Freya's POV

I couldn't breathe. I felt my grip on the knife slack. There was a clang. But that didn't matter.

Viggo had died... for him.

The riders didn't kill him. But they were the cause of his death.

I clenched my fists. Pain shot through my palms as my nails dug into my skin.

For some reason, Viggo chose to die to keep Hiccup alive. I narrowed my eyes.

Or so he says.

Furious, I looked back at him. His emerald eyes were wide with realization and... concern? Why on Earth would he care? Pushing the thoughts aside, I grabbed my knife and held it to his throat.

"Explain all the details!" I ordered, my eyes darkening with hate. He gulped, his Adam's apple rubbing against the knife. I didn't slack.

Hiccup would either explain and prove it... Or he would see what this blade could do.

"Freya, Viggo chose to fend off Traitor Johann and Krogan alongside a skrill. He had been sho-"

"Who shot him?" I snapped, my face going red. Fuming, I pressed the knife further to his neck.

"Guards. We were on Johann's base where Viggo performed a triple cross," he paused. I pierced his skin; I needed to know. "But Johann figured it out and attacked. I'm so sorry, he didn't ma-"

"I know that!" I yelled, drawing back the knife and throwing it at the wall. It stuck. "There's no way he miscalculated, he never does!"

With my blurry vision I could just about see Hiccup frowning, but I couldn't examine his expression well. I was shocked, mourning, frustrated and now it was coming out - ruining the facade I built. I just got more frustrated, more angry and more emotional.

"Where was this?!" I demanded.

"Johann's base," he replied camly.

"I heard you the first time! I ment where is the base!"

"If you have a map I can-" I shushed him by throwing my map at his face, stifling his speech. He shook his head and as it fell, it landed upside down. I groaned. Quickly I turned it the right way up, my cheeks heating a little more at the stupid mistake.

He pointed and I scowled. It was quite far, and if I sailed-

My stomach went cold. My boat was destroyed, I would have to either make one or steal one or or...

"Freya, if I may," Hiccup began, his voice soft and the fact that he was treading eggshells so obviously just irritated me, "don't recklessly go to the base. There are traps, mazes and certain death. The base wasn't abandoned."

I shot him a furious glare. I needed to investigate and get the information I craved. I also needed to find the guards who apparently shot him for confirmation. I'd have to scare the information out of them, as my existence had been kept secret from the Dragon Hunters.

My plan changed. I was going to get the riders to flee, then search for answers as to why Mother blamed Hiccup for Viggo's death. But now I needed to know how it happened, and if Hiccup is in fact as innocent as he seems.

"Okay... But Johann," at the mention of his name I hissed, clearly shocking Hiccup but he continued, "has littered the place with his presence. I don't know who's there-"

"Implying that a person of high rank or a considerable number of people have left," I finished. He nodded slowly.

"Don't go alone." I stared at him with my best poker face. Unable to read my thoughts, he sighed. "I understand that-"

"You don't understand anything!"

A tense silence settled over us. The still air in the cave was smothering. The breeze brushed leaves outside the cave.

"Let me help," he whispered. I growled.

"Why?" All I had done was hurt him - I attacked their base and scared them. Yet here he was, trying to help.

Or take advantage. I must be careful.

"Viggo sacrificed himself to save me. It's not right," he said in a gentle pitying voice. The sympathy irritated me somewhat.

"So?"

"I am... curious as well," his eyes sparkled slightly. I narrowed my eyes, his true colours showing.

"About what?" I snapped.

Hiccup coughed once. "We didn't know you existed. The Dragon Hunters didn't seem to know you existed. You're not working with them. I want to know why."

"What do you propose?" I tested him, not providing any more information. Should I not like his suggestion, I could always blackmail him. Afterall, I had stolen parchment and a charcoal pencil not long ago.

"The riders accompany you to the base. You search for answers - or anything of emotional value, whilst we search for any signs of activity, as there hasn't been a complete abandoning of the island."

I paused. It was certainly an intriguing proposition.

"Why should I not just blackmail you into accompanying me?" I said emotionless. He hesitated.

"A couple of reasons. First, we would be able to get there much faster, by dragon instead of sail - presuming you miraculously have another boat up your sleeve." I nodded and he continued. "Second, we would have much greater numbers - dramatically increasing safety and efficiency," I sighed, nodding again. "Finally, I wouldn't be trying to escape every two seconds."

When he finished, the cave became suffocatingly quiet. I pulled out my knife from the wall as I tried to reason his arguments. While he made exceptional points, it doesn't dent the fact that I would have to trust them -which simply would not happen. They would also have to trust me, which was even less likely.

Based on Mother's hate, I knew these people weren't who they seemed. Not to mention the fact that they had no reason to trust me; if anything they should lock me up in jail the moment I agree. I stiffened.

"How do I know you'll be trustworthy?" I narrowed my eyes, leaning on the wall. There was a moment before he spoke, as if struggling with phrasing.

"You don't," he mumbled. I reached for my knife- "but we don't know you will be either." I bit my lip.

"But that hardly matters. You could easily overpower me."

"Not if we can't see you."

"Night furies have echolocation though, not to mention the deadly nadder's tracking abilities. And I would be outnumbered." He seemed taken aback by my quick response.

"I rest my case. I shall go alone, the risks are too great," I finished. He frowned, but knew he was in no position to argue any more.

"Your boat crashed..." I scoweled, having hoped he wouldn't play that card.

"I take a dragon."

"Dragon training begins and ends with trust," Hiccup mumbled.

"I'll take a tame one then," I snapped, growing ever more aggravated with his perimsistent counter arguments.

"Everyone would be on lock down, the dragons tense. A new face would cause quite the commotion..."

"Then train one for me," I demanded. As the words left my lips Hiccup flinched, his plan back firing considerably. I smirked seeing how the arrangement would work fantastically well. "Any funny business and you loose your leg," I threatened, rebuilding my facade.

He winced, but I took no notice. I untied his leg bonds, grabbed my satchel and pulled up my cloak. Not that it made a huge difference anyway; anyone looking would see Hiccup and come over.

As we walked - well, I prodded Hiccup every two seconds as he seemed quite content on moving at a snail's pace - I couldn't help but think about what he had said.

Why would Viggo sacrifice himself for his arch nemesis? In all his letters, he seemed ready to kill Hiccup. Sure, I didn't know a huge amount about their relationship, but no-one would do that! Especially with a pride like his! Why would he? Unless he was doomed anyway... he could've been shot then tried to help Hiccup instead of those who shot him.

But why should I trust Hiccup over Mother? His eyes did hold genuine concern. The memory where I had learnt of Viggo's death plagued my mind, forcing itself to be acknowledged. Darkness surrounded my vision. I blinked. All I saw was black, like the shadows from that night.

"Mother, I'm home," I called, closing the door behind me, using the spare keys that I had with me as I went to my training. Our hut was on the top of the mountain, out of the way of the tribe for protection, as requested in my father's will.

"Mother?" I called again, walking up the stone steps. There was a pause as I stopped, listening for her response. Worry clouded my mind as I shot to her bedroom. The house painted and furnished with extravagance.

I ran through corridors, calling. Panic crept in, teasing me. There was a muffled cry, I guessed from the direction of the noise in the basement. Quickly, I darted in to find Mother sobbing on her arms. She was wearing a plain gown, her hair falling in curls around her face.

"Mother?" I whispered. Her weary eyes locked onto mine. Wordlessly, I sat beside her. "What happened?" She opened her mouth and closed it, rather like a goldfish, before finally speaking.

"Viggo will not be coming home," she said, her voice hollow. I frowned. He always came back from business trips.

"What? Why not?"

"He just won't," she mumbled. Yet my curiosity pushed me - I pressed.

"Why? What happened?"

"That stupid traitor and the dragon riders!" she snapped, hatred thick in her tone. Remembering I was there, she relaxed. "Sweetie, due to unusual circumstances Viggo was killed at work." I gaped. I thought he would've been injured or needed to go somewhere instantly, not that he would be murdered.

"No! He always comes, he will!" I insisted. Mother's hazel eyes held sadness, but now irritation.

"Not this time."

"But-"

"Damnit Freya! He was killed! Johann and the Riders are responsible!" she growled. My eyes widened at her pure fury.

"No-"

She sniffed. "I don't want this either."

"The Riders were always attacking Viggo," I snarled, fury quickening my thoughts. "But... surely... I need to know more," I concluded. I clenched my fists as I walked to the doorway. Mother, exhausted and heartbroken, called my name but did nothing more to stop me.

I ran. Using my savings, my boat (sailing lessons were a must apparently), my satchel and my cloak, I headed to the Northern markets. I knew it was dangerous, but I didn't care. I needed supplies and information on the riders and I would so as I needed to find out exactly what happened.

***

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