"And what do you think you're doing?" Skjor's voice froze them at the door.
Erika quickly adjusted her attitude. "Saving us from trouble."
"By bringing the witch here?"
"The sacred maiden of Kynareth!" Helgi barked at him, genuine hatred in her eyes. The intensity of it made Skjor back a step, strangely enough.
"The jarl is interested. Lady Sigrid is highly interested. Imelda is interested, and not in a good way. Vilkas is definitely interested. She needs to stay safe-" Erika started explaining.
"I get that. But why must she stay here?" Skjor interrupted her.
"Because she's familiar with Vilkas' room," Erika hissed, lowering her voice. "She won't get startled if she wakes up there. Imagine what she could do if she woke up in Dragonsreach and got jumpscared. Then that would be on us."
That gave Skjor some pause. "Why should it lead to us?" he managed at the end.
"Because everyone knows she's Vilkas' sweetheart. Imagine the jarl gets grief stricken because his wife, who was tending to the sacred maiden, got torn apart by wild beasts. The maiden herself may disappear like steam above the pot, but who doesn't? The ones affiliated to her - us. And what do you think they could find out by then?"
He paled.
Helgi's brows furrowed at Skjor's reaction.
Damnit, I might have given away too much.
"That's right. Whatever the oblivion they wish, so that the poor grieving jarl can get peace of mind," she continued in the same calm tone. "If nothing else, they could just hang Vilkas. Then Farkas would go crazy and a whole damn pile of flaming shit of a mess would come knocking on our door."
Skjor sighed. "Fine. Have it your way. Just keep her out of my sight!"
As they hurried downstairs, Helgi shot a look at Erika. "Do you really think the jarl would do that?"
Poor sweet Helgi. Of course he would if he was pissed enough.
"I hope not. He's a good man. But you never know what could happen when grief gets involved."
They put Mori in Vilkas' bed.
"Should we change her clothes? The dress is all torn up and messy," Helgi looked thoughtful.
"Yea. She is kind of muddy. Eh. Go get us some food, water for her, I'll change her into one of Vilkas' shirts and put the blanket up for washing."
"I have some dresses."
"Well, yes, but let's use Vilkas' shirt anyway. It's long enough to cover all the important bits. And I bet he'll be happy with it."
XXX
After Mori had been cleaned up and tucked in bed, the ladies dragged one more chair to the room and sat down for food.
"Where's your amulet? You had it on before..."
"Oh," Helgi straightened up as if caught in a lie. "Well...you see...the Skyforge it...it didn't do anything to the dagger. Master Eorlund tried so many things, but nothing worked. Until..." she fidgeted, then looked away.
"Until I sacrificed my amulet to the flames," her voice softened, sadness coloring it even lower. She sighed. "My grandmother left it for me. It...it was all I had left of her."
"I'm sorry," Erika patted her on the shoulder.
"It was worth it, though," Helgi smiled. It was a bittersweet smile, but there was an undeniable pride to it. "It saved a sacred being." Her eyes filled with a strange light, unfamiliar to Erika.
Then she chuckled. "And I also did something to make chief happy. I take it as a win."
"You really are hung up on them, huh," Erika answered with a chuckle of her own.
"Well, aren't you as well?" Helgi nudged her with an elbow. "Brother this, brother that."
"I didn't have any proper sibling relationships before," Erika defended herself. "But what is your reason? I know your family treated and still treats you well. Can't be a crush, 'cause you don't seem to be pointing that way towards Farkas at all. Vilkas..." she left the sentence unfinished and shook her hand a little.
"It's not a crush!" Helgi protested. From her reaction and flushed face, she was at least partially lying. "And he's taken anyway," her eyes slid towards Mori, sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Oho, what is that I see? Is she crushing on the wild woman too?
Poor girl. I don't think either of these two would be willing to sandwich her between them. Should have taken a shine to Farkas instead.
"I respect them both because they did so much for me. They are my teachers, but also friends. At least I'd like to think so," Helgi's eyes darted away. "I spoke shit about Vilkas the first time I saw him, and he still gave me so much grace." She grimaced. "But not before kicking my butt."
"He's like that, yea," Erika nodded sagely.
"And they're so good! At fighting, I mean. It's...it's just so...so...amazing watching them fight. The fluidity of movement, the control..."
Erika arched an eyebrow. The fervor she had seen Helgi display by the Gildergreen was creeping back into her eyes.
"Are we thinking of the same people? Vilkas, maybe, until he gets pissed, but have you ever met Farkas? Mister 'I will hack at it with my axe until it is dead'?"
"I have been on a few jobs with him. Even brutality can have its own beauty and grace." She grinned. "One time I saw him lop a head off of a bandit. It flew away in a perfect arch and then rolled on the ground exactly four times before it stopped against a rock, positioned just so it was looking back at him with its surprised dead eyes."
Sheesh. She's real intense. Never would have guessed... I probably should get to know her better, since Vilkas trusts her so.
"And Vilkas is just good with everything. No matter what weapon I pick, he can use it. With his left hand, too!"
As Helgi continued with her rambles, Erika's thoughts swirled around.
I wonder what she would think if she knew he can also tear a person in two in a heartbeat. Even with armor.
XXX
Later at night
"Halt!" Erika stepped up, blocking the hallway.
"Out of my way," Aela hissed at her. Her eyes gained a faint golden sheen.
"Don't pull this shit at me, especially not here. Are you going to ruin everything? Didn't you listen to a word I said to Skjor earlier? I know you were eavesdropping!"
"Mild inconvenience. I can take Vilkas to the-"
"Don't talk so loud!" Erika hissed. "Do you want everyone to hear you?"
I bet Helgi's awake and listening. I need to make all of this sound...like something else.
"Like he would want to go to your little place anyway. Haven't you hounded him enough? Just leave him out of it and get one of the other guys you keep at the lodge to impregnate you."
Aela bared her teeth. Erika saw the flash of fangs.
I hope Helgi is just listening in from Farkas' room and not looking.
"If you're not with me, you're against me," Aela growled.
"I'm with my brother," Erika remained calm, as much as she also wished to bare her fangs and growl like a beast. "And you are not going to touch him nor his little lass."
She scoffed. "You know, it's actually pretty damn cowardly of you."
"What?!"
Erika pointed at Aela. "You're here, in the dead of night, attempting to strangle a poor sleeping woman to death. And why? Because you're unable to win over a guy. Dishonorable. And frankly, pathetic."
Aela stepped back. "Killing your opposition is a fair way of winning a mate."
"Not here. Not him."
"I will get rid of her," Aela spat. She did turn away, though. "Fair and square. She will be dead and he will be mine."
After the door of her room shut behind Aela, Helgi's head poked out of the doorframe. "What was that weird shit about?"
Gods spare me. What lie should I spin...
"Aela's family is...different. You know, the weird type of old traditionalists. They live in a lodge in the mountains-"
"Where?"
Erika shrugged. "No idea, I've never been. Apparently they live in an old style lodge, you see, and the women, well, namely Aela's family, are seen as...the leaders? The huntresses blessed by gods? So you know, they treat them like something exceptional. And that's where she gets her attitude from."
"Does she really keep guys at the lodge just waiting to make a baby?" Helgi grimaced.
"Who knows."
"But why would she want Vilkas, then?"
"I heard her comment something about how he's a perfect fit, because he can hunt and fight and whatever," Erika waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about her delusions. Just go back to sleep, so we can swap later."
Helgi shot a suspicious look towards Aela's door, but then obeyed and went back to bed.
Erika quietly released a breath she had been holding.
XXX
"She's doing splendidly," Inge dusted herself and got up. "I think she should wake up later in the day, properly wake up, eat and drink. We'll come check on her in the evening again."
"Are you sure? She seems rather pale to me," Skjor commented. "Maybe she would be better off in the temple-"
"Oh no, no, she didn't feel comfortable there before," Inge backed away from his towering figure, looking at her feet. "And she wanted to go with the Companions. We can't force her unless there is a great need."
After Inge and Eshe left, Erika shot Skjor a dark look.
XXX
Mori's eyes fluttered open.
All this dull ache over my body must mean I am not dead.
She found herself in a rather dark room. But...filled with the most pleasant scent. For a moment, she allowed herself to bury in the pillow and take it in.
How did I get to Jorrvaskr?
She tried sitting up, but her arms trembled so badly.
"Ho, slowly, slowly," a familiar voice called out. A woman hurried in and helped her to sit up.
"You're Erika, right?" Mori mumbled, trying to orient herself.
"That's my name. You are Mori? We've never been properly introduced, but you're a bit of a person with renown these days."
Mori shrunk a little.
"Don't worry. You'll get through it. I'm sure once he comes back, Vilkas will help with everything."
"With what? I just want to-"
"You caused a stir, little sister. The jarl wants to meet with the sacred maiden of Kynareth. The whole of Whiterun is curious about you."
"I'm not a sacred maiden."
"Maybe," Erika shrugged, "but the thing is, the people think you are. You revived a dead sacred tree in front of everyone, so...what's done is done."
Mori stared into nothing for a while, trying to process everything. Erika gave her space, sitting on her chair quietly.
Mori pulled up a sleeve of the shirt she had on. Her skin was pristine, no greyness, no scar, nothing. "How did you destroy Nettlebane?"
"The dagger?"
Mori nodded.
"Helgi managed to work that out. She's one of Vilkas' pupils, in case you're wondering. She should be here soon with your food, so don't get startled, please. Apparently, the Skyforge fired itself brightly enough with a sacrifice - she gave up an important trinket for you. After that, the dagger melted. Nothing was left."
"Oh," Mori looked down.
"Chin up," Erika smiled. "She did so of her own volition. And if you want to feel better, just chat with her. I'm sure she will want to talk your ears off."
"Did I hear voices?" another feminine voice called out from the hallway. "Can I come in? I have treats!"
"And here she is," Erika leaned back. She waited for Mori's nod before calling Helgi in.
"So you really are up," Helgi's eyes lit up after she entered. They were so brightly blue, Mori thought she saw a piece of sky brought down to earth.
There were some rushed introductions, but it all blurred in Mori's head. When she managed to concentrate properly again, she had a bowl of stew in her hands.
The smell was making her nauseous.
She looked closer, inspecting it piece by piece.
"Is something wrong?" Helgi, already spoon in mouth, asked.
"I shouldn't eat this," Mori put it away and bit into the bread instead. "The mix is alright for a healthy person, but not me."
"What mix?" Erika straightened up.
"There's violet coprinus, that alone is only for the healthiest of people. It causes headache, nausea and stomachache. Mixed with frost mirriam, it amplifies. I would vomit my guts out."
Erika and Helgi exchanged looks.
"You stay here," Erika jumped to her feet, anger boiling in her eyes. "I'll go chat some people up. Oh. But first I'll drop some safe food here."
XXX
"You look lively," Eshe commented once she and Inge entered the room. Mori and Helgi had been chatting loudly enough for them to hear in the hallway.
After they entered, a tall figure darkened the door. "Does that mean she can go?"
"No, Skjor," Helgi's voice shook a little, but she still refused him. "Healing takes time."
Inge pretended not to hear the dispute. She sat down next to Mori and asked for her wrist. Mori obeyed, looking at the two Companions.
"No one but you minds! So leave it be. Don't you have a deal with her? You and the Circle, actually? Shouldn't you be glad she's okay?"
Eshe and Inge shared a look.
She seems to speak before thinking, Mori's brows furrowed. But...she doesn't know about the blood of the beast. She doesn't have wolf armor. Vilkas said only the Circle knows.
Her dark eyes met with Skjor's.
He flinched.
Helgi, utterly gobsmacked, turned to look at Mori, but found nothing out of the ordinary.
"I will not send the messages, if you do not wish for my help," Mori tilted her head to the side. She stared without blinking. "I offered because I care for Vilkas. I have no problem with safekeeping only him."
Her eyes darted to Helgi. "Him and a few others."
An uncomfortable silence set upon the room. A silence soon interrupted by the sound of rushed armored footsteps.
XXX
The gates of Whiterun
The sun had almost set. Only a weakening golden-red glow could be seen over to the west.
Kodlak and the twins had just barely made it through the gate. Once they crossed, the guards began the process of closing it.
"I can't wait to warm myself up with some ale by the fire," Farkas pulled his helmet off and shook his head.
"Why were the guards looking at me weird?" Vilkas frowned.
"Don't bother with it," Kodlak also removed his helmet. "Probably just the newest gossip."
"But what about? I haven't had time to do anything since Helgi's trial."
"Maybe Imelda caused a ruckus?" Farkas offered.
Vilkas clicked his tongue. The guards wouldn't be giving him looks like those if she had. As they continued through the city, he heightened his hearing a little.
The snippets of conversation he caught here and there did not ease his suspicion.
"...happen in Jorrvaskr."
"...the Gildergreen. But at what cost..."
"...Kynareth will protect..."
"...she looked bad. I heard the priestess went to Jorrvaskr for the second time..."
"...make for a nice story? Kynareth's handmaiden died for her tree and returned to the skies?"
It felt as if his heart froze over.
Not paying any attention to Kodlak or Farkas, he broke into a run. The city flew around him, surprised faces jumping out of his way, few curses were directed his way... all of it turned into insignificant background.
He almost fell down while he was taking three steps at a time.
The temple square was full. People sat around, chatted, meditated...the Gildergreen stood in the center in its full glory. Pleasant scent was spreading from the tree and its pink blossoms were shining brilliantly in the last light of the day.
"No..." Vilkas breathed out. Shivers ran down his spine.
The bad ones.
He resumed his rapid tempo, weaving through the crowd. He toppled a few people. He didn't care. Farkas was calling his name from somewhere behind.
Vilkas flew up the stairway to Jorrvaskr.
Please, please, please, please...
He burst through the door. Ignoring the startled looks, he ran through the hall and continued downstairs.
Eerie silence hung in the air.
Skjor stood in the doorway to his room, back to him. Vilkas grabbed his shoulder and jerked him out of the way.
"What the fuck-" Skjor snapped.
Vilkas paid him no heed. He rushed inside.
Several pairs of eyes trained on him.
But he noticed only one. The most brilliant onyx eyes were softening at the sight of him, a smile shaping them into crescents.
"Mori!" he breathed out. Stumbling the few remaining steps forward, he knelt by the bed and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her pulling his helmet off. It took some effort, he could see her arms shaking. Then it clanked on the ground. Her hands slipped into his hair, pulling him closer.
Relief flooded every bone and muscle in his body.
He was still panting from the run. Mori's crisp forest scent filled his nose, further putting his stormy heart at ease.
"Ehm...can I get your hand back, please?"
That was Inge's voice.
Oh, right, they said a priestess came...thank Ysmir it's Inge.
To his displeasure, Mori withdrew one hand from his hair and stretched it towards Inge. He pushed the feeling aside. She needed healing and Inge could, mostly, be trusted.
More heavy steps hurried towards the room.
"Whew!" when Farkas arrived at the door, he breathed out loudly. "I don't think I've ever seen you run so fast, damn. So what's this all about? Hey, Mori."
"Oi, chief!" There was relief in Helgi's voice, but also still clearly recognizable strain. "There's a lot hiding under that stony face of yours, eh?"
"Give me a break," Vilkas growled, turning his head to the side, "I thought she was dead."
"Nearly," Inge's soft voice weaved in. She hadn't lifted her eyes off of Mori's wrist. "Reviving the tree took almost all of her. And then there was the unnatural infection. She's out of danger now, but it will take some time before she's in proper health again..."
"Unnatural infection?" Vilkas frowned.
"It's gone now," Eshe explained, adjusting her glasses. "After this visit, magic won't be needed. Restorative tonics, proper diet and a lot of rest will do the job."
Inge stopped the spell. "Yes." She stood up. She swayed, almost collapsing back onto the bed. Eshe was fast enough to catch her.
"Are you alright, priestess?" Helgi asked, stepping forward.
"Yes, yes I am, thank you for asking," Inge rubbed her temples. "Just a bout of fatigue. These are...specialised healing spells and they take a lot out of me." She grabbed the arm Eshe had offered.
The physician steadied the priestess and then looked at Vilkas. "The tonics and herbs along with instructions are in the satchel over there. Paid for by lady Sigrid. Now, if you'll excuse us, Inge needs to go back to the temple."
After they left, Skjor poked his head in.
Just as he was opening his mouth, Vilkas snapped at him. "Get the fuck out of my room!"
Skjor froze.
He hesitated.
To the surprise of everyone, he slowly backed away and left, leaving a trail of heavy footsteps disappearing in the distance.
"Ehm...chiefs, you two should go wash up. Then we can have some food together with Erika and we can tell you all about what happened?" Helgi suggested after a prolonged silence.
Vilkas' grip on Mori tightened.
"I will be here, waiting," she soothed into his hair. "Go, make yourself comfortable."
"I'll stay over and keep watch, nothing will happen, chief!" Helgi patted her chest.
Reluctantly, Vilkas parted from Mori. He left with Farkas, throwing one last look over his shoulder before disappearing behind the door frame.
XXX
Peace didn't last long. Just after they finished eating and explaining, a knock came on Vilkas' door.
When he opened the door, a noble looking woman was standing in the hallway. Noble, but not exactly.
"Birna?" Erika smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"I come bearing well wishes from lady Sigrid to our sacred maiden," the woman performed the perfect greeting. "She also bid me to extend an invitation to Dragonsreach, once her health allows."
Everyone's eyes turned to Mori.
She shrunk behind Vilkas.
"Do I have to?" she whispered to his ear.
"It...would be wise, aye," he sighed.
"I...can go...but I want Vilkas to come with me," she grabbed at his arm, her grip strengthening with nervousness.
Birna the handmaiden blinked in surprise. "I suppose that can do. When can you come?"
"Is...tomorrow a good time?" Mori looked at Vilkas. He nodded.
"I shall inform the lady. Wind guide you," she made another gesture and departed.
"Why do they want to see me?" Mori squeaked after the handmaiden's steps drew away.
Erika and Helgi exchanged a look. "The jarl probably wants to gain a good reputation for Whiterun from having a 'saint' around...and make some money," Erika rubbed three fingers in an unmistakable gesture of profit. "More pilgrims are bound to come now."
"I think the lady wants to have a talk with you about Kynareth," Helgi pondered.
Vilkas and Farkas fidgeted in their seats.
"But...I don't know anything about her."
Helgi's startled look surprised Vilkas. I should probably ask more later.
He kissed Mori's head. "Just talk with her as you normally do. It will be mystical enough."
In the corner of his vision he caught Helgi looking away with a strange expression on her face.
What in Oblivion is going on?
We were gone for just a few days!
Erika must have noticed. She clapped her hands together and stood up. "Well, we've chatted, you are all caught up, I'm sure everyone wants some alone time," she shot a look at Vilkas and Mori.
She promptly shooed everyone out of the room and closed the door.
Vilkas pulled Mori on his lap and buried his nose in her hair. "I'm so glad you're alive."
She murmured in assent, wrapping her arms around him.
"What happened, dearest? What harmed you so?"
"The dagger, they got that right," she sighed. "I was too slow."
"Too slow?"
"I tried to avoid the hit. The beldama-the hag was aiming to cut my stomach. I didn't roll well enough and she hit my thigh."
"I don't think I've ever seen a hag use weapons..."
"An exception for this one makes sense," Mori shrugged. "It was an ancient artefact made specifically to deal with...the likes of me."
Vilkas shuddered. He hugged her tighter. "Did you have to go?"
"I did."
He sighed and started planting kisses on her head and neck. "Can you promise to always come back to me, alive and well?"
"Can you?"
"Worth a try," he breathed out, slightly disappointed. "Is there no one to help you?"
"Not really."
"Can't I?"
She stopped purring to his kisses for a moment, lost in thought. "Possibly. I...couldn't wait with this one. The tree would have died. But..." her eyes found his, "I will ask next time. That I can promise."
He kissed her on the lips. Gently, slowly. When they parted, he blocked her from coming for a second one. "You should rest," his hands kept sliding across her back in caresses.
"I feel fine," she protested, grabbing his shoulders.
"Maybe, but Inge said you need to rest a lot. You can lie on my chest, how's that? We can talk and when you feel sleepy, you can just drift?"
"That is acceptable," she sighed, resting her forehead against his shoulder. Vilkas gave her a moment, then settled them both on the bed, careful to put Mori on his left shoulder.
She cuddled up to him, looking wistful.
"What's bothering you?" he murmured into her hair as he wrapped an arm around her.
"I'm scared."
"Of going to the jarl?"
"Of going home," she hid her face.
"Why?"
"I made Falco angry. And I didn't tell Yvaine I might die. I told him, though, and I am sure he told her. I'm scared they will be angry. Maybe they won't want me there anymore."
"That is...complicated," he squeezed her gently. "But. I think they will definitely want you back. Just be prepared for some...venting of their fears and frustrations. Farkas likes to nag my ears off."
"I didn't have time, though. I just...I couldn't...sit down and talk. I had to do what I could to have at least a chance at survival. And...I mean...she saw the wounds. She could just make her own assumptions."
"I'm...not sure she was willing to consider such an option," Vilkas noted. "She's used to you always making it and always being the strong one. Always there for her. She probably never in her life thought about losing you."
"Maybe..." Mori's voice trailed into silence.
"Do you want me to come with you?" he kissed her head.
"...yes." She sighed. "Won't it be a liability to you, though? Don't you have places to be and things to do?"
"I have a partner to support," he ran his fingers along her cheek, "and I still need to heal anyway. Kodlak took me out just to prevent me from going mad cooped up in here."
"Heal from what?" Mori tried springing up, but as soon as she lifted herself, she collapsed right back.
"Hush, love. If you try to use any of your magic, I will take you to Eshe's and ask for a sleeping draught."
"I promise I won't," she grumbled. "Just tell me what is so bad you would need to be 'cooped up'."
"After we parted, I went as Helgi's shield-brother for her trial, and we ran into...hm. A necromancer summoned wraiths with command over Oblivion, so we had to deal with too many skeletons," he shuddered, "a pile of stitched flesh and the wraiths, obviously. Not great. And then Silver Hand showed up and I got shot with a silver-"
"Where? Show me," her face turned extremely worried.
He arched an eyebrow at her, but in the end slipped his shirt off of the right shoulder, revealing neat bandaging.
Mori looked at the skin around and then sniffed. "You put stream root and goat beard on it? That's basically the only way, but how did you get them? Or even thought of that..."
"I knew because a witch told me," he chuckled. "Not exactly that, but you said they would be beneficial. I asked the local weird old man, and he said those plants would be fine to put into a healing poultice, but not silverweed."
"Is he a Reachman?" Mori frowned. "I didn't think anyone here would know the names, let alone the uses..."
"No idea. But he had them in stock. I usually go to his shop for books, but I have noticed he has all sorts of interesting knick-knacks there."
"Can we go together sometime?" she yawned.
"Of course."
"Mmm...Vilkas, which are nice but not overly expensive parts of Whiterun? Do you think there will be a house for us?" she laid her head down and closed her eyes.
"The area around Deirdre's house is like that," he planted a light kiss on the top of her head. "Who knows, we might get lucky."
"Can we have a garden together?"
"As many plants as you can fit."
"Can we build a kitchen like Deirdre's?" her voice softened. She was falling asleep slowly.
"Aye, we can."
She purred and shifted to a more comfortable position. Soon her breath deepend.
Comfortable warmth spread through Vilkas' chest, but dark thoughts wouldn't stop clouding his mind. The words Nevras had uttered after the fight on the summit of mount Trolhetta kept hounding him.
What is going to happen to her once the word spreads out?