Updates 45 (couldn't think of anything witty)

[Mamorien]

It's Thing of Vikings time, it's Thing of Vikings time...

Explicit Act of War Crimes, Implied Threat of Torture, Implied Threat of Dismemberment, Mention of Past Torture, Explicit Discussion Of Mental Illness

I guess enhanced interrogation torture is a subset of "war crimes".

Wild dragon hatchlings would typically spend their first two to five years being heavily dependent on their parents and extended family for food and care, despite being able to fly on their own after a period of only a few months. This childhood stage would typically involve the education of the young dragon in language and culture, with a strong focus on practical hunter-gatherer skills. This education would continue into pre-adolescence, during which time the young dragon would venture further and further from their home nest, gaining more and more independence from their parents. Upon reaching adolescence, most dragons would leave their home nest, searching for potential mates. Some would stay together as a small flock for mutual support while others would travel alone. Both strategies had their advantages and disadvantages: going as a group would lessen their chances of acceptance at a nesting site, but would increase their chances of finding sufficient food, and as such it was common among young dragons with close or extended relatives; traveling singularly lessened their dependence on others and increased their chances of finding a place, but also increased their risk of starvation.

Finding a nest willing to accept new members was usually a matter of luck; such nests would broadcast a call in ultra-low-frequency infra-sound that triggers an instinctual homing response in dragons, useful for helping both newcomers and established residents find their way home even under adverse conditions. These nest calls would also have the unfortunate side effect of possibly causing feelings of fear in humans in its radius, and are thus rarely used anymore.

We start at the upper ridge of a ravine near Hoffell, Iceland, in the aftermath of Hiccup's and Sigvatr's capture, as Astrid proposes capturing a local to ask what's going on; while she's working out the logistics, Stormfly takes initiative. On the Dragon Pavilion in Bianjing, Drago takes advantage of the Han New Year to claim the Mandate of Heaven, with interesting results. Back on the ravine, Eret, the target of Stormfly's initiative, starts throwing in his lot with Mildew's enemies. Down in Höfn, Hiccup gets through the first three warnings before making his escape from Mildew's Rugenesque hospitality; Toothless them safe from the Grímsvötn flyers keeps, long enough to his fellow Nightscreamer to call out. In the Mormaer's chambers at Inbhir Aora, Toiréasa considers the enigma that is Dagur. Back at Hoffell, Toothless to the Nightscreamer explains what doing he has been since last each other they saw, with a brief interruption, his relationship with her, to the walkers to demonstrate. We return to Dagur's chambers, where he explains what it was really like the day he shot his father. We turn back to Hoffell, where Eret finds out why the Hooligans came calling. And we close down in Höfn again, where Sigvatr finds unexpected help, and finds that he is unexpected help...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/104089...s/69079272