Chapter 8
Martin woke up in the harbingers bed not remembering much the night before. Until he tried to move only to find something holding him down. He looked down to his chest blushing at the sight of Aela sleeping soundly her hands on his chest. He smiled as he slowly moved out from under her as he covered her with a few furs kissing her forehead. "love you my goddess of the hunt." he said smiling before he grabbed a bit of his spare armor putting it on and taking his sword to his belt. As he walked the hall of Jorrvaskr he heard voices coming from the resting quarters of the new bloods. He stepped forward and turned invisible when he heard his name mentioned stepping into the room.
"whats your deal Njada? Hes one of us still no matter what you say." Martin looked inside to see Njada standing in front of Athis Ria Brill and Torvar who were all sitting in their beds. "look I cant stand it. He thinks he can come back after leaving us? After we were doing fine without him?" Ria sighed irritated. "last I checked it was your fault for him leaving in the first place. You heard Aela that day. Kodlak said so himself he had nothing to do with the silver hand that night." Athis stood up arms folded. "he saved our hides from the remainder of the silver hand anyway. If he really was with them why would he suddenly turn on them?" The dark elf asked looking at Njada with the same irritated look as the rest. "does It matter?" she asked raising her hands in the air. "hes a blood sucking vampire. How do we know he just didn't get hungry and eat them all out of hunger and boredom?"
Martin watched as the others looked at each other then back to Njada Brill speaking up. "I know what it is. You're jealous of him." Njadas eyes widened. "whats that supposed to mean drunkard?" she retorted anger in her voice. Brill laughed. "isnt it obvious?" he asked. "he showed up and in less than almost a month he was made a member of the circle going off on adventures with Farkas Aela and all. While you stuck around as the little helpless whelp who only won one fight from Athis. You were left in the dust by a newbie." everyone in the room laughed at this but stopped when Njada threw a punch at Brill knocking him backward onto the bed holding his gut. "and you should learn to shut up Brill. While we all go out helping the circle you always stick around to do nothing but drink and eat."
Ria helped Brill up glaring at Njada. "youre wrong. Brill does his fair share around here just like the rest of us. Unlike you who has to go around badmouthing everyone here just because theyre nothing like you." Athis helped Ria get Brill his bearings and catch his breath. "my mother told me stories of the past companions before any of us. About Kodlak and the other harbingers before them. And let me say Njada you will never be as great a companion as Martin or Kodlak for that matter. Because Kodlak himself had faith in Martin." she stood in front of Njada arms folded giving a cold stare. "you're an embarrassment to the Companions." Njadas fists shook and in a flash of a second she threw a punch at Rias jaw that never made contact everyone looked as Njadas fist looked stuck in midair before something smacked her in the jaw having her fly back hitting her head on the table.
Suddenly Martin stood there visible to all glaring down at Njada. "Ria can you and the others get Brill something for that injury and go get some air? Id like a chat with our friend here." Ria nodded as they helped Brill out of the basement area. Once they were alone Njada looked up glaring at Martin. "well let me guess this is where you ask me to get over myself right?" she stood up stretching her jaw. "where you say were both companions in this together so we need to work together?" Martin stood there for a moment before speaking. "youre just like me." Njada looked at the imperial Vampire for a moment before laughing. "im nothing like you blood sucker. Im not an undead freak of the night who gets hurt in sunlight." Martin looked down sitting on the bed. "the night skjor died I thought just like you." he sat there for a moment before looking at Njada. "the silver hand killed Skjor and all I wanted was to make them pay for what they did. Aela and I both started a secret war against them."
He stood up looking at the floor still before looking back at the nord woman. "what I had no idea though was that there would be consequences for my actions against them. That night Kodlak pulled me aside and told me he was aware of the actions Aela and I were up to." Njada watched as a tear traveled down the vampires cheek before he continued. "he gave me the job of slaying the witches that placed the curse on the companions. But when I got back he was…" Martin choked a sob. Njada scoffed. "and what you think your sob story is going to change my mind about you?" she continued the glare. "youre weak and Im going to prove it. At nightfall meet me in the training yard. Ill show everyone how weak and pathetic you are blood freak." she turned only to see Aela standing there glaring.
"still a bitch as ever Njada. Is this how you thank the one who saved us all?" she growled walking past her and to Martins side. Njada smirked. "it doesn't matter. No one here in Skyrim will ever want a vampire to be a part of the companions anyway." she walked out of the room into the hall. "remember bloodmouth training grounds tonight or you will be seen as a coward." As soon as Njada was out of earshot Martin looked at Aela smirking. "how long were you there?" the huntress blushed looking down. "the entire time. I could smell you but I couldn't see you." she looked up at the vampire. "so invisibility? What other tricks can you do Martin?" she asked hugging his arm. "oh so much more my goddess of the hunt." he replied kissing her cheek causing her to blush. "Aela. Do you still have those artifacts of Hercine?" Martin asked. "yes I was going to take them to the underforge. Why?" she asked. Martin lead her to the hallway leading upstairs. "im going to try something before my fight with Njada." he then looked over at the Nord woman who had a look of confusion. "im going to need your help."