Roar of a Wolfborn
Chapter 7
The Way of the Voice
A/N: I might be taking a hiatus after this chapter. I've been barely writing on the other chapters and 8 is no where near finished...?
Sifkni woke up disoriented from the darkness. She saw the light in the crack under the door and walked to it. She shivered as her feet touched the cold stone. She opened the door. Farkas was asleep in the chair next to the door. She put her hand on his shoulder. She smiled when he looked up at her. "Thank you, Farkas. You can sleep in your bed now." She used her sleeve to wipe the dried drool on his face and then helped him to his feet.
"Did you sleep well?" He mumbled between yawns.
"I did, thanks to you. I'm going to talk to Kodlak and then I'm heading to High Hrothgar."
Farkas sat on the edge of his bed and rubbed at his eyes. He grabbed Sif's hand before she left. "Wait. Let me come with you. It's a long journey. And dangerous." He yawned again. Sif sat down next to him.
"You know, I can't ask that of you. To put your life in peril again. When you are still injured." She leaned against him.
"You're not asking me. I'm asking to come with you. Let's ask Kodlak what his advice is." Farkas stood up and walked out of his room, following Kodlak's scent. The Harbinger sat in his room. Attention on his journal. "Let me take Sifkni to see the Greybeards." Kodlak put his journal done and looked at Farkas.
Sif came running in. "Don't ask without me being here?" She wanted to kick his leg but with his lack of armor she sighed reluctantly.
"Sit." Kodlak motioned for them. Sif grabbed another chair and sat down next to Kodlak. Farkas sat at the chair opposite Kodlak. "You know the Greybeards will only allow Sifkni access."
"The journey is long and there's danger."
"And she's a capable warrior like you." Kodlak looked at Sif. "The 7000 steps are meant for meditation. This isn't an easy task, Farkas. She will need to have a clear mind." He rubbed his forehead. "I understand why you are worried. You." He looked over Sif. "Like to push yourself." He sighed. He looked between the two of them. "You can take her as far as Ivarstead. She has to walk up the mountain herself."
"Aye." Farkas grinned.
"As long as Sifkni agrees."
Farkas' grin faded. He looked over at Sif with pleading eyes. Sif looked away and frowned. "I will agree if and only if the healer says you are fit for travel." She crossed her arms and walked out of the room. "Regardless, I'm going to see Eorlund for a new sword… and maybe armor."
"What about your axe?" Farkas questioned as she left. His question went unanswered. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I'll go to the temple then." Farkas left begrudgingly.
Sif walked up to the Skyforge. Inhaling the scent of the coal, the fresh smelted steel. Eorlund smiled at her. "I'm looking for a new sword. I lost my orcish sword."
"I've been working on a sword for you, actually. Vilkas mentioned you came back last night without your sword." He grabbed the steel sword and brought it over to her. "Skyforge steel. Nothing better'n it." He took the blade out of its scabbard and showed it to her. Sif grabbed the hilt and looked at it. It was a nice blade. Very nice. The design on the hilt and handguard. She ran her thumb across the designs. "Take it as a reward for joining the Circle. They told me you finally accepted. Stubborn." He shook his head and chuckled. Eorlund went back to the worktable and grabbed a set of armor. "This is from Kodlak and Skjor." He piled the heavy Wolf armor on her arms after she tied the sword to her belt.
Sif stared at the armor. She felt a lump in her throat but swallowed. She was allowed to accept gifts now. "Thank you, Eorlund."
"Don't thank me. Thank Kodlak and Skjor. And congratulations on all your recent achievements." He laughed when Sifkni groaned. "Dragonborn. Thane. And newest member of the Circle overnight." He patted her shoulder. "You deserve it."
Sifkni nodded. "Thank you. It's overwhelming. But, I'll do my best… No." She shook her head. "I'll do what I can. I still have a whole family that can help me. I'll try the armor on bring it back if it needs adjustments."
"Aye. I'll be here."
Sif walking to the training area. She shrugged the outer layers of clothing, the leather armor. She slid the chainmail and then the cuirass over her head. Once she fastened it, it fit better. She wasn't used to the weight though. She exhaled and sat down to put on the mail hosen and the boots and greaves. These would certainly protect her from a lot of things, but she felt it might be a hindrance. How could she sneak up on a deer? She shook her head. She slid her hands into the gauntlets. All that was left were the spaulders. She looked at them and attempted to put them on herself but sighed and leaned back. She knew she wouldn't wear the helmet unless she was fighting a dragon or delving into a bandit camp. A trip to Ivarstead and walking up 7000 steps called for her mobility and warmth. She laughed.
"What's funny?" Farkas came from the front. He looked over the new armor and grinned.
"How ridiculous I feel in armor?" She smiled. "Can you help with these? I've never really tried on heavy armor…" she sheepishly grinned.
"Of course." Farkas fastened the spaulders into place on her shoulders. "Let me fix the cuirass. It needs to be tightened here." He reached for the fastener and tightened it. "There… How does it feel?"
"Heavy."
"You'll get used to it."
"What did the healer say?"
Farkas pursed his lips and looked away. "Well, they don't want me over doing it…"
"So you can't go?" Sif sighed out of relief.
"No. I can. At least to Ivarstead. They don't want me taking the steps with you. I told them I wasn't allowed and they laughed." He shrugged.
"Okay. I have to thank Kodlak and Skjor but after that, we should be prepared to leave." Sif walked into Jorrvaskr, spotting Skjor immediately. "Skjor…"
Skjor turned to her. "Ah, Sif." He clapped her upper arm. "Looks good on you. I knew you'd fit in eventually. After that beating you gave Vilkas in the yard with your bad arm." He laughed. "Good luck on High Hrothgar." He turned to leave.
"Are you going on a job?"
"Some folks need to be taught a lesson, that's all. I'll be back way before you. Go teach those old bastards what the Companions are made of."
"Yes. Thank you, Skjor." Sif walked down to Kodlak's room after Skjor left. "Farkas got the okay to walk to Ivarstead. I'll hold him at an inn or someone's house before I walk the steps." She looked around the room.
"Aye." Kodlak looked up. "My. It looks a lot better than I imagined. It'll serve you well." Kodlak stood up and walked over. "As soon as you get back, we will have the ceremony."
"Thank you… For the armor. For letting me join." She felt a lump in her throat. She bit her lip. "For believing me when I couldn't believe in myself."
"That's what I'm here for, my child." He chuckled.
"After losing my father…" She looked away and then back at him. "I hope it's okay that I feel that way with you."
"Come here, Sifkni." He held his arms open and embraced her when she hugged him. "You all are my children. Hot blooded children." He laughed. "Now go get yourself to the Greybeards. Bring us honor."
Sif nodded. "Aye." She left to pack essentials in her bag. She walked outside seeing Farkas waiting for her. "I'm ready."
"About time." He chuckled. "Did you want to walk? Or catch a carriage?"
"It's not that long of a walk. But, you need to let me know if you need to rest." She poked his chest plate.
"Aye. Let's go."
Sifkni walked into the inn in Ivarstead. "I'm gonna need a room for the day and night for my friend." She said as she walked to the bar. "He's outside. Big nord fella, can't miss him." She laughed.
"You on a pilgrimage?" The barkeep, Wilhelm, looked her over.
Sif nodded. Did she even tell people she was the Dragonborn? Had rumors even spread yet? "I've never had the opportunity to climb the steps until now. I'm hoping it'll help relax my mind about my future." She smiled.
"Why doesn't your friend go with you?"
"Unfortunately, my friend is injured and my father only let him take me this father." She laughed. "I hope this'll cover any of expenses." She left a small pouch on the table. "Thank you."
"Visit us when you make it back down."
Sif nodded. "Absolutely. I'll need to rest when I get back." She walked outside and looked around for Farkas. He stood by the bridge, talking to someone.
"Oh, Sif." Farkas turned when she walked up on the two men. "This is Klimmek. He was telling me about the Seven Thousand Steps. He makes deliveries to the Greybeards but his legs are worn from walking it so many times."
"Oh? I'm on my way up. I could deliver it?"
"Really? Is that okay? There's a chest that the deliveries go into. Thank you."
Sif nodded. "I'm already headed up." She grabbed the bag of supplies and then turned to Farkas. "I've paid for your room and food. Don't you dare get into any trouble." She poked Farkas' chestplate. He groaned but nodded. "I'll be back as soon as possible." She turned to start her long trek.
Sifkni rubbed her hands together. She stood in front of the stairs to High Hrothgar. She placed the supplies into the chest out front with the other donations. She took her time walking up the steps, taking in the view and the crisp air. She pushed open the door and saw 4 robed men standing. Waiting. She swallowed nervously.
"So… a Dragonborn appears, at this moment in the turning of the age." One approached her.
"You call me Dragonborn. What does it mean?" She looked around at the others.
"First, let us see if you truly are Dragonborn. Let us taste of your Voice. Do not be afraid. Your Shout will not harm us."
Sif wrung her hands. "Ah… Okay… " She concentrated on the word and felt the power surge through her body. "Fus!" Her cheeks flushed because of the mess the power caused.
"Dragonborn. It is you. Welcome to High Hrothgar. I am master Arngeir. I speak for the Greybeards. Now, tell me, Dragonborn, why have you come here?"
"I'm answering your summons. After I defeated the dragon…"
"We are honored to welcome a Dragonborn to High Hrothgar. We will do our best to teach you how to use your gift in fulfillment of your destiny." Arngeir continued.
"What is my destiny?" She frowned. She was upset with the thought of a destiny. All she ever wanted was a quiet life. It looks like the Divines had other plans for her.
"That is for you to discover. We can show you the Way, but not your destination."
She nodded. "Then, I'm ready to learn."
"You have shown that you are Dragonborn. You have the inborn gift. But do you have the discipline and temperament to follow the path laid out for you? That remains to be seen." Arngeir paced around the front hall and continued talking. "Without training, you have already taken the first steps towards projecting your Voice into a Thu'um, a Shout." He stopped and looked at her. "Now let us see if you are willing and able to learn. When you Shout, you speak in the language of dragons. Thus, your Dragon Blood gives you an inborn ability to learn Words of Power. All Shouts are made up of three Words of Power. As you master each Word, your Shout will become progressively stronger. Master Einarth will now teach you 'Ro' the second Word in Unrelenting Force. Ro means 'Balance' in the dragon tongue. Combine it with Fus - 'Force' - to focus your Thu'um more sharply." As he finished explaining another man approached in front of her.
"'Ro'…" The words appeared on the floor. The same ethereal text as the walls she'd come across. Even though she'd never learned any dragon language, she could read it. She nodded when the word disappeared.
"You learn a new word like a master… you truly do have the gift. But learning a Word of Power is only the first step… you must unlock its meaning through constant practice in order to use it in a Shout." He stopped and looked at her. "Well, that is how the rest of us learn Shouts. As Dragonborn, you can absorb a slain dragon's life force and knowledge directly. Which has happened before." He continued when she nodded. "As part of your initiation, Master Einarth will allow you to tap into his understanding of 'Ro'."
Einarth bowed towards Sif and the same energy as when she slayed the dragon flowed through her. She looked down at her hands. The same warm feeling as the dragon's soul flowed through her veins. She understood. At least, she understood how Master Einarth perceived the world.
"Now let us see how quickly you can master your new Thu'um. Use your Unrelenting Force shout to strike the targets as they appear."
"Fiik… Lo… Sah!" An ethereal version of one of the Greybeards appeared in front of Sif.
"Fus… Ro." The conjuration disappeared as the power touched it.
"Well done. Again."
"Fiik… Lo… Sah!" Another shouted. Another conjuration.
"Fus… Ro."
"You learn quickly. Once more."
Sif had to stop herself from clicking her tongue. She understood they needed to test her, but… Was this not excessive? Perhaps this is how they always trained everyone?
"Fiik… Lo… Sah!"
"Fus… Ro."
"Impressive. Your Thu'um is precise. You show great promise, Dragonborn. We will perform your next trial in the courtyard. Follow Master Borri."
One of the men started walking through the building, leading to massive doors with dragons etched into the metal. Sof followed after them. She rubbed her hands together. Divines! It was as cold as the Pale. The others trailed behind her and surrounded her in the courtyard.
"We will now see how you learn a completely new Shout. Master Borri will teach you 'Wuld' which means 'Whirlwind.'"
Borri stepped forwards. "Wuld…" The words appeared on the ground before again.
"You must hear the word within yourself before you can project it into a Thu'um."
'Wuld'. She thought of the word, vague understanding. It would be the same as the 'Ro'.
"Approach Master Borri and he will gift you his knowledge of 'Wuld'." She approached Borri and felt the same energy. The same as before. She felt the rush of Master Borri's perceived meaning of the word.
"Now we will see how quickly you can master a new Shout. Master Wulfgar will demonstrate Whirlwind Sprint. Then it will be your turn. Master Borri."
Master Borri walked over to a large gate and stood next to it. He yelled. A new word. "'Bex'!" The gate flew open. Could Sif learn that word? She had a general understanding of the word. Maybe a dragon understood it?
" 'Wuld… Nah… Kest'!" Wulfgar dashed… No, he basically flew through the gate before it closed. Sif stood there wide-eyed. Could she really do that? She inhaled deeply, held the breath, and then released it.
"Now it is your turn. Stand next to me." He gestured to his side. Sif walked over. She took her pack off and her weapons as well. Arngeir smiled. "Master Borri will open the gate. Use your Whirlwind Sprint to pass through before it closes."
"'Bex'!"
"'Wuld'!"
She looked behind her once her body stopped moving. She looked down at her hands. Adrenaline rushed through her body. "I… did that?" She looked back Arngeir and then walked over to the Greybeards as they gathered together.
"Your quick mastery of a new Thu'um is… astonishing." He stroked his beard. "I'd heard the stories of the abilities of Dragonborn, but to see it for myself…"
Sif grabbed her pack and threw it back on. She tied the sword to her belt. She smiled. "Thank you… This… is all new tome. What's next?"
"You are now ready for your last trial. Retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, our founder, from his tomb in the ancient fane of Ustengrav. Remain true to the Way of the Voice, and you will return. Sky above, Voice within." He bowed.
"I'll return with the horn…"
Sifkni walked into the Vilemyr inn. She quickly walked over to Farkas who turned around when the door opened. "I have to go on a retrieval. I assume you are game to come with me?" She sat down next to him and yawned. She took the heavy gauntlets and put them on the table. "But, first food. And sleep."
"How was it?"
"I'm still being tested?" She shrugged. She looked over at Wilhelm and waved at him. He nodded and grabbed some food, stew and bread, for her. "Thank you. Here's more money for the room and the food." She handed him a handful of septims. She turned back to Farkas while munching on bread. "I need to get the founder's horn or something? At least, this should definitely be only draugr? But, he said I would need to 'Remain true to the Way of the Voice'." She slurped on the stew. "I assume that means I have to use my shouting…"
"I'd like to see your shouting. I'm sure it's something amazing." Farkas leaned over on the table and watched her. "How was the climb?"
"Cold. Cold and long. There was a troll? But, the wolves left me alone. I saw a couple of other pilgrims. I could show you one of the shouts. You'd like it. It's like I was flying? But it's sprint. It's even faster than running around…" She leaned close to him. "As a wolf you know. I don't think I've felt anything so freeing. Freedom. With just a small word."
Farkas smiled at her. "You were so scared about being the dragonborn. You seem almost happy about it now?"
Sif flushed and laughed. "I don't have work hard at it. The sprint shout is definitely my favorite. I'll show you on our way to Ustengrav. But, we should get some kind of rest."
Farkas nodded. "Our room is over there." He pointed.
"Hmm? One room?"
"Oh… was I supposed to get two?"
Sifkni looked around. "No. It's okay. We can share." She put the empty bowl in the back fo the table. "I know I'm ready to get this armor off… My shoulders are not used to all this weight."
"You'll get used to it, the more you use it." He put a hand on her shoulder. "I can take these off for you." He unfastened the spaulders. "I can help you with the rest when you are ready." He laughed as she frowned.
"Thank you Farkas. You're always a big help for me." Sif stood from the table and stretched. "Let's get as much rest as possible." She grabbed her armor and walked to the room. Farkas trailed after her. "If you just help with the fasteners… I can manage." She sat down on the bed and unfastened the greaves and slid them off along with the boots. She stretch out her foot and ankle. "That's better."
"Excuse me." He reached over and unfastened the cuirass. He helped lift it off. "There. Done with the heavy part." He chuckled. "Hold on." He put the armor down on the table and walked back over. He ran his fingers through her hair. "It's sticking up." He laughed and took a step back.
Sif laughed. "There's probably some static charge in the armor." She untied her hair tie and unplaited it. "Let me get this chainmail off." She took the chain hosen off and handed it to Farkas, who added it to her growing pile. She pulled the hauberk over her head. "Hmm. ow… ow…"
"What's wrong…?" He walked over. "Oh. Your hair is stuck. Here. Let me get it for you. Hang onto the hauberk okay? I know it's heavy." He carefully worked her hair through the chains. He threw the hauberk to the table. "Are you okay?"
Sif nodded through tear filled eyes. "Yes. I didn't expect that. I'll keep my hair up next time." She rubbed her scalp. "Thank you."
"It's nothing." He sat down on the bed and started taking off his armor, starting with the greaves and boots.
"Let me help you."
"I've got this. I'm used to it now." He tried to wave her away.
"I'm helping." Sif stood up and started to unfasten his chestpiece, helping pull it over his head. "Divines, how much is this?" She laughed and put it on the table next to her stuff. "You wear leather armor instead of the chainmail." She tilted her head. "That's probably why you go that wound." She looked at him.
Farkas laugh. "Chainmail gets hot so… I don't like wearing it. You should wear it though. It's very protective."
Sif frowned and then laughed. "I will." She walked back over to grab his boots. Before she could kneel down to grab them, Farkas pulled her into an embrace, resting his face on her stomach. "F-f-Farkas…?" She flushed and bit her lip.
"Thanks for letting me come with you. I know I've been a pain." He squeezed his arms around her back.
"I… uh… No. It's my fault you were hurt. So…" Her hand hovered over his head, momentarily. She raked her fingers through his hair. "I'm glad you came with me."
He moved his head and looked up. "Truly?" He smiled.
Sif nodded. "Yes. It's been nice to have the company. And… Specifically that it's your company I get to enjoy."
"Aye. Sorry. I'll let you go. I promised to let you set the pace." He frowned. "I couldn't help it. Sorry."
Sif put her hands on his arms and took a small step away, before sitting down next to him. "It's… I wasn't expecting it." She leaned over on his arm. She hesitated, but intertwined their fingers.
He ran his thumb over her knuckles. "I understand. I'll ask next time."
"Thank you." She yawned. "Sorry…" She wiped the tears forming in her eyes.
"No. Let's get you to bed actually. After walking to Ivarstead and then walking up the mountain… and I'm sure doing whatever the Greybeards wanted, was tiring." He stood and walked over to the wall sconce. "Get comfortable. I can keep watch."
Sif looked at him as she got under the furs. "We're sharing right. Get over here, you oaf."
He smiled. "Aye." He put out the sconce and climbed into the bed, laying next to her.
