Nevras woke up. Nastily early. His bladder was full to bursting.
But if he goes out now, Vilkas will nag him to start doing things...but it was early. Maybe he still had some time to sneak for a quick leak.
Hm. Less early than I thought, the sun is up already...why is-
Nevras froze.
There was a ...a giant wild cat INSIDE the wards!
How did it get inside? The wards are pristine!
Wait.
Is that a hand? Is that...Vilkas' hand?! That's his shirt, right? Farkas likes to wear blue, not black.
Did it kill Vilkas?!
Shaking, Nevras lifted several small rocks with a telekinesis spell.
The cat stirred. Its eyes flew open, staring right back at him.
Nevras sped up the rocks and shot them at it.
The cat growled. Spectral wings appeared out of nowhere from its back. With a flap, they shielded the cat, then spread far, flinging the rocks out of the campsite. The wings disappeared after.
The cat did not.
Shit!
Before Nevras could summon another spell, Farkas stuck his head out of the tent. "Wha-"
The hand under the cat moved. Vilkas sat up, clearly just awoken.
"He's not dead!" Nevras shrieked. "How is he not dead?"
Farkas looked. "Oh. Stop freaking out, it's just her."
"Just her? Who HER?"
"That book you'll never get to read," Farkas grinned. He got out of the tent properly and stretched. "Close your mouth, flies will get there. She looks way less scary like this, so calm down."
The cat growled at Farkas good-naturedly.
"What the oblivion is going on?" Nevras plopped on a stone, looking a little shaken.
Just a tad.
XXX
Mori watched Vilkas rub the sleep out of his eyes.
So cute.
She remained lying on the ground, as not to scare the elf more. He had seemed more formidable. But on the other hand, his world got shaken right after waking up.
Should have made better wards. Like water or wind. Then it's harder to slip through.
The Nord woman also got out of the tent she and the elf shared. She surveyed the scene.
"So what is going on? Who's this?"
"This is Mori," Vilkas ran his hand down her fur once more. She narrowed her eyes in contentment. "A witch. We're...close."
The woman looked at Mori. "Did you make the bow for him?"
Mori nodded.
"Fine craftsmanship, I must say. Pardon my manners," she tapped her head, "my name is Siga. This shaken fellow is Nevras," Siga tapped the elf's shoulder. "A pleasure to meet you."
"A witch? A witch has gotten through my wards?" Nevras snapped out of his stupor. "A mere witch?"
"Should have kept watch," Vilkas scoffed.
"Now now, be civil, Nev," Siga sighed.
He wouldn't listen. He rose, walking over to Mori. "How did you do it?! They were pretty damn perfect!"
Mori growled, showing her fangs. He didn't take a step back.
Hm. Looks like he has some guts, at least. More than just attitude, eh? Alright, I'll humor him.
She got up, walked over to where the wards were. She looked around. Ah. There, a nice spot to go through. She twisted and shifted, using the flexibility of her feline body to the fullest, and soon she stood fully on the other side.
Nevras was staring, jaw dropped.
"How?!"
Farkas patted him on the shoulder. "Looks like there was a hole in your wards."
XXX
For travel, Mori assumed the shape of a crow and seated herself on Vilkas' shoulder.
Nevras, still baffled by the morning shenanigans, was riding a bit behind, grumbling to himself. Farkas, as usual, made the rear guard.
Siga joined Vilkas at the head of the group.
"Are you a part of a coven, miss Mori?"
"No," Mori deigned to communicate via crow mimicking.
"Where do you hail from?"
"Reach." It was actually quite fun to use the bird's vocal repertoire, make the muscles move and produce the right sound.
"That's quite the distance," Siga looked thoughtful. "What powers do you have?"
Mori tilted her head one way, then the other. "Beast. Wild."
"Could you make sure a cliff wouldn't break?"
"No."
Siga sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Well-"
"Sister. Can," Mori flapped her tail plumage. Siga's head snapped up, her eyes widening.
"Maybe. You pay," Mori moved her head up and down a few times in bird fashion. She could feel Vilkas' shoulder tensing under her, as he was trying to prevent a laugh.
"That's going to cost a lot of candy," he couldn't help it in the end.
"Candy?" Siga looked at him, confused.
"You'll see once you meet the little beast," Vilkas refused to elaborate. Mori ran her beak along the side of his helmet, bonking it a few times.
"Where could we find your sister?"
"Lakeview."
"Lakeview, Lakeview..." Siga rubbed her chin. "Why do I feel like I've heard that name before. Oh! Is it that new place in Falkreath Hold? With the-"
"Witches? Aye," Vilkas rubbed Mori under the beak.
"And how did you become acquainted?" she narrowed her eyes. "I wouldn't think a Companion and a witch would be...sharing many a conversation."
"Just a stroke of luck. For me," he turned back to watching the surroundings.
XXX
They had to stop after a few hours of travel. Siga wasn't looking well. Farkas kept watch while Vilkas quickly prepared a resting spot for her.
Nevras was at her side, casting spells.
Mori, sitting at Vilkas' shoulder, moved about restlessly.
I'm not sure those are helping. It's powerful healing magic, I have to give him that, but...it's just treating the symptoms. The root of the cause is...
Elsewhere.
But I'm not sure where and what.
Yvaine would be better suited for this. Even Orgoch. Ugh.
I did bring that soothing tincture of hers, though...it will help. She dropped from Vilkas' shoulder, flying over to his horse. Her satchel hung fastened with the saddlebags. She stuck her beak inside.
Broken branches, it's so hard to pick a vial with a beak! Why must I be like this...
Is it because Orgoch only ever beat me as a human? Or because I could flee from her as an animal? I didn't need to be scared of the beasts while being one of them. But as a girl, I needed to be scared of everything. People, beasts, weather, sickness.
A-ha, finally.
She pulled a small vial out, filled with...an interestingly purple mixture.
"Need a hand?" Vilkas reached out. Grateful, Mori dropped the vial into his palm. She then hopped back on his shoulder, which he had offered.
Vilkas carried her over to Siga and Nevras.
"I help," Mori called out, shaking her tail plumage. "Drink. Soothe."
"I'm not feeding witch slush to her," the elf growled. "Who knows, it might make things worse."
"And here I thought you were interested in old magic," Vilkas sat down.
"I am! That doesn't mean I think all of it is good! Witches are uneducated and often join in with the Daedra. Who knows what SHE is doing behind your back."
"If that's the case, then the whole of Falkreath is doomed," Farkas commented over his shoulder. "And my dick is going to fall off."
Mori made angry crow noises. "On you. Not me."
Vilkas shrugged. "Maybe you should ask her if she wants to try," he put the vial next to Nevras. After he and Mori walked to the side, a hushed, but heated discussion started between Nevras and Siga.
Mori ruffled her feathers.
"Don't mind him," Vilkas scanned the area. "He's just a pompous prick. But not all bad."
"No mind," she cawed.
They remained quiet and watchful. Few wolves ran through the forest, curiously checking their group out, but upon spying Mori, ultimately withdrew.
"How much of it is she supposed to have?" Nevras called out, defeated.
XXX
They had to wait for two more hours, because after drinking the tincture mixed with tea, Siga fell asleep. When she woke up, her breathing was much easier.
"It still hurts," she commented as Nevras helped her up, "but...less. My bones no longer feel wrapped in thorns."
"Thank you," Nevras, uncharacteristically quiet and demure, looked at Mori.
"Welcome," she tilted her head to the side.
"Can you heal the illness?" Siga looked up, hopeful.
"Don't know. No healer," Mori's head tilted to the other side, her eyes saddening. "Sister mixed."
"Let's go to Lakeview right after we're done with Trolhetta," Siga tapped Nevras. "I wish to meet this sister. I wish to ask for her help with the cliff...and me."
The elf sighed. "Whatever you wish."
"Your magic," Mori looked at him. "Good. Not suited. Need different."
They got on the horses and continued riding. This time, both Siga and Nevras flanked Vilkas, wanting to converse with Mori.
"What did you mean, different?"
"Patterns. You here. Root there."
"Hm. I don't know how to interpret that. Can't you...change into a person? Wouldn't it be easier to talk like that?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Don't force her," Vilkas interrupted.
"Calm down, grim boy. I don't want to force your darling witch to anything," Nevras grimaced. "I just want to learn more. And help Siga."
"Are you shy?" Siga piped up.
Mori shook her tail plumage. "Maybe."
"It's alright," Siga laughed good-naturedly. "Just take your time. I'm sure you won't chase us out if we come to your fine home later asking for knowledge."
"No."
"You'll just have to be patient, Nev."
"But what about you? You are the one suffering," Nevras' expression turned desperate.
"I can wait. I've lived like this for years."
"Don't know. May help. May not."
"Even if it was just purchasing that...what did you call it, Nev? Slush? And drinking it for the rest of my life, it is still a considerable improvement for me."
XXX
Finally, they arrived to Ivarstead. They barely made it before the gates closed, as the sun was setting already.
"Let's get a bed! And some alcohol," Farkas hurried towards the inn.
"You go settle the rooms, I'll take care of the horses," Vilkas dismounted.
"Shall I get three rooms?" Farkas wiggled his eyebrows.
"If you think we have enough money."
"We for sure do!"
"We need it for the way back as well, don't forget."
"Eh, we do have enough. Clean the horses properly!" Farkas zoomed out of the stable, disappearing into the inn.
When Vilkas and Mori came inside, the three already had food on the table. "Do they have anything sweet?" Vilkas asked after he sat down.
"Nut treats. Want some?" Farkas, already chewing on a roast, asked over the meat.
"Aye. Two of those."
"I'll go get them."
"Wouldn't have pegged you as a sweet tooth," Nevras leaned back in his seat, considerably more relaxed than on the road.
"It would do you good not to assume everything. Maybe then you wouldn't think your wards were impenetrable."
"Are you on about this again?" the elf groaned.
"I would find it preferable if you didn't die, so don't do stupid shit," Vilkas shot him a look.
"Aw, are you worried for me?"
"Nah, I want you to be able to fulfil your part of the deal."
"Don't play coy, grim boy, I can tell you like me."
Vilkas didn't react. Instead, he moved another piece of food over to Mori, sitting on the table.
"So," Farkas dropped on the bench next to Vilkas and put down a plate with the treats, "are you two fucking?" he turned to Nevras and Siga.
Nevras' eyes widened. He leaned back, laughing maniacally.
Siga sighed, rolling her eyes at the elf.
"Are you and Vilkas fucking?" Nevras managed to break his laughter for at least one coherent sentence.
"No," Farkas looked confused. "We're brothers."
"Well, that's the kind of relationship we have," Siga shrugged.
"Ooooh, sworn siblings! That's sweet," Farkas smiled. "Does that mean either of you are free?"
"Sorry, I'm not interested at the moment," Siga made a polite dismissive gesture.
Nevras grinned, giving Farkas a wink. "You're alluring, my friend, but sadly, I'm not into riding branches."
Farkas shrugged. "Fine by me. Plenty of picks around," he finished the little he had on his plate, grabbed his drink and went to mingle.
"I will go lay down," Siga got up from the table after finishing her own food. "Good night."
"Good night," Mori cawed.
Nevras went with Siga, offering his arm for her to hold onto. As they were leaving, Vilkas and Mori could hear them talking: "She's so cute in that little birdie form."
"Did you even see the cat?"
"Also cute. I'm envious."
"Of what?"
"Vilkas. He gets to touch the fur."
"I'm sure she looks wild when she changes back. Poor guy."
Mori looked up at Vilkas. He shrugged.
Since they stayed behind at the stable, they still had food to finish, even though the others were done. Halfway through, Farkas stopped by. "A small caravan will be leaving for Riften the day after tomorrow. We should ask to join, so Siga can ride on a cart. Your room is that one, by the way," he pointed out a door and dropped a key on the table.
When they got to the room, it was fully dark outside and most of the inn patrons were just drinking and having fun.
Vilkas sighed, took his armor off and stretched.
"Here, this is for you," he put one of the treats on the nightstand. He took the other.
The moment he turned his back, he felt the strange shift in the air. He sat down on the edge of the double bed.
Of course Farkas would do that. I'm pretty sure all the beds he got are double.
I...don't think I mind.
From behind him a hand reached for the treat. He couldn't help but have one look down. Mori's left arm was covered in the same tattoo Yvaine had, but...
He frowned seeing the inside of her arm. Numerous scars crossed it, some thin and small, others larger.
"What happened to your arm?" he asked after taking a bite of his treat.
"I needed blood for spells."
"You...did that yourself?"
"Either that or lose someone," her voice saddened.
"Did you have to harm yourself for me?"
"No. First time Orgoch did the healing, the second time I had the heart at hand."
"Good. Please don't ever-"
Her other hand wrapped around his waist. "No. Stop. I will gladly cut my veins open if it means you get to live. I did it for Yvaine, I did it for Falco, I will do it for you."
She took a bite. "This is tasty."
"Why does it have to be blood?"
"You have to pay a price for magic. Especially healing. The mages here use their energy. I can use any blood. Mine, if there is no other to be had."
"But-"
"Not always. I have discovered something new while healing you before. I can also use other reagents to power the spells. If all else fails, my blood is always there."
They ate the rest of the treats in silence.
Just when Mori put the wooden stick down, her stomach rumbled.
"Are you hungry?" Vilkas almost looked over his shoulder. He managed to stop in time.
"Yes," Mori said softly, sounding embarrassed.
"I'll get you more," Vilkas gently removed her arm from his waist and got up. "Change into a crow, so I can come back in."
He went out, closing the door behind himself. "Can I have a bowl of stew and a slice of bread?" he stopped one of the girls working there.
Once he paid, she went off, returning with a tray. He thanked her and went back to his room. When he closed the door and turned around he saw a pair of eyes staring at him from a dark corner of the bed.
Mori was sitting in the darkest corner of the room, wrapped head to toe in his cloak, only showing her eyes.
He froze.
"I'm sorry," he started to look away.
"No," she called out, voice small and higher pitched. "I-I wanted to start...to start getting used to it."
Vilkas' eyes darted back to her. He slowly walked over, noting how she shrunk a little as he did.
Why are you so scared? What happened?
"You should eat in peace, though," he put the tray in front of her and then turned around. "I promise we can train more after, if you want."
"So..." he started after a while, "what you eat as a crow is not enough?"
"No, since a crow's body is much smaller than mine. If I eat enough as a leopard, I don't need to eat more after."
"That...makes sense." He tapped his thigh. "Did you come just to see me?"
She was quiet for a bit. "I did. I won't interfere with your assignment, I promise."
"Didn't you chase the wolves away?"
"Not this time. They sometimes just...don't want to be near. What's this yellow thing in the stew?"
"I think that's corn. It grows in Cyrodiil, south of here. I think they managed to grow it in the Rift? Either that or it was brought with trading caravans."
"Can we get some seeds?"
"I can look around the market in Riften."
Her back pressed against his. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Vilkas was thinking about reading while she ate, but his mind wouldn't still. He was all too aware of her back pressing against his. Of the glint of her eyes he saw earlier. Of the promise to see it again.
After she was done eating, he took the tray back to the worker. A quick scan of the tavern allowed him to pinpoint Farkas sweet talking someone. Good. That meant he would be too preoccupied to bother them.
He went into the dark room. Some moonlight was coming in from the window, giving the space a slightly unreal feel. Mori sat in the same spot as before, a small pile of cloak and eyes reflecting the moonlight.
Vilkas' heart warmed.
She IS cute.
He walked over slowly so as not to trip and sat on the bed. "Are you really sure about this? You don't look too confident."
Please say yes.
"I'm sure," her voice sounded more relaxed than before.
"May I touch you?"
There was a pause, the glistening eyes trained on him. "Yes," came with a little nod.
He moved closer. He put his hand on her back, caressing it tenderly.
She is so small she barely reaches my shoulders. Like the wild Reachmen. Did she not get enough food growing up? And here I thought we had it rough.
"Are you scared, Mori?"
"A little. I don't know why."
"Of me?"
"No. Of you...seeing me. I don't know why," her voice cracked a little. "Not even the people in Lakeview have seen me, no one except Greta, Bjorn and Falco. Once I didn't have to spend time like this, I just...didn't."
She leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her.
"Before, I just...I would...it felt frosty, in my belly, and I would force myself through it. I didn't even realise I was doing that. Forcing myself. I didn't know until I started spending more time as a beast and relaxed."
Vilkas hummed. He just held her, but inside his gut, rage was slowly starting to boil.
Who? Who did this?
"Did you ever get to be a child?"
"What? Of course I was a child-"
"No, no. I meant, did you get to play? With other kids? Just...run around and not worry about the weight of the world?"
"...no."
You poor thing. Even we had that much.
He pulled her closer. "Do you want to go play at some point? Splash in a stream? Climb trees? Roll around in grass and send little boats floating?"
"With you?"
"With me."
She huddled even closer, as if trying to meld into him. "Yes." She slid her arms from under the cloak and wrapped them around him. "I like it when you hold me."
Be still, my heart.
"That's good," he purred, leaning his head closer to her, "because I would like to do it more often."
Due to their movement, the cloak slipped even lower, revealing her hair, pale in the moonlight. She hid her face in his ribs. Vilkas could feel light scraping as claws grew out of her fingertips.
"Are you nervous?"
"A little," her grip on him tightened.
"How about we lay down? That way you don't have to be scared I will see."
"But...I want you to see."
"All in due time."
She hummed, reluctantly letting him go. The cloak slid off of her shoulders, revealing even more of the magnificent pale mane.
And the outline of her shoulders, visible in the moonlight.
Vilkas quickly looked away. That...was not a good view for his self-control. She backed a little, freeing space for him. He laid down, moving his legs strategically. He wasn't cold, but he pulled a blanket over himself nonetheless.
"May I sleep in your cloak?"
"Of course."
She turned her head to him. There was a certain...glint...to her eyes. It made him shiver.
She moved closer, shuffling on her knees and hands.
I should close my eyes. It's disrespectful.
I can't.
She's showing off on purpose.
Why are you doing this to me?
When she moved to lay down next to him, her long hair slid back, revealing the outline of her hips. He took a breath more sharply than he would like.
She laid her head on him and put her hand over his chest.
Well, since we're playing games like that, let me make my move now.
He took her hand, bringing it up. He planted the gentlest of kisses in the center of her palm, gaze turning to her.
All of her primal allure evaporated. Instead, she melted. First, she startled. Then she relaxed again, turning shy, pleased and hopeful. It was so strong he could almost taste the emotion in the air.
He kissed the tip of each of her fingers. "Do you like it?"
She nodded, her face buried in his ribs.
He put her hand back on his chest to allow her to rest. With his other hand, he caressed her head, following the hair to her shoulders. He ran his fingers through the flaxen strands.
Should I...it's risky...but she seems to enjoy herself...
And she said she liked it when I held her.
He turned to his side, positioning his legs very carefully, and wrapped his arms around her.
Again, first she tensed, then relaxed. She nuzzled her head against him, purring in a cat-like manner. She curled into him like a little woodland animal and sighed contentedly.
He bent, kissing the top of her head. "Sleep well."
That night, Vilkas slept deeply, dreaming of things he never thought he would dream of.