RESCUE FROM FORT NEUGRAD

The Harbinger

The room is beautiful. I dance around in a circle to take it all in. We get a large bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers. A bathing room. A lovely rug. A window. Things I have taken for granted. I move from the bed to peer out said window. Nothing is hiding outside, and the only view we get is of the gray flurry filled sky along with the edge of the wall holding us in.

Vilkas comes up behind me and envelops me in a warm, inviting hug. I lean back, to get as much as I can of him. As much out of this moment as possible.

"You're so cold, Mjoll." He moves to grab one of those fluffy throw blankets from the bed to wrap around me. He pulls me closer, "Warmer now?"

"A bit." I say before my thoughts go tumbling. "You didn't leave like I asked you to."

His hands roam from my hips up my waist and back down again. Anything to keep me warm. "I will admit, I thought about it. But I can't let you go back to her. Not after the Castle. And don't think there's any way you can convince me otherwise."

Those words hang heavy in the air between us. I remember that day so clearly. I had to use the new mind controlling power given to me by Hircine himself on Vilkas. I didn't want to. It felt wrong. But there was no other choice. "I would not do that again." I tell him.

His arms tighten around me. "I want to believe you but it's getting so hard, Mjoll. I trusted you until that point. Now I have to look over my shoulder to make sure you aren't getting yourself in further harm."

I spin, out of his arms and around so I can see him clearly. "I do everything to protect you! Everything to keep the pack safe and you keep questioning me?"

His beautiful blue eyes stay on mine. "I never asked you to do that. We never asked you to do that. If I knew the day you walked in on Kodlak and I, that you would be so stubborn and so…good. Moral. Overprotective. I would have told him not to take you in."

His words sting, but I know the good intentions behind it. "I can't have her hurt any of you, not when I have a chance to stop it."

He moves silently to stand right in front of me and clasps my smaller hands in his much larger ones. "I'm not asking you to. I'm just saying that we can take on more than you think we can. We are strong. We are warriors. Kodlak bred us that way. We aren't as fragile as you think."

I lay my cheek on our clasped hands. I know he has a point. Even Aerin, the one I fear for the most, survived the ordeal in the Castle. "But what to do about it now?" I murmur.

"Let me help you. You've been doing all this, Artifact hunting and Night Mother slaying on your own. Even your time with the Stormcloaks, it's all been you. Let me ease the burden. Even if it's just a little bit."

I look up into his eyes, stray down his face to strong jaw, his angular cheeks, that slight stubble that always seems to peek through. I can only imagine what she would do to him. "She hates me and she'll do whatever she can to take her revenge on me." I remind him.

His grin is fierce, "Let her try. She won't best us, not with these around." He nods to the bed. I glance back. There is a reason we haven't sprawled across it yet. All the Artifacts from the dungeons are laid across it. Only I can see it, but Vilkas is starting to catch some glimmers of it when he holds one. Our hope is that soon, he we be able to wield them as much as I can.

"I love you. You know that. And you know I would do anything to keep you safe. I need to protect you sometimes too." He leans over me. I don't say anything back, I just accept the lingering kiss I have longed for.

His lips are so soft and so firm. They fit against mine perfectly. I deepen the kiss, parting his lips with my tongue and venturing further. His hands roam up my body, now without the armor and only a thin tunic between our bare flesh.

A quick knock sounds at the door. We pull away before anything can go further. I straighten my tunic and pants. Vilkas motions to his hair. Wow…I didn't think that had gotten messed up yet. I comb it down with my hands before I open the door.

On the other side is Galmar. He has a stink of an expression on his face and a servant behind him with a platter filled with…clothing.

"Wish I was here with important details on our next mission, but the farmers are calling us home. Take this." He nods to the servant who passes the tray to me with delicate hands.

I hold it, glance over the objects and find finely fitted noble clothing for Vilkas and a periwinkle purple colored dress for me.

"No. We are not taking on the Imperial Legion with nothing but our finest clothing. You two have a dinner tonight." He scrunches up his face, "Me as well. All of us. We are to eat at the banquet with Jarl Ulfric, his steward Jorleif, and the Night Mother, gods help us." He glances over us. "A word to the wise, don't make it known how…familiar you are with one another. She is searching for weaknesses."

He has probably seen how my face paled in the past minute of this speech. He lays a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You'll be fine she won't do anything to my prized possessions at a dinner! Ha! You just…might want to dim those eyes a bit if you can, wolf. It's great for battle, less so when socializing."

He winks at me and turns on his heel, the meek servant scampers after him. I turn back to Vilkas with terror in my eyes. He just smiles warmly. "That took less time than I expected. Don't look like that. Let's get ready and go feast with the witch herself."

I'm adorned in a light shade of purple. The dress molds over my curves but doesn't hug them enough to be in any way revealing. The long sleeves are nearing the palms of my hands. Good enough to keep over them if I were to get cold. I was just glancing at the weapons laid on the bed, wishing Mehrunes Razor was among them. If so, then I could just slip it under the sleeve.

"The eyes. What about them?" Vilkas asks from the far side of the room. He was sitting in one of the side chairs, trying up his boots. His clothing looked…well it looked silly at first until he rose. Then I could safely say he is the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on.

He smiles at me. "Cat got your tongue? Your eyes are positively glowing Mjoll."

"I know. I can barely stand the sight of you." He laughs at that. He knows what I meant. But his eyes now roam my body.

"You look stunning." He whispers, "I'd say we leave you as you are, you are absolutely gorgeous."

"But the eyes." I mention.

He nods briefly. "Any advantage we have against her will be an asset to us. I don't want it seeming like you have little control over this." He paces across the room to grab my hands again.

"Try this. Think of the first time you changed…"

"With Aela and Skor? When I shouldn't have?" I give a small smile.

He kisses me on the nose, "Don't think of the repercussions of it. Think of what it was like."

My mind burrows back to that night. After drinking the crimson blood that fell from Aela in wolf form I was then taken. Taken by some beast I didn't know possible. That first shift is the most painful. The way the joints crack, the bones move to rearrange themselves, and the muscles tear…it is something of a horror story. But once I was whole again, I was strong.

"Think of it. If you can, think only of the eyes." He whispers right next to me.

Instead of my eyes, I think of what it was like to first see Vilkas when I was in wolf form. He was much smaller, and that is saying something, he had this look of horror that slowly shifted to awe.

A White Wolf…

Those were my first thoughts from his mind. They weren't thoughts of fear or terror at what I'd become, just wonder. I was like a miracle to the pack. When I open my eyes again, inches from Vilkas's face, he smiles genuinely.

"There you are."

I don't wait for him. I just lean up to kiss him before he pulls away. "We don't want to keep them waiting for long. Let's go get some food then we can continue this conversation." He murmurs against my lips.

I laugh, "Certainly, after we find a place for all the weaponry over there." I nod to the bed. He just ruffles my hair and pulls me along down the stairs. His soft laughter still rings up to me, but I can't help but feel like we were being pulled into a den with the dragon herself.

With the encroaching darkness taking hold of Windhelm, more candles were lit at the long table. This is so we could see each other better. And I notice, with a sinking stomach, that Vilkas and I were not the only ones to enjoy some small intimate moments.

The Night Mother sits, nearly in Ulrifc's lap on the other side of the table. His hair is pristine aside from a few ruffles that could not have gotten there without someone's help. Her makeup was the slightest bit smudged, but I assume she took care of the worst of it. Her ruby dress fit for a ball was secured smoothly, only a few wrinkles implied what was done in the quiet hours before this dinner.

But their smell…my gods, I didn't know I could smell such things. Vilkas squeezes my hand.

I know what you are thinking. I had this same thought when we became teenagers. Farkas was…keen on certain women in Whiterun. I won't say anything more.

I give him a horrified look from my seat at the table. He is definitely holding back laugher.

I wish someone warned me. I break into a new loaf of bread.

Then the surprise would have been ruined.

I scowl at that and take a drink of the decadent wine to keep my expression from showing. I roam my gaze over her. That girl would not have wanted to bed him.

I know. He sounds defeated. She might have. Who knows?

It doesn't help that she has no say in it. I tell him.

His hand lands on my knee and squeezes, If I were to guess she is with Talos or even Mara now, she has no use for a body locked on the planet of Nirn. We will give her a just burial when all is said and done.

I nod to that, then we say no more on the subject.

The silence wasn't as awkward at the table. Ulfric had turned to his steward, I think I remember his name being Jorleif. "Galmar thinks we should double our men in the Reach." He says over his meal of roast chicken. The Night Mother brushes her hand lazily through his hair. I see her eyes are trained on a vacant spot…right above my shoulder. I choose to ignore it.

"A reasonable strategy." The steward replies. His clothing is quite nice and out of the five of us, he seems to have cleaned up well. Galmar is yet to arrive, but Ulfric insisted we begin eating.

"And you, Jorleif?" Ulfric barely has glanced at us at all. He just turns his attention to the Nord.

"Well, sir, the hold of Falkreath is fairly vulnerable and blocks the only road from Cyrodiil." He takes a sip of his wine. "To be sure, my lord. I am not skilled in the arts of war or military tactics."

Ulfric smiles for once. It lights up his face, I briefly wonder what makes him happy in this life. Surely not scrounging around this city and trying to get a good foothold for his people in this province. "But you're able to see the whole parts, and for that I'm grateful."

The Nord bows his head in acknowledgement. "As you wish, sir."

"Enough talk over the southern border, how are my wolves?" Ulfric's eyes pierce us. I have to resist the urge to recoil. He has some fire in them. Only the kind of determination one would have when they're tired of being kicked around too often. Now he was fighting back.

"Fine. We thank you for the meal." I say, strong and sure. I keep my eyes on him and barely notice when the Night Mother slides her golden gaze over me. I couldn't bear to see the hatred in them.

Don't draw too much attention to yourself. I tell Vilkas.

His hand squeezes my knee harder. He takes another bite of roasted potatoes. Ulfric goes to wipe his face from all that chicken. The Night Mother keeps watching me. It is awkward.

"You are quite welcome. Any warrior in my home is welcome to this feast. There might be some men coming by for a scrap or two." Ulfric leans back from his finished meal and watches us, languidly.

"Forgive me! I must have forgotten my comb somewhere." I hear the slight trepidation in Galmar's voice as he shows up behind the two of us. He grasps Vilkas's and my shoulders in his hands. "These two better get the most food. They have quite the appetite and I need them good and fed for the fight tomorrow." He laughs and his breath smells like the most potent of whiskey. He has certainly taken his time to drink nearly a bottle dry before this meal.

He plops down next to me, and I have to do a double take. Who knew the man could clean up? Although I felt the noble man's hat was a little strange on him. He had no dirt on his face, none of the dusty armor. Just a clean man about to enjoy a feast.

"Ah, you think I look odd then? I feel odd. Can't wait to get out of these clothes, they itch like daedra flesh." He pulls over a heaping plate of sweetrolls and meat.

I raise a brow, "You've had that before?"

He laughs, "Once. I was desperate and hungry after the kill. I wouldn't call it cannibalism if it's not from this world."

The room goes silent. Only the sound of Galmar eating fills the sudden void.

Ulfric clears his throat, "Tomorrow you ride for Fort Neugrad, Galmar?"

"Yes, unless the plan has changed?" I can feel Galmar sweating. He keeps looking to Ulfric but it is hard to keep his eyes on him with the Night Mother at his side. She is watching Galmar like she wishes his head would implode spontaneously.

"Not at all. I was just talking to Jorleif here about Falkreath. He made many good points, one being that it is a strategic position. It blocks the road from Cyrodiil."

Galmar chews on this information while he eats, "I guess so. If you were to ask me, I say we demolish the road and keep the damn Imperials from invading again. Push them out to the south and wall them off. Anything to keep them out."

I hear a small tinkling of laughter and look over Vilkas's hand, now clamoring for more food, to find the Night Mother watching Galmar. "You know once I'm back in my Castle I could have them all slaughtered. Once we make our way into Cyrodiil I can wipe them off the face of Nirn."

Galmar swallows. Painfully. "Not a bad idea."

"Of course not. Why sit here and ponder over the enemies next move when you can just demolish them and be done with it?" Her hand still runs through Ulfric's hair but with the end of that sentence her eyes slide to me. "With this wolf here, she could…eat all of them?"

I have to swallow the bile rising in my throat. She knows what the Ring of Namira does and how I used it in the Castle to escape. I won't let on to that though. "Only if Ulfric wishes it." I say.

She purses her lips, "Ulfric. That is who you follow now? Last I remember you only took orders from my Child."

"Things have changed." I say and take another sip of my wine.

"Is it by choice or by default?" Her brows raise. I know what she is doing. She's trying to back me into a corner where I have to admit she's the one who got me here in the first place. I know it. No one who knew I was a White Wolf besides her would let that secret out for others to exploit. But to admit that she has trapped me is to admit my unwillingness in the fight. And to do that would be to lose Galmar's trust.

"I want to see the Thalmor gone from this land as much as anyone else. I will do whatever I can to fight for the cause." I say.

Her eyes are snake like. She's poking and prodding. Trying to wring me up somewhere I can't escape. Then at night I know she will steal into our room and stab us while we sleep…

Mjoll. Focus. She's trying to play with you. Vilkas reminds me.

Galmar clears his throat. "A noble warrior that one is. I knew she was the best from the start. I hope she can pull through then we can take Solitude in less than a week!"

"That is an optimistic fool's wet dream." Ulfric states. He moves so he's finally out from the Night Mother's hand and looming over the table. "We need to be patient and precise. I want them dead as much as you do, Galmar. These wolves have emboldened you. I don't want it going to your head."

We sit there in stunned silence. I didn't know he would say something so…reprimanding to the man he sees as a brother. Galmar keeps stuffing his face, anything to keep from showing his anxiety.

"I agree." The Night Mother smiles softly, "Who knows when they would turn on us? It's only a matter of time…"

That's when I see it. It's subtle. Unperceptive, if you were not keen on body language. But I see Ulfric shift, ever so slightly towards her. His eyes move to me, then to Vilkas. He isn't saying it, but he agrees with her. However slightly.

"I give them food and a warm bed. That is all I give them until Solitude is taken and their loyalty is cemented in my eyes." He finishes with. She just smiles, showing her teeth and fangs, and lays her hand on his head to stroke his hair yet again.

"We must be going. I need to get the wolves ready with a plan for the morning. You know we must leave early." Galmar immediately rises from the table.

I follow suit and so does Vilkas. One look at Jorleif and he seems to be as frightened as we are, but he stays.

"Good night then. I enjoyed having you as dinner guests. We shall feast again." Ulfric smiles at us. It's phony. He leans back into the Night Mother's hand.

Vilkas has a stern hand on my back. He pushes me ahead of him so I'm out of her sight. I follow Galmar quickly, but covertly until we are now once again, in the dungeons.

He races over to the nearby cell and kicks a bucket straight into the wall. He begins stomping it until the splintered wood is nothing more than shambles. "Agghh!" He groans and slams his hands against the cobblestone. "That whore! That witch! You see what she's doing?"

He spins so he faces me and Vilkas straight on. "You see it? She's got him in bed and not in his right mind. That way she can feed him this bullshit! And he eats it up! Why? To get more from her? Gods above! I pray for a day when I have a good wife and no one to lead me around like a fucking horse!" He throws his hands in the air.

I just stand there with my hands at my side and Vilkas rubbing my back. He's gone insane.

I know. What should we do? I ask.

"I agree." Vilkas says, I glance over at him. If this were any other woman, I would take offence on her behalf. I don't believe all consensual activities with someone in power have an ulterior motive in mind. But I have to remember who we are dealing with. "She's polluting his mind. How do we get her to stop?"

Galmar runs a hand through his lanky hair. His hat is now in his hand, and he has a look of world weariness about him. "The gods only know. It figures, we take most of the Holds. Beat back General Tullius as far as he'll go…and then this happens. She'll be the death of this rebellion."

You could hear a quill drop. I lower my voice. "She has precise hearing, no doubt she has heard your outburst."

Galmar watches me, wide eyed, he begins another round of curses. I just hold out my hand. "We can find a way. You are his best man, right?"

Galmar nods. "You could talk to him." I add.

"She knows I don't like her." He moves closer so we can supposedly hear his now lowered voice. I don't correct him and say we already can from so far away. "She'd pull some other trick."

"What about Jorleif?" Vilkas asks, "He seems like a perceptive man. He could come up with this observation on his own…"

"True. True. I don't doubt he'd be hanging by his toes in a few days though." Galmar laughs. I hear the desperation in it. "Not a bad idea…"

"Does he know how to fight?" I ask Galmar.

"Of course! I taught him myself."

My mind moves quickly. "Tell him of all this. Have him keep a stake under his pillow at night. And have him learn a few ward spells, I'm not sure if that would stop the Night Mother's spark power but it's worth a shot."

Galmar is nodding eagerly. "I'll have him talk to Ulfric, straight up. Man to man. He'd surely understand."

Vilkas rubs his jaw, "Make sure we are all under the same roof when it happens. If he makes the move and we are away from the Palace, then…"

Our ragged breathing is the only sound. Jorleif would not have long in this world if that were the case. "Good. Good. I'll do all of that. Get him set up and when we return from Fort Neugrad, we'll tell him." Galmar smiles. "You two get some rest. We ride for Falkreath in the morning."

I squeeze Vilkas's hand. He squeezes back. Our walk up to the room is silent. Only our minds speak.

I don't like this. He says.

I know. I'm not sure if talking to Ulfric will change his mind. He knows what he's dealing with.

I can understand where he would fall into this trap. In a time of need. Desperate. Lonely. The fate of the world on your shoulders. He continues.

It is no excuse to commune with the devil herself. I finish.

Vilkas laughs sourly behind me. We close the door to our room and fall into each other's arms for a moment. Just hold each other and breathe.

"She heard us." He whispers to me.

No doubt she did. I say to him. Then I look to his eyes. The wound. Did you see it?

"Above the heart?" He breathes against my cheek.

Yes. It looks healed but it can fester. I think it's when I tamper with the magic of the Artifacts. They wound her further.

He runs his hand up my hair and pulls me in for a long kiss. We shall not sleep tonight. We need to hide ALL those Artifacts and you, White Wolf, need to go digging for more.

I couldn't say no to that. We needed to stay one step ahead of her and if we lost a little sleep, then so be it. I just grin and pull Vilkas back to me. "Alright. But on one condition. We get out of these confining clothes first. I feel like I'll trip on this gown at any moment."

He laughs and begins to unzip the back of my gown until it falls down my shoulders, only held up by my arms. "Done."

The next morning, we are both on horseback. Me in the front and Vilkas behind me to steer. Galmar wanted us to shift but when I said Vilkas's power had limitations, he decided against it.

"I need strong and ready wolves when we arrive there." Is all he said before a horse was brought out for us. I don't think he caught our bleary, sleep riddled gaze but if he did, he didn't think much of it.

We stayed up almost the whole night. We looked everywhere in the room she might not look. Behind the wardrobe. In the wardrobe. In the bathing room. Where the best place might be to hide all the Artifacts we found. Eventually, we came to the conclusion to plant them underneath the floorboards below the bed. It would be the hardest place to get to. You would have to tear up the whole room and out yourself as a potential thief.

As for the Artifacts, I only found the Wabbajack. I have little doubt that it was a coincidence that I retrieve it after seeing Sheogorath in Whiterun. My guess is that the Princes are closer to Nirn when their Artifacts show up. That's the only explanation I have for that.

The chill in the air is worse when we make it to the Stormcloak base camp. It is fitting to have such a snowstorm as this at the base of High Hrothgar.

"The measure of a man is taken at the moment of his death." Galmar looks to me as he gets off his horse, "And know this for truth, the ghosts of many heroes walk among us."

I am puzzled by his words until I remember what is said about Falkreath. It holds a massive graveyard for some of the most heroic Nords to walk the land. Years of battle over the Hold would do that to the land.

We set our horses up at the makeshift stables and the other men begin rummaging around for their bags or to set up their sleeping bags. I follow Galmar with Vilkas in tow. The bear man enters the largest of the tents to land both hands on the map before him.

"What are we to do?" I ask him. I would rather get this over with quickly.

He sighs. "I still have a headache from last night. Gods, I hope this works… you need to go to Fort Neugrad. They have some of our boys locked up there. But with a little luck, we can turn that to our advantage." His stressful gaze turns to me. I keep my hands clasped in front of me and give a curt nod at his words. I don't want to add more to his worries.

"I've sent some men to scout out the area. Meet them, see if you can't find a way to slip in, free our men, and take over the fort. They'll never suspect an attack from the inside. This won't be easy and that's why I have to send you. You have the grit to get this done?" He asks me.

"Of course. We will be back soon enough."

I had the both of us shift to wolves and traverse the dense landscape until we found the men. Vilkas and I toyed with the idea of deserting. It would be the best time to do it now. But then we wouldn't get another chance to get those Artifacts in the Palace. Not to mention Galmar would surely turn against us. The Night Mother would disappear again. There were too many things stacked up against that decision.

Instead, I walk as a human. Vilkas roams next to me as a beast. I thought it better to arrive on two legs so I could talk to the men here. The Ring of Hircine is still warm on my finger. It won't lose its power.

A frightened man with blue eyes and startling blonde hair turns when he sees me. He catches his breath when he knows I am not the enemy. "You. You're here. How was the ride over?"

"It was fine." I say, honestly, "How are you?" I keep my distance, just a few extra feet away from him to be careful.

"Ralof, the name is Ralof." He smiles shakily, "I need this to go well. This is my first real command since they promoted me after Whiterun." He tells me, "You know, some nights when I close my eyes, I see the battle stretched out before me…it's like I'm still there."

I remember this as well. Some nights the betrayal in Adrianne's eyes haunt me. I don't know if she will ever forgive me. If she lived. Some nights Jarl Balgruuf's slow steps to his living quarters keep me awake. I made him a promise I intended to keep…

Tears threaten. I have to turn my thoughts elsewhere.

"Sometimes they do with me. I try not to dwell on it." The man continues. I wasn't aware that I said anything or if he did. But the point is moot.

"We need to go. We have a job to do." I try to keep him on track. He clears his throat, "We found a cave under the lake. With luck, it will lead to the prison. I need you to sneak in there and free our men. Kill anyone inside as you go. Once you've rescued the prisoners, head out to the courtyard. We'll stand guard out here and rush in as soon as we hear fighting." He breathes in then out. "It should be fun."

I nod to him and pull on some of Vilkas's fur. "Let's go."

Vilkas and I decided it was best for him to stay outside and offer a distraction if it became too much for me. I braved the icy waters to climb up the steps of this tower. Now, I am crouched and with a bow drawn, waiting for the guard to lean her head back just a little bit.

She does and I let the arrow fly. She doesn't even get a moment to say anything. Just sinks down in her seat. I move quickly, I race to each cage and break the lock with my bare hands to every Nords relief. They all follow me. None have seen my eyes so far, so I don't have to explain what I am. I was hoping the strength of the lock breaks was enough.

"There'll be more outside." One whispers to me.

"Get armed, then." I tell them.

When they have as many bows and arrows as they could find, and a few short swords, we exit to the outside landing. I find Vilkas off to the side, waiting in the shadows.

Go.

I give the command and soon, he is ravaging through the throng of Imperial soldiers. Me and the other newly rescued men cover him with our bows.

"Werewolf? You sure we shouldn't be trying to hit that?" One man asks. I forgive him for the misunderstanding, he hasn't yet heard of the new soldiers.

"No. He's with us." I say immediately. The man pauses, his bow still drawn as he gapes at me.

"You're a wolf too. I see it in your eyes…"

"Don't let it get to your head. It will help us." I keep his anxiety calm. It is something to be in the presence of a beast. A certain instinct rears it's ugly head. A fight or flight response. He stays put.

We kill all the men we can and pick off the few stragglers that ran when Vilkas nods his head to the door.

There's more inside. I'll stay out here.

I wave to him to let him know that I heard him and then I take the men in. "Be careful in here, if I tell you to take cover, that means I will change over." I tell them.

They nod, fear still stricken on their faces. I tried to calm them the best I could. We will see how they hold up. A few shouts ring out when we enter. I ready the bow and have two men dead within a few seconds. We round the corner and that is when I see the odds are against us. With me, I have seven men. With them, they have over fifteen. Who knew they would all be holed up here?

"Take cover." I say before the change takes me. It's not a quick as I wanted, nor is it as complete as I wanted. I have patches of fur, the eyes, ears, and paws changed but no tail and my clothing still clings to my skin. My mouth is elongated, I'm sure I look like a terrible monster to the men behind me. I pray they don't see my face.

The kills are efficient. I tear into each man with either claws or fangs and let the momentum of my body do the rest. Some men go flying to hit the fort ceiling while others are blasted down stairways. When the battle is over, I shift back. I stay panting on the ground and looking everywhere I can. I can't use my detect life power like I used to. So, I have to rely on my nose and hearing to make sure we took care of them all.

"Great work!" Ralof enters the door behind us. The frightened men move away from him to crowd around me. "Get back and report our success. I'll stay here and clean up the mess." He tells me.

I just give my thanks to the men and walk out into the frigid air.

I told you to bring a heavier coat. Vilkas says behind me, still in wolf form. Only now do I realize I am shivering. I wrap my arms around myself to keep me warm.

"I tried but it was too cumbersome. We are supposed to go back to Galmar and tell him of this success."

Let's not waste any time then. He scrapes his hands on the ground, a symbol of solidarity for the wolves. He doesn't take his eyes off me until he sees that I have changed and am warm again.

The snow hasn't stopped its assault when we get back to the camp. I change back quickly but Vilkas takes a little longer. When I have my hand clasped in his and we are just entering the campground I see worried Stormcloak men and women surrounding the largest tent. My heart begins to beat a little faster.

Galmar moves out of the fray. His face has a look of grimness to it. "You're back. I heard it was good? All the men are freed?"

"Yes." I say, but I can't get the feeling of wrongness out of my mind. "What's going on?"

Galmar shifts his weight but grabs me by the arm to drags me to the tent. Vilkas is right on my heels. I know he wants to snap at Galmar for handling me in such a way, but he resists. I gasp when I see the interior of the tent. Sitting at one of the chairs and receiving strict medical attention of Jorleif himself.

"What happened?" I ask Galmar frantically.

"He's lucky he isn't dead. It's strange he wasn't considering who did it." Hie eyes shift to me, and I see the endless fear in their depths. "They say he'll be alright, he just is missing a few fingers and toes. But imagine it. The man was bleeding, cold, certainly in shock and left on horseback to ride all the way here. He had strict orders to."

I shake my head, "Why? She did this didn't she?"

He laughs, a maniacal and defeated laugh, "See for yourself." He then holds up the note. It's a thin piece of paper, with a solid black handprint in the middle of it and the dreaded words scrawled right up above it.

We Know.

Observations on day 8

There isn't much to report today on the vampires' states. They seemed to have calmed down some. It is my guess that all the blood we continue to feed them is helping them get through the worst of the bloodlust.

The temple is coming along nicely. I'm still surprised at how efficient they all work, mortals and vampires alike. I wish I could stay to watch its growth further. But I am needed back at Tel Mithryn, so this will be the last of my observations. I will just leave this journal back with the jester vampire. I'm sure he won't mind that I used it in this time. It will be interesting to hear of the developments here. Although I am hopeful Teldryn and Eve will return before it's completed.

A/N: I kind of had a weird day today, so I felt like posting a chapter. I'll still post one on Sunday, although it will be slightly shorter than normal, so I figured now would be a good time to get some more reading material out!