No I'm not dead... Happy new year! I appreciate you still reading even if I take forever.=^-^=

Ch. 10 - Bartering Lesson

"You, the scrawny one!" Eret called as he entered his prison hold. He stepped in front of Mathias' cell, and several chuckles hummed about the room.

"Who are you calling scrawny!?" He countered as he stood behind the bars.

Eret crossed his arms and looked down at him. "You." He stated bluntly before pulling the door open, and grabbing the young man by his upper arm.

"You wouldn't be so disrespectful if you knew who I was you oversized idiot." Mathias responded as he stumbled to keep up with Eret's forceful grip.

"Oh Eret son of Eret! Come back! I miss you!" Ruffnut called as she pressed against the bars with her arms reaching through.

Mathias saw a grimace come to the man's face as he pulled him along. "I don't care who you are, but Drago wants to speak with you. I suggest you respect him if you know what's good for you."

Mathias clicked his tongue at the comment. "Respect that megalomaniac? You're crazy."

Eret yanked him hard through the door without responding until the door was closed. "Your funeral lad."

Logan stretched as he adjusted his leaning position against the wall. He'd been waiting for almost an hour to speak with Drago. He was currently interrogating one of the riders, though it had been strangely quiet for the last few minutes. He looked over to the door before settling back down into position. "So you're the famous Fenrir I've heard so much about. A little impatient, but I can't say I'm disappointed."

Fenrir turned to the new feminine voice curiously. "Oh, well thank you lass." He responded as he inspected his new company. She was a tall woman adorned in leather armor and an exotic orange fur which draped over her shoulders, and down her back. The beast's skull rested over hers like a hood that obscured her face. "But I can't recall I caught your name lass. It's only polite to introduce yourself."

"I didn't give it Fenrir, and I was never one for manners." She took a spot on the other side of the door." "That being said, I do believe I owe you a favor so I'll give it if that is what you really want." She crossed her arms and glanced over to him.

"Aye, though I'm a bit disappointed to have forgotten doin a favor for a lass such as yourself."

She laughed at the flattery. "Don't be Fenrir. You see, we have never met. I am called Megin by those few who bother with names."

"Oh? Well then are you sure we haven't met? That name sounds familiar." She merely chuckled in response before the door between them busted open.

Eret dragged out Mathias by his arms while the young man thrashed to get back into the room. "You touch one scale on Nightshade and I'll make you beg for Valhalla you mad freak! Let me go!" He ordered as he turned back to Eret. "I'll break him in half!"

"Oh will you lad?" Fenrir laughed at the helpless man. "You better take another look at your situation lad, or you might find yourself tossed overboard." He laughed again at the foolish remark while Mathias was dragged away.

"Get in here! Both of you!" Drago ordered from within.

Fenrir wiped a tear from his eye while calming his laughter. "Aye." Megin entered first after cutting him off, but he didn't mind it and simply followed after. "Well now Drago, I was wonderin when you were goin to finish up in here. I've been waitin for almost an hour ya know." He complained with a cocky smirk.

Drago merely flashed him a sinister smirk of his own before addressing them both. "I suppose I should get right to the point then shouldn't I?" He glanced between them. "I have one more task for you Fenrir. I need you to go along with Megin to dispose of one last obstacle to my plans."

"Oi, Drago, you know I work alone. I don't need this lass holding me back." Logan countered in outrange at the demand. He never worked with anyone, and he wasn't about to do it just because he was told to even if it would mess up his mission. "I refuse-" He cut off to the feel of cold steel at his throat.

"That wasn't a suggestion Fenrir." Drago stated calmly with adamant confidence.

"Lass, you best be movin that blade before you get hurt." Logan suggested as he glanced at the woman who held him at knife point.

"Then you better watch your words while you can still use them." She then retracted the knife and placed it in her boot. "Only a weak man complains."

"I'm not the one who needs to be watchin my words lass." Fenrir threatened in response as he reached for his own blade.

"Silence!" Drago ordered as he slammed his fist down. That effectively cut the tension between them as their employer finally grew angry at their antics. "I have no need of your squabbling! Your talents are all I care about." He informed with a cold tone. "You may kill each other once the job is finished." Both of the sell swords quieted at the demand which pleased Drago so he could finish. "With the power of my Alpha no dragon is beyond my reach save one. Your target is a Night Fury."

"A Night Fury!?" Both of them responded in unison and equal surprise. "You're talking about the offspring of lightning and death itself Drago!"

The man chuckled. "I'm well aware Fenrir, but that's why I want you both on this. I need you to kill it, but the reward is double if you can capture it alive. Either is acceptable."

Lupidrax looked at the crazy man with a wary expression. "I suppose you know where we can find this dragon then?"

Megin scoffed at his comment and slammed her hands on the table. "Just come out and say it Drago! You want us to kill the leader of the dragon riders and his dragon!" Drago nodded despite the fact he was yelled at. His calm demeanor was chilling when paired with the cold grin he wore.

"Leader of the dragon riders? You mean that group that defeated the Wight Death?"

"Aye." Megin answered for him. "He rides the only Night Fury anyone's seen in decades."

"Make no mistake, the Night Fury is your target, but you'll need to deal with its rider as well. If the great Hiccup Haddock gets in your way kill 'em." He finished with a dark tone.

The sun was setting as Hiccup spied the sailing fleet from afar. He was laying down with his spy glass in order to hide himself better. It had been almost two days since they started their plan, and still they hadn't heard anything from Lupidrax. "Don't tell me you still trust him?" Astrid called from a small cavern a few feet into the iceberg.

"No, but I don't think he's betrayed us either. We knew this was going to take time Astrid."

She rolled her eyes and slide back down to wait with her dragon. "Yeah time to screw us over." She mumbled as she crossed her arms.

"He's leaving!" Hiccup suddenly shouted as he looked back to her.

She peeked up to see the Arch Striker flying off but for some reason another dragon was following; one she didn't recognize. "But what that dragon behind him?"

Hiccup took another look into his spyglass and raised an intrigued brow. "If I didn't know any better... Is that a Battering Charger? What's that doing way out here?"

"Battering Charger?"

"Yeah, don't you remember? Me and Fishlegs were adding some new entries to the book of dragons so he could finish those cards of his. This one was one of the candidates for the symbol of the Tracker class before deciding on the Bane Hunter." He looked back out to the dragons who had just left his field of vision. "It's just odd since they live all the way on the western coast of the mainland."

"It's probably one of Drago's dragons then. That Fenrir jerk did say he had an army, and a wide variety of dragons."

"Most likely. Anyway let's get back to dad and the others. We'll probably hear from Fenrir soon."

Lupidrax was deep in thought as he eyed his new partner out of the corner of his eye. He didn't like having someone on his back like that, especially not someone like her. There was a fine line between feisty and boar headed when it came to women. "So what's your idea lass?" He asked while still thinking over what to do about her.

"Oh, already need my help Fenrir? I expected more from a man with your reputation." He clenched his fists at her response. "If you really need me to guide you-"

"Oi, I don't need your damned help! I was just askin since we are supposed to be workin together." He declared before looking around for one of Drago's men. "I already have an idea for findin the dragon."

He heard her chuckle. "Then I'll let the big strong man lead the way." Her tone pissed him off to no end, but at least she wasn't giving him anymore orders. If he took the lead it would be easier to get rid of her anyway.

"Hey you!" He grabbed the first man he found. "Eret son of Eret was it?" He asked as the man who couldn't even touch the ground in his grip. "Take me to where ever you're keeping those riders. I'll be needin ta talk with them."

He dropped the man who glared at him as he adjusted his shirt. He grumbled as he lead them over a gangplank to a nearby ship and down to the stow. "They're all in here, happy?" He flinched at the glare the man gave him in return and hurried up to the deck.

"Alright lass, since this is my idea, I'll be doing all the questioning, and you can stay out here."

"I don't take orders from you Fenrir." She snapped back.

"How's about a threat?" He responded as he went for the door. "If you want something to do, then why don't you make sure I'm not disturbed." He turned just in time to see a knife embed in the door frame awfully close to his head.

"I like threats, but I understand if you don't like people to watch you work. I never pegged you as the shy type."

The sell sword used every ounce of his self control not throw that knife right back the woman's sharp tongue. "Damn woman..." He grunted out before entering and slamming the door behind.

"Lupidrax!" Mathias quickly called at seeing the undercover ally finally come for him. "It's about time."

"Yes!" He responded quite loudly. "About time you coughed up where your leader is!" He demanded while taking a glance at the door.

"Our leader?"

"Is he talking about Hiccup? What do you want with Hiccup?" Fishleg's demanded with a meager tone from inside his cell.

The sell sword turned to him after one more quick glance at Mathias. "I was hired to kill him and his dragon of course. Why else would a sell sword ask where ta find someone?" He took another back glance at the trader who looked a bit confused. "Drago doesn't want him getting in the way of his plans to rule with his army of dragons."

"An army of dragons? Seriously?" Ruff asked with disbelief.

"Yeah, and why only Hiccup? I mean we're dragon riders standing in his way too ya'know?"

Fenrir paused his act to turned to the idiotic twins with a baffled expression. "Are you daft?"

"I wouldn't take anything they say seriously. They're crazy." Snotlout informed with an exasperated expression.

"Oh are we?" Tuff responded.

"Yeah you are so shut up."

"So this plan of Drago's? He can't start it until you've dealt with him?" Mathias asked as he started to get why Lupidrax was talking like he was.

"No, so I'll need one of you ta tell me where to find him before I start getting creative with this blade here." He gestured to the small knife on his belt, and got a couple of cringes from the prisoners.

Mathias gave him a dry laugh in response. "As if a little knife will scare me, but tell you what Lupidrax, how about a trade?"

Logan responded by pulling it out and grabbing the boy through the bars to threaten him with it. "Yes, the information for your life." He lightly touched the blade to his throat to drive his point.

Mathias once again laughed as he narrowed his eyes. "You may be a renowned sell sword, but you're way too green to barter with me. I've traded in ports from Mor to so far south you can't even pronounce the name! A little knife isn't going to get anything out of me."

Logan raised a brow at the young man, and even if it was an act, he couldn't help but be a little impressed with him. "Alright then, I suppose as long as it's less work for me." He dropped Mathias and leaned on the bars. "What's your price merchant?"

Mathias sat himself back up with a victorious smirk. "All I want to know is where my dragon is."

Lupidrax gave it a moment's thought before laughing. Just before he seemed ready to agree before throwing the knife to land right between the trader's legs. "You're in luck lad, that's easier than torturing you for it." He then leaned down. "But you best watch your tongue. It would be sad to lose such a valuable asset eh trader?" He stood up to take another look at the others who seemed far less talkative at this point. "You're dragon is with Drago. He keeps it in a private room at the back of ship with the other one." He explained as he slowly turned back to face him. "Now out with it before my new partner gets impatient and interrupts our trade."

Mathias had a slight sweat forming on his brow as he eyed the blade before him, but he did catch on to what the sell sword was telling him. "He's... He's supposed to meet up with me and Astrid in the sea stacks just inside the fog bank near that frozen fort. Even if it was more than a day ago, they're probably still keeping a look out for me in the area. Don't expect them to be easy to sneak up on." He finished with a glare at the man.

Logan grinned at him and crossed his arms. "Alright then lad, I'll take your word for it." He then turned to the door. "If it turns out to be a lie I know just where to find you again," He glanced back. "And I'll be sure not to miss." He then left and slammed the door behind him.

Mathias waited a moment to hear them leave before letting out a breath and backing away from the knife. "Thor almighty that was too damn close."

"Not close enough if you ask me. You just sold out Hiccup." Fishlegs snapped.

"Don't listen to fish face over there, I'd have done the same thing." Snotlout supported.

"Snotlout!"

"What? I'd risk my life for the guy but not the family jewels. Of course I realize you can't relate to that." He countered with a smirk.

"Hey when you're finished cutting yourself free, get me next. I can't spend another minute locked up with these guys." Ruff requested with an agitated expression. While Fishlegs and Snotlout bickered she was the first to notice Mathias using the discarded knife to cut his ropes. All eyes quickly turned to the trader who was practically half way through the rope.

"Whoa... that guy was scary, but he was also pretty dumb to leave such a sharp knife in Mathias' cell like that." Tuff pointed out as smiled proudly.

Ruff gave him a dry expression. "Seriously? He obviously left it on purpose."

"Huh? Why would he do that?" Tuff asked in response but Ruffnut simply rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I'm related to you."

"Neither can I." Mathias commented as he let the ropes fall slack to the floor. "I figured Fishlegs would be the first one to figure it out if anyone at all."

"Wait a minute... so that was all an act?" Fishlegs asked with a smile on his face. "In order to not only get a knife without seeming suspicious, but also know where to find your dragon!"

"Shh!" All the other riders let out at once before he was overheard. "Do you want them to hear us?" Tuff asked with a disappointed expression. Fishlegs was not amused at all by the insinuation. His attention was then drawn by a hissing noise and quickly saw the lock on Mathias' cell beginning to melt. "What is that?"

"Is that Changewing acid?" Fishlegs asked in a whisper as he eyed the flat glass flask.

"Yup, Hiccup thought it might come in handy breaking out. Most people don't know that acid can be stored in glass bottles so even if it is found a simpleton guard wouldn't think much of it."

After losing sight of the two dragons, both Hiccup and Astrid moved to go and inform the rest of their group of the change. "It looks like he's heading for our meet up spot near the frozen fort." Hiccup informed as looked at his map.

"But he's not alone." Astrid added in. "We think Drago sent one of his men with him on a dragon."

Valka scoffed at that. "Drago may have an army of dragons but none of them have riders."

"So then this is a rider we don't know?"

"Yeah I've never seen someone ride a Battering Charger before." Hiccup responded to his father's question.

"So then we can't rule out the idea of Drago sending one of his men on a dragon even if you've never seen it." Astrid pointed out.

"I agree with Astrid, even if Fenrir hasn't betrayed us I doubt he found an ally in Drago's camp if it isn't one of us."

Hiccup gave a nod. "Then let's not take any chances." "Yeah who knows what Mathias has gotten himself into by now." Astrid agreed though Hiccup shook his head.

"No, I didn't mean we we're going to pull Mathias out yet. I meant the meeting with Lupidrax. We meet up like we said, only just me and Astrid. The rest of you will lay low in the area and wait for my signal."

Stoic didn't seem happy about being back up but conceded with hand on his Son's shoulder. "I'll go along with this plan of yours because I know what you're capable of Hiccup, but don't you go underestimaten that sell sword. Their loyalty is to the purse strings of the highest bidder."

Hiccup gave an understanding nod as he turned to Astrid. "Let's go."

Not too far away from the coast a small dragon flew into the trees to be intercepted by a Langholt soldier. He quickly recognized the small dragon and dashed to inform his superior. "Captain Tyrell!" He called as he tore into the tent with the dragon on his back. "We have received word from the rider. They claim Drago is on the move along with that dragon that could make a dragon army."

He handed the message off to the man who quickly looked over its contents. "I see. I didn't expect that. They also seem to be working with that sell sword Fenrir." He lowered the parchment and looked over the map on the table.

"Then should we continue to wait?" The soldier asked.

Tyrell took a moment to analyze the map indicating the locations of Drago's forces. "I didn't think we'd have to move so soon, but if our information is right Drago's movement is still limited." He thought a moment more before handing the note back to the soldier. "Have a messenger bring this to the Jarl at once. Tell him we'll require more forces if we are to make a move now."

"Aye sir!" The soldier responded as he quickly headed out of the tent. He dashed out and as soon as he did the dragon bolted away having completed its mission.

So much plotting even I can't keep it straight... I have it written down this time. Anyway, thx for reading and as always, I appreciate comments, questions, basically any form of opinion. (Please try not to hate me for my bad update speed.)=^-^=