The Eternal Valkyrie

Chapter 19

Hiccup was looking suspiciously at Heather and then he looked around to see if Dagur was also nearby. So far he couldn't stop his crazy co-worker, no ex co-worker. It still begged the question as to how Heather could have been here. Astrid and him had figured out the next location, or at least the general area, from the image that the axe had shown her. They only told the others as he had to explain to Astrid that Big Ben was a giant clock tower. A smile graced Hiccup's features as he remembered that. It was before he and Toothless were going to take a bath and Astrid was thoroughly confused as to why such a building even existed. He was jarred out of his thoughts when the curtains in front of them opened. A swarmy bald man came out and greeted those present.

"Greetings distinguished guests" The man on the podium said. "Tonight we bring you various rare antiquities from around the globe. I hope all our patrons. Without further ado let the auction start. Our first piece comes all the way from Peru...." Hiccup tuned the rest out as the auction continued. He noticed Camicazi next to him had donned a bored look as if she was waiting for something.

The auction carried on and his eyes widened when a particular item came on the stage. "Now this honoured guests is the Book of Amun-Ra also known as the Book of the Living. It was found during the rediscovery of Hamunaptra and has been in private collection until today. It is said that this book contains the secret incantations of the Old Kingdom." The auctioneer explained. Hiccup had heard of that book. Along with its counterpart, the Book of the Dead, it contained ancient spells over life and death. What surprised him was that Dr. Jekyll was bidding on this item as the man had yet to show any interest in the auction. Camicazi was also watching the ping pong match between Dr. Jekyll and two other bidders. It was however Dr. Jekyll who ultimately came out victorious and the auction moved onto the next item.

Hiccup looked on in interest as everyone sat straighter after several more items were auctioned off. "Esteemed guests, this is the final item for the night." The auctioneer announced as a set of gleaming silver armguards locked in a glass case were wheeled out onto the stage. "We warn you that this item must be handled with extreme care. These armguards were discovered during a routine survey of the London underground. So far no one has been able to touch them and they had to be removed with the help of robotic arms. This mystical item burns anyone it comes into contact with and so far it's origins are unknown. Our best guess is that it dates from the late Viking era due to the placement of the insignia of Odin on the artifacts."

"Still as I remember." Hiccup heard Camicazi mumble. He saw her grip her numbered paddle and the bidding war started when the auctioneer said "Opening bid is 500000"

The flurry that followed was immense. Several people were bidding on the armguards including Heather and Dr. Jekyll. The price was already up to three million and he heard the frustration in Camicazi's voice. She got fed up and then loudly proclaimed "Twenty million! In cash!" This caused the entire room to quiet and look at Camicazi in astonishment. Hiccup saw Heather glare their way and then her eyes widened when she spotted him.

"Twenty million is our highest bid. Going once...."

The room was silent as if they were waiting for someone to go higher. "Going twice...." The auctioneer announced. Hiccup wondered if the people were cowed by the 'do-not-mess-with-me' vibe that the harpy next to him was radiating.

"Sold to the lovely lady." The auctioneer announced while banging his gavel. Hiccup really wanted to correct the man on his definition of 'lovely'.

After the auction ended Hiccup had to follow Camicazi as she went to pay and collect her prize. He walked past where Heather was talking on the phone to someone. Her eyes narrowed as he passed and her lips pursed as she ended the call. He really wanted to know how she got here so fast. He was just about to stop and ask when his arm was yanked by Camicazi.