Heir and Pride

Chapter 44

A/N: Veurr means 'protector'. As in 'of dragons'. And yes, this rider is the same person who features in HTTYD 2 and meets Hiccup then...but as you may guess, things don't play out quite the same in this version...

Forty-Four.

Hiccup was utterly exhausted as he was driven back to the cell after a long and wearing day training dragons for Dagur. He had managed to calm, befriend and start training nine dragons and had only sustained three cuts, a large bruise and one small burn in the process. He was good...but the Berserkers did their best to sabotage his efforts and did everything they could to not listen to his advice on training their dragons. So while Hiccup calmed the dragons and made the friendly and relaxed, ready for bonding, they threatened and struck the poor beasts and made them fear Berserkers more.

Needless to say, Dagur, who had the patience of an ant, was highly displeased that his dragon calvary wasn't fully trained and ready to fly by the end of the day...and not even Hiccup's heartfelt and exasperated protests could dissuade the Chief from beating the young prisoner.

"Ow!" Hiccup protested as he was thrown to the ground, a boot slamming into his side. "I've done everything you asked me to, Dagur! How-how is this fair?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Hic-cup," Dagur sneered. "When did I give you the idea this was fair? I made the rules-and I want trained dragons!"

"They are trained!" Hiccup protested. "But if you want your men to fly them, then they have to do as they are told! And that means establishing trust, not abusing the poor creatures!" Dagur grabbed his auburn hair and slapped him across the face.

"They do as they are told!" he growled. Hiccup grimaced and his eyes fired up with anger at the unfairness.

"Then you are just gonna have a load of dragons that will sit around and refuse to let your men bond with them!" he snapped. Dagur punched him hard and he crumpled to his knees, his head spinning.

"Then your dragon will pay the price!" Dagur snarled. Hiccup raised his head, his emerald eyes suddenly dark with anger...and he flung himself at the young Berserker Chief. Dagur was a little over four years older than he was-though he was much more built and buff than the skinny Hooligan-but Hiccup was swift and determined and he managed to get Dagur down, raining a flurry of punches on his tormentor. Blood splattered from his nose as Hiccup broke it before Dagur's guards haul the boy off, kicking and fighting.

"No-your men should pay the price!" Hiccup shouted. "They've failed. YOU'VE failed! I'm doing everything you asked...and you are failing because you are too stupid and stubborn to listen! I can train you dragons to help you rule the Archipelago...and all you do is screw it up through your insanity!" A hand slapped over his mouth and he still struggled...until Dagur slowly got to his feet and ferociously backhanded the boy. Hiccup sagged, eyes suddenly filled with worry for Toothless. But he needn't have worried...because Dagur's rage was focussed solely on the boy.

"I think you need to learn some manners...Vorg...have we got something suitable to beat this slave with?" he asked and his Captain walked forward, a nasty expression on his face. Dagur lifted the whip.

"Perfect," he said.

oOo

Astrid couldn't express the feeling of relief she felt when Vuerr, the strange dragon-riding woman in the mask had granted them permission to leave to rescue Hiccup...and she had been utterly shocked that the woman had volunteered to accompany them. In all honesty, that had been an even greater relief because attacking Berserk, even on Stormfly, was going to prove very challenging. Berserk still hunted and killed dragons and they would be in danger/but another dragon would at least help...and maybe provide a diversion that would allow them to sneak in and rescue Hiccup and Toothless.