White Wolf

Ch. 3

A few days later, the Jarl called the Companions to take care of a rogue giant. Amongst themselves, they decided that Aela and the twins would take care of it. They could see it as they were heading out of the gate, destroying crops. The twins charged, each taking a side, then started swinging at it's legs. Aela shot it from a distance. This went on for a bit, the giant swinging it's club at the brothers, who then dipped out of range only to jump right back in. Then, a rogue arrow lodged itself into the giant's throat. Another hit it's mark in the temple, then another in the eye. The giant fell, leaving the warriors to wonder where the arrows came from.

Vilkas looked around for the source of the assistance to see an exhausted Kina sprinting towards them, bow in hand with a quiver of matching arrows. She dropped to her knees beside the giant's head, and took her arrows back. Aela started towards her, "You certainly handle yourself well." The brunette woman laughed lightly, getting back to her feet,"Thanks. I'm headed to collect a bounty. Figured you guys could use a hand while I was headed this way."

She swayed as she tried to sprint again. Aela caught her, "Easy, now. What has you so tired?" Kina smiled brightly, and painfully pulled something big, green and bloody from her pack. Vilkas's eyes widened, "Is that what I think it is?" "If what you're thinking is 'Dragon scale', then yes." "So you're the Dragon slayer I've heard about?" Kina threw a knowing glance at Vilkas before she answered, "Maybe. The Jarl put a bounty on a dragon that was roosting not far from here, so he called me up a few days ago to handle it. That was one hell of a run with these, though. I really do have to go. Jarls tend to doubt me until I come back with proof."

With that, she placed it back in her pack, and was jogging towards the gate as she placed the bow on her back. Aela fixed Vilkas with a smirk, then sprinted after her. "Oh no. No! Aela! Wait!" Too late, she had caught up to her. He could hear her offer the brunette a place in the Companions. He also heard Kina say she'd consider it, but she had to go at the moment. His spirit fell when he heard that. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "It's ok. We'll deal with it if the time comes.", came Farkas's voice. Vilkas nodded in defeat, and they made their way back to Jorrvaskr.

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Vilkas was talking to Kodlak about his difficulties with resisting the beastblood when a familiar scent graced his nose. He tensed, and looked towards the door. There stood Kina, head bowed in respect once she realized she had the elder's attention. "A stranger comes to our hall." "I wish to join the Companions." Instantly, Vilkas shot up, "Master, you can't consider her!" "Vilkas! I am no ones master! If she wishes to join our ranks, let her prove herself.", Kodlak turned to Kina, "Come closer. Let me see you."

She stepped forward, posture radiating confidence. "Ah, yes! A certain strength of spirit! Vilkas, why don't you go train with her in the yard?" It was formed as a question, but he knew what it really was: he was being told to assess her. He sighed, "Aye.", and got up. He knew Kodlak wanted to see how she faced down and opponent, how much fire she had. Vilkas wouldn't make the mistake of pitting her against another whelp like last time. Poor sod. Especially if she did turn out to be the Dragonborn. No. He'd face her himself.

Once outside, he looked around. Farkas, Torvar, Athis,  and Ria. 'Great. An audience.' He grabbed a sword and shield, then faced her, "The old man said for me to have a look at you, so come at me with all you have. I promise I can take it." She grabbed two swords with a grin, "Even if we already fought the other day?" He grinned, "This isn't a bar fight, this is official. Don't hold back." "You sure you can take it?" "Hit me and find out."

At his verbal challenge, she power struck the side of his shield, cutting through the iron. Shocked, Vilkas threw it off his arm, leaving him with just a single steel sword. She tossed one of her blades away, sticking it between the stones in the wall. "To make things more fair.", she said, smirking. His grin was all teeth as he remembered his own words to her last time they fought, and he swung his sword downward on a diagonal from his left. She brought hers up to block. The force of the steel colliding sent shockwaves throughout both parties' arms as well as sparks through the air.

He could see the fire in her eyes, feel the force she put into the fight. He glanced at her mouth to find a toothy grin mirroring his own. They locked up, swords pressing against each other, sparks flying as steel bit into steel. They were so caught up in the heat of battle that neither noticed the cracks forming in their blades. Both swords shattered at the points of impact, sending shards everywhere as the opponents flew passed eachother, stumbling to regain balance.

Vilkas stood dumbstruck. These were Skyforge Steel blades. They were beyond well made. He looked from the handle in his hand to the shattered half on the ground. He sighed heavily, stomach dropping. He ran a hand through his hair, still trying to wrap his head around how Skyforge Steel broke like eggshells. He didn't notice Kina approach him. "Did we just-?" "Yup." "Fuck!" He threw the remainder of his sword at the stone wall, chipping the stone.

He sighed heavily, "Can you take the shield up to Skyforge and tell Eorilund about this?" "She doesn't have to." Vilkas jumped, obviously startled by the old smith's voice. "I thought I heard a particularly vicious battle going on down here." "We just...got carried away." "Last newcomer killed one of your own. Now you try to kill a newcomer?" "No! That's not it at all! We both just got swept up in the heat of battle and.....well......this happened." "What happened here?" Vilkas facepalmed. "Take a look around. They managed to not just break, but shatter my steel!" Kodlak fixed Vilkas with a glare, "We need to talk. Now."

Eorilund had Kina help him pick up pieces while Vilkas was dragged through Jorrvaskr into the Harbinger's quarters. "Do you know what kind of strength is required to shatter steel? Were you trying to kill her?" Vilkas shook his head. "Your obviously not taking the denial well." "She's just as strong as I am!" That caught the Harbinger's attention, "How would it be possible for a mere woman to match the strength of a werewolf?" "She's no mere woman. I believe she's the Dragonborn." "Do you have proof?" "No, and I'd like to be sure before I ask her." "That's understandable. I actually thought you meant to kill her." "Why would I do that? I'd like to fight along side her. I told her to not hold back, and I swear she nearly got me." "Then why were you so adamant about not letting her join us?"

"Aela offered first.", Vilkas sighed. Kodlak nodded in understanding. "Aela is very passionate." "That's an understatement." "Aye, it is. However, it shouldn't matter who offers the place, but that the place is offered. You'll get to call her Shield-Sister if nothing else." "But what if Aela turns her?" "We'll deal with that if it comes to pass. In the meantime, try to relax. It'll do you some good."