Life on the Edge

3.11 Family On the Edge

The Riders' training drill goes well for most of them. Some, however, have a little more difficulty hitting the targets.

Hiccup frowns down at the large sun dial and trades a look with Ragnar when they see the time. "Slow and inaccurate," he comments, turning to look at the twins when they land on Barf and Belch. "That's, uh, quite a combo."

"It was also our parents' nicknames for us," Tuffnut says, gesturing between himself and Ruffnut who only nods with a smile. "My nickname was 'Slow' which I thought was inaccurate."

Ragnar heaves an exhausted sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Why do we still let them speak?"

"I'm beginning to wonder," Hiccup says dryly.

"Only beginning?"

Failing to hide a smile, Hiccup gives him a look before he turns back to the twins. "Viggo doesn't know we found his shipyard yet. We'll only have one chance at knocking out his fleet. We have to get it right."

A few more attempts at the same drill only lead to similar results and, eventually, they have to admit defeat for the day.

"It's not that bad, Hic," Ragnar tells him as they make their way up the platforms that lead to their huts. "I mean, even the twins have to improve eventually."

"Yeah, well, the sooner that eventually comes the better," Hiccup says with a sigh. "We have a limited time frame to hit Viggo's fleet. As soon as he realizes we know where it is-"

"-he'll change his plans and his location," Ragnar finishes. He takes Hiccup's hand in his and squeezes gently. "I know, but pushing the others too hard isn't gonna help."

Hiccup sighs again and nods slightly, smiling when Nightshade chirps from Ragnar's other side in agreement. "You're right. We'll just have to fight Viggo with what we can do."

Ragnar nods back. "Exactly. We'll look at the plan again tomorrow and make adjustments for the time they can manage."

"Sounds like a plan," Hiccup agrees. He glances down beside him and runs his free hand over Toothless' head when he warbles. "Come on, bud. Let's get some shut eye before dinner. And yes," he adds, giving Ragnar a pointed look, "that includes you two."

He tries to protest. "But I need to-"

"You have nothing time sensitive to work on right now. You need to take a break," he says firmly. "Not work."

Nightshade chirps again and softly bumps her head against her Viking's arm.

Ragnar rolls his eyes even as he smiles at her. "Okay. Okay. A quick nap before dinner."

"Great!" Hiccup says, reluctantly letting go of Ragnar's hand to pull open the door on his hut. "We can just-"

He cuts himself off with a surprised yelp when he sees the unexpected (and unwanted) visitor standing on the other side of the door.

"This is cool," Dagur says, Inferno in hand as he admires the flaming sword.

Ragnar takes in the sight for all of a second before he groans in annoyance. "You've gotta be fu-"

"Brother!" Dagur exclaims, arms spread in some sort of invitation when he sees Hiccup. "Wait. Where are you going? It's me."

"That's the problem," Ragnar deadpans, instinctively pulling Hiccup away when Dagur walks toward them with the sword still in hand.

"Ooh, Ragnar. Always good to see you," Dagur says, unintentionally waving the sword around again as he looks him up and down. "Always good."

Hiccup narrows his eyes in a glare and steps in front of Ragnar while Toothless and Nightshade both growl. "Dagur, the sword?" he prompts, biting back the choice words he wants to say instead.