Kyra awakens to warm sunlight drifting through the window, birds chirping and the sounds of laughter coming from the kitchen. She stretches as she ruffles her tossed hair and pulls on one of Aela's shirts, shuffling sleepily out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.
"Good morning, or should I say afternoon." Aela smiles as Kyra yawns and waves.
"Kyra!" Minette gets out of her chair and rushes to hug her, Kyra looks the young woman over for a moment before she realizes who it is.
"Minette? By the Nine child, look at you." Almost sixteen Minette had grown into a pretty and vivacious teenager. The pair hug again, as Kyra ruffles Sofie's hair, leaning down and kissing the top of her head.
"Morning kid." She walks past her and takes the plate of food Aela hands her. Their eyes meet and Kyra blushes, smiling.
"Thanks."
"For everything." Kyra adds, she sits down at the table and flicks some hair from her face as she chews a piece of fruit, looking at Minette and shaking her head.
Minette smiles at her and takes another bite of her bread going back to the book she was reading.
"What you reading over there?"
"The Cabin in the Woods." Kyra nods as she chews.
"What's it about?" Sofie asks as she sets her milk down onto the table.
"It's a bit graphic for you."
"Says you." Kyra smirks.
"Forgive her she's got her mom's attitude. Sof, why don't you get your stuff together? You're coming with me today." Sofie finishes her milk and leaves the kitchen, Minette looks up from her book.
"Don't tell me your leaving, you just got here."
"She's not." Aela says, as if telling Kyra she wasn't going anywhere, sitting down in Sofie's chair ripping off a piece of bread from the loaf.
"I should make my way over to Jorrvaskr, I've got to see Eorlund and Kodlak will want to see me."
"Well of course Kodlak will, but why the Forgemaster?" Minette asks as she chews on a piece of cheese.
"Of course he will? Since when do you know about the goings on of the Companions?"
"I pick up a few things here and there." Aela snorts.
"She's been spending her time with the Whelps." Kyra looks at Minette, arching her eyebrow.
"Has she now?" Minette closes her book and leans forward, a gleeful look in her eyes folding her hands on the table.
"They still sing your songs you know, when the table grows quiet one of the twins, Skjor or even Kodlak will start on about you. The Companion who fought a thousand men and lived, you're like a legend. " Kyra nods chewing her bread, looking at Aela.
"A thousand huh?" Aela smiles before sipping from her cup.
"Well, I need to go see Eorlund for a favor." Kyra pulls her pack over from just inside the kitchen door where she'd dropped it last night and retrieves a cloth wrapped bundle.
Kyra undoes the string and unfurls the leather cloth dropping the two pieces of her Skyforged blade into her hands. Aela straightens in her seat before she gets up and circles the table staring down at the blade, her mouth agape.
The blade was cleanly fractured about eight inches above the hilt and still stained with Miraak's blood.
"Never in all my days..."
"I know."
"It's completely snapped in two." Aela looks a little dumbstruck as she picks up the other piece of the blade.
"Yep." She turns the piece over in her hand almost in awe of it.
"I fought long and hard with this blade, I was hoping Eorlund could repair it." Aela nods.
"I remember when he gave it to you, that night we first sang of your courage. Seems like a lifetime ago now."
"Or two. I'll catch up with guys when I'm done ok?" Kyra kisses Aela on the cheek as she wraps the tie around the rolled cloth and sets her pack back on the floor, turning on her bare heel to go get dressed. Aela watches Kyra's long bare legs as she leaves then catches herself staring, looking at Minette who smirks.
"Not a word."
"I wasn't going to say anything but..."
"But you're going to anyway."
"It's Kyra Mom, she's here... she's back. You're not going to let her walk out again, are you?"
"I don't know." Minette shakes her head and downs the last of her cup.
"You're hopeless." Aela sighs, as she touches the place where Kyra kissed her cheek.
"I know."
Kyra takes Sofie's hand as they walk up the steps to Jorrvaskr hall, stopping just outside the door. Kyra brushes her bangs behind one ear as she kneels on one knee her dress sweeping the stone stoop.
"Ok honey, my friends are a little..." Kyra searches for the right words.
"Just- be brave ok?" Kyra smiles as she rises to her feet and pushes open the door.
Jorrvaskr Hall hadn't changed a bit. Gathered on the lower floor two of the Companions were in the middle of a fist fight, other Companions were circled around them egging them on.
"Wait here, Sof." Kyra straightens up and crosses the floor taking the steps down to the lower floor.
"Hey!" She yells over the noise.
"This how you whelps spend your time?! Save it for your enemies."
"Kyra!" Farkas breaks the ranks of others egging on the fighters and sweeps her up in his arms in a big bear hug that lifts her off the ground, Kyra smiles hugging him back as he swings her back and forth.
"Where have you been hiding yourself? You, whelp! Mead for the Dragonborn!" Farkas sets her down on the ground as someone stuffs a big tankard in her hand, Farkas takes her hand tipping it up to her lips.
"Drink! Tell me of your travels." They both walk back up to the upper floor and Kyra sets the drink on the railing.
"I've been in Solstheim."
"And who is this little one?" Farkas kneels as he looks at Sofie, who stares up at hulking Nord.
"Sofie. Sofie, this is Farkas my Shield Brother. It's ok, he looks scarier than he really is say something." Farkas eyeballs Sofie.
"I'm not little." Farkas lets out a raucous laugh.
"She's got fire, I like her. Kyra, what brings you back home to us?" Kyra drops the leather bundle in his hand and he looks at it, then at Kyra as he unties and unrolls it. He turns over the steel in his hands.
"This must've been a battle truly worthy of song old friend, Vilkas!" Vilkas comes from around the corner wiping his own blade down with a cloth, he looks up.
"Kyra! Dear Sister it is good you've returned." The pair clasp arms their hands meeting below the elbows then they move in for a tight hug, slapping each other on the back.
"Brother, look at this." Vilkas' eyes widen as he picks up the broken hilt.
"You must tell me of this battle, Sister."
"Summon the Forgemaster, let's see if he can fix it."
"Seems almost a shame to repair it, it is still stained with her enemy's blood." Vilkas stares down at the blade for a moment longer before Farkas shoves him in the direction of the Skyforge.
"Kyra, you came all this way just to fix a sword?" Sofie looks up at them, Vilkas looks at Kyra then takes a knee drawing his own Skyforged greatsword from his back, holding it out in his hands.
"These are not just swords to us, child. You see, steel forged in the Skyforge is the most pure and resilient steel in all of Tamriel and the envy of all, given to our brothers and sisters when they've proven their mettle, their honor."
"The fires of the Skyforge are imbued with the spirits of all the Harbingers and honored dead who came before us. A Companion draws his strength from his Shield Siblings, his honor, and his sword." He rests the heavy sword in her arms as Sofie runs her hand down the polished steel.
"Really?"
"Your mother has slain a thousand men and beast alike with her sword, it is a part of her, a part she is not ready to fight without. I imagine I'd feel very much the same." Kyra runs her fingers through Sofie's hair as the girl looks down at the gleaming sword in her hands. She spies Kodlak coming up the stairs from the living quarters.
"Vilkas, will you watch her for a moment?" Vilkas nods scooping the girl up in his tree trunk sized arms swinging her around making her giggle.
"I'll fetch Eorlund, brother." Farkas turns, watching Kyra cross the Hall.
"Harbinger." Kyra says, as Kodlak stops in his tracks and straightens to his full height.
"Now there is a voice I have not heard for many seasons..."
"I've returned."
"And you think yourself worthy to walk amongst the Companions once again, as if you never left?" Kyra feels a stabbing pain at his words, but she straightens her spine and squares her shoulders in defiance.
"I've earned the right to go where I please." Kodlak turns and looks down on her.
"Have you now?" Kyra takes a bold step forward staring up at the man.
"I have, do you wish to challenge that right?" Kodlak looks at her for a moment his face slowly curling into a smile as he scoops her up into his arms and hugs her so tightly her back audibly pops in several places.
"Kodlak, I can't breathe." She manages as she laughs, Kodlak sets her down putting his big hand on her shoulder.
"You always have a home with us Kyra, always and forever." He touches her chin with his thumb as she smiles.
"Thank you."
"What brings you back to us Sister? Last I heard you travelled to the desolate island of the Dark Elves."
"This has brought me here." She hands him the pieces of her blade.
"Dear Sister-"
"Farkas has gone to find Eorlund, do you think he can repair it?" Kodlak examines the blade, the dried blood and black goo.
"I don't know. Tell me of this battle Kyra."
"His name was Miraak." They both take a seat at one of the benches near the huge fire pit sunk into the floor.
"He was the first of my kind, Dragonborn." Kodlak crosses his muscled arms over his barrel chest. Kyra looks down into the glowing coals of the pit.
"He wanted to leave the realm of Hermaeus Mora and rule over the island... and he killed my wife in his attempt." Kodlak nods.
"For that he had to die?" It was Kyra's turn to nod in solemn silence.
"I'm disappointed in you Kyra, vengeance is not our way."
"Kodlak..." Kyra looks down as she wrings her hands, she didn't like the way disappointing Kodlak made her feel. Kodlak was like a father to her, she didn't expect him to be proud of her like Aela, but she'd hoped he'd at least have understood.
"But I must confess, I would've done everything in my power to stop such a foe." Sofie comes up to Kyra and Kyra hoists the young girl onto her lap.
"And who might this be?"
"This is my daughter, Sofie. Sof, this...is Kodlak Whitemane, Harbinger of the Companions and one of the most honorable men I have ever known."
"It's nice to meet you, young one." Kyra kisses the top of Sofie's head, resting her lips in her hair.
"Didn't I send you off with Vilkas?" Sofie nods.
"Go back to him I'll be there in a minute ok? I promise." Sofie takes off across the Hall, Kodlak chuckles.
"Motherhood becomes you Kyra, she's a beautiful child."
"Thanks, I haven't been as attentive as I should be." Kodlak puts his arm around her shoulders.
"I understand why you avenged her mother. I could not let someone live who destroyed what must have been a happy home, depriving a child of her parents."
"Thank you Kodlak, it means a lot to me to hear you say that." For the first time as long as she could remember, she felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders, that simple absolution meant more to her than anything else.
"Dragonborn." Kyra looks up as Eorlund makes his way across the Hall to her.
"Hello, Eorlund." She smiles as the elder Forgemaster approaches her.
"I hear you're going around claiming my steel is bad."
"No I would never-"
"Then you question my craftmanship?" Kyra drops her hands to her hips, and gives the man a stern look.
"Of course not." Eorlund smiles before he hugs her.
"And best you never do child. Now what is this about your sword?" Kodlak hands him the pieces and Eorlund examines the steel with the practiced eye of a master.
"It's broken..." Kyra rolls her eyes and smiles as she folds her arms across her chest, flicking her hair over one shoulder.
"The pommel is all I'd be comfortable trying to save Kyra. I could patch the two pieces together again but I wouldn't send you into battle with the patchwork sword of a local blacksmith, it needs a new blade all the way down to the hilt." Kyra nods and touches Eorlund's arm.
"Anything you can do would be most appreciated." Eorlund nods and turns examining the blade as he crosses the Hall and back to the Skyforge.
"Kyra, you never told me why you've returned." Kodlak looks at her with the knowing gaze only a father figure could have.
"The Empire." He looks at her for a moment, then Kodlak shakes his head.
"We do not involve ourselves in the politics of the realm."
"You don't, but I have been asked to do just that."
"They only wish to use your abilities to help them win! There is no honor in the endeavor."
"I know Kodlak, I know."
"But you're going to fight for them regardless."
"Yes, I made my decision, I gave my word. It would be dishonorable to break it."
"That is true." Kyra hugs the Harbinger once more.
"I promised Aela I would meet up with her. I'll return for my sword later." She turns to leave but Kodlak grabs her arm.
"Kyra..." She looks down at his hand and he releases her arm.
"Aela she...well, just-"
"Kodlak?"
"Be considerate of her feelings. She was never the same, not for some time, after you left." Kyra nods.
"All right."
Kyra finds Sofie outside sitting on Vilkas' shoulders watching the sparring match between two of the Whelps. She stands just outside the doors for a moment, watching her and watching the fight. She had never really considered herself Sofie's mother, but Kodlak's words echoed in her thoughts, she had to raise her that much was obvious.
The real question was how, watching her surrogate family treat Sofie like one of their own, looking at the smile on her face Kyra then looks at the rolling hills and mountains beyond the walls...there are worse ways to grow up.
She crosses the walk to the small training area past the pavilion, and up to Vilkas.
"Ah, looks like it's time to go little whelp."
"Kyra, I want to stay and watch." Kyra looks at the two Companions as they thrust and parry.
"We promised Aela and Minette, Sof. We've got to come back later, we'll stay longer then. Come on." Vilkas stoops and lets Sofie slide from his shoulders and they turn to leave.
"Dragonborn!" One of the Whelps calls out wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kyra stops.
"Come, test my mettle."
"Some other time." She says over her shoulder.
"You would deny my challenge? Have you no honor?"
"Watch your tongue boy." Vilkas growls, Kyra turns on her heel facing the man.
"Some other time."
"Do you fear losing?" Kyra stops in mid step as Vilkas grabs the boy by two fistfuls of his shirt, lifting him up and off his feet.
"Vilkas." She says, turning back to them.
"He questions your honor Sister, a boy who has yet to prove himself! He needs to be put in his place."
"I agree but that task is not yours. Release him." Kyra looks at the boy as he straightens his tunic.
"I'll meet your challenge." She walks to the open ground and the whelp moves in front of her, drawing his sword.
Kyra stares at him and holds out her hand. Farkas pushes his way forward and unsheaths his sword, tossing it to her. She catches it and whips it through the air without breaking her gaze at the young boy.
The Whelp charges her swinging his sword, Kyra easily sidesteps slapping his sword away with practiced ease. The boy stops and turns back to her as Kyra rests one hand behind her at the small of her back and raises her sword.
"Again." She says as the boy charges her. Kyra parries his thrust and swings her free hand decking the whelp across the jaw nimbly spinning off her heel and around him.
"Again." The whelp is clearly angry and growls as he charges her swinging wildly, foregoing the friendly challenge he comes at her full on. Kyra shifts her grip on her sword and starts deflecting his repeated blows.
Kyra deflects his sword down and away dropping her elbow, slipping her grip lower on the hilt of the sword the blade going horizontal along her arm, she goes for a forearm swing. It slices the boy's cheek with a shallow cut and she plants her foot on his chest, shoving him back. She whips the sword around her body making it sing as it flies through the air, fixing her eyes on the boy as she steps towards him.
He thrusts with his blade which Kyra easily sidesteps, gripping his sword arm in her free hand she elbows him in nose. Further manipulating his arm, she forces the elbow to bend ducking under it pushing his hand to the small of his back and stepping behind him, she brings the sword to his throat.
"Yield."
"Never." Kyra gives the sword a little more pressure.
"I have no qualms with taking your life, Whelp."
"Kyra." Kodlak stands at the front of the small crowd gathered to watch.
"Free him." Kyra withdraws, shoving the boy forward making him stumble and fall onto his face, his nose bleeding. She tosses Farkas his sword and rotates her arm, rubbing the muscles where her shoulder meets her neck above the scar Miraak left.
"You did not need to embarrass the boy."
"I don't like arrogance."
"You don't like to be challenged, you never did even when you were a Whelp. Or have you forgotten what that is like? Kyra?"
"The Whelp would not know this but I can see you've lost a step, you do not fight with the grace you once had." Kyra looks up at the big Nord.
"I know Harbinger." She walks over to the whelp and offers her hand, which he takes, she hauls him to his feet.
"You fight well Dragonborn, like the twins and Aela." Kyra smirks clapping her hand down on the whelp's shoulder.
"Perfect technical skills, but who do you think taught them style?" Kyra takes Sofie's hand and walks down around the Mead Hall, Kodlak gestures for the challenger to come over.
"You should choose your challenges more carefully, Whelp. That one would rip you to pieces." He gestures to Kyra as she rounds the corner and out of sight.
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Are you actually coming back this time?" Aela folds her arms across her chest as she watches Kyra stuff her belongings into her pack. Her freshly repaired Skyforged blade resting belted around her waist where it belonged.
Kyra smirks as she closes the pack and belts her shield to it. She circles the table and slides her hands down Aela's lithe frame to her hips, pulling her in for a kiss. Kyra makes a soft sound of pleasure as their tongues meet, Aela slowly pulls away still tasting Kyra on her own lips.
"That's not an answer."
"Four days, I swear. No battle, no wandering, a carriage ride to Solitude, report in to Tullius then a carriage ride home. Sofie?" She calls out as she finishes the milk in the cup on the table. Home, the word echoed in Aela's mind but she didn't dare let herself hope.
Sofie rounds the corner, her face covered in intricate war paint. Kyra laughs, looking down at the girl.
"What's this?"
"Minette did it, I'm a whelp now." Kyra shakes her head ruffling the girl's hair as she kneels.
"You were always a whelp kid, but no joining up while I'm gone ok? The Companions are for the lost and aimless, seekers of adventure and of proving themselves. You are too smart and well looked after for your mom to let you go die fighting Draugr in some lost tomb. I love you too much." Kyra kisses the top of her head as she rises and slings her pack onto one shoulder, kissing Aela once more.
"Four days." Kyra pats Sofie on the head as she passes, pausing in the doorway she turns back down the way to Minette's room.
"Hey." She says popping her head in.
"Hey." Minette looks up from her book.
"I um, I just wanted to let you know I'm taking off."
"Have a good time."
"I just wanted to say-I know before I sort of just disappeared on you..."
"That was a long time ago."
"I know but we were close, or I thought we were." Minette makes a face as she tips her book closed, pulling her knees to her chest.
"We were, and then you were gone."
"Listen Minette..." Kyra drops her bag in the doorway, closing the door behind her, she sits down on the bed beside her.
"I've never told anyone this, but those months I was just gone. I didn't run away with some girl...I was taken prisoner by the Thalmor."
"The Thalmor?"
"They held me in Northwatch Keep for almost seven months." Kyra brushes her bangs behind one ear and turns showing her the fading scars down her cheek.
"So why are you going to help them now?"
"I'm helping the Empire not the Thalmor."
"It's the same thing."
"Maybe, maybe not but I've always served the Empire when it was asked of me. I also believe it's what best for the stability of Skyrim. The Empire may be crumbling but it is still the Empire, and people need it. Maybe not the Empire itself but what it stands for, what they try to do. To protect the people of Tamriel, however bad they are at it."
"When will you be back?"
"Four days." Minette hugs her for a long moment before Kyra gets up and slings her pack back onto her shoulder.
"I'll see you around."