第五章：门的另一边(13)

And down here in the Slave-Pit were many, many noble, respected men and women, who six months earlier were proud Warriors of their Tribes, and were now wearing the Slavemark. Many were Peaceables, Grim-bods, Quiet-Lifes. But here on Stoick’s own table, in his Company of Amber-Hunters, among the Silents and the Bashem- Oiks, were one or two Hooligans that Hiccup knew well. The Vicious Twins. Hodgepodge the Loony. And Gobber the Belch, Hiccup’s old teacher. Gobber the Belch was a most respected Warrior who had fought bravely for his Tribe on numerous occasions and was, once upon a lifetime away, in charge of the Pirate Training Programme on Berk. Hiccup had a great lump in his throat as Gobber looked up and wished him a kindly hello, and he saw the horrible ‘S’ on his teacher’s forehead. Who had done this to him? How dare they! And to make matters worse, even Gobber didn’t recognise him. Had he really changed that much? Lonelier even than he had felt as an Outcast, Hiccup looked around the table, and around the whole courtyard. He was looking for Fishlegs, and Fishlegs didn’t seem to be there.