Late autumn, 4E 189, Riverwood
Vilkas dusted snowflakes off his cloak after entering the inn. He headed towards the table where Farkas sat, happily chewing on a roast.
"You should eat the vegetables too," Vilkas commented. He grabbed the food Farkas had ordered for him.
"But they don't taste good here. I'll just have more at home," Farkas grinned. "Or if you cook them."
"Fine, but I'll hold you to that promise."
"By the way...how come you made me lose my bet? You had all the opportunities!"
Vilkas shot a glare Farkas' way. "What did I say about sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"
"I'm just looking out for you," Farkas made a placating gesture. "But really now. Between us. As brothers. How come?!"
"It's your own fault," Vilkas kept a stony face. "Your giant ass barged in on all of the best moments. Now stop asking."
"What? No! Well, maybe that time...and then in the camp...and..."
XXX
Several days later
"Ah, it's good to be home," Farkas breathed in and then released the air with a content sigh.
"Are you sure it's not just you enjoying being stared at?" Vilkas gave him a sideways look. While they traveled, Farkas was happy to keep their trophies in one of the magical bags, but once they arrived at Whiterun, he hoisted the severed daedric heads on his back.
"Why not both?" Farkas grinned. "Can we keep the heads? I'd like to mount them in Jorrvaskr."
"I don't see why not...just don't do the preserving yourself. Bring them to Arcadia."
Many people waved at Farkas or stopped him for a greeting and a few words. Vilkas didn't join in, but he watched the interactions. Something felt a little off. A sort of...tension...hung in the air.
It became much denser once they came to Jorrvaskr.
Upon entering, all the heads in the main hall turned to them. "Look who came back," Skjor was the first to comment.
Helgi and the others in their whelp group actually turned much happier upon seeing them, but...most of the present Companions were down on mood and the Circle were outright gloomy.
"Sure we did," Farkas was somewhat louder than necessary. "And we brought trophies too!" He slung the heads off, raising his hand high so everyone could have a look.
"Whoa! What is that?"
"Looks damn monstrous."
"Was it a tough fight?"
"How did you kill them?"
Farkas chuckled. "I'll tell you all about it, don't you worry. But first, this is not all we brought!"
Vilkas sighed and took out the shard of Wuuthrad. "The venture was a success," he turned to Kodlak.
The Harbinger's face brightened. "Well done, boys. Come, let us put it with the others."
Kodlak signalled for Farkas to stay and Vilkas to follow. Skjor and Embla got up from their seats and joined them. After putting the shard on display with others, Kodlak continued downstairs, leading everyone to the antechamber of his quarters.
"Misfortune befell us while you were away," he looked at Vilkas after everyone sat down. "Both Norni and Sig have perished."
"The werewolf heads at the front gate were-?"
"Aye."
"Silver Hand?"
"Who else?" Skjor frowned.
"Someone's been feeding them information," Embla growled, her eyes gaining an eerie inner glow. "They attacked them after a job, when both of them were drained and wounded. Cowards!"
"Calm down, Embla," Kodlak gave her a look.
"Calm down? Calm down?!" Embla hit the table. "Two of ours have been slain like pigs, skinned and presented like trophies!"
"Skinned?" Vilkas' stomach turned.
"The damned Redguard came wearing Norni's fur as a cloak! While bringing their severed heads to the jarl!" Embla growled. Claws started to grow from her fingers.
"Embla! That's enough," Kodlak gave her a look. She scoffed, but leaned back in her chair and her fingers turned to normal. Kodlak kept her gaze for a bit, then turned back to Vilkas. "You need to be careful. Inform Farkas. For the foreseeable future, never go for a job alone, and look out for a Redguard woman with blonde hair. Now let's discuss our next course of action."
XXX
When Vilaks finally made his way back to the hall, he found Farkas warming up with his lyre.
"I composed a little song to regale you all with the tale of our venture," he turned to the Companions listening. Some of the older members grabbed the food they hadn't eaten yet and disappeared downstairs.
This ought to be amusing, Vilkas got himself a plate and sat down.
Finally pleased with the sound of the strings, Farkas seated himself on the central table. "Now listen to Farkas the Great, aka The Battle at the Top."
"The reward was here,
so very near.
When they went through the tunnel,
the cultists funneled,
they saw Farkas the great
And knew what it meant."
Farkas' voice wasn't the best trained one, but good enough. The lyre, albeit sometimes jumping off-note, made for a decent piece of music.
"They cried and ran
from the hunk of a man,
but not far did they get,
their end they met.
Great Farkas and gang
made it out with a bang,
to the top of the mountain
Like a great fountain.
There a ruin sat,
like a great bat,
and daedra around
Great ruin they were bound."
Of course he would focus the song like that. Never change, Farkas.
Farkas now started really getting into it, his voice growing even more confident. He started tapping the leg the lyre was not sitting on against the floor.
"The gang shivered in fear
but no fear, Great Farkas is near.
He led them to battle,
to test their mettle,
to the ruin they fought,
some time He had bought.
But there it became clear
great threat was near,
dread xivilai, fool,
against Farkas the cool."
The whelps started joining in the rhythm, humming, clapping, stomping the ground. Laughter burst here and there with the lyrics. Emboldened, Farkas continued with a grin.
"Hot Farkas hacked and hacked,
to the wall it backed.
Little Nevras was drawing
And Siga was bawling.
Young VIlkas valiantly met
the blow meant to hit
with the shield on his arm
He full was of charm.
Then Mori bounced,
unannounced,
her ladylike chomp
Made the xivilai go womp."
"Who are those people?"
"Dunno. Maybe the mage and the noble? That came as clients?"
"Shhh! You're interrupting the song!"
"Great portal there
its mouth was bare.
But wait!
It was too late!
It is not the portal,
you stupid mortal,
the xivilai cackled.
But Farkas him heckled!
This thing we don't fear,
just like you, its end is near!
Xivilai's face angered
and imagined them mangled.
He lifted his hammer stout
and knocked them all out.
But not Farkas the cool,
since he is no fool."
Got to give him that, as much fictional as it is, it's very catchy. And funny.
"Little Nevras then fell
on his whimsy ass spell,
and by some strange luck
it packed quite the whack!
The creature in the portal
seemed to be mortal,
its roaring stopped
when its head went plop.
Many things it had dosed,
but now the portal had closed.
The xivilai grew,
at Farkas it threw
all its might
from dusk till light!
But Farkas stood tall,
never shall he fall.
In the end he roared
And xivilais head he hauled
up in the air,
it was laid bare.
Mouth full of fangs,
ready to clang,
a fine gift
for one tiny witch!"
"What's that about a witch?"
"Shh!"
"His friends Farkas took
back to the mountain's foot.
There they slumbered
while he wandered.
In the morning they woke
and there they spoke:
Ohh…..Farkas the Great!"
Loud clapping and excited whistling filled the hall.
Erika, who had found her way to Vilkas' side during the song and managed to spill some beer over him, laughed. "Brother, you're getting better! Maybe you should go study at Bard's College instead!"
"That wouldn't be as fun. Besides, what would I do without my fine folks here?"
"Sing it one more time!"
"Yea! Sing!"
"Sing! Sing! Sing!"
Vilkas smiled as Farkas started the song anew.
XXX
Two weeks later
Mori was waiting for him at the usual spot. When he finally climbed all the way up, she opened her arms for a hug.
For a moment, her presence dispersed all the worry plaguing him.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he breathed out into her hair.
"You sound troubled," she looked up.
"I...I am."
"Anything I can help with?"
"No. It's...internal." They sat down, folding a cloak on a rock. The cold evening air whistled around, biting at their ears.
"Well...all the more reason for my next gift, then," Mori smiled after a while of comfortable silence. She reached into a pocket on her dark green dress and pulled a stone out.
Vilkas looked closer. It was a small dark green stone, almost black, with a hole in it. Mori put it on a braided leather string to wear as a necklace.
"River made the hole," she presented the stone to him. "So the stone has some magical abilities of its own. We call these the hag stones."
"Hag stones?"
"Or adder stones. Don't worry, it has nothing to do with the actual hags," she smiled brightly. "It's a rock imbued with the arcane by water."
"Water can just do that?"
"Well, not just do that," Mori tilted her head. "Conditions need to be met. Like with the runestones Nevras was picking, do you remember? Not every stone gets imbued with power by simply lying in a spot."
"I thought he was just picking rocks to chuck at people."
"Also possible. But he only picked the imbued ones. I think he doesn't want to use souls for enchanting. So he's going with the longer, more difficult way."
"What about this stone, then?"
"It will ward you from evil spirits and nightmares," Mori's eyes turned to the stone in her hands, "help you heal and protect you."
She picked the string, stretching over to his head. "May I?"
He bent. The tips of her fingers tickled the skin on his neck as she put the stone in place. She let her hands slip along the string, settling them on his chest. "And if it breaks, I will know. You can call me with it."
"I can't break a gift from you," he rested his chin on top of her head.
"You can. And you should. If you have a need of me, break it. I will be there as fast as a crow can fly."
He covered her hands with his.
I should ask about werewolves...but gods, I don't want to talk about those.
Strange. For a while, all I wanted was to be deemed worthy of the gift. Now I just...want to...
He pulled away a little, gazing into her eyes.
"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" she smiled. The hands on his chest tensed somewhat, pressing into his tunic.
Vilkas started leaning in, slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wished.
She didn't.
Instead, a nervous, yet excitedly expectant look appeared in her eyes.
Before their lips could meet, Mori's eyes opened wide in alarm. She pushed against Vilkas violently, shoving him down.
An arrow flew between them.
Mori jumped to her feet. Vilkas followed suit.
"I didn't expect you to be a traitor," a voice rang from the darkness.
That's Embla. What is she rambling about?
A pair of glowing eyes appeared not too far away from them. "What did you whisper in her ears? Our secrets? Our plans? Who is going to die next because of you, Vilkas? Did you betray your family because of a seductress?"
"I didn't-"
"Silence!" another arrow flew, but Mori blocked it with her crab shell spell. A quiet growl escaped her.
Vilkas put a hand on her shoulder. "I know her, Mori, Let's-"
"Traitor!" Embla screeched. The faint outline of her that Vilkas could see in the dark grew with the sound of cracking bones.
Oh no.
"Embla! Stop it and talk!" he called out, stepping forward.
With a bestial growl, Embla appeared before him. She was taller than him. More massive too.
He pulled back. Teeth snapped just as his head left the area.
"Embla!"
She didn't listen. A huge clawed hand came at him. He felt it more than saw. He raised his hand to catch it.
The hit sent him rolling to the ground.
He could hear Mori growling and the sounds of a scuffle. Bestial roar and a body hitting the ground. Before he could pull himself up, a clawed hand locked around his neck, lifting him high in the air.
Not again!
I can't breathe!
He kicked. He clawed. The claws around his throat just closed tighter. "Die," Embla's voice, deeper and bestial, gurgled through the toothy maw pointed at him, golden eyes glowing in the dark.
Pale light flashed behind her.
Spectral claws cut into Embla's shoulders, ripping her flesh and scraping the bone.
Embla roared. She threw him away like a doll. He landed hard. Air escaped his lungs. He rolled, once, twice. And then all went black as his head hit a rock.
His ears were ringing.
Did I get hit by a fireball? Is the hag still around?
A wave of nausea went over him. It was so bad he almost vomited.
Where am I?
He forced his eyes open. It was dark. Except for some blurry, very bright, fast moving lights. Golden and ghastly blue...
He groaned. The light cut through his brain with searing PAIN.
He closed his eyes again. As he became more aware of his body, other spots exploded in pain. His ribs. His shoulder. Lower back. Head. The whole damn head, throbbing with increasing pain, like hammers hitting it from the inside.
I need to move. It's not safe. Not safe...
The ringing slowly lessened. Bestial growls and roars replaced it, causing him more pain with their loudness.
He tried to pull himself up. With a cry of pain, he fell back down.
I NEED to move. I-I have to-to...the h-hag-
As he tried crawling, a heavy boot landed in front of his face. He could barely see it.
A hand grabbed his hair. It pulled back, painfully angling his head up.
XXX
"Look who it is," Bornolf hissed. "The great fighter himself, lying in his own blood. That's one of my fondest memories, you know."
Vilkas didn't answer him, aside from the cry of pain when he pulled his head.
"Did you hit your head too hard? Tsk," Bornolf's face contorted in a grimace. He was hoping to play with his prey first, but it seemed he was not fully there.
The fight further away hitched. One of the combatants turned, seemingly wanting to go after Bornolf. But the werewolf wouldn't relent, slashing violently at the unknown foe.
The others were just approaching.
These filthy beasts will die soon.
Torches moved over the slope, bringing light to the fight scene. Bornolf, still holding Vilkas' hair, looked up, curious who could have fought a werewolf on their own for so long.
The light revealed a tiny woman. She looked feral, growling like a beast. There was something strange about her eyes and her teeth, but Bornolf couldn't quite lay a finger on it.
"She actually looks decent. Is that your girl? I'll have her once I'm done with you, you little piece of shit. No. I'll take her right in front of you. Sounds better, right?" Bornolf grinned. He tugged at the hair violently, jerking Vilkas' head back even more. "I'm going to make sure she hurts."
Krev finally made her entrance. Her appearance stopped the fight completely, the attention of both the werewolf and the tiny woman turning to Krev's tall figure.
Magnificent, as always.
She nodded at Bornolf, a delicate cruel smile gracing her lips.
He sighed. Krev was perfect with how her brown skin contrasted with her pale hair and starkly blue eyes. And she understood him like no one else.
"Grab the girl," Krev commanded, "but leave the beast to me." She waved her axe. As she did, the werewolf flinched, showing its fangs.
"You haven't changed yet, have you?" Bornolf almost lovingly caressed Vilkas' face. "A pity. I would have burnt you with silver if you had."
A sudden outburst of alarmed screams made him lift his gaze from Vilkas.
The strange woman was in his face.
No one had stopped her.
She grabbed his hand. Her grip was like iron, making Bornolf scream and release Vilkas.
She growled at him, her teeth prolonging into fangs.
How is she not affected by the silver if she's one of them?!
A small hand closed around his throat. Her growls grew more and more bestial as she stood up, lifting him along. As if he weighed nothing, she hurled him against his comrades, coming after them.
"Get them!" Krev ordered.
Bornolf clambered up. Before he could even stand up properly, the woman grabbed Vilkas just as effortlessly. She hoisted him over her shoulders. With a bird-like screech, she leapt.
Everyone froze.
Impossible!
Just that one leap and she disappeared far into the darkness. Bornolf cursed, drawing his bow. He shot an arrow blindly.
No pained cry came.
The others had already chased after them, but the light of their torches revealed nothing.
Bornolf turned around. Krev was fighting the werewolf, thoroughly enjoying herself. With half their squad watching, Bornolf felt reassured. He grabbed a torch of his own and sprinted after the others.
XXX
I need to hide.
Fast!
Mori slowed her insane tempo, coming into a run instead of weaving leap after leap.
Pain shot through her back.
A look behind revealed tiny specks of torchlight far, far away.
She turned down the slope and hurried through the forest.
He's hit his head bad. Real bad! I need to heal him. Now!
This spot looked well enough. Mori slipped into a thicket, finding a small clearing inside of it. She gently laid Vilkas down among the fallen leaves.
Whew. I thought since carrying Siga was no problem, he'd be no different. But damn, my back aches!
She knelt next to him and touched his head. He winced, trying to escape the touch.
"I know, but bear with me. It will be better soon."
Her fingers were sticky with his blood. Damnit. Stupid werewolf!
No. It's all my fault. I was too preoccupied to even notice she was approaching! If I had...if I had...
She put the other hand down on the ground, calling for the life in it. It answered, albeit a little slower than usual due to the coming winter.
The glow of magic came, gently seeping into Vilkas. Usually Mori welcomed the soft, whimsical wisps of light, but today she wished they were more inconspicuous.
They will probably see at least a spark of light.
"Mori? What...where are we?" Vilkas sounded dazed, but at least he finally recognized her.
She released a shaky breath. "We're in danger. I'll explain. But now, I need you to try to walk. Here, let me help you up," she reached out.
He grabbed her hand, completely relying on her to guide him. With some effort, he stood up and then leaned on her.
She led him out of the thicket, slowly. She could feel him tensing with the pain he must have been going through, but now, she didn't have the time for a full healing session.
She howled like a wolf, calling the grey inhabitants of the mountain. Not to attack, she didn't want to endanger them. Harassment would do. Birds would also be good at that. She added several screeches and caws, starting a wave of flapping wings to rise around the forest.
"Why is it so loud...?"
"Hang in there. It will be better soon. Just...hang in there and keep walking."
XXX
They relented.
Finally.
Mori sighed in relief. The attackers with silver blades chased after them the whole night, not allowing her to find a hiding spot. As much as they couldn't see them, there were so many of them, with more coming in from Whiterun's direction.
She had to use all her wits to stay hidden.
I just wish I could offer food to all the beasts I had to summon...next time. I need to take care of Vilkas first.
The gates of Whiterun were close. She just had to go a little bit further, and possibly wait, and they'd be inside the walls.
The attackers probably left them because of the rising sun and proximity of the guards. As numerous as they were, the whole city guard was still too big of a bit to chew.
Vilkas just hung on her, half unconscious. His hair was caked with blood, and a frightening red stain covered half of his face, neck and shoulder.
I can't really cast my spells in town...I need to find a healer.
"Halt! What's your business?" a guard called out to her.
She stopped with a huff. "I need a healer! Please!"
"What happened?" the other guard looked at them more closely. "Wait, is that Companion-"
"Oh shit, you're right! Henric, open the gate!"
"It's too early still-"
"Open the fucking gate! Let me help you, miss," the guard grabbed Vilkas from the other side. He tried protesting, but was too weak to decline. "What happened?"
"A group of bandits attacked me," Mori sobbed. "By the farms, in the evening! Below the mountain, you see? I was just collecting herbs to sell, and they-they...they attacked me! They said they'd do horrible things to me! But he came out of nowhere and saved me. There were too many of them, though. We had to run."
"Damn, bandits this close to Whiterun? I'll get you to the temple, then report-"
"Not the temple, please, they are too expensive for me! Is there no other healer?"
"Let's go to Arcadia's, then. The new physician has been doing a good job, no magic included."
As they walked through Whiterun, Mori noticed the early risers staring at them. From their reactions, she understood that Vilkas was a well known face around the city.
Makes sense, the Companions are famous, if nothing else. And the twins are both not particularly subtle with their presence.
After the guard finished a vigorous banging session on a smaller entrance connected to what Mori assumed was Arcadia's, a sleepy dark skinned woman came to open.
"What is it?"
"He needs healing," Mori looked up from under Vilkas. "Can you do it?"
The woman immediately woke up. "Take him in. Put him on one of the beds over there," she pointed as she turned on her heel, assuming a professional tone.
Once the guard and Mori were done with that, the guard excused herself and hurried outside. Probably to report the 'bandit problem' to the jarl.
"We're not in the temple, right?" Vilkas turned to her.
"No, don't worry," Mori sat on a chair next to the bed. She grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry-"
"Don't."
The physician returned, her poofy hair neatly tied back, large glasses on her nose and all decked up in clothes that looked alien to Mori.
"So what happened?"
XXX
Mori was waiting outside of the room with beds. Once she told the physician what she needed to know for treatment, she was asked to leave the room.
What she saw around filled her with confidence. All sorts of alchemical tools were neatly stacked around, bundles of herbs were drying in one corner and boxes filled with vials lay stacked under a large desk.
Should I look for Farkas and tell him what happened?
Or...just...leave it be?
It seemed Vilkas' memories got jumbled because of the hit. He didn't know what was happening. I need to let someone know.
She shrunk a bit.
I don't want to talk to strangers.
Well...Farkas will have to do, then. He's not a stranger.
Just as she was contemplating whether to go immediately or wait for the physician to finish, the door swung open.
"Oh! You're here?" Farkas gave her a surprised look.
"I'm here," Mori replied meekly.
XXX
Farkas' song is a courtesy of my husband. Hope you liked it :)
