Chapter Ten:

Old Memories Will Die Hard

Sundas 2 Sun's Height 4E 199 10:22AM

I heard the door that would lead to the main hall open and close as I walked back from the bath, drying my hair. Thank the Nine I dressed while in the bathing room, I thought. Farkas, Vilkas, Kodlak, and Skjor respected the women in the Companions. It was Hiemdall, Torvar, and Athis that would send sideways glances at the women if they spotted us finishing a bath.

However, they wisely avoided Taryn, Aela, Elana, and I for the sake of their lives.

"Skadi!" Hiemdall called, jogging over from the closed door.

I lowered the towel so that it was wrapped around my neck. "Hiemdall, what's going on?"

Hiemdall came to a stop in front of me, a piece of parchment in his hands. "Kodlak has a contract for us," Hiemdall said, handing it to me.

Pursing my lips, I took the parchment and read it carefully. "A wild animal got into a house?" I glanced up at Hiemdall whose eyes betrayed his shock. "What?" I asked.

Blushing, Hiemdall rubbed the back of his head. "I-I didn't think that you could read." He coughed once to clear his throat.

"For the love of Talos!" I exclaimed. "I'm not a total savage! I can read and write!" Taking a deep breath to calm down, I reread the parchment. "Okay, so what? You have to go out and—wait…" I trailed off, examining Hiemdall closely. "You said 'us', didn't you?"

Hiemdall nodded. "Kodlak thought it would be a good idea to send you out on your first official contract as a Companion… whelp." I bristled at the nickname, making Hiemdall shirk back a little bit, but he still had a playful grin on his face. "All right! All right! I won't call you that anymore! Sorry!"

I handed Hiemdall the note back, nodding curtly. "When do we head out?"

"Tirdas, around dusk. It's in Falkreath Hold."

"Thanks for the information," I replied. "I'll see you at lunch or out back." Hiemdall simply nodded, rushing off towards his own room. Sighing, I continued to my own room and opened the door, only to freeze on the spot when I saw Taryn hunched over her desk, writing on something.

Her head shot up to see who walked in and my eyes rested on the paper she was writing. Lessons? I loosened up a little bit. "Sorry, Taryn," I apologized. "I'll come back when you're done."

She opened her mouth to argue, but I already shut the door.

I ran my fingers through my hair to untangle any knots as I made my way towards the main hall. When that was done, I placed the towel in one of the baskets in the common sleeping area and headed upstairs to grab something small to eat while I waited for Taryn to finish her lessons.

_/-\_

Sitting against one of the wooden posts that supported the backside of Jorrvaskr, I watched Ria and Aela fighting each other. I had to grin at the two women. Aela allowed her wolf to bleed through when she fought, but not so much that it was noticeable to her opponent. Ria was a little—how would I put it? Uncoordinated? I mean, she could fight. The mace she swung at Aela would've killed at least six different bandits by now.

"Good work, whelp," Aela praised the Imperial. "But you could still use some training. Talk to Farkas when he gets back."

I scoffed under my breath. The only praise I got from Aela was: "Don't think for a minute you're better than the others." And that was on a good day. On a bad day, I was just short of transforming and ripping her Nordic Werewolf arse to shreds. I sighed and stared up at the sky. I'd been watching Ria and Aela spar for at least two hours. Maybe Taryn is done by now. I want to get my sword and practice a bit before I head out—.

"Skadi! There you are!" I turned my head to see Taryn running towards me. She sat down next to me, smiling. "Thanks for giving me time to finish my lessons. My mom would've skinned my arse if I didn't finish that today."

I snickered. I remembered a few nights ago when Elana had joined Taryn and I for a hunt again. She waited at camp with me (I was a little paranoid about hunting and leaving Elana alone without a Werewolf to protect her) and mentioned on numerous occasions that if Taryn barked again, she'd do something to Taryn that I couldn't repeat to anyone. "No worries, I just… respect people's privacy when they need it."

Taryn laughed. "That you do; Hiemdall would've been annoying me to no end until I ended up flinging a book or a sword at his head."

That reminded me… "I have a contract with him."

"Really?!" Taryn exclaimed. "That's great! What're you doing—where're you going?!"

I shrugged. "Falkreath Hold. Something about a wild animal in a house."

"So my dad is sending Hiemdall and a wild animal after a wild animal?" I shot a glare at her. "Come on, Skadi! Even you have to admit to being wilder than the average Nord."

I rolled my eyes. "Should've seen Hiemdall when I read the contract. Just about jumped out of his skin." Taryn laughed. "I swear the other Companions think I'm just a savage killer who can't read or write. If I couldn't read or write, I wouldn't be speaking as fluently as I am now."

"Calm down." Taryn smiled. "Go get your sword and armor on. I want to teach you a new move with it—have you talked with Eorlund about a new blade? Skyforge steel is the best in Skyrim and it rarely—if at all—breaks."

I shrugged. "I'll use my iron sword until it snaps." Or until it severs Tralen's head from his shoulders, I added mentally. Taryn seemed to sense my darkening attitude.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Fine." I stood up quickly. "Let me go get changed and I'll meet you out here, all right?"

Sundas 2 Sun's Height 4E 199 1:46PM

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, my iron sword digging into the ground as I used it for support. I had a lot of stamina, but when I used it for training, Gods, did it drain quickly. Taryn must've been used to long hours of training, because she seemed to still have the energy to go on, despite how she was sweating just like me.

"Hey," I panted, dragging my feet to the shade of the back gathering area. My mind drifted to thoughts of hunting in the Pale or Eastmarch tonight. The snow was almost calling to me now. "Do you think you're ready to tell the Circle about your lycanthropy?"

Taryn tensed, closed her eyes, but relaxed a few seconds later. "I'm not sure I'm ready. I mean, you said that I'm doing well, but there's still a chance I could snap. I mean..." She sighed and opened her eyes. "It's still hard with mom."

I plopped down in a chair, downing a tankard filled with mead. "Well, you can't come with me on this contract, and I'm sure I'll be gone for two days at the most."

Taryn crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed at me. "So when you're away, I need a babysitter?! We don't even know if it'll be a big deal, because my wolf may not be hungry while you're gone!"

"Would you rather devour all of Whiterun? Because that's a good possibility." Taryn shut her mouth at the mention of that possible outcome. "Besides, it could just be waiting for a chance for me to be gone and not watching over what it does."

"Fine, I'll tell them tomorrow," Taryn growled. "I hate that about you."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you hate about me?"

Taryn scoffed. "One," she began, extending her forefinger, "you're really neat and clean—something that I appreciate but come on! Leave your boots or armor lying around once in a while! And two, you win every damned argument!"

I laughed. "I don't always win. I just know when to voice the opinions that would matter. And my opinion is that you tell the Circle that you're like them—in almost every aspect." Taryn raised an eyebrow. "The only difference between them and you is that you're hereditary."

"Right," Taryn growled. A grin appeared on her face. "I think Aela wants to teach you some more archery now. Have fun."

I growled under my breath as the red-headed Nord approached me. "All right, whelp. Hiemdall said that you're going on a wild animal chase in Falkreath Hold in a few days." I nodded, still glaring at her. "Well, I want you to be able to kill this animal without relying on your wolf for this. Understand?"

"Of course," I replied, grinning, "my Jarl." I ducked when Aela unsheathed her knife and swung it at my head, leaving a nice slash in the wooden chair that I was previously sitting on. Aela hated that nickname. Taryn had given her the first day I tried my hand at archery and Aela started barking (ironically) orders and instructions at me.

"Watch your mouth, whelp."

I gave a mock bow. "Of course, my Jarl." Her eye twitched.

Oh, I'm so going to get it now…

Morndas 3 Sun's Height 4E 199 3:13PM

"Okay," Taryn muttered, wringing her hands together nervously, "I really can't do this."

I rolled my eyes. "Roughly a day ago you agreed that it would be best if the others knew about your lycanthropy!" I glanced at her. "You've been doing great with learning control, Taryn. You shouldn't be nervous to tell the Circle." I crossed my arms.

Taryn shrugged helplessly. A few minutes later, Taryn and I walked into the Underforge, where Elana and Kodlak stood behind a large bowl-like pedestal (which I assumed is where they preformed the "ceremony"), and the rest of the Circle stood around them.

Everyone greeted us in their own way before falling silent. Only two of the five Companions knew Taryn's secret: me and Kodlak. Elana wasn't a part of the Companions.

"Why did you summon us here, Harbinger?" Aela questioned. "Are there Silver Hands closing in?"

Kodlak shook his head. "No, Aela. The Silver Hands haven't been attacking. This is more of a... personal matter."

Aela's brow furrowed. "I don't understand." Her eyes rested on me. "I also don't understand why she's here. She's not a member of the Circle. And neither is Taryn, or Elana, for that matter."

I bared my teeth at her, a threat and a promise in one. She glared at me in response.

Kodlak simply shook his head at the remark. "Aela, listen to me." He crossed his arms. "Skadi might not share our Beast Blood, but she shares our curse, so you will show her the same respect you show Skjor, the twins, and Hiemdall. Understand?"

"Very well," Aela said, crossing her arms. I stuck my tongue out at her childishly (earning a chuckle from Taryn) when she wasn't looking.

Kodlak shook his head. "There's something Taryn needs to tell everyone," Kodlak said, addressing the Circle. All of the Companions turned their heads to stare at Taryn (who began to squirm at becoming the center of attention).

I patted her shoulder, bringing my lips close to her ear. "You can do this," I reassured her before I stepped away to stand next to Hiemdall.

"I've been keeping a secret from you—all of you," Taryn began. She had everyone's attention. "I-I..." She swallowed nervously. "I'm a... a..."

Loredas 5 Evening Star 4E 193 12:55PM

"Mom, dad, there's something I need to tell you," I said quietly, my eyes rooted to the floor. I arrived home about three hours ago, but two of those hours I spent pacing in the woods, watching my mother and father as they went about their day. They seemed almost happy. How could they be happy? They lost their only daughter three years ago!

My mother and father sat in front of me, holding my hands. I hoped that they would realize how warm they were, but they must've been oblivious to the heat I was generating. "What's wrong, Skadi?" my mother asked.

I swallowed. "The man that took me... He-He was a... is a..." I swallowed, afraid to say the words, but I knew I had to tell them. They were my parents, for Gods' sakes! Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself. "The man who took me is a Werewolf." My mother and father froze, letting the words hang in the air. "He took me, made me drink his blood, and now..."

My father took a step back, releasing my hand and forcing my mother away from me. The fear in her eyes was unparalleled. "You're a-a-a...?!"

I nodded, standing, tears falling freely from my face. "I tried to fight him—Gods, did I try—but he was just too strong!"

My mother made to approach me, but my father put an arm out in front of her. There was fear in his eyes too, there was no mistaking it. The wolf within me woke up, eager for the easy hunt. They were right there. No! I forced the desire down. I'm not going to kill them! They're my parents…!

"W-What are we going to do?" my mother asked my father.

The answer was clear as day in his eyes. I was too scared to even move. My mother placed a hand on her stomach. Was she going to be ill with the knowledge that I was a Werewolf? Shaking my head, my parents whispered something to each other. I chose not to listen, despite being able to hear them as if they were speaking out loud.

Morndas 3 Sun's Height 4E 199 3:29PM

Taryn wrung her hands together, trying to make the words come out of her mouth. Eventually, she took another breath, her green eyes resting on the Circle. "I'm a Werewolf. I have been for the past two years." Everyone took an intake of breath, their silver eyes wide with disbelief. I remained composed, waiting for the chance to tell Aela that I was the one helping Taryn learn control, that I was the one that was showing Taryn how to live two lives.

"Hircine's hind leg!" Vilkas exclaimed. "That's not possible! We would've known if you were a Werewolf! You would've had to drink our blood!"

"Unless..." Aela's silver gaze rested on me. "She drank the whelp's blood."

I snarled, lunging towards her, only to be stopped by Taryn. My eyes screamed for murder, my mind reverting in and out of my sane, controlled side and the wolf's desire. "What is your problem with her, Aela?!" Taryn snarled at the Nord woman. "She hasn't done anything to earn your spite!" Taryn narrowed her eyes. "Didn't you even hear me? I've been a Werewolf for two years. I met Skadi... What? Two or three months ago?!"

I growled, waiting to hear Aela's response. "Before you open your mouth," I muttered. "I have been the one to take Taryn out and teach her control. I'm not a Vargr, my Jarl." Everyone snickered at the nickname.

"Well," Hiemdall said, grinning. "At least this explains why you growled in your sleep... and snored."

Taryn was a bright red. "I don't snore!" She shot a glance towards me. "Tell them!"

I rubbed the back of my head. "Um… You kind of do—but softly!" I added quickly.

Elana was laughing quietly. Kodlak was doing the same, but not trying as hard as Elana to muffle the noise. "Hey, they're okay with it," I reassured Taryn. "They're just trying to lighten the mood—although the Jarl over there," I said, gesturing to a fuming Aela, "is being a major buzz kill."

Taryn actually cracked a smile. "Did I mention that I hate it when you're right?"

I grinned. "You've mentioned it once or twice."

Tirdas 4 Sun's Height 4E 199 8:00PM

"Ready to go?" Hiemdall asked, leaning against the door jamb.

I looked up to meet his gaze. "Almost, I just have to give Taryn something then we can head out." Hiemdall nodded as he walked out of the room and into the hall. Returning my eyes to the map, I scanned the locations precariously, making sure I didn't make a mistake.

"What're you going to give me?" Taryn asked, sitting cross-legged on her bed.

I smirked, finishing a marking on the map. When the red ink dried, I placed the map of Skyrim in front of Taryn. "This is the map I've been working on in my spare time. The red circles mean there's plenty of wild game—carnivores and herbivores alike, and rarely any hunters. The black X's mean there's either a Silver Hand stronghold nearby, or there's so many hunters that you'd end up dead before the hunt really began."

"Why're you giving me this?" Taryn asked, studying my work. "Gods, your writing is even nicer than what I was expecting!"

I smacked my hand to my face. "Talos help me," I muttered. "Look, I'm giving you this map so that I don't end up chasing a bandit or a Silver Hand, only to find that your pelt is hung over the mantle of said bandit or Silver Hand's fireplace." I smirked. "Farkas is going to 'dogsit' you while I'm away. I figured you'd like him watching you more than Aela."

"And my lessons?" she questioned.

I crossed my arms. "Already explained my method to Farkas. He'll keep his distance when you hunt."

Taryn opened her mouth to reply when Hiemdall started pounding on the door. "Let's go! Those homeowners are expecting us soon!"

Sighing, I grabbed my pack and sword, sheathing the latter while I swung the former onto my back. "I'll be back in couple of days—three tops." I snickered. "Perhaps you should show your mom that thing. She might benefit from learning how to read a map."

Taryn laughed at my remark.

"Skadi, let's go!"

Rolling my eyes, I made my way to the door. "I'll see you later, Taryn." I closed the door behind me, only to see Hiemdall standing there, his arms crossed. "Open your mouth and I'll do worse than maim you. Learn to be patient! Gods, it's a wonder that you catch any game at all!"

Shrugging, Hiemdall and I left Jorrvaskr, then Whiterun, and made it to the stables where we had paid Bjorlam, a Nord warrior who owned a wagon, to take us to Falkreath.

"So, what do you know about Whiterun?" I asked Bjorlam.

Hiemdall groaned. "You had to ask him that?"

Bjorlam laughed at Hiemdall's response. "No need to dampen the lass' mood, Hiemdall." Bjorlam cleared his throat. "Well, I know the Companions make their home here. Their mead hall, Jorrvaskr, is the oldest building in the city. You'll want to be careful there. The rest you can find out by asking the townsfolk. I'd start with the barkeep at the Bannered Mare, or the castle steward."

I smirked. "Well, I'm a Companion. I just haven't had the pleasure to actually walk on the outside of the Hold itself," I replied.

Hiemdall eventually joined in on the conversation and we ended up talking about how difficult it was to travel alone these days, what with thieves and bandits running rampant. Bjorlam also made mention about the "Savage of Skyrim" (which is when I fell deathly silent and tried to change the subject).

My eyes began to feel heavy after about three hours of talking. "Why don't you get some rest, Skadi?" Hiemdall suggested. "We'll be there around dawn, right?" he asked Bjorlam.

The Nord nodded. "Sounds about right."

Nodding, I laid down on the bench I was sitting on and used my pack as a pillow. Ugh… I'd rather be sleeping on the ground than this!

Eventually, sleep crept into my mind; my wolf was still awake, curious as to why I didn't let it hunt tonight. I'll let you hunt… later, I promised the beast. It seemed to almost understand what I was thinking, because the desire to hunt faded into the back of my mind.