Another Nightmare book 2: To rescue a nightmare

Chapter 26

Before the chapter a different matter, I might have mentioned sometimes working also on original work. I recently translated that into English (mostly to support editing of the original, I have noticed that I notice more things to correct that way.) and since most here know English I was wondering if anyone here might want to beta read such novel manuscript (actually beta reading, not proofreading/editing though pointing out most common errors would be nice.) It is fantasy/urban fantasy in 30s-esque world, that due to young protagonist might be best classified into the young adults category and is approximately 68 000 words long in English.  PM if interested. 

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Too many Vikings, there were too many Vikings, and none of them was Hiccup. That was all that mattered. He had to get to Hiccup. Where did those hatchlings go? He needed Fishlegs or Ivar to fly. Damn his tail. He'd love nothing more than to fly together with Hiccup, really together, but if he lost his brother... Something had already happened to Hiccup. Toothless couldn't tell what but he knew it. He had known ever since a scream in his dreams and searing pain in his rear leg had woken him. There was no injury and yet it was still dull. It had to be because of Hiccup. Toothless had to get to him.

Someone moved nearby. Toothless jolted sideways and growled. People jumped back. Only the chief of this village even stood anywhere near the flock.

'That might not be wise Night Fury,' Hookfang said. 'There are many Vikings. They might try to stop us.'

'They can try,' Toothless answered, reinforcing his thoughts with a low growl.

'Be careful with your intentions,' Shortclaw growled. 'I won't mind maiming a random dragon killer but burning down the human nest would hurt the hatchling.'

'I thought you didn't care?' Toothless asked and turned his head just enough for one narrowed eye to look at the Nightmare. They didn't have time for this. Hiccup's kidnappers were more than a day ahead.

'I... fine, I'd rather that hatchling not get hurt,' Shortclaw said. 'It... it hurts to even think that.'

Toothless' eyes widened a little and he turned to look at Shortclaw with both of them.

'I know,' he said. It was his first calm thought since... He hadn't had much reason to be calm. 'Get used to it. That feeling, it will only get stronger. Eventually, you will feel like drowning if you fail to protect him even from the smallest of pains, except it won't end until your human is safe again. Where did those hatchlings go?' Toothless' impatience took hold again. He had been drowning since waking up the previous day. His eyes narrowed again as he surveyed the Vikings around them.

"Shortclaw." The Viking hatchling Ivar shouted from above. Even with Hiccup gone Toothless recognised the word for the name of the Nightmare. Shortclaw turned her head and reached towards the top of a wooden house, pressing her claws against the wall. Ivar had gone in there. Now the hatchling stood in an opening on the roof. Someone grabbed him from behind. Shortclaw was having none of it and soon the hatchling climbed on her neck. The dragon let Ivar down on the ground. Toothless wanted to grab the hatchling and throw him into his own back to use the tailfin, but Shortclaw held her head between them. The hatchling was completely oblivious to Toothless staring at the female Viking who now looked down from the opening.

Finally, Meatlug carried the other hatchling Fishlegs from deeper in the village, slowly as only a Gronckle could. Toothless could have already flown out of even dragon's sight if they didn't need to wait. The larger hatchling went to Ivar and started talking. They didn't have time for this. Disregarding Shortclaw 's warning bark, Toothless pushed himself between the hatchlings and leaned forward to bring them closer to the saddle.