(Normal pov— Denmark, capital of the Red Maw empire)

The clanging of wooden weapons clashed throughout the forests of Denmark, and within the vast wilderness was Princess Ingrid and Zephyr sparring after they returned not long ago from the Silk Road, forging new trade routes and forming new friends who were bold enough to deal with the Blood King of Norway. Being born of royalty was a heavy burden, something both Ingrid and Zephyr knew all too well-- learning how to rule this great Viking empire, sharpening their intellect in Maces in Talons, going beyond Norway to forge trade routes, and learning who you could trust. Their father's empire was indeed vast, stretching out to lands beyond Norway; Hiccup had granted permission for settlers to make a voyage to a land they called Greenland. Once settled, the settlers sent Terror Mail to Hiccup, informing their king that this land was not only suitable for settlement, but also farming, and habitation. With this information, Hiccup knew that the population of his empire was increasing with each year, and so he gave his people a choice to either remain in Norway or begin anew in Greenland. Many chose to go to this new land to not only overpopulate the capital city but also to serve their Blood King by helping the other settlers with farming and constructing new structures to hold the increasing population.

"Keep your guard up Zeph!"

Zephyr, who was deep in thought quickly raised her practice sword just as Ingrid brought hers down on top of her sister's own sword. Entering a blade lock, the two sisters smirk at each other and continue to lash out at each other, and both of them stood on equal ground. While they continued sparring, Zephyr broke the blade lock and retreated within the thick bushes within the forest, causing Ingrid to chuckle lightly and pursue her fleeing sister. Once she emerged out of the bushes, Ingrid quickly ducked under Zephyr's sword which would've hit her in the neck. Ingrid then swatted away Zephyr's sword as she went for a stabbing motion, they then locked blades again and Ingrid gave her a teasing smirk, yet she spoke firmly. "Never hesitate," once they broke their blade lock, she continued, "our enemies will show no mercy, they will fight in dishonorable ways to achieve victory." Making her point, Ingrid swept Zephyr's feet out from under her, causing her to fall flat on her back with a grunt.

Pressing her advantage, Ingrid brought her sword down on Zephyr, but she rolled away just as Ingrid's sword buried itself in the soil beneath their feet. Ingrid then kicked up snow and soil into Zephyr's face, causing her to hiss in annoyance and quickly get both the snow and soil out of her away, but she was met with Ingrid's boot making contact with her face. Falling back down on the ground, Zephyr growled out and waited for Ingrid to lash out at her again, once the second eldest Haddock heir brought her sword above her head and brought it down on Zephyr, but she swatted Ingrid's sword out of her hand and landed a kick into her chest, sending her back and crashing into a nearby tree. Quickly getting back up, Zephyr pounded at Ingrid and brought her blade down on top of her older sister's.

"Nervous?" Zephyr inquired in a teasing tone, Ingrid pushed up and managed to grab one of her sister's arms and twist it behind her back, causing Zephyr to hiss in pain.

"Oh, I'm petrified," Ingrid said in a tone that was dripping with sarcasm, "but you'll need to do better than that to defeat your opponent." Just as the two sisters were about to clash their blades together, the war horns sounded; echoing throughout the forests, causing nearby ravens perched on top of trees to caw and flutter off into the air. Sharing a look, Ingrid and Zephyr then raced through the forest and made their way to a mountain edge that not only provided a breathtaking view of the capital city but a view of the sea. Pulling out a telescope from a pouch that was strapped to the small of her back, Ingrid grinned at the sight. "Our brothers have returned from the Kievan kingdom," she then handed the telescope to Zephyr, "I just hope Nuffink hasn't gotten himself into any trouble."

"We can only hope," Zephyr said while looking at the ship that held her brothers, "we should inform our father and let him know that Halvor and Nuffink have returned." Ingrid hummed in agreement and the two princesses made their way back into the capital city while sprinting through the forest they had been training in. Although they had dragons they had bonded with and could easily fly back into the capital city, Ingrid and Zephyr had missed pushing their bodies to the breaking point during training; becoming stronger as women and warriors as well.

Besides, the run back to the city would help increase their stamina.

(Within the Red Maw's capital city— Ten minutes ago)

"All hail King Hiccup Haddock III, Blood King of Norway!"

Entering his throne room, Hiccup was greeted by his Viking allies and his dragon sympathizers— Atali of the Wingmaidens, Queen Mala of the Defenders, and Prince Avery of the Celestial Empire are a very powerful kingdom of dragon riders who reside in the mountains of Iceland, they have only recently heard about Hiccup's empire and offered an alliance with him, and after seeing how Hiccup and his people treat dragons, the Celestial Empire pledged their full support to Hiccup and his Red Maw Empire. The Blood King was wearing his sleek black and crimson leather armor, with a crimson cape strapped to his shoulders, and white wolf fur dabbled with blood was clipped on his shoulders. Hiccup, now forty winters old, still kept his shaggy auburn hair with two small braids behind his right ear, light stubble graced his cheeks, and a mustache and well-groomed goatee graced his chin.

Laying eyes upon his divine beauty, Hiccup smiled as Astrid rose from her own throne that was beside Hiccup. Astrid wore a long-sleeve crimson dress, a white wolf fur cloak draped over her shoulders, earrings dangled from her ears, and she wore comfortable black slippers. Both Hiccup and Astrid shared a kiss and warm embrace, Hiccup then placed a hand on Astrid's cheek and smiled at her. "After dealing with crafty thieves posing as foreign merchants, the sight of my wife and queen is a most welcome sight," Hiccup then raised a questioning eyebrow at his wife, "are you well?" Astrid smiled at her husband's tenderness and nodded at him. "I am well," she said with reassurance, "we wait for you to serve the people of this glorious empire."

Releasing a heavy sigh, Hiccup nodded at Astrid's words and approached his throne and seating himself down, Hiccup nodded at his advisors, friends, and allies to take a seat. Once everyone in the room was seated, the Blood King spoke. "As you all know, this empire has risen to unimaginable heights; our numbers are vast, the dragons here are free to live in the wild or among us, and Norway itself has become a superpower because of the power I wield! However, we have lost many loved ones in the conflicts we have waged throughout Midgard," he then continued, "that is why I am going to become a servant of the people and provide them with whatever necessities they need to ensure their families stay on their feet without their loved ones to provide for them." Hiccup then nodded to two of his bodyguards, they then opened the doors to the throne room and revealed four workers and an overseer.

While the Red Maw had plenty of slaves to build the architects of their empire, many of Hiccup's people did not trust the foreign prisoners to build their structures for fear of them sabotaging them in the process. And the people who dwelled within the capital city worked to build whatever new structures their Blood King wanted to be erected. Overseers were placed among them to ensure that the work was complete and they were entrusted by Hiccup to pay the man who worked.

But it would appear that this overseer was abusing the trust Hiccup had bestowed upon him.

"Lord Haddock," one of Hiccup's bodyguards said, "these four workers were tasked in constructing the statue of your later wife— Queen Heather, and after finishing the statue, the overseer did not pay them for their services nor any other of their services in the last month."

Turning to the nearest worker, Hiccup raised an eyebrow in question. "Is this true?" The worker nodded firmly and replied. "It is true," he then continued, "we're but simple men who are retired from the ways of battle and now live to serve you my most kind king. But our overseer has hoarded the wealth he promised to give us to help provide for ourselves and our families." Laying his eyes on the overseer, Hiccup eyed the man from head to toe and looked at him with a look of disgust. "These men are not foreign slaves overseer! They are fellow Vikings; free men who are in service to me and wish to see my empire thrive to even greater heights, and instead of paying them what they are owed, you have hoarded the wealth they need to provide for their families! What do you have to say?" He asked in a cool tone, causing the overseer to swallow thickly and reply. "I... I have no excuse King Hiccup," he then continued, "I do not know why I deprived them of the wealth they are owed, I just did."

"I can sense your honesty," Hiccup said, "but your services as an overseer are no longer required. Be thankful I am not taking your life for depriving my people what they are owed." Bowing his head in both understanding and shame, the overseer was then escorted out of the throne room by the bodyguards present, while four more bodyguards entered the throne room with chests filled to the brim with golden coins and extended them to the workers who had been deprived of their payment. One of the workers gasped at the sight of the wealth they were given and looked to Hiccup with an undeserving look.

"M-My king, this is too much—"

"Nonsense," Hiccup reassured, he then eyed the man and then inquired, "you are... Leif, are you not?"

"Yes lord," Leif said with a firm nod, "I am Leif."

"Tell me, how does your family fair?" Hiccup asked with a light smile.

"They yet live," Leif said, "all I want is for my family to thrive and to honor their rulers here in our capital city as well as the gods of the Æsir."

"A just cause," Astrid then said with a warm smile, "Leif you stand as our city's chief architect, you and my husband have helped create many of the marvelous structures here in the city! The thought of you being deprived of what you are owed sickens me, and my husband was right to strip that overseer of his authority over you and your companions. But now that you have been paid all that you have been owed, please accept our gratitude and leave in peace."

Leif bowed his head at Astrid and then looked to Hiccup. "You have our eternal gratitude King Hiccup," the chief architect continued, "despite many of the people fearing that the power you wield will corrupt you, time after time you have proven to us all that you use your power to serve your people. You have my thanks." Hiccup smiled at Leif and nodded at the man and then dismissed him and his companions. Once the chief architect and his companions left the throne room, the sound of the war horn filled the ears of everyone present. Rising from his throne, Hiccup approached a balcony behind his throne and looked out from the height of his elegant tower and out towards the sea, he pulled out his telescope and hummed to himself.

"Halvor and Nuffink return from the Kievan kingdom," Hiccup said for all to hear, he then turned to his nearest bodyguards and gave them orders, "inform those who came to see me that they will have to wait, I wish to greet my sons." The bodyguards bowed their heads in understanding and left the throne room, Hiccup then turned to Astrid gestured for her to join her, the Blood King and Queen then dismissed their allies and companions while waiting for their inner circle to join them.

"It must lift your heart knowing that your sons have returned home Hiccup," Mala said, "I know you've been hard on Nuffink, surely the journey to the Kievan kingdom with Halvor has helped him break free from more... childish behavior."

"I do hope so Mala," Hiccup said, "the boy must grow into a man, and quickly. He has inherited an empire that stands to eclipse all others throughout history! I would not see him piss away the fortune he is entitled to, or waste his days screwing whores at random, nor would I see him dull his mind by smoking those vile drugs of his."

"You shouldn't be so hard on Nuffink, my son," Valka said, "he is still young, and one day he will mature and become a man that will make you proud." Hiccup looked at his mother and smiled at her, the now sixty winters old matriarch of House Haddock was still a strong, flexible woman for her age, but her health has been failing her on many occasions; the healers within the capital have informed Hiccup that his mother was cursed with painful inflammation of the joints as well as heart problems. Hiccup, Halfdan, and Hava did everything they could to help ease their mother's fleeting health, but it wasn't enough.

While descending the lift that would take them down to the bottom of the tower, Astrid turned to Valka and gave her a concerned look. "Are you certain you are well Valka? You don't have to accompany us—"

"Nonsense!" Valka said. "I wish to see my grandsons and welcome them home," she then continued, "I will not allow the fear of my fleeting health stand in the way of me being by my family's side." Astrid wrapped an arm around Valka's hips and pulled her close for a side hug, the affectionate gesture caused Valka to smile and return her daughter-in-law's affection. Hiccup turned to his mother and placed a hand on her cheek and caressed it with tenderness, his mother has stood by his side for many years and has helped him overcome many challenges throughout the many hardships he has seen while being king.

The thought of losing her made Hiccup weary, his mother was his only true equal as far as dragon-riding and knowledge are concerned and he still needed his mother's services in this life.

Once reaching the bottom of the tower, Hiccup and his entourage exited the lift, only to be met by Ingrid and Zephyr. "My daughters!" Hiccup said while opening his arms, both Ingrid and Zephyr embraced their father; burying their faces into his chest and wrapping their arms around his torso. Once removing themselves from his embrace, Ingrid and Zephyr shared a look before the older daughter spoke up. "Halvor and Nuffink return from the Kievan kingdom—"

"I am aware my dear," Hiccup said with a smile, "join us and let us welcome them home." Both Zephyr and Ingrid walked alongside their father as the group continued to make their way towards the harbor. While treading through the sea of Viking citizens, dragons, foreign merchants, and traders, as well as slaves being escorted throughout the city, Hiccup was aware that his capital city was becoming overpopulated, which is why he has decreed many of his people to go beyond Norway to establish new settlements on lands close enough to Norway— Greenland being the largest one, and Iceland being the second-largest settlement for many of Hiccup's people to settle in. Soldiers and dragon riders accompanied those who departed to keep the peace and protect those who cannot fight against unknown threats, as well as to establish order and enforce the will of the Blood King.

The Red Maw army had grown vast over the decades, thanks to many Viking tribes that long believed to have died out had reemerged from hiding and found themselves in Hiccup's empire, and after seeing that those who oppose or challenge the Blood King and his way of life are snuffed out, these long-forgotten Viking tribes and kingdoms who had numbers in the tens of thousands pledged their loyalty to Hiccup. Although it did take time for these old Viking tribes and kingdoms to earn Hiccup's trust since they were settled in the ways of old— believing that dragons coexisting with Vikings were blasphemous beliefs. But after much time serving Hiccup, these old Vikings saw that they simply misunderstood dragons and they came to embrace the way of life Hiccup had created.

Once reaching the harbor, Hiccup and his entourage witnessed Halvor and Nuffink stepping out of the ship that brought them home. Turning back to the ship, Nuffink helped a cloaked figure step out of the ship as well and this cloaked figure clung to Nuffink's arm, causing Hiccup to narrow his eyes in both curiosity and skepticism. Once Halvor approached, Hiccup extended his arms out and smiled upon his eldest son. "My son," he said with pride, "welcome home." Halvor entered his father's embrace and murmured out. "Father," the eldest son soon removed himself from Hiccup's embrace and turned to Nuffink and gave his younger brother a firm look, "tell him what you have done."

Swallowing a thick lump in his throat, Nuffink stepped forward and turned to the cloaked figure while also nodding at them. With a shaky breath, the cloaked figure removed their hood, revealing Princess Katerina of the Kievan kingdom. Hiccup could not believe his eyes, he then looked at Nuffink and his pupils then turned into thin slits, the heated glare his father was giving him caused Nuffink to avert his eyes. "We shall have words in private, once you have settled," Hiccup said in a firm tone, he then added, "you may have averted the wrath of Boleslav and his son for the moment, but you will soon feel my wrath." Hiccup swiftly turns on his heels, cape billowing in his stride, and leaving Nuffink without affection or warm welcomes.

Astrid approached Nuffink and provides her son with the affection his father denied him, by kissing both his cheeks and pulling him into a warm embrace. "Welcome home, my son," she cooed into his ear, Astrid then looked to Katerina and smiled at her greetings, "and welcome to our empire, Princess Katerina."

"Thank you, Queen Astrid," Katerina said with a bow of her head, "your husband's kingdom is more impressive than I imagined it would be." Nuffink turned to his lover and spoke to her. "One day perhaps, you will rule with me," he then smiled at her, "know that we will embrace you as one of our own." Katerina smiled and embraced Nuffink, causing him to return her embrace.

Valka approached and murmured into Astrid's ear. "You do know the presence of that woman will give Boleslav and his Kievan hordes the justification to declare war on us?" Astrid nodded in understanding. "I am aware," she said, "for now, all I want is for Nuffink to feel loved by his family and people. And I pray that Hiccup will not be too harsh when he speaks with him later on."

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and are eager for what's to come. I also want to wish you guys a happy Thanksgiving! I hope you guys stay safe and make the right decisions this holiday season-- wear a mask, don't take unnecessary risks, and wash your hands! The death toll for COVID 19 is like a 911 attack every other day, so please be safe and have a good one!