Unexpected

Against the Clock

Chapter Fifteen: Against the Clock

Hiccup had never been more antsy or livid in his entire life; he felt as if anything he looked at might set aflame at his gaze. He had to restrain himself from riding Toothless too hard on their way to Berserker Island. Every cell in his body, every pump of his blood from his heart into his veins fueled him so that he felt he could do anything. And to save his wife and child, he would.

According to Fishlegs, Astrid had been gone for ten hours. Hiccup had heard that labor took a long time but he had no idea how long and he prayed to every god he could think of that the baby hadn't come yet. The thought of Astrid giving birth by herself in what was probably a filthy holding cell was more than he could bear.

Hiccup was pulled out of his thoughts by his father's voice calling to the Hooligans riding dragons around and behind him.

"All right, you know what we're here for. We're for Astrid and the baby, and them only. Do what you must to find them, but let's do our best to avoid a war."

At this point, Hiccup didn't care if there was a war. As long as his wife and baby were safe, he wouldn't have cared if they annihilated Berserker Island entirely. The tribesmen behind him seemed to have the same thought as they flew over the ocean and tiny islands beneath.

Hundreds of Berserker soldiers were stationed all over the island and the lanterns were a dead giveaway. Hiccup figured that Dagur would want them to look intimidating. As they flew closer, they noticed that the lanterns dramatically outnumbered the soldiers posted. So it was just a ruse to frighten them away. Hiccup would have gone there personally without any help if it meant saving his wife and child. And Dagur should have known that.

The moment they landed, they were plunged in chaos. Soldiers came from every side of them, wielding swords and attacking. Dragon fire mixed and swords clashed, the roars of men and dragons mingling-by any Viking's standards, it was a beautiful battle. Well they certainly lived up to their name, Hiccup thought, but how was he going to find his wife over all this commotion?

They had broken into small groups to fight and travel with to make it a bit easier for everyone. His group was all of his friends and Stoick, who would probably be strong enough to keep them safe if any danger came to them. Gobber led the strongest soldiers. They figured that the Berserkers would be expecting Stoick to take charge of the strongest soldiers so it would be a good distraction so that he and the younger Vikings could get away.

Stoick had only been to Berserker Island twice before and, as he had been visiting Osvald the Agreeable at the time, he hadn't even been shown where the prison was or where the weapons were kept. Now he was starting to understand why Dagur had found the tour necessary years ago when he first came to Berk.

Actually, he thought, where was Dagur? Stoick thought he would be out with his soldiers fighting or at least out looking for him or Hiccup. But Dagur was nowhere to be found. As they ran through the battling soldiers, Stoick kept an eye out for the familiar horned helmet of his adversary but he saw nothing but more Berserker soldiers.

"Maybe we should just look everywhere." said Snotlout after a few minutes of confused running about. "Doesn't matter what the building looks like, just open the door and check to see if Astrid's there."

Stoick nodded at this suggestion and even Hiccup was impressed. That wasn't a bad idea.

The team ran down the street, each kicking doors open to different houses and searching for Astrid. Women and children screamed from inside a few, but none fought back and no soldiers were inside to protect them. But the Berserker villagers were shocked when the Hooligans called one name, "Astrid!" and ran out after a few seconds of silence.