renegades, httyd

xxi. Ambush

renegades
chapter twenty-one

    Revna and I were silent. I had my axe in my hand as I peered around the formations we hid behind. My breath hitched, stuck in the back of my throat as I tried to learn where everything and everyone was. 

    The Berserker ship was ashore, anchored outside the Ice Caves. Vikings travelled to and fro, armed as lookouts, others holding Groncicle eggs while the rest were trying to contain our friends and their dragons. I could hear the destruction of the four Berserker ships on the other side of the island, the rest of the Riders unbeknownst to the ambush that struck and took over the place we had been trying to protect.

   I tried to think of a plan, but Revna and I were seriously outnumbered. Two of us against all these Berserker soldiers? All armed, with an armoured ship and our small dragons? We couldn't just go ahead full blast and take them on. We needed to free the others and their dragons so we had a better chance.

     I focused on where Skulder, Wartihog, Clueless and Speedifist were tied up. The boys looked beaten up like they had put up a fight. Wartihog had a nasty bruise under his eye that would sure blacken with time. Nonalug, Firefin and Speediclaw were contained not far in weighted nets and bolas. Firefin was terrified, his scales the colour of a nervous pale yellow, snarling and ducking in behind Speediclaw who thrashed. Nonalug growled, trying to break free with force to her rider, but they needed help. 

    I looked for the adult and adolescent Groncicles━especially Sleetstorm. I needed to know whether he was okay, safe and hiding. I didn't know whether the Berserkers were here just for the eggs, or whether they were looking for the dragons as well. I didn't know how much Mildew had told him.

    Speaking of the snake, he and Fungus were chatting to who I could guess to be the captain of the ship. There was an exchange of treasure and in return, Mildew recieved want he wanted━his traders goods. I gritted my teeth, fingers tightening around my axe. 

    But I had to duck back when one of the look-outs passed. Pressing my back against the rock, I stared at Revna who met my gaze with a wide-eyed one of her own. Saber nervously scampered along her shoulders and down her arms, staying smartly silent. Winglash shuffled at my side, ruffling her wings with apprehension. 

    We had to be smart about this. Think this through. 

    But we had no time to think it through thoroughly. 

    Once the lookout was out of earshot, I leaned in closer to Revna to try and figure out a plan. "We need to free the others," I whispered. "Then get the dragons━that'll give us a better chance at fighting these guys off."

    "How will we get past the lookouts," breathed Revna, peering around again. "They're everywhere."

     I thought about this, too. Looking back over, I narrowed my eyes. I watched them pass back and forth, trying to learn their stations and paths. If I could sneak past ... but I would need a distraction.