Symphony of Shadows

63. Formation

A/N: GUYS IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER! Next chapter will be out next Sunday at (around) 8pm American Eastern Standard Time<3

"Take that, you Outcast motherfuckers!"

Tuffnut yelled as he launched the catapult, sending a boulder crashing through a ship. He had perfect aim, and the boat sank in a matter of seconds. 

"Try to dodge this, you smelly ogres!"

Ruffnut shouted before unleashing another boulder on an unsuspecting boat. The crash of wood against rock could be heard from where they stood near the docks. The twins were making quick work of the Outcast fleet, and Astrid breathed out a sigh of relief that her plan was working. 

She jogged over to the ballista that Snotlout was manning.

"Any luck?"

Snotlout nodded as he launched a bolt that scraped across the top of Viggo's vessel. Good, at least they were causing some damage. The counterattack was vigorous enough that Viggo wasn't directing his men to command the Shellfire anymore. They were too busy trying to patch their vessel in case the sea dragon decided to go for a swim.

Astrid could see the silver glint of Heather's dragon, Windshear, as it sliced a ship's mast in two.

Impressive. She was thankful that she had such a formidable ally on her side.

Still, her gut twisted in concern.

Where was Hiccup?

Had he changed his mind and abandoned her? Was he done with Berk, with her? Had he made the decision to leave while she was distracted? If he had, she wasn't sure if she could ever forgive him. She needed him, and he'd fled to Thor knows where. Astrid would let herself get sick from the betrayal later, when Viggo stopped being a threat.

On the other hand, Stormfly sure was taking her sweet time. She'd been gone for far too long; they would run out of ammunition if her dragon didn't return soon. There were so many variables in her plan that even one miscalculation would topple their odds.

The familiar sound of rustling wings sounded behind her, and her heart raced. 

Hiccup?

 Astrid whirled around but, to her disappointment, saw Eret and his dragon landing. She brushed off her dismay and instead nodded towards him.

"Decided to join the action?"

He grinned.

"I never miss a good fight."

Astrid smiled back. She could use another warrior. 

"That's what I like to hear. I need you to help Heather stop the Outcast ships. Bonus points if you kill Alvin the Treacherous."

He gave her a confused look, and she remembered he wasn't from this side of the archipelago.

"He's the big man with a beard that's bigger than his head. His helmet has two pairs of horns, with a pair of small iron horns near the top. Really ugly, too."

Eret scoffed.

"Mate, you just described half the blokes here."

She couldn't hide her snicker. He wasn't wrong. 

"Right. Just try to help her out. But when you have a chance, dive-bomb Viggo's men. Don't stay for long, though. They have arrows."

He nodded and saluted her.

"Aye, aye, Captain."

She refocused on her plan and was on her way to the ballista that Fishlegs was in charge of when she was interrupted.