When in Rome

Family

Hiccup drew up his hood against the cool breeze, clasping his hands around the cup of calda for some much-wanted warmth. He'd been in and out of the Archipelago- with a prejudice for staying out- for three years and he'd already lost his ability to be immune to the chill.

Toothless warbled next to him, puffing up and releasing a sigh of hot air. The dragon curled his tail closer around Hiccup, letting it dangle slightly off the edge of the rock.

He was on watch tonight, keeping an eye out for the last of the dragon trappers scuttling through the archipelago. He and his friends had been going on missions- and the rare campaign- to rid Rome and its neighbours of dragon-murdering filth since he showed up and started teaching people how to befriend dragons. Lately it looked like they'd finally managed to succeed. But even still, Hiccup was vigilant. Vigo and Ryker had been difficult and trying opponents, he wouldn't be surprised if they pulled some final trick from their hats as a last-word.

But even still, with the happiness that came with stopping them came sadness. The only reason he still visited the north was for these missions defending dragons and, rarely, people. Could he really finally say goodbye when all this was over?

He and his friends had built a temporary base of operations for these missions, nicknaming it 'the edge', and had found it to be the perfect spot. Their  spot. If anything it would make a great vacation location when they finally wouldn't be coming back for working.

It was his last link to the archipelago. Could he really let it all go?

A shadow shifted to his left, along the rock wall this watchtower was built into. Draconic in nature, something flying past. More likely friend than foe but Hiccup couldn't take that chance. His ponderings would have to wait even longer.

He pulled himself up to his feet- well, foot and intricately made appendage- and peered into the darkness, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword sheathed at his side.

A dragon had attached itself to the rock face, there was a slight turn in the rock where it rested, he could only just see it.

Toothless shifted and stood as well. Hiccup didn't know to call out, threaten or just watch. He decided it best to let the dragon come to him. Toothless sniffed and growled, it sounded like he was picking up something strange.

Change of plan.

"hey, you can come closer, I won't hurt you," he assured the dragon, letting his hand drift away from his sword, "are you injured?"

The dragon shifted but didn't move closer.

"it's okay, I can help."

It still didn't move, but something else did.

The hair on the back of Hiccup's neck stood on end, he heard a slide against rock, just barely audible. It was enough.

Hiccup whirled around, sword out in seconds with an audible hiss, only to be met with a staff.

Toothless growled, keeping an eye on the dragon at Hiccup's back that had shifted closer.

"who are you?" Hiccup grit out, staring into a strange mask with curled horns and small slits for the eyes.

The attacker just pushed him back with their staff, swinging for his head. Hiccup used his momentum to dodge the blow and feinted for the attacker's side, aggravated when they blocked the real attack to the shoulder. They were quick.

The attacker gave a flurry of blows but was restricted by the close quarters. This section of the watchtower was hidden into the rock along the side of the edge. Below them was the sea, the ledge they fought along was small. Much too small for the long-staff they wielded.