Author's Note: Rodryn and his people are Cyclone Sword's, used with permission.

Chapter 10 - Dustman's Cairn

Interlude: Fox's Den, not long after Shanti's acknowledgement:

"And check," Rodryn said as he moved his chess piece into position. "You know, Zyraxis, I really expected you to put up a fight here."

The Argonian huffed in response but remained silent otherwise, keeping his gaze on the board as Rodryn leaned back with a half turn in his chair and grabbed a bottle of liquor from the mahogany cabinet behind him.

"You got to admit that this," he continued as he briefly motioned to the board before filling two glasses, "is far from being your best game."

"You talk too much," Zyraxis grunted, downing his drink in one go before sliding the glass back to the Breton. "Haven't won yet, either."

"Very true," Rodryn replied as he leaned back in his seat and generated a small flame with his free hand, absent-mindedly changing its shape every couple of seconds while the Argonian decided which chess piece to move next.

The silence of the office was suddenly broken as a Nord wearing blue mage robes walked in.

"Vyric, back so soon?" Rodryn asked curiously as he straightened himself in his chair. "I wasn't expecting you for at least a week."

"The Divines have decided it was a good time to have a laugh, Rodryn," Vyric said as he approached the duo. "They gave the greatest honor one can have in Skyrim to a Khajiit." He continued, making the Argonian look up from the chess board and the Breton frown.

"A Khajiit?"Rodryn asked dubiously. "Are you sure?"

Vyric nodded. "Yes, Basth says you already met her. In fact, you told him to find out why she was allowed inside Whiterun."

"The Khajiit at The Bannered Mare," Rodryn muttered to himself in realization. "Somehow I feel like things are about to get much harder."

Whiterun:

Balgruuf was on his throne as usual when Shanti and the other three arrived. He was speaking to his three main courtiers, and all four of them were chuckling. Then Irileth saw her, and waved them forward, still wearing an uncharacteristic grin. "Dragonborn! We have some news you might find amusing."

When they got closer, Shanti said, "We have news as well, but yours first."

Balgruuf was grinning, as well, and so were Farengar and Proventus. "We're neutral, as well as centrally located, so we get travelers and traders from all over the province." When Shanti nodded, he continued. "We got word from one of our Stormcloak visitors that Ulfric found out who - and what - the Dragonborn is. I think the reports of his reaction may be a bit exaggerated, since I've known him for a long time, and he doesn't go on rampages like a berserking Orc, but I do believe the part that had him extremely upset and cursing the gods, the Daedra, and the Empire." Balgruuf grinned. "He's got quite the vocabulary of curses, even though he doesn't - or didn't, I haven't seen him for years - do it very often."

He chuckled again. "I do wish I could've seen it, though. We fought together during the Great War, but we've been rivals since, and ... well, never mind. What's your news?"

"We've eliminated a dragon for you, my Jarl. Unfortunately not Alduin, and it took all four of us, but the one he revived, Vuljotnaak. And that one is dead, permanently, because I took and hold his soul."

Farengar looked thoughtful, the rest more stunned. "You took his soul?" Balgruuf asked. "I thought a Dragonborn just took the dragon's power!"

"That is where the power resides," Shanti said. "At least for dovah and Dovahkiin. Our innate ability with language, and our ability to Shout, both come from the soul Bormahu - our father Akatosh - gives us. As does their immortality."

"Then you four have done my Hold and my city a great service - especially you, Dragonborn. You'll all be rewarded as you deserve, but in addition, by my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. I assign you my niece Lydia as a personal Housecarl. I'll also notify my guards of your new title."

"Thane? You do me too great an honor, my Jarl."

"We are greatly honored to have you as Thane of our Hold and city, Dragonborn." Balgruuf smiled. "Thanes are ... not exactly common, but you're the first Dragonborn in centuries."

"But Thanes are courtiers, and I will probably not be able to fulfill Court duties on a regular basis, if at all," Shanti objected.

"Don't worry about it - I assumed as much when I gave you the title. Your Dragonborn responsibilities must always take precedence." He grinned. "Don't be too surprised if other Jarls follow my example. But I'll remain the first Jarl to have given you proper recognition."

Shanti smiled, purring. "You've given me a great deal already, my Jarl, and I'm most appreciative of all of it. I'm not sure it's much of a return, but now that I've actually proven my Dovahkiin status by being acknowledged by the Greybeards and absorbing a dragon's soul, I see no need to maintain secrecy about my identity."

"It wouldn't do much good anyway, "Voranil put in. "Once you came down from High Hrothgar and admitted it to the villagers, your cover was blown. And His Grace just said Ulfric Stormcloak knows."

"True. So we will take advantage of His Grace's hospitality and central location, and work from our Dragonsreach apartment until my house is ready. But ... only the three of us travel together. Delphine and Lydia would make our group too large to travel freely, as I must."

"Got it," Delphine said. "I'll go back to the Sleeping Giant until you need me, then."

"And Lydia will supervise the building of ... what will you name it, Dragonborn?"

Shanti thought for almost a full minute, then smiled as she came up with the obvious answer "'Ofansebalgruuf', of course. Or perhaps 'Ofan', for vodov who dislike Dovahzul lengthy names."

"And the meaning?"

"Balgruuf's Gift,' or simply 'Gift'." She smiled. "Unless you object, of course."

"Not at all, though I'll probably just call it 'Ofan' myself. I'm pleased you choose to have my name as part of the Dragonborn's home."

Shanti inclined her head. "It seemed obvious. But I'm pleased that you're pleased." She grinned up at him. "Still we've fought a dragon this day, and I, at least, need to rest and ... get accustomed to me and Vuljotnaak sharing a body. Even if he decides to sleep most of the time."

"I cannot imagine," Balgruuf said. "Certainly, do as you will. Dragonsreach is your home for now; you needn't ask me for permission for normal things. Now, if you want to bring a dragon onto the Great Porch, I'd appreciate a bit of advance warning, but otherwise, feel free."

"Thank you, my Jarl. I'll be back for breakfast, but now I ... I need to rest."

The next morning, as the trio was passing the Talos shrine, Shanti saw Alaric sitting on a bench beside the Jorrvaskr doors, and waved to him. He grinned and waved back, then called, "Good to see you again, Shanti. Got a couple of minutes?"

"Sure." She climbed the steps and introduced her companions to the Companion. "How have you been?"

"Busy, as always, but we've got a special job. Farkas and I'll be headin' to Dustman's Cairn for some fragments of Wuthraad. Would you be interested in goin' along? I like workin' with you, an' Farkas was impressed with the way you helped with that giant."

"Giant?" Voranil's tone was resigned. "Please tell me you didn't attack it."

"Lucky shot with my bow," Shanti reassured him. "And I told you Alaric helped me through Bleak Falls Barrow, when I just had a couple of spells, not Voice."

"Then we owe you thanks, Companion," Voranil said. "We're going to Dustman's Cairn ourselves, for something the Lady Dragonborn seeks."

Alaric grinned. "Maybe we can travel together, then."

"Perhaps meet there, instead." Shanti remembered the werewolf smell of Farkas, and hid a shudder. "We should coordinate, at least enough to avoid getting in each other's way, and it's entirely possible your goal and mine will be in the same place."

"Okay. We'll be headin' out in about an hour."

"And we're leaving now - walking, since I don't care to leave our horses ground-tethered and unprotected. We will wait for you before entering."

On the way, she told Voranil and Bjorn about Farkas being a werewolf, along with at least two of the other Companions. "I haven't met them all, so I don't know how many are, but Farkas, Aela, and Skjor definitely are. Alaric and Ria are not, just as definitely."

"Hmm. Do you think it's known outside Jorrvaskr?" Bjorn asked.

Shanti thought for a moment, then nodded. "I don't think it's possible to keep such a thing secret forever, or even a very long time. I'm pretty sure it's an open secret, at least within Whiterun Hold. Werewolves need to eat, and their kills are ... rather distinctive. Humans have a weak sense of smell, but even they can sometimes smell the wet-dog scent of a werewolf in human form, and in time would draw the correct conclusion. Also, the wolf theme to Farkas' armor is a not very subtle clue."

Voranil chuckled. "I tend to agree with that evaluation," he said. "So they have excellent control, or they'd be dead as a menace to the Hold. Balgruuf has a reputation for not taking chances when it comes to the welfare of his people."

With that, the talk drifted to casual chat. Shanti looking forward to her "real Legion" armor. Bjorn mentioning the time he'd heard Ko'Adanji sing for the troops, accompanying herself with a strange instrument she called a Breton harp. Voranil reminiscing about his time at the Arcane University when the Hero of Kvatch had been Archmage, before the Synod and College of Whispers had separated themselves from it.

They went past the Western Watchtower, then north, until they reached Dustman's Cairn. It was one of the ancient Nordic barrows with a stairway into a round chamber and a door leading underground, rather than like Bleak Falls with its huge above-ground structure and open chambers before the descent below the surface. There wasn't much to see, and it was a temptation to get into the barrow and start their search, but they'd promised to wait, and it shouldn't be much more than an hour, even if the Companions were delayed.

They weren't; in fact, they arrived barely three-quarters of an hour after the three Legionnaires, laughing and grinning. Farkas hailed them as he and Alaric descended the steps. "Heyla, Dragonborn! You and your people ready to go?"

"We've just been waiting for you," Shanti replied.

"Then go ahead, if you want. The Dragonborn always takes precedence." He bowed, smiling, and gestured toward the door with a flourish. Shanti returned the bow with a grin, drew her sword, and opened the door.

She wasn't surprised to find three sarcophagi and draugr in the first room. The surprise was that the draugr were dead, all three decapitated. There wasn't much in the way of loot, just a skill book none of her people were interested in, so she gave it to Alaric - and an easily-opened chest with mixed coins and a couple of minor gems. Even though they weren't after conventional loot, they took it along to divide later.

There was no such thing as an easy barrow traverse. Everyone knew and accepted that. But some were worse than others, and Dustman's Cairn turned into one of the worst Shanti had ever heard of.

The next room held an arcane enchanter and a couple of thrones. The way forward was blocked by a gate, so the five started looking for a way to open it. It was Alaric who found a lever in a side room, not much more than a niche, and pulled it. It opened the gateway ahead of him, but also lowered one at the entry of the alcove, trapping Alaric. When he tried the lever again, it broke.

Farkas started through the opened date, saying he'd look for a way to open the alcove gate - then he yelled, retreating and turning to face a large group of attackers. Shanti drew her sword, preparing a flame spell, hoping Farkas would move aside so she could use it.

"Which one is that?" one of the attackers asked.

"It doesn't matter," another replied. "He wears that armor, he dies."

"Killing you will make for an excellent story," another added, and Farkas laughed.

"None of you will be alive to tell it." Then he crouched, and began to shift, his armor popping off as if designed to do so. Shanti watched in shock that turned to awe as he counter-attacked. She'd known werewolves were ferocious, so much so that the Legion never sent less than two squads after one, armed with silver weapons and usually backed by a battlemage, but seeing Farkas in action was almost unbelievable. He moved too fast for her to dare casting any spells at his foes, for fear of hitting him.

It took less than a minute - though it felt to her like far longer - for Farkas to straighten, transform back, and begin putting his armor back on. Then he turned to her. "I hope I didn't scare you."

"No, but I must admit you impressed me quite a lot. I've never seen a werewolf in action before." She gestured at the corpses. "Who were they?"

"Silver Hands. Bad people who don't like werewolves, or vampires, and kill anyone they even suspect of being either."

Shanti grimaced. "So we'll be facing them, as well as the barrow's draugr. Plus whatever else has decided to lair here. Either I or Voranil should take point, the other tail, so we have a mage front and rear."

"That sounds reasonable," Farkas said.

"And I'll take point," Voranil added. "I have far more experience and magica, as well as my duty." Once they found the switch that freed Alaric, they continued on.

They made their way slowly through the barrow, hampered by draugr, Silver Hands, and all too many frostbite spiders. The individual enemies weren't that bad, but there were so many of them! Fortunately, between Voranil and Shanti's healing abilities, and the potions everyone carried, they weren't in too bad shape when they reached the door that Shanti's Clairvoyance spell said ought to hold the goals for both her and the Companions.

They had a bit of trouble finding the key to that door, since none of them were able to pick the lock, but eventually they did, and Voranil opened it. He took one look around, then re-closed the door and turned to the group. "We have a bit of a problem here."

"What is it?" Farkas asked.

Voranil knelt, to sketch a long rectangle in the dust on the floor. "Door's here. At the far end is a Word Wall in front of an altar. Neither's a problem on its own ... but both walls are lined with sarcophagi. I didn't have time to count them, but at a guess, something between thirty and fifty. And given what we've encountered so far, the draugr they hold are likely to be among the more powerful varieties." He turned to Shanti. "How are you at casting Destruction runes?"

Shanti shook her head. "I'm not that advanced. But if I can get to the Word Wall, it'll probably teach me a word of Fire Breath, so I'll be able to help that way."

Voranil sighed. "All right. If we have to do it that way, we will. Farkas, Alaric, with Shanti. Bjorn, on me. I'll go back in, cast as many rune spells as I have the magica for along the right side. And give me any magica potions any of you have."

Once that was done, he entered the larger room again, and Shanti could hear him casting a number of spells. When he emerged, he was looking exhausted. "Anyone have a Stamina potion?"

They all looked through their packs, but there were only a couple of relatively weak ones, which he swallowed anyway. "I got about three-quarters of the way up the right-hand wall of sarcophagi, so you'll be able to make it most of the way without much trouble. But you'll still have maybe five to eight to fight, unless others break out from the left, where i couldn't plant any runes. So I'd recommend you get to the Wall, get your Word, then go on defense."

Given that he was an experienced battlemage, and she was a jumped-up Junior Legionnaire, Shanti nodded. Her sword was still in her hand, so she charged a flame spell in her free one.

Farkas tapped her on the shoulder. "Let me shift and go first, shield-sister. I'm faster and stronger than you, and even more so in beast form. I also heal pretty quickly, so if you accidentally hit me, it's not likely to do more than slow me down a bit."

Alaric nodded. "You in the lead, her next, me as rear guard. Let's go."

Farkas shifted, then led the way out the door and along the right wall, slowing slightly when he was past the runed sarcophagi. Shanti followed, as fast as she could, but as she passed each one, the sarcophagus behind her blew open, setting off the runes - from the sound, though she didn't dare turn around to watch, Voranil had chosen to set lightning runes. There were combat sounds, too, so Alaric was fighting any draugr who survived the runes.

Then draugr began emerging from the sarcophagi Farkas was passing, and Shanti began casting flames at any she could target with a chance of avoiding him. She did manage to slow them down, though with Farkas' speed and strength, she wasn't at all sure she was very much help.

When she reached the Word Wall and it began chanting and glowing, she focused on the brightest word, Yol, and smiled when it approached and moved into her. It felt ... comfortable, and she decided she really liked this one. When it was done with her, she turned to see Farkas and Alaric protecting her, while Voranil and Bjorn were fighting their way forward. "Go!" she yelled at her protectors. "I'll be all right!"

They took her at her word, werewolf and human Companions going to the aid of the Legionnaires assigned to her. An occasional draugr made it past the four, but her new Shout proved even better against the dessicated things than her flame spell was, and she only had to use her sword a couple of times.

Eventually, the active combat was over, and the group gathered around the altar. "You got the Word, obviously," Voranil said with a grin.

"And here are the shards of Wuthraad we came for," Farkas said, indicating pieces of metal on the altar. "Let me retrieve my armor, then we can check for more loot, gather these, and get back to Whiterun."

On the way back, Shanti approached Farkas and tapped his hand. When he looked down, she said, "I owe you an apology. When I smelled you were mungrohiik, I fear I thought the worst of you, Aela, and Skjor as well. I am sorry."

"No need," he replied. "Most werewolves - I assume that's what that word means - are pretty much what you probably think. It takes time and discipline to ... bring the internal wolf under control. But the Companions have a lot of experience with that, and Kodlak is ... insistent about it. He and my twin brother Vilkas are the only other two, if that's any comfort."

"After seeing you in action, comfort isn't needed," Shanti assured him. "I wouldn't care to be bound to Hircine myself, but then I'm not too attached to any gods except Father Akatosh and Talos."

"Father? Oh, yes. As Dragonborn, you're a direct child of His." Farkas grinned. "Would you mind talking to Harbinger Kodlak when we get back? You've proven both combat skill and honor, with the giant and now at the Cairn, and we've never had a Dragonborn in our ranks. I think it'd be an honor to have you as a Companion."

Alaric joined in. "You forget Bleak Falls Barrow, sword-brother. And you're right. She'd make a good Companion, but I think she went Legion first."

"Nothing says she can't be both," Farkas retorted. "I'll take her to see the Harbinger when we get back home."

And he did. Shanti was impressed to see the elderly but still strong-looking man sitting at a table in the lower-level Jorrvaskr living quarters. Farkas introduced them, and Kodlak rose to greet her. "Welcome, Dragonborn," he said with a smile. "What can the Companions do for you?"

Before she could say anything, Farkas replied. "I think we should recruit her, Harbinger. If she's willing, of course. She and her people went through Dustman's Cairn with us, behaving themselves with full honor." He hesitated. "Even though I had to go were twice, in front of them."

Kodlak stiffened briefly, then turned to Shanti. "How did that affect you, youngster?"

Shanti had to give that a bit of thought before saying, "I ... well, it shocked me, the first time. But he killed people who were trying to kill him, and I've done that myself. Besides ... " She took a deep breath, then sighed. "I'm not exactly what I look like, myself, am I?"

Kodlak smiled. "No, you aren't, Dragonborn. Even though you don't shapeshift as five of us do. So, shall we make you and your companions ... ah, Companions?"

"I know you're neutrals, like Jarl Balgruuf, and we three are Legionnaires, even though I'm ... um, a Specialist, so that may not really count. But I'm still firm for the Empire."

"You took the same oath we did," Bjorn said. "It counts, Legate."

Kodlak chuckled. "We've never had Imperial officers as Companions before, but we've also never barred them, as long as they fought honorably. We have, however, had Thanes, on occasion. We will offer you no jobs that conflict with your Imperial or Dragonborn duties, should you decide to join us."

"I may not be able to do many, perhaps any at all, until I've developed the strength and skills I'm going to need before I face Alduin. Though if you can notify me of what you have, some may serve as part of my education and training." She turned to Voranil. "That is, if we're allowed to be Companions as well as Legionnaires."

He grinned at her. "Bjorn and I can't be both, but no one can tell the Dragonborn what to do. So if you think it might help your primary mission, certainly, join them."

Kodlak smiled. "Then accompany me out to the training ground. Farkas, Alaric - gather the rest, for her initiation."

When all the Companions who weren't out on jobs were gathered on the sandy area in back of Jorrvaskr, Kodlak spoke. "Brothers and Sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold. This woman has endured, has challenged and has showed her valor. Who will speak for her?"

Farkas' voice was firm: "I stand witness for the courage of the soul before us."

Kodlak nodded. "Would you raise your shield in her defense?"

Farkas and Alacic spoke as one. "We would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us."

Kodlak looked surprised, possibly at the dual reply. "And would you raise your swords in her honor?"

"They stand ready to meet the blood of her foes."

"And would you raise a mug in her name?"

"We would lead the song in triumph as our mead hall reveled in her stories."

Kodlak smiled as he concluded the ceremony. "Then the judgment of this Circle is complete. her heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, so the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."

Every one of the Companions agreed. "It shall be so."

Then Kodlak approached Shanti, clasping forearms with her. "Well, Dragonborn, you're one of us now. It's an honor to have you as a Companion."

"It's an honor to be one," Shanti replied. "Jarl Balgruuf has put one of the Dragonsreach suites at my disposal, so I can be reached there if you need me. Though I'm planning a trip to Solitude tomorrow, to let my parents know I'm all right."

"We'll see you when you get back, then. Safe travels, Dragonborn."