Under Pressure

Chapter Eleven: Ray of Hope

Hiccup, Astrid, Kara, and Frederik were completely silent as they read and reread every law in the book. They hardly noticed as the wax in the candles they were using dripped onto the table, the wicks steadily shortening until the flames were nearly at the candles' bases.

"There's absolutely nothing in here about changing someone's tribal affiliation before they come of age." Astrid pushed the law book away, putting her head in her hands. "You'd think someone would have thought of this."

Hiccup looked over at her for a second but didn't reply. He was far too busy poring over the confusing laws to notice much. Kara bit her lip as she traced her finger across the words, trying to take in every word, come up with something to twist, a loophole to use. Frederik patted Astrid on the back.

"Don't give up. There's something we can use." he said gently, a small smile on his face. "We just need to look at this a different way."

"And what other way can we look at this?" Hiccup snapped, balling his fists but keeping his voice as calm as he could. "We've been at this for ages. We've found nothing."

Kara was silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on a few small lines, her finger still on the page. "There is something. But it's... it's not a good idea."

Hiccup nearly pushed her off the bench in his haste to read the law to which she was pointing: A chief is bound to the traditions and expectations of their people, with the highest regard for the tribe's protection. A duel is uniquely exclusive for the leader of a clan. A neutral tribe must host the impasse, the chief and council as witnesses in addition to the juntas of both conflicting tribes. As an antecedent, all participants must arrive on the designated territory on the eve of the event. Adjutant or any form or auxiliary is forbidden, otherwise considered an act of war. The fight shall be to the death; the reward is complete acquisition (including spouses).

"What does that mean?" Frederik asked, leaning over his wife and reading over her shoulder.

Astrid, however, had gotten the gist of the law and was staring at her husband. "Absolutely not. You'll be killed."

"What other choice do I have?" Hiccup asked, looking her directly in the eyes.

Astrid opened her mouth but no sound came out. She shut it with an audible snap. There was absolute silence for a short while; Frederik and Kara didn't feel comfortable interrupting. Finally, Frederik decided that it had been awkward long enough.

"You're going to challenge Dagur." Frederik said, scooting forward a tiny bit. "And if you kill him, you'll take over Berserker Island in addition to Berk. Thus taking your kids back."

Hiccup stared at him for a long time before silently nodding.

"But if Dagur kills you, he takes over Berk. And is permitted to marry Astrid if he wants." Kara continued, her eyes widening.

"And he'll want to." Astrid gripped Hiccup's wrist. "Don't do this."

Hiccup wrenched his wrist out of Astrid's grasp, staring at her with a very hard expression. "Do I really have a choice?"

"We could... run! Run away with the kids!" Astrid suggested. "Fake an accident, maybe."

"And have them spend the rest of their childhood looking over their shoulders?" Hiccup shook his head. "What kind of example would that set? We can't teach them to run away when things get tough. They're Haddocks. They're probably going to have problems thrown at them for the rest of their lives."

"I admit there doesn't seem to be another option." Kara said quietly, not making eye contact with anyone. "But this still seems like a bad idea."

"Seems like?" Astrid gasped, standing up with her fists balled. "Seems? Hiccup, Dagur will kill you without a second thought! And then he'll be the chief of the Berserkers and the Hooligans!"