Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

4: Family Reunions

Family Reunions

The black-sailed ship moored in the deep cove behind Raven Point as a small boat pulled swiftly away and bit into the sand. A single shape leapt from the boat and dragged it further up the sand, then pulled the hood up over his head and scrambled up the very steep and rugged cliff path to the forest. Hiccup ducked his head and peered back at the ship, moored under the moonlight, before darting into the shadow of the trees. He knew the forest like the back of his hands, for he had been raised close by here, the Haddock mansion situated less than a mile from the forest's edge. Of course, he was taking his life in his hands in this suicidal mission but he hadn't had the opportunity-or need- to come back. Until now.

His long legs hurdled the fallen trees and branches as he steadily jogged through the familiar, gloomy forest. He had spent his happiest hours here, time spent on his own or with Astrid... He pulled himself back to the present and focussed. If he was caught here, the best he could expect was sentencing to slavery in the galleys of Meathead and Berserk but hanging was more likely. He shook his head as he dived through the shadows and saw the trees thin ahead. Then he slowed and paused, his eyes picking out the familiar edges of the house he had spent his childhood in.

Sticking to the darkness, he approached cautiously. He knew he was silent and his grey cloak concealed him efficiently. His scarf covered his lower face, concealing his pale skin and the shadows from the hood shielded his piercing green eyes. He peered at the side of the building as he silently approached, inspected the window and, seeing light on in the room, he grabbed the wood of the shutters and began to swarm up the side of the house, pausing at the window, then silently sliding into the room.

The man in the room was concentrating hard on his task, polishing his sword carefully and diligently, so he didn't see the intruder until he felt a tap on his shoulder. he looked up-to see the tip of a sword inches from his face.

"Put the sword down!" Hiccup said in a growl. The other man spun, his sword slamming up and adopting a fighting stance.

"No," he sneered, his blue eyes focussing on the tall cloaked shape in front of him. "I will not be threatened by a thieving vagabond!" Hiccup tapped his sword against the other man's, staring down at him. The man was half a head shorter than Hiccup but unlike the tall, lean pirate, he was stocky and powerfully built. His hair was jet black and his blue eyes were clear and narrowed as he focussed on the intruder. He had clearly had a lot of training in arms.

"I don't want to fight you," Hiccup told him gruffly. The shorter man advanced, his motions lighter than expected. He gave an ugly scowl.

"Then you shouldn't have broken into my room, bandit!" he sneered, lunging at the pirate. Hiccup parried elegantly, his riposte measured as the other man began hacking and thrusting at him, the attack ferocious and very powerful. Dodging and blocking, Hiccup sighed. This was probably par for the course but he really didn't want to injure this man. He paused, then rapidly twisted his sword around the short man's and disarmed him, smacking his hand sharply with the flat of his blade and digging the point of his sword into the man's throat.

"As I said, I don't want to fight you," he repeated. The man scowled more furiously.

"I won't beg, you coward!" he snapped. "I am the Heir to Governor Stoick and I will not disgrace my family."

"How's that going for you, Snot?" Hiccup asked pointedly, his blade still digging into the other man's throat. The man narrowed his eyes and his scowl dropped a little.

"What...?" he asked. Hiccup sighed and reached up, dragging his hood back to reveal his tousled auburn hair. The other man still looked puzzled so, with a sigh, he dragged the scarf off his face and gave a weak grin, lowering his sword.