The old forgemaster was standing before the Skyforge, watching the flames. He turned when he saw me and raised a questioning eyebrow at the journal in my hand. "I see you found the fragment, but what else do you have there?"

"Kodlak's journal," I said, flipping the book open to the page I had marked. "Naming Vilkas his successor."

"Vilkas…" Eorlund thought for a moment, and nodded. "A wise choice. The Circle is waiting in the Underforge, and they have asked you to speak with them. I will bring Wuuthrad when it is finished."

I said my thanks and followed the steps down to the hidden rock door of the secret meeting place of the Circle. The door slid open readily enough, and I stepped inside. My eyes quickly adjusted to the torchlight from the dimness of the night outside. Aela, Farkas, and Vilkas all stood around the bowl and pedestal in the middle of the room.

"Welcome," Vilkas said as I stepped into view. "We need to decide what will be done next."

Farkas scowled when he saw Serana. "I can understand the Thane being here, but what of her. She isn't one of us."

I smiled, showing teeth, and very obviously shifted my weight to ready for a fight. "If you want her to leave, you'll have to go through me."

"Enough," Aela snapped. "You dishonor Kodlak's memory by acting like that, Farkas. He would have wanted Serana here."

"Thank you, Huntress," my mate murmured from my side.

"Now that the pleasantries are over with," Vilkas growled irritably. "Can we discuss what should be done about Kodlak?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What should be done? He is dead, Vilkas. What more can be done."

"I know you went to retrieve the heads of the Glenmoril Witches," he explained. "And I know what can be done to free the Harbinger from Hircine. The heads must be burned in the tomb of Ysgramor, and Kodlak's wolf spirit must be killed. When that is done, he will be able to reach Sovngarde."

"What of the rest of you?" I asked, looking at each of the Circle members in turn. "Do you wish to be cured?"

Aela looked as though she were about to argue, but Vilkas cut in before she could say anything. "We will deal with that when we have laid Kodlak's spirit to rest. And we will all be going."

His tone left no room for arguments, and each of us murmured assent. The rock door slid open suddenly, and Eorlund walked in carrying a rather large bundle. He unwrapped the cloth, and set it on his arms so we could see. It was Wuuthrad, the great ax carried by Ysgramor.

"Kodlak would have wanted this to go to his successor," the forgemaster said, with finality. "Vilkas was chosen, and it is Vilkas who will carry this."

The wolf took the ax that was handed to him, looking dumfounded. Farkas was the first to speak up. "I support his position as Harbinger."

Aela nodded, surprising me. "If that is what Kodlak wished, then I support him."

"You've got my vote," I said, rolling my eyes. "Not that it really matters to you all. Now when do we leave?"

"The tomb is north of Winterhold," the new Harbinger said gruffly. "We'll each make it there in our own time. Be there at sunset in three days."

I gave a mock salute and spun around on a heel, heading back to Breezehome. Serana followed me, but neither of us spoke. Her reasons were her own, but I knew mine. I did not want to consider what she might decide if it came to curing the lycanthropy of everyone in the tomb. I didn't want our time that night to be a goodbye.