Dragonborn Rising Ch. 26

That news seemed to please him immensely, adding that I was now a Companion, so that if he needed my services again, he need only send someone to find me at Jorrvaskr. If I wasn't there, I would be the Bannered Mare or out doing a job. He suggested that, as soon as Farengar had news, he would send for me again, adding that he might also ask for Aela, as we must have worked well as a team.

Aela and I headed back to Jorrvaskr, the sun finally starting to set. Kodlak was interested in what we'd been up to, and figured doing jobs for the jarl couldn't be a bad thing for the Guild, adding that any coin we made would be only for us, as the reputation we would help build mattered more. That didn't mean we didn't celebrate a contract completed, with Vilkas and Farkas returning that evening to join in the revelry. Best part of the evening? The light flirting between Aela and I. There was no doubt I found her attractive, and I was left thinking she might be tempted with a roll under the sheets, but I wasn't going to push my luck. After everything I'd been through, while I yearned for the feeling of soft skin against mine, I'd broken enough hearts, or had mine broken, to be cautious about doing it all again.

After the excitement of the ruin and finding the Dragonstone, the next couple of weeks was a return to normality, with the occasional contract but I spent more time training or lazing around Jorrvaskr than actually working. Not that I complained too much, as I'd made plenty of coin due to that mission. When not working, I got to know the people around the city. Carlotta, who ran the fruit and vegetable stall. Rather attractive, though made it quite clear she was a content single mother. Amren, who was a former mercenary and now rather bored family man. Arcadia, who ran a shop that sold potions. Adrianne and Ulfberth, who ran the shop and smith near the gates. As I got to know them, they got to know me, though I kept much of my past vague. I didn't particularly want the truth revealed.

Returning from a contract late one evening, Skjor was waiting for me at the top of the stairs leading into Jorrvaskr. "Ragnar, I have something special planned for you."

"Oh, what would that be?"

He heard the caution in my tone and he chuckled before continuing. "Nothing to be concerned about. Meet me in the Underforge tonight. We will speak more then."

"Where's the Underforge?"

"Beneath the Skyforge, where Eorlund works. The door is hidden, but I will show you the way."

"Okay."

I didn't give it another thought as I headed inside, letting Vilkas know the contract was complete and I'd made some coin too. Not knowing what Skjor had planned for me that evening, I didn't join the rest in drinking around the fire, though I still ate dinner with them. The Companions loved to eat as much as they loved to drink, and there was always meat cooking on the spit, as in addition to everything else, we all loved to go hunting game. Sometimes it was nice going solo, but I would usually join others, simply to avoid feeling lonely.

Aela disappeared during dinner, giving me a look that suggested she would also be at this meeting. When I left, Vilkas and Farkas remained seated, so I sort of figured out what might happen. Joining Skjor outside, he led me towards the rock face. I couldn't see a door so figured it was well hidden, perhaps by magic.

"So what is this place?" I had to wonder aloud.

"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, new blood. There is no test inside, only a gift. Are you prepared?"

"Sure."

The rock face started to move, and a doorway slowly appeared. Walking into the dark cavern, a spell was cast and I almost cried out when I saw the werewolf waiting inside for us. But considering Skjor was beside me, I figured it was Aela. Skjor confirmed that before I could mention it.

"I'm glad you came. It's been a long time since we've had a heart like yours in our numbers. That pitiful ceremony behind the hall does not befit warriors like us. You are due more honour than some calls and feasting. I would hope you recognize Aela, even in this form. She's agreed to be your forebear." I glanced at the werewolf, and the eyes were the same, so she was still somewhere inside. "We do this in secret because Kodlak is too busy trying to throw away this great gift we've been granted. He thinks we've been cursed. But we've been blessed. How could something that gives this type of prowess be a curse? So we take matters into our own hands."

"He doesn't know about this?"

"No. I respect the old man, I really do, but I don't agree with him when it comes to this matter."

"Fair enough."

"To reach the heights of the Companions, you must join with us in the shared blood of the wolf. Are you prepared to join your spirit with the beast world, friend?"

I thought about it for a moment. I remembered Arnbjorn and Astrid, and the promise I made, the fact he'd chosen the blood over his wife. But if this was what it took to become a member of the Circle, then the price might just be worth it. Plus, I'm sure there'd be a cure if I wanted it. Hopefully.

Still, a damned surprise the Companions, who were apparently an honourable line of warriors, had dabbled with the beast blood. Fairly sure there'd be a longer story, perhaps explained later. I must have been hesitating, as Skjor prompted me to make a decision. I nodded my head.

"Sure."

I didn't know a lot about being a werewolf, but knew it involved Daedra, it would involve something... weird. Becoming a werewolf meant a blood ritual. Most would have been horrified at the thought, but I'd done enough strange things during my time in Skyrim that, once Skjor offered me the chalice of Aela's blood, I knocked it back without hesitation.

Then things went a little black.

*****

"Ragnar!" I opened my eyes to see a black sky above me, many millions of stars twinkling, the moons near as bright as the sun. Or maybe it was just my new eyesight. "Ragnar, you awake?"

I suddenly felt rather cold, running hand down my body to realise I was naked and lying in deep snow. Despite feeling cold, my body felt like it was on fire, figuring it was the beast-blood now flowing through my veins, and my body slowly adapting to it. Lifting my head, I could see Aela standing nearby, holding a torch. "What the hell happened?"

"You were born into the pack, brother. I almost envy you, that first time is always the most...intense. You gave us even more trouble than Farkas did in his first turning." The way she spoke, she made it sound almost erotic. I got to my feet and that's when I heard her gasp. "Oh my!"

I looked down to realise I was completely hard. I mean, the sort of erection I would have before sliding my cock inside a woman. I glanced back at Aela, who was utterly transfixed. "I had no idea," she said quietly.

"Not like I walk around Jorrvaskr with my cock out, Aela."

She walked forward towards me, her eyes not leaving my cock. Her interest in it merely meant it stayed rock hard. A fine woman like Aela would also do the trick. If only she was naked... She switched the torch to her left hand and finally met my eyes. "May I, Ragnar?"

"May you what?"

"May I touch it?"

"Touch what?"

"Your cock. I want to touch it."

I shrugged. "Go on then."

Her hand was cold, but she immediately wrapped her hand around my shaft. "So big," she whispered. She couldn't help herself as she gave me a few strokes. "By the Eight," she added quietly.

I cleared my throat. "Um, this feels nice and all, but... What are we doing here?"

"What?" she asked, then seemed to realise, though she didn't remove her hand. "Oh, um, we're outside a fort called Gallows Rock. There's a pack of werewolf hunters inside called the Silver Hand. We're going to take care of them. Skjor has scouted ahead."

"Did you bring my armour or am I fighting naked, scaring them off with my cock?" Her hand was still moving, and she almost looked in two minds as to what to do next. "Aela?"

"I'm sorry, Ragnar, I'm just imagining what this would do to me..." She stepped a little closer so her body almost touched mine. She stood short, at least four to five inches, requiring her to look up. "When were you last with a woman, Ragnar?"

"I'll be honest; I've been on a bit of a dry run lately."

"If you want to fuck, Ragnar, just knock on my door. Trust me, I'm more than willing. I was willing before, but after seeing this magnificent thing between your legs, I want it inside me now." She then released me and stepped back. "But we have work to do first. Your armour and weapons are on the log over there. Get dressed and we'll make a move."

I needed a couple of minutes for it to go down before I could actually dress. Once in my armour, both of us had a bow in hand, ready to eliminate any sentries. Despite the snow covered landscape and the wind, I knew the blood was keeping me warm. My sight was much better in the darkness. My sense of smell was much better. My hearing was exceptional, hearing the crunch of footsteps in snow as one of the Silver Hand patrolled.

After taking the trio of guards out with some well-aimed arrows, we headed straight to the door leading inside. I did immediately wonder where Skjor was, having assumed he would be waiting for us inside, but he must have headed further in. Now in the confines of rooms and corridors, I unsheathed my sword and happily took the lead.

It was bloodied rather quickly, as three Silver Hand were waiting for us to walk in. I'll give them some credit, all three knew what they were doing with a sword, but Aela and I linked up well, making a good team, and they died all the same. Searching around for any clues, I found a dead werewolf hung up in what appeared to be a torture chamber.

"There's a dead one, isn't there?"

"Aye."

I felt her presence beside me, sniffing the air. "Nobody we know, by the smell. Some can't separate the animal from themselves and eventually go feral. This poor sod could have been anyone." She sighed before adding, "We should keep moving."

Despite not knowing the werewolf, she was now pissed off, and took great pleasure in killing the next Silver Hand we came across. Most seemed to know who we were. Some even knew our names, which I found slightly concerning. We also found more werewolves caged up, some still alive. I asked if we should release them, but after doing that with the first one and finding ourselves under attack, Aela suggested they were probably all feral, so the humane thing to do would be to put them out of their misery. I think we both did that with a heavy heart, but it was the right thing to do.

Silver Hand continued to fall at our hands. The further in we walked, the angrier she became, but also ever more concerned due to there being no sign of Skjor. I'll admit I was worried myself, and tried to move forward as quickly as possible.

Deep in what felt like the bowels of the fortress, we agreed we must be nearing the commander of the fortress. "We're getting close now, be careful. Their leader is a tricky one. They call him 'The Skinner'. I don't think I need to tell you why."

"Maybe you do?"

She managed a smirk but it faded quickly. I was careful opening the door, immediately counting half a dozen people. None of them saw us at first. I crouched down on one knee, sensing Aela take out her bow. She would manage at least two arrows before they closed on us. I looked up and back, nodded once, and she wasted no time letting loose.

The first arrow found the back of one the Silver Hand, hearing them cry out before collapsing to the ground. The other five immediately turned towards us, the second arrow finding the throat of another. Before she could fire again, I was up and running towards who I figured the 'Skinner' was, a giant of a man, perhaps taller than myself, armed with an enormous maul. I couldn't help smirk myself, as although he could possibly kill me in one blow, a giant maul was a slow, cumbersome weapon. I would rely on speed.

I couldn't get straight to him at first, as one of the other Silver Hand figured he would try and fight me. It was a simply parry, block and thrust into the body, withdraw and move on. By the time I faced the brute down, his maul was already arriving towards my body, managing to stop and reverse my progress in time. I cut his arm, enjoying his cry of pain, as he tried to jab the maul into my gut, again turning and stepping away in time.

Hearing Aela in battle with whoever else was alive, I kept my eyes on the large bastard in front of me. Each time he swung his maul, I cut him, either on an arm, his body, or his legs. It would continue to piss him off, and I knew he would eventually make a mistake, one that would leave him completely open. "Stop messing with him, Ragnar."

"You want to fight this big lump?"

There was a moment of silence. "No, you're alright. Continue as you are."

"You're going to die, Companion," the big lump warned, "You besmirch the memory and name of Ysgramor."

Time to stop messing around. With only a two-handed maul, there was no way he could block the flurry of strikes that I unleashed, and I took great joy in driving my sword into his gut. But the big bastard was made of stern stuff, and despite a wound that would have immediately lamed a normal sized man, he managed to get up from his knee and charged at me. I cut him a further time, this leading to him stumbling and dropping his weapon.

He turned towards me, wondering if he was going to continue to fight. I didn't give him a chance as I cut him across the throat. He dropped to the ground on his knees, and I took further pleasure in taking his head. As his headless body crashed to the ground, I heard Aela call my name.

Turning to see her on the ground, I knew the body in front of her was Skjor. She looked up at me with such fury in her eyes, I nearly took a step back. "Bastards. He's one of the strongest we had, but numbers can overwhelm. He should not have come without a Shield-Brother!"

I rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry." And I meant it as she was right, he'd been a damned fine warrior.

She shrugged off my hand and told me to have a look around for any information. I found a desk nearby and plenty of notes. Aela had a quick check before she asked me to help carry Skjor's body out. It was still dark outside, but at least Skjor and Aela had ridden to the fort. I found an abandoned cart nearby, found some leather strips, and attached the cart to one of the horses, and we slowly rode back to Whiterun.

It was dawn by the time we arrived at the gates of the city, the guards recognising immediately what happened, opening them wide so we could escort Skjor most of the way to Jorrvaskr. I headed straight up to the hall to inform them. Vilkas read my face as he suggested I head straight to Kodlak and let him know. Just like Vilkas, he knew something had happened, simply following me back outside to where Aela was waiting.

Aela held nothing back, explaining everything from the ritual in the Underforge to finding Skjor's body. Kodlak wasn't particularly surprised that I had undergone the ritual but added nothing else, simply asking me to carry Skjor's body to the Skyforge, where his body would be given rites before the funeral that evening. Realising Aela and I were otherwise exhausted, he suggested we head inside for a rest.

Ready to just grab one of the beds in the common area, I found my hand grabbed by Aela and escorted to her room. Leading me inside, she closed the doors and locked them as I turned to face her. "I'm not sure..."

"We're not fucking, Ragnar, so calm yourself. I just wanted some company. I've just lost a good friend."

"Company I can do."

She walked towards me until we barely stood apart. "But would it be on the table at another time?" she asked quietly.

"Fucking?" She nodded somewhat eagerly. I couldn't help smile. "Definitely. But... But there are perhaps one or two things you need to know about me. I can tell you about it all later."

Dressed in armour, getting into bed did require undressing, though only down to underwear. I did let my eyes wander over her body though. We did have a wash before getting into bed, as there was still a little blood, but once we were clean, we soon snuggled under the furs, surprised she immediately spooned into me. Feeling her warmth pressed into my body, it was little wonder my body reacted. And she felt it.

"Later," she whispered.

"Natural reaction. And I'm far too tired as well."

"We'll talk later. Maybe after the... you know... Skjor and everything."

"Sure."

"Will you join me in here again?"

"If you would like me to."

"I want you in here with me, Ragnar. Preferably all the time."

"And if it leads to whispers?"

"Do you care what anyone else thinks?"

"No."

"Neither do I. And, right now, I just want your company."

We both drifted off rather quickly as there was no doubt we were both exhausted after the previous night. We were woken by a knock at the door, Farkas sticking his head in, letting us know it was mid-afternoon and that plans were underway for the evening. Thanking him, Aela simply wiggled her arse into my crotch as she nestled her body back into mine. It was surprisingly tender considering.

"Surprised?" she asked a little later.

"A little. I was expecting to just be thrown down on the bed and for you to jump on me."

"When it comes to battle, I am who I am. But I'm still a woman at heart. I do like the finer things in life at times." She paused before flipping around to face me. "That's not to say I don't want to be fucked." I couldn't help grin as she added, "Just so you know for the future, Ragnar."

"But not now?"

"Now is probably not the best time. That's not to say I'm not thinking about it."

"Let me know when and where."

We eventually got up and, after cleaning our armour, dressed and joined the rest upstairs. The mood was solemn, as to be expected, Farkas taking the pair of us to the side, letting us know the ceremony would begin at dusk. There would be no drinking or eating until afterwards, so I left Aela with the rest as I went looking for Kodlak. I found him sitting outside by himself, reading a book. Joining him at the table, he looked up and shook his head.

"It's not your fault, Ragnar."

It was hard not to feel at least some guilt. "Maybe if we'd got to him quicker..."

"Skjor was a brave warrior, of that there is no doubt. But if he truly did go into that fort alone, I do not wish to speak ill of the dead, but that was a mistake. It is why a Companion never works alone."

"He didn't deserve to die, though."

"No, he didn't." He paused before adding, "And now you carry the blood. Do you feel any different?"

"A little bit. Certain senses are sharper."

"And what of Sovngarde?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure I'd be heading there if I died anyway. Working with the Companions is helping restore lost honour."

"Your past?" I nodded. "You have regrets?"

"One big one."

"You have suffered loss?"

"A wife and unborn child."

I noticed the eyebrows raised in obvious surprise. "You were married?"

"Harbinger, the sense of happiness I felt during my all too brief time with my wife is indescribable. Once I lost her, I truly lost my way. I did things many would find horrific. I did things that almost led to my death at the hands of the executioner. It is why I'm here with this guild now. I was never one to really worry about my honour. But after escaping Helgen, I saw an opportunity to change the direction of my life."

Kodlak slowly nodded his head in understanding. "Yours is not the first story. Unfortunately, yours is similar to many who have served this guild over time. We do not judge what has come before. We judge only what you do with us now. No matter what, you have proven to have a good heart, Ragnar. Keep doing what you're doing and you will earn honour and respect from us, and also the gods."