Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim or any of the characters- that particular honour belongs to Bethesda.
CHAPTER ONE
"I hope you go" she heard Kodlak say softly as he walked away.
She stared at the fire, trying to re-arrange her thoughts. Why did she have to go now? Now that she was so close to finding Glenmoril Coven? Just one more look at Farengar's map and she would have it. Why did he have to send her on this quest now? They were not low on coin or respect; not low on patrons or Companions willing to prove their valour. So why now? The question haunted her. She got up, involuntarily adjusting her dress, and made her way down the stairs into the heart of Jorrvaskr.
"Why now, Harbinger?" she asked quietly."Why now?"
Looking up, Kodlak carefully closed the leather journal he had been examining and placed it on the table in front of him. Picking up a wine glass and taking a sip he considered the question. Why now? This request had been presented to him over one year ago by an imperial soldier on behalf of a general. So why now? He could not say and yet 'now' felt right. The face from his dreams haunted him.
"It is not a task I would entrust lightly, Companion, and I do not have the power to make you go. I just hope you will."
He sighed as he watched her leave, her normally confident gait somewhat strained. He had a sense of what was coming, not a foreboding, no, but a floating sensation. The beast blood stirred and he hushed it, gently stroking the wolf within. "Soon my friend, soon you will be free. Soon."
She walked out into the night, purposefully climbing the winding stairs to Dragonsreach. Making a sharp left turn in front of the main gate, she circled to the back and jumped just missing the over-hanging beam. Cursing softly and taking a deep breath she jumped again and this time her fingers made contact. Pulling herself up onto the beam she swung onto the roof and perched, letting her thoughts flow out and mingle, becoming one with the night.
She did not want to leave, not now, and yet the soft 'I hope you will go' made her want to run to the ends of the earth. She spent that night perched on top of Dragonsreach and as the sun broke over the distant mountains made a choice.
As the sun's rays enveloped Whiterun, she felt filled with purpose. Sometimes people had to make decisions in the dark, sometimes they had to go against what they wanted, hoping it was for an unknown purpose, a reason of some kind. She headed towards the quarters and spotted Aela, cross-legged on a bunk, polishing a dagger.
"Aela, you been to Riften before?" she asked as she made her way to her bunk and pulled a low chest from underneath the bed.
The huntress stretched languidly. "Once- didn't much like the look of it. Why?"
"Kodlak has sent me on... asked me to...do something" She wasn't sure what to say or how to say it. Errands of this sort were the work of thieves and con artists, not Companions.
"You don't have to tell me shield-sister." Aela smirked "Miserable little town full of rats fancying themselves a 'guild'- but I could help you pack!" Together, they headed out to start the necessary preparations.
Early the next morning she headed down to Whiterun Stables. "Climb on board!"The driver mumbled sleepily. "Allen and Madesi are on their way so we will be off in the next little while. If weather permits, I will have you in Riften in three days."
The journey was long and largely uneventful. Allen, a Nord pastoral farmer from just outside Riften, was armed with a wealth of amusing stories while Madesi, a traditional Argonian jewellery maker, talked of Black Marsh and his family. She smiled, chatted and charmed- mostly out of habit than any real desire for conversation- while trying to ascertain how to best approach the task ahead.
"What can you tell me of Riften?" she asked Allen one evening as they sat around the fire.
"What can I tell you lass? It used to be a centre of prosperity. The fishing boats would come in bearing fresh produce every morning; the women would pull them in and put on a wondrous market. At the dawn of every Loredas the best cattle joints would be brought in and roasted in the middle of the market square- bards would play, freshly cooked fish would be passed round and people would sit on the steps of the Temple of Mara enjoying being alive. Then the Great War came and things have never been the same since." He sighed, lost in the memory of what had been.
In the evening of the third day, as promised, the wagon arrived at Riften Stables. She jumped off, adjusting the sack across her back.
"It was a pleasure travelling with you Allen" she smiled.
"The pleasure was mine lass, you are always welcome at the farm." With a final wave he headed away from the stone walls.
Once at the gate, the guard took one look at the Argonian and nodded; standing in front of her, he barred the way.
"May I go in?"
"First, you must pay the visitor's tax girl." The guard smiled, extending the palm of his hand towards her.
Her mouth formed a smile and her voice was laced with honey though her eyes looked right through him.
"I will pretend this did not happen soldier, though if I hear of it again I will make sure you never find another job."
"Legate." The words stumbled out of his mouth as he attempted to withdraw his hand and salute at the same time, almost falling over in his haste. "I... it will... yes, Legate."
"At ease, soldier." she grumbled and made for the gates.
She walked into Riften, the wooden gate softly closing behind her, to find Madesi nervously waiting on the other side.
"They do this to new comers, I am sorry I couldn't..."
"Don't worry about it my friend, I understand."
He offered a relieved smile and together they headed towards the Bee and Barb.