''Retreat, Dragon Riders!'' commanded Hiccup, a hand cupping his mouth as he fled from the flying arrows and boulders from the heavy-armed ships below his dragon's wings.

Astrid and Stormfly looked up at him in surprise but did not hesitate to join their leader as he reached for safety high up the sky, where Singetails couldn't reach. Neither Snotlout nor the twins argued either and avoided more weaponry aimed at them while Fishlegs sighed in relief and patted his Gronckle's cheek gently.

They regrouped in only a few seconds and flew away to Dragon's Edge to rest after yet another defeat.

Far in the distance on the island the Dragon Riders were fleeing, dark brown eyes fixed the group in the pale dawn sky. The man growled to himself and turned his back on them. Krogan pulled out his unique ax and studied its surface, wishing he could somehow transform it into a wand and make those Dragon Riders disappear once and for all. While his mind raced with all sorts of ways to destroy them, Viggo approached the tall man with his arms reached to his back.

''Viggo,'' greeted Krogan as he noticed the Dragon Hunter chief from his weapon of choice. He followed the civilized man up the weak hill giving a view of the ocean reflecting the sun rising, flickers dancing on its wavy surface.

''Krogan,'' Viggo returned the salute, never turning around to address the Flyer. He watched as the Riders flew away, their silhouettes soon only dots against the colorful background. Then his eyes trailed down to his sunken shipyard along with fallen soldiers resting on the beach. Singetails screamed above their heads as they passed by, flown by Flyers. The dragons had been wounded, but neither chief could come to care if a dragon was in pain or not. Viggo rose his eyes on the horizon suddenly, breathing heavily as if disappointed instead of defeated. ''It would appear Hiccup and his friends got bored again.''

''These attacks are becoming bad for the operation, Viggo.'' snarled Krogan, narrowing his eyes on the Hunter. Viggo rolled his eyes to himself and turned around to walk the other way, Krogan following his every move with his ax held tightly in one hand.

''As usual, Krogan, you're blinded by details,'' commented Viggo, waving the back of his hand at him. ''Hiccup Haddock will not give up trying. He's made a promise, but so did we.''

''What are you saying?'' asked Krogan, straightening up and cocking an eyebrow curiously.

''Let the boy keep on trying,'' advised Viggo, pulling out a piece of Maces and Talons from his back. He held it up to observe but Krogan's only reaction was a growl of disgust. But Viggo carried on anyway despite the tall man's lack of interest for this wise game. ''Someday he'll be tired of trying catching up to us. He'll fall in behind so bad, he won't be able to pick himself up.''

When Viggo put away his game piece, Krogan rolled his eyes in annoyance. ''Hiccup needs to be eliminated, Viggo.'' declared Krogan with much authority. ''Soon.''

''Everything in its own time, Krogan.'' sighed Viggo, rubbing his nose bridge. It was like trying to explain to a child that no meant no.

''Well, time is of the essence for us, my friend,'' said Krogan, turning his head to look at wounded men walking to the healer's place. Krogan twisted back around when no reply came from the Hunter and found Viggo staring at the ground, deep in thoughts. When Viggo raised his eyes back up to the Flyer, Krogan looked at him expectantly, angling his head with narrowed eyes. ''What is it? Any ideas?''

Viggo paused and locked his eyes with Krogan and replied a firm 'no'. Krogan smirked and studied the man smugly. Waving his ax, Krogan started circling the Hunter, knowing the man did have a said idea. ''Common, Viggo.'' sang Krogan while Viggo's gaze avoided his. ''Tell me what you have in mind.''

Viggo's eyes snapped from the ground to Krogan's. "I don't take orders from anyone." reminded Viggo, tightening his fists while holding his ground.

''Oh, but you do now,'' said Krogan before striking Viggo's middle with the dull end of his ax's butt. Viggo crashed on the dusty ground, a weak cloud rising around him.

Picking himself up almost immediately, Viggo caught his breath fast and looked up at the man towering up above him. ''How dare you?'' he snarled, reaching for his sword at his back.

''There's no need for this to go further.'' soothed Krogan, putting away his own weapon as well. Viggo hesitated a moment and finally let the metal slide back into its sheath with a sharp sound of metal brushing metal. The Hunter straightened up again, keeping a considerable distance with the Flyer. Krogan smiled at him and took one step closer. ''Just tell me, and we can get this over with.''

Viggo inhaled and sighed, wondering if this was such a good idea. Advising a partner on battle strategies was something. But advising how to kill the opponent with every detail included was something else. Not to mention Hiccup was his only challenging adversary, so much that he doesn't want to kill him just yet. But he went with it anyway.

''What you can do, is capture a hatchling Slitherwing dragon.'' began Viggo, but the look on Krogan's face suggested he should explain even more. ''These dragons' scales are poisonous. One touch and you're dead by the next moon—"

''This is all very interesting.'' interrupted Krogan, waving a hand at the Hunter's face. ''But how is it going to help?''

''If you would just let me finish?'' snapped Viggo, giving Krogan a deadly glare. When the Flyer crossed his arms, he continued. ''Hatchling don't have that ability yet. But their bite is as deadly. Send Hiccup a Terror Mail to meet. I take it you have a minimum of brains to figure out the rest.''

Krogan searched his feet, his mind running wild with all sorts of scenarios. ''This… this is wonderful,'' he whispered, a smile printing on his face. ''Simply brilliant! So why didn't you ever use it before?''

''Hiccup and I have history, Krogan. He knows my strategies and would be wise enough not to show up after what he's seen me capable of doing.'' cleared Viggo, reaching his hands to his back once again. ''Besides, there's no honor in such a dirty trick.''

''I don't care,'' growled Krogan. He just couldn't come to care less of honor. In Krogan's world, there was only blood and war.

Viggo reached out a hand to him as he turned his back on him. ''Krogan—'' he warned but was cut off immediately.

''I want you to find that hatchling.'' said the Flyer, twisting around suddenly and pointing at the Hunter commandingly. ''I don't care how many sacrifices it'll require. Just bring me one.''

Viggo stood his ground and lifted his chin high. ''No.''

Krogan paused, narrowing his eyes. ''What did you say?'' he demanded, and even if his tone didn't sound intimidating, it had hearts skipping beats.

''I will not send good soldiers to a meaningless death because of your wrath for Hiccup Haddock.'' declared Viggo, locking eyes with Krogan challengingly.

Krogan held his glare. ''I think you're forgetting who's operation this is, Grimborn,'' growled Krogan, approaching Viggo until their faces were only inches apart. ''Do as I tell you or you got another thing coming.''

But before Viggo could say something about this threat, Krogan was already walking away, getting this plan – his simple idea - moving. And there was nothing Viggo could do about it.

Oh my, more Hiccup!whump on the way. Who doesn't just love that? Ok, just warning you all ahead, updates might be slow. Reason: I pretty much spend all of my summertime in a camper and I'm barely home to write on my computer. So, every time I can publish I will, but don't count on it to be too quick.

One other thing, did any of you watch Hotel Transylvania 3? God, it was so good! You know what my favorite part was? When Drac wailed in agony. I love watching characters in pain.

...

Anyways!

Till next update,

Rain