"In charge of what? I'm in charge of me, and you're in charge of you." – Quote Torvar, companion. When asked "who's in charge around here?"

Tai paused at the stone archway as he stared into the darkness that was the Harbinger's medium length coal coloured hair. The girl was incredibly thick, almost as thick as a man in her shoulders yet she carved into a V shape body.

"Drem Yol Lok Kendov" she whispered her eyes not even opening. Despite her whisper her voice made the room shake, Vilkas was clearly uneasy. What shocked Tai however was that Farkas seemed interested, madly in love with a woman out of his league. Tai stared in shock as he understood her words.

"Peace fire and sky?"

It was then the Harbinger turned her eyes to Tai, her midnight blue eyes.

Z was not an unattractive woman, but not stunning either. Her face was soft, round chinned with a more rectangle face, her jaw coming out behind raised quite high. Her nose was button, her lips that beautiful luscious shape despite been simular to Aela's. Her brow was scarred in several places; ungroomed naturally thin eyebrows were hacked in several places. This drew attention to her deep set eyes, somewhat wide yet the indescribable perfection for her identity.

Her armour was simple, black tight leather with ebony plating around her wrist, shoulders, chest and legs. The carvings were that of the ancients, the dragon alphabet. Old daggers made of bone sat around her waist, several daggers.

"A natural understanding. You want to join us? Vilkas will test your arm, like he did mine so long ago. If he likes you, I like you. If he says you're useless, well then we will be saying goodbye before we get acquainted" Z's voice was flowing, whispering like the wind.

Not speaking in dragon tongue Z's voice didn't shake the room, but it shook Tai. He knew who she was. Exactly who she was.

"As you wish" Tai paused.

"Listener"

Vilkas silently rolled his eyes as he led Tai, Z turned her eyes to Farkas.

"Are you alright dear?" he asked as he walked to her, she almost instantly melted from her tough cold persona into a normal woman.

"I'm fine. Just with all the people with powers around here I'm feeling a little common place" Z admitted, Farkas grinned.

"You're special to me" he whispered.

Z looked at him, an adoring shine in her eyes suddenly. Even Farkas noticed, and returned the loving, if not hungry eyes as she ran her finger gently down over his lips as he went to speak again.

"No. What you said was perfect" she whispered then pressed her lips to his cheek.

"Too bad you can't handle a few spiders" Z chuckled with Farkas' light hearted laugh.

2 years ago

"Where have you been?" Vilkas demanded.

Z froze as she stared at the mangled body on the floor, claw marks in the wood and the askew back door. She swallowed as the scent of fear and blood filled her nose. Even in human form she felt the wolf within her, raging to kill.

"I was doing Kodlaks bidding. What happened here?" Z answered quickly with a question of her own. Her eyes rested suddenly on Farkas, and changed strangely. They softened for but a moment before the worry flashed through them. She barely heard Vilkas' reply as she saw the look upon Farkas' face. He was so… lost.

"The silver hand, they finally attacked. We fought them off but… The old man… He's…" Vilkas shook his head, Z finished for him.

"Dead" she growled. Her eyes darkened as did her expression. Her lips curled back, her brow tensed and creased as her nose wrinkled. She then begun to shake with rage, Vilkas took a cautious step back.

Z however didn't scream, or curse but instead let a huge gasp escape her. She walked down the steps, around Farkas and fell to her knees. Her hands stroked the old worn forehead of Kodlak as she cried somewhat.

"Ok very funny old man. Get up" she said with a sad laugh. She desperately tried to will him back to life.

"I did it. Kodlak I've done it now PLEASE get up" Z screamed. Farkas looked at her with brimming eyes. It was then he wrapped his hand around her shoulder, his eyes understanding her pain. Z broke. She wept.

Farkas placed his arm around her and held her into him both then sitting there in shocked silence, after Z's sobs died down. They rocked, back and forth in each other's arms as they tried to comfort each other.

In all of this neither of them said a word to the other.

Not one word.

Now

Farkas rested his hands on Z's waist as she sat over him, her wolfish grin was quite unsettling for Farkas but at the same time intoxicating. Farkas was drowning in his wife; she was to him beautiful with her armour on and stained in blood. But after a change, with no clothing on alone in the under forge with him. Farkas knew how lucky he was, and how much more lucky he could get. Any fool could see that he was in love with her; it was harder to see she was madly in love with him.

"You're nearly naked" she spoke looking at the armour she had torn off him in her wolfish fit turning back into a human. Farkas looked at her and replied with the obvious.

"You ARE naked"

Z smiled as she pressed her hand down on Farkas' shoulder when he went to sit up, his eyes widened as a different smile crossed Z's face. The smile of luck and a good night for Farkas.

"I'm sorry about that. It was my first change in months" " Z apologised, yet her hand still held Farkas down. Not that he was fighting her.

"You know it's risky coming in here when I go so long without turning"

"Truly? I find myself getting lucky" Farkas answered, his hand running up to her shoulder. A concealed effort to pull her into reach.

Z smacked his nose softly with one finger, then ran the finger down his chin, then down the hairline of his chest. He groaned quietly as Z smiled.

"Naughty boy" she whispered but allowed him to sit up more.

His eyes ventured down her naked body with a hunger that should not be described. There was also an admiration however, blind love and loyalty in his puppy eyes. Z was captivated as he kissed gently down her neck, when he reached her shoulder she leaned her head back with a growl. Farkas mirrored her growl as he bit her neck playfully. Z rested her lips to his ear as she in turn nibbled on him, barely containing her laughter as his stubble rubbed against her neck. Her hand ran softly from his cheek until her thumb rested before his ear, her fingers lacing in his hair.

"Farkas are you in… YEEEH" Vilkas had been speaking calmly but his yelp of shock when he saw Farkas and Z naked on the floor rung through the forge.

Z leapt like a feral cat for the alter. Upon reaching it she gave Vilkas a glare whilst crouching behind it as Farkas awkwardly covered himself with his abandoned loincloth.

"You have a question Vilkas?" Z asked as he stared, obviously keenly interested in Z. Farkas looked slightly disappointed at the untimely interruption from Vilkas.

The Under forge was clearly a created room from a natural cave, the stone bricks leading into the grey cave walls gave the empty feeling. The room however was warm from the Sky Forge above.

On the wall were several moon like symbols. The alter sat in the middle of the room, a basin of sorts where blood from the wolf would be poured in order to grant the gift to a new member of the Circle.

"The whelp, he fights well. I would ask what he can do for his trial." Vilkas was obviously uneasy with the current situation of attire. Z seemed to think.

"Get me my clothes for one. Also go to Dustmans Cairn, the spiders are back" Z spoke simply rising more to her feet to give her order more presence. She succeeded beyond her expectations, not in the manor she had hoped for however. Vilkas' eyes widened as he got an undisguised look at Z's ample breast. She instantly squatted without the slightest blush. Farkas smiled at her then turned angry eyes to his brother.

"You could try knocking" he stated simply. Vilkas turned heel and fled

"Why so shy Vilkas?" Z asked with a laugh. Vilkas stared over his shoulder briefly as Z walked up to Farkas with a seductive swing in her step.

"Now…Where were we?" she giggled as Farkas lifted her with ease.

Vilkas doubled his pace.

3 years ago

"Now look what you've gotten into" Farkas scolded Z, who was trapped behind a steel gate in a stone room. Z rolled her eyes at him as Farkas tried his best not to laugh.

"Don't worry" Farkas chuckled.

"Just sit tight, I'll find the release" he finished in the deep voice. After a moment's pause to appreciate that voice Z spoke up.

"I'm not going anywhere" she sighed in a voice filled with sarcasm as Farkas laughed lightly.

"What was that?" they said in unison as the sudden sound of footsteps rung through the moss covered walls of the Cairn.

Six well armoured warriors surrounded Farkas, pushing his back closer into the fence that split him from his future wife. Their weapons were drawn. Silver swords. Farkas was clearly outmatched as his back hit the gate. The silver hands gloated about his stupidity as Z rested her hand barely on Farkas' back, comforting him in his almost certain death. Then it hit her, she was next.

"Which one is that?" a woman warrior asked. Z couldn't help but mentally call her a slut, the woman's breast were almost bigger that Farkas' head.

"It doesn't matter. He wears that armour, he dies" an Orc spoke up. Again Z was insulting to the obviously dim witted being.

"Killing you will make for an excellent story" the warrior slut spoke again. Z felt Farkas tense up as he let his sword fall to the ground. The warriors laughed, the sound of his giant sword hitting the ground resonated within Z's chest. No don't give up Farkas.

"None of you will be alive to tell it" he growled. Z took a deep breath of relief. That was Farkas, too dumb to give in. But it seemed he wasn't dumb as his skin fell away, turning into black mist as he grew and changed.

What stood in his place was a wolf, longer forearms with a hideous face. Fur covered just the way he was in a human form. Z raised her brow, so this was the beast out of its cage. Z would be the last to admit she had known of his state as a wolf. What she had not counted on was her liking his form, despite its ugliness to some she found his crinkled nose and glowing eyes. Dare she feel it, adorable.

"Kill it!" The Orc yelled as Farkas took one lope and swung, three warriors flew into the walls from the impact. Live strong warriors hit the wall. Broken and dead bodies hit the floor.

Slut ducked. Orc was sent flying at the second swing. As the warrior slut swung her blade Farkas used a huge uppercut and sent her flying. She groaned weakly as the old torches above pierced her heart. Her corpse did not fall but her blood trickled.

Farkas sprinted off, away from Z. It was a minute later that the gate rose and Farkas walked back in, tightening his gauntlet as he redressed himself. Z blinked in shock as he boldly walked up to her, concern in his eyes.

"I hope I didn't scare ya"

Now

"I see" Tai blinked looking at the aging corpses. He rubbed his large hand across his chin as Vilkas walked around the corner, his yelp made Tai bark with laughter.

"Damn spiders" he groaned as Tai came to his side. Tai's eyes widened at the giant spider blocking the passage.

"Lucky its dead. But why would Z send us here for something dead… unless"

"Necromancers!" Tai cursed as he leapt sidewards, right as Vilkas hid behind his shield.

The web stuck to Vilkas' shield and forced Vilkas a step back from the impact. Tai's eyes went wide as did Vilkas' when they turned to see the even bigger spider now blocking their escape route.

It was huge. Each of its eight legs was as thick as a grown woman, its fangs like arms. Its eyes were easily the size of the dented, worn centre piece on Vilkas' steel shield, and equally as ugly. Down the thick legs were spikes, claw like spikes. Its body however was what was scary. Its body alone was the size of a hut, and not as inviting. Tai had experience with inviting women in huts but he realised how useless they were in this situation with a glance back at Vilkas.

"Well come on" Vilkas growled as he charged forward. The spider didn't even hesitate to fire another shot of web, Vilkas fell to one knee from the force.

Tai felt utterly useless as he charged the spider himself, its large leg struck out at him throwing his new sword aside. Tai stared down at the trapped Vilkas with a look of dread.

Tai was a quick man, despite his size and danced around the spiders legs. It was when near its fangs he realised just in time he had no sword. Still he ducked and kicked, the spider dropped slightly from the pain of the man's fist in its sensitive underbelly. Tai capitalised on this and punched the spider's leg with all his might. The spider openly winced as Tai ran towards Vilkas.

"Brother watch out!" he yelled as the second dead spider woke from the sleep of the void.

"Damn necromancers" Tai cursed again as Vilkas blocked the spider's bite.

"Damn Elves!" Vilkas added. Tai nodded his agreement as the two spiders closed in on them.

Tai was fearless as he kicked Vilkas under the larger spider, he himself grabbed the small spiders fangs with his steel covered hands and begun to strain and groan as the veins stood out in his neck. Vilkas' face took one of absolute shock as Tai continued to pull the fangs of the spider apart. His large arms were stretched to their longest distance as he threw his foot into the spider's face, right between the fangs. It made a strange noise as it fell, its dead body now turning into a pool of ash.

Tai turned his angry face and rage filled eyes on the second spider, it seemed almost nervous as Vilkas hid beneath it. He yelled as he ran from beneath it. The spider made a squelching noise as its harsh pointed leg gashed through Vilkas' leg. Tai again charged forwards to the spider's fangs, instead of snatching them however he dropped to his knee and rolled forwards under the spider's body.

"Use your bow!" Tai yelled at Vilkas as the spider took a step forwards, then another, then eight more. One for each leg.

Vilkas begun to stumble weakly, his bleeding leg holding him back. Tai was desperate; his strong arms tangled around one of the spider's legs. The spider tried to turn but the passage way had thinned, preventing the spider's movement. Tai held for dear life.

Seeing an elf jump before him, Vilkas drew a dagger weakly. The elf laughed and swung its war axe for Vilkas' head. Upon normal circumstances the elf would have been dead before he could draw, but Vilkas' injury was taxing his strength.

Tai struggled to lift his head, the worry in his face as he shouted.

"Fus Ro Dah" his voice was magical.

The soundwave forced its way into the spider's belly, through its skin and out its back. The cascade of greenish blood made Tai gag as he threw his dagger, straight into the face of the elf.

Vilkas finished it off by punching the hilt; the dagger tore through the elf's face like a knife through butter. The elf screamed as he fell, Vilkas had by then managed to fumble a potion from his pack. The wound on his leg moulded shut as the Spider's body fell.

"Get. This. Damn. Thing. Off. Of. Me." Tai said very slowly. Vilkas laughed before moving to obey.

"I would vouch for this man's courage. He showed honour in battle. I would have his skill at my side any day" Vilkas spoke. Z turned her eyes to him, then to Vale.

"If Vilkas vouches for him I will set aside my personal dislike of him" Vale looked to Aela.

"I have witnessed his skill. I cannot fault him. His personality however is in desperate need" Aela then turned her eyes to Farkas.

"I agree with my brother" he answered her. Z nodded.

"Then it is decided. You're one of us boy, try not to disappoint" Z spoke, she paused remembering Kodlak saying this to her. Tai nodded.

"I would speak with you. I would also like the gift of beast blood" Tai's words froze Z. Her eyes flashed dangerously, even Tai was intimidated by the sheer power in them.

"Not now. The underforge. Tonight. And new blood, wear clothing you do not mind been destroyed" Z walked off, Tai was in shock as he closed his eyes.

Sleep came to him at the table in the great hall, the laughter of the companions flowing through his ears like the urine from his bladder, and the mead from the barmaid, Sadia.

Tai woke, his arms outstretched with his back on a stone slab. His wrist and feet chained, his body bare save a loincloth. Tai's natural instinct was to struggle. He groaned against the chains as Aela stared down at him with venom in her eyes. Vale stood behind her.

"The Harbinger ordered we give you the beast blood. I disagree, Vale however will grant you the gift. Abuse it or her and I will kill you" Aela took a stride back as Vale stood over Tai with a pained look on her face.

"Open your mouth" she ordered softly, Tai grinned.

"Make me baby. While you're at it show me that bouncy chest" his reply earned a snarl from Vale.

Aela wasted no time; she disliked Tai with a passion. Especially when he talked like that to Vale. She simply took her closed fist, adjusted the metal to her knuckles and drove them straight into the loincloth.

"OWWWW" Tai groaned, his mouth wider that a trouts. Vale forced her tiny fist into his mouth as Aela came up with a small dagger.

"What are you doing?" Tai gagged, his voice coming out in groans. Aela rested the dagger against Vale's wrist.

"Are you ready?" Aela whispered softly. Vale smiled.

"Always" she whispered back.

Aela was gentle; she pressed her hand into Vale's lower back as she held her tightly. Her teeth bit into Vale's neck, a distraction as her left hand holding the dagger shot back as if scorched by flames. Vale screamed in pain, as did Tai as he tasted her blood.

"Aela" Vale groaned weakly before she collapsed, Aela's strong arm held Vale firmly as she removed her hand from Tai's mouth.

"By the eight divines!" Tai yelled, Aela glared.

"You have some respect for her. If you insult her honour one more time I promise I will kill you, if the change does not. Understand?" Aela's tone frightened Tai.

"Show me that sexy rump" he mumbled as he begun to shudder, his voice been lost in his change. Aela dragged Vale a few steps back as Tai's first transformation into the werewolf begun.