ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT

The Harbinger

Keevara had laid out a feast, just for us. They started the celebration right before we came into town, the homecoming for brave warriors whose job is to defend Riften from the worst evil Skyrim has seen. But we needed to find Eve before anything. That was the first task. Then, we could relax, if only for a few moments.

Keevara sends another mug of mead my way. I take it in frigid hands, yet they don't bother me at all. Eve sits across from me, her chin resting on her hand and a look of boredom on her face. It is so interesting. I thought she would be panicked and fearful after what she's been through. But it's almost like nothing has happened. Vilkas had a quiet word with Brynjolf on the matter. All the information we got is that this behavior is normal for her. She seems to prefer to shut everything off and focus on the present, no matter how insignificant.

"Shouldn't we be headed to Falkreath soon?" I ask. Aerin, sitting next to me looks up from his lamb meal, his eyes are glimmering with excitement. It is good to see him taking on this new change with a good attitude.

"Hm? Oh yeah," She shakes her head, "Well, you and whoever you want will go to Falkreath. I'm supposed to go to Dawnstar."

My brow furrows, "What for?" I tear into one of the numerous sweetrolls that were piled on our table. Then I glance around the room to make sure we are still in good company. Every familiar face from town is in here, and Brynjolf and Vilkas are remaining by the door.

Still good? I ask him.

No strange characters. We are safe right now. Vilkas smiles from the edge of the room. He goes back to conversing with Brynjolf, probably about hunting.

"Well, see, Nocturnal wants me to get all the Daedric Artifacts. I mean all of them. She thinks that's the only way we can stop the Night Mother." Eve swishes her mug around.

"And how many do you have so far?" I question.

"Hm," Her gaze goes vacant, "The Wabbajack, the Nightingale stuff, Ebony Blade, Ebony Mail, the Rose, the Mask, the Dagger, Dawnbreaker, and Molag Bal gave me his Mace last night. For no charge." She laughs.

I have very little knowledge of any of those names or Artifacts. Daedra were never a concern on my travels as a young woman. From time to time, I would come across a small group of daedra worshippers. But we preferred to keep our distance from one another. "And will you be using these? Or will be they distributed…"

She leans her head back to stare at the ceiling. At least that's where I think her gaze is. "Got it. Yep. We can all have our own Artifact to use. Just need to get them all."

I lean forward on my forearms, "I will go get the ring. How many are left?"

She takes another long drink, "No clue. I just know I need to get to Dawnstar soon to get some sort of staff."

"You know how important this is, right?" I have to ask her. I hate to be blunt, but the poor girl needs to be knocked out of her own head for a minute.

"Of course," She looks at me, "Why wouldn't I?"

I want to tell her that her enthusiasm and efforts seem to be lacking but Aerin lays a hand on my own. She's traumatized. Let her be. He speaks only to me.

I sigh, he is right. All she needs right now are the Daedric Princes calling the shots. They know how to fight to the Night Mother after all. "We will leave now. I'll take Aerin and Vilkas, unless it would be best to leave one with you?"

She blinks, "Oh, right. For communication. No, I think I'll be fine. I'll send a few Princes your way if things go bad." She grins then asks for another round of mead.

With nothing more to go over I stand and take Aerin to the far side of the room. "Ready to go?" Vilkas rubs my arm. He can certainly see the frustration on me.

"Yes. Let's go now. Before another distraction."

Brynjolf gives a knowing smile, "I'll let the lass have another drink before I round her up. We should be in Dawnstar in a few days if we go fast enough."

"Be careful, that road is infested with the Dark Brotherhood." I say, but one look at his determined face says he knows how to handle them well enough.

He just laughs, "Trust me, we have the best ways to deal with them. You just watch out for any bandits down south."

I return the smile, "We'll be alright, it's how I earned my name."

Grimsever is hot in my hands when we reach Falkreath. I go over the directions in my mind again. We are to go into the barracks and talk with a man who is jailed for killing a girl. Me and my companions are having a hard time with this. We don't wish to help someone who had a knack for murdering the innocent. But if what Eve conveyed from Hircine is true, then it was all an accident.

The ring I am supposed to find is currently cursed and with the man. He had no control over his transformations or mind when it happened. Aerin is having a rough time with this, that is why I am trying to console him on our walk to the barracks.

I don't know Mjoll. I feel like that could have been me. That first time…

Images of a vivid green forest and the terror of bloodlust fills my mind. The first prey he sank his teeth into. A wolf.

It wasn't, Aerin. We were there to help you. I remind him.

What if you weren't?

I clench Grimsever tighter. We were. There is no use in quarrelling with the what-ifs. Focus on the present Aerin. We need you.

An image of Eve from Aerin's point of view comes to mind. He is thinking the same thing as I. Even though he reassured me to give her time.

She'll be fine. I remind him, Focus, we are here.

Vilkas squeezes my other hand right before we enter the barracks. "What is it you need?" A guard looks up from his sweetroll.

"Need to consult with a prisoner." I say back.

"The Harbinger." He breathes, "Yes, yes! Go talk with him. He is what you are looking for, I'm guessing he's not one of your own?"

I think back to the man. Sinding. Not a name that I know of. Down in the depths of the dungeon I find the man is very plain and no one my companions or I have ever seen before. There is no distinguishing feature on him aside from his own grief.

"Come to gawk at the monster?" He sneers from behind the bars.

"Of course not, how could we?" I hold my hands out and he takes a deep breath. Realization dawns on his face before it crumples into sadness.

"I am guessing you were never imprisoned for killing a little girl?"

Vilkas flinches but I keep my eyes on him. We need to stay empathetic. "No, but I know how hard it is to control the beast. But I am the Harbinger of the Companions now, so there is hope for you still."

He laughs, short and harsh, "Hope? You think this was some sort of mauling I went through? That I changed on my own accord? No. I found this ring." He holds up his trembling hand and only then do I see the object we seek.

It's a small band, with the face of wolf in the center. I would call it an ornamental piece if not for the power radiating from it. "This is the Ring of Hircine, and I was told it would be able to help me control my transformations. Perhaps it used to. But I'll never know. Hircine didn't care for my taking it and threw a curse on it. I put it on…and the change just came to me. I could never guess when. It would be at the worst times. Like…with the little girl." He shudders.

"We can take it." Aerin says, going straight to the point before I can console the man further. I give my friend a sharp look. He just grins. Sorry. You said we have to do this quickly.

I stand taller, still a few inches below my companions, but nonetheless commanding respect. "We can. We are looking for Hircine. Do you know where he is?" Eve said this might be the case, that we have to seek the Prince out to uncurse the ring.

"Well, there is a beast. It is said that Hircine will commune with whoever slays it. I tracked into these woods, but then had my…accident with the child. I want to beg his forgiveness. Give him back the ring. But while I am stuck here, the beast wanders free." He reaches between the bars and holds the ring out for me.

I take it in my hands, the thing is still hot and pulsating with a sort of power. Begging to be put on. Don't. Vilkas warns.

Indeed. I pocket the ring and return the favor. "We will slay the beast and talk to Hircine himself."

He breaks a small smile, "I wish you luck, and I will make sure to repay this kindness if our paths cross again."

I nod in acknowledgement. But before anything can happen, he turns, shaking. I know what this is. Even though the ring is in my pocket he is still transforming himself. I clasp the bars and give them a good shake. No werewolf should be able to get out of this.

He snarls at me, now a towering two feet above me. His keen yellow eyes find mine before he launches himself to climb up the wall. When we hear him exit the top the silence breaks, "That was…intense." Aerin says.

"He should not have done that." I state.

"Yes, but if what he is saying is true, the killing was no more than an accident." Vilkas murmurs, "And he just escaped again in his bestial form. This is exactly what Kodlak would not have."

"Should we hunt him? Take him back to Jorrvaskr?" I have to ask. The man was a wonderful mentor, but he never told me how to handle myself in situations such as this.

Vilkas sighs, "A waste of time and resources. If I learned anything from Kodlak it is that those who are lost will find what they need sooner or later. I believe he has more control now without that ring."

I glance down at my pocket, "Let us hope so."

The stag is feet away. We watched it for longer than we should have. No one has seen such a magnificent beast before, if one would call it that. It doesn't look dangerous or like a beast would. A very peaceful creature just foraging for his next meal.

"This is it." Whispers Vilkas, "I sense the call of the blood."

I gulp. I pray we are right. Then I raise my bow and fling the fatal arrow right through his heart. The stag calls out then tumbles onto his front legs into the damp forest floor. I stalk over to it, still hunched in case of more dangerous predators around.

Well met, hunter.

I follow the voice and look up into the spectral face of the stag. He stands over his own body and doesn't seem angered that I just pierced his heart. However, I recognize the voice, "Hircine?"

I am the spirit of the hunt, just one glimpse of the glorious stalker that your kind calls Hircine.

I wonder why he would not show his true form. Not here or now.

I stay in the Shivering Isles for the time being. It is too dangerous here with the Old Soul abound.

I nod. That is reasonable.

White Wolf, your fealty is precious to me. I see you bear my ring as was asked of you. But the one who stole it has fled to what he thinks is his sanctuary. Just as a bear will climb a tree to escape but is only getting himself into a trap. Seek out the rogue shifter, skin his hide from his body and make the offering to me.

"We have the ring as you asked, why is this necessary?" I ask him. Eve prepared me for this. She said most of the Princes' are fickle and will only give aid for something in return. It is hair pulingly frustrating and a waste of time, in my opinion.

My hunter you have no faith. There is reason for all that we do. Fly and go to where he is stumbling around. Bloated Man's Grotto. But be warned, there is competition. Other hunters seeking him. Get there before they will do and it will be worth your while.

"But the ring." I begin to ask about the curse but the spirit is gone.

"What happened?" Vilkas is behind me and from the look of it he didn't see Hircine like I did. Neither did Aerin. His eyes aren't saucer wide like I would expect.

"Nothing significant. As Eve said, a wild goose chase. We need to find the prisoner in a cave. Bloated Man's Grotto." I think back to the geography of Skyrim. That is north from here, almost a half day away if we run.

Vilkas laughs, "Very well, I'm guessing speed is our best friend right now?"

I laugh, "Yes." Then I begin the first of our changes into the wolf.

We are howling through the forest. I hear animals and even people scurrying for cover. Not that one should blame them. Three great humanoid werewolves are tearing through the forest at our max speed. My hamstrings are just beginning to fatigue from the climb when I see the cave we seek.

I pause. This is it. I say to them.

Should we change back? Aerin asks.

I deliberate. No. We stay as it. Who knows what is in these depths.

But they might hunt us. Vilkas says. I get an abstract image from his mind, he thinks if we go in as humans, they might mistake us for fellow hunters.

It is a good strategy but the blood calls. No. This needs to be done fast. Then without further word, I am the first to enter the cavern.

The valley is painted red. A glow from the bright moon above bathes the person I'm staring at in an unnatural color. "Has the Bloodmoon called you, fellow Hunter?" The Khajiit says before he turns his face to me. Then, he gets louder. "A White Wolf?" He gasps, "You are what we need! The prey is strong, stronger than the hunters." He glances back at my companions, but his eyes are only for me. He takes in my form in amazement. "More will come. Bring him down. For the glories of Lord Hircine."

I peer past him into the shadows beyond. Sinding is close.

We shouldn't leave him. Vilkas thinks, he is speaking of the Khajiit.

He hasn't done anything wrong. I say back.

I don't like him. I don't like how he was looking at you. Vilkas says.

I pause, And anyone who looks at me strangely should meet a premature death? Vilkas, you are paranoid.

I have every right to be. After all that has happened.

I think back to the Night Mother. To my chances of becoming a White Wolf. He has a point. But when we both turn to the Khajiit, we only find a warm bed of hay.

He scrambled out of here. Didn't know if he was a target. Aerin sends to me. Then he whines and smacks his large forepaws on the ground.

No use following him now. I decide for the rest of us. The sooner this is done, the sooner we have all the weapons to fight her.

The others thankfully follow my orders into the dark. On the other side of the rocks there is heavy breathing. Another wolf turns to glare at us. Sinding.

It is only with my pack that I can speak telepathically. But I decide to try it.

Sinding. It is Mjoll. I think to him.

He growls but it is like a wall with a large crack in it. He shakes his head. You are white. He whispers. So, I have proved the late old man wrong again. The myths Kodlak told me are mostly correct, but it seems I can communicate with those not in my pack, however minimal.

My directions are to kill him. To skin him in this crimson valley and bring his hide to Hircine. Yet, something tells me that is a trick.

He laughs in my mind. It was. I needed to see how clever you were. However, if you want the savior's hide, by all means, skin him alive.

Hircine. I pause in breath. This must be how Eve feels. Before I can ponder this further, shouts sound from the far side of the valley.

"There they are! Four of them, even! Kill them all!" A bandit woman runs out with her sword at the ready.

Poor choice of people to pick on at the moment. Sinding tears across the way and smacks her into the nearest rock with a powerful paw. More hunters fall into the clearing and it is now we have to decide: leave Sinding to his fate, if they can overtake him. Or fight them all.

I race across the way and side with the inmate. We both tear into each hunter with glee. They wanted our blood, our hides, and they would never take it. I feel Vilkas and Aerin falling into line behind me, protecting our backs. When the last of the hunters is deceased, I change.

I stumble a foot or two in my human form, the fading of the beast was always jarring. "They are dead." I turn to Sinding, "I won't kill you, none of us will but I trust you have control of the beast now?"

He shifts as well and stands as he did in the jail. Without a shirt and barefoot but now with a smile on his face. "I do. Thank you for saving me. I think I shall stay in this valley though, if only to protect the innocent who might pass by the nearby forest."

I nod, hoping this is the right decision. Sinding's eyes widen and I turn, seeing another hunter leaping from the tall rocks to stand before us. A new hide decorates his muscular form but the mask remains the same. He is not fully in the flesh like when I saw him before, but more spectral as he was with the stag.

Hircine chuckles, "Good. You turned the hunt inside out. Hunted the hunters until they lay dead at your feet. As I said, I do not do things without reason. Give me the ring."

I would be a fool to defy someone so powerful, even though a part of me wants to keep the ring safe. I have to remind myself he is fighting on our side. The cool metal of the ring passes from me to him. His spectral hand takes it and in an instant the ring flashes. Gold surrounds the band before it fades back to as it once was.

"It is no longer cursed. Here, White Wolf. A gift. You can now change at will, however many times you please." The skull of the stag stares back at me. His whole body is blue, but the eyes are red.

"I will use it wisely and responsibly." I bow my head and take back the ring, settling it onto my right pointer finger.

He laughs, "Good. Now, get ready. It sounds like there's going to be a commotion in the west. Go near Markarth and you'll find the rest of your party."

No sooner than he says that does he disappear. I turn to Aerin and Vilkas, still in their only change for the day. "Let's go." I force the shift, not really expecting it since Kodlak said we can only return the call to the moon once a day.

But it happens. My limbs stretch and rearrange themselves until I'm settled in that familiar form. Thank you. I think to the Prince of the Hunt.

It's not until we are in the nearby forests that I get a reply. And you are welcome. Remember to never take it off. It is going to save you in trying times ahead…

Cicero's Journal Entry

30th of Mid Year, 4E 202

Skulking around a cave! That is what the Greybeards would have of us. I told Mother this is the perfect place for an ambush but she doesn't listen! Oh, what Cicero would do if any harm came to her! He must be vigilant. I must stop writing to watch and wait…