The Dragon Games (HTTYD AU)

Twenty Four - Alvin's Secrets

Toothless refused to let Hiccup wander the lair alone. Giving up the element of surprise, he followed a few pases behind.

Hiccup patted Toothless' head, scowling at the cavern. He walked to the desk and frowned. With gentle fingers, he flicked through the few papers laid out.

"There are fewer than before. And these only have sketches and notes on dragons."

Unwelcome frustration shot through Hiccup. What was he even expecting? A piece of paper that said 'I'm evil' or 'arrest me now'?

Stifling a groan, Hiccup left the desk and peered into the neighbouring cavern. Barrels lined the wall. Sniffing at one, Toothless growled, recoiling.

"What is it?" Hiccup murmured, peering into the barrel. A large, green plant was in it. "Some sort of root?"

Toothless' pupils formed thin slits. He moved towards him with jerky movements.

Hiccup's eyes widened and he closed the barrel. "Easy there, bud, it's okay! It's me."

Toothless shook his head, a low snarl escaping him. Taking a step back, Hiccup murmured a stream of reassurances. Toothless' pupil gradually dilated. Hiccup watched his motions closely. After what must've been only seconds, but felt like eternity to Hiccup, Toothless stopped snarling and returned to normal.

"You scared me there for a moment," Hiccup murmured. He glanced back at the barrel. "You should probably let me check the rest of these out."

Toothless roared in protest, flaring his wings.

Hiccup sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like it either. But whatever Alvin's got in here can't be good, and there could be more of that dragon affecting root."

Toothless grumbled but stayed put by the entrance. Hiccup looked at the barrels and steeled his nerves.

It's not as if there'd be bones or something in there, he reasoned. Why would Alvin bother with that?

Hiccup shivered as grotesque images flashed through his mind. Shaking the thoughts away, he opened another barrel.

Fish.

Relaxing slightly, Hiccup continued through the rest. There was fish, water, bread, dried meat, dried fruit, torches and scrolls.

Hiccup joined Toothless, frowning. Even if he managed to get the councils to come down here, there would be no way to prove this was Alvin's doing. In fact, the whole base almost looked like a research station rather than a lair.

"Hiccup?" Astrid called, walking over. "We managed to get the caged dragons to leave their cells, but they keep expecting orders."

Hiccup hummed thoughtfully. "Alvin would probably control them with weapons. I hate to say it, but what if we try... try... um..."

"Using weapons to point in the direction they should go?" Astrid finished.

Hiccup nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes, that."

Astrid gave a loose smile before grabbing a spear from the weapons rack and returning to the other cavern. Hiccup watched her leave, an awestruck expression on his face.

Toothless cooed, brushing up against his side. Snapping out of it, Hiccup petted Toothless and went back to the desk.

There must be hidden compartments, Hiccup reasoned.

As Hiccup searched the desk, Toothless sniffed at the air. Traces of an odd, old scent lined the tunnel leading off from the lair. Curious, he followed the trail and paused at the entrance. It got stronger.