The Night Rider: Book Two

Chapter 37: The Deal

THE NIGHT RIDERS POV.

The fleet of Berserker ships had been traveling for hours. The Night Rider had almost forgotten how slow sailing was compared to flying by dragon. He and Heather had landed on Dagurs lead ship to let Toothless and Windshear rest their wings. But they never dismounted or dropped their guard. Neither did the Berserkers on the ship that walked around with at least one eye watching them at all time. Dagur was the only one who seemed to be enjoying the current situation.

"We should be getting there soon." Dagur informed them.

"I hope so." Responded the Night Rider.

"So, brother. There aren't any hurt feelings about the whole—island thing? Right?" Dagur asked.

Toothless growled and flashed his sharp teeth. The Night Rider placed a hand on top of Toothless's head to calm him. But he was being completely hypocritical because he himself was moments away from attacking Dagur at the mention of his home. Of all the dead dragons.

"You're going to regret what you did." He warned. Dagur laughed.

"Oh yeah?" The berserker laughed some more, "And how is that brother? Are you going to attack me? Have the Night Fury blow me to bits?" The deranged chief laughed, "If you do, Berks chief dies. Up to you." Dagur confidently boasted. The Berserker chief strode up to him and Toothless and knelt down in front of him, so his head was level with Toothless's mouth. "What are ya gonna do, bud?"

The Night Rider wanted so badly to have Toothless attack and finish Dagur. But his fathers life was at stake. He thought that maybe he could get his dad off Berserker Island, but Viggo probably had Ryker standing at his fathers side with a sword to his throat. Ready at a moments notice to kill him. So, he decided against having Toothless attack. "Easy bud." He said.

Dagur smiled and chuckled lightly. "What I thought." Dagur walked away from him and Toothless and towards another end of the boat. "Oh yeah. Viggo sends his thanks for you stocking that island full of dragons. The Dragon Hunters will earn so much money from the hide."

The Night Rider snapped. His hand fled down to his flaming sword on his thigh and grabbed it. Toothless, feeling his rider move for attack, opened his mouth and spread his wings out intimidatingly. The Berserker crew drew their weapons ready for a fight. But Heather intervened.

"Stop!" Heather exclaimed. Windshear positioned herself in front of Dagur and his men and him and Toothless, so no one could get a clear shot on another.

"Heather, move!" He ordered her, but she didn't.

"Night, please! You know what's at steak! This isn't worth it!"

He gritted his teeth beneath his helmet. She was right, attacking Dagur now wasn't worth it. It would sign his fathers death sentence. He released an angered breath and slowly lowered his weapon back down to his side.

Heather turned her attention to Dagur. "Brother, please. Stand down."

Dagur was silent for a moment, and his men still had their weapons raised ready to attack at any moment. Her calling Dagur her 'brother' didn't sit well with him. It was probably true based off what he'd been told, but it just didn't feel—right. The tension continued to rise and the Night Rider noticed berserkers on other ships preparing for battle. But then, Dagurs crazed laugh cut the tension in two.

"Oh dear sister!" Dagur exclaimed through heavy laughs, "how could I say no?"

The berserkers reluctantly lowered their weapons and he returned his flaming sword to its area on his leg. He grunted, it would definitely be a long boat ride.