Chapter Twelve
Tink, tink, tink, tink, tink.
The sound of a hammer pounding metal was rich in the air as Grange and Talen walked into the forge room. Four days after the Riders departed, they were now only miles away from Viggo's prison island.
Talen shook his head, seeing Teeth repairing her armor on the workbench. "What're you doing, Teeth? You need to be resting."
"I've been resting. Now I need to make myself useful." She replied, holding up her gauntlet to inspect the new metal plate she was hammering into the palm. "I'll heal faster knowing that I'm being productive. Not acting like Mikael that one time a dragon bit his leg. The babe was bed ridden for a month, when he could have walked on it the next day."
Sighing, he walked up next to her to inspect the rest of her armor. The chest piece was patched up, at least, having a metal plate placed under where the bone was pierced. The new scars and scathes certainly added some character to her signature armor. "Will it be the same?" He asked as he ran a finger over the coarse and ruined surface.
"Not until I get some more dragon bones, which probably won't be until we get home. Or if we get lucky and find a dead dragon in Viggo's prison island." She grunted, pounding the metal some more. "The gauntlets and leg plates are fine. It's the chest that's nearly gone. I doubt it'd stop even a dagger now, with how weak and broken the armor is."
Talen noted the cracks all over the chest plate. Bone pieces were missing, which made it even more susceptible to damage. It was honestly no better than a heavy wool shirt in regards to the protection it offered.
"Who's going ashore?" She asked, finally stopping the hammering.
"Grange is taking his men with Ryker to find the dragons. He'll release half, and then mark the ones we'll take." Talen began to explain. "You're going as well, with your men and Viggo."
"Viggo?" She repeated, trying to figure out why they were bringing him ashore. "Isn't that a risk to bring him with his brother? To one of their islands?"
"No, because this island is going to be where we're leaving him. This is what I wanted to talk to you about actually."
Looking up at him, she simply raised an eyebrow.
"You know I'm going to have Viggo executed after we take their dragons, right?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I want you to do it."
Surprised at the nomination, she quickly shook her head to make sure she heard him correctly.
"After Grange confirms that there are dragons, I'm going to let this be the moment when I pass the position of Chief to you. At least, in front of all our men. The men you'll be leading from here on out. Obviously, we'll have a more…celebrated initiation at home, but you're going to become chief today. What you desire, is what will be done."
Teeth's eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "I-I-I…"
"Easy, Teeth! You might actually show emotion." Grange teased, smiling at his new chief.
"I…don't even know…" She continued to stammer. Shaking her head, she looked at Talen with misting eyes. "Are the men ready for me? I mean, it might be hard for a few of them to accept me on such short notice. I wasn't even expecting it! And I knew I was becoming the Chief!"
"Not at all." Grange quickly answered for him. "They're going to be thrilled to know you're finally our chief. Poor sods. They have no idea how mean you actually are."
"Best remember that, Grange." She growled, hating his teasing.
Smiling, Talen gestured to her breaking armor. "Willing to give your armor one more go? At least, until we go home?"
Smiling, Teeth grabbed her helmet and slid it over her head. Looking up at him with the black, chainmail veil with bright eyes, she simply nodded. "Of course, Chief. I've been dreaming of this since you told me I was going to take over from you."
Talen smiled as he nodded at her approvingly. "Get ready then. We're going ashore the moment you're able."
"Of course, dad." She answered, grabbing her cracked chest piece. Careful to strap it on, she then issued an order. "Grange, have my men get Viggo ready before you get your men and Ryker. I want the two Grimborn's on the bow before I get there. Understand?"
"Of course, Chief." Grange replied with a smile, grateful to actually be able to call her that in the presence of Talen.
Watching them leave the forge room, she slowly turned around and sat on the workbench. Slowly, she began to strap on her gauntlets, staring blankly at the floor. Her stomach was twisted with excitement, disbelief, and frankly, nervousness.
"I guess this is it…" She whispered to herself, looking around the forge that was her bed room for as long as she's been part of the crew. Though it would still serve as the place she would sleep until after they returned home, her responsibilities would have nothing to do as the ship's smith.
Cinching her gauntlets on tight, she moved on to her boots. "Guess that'll be the first line of business, finding another blacksmith. The Krudik Isles have a few good apprentices, and it's on the way home too. Most of 'em are young and eager to learn. Hrald always made decent blades…though his tempering armor usually needed some extra work." She hummed to herself. As she thought about potential apprentices, the thought of Hiccup came into her mind.
"Hmm…possibly." She thought, intrigued at the idea of a Rider acting as the ship's blacksmith, which made her instantly rebuked herself. "Gah! What am I thinking? He'd never say yes for the same reason he never accepted dad's offer!" She growled, finishing up strapping her boots on. "Besides, why would he leave what he has to stay stuck on a ship for months on end, never mind the fact we'd be hunting dragons?" Standing up, she pulled off her helmet and stared at it. The black, onyx stone used to join the bone plates were scarred and scratched. Some pieces were shattered off, giving it more character than how it originally looked.
The scathed-up helmet didn't help her push out the memory of the Riders. And she couldn't figure out why. More than once, she was invited and even courted by other islands' chiefs and their sons, which she had little time or even patience for. Why was she thinking of Hiccup so much? The Riders in general. They were only allies, even if they could be considered friends. They did nothing for her, or had a personal relationship with her. They simply helped stop Viggo!
Grunting in frustration, she shook her head angrily, slid the helmet back on, and snatched one of her javelins, since her spear broke and she refused to use a standard one until she made a new personal one.
Swinging open the door, she stormed out into the cold air and towards the bow of the ship, trying to leave behind the memories of the Riders.
"Well, at least their men haven't fired at us yet…" Gunjar growled, eyeing the three ships in the island's bay skeptically.
"They saw their leaders and our swords at their throats. They know what will happen if they fire on us." Talen whispered, pulling his black cloak tighter around him. Even he had to admit that the cold was starting to bug even him. He's never been this far north this close to winter…and he was now remembering why he chose that.
"Teeth is loaded up on her boat with Viggo and her men." Gunjar began report. "Grange has Ryker, plus Eric the scout and his men. They'll be searching the caves for the dragons."
"Good. Have the men lined up alongside the White Wake. I want them to watch me pass the mantel of chief to Teeth. And to see her execute Viggo."
"About time…" Gunjar replied with a growing smile. "The kid has more than earned it. If she didn't before, she sure has now."
"She certainly has." Talen confirmed, nodding in satisfaction. "Keep the ship steady and get the cages ready. I'm going to leave most of the men on deck to help stow the dragons away. We'll be back before the hour is through."
"Aye, Chief. It'll be done." Gunjar replied, smiling at the thought of getting a load of dragons.
Walking towards his dingy, he looked over at the beach as Grange and the scouts landed on the shore. Pushing Ryker ahead of them, they began to traverse up a narrow path to a certain looking cave. Teeth's boat was still on its way, with Teeth standing at the bow and ready to help pull the dingy up to the shoreline.
Letting out a sigh, he then slowly began to climb down the rope ladder that led to his boat.
"Ready, Chief?" A Marauder asked, seeing settle down on a small bench.
"Get us to land. Been awhile since I set foot on solid ground."
"You 'eard him. Get rowing!"
The boat slowly made its way to the shore, making Talen wish they were going even a little faster. Aside from the cold, he wanted to get the dragons, make Teeth chief, and head home. He was tired. And would be even more so as he would guide and counsel Teeth in her new role. Though she was to be chief, his life wasn't going to get any slower or simpler.
Looking over his men, he saw Mikael sitting there, huddling with his shield and shivering. Making eye contact, he simply stared at him in silence.
"What? Finally noticed your son?" He spat, glaring at his dad.
Talen simply shook his head. "I wanted you to be chief. The moment you were born."
"Ppphhhh…yeah, sure." He growled.
"You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth." He replied calmly. "You simply made choices that wouldn't let me give you the position and title. Without betraying the clan and our entire tribe."
"Then I guess I'll continue to be the disappointment…so long as Teeth lives…" He snapped, tearing his eyes away and glaring at the ocean.
"You clearly don't understand the reason why you're in the position you're in…" Talen replied with a hint of sadness. "It was the only way to help you learn how to accomplish goals and make a name for yourself. As I have done, as Gunjar has done, as Grange has done, and what Teeth did for herself."
Mikael simply glared at the water. "Well, the day's still young. Maybe I can change your mind before we go home."
Talen could only shake his head, realizing how hopeless his son was.
As the boat made landfall, he quickly jumped out and waded through the shallow water. His men, being no more than a score of twenty, were all observing the island. Some were already starting a fire on the beach, which he didn't blame them. The grey, overcast sky was less than appealing, and there were small flakes of snow flurrying through the air. Seeing Teeth stand and stare at the cave where Grange had disappeared too, he walked over to her. Before he stopped, she turned to him with a concerned look. Well, at least that was what the eyes were showing.
"Does it…seem, I don't know. Quiet?" She asked, turning to observe the island.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if this is a prison island, where are all the guards? And why did they only have three ships stationed here?" She quizzed. Checking her grip on her javelin, she continued to eye her surroundings warily. "Something…I can't explain it, it just feels off for some reason."
Talen frowned at the observation. Indeed she brought up some points, which he quickly walked over to where Viggo was sitting.
Looking up at his captor, Viggo let a casual smile grow on his face as a greeting.
"Pretty light on your defenses. For a prison at least." He growled, glaring down at the Grimborn.
"The beauty of the island, isn't what's seeable, it's what un-seeable that makes it valuable." Viggo began to explain. "I told you, there's a network of caves and caverns here under the island. As such, I don't need to dedicate as much resources to maintain it. The natural cells do that for us. Surely you know the benefit of lowering ones' costs, don't you?"
"Which is why I'm debating on ending you right now." He whispered in a hoarse voice.
"Hmm, please, Talen." Viggo replied, strangely getting serious. "You and I both know that you're not going to. At least, not without an audience. You need my death to mean something. To be a warning to those that might break any pact or promise with you. Even executions can be…political."
"I think you don't realize how close you are to your grave." He continued to whisper, kneeling down next to him. Staring into his eyes, he let a sinister smile grow. "Count your minutes, pup. They're running out."
"No, Talen Wrathen, you don't get it." Viggo replied, slowly standing up. His guards instantly readied their weapons, waiting for the order to run him through. Ignoring the obvious threat, Viggo stood his ground as he maintained his eyes on Talen. "Your minutes are numbered. You, your men, your ship, and even your daughter."
Teeth slowly walked up next to her dad, listening to the threat.
Confused at first, he saw Viggo look at something across the bay. Following his eyes, he slowly turned around to see what Viggo was looking at. To his horror, he saw five catapults emerge from the trees. "No!" He shouted, seeing what was happening.
The catapults hurled their loads at the White Wake, being what looked like ceramic pots. Watching them crash onto the deck of their ship, they waited for something to happen.
"What was that supposed to be?!" Teeth growled, resting her javelin tip under Viggo's chin.
"Tell me, Teeth." Viggo replied, unconcerned about the javelin. "What do you know about Fireworms?"
"F-Fireworms?" She gasped. Talen too looked at him in horror.
"I knew that I, nor my men or fleets could sink that massive ship of yours." He continued to say, staring at the White Wake. "However, a dragon whose scales and hide burns hotter than the surface of the sun, not to mention have thousands of them smaller than even an arrow, sure can. Those pots had hundreds of Fireworms in them. Apart from them running around on your wooden ship…how do you think the queen is going to feel seeing her babies 'trapped' on your ship?"
Talen watched as orange blurs began to run around the deck of the ship, with the men aboard trying to stop them. Smoke slowly started to rise, with some visible flames appearing.
Before he or Teeth could reply, a furious screech sounded off, making everyone turn to the cave Grange had disappeared through. An orange glow began to emit from the darkness. A single individual was sprinting out of the cave, and down the pathway towards them. Then they saw it! A massive Fireworm Queen crawled out of the cave.
Screeching in anger, and seeing all of its babies on the massive ship, it roared with a renewed fury and flew directly to it, setting the heavy, wet wood ablaze as it neared it.
"Chief! Chief!" A voice shouted.
Everyone turned to see Grange running to them, obviously out of breath. His leather armor was singed and burnt, looking like he ran through a fire.
"It's…It's a trap! A trick! It wasn't a prison! It was a Fireworm nest! They had men hiding in the caves too! Eric and his scouts are dead! Ryker is coming with an army!"
"I knew it!" Teeth roared, about to run Viggo through with the javelin. Suddenly, she felt something slam into her from behind. Gasping, the familiar feeling of being hard to breathe was returning, only tenfold more painful.
"Teeth!" Grange screamed in a panic.
Collapsing onto her knees, she felt colder than the weather. Gasping for a small breath, she saw Mikael sprint past her with a bloodied sword, grabbing Viggo and dragging him into the trees.
"Stop them!" Talen roared hysterically.
The men began to pursue the two, only to be greeted by a hail of arrows. Hunters hidden in the trees emerged, shooting arrows and charging them with swords and shields.
"Grange! Take care of Teeth! Keep her alive!" Talen roared, drawing one of his longswords.
"Yes, Chief!" He yelled, grabbing Teeth by under her arms. Dragging her back and away from the fighting, he looked down at her frantically.
Talen rounded up his men, who were hiding behind their shields and trying to counter the sudden attack. "Form up! Keep your shields together! Archers, get behind and fire back at them!"
"Gak!"
Talen watched as one of his men caught an arrow in the throat, knocking flat on his back and to never get back up. Looking back at the trees, he saw that the Hunters were starting to fall back, with Viggo and Mikael being protected by them.
Feeling his own rage build inside of him, he roared. "With me! We can't let the oath breaker live! Or my traitor son!"
The men were all ready to charge with their chief. Having seen what Mikael did to Teeth, their future leader, their blood was boiling with revenge.
With sword raised, Talen charged up the beach and into the trees. His men were close behind, with their weapons ready to take anyone's life that stood in their way.
As they all entered into a grove of trees, they were shocked to hear someone laugh.
"Fools. All I had to do was play your emotions."
Turning around, Talen gritted his teeth as Viggo and Ryker walked into view. Hunters slowly emerged out of their hiding places, almost like magic. It wasn't hard to tell they were outnumbered three-to-one.
"Well, Chief Talen. What say you in your defense?" Viggo asked, lauding over him.
Knowing mercy was out of the question, and his pride wouldn't let him ask for his life, Talen simply growled the only thing he wanted. Looking over at what was standing to the side of Ryker, he glared at Mikael. "My brat son. The Traitor! I want to kill him before you end me."
Viggo simply chuckled as he shook his head. "Normally, I'd let my pawns die. Especially one like Mikael. However, he's proved to be more useful than I originally thought. So…I can't let you end him. Besides, he's already pledged loyalty to me."
Talen's eye twitched vividly. Glaring at Mikael, who simply stared back with a stone expression, he gripped his sword and hurled it at him.
Mikael simply stepped to the side, moments before the sword crashed where he was standing.
"You missed, Chief." He whispered with venom in his voice. Grabbing the sword, he simply looked at Viggo. "I better get going."
"Yes. Make sure she's dead. As that's all you wanted." Viggo replied, smirking back at Talen.
Looking back at his dad, Mikael then turned and ran back to the beach, leading two other Hunters.
"So…I guess this is how it ends." Viggo replied, grabbing a sword that was offered to him by one of his men. "So long, Talen Wrathen. There's a new banner heading to your islands."
"Rrraagggghhh!" Talen roared, charging past his men to strike Viggo down.
All of Helheim erupted, as the Marauders and Hunters clashed against each other. Two Hunters moved to intercept Talen, which he didn't bother to waste time with. Thrusting his sword forward as he ran, he caught one of the two off guard with his surprising agility. The razor sharp blade instantly ran itself through the Hunter's chest, stopping him instantly. Spinning around, he dodged the strike from the second Hunter, being a mace. As he pulled the blade out of the Hunter he killed, he spun around one more time, swinging the blade around and digging it into the second Hunter's side. The shock and force of the hit sent the Hunter spinning in the air, to which he crashed onto the ground without a groan.
Turning to glare at Viggo and Ryker, who were both ready to receive them, he let out one more death defying cry and charged them.
"G-G-Grange…" Teeth whispered. "Wh-what happened?" Her vision was fading in and out, making it impossible to know where she was being taken. Not that it mattered. She saw her ship erupt into flames as if it was in the center of a forge.
"Just hold still. I'm getting you out of here!" He yelled, gritting his teeth as he continued to drag her into the trees and bushes.
"Wha-what di…did he…d-d-do…?" She repeated, struggling to focus.
"He ran you through from behind! The coward!" He snapped. "Right now, we need to hide you!"
"I th…think I ne…ed so-something more…t-t-than t-t-hat…" She gasped, feeling light headed.
Grange frantically looked for somewhere to take her. The fighting was louder, and he could tell they were losing. Thick black smoke was pouring in the air, obviously from the White Wake. Between the mixture of the Fireworm roaring and the fighting taking place, it sounded like Helheim. Seeing a cluster of rocks, he saw a natural crevice that he could take her to. At the very least to defend her at.
"G-Grange…" She whispered, trying to be more coherent.
"Shut up! And stay still!" He hissed, pulling her to the back of the crevice. Making sure she was situated, he ran back out and grabbed a bundle of branches, leaves, deadfall; anything that could disguise the entrance. Stacking them as quickly and efficiently as possible, he tried to sort them out to look natural.
"…over here! They couldn't have gone far!" A voice shouted.
Grange instantly dropped to his stomach behind the tiny barrier he set up, sweating in a panic. The cool air didn't help him, as he could start to hear footsteps crunch leaves and small branches.
"Look. Something was dragged here. See these marks?"
"Never mind the marks, you fool. See the blood? That must've been from what I did to her."
Grange closed his eyes in anger and helplessness. That was Mikael. He completely sided with Viggo and the Hunters! Knowing they were going to be discovered, he looked over at Teeth to see her barely awake. His chief…the one he swore to protect, only had him to defend her. And he'd make sure she'd live longer than himself. "Gods watch you, Teeth. It's been an honor serving you…" He whispered.
"G-Grange…n-n-no…" She tried to stop him, weakly raising her hand to try to grab him.
Ignoring her, he stood up from where he was hiding, seeing Mikael and a few hunters standing there as if waiting for him.
"Was wondering when you'd pop up." Mikael growled, resting a sword on his shoulder. The sight made Grange flare up in anger and hatred. It was one of Talen's longswords.
Looking around, he then cracked a smirk on his face. "So, where is she?"
Grange silently gestured to behind him, to where he had left Teeth.
"Tell you what, Grange. I like you." Mikael began to say, while pacing back and forth. "I always wanted to kill Teeth myself, but if you do it for me, I'm willing to defend you from Viggo and Ryker. Shoot, they may even welcome you with open arms!"
Grange swallowed his burning hatred, and then lied to him. "Your desire's already been accomplished. She's dead."
Mikael raised an eyebrow at the claim.
"Her body was still recovering from fighting Viggo. You finally did her in. From behind, you backstabbing son-uva-bitch!" He growled, drawing his mace and charred shield. Readying himself, he let one of his signature, careless smiles grow on his face; though it couldn't have been farther from being how he felt. "I guess people like you and Viggo are naturally attracted to each other. From one oath breaker to another, you're all the same."
"Like you and my family. You're all the same. At least, you will be." Mikael replied with a shrug. "I think being dead is the only thing you'll have in common with each other."
"Among other things you'll never understand…" He whispered quietly.
At that, Mikael lunged forward, thrusting his sword forwards.
Grange instantly backed off, swinging his mace and redirecting the blow.
The two then bashed each other with their shields, locking them against each other. Mikael then swung low, trying to swipe at Grange's feet. Grange instantly jumped above the swipe, allowing him to bring his mace down over Mikael.
Out of reflex, Mikael pulled his shield back and over his head, blocking the fatal strike. Grange then swung his shield into Mikael's stomach, coupling him over. Not stopping, he then kneed him in the face, making him stumble backwards.
"Tell you what, Mikael, I have a deal for you." He growled, getting into a defensive position. "Leave me here so I can send Teeth to Valhalla, and you won't die!"
"Damn you!" Mikael roared, spitting out blood. His nose was bloody, dripping blood all over. "I'll send you to Helheim! Like my father and sister!"
"And your clan you betrayed?" Grange snarled, rushing to attack him. Thrusting his mace forwards, he aimed his shield to stop any potential counter strike. Not stopping, he spun around to bring his mace across full force, ready to take Mikael's head. Mikael had enough sense to brace for the strike, to which he raised his shield and put all his strength behind it.
Cunk!
The mace stopped in place, as the shield had acted like a wall.
"I never betrayed my clan…" He growled, narrowing his eyes at Grange. "They betrayed me!" With a renewed hate and anger, he swung his sword across, purposely striking Grange's shield to push him away.
As Grange stumbled back, he saw Mikael drop his shield and grip the silver longsword with two hands. Bracing himself, he simply waited to receive him.
"Make sure you give my dad my regards when I end you…" He growled. Raising his sword above his head, he brought it down as hard as he could. Grange could only raise his shield to stop the strike, which felt like a ton of bricks with the strength behind it. Stumbling at the hit, he barely had time to redirect the strike and continue to back up.
Mikael roared as he kept up the flurry of strikes. Though hated among most of the men, he was still the son of Talen; and had excelled in his training of fighting with a sword. Swinging the silvered blade, he kept pushing Grange back, closer and closer to the rocks where he was hiding originally. All he could do was redirect the strikes with both blade and shield. There was no way he could turn the tide of the fight!
Feeling his back rest against one of the rocks, he quickly ducked and rolled away from the strike that left an inch-deep slash in the hard surface. Mikael wasn't fooled. Spinning around, he stuck his leg out and caught Grange's feet, tripping him up.
Crashing onto the ground, he barely had time to look up and see Mikael thrust his sword down into his leg. "Gagggghhh!" He roared in pain, letting go of both sword and shield. Gripping where he was stabbed, he looked up at Mikael with a look that made him seem like a demon.
"You've always been loyal to Teeth." Mikael growled, taking a step back. Signaling the Hunters to come to him, he simply shook his head. "You were the most loyal of all our men. Too bad you placed that loyalty and honor on the losing side."
"Go to Helheim, oath breaker…" Grange growled. "No one will follow you! Even if you go back to the Southern Seas!"
"That's where you're wrong. I already have my home island behind me. It's just a matter of getting the others to follow. But I guess you'll never know…" He whispered quietly. Turning to the Hunters, he simply nodded and then walked away.
Grange stared as two Hunters stood in front of him, drawing back their bows. "Make it quick…" He growled, glaring at them.
Not saying anything, the two Hunters pulled their arrows back an extra inch, and then let them fly.
Mikael walked to the back of the crevice, seeing Teeth lean against the back rock. Her eyes were closed and she was completely motionless.
With a burning hatred, he simply lowered his sword, placed the tip next to one of the helmet's horns, and flipped it off of her.
There she lay, with a pale face, empty eyes, and from what he could tell, not breathing.
"Gods…I wish you were alive still." He whispered to himself. "I was hoping you'd survive that stab…"
Teeth simply lay there, as if he wasn't even in her presence. Her lifeless body seemed to infuriate him more than when she was alive.
"Sir…it's done. The Marauder is dead, and Viggo and Ryker are waiting for you at the beach." One of the Hunters called out, standing in the opening of the crevice. "We'll prepare these two to be sent to Valhalla."
"No. Leave them. Leave every Marauder where they're at." He growled, thinking of the last thing he could do to get back at her. "Let the ravens pick away at them. They don't deserve to be sent off."
The Hunter simply stared at him, surprised at the order. Finally shrugging, he then turned to leave.
Raising his sword, Mikael stared at Teeth with almost a certain desperation that it would bring her back for only a moment. A moment long enough for him to kill her again. Reluctantly acknowledging the fact that she was dead, he thrust the sword into the dirt next to her. "Here…I don't want anything that will remind me of you or dad…mutt."
Whirling around, he left her behind and walked past Grange's body, having two arrows sunk into his chest. Being escorted by the Hunters given to him, he finally made his way to the beach. All the Marauders that were ashore were all dead. No prisoners. The White Wake was all but an inferno, and was simply a floating fire, ending the remaining Marauder army. The Fireworm Queen had left, with all the babies that were thrown on board.
Viggo and Ryker simply stood there, watching the burning and issuing a few orders to their men. As he approached them, he simply waited for them to speak first.
"Well, is she dead?" Viggo asked, turning to smile at Mikael. In his hand, was Talen's other longsword. As a trophy for him.
Mikael simply nodded. "And her personal guard. Their skeletons will stay on this island forever."
Viggo smiled as he reached up and grabbed him by the shoulder. "You've been the key to setting up this victory. That letter I had you send, informed my men where to wait for us. It would have ended slightly different had they not been here."
Again, Mikael nodded.
"In reward for your service and pledged loyalty, I offer you a fleet to take control." Viggo began to say.
"Thank you." He replied, looking at him with a proud look.
"Come, I think you should listen to what me and my brother are planning." Viggo replied, gesturing to one of the dinghies still on the beach. The three Hunter ships were now nearby the burning wreck of the White Wake, waiting to take on their leaders and men; and ensuring that any survivors on the ship would still die.
"What kind of plan?" He asked raising an eyebrow at them.
"How about we have a much needed drink while we discuss it?" Viggo replied shrewdly.
Mikael simply stared at him with a concerned look.
Seeing his hesitancy, Viggo finally shrugged. "It regards a changing our targets temporarily, and setting you up as an ally to us."
"Who's your new target?"
"A certain island of dragon lovers has been given us a hard time. That's all yeh need to know." Ryker growled, stepping up next to his brother.
Mikael's eyes narrowed at the vagueness. "I don't care what you do. When I become chief, I only have two desires."
"Being what then?" Viggo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"First, to be allies to you. I need to go become chief and expand my influence. Since most of the forces I would have been given are dead or burning." He grunted, gesturing to the sinking White Wake. "Second, I don't care how I do it, I want Astrid. Alive."
Viggo and Ryker looked at each other.
"Give me a fleet and some men; let me go home to become chief. I'll be back when I actually have a force to use, and to help you end those Riders." He continued to rant. "I don't care if you burn this area of the world off the map. All I care about is getting that Valkyrie for myself…"