Chapter Twenty-Nine:

Death in the Family

I barely knew him. I probably knew Kodlak Whitemane all of three hours... less, maybe. It wasn't long enough to cry over him when he passed, but I had enough respect for Hiemdall's Harbinger to leave his bedside when his breathing stopped and let the Companions know that their mentor, their father-figure, their Harbiner... that he was dead.

Kodlak's remains were brought to the Skyforge two days later, where Eorlund Grey-Mane worked his craft. We spent all of an hour gathering firewood, stacked it up in the massive forge, and placed his body on the top. By then, night had fallen. A few guards and citizens of Whiterun were watching from the Cloud District, but didn't dare come closer. Kodlak belonged to the Companions, and them alone. Even my own travelling companions allowed me and Hiemdall space for the funeral, and were waiting at the Bannered Mare.

Candles were set around the forge, and a banner from inside of the Jorrvaskr was placed on the woodpile, draped over Kodlak's body, but not totally covering it. His pyre was decorated with plants, though I was sure no one really cared about them.

"Who will start?" Eorlund asked quietly.

Aela stepped forward. Her eyes flickered from the flames to Kodlak's body. "I'll do it." She took a breath and closed her eyes. "Before the ancient flame... We grieve."

"We grieve," the Companions said in unison.

"At this loss... We weep," Eorlund continued.

"We weep," the Companions repeated.

Vilkas cleared his throat, albiet quietly. "For the fallen... We shout."

The Companions were silent for a moment before they agreed, "We shout."

"And for ourselves..." Farkas murmured. "We take our leave."

"We take our leave," the Companions said.

We held a moment of silence for Kodlak before Aela lit a torch and approached his pyre. It looked like every step she took was an effort, but she managed to keep her composure. If I were in her shoes, I'd be a wreck.

She lit the pyre and then faced us, the flames catching quickly and erupting behind her. "His spirit is departed," she said simply. "Members of the Circle, let us withdraw to the Underforge, to grieve our last together."

I stood there and watched the flames as the Companions left the Skyforge, leaving only Eorlund, Hiemdall and I. Eorlund had a quick and quiet word with Hiemdall, who was nodding his head slowly. It was then that Eorlund took his leave.

I didn't even realize that Hiemdall had come up to me, I'd been so transfixed with the flames. He sighed and then slipped his hand in mine, whether to comfort me or himself, I wasn't sure.

"I'm sorry," I muttered.

Hiemdall silently looked on, his brow furrowing in thought. "Don't be," he replied. "A Companion knows the risks when they join. A Harbinger knows them better than most. Kodlak died so we could live on."

I hung my head. My eyes wandered to the ebony dagger strapped to my boot. "I just wish there was something I could do..."

"There is." I looked at Hiemdall, almost in disbelief. "I've been gone for the past two days, remember? That's why they had to postpone his funeral. The Silver Hand stole the Fragments of Wuuthrad, Ysgramor's weapon. I went to get it back, and then after I read Kodlak's research, I went and did as his notes had said he would do. I beheaded a Glenmoril Witch, and managed to get back here just in time. You can help us help Kodlak."

"How?"

Hiemdall's grip on my hand tightened. "Follow me," he said.

He led me down the steps of the Skyforge. He pressed his hand against a stone at its base, and a rock slid inwards and then down, revealing a tunnel. Hiemdall tried to take me down there, but I stood firm.

"The Underforge?" I was sure that it was, and Hiemdall's eyes seemed to confirm it. "I'm not allowed in there. Circle members only, unless something changed."

Hiemdall sighed. "Aela won't let us share plans outside of it, so if you want in, this is your best chance." I still hesitated. "You'll need to choose soon," Hiemdall pressed. "We have another day, at best, before the full moon."

"Don't remind me..." I grumbled. "Okay, let's do this!"

Hiemdall led me into the dark Underforge. Aela, Farkas and Vilkas were the only ones inside it, and they were deep in conversation. It didn't seem like an argument, but it could probably be mistaken as one.

"The old man had one wish before he died," Vilkas said. "And he didn't get it. It's as simple as that."

Aela crossed her arms. "Being moon-born is not so much of a curse as you might think, Vilkas."

"That's fine for you. But he wanted to be clean." Vilkas' brow furrowed. "He wanted to meet Ysgramor and know the glories of Sovngarde. But all that was taken from him."

"And you and Hiemdall avenged him," Aela pointed-out.

So that's why Hiemdall was gone... But Vilkas was too?

"Kodlak did not care for vengeance," Farkas said. I realized that I'd heard him speak for the first time since I'd met him.

"No, Farkas, he didn't," Vilkas agreed. "And that's not what this is about. We should be honouring Kodlak, no matter our own thoughts on the blood."

Aela uncrossed her arms. She was silent for a moment and looked at a pedestal that had a strange item on it. "You're right. It's what he wanted, and he deserved to have it." Aela's eyes then flickered over to me and Hiemdall. She didn't hide the surpirse. "Hiemdall, why is she here?"

"She has a right to want to help Kodlak," Hiemdall said. "I thought it best to let her in on our plans, especially since she supplied the journal that'll help Kodlak."

"It was Kodlak's journal in the first place..." I mumbled.

"I agree." Farkas surprised us again. "Kodlak was like a father to each of us. It's only natural that his blood would want in. When Jergen saved us from those necromancers, he brought us to Kodlak. When Jorgen died, Hiemdall was treated like his own son." Farkas looked at me. "I understand your want to aid the Circle."

Aela rested her hands on the edge of the basin in the centre of the Underforge. "... If you want to, Taryn, I won't stop you. How much time should you have left?"

"Hiemdall said a day, maybe less," I replied. "What're we going to do?"

"You know the legends of the Tomb of Ysgramor?" Vilkas asked.

When I shook my head, Aela explained, "There the souls of Harbingers will heed the call of northern steel. We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years."

"And the Dragons were just stories," Eorlund declared as he strode into the Underforge. "And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be. The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired."

Vilkas squinted. "Is that...? Did you repair the blade?"

"This is the first time I've had all the pieces, thanks to our shield-brother here. 'The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered'." Eorlund hefted the huge battleaxe from his back and held it out. "The flames of Kodlak shall refuel Wuuthrad. And now it will take you to meet him once more." He looked at Hiemdall. "As the one who bore the fragments, I think you should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle. The rest of you, prepare to journey to the Tomb of Ysgramor. For Kodlak."

The Companions nodded and left the Underforge as Eorlund handed Wuuthrad over to Hiemdall. Hiemdall tested its weight before fastening the ancient battleaxe to his back. Afterwards, I followed Hiemdall from the Underforge. He stopped at the edge of the stairs, in front of the Jorrvaskr.

"What if we don't make it in time?" Hiemdall asked me. "What if the moon really does trigger you?"

I debated for a while. Couldn't I just wait a day, see what was going to happen? No. At the moment, Kodlak was more important. If what he said was true, his Wolf Spirit would try to drag him to Hircine's hunting grounds. And if that happened, regardless if I was his child or not (because, frankly, I was still having doubts), he'd never see Elana Victus again. I was sure that she was waiting for him in Sovngarde.

"We can make it," I said confidently. "If nothing happens, then we'd have wasted a good day. We have to help Kodlak now!"

"Then we'll ask the others to meet us somewhere," Hiemdall rationalized. "A safehouse. I'm sure there'll be one in Winterhold. The actual Hold, I mean. Not the city. At least, I hope not."

"Javin said he probably had something." I started to lead the way to the Bannered Mare. "I'm sure they'll meet us somewhere. They've been really patient with what's been going on." I sighed. "Regardless of how this goes, and how everything turns out, I want you to know that I'm grateful to everyone. I definitely couldn't have done this without you guys."

"Just remember when everything's done, you're buying the drinks," Hiemdall quipped. "And by the way, I guess you outgrew that metallic singing voice that Milos kept saying you had."

I shrugged. "I got bored and practiced. I didn't have anyone around to criticize. And that stupid Argonian can kiss my ass if he thinks he knows anything about music. Unless he runs the Bard's College, I'm not taking any of his crap!"

"Been doing your research on Skyrim, eh?"

"Told you I would. Now I know about as much as the average Nord."

"Well, you're half Nord."

"Technically, but I look Imperial. Not that it really matters how I look. All anyone's going to see after another few weeks is that I've got the blood and soul of a damned Dragon..."

"And Werewolf."

"I'd rather stick with the Dragon."

Hiemdall grasped my shoulder as we reached the Bannered Mare. "For what it's worth, you've been a hell of a leader for us. We're practically flocking around you. You've got the same aura that Kodlak had; one that makes us want to follow."

I smiled at him. "I appreciate it, but that sort of thing's done me more harm than good."

"Don't worry; you'll get that Arnand guy. He'll be soiling his pants when he finds out you're the Dragonborn!"

I liked the way Hiemdall thought.