There was already a commotion in the main hall as Valleri entered Jorrvaskr. People were yelling and cheering as two others, a Dunmer and a woman started throwing blows at each other. Valleri grimaced; any expectations she had of a highly ordered fighting unit was thrown to the wind.

She lingered by the door a few moments longer before a hulking man approached her. He was smiling widely with dark, long hair braided back to keep it out of his face. Valleri relaxed slightly as he greeted her warmly, "Are you here to join?"

"Uh… no," Valleri glanced around the room, gaze focusing on the crowd at the far side of room. "Is there someone in charge maybe? I have something I need to discuss with them if so."
The man stared blankly at her for a moment, as if something she said was indescribably confusing. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he smiled again, "Oh right! You'll want Kodlak for that! He's the Harbinger"

The man didn't say anything more, just stared at her with a grin. Valleri furrowed her eyebrows in frustration, "Do you know where he is?"

"Yeah, he's the old man down the stairs at your right. I should probably warn you though; my brother is down there with him. He's not known for being warm with strangers."

Valleri frowned as she started to turn around, "Thanks for the warning."

"No problem."

The man's words of encouragement did nothing for Valleri as she descended the stairs he directed her too. The door at the bottom felt heavier than it should have and her heart began to pound against her chest as she stared at the knob. It was burnished iron, but her hand was too warm to notice the cold feeling of the metal. Valleri steadied her breathing before turning the knob and walking into the lower floor. The barracks, as they appeared to be, were much warmer than upstairs. Valleri assumed this was because it was built partially underground like the buildings in Bruma she was familiar with. There was long, straight hallway with bunk rooms splitting away. Many of them had multiple beds while others were far more decorated and meant for a single person. At the far end of the hall was a final, ornately decorated room.

Two men were conversing in low tones at a table in the far corner. Valleri paused before entering the room to get a good look at them. The man on the right was older, grey hair brushed back, and calmly listening to his companion. That one must have been the brother the man upstairs had warned her about, even from a distance his gaze was intimidating. Eyebrows were furrowed with what Valleri could only guess was concern. Valleri began to eavesdrop on their conversation. They were talking about blood and honor. The hair on her arm stood up as she realized this was a conversation she shouldn't be listening to.

The old man hushed his friend then smiled lazily, "We've company," He looked at Valleri down the hall way and beckoned her to come closer. "And who may you be?"

Valleri's palms began to sweat as she strode forward. Both men stared at her as she entered the room. "Valleri. Are you Kodlak? I was told that you were the leader here."

"That I am."

Valleri internally sighed in relief then reminded herself this was no time to appear relaxed. "I was wondering if I could convince you to take a job for me?"

"What sort of job?"

"I need help taking care of a group of bandits." Valleri paused to steady herself then continued, "They murdered my friends."

"There's more to this isn't there?" Kodlak looked Valleri up and down. "You're a smart woman, you wouldn't come all the way here if you did not a purpose to."

"You're right. I don't have any payment; however, I was think-"

"Wait, wait, wait," the younger man next to Kodlak shook his head and frowned, cutting off Valleri. She groaned as he continued, "Are you really just going to help this lady get revenge?"

Kodlak stared at his friend in slight disbelief, "Listen first; she hasn't finished." He nodded at her to continue.

"I would propose that I work off my debt with the Companions. I would like to believe I have a half decent sword arm."
"You're not from here I take it?"
"Not at all. My friends and I were ambushed shortly after arriving from Cyrodiil. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," Kodlak looked at the floor and pondered the idea for a moment, "Why did your group come to Skyrim?"
"We were researchers who had reason to believe that there was an Ayleid artifact hidden somewhere in Skyrim."

"Do you still wish to find this artifact?"
"Any notes or leads we had brought with us were probably destroyed when we were attacked. I hate it but there's probably no point anymore."

Kodlak paused again. The man next to him looked on in anticipation. He had definitely been frowning with narrowed eyes as Valleri had answered Kodlak's questions. The thought of rejection made Valleri sick, but there was a clear possibility that was how this might end.

"I believe there is still more to your story than what you have told us. However, as it stands, Valleri, I will accept your proposition."

Valleri breathed out with relief quietly mouthing a quick thanks to Dibella. The other man didn't hide his disappointment as he stared at Kodlak with his mouth agape. He turned to look at Valleri, blue eyes narrowed as he looked the Imperial woman in front of him. She took notice and lengthened her spine and smirked; anything to let him know there was nothing he could do. Kodlak, oblivious to Valleri and his friend's interactions, looked over to the man next to him, "Vilkas, why don't you see what she's made of?"
"Aye," The man stood up from his chair then walked out of the room past Valleri. He looked over his shoulder as she turned around, "Follow me newcomer or I'll leave without you."

Valleri hurried behind him with a grimace. She had sinking feeling as she left the room. With the way the man had thought about her proposition in the first place, the test may not go so well.

The training yard was behind the main hall of Jorrvaskr. Most of the warriors Valleri had seen earlier were still inside. Whatever they were doing was beyond her. Vilkas stopped shortly after they stepped outside and turned around to address her, "You said you had a half decent sword arm?"

"I'd like to think so."

"Well good, otherwise this would be a waste of time. You got a blade?"

"Yeah," Valleri pulled it out of the scabbard at her side and handed it to Vilkas who had his hand out.

He looked at the sword briefly then held it out in front of him. He grimaced a bit before handing it back to Valleri, "That is a really shit sword. Where'd you get it?"

"I pulled it off a thief two days ago."

"Should have figured." He moved form under the awning covering a raised patio to the middle of the training yard. He waved Valleri over, "C'mon, take a few hits. I could take pretty much anything you can throw at me."

Valleri strode up and took a fighting stance. Steadying herself, she took a swing at his left arm. Her wrist burned as her grip on the hilt of her sword tightened. Vilkas blocked the blow easily. He went for her side. The tip of his sword caught her as she stepped away. Her side began to throb. She swung for his back. Her blow connected and he turned around to face her. His sword arced towards her shoulder. She crouched forwards to swing and the blade contacted with his side. Valleri stepped backwards and Vilkas bent forward slightly. She raised her sword slightly and brought down on his shoulder. Before Valleri's blade made it to his target, Vilkas hit her hard in her side. Valleri felt a sudden jolt of pain when his sword hit her broken rib. Her free hand went to her side and she started breathing heavily. Valleri looked up suddenly, breath becoming uneven, and looked straight at Vilkas. Short hair fell into her face as she rushed towards him, sword raised far above her head. He stepped back and raised his own sword to meet hers. The impact of the blades produced a loud clang that rung in Valleri's ears as she stepped back to take another hit. She stalled to catch her breath allowing Vilkas to come forward and swing for her arm. She sidestepped to the right and went for his arm as well. He blocked, spurring Valleri to move to his other side. Once again, Vilkas moved forward and aimed for her chest. Valleri, tired and restless, knelt down and closed the gap between the two of them. She swung her blade for his abdomen at felt a connection. Vilkas moved backwards and swung for her side once more. Valleri had paused to catch her breath once more, allowing Vilkas' sword hit her rib again. She cursed loudly and the throbbing morphed into a sharp pain that made Valleri double over with a grimace.

"I guess that's where we stop."

Valleri looked up, eye brows raised and her mouth drawn back, "Wait, no. I can keep going."

"I bet you could, but that's not going to help anyone." Vilkas dropped his sword on the ground and approached Valleri. "When was the last time you got into a fight?"

"What?" Valleri collapsed onto the ground and breathed out. Hair was plastered to her face and her wrist and side burned.

"You got winded after I hit your side and your grip was all funny," He gestured to her wrist then crouched down n the ground next to her. "Either you're not in good shape or you're crap at this."

"Oh, shut up."
"Right," Vilkas muttered as he finally met Valleri's eyes with his own. They were steely blue and piercing; intimidating enough for Valleri to feel even the slightest bit guilty. "When were you attacked?"

"Almost two weeks ago. I honestly don't see why that matters!"

"By oblivion, woman! You're a fucking liability. I'm taking you to Danica."

"What the hell?"

Valleri propped herself on her elbows as Vilkas got up and looked down at her expectantly. He sighed, "Danica's a healer. Kodlak's not gonna let you take any work if your wrist is broken or something. That's just not safe."
"What do you mean safe? Like fighting bears or bandits is ever safe." Valleri complained from the ground. Her lungs were still painful but her wrist was beginning to go numb. Vilkas was still staring down at her, a hand now proffered to help her up. Valleri sighed and took it, "Fine. You win."

The two didn't speak as Vilkas led her to the temple on the other side of central plaza. Instead, Valleri took a better look at her surroundings; she had made her way straight to Jorrvaskr as soon as she entered the city. On her second time through however, she as able to take a second look at the giant dying tree that dominated the plaza. Perhaps the leaves fell as colder months approached.

Vilkas stopped and held the door open as they entered the temple. The interior was surprisingly light, not dark and musty like other temples Valleri had spent time in. there was a small shrine in the back of the room, while much of the space had been reserved for beds for the sick and injured. At the far left of the building was a small spring and wash basin for cleaning. There were no other people inside the building. Vilkas had gestured for Valleri to wait at the door while he went to search for Danica. He left her quickly and disappeared into another room. Curious, Valleri moved closer to the shrine in the back of the room. It was purple and in the shape of a vague looking acorn. Surprised, Valleri looked around the room once more. This was a temple of Kynareth.

Vilkas came back out a moment later with middle aged woman dressed in orange robes. She looked harried and tired as she disgruntledly followed the man towards Valleri. "Is this her?"

"Aye."

Valleri almost laughed; both of them sounded equally tired. Danica approached her as Vilkas stepped back. The priestess gave her a look before taking her by the shoulder, "She looks a bit scrawny, but I'm guessing that's normal. What's your name?"

"Valleri" she answered as she gave the priestess a confused look.

"Great," She moved towards one of the beds to her right and patted it, "Sit right here please."

Valleri did as she was told and folded her coat sleeve up to reveal her wrist. Danica took the arm and started prodding until Valleri winced in pain. Danica started to move Valleri's hand up and down, "You know Vilkas, this is the last time I'm doing this for you. I finally got a break and I'm spending it taking a look at some fool"

Valleri frowned internally as Danica continued her investigation. Vilkas moved closer to the two women, "Usually I would agree, but think of it as personal favor for Kodlak."

Danica finally smiled as she looked at Valleri's other arm for comparison, "Fine. Just this once though." She looked at Valleri, smile still on her face. "You're a new comer, right? Where are you from?

"Anvil," Valleri answered. Danica shot her a glance of confusion. Valleri laughed nervously, remembering that they were just as unfamiliar with anywhere outside of Skyrim as she was with anything inside. "It's a city on the Gold Coast south of the Imperial City."

Vilkas' eyes lit up momentarily but didn't say anything. Danica put Valleri's wrist down softly, "Cyrodiil, huh? That's far." She paused and turned back to Vilkas, "Her wrist is definitely sprained, but not broken. It'll take a while to heal but there won't be anything wrong after. You mentioned her side was injured as well?"

"The people who found me told me a rib was broken," Valleri quipped, catching the attention of her companions. Danica frowned as Vilkas sighed in either disappointment of frustration; it was beginning to become difficult for Valleri to tell which one it was.

"Pull off your tunic," Danica said unenthusiastically. She helped Valleri out of the overly large piece of clothing and urged her to lift her left arm up for the priestess to take a look. Vilkas continued to stand behind the older woman. She frowned as she took her first look at the giant bruises that were now coalesced around a singular area. The new cut from Vilkas' sword had stopped bleeding but a scab had yet to form

"When did this happen exactly?"

Valleri put her arm down and in a quiet, mumbled, "About two weeks ago."

"And you were sparring with Vilkas earlier? Any other fights?" the priestess asked as she palpated Valleri's rib.

Valleri paused and stared blankly at Danica. The older woman narrowed her eyes; she knew exactly what happened. "Last night; I got into a fight with some thieves. I don't remember being hurt, but my side has been throbbing ever since."

"I should have known." Danica turned back Vilkas. "You knew about this and still had a go at her?" she scolded, shaking her head slightly as the Nord took a step behind her.

"I honestly had no idea."

"Sure you didn't." Danica muttered under her breath. Vilkas looked down momentarily, reminding Valleri of a sad dog.

"He really didn't. I didn't think it was important enough to mention," Valleri said quickly. She grimaced and looked behind Danica to Vilkas. He had nervous look plastered on his face that probably mirrored Valleri's own expression.

"You're idiots, the both of you," Danica went to the left side of the room to grab a damp cloth. "Valleri, whatever you do, don't get into anymore fights for at least a week. The bone's still healing and I don't want it to moving out of place," Danica looked Valleri in the eyes as she paused cleaning up the cut. "Got it?"

Valleri nodded her head at the woman, words not coming to her suddenly. Danica finished cleaning up the wound and went back to the sink to wring out the cloth. Valleri slipped her tunic back on and clasped the belt a little looser than before.

"You two can leave now." Danica called out as she went to the other room Vilkas had found her in. Valleri slipped her coat on and followed Vilkas out the door. She was silent, pondering just what this meant for her search for the bandits that attacked her.

"Don't look so disappointed; its not like getting a late start will change anything." Vilkas said gruffly, not making any eye contact with Valleri. She didn't answer him only continued to look forward, brooding all the while. Vilkas had noticed and sighed, "Are you really that desperate?"

"Yes, I am."

"We'll find them then." Vilkas paused momentarily. He was looking forward towards Jorrvaskr. "If not now, then soon."

Valleri smiled a bit. Vilkas' encouragement was unexpected but welcome. Things were finally looking up.