How to Save a Dragon Rider

Now

Victoria awoke feeling like the hero of her own story. Today would be the glorious beginning of her vengeance. She sat up in the quiet hut and put on her best clothes. Over her jet black tunic, she wore shoulder armor, covered in spikes and wolf fur. Her skirt was made of ebony feathers, falling above the knee caps. Her trousers were the same color, as well as her knee high boots which were decorated with thin silver chains. Her arm cloths were the only difference in her attire. They were bright red and tied together with gold strings. Kneeling in front of the mirror she streaked black paint under her eyes and made the shape of a crescent moon on her forehead. 

Today I rise. Today they fall. 

She stood taking her reflection in. She was fearsome. Terrifying. She could frighten children. It was just what she needed to strike absolute horror into her victims. The last accessory was her belt and knife. Gently she ran her fingers around the hilt, remembering who gave it to her. As thoughts of her father twisted around her head, she surprised herself. Two hot tears rolled onto her cheeks. 

With a shaky hand she reached up and touched her wet face. What is this? She seethed. Pull yourself together. You have a job to do. She mentally slapped herself. Standing a little straighter she remembered what she was doing today, and that gave her strength. 

When she exited the hut she was expecting two armed guards. Instead there was just one. 

"Pit!" She screeched at him. He jumped and looked straight ahead avoiding eye contact. 

"Yes Mistress." 

"Where is that idiot Riff?" 

"He didn't show this morning ma'am." 

"That fool, he's probably drunk somewhere, messing around. He's fired." She growled. "Lucky for him I'm in a good mood today" 

Leif approached the bottom of the steps and bowed deeply. His fur coat was clean, and his boots had been polished. He was wearing his family's traditional helmet. 

"Good morning Victoria." He smiled. "Today is a great victory." She looked to the clear blue sky, in search of dragons. She nodded. 

"It is." She met him at the bottom of the steps. A very thin, almost unnoticeable, smile spread on her lips. "It really is." 

"The preparations for the event are finished. It is the talk of the village, many people are traveling from all over to see this, Including the Chief." He held out an arm escorting her towards the local stadium, the body guard following closely behind.  

"Good, I want him to be here. This island is going to be mine soon anyway." She gloated. No sign of dragon riders?"

"None milady. No one has seen or heard a thing."   

"Good. Lets keep it that way."  

Some of her hired mercenaries trotted past her slightly bowing in respect. After they disappeared she stopped Leif, and shooed the body guard away. 

"You've been with me a long time Leif."  

"That is true mistress." 

"After this, I am going to make you commanding general of our army. From then on, you will help me with all of our decisions. I will not make a choice without your approval." His eyes widened. He hit the ground on one knee, head bent low. 

"I would be honored." She rolled her eyes. 

"Get up, I want to see the stadium." He nodded and took her the rest of the way. 

.     .     . 

Nine vikings wandered into the busy village, fully armed underneath their heavy cloaks. They were being led by Gobber, who was pushing through the crowd of people. They would station themselves in the hoards of people, waiting to attack at Hiccup's signal. When Gobber had asked what that would be, all he was:

"Trust me, you'll know what it is when you see it."

"Great that's helpful." He stroked his long mustache. "Why don't you just send us in there wearing signs that say; Look at me, come kill us!" 

Merchants coaxed the group to come look at their helmets and weapons. He had to pull several of them away reminding them, that was not what they came for. Near the center of town was the stadium. 

It was built above ground. Rows of wooden seats were built in a full circle. There was no covering, only a open sky. A stage was placed in the center. Other than that, only a large amount of rowdy vikings was of interest.

They joined the masses positioning themselves far enough apart to have good leverage but still watch each other's backs.

Cheers suddenly rippled through the crowd. He turned his attention to see, Victoria Auber herself floating through the people positioning herself on the stage. She looked like a raven, black and watchful. Her mannerism was eerily still, but pleased. The stadium quieted. Then like thunder her voice boomed through the silence.

"My father, a respected man! An honored hero! A great warrior and protector of this people!" Was slaughtered by the dragon riders!" Angry shouts was the reply. Who crawled into their socks this morning? Gobber thought. "But today! Today..." Her voice quieted in reverence, then struck the air like a whip. "We will have our vengeance!" She raised a fist in the air as the people began screaming. "We will have freedom from the riders!" Her last words were final and striking as thunder.
"And we will have their blood."

Chills shot down Gobbers spine.

"Bring them out!" She commanded.

Gobber's heart sank as he watched his fellow riders paraded through like dogs in chains. Their heads were low, their spirits lower, and their clothing in shreds. They had been poorly treated. Fury boiled inside. His pale face reddened with rage and he was just aching to use his sharp hook on that witch Victoria.

One by one they were forced to sprawl on their stomachs in a line on the stage. The mistress neared the first man, her face filled with twisted desire. When she unsheathed her blade, it glinted in the sun. She took her precious time, making a big show out of it. The crowds roared.

"Where are you Hiccup?" Gobber mumbled.

She kneeled on the riders back, raising her blade far above her head.

"Come on you yak bone..." He searched the skies, nothing. Sweat began dripping down his brow.

Victoria opened her mouth and screamed an incoherent war cry.

"Now. Hiccup. Now!"