Hi friends!

Happy October, friends! Crazy that it's already October. 2022 will soon be drawing to a close and TR is well under way! Apologies that this chapter took a little while to get out, but I had to delve deep into my writing process and take a break. TR is proving a lot more difficult than I originally thought. While some parts are easy, others require a lot more thought and researching all the GUH stories to be sure I've got continuity lined up.

I was stuck on this chapter for a bit and then a certain character gave me a solid *tap tap* on the shoulder. This character grabbed me by the shirt sleeve and refused to let go, so I decided "what the heck, let's do it" and here we are. So I can't wait to see what ya'll think of this chapter! It's a mystery even to me where we're going next, so I can't wait to see what happens next chapter.

"But Em, you're supposed to be in charge! I thought you had a plan!"

Yes, but some characters are like toddlers. Ignore them for too long and they get a lil' feisty. (ahem)

Please be sure to leave a review to let us know what you think! I love going back and reading the reviews, even from past stories, and at times they've given me the push I need to keep going. Even if they seem like random words on a page and even if they're short, I appreciate every single one (heart!)

Enjoy!

~Em

Inspiration: Ready the Ships by John Powell

Chapter 9: Missing in Action

The ships were silent as they cut through the water. The slap of water against the hull was broken only by the hushed murmurs of the Hjartan warriors gathered on decks. The clink of armor and shields and weapons was a soft cacophony, mixing with the scrape of dragon scales and rustling of wings.

A slight breeze was in their favor, giving the Hjartan ships speed as they rode the waves into the harbor. Toward the blockade.

To Berk.

Finn felt a strange inner calm as he gazed at the blockade, looming closer and closer with each breath. Zap rustled beneath him, growling softly. He patted her neck and said nothing. This wasn't their first battle, though they weren't fighting. However, her nerves and eagerness would only make her faster in the water.

He only hoped Thunder, Pepper and Max were equally eager.

No, they were. Before joining their individual ships, he'd met each of their eyes, one by one. Even Max. Genevieve and the others had looked on in bewilderment, but it was something he'd seen his dad do a million times. The eye contact, the unerring trust. No fear. These Shockjaws, his family, would get them through the blockade. They would make it.

They had to.

The biggest fear lay in him and his friends holding their breath for the distance they needed to.

Helga and Thuggory weren't trained in swimming like himself and Genevieve. Nor were the Terrible Terrors traveling with them, one on his shoulder, one on Genevieve's, and the third on Helga's. So they had quickly trained Helga and Thuggory on the Shockjaws' coded warning, which Finn had trained each of the babies on as they'd grown.

One pat to signal that the rider was okay.

Two pats to signal that the dragon should speed up, due to losing breath.

Three pats meant to surface immediately.

Thuggory had made a joke about not making any signals until he needed to surface, but Finn had quickly cut him off.

"Shockjaws will just keep going if you don't give them information. If you wait until the last second to tell Thunder to surface, you're already unconscious by the time he gets there, and the rest of us won't be there to get the water out of your lungs. So please, for the love of the gods, don't drown yourself."

Thuggory had given him a serious nod at that.

Helga had merely adjusted her weapons belt and said, "You may have a big mouth, Thug, but even you can't swallow the ocean."

He'd cracked a small smile at that but Finn hadn't stuck around to hear more. He had to find Genevieve before they were instructed to board the ships.

He found her watching the loading ships with crossed arms, worrying her lower lip. Of course she was worried for her people, especially her family. He'd wanted more than anything to give her some encouragement, to say something brave that would wipe that look off her face, but knew it was futile. She was surrendering herself to leaving while everyone she'd known her entire life went to battle. She might lose people. And she wouldn't find out until hours, if not days later if things truly went badly.

So he'd merely set a hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer. Even he couldn't fix this.

When Ivan had called to board the ships, she'd given him a clear, steady look. He'd swiped his thumb against her cheek and then strode to Zap, not bothering to look back. The fewer faces he saw before the battle, the less he'd wonder which of them would be still alive the next time he saw Hjart.

Now, some minutes later as the ships loomed ever closer, close enough to see the image of the Skrill on each flag high above the masts, he recalled that clear, steady look on her face and exhaled slowly through his nose.

It was time.

Patting Zap once on the shoulder, she began to move. The soldiers had been instructed not to react when the Shockjaws began their descent down the ropes toward the back of each ship. Their utmost goal was not to be seen and if anyone made a fuss about four Shockjaws slipping into the water from their ships, the enemy soldiers would surely notice. The Shockjaws couldn't make much of a splash into the water either or that too would draw attention. If the enemy happened to have water class dragons of their own… Finn ignored the thought, praying they didn't. Even he couldn't fight underwater.

They only had one shot at this…

Finn clenched his jaw and clung on with his legs, fighting gravity as the water loomed closer and closer. Shouts and jeers rose up from the ships, sending a rush of adrenaline through his chest.

Stay calm. Relax.

The ship tilted slightly this way and that as dragons took off with powerful wing beats. They rose high above the ships, dozens upon dozens of riders from Hjart. They were soon joined by riders from the enemy lines, rising higher and higher, ready to fly. To fight.

Zap finally slipped into the water, almost soundlessly. Water flooded Finn's boots and clothes but he didn't care. His only concern was that the coded letters he'd written, now wrapped in a protective layer of plastic that Genevieve had provided, would be safe. He wasn't sure if or when he'd have time to re-write them later.

The Terrible Terror on his shoulder gave a fearful squeak and clutched his armor tighter.

"Shhh it's okay, come here." Finn whispered. He pulled the dragon closer to his chest and leaned forward as Zap's wings spread beneath the surface, preparing them to dive. The water was now at chest level, the abyss descending far beneath him. He could only hope the others were ready, waiting for Ivan's signal just as he was.

He glanced up at the ship, surveying the number of riders in the air. It was next to impossible to get a clear count from this vantage. Brandyn had to have hundreds of soldiers here, and this only one portion of his army…

A few Hjartan soldiers were gazing down at him from the edge of the ship. They quickly averted their eyes, a flash of nervousness on their faces. Not for the coming battle, but likely the concept of watching him descend into the watery depths below with nothing keeping him alive except a single breath of air.

He'd done this a million times. It shouldn't be any different, but it was. Even he had never swam with Zap for such a long distance before…

Finn forced a steady breath out his nose and pushed the thought from his mind. It wouldn't do to overthink it. Not right now, before the plunge. The ships were all very close now. The Hjartan riders, men and women that he and Genevieve had trained together, drew their swords. Smoke rippled from the dragons' open maws as archers astride their backs raised bows. Swords and axes and shields were raised on the ships overhead, both friend and foe alike.

Then, just as the Hjartan ships were drawing astride the blockade, a tumultuous shout rose up from the Hjartan armies. And Finn, holding tight to the saddle and the Terrible Terror clinging to his chest, took a deep breath as Zap dove beneath the surface.

When Max took the plunge, Genevieve was briefly shocked by the cold of the ocean. Holding tight to her nose with her free hand so water wouldn't go up it, she squinted through the pain of the salty water in her eyes to see the darkness plummeting below.

An entire sky beneath the sea.

The thought caused her to yelp in fright and clamp her eyes tightly shut. She bore down against the pressure as Max dove, far enough beneath the ships that they prayed they wouldn't be seen. The Terrible Terror clutching at her chest growled in its throat, but it held still, as if bearing down on the instinct to survive. Finn had said that although Terrors might not be water dragons, they held up surprisingly well. Perhaps she shouldn't have doubted him.

Max's wings and legs cut through the water with powerful heaves. Never turning or wavering, always moving forward. Flashes of orange light cut through her vision. Cracking her eyes open again, she realized it was dragonfire from above. Dimly she could hear the cacophony of battle overhead, the shouts and screams of warriors fighting to break through the blockade. Or to keep it.

A ghostly image formed in the corner of her eye and she almost gasped before realizing it was Finn and Zap. He met her eyes briefly before turning his gaze forward again.

To her left she could see Pepper and Thunder keeping pace with their parents. Thuggory and Helga were holding on for dear life, their eyes and mouths clamped tightly shut. Genevieve's lungs began to burn and looking up, she saw the ships were directly overhead. They were only halfway there. She patted Max on the shoulder twice and he instantly obeyed, surging forward even faster.

Then something black plunged through the water near her elbow, close enough to make Genevieve jerk. She only just forced herself not to gasp. It had caught Finn's eye as well and leaning down, they saw it was a sword, plummeting into the abyss. It had only just missed Max's wing.

And then something large and heavy landed on top of her in a torrent of bubbles, cutting through Max's swim pattern.

Genevieve couldn't help the gasp this time as she and Max were yanked downward, the thing kicking and thrashing- no, a person-

The man who'd clearly fallen off his dragon into the water below seemed petrified that he'd fallen onto some sea creature. Genevieve fought to shove him off as they sank deeper and deeper, Max trying to stop the downward momentum. Pressure began to build in Genevieve's chest.

A pair of light blue legs wrapped around the man and spun, tossing him toward the surface. The man kicked away as if petrified and eager to be free, though he was returning to a battle zone. Zap and Finn spun back around, the Terrible Terror around Finn's neck clinging on for dear life. Spots began to dance in Genevieve's vision.

No, they hadn't made it yet. She couldn't surface for air yet. She could make it, she would not be the reason they got caught-

Zap grabbed onto Max's saddle and hauled him forward, helping to get him back on track. The pain in Genevieve's chest built and built. She… would not…

A ghostly hand grabbed her chin but suddenly everything went dark.

A moment or an eternity later, a watery voice was calling her name from somewhere far, far away.

"-n breathe, Genni, breathe!"

A choking sensation stole over her bones. All she could do was cough and hack up the salty water that had apparently flooded her lungs. It burned like knives and brought painful tears to her eyes, but soon she was heaving in grateful breaths.

A pair of arms encircled her and she was clutched to a broad chest. "Thank gods. Just breathe, I've got you."

It was a long minute before her brain caught up, before she realized where they were, what had happened.

Finn was holding her tightly and Max crooned worriedly at her hip. Apparently as soon as they'd surfaced he'd yanked her out of her saddle. Blinking the salt out of her eyes and raising her face, she saw the distant blockade. Far over Finn's shoulder the Hjartan ships were battling Brandyn's army. The sounds easily reached her ears over the water. The four Shockjaws were all coasting on the surface, their wings spread out to keep them afloat. Thuggory and Helga were both stark white in their soaked clothes.

"Sorry." Genevieve said, pulling back.

Finn also looked pale. "Gods, when that guy fell on you, I thought he broke your neck. Do you feel okay?"

"Yes. I might feel it later, but I'm alright." Genevieve said, honestly. She squeezed Thuggory's hand when he reached out. "Truly. I'm sorry-"

"Don't be sorry. Let's just hope that guy was one of ours' or else he might tell his cronies he saw us." Helga said.

Thuggory nodded. "Just in case, we'd better go."

Finn nodded. "Thug's right. Max doesn't have any injuries either so we should go. Anyone could still see us from here."

Genevieve nodded. "How are the Terrors?" She clambered back onto Max's saddle and gave him a swift kiss between the horns.

"They're good. While we fly to Berk I'll check the letters."

"What are the letters for?" Thuggory asked as the dragons began an eastward tilt.

Genevieve glanced at Finn and found he was making eye contact with any of them. "The less you know the better, Thug. Now let's go. We've wasted enough time."

After hours of scouring the ocean for any sign of approaching figures, whether it was Finn and the Hjartan forces or enemy, Erick's eyes had begun to burn. The morning light reflecting off the ocean waves combined with the clear blue sky, dotted only by the occasional cloud, was enough to make the job of keeping a lookout a tedious affair.

Even though he'd been disappointed when he was relieved of his shift, he didn't argue as Evan took his place. No sign of Finn and Gen or the Hjartan army. Not so much as a speck on the horizon, which was both encouraging and disappointing. They had to be on their way by now. Ivan wouldn't wait around. And Finn… well, Erick could only pray now they had confirmation that Genevieve was safe, he was back in the saddle and heading home with his head on straight.

It was understandable, Finn's reaction to Genevieve's hair in the box. And yet it was nothing to Erick except a calculated move by Brandyn to force Finn out into the open. Erick had barely slept last night, knowing full well that if Finn and Helga were captured or lost at sea, they might not know for hours or days. Therefore it was no small relief when Ivan's letter arrived in the middle of the night informing them that they'd made it safely.

Still, he didn't want to consider what would happen if Hiccup lost Finn, too. Or Adrianna. The thoughts and risks were too much to allow him much rest, but he did his best, wrapped up in Adrianna's arms, and she in his, Darin nestled between them in blankets. Adrianna had put him to bed in his own room at first, and then two steps down the hall, she'd paused. Moments later she and Darin had barged into the master bedroom with his blankets and toys, ready for a "sleepover". Darin was beyond excited, but Erick knew better. He didn't blame her, for many reasons, not least of which was the fact that she herself had once been snatched from her bed at Darin's age. There was too much at stake to take risks.

They knew, despite Brandyn signing his rights away as Darin's father on that fateful night, that he'd come for Darin eventually. Not when he had so much to gain from his biological child. Only a fool would suspect otherwise.

Shaking his head to clear it, Erick climbed the stairs to the Great Hall. Though he didn't feel as tired as he probably looked, he could feel the stress weighing on his bones. He'd keep his cool though. While they waited for Finn to get back, they needed to prepare and keep their heads. Berk and the Archipelago couldn't wait for action, lest the action be brought to them. And this was the last thing they needed.

So his pep talk with Hiccup had been a calculated risk. Equal parts empathetic and firm, he hoped that it would snap Hiccup out of his funk. Thank the gods, it seemed to. There was no sign of the grieving Hiccup now. Now his green eyes were clear, his expression firm as he made orders and delegated various jobs. Any whispered doubts that had been made by the Berkians before his return had vanished. It was understandable for people to have doubts and concerns, but it was largely unhelpful. Chief he might be, Hiccup was still human. Nobody could expect him to not have some sort of emotional response with the very real fact that his wife had been captured. And this the final straw after finding out multiple friends had either disappeared or died.

It was like watching someone cup water in their hands and expecting them to not spill. It was impossible, unrealistic, and utterly ridiculous to expect something different.

At least, that's how Erick saw it.

Snagging a small bag of nuts and dried berries from the full banquet table, Erick made for the head table. It was crowded with council members, all poring over maps and battle plans. Hiccup himself was staring down at a rather large map of the Archipelago. A metal piece in the shape of a Skrill was set over Berserker, which at this point they could only now assume was fully under Brandyn's command.

The problem lay in information, or rather the serious lack thereof. They didn't know how many ships Brandyn had. How large his army was. Where he was heading next.

Erick tossed a handful of nuts into his mouth as he approached, catching onto Fishlegs' words as he spoke to Hiccup. It seemed he wasn't the only one thinking this as he heard, "-send scouts out for more information. It's simply not enough to make calculated guesses."

Hiccup was nodding slowly, his fingers threaded as he surveyed the map.

Erick knew he didn't want to send anyone out, but how were they to make the most of this situation if they didn't know… well, anything?

"Send us out." Snotlout said, gesturing at himself and the Twins, who both nodded. "We're old hands at this sort of thing. We can get a close up view and-"

"No."

Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Hiccup, we can't sit around and wait-"

"I know, but no offense, we need to be stealthy. I don't want to lose anyone else." Hiccup said firmly, eyes not leaving the map. "Fishlegs, how many riders do we have with Changewings?"

Fishlegs checked his notes. "On the island? Almost sixty."

"Snotlout, help him pick out the best dozen. Bring them here when you're done."

Without another word, they stood and withdrew to another table to survey Fishlegs' notes.

Erick stepped closer, drawing a few eyes. "Will that be enough?"

"It's the best we can do at the moment." Hiccup said. "Changewings are stealthy, fast and efficient. And it's hard to to fight once you're sprayed with their acid. They'll be alright."

He was still playing it safe. And yet Erick could hardly blame him.

Gods, he hoped nothing bad happened to Hiccup or Finn or Adrianna. For a great number of reasons but he didn't want to be the one making all these decisions. Not now, not ever.

Hiccup at long last looked up from the map. "How are the borders?"

"Fine, as far as I can tell. Nothing at all, friend or foe."

The Chief pursed his lips. Clearly he'd been wondering about Hjart's arrival, if it was coming or not. It was nearing ten in the morning. Surely they were on their way by now… Ivan's letter wouldn't have suggested otherwise. Unless-

"Do you think they got held up?" Erick asked.

"I hope not." Hiccup said. Sighing, he glanced at the gold coin resting over Hjart on the map. "They're a mighty force to be reckoned with. Brandyn would be stupid to forget that."

Erick felt an uncomfortable twisting in his stomach. "Well… how long do you want to wait to hear from them?"

Hiccup was silent for a long moment while Erick and the remaining council members waited. "Noon. If we don't see ships by noon, I'll send someone out."

Two hours. Anything could happen in two hours.

"Hey, how's it going?"

Erick and Hiccup looked up to see Adrianna approach, her hand firmly wrapped around Darin's. She was dressed in her purple and black flight suit, which suited her frame. Her blonde hair was braided back and for a painful moment, she reminded him of Astrid.

He suspected Hiccup thought the same thing as he blinked in surprise and quickly looked at Darin. "Hey buddy, come here!"

Darin eagerly scrambled into Hiccup's lap. His hands, still adorable with dimples of baby fat, slapped the table top eagerly. "What doing, Poppy?"

"Poppy is playing a game." Hiccup said.

Adrianna blinked. "Dad, should we… call it that?"

Hiccup gave her a small smile before adding, "See, there was a time years and years ago that Poppy used to play a game with someone. He called it Maces and Talons. What we'd do is move our pieces around the board to try to outwit the other." He pushed a small figurine of Toothless across the map to Berserker. "Should Poppy send his men here?" He slid the figurine to Brawn, a likely place for Brandyn to strike next due to its proximity. "Or here? And whatever Poppy would do, his friend would do. To try to be smarter than each other."

Erick briefly wondered who this individual had been and why Hiccup spoke of him in such a respectful tone. He had many enemies from the time before the Haddock twins' birth, but Erick had never heard of this strange person. A quick glance at Adrianna showed the same bewilderment on her face.

"Did Poppy win?" Darin asked.

Hiccup smiled and gave him a squeeze. "Yes. Poppy won." His smile slowly fell, as if he was lost in sudden memories.

Darin nodded, as if satisfied in this response. "Poppy always win. Poppy has biggest brain."

A laugh rippled around the table at that. Hiccup grinned and tousled Darin's hair, smiling knowingly up at Adrianna and Erick, who shared amused grins.

Snotlout and Fishlegs returned, drawing Hiccup's attention. He allowed Darin to play with a few unused figurines for the moment and gave them his full attention, nodding at the names they provided.

An arm snaked its way around Erick's waist and he turned, pressing a kiss to Adrianna's temple. "How're you doing?"

"Good. I just hope Finn gets back soon." Adrianna's lips bunched together as she thought. "There's just too much going on."

"It'll be handled. Don't worry about it."

Adrianna gave him a searching look. "Don't you worry about it, either. It's not your job to carry all this, you know."

"I know. Just trying to keep things in perspective, that's all."

She saw right through him, of course. She knew his greatest fear lay in losing everyone and having to lead Berk himself. A fact that he'd thoroughly wished he'd never found out about and yet now seemed like a very real prospect.

"Babe, that's not going to happen."

"We don't know-"

"Stop." Adrianna said firmly, drawing the attention of a few so that she took his arm and pulled him away. She softened her tone. "Stop. Mom might be captured but Brandyn won't kill her."

"Annie, we don't know that." Erick said in a quiet whisper so it wouldn't carry. "I don't want to think about it, but we have to consider it as a very real possibility. And the longer Finn takes to get back, the more I worry-"

"I understand. Trust me, I do. But I honest to gods don't think Brandyn will kill her." Adrianna said. "The more I thought about it last night, he couldn't have planned on her being there. You know mom. She probably saw the smoke and went to investigate and somehow got captured. It's a point in Brandyn's favor, but what does he have to gain by killing her? No, something tells me he'll save her for later."

Erick searched her face. "And when did you get so interested in strategies of war and critical thinking?"

"I've read a few books, you know." Adrianna said, planting her hands on her hips. "And I've always had critical thinking!"

Pulling her closer by a leather strap on her suit, Erick gave her a roguish smile. "I know. I just wanted to see your reaction. As if I'd ever assume you weren't one of the smartest here."

"Ha, right." Adrianna set her hands on his chest and then looked down at his outfit. "Also, I've never seen you in so much get up."

"To be honest, it's really hot."

"Too right, it is."

Erick rolled his eyes but couldn't fight the amused grin. "Roguish woman."

"Sexy husband."

"Hey, if you two are done over there…"

They glanced over to see Snotlout crossing his arms with raised brows. "We've got more important things going on here than foreplay."

Hiccup's eyes widened and he set his hands on Darin's ears, though he was happily uninterested in their conversation as the Toothless figurine roared at the Skrill.

Adrianna seemed nonplussed. "Sorry, Snotlout. We'll be sure to take it in the cupboards next time."

"No, that's where the food is stored! Hiccup, control your icky children-"

Erick tried his hardest to not blush amongst all the men and women who were now grinning and elbowing each other, but instead found himself saying, "Your prudence is a balm, as always, Snotlout."

"Don't you get cheeky with me, Larson!"

Despite the fear of the unknown, the laughter in the Great Hall was appreciated. It changed the atmosphere and released some of the tension, especially in Hiccup as he also laughed and gave his kids a knowing look. It wasn't hard to imagine Astrid's spirit being right here with them, quick with her own quips and teasing insults.

They would be alright, Erick thought. He couldn't plan for every variable, but he knew that it would take a lot to destroy the Berkian spirit, even now. They would be alright.

The doors opened and they all turned to see a group of men and women decked out in red riding gear. Covered in the oily secretions of their Changewings' scales, they were easily able to blend into the camouflage backdrops that their dragons could manipulate, turning them nearly invisible. It wasn't foolproof, but it was enough for reconnaissance missions.

Among them strode his estranged brother, Nikolas.

Their eyes met for a moment before Nikolas stuck his nose in the air and pretended as if he and Adrianna didn't exist.

Things never had mended between them in the years since Erick found out his older brother was the one who spread the rumor about him and Adrianna. That she'd run away because he had gotten her pregnant, not Brandyn. The thought still made Erick's blood boil, though he tried to ignore it whenever they bumped shoulders.

"Darin," Adrianna said, reaching out a hand to their son. "Why don't we go find some lunch and leave Poppy to his game, huh?"

Despite pretending they didn't exist, Nikolas scoffed. "War is a game to you? That's what you're teaching your son?"

Darin looked up at him with wide eyes.

A surge of anger rose up in Erick's chest unbidden. But before he could speak, Adrianna beat him to it in a calm voice. "Be safe on your mission, Nikolas. Come on, Darin. Say bye bye to Poppy."

Hiccup gave him a squeeze and set him down. "I'll see you later, okay buddy?"

"Give Poppy back his figurines." Adrianna said.

Darin looked down at the small dragons in his hands before holding them up to Hiccup, who took them. "Thanks, buddy."

Looking up at Nikolas with a nervous look that set Erick's teeth on edge, Darin took Adrianna's hand and followed her to the doors. For three, he was very in tune to people's emotions. Much like Adrianna had always been. The fact that he could sense Nikolas's distaste was almost enough to unscrew Erick's jaw.

And yet a slight warning look from Hiccup was enough to make him follow his wife and son out the door. It would do nothing to bicker and Nikolas was about to join a reconnaissance mission. They needed to set aside petty disputes, though the word "petty" rattled through his skull like rice in a toy rattle.

Years. It had been years and still they hadn't come to terms with their differences. Well, that was fine with him. Until Nikolas could get a grip and stop being a self-serving, arrogant ass-

Once outside, Adrianna released Darin's hand and gave him an encouraging smile to walk on ahead. He obeyed and before he was gone two steps, she turned a look on him.

"What?" Erick demanded.

She raised a brow. "You're fuming."

Erick grit his teeth. "So."

"So? That's all you've got to say is so?"

"How can you be okay with the way he treats you?" Erick demanded, unable to stop himself. "And the way Darin looked at him like he was afraid-"

"Because kindness is often a balm to a bitter heart." Adrianna said.

"He doesn't deserve anything from you, Annie."

"No. But what does it do to be nasty back? It only gives him satisfaction."

Erick shook his head, frustrated in a way he couldn't describe. Maybe it was due to everything else setting his teeth on edge already and this was a mere outlet. But no, even with all the stress of the villages and Astrid's disappearance and Finn's long-awaited return, none of those had cracked through his mask like Nikolas had.

Adrianna's expression gentled. "I know it upsets you because you want to protect us. But Darin and I are fine, regardless of what Nikolas thinks."

She was right. In his heart, he knew she was right. And yet he still felt anger coursing through his veins. Nothing would ever change Nikolas and to even consider it was a waste of time. He'd chosen to not waste his time on people who disrespected Adrianna, and if that included a member of his own family, so be it.

Adrianna pursed her lips but, seeing that he wasn't going to be swayed, let the subject drop. "Come on. There were some vendors open in the market. Let's get something to eat before the lines get too long."

Nodding distantly, Erick followed her down the stairs. He glanced out at the ocean, which still glittered in the late morning sunlight. Still no sign of dragons or ships from the west. Sighing, he dropped his gaze and picked up his pace, his mismatched steps clapping against old worn stone.

Inga slipped between the rows of soldiers, not bothering to apologize or make eye contact. Inside the satchel slung around her waist she had an assortment of healer's items, but buried at the bottom was a dagger, a jar of Changewing poison and its antidote, and other necessities. It was difficult to know what she'd need for her mission, but… well, the more she carried with her without raising too much suspicion, the better.

She'd had enough.

Chieftains, dead. Berserker Island, destroyed. Astrid Haddock, missing.

As she'd suspected all along and refused to admit, Alton and Johann's disappearance had been the first stroke to a poem of death and destruction.

And she was done sitting by, watching it be written.

Only this time, she wasn't going to lose control. Being angry would only draw attention, like it had drawn Finn's yesterday. Was it only yesterday that she'd tried to leave and he'd convinced her to stay? It felt like years ago.

And just as she'd said, if something happened to Genevieve, he'd be the first to split. The first to throw caution to the wind, say screw the rules and regulations and safety protocols, and take off to Hjart to make sure his beloved was safe.

Though she hated the hypocrisy of it, she didn't blame him. At the end of the day, now he understood what that fear felt like. Then again, maybe that wasn't a fair assessment, given his history. Maybe he threw such caution to the wind because of his past, because the thought of losing the one he loved most was abhorrent.

It wasn't about heroism or making a statement. Maybe it was still unwise and hypocritical, but why should he care about that when Genevieve was more important?

And by all accounts, so was Alton.

So, straightening her flight suit and checking to make sure everything was buckled as it should be, Inga raised her chin and strode into the Hatchery like a woman on a mission. A completely legal mission.

She only prayed her parents and brothers were all elsewhere and wouldn't find out for some time what she'd done.

Inga took the stairs with measured steps, a far cry from the fury she'd let loose yesterday. She could still feel that fury in her veins, pulsing in a quiet corner of her heart. She'd let it loose one day, but not yet. Not until she found Alton. Not until he was safe. And until then, she'd keep her cool.

Besides, for her own health and safety, she had to keep a tight leash on herself. Lest she find herself worse of than she intended. Which… had been another of Finn's points, now she thought of it.

Pushing that thought aside, Inga strode into Mystie's pen. With her Changewing already saddled and ready for their trip, Inga led her from the pen out onto the landing platform where the group of men and women were gathered for their reconnaissance mission. Changewings raised their heads and sniffed at Mystie, who raised her nose in a dignified manner.

The leader of the group, a man named Harald, turned in surprise. "Hello there, missie. What can I do for ya? Better be quick now, we're about to leave."

Inga met his eyes dead on. "I'm coming with you."

The gathered riders blinked in shock, taking in her measure from her gear to Mystie's saddle and weapons.

Harald blinked in surprise. "The council chose the twelve to leave. They didn't mention-"

"Change of plan, bud." Inga said, crossing her arms. "Chief's orders. He wants a healer to go with you all in case something happens. Gods forbid someone is stupid enough to be seen, but anything can happen on this mission right? I'd hate to be the man or woman who dies out there because you ignored the Chief's order."

A rustle between the riders over Harald's shoulders. Nikolas Larson's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Fine!" Inga said, throwing up her hands when Harald said nothing after a long pause. "I'll just go tell the Chief that you refused his wishes and further wasted precious time-"

"Alright, alright, lass!" Harald said in a tight voice over her shoulder. She smirked broadly but quickly wiped it away before turning back. "You sure about this, then? It will be dangerous."

Inga barked a laugh and pulled herself into the saddle. "Danger? I'm a Jorgenson. The only ones who should be worried are the enemy."

"Just stay close to me." Harald said. "The last thing I need is to tell Snotlout his daughter got shot down in enemy territory. Gods know why he even approved this mission."

As the other riders pulled themselves into their own saddles, Inga gave as nonchalant a shrug as she could. "Alas, daddy has to learn to trust me sometime."

She couldn't quite ignore the twinge of guilt in her chest. Her parents would be furious and extremely worried. They'd perhaps never trust her again. But she was doing this for Alton. She would find him and bring him home. Hel, she'd do it before Taryn gave birth and she'd be the healer to help her with that, too.

Leave it to a Jorgenson to do everything.

As she pulled her helmet over her face to shield it from the wind and the ocean spray, Inga glanced over her shoulder at the bustling village one last time and smirked.

If you won't come to me, Alton Brand, then I'll come to you. Hang on, I'm coming.

Finally forcing himself to take a break of sorts, Hiccup found himself standing at the cliff's edge, protected only by the wooden fence around the perimeter of the village. He'd been the one to insist all those years ago that a fence was needed, after Finn fell and nearly broke his neck. It was the first time he'd ever been knocked unconscious, falling onto a crumbling piece of rock that only just held together long enough for Hiccup and a few others to rescue him. Before he plummeted to his death.

Now Hiccup stared across the sea toward the west. They hadn't heard any news from Finn or Ivan since last night's letter. Now it was nearing dinner time and the worry was starting to set in again.

Erick's pep talk that morning had helped clear his head. Astrid wouldn't want him to fall to pieces. Wherever she was, she would stay strong. It wasn't the first time she'd been taken and it wasn't the first time she'd been forced to do so. She'd be alright.

But Finn…

Without Finn here, should something happen to himself, Hiccup would be forced to put the responsibility of Berk's safety in Adrianna's hands. And by extension, Erick's. It wasn't a thought he wanted to endure, and yet endure it he must. It had rattled around in his brain with each passing hour.

Perspective. Realistic perspective. That's all it was, and yet it was frightening. He had to keep these things in mind or else find themselves in a worse off predicament. Well, if something bad happened to him, he supposed he wouldn't be aware of it. It was morbid, but it was true. And he wasn't doing them any favors by tiptoeing around it.

Which is why he pushed down the fear as he heard them approach.

Darin was nowhere to be seen, which likely meant he was with one of his grandmothers. At his questioning look, Adrianna confirmed that he was with Lara.

"Lara and Lofn are taking turns." Erick added, glancing at Adrianna. Indeed she didn't look happy about it but… well, Adrianna had to trust that someone besides herself could watch their son for a few minutes.

Adrianna sighed, as if pushing that very thought from her mind. "You wanted to talk to us?"

Hiccup looked them over. Erick was still dressed in his armor and weapons, Adrianna in her flight suit. They both had wary and yet firm expressions. Readying themselves for what he would say next.

"You know I can't protect you both from everything that could happen." Hiccup said at last. "As much as I might want to… you know I can't."

Adrianna blinked, her green eyes filling with worry. "Did something happen? If it did-"

"No. At least, not that I'm aware of." Hiccup ran a hand through his hair. "Only… Finn's not back yet. Hjart is nowhere to be seen and the scouts I sent after lunch haven't come back. They didn't send a Terror back like they were supposed to."

Erick looked grim. "So something is happening out there."

"And the more men you send out there to find out what that is… the less men we have here." Adrianna finished. "But Finn… he has to be okay. Ivan said he was okay. Maybe he's stuck on Hjart for… some reason."

"That's the best we can hope for."

Hiccup gazed down the docks far below, watching as men and women continued to fill and fix the ships in the harbor, preparing them for battle. The Berkian spirit was strong, even now, but Hiccup couldn't tell them everything. He hated keeping secrets from anyone, but unfortunately that was a part of leading.

People wanted the truth, wanted every bit of knowledge so they could say they knew every bit of what was happening. But if that was the case, there would be riots in the streets. Fear would take hold and those in charge wouldn't be able to keep a handle on their own people, let alone make decisions outside the borders.

Secrets were necessary to leadership. And that was perhaps the thing he hated most about it, short of sending people out to do the dirty work. To risk their lives for him. All because he told them to.

"Dad?"

Hiccup blinked, forcing his thoughts back to the present. "If Finn doesn't come back and something happens to me, I hope you both understand what that means."

He didn't mean it to come out so blunt, and yet maybe it was better that way. Maybe they'd had enough of that. Indeed, both their faces tightened, as if they'd expected this.

"We know." Erick said quietly. "We've already talked about it."

Hiccup stepped closer and set a hand on both of their shoulders, given them each a firm squeeze and a firm look. "These people will follow you. They're loyal to our family, to what it represents. If something happens to me-"

"Daddy, stop." Adrianna said.

"Addie, if something happens to me, these people will be furious."

She blinked, as if she hadn't expected that.

"Yes." Hiccup said, turning to Erick. "That will make them stronger. And Finn… He's their future. Take that away… the Hooligan tribe will be a force to be reckoned with. Don't underestimate that."

Adrianna was trembling slightly under his hand. But a steely look had entered Erick's eyes, a look he probably didn't understand.

"Should the worst happen," Hiccup said, burning with pride. "You both are going to do just fine. Don't you doubt yourselves for a second. Finn might be the heir, but you two know just as much about leading this island as he does. Don't ever forget that."

Adrianna grabbed him in a tight hug, catching him by surprise. Smiling, he hugged her back. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it's true. Just in case."

Instead of arguing or dissuading these thoughts, Adrianna merely nodded. As if she'd known all along that this conversation would happen.

Erick opened his mouth to speak and then froze, his eyes glued to something on the horizon.

Turning, Hiccup looked around and spied a series of dots on the horizon. Adrianna, seeing them as well, gasped. "Riders!"

Hiccup whipped out his spyglass. The riders were still very far away so he could only just make out who they were.

Four Shockjaws.

"Is it them?" Erick asked.

Hiccup sucked in a breath. Half a dozen other riders were on their tails and judging by their raised weapons, they weren't fellow Hjartans.

"To the west!" Hiccup shouted down the cliff. All the men and women below and on the nearby embattlements froze, then scurried into a frenzy. "Friendlies under attack, get to them now!"

Without another word to Erick and Adrianna, Hiccup sprinted into the village where he'd last seen Toothless. He'd been gathered among dozens of dragons, all gazing around as if waiting for orders.

His son was in trouble and there wasn't a second to lose.

Finn hissed through his teeth as Zap twisted in midair and swiped her tail in a backwards arc, flinging a bolt of lightning toward the riders on their tails. They quickly dove and rebounded, blasts of fire and arrows whooshing through the air. Zap dodged and tucked in her wings, trying to regain speed.

Berk loomed in the distance.

So close-

The enemy riders seemed to know it, too. Even though they were risking their own capture, their own lives to be attacking so close to Berk, they didn't seem to care. They were willing to do whatever it took to kill him, even if it was suicide for them.

An arrow whooshed by, close enough to nick his leg. Through the flash of pain, Finn glanced down and was momentarily grateful to see it had only cut through the thick material of his boot. The worst he'd have was a bruise. But he was dead if he got an arrow in his back.

Thuggory drew astride him on Thunder, both of them snarling. His sword flashed and knocked another arrow out of the air, clearly aimed for Finn. Thunder and Pepper rebounded with another volley of shock waves. Genevieve, Helga and Thuggory had barely been attacked, confirming their suspicions upon being sighted halfway to Berk that they had a single target in mind.

Brandyn wanted Finn dead.

Though the others had sported minor injuries and been attacked out of necessity, they'd spent the majority of the rushed flight keeping Finn alive and fighting back. Exhaustion weighed on each of them and the various small injuries on all four dragons weighed on Finn's soul more than anything.

These dragons were his family, his babies. He'd raised them himself, aside from Max. If he wasn't so vastly outnumbered and exhausted to boot, he'd throttle them all.

Finn heard the frustrated grunt of an enemy soldier and near instantly felt the crash of another arrow clanging off the shield on his back. They were so close to the braziers now and he could hear the warning bells on the island, could see his people fighting to get into the air to help them.

But there wasn't enough time. He'd be shot and killed before they got here.

Then from somewhere far overhead, a shrill whistle filled the air. Genevieve's eyes went wide and she snatched at Max's reins.

"Steady!" Finn shouted. "Stay put!"

Another arrow clanged on his shield, sending a shooting pain through his limbs. If they caught him in the neck-

Toothless's sonic whistle filled the air and seconds later, a blast of purple fire hit the nearest enemy and exploded. The scream of the rider and the dragon were instantaneous and the smell of burnt hair and leather filled the air.

The other enemy riders floundered but kept to their target. More Berkian riders were flapping upward now, getting closer, so close-

Toothless and his dad shot between them and the enemy, scattering them further. But it wasn't enough to stop the final arrow that finally caught Finn in the armor beneath his arm, nearly throwing him out of the saddle with a cry.

Genevieve screamed.

The pain was a distant thing. Not nearly as painful as he'd expected, but Finn growled.

Enough.

If they wanted him so badly, then so be it.

"Zap." Finn groaned.

Her mouth frothed with exhaustion and eyes filled with fury, Zap met his expression with a growl of her own. Then tucked in her wings.

They fell like a pair of stones, head first. Genevieve and the others faded away into the distance, her blood curdling screams lost to the wind, then Toothless and his dad whistled by, their matching green eyes wide with fury and terror, then there was nothing but the air.

Shouts of fury echoed in his ears behind him. The enemies had followed them into the nose dive.

Good.

Gritting his teeth past the pain and the pull of gravity, Finn pulled himself lower into the saddle, closer to Zap's back as she dove, dove, dove. His stomach swooped into this throat as they gathered speed.

Too fast.

Zap isn't strong enough to pull out of this.

Too late now.

"Come on!" Finn shouted, the ocean looming closer and closer. "You got this, baby girl, come on!"

Roaring her fury for all the world to hear, unaware of the thousands of eyes on them, Zap dove. Finn barely registered the screams of the riders behind them as they tried to pull out of the dives but couldn't. The dive was too steep, the speed too much for their dragons to handle.

But it was all lost as he slammed his forehead into the saddle and prayed to every god he knew that he wasn't about to break every bone in his body.

They hit the water with a mighty crash, plummeting into the depths of the ocean with unmatched speed, momentum and ferocity. If he could have looked back, he'd have seen the tunnel of bubbles that he and Zap had just created, closely followed by the crashes of men, dragons, and weapons as they crashed into the sea with much less grace.

But he couldn't. The impact of the water nearly knocked the wind out of him and only instinct kept his mouth shut. He clung to Zap with everything he had, bearing down on the pull of the water as they descended deeper and deeper. He could feel Zap's muscles straining to fight the pull, to take them back to the surface, but her wing beats were struggling. She was already exhausted. And due to the exhaustion and adrenaline coursing through his own body, he was having a hard time holding his breath.

The sea was a dark blanket, numbing his senses. The water was cold and unforgiving. And they were lost in the abyss.

Zap finally slowed enough to turn them upward, but the sudden motion caused water to shoot up his nose. Instinct to breathe kicked in and a rush of panic filled him.

Don't panic, don't panic-

Her growls rumbling in his ears and in his chest, Zap fought to reach the surface. The light shimmered on the surface far above. The enemies were struggling in the water somewhere in the distance and already a few skiffs were heading toward them, likely teeming with Berkian soldiers.

Suddenly he felt very tired. Struggling against the straps binding his legs to Zap's saddle, he was at her mercy. Unable to free himself, to do anything-

Then something massive dove into the ocean behind them. He couldn't see it, but he could hear it, felt the rush of bubbles as a dragon dove nearby.

Toothless suddenly appeared, shoving his body beneath Zap's and using his powerful wings and legs to raise them up higher, faster.

A body collided with Finn's and then his dad was there with a dagger, slicing through the bindings on his legs. He was yanked out of the saddle and pulled upward toward the surface. Finn felt like his chest was about to burst as an arm clamped around his middle, pulling him up, up, up-

They broke the surface and he gasped, then hacked and coughed as the water went into this mouth.

"I've got you! I've got you, don't panic."

Confusion settled in. That wasn't his dad, that was… Erick?

Charger was in the water, holding still as best he could as Erick dragged him toward the saddle. "Can you pull yourself up?"

He didn't have words from the exhaustion but reached up all the same. A searing pain echoed from his left side but he ignored it, trying and failing to haul himself out of the water. Breathing hard, he dropped his forehead onto Charger's side and shook his head.

"It's okay, just breathe." Erick said, squeezing his shoulder. Blond hair curled in ringlets around his face, he instead pulled himself out of the water and instructed Charger to swim to the docks.

"Wait!" Finn croaked. "Zap! My dad-"

But he needn't have worried. A moment later a surge of water burst upward a few wing paces away. Zap shook her head and appeared to be breathing hard from exhaustion. Hiccup and Toothless were also panting, but their eyes were clear as they escorted Zap toward the docks.

Gods, how the Hel had they survived that?

"Are you alright?" Hiccup asked.

Finn merely shook his head. For once in his life, he didn't have words. He only had strength left to hold onto Charger's saddle as he swam for the docks.

Cliff was sure his hair looked a mess from running his hands through it repeatedly. He'd been on a walk when Hiccup's shout rose and the village exploded into action. He'd watched as his friends approached on their dragons, fighting to stay alive. He'd watched helplessly as Finn and Zap suddenly dropped out of the sky, petrified, unsure if they were dead or if they'd done it on purpose. Watched their flawless dive and realized it had been on purpose, to bait the enemy into crashing below. Watched as Hiccup and Erick both dove in after them, Charger remaining on the surface to receive their wounded friend.

Because one way or another, Cliff was quite sure Finn was wounded.

Now he was consoling Genevieve, who'd landed at the top of the cliff with Thuggory and Helga. All of them and their dragons looked exhausted. Pepper and Thunder both panted so hard they were gagging, nearly ill, so they were quickly ushered away to the hatchery. Max looked only slightly better, though he was covered in a series of cuts. He growled lowly as multiple men tried to clean him up, but clearly he wasn't having it.

Genevieve was staring down into the harbor with terror, wringing her hands so hard they'd gone red. Finn had just been pulled out of the water and was waiting for Zap, who looked to be struggling.

"He looks okay." Cliff said in a firm voice. "He-"

"He got shot before they dove." Genevieve said in a quivering voice. "He could be bleeding to death under all that armor and if they don't get him to Mara's now-"

It seemed to take a great effort, but Zap finally heaved herself onto the docks and promptly collapsed. Growling stubbornly, Max dove off the cliff and glided to the water below, where he could be by her side. A crowd of bodies gathered around her as they inspected her condition. Soon though, Hiccup and Finn stood, leaving her care to Fishlegs as Finn was ushered up the docks.

Cliff kept a firm hand on Genevieve's shoulder as she shook in place, but she made no move to shake him off. He couldn't help with much, but he'd stand with her in solidarity. He wasn't sure how much that was worth, but it was… something. He hoped.

By the time they reached the top of the cliff, a crowd had already gathered. Hiccup firmly waved them aside, clearly wanting to get Finn to the healer's as soon as possible. His face was white enough that his freckles stood out and he looked exhausted, but his blue eyes were clear as they searched the crowd.

They landed on Genevieve right as she pulled out of Cliff's hold. She threw herself into his arms, gripping him tightly and bursting into tears. Finn held her to him tightly, looking up at Cliff through the curls obscuring his vision.

"Thank you," he seemed to be saying.

Nodding, Cliff gave him a small smile.

Perhaps it had meant something then.

Genevieve was babbling something about an arrow and Finn was hushing her gently. Hiccup ushered the few council members away as they began talking in his ear about the captured riders who'd tried to kill them.

Cliff stood there, feeling slightly awkward. Perhaps his role was finished, now that everyone was back. He wondered if he should head back to the shop where there was more work to be done.

Slowly turning on his heel, Cliff shoved his hands into his pockets, but a voice called him back.

"Where are you going, Cliffie?"

It was Finn.

"Uh…" Cliff paused. "Back to the shop, I guess. Why?"

"I need you to do something for me." Finn turned his back to his dad and the council. He pulled a sopping wet, thickly wrapped clump of plastic from his breast pocket inside which appeared to be paper. "I need you to unwrap these and make sure they're still readable. If all of them are ruined, let me know, but if some of them are good then just make a clean copy for the bad ones. Once you're done, mail them using the three Terrors I brought from Hjart. They already know where to go. I need it done as soon as possible."

Noting the way he seemed to be hiding them from the Chief, Cliff quickly took them and shoved them into his own breast pocket, right as Hiccup turned. "Who are they for?"

"Nevermind that." Finn said in a low voice, sensing his father's approach. "But don't tell anyone about them."

The seriousness on his friend's face made him all the more curious, and yet he knew it was no small thing. The fact that Finn apparently had secrets and was choosing him to carry them on.

"Why me?"

"Because I need this done and I don't have time. And," Finn added. "I know I can trust you when it counts."

Something unidentifiable warmed in his chest. "Thanks, Finn. That means more than you know."

Genevieve gave him a warm smile but it quickly vanished as Hiccup set a hand on Finn's shoulder, drawing his attention as well. "Okay, let's get to Mara's-"

"We don't have time for that." Finn said, meeting his dad's tense expression. "We have a problem."

"Finn, you could be bleeding." Genevieve said, her dark eyes catching on the damaged armor under his arm. "We're going to Mara's whether you like it or not."

"Fine. But you'd better bring the council." Finn said to his dad. "We're going to need every clear head we can get."

Cliff caught sight of Helga and Thuggory slumped against the fence nearby, catching their breath. They weren't talking, which he hoped was only due to exhaustion. Hopefully one good thing could come of all this.

As Genevieve steered Finn toward the village square, Hiccup on their heels, Cliff turned the opposite direction. He passed Erick and Adrianna, both of whom were deep in conversation. If the package in his pocket wasn't burning a hole through his clothes, he might have stopped to talk. Except Finn wanted it taken care of right away, so he quickened his pace instead.

He found himself walking to his house. It was likely the best place to read Finn's letters without someone barging in on him. And luckily Taryn wasn't home as she'd decided to spend the day at her parents'. She'd taken to this a lot since finding out about Alton's disappearance. Some days he found the house too quiet or spending loads of time at his in-law's house taxing after many days in a row, but now he was grateful for her absence. Something he thought he'd never think before.

As he pushed his door open and locked it, he wondered how he was going to keep this secret… whatever it was, from Taryn. He'd never kept secrets from her before.

But Finn was heir to the tribe. If he trusted Cliff to keep something quiet, then he'd have to find a way to do it. Wasn't he just thinking over the last few days that he wished he could do his part? Help in some way? Well, this was his chance. He wouldn't screw it up.

And besides, it was just sending a few letters out. The Terrors were waiting for him back at the cliffside near the docks. It wasn't uncommon for Terrors to roost on the fence there, so nobody would question three Terrors waiting for him. Why should anyone suspect him of keeping secrets? If he just acted like there was nothing on his mind, then he could handle this.

Sitting at the table, he drew out the wet package from his pocket and quickly began to unwrap it. Though the plastic was wrapped in numerous layers and sealed with a sticky material not unlike what his aunt used for sealing minor wounds together, the papers nestled in the center were surprisingly dry. It seemed before they left Hjart, they had thought to do their due diligence just in case Finn needed to go in the water.

Regardless, the letters were dry. He supposed he didn't need to read them. If any had been, he would have had to rewrite them.

Feeling like he'd wasted a trip, Cliff leaned back in his chair with a huff. He squinted at the three letters that lay there, mocking him in their perfection. Why couldn't at least one have been ruined…

Now he was being petty. Pouting at a bunch of important letters that he now didn't get to read because they happened to be well protected and therefore, didn't need his expertise after all.

Then again… Finn wouldn't care if he read them either way.

Snatching the topmost letter, Cliff quickly opened it. He vaguely wondered why Finn hadn't used his seal ring to keep it closed, then thought better of it. Perhaps if the letters fell into the wrong hands on their way to their apparent secret destinations, he didn't want the enemy recognizing his seal.

Frowning, he had a strong feeling that he wasn't far off.

With a feeling of trepidation, he opened the letter, and realized that he was right. The paragraph of jumbled letters made absolutely no sense to him whatsoever.

"It's a code." Cliff whispered.

Shutting the letter and putting it back in its protective sleeve, he dropped it back onto the pile. So much for trust. Finn might trust him to do this little task for him because he didn't have time, but what did that matter if he knew that Cliff wouldn't know what he was reading? Not without the key anyway.

A key that surely Fearless Finn wouldn't just leave lying around. Not if he really wanted to keep the contents of these letters safe and secret.

But who were his correspondents? Who would Finn be keeping tabs with that he didn't want his dad, the council, or the rest of his family to know about? Perhaps Genevieve knew, but he'd get nothing from her. Kind and bright as a patch of sunshine she might be, she wouldn't betray Finn's confidence. Not to satisfy Cliff's curiosity anyway.

Sighing, Cliff stood and shoved the letters back into his breast pocket, careful not to tear or bend them. It was just another little task to do. A little thing delegated to someone else so Finn wouldn't have to do it. Cliff hated making it about himself or feeling like it had been pointless, but… he just felt rather superfluous. And now everyone was meeting to find out what had taken them so long to get home. Now he was doing superfluous jobs and behind the times.

Combine that with the fact that they'd kept Alton and Johann's disappearances a secret from him until he'd forced it out of them. Cliff suddenly felt a strong sense of resentment rise in his chest.

Did Finn give him this job just to keep him out of the way?

Cliff huffed and left the house. He didn't want to believe it… Surely his friends wanted him around, right? Or did his reputation of being a crazy nut finally grate on their nerves one too many times? Or were they all so stressed about everything going on that they didn't want to deal with his obnoxiousness?

These and other thoughts swirled through his mind, weighing down every step as he stalked back to the cliffside. As expected, the Terrors were still dutifully waiting. The area was rather deserted now that the excitement had died down. Still he glanced around to be sure nobody was watching. He saw no one and quickly tied each letter to the Terrors' legs before sending them off on their missions.

He watched as two cut east and the other turned north.

Many allies were north, that was common knowledge. There were many to the south, too. But east?

Sighing, Cliff slumped against the fence. There were too many questions and emotions buzzing through his mind, most of them self-inflicted. Maybe he had good reason for feeling the way he did… or maybe he didn't. Maybe this was one reason his friends seemed to be pulling away. Because he was making it about him when in fact they had more important things to be dealing with. Finn could have died today, after all. That was more important than his petty attitude.

Still, as the sun began its downward descent toward the sunrise, Cliff couldn't help but wonder if this is where adulthood really took hold of its denizens. When life grabbed each person by the throat and didn't let go, and the casualties were the friendships you made along the way.

Hiccup paced the length of the healer's office as Finn talked, explaining the reasons for the delay.

A blockade cutting Hjart off from the rest of the Archipelago. Their friends-Genevieve's family-fighting, even now, to break it.

Genevieve, Thuggory and Helga also chimed in, filling in details that Finn might have missed. All the while Mara, Heather and Ruffnut patched their wounds. Each of them sported minor cuts and bruises, particularly Helga and Thuggory. Each of them had clearly fought tooth and nail to keep Finn alive on the flight back to Berk and he would be forever grateful.

For Genevieve's part, after explaining her near brush with death by going under the blockade, Mara had inspected her breath. After forcing her into a new change of clothes and sat her down with a strong cup of tea, Genevieve's color was quickly returning.

Finn, though…

He was still pale, though Hiccup suspected that was due to pain more than anything. He was doing his best to hide it, but as Mara peeled off layer after layer of flight gear, armor, and then finally his shirt, they all sucked in a breath.

"That bad, huh?" Finn hissed, trying and failing to get a closer look at the massive bruise forming on his ribs.

"Lie back." Mara instructed. "Inga, get some-" She broke off with an irritated huff. "Heather, ice please."

Heather obeyed without question, but she too looked annoyed. Now that Hiccup glanced around, he realized the young Jorgenson girl was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Inga?" Finn asked, noticing as well.

"Not a clue." Mara said stiffly, rummaging through a basket of clinking jars until she withdrew one with a dark paste. "She said she had an errand to run this morning and said she'd be back, but didn't specify when or where she was going. She might have picked a better day to disappear or she could have just asked for the day off!"

Finn frowned in concern but said nothing.

"Do you want someone to go look for her?" Hiccup asked.

Heather reappeared with a large bag of ice in her hands. Wrapping it in a towel, she set it carefully onto Finn's ribs and he hissed through his teeth. "No, you've got enough to deal with, Hiccup. I'll talk to her later."

They were interrupted by the door opening and in swept Erick, Adrianna and Cliff. Adrianna rushed to her brother's side to check on his condition while Erick checked on Genevieve, who gave him a tired smile.

Her forearm wrapped heavily in gauze, Helga at last waved her mother off with as lazy of a wave as she could muster. "What happened to the guys attacking us?"

"They're each in a cell." Hiccup said. "As soon as I'm content none of you are going to keel over, I'm going to question them."

"Good luck." Thuggory said from his own cot. He looked exhausted from the rough flight, but his eyes were clear. "What will you do about Hjart?"

Hiccup crossed his arms. "I'm not sure yet. Do you think Ivan can break through?"

"Hard to say." Finn said slowly. "I couldn't get a clear number of men on the blockade, but ships to riders seemed to be about equal. At least from what I could see."

"This explains why your scouts never came back or sent a letter back." Erick said. "They must have gotten caught in the crossfire or captured."

Hiccup felt a pang for the men he'd sent. All he could hope was they were fighting on Hjart's side and would make it there safely.

"Well we can't leave Hjart to fight alone." Adrianna said. "We could send out some riders to help-"

"We could," Erick said. "But that would leave us with less fighters here. What's Brandyn's plan overall? Get us to split up our army and make us weaker? Or was his goal just to keep Hjart occupied for as long as possible, knowing full well that, combined with Berk's forces, we'd actually have a fighting chance?"

"I hate to say it," Finn sighed. "But Erick's right."

"Thanks for that."

"No, I mean… if we split up our forces and send part of our army to Hjart, we'll have less men to fight with here. What if Brandyn's expecting that? We'd be playing right into his hands and it's no small amount of time to change course after that. No, I think Hjart is a diversion."

Genevieve set down her empty cup. "I agree. Ivan will be alright. They won't give up without a strong fight. They'll break through the blockade and they'll come to our aid, just as he promised."

Hiccup had to admire her faith. Anyone else with far less to lose, with far less loved ones on the line would be falling to pieces with the possibilities. And yet she was as strong-willed and stubborn as her fiance. He had to believe that Ivan would pull through.

"I agree." Hiccup said at last. "If we get a message from Ivan calling for aid, then we'll send riders out. We won't ignore them if we hear anything. But in the meantime we need to focus on our own borders. Everything that's happened so far is a bunch of plays on a chess board. He's striking at our pawns and our strongest fighters. We need to be ready to retaliate and keep Berk safe."

"We could make a run for it." Cliff said suddenly, drawing everyone's attention. He blinked in surprise at himself. "Not like, run away. I mean, make it look like we're running but make them chase us into a trap we've set."

"I don't know." Erick said, his brow pinched in thought. "The only thing that would bait him enough to draw him into the open is Hiccup himself, but I don't think he'd take it. He wouldn't abandon whatever plan he's concocted for such a random move."

Finn shrugged. "I don't know, he might take the bait. He hates my dad enough. If his bloodlust is strong enough and my dad was alone-"

"I'm not going anywhere." Hiccup said firmly. "I appreciate the idea though, kiddo."

Cliff gave a small lopsided smile. "Honestly Chief, the thought of you turning tail and running in the face of danger is absurd. Like if you were to suddenly get a crazy idea to leave the only home you've ever known and by extension, abandon the best stronghold in your arsenal, I mean… it wouldn't take a calculating brain to see the stupidity of it, ya know? Not when you have a dragon riding army at your disposal."

"This is true." Hiccup said, fighting a smile as everyone chuckled. "Berk does have many advantages. Besides, where would we go?"

"Probably hours and hours to the west."

"Why west?" Finn asked.

"I dunno, too many enemies to the north and it's too cold for Night Furies to boot. Too many enemies clustered in the east and you can only go so far south before you run into a barbarian or two." Cliff said, ignoring the snorts that echoed around the room. "So that leaves the west!"

"We'd be neighbors with Hjart." Genevieve said. "Except we'd have to make a new stronghold out of an island ill-prepared for new habitation, so… there wouldn't be much preparation for a battle."

"Yeah but who needs an army when you could just send the original gang into battle?" Cliff said, raising his voice over the ensuing scoffs and hilarity. "Hiccup, find Mama Astrid poste haste, the Thorston twins, Snotlout and Fishlegs! They're all chaotic enough to destroy an entire armada on their own-"

"Cliffy, you're utterly ridiculous." Finn said firmly.

"Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this, Cliff." Hiccup said, chortling with the council members.

"Eh, it came to me in a fever dream."

Adrianna took an empty seat beside Genevieve, still giggling madly. "See, this is why we need a Cliffie on our team."

Cliff's amusement vanished. "What do you mean?"

"Someone's gotta cut through the stress. We haven't laughed this much in days!"

"Heh, yeah… comic relief is always the best part of the A-Team." Cliff said, but he sounded less enthusiastic than before.

"Oy!" Ruffnut said suddenly, whipping around from her place at Helga's side. "Tuffnut and I are exceptional comic relief!"

"Yes, there's usually one in every generation."

"You should be grateful Tuffnut isn't here, Hiccup. Otherwise he'd be the one to ask you if the rumors are true."

"Oh boy." Erick sighed.

"Do I want to know?" Hiccup asked.

"Of course not, which is naturally why I'm going to tell you." Ruffnut said, ignoring her daughter's raised brow. "I mean if it was me who may or not have a suspiciously mysterious dragon tattoo located on their left cheek, I'd want to know who was starting the rumors."

Thuggory gagged on his tea amid the chorus of barked laughter and snorts.

"Ya know, the thing about rumors, Ruffnut," Hiccup said tightly, willing himself not to blush. "Is they're usually based in fantasy or jealousy. So what's that say about your brother, Ruffnut?"

"Oh gods, please don't give him ideas." Helga said in a tight voice. "You're not related to the man. With my luck, he'll get the dang thing and give me an unfortunate sight of the crescent moon to show me, probably on Snoggletog, too!"

Adrianna gaped at her. "He wouldn't!"

"Oh trust me, he would. The Thorston family isn't very well known for their shyness."

"It's a badge of honor!" Ruffnut said.

"That's what he said." Erick muttered, earning another chorus of guffaws and a slap from his wife.

Finn took the ice from Heather and began chucking ice cubes at his friends. "See what you perverts started? Get out of here, ya bunch of nasties!"

Hiccup kicked an ice cube away from his prosthetic and turned to share an amused look with Astrid, just as he always did. Then, realizing he'd forgotten for the hundredth time that she wasn't here, felt his stomach clench. He was grateful for the laughter and for his friends and family that were doing their best to keep him sane and support him. But suddenly he was filled with the longing to see Astrid again. To know that she was safe and unhurt.

How could an entire day without her feel like an eternity?

A hand touched his arm and he turned to see Heather had taken up position at his side, now that Finn had commandeered the ice bag. "How are you doing?"

Hiccup looked up at Finn, who'd sat up again and was still throwing ice cubes at Erick and Cliff. Erick had drawn up his hood and was hiding in its protective folds while Cliff had crumpled to the floor amidst claims of abuse.

"I'm alright," he said finally. "I'm glad the kids got back safely. I just… I'm worried about Astrid."

"I know." Heather's blue eyes were steady, just as fearless as the day they'd first met all those years ago. "She'll be alright. She's strong and Brandyn knows that. He won't do anything drastic."

"He will if she fights too much. She'll do whatever it takes to escape-"

"Maybe not. She's stubborn, but she's not stupid. She knows when to play her cards right and this isn't the first time she's been kidnapped." Heather squeezed his arm. "She'll find her way back to us. I know it."

Fighting the lump in his throat, Hiccup swallowed hard and nodded. He tried to think of how to respond but was spared the opportunity as the door was flung open. Snotlout stormed in, took in the now silent group with a quick sweep of his blue eyes, and then stalked for Hiccup.

"What now?" Hiccup asked.

"Not you." Snotlout hissed and stopped in front of Heather. "Did you tell her to go?"

Heather stared at him for a long moment. "What are you talking about?"

"Inga, obviously!"

"Inga? What about-"

"She's gone, Heather! Mystie's pen is empty, all of her riding gear is missing!"

The bowl in Mara's hands crashed to the floor and shattered. "What? No. No, did you check the Brands? She might have gone to check on Taryn-"

"No, she's not there. She's not at the barracks or the arena or the house or with any of her friends. When I noticed Mystie's pen was empty an hour ago, I started searching the village for her. Nobody's seen her since this morning."

Heather had gone very white. "The search party… the Changewings… Oh gods."

"She must have convinced them to let her go. Maybe even told them that the chief wanted a healer to go with them, just in case. It wouldn't take much to convince them."

"But why?" Heather demanded. "Why would she-"

"I'll tell you why." Finn huffed, running his hands down his face. "Because she was tired of waiting for no news. Because even after I convinced her not to go yesterday, she asked if something were to happen to Genevieve, would I stay or would I go? And she was right. I went after Genevieve."

Heather slipped into a chair, her hands over her mouth. Snotlout was staring at the floor with a look of suppressed rage, which was fueled only by fear.

"So she's on the reconnaissance mission." Hiccup said quietly. "She went after Alton."