The Lightning Scroll

Ch3, Pt III: Beast

Jo'navir woke up the next day feeling rested at last.

He swung his legs off the bed and found the wolf in the same spot as before, resting at his side. The wolf woke alongside Jo'navir at the vibration of his feet hitting the floor.

"Ready to get going?" Jo'navir asked, scratching the wolf's ears. They went upstairs and found Farkas eating at the long table.

"Up already?" he said to Jo'navir.

"About that task," Jo'navir said. "I'm still looking for my brother, and I need to go to the College of Winterhold. I was told they'd be able to help me figure out what happened to him.

"Take a seat," Farkas requested pulling a chair out for Jo'navir to join him. "Feel free to dig in," he added pointing to the food and drinks on the table. "It's up for grabs."

"Thanks," Jo'navir replied, finding a chair next to him. The wolf sat between them, salivating at the sight of the food on the table.

"I know exactly how feel," Farkas said. "My brother Vilkas has been with me since day one. I wouldn't want to live without him either. There's really no pressure to stay you know, but if you ever do need a safe space, just know you're always welcome here."

Jo'navir smiled contently, ripping a piece of the meat on the table in half. He started munching on one and handed to other to the wolf, who gulped it down within seconds.

Farkas continued, "You said the College of Winterhold, right? You a mage?" he asked with food in his mouth.

"I know some spells, yeah. But I'm nothing without a sword," Jo'navir answered.

"A battlemage," Farkas grunted. "We don't see those too often around here."

"Well," Farkas sat back in his chair. "You got enough gold on you? There's a carriage right outside town that can take you to Winterhold. It'll cost you some coin though. The College isn't exactly close by."

Jo'navir shook his head. "I only have one gold piece left. I was planning to get there on foot."

"And look where that got you?" Farkas joked. "Look, if you need gold, we can help you, but I feel we've given you plenty of free stuff already without asking for anything in return. Why don't I tell you about that task, and you can choose which option sounds better to you?"

"Why not," Jo'navir shrugged.

"Alright then," Farkas said. "We received a bounty on a Hagraven loitering around the outskirts of Whiterun. It's been snatching away the livestock there, starving the people of their resources. So, the farmers began hiring some of us as guards to stand watch.

"Hmph," Farkas grunted. "I guess the actual guards of this city have had their hands full with all that dragon business as of late. But I told them we could handle it. We'd be guarding Pelegia Farm, the place where I fought that giant not too long ago."

"That's doesn't sound too bad," Jo'navir responded.

"Hagraven's are nothing to laugh at," Farkas frowned. "But either way, I want to make sure your sword is strong enough for the challenge. You can join me on the night shift if you're up for it. And while we're waiting, I know someone who could help you work on your one-handed weapon skills if you're interested in that too."

Jo'navir rubbed between his eyebrows as he thought on his decision. He knew waiting another night would mean Dexpa would be out there by himself doing the same. But Jo'navir needed this coin to take him to Winterhold. It didn't seem like Dexpa was anywhere nearby anyways.

"Okay," Jo'navir agreed. "One mission, then tomorrow, I leave for Winterhold."

"That works for me," Farkas added. "I'll take you to meet Athis, our one-handed specialist. He'll be able to teach you a lot more about it than any of us could." Farkas showed Jo'navir and his wolf to the courtyard just outside.