Life on the Edge

3.12 Last Auction Heroes

Trader Johann is far from Ragnar's favorite person but, he has to admit, he does have his uses. The map he stole shows them exactly where Viggo's dragon auction will be.

Of course, this all means nothing if they can't find a way past the security he and Hiccup saw when they went to check the location out.

"Extra ships on the perimeter," Hiccup says, gesturing at the map spread out on the Clubhouse's main table. "Guards everywhere."

"Viggo knows to expect us," Ragnar adds. "He's set up his security specifically with us in mind."

"Kind of flattering," Snotlout mutters with a smirk. "Not gonna lie."

Hiccup ignores him as he points at specific points on the map. "Catapults and watchtowers on the cliffs. Dragon root arrow launchers on every sea stack within a half mile."

"Wait. I thought Ragnar had a cure for dragon root now?" Ruffnut asks.

Ragnar sighs and runs a hand over one of his shaved sides. "Yes, Ruff, I do have a cure. It's still an arrow wound though."

"So... avoid that?" she asks slowly.

Ragnar sighs again, pure exhaustion obvious. "Yes, Ruff. Avoid arrow wounds," he says flatly.

Hiccup smiles a little and reaches out to run his fingers over the tattoo on his forearm. "There's no way in or out," he says. "Period."

"Hiccup. Hiccup. Hiccup," Tuffnut chimes in. "Think positive."

"And how do you suggest I do that?"

"Rapid fire. Mug: half full or half empty?" he asks.

He pauses and trades a look with Ragnar. "Well, usually I'd say it depends how the mug started, but right now? In this scenario? Definitely empty."

Ruffnut shakes her head in disappointment. "Don't waste your time," she tells her brother.

"It is, however," Hiccup goes on, "the perfect opportunity to put a big dent in Viggo's dragon trade."

"But how?" Astrid asks.

Fishlegs laughs and waves her off. "Astrid, I'm sure Hiccup and Ragnar have an idea," he says confidently before his tone abruptly changes to something far more hesitant. "You do have an idea, right?"

"An idea, yes," Ragnar confirms, crossing his arms with a huff and frowning down at the map. "A good one, however, well, that's debatable."

Snotlout scoffs. "Let me guess. Cruise right into the place and announce ourselves?" he says with a laugh.

Hiccup trades another heavy look with Ragnar. "Not quite. We think we need someone to get close to Viggo."

Ragnar nods. "A distraction to keep him busy while we find the rest of the dragons."

"The thing is," Hiccup adds, "it has to be someone Viggo wouldn't suspect because he's never seen them up close."

"He's seen all of us though," Heather points out. She glances between the two of them as she does, silently wondering if the twins might actually be onto something with their mind reading theory.

"Not quite," Ragnar says grimly.

It takes a second before the other Riders notice where his and Hiccup's attention has gone. Once they do, they're more than ready to protest the whole idea.

"You've got to be kidding me," Astrid deadpans.

Hiccup tries to defend their choice. "Snotlout is the only one who was never captured by Viggo or Ryker. He's the only one they don't know."