It was dark outside by the time I left Dragonsreach and the temperatures had dropped immensely. All I had was the armor I had managed to pull off a dead body at Helgen, and it wasn't doing much to block the ice cold wind. I made it down the steps, back to the circular walk.

'Maybe the Inn?' I thought and reached for my coin purse. It was light, too light. I wouldn't have enough for a room. 'I won't make it a night out here on my own.' I thought. 'It's too cold.' I smiled at the guard that was passing me, trying not to shiver to violently. Watching him walk away I caught out of the corner of my eye the light in the windows of Jarrvaskr. 'Maybe they'll let me do some work in trade for a room for the night.' I thought and began heading towards the large building.

'What if they don't remember me.' I thought. The idea of being scoffed at was more than I could bear. I was too proud for that, I would have taken my chances at living through the night before I would take being laughed at.

But my feet didn't feel the same way as me, and I was already at the large, ornately carved door. I felt the roughness of the wood beneath my fingers. I hadn't felt this small and ashamed since I was little, when I would wait at the back door of the argonian woman's home for the food her children didn't eat.

I leaned all my weight against the door and felt it give way. It creaked as it opened and the warmth from the large fire pit in the middle of the main room rolled over me. My skin felt as though it was afire, I hadn't realized how cold I had gotten.

There were tables set up around the fire pit and the food that is being prepared smells wonderful. My stomach growls and my shame deepens. As fit as I was to care for myself in the lush forests of Cyrodiil I was helpless in this foreign land. I had learned on my walk here that my bow and arrows were no match for the looming elk that made the best meals out here. It was like being stung by a bee for them. I haden't eaten since the food Gerdur had graciously given me in Riverwood.

I was taken aback for a moment by the brightness of the large fire that burned in the center of the mead hall, and I had let go of the door, which closed with a loud thud. Embarrassed I glanced around to see if anyone had taken notice of my entrance. I quickly realized that no one was even looking at me, they were all looking at the same thing. I took a step further into the hall and craned my neck to see what fascinated so many people.

I could hear the fight before I could see it.

"You're pathetic!" I heard a woman yell.

"Keep it up, you'll wear him out!" The man on my right calls out in reply.

The intense fist fight looked like it had been going on for awhile and like it wasn't stopping anytime soon. The dark elf seemed to be taking most of the blows, but when he managed to land one on the nord woman they are sound and heavy. I was fascinated by how they moved, it seemed almost like a dance. One would move, and the other would match the movement. The woman seemed to effortlessly dodge most of the elf's attacks and in the same move would put so much power into her blows.

The elf let out a cry as he fell to the ground. "I yield!" He shouted, raising an arm.

I was shocked to hear the nord woman laughing. "Good job Athis." She reached down a hand to help him up. "You lasted much longer that time."

"I thought I almost had you." He took her hand and hoisted himself up.

She laughed even harder. "Right, Athis. It's me."

"Who are you?" The man standing next me had turned and was staring at me.

"I, uh..." He had caught me off guard, I didn't know what to say. 'Hello, I am a pathetic excuse for a nord who can't survive outside for a night and has no money. Can I stay here?' Thinking it made my thoughts from earlier of staying here for a night almost comical.

"Hey." A familiar voice called. "I remember you." I turned to see the man I had met earlier that day, outside of the hold.

"Oh, Farkas." The man turned his attention away from me. "Do you know this whelp?"

"Sort of." He scratched his head. "She was near where we killed that giant today. I told her to stop by."

The older man, who was much taller than the man I already knew, sighed. "Farkas, you can't keep inviting just anyone to come to Jarrvaskr."

"Sorry Skjor." He mumbled.

"But," He looked at me again. "She looks strong. Take her down to see Kodlak."

"Alright." He looked at me and smiled. "Follow me."

I followed him silently through the hall, trying not to make eye contact with too many of the residents. People made me so uneasy, I was much more at home in a tree, talking to the birds and foxes. He lead me down into the sleeping halls and past what seemed like designated rooms. The stone hall was long and ended at a room that had two men sitting in it.

"My brother Vilkas is a better talker than me." Farkas smiled. "He's right in there with Kodlak. Go on in."

I stood there and watched him walk away. I felt abandoned, left alone in a world I didn't know or understand.

"Vilkas, a moment please." The old man at the table interrupted the younger one. "A stranger has come to our hall." He turned and looked at me, a warm smile on his face. "Come in lass. Please come in." He motioned for me to enter.

"I, I didn't mean to interrupt." I looked at the younger man. He did look a lot like Farkas, eerily much so. But cleaner, he didn't have a beard and his hair was trimmed shorter and tucked behind his ears. "I am sorry." He just stared at me, a blatant look of disapproval on his face. Sure this hard, mean looking man couldn't be related to the kindhearted man I had met.

"What can I do for you Lass?" The older man smiled.

"I was told to stop by, that perhaps I could join your group here."

"Oh, were you now?" He sat back in his chair and stroked his beard. "Well, let me take a look at you."

I wasn't sure what he meant. I was standing right in front of me, hadn't he been looking at me? He stared at me. His eyes were much older than he seemed to be, they seemed to see through me, as if he knew my whole life's story all my most honorable moments and my darkest secrets. He was beginning to make me uncomfortable, I felt like I was squirming in my own skin.

"Yes." He sat forward in his chair, his eyes still burning into me. "A certain strength of spirit."

"Kodlak." The hard man stood. "Sure you don't mean to accept her?"

"Vilkas, we have many empty beds here that need to be filled with shield-siblings who's hearts are full of fire."

"Of course." He took a step towards me. It felt threatening, like he was testing me. "But their skills matter too."

"Of course." Kodlak sighed and sat back in his chair. "Of course. In the morning you can take her to the yard and test her. You will train her if she needs improvement."

"Aye." Vilkas relented. He glared as he shoved past me.

"Forgive him lass." The old man stood now. "He is a good man. Just hesitant to trust strangers. He has a strong heart and will be the best to teach you." His smile warmed me somewhere inside my chest that felt as if it had never been warmed. It filled me from the inside out, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you sir."

"What's your name Lass?"

"Dyre."

"Welcome." He lead me out to the hall.

"Now." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "Let's find you a bed."