Chapter 13
~ Hiccup's POV ~

Tossing and turning was how I spent my night after the incident with Eddval.
I had given my word now, there was no way out.
I was planless for one of the first times in my life and it was giving me no peace.

In the early hours of the morning, I heard a crash and several shouts in the not too far off distance.
I leapt from my bed and looked out the window, peering through the darkness for a glimpse of something.

Blasts of blue and purple fire were blowing up over some houses on the far side of the island.

And a desperate roar filled the air preceding each blast.

I knew that sound.

Only a few times had I heard this kind of cry from a Night Fury.
It was something I had taught Toothless a few years ago.
Likewise to teaching a dog to 'speak', I taught Toothless to release a sound unique to any I had heard before by manipulating his anger roar, with his fear one.

He had never actually had to use it.

But we called this cry for help, SMS, meaning 'Save My Soul'.

Toothless was in danger.

I ran to the door and banged my fist on it, hard and loud.

"What do you want?" Asked the sleepy, gruff reply of a door guard.

"There's a dragon going wild over there and I would know those sounds anywhere. Let me out and to get him under control!" I requested desperately, panic surging through my veins.

There was silence for a minute before the door was unlocked and I found myself running down the stone tunnels to the plaza outside with two guards beside me.

When I got out there, the air was thick with smoke and ash and several houses were desolate and burned to the ground.

The SMS roar was coming from a few buildings away.

"Toothless..." I mumbled before darting in that direction with the soldiers close behind.

We got close and people were surrounding the dragon trying to corner it and get it under control with their weapons, their nets and their methods of cruel will over dragons.

I pushed through them all.

"Step back! Step back, all of you!" I ordered with a loud voice.

The soldiers started to step back after exchanging confused glances.
They had no better ideas, so they left it to me, expecting me to die just like the couple of soldiers who had the nerve to get to close.

I anxiously stepped over their corpses
and stretched my hand out to Toothless.

Toothless' eyes were in slits and he was starving beyond recognition.
He had bleeding whip lashes sliced across his sides and his red tail fin was missing, I guessed it was to keep him grounded.

"T-Toothless, it's me bud...I'm right here...It's okay. I know you're scared, I'm scared too...but we're gonna be okay..." I comforted without success as I tried to get near.

He had already calmed slightly by hearing my gentle tone of voice.

Toothless stared at me for a moment or two before sniffing the air and exhaling smoke curls.

"I know you feel alone...I do too, but you're not alone are you....in fact, I'm right with you. I know I risked you...I came here at an expense. You.
And that was a mistake, a big mistake, I see that now. But, I won't ever do that again, bud. Not ever. I promise."

The dragon continued to stare, then he blinked a few times, that crooked toothless smile filling his face, before running up to me and knocking me over.

A few soldiers went to run forward and save me, but then, they stopped and saw Toothless was licking me, not trying to hurt me.

This was a whole new world for them.

I was laughing and threw my arms around my best friend's head.

"I'll always be with you, bud. You'll never be alone." I whispered down his scaly ear.

Toothless let out a rumbly purr and one of the soldiers cocked his head with a frown.

"How did you do that?"

I stood up and looked around at all the faces staring at I and my dragon.
For several minutes, it had seemed only I and Toothless were stood there together in the dark night.
I rubbed my dragon's head affectionately.

"Loyalty. Dragon's aren't vicious beasts, but...intelligent creatures who's souls," I paused and glanced down at Toothless who was staring back at me with affectionate eyes, "who's souls reflect our own." I explained, a proud smile crossing my face.

A young man in a tin helmet stepped forward in front of his older friend and dropped his shield and sword.
"Teach me.-" He threw down his helmet and I saw it was Luca. -"I don't want this, I want that." He decided, gesturing to his surroundings then pointing to Toothless.

A few others dropped their weapons, then more people, until everyone stood near had surrendered to Toothless and the friendship he had with his rider.

I grinned at the soldiers. I was glad that they were still somewhat human.

"We start at dawn."

~*~*~*~
~ Astrid's POV ~

I had only slipped into the Great Hall to pick up my coat which I had left there the night before.

A big mistake.

News travelled across the village quicker than a rabbit running through the forest and before I knew it, I found myself surrounded by desperate villagers with a hunger for answers.

"Where's Hiccup?"
"Is there a war on the brink? I can feel it brewing!"
"Will we be launching a search party?"
"Winter's gaining on us, where's Hiccup to give us our orders!"

I began to get overwhelmed as they backed me into a corner, yelling and crowding.

"Please, everyone! Just calm down!" I begged.

They ignored me and continued to question me until a big voice boomed from behind. "Everyone stand back!"

Snotlout was stood behind them.

"There will be a meeting held here in ten minutes, any men that wish to know what is going on, please, by all means, join us. But I promise no hope of Hiccup's return. For now, his disappearance remains unexplained. Now all of you, return to your duties." He ordered.

That was the most noble thing I've ever heard Snotlout say?

I sighed with relief and slumped down onto a bench as everybody dispersed, still without answers.

The villagers scattered and Snotlout hurried to me.
He knew how tired and worn I was with worry and fear. It wasn't like me to be weak and when I was, I failed quickly.

"Thanks...never have I been so grateful for Snotface Snotlout to grace us with his presence." I laughed half-heartedly.

Snotlout sniggered and adjusted his tunic proudly, holding his head high.
"Ha-ha, yeah. Snotlout, Snotlout, oi oi oi!"

A few minutes later, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Fishlegs, Eret, Solomon, Gobber, Spitelout and myself were sat around the great wooden table in the Hall of Chiefs.

Silence gripped the atmosphere as we all tried to gather our thoughts and plans.

Gobber was first to speak.

He stood to his feet and took a deep breath before he said what he wanted to.

"It's times like these I wish I had Stoick's strategy and guidance at my side. Seen as, once again, we are short of his wisdom, I rest my case with you, Astrid, as wife of the chief, you have the first word and the last word. You are all Berk has left."

I gulped and looked over the sea of faces that awaited my reply.
I slowly and shakily stood up before my friends, leaders and fellow dragon riders, preparing my battle-worthy speech in my mind.

"I...I...For those of you who are still in the dark with Hiccup's whereabouts, three weeks ago, Hiccup discovered a man who goes by the name of, Eddval Skull Hunter, who has been taking Night Furies captive for many years in the process of building an army of the rare beasts. Ultimately, Eddval heard of Hiccup's dragon training gift. For years he has been hunting Hiccup down. When Hiccup virtually walked into his trap, our chief traded his life in to save me...This man seems relentless and will use Hiccup to train his Night Furies. Sadly, Hiccup is only human and Eddval's inhumane actions will, no doubt, drag Hiccup down with only one choice. Humanity will kill him, love will kill him, mercy will kill him.
It is the bravery of his people that will save him. Hiccup can't save himself this time, it is up to us to become the stuff of legends and rescue the dragon master in his greatest challenge yet. I will stand by him even if it draws my final breath from my chest, which of you will stand with me?"

Nods of heads around the table were visible before Gobber stood up with a smile.
"Well said, lass." He complemented.

Minutes later, the entire company around the table were stood with broad smiles on their faces.

"Thank you..." I breathed quietly.

Eret rested a hand on my back and smiled. "What's your plan, dragon rider?"

I smiled with that confident glow sparking in my eyes again.
I felt revived already.

"We're going back."

~*~*~*~
~ Hiccup's POV ~

Eddval ordered his men to take me to the arena just as the sun stretched itself up onto the sky the next morning.

He wanted an early start.

I stood alone in an arena bigger than the Great Hall back on Berk. It was big enough for at least five Monstrous Nightmares.

As I stood, mouth gaping, slowly stepping around in a five foot radius, a door on the left flung open and out stepped four men and a woman with Eddval leading them.

All of the young men were tall, strong and wearing body armour from head to toe and held weapons that I thought were too lethal to carry around in everyday life. And the girl was skinny, but strong, similar to Astrid, she wore the same silver armour though with a more graceful and feminine way about it.
She made swords look elegant rather than dangerous. Then last of all, she wore a dark grey hood covering her head so only her lips were visible. She seemed no less hard-won than the men.
A natural born assassin.

"Dragon Master, meet my four strongest warriors, and Luca. They are tough, strong and ready to face any and all challenges you face them with. They have endured all tests that I have given them and are some of the only ones to survive and thrive through them. Teach them all you know and you will be promoted a captain of my army, betray me and I will make you hurt so much that it makes an eternity in hell look inviting. Good luck."

As soon as Eddval left, one of the men took his helmet off and smiled.
I hadn't really been able to see very well in the dark last night, but these soldiers were scarred and beaten, tortured and half decapitated.

They were warriors who were so tough they could possibly endure the world's end.

I wasn't so sure I could train these people in mercy anymore.

"Alright Hiccup, what do you want us to do?" He asked confidently.

The man's eyes were deep blue and the only thing that seemed human about him.
I could see a tender glow in him like the first spark of a fire.
This guy was ready to learn anything I was to teach him, nothing would stop him now. He had one good arm and one titanium one from his shoulder to his finger tips. He was a little taller than me but no more muscly. I presumed this guy was very strong though, even if it was mentally rather than physically.

Determination of heart can often show much more strength that your muscles.

Before I could answer, a door behind me burst open and out hopped Toothless, seemingly a lot happier this morning than he had been the night before.
His wounds had been tended to but he was still a mess.

I rubbed my dragon's head gently and grinned down at him.
I remembered first finding Toothless in the Cove back home, the look he had given me then, he was still giving me today.

"First, what are all your names?" I asked eventually.

The man who had spoken first gestured to himself as Erik Steadfast, then to each of his friends.

First was a huge man in height and width with broad shoulders and a hunched back. He had scars all over his arms, but he was missing no limbs. He had wide fingers and knuckles clenched into a fist on the end of two short, stout arms that extended from his extensive chest. His neck was low and his head almost hung as though he was hiding despite being the tallest and possibly strongest of the group. He had a square face with a large over-bite and a big nose. His eyes were small and squinted and his head pretty much bald.

This beast of a man went by the name Ryker, Ryker Guillotine.

Next in line was Stumpy Sharktooth, a man short in stature, a similar height to someone like Gothi, but much fatter.
I guessed the fat wasn't fat as much as it was muscle.
His arms were as wide as my head and as steady as a mountain in a storm. He was ugly with rotten teeth knifing from his mouth and a crooked nose hooked over his moustache as though it was a coat hook for it. He had round eyes with dead flesh surrounding them and dark circles around the flesh. His eyes were basically craters in his round and rosy face. He had no legs, just two peg-leg stumps, a clue for his name, and he held a large mace in his little hands.
I never wanted to get on his bad side, the guy was literally the human equivalent of a terrible terror.

Then came the girl. She was skinny at her waist with round hips and thin legs, giving her an hourglass figure. Her hair was as black as Astrid's cookies and was roped together in a tight braid over her shoulder before sliding down her as though she had a black snake resting on her shoulder. I couldn't see her face but I figured she was pretty from her red lips and thin chin. She also had high cheek bones and a light complexion. She wore tall boots that covered her legs up to her knees then her black trousers up from there. At her hip was strapped a belt lined with weapons such as daggers, knives and various other blades. She held a long, slender sword in her thin fingers that she kept close to her as her arms were tight to her side as though she was afraid someone would jump out and attack her right now. They all called her, Mackenzie.
Miss Mackenzie Kirk.

Last of all was luca, just Luca. Eddval hadn't gestured to him as a warrior, but simply as Luca. It seemed the other warriors valued him much more than Eddval did.
He was a little shorter than I, the youngest of the five. He had messy locks of brown hair flopping all over his face and tender brown eyes to match. He was flared with confidence and held a stance that seemed relaxed and trusting.
He wore similar warrior clothes to Erik and Mackenzie, whereas Stumpy and Ryker looked similar.
He was missing no limbs, rare on this island, and had what looked like a hand-made helmet slipped under his right arm. That same one he had been wearing the other night.
He also had a yellow star on his tunic which stood for cowardice, I wasn't sure what that was about, but I didn't question it any more than that.

"Great...I'm Hiccup...I think you must know that...Anyway...Let's get started! First, you have to get your dragon's attention.-" I waved at Toothless and immediately the dragon hopped over to his rider excitedly wondering what it was that I wanted. "-Show him that you're harmless and he will ignore you, hurt him, and he'll wanna eat you. You have to find the bridge that stands between these."

I pointed to the warriors and Toothless snarled, already feeling disconcerted by these new strange people.
The five threw down their weapons and Toothless frowned at them, obviously confused by their actions and continued playing with a loose pebble on the floor.

"Toothless is already trained," I continued, "so ignored you, the obvious choice for a Night Fury when there are much more exciting things around, just like this pebble that he is completely enthralled with. He's so easily amused. But, your Night Furies aren't gonna look at a pebble and think fun, because, pebbles don't run away. People run away. They're gonna go for you, first. Watch your back."

The tunnel door behind the soldiers flew open this time and out charged Night Furies, fierce and angry. They weren't starving like the others, but they were wild with fury, that was one thing that was for sure.

I would have to get to work straight away if this plan was going to succeed.

"Alright, show these dragons that you want to no fight. They'll become confused and eventually ignore you. These dragons are not hungry so they are looking for fun, not food." I instructed warily.

It took a few minutes for the five to understand that if they threw an axe, or a knife or even a mace at these dragons, a chance of training them would be slim.

First impressions are very important in dragon training.

The warriors become just as bored as the dragons and began to chat among themselves and just as I said they would, the dragons became bored of firing plasma blasts at us and played with each other instead.

Mackenzie was first to notice and pointed it out so I could give them their next step.

"Now you have to get their attention with things they want, not weapons...," I held up a fish. "-Food."

One of the Night Furies saw the fish's scales glinting in the sun and immediately investigated.

I handed the fish to Erik and stretched the man's one good arm out toward the Fury.
Slowly, I backed away.

"What? Where are you going?!" asked Erik now in a slight panic.

I held up my hands to calm the soldier. "Just relax...Don't move, he'll come to you." I advised soothingly.

The soldier trembled as the dragon drew near, purring and rumbling. The other soldiers whispered to each other nervously, they just seemed to be waiting for the coliseum moment of their friend being torn apart, but that moment never came.

"Hey there, Killer....you want this fish....come and get it."

The dragon leapt forward and onto the man knocking him to the ground. Quicker than the eye could follow, the dragon snatched the fish from Erik and skittered away with its prey.

Erik sat up and threw his arms in the air with an exasperated laugh.
"Wooo! What was that?!"

I went back over and gave him a hand, also laughing as the others gathered around.

"That, was your first step in dragon training."

~*~*~*~

I hope you enjoyed chapter thirteen! Things are getting tense now! What did you think about the soldiers wanting to train dragons? What about the five warriors? Do you have a favourite? What about Hiccup helping Ryker? Well, keep an eye out for chapter fourteen! All comments are appreciated!

Thanks again,

~ Httyd_2014 <3