Eorlund looked over the items he had finished today. All beautiful pieces. He turned to clean the forge and prepare for going home.
When he came back to pack his products, a dagger was missing. In its place a large, uncut amethyst rested, glistening in the evening sun.
XXX
Tilma and Vilkas were just finishing. As much as it was unexpected, the housekeeper didn't bar him from her kitchen kingdom, even agreed to teach him some things.
That afternoon, after the celebration earlier, he had returned and asked her to help him with a recipe he brought back from Winterhold.
They had tried several times already.
This was the first batch that came out right.
But...one piece of the candy was missing?
XXX
Kodlak was sitting in his room, pondering over the notes Vilkas had made on their previous venture.
He shuddered.
An immense pressure neared. Yet he couldn't see anyone approaching. Skjor and Embla ran out of their rooms, weapons in hands. Norni and Sig rushed downstairs.
All of them were shaking.
Kodlak realised he was shaking too.
That...presence...was suffocating. Only the members of the Circle reacted. Kodlak's eyes surveyed his room.
A dried flower he had put in front of a candle was in a different spot. He could almost feel the presence in one spot...
"It's alright," he called out to the hall. "Go back to your business, I'll deal with it."
The others gave him a look, but, in the end, backed away. Kodlak closed the door behind himself and went to sit back in his chair.
A girl, around ten years of age, was standing next to the jar he kept a daedra heart in, hands on the lid.
"...can I have it?" she asked after an uncomfortably long silence.
Kodlak looked at the jar.
"What will you give me in return?"
"I have shiny rocks," she let go of the jar and started going through her pockets. She pulled out various stones, gems and crystals, dropping them on his table. Kodlak's eyebrows went high as the pile grew.
There were some very expensive and rare alchemical materials among regular rocks and precious gems as well.
"How about you answer my questions instead?" Kodlak looked into a note with drawings on it, then at the girl's left arm.
Unlike the other, it was covered all the way over the wrist with a decorative cloth bracer of some sorts.
She looked at her treasure pile and pouted. "Couldn't you have said so earlier? Now I'll have to put all of this back." She dropped on the empty chair with a thud. A little nixad fluttered in from the ceiling and perched on top of the pile.
A worn doll sat on the table.
Kodlak felt shivers run down his spine. There had been no doll just a moment ago.
He put his hands on the table and intertwined his fingers. "What's your name, little miss?"
"Yvaine," she grumbled, pocketing the pile.
"Who are you?"
"I'm me, can't you see that?" she tilted her head at him, her frozen sea-like eyes filling with confusion. Those eyes seemed larger than they should have been, even though they were normal sized. Just like the young woman with the horses.
"Well, where's your family? Where do you live? What do you do?"
"I haven't seen Orgoch in years," Yvaine started swinging her legs playfully, "and I don't even miss her too much. She wasn't nice. She wanted me to do scary things."
I wonder what things you would consider scary, Kodlak couldn't help but wonder. The nixad nuzzling to her neck seemed disturbing enough to him with its large insectoid grin.
"...is so nice. She's always taking care of me and doing things for me and helping me. Oh, she's probably looking for me now. I'll go back once I check here. It's important, you know?" Yvaine, who hadn't stopped babbling, leaned forward with a conspiratorial smile. "I think he might be here, you know? She made that big decision based all on him. And it was all good for us both. I'm happy in Lakeview. Falco is real nice to us. The old fox can be a little ass, but he's nice too. We have warm food and nice beds that don't hurt in the morning and people who like to see us every day."
Damnit, I missed a part. "Lakeview? That new settlement in Falkreath hold? Where the horses are from?"
"Yes, that one! It's real nice and cosy. Did you go there?"
"No, not yet."
"Do you want to come for a visit? I'll show you my deathbell plot! They are growing real nice. Makes sense, because I used corpses as fertiliser." She scratched her head, making a mess of her flaxen hair. "They grow without them too, but don't turn out so well."
"Oh! Are you the witch from Lakeview?"
"Have you heard of me?" she beamed. Kodlak noticed the doll had switched positions again. Now it was sitting next to the jar with the daedric heart in it.
"There have been rumours, yes," Kodlak nodded.
Yvaine sniffed. "I thought I smelled it again...rumours?" She turned to him, smiling widely. "All true! I did put that goat head on the palisade. No one broke in as long as it was there."
She turned a little sad. "But Falco made me take it down." Her mood flipped around once more. "I make the ointments, potions, lotions and remedies! Momo is good with them too, but she usually wanders around. She does the things Orgo wanted, but differently."
She looked around, sniffing. "They disagreed, you know?" her voice lowered to a whisper as she kept looking for that elusive scent. "About what to do. O said it was sacred and Nords weren't worth it. Mo didn't like it."
Kodlak, utterly lost and full of even more questions, interrupted her stream of words. "Why did you come to Jorrvaskr?"
"Oh!" she snapped back to full volume. The doll was sitting in her lap. "I followed the scent of blood!"
XXX
"Why is everyone so weird today?" Erika looked around the hall as she followed after Farkas.
"Who cares?" he shrugged. The scratch Imelda left on his face had been taken care of and now it was apparently time to go pester Vilkas about some candy. She had been curious about it as well, if she was completely honest. Farkas kept drooling about it ever since they got back from Winterhold.
They found Vilkas in his room.
A plate full of small golden cubes sat on the table. The smell of honey, mint and morning frost wafted out of the door to greet them.
Farkas' eyes widened. "That smells like the real deal!"
"It should be, this time," Vilkas sighed. "Never in my life would I think making food could be this difficult."
Farkas grabbed one and stuck it in his mouth. "Delicious," he rolled his eyes and moaned.
Erika took one too. "Well, now I have to try. You only make this face when drinking your own alcohol or eating that special roast Tilma makes."
As she tasted it, her eyes widened. "Oh boy, it's good!"
"Can I have some?"
All three startled. Erika almost choked on her candy. There was a girl in the room too. None of them heard nor saw her enter. She was standing in the corner quietly, staring at them with wide eyes.
She was holding a daedric heart in her hand and a doll hung from her belt.
When no one answered, she sniffed. She turned to Farkas. "Your blood smells familiar. But it's not it."
She turned to Vilkas.
He flinched as sharp pain pierced through his finger. The doll was right next to him, a needle stuck in its hand. When he looked up, the girl was staring at the scarlet droplet of blood on the tip of his finger.
"It IS you," she smiled all of a sudden. "Your blood smells the same it did back then. There was a lot of it. I wouldn't ever forget that scent." She looked up at him and said in a sing-song manner: "Mister-mister, you should meet my sister." She grew serious. "You really should."
Cawing of crows, so loud it made its way to the lower halls of Jorrvaskr, interrupted her monologue.
"Oh. She's looking for me. I have to go," she skipped out, grabbing a piece of candy on the way. As she continued through the hall, she sang quietly: "Must have been the wind..."
Vilkas, Farkas and Erika exchanged looks of utter confusion.
Soon after the girl left, the cacophony of bird voices died down. When it did, Kodlak called out.
"Vilkas! Come, we have matters to discuss!"
XXX
"Looks like we caught the eye of a witch," Kodlak was leaning on his table. "At first I thought she came because of us," he motioned towards the rooms the Circle lived in, "but then she basically declared she was interested in you."
Unease rose in Vilkas' chest. Not just that, though. A strange wave of excitement and expectation too.
"Any ideas why?"
"She...might have been among those who saved me when Hrakni died."
Kodlak's eyebrow went up.
"It's just a thought," Vilkas fidgeted a little. "I do not remember much."
"She spoke of a sister," Kodlak said slowly.
"To me as well."
"You probably haven't noticed as much as the Circle did, but...the little one is no ordinary witch. Not in the slightest."
Vilkas blinked in surprise as he noticed Kodlak shudder.
"I think it would be wise to find out what exactly these witches want with you. I believe I saw the sister earlier - the little one mentioned Lakeview. The horsemaster woman from there looked a lot like her." Kodlak frowned. "I want you to find a way to go to Lakeview inconspicuously and ask around. We need to know if those witches of theirs are out for us."
XXX
On the road from Whiterun to Falkreath
"Why on Nirn would you stare at the Harbinger like that?" Bjorn couldn't keep it in. He had asked before, but Mori remained silent.
Now, however, she bristled. "Because he's a werewolf, Bjorn!"
That shut the man up.
"Are you sure?" he finally said in a squeaky voice.
"Do you disbelieve me now?" Mori snapped. Her teeth elongated into fangs and nails into claws. "First you can't go without me to look after the horses, I am a prize that you want to run dry of blood, and the moment your deal is made, you discard my worth?"
Yvaine, sleeping curled into a ball in the back of their cart, whimpered from her slumber.
Mori's voice lowered into a hiss. "I am absolutely sure, just as I am sure I smell your fear right now."
They didn't exchange a word for the rest of the day.
When Bjorn woke up in the morning, he was alone. He found large pawprints of a leopard and a little wreath from wildflowers Yvaine liked to put into his hair left in her bedroll.
"Falco is going to kill me," he groaned.
XXX
Two months later, Lakeview
"Sorry, you will have to come back another time. The little miss went to collect more ingredients for her ointments," Erdan turned another visitor down. "She can't see you until she comes back, but if you have the name of the medicine she gave you, you can take more of it back with you."
Once he showed the old woman to Greta, who helped Yvaine with most of her brewing, he sighed.
The witches had always been leaving for prolonged periods of time, but usually one of them stayed around, or, if they did go together, they were back in two weeks at most.
He had noticed lord Bjorn pushing the older one more, but never thought it would actually lead to anything other than her sulking for a while.
He, along with other residents of Lakeview, started growing nervous. He had different reasons to miss the witches than others, but he did nonetheless.
Hm?
There was a person riding to the gate.
He sighed. Another poor bugger to turn away...
XXX
As Vilkas approached Lakeview, he inspected every detail. A small manor hugged close to the cliff. Newly built houses made an enclosed space around the manor, and a palisade was protecting all of it.
He could see a few archers scattered on the palisade. One guard stood at the gate.
A small settlement indeed. When did it first appear? Four years ago?
He had asked around and apparently you could stay for a night in Lakeview. If there was space.
The job he accepted was about retrieval of personal property. The client was not from Lakeview, but Grim Manor instead. It made sense for him to stop at Lakeview on the way.
And ask around.
He sighed. He did not want to dig there, as he gained an idea that the locals were protective of their wyrd wards.
According to rumours, at least.
On the other hand...
Kodlak mentioned the little one, Yvaine, had her left arm covered up. That was where the Daughter tattoo should be. And the way she spoke to him...
Maybe he could learn more about that day? About the leopard?
Why did his heart beat a little faster? No time to ponder about it. He shook his head and focused his attention on the guard, motioning for him to stop.
He stopped the horse.
"If you're coming to see the little lady-"
"No," Vilkas interrupted. "I was hoping to spend the night. Is there any space free?"
That took the man by surprise. Judging from his face, he was younger than Vilkas. A little bitterness crossed Vilkas' mind as he realised the guard was indeed younger, but already more heavily built than him. And the same height.
Was all the training, running around in heavy armor and wielding various types of weapons not worth anything?
Ugh.
"I-I think so," the guard stammered. "Let's go ask Greta, she'll know." He turned to walk away, but then stopped. "Uhm. Sir, who might you be?"
"Vilkas of the Companions," he pulled the pendant out and showed it to the guard.
Strangely enough, the guard paled a little. "Ah. Yes. Well...let's go," he motioned for Vilkas to continue.
Suspicious, Vilkas dismounted his horse and led it after the man. It would be easier for him to slip out on his own feet if things went bad.
He noticed one of the archers quickly retreating towards the manor. Hm. The longsword will be of no use in most areas here. He always had his saex, though. Shield for blocking arrows...once he makes it between the trees he should be fine.
The aforementioned Greta greeted him warmly. She shooed the guard away with Vilkas' horse.
Vilkas, still tense, listened to her talk about Lakeview. She said nothing of particular interest. On purpose.
Why would everyone be on edge from a single Companion? Or maybe it didn't have anything to do with him per se...
Just as she was asking what he would like for dinner, two men walked into the area with the small guesthouse. A tall redheaded Nord and a slim, dangerous looking Imperial.
Greta backed away, leaving them space.
Vilkas immediately noticed how the two appraised him. They noted his weapons, how he positioned himself towards them and the surroundings, his armor and how he moved in it and lastly, his stance.
"I'm thane Bjorn," the redhead introduced himself. So this was the guy Kodlak spoke to. "That's Falco," he tilted his head in the Imperial's direction. "What is your business in Lakeview?"
Bjorn exuded confidence, but Vilkas was more concerned about that Falco fellow. That one would find any possible openings in his armor and slip a dagger through there in no time.
"I wish to stay the night," he pointed towards the darkening sky, "as it is getting hard to see where I'm heading."
"And where is that?"
"Grim Manor."
Both men relaxed. Bjorn less visibly so, Falco without any restraint.
"Our madam neighbour has need of Companion services?" Bjorn mused, pulling at one of his braids. His eyes didn't falter, but Falco's shot towards the direction of the gate before he could catch himself and correct his gaze.
What on Nirn was the business around here? What did Kodlak get him involved in by making him take this particular job?
XXX
Vilkas lay in the bed, looking up at the dark ceiling. Once again, sleep eluded him. With a sigh, he got up and lit a candle. As he was pulling his notebooks out, he heard footsteps approaching.
Little later someone knocked on his door.
Falco.
Vilkas made an effort to not change his facial expression and opened the door wide. "Come in."
The Imperial gave a curt nod and slipped into the room. He sat down on a chair, his fingers fidgeting. "Have you seen a young girl when you came in? Anywhere in the forest. Flaxen hair, dark blue-grey eyes, would probably hum something while picking rocks. For sure had a doll with her."
It cost even more effort for Vilkas not to lose his stoic face. "Sadly, no. Is your daughter missing?"
A wisp of a smile crossed the man's lips at the word 'daughter.' "You could say that, yes."
"Is that why your whole village is on edge?"
"Ha, you noticed? Of course you did," Falco ran his hand through his curls. "Kind of."
"Were you afraid the Companions got hired for a witch hunt?" Vilkas decided to push.
A direct hit. The man flinched. When he was not in combat mode, reading him became easy.
"There have been no notices," Vilkas continued. "The only witch hunts I have ever seen were always in the Reach, for the hags. And if the rumours are to be trusted, there will be none for your daughter."
"The gossip got that far already, huh. I guess being surprised would be strange. There are many people coming here just for Yvaine."
He still didn't mention anything about the other witch. The gossip always talked about witches at Lakeview. And Yvaine mentioned sisters.
Suspicious. But not worth digging into at the moment. Maybe now he could actually sleep without worrying about getting stabbed at night.
XXX
Grim Manor stood where the old maps showed Peak's Shade tower. The tower itself had been renovated and incorporated into the manor. The whole building gave off a feeling of a large fortified tavern.
It was built of the best wood, decorated with vivid banners and planters full of flowers. There was even some gold paint and decorational carvings.
Strangely enough, among all the glitter of the manor itself, Vilkas noticed the large amounts of butterflies fluttering around more.
He sighed. He knew full well this was a brothel, and a frequented one at that. Farkas talked about it. He stopped there once after a job and ever since, he wanted to go again to try out different courtesans. Well. As long as he keeps his armor and weapons on, he should be fine. He gave his horse to the stablehand and went inside.
The entry hall did look like a tavern. Except, there were smaller spaces split from the main hall by scarlet fabric. He could see pairs or groups chatting and drinking in those.
Other patrons and courtesans moved about the main hall. A few employees, both men and women, turned to him.
Vilkas hardened his expression. The black war paint was a life-saver in similar situations.
"I'm here about different business," he gently, but firmly removed a woman's hand from his bracer. "Where can I find madam Grim?"
"The madam is not seeing customers," another tried to get his attention.
"Don't touch me," Vilkas growled. "She called for the Companions. Here I am. Where is she?"
The courtesans withdrew a little, fear in their eyes.
"The madam is waiting for you, Companion," another woman entered the scene. She shooed the other courtesans. As they scattered, she motioned for Vilkas to follow.
He did. She led him upstairs and then into the tower. Vilkas felt uncomfortable, the tight spiralling space of the staircase made him vulnerable. He could use his left hand to fight as well, but felt much more comfortable the other way around. And the space itself didn't give much to manoeuvre in.
The bow he had brought with him, as well as his longsword, were actually scraping at the walls from time to time.
Finally they entered the madam's sanctuary. Lavish but practical. The lady herself sat behind a dark wooden desk.
She might have been fifty. Hard to say with all the make-up. It will also be hard to read her expressions - she was using the same tactic he was.
"I hear you were not interested in my goods before conducting business," she nodded. "Good. Deirdre," she looked at the woman who led him in, "stay by the door. Now let's talk business."
XXX
Two days later
The rain finally stopped. Good. Vilkas had need of his bow.
The madam needed him to retrieve a personal item of hers, stolen by a band of bandits. The band itself was far too large to take out - but not the woman who took the item and her guard.
She pointed out several locations to Vilkas and set him loose.
He did some reconnaissance and then picked this particular spot. For the past half day he lay in wait.
The mountain lake spot had a nice little respite area built at it. The booze had been freshly refilled - Vilkas found no traces of dust on the bottles, but there was dust in other areas.
He had to wait for a couple more hours before his prey approached.
And approach they did.
A woman riding a horse at the front, two more women on horses by her side and two men following on their feet behind the horses.
Vilkas waited for them to get comfortable at the respite. He waited for them to drink.
As the sun started to set, he pulled the bowstring on the bow. He nocked an arrow. Pulled the string. Aimed. Released.
The arrow hissed through the air and pierced right through one of the women's throat.
Vilkas nocked another arrow.
The second hit landed in the leader's thigh.
A third only grazed one of the men on the arm.
They managed to pinpoint his location by now. The remaining woman grabbed a bow of her own and started shooting.
Sloppily.
Even that was dangerous, though.
Vilkas slid down and zig-zagged towards the men, charging at him. He sliced the first open with one swing.
The other man got hit by an arrow from behind. Vilkas quickly moved from blocking to slashing his blade to finish the job. He hadn't expected them to endanger their own.
An arrow whistled next to his helmet.
He decided to bet on speed and the protection of his armor.
As he neared, the leader grabbed the last remaining woman and just...tossed her at him. Vilkas avoided collision by a hair's width.
He moved to the side and stabbed down, killing the bandit. He couldn't afford anyone running off and bringing reinforcements.
He pulled the blade up and took a stance.
The woman...laughed.
She rose from her seat and just...tore the arrow out of her leg. "I'm gonna break you, boy," she slammed her fist into her palm.
The gauntlets she was wearing looked enchanted. She was a little shorter than Vilkas, but definitely more massive. Her armor didn't look too great, mostly just assembled leathers and hides, but seeing her ignore the arrow wound made Vilkas wary.
How to kill a berserkír and not die himself...
No one could function long without blood. He had reach.
She watched him, grinning more and more. "Your ideas won't save you. Come to mama!"