The Deal

They threw him back into the cage without any care and his legs buckled instantly under him, but his hands found the floor before his face-just. He was breathing hard but he looked up urgently to check that his son was safe. Arild's big green eyes looked up at him in worry, his skinny little body pressed into the far corner of the cage, hard by the scaly bulk of Stormy. Hiccup coughed, tasted blood and then pushed himself up to his knees.

"You okay, bud?" he asked, checking his son for more injuries-and then Arild scrambled straight to him, pressing himself into a hard hug.

"My head still hurts," he admitted, "but I'm okay. Stormy seems scared." Hiccup hugged him carefully, then crawled over to the Skrill. He sat in the corner with Arild in his lap, feeling the boy fidget but reach a hand up to touch the dragon. "Dad...does that man want Stormy to be his?"

"I think so."

"And if Stormy doesn't want to but wants to stay with me? What will happen?" There was fear in the soft voice. Hiccup sighed and squeezed the boy harder.

"Then we'll make sure he comes with us, son," he found himself saying, sighing inwardly. His crew had the twins, Sven, Bucket...how could a dragon make it any weirder? And at least the ship was named after a dragon, right?

"Oh, I doubt that!" Dagur announced from the doorway. "None of you are going anywhere-except you, Fury. You are slowly and painfully going to Hel." Taking a measured breath, the pirate stared up.

"Is that the one close to Freezing-To-Death or the Hel by Lava Lout Island?" he asked dryly. "I can tell you an old navigating tip about..."

"SILENCE!" Dagur raged, motioning his men to wrench the door open. They scrambled into the cage and hauled the pirate out-but not before he pushed his son against the Skrill, casting the dragon a pleading look to watch over his son. Wrestling furiously, Hiccup found himself facing the Governor and tried to pull away from the hand that grasped his face. "I am going to break you, Fury-and your son is going to watch. And if he doesn't hand that dragon over to me, I will torture him as well."

"I'm not afraid," Arild muttered, pressed against the warmth of the Skrill for comfort.

"Strip him!" Dagur snarled and the guards fumbled with Hiccup's leather armour until they were able to drag it off-and then they hauled his deep red tunic off, leaving his torso bare. He heard Arild gasp at the sight of his lashes, of the scars over his pale skin, of the sewn wound in his side where he had saved his son. Self-conscious, his lean, toned muscles were tense as he was turned back to face his son and pressed against the door of the cage. For a moment, there was raw fear in his eyes, realising what Dagur planned-and then he forced his expression to grow calmer. He didn't struggle as his wrists were tied to the bars, as the leather bit into his arms and he stared at his son's frightened expression. He heard a whip shaken out and cracked behind him.

"It's okay, bud," he murmured gently to the scared boy. "Just close your eyes. I'll be fine."

"I am disappointed, Fury," Dagur sneered. "You'll be considerably less than fine after I've finished with you!" Breathing fast and trying to keep the fear from his face, Hiccup smiled at his son.

"It's okay," he repeated, more to himself than his son, then groaned as the boy scrambled up and scampered over to his father. His small hands clutched desperately at Hiccup's and he curled his hand around them, feeling the human comfort as the first blow fell. He flinched, biting against cry and seeing his son's eyes well with tears. "Just close your eyes, Arild," he whispered hoarsely. "Trust me."

oOo

"A flag of truce?" Dagur scoffed, his eyes mocking Vorg, the Captain of the Guard.

"Indeed," the Guard said evenly. He was used to working for the unpredictable and super violent Berserker Governor by now. "It conforms to all accepted standards and it may be wise to speak with them."

"I want them arrested," Dagur raged, kicking his chair over.

"They said if they were not back in one hour, Lady Heather would be killed..." Vorg revealed. Pouting, the Governor sulkily folded his arms.

"Fine," he huffed. "Bring them in!"

It was only a few moments before two figures walked proudly into the main office in the Guard Barracks, which Dagur had commandeered since his own residence was a pile of charred rubble. Positioned behind the desk, Dagur was sitting toying with a dagger that they recognised as Hiccup's and both shared a worried look.

"Lord Snotlout!" Dagur said sneeringly. "Are you sure what your companion is called this time?"

"I am Lady Astrid Hofferson," Astrid announced proudly, her axe slung menacingly across her back. She was holding the white flag that they had used to invoke 'Parley'. "I apologise that you misunderstood my intention last time-but I sent my maid in my stead because the rumours of your conduct leave a lot to be desired, frankly!" The tone was stinging.

"So the rumours are true," Dagur sneered. She smiled calmly.

"I have your sister," she said evenly. "And I would gladly kill her, so don't mistake my gender for a weakness. You have my husband and my son. I want them back!"

"No can do," Dagur sneered at her, his eyes lustily sweeping over her slender shape. "You have my sister so, much as I love her, she is only worth one hostage. So I get to watch you choose, woman! The boy-or the pirate. Please choose the boy because I am having so much fun with Fury!" Snotlout grabbed her fist as she tensed and he leaned close to her, murmuring three words. Then he turned back to the Governor.

"Actually, we have another hostage," he revealed.

"Uh...duh! My Aunt Hortensia is safe on Hopeless and I don't like her that much to be honest..." Dagur snarled. Snotlout gave a very nasty smile.

"It's bigger than that, Dagur," he said with carefully calculated familiarity. As he hoped, Dagur went puce with rage and lurched to his feet.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" he raged.

"Trick question-don't answer!" Astrid whispered loudly enough for Dagur to hear.

"This discussion is..." he shouted.

"Berserk," Snotlout said calmly. "We have Berserk as our hostage...and if you don't comply, we will destroy it!"

Dagur gaped for about ten seconds...then burst out in hysterical laughter. "Thor, you bring the funny, Snotman!" he guffawed, doubling up with mirth. "I mean, I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my entire..."

"I suggest you ask your Admiral where your Navy is, Dagur," Snotlout said coldly, folding his arms and glaring at the Berserker. "Because when you speak to him, he'll tell you it's at the bottom of the harbour. We destroyed it-as we did your Residence and the Temple of the Skrill."

"You...I should kill you where you stand!" Dagur spat.

"And if you do...you kill your sister," Astrid told him coldly.

"I can just surround and board your ship..."

"We have guns trained on the remaining ships of your Navy-and Fury has the best gunners in the Archipelago," Astrid continued. "They'll be at the bottom of the harbour before they ever get close..."

"And we have been gathering weapons to face Drago," Snotlout told him smugly. "We now have armourments you can only dream of. And those are also aimed directly at you...including the weapon that can demolish a mountain..." He smirked. "As I said...if you don't comply, we will destroy it."

"You have treated our Captain very badly," Astrid said sharply. "So you hand over the boy, the dragon AND Fury...or we level your town and essentially exterminate the Berserkers..."

"You wouldn't even have the..."

"I killed my first husband because he displeased me," Astrid said with a grim smile. "And I fought off your sister to free Fury from your abomination of a galley. I had my blade at her throat...but I spared her...that time." She stared into the Governor's eyes. "If you aren't with us, you're against us, Governor. And Berk will not tolerate Berserker hostility. We've dismantled your offensive capacity. Do you want us to dismantle everything else?"

Dagur was unable to speak, his chest tight with absolute fury at being threatened by the two Berkians. Every instinct, every ounce of his pride and training and heritage was screaming at him to throw the offer back in their face and continue his pleasure torturing the pirate and the boy and get his symbolic dragon back...but the tiny portion of him that was the Governor and ruler of Berserk reminded him that if he wanted to continue to be the ruler of Berserk, there needed to be a Berserk. Astrid had the distinct impression that, if looks could kill, they would all be dead.

"You have to hand over Heather," he grunted through gritted teeth. "I won't hand my prisoners over for nothing..."

"I though the had made it clear that..." Astrid began angrily but Snotlout grabbed her fist again and murmured in her ears once more.

"We will accept your deal, Dagur," he said firmly. "One hour. We will return to the ship. Heather will be sent over in a boat...and the others will come back the other way. But any treachery...and your sister and your town will die." Then they turned and left without another word. Vorg paused at the door as Dagur kicked his chair over then overturned his desk, screaming obscenities.

"Get me my Admiral!" he roared.

oOo

They had left Hiccup tied to the cage after they had finished, his hands gripping the bars tight to help keep himself upright and legs almost completely collapsing after the ordeal. His jaw and head ached from not screaming because he knew it would scare the boy. It had been with a big jolt of relief that he had seen the green eyes close and the boy scurry back to cuddle against the dragon and a huge part of him had mourned the loss of contact with the boy, with another human being...but he had not wanted to child to feel his pain. The only sounds had been the cracks of the whip and the grunts of pain he couldn't manage to suppress. And then they had left, with a single guard to watch over the prisoners.

Achingly, he lifted his head and craned his neck to check the very bored guard wasn't paying too close attention to the beaten man tied to the bars or the child huddled against the reptile. Then, very slowly, he rotated the little knife that Arild had given him when he had come forward, the knife he had gripped throughout the torture, knowing he had to endure because there would be a better time...such as now... He focussed his bleary emerald gaze on the knife, awkwardly sawing through the leather cords until the hand finally came free. Staggering a little, he leaned his forehead against bars and glanced up to see Arild look at him worriedly: he guessed he looked pretty ghastly because he felt ghastly but he ghosted a smile and winked at his son. And then he apparently slumped against the bars.

"Guard! GUARD!" Arild shouted, his voice frantic. "My Dad...he's collapsed..." The guard's head snapped up and he muttered an oath, before walking forward and grabbing the slumped head, wrenching the pallid face up and painfully dragging the head back. Ruthlessly, he laid his pike aside and slapped Captain Fury.

Emerald eyes snapped open and the freed hand slammed round, the concealed little knife crashing into the guard's neck. The man's eyes bulged as the prisoner grabbed him across the mouth and pressed him into the bars until the tension oozed from his body...before dragging the little knife free and sawing through the cords to free his other hand. Only then did he allow himself to collapse.

"Dad..." Arild called softly, his tone desperate. "Dad! You can't sleep now. They may come back at any time!"

"I know, bud," Hiccup managed hoarsely. "Just need a minute.." But despite his words, his arms straightened and he pushed himself to wavering feet, staggering over to retrieve his tunic and slide it on. It hurt like Hel, of course, but he had to get the boy away...and it wouldn't work with him stumbling around half-naked and bleeding. He winced and then bit hard down on his lip before dragging the leather armour on over it. Then he straightened up, took a deep breath and walked to the cage, kicking the dead guard aside before snagging the keys and unlocking his son.

"Dad!" Arild flung himself at his father, his grip around Hiccup's waist tight. He leaned forward with a hiss of pain and kissed the top of the boy's head before beckoning the dragon forward. It gave a pathetic whine and pulled at its chains. Sighing, he handed the keys to the boy and Arild eagerly released the dragon, giggling as it licked him and nuzzled him urgently. Pressing his hand against the dragon's head, Arild led Stormy out of the cage and the dragon gave an almost-relieved sigh. "You didn't like that, did you, Stormy?" Hiccup stumbled and grimaced.

"Son, I need to get you and Stormy out of here," he said in a strained voice. "Once you are safely away, I can slip away too..." There was a sharp intake of breath.

"You-you're coming with us, aren't you, Dad?" Arild whimpered, running forward to catch his hand. Hiccup managed to flicker a slight, reassuring smile on his ashen face, seeing the bright green eyes of his son swimming with tears.

"If we all fly off again, the same thing will happen and we'll be shot down," he said hoarsely. "I'll cover you while you get Stormy to the ship. And then...I'll follow..." Arild stared at him and closed his eyes.

"You won't," he sobbed. "They'll catch you and hurt you again and I know how much you were hurt because I could see it in your eyes and hear your breathing and I don't want to go..." Hiccup dropped to a knee and hugged him fiercely.

"Arild...my little Toothless..." he murmured, rubbing the boy's thin back with a gentle hand, "you have to believe me when I say this place is my worst nightmare and I'm gonna do everything to get out of here. Dagur did far worse to me on the galley and you've heard me have all those nightmares. He did that. So I'm really not gonna do anything stupid." The little head lifted and Arild nodded, chewing his lip. He understood. "But I need to make sure you are safe first because that's what a Dad does. And I've been a rubbish Dad-you said that yourself on Meathead Island. So for once, are you going to do exactly what I tell you, son, so I can be a better Dad?" There was another small nod. With a thin smile, he staggered to his feet and walked to the dead guard. Frowning slightly, he dragged the helmet off the corpse. "Help me to get his armour off, bud..."

Arild looked into his face and paused for a second. "I was wrong. You're the best Dad," he said firmly and tried to help him undress the dead guard.

A few minutes later, a Berserker guard led the small black-haired boy and the large grey and purple dragon through the detention level. He got as far as the first set of gates when another guard questioned him. "Lord Dagur commanded that the boy and his dragon were brought to see him," he explained in a low voice. "He believes that having watched his father tortured, the boy will give up the reptile to our Lord rather than let the pirate be hurt again..." The other guard gave a low chuckle.

"As if," he grunted. "Dagur will let this island go to Hel before he hands over the slave. He's sworn to watch the man die under torture. He'll break any deal...even if it costs him his sister and his Tribe."

That makes absolutely no sense, Hiccup thought as he forced himself to nod. Unless it's because I escaped... "Anyway...I should get the boy to Lord Dagur before he thinks I've stolen him!" he added aloud. The guard let him through...and then Hiccup clubbed him unconscious. The Skrill obediently dragged the man along by the scruff of his neck until they reached the Armoury, where they burst in, knocked three men out and scanned the place. Swiftly, he grabbed his swords and two muskets, shot and powder. Arild picked up a small pistol and carried it as well as they headed for the roof.

It took Stormy only a few seconds to see the four guards stationed on the roof of the main building and he gave a ferocious roar. One leapt over the edge without hesitation but three turned to fight-for all the good it did them. Stormy jumped on two, squashing them while Hiccup dealt with the other, slamming him unconscious by wielding one of the muskets like a club. Then, breathing hard, he turned to the boy.

"Time to go," he said, then grabbed his son and lifted him to sit astride the dragon's neck. Stormy stiffened and his pupils narrowed slightly. Hiccup leaned forward and gently laid a hand on the dragon's face. "Stormy-this is far safer than dangling from your paws-no offence..." The dragon gave a little growl but his pupils widened and the pirate realised with relief that the Skrill was going to play ball. Arild tightened his little hands round the metallic spines at the crown of the dragon's head and his knuckles whitened.

"Let's-let's go..." he squeaked excitedly and the Skrill rolled its eyes, then crouched and leapt into the air, arrowing forward with wings pumping and eyes locked on the shape of the Night Fury, now moored out in the harbour. There were three Berserker ships all stationed fifty yards from the pirate ship. Hiccup stared after him for a long moment, then allowed a low groan to escape his lips, slumping to his knees and grimacing in pain. It had taken nearly all his stamina to hide his pain and keep going until he got his son away.

Except he hadn't yet. He forced himself up and grabbed the muskets, loading them and leaning on the wall around the roof, narrowing his emerald gaze and focussing on the men manning the net cannons. He saw them shout, saw men approach the devices and he aimed and fired, taking down the first. He ducked down, reloading, then bobbed up to see them approaching the net cannon. He fired again and then aimed his other musket at the device, the charge slamming into the handle and blowing it off. He reloaded, then glanced down. Men were now running into the building...but the Skrill was almost at the harbour.

"Time to go," he muttered, dashed to the back of the building, sliding his legs over the wall then launched off. He landed on the low, one-storey stables and rolled, his vision smearing red as he caught his back. Then he dropped off the roof and collapsed to his knees. Bowed forward, shaking and breathing hard, he took a moment to clear his vision and lever himself to his feet. Feet were closing, so he stuffed the muskets behind the water-butt and began to walk calmly towards the town, as if he was on a mission. The guards from the ruined net cannon raced past him without a second glance, his pale face mostly concealed by the enclosing Berserker helmet.

"HALT!"

He froze and slowly turned...to see Captain Vorg pacing urgently towards him. He could feel his stomach clench and he forced himself to face the man and assume the 'attention' pose. His hands by his side, chin lifted and weapons sheathed, he felt horribly vulnerable but the officer spared him the merest of glances before giving an approving nod. "At ease," he said and Hiccup complied, his heart racing. "Take this to the harbour, man. Lord Dagur needs this intelligence..."

"Yes, sir," Hiccup managed to rasp in a low voice. There was a pause. Vorg peered at him, then realised.

"Dismissed!" he said and Hiccup saluted, then left at a swift trot, uncaring of the fact he hurt and his head was muzzy from pain and relief. The note was crumpled in his hand as he made his way down the hill, before he tore the intelligence open, green eyes scanning the words. He smiled. Then he dumped the paper in a refuse pile. One thing was for sure: there was no way on Midgard that he was going to see Dagur again.

oOo

There was panic on the Night Fury as a full grown twenty-two foot long grey and purple dragon landed on the deck. It roared at the crew and then paused almost in shock as all the crew ran for cover except the twins, who cheered and head-butted each other so hard they almost knocked each other out. Both ended on their butts. Arild waved from the dragon's neck.

"Hey, guys!" he called and grinned.

"TOOTHLESS!" Rufflut cried and scrambled unsteadily to her feet. Her twin lay groaning on the deck.

"Is he okay?" the boy asked. She waved a hand vaguely in his direction.

"He'll be fine," she said dismissively and grinned. "Wow. You really got a dragon?" The boy nodded eagerly, laying his hand on the dragon's neck and patting him happily.

"Stormy...this is Ruff," he said. "She's a friend...and a sort of crazy almost older sister." Ruff waved with a slightly wary smile. The dragon sniffed her solemnly and then rolled its eyes. Arild slid off the neck and hugged the dragon. "You must be hungry," he realised. "Do you like fish?" The dragon's gaze focussed on him and the look very clearly said 'Are you kidding?'

"Several fish coming up!" Ruff promised and ran off to fetch some from the hold. Tuff slowly opened his eyes and peered up...into the calculating face of the Skrill. His eyes rolled back in his head and he fainted.

"And this is Tuff, sort of a crazy older brother. He's also a friend," the boy explained. The Skrill sniffed him: he preferred the red-haired man who had clearly loved and protected the boy and hoped he would turn up soon. Every instinct the dragon possessed told him he wanted to be away from Berserk. Then Ruff arrived and he concentrated on eating the large salted cod that Arild handed to him.

Once Stormy was safely curled up on the Poop deck above the cabins and by the wheel, the rest of the crew emerged and Astrid raced to Arild, scooping him in her arms and hugging him thoroughly. "Hey, Mom," the boy said happily, hugging her back. "Can I keep him?" She glanced up at the dragon and glanced to Fish who was looking guilty.

"If he wants to be here, I'm not sure we can really say no," she admitted. "As long as he doesn't destroy anything..."

"Mom..." Arild whined.

"...that we don't ask him to!" she finished. Arild grinned. "Where's your Dad?" The boy's face fell.

"He told me to come back because he needed to make sure they didn't shoot us down with nets like they did last time when they captured us," he explained hurriedly. "I heard shots and I think he was stopping them shooting us..." She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Just as we made a deal to release you," she muttered.

"Not that we believed that Dagur would ever honour the deal," Snotlout commented, coming closer.

"Hey, Uncle Snot," Arild piped up.

"Hey, Toothless," the man shot back, grinning at the boy's little scowl.

"You know I hate being called that," he grumbled.

"But the exchange may be far more straightforward now it's one for one," Astrid said.

"No, it won't be," Arild said suddenly. "Mom-Dad and I heard a guard talking and he said that Dagur would never ever give up Dad even if it cost him the island-or his sister..." They looked disbelieving. "Look, the man said he sweared it! I heard because Dad was pretending to be a guard to get us onto the roof..."

"I suspect the kid's right," Snotlout admitted. "I wasn't getting any especially reassuring vibes from him when we struck the Deal..."

"But then he never knew what deal we were actually making with him," Astrid added as Ruffnut kicked her twin awake. Cami sauntered forward and narrowed her eyes. There was activity on the docks and a small rowing boat had been lowered into the water. She shared a glance with Astrid and the two women tried not to smile: both knew what was coming next.

"You know, I think its time these new weapons need to be tested," she suggested with a grin as the twins shared glances. The Thunderdrum was already trained on the town while Fishlegs was wrestling with the insanely complicated manual for the Typhoomerang. Hiccup would have been the better bet, since his knowledge of mechanics and engineering was far superior but their Captain was still missing.

"You heard that, Mister Mate?" Tuff called excitedly. "Are we ready to cause some incredibly awesome destruction?"

"If I get this wrong, Tuff, we may be the ones being incredibly awesomely destroyed!" Fishlegs grumbled, tweaking another lever on the machine.

"Hey, that would be awesome too!" Ruff grinned.

"Er...no it wouldn't!" Cami pointed out, rolling her eyes. "Fury...you really have my admiration. I would have keelhauled them years ago!"

"Concentrate!" Astrid hissed. "They're bringing him down..." Dagur was standing on the quay side with Vorg and a cadre of guards as two more guards dragged a lolling figure, a bag over his head and noose around his neck. He was wrapped in layer upon layer of chains and ropes and looked more than half dead. Her breath caught and her knuckles whitened as her fists clenched fiercely.

"He looks in a bad way," Sven murmured as Arild ran to grab Astrid's hands. They watched as the guards manhandled the shape and dumped him roughly into the bottom of the little boat. Dagur cupped his mouth.

"I'VE DONE MY PART!" he bellowed. "NOW WHERE IS MY SISTER?"

"Bring her out," Snotlout commanded and Elias and Sven vanished below to bring a squirming shape with a bag over the head, blankets wound around the body like a cocoon and then wound in layer after layer of rope. Wisps of silky black hair escaped from the hood as the shape writhed while it was lowered down into the rowing boat the crew had prepared. Fishlegs stared down at the shape and sighed: he hated the idea of swapping their best lever but they had made a deal-and they would honour it as only Fury's crew could.

"Everyone ready?" he asked. Tuff went to stand by the Thunderdrum while Mulch, Ruff and Cami went to man the regular cannons covering the Berserker ships covering them. Astrid and Arild nodded and Sven and Elias grabbed boat-hooks. The First Mate nodded-and then they gave the boat a shove. It bobbed and spun but gradually moved away from the ship, the hostage still writhing and struggling. Dagur gestured and his men pushed their boat forward, bobbing towards the pirate ship. There was a period of a few minutes as the boats bobbed towards the other side and once they had effectively crossed, Fishlegs nodded and the second boat set out, rowing hard towards the little boat bobbing in their direction. Roar snagged the trailing mooring rope using a hook and fastened it to the capstan then winched it closer. Finally secured, they set to pulling hard back towards the Night Fury. Dagur's approach was more direct: he shoved three guards into the water and shouted at a dozen more to join them. The sight of the armoured guards jumping urgently into the water had them all smirking, especially when the Governor screamed at them to swim over and retrieve the boat with his sister in.

Fishlegs was scanning the dock as their boats were hauled in and returned to their cradles at the stern. Astrid's head snapped round as the limp shape was passed up onto the deck and her eyes narrowed as she inspected him more closely. Elias, leaned over the man and shook his head.

"No heart beat," he murmured, bowing his head. Arild was beginning to shake but she closed her hand around his shoulder and leaned close.

"Don't give up," she reassured him. "Remember, this is your Dad we're talking about." He sniffed as she stood up straighter. "Remove the hood," she said quietly, praying she was right. Hesitating, Elias finally removed the noose and then pulled the hessian from over the man's head.

Everyone stared.

"Whoa...the Captain's really beat up...and he looks much older...didn't know death made you look that bad..." Tuff commented tactlessly. Astrid cast him an exasperated glance: the dead man was considerably older, heavier and blonder than Hiccup and died from a knife-wound to the neck.

"It's not the Captain," she said through her teeth, suppressing a growl. "You were right."

"Not a difficult call, to be honest," Snotlout sighed in resignation. "I've dealt with Dagur before."

"Wait-so where is the Captain?" Ruff asked.

"Keep your eyes on your target," Fishlegs ordered her grimly. "And we know now Dagur can't be trusted. Ruff, Mulch, Captain Camicazi-if you would do the honours..." The gunners finalised their aim on the three Berserker vessels...and fired. The thud of cannon fire was loud...and then each of the Berserker vessels shuddered as the cannon impacted around the waterline. These weren't shots to disable the ships for boarding and piracy: the gunners were out for the kill. Ruff had already reloaded by the time the third ship was hit and fired again, this time smashing a huge hole in the bow at the waterline. Her victim started to list as water poured in. Mulch and Cami were swift to follow and their vessels also veered away, trying to line up their own guns...as they were hit. Ruff fired again, cracking her opponent open and they began to sink. Then she turned her attentions to the next boat and helped Mulch sink it. The third boat was desperately limping out of range as Cami fired relentlessly at the stern.

Unseen, an armoured shape slowly hauled himself up the stern of the Night Fury, clambering awkwardly over the boats and finally dragging himself onto the rearmost point of the Main Deck. The guard limped forward stiffly, dripping and breathing heavily-and then an axe slammed into the back of his helmet and pitched him forward onto the deck. Astrid kicked him hard and tossed him onto his back, her axe biting hard into his neck. The man stared up at her, very cautiously raising his hands to pull the helmet off. Sodden auburn hair was plastered to his head and forest green eyes stared up into the ferocious scowl on the blonde's face.

"It's me...Hiccup...pleasedon'tkillme..." he rasped breathlessly.

Her azure eyes widened and she tossed the axe aside, grabbing his hands to pull him up and flinging her arms around him. "You're alive!" she said and hugged him tight. Wincing at the excruciating pressure on his back, he hugged her back and buried his face in her neck.

"Glad to be here, Milady," he murmured hoarsely, lifting his head and kissing her urgently. He rested his head against hers and closed his eyes. "The Plan...?"

"Slaves are freed and fleet gone...and the switch happened as you expected," she reported, seeing the lines of pain tight around his eyes. "Arild's safe and...his dragon?"

"Stormy," Hiccup murmured, wrapping an arm over her shoulders and leaning hard on her. She felt his legs buckling and braced herself against the sudden additional weight: despite the fact he looked skinny, he was still a good weight to support.

"Babe?" she asked in a low voice, inspecting his face closely. He blinked.

"Dagur is a rotten host," he groaned. "I've a few more scars, Milady. They'll heal. Do we have everything from here?"

"My brilliant Captain had everything planned," she smirked as she helped him limp onto the main deck to the astonished-and relieved-eyes of the crew.

"Except a bloody dragon," he grumbled as they surged towards him.

"Oh, thank Thor!"

"Dad!"

"About time, cuz...hey, you don't look too clever..." Hiccup smiled faintly at their concern.

"No, had a tough day, Snot," he murmured. "It's okay, Bud-I told you I'd be back. Fish-love the plan. Have we got the Typhoomerang working?"

"I think so, Captain," the big First Mate said, his face serious. "No offence-you look awful."

"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better," the pirate said. "Tuff-you wanna show Dagur what happens when you break a deal made under Parlay?"

"Thought you'd never ask, dude!" Tuff grinned and then paused. "How'd you know this is what we planned?"

"I know my crew," Hiccup commented as Arild dragged a chair from his cabin and he sank gratefully into the seat. He wrapped an arm around the boy and pulled him into his lap...then snaked the other around Astrid's slender waist. He looked up into her amused eyes, his green gaze loving. "Stay with me," he mouthed and she nodded, resting her hand gently on his shoulder and fingers trailing in his auburn hair. Tuff loaded the cannon , checked his aim-the guards' barracks-and fired.

The twins whooped, the crew all cheered as the entire barracks vanished in a huge explosion. Dagur stared, his mouth hanging open and eyes popping. He spun back on his heel-to see the cheering crew and the black sails being unfurled. His attention as brought back to the dock as the boat was finally hauled up. The soaking guards scrambled onto the quay as the hostage was finally brought to land. Dagur grabbed the hood and hauled it off-to see an older man with a mean, sharp face wearing a jet black wig. Eyes wide with fury, the Governor dragged the gag off him and glared.

"What's goin' on 'ere then?" Mildew sneered. "Who the 'ell are you?"

Dagur shoved him backwards and he gave an indigent cry as he fell into the harbour and vanished under the grey waters. "If he resurfaces, kill him," Dagur growled. "They broke their deal, the bastards..."

"So did we," Vorg pointed out. Dagur turned on him in rage.

"We're not criminals," he snapped. "I am the Governor of Berserk! And I have every right to exterminate pirate vermin in my waters-by whatever means! Give the signal!" Vorg waved and a beacon was lit. Three more beacons rapidly appeared in a line vanishing over the low hills to the north of the harbour. "Are they in position?" Vorg nodded.

"Visually confirmed by the patrol this noon," he nodded. "And waiting for your command..."

"Oh ho...try this, Fury!" Dagur grinned, rubbing his hands in glee as one of his men pushed the struggling Mildew under the water once more.

The crew were still cheering and whooping as the Night Fury headed for the entrance to the harbour-just as two of Drago's dreadnoughts rounded the promontory to intercept...