Moon Fire

Chapter 16

Last chance to vote for the Song Contest!

Enjoy!

***

"You can't be serious!" Hiccup cried, aghast. He, Softclaws, Twig, and Toothless were standing in the smithy while Scorch waited outside, apparently trying to talk other dragons over to his side. Thankfully, according to Twig, his plan wasn't going very well. Whoever wasn't fond of Hiccup was too loyal to Toothless to even think about rebelling. "You're sending me away?"

Scorch wants you dead, Hiccup. If he beats me, he'll come looking for you. You need to be far away when the battle starts. Toothless was unhappy as well, but his mind was made up.

"I can't just sit around and do nothing while you do all the fighting. I want to help."

We can't work together this time, Hiccup, Toothless said, flicking an ear. His opponent was coming. Scorch challenged me. I alone must fight him.

"There has to be something I can do," Hiccup persisted.

Hiccup . . . Twig warned.

Toothless lifted his head and stared directly into Hiccup's eyes, saying nothing. Hiccup held the gaze for a moment, then looked down, his mind flooding with memories from the past. How many times he'd been able to take the brunt of Magnus' wrath to protect his friends, and how many times he'd failed. If there was a chance that Scorch could kill Toothless, Hiccup wanted to be there to at least try to do something. He hated being helpless.

Toothless nudged him in the chest, purring gently. He knew why Hiccup was fighting him, and he appreciated that bravery, but he had to do this alone.

"Please?" Hiccup whispered. "Let me try. At the very least, I can be a distraction." A loud roar outside made them all jump.

Toothless looked outside, then back at the boy. I can't risk losing you, Hiccup, he said after a while. When you are away from the battle, I can focus on Scorch completely. Go with Softclaws and Twig. If all goes well, I will come for you.

"And if not?" Hiccup asked, fear squeezing his lungs. That roar had been Scorch. He was ready.

Then look out for Twig and Softclaws. Keep them safe. Do not return to the herd. Toothless waited until Hiccup was seated on Softclaws' back to continue.

He looked at Twig. If I win—

You mean when you win, Twig interrupted, loyal to a fault.

—I will summon you. You are to answer to my voice, and mine alone. That is an order. Toothless looked at Softclaws. Understood?

Both dragons nodded.

Now go.

They slipped out the back of the smithy, and Toothless walked out the other way, toward his fate, whatever it might be.

***

Toothless met Scorch in the middle of the meadow. The rest of the herd surrounded them at a distance. Most were perched on the rock walls; very few were seated on the grass.

"Where's your pet, Toothless?" Scorch jeered. Toothless didn't take the bait. He kept his voice calm and indifferent. "You have challenged me, Scorch, and I have come. Name your prize upon victory."

Scorch raised his head and snarled, thinking. If he won the duel, he would automatically become the Alpha, and he would have a choice to either banish or kill his opponent. Given the Nightmare's violent past, Toothless figured only one of them would be walking away from this.