Chapter Thirty:

Saving Kodlak

While the rest of our companions agreed to meet us in Winterhold, Hiemdall and I began the journey just north of that city. We all packed into a wagon and paid the driver a little extra so he'd be quick about his driving. His horse disagreed a few times, but it listened in the end.

We left the carriage once we got to the small village that was once a beautiful city (wasn't now, since the Great Collapse. Javin didn't even want to explain to me, "such rubbish") called Winterhold. Javin gave Hiemdall some directions, where to meet him when we got back from Ysgramor's Tomb, and then Hiemdall and I said our farewells to our companions.

Hiemdall would test the ice chunks we were leaping on before he would even let me get within three metres of them. It was annoying and it lost us time, but at least we knew that we weren't going to drown in freezing cold water. What can I say? I try to look at the bright side.

Ysgramor's Tomb was around a rockface that wasn't particularily pleasant, but once we got there, we breathed a sigh of relief that we didn't fall in the icy water of the Sea of Ghosts. We entered the tomb, which was surprisingly warm, and met Hiemdall's Companions. There wasn't an exchange of words as Hiemdall placed Wuuthrad in Ysgramor's hands (no, he wasn't real; it was just a giant statue of him). Behind the statue, a large rock slid backwards and then was sucked into the earth, revealing the tomb. I was so used to having my own companions around me that I drew my sword and started issuing commands. When I realized what I was doing, I stopped, but only met the smirks of the silver-eyed Companions.

"Hey, you had blue eyes before!" I snapped at Hiemdall.

He looked at me sheepishly. "I've been hiding it with magicka for a while."

"You can use magicka?!"

"I don't use it much," he said, shrugging.

I shook my head, and ended up leading the way into the tomb. It wasn't long before we were met with ghosts of previous Companions. While we fought the ghosts off, as they proved to be hostile, Hiemdall yelled to me that they were only testing us. They wouldn't let us anywhere near Kodlak unless we proved ourselves. That pissed me off a bit, but hey, I guess you can't just lay down your weapons and explain to the deceased why you're invading their resting place.

We entered another chamber, fought more ghosts, and then Farkas left us. I wasn't sure why (he was speaking to Aela), but we let him return to the statue of Ysgramor. It wasn't until the next chamber frought with Companion spirits that Vilkas decided to follow his twin.

Which left only me, Aela, and Hiemdall.

Oh, goody.

The final chamber we emerged in was larger than the rest, with coffins like the ones we'd encountered before lined along the walls, and one important-looking coffin at the back of the room, protected by bars. A large chandelier hung far above a blue flame in the centre, which was mesmerizing in itself.

But there was a figure standing beside the fire, warming ghostly hands. Kodlak looked up, almost surprised to see us, but then his spectral eyes softened.

"Kodlak, Is that you?" Hiemdall asked.

"Of course," Kodlak replied, as if it were obvious. "My fellow Harbingers and I have been warming ourselves here." He gave a smile. "Trying to evade Hircine."

"But there's nobody else here..." I muttered.

Kodlak sighed. "You see only me because your heart knows only me as the Companions leader. I'd wager old Vignar could see half a dozen of my predecessors. And I see them all. The ones in Sovngarde. The ones trapped with me in Hircine's realm." The old Harbinger looked downcast. "And they all see you. You've brought honor to the name of the Companions. We won't soon forget it."

"You can still be cured!" Hiemdall exclaimed suddenly. "Vilkas said so!"

"Did he now? I can only hope. You still have the withces' heads?"

Hiemdall reached into his pack and pulled out the head of a hagraven. I gagged at the sight of it, since the stump of its neck was still bloodied and some flies had taken a liking to it.

"You had that in your pack this entire time?!" I gasped.

Hiemdall nodded. "Magicka doesn't only mask eyes, you know."

"I really don't want to know what else you have in there..."

Kodlak smiled at the head. "Excellent," he said, chuckling at my outburst. "Throw it into the fire. It will release their magicka, for me at least." Kodlak looked at me as Hiemdall approached the flame. "Or you, Taryn."

"Huh?"

Kodlak folded his arms across his chest. "I don't want to leave you as you are now. Say the word, and the head is yours, but I'm uncertain if it will work for you."

I shut my eyes. "No, Kodlak. There's no doubt that this will work for you, but if you're not sure it'll work for me, then I won't take that risk."

"But—!"

"When you go to Sovngarde," I said, interrupting him, "say 'Hi' to Elana Victus for me, will you? Tell her that I'll keep her dagger safe, and that I'll return it to her, one day."

Hiemdall tossed the head into the fire before Kodlak could argue. The flames ate the head faster than it would parchment, until it was no more. Kodlak clutched his abdomen and gasped. He fell on his knees, and then a gigantic wolf, easily three or four times larger than a normal one you'd see around Skyrim, erupted from him. It was a more menacing ghost, with a red aura rather than the traditional blue you'd see around ghosts. It snarled and wasted no time in leaping for Hiemdall's throat.

I had my ebony blade out by then and slammed it onto the ghost wolf's body, stopping its attack against Hiemdall. Aela shot three arrows at it at once, stunning it, before Hiemdall plunged his greatsword into the beast's head, destroying it.

Kodlak got back onto his feet and smiled. I didn't think he could help it; smiling was what anyone would do.

"I thank you for this gift," Kodlak said quietly. "The other Harbingers remain trapped by Hircine, though. Perhaps from Sovngarde, the heroes of old can join me in their rescue. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It would be a battle of such triumph. And perhaps, some day, you'll join us in that battle. But for today, return to Jorrvaskr. Trumph in your victory." Kodlak put a hand on Hiemdall's shoulder. "And lead the Companions to further glory."

Kodlak slowly disappeared, but not before he clapped a hand on my shoulder as well. Needless to say, the man made me feel incredibly small in his presence. When he was gone, we returned our respective weapons to their sheathes.

"Did I hear right?" Aela asked suddenly. "Did he say you were to lead the Companions?"

Hiemdall smiled, as if Kodlak had been joking with him just a moment before. "He did indeed."

"You've earned the right," Aela agreed. "Your strength and honor are apparent to all. And it's my honor to be first to address you as Harbinger. Let's go tell the others—."

"Aela, would you tell them?" Hiemdall asked. "There's still the matter of Taryn that needs to be taken care of."

Aela glanced at me and pursed her lips. "As you wish," she said. "Just remember that you have other duties now."

"I'll remember." Hiemdall put a ahdn on my head. "Oh, and Taryn (and with Aela as my witness), as Harbinger, I pledge the Companions and its resources to the Dragonborn's cause. Use us as you wish."

I blinked. "T-Thanks, but..."

"But what?"

I smirked. "That means I've got all the factions dedicated to me now, you know?"

He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hm. I suppose. Geez, aren't you popular?"

It was a few minutes later that we left the chamber and emerged into the room with Ysgramor's statue in it. We barely glanced at Farkas and Vilkas as we went outside. It was already sundown, and we'd have to hurry to get to wherever Javin was. I had asked if Hiemdall wanted to take Wuuthrad with him, but he had said it was better-off in Ysgramor's hands.

Personally, I think he liked blades better than axes.

We followed the path we'd taken before, since we knew it was safe and so Hiemdall wouldn't slow us down for safety again.

"We're headed to Yngol Barrow," Hiemdall said as we passed through Winterhold. "It's close to the border of Eastmarch, but it was the best place Javin could find on short notice."

I frowned at him. "Why're you smiling?"

He just realized that the smile was on his face, but he didn't hide it. "I was just thinking of the irony. We've just left Ysgramor's Tomb, and now we head for the resting place of his eldest son, Yngol."

I rolled my eyes. I still needed to brush up on the history of Skyrim. All I knew about Ysgramor was that he was the leader of the original Companions, Atmoran, and had two sons. That was about it.

"We're almost there," Hiemdall said. "And it looks like we've got some time to spare."

I sighed. "I hate this, you know?"

"I know. But we'll find a way around it."

I snorted, somehow unable to fathom how such a thing could be remotely possible. My faith in Humanity wasn't very high at the moment.

"Now imagine if the Madame from my old orphanage could see me now..." I grinned. "She would throw her hands up in the air when I was a kid and yell, 'You're a beast!' because I would do something she didn't like. I can almost see the look on her face, actually..."

"Was she very cruel? You talk about her a lot, actually."

"She's the reason I've had no faith in adults since I was a kid. I always dreaded getting older, because I didn't want to be like them. The adults in Anvil that I would see—the guards, the nobles, the workers—were all submissive. They seemed to have no fight left in them. I couldn't imagine that the Thalmor could defeat an empire so fully. But the Madame, who was so lively, despite her cruelty, thought the Thalmor were in the right." I shook my head. "Back when the Hero of Kvatch was around, the Empire was strong and full of life. Where'd that Empire go? If another Hero of Kvatch appeared, would they help the Empire?"

Hiemdall looked thoughtful. "So what're your thoughts on the Civil War then?"

"I think it's stupid," I replied bluntly. "The Stormcloaks can appeal for independance when the Thalmor are back on their stupid island. This is just tearing the Empire apart, and Ulfric's ambitions are getting in the way. But I'm not choosing a side; there's no way in Oblivion that I'm going to fight for a Thalmor-controlled Empire, or a crazy bastard who'll do anything for a throne." I smiled. "You're easy to talk to, actually."

"I am?" Hiemdall smirked. "I guess you never reallygot to find out. You were always at the front of the line with Milos."

"Yeah..."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and shook me gently in a friendly manner. "Don't worry; that overgrown lizard will come to his senses."

I doubted it. "How? He really, really, really dislikes were-creatures because of what they did to his parents."

"Werewolves are supposed to hate Vampires," Hiemdall pointed-out, "and here we have a Vampire and two Werewolves in one group, and the biggest conflict we've ever had was an issue over smell."

"I suppose..."

"Stop doubting everything. You're a leader, and a damn good one. Hold your head high and be confident in what you believe is right, and more will follow your example."

"Aren't you the leader of the Companions now? Why're you following me?"

He smiled. "I've been with you for a while now. I'm not about to abandon you. I need to see this through just as much as you do."

I sighed. "Because Kodlak asked you to watch over me, huh?"

Hiemdall shook his head. "At first, but now... I've grown attatched to you, I suppose."

Gulping, I looked up at him. "You know, it's partially my fault that your father died."

"Hm?"

I hadn't quite told Hiemdall what Kodlak had told me. "You see, Kodlak asked your dad to watch over Elana Victus—I guess she's my mom—while he was away. When I was born, your father died."

"Then he died serving the Companions and protecting what he thought was right." Hiemdall shrugged, but I knew it wasn't an, "I don't really care" shrug. "I wasn't old enough to know him well enough, but... After my father died, Kodlak, Skjor, and Tilma watched over me. My mother was killed by the Thalmor for the illegal worship of Talos before my father died, so I didn't know her very well either. I guess I took away the father your were supposed to know."

"And I yours," I said quietly.

"Then that makes us even." Hiemdall glanced at the sky. "Stars are beginning to appear, and we're almost there. I bought some larger clothes for you to change into, since I know you don't like to be indecent, but I'd also like to give you some room just-in-case this thing really does happen. From what I saw last time, you're not really in control of yourself, so you won't like the clothes if you do transform."

"Thanks, Hiemdall."

"Anytime, Taryn."

Hiemdall led me into the barrow, which seemed almost like a cave at first glance. We emerged into the main entryway and met the others, and a few corpses. One bandit, however, was bound and gagged.

"Since when do we take bandit prisoners?" I asked.

Aldren smirked. "Ever since that was the best way to keep a Werewolf sated."

When I frowned, Javin held his hands up. "Don't worry; we've taken some precautions. I've been preparing spells for a few hours now. If you do turn, then there will be nowhere out for you, and you won't be able to harm us. The bandit is just a bonus."

Hiemdall facepalmed. "You realize that I'm a Werewolf too, right? I can help her."

"Bloody good job you did before," Javin grumbled, out of Hiemdall's earshot.

I rolled my eyes. "How much time left?"

"About ten minutes, if I've read my star-charts right." Javin looked at Cha'qim. "Did I?"

"Cha'qim believes we may even have fifteen minutes," the Khajiit said. "She studied star-charts before she became a thief. Cha'qim enjoys such things."

Hiemdall placed his pack on the ground and rummaged through it until he brought out some larger village clothes. He handed them to me and then pointed me to the other side of the room, where he led me by the elbow.

"Hiemdall, do you want to come back before I cast the spell?" Javin asked.

He shook his head. "I'll stay here with her. I think she'll need a bit of support."

"We are all supporting," Cha'qim said.

"I mean a bit closer. I'm in no danger." Hiemdall met my gaze. "What?"

"Can you all turn around? I'm going to change into these," I said.

Respectfully, they all turned, so I changed out of my leather armour as quickly as I could and into the clothes I'd been provided. They were really, really large, and definitely not something I'd wear outside of the barrow.

"I'm done," I announced.

The next few minutes were tense. I slid down the wall until I was sitting on the ground and brought my knees up to my chest. Waiting was probably going to be one of the hardest parts. Javin casted his spell behind Hiemdall and I first, and then in front of us. He gave us enough room so we could walk around though. Cha'qim, Aldren and Javin waited near the entrance, sitting on some stones they'd brought inside.

A tiny ball of anxiety and fear tightened with each passing minute. I didn't bother to keep count. It would only be more depressing.

"Three minutes," Aldren announced.

I glared at him. "Thanks. Thanks a lot."

I wrung my hands together and fidgeted like no tomorrow. Eventually, Hiemdall sighed and stopped me by grasping my hands in his.

"Don't worry," he said.

"Hard not to."

He nodded. "You know, when I first drank Aela's blood and became a Werewolf, I went on a killing-spree."

My eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Mhm. I killed seventeen guards before the Companions caught me and dragged me out of the city. All of the Companions go through it. It's a transitioning period. Regardless, I set a new record."

I shook my head. "Seventeen..." I repeated.

"After that, I only killed Silver Hand members... until I started killing monsters and bandits with you."

"Ah, the memories..."

Hiemdall backed away and sat across from me. "Just don't worry."

I sighed, completely resigned. "I kind of just want to go to sleep. This entire week has been—."

And then I got my answer.

It sure as hell felt like the Werewolf side of me was affected by the moon.