Nightmares

Aila walked through fields of fire. The land burned a vibrant red-orange colour, and the sky was filled with black holes. Giant boulders rained down from the sky, narrowly missing Aila. The flames licked at her skin, turning it dark. High above was the dragon, its roars so loud the ground shook. It flew at Aila, spreading its massive wings and landed in front of her. She tried to run, but her legs wouldn't move. It opened its mouth and she saw flames spurt from the depths of its throat.

"Aila!"

Aila jerked awake at the sound of Kathryn's voice. She was sweating profusely, and she could feel her heart thudding in her chest. Kathryn was next to her. When Aila saw her she felt herself begin to calm down.

"Are you okay?" Kathryn asked, her silver eyes full of concern. Aila nodded weakly. "Sorry for taking so long. After I as done talking with Aela, I went to find a carriage driver. When I got back you were already asleep. You started thrashing about and whimpering, so I woke you up. Were you having a nightmare?"

"Y...yeah," Aila said.

"Was it about the dragon?"

Aila nodded again. She hadn't had a nightmare in so long, Aila thought maybe they had stopped.

"Aila, the dragon can't hurt you now," Kathryn said. When Aila didn't answer she sighed. She reached over and picked up the book Aila was reading. "A book about dragons," she said. "No wonder you had a nightmare." Kathryn opened to a random page and began to read aloud "I believe there once was a man, a man with power rivaling even Tiber Septim's, and that he was even able to tame dragons. Why are you reading this, Aila?"

Aila shook her head. "I don't know, the shopkeeper said if I bought the other books then I could have that one for free."

"Other books?"

"They're on that table over there."

Kathryn picked up one of them. She looked through them, and Aila saw her eyes widen. "These are spell tomes!" she exclaimed.

"I thought you would like to try to learn them."

"Aila... that's so thoughtful of you. Thank you."

Aila blushed. "It wasn't that much. And I did buy it with your money."

"Even so."

Aila yawned. "What time is it?" she asked Kathryn.

"I'm not sure, the sun went down a few hours ago. You should probably get some sleep."

"Yeah..." Aila was tired, but she was still to scared to sleep.

"Well, I guess I'll go, then," Kathryn said. "Try not to think about dragons. Good night." She started towards the door.

"Kat, wait," Aila said.

Kathryn stopped. "What is it?"

"Could you... maybe... sleep with me? I don't want to be alone."

Kathryn was silent for a moment, as if thinking. Aila was worried how she would react.

"Of course," Kathryn said with a smile. Aila lifted up the covers, and she climbed in, laying next to her. Aila could feel the heat emanating off Kathryn. She remembered when they were walking to Whiterun, and they had slept together to fight the cold. Kathryn was very warm. It was rather nice, though. Aila looked at Kathryn. She was staring up at the ceiling, her silver eyes glimmering. Aila felt a sudden wave of emotion flow over her. She didn't know what it was; she had never felt anything like it before. Kathryn was so close. Aila wanted to be closer. She reached over and grabbed Kathryn's hand. Kathryn looked down at her, but she didn't flinch away like Aila had half-expected. Instead she curled her fingers around Aila's. Wordless, Aila scooted closer to Kathryn. She laid her head on her chest and closed her eyes. Aila felt Kathryn's arm move across her waist.

"Mmm..." Aila mumbled. Kathryn was so warm. It was like she was melting away all her fears. Aila drifted back to sleep, feeling safe and secure in Kathryn's arms.

She was still there when she woke. Aila's eyes fluttered open. She was lying on her side, with Kathryn behind her. Her arm was draped around Aila's waist. She lay there for a few moments longer. Then Kathryn moved her arm.

"Are you awake?" Aila heard her ask.

"Yeah." Aila turned to face her. "Good morning," she said, smiling.

Kathryn smiled back. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

Aila sat up. "Yep."

"No nightmares?"

"Nope."

"Good."

Aila felt her stomach growl. "Let's go get some food," she said.

They headed down to the main hall and ordered breakfast. Aila found herself thinking about the previous night. Why had she done that? She could have just laid there. Instead, she had moved right up next to Kathryn and cuddled with her. Kathryn didn't seem to mind though. And earlier, when she had her arm around Aila... she looked over at Kathryn. She was munching away happily on some cheese. Aila's felt her heart skip a beat.

"Oh, by the way," Kathryn said. "I found a carriage to take us to Winterhold yesterday. He said he can take us whenever we're ready."

"That's good," Aila said.

"I paid for two nights at the inn, but we can leave today if you want."

Aila thought about it. "I suppose there's no point in lingering here."

"Yeah," Kathryn said. "That's true. When do you want to go?"

Aila shrugged. "Whenever is fine."

"I guess we should leave as soon as we're packed up then."

"Okay."

They finished their breakfast and went back to the room. Aila was in the middle of folding clothes when Kathryn called to her. "Aila? Where's the jar of septims?"

"Isn't it in that chest?"

"No, it's not."

"What?" Aila walked to the chest and saw that Kathryn was right. Aila had tucked it away in the corner and covered it with some clothes, but now it was gone.

"Did you already pack it up?" Kathryn asked.

"I don't think so." Aila checked anyway. She couldn't find it. "Where did it go? It can't have just disappeared."

"It has to be here somewhere," Kathryn said. They looked everywhere. They looked under the bed, in the wardrobe, and they even took out everything that had packed up, yet it was nowhere to be found. It was an hour later before they gave up. Kathryn looked to be on the verge of tears. "What are we going to do?" she asked. "The carriage driver won't take us without payment."

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Aila said.

"How could it? Our money is gone. After tonight we won't even be able to stay at the tavern."

Aila didn't know want to say. She wanted to comfort Kathryn. Somehow. "We... we could find a job."

"Yeah. Except it would take years to save up enough to enter the college."

"There must be something we can do," Aila said.

"Like what? There's nothing..." she stopped suddenly.

"What? Kat, what is it?"

"Well," Kathryn said, "we might be able to get help from the Companions."

"The warriors? How would they help us?"

"The Companions take on jobs and get paid five times the amount most people earn. If we could do some of those jobs, I'd bet we could make a more than enough money."

"Don't you have to be a Companion to do one of those jobs?" Aila asked.

"Yeah, you do."

"So how does that help us?"

Kathryn only smiled.

"Oh no, please do not tell me you're thinking what I think you're thinking." Aila said. But by then, they were already headed toward Jorrvaskr. "How do you know they'll even take us?" Aila asked. "I don't know how to use a sword."

"I'm sure they will," Kathryn said. "And you can learn to use one."

"What if I don't want to learn? Besides, you're not a warrior, you're a mage."

"Who says I can't be both? There are plenty of spellswords in Skyrim."

"What about me?" Aila asked. "I'm not a warrior."

"You're just being stubborn. It won't be as hard as you think. When I was talking with Aela yesterday, she said there were all sorts of jobs. Anything from killing some rabid skeevers, to rescuing hostages."

"I could probably kill some skeevers, but how am I supposed to rescue a hostage?"

"What I meant was you could do the easy jobs."

"Oh... I guess I could do that. But I still don't think they'll let us join."

"Neither do I," a voice said.

Aila turned to see Aela behind them. "And why not?" Kathryn asked.

"For exactly the same reasons your little friend here mentioned. From what she said, you're a mage, and we don't take mages. And you," She turned to Aila. "you don't look like you could even lift a sword." Aila tried to say something, but the words caught in her throat. "You see?" Aela continued, turning back to Kathryn "She can't even speak properly."

"You don't have to be so rude," Kathryn said. "You know, you were nicer yesterday."

Aela threw her hands up defensively. "I wasn't trying to be rude. I was just trying to warn you. The decision really isn't up to me. If you insist on going through with this folly, then you'll have to talk to Kodlak."

"Can you take us to him?" Kathryn asked.

"Alright. Follow me."

They walked into Jorrvaskr and headed down the stairs at the end of the main hall. There, they walked down a long corridor. Aila saw doors connecting into other rooms, most of which were filled with beds. Odd, Aila thought. There were twice as many beds as there were Companions. Aela led them to a room at the end of the corridor. When she opened the door they found an old man sitting in a chair, reading a book. When he saw them come in he closed his book. "Kodlak," Aela said. "These two want to join."

"Do they now?" the old man said. "Let me have a look at them." He stood. He was surprisingly fit for his age. His hair had gone white, but he was very muscular. Aila saw his eyes and gasped. His eyes we silver, just like Kathryn's and Aela's. He looked at Kathryn first. Aila thought she saw his eyes narrow for a moment when he saw her, but the look was gone as soon as it came, and she couldn't be sure. Next he looked at Aila. He looked at her frail arms, and her skinny legs. "Yes," he said after a while. "I can see the potential in them."

"What?" Aela exclaimed. "Are you sure?" Aila was just as surprised as Aela. How could she have the makings of a warrior?

"Quite," Kodlak said. "With a little training, I'm sure these two will make excellent warriors. Besides, last time I checked we had some empty beds that need filling. Why don't you take them outside and test out their strength?"

Aela looked vexed. "Sir, I..." she sighed. "Very well."

Aela led them back through the corridor, up the stair, and out the back way of Jorrvaskr to a small yard. Outside, Aila saw stuffed dummies and archer targets. One of the Companions came walking up to them. His eyes were silver. What's going on here?

"Kathryn!" he said. "Nice to see you again."

"Vilkas," Kathryn responded. "Nice to see you too. Aila, this is Vilkas. I met him yesterday, after you left."

"H-hi," Aila stammered.

"Well met, lass," Vilkas said. He turned back to Kathryn. "So, what are you doing back here?"

Aela answered for her. "There here to join the Companions."

"Oh? Have they been to Kodlak?"

"We just saw him. He agreed to take them."

"Really?" He seemed surprised. "I can understand him taking Kathryn, but not her," he said, motioning towards Aila. "No offense."

None taken, Aila would've said, if she wasn't so shy. She had no more idea why Kodlak had accepted her than Vilkas or Aela.

"Kodlak told me to tell you to test them out," Aela said.

"Me?" Vilkas asked "Why me?"

Aela shrugged. "I didn't ask."

"Aela, Kodlak didn't say..." Kathryn started, but was silenced by Aela giving her a quick jab to the arm.

"You should probably get right on that," she said and left before anyone could get another word in.

Vilkas sighed. "I suppose it can't be helped. Come on." He walked over to a large table. On it, there were all sorts of weapons. Swords, axes, maces, daggers. He picked up a blunted sword and a shield and gave it to Kathryn. "Here," he said and grabbed one for himself. "Let's check out your sword arm." They walked out to a clearing in the middle of the yard. "Do you know how to wield one?" he asked.

"Not really." Kathryn answered.

"Wonderful. Let's begin."

Vilkas started. He swung at Kathryn slowly and precise, easily giving her enough time to raise her shield and block. "Good," Vilkas said. "At least you know that much."

"That wasn't exactly difficult," Kathryn said,

"Then how about this?"

He swung his sword down a bit faster this time, but Kathryn was still able to block it. As soon as the blade hit the shield, however, Vilkas snapped his hand back and swung a Kathryn's side. Kathryn dropped her sword as the blade hit her in the leg "Ow! No fair!"

"In battle, all is fair." He pointed his sword a her. "Rule number one: never let go of your weapon. Whether on purpose or accidental, losing your weapon will leave you venerable."

"Even if you have a shield?"

"Aye. If you have no weapon your opponent has no reason to fear you, and an opponent without fear is the most dangerous. Now pick up your sword, and this time, you attack me."

Vilkas was obviously an experienced fighter, and Kathryn couldn't land a single hit. Aila watched them fight, but her eyes were mostly on Kathryn. She watched her movements as she swung her sword, trying to land a hit, and lifted her shield to block oncoming blows. Something about the way she moved, inept as it was, set Aila's heart aflutter. Every time Kathryn flinched from a hit, Aila flinched as well. Aila shook her head and cleared her thoughts. She looked at the table covered in weapons and picked up a steel dagger. It was heavier than it looked. She set it down and grabbed a sword. She tried to pick it up and discovered that it too, was heavier than it looked. She grabbed it with both hands and lifted it. Aila waved the sword in front of her, admiring it. She swung at the empty air, as if slicing an enemy. Aila put the sword back down. It was too large. It made her feel slow and clumsy. She pick the dagger back up. This was much better. It wasn't that heavy. At least she could carry it properly. Aila swung the dagger back and forth. She could move much faster with it.

"Put that down before you hurt yourself," Vilkas said.

"S-sorry," Aila said, putting down the dagger. She hadn't noticed them stop their duel.

"It's your turn. Give her the sword, Kathryn."

"Here," Kathryn said. She handed Aila the blunted sword. It was lighter than the one she was holding earlier, and she could hold it with one hand. It was still to big though. Then Kathryn gave her the shield. She couldn't even hold that, and she would've dropped it had Kathryn not caught it.

"Great," Vilkas complained. "Just great. I can't believe Kodlak let you join."

"Hey!" Kathryn said. "It not her fault. She just isn't strong enough."

"That's exactly my point. No matter. You can lift the sword at least. We'll work with just that then."

They walked to the center if the yard and readied themselves.

"Wait," Kathryn said to Vilkas. "Aren't you going to put down your shield?"

"Your enemies aren't going to drop their shield just because you can't carry one, so I won't either."

"But that's completely unfair!"

"I told you before; in battle, all is fair."

Kathryn grumbled something that went unheard before going quiet.

"Now, since you don't have a shield you'll have to use your sword to block. Try to stop this." He swung his sword at Aila's side, and she held out her own and stopped it. "Good. Now try this." He swung down at her and she blocked it in response. Then he whipped back his hand and swung again, at her side. Aila moved her sword to block it and barely made it in time to knock the blade away. The sword made her feel awkward and wobbly. Even so, Aila couldn't help but feel proud of herself for blocking that second hit. She heard Kathryn cheering her on.

"That's the way to do it," Vilkas said. "You're faster than you look. Put that speed to use. Here I come!" He swiped at her again, faster this time, but Aila knocked the blade aside. She was doing surprisingly well. She blocked another slash, and another. On the fourth attack Vilkas swung faster than the other times, and Aila couldn't keep up with it, so instead of blocking she jumped back. The blade missed her by a few inches. Aila was startled when Vilkas suddenly laughed. "Good, Good! If you can't block the blade, avoid it! Do whatever you can to not get hit. You have good instincts, Aila."

"Th... thank you."

"Don't thank me just yet. From here on out it's going to be much harder."

And it was. All of Vilkas' attacks were faster than the first few. Aila rarely was able to block his sword, and most of the time she had to avoid it. That, however, wasn't much easier, and by the time they were finished Aila was covered in bruises. She hobbled over to Kathryn, grunting in pain. "Good job, Aila," Kathryn said.

"Aye," Vilkas agreed. "You surprised me, Aila. I think you did better than Kathryn, even without a shield."

"Really?" Aila asked.

"Aye."

"Wow. Did you here that Kat?" Aila was feeling exceptionally pleased with herself.

"Yeah, nice job!"

"Kat?" Vilkas asked

"Oh, that's just the nickname she gave me a little while after we met," Kathryn answered.

Vilkas seemed to find that amusing. "Kat, huh?" he chuckled. "Well I'll be going Kat. Be back her everyday at dawn if you're really intend on joining the Companions. We're going to have to work hard to get you two up to shape." He started to walk away.

"Why did he find that so funny?" Aila asked Kathryn, once he was out of earshot.

"I don't know. Why did you start calling me Kat, anyway?"

Aila shrugged. "You know I stutter when talking to new people. I tried to say Kathryn, but I kept ending up saying Kat. Eventually I just went with it."

"Huh. Well, we'd better get going. It's starting to get dark."

A rather awkward thought crossed Aila's mind. "Are we going to have to sleep down with the other Companions?"

"No, we still have another night left at the tavern, remember? After tomorrow though... I guess we will."

"Wonderful," Aila said, sarcastic. "I can't wait."

"I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"Easy for you to say. You probably won't even be there most of the time, with your sleeping habits."

"I will if you want me to," Kathryn said, smiling. Aila looked at her. She said it as if it was just a friendly offer, and maybe that's all it was, but for Aila it meant much more. "Speaking of which, will you be okay tonight?" Kathryn asked. "From the nightmares, I mean."

Aila was sorely tempted to say no, she wouldn't be, but she was afraid she would make Kathryn feel... weird. "Yeah, I'll be alright," she said.

"Are you sure? I'm always here if you need me."

Here's your chance, Aila thought. "I'll be fine. Really."

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then. I'm going to explore the city some more." She gave her a hug, (which for Aila, was entirely too short) and left. Aila headed back to the tavern. She laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. She missed Kathryn already.