Heart of a Berserker: Hope (School of Dragons)

Chapter 28

"I believe we can't lose
Even mountains will move
It's our faith, it's our life
This is our battle cry
They can't take us down
If we stand our ground
If we live, if we die
We will shout out our battle cry" 

- "Battle Cry" by Skillet

Chapter 28

We were too late. The entire fleet of dragon hunter ships and flyers were already closing in on Berserker Island as Viggo and I arrived. I did not spot the Tempest or any pirate ship, and I wondered at the meaning. Dagur and Heather were already instructing Berserker soldiers to prepare for the attack.

"Dagur!" I exclaimed. Bolt and Sanna hovered near the edge of the island because, for some reason, dragons did not like to get too close.

Dagur looked up at us with a grin. "Oh, good! The Skrills have come to defend Berserker Island!"

I smirked. "No, they're just the fastest - minus Toothless, who's leading the others here."

"What's going on?" Heather said. "I thought they were looking for the King of Dragons."

"Perhaps we can explain after we hold off their attack," Viggo said.

That sounded like a good idea to me. Dagur instructed his men to attack the flyers with catapults when they got too near and were stopped by an invisible wall. Viggo and I flew around them and struck with lightning bolts. Soon, the rest of the dragon riders showed for. Working together, we managed to drive off the flyers... for now.

We all met up at one of the high cliffs where the dragons were not bothered. Hiccup explained the story of the Dramillion and how the King of Dragons was actually under Berserker Island. He thought that was why dragons could not fly there; it was his defense mechanism.

"Brennda, I have one question," Heather said. "Why is Leopold with you?"

I looked down at the purple dragon sitting at my feet. "Your guess is as good as mine."

"He did lead us to the injured Dramillion," Fishlegs said. "Maybe he wanted us to help him?"

"But why?" Astrid said. "If Stormheart is working with the hunters, why would Harald let us find the dragon that could lead us here?"

I shrugged. "Why does he do anything? We could speculate for hours, but I don't see how that would help us."

"Just... be careful."

I saw genuine concern in her eyes, and I nodded.

"Right now, we need a plan," Hiccup said.

"Especially because Johann sent a second fleet to attack from the south as the first fleet re-engages from the north," Ruffnut said.

We all rushed to the edge of the cliff to find this was true. Dagur and Heather wanted to engage in battle immediately, but our chances were slim without dragons. Just then, our Wingmaiden allies fell from the sky - or rather, they flew with their baby Razorwhips. 

"Hiccup, how did they-?" Astrid said.

"Sent a Terror Mail from Defenders of the Wing Island," said Hiccup. "Wasn't sure they'd get here in time."

"How can baby Razorwhips fly over the center of the island?" Fishlegs asked.

"Maybe because their senses haven't fully developed, it helps offset the effects?"

"Or maybe it's a window for our dragons," Dagur said.

"The King of Dragons may know we're allies," I said.

"Only one way to find out," Astrid said.

We all ran to our dragons and took to the air. Sure enough, we were able to fly over the middle of Berserker Island. While Hiccup left to find the King of Dragons, Astrid organized her army.