Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

25: Prepare for War!

Prepare for War!

"It's not over," Hiccup said from his bed, his head pillowed on one arm and eyes focussed on the council in his room. Astrid was perched on the bed by his feet with Arild on her lap and Fishlegs, Ruff, Tuff, Sven One, Mulch, Snotlout and Jorgen were all squashed in the cabin, leaning against every possible surface. Snotlout frowned.

"What d'you mean, cuz?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Drago," Hiccup sighed, shifting his position slightly. Despite Astrid's attentive care and frequent doses of the poppy elixir that enabled him to function enough to get out of bed and actually do a little work, he was taking a very long time to recover from the dismal wounds they had inflicted upon him. Unconsciously, his hand gently stroked hers and she shyly curled her fingers round his. "He had a fleet that we seriously inconvenienced when we encountered it. Now he will be even more mad because Dagur was taking me to him as a gift." He paused. "Apparently, he's really angry we blew up his flagship."

Immediately, the twins high-fived and whooped excitedly. "That was like a MILLION points," Tuff said eagerly.

"TWO million!" Ruff agreed and they head-butted each other, both collapsing to the floor, rubbing their foreheads. Astrid frowned.

"Um...do they do that often?" she asked. With a roll of the eyes, he nodded and gave a sigh.

"All the time," he admitted. "It's a wonder they don't end up forgetting their own names..."

"And rumour has it he wants you back...wants his slave back," Fishlegs repeated helpfully. Snotlout frowned.

"Hey, hey-what's that?" he asked. With a shudder, Hiccup pressed his hand to his chest and closed his eyes.

This was it-the moment you knew would come, Hiccup told himself then forced himself to open his eyes and face his crew as he pulled his bandages down enough to reveal the horrible brand.

"I got it when he tortured me for information on how to invade Berk," he revealed reluctantly and then stiffened. "Invade Berk. the largest Navy in the Archipelago and the most powerful defensive force before the Mainland. If Berk falls, there will be no one left to block his path right through the Archipelago. Berserk will be Drago's ally-Gods, I already know Dagur has a relationship with Drago!...and I can't see the Outcasts bravely defending alone by themselves, despite all the Treaties they have ostensibly signed. Their leader isn't called the Treacherous for nothing!"

"So he'll be heading for Berk," Snotlout said in sudden concern.

"Master Viggo rejected your warning," Fishlegs reminded Hiccup. "So the pirates won't be helping either."

"We could all just sail south and away from the chaos," Sven One suggested. As one, everyone turned to glare at him. "What? Every pirate for himself and Loki takes the hindmost, remember?"

"Drago's ships are huge, very difficult to break down and heavily armoured," Hiccup reminded him. "We need more floating shots and we need Berk mobilised." His green eyes flashed with urgency and everyone stared. Voicing what everyone else was thinking, Astrid sighed.

"Hiccup-you can't go back to Berk," she reminded him. "Nor can Fury!" There was pause before he acknowledged the point with a sigh.

"No," he admitted, "but I'm going anyway. Because someone has to talk some sense into the Governor." Snotlout sighed.

"Won't work, cuz," he sighed. "Magne will already have taken over as heir-and we all know he's a treacherous little shit. Stoick won't be allowed to listen or act on any warning..."

"What makes you think I'll make an appointment and walk in any time your bastard brother is there?" Hiccup snapped, his green eyes flashing. His anger wasn't directed as Snotlout but at himself, for his stupid stubbornness in doing something he knew was very very stupid and suicidal...but which he was going to do anyway. "I will give Stoick one warning because even if he deserves to die, not everyone in the Archipelago does."