Stoick puts trainees through a grotesque salute ritual before a treasure hunt. Hiccup questions why they need treasure when they're already content, but Stoick says it's necessary to secure Hiccup's claim to leadership and silence rivals like Snotlout.
Chapters
Death or glory! yelled Stoick the Vast, performing the complicated hooligan salute, which consists of making a slitting motion across your own throat while letting out a fart like a clap of thunder. Death or glory! shouted Gobber the Belch, and even— and 11 of the trainees shouted fanatically, death or glory! and made the salute back at him. Oh. Not this again, groaned Hiccup and Fishlegs together. Stoick and Alvin's plan really was that simple. The hooligans and dragon had to bathe themselves thoroughly. They had to then present themselves the next day at the Great Hall, where Alvin would make sure they passed what Alvin called the sniff test. This consisted of Alvin, who was good at this sort of thing, Seeing if he could smell them or not, and the expedition would set off. Hiccup nerved himself up to talk to his father— never an easy task. Father, said Hiccup to Stoick after he had bathed himself and Toothless very thoroughly indeed. Hmm? said Stoick absentmindedly. He was attempting to dry off his own dragon, Newt's Breath, in front of the fire. Newt's Breath was an acne-covered, sludge-green Gronk the size of a small lion. He loathed water. It had taken Stoick 40 minutes to catch him and dump him in the tub. Now he made a furious lunge at Stoick, grabbing his left forearm between his massive jaws. Stoick laughed merrily and gave him a sharp whack on the nose with the scrubbing brush. Not now, Newtsbreath, chided Stoick. Don't be grumpy. I'm worried, continued Hiccup, that we may be setting out on the wrong quest. Do you really think we should be looking for treasure? We're quite happy and peaceful enough without all that money. Stoick ruffled Hiccup's hair affectionately.
Don't you see? said Stoick. You're going to be the one to find the treasure? That's what the riddle said. Only the true heir can find it. It has troubled me for some time that Baggybum and Snotlout might have their eyes on your throne. When you find the treasure, it will silence them forever. I'm doing this as much for you as for the The gold and the glory. Although I do see myself in a pair of fancy earrings, I must admit.
But what if I don't find the treasure? he asked Hiccup. But Stoick wasn't listening. He had stomped off to get ready. Oh, bother, said Hiccup.
