The next two weeks passed very slowly for Viggo as he continued to recover. Valka was thankfully a very gracious host and nurse who continued to help him heal. And they both slowly began to trust each other more and more, since just about the only thing Viggo could do was think and talk to her. Even though they both learned to avoid certain topics and questions with each other, Viggo could feel a connection forming. He knew he had little to fear from Cloudjumper or any of the other dragons she always had with her.
And as for Thunderstorm. He never left Viggo's cave. Valka was happy to bring him the fish he needed every day so he was still being well taken care of, and even though he was always ready to lend a helpful wing to assist Viggo in some exercise of walking around the cave, he was too loyal in Viggo's opinion, obeying Viggo's every direction, except for the order to go for a flight or leave him alone.
Although Valka reassured him, Thunderstorm would be perfectly fine taking a break from normal activities if he so chose. It was just another sign of their bond, that Viggo could tell was also growing stronger.
Today though, while Viggo still felt some mild discomfort, he mostly healed burns and arrow wounds. If he was still in his old life, he would have considered himself strong enough to get back into the leading role of the hunters. And now he was getting restless. Talking with Valka and bonding with Thunderstorm was great, he needed something to do now, now that he knew he was capable of it. He had even asked once if Valka happened to have a Maces and Talons board, which she didn't. Unfortunately.
But as Valka walked into his cave that morning with a smile on her face like always, Viggo quickly noticed she was holding something in her hands.
"Good morning Viggo."
"Good morning Valka." Viggo replied back, he had been standing beside Thunderstorm, giving him scratches along his back, which he learned he really enjoyed, and so had become part of their morning routine.
"I see you're up and at it early. I take it you're even better than yesterday?"
"Indeed I am, no doubt thanks to your expertise." Viggo nodded in gratitude at her.
"Good, then if you're feeling up to it, how would you like to leave this cave, I can show you just where Thunderstorm brought you."
"Really?" Viggo was surprised. "I can tell this is some kind of dragon's nest obviously, but you'll allow me to see it?"
"Yes, I'll be happy to give you a tour myself." Valka nodded, "and to help you with that, I figured you could use a new shirt, seeing as your old one is well… I could save you but there wasn't much I could do for your old shirt." Valka joked and handed Viggo a new-looking, brown-furred tunic, that looked to be made of some sort of deer skin.
"Thank you, Valka. This is most appreciated." Viggo nodded in thanks and then slipped it over his head. The shirt had long sleeves that seemed to fit perfectly, stopping just above his wrists, and while the cave wasn't too cold, despite the ceiling obviously being made of ice, Viggo still felt comfortable in it.
"There you are, now follow me." Valka walked up to Cloudjumper and climbed on his back, who then walked back out of the tunnel.
Viggo glanced over at Thunderstorm for a moment, and then they both followed behind on foot. As Viggo walked, he noticed that the tunnel seemed to darken until it looked like only gray stone made up the tunnel, the ice-ceiling that let in some light disappeared, there was still plenty of light to see, but it was darkness he was now unused too.
As they walked, Viggo of course noticed the countless sounds of dragons getting gradually louder up ahead, and he truly meant countless. There were so many roars, growls, and squawks from where they were headed that Viggo, not for the first time, wondered where in the world he was.
They finally made it to the entrance of the cave, but there was a wall of stone ten feet high blocking the exit that light was shining through.
"Well Viggo, are you ready for your first flight?" Valka asked with a grin. "You can decide if you want to ride Cloudjumper or Thunderstorm."
Viggo glanced at Thunderstorm for a moment and asked him. "May I?"
But Thunderstorm looked at him for a moment, but then took one step away, shaking his head. Viggo thought he looked slightly worried, but that could just be his imagination, or could it even be… alright Viggo could admit it stung a little, even with how loyal and protective Thunderstorm had been these last two weeks, he apparently didn't trust Viggo to ride on his back.
"It seems I'll be flying with you." Viggo tried to keep his voice upbeat.
Cloudjumper lowered a wing, and Valka extended one of her hands to help Viggo climb up, which Viggo could admit took a small struggle on his part to pull himself up. Once he was on Cloudjumper's back he grabbed onto one of his back spikes to help him keep his footing.
"Alright, let's take it easy Cloudjumper." Valka confidently stood straight and tall in the middle of Cloudjumper's back, and then she smiled at Viggo. "You aren't going to believe your eyes."
Cloudjumper extended two of his large wings, and then jumped up into the air suddenly, he flapped twice and then moved forward out of the cave and into the light.
Viggo turned to watch Thunderstorm take off behind him, and then when he returned his focus to what was in front of him, he could feel his jaw drop. There was so much to take in, he had to focus on each part slowly as Cloudjumper flew on.
The walls all around him stood above and below them for thousands of feet. And they looked to be entirely made of spikes of teal ice. The walls stretched off into the distance, further than his eye could see, so he had no idea just how large this place was.
He could see massive pools, rivers, and waterfalls also flowing from the ice in nearly all directions. The pools below looked to be filled with tidal class dragons, and many more stood on the edges taking drinks.
There was also countless plant life, from what Viggo could tell, mostly mosses and ferns that coated the walls, cliffs, and cave edges. Even though Viggo was certain, a ceiling of ice covered them high above him, the plants seemed to be flourishing.
But above all else, what truly took his breath away were the dragons. The walls, the cliffs, the pools, the air, there were dragons everywhere. More dragons than Viggo had ever seen at one time. Not even at Krogan's singetail trapping operation, or his biggest dragon auctions had Viggo ever seen such a sight.
Many species he recognized from his past, or from his study of the Dragon Eye, but there were just as many that he couldn't even think to name. From Nightmares and Terrors to even Buffalords and Dramillions, of which he thought were all but extinct. And they all seemed to be content and happy. All of them flew around peacefully, with no fighting, no fire, or any other weapons that he could see. Viggo could sense, these dragons were truly free from harm.
He heard Valka chuckle and he tore his attention away and back to her.
"I know, I'll never forget my first time seeing this place either. There is no place like it."
"I'd have to agree with that, but I really hope you don't mind me asking some, or a hundred, questions."
"Of course Viggo, I have so much to show you."
Valka whispered something to Cloudjumper that Viggo couldn't catch, but they soon landed on one of the many cliffsides. And as they did, many dragons immediately perked up and seemed excited to see her.
Valka helped him down to the ground, and Thunderstorm quickly landed beside them, crooning at Viggo excitedly. Viggo could have sworn he was smiling at him.
"First Viggo, before you ask any questions, let me show you something." She led him closer to some of the dragons.
"This place is special for a million reasons that I could tell you, but most importantly it is a place where dragons are safe, both from humans and the harsh laws of nature. I know many dragons prey upon other dragons, that's the rule of survival, for those such as Deathsongs, Scauldrons, and Grim Gnashers… but that doesn't happen here. And also you should know that as far as I know, you and I are the only two humans who have ever seen this place."
She stepped up to the dragons to lightly pet them. "This raincutter had her wing sliced by a hunter's razor netting. She'll never fly again. This snafflefang lost his leg in a hunter's trap. And this poor hobblegrunt was blinded by a tree snare." As Valka reached out to touch each dragon, all three leaned into her comforting touch, and the hobblegrunt changed colors from purple to yellow and let out a happy growl.
Viggo simply waited silently for Valka to continue.
"Viggo, I am taking a risk by trusting you, and I know your history, but Cloudjumper, Thunderstorm, and I all believe you can be trusted. If you ever violate that trust, I will be forced to kill you, because nothing is more important than the safety of this place. Understood?"
"Perfectly clear Valka. I swear to you I won't ever tell a soul."
"Good." Valka nodded and then she sat down, leaning against Cloudjumper's wing. "So let me try to answer some of your questions first, and then you may ask me more."
"Gladly." Viggo sat down on the ground as well, and Thunderstorm sat down next to him.
"As you can tell this is a dragon nest, but not just any nest. Every inch of this place was built by dragons, for dragons. I call it the Sanctuary because it is a safe haven for all dragons. As I mentioned, many species prey on other dragons, but that doesn't happen here. Here we all work together to protect and serve each other. Even, or should I say especially the injured."
"I have learned so much since Cloudjumper first brought me here, but I quickly realized, this was not just a massive flock of dragons. I would call it the closest thing dragons have to a village. Everyone works together to serve the flock. This is a safe place for dragons to nest and raise their young." Valka motioned to a nearby pack of young scuttleclaws that were playing nearby. "As well as being a haven for the injured to receive care, and those in the last years of their life to live out their remaining time in security and friendship." Valka motioned to a few gronckles that were slowly flying by, their scales gray and dull with age, but their eyes still bright.
"It's truly, truly remarkable. Even in the Dragon Eye, I've never heard of anything like this place as you describe it. Although may I ask a question?"
"Of course, you can."
"So if you say this is like a village. Where's the chief? Or is it Cloudjumper? If he could bring you here without any problems he must be pretty high up on the chain of command."
"Oh no, Cloudjumper isn't the alph- I mean chief." Valka chuckled nervously. "Although yes, he is a leader, we both serve the true leader. I can't explain yet, but I promise when I can, I will show you who our leader is."
"Ah, don't trust me that much yet?"
"No, no." Valka was quick to reassure him, "Things are just a bit complicated right now, but I promise I will explain everything in the near future."
"Very well then." Viggo nodded. "So you say dragons built this place. But what is this ice? Are we inside of a glacier?"
"No, not a glacier, that's a…complex topic too. All I will say is dragons made the ice, and they shape it through their fire into the forms that they need."
"What species is capable of producing this much ice?" Viggo asked. "This place is huge, I can't even imagine how many Groncicles, it would take to make this much ice."
Valka laughed, "Again, something I can't reveal now, although we do have a group of Groncicles with us, the nest wasn't made by them. Just be patient, and I promise I will reveal everything to you in time."
"Alright, since it doesn't seem like I have a choice, I can be patient." Viggo joked good-naturedly. "But might I ask, are we standing on stone? Or is it ice as well? And if it is ice surrounding us, how is it warm enough for plants to grow, and on ice as well?"
"Yes, even this is ice, not stone." Valka tapped her hand against the gray surface they were sitting on. "For reasons I can't explain yet, the ice is designed to support all life, like I told you, it's designed to be a perfect home for all dragons. It is imbued with nutrients that make it possible for plants to grow, out here in the center, the ceiling is thin enough to allow plenty of light in, although many of the caves and tunnels throughout our nest are darker. So plants can grow just fine here, even as far north as we are."
"We're north? How far north? I you don't mind me asking?"
"We are about 1,000 leagues north of Berk," Valka said. "My father always used to say Berk is twelve degrees north of freezing to death, then this is at least twenty." Valka smiled for a moment. "We are on an island that is completely locked by sea ice except for Midsummer, which provides us ever more protection from hunters and others that would do us harm."
"I see, then we are farther north than I have ever been before. But I'll ask again, how is it so warm here if we are surrounded by ice?"
"Why because we're also surrounded by thousands of dragons." Valka smiled at him. "As you can see the ice does melt. Valka motioned to one of the nearby waterfalls. And of course isn't immune to dragon fire or anything, but as far as I can tell. It can stay solid even in high heat conditions, while still holding the heat inside. Right now I'd say it's well below freezing outside, but in here, I never feel the cold. As I said, this is as close to a perfect place for dragons that I know exists in this world."
"I'll handily trust your judgment on that." Viggo nodded. "So Valka, apparently since we are in the far north, do you have any specific enemies that would want this place?"
"Indeed I do one in particular. I'm sure he knows about this place, but he also knows that it would be suicidal to attack us."
"Alright, then might I ask, could this individual be the same person who could be Krogan and Johann's employer? They never gave me much information, other than the price of the bounty for the King of Dragons, and that he was from the north."
Valka paused and studied him sharply for a moment, and Viggo got the impression that she was trying to read his mind, but she soon lessened her glare by a few degrees. "I can't be one hundred percent certain Viggo, but to me, there is only one possible person who would have the desire, wealth, and power to think he could possibly control a king."
Valka paused for a moment, seeming to gather herself, "Viggo, have you heard the name of Drago Blüdvist?"
"No, I can't say I have."
"You are a lucky man then. I don't know where he came from, but he is a man shrouded in rumor and legend, although I consider him a horror story, and the pinnacle of everything that is wrong between humans and dragons."
"Like many villages, his was raided by dragons looking for food, it was a land of kill or be killed, just like Berk. And he swore that he would protect his village, whatever it took. But he figured out there was another way to stop the attacks than simply killing as many dragons as possible. No, in my opinion, a much, worse way."
"He of course doesn't see dragons as anything more than vicious beasts, who in his mind only understand two things. Fear, and power. He found a way to be a hero for his people, not by being a dragon slayer, or as you say Hiccup has by being a dragon trainer, but by being a dragon conqueror."
"He tames dragons, but not through friendship and trust like you have told me Hiccup has but through fear and power. He dominates dragons, and makes them his slaves, demanding their absolute obedience as their new alpha. And once a dragon accepts an alpha, whether by choice or by force, that dragon will be obedient forever."
"What does he do? How?"
"It is a brutal process. I only witnessed it once, and it was one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen. I believe that like me, he somewhat understands the language of dragons, and he makes it clear that challenging him will end in pain and death for the dragon. He makes it clear that the poor dragon belongs to him, and only him. Even though realistically most dragons would be able to easily fly free once they are released to do his bidding, they never do. They bow to him as their alpha and follow his commands. He is a monster, but the worst kind, one who thinks he is right, but has been twisted beyond his original goals."
"I have heard that originally on his home island, he was of course hailed as a hero who protected his people from the dragon scourge. So they made him chief when their old chief died, although I have my suspicions because once he took command of his tribe, he set off on a mission, not just of conquering dragons, but also conquering people."
"Other villages would welcome him at first, between himself, and his growing army of dragons, they would quickly absorb any wild dragons into his forces, but just as quickly he would then turn the dragons on the people who welcomed him, forcing them to join his army. He claims his goal is to rid the world of the dangers of dragons, and that he needs dragons to control other dragons. But in reality, he needs dragons to conquer people, and control those that follow him."
"He has conquered hundreds of tribes, folding them into his army, as well as hunters, trappers, and tradesmen. Anyone who could be of some benefit to him, he forces to do his bidding through his flock. If someone doesn't bow to him, he threatens fire and fury will rain down on that person's home and family, and few can resist in the face of such brutality. Whatever his methods are, he doesn't teach them to his men. All of his dragons are loyal only to him. None of them would hesitate to burn a village to the ground if he ordered it."
"He has created an army of slaves, all loyal only to him. I know he means to rule the world with an iron fist. He is not a peacemaker, he is a warmonger, who dreams of conquering all dragons and people. To him, dragons are animals and weapons, nothing more."
"Then may I ask, if he is making himself his dragons' alpha, why would he desire a King of Dragons?"
"I'm sure you are aware, that what makes a King of Dragons is their ability to control the minds of their subjects? An alpha demands respect and loyalty, and no dragon can resist an alpha's command once they are accepted. It is supposed to be a two-way relationship. The Alpha commands his subjects, but he is also expected to provide and protect them. And the dragons reward the alpha with their service and loyalty."
"That was the problem with the Tyrant Queen. It was a one-way relationship. She forced her subjects to feed her endlessly. In her nest she provided shelter, but that was all. She never fought for or served her subjects, she turned them into slaves and soldiers, whose only use to her was to feed her endless hunger, just like Drago. I can only assume the worst. If Drago is seeking out a King of Dragons, it's because he believes he can dominate it just like any other dragon."
"Would he be able to?" Viggo asked her.
"I just don't know, I'd like to believe that nothing could possibly harm or control our Alpha, but I have learned not to bet against Drago. And if in the worst-case scenario he somehow does dominate a king. Then he would become a true threat."
"Why?"
"Because, with an alpha under his command, any dragon, anywhere in the world, he comes across would instantly be his, through his alpha. For a good alpha, loyalty is earned, but for a bad alpha, like the Tyrant Queen, like Drago, it can be forced."
Viggo thought this new information over. "And this nest, you have an alpha here, don't you?"
"Yes, we do," Valka admitted.
"And I take it you would consider yours, a good alpha?"
"Of course, he-"
"Is the king of dragons, isn't he?" Viggo interrupted her.
"What?" Valka blanched for a moment. "How? What?"
"You talk about this place as a perfect paradise, perfectly designed for dragons, and have gone on and on about loyalty and Alphas, and service. You serve the King of Dragons, don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Valka admitted, "he created our nest, and we live under his care and his command."
"Could it be possible that Johann, Krogan, and Hiccup could be headed here in search of the King?"
"That is a possibility that I have been preparing for, so far none of my scouts have seen any sign of any other humans, dragon riders or otherwise approaching, although if they do show up here, it wouldn't do them much good," Valka whispered her last sentence under her breath, but Viggo still heard it.
"And why is that?"
Valka paused for a moment. "Because the Alpha isn't here right now. He has been absent for just over a year. So Cloudjumper and I have been in charge in his absence."
"Why would an Alpha abandon a nest? And all his dragons?" Viggo asked.
"I have my suspicions. When he left, he gave what I can only describe as a speech to the entire nest, and Cloudjumper acted like he understood exactly what was happening and didn't seem concerned in the slightest. I do believe he will return, he would never just abandon us for good."
"I understand, so if the Dragon Eyes do point Johann and Hiccup to this place, what will you do?"
"I honestly don't know Viggo. From your information, I see no way that Krogan and Johann's forces could possibly take down our nest, and as for Hiccup… I don't know."
"Valka, I say this with all honesty. I will do whatever I can to assist you. If what you have said is true, then I am glad to have never met this Drago, seems like I would have been delivering myself into his hand, rather than making a business transaction. And if he is a threat to you and a threat to dragons, I am in your debt, allow me to serve you as best as I can."
"Thank you, Viggo." Valka smiled at him, "Although I will take that under advisement, I can tell you aren't quite in fighting or flying shape yet. You just keep getting better. It's still a waiting game for me. We can prepare, but we won't know the true threats we face until they happen."
"A wise strategy. It is always best to know your enemy. The best plans are made to hit your opponent's weaknesses, not their resist their strengths. I can advise you on Johann and Krogan's weaknesses, and together, perhaps we can deduce Drago's."
"Perhaps we can Viggo." Valka extended her hand, and Viggo clasped it in his own, and they shook. "I am happy to have an ally such as you. And when he returns, I am sure the Alpha will welcome you with open wings."
"I look forward to meeting him."
