Chapter 19:
"Vilkas you just fucked up, big time," Grace huffed, leaning against the wall of Jorrvaskrr. Vilkas sat down on one of the benches, clutching the amulet in his hand. Grace had just gotten back after trying to catch up to Hana.
Grace just blinked down at him, her expression, well pissed. "You don't think I know that?" Vilkas spat at the Breton. As soon as Hana left the hall, Vilkas could feel his heartbreak into thousands of pieces, then stomped to dust by a dragon. He just sat there, Hana's pendant in one hand, a bottle of mead in the other. All he wanted to do was drink his life away at this point.
"Well you should know it, now you're going to drink the rest of the night away like nothing has happened," Grace scoffed, throwing her arms into the air.
"So what if I am?"
"I want to see my friend unlike you saddened fool. You just lost something that's may never return Vilkas. Hana can hold grudges, and I don't think she will be letting this one down any time soon." Vilkas glared over at Grace, his face going red with rage from Graces comment. He curled his fists into tight balls, ready to knock the Breton out where she stood. His brother was downstairs, grieving from Kodlak's death.
"It's none of your business.."
"Oh don't you start you bastard. You know it is exactly your fault. Blaming Hana for Kodlak's death, not being able to protect him. Blah, I've heard it all Vilkas. You just love to take your anger out on other people, sadly Hana was the one caught in it. You, of all people, had most things going their way and now, you just lost the one thing that probably meant the world to you.
"And they call you the smart one Vilkas. Blaming Hana? That was a poor choice. If I didn't know any better, your just angry at yourself because you didn't protect him. You've lost Kodlak, now you have managed to lose Hana. Who knows, you might even lose your brother." Grace stated, sadly it was all the truth to Vilkas, whether he wanted to admit or not.
"Don't you dare bring my brother into this to Breton wrench." Vilkas growled down at Grace. He had vacated from his bench and was now hovering over Grace, his silver eyes peering down at her.
"Oh why not Wolfy? Because you know it's true? You're brother did the most reasonable thing like everyone else in this damned hall! He didn't snap! He didn't blame me! So what gives you the right to have snapped at Hana?" Grace argued, a small smirk on her face, looking for trouble. Vilkas just snapped again. He brought his fist up, swinging straight at Graces nose, but instead of making contact with Grace, his hand his the wall. The sneaky thief had ducked away in time before getting hit, making Vilkas's blood boil even more.
"You little bitch! I'm going to kill you for that!" Vilkas screamed down at Grace, who was now nowhere to be seen on the ground.
"If you can get up here sure Wolfy, but I doubt your fat ass could even making it up one of these pillars," Grace scoffed from above him, hanging from the rafter. "Punch me now bitch!"
"Enough you two!" Farkas's voice boomed from the other end of the hall. His black war paint running down his face. "It's already been a hard enough night so far, I don't want to see you two trying to kill each other."
"Farkas you idiot! You haven't heard what she has been saying. How in oblivion can you be with that spawn of evil!" Vilkas growled at his brother, pointing at Grace.
"I heard it alright Vilkas, and what she was saying was true. If I were you, get out of Jorrvaskrr, to the underforge." Farkas said, eyeing his brother in concern. Vilkas looked down at his hands; his skin was red and burned as a fire had been lit beneath. His vision focused more sharply around the room, the light from the fire burning his eyes. With a final snarl at Grace, he ran out of the hall towards the forge.
'Why don't you chase after her?' His spirit suggested as he ran into the forge, clutching his head in his hands.
'What's the point? She is done with me!' He screamed back, his skin burning hotter.
A strangled cry left his lips as he teared his clothes from his body, letting the beast blood overcome him.
Sprinting out of the undeforge and into the blowing plains of Whiterun Hold. For the first time in years, he was unable to control his spirit.
0o0
Vilkas laid in his bed, unaware of how he had managed to get back. He could only remember small fragments from the night had just passed. Attacking a group of bandits, a kahjit caravan and any animals that got in his path. He was a beast.
The whole incident from last night still weighed over him, his shoulders turned to whole world. Turning didn't help, the loss of Hana in Jorrvaskrr wasn't something he could just brush off. It was his fault and he knew it.
The door to his room slammed open, making him groan, shoving his head deeper into his pillow.
"Get up you oaf!" Grace yelled next to him. He wasn't in the mood to tolerate her at this point, so he just buried his head further into the pillow.
"Farkas!" Vilkas was close to strangling Grace, but he was drench, soaked in freezing water. Instantly he jumped out of the bed, growling.
"You wrench! Couldn't you just get me up like a normal person would?" Vilkas snarled at Grace then to his brother who was just smiling at him.
"Oh get over it grumble butt," Grace sassed, placing her hands on her hips, "Get changed into your armour, and grab your pack. You're fixing the mess you started. So hurry up!"
"Didn't you hear her? She doesn't want anything to do with me," Vilkas huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"So? I don't really care. She just, needs time that's all. Hopefully three days should be enough time before she realises how much of an ice-brain she is being."
"I thought I was the ice-brain?" Farkas frowned.
"Oh don't worry sweetie, your my special ice-brain."
"Oh you two make me sick," Vilkas gagged, pushing the pair out of his room.
"Just hurry up already would you?" Farkas barked from behind the door.
If Vilkas didn't find Hana after the end of this trip, there was going to be two new graves in Whiterun.
0o0
Hana trudged up the path towards High Hrothgar, the cold wind gnawing at her face, her whole body shivering. She didn't have too far to go until she made it to the Grey Beards.
After she had left Whiterun, she ran to Riverwood, away from the Companions, away from Vilkas. She didn't want to go back, not now not ever. She even managed to go through Helgen, sneaked through the bandit camp, towards the town. It had taken her two days, the whole time running on little sleep. But when had she managed to get a decent night sleep anyway?
Walking the up the stairs towards the fort, a roar filled the air around her. Instinctively she reached for her axe, searching the snow-filled sky for a dragon, but nothing could be seen. She placed her axe back onto her side and continued climbing the stairs, towards the great doors of High Hrothgar, home of the Grey Beards.
Opening the doors took quite a bit of effort, the wind trying to pull them closed. After a few attempts, she opened the door, letting it slam behind her, blocking the storm raging on outside.
The hall was never as warm like any of the inns in Skyrim but it would do. As she walked deeper into the fort, her foot steps echoed along the stone, letting anyone in the place know that a visitor had come.
"Ah Dragonborn, welcome back," a familiar voice echoed down the hall. Hana smiled as she saw Arngier's face around the corner.
"Glad to be back for a while Arngier," Hana smiled, trying to push back the events of the past few days.
"You're always welcomed in these halls Dragonborn. Now was there something that you needed?" The old man asked, a small smile on his face.
"Aye, there is. I was hoping you would know of a shout," She paused, biting her lip. "A shout to defeat Alduin."
In an instant, his face darkened, any happiness wiped away. "Where did you learn of that? Who have you been talking to?"
"That's my business Arngier," Hana winced, knowing that if she told the man, he would probably actually try and shout her half way across the room.
"So it be then. No. I cannot teach you this shout because I do not know it. Its name is Dragonrend, but it has been lost to us." The old man sighed.
Hana raised an eyebrow at the man, "If the shout is lost, how in Oblivion am I meant to defeat the bastard of a dragon!"
"Only Paarthurnax, the leader of our order, can answer that question, if he so chooses."
"Okay so where is he? Does he have a secret room in this hall?" She asked, completely curious as to why she has never met the man.
"No child, he lives in seclusion at the very peak of this mountain. He only speaks to us rarely and never to outsiders. You're lucky that I am even letting you get the chance to meet him."
"Great. Another high and mighty sitting on his throne," Hana sighed.
0o0
She really needed to wear warmer clothes underneath her armour. Hana was standing at the edge of the fort, a raging storm on the other side of what seemed to be a spelled walk way, stopping anyone to even walk into the wind, killing them almost instantly. After her conversation with Arngier, she went to her old room in fort and fell asleep, the next morning meeting the monks to learn the new words of power.
Thanks to the Grey Beards, she had learned a new shout, with the ability to calm the storm, allowing her to walk through. It would only work on parts of the mountain. Hopefully she was able to shout a few times without collapsing.
" LOK VAH KOOR!" She shouted into the raging wind, in less than five seconds, the winds soothed to a simple breeze, just my three words.
Hesitantly, she stepped onto the fresh snow, making her way up the mountain, not have to worry about being attacked by any trolls or wolves.
While she walked, she realized that she never had the chance to tell anyone where she was going. And oh how she loved it. Her only worry was that Grace would try to track her down and haul her sorry arse back to Jorrvaskrr, treating her like a little child. But why should she go back? Vilkas blamed her for Kodlak's death, Kodlak was dead and the whole hall would be in a mess.
Hopefully she would be gone from High Hrothgar before her friend realized that's probably where she had gone to. She would return to Jorrvaskrr when she felt like she had been away long enough. Who knew, that could be a matter of months before she would return.
As she kept walking, the storm ahead of her kept getting worse, worrying a few times that she had lost the path. Knee deep in snow, she continued up the mountain, the path getting steeper.
As she neared the top, she was looking any signs of another stone building, occupying whoever this Paarthurnax was. It wasn't long before she came to the top of the mountain, the snow flat.
Hana grabbed for her axe as another roar of a dragon echoed through the air, this time actually able to spot the beast, nearing closer to her.
It landed on an old dragon stone, its pale scaled marked with scars, its wings teared from age. Hana raised her axe and shield, prepared to fight the dragon. She looked up at the dragon, and was confused; it looked as though it was, smiling?
"Drem Yo Lok. Greetings, wunduniik. I am Paarthurnax. Who are you? What brings you to my strunmah…my mountain?" It spoke to her.
Hana dropped her weapons in shock, her mouth gaping open. "Holy. Mother. Of. Sheogareth." Was the only thing she managed to say.
0o0
Well luck was just on her side. After her whole conversation with Paarthurnax, she found out that he didn't know of it either, but an Elder Scroll would allow her to understand the shout. Problem was, it had been lost long ago.
'Great, just great. More searching,' Hana sighed to herself as she walked through the gates towards High Hrothgar. Since when was anything in her life so simple.
Hana said her goodbyes to the fellow Grey Beards before leaving the hall on her way to Winterhold. She didn't bother staying another night in hall, wanting to find this scroll and get it over and done with.
She couldn't remember the last time she had a bath, but she didn't care, not like anyone should be smelling her anyway. She tied her hair back into a side braid, and set off back down the mountain.
0o0
"So any idea of where she would have went?" Grace asked as they walked past the stables of Whiterun.
"How am I meant to know? She could be all the way to Winterhold," Vilkas sighed, tightening the straps of his pack over his shoulders.
"Can't you smell her? You know your wolf senses," Grace laughed, waving her fingers in the air.
"Well we all know when she doesn't want to be found, she will try her best."
"Right and whose fault was that again?" Grace chimed, smirking at the twin.
"Enough you two. Vilkas where do you think she could have gone?" His brother asked, crossing his arms over his large chest.
"She could have gone to the Grey Beards, for Dragonborn business. I doubt she would have gone to Riverwood, Delphine is there. Maybe Markharth, Caesa is there and those two are fairly close." Vilkas shrugged, not sure on which option they should choose. He knew what Hana was like, she would either run away from her problems sometimes.
"Right. High Hrothgar it is then. Better take the long route, as you said, she wouldn't want to go anywhere near Helgen," Grace declared, walking down the road towards the largest mountain in Skyrim.
As they walked, Vilkas stayed behind the two love birds a head of him. The two would often end up nagging and laughing at each other. It made Vilkas sick.
As easy as it seemed to find Hana, she was crafty. She would risk everything if she didn't want to get found. That one thing worried Vilkas. She had raced past Whiterun a few months ago, risked being seen and didn't come back for another two weeks. This time, she might not come back at all.
"Oh stop being so gloomy Wolfy," Grace laughed, glancing over her should to look at Vilkas as they walked.
"I'm not gloomy. I just think this is a waste of time," Vilkas growled, walking off ahead of the two.
"Whatever you say grumps," Grace shrugged from behind him.
They had been walking for hours until they finally reached Ivastead, the whole way not a single sign of Hana on the roads.
"Okay we stop here for the night. Ask around if they have seen someone matching Hana's description," Vilkas stated walking off towards the inn.
"Right, there are probably many people going through this town with ebony armour Vilkas," Grace huffed, pulling her hood back on her head.
"And how many have you seen that don't wear a helmet?"
Grace raised her hand in defiance but quickly shot it back down.
"Look, you two ask around whoever is around the town, I will get us rooms and ask the inn keeper," Vilkas sighed and opened the door into the inn. Someone would have had to see her around if she walked up the mountain.
"Ah Companion. What brings you here? Well what brings anyone here anymore," the innkeeper sighed.
"I'm here looking for someone. Seen many strangers come through?" Vilkas asked, hoping for the right answer.
"Strangers, no. Most of the time regulars come through those doors." Vilkas's heart dropped, how had she not been through here? "Although, a lass came through a few days ago. Looked like she was in a hurry."
"Please what did she look like?" Vilkas asked quickly.
"Well let's see. She had long brown hair, surprising that she has managed to keep it that long. Fair faced, quite young and the brightest green eyes I have ever seen. I wouldn't be surprised if she had men running around after her all the time," the owner shrugged.
"How long ago did you say she came through?" Vilkas encouraged.
"Well maybe three days ago. She didn't say where she was going just came in, got something to eat and left. Someone said that she was heading towards Windhelm late yesterday, so she could be heading to Winterhold or any of the top cities in Skyrim. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Aye, thank you for telling me this. Can I also rent three rooms by chance?"
"Aye, we only have two rooms, so two will have to share if that's okay."
"Oh I'm sure they will absolutely fine with that," Vilkas laughed, placing the gold coins on the counter, walking to his room and dropping off his bag. He sat down the on his straw bed, placing his head on his hands, hopefully he would be able to find her soon.
"So find any thing out?" Farkas asked leaning against the side of the room.
"Aye, she was here not long ago. She must be heading to Winterhold, probably to see her brother, who knows she could even leave Skyrim." Vilkas sighed, keeping his gaze down on the floor.
"Don't worry brother, she wouldn't leave Skyrim. As you said, she might be seeing her brother," Farkas reassured his brother, but it didn't seem to be very effective.
"You and Grace are sharing the room next door. If I hear a single sound out of you two during the night, I won't hesitate throwing water on you two," Vilkas growled, practically pushing his brother out of his room.
0o0
"Screw Skyrim, Screw it's weather," Hana mumbled to herself as she walked along the road to Winterhold. Since she left Ivarstead, a day ago or so, she hadn't has the chance to be somewhere warm, or stop for an actual rest.
She was determined to get to Winterhold, get the scroll and back to Paarthurnax. It didn't sit right with Hana that the leader of the Grey Beards was a dragon, but yet was ironic. Before she left the mountain, she had asked him his past.
It was interesting to hear his story of the whole ordeal in Skyrim, especially coming from the point of view of a dragon.
She didn't want to stay in one spot too long, hopefully she would be able to get the scroll from Winterhold and leave, not wanting to be noticed too much or recognised. Her friends and ex lover were probably already looking for her, though she was hoping they walked over to Markharth first.
She wasn't too far from the college now, the top of its high castle just visible. The sound of hissing and explosions filled the air not far from her. She raced towards the sound, with each step nearing the fight.
She hid behind a tree as she saw a lone figure, defending off a pair of vampires. Those creatures disgusted Hana, chilled her to the bone but if someone was getting attacked she had to help. The mage was firing balls of fire at the monsters, narrowly missing each time.
Hana raced in, her axe raised above her head as she rushed forward, bringing it down on the Vampire. It hissed in pain, slowly dying.
She turned to the battle mage across from her, who had just managed to kill the other vampire, its body burning into ashes. The mage wore a blue robe, thick enough to deflect the cold weather.
"Are you alright?" She asked the man, his face covered by his hood.
"Could be better, didn't expect to see you all the way out here though," a familiar voice stated, brushing off any snow collected on his shoulder, pulling back his hood.
"Lockan! Why did I have to save your ass all the way out here?" Hana laughed, punching her brother in the arm.
"This is a one time thing Hana. The other times I have saved you," Lockan pointed at his sister, a smirk on his. "What are you even doing here?"
"I need to get information about an Elder Scroll, I'm hoping that the college has something about it," Hana shrugged, attaching her axe back to her side.
"Well I'm heading back there now, may as well join me." Lockan started walking a head of her, making Hana having to jog to keep up with her brother. "So where is everyone else? Did any of the others go with you?"
"Aha about that," Hana nervously laughed as they walked closer to Winterhold.
"Please tell me that you at least told them where you are," Hana just stayed quiet. That was all the answer that Lockan needed. "What the hell did you do?"
"I'll explain to you what's going on at the college, but I won't be able to stay long." Hana sighed, glancing around the snow filled landscape.
"So, Kodlak. He's dead," Lockan just stared down at the floor in the library of the college. Hana had explained to Lockan what had happened since he had left. She felt awful about the whole ordeal, but Lockan had to know.
"Aye he is, I'm sorry Lockan," Hana sighed, patting her brother on the shoulder, his eyes cloudy with tears.
"And Vilkas managed to piss you off that much eh? By the nines, what did he do?" Lockan let out a small chuckle, trying to push past Kodlak.
"You know, blaming me for the whole mess. So I left, I don't know if will even go back to Jorrvaskrr."
"They're probably looking for you, you know that right?"
"I know, that's why I don't want to stay here for long. Hopefully they give up after a week or two." Hana sighed, looking down at the books in her hand. Apparently there is a mad man that knows about the Elder Scroll that may be able to help.
"Hana, you need to rest. Just stay here in Winterhold for the night. Tomorrow during mid-day you can leave. You look horrible, and by the gods have a bath!"
"Since when have you become the caring brother?" Hana laughed.
"Since my sister wants to run around Skyrim not wanting to be found."
The rest of the night Hana wondered around the college with her brother, not to mention showing off her Thu'um to the students who just stood there in awe. She didn't want to fight with her brother at that current moment so she just nodded along with what he had to say, whether it was right or not.
The night turned to morning as Hana walked around the halls, unable to sleep. That was now three days without sleep.
"How the hell is this place so cold?" Hana shivered as she sat down next to her brother in the small dining area.
"You're a damned Nord Hana, you should be able to put up with this," Her brother chuckled, taking a sip from his mead.
"Yeah whatever. So how long are you going to be here for?" Hana rolled her eyes, flipping through another book about the Elder Scrolls.
"I don't know. In a few days we are all going to a tomb not far from here so that should be fun. Do what you do on a daily basis, raid tombs, steal from the dead."
"Hey I don't do that… that often."
"Sure, sure sister. So what's your plan on hiding from Grace? You know that won't last long right?" Lockan scoffed, earning a glare from Hana.
"Look, I don't exactly know. If I'm lucky I can run around for a week or two before I'm needed again. I just want to get everything over and done with this whole Dragonborn curse. Once I kill the bastard of a dragon Alduin, I can get to worrying about everything else," Hana sighed, throwing her arms up in the air.
"Right. In probably less than three days Grace is probably going to show up here and try to get blasted with fire," Lockan shook his head, a smile on his face.
"Sounds like her honestly," Hana laughed, standing from her seat at the table. "Can I leave yet?"
Lockan sighed and rolled his eyes, placing his mug down on the table. "If you really must. Grab your stuff, I'll walk out with you to the gates."
Hana smiled and darted off, grabbing her belongings she had been storing in her brothers room, her armour clinking the whole way.
"Please be safe crossing those waters, I don't want to go fishing for your body," Lockan sighed pulling his sister into a hug.
"No faith," Hana smirked up at her brother before she walked off. Somehow, she had to manage to get across the ice-filled water to Septimus Signus, the apparent mad man. She could swim across, but then risk drowning or freezing to death. Hana glanced around the shore around her, a small boat was beach not far from her, long abandoned. 'Great, boat trip,' Hana sighed to herself.
As soon as Hana got back from seeing Signus, she jumped onto the land and collapsed. No way in Oblivion did she want to go into a Dwemer ruin. They are filled with dangerous Dwarven mechanics and traps, not to mention Falmor, the blind race. They crept in the shadows of the ruins, blind from being in darkness for so long, but their senses heightened; only a well-trained creature would be able to sneak past them.
Hana, was in other words, fucked.
After having her small hissy fit, she got up from the ground and walked back towards Winterhold, then to a small inn not far from the ruin. She could at least need a little bit of sleep before she left otherwise she would risk being killed for sure. One can only escape death so many times.
She could probably make it to the inn just as the sun began to set, wake up during the night and leave for the ruin. Giving her a bit of a chance to have a look around the area, get familiar with the surroundings.
As she walked along the road towards the inn, a small blanket of snow started to fall, dusting her hair with white. She had to admit, Skyirm was beautiful in its dangerous wilds.
For once, she didn't feel the pressure of being a legend, a Companion member or a Circle member. More like an adventurer, wondering through the wilds of Skyrim looking for a rush.
A small white fox darted in front of Hana as she walked closer to the inn, its white coat glimmering in the light. Hana watched as it disappeared into the woods. She was tempted to follow it, many have said that foxes will lead you to something, whether it be good or bad.
Hana just shrugged and kept walking on, not wanting to over stay her welcome on the road. The wind began to pick up behind her, causing the cold wind to whip at her face. She picked up her pace, not wanting to be caught in the storm behind her.
By the time she reached the inn, she was covered in snow from the storm raging outside. As soon as she stepped inside, she bathed in the warmth of the inn, standing right next to the fire.
"Welcome Lass, to Nightgate Inn, care to spend the night here?" The bar maiden asked, wiping down the bench.
"Aye, I'll be leaving later in the night. I just need to rest," Hana smiled, walking over to the bench and placing ten septims on the counter.
"Did you need anything to eat? Or drink? You look like you haven't had a decent meal in weeks."
"Oh that would be great thank you. How much?" Hana asked, grabbing her coin purse out.
"Oh don't worry sweet, you don't have to pay. It's nice to actually have someone here for once. Please just take a seat and I will bring it over to you." The lady smile before heading into the kitchen area.
Hana sighed happily, throwing her gear into her room and sitting down at one of the tables. She grabbed out her old book, flicking through the drawing she had done so far. The picture of her parents, the landscapes, her drawing of Whiterun, the mead hall of Jorrvaskrr and many others.
Her heart almost stopped when she saw her second last drawing in her book. It was of Vilkas and her, standing side by side in the training yard. Vilkas was staring down at her while she looked up at him, each other smiling.
She didn't even notice the woman place down a large bowl of stew next to her. Hana could feel her eyes starting to water, wishing that she could be back at Jorrvaskrr, sitting with the other Companions, annoying Grace and Farkas and being next to Vilkas.
A small salty tear started falling down her cheek. Hana sniffled and wiped the lone tear away. Hana closed the book and started eating her stew. Sure it wasn't the best meal she had eaten but it would serve her a lot better than none. She place the now empty bowl back on the table and grabbed her book next to her before opening it back up again.
She opened the page to her drawing, ripping the page out of the book and placing it on the table. Making sure it doesn't go anywhere, she grabbed her dagger, stabbing the paper to the table.
Walking back to her room, she just landed on the bed and in seconds fell asleep.
0o0
The sound of the inn door woke Hana from her deep sleep. The storm was still raging outside, the cold winds howling through the small gaps in the timber walls. It was well into the night, no light was peering through the gaps and the room had become darker than what she could remember.
Hana got up from her bed, walking towards the door, pondering who had just come into the hall. Probably a lost traveler or another adventurer. Hana looked around the corner, and saw three figures standing around at the door, each covered in thick pelt coats.
Using her beast blood abilities, she could sense something about them. Not dangerous but, something familiar.
Two sat down near the fire as one moved towards the counter where the inn keeper had appeared from her room. Hana didn't think much of it and went to go back to her bed to grab her belongings before she left, but then they spoke. A deep, almost angered voice. Hana just stood frozen in the shadows of the door way. Hana almost screamed when the figure removed his pelt.
His face covered in grime but his hair stopping at its familiar length and stubble scattered along his jaws and chin. His wolf armour standing out like a black sheep. Hana had to try not to shriek. The other two must be Grace and Farkas.
She had to get out of there, now.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck,' were the words replaying in her mind as she quickly jumped back to her bed, grabbing her gear. They were bound to notice her if she left the way she was.
She looked down at her bare hands. She was filthy, and smelt terrible. Hopefully enough so that the two twins couldn't get a whiff of her scent. Grace, would only have to recognise her face and she would be done for.
Hana went over to a large cupboard in the corner of the room, opening it hoping to find something to hide her. Luckily, there was an old worn pelt coat. Hana smiled and wrapped the large pelt around her, making sure to hide her face.
"There's only one more room lad, another has taken the other one," The inn keepers voice echoed into her room. "They should be gone soon I think, she said she was only staying until night fall."
"Aye, that's fine. You said it was a she?" Vilkas's said, his voice as stern as ever.
Hana's heart raced as she heard his voice, nearing the door. She looked back over the open room and saw Farkas and Grace were still sitting there, their pelts removed.
Hana walked out of the room, covered in the pelt, her steps quick and frantic. It felt like an eternity walking across the room. Hana kept her head down, trying to not to look at Vilkas's, Farkas and Grace's gaze. She made it to the door before she took one last look back at the inn.
As she searched the room, Vilkas and Farkas were looking away, obviously thinking she was just another traveller. Grace on the other hand was still looking at her, her gaze trained on her face. Hana went to push for the door as she broke her gaze with Grace, think that she could tell it was her.
In her frantic actions, the top of Hana's hood blew off, revealing her face. Hana quickly glanced behind her before she closed the door behind her. Grace had seen her face, probably now getting up and going after her. Farkas and Vilkas had not seen thankfully, but now she had to run.
Leaving the coat back on the deck of the inn, Hana ran as fast as she could away from the inn and into the storm. She couldn't have left less than 30 seconds later before she heard foot steps behind her, lighter than what she had hoped. She tried to run faster but her armour was weighing her down.
Without looking where she was going, she slammed into a tree, knocking her into the ground.
Her vision went hazy, blocking any solid objects in her vision. A figure looked down at her as Hana's vision started to clear.
The small Breton looked down at Hana, her face smirking down at her. "Turns out you can't run or hide." Grace smirked down at her.
"Leave me be Grace." Hana groaned, getting up from the ground, a small headache forming in the back of her head.
"You were the one that left, I've just come back to get you," Grace shrugged, putting a hand on her friends shoulder. Hana just brushed it off and tried to start walking off.
"I didn't ask you to come after me. You heard me, I left the Companions and I'm not going back."
"You're joking yourself if you think I'm letting that happen."
"Well I don't particularly want to go back. Didn't you hear? I'm the one 'apparently' killed Kodlak because I couldn't help him!" Hana shouted down at her friend, clenching her fists. "And who was the one that said that?"
"Hana, you literally broke the mans heart. After you left, he just sulked around Jorrvaskrr until we dragged his ass out." Grace protested. "Just come back to the inn, and he will apologise then we can go back to Whiterun."
Hana sighed and looked down at her friend, for once Grace actually looked serious. " You heard what Vilkas said. I don't want to go back now just let me be."
"NO! To Oblivion I won't. Look just listen to me Hana." Grace grabbed Hana's wrist, getting her attention. "Vilkas didn't mean to get angry at you but he couldn't pin his anger on anyone else in hall. You came in at the wrong time and he took his anger out on you. Just give him another chance, even though I personally think he is a dick. But just come back with us, or even back to the inn."
Hana sighed and shook Grace's grip loose, "Fine. Only for a few minutes then I'm going back for a few minutes then I'm going." Hana lied walking back with Grace.
"So where the hell do you think you're going after?" Grace snorted.
"I'm going to a Dwemer ruin not far from here, please just wait here until I get back." Hana sighed seeing the dim light from the inn.
"I would say be careful but you jinxed me last time," Grace spat as they walked closer to the inn.
"Does Vilkas and Farkas know that I was in there?" Hana asked.
"No, I just said I was leaving for a few minutes and would be back. Why?"
"Please don't kill me for doing this," Hana winced as she leapt at Grace at the front door. Instantly she wrapped her arm around Grace's neck, covering her mouth and nose. Grace screamed into Hana's hand and started thrashing, kicking her legs.
"Sleep you damned midget!" Hana hissed. Soon Grace's movement slowed and stilled. Hana let her sleeping friend down gently on the porch and ran, towards the ruin.
0o0
"Shouldn't Grace be back by now?" Farkas asked.
Vilkas looked over to the door, then back at his brother. Grace had left quite quickly after whoever had left earlier. He couldn't see much of the figure but they smelt terrible and was in a hurry. "I don't know brother. You should probably go and check."
"Aye," Farkas spoke as he rose the seat by the fire and towards the door. Vilkas moved as well, but to a table that had a dagger sticking out from it. Probably some bounty letter left behind. Although the inn seemed like it didn't receive many visitors.
Vilkas's eyes couldn't focus on the picture on the table, more that they didn't want to. Torn from a book, and a puncture in the centre of the page, in between him and Hana. Then it all clicked. She had been here and he didn't even notice her.
Farkas came storming back into the room, holding Grace in his arms. Vilkas spun around, his eyes alert.
"Where in Oblivion was she?" Vilkas asked, holding the paper in his hand, keeping the dagger in his other.
"Outside the door, passed out. She seemed fine when she left," Farkas stated, placing Grace down near the fire, covering her body in the pelts.
"I know exactly why, and the culprit just left," Vilkas sighed, looking down at the drawing.
"How?"
"Hana. She was in the other room. She was the one that left the inn and Grace must have known it was her. We are just going to have to wait till Grace wakes up so she can tell us the whole story." Vilkas stuttered, his hands shaking. He wanted to throw the drawing into the fire, but he also wanted to keep it as a reminder of how much of a fool he had become.
"Brother shouldn't we be going after her?" Farkas asked his brother, his concern for Hana pushed away as he looked at Vilkas, his face saddened. "Vilkas? What's wrong?"
Vilkas looked down at his brother, his eyes going watery. He sat down next to his brother, staring into the embers of the slowly dying fire. "She's never going to forgive me is she?"
Vilkas did not expect an answer from his twin. Farkas was known for his lack of words in situations.
"You know she is Nord right?" Farkas chuckled, pushing strands of hair away from Grace's face as she slept.
"Not helping brother."
"Not all Nord's can hold a grudge for long Vilkas, even as stubborn as she is. "
Vilkas looked over towards his brother, shocked that his brother said something. A small smile tugged on his lips. "Aye, I would like to hope so."
0o0
'Damn this place smells,' Hana sighed to herself as she walked deeper into the Dwemer ruins. She had heard many stories from her mother that they are dangerous places and should never go into alone. Well too late for that.
Hana had been walking through the ruins for what felt like hours after she left in a hurry back at the inn. So far, twice those damned Dwarven Spheres had only nearly killed her. She understood why she needed someone with her. This place was dangerous and if she wasn't careful she would end up dead and a meal for the Falmer that walked the halls of the ruins.
The blind race. Hana had already passed a few of them just by sneaking through but doubted her chances were getting slim. Once again, exhaustion washed over her body, her joints aching. She just wanted to stop, lay down and sleep for the next few days. But there was no such thing.
Hana opened another door, deeper into the ruins after killing a few Falmer on the way. All of sudden she was in another world. Large glowing mushrooms illuminating the dark cavern. White particles danced around her, looking like stars floating with her. This could only be one place, where many never returned. Blackreach.
A path was cut through the cavern, the one road leading pass a water gully. Hana held onto her ebony axe as she walked along the road, not wanting to be jumped by another Falmer.
Hissing and growls grew louder behind her, echoing through the cavern. Hana frantically turned around, narrowly missing an arrow aimed straight at her. The twist creatures of the dark approached her, hunched over as they ran.
Hana grabbed for her shield, raising it towards the Falmer charging at her. As it came closer to her, it lunged for her, its sword hitting her shield, sending a small shock up her arm. Another arrow flew past her, making her duck behind her shield more.
She charged towards the attacker, swinging her shield, knocking the Falmer back. With its balance lost, she lunged forward, cutting down the fowl creature. Proud of her kill, she didn't see the arrow heading straight for her. Ducking out of the way, it missed her head, but not her should.
She screamed in pain as the arrow dug into her shoulder, burning the whole time. It felt as though someone had ripped her arm off, and setting it on fire as some kind of sick joke. Hana focused on the Falmer archer, throwing her axe at the creature, killing it instantly as it hit snugly in between where its eyes should be.
Clinging to her shoulder, Hana pulled out the arrow, clenching her teeth together trying not to scream again. Even though she pulled the arrow out, her shoulder still burned. Poison.
Hana retrieved her axe and sifted through her potions she had taken with her. She had nearly any other potion except for cure poison. Her vision started to blur around the edges, her head racing.
She wanted to get out of this hell hole. Sheathing her axe, she ran along the road, not caring for any attackers behind her, not even for the giant that had somehow managed to get down here. She just raised an eyebrows and ran on.
She finally made it to a door, its golden décor standing out in the dark light from the underground city. Rushing in, Hana closed the door behind her, away from the hell.
Her head pounded with pain, her shoulder burning. The poison was working too quickly for her liking. Everything way spinning as she walked along the halls of the Dwarven ruins. Her thoughts were clouded, making it harder to keep walking or to even focus on what she is even doing here still.
'This is all his fault you know,' her conscious kept reminding her. Hana was almost tempted to admit to it but she kept pushing on.
"No its not. Its just the poison Hana. Keep going." She spoke to herself, wincing as she pushed open another door.
'Oh but it is. You should kill him. Get it over and done with. What did he do to you? That's right, you're the one who killed Kodlak. I guess he is right.'
Hana shook her head, trying to force the thoughts out of her head as she walked up a ramp. She had entered a room with a large Dwarven contraption. Her thoughst kept howling at her, trying to convince her it was his fault. She knew that it was, but she didn't want to admit.
It was the poison, sending her mad.
As she reached the top of the ramp, a line of buttons stood tall on a platform, a large array of glass circled in the centre of the room. Another puzzle she would have to complete. All the while fighting back a poison.
0o0
After many attempts of pressing buttons randomly, she got it. She found the scroll.
The voices in her head had became worse, each one screaming at her.
'You killed him! You're the reason he's dead!' they screamed at her.
"No its not!" She screamed, clutching her head trying to shake away the pain.
"Yes it is Hana. You couldn't help him. You are not worthy of being a Companion." Hana darted her eyes up, staring at what was an empty room had turned into her losing her mind.
Vilkas was standing in front of her, or who she thought was Vilkas. She couldn't tell if he was real or if it was the effect of the poison.
"You're not worthy to have had anything to do with us. You never belonged here. You never should have come back to Skyrim." He growled at her.
She clutched at her head again, "Shut up!"
"Why should I? You know its true. You shouldn't even be here. In Skyrim, no one in the Companions liked you. You're just a manipulative little bitch."
"Shut up!" She screamed, grabbing her axe from her hip.
"I never loved you Hana. You're a fool if you thought I did. You're just a child, trying to act like an adult. You're fooling yourself if you think you can go back to Whiterun. Anywhere really. You know what, you should have died at Helgen. Then you would be saving us all then."
Hana screamed at the hallucination, running towards him, swinging her axe frantically in the air, hitting the imagination. "I'm going to kill you!" She yelled, continuously thrashing at the air. After five minutes of attacking nothing, she had lost it. She tugged at her hair, her green eyes twitching and darting across the room.
"I'm going to kill you Vilkas!" She laughed wickedly, walking towards an a lever, hoping it would lead to the surface. To her luck, it headed straight to the surface.
0o0
"Are you sure that this is the place?" Questioned Vilkas as he looked around a large open cage, with a single lever in the middle.
"This is the closest ruin Vilkas. I'm sure she is here, that's what she told me anyway before she knocked me out anyway," Grace huffed pacing around the locked entrance of the building.
"How long could she be in there for? We have been here for hours." Farkas whined, kicking the snow around him.
"As long as we have too…" Vilkas was cut short to the sound of gears turning. Vilkas looked through the gaps in the bars into the centre of the building. The floor had opened up, the sound of steam and stone scraping filled the air. Vilkas looked over to Grace who was trying to pick the lock of the gate.
It had to be Hana. Vilkas could feel his hands shaking, his heart racing. He wasn't sure if she was scared of seeing her or nervous to actually see her again.
A figure emerged in the centre of the building, their armour glistening in the sunlight. It was Hana. She was alive. Vilkas raced over to Grace who had managed to pick the gate, opening it up. Vilkas walked inside to greet Hana, to apologise.
As soon as Vilkas took one step inside, Grace shut the gate behind him, glaring at him. "I'm not letting you two out of her until you apologise or she kills you. Which ever one comes first." Grace barked, Farkas standing behind her, nodding.
Vilkas just rolled his eyes and looked back at Hana. She looked like she had been in the woods for years. Her face was covered in dirt and blood, scratched covering her forehead. What skin was showing was pale, nearly green. Her hair was a mess, large tangles pulled to the side. Her eyes though were another story, they were still adjusting to the sunlight but they looked bloodshot. Her green iris's surrounded in read, black bags under her eyes. She looked like she had gone mad.
"Vilkas? Is that you?" She spoke, her voice soft.
Vilkas almost choked when he tried to speak, his mouth as dry as the deserts in Hammerfell. "Aye, it's me. Before you say anything else. I'm sorry. I'm so, so, so sorry. I shouldn't have blamed you…" Vilkas looked down at Hana. She was looking down at the ground murmering something under her breath, not listening. "Hana?"
"I'm …." She spoke quietly, her hand shifting towards her axe.
"Hana?" Vilkas repeated, concern in his voice.
"I'm going to KILL YOU!" She screamed at him, lunging towards him.
Vilkas narrowly dodged her attack, shocked from her action. He took a worried glance over to Grace, who just looked as shocked as he did. "I'll KILL YOU!" Hana screamed again, swinging her axe at him, again and again.
He didn't want to use his great-sword, but it was the only type of defence that he had against her. He grabbed for his sword, blocking her attacks. "Grace! A little help in here!" He barked at the Breton.
"I knew she would be pissed, but not this bad. Try to knock her out?" Grace guessed.
"Hana! Stop this!" Vilkas yelled at Hana as she continued to fight him, her attacks more frantic and desperate.
Hana just screamed back in response. Before he could even ready himself, she shouted, sending him flying into the bars. His vision blurred for a few seconds, coming back to him as Hana swung her axe down at him. Rolling to the side just in time, Vilkas dodged Hana's attack. The best chance he had to stop this was getting her weapon away from her.
Jumping to his feet, he charged at Hana, his sword raised above him. Preparing to block the attack, Hana raised her shield, but as soon as Vilkas came close enough, he kicked her shield making her stumble backwards. Having her unbalanced, Vilkas swung her feet out from beneath her, making her loose her grip of her shield and axe as she fell to the ground.
Kicking the weapons away as Hana got up, he wrapped his arms around her, stopping her from moving. "Quit your screaming woman!" He yelled at her, as she screamed for him to let go, clawing at his arms.
"How could you! I didn't kill him! It's your fault!" She screamed at Vilkas, kicking her legs out frantically.
"Vilkas calm your woman would you!" Farkas yelled from the other side the cage.
"Working on it!" Vilkas yelled back. "Hana, you're not thinking straight. Just calm down would you." Her movements stilled. For a few seconds she didn't say anything or move. Vilkas slowly let go of his grip of her, letting her stand there.
As soon as he stood back from her, she turned around to see him, her eyes more red than before, her skin paler. She walked towards him, slowly. Vilkas looked down at her as she stood right infront of him, avoiding his eyes.
Suddenly she started banging on his chest piece, barely knocking him. "I didn't kill Kodlak! Why did you blame me? I didn't want this! I never wanted this," She whimpred as she kept hitting his chest.
Vilkas just wrapped his arms around her, giving her a bear hug. Her whimpers turned into sobs. "How could you do this to me?" She cried into his chest.
Vilkas just stood there, his head on top of hers. Soon her cries turned into sobs, then whimpers, soon disappearing as she closed her eyes. Vilkas felt her weight shift as her legs gave out. Quickly scooping her up, her walked over to the gate.
"Well that went well." Grace joked.