Rescue Missions & My Horrendous Luck

Midnight Scrum - Part 2

Hiccup's POV

My eyes sprang open to the rocking of the a longship. I was surrounded by wood, my hands and feet bound by course ropes. To my left, slumped against the side of the haul, was y/n. Blood oozed down the right side of her head from a wound that was covered in darkened hair, her hands and feet bound like mine. For once, I was glad that we looked so similar because the muttonheads who took us probably didn't know which one of us the bounty was for. We could play that to our advantage if only I could find something sharp. I scanned the entire space thoroughly before I spotted it.

There, just on the other side of y/n, was a bent nail, sticking slightly out of the wood. Cautious not to make too much noise, I scooted over to it and started sawing at the ropes around my wrists - Did you know that it's hard to cut through ropes when you can't see what you're doing? I found out the hard way more than once - when I noticed y/n starting to stir.

"Where are we?" She asked blearily. She tried to press her hand to her head but the ropes kept her firmly in place.

"Um... Well it's not the safely in bed on Berk." I said sarcastically.

She groaned. "Hiccup Haddock..."

"The voice of reason?" I teased. "Or are you going to call me a fishbone?"

"Neither, I was actually going to ask if you felt as bad as I do." She rolled her neck and winced.

"Surprisely no. I'm fine. You, on the other hand..."

"Don't you mean other foot?" She interrupted, trying to lighten the somber mood. Sarcasm must be her default too. Thor, we're so much alike.

"Do you actually like having your head bashed in?" Every time we met she had some sort of bandage wrapped around her skull. You could barely see her shoulder length auburn hair most of the time.

She shrugged and winced again. "It's great practice for the annual head bludegeoning competition."

I bit back a laugh. "Do you even attend things like that?"

"Nope, too busy trying to save your butt." She moaned as her head lulled to the side.

My eyes widened with worry. "Y/n, keep talking. I need you to stay with me."

Heavy footsteps on the deck overhead shook dust out of the boards. I sawed faster as I watched her fade back into the darkness. It was up to me to get us out of this one, but how? I should have listened to Astrid. I should have told Dad, but my pride was bigger than my head. Mentally kicking myself wasn't helping though.

Two male forms thumped down the stairs. I stopped working as they approached, two pairs of dark eyes staring daggers at me. There weren't any obvious features about these two that stood out to me, that made their names spring to mind. I'd just have to wait and see if they were dumb enough to use their names.

"He's awake! Quick Berthel, knock him out again." The shorter man commanded, sneering viciously at his partner.

Think! Come on! I can't help her of I'm out too! "I wouldn't do that if I was you." I said quickly. Really that's the best I can come up with?

Both of the men exchanged a confused look. "Why not?" The shorter man asked, still confused.

Good question! "Because you might accidentally kill me... And Viggo wants me - wants us - alive."

"Is that true?" The man named Berthel asked.

"Well, what does the poster say?"

"I lost the poster." Berthel replied regretfully, hanging his head.