The Case For the Razorwhip (ON HIATUS)

Heather?

"Heather?!" shouted Dagur in shock as the three dragons halted and hovered in the air. Sleuther chirped in confusion and unfurled his three deadly scorpion tails, sniffing the air for danger.

"Brother, help! The ship is sinking, and my Windshear is unconscious on the deck!" yelled Heather, struggling in the ropes.

Dagur swooped down to grab Windshear and Astrid used a single spine from Stormfly's tail to cut the rope bounding Heather. The rope cut off and Heather landed on the now-very-wet deck. Astrid swooped down and Heather hopped onto Stormfly's back.

"What happened?" asked Hiccup urgently, hovering closer to Heather.

"The Hunters attacked me when I was down in the hull," she panted. "Dagur and I tied them up already, but I guess they found a way to cut through the ropes. They knocked Windshear out and tied me on the mast. They holed the ship a small bit so it will sink slowly, and took a small boat and sailed away."

"Where did they go?" asked Hiccup, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"They went East into the fog," said Heather. "I have no idea where they're going and what they're going to do in there, but I have a feeling they're going to find their leader in there—if they can see through the fog, that is."

Hiccup thought for a moment. "Alright," he said. "Astrid, round up the others. We're going in there to find that hatchling."

"Are you insane?!" exclaimed Astrid. "That fog is thick. We're not going to be able to see in there. How are we supposed to find the Hunters in there if we can't see?"

Hiccup grinned and looked at Stormfly, who squawked. Hiccup's eyes widened happily.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot. Stormfly's nose can lead us there!" said Astrid triumphantly. "Okay Stormfly, let's gather the others!"

Stormfly zipped away with Astrid, and returned ten minutes later with the others.

Snotlout ran up to Hiccup. "You guys found anything?" he asked. "Because as the ambassador of the Wingmaidens, I need to know about everything happening here." he added smugly.

Hiccup slapped his hand onto his forehead. "Well, for your information, Snotlout, we did find something." Hiccup gestured to the half-sunken Dragon Hunter ship. Snotlout craned his neck eagerly to look at the ship more clearly. "And we found some good information as well."

"Why is the ship sinking? Oh, hi Heather!" said Tuffnut cheerfully with his usual goofiness, waving at Heather. Heather grinned an amused grin and waved back.

"It's a long story," said Astrid simply, putting her hands on her hips, smiling.

"Then tell us!" exclaimed Ruffnut, hopping foot to foot.

Hiccup told the story, and Fishlegs gasped when he finished.

"So the hatchling isn't there?" he asked nervously. "And are you sure the hatchling isn't in the hull? You were only there for a few seconds," he asked Heather.

"Quite sure," replied Heather. "Razorwhip hatchlings are supposed to wail and squeal when they're on their own. There weren't any noises."

"Alright. We need to get moving—fast." Hiccup mounted Toothless, and Toothless warbled determinedly. "Ruff, Tuff, Fishlegs, stay here and protect the Wingmaidens and the hatchlings. Astrid, Snotlout, Dagur, Heather, come with me and hunt the Hunters. Astrid'll lead the way."

"Oh yeah!" whooped Snotlout. "Let's kick some butts!"

"Already ahead of you there, Snot-hat!" yelled Dagur enthusiastically, hopping onto Sleuther, who jumped into the air instantly. "Come on! I bet you can't beat me in kicking Dragon Hunter butts!"

Snotlout grumbled angrily, and hopped onto Hookfang as well. "Let's see who's the winner then, Dag-pants!" he yelled, and Hookfang lit up his scales and snarled competitively at Sleuther. Sleuther gave a cheeky, competitive grin.

"Alright you two, no messing around later!" ordered Fishlegs to the Twins.

"Of course we won't!" said Tuffnut cheerfully. Then he murmured, "We're totally crossing our fingers," to Ruffnut, who giggled naughtily. Fishlegs and the Twins left to the Wingmaidens, and Hiccup and the rest flew off to find the Hunters.

"It's all down to that needle-in-a-haystack nose of yours, Stormfly," whispered Astrid to her Nadder. "Make it count."

Stormfly squawked determinedly, and sniffed the air. She squawked again, and zoomed off into the fog, followed closely by the other Riders.