Hiccupa spent the night in a dreamless sleep for the first time in a month. It was a fitful sleep still no less. She was awoken to sounds of a key turning and clanks of a locked door being opened the door opened creaking on its hinges and footsteps entered the chamber. The footsteps walked across the stone floor paused before the bed and then proceeded to the other side of the room to the sounds of metal being placed on a table.

Hiccupa's eyes slowly began to open at first thinking she was in her chambers on Berserk but then looking about she remember she was on Outcast island and all she had been through was not a dream. No a nightmare. She sat up stretching out her back sore from the beating Alvin had inflicted upon her and from laying on a pile of hay on a stone floor then on an uncomfortable bed. When she saw Savage she flinched back in a panic falling back on her elbows realizing she was not in the most defensive pose and then quickly sat up.

"Good Morning Hiccupa! How did ya' sleep pet?" Savage asked attempting to sound cheerful.

"Well, Savage as much as I enjoy vacationing on Outcast island the hospitality and accommodations could use some work. All in all don't expect a glowing review when I leave here" Hiccupa replied with biting sarcasm.

Savage took it all in stride and seemed to ignore her "Well I brought yer' breakfast and some hot water to freshen up with. Then Alvin wants ter' see youse again in the arena again ter' train the dragons" Savage said.

I heaved in a breath placing my hands on my thighs and faced the ground "Savage do you honestly think I have any control over those dragons? The whole concept of dragon training is establishing trust and a bond. These dragons have been abused and traumatized they will never accept nor bond with Alvin. I'm as good as...dead." I said my voice trembled in the end I couldn't bring myself to say what other horrors Alvin had threatened me with.

"Now...now Hiccupa didn't old Savage say he was going to protect ya' from the likes O' Alvin and the other's your mine now and no ones gonna touch you." Savage said tilting my chin up in an attempt at reassuring me but only making me want to recoil from his touch.

"As reassuring as that may be Savage I don't even know if... if  I can trust you" I said almost regretting what I said in fear of facing another Outcast's wrath.

Instead Savage just gave a half smile and said "Well ole' Savage will just have to change that won't he now. I'll leave you to eat and freshen up and then well go on to the arena. Do you need anything?" 

I looked at him with a you've got to be kidding me face.

I shook my head no in answer and he strode out the door. Locking it behind him no doubt to keep me in not that I wanted to wander alone amidst the Outcasts but also to keep those out. I turned my attention on the food wondering how fresh it was and if it was safe enough to eat till I would be fetched once more.

~~~~~~~~

I was once again being escorted through the catacombs of Outcast island limping along from the attack from Alvin the previous day. Even though Savage repeatedly offered his assistance I refused wanting as little contact with the man as possible especially since I learned of the offer Savage had made with Alvin. Savage would keep me safe and help with the dragon training and in exchange I would be his.While Alvin had the satisfaction of trained dragons and angering and humiliating my father by giving his daughter to his second in command.

Yes, it seemed everyone would get what they wanted and all I had to do was suffer as the sacrificial virgin in their plot. I had to get off Outcast island and get back to Dagur and Berserk even though apart of me could feel a distance growing I had to get back to Dagur.

I saw Alvin and felt a shiver run up my spine after the attack from yesterday the last thing I wanted was to face him yet again. 

"So I'ccupa shall we try this again than" Alvin growled at me.

I nodded and said "It all depends on the dragon Alvin."

"Remember what we talked about Alvin" Savage said. I cast him a look.

"Release the BEAST" bellowed Alvin to his men.

I winced at the bellowing of Alvin and at the use of calling the dragon a beast.

The screeching and scraping of metal was soon heard as the lever was being raised to open the door. I held my breath and soon breathed out when I saw the Monstrous Nightmare from the dungeon last night slither out.

"P'raps well have better luck with this one" I heard Alvin grumble at the change of dragons.

I then mastered my courage and began cautiously walking across the arena carefully to not alarm the dragon. When I was before I held my hand out palm flat to it's snout and then I bowed and turned my head to the side. I felt myself relax when I felt warm air blow across my palm and the dragon's nose connected with my palm.

Then I straightened up and reluctantly beckoned for Alvin to approach he started walking up towards the Monstrous Nightmare. When Alvin came closer I could sense the dragon tensing up so I said "Alvin hold out your palm and turn your head slowly."

Alvin was just about in the process of doing so when all of a sudden one of his men came frantically running into the arena up to Alvin. He stopped to gather his breath Alvin became angry at being interrupted. The Monstrous Nightmare flinched and moved away and I had to work at calming her down again at the intrusion.

"WHAT IS THIS ABOUT! I SPECIFICALLY SAID I WAS NOT TO BE DISTURBED" Alvin shouted.

"Chief...Berserk Armada...surrounded...Dragon riders....need your leadership" the Outcast said gasping for breath.

"WHAT" bellowed Alvin.

"The entire Berserker Armada is approaching the island from all directions not to mention the dragon riders of Berk Chief" the runner replied now that he had regained his breath.

"Go ahead get every man armed and ready to defend the island I'll be their as soon as possible" said Alvin.

Then Alvin turned on me with a rage in his eyes causing me to back away however the Monstrous Nightmare immediately became enflamed and came to my defense roaring at Alvin. All the Outcasts present immediately leapt into action with weapons drawn ready to attack Alvin drawing his ax ready to swing. I was worried for the dragons safety when nets and bolas came firing out of nowhere.

"STOP! if I can calm the dragon and contain her please promise me you won't hurt her" I called out holding out my arms and standing in front of her.

"Alright I'cuppa well do as you ask" Alvin said threateningly. "Men lay down yer arms" Alvin bellowed.

I began stroking her nose again causing her flames to recede and then I gently began guiding her across arena to the cage door. When I spied some fish I grabbed one holding it before me lulling the dragon to follow me along which she did happily till she was once again in the cage I laid the fish on the ground causing her to walk in and begin gobbling it up. I stepped out of the cage door and once I did it immediately closed behind me trapping her behind me safely.

I heaved a sigh of relief which was short lived when I felt a hand reach out and grab me by the hair and I cried out in pain.

"All because of you me island is under attack now you worthless bitch" Alvin snarled forcing me to look up into his face.

Savage stepped forward and said "Alvin remember your promise to me you were not to hurt her..."

"Shut up remember your loyalties we have an island to defend. You care about her so much put her where she's out o' the way so they can't find er'" Alvin snarled shoving me at Savage.

I hit the ground with a grunt and winced in pain rubbing at my scalp where it felt as though he was going to rip my hair out. Savage helped me to my feet again and I felt my side where I hit the ground. Alvin stormed up to me grabbing my face and forcing me to look up at him.

"If that Berserker thinks he's getting yer' back he's got another thing comin' to him. Yer' training me dragons if it's the last thing you do" he said releasing my face roughly. Then he stormed out of the arena before yelling over his shoulder "Hurry it up Savage."

Savage heaved a sigh and scooped me up in a bridal carry causing me to give out a cry of surprise at the speed at which it happened. Then he left the arena followed by the rest of the Outcasts. 

"Don't you worry Hiccupa Savage is gonna put you someplace safe while the battle goes on. Safe from the Outcasts and the Berserkers" he said causing my hopes to drop. Then I wondered if he cared for me would he help me escape?

"Savage how much do you really care for me?" I asked tentatively.

"Oh, quite a bit my pet why it hurts me seeing you treated so by Alvin" he said.

"Do you...Do you think you could find it in your heart to turn the other way while I make a get away then?" I asked him half hopefully.

"What are you asking me?" Savage said pausing in the hallway on the way to his chambers eyeing me suspiciously.

"What I'm asking is could you give me my freedom allow me to leave Outcast island" I told him.

He frowned and looked disappointed by my response "Oh, Hiccupa I couldn't possibly do that now could I. Alvin would be furious. You just need to give me a chance that's all why if you can be betrothed to the Berserker heir I couldn't be that bad now could I?" he said looking hopeful.

I felt my stomach drop at my failure at manipulation. 

"Here we are home sweet home" he said carrying me inside and placing me on the bed then he kissed me on the forehead causing me to mentally scream and flinch away from him.

"Well just have to work on that won't we now" he said smiling creepily at me I felt goosebumps breakout on my skin immediately. He then left the room and I heard him lock the door. I stood up and limped towards the door frantically pounding on the door.

"NO, SAVAGE LET ME OUT. THIS IS WRONG"  I shouted and pounded on the door but I heard his booted feet walk away just the same as I continued pounding on the door and screaming to be released..