Empire at war (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 28: Vengeance part I

A/N: We're so close to the finish line! I cannot wait to end this story and take a much-deserved break before I get back here and finish up my Traveler series. Anyway, onwards to the next chapter!

(Normal pov— Denmark)

Nikora stood on the deck of The Tempest while ensuring her prowess as a warrior queen did not dull; she would spar against imagined foes, face her Shadow bodyguards, or against her lieutenants who stood as the Mongrels best. All the while, Nikora's mind wandered with thee thoughts of the coming battle between her people and Haddock's Viking hordes. She recalled as a child, she watched as their father earned a glorious victory by defeating the madman Drago Bludvist in single combat, this power-hungry warlord craved world domination and came to the Mongrel Tribe to enlist Hassan and his people to join his cause. But Hassan saw Drago as a man who spat upon honor and would fight in dishonorable ways in order to achieve victory, and dishonor is not the way of the Mongrel people.

Better to earn victory through integrity and honor rather than deception and dishonor.

Eir had spat upon the belief of the Mongrel Tribe by sending her sect of Hashashin to assassinate Haddock in his sleep.

This was an insult that left Nikora enraged, she only discovered this when Vitani had given her report, and as punishment for trying to gain a victory through dishonorable means, Nikora forbid Eir from participating in the coming battle, which of course enraged the Mongrel princess. She desperately pleaded with Nikora to reconsider and let them fight together, but Eir's pleas fell on deaf ears and Nikora forbid Eir from partaking in the coming battle.

"My queen,"

Turning around, Nikora laid eyes on Absko, the Ngbaka was wrapped in leopard skin and bowed his head in greeting before speaking. "All has been attend to as instructed," he then continued, "the warlords and their armies too stand ready."

"Good," Nikora said while wiping beads of sweat of her brow while also dismissing her Shadow sparring partners, "as our campaign draws towards climax, we shall avenge the death of Hassan Stormheart and all those we have lost at the hands of the Viking people."

"I long for the day to arrive," The Numidian then voiced concern, "yet... there are many among us who believe Eir should partake in the battle ahead—"

"She spat upon the honor we hold close to our hearts and sent assassins to kill Haddock in his sleep," Nikora spat out with disgust, "I hold no love for the man who killed my father, but I do know he deserves a glorious death on the battlefield. My decision is cemented and it will not be broken." Looking out towards the horizon, she said firmly. "I would see us conclude our campaign with integrity and honor, rather than dishonor," turning back to Absko, Nikora bore her teeth and growled out, "inform those among us who share my sister's thoughts of dishonor and treachery that they too shall be forbidden from partaking in battle, and those who defy me will be put to the sword." Absko bowed his head in understanding and took his leave.

The Mongrel queen whirled her Kwan Dao and once more looked out towards the horizon and prepared herself for the tidal wave of Vikings that threatened to wash away her and her armies from this world.

Hiccup was within the chambers of his war room, looming over a map of Denmark and of the battlefield they would wage their final battle with Nikora and Eir. He had already dispatched Atali, her Wingmaidens, Mala, and her best Defenders on ahead to free the enslaved dragons the enemy possessed, perhaps they would turn on their oppressors and thin the enemy's numbers to the point where the tide of the battle would truly be in their favor, it was a possibility that Hiccup hoped would come to fruition, but he had other concerns at the moment. The plan he had purposed to his forces was sound, but in order for the plan to succeed is for the Stormhearts to take the bait, or else his plan may collapse. Sighing heavily, and lowering his head, Hiccup had lost so many loved throughout his life, yet those he held closest to heart yet no longer walk among the living continue to haunt him in his dreams— Heather, his unborn child, Toothless, and Valka.