第八章：在琥珀蓄奴地寻找琥珀(7)

We’ve been losing a lot of slaves recently,’ cried Alvin the Treacherous, and the cold clear note of the bugle rang out. ‘THE SEEKING BEGINS!!!’ All around the edges of the courtyard, tucked away behind the crazy jumble of weaponry and dragon-traps, were rows and rows of sand-yachts. The crowds of slaves rushed and jostled for them now, for the witch’s prize of Freedom was far more precious than her punishment of death. ‘Calmly, Amber-Hunters!’ said Stoick the Vast, holding up his great hand. ‘Calmly! There is plenty of time.’ So the Amber-Hunters got to the sand-yachts after the first undignified rush. Eggingarde showed Hiccup his sand-yacht. ‘This one hasn’t got an owner,’ said Eggingarde. Hiccup swallowed. ‘What happened to the last owner?’ asked Hiccup, although he already knew the answer. ‘I really can’t say,’ said Eggingarde, but her eyes seemed to say ‘Lo-o-o-o-st…