Chapter Fifty-One: One more time
In the end it was ridicules easy to get out of town and down to the beach. Kate let the way, knowing exactly where they had to go.
Hiccup jogged behind her, making a mental note to start his work-out again, once they were away from this god-forsaken place. He had the stamina of a ninety-year old woman with back-problems and only one leg.
Okay he had only one leg too. Still.
"This way." Kate said and went sliding down a very narrow hillside in the dunes. When they reached the bottom they were covered in mud from head to toe.
"Yikes!" Josh exclaimed. "Couldn't we have taken another way?" "This is faster." Kate said and let them into the small gorge.
Uha, he had to think about George every time he thought 'gorge'.
"Nightlight? Girl? Are you there?" Kate called carefully.
There was a soft purr from father down the path and they headed towards it. "Nightlight!" Kate exclaimed happily and hugged the dragons neck.
"Oh I am so glad to see you again!"
She immediately turned to examine the dragons injured paw.
But it was alright. Not infected, not swollen, nothing. It had closed and was healing on its own.
Nightlight could even put weight on it.
"It's looking very good. One or two days and she'll be back to her old self." He proclaimed and petted her head. She purred and licked her rider's cheek.
"Wow!" Josh exclaimed. "We were gone for good a week. How did she manage without food?" he asked.
Hiccup shrugged. "Dragons don't necessarily need to eat every day. Depending on what type of dragon they are they can survive without food from two weeks to several years. But that generally appeals to the really big nasty ones that live in the ocean of slumber for eons before they wake up and decide they need to eat again. Besides, dragons do hibernation. So they have no problem with not having food or water." he explained shortly and patted Toothless' shoulder. His friend rubbed his head against his shoulder.
Gods it was wonderful to have Toothless back. It was like new energy charged through his body, new confidence, new hope and new ideas and plans.
"Astonishing." Josh muttered. "So, where's Zhang?"
The next moment he was flattened by said dragon who had landed right on top of his rider and was now busy licking his head.
Hiccup and Kate laughed loudly. "Does that answer your question?" Kate asked amused.
Josh shot her a dirty look and got up.
His hair was sticking up to every side and dragon saliva dripped down on his shoulder.
"Man, what happened to the scary fog-monster? He's more like a love-struck-puppy!" Kate chuckled. "Just like you?" Josh asked. "Shut up."
Hiccup smiled at Kate's embarrassed face.
"Somebody I know?" he asked and folded his arms in mock-pouting. "And here I thought I knew everything about you!" If possible Kate's face got even redder. "None of your business and no, you don't know everything about me!" "Oh Kate, I'm hurt!" Hiccup mocked her. "I bet it is George." Josh said. Kate rolled with her eyes. "I may don't care much for my title as princess but please, I have certain standards."
Josh elbowed Hiccup. "Heard that? Bet I fulfill more of those then you!" Hiccup rolled with his eyes. "You wish."
"Guys, can we talk about my love-life and my standards later? I really want to get out of here now!" Kate said, still a little embarrassed.
"Alright. Let's mount up." Hiccup said.
"Not. So. Fast."
Hiccup closed his eyes and groaned, one foot already in the stirrup of his saddle.
"Gods, what did I do to endure such punishment?" he whispered before getting back on the ground and turned around.
George (who would have guessed it?) stood there, seething.
His sword was drawn, ready to duel.
Hiccup unsheathed his own sword from his saddlebags.
The 'Stormblade' reflected the silver-moonlight above them and looked even more wicked and sharp then usually. It felt damn good to hold it again.
Hiccup stepped forward.
"It's over George. Go home. We freed you. Now we're leaving." He said and stared at the older boy coldly.
"You really think this is over Haddock? You're wrong. This only just begun. Did you really think killing my uncle would give you anything? You may be bought time. But that's it!"
"Your uncle?" Hiccup asked confused.
"Okay, I'm confused here. So that's how you are so mixed up in this. I only thought you were serious arse-licker." Josh said to George. George growled.
"My father was supposed to become chief before he was killed in a dragon-raid. Hamish, my uncle and my father's younger brother, overtook. Though he's not really my uncle. My father is one of your ancestor's descendants." he said looking at Hiccup.
Hiccups brain worked overtime. This was so confusing.
He finally looked at George and said slowly: "So…we are related?" "Over many corners, twists and years…yes. But believe me; I like that as much as you do." "Can't we get…divorced or something like that?" Hiccup asked. Kate rolled with her eyes. "You're not married. Just distant cousins of second grade." "Thanks I feel so much better." Hiccup said.
"Yeah" George sneered "Back to business."
He advanced on Hiccup, sword up.
"You're not leaving this island alive. Being who I am, a descendant of the oh-so-great-Hiccup-the-second made my life a living hell! From the moment I was born I was labeled as bad blood, a bastard. No matter how hard I tried, I could never please anyone. I think everybody was happy when my father died. My mother killed herself when I was twelve."
Hiccup felt a little sorry. He could understand how George felt.
"Listen, George. I know what it feels like to be an outcast, okay? We all do, because we all were outcasts in our tribes and families. But I ask you, what good will it give you when you kill me? Hamish's dead. Who is there for you to please?"
In George's eyes was a mad glow.
"Myself."
With that he lunged himself at Hiccup and their swords collided.
George was good but Hiccup knew he was superior. He didn't want to hurt or kill George. Hell, the boy just had a bad past. He was angry and determined and twisted with hate in his head but he was still so young and had done nothing wrong.
You don't choose the family you are born into.
Hiccup parried his thrusts and only played a defensive game. Let the boy out-power himself and then make a run for it.
But the boy only got angrier and his attacks got wilder and harder.
"George, stop it now! Otherwise I will have to fight you." He warned him. George snorted. "I'd like to see you try you walking disaster."
Hiccup lunged forward, a hard series of offensive movements raining down on George who managed to duck aside to parry them.
The sound of steel hitting steel was loud in the night.
"Hiccup, George, cut it out! You'll kill each other!" Kate barked and wanted to dismount Nightlight but Josh held her back.
"Don't you interfere now you'll be sliced to bits." He said in a low voice. "Let me."
From the bags on Zhang's back he drew his little flute.
"Josh, I'm not going to repeat what I'm about to say so listen closely. You are a genius." He shrugged. "I know babe." "Don't get over yourself boy." "Yes Miss."
He set to play but it didn't seem to affect the two opponents at all.
They continued fighting in the sand and the surf. Sand and water swirled up and both boys were breathing hard and sweat ran down their foreheads, trying to beat the other.
Desperately Kate watched as Hiccup swirled around in a deadly arch and his sword hit George in the upper arm.
He hissed loudly as blood began to drench the fabric of his shirt.
But letting his guard down was not wise.
Hiccup already made his next move, knocking the boys' blade out of his hand. With a strong kick he sent him sprawling in the sand, sword heading towards his throat.
"HICCUP, DON'T!" she screamed horrified.
Hiccup didn't know what happened to him.
It was as if he was on autopilot. His movements weren't his. Or were they?
All he knew was that he was angry, frustrated and annoyed. When he began fighting he channeled those feelings in his attacks but it soon became something more.
His mind was clouded and he no longer thought. He'd lost all pity for the boy in front of him who was struggling to keep up with him.
And at the same time he felt strange.
There still was a small rational part in the back of his head that screamed: "Something is seriously wrong!" but as usual the rest of his brain ignored the small voice.
It felt good to be better than someone else. It felt good to hold such power.
There was nothing else but his opponent and their swords.
It was as if they were in their own little bubble far away from anybody else.
Kill him, he deserves it.
Hiccup aimed for Georges unprotected side and hit his arm. Seeing the blood made him feel excited.
Yes, make him bleed. Cut him, kill him!
Yes. No, this is wrong! Stop it, scolded his rational side, this is not you. But it feels good. Hiccup!
And then a different voice, father away. "HICCUP, DON'T!"
The funny cold feeling that previously had dominated his actions was now gone as fast as it had appeared.
And not a second too early.
When he regained his senses and actually realized what he saw in front of him, he backed away fast.
He stood over George, the 'Stormblade' pressed against his throat. A small tickle of blood oozed from a small cut in the thin skin.
He back away back to Toothless who sniffed concerned at his hair as he sat down in the moist sand.
"Hiccup…what the hell?" he heard Josh ask from Zhang's back.
He felt sick.
And he promptly emptied his stomach next to him.
"Ah, Gods, Hiccup!" That was Kate. She sounded close.
When he looked up se actually sat next to him but his hearing was dulled.
Wasn't that fun little Hiccup?
Wha…?
Don't strain yourself. You'll be sleeping now. But I can only repeat my words. There is beautiful darkness in your soul, waiting to be unlocked. This was a little taste of what it could feel like.
Dark…ness…what…
Shh little boy. Rest. The gods know you'll need it.
And with that blissful darkness consumed his eyesight and he knew no more.