Chapter 1: The Prophecy.
Early in the day, a child has just been born in one of the larger village huts of Berk.
"It's a boy, congratulations chief Stoick." says one of the maids holding Stoick's and Valka's first child. "What will you call the child?"
"His name will be Hiccup Haddock the Third, Heir of Berk." says Valka holding her child. "You need to get going Stoick, tell the village of the birth. I will go and see the seer."
Later in the day, Stoick and the council of Berk gather the village to the hall.
"Everyone, I am pleased to announce that as of this morning, my wife has given birth to our first child." says Stoick taking the stage getting cheers from the crowd. "His name is Hiccup Haddock the Third, heir of Berk."
"Brother, what has the seer had to say?" asks one of the councilmen, Spitelout Jorgenson.
"Aye, as per Viking tradition, any newborn child must be seen by the seer to interpret the signs." says another of the council.
"My wife Valka went to see the seer earlier this morning, I have not heard anything of their meeting." says Stoick as Valka and the Seer enter the hall. "The seer wishes to speak."
"I have seen a prophecy." says the Seer taking the stage and looking at her bowl.
Born will be a child of Night, destined to rule greater lands than of his birth.
A master craftsman, fighter, and politician, will find his destiny.
He will sprout Wings of Darkness, and create the greatest power seen.
Destruction and Creation lie in his path.
Wielder of Flame and Metal, A King, A Prince, many faces.
A bastard born - A King raised.
"I have shared what I told Chieftess Valka, I will also share what I recommend to do." says the seer looking up from her bowl. "A wise decision would be to let the Gods decide his fate. Perhaps they will be kinder than what is awaiting him here."
"By the Old Law of Viking Traditions, I hereby announce that Hiccup Haddock the Third will be stripped of title, and power, and be sent to the Gods." says Spitelout looking out at the crowd. "If he is to indeed be the bastard the prophecy spoke of, he will need to sent adrift as our culture demands. The choice is yours Stoick."
"I agree with Spitelout, our law has never once been abandoned, and it shall stay that way." says Stoick sitting in his chair. "Ready a ship. Tonight we send him to the Gods."
Shortly after, the docks are filled with people witnessing the ship leave Berk's Dock. Valka and Stoick arriving with their child in their arms, with some items for Hiccup to remember his Birth.
"A ship has been prepared Stoick, just like you asked." says Gobber gesturing to a Viking longship the size of a cradle. "Made it to resemble Berk's ships."
"It will do fine Gobber." says Stoick laying the items in the boat. "With these, we hope to see you along your journey."
Inside the ship; lays a small cloth with Berk's crest, and Berkian Steel about the size of an arrowhead, with the Berk crest melted into it.
"May the Gods have mercy on you and your soul." says Valka gently resting Hiccup in the ship.
"Now as per our traditions, we send the ship away." says Stoick cuddling up with Valka. "Gobber, you may push the ship."
"Aye Stoick." says Gobber gently pushing the ship into the water.
"May the Gods have mercy on all our souls." says Stoick watching the ship drift away. "Everyone go home and prepare for the raids."
A few days later, the same ship arrives at a large island covered with mountains and forests.
"Hey, over there!" shouts a voice.
"What is it?" asks another voice getting closer to the ship.
"Looks like a child." says another voice.
"This is no place for a child. Grab him out of the water, we will take him to the King." says the first voice.
"But Sir, the King has more important matters." says the second voice.
"Are you saying the King doesn't have time for a lost child Bjorn?" says the first voice.
"No Sir, it's just that he's the... King." says Bjorn. "The King has many matters to discuss."
"That may be so, but we have a child with no backstory." says the leader gesturing to young Hiccup. "Check the ship he came in."
"Sir, we only found these." says Bjorn laying the items down. "They all have the Berkian crest."
"Isn't Berk at least a week's travel from here?" asks the third.
"It would seem so. Perhaps he had favourable winds?" asks Bjorn looking at the leader.
A few hours later, the crew of Guards arrive at the King's Palace.
"My Liege, we found this along the coast." says Bjorn bowing to the King.
"A child, along with a cloth, and a metal arrowhead." says the leader.
"Good job Harald." says the King taking a closer look. "Bring me the seer."
"On it Sir." says Halfdan rushing off to the Seer.
"You wished to see me?" asks the Seer entering the hall.
"Indeed. The Guards that were posted to the North found a ship carrying a child." says King gesturing the child now resting in a crib.
"I'll find out what I can see." says Seer looking into a bowl.
Born a Bastard, Raised as King.
A child will come, the child of Night.
Wing of Darkness will be sprout, learn to fly and fight.
A Prince that was promised, destined to be King.
Rider of the Once Feared, Now Beloved dragon of Night.
Steel and Fire are his weapons, politics his specialty.
Savour of Many, Killer of One. A Hero to All.
"Does that help My Lord?" asks the Seer looking up from the bowl.
"Most certainly." says the King looking at the child. "Give him a room within the castle, make sure he is fed, bathed, and cared for."
"Of course Sire." says the Seer taking the child to one of the rooms.
"Tell your Queen that we have another son." says the King sitting down at his throne as the maids rush off to find the Queen.
Back at Berk.
After sending their child adrift, the Chief and Chieftess of Berk became focused on expanding their village and attempting to fight back against the dragons. A few weeks later, their fate had not changed, the dragons still attacked, storms and greater winters came through. It was beginning to look like nothing would ever change. Then other families around the village were having children, the Hofferson's had a Daughter whom they named Astrid, the Ingerman's named their son Fishlegs, Spitelout and his wife had a son they called Snotlout, then the Thorstons had twins, Ruffnut a daughter and Tuffnut their Son.
Currently the children were about to have their lessons in the hall with Gobber the town blacksmith.
"Excuse me Gobber." says one of the girls in the class, raising her hand.
"Yes Astrid." says Gobber taking his seat.
"What happened to the Chief's child?" asks Astrid taking a seat at the table. "My mother told me that Stoick and Valka had a son named Hiccup and didn't say anything else other than he would be the same age as us."
"We don't talk about what happened to young Hiccup." says Gobber looking at the students. "But I will say that when he was born, the seer told the village that he would sprout wings of darkness."
"Like a Nightfury?" says one of the more chubbier kids.
"Yes Fishlegs. But as per Viking traditions, the child was sent to the Gods. We have not had any updates or news on the child." says Gobber. "But we all hope we will see him again someday."
Meanwhile far away from Berk, a child of five enters the royal throne room with his brother Prince Valentine. Both princes dressed in royal suits, with the emblem of a Stormcutter dragon.
"Ah my Sons." says the King sitting on his throne. "I King Ragnar Ridaris hereby gift Prince Valentine the crown of Draconia when he is of age to take the throne; and to Prince Ryder Ridaris, I gift you The Isle of Night. You will take a force of soldiers, farmers, sailors, and builders to the ruins. When you are of age to inherit the crown I will see you both in this very hall."
"Thank you Father." says Prince Valentine taking a throne to his father's side. "I do hereby accept this noble gift. I hope to follow in your footsteps and rule Draconia with a Just hand, as you have."
"Me as well father, you may not be my birth father, but you chose to adopt me when you could have left my boat in the water. I thank you." says Prince Ryder taking a throne to his mother's side. "I hope I can rebuild The Isle of Night to it's once former glory."
"To the Future King of Draconia and Isle of Night!" shouts King Ragnar into the crowd as everyone claps and congratulates the newly crowned Kings.
Five Years Later at Draconia's Weapon Workshop.
After being crowned King of the Isle of Night, Prince Ryder decided that perhaps he should start to learn how to create weapons and use what he has. First he constructed a metal cane with a small green jewel at the top for himself, second was a small steel axe for the lumberjacks, then he made a saddle.
After making the saddle, the King had decided that it was time to start taming dragons and rebuild the Dragoncorps, a once powerful and feared army used by those who ruled the Isle of Night before Draconia had seized the crown almost 400 years ago. Shortly after the Kingdom had started recruiting those old enough to tame and learn of the power a dragon has.
Currently though, Ryder (or Hiccup) has begun creating his latest piece of work: a sword made of steel with the ability to be lit on fire without melting the steel.
"This truly is some good work My Prince." says the Forgemaster looking over the sword. "Perhaps in a few more years we will have an entire Corps armed with weapons just like this one."
"Thank you sir, but I would like to be the only wielder of such a weapon. Could you imagine what would happen if our enemies found the plans and copied them?" says Ryder putting his newly made sword in his private weapons rack.
"Of course, then perhaps the Dragoncorps shall utilise other weapons." says the Forgemaster. "What happened to your idea where a catapult would shoot a spear?"
"The Ballista, I have decided to shelve it for a while longer." says Ryder looking over his pile of weapon plans.
"Well, I think that perhaps it's time for you to head back home. Your father must be missing you." says the Forgemaster as Ryder gets up and gets escorted to the Palace.
In the grand Royal Hall of Draconia, Prince Ryder Ridaris sat at the head of the table, his father King Ragnar to his right and Prince Valentine to his left. The emblem of the Stormcutter dragon adorned the walls, a symbol of their ancient lineage. The councilmen of Draconia gathered around, their faces serious and attentive.
"Thank you all for coming," Prince Ryder began, his voice commanding the room's attention. "We must discuss the future alliances of our kingdom. The lands beyond our borders are ever-changing, and we must be prepared."
"The city guards stand ready to defend Draconia against any threat that may arise." says Captain Harald after giving the Prince a nod, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Our dragons are at your command, Your Highness. We will soar through the skies to protect our people." says Sir Aksel Lord of the Dragoncorps
"Our ships will ensure that supplies continue to flow, no matter the challenges we face." says Mistress Freya, leader of the shipping lanes, humming in agreement.
As the conversation flowed, plans were made, alliances forged, and strategies devised.