The Dragon Master Part II: Rewritten (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 29: On the move

(Normal pov)

With everyone clear to their purpose, Hiccup and Toothless led 'the swarm' to Drago's fortress, everyone else followed them from behind. Cloudjumper flew along side Hiccup and Toothless; eager to retrieve his rider unharmed. Mammoth tread through the icy waters with ease, his bulky form cleared out the ice forming on the ocean, making the Hooligan, Meathead, Bog and Outcast ships easier to sail.

Eret and his crew had a day head start since their job was to bring in Dramillions to "hand" over to Drago, that would be the first stage of the distraction so the Bogs and Wing Maidens try and free Valka's Bewilderbeast.

After a day, Hiccup ordered his forces to rest for the night, ships landed on the beach, Viking warriors stretched their backs and stiff limbs and they offloaded their food supplies to eat. Mammoth dove to the deepest depths of the ocean and surfaced— spitting out a mouthful of fish, causing every dragon present to swoop in and fly away with mouthfuls. Hiccups swarm riders landed and gave their Night Furies some affection and fed them so more. It had been a long day, but they were making good progress, they would reach Drago's fortress in another or two the most.

Hiccup was laying back with Toothless laying down behind him, both man and dragons bond was stronger than ever, due to them both losing extremities and though Toothless thought he still needed to prove himself worthy of being Hiccup's dragon, the young man waved off such nonsense. Hiccup told Toothless he was there for him years prior, when no one else was there and that he already proved himself.

Calus sat next to Hiccup and they both shared a nod and looked at their allies. Man and dragons alike, all with one purpose—fighting for their freedom and survival. Calus places his hand on Hiccup's and spoke. "We're going to get them back Hiccup, and Drago will pay for this." Hiccup nodded and pointed toward the horizon, their was fog blocking their view but Hiccup spoke. "That gutless coward took them to goad me into foolish action, if I stood for myself I might stand so moved..." Hiccup places his hand on Calus's shoulder and squeezed. "...but I don't stand for myself. I stand for you, Mala, Astrid, Eira, Stoick II, Valka, our people and dragons everywhere. I stand for all of you, to protect you all, and Drago will know what it means to truly earn a dragons loyalty."

(Drago's fortress)

Astrid woke to hunger pains. At least they'd given her water, 'Guess they aren't ready to kill me just yet.' She grimly thought. Oh well, she'd gone hungry before, it wasn't like she couldn't handle an empty stomach. Hiccup would be here sooner or later. Enyo returned last night and gave Stoick back to Astrid, she breathed a sigh of relief, fearing they harmed her son.

She snuggled little Stoick closer, watching him sleep. He'd been up most of the night crying, much to the night guard's dismay, but he was now dreaming peacefully and she quite enjoyed the view. Astrid's good thoughts were interrupted by the sound of boots once more making their way across the cold stone floor. 'And here we go again.' She thought bitterly as she rolled over and stood up.

"Good morning my pets!" Drago called out, his arm over his head walking in a tiny circle. Astrid noticed that most of the dragons, upon hearing his voice, crept as far back into their cages as they could go while whimpering in fear. 'So much for gaining their trust.' She sighed. This could prove more of a challenge than she'd thought. Great. Three men came and unlocked both Valka, Mala and Astrid's cells, but from the evil grin on Drago's face, Astrid was pretty sure for once she'd much rather stay under lock and key. More power to him. At least she'd get a chance to look around and maybe, just maybe find a way to escape.

So much for that idea. Astrid huffed in frustration as she was yet again blindfolded. After about fifteen minutes of walking in what seemed like circles they finally stopped and the blindfolds were taken off. Astrid took a look around to see what seemed to be an empty room cut out from stone with only a few torches on the wall and... oh... a wooden pair of stocks. Not good.

All of a sudden a guard reached out for Stoick.

"No!" Astrid screamed. "Give him back!" She ordered as she clawed at the soldiers arms and kicked him at the shins. He growled in pain and then back handed Astrid, causing the fiery blond to fall on a knee and cradle her burning cheek.

"Shortly." Drago replied. "But first..." He snapped his fingers. Two guards grabbed her and Mala's arms and dragged them to the stocks as they kicked at their legs and bit into their wrists.

"Unhand me!" Mala protested as Valka was held back by Drago.

Astrid's face flushed bright red in anger as the wood piece slammed down, holding her in place.

"Now Valka, share with me your secrets or those..." He pointed to two soldiers who held whips. "...will cut their backs open. Your choice." Astrid's and Mala's face blanched when the soldiers held out the torture tools, but they quickly hid their fear. Astrid spat out, trying to intimidate Drago. Guess how that turned out? "Drago, I swear, if you so much as touch us, Hiccup..."

"I don't want to hear about Hiccup!" Drago raged. "I have all the power here!! That whelp will never find you here!"

"Wanna bet?"

Both soldiers stalked over and lifted their whips, bringing them down violently. Astrid and Mala winced and tried not to cry out. They wanted to bring out the fact that Hiccup had tracking dragons, an army full of dragons, a new alpha and that Drago didn't stand a chance, but they held their tongues.

"Now." Drago said and bringing his attention back to Valka. "Every five strikes I will ask you again whether or not you're willing to share all your lovely little secrets. If your answer remains "no" we will continue with the lashings. Once we get up to twenty five, we will stop and resume again tomorrow. I am a patient man, but I highly doubt your daughter-in-law and ally will last as long as I'm willing to wait. Shall we begin?"

Valka turned away, Mala and Astrid braced themselves. The first strikes hit them both hard and they clenched her teeth ready for the next. But they were warriors, they were used to pain, they could survive this. Astrid figures if she could have a baby, she could handle just about anything. Again and again the whips torn into their backs until they had reached five.

"Valka?" Drago asked.

Valka turned to look at them both, who shook their heads defiantly, their chins purposely down so Valka wouldn't see the tears stinging their eyes. Valka turned away again, tears openly streaming down her cheeks as she heard leather once again meet flesh. Both women cried out loudly at number nine and Valka turned sharply to see.

"Don't do it, Valka!" Mala yelled as number ten came down. "Don't think about us, don't think about this, think..."

They paused as they waited for Valka's decision. "Think about Hiccup. Your son. M-My brother." Mala finished.

"This can all end now." Drago whispered lowly in Valka's ear. "Tell me what you know. Or their suffering with continue."

She glanced at Astrid and Mala, sweat and tears flooding their faces as they gasped for breath and with regret in her voice Valka gave Drago the answer that cut her heart in two.

"No."

(Unknown location)

Eret and his crew had their ship full of Dramillions, they showed them they were friendly, and after a while, the Dramillions trusted the group of men. They explained to the dragons they'd try and sell them to Drago, but that it's a trick, surprisingly, the dragons nodded in understanding.

After a day head start, they finally returned to Drago's fortress, though, they didn't go just yet. They dropped anchor behind an ice wall that was directly in front of their former employers fortress. Eret had a Terror on his ship, wrote a message for Hiccup then tied it on the dragons leg, he fed him a fish and gave the dragon a cloth that had Hiccup's scent on it. "Go to him little guy, we'll wait right here." Eret said while gently scratching the little tracking dragon, the Terror nodded and flew off to deliver the message.

Eret sighed and watched the Dramillions eating fish provided by his crew and after a few minutes, they decided to get some rest, Eret yawned and mumbled to himself.

"Now we wait."