Chapter Eighteen

The Silver Hand Attack

A/N: I am so sorry unbelievably sorry! I hope this chapter mucks up for the time I've been gone. It's unedited and slightly shorter than usual. I'm trying to get back into the groove of writing for this story once more.

Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim – Just Serah.

~ oOo ~

"Kodlak…there's something we need to talk about."

"I am all ears, my Serah. What do you wish to discuss - cough, cough!" Hacking way, Kodlak leaned over the table, covering his mouth as Serah knew naught what to do. It was several moments later her Harbinger was able to correct his posture. Shaking his head, he smiled wearily down at his goddaughter. "I am sorry about that, dear Serah."

Covering her hand with his, the young Companion weakly tried to smile; to no avail, it fell. "Kodlak, are you alright? You're not getting sick, are you?"

"Oh no, no dear." He waved her off. "It's just my age catching up with me. Nothing too important you need to worry yourself over. Now! You wished to speak with me about something?"

Blinking, Serah merely sat, concern still etched on her face. Knowing the Harbinger would decline anything if she asked to bring him food or drink, she swallowed the fear crawling up her throat. "Um…yes, well I…Farkas and I returned from Riften a while ago."

"Ah yes, and how was the trip? Were you able to find everything you sought after?"

"I'm not so sure. There were definitely some surprises we ran into, but…I think I might've gotten some answers."

"Well that's good news!" Kodlak glanced up and down upon his goddaughter, noticing her change in attire from when he last saw her. "You look different, that's for sure. Where'd you gain this attire from?"

Serah glanced down at her new armor. There would be moments where others would question the same thing as Kodlak, but with her Harbinger, she would tell the truth. "Let me start from the beginning…this might get confusing. It still is for me, that's for sure."

And so, Serah began her tale. She first started with the interaction with Grevlin when she and Vilkas traveled to deal with the vampires. From there, it transpired to her in Falkreath, the attack on the village from the Dark Brotherhood, to her learning they knew something of her parents. It was a long discussion, but one she desperately needed to have with Kodlak. She had a feeling either Farkas or Vilkas had mentioned leaked some information to their Harbinger, but having her discuss these matters with him took lifted some weight off her shoulders.

By the time she mentions her and Farkas traveling to Riften, her mug was now empty of mead.

"That is…quite the tale, young Serah," Kodlak stated wearily as he dragged his hands through his growing beard. It was definitely not the time to mention this to her, but Kodlak was very aware of everything Serah had mentioned. He knew of the Dark Brotherhood and Asta's involvement; he knew they would eventually search for her. He just didn't think they would succeed. Then again, Serah of the Companions had been making a name of herself for some time.

"Quite the tale indeed," she repeated. Sighing, Serah dropped her head against the cool wood and groaned. "Kodlak…" she whined.

Grasping her shoulder, the Harbinger squeezed. "Whatever is wrong, young one?"

Lifting her head, Serah swiped at her cheeks, not wanting to cry in front of the man she almost considered her father. "It's just that…I'm so confused! Who the hell does this Astrid think she is in playing mind games with me?! Just tell me what you want and I'd get it for you!"

"Well, you discovered Riften. What was it that you learned?"

"…a lot," Serah replied hesitantly. "We ran into Aragorn while we were there and - ph! Get this Kodlak! Aragorn has his own house there in Riften! And apparently he has been named the Thane as well! Can you believe that?"

Kodlak smooth out his ever-growing beard. "I can, young Serah. Considering he is the Dragonborn, I can see him helping those in all the Holds. But, carry on."

She cleared her throat. "Aragorn knows everything I'm about to tell you as well, so we told him we were looking for someone with a connection to the Dark Brotherhood. And he knew just who it would be! The man Aragorn introduced us too is named Delvin."

"Hmm, Delvin, you say?"

"Yes." So she spent the next several moments explaining the situation with Delvin, how he knew her parents, the attire she was currently wearing, the key he had given her and the instruction her parents left for him when they died. "Kodlak, you would not believe what Farkas and I found! Inside this chest were numerous letters upon letters! Jewels flooded the flooring, but I only care for the letters. And they were all addressed to me!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes! But…" Serah's face fell, remembering the one letter she read several nights prior. "I read one and…discovered some unfortunate news I was not aware of. Kodlak…since you knew my parents, were you aware that my mother was with child before me?"

Heaving a sigh, the Companion Harbinger swallowed a heft amount of mead, the tankard slamming onto the table as he softly stared down the woman before him. Was this to be something he agreed to admit? Fenrir did have the man promise to keep everything from Serah in fear the truth would only hurt her so.

This, he figured, was something he could live with telling the poor woman.

Nodding, he eventually said yes. "I am aware of the situation regarding your older sibling, Serah."

Biting her lip, the woman wanted to ask more. Needing to know more about the sibling her mother lost prior to herself. But…there wasn't much to know since the babe didn't even get the chance to breath its first breath. "Oh," was all she said after some time. "I see."

"I'm sorry, young Serah." Kodlak held the woman's hand tightly in his own. "This was something I feel you didn't want to know. I assumed to much, and for that, I am sorry."

"N-No Kodlak, it's…I've had several days to accept the truth I've learned. It wasn't…easy," she said softly. The tightening of her throat said otherwise, even though she ignored the stinging completely. "What I want to know is…simply why. Why all this secrecy from me? Why all these games from both my parents and the Dark brotherhood? What have I done to deserve all this?"

"Though I believe you have the right to ask such questions, my dear, some things are meant to remain unclear. And sometimes, we must fight to discover the answers that weren't left for us to seek. So, my dear Serah, I ask you this: now that you have come this far, what do you intend to do? Will you let the Dark Brotherhood keep seeking you out? OR will you simply ignore everything that has happened thus far?"

Hand on her chin, the woman thought. It would be so easy to put everything she had learned behind her and ignore what was set out for her. She could be wary of any contracts she accepts and stay only within the Whiterun Hold.

Or…

She could fight the Dark Brotherhood against their own game and discover what it is she's supposed to have that they want. Maybe there's something her parents left her? Maybe all the secrets they carried to the grave are meant to guide her? Serah, unfortunately, had know idea.

"I'm going to fight, she replied confidently. "For now, it's as you said. I have to fight to discover the answers I am seeking." Standing, Serah leaned over to give the older man a tight embrace. "Thank you for listening, Kodlak. I really needed the chance to explain everything that has happened over these last few weeks."

"And I am more than happy to have helped, my dear Serah." Standing as well, he tightened their embrace believe letting go to hold her by the shoulder. "Anytime you need an ear, I am always here for you, Serah. I always have, and I always will be."

Leaning downward, she kissed the man's cheek, thankful for everything he had provided her in this lifetime. "I'll take my leave. There's much I need Farkas, Vilkas and I need to discuss."

"Of course. All I ask, Serah, is that you keep me informed about what is to happen."

"I will be more than happy to exchange further conversation with you, Kodlak."

Smiling, she was off. Closing the thick, wooden doors behind her, she walked off, unaware that her Harbinger was drinking more mead to cover the fact there was nothing he could provide for the young woman. A simple promise from twenty years prior kept his tongue sewn shut. And for what purpose? Why was Fenrir so adamant that Serah discover this all on her own? Kodlak would never know.

Leaving the downstairs quarters, she crept upstairs to find Vilkas conversing with another male whose back was placed before hers. "Oh! Aragorn, you've returned!"

The man in question turned in time to see Serah jump into his arms, holding the man tightly against her frame. "When did you get back?!"

"Just now. What about you?"

"Several hours prior."

"And did…did you discover everything you were looking for?" Aragorn eyed the woman up and down in her new attire. "You look…different from before. Is that what Delvin gave you that night?"

"It is. This is my mother's old Thieves Guild uniform."

That raised the man's eyebrows. "Oh, really now?"

"Yes. There's much we need to catch up on."

"It truly sounds like we do. But…I've been summoned by Skjor and Aela. I'm to meet them underneath the Skyforge…?"

Serah's face fell at the mention of the secret cave. "Oh, um…when are you needed?"

"Not until later tonight," he turned to Vilkas, who had moved beside Serah. "Is there something I should be concerned with?"

"Well…" Serah glanced upward at Vilkas who, in turn, stared down at the woman.

"We can't really say," Vilkas answered for them both. "This is something you'll have to discover when you meet them later. One of them will be waiting outside, just…head towards the stone beneath the Skyforge. You not be able to miss it."

"Are you…sure?"

"Just trust us; we know what we're talking about."

Aragorn's face fell slightly, not quite sure exactly how to take in such information. "Alright," he said slowly. "Well, until then, where' Farkas? I haven't seen him yet."

"Did someone call for me?"

Turning just in time to see the burly man walk through the back entrance into Jorrvaskr, Serah smiled at the man, wondering where he had been all this time. "There you are!" she exclaimed. Walking up to her side, Farkas wrapped an arm over her shoulder, leaning down to kiss her head. "Where've you been?"

"Had some business down in the city." She raised an eyebrow curiously, but he waved her off. "It's nothing, I promise!"

"Hey, let's grab some mean and head downstairs. Aragorn, we need to fill you in on what's happened. Oh!" Going through a pocket upon her leg, Serah pulled out the thick, wrought iron key, handing it to her friend. "Here, I believe this belongs to you."

"Well thank you! I'll make sure to place it back into the safe once I return, though that won't be for some time."

As it was now nearing dark, the four of them filled their plates with heart amounts of food, grabbed their tankards of ale then traversed downstairs to Farkas's room where they could eat and drink. There, they spoke of Aragorn's journeys while on the road as he ate. The road had taken the man all through the different holds, between Windhelm, Winterhold and Dawnstar, before finally traversing back towards Whiterun. The three asked if his travels were all related to him being the Dragonborn when Aragorn shook his head, stating he still needed to access the Throat of the World before anything else, but was too afraid to do so.

Instead of focusing on him, Aragorn turned the attention to Serah, wanting to know everything that had transpired after he left Riften. So, just as she had with Kodlak, Serah filled the man in with every single detail between once he left and the moment they returned home.

"Whoa, that's…" Consuming some hearty ale, Aragorn slammed his tankard down onto the bar's counter. "I mean, that's a lot of information to take in."

"How do you think I feel? Not only did I discover my parents were part of the Thieves Guild, but my mother was murdered rather than dying in childbirth - like I thought she had - , I had an older sibling though they didn't even draw their first breath, and then come to find out my mother was part of the Dark Brotherhood as well!" She sighed heavily, running her fingers through her hair. "And then I also discover my parents were Companions! And someone already knew!" She stared at the twins who blushed sheepishly.

"Fucking shit…I don't mean this in a rude way, but everything about your life was kept a secret from you, huh?"

She nodded, taking a deep drink from her tankard. "It seems even Kodlak knew my mother was with child before me and didn't say anything." Plopping down her glass, she then dropped her face, groaning into the wood. "This is all just so damn complicated!"

Vilkas drank the rest of his ale. "So, Serah…what's the next step?" She rolled her head to gaze up at her longtime friend. "Obviously this doesn't end. here. Your parents seemed to know the Dark Brotherhood would eventually come after you, right? Now we just need to decide on why."

"This Astrid seems to think you have something of theirs. Maybe it's that," Farkas offered.

"Or maybe it really is my life they're after. Think about it. What if it's not really an item but my life?"

"Then she for sure as hell won't lay a finger on you!" Farkas roared, walking up behind Serah to place his hands on her shoulders. "I don't give a damn what it is the Dark Brotherhood wants, but they won't be getting it. Especially if it is you!"

The four of them spoke well into the night. By the time the moon was high into the sky, they each had consumed much alcohol, all except for Aragorn who was still to meet Skjor and Aela. Having left to meet at the secret underground cavern, Vilkas decided it was time for his rest, leaving Farkas and Serah alone. Knowing all she wanted was rest, the woman dragged the burly, muscled man into her room where she stripped into naught but her undergarments. Farkas followed suit, laying in the bed with Serah close to his heart.

He didn't believe a more perfect night could exist besides having the woman he loved right upon his own heart.

Come morning, they were to learn of some devastating news.

~ oOo ~

Having slept peacefully throughout the night, Serah and Farkas dressed for the day in casual attire; trousers and a loose fitting shirt for the male along with a dress for the female. Upon commotion from the room above, they hurried into the Mead Hall where they could see Aela and Aragorn, doused in stench of nothing but blood.

"What is the meaning of this?" Serah could hear Kodlak mutter loudly as they stepped forth from the stairway.

"Do not make me repeat it, Harbinger."

"No, you must proudly state what you have just told me. State it, Aela! It was your plan, was it not?"

Glancing around the room, every single Companion lay waiting in the Mead Hall, ever watching with curious and concerned eyes. Chest heaving and falling, the woman known as The Huntress looked downright scared, frightened to the core. Shriveled in her own skin, the woman, mouth open slightly, finally uttered, "Skjor is dead."

Gasps instantly echoed across the hall. Farkas caught the look of his brother form across the room as the two of them, and Serah, stared down Aragorn, whose face could not be read.

"What do you mean Skjor is dead?" Athis stepped forward. "He was here just last night!"

"I know what I bloody said, Athis!" The woman screamed, teeth bared as her eyes grew yellow for a moment.

"But…but still!" Ria was the next to speak. Serah curled into Farkas' side, gazing upward to see the warmth still in his loving eyes. "What could have caused his death? Surely, he didn't…"

"We fought the Silver Hand." Aragorn finally was able to speak. Gasps echoed across the hall once more. What was more concerning was the fact Aragorn didn't seemed fazed by what he had just stated. "Aela, Skjor and I went to their hideout in Gallows Rock where he traversed on before us. By the time we reached him, it was too late. There was nothing we could do."

"Going off and fighting the Silver Hand on your own…have I taught you nothing?!"

"Harbginer, I…"

"I don't want to hear it, Aela! Not only have you disobeyed my direct orders, but you have pout the rest of the Companions, your shield-siblings, into danger! This attack gives the Silver Hand the excuse they need to come and attack us now!" Gripping his beard, Kodlak was fuming, not believing the people he was supposed to guide. Waving his hand around, he yelled, "Bah!" And then trekked his way down towards his chambers. Once the door slammed down into the living quarters, Aela took off, running down to wards the living quarters as well towards her own room.

Leaving Farkas behind, Serah quickly stepped down the stairs. Tentatively stepping towards Aela's room, the woman knocked, the woman on the inside screaming, "LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"

Ignoring such a statement, Serah quickly stepped through the door, closing it behind for Serah only to lean her head upwards to see an arrow pointed directly between her eyes.

"You will walk back out that door," Aela muttered menacingly, tightening her aim. "And leave me the hell alone."

"I will not!" Serah screamed back. Slowly reaching forward, the Companion was able to maneuver around the arrow, taking the weapon into her hand as she diverted the pointed metal away from her face. Moving around the weapon, Serah pulled the shaken woman into her arms, Aela's head falling against her shoulder. "I will not leave you, Aela. I won't leave my friend, my Shield-Sister."

Aela consumed herself with grief.

Shaking and covered in blood, Aela released a hefty sob, immediately soaking the shirt of Serah below. Moving them from standing towards the bed, Serah sat Aela down, trekking out of the room to grab a bowl of water and some cloths. Returning, she knelt in front of her friend, carefully dabbing the now wet cloth against her friends skin, afraid of any cuts or bruises she might find. Thankfully, there weren't any serious injuries Aela was suffering from, but her arms were littered with numerous sword Knicks and burn marks. Most likely from the silver weapons they use against those who have the blood of Hircine.

The woman didn't speak, so, neither did Serah. Her ears and shoulder were offered, but after that first cry, Aela withdrew into herself. Her tears were still falling, a silent symbol of the grief she was suffering.

When all was done and cleaned, Serah bent forward, cupping her friends cheek and said, "I'll be here if you ever need me, Aela."

Stepping towards the door with her bowl and dirtied water, there was a soft 'thank you' from behind. Smiling, Serah closed the door behind her before entering the washroom. There wasn't much else to be done, so she cleaned the bowls and the linen, washed herself of any lingering blood, then trekked back upstairs where she found the three males: Aragorn, Vilkas and Farkas. In the time she had been gone, Aragorn had cleaned himself as well, covering in similar Knicks and burns as Aela.

"Aragorn," Serah said the man's name lightly. Taking a seat at the table, she then continued with, "Do we…even want to know why you went after the Silver Hand?"

"Aela…" Holding his head, Aragorn quickly downed a bottle of mead. "She told me it was a celebration from her and Skjor for me having finally…" He glanced nervously at the three of them, not knowing if he should speak the truth or not.

So Serah leaned forward and stated the truth for him. "You took the beast blood, didn't you?" She whispered carefully, though they were the only individuals in the mead hall.

The man's eyes widened significantly. "Y-You too?!"

Vilkas shook his head. "No, Serah declined the blood," they were still whispering. "But my brother and I have it. All the Inner Circle members are part of the pact."

"Even Kodlak…?"

"Yes, him too."

Farkas rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd shake your hand and welcome you, but…Vilkas and I are sick of the beast blood."

"Oh." Aragorn's face fell. Was he excited to have the beast blood? Serah couldn't tell, it just happened last night. "I'm assuming you've had it for some time?"

The twins looked at one another, Vilkas answering for both. "About ten years."

"Oh wow," was all the Dragonborn said.

They all grew silent. Serah traced the intricate patterns of the wooden table, her mind wondering something specific. "Hey, Aragorn? I know this was sudden with Aela and Skjor, but why did you take the blood last night? What did they say ab out it?"

"Skjor said that the ceremony to induct me into the Inner Circle 'does not befit warriors like as,' as he claimed he hadn't seen a warrior with a heart like mine. He said they needed to do it in secret because Kodlak's trying to get rid of the great gift they have. I…didn't quite understand what he was talking about, but there stood Aela in her beast form. Skjor then cut her arm and…I drank her blood."

"Hmm, so you just accepted this fate without question," Farkas stated. "So what do you think now?"

"It's only been one night, but I think I might agree with Kodlak; it might be a curse. I don't think anyone should be granted powers such as this by one of the nine. It's…inhuman."

"Aragorn, may I please speak with you?"

Kodlak's voice appeared from the stairs as all four heads turned. He was standing at the top with his arms crossed. Aragorn nodded as he excused himself from his friends, following the Harbinger down into the the living quarters. Farkas, Vilkas and Serah all stared at one another, wondering if their Harbinger overheard their conversation or not. No one knew what to say, so instead, they all drank from their tankards, each mind wondering off into its own territory of confusion and wonder.

~ oOo ~

Just as he had returned to Jorrvaskr, Aragorn was sent on another mission, this time, specifically given to him by Kodlak. When Serah tried to gain more information from the new Companion, he wouldn't speak on the matter, only that it was something Kodlak asked him to do specifically. Still not wanting to accept such as answer, Serah did because she knew she wouldn't receive the truth, no matter how many times she asked. Instead, she gave her shield-sibling a tight embrace, telling him to be careful wherever the winds were destined to take him.

Time flew by slowly for those within Jorrvaskr. The Companions were still mourning the death of Skjor, as it was nigh impossible to retrieve his body from the Silver Hand. Serah didn't even want to think of the possibilities of what they might do to his body.

She shuttered at the thought.

Instead, Serah spent her mornings training with the twins, her afternoons wandering through the city, helping all that should could, and her evenings were spent with Farkas. Sometimes they were accompanied with Vilkas as they would go through, once again, all the details and information that was uncovered in Riften. There were still missing gaps between what they knew and what they questioned. They now knew more of the backstory as to why the Dark Brotherhood could be after Serah, as well as the secrets she had been kept in the dark from.

Vilkas suggested she read the letters in the chest left to her by her parents. Serah was apprehensive, providing one excuse after another as to why she couldn't, or mainly, why she wouldn't. Farkas understood completely, knowing she might discover more information about her parents she won't particularly ready for, just as she had when discovering she might've had an older sibling. Still, they could not persuade her. Serah was adamant she would not read them until she was ready.

Vilkas wasn't sure how long that would take.

And so, Vilkas let her be.

Time still passed on, having been nearly a week since learning of Skjor's passing. Aela spent the first few days locked in her room, only accepting food and drink from Tilma when she dropped it off. Though, after three days, the woman finally emerged. Fresh war paint decorated her face as she asked the twins to accompany her on a hunting party to gather food for Tilma. They accepted, knowing the woman needed to be out with her bow and arrows.

By the time they returned, it seemed all was back to normal. Aela seemed to be herself, somewhat smiling and even offering a chuckle every now and then. They returned with bountiful amounts of food, leaving Tilma excited for the feast she was to cook that night. Sitting beside the Huntress in the mead hall, Serah wrapped her arms around the woman, holding her tightly into her chest.

"Thank you, Serah, for everything that you did."

"There's no need for thanks, Aela. I would do anything for my Shield-Sister, you know that."

"COMPANIONS! WE NEED YOU OUTSIDE!"

A loud commotion could be heard past the doors of Jorrvaskr when. One of the city guards ran through the heavy doors. He was breathing heavily into his helmet, bloody sword in hand. "Companions! We are being attacked and they are headed this way!"

Aela jumped into action, running to retrieve her bow as Serah stood and ran out towards the opposite door. "Ria! Athis! Torvar! We're under attack, grab your weapons and head towards the front!" They all roared with the might of a saber-tooth.

Quickly making her way downstairs, Serah had just opened the for to the living quarters when she ran into the chest of Farkas. "What in the nine is going on out here Serah?!"

"The city is under attack but the guard said they're headed this way! I called the other Companions but I needed to find you two!"

Vilkas roared. "Then let's grab our weapons!"

Farkas roared alongside his twin. "It's time to fight, brother!"

All three of them ran into their own rooms. Serah wasn't dressed in her mother's attire and there was no time to place it on her body. Instead, she grabbed her short blades and placed her two-handed weapon upon her back. She rarely used the weapon anymore, but she wanted to be prepared. When the three were ready, they trekked the stairs two at a time to hear screams and the cling of metal from the outside.

The door from the back entrance was suddenly thrust open, in which five Silver Hand ran inside. Serah screamed bloody murder, rage consumed her at the thought their defenses had been breached. Running towards them, Farkas and Vilkas ran behind her, weapons drawn and ready for the attack. Serah led the way through the mead hall. Grasping her two-handed weapons, she slashed through the first Silver Hand, the body falling dead to the floor in a mangle of blood.

Roars erupted from behind as the twins attacked the rest, leaving no living bodies to live the rest of their days. Knowing Vilkas and Farkas would be good on their own, Serah turned to see the opposite entrance had been pushed inward, more coming in from the opposite side.

"Oh no you don't!" she screamed, running in their direction. "FIRE!" She yelled the Destruction Spell, casting the burning flame onto the forest intruder. The others moved around the flame to surround her completely. Dropping her two swords, she reached for her massive one-handed weapon, gripping it tightly in her tiny hands.

"You vermin!" Serah heard one of them screech. "We'll kill every last Companion so no diseased remains alive!"

"Come at me if you dare!"

Running forward, she slashed her mighty blade, dragging the metal downward as she slashed into the head of the first perpetrator. Swinging in a circle, she sliced at another as they dared to try and intervene her attack. They were not given the chance as Farkas appeared from behind and cut them down then and there. They were the last to die as the muscled man pulled Serah into his arms.

"Are you alright?!"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" She breathed deeply, scared more for the reason they were there. "I'm more worried about you! They're the Silver Hand!"

"I'll be alright, you know nothing can bring me down." He was interrupted by another scream from the outside. "Can you manage on your own with Vilkas?"

"Yes! Now go help our friends!"

Nodding, Farkas took off towards the front, leaving herself and Vilkas to manage the back entrance. Running towards the doors, she wasn't given the chance to open them as they burst open, revealing more Silver Hand pouring through.

"We've got two of 'em!" One cried.

"Kill them all!" Another said by his side. "Leave none live!"

Another appeared through the door, wearing strong armor, to which Serah could tell this was the leader. Vilkas was already fighting the ones that had trampled on through, leaving Serah and the leader to stare at one another. Turning to another Silver hand by his side, Serah could hear him speak. "Kill their leader, but bring me the woman. I want her alive."

Two Silver Hand ran towards Serah, silver swords brandished as they swung with no results. Clashing against their weak attempts, Serah realized they proved to be adversary foes indeed, proving to fight better than the ones she had already killed. Although she could keep track on the two she was swinging swords with, Serah was not able to see the third coming from behind. The third Silver Hand raised the pommel of her sword, swinging downward as the rounded object was thrust into Serah's skull.

She immediately saw black covering her vision. Screaming out for her favorite twins, Vilkas turned from his fight to see the woman fall to the ground, eyes closed in defeat. "SERAH!"

Running towards the woman, more Silver Hand filed through the door, leaving Vilkas little choice but to annihilate them first. But by the time he turned to save his Shield-Sister and best friend, she was no where to be seen.

"RETREAT!" One of the Silver Hand called. "Fall back and escape with your life!"

And just like that, it was over. The Silver Hand fled through the city with the Companions directly on their tails. The Silver Hand were faster, and by the time they fled past the gates leading into Whiterun, the Companions allowed the guards to run onto their tails. Vilkas had stayed behind, Running throughout Jorrvaskr and the training grounds to see where Serah had gone. Deep inside, he knew the answer.

Serah had been taken by the Silver Hand.

"Vilkas!" The twin's brother called his name from the front entrance, the double doors wide open as the burly man stepped inside. Covered in blood as was his steel blade, Farkas ran through the doors, only to stop and stare at there floor.

There lay Kodlak in all his glory, with a single stab wound directly through his heart.

"Kodlak!" Farkas screamed. When his voice echoed throughout the entire structure, all Companions ran to his side. Everyone as they entered could see their beloved Harbinger lay dead on the floor. As the others cried out and fell to their knees to inspect his injury, Farkas was torn, though he ultimately ran towards his brother. "Vilkas! Where's Serah?!"

"She was taken!" Vilkas immediately stated. Hands thrust into his hair, the man pulled at the strands, unaware that she had been taken in the first place.

"What…what do you mean, brother? Don't joke, where is Serah?!" Hands upon his brother's shoulders, Farkas shook Vilkas. "Tell me right now where the hell Serah is!"

"I'm telling you the truth! She was knocked unconscious by one of the Silver Hand and then she was just…gone! I was swarmed, Farkas! There was nothing I could do!"

Silent for several moments, Farkas swiveled his attention from his brother to Kodlak, then back towards Vilkas. The man didn't know what to do. So, what did he do? He walked towards the nearest support beam and slammed his fist countless times into the wood. He pounded and punched, slammed and knocked his fist against the beam until his knuckles were bruised and bloody. Vilkas ran up to his brother, desperately trying to withhold the man from fighting against the wood.

"Farkas! You need to calm down!"

"CALM DOWN?!" The man roared. "How am I supposed to remain calm?! Now only has Kodlak been killed, my Serah has been taken by the Silver Hand! She's been kidnapped, Vilkas" The beast was not taking over. Yellow slits encompassed his eyes, teeth enlarging, back curling. "VILKAS!" Farkas roared. Punching his brother was the only way for Vilkas to get his brother under control. Staggering, Farkas' demeanor returned to normal. "You did nothing…" Farkas accused is brother. "How could you stand there and do nothing?!"

"I'm very aware of that!" Vilkas screamed back at his twin. "And how what about me?! I was right here and there was nothing I could do to save either one of them!" The door from the front entrance opened once more. All Companions held their weapons tightly in hand, only to release a sigh when they noticed it was Aragorn, fresh and ready to fight as he stood with a heavy sack carried over his shoulder.

"What in all the nine has happened here?!"

Vilkas ran up to Aragorn, thrusted his fist against the man's cheek. "And just where the hell have you been this past week?! We were just attacked by the Silver Hand and you were no where to help aid us!"

Stumbling from the attack to his face, Aragorn reeled. "What the hell?! Kodlak sent me on a mission and I've been gone doing just that! It's not my fault the Silver Hand attacked!"

"Maybe it is!" Ria called out. "Maybe it's because you, Aela and Skjor attacked their base!"

"Kodlak was right. This was the perfect reason for them to attack us because you went to them first!" Athis stated after Ria.

"We didn't mean for this to happen!" Aragorn cried out as he set the sack down onto the ground. "Where is Kodlak anyways? Surely he - " Farkas stepped aside, revealing their Harbinger towards the newest Companion. "No…" Aragorn stepped backwards, nearly falling onto the ground.

"Oh yes," Farkas growled. "Not only is Kodlak now dead, the Silver Hand captured Serah!"

"They WHAT?!" Aela screamed.

"No!" Ria cried.

"When the hell did they do that?" Athis asked menacingly.

"I was trapped by some of their men when they hit her upon the head! They…" Vilkas growled, holding his head as he tried his hardest to withhold from the beast consuming his entire being. "They took her while I was occupied!" Growling, he ran up to Aragorn, thrusting a finger into his chest. "We're going to get her back! Take revenge for Kodlak and save Serah!"

"'We'?" Aragorn seemed confused.

"Yes!" Farkas roared. "You, Vilkas and I are headed to Gallows Rock right this instant! We're going to avenge Kodlak and rescue the woman I want to marry!"

~ oOo ~

Please let me know what you think, I would greatly appreciate it.

DragonGoddess629