Despite the lack of visual, Hiccup remembers clearly when Johann ordered no food or water to be delivered to him. He's Johann's prisoner, and Johann is ruthless. He recognizes that the only reason he's still here, breathing, is because of Viggo's interference. He doesn't want to admit that he's grateful for the Hunter Chief. He's not. Viggo has been the reason for many lost battles in the past and the cause of the Riders' presence outside the waters of the Archipelago. Hiccup and the Riders seek to stop people like Viggo Grimborn and his allies. Even though it was brought to light that Johann, the Hooligan tribe's best and favourite trader and the most locally famous merchant, is the cause of all these wars, Hiccup could never pivot his opinion of Viggo.
They're all monsters—no matter who's in charge.
But the relief of cool spring water trickling down his throat has mixed feelings clashing inside. His rational self says that Viggo is untrustworthy—he's proven so during his deal to help him kill his brother, Ryker, only to blackmail him by using Astrid as leverage to win the Dragon Eye back.
They say don't bite the hand that feeds you, and Hiccup hates to admit that sinking his literal teeth in the very literal hand holding the waterskin to him might not be the best idea that's crossed his mind. He won't ever accept Viggo as an ally, but he'd rather not consider him an enemy for the moment—not when he's showing clear signs of revolt against Johann.
"You don't listen, do you?" Hiccup gasps after downing the contents and tossing the skin to Viggo's feet.
He can hear the distant birdsong in the trees—one he's only ever heard at dawn. He knows the sun has risen when rays kiss his skin, warming him up after a cold night.
Viggo doesn't reply right away. But after a few beats, he speaks, his voice toned low. "I am the Viking Chief of my own tribe. Johann likes to think I serve at his feet like a good beast. It's the word he likes to spread, but I am no one's soldier, and I never will be." He collects himself, breathing, before proceeding, "Did you get any sleep?"
"Would you sleep in a Fireworm Queen's nest?" Hiccup answers, sarcasm dripping from his tongue. His voice is gruff from the cold; his throat is sore.
"And risk the burn?" Viggo scoffs, and Hiccup wonders if they just agreed on something wholeheartedly.
The sudden feel of cloth wrapping around his head and pressing over his eyes has Hiccup snap his head back from Viggo.
"Relax," Viggo soothes, circling around him. Hiccup notes every move, from the gentle tug as he ties a knot at the back to the adjustment of the layers over his face. "Just trust me."
"Trust you?" he echoes.
"Keep your voice down, and listen," Viggo hisses, barely louder than a whisper. "You stand a chance if you bide your time."
Hiccup sticks his tongue in his cheek. The Hunter's footsteps fade away, and Hiccup leans against the pole to which his wrists remain bound. The metal rubbing against his skin is cool, but the pressure is growing more irritating with every passing hour since he got dragged here. The cloth over his eyes is a somewhat comforting sensation, tricking him into a strange belief that he's not actually blind—just blindfolded. That as soon as it's removed, he'll see the world again. Hiccup can't know for sure if that will ever happen. He can't say for sure if he'll get off this island at all.
The day goes by without another visitor. The noon sun is merciless at this time of year, and Hiccup is suddenly more than thankful for that fresh water from the morning. He can't imagine how worse his headache could be if his morning thirst hadn't been quenched. He suspects Johann wants to wear him out by letting these simple things work their magic. He freezes all night and sweats all day.
It's only when the sun goes down, and the cool air washes over his form again that he hears the familiar gait.
The Hunter adjusts the blindfold, ensuring it's secure, before taking hold of his wrists to analyze the damage. Hiccup doesn't ask questions—he doesn't bother. It's not like he could fight Viggo if he even wanted to. The Hunter has proven more helpful than anything else so far—but at the same time, he's still here, chained to a pole. The coolness of the waterskin pressed into his hands for him to grab is a relief he'd been looking forward to. He doesn't know why he assumed Viggo Grimborn would be kind twice and if he would be thrice.
"Johann will use you to lure your friends in," Viggo claims while he nearly drowns.
"Predictable," Hiccup replies after a long pause. He breathes shallowly before tilting the skin to avoid leaving a drop behind.
"But effective," Viggo points out. "Johann envies your soldiers' loyalty."
Hiccup leans against the pole, his chains clinking against the stone of the arena floor. "They're not my soldiers," he says, a note of disgust to his voice.
"They look up to you," Viggo notes. "They follow your orders. You're their future heir—but you're already their leader. Everyone can see you lead with trust, not fear. Loyalty is dangerous. And it will get them killed if they reach you before you escape."
Hiccup angles his head his way, knowing Viggo can easily picture his glower despite the blindfold. "You're misleading me," he accuses.
Viggo remains neutral. At least, he certainly sounds so. "Am I?"
"You want me to believe you're rooting for my survival?" Hiccup says, underlining that he's skeptical of every word that leaves the Hunter's mouth despite being the reason he still stands despite all the chains.
"Is it so wrong for a sinner to wish for his enemy's success?" Viggo demands, and Hiccup lifts his chin.
"I know you," he reminds him, twitching his upper lip—displaying a physical reaction of his mistrust.
"You know nothing about me, my dear," Viggo counters with a light chuckle.
Hiccup flinches at his sudden proximity when Viggo whispers in his ear, sending shivers travelling down his spine like the haunting feeling of a dark forest barely treaded by mankind.
"North end. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."