Chapter 7: Companions Arc Part 1

Breezehome

Issei had awoken from his sleep and let out a long yawn. He was wearing his red T-shirt with his pants on and made his way to kitchen. Once he was there, he saw Lydia partly awake cooking.

When he was near her, Lydia saw him and said. "My Thane, your awake early in the morning."

Issei shrugged and said. "Yeah well, thanks to the schools from my home I've gotten used to waking up early."

He then looks at her and said. "What about you? Why are you up so early?"

Lydia stood quiet and said. "I had trouble sleeping."

"Yeah." Issei said. "Getting some sleep can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. Luckily for me, I slept like a puppy."

"Glad to hear." Lydia said. "I already made some stew. Would you like some?"

"Sure." Issei said. "That would be nice."

As Lydia served Issei some stew, she said. "Are we planning to go to the Greybeards today?"

Issei said. "That depends, how much gold we have?"

Lydia looks in the pouch carrying the gold. "1,043 gold pieces."

Issei sighed. "We may have to put the Greybeards on hold for a later date."

Lydia looks at Issei confused. "Why is that?"

Issei said. "We need more money to get more supplies. And in order to get money, we need to get jobs."

Lydia asked. "If we are going to get jobs, where are we going to start looking?"

Issei thought for awhile and said. "The Companions."

"The Companions?" Lydia asked. "You really think that you can work for one of the most fierce warriors in Whiterun?"

"I should." Issei said. "I got an invitation from them not that long again after saving them from a giant."

"A giant?" Lydia said. "You killed a giant by yourself?"

"Hell yeah." Issei said. "That is how awesome I am."

After he finished his stew, he said. "Now, I should head on over there. Let me just put on my armor."

After Issei put on his armor and helmet on his side, he said. "Coming?"

Lydia replied. "If it's ok with you, I wish not to be involve with them. You can go if you want, my Thane."

"If that is what you want, then okay." Issei said. "I will be back soon."

"Wish you luck." Lydia said.

Issei put on his helmet, walked out the door and headed his way to Jorrvaskr.

{So you are planning on joining the Companion?} Mephala asked.

Issei replied. "Why not? If we need money, we need to do some jobs."

{Whatever you say.} Mephala said.

[You know what to do, should you need my help partner.]

Issei said. "Thanks Ddraig."

When he made his way past the Bannered Mare and up the stone stairs, he made a right and when he walked up the stairs, he saw Jorrvaskr. As he opened the doors and entered, he saw the room was like a banquet hall with six Companion members already eating there meals. In the far left, Athis and a female member named Njada Stone-arm were starting a fist fight. As the two started to fight, everyone got up and surrounded he two.

Issei said to himself. "Fun bunch."

When Ria saw Issei, she walked up to him and said. "You finally decided to come to join?"

Issei replied. "I guess so. Nice place you got here."

Ria smiled and said. "Glad to hear. If you want to see the Harbinger, he's down in the living quarters."

'Guess that's the title of their leader.' Issei thought.

Issei said. "I see, thanks for the info."

As he made his way to the living quarters, he overheard the fight and saw that Njada still standing.

"HA!" Njada said. "That's what you get for grabbing my ass!"

Issei laughed for a bit and said. "Yup, definitely a fun bunch."

He walked down the stairs and entered the living quarters. As he was walking down the hall, he saw two figures sitting down in a room. As he approached them, he saw that the figures were Kodlak and Vilkas talking about something.

When Issei was near them, they stopped talked what they were talking about and Kodlak said. "Why hello there, my I help you with something?"

Issei replied. "My name is Issei, and I am here to join the Companions."

"I see." Kodlak said. "Mind if you remove your helmet and let me see your face."

Issei obliged and took off his helmet. Kodlak carefully examined Issei's face and then smiled.

"Hm. Yes, perhaps." Kodlak said. "A certain strength of spirit."

Vilkas said. "Master, are you sure it's wise to let a random stranger to join us?"

Kodlak looks at Vilkas and said. "I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with fire burning in their hearts."

Vilkas said. "Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider."

Kodlak said. "Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to seek their fame. It makes no difference. What matters is their heart.

"And their arm." Vilkas added.

"Of course, how are you in battle?" Kodlak asked.

Issei smiled and said. "I can handle myself."

Kodlak said. "We shall see about that. Vilkas, mind if you test out this boy's strength?"

Vilkas replied. "As you wish. Follow me to the courtyard."

After a few minutes, Vilkas lead Issei to the courtyard. When they were in the center, Vilkas took out his Steel Shield and Sword and said. "Now come at me."

Issei said. "You sure you want to use weapons? I figure we use our fist more."

Vilkas then puts down his weapon and said. "As you wish."

He then raised his fist ready to fight Issei. As Issei puts his helmet on the floor, Issei thought. 'With my enhanced dragon strength I should be able to make this quick and clean.'

But to Issei's surprise, Vilkas rushes up to him with speed, delivers a powerful blow across Issei's face and sends him flying a few feet away from Vilkas.

As Issei got up, he thought. 'Holy shit! This guy is stronger than I thought!'

He smiled and said. "You have to try better than that to knock me out."

Vilkas smiled as well and said. "Only if you use all your strength."

"Works for me." Issei said as he readied himself.

Just before the two were about to fight, Torvar walked outside and saw Issei and Vilkas about to fight. Torvar then rushes inside, cries out that Vilkas was training the new whelp and everyone rushed outside. Everyone arrived just in time to see Vilkas and Issei ready to go at it. Issei was the first to attack; he swung his right fist at Vilkas' face. However, Vilkas ducked and sends a right kick towards Issei's stomach. Issei then blocks the kick, grabbed the leg and throws him to the ground. In a fast instant, Vilkas got up and delivered a powerful punch to Issei's chest.

'Damn.' Issei thought. 'For a guy of his size he's a lot stronger than he looks.'

[Guess you should start taking this spar match more seriously than you normally would.]

'Seems so.'

Issei manages to punch Vilkas across the face. However, Vilkas was still standing even after the attack. Vilkas then grabbed Issei's shoulder, pulled him down and knee-kick him in the chest. As the wind was knock out of him, Vilkas then picks him up and threw him to a practice dummy which caused the stand to break.

As Vilkas was walking towards Jorrvaskr, Issei got up and said. "Hey, I am not done with you yet."

When Vilkas rushed up to him, Issei quickly spins around him, clutched his fists and whack the backside of his head. But to Issei's surprise, Vilkas was still standing. When Vilkas turned around and delivered powerful punches at him, Issei then blocks Vilkas' punches and countered him with his own punches. This process continued until Vilkas sends a punch towards Issei's face. But in an instant reflex, Issei ducks and delivers a powerful uppercut to Vilkas' jaw and sends him crashing to the ground. As Vilkas tried to get up, he lost balance and fell to the floor once again, this time in defeat.

When Issei walked up to Vilkas and helped him up, Vilkas said. "You are strong, I give you that. However, you are still a whelp to us. So not only listen to your Shield-Siblings, but also to the Circle."

"The Circle?" Issei said as he picked up his helmet. "Are they like the top members or something?"

"Yes." Vilkas said. "Me, my brother Farkas, Aela, Skjor and Kodlak. Now if you want to do something right now, take my sword to Eorlund the blacksmith. He is located in the Skyforge and is waiting for me to take my sword to be sharpen."

As Issei took Vilkas' Skyforge Steel Sword, he said. "Okay, I can do that. Now…where is this Skyforge."

Vilkas replied. "Just head on straight down and up the stairs. The forge is right there."

"Thanks." Issei said as he made his way to the forge.

Once he made his way to the forge he saw an old man sharpening a sword. When Issei was near him, he said. "Excuse me, are you the blacksmith?"

Eorlund looked at Issei with a stern look and said. "Yes, I am. And you are?"

Issei said. "I'm Issei. I was sent to have a sword for you to sharpen."

As Eorlund took the sword, he said. "Aah, so your the newcomer then."

Issei nodded and handed Eorlund the sword and said. "So old man, does Vilkas always send newcomers on errands?"

Eorlund replied almost amused. "Oh don't worry about it. They were all whelps once. They just might not like to talk about it. And don't always do what you're told. Nobody rules anybody in the Companions."

Issei started getting curious and confused at the same time. "Someone has to be in charge right? I mean how are things going to stay organized if there's no structure?"

Eorlund answered. "Well, I'm not sure how they've managed it, but they have. No leaders since Ysgramor. Kodlak is the Harbinger, and he's a sort of adviser for the whole group, but every man is his own. Every woman, her own."

"What about you? Are you a Companion?" Issei asked.

Eorlund replied. "No, I just make their weapons. I make the best weapons with the finest steel in Skyrim."

"That's cool." Issei said. "You should feel proud of yourself."

Eorlund laughed and said. "My boy, when you are as old as me, you will learn to appreciate the things you do for this world."

'Wonder if I'll be mellowed like him when I reach his age.' Issei thought. "Well, I need to get going."

"Wait." Eorlund said "Before you go, I have a favor to ask. My wife is in mourning and I need get back to her soon. Can you take Aela's shield to her."

Issei replied. "Sure, it's no problem."

He handed Issei the Steel Shield and made his way back to Jorrvaskr to find Aela. When he mad his way to the Living Quarters, he asked around to see where he can find Aela. As he opened a door and walked in, he saw Aela talking to a man with a scar over his right eye.

Issei spoke up. "Hey Aela right? Eorlund asked me to give you your shield."

Aela said. "Ah, good. I've been waiting for this. Wait a minute, your the one who saved me from that giant from before.

Issei said. "One and only."

Skjor said. "I did say Vilkas was out in the courtyard with a new recruit, and here he is.

Aela said. "Ah, yes. I heard you gave him quite the thrashing."

"Don't let Vilkas catch you saying that." Skjor said.

Aela looked at Issei curiously. "Do you think you could handle Vilkas in a real fight?"

Issei just shrugged his shoulders. "Meh, I don't be boasting about myself much."

"Ah, a man of action." Aela said.

[Only thing you boasted about was of your former lover's breast sizes to your two perverted buddies.] Ddraig said in Issei's head.

{From the look of his memories he never did the deed with any of those girls, especially that Xenovia girl considering she's been pretty straightforward with him.} Mephala said.

Issei mentally facepalmed himself. 'Can you two please stop talking about my love life.'

Aela said. "Here, let's have Farkas show you where you can rest your head."

"Farkas!" Skjor called out.

Few seconds later Farkas appeared and said. "Did you call me?"

Aela had an almost playful grin. "Of course we did, ice brain. Show this new blood where the rest of the welps sleep."

Farkas had a confused look. "New blood huh? Alright, follow me."

Issei began to follow Farkas through the halls. "So your name's Farkas? Nice to meet you, I'm Issei."

"Issei? Interesting name. Hope your prepared for this kind of life, it can be rough."

Issei just chuckled. "Trust me when I say; I'm more than prepared for some action."

The two finally reached the quarters where the less experienced members be at.

Farkas stretched his arm towards the double doors that are open and said. "Here are the quarters. Just pick a bed and fall in it when you're tired. Our housekeeper Tilma will keep the place clean. She always has."

Farkas turns to Issei. "Since you're eager for some 'action' there's actually something about a pest problem at the Honningbrew Meadery, think you can handle it?"

"Totally." Issei giving Farkas a thumbs up.

After that, Issei left Jorrvaskr and made his way to Breezehome to get Lydia.

'Well, that went better than I thought.'

[Indeed. Though I did feel somewhat off about the Companions, more specifically the 'Circle' members.] Ddraig said.

Issei asked. 'What do you mean.'

Mephala said. {They're hiding something, I can feel it in my core.}

'Oh? So the great Maphala doesn't like it when mortals are keeping stuff from her.' Issei teased her.

Mephala was now a bit annoyed. {Don't test me. All I'm saying is that those Companions are hiding something which shouldn't be a problem for me unless...}

'Unless what?' Issei asked.

Mephala replied. {Unless there is a Daedric Lord at work here.}

Issei said. 'I thought you were the only one.'

{Hardly.} Mephala said. {Including myself, there 16 Daedric Lords in Skyrim. Some of them are worship like gods, including Peryite, that pestilence loving freak.}

Ddraig said. [Sounds like someone's jealous. Want to talk about it?]

{Just be quiet you overgrown lizard.} Mephala snapped.

'Come on you two, no need to fight in my head. Not sure if my head has the necessary space for that.'

Mephala replied. {Whatever Just hurry up and get your Housecarl.}

Shaking his head, Issei arrived to his house and entered. When Lydia saw him, she said. "My Thane, you seem to return quickly. Have you got a job?"

Issei replied. "I have. Let's go to the Honningbrew Meadery to kill some animal."

"I'll get the necessary supplies." Lydia said. "How long is the trip?"

Issei replied. "Let me see, Boosted Gear, show me Honningbrew Meadery."

As the images appeared, the Boosted Gear showed that the Meadery was like an hour away.

"Well alright." Issei said. "It's close. We should get moving."

"As you wish, my Thane." Lydia said as she got the supplies. "Everything is ready. What do you think we will encounter?"

When Issei put on his helmet, he replied. "I don't know, all I know it's a pest problem of some sort. Still, we have to be ready for anything."

Honningbrew Meadery Basement

"Hey Lydia." Issei said.

"Yes my Thane?" Lydia answered.

"Are rats in Skyrim always that big or are they rare?"

"They've always been like this my Thane."

"Really?" Issei said. "So your telling me that every rat in Skyrim are the same size as a FUCKING DOG!!"

When the two looked down the hall once more, they see three skeevers roaming around in the basement. With some swift movements, Lydia fires her arrows on the rat like creatures, killing them.

"Nice job Lydia." Said Issei.

"Thank you my Thane." Replied Lydia.

The duo head down the hall finding a tunnel on the right side of the wall.

"Wonder where this leads?" Lydia said with a curious look.

"Only one way to find out." Issei said entering the tunnel first.

Both Issei and Lydia have encountered more skeevers as well as some giant spiders to the point where their starting to think that this job is more than just a pest control job.

"Damn things are really starting to get on my nerves!" Issei exclaimed.

"The vermin must have a nest nearby, that can only explain the numbers." Said Lydia.

After encountering more skeevers, the two finally found what they were looking for: the skeever's nest, a bunch of hay, dirt, twigs, and possibly shit since it really smells like it.

"Aagh that stench, Lydia pass me the torch."

Lydia gives Issei the torch then proceeds to toss the torch in the nest, destroying it.

Issei then turns to Lydia. "Welp, that's that shall we head back?"

Lydia sighs in relief. "Yes please."

Jorrvaskr

As Lydia and Issei arrived at Jorrvaskr, Issei found Farkas and said. "Sup my man. I finished the job."

"That's glad to hear." Farkas said. "Here is you pay."

As Farkas hands him 300 gold pieces.

"Thanks." Issei said. "Anything else I need to know?"

Farkas replied. "Go find Skjor, he has a job for you."

As Issei nodded, he and Lydia looked around Jorrvaskr to find him. When they found him, Skjor saw him and said in a cheerful way. "Ah, there is our new member. Are you ready for your first important task?"

Issei replied. "Depends what it is."

Skjor said. "We have information about where to find a fragment of Ysgramor's Blade. A scholar informed us that there is one located at Dustman's Cairn. Do this task well and you will be considered a member of the Companions."

"Great." Issei said. "Me and my friend here will go, retrieve this fragment and return it to you, old man."

As Skjor laughed, Lydia was surprised when Issei called her his friend. Usually, when a Thane addresses their Housecarls, they just call them their servants. But Issei called her his friend instead of a servant.

Her mind snapped back to reality when Issei said. "Come on, Lydia."

"But before you go." Skjor said. "Let Farkas accompany you, he and the rest of the circle know how to recognize a fragment of Ysgramor's blade."

Issei replied. "Got it."

Once they found him, Issei said. "Hey Farkas, Lydia and I are going to find a fragment of Ysgramor. Care to join us?"

Farkas looked at him and said. "Just lead the way."

"Alrighty then." Issei said as he held his Dragon Gauntlet. "Show me Dustman's Cairn."

And with that, the three went off to find the fragment of Ysgramor. Little did they know is that the Circle's secret will soon be reveal to them.

Dustman's Cairn

Issei, Lydia and Farkas have arrived at Dustman's Cairn where they were about to locate a fragment of Ysgramor. It took some time to get there, but it was worth it. Once the three entered, the place was dead silent.

"Be on your guard." Farkas said.

"Don't remind me." Issei said as he drew out Ascalon. "Last time I was in a place like that, zombies started to pop out of everywhere. Creeps the fuck out of me."

When they entered a chamber and proceed down the stairs, four Draugrs started to charge at them. Farkas took out his Steel Greatsword while Lydia took out her shield and Ice Sword. As Lydia fought one, Farkas took on two at the same time and Issei decapitated the last one.

"I fucking hate these thing!" Issei yelled. "Why is it that every tomb I go, these things always show up?!"

Farkas replied. "We are in a Nord's tome. There are always Draugr in these tomes. Now come on, we have to find that fragment."

After a few more Dragur encounters, the three eventually made it to the ceremonial hub. When they made their way to the center, they saw the way blocked by an iron gate.

"Blast it." Farkas said. "You two, look around. There has to be a lever to raise the gate."

As the two agreed, Issei and Lydia looked around to find this lever. When the two were about to give up, Lydia saw lever and walked up to it. When Issei saw her going into the room with the lever in it, his eyes widened and followed her.

"Wait, Lydia don't pull that-" Before Issei could finish his sentence, Lydia already pull the lever. Although the gate from the other side opened, the gate behind them immediately closed.

Issei just looked at her with a disappointed look and said. "Was a trap."

"Sorry." Lydia apologized. "I didn't know."

Mephala then said. {Is it just me or is that girl a lot dumber than we thought?}

[Mmm I wonder about that as well.] Ddraig added.

Right before Lydia was going to snap back at Ddraig and Mephala, Farkas walks up to them and said. "Now look at what you two got yourselves into. Hold on, let me see if there is a lever to open this gate."

But before he was going to find the lever, five Silver Hand members appeared fight behind him with their Silver Swords drawn.

"Farkas!" Lydia said in a worried way.

"Shit!" Issei said as he was looking around the room. "Gotta find a way to activate the gate!"

Right before the two were about to do something, Mephala said. {Hold it you two,something interesting about to happen.}

As the two turned to Farkas, the Silver Hand members spoke.

"It's time to die, dog."

"We knew you'd be coming here."

"Your mistake, Companion."

"Which one is that?"

"It doesn't matter. He wears that armor, he dies."

"Killing you will make for an excellent story."

However, Farkas said. "None of you will be alive to tell it."

Suddenly his body begins to take shape: his arms grew longer, his legs begin to arch a certain way whiles his muscles grew bigger. He then begins to grow fur all over and his teeth grew sharp as fangs.

Farkas had become a werewolf.

End