The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Sixteen - The Trial

Hiccup resisted the urge to get off Toothless and pace, trying to organise his thoughts. He had to be precise with his arguments, or the wrong parts would be focused on.

Beside him, the other riders were getting uncomfortable, having been on the dragons for so long. It was now midday, the sun partially blocked by clouds.

"What's the first thing you're gonna do when you get banished," Tuffnut asked his sister, poking her from the other zippleback head.

She grinned. "Go to the markets and blow something up."

Snotlout groaned. "How is this any different to what you do now?"

"Oh mon ami simple d'esprit, but now we won't get in trouble for it," Tuffnut said.

"Yeah, why didn't we get outcasted ages ago?" Ruffnut added.

Hiccup massaged his temples. "Really not helping guys."

"Sheesh, sorry," Tuffnut muttered.

Hiccup sighed. After a short while, footsteps approached the arena. The gate creaked open.

Alvin strode through, a fake smile on his face. His posture was perfect and he was flanked by two warriors. Without a word, he stood opposite the group.

Hiccup took a breath. This was it. He encouraged Toothless to go forwards, standing in front of the others.

The Berk council entered next, lining one wall of the arena. The Archipeleago council followed suit. Glancing at the dragons, they stood nervously, with almost fearful expressions on their faces.

Alvin just smiled.

A tense silence hung over them. Even the wild terrible terrors were quiet.

A member of the Archipelago council stepped forwards. Hiccup vaguely recognised him, believing his name to be Orald. "We came as soon as we got your letter, Chief Stoick. It appears two issues are to be dealt with. As our leader is the one accused, I shall lead them."

Alvin twisted his hook.

Orald turned to him. "You stand accused of treachery against the adolescents of the Archipelago by interferring with the Dragon Games. Do you deny this?"

"Of course."

Orald shifted his focus on Hiccup. "Elaborate on your claims."

Hiccup coughed, lifting his chin higher. "We discovered in the depths of the caves Alvin's lair. He has trapped dragons and has stores there. He uses the dragons to sabotage people."

Whispering broke out amongst the councils. Orald raised his arm for silence.

"Anything else?"

Hiccup nodded once. "He uses his power to intimidate others into attacking each other on their command. Snotlout was ordered to attack me."

Spitelout gasped. Snotlout shifted uncomfortably on Hookfang.

"Do you confirm this?" Orald asked.

Snotlout nodded, avoiding eye contact.

Orald brushed off his chest plate. "You make strong claims. What is your evidence?"

Hiccup faltered. "Well, we didn't manage to bring any with us-"

Alvin mocked a gasp, which was painfully fake to Hiccup but seemed legitimate to the elders. "You accuse me of treachery against my people without any evidence?"

Hiccup's ears grew red. "But we know where your base is! We can prove it! Orald, councils, all you have to do is go to Dragon Games Island and-"

"And interfere with the Dragon Games, the very crime you accuse Alvin of committing," Orald finished, raising an eyebrow.

"You don't have to help or attack anyone! It could even be a stealth mission! Just let us show you what he's hiding in the caves."

Orald frowned. "You cannot expect the council to follow your demands or believe your accusations without proof."

Astrid urged Stormfly forwards. "I was there! I testify!"

Hiccup looked at her surprised, but focused on Alvin again. "I can lead you to the proof!"

Alvin coughed once. "And how do you intend to do that while banished?"

Orald clasped his hand behind his back. "Alvin is correct. You have provided no proof of any kind, as the claims of two teenagers are not evidence. And as such Alvin will not be sentenced. What you have done, however..." His dark eyes flickered between the riders.

Hiccup's heart was beating a like a minute. Alvin would walk free. But the riders could face banishment.

How did this all go so wrong? 

Hiccup looked Orald in the eye. He would not loose this too.

"The phrasing of the rules for the Dragon Games is precise," Hiccup began. "It says that the punishment for stepping foot on another island's soil is banishment."

Alvin's eye twitched. "It is phrased that way to allow off-coast fishing."

"That is not what it says, though. My friends and I have not stepped foot on Berk, or any other island for that matter, as we have been on the dragons."

Orald nodded slowly. "That is correct. Based on the official wording, no banish-"

"However," Alvin cut in, stepping forwards. He was no longer the focus of the trial and had regained his soft power. "You have forgotten one small detail. These dragon riders have not only left Dragon Games Island, but they tamed dragons and lead a coup against me!"

There was quiet murmuring amongst the council.

Alvin pointed his hook towards the group. "Hiccup Haddock has led these teenagers against their elders with poorly constructed arguments without any evidence. He did this during the Dragon Games, one of our most Viking-like traditions! How dare he disrespect our customs; how dare he disrespect us! As the leader, he should face banishment."

Hiccup paled. The majority of the councils were nodding. He focused on Stoick, who looked pained.

"Orald, we made these accusations with the best for the Archipelego at heart! Let us show you the evidence from Dragon Games Island and-"

"Not this again," Orald dismissed. His eyes steeled. "Hiccup Haddock, as-"

"Snotlout and the blonde girl too," Alvin interrupted again. "For lying to back up Hiccup's claims against me."

Orald stroked his beard. "Yes, that would be appropriate. But perhaps that would be a little harsh, as these teenagers do appear to believe what they're saying."

Orald stared at Astrid, then Snotlout, then Hiccup. He glanced at the councils. "I believe we must discuss these three teenagers' punishment. The rest go free, and shall return to the Dragon Games."

How's that free, Hiccup thought, just managing to catch himself and not say it out loud.

The councils gathered around Orald, speaking in hushed tones.

"Hiccup?" Snotlout whispered. "This part of the plan?"

Hiccup was sweating. "No, no it wasn't."

After a long, tense moment the councils separated.

Orald stepped forwards. "You three have lied in the court against our elder and have disregarded our customs by flying on dragons instead of fighting during the Dragon Games. Your punishment will be linked to this. The three of you must defeat a dragon in this arena, or be banished."

***

Is this how you thought the trial would go?

What dragon do you think they will have to face?

I also wanted to ask if you would be interested in my art? I'm considering putting pictures of my dragon drawings at the start of every couple of chapters as I make them.

Next chapter soon xx