Balgruuf the Lesser 12: Tested

  • Uthgird was understandably reluctant to follow me into Jorvasskr, but I was feeling reckless.  The Companions had frightened me all my life, and I could not say why.  Somehow, they just made me feel very small and helpless and unimportant.  Yet, I had always dreamed of being one of them.  It was Uthgird’s idea for me to face down a life-long fear, so it only made sense to drag her along with me.  After all, did her advice only apply to other people, and not to herself?

    I swung those doors open prepared for anything; anything, that is, except for an abandoned hall, the creak of the door echoing into silence, a feast spread on the tables like an offering to the dead. Where was everyone?

    I was considering picking up an apple and biting into it, just out of bravado, when I realized someone was sitting quietly in a corner, watching me.  It was Vignar Grey Mane, the new jarl.  I had forgotten that he was a Companion.  To cover up my discomfit, I bowed from the waist. “Jarl Vignar, I didn’t see you there.”

    He nodded his head. “Balgruuf Stormblade, True Son of Skyrim, you need not bow to me.”

    I straightened, and struggled to think of something to say.  “How goes the rebuilding?”

    He shrugged. “The City is back on its feet. The market is busy.  The next step will be to establish a temple to Talos.”

    I stared at the wall behind his head, nodding like I was listening. “And my brothers and sisters, how are they?”

    “They’re well,” he replied. “Just as rude as ever, though.  I think their father gave them too much freedom and not enough responsibility.  There’s something seriously off about that younger boy…” He stuttered to a stop. “I apologize. Perhaps I forget my manners in my old age.”

    “You speak plainly, sir,” I replied. “My father paid attention to my upbringing only because I am… was… his heir.  My younger siblings were entirely beneath his notice.  Why do you think they are your wards now, rather than living with him in Solitude?”

    We shared a silent moment of bitterness against my father, and then I think we both realized how uncomfortable it made us. “I’m looking for Kodlak. Can you tell me where he might be?”

    “Below,” he replied.

    “Thank you, sir. By your leave?”

    We found Kodlak sitting at a table outside his rooms with another Companion, Vilkas. It was Vilkas who first commented on our arrival.

    “We did not look to see you here again, Uthgird the Puppy-slayer.” He turned his mocking gaze at me. ”And who is this, the Whelp of Dragonsreach?  Dangerous company you keep these days, puppy.”

    I placed a restraining hand on Uthgird’s arm before she could reach for her sword.  His mockery reminded me of my younger brothers, making him far less terrifying than he could have been. It was Kodlak we needed to speak to.

    “Harbinger,” I greeted him. “I would like to join the Companions.”

    Vilkas guffawed loudly, but Kodlak waived him to silence.  “It’s not up to me who joins the Companions, Balgruuf of the Stormcloaks.  Tell me, what would you seek in our company?”

    “Honor,” I replied.

    Vilkas sneered. “What would you know of Honor, Whelp?”

    “Nothing,” I told him, without hesitation. “I come to learn.”

    Kodlak and Vilkas exchanged a glance.  I had managed to surprise them and that gave me courage. 

    “Vilkas,” Kodlak said quietly. “Take him out to the yard and test his skills, would you?”

    In the yard, Vilkas and I circled and tested each other’s defenses.  We started tentatively, but Vilkas slowly escalated the challenge.  He was a master swordsman, but I had not been idle during the war and I escalated as well.  Finally he stepped back, lowered his sword and grudgingly nodded.

    Then he turned to Uthgird, who was leaning against a post, glaring at us. “Care to have a go?” he challenged. “I daresay you’ll find me a bit tougher to kill than a child.”

    She shrugged away from the post and drew her sword. “I doubt it,” she replied. 

    Vilkas growled.

    Not trusting where this was going, I stepped between them.  “If she wins, does that mean she’s in?”

    “She won’t win,” Vilkas snarled.  “And neither did you,” he clarified.

    “But is this her test, yes?” I pressed, intentionally misinterpreting the situation.

    Vilkas lowered his sword, but didn’t sheath it. “She’s already been tested and she’s already failed.”

    Uthgird spat, “I wouldn’t join the Companions if you begged me.” Turning to me, she added, “Have fun with your new friends. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”  She turned her back on us and walked away, sheathing her sword as she did so.

    Vilkas glared at her until she turned the corner and disappeared from sight. Then he thrust the handle of his sword into my chest and said, “Take this to Eorlund and have it sharpened.” He slammed the door as he disappeared inside.

     

Comments

2 Comments
  • Piper Jo
    Piper Jo   ·  November 24, 2012
    But that's just it, isn't it?  When he started out with the Stormcloaks, he believed firmly he was following the path of Honor. Honor, for him, was Black and White.  That path led him into direct conflict with his own father, the sack of his own city, and...  more
  • ricardo maia
    ricardo maia   ·  November 24, 2012
    A slow start, to characterize your hero and his motivations. It seems he feels he has something to atone for. Strange thought for a man who fought alongside with the enemies of his father and against his own heirdom.