THE CIRCLE AND THE SILVER HAND (PART I)
From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 28th, 4E, 201.
"Is that all of them?" Asked Farkas to Lutherus, as he removed his embedded two-hander from a Draugr corpse.
"Yes, looks like it. Never thought I'd say this, but that felt great!"
"Haha, yes sting of battle is always best on your first proper engagement, new blood. Say, what sword have you got there?"
"Oh, this? Found it off a Silver Hand corpse earlier in the Crypt. It's much lighter than any other sword I've used, I can balance it more easily."
"Good, keep it with you then!" Said Farkas, as he observed their surroundings. "There's a staircase over there, probably our exit." So the three Companions moved up the stairs, to find a tomb hollowed out the other side, revealing a secret passage back to the entrance of Dustman's Cairn.
"Ah, right where we started. That's handy!" Said Faendal, as they moved to the exit. The brightness of the sun initially blinded the Companions after leaving the darkness of Dustman's Cairn, but they carried on back to Jorrvaskr to inform the Companions of their victory.
"We're going to tell Jorrvaskr of our victory today, Companions. That was a fantastic display of Honour, you two are going to go far in this organisation." Credited Farkas to Lutherus and Faendal. "No really, this fragment is only one piece of our most precious, prized relic. It is monumental to the Companions, and perhaps to all of Whiterun that we have retrieved it." The three Companions continued there way back to Whiterun, unabated. And when they reached Jorrvaskr, they found the hall empty. "They must be outside." Suggested Farkas. The three made there way through the the hall to the training fields behind the hall. Farkas was correct, the entire roster of Companions were waiting for them, Vilkas, Kodlak, Skjor and Aela, were waiting for Lutherus in particular.
"Go on, Lutherus." Said Faendal. "You found the piece, so it is you who is to be recognised."
"Lutherus! Come here lad." Called Kodlak, motioning for the young Imperial to come.
Nervously, Lutherus stepped down into the yard. Farkas joining the other four to form one half of a circle - The Circle of Judgement. "Brothers and Sisters of the Circle." Began Kodlak. "Today we welcome a new soul into our mortal hold. This man has endured, has challenged and has showed his valor. Who will speak for him?"
"I stand witness for the courage of the soul before us." Said Farkas in response.
"Would you raise your shield in his defense?"
"I would stand at his back, that the world might never overtake us."
"And would you raise your sword in his honour?"
"It stands ready to meet the blood of his foes."
"And would you raise a mug in his name?"
"I would lead the song in triumph as our mead hall reveled in his stories."
"Then this judgment of this Circle is complete. His 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."
"It shall be so. Honour before Duty." Concluded the entire circle. Lutherus Sotasius, was now a fully fledged Companion member. Farkas slapped a hand on his shoulder, as the Circle of Judgement dismissed.
"Good job, Lutherus. Welcome to the Companions. Come, we have a feast prepared for you inside. That includes you, Faendal!"
The feast hall inside was soon bustling with platters of meat, cheeses, desserts, wines and meads as far as the arm could stretch. And in the middle of it all, was Lutherus. Tradition spoke that before anybody could indulge in the feast, Lutherus would need to regale the epic adventure that he had partaked in at Dustman's Cairn. He positioned himself in front of his audience, as the roaring flames of the fire pit in front of him raged on.
"We entered Dustman's Cairn, apprehensive of the dangers that awaited us there. My first taste of proper, real battle was also of much intrigue and interest, for what we also discovered in that crypt took us all by surprise. The enemy we faced in combat were the Restless Draugr's that inhabit the tomb as their homes. However, we also encountered mercenaries belonging to that of the Silver Hand. And when w-"
"The Silver Hand?!" Spluttered Kodlak. "What were they doing at Dustman's Cairn?! E-Emergency Meeting at my quarters immediately, Circle members only. Companions, you are dismissed!" In an instant the Circle members disbanded from Lutherus' epic to convene downstairs. When the Circle were in a meeting, downstairs was rendered totally off limits so the rest of the Companions were stuck upstairs for the time being. Lutherus resigned to the table, full of food.
"Don't take it personally lad." Reassured Farkas. "Matters that involve the Silver Hand are always going to take precedence over tales of bravery and sacrifice."
"So they are a dangerous foe, then?" Asked Lutherus.
"Yeah. Realistically speaking, the people we encountered at the Cairn, were only a platoon size of soldiers, probably not even that. The Silver Hand have plenty more were they came from, and in more locations around Skyrim, too. If we ever take a full blown war to them, we would always be on the defensive. That's why we have Jorrvaskr here. The Silver Hand may be tough, but there not stupid enough to launch a full assault against Whiterun. They'd never get past the walls." Explained Farkas.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen. But I must get back to Riverwood." Interrupted Faendal, rising from his side. "Camilla's probably worried sick, ever since Redoran's Retreat. Are you coming back later, Lutherus?"
"I shall be, yes. I'll see you there Faendal."
"Alright then, see you!" Finished Faendal, and left Jorrvaskr. Farkas watched him as he left.
"You two are good friends, aren't you?"
"What can I say." Said Lutherus. "I owe the man my life. He's been able to show me, albeit briefly how to handle a bow and arrow, and he's even been able to secure me a job at the mill in Riverwood."
"You still work at a Mill despite being a Companion?" Questioned Farkas.
"Well, if you put it like that, it's honest work really. Not to say that cutting down foes of our Guild isn't honest work, however the pay-rate definitely fluctuates more often."
"Heheh, yeah, you got me there. Faendal's a good man, and a hell of a shot. It's been pleasurable having him with us here at Jorrvaskr." Lutherus nodded in agreement, sliding carefully in his chair out of comfort. The day's events at Dustman's Cairn had been enjoyable, but the exhaustion of fighting had finally started to catch up with Lutherus. He stopped himself from falling asleep at the Hall, and propped himself up again.
"I should probably start heading back to Riverwood. Got some things I need to finish there."
"Just no stopping you now, is there kid? Heh." Chuckled Farkas, as he took a drink of wine. "Alright, go on get out of here. See you soon, Companion."
"Yes, until next time." Finished Lutherus, as he got up to leave the hall.
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