"As much as I like seeing my shirt on you, you can't go to Dragonsreach dressed like this," Vilkas knelt down and started rummaging through one of his chests.
"But it's comfortable."
"This will be too, just give me a moment...aha."
Vilkas stood up, holding a bundle in his hands. "I ordered it quite a while ago, and it finally got finished last week." He unfolded it and revealed a set of dunmeri style, but nordic coded robes. Inner and outer robes, flowy and breathy, but warm enough to be useful in Skyrim. The inner robes were dark walnut brown with beige decorations - Reach swirls. The outer robe was much thicker, forest green in color, and had wolf fur lining to it.
"Did you get that for me?" Mori's eyes sparkled.
"Mhm. Off with the shirt, my lady."
Mori obeyed with enthusiasm. It took her longer than expected, but she managed.
"Like what you see?" she giggled at Vilkas, whose eyes followed all her lines and definitely stopped at her breasts.
"Aye," he closed his eyes and shook his head, "but you already knew that. Now is not the time for this," he untied the inner robes and helped Mori put them on.
"See? No buttons. Or complicated lacing. Just tie these strips, and these, and finish it off here...and done. You are fully dressed. These should be good to have around in your emergency pack, no?"
"Definitely," she caressed the cloth. "You were right, I do feel comfortable. But Vilkas, I don't have any gifts-"
"Nuh-uh," he shook his index finger at her. "You gifted me the hagstone and the bow. Those two things have already saved my life twice. Remember the necromancer I mentioned yesterday? Well, without your bow, both Helgi and I would have been just two more skeletons in that army."
She frowned.
"If you want to give me something, I am accepting kisses," he winked at her.
"Those are not gifts," she tapped his chest angrily. "Just you wait, I will come up with something."
"Can I get a kiss anyway?"
She sighed. "Of course you can. Bend down," she beckoned.
"I have a better idea," he grinned, impish sparks in his eyes. With no warning, he picked her up. After she steadied herself, she pulled a strand of his hair playfully.
"You thug."
"Me? No," he started kissing her. "As far as I remember," he murmured in a short break between kisses, "you were always the one acting thuggish."
She let out a playful growl and kissed him more deeply in return. "I am the Queen of the Beasts. Now put me down, I'm getting dizzy."
He obeyed. "Let's do your hair and have breakfast. Then we should set out for Dragonsreach."
XXX
Erika watched Vilkas and Mori walk out of Jorrvaskr. They walked slowly and she was holding onto his arm as if her life depended on it.
It probably does right now. Just yesterday morning she still looked like she could die.
Erika turned on her heel and marched back into the hall.
Time for the unpleasant business.
"Farkas, get Aela and come to Kodlak's antechamber," she tapped the large man's shoulder. Not waiting for his acknowledgement, she continued marching until she stopped at Kodlak's seat.
Skjor was sitting to his right.
"We all need to talk. Let's do it now, while Vilkas is out of earshot," she consistently kept her voice at a low enough volume so no one could easily overhear, but it also wouldn't raise suspicion. "I asked Farkas to bring Aela," she turned on her heel and headed downstairs.
Kodlak and Skjor followed after a small pause.
Farkas arrived with Aela in tow not long after. "Shut the door, please," Erika seated herself on her favourite chair.
"Why are we having this talk without Vilkas?" Farkas' tone seemed friendly, but there was steel hidden behind it.
"Because he would get upset. Too upset. We can't deal with it right now," Erika squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You don't want him to fall into bloodlust in the middle of Jorrvaskr, especially since the silver wound hasn't healed yet, do you?"
"No," Farkas grunted in the end. His stance didn't leave anyone doubting - he still disliked the secrecy.
"Why do you think he would get that far, Erika?" Kodlak frowned.
Skjor's mouth twitched.
"Because both Aela and Skjor tried to harm his little lass while she was here," Erika's gaze pierced Aela first, then turned to Skjor. "Even after I explained how important she was at the moment, because the jarl wanted to see her. Look, I don't give a shit about you hating her guts, you can do that as much as you want, but don't implicate the whole of Jorrvaskr with your actions."
She leaned forward, tapping at the table angrily. "And don't bring us shame, for the skies' sake! Trying to murder a sleeping woman?" she barked at Aela. "How is that a mighty hunt? It would be if you actually faced her head on!"
Kodlak's gaze turned frosty. "Did you attempt that, Aela?"
Hesitation flashed across her face. She looked at Erika, then back at Kodlak. "I did," she affirmed in the end.
"Aela. You know the rules. Keep to them. If you don't, I will break off the pact with your pack," there was not a breath of warmth to Kodlak's voice. His eyes flashed with crisp blue light.
Aela was stricken. "But-"
"No buts! Like anyone here, you are beholden to the rules! I continue this pact on the basis of honor, but by Ysmir's glory, if you keep acting like a shameless brat, I will treat you and your pack as such!"
He held her gaze until she shrunk back. "If I hear a single whisper of a similar stunt, or something even worse, I am giving up the village to the jarl. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," she grumbled.
Kodlak huffed. His eyes returned to normal as he turned to Skjor. "And what did you do?"
"Nothing vile," Skjor's eyes slashed towards Erika.
"Perhaps, but it wasn't honorable still," she scoffed. "I asked around. Poked Thyr a little bit, and then he spilled the beans - you asked him to put frost mirriam in Mori's food. After you made sure to ask Tilma to prepare your 'favourite' dish for everyone - mixed mushroom stew."
"Where's the problem with some seasoning-" Farkas couldn't understand.
"The problem is with one particular mushroom. I didn't know about it, but Mori did. So I went and checked with Eshe and Arcadia. Violet coprinus," Erika raised her index finger, "is the mushroom that gives the dish its kick. It is not good for ailing patients. That alone could be dealt with. But what happens when you put the frost mirriam in? I confirmed with the two, and then Hulda as well for good measure. It makes the mushroom much worse."
"And what happens if the mushroom is made worse?" Kodlak tapped his fingers on the table.
"Poisoning. The other effects are not so severe, but vomiting is. So much so she could have actually died, not just been taken to the temple as you have wanted," Erika folded her arms, frowning at Skjor.
Kodlak groaned. He bent over, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why, Skjor?"
"She should not be here! She's a danger to us all. She even let people in Lakeview in on our secret!"
"But that's been years," Farkas piped up. "And they did nothing."
"It's a liability!"
"Skjor. You're a member of the Circle. Yet you act like a pup! You tried to harm a young woman, a woman whom we accepted into our care. It doesn't matter if you succeeded, it doesn't matter if anyone knows of it. What matters is that by doing so you brought dishonour on us. I'm disappointed." Kodlak sighed heavily. "I was thinking of naming you the next Harbinger. But this..." he shook his head. "You are not worthy. Lies and deceit...are not our way."
But we are lying to everyone...
Erika's eyes darted to Farkas. He has been quiet most of the time, which wasn't that unusual. Normally he just backed anything Vilkas wanted, unless he deemed it detrimental to his twin.
He was frowning, eyes moving among the people in the room.
That WAS unusual.
Kodlak's voice drew her attention back to the table.
"If you were a whelp, we would do away with you this instant." His eyes were unusually hard, even worse than when he reprimanded Aela. "But given your years with us and your up until recently upheld honor, I think you deserve one more chance."
He shot a questioning look at Farkas and Erika.
"I can agree to that," Erika nodded after some consideration.
"Just leave Vilkas alone," Farkas said, voice low and growly, but calm. "Don't push into matters that don't endanger Jorrvaskr. Mori won't hurt us. People from Lakeview won't hurt us. Let them be."
He cleared his throat. "I noticed you all looking at Vilkas weirdly. Scared of his moods. He's in high spirits whenever Mori's around. Just let them fuck in peace and enjoy the lack of mayhem."
Kodlak coughed into his hand. "So you are in agreement?"
"Yep. But Skjor needs to remember what I said."
XXX
In the meantime, Dragonsreach
"You can put me down now," Mori reminded.
"There are still some more steps to-"
"I can climb those!"
"As you wish," Vilkas chuckled. As much as his shoulder ached while carrying her, he wouldn't let her ascend the whole way up to the keep.
She can barely walk.
Under the watchful gaze of a couple of guards, he carefully put her down. Before he straightened up, he whispered to her ear: "Just to be sure, don't mention outright that you are not affiliated to Kynareth. Not to lady Sigrid."
"I can't lie to her," Mori's eyes darted away.
"Don't lie. Make vague statements that can be interpreted many ways. Just...don't say it outright. Please."
"Alright..."
He straightened up and offered his arm to her. They made their way over to the keep. Slowly.
Just behind the massive door, another guard stopped them. "You will need to leave your weapon here, Companion."
Ah. I forgot. I'm so used to always having my saex on me I didn't even think about it.
Vilkas unsheathed the blade and dropped it on the table faster than anyone could lodge a complaint about him not removing it with the sheath on.
The guard scoffed at him. In answer, Vilkas only tilted his head and arched his eyebrow. The guard waved them in.
"What business brings you to Dragonsreach?" a servant approached them. She seemed a tad displeased with the sight of them.
"The lady has requested meeting with-"
"The sacred maiden?" the servant woman's eyes lit up. Her gaze darted to Mori, shrinking as close to Vilkas as possible. "Please, wait here for a moment, I will announce your presence," she hurried away.
"Let's sit," Vilkas led Mori towards one of the benches lining the sides of the waiting space.
As much as she attempted to hide it, relief flashed across her face the moment they sat. She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. They had time to recuperate a bit before the servant returned.
"The jarl will see you first," she spoke towards Mori, completely ignoring Vilkas. When he got up and reached his hand to help Mori stand, the servant frowned. "She can go. You wait."
"No," Mori withdrew her hand from Vilkas'. "Yesterday the lady's...handmaiden? She said he can accompany me. I'm not going otherwise."
"I can support-"
"I'm not going!" Mori growled. Her teeth prolonged into fangs as her voice shook with anxiety. Something echoed through the spacious hall, a faint animal cry Vilkas was unable to recognize.
Sounds of rustling grass followed.
It made shivers run down his spine. His instincts were alerting him to a prowling predator, even though he knew there was none.
The servant and the guard must have felt the same. They stiffened, looking around nervously.
He forced his own discomfort away and blocked Mori from the servant's view. "It's alright. You are not a subject - we can go back."
"Can we?" her eyes turned to him, pleading. The unpleasant tingling stopped immediately.
"What is going on here?!" a harsh voice cut through the hall.
Hm. Too late. Now that the housecarl is here, we won't wriggle out of this.
Vilkas turned to face the dunmer, marching their way. "Since I was not allowed to accompany her, Mo-the sacred maiden wishes to leave."
"What is that about not being allowed?" the housecarl frowned. Her scarlet eyes slashed at the maid.
The woman shrunk.
"You are allowed," the housecarl snapped, "as per her request. Now move your ass to the war room, the jarl is waiting for you."
Vilkas carried Mori up the stairs while Irileth started laying into the servant. He put her down and then they slowly walked through the enormous hall.
"What is that?" Mori pointed at a skull hanging above the throne.
"A dragon skull," Vilkas murmured in answer. He felt uncomfortable among so many people moving about their duties, staring at them, while he was unarmed. "Numinex. From the tale. Did-"
"I did! It was real?"
"Doesn't seem fake to me," he looked at the skull. "Come on, we need to get up there."
"I wonder if I could change into a dragon..." Mori murmured while Vilkas dragged her to yet another set of stairs. "Probably not, they are not beasts, but still..."
He had to pick her up after two stairs. As much as his shoulder protested, he pushed through it, because Mori was gasping for breath and having trouble standing.
The jarl greeted them with an arched brow. Vilkas set Mori down and performed a respectful warrior's bow.
"I see the meeting has been somewhat hurried," the jarl turned to Mori, trembling at Vilkas' side.
"The attention scares me," she grabbed onto Vilkas' arm, "and I wish for it to stop looming over me."
"If you didn't want attention, healing the Gildergreen wasn't the right course of action," the jarl motioned for them to sit.
"I couldn't let it die," Mori mumbled. Her fingers were fidgeting.
Vilkas sat next to her. When he reached out, she immediately grabbed his hand, wrapping her delicate fingers around his. Almost painfully so.
I am glad Erika took her to Jorrvaskr. It would indeed have been a disaster had she woken up here.
"You really are a spirit from another world, maiden," the jarl shook his head. "Might I know your name?"
"Mori."
"Well met, Mori. I will not hold you for long, for it is my wife who wishes to speak with you the most. I would, however, like to reward your good deed somehow. Is there anything-"
"Can I get the right to purchase a home in Whiterun?" Mori livened up.
She's really serious about it, huh.
The jarl shot a look his way. Vilkas pushed the pleased tingles deeper under his stony expression.
He's calculating all the benefits of having a 'saint' stationed in Whiterun, isn't he.
And the fact that she will be around anyway because of me.
"But of course. When you are in better health, ask for an audience with my steward. You can discuss the details with him," the jarl smiled after a small, very small window of consideration.
He tapped his desk. "Did Kyne send you to look after her tree?"
Mori stiffened. "...I felt its desolation."
"Can you communicate with her?"
"No. I can...can hear the spirits of the wild."
"Ah. Even for their own, the gods are distant once enveloped in mortal flesh," the jarl nodded his head, sadness spreading through his eyes. He blinked it away and straightened up. "I heard about the wicked dagger. How did you come about it?"
"I took it from a coven of dark witches."
"A whole coven?" the jarl's eyebrows moved up before he could cull the surprise. "How?"
"I brought the wrath of nature upon their heads."
"A maiden of Kyne indeed," he nodded to himself, stroking his beard. His gaze lifted to Mori once more. "Are you skilled in healing arts?"
"...I am."
"If I asked for your skills, would you accept?"
"Depending on the task," Mori shifted closer to Vilkas. "I cannot promise what I am unable to do."
The jarl waved his hand, making everyone else present leave. The guards posted around the area positioned themselves so they stood out of earshot, but could block anyone from entering.
"I haven't found a reliable midwife yet," he lowered his voice and leaned forward. "Are you skilled in that area?"
"I am."
"Can I count on you being here for the last month of lady Sigrid's pregnancy?"
"How long until that?"
"About three and a half month more still."
Mori grew thoughtful. She looked at Vilkas, then turned back to the jarl. "I give you my word, I will be here when the last month starts. In the meantime, I will gather ingredients and prepare."
Relief flashed across his face.
Just as he was opening his mouth, one of the doors down a hallway cracked open. Lady Sigrid stepped out, accompanied by her handmaiden. "Why didn't you let me know they've arrived, dear?"
"Our sacred maiden needed some respite, as her healing is far from finished," the jarl replied smoothly, a smile warming his face. He turned to Vilkas. "Escort her to the door, please. Then come back, I want to have a word with you, Companion."
Vilkas complied, thoughts running wild through his mind. At the door to lady Sigrid's chamber, he gave Mori a reassuring squeeze. After he let her go, he bowed to lady Sigrid, then went back to the jarl.
He motioned for Vilkas to sit. "I'd like some details to a few matters that have come to my attention," he entwined his fingers. "First - why is there such animosity between a significant part of Jorrvaskr and the temple? So much so your venerable shield-sister called in for honorable witnesses?"
"That is a longer history than I am privy to," Vilkas forced himself into a relaxed pose and put his hands down on his lap. "From what I've been told, it started with my brother and I not being left to the temple for safekeeping."
"Mh-hm," the jarl didn't seem satisfied with such an answer.
"Then there is the issue with priestess Danica being so fond of her apprentices - namely Imelda. My brother has...entangled himself with her for some time, and then broke it off. Ever since then, she has been...crass with us two specifically, and other Companions by proxy. Erika was probably worried the priestess might try to do something to Mori to agitate us, or make her uncomfortable by trying to sway her opinion."
Let's not mention little beasts eating people alive.
The jarl gave him an inquisitive look and a frown. Vilkas remained silent.
I'm not falling for this trick.
"The second topic I wanted to ask about," the jarl continued after a short staring contest, "is the mercenary group known as the Silver Hand."
XXX
The jarl sent Vilkas to sit on one of the further placed benches after he was finished with his interrogation.
Vilkas shared what he could without giving away what he shouldn't. Or seeming as a lowly, envious thug by being too bitter about the Hand.
Now he was supposed to be out of earshot while waiting for lady Sigrid to have finished her business with Mori, but...
His curiosity got the better of him. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall behind him, enhancing his hearing through the Beast. First the jarl talked with his steward, master Avenicci. He told him about Mori and to ask for a lower price for whichever house she'd pick.
I'd better not tell her that. Her pride could get wounded and she might demand a full price.
Irileth joined them not much later, breaking budget discussions. Now this was interesting. She reported on Silver Hand - namely the people who were Whiterun citizens and members of the mercenary band. They have been apprehended and their belongings confiscated. One of Irileth's lieutenants was working on getting information out of them at this very moment.
Harsh, but effective.
We must take care not to let our secret out. And if so, only the Circle should get eradicated, not everyone in Jorrvaskr.
But how to achieve that?
Apparently one of the shepherds from the mountains who went to town for the market was complaining about bandits and the mercenaries helping them. Irileth had spent the last two weeks investigating and confirmed this.
Good job, Erika.
The jarl wanted to ride out. He wanted to uproot the bandits and the Hand both. Irileth vetoed it, saying she would ride alone. He didn't want to hear that, and decided to instead send her after the bandits and mercenary stragglers, while he would lead a raid on Silent Moons camp.
That ought to give us some space. And like Erika thought, they will be losing their weapon supply.
Unless...they try to get the forge back as bandits. We ought to clear the place every now and then.
The sound of a moving door made him push the Beast away. He opened his eyes, as steel grey as ever, and turned his gaze to the hallway.
Lady Sigrid's handmaiden was helping Mori out of the room.
Vilkas shot a look at the jarl. He motioned for him to move, so he did. Mori beamed the moment she noticed him approaching, her smile warming his heart through and through.
Ever proper, Vilkas inclined his head towards the handmaiden, then offered his arm to Mori. When the small fingers wrapped around him, all felt right in the world.
XXX
After they returned, he left Mori sleeping in his bed and reiterated all he had heard to the Circle.
Why do they all look so twitchy?
"Finally some good news," Kodlak lit his pipe. "We should still remain vigilant, though. Maybe you could have your non-wolf hunters help gather intelligence on the Hand's movements, Aela."
The woman nodded.
For once, she was not hounding him.
Suspicious.
Kodlak. Aela and Skjor turned to discussing the new armory being built. It was meant to mask the entrance to the Underforge, and the people from Aela's village were contracted.
Vilkas mostly zoned out. His shoulder was aching again, given how much he strained it today.
When is it going to heal?
"We can go, you know," Farkas leaned over to him.
"Aye, let's."
The twins and Erika excused themselves. As they walked through the hallway, Erika yawned. "We're taking a job in Falkreath. Farkas, Helgi and I. Our dearest steward wanted to go to Lakeview, and she asked for an escort. So we looked for one of the jobs no one really wanted to do in there. A bandit tribe of orcs. Want to join for the trip to Lakeview? You could get that shoulder of yours fixed, finally."
"And take Mori home," Farkas noted. "Maybe recuperate with her there for a bit?"
He touched the wound. "That is a mighty fine idea."
"Oho, he's not protesting," Erika slapped him across the back. "Did you hear that, Farkas?"
"Yep. It's because of my addition. Can't refuse good times with his lady."
"Stop flattering yourself," Vilkas growled at his brother in a friendly manner. "I'm fed up with being useless because my arm is not working properly."
"You should be careful," Erika grinned. "Helgi's coming with us. She might just steal your sacred maiden from under your nose."
"What was that about me?" Helgi poked her head out of her room.
Erika's grin became wicked. "I was just warning Vilkas about how charming you are."
To his surprise, a blush spread across Helgi's cheeks.
"Don't tease me," she grumbled. "I was just about to go train," her eyes darted to Vilkas, then returned to Erika. "Want to join? Or are you scared I'll kick your butt?" she challenged.
Erika scoffed. "You're on, girlie!"
They both hurried away, quipping at each other. Helgi was proudly carrying her shiny new sword.
"It's nice to see them bond," Farkas patted Vilkas on the healthy shoulder. "I'm going to help Deirdre with packing. You should rest."
"Don't tell me what to do," Vilkas grumbled.
Farkas laughed and patted him once more. Then he left.
Vilkas turned back and snuck to his room. Mori was soundly asleep. He packed as quietly as he could, then slipped next to her and closed his eyes.