Life on the Edge

4.05 Saving Shattermaster

Letters from Mala are usually a welcome delivery on Dragon's Edge. More allies are always welcome and (despite the lingering animosity between Ragnar and Throk), they've all come to like the queen.

The letter which led to the Riders visiting the Defenders' island this time, however, is a cause for concern.

"So, this hooded stranger, he risked his own life to save you?" Hiccup asks.

Mala nods, busy scratching a happy Toothless' head. "If it weren't for him, who knows what would've happened?"

Ragnar hums quietly in thought. "Well, if it really was a stranger, then that means one of two things. Either they didn't care if the Hunters killed them or they knew they wouldn't."

"He certainly seemed familiar with the island," Mala says. "He disappeared beyond the market as if he knew exactly where to go."

"You've bought weapons on this island before?" Hiccup checks.

"Yes," she confirms. "For many years."

"It never used to be like that," Heather tells them, recalling her own visits to the market. "That island was always a peaceful place to trade."

Hiccup and Ragnar lock eyes, a silent conversation passing between them. Mala, not as used to their way of communicating as the other Riders, glances between them in fascination.

"Remarkable," she says quietly.

Astrid scoffs. "Yeah, at first." She props one hand on a cocked hip, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "After a while, you just get used to it."

A beat passes before the two of them seemingly finish their conversation and it quickly becomes obvious a plan has been made.

"Heather, you, me, and Ragnar should go see what those Hunters are up to," Hiccup tells them before he turns to look at the queen. "Thank you for filling us in, Mala. It was good that you sent for us."

"I thought you might have a particular interest in what Viggo and the Dragon Hunters are up to," she says, nodding at the yellow and green bruises still marring Ragnar's face. "Though, I actually summoned you here for another reason completely."

A rustle from the nearby forest catches their attention and they all turn to look just as the twins burst through the foliage.

"Hiccup, you are not gonna believe this!" Tuffnut exclaims. He pauses when he notices Mala standing beside them. "Hiya, Queenie. Looking good. Black is definitely working for you."

As amused as he is by the way Mala crinkles her nose at the compliment, Ragnar can't help but brace himself for whatever's come up now. Anything that gets the twins this excited can only mean trouble.

"This may be the greatest day ever!" Ruffnut claims.

Tuffnut holds up one hand as if to stop her. "No. It is the greatest day ever," he corrects. "I mean, except for the first time I wrestled a boar. Woah. That was spectacular. Or the second time I wrestled a boar."

"Aright. Out with it," Astrid interrupts, at the end of her patience with the twins like always.

"Easy, A." Tuffnut holds his hand in Astrid's direction this time. "This is too good to just blurt out."

"Damnit, Tuffnut," Ragnar snaps. "Just say it."

Tuffnut glances at him and takes a couple of steps back. "The village is setting up for some big crazy looking to-do," he says quickly.

"So...?" Astrid drawls.

"We asked a couple of the natives what's the deal," Ruffnut goes on. "And do you know what they said?"