Chapter 10
"What is going on here?" The large man repeated his question with increasing impatience, his cold dark eyes sweeping over the two strangers facing his men. "Sergeant Yorgi?"
"This harpy and her slave were getting insolent, General Ryker," the man said respectfully. Astrid scowled and flicked a glance up at the man.
"I am a wandering knight-Sif is my name-and my squire and I were merely passing through here, looking for work when this rancid maggot-eaten munge-bucket started to hit on me," she growled. "I was about to mince up his spleen until you came in to save his sorry ass. I presume you are the man in charge. So are you hiring?"
The large man eyed her up lasciviously and she felt her cheeks heat gently under his obscenely intimate inspection before giving a cruel smirk.
"Our army always needs fresh hands-but I'm not sure an aggressive female wannabe and her stick slave are suited to our needs..." Ryder growled, looking at the rigid Hiccup, who had never taken his eyes off the attackers. "Though he seems well-trained. Maybe he can give us some fun..." He snapped his fingers and his men threw themselves onto Hiccup, their weight bearing him down and hauling him up, sword ripped from his left hand and arms pinned painfully across his back. He struggled furiously until a brutal blow on the back of his head had him sagging... Astrid's eyes flashed as she saw him and levelled her sword at the big man.
"Get your hands off him," she growled. "Who do you want me to fight to prove my worthiness?" Hiccup almost cringed: all the knights he knew would never say anything like that...well, not without another dozen or so expletives. Then Yorgi grabbed a big handful of auburn and wrenched his head back.
"I'll teach this little girl a lesson," he sneered. "And then we can have some fun with her slave..."
Oh joy. Well this day keeps getting better and better. Maybe I should just insult General Ryker and make sure someone is going to kill me and the Princess.
"How many pieces do you want him back in?" Astrid asked shortly, her eyes focussed on the man as he casually punched Hiccup in the gut, then drew his sword and advanced on her. Ryker smirked.
"You do well, girl, and you've earned yourself a job," he promised her.
"And my squire," she growled, his eyes locked fiercely on the huge man. Ryker gave a curt nod.
"If you do well," he said scornfully as the men backed away and Yorgi moved forward. He was well-armoured, heavyset and ugly, his sword clamped professionally in his hand. Hiccup blinked and focussed on the man, seeing his lip curl, dismissing the girl facing him. And while Hiccup knew that the Princess was extensively trained in arms, as any Heir to Berk should be, he had no idea of her current standard because he hadn't seen her in action. He just hoped she was up to the challenge...but as he looked, he saw the man shake a dagger free in an arm sheath. He was going to cheat.
Astrid attacked first, her strokes swift and accurate, aiming for vital points and the man was thrust back, a flicker of respect rising in his eyes. Then he countered, using his weight to hammer blows onto Astrid. Ryker's men were whooping and hollering, casting insults at the girl while urging their man on and to not shame them by losing to a lass. Angered, Astrid almost threw herself forward but controlled her emotions: she knew she was impetuous and hot-headed and in a battle, that could be a weakness. So she parried and saw him ready for her. She spun lightly under a swipe and clouted him across the shoulder, her blow piercing the padding and biting into the flesh. The man roared like a wounded dragon and flung himself at her, his weight bearing her back and closing her space, cornering her. His hand treacherously snapped down and the dagger slid into his grip, glinting and seen only by the pinioned young imposter.
Astrid was struggling, all her attention and strength focussed on keeping the man's sword away from her throat, both hands clamped on the hilt of her sword and the men were all howling for her death, keen for the sport and uncaring who provided the kill. The only one on her side was Hiccup-and his emerald eyes flicked around, seeing a pewter mug abandoned on the table to his left. Then he slammed his head backwards, pain erupting as he slammed into the face of the man holding him. Hiccup saw stars but the man behind him must have seen more, for the grips on his harms relaxed and he ripped himself free, lurching forward and grabbing the mug and hurling it with ferocious accuracy against the side of Yorgi's head.
The man staggered sideways, his eyes unfocussing for a second and the knife clattered from his hand. The clang as the heavy blade hit the stone floor alerted Astrid and her eyes narrowed in anger at the treachery as Ryker growled in anger at the interference. In a second, he lashed out at Hiccup, the blow catching him hard across the cheek. Completely caught unaware, he was slammed sideways, his head hitting the wall with a loud thud before he slumped bonelessly onto the floor. Ryder kicked him sadistically before turning back to the fight.
Furious at Yorgi for his treachery and more so Ryker for his reaction and the vicious attack on her 'squire', Astrid allowed the anger to envelope her, her attack redoubling. She had in fact been well-trained in the sword and the battle-axe by the finest tutors and while her opponent was stunned, she slammed blow after blow into his sword, knocking it aside and spinning, digging the edge of her blade hard into his throat. Her other hand grabbed her knife and rested the point south of his belt in a very threatening location. There was an audible intake of breath throughout the room.
"How many pieces do you want him back in?" she snapped, glaring into Yorgi's suddenly anxious face. He was hardly daring to breathe and his eyes swivelled plaintively to Ryker. There was a pause where the knife jabbed encouragingly below the belt and he squeaked.
"One," Ryker growled. "Release him, girl. You've made your point. You're hired." She glared at him. "And your squire," he added with a cruel chuckle. "But we ride out in half an hour. If he isn't fit to ride, he stays behind." Astrid nodded and withdrew the sword and-more slowly-the dagger. Yorgi backed away, to howls of laughter from the men, casting the female a deeply menacing look. Slowly, the inn emptied as the men followed Ryker and Astrid turned to look at Hiccup-who hadn't moved. Quietly, she knelt by his limp shape, peering at him. He was very pale, his faint freckles standing out against his ashen skin. There was a welt on his cheek but she was relived to see the pulse bounding in his neck and his chest moving slightly as he breathed.
"Hiccup?" she murmured gently, sliding a hand under his shoulder and lifting him carefully up. There was a lump the size of an egg on the side of his head, a trail of blood vivid against his pale skin and clotting in his auburn hair as she leaned closer to him. "Hiccup?" she hissed and shook him slightly. Finally, his eyelids fluttered and his brow furrowed as he gave a low groan of pain, an arm moving to cradle his middle where there was a boot-mark visible on his deep blue tunic.
"M-milady...?" he groaned, wincing as his bleary emerald gaze struggled to focus on her. "S-sorry..."
"Shh shh," she soothed him gently. "Can you sit up?" He closed his eyes but gave the slightest nod.
"Yes, Milady," he managed, grimacing as he pushed himself into a sagging seated position. He took a hasty breath and paled even more. blinking and looking dazed. "Whoa...is the room moving?" he muttered as Astrid wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"I need you on your feet, Hiccup," she said in a low voice. "We're in the Hunter army-for now. And we move out in half an hour..." Giving a small smile, Hiccup looked at her.
"Hope the room has finished spinning by then, Highness," he murmured. "You-you won?" Her smile was definitely smug.
"You doubted me...?" she teased him and he shook his head slightly.
"No-no..." he mumbled, grimacing. She carefully helped him to his feet, shocked that he weighed a lot less than she would guess and she had to stop him falling as he toppled sideways, his legs buckling.
"Easy," she soothed.
"Whoa...really spinning..." he mumbled, sagging sideways again. She swiftly shoved him onto a chair and marched to the bar, demanding another mead which was instantly supplied: it seemed that refreshments were complimentary for members of Ryker's patrol. Then she pushed the drink into his hands and sat opposite him, watching him close his hands around the mug but not drink. She sighed.
"Thank you-for saving my life," she said in a low voice and he looked up at her, still ghastly pale and dazed but surprised as well.
"Um...would kind of make all my efforts in Outcast a bit pointless if I let him kill you," he replied automatically and then groaned inwardly. An eyebrow arched and he looked embarrassed.
"Sarcasm really is your default," she commented with a small smile and he dropped his eyes, the whitening of knuckles on the mug the only clue that he was preparing himself for another dressing-down. "It's okay, Hiccup. You saved me in that fight-and you rescued me from Outcast. I think I can survive your razor wit. Now drink the mead! We need to be ready to ride..." He managed a small smile, though he still looked wary.
"Don't worry, Milady," he murmured. "I won't let you down." She rose, adjusted her sword and saw him sip the mead gingerly.
"I'll check the horses," she decided. "You need a minute-that was a nasty blow..." He carefully raised his hand to the lump where he had hit the wall and winced.
"My Dad always said I had a hard head." he admitted. "Though I'm not sure he was meaning literally." His emerald eyes flicked up. "Um...always was stubborn..." She smiled and flicked her braid over her left shoulder.
"Take your time, Hiccup," she smiled. "And don't worry. I've got your back."
oOo
"What are we doing up here again?" Snotlout's complaining voice echoed through the rocky snow-sprinkled valley up in the high mountains north of Outcast lands and the only road between Berk and the Outcast Fortress. He was wrapped up in his armour, fur-lined cloak, scarf, gloves, helm and another scarf he had demanded off one of the others. Thuggory rolled his eyes, wearing his spare armour and dressed equally as warmly.
"Because Astrid isn't in the Outcast Castle, she wasn't on the road so the only place she can be is in the mountains north," he explained in an exasperated voice. "Thor, are you always this stupid?"
"You mean you hadn't noticed?" Tuffnut asked him in an incredulous voice. "This is vintage Snot!"
"I mean, he never listens, is dense as a lead-filled yak and has only thought about getting fed and sleeping in a feather bed!" Ruff added sarcastically. They were hanging near the back with Fishlegs, who was realising that the crazy and reckless siblings were the only other halfway sensible people in the party. They all shared disgust at Snotlout and Thuggory's decision and plan to blame Hiccup for everything-and then injure him so badly he would never be able to tell his side of the story.
"So why don't we just let them..." Snotlout began.
"Escape? Walk back into Berk and allow them to heap the blame on us?" Dogsbreath snarked.
"Why're you getting at me when he was the one who sent Useless in his place?" Snotlout protested angrily.
"Because we're all here because of your gross stupidity in leading the squires as if you were on an afternoon ride to the inn and letting the Princess get kidnapped so we will all be expelled from the Corps at the least and maybe just plain expelled from life!" Thuggory growled.
"And you can talk?" Snotlout sneered. "You deserted! Instead of accompanying our Heir, you sent an imposter and spent the day fornicating with Flora, the Princess's maid!"
"Lady-in-waiting!" Thuggory growled. "She's a lady-in-waiting!"
"But you did spend the day...with...her?" Snotlout taunted him. They all knew Thuggory was rather a ladies' man with a string of broken hearts and a couple of bastards already on the way.
"While you couldn't even follow a girl on a horse!" Thuggory shot back.
"Enough!" Spitelout growled. "There are hoof-tracks up the path and they are heading this way. There are a number of actual paths that go through but they all end up in Hunter lands..."
"And we're not going round-why?" Snotlout whined and Fishlegs shared a disgusted look with the twins.
"Because they could get captured by Lord Viggo Grimborn or his brother and General, Ryker!" Spitelout growled. "And in that case, they could end up anywhere-but most likely, Reaper, their capitol, close by Berserker lands. And to get to them, you have to cross half of the Hunter Territory! Thor's blood, you are a disgrace, boy! If you had a hundredth the grasp of politics and diplomacy that you cousin has, you'd..."
"Useless?" Snotlout snapped. "Sorry-you're comparing me to Hiccup 'dishonoured and disowned' Haddock?" Spitelout glared at him.
"Your cousin was so much better than you, this was my only chance to get you the position you deserved as my son!" he snapped. "It was easy to whisper a few words to Lords Madguts and Mogadon to get them to demand the Commander was disavowed as a traitor after he disappeared...and then, as soon as my dear, admired brother was thrown down, to dislodge his skinny son from his position as Head Apprentice Knight and get you the job!" He paused. "And you comprehensively proved you are wholly unfit to lead. Odin-you proved you're unfit to be a knight! And the only one who did anything but disgraced the uniform was the imposter, the boy I got thrown out of the Squires three years ago!" He leaned close to his son. "I'm comparing you to Hiccup because compared to him, you are almost nothing!"
There was a long, awkward moment of silence as a flurry of snow swirled around them.
"I will disgrace and kill that scrawny imposter," Snotlout swore, his eyes flashing with rage.
"No, you'll do as you're told-boy-and follow us as we sneak into Hunter lands in search of the Princess," Spitelout commanded him.
"I still don't see why we can't just stake out the main roads back to Berk Castle and intercept them on their way home?" Snotlout protested, shivering.
"Because they may sneak past-and we have no idea which way they are coming from," Spitelout growled through his teeth. "Now shut up and lead the next section through the pass!" But as they rode out, Thuggory pulled alongside the Knight as his son led the group as they moved out.
"You know he'll compromise the entire mission?" he asked the Knight and Spitelout gave a slow nod, reading the ambition of the man next to him and knowing that if they were to stand any chance of success, he would have to work with the man and use his talents...
"When we reach Hunter lands, I will ask you to speak for us," he decided. "You have your own rank, as well as your status as an Apprentice Knight and so are far more suited than my son to act as our emissary. We are seeking to rescue a young noblewoman who has been groomed and misled by a devious and manipulative young man seeking advancement by stealing her virtue." Thuggory gave a slow smile. "I thought you would enjoy the irony, Squire Tete de Carne."
"Very much," Thuggory smirked. "Oh, this is going to be fun...having the Hunters capture that scrawny fishbone for us on the accusation of deflowering the Princess!"
oOo
The jogging of the ride wasn't helping Hiccup's stomach at all and he was feeling very nauseous as they rode away from the village. He wasn't even sure the name of the place-which was honestly so small, it probably didn't even appear on his map. Astrid was riding up with the soldiers-while he was right at the back with the supplies. It was really doing wonders for his sense of self-worth.
Astrid had insisted on bandaging his head before they moved out and he knew he was a mess. His vision had stabilised but he was left with a headache and the roiling nausea. They were heading east, directly towards Reaper, the Grimborn's Fortress...and away from Berk. And, worst of all, Sergeant Yorgi and his patrol were glaring at him and he guessed he would be at the top of their hit list. he would have to be even more careful than ever-while trying to plot a way out of this and back to Berk. When his head stopped pounding and his stomach settled...
The Hunter army was well-drilled and very well disciplined...at least when the officers were around...but like all armies, what happened when they weren't around was a different matter. The young imposter hoped that Astrid was wise enough to be careful...but she was riding up near Ryker and the big man was eyeing her thoughtfully. Gritting his teeth, Hiccup accelerated Fury...and then flinched as one of Yorgi's guards dropped back.
"Don't get comfortable, slave," he growled. "Yer mistress won't always be there to protect you..." Hiccup forced a small smile on his face.
"No-I'll be happy to take you myself!" he shot back, seeing the man scowl. But as the soldier got too close, Fury gave a fierce nicker and the other man's horse veered away urgently, scared of the black stallion. "If my horse doesn't eat you first..." he added. The man cast a mouthful of abuse in his direction and Hiccup sighed. This wasn't going to be fun. But he toiled along, dismounting shakily when they halted and watering the horses as ordered. he seemed to be the only squire and everyone suddenly decided he was their servant...so it was with no small relief when Astrid snapped an order to him. He immediately looked over and walked towards her-until a fat corporal grabbed his arm, his jowly face suffused with anger.
"I didn't say you could leave, slave!" he spat. Hiccup wrenched his arm free.
"Not a slave!" he retorted. "I'm a squire for Knight Sif-so when she calls, I have to answer!" And he dodged away, ignoring the slight dizziness that washed over him as he sped towards her, offering a small bow as he had seen the squires of wandering knights do for their masters. "Milady? How may I serve?"
"Boy? I did't appoint you to my service to tend my own horse!" she snapped, her azure eyes silently asking if he was okay. He nodded.
"Yes, Milady," he murmured and turned to tend Stormfly and Fury, responding obediently to her orders that she snapped whenever anyone grabbed him and commanded him to tend their beasts. Finally, she ordered him to fetch them both food 'because I'm not having you slacking off claiming you're underfed, boy!' she told him. Finally, when they were ready to camp out, she insisted he sleep at her feet, protecting him from the men.
Hiccup's eyes snapped open at a soft touch on his head and he swivelled his head, realising Astrid was trailing her hand through his hair, mumbling softly. She had managed to curl towards him and her hand gently pressed his head against her.
"'m'sorry...shouldn't've said that..." she mumbled softly. "...deserve...more...Hiccup...I..."
His emerald eyes widened and he sighed. His head was hurting but he was tense, surrounded by enemies and he really hoped she wouldn't say anything which could give them away. But he could tell she was restless and there was a real risk she would murmur in her sleep...so he scooched round and lay alongside her, gently rubbing her arm until she snuggled against him and eased back into a dreamless sleep. For a long moment, he was tangled with the warm, soft shape of the woman, wearing his stolen armour and he momentarily wondered what it would be like to be worthy of a Princess-or at least a beautiful and spirited young woman. It was something he could never even dream of because if he couldn't manage to win back his honour, he was condemned to be a worthless drudge forever. And taking her home safe was literally his only hope.
She shifted snugly against him, her hand trailing softly over his face and down his neck, her arm winding affectionately across his chest, though he regretfully but very gently untangled himself and tucked her up tight and safe. The look-out was turned away, his eyes scanning the dark horizon and he hoped the man hadn't noticed. Breathing a sigh of relief, he turned away to return to his place-and met an icy pair of hazel eyes. Ryker inspected him like an insect before turning away, leaving the young man with a cold sweat prickling the back of his neck. Because in soothing the girl, he had given the Hunter an idea that they were more than just knight and squire.
oOo
Reaper was a grim fortress, the six foot thick walls iron grey and stained with char and oil from previous sieges-as well as the rust from the blood of enemies, spent futilely in trying to break down the Grimborns' fastness. The small town clustered around the main citadel was dark and ordered, the plentiful guards keeping the people in order and ensuring the lucrative trade in exotic beasts captured by the Hunters proceeded unchecked and unhindered.
It was after noon and the sky was lowering with impending sleet as Ryker's army galloped up the wide shingled road, the guard posts frequent and men saluting respectfully as the large man thundered by, the soldiers of his party straining to keep up. Astrid and Hiccup rode close to the back, though she maintained her cool treatment of her 'squire'. Watching their escorts closely, Hiccup kept his head down, though his head was clearer this morning. Quick emerald eyes flicked over the guards and he felt his heart sink. There was no easy way out of the fortress and they would have to play along carefully-because the reputation of Lord Viggo was that he was a man who played his subjects, spying closely on them and manipulating them for his own amusement. He was up there at the top of the list of people he wouldn't want near Hiccup.
It was when they wheeled through the gatehouse and into the outer yard that his heart really began hammering in his chest. Ryker bellowed for the party to pull to a halt and they stopped as a man about half a head shorter than him descended the stairs, his black uniform topped by a cold face, framed by cropped back hair and a manicured beard and containing a pair of the cruellest eyes Hiccup had ever seen. Leaping down, the General offered the smallest of bows to the man who had to be the leader of the Hunters, Lord Viggo.
As they dismounted, Hiccup hastened forward and grasped Astrid's reins, taking the opportunity to ask: "Will he recognise you?" She half-turned her head, frowning as she apparently adjusted her sword-belt.
"Unlikely," she murmured. "I last saw him when I was twelve-briefly. He shouldn't recall so unimportant a person. But he is very smooth and fiercely intelligent."
"Oh Thor," the young imposter murmured, then bowed his head. "Milady..."
"And what is this?" the man's smooth voice asked as he approached the woman. "Brother, you didn't say you'd brought me a present..." Astrid lifted her chin, then snapped a small bow.
"My Lord, I am at your service," she announced. "I was engaged by your brother. Knight Sif is my name." The cold eyes swept over her-then slid to Hiccup.
"And this boy?" he asked.
"My squire Henrik," she explained smoothly. "Loyal and brave, though a little clumsy." Viggo paced around Hiccup, who bowed his head meekly, forcing himself not to move. He felt horribly like a small sheep being circled by a ravenous wolf.
"He's striking...and looks as if he may provide some sport," the Lord commented. "And you, girl? What have you got to recommend you?" Her azure eyes narrowed, her fury flushing her cheeks scarlet as she clenched her fists.
"My skills, my loyalty and my honour," she replied proudly, repeating the words Hiccup had drilled into her on their ride down into Hunter lands. Viggo leaned close.
"And I will hold you to that, my dear," he purred then turned away. "Ryker-we have had a message from a search party from Berk." Both Astrid and Hiccup stiffened. "It seems a young noblewoman has been seduced and lured from her home and family by an unscrupulous scoundrel. Have you by any chance seem anyone who could fit that description?"
Ryker gave a low chuckled. "Berk, eh? Who have those self-righteous fools lost now?" Viggo gave a cruel smile.
"That's the delight of it, brother," he smiled. "My spies in Berk have already warned me there is a major problem gripping the court. That-and the identity of the searchers, of course. The missing, duped noblewoman...is Princess Astrid."
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