Before I knew it I was shaking the rain off my cloak and stepping into the warmth of Jorrvaskr. The warmth of the fire pit drew me in, holding my hands over the flickering flames. The Circle and Kodlak were the only ones around. Aela was perched on Skjor's lap, sharing his mead with an easy familiarity. Vilkas was glowering over a book, though his expression somewhat relaxed when he saw his brother and Kodlak was sat next to Vilkas, quietly talking to him. Farkas headed straight for the pair, pulling the bundle of cloth out of his pack as he did so. Kodlak unwrapped it, holding it up to the light, examining every inch. "You're back later than expected. Any problems?" Kodlak turned the shard gently in his calloused, dark hands. "Not with Igne. She was a worthy shield-sister. But we did have a slight problem. The Silver Hand were there. They ambushed us, we killed them." "Hmm." Kodlak was still staring at the fragment. Then his eyes snapped up to meet mine, "It can wait. We have a new member to welcome." Hang on one second "You aren't worried? I mean this was clearly a trap!" Impassive faces stared at me and I sighed impatiently, "Come on, the mysterious scholar was clearly bait-" I was interrupted by a stone-faced Vilkas, "We know, whelp. We'll handle this, it's not your problem." That makes a change. But he's right. And I have enough to deal with. Scowling I nodded. Kodlak smiled wryly at me, and Aela and Skjor rose and moved to join us, so that we were roughly arrayed in a circle, Aela and Skjor on my left and the two twins on my right with Kodlak opposite me.
Silence fell.
Then Kodlak spoke, deep voice echoing through the quietness of Jorrvaskr, "Brothers and Sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal hold. This woman has endured, has challenged and has showed her valour. Who will speak for her?" Farkas spoke, "I stand witness for the courage of the soul before us." I shot him a quick, nervous glance and he gave me the tiniest wink in reply, enough to bring a slight smile to my face. "Would you raise your shield in her defence?" "I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us." "And would you raise your sword in her honour?" "It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes." "And would you raise a mug in her name?" "I would lead the song in triumph as our mead hall revelled in her stories." "Then this judgement of this Circle is complete. Her heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distance green summers. Let it beat with ours, so the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call." They all spoke then, even Vilkas, voices solemn, "It shall be so."
It was a strangely beautiful vow and one that resonated deep within me. I wanted to be worthy of that vow. I wanted their respect. As he passed me Farkas clapped me on the shoulder and the Circle dispersed, headed down to their quarters, leaving me stood by the fire. I was now a Companion.
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timeasmymeasure
Call of the Blood 4.3/?
Date: 2013-07-03 10:19 pm (UTC)"You're back later than expected. Any problems?" Kodlak turned the shard gently in his calloused, dark hands.
"Not with Igne. She was a worthy shield-sister. But we did have a slight problem. The Silver Hand were there. They ambushed us, we killed them."
"Hmm." Kodlak was still staring at the fragment. Then his eyes snapped up to meet mine, "It can wait. We have a new member to welcome."
Hang on one second
"You aren't worried? I mean this was clearly a trap!" Impassive faces stared at me and I sighed impatiently, "Come on, the mysterious scholar was clearly bait-"
I was interrupted by a stone-faced Vilkas, "We know, whelp. We'll handle this, it's not your problem."
That makes a change. But he's right. And I have enough to deal with.
Scowling I nodded. Kodlak smiled wryly at me, and Aela and Skjor rose and moved to join us, so that we were roughly arrayed in a circle, Aela and Skjor on my left and the two twins on my right with Kodlak opposite me.
Silence fell.
Then Kodlak spoke, deep voice echoing through the quietness of Jorrvaskr, "Brothers and Sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal hold. This woman has endured, has challenged and has showed her valour. Who will speak for her?"
Farkas spoke, "I stand witness for the courage of the soul before us." I shot him a quick, nervous glance and he gave me the tiniest wink in reply, enough to bring a slight smile to my face.
"Would you raise your shield in her defence?"
"I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us."
"And would you raise your sword in her honour?"
"It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes."
"And would you raise a mug in her name?"
"I would lead the song in triumph as our mead hall revelled in her stories."
"Then this judgement of this Circle is complete. Her heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distance green summers. Let it beat with ours, so the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."
They all spoke then, even Vilkas, voices solemn, "It shall be so."
It was a strangely beautiful vow and one that resonated deep within me. I wanted to be worthy of that vow. I wanted their respect. As he passed me Farkas clapped me on the shoulder and the Circle dispersed, headed down to their quarters, leaving me stood by the fire. I was now a Companion.