Outcasts, Chapter 6: Truth or Deception?

The way down the mountain was difficult. There was still a long way to the foot of the mountain, and no trail whatsoever. More than once Hiccup slipped on the steep, rocky slopes (no thanks to his prosthetic), and his hands were aching terribly from the numerous times he had slapped them against the bare rock to keep from falling.

At last he stopped to rest, panting, by a small, quiet stream. When he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the stream's rippling surface, Hiccup didn't know whether to laugh or grimace.

"Ouch."

A bruise had darkened across his forehead and a cut sliced down the side of his face, barely missing his eye. His face was streak
ed with dirt and blood, and his hair sticking up at odd angles.

"I look like I got slammed into a wall, er, mountain." Which is basically what happened. "Gosh, what am I going to tell the people down in the village?" He asked, running a hand through his hair and making it stick up even more. "That I got chased by sand horses, riding a dragon, and ran into the side of a mountain?" Said out loud, the explanation sounded so ridiculous that Hiccup let out a small snort of laughter in spite of himself.

Still pondering the question, Hiccup dipped his hands in the water, splashing it over his face. It was cold, very cold, and he shivered slightly as it soaked into his hair, and trickled down the back of his neck, but he was able to wash away most of the dirt and dried blood. Next Hiccup smoothed his hair down, trying to make himself at least somewhat respectable-looking.

When he was finished, he continued his way down the mountain, wondering just where the trail of sand lead.

Why didn't you tell him?

Spirit turned from where he had been staring down the mountian to look at Rain. Tell him what?

You know what. Her voice was quiet, but her ears flicked back.

Spirit turned back again, letting out a small huff. Yes, because that's a great way to catch up, he snapped.

He needs to know.

And what good will that do? Spirit struck the mossy ground with his hoof. He can't bring her back. He can't make things right again, he muttered bitterly. The stallion closed his eyes and swallowed then opened them again to stare blankly ahead at the sky, filled with whispy clouds. He needs our help. And I can't let him down. I can't let my feelings get in the way.

And then can we go back home?

The words were so quiet he could barely hear them, but when he did, Spirit felt his stomach twist, and he glanced at Rain, then away again at a clump of grass near the edge of the cliff.

It's not that I don't want to be with Hiccup and the rest (I miss them just as much as you), it's not that I don't want to help them... I just don't feel like I belong here.

Spirit let out a long breath of air, then went over and nuzzled his mate, his Rain.

People and animals disappearing? I'm scared, Spirit, she admitted.

Don't be. I won't let anything hurt you. I promise.

Hiccup couldn't stop staring. All around him people streamed towards the castle gates. Banners in colors of green and purple, decorated with the silhouettes of crocuses and portraits of the royalty, hung from poles. Thin ropes with small flags attached were strung between squarish stone buildings with peaked roofs. They were unlike any Hiccup had ever seen before. Some people had set up stalls and were selling all sorts of things, from flowers to small flags.

As Hiccup stepped across the cobblestone street, houses on one side and docks on the other, he felt his steps grow lighter as he listened to the townsfolk's chatter, their voices overlapping into an eager babble. The young Viking felt a grin spread across his face. He couldn't help it. It was a gorgeous day out, the sky blue with only a few whispy clouds, and the townspeople's excitement seemed contagious.

"Come on, Percy," Hiccup overhead a plump woman say to a small boy. "We don't want to be late for the coronation ceremony."

Corination... So that's what they were all excited about. Hiccup stopped to study one of the banners, and nearly yelped in surpirse when he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. He spun around to see a somewhat bent and elderly, but kind-looking man leaning on a cane. He wore a bright blue coat and hat with a crocus lying in the brim.

"Come to see the corination, eh?" the man asked, then looked Hiccup over. "You must have come a long way."

Hiccup felt his face heat up as he realized how strange he must look with his scratched and bruised face, strange clothes, and prosthetic leg. "Um, er, yeah, of course," he stammered, fiddling with the edge of his tunic.

The old man chuckled, patting Hiccup's shoulder. " 'Course when I was your age, I would have walked over hill and dale if I heard only half of the rumors surrounding this place. Even now, the thought of seeing those two young girls, after all these years, sure gives me a glow."

Hiccup blinked. "Wait, so no one's seen the two princesses for... years?"

The man sighed and seemed to lean on his cane a little heavier. "The castle's been shut up for more than a decade. No one gets in, at least not since King Agdar and Queen Indun died."

"But... why?"

Leaning closer to Hiccup, the old man lowered his voice. "No one knows. But there have been rumors that when the elder sister, Princess Elsa, was just a child, she was cursed with a strange power."

Hiccup furrowed his brow. "What was that?" Perhaps this has something to do with the black sand... why it led me here.

The old man simply shook his head, straightening back up. "The answer to that question, m' boy, is something Elsa alone can tell you."

"Well, thanks for your-" Hiccup started to say, then broke off. The old man had vanished.

Hiccup was still staring at where the old man had been, people still brushing past, when he heard his stomach growl, and grimaced. How long had it been since he had last eaten? At least a day, perhaps more. Too bad he had lost the bag stocked with food. Not to mention an entire dragon!

Hiccup's insides twisted, though not from hunger. If only he'd followed the rules for once and stayed back in Berk. But then where would he be? The black horses said they were coming for him, and come they did. Would they have attacked him, had he been the island? Would they have attacked Berk?

Hiccup groaned and leaned against the wooden frame of an abandoned and empty vendor's stall, scrubbing a hand over his face. Two days, he had told Astrid. Two days, and then he would come back. Yeah, right. He had no idea where he was, had no idea how to get back.

They'll think I'm dead, Hiccup thought, and swallowed, hard. Gosh, what if I never get back? He shuddered, then stiffened. Of course he would get back. He just had to find Toothless, not to mention his dad. He just needed more information. He also needed something to eat.

Hiccup began wandering around the small village, but by now most of the people had left, most likely hoping to watch the coronation. Not knowing quite what to do next, Hiccup clattered down a ramp of sorts onto the docks. A young man was heaving himself onto the docks, water streaming from his formal-looking clothes and ginger hair. Standing nearby, the man's horse snorted, sounding much like Spirit did when he was laughing. The man simply rolled his eyes, getting to his feet and wringing some of the water out of his clothes.

"Prin-cess Anna," the young man said quietly, drawing out the words as if they had a pleasant taste. "Princess Anna. So lovesick... so naive... yes, yes, she will play hee part quite well." He lifted his chin, stroking the horse's face. "The perfect key into Arendelle's heart."

Hiccup froze, a slight chill running through him. He began to back away, stopping mid-step when the man turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Um, hi," Hiccup stuttered, then cleared his throat. "I guess I-I'll be on my way then, heh."

Hiccup turned to go, but suddenly felt his back slam into the stone wall as he found himself face-to-face with the man. He tried to wrench himself away, but it was useless.

"You didn't hear anything," he hissed. "Nothing." Then a sickly smile spread across his face as he looked Hiccup over. "A foreigner, eh?"

Hiccup staggered against the wall as the man suddenly realised him and took a step back. His face seemed almost apologetic as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Still, can't have you telling anyone about my, shall I say, magnificent plans?"

He lunged forward, but Hiccup was too disoriented to duck out of the way. He yelped as his head collided with unforgiving stone.

Shattering.

Everything was shattering.