Chapter 11
Tainted Blood
Hiccup marveled at the sight of Bthardamz in the sky. He had seen stone structures, but the Dwemer ruin was very unique. True, he didn't know what Dwemer were, but he was curious as to what was inside, other than Afflicted people and the elf Orchendor.
"Note to self: ask the others what Dwemer are."
Hiccup muttered to himself. After hearing about Orchendor from the Daedric Prince Peryite and his loyal worshipper, Kesh, the Viking knew that the ruins were going to be guarded. Which made it no surprise when he saw some people standing guard outside.
There was a huge downside to this little 'trip.' In order to satisfy Peryite and keep himself from facing the wrath of the Prince, Hiccup had to enter the ruins, past Afflicted Bretons, and kill Orchendor. At least one of the upsides is that he wouldn't have to kill anyone else unless there was no choice.
Much to his relief, Hiccup found that the doorway to the ruins itself was unguarded, enabling them to land with ease, quietly so as not to alarm anyone. Dismounting Toothless, Hiccup took an empty money satchel and some cloth to recreate the silencer that Rahm-Ku made in Bleak Falls Barrow.
"We have to be as quiet as possible, bud. If I'm have to kill someone, I'd rather let it be Orchendor."
Toothless let out a low rumble, concerned for his friend and rider. Hiccup petted Toothless and whispered. "
I know, Toothless. But I have to do this. If not for Peryite, then for myself. If I'm to succeed Dad one day, I'll have to *gulp* stomach such acts."
This was actually a half-truth. The other half was for Hiccup to grow as a warrior. Tamriel clearly had more dangers than Berk, some of them mortal, and Hiccup had to pass such a hurtle in order to press on. Taking out the Orcish dagger he had obtained from Jarl Balgruuf out of its scabbard, Hiccup snuck inside, with Toothless behind him.
Inside…
Hiccup was amazed more at the interior of Bthardamz. Amidst the integrate stone carvings on the walls were all sorts of metal contraptions centuries ahead of his time. As he and Toothless made their way down, Hiccup saw all sorts of things that the mysterious Dwemer had crafted including large pipes that vent out steam from time to time. There were also more of those vats that Kesh had, but they were filled with a different sort of mixture than the incense Kesh used.
He grabbed Toothless' saddle and kept him from getting too close.
"Wait a minute, Toothless."
The dragon looked to his rider as he continued.
"Those vats might have some sort of poison or something. Let's keep moving."
The Night Fury didn't argue as they made their way down the halls, quietly passing some Afflicted on the way. Of course, now Hiccup saw what Bretons looked like, but halted any conclusions until he spoke to the three he trusted the most in Skyrim.
The pair continued down the halls until they came to a large chamber, where a triad of Afflicted gathered around a large vat, conversing amongst themselves. Remembering what J'Kiir had taught him over the past couple of days, Hiccup kept to the shadows, keeping one hand on Toothless' saddle, the other holding the knife.
The Afflicted didn't even acknowledge the two as they snuck past to the next corridor. At the end was an even larger chamber, with more piping but less smooth structures. Taking out his makeshift spyglass, Hiccup took a look at their surroundings from a safe distance. And a good thing too, as there were Afflicted walking around, guarding the way forward, which was barred.
"Shoot! We'll have to find a way to lower that gate." Hiccup whispered. "But first, we have to get past those people."
The sound of the iron arrows on Hiccup's back gave the Viking an idea. After placing the spyglass aside, Hiccup took the hunting bow J'Kiir gave him and took out an arrow.
"Ok. Steady~." Hiccup whispered as he remembered his lesson from that morning.
Hiccup aimed for the wall underneath the exit and fired. The sound of the arrow tapping caught the attention of the guards and once they left their posts to investigate the noise, Hiccup mounted on Toothless and the Night Fury made a mad, but quiet, dash to the other side of the room. Sure enough, there was a leaver at the other side.
Quickly, Hiccup pulled the lever and fired another arrow at where he and Toothless were when he fired the first arrow and like before, the guards left to check out the noise. Once the two of them were past the threshold, Hiccup beamed at Toothless.
"Looks like J'Kiir's training finally kicked in."
But he didn't say too much. He didn't want his gods or Tamriel's to take away the luck he had thus far because of something he said.
As they continued their way down the corridors, Hiccup could clearly see that the Dwemer were geniuses when it comes to machinery once they came across their first trap. It was a spinning blade that appeared from the floor and made its way up and down a small track. The two watched the trap for a few moments before Hiccup got on the saddle and rode him over the trap once it closed up for a few seconds. The Night Fury barely made it as he jumped over the trap and landed on the other side, with his tail intact as well.
With that trap taken care of, the duo continued past a gate, but slowed down as they saw light reflecting off the stone wall.
"Wait a minute, bud." Hiccup whispered as he dismounted.
He crept along the curved wall opposite of the lit one until he was able to see a small group of Afflicted standing in front of two separate sets of doors. Unfortunately, there was no other way to get to the door on the right as the door on the left led only to a small separate section of the room.
"Well, that's just great. Now how to get to those doors?" Hiccup sarcastically asked.
He ran out of arrows to distract the Bretons with and there was hardly any room to sneak past them. He could try and have Toothless walk on the lit wall, but they would still be spotted by them. And if his suspicions are confirmed, than there is no doubt that they would attack him and Toothless in order to protect the Viking's quarry.
It was then that Toothless got an idea. Leaning back in the shadows, Toothless used his wing to bring a surprised Hiccup to his body and began to close his wings around them.
"Toothless! What are you-?" Hiccup's whispers were cut as Toothless let out a plasma blast up the corridor where they came, gaining the attention of the present Afflicted.
"What was that?" Hiccup could hear one of them ask.
"It came from the upper room." Said another.
Hiccup held his breath as he heard footsteps past him and his dragon, a break in the wings enabling him to see the Afflicted pass the two of them not at all noticing the dragon or his rider.
It was then that Hiccup realized what Toothless was doing. He was using his natural black scale as camouflage in the shadows of the ruins. Then, using his plasma blast at another location, he caused a distraction to lure the Afflicted away from their posts, granting the two of them easy access to the next area.
Once the Afflicted were out, the Night Fury released his rider and allowed him to remount.
"Good thinking, bud. Now let's find this Orchendor so we can get out of here."
To Hiccup's surprise, he found that he was looking forward to finding and killing the elf. It must be because of his conflicting desires to escape the ruins and end the quest given him by Peryite, and observe the various machines within Bthardamz.
Seriously, he had some ideas coming to form in his mind and he wanted to see more and cause those ideas to bloom.
After passing a few more chambers and it was becoming evident that they were getting close to Orchendor. There were less and less Afflicted as they passed each chamber and more of, to Hiccup's amazement, Dwemer machinery. Not only did he and Toothless came across more traps and harmless machinery, but they came across metal spiders and metal spheres that unfolded into human-like weaponry.
These machines were the kinds of things Hiccup had no problem in taking out when it comes to morality.
It wasn't easy at first, having never fought machines before, and unfortunately after the first dozen, Toothless ran out of firepower, leaving him and Hiccup to use their own skills. Of course, Hiccup took advantage of his Dragonborn abilities and either used fus to send the machines back or he used su to increase his melee attack.
Granted, all he had was a basic shield and a dagger made of strange metal, but at least he had come prepared.
The two of them had reached the upper level of the second-to-last chamber when Hiccup heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming from the corridor that they needed to go through. Looking around, Hiccup found a flat surface amongst a pile of rocks and motioned Toothless for them to hide amongst the rocks while they waited for whatever came out.
The Viking nearly shouted in surprise as they saw what came out of the corridor. It was a twelve foot metal golem made of the same golden Dwemer machinery in the rest of the ruin. Its heavy footsteps were met with steam coming from various parts of the mechanical body as it walked past the duo's hiding place and made its way down the stone path.
"I think I'm in Valhalla." The Viking whispered as he managed to conceive an idea after seeing the golem.
If he could somehow find a spare golem leg, he could use it as a blueprint to create his new prosthetic!
This was now officially a time where he wished J'Kiir, Rahm-Ku, and Renee were with him. J'Kiir had the stealth that surpassed his own. Rahm-Ku could use his magic to short it out by sending a lightning bolt or a few at it. And Renee obviously would have the physical strength to take down the machine.
The Viking was now more envious with his fellow Dragonborn than before.
"I'll have to get them to help me get stronger." He muttered to himself before giving Toothless the all-clear to move.
Following the corridors and taking out more of those Dwemer spiders, the Viking and his dragon finally found themselves in a large chamber. Carefully, Hiccup looked around a corner and saw a brown-skinned elf as he was mixing a potion at a work table.
It was Orchendor.
Hiccup's heart suddenly launched up into his throat, his ears beating loudly as he observed his target. He motioned Toothless to wait for him as he struggled to devise a plan. He could wait a while until the elf fell asleep, then he could creep up to do the deed.
Unfortunately, it had only been a couple of hours since he left Whiterun and he did not have the time to wait. And of course, he could not attack outright. Orchendor no doubt had magic at his disposal, something Hiccup was not ready to face without the proper training.
In the end, he'd have a better chance if he took the idea out of J'Kiir's playbook and assassinate him right there. And he wasn't even good at sneaking, so what was his chance for a successful kill?
Right about 5%.
His memories of their first meeting with Clavicus Vile and their excursion into Bleak Falls Barrow, Hiccup crept carefully toward Orchendor. With each step, his heartbeat got louder with each pump. Sweat poured from his brow as worries gathered into the pit of his stomach.
Would his prosthetic fail him and make a sound that could alert the long-eared elf?
Could in a single second Orchendor turn around and spot him?
Could he even stomach taking a life?
His mind became silent as he found himself within stabbing distance of Orchendor, the elf kept on adding various ingredients to the mortar, unaware of the assassin wannabe behind him. Knowing that there was no other way to spare himself from the wrath of Peryite, Hiccup raised his dagger and plunged it into the elf's back, severing his spine and piercing his heart and right lung. Orchendor, in surprise, found himself on one knee, giving Hiccup the opportunity to cut his throat.
"I'm sorry." Hiccup spoke softly just as he performed the vile deed.
Orchendor then fell to the ground, dead in a growing pool of his own blood.
With the elf dead, Hiccup's heart went back into his chest and his gut calming only little. He had done it. He had taken a life at the expense of a Daedric Prince. As much as he disliked it, Hiccup was also proud of himself for overcoming a great hurdle. He still needed work, but he was also confident that he would grow stronger.
Smelling the elf's blood, Toothless left his hiding place and nuzzled his rider in attempt to comfort him. Hiccup pressed his head on Toothless' as he spoke.
"Come on, Toothless. Let's go tell Peryite and…go back to Whiterun."
Hiccup was tempted to say "go home," only to catch himself as he remembered everything that had happened since he left Berk. The Imperials and the Stormcloaks. The mysterious black dragon from Helgen. And of course, this "Dragonborn" business.
Especially the Dragonborn business.
Eyeing the exit, the duo were about to leave when Hiccup noticed something lying on a nearby table: a Dwemer golem leg. It was as if the gods of both Tamriel and Berk had answered his previous prayer. Strapping the leg on Toothless' back, the Viking mounted the Night Fury and flew off in the direction of the shrine, the remaining Afflicted unaware of his departure.
It didn't take the two of them long to return to the shrine where Kesh waved at them.
"Kesh has kept the incense ready for your return, my friends. Kesh takes it that your quest was a success?"
Hiccup could only nodded as he dismounted Toothless and approached the vat. He inhaled deeply like before and once again, he was face to face with the pack of skeevers that was Peryite's aspect.
"I have done as you had commanded. Orchendor is…dead."
He was hesitant in that word, still trying to process on what exactly happened. The skeevers spoke.
"Well done, mortal. All things are in their order, and Orchendor roams the Pits. His betrayal will be punished, and your obedience is rewarded."
It was then that an object appeared out of nowhere in Hiccup's hands. It was a large shield much like his own, only it was curved outward and was made of a glassy material that shone in the sunlight. It was beautiful, but what exactly was this shield?
"This is my token: Spellbreaker. It will help aid you in many magical attacks as well as dragon Shouts. Not only will it defend you, but it will also repel all forms of magic back at their castor."
Hiccup remained silent at Peryite's words for a moment. This shield would defiantly come in handy in future battles, but it was clear that he could not do anything to improve it.
At least…until he could learn how to enchant objects like what Renee had told him about earlier
"So, what happens now?" Hiccup asked, unsure if the Prince needed him anymore.
Peryite spoke.
"Go, seek your fate. I will be watching, and perhaps we will meet again…afterwards."
Hiccup gulped at what he meant.
"Very well. Good-bye."
"Embrace order and hard truth, mortal. Good bye." Peryite spoke before the incense left Hiccup's body once more.
Bidding Kesh farewell, Hiccup remounted Toothless and returned to Whiterun, where Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir were waiting for him outside the city walls. They practically demanded an explanation of Hiccup's long absence until they saw Spellbreaker. Having been caught by the Mage, the Rider told him about the three Princes he and the Thief met over the past couple of days.
Needless to say, the green Argonian's scales were never redder with anger.
With Renee…
It had been hardly an hour since Renee discovered the secret of the Circle and, according to Farkas, they were close. While she kept her eyes on the surrounding area, Renee's mind was still struggling with the fact that she was in a crypt with a werewolf for a Shield-Brother. While the "demonstration" she had seen earlier was surprising if not frightening, Renee was amazed at how easily Farkas took on those bandits.
She shook out her thoughts as they entered the main chamber, which was obvious due to its sheer size. At the top of the stairs, past the many sarcophagi, was another Word Wall that Renee had seen at the barrow.
"It's too quiet." Farkas spoke as they walked up the steps.
Renee had to agree on that. No doubt Draugr would awake once they had the ax piece.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Renee walked over to not to the ax piece, but the wall and its glowing word.
"What are you doing?" Farkas asked.
"Learning a new word." Renee muttered as she let the word sink into her mind.
"Yol."
That was what came into her mind as the word dimmed from the wall. Seeing this, Farkas spoke.
"So the rumors are true. You're one of the Dragonborn."
Renee turned her attention to Farkas with a surprised look on her face.
"You knew?"
Farkas nodded.
"Word had reached Jorrvaskr just shortly after you left for the temple job. A lot of people wanted to approach you upon your return, though the old man said to give you some time. I guess he doesn't want anyone to make an attempt to challenge one of the Dragonborn."
Renee's eyes widened as she heard this. The Companions knew she was Dragonborn all along?
"At least it'll be easy for me to ask for some time off once we get back." She managed to choke out.
"To see the Greybeards with the other three?" Farkas asked.
Renee nodded.
"We don't want to keep the Greybeards any longer than needed. I was planning to ask Kodlak for some time off when Aela told me that Skjor wanted to see me."
"Then let's hurry up and get out of here." Farkas replied as Renee took the blade piece.
And like clockwork, Draugr started coming to life and attacked them.
"Oh, come on!" Renee growled as she jumped into the fray.
She tried using the new word to fight, but got nothing. So she was forced to settle with fus as well as her sword and shield.
With every three the two warriors put down, three more rose up from "fresh" crypts. Unbeknownst to Renee, Farkas kept an eye on her as they fought. The girl had excellent skill and keen eyes, which was proven when she took off the head of a Draugr that was about to imbed his axe into the man's back. It was evident that the girl had great potential, not just as one of the Dragonborn, but as a member of the Companions.
It didn't take them long to clear the entire burial chamber of living Draugr before Renee, drenched in her own sweat, spoke to her Shield-Brother.
"Well… Shall we head back to Jorrvaskr?"
With a smirk, Farkas nodded as they headed back to the entrance.
An hour later…
Both Renee and Farkas managed to make it back before lunch and were eager to complete their task. But as they reached the stairs that lead to Jorrvaskr, they found Vilkas awaiting them at the top of the stairs.
"Well?" He asked Farkas.
Renee looked to her Shield-Brother and saw him smirk at his twin.
"She passed with flying colors."
Vilkas only nodded before motioning the two of them to follow. Only Farkas knew what his brother was thinking while Renee was left with questions.
She followed the senior members around the back of Jorrvaskr and found Kodlak, Skjor, and Aela awaiting them.
"What's going on?" Renee asked Farkas.
"You'll see."
The twins gathered with the rest of the senior members as Renee stood opposite of Kodlak as the old man spoke.
"Brothers and sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold. This girl has endured, has challenged, and has shown her valor. Who will speak for her?"
Farkas then spoke up.
"I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us."
"Would you raise your shield in her defense?" Kodlak asked.
"I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us." Farkas responded.
"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."
The Circle nodded as Kodlak spoke.
"Then the judgment 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."
All the members of the Circle then spoke.
"It shall be so."
It was then that the Circle dispersed, Aela and Farkas both congratulating Renee as they walked past her. This left her and Kodlak alone.
"Well, girl, you're one of us now. I trust you won't disappoint."
"I'll try not to." Renee replied.
She then asked for the time off, to which Kodlak agreed to. Like Farkas, he knew about her being Dragonborn and wanted her to prove herself before he could let her go. He then left before Renee could ask about the werewolf "blessing."
Her stomach growling, Renee stopped at the stalls to pick up some meat before heading to Breezehome. But just as she purchased some venison and a basket of fish for Toothless, she heard her name being called.
It was Skjor.
"Before you run off, Aela and I want you to come to the Underforge tonight." Renee raised her eyebrow, but nodded. After all, it wouldn't take long.
Upon returning home, Renee found herself witnessing another hefty argument between J'Kiir and Rahm-Ku.
"I just can't leave you two alone, can I?" Renee asked, gaining the attention of the two men.
"Renee! You've come back!" Rahm-Ku spoke before glaring at J'Kiir again. "Guess what I've learned about our 'friends' excursions over the past couple of days."
Later that night…
Needless to say, Renee was just as furious with the Viking and the Thief as Rahm-Ku was, only not as extreme as the Mage. While she wasn't happy that two of her fellow Dragonborn had been in contact with three of the Daedric Princes, she was proud of Hiccup for completing a challenge on his own. She didn't see much of him the rest of the day, having acquired a Centurion leg from the Dwemer ruins. She was glad to see he had taken her advice and started to create a leg based off the Centurion's leg, but had to pry him away for dinner, which she told the three that they are officially free to make the trek to High Hrothgar in the morning.
Once dinner was finished and the sun had set, Renee waited until the boys went to bed before she decided it was time to see what Skjor and Aela wanted. Grabbing her weapons, she left the house, the sound of the door being enough alert all three men.
"Where's she going?" Hiccup asked as the three looked out the door at a departing Renee.
"I'm not sure. She must be heading to Jorrvaskr." Rahm-Ku whispered.
J'Kiir looked to the two and spoke with a smirk.
"I say we follow her."
The two looked at the Khajiit, ready to argue, only to halt as they soon found themselves agreeing to the idea.
"If anything, we should make sure she's ok." Hiccup whispered to the Argonian.
While this was a time where Rahm-Ku would disagree outright, he had to agree with Hiccup on that point. With the journey to High Hrothgar in the morning, he would rather have all four Dragonborn present than having no explanation to the Greybeards as to why only three of the four approached them.
"Alright, but keep quiet and out of sight as much as possible."
J'Kiir grinned.
"That's my specialty."
As the three followed in secret, Renee made her way back to Jorrvaskr. Upon reaching the mead hall, she wondered where exactly the Underforge was.
"Well, if it's some sort of forge, I guess it might be near the Skyforge."
She made her way to the Skyforge only to stop at the sight of Skjor waiting for her at the foot of the forge.
"Are you prepared?"
Renee gulped silently as she answered him.
"I'm ready for whatever task awaits."
Skjor gave a half-laugh as he answered her.
"This is no test, new blood. This is a gift. Come on."
He then lead Renee to the stone in front of them before pressing on a smaller stone, which to Renee's surprise, caused a large slab to sink into the ground. Curious, Renee followed her senior into the underground chamber, her three friends staying only by the gate of Jorrvaskr.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Renee was able to see that beneath the Skyforge was a circular chamber that was illuminated by the light of Masser and Secunda through two openings, each the size of a shield. To her right was another entryway and in front of her was a large, stone basin. And behind the basin…was a werewolf.
"We do this in secret because Kodlak is too busy trying to throw away this great gift we've been granted. He thinks we've been cursed. But we've been blessed. How can something that gives this kind of prowess be a curse? So we take matters into our own hands."
Renee didn't like where this was going, nervously keeping an eye on the werewolf.
"So what exactly are you talking about?"
Skjor answered her again.
"To reach the heights of the Companions, you must join with us in the shared blood of the wolf."
He then gestured to the werewolf.
"I wasn't surprised that you haven't recognized Aela in this form. She's agreed to be your forbearer."
Renee gaped at Skjor.
"Wait a minute. Are you saying…that…?"
Skjor nodded.
"You have proven yourself well today, new blood. After Farkas gave the report of what you did in the cairn, we've agreed that you have earned the right to become a member of the Circle. Hence, the rendezvous."
"But I've just officially joined the Companions today. I should be far from ever achieving such a…an honor."
Renee was hesitant when she said "honor." Was this honorable?
"None the less, you have far more experience that anyone here in the Companions. Having been raised by the Sabre Fangs, you have the skills that are close enough to give you such an honor. So don't waste this." Skjor replied rather harshly.
Renee held her tongue.
"Now, are there any more questions? Or are you prepared to join your spirit with the beast world, young one?" asked Skjor.
Renee was hesitant. On one hand, this was against what she had been taught. But on the other hand, if she had that kind of power, she could use it to help other people. Make her stronger than she was at that moment.
She went over dilemma after dilemma in her head, although it didn't help that she had a very cold Nord and a werewolf glaring down at her. She could refuse, but she would dishonor herself. And for a Nord, honor meant everything. But could she control the blood in a short amount of time?
But before her mind could settle, her mouth once again blurted out.
"I'm ready."
Skjor only gave a nod of approval as he walked over to Aela, his sword drawn. Wolf-Aela lifted her arm over the basin and with swiftness and precision, Skjor created a large gash on the wolf's arm. It wasn't large enough to cause a problem, but it was big enough to create a small pool of blood in the basin, just enough to cover the bottom of the large bowl.
As he tended Aela's arm, Skjor gestured to the basin and spoke one word.
"Drink."
Renee gave another gulp as she mentally cursed her mouth. With her hand shaking, she reached into the basin and cupped some of the blood.
"Let's get this over with."
With one swift move, she drank the blood.
That's when it began.
Once the blood reached the pit of her stomach, a sharp pain made itself known in her gullet. The pain was so intense, she was forced to curl up on her side in a fetal position. The pain grew worse as the pain moved from her stomach and into the rest of her body. She could feel the beast blood spear into her bloodstream and with each heartbeat, a part of her body started to tingle.
Not with a numbing feeling, but like a thousand needles poking her simultaneously and slowly as she felt fur bursting from every pore on her skin. She soon began to hear her bones crack and restore at a rapid pace. With each crack, her body grew longer and larger.
Finally, she let out a blood-curdling scream which evolved into a howl.
With the boys…
Upon hearing the howl, the hair on the back of the boys' necks rose. Well, scales in Rahm-Ku's case.
"What in Oblivion was that?!"
"I don't know. But I think we're about to find out." Hiccup pointed to the opening to the Underforge.
Any words they had to say were quickly forced still in their throats as a large figure skulked out of the Underforge. Even though this was their first time seeing such a thing, all three knew exactly what the creature was.
"Dear gods." Rahm-Ku whispered.
Suddenly, the werewolf gave a loud growl before it ran to the top of the Skyforge and jumped over the walls of Whiterun. The three ducked as Skjor and Aela ran from the Underforge and out of the city. Once the two Companions were gone, the Dragonborn left their hiding place and stood on the steps of Jorrvaskr.
"What in Oblivion is going on? What was that?" J'Kiir spoke, his eyes widened.
"That's what I wanna know." Said Hiccup.
Suddenly, a new voice sighed.
"I told those two she wasn't ready for it yet."
The three boys turned to find themselves facing an old man dressed in armor standing out of one of the doors to the mead hall.
"I take it you boys are Renee's friends?" the man asked.
The three slowly nodded, earning another sigh from the old man.
"Renee will be fine, but it seems I must divulge the secret to help you understand what is going on."
Later that night with Renee…
After her little "blackout," Renee was finally able to regain her consciousness. She also found herself freezing cold.
"Wha-what happened?"
A familiar voice spoke to her as the familiar heat of a torch reach the Nord.
"I see you're awake. I was starting to think you might never come back."
Renee's eyes adjust to the light as she was able to focus in on the voice's figure.
It was Aela.
The Companion then tossed a bag at her feet along with a new sword.
"You might want to get dressed. It's pretty chilly tonight."
Renee looked at herself as she took the bag, only to gape in embarrassment as she found that she was in the buff.
As she quickly dressed, Aela spoke to the young Warrior.
"Yours was not an easy transformation. But you're still alive, so congratulations. We even have a celebration planned for you."
Renee raised an eyebrow as she spoke.
"Celebration?"
Aela nodded.
"There's a pack of werewolf hunters camped nearby, at Gallows Rock."
"Werewolf hunters?" Renee asked again.
Once more, Aela nodded.
"The Silver Hand. I think you've met them before in Dustman's Cairn. We're going to slaughter them. All of them."
She then gestured to the ruined fortress past the brush.
"Lead on. Skjor's already scouting ahead."
Now donning a set of leather armor and a new sword, Renee began to walk as she continued to ask her questions.
"So, what exactly happened to me?"
"You were born into the pack, sister. I almost envy you. That first time is always the most…intense. You gave us even more trouble than Farkas did at his first turning." Replied Aela.
"Huh." Renee simply spoke.
Upon entering the fortress, the two werewolves were met with an ugly sight: werewolf heads on pikes. Aela snarled.
"Look at this. Cowards must have locked the place down after Skjor charged in. You can taste the fear."
Renee just kept silent, the only thing she was tasting was the blood in the air.
With each chamber they passed, they not only came across multiple Silver Hand, but corpses of other werewolves, thankfully none of them were anyone the Companions knew. However, Renee was liking this "celebration" less and less. As the got deeper, Aela spoke up after nothing but silence and grunts.
"We're getting close now. Be careful. Their leader is a tricky one. They call him 'the Skinner.' Don't need to tell you why."
This didn't calm Renee, but she kept silent as they entered the lowest chamber. It was clear that this was the main chamber of the Silver Hand of Gallows Rock as three Silver Hands saw the two Companions and attacked. Renee made quick work of one of the Silver Hand just as soon as she found herself fighting against the strongest of the three, whom she figured was the Skinner. Fortunately, he was easily taken down when Aela shot an arrow into his back, allowing Renee the chance to skewer him in the gullet.
Once the fight settled, the two took a look around the room, only to freeze at the sight of Skjor, lying dead on the ground. Aela snarled.
"Those bastards…somehow they managed to kill Skjor."
She stood tall, her fists shaking with anger.
"He was one of the strongest we had, but numbers can overwhelm. He should not have come without a Shield-Brother."
She then turned to Renee.
"Get out of here. I'm going to make sure we got the last of them, and see if there's any information to be gotten from the bodies. Besides, you're leaving for High Hrothgar tomorrow, right? You should get some sleep. I'll send a courier once I've got something."
She then looked to Skjor's corpse.
"The Silver Hand will tremble at our sight."
It took a couple of hours before Renee made it back to Whiterun and she was exhausted. First, she had to find a landmark, which was a city towards the rising moons. She walked towards the city until she found a signpost. The city she found was Windhelm, which meant she was in the hold of Eastmarch east of Whiterun. Following the path, Renee managed to make it home before midnight.
But as she entered the house, she found herself face-to-face with Rahm-Ku, Hiccup, and J'Kiir.
"Everything ok?" Renee asked.
Folding his arms, Hiccup spoke.
"We were wondering the same thing."
Rahm-Ku then spoke.
"We know you've just become a werewolf, Renee."
Renee tensed up. How did they know about that? She got her answer when J'Kiir spoke.
"We were wondering where you were going and followed you to Jorrvaskr. We saw you go in with two others and those two came out right after a werewolf left from the same entrance."
Renee gulped. Now what?
To her surprise, Rahm-Ku just patted her on the shoulder as he spoke.
"Your secret's safe with us. Kodlak told us what was going on. Now get to bed. We'll leave mid-morning."
Renee was silent for a moment, but nodded as she trudge up to bed. The boys followed suit as it was going to be a big day in the morning.
The mystery of the Dragonborn will finally be solved.