Empire at war (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 17: Opportunity

A/N: Finishing this chapter at work, hope you guys enjoy it! Just a heads up, the next chapter is gonna be absolute mayhem; plague infested rats everywhere, Mongrels and their allies slaughtering everything in their path, and the Vikings are in disorder because of carnage. Anyway, just a little hint of what's to come.

(Normal pov)

The blood-curdling cries of prisoners were what Harald awoke to, the Mongrel slowly sat up and hissed in pain as he placed a hand on his head and traced his fingers over the wound that Fishlegs inflicted upon him. Blood seeped out of the wound and dried to his temple, Harald was fortunate that the wound he received didn't crack his skull open. Despite the blood loss and throbbing headache he was experiencing, Harald was fine for the time being. He was stripped out of the Red Maw armor he had stolen and had nothing but his leather pants on, the Mongrel wrapped his arms around his body and shivered as the icy air caressed his exposed skin.

Footsteps could be heard and Harald looked up at the bars of his cell and laid eyes on Halvor and Avery Haddock, the two men gazed upon Harald before stepping aside for Hiccup himself to come into Harald's line of sight. Seeing the man who slaughtered his people, Harald found the strength to rise to his feet and approach the bars of his cell and snarl out. "Haddock," grasping the bars, he then continued, "you are fortunate there are bars dividing us, otherwise I would have killed you in the blink of an eye."

"Unlikely," Hiccup said, "I've killed the Mongrel's former master— Hassan Stormheart and many of the finest warriors Midgard has to offer. You are merely a nuisance that will soon be swatted dead." The Blood King's words caused Harald's iron grip on the bars to loosen and his murderous demeanor fell.

"What is your purpose here?" Avery inquired, the prince of the Celestial Empire then continued. "Is it to merely spy on us? Sabotage our defenses and allowing the rest of the Mongrels and their allies encamped on the bench to enter the city with ease? Are you perhaps here to assassinate my father in law?"

"If he was here to kill me, he would've done it already," Hiccup said, "no, he is here to no doubt turn my people against me and create unrest, anarchy, and mayhem within the capital city and in the chaos, the guards stationed in key areas would not be at their posts and would be vulnerable for the enemy to enter the city and slaughter us," Hiccup raised a questioning eyebrow at Harald, "that s your purpose within these walls, is it not?"

Harald remained silent, but his silence was all the answer Hiccup needed to confirm his speculation.

"A clever plan," Halvor said, "a pity it won't come to fruition. We will learn who else has betrayed our people, gods, and king to aid you in delivering our capital city to your masters, and we will make an example of the traitors."

Turning to Halvor and Avery, Hiccup gave them instructions. "Torture Gudmundr and get him to tell you who else has betrayed us," turning back to Harald, the Blood King continued, "I wish to have further words with our... guest." Bowing their heads in understanding, Halvor and Avery left Hiccup alone with Harald.

"Do you honestly believe you can defeat Nikora and Eir?" Harald inquired. "For two decades, they made the Mongrel Tribe more ferocious than ever before; they have warriors that make the Vikings look like drunken fools on the battlefield."

"Hubris is one of man's greatest enemies, you underestimate us," Hiccup said, "the Viking people have seen nothing but victory under my command. And I will continue to lead them to victory." Harald snorted in amusement while shaking his head, causing Hiccup to cock his head and inquire. "You doubt me?"

"If only you knew what's coming," Harald said while chuckling darkly, "the next few days will become a blur, and you will lose everything during that time— your home, empire, the reputation of invincibility, family, and your saga. Nikora and Eir do not wish to simply kill you, they want to utterly destroy you and everything you've done as Blood King. By the time we've concluded our campaign here, your name will be struck from history and any trace of your empire will be washed away," Harald flashed Hiccup a grin that suited a bloodthirsty shark, "and no matter how hard you fight or try to protect your legacy, you will fail and you will die a broken man."