Chapter 6 - Hircine's gift
Silver's heart was racing as they walked down the steps. Her thoughts and worries were starting to cloud her mind. Had she done something wrong? Why was Kodlak wishing to speak to her alone. Stop it Silver.. He probably just wants a chat to find out how your journey was, that's all she tried to remind herself.
Kodlak led her down into his own quaters which took her a little by suprise. When he was sure they were alone he gestured to her to sit which she did, but slowly. Her eyes never left his as they sat down in silence. Kodlak could feel her eyes on him. Those brilliant eyes of silver. He chuckled to himself.
"Silver eye? Why did you call that name out?" He asked after a while.
Silver immediately felt her cheeks redden, but she tried to ignore it.
"My sister used to call me that when we were kids. She still does. I don't know why I called it out today.. I guess it was down to me wanting her to be there so much"
"Your sister, you plan to get her to join us too?" Kodlak asked.
"Yes. When she comes of age in three months time" Silver said with a slow smile.
Kodlak merely nodded at that before pouring himself a glass of wine. He offered Silver a glass, but she politely refused. Kodlak settled down in the seat opposite her and surveyed her for a moment which made her immediately uncomfortable and she felt her eyes darting all around the room. Anywhere but into his,
"Do you know who Hircine is, Silver?" He asked her after a time.
Silver shook her shoulders. Never before had she heard that name.
"Hircine's gift was bestowed upon the Companions many a year ago. The circle, the leaders of the Companions that were given this gift. Myself, Aela, Farkus, Vilkas and Skjor. Can you think of what this gift is?"
Again, Silver shrugged which made her feel like a knowledgeless child once again. Kodlak didn't reply though as he then saw Silver start to rack her brains. What could he mean? She thought. She tried to think of everything that happened since she got here and of any unusual behaviour. The first thing that came to her was the fact Farkus was a werewolf.. She had never questioned that.
"I... Has it got something to do with werewolves?" She asked timidly.
"Exactly right" Kodlak beamed, sounding proud.
Silver felt alot less pressured now so relaxed a little as questions began to arise in her mind.
"Were you afraid when Farkus transformed?"
"No!" Silver almost spat with disgust. "I've been around werewolves before"
"I see. Well then I guess I should explain more to you" Kodlak went on, taking a sip of the wine in his goblet. "We companions were given the blood of the beast when we first formed. Only the circle were allowed to be bearers of the gift"
"A gift? Surely it's more a curse" Silver said with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes.. And no. The beast blood comes at a cost it is true. You'll grow restless as you sleep of course and the first month you'll struggle to cope. Not to mention there is always the threat of losing yourself when in beast form. However, the freedom of a wolf running through Skyrim in the crisp night air is priceless. Your immude to all disease and your enemies will flee before you when you transform. But, be aware.. This gift cannot be used for evil" Kodlak finished.
Silver listened to his words. It was true what he said about the down sides to it, but the up sides were things Silver did not even know. The thought of immunity to disease, an extra weapon in battle seemed rather useful. Silence engulfed her for a moment before she spoke out.
"So... Did you all decide to be werewolves or did you have to become them?"
"Those in the circle chose to be werewolves and hence, they are in the circle. If you wish to be a part of the leaders of the companions then you must take the blood of the beast" Kodlak replied.
"Why are you telling me this?" Silver said through squinted eyes.
"Isn't it obvious? I am extending an invitation to you Silver. Farkus told me of your skill in battle and I would very much like to have you amongst us leaders here in Jorvaskar"
Silver's mouth was slightly ajar when he said this and she suddenly felt it go very dry. She should be honored, but she was scared of the thought of becoming a werewolf if she were honest to herself. She couldn't... Or could she? Kodlak surveyed her, almost knowing exactly what she were thinking.
"I do not need your reply right now Silver, but I would very much like you to reply by tomorrow night for it is the full moon. Do not say yes unless you really want this. There is a cure, but it would be near on impossible. This gift will be with you, for the rest of your life. The benefits are amazing, but I would never force you to do this if you didn't want to. But rest assured, if you do take the beast blood, you'll have a place among us till you die"
Silver couldn't find words and her mouth opened and closed like a horker gasping for breath. She felt so foolish then.
"Come and find me outside the skyforge tomorrow whatever your decision. Goodnight now lass"
Silver was escorted from the room then and left alone in the corridor to mull things over in her mind. Fear was tugging at her, but so many other things were clouding her mind also. It was settled. She needed a drink and now. Throwing her armor off and unbelting her sword so she was down to her tunic, she left the sleeping quaters.
On her way out the building she picked up two bottles of mead and stormed outside into the courtyard. The night air hit her and sent a chill down her spine, but she proceeded to the stairs. All was quiet in Whiterun tonight as she looked out at the darkened streets. Silver then leapt up onto the stone pillar next to the stairs and stared out at the mountains on the horizon which were just visible under the moonlight.
Another shiver was sent down her spine as she caught sight of the moon. Would she be howling at it soon? How could Kodlak make her come to a decision about something this big so suddenly!? Anger crept up her as she downed one bottle of mead. Then she found herself thinking of Astrid. If she were a leader of the companions then she would be able to give her little sister a home for life too. They could be together and not worry about being homeless ever again.
That thought calmed her down and stayed her hand from smashing the empty mead bottle with frustration.
"Well, you are doing exactly the same thing as I did" Came a voice from behind her.
"You should get some rest" Silver said a little more bitterly than she meant.
"Easy now, I only came to see if you were ok. It's always hard to take on board what Kodlak says after the ceremony" Farkus said, walking over to Silver with his hands in his pockets as he too was in a tunic.
Silver wished he hadn't. She just wanted to be left alone to drown her sorrows with a bottle of mead. She wanted to think and try and make head or tail of this whole situation, not make idle conversation with Farkus.
"Im fine" She said after a while, taking a swig of mead from the bottle.
"Clearly. Look, just calm down I know what you're feeling. I've been through the same thing remember? And I also know whats really worrying you about saying yes" Farkus said, leaning on the stone post opposite the one she was sat on.
Silver turned her head and felt it throb a little. She shouldn't have drunk that mead so quickly, but it didn't stop her taking another long swig from the remaining bottle.
"And what's that?" She asked.
"You're worried about turning your fangs on your sister. You're worried about never being able to go back to how you were before. Sound about right?" Farkus asked, eyebrow raised.
Silver began to roll the bottle between her hands, a sign she was feeling uncomfortable. A sign that Farkus had seen before so he continued.
"Look. I know it's a shock and I know it's not going to be an easy decision, but if Kodlak didn't think you'd be able to control it he wouldn't have offered it to you" Farkus said with a sigh.
"What if I can't control it though? What if I hurt people. I want to be one of you.. More than anything, it's just..." Silver bowed her head sadly.
"Just what? Are you a milk drinker or a nord?" Farkus said rather harshly.
Silver then launced the bottle of mead at him. The contents went flying through the air, but Farkus dodged the bottle and watched as it smashed on the floor next to him. A few of the guards looked up, but saw it was nothing serious so returned to their duties.
"Don't you EVER call me that again" She snapped.
"Well stop being such a whiner and wallowing in self pity. At the end of the day it's up to you, I was just trying to help" Farkus said pulling something out his pocket.
He opened his hands to reveal a small ring with a wolfs head on. The eyes were rubies and by the look of it, this ring was atleast a hundred years old.
"This is Hircines ring. It's said that he gave it to his own son to help with his transformations. It's been passed down through the companions through the ages to help with their own transformations. This was passed to me by Kodlak. Vilkas was always stronger and found his transformations easier which is why I have it. But now, I pass it on to you. I can't make the decision for you, but I hope this will help you decide. I can help you with your transformations and teach you how to control them also" Farkus said his hand outstretched.
Silver blinked and looked down at the ring in Farkus' hand. She suddenly felt incredibly guilty for lashing out at him like that. He was after all, only trying to help her. With a sigh she forced a smile and slowly took the ring from his hands.
"Hard to believe.. A week ago you hated me and now here we are talking about helping me get through this whole werewolf thing" Silver said with a chuckle.
"Well, people change and circumstances change. I'll leave you to it. Go with what your heart tells you" Farkus said before parting.
Silver watched him leave before turning back to the small ring now in the palm of her hand. The little rubies glew in the night and Silver felt a sort of dread, but excitement corse through her. She looked up at the sky. It was going to be a long night.