Caylin's Monsters - Ch. 2: Hired Muscle

  • Caylin's Monsters

     

     

    Chapter 2: Hired Muscle

     

     

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    The next day I received my first assignment from Farkas, Vilkas’ younger brother.  Apparently, one of Whiterun’s citizens had gotten out of line in some way, and it was my job to bring her back in line.  I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I had a pretty good idea, and I was terrified. My hands were shaking as I stepped outside the doors of Jorrvaskr.

     

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    When I met my target, I tried to confront her about the situation, but she wouldn’t listen of course.  So I readied myself for what I had to do. I tried to look confident, but my heart was racing, and I broke out in a cold sweat.  I wasn’t used to this kind of violence. It was against my nature, I guess. At least, I wasn’t used to being the source of such violence.  I had been on the receiving end many times at the orphanage, courtesy of Grelod “the Kind”. I put the thought out of my head and focused on the woman standing in front of me.  I would have to overcome my nature if I was ever going to be helpful in ending this war.

     

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    As I began trading blows with this woman, a woman I had never met before now, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my body.  It was exhilarating… and frightening.

     

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    After the woman finally gave up and agreed to fall in line, I sent her on her way.  I had a hard time calming myself down, though. There was still so much adrenaline in my system, not to mention the rush I felt from my first victory.  However, the joy I felt from that victory quickly turned to confusion. Should I really be happy about being a “hired muscle?”, I thought. Was being hired to beat someone up something I should actually be proud of?  I tried not to think about it. I tried to tell myself this was all for a greater purpose.

     

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    That night, after reporting back to Farkas, he took me out for a drink at the Bannered Mare.  He told me a little about his own experience when he and Vilkas joined the Companions. It was encouraging to know he wasn’t much of a fighter when he first started either.  He also told me he had a few more jobs lined up for me, but they were a little more dangerous so he wanted to come along. This was actually a relief. I felt out of my depth with all this, so I was glad to have someone show me the ropes.

     

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    Before leaving for our next mission, Farkas took me up to Eorlund Gray-Mane to get some appropriate armor and weapons.

     

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    Standing there in that expertly crafted armor with a sword and bow on my back… I felt empowered.  All the nervous tension I had been feeling dissolved. For the first time in my whole life, I felt strong… in control.  I felt like I could actually make a difference.

     

     

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Comments

2 Comments   |   Simpa and 3 others like this.
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  October 3, 2018
    This always bugged me about Companions, namely these radiant quests where they are reduced to mere enforcers, almost thugs, that beat people up for money. Maybe it should be just taken as a portrayal of how low they have fallen with Kodlak in "charge".
    • Tralient
      Tralient
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      This always bugged me about Companions, namely these radiant quests where they are reduced to mere enforcers, almost thugs, that beat people up for money. Maybe it should be just taken as a portrayal of how low they have fallen with Kodlak in "charge".
        ·  October 3, 2018
      Yeah.  In the game, the Companions are kind of a strange group.  There's a big emphasis on honor, and yet they are also portrayed as mercenaries just trying to make some coin.  When I role play, I tend to focus more on the "honor" side of t...  more