Proving Honor

The next morning, I headed down to the market place, where I saw several people browsing the stalls. One of them was a young woman. Like me, she was a Nord but with short auburn hair and a blue dress. A Redguard in a fancy brown suit approached her and said: "Ah, Ysolda, was it? What brings you to the market?"

"I'm here to buy food, Nazeem," the woman answered. "I suppose you don't need to worry about that."

"Owning a farm does have its advantages," Nazeem said in a condescending tone.

"Arrogant bastard," I whispered, disgusted by his stuck-up nature.

"Hi," I greeted Ysolda. "Do you come here often?"

"That I do," she replied. "I come down here every day in the hopes that I'll learn the merchant's trade. I'll need more experience if I'm going to run an inn someday."

"You want to run an inn?"

"The Bannered Mare right there," she pointed me to the inn. "I hope to make enough money trading with the Khajiit caravans. But the thing is, I need something expensive, like a mammoth's tusk. Getting my hands on one is easier said than done."

"I happen to have one right here," I handed her the tusk I obtained from the camp.

"Thank you," Ysolda smiled. She then taught me how to get better prices from merchants.

I made my way into Belethor's General goods. Hence the name, it was run by a Breton named Belethor. He might have been sarcastic, but At least I could buy some healing potions from him.

As I left, I overheard Fralia Gray-Mane, the jewelry merchant and Eorlund's wife, arguing with Olfrid Battle-Born and his son-in-law, Idolaf; from what I heard, Fralia's son, Thorald, was either dead or held hostage. I ignored the squabbling and saw a Redguard beggar, clad in old white rags. "Here, have a septim,"

"Oh, thank you," he smiled. "Divines, bless your kind heart."

I made my way back to Jorrvaskr. I saw Skjor waiting for me just inside the main entrance.

"Ah, there you are, Frost-Blade," he said.

"Did you want to see me about something?" I asked.

"I did. Your time, it seems, has come."

What do you mean?

"Last week, a scholar came to us. He said he knew where we could find another fragment of Wuuthrad. According to him, it's in Dustman's Cairn, an ancient Nordic tomb to the west of here. He seemed a fool to me, but if he's right, the honor of the Companions demands that we seek it out."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"This is a simple errand, but the time is right for it to be your Trial. Carry yourself with honor, and you'll become a true Companion. Farkas will be your Shield-Sibling on this venture, whelp. He'll answer any questions you have. Try not to disappoint or to get him killed."

I saw Farkas sitting on a bench outside Vignar's room. He was watching a brawl between Athis and Torvar.

"I hope you've readied yourself," he said as he saw me approaching.

"You're going to be my Shield-Brother?" I asked.

So I'm told. Let's see if you impress."

"Who was this scholar?"

"A smart man came and told us about a blade piece. Skjor thinks you should find it, and I'm supposed to watch you."

"Why did Skjor call this my trial?"

"I watch you to make sure you are honorable. If you are honorable and strong, then I can call you sister."

"What is Wuuthrad?"

"Ysgramor was the hero who started the Companions. Wuuthrad was his weapon. He came from the ancient homeland and killed all the elves. But not all of them because some of them are still here."

"I'll meet you at Dustman's Cairn."

"Don't delay, Shield-Sister."

We both eventually reached Dustman's Cairn and entered the tomb.

"Looks like someone's been digging here, and recently," Farkas commented on the coffins that had been opened. "Tread lightly."

"Whoever's been here, I hope they haven't beaten us to that Wuuthrad fragment," I answered.

We both wandered further into the catacombs.

"Be careful around the burial stones," Farkas warned. "I don't want to haul back to Jorrvaskr on my back."

That was when several Draugr attacked us, but we could take them down one by one.

Further, into the ruin, there was an iron gate.

"Old Nord Sacrifice place," said Farkas. "Be careful around here; let's look for a way to open these bars."

I spotted a lever and pulled it. It opened the gate, which led further into the tomb but lowered another gate around me. I tried to pull it again, but it was stuck.

"Farkas!" I called out. "I'm trapped in here."

"Now, look what you've got yourself into," he responded. "No worries. Just sit tight. I'll find the release."

Things seemed to get from bad to worse as a group of warriors, all armed with silver swords, encircled Farkas.

"It's time to die, dog."

"We knew you'd be coming here."

"Your mistake, Companion."

"Which one is that?"

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

"Killing you will make for an excellent story."

"None of you will be alive to tell it." Farkas chuckled.

"That idiot," I thought. Farkas then morphed into a werewolf, threw his head back, and howled.

"By the Nine!" I cried as Farkas disemboweled all the rogue warriors. He then made his way through the passage and pulled another lever, which opened the gate I was trapped in. Seconds later, he returned in his human form.

"I hope I didn't scare you," he chuckled.

"What in Oblivion was that?" I asked.

"It's a blessing given to some of us. We can be like wild beasts. Fearsome."

"You're going to make me a werewolf?"

"Oh, no. Only the Circle have the beast blood. Prove your honor to be a Companion. "Eyes on the prey, not the horizon." We should keep moving. Still, the draugr to worry about."

"Who were those you just killed?"

"The Silver Hand; bad people who don't like werewolves. So they don't like us either."

We progressed further into the tomb, killing several more draugr and Silver Hand until we reach a table in front of a word wall. I approached it and saw that it read "Yol." Somehow, I knew that it meant "Fire" in the dragon tongue. I picked up the fragment and put it in my satchel. That was when another horde of the undead attacked. However, we were both able to defeat them one by one.

That night, we both made our way back to Jorrvaskr, where Vilkas was waiting for us.

"We've been awaiting your return," he said.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Come follow me."

We both followed Vilkas to the back of the hall. The other members of the Circle stood ceremonious in front of me, with Kodlak in the middle.

Members of the Circle, today, we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold." he said as he pointed at me. "This woman has endured, has challenged, and has shown her valor. Who will speak for her?"

"I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us," replied Farkas.

"Would you raise your shield in her defense?"

"I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us."

"And would you raise your sword in her honor?"

"It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes."

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

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

"Then, the judgement 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, that the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."

"It shall be so," Vilkas, Aela, and Skjor said simultaneously.

"Well, girl, you're officially one of us now." Kodlak congratulated me. "I trust you won't disappoint."

"Is it true that the Companions are werewolves?" I asked.

"I see you've been allowed to know some secrets before your appointed time. No matter. Yes, it's true. Not every Companion, though. Only members of the Circle all share the blood of the beast. Some take to it more than others."

"What about you?"

"Well, I grow old. My mind turns towards the horizon. To Sovngarde. I worry that Shor won't call an animal to glory as he would a true Nord warrior. Living as beasts draws our souls closer to the Daedric Lord Hircine. Some may prefer an eternity in his Hunting Grounds, but I crave the fellowship of Sovngarde."

"You're looking to cure yourself?"

"Yes, but it's no easy matter. But you don't need to share the worries of an old warrior. This day is to rejoice in your bravery! And speak to Eorlund tomorrow if you want a better weapon than..." he paused and glanced at my sword. "Whatever that is."

The next morning, I made my way up the Skyforge, where Eorlund was working.

"Ah, if it isn't the lass who proved herself as a Companion." he greeted. "Vilkas talked to me about making a suit of armor, just for you. Sort of a welcome into their ranks."

"Oh," my eyes widened with curiosity.

"It's right on my display rack," he handed me the armor, which was just like what Kodlak, Skjor, and the twins wore, but for women.

"Thanks." I smiled as I took it. "Lighter than I expected it to be."

"That's wolf armor, lass; same protection as steel armor, only lighter. Oh, and you look like someone who could do with a new weapon too. I have all kinds. Just tell me which one you want. Finest forge in Skyrim, right here before you."

"I'd like a sword and a dagger."

"Help yourself," he smiled as he worked. I was changing into my new armor, but luckily for me, he was too focused on the Warhammer he was forging to pay any attention to me. "Your new blades should be sharp as Fralia's tongue."