Arcen's Storm

Hiccup

" They didn't stand their watch, Hiccup! Those dummies left two dummies in their place, " Astrid growled, gripping the horned helmets left on two stuffed puppets she had found on the Dragon's Edge watchtower that morning.

" You know, those two dummies could conceivably be as effective as the twins, " I remarked, not entirely joking.

" Not funny. We built that watchtower so that-" " I know why we built it, Astrid, " I replied calmly.

" I just don't understand how this isn't making you completely insane, " she shouted, swinging the helmets around menacingly.

" Because, then there would be two crazy people in this conversation and we probably wouldn't resolve anything. "

In truth, she was overreacting. The twins pulled stunts like that all the time and if a hunter ship did pass by the Night Terrors would warn us.

Astrid narrowed her eyes, " Are you saying I'm-"

" Astrid, " I interrupted again, " let me talk to the twins. I 'll get their side of the story, then we can figure out what we need to do. "

She sighed, winding down a little, " I guess it's a start. "

As if on cue, a green Hideous Zippleback landed behind us.

And just when I was starting to calm her down...

" Well, if it isn't our crack security team, " Astrid said to the riders who dismounted the Zippleback, scorn dripping from her voice.

She threw the helmets at the riders.

" Please, please, " Tuffnut started, putting the helmet back on, apparently unaware of Astrid's harsh tone, " there's no need to shower us with accolades. "

" Tuff, you left two dummies to protect this entire base. What were you thinking?"

The flapping of wings distracting me from the scene, a Terrible Terror flew to me, something was tied to it's leg.

I removed the parchment from the dragon as they continued.

" Dummies you say, " Tuffnut asked?

" She does, " confirmed Ruffnut.

" What you fail to realize in your foggy morning state is that those are not dummies. They are scareships! "

" Scareships, " Astrid repeated, as if she was having trouble with what she was hearing, " You're serious? "

I wasn't paying much attention at that point, to be honest, I wasn't to begin with. The note the Terror had brought was quite distracting.

" You didn't see any ships near the island, did you, " Ruffnut asked, crossing her arms in an smug manner.

" No, you didn't, " Tuffnut chimed in, "and why? Because they were scared away by the appropriately named, scareships! "

" Are you following any of this, " Astrid asked, turning back to me.

" Not super closely, " I replied, " I'm actually reading this. It's from Johan. He's in trouble. "

***

Toothless and Hookfang were equipped with their Gronckle Iron armor and ready to fight. Meatlug was saddled up, too, although she looked the least intimidating sitting between a Night Fury and a Monstrous Nightmare.

Astrid came storming up to me, " You are not leaving me with these two mutton heads, " she hissed, referring to Ruffnut and Tuffnut who were standing behind her.