"That...that's bad," Farkas leaned back on the bench, running both his hands through his hair.
Mori twiddled her thumbs.
"I wish he had taken me with, Kodlak said not to go alone anywhere."
"They would have killed you, Farkas."
He looked at her. "You're right. Probably even before I noticed anything was wrong, given you haven't heard them coming."
"I had my hands full. She wanted to murder him, Farkas."
"Yea, I heard you the first time," he sighed.
"I thought you were supposed to fight together. The Guardians should-" her voice died out once footsteps could be heard from behind the door. The physician emerged, wiping her gloved hands.
"He should be-oh," she stopped once she noticed Farkas. "The other twin has arrived."
"Hey Eshe," Farkas lifted a hand in greeting.
"Are you alright? You look rather pale," the physician, Eshe, wanted to go examine him.
"No, no, I'm perfectly fine, just worried for my reckless brother."
"Understandable," Eshe nodded. "I did what I could, he should be fine after resting. No going out until the dizziness and nausea stop." She scratched her head. "To be honest, I'm surprised how little I needed to do. By the amount of blood, I thought his head would have been severely damaged."
Farkas shot a look at Mori.
She pretended to be interested in a bundle of herbs.
"How much do I owe you?" Mori looked at Eshe.
After the physician told them, Farkas reached for his money pouch. "I'll pay."
Mori stopped him. "No, it was because of me." She reached into one of her pockets and pulled a handful of gems and gold nuggets. "Can I pay with any of these?"
Both Farkas' and Eshe's eyes widened.
"Erm...I'll take these," she fished two small gold nuggets from the glistening pile. "To whom should I give the herbs for medicine?"
"Me," Farkas looked at Mori. She gave a nod of approval.
Eshe plopped a paper packet into Farkas' hands. "The instructions are written there. Make sure the stitches on his head don't get dirty and don't reopen and he should be as good as rain in no time."
"Can we take him home?"
"Yes. But be careful with him."
"Come too, Mori. I think...I think I need you to tell Kodlak. I'm a...little shaken."
"Sorry," Mori looked on her knees. "But I thought you needed to know."
"Oh, it's good you told me. I just...need to wrap my head around it. Come on. Let's take him home."
When they came in, Vilkas was sitting up.
"Up to no good again, are we?" Farkas put a smile on his face, but Mori could see the strain on it. "Did you two get so busy you tumbled into rocks?"
Mori hissed out loud before she could control herself.
"Ouch, like a sabre cat," Farkas' shoulders tensed, then relaxed. "O-kay, no inappropriate jokes around miss Mori, I promise. Come on, little brother," he helped Vilkas up and supported him as he stood. "I got him. Mori, you just come with us."
"My head hurts," Vilkas complained. "What happened?"
"I asked Mori to tell Kodlak, you can listen to it then, if you want," Farkas reached out to pat Vilkas on the head, but then remembered and stopped.
Mori slid into Farkas' shadow, following after them and hiding in their presence. Now, that morning had progressed, many more people roamed the streets, making her nervous.
Why is it so much harder when I don't have to look after Yvaine?
She kept close and watched the people, their attitudes and reactions. Most gave the twins a quick look and then continued on with their day. When they came up to the large tree, however...
A black haired woman was tending to the area. The moment she caught sight of the twins, her face twisted into a grimace, quickly replaced by a poisonous smile.
I don't like her.
Is she the one Vilkas mentioned?
When she started approaching, Farkas gritted a quiet curse between his teeth.
Mori's gaze darted between them a few times. There were pigeons around...a lot of them. She cooed softly.
When two birds flew by, each dropping a generous amount of shit on the priestess, one on the head and the other on the shoulder, Farkas broke into a laugh. He quickly stifled it, but the corners of his mouth stayed up. He looked over his shoulder at Mori and winked.
She smiled.
The priestess, screaming curses, ran back to the temple.
The spark of mirth didn't last long. The moment they turned to go up the stairs to Jorrvaskr, heavy footsteps resounded from behind them.
Mori turned.
A familiar tall figure just climbed up the stairs from lower Whiterun. Dark skin, stark pale eyes and hair, severed red wolfish head hanging on the belt.
Mori felt a growl gurgle in her throat.
"That her?" Farkas whispered.
"Yes."
As the woman walked by, followed by a unit of four other mercenaries, she looked Mori in the eyes, smiled sweetly and winked. She made a little gesture towards the twins. Before she left, she sent Mori an air kiss.
"Ehm...Mori, your hair is bristled. And your teeth are a little...sharp."
Mori took a deep breath. "I'm calm. Let's go."
Luckily for Mori, most of the loud morning activities inside Jorrvaskr have finished, and now the clamoring was coming from the training area in the back. Farkas led her through the hall and then down to the living quarters.
Some people were sitting around. They greeted Farkas, gave a curious look to Mori, but otherwise didn't react too much.
Except a tall woman with reddish-brown hair.
"Ey, brother!" she beamed once she saw Farkas. Then she noticed Vilkas and also Farkas' pale complexion. "Oi, what-"
"Not now, Erika. We're good, but we need to talk to Kodlak first."
"Alright. And who's this little lass?" she tried to look at Mori, who kept sliding behind Farkas.
"A very shy lady, for now. Friend of mine."
"One of your conquests?"
Farkas gave out a laugh as Vilkas scoffed. "No, not mine."
"Oh? Ooooooooooh," Erika's confusion turned into a sly smile. "Well, nice to meet you, shy lady. I hope I can have your name someday. See you later," she patted Farkas on the shoulder and went upstairs.
"Kodlak?" Farkas called out as they neared the room in the back. "I have someone you need to talk to here."
"Who-oh." The old man's expression fell for a moment when he spotted Mori. She narrowed her eyes, but didn't grimace at him.
What is it with him? I didn't ever do anything to him. If anything, he startled me back then.
"The witch returns," Kodlak put his hands on the table. "Close the door, Farkas." He gave the twins a thorough look-over, then turned to Mori.
"I assume it has something to do with Vilkas looking like he took a swim in the upper White River?"
Vilkas wanted to protest, but Mori silenced him by putting a hand on his shoulder. The touch did not escape Kodlak's eyes, as well as Vilkas' compliance.
Well, I don't care, white-maned man. I'm not afraid of you.
"It has, and it is going to be unpleasant to hear-"
Fast, heavy footsteps neared and the door slammed open. "Kodlak, they-who on Nirn is this?!"
Mori's face contorted in hostility.
"Close the door, Skjor, and sit down," Kodlak sighed. He reached for his pipe and started stuffing it with herbs. "Older lady Lakeview, am I correct?" his eyes slid back to Mori.
"My name is Mori."
"The hag? Why is she here?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out. If you would, Skjor-"
"That's not important now! They killed Embla!" Skjor hit the table with his fist. Vilkas and Farkas both flinched. "Fucking Krev marched right into Dragonsreach this morning and dropped Embla's head on the ground!"
"Skjor," Kodlak warned, his eyes darting to Farkas.
"I told him," Mori interrupted.
"Told him what?!" Skjor exploded at her.
"That you're werewolves," she held his gaze, voice steady and quiet.
The room grew eerily quiet. Vilkas groaned, leaning back into the chair and closing his eyes. Kodlak sighed. Before Skjor could reach for his weapon, he put a hand up.
"Who else have you told?"
"Bjorn."
"Thane Bjorn?"
"Yes."
"We have to-"
Mori turned back to Skjor, frosty and unblinking. "If you spew any nonsense about harming anyone of mine, you will die right here."
"I would like to hear what you have to say, lady Mori," Kodlak intercepted Skjor's rage and pushed him back. "Without the death treats, please."
Mori tilted her head, eyes trained on Kodlak. "Your lady werewolf tried to murder Vilkas."
"Why would Em-"
"Silence! Continue, please," Kodlak froze Skjor in place with a stare.
I have to admit, he does feel like a leader.
"We have met as per our arrangement. She assumed Vilkas was a traitor to your hall by giving me information and assaulted us without hearing us out. She did that," Mori pointed to Vilkas' head, "to him. I tried to pull her away."
"You? Such a tiny thing? Ha!" Skjor scoffed.
"Don't make her mad," Farkas spoke up for the first time since entering the room. "You don't want to see what happens."
Kodlak lit his pipe. "And how did Embla end up dead?"
"The people with silver weapons came. I assume they were following either her or Vilkas. The dark woman with pale hair was leading them. She engaged your werewolf in combat. I took Vilkas and ran. She probably killed your werewolf. Either she or her followers, numbering quite high. I was planning on hiding, but they kept after us until the gates of Whiterun."
"Are you sure? Maybe you had a deal with them. How else would you be able to flee so far with him as dead weight?" Skjor leaned closer, towering over Mori. "Maybe Embla was right. You are a spy. Maybe you seduced the boy to-"
Mori growled, showing her fangs. Bird screeching rose above Jorrvaskr, followed by overly loud flapping of many, many wings. With the faint echo of a heartbeat, a suffocating pressure rose in the room. Skjor and Kodlak winced. They bent, groaning. Kodlak's pipe fell on the ground.
Mori watched coldly as Skjor folded in front of her, falling on his knees. Kodlak was a little better off, propped against the table, gasping for air.
The twins, unaffected, watched with wide eyes.
Mori lifted Skjor's chin with the tip of her foot, the claws on her toes scratching against his neck.
Among the horrendously deafening bird screeches, her soft voice boomed like the loudest of thunderstorms. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead, little man."
A tit landed on the high placed window, staring in with its black, beady eyes. Another joined it soon. Few others flew in, landing on the table and chairs.
"Your innards would have made a fine meal for the rats in Pinewatch," she reached out absent-mindedly, allowing the tits to hop on her arm, "or for a whole flock of the tiniest birds in Whiterun. Do you want me to ask them to peck out your eyes?" She tilted her head. "Or would you rather I stopped your beastly little heart from beating?"
Skjor gasped, grabbing at his chest as the pressure flared.
She growled, showing off mouth full of fangs. "Shut your yapping maw and be glad I hold some of you dear to my heart!"
With a tsk, she turned away. The pressure lifted, allowing both the older men to finally catch their breath. The birds above stopped screeching and soon the flapping of wings grew distant.
Only a few tits remained, sitting contentedly on Mori's arm.
She reached into a pouch and offered a handful of seeds to them. As the birds pecked at them, Mori looked back at Kodlak. "I only came because Farkas asked me to. I have no wish to get entangled in your troubles. But," her gaze strayed to Vilkas, "I fear the cruel woman has grown interested in me and, by extension, the brothers as well."
His eyes were...
Her gaze darted away, cheeks reddening. She couldn't even begin to describe the look he was giving her and how it made her feel.
"I will let you know if any bird brings me news of her movement," she spoke to Kodlak, voice cold and steady.
XXX
"I will come to see you here next time," Mori told Vilkas once Farkas left them alone. "So you don't have to go up to the pool." She grimaced. "Since they might be waiting there from now on."
Vilkas sighed. "We won't be able to be alone."
"Show me around, then," she smiled. Her smile faded as quickly as it appeared. "But...that will be in a while. I have to stay in Lakeview for the next three months, because Yvaine is going away to meet a mentor. Someone still needs to look after her assistant to make the medicine correctly."
"Can't you stay for today, then?"
She gave in. "I will leave after you fall asleep."
XXX
Two weeks later
"You look better. Are you better?" Erika dropped on the chair next to Vilkas heavily.
"How did Helgi do?" Vilkas looked up.
"Good. I'm pretty sure she will get her Trial in the near future. Too bad you couldn't have gone. Maybe soon. You didn't answer my question."
"I am better," he closed the book he had been reading and slid it away from Erika's plate.
"Man, how hard did you hit that rock? I knew head wounds were bad, but that much?"
"Pretty hard. I don't remember anything from the encounter."
Erika ate some stew before she turned back to him again. "So who's that pretty little blonde, hm? You've been avoiding that topic, and Farkas refuses to tell me anything."
"Why are you so interested?" Vilkas grumbled.
"Because I want to be happy for my brother, that's why! I want to know what type of girl has finally won your frozen heart over." She leaned closer. "Besides, the gossip mill in Whiterun is making up stories already. I think last time she was some sort of forgotten noble daughter."
"That's just stupid."
Erika shrugged. "Just you wait. Next time they are going to make her into a chosen of Kynareth or something."
XXX
"We can't wait anymore, Kodlak," Skjor was pacing in the antechamber. "Aela will be arriving soon. Vilkas has recovered. Farkas should be back in two days. We need to give them the Blessing."
Kodlak sighed, but didn't answer.
"There's only the two of us left now, Kodlak. We can't even send recruits out safely anymore."
"The bird messages proved to be beneficial," Kodlak commented, a contemplative look aimed at papers on his table. They were filled with the most horrendous handwriting he had ever seen, and he was the one who taught Farkas.
"We need to rely on our own strength!"
"That is wise indeed. But it is not wise to turn away allies when you need them. Especially since the only price is Vilkas' attention, which he is giving out anyway."
"I still don't like her," Skjor sat down, face uneasy.
"Be that as it may, she has proven trustworthy. No more ambushes as long as a bird comes by. It allowed us to build up a stronger network of our own through Erika and Deirdre."
"All of that is worth nothing if we die. We need more strength, Kodlak. The twins have it."
Kodlak closed his eyes. "I cannot deny that truth."
XXX
"Who's that?" Farkas pointed at a red headed woman, talking with some other Companions.
"Aela the Huntress. Apparently Embla's daughter," Erika raised an eyebrow. "Seems like their family has some sort of an agreement with the Companions. One one huntress perishes, her daughter takes the place."
Vilkas frowned.
Before any more comments could be had, Kodlak approached the trio. "My shield-siblings!"
Everyone in the hall grew quiet, attention turning to Kodlak and the three.
"Dark times befell us, with the ruthlessness of our competitors hanging over us. But we are the Companions! We will prevail, as we've always had, ever since Ysgramor's five hundred. Today, we shall have a feast to honor three brave souls whose courage and skill shine brightly! In acknowledgement of their achievements, I invite Vilkas, Farkas and Erika to become members of the Circle. What say you?"
The other Companions began to cheer, clap and bang their tankards on the tables, some less enthusiastically than others.
"Aye!" the three responded.
As Kodlak turned to cheer the company even more, Skjor approached from behind. "Don't get too drunk. Around midnight, come to the bottom of the forge cliff."
After he left, the twins exchanged a look.
"That was...strange," Erika looked over her shoulder after Skjor. "Do you think there's some secret ceremony?"
XXX
They're going to do it.
Right now.
I didn't get to ask Mori about it all. Damnit!
Vilkas found himself in the lead of their little group, Farkas and Erika both trailing him with uncertainty.
They found Skjor waiting for them.
The night was cold and bright, snow on the ground glistening with the light of the stars and the twin moons.
Vilkas usually liked moonlight. Tonight...it felt foreboding. Ominous. Threatening.
The sounds of drunk feasting from the halls sounded like the last thread of safety, thinning behind their backs as they approached closer to Skjor. The others must have felt it too, since they drew closer behind him.
But why am I helming this?
Skjor nodded curtly. He reached for an ancient overhang of moss, thick and heavy, exactly the same as in other places on the cliff. When he moved it, a small crevice was revealed.
"Go on in. Turn sideways at the start."
Vilkas and Erika slid through without problems. Farkas had to squeeze.
The crevice soon opened into a tunnel. Skjor followed just behind them, grim and quiet.
It's menacing. All my instincts are telling me I need to watch out.
An ancient nordic iron door appeared soon. When Vilkas stopped a little distance from it, Skjor grunted from behind. "Go on through."
Vilkas steeled himself and obeyed.
They are not going to kill us. Just...
Turn us into werewolves.
It made him anxious.
The door led to a round room with a large ancient basin in the middle. It was carved out of a single piece of stone, reminiscent of a giant gnarled root. Three empty altars stood along the walls.
Kodlak and Aela were waiting for them by the basin.
"What is this place?" Erika breathed out. Her voice was shaky.
"Jorrvaskr is the oldest building in Whiterun. The Skyforge was here long before it was. And the Underforge taps an ancient magic that is older than men or elves. We bring you here to make you stronger," Skjor ushered them in.
The heavy door fell closed behind him with a thud.
Skjor continued from behind their backs: "That pitiful ceremony behind the hall does not befit warriors like us. You are due more honor than some calls and feasting."
Kodlak nodded.
Vilkas shook his head as something tugged at his hearing.
Aela smiled. The smile grew more and more wolfish. As did her body - her bones cracked and prolonged, moved into new positions and she grew. Her skin sprouted thick red fur, her fingers black claws and her mouth glistening white fangs.
"Is...this the private business you happened by before?" Erika, utterly terrified, drew close to Vilkas.
"Aye," he answered grimly.
The transformation looks like a hastily put together knock off version of what Mori does.
Kodlak was talking about the Gift, but Vilkas just couldn't focus on it. He felt Farkas' and Erika's eyes bearing holes in his back, waiting for his cue. He was also painfully aware of Skjor blocking the door with a harsh look on his face.
At one point, Aela raised her hand and Kodlak cut her wrist, making the red blood drop into water filling the basin. The droplets swirled around, mesmerizing, turning the clear liquid pink.
Vilkas could have sworn he heard wolf howls and hoof beats. Panting. The smell of blood filled the air, as well as the crispness of snow at night.
It pulled him...somewhere, calling, luring, lulling.
It feels different from what Mori showed me. That was...like I was all of them. Here...here I only feel...blood.
Kodlak was just finishing. "Over there is a tunnel, leading outside of Whiterun. You need to master the Wolf - once you transform, go there, where you can focus on the Wolf without worry."
"If I see any of you going for this entrance, I will kill you," Skjor growled from behind them. His voice grew strangely deep and rough.
An echo of drums went through the room, followed by hurried heartbeats. Vilkas flinched.
Can't the others hear it?
Aela was staring at him, unreadable emotion in her eyes. She probably heard the strange sounds.
Kodlak had a knowing look in his eyes.
"Join us, brothers and sister," he stepped away and motioned towards the basin.
Erika's eyes darted to Vilkas. Farkas didn't look, but Vilkas could tell he was waiting.
What do I do?
Why am I even hesitating? Isn't it what I wanted? Isn't it what would make Skjor finally acknowledge us?
He took the few steps needed and leaned over the basin. His fingers were trembling.
I'm scared.
What a disgrace.
It's accepted and practiced widely among the Reachmen. I can do it.
He reached into the water, hands cupped together. As he drank, a victorious growl, something between a man and a wolf, filled his brain, shook his bones and ravaged his soul.
XXX
The skies darkened.
By the time three werewolves, white, timber and red, made it out of the mountain, the stars covered their shine behind a veil of clouds. The moons shone through a tear from time to time, reminiscent of a blinking eye.
"Do you see them?" Aela growled.
"I see Erika," Kodlak pricked his ears. "The twins are gone. We should split, each of us follows one."
"Don't worry about Vilkas," Skjor interjected. "He can look after himself with that stubborness of his. You take care of Erika. She looks ready to go back to tear up some livestock at the Battle-Born farm. Aela and I will go after Farkas - he's the biggest and strongest. He will do the most damage if he goes haywire, which he could with that frosty brain of his."
Kodlak growled unhappily. "At least go see where Vilkas' scent is heading. If he's turning to the farms, you go after him, Skjor."
He knew that was all he could get. If he went after Vilkas himself, the two would refuse to watch over Erika. Skjor was...starting to get out of hand. Even more so since Embla's death.
Skjor growled in acknowledgement. The two turned and ran, following the scent left by the twins.
Kodlak ran in a large arch, cutting Erika off from approaching the farm. She growled at him, not fully there. Her eyes glowed red.
He growled, pricking his ears up and lifting his tail.
Erika raised her hackles, showing sharp fangs, but withdrew shortly after. She turned and ran off into the tundra. Kodlak followed from a distance.
XXX
"They split here," Aela commented, nose down in the grass. "Vilkas went to the north east, Farkas continued north."
Skjor sniffed the air. "Let's go after Farkas. I don't trust his self control." He licked his chops. "Even if Vilkas goes batshit crazy, there is no one in that direction the law would miss."
"Someone might see him change. There are bandits in the area."
"He knows not to leave witnesses. Let's go."
Aela made a sneeze sounding noise - borf. She didn't seem too pleased about not going after Vilkas, but relented.
Skjor's chest filled with pride from victory.
They fell on all four and continued north.
As they ran, heavy clouds gathered, bellies churning with snow and lightning.