I stepped into Stoic's house with Hiccup. "You wanted to see me, Stoic?"

"It's sucked, Gobber!" Stoic yelled. "It doesn't suck anymore than this!"

"Ah, the ceremonial belt," Hiccup said. "Is it that time again?"

"Yep," Stoic said. "Tomorrow's the annual treaty signing with the Berserker tribe."

"They've gotta change that name," Gobber chuckled. "When your Chief's Oswald the Agreeable, and you haven't been to war in fifty years."

"That's not really the point of the name," I rubbed my neck.

"Oh, please tell me he's not bringing that lunatic kid of his?" Hiccup said.

"Dagur?" Gobber nodded. "Oh, he'll be here."

"Oh, great," Hiccup said, "and let me guess: I get to keep him from breaking things."

"Actually, no," Stoic said. "I want Mouse on that. I have a more important job for you, Hiccup. You get to hide all the dragons."

"From Oswald the Agreeable?" Hiccup asked. "Why?"

"Hiccup," Stoic explained. "Just because we've had had peace with them for fifty years doesn't mean they still can't go, well..."

"Berserk." I nodded.

"Exactly," Stoic agreed. "The dragons could be seen as a sign of aggression. Better blissful than bloody I always say."

"And the last thing we want is another Berserker skirmish," Gobber said.

"They tend to play for keeps," I agreed.

"Just hide the dragons, son," Stoic said.

~~~

I stood beside Stoic as the warriors of the Berserker tribe disembarked. Hiccup rushed up beside his father. "Hey, Dad, there's something-"

"Not now, son," Stoic interrupted. "Oswald is here."

"Presenting the high Chief of the Berserker Tribe," a crier announced, "the cracker of skulls, slayer of beasts, the great and fearsome... Dagur the Deranged!" Dagur stepped around one of the men and spit.

I stared at the red head young man before me. Had he really had it in him to kill his own father? With a chuckle Dagur threw a knife at Hiccup. Hiccup ducked, barely missing the knife.

"Dagur," Stoic asked, "where's your father?"

"My father has been..." He thought for a moment, "retired. He lost his taste for blood. I, on the other hand, am starving. So, where are you hiding them, Stoick?"

"Hiding what, Dagur?" Stoic asked.

"Do I look stupid to you?" Dagur asked. "We both know what's going on here. I have it on excellent authority that you're amassing an army of dragons."

"Excellent authority?" Stoic asked. "And who would that be, Dagur?"

"Never mind," Dagur said. "Just know that if I find it to be true, then my armada will attack with the force of fifty thousand brave Berserker soldiers."

"Stand down, Dagur," I said in the same commanding tone I used with the dragons. "There's no dragons to be found here."

"Cousin Mouse!" He hugged me tight as a vice. "Just as tiny as the last time I saw you."

"Now, now," Stoic said calmly. "There won't be any need for an armada. Now let's get to the treaty."

"Yes, let's. According to the treaty, my visit starts with a tour of Berk, the armory, the feast in the Great Hall, the killing arena-- you do still kill dragons here, hmm?"

"Your father never found the tour necessary," Stoic said.

"As you can see," Dagur said. "I'm not my father. Am I?"

"Of course not, Dagur," I said, easing the building tention between my chief and my cousin. "We'll begin with the tour, yes? Lead the way, Stoic."

Dagur followed Stoic but Hiccup grabbed my arm. "I can't find the twins and their dragon is on the loose."

"Catch the dragon," I told him. "And get it into the forest away from the village. But first, take all of the tools and weapons from my work shop and put them in the armory. Gobber hasn't yet caught up on everything and we need it to look full."

"Why didn't you say that Dagur was your cousin?"

"Well now you know I'm a Berserker. Change anything?"

"No."

"Good. Now do that before Dagur calls for your head!" I rushed to catch up with Dagur and Stoic.

~~~

"Nice weapons, very clean," Dagur played with the newly minted sword, "no blood stains. Pity."

"We run a tight ship," I chuckled. "Blood causes rust."

Hiccup came up behind me. Dagur dropped the sword. "Ah, Hiccup, there you are."

"Dagur!" Hiccup said with mock enthusiasm. "I was just thinking about you! Hey, remember that time we went swimming, and you tried to drown me?"

"Hohohohohohoheheheheha. Oh, the laughs we had," Dagur pushed Hiccup. "Bored again! Just a moment. Something is going on here."

"I can explain.," I said quickly.

"Where is it?" Dagur asked.

"Look," Hiccup started, "it's just one drag-"

"Your leg," Dagur stopped quickly. "Never mind. I heard all about it."

"You heard all about what?" Hiccup asked carefully.

"You," Dagur answered excitedly. "The Red Death. Defeated it all on your own."

"What? Me? Look at me," Hiccup gestured to himself. "How is that even possible?"

"Right?" Dagur smiled. "That's what I thought, too! But then I heard about the trained dragons, and that got me, well, kind of tingly."

"Trained dragons? I do-" Hiccup studded, "I don't even-- How would you train a dragon?"

"I don't know," Dagur said. "How would you?"

"Alright, then," I interrupted, seeing Barf and Belch behind Dagur. "Who's hungry?"

"Oh, boy," Hiccup said awkwardly, "am I hungry."

I grabbed my cousin's wrist. "This way, Dagur."

##

"A toast!" Dagur raised his cup. "To death in battle!"

"To your father!" Gobber toasted. "To Oswald!"

"To Uncle Oswald!" I toasted.

"Fine, whatever!" Dagur said. "To Oswald! To Oswald! To Oswald! Bladady, Bladady, Blah! Ugh!"

"On that cheery note," I said, "shall we sign the treaty and send you on your way, cousin?"

"Great idea!" Dagur agreed. "Let's sign that treaty. Bring us the dragon's blood!"

"Did you say dragon's blood?" Hiccup asked.

"Heh, heh." Stoic chuckled awkwardly. "Don't be ridiculous, Dagur. Your father and I haven't signed the treaty in dragon's blood for years."

"Why would that be a problem, Stoick?" Dagur said. "Unless, of course, you don't kill dragons anymore."

"We still kill dragons," Stoic lied.

"Dagur," I pointed out, "we both know blood doesn't keep like ink does."

"Then fresh blood it is!" Dagur rubbed his hands together.

"The problem is, we've killed so many, there isn't a dragon within two hundred miles!" Gobber paused as Barf and Belch ran past. "Except that one."

"The Zippleback! It's a sign. A head for each Chief! It's going to be amazing!" Dagur raised a fist. "Tonight, we hunt dragon!" The Berserkers became excited as they chanted.

"You need to find that Zippleback before he does," Stoic said, sending Hiccup away.

##

I stood with my friends as Stoic and Dagur prepared to kill Barf and Belch.

"The Chief's not gonna let them kill our dragon..." Tuff said.

"Is he?" Ruff asked.

"He won't have a choice unless we can figure out a plan," I told them.

"I have a plan," Snotlout said. "One word: ANNIHILATE!"

"Or not," Astrid said.

"Actually," Hiccup thought, "that could work! Everyone, get your dragons and get ready. We're going to attack the arena but make sure no one gets hurt."

###

Snotlout and I flew over the arena, both firing over the top of the arena cage.

"Barf, gas," Ruff ordered.

"Belch, spark," Tuff ordered once the area filled with gas.

In the resulting explosion, Toothless dropped into the arena.

"Back, you... fiend, you!" Hiccup and Toothless began play fighting. "You'll not harm my friend Dagur. Please, Dagur, save yourself. You owe it to your people!"

"Berserkers," Dagur yelled, "to the boats!"

"What about the treaty?" Gobber asked.

"Consider it signed!" Dagur yelled on the retreat.

As soon as they were gone, we landed.

"Well done, Hiccup," Hiccup said. "I doubt we'll be seeing much more of Dagur the Deranged."

"Let's hope not," Hiccup said.

"I still think Dagur's pretty cool though," Snotlout said.