The night was restless. This was caused by the other inmates. The one with the annoying voice kept trying to get Dagur's attention.
"Hey, Berserker boy," he called for what felt like the millionth time.
"What?!" the redhead yelled, finally fed up. "What in the name of Thor do you want? Because if you keep making noises, the first chance I get, I'm going to run you through with my ax from your navel to your mouth."
Momentarily, the inmate stared at him wide-eyed, then he spoke. "Your cell is roomier than mine." The viking started calling down the hall to the guards. "Why does he get a bigger cell?"
Dagur scowled and covered his ears, closing his eyes too to see if it would help imagining himself somewhere else. "You've been talking all night! Shut up!"
"Now, that's no way to speak to your fellow inmates," a new voice added.
The former chief uncovered his ears and glared at Alvin, but he did not say anything. When the cell bars opened, he moved back.
"I don't have anything in my stomach, so we don't need a repeat of yesterday morning," he said, voice tense.
"I know that. My concoction always works."
Dagur saw a chain in his hands and turned ashen. "Again?"
"Until there's no more use I can get out of you." There was a pause as Alvin scowled. "You don't want me to make you get over here."
Catching his meaning, Dagur walked towards the Outcast and put his arms behind his back. Promptly, the chains were attached. As the one for his neck was attached, a thumb was dug into the cut on his face. Dagur grimaced and tried to pull his head away but could not. After a few moments, Alvin let go and yanked on the chains to pull the prisoner out of the cell. The two started walking towards the exit as the other prisoner complained again.
"More special treatment!" he called. "He gets to go on trips and we're stuck here."
"Oh, I don't think you need to be jealous," Alvin said with a sinister smirk. "This trip is all business."
Going to the ship, they began returning to the Southern Markets. Dagur's stomach was in knots the entire time. He kept thinking of things to say to Alvin to get to change his mind, but there was nothing that seemed like it would work to sway the upset Outcast. Eventually, they docked and began going back to where they had been the previous day. Word had started to spread of what happened and there were more vikings this time. Some came over to the group, beginning to try to make deals with Alvin.
"How much for him?"
"Which part?"
"The whole thing."
The Outcast shook his head. "Not for sale. I can get more out of him this way. If you want something, you can buy it."
"What would we want?"
"Yesterday, one viking wanted teeth. He's got more of those. Also has limbs. It's your choice."
Someone began approaching from the back. "Our choice?"
"You heard me right," Alvin assured, looking to see the origin of the sound. "Whatever you want."
The voice belonged to a brunette. She came up to the Outcast, visually seeing if she could tell whether or not he was lying. Determining he was not, she went to look at Dagur. The viking took his chin in her left hand. Her right hand ran through his hair. She let go, then turned back to Alvin.
"How much for a kiss?"
"A kiss?" Dagur asked, shocked.
Chuckling, the viking thought for a moment. "He's no charmer, so five copper pieces."
The buyer handed him the copper. Alvin put up the coins in a bag. The other viking went back over to the prisoner.
"Don't move for the nice lady, Dagur."
The Berserker glared at him and the woman's eyes twinkled. "Dagur. That's your name?" When he nodded, she smiled. "It doesn't make sense. Your hair reminds me of flames. My name's Gunnel, so now, we've been formally introduced."
Gunnel stepped closer to the former chief and had their lips meet. She brought her hand back up to his head, pushing him towards her. When the contact stopped, there was a smile on her face and a blush on the other viking's.
"Was that your first kiss?"
"Yeah," he said. "That's not how I figured it would happen…but that wasn't terrible."
Gunnel chuckled as her eyes returned to his head. "I really like your hair," she said quietly. "It makes me think of a blazing fire. I like fire."
"I do too!"
"Really?"
The Berserker nodded excitedly. "I used to make them all the time with this lens I had."
"Would you want to start fires with me?" she asked.
"I'm not letting him do that, Gunnel," Alvin interjected. "Have all the fun you want, but I'm not letting him anywhere near something dangerous."
With a pout, the other viking nodded. "Aw, that's too bad. I guess you'll just have to be my fire instead." Before Dagur could ask what she meant, she spoke again. "Can I have this red hair?"
The prisoner's eyebrows lifted, then they furrowed. "It's mine."
"Not if you belong to that guy. I was being nice by asking you first. It was a courtesy I don't often offer to prisoners." Gunnel paused, and sighed. "But I guess you've already given me your answer, so I know you're not as fun as I thought you were." She turned to Alvin. "He has a fresh cut. Since you hurt him, can I too?"
"No," Dagur answered for him. "No, you can't!"
"I wasn't talking to you."
Alvin looked open to the idea. "You can, but it'll be five silver coins this time."
Gunnel handed over the required amount, then took out a small container.
"What's that?" Dagur asked, frowning as she began smearing some on the back of his shirt.
The viking did not answer. Instead, she took two rocks and hit them together, creating a spark. Once this happened, the prisoner realized what had been used: blasting jelly. With a cry of pain, the ignited flames covered his back. Gunnel watched for several moments, then took the cloak from her back and used it to extinguish the fire. Dagur was breathing heavily and grimacing from the burns. Gunnel kissed him again before tossing more copper pieces at Alvin. She then looked at the Outcast who had a large smile on his face.
"How much for his hair?"
"Ten copper pieces. Seems somewhere in between those two. There's dishonor in a captor cutting it."
"Oh, interesting. I'll take it then."
She handed over the coins and Alvin took a handful of hair, bringing his blade to Dagur's scalp. Before he could slice, Gunnel stopped him.
"Not all of it," she added. "Make it short, not bald. I wouldn't like him without any."
Alvin complied with the wishes and changed it so that he would cut at the nape of the neck. After a swift slice, the hair was gone and given to Gunnel. Dagur angrily watched the transaction take place. Gunnel excitedly accepted the hair, then looked at him.
"Don't worry, Blaze," she said, waving the hair in her hand. "You'll see us again."
The viking blew him a kiss and happily began walking off. Alvin got back to trying to get more buyers, but no one else wanted anything. Dagur's spirits were low for the rest of the time there. When Alvin had them go back to the ship, he had almost been bored by the Berserker's silence. He waited to see if he would make any remarks, but he did not. Finally, they were back on Outcast Island and in the prison.
"Mad that your first kiss was with a viking as crazy as you are?" Alvin asked once they were in the cell.
"Mad that I got lit on fire and had my hair cut off."
"What right do you have to be mad?"
"I got lit on fire!"
"You tried to electrocute me."
"Didn't do a good enough job," Dagur said under his breath.
Two hands grabbed the hair on the sides of his head, pulling until it was yanked out. The Berserker let out a yell, but as soon as the hair was gone, more was being removed. He felt warmth on his head as blood began to appear. Alvin kept his hands there the next time so that he could force the prisoner's face into his knee. He started kicking and kicking. Dagur wanted to block, but the chains were still attached and the one on his neck was being used to help the Outcast keep him in place. Eventually, Alvin stopped and unlocked the chains before leaving the cell. He looked at the other inmate who had spoken earlier.
"That's why he gets a bigger cell," he explained. "It's got to fit us both."
The other Outcast looked satisfied by this information and nodded. As Alvin returned to matters on the island, someone on Berk was considering matters on Outcast Island as well. Hiccup just could not stop thinking about that previous night. Why did Dagur have that scar and those bruises? If Alvin was torturing him…was he supposed to believe that was fine? How could he? Cruelty was still cruelty no matter who it was directed towards. Even if he did not get involved, complacency did not equate to innocence. Hiccup looked at Toothless who was curled up.
"He actually said he was just upset about us not telling the Berserkers first," he said, causing the Night Fury to glance up at him. "Sorry for waking you, Bud. I'm just thinking more about what happened with Dagur last night."
Toothless shook his head and made a noise of disapproval.
"Dragon disapproval isn't what I was expecting today, but I also can't say I don't understand why. I should want anything to happen to him, but this still feels wrong. I don't know why. I don't even know if I should believe him. He's Dagur. He's so crazy that he might be lying and not even know it. Or maybe he really meant it, but what difference does that make? He still attacked all of us."
Knowing that this was not going to end anytime soon, Toothless went over and turned his back to Hiccup, gesturing that he should hop on. The Berkian did as requested and the two took off for Outcast Island again. They were let in by the same Outcast as before and started heading to the back of the prison. This time, both dragon and rider went. Toothless instinctively snarled when they got to Dagur's cell, but Hiccup had him stop. The Berserker was on his side, arms wrapped around himself to try to make the bruised ribs hurt less.
"When I said go, that meant to not come back," he said, almost pitifully.
"I figured you weren't really in the position to tell me what to do."
Hiccup squinted. He wished things were not so dark in that prison. The boy could barely see anything. Suddenly, an idea came to him.
"Toothless, plasma blast."
The Night Fury blasted the floor, creating enough light so that his friend could see. Hiccup frowned at what he saw. There was a lot more blood, but he felt odd mentioning that.
"Your hair's cut."
"Hm, I didn't notice."
Dagur's voice sounded bitter, but he also sounded too tired to have the same type of aggression that he usually would. Hiccup noticed something else in the air.
"What's that smell?"
"Me," the prisoner sighed.
"No, it smells like burnt yak."
"It's me," Dagur repeated, clearly annoyed. "Kissed a viking and some flames today."
Hiccup started to ask something, but Alvin was approaching. As he did, the Berkians noticed that Dagur shifted to look at the Outcast. There was a cautious look on his face.
"You're back so soon?" Alvin asked.
"Yeah, I just wanted to ask Dagur some questions."
"Well, don't let me interrupt. What were your questions?"
It was awkward to ask them with him standing right there. "Um, they were kind of private."
"It's a prison, Hiccup. Vikings don't even use the bathroom in private."
The Berkian cringed at the thought and noticed a tint of red go over the prisoner's face. "In that case, I guess you could probably answer. How'd he get that scar on his face?"
"Gave it to himself. Just lost it and began clawing at his face."
Saying nothing, the prisoner turned his head again to look at the back of the cell. Hiccup frowned at Alvin who looked confused.
"What? He's deranged. Self-proclaimed too. I don't know why this would surprise you."
"That doesn't surprise me, but he didn't seem like he did that. Also, he didn't seem like he ripped out his hair or set himself on fire."
Alvin unlocked the cell and entered. When he did, Dagur tried to scoot away, but Alvin grabbed him. He brought him to the bars.
"Does he look like someone who can be trusted?"
Hiccup did not respond to that. "Can he and I talk for a little longer?"
Alvin looked unbothered. "Why not? Just remember that anything he says could be a lie."
The Outcast let go of the prisoner's head and locked the bars up again before leaving. Dagur watched him go the entire time. Once he was gone, his eyes still did not leave where Alvin had gone in case he returned.
"Go away, Hiccup."
"I'm not leaving yet. I said I want to talk."
"Well, I don't."
"You're always talking. Has prison changed you that much?"
Dagur gestured to himself. "What about me hasn't changed? That was a stupid question."
"And that's a pretty stupid thing to say to someone who I'm assuming has been your only visitor."
"Oh believe me, the last thing I want is a visitor."
The Berkian stayed far enough away from the bars, but he had a determined frown on his face. "What's going on here, Dagur? It doesn't seem like you'd do that to yourself."
"You heard what Alvin said."
"And now, you've got even more injuries."
"What can I tell you? I'm deranged."
"That's nothing I didn't know, but I didn't know you were a fearful viking too."
"I'm not scared," the Berserker hissed.
"I'm not sure what else you would call it. You were watching Alvin like you were terrified. Even when he was gone, you wouldn't look at me for a little bit."
"Yeah, because I keep looking at you and wanting to kill you, but I can't. It's depressing, so I chose to not look at you."
Hiccup ignored that and kept going. "Why are you scared of Alvin?"
Dagur scoffed. "Have you seen him? I can't beat him without my Skrill."
"It's not your Skrill."
"Not anymore. Thank you very much for that."
"It's not my fault you're here. You're evil. I tried to be nice–still am–and all you can do is threaten and insult me."
"And what else is it you expect me to do?" Dagur questioned, glaring. Suddenly, he laughed and spoke in an exaggeratedly positive tone. "Oh, Hiccup. Let's be buddies. I don't care that you made me look stupid in the eyes of both our tribes. I don't care that you called me a fool and were going to have the dragon that you brought here today shoot at me. I don't even care that you left me at the mercy of a viking who's been an enemy to you far longer than I have. Let's chit chat about the old times." His smile fell. "Is that what you want?"
Hiccup ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I don't know what I want."
"I know what I want."
"Let me guess, to kill me and Toothless?"
"No."
"No? I thought that's all you wanted out of life?"
"Now, torture seems more suiting."
"Of course it does," Hiccup said, looking up at the ceiling.
"It's not what I really want, though." Dagur's expression became longing. "I want to go back to Berserker Island."
The tone of his voice was so sad that it surprised Hiccup. He tried to push the sympathy out of his mind.
"Return to being chief so that you can lead them in battles against us no doubt."
Dagur painfully sat down. "I'd settle for just seeing them again and knowing they were all right."
Hiccup's eyes widened. "You'd put that over your revenge?"
The prisoner did not answer this time. The sad expression was still on his face. If Alvin got his wish, he would never return home. This was destined to be his new life. Until the day he died, he would have to accept receiving food unfit for consumption, getting attacked, and being sold off in pieces or for the day. If he ever did anything to change that, his Berserkers would suffer. He turned around again and lied back down.
"That's it?" Hiccup asked. "You're just pretending I'm not here anymore?"
Nothing. After another moment of silence, Hiccup got on Toothless's back.
"I miss my home," Dagur said.
He was quiet, but Hiccup heard him. In this cell, he was seeming so different from what he was accustomed to. The Berserker did not seem intimidating or insane, but small and…Hiccup was not sure what else, but it was the first time in his life that Dagur ever seemed small and that alone was odd.
Hiccup and Toothless left the prison and Alvin watched them leave. It was annoying that he had returned. Dagur needed a reminder that he has no friends there. The night was spent making sure he knew. In the morning, it was time to go back to the Southern Markets. More vikings were there and an older viking walked up boldly to Alvin.
"I want to build some new homes, but my sight is failing me. How much for his eyes?"
Dagur's heart felt like it stopped beating and Alvin tapped his chin.
"Eyes are useful items. That'll be a dozen gold coins each."
This made the other man hesitate. Seeing the hesitation, Dagur felt like he could breathe again, but it did not last for long.
"Deal."
Alvin took the coins and pulled the prisoner over to him. He grabbed his face with one hand and brought up a knife. Dagur desperately tried to pull away.
"My eyes won't help him! He'd still have to replace his with mine and he's so old that he'd probably die from it."
Alvin stopped, turning to look at the other viking. He was an older guy and probably would not survive what was needed to actually make the Berserker's eyes useful. He had thought of that, but he did not say it since he did not care what happened after he got his money. The buyer cared, though.
"I could probably survive removing one eye. I'll take his right!"
Alvin started to bring the blade down again when Dagur quickly spoke up.
"He wants homes built? I'll build them for him," he offered. "I bet there are a lot more vikings who'd want odd jobs done for them. I can get you more money if you get paid for me doing them, but I can't if I'm blind."
Alvin let go and turned back to the buyer. "New deal. Those coins will let you rent him for a week. From morning until sunset he'll work for you. Then, he'll come back with me."
The viking nodded and the deal was made. Not finding anyone else who wanted anything, the two returned to the ship.
"You got lucky this time, Dagur," Alvin said threateningly, trailing a sword up to the prisoner's throat. "That doesn't mean you'll be safe. After the week is up, we'll see what other services vikings want you to perform. Until then, if we only get nights together, they'll just have to be extra special."
