"Ylva," a hushed voice said. A hand rested on my shoulder and shook me lightly.

I sat up, massaging the crick in my neck. Sleeping against a bed instead of on it wasn't such a good idea. I blinked a couple times, then looked up at Aela's face. "What is it? Something wrong?" I looked at Vilkas. He was still asleep, face calm and breathing steady.

"No, nothing's wrong," Aela said, crouching in front of me. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I'm fine. I wasn't wounded. Vilkas..."

"Yes, I know. Farkas told me what happened. You and Vilkas were both very courageous."

My cheeks flushed. "I did what I had to. Vilkas was the hero."

"Ylva, if you're going to be our Harbinger, you have to stop deflecting attention from yourself. Or you'll have to get used to being noticed. You've lived under everyone's noses for nearly two years, but that's going to change. Word's already spread about your promotion to Harbinger. Not to mention that everyone in the city is talking about the Dragonborn walking among us—"

"What?!" I shot to my feet. "What did you say?"

"You didn't know? News of the Dragonborn is swarming all through Whiterun."

"No. It can't be. Did you tell?" My fists clenched at my sides. "Did you?!"

"Harbinger, I would never betray you like that." Aela looked and sounded hurt, but I didn't care.

"Did Farkas? Did that idiot have one too many drinks and—"

"Ylva, calm down!" Aela seized my shoulders. "The Companions haven't said a word. I don't know how the rumors were started, but they're swarming. That's what I know."

I yanked out of her grasp and started pacing. Even after nearly two years, I didn't want my secret to be out. I would be the next Talos. These people would see me as a goddess walking among them. I didn't want to be revered. I didn't want people to look at me and fall at my feet. I didn't want people all over Skyrim fawning over me. I just wanted to live a somewhat simple life. Not... this.

"Who could've started the rumors? It doesn't make sense. Those who knew, the Jarl, the court wizard, and a small handful of others all swore on the gods' names that they would never tell. The members of the Circle know, but you say you haven't told."

"I can't help you, Ylva. All I know is Farkas and I didn't say anything."

I stopped my pacing and rubbed my chin. Then, a horrible realization dawned on me. "When we were fighting the bandits, I used my Thu'um. The carriage driver saw it. He had to be the one who told." I clenched my teeth. "I'm sure he told anyone he saw that he carted the Dragonborn around. Stupid braggart. I'll have his hide."

"Ylva, killing him isn't going to change things."

"No? Do you have any idea what this will mean for me? Any idea at all? Aela, anyone I meet now is going to beg me to bless them as if I were a goddess. They're going to ask for my help everywhere I go. I'll never have a moment of peace. Ever."

"Within Jorrvaskr, you will." She squared her shoulders. "I promise you, Ylva. The Companions will still treat you as an equal, and not as the Dragonborn. You'll have your peace in those halls."

I heaved a sigh. "Thank you, Aela." Then I pulled a mirthless smile. "I may never be able to find quiet outside of Jorrvaskr, but at least I have a safe place to call home."

Before we could say anything else, in stomped Farkas, dragging the idiot carriage driver by the collar of his patched tunic. With a heavy grunt, my Shield-Brother threw the driver at my feet, then crossed his muscled arms over his chest. "Found him bragging about carting the Dragonborn around." He glared at the driver. "Tell her what you've done."

The driver shook a little, but then he got to his feet and stood a few paces in front of me. "It's true. But you have to believe me, Dragonborn! I couldn't just keep my mouth shut about somethin' like that! Just think about what that would mean for my wagon business! Everyone from Solitude to Riften would want to take my cart, the very cart the Dragonborn took on two of her quests."

I huffed and crossed my arms. "Do I look like I care, you braggart? Because of you, my whole life has been changed, and not for the better. I'm already a huge public figure, with me being Harbinger of the esteemed Companions. But now? I'm not just the most respected advisor in Whiterun, I'm the savior of Skyrim. Do you have any idea how hard I worked to stay hidden? And all because of your slack jaw, the citizens will think I'm a goddess among mortals." I grabbed him by the front of his tunic, getting in his face. His breath smelled like mead and stale bread. Not a good combination. "If you value your tongue, I would recommend you stop talking about the Dragonborn. For your own good, you'll forget about my face, my name, everything. Perhaps this rumor can be stopped before it spreads beyond Whiterun."

"Ya know, I could be persuaded to forget about your face. Gold has a way of makin' men forget things."

"I have a better idea." I whipped out my dagger and pressed it to his throat. "Because I respect Danica and her work for Kynareth, I won't kill you here. But the door is only a few feet away. And I have no problem slitting your throat outside. Have I made myself clear?"

The driver shuddered. "Perfectly, Miss Dragonborn—I mean Harbinger."

I sheathed my dagger and pointed to the door. "Now leave. We never had this conversation. You've never even seen my face before."

He chuckled uneasily and backpedaled a couple paces. "Who are ya, again? Never got your name." He glanced at Farkas, who pounded his heavy fist against his palm as the driver walked past him. The drive swallowed hard and hurried out of the Temple.

"I'm sorry, Shield-Sister," Farkas said after the door shut. "If I had known he was talking about you, I would've given him my fist a long time ago."

I gave him a gentle smile. "I know you would, Farkas. It's all right. It isn't your fault." I sighed. "Thanks for your—"

But then, I was interrupted by a familiar voice behind us.

"What has my idiot brother done now?"