Empire at war (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 20: Cursed

A/N: Almost done with this story, I know people are trying to rush me and I'm gonna tell you guys right now to cut that out, when you tell me to rush my work you're adding more stress on my shoulders, and its something I don't need. So for my next project, it's either finishing up Traveler Part II or beginning my Hidden World series, I'll let you guys decide what you want to see first. With that out of the way, onwards to the next chapter.

(Normal pov— Denmark, outside the Red Maw capital city)

"Keep moving!!"

Halvor, Avery, Ingrid, and Hiccup's Viking lieutenants were escorting thousands of men, women, and children onto the warships with utmost haste. Those among the citizens of Denmark who were too weak to walk were carried by Viking warriors onto the ships to ensure their survival and guarantee a death that did not involve being slaughtered like an animal.

The eldest Viking prince turned to his wife and son. "You two get on board the ship," he then continued, "I will not risk losing either of you this night."

"What about you?" Brenna inquired.

"I need to help as many of our people as possible," Halvor said, "they need to see that their future king is willing to get his hands dirty and lower himself to be a servant of the people! It's what my father would want me to do. Now go, I will join you when I am able." Brenna nodded and held their son close to her chest while walking up a gangplank leading into the Haddock's main warship.

"Halvor!"

Turning to his left, the eldest prince turned to his sister Ingrid as she then inquired. "Have you seen Zephyr? I don't see her anywhere!"

"I don't know," Halvor confessed, "perhaps she's staying behind with the warriors to slow the enemy's advance."

"Whatever the case, Zephyr is more than capable of handling herself," Avery said as he helped a mother and child up the gangplank, "if she's within the city still, she'll find a way back to us."

"I hope you're right," Ingrid said to her husband, "we've lost enough as of now, the last thing we need is to lose an heir to the Scandinavian Empire." Humming in agreement with his sister, Halvor looked up to the heavens and silently prayed that the gods would not abandon them now, not under such dire circumstances.

It had only been mere minutes after the Mongrels and their allies captured the Viking capital city, forcing Hiccup and his people to flee and make a break for a secret fleet of ships hidden in a massive grotto. Despite collapsing the entrance to the catacombs, the citizens of Denmark were not out of harm's way just yet, as they were treading through the forest, Mongrel warriors had caught up to them and began slaughtering any Vikings in their path. Astrid, who was leading the exodus for the time being ordered the warriors to protect their rear flank while they continued to tread through the forest and enter the cave network that leads to the grotto.

Explosions soon rang out throughout the forest, as the Mongrels were using round handheld bombs to create disorder and panic among the Viking citizens.

And it worked.

As the Viking citizens tried to scatter in any direction they could find, Mongrel archers would pick them off, and if they were too stubborn to die, the foreign warriors ensured their deaths. Whether the citizens be young or old, the Mongrels showed no mercy, and the leader of this group of ruthless Mongrels was none other than Eir Stormheart. She had harbored decades of pain, hatred, and anger for so long, now she was unleashing these destructive emotions upon the Scandinavian people and it threatened to destroy them all.

Astrid, who was determined to save the lives of her family and as many of her people as possible, ordered as many warriors to hold off the bloodthirsty Monngrels as they finally reached the cave network that led to the grotto.