Chapter Nine:

"Guest" Appearance

Middas 28 Midyear 4E 199 8:02PM

"So," Taryn said as she walked into our room and sat on her bed, "where're you taking me to hunt tonight? Eastmarch? The Pale? Hjaalmarch? Haafingar? The Reach?"

I couldn't help but laugh as she listed off the Holds. "No," I finally answered, closing the knapsack that I was filling with extra clothes and a few tents. "I'm taking you to the Rift tonight." I turned around, leaning against my dresser, arms crossed. I was only wearing a tunic, trousers, and a pair of regular boots. There wasn't really a need for armor.

Taryn's eyes widened. "B-But that's on the other side of the Throat of the World!"

I reached behind me, grabbed the knapsack and secured it to my shoulders. "It only seems like a long trip because you're still thinking like a human. Think like the wolf and the trip should only take roughly an hour-and-a-half—two at most, if you decide to hunt early," I added.

Taryn tapped her chin for a moment, her eyes narrowed at me. "How long would it take you to run from the Rift to the Reach?" she asked.

I felt my lips frown as I did the math in my head. "About half the night." Taryn's eyes were wide with the answer, but she recovered quickly.

"That's amazing," she murmured.

Helplessly, I shrugged. It didn't seem amazing to me, seeing as how I ran off in different directions often, not stopping until my wolf decided that it was hungry and wanted to hunt the biggest, most dangerous predator out there. Some nights I would start out in Eastmarch and wake up on the edge of Haafingar and Pale territory.

"I still need to pack a few things for the trip. Do you mind meeting me near White River Watch?" I asked.

Taryn stiffened. "No one goes near that place. Hajvarr Iron-Hand is the leader of the bandits that inhabit the cavern."

I scoffed. "This is all I heard from that phrase: there's a bunch of free food living in that cavern." Taryn stared at me in disbelief. "Come on, Taryn! You're a Werewolf! Those bandits will flee before thinking about attacking you!"

Taryn crossed her arms distastefully. "You might be okay with eating men and mer, but I'm not." She huffed. "I won't ever eat anything but animals—."

I snorted. "Don't kid yourself, Taryn." I adjusted the knapsack. "It'll happen sooner or later. There will come a time when you let the wolf go and hunt, and it'll pick up the scent of either man or mer."

I watched Taryn for a moment. Sighing, I strode over to the door. "I'll meet you at White River Watch in an hour. Try not to draw attention to yourself. You're about as quiet as a giant running after its lost mammoth."

"Har, har, har," Taryn replied.

Smirking, I left the room and walked to Kodlak's room. Knocking twice, I backed away to wait. About three minutes later, Elana answered the door, a knowing smile plastered onto my face.

"Hello, Skadi. Kodlak's not in right now. He's up at Dragonsreach with Skjor and the Jarl."

I inclined my head. "Thanks for letting me know. Can you tell Kodlak that I'm taking Taryn to the Rift tonight?" Elana nodded. "I think we'll stick around that old Dragon Lair, Northwind Summit."

"I'll make sure that Kodlak knows. Thank-you, Skadi."

"No problem, Elana."

Middas 28 Midyear 4E 199 11:01PM

I carefully approached the outskirts of White River Watch, scanning the tall grass for any sign of Taryn. I'd found her clothes neatly folded near the same outcropping of rock that I hid behind the night I tailed her to Falkreath Hold.

I spent two hours staring at a map that I had hidden in my shared room and another hour walking towards White River Watch. I wasn't a total fool when it came to planning hunts. I'd have to avoid Faldar's Tooth, since that was a supposed Silver Hand lair and those men and mer were the last people I wanted to deal with—or eat, for that matter.

I wasn't in my wolf form yet. I'd transform when I found Taryn and we'd run towards Northwind Summit, where I had scouted out a perfect camping area the night before this one.

Snap! My head whirled just as I saw a massive, furry shape lunging at me. I ducked, rolling to the side so that my attacker would eat the dirt. Taryn shook her head a few times after skidding through the earth, trying to clear it no doubt. "You need to work on sneaking yet," I chided, standing up. "I didn't sense you until you stepped on that twig."

Taryn raised and lowered her shoulders in a shrug, a wolf-y smile on her face. I easily interpreted it as: "Hey, I'm learning as fast as I can." I placed my hands on my hips while I watched her. My method really did work for her. I was afraid that the first time she tried my method; it was a fluke and that we'd be back at square one the next night. But nope, Taryn repeated my method to the letter and she returned to me with complete control.

"Give me a minute, all right?" I asked, feeling the fire coursing through my veins. Taryn nodded, resting on her front, eyes averted as I removed the knapsack and my clothes. I knelt on the ground, took a deep breath, and allowed the flames to spread.

I blinked a few times, letting the night come into focus. I blinked again, and I finally achieved clarity. However, I didn't expect Taryn to be standing in front of me with the knapsack filled with our spare clothes and three tents precariously held in her maw. She raised her brow. "Are you ready?"

I nodded. Taryn set the knapsack down and I carefully picked it up, trotting at an easy pace. All the while, Taryn was observing Skyrim at night. I kept hoping that my "guest" for tonight wouldn't get lost. However, Taryn must've been getting restless, because she kept increasing our pace until we were both at a full out sprint, racing each other.

Turdas 29 Midyear 4E 199 12:22AM

We arrived at the campsite about an hour-and-a-half later. Taryn didn't wander off to hunt; she obviously wanted to make it to the camp before she hunted, so that she knew where I was going to be when she got back.

I trotted ahead of Taryn, stopping in front of her as the familiar scent reached my nose. I dropped the knapsack on the ground, barking to Taryn that she should go hunt. Tilting her head, Taryn made to follow me, but I lowered my ears, bared my teeth, and let a growl leave my throat. Taking a step back, Taryn bolted into the woods to begin her hunt.

Grinning, I began the transformation back into my body. It was a little difficult, since I was taking away the wolf's only way to hunt large prey. It was mad and hungry, but it was curious because I'd never transformed back into my Nord body at will. I always let the wolf have control until it fell asleep—until we fell asleep.

When it was over, I dressed in a miner's tunic, black trousers, and black boots. My "guest" was standing in the middle of the camp, sword out and ready in case a bandit decided to stop by. I wouldn't doubt a bandit would try to attack, but my "guest" was more than capable of defending herself.

"It's just me," I assured my guest. They lowered their weapon, smiling at me.

"She's out hunting?"

I nodded. "I'll get your tent set up, then I want you to stay in there until she comes back. Her tracking could use a bit of work, but she knows your scent better than anyone else's." I watched my guest. "Are you going to be able to stay up long enough for this to work?"

My guest smiled and showed me a few bottles filled with green liquid. "I brought plenty of stamina potions with me."

I laughed. "That's good, because you're going to need 'em. Taryn takes a while to hunt and she's not exactly 'clean' when it comes to eating. Should've seen her after Kodlak and I had taken her out. Her entire face was covered in blood."

My guest started laughing, but muffled it when she realized that Taryn could possibly hear us. "Don't worry. I'm sure Taryn's not that close," I said. But I better not risk it.

As swiftly as I could, I set up the first tent, placed a bedroll inside, and allowed my guest to enter.

Turdas 29 Midyear 4E 199 1:45AM

As I set up the third tent, I heard the bushes rustling slightly. Okay, she's getting better, but she still needs to work on sneaking, I thought to myself with a smile. My hunt would have to wait until my little lesson with Taryn was over. I wasn't terribly hungry, but it was there. I'd have to settle for bears and smaller animals for this hunt. The Rift didn't exactly have prime picking for sabrecats. Plus my wolf was ticked that I denied it a hunt right away.

I casted a glance at the shadowy figure who was watching me set up the camp. My guest was more than willing to help, seeing as how Taryn had a few more obstacles to jump over, but she was doing remarkably well for a new Werewolf.

I turned around when I heard Taryn step on a stray twig that I had purposely left laying around. One quick glance in her eyes told me that it was her and not the wolf staring at me. "You've been doing good, Taryn," I praised. I kept smiling when Taryn gave me a wolfish smile in return. "But you still have a fear to face."

Confused at my words, Taryn titled her head, watching me as I walked to the tent that held my guest. "Okay, she's here. You ready?" I whispered too quietly for Taryn to hear. My guest nodded. "All right. Come out whenever."

I backed out of the tent, standing next to it with my arms crossed. My eyes remained on Taryn, watching for the slightest change in body language or anything that would hint that she was about to relinquish control back to the wolf. A few long seconds later my guest emerged from the tent. Both Taryn and my guest locked eyes.

Taryn took a moment to take in the company. Then her ears flattened against her skull, her eyes went wide with terror, and her tail fell between her legs.

While Taryn was out hunting, I had explained to Elana what she was going to do when she revealed herself to her daughter. I had assured Elana that if Taryn wasn't fully in control, I'd get in-between the two of them. After the agreed upon five seconds, Elana took a step forward, her arms beginning to reach for Taryn.

In response to Elana's step forward, Taryn took a step back. Another step forward and Taryn took another step back. Elana stopped as Taryn slipped into the bushes, effectively hiding herself from her mother's sight. "All right," I murmured to Elana. "That's far enough."

Without a word but the hurt clear in her eyes, Elana returned to the camp to start a fire. While she began building a fire, my eyes rested on Taryn's hiding spot.

"Taryn—." I crouched down in front of the bushes. Scared Werewolves were even more unpredictable than calm, in control Werewolves. I didn't hear a response from her. "Taryn," I tried again. "Look; you're so afraid of hurting those close to you that you won't even give them a chance! I brought Elana out here so you could get over it!"

Taryn began growling at me, and I had a feeling it was because I had admitted to bringing Elana out here. Regardless of what she was saying to me, I treated her the same way one treated a wild animal: no sudden movements.

Slowly, I brought my head through the brush to get a better look at Taryn, only to see razor sharp fangs careening for my throat. Gasping in surprise, I made to pull away, but the teeth clamped down around the collar of my shirt and I was yanked into the woods.

Grunting, I felt rocks, twigs, and a few stray branches scrape against my face and arms as Taryn ran into the woods. When Taryn did finally come to a stop and release me, I sat up, straightened my shirt out, and glared at Taryn, ignoring the stinging from the new wounds.

"What in Oblivion was that for?!" I exclaimed. The question was followed by a warning snarl. I wasn't afraid to retaliate if she did that again. I stood up, crossing my arms as I did so. "And thanks for not ripping my throat out. I appreciate it."

The next thing I knew, the entire forest was filled with her barking. Pursing my lips, I watched Taryn as she barked. Every time she paced in front of me, every time she stopped and barked at me, every time she moved, she was telling me what she was thinking. She was pissed that I brought Elana here, she was mad that I didn't tell her, and she was upset and scared that Elana—her mother—was here. I understood though; Taryn said that she'd tried to eat her mother and Tilma when she first transformed. But that was the exact reason why I had Elana come. I just needed to have Taryn see that.

Like all rants, whether it be Werewolves or humans, the barking ceased after a bit. Taryn was panting heavily, her eyes locked with my silver ones as she snarled at me again. I raised an eyebrow, prompting Taryn to continuously glare at me.

"Are you done?" I asked.

Taryn nodded, her eyes still narrowed at me, her hackles raised.

"Good," I said, crouching down. "Because I want to have a little talk with you." Taryn tilted her head again. "For the record, I did understand what you were saying, and I am sorry for not telling you about this little stunt, but just please, hear me out."

Taryn nodded.

"I'm not going to send Elana away—." Taryn snarled at me as she leapt, shoving me into the forest floor, her forepaws pressing down on my shoulders. Her teeth were inches from my face, a low growl emanating from her throat. I remained utterly composed, which seemed to confuse Taryn a little bit.

"I'm not sending her back for three reasons," I began. "One, she'll get lost." Taryn rolled her eyes. "Two, it's late out. Three, you know damn well that you need to face this fear of yours." Taryn removed herself from my body and paced in front of me, her tail swishing back and forth in a constant motion as she thought.

"If you weren't in control, you wouldn't have been able to back away like you did," I continued, sitting up. "If you weren't in control, you would've snapped my neck—and I know you want to do that right now." Taryn rolled her eyes again and snorted. "If you weren't in control, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

I let Taryn contemplate my reasons as I stood up, brushing the dirt from my shoulders and pants. "Come on; it won't be that bad, Taryn. Put what happened in the past behind you. You won't hurt her. I won't let you."

Taryn glanced up at me, the worry in her eyes apparent. A thin smile appeared on my face as I playfully scratched her head. "I promise, all right? I promise that I won't let you hurt your mother."

Slowly, the two of us walked back to camp. We were in the bushes that Taryn had hidden in prior to dragging me away when Taryn stopped in her tracks. "Taryn?" She looked up at me, her eyes displaying to me what she was feeling. I nodded. "I understand. You'll do this at your own pace."

I returned to Elana, who gave me an expectant look. "In the bushes," I whispered, gesturing to the bushes Taryn was in. Elana turned her head to look at the undergrowth. "You didn't do anything wrong, Elana," I assured her. "Taryn's just unsure right now."

Elana rested her eyes on me. She didn't need to speak to tell me what she was thinking—that she wanted Taryn, more than anything, to get over her fear of hurting her mother. She wanted Taryn near again, not only as a human. It was crucial to read body language when out in the wild so one could get away before the person who was attacking made their move. Saved my arse a couple times over with that little skill, too. Eventually, Elana rested her eyes on the fire while I stoked it to keep it going. "No sudden movements," I muttered to Elana, who nodded.

I watched the flames and Taryn as she poked her nose out from the bushes. Eventually, her entire body was scurrying across the ground, belly low to the ground. I was able to see Taryn as she closed in on Elana, but Elana was unaware that Taryn was approaching. A few times Taryn shot a worried glance my way, but I simply smiled and urged her to keep going.

Taryn was just out of Elana's reach when she looked at me again. "Go ahead," I murmured softly. Slowly, Taryn nudged her head under Elana's arm. Elana made room, hastily but carefully, and wrapped both of her arms around Taryn's neck. Taryn rested her head on her mother's lap as Elana began stroking her fur. I could sense the uneasiness emanating from Taryn, but it was a human uneasiness. The wolf wasn't anywhere in her mind.

I kept my eyes respectfully on the fire, my mouth closed tightly. Let her and Elana have this moment, I thought to myself. Something flicked my arm a few minutes later. I looked, and a smile formed on my face. "You're welcome," I said, seeing the "thank-you" in Taryn's eyes after she had flicked her tail at me. "Wasn't so bad, was it?" Taryn shook her head while rolling her eyes. Her tail brushed over my arm again. "What?"

Elana snickered and started scratching behind Taryn's ear. I had to suppress a bout of laughter, because I could see she was fighting the urge to wag her tail or let her tongue hang out of her mouth from the gesture. Yeah, you've gone from a bloodthirsty Werewolf to a domesticated dog in under an hour, I thought sarcastically to Taryn. "I think she's telling you to go hunt," Elana said (while continuously scratching Taryn's ear). "Your eyes are near solid gold, Skadi. Hunt. Taryn'll be able to look after me."

Absently, I ran my tongue over my teeth. Sure enough, they were sharpening. I sighed, smiling. "All right, all right; I'll go hunt. I shouldn't be long." I gently patted Taryn's back to get her attention. "Howl if there are any problems," I stated firmly.

Taryn barked in response, making Elana jump in shock. I felt my eyes widen but I was also laughing mentally at Elana's reaction. "You okay?" I asked.

Elana nodded and proceeded to scratch Taryn's ear again. "I'm fine," she assured us both. "I just didn't expect that to come out of Taryn's mouth. Words? Certainly. A bark? Not in Oblivion!"

Taryn glanced at me with a sheepish expression. I grinned in response. "Remind me to have a conversation with Taryn in Werewolf when I get back. It's quite... interesting." Taryn snickered quietly, probably so that she didn't spook Elana again.

Waving as I vanished into the woods, I silently hoped that there wouldn't be any problems while I was gone. Even though I was craving something big and dangerous and carnivorous, I planned to keep my hunt close to the camp so that if Taryn did howl I'd be able to get there pretty quickly.

After the transformation, I lifted my nose into the air, sniffing once. Sabrecat? What're they doing so far south? I wondered. My wolf, however, growled at me to not question the blessing and snarled at me to let it go. Sighing, I sniffed the air again, pinpointing the scent before I completely relinquished control to my bestial side.