Alice and Cilla knew the situation in their home was getting serious but they also knew that their father and most of their companions had done some incredible things in their short and long lives. The girls themselves had had some incredible adventures ranging from fighting for Skyrim's freedom in all out war to learning magic together at the College of Winterhold. They had become great for their ages and they knew that if needed they could help with the crisis. For now, with so many skilled adventurers and trusted friends in Whiterun and with the Companions at their father's back, they knew they could rest. Riverwood may well have been overrun but there were survivors. There were always survivors. Alice knew that and Cilla was still ignorant of the situation. Aliah and the group would find the creatures, Simus and the Companions would hunt them down and all would be well. Alice settled back into bed with Cilla and tucked both of them in, snugly wrapping them in the bed's ample blankets. They rested their heads on the soft pillows and fell asleep holding each other, certain that things would work out.
After most of the group left for the Hall of the Dead, Simus mustered Donath and Julius and headed for the Underforge. The door was open and as they entered they saw Auguste and the entire Circle assembled around the wolfblood basin. All but Kodlack Whitemane. The old warrior had never embraced his being a werewolf and he never came down here lest he indulge that part of himself. Skjor and Aela never understood why he fought so hard against what was clearly a gift and privately felt sorry for him for struggling so hard against it, but they would never tell that to Kodlack directly. Simus had known Kodlack for decades and they were good friends. He was able to persuade Simus not to join his spirit with the beast world and he had always been grateful to him for that. Simus' son Titus was another matter but he had to follow his own path, no matter how much his father didn't approve of it. Titus was the first to notice his father and his two companions.
"Hey dad." He said with a smile, his long black hair in a shaggy mane.
"Hey pal." Simus said, giving his son a quick one-armed hug. "How you been? It's been a while since you've been home. You can drop by any time you know, you'd make Carlotta happy."
"Carlotta's more than happy enough with you, Alice, Cilla and Mila. She doesn't need me in her hair too. I've been good by the way."
"You look good, strong, healthy. And you're never in her hair so. She loves you just as much as mama ever did."
"Maybe. It's not the same though and she's not mama. Just ask Alice."
"Maybe. Anyway, you didn't call me down here just so I can see my shield-brothers again."
"No Simus I'm afraid we didn't." Skjor said, stepping forward. Farkas, Vilkas and Aela stood with him and Titus and they all moved to face Simus. "I'm sure you're aware of the slaughter of Riverwood?"
"Yes. Alice had a vision just before the guards notified us."
"Everyone in the village is most likely dead, and even though any rescue party would stand no chance against the creatures Vignar has sent one out anyway. As you may know several people have disappeared throughout the hold over the past several weeks. The disappearances have gotten more frequent and closer to Riverwood. The fact that they culminated in the slaughter of most likely everyone there is not an accident. These creatures, whatever they are, threaten Skryim and are at our doorstep. Honor demands we take action so the Circle has assembled to hunt down these creatures and destroy them."
"We were hoping you'd come with us." Farkas said. "Problem is you don't move as fast as we do. In or out of our beast form."
"You're among our greatest shield-brothers Simus" Vilkas said. "And we all admire you for accomplishing so much without the Circle's gift. Even thought it was offered to you many times before."
"But these creatures are unlike anything we've faced before." Aela said. "Great as you are shield-brother you're not as young as you used to be. You owe it to yourself to use every advantage you have to face this new threat. We understand you're afraid it'll change you. That's just Kodlack talking. Titus has been one of us for months and he's only gotten stronger, faster, a better warrior. And he's still the warrior we all know and love. At his core he's still your son."
"Aela's right dad. Becoming a werewolf is nothing but a blessing for you. You'll be able to protect us, protect our family, better than ever before. Alice, Cilla, everyone. You won't become a monster. Trust us."
"Trust us Shield-Brother. We're laying into you hard, I know, and I'm sorry about that, but these are desperate times and if you do not join us you'll know you aren't doing everything you can to stop these things. You know that's true Simus. You know yourself. All you have to do is say yes and Aela will transform and spill her blood in the basin for you to drink. Just as she did for your son. What say you shield-brother?"
Simus was silent. He knew this day would come, when there would be a threat great enough for him to join the Circle. Everything they said was true but Simus knew he would no longer be human if he did this. He looked to Auguste and shook his head, silently scolding the vampire for putting him in this position. He didn't want to do this, it didn't feel right. He knew it wasn't right. Yet he was tempted to take Skjor's offer. An offer to save his home and family by becoming a monster.
He turned and looked to Donath, Auguste and Julius, hoping for some logical reason not to do this. Hoping for some release from the mounting pressure he felt.