Crossover: Chapter 10 - Forgiving

  • Commander Mark Collins pulled the trigger and it fired towards Lucy’s head, but then it didn’t. The bullet flew over the sea and landed in it; the sound echoed over the waves. He was no longer in Shimmermist cave - he was on an island. It was cold and gloomy; he couldn’t see any land through the thick mists that surrounded it. He turned around and saw a magnificent castle, it covered the whole island and the mist rolled up its sides. A great bridge led to the entrance and Collins began to walk along it towards to door that would change everything.

     

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    Lucy lay in the Temple of Kynareth in Whiterun, her immediate wounds were healed by San-Kai but there were injuries far beyond the Argonian’s ability in restoration. It hurt his pride to seek out the assistance of another but he put it aside for Lucy’s life. The priestess of Kynareth, Danica Pure-Spring, was by her side with her hands outstretched, the golden healing aura enveloped her and she seemed at peace.

     

    After Collins had disappeared the group all picked up Lucy, who had fallen unconscious soon after, and managed to take her to the Temple. Bjorn was granted permission to enter so that he could help carry her in and had since been summoned by the Jarl for unknown reasons; Nigel and San-Kai remained in the temple watching as Lucy slowly healed. The temple was a beautiful building and a large one at that, it was colourfully decorated and foliage lined the walls. There were four beds in the temple and all were occupied, some with sick farmers and a few held soldiers – there was talk of war brewing and the Imperials were starting to move into Solitude, becoming more of a Jarl than Torygg. Windows covered every wall and it was well-lit with candles, far better than the disgusting clinics of the Wastes.

     

    “So, we finally found her then” San-Kai tried to start up conversation

     

    “Yeah…” Nigel replied somewhat out of it. “We did”

     

    “When she’s better shall we go to Winterhold?”

     

    “Yep”

     

    “Nigel you seem distant, you okay?”

     

    “I killed a load of bandits for no reason; it’s just brought back everything that happened before”

     

    San knew he shouldn’t ask but he did, “Like what?”

     

    “I was an operative for the Institute, the things I saw – It’ll never leave me”

     

    “What happened?”

     

    “They kicked me out, but not before giving me a friendly Institute goodbye” Nigel replied with bitter sarcasm

     

    “What did they do?” San-Kai’s curiosity got the better of him

     

    “Murder without reason – just like I did” Nigel glared at San-Kai with eyes that had seen so much

     

    It was at this point San decided to stop probing further and they resumed simply gazing at the temple as Lucy was slowly healed. It was indeed a beautiful temple, candles were placed all around the walls and shrines dotted the area. The centre of the temple was bathed in bright light from above and small windows could be found on every wall. There was a somewhat awkward silence and neither of them wanted to say anything. It was clear that whatever happened to Nigel was horrific and despite the vague description of the events, San-Kai knew that the feeling of regret and revenge went all too well together. The two left Lucy to the capable hands of the Priestess of Kynareth and walked out of the temple, gazing upon the dead Gildergreeen.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf stood in front of Bjorn as he knelt before him, “Bjorn Wolf-Hand – you have been exiled from the city and the Companions for your crimes of murder two years ago. Your act of kindness helping that girl leads me to think you have changed, do you feel you have reformed?”

     

    “Yes, my Jarl. It has eaten away at my conscience every day since”

     

    “And you are cured of Lycanthropy?”

     

    Bjorn lied, “Yes, my Jarl”

     

    “Very well, I believe your punishment has stretched on long enough – you are permitted to enter the city and to re-join the Companions”

     

    Bjorn nearly jumped with joy, “Thank you, Jarl Balgruuf!”

     

    “Calm down! Now go!” Balgruuf smiled

     

    Bjorn raced out of Dragonsreach and down the steps; he ran past the Gildergreen and vaguely noticed the odd looks of Nigel and San-Kai as he rushed on towards Jorrvaskr. After all this time he could finally be back with his family…

     

    Bjorn pushed open the heavy doors of Jorrvaskr and paused abruptly, registering the odd looks of several as he bent over panting for breath. Jorrvaskr was still the same as when he'd left, a great table stood in the centre and a fire burned in the middle. Weapons were strewn across the floor and Wuuthrad was still mounted.He noticed a few of the new ones that had joined since he’d been there – a male dark elf and a female Nord were sitting at the table, staring at him.

     

    Some of the older members that were sitting in the chairs in the corners looked upon him with mixtures of happiness and hatred, Skjor got up walked over to him and looked him in the eye. “Bjorn? What the hell are you doin’ here?”

     

    ***************

     

    Nigel and San-Kai were drinking at the Bannered Mare, they had booked two rooms for the night and it would be good not to pay the Khajiit to let Bjorn stay in their camp, they charged at least double the prices Hulda did. They had planned to stay in Whiterun until Lucy had recovered and then walk the long journey to Winterhold over the following days – they did not wish to tempt fate by taking a carriage. Bjorn was in Jorrvaskr and according to San-Kai he would likely stay there for the night, so they did not bother booking a room for him.

     

    San-Kai ordered another tankard of mead and Nigel did the same, they drank in silence – letting the buzz of alcohol calm them down to pass the time.

     

    ***************

     

    “I’ve been let back into the city – I’ve come to re-join” Bjorn replied

     

    “You honestly think you can join the Companions?” Skjor spoke then lowered his voice so no one could hear them. “You were so close to revealing our secret, why would we let you back in?”

     

    Bjorn felt the pang of anxiety in his gut, what if he couldn’t join? It was then that Vilkas walked up to them, giving Bjorn a friendly slap on the back and then spoke: “Let the old man decide that, eh Skjor?”

     

    Skjor gave him one final stare and then walked off towards another tankard of mead, Vilkas came up to him and greeted him. “Hey Bjorn, glad to see you back my friend – come, I’ll take you to Kodlak”

     

    Kodlak White-Mane stood from his chair as he saw the old Companion return, he had nearly revealed their secret but he was a good shield-brother. “Ysmir’s beard! Bjorn, welcome back to the Companions – Aela told me you had been let back into the city”

     

    “Yes Kodlak, can I join the Companions again?”

     

    “Well,” Kodlak paused. “I must think on this for the night – sleep in the whelps room and we shall see tomorrow if you are worthy”

     

    So Bjorn went over to the whelp’s dormitory and undid his armour lazily before crashing into a bed and falling asleep instantly, it felt good to be in the arms of his shield-siblings once again.

     

     

Comments

2 Comments
  • Will
    Will   ·  June 8, 2016
    Thanks ShyGuy, for me I posted this early, I got up a little earlier and managed to get this finished
  • ShyGuyWolf
    ShyGuyWolf   ·  June 8, 2016
    Awesome piece. You posted this late. It's 3 minutes until 1pm here.