??? POV

I tried to lower my shoulders, but they were too tense.

Conserned mumbling could be heard from the Hunters behind me as we sailed into the base. Below deck, there were roars and snarls as the changewing continued to lash out desperately. I nodded at my second in comand and he swiftly walked down. Almost instantly, the cries stopped.

Good old dragon root.

We swiftly headed around the island, following the river into the core of the base. Halfway in, the waterflow thinned, and we were forced to board.

"Set up the plank men, and grab the cage," I ordered, but my voice lacked the usual power. Quickly, the unconscious dragon was brought up and we all stood on the side.

It didn't take long before Boss showed up.

The mountain of a man narrowed his eyes as he approached.

"That doesn't look like a full shipment of changewings," he growled, voice low.

I took a hesitant step forward. "No, Sir, however, we believe that this one is special."

He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh? How so?"

"This is the one with greater hypnosis," I explained.

Boss' eyes widened as he pushed passed me. I watched as he squinted at the beast.

Time froze as he examined the changewing.

I shuffled awkwardly, murmuring preyers to Thor. Please let this go well.

"Yer might be right. Get this dragon into the central containment unit!" he thundered, grabbing his sword.

My eyes caught the movement.

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask why you have the sword?"

He glared at me. "No."

He turned away.

I took a deep breath. Mumbling my thanks to the Gods, I turned to board the boat once more.

Something cold pressed against my throat.

Eyes wide, I glanced up to see Boss scowling.

"Did I give yer permission to leave?" he spat.

I flinched. "N-no."

"For that blatant disrespect, you can be the first to be tested. Follow me." Gulping, I hobbled along, ever conscious of the blade against my neck.

Sweat dropped from my forhead onto the metal. I couldn't focus, couldn't think.

We passed corridoors and chanels, many of which I had never entered, the changewing in its cage behind us. There were faint scratches as it stirred, the effect of the dragonroot solution wearing off.

Suddenly, Ryker shoved me forwards into a chamber. Two men grabbed my arms, dragging me towards chains. Pulling, I resisted, but to no avail. With two loud 'clacks!', I was handcuffed to the spot.

"Please," I whispered, but I was ignored. I could only watch as the men - who I used to command - position the cage opposite me.

"Wake the wrenched thing up!" Boss orderd, and one of the men angled his spear at the beast. All it took was a quick jab. Roaring, the changewing leapt up, back arched as it took in its surroundings. Still slightly drousy, it blasted at Ryker, but hit the bars.

The alloy didn't disintergrate in the slightest.

Surprised, it fired again. And again. And again. Still nothing.

I felt a wave of relief knowing it couldn't get out. Its intense yellow eyes snapped to mine and I instantly felt my knees weaken.

Ryker stepped forwards, pressing his sword near the beast's head. More men approached, ignoring the constant low growl. They took a shield with circling lines and began to spin it.

Confused, the creature tilted its head.

Several soldiers began to act out a scene, using vivid arm gestures. It would've been comical if there were different circumstances.

Suddenly, another changewing was brought in. Ugly scars adorned its body as it thrashed against its chains. The moment it noticed the other changewing, it froze.

With a series of draconic noises, they communicated, and the powerful changewing seemed to understand.

Ryker chuckled. "The problem with them being smart, means they can be given instructions. Now!"

The powerful dragon switched its gaze to me.

Bright spots clouded my vision and my knees gave out.

"Wha-"

The last thing I saw was Ryker's smug smile as I collapsed, my mind completely at mercy of the changewing I had caught.

*

Freya's POV

"That's Swiftstrike in the middle!" I blurted, instantly covering my mouth with my hands.

"Think and plan before you speak. What implication do your words have? How much information do you want to give?"

Astrid glared at me, suspicious. Realising there was now no way back, I altered my posture to be more confident.

"Look at the wing tips, they have the same print," I explained. "Not to mention she's smaller." Astrid switched her gaze to the projection.

Hiccup paced slightly, his nose scrunching up with thought. I turned away, focusing.

Why is she in the middle, with people nearby? I knew she was special, my brothers had been discussing her specific subspecie before afterall, but to be in the centre of the changewing information slide? That was unbelievable.

Narrowing my eyes, I pursed my lips. If it was about hypnosis, maybe Swiftstrike held a specific form? Maybe that's why Ryker wanted her-

My jaw hit the floor.

If this was true, then...

But Ryker has her!

"I have an idea," I whispered urgently, "but I don't need an audience."

Concerned rumours slid across the hall. Holding my breath, I waited for a response. If what I thought is true, then people might go after Swiftstrike with greed in the minds.

This had to be a need-to-know basis. I couldn't risk strangers going after her.

There was slight pacing. Lowering my head, I tried to come up with an emergeny escape route. The changewing was still here, and I had my cloak, so I could probably just get out if I reached the open.

Only to go running from island to island, as banished from the Dragon Hunters and enemies to the other tribes.

Swallowing, I looked back up. Hiccup sighed, before making eye contact with the chief. Crossing his arms, the large man scratched his fiery beard.

"Ye'r heard the lass," he bellowed, shocking everyone, "Everyone out!"

Someone grumbled from the 'audience'. "They never trust us with anything important." The old man rested his arm on his sheep as he left, sending icy glares at me.

As the last person left, the heavy doors slammed shut. I forced back a wince at the suffocating silence.

Now only the riders, the chief and a large man with a hook and peg leg remained. Clearly these were the 'trusted few'. I took my cue to speak.

"She's central - clearly seperate. Maybe her hypnosis is different?" Fishlegs frowned, "I thought that maybe it could affect more creatures? And maybe that's why um... Ryker attacked her then left?"

Fishlegs narrowed his eyes at the projection.

"It certainly could be that way. If you look closer at the eyes, they are swirling-" he gasped, "and so are the humans'!"

My blood ran cold. He thought the same thing. This was bad, really bad.

Snotlout looked as if he had walked into a buffalord, whereas the twins had sneaky smirks on their faces.

Oh no! I knew people would have bad intentions if my suspicions were correct!

Hiccup seemed to have noticed this too.

"Ruff, Tuff, don't even think about it," he stated, voice low. Tuffnut groaned.

"It's not like we could, even if she was here!" he snapped, glaring at me.

Suddenly snapping up, Astrid inturupted. "We have to get her now. If Ryker has her, he certainly will use this ability to force people to join him! He could force entire islands to be his slave army!"

Chief Stoick cracked his knuckles. "Not if we have anything to say about it!" He turned to face me, "We'd been holding this back in case we couldn't trust yer. But desperate times call for desperate measures. See, we haven't just been slacking these last couple of days. We've sent people on scout missions to check in with the strength of the Hunters. Yer with me so far?"

I nodded. I probably should've presumed as much.

"We know that Ryker has been reopening operations to make dragon-proof ships. He's been trapping more changewings-"

"Using an ingenious alloy of death song amber and dragon-proof metal," Fishlegs quickly cut in, unable to keep a childish squeal from his voice. Chief Stoik scowled.

"Yes, thank you, Fishlegs. We estimate that he has now anyware from twenty-five to thirty large ships, each with several support vessles. There are ten on the main base, and another ten surrounding the island. We believe that more will be making trade paths."

I pushed my lips forwards with thought. "If Swiftstrike is crucial, she'll be well defended. Likely in the centre of that horrible base."

Hiccup nodded. "We haven't been able to get close again. After your last 'visit' they are taking no chances."

I groaned slightly, petting the nearest changewing.

"What if we all went on changewings?" Toothless growled, as I quicly added, "with the other dragons and A-team on back-up of course."

The large man with a hook sighed. "Not enough time to fully train them. Chances are they'd just fly off."

Snotlout snorted. "This is Hiccup we're talking about. He can train one in an afternoon without blinking an eye!"

We all turned to stare at Snotlout. As if realising what he had said, he quickly added, "Though not as well as I could."

The riders chuckled but it was short-lived. They all had grave expressions etched onto their faces, and mine didn't differ in the slightest. It was time for a thorough plan.

***

What do you think of this chapter?

What are your thoughts on the Dragon Hunter Captain? Did he deserve his fate by association?