Chapter Text
Like every member of the Merchant's Guild before her, Ileana Hawkwing was raised with stories of werewolves, and the dangers they posed to the caravans. She learned early to call upon Stendarr for his blessings over the caravans, or more secretively, to call upon the Daedric Prince Hircine himself to steer his wolves far from their wagons. It worked. Sometimes.
She saw her first transformed werewolf at sixteen when two ambushed their caravan at dusk. The pair moved in sync, their focus on one of her family's new guardsmen, Nivos. She'd watched as they'd dragged him screaming away from the road, feeling sick to her stomach, her martial lessons fleeing her mind, her magic still in her veins, her feet frozen to the ground. Her father had armed himself with a silver sword from his private wares, stalking toward the pair when Nivos got free of them and turned into a cloud of bats, tearing away from the caravan, the werewolves in hot pursuit.
Just as she knew the stories of werewolves. So, too, did she know the stories of vampires.
Her father had cursed, sheathing his blade, urging the group to move faster toward Camlorn, his hand rarely straying from his sword hilt over the next six days.
The werewolves didn't return. Nor did Nivos.
But it wasn't until Ileana managed to eavesdrop on her mother screaming at Lady Greening, the woman in charge of vetting new caravan guards, that she learned just how easy it was for both werewolves and vampires to infiltrate 'normal' society.
Naturally, she ran for the weavers shops, luring her best friend Alice out of her parents shop with promise of gossip and boiled creme treats.
"What was Nivos like?" Alice asked, laying back on a stone wall, shading her face with a wide-brimmed hat, the streaks of blonde in her long brown hair showing it was a common habit. "They say vampires are all pale with red eyes."
"Obviously not or we'd never have hired him," Ileana retorted, her own brown hair soaking up the sun, darker than Alice's and lacking the streaks. "He was average height, dark brown eyes from what I recall, and he kept his hair trimmed so it'd fit under a helmet."
"So, you had no idea he was a vampire at all?"
She shook her head, hopping onto the wall herself, picking at her treat. "He did always volunteer to take the middle of the night watches. But as far as I know he didn't drink from anyone." She wrinkled her nose, "I hope he didn't anyway."
"Was he charming?"
"Very. But mama always told me to steer clear of the guards. Says they're not to be trusted in regards to romance."
"That makes sense," Alice said, "considering how many romance books talk about merchants and nobles falling in love with lowly guards or bodyguards." Levering herself up on an elbow, she grinned at Ileana. "That's probably what makes your mother worry."
She snorted. "You know I don't care about romance. I like those books though. Anything new come in while I was gone?"
"Mm, I haven't checked. I've been busy at the shop since my pa says I'm almost old enough to take over."
Drawing a leg up onto the wall, she frowned, opening her mouth to respond when a shout rang out.
"Ileana!"
"Oh damn, they found me."
"You're awful," Alice laughed, swatting her with her hat as she sat up, shading her eyes with her hand, a flush darkening her cheeks. "And your language is inappropriate."
Ignoring her comment, she watched Theo approach, sunlight glinting off his spectacles. Glancing at Alice, she found her toying with the ends of her hair, hat forgotten on the wall. "You know he's going to realize you've got a crush on him if you keep blushing like that," she said, smirking when she smacked her arm and hopped down from the wall to walk toward him.
"Is it just you?" Ileana asked, jumping down herself and sauntering over to her older brother.
"So far," he said, brushing his dark hair out of his face. "Did you hear about Nivos?"
"I heard mama yelling at Lady Greening about him."
"I think half the city did," he said dryly.
"So, what did you hear?" she demanded. "Or are you going to hold that info over my head?"
"Hmm, there's an idea. What is the information worth to you?" he asked, grinning when she glared at him.
"I'd like to know," Alice piped up, tilting her head.
He sighed, reaching out to tug a lock of her hair. "I'm outnumbered. Fine. But only because you're not as annoying as my sister."
"You're so rude," Ileana complained.
He waved his hand lightly, brushing her off. "So, I may have overheard our parents discussing this." He lowered his voice. "This cannot go any further than you two, do you understand?"
"Got it," Ileana promised, Alice nodding, eyes wide.
"Nivos enthralled the man who gave him his referral. From what father found out, about six days ago, that man suddenly jumped out of his chair and ran out of the tavern yelling for his master. He hasn't been seen by anyone since that night. And there's been no sign of Nivos either. Personally, I think the werewolves caught up to him."
"Do you think the werewolves were hunting him specifically?" Ileana asked.
"I think so. Otherwise, how did they know what he looked like?"
She laughed. "They could probably smell what he was, Theo."
"That's true," he agreed, moving to drape his arm over her shoulders. "Did you tell Alice you were so scared you forgot you were wearing a sword?"
Wrinkling her nose, she slipped out of his hold. "I didn't see you drawing steel or silver on them like papa did," she countered.
"True. I should have been quicker. But that's part of why I came to find you. Our parents were discussing sending the four of us to special training. Seems they were worried that we could have been killed because we froze instead of running or fighting."
"Even Karic froze?" Alice asked. "Hasn't he always said he's not afraid of anything?"
"Apparently he lied," he responded, a smirk playing about his mouth.
"Never going to let him live that down," Ileana said, matching Theo's expression.
"Do you want to go to special training?" Alice wondered.
"Could be fun," Theo said, "depending on what it entails."
"Maybe they'll teach us battle magic," Ileana suggested. "That would be a nice change from only learning enough to keep us from burning out to our gifts."
"Could be why they were arguing about it," he agreed, "you know they're not in agreement on how useful battle magic is."
"I hope you won't be gone too long," Alice said morosely, moving to lean against Ileana. "I'll miss you."
"Who says we'll have to go anywhere?" she asked.
"Why else would they be arguing about it?"
"She makes a good point," Theo agreed.
"Then I'll write you once a week," Ileana promised. "Until the day we get to come home again."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Have you told Karic or Sorais yet?" Ileana asked.
"Didn't have to. I spotted Karic lurking on the roof as I left, and Sorais was hiding in the bushes where I'd first planned to hide myself."
Alice shook her head, making a disparaging noise in her throat. "Sometimes I think you four wish you were thieves instead of honest merchant folk."
"Ah but if you think like a thief then it's harder for them to steal your merchandise," Theo said, grinning at her when she rolled her eyes.
"Thanks for the heads up, Theo," Ileana said, moving back toward the wall.
"Ah, that's not the whole reason I came out here," he said. "I bolted when mother said she was going to send Edrien to track us down. I figured I'd save him some time since I know where you like to go."
Groaning under her breath, she moved to his side. "Fine. I'll see you later, Alice."
"So, who eavesdropped, and who heard from a sibling?" Remius asked, sitting on his wife's desk, leaning down to kiss her hair when she glared at him.
Ileana's brothers shuffled their feet, looking appropriately embarrassed.
"Did you see any of them?" Ileana asked curiously. "Or did you just guess they were there?"
"What an odd question," Claudine said. "Why ever would that matter?"
She laughed, giving her mother an unrepentant look. "Because if it's the former, then they need to work on their hiding skills. If it's the latter, then they need to switch up their habits some."
"You've been listening to Edrien again," Remius said, shaking his head. "He's a brilliant man, and he's been an irreplaceable asset to our family. But some of his habits are not proper for people of your station to mimic."
"I told Ileana," Theo said. "I thought she'd like a heads up since we all heard it first hand. And since I know where she goes, thought I'd save Edrien the hassle of tracking her down."
"So, you all know we were discussing specialized lessons," Claudine said, glancing at Remius. "You scared your father half to death out there. And I would have been just as frightened to see it. Why in Oblivion didn't any of you run?"
"I'd never seen a werewolf before," Theo said. "After the shock wore off, I was more curious than scared. Primarily because their focus was definitely Nivos."
"Yes, well. As you heard, we have been discussing specialized training. And we've decided that you'll all four go to Evermore."
"Evermore!?" Karic yelped. "That's so far away though! How will I continue my training with the bookkeepers? How will any of us memorize all the routes properly?"
"It's also the headquarters of that chapter of the Fighter's Guild that focuses on fighting monsters," Theo said thoughtfully, giving their parents an appraising look. "That's not coincidence, is it?"
"It is not," Remius said. "Normally they wouldn't accept anyone under the age of twenty, but it's run by Edrien's sister, and he promised he could get the four of you in. As long as we accepted that he would be going with you."
"Normally we would hate to send you that far," Claudine said. "And losing Edrien from our guard at the same time is going to be difficult to work around. But we need to know you'll be safe. And this is the best way we could think of."
"What about Alice?" Ileana asked.
"I'm sorry but you'll have to subsist on letter for some time," she said. "I know it will be difficult but it's how it has to be."
"How long will we be gone?" Sorais asked.
"We can't answer that," Remius said. "The only one who can is whoever gets put in charge of your training."
"Evermore," Alice said softly, tearing strips out of her cheese, fiddling with each strand before eating them. "You'll at least get to come home for the Holidays, right?"
"I don't know," Ileana groaned, passing her the bottle of wine she'd nicked from the pantry, looking around the small shop, tracing her eyes over every corner she could see from her vantage point on top of the main counter. "And with you taking over the shop after your birthday..."
"Not taking over," she countered. "Practicing for it. I won't be spending that many days in charge. My parents aren't that old yet."
Leaning on her shoulder, Ileana sighed. "Maybe it'll only be a year or two. Then we'll come home."
"Maybe. Guess it depends on what this 'specialized training' looks like," she muttered, passing the wine back. "You promise you'll write?"
"I promise."
It was a morose party of five that left Camlorn the next morning.
Edrien chivvied them carefully away from home, the only one of their group not nursing a hangover, their parents watching them leave from the doorway, Claudine leaning on Remius' shoulder, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
Sorais pulled his mount, Coal, to ride next to Ileana's Ivy, reaching out to offer her a small glittering bottle. "It'll make you feel better," he promised, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth.
"What were you three doing?" she wondered, looking down at the potion in her hand.
"Split a couple bottles of wine with the folk we'll miss." He shrugged. "I guessed that you and Alice were doing the same thing."
"We were," she said, sighing and knotting her reins so they wouldn't slip, tugging the cork from the bottle. "I didn't expect father to be that concerned after what happened," she said, downing the potion, grimacing at the taste, feeling it ease her headache. "You made this," she said, passing the empty vial back.
"I did. And I agree. We weren't in any real danger with the guards on hand. Don't see why he reacted so strongly."
"Sorais," Edrien called. "Come ride with me. I need to ask you a few things."
Brows furrowing, he nudged his horse faster, leaving Ileana to ride alone.
Silently, she dropped Ivy to meander behind Theo and Karic as well, watching them ride ahead. Of her brothers, Sorais had the easiest seat on his horse. Earned by spending hours on end taking Coal out to collect plants with anyone from the alchemists shops who'd ride with him; or gathering plants based on expert description. All in exchange for lessons on brewing his own potions, his skills with alchemy far outstripping everyone else in their household.
The only member of their family with blue eyes, he'd weathered more than one parentage joke over the years. It didn't help that his plant gathering had bleached his short cut hair a near permanent light brown, or that he rarely went a season without tanned skin on his face and arms. Already he had a knot in his nose from a brawl he'd started when he'd overheard a small cluster of guardsmen taking bets on when his father would realize his wife was obviously deceiving him.
Idly, Ileana wondered if the jokes would continue with Evermore, or if the people there would even care what they got up to.
Karic, in contrast, was such an exact replica of their father that it almost hurt to look at him this morning. Long dark brown hair tied in a braid, dark brown eyes that saw too much, and freckles that multiplied every spring and summer. He was built like their father too, the broadest of the triplets from his obsession with studying heavier two-handed swords over the light blades that most merchants preferred. A habit their father had strongly encouraged, as he preferred two-handed swords himself.
Theo slowed his horse Bloodmoon until he walked alongside Ivy, turning brown eyes on her with a lifted brow. His hair hung loose around his shoulders, a habit that irritated Edrien to no end for the risk it presented in combat. When they'd been younger, he'd privately confessed to Ileana that most ties gave him headaches. She'd promptly informed their mother, and she'd had a set of spectacles designed for him on their healer's orders. But the habit had proved to be a hard one to break, and Ileana wordlessly rooted about in her nearest saddlebag, extracting a ribbon, passing it over to him, gesturing toward his hair.
"Thanks," he muttered, pulling it back and tying it up. "What's got Edrien in conference with Sorais?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I know Sorais knows this part of the road better than any of us. Maybe he's just asking what the conditions are likely to be right now?"
"That's possible," he agreed, pushing his spectacles up, reaching into his nearest saddlebag.
"Did you seriously pack a book?" she demanded, trying not to grin too widely.
"Do you really have to ask?" he returned, lifting it close to his face, his hand loose on his reins.
"Edrien is going to have a fit," she warned, shaking her head and dropping back again, watching the landscape change as they road from the outskirts of the city to the open road.
"Ileana, to your left!"
Edrien's voice was just enough to startle her into sidestepping, a sword edge cutting through the fabric of her cloak, tearing a long line up her shirt.
Hissing through her teeth, she lunged forward with her sword, repulsed when it sank into the bandit's chest, his scream and the spurt of blood sickening her even as she pulled back and cast oakflesh.
Screaming still, he ran, falling into the snow a few paces away, lying still.
Looking around, she found that the rest of the bandits were dead or fled, Theo moving to her side, hand glowing with a healing spell.
She shook her head. "I'm alright. Just got my favorite shirt," she grumbled, poking it, pointedly not looking at the dead man. "Look at this! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get fabric like this? And that was in Camlorn? What is Evermore going to have?"
"Be glad it was your shirt and not your arm," Edrien said briskly, looking her over. "Aim a little more to the right next time for a clean kill."
Repulsed, she stomped away, reaching for Ivy's reins. "How did you even know they were so close anyway?" she demanded, swinging into the saddle.
"I was paying attention," he responded, scowling up at her.
"Good for you."
"Are you done?" he demanded.
Glowering down at him, she turned Ivy back along the road. "How much further do we have to go today?"
"I'll take that as a no," he grumbled, mounting his horse, directing her brothers to do the same.
She stewed as they rode, glaring at the snow that crunched under Ivy's hooves, forcing herself not to dwell on the man she'd killed, hunching her shoulders, tugging her cloak tighter around her neck, scowling when cold air pierced through it, the cut bit flapping in the light breeze. "Stupid Evermore," she grumbled. "Why does it have to be so cold here, anyway?"
"Well, it's pretty simple," Theo started. "You see."
"I don't care," she snapped, glaring at him.
Scowling, he pointedly turned his gaze away from her.
"Was that necessary?" Karic asked gently.
"Oh, shut up," she grumbled. "He's already explained the geography seventeen times. And you were the one complaining about it this morning, or have you forgotten?"
"Enough," Edrien barked. "From all of you! Honestly."
"Hey, I didn't say anything," Sorais said. "Why are you lumping me in with them?"
"You know you would the second you saw an opening. I know you four are tired of traveling. I know you're not used to pressing this hard. But for the love of Hir... Julianos, shut up."
Sulkily, Ileana fell silent, poking at the hole in her shirt, letting herself stew over it as they rode, forcing herself to think of anything except death.
"Well, here we are," Edrien said, the relief in his voice palpable. "Told you it wouldn't take too much longer."
Without responding, Ileana dismounted from Ivy, leaning against her to let the feeling return to her legs. It had taken three more days after the skirmish to reach their destination, and her thighs ached from spending an equal amount of time in and out of the saddle, Edrien insisting on their walking for spells each day to give their mounts a break from the snow. Sourly, she glanced at her brothers, glowering when Karic looked her way.
"Still sore?" he asked, moving closer to her, giving her a sympathetic smile.
"How come you're hurting the least?" she demanded, feeling petulant.
"Blame it on my gear," he suggested, rapping the thick leather and plate armor he'd taken to wearing daily.
"Should've begged our parents for some armor then," she muttered, taking as deep a breath as she could manage, trying to let go the agitation of the journey, pushing the face of the bandit to the back of her mind once again, turning to look at the Guild Hall.
It was two stories, built of a light brown wood that hadn't seen a lick of whitewash or paint in what Ileana guessed was decades, the windows propped open by sticks, a thin layer of snow on the edges souring her hopes for a comfortable habitation.
And standing on the steps, watching them with the same keen eyed gaze Edrien sported, was an Orc woman in heavy steel armor, her arms crossed over her chest, a sneer on her face.
"Edrien. You promised me fighters. You brought mangy pups."
"Akgruhl! You would not believe how impossible it is to shepherd four siblings cross-country without them getting at each other's throats."
She tilted her head, four braids sliding to the side. "Do I need to remind you of our trip from Kvatch to Taneth?"
"Please don't," he said, reaching a hand up to rest on the back of his neck, his skin darkening some with a flush. "Let me introduce you to the Hawkwing's. In order, from oldest to youngest, we have Sorais, Theo, Karic, and Ileana."
"Have they had any training?"
"Some! I haven't shirked my duties that badly."
"Hmmm." Stepping off the porch, she approached them, roving her gaze over each of them. "Have any of you ever killed before?" she demanded.
"They all have," Edrien responded.
Ileana glanced to the side, Karic making a soft noise.
"What is it?" Akgruhl demanded, turning on him.
"I just realized something is all," he responded.
"Well, spit it out!"
"There was a skirmish three days ago. And that's the first time Ileana's ever killed anyone."
"And how did you deal with it?" she asked, turning her gaze on her.
"I'm trying not to think about it," she muttered, looking toward Ivy. "Where can we settle the horses?"
"Edrien," Akgruhl growled.
"She's fine. She was complaining about ripping a hole in her shirt."
Audibly grinding her teeth, she rested a firm hand on Ileana's shoulder. "Good to think of your mounts before your own comfort. Are they solid beasts?"
"I think so," Ileana said, trying to decide if the metal encased hand was comforting or not.
"Good." Reaching her free hand out, she offered it to Ivy, eying her critically as she sniffed at her palm. "Edrien. Any trouble with them? Two nights ago, specifically?"
"Sorais' horse got a bit aggressive but settled after a few moments. Other than that, not even an ear flick."
"Good."
Two nights ago Secunda was full. Was there trouble nearby? Or... werewolves? I don't remember hearing any howling.
Releasing her shoulder, Akgruhl crossed her arms, scrutinizing Ileana closely. "How old are you?"
"I turned seventeen two weeks ago," she responded. A day that normally would have been spent with Alice and our friends. With feasting and a dance. Instead of a little cake that Edrien and Sorais cobbled together out of camp supplies. She grimaced, burying her feelings of resentment.
"Don't do that," she ordered. "What we hunt preys on people who hide what they feel. Who make themselves vulnerable by burying their true emotions."
"How does hiding weaker emotions make you vulnerable?" Karic demanded, moving in closer.
"Simple," a new voice called, a hooded and armored Khajiit rising in a crouch above them, leaping off the roof, catching herself on tree branches before the leaping the rest of the way to the ground. Her eyes glowed dark red in her hood, and Ileana took an involuntary step back, Ivy snorting her displeasure.
"How is it simple?" Karic asked, shifting his weight uneasily.
"It makes you more susceptible to persuasive magic, or can, depending on your willpower," Edrien said. "Dra'ri, did you and Akgruhl plan this? Trying to terrify the wits out of my wards in some sort of game?"
She cackled, prowling to the side. "You've grown soft five-claw," she said. "You should recall this is how we greeted you and Akgruhl your first day here."
"Yes, but I was twenty-five, and Akgruhl was twenty-one."
"Either they can handle the pressure, or they prove they're too young," Akgruhl snapped.
"You're a vampire," Theo said, moving to stand next to Edrien. "Why are you part of a monster hunting guild?"
Dra'ri cackled again, light glowing around her hand a moment, the red shine to her eyes fading, leaving slightly reflective yellow eyes in their place.
"Do all vampires excel in Illusion?" Karic demanded. "Nivos hid his appearance too."
"Nivos?" Dra'ri asked, tilting her head.
"The catalysing incident," Edrien explained. "A vampire infiltrated the caravan guard."
"How did they escape your notice?" she hissed, moving in close to him. "Has guarding soft merchants made you weak?"
He glared at her. "Hah! You wish." He turned toward Theo. "Vampires can use Illusion or Alteration to trick other senses. It's good to learn quickly when to trust your gut." Turning his gaze back to Dra'ri, he scowled. "And I was outvoted. Who do you think warned the guild about him?"
Ileana blinked. Warned the guild? Is he saying?
"And these four all froze instead of running when they saw their first shifted werewolves," he continued. "It's why their parents thought this was the best option to ensure they learn to never do that again."
Theo caught her eye and shook his head slightly.
I'm not the only one thinking it. What kind of guild could contain werewolves and vampires? What else are they hiding?
"This way young ones," Dra'ri said. "There is a barn for your mounts. Decent pasture for warmer months."
Edrien nodded when they hesitated, and they followed her, Ileana watching her warily.
"Do not focus so much on me that you forget your surroundings," she warned, turning to walk backward. "We have passed three places where an opponent could attack from. With your focus on me, you'd all have been dead thrice over."
"Do you think father knew?" Sorais whispered as they clumped up to set their tack in a small side room.
"Edrien's talking like he does," Ileana responded. "And if he was trying to trick him...,"
"There are hundreds of places between here and Camlorn to vanish all four of us," Theo agreed.
"We've known, and trusted him for the last five years," Karic said. "I vote we stick around. See what's going on."
"Agreed," Sorais said, nodding firmly.
"I admit, I'm very curious to see what we could learn," Theo added. "Ileana?"
"Alright. But we only trust Edrien at first. Until we know we can trust the rest. Deal?"
"Deal," Karic agreed, putting his hand out in front of him, Theo, Sorais and Ileana resting their hands on his. "And we look out for each other. No matter what else happens."
"Play to our strengths," Theo agreed. "We'll make this work."
Before they could separate, Karic caught Ileana up in a hug. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I should have remembered you'd never killed anyone before," he said. "I thought it was just the traveling getting to you like it was to us. I thought you were extra snippy because you were tired."
"When did you three kill anyone before?" she demanded.
"Last year," Sorais said. "Bandit company attacked us. There were too many of them for the guard to pick off before they reached us. I'm not sure if we all actually killed someone. But there was death a plenty that it didn't really matter."
"It does get easier," Theo said. "To forget about it. And I'm sorry too. Let us know if you want to talk about it once we get settled tonight."
"Alright," she agreed, a knot easing in her shoulders. "Sorry I got so snippy with you all."
"It's alright. We understand," Karic promised. "Come on. Let's get out there before they assume we can't take care of horses properly or something equally ridiculous."
Pulling apart, they slipped outside, Ileana noting Dra'ri was standing suspiciously casually against a tree. She listened to us. She's acting too casual.
She caught Ileana's gaze and nodded slightly, beckoning her closer.
And she knows I know. What exactly are we supposed to learn here? Slowly, she approached her, her brothers hovering behind them.
"Remember that you fought bandits," she hissed softly. "They would have killed you."
"I know."
"Yes. But imprint it on your mind. Every time you feel upset, or sorry. Remember. It was his life. Or yours."
"Does it get easier?"
"Sadly. Yes."
"Sadly?"
She gave her a crooked smile. "Stay with us and one day you will understand." Pulling away from the tree, she stretched. "Come along young ones, this one will help to get you settled so you can rest up before your first day of training."
"We're not going to start right away?" Theo asked.
"No. Three days. To recover. And then the training begins."