Chapter 2 – The Mercenary

"Before the Ancient Flame," I recite shakily, struggling to keep my voice at a low octave.

"We grieve," the others complete for me.

I take a silent, steadying breath before continuing on as I stare at him, laid out flat on a wooden pier, decorated with mountain flowers, lavender, and tundra cotton. And snow berries. His favorite treat, though I've always found them to be bitter.

"For the fallen,"

"We shout."

At this point, I can't utter another word, and I'm ashamed of myself for it. But Aela takes up for me, placing a hand on my shoulder, and continuing the final farewell in my place. Aiden's pale face is unnaturally still, his eyes closed forever. We send him off to Sovngarde with the same words that have been chanted at every funeral the Skyforge has ever hosted. Many a mighty warrior have departed on these words, and I must've attended three ceremonies identical to this one before. And at that time, the ritual seemed to be enough. But now it does not feel right, not with my husband being the one on the pier. After all he has done for us, this does nothing to honor him in the light he should be.

I approach the pier when all has been said, a torch clutched in my hand. I may not have demonstrated the strength I should've while bidding him farewell, but I'll be damned if I won't show everyone that I am brave enough to send my husband off to eternal glory myself. I light the wooden structure that Eorlund and Torvar had so carefully built on fire, watching bright flames engulf Aiden's body. I see my whitewashed face reflected in his gleaming armor, tears welling up in the corners of my eyes.

Taking another deep breath, I will them away. The others disperse, members of the Circle taking to the Underforge.

I place my hand on the stone of the forge, blowing a soft, silent kiss into the fire. "I love you, Aiden Brave-Heart. We will meet again, in Sovngarde, my dear. And I promise that Drekell will pay for what he's done."

As the sun sets, I follow my sisters and brothers into the Underforge. This hidden place is used only by members of the Circle. I've heard that they used to change worthy members into werewolf-like creatures, to bind them with the same blood. That practice was long disbanded before I came here, of course. And to be honest, I'm glad that it was.

Vilkus stands waiting for me, in between Farkas and Aela. He steps forward, eyes filled with concern, but he does not voice what he is thinking. He wants greatly to ask if I am alright. I give a slight nod to his unspoken question.

"As Aiden's wife, it is my right to claim the position as Harbinger, or choose another for the title. And I will not abandon my family, but you must understand…I need time. There is still too much of Aiden here for me to live in peace. I must get away for a while. I'll hunt down this Drekell, and destroy him for taking our Harbinger. Vilkus and I had to kill off some bandits who tried to defile Aiden's body and take his possessions. But one of them got away, and I'm going to hire someone to retrieve his wedding ring from the thief." I take a shaky breath. "By my honor, I bestow the title of Harbinger upon Vilkus, if you will accept."

He nods. "I am very grateful, and will not let you down, sister." He hugs me.

Aela and Farkas embrace me as well, before leaving the two of us alone. My voice is grave as I next speak. "Take care of them, Vilkus. You must lead them with a strong heart, as Aiden did. Please promise me you'll look after them."

"I promise. And do not forget that this is your home. You must return here some day."

I draw my cloak up around me as I head down the street. Stormcloak soldiers are in the middle of rotating patrols, and many of them stop to say hello to me, and express their condolences. I nod respectfully in thanks, then continue on my way. It's a relatively short walk from Jorvaskr to the Bannered Mare. The bartender behind the counter where I take a seat is an old friend. A middle aged woman with dark brown hair named Hulda.

I explain to her that I am in the market to employ and "adventurer" of sorts.

She wipes down the worn, wooden countertop with a wet rag. "Well, hon, you know I can't promote mercenaries. But I can keep my eyes out for you." Nervously, she glances over to a table of soldiers in the corner.

I follow her eyes and give a discreet nod. "Of course not, Hulda, I'd never ask you to advertise illegal activity. But if there's someone you know who'd be willing to do me the favor, I'd greatly appreciate it."

She nods back to me, giving a quick wink before turning to the rack of liquor behind her. "Your usual, sweetheart?" she asks, her work worn fingers lingering over a small bottle of Black-Briar Reserve. But I shake my head.

"Something a bit stronger, if you don't mind…" Given the circumstances, I think I am certainly entitled to drink my troubles away. Or at least until the sting in my chest dulled. For only a little while, I wanted to be numb…

"On the house, hon." her voice is full of sympathy as she sets a tall, maroon bottle of Argonian Bloodwine in front of me. A fresh wave of tears begins filling my eyes, but I refuse to fall apart in public. I pop the cork off, suppressing a sob and holding a solid wall against the moisture trying to pour down my cheeks. Without even getting a glass, I take a huge swig. It's a mixed berry flavored-not unpleasant, though-with a somewhat tangy, sour aftertaste. I recognize it immediately as snowberry…

The tears flow into the wine, though I do a decent job of hiding it. "Spicy." I mumble, setting the bottle down. "It's making my eyes water." It's a thin sham, but Hulda allows me the mercy of acting as though she believes it and hands me handkerchief. I wipe my face quickly and thoroughly before handing it back.

I begin drinking again, slowly feeling my sorrow drown.

By the time half of the bottle is gone, the stool next to me is no longer vacant. A young man that I've never seen before sits there, drinking a mug of mead. He has overlong dark hair, which sets off his cobalt eyes, which are set into a chiseled face. "You have the look of someone in great pain." he says quietly, not looking at me.

I make a "tch" sound in response, taking another swig of burning wine.

"Very great pain," he adds, setting down his own cup. "I understand that you're in the market for a mercenary?"

This makes me pull the bottle from my lips and wipe my mouth, turning on my seat to face him. "What business is it of yours?" I manage to say without slurring, but my voice is thick with the influence of alcohol.

"I think you'll find that it's exactly my business. What is it that you need? Someone silenced, done away with?"

I shake my head once, but it takes a moment since that makes me dizzy. "I need something retrieved, actually. How much are your services?"

"That depends. What is it that I am obtaining?"

"My late husband's wedding ring…" I clear my throat and avoid eye contact for a moment in order to remain composed. "It is silver-banded, inlaid with a flawless ruby. I..I made us a set whenever we got married and enchanted them myself." My thumb goes over the gold sapphire ring on my left hand as I speak.

He must've seen it, or the pain on my face that I'm desperately trying to hide, because he answers with, "Payment is not necessary. I can't charge a woman for something like that. But I'll get it back for you." He places a Septim on the counter for Hulda, then stands up. "I'll meet you back here tomorrow morning, Miss-?"

"Tannis. And the bandit who stole his ring is located somewhere around Rebel's Cairn."

"Right." He pops his knuckles beneath dragon bone gauntlets and nods to me before exiting the inn.

I stay at the Bannered Mare tonight, for I can't bare to go back to Jorvaskr. Even just for a night. I can't handle sleeping alone in that bed we used to share. It is a difficult few hours, though not nearly as difficult as the night before. I am hopeful that this means it will, in fact, get easier with time.

It is noon the next day before the mercenary returns with what he has been sent after. I close my pale fingers around the silver-banded ring, still warm from his grip. "I cannot thank you enough…" I stow it away in my satchel.

"Going on a trip of some kind?" he asks, eyeing the bag I've just slung over my shoulder.

"More of a hunt," I reply, somewhat bitterly. "I'm going to track down a vampire by the name of Drekell Blood-Drainer. I owe him a slow, agonizing demise."

His eyes light with recognition. "I think I know just how you can repay me for my previously free service."

My brows raise in confusion. "What are you talking about? I thought you said that you couldn't charge me for that."

"Couldn't and wouldn't are two different things, my dear." He crosses his muscled arms over the chest plate of his Daedric armor. "It just so happens that I've been in the process of finding that parasite myself. With both of our leads combined, I think we could be a great help to each other. What do you say?"

Sighing, I adjust the strap of my bag. "Do I really have a choice?"

And with great reluctance, it would seem that now I have an unlikely friend to accompany me. By the Nine, what have I gotten myself into…?