I didn't like long silences, but I couldn't find anything to say to Vilkas.

Fragments of Wuuthrad safely tucked away in my satchel, we made our journey back to Whiterun. I was tired after the transformation. Vilkas told me it wasn't uncommon for werewolves to become fatigued after changing. He said that the amount of energy it expended always took a huge toll on a person. Especially those who weren't accustomed to the beast blood.

We trekked down the path, getting back on the main road that would lead us back home. All the while, I tried to keep my head up and feet steady. I didn't want Vilkas to take pity on me. I didn't need his sympathy.

My plan didn't work. Vilkas noticed my wobbling steps, and he pulled my arm over his shoulders.

"Vilkas, I don't need—"

"Hush. You'll never make it back home if you don't accept my help. This beats me carrying you."

I rolled my eyes, but let him help me along. I didn't really want to argue, anyway. My legs were going numb.

"Maybe we should rest in Dawnstar. I don't think it could hurt things."

"But they need us back. They're waiting for us."

"Are you really so stubborn that you'll sooner kill yourself than admit you're tired and need rest?"

"We're going back. Now." I pulled away from Vilkas and reached into my satchel. Tucked next to the fragments, I found a small stamina potion. I unstoppered the green, clay bottle and tossed the contents down my throat. I hated the bitter taste it left in my mouth; I avoided potions as much as I could. But in this case, I needed one.

After a few minutes, the potion took affect. My legs steadied and my head cleared. I gave Vilkas a glance, then tucked the empty bottle back into my satchel.

"Better?" he asked me.

I nodded. "We need to hurry. We've already wasted precious time."

-------

"The others have probably prepared Kodlak's funeral by now," Vilkas said as we came through Whiterun's gates. "We should hurry so we can pay our respects."

As we walked through the Plains District, my stomach knotted with apprehension, and my chest ached with sorrow. I didn't want to do this. I didn't want Kodlak to leave. I wanted him to be alive and well. But I knew he wasn't. This was real. It wasn't some twisted dream.

Vilkas took my hand in his. "It's all right," he said as he squeezed my fingers.

I swallowed as we passed the market stalls. The vendors were out, protected from the afternoon sun by their awnings. They gave us passing glances, then resumed calling out their wares.

"Vilkas, I don't want to do this."

"We have to. We owe the old man that much." He gave my hand another squeeze. "For Kodlak."

"For Kodlak."

We mounted the steps leading to the Skyforge, where all the other Companions and Eorlund had assembled. Farkas and Aela stood closest to Kodlak's funeral pyre, the others fanned out behind them. Aela held a torch in her hand. All of my Shield-Siblings wore somber and sorrowful expressions.

As Vilkas and I took our place close by Aela, Eorlund cleared his throat. "Who will start?" he asked.

Aela squared her shoulders. "I'll do it. Before the ancient flame..."

We all joined her in saying, "We grieve."

I swallowed hard, then stood straighter. On our journey back, Vilkas had told me what we would be saying for the funeral. He told me because I would be taking part in the eulogy. It took everything I had to keep my voice steady as I said, "At this loss..."

"We weep."

Vilkas took my hand again, just for a moment. "For the fallen..."

"We shout."

Farkas went last, his voice breaking with emotion. "And for ourselves..."

"We take our leave."

Torch held high, Aela stepped up to Kodlak's pyre and lit it. The wood took to the flame instantly, and soon, I couldn't see Kodlak's body past the smoke and fire.

"His spirit is departed," Aela said, her voice cracking. "Members of the Circle, let us withdraw to the Underforge, to grieve our last together."

Vilkas let go of my hand and started down the stairs. The other members joined him. I started to, but Eorlund approached me before I could.

"Do you have the fragments of Wuuthrad still?" he asked. "I'll need to prepare them for mounting again."

I reached into my satchel and handed them to him. "I return them with honor."

"Don't get to flowery on me, lass. Of course, I still have one small favor to ask of you. There's another piece, a fragment that Kodlak always kept close to himself. Would you go into his chamber and get it back for me? I'm not sure I'm the best one to go through his things."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Thank you. I'll be here."

I jogged down the stairs and into Jorrvaskr. As I passed him, Vilkas shot me a look. I gave it back and pointed to Jorrvaskr. He nodded, then ducked into the Underforge.

Once inside, I headed straight for Kodlak's room. It didn't feel right, but I began to rifle through his things. I came to the end table next to his bed, then opened the top drawer. Inside was the last fragment, as well as his journal. Curious, I pocketed the fragment, then opened his journal. I shouldn't have, but my curiosity got the best of me.

I flipped to the first page and began reading.

"In my dream, I see the line of Harbingers start with Ysgramor. Each of them ascends to Sovngarde, until we come to Terrfyg, who first turned us to the ways of the beast. He tries to enter Sovngarde, but before he can even approach Tsun, he is set upon by a great wolf, who pulls him into the Hunting Grounds, where Hircine laughs with welcoming arms.
Terrfyg seems regretful, but also eager to join Hircine after a lifetime of service as a beast.

"Then I see every next Harbinger turn away from Sovngarde and enter the Hunting Grounds of their own accord. Until it comes to me, and I see great Tsun on the misty horizon, beckoning me. It appears I have a choice. And then, at my side, a stranger I had not seen before. As I look into her eyes, we turn to see the same wolf who dragged away Terrfyg, and she and I draw weapons together.

"I realize this is only a dream, but a strong enough dream to inspire a man like me to take to writing, so it must be of some importance.

"I've spoken of my thoughts to the Circle, withholding the part about the stranger lest Skjor worry I will no longer seek his counsel, and I was not surprised to see them torn by it. Skjor and Aela are strong in the ways of the beast, and even seemed to suggest that the Hunting Grounds would be their choice of afterlife, if it were truly a choice. Vilkas seemed most troubled. The boy is as fierce as a sabre cat in battle, but his heart's fire burns too brightly at times. He felt deceived, and I don't blame him. Farkas didn't know what to think, but I believe he will come around with me and his brother eventually. He usually does. I don't know what to do about Skjor and Aela. I know they respect the Companions, and me, but they take to the blood more deeply than the rest of us.

"Fortune smiles upon us yesterday, Vilkas was telling me how difficult it had been for him to give up his transformations. Until we can pursue a true cure, the twins and I have chosen not to give in to the beastblood. For me, it's provided a clearer head, but Vilkas seems to be suffering a bit for it. Farkas seems completely untroubled. That boy continues to amaze with his fortitude.

"While Vilkas was confiding, through the shadows of Jorrvaskr, I saw a newcomer approach, who wished to join our numbers. It was the stranger from my dream, the one who would stand with me against the beast. Vilkas began speaking obliquely, not wishing to air our problems in front of our guest, and I had to be doubly cautious to not reveal anything of our secrets to the newcomer while also not revealing the details of my dream to Vilkas. I don't know how the politicians deal with these sorts of machinations daily.

"In any case, I've sent Vilkas to test the newcomer. We'll see if she is truly the great warrior I dreamt of.

"This newcomer, it seems, is made of decent stock. She calls herself Ylva, and has already impressed some of the Circle with her mettle. I still keep my own counsel on her place in my dream, for now. Let us see what kind of destiny she is carving before hitching to her."

I paused in my reading. Kodlak had dreamt about me before I even came to Jorrvaskr? Strange. I shook my head and kept reading.

"In the meanwhile, I look for ways of cleansing my blood. The writings and legends on the subject are sparse and contradictory. I don't wish to engage any wizadry on this matter, but I fear they may be the only ones who best know how to navigate these worlds of knowledge.

"It's apparent to me now that Terrfyg's choice to turn us was indeed a mistake. Magics and their like are not in keeping with the spirit of the Companions. We face our problems directly, without the need of such trickery. I can only hope to guide us back to the true path of Ysgramor before the rot takes me.

"Ylva continues to impress. I don't know where she will stand on the question of the blood, but the question has not been presented yet. She does know that we carry the beastblood, and appears curious about it. Soon enough, I can explain our troubles, and hopefully see what role she will play.

"I'm amazed that Aela thinks she can keep a secret among this drunken rabble. Especially with the loss of Skjor (my heart aches), emotions are fraying, and the walls of discretion are the first to fall.

"Apparently she and Ylva are waging their own separate war against the Silver Hand, in retaliation for Skjor's death. Their hearts are noble, but the course of vengeance is running hot, and I fear the counterstroke that may come if they do not rein in their fury.

"Ylva shows valor, though even in this more underhanded time. We have not had cause to speak, much and that is something I deeply regret. I have high hopes for her destiny, as I realized that her appearance in my dream may indeed mark her as the Harbinger to succeed me."

Harbinger? Was he serious? He wanted me to succeed him? Why me? I was the newest member of the Companions. Why would he pick me as his successor?

"I have received few dreams over the course of my life, but when they come, I have learned to trust them. I have also learned to trust the instincts of my heart, which tells me that Ylva can carry the Companions legacy as truly as any residing in Jorrvaskr, especially with the loss of Skjor. Aela is too solitary, Vilkas too fiery, and Farkas too kind-hearted. Only Ylva stands as a true warrior who can keep a still mind amidst these burning hearts.

"I will not speak to her of any of this, though. It is too much to burden another with. My hope is that she and I can keep counsel over the coming years, that I can impart the wisdom of the Harbingers. All things in time. Firstly, I will seek her assistance in the matter of the witches of Glenmoril. It would appear that our path to the cure is not without some poetic justice for the tricksters who first cursed us."

When I looked up from my reading, I realized my face was damp with tears. I had no idea he felt so strongly about me. Before he died, he told me he was proud of me, but it seemed that was only a fraction of the truth. He wanted me to be his successor. He saw something in me that I myself couldn't see. He saw a leader. A true warrior, even with the beast blood coursing through my veins. I had to lead the Companions now. I had to be the one to carry on the teachings. The one to raise the torch and hold it high.

I have to. For Kodlak.

Wiping my face dry, I stuffed the journal into my satchel and left Kodlak's room. I had been gone too long. I had to get the piece back to Eorlund so I could meet up with the rest of the Circle.

Eorlund was standing before the still-burning pyre when I climbed the steps to the Skyforge.

He turned to me. "You're back."

"I have Kodlak's fragment."

"Thank you. Your Shield-Siblings have withdrawn to the Underforge. I think they're waiting for you."

I gave him a nod, then departed to the Underforge. The others were already conversing when I walked in.

".... The old man had one wish before he died," Vilkas was saying. "And he didn't get it. It's as simple as that."

Aela crossed her arms. "Being moon-born is not so much of a curse as you might think, Vilkas."

"That's fine for you, but he wanted to be clean. He wanted to meet Ysgramor and know the glories of Sovngarde. But all that was taken from him."

"And you avenged him."

Farkas stepped forward. "Kodlak did not care for vengeance."

Vilkas sighed. "No, Farkas, he didn't. And that's not what this is about. We should be honoring Kodlak, no matter our own thoughts on the blood."

"You're right," Aela said. "It's what he wanted, and he deserved to have it."

"Kodlak used to speak of a way to cleanse his soul, even in death." I watched as Vilkas's eyes widened with surprise. "You know the legends of the Tomb of Ysgramor."

"There the souls of the Harbingers will heed the call of northern steel." Aela look just as excited, then her expression fell. "We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years."

Behind us, the Underforge's door slid open. We all turned to see Eorlund walking inside, something slung over his back.

Wait, is that—

Wuuthrad.

"And dragons were just stories," Eorlund said. "And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be. The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired."

Vilkas looked just as surprised as I felt when he saw the Companions most sacred weapon. "Is that.... Did you repair the blade?"

Eorlund nodded, looking pleased with himself. "This is the first time I've had all the pieces, thanks to our Shield-Sister here." He nodded to me before continuing, "'The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered.' The flames of Kodlak shall fuel the rebirth of Wuuthrad. And now you need to take it to meet him once more." He took Wuuthrad off his back, then held it out to me. "As the one who bore the fragments, I think you should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle."

Hands shaking slightly, I took Wuuthrad from him. I couldn't believe it. I was holding the most important artifact the Companions had. They were all entrusting me with it.

"The rest of you, prepare to journey to the Tomb of Ysgramor," Eorlund continued as I draped Wuuthrad over my shoulders. "For Kodlak."

I turned to the others. For a moment, I remembered what Kodlak had wanted. He wanted me to step up and take his place when his days were done. While that happened sooner than any of us expected, I still had to be the next Harbinger. He'd said it himself. The others weren't fit for that job. He needed someone who had a fire in their heart, but still had the compassion and patience necessary for leading. I didn't know if I could be that person, but if Kodlak believed in me, then by Talos, I would be the Harbinger he would be proud of.

Pulling Wuuthrad off my back, I raised it over my head and gave the others a wicked grin. "What are we waiting for? To the Tomb of Ysgramor! For Kodlak!"

They drew their weapons, shouting in unison, "For Kodlak!"