Blood on the Ice

Velkric hated being awoken. He had no problems with waking up when it was on his terms, but being forced out of bed bothered him greatly, it was such a shock to his sleep schedule (what little sleep he got).

Like many other things, he'd now take that hatred and inflict it on another. He stepped onto Wuunferth's bed, knelt down, placed one knee on his chest and grabbed him by the robes, shaking him a bit as he did. It woke him up, and he was not happy.

"What in the-" Wuunferth's shocked exclamations were cut off by Velkric punching him in the ribs softly (well, relatively), and putting more weight behind his knee.

"Stay quiet" Velkric growled, keeping pressure on Wunnferth's chest.

"All I need to do is call for help," the old man threatened. "Do you think you can take on the whole city guard?"

"I don't have to. I can be gone, and they can bury your body." Wuunferth's eyes widened and he seemed to get Velkric's message. His gaze didn't stay worried for long though, it quickly became scrutinising.

"You're the Black Wolf?" Velkric nodded and Wuunferth continued. What do you want?"

"Information about the butcher" Velkric explained, holding down Wuunferth a little less firmly.

"The butcher? That murdering bastard?" Wuunferth spat. Velkric scanned his expression, then got off the bed, releasing the mage.

"You're not him" he stated.

"What? Of course not!" The indignation in Wuunferth's voice was too genuine to be staged. Mages were always prone to overreacting when challenged. "I've been trying to catch him myself!" Wuunferth stood up, keeping some distance from Velkric.

"Any luck?" the younger man asked.

"Not fully. I've been scrying, trying to discern his identity, but I've not got anything yet."

"Would this help?" Velkric took out the amulet he'd found and held it up to Wuunferth. His eyes widened upon seeing it.

"By the nine, that's the Necromancer's amulet!" the mage exclaimed. Velkric tilted his head.

"I'm not familiar."

"I wouldn't expect you to be. It's an ancient artifact, it belonged to Mannimarco."

Velkric's eyes widened a little. "Him I've heard of."

"Indeed. Bad news. And if his artifact is in Windhelm…"

"Then this necromancy ritual is seriously bad stuff" Velkric finished.

"Necromancy ritual?" Wunnferth asked.

"Yeah. I found it in Hjerim. They're trying to bring someone back to life using the body parts of the victims. I have a notebook." Any attempt Wuunferth was making to maintain distance was immediately abandoned when he saw the notebook. He snatched it out of Velkric's hands and began flicking through immediately. Bit rude.

"Aha! I've got it!" Wuunferth exclaimed.

"You know who the killer is?" Velkric asked, trying to not let his enthusiasm show.

"Well… no."

Ah. Moment ruined.

"BUT! I do know how to determine his next victim!"

Yes!

"Or at least their approximate location and the approximate time of day they'll be killed at.

No! "That's all you can give me?"

"Have you ever tried scrying?" Wuunferth asked.
"Have you ever tried a clairvoyance spell?" Velkric retorted, a little petulantly but this wizard's theatrics were getting him down.

"Bah! Amateur level magic! Fine if you know what you're looking for and you're already nearby, but you don't even have that!"

"Looking for a murderer in a part of Windhelm that isn't the Grey Quarter" Velkric muttered with a shrug.

"It will happen tomorrow night… in the Stone Quarter!" Wuunferth announced. "That's where the next murder will take place."

Velkric nodded, choosing to trust in Wuunferth for now. "Right. What now? You can alert the guards-"

"No! Are you crazy?" Wuunferth replied, catching Velkric off guard with his intensity. "I tell them, they tell the populace, it would mess up the scrying!"

"But then a woman will be in danger!" Velkric argued back.

"Yes, and you'll know when and where! It's the best chance you have to catch him!"

"And if the woman dies before I can? Or if you're wrong?" Velkric asked, his tone quiet but firm.

When Wuunferth answered, it was with an almost equal level of seriousness, no mage bluster to be found. "Then perhaps you should've been better."

Velkric said nothing, he had no retort. He simply opened the door, flashed an invisibility spell in his hand and walked out, the mage's words repeating over and over in his head.

X-X-X-X-X

"Sir? Are you in here?"

Velkric looked over and noticed Haldir coming in, carrying a hot cup of tea or another equivalently warm drink. "Yes Haldir. Just thinking…"

"Oh dear." Haldir sat the drink down on the table next to the Necromancer's amulet Velkric was examining. "You sat at your desk, working on an incredibly powerful magical amulet and thinking? Something has made you stressed."

"I spoke with Wuunferth."

"How did you do that in the middle of the night?"

"Broke into the palace of the kings."

"You did what-"

"It ends tonight, Haldir. Wuunferth gave me a lead, a suggestion on where to hunt. The Butcher needs one more body to complete his ritual." To his credit, haldir shook off the shock of Velkric's earlier comment quickly and kept up with the conversation.

"Three murders within two weeks? That seems ambitious."

"He's desperate. He wants to complete the ritual quickly, or maybe he has to based on the notes I found. It could make him sloppy. Plus Wuunferth's scrying said so, and I have nothing else to go off."

"Ah, that's it." Velkric looked over at Haldir. "You're nervous, no? About Wuunferth being wrong, another woman dying."

"Not nervous, no. I just… don't want to fail. Not now, not so soon" Velkric admitted.

"Sir, do you not think this might be too big a task for one man? This murderer, he's clearly skilled at his craft. And-"

"No." Velkric stood up, cutting off Haldir. Now's not the time for self doubt, or regret, or anything of the sort. He buried it deep, as he always had, conjuring up images of Susanna, Friga, Fjotli and others that he'd failed, that he hadn't been able to save. In place of his anxiety came rage. Lots of rage.

"I chose to start hunting this man, and I will see it through. I don't fail. I can't fail." he continued. Haldir looked at him with an unreadable expression, then sighed.

"Very well. If you need anything for me, I will be here." That was all that needed to be said.

"I know you will." And that was all that needed to be said as well.

X-X-X-X-X

You'd better be right, Wuunferth. Of course it was a little late to doubt him now as Velkric was currently sitting on top of Candlehearth hall's roof, watching over the stone quarter as best he could. He'd chosen this spot because Candlehearth was the highest point in this area of the city and it was well lit, meaning the woman in question would be more likely to walk around over this way if she was smart. Sure, if anyone looked up they'd be freaked out by his silhouette, but Velkric thought he made a nice gargoyle.

It had only been half an hour before he saw someone walk his way. Nilsine Shatter-Shield. A young woman, sister of Friga, exactly the type of person the Butcher would be after, or at least he hoped so.

He simply watched as she approached, keeping his eyes trained on her general vicinity, and his eyes narrowed as someone else came into view. It was a man.

He was walking quickly but not so quickly as to be inherently suspicious.

He was wearing a hooded cloak, but that was fine in Windhelm, it was cold after all.

He was looking around, seemingly nervously. Wise precaution, there was a murderer on the loose.

He had a knife on his belt. Not surprising, it was important to protect yourself in these dangerous times.

And he was heading for Nilsine, right as she was entering a relatively shadowy part of the street. Perhaps he was just heading that way too, there was more than one reason to go down a dark street. Any of his observations could be innocent… if it wasn't for the fact he was walking directly behind Nilsine and he had just drawn his dagger. Yep. That's him.

Velkric moved before the man had even gotten within 4 metres of Nilsine. He quickly cast a magelight spell and fired it in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. She gasped in shock and the Butcher froze. Velkric dropped down behind them and grabbed his shoulder as he heard Nilsine gasp, no doubt having heard the scuffle and turned around.

Velkric grabbed his other shoulder and maneuvered him around, shoving him backwards and away from Nilsine. He quickly took in his features, of which there were none. He had a mask covering the bottom half of his face, all he could see was his eyes and that wasn't really an identifying factor. Oh well.

"What in the-" the man exclaimed, and Velkric wasted no time in kicking his chest. The man was forced off his feet and onto his back, but rolled with the impact and was back on his feet in seconds. Velkric surged forward, throwing out a quick jab with a strong cross behind it. The Butcher dodged one but not the other, getting hit clean in the face and stumbling backwards.

The mask he had worn around his nose and mouth was coming undone, not wrapped tightly enough to withstand the sudden movements, and the man seemed to realise this, tearing it off. Velkric's eyes widened. You?

It was Calixto Corrium, an unsuspecting shop owner he'd seen a couple of times in the city. He owned a house of curiosities that Velkric had visited once, full of trinkets he said he'd collected over the years with his sister- His sister!

Velkric was snapped out of these thoughts when Calixto growled, took another knife off his belt and then threw it at Nilsine.

Damn it! Velkric quickly reached out, managing to deflect the knife in midair into the ground using his armoured gauntlet. He turned to Nilsine. "Are you alright?"

"B-by the gods… he tried to kill me!" she exclaimed.

"You're alive to speak of it, so yes. Go to the guards, get away from here!" he commanded, and set off at a sprint after Calixto.

It wasn't an easy chase. The man had a head start, was clearly in decent shape and Velkric was wearing heavy armour. Yet another reason this suit needs a revision. That being said, he was still gaining ground, pushing his legs to get as much force as possible out of every stride as he pursued the Imperial.

It wasn't long before they'd made it through half the city and Calixto made it back to his residence, quickly running inside before slamming the door behind him. Thankfully, Velkric was close enough to the door that he simply threw himself into it shoulder first, busting it open before Calixto could lock it and bowling the Imperial over.

"Damn you! I was so close!" Calixto roared. Velkric quickly got back to his feet as the Imperial did the same and they faced each other.

"It's over Calixto. You're not killing anyone else."

"They would be grateful if they knew what they were being used for!" With that, Calixto grabbed the final knife from his belt and lunged at Velkric.

He was an adventurer, that's how he collected all this stuff. You don't do that without knowing how to fight. Calixto was fast. Velkric raised his gauntlets in defence, deflecting his slashes with some effort seeing as Calixto was a far lighter fighter than he. However, the knife wasn't anything special, just a basic cutting tool, and it wasn't piercing his ebony armour any time soon.

Velkric deflected a slash off his left gauntlet and threw his right fist right into Calixto's face, sending him stumbling backwards. Velkric stepped back, putting some distance, noting that Calixto still had the knife in his hand.

"You're trying to bring back your sister, aren't you?" he asked, keeping him talking while doing his best to back him up, taking slow steps forward.

Calixto reeled in shock. "How did you-"

"You've been collecting body parts, you had the necromancer's amulet in your corpse room, and you used a nordic embalming tool, which you have because you're an ex-adventurer. Your sister sadly died, your victims are all female and you wrote the whole plan in your journal" he explained calmly. He'd never been able to lay out his detective work like that before, and he'd be lying if he said it wasn't satisfying.

"Then why are you trying to stop me?!" Calixto hissed.

Excuse me what? Velkric was taken aback by that, and it gave the Imperial a chance to attack. Calixto ran towards him and tried to stab him in the gut, but he turned to the side, dodged the stab and grabbed his knife arm. Velkric punched the knife out of his hand, smashed his left elbow into Calixto's temple and then grappled him to the ground, straddling him.

"You're insane" Velkric stated, quite matter of factly, before punching him in the face. "You murdered three people because you couldn't deal with your grief!" He accentuated his point with another hard punch.

Calixto looked to the side and spat before looking at Velkric with sheer loathing in his eyes. "Have you never lost someone you loved?! Would you not do the same?! Doing anything to bring them back?!"

It likely wasn't his intention or expectation upon asking, but Velkric froze. He actually gave the question some thought for a few seconds. He then sighed, turning his eyes back to the madman, who seemed as surprised as Velkric that the vigilante had stopped punching.

"No. They wouldn't want that of me, and she wouldn't want that of you. All we can do is live in a way that they'd be proud of." Calixto regarded him curiously, seemingly off guard by Velkric's soft spoken words. However, his voice turned hard very quickly. "And you haven't done that at all."

With that, he delivered one more harsh punch to Calixto's face. He felt his body slacken and it was clear the man had lost consciousness.

Velkric stood up and took a deep breath, looking down at the madman he'd defeated. What if I'd done what he did? If I'd…

He shook his head. He would never, NEVER, be like the man he'd just knocked out.

I made a promise.

X-X-X-X-X

Velkric shouldn't have been surprised when he opened the door to Calixto's house and found some guards waiting for him, no doubt Nilsine had warned them and she'd seen his face. What he didn't expect was for them to actually lower their weapons when they saw what he had with him, Calixto tied up and slung over his shoulder. I was expecting an attack on sight.

He unceremoniously dumped Calixto on the ground in front of them, nodding towards his body as he did. "That's the Butcher. He's been caught."

"Is that right?" the guard at the front asked. "What's your proof? You're not exactly clean either, are you?"

"I trust Nilsine told you about him? He tried to stab her"

"Her word is respected, but not enough to conduct an arrest. Seeing as you've committed assault and are flaunting it, we'll need more, if you have it" the guard explained. To her credit, it was a fairly reasonable explanation. Velkric shrugged, and held up the hand that hadn't been bracing Calixto.

"Then these should do the trick." He tossed the journals onto Calixto, the one he'd found in the ritual room and another he'd found on Calixto's body after frisking him. That journal had confirmed his suspicions, he was doing all this to resurrect his sister he'd travelled the world with. A sad story, but it absolutely didn't excuse his sins.

The guard picked up the top journal, the newer one, and skimmed it through. Velkric couldn't see her eyes, but he saw her body language and knew she'd understood the story.

"By the gods… Calixto did all that" the guard said, sounding stunned. The journal was handed around the couple of guards that had accompanied the apparent leader, and they all had similar reactions.

"You'll find more evidence in Hjerim. There's a room behind the ground floor wardrobe. Wuunferth can help solidify this if there is any doubt remaining" Velkric finished.

"I, I see. Thank you. We'll take him to the Palace immediately." One of the guards picked up Calixto and put him over their shoulder, walking off with the other contingent of guards, leaving only Velkric and the leader left.

"Are you not leaving?" Velkric asked.

"I should arrest you," Leader-guard replied. Velkric rolled his shoulders, preparing to make a quick getaway, entirely unthreatened by the guard.

She's doing her job. Nothing more.

"But… I'm not going to. I'll turn around and walk away. You'll be gone in seconds, right?" she asked.

Oh? "Why? Aren't I a target?" he asked, tempting his good fortune.

"I have a daughter. I'm a woman myself. You've saved us both from that madman. Fjotli and Susanna were my friends. You've brought them justice" she explained. "You may be a criminal officially, but… you've done good. You're alright by me."

Despite himself, Velkric smiled. "It's what I'm here to do."

"Thank you." With that, she turned and walked away after her men, and Velkric turned and disappeared into the night.

X-X-X-X-X

"My Jarl!"

"Ughhh…" Ulfric groaned, coming to terms with the fact that he was now awake. "What is it Jorleif? This had better be important" he muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"It's the Butcher sir! He's been caught!"

That got his attention. "What?!"

X-X-X-X-X

"I can't believe this Calixto. You were a citizen of Windhelm. Part of our community, respected. You've betrayed us all" Ulfric growled, having skim-read the journals that had been brought to him.

"She deserves to live again! Four lives is a small price to pay!" the Imperial shouted in return, struggling against his bonds.

"Then exchanging your life for peace only makes sense," Ulfric replied. "Take him to the Bloodworks. He shall be executed within days, tomorrow if possible."

Calixto continued to shout obscenities and curses as he was dragged away, even as the guards punched him to shut him up and Ulfric sighed, a hand on his forehead.

"Gods above. How can a man fight for his homeland when his people slaughter each other?" he muttered. He turned to Jorleif. "What do you think, old friend?"
"Calixto was a madman sir. I doubt the true sons of Skyrim would stoop to such malicious bloodshed."

"I hope so. But…" Ulfric shook his head. These doubts could come later. Instead he asked another question. "How was he caught? Which guards brought him in?"

"Well sir, that's the thing. He wasn't caught by any of them."

"Oh? Did some citizen decide to play hero?"

"Not exactly. The leader of the patrol said it was the Black Wolf."

Ulfric's eyes widened. "What?"

"He chased Calixto into his house and captured him, as well as finding those journals and a secret room in Hjerim filled with body parts, so she reports."

"Send a guard in the morning to confirm that last part. But you're sure she said it was him?"
"There aren't many other mysterious warriors wearing full black armour in Windhelm Jarl Ulfric. I doubt she was mistaken."

"Hmm." Ulfric was conflicted. The Black Wolf had likely attacked and wounded several of his citizens, like Angrenor and Rolff, and stalked his city at night taking the law into his own hands. He was a criminal, a thief and someone that should be arrested and tried. But on the other hand… "He's taken down a whole guild of Altmer thieves, recovered an heirloom of one of our most respected families and now he's caught the Butcher. Who is he? Why is he doing this?"

Jorleif thought for a second before shrugging and replying. "Your guess is as good as mine sir. But maybe… maybe he just wants to help."

"Hmm. Honour amongst vigilantes. A novel prospect."
"In any case, what will we tell the people sir? That the guards handled the arrest?"

Ulfric waved off that suggestion. "No, no the people won't believe that, especially with the Shatter-Shield girl being an eye-witness."

"So what do we do?"

Ulfric gave a miniscule smile, a twitch of the lips. "Tell them the truth about their hero. He was caught by the vigilante. The Black Wolf."

X-X-X-X-X

"Mercer" Brynjolf called out, walking across the cistern to meet his guildmaster. Like it seemed to be on most days, Mercer had a scowl on his face.

"What is it?"

"You know Linwe and his lot? The Summerset Shadows?"

"Of course. The bastards who have been cutting into our profits and giving thieves a bad name. What about them?" Mercer replied sharply. Brynjolf raised an eyebrow.

I know he's grumpy over Karliah's betrayal, but it's been over two decades. Lighten up man. "I thought you'd be interested to know, they've been arrested." That got his boss's attention.
"They've been arrested?" Mercer repeated. "Who's they? A couple goons? A leader?"

"Try all of them Mercer. Every last one. Even that bastard Linwe" Brynjolf replied. "They were found tied up and beaten up outside a cave in Eastmarch, and their base was in flames." Mercer's eyes narrowed and he appeared deep in thought. I thought he'd be more pleased.

"A whole guild of thieves, taken out all at once. Who did this?"

"Aren't many people who could. But I heard something from a contact in Windhelm."

"Cruel-Sea?"

"Aye. He was talking to a fellow in black armour, with wolves engraved on it. Sounds like our mystery man, eh?" If Mercer's expression had been annoyed before, now it was ice-cold.

"The Black Wolf?"

"Yes. Him. The one that's been the topic of rumours as of late" Mercer sighed and placed a hand over his face.

"Not much of a rumour now, is he?"

"Aye, and that's not even all." Mercer's face fell further, but Brynjolf continued. "He also caught the Butcher, that murderer that's been out on Windhelm's streets. He was hauled into the Jarl's palace, with a messed up face."

Mercer's face snapped back to anger so quick it was almost frightening. "Find me out everything you can about the Black Wolf."

"Is one less rival guild not a good thing?" Brynyolf asked, confused at his employer's hostility.

"He took out one guild. What makes you think he won't come for us next?" Mercer snapped, turning away from Brynjolf and walking over to his desk. Brynjolf watched him go, sighed, and then walked back towards the Ragged Flagon.

"Whatever you say boss…"

A/N:Well well well, I actually finished this arc. Who would've thought?

Thank you all so much for reading this story so far, it's been awesome to finally get something uploaded consistently again. Not gonna lie, it hasn't quite had the kickstart I was hoping for, but I'm satisfied with the story thus far and I can't wait to bring you more.

As the first arc is now over and the next arc is going to be much bigger in terms of scale and storytelling, there will be a hiatus. I intend to have the arc done by either Christmas or New Years, so stay tuned! I made sure to leave you all with some foreshadowing, just to tide you over until then. In the meantime, I'll see you all next time!