Hiccup, the Womanizer (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 18: Botched attack

A/N: June has been a very busy month for me: work has been picking up, school is keeping me busy, and I just recently celebrated my 25th birthday with friends and family. As you well know, life happens. With that said, we're back and this chapter will have no smut, instead, it's going to be Harald launching a botched attack on Paris and Hiccup coming in to clean up the mess. Let's get to it.

(Normal pov— Paris)

Savage and his men were feasting and drinking within a brothel, it was a means of winding down after helping the Franks prepare for the imminent attack that Hiccup's followers would launch. The Deviants had a spy within their enemy's war camp, this spy was not only Savage's sorceress but also his lover, her name was Skuld the Sorceress. Her beauty was blinding but she is touched by darkness, and those who crossed her would suffer in ways that cannot possibly be fathomed. Savage had sent Skuld into Hiccup's war camp to spy and learn anything of value, and after spending enough time among the King of Viking's followers, Skuld had reported that Harald Haraldson and many others were planning to launch a premature attack on Paris. Armed with this knowledge, Savage informed Emperor Gudleif of the impending attack, and the ruler of Paris had his counts and dukes marshal their respective forces and prepare the city for an attack.

Looking at his man, Hauk, Savage smirked as his second in command was arm wrestling the strongest of their men at one of the larger tables and there were bear traps placed on the right and left side of the table, if Hauk or any of his opponents lost, they would receive a very painful reward. In times such as these, when the battle was around the corner, Savage would expect his men to prepare and be ready, however, they had the advantage of knowing what their enemy would do, and as such, Savage allowed his men to eat, drink, and be merry for a while, but he explicitly ordered none of his men to get drunk or to harm themselves. It would do the Deviants no good if they fought their enemies bloodied and intoxicated.

"Savage,"

The man didn't even need to look up to see his lover and seer, trace a hand along his shoulders before she threw her legs around his waist, now perched on his lap. "Mmm, Skuld," leaning in and breathing in his woman's intoxicating scent, Savage withdrew and looked into her eyes. "Tell me what you've seen. Will we emerge victorious or will that pampered boy, Gudleif be humiliated?"

Cupping Savage's face, Skuld's pupils dilated as she satisfied his curiosity. "I have seen death this night. Many will fall, Franks and Vikings alike. However, we will taste no defeat this night," smiling at her lover, Skuld traced her thumb along Savage's lower lip. "Many of our enemies will fall, including your former lord, Alvin the Treacherous, now known as Alvin the Trustworthy."

Grinning wickedly at this news, Savage inquired further. "Who kills him?"

"He will perish by your hands, my love,"

Savage chuckled darkly. "That is music to my ears," he then turned to Hauk and barked out of the clamor and exclaims of his men. "Hauk! Enough playing with the men! We prepare for a battle that is arriving at our door soon."

"Yes, Lord Savage," Hauk bowed his head before turning to the other Deviants. "The time for drinking, humping, and feasting is over! Prepare for battle!"

The Deviants acknowledged their second in command and departed the brothel, with Savage and Skuld behind them. Once outside, the tribe of Viking outlaws and criminals was greeted by Otton and Claude Frotto, along with two dozen Frankish soldiers and members of the Paris Inquisition.

"Chieftain Savage, our emperor has tasked Claude Frotto and myself to aid you and your men in the defense of Paris," Otton gestured to the front square once one would enter the capital city. "Our emperor wants the Vikings stopped here so that they could then be lured into the trap we have prepared for them."