"T-The beast blood?"

Skjor nodded his head. "Yes, Kaiah. In order to become a member of the Circle, you must take on the blood of the beast."

Kaiah looked frantically between Skjor and Aela, who was still in her werewolf form. She didn't want to become a werewolf, she never wanted that. And a member of the Circle? She never wanted that either. And why was it only Skjor and Aela here? Where was Kodlak, Farkas and Vilkas? Did they know about this?

The Redguard had a million questions running through her mind. But one thing she knew for certain was that she did want to take the blood. "I don't want to."
Skjor took a step closer to Kaiah, his glare piercing her very soul. "You understand that if you do not take the blood, you will never ascend to the ranks of the Circle."

"I never wanted this. Any of this."

"Taking the blood will make you exceptionally more powerful. You can take on the form of the beast and stalk your enemies like prey. You will never fear human disease either. You are the perfect candidate."

Kaiah shook her head, the memory of the attack playing over and over again. Vilkas' voice started playing in head as she remembered the night she found out about their secret.

'I just lost control.'

'I never meant to hurt you.'

'Living as beasts draws our souls closer to the Daedric lord, Hircine.'

'I still hear the call of the blood…'

'It's our burden to bear…'

'That thing… that monster!'

"No!" Kaiah suddenly yelled, "I don't want it! I refuse!" The Redguard turned around and rushed quickly out of the Underforge. She briskly walked back into the halls of Jorrvaskr, where she bumped into someone on the way inside. She looked up and saw an irritated Vilkas, who was looking down at her with cold eyes. "Watch where you're going." She had the look of terror in her eyes, "Get away from me!" Vilkas' eyes narrowed as he watched the Redgaurd practically run out of the hall through the front doors. The doors flew open and he felt a cool wind of her terrified scent. Vilkas ran after her. She didn't make it far, barely past the Gildergreen before he caught up with her. "Kaiah! Stop! You're acting like a madwoman!" She turned around and saw Vilkas practically on her heel, grabbing her by the arm in an attempt to stop her. "Don't touch me!" She yelled, pulling her arm away from his grasp. He looked at her with widened eyes, shocked at her strange behavior. She looked terrified… of him. His expression softened as he tried to calm her down, "Kaiah, please, calm down."

She steps further away from him, creating several feet of distance between them. The winds were blowing the leaves of the Gildergreen to the ground next to them, and it was so late that hardly any guards were patrolling the streets of the Wind District. "I know what you're planning, and I won't do it!"

Vilkas gave her a puzzled look. What is she talking about? He shook his head, "I don't know what you're talking about, Kaiah." She felt small tears trickle down her cheeks. "I won't do it!"

He held his hands out and looked her in the eyes, "Please, Kaiah, just take a deep breath." She tried to follow his advice and took a deep breath before exhaling. She felt a hitch in her breathing and felt like her throat was on the verge of closing up. He stepped closer slowly and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. He could feel the Redguard flinch at his touch and she was shivering. "What happened?" He asked softly, never taking his eyes off of hers.

She shook her head and looked over towards Jorrvaskr. "S-Skjor and A-Aela… the Underforge."

Vilkas' eyes widened when she mentioned the Underforge. 'Gods, they wouldn't have dared.' Kaiah looked back a Vilkas, "H-He said that I-I had to t-take the blood." "You don't," He quickly assured her, "And you won't. No one is forcing you."
Kaiah had very little fear. Probably her greatest fear was losing her family. Though since the night that Vilkas had attacked her in the woods, a place she had not been back to since, she has had episodes of hyperventilation and stress from anything that reminded her of it. She thought she had moved past it.

Accepted it as a permanently ingrained memory in her head, unable to hurt her anymore.

But it appeared that was not the case.

Vilkas put his hand behind her head and pulled her in for a gentle hug. He had never been the one to comfort anyone in their time of need, but something told him it was the right thing to do in the moment. Kaiah gripped the front of his shirt as she sobbed quietly into his chest. He smelled her salty tears and it pierced his heart like a knife. He rested his chin on the top of her head while he rocked her back and forth, not saying a word. All he could think about was Skjor and Aela, and how they tried to give the beast blood to Kaiah after Kodlak strictly forbade it. And in secret? They knew what they were doing was wrong. And the next time he sees them, he's going to give them a piece of his mind.

It was the next morning and the whelps were outside training with Vilkas. It was very cold outside and the overcast was heavy. Vilkas could smell the weather change in the air, he knew it would rain soon. He wanted to wrap up the training quickly since he didn't want to be standing out in the pouring rain. He tried to find Aela and Skjor the night before, after convincing Kaiah to go back to Jorrvaskr. But they were nowhere to be found. He wondered if they had gone on a hunt together, as they frequently did. No matter, he would wait for them to return so they could answer to Kodlak, who had just this morning found out about their plans. It started to rain and everyone went inside to eat. Kaiah was talking to Ria at the long table, eating some soup. Athis and Torvar were sharing a drink, and Farkas was sitting alone by himself. He walked over to his brother and put a hand on his shoulder. "I need to talk to you."

His brother simply nodded before pulling him over to another table on the other side of the hall. They both sat down and Farkas waited to hear what his twin had to say. "Last night, Skjor and Aela tried to make Kaiah take the blood." Farkas looked at him with eyes. "Did she take it?" Vilkas sighed in relief, "No, thank the Gods, but Aela and Skjor took off last night." Farkas looked down at his feet before looking at Vilkas again. "Does Kodlak know?"

"I told him this morning. But when they come back so help me-"

He was suddenly interrupted when Aela, soaking wet, walked in through the front doors of Jorrvaskr. She was covered in dry blood and dirt and her long auburn hair was tangled in knots. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her posture slouching. The twin's noses were overwhelmed with the amount of smells that she was giving off. The blood that she had in her, wasn't hers. "Aela!" Ria cried, "Are you okay?" The Imperial and Kaiah both rushed over to Aela. She ignored the Imperial as she just looked around the room, deep bags under her eyes. Vilkas got up from his chair and walked over to her. His chewing her out would have to wait. "Hircine's ass, what happened to you?"

Aela muttered something under her breath, inaudible to any normal human. Vilkas' eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. "What?"

"Skjor is dead!" Aela cried, then looked over to Kaiah. "And it's your fault!"

Kaiah's eyes widened as well. Vilkas looked at Kaiah and Ria, who were both surprised at Aela's accusation. Aela grabbed the collar of Kaiah's armor. "If you had just accepted our offer and went with us he would still be alive!"

Vilkas yanked the Nord away from Kaiah, who took several steps back from the angry Nord woman. "What is wrong with you?" He yelled. Aela scoffed, tears falling down her cheeks, "She is weak! And her weakness cost Skjor his life!"

"No it did not!" Vilkas snapped back, "You both were in over your heads! Skjor cost himself his life."

"Vilkas, Aela and Kaiah! Downstairs! Now!"

The three of them turned around and saw an angry Kodlak standing on top of the stairs to the living quarters. The old man was giving them a death glare, and with how loud they were yelling, he probably heard from all the way in his quarters. The three Companions followed their Harbinger, embarrassed for causing a scene in front of the others. As they made their way into his quarters, Kodlak instructed them to close the door behind them. Upon doing so, Kodlak spoke up.

"What is going on?"

There was a long moment of silence between the four warriors. No one said a word. Vilkas was glaring at Aela, while she just stared at the floor in shame. Kaiah stood between the two, her hands clasped together as she waited for someone to say something. Finally, Aela spoke up, not making eye contact with Kodlak.

"Skjor is dead."

Kodlak's stern expression softened and he now bore the face of shock and grief. He had heard her mention something earlier, but prayed to the Divines that he misheard. "Well then," the old man started, "this is a terrible time indeed." Everyone was silent for a while before Kodlak spoke up again. "But I'm not quite sure why it warranted a fight between shield-siblings."

Kaiah looked up at Kodlak, then at Aela, and then at Vilkas. She was studying their expressions. It didn't feel right speaking up.

"Skjor and I…" Aela said softly, trying not to choke on her words, "we infiltrated a Silver Hand base. We both made it to their main chambers but…" she closed her eyes shut and tears fell down her cheeks, "Skjor was killed. Krev the Skinner killed him."

Vilkas' once empathetic expression turned to anger quickly. What an idiotic thing to do, he thought. Kodlak said to stay away from the Silver Hand, and the two blatantly disobeyed him. And to then blame his death on Kaiah? Despicable.

Vilkas spoke up, "Skjor and Aela tried to force Kaiah to take the blood, so she could help them with their reckless plans."

Kodlak looked at the young Nord with shock. Aela glared at Vilkas, "We didn't force her. We offered and she refused."

"That's not what Kaiah told me."

Aela scoffed, "Of course you would believe anything she says."

He felt his anger rising, "What's that supposed to mean?" Kaiah glared at Aela as well. What exactly was she insinuating? "Oh please! Do you think no one has noticed? It's obvious to everyone here that she's your favorite."

Kaiah was about to speak up, defending her honor before Vilkas stepped closer to Aela. "She is my student! My shield-sister! And you do your best to hold your tongue when speaking of my judgment."

"Enough!"

The three looked at Kodlak, who was still sitting in his chair. "I will not have this sneaking around behind my back any longer." He turned to look at Aela, "I am disappointed in you. You knew we were no longer continuing the blood ritual in the Circle. Manipulating your shield-sister was wrong and dishonest."

"Not all of us agreed with your vision, Kodlak. Skjor and I embraced the blood and the hunt. We wanted to welcome Kaiah to our pack."

Vilkas crossed his arms and scowled, "So you did it behind our backs? So you and Skjor could slaughter an entire Silver Hand encampment with Kaiah following blindly?"

"Skjor is dead, Vilkas! Do you even care?" Aela cried. Vilkas eyes widened at her insinuation. "Of course I care! He was my shield-brother! You are not the only one grieving for his loss!"

"I loved him!" Aela yelled, causing the entire room to fall silent. Kaiah and Vilkas shared a similar surprised expression, while Kodlak dipped his head in grief. "You have no idea the grief I feel! How much it hurt to see him killed in front of my very eyes! How much it hurt to bury him in the soil!"

The room fell silent. No one dared say anything to the grieving woman, who was practically unleashing her unfiltered fury. Aela stormed out the room, slamming the doors behind her. Kaiah flinched and looked at Vilkas, who was staring at the floor in guilt and shame. Of course everyone was always suspicious of an affair going on between Aela and Skjor, but to hear her admit it… Vilkas had not yet felt the loss of someone he loved so dearly. He couldn't possibly understand what she was feeling. Kodlak looked at the younger warriors. "We will prepare a memorial for Skjor tomorrow, but until then… let us grieve on our own."

The two nodded before leaving the Harbinger's quarters, closing the doors gently behind them. Kaiah walked back upstairs to the hall quietly, leaving Vilkas alone in the living quarters. He truly never prepared for Skjor's death. He was to be the next Harbinger after Kodlak had passed. He was the strongest of all of them. For him to fall to the Skinner just felt… unbelievable.

The Silver-Hand.

He felt his blood begin to boil. They took one of his own. His shield-brother. They would truly know terror before the end.

Kaiah laid in her bed that night, unable to sleep. She stared into the stone ceiling as she heard Njada snoring from the other side of the room. 'For the love of Mara she snores so loud!' The Redguard got up from her bed and walked quietly out of the room. No one was walking around the living quarters, as it was very late, and she could hear Torvar snoring from outside the men's quarters. She rolled her eyes and chuckled before making her way up the stairs to the main hall. Upon reaching the top she saw Vilkas sitting on the wooden bench nearby. She looked at him curiously and decided to approach. He was reading a book, Great Harbingers, and he seemed fully immersed into its pages. He heard her approaching since she walked into the hall, though honestly he could smell her from the women's quarters. A creak from the wooden floor made him look to the side, not taking his face off of the book. "You're still awake?" Kaiah asked softly. He shrugged his shoulders before turning a page in his book. "I don't sleep."

She stood for a couple of moments silently before walking over slowly and taking a seat on the bench with him. She was conscious of creating enough space between them but alas the bench was fairly small, maybe an arm's length distance between the two Companions. He ignored her and never took his sight off of his book. He was in no mood to talk.

"What are you reading?" She inquired curiously. He didn't respond, and instead kept his attention fixated to the book he had in his hands. Kaiah was not naive. She knew he was in no mood to talk. How could he be? Skjor had just died, an event that has struck the hearts of all of the warriors of Jorrvaskr. It is true she was not mourning him as deeply as she should have been. But she would be lying if she said they were close. While she admired him for his rank and experience, she hardly knew the man. But he was her shield-brother, and she still felt the loss of a comrade. Kaiah placed a gentle hand on his book and looked at him, only to receive a glare of disinterest in return. "Vilkas, please talk to me."

He pulled the book away and scoffed, "I have nothing to talk about."

Kaiah persisted. "Vilkas, I can practically feel your grief from here."

He closed his eyes, slowly closing the book he was reading. He thought of Skjor. He was very close to him, even though they disagreed on the blood. When he and Farkas were first brought to Jorrvaskr as little lads by Jergen, Skjor was one of the first people they had met. He taught him everything he knew about the ways of the blade. And when Skjor retired as the Master of Arms, he vouched for Vilkas to take his place. He believed in him. He vouched for him to join the Circle, to take the blood. He was his forebear.

Vilkas had sat by the cold river stream naked, his blood pooling out of his abdomen. He had just shifted back, after having nearly killed Kaiah in his beast form. He felt the shame and guilt consuming him as he recalled the events that happened nearly moments ago. He remembered attacking her, sinking his claws into her back, readying himself to tear her neck out. But it was in almost an instant that he realized what he was about to do. When he pulled away, Kaiah looked at him, terrified. The fear in her eyes was permanently ingrained into his brain. Why did it have to be her? He suddenly heard a rustling in the distance. He looked behind him and saw Skjor, who still had his sword and shield in hand. A scowl was on the old

Nord's face as he glared at Vilkas in shame. Vilkas didn't need to be told that Skjor was ashamed of him, embarrassed. He had made a mess of things for the Circle, by attacking one of their own. "That was quite a show you put on back there."

Vilkas looked away, "I don't need your distasteful jokes, old man."

"I'm not trying to joke," Skjor said sternly, "Do you have any idea what you have just done?"

"Of course I do!" Vilkas yelled, "It was an accident! I didn't mean to attack her…"

"Accident or not, you might've killed her." Skjor sheathed his sword and strapped his steel shield on his back. "She'll be lucky if she survives this."

Vilkas shook his head in shame, "Please don't say that."

"Well what do you want me to say, Vilkas? Oh, it's okay, don't worry about it, you may have just killed your shield-sister but it's okay. It's not your fault-"

Skjor stopped talking when Vilkas broke down into a quiet sob. His eyes widened in shock. He had never seen him in such a state. He could feel the shame and guilt of his former student as he cried. He knelt down beside him and placed a rough hand on his shoulder. "I understand this is hard, but what's done is done. Feeling sorry for yourself isn't going to change what happened. You have to get up, go back to Jorrvaskr and pretend none of this ever happened."

Vilkas looked at Skjor with puffy eyes, "How can I ever face her again?" He shook his head, "Sometimes a man has to face his shame and guilt every day. But overcoming them, and accepting them as just a memory that can't hurt you, that is the greatest strength man can possess. You may never be able to face her again, but you are her teacher, her shield-brother, and you must."

Skjor stood up and held out his hand to him. "Get up, we're going home."

Vilkas looked at the Companion, embarrassed, "I don't have my armor, though."

"Well we'll go find it then," Skjor said, "let's go."

"But I can't walk around naked-"

Skjor let out a soft chuckle. "Consider this your punishment then."

Vilkas let silent tears fall down his cheeks as he remembered that terrible night. He pinched the bridge of his nose before breaking down into a silent sob. Kaiah placed a gentle hand on his shoulder before taking the book away and setting it on the end table. She then pulled him in for a soft hug, letting his head rest in the nape of her neck. She caressed the back of his head gently as she whispered to him. "It's okay Vilkas…"

The Nord who she once thought of as invincible, a man who would never let his guard down in front of anyone, was crying on her shoulder. She felt like a mother comforting her own child. But he was her shield-brother who was grieving for the loss of one of their own. All she wanted to do was take away the pain he was feeling, but she knew that all she could do was be there for him now.

The two sat at the wooden bench in each other's arms, not caring about who could have been nearby. Kaiah whispered words of comfort and reassurance as she gently rocked him, hoping that her efforts would stop his quiet sobbing. "It's okay Vilkas…"

"It's okay…"