Asmara marched down the stairs towards the large circle surrounding the tree in Whiterun's Wind District. It was already mid-evening and she promised the Jarl and court wizard that she would head out for Bleak Falls Barrow first thing in the morning. She was not overly excited about the trip and would need a good night's rest before traveling through unknown territory.
She passed large tree and a little girl's voice caught her off guard. "Could you spare a coin?" Asmara quirked her head to the side at the innocent looking girl and she reached into her satchel to get her coin purse.
"Where are your parents?" Asmara asked.
"My mama, well… she died. My aunt and uncle took over our farm and threw me out. Said I wasn't good for anything. I wound up here, but... I… I don't know what to do. I miss her so much..." Asmara looked at her with sad eyes and then gave her a small smile. She motioned for her to follow and the little girl stood up, looking up at her with hopefulness.
"Come on. Let me get you something to eat. It's not much but at least you can sleep with a full belly tonight." Asmara said and the little girl smiled brightly at her. Asmara held out her hand, and the little girl placed her small hand in Asmara's. They began to walk towards the market and Asmara felt warmth from helping the poor child. She remembered all too well what it was like to lose your mother and the helpless feeling afterwards. She was much older than the little girl when her own mother died but the feeling was all the same. Luckily her mother left her with training and smarts on how to survive on her own, but this young on had nothing but a disdainful family.
"My name is Lucia, what's yours?" Lucia asked looking up at her.
"My name is Asmara. It's nice to meet you." She replied.
"That's a pretty name. I like it." Asmara smiled widely at her.
"I like yours too." They reached the bottom of the stairs by the market and she walked them over to a food vendor who was set up to her right. The merchant was a pretty Imperial woman and her daughter stood next to her at the stand. "What would you like to eat?" Asmara asked her and Lucia looked at the food on display. The merchant's daughter popped her head over the stall and smiled at Lucia.
"Hi Lucia! Who is this?" The daughter looked to Asmara with a wild smile.
"This is Asmara, she's going to buy me some food today! Divines bless her heart!" Lucia said excitedly. Lucia picked up a loaf of bread and Asmara handed the merchant three septims.
"Don't eat it all at once, so it will last longer." Asmara handed her a coin before continuing. "And here's a septim for tomorrow." Lucia beamed at her while chewing on a small piece of her bread. Asmara chuckled and thanked the merchant whose daughter was in a highly animated conversation with Lucia. Asmara waved her goodbye to the young girl and turned towards the inn at the other end of the market. She looked up at the sign that read "Bannered Mare". She chuckled at the name then walked up the steps and pushed through the doors to be greeted by the warmth of the inn.
A blonde bard played the lute on the other side of the fire pit that was the main focal point of the main room. A few townsfolk sat gathered around the fire or at various tables scattered around the inn, many of them had an ale in their hand. The innkeeper spoke out a greeting to her as the doors closed behind her. She walked over to the bar where the innkeeper was cleaning out a tankard with a clean cloth. "Do you have any rooms available?" Asmara asked, raising her voice slightly to speak over the sound of the bard playing behind her.
"Of course, it's ten septims for a night." Asmara reached into her satchel and pulled out her coin purse that felt much too light and she frowned at the sight of only four septims. She looked up to the innkeeper and gave a pitiful smile before placing her coin purse back. The innkeeper gave her a sympathetic smile as she noticed the anxiety seep into Asmara's features.
"Well, if it's work you need, how about chopping up some wood for the fires?" Asmara felt a bit of relief as the innkeeper pointed her towards the front door instructing her on where she would find the wood and axe she needed. She walked back out the front doors and looked to her right where some already chopped wood surrounded a stump with an axe stuck into the middle. She made her way over grabbing some of the full pieces of lumber and began chopping away, having to swing the axe completely over her head to make a clean cut. She continued for a few minutes, breaking a slight sweat before a familiar gruff voice interrupted her.
"How was your talk with the Jarl?" Asmara turned to see the behemoth of a man that was Farkas standing in front of her. He was no longer wearing his armor, now dressed casually in some slacks and a tunic. He still had his war paint plastered on his face, giving him an intimidating look but the large grin he wore made him look much friendlier. He was holding two wooden crates filled with bottles of what she assumed could only be mead. His arm muscles bulged from carrying their weight.
"It was… over productive." Asmara said, trying to best describe with one word being convinced into scouring an ancient Nord ruin, something she definitely had no interest in. He took a moment for the word to seep in and still seemed a bit confused but she could see how he brushed any thoughts of it away as he continued to converse with her.
"So, Hulda has you choppin' wood for her eh?" He asked, gesturing towards the woodcutters axe in her hands. She looked at the axe then at the pile of wood behind her as she replied.
"Uh, yeah. I didn't quite have enough septims for a room, so she offered to let me chop some wood for her to compensate." She said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She gave a meek smile after the statement.
"You had enough to give to Lucia though." He said and he must have noticed her brows knit together so he explained himself. "On my way down here to get the mead, I saw you buying her some food." He said gesturing towards the market square where the merchant's daughter and Lucia were playing tag, giggling the whole time. "She's been here a while, and it's not often enough someone helps her." He said and she thought she saw a solemn look on his face as they watched the girls running around the square. "Some children just aren't as fortunate as others when it comes to having someone to watch after them." He turned his attention back to her and smiled. "Why don't you come up to Jorrvaskr and we'll hold you up for the night. You can keep your coin and not have to result to manual labor for a place to sleep."
Asmara began shaking her head, spilling out excuses. "I'm not so sure, I'd hate to impose. I'm sure only Companions are welcome to stay there."
"You know I'm sure Kodlak wouldn't mind if it's just for one night. It's the least I could offer for your help earlier. I woulda been hurt pretty badly if it wasn't for your quick thinking"." She smiled up at him but he could still see the protest in her eyes.
"I believe anyone would have done the same." She replied, readying another piece of wood to chop.
"Maybe. Maybe not, but it was one hell of a shot though, I'll give you that. I could walk you up there if you like?" He insisted as she swung her axe down on the piece of wood.
"I'm still not so sure." She started with a hesitant tone in her voice, breaking the rest of the wood apart and stacking it next to the tree stump. "The innkeeper was generous enough to let me do this for a room, I'd feel bad for not staying here." She bit her lip as she looked up at him.
"Ah, Hulda won't mind. I'll go let her know." Before she could protest he turned away and headed into the inn. She stood there for a moment, trying to process exactly what just happened.
"I guess I'll be sleeping at Jorrvaskr tonight." She mumbled to herself as she stuck the axe into the stump, similar to how she found it and began gathering up the wood, stacking them in neat piles against the wall of the inn. Farkas came back through the front doors of the inn and he jerked his head in a motion to signal her to join him. When she was at his side they began walking towards the together and she asked if he needed help carrying the stacked crates of mead.
"Nah, I can handle it, gotta be good for something." He grinned as he looked down at her and she smiled back, brushing her hair behind her ear. To avoid any awkward silence she tried her hand at starting a conversation when they reached the stairs leading to the Wind district.
"So, why did you join the Companions?" She inquired, thinking of a good question to get him talking so she didn't have to talk too much about herself.
"Vilkas and I have been here since we were little whelps. Our father, Jergen, raised us here."
"And Vilkas is your brother?" Asmara asked, remembering the conversation between Farkas and Ria earlier that day.
"Yeah, he's my twin. Even Vignar couldn't remember Companions younger than us."
"Vignar?"
"Oh, sorry. I forget you're new around here. He's the patron of the Gray-Mane clan here in Whiterun. He's the oldest Companion up at Jorrvaskr. His brother Eorlund runs the skyforge for us." Asmara nodded her head as he spoke.
"What is the skyforge? I can say the name sound familiar." Asmara said, wracking her brain to find meaning to the lost word.
"It's the forge used for our weapons and armor. Ysgramor found it when they came to Skyrim and build Jorrvaskr here because of it. That was before Whiterun was settled."
"I thought the armor looked special." Asmara said, more to herself than to Farkas. "You sure know your history." She stated, admiring his knowledge of the city and the history of the Companions.
"Eh not really. Vilkas does though. Skjor says I have the strength of Ysgramor while my brother had his brains. He reads… a lot." Farkas said his eyes getting slightly wider with his last words.
"There's nothing wrong with that." She said. She often found herself reading a book at night under the stars before she slept. 'Knowledge is Power' her mother used to tell her.
"So, I thought you were heading out after your meet with the Jarl." Farkas stated with a questioning tone.
"I had planned on it, but my plans changed. It seems as if everyone needs a favor of me today." Asmara said, a smile playing at her lips.
"What kind of favor?" He asked.
"His court wizard needs help with his dragon research and needs some sort of stone tablet. They're sending me to Bleak Falls Barrow in the morning." She replied.
"Bleak Falls Barrow?" He said, raising his eyebrows in small surprise. "Kinda dangerous for someone to be traveling through alone dontchya think?" He questioned, a bit of alarm in his voice.
"I honestly don't know much about the place, just that it's an ancient Nord ruin. I saw it on my way through Riverwood yesterday, so I think I know how to get there. I can handle myself decently enough I suppose. Well, enough to make it through alive I hope." He nodded, his brows slightly scrunched together in concern.
They reached the top of the stairs that led to Jorrvaskr and she helped Farkas through the main doors, holding the door so he could pass through with the crates of mead. She walked in behind him and the hall smelt of food, mead and burning wood from the large fire pit that took up the center of the room. The main part of the hall had a lowered stone floor with wooden stairs on each leading up to the wood floor landing that surrounded the hall. The roof of the mead hall was in fact a boat hull and she admired the original thought put into the architecture. Red banners hung from the supports and various weapons and animal mounts decorated the walls.
The moment they walked into the mead hall a commotion captured her attention to the left side of the tables surrounding the fire pit. There was an open space between the various small tables, benches and the few bookshelves that sat up against the wall. In the open space a male Dunmer wearing less hide armor than could be functional and a Nord woman also wearing hide armor were in the middle of a fist fight. Some members gathered around to watch the fight. Some made bets while others yelled pointers to the two. She looked at the scene, confusion plastered on her face and when she turned back to ask Farkas what was going on, he was already headed to the other side of the hall with the crates of mead. She slowly walked towards the fight, taking it all in. She wondered if anyone would stop them, but they all seemed to be enjoying the show, so she stood there awkwardly and let them finish their fight. Finally the woman knocked the Dunmer down and just as she pulled her arm for another punch he held his hand up, calling yield. As he stood slowly and defeated, the onlookers all went their separate ways, a few passing coin purses around. A male voice drew her attention and when she turned she saw a man who looked to be around fifty, possibly older, with a long grey pony tail despite his baldness and armor matched the armor she saw Farkas wearing earlier. She got a better look at his and noticed the wolves embellished onto the breastplate. Though, the most obvious feature was his left eye that was completely white with a scar running down from his brow to just above his jaw. It made his whole appearance look rather fearsome.
"Haven't seen your face before." He said to her. Before she could reply, another voice came to her defense.
"Skjor, this is Asmara; she's the one I was telling you about." Aela said to the man, giving him a stern look and Asmara felt a small bit of relief from not having to explain her presence, seeing as she didn't know where Farkas went to. The older man eyed her suspiciously with a raised eyebrow.
"Hm. She doesn't look like much." He said with crossed arms. Skjor was obviously a Nord, as he stood much taller than her but he didn't reach the height Farkas did. He looked down at her and she chewed her bottom lip as he continued to assess her.
"I would have thought you'd left Whiterun by now." Aela said to her, but there was nothing unfriendly in her tone.
"I thought so too." Asmara replied vaguely, and when Aela looked as if she was waiting for her to say more she continued. "I have to do something for his court wizard and Farkas invited me to stay the night. I didn't have enough septims for a room at the inn." She explained.
"Jorrvaskr isn't a bunk house." Skjor said plainly and Aela gave him another pointed look.
"Come on. Why don't I introduce you to the old man? I'm sure he'd like to meet you. Farkas wouldn't stop talking about you earlier." Aela placed a hand between Asmara's shoulder blades and guided her to the other side of the room, where a set of stairs descended into the basement.
The basement was constructed mainly of stone with curved arches over the main hall. Across from the stairs was a room with a multitude of beds she assumed were the living quarters. Aela took her to the right and down the hall where red and yellow runners covered the floor. They walked through an archway and there were two adjoining halls on each side. From what she could see the halls were rather short and only had two rooms across from each other in each hallway. They walked past the adjoining halls and Aela motioned for Asmara to take a seat at the small table that sat in the corner of the hall next to a set of double doors that were currently cracked open.
"Wait here. I'm going to go fetch Farkas." She instructed and Asmara nodded. She sat patiently as Aela turned and headed down one of the adjacent hallways. Asmara could pick up on a quiet conversation within the room and her ears perked up as they strained to hear it, but she remained seated.
"But I still hear the call of the blood." She heard a deep voice say. The voice had a familiarity too it, but she wasn't quite sure why.
"We all do. It is our burden to bear. But we can overcome." This voice was of an older man she could tell. Experience and wisdom seemed to seep into his voice and she found it… fatherly.
"You have my brother and I, obviously. But I don't know if the rest will go along quite so easily." The other voice replied.
"Leave that to me." The older man replied just as Aela rounded the corner with Farkas. She poked her head in through the cracked door and then motioned for Asmara to follow her. Asmara stood and gave a friendly smile to Farkas who returned the expression before gesturing for her to enter the room first. She walked through the double doors into a large study with a rug matching the runners taking up the space on the stone floor. Two men dressed in the same armor Skjor and Farkas had on, sat in the corner at a small round table. The first she noticed was the older man and she now had a face to the voice. He matched his voice with looks of wisdom and experience in his features. He had light blue eyes and a scar on his left cheek with a swirling war paint design on his right. His silver hair reached his shoulders and had a thick braid on the side. His long beard was a bit darker than his hair and reached low enough to cover his neck. The man was a pure Nord warrior.
The other man had not looked up at her. His elbows rested on his knees and he stared at the floor. Asmara couldn't see many of his features, just his black hair that wasn't cut short but was shorter than Farkas'. Though he was sitting down, Asmara could see he was tall and lean.
"Aela, you bring a stranger to our hall." The older man spoke and she assumed he was the Kodlak Farkas had mentioned before.
"This is the one Farkas spoke of earlier. Shot her arrow straight through the giant's hand." Aela explained. Kodlak looked her over and she bit the inside of her cheek as he assessed her.
"Hm. Yes, perhaps. A certain strength of spirit. Tell me, do you wish to join the Companions?" He asked her and Asmara stood there for a moment, trying to find her words.
"I'm not much of a warrior, just really good with a bow." Asmara explained. He nodded and Aela chuckled. The other man's head popped up at her statement and she nearly glared at her. She was taken aback at first by his looks and she did a double take when she looked at Farkas. She came to the conclusion this was the twin brother he told her about earlier. That was why she recognized the voice. It was similar to Farkas' but was a bit deeper and much smoother. They did look strikingly alike but they had their differences. Where Farkas was large and buff, Vilkas was lean but looked no less a warrior. Farkas' beard was a bit scruffier while Vilkas had more of a thick stubble. Though it was their eyes that seemed to differ the most. Both had bright steel grey eyes but Vilkas had an intensity in his that Farkas couldn't match. She could sense a seriousness in him and she wondered how they came to be so different.
"Master, you wouldn't truly consider accepting her?" Vilkas spoke out and Asmara snapped her head towards him. He didn't look at her, just kept his attention on Kodlak.
"I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts." Kodlak replied calmly.
"I invited her here Vilkas. I would have been flattened and broke if not for her. The least we could do is offer her a place to stay for the night." Farkas came to her defense and she gave him a small smile in thanks.
"What matters is their heart." Kodlak added.
"And her arm…" Vilkas muttered, crossing his arms. Kodlak nodded and turned back towards her.
"Just good with a bow?" He asked her and she looked to Aela who gave her nothing to go on. Asmara nodded and shrugged a shoulder.
"I mastered archery when I was eleven. I don't often need to use anything else but when I do, I have daggers and throwing knives. Like I said before, I'm no warrior."
"I found her chopping wood outside the inn because she didn't have enough for a room. She gave half her coin to Lucia beforehand and I thought she deserved a warm bed to sleep in tonight." Farkas said. Kodlak stared at her for a moment then Farkas continued to elaborate. "She told me the Jarl is sending her to Bleak Falls Barrow in the morning. She'll need her rest if she's going to traverse through any ancient ruins." Kodlak stood from his chair and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Welcome to Jorrvaskr. I am Kodlak, Harbinger of the Companions but you already know that." Asmara nodded and he gave a small chuckle. "We thank you for saving our Farkas here. He's a great warrior and it would have been a tragedy for something to happen to him. Come, let us go celebrate in the mead hall over dinner. We'll toast to your success today." Asmara's eyes widened in slight panic and she looked to Aela and Farkas for help as she started to protest.
"Oh, please. No celebrating on my behalf, it was what anyone would and should do. Giving me a bed tonight is more than enough." She said, speaking a little too quickly as she always did when her anxiety spiked.
"Nonsense! Every battle won is cause of celebration. Tilma has prepared a wondrous meal, you'll at least enjoy it with us." Kodlak said, smiling boisterously down at her. He ushered her through his study and they all made their way up the stairs and into the mead hall where most of the other Companions sat around the fire pit at the long tables. Farkas took her bow and quiver from her and placed it on a nearby weapons rack that sat against the wall near the steps to the basement. She took a seat where he had instructed her to and Farkas sat down next to her on the right and Aela to the left. Skjor sat next to Aela and Kodlak next to him. She turned to see Vilkas was sitting at the other end of the tables, glaring their way and she quickly looked away when their eyes met. He made her feel uneasy and she could feel her chest tighten when those steel grey orbs were on her.
Farkas caught the exchange and smirked. "Don't worry about Vilkas. He just takes some getting used to."
"Be careful you don't want him to hear that." Skjor spoke up from Aela's side as he stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and popped it in his mouth.
"He won't do anything to Farkas, he's his weak spot. Farkas can say whatever he wants about him." Aela said.
"That's because anything I say, he knows is true." Farkas said with a chuckle, taking a swig of mead from his tankard.
"Is he always so…" Asmara began but had difficulty finding a word so the three tried to finish her sentence for her.
"Angry?"
"Harsh?"
"Annoying?" She let out a small giggle at the three responses she received then replied.
"Um, brooding?" She corrected.
Farkas replied rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah he's always been like that but just ignore him, he'll come around." Farkas then handed her a plate of food and her mouth watered at the smell and sight of the various meats, cheeses and vegetables in front of her. She grabbed her fork and tore into the grilled chicken breast. Her eyes rolled back in her head slightly and she let out a small moan of approval as she chewed the piece of meat. It wasn't often she got to eat a real meal and she savored every bit of it. When she looked up she saw Farkas staring at her, his mouth hanging open slightly and she swallowed her food as her eyebrows knitted together at his expression. "What?" she asked. She grabbed a cloth napkin and dabbed her face. "Did I make a mess of myself?" and he just shook his head and turned back towards his food. She blushed at the interaction and continued with her food.
A moment later he handed her a bottle of mead with a grin on his face and she eyes the bottle suspiciously. She had never drunk much before, seeing as it wasn't entirely available to her, but she gratefully accepted it from him. She bit the cork and pulled and it made a popping sound when the bottle opened and Farkas just simply yanked his cork out with his bare hands. He held is bottle out to her and she clinked hers with his before bringing it to her lips. It was quite refreshing, more so than she expected and it did taste quite delicious. It did have somewhat of an after taste but she figured it grew on you the more you drank.
"So do you think you'll visit us again after your trip tomorrow?" Farkas asked her and she shrugged her shoulders.
"If I find what the court mage is looking for, I will have to at least come back to give it to him. You might see me then." She said, giving him a bit of hope. She would have to return at least once, but after her retrieval of the Dragonstone, she'd be on her way back to the Rift. It was just where she belonged.
"Well you're always welcome. You definitely know how to handle yourself; you'd make a great Shield-Sister." Her cheeks warmed at his compliment and she thanked him. She brushed her hair behind her ear, a nervous tick she picked up when she was younger.
She turned her attention back to Aela who insisted on telling everyone in the hall about their experience with the giant earlier that day. Asmara couldn't help but blush when she got to the part about her shooting an arrow through its hand. Everyone cheered at the end of the story raising their drinks. Asmara tepidly raised her bottle and shrunk into herself from all the attention she was receiving. She was the kind that preferred to go unnoticed and the treatment they gave her was more than overwhelming. She had never felt this type of companionship before but all had a sense of warmth to it she was not used to. It was either that or the mead she was quickly consuming while they all sat around and told stories. After her third bottle she felt a buzz from the drink and decided she should head to bed before she overdid herself.
Farkas escorted her to the living quarters in the basement. She looked in the room and saw there were about eight beds lined against the walls and she looked to Farkas with apprehension. "Just a pick a bed and fall in it. Tilma keeps the place clean, she always has." He told her and she nodded, then walked over to a bed in the back left corner of the room. She said goodnight to the Farkas smiling at him as he walked away. She pulled off her shoes and set her pack next to them before she tucked herself under the fur covers. She stared up at the ceiling before closing her eyes. Blood red eyes stared back at her behind her eyelids and her eyes shot open as a gasp escaped her mouth. It would appear sleep would be just as uneasy as it had been the night before. She turned on her side and faced the wall, staring at the patterns in the stone. She heard the other Companions make their way to bed one by one, until finally her eyes were heavy enough that she had no other choice but to try and let the sleep come; and it did, only to be accompanied by nightmares of blazing fires and black dragons.
Asmara's eyes flew open as her reappearing nightmare ended. It was the same dream she had been having since Helgen and she almost wished for her old nightmares to return. She sat on the bed with her feet placed on the cold floor and she breathed heavy. She had a light sheen of sweat and noticed the palms of her hands had nail marks on them from her squeezing her palms tightly. She hoped she had not woken any of the Companions sleeping in the room with her but saw there were still a few companions sleeping in their beds peacefully. The one the thought was Torvar was snoring loudly and she was sure his position couldn't have been comfortable. A bottle of mead hung from the hand that drooped over the side of the bed and reached to the floor.
She sat there and attempted to untangle her hair before re-braiding it. When she was satisfied with how her hair was tied, she made her bed to look the same way it had the previous night. She slipped on her leather boots and satchel before heading upstairs as quietly as she could, but apparently was not quiet enough.
"I was hoping I would catch you before you left." She turned around to see Kodlak standing at the base of the stairs, looking as calm as ever. "Before you go, would you mind accompanying me to my quarters? I would like a moment with you if you please." He said and gestured for her to head towards the other end of the basement. She followed all the while a little confused and he instructed her to sit at the table he and Vilkas had occupied the previous night.
"What is this all about?" She asked him as he began to sip at the drink in his mug on the table.
"Some of members of the Circle have taken a liking to you." He said as if she should have already been aware of this. "Yet, you oddly seem to have no interest in joining the Companions. Why is this?" Asmara thoughtfully pondered her answer before speaking.
"I'm not sure I work well with others." She said honestly.
"What makes you say that?" She shrugged her shoulders meekly in response.
"I've always been alone. That's just how it is and has always been. My mother died when I was young and she was the only person I was ever close with. Socialization isn't really part of my daily life."
"Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be." He said simply. They sat in silence for a moment and Asmara thought on his words. She never felt truly comfortable around others but she would be lying to herself if she said she didn't feel a sort of camaraderie within these halls. "After you trip to Bleak Falls, I would like you to return here. There are always open beds for those with a strong heart."
"And what makes you think mine is strong?" She asked.
"I can see it in your eyes. Never in my life have I seen such vibrant eyes as yours. They shine like the sun yet I can see the gloom within them. All warriors come to Jorrvaskr for reasons that are their own, but the reason they remain is the same."
"And what reason would that be?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"Family. All of us are broken or flawed in our own ways but here… here the flaws are turned into strengths. We build each other up, and hold out a helping hand when we fall. I have seen that you have fallen one too many times. You may not have come here on your own accord but it doesn't make your presence any less meaningful. The Gods and fate all have a funny way of working those things out."
"So you're saying you think I'm meant to be here?"
"I'm saying you chose to be here, regardless of what the circumstances are." He stood from his chair and she followed suit. He placed a large, warm hand on her shoulder and his serene blue eyes met hers. "I would like to see you in these halls again young one. Even if it is to just have a warm bed for another night. We will welcome you back with open arms like any family should." Asmara just nodded her head then left the room when he dropped his hand from her shoulder.
When she reached the top of the stairs leading from the basement, she looked at the nearly empty mead hall. There was an older woman she had noticed the night before – Tilma she thought her name was – sweeping the far end of the room as well as an older man with dark complexion and grey hair sitting at the table sipping a drink and reading a book. She grabbed her bow and quiver from the weapons rack Farkas had placed them in the night prior and slung them over her shoulder. She made her way towards the front doors and startled when a deep voice spoke to her.
"You're up rather early. I would've thought you'd slept in with all the tossing and turning about you did last night." Vilkas sat in one of the chairs that were up against the half walls that the landings made up. He was reading a book and he was in a rather relaxed position. She hadn't seen him there before when she originally surveyed the room. So she did cause issues with her nightmares that night.
"I didn't know if anyone would hear me." She said with a low voice.
"Most of them didn't." He said, still not looking up from his book.
"But you did." She stated, saying what his statement was meant to portray.
"I hear everything." He said simply.
"Well, then hear my apology. I hadn't meant to keep you up." She said, looking down at her feet.
"I wasn't going to get any rest anyways." He said and she began to get frustrated that he still hadn't looked up from his book. When he didn't say anymore, she turned to leave but then he spoke again. "How long?" He asked and her brows furrowed in confusion. He hadn't looked at her but seemed to know she gave him the look. "How long have you been having nightmares?" He elaborated.
She shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I don't know." She answered and he finally looked up from his book.
"You don't know?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I don't know." She said, her frustrations leaking into her voice. He regarded her for a moment before he continued his inquiry.
"Do you plan on staying here again?" He asked. She opened her mouth to reply, but she didn't answer immediately. She licked her lips before answering and his eyes caught the motion but they quickly moved back up to her own before she noticed.
"I am not sure. I don't know what will happen after I get this artifact for the Jarl." She replied honestly.
"Bleak Falls Barrow right? The ancient Nord ruin that overlooks Riverwood?" He confirmed and she nodded without saying anything. "There are Draugr in those types of crypts. If you're not quiet you'll awaken them, so be on your guard." He told her.
"Thank you. I can handle myself well though." She said calmly.
"I thought you said you weren't a warrior?" He shot the question at her before he grabbed a mug next to him and sipped at it. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to take it as an insult or not.
"I'm not, but that doesn't mean I can't fight for my life. I've done so before, and I will again if the need arises."
"Well if you do make it out alive, just know what I said before. Jorrvaskr isn't a bunkhouse, so you should keep some coin on you when you return." He said and then turned back to his book. She stood there nearly gaping at him and let out a small laugh to herself.
"I did not come here for room and board. Your brother and Aela invited me out of the kindness of their hearts. But, I'm sure that's something you just don't understand." Asmara shot the last sentence at him and it caught his attention. His steel grey eyes bore into her golden ones and she thought she felt her heart turn to ice. Her breath hitched when he said nothing and just glared and she finally shook her head then turned to walk away before he could say anything.
She nearly ran through the front door and it slammed behind her. She breathed heavy in the crisp morning air and she could feel the humidity rising. She looked off to the west to see storm clouds in the distance and rumble of thunder echoed off the mountains. She hastily made her way down the steps towards the city gates, hoping to make it to the barrow before the storm reached her. It would need to be a quick journey so she began to jog at a brisk pace once she was out of the city limits. She wasn't sure what to expect at the Nordic ruin but she hoped it would be quick journey so she could get on with her simple life in the Rift.
A/N: I know a lot of people are probably wondering what happened to the fight between Vilkas and Asmara. I decided when rewriting this story that some things just wouldn't fit because I didn't want Asmara going out of character. In all honesty, she would have rather stay at the inn that fight for a roof over her head. I didn't find it necessary and it may not follow the game directly but there will be many areas I do verge off the path the game takes for the sake of story telling. I hope this does not bother too many of you and you guys can appreciate the decision. Thanks again!