A New Harbinger Rises II

The two make their way closer to us, as Aela arrives she holds her fist over her heart as she salutes me.

"Greetings, Harbinger..." Aela says, releasing the salute and looking down at her feet before shaking herself and lifting her gaze to meet mine.

"The majority of the bodies have been removed from the battlefield, with the wounded being taken into town to be treated at the temple. I've instructed everyone to keep their mouths shut about the specifics of the battle, but it seems word has already reached the jarl's men and some guards have been asking for an official response." Aela explains, doing her best to seem calm and composed while Farkas just stares at me and while looking out at some of the other werewolf Companions.

"And some of the other pack leaders have been questioning your authority... They won't make any moves before the funeral rites have been done, but I think that redguard and one of the nords, Frathnar, I think was his name? Are probably going to challenge you for leadership of the Companions." Farkas says looking at some of the leaders that made it through the earlier battle and have been speaking to their own chapters of the Companions.

"Thanks for the update... Inigo, I'll go gather our... Friend, from the Bannered Mare and I want you to gather some hands from the Western Tower Outpost to help you string up these bastards." I tell Inigo as he looks at me with confusion.

"String up? What do you mean, my friend?" Inigo asks as I notice Aela and Farkas also show some confusion.

"Yes, I want you to find a large tree outside of the city, preferably along a major trade road. Where you will hang all these Silver Hands off its branches with a noose. If you can, hang signs around their necks labeling them as bandits, cowards, and murderers." I explain to them, as Inigo nods in understanding as a solemn look over takes Aela and Farkas as she then asks.

"Those who crossed us and killed our brothers and sisters deserve nothing less, but what should we do about Kodlak?" Aela asks as she looks over to the platform where Kodlak still lays.

"I say we throw the traitor in a river, let no one know where that betrayer ends up and may he never find rest!" Farkas says in anger.

"I was planning to put him on the same tree with a sign that says traitor on it, but if you think there's a better way to deal with him, I'm all ears?" I ask them as Aela seems to be in thought.

"I think... It's best if we place him in an unmarked grave, he doesn't deserve the effort it would take to do anything more elaborate and I want no public reminders of what he's done." Aela says with a deep sigh.

"I should go and oversee the moving of our brothers and sisters to the sky forge. Harbinger." Aela says, saluting me with her fist over her heart as she quickly walks away.

"Is she gonna be alright?" I ask Farkas after making sure she was out of ear shot.

"She's a strong warrior, she'll pull through. It's just a lot. Kodlak was more than just our Harbinger, he was like our group's father, and Skjor like our eldest brother. It'll take time for these wounds to heal." Skjor says with a downcast look as he looks at the pile of dead Silver Hand, before gritting his teeth and spitting on them as he also walks off.

After making sure he's gone as well, I turn to Inigo, "Don't forget to strip all the silver off of them to be melted down, but leave their clocks and other markings. I want people to see them and see what happens to those who attack the Companions."

"That is quite brutal, my friend. But, that is the only thing people like that understand, I'll make sure it is done. Don't forget to pick up Ms. Serana from the Bannered Mare." Inigo reminds me as he goes off to the Western Tower to get some help.

I then make my through a small slums that has grown up outside the main gates of Whiterun, most of them seeming to be displaced refugees looking for food and work.

Giving me an idea for later as I reach the gates of the city, making my way past the guards and to the plains district where the Bannered Mare was.

Once inside, I make my way past the bustling central fire pit, catching bits of gossip, mostly about the flood of wounded Companions that where brought through the district and up to the temple for healing and something about a disappearing blue Khajiit.

Finally, I see Serana of in the back room, resting in a chair in the corner, playing with a drink, swirling it around in her mug before scrunching her nose up and looking up to see me.

"I thought the scent of dog was particularly strong lately. That wouldn't have anything to do with why a certain blue cat has disappeared, would it?" Serana says looking at me pointedly.

"Yeah, had a little... Disturbance outside the city, but nothing I couldn't handle. Unfortunately, I need to go and visit the Jarl to handle the aftermath, and with the hounds out... It might be better for you to either wait outside the city in my tower or stick with me?" I tell her as I make my way closer to her, resting against the wall at the foot of the back staircase.

"Well, I agreed to this detour to see the way the world is now, what better way to see it than from the view of a jarl's palace? It's still the top of the mountain, yes?" Serana asks as she sets down her drink and starts to head towards the back door of the inn.

"Yes it is, I just need to get changed into something more suitable for the meeting. I'll meet you outside." I tell her as she walks out the door and I quickly wash up in a spare wash bucket and get changed into some nicer clothes.

(Author's Note: Hey everyone, hope you enjoy this one. Sadly, the relationship I have been in for the last few months has ended. I hope you can take a moment to let all your single friends know they're cared about. And to all my single readers out there, know that you'll find the person or persons of your dreams and to never give up on your own happy ending wherever you might find it.)