them than do nothing." Hiccup said patiently, "If I had my way, I'd keep the Eye for myself and use its information to benefit people and dragons. I'd use it to help pave the way to creating a lasting peace. But since I can't do that much, I'll use it to forge an alliance between two tribes and further solidify peace in Viking territory. Doesn't that make it worth the risk?"

"Yes…but will it be worth the cost in the end?"

"When we get to the end I'll tell you. But I think it will be. I hope it will be." He looked at his mother thoughtfully, "You don't look prepared to go anywhere. So I'm guessing that means you're not coming with us?"

"I—no, son, I'm not. I—I can't." She had to turn away. If she had looked into his eyes she never could have lied to him like this. She tried to justify herself but could not think of what to say. Her mind was blank.

"Well, that's your decision. I don't have to like it, but that's the way it is. My decision is to head home." Hiccup said heavily. "But if you ever…you know, change your mind…"

Valka suddenly grabbed his arm tightly. "We will meet again, Hiccup. I swear it."

Hiccup laughed ironically. "You know, you wanted to surprise me for my 16th birthday, right? Well, you could do it now! Or maybe surprise me at my wedding! I'll send you an invitation!"

"Yes, you could do that," Valka smiled sadly.

"Of course, I'd have to send one at once since we want it as soon as possible and it would take a while for a Terror to get here, but…oh what am I rambling about? You already know it's going to happen." He shifted his weight and looked at the ground. "I suppose there's nothing else to be said?"

Valka could only shake her head.

"Do you want me to tell Dad about you? It's going to be hard keeping this a secret, of course, but I could probably pull it off. If you…"

"Do what you think is best,"

"Of course," he muttered under his breath. "Well…"

Valka took a deep breath. "Goodbye, Hiccup,"

"Goodbye, Mom," he turned away slowly, "Aren't you coming, Toothless?"

Valka had almost forgotten about the Night Fury. He had kept quiet this whole time because of his tongue. "Juth a minute."

As soon as he was out of sight, Hiccup kicked a pile of snow as hard as he could.

The Night Fury waited until his Rider was out of earshot before turning on Valka. "Honethly, I think you made a bad mithake."

Valka was surprised by the blunt tone that even the lisp could not disguise. "Oh?"

"Yeth. He wanted you to come back with uth. I really get tired of you and your mate upthetting him over and over again, you know. Do you have any idea how much of a wreck he wath when we met? And now you've dithappointed him again. Doth your family mean anything to you?" He glared at her.

Her temper flared. "Maybe you don't understand my reasons for staying."

"Maybe not. But if I were you I'd go back to them before it wath too late, and be grateful I had a family to return to." With that he walked away.

Valka was so surprised that she did not sense Cloudjumper come up behind her. His first words made her jump.

"A very uncouth creature, would you not say?"

"I don't think so. I think he's right." She wiped away some tears. "I hated having to lie to Hiccup like that. What was I even thinking?"

"We should focus on our mission now," Cloudjumper said evasively.

"I suppose so. And who knows? Perhaps I'll get a chance to make amends before this is over. Even the wisest can't tell what will happen, and I'm not one of the wisest, not even close."

"I always thought you were wiser than most, actually," the Stormcutter said. "You saw dragons for what they are long before anyone else did."

"And look where that's gotten us," she said bitterly. "We'll give them a half night head start. Do you really think you can stay hidden for that long? You're a rather large dragon, you know,"

The Stormcutter chuckled. "I believe I can. You do not call me 'Cloudjumper' for no reason, after all,"

Valka nodded but saw no reason to laugh.

Her husband, completely unaware that he had never been a widower or that this fact was now known, was pacing back and forth in the forge as Gobber the smith worked.

"Will ya fer the love o' Odin stop yer walkin'? Yer distractin' me from me hammerin'! Pacin' ain't gonna bring 'im back sooner!"

"It's been weeks, Gobber! The last we heard he was in Ireland! He could be halfway around the world or dead for all we know!" Stoick cried, throwing his hands in the air. "I never should have let him or anyone else leave on this! I should have thrown that woman's words in her face and braved her to do her worst!"

"An' risked a war?"

"We're strong enough! We're stronger than ever before, now that we have dragons on our side!" Stoick grumbled.

Gobber put the sword he had been hammering into a bucket of water. The metal hissed and steam rose rapidly into the air. "There. Jest the polishin' and sharpenin' left ta be done. Oh, that reminds me, Stoick, I've selected a boy ta be me new apprentice."

"Oh?" He was hardly interested.

"Aye. Name's Spittle Alfsson."

"The cobbler's boy? Is he any good?"

"Well, 'e's willin' ta learn,"

Stoick thought a minute, "If he meets your approval…all right, but Gobber, don't go twisting his head about trolls and Bonenappers and all that other stuff. Do you have any idea how long it took to get me ta get Hiccup to stop believing in those things?"

"Whaddya mean don't go twistin' 'is 'ead? Trolls an' Bonenappers exist and ya know it!" Gobber exclaimed indignantly.

"Gobber, don't be so superstitious!"

"It's good luck ta be sue-per-stice-e-ous!"

"No, it's bad luck!"

"Now who's bein' sue-per-stice-e-ous?" Gobber laughed. His amusement made Stoick crack a smile too.

"Now look, Stoick, yer son's a liver—"

"A what?"

"A liver. Ya know, 'e keeps on livin',"

"Thank Odin for that, because if you had meant what I thought you did—"

"Ya'd give me an 'eadache?"

"Yes and you'd need more rock teeth! Nobody compares my son to a piece of meat in my presence and gets away with it!"

"Why not? 'E's called me a meat-'ead, ya know!"

Stoick burst into a hearty laugh, "Did he really?"

"Aye. Wot ah mean ta say is yer son's a liver and 'e keeps on livin'. 'E should've died an 'undred times yet 'e's still alive an' kickin'—an' now that 'e's got a metal leg, 'e can kick pretty 'ard. Me point is, 'Iccup's probably perfectly fine."

Stoick still looked doubtful. "I wouldn't mind it so much if I just knew he was all right! A note every week or so would be enough! Of course, he only brought two Terrors with him and they've both been sent back. And since we don't know where he is we can't send a reply. They should've taken a whole flock with them!" Stoick's brow furled. "If I just knew where he was and what his plans were…and Mala's just as anxious, I know. She's been thinking of sending out some of her Defenders to look for them." A light came to his eyes. "Well, why not?"

"Yer gonna send out them Defenders?"

"Of course not! But we've still got the 'A' Team, and I've got Skullcrusher, haven't I? The island can manage for a week without us!"

Gobber understood what he was saying. "Didn't used ta be that way," he remarked.

"I know. When those raids were at their worst, I always dreaded what I might see when I returned from voyages. I always feared dragons, Outcasts, or the Twins had destroyed Berk in my absence."

"'Specially the third?" Gobber grinned.

"Especially!" Stoick grinned back. He felt a lot better now. "I'll send out the 'A' Team Riders and we'll see if we can't find my lost heir."

Through the cold air that gradually grew warmer, from Greenland to Iceland to the Hebrides, and then to the coast of Norway the Dragon Riders went, following the route Hiccup had picked for them. Unlike their first journey, the way back was incredibly peaceful and quick. They were all eager to head home now, the weather was good for flying, and nobody tried to attack them. All around, it was much easier on the nerves and a much more pleasant, if largely uneventful journey. Nevertheless, a few events occurred which need to be told.

The first occurred when they had camped for the night on a sea stack in the Hebrides, several days after leaving Greenland. The sea stacks and the weather made them feel right at home. It was almost scary how similar the islands were to Berk. During the night Astrid felt a tap on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw Hiccup. She would later decide it was a sight she could get used to waking up to, but at the time she simply said "What is it?"

He led her away from the camp and to the edge of the stack, where Toothless was sitting. "I saw Cloudjumper."

"Where?"

"He's on another sea stack to the north. Here, use this, it's impossible to see him from here without aid." He handed her his spotting scope and she put it to her eye.

"You're sure it's him?"

"I don't know of any other four winged dragons with a bag on their back. I didn't see Valka, but she's probably behind him."

Astrid looked around a minute and nodded. "Sure looks like him. So what are they doing here?"

"Probably following us," Toothless growled. "The real question is what do we do about it?"

"Nothing,"

"Hiccup, are you sure?" Astrid asked earnestly.

"If she wants to talk, she knows where to find us." He replied shortly.

They told the others about this in the morning and left it at that.

The second event took place after they had encamped on one of the many islands around Norway. They were roughly two days flight from Berk, possibly less if they hurried. Nobody had attacked them during that whole time. Valka and Cloudjumper were still behind them somewhere, but had always kept at a discreet distance and made no contact with them.

That night, Astrid had gone off patrolling, as usual, and for the first time on the entire return journey she and Stormfly did not return empty handed.

"Hey guys, look what I've found!" She was dragging none other than Gustav Larson, who seemed positively enchanted with what she was doing to him. Stormfly and Fanghook, Gustav's Nightmare, followed close behind.

"Gustav, what are you doing here?" Snotlout exclaimed.

"My thoughts precisely!" Meatlug said.

"She's touching me," Gustav said dreamily.

Astrid snorted. "Men. I found him camping nearby. I thought he was an enemy, so I tackled him." That explained his dirty appearance.

"I knew she couldn't resist my charms. Oh hey, guys! How've you been?" It seemed he had only just realized there were others present.

"Just fine, Gustav, now mind telling us what you're doing here?" Hiccup said.

"Before we tickle it out of you!" Ruffnut added with an evil grin.

"I'd rather hang him." Tuffnut said.

"You can't get information out of someone if you hang them, Doofus!"

"That's what you think, muttonhead!"

"Bride of a Troll!"

"I can't be a bride! I'm a guy!"

"I see the journey didn't change them in the slightest," Gustav said over the noise, "The Chief hoped they might come back, as he put it, 'reformed and enlightened,'"

"And pigs will walk on water,"

"Very funny, Stormfly. Now, Gustav, for the third time, what are you doing here?" Hiccup said.

"We hadn't heard from you guys in I don't know how long! The Chief was getting worried, so he and some of the 'A' Team went out looking for you. I've been out here for five or six days now."

"Alone?" Heather asked.

Gustav nodded happily. "I owe it all to your Survival Training, O divine and lovely Astrid,"

"Save it, Gust, she's taken now," Snotlout said bitterly. "She and Fishbone over there decided to seal the deal,"

It took Gustav a minute to understand what he meant, and when he did he was horrified. "You mean—but that's—but I thought—oh, Astrid, how could you do this to me?"

"By saying 'Yes'" Astrid whispered to Stormfly.

Gustav looked at Snotlout nervously, "I don't suppose there's any chance you could…you know…bump him off before we reach Berk?"

"GUSTAV!" Fishlegs exclaimed. Toothless barred his teeth.

"Just an idea, just an idea!"

"Getting back to our first topic," Hiccup said loudly, "Is there any news from Berk?"

"Oh yes! That Queen Lady told us to tell you to 'bring the Eye to the site of Heather's third training session.' And before you ask, I have no idea what that means,"

"I do," Heather said quietly. "So she wants us to meet her there? All right, I can see that,"

"So can I come with you guys when you go there?" Gustav asked eagerly. Everyone at once shook their heads and mouthed the word 'no' to Hiccup.

"Sorry Gustav, but I've got something else for you to do, and it's important,"

"Ooo! Tell tell tell!"

"I need you to take a message back to Berk. Tell Mala we'll be there in—Heather would five days be manageable? All right, tell Mala we'll be there in five days."

"And tell the Chief and our parents we're all fine," Astrid added.

"I'll leave at once!" Gustav cried, so eager was he to be of service to her. He leapt onto Fanghook and flew away.

Hiccup slapped his leg. "Dang it, I had more questions to ask him!"

"Oh, ask them later," Snotlout said impatiently, "where are we supposed to meet that lady?"

"Don't talk about Queen Mala like that!" Heather snapped.

"He can talk about her any way he likes!" Hookfang growled. Windshear at once got on her haunches and hissed at him. Stormfly took a defensive stance.

"Oh drop it, all of you!" Hiccup and Toothless ordered simultaneously.

Astrid quickly spoke up, "Heather, where are we going?"

Heather looked over the map Hiccup had produced and tapped an island. "Right here. It's where I went for my third training session with the Defenders. It's an old volcano."

Hiccup held up a hand. "All right, guys, training exercise: suppose you're a Dragon Hunter, you want the Dragon Eye really badly, and you know where it will be soon. How would you get it?"

"Set up an ambush, obviously," Snotlout said smugly.

"Yes, and where?"

"At the drop off point of course!"

"That's one possibility," Fishlegs agreed.

"But it's too obvious." Astrid argued. "Mala will probably have every Defender with her, and we'll all be there with our dragons, and we'll all be expecting an attack. No, if it was me, I'd try to steal the Eye before it reached the drop off point."

"My thoughts exactly, Astrid. So here's what we're going to do," He scanned the map a moment, "we're going to split up and fly along different routes. We'll bypass the Drop Off point—that's an appropriate term—and we'll meet up here to the south of it. Then, when the time arrives, we'll fly to the correct island."

"Split up and land in the wrong spot?" Tuffnut said, "Strike confusion into 'em? The Chicken is pleased!"

Hiccup had the dragons gather around the map so they could see where they were going. As they looked he resumed his plan. "The pairs will be Toothless with Barf n' Belch, Stormfly and Windshear, and Hookfang with Meatlug,"

"What?" Snotlout exclaimed, "I have to travel with Fishlegs? Why can't I travel with Astrid? No offense, Fish," he added hastily.

"I'm not exactly thrilled about it either," Fishlegs said coolly.

"Why do I have to travel with the Razorwhip?" Stormfly demanded. A glare from Toothless was warning enough for Windshear and she merely growled.

Hiccup held up a hand again. "I'll tell you why. As Heather's the only Defender among us and is carrying the Dragon Eye, she's in the most danger. So I'm pairing her with the best fighter we have. And whoever goes with the Twins has to be able to handle them. So, by process of elimination, Snotlout and Fishlegs have to travel together."

He now turned back to the dragons and told them the routes he wanted them to take. Tomorrow morning, two groups would fly westwards, at different degrees, the third would fly east. What routes they took after that were up to them, and he had no objections to them flying in random directions at random moments, so long as they arrived on time and did not get captured.

Astrid and Heather left first, early the following morning.

"Keep an eye out for enemies," Stormfly ordered Windshear, "and I'll keep one eye on you," she added under her breath.

"Are you still convinced I'm going to murder you or something?" Windshear asked sharply. Stormfly had evidently spoken louder than she thought she had. But she had no desire to talk about it, especially to Windshear.

But Windshear would not let the matter drop. "Ever since I've met you, all you've done is scowl at me and imply that I'm a killer. Why? What did I ever do to you?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Well I do. And seeing how I'm the victim here, I think I have a right to know why you hate me so much."

"Victim!" Stormfly squawked so loudly it made the humans jump, "What do you know about being a victim? I was a prisoner first of the Red Death and then of humans, and just when I found happiness at last I lost my mate and later my hatchlings and friends and home! I lost my infants thanks to a Razorwhip! I killed other dragons and destroyed my own nest because of that monster!"

"Well I'm not that monster!" Windshear shouted. "Don't blame me for what happened! I had nothing to do with it!"

"Girls, that's enough!" Astrid interrupted before it became a fight. In their anger they had both forgotten she could understand what they were saying. "Stormfly, you're going to fly east, Windshear, keep going straight."

"What's going on?" Heather asked nervously when she saw Astrid veering to the east. "What is it?"

"Nothing, I just need to have a little talk with my dragon. I'll be back in a few minutes." Astrid assured her.

"I can't believe you're taking her side!" Stormfly exclaimed.

"Stormfly, did you ever hear about what happened with Chief Stoick?"

Stormfly was so surprised by the question she had to take some time to consider her answer. In the end all she could say was to ask Astrid what she meant.

"Chief Stoick hated dragons for years because he thought they'd killed his wife and son, remember?"

"Oh that. Yes, I know—I mean, Hiccup and others have told me about it many times, but what does this—?"

"Do you remember what that hatred did to him and his family? I'm asking because at the moment, Stormfly, you're heading in the same direction. Oh come on, Stormfly, I know why you don't like Razorwhips, but humans killed your mate and you don't blame all of us for that!"

"No, but I blamed every Outcast for it and I paid them back. And what about you? You're Uncle was killed by a Flightmare and you still don't like them! I saw you that night—you were all set to attack one!"

Astrid swallowed. "That is true. But if a Flightmare actually came up to me, I—I would do my best act civil to it. And just what are you saying here, that you're upset about Razorwhips because you didn't get to take any revenge for your Hatchlings? I was like that once, Stormfly. When someone did better than me, or somehow slighted me, I couldn't rest until I'd gotten even with them. It sounds appealing at first, but in the end it just makes you angry and lonely. I know you can't answer this, but I sometimes wonder if I had any actual friends before I went to the Sanctuary."

"This is not about winning first prize—this is about my hatchlings!" Stormfly shouted.

"They're dead, Stormfly! It's horrible, yes, but blaming Windshear for it isn't going to bring them back and you know it! Now enough of this! I saw what this did to the Haddocks and I am not going to let that happen to you! So you're going to apologize to Windshear and stop treating her like the enemy."

Stormfly kept bitterly silent as Astrid steered her back to rejoin Heather.

"Are we good now?" Heather asked.

Astrid looked at her dragon. "Well, Stormfly?"

Stormfly looked over at the Razorwhip. "All right, Windshear. I am sorry for my insinuations. But it was a Razorwhip that made me do horrible things to my nest and was responsible for the death of my family. I will tolerate your presence and stay civil, but I do not forgive your species and or forget what they did to me."

Windshear's head drooped. It was hardly the words anyone had been hoping for, but Astrid felt it was the best they could expect for the time being, and intended to hold Stormfly to her promise of tolerance.

But Stormfly was not finished. "And if you ever think of harming my Rider, you'll wish you were dead by the time I'm done with you."

It seems a shame to say it, but all the forethought and precautions the Riders had taken were for nothing. They did not see a Dragon Hunter, any ships, or even any dragons. The only thing that happened to make the flight out of the ordinary was that the Twins had gotten into a fight and nearly fell to their deaths, but Toothless grabbed them in time. Hiccup then had Chicken ride with him, and the Twins were sullen and silent for the rest of the flight.

Astrid told only Hiccup and Toothless about Stormfly and Windshear.

"I hated having to discipline her like that, but not doing so would've been dishonorable."

Hiccup nodded. "This has to stop before it gets worse,"

"I could give her an order?" Toothless suggested. Hiccup shook his head.

"That wouldn't help Bud. It might even make things worse." He looked glum, "But does it really matter now? After all, once this exchange is done, Heather's probably going back with the Defenders, and Windshear's probably going with them. If I'm right, Stormfly won't have to tolerate Windshear for much longer…"

From their new campsite they could see the Drop off Point, and if ever an island looked like what a volcano was commonly thought to look like, it was this island. It was a round cone that rose out of the sea for several thousand feet. Black clouds were rising from the top.

"I don't like the looks of that. Why'd they have to choose a volcano?" Fishlegs asked, "Especially an active one? What about the lava or the tremors? Good grief, Heather, we could all be killed there!"

"Awesome!" the Twins exclaimed.

"The Chicken is pleased!"

"That's why Queen Mala thinks it's an unlikely spot for an ambush." Heather replied, "And as for the lava, don't worry. This island's home to an Eruptodon."

"An Eruptodon?" Fishlegs exclaimed, his uneasiness instantly vanishing, "The Boulder class dragon that eats lava? Oh thank you, Queen Lady, I've always wanted to see one!"

Heather smiled. "That's right. This volcano has been active for some time, but the lower parts are safe as long as the Eruptodon is around."

"As safe as any volcano can be, you mean," Astrid corrected. "Say, Hiccup, did you ever see an erupting volcano during your travels?"

"Hmm? Oh, no," he was still in low spirits.

"What? You disappoint me!"

"Yeah. The way you talk about it, I thought you'd seen everything," Snotlout grumbled.

"You told Gustav to tell Mala to meet us here in five days. That means we meet her the day after tomorrow," Toothless announced.

"And then what?" Fishlegs asked, "What happens to Heather and Windshear?"

Everyone fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was finally broken by Snotlout snorting. "Oh, don't worry about it! I'll bet if Heather just gave Mala that pleading look of hers Mala would give her anything she wanted! Oh and by the way Heather, gorgeous as that expression is, I am completely immune to pairs of big brown eyes that come to me pleading for anything! Just ask Astrid!"

"My eyes are blue," Astrid said dully.

"And mine are green," Heather added, widening them a little for all to see.

"Hate to say it, Snotlout, but nobody here actually has brown eyes," Hiccup remarked. Everybody looked around in surprise and saw, sure enough, their eyes were all blue, green, or, in the case of certain dragons, yellow. And for some reason, this made everyone chuckle.

Teaser for Chapter 16, to be posted on May 27

"Why Mi Amor, you came for me!"

"That's right, Adoncia, and I love you so much I'm going to send you to what you Christians call Heaven—assuming your God lets you in there!" Hiccup growled.