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-25th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
Over the next few days, Rahgol completed a large number of jobs given to him by the Companions, namely Farkas or Aela, and occasionally Skjor. The jobs he did and completed slowly gained him the respect of the other members of the Companions. He had just returned from a job given to him by Aela and found her in the courtyard to let her know.
"Hey." Rahgol said, getting the huntress's attention as he approached. "The Cave Bear's been dealt with. Nobody was hurt, though the house was in a bad state due to it rummaging through everything."
"That's bears for you." Aela chuckled and paid him the money earned from doing the job. "By the way, Skjor's been looking for you."
Rahgol raised an eyebrow. Skjor's one of the Companions he didn't talk with much. Actually, Rahgol didn't interact or talk with any of the Companions that much until unless it was to go out on a job. Aela often said he's a 'Lone Wolf', which Rahgol agreed with as he liked to be alone. "Dare I ask why?"
Aela shrugged. "He just said he needed to talk to you before you did anything else. It's best not to keep him waiting."
Sighing, Rahgol left and entered Jorrvaskr, where he spotted Skjor sitting at one of the tables. He walked over and got the man's attention. "Aela said you wanted to see me."
"I did." Skjor said as Rahgol sat down. "Last week a scholar came to us. He said he knew where we could find another fragment of Wuuthrad. He seemed a fool to me, but if he's right, the honor of the Companions demands that we seek it out."
Rahgol raised a brow, not seeing what this had to do with him and he spoke his thoughts aloud. "And this involves me how?"
Skjor gave him a look for his rudeness but explained. "This is a simple errand, but the time is right for it to be your Trial. Carry yourself with honor, and you'll become a true Companion. Farkas will be your Shield-Sibling on this venture, whelp. He'll answer any questions you have. Try not to disappoint. Or to get him killed."
Rahgol grunted before he got to his feet and turned to leave, thinking Farkas was outside, but the man in question found him first as he walked up to him. "Hey. Skjor says you're my Shield-Brother or something?"
Farkas snorted a little at Rahgol's words but nodded. "A smart man came and told us about a blade piece. Skjor thinks you should find it, and I'm supposed to watch you."
Rahgol exhaled in annoyance but he knew that there wasn't any ill will meant by having Farkas accompany him to access his capabilities. This was a trail to see if he was worthy of being a Companion. Although he'd rather do this himself rather than be watched, he knew he was in no position to argue.
"Where are we going?" Rahgol asked, crossing his arms.
"Dustman's Cairn."
"Is this the place?" Rahgol asked later that night as he and Farkas arrived at Dustman's Cairn. The sun had gone down, and the moon was high in the sky, with darkness all around. The creatures of the night were out and about, looking to hunt.
"Yep." Farkas nodded, walking down some steps with Rahgol following and they entered only to find dead Dragur littering the floor. "Looks like someone's been doing some serious digging here, and recently. Tread lightly."
The two continued on and had a little skirmish with a few Restless Draugr and Rahgol took quite a few things that were valuable from chests and shelves. They continued like this until they came into an open room with a grate obscuring one of the passages. Rahgol looked around until he spotted a lever, which must lift the closed gate.
"I'll pull the lever." He said, walking over to the lever and he pulled it. However, it was also a trap because as soon as Rahgol pulled the lever, a gate fell down and locked him in which made him spin around and groan in annoyance while Farkas walked over and chuckled in amusement.
"Now look what you've gotten yourself into." He jested before assuring. "Don't worry, I'll find a way out for you."
Suddenly, a group of warriors ran into the room,d ressed in armour Rahgol hasn't seen before. Farkas didn't seem too worried as he turned around and stared at the group.
"It's time to die, dog!" One of the men barked.
"We knew you'd be coming here." Another laughed.
"Your mistake, Companion!" Another smirked.
"Which one is that?" A woman asked as the group closed in on Farkas who backed up but he still didn't look afraid or fearful of being surrounded.
"Doesn't matter." The second man dismissed. "He wears that armour, he dies!"
"Killing you will make for an excellent story." The woman smirked.
Farkas just chuckled and retorted in a chilling tone. "None of you will be alive to tell it."
Suddenly, he hunched over with a grunt and Rahgol heard the sound of bones cracking, his eyes widening as he watched Farkas's body grow, shift and change, growing black fur all over. Soon enough, in Farkas's place stood... a Werewolf. The werewolf proceeded to easily slaughter the warriors, and even feasted on the flesh of some of them, before running off somewhere and then the gate opened, allowing Rahgol to be free.
He stepped out as a now human Farkas returned, clothed and all. "I hope I didn't scare ya." Farkas said with a small smirk
Rahgol shook his head. "With what I've experienced in life, seeing a werewolf doesn't scare me." He said as he looted the bodies, mainly taking their gold and anything else of potential value to him, like their weapons which were made of pure silver.
"How so?" Farkas asked, genuinely interested as Rahgol finished his looting and they walked on.
"Well... I was raised by a Dragon since I was seven years old." Rahgol said, walking on while Farkas stopped and stared at him with wide eyes before he shook himself out of it and jogged to catch up.
"Wait, seriously?"
"Yes." Rahgol nodded, then glanced at Farkas. "So, is the highest rank in the Companions gained by turning into a werewolf? Heck, are all of you werewolves?"
"No." Farkas shook his head. "Only the Circle have the beastblood, and it's a secret to everybody. Prove your honor to be a Companion. "Eyes on the prey, not the horizon."
"You should become a poet." Rahgol chuckled a little before he asked. "Who were those fools that you slaughtered and feasted on?"
"The Silver Hand. Werewolf hunters."
The two continued like this, making idle conversation and killing Draugr and Silver Hand until they reached the main chamber of the Cairn where the fragment of the axe rested on what appeared to be an alter, along with a Word Wall which caught Rahgol's attention immediately as he walked over to it while Farkas went over to the fragment of Wuthrad. Rahgol approached the Word Wall, hearing the chanting in his ears again like the first time, and he closed his eyes as he felt the knowledge pass into him and one word came to mind.
"Yol..." He muttered shaking his head. "Just like with Fus. I know these words, so why do they have this reaction to me?"
Behind him, Farkas picked up the Wuthrad piece which caused a majority of the coffins in the room to open and a large number of Draugr to step out.
"Ah, crap." Farkas groaned as one emerged from the coffin next to him and blew him away with an Unrelenting Force shout, Farkas flew over a table and straight into Rahgol where the two fell and were soon surrounded by the Draugr "Sorry about that, Rahgol."
"No worries." Rahgol grunted as they got to their feet and unsheathed their duel swords and STeel Greatsword respectively. "But I'm really pissed off at these guys."
"Same here." Farkas nodded, the two going back to back as they eyed the Dragur before facing the one that blew Farkas away as it spoke.
"Tiid wah dir, volaan! " It growled.
"Oh fuck off, will you?" Rahgol retorted before he and Farkas leaped into action. Rahgol drove both of his swords into the Deathlord's chest, killing it instantly, while Farkas sliced two of the Draugr in half horizontally with his Greatsword before slicing another one vertically, a couple of the Draugr stepped back to avoid Farkas' strikes but they were quickly dispatched by Rahgol until there were no more Draugr.
"Looks like we killed them all." Farkas noted, sheathing his weapon across his back.
Rahgol nodded in agreement, sheathing his swords at his hips. "We should get back, now that we've got what we came for."
-26th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
It was very early morning by the time they made it back to Whiterun, though the sun hadn't begun to rise just yet but it would be soon enough. Making their way to Jorrvaskr, they were greeted by Vilkas at the doors.
"I see you've returned. The Circle waits for you in the courtyard." Vilkas said before leading the way around to the courtyard where Kodlak, Skjor and Aela were waiting for them in... when Rahgol, Farkas and Vilkas joined them, a circle.
'The irony is not lost on me.' Rahgol thought, seeing that they had formed a circle and this group was called The Circle. However, he shook his thoughts as Kodlak began to speak.
"Brothers and sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold. This man has endured, has challenged, and has shown his valor. Who will speak for him?" The old man asked, looking around.
"I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us." Farkas said.
"Would you raise your shield in his defense?" Kodlak asked.
"I would stand at his back, that the world would never overtake us."
"And would you raise your sword in his honor?" Kodlak asked. Farkas spoke again.
"It stands ready to meet the blood of his foes."
"And would you raise a mug in his name?"
"I would lead the song of triumph as our mead hall reveled in his stories."
"Then the judgment of the Circle is complete. His heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, that the mountain may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."
"It shall be so." The rest of the Circle said. They began to walk back in Jorrvaskr, except Kodlak.
"Well, boy, you're one of us now." Kodlak said to Rahgol with a small smile. "I trust that you won't disappoint."
Rahgol snorted a little in amusement. "I probably shouldn't... unless I want a pack of werewolves hunting me down across Skyrim."
Kodlak narrowed his eyes a little before he sighed. "I see you've been allowed to know some secrets before your appointed time."
"Farkas and I were surrounded by Silver Hand, he did what he had to." Rahgol said in defence of his... friend. Wow, that's a new one. Since when did Rahgol start feeling... soft? And calling people his friends?
"There is no blame to be placed on anyone. You are right about Farkas." Kodlak nodded. "But, it's true, we were werewolves. Not every Companion, though. Only members of the Circle share the blood of the beast. Some take to it more than others."
Rahgol eyed him, curious. "You don't?"
"Well, I grow old. My mind turns towards the horizon. To Sovngarde." Kodlak said, looking off, distant, old and weary. "I worry that Shor won't call an animal to glory as he would a true Nord warrior. Living as beasts draws our souls closer to the Daedric Lord Hircine. Some may prefer an eternity in his Hunting Grounds, but I crave the fellowship of Sovngarde."
"You're looking to cure yourself, aren't you?" Rahgol asked.
Yes, but it's no easy matter." Kodlak said before he shook his head and smiled at Rahgol, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But you don't need to share the worries of an old warrior. This day is to rejoice in your bravery! And speak to Eorlund if you want better armour or weapons than what you have. A change is always needed for a warrior's equipment."
Rahgol grunted and watched the old man leave before he shook it off and went inside to get something to eat. He was hungry.
The Black Dragoness, Alduin, watched the sun rise from her perch at Skuldafn, before looking away as her second-in-command, Odahviing, joined her. Not many were allowed to join Alduin at her palace perches, or even near her cave, some stay lower when they want to address her to not try and disrespect her. But since Odahviing was one of her oldest friends and her second-in-command, he had a right to join Alduin this high. The only other who would have a similar kind of privilege, along with being able to enter her palace or where she sleeps... would be a mate, but she has seen no potential males that could fulfill that role.
All of them lacked what she wanted in a mate. Her mother's teachings and lessons on love proved useless to her.
"What is it, Odahviing?" Alduin asked, turning her gaze back to the rising sun.
"Apologies for my... blunt statement, Thuri, but I've noticed you've been keeping a close watch on the mortal you encountered. The one who insulted you." Odahviing said, which made Alduin stiffen slightly before she look at him with narrowed eyes.
"What of it?" She asked tersely.
"I mean no disrespect, but the others are getting restless at the lack of activity. Most were expecting our war with the joor to begin again with your return and resurrecting our fellow Dov. In their eyes, all we've been doing is sitting around and shuffling our wings." Odahviing said, getting a growl from Alduin as she adjusted her position due to growing stiffness in her legs.
"They will obey my orders and await my command... membrah nust laan wah kos nir tum ahrk krii dahik do niist pahlok ahrk sosahlos." Alduin said, shaking her head. "They will control themselves or face my wrath. I will not have them ruin my plans because of their need to hunt and sate their bloodlust."
"You need not worry, Thuri, they know better than to go against you." Odahviing said but an alarmed look crossed his face. "However..."
"What?" Alduin inquired, seeing the look on his face.
"Mirmulnir recently left Skuldafn. He claimed it was for hunting purposes, but you know how he can get around the joor. He was headed for the Hold known as Whiterun." Odahviing answered, knowing that Alduin would find out regardless of whether he told her or not.
Alduin narrowed her eyes at this news, knowing what Mirmulnir was like. However, hearing the name of the place he was going to keyed her into another thing in her observations these last few days... the mortal that insulted her at Helgen, he was at Whiterun as well.
"I will follow him and monitor his actions. If he attacks, then he will be an example should any other dare go against my orders." Alduins aid as she got to her feet and prepared to take off. Odahviing let out an amused huff.
"And you won't take this time to investigate the mortal who insulted you? I hear he is also at the Whiterun hold." He asked sarcastically.
"Of course not, Odahviing." Alduin replied just as sarcastically before she flew off into the air.
'I guess that we'll be officially meeting soon, little mortal. Let's see if you're truly worthy of my interest.' Alduin thought as she flew in the direction of Whiterun 'If you prove your worth, I may have some use for you when I retake this world and place the Dov back where they belong. And if not... you'll die as any other mortal.'
That concludes this chapter. And it looks like Alduin's going to make an appearance soon, and it seems she's a little curious about our Dragonborn.
Dragon Tongue translations;
Tiid wah dir, volaan!: Time to die, intruders!
Alduin: Destroy Devour Master
membrah nust laan wah kos nir tum ahrk krii dahik do niist pahlok ahrk sosahlos: unless they want to be hunted down and killed because of their arrogance and bloodlust.
Mirmulnir: Allegiance Strong Hunt
