I find my lessor in The Bannered Mare, deep in her cup and sitting between Olfina Gray-Mane and Jon Battle-Born. "What brings you down here?" Ask Jon once he notices me, Olfina and my underling too busy talking to notice my presence. "I'd planned on asking my companion a very important question, but it's obvious she's far too drunk to properly answer." My companion in question gets up about halfway through my conversation, and makes her way over to Uthgerd the Unbroken. "She's only had three flagons of beer." Jon tells me as he downs his own glass, the foam sticking in his beard. "I've seen people vomit at one." I tell him as Uthgerd and my lessor throw back their heads and laugh at some joke, Uthgerd scooting closer to my companion.

"Maybe children, but I've seen her down more and fight a dragon. She's fine just ask her the question." Jon argues as her waves at Hulda for another flagon. "No, I'll find her in the morning." I tell the Battle-Born as I turn to leave, but stop when I see Uthgerd scoot closer still. She's far too close to the vampire for my liking, although I'm more concerned for my vampire lessor than the drunken citizen. I've no idea why I suddenly care who takes an interest in the vampire, she's nothing more than a slobbering beast. Yet, when I watch Uthgerd lean in and begin whispering in her ear I can't stop the protectiveness that overwhelms me, the same feeling when I saw her injured thumb. I can't decide what to do, but make up my mind when my companion begins blushing like mad. I slowly walk towards the pair with the intent of taking my companion back to Jorrvaskr, but begin jogging when I see Uthgerd place her hand on the vampire's thigh.

"Come on you, back to Jorrvaskr." I tell my lessor as I tug on her arm, but she stays rooted to the bench. "Why?" She asks as she slowly blinks at me, her sluggish mind not even bothering to question why I'm here. "You're drunk and I'm too kind for my own good, now come on." I tell her as I continue yanking on her arm, Uthgerd glaring at me all the while. My lessor slowly rises and follows me back to Jorrvaskr, but she walks as slow as a cow. When we return to Jorrvaskr I point her down the stairs and tell her to go to bed, and thankfully she listens for once. I quickly find Kodlak and collapse beside him before telling him, "She's too intoxicated to properly answer, and I'm too kind to that slavering beast." Kodlak smiles and tells me, "Uthgerd managed to sneak up here before you two got here, and it's safe to say she wasn't very happy. So Aela, care to explain why you suddenly felt the urge to help our youngest member?"

I snort and begin picking at my dinner before telling him, "I don't want any citizens to get hurt." Kodlak laughs a little before telling me, "Uthgerd assured me she was in no danger, in fact she seemed disappointed that you yanked our vampire friend away from her." I nibble on my bread and tell him, "She'd make a good companion-". Kodlak cuts me off by asking, "If she wasn't a vampire?" When I nod he continues, "She can change, regardless of her past. But she'll need your help, and yet you just sit there and continue bellyaching about having to work with a vampire. Aela, I know Skjor's leaving has affected you the most. We all miss him, but do you know about the lone wolf?" When I shake my head he tells me, "The lone wolf perishes when he can no longer hunt, only the pack survives. And, you have to accept our pack is one member short. Athis, Njada, and Ria aren't qualified to have the beast blood. Yet, the gods have delivered another strong, young warrior to us, all she needs is the blood."

"I'm too old to bestow the blood upon her, unless she wishes to become a weak and scrawny wolf. Vilkas and Farkas have too hot of blood, she'd struggle to control herself against temptation. You're the only one fit to pass on the blood, and subconsciously you've already accepted her into the pack." When I start to argue he says, "You didn't need to free her from the trap that ensnared her, fix her thumb, or stop her from coupling with Uthgerd. On the morrow I have little doubt she'll say yes, and you'll be the one to lead her on her first hunt. Aela do you know why I'm telling you all of this?" I hesitate before saying, "I don't have a clue." He gives me a slight smile and tells me, "Skjor and you were hunting partners, and since he left you've been alone. Vilkas, Farkas, and I can hold our own against your blade, but you're stronger than all of us combined in your beast form. Our newest member is young, strong, and brave enough. She'd become a fine hunting partner, if you'd allow her."

I knot my brow and tell him, "I'm not quite sure I understand what you're saying." He sighs and says, "If you can look past what she was, when she's a werewolf you could easily become fast friends. I suppose what I'm trying to tell you is, you two might have more in common than you think." When I continue looking at him he groans and says, "Go to bed, and on the morrow be prepared to take part in the blood ritual." I quickly slink downstairs and go to bed, stepping over the snoring vampire. As I fall asleep I can't help thinking, I hope she isn't too drunk to participate in the ritual tomorrow.