The prison was dank and grim, the guards patrolling incessantly outside the cell where the most valuable prisoner sat in chains, brooding. Stoick the Vast, King of Berk, counted the steps as the men paced to the end of the corridor and back, then shook his head slowly. He had been heavily guarded since he had been taken hostage by the pirates and sent here to Meathead lands to await a ransom.

But the news he had gleaned from back home had alarmed the King as he had listened to his guards. They had taken delighted in telling him that Berk was in turmoil. Stoick had listened with dismay at the scornful declaration that in his absence, his son Hiccup had tried to seize the throne and had been declared traitor. Stoick had felt real alarm that his brother was now on the throne, notionally acting as Regent for the absent King...but also in charge of gathering and administering the ransom that had been demanded for Stoick. The King expected that no ransom would ever be handed over for him...and he feared for his son. He knew his own boy-and knew without doubt that Hiccup would never act against his father. The boy had spent his entire life wanting to make his father proud and had never sought the throne-because he still didn't believe he was worthy or capable of becoming King. The reports of his treason were a lie.

Stoick tightened his huge fists. He was an enormous man, tall, broad, built like a small mountain and able to crush rocks with his bare hands. His flaming red hair was braided in the old Viking style and his enormous beard concealed his upper chest. No one could mistake him and he had been targeted by the pirates for capture. He scowled and looked across to his companions: Hoark, Ack, Lars, Sven the Garrulous and Olaf. These men were his inner circle with the only one missing being Gobber-who had remained to look after his son.

"Four?" he asked. Sven nodded.

"Same as every day, sire," he murmured. Stoick nodded.

"You've plotted the route, Hoark?"

"Sire. They aren't expecting anyone to get out of their precious prison."

"So they don't know me! Lars-how's that door coming?"

"The lock's almost out, sire and Olaf and Sven are holding the door by the hinges which we've already unscrewed. Just give me the word and I'll have the last bolt out." Stoick rose and snapped his chains without having to strain too hard. He walked almost silently to the door, counting the steps outside.

...three...four...five...

"Ack, Olaf-be ready on my mark," the King said. He nodded to Lars.

...eight...nine...ten...

"Now!" he whispered.

The bolt came free and the door slammed straight out of its frame, slamming three of the four guards unconscious immediately. The fourth turned to run as Olaf and Ack grabbed him...and then a huge hand closed around the man's throat, lifting him bodily off the ground. He choked and stared in shock into he cold, grey-green eyes of the King.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Stoick growled, "but we don't want to outstay out welcome." He threw the guard across the corridor, knocking him senseless. His men burst into actions, grabbing the men's weapons and uniforms, dragging them into the cell and replacing the door. Sven, Lars, Olaf and Ack grinned at their King, dressed in the enemy's uniform, each holding a sword, pike or halberd-to all intentions and purposes looking like a detail escorting a prisoner. As one, then men moved silently down towards the exit, sneaking through and knocking out any guards foolish enough to get in their way. Hoark turned to his King.

"You don't believe the news about the Prince, sire?" he asked in a low voice. Stoick shook his head immediately.

"Hiccup has spent his whole life wanting me to be proud of him," he said in a low voice as he absently punched a guard out. "Even when he was a scrawny runt of a boy with everyone in court demanding he be replaced as Heir, he worked furiously to meet my expectations. He learned his diplomacy, politics, tactics and sword craft better than anyone I have known, putting in insane hours when his peers would be out carousing and enjoying themselves. That boy is more stubborn and dedicated than anyone I know-I know his tutors gave him endless beatings to make him give up that wolf but he never budged. And also more kind: he used to spend most of his free time with those orphans he made me take into the castle and with the young guard cadets and servants. He would never betray me for his own advancement: he still thinks I'm disappointed in him, for Thor's sake! No matter how much I tell him, he still doubts himself. And Gobber wouldn't allow him to get a swollen head."

"So you suspect treason, sire?"

"Spitelout's man alerted the Meatheads and the pirates to my hiding place when we were on the run from that last battle," Stoick growled. "Who has benefited from my absence and Hiccup's removal?" Hoark cast his master a worried look.

"You do know that Olaf is his man as well?" he muttered. Stoick nodded.

"I am afraid so," he said as they made the docks. "But we need him to crew the ship when we leave here." They sneaked through the docks and made it to a small longboat-sturdy and seaworthy but hardly up to Berk standards. The King nodded and his men erupted from their hiding place, efficiently taking out the guards and crew of the boat. It was very late and the soft sounds of people being knocked unconscious didn't travel far over the foggy docks. The escapees leapt aboard the boat, checked there was water and some food already loaded, then cut the ropes and pushed away. Stoick was watching Olaf and was disappointed when the man sneaked to the stern and opened his mouth to shout back to the docks to alert any guards. He gave a choked noise as Stoick grabbed his throat.

"After all we've been through," Stoick said coldly as he lifted the man by the throat. Olaf was clawing at the steel grip. "You still serve my brother?" Olaf's eyes confirmed the accusation. Hoark turned to see his King speaking to the man and nodded to the other men. They continued their jobs, tacking the boat from the harbour.

"Sire?" Hoark said and then saw Olaf draw his knife. "Look out!" Stoick threw the man back across the ship as the traitor stabbed at him, but Hoark's knife buried in his throat before he could get his feet. The King nodded to his friend.

"Spitelout has just exceeded the bounds of brotherly love," he growled. "We'll dump that overboard once we've cleared the harbour-and then we set a course for Berk!"

oOo

There had been relief as much as celebration once the children were returned to their families and the attacks in the villages stopped. Hiccup had realised that Alvin couldn't keep razing villages for ever but he had damaged the young fugitive: there were still those who blamed Hiccup for their woes and some places were more hostile to the outlaw. Many people had been displaced and moved into camps in the forest and the outlaws had done their best to support them, helping them hunting and building shelters. A few young men had wanted to join the outlaws and the gang had welcomed them, though Hiccup and Gobber had been wary: both knew Alvin and Spitelout would really want to infiltrate the group. But they had acquired half a dozen new recruits before the could even try to slow gang's enthusiasm down.

Hiccup stood back as the gang celebrated their victory over a roasted boar. Despite his reservations, Gobber was laughing with Tuff and Fishlegs and the new recruits were having a drinking competition but there was no sign of Ruffnut. He glanced around: the burnt villages had upset the girl, no doubts about that but her twin was incapacitated and in his absence, Hiccup felt the responsibility to look out for the female twin.

He clambered out of the cove and headed to the cliffs, his senses on edge. He trod softly and then he saw her, sitting staring at the full moon across the sea. He quietly walked up and then sat cross-legged beside her. She looked up.

"Ruff? Are you okay?" he asked gently. She blinked and tore idly at the grass.

"Those people lost everything they had, didn't they?" she said in a rough voice. He nodded. "Why should he be allowed to get away with ruining people's lives on a whim?" He could sense that she wasn't just talking about the villages. Hiccup knew even Tuffnut didn't know what had happened to his sister when she had been captured: he stared at her and saw her face tighten in unhappiness.

"He won't be allowed to get away with it," he said softly. "I swear, Ruff." She turned to him and blinked. Her eyes were shining but she shed no tears.

"They treat us like animals, not people," she said quietly. "Like we are...nothing. We have no hopes, no dreams, no value...no dignity..." Hiccup was getting worried: he knew that Alvin had kept her in the castle for three days after Tuff had escaped and when she had finally followed him to freedom, she had been hard and angry.

"Ruff..." Hiccup said quietly, "you know you can talk to me...if you need to?" She stared at him in shock and then nodded.

"Yeah...but you're in even more trouble than I am!" she told him. He winced.

"Yeah, trouble is my middle name," he sighed.

"Thought it was Horrendous...or was it Hideous...or Herpes...?" Ruff grinned.

"I guess I'm lucky my Dad didn't ask you about middle names," he quipped. She nudged him.

"I'm a Nut," she reminded him. "We don't take anything seriously!" Hiccup nudged her back.

"I've known you and Tuff since I was twelve. You are the craziest pair of guard cadets they ever had in the castle. But you guys really helped me when I was the most useless Heir ever in the history of Berk..." Ruff managed a small smile at his tone.

"Hey, you were better than my weak and girly brother!" she said gruffly. "And you always treated us like real people. And when we heard you'd been convicted of treason, we knew it was a lie...even if we did miss the whole takeover thing because we were asleep..." Hiccup managed a small smile. That was so twins. "Hiccup-no matter what happens, we will always be there for you." She grabbed his arm and leaned against him. "And your being here helps. It reminds me not everyone in the castle of a total bastard..."

"Just the ones there now," he shrugged.

"Except your girl Astrid," Ruff said unexpectedly. "Hey, I like her! She was going to axe my brother to pieces-that makes her alright in my book!" Hiccup felt her rest against his shoulder. "Thanks, Hiccup. You've helped. Now take my advice-go get that girl." He closed his eyes and sighed:

"After we get the money Alvin is stealing from her home and her father."

oOo

The tax train slowly snaked down the line of hills from the northern half of Berk, the wide expanse of Scauldron Bay vanishing behind them as the mules pulled the cart carrying the chest of taxes up the bumpy road. Dagur, Eret and their men were clustered around the cart, rolling their eyes as Snotlout whined at the weather, the bumpy road and that he was hungry. Neither man would have chosen the spoilt hero as their companion but his father and Alvin had been insistent that he accompany them-both as experience in tax gathering and in the trip back through the forest.

The people of Scauldron Bay had been hostile to Dagur's tax collectors and the Berserker hadn't hesitated to continue with a couple of executions to encourage compliance. Lord Gunnar Hofferson had been grave, polite but extremely hostile at the heavy demands on his people and on his personal wealth. He was already angry at the removal of his daughter to Berkingham Castle to marry the arrogant Snotlout, who had sneeringly called him 'Dad' as his men had plundered the manor to pay the 'taxes'. But he had not made any move because his daughter was essentially a hostage and his people needed him to protect them.

The weather was cold and grey and the forest nestling ahead and the foot of the low slope ahead was gloomy and quiet. Dagur motioned to his men to draw their weapons and Eret raised his axe, his eyes narrowing. They were expecting an ambush and had brought twice as many men as usual, planning to outnumber and outfight the outlaws. Eret peered ahead, his dark eyes narrowing.

"It's too quiet," he growled. Drago didn't tolerate failure and he couldn't return to the Prince of Blood and expect to keep his head until he had a new Treaty and the person who had robbed his room was dead. Dagur nodded, his sword already in his hand.

"My brother is becoming a nuisance," he muttered. "One that we will need to be eliminated..." Snotlout trotted up and leaned forward in his saddle.

"You're not still worried about that scruffy, disgraced, pathetic..." Dagur turned and glared at him.

"He stole over a hundred slaves, four thousand kronor and a ship from under my nose!" he snarled.

"Your nose," Snotlout sneered. "He wouldn't fool me. He's my cousin, after all. He's a scrawny weakling with a stammer and an ability to fall over his feet..." Eret and Dagur shared a look: the young Lord had managed to forget that they were comprehensively outmanoeuvred by him on their hunting trip.

"Then lead by all means, Lord Snotlout," Eret invited him sarcastically. Snotlout gave a grin, raised an arm and rode ahead.

"Come on!" he announced. "These taxes won't deliver themselves to my father..."

oOo

"Why do we always have to be the decoys?" Tuffnut moaned, glaring at Hiccup.

"Yeah-you always pick on us!" Ruff added, though her expression was amused at her brother's dismay. The outlaw gave him a grin.

"Tuff, I can honestly say there's no one as distracting as you are!" he admitted.

"Really? Honest, Hicc-I never knew you cared..." Tuff shot back. Then he frowned suspiciously. "It's the dress, isn't it..."

"Oh gods," Hiccup groaned, face-palming. "Ruff-do you want to hit him? I give you full permission!"

"I don't need permission to beat up my brother...but thanks anyway...can I save it for later?"

"Just go out there and distract them!" Hiccup sighed as Fishlegs crouched down by him.

"Are you sure this will work?" he asked.

"Sure...is a strong word," Hiccup admitted. "It's more like a hunch..." He peered at the lookout. "Any sign?" The man nodded.

"Yes, sir!" the man called respectfully. Hiccup winced. "The train is just coming down the main track into the forest."

"Who's leading? Dagur?"

"Lord Snotlout!" the cry came. Hiccup gave a small smile.

"Thank you, Thor!" he grinned. "Tuff! Get in there!" Reluctantly, Tuff scrambled out, playing an old woman wrapped in shawl, scarf and very grubby dress. Ruff-dressed as a herder-was dragging along two very irritable yaks. Tuff was affecting a very unconvincing limp-mainly because he was trying to limp on both legs-while Ruff was arguing with the yaks as she wrestled them along.

'C'mon Barf...hurry up, Belch..." she groaned as the yaks resisted. "Whose idea was it to call them Barf and Belch anyway?"

"Yours," Tuffnut grumbled, tripping over his skirts.

"Oh. Really?"

"Why don't women wear skivvies? These petticoats are a problem!"

"Don't ask me! You're more weak and girly than I am!"

"But you're my sister!"

"What's that got to do with it?"

"BARF! That's the opposite of barfing. Eurgh!"

"They certainly are distracting," Fishlegs murmured into Hiccup's ear as they watched from within the forest. "Though I think the yaks are more convincing than they are."

"As long as Dagur and Eret see them, they've done their job..." Hiccup muttered back.

"No chance of missing them," Fishlegs added. "Um-they've started fighting!" Hiccup peeked out and sighed. Though he did see-as he had hoped-Snotlout, Dagur and Eret all galloping down the slope with the cart speeding down behind them and the men running to keep up. But the twins looked up and tried to move aside...and at that time, the yaks decided that they had had enough and made a break for it. The approaching riders gaped as two huge and annoyed yaks accelerated up straight at the cart. The riders scattered, the mules screamed and veered away-straight into the trees, the sudden change of direction ejecting the driver into a clump of gorse. The guards gaped as their taxes vanished and then belatedly ran after them.

"Um...was this the plan, sis?" Tuff asked, watching the chaos.

"No-but hey, we distracted them!" she grinned and then they ran off after their yaks. Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"Don't. Even. Ask," he said through gritted teeth to Fishlegs. "After them! And Fishlegs-bring the nets!" They could hear the cart crashing through the undergrowth and the shouts of the riders but Hiccup guessed they would be struggling just as much as the outlaws were through the uneven and mossy forest floor. The problem was that the cart was likely to get stuck or tip over and spill the taxes. He peered at his best friend. "Toothless-go after those horses!" he commanded and the wolf gave a little yip-then galloped off. Hiccup sprinted off after him and knew that his carefully plotted plan was not going to be of any use because it had been Nutted. He hurdled a gulley, ducked through some trees-and found himself face to face with one of the yaks.

He gaped and paused, then a small grin crossed his face. "What to do?" he murmured. "C'mon, c'mon-think like Ruff and Tuff. I can't believe I just said that!" And he leapt up onto the yak's back, grabbing the horns and directing the angry bovine directly after the horses. The yak gave a bellow and took off-fortunately in the direction of the wolf howls and the sounds of shouts. Hiccup hung on for dear life as he heard the rest of the outlaws crashing after him-and glimpsed Ruff and Tuff on the other yak.

"Hey, Hicc-you should be an honorary Nut!" Tuff shouted as they galloped by-straight through the brambles at the sounds of shouts. The outlaw slid from the enraged yak as the crash sounded and he knew the cart had given up. He sprang over the shallow earth bank and nodded to the panting outlaws who had struggled after him.

"Nets!" he shouted and they tossed the nets over the scattered soldiers, wrapping them around the trees and trapping the men amid the brambles and saplings. He could hear Toothless barking and growing-and then a yelp. His head snapped round and his hands snatched at his bow and an arrow and he leapt forward, seeing Dagur slash again at the growling Toothless. Unthinking, he drew and fired an arrow. Dagur shouted and just ducked, though the arrow grazed his arm. He yelped as Toothless leapt and savaged him furiously. Eret snarled and tried to turn his horse to attack the outlaw but he was knocked off his horse by a rampaging yak, topped by Ruff and Tuff. Snotlout tried to ride out the way but he was also mowed down by the yak and ended up in a stream, cursing and soaked to his skivvies. Hiccup whistled through his teeth and this time, Toothless nipped handily at the dancing hooves of Dagur's horse and it threw him hard. Hiccup nocked another arrow and levelled it at the Berserker.

"This one is aimed to kill," he growled. Dagur lay still and stared at the outlaw.

"You know you can't keep doing this," he sneered. Hiccup ghosted a small smile.

"I only need to until my father returns!" he reminded them. Dagur laughed scornfully.

"Do you think he'll ever return?" he sneered. "He's a hostage and I doubt his brother will be in any hurry to gather a ransom. Stoick will never set foot on Berk again!" Hiccup's face tightened and he took a deep breath.

"Enjoy telling Alvin you lost the taxes!" he breathed, unleashing the arrow. Dagur ducked as it landed by his head and when he looked up, Hiccup had vanished. The young outlaw heard the man unsuccessfully trying to get out of the mud and Snotlout whining that he was sinking as he scrambled down the slope to the gulley where the cart had overturned. His men had lifted the chests of taxes and were using the two mules to carry them away from the scattered train. Tuff raced up, grinning, still in his dress.

"Hey, Hicc-how'd it go?" he asked eagerly. Ruff trotted up, dragging one of the yaks still after her.

"Please lose the yak!" Hiccup groaned.

"No way!" Ruff protested. "He's one of us now!"

"Oh gods," Hiccup groaned. "FINE! You can care for him, though," He nodded and grabbed one of the mules. "Fish-distribute the taxes to the peasants in the north." He stared at the chest. "I'll take this to Lord Hofferson. The King is being held for ransom and I am certain Spitelout has no intention of sending any money to rescue my father. I will ask Lord Hofferson to guard it. He is probably the only Lord left we can trust." Fishlegs stared at him.

"Wouldn't it be safer with us?" he asked. Hiccup sighed and rubbed against the mule's nose, feeling Toothless nuzzle his leg.

"Probably," he said. "But I won't let them say I am stealing this money for my own benefit. It has to be distributed away from us." He sighed. "I can't get word to my father. If he's heard what Spitelout has claimed...he may believe I betrayed him..." He closed his eyes for a second then forced himself to pull himself together. "Get them back to the cove, Fish. And get that money distributed. I'll be back later!" And he headed into the norther reaches of the forest, dragging the heavily laden mule behind him.

oOo

Lord Hofferson stared into the fire in his main hall. The evenings were when he felt it most: the house felt much emptier now that Astrid was at court, the knowledge of her absence more troubling than the absence of her shouting or mess. His wife was long dead and his small son had died shortly after birth. His brother, "Fearless' Finn, was also gone, taken by the pirates three years midsummer. Astrid was the last of the line. He looked around: if she was married to Snotlout, Scauldron Bay would revert to the crown and he feared for his peasants.

His cold blue gaze snapped up as Willem, his trusted manservant, entered the hall and bowed. Hofferson rose, his tall form straight and greying blonde hair still bright in the firelight. "My Lord-a peasant has come to see you. He...he has a message from the Crown." Hofferson took off and ran, his heart filled with worry for Astrid. He knew his daughter was brave and capable but she was also hot-tempered and rash and he feared she was in danger. But as he erupted into the small yard behind the main house, he saw a skinny, lanky shape in battered leather armour standing by a heavily laden mule and his eyes narrowed at the identity of the messenger.

"Hiccup!" he snapped. "You endanger us all by coming here." The outlaw sighed, his green eyes hurt.

"I'm happy to see you too, my Lord," he said lightly.

"You are a declared traitor!" Hofferson snapped.

"By a usurper!"

"Who has my daughter hostage!" the Lord spat at him.

"She is safe, my Lord," the outlaw assured him. "If she is in any peril, I will rescue her myself! Though recently, she's been more likely to rescue me..." Hofferson folded his arms.

"Begone, boy-there's no sanctuary for you here!" he told Hiccup harshly. The young man swallowed once and nodded.

"Of course I understand, my Lord," he said quietly. "But I return the taxes stolen from you. I ask one boon. Keep them in trust-because the King is held hostage against a ransom Spitelout will never hand over. You are the only Lord I can trust with this money." He lifted his chin. "If you choose to hand the coin back to your people, then I have to accept your judgement. But Spitelout will hand the island over to Drago Bludvist and your lands will be the first to go. I have Treaties between Spitelout and Drago in my possession that spell out the deal. Your daughter has seen them." He stepped back from the mule. "I do not seek the throne, my Lord. My father is a hundred times the king I would ever be. I only seek to protect his land until he returns."

Hofferson stared at the young man, seeing the determination in the angular face and the weariness in the skinny shape. He grasped the mule's reins. "Take care of my daughter," he said gruffly. Hiccup backed away into the dark.

"For what it's worth, sir-you have my word," he said as he backed away.

The man lurking in the shadows gave a thin smile at the meeting between the Lord and the outlaw and immediately began to compose the message he would send to his master-the Sherriff...