Vilkas couldn't understand why he was so shocked to find the main hall of Jorrvaskr no different than day before. Valleri and Aicantar had been working into the night and Vilkas barely realized she climbed into the bed next to him. Her sleep had been fitful; The Imperial was tossing and turning all night. He could have sworn she kicked him hard in the back before she got up.

The ink spill was a faded memory on the table and the papers looked to be a bit more organized. But the hall still looked like a damned library. Valleri and Aicantar didn't notice him come in as they perused books and scraps of paper laid out on the table. The Altmer's face was covered in ink, resembling old Nordic tattoos.

He sighed and walked to the opposite side of the table and glared at the moth eaten journal the other two were reading, not saying a single word.

"Okay, this one doesn't say anything useful. Just a book of old recipes and such," Valleri mumbled, leaning back in her chair.

"Drat."

"Listen, I still think Darkfall cave is a recent name. I don't think the Ayleids would take one of their prized possessions to a place called Darkfall cave. It's not dramatic enough." Valleri paused only to mutter under her breath, "The Falmer I don't know about."

Aicantar tilted his head with a look o frustration over his face. "It's probably had hundreds of names since then. But Darkfall cave was the one mentioned in the papers."

"Fair point." Valleri finally looked up and addressed Vilkas, "Was this all the material you brought back?"

The Nord furrowed his eyebrows. "Brought back from where?

"Mzinchaleft."

"Yeah, I think. There might be more under my bed."

Valleri sighed exasperatedly, "We checked there already. Aicantar cleaned you out."

Vilkas scanned the table for a moment, noting how the entire surface was utilized for his friends' project. "You've certainly taken up the whole table. Are you two good in here?"

The Imperial let out a frustrated sigh and let her head land on the table with a thud. Aicantar panicked and grabbed an ink bottle before Valleri knocked it over. The Altmer sighed with relief as he set the bottle down on the opposite side of the table. Looking up at Vilkas, Aicantar tried to muster a smile, "Not absolutely horrible." He glanced over to Valleri, "I think we're hitting a wall."

"Oh?"

Valleri hummed affirmatively, lifting her head to meet the Nord's eyes. Her eyes were red and ringed with purple. Maybe her night was worse than he assumed. The Imperial huffed and flipped through another few pages. "Everything you brought back has been the most random stuff. Usually, I'd be ecstatic."

Shrugging, Vilkas took a seat next to Valleri. "Have you two eaten yet?"

"No, not yet," Valleri answered. She sighed and reached out for his arm, expression softening when their fingers interlocked.

Aicantar paid them no mind and coughed, "Neither have I. Is there anything here?"

Vilkas stole quick glance around the room, pausing only to watch Athis and Marcel walk across the room. "Probably not."

"I think I just want to go back to sleep," Valleri murmured, speech slurred. Vilkas gave her a quick rub on the shoulder and let her be.

He looked back at Aicantar. "Ysolda might be willing to make something for us."

"Which one is that again?"

The Imperial at Vilkas' side hummed, "His sister in law at the inn. Great lady."

Sighing, Vilkas rubbed Valleri's back again, "You should go back downstairs, get some more sleep."

"No," Valleri grimaced and paused. "Maybe. Fine, yes."

The Nord didn't waste a moment helping her out of her seat. They exchanged a tired look before Valleri laid her head on his shoulder and let out a deep breath. If she wasn't tired before, she certainly was now. Everything seemed to catch up to her as soon as Valleri stood up.

"I feel like we haven't gotten anywhere yet," Valleri mumbled.

Aicantar took a step closer to the couple, sheepish grin all over his face. "An hour or so wouldn't hurt. Besides, I need a break too."

Valleri glared at the two of them, "An hour but only that. No more."

"No more, no less," Vilkas answered with a smirk. Valleri only narrowed her eyes before walking down to the basement. The Nord turned back Aicantar, "Let's go. I'm pretty sure my stomach is trying to eat itself."

The Bannered Mare was empty, not surprising for so early in the morning. Besides most people in town stayed home if they needed food during the day. Still, Vilkas wasn't too keen on cooking and he was sure Aicantar could burn water.

The inside of the inn was bright enough to see by, but Vilkas couldn't find anyone in the first room. He thought that at least a few people would have filtered in by now or that the waitresses would have been here to clean up from the night before. Instead the Nord perked when he heard someone shuffling in the back room. He glanced over to Aicantar. The Altmer's eyes were wide; he heard it too. Vilkas gestured for the elf to stay quiet before peaking into the back.

He grimaced when he saw a familiar red headed woman shuffling around some barrels and crates. "Aela, what the fuck are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same thing, ice brain," the woman said without looking up. "It's not as if I brought another person with me either. I can smell your friend from across the building."

Vilkas sighed in frustration as Aicantar moved next to him. The Altmer's eyes narrowed as he looked Aela over, "I take it that's not Ysolda?"

There was a collective sigh before Vilkas reluctantly answered, "Gods, not at all. Aela's a Companion." He paused looked over his shoulder for a moment, "You haven't seen Ysolda though?"

"Afraid not. Why do you think I'm scrounging for food?" Aela crossed her arms with a smirk, "You can cook a bit right, Vilkas?"

The Nord groaned, throwing his head back in a sign or protest. Aicantar glanced between the two Nords before smiling at Vilkas. "Wait really? We don't have to wait for this Ysolda to show up to eat?"

Relenting, Vilkas rolled up his sleeves and went to the cabinets at the far end of the room. "Fine, fine. You guys win. But I'm gonna burn everything and feed you the scraps."

Aela grimaced and gave the Altmer a quick hit on the shoulder, "Our mutual friend is very unkind, don't you think?" Aicantar only mumbled in response.

"You're asking for more than I feel like giving," Vilkas retorted as he pulled out one of Ysolda's cast iron pans. "You think Ysolda would keep potatoes?"

"I would assume so. There were a few crates under the stairs I didn't check. They could be in there."

Vilkas rolled his eyes. Of course, Ysolda would ha some sort of complicated organization system in place. Aicantar and Aela started to chat while he rummaged around the storage space. The crates were filled with smaller packages, spices, and glass ware. Any actual food was probably elsewhere.

He watched Aela from the corner of his eye. The woman perked up, any sign of an easy smile left her face as she listened for whoever was about to join them. Vilkas paid no mind to it and continued his search for potatoes.

"Vilkas! What the fuck are you doing in my kitchen?"

The Nord looked up when he heard the familiar voice yelling at him from the doorway. Ysolda was glaring at him from the door way. Her hair was uncharacteristically unkempt, but she looked well considering he hadn't seen her in weeks.

He stared at her blankly, "Food. That's why I'm in here." Ysolda narrowed her eyes, glancing over to Aicantar and Aela. "To be fair, Aela was in here much earlier than I was," Vilkas added.

Ysolda sighed and pushed Vilkas put of the way, snatching the pan from his hand. "Now sit down and I'll cook. Why couldn't you three have just waited?"

"We were hungry," Aela protested.

Ysolda glanced back to Vilkas, "Sit down. Now." Vilkas didn't waste any time and took a seat. He watched as Ysolda went around the corner and came back with a platter of potatoes, leeks, and a bit of meat. "I honestly didn't expect you two to bring in elf either."

Aicantar perked up, ears turning red. "Aicantar's one of Val's friends from Markarth. He's helping us figure where some artifact is. I dunno, I'm kind of lost on the loop," Vilkas explained, trailing off at the end.

Ysolda didn't look up from the cutting board, but Vilkas could see a smile on her face. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Wait a moment!" Ysolda exclaimed, gesturing a knife next to Aicantar. "Are you the one who made such a mess Jorrvaskr? With the books?"

"Uh, yeah," the Altmer said sheepishly. "Honestly, sometimes that's the best way to work, you know? Having everything out in the open."

The three Nords exchanged a confused glance before they went silent. Ysolda put her ingredients into a hot pan and Vilkas could almost smell the potatoes and meat already. "What sort of artifact are you guys after anyways?"

"What?"

Ysolda looked up to see the confused face of Vilkas and Aicantar. "Valleri's mentioned this artifact off and on for months now. What is it?"

"Some sort of necklace. The Thalmor is after it too, so Valleri wanted keep things quiet." Aicantar paused, leaning back in his seat with a paranoid, wide eyed stare, "They were going after my uncle and I before I left Markarth."

"Probably for the best then," Ysolda muttered.

Aela spoke up, narrowing her eyes, "Where is she by the way? You two are usually joined at the hip."

"Back at Jorrvaskr. She didn't sleep last night," Vilkas explained, turning in his seat to face Aela. "Probably just thinking about stuff too much. I told her to get some sleep and I'd get her in an hour."

Aela hummed affirmatively, turning back to Aicantar. "How much longer is the main table gonna be covered in loose papers?"

"Until we figure out where we have to go."

"Which is?" Aela asked, arching her eyebrow.

"Well, have you ever heard of a place called Darkfall cave?" Aicantar asked.

"Can't say that I have." Aela glanced over to the other Companion, "Vilkas?"

He shook his head, "Neither have I."

"That's real helpful," Aicantar muttered half to himself.

"Didn't Kodlak have a whole bunch of old maps?" The trio stared at Ysolda. She let out an exasperated sigh and brought a plate of fried potatoes and meat to the table. Vilkas and Aela exchanged a dumbfounded look. "I thought you guys had maps or something? How else did you guys know where you were getting those fragments?"

Aicantar glared at Vilkas, "She has a point."

"Yeah, I know," Vilkas snapped. The Altmer didn't react and crossed his arms. "They're probably in a closet or something. We could look, but I'm gonna feel slimy doing it."

Aela laughed when Aicantar didn't stop staring at her friend. "Looks like you don't have much choice, Vilkas."

"Seems that way."

Valleri groaned as someone shook her awake. She tried to cling to the warm blankets, but whoever was trying to get her up was insistent. Sluggishly, Valleri sat up, still cocooned in blankets. The Imperial squinted at the figure next to her. Their grey eyes and dark hair were almost unmistakable.

"You're not Vilkas."

Farkas gave her a betrayed look, "Gods, I hope not. I have enough trouble being myself already."

"I can only imagine," Valleri gargled out. She rubbed her eyes for a final time, "How long have I been asleep?"

"Why should I know that? I only came in here to find Vilkas."

Valleri stared at Farkas for a moment longer, processing what was happening. "He left to find food and I went back to sleep." She stretched before getting up off the bed. Farkas followed Valleri as she went back up to the main hall.

"Seems like you're still in the middle of whatever it was you guys were doing."

Valleri breathed out sharply through her nose, scanning the table for any sign of tampering. Nothing seemed amiss, but Valleri was still a bit tired. "Yeah, we didn't get very far. Hey, Farkas?"

"What can I help with?"

"How good are you with place names?"

Farkas furrowed his eyebrows, "Not great, why"

Valleri turned to look at him, face still contorted into a tired grimaced, "Have you ever heard of Darkfall cave?"

The Imperial watched Farkas mull it over for a second. He stared at the ground for a moment before glancing back up and shaking his head, "Nope. Sorry."

Sighing, Valleri took a seat at the table and flipped through a few more loose pages. "No, it's fine. I figured it was a long shot anyways."

"Oh," Farkas paused for a moment before perking up, "You know who might have an idea? Farengar!"

"Who?"

Farkas gestured wildly with his hands, smile plastered all over his face, "The court wizard up in Dragonsreach." He stopped talking when he realized that Valleri was only staring at him. His face dropped, "Sorry, maybe it wasn't the best idea."

Valleri blinked a few times before waving her hands, "No, no. Not at all. It was a great idea. Do you think he'd be willing answer any questions?"

"Knowing Farengar," Farkas grimaced, "he's not going to be happy, but I've and asked him stuff all the time before."

Valleri paused for a moment, biting her lip, then clattered out of the chair. "Right let me get dressed, then we can go." Farkas didn't say anything, only being able to stare at Valleri as she sprinted downstairs. She didn't slow as she made her way to Vilkas' bunk room and gathered her clothes from the floor. Dressing only took a minute or two longer and Valleri was back upstairs in no time. Farkas was still waiting for her next to the door.

Their walk to the keep was silent and quick. At least it was warm and the climb woke Valleri up. Exhaustion still settled in her limbs. It didn't seem as though that was a thing she could take care of at the moment.

Dragonsreach was still as grand as Valleri remembered. She'd never been inside of the keep during the day, but never expected it to be so calm for once. The quiet emptiness suited the building much better than she would have anticipated. Valleri took a deep breath in and put the thoughts out of her mind. She followed Farkas into a side room, weaving around tables and the occasional servant.

A man in a long purple robe was sitting at a desk in the middle of the room, hunched over an old, dusty tome. The desk was covered in soul gems and salts. He didn't look up from the tome, but Valleri could see that his expression had soured. Valleri and Farkas continued to stand in the door way.

Finally, the mage relented with an exasperated sigh. He looked up with narrowed eyes, "What do you want now?"

A smile came to Valleri's face as she walked further into the room. "Do you know anything about old elvish ruins?'

"What? Is that what you're barging in here for?" Farengar snapped. He glanced over to Farkas with angry glint in his eye, "Of all the stupid, useless things! Elvish ruins? Who do you two take me for? Calcelmo of Markarth?"

Farkas and Valleri exchanged an awkward glance for a moment. Valleri took in a deep breath before stopping Farengar, "No, we just wanted to know if you knew where a certain place was. Nothing difficult."

Farengar eyed the Imperial suspiciously. He sighed and shut his book gently. Valleri's eyes followed a small dust cloud that floated upwards. "What place are you looking for? A ruin of some sort?"

Valleri furrowed her eyebrows, "I think? It was a place called Darkfall cave. The Falmer were there for sometime before they were enslaved by the Dwemer. I think. The timeline is a bit off."

Farengar tilted his head, "Do you mean Dark Water Passage? It's a Nordic ruin out east, got some Falmer in it."

"No, no, no," the Imperial retorted. "It was specifically a Falmer ruin. I'm looking for this place because the Dwemer didn't know where it was."

"You know what you're asking for is near impossible, right?"

"Listen, can you help me or not?" Valleri asked, voice sharp.

The mage plopped himself back into his chair, "Can't and won't. I know next to nothing about the Falmer."

Valleri rolled her eyes and turned around, "Come on Farkas. This was a waste of time. I shouldn't have expected anything." She could hear Farengar grumbling behind her. Valleri hadn't taken two steps before the mage called out after her. Spinning on her heel, a smirk grew on Valleri's face as she looked back at the affronted mage. "Yes, what?"

"I might know one or two things, fine? I'm not a complete fool just because ancient elves aren't my specialty."

Valleri and Farkas exchanged a triumphant glance. The taller Nord crossed his arms with the biggest grin he could muster, "What was your specialty again, Farengar?"

The mage's face turned an intense shade of red and he could only mumble a single word, "Dragons." Farkas tried his best to stifle his laugh as Farengar continued to seethe. "Anymore mocking jests, and I'll make sure you won't even remember what your ruin is called! Got that?"

"Yes, yes. We've got it," Valleri said, putting her hands up in an understanding gesture.

"Good, follow me," Farengar said as he pushed past Farkas and into the hall. Valleri gave her friend a pat on the arm as an apology. Farkas only shrugged indifferently. The mage led them up to the second level of the keep, past a few guards and into some of the back rooms. He stopped suddenly to unlock another door.
Valleri held her breath when he revealed a small room. Books and scrolls were well organized in shelves and cabinets. A single, skinny window was placed at the back of the room, illuminating dust motes floating in the air.

The Imperial was too awestruck to speak. She hadn't seen a library this well managed in months. Farkas was equally impressed, "How long has this been here?"

"As long as I've been here," Farengar muttered. He turned to Valleri and began speaking, waving his arms around in the air wildly, "The only thing I vaguely remember about the Falmer is that may have fled towards the west as they were enslaved. I'm not sure if that helps you in any way."

Valleri shrugged, "Well, it certainly gives us a general direction. Got anything else for us?"

"I do actually," Farengar answered. "We've been keeping old maps in here. Some of them are kind of old, though I'm not entirely sure how far back they go. I'll leave you the key. Remember to lock up and give the key back before you two leave."

Her eyes went wide as Farengar dropped the iron key in her hand. Valleri turned to watch him as he left the room. "That was awfully nice of him," Farkas muttered.

"Right?" Valleri sighed before placing the key in her pocket. She stared up at the shelf and sighed. Rolling up her sleeves, she didn't hesitate to start reaching for some of the maps. Valleri handed them to Farkas with a grin, "We've got our work cut out for us, huh?"