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A flurry of papers and books fell from the shelf. A small plume of dust lifted in the air as they hit the floor. Sifkni waved the dust from her face and coughed. Farkas poked his head out of their bedroom. "Everything alright?" He asked as he stepped out. Concern spread across his face.
Sifkni coughed again and shook her head. Her brows knitted together as she threw open the drawers of her desk and rummaged through them. A soft sigh left her lips as she sat down in her chair and leaned on the desk. She cursed as her knee rammed the corner of the drawer. "Fuck!" Pain seared through the joint and throbbed. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
Farkas walked over and knelt next to her. He raised up her shift and looked at the blossoming bruise forming on her knee. A grimace spread across his face. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find Kodlak's journal. The older one. From before I joined." She moved away from Farkas, hobbling on one leg as she paced. "I had it before we took that job."
"Have you asked Skjor?"
Sifkni shook her head. "He left for a job while we were gone." She stopped walking and lifted the skirt to her shift. She sighed at the swollen joint. "I kept them in the back of the drawer."
Farkas sat down and rummaged through the top drawer, pulling all the loose papers and bound journals and placing them on top of the desk. Farkas leaned close and inhaled. "I can barely smell his scent anymore…." Farkas trailed off. He opened a second drawer. The contents sat in an orderly fashion. He hummed. "Maybe Vilkas…."
Sifkni limped over and narrowed her eyes at the organized objects. She threw open the final drawer. A pristine, clean, and organized drawer sat before her. "Divines! Vilkas!" She yelled as she limped through the doorway and hobbled to Vilkas' room. She threw his door open and glared at her brother as he sat at his table, a book open in his lap.
"Sif! Wait!" Farkas ran up behind her and grabbed her, pulling her away from the doorway. "What's gotten you so worked up?" He whispered as he picked her up and carried her to the other hall.
"My desk! It's an absolute mess!"
Farkas' brows furrowed together. "A mess? It…."
"He touched it and moved stuff around!" She pointed back to Vilkas' room. "I…." Sifkni crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. "My stuff has been moved."
"You asked him to help."
"With the paperwork! Not to make a mess of my things!"
"Sif. It's not a mess in there. It's anything but—"
"It is a mess if I cannot find the things I am looking for." She pushed against Farkas, who let her go. He kept a gentle grip on the skirt of her shift.
"Why don't you go outside?" Farkas hummed. "I can talk with Vilkas."
Sifkni narrowed her eyes at him and then jerked away from him. "Hmph! Fine! You talk to him!" She made it halfway down the hall before leaning against the wall and massaging her knee. After a few seconds of resting and worrying glances from the common room, she continued slowly up the stairs and outside. She sat on the cold stone stairs that led down into the city. She leaned against her knees and watched as the night came to life. Guards walked their usual routes. The Gildergreen swayed in the winter breeze. It's empty branches creaking against one another. She inhaled deeply and looked up at the sparkling night sky. Low clouds clung in the distance around the mountains. She smelled moisture in the air. The distant flash of lightning sent a shiver down her spine.
"Might want to come inside."
Sifkni looked at Farkas and then she looked back at the Gildergreen. "It's only a storm."
Farkas sat down next to her and grabbed her hand. He messed with the ring on her finger. "Vil put Kodlak's journal in the chest in our room for safer keeping. He's sorry."
Sifkni squeezed his hand. "I've told him not to rearrange our belongings before." She whispered and then sighed loudly. "I know it shouldn't be a big deal…. And I am grateful for his help. His organizational skills are second to Tilma…." She trailed off. Another sigh left her mouth.
"It's alright."
"It shouldn't…." She stood and moved away.
Farkas followed after her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. "Really, Sif. It's fine. Vilkas understands. I think a lot of people would understand. Even if he didn't make an actual mess, your stuff was moved around." He brushed his fingers through her hair. "Come on. Let's get back inside. Does your leg still hurt?"
Sifkni grumbled. "Aye…. It hurts."
Farkas chuckled as he lifted her up. "I'll carry you." He pushed the door open with his foot and sat her down on the bench by the large hearth fire. The bench groaned as he sat down next to her. "I'll take you down shortly. Let's relax here for a moment. Warm up."
"Aye…." Sifkni rested her head against his arm, grabbing his hand and messing with his ring. She interlocked their fingers. Both of them sat in silence for a while. Only the occasional crackle from the fire filled the air. She sighed softly and yawned. "Sorry…."
Farkas hummed. "It's alright." He stood and helped her to her feet. "What did you need Kodlak's journal for?"
"Wanted to see what werewolf packs he knew." She shrugged.
"Gonna join one?" Farkas laughed.
"Maybe…. Only if you come with me." She smiled softly.