Mori woke up early, still entwined with Vilkas, albeit rather less aesthetically pleasing than the night before.
Her cheeks heated up.
Not just that, though. She could feel pride rising in her chest, filling her with comfortable warmth.
I did it!
Not properly, but it's a start!
She propped herself up carefully, so as not to awaken Vilkas. He murmured, shifting in his sleep.
I really need to go to the bushes, though. I'll just fly out and come back.
She changed into a crow and flew out of Ivarstead. Upon her return she found Vilkas still asleep. She carefully nestled on the bed and looked at him.
Are the nightmares better when I'm around? He didn't wake or fidget. And he's sleeping longer than usual.
Well...I also feel safer together.
When it's not all on me alone. To protect. When I can rely on someone.
When I allow myself to rely on someone.
Ah. I'm glad my girlish fancies didn't turn into a rotten end. This is nice. Better than nice.
He stirred. Mori's chest tightened. Her hand shot forward, but she managed to calm herself enough to lay it over his eyes in the gentlest manner instead.
"You're awake?" he mumbled, still half asleep. "I won't open my eyes. Can we cuddle some more?"
Instead of answering, she lifted her hand slightly, peeking at his face. As he promised, his eyes remained closed. She felt...a little disappointed and relieved at the same time. She curled by his side.
He all but wrapped himself around her, sighed contentedly and almost immediately fell back to sleep.
Mori slowly relaxed, enjoying the body heat. She got lost in her thoughts, watching the daylight trickle in the room and listening to Vilkas' breathing.
When he woke up for the second time, she had finished steeling her resolve. First he hugged her tighter. Mori's muscles started tensing on instinct. Calm down, nothing bad will happen. She breathed out. Just do it as you do in an animal body. She nuzzled her head against his, gently, jittery like a little bird. He reciprocated, making sleepy noises into her hair.
Bones of the earth! What is this?! It makes me feel cold and warm at the same time! I love the sounds! They make me want to smush his face and hug him for eternity!
The hand wrapped around her shoulder moved, caressing her skin.
She shivered.
The caress stopped abruptly. Vilkas tensed. For a heartbeat, nothing moved.
"I'm-" he started moving away. Mori's fingers wrapped around his arm.
"Don't leave," she pleaded. Oh no, why is my voice so squeaky. I sound like a mouse. Ah! Claws again? Begone!
He remained half pulled away, tense and unmoving.
"But-"
"Don't talk about it! Just...a little bit more? Please?"
He relented, lying back down. His fingers moved from side to side over her skin. "So...is it better if I just...do things?"
"Yes," Mori relaxed her grip, but didn't release him.
"And you will let me know if you're uncomfortable?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"Promise." She gathered enough courage for another, very light, nuzzle. "You sound afraid."
"I am."
"What of?"
"That you will go away," he curled around her more, assuming the position he was in before. "That I will scare you away." He sighed. "I'm afraid I'm still dreaming."
Was he dreaming of me? Against the wall of uncertainty, she felt satisfaction and pulse-quickening thrill.
"I don't want to run away."
"I noticed," some mirth creeped into his voice. "But I still can't fully believe it."
"Don't just believe, then. Touch me. Help me get used to this body."
Instead of answering, he gave the gentlest, most fleeting of kisses on her shoulder. "Why are you not used to it?"
"I...I think it's because..." she huffed. "Because of Orgoch? I...seeing other children and their parents, especially now that I'm older, I am starting to realise she didn't...she wasn't good to me. Or Yvaine. Would you believe she didn't use to be bubbly and talkative?"
"I can't imagine that," he shook his head.
"Well...she wasn't. Not until I took her away and not until Falco and Bjorn started warming up to us. She only stayed with Orgoch for seven years."
"And you?"
"Fourteen."
"What did she do?" his hug grew tighter once more.
"She beat us. She ridiculed us. She made us do things. We couldn't stay with tribes and make friends." Mori sighed. "I was less afraid when I was a beast."
"What did she make you do?" his voice grew frosty.
"...a lot of things."
"Was she behind the hag hunting?"
"Yes."
"When did you-"
"I got the scars at seven," Mori mumbled, hiding her face in his arm. Over the course of the conversation, she grew more and more shaken. "I killed my first hag at nine."
"Where was she?! How much older is she?"
"Seven years. She...healed me after."
"And she calls herself a sister?" Vilkas' voice lowered into a growl. Mori felt a slight smile creeping on her face. As much as the memories made her feel uneasy, the man's protectiveness over her pleased her.
"Probably not anymore. She was appalled that I decided to leave her for a stinky filthy Nord."
"You can wash stink and filth away. Abuse, not so much," he scoffed.
"I like your scent," Mori veered away from her unease.
"The blood and sweat?"
"Did you forget who you are speaking to?" a small mirthful growl escaped her. "Yes, there is that, but you also have a unique scent, like everyone does. I like it the most when you get excited."
He tensed, but this time it didn't last long. He huffed as he relaxed once more. "Can't a man keep some secrets?"
"It's not my fault my nose is sensitive. I warned you - I can't stop being myself."
"I know. It's alright. I'll just get used to it." He kissed her head. "But now we should have some food."
XXX
Farkas was just getting out of his room. The brothers sat down for breakfast together.
"Who is the leader of the caravan?" Vilkas wanted to know, by now back to his serious self.
"Not here at the moment. I'll introduce you to the second boss after food."
XXX
After they negotiated joining the group heading for Riften, the twins looked around Ivarstead for something to do. Apparently, the local lumber mill had bear problems, right beyond the gates of Ivarstead.
Walking towards the bridge leading to High Hrothgar, they ran across Nevras and Siga.
"Early morning, hm?" Vilkas quipped at Nevras.
"I'm surprised you had one," the elf threw a look at crow Mori, sitting on Vilkas' shoulder as usual.
"I'm efficient," Vilkas surprised himself with such an ambiguous answer. His face showed none of it. "Unlike some."
"Behave, Nev," Siga sighed. "Don't just try to get a raise out of him."
"You're no fun," he grumbled, turning back to looking at the mountain. "If you keep it up, you'll have to go to the monastery up there to find a similar company."
"With the crusty old beards? Hah! Who would ever be as stupid as to go up so many stairs for nothing?"
A hunter passing by, clearly heading towards the Seven Thousand Steps, gave them a stinky look.
"Where are you headed?" Siga looked at Vilkas.
"Got a quick job right beyond the gates," Farkas answered instead. "Killing some bears. Easy peasy."
"Working more while working on something else?" Nevras arched an eyebrow. "Ugh. Why not just take the free day?"
"It's good to keep sharp," Vilkas resumed his path.
"I like having money," Farkas shrugged, following after his brother. "And I'm bored. A fight's gonna be fun."
XXX
"Two bears. Nice," Farkas sat down and started wiping his battleaxe. "Are you going to take the claws?"
"Aye. Arcadia pays quite a bit for them."
"I wonder if bear tastes good," Farkas scratched his chin, watching Vilkas extract the claws.
"If you want to try, you'll have to run back to get our bags, I'm not dragging so much meat just like that."
"Take mine," Mori cawed, hopping around on the ground. "Please."
"Did you find something?" Farkas got up.
"Diamond," she pecked at an old kettle, discarded among rubble. "For you. Need bones."
"You want bear bones?" Vilkas looked up.
"Any. Yvaine wanted."
"Do you want me to get them out for you?"
"I can. Faster."
"As you wish," Vilkas gave a smile and returned to cutting the claws.
XXX
Mori returned in a much larger bird body, carrying her satchel as well as a freshly dug canis root.
"More gifts for the little beast?"
Mori shot a look at Vilkas, then nodded.
"Hey, he's right," Farkas added his own insights, "as adorable as she is, your little sister is a menace." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "So are you."
She screeched, flapping her wings. Then she started preening her feathers.
"I will take your things," Vilkas stood up. "Want to change back to a crow and ride on my shoulder?"
Farkas snickered, but refused to elaborate towards either of their suspicious looks.
XXX
Traveling with the small caravan was nice, they could relax some more and Siga's pain lessened, but Vilkas found himself displeased with the fact he couldn't really talk with Mori.
She didn't wish to reveal herself to the strangers, so she kept her crow words to a minimum.
XXX
"Are we there yet?" Farkas groaned.
"Do you see a city? No. We're not there yet," Vilkas grumbled.
"How much longer?"
"Only a few days," Nevras commented. He didn't look too bothered. "I would have thought you to be the patient types. Used to traveling. You know."
"I'm bored," Farkas complained. "There's nothing to fight, no alcohol left and no one to bed."
"Maybe you shouldn't have finished your stash all at once," Vilkas kept to his grumpy tone.
"What are you doing for fun?" Farkas turned to the elf.
"Oh, I'm theorizing about spells," Nevras grinned, a glint in his eyes. His gaze slid to Mori.
"Booooring!"
XXX
Early autumn, 4E 189, Riften
With Nevras, Siga and Farkas happily settled and amusing themselves at the Bee and the Barb, Vilkas set out for the marketplace.
Mori rode on his shoulder as usual.
Vilkas walked around, gaze darting between the stalls. Most people moved out of his way the moment they spotted his armor and the sword at his hip. He noticed a few pickpockets who took a wide berth of him.
Finally!
He stopped at a stall belonging to a dunmer woman. She sold meat, fish and produce.
"Good day. What can I help you with today? Fresh meat? Produce?"
"Do you have bacon?"
She pulled several pieces wrapped in paper on the table. "Have a look. All guaranteed to be fresh and free from Rockjoint!"
Vilkas inspected all of them and then picked a chunk. "Do you have any corn?"
"You're in luck, I have several ears left," she put those forward too.
"I'll take all of them. I would also like some apples, beans, potatoes, one head of cabbage...hard cheese too, if you have. What is that?" he pointed at a box full of unknown vegetables.
"Ash yams from Morrowind."
"I'll have a few, then. Are those bananas? I will have some bananas too."
"You might want to cook some trama root and bittergreen with those yams," the shopkeeper added while packing the items. "I also have some herbs for tea in stock, like black anther or fire petals. Or something to help restore one's strength, stone flower petals."
Vilkas remained in thought for a while.
In the end, he decided to take some from all of the offered items.
XXX
"Did you really spend all that money on ingredients?"
Vilkas gave Farkas a pointed look. He reached to his pack, opening it to reveal numerous bottles of varying alcohol types.
"I need those to keep in the best condition," Farkas grabbed the pack and quickly pulled it away.
"Well, I need food for that," Vilkas' tone turned thorny, "and I already have potions. What was I supposed to buy, hm?"
"Dunno, something fun." Farkas leaned to Vilkas and lowered his voice. "Like a gift for your woman, damnit! Do I have to tell you everything?"
"I got her one," Vilkas scoffed.
"Corn? Brother-"
"She wanted it. Besides - what do you give someone who changes their skin several times a day, if she so wishes? Can I really apply your vast knowledge in our case? I think not!"
"What are you whispering about?" Nevras popped out of nowhere. The twins shut their mouths and both turned the same look his way. He shrugged. "Just wanted to ask where our resident witch might be. I'd like to ask her some questions of the magical variety."
"She's looking around," Vilkas finished packing his bag. "Though you might want to wait for when we're out of Riften. She doesn't seem to like strangers."
"Ah, warms my heart to see I'm not a stranger," Nevras grinned, putting a hand over his chest. He leaned against the doorframe. "I caught you bought food. Don't look at me like that, the pointed ears are pointed for a reason, and you weren't exactly quiet," he shot a look Farkas' way. "I wanted to split the cost."
"I won't say no to that."
"Siga bought some more supplies too, but seeing we're eating your cooking used with all the available food, it's fair, don't you think?" he put a money bag on the table.
"Sure. Have you ever tasted these?" Vilkas pulled paper bags with the herbs he bought out and opened them.
"O, my friend, that is quite the good haul," Nevras whistled. "Especially the stone petals are going to be pleasing to both your palate and your constitution."
"What's pelat?" Farkas leaned closer to Vilkas.
"Palate. It means the roof of your mouth, but is also used to talk about appreciating flavours."
Nevras was still staring at the paper bags. "Did you get those in the market here?"
"Aye."
"Hm. They can also be used for alchemical purposes...why haven't I thought of it before? I need to write to Lleri. Excuse me," he dropped the bags and zoomed out of the room, robes and braid flowing behind him.
The twins exchanged a look.
"Mages," they mumbled unisono.
XXX
Vilkas heard knocking on the window frame. He closed the book he was reading and opened it. Mori flew in, all ruffled and puffed up.
He blew the one candle in the room out and offered his cloak. She changed - this was the first time he actually saw the transformation. Her silhouette turned faintly ghastly, enlarged and changed shape, then settled back to looking corporeal.
All of it happened in the blink of an eye.
"It's loud," she complained, her voice quivering, as she threw his cloak over her shoulders. "Even louder than Whiterun. My head hurts."
He moved and patted the bed. "Lie down and rest. Did you eat?"
"No. I'll eat tomorrow." She laid down and curled by his side. "Don't try to convince me, I don't feel like eating. The sewer smell makes me sick."
"Alright. But you have to eat tomorrow. Lunch and dinner," he shifted into a more comfortable position and pulled her close.
"Promise," she mumbled.
"Just a warning, Nevras wanted to talk magic with you."
She shrunk.
"You don't have to."
"I...I think I want to. But..."
"Are you scared? To talk with him?"
She nodded. "I'll have to not be a bird."
"Well...maybe you can sit behind me? So that he can't see you?"
"That...could work. Thank you."
He kissed her hand. "Anything for you."
She giggled. "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep."
"Anything I can do, then."
She nuzzled against him, then looked up, her eyes and demeanor turning serious. "Vilkas, don't ever make vague promises. Especially not to witches. Or the spirits."
"I won't," he promised after a moment of silence.
XXX
"At least it's warmer here," Nevras commented after they set up camp the next evening. "By the Three, I hate camping. And cold. And the wind."
"Why are you staying at the College, then?" Farkas looked up from his tasks. "Isn't it cold? Don't you have somewhere to go in Morrowind?"
"No," the elf grimaced. "That frosty skeever hole of a place is the safest for me at the moment." He lightened up. "And I did get to meet interesting people."
"At least someone is having fun," Siga commented, looking at Mori sniffing around happily in a wolf body. "Maybe you should go ask now, Nev, while she's in a good mood."
"Later," Vilkas stopped them. "When it's dark."
"Are you keeping her from us? How jealous of you," Nevras made a sly face at Vilkas.
Vilkas arched an eyebrow. "She said she is unsure about showing herself in full light. Either you wait or beat it, elf."
"Calm down, calm down," Nevras waved his open hands. "My word, you can turn really thorny, my friend."
"I don't want to risk your nosiness making her uncomfortable."
"You are quite nosy, Nev," Siga laughed.
"Hey, you recommended that in the first place!"
"Who, me?"
"Don't you make those eyes at me!"
Vilkas huffed tiredly. He left the two to their bickering and went to look for more firewood.
XXX
"No. Put the cheese in your own bowl," Vilkas barred Nevras from the pot.
"But why? It's easier this way."
"Just don't."
Nevras sighed. "What a cruel, cruel man."
Vilkas wouldn't relent until he saw Nevras put the grated cheese in his bowl only. He nodded and filled two bowls. He went to sit at the edge of the light from their campfire, putting the bowls down there.
"Why are you-"
A faint glow appearing behind Vilkas cut Nevras' inquiry short. A hand crept up his shoulder and a pair of eyes reflecting the firelight even from such a distance appeared to the side.
"I will talk," Mori said, voice slightly shaky, "But don't look at me."
"My, what an honor," Nevras gave a wide grin. "But madam, I must say, what kind of a witch are you? Surely you have nothing to fear from us?"
"A jumpy one," a glint of fangs could be seen in the dark.
Farkas started gesturing at Nevras. Hurriedly.
Siga smiled. "Let's just enjoy dinner in peace, hm? Give the poor girl some time to get used to your antics, Nev."
"We've traveled together for a while! I need to ask...things!"
"After food."
Nevras grumbled some sort of dunmeri curse, but relented. Farkas breathed out in relief.
"So how did you meet?" Siga wanted to know.
Vilkas narrowed his eyes, but before he could deflect, Mori peeked around. "Hagraven hunt."
"That's...interesting."
"Not really. We killed them all the time before."
"We?"
"My sisters and I."
"Why?"
"They upset the balance," Mori slid back behind Vilkas. "They kill spirits of the wild, twist them, corrupt nature to their whim. They go and corrupt people to a path undeserving of following. They even pervert the sacred rituals, forcing men to sacrifice their hearts for a briar against their will."
"Wait - the briarheart thing is...real?" Nevras perked up.
"Why wouldn't it be?" Mori sounded surprised.
"And you said it was sacred?"
"Yes. It is a sacrifice. For the good of your people, of your clan."
"But...the heart is ripped out-"
"No," Mori's eyes appeared again, strangely terrifying. "It is not ripped. It is willingly given in a ritual, mimicking the sacrifice of Lorkh." The eyes, visible thanks to the firelight reflecting in them, narrowed. "You wouldn't understand, scholar-elf."
"You seem to know a lot about it," Farkas commented in the following silence. "Can you do it?"
"Yes."
"Can-"
"By covenant, I shall reveal no more," Mori's voice dropped lower, into an almost growl. She withdrew behind Vilkas once more.
Uneasy silence fell over them.
Except Farkas. After another spoonful of food, he scratched his beard. "So is that why your heart-ripping move was so well done?"
"Maybe," Mori's voice turned back to normal, almost sounding shy.
"Heart-ripping move?" Siga raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah, you should have seen it. She just broke a guy's chest, bone and meat and blood and all, and then took his heart out in one move. Badass."
"And you people think the College is dangerous?" Nevras pointed his spoon from one twin to the other.
Mori peeked out again. "You could run a rock through a man's heart yourself, what are you on about? I had a hard time blocking them."
"Well, maybe, but it's less...less..."
"Barbaric?" fangs glinted in the dim light. "Would you believe my sister used the same word when she talked about the settled fools?" A hand crept forward around Vilkas' leg, claws out, leaving deep grooves in the dirt. "Greedy ghosts who rip veins from the very bones of the earth, defy sacred groves, ruin rivers for their own comfort, claim EVERYTHING as theirs and will kill kin for it. Not because of need. Just desire. And you think the way I can kill is barbaric? It is swift."
"...and you said she needed to get used to my antics," Nevras shot a sideways look at Siga after he managed to collect himself a little.
Siga shrugged. "Usually you have that effect on people."
Vilkas caressed Mori's hand. The claws disappeared immediately, leaving sleek elegant fingers behind. She withdrew, sliding her hand along his thigh.
"Why did you leave?" Siga wondered. "You seem fond of your people and the Reach."
"Yes and no," the answer came with a delay. "Everyone has their good and bad sides. If judged, I will judge back."
"She couldn't resist a good, tasty piece of Nord," Farkas giggled.
Vilkas frowned at his brother, murder in his eyes.
"...that's part of the reason," Mori's tone turned a lot warmer.
"That's so sweet," Siga sighed, a dreamy look in her eyes. "Star crossed lovers defying their lonely, tragic fate."
"Are you writing a book or something?" Nevras made a sour face. "Never knew you could be so sappy."
She scoffed. "Just you wait, Nev. You'll meet someone one day and then you'll understand. When that day comes, I'll laugh at you so hard."
"As if!"
The rest of the meal went with friendly banter only Mori and Vilkas didn't join, quiet in their refuge at the edge of the firelight. Once done, Vilkas put their bowls together and slid them towards Farkas.
"You're on dishwashing duty."
Farkas sighed, but knowing full well his brother wouldn't budge at this moment, obeyed.
Arms wrapped around Vilkas' waist. "You wanted to talk magic?"
"I did," Nevras put his bowl on the pile for Farkas. "How in oblivion did you get through my wards?"
"Because they have pointy shapes. There are holes in them if you know how to look."
"So all that twisting before was because you were fitting into the empty spaces?"
"Yes. That's probably also why your spells don't help Siga more. The edges bar the magic from shaping precisely to the bone's details."
"Well, what does your magic look like, then? Don't you witches also use runes?"
"Yes, but before casting the spell, not for the shape of the spell."
Nevras performed several gestures, his hands lighting up. After he pointed at the ground, a small rune-bound ward appeared in the grass.
"Can you show me?"
"Can't you see? There, at the bottom. And in the middle-"
"No, I can't see the actual lattice of the spell. Who on Nirn are you, woman?"
Instead of answering, Mori put a hand on the ground. Faint blue light appeared, running through the root system like a stream. It collected at the bottom of the ward, making the grass there grow, forming a cage made of strangely interwoven geometric shapes.
As it did, the light disappeared, leaving only the unnaturally shaped grass blades behind.
"Now can you see?"