Without Saying

Chapter 21 - A New Drago?

"Hi...p....HiCcU...Hiccup!"

I jolted awake, disoriented and heavy, all I could hear was the rain - or rather, the memory of it, because it had long since ended. What time was it?! My hand jerked toward my daggers on instinct, but was quickly reminded of another presence in the cave, when Astrid's armor glinted in the dim firelight. That's right, I had spent the night here with her after escaping another head hunter. I moved to sit up, but winced a little as pain laced sharply through my right shoulder. I would have to let Toothless take a look at it when I got the chance. 

Regardless, I was left curious. What woke me up? I could have sworn I heard something or someone. The fire  near the center of the cave had long since burned down to a few mere coals, but despite that the sun was still far from rising outside. The night air was cool and still, the scent of wet earth from the earlier rain faint on the breeze. 

"HICCUP!"

I stiffed. DAGUR! What was he doing?! Astrid groaned and curled up a little tighter. She must have been cold. Without even thinking, I grabbed my cloak and draped it over her, before heading out to meet with, what seemed like, a panicking Berserker Chief. Once outside, I looked up just in time to see a massive shape cut across the night sky. Sleuther banked sharply, circling once before descending toward the cove. I raised a hand instinctively.

"Dagur," 

I called, keeping my voice low.

"Quiet!"

The warning came too late. Sleuther slammed into the stone with a thunderous crack, claws scraping as he skid to a stop. Dagur nearly tumbled out of the saddle, catching himself on the harness at the last second. His eyes were wide, frantic—nothing like the reckless grin he usually wore.

"They're attacking!" 

He shouted. 

"Defender of the Wing,"

Dagur continued, breath coming fast.

"Drago's ships—everywhere! Viggo sent word but it's already happening!"

For a moment, I couldn't speak. Defender of the Wing was fortified island. Isolated. Prepared. Drago didn't strike strongholds without reason—and he never moved this fast. Too fast. My mind raced, piecing together half-formed possibilities that all led to the same conclusion. Something had definitely changed. I glanced back toward the cave. Astrid hadn't stirred, but I still moved to adjust the cloak over her. Then I turned back to Dagur, resolve hardening in my chest.

"We leave at once,"

I said. Dagur nodded sharply, already scrambling back into the saddle. I whistled low and sharp, and within seconds Toothless emerged from the hidden stone hatch in the rock face, eyes bright despite the darkness. He huffed softly when he landed beside me, his tail flicking as he too sensed the urgency of the situation. I vaulted into the saddle and cast one last look toward the cave. Stay asleep, I thought. Just a little longer.

"Lets go, Bud."

I murmured, gripping the harness. His wings snapped open, and off we went, Sleuther rising alongside us as the cove vanished below. Pain rippled through me with the sudden movement of it all—but I ignored it. I couldn't afford to wait. Defender of the Wing was under attack, and Drago was moving faster than anyone had thought possible. Who knows what could happen?!

~

Timing is everything. Viggo Grimborn told himself for the hundredth time as he stood at the rail of his ship, fingers laced behind his back, eyes fixed on the dark line of Defender of the Wing island as it rose from the sea. The wind cut sharply from the north, carrying the scent of ash and salt. Perfect conditions.