Vilkas approached me, put a hand on my shoulder, and glanced at the others. "Why don't we speak about some technique, huh?"
I looked at Ria, Athis, and Torvar, who moved away, entering the hall of Jorvaskrr with the rest of the shield siblings who were still outside.
"Did I do that badly?" I chuckled.
"No," Vilkas laughed, letting go of my shoulder and walking to the terrace. "No, not at all. To last that long against Ria - who I have been teaching and fighting alongside for some time now - was actually much more than I was expecting from our...bout."
"So...what's wrong then?" I followed him up the steps, removing my shield.
"Who said anything was wrong?" Vilkas sat down and looked at me with a toothy grin.
"Well, it's clear you wanted to speak in private. I figured that meant something wrong" I placed back the shield, relaxed, and sat down.
"Do you know how long it has been since magic has been cast in the yard?" Vilkas popped open a bottle of ale, eyeing me.
My heart dropped, and I looked down at the table.
Vilkas laughed and took a drink. "Magic has been with The Companions even since the original 500 Companions of Ygsgramor. But...we have not had the Clever Craft in this yard in...likely a couple of eras." He took another drink.
"So...what's the problem?" I asked.
"The Companions have existed for over 4000 years. It's been different things in that time. A conquering army. Ruthless mercenaries. A band of drunken louts. And, of course, the esteemed company you see before you." Vilkas gestured to himself. "But there's always been a kind of honor to it. We respect our traditions, train in the traditional ways, and fight honorably, just as those before us." He placed down his bottle and paused. "We don't use magic here, new blood. It was part of our history, but not our traditions."
"But I only used a healing spell - and after our match!" I protested.
"That's why I'm still talking to you, new blood," Vilkas leaned forward. "Don't worry, I'm not going to send you with your tail between your legs." he smirked. "Honestly, I have nothing against your practice. Nothing is really dishonorable about those Restoration types - it's always been kind of respected." Vilkas paused and placed down his mead bottle. "But there is a time and place for everything. Not here. Magic is not the way of the Companions." Vilkas sat back.
"And wasting potions is?" I scoffed.
"The Potion of Minor Healing Ria offered wasn't necessary, some rest in the beds below the hall would have gotten you better all the same." Vilkas sighed, "Ria was just being nice, she's got a heart for her shield brothers and sisters." Vilkas looked off in the distance. After a pause, he leaned forward again, "Besides new-blood, magic, it's a crutch. In a real fight, you must be able to take a hit like that and keep fighting. If you rely too much on it, needing to frantically cast a spell every time you get a little scratch or stub your toe, you won't make it as a warrior...let alone a Companion."
I sat in silence. He's right. I asked for spells in the first place because I'm weak.
After a pause, I chuckled, "Are you sure you've never had this conversation before with anyone else who used magic in the yard? You're pretty good at this."
Vilkas looked at me as he finished his drink. "What were you expecting, new blood? You didn't think I was just some stupid brute, did you?" He grinned.
"No, no, never." I sat back in my chair and ran my fingers through my hair. "It's just you had really good points and good reasoning, like you've heard it before."
Vilkas set down the empty bottle. "I'll have to thank the old men for that," he chuckled. "I've had council with Kodlak and Vignar since I was a pup. I know our history as well as Vignar by now - except I can remember it."
"Speaking of Kodlak...what was it you were talking about when I arrived?" I asked curiously.
Vilkas's eyes narrowed, and he took a few moments to process what I said. He stood up and leaned with his gauntleted hand on the table. "Watch your tongue, new blood. That topic...it is...private." His eyes had a sad hint and vicious warning glint as he turned away towards the mead hall.
He stopped before the doors, "I just remembered. There is a job for you if you'd like to take it. There is only so much you can learn here that experience will far surpass." He placed a gauntlet on the door handle and turned his head. "Bandits at Bleak Falls Barrow, sponsored by a 'Lucan Valerius' of Riverwood. You can speak with him for more details if you're in."
I shifted in my seat, "Do…I have to go right away?"
"No, take your time, you still have some…basic…training to do here," Vilkas said. "If you don't leave the hall in three days to complete this task, however, one of your shield-brothers or sisters would love to have it. So…are you in, new-blood?"
I leaned forward on the table and looked down at my hands. I needed to go to Bleak Falls. I couldn't let someone else take the Dragonstone and ruin the main quest already.
I looked up into Vilkas' eyes. "Yes, I'm in."
Vilkas smiled and opened the door. "Remember, three days." He entered the mead hall and shut the door behind him.
I sat for a while in the shadow of the mead hall, thinking of our conversation.
Magic is a crutch.
If you rely too much on it, you won't make it as a warrior...let alone a Companion.
My mind flashed back to the experience with the Imperial Soldiers in Helgen. The pain in my side, the sword passing through my neck, the sight of the arrow in my chest. I certainly wasn't the warrior I thought I would be.
I stood and straightened my armor and looked to the red-gold landscape outside of the shadow of Jorrvaskrr as the sun began to set. After a moment, I nodded to myself, and I pivoted quickly toward the doors of the hall.
I grabbed some bread and cheese and stuffed it in my face as I descended to the barracks. I opened the door and found myself under the scrutiny of my peers. Glares and leers filled the room. I swallowed and headed towards my bed. I paused before approaching when I saw Ria, Torvar, and Athis already at nearby beds.
As I approached, Ria smiled and came and gave me a friendly hug. "You didn't get kicked out! I'm glad I'm not back to being the newest Companion! How did it go? Vilkas wasn't too harsh with you, was he?"
Athis scoffed from his bed, "The fact he is still here is proof he wasn't harsh enough. The Companions really are just letting anyone in these days." He sighed.
"So you're a mage, right? Wait, is that right?" Torvar looked to Athis, who shot him a glare. "Isn't that not allowed?"
"No Ria, Vilkas just told me not to use magic in the yard, it's fine," I responded. "And no, I'm definitely no mage, I just know a couple of basic spells."
"Basic spells. Basic spells he says," Athis scoffed again in disbelief and turned away.
"I mean yeah, just Novice Healing and Flames, nothing too fancy" I looked at Ria, who looked at the floor and then to the side.
"Nothing too fancy? NOTHING TOO FANCY?" Athis stood up as the rest of the room turned from his yelling. "You filthy little mud-blooded Breton! Prancing around with your spells!" Athis made a mocking gesture. "I'm sorry, you privileged brat, not everyone can just tap into fucking Aetherius like taking water from a well. I'm a fucking Dark Elf, and even I…" his voice trailed off, and he looked around the room at the eyes on us. "And what the hell are all of you staring at? We're having a private conversation!" he yelled.
As they turned away, he sat down on the bed with his hands clasped together, looking down at them. All three of them were silent.
"So…none of you…can use magic?" I asked quietly.
Torvar laughed, "Who needs it? With my hammer I can crush the head of a giant like a walnut."
Ria smiled at him then turned to me, "I mean, we can use staves or scrolls obviously, but I don't think that there is anyone here at Jorrvaskrr who practices like you. Torvar is right, we don't need it. It's just a crutch, as Vilkas would say."
I looked at the wall. I did nothing to earn this small power; these people have real strength.
Athis scoffed again and looked to the side. "Yeah...you can use magic, but you're shit with a sword," Athis chuckled. Torvar laughed as well and gave a firm slap to my shoulder.
"How about this, whelp, I'll give you some pointers with that sword of yours tomorrow. Maybe you'll actually be useful then." Athis laid back in his bed.
"Sounds great. I could use it. Vilkas offered me a job." I sat down on my bed as Torvar dove into his without even taking off his Banded Iron Armor, and Ria kicked off her Iron Boots.
"OOOOH, your first job! What is it? My first one was a bear!" Ria sat down and beamed.
"Bleak Falls Barrow, right by Riverwood. Bandit gang or something." I replied.
Athis let out a hearty laugh and turned to face me. "No kidding? He gave you a bandit gang? You're going to die already? I better not waste my time training you."
I rolled my eyes and removed my boots.
"No, he can do it Athis! Don't even say that! He just needs more practice." Ria turned back to me. "How about in the morning you come practice archery with me and Aela? The range can do a lot for you when facing numbers."
I paused. The mention of Aela reminded me of my poor performance this morning. Horrific. But…I need this. "Yeah sure, that sounds great," I gave a pained smile.
"Great! I'll wake you up if you sleep late; I know I did on my first night." Ria removed the breastplate part of her armor, metal skirts, and gauntlets. "Good night, everyone!" She called out to the room.
I laid back in my bed. It was actually surprisingly comfortable.
I drifted to sleep, looking forward to training.
