(21) - Dustman's Cairn - Journal entry -

Fredas 4th of Hearthfire 4E201

The sun had already been setting when Farkas and I entered Dustman's Cairn. We came into a large room, immediately noticing a dug corridor through a breached wall. After looting a chest we continued through the corridor, and soon we had to slay 3 impressively strong draugr. It was a good thing there were two of us. The corridors were pretty narrow, so Farkas would lead the attack, while I backed him up with my bow.

After passing a wooden door, and traveling through caverns we entered a large cave with two iron gates. One gate was open, leading to a small room, while a gate to another corridor was closed. After having scavenged the room, I found a lever in the small room. I thought it might open the other gate, and there was only one way to find out. When I pulled the lever the closed gate did indeed open, but at the same time the other gate closed, locking me into the room, with Fargas still in the large cavern.

A large cave with two iron gates

Just when Farkas ironically told me how smart I had been, 5 people came rushing in, surrounding Fargas with weapons drawn. I was sure I was about to witness Fargas' death, when the most amazing thing happened. Before my very eyes, Fargas changed shape... into a large standing wolf like creature. I had just witnessed Fargas changing into a werewolf! With brute animal force his claws ripped the 5 attackers apart, while I watched helpless from behind the iron bar gate. As soon as it was over Fargas, or whatever it was, walked out of sight and shortly after I heard a mechanical rumble, and the gate closing me in opened.

When Fargas came walking back he was back in his human form. Even though I was glad to be alive, I didn't know how to feel, I felt exited and disgusted at the same time. Fargas explained he was indeed a werewolf, and some but not all Companions were werewolves too. When I asked they expected me to become a werewolf too he answered; "not until you join the inner circle." He also explained the men and women he slaughtered were members of the Silver Hand, people who were actively hunting werewolves.

I had little choice but to follow Farkas further in, as we soon were attacked by more Silver Hand members, and I must say especially the heavy armor wearing warriors of the Silver Hand were very tough to fight. I often had to resort to letting Farkas fight up close while I supported with my bow, then apply one or the other poison to my axe to come in for the finishing blows, often finding Farkas at the end of his strength.
Often we had to rest, eat and revert to potions before being able to continue, and as corridors and rooms followed one after another, we managed to slay 4 more Silver Hand members, as well as a few draugr.

In some alcove filled rooms I managed to kill all draugrs in their niche with my bow before they awoke. I also found and looted several chests on the way. More rooms followed, and a lot more Silver Hand members. It seemed like especially their warriors increased in strength as we progressed, and some we only managed to kill by using potions of paralysis and frostbite venom.

 Eventually we reached some shiny metal doors, according to Farkas leading to Dustman's Crypt. Before proceeding I shared some fruit with Farkas, and he ate it as eagerly as I did. After killing one more Silver Hand we reached a caged walkway crossing over a large room. I snuck across with my bow ready, and managed to injure some Silver Hand members below without them discovering they were getting shot from above. We both stealthily proceeded, and I managed to kill a few more draugr in their sleep before finishing off the 3 Silver hand members I had injured shortly before.

A caged walkway

We entered the large room with the walkway , from below now, and stumbled upon a locked door, with a lock so intricate I wasn't able to pick it with my limited skills. After a thorough search of the room I was lucky to find the key, as well as some additional loot. We pressed on through this time more natural caverns, where the skeevers attacking us were no more then a minor nuisance compared to the Silver Hand we had been fighting along the way.

After more caverns, some filled with frostbite spiders, others guarded by draugr we reached another shiny metal door. Behind it we could hear low echo's of chanting, and we both decided on another break, catching our breath and having some venison roast before continuing. I looked into Fargas' eyes, and I guess he could see the fear and confusion in mine, as he again tried to explain that not all members of the Companions were werewolves, just the select inner circle. However I had already made my decision. If we would exit this dungeon alive, this would be my last mission for the companions.

A corridor lined with sarcofaguses

Once we had passed the iron door we entered a corridor, lined with several upright sarcofaguses. In the distance a room opened up, with a for me familiar sight; another dragon word wall. After going through chests and urns, I approached the wall. A word lit up and filled me with energy as I learned it; "YOL".
The shout energized immediately with the soul of the dragon I had killed the day before. Which was a good thing, because as soon as I turned around, one after the other lid fell of the lines of sarcofaguses, and Farkus and me soon found ourselves fighting over 15 draugr. I used my shout immediately, resulting in a large blast of fire, and soon one after the other draugr fell to the ground, their dried flesh ablaze.

Dragon word wall

After killing the last draugr, we found one of the sarcofaguses led to a hidden corridor, and after pulling a lever on a wall a rock moved, and we found ourselves near the entrance again. When we emerged into Skyrim's fresh air again, it was already well past noon. Silently we walked back along the path towards Whiterun. Tired, beaten up, and especially me, overloaded with loot. We passed a fortress that I had only seen from afar earlier when we met a farmer, leading on a painted cow. He explained he was going to bring it to the giants as an offering, in order to keep the rest of his herd safe. He kind of let slip something about not minding an escort to the giant's camp, but I was in no shape to do so, so I sent him on his way.

After returning to Whiterun, Vilkas was awaiting us at Jorrvaskr, leading me to a sort of inauguration ceremony in my honor. I just let them be, not informing them about my plans not to pursue my career at the Companions. Killing for gold is one thing, but turning into a werewolf, no thank you. After the ceremony they sent me off to Eorlund, to collect a weapon as a reward. First I quickly slipped inside Jorrvaskr to collect my journal, then I went to the skyforge. The steel war axe was a display of perfection, but not really capable of a lot more damage then the Ancient Nord war axe of cold I already was using.

The Companions ceremony

I thanked Eolund, though I think he noticed my disappointment. Let's hope he mistook it with me being too fatigued to be enthusiastic about his smithing. I went to the shops, and sold off the most heavy loot at Belethor's. I couldn't find Lydia at the inn, but Hulda told me she had returned to Dragonsreach as I had been gone without a word for two days. I fetched Lydia there, then went back to the inn and paid for a room. There's no way I'll spend another night at the Companions. Their secret is safe with me, as I have no desire to be hunted down by werewolves, but I don't want to risk ever suffering from the same affliction.
Looks like I'll be looking for a new job tomorrow...