Freya's POV

I charged outwards, ignoring Ryker's mad cackle. Between me and the exit were snarling changewings, flaming monstrous nightmares, roaring thunderdrums and smirking Dragon Hunters.

My only advantage was maneuverability. I had to make small, tight turns. Otherwise I'd be fried.

Jaws clamped shut beside me. I ran. Someone threw an axe and I ducked. I bolted for the stairs but a changewing landed in front of me.

I turned back. Three men leapt for me and I slowed. A spear brushed viciously against my side and I grabbed the end. I was kicked on my shins and I let go with a yelp.

Fire exploded above me. On the floor I crawled forwards through the legs of a guard. I picked hard on the back of the knee and he fell to the floor. I grabbed his shield and axe and stood.

Claws slashed at my face. Wincing, I pushed the shield up and the changewing spat at me. The shield disintegrated and I leapt to the side.

Two Hunters approached as the others steered the dragons towards me. I gripped the spear and lunged. They dodged and one threw his axe. I blocked it with the spear, leaving my middle exposed.

A guard aimed for my chest. I twisted, avoiding the sword, and kicked. The Dragon Hunter scowled. Suddenly, he was yanked upwards. Several dragons had been steered towards me.

Heart racing, I leapt forwards. Teeth clamped shut beside me. Acid landed where I was about to step, not having an impact on the metal. Sudden flames seared my clothes, tickling at my flesh as I ran.

A thunderdrum roared, pushing me back towards the hunters. Desperate, I threw the handle of a spear towards the thunderdrum. It bounced harmlessly off its thick hide.

Rolling to the side, I avoided the blast, only to stop at a large hunter's feet. Exhausted, I staggered up, forcing my aching muscles to cooperate.

I had to keep going. There was no other way.

"You're out of luck," the Dragon Hunter behind me stated. I didn't have to think to realise who it was. Turning, I faced Ryker.

I forced myself to stand, to have some dignity. Looking around, I saw some Dragon Hunters using codewords to get the dragons back into their respective cages. The rest began to crowd around us.

Ryker grabbed his sword, stroking the blade. He paused, an almost thoughtful expression on his face. I hoped he was deciding whether or not to keep me alive instead of what weapon he should use to decapitate me.

"Hypnosis."

"What?"

I looked up at him. "Why kill people when you can have slaves? Free manpower."

Ryker smiled coldly, glaring at me. "There's the Freya I know. Always ready to say something to get herself out."

"I know Swiftst- the powerful changewing personally," I tried, "I would be able to control her easier."

That caught his attention. Lowering his blade, Ryker grabbed a nearby hunter. He whispered something, I couldn't catch it, causing the hunter to pale but nod obediently.

"Alright Freya, you've Earth yourself another five minutes. If your claim is false, however - " his eyes darkened and he looked over m -- "well. You know the rest."

I gulped, searching for anything of use. I was much closer to the captain's quarters, where Ryker's plans would undoubtedly be. I knew I needed to get inside. However, Ryker held my shoulder in a tight grip: I was going nowhere. He would take no chances with me - I would be hypnotized. Even if I wasn't, countless guards and dragons would prevent me from leaving. I was trapped.

I had just become a slave serving Ryker.

**

Gustav's POV

The setting sky taunted me for running out of time. Relentless winds whipped my bare skin. The sea was far below me, promising a cold plunge.

I felt Fanghook's wing beats weaken with every passing hour. Gently, I patted his shoulder muscles. If for no other reason, I had to find Freya to get the cure.

I was worried for her as during navigation classes, she would always hint at a new bad experience with her eldest brother. There was no way she was working with him - I knew that for sure - but the others wouldn't listen. I understood that they had no real proof, and my faint memories from several years ago probably don't count for anything.

Fanghook began to shake slightly, his flying faster and less even. The terrible terror I'd brought with me, Mov, squarked in alarm. I hurried to get dragon nip from my bag.

"Easy boy," I cooed, petting him. He steadied slightly. "Look at me," I ordered.

Slowly, Fanghook craned his neck towards me at the demanding tone in my voice. His eyes were glossy and grey. Ignoring his haunted gaze, I shuffled forwards, gently placing the dragon nip on his tongue. Almost instantly, he recognised the plant and began to eat it. After a moment, he started to calm, his flight evening out.

Sighing in relief, I grabbed an old spyglass from my bag. At this rate, I would run out of dragon nip and then...

Shuddering, I pushed the thought out of my mind. We had to find Freya, now.

Using my spyglass, I searched desperately for the Dragon Hunter's ships. Having travelled from island to island, listening to rumours and buying dragon nip and supplies, I had tracked down their location to roughly South-West of Beserker Island.

I spotted a small, rocky island beneath me. Steering Fanghook softly, we descended. As we approached land, something startled Fanghook and he screeched, trying to squeeze in extra wing beats.

"Woah! Easy boy," I soothed.

We dropped and landed hard on the uneven shore. Mov landed far smoother than we did and began licking her claws.

"We'll rest here," I stated, searching for driftwood to fuel a fire.

Fanghook didn't react. Instead, he began to tear at the ground. Small stones and dust flew up where he dug.

Eyes narrowing, I grabbed some dragon nip and a fish. I approached slowly, saying soothing words. He snarled at my outstretched hand, not recognising me.

Against my will, my eyes began to water.

Stupid dust.

"Come on Fangster," I urged. "It's me, Gustav. You're a little ill, but we'll manage." He stared at me, blank. Desperation creeper into my voice. "Just eat, please. You need the energy."

Sniffing the air, Fanghook caught a whiff of the fish. He seemed to suddenly remember his hunger and grabbed the fish from me. He swallowed it whole.

Relieved, I collapsed, deciding to sleep now and eat later. I was tired enough that the uneven ground did not phase my sleep.

*

I woke with my legs aching. Having riden for most of the week, I was exhausted and uncomfortable. Fanghook, however, was dashing around the island, soaking in the sun and the sea.

Mov lay unmoving on the sand. Due to her small size, she had easily found a soft space in the sun large enough for her to sleep in.

Without speaking, I prepared for the day. It was unlikely we'd catch the Hunters, but a small chance was better than none. I'd rather try to save Fanghook than mope around day and let it happen.

"Ready Fanghook?" I called. I received a snort and some flames that brushed violently against my helmet. "Hey! We need to go now."

Eventually, I succeeded in getting him in the air and headed North, to the last sightings of the Dragon Hunters. Strong breezes tore my map from my grip, but I made sure I kept it secure.

I focused on the surface of the sea, searching for signs of submarines. As long as they were relatively near the surface, I should be able to spot them. Using my stubborbess to help my focus, I refused to think about what would happen if I couldn't find them.

Even if I did succeed in locating the submarines, getting Freya out would be difficult.

Uneven wave patterns caught my attention. Despite being nowhere near land, the waves began to break. Foam formed a slight 'v' structure.

"Mov, c'mere!" I called, grabbing parchment and a quill. She obeyed after several calls and bribery with food. Once I'd written the note to Hiccup, ensuring that all details of my location were given, I tried the message to her leg.

"Take this to Hiccup," I requested. Whether she understood or not I went certain, but she followed her training and took the message back to Berk.

Fanghook was beginning to get restless. The instinct was kicking in again. Flapping wildly, he lost balance, nearly kicking me off.

"Hold on! Stay calm!" I yelled, once again going for the dragon nip. Screeching, he lost altitude, nearly crashing into the sea.

"No no no no no!" I threw some dragon nip into his mouth.

Panting heavily, I felt him steady. "It's going to be okay - " I started petting his dry scales - " We'll be all right."

Recovering from the shock, I searched for the signs of the Dragon Hunters again.

Suddenly, a group of around thirty thunderdrums broke the surface. Stunned, I stared, until I saw the chains.

"Fanghook we need to go up," I realised. "Fanghook, UP!"

A moment too late, we shot upwards. Fanghook let out an ear-splitting roar. We were yanked down. A chain was wrapped around Fanghook's hind leg. Rushing down to help, I watched out for arrows.

"Come on, come on, come on," I muttured. The metal was cold and firm, my grip far too weak.

More chains were shot towards us. One snagged at my arm, weighing it down and rendering it useless. Desperate, I clawed at it with my other hand. My exhaustion caught up with me. Refusing to cooperate, my body fell heavy. I watched with wide, tired eyes as we were dragged closer. Any hope I had vanished.

We landed, chained and shattered, on the Dragon Hunters' deck with a thud.

***

What will Hiccup do when he recieves the message?

Will Freya figure out a way to escape?

What will happen to Swiftstrike now that Freya's here?