The Dragon Master Part III: End of an era (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 27: Patience

(Normal pov— Cabal bass of operations)

"So? Where are they?"

Chagatai Khan asked Grimmel, referring to the Dragon Master and his people, the Mongolian warlord was accompanied by Rong, Griselda, Kjell, Chimola and the other warlords and chieftains of the Cabal.

"Gone. Obviously." Grimmel answered Chagatai in a joking tone, causing the warlords and chieftains to glare at the trophy hunter, Griselda stepped up and growled out. "Grimmel, this is hardly the time to be making jokes. With the Dragon Master and his people on the run? They are more vulnerable than ever! We have the opportunity to crush our greatest enemy and ensure he never interferes with our plans to conquer the world."

The other warlords and chieftains grunted in agreement, Grimmel then pulled out a map that was neatly folded inside one of his pouches and placed it on the nearest table and gestured for his benefactors to gather around, once everyone was around the table, Grimmel pointed to where Old Berk was located. "So, thanks to Kjell and Chimola, the Hooligan people are without a home, it is my belief that they are headed to where they have hid their alpha." The warriors murmured amongst each other and Rong the Rock spoke up. "Yes yes yes, but where did they go?"

Grimmel looked up at the bulky warlord and pulled out a charcoal pencil and spoke. "Night Furies cannot survive in colder climates, so they haven't gone North..." He took his pencil and crossed off the North section of the map before continuing. "...they're trying to put distance between our forces from East and South..." Again, crossing off both East and Southern sections of the map, Grimmel then tapped the West side of the map. "...so, they're heading West. Perhaps in search of a new island to colonize or perhaps for some other reason. Either way? We shall send our forces to the West to ensure the Dragon Master and his people are slain like sheep. With Norway's greatest hero? The remaining Viking tribes will suffer the same fate as well."

"So, when do we attack?" Kjell asked, everyone turned to the trophy hunter for an answer, the old man smiled and gave them their answer. "In time, I've received word from my Hunters that a rogue dragon has been sinking the Hunters who sail under the Grimborn crest. And according to the late Johann and Nikora Stormheart, the Grimborn tribes true chieftain— Viggo Grimbron disappeared some time back, and those who serve me say that this rogue dragon is indeed a Skrill."

The warlords and chieftains murmured amongst each other, Kjell and Chimola shared a look before speaking up. "Viggo Grimborn is a loose cannon and he's unpredictable. If he is indeed interfering in our business? He must die." Chimola said firmly, causing a majority of the warlords and chieftains to grunt in agreement. Griselda turned to the Bludvist brothers and spoke her mind. "But then again, the man has served us well in the past. Perhaps he could be of use to us now."

"Need I remind you Griselda, that Viggo and his brother, along with those two psychotic Berserkers and their Vikings stole from Drago in the past and split off from our army. Viggo Grimborn is as Chimola Bludvist says. Unpredictable." A female chieftain spoke up, other agreed with this chieftain and then everyone turned to Grimmel, the old man looked at his benefactors and shrugged. "Do as you see fit my friends, for now? I must continue to deal with that annoying dragon rider."

As the trophy hunter made his way to exit the chamber they were all in, he grasped the handle of the door before turning back to his employers. "Once I extract the information we require from that dragon rider? We attack. So for now? Marshall your forces. When our forces become one? We will teach Hiccup Haddock and the Vikings of Norway the consequences of harboring dragons away from us."

(Astrid's pov)

I frowned, as I walked further and further away from their campsite. The events of Berks fall were still terrifyingly fresh, and I was almost grateful my brain hadn't caught up to me and sent me into a guilt-ridden madness.