Chapter 6.
After much traveling through the winter cold Aela and Martin made it to the tomb. Aela lit a torch as the imperial Vampire followed carefully behind. "are you sure I should be here Aela? I don't think the fallen warriors would appreciate it." She smiled. Don't worry as long as your heart is pure enough which it is.." She kissed his cheek. "you'll be fine I promise." she walked down the hall leading to a small tunnel leading downwards into the inner sanctum of the tomb.
As they reached the center Martin was taken aback by the surroundings. He could feel the history of the companions as he saw the statue of Ysgramor holding the axe Wuthrad. "incredible." he smiled. "Eorland actually fixed it." Aela smiled at the look and expression on Martins face. "as he told us that night. Its a weapon and all weapons can be repaired."
They turned the corner and went down a long tunnel until they reached a stairway that led to a large catacomb. Martin looked around in awe as he watched Aela walk down to a strange pit that had a flame alive and hot inside it. She motioned for martin to come down next to her. He did so with no argument as he heard a voice that made his heart leap into his throat. "well met Martin its good to see you again." The imperial turned and choked on a sob at the sight before him. Kodlak Whitemane himself still in his companions Armor. Martin slowly walked up to the spirit of the harbenger. "K-Kodlak? Is it really you?" the old man simply chuckled smiling.
Aela ran to Martin as he collapsed on his knee sobbing at Kodlaks feet tears fell to the floor making a small puddle as Kodlak knelt in front of the crying warrior. "there there Martin. Its ok lad let it all out." After a while Martin wiped his face and stood up looking at the old Whitemane. "its good to see you too Kodlak." he smiled letting the last of his tears fall from his face. Kodlak smiled. "you look well for a vampire." he said causing Martin to wince. He raised his hands.
"its not an insult. From what I can tell youre more powerful than when we first met. Tell me what have you been up to my friend." Martin sat down and explained what had happened the night Kodlak was killed how in a fit of rage and resentment he had traveled to many parts of skyrim to get rid of his Lycanthropy in exchange for becoming a Vampire and afterwards becoming the Archmage of the winterhold college. "youve had quite an adventure lad." Kodlak replied. "it wasnt easy." Martin explained. "I had to help another Vampire with stopping her father from declaring war on skyrim. He was gonna cause the sun to go dark giving power to all vampires."
Aela raised an eyebrow. "her?" Martin laughed. "jealous Aela? Don't worry. She met someone much better than me after we stopped her father and his army." he looked down at his Katana. "sadly the dawnguard wouldnt leave her alone. So I had no choice but to kill them all." Kodlak sighed. "I heard rumors of the dawnguard and heard they can be...problematic. But if you had no other choice it couldn't be helped lad." Martin nodded as he looked around. "does it get lonely here Kodlak?"
The old harbinger laughed. "not at all lad. Believe it or not there are more souls here than what you can see. You see only me because you and the others know me as the leader of the companions." Martin nodded seemingly to understand. "but still...i couldn't cure you in time Kodlak im sorry." Kodlak chuckled again looking at Aela. "you had to tease the poor lad by not telling him?"
Aela shrugged. "He never asked." Martin looked at both of them waiting for an answer. Kodlak looked at the imperial with a wide grin. "the witch heads can cure someones wolf blood even in death lad. Thanks to your help and the others I am cured." Martins eyes widened. "is that so? Then my mission for you wasnt for nothing?" Kodlak nodded. "correct. And so nothing is stopping you from returning to the halls of Jorrvaskr to be the new harbinger." both Aela and Martin looked at each other and back to Kodlak. "I beg your pardon Kodlak?" Martin looked in confusion. Kodlak smiled. "I cant think of anyone more worthy to take my place than you Martin."
Martin looked down. "but im not worthy enough. Im no leader." Kodlak raised an eyebrow. "not worthy? Youre telling me my decision is wrong? When it was my decision to let you join the companions? To join the circle? To send you on a mission to help me when no one else could?" Kodlak placed a hand on Martins shoulders. "Yet dispite youre inner conflict with the compainions you still risked your own life to save your shield siblings from the silver hand."
Aela took Martins hand in hers. "id follow you into battle Martin." She held him close in her arms and he in return. "and this time I wont forget my loyalty." Martin looked at the huntress gazing into her eyes and she in return. He looked at her for a while longer then to Kodlak. "if you both agree for me to be a worthy Harbinger Kodlak then very well. I wont let you down." The Whitemane who had a grin on his face. "very good. Now if you don't mind ill be going to sovnguard now. To help free my predecessors who are also cursed by the wolves blood. Take care you two. Oh before I forget Martin look in the chest hidden by the wall. Something you can use well lad."
Martin smiled. "farewell Kodlak ill make you proud." The old Harbinger smiled looking at Martin. "eyes on the prey." Not the Horizon." Martin finished. Both Aela and Martin watched as Kodlak faded away until they could no longer see him. Martin walked up to the chest finding an ancient looking shield holding it up. Aelas eyes widened. "thats the shield of Ysgramor. It was said to be lost forever. He mustve hid it here before he was killed."
Martin placed it on smiling as he drew moon fang. "well what do you think?" he smiled striking a pose. Aela smirked. "I think youll pull it off well. Harbinger." she bowed. Martin took her hand walking them out of the tomb before they exited the chambers Martin looked back at the statue of Ysgramor and grabbed hold of Wuuthrad sheathing it. "I hope you know im more of a dagger and bow user love." Aela looked in confusion. "I think I know someone who can use it better actually" Martin replied closing the doors behind them. "so to jorrvaskr?" he held out his arm. "my moonlit goddess?" Aela blushed slugging his shoulder. "if you say so my bloody love." she then pulled him into a hug that neither wanted to end. "its good to have you back Martin." the two exchanged kisses before making their way back to whiterun. Martin looked at the huntress smiling. "And im not going anywhere anytime soon Aela. I promise."