Claudia and Farkas trudged back to Whiterun. A light rain had started to fall by the time they got to the Western Watch Tower, as if the sky itself was mourning the loss of the fragment. Claudia knew it wasn't a good time to bring this up, but the question had been nagging at her the whole time.

"Do I still pass the trial?" she asked.

Farkas rounded on her, "The fragment wasn't in Dustman's Cairn, Wuuthrad is sacred to the companions, and all you can ask is if you passed a stupid test?"

"Farkas I'm sorry, I—" Claudia started to say, but Farkas had already marched on ahead. Claudia followed with her head down. Right before they got to the stables, Farkas pulled the sheepish girl aside.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you. This was the first time they ever let me retrieve a fragment, and it wasn't there. I've just been really stressed trying to prove myself." He bowed his head, dark hair falling in his face.

"It's ok," Claudia said, voice soft and understanding, "I've been thinking about what you said, and your right; the fragment is more important than passing the trial. I'm sorry, too."

They walked up to the city, feeling better now they had apologized, and made their way through the main gate. As they walked, the two warriors noticed the streets were empty.

"Where is everybody?" Claudia said.

Her question was answered when they got up to the Gildergreen, the whole town had gathered around one person.

It was Archer.

All the girls were crawling over each other to get to him, and people were pushing and shoving to get nearer. No one had realized that two more people had come up behind them. If a dragon attacked at that very moment, no one would notice.

"Come on, Claudia." Farkas pulled her arm, "Let's get out of here before we get trampled."

"Yeah, ok."

Claudia followed Farkas up the steps to Jorrvaskr. When they entered, everyone crowded around them.

"Did you get?"

"Where is it?"

"It'll be good to have something going our way for once."

There was a barrage of more questions until Farkas finally held up a gauntleted hand. "It wasn't there." he said once the mess of voices had backed down.

There were groans and murmurs followed by more questions. Claudia cut in above the din. "Someone must have gotten to it before us."

Skjor came up to the front of the group.

"Farkas, may I speak with you about the welp's trial?" it wasn't so much of a question, more of a suggested order.

"Of course, Skjor." Farkas replied.

Farkas looked back at Claudia, and saw that she looked worried. He would do whatever it took for her to pass this trial.

Claudia waited in a seat at the table, the heat from the fire did little to soothe her. What if she didn't pass? What if she had to wait years before the next trial? Her thoughts had jumbled around her brain. She didn't realize when Farkas and Skjor came back.

"When you're done staring into the fire, we'll begin the ceremony." Skjor said.

"Wait you mean I passed the trial? I didn't get the fragment…" replied Claudia.

"Farkas said that you fought well against the draugr, and that you encountered a dragon, and destroyed it. You have passed the trial."

Later that evening, Claudia was lying in bed, her ceremony having been earlier. She was just dozing off when Farkas came in.

"Farkas, seriously? I was nearly asleep."

"Sorry Claudia, but I just have a really weird feeling about Archer, and I came to see you because we both met him." Farkas explained.

"I told you that you have nothing to worry about, you were just surprised when he appeared and killed the dragon." Claudia replied, "But a rumor is going around town that he's leaving tomorrow at eight, if it makes you feel better we'll follow him?"

"We should follow him." said Farkas.

"Fine, now get out, I'm trying to sleep." She rolled back over, hearing him pause a moment, then close the door.

Claudia never managed to get back to sleep, so at six in the morning, she got in her armor strapped her sword to her belt, and hid her knives. She headed up the stairs into the main part of Jorrvaskr and sat at a table. She wasn't very hungry so she put some food into a napkin and puts it in her nap-sack. An hour and a half or so later, Farkas stumbled up the stairs still half asleep.

"Did I wake up too late? Has Archer already left?" Farkas asked.

"No, Archer hasn't left yet. Although, he should be leaving soon, so eat quickly."

Farkas ate as quickly as his sleepy-self allowed, and then they left. They saw Archer leave the inn as they walked down the steps that led to the market. Farkas and Claudia waited for him to leave the city before they followed. Archer had already gotten pretty far down the road because of his horse.

"We'll have to stay a little ways behind him so he doesn't notice us," said Claudia. "Maybe we can let him get ahead, and Farkas, you can use your werewolf nose to track where he's going."

"I don't like using my wolf senses." Farkas flatly.

"Alright, I guess we can turn around and go back since you don't want to know what Archer is up to." Claudia said.

"Fine, I'll use my wolf senses." Farkas said gruffly.

They followed Archer's sent past Honningbrew Meadery, and left at the bridge.

"Where do you think he's headed?" Claudia asked.

"If we knew, we wouldn't be following him." Snapped Farkas.

"Sorry, dumb question. I didn't get any sleep last night because someone came barging into my room last night." Claudia said, annoyed.

They continued walking until nightfall. Farkas said that Archer had stopped, camping further ahead.

"We shouldn't light a fire, wouldn't want Archer to see us." The werewolf said.

The two Companions set up their bedrolls and ate a cold meal before setting up the first watch.

"Who should take first watch? asked Farkas. He looked over, seeing Claudia already asleep.

"Well that answers that question."

"Claudia, get up."

"Right now?" yawned Claudia

"Now, dammit!" Farkas growled.

"Why didn't you wake me up for watch?" Claudia asked.

"I knew you didn't get any sleep the other night, so I didn't wake you up for watch. Farkas said.

"You what?"

"I thought I could stay awake, but I dozed off, next thing I knew it was light outside."

"Where's Archer" asked Claudia?

"Farther than he should be," growled Farkas, annoyed more with himself then with the young warrior.

The two packed camp as fast as possible. Farkas said that the scent of Archer was faint, and they'd better hurry or they'd lose him. They went as fast as they could not afford to stop for a break. The only reason they caught up with Archer sooner than later was because he had stopped at a fortress.

"Be careful, there are Silver-hand in there," Farkas said, baring his teeth.

"Silver-hand?"

"I told you earlier, they hunt werewolves, and use us as test subjects for their damned experiments." Farkas said grimly, eyes blazing.

"Why would Archer be here"?

"I thought a smelled something off about him, the others always said the fragments of Wuuthrad gave off a peculiar smell. I smelled it at the spot in Dustman's Cairn. I smelled whiff of it on Archer when we first met him, but I wasn't sure until now." Farkas explained.

"That can't be right, you're saying he's on the side of the Silver-hands, couldn't he have been captured?" Claudia said.

"No, why else would he be hear other than to give them the fragment? He's had the fragment since the moment we met him. We need to go tell the others. Mark the fort on your map, then let's go."

Claudia did as she was bid, and followed Farkas as he backed down the road, careful to remain out of sight. The journey back was sullen, neither talking to the other. Claudia could feel the turmoil rolling off of her shield brother in strong waves. In her mind, she fought with her own thoughts and feelings