The mountains were relatively peaceful. Vilkas didn't have to fight anything as long as he remained careful and avoided several larger beasts. Which he had no problem with.

Farkas ought to be returning from a job in Helgen in a few days. Vilkas was planning to spend the days aimlessly in the mountains, maybe gather some things Arcadia would buy, and then meet his brother in Riverwood.

When he arrived to the spriggan pool after two days of roaming, he had to admit to himself that this was the actual goal of his trip here.

The spriggans remained peacefully in their willows as long as he didn't harm the trees.

The place remained empty.

He sighed. He was expecting it, but it stung every time. Nonetheless, there was a nice hidden space great for camping a little further from the pool but still in view. He headed there.

He put the tent up, prepared dinner and then ate it, watching the sunset. Just as he was about done with his food, he heard an unexpected noise.

Buzzing.

Did the spriggans awaken?

He put the bowl down and snuck to an elevated hiding spot. The spriggans had indeed awakened - all of them were stepping out of their trees. They walked into the water and then...waited.

Were they waiting for the leopard? Would he see it today? Or...her?

No. You don't know for sure. Don't conjure up things before you know.

First spriggan turned her head. The others followed their sister's gaze.

Vilkas did too.

He could see nothing but the forest. He wouldn't let his eyes off the area, though - the spriggans knew better than him.

Indeed. Just heartbeats later, a pale shadow slipped out of the underbrush. Majestic in its feline grace, the leopard walked over to the pool on large, soft paws.

The spriggans buzzed excitedly. Once the cat entered the pool, the tree spirits started petting the rich fur, getting gentle sparks of dark blue magic on their bark.

Vilkas had never before in his life felt so jealous.

He wished to touch the fur. He vaguely remembered the feeling from four years ago and he longed for it again.

He watched, his heart filling with desperate desire for...something he couldn't really identify. So much so his ribcage felt like cracking.

The ritual seemed to be over. It could have been about ten minutes, maybe a little bit more. The sun still hasn't set over the horizon fully. The spriggans, satisfied with their gains, bowed to the leopard and returned to their trees. The leopard made a content, purr-like noise and walked out of the water.

Don't leave, please!

Vilkas didn't realise he inched forward. A rock went loose under his hand and rolled down.

The leopard's ears pricked in his direction.

Oh shit.

He started backing away. The cat also moved. It took two leaps, landing right on top of him. With a low, menacing growl, it pushed his hands down with its paws. The claws stuck out, scratching his skin.

The setting sun was behind them.

Above him, Vilkas saw the leopard's head framed by the two rising moons, both crescent.

Its onyx eyes stared right into his.

It was growling quietly, lifting its muzzle a bit to show massive fangs.

Vilkas' heart beat fast, so fast. He could feel the weight pushing him down, knowing full well he had no chance if the leopard decided to end his life. But, as much as fear gripped at him, he felt...hopeful.

"Please," he said softly.

The muzzle lowered, confusion entering the enchanting dark eyes. Few heartbeats later, the claws retracted and the paws slid from his arms to the ground.

The world stilled.

His own ragged breaths felt loud like the rumbling of a storm. The rapid beating of his heart denied the strange stillness of the moment, but the vision of the leopard crowned by crescent moons stayed unmoving.

After an eternity which only lasted a moment, the leopard lowered its head. It started sniffing, washing his chest, neck and head in warm breaths.

Its whiskers tickled Vilkas' skin.

It finally stopped, only to look him in the eyes again. It was so, so close. He could see his own reflection in the leopards' dark eyes.

Did he spy a hint of recognition?

Unable to stop himself, he reached out, ever so slowly. The leopard flinched. The pale fur bristled and Vilkas even saw a flash of fangs.

He froze.

The leopard stilled as well.

It was towering over him, jaws strong enough to snap his neck in one bite, heavy enough to step on his chest and break the rib cage through, and yet...it looked anxious.

"It's alright," he soothed and put his arm back down, resting it on his chest. Instead, he admired the leopard with his eyes.

He couldn't see many details. The sun had set and the sky darkened, but the gentle moonlight illuminated the outline of its fluffy fur. It also reflected in the onyx eyes of the beast, giving them a sheen of mystique.

Its ears flickered. It gave a very soft, almost shy sounding mrow. Then it leapt away, disappearing in the forest.

Vilkas closed his eyes, releasing a breath he wasn't aware he was holding.

He remained on the ground until his heartbeat calmed. Then, with a sad sigh, he got up and went back to his camp.

XXX

Riverwood

"You're late," Vilkas grumbled as Farkas sat down.

"I didn't know you'd be waiting," Farkas shrugged. "I had some stuff to take care of in Helgen."

"A barmaid and a tavern heist?" Vilkas arched an eyebrow and let his gaze slide across the suspiciously clanky pack Farkas put on the ground.

"I bought all of it," Farkas defended himself. "Did you eat? I'm hungry."

"No, I was waiting. Let's go." They both got up and moved inside the Sleeping Giant Inn.

"Why are you here, then?" Farkas asked once they got their order. "As much as I'm happy to see you, I don't believe you had no other reasons."

"I needed some rest," Vilkas rubbed his temples. "I really wish we hired an accountant. Kodlak is doing even less of the paperwork now, leaves it all to me and then sends me alone on jobs for two or more."

"So-o-o-o," Farkas prolonged and motioned with the chicken thigh he had been eating, "you needed to rest, and you went...trekking alone in the mountains." He bit off a piece of meat. "Instead of staying home, eating, drinking and reading."

"And listen to Skjor barking up my ear? No thanks," Vilkas scoffed.

"You sure you don't want to go to the Grim manor? You'll unwind there."

"I'm sure," Vilkas' tone grew icy.

Farkas narrowed his eyes at Vilkas, then shrugged and continued eating. "Your loss."

Vilkas grew thoughtful. "Remember the little witch from spring?"

"The creepy girl? Yea. What's with her?"

"Don't be surprised if she comes asking strange questions."

"Why would she come ask me?"

"I might have directed her."

Farkas raised an eyebrow.

"I gave her a ride home. Aaaand...she snuck to the manor after me. So she had questions."

Farkas stared at him. Vilkas fidgeted. Just as he started opening his mouth to defend himself, Farkas erupted in booming laughter.

"You should see your face!" he managed to squeeze out between laughing. "Vilkas, the mighty warrior, bested and sent running by a little girl with curious questions! HA!"

"It's not my area of expertise," Vilkas grumbled, looking away

"And that, my dear brother, is where you are missing out so badly," Farkas gave a wink. "Oho, I am going to have so much fun with this! You know, maybe you should listen in too, you could learn something. Maybe something to impress that special someone you went to see in the mountains?"

"I didn't go see anyone."

"Others can't, which is weird, but Vilkas, I can read you like an open picture book."

"Because normal books are too long and boring for you?"

"Exactly. And my big brother insights are telling me you have gone to see someone."

"I went to look at a place, oaf," Vilkas bristled.

Farkas gave that annoying smile saying keep up your charade, I know the truth, then he asked: "What place?"

"The spriggan pool. Remember?"

"Oh! The one with the leopard?" Farkas' smile turned sly.

"Ysmir's beard..."

"Are you going to try to tame it? From what you said it would be a useful pet in a fight."

Vilkas gave Farkas a look. His brother returned the most innocent, beaming smile.

XXX

Whiterun, few days later

"You should be wary," Farkas leaned over to Vilkas. He lowered his voice so that no one could easily hear them in the bustling streets. "I noticed Imelda eyeing you. She can be one wicked woman."

Vilkas rolled his eyes. "So now I have to deal with the consequences of your actions? Don't worry, I'm not as stupid as to let her exact revenge through or on me."

"She seemed nice and understanding," Farkas shrugged. "And I did tell her. You know. That I don't look for partners, just bed-buddies. She agreed."

"People can lie, Farkas."

"I know. But she was such a treat in bed. Just...be careful around her."

Vilkas scoffed. "Does she think I'm an easy target?"

"Maybe she does because you're so small?"

"I'm not," Vilkas shot a look at Farkas. "I am perfectly normal. You are the size of a mammoth. Even so, small doesn't mean weak. Take Forsworn, for example."

Farkas grew serious. "They kick a punch, true. Tiny and vicious. Does Skjor always ask you to go on Markarth jobs because he doesn't trust the others to fight them?"

Vilkas scoffed. "Hardly."

"Hm. If you say so. Let's have a drink before we go home?" Farkas pointed at the Bannered Mare.

"And have another drink there, too? Don't you think you should save some of your money?"

"Well, yea, but where's the fun in that?"

"Alright. But then we go to old Sam's and look at books."

"Deal!"

XXX

Several days later

"Oi, boys!" Erika grabbed Vilkas and Farkas by the shoulders. "Kodlak wants to see us all."

"For work?"

"Yep. Let's go," she turned them towards Kodlak's chamber and slapped them lightly across the back.

Inside, Skjor and Kodlak were waiting. "You're here. Good. We have a situation," Kodlak motioned towards free chairs that usually weren't in the room. "There's a joint request from Lakeview and Grim manor. They want a bandit raid."

Vilkas and Farkas exchanged a look.

"I am needed for a different job, so Skjor will lead your group," Kodlak continued. "You three will go with, along with six other recruits."

"Just ten of us for a whole bandit raid?" Vilkas spoke up. "The underlings were shabby enough, but if there's even a few more tough skulls like the one I faced, that won't be enough. The recruits will get killed."

"Always naysaying," Skjor grumbled.

Kodlak raised a hand to silence them both. "It is not all. The forces from Lakeview will join you. It's not much, but they are trained, plus two seasoned veterans. That would put you up to twenty members."

Kodlak tapped a map on his table. "Raid is one thing. The other goal is hostage extraction."

Farkas shot Vilkas a questioning look.

"He means we need to save prisoners and take them out safely," Vilkas spoke quietly, leaning to his brother.

"Several people from the Grim manor had been taken as retaliation for the death of one of the bandit captains. Madam Grim wants them back and is willing to pay a large sum for them."

Kodlak looked up at all of them. "You will get more details at Lakeview. Anyone who refuses to go?"

No answer.

"Good. Make haste, then."

XXX

"Skjor," Erika caught up to the man as he was leading the recruits out of Jorrvaskr, "I need a little detour on the way to Lakeview and I need to take the twins with me. I'll be there on the same day, just a little bit later."

He looked at her, eyes stern. Then he turned away. "Alright. Be there."

"What are we getting pulled into?" Farkas asked, stopping next to Erika.

"I...my sister reached out to me," Erika slouched a little. "She asked for help. She wants to go try to Lakeview."

"What is it with everyone and Lakeview these days?" Farkas wondered.

"They want to get people in, grow it into a proper village, so they offer good deals when taking people in," Vilkas commented. "And then you have the witch rumours. Most people would think twice, but the ones who need a safe sanctuary will get it thanks to those."

"Mhm, mhm," Farkas nodded, "so why does your sister want to go? I thought you said she didn't talk with you and she had a husband and kids and stuff."

"She didn't want to talk and she does have a family...that's the problem."

Both brothers raised their eyebrows at her. "He beats her. He spends their money on ale and pipeweed. Marishka makes most of their money by sewing clothes. She's pregnant with their second and she fears for the children's lives."

"Can we kill him?" Farkas' eyes grew cold.

"It would bring us trouble," Vilkas patted his brother's shoulder. "Most probably he will die an agonising death of hunger, debts and cold without her pulling him through."

"Can I beat his ass, at least?" Farkas looked at Erika

"It's not a job..." she fidgeted.

"If he attacks us, aye," Vilkas said darkly. "Let's go."

XXX

"Shor's hairy ass, can't a man get some peace in his house?!"

Vilkas and Farkas exchanged a look. Before they came to the shabby farmhouse, they could hear loud screaming and crying. It all stopped once Erika knocked on the door.

"Open the door, I want to see my sister!" Erika called out.

"Another bitch? Are you coming to join our little household?" the voice grew lewd. Steps neared and the door swung open.

Erika immediately pushed inside the doorframe. "Yes, another bitch. I'm taking my sister away, swine."

The man, young but unhealthy looking, backed away. "Wha-what do you think you're doing, bitch? Get on your knees or get out!"

Vilkas and Farkas followed after Erika, Vilkas blocking the entrance and Farkas moving in between the man and two figures in the back.

Their faces contorted in disgust as they noticed the man had his pants half untied, showing the beginnings of hair.

He gulped and backed a bit, his neck cranking in an attempt to look Farkas in the eyes.

What he saw didn't make him happy.

"You-you have no-no authority to take my wife!"

"Yes I do," Erika walked past, not paying attention. "She is my blood sister, and you do not treat her well. Didn't you know that families can come for their kin if you mistreat them?"

"But-but-"

"No buts," Farkas growled. The glint in his eyes made the man shut up.

"Get your things, Marishka," Erika stopped by the shaded figures, her stance awkward. "He won't stop you."

After a while of hesitation, a thin girl and even thinner woman stepped out of the shadows. They gave a quick, scared look to the twins and then hurried to pack. It didn't take long.

The woman looked a lot like Erika. If she were unhealthy. Reddish brown hair tied back, dark brown eyes and square jaw.

When Erika took them to the door, Vilkas stepped to the side, far enough so he couldn't reach them.

Erika shot him a thankful look.

Once everyone was outside, Vilkas waited for Farkas. He was clearly unhappy the man proved a coward, as he kicked a pile of pots over on the way out.

"I better never see you again in my life," Farkas growled over his shoulder.

XXX

A number of days later, Lakeview

"So this is it?" Erika looked disappointed.

"Aye," Vilkas looked at the palisade. The archers were there, as usual. Who was going to look after the settlement, though? It seemed as though all forces would be withdrawn.

Did they intend for Yvaine alone to protect Lakeview? Though the residents would probably prove a tough bunch of militia, if need be. It always was like that in new settlements like Lakeview.

"It's...rather...normal and small."

"What were you expecting?" Farkas wanted to know.

"I don't know, something like Reach camps? With bloody spikes and dead animals on the walls?"

"I don't think thane Bjorn would be allowed to stay for long if he played it that way," Vilkas chuckled.

"People wouldn't come for trades," Farkas commented. "I talked with the guys and ladies at Grim manor. They all come, or send someone to bring a whole package of medicine and stuff."

"Are you going to the manor after?" Erika teased.

"Sure! My favourite bed-buddy works there."

"Which one is it?" Vilkas asked.

"Deirdre. Tall, curly, divine tits and ass."

"The steward? She seemed smart."

The guard at the gate, the same young man Vilkas had seen before, let them in once Erika showed her pendant. "The other Companions have gathered at the manor," he pointed out the way. "You can leave the horses with Greta at the stables.

When they were at the stables, Erika quietly asked Greta's help for Marishka and her daughter.

"Well, look who finally arrived," Skjor commented when they entered the hall. "Took you long enough. Let's listen to the debrief now," he turned to thane Bjorn, standing at the head of the table.

Apparently there had been trouble with a bandit syndicate rising, and now it has gotten so big the bandits threw all caution to the wind. They collected protection money from farmers and settlements, raided merchants, took lumber from mills and even started spreading smuggled drugs.

As he was listening, Vilkas felt a tug at his chainmail.

When he looked down, Yvaine was staring back at him. He arched an eyebrow. She looked at him expectantly. He reached into his satchel quietly, pulled a piece of candy out and handed it down.

She snatched it and disappeared under the table.

"We managed to figure out where the entry to their base is, all thanks to Erdan the gate guard," Bjorn was just saying, "because when his accident happened and he bounced someone he shouldn't at the manor, they gave him a little bit of a scare and roughing up. Luckily the boy has a good sense of direction. He made it back to the manor even though they had dragged him off with a sack on his head, and found his way back there with Falco's help. They are camping at Pinewatch," he put a finger on the map.

The location was uncomfortably close to Lakeview.

"We suspect the bandits made a deal with the jarl, so we can't expect any help there," Bjorn frowned. Falco in the back nodded slightly.

"Now, the problem is the base lies underground. We found only one entrance. Another problem, the hostages. After the dead captain, the syndicate came and grabbed quite a few courtesans from the manor, including their steward. The madam wants them alive, or she will pull part of the payment for you," Bjorn encompassed the Companions with a look.

"You'll get our part as long as the head bandit dies and most of their forces are scattered."

"What about the other captains?" Vilkas asked.

Falco gave him an approving look. Skjor seemed a little annoyed, more at Vilkas asking before he did rather than the question itself.

"There ought to be no more berserkír," Bjorn said, "but at least two mages. Not College level, still mages nonetheless. We do not have complete information. Out of the six remaining captains, confirmed are the two mages, a poison smith and an ex-mercenary fighter."

"We have an experienced hag killer," Skjor pointed Vilkas out, "and a great shot to assist him," he motioned towards Erika. "The mages should be covered."

This comment earned Vilkas looks from both Bjorn and Falco. The Imperial's eyes jumped towards his abdomen for a split second, then turned away with pity.

As the talks proceeded, he could feel the intense stare from under the table.

XXX

"Don't go, please," Yvaine popped out of the darkness like a ghost.

"I have to go, we accepted money for the job," Vilkas relaxed from previous tension and laid back down.

"But you will die," her face filled with sorrow.

"Why are you so certain?"

"There are too many bandits. You won't be able to fight all of them. Even Orgoch picked her battles. I don't want you to die. I don't want Falco and Bjorn to die."

"We have good chances."

"That armor won't protect you from the swarm," Yvaine tapped his breastplate, neatly put away. Without any other word she slid back into the darkness.

"I heard voices," Erika returning from the manor peeked in. Once she saw Vilkas was decent, she entered the little room she and the twins were sharing. Farkas followed.

"The resident witch is worried," Vilkas shifted to get more comfortable.

"That's...not a good sign?" Farkas was uncertain.

"No..." Vilkas trailed off.

"Do you know her?"

"Well yes, she decided I am her friend during my last job here."

"Did you bribe her with candy?" Farkas perked up. "Can we bribe her more and get some protection?"

"I don't take bribes," a voice said from the corner of the room. The three turned. Eyes were glistening in the shadows, set in a faintly visible figure of a girl. "I did bring some things."

She stepped out of the shadows, holding three small effigies up. They were made of twigs, feathers, string and some things better left uncertain.

Vilkas took one and put it next to his armor. "What are they for?"

"They will help protect you," Yvaine set the other two in Farkas' and Erika's bedding. She raised her finger. "But only for a limited amount. They will break after they are spent. So be careful."

She shifted closer to Vilkas again. "Can I have more candy?"

"I thought you didn't take bribes?" he reached for the paper packet.

"I don't. It's payment."

XXX

"Don't go, please," Yvaine was trying once again with Falco and Bjorn. The group was ready to set out.

"Little lady, we have to go," Bjorn patted her head gently. "If we don't uproot them now, they will grow into an unkillable monster later."

"But-"

"We'll be fine," he reassured boldly. "You stay here and protect the manor. I see you've started already," he looked up at the palisade. A goat head sat above the gate, intestines hung around and blood was drying on the walls, used to paint strange symbols.

He looked away, his demeanour hardening. "Alright, let's go!"

XXX

"Moooooooori!" Yvaine was running through the forest, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was screaming as loudly as she could, but her voice didn't leave her vicinity.

"Moriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Flapping of wings interrupted her sobbing. A white crow slid through the forest, changing into a woman as she landed. Mori hugged Yvaine and soothed: "I am here, Yva, I'm here. What's wrong?"

Yvaine hiccuped and turned red eyes to Mori. "T-they're going to die! Bjorn and-and-and Falco and Vilkas and the others! Deirdre too! They just went there, to the bad bandits, even-even though I warned them!"

Mori hugged Yvaine tighter. "Shhh, Yva, shhhhhh. We'll make sure they make it out. Come, let us look for them. Did they have a werewolf in the party?"

"One," Yvaine sobbed, then tried to dry her eyes. She gave up and buried her head in Mori's chest.

22