"If your idiotic brother ever says I owe him anything after this, i'll have him tell that to my sword," Athis scowled. He scoffed as he yanked his leg free from the rough underbrush. The decorative carvings of his armor caught every little branch. "He'll be lucky if Elriah finds him first!"

"Oh yeah? Why's that." Farkas glanced down at his shorter companion. Practically everyone was short compared to him, though. Even his husband was. He frowned, looking back towards the road they had parted at. Elriah had decided they should split, but Farkas still had a bad feeling about it. His frown deepened.

"Because our Harbinger will scold him with words," Athis explained dryly. "But i'm tempted to do so with fists ."

"You don't mean that." Farkas grinned as he helped Athis out of the ditch. "We both know you're as worried as everyone else." The elf slapped his hand away as soon as they were out.

"Oh I'm worried alright," Athis spat. "Worried we'll get ourselves killed because he decided to run off and make a friend!" Farkas could only nod at his shield-brother's words while Athis continued to complain. His hands flew out in annoyance. "What if this is some sort of trap and we're walking right into the Silverhand's waiting maws?"

"Nah, Alea would have told us if she suspected something, and a trap still wouldn't say why Vilkas left like that. The only thing we need to worry about is finding him and taking care of the other wolf, even if that means using Elriah's poison."

Athis glanced at him in surprise.

Farkas returned the look with a sad smile as they continued their search. "Elriah only brings that specific bag when he thinks we'll need to put one down. I know he doesn't want me to worry, but I'm not stupid... at least not that stupid." Farkas trailed off. "...I won't lie, I want to talk to my brother before we do anything else, but who knows." He shrugged. "Elriah will do the right thing either way."

Athis could only gawk at his fellow Companion, surprised that Farkas wasn't blind or ignorant to the situation as thought before. He was quick to hide it again however, and reached out to pat Farkas' shoulder. "Either way, we'll find your brother."

"Don't you mean our shield-brother?"

"I refuse to claim him after all this. He's all yours."

Farkas could only chuckle and shove Athis - accidentally so into another ditch.

After rescuing the elf yet again, the two continued their task. They had left the main road far behind them, knowing that Vilkas would never set camp somewhere that anyone could find. It was a blessing when traveling with him - but searching was another story entirely. Soon enough, even Farkas found himself cursing his brother's careful ways under his breath.

They had searched for what Farkas assumed had been an hour when they finally found something. Without warning, he grabbed Athis's wrist roughly, yanking him to the ground.

"What in oblivion do you think you're doing-" Athis began, but was forced into silence as Farkas' heavy hand covered half his face. The elf was about to kick him, but quickly fell still. His eyes followed as Farkas began to point.

Flickering between the thick branches, a small campfire shook in the breeze. It was hard to judge the distance, but as the Companion's both took a long breath, the smoke found its way towards them. As did a new scent.

The companions shared a look as Farkas finally let go of Athis' face.

Athis nodded in understanding as they made their way further through the foliage. "Remember, utmost caution. Don't be afraid to use your blade if necessary," Athis whispered as the fire got closer. As they approached, so did someone else. Athis and Farkas stilled. Three strangers walked right past them, close enough that Farkas could feel the breeze as a hip passed next to his cheek.

The Companions watched silently as the three men disappeared towards the camp.

"You deal with them, while I check the perimeter. I'm going to make sure that there's no one else snooping around, then take off." Athis' voice was low as he gave his orders. He ignored the look of confusion his brother gave. " Someone has to go tell your Husband," he added. "This may be nothing, but he'll have my head if it's not."

That was enough as Farkas gave a nod, and vanished into the underbrush.

Athis sighed. As he began to creep away, it didn't take but a moment until he stumbled across someone else. But before he could speak, or draw his weapon, Athis was left gasping for air as a body tackled him. He drew his dagger. Uselessly he stabbed and slashed - doing what he could to fend off the attacker crushing him.

The stranger drew his sword.

Athis expected to die in that moment - but as someone else came crashing into the clearing, his assailant turned his attention elsewhere. The fight had begun.

As Vilkas turned to attack the new enemy his blade came in contact with flesh, dropping them without warning. The bandit fell to the ground, but was quickly replaced as another slammed into him from behind. The Companion shouted in rage - turning as he swung his blade. The sword's strike found its mark. The new bandit gurgled as blood poured out of her mouth, but no words came. The corpse fell as he tugged the blade free with a sickening squelch .

Vilkas let his attention shift to the man who was struggling to get out from under the deer. He'd been returning after a successful hunt when the assailant had snuck up behind him. He'd done what he could to buy time to draw his sword - even if that meant using the deer. He frowned. Whoever he'd caught had cut the damned thing to ribbons. He huffed. At least skinning it would be easier now.

As Vilkas approached, intending to dispatch the last attacker. That was, until he spotted a familiar pair of red eyes glaring savagely at him. For a moment he thought his own eyes were playing tricks. However, his ears weren't as the elf began loudly cussing. "Athis...?"

"Oh good, you haven't fully lost your mind," Athis snapped. "Now get this damned thing off me before someone else shows up!"

The elf stopped struggling and was quickly relieved of the carcass that had been pinning him down. Vilkas quickly helped Athis to his feet. He had no idea whether he should feel relieved that one of the Companions was there, or to feel dread that it was Athis. The two had never quite gotten on overly friendly terms.

Either way, it was still somewhat better than another bandit.

" 'Ello Vilkas, I see you're doing well." Athis sneered as he glanced at his brother over, miffed from the deer incident. He brushed dirt from his shoulders as he spoke. "And here you had us all worried that something had rattled your head and made you frolic away with a Silverhand mutt ."

"I'm fine. And for your information there was no frolicking involved." Vilkas' tone was colored with warning. Any annoyance he'd managed to get rid of while on the hunt quickly flooded back. "I was planning on returning as soon as I could once Husk could manage it."

Athis raised an eyebrow "Husk? That's what you call it?" The elf shook his head. "Aela was right, you have gone mad."

"Husk is a fine Lad; he's just new to freedom is all." Vilkas corrected the Companion gruffly. "Now, I doubt you came out here on your own, so where, and who, is our Shield-sibling?"

Athis cracked a small smile as he pointed his head towards camp. "Your oaf of a brother is checking your camp as we speak, and Elriah is just down the north road. Once he heard there was a stray he decided to come along."

The mention of Elriah caused the hairs on the back of Vilkas' neck stand on edge. Farkas was one thing, but the Harbinger…? Farkas wouldn't harm Husk, at least he hoped, but if his brother-in-law was nearby, it meant Elriah didn't want to let Husk any closer to Jorrvaskr than he already was.

Before Vilkas could speak, a shriek pierced through the quiet. He drew his sword and ran, forgetting completely about his deer or the brother he left behind.