Chapter Sixteen - Glory of the Dead pt. 2



Me, Aela, Vilkas and Farkas immediately head to our chambers to pack what we'd need for the journey. When I get to my room, Marco is sat on the bed and and is reading a letter.


"What's that?" I ask him. 


"A letter from the Arch-Mage at the College of Winterhold," Marco looks up. "They want me to go to them soon,"


"Well, believe it or not, I'm headed to Winterhold now," I try to stifle a yawn. "Ysgramor's tomb is there and we're headed there to cleanse grandfather's soul of lycanthropy,"


"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Marco flinches. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you just say grandfather is a werewolf?"


"Yes, Marco, keep up," I roll my eyes impatiently. "Come with us in the carriage,"


"Yes, yes, alright, let me pack my things," Marco says hastily and begins stuffing clothes and books into a large satchel. "Are...are you a werewolf too?"


I smirk at him, throw my head back and let out a small howl. Marco yelps and jumps back from me, bumping into a cupboard. I laugh at him and start undoing the straps to my armour. I haven't taken it off since coming back from the Glenmoril Coven and my joints are aching. It's extra weight to carry it to the carriage but gods, I need a rest from it. I'll travel in a warm cloak, but I cannot bare to spend another hour in my heavy armour. 


After twenty minutes of hastily packing, Marco and myself meet the others upstairs by the fire.


"Ria, come here," Aela calls out. Ria approaches Aela, slightly cautiously. "Myself, Vilkas, Farkas, Skylar and Marco will be leaving for a few days...try and keep the peace here," Aela tells her. I notice, slightly uncomfortably, that Aela has began to take leadership upon herself by giving orders and managing the others. Of course she probably feels that it is her place to, but I'm the next Harbinger, not her. I try and shake away that childish and selfish thought. Damn that dragon soul of mine, needing to dominate and take over everything. 


"I won't be accompanying you to Ysgramor's tomb," Marco informs us as we hurry down to the stables in order to get a carriage to Winterhold. "I will be staying in Winterhold to study magic at the college," 


"The College of Winterhold?" Aela asks, with a slight suspicion to her tone. "I heard they were responsible for most of Winterhold falling into the Sea of Ghosts,"


"I highly doubt that," Marco shakes his head. "That would require some incredibly strong magic. I don't think that even the College itself possesses that,"


"Let's just get going," Aela huffs. "To Winterhold," she says to the carriage driver and dumps a coin purse next to him. The five of us climb into the back and I'm relieved to drop my armour down into the carriage. I'm still wearing the boots and gauntlets, but for now my fur cloak, trousers and blouse will do. 


"We've got a long day ahead of us," Vilkas explains. "Get some rest now. We're not stopping once we get to Winterhold," 


***


"By the Nine, it is freezing," Vilkas's teeth chatter as we reluctantly step out of the carriage and into the snowy and deserted town of Winterhold. There are a few meager buildings, including an inn and the Jarl's longhouse. In the distance the giant College of Winterhold stands ominously. I've put my armour back on and I'm already regretting it. 


I turn to face my brother and he embraces me. "Take care, sister," Marco murmurs. "Never forget that you are not alone in this world...avenge our grandfather,"


"Goodbye," I smile sadly at him. "And don't get into too much trouble while you're at the College,"


Marco shakes hands with Farkas, Vilkas and Aela, kisses my cheek, fastens his cloak and then strides confidently towards the College. His figure slowly disappears into the snow and distance and I let out a small sigh. I'll miss him. 


"Let's get going then," Aela looks at us. "I think there's a way to the Tomb if we go down a steep cliff path near the College,"


The four of us walk in silence and we find the path Aela was talking about. We make our way down the icy path that takes us to beach, where the Sea of Ghosts meets the northern coastline. It's absolutely freezing and the slight breeze stings my ears and makes my eyes water. The sooner we leave this place, the better. 


"If you think this is cold, you've never experienced the north in the middle of winter," Aela grins at me. "Come on Skylar, that Nord blood of yours should keep you warm,"


"Perhaps it's her dwarf blood that makes her cold. I heard the Dwemer always liked to be in the warmth," Vilkas teases me. 


"Haha. Amusing," I snap at Vilkas. "Let's just get out of this wind,"


"The tomb is over there," Aela points at a small island not too far away from the coast. "We can either swim there and die of hypothermia or we can jump across the blocks of ice and hope we don't fall in,"


"I like the second option more," I shiver. 


We approach a line of ice blocks that should hopefully take us to the small island where the tomb is. If only we had a boat on us. 


Brave as ever, Aela makes the first jump. She lands nimbly on her two feet, not even wobbling. She makes the second jump onto the next block of ice, once again landing without any problem. After a few tense minutes she makes it across and she's on the island waiting for us. 


"I'll go next," Farkas says, the worry in his tone prominent. Aela managed to make it across because of her light weight and grace...two things that Farkas lacks. 


He takes a deep breath and makes the first jump. He wobbles a little but manages to regain his balance. Then he goes for the second jump, once again wobbling. He makes it across without any disasters, except for the last jump where he slipped on the landing and landed on his arse in the snow. Aside from his pride, nothing else seemed to be wounded. 


"You go next Skylar," Vilkas nudges me. "Ladies first,"


"Age before beauty," I retort. 


"Are you calling me old and ugly?" Vilkas feigns insult. 


"We haven't got all day, Red," Farkas calls. 


"Fine. Fine," I mutter. I leap onto the first block of ice, slip, and land on my stomach. At least I don't fall into the water. I shakily get onto my feet and jump onto the second block of ice, wobbling more than Farkas. I think the ice's strength is swiftly fading after all of us jumping. 


I do the next couple of jumps and then I also make it across. Now it's Vilkas's turn. 


Vilkas jumps from block to block, without that much of a problem. But the second he jumps from the final ice block, it cracks in half. Vilkas manages to land on the island in relative safety but our way back looks fairly doomed. 


"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Aela looks at the smashed ice block. "Let's just get inside the tomb,"


We climb up the pathway on the island that takes us to the tomb and sure enough we approach the barrow, with some steep stone steps leading to the entryway to the tomb. It's a fairy standard Nordic tomb but something about this one feels a little different. As if there's more magic and danger inside than usual. I can also hear the faint hum and chant of the Dragon language, indicating that there's a Word Wall nearby. Perfect. 


Vilkas pushes open the steel door and we go down a short flight of steps. We come into a small room lit by braziers and in the centre of that room is a statue of Ysgramor. 


"Have you got Wuuthrad?" I ask Vilkas. 


"Yep," he nods. He slides the battleaxe off his back and hand it to me. "You should return it to him. You have met him, after all,"


The battleaxe is slightly painful to touch and then I remember Farkas once telling me that the axe was particularly toxic for Elves. Brilliant. 


I slide the axe in between Ysgramor's hands and the door on the East side of the room opens up. 


"Are we ready to go?" I ask the other and Aela and Farkas nod their heads but Vilkas hesitates. 


"This is the resting place of Ysgramor and his most trusted generals. You should be cautious," he warns me. 


"What do you mean?" I narrow my eyes. 


"The original Companions...their finest warriors rest with Ysgramor. You'll have to prove yourselves to them. It's not that you're intruding, because I'd wager they're actually expecting us, but they just want to be sure that you're worthy. Be ready for an honourable battle,"


"Aren't you coming?" I ask him. 


Vilkas shakes his head sadly. "Kodlak was right. I let vengeance rule my heart. I regret nothing of what we did at Driftshade but I can't go any further with my mind fogged or my heart grieved,"


"I understand," I nod my head. I glance at Farkas and Aela. "Well, if you two are ready we should go. We'll see you in a bit, Vilkas,"


"Take care," he smiles at me. 


The three of us go into the tomb. At first it's relatively silent but then the ghost of the Companions make themselves present. Vilkas wasn't lying when he said that they were one of the finest warriors of the original Companions. 


Aela picks off the ghosts from a distance with her bow and me and Farkas get in the heat of it, finishing off what her powerful arrows couldn't quite manage. It takes us almost three quarters of an arrow to get through the first wave of Companions ghosts. When we've cleared the first couple of rooms, Aela hastily retrieves her arrows and Farkas and I down a stamina potion. 


The next area we enter is lined with cobwebs and I can hear scuttling sounds nearby. Frostbite spiders. I motion for Aela and Farkas to get down and sneak along, praying that Farkas won't give us away with his clumsiness and loud, clanking armour. 


We get into the first room, where there are four Frostbite spiders. Aela makes quick work of them with her arrows. Once they're dead Farkas pauses and doesn't follow us. 


"Farkas? What are you doing? We need to move," Aela frowns. 


"Come on, I can feel we're getting closer," I say encouragingly. 


"No," Farkas says slowly. "I can't go any further, Shield-Sister,"


"What's the matter?" I ask him gently. 


"Ever since Dustman's Cairn the big crawly ones have been too much for me," he admits. "Everyone has his weakness and this one is mine. I'm not proud but I will stay back with Vilkas...give my regards to Ysgramor,"


"Alright," I nod my head. "We'll see you soon then,"


"Let's get going," Aela says to me. 


The two of us finish off some more spiders and a Giant Frosbite spider. The giant one proved to be more of a challenge but it was nothing the two of us couldn't handle. It was nice to be fighting alongside Aela again. We worked well together, with me scouting ahead and fighting the enemies upfront and her covering for me and sniping out ones that would sneak up on me. Sometimes Aela would sheathe her bow and take out two daggers and fight upfront with me. That was especially fun. 


It took us another hour to work through the rest of the room until we finally reach an enourmous antechamber. In the centre of the room is a blue flame and huddled near the flame is the spirit of my grandfather. I blink back tears and approach him. Aela hangs back a little. 


"Is that you?" I ask gingerly. 


"Of course," he smiles. "My fellow Harbingers and I have been warming ourselves here. Trying to evade Hircine,"


"There's nobody else in here," I glance around.


"You only see me because your heart knows only me as the Companions leader. I'd wager old Vignar could see half a dozen of my predecessors. And I see them all: the ones in Sovngarde, the ones trapped with me in Hircine's realm...and they all see you. You've brought honour to the name of the Companions...and to our family. We won't soon forget it," he smiles at me. 


"Vilkas says that you can still be cured," it's taking every inch of my willpower to not rush towards grandfather's spirit and try to hug him. But I stay rooted to the ground. 


"Did he now? I can only hope. You still have the witches' heads?"


I take the head out of my satchel and hold it up in response. "Yep,"


"Excellent. Throw one of them into the fire. It will release their magic, for me at least," grandfather instructs. 


I toss the head onto the flame and for a second, nothing happens. But then we hear a rumble and a red wolf spirit emerges from grandfather. It's huge and intimidating. I look at Aela and she loads an arrow into her bow. She's ready for this. 


I lunge forward, driving my axe into the wolf spirit. It yelps and shakes free, sending me sprawling. It turns around and snarls at me, ready to pounce, but Aela distracts it with an arrow to the knee. It leaps at her and I jump up and stab both my sword and axe into the wolf's back and it howls with rage. Aela drops her bow and get out her two daggers, stabbing them both into the wolf's head. I yank out my sword from the back and slide it across the wolf's throat. 


The spirit howls once more and then disintegrates into the ground. I wipe the sweat from my brow and sheathe my weapons and Aela picks up her bow and fastens it onto her back. 


"And so slain the beast inside of me," grandfather approaches us both. "I thank the two of you for this gift. The other Harbingers remain trapped by Hircine, though. Perhaps fro Sovngarde, the heroes of old can join me in their rescue...the Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It would be a battle of great triumph,"


"I am honoured we could do this for you," Aela bows her head. 


"The honour is mine, Aela. I have seen you grow up from a young girl into a strong and fearsome woman. You are one of the finest archers and warriors to have walked this earth," grandfather responds. Then he turns to me. "Granddaughter, perhaps some day you'll join us in that battle...but for today, return to Jorrvaskr and triumph in your victory...and lead the Companions to further glory,"


And with those final words, his spirit slowly disappears. I smile, feeling both happy and sad. It's devastating to see him go for the last time...but he's at peace now and it's now my duty and responsibility to take his place as Harbinger. 


Aela looks at me, with a strange expression on her face. "Did I hear right? Did he say you were to lead the Companions?"


"I..." I trail off. "I suppose so. Yes. D-does this upset you?"


She shakes her head firmly. "I'm just surprised. But your strength and honour are apparent to all and it's my honour to be the fist to address you as Harbinger. Go tell Vilkas and Farkas...I'll remain here for a little bit more before returning to you,"


I notice a chest on the northeastern ledge of the room and, with my head spinning, I head towards it ready to claim the loot inside. I find some gold, a few gems and a shield that shimmers with enchantments and magic...Ysgramor's shield. 


I pick it up, as well as the loot I find, and then I pull a nearby chain that opens up a door, presumably the shortcut back to the main entrance of the tomb. Most Nordic tombs come with these. 


I go through the passage and I wind up in the opening chamber where Ysgramor's statue is. 


"You're back!" Vilkas exclaims. "What happened? What's that shield?"


"We cured my grandfather, this is Ysgramor's shield and I'm your new Harbinger," I hurriedly explain. "Oh, and there's a Word Wall nearby that I want to find,"


"Woah, woah, slow down," Vilkas raises an eyebrow. "Repeat everything you just said,"


"We cured my grandfather. He told me that I'm the new Harbinger...and this is Ysgramor's shield," I place the shield by the statue and smile up at it. He'll be glad to be reunited. 


"The new Harbinger?" Farkas looks amazed. "Well...it's perfect. Aela's too solitary, I'm too stupid and Vilkas doesn't want to be a leader,"


"You're not stupid," me and Vilkas assure him. 


Farkas shrugs. "Fine, maybe not, but I haven't got the brains or skills to be a leader. You're perfect for it,"


"I'm so proud of you," Vilkas embraces me and kisses my forehead. Then he tenses up, realising what he just did and right in front of his brother. 


"Ha! Aela owes me fifteen septims," Farkas grins. 


"You placed bet on whether or not I would feel affections for Skylar?" Vilkas asks disbelievingly. 


"Of course. Aela said there was no chance because Skylar has standards but I said that I had predicted since day one you two would grow to feel something for each other," Farkas nods his head. "You know what? All the unpleasantness aside, these have been a pretty stellar few days,"


"What now?" Vilkas asks me. 


"Now we go home and we continue bringing honour and glory to ourselves and the Companions," 




A/N:


This was such a difficult chapter to write. There was a delay in updating this one because throughout January I had mock examinations for my A-Levels and I've only really had free time now. I'm glad I got it written though. 


This isn't the end! There's still two more chapters to come...and I've got more books planned after this one. 


This chapter was hastily written so I could get it updated so please excuse any mistakes. I'll be going back and editing once I've completely finished up. 

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