บท 81: Unfinished Business II
We continue talking for about an hour before calling it a night.
Me and Vladimir decide to take watch. Though no matter how much I try and pry he seems to be content with one or two-word replies with the occasional grunt of affirmation or acknowledgment.
The night passes by silently, with me occasionally picking up on nearby animals thanks to my heightened senses.
The sun slowly limps over the horizon slightly warming the near fridged camp as my campfire warms up the leftovers from last night as well as some bird eggs I scavenged.
Filling the camp with an intoxicating aroma, rousing everyone from their long rest.
They quickly scarf down their breakfast before we hit the road once more, though this time Agni seems much less scared of me. But every time I catch her staring at me she darts away and hides behind Falion's robe, making me chuckle.
Our journey continues with these antics for a few more hours.
But strangely, the plains on the outskirts of Whiterun seem to have grown and the number of farms and farmers we've passed has almost tripled.
I look to Jenassa, but if she thinks something is off she doesn't give it away.
I shake my head, driving those thoughts away as the sound of bounding feet against the cobblestone road draws my attention.
*Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap... Huff.*
I see Aela approaching us... But something is different, similar to my draw towards M'rissi, but much more primal. My heart rate quickens as she draws near, though her speaking breaks me from my trance.
"Finally, you've returned, shield brother! You've missed so much!" Aela says out of breath after reaching us.
"Aela, what's going on?" I asked in confusion, 'Why is she seeking me out? There shouldn't be anything going on with their questline?'
"Kodlak has sent word to all the chapters of the Companions! A Great Assembly is to be called in two months' time!" Aela tells me in shock.
"Hold on! Jenassa, take everyone to the Tower and help them settle in. Aela, take me to Jorrvaskr!" I order, waiting for everyone to be out of ear shot.
"Now tell me, what is this Great Assembly?" I ask with interest as I don't recall an event like this in the base game.
"It a rarely used rite of the Harbinger. To summon all branches of the Companions across the land to a great meeting... Though not just warriors of Ysgrimor, but other children of Hircine have also been called to this Assembly." Aela explains as we rush towards Whiterun.
"Why? What would warrant such a grand summons?" I ask in shock.
"Jorrvaskr was subject to a grand assault by a band of werewolf hunters. The Silver Hand, they slew Vilkas and a handful of other members. But we forced them out of Whiterun with the help of the Jarl's men and a few of your men who were in the market at the time." Aela explains as the gate into the town grows in my sight.
Though at word of Vilkas' death, I stop dead in my tracks, "What? What do you mean Vilkas is dead?"
'What the hell?! Wasn't he essential? How could he die this early? Wasn't it Kodlak that was supposed to die in a Silver Hand assault?' The thought runs through my head as I almost spin out in a rabbit hole of my own thoughts before Aela slaps my face.
"Snap out of it! Now is not the time to fall apart! Kodlak has an announcement to make! And I hope to Talos it's about marching on those bastard's base and ripping them to shreds! Now come on!" Aela shouts in a mild panic spiral herself, dragging me into Whiterun.
Once inside I can barely pick up on the fact that there are more houses separating the various businesses in town before entering the Cloud district to see a crowd gathered outside Jorrvaskr. As Farkus cradles Vilkas' body in tears as several other members lie dead beside them and those who survived the ambush earlier stand by disheartened.
Most lost of heart seems to be Kodlak, who looks on stoically at the scene of death and loss.
"Brothers… Sisters… Head my words!" Kodlak bellows to the crowd of Companions.
"Stay your blades! A Great Assembly has been called and the scales will be righted soon enough, until then sharpen your blades and your minds, for they shall be needed soon enough!" Kodlak says before heading back into the mead hall.
Much to the shock and dismay of the Companions gathered outside who are quick to express their outrage to the shrinking figure of Kodlak.
"How could we just sit around and do nothing?!" Farkus shouts enraged as the door to the hall slams shut.
"Come on, Farkus. Let's prepare the pyre. Your brother deserves a proper rest." Aela says clasping him on the shoulder.
"You're right… But we're not going to sit on our asses while Kodlak waits like an honorless coward! We need to take the fight to these fuckin' bastards!" Farkas says, not even attempting to hide his disdain for Kodlak's inaction.
It's then that Skjor comes up to Farkus' other side and clasps his shoulder as well.
"Don't worry, Brother. This loss will not go unavenged! No matter what Kodlak says!" Skjor says trying to assuage Farkus' rage.
"Damn straight! Let's give Vilkas a warrior's funeral and then show these bastards why you don't poke the beast!" I agree with them sensing a great change in the standard quest line and I'd rather stand with the werewolves than side with a broken old man.
"You're right! Aela, help me prepare his body. We will hold his funeral tonight and after… We hunt!" Farkus says as he hoists Vilkas' body onto his shoulder and heads into the hall with Aela close behind.
Leaving me and Skjor alone, and Skjor pulls me to the side before asking me, "We haven't had much time to talk after your transformation... So tell me new blood… How do you see our… Affliction… Is it a curse or a blessing in your eyes?" He says staring intently at me waiting for a response.
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