Aela knew he was a warrior by the way he'd entered Joorvaskr. He moved like a saber cat, slow and predatory, his gait showing confidence and grace that could not be learned but slowly obtained across years of bloody work. His remaining eye was greener than dragon scales and twice as hard and one glance made the beast in her feel like a cornered animal. A wolf was something to be reckoned with, but this man, this Elvic SteelBane was a fierce old cat if she'd ever seen one.

- - -

"Forgive me for being intrusive, but what does an established warrior like yourself want from the Companions? There are mercenaries in every corner of Tamriel who speak of your prowess and it is rare to see any but an up and comer looking for work with us."

Kodlak seemed just as intrigued as she was. Elvic shifted in his seat, hard, flat muscle evident under the scarred ebony of his armor, and something told Aela that his armor was not the only thing dotted in battle wounds. He let a lazy smirk steal his chapped lips, visible eye gleaming like the jade that decorated her armor.

"I've been away from Skyrim for more than a year and have returned home to find her in a state of disarray. Dragons, civil war and more cut throats than ever." The Nord's sun stained skin stretched over the bones of his strong jaw, as he smiled at their Leader. "The Companions have always been stable and I think someone of my experience could be of use to you in this volatile time. I've got no family to look after my affairs and memories if my other endeavors end badly. I can trust the Companions with that." Aela had been so absorbed with him she'd forgotten Vilkas' presence and the ornery man's bark of anger took her off guard.

"This isn't a retirement plan for washed up sell-swords Kodlak. Send him to the orcs if he wants to go down in a blaze of fire."

Elvic's eye flicked to Vilkas' face, and the look made Aela nervous for him. Kodlak laughed shortly and gestured his chin at Vilkas. "If you're of that opinion then you'll be the one to test him Vilkas. Meet him in the yard when you're ready Steelbane." Vilkas grunted and quickly departed, likely to indulge in a mug of ale before battle, something he and his brother favored.

Aela lingered a moment, eyes flicking over the older man's broad shoulders, the obvious strength his thick neck, the dusting of dark hair over the back of his hands and the silver streaking through the thick hair that loosely tied at the nape of his neck…She felt his gaze more than saw it and dared meeting that one eye. The eyepatch he wore gave him a look of sternness just as much as his dark brows did. She lowered her chin, subtly guarding her throat before retreating from the room. She hurried out to the yard, a feeling akin to what she felt whilst running in the night welling in her chest.