Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

23: The Return Of The Night Fury

The Return of the Night Fury.

They had finally dragged him back to the oar when they had decided he had been given enough time to get over Dagur's torture. He blinked sluggishly, his spirit feeling utterly crushed and tried not to listen to the sneering taunt of his oarsmate. The scarred, brutal man was positively gloating at his misfortune, his pain and he felt a pang of resentment at the unfairness that he was being singled out by men in exactly the same circumstances. But he couldn't stop the gasp of pain as he was shoved in his place by the man and the overseer saw him jerk, trying to protect himself. The man snarled and lashed him once, causing him to curl pathetically forward, gasping in pain. He bowed his head and tried to master his breathing. He was trembling at the sudden fresh onslaught of pain.

"This man has disappointed the Lord Dagur!" the overseer announced to the slaves, gesturing to Hiccup and using his whip to lift the man's bowed head. "So Lord Dagur has reduced your rations by half. He is not to die...but he will reward whoever persuades him to co-operate!" And he turned and stalked to the front of the galley.

"HALF SPEED!" he shouted and the drummer began to pound out the time. Painfully, he grasped the oar and gritted his teeth...then pulled. The man next to him glared for a moment, then leaned slightly towards him.

"Wait until we rest," he promised. "You need to do what Dagur asks-or we'll make your life Hel."

"Too late," Hiccup grunted, feeling his wounds pull as he rowed. Far too late...

They rowed for hours, his head spinning with weariness and hunger, his arms feeling as if they no longer belonged to him. He could feel his newest wound bleeding and he wondered if he would pass out but finally, they called the rest and the slaves collapsed, exhausted. Sweaty, drained bodies breathing heavily slumped over the oars, the only sounds panting and the occasional groan until...Hiccup felt a blow on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and glanced up-to see his oarsmate looming over him. He half-turned and raised his bleary green eyes.

"You really don't have to do this..." he murmured exhaustedly. The older, scarred man leered.

"Yes, I do..." he snarled and lunged at Hiccup, his hands locking around the man's slender throat. Clawing, pinned against the raised central walkway, Hiccup definitely felt his vision begin to grey. And now he had no little knife, no weapon to prise this strong and enraged man off...nothing...

...except the desperate need to see his son again...

I promised I will come back, Arild...

...and this man isn't going to stop me!

He pulled his hand away from his neck, knowing he couldn't hope to break the grip. So his hand flung round and stabbed into the man's eyes. The man bellowed and Hiccup gouged again, desperate to get the man to loosen his crushing grip. The scream was louder and finally the man pulled away, howling. Hiccup tore his hands off his neck and reared up, cocking his arm back and slamming a single devastating blow down across the man's face. He slammed back, his head cracking against the bench and he slumped, limp. Hiccup collapsed back, gasping desperately, his throat really painful. He curled against the walkway, cringing at the approach of the overseer.

"YOU!" the man screamed and a vicious grip on Hiccup's hair dragged him to his feet, almost whining in pain. His face creased in agony at the tearing pressure on his scalp and a hand desperately grasped the overseer's wrist to ease the pressure a fraction.

"Please...it wasn't my fault!" he begged. "I-I was just trying to defend myself..." The overseer grabbed him around his already-bruised throat and stared hatefully into his desperate green eyes.