Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger	By : Lady_Kae Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 9483 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game TES: Skyrim. All characters and game related material, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 7: Falling From Grace

Vilkas’ brow furrowed slightly. He had been searching for Tarrowlyn for the better part of a couple hours now and they normally got together on Middas nights to train and then get drunk off their asses later. They had done their training, but Vilkas had been unable to find his brother’s paramour since she had stealthily slipped away on him. That was a feat in of itself considering his hearing and smell were much more acute than hers.

He passed near Kodlak’s rooms, and he ducked his head in a moment to see if Tarrowlyn was talking with the Harbinger. “ Kodlak. My apologies if I’m interrupting you, but have you seen Tarrowlyn anywhere?” he asked.

“ She’s in the Underforge with Skjor and Aela.” Kodlak said wearily. He was reading by candlelight and he motioned for Vilkas to step in. “ I don’t know if she will hesitate to take on the blood, Vilkas.”

“ It is her decision, Kodlak.” Vilkas replied sadly. He had warned Tarrowlyn of what he, Farkas, and Kodlak were going through by giving up their transformations. In fact, he and Tarrowlyn were sure that was part of what lead to what had happened in Dustman’s Cairn. Wait…Farkas! “ That stupid girl!” he exclaimed, getting to his feet and dashing from the room. “ She’ll take on the blood just because of my brother!”

“ Vilkas…It’s too late then.” Kodlak whispered. “ Maybe she is right in her thinking however. Farkas might not approach her otherwise. At least now, he won’t have an excuse.” Kodlak chuckled a little, though his gaze narrowed once they heard a resounding howl from outside. “ The only thing we can do now is guide her, Vilkas. I’ll leave that to you for when she returns.”

“ Aye.” Came the sullen reply.

Freedom.

That was the only thing coursing through her mind right now. The wind flowing through her fur, the feel of the dirt under her claws, the smell of the night air as she stopped to take a tentative sniff. It was all overwhelming but incredibly cathartic at the same time.

Lifting her muzzle towards the moons, Tarrowlyn gave a long, drawn out howl of happiness as she loped aimlessly across the country side. Thank the gods she still had most of her mind intact as she had gone out the back door leading to the plains as opposed to going through the city. She didn’t want to put the jarl in a tizzy on werewolf hunts after all. The full moons were gleaming brightly against her copper colored fur and her hackles raised in what could have been a smile as she smelled a deer nearby.

“ Hello dinner.” She said, taking off on all fours after it.

Aela and Skjor were watching her, both of them smiling broadly at the sight Tarrowlyn made as she made her way northward. “ Corral her towards Gallow’s Rock. I’ll get the party started early.” Skjor said to Aela.

" Of course.” Aela replied.

Tarrowlyn groaned as her head throbbed a bit and she rubbed her temples in an effort to soothe the ache there. “ By the gods…” She groused.

“ Are you awake? I was starting to wonder if you were going to come back.” Aela said, kneeling on the ground beside Tarrowlyn. “ Yours was not an easy transformation. But you’re alive, so congratulations. We even have a celebration planned for you.” Aela stood tall as she smiled just a bit ferally and she pointed over to the building that Tarrowlyn could see past the bushes. “ There’s a camp of werewolf hunters nearby, at Gallows Rock.” She looked to Tarrowlyn with a slight smirk this time. She could only imagine the reaction she was going to get for this one. “ The Silver Hand? I think you’ve met them before.”

Indeed Tarrowlyn’s blood began boiling in her veins at the mention of the renegade group. Those bastards had nearly killed Farkas, had threatened to rape her once they had disposed of the man she cared for. The uglier side of Dustman’s Cairn came back in a rush of rage that turned Tarrowlyn’s emerald colored eyes golden.

“ We’re going to slaughter them. All of them. Lead on. Skjor’s already scouting ahead.” Aela said temptingly as she tossed Tarrowlyn a rucksack with her armor and weapons inside. It hadn’t even registered to the Dragonborn that she was nude.

“ What just happened?” Tarrowlyn asked. She felt different, very different than she had when she had entered the Underforge. Her vision was clearer, her sense of smell keener, and she felt much stronger than before.

“ You were born into the pack, sister. I almost envy you. That first time is always so…Intense.” Aela’s eyes seemed to go half lidded in memory and she sounded as if she greatly missed it. “ You gave us even more trouble than Farkas did at his first turning.”

Tarrowlyn couldn’t help but smirk. She could only imagine how Farkas had been, the man allowed his heart to lead him so strongly. It was as if that trait of his was only enhanced by the beast blood. But for her to give Aela and Skjor more trouble than he, what in the gods names had she done? Surely she hadn’t killed anyone in that form, right? “ I didn’t kill anyone, did I?” she asked her, her green eyes wide. She was shimmying into her armor as fast as she could now and Tarrowlyn strapped her quiver into place. A dagger was hidden away into each boot; a tip she had learned from Vilkas long ago when she had been tested by him, and her bow settled onto her back with her quiver. Her steel blade was buckled onto her left hip and Tarrowlyn picked up her shield lastly. This must have been her tenth one since she had arrived because of all the damn dragons she had come across. Whether it be hide, leather, iron, or steel, Tarrowlyn lost a shield every damn time she squared off against one of the mighty beasts.

“ No, sister, no worries. Only a couple of deer, no humans.” Aela replied soothingly. “ Are you ready?”

Tarrowlyn nodded as she pulled her blade. With a feral smile, she swiftly led the way into the old fort. “ Let’s go.”

Aela and Tarrowlyn were in a somber mood as they entered Jorrvaskr. Tarrowlyn’s arm was slung over Aela’s shoulder, and the younger woman was holding fast to a heinous wound in her side. There was even a patch of her armor missing, almost as if she had been hit by a mace repeatedly there.

Vilkas and Kodlak were the first to their feet as Aela pulled Tarrowlyn towards the living quarters and the men followed the women to Skjor’s room. Where was the old man anyways?

“ What in Ysmir’s name happened, Aela?”

“ We got attacked by three giants on our way into town.” Tarrowlyn wheezed. “ Vilkas, under my normal bed are a couple of healing potions. Can you grab them please?”

“ Aye.”

“ I’ll go get some bandages Tarrowlyn.” Aela added.

“ No need. I’ll heal everything through myself once I’ve made sure the more egregious wounds are healed first.” Tarrowlyn’s eyes looked up to Kodlak. “ Skjor’s dead.”

Vilkas almost came to a complete stop as he entered the room once more and he shook his head. “ Skjor?! I always thought of him as invincible…Truly, one of our great fires has gone out.” He whispered as he handed Tarrowlyn the potions she had requested.

Kodlak nodded. “ This is…” he sighed heavily, the grief at losing his longtime friend now settling over him in a massive wave that could not be ignored. “…he should not have gone alone. Thank you for telling me Tarrowlyn. This is a day where our souls must cry, and our hearts will answer.” He looked to both Aela and Vilkas as Tarrowlyn began getting out of her ruined armor, and he shook his head. “ Go, grieve in whatever way you know.”

The other two members of the Circle only nodded and Kodlak looked down to Tarrowlyn. “ Are you going to be alright?” he asked her.

“ I can’t help but feel as if I am to blame for his death. If only Aela hadn’t needed to…” she began.

“ I know you’ve taken in the blood, Tarrowlyn. “ The shocked look on her face was priceless, Kodlak mused with a slight chortle. “ Your scent has changed. I want you to tell me what happened.” Kodlak said sternly, but gently at the same time.

Tarrowlyn nodded as she drank the potions and she sighed in relief as her side healed cleanly. “ I’ll meet you in your chambers momentarily, Harbinger. I just need a few moments to change. I’ll take my armor up to Eorlund after we’re done.” Tarrowlyn replied.

“ I’ll take it up now. Make sure you take care of yourself first. We don’t need a repeat of Rannveig’s Fast, now do we?” Kodlak picked up the chest plate and winced. There were massive dents on all sides. “ How many giants were there?”

“ Three.” Tarrowlyn replied as she fished out her favorite set of clothing to where. It was a sage green dress and it complimented her eyes and hair dramatically. She could only wish Farkas was there to reap the benefits.

“ Just the two of you?”

“ I have an unfair advantage, you realize.” Tarrowlyn replied with a chuckle as she pointed to her throat. “ I normally won’t use it unless I feel I truly need to. Vilkas knows that. It’s only one instance where being the dragonborn has its benefits.”

Kodlak nodded. Tarrowlyn had used her thu’um then to help even the odds. “ It is a skill you should utilize more often, I believe. The gods granted you the power…”

“ I will not rely on it, Kodlak.” Tarrowlyn said vehemently. “ I rely on the two things I know will never let me down. My own two hands. I’ll see you momentarily. I’d rather not continue while you’re in the room if that’s alright.”

Kodlak nodded with a small laugh and he closed the door behind him. Aela and Vilkas were both standing at the double doors leading upstairs and the younger man looked to the Harbinger.

“ We’re down two members of the Circle now, Kodlak.” Vilkas said uneasily. “ With my brother’s absence and now Skjor’s death? I don’t like this one bit.”

“ I know this. We’ll put Tarrowlyn through another trial in about a week or so, with you there as witness of course Vilkas. If she passes this one, she will fully join the ranks of the Circle. Aela, I would like you and Tilma to clean Skjor’s things from that room. We’ll move her in there from now on. She’s earned it.”

“ What kind of test will you be putting before her, Kodlak?” Aela asked. This was going to cut into the plans she had for the young woman and their vengeance on the Silver Hand for Skjor’s death.

“ Don’t you worry about that, Aela.” Kodlak said, albeit just a bit harshly. “ Now, I’ll speak to both of you later should you still need it. I promised our little sister that I would get her armor up to Eorlund.”

Vilkas smirked. “ If I may make a suggestion, Kodlak.” He began. “ Both of us know she’s going to pass this next trial. Maybe a few cosmetic changes to the look of her armor are necessary?”

Kodlak’s brow rose in understanding, and he smiled. “ I see your point, Vilkas. Hmmm, yes. I believe that can be done.” He replied.

Aela smirked herself. If those two were planning what she thought they were, Tarrowlyn was going to look very fierce indeed.

Vilkas chuckled at the look of abject boredom on Tarrowlyn’s face. The trial that Kodlak had tasked her with was to settle a dispute between some rich fogies in the Rift. Both had petitioned the Companions for aid against the other and Kodlak in good conscience would not pit his shield siblings against one another. It was more of a ruse, however, as the main objective was to find out which of the two men was constantly having the people beset upon by bandits and other ruthless thugs, though the other of the two men had been the one to ask the Companions to look in on it along with the original request that he had put in.

“ Why are you here as opposed to the Harbinger again?” one of the men asked her snidely.

“ We have already been through this. The Harbinger is quite busy tending to other dealings at Jorrvaskr. We have recently lost one of the members of the Circle, and another is on a journey. I’m currently healing from another mission I was on, so the Harbinger asked me to attend to this in his stead.” Tarrowlyn replied, though she was fighting to keep her tone polite. Just how thick were these two men?

“ Then why another Companion? Two of you are surely over kill if what I heard is true.” Said the other. He was large and burly, with a rich deep baritone. He almost reminded the two of Farkas, only Farkas had more brains than this idiot for certain.

“ I am here to help her should we be waylaid on the journey back. As my shield sister mentioned, she is in the process of healing from another job she took on, and the wounds have been fairly persistent despite her talents in restoration. She can provide ranged support from her horse while I use my blade. Simple as that.” Vilkas shot back. He crossed his arms menacingly as he leveled a glare on the larger man and Tarrowlyn put a hand on his pauldron. That was a clear sign he needed to calm down and back off.

“ It doesn’t matter. What matters right now is settling this dispute between the two of you. Now. You’re upset because you’ve propositioned Gammond Ridgeback over here for his daughter’s hand, yes?”

“ Aye, and the stubborn old codger won’t allow me to even look at her, much less speak to her.”

“ Gammond?” Tarrowlyn said, leveling her gaze on the other man.

“ That’s easy enough to explain. My daughter’s already promised to someone else and this upstart won’t take no for an answer. The last time I caught the two of them alone, he tried to have his way with my Freja.”

Vilkas had to quickly shove Tarrowlyn back into her seat before she launched herself at the other man; a spoiled rich dandy by the name of Arithor Highwaters, in her ire. She hated men like him.

“ I see. Well, based on everything I’ve heard, the Companions will not be taking either contract. Gammond, I would highly recommend using your own two fists for this pompous little dandy here if he keeps at it, and you Arithor, by the gods sake I had better not hear of you trying to force yourself on any other women.” Tarrowlyn’s gaze was piercing and cold as her eyes met the golden ones of the altmer before her. “ Otherwise, I’ll be making a visit to you myself, without the promise of any coin.”

The high elf paled visibly at the promise of violence and the two men got up and left the room they had all met in. It was a little used conference room at the inn in Ivarstead.

“ Remind me to never piss you off again.” Vilkas said with a chuckle as they left the inn to get to their horses. Tanaris was already waiting near the steps. “ I daresay you’ve become a tad more ruthless ever since taking on the blood.”

Tarrowlyn’s eyes narrowed a little. Vilkas was right in that sense. “ My temper is starting to get the better of me now. I used to be able to hold back…” she admitted.

“ I understand, little sister. Do not fret. I used to be the same as you, you know. I didn’t get to be as hot headed as I am now until I took the blood on myself. I try to keep a level head, which is why you see me training as often as I do. It helps to keep the beast at bay if I focus hard enough.” Vilkas replied.

Tarrowlyn nodded and she turned to look at the town behind them. “ Please tell me I can put my armor on now?! I don’t like the thought of being so vulnerable out in the open like this.” Granted it was only a set of leather armor that she had crafted recently, but it would still do the job.

“ I understand, but we do have an image to keep up. I guarantee you, we’ll be beset by bandits before the nights end.” Tarrowlyn wasn’t injured, it was only a ruse that they had come up with as an excuse for Kodlak not being there. Unfortunately, it was a ruse that they had to keep to until they got back to Whiterun, though Vilkas knew they wouldn’t make it there unscathed.

“ Aye. I smelled them on Arithor as well. Nothing from Gammond. Despite being as dumb as a rock, at least he has a sense of honor like a nord man should.” Tarrowlyn’s brow furrowed as she snarled a bit. “ Wait until I get my hands on that little, sleazy, womanizing altmer!”

“ Easy now.” Vilkas chuckled. “ Besides, more than likely, Gammond will deal with him once we send him the proof he asked for.”

Things went silent for a time, though Vilkas could feel how tense Tarrowlyn was. If he knew her was well as he did by now, it was because she was trying to gather up the courage to either tell him something or ask him something.

“ Vilkas…”

“ Aye?”

“ Has there been any word from Farkas?” she asked meekly. Vilkas sighed a little as he brought his horse up beside hers and he had her look him in the eye. “ I’m worried with every day that passes that he’s not coming back. Because of me, Vilkas. I want to see him again…”

“ Don’t fret it, Tarrowlyn. Both of us know he’s bound to come back sooner or later.” Vilkas replied. “ Besides, he promised me that he would. My brother has yet to break any promise he’s made to me. Trust in that if anything.”

Tarrowlyn nodded as she wiped away the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks. “ I miss him, Vilkas.” She admitted. “ I still dream of him, reach out for him in my sleep. “

Vilkas’ eyes softened a little and he pulled both their mounts to a stop so that he could pull Tarrowlyn into a hug. Farkas had better hurry back to her before she lost hope. If she wasn’t as deadset on Farkas as she was, Vilkas would be attempting to divert her attentions over to himself. Farkas had better be lucky that both of them were as loyal as they were to him. “ Easy now, Tarrowlyn. “ he whispered. “ Soon enough. I promise you…”

“ Oh how sweet.” Came a gravelly voice from their left. “ If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear we just interrupted something we shouldn’t have boys.”

Tarrowlyn quickly pulled Tanaris’ reins to keep the horse in place. “ That was much too quick.” She said flatly. “ I’m guessing I really pissed Arithor off then.”

“ Our good friend doesn’t take too kindly to threats at all, Companion.” Said the man with the gravelly voice. He was sauntering up to Vilkas and Tarrowlyn now and the two looked around them. There were nearly two dozen of them.

“ My goodness, Vilkas. It certainly looks as if they’ve got us outnumbered.” Tarrowlyn said, a sarcastic edge to her voice that wasn’t all that hard to miss.

“ You two don’t stand a chance, you realize.” The man was eyeing Tarrowlyn like she was a honeycomb and Vilkas felt her bristle at his gaze. It was fairly obvious how the bastard was looking at her.

“ Tarrowlyn…” he whispered. “ Keep your head…”

Tarrowlyn didn’t reply, but her grip on the hilt of her sword tightened. Her blade had been strapped to Tanaris all this time. She also had a few daggers hidden away as well. “ Let’s see. We have Vilkas the Black Wolf here, who has been a Companion much longer than I, and then of course there’s me. Let’s see now…What’s the nickname I’ve earned amongst our ranks, brother?” Tarrowlyn purred.

“ Crimson Lightning.” Vilkas replied. “ In fact, they called you that because of how quickly you decimated the bandit tribe at Bilegulch Mine. Aela said that what sounded like thunder boomed and suddenly you were standing among the men you had just killed.” Vilkas was smirking as he got down from his horse and he eased Tarrowlyn down from hers. “ Yes, you lot outnumber us…”

Tarrowlyn smirked as she swung her blade in her hand a bit. “…But do you honestly believe you can outmatch us?” she finished. She didn’t give any of them a chance to say anything in return as what sounded like thunder boomed. Within the blink of an eye, five were dead and Tarrowlyn was already slicing and dicing into the opposition opposite of where she had been.

Vilkas charged in the opposite direction with a smirk. Tarrowlyn certainly liked to live up to her reputation.

Tarrowlyn was smirking broadly as she walked back into Ivarstead. Both Arithor and Gammond were still there, and the altmer paled the moment his eyes fell on the dragonborn as she strode into the inn. “ Remind me to stop in Riften to let Jarl Layla know that tribe of bandits she’s been after is dead.” She said loudly to Vilkas.

“ Might as well take the long way back to Whiterun then.” Vilkas replied. His ice blue eyes leveled on Arithor a moment and he made them turn golden the longer he held the stare. Oh yes, the high elf had just pissed his pants in terror. That had been a dare to the bastard to try to kill them off again.

“ Hail Gammond!” Tarrowlyn said jovially. The three began speaking in hushed terms now and Gammond leveled a glare over to Arithor. Well, that was his cue to get the oblivion out of that inn.

Arithor made to exit the inn quietly, only to be grabbed at the collar.

“ And where are you off to, friend?” Vilkas growled menacingly. “ I think Gammond here wants to have a word or two with you before you leave. However, my shield sister and I will be taking ours.”

Vilkas and Tarrolwyn were laughing as they strode back into Jorrvaskr, and Kodlak met the at the door.

" Well?"

" She did well, Kodlak. We were able to root out the man responsible." Vilkas said, still chortling about how the altmer had wet himself. It had been a while since he had made a grown man do such a thing.

Kodlak nodded approvingly and he smiled at Tarrowlyn. " Welcome into the Circle then, Tarrowlyn. I've taken the liberty of putting some new armor in your room if you would like to go see it."

Tarrowlyn's eyes brightened and she took off for the living quarters. She had to go see what Kodlak had for her.

Another month seemed to roll by in a haze, though Tarrowlyn found herself missing Farkas all the more as every night grew more and more restless for her. She had not transformed since that first night, though the call of the hunt was like a drum in her mind for every waking and sleeping moment. She was glad for Kodlak's and Vilkas' guidance in this, as she would have never made it otherwise. They helped her keep herself tethered to her humanity.

One afternoon, Tarrowlyn and Vilkas were talking with Kodlak in his chambers when a chill settled over her. There was someone unknown to them standing in the doorway, a man by the smell of it, and Tarrowlyn bristled a little as she looked over. He was a fellow nord, with dark brown eyes they were almost black, and blonde hair. He was taller than she was, but if Farkas were there he would still dwarf the man in height. He was clad in hide armor and had two different weapons hanging from either hip. It wasn’t the way he looked that had made her uneasy. This man reeked of death.

“ A new recruit?” Kodlak asked.

“ Aye, Kodlak Whitemane. My name is Gemaine of Markarth. I was hoping to join the Companions.”

Tarrowlyn wanted to advise Kodlak. Normally, she could sense if someone would make a good fit; and she had called it with the three newest recruits that had recently joined, but this man had darkness inside him. Her body was tensed and poised to strike should he make a wrong move, and every nerve felt as if it were thrumming. This was the beast inside of her growling her displeasure, Tarrowlyn knew this and took it as a warning. Kodlak was still speaking to Gemaine and he looked over to her.

“ Tarrowlyn, take the whelp into the yard and test his arm.”

“ Aye, Harbinger.” she said, though she shot him a glare that she was displeased with the position he was putting her into. She then heard Vilkas snort his own amusement and she glowered at him as well. Normally, he was the one who tested the potentials.

“ So this is Tarrowlyn Dragonheart, The Crimson Lightning herself?" Gemaine said, his tone conveying his interest. His eyes were sweeping over her of their own accord and they narrowed a bit once they saw the wolf heads that decorated the collar and belt of her armor. It was almost an exact match to Farkas’ armor, with the exception of the steel pauldrons on her shoulders. “ You’re not as tall as I was expecting, but you’re every bit the beautiful bloom that has been described.”

Tarrowlyn rolled her eyes. It had been months since anyone had made any remarks of her looks, much less referred to her as a flower. “ Kodlak. I will need to speak with you in private once I’ve finished with him.” she said tersely.

“ Of course, little sister. Vilkas, go with them and then I'll meet you back here." Kodlak replied.

Tarrowlyn was grumbling to herself as she plucked Vilkas' shield from the wall. She was in the process of making yet another one and she would be continuing once she finished speaking with Kodlak. " Alright newblood, just a couple of swings to test your strength. That's it."

" You're repairing my shield if he dents it Tarrowlyn!" Vilkas called to her from by the wall. His voice was full of mirth and he had a grin in place that only she or the other long time companions would be able to notice.

" Yeah yeah." She groused. Tarrowlyn wanted very much to pull her blade and she would do so if Gemaine made any moves that would prove fatal. There was something about this man she did not like at all.

Gemaine pulled a mace from where it rested on his hip with one hand and then what could only be an Alik’r scimitar in the other.

“ Dual wielder? Doesn’t allow for any sort of blocking.” Tarrowlyn commented.

“ That just means I need to be faster than my opposition.” Gemaine shot back snidely. The look in his eyes was unreadable, but Tarrowlyn felt very uneasy under his gaze. She felt like her wolfen half was pacing in anticipation, and agitation. He swung the mace swiftly and suddenly, and Tarrowlyn barely had time to bring the shield up to protect her head. The mace hit with a resounding clang and the scimitar followed just as fast to stab her in the gut, and Tarrowlyn’s eyes narrowed as she dropped the shield and drew her sword. Their steel met and Tarrowlyn disarmed him on one hand and threw a hard punch with the other.

“ You’re lucky that’s all I did, you ass!” Tarrowlyn seethed, her blade now at Gemaine’s neck as he lay on the ground before her. “ I’ve killed men for less.”

“ You’re not supposed to be aiming for the areas she not guarding, new blood.” Vilkas snarled. Even he had noticed that Gemaine had been trying to hit Tarrowlyn to wound her. “ The shield only.”

“ I just wished to see if the Crimson Lightning was truly as fast as they say.” Gemaine stammered nervously.

“ That’s not how I got the name, whelp.” Tarrowlyn growled out, leveling her green eyes menacingly on the man before her. “ I’ll let Kodlak know you’ve got a good arm, however. I’ll admit I’ve never seen anyone dual wield that quickly since my brother died.”

Gemaine smirked and he stood up. “ I thank you for the compliment then.”

“ It was only an observation.” Tarrowlyn hissed as she stalked off. “ Put your shield with mine Vilkas. I’ll get to them before the night’s end.”

“ Aye, little sister.” he replied.

Gemaine looked over to Vilkas as the other man picked the shield up from the ground. It had a nasty ding in it from where he had tried to brain the young woman a few moments before. “ Is she really your sister?” he asked.

“ The companions are all brothers and sisters in honor, new blood. Tarrowlyn and I are close friends and she is much like a little sister to me. It doesn’t hurt she’s enamored with my brother.” Vilkas chuckled a bit here. It was common knowledge that there had been something going on between the two to everyone else before Farkas had left.

“ Is he here?”

“ No, Farkas left about five months ago on a hunting trip. Normally we’ll go together, but every now and again we’ll each go alone for some personal time. It’s only a matter of time before he marries her. I know that for a fact.” Vilkas began walking towards the Skyforge and he heard Gemaine fall into step behind him. “ If you know what’s good for you whelp, keep your distance from her. She doesn’t take well to advances from other men. If she wanted them, she’d be wearing an amulet of Mara.”

Gemaine’s eyes narrowed a bit. “ She’s been waiting all this time for him?”

“ Aye.”

“ Why? She could obviously have any man she wanted.”

Vilkas turned to Gemaine and he nearly hit the other man upside the head for his stupidity. “ Fairly obvious that.” he snapped. “ I warn you, leave her be.”

Gemaine’s brow quirked a little and he held his tongue. So the Crimson Lightning was stuck on one of the members of the Circle, hm?

“ If you’re looking for work, come to Aela, myself, or Tarrowlyn.” Vilkas said as he began walking back down into the yard. Now he needed to vent his frustrations with the man behind him.

“ She’s a member of the Circle?” Gemaine asked him, clearly surprised.

“ The newest member of the Circle yes. She took Skjor’s place after his death.” Vilkas replied. This whelp was asking too many damn questions.

Gemaine looked thoughtful, but didn't say anything else. He wasn't aware that they had replaced any members of the circle. He let Vilkas stride away from him and he began heading for the gates. This was an interesting development indeed.

Tarrowlyn was pacing back and forth a bit wildly in Kodlak's chambers. " You know I wouldn't question your judgement, Harbinger, but there something about that man that I just don't trust!" She exclaimed, her arms flailing as she gesticulated in her ire.

" I know that." Kodlak replied placatingly. " I would rather keep my eye on this one, than turn him away on unfounded suspicion. Besides. I have another favor to ask of you, Tarrowlyn..."

Tarrowlyn walked into Breezehome later that afternoon and she smiled as she was suddenly broadsided by a young girl.

" Mama! You're back!"

" Hello Lucia." Tarrowlyn chuckled. She gave the young girl a big squeeze and she kissed the top of her head affectionately. " You've been minding Lydia I hope."

" She has, my thane. Not to worry." Lydia replied. She was just coming down the stairs and she nodded in greeting to the other woman. " All is well at Jorrvaskr, I hope."

" For the most part. However, I'll be leaving for Falkreath in a few days. I'm running an errand for Kodlak. Lucia, make sure you behave while I'm gone."

Lucia was a young girl who had been begging in the marketplace for as long as Tarrowlyn could recall in her time here in Whiterun. She had been the main reason Tarrowlyn had purchased the home in Whiterun, besides the fact that poor Lydia had been forced to bunk in the barracks with the rest of the guards in the palace. Tarrowlyn had adopted the young girl without hesitation, and she found that besides her smithing, motherhood was the only other thing that quieted the beast inside. Lucia truly kept her tethered to her humanity more than anything else in this world. She hadn't told any of her shield siblings about her daughter, if only to keep the girl safe from her enemies. She had a feeling Kodlak knew, but he had yet to ask her about it.

" Yes mama." Lucia replied sweetly.

" Now, let's see how you've been doing with your studies." Tarrowlyn said with a grin.

" The Companions have had a surge in recruitment as of late." came a woman’s voice. It was harsh sounding and full of malcontent as she spat the word Companions like a curse.

“ It’s not surprising in all honesty. They count the Dragonborn among their ranks.” came another voice.

“ And she’s the newest member of the Circle. She even wears the armor the rest of them have. However, one has been away the last several months on a hunting trip it seems, so his brother says.” Another voice had joined into the conversation now and the group of people talking looked to the entrance of the room they were in. They could make out the shape of a man against the darkness there and a slight glint of blonde hair in the torchlight.

“ Ah, Gemaine. I see your reconnaissance mission is proving fruitful already.” came the woman’s voice.

“ That is has, Vadresa.” Gemaine purred as he stepped fully into the room. His dark brown eyes were unreadable as he looked amongst the group of seven before him and he chuckled. “ I daresay the dragonborn does not like me in the slightest. Then again, I did try to kill her after all.” He laughed menacingly again and he took a seat at the table with the rest of them. “ I think soon enough will be the best time to strike, but I need to start taking out the Circle little by little first. I’m certain that the old man may be on to me as well, but the one I’m really worried about is the Crimson Lightning. I think she’ll honestly try to kill me the next time we cross blades."

" Then take her out first and foremost." Vadresa hissed. " I will not allow for any interference."

Gemaine nodded and he smiled maliciously. " With pleasure then, Vadresa. Lucky for you, I know where she's heading next."

Solaf was in the midst of checking on his stock when the doorbell chimed and he looked over his shoulder to see who had stepped in. " Hail Companion. What brings the Crimson Lightning back out to Falkreath?"

" I'm looking for something specific Solaf." Tarrowlyn replied with a smile. " How goes it old friend?"

" It goes. Things only ever seem to liven up when you come, Tarrowlyn. Have you put any thought into purchasing the steading near Pinewatch?"

" That's why I'm here, Solaf. I'm going to be in Falkreath awhile and I might as well keep the comforts of home as it were. Besides, it'll be nice to have a nice place near lakeside. I bet the sunrise is fantastic off the lake." Tarrowlyn began looking through some of the miscellaneous things Solaf had for sale. " I'll take the glass and straw you have for sale, friend. Tanaris is just outside the gates if you want to load everything into the cart for me. I still need to go see Lod as well."

" Sure thing, Thane." Solaf said the word 'thane' with a singsong lilt in his voice and Tarrowlyn groaned. Most of the residents of Falkreath knew why Siegfried had called on her months ago by letter. Thank the gods Tarrowlyn wasn't so easily impressed. She had become a thane of the hold about a month prior when she had finally answered Siegfried's summons. On top of everything else she did, it was a miracle whether she knew if she was coming or going.

" Watch it." Tarrowlyn growled. She had put Siegfried in his place when the Jarl had tried to woo her. She wouldn't stand to hear it from anyone else. It had been a long time since she had been gone for so long. It's been a long time since we've seen Farkas too...she thought morosely. She pulled the necessary coin out for the shopkeeper and she put it on the counter for him. " There you go, Solaf. I'll seen you about, I'm sure."

" See you around." He replied jovially. He was still chortling at his teasing of her.

Tarrowlyn rolled her eyes and she strode from the shop. There was still all the iron she had to buy, plus some extra for what she was intending to do as well. Her eyes glittered at the thought. All she needed was a little extra time.

Hammering in the distance is what drew his attention as he made his way up the path, along with the smells of freshly cut timber and some smoke from what was more than likely a forge. A small smile crossed his face and he shouldered his pack a little more. Maybe he could ask to help in exchange for some food, shelter, and maybe a few septims until he could get into town to trade his furs, leathers, and meats. Well, best thing to do was to keep following the noise and his nose.

" THANE TARROWLYN!" shouted a courier as he came running up the newly laid stone path.

Tarrowlyn was up high working on putting the supports up on her roof and she wiped the sweat from her brow as she paused a moment. " Hail Hodan! What news do you bring?!"

" There's a man at the inn saying he knows where to find that which you seek!" He shouted up to her. " He also said he'll be leaving at dusk!"

Tarrowlyn quickly shimmied out of the rigging she was using to keep herself aloft and she dropped down onto the second landing. " Get back to town and tell him I'll be there in an hour!" She called down to him. The main hall was only missing its roof at this point.

" At once, Thane!"

Tarrowlyn rushed down the steps and into what would become the entryway of the house once she was finished. Her armor and everything was here and she quickly set about to changing.

The sooner she got this done, the better.

Blue eyes looked about curiously as they took in the sight of the partially built manor and he gave a few raps of his knuckles on the door. The sound of the hammering had died away a few hours ago, but there was nothing for it. He had managed to find the place by the smell of the blacksmith’s forge. Maybe the master of the steading had gone into either of the towns. Both Riverwood and Falkreath were not far off at all, and the man shouldered his pack with a bit of an annoyed scowl. Well, there went his chance to earn a little extra coin. He began walking away when he paused. The annoyance that had been adorning his features had given way to puzzlement as he sniffed the air. There was something that smelled so familiar here, but it could be coincidence. For all he knew, the master of the manor could be an alchemist, mage type.

His brow furrowed once again. He had never really trusted those wizarding types...

There was an old man sitting at a table in the far corner when Tarrowlyn entered the inn and she walked over to him. This was then only scent not known to her, though she smelled something familiar on him. Where did she know that smell? Her eyes narrowed a little, and she took a seat in front of him. " You have information on the Glenmoril Coven, old man?" She asked him.

" Why are ye' lookin' fer 'em?" He asked softly in return.

" They slaughtered my family fifteen years ago. I want their heads as recompense." Tarrowlyn hissed.

" Bloated Man's Grotto is where I saw one of them last. They've been moving frequently however, so you may want to move quickly."

" I'll move when I'm sure I'm ready old man." Tarrowlyn replied. That wouldn't be for a week or two. But if they left Bloated Man's Grotto by then, she could track them.

She stood up and hurried from the inn and no sooner had the door shut behind her than another man joined the old one at his table.

" She'll take the bait, I'm sure. You'll be there as long as it takes her to get there, right?"

" Of course we will be. Trust me. I want every opportunity to get my hands on her." Gemaine purred as he sat forward. " Among other things of course."

Tarrowlyn finished her roof in what felt like record time. It had only been about six days since then and she was silently making her way into Bloated Man's Grotto. There was one problem. She couldn't smell a damn thing. Had those witches found a way to block the sensitive noses of werewolves? She notched an arrow and kept her bow constantly at the ready. She didn't like this in the slightest.

She paused as she came to the entrance of what looked to be a little glen inside the grotto and Tarrowlyn's eyes narrowed. This would be a prime ambush spot, as her wolfen half kept growling repeatedly inside her mind, and Tarrowlyn hugged the shadows as she crept her way inside. The smell of blood suddenly hit her, and her eyes turned golden at that sweet scent in her nostrils. NO! No! She had only ever transformed once and she would not do so unless the situation was dire. She would only heed that call in need, never anger. That's right. Remember what Vilkas and Kodlak taught you. Never heed that call in pain or anger...she thought desperately. She followed the scent forward and her eyes narrowed a little. This was starting to feel more and more like a trap.

" NOW!" Came a deep voice, shouting the command to all around.

Tarrowlyn loosed her arrow faster than any could blink and she dropped her bow to draw her sword and shield. There were nearly thirty men here! Ropes suddenly bound her, and both her items fell to the ground with her bow as her arms were pinned down to her sides. She made to use her thu'um, one she knew as Marked For Death, and before she could release the shout her mouth was gagged with a dirty rag.

" Well done! Well done indeed!" Came a familiar voice as it walked up from behind her. Tarrowlyn's eyes did turn golden in her rage right then as he crossed into her vision. Oh he was going to die a very slow and painful death once she finally got her hands on him! " You're entirely too predictable, Tarrowlyn."

Tarrowlyn struggled in her bonds as Gemaine crossed into her line of vision and he held her jaw still as he looked in her eyes.

" Such beauty is unbefitting the rowdiness of the Companions. I've been watching you from afar for a long time, Tarrowlyn, watching you and desiring you all this time. Your talents are wasted on them, you know, and Farkas? He's undeserving of your affections. How long has he been gone now? Seven, nearly eight months? Do you honestly believe he'll come back to you? Oh yes, we know all about what happened between you two, and how you've been pining for him all this time. In fact, he's about to undergo an ambush himself here in about ten minutes. He's here in Falkreath as we speak."

Tarrowlyn's eyes went wide and she began struggling against her bonds even more. He was here in the hold?! She needed to get to him! Needed to see him again!

" You're not going anywhere." Gemaine purred in her ear. He took a deep whiff of her scent and he placed a feather light kiss against her neck. " You're mine until I say otherwise." he growled menacingly as his hand roughly pulled the hair at the nape of her neck, forcing a scream from Tarrowlyn through the gag.

Tarrowlyn's eyes went wide and she began struggling more against her bonds. She wasn't going to allow herself to go through this!

She'd rather die.

A punch to her temple made Tarrowlyn see stars. She groaned as the world spun around her and she resisted the urge to vomit from the dizziness. Tarrowlyn tried to twist out of the way when she felt Gemaine’s hands unbuckling her breast plate. She still had another layer of clothing on beneath it, but the dragonborn had little faith they would do anything to protect her.

“ Your armor hides your body much too well.” Gemaine sneered as he roughly pulled away her greaves and boots. The only thing Tarrowlyn had left was her tunic and breeches at this point. He smiled nastily as her furious green orbs leveled on him, holding the promise of a very slow and agonizing death for the man. “ You can look at me like that all you want. You’re not leaving here alive, bitch.”

Tarrowlyn screamed something against her gag, though Gemaine had a feeling it was something along the lines of ‘We’ll see about that.’. He laughed nastily once more as he drew a dagger from his boot. “ I should be thanking you and Vilkas for teaching me that little trick. Comes in quite handy in pinch, doesn't it?" He grabbed the front of Tarrowlyn's tunic and slide the knife through it, rendering the garment completely useless now. It fell away from her torso and Gemaine felt himself throb almost painfully as her breasts came bouncing into view.

Tarrowlyn kicked as best she could to keep Gemaine from taking her breeches off, but she stopped when he held the knife to her throat. " I wouldn't struggle too much if I were you. I have no qualms in killing you first. I can always take what I want afterwards." He snarled in her ear. He chuckled menacingly as Tarrowlyn went deathly still. " I thought as much." He plunged the dagger into the ground above her head and Gemaine quickly looped her bound wrists over it. He pulled another piece of rope from nearby and he tied her binds tightly to the hilt.

Tears were brimming unshed in her eyes as Tarrowlyn felt Gemaine pulled her down to where her arms were straight above her and he cut away her breeches and underthings. I have to stop this somehow! She thought desperately. He was already between her legs and he had pulled his own pants away to release himself. She screamed against the gag as Gemaine plunged two fingers into her dry core painfully, and she squirmed to try to force them out.

“ Stop fighting back, and things will be that much easier for you!” Gemaine bellowed. A fist to her gut knocked the air from her lungs and Tarrowlyn sputtered against the dirty rag in her mouth. Her coughs turned into a scream of defilement as Gemaine slammed his stiff rod into her, and her back arched in agony. He was thrusting with gusto now, and she sobbed brokenly against the gag.

" Farkas was a damn fool..." Gemaine purred. " Passing up tight, fresh trim like this. By the gods, you haven't taken on any other lovers since he left, have you? Not even Vilkas? All the better for me then..." He looked at her face and he glowered in rage at the sight. Tarrowlyn's eyes were screwed shut so she didn't have to watch him molest her. He drew a hand back, not missing a beat as he kept pistoning in and out of her and Gemaine backhanded Tarrowlyn hard enough to make her head snap to one side. " Open your eyes bitch! I'm not going to let you distance yourself from this! You will look at me!" He bellowed. Gemaine slapped her again and Tarrowlyn kept her eyes shut she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. " So that's how it's going to be, hm? I'll force them open then!"

Tarrowlyn felt him pull out of her abused center, and she attempted to curl up in an effort to protect herself. Three punches against her ribs left her gasping for air. By Stendarr, she was positive he had cracked one with the force he had hit her with. She could feel him moving in again and Tarrowlyn kicked her legs desperately. If she could hit him in the throat, she would be able to crush his windpipe!

" Nah ah ah, bitch. I told you already, you're mine until I say otherwise!" Gemaine snarled. He lined himself up and he thrust hard, forcing his way through the tight muscles of her sphincter. Tarrowlyn howled brokenly as he tore her there and Gemaine laughed wickedly. " Farkas never took you this way, did he? I wager not considering you're bleeding as much as you are. That's fine by me though. I don't mind a little bit of blood. All it does is slick you up to make it easier for me."

Tarrowlyn was screaming against the gag in both terror and shame. It hurt so badly, and she could feel her body attempting to force him out, but Gemaine kept plowing right back on through. Her eyes were wide open now, but she was staring skywards unseeing. She had never wanted to lose consciousness so much as right at that moment.

" Disgusting cur! You should even be lucky I cared enough to indulge myself in you! Even wanted a filthy bitch like you to house my seed! If you weren’t so damn tainted, I have you bear a son or two for me!" Gemaine snarled. “ What am I thinking?! He was thrusting into her ass hard and fast, punching and slapping Tarrowlyn all the while. “ Speaking of giving you my seed…” He was getting close, he had been enjoying himself too much with her so far. Her screams had been nothing short of thrilling to hear, the orifices that he had indulged himself in so far divine. There’s still one more too...he thought lasciviously. “ You worthless dog.” A slap followed this statement and Gemaine pulled out of her, only to haul her to her knees. He pulled the gag away from Tarrowlyn’s mouth and before she could seal her lips tight he shoved his cock in. “ That’s right, clean it you filthy whore!” He was gagging her, choking her really, but Gemaine didn’t give a damn. It felt much too amazing to stop.

“ By the gods, I’ll be happy to see your corpse hanging from the Gildergreen like a flag on a fortress, like on giant signal to your precious shield siblings that their end is nigh.” he groaned. Just the thought of that sight, that glorious, magnificent image, was bringing him to the brink. “ Oh yeah...Here we go. Get ready Tarrowlyn…” he hissed. Gemaine began groaning louder and louder and he plunged his stiff cock as far back into Tarrowlyn’s throat as he could get. His release rocked him in five intense spurts and Gemaine felt her choke. By the gods, he could imagine making her die just by asphyxiating around his flesh!

Gemaine allowed Tarrowlyn to fall to the ground and she gasped for air like a man starved. She had nearly blacked out for a moment after all. She could taste blood, excrement, and semen in her mouth and Tarrowlyn dry heaved a bit between her deep breaths. It was disgusting! Even when Farkas had taken her in his beast form, she had never felt as violated as this. Her eyes turned up to look at Gemaine, and they had turned golden in her rage. “ I’m going to kill you, you sadistic fuck.” she snarled.

Gemaine had no idea what a fuck was, but he was sure it wasn’t good. At least with the way Tarrowlyn had said it. “ Get the collar! She’s all yours boys!” Gemaine called out. His eyes hadn’t moved from her however. “ You’ll never get the chance, you moonborn bitch.” he purred in return. “ I’m just glad I got to enjoy you before you died.”

Tarrowlyn’s face conveyed her rage and she opened her mouth again to use her thu’um. She had to get out of this mess somehow, not only that, Tarrowlyn was going to kill that bastard! Stars exploded through her vision again as Gemaine delivered a nasty right cross that made Tarrowlyn’s jaw clack painfully. Her gag was replaced and she groaned a little as she lifted herself upright again.

She gave a muffled scream as a collar of pure silver was placed around her neck and she felt the burn searing into her unguarded skin. She was grabbed by her hair and drug over to where a group of men were all ready and waiting. Her golden eyes were bright with rage and indignity.

If Tarrowlyn found her opportunity, she was going to slaughter every single one of them.
- 7
- 8
- 9
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger