Lutherus Sotasius - Chapter II, Part IV

• Posted by Dean Morrison June 4, 2016 - Filed in TSC: Skyrim - #  ##Dean #Morrison #Lutherus #Sotasius  - 1,152 views

  HONOUR BEFORE DUTY

  From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 21st, 4E, 201.

  

  Having given Proventus the map, highlighting what it suggested as immediate danger to Riverwood, Lutherus decided to convene at the Companions Hall for the night, Jorrvaskr. Proventus decided it would be best for the Jarl to be informed over breakfast, of Lutherus' find tomorrow morning, so there was little for Lutherus to do but remain in Whiterun for the time being. He decided to go to Jorrvaskr, where he saw Aela, standing in the main hall. "I remember you. You're that boy, the one who killed the wolf right?" Questioned Aela.

  

  "Y-yes, yes that's me." Stuttered Lutherus in response. He was still awe-struck at her raw, Nord beauty. Aela stood for moment, the gaze Lutherus fixed on her made her quite uncomfortable.

   

  "Do...you have a reason to be here at nine o'clock? What do you want?" She demanded.

   

  "I...want to speak to Skjor. I believe I have what it takes to be-"

   

  "A Companion?" Finished Aela.

   

  "Y-yes, Companion. Honour before Duty!" Finished Lutherus, reminding himself of the oath the Companions took.

   

  "You're funny. But Skjor doesn't make that decision, you should go find Kodlak, he's most likely in the living quarters, downstairs."

   

  Lutherus happily obliged, and found Kodlak, an ancient, much older man residing downstairs with one of his compatriots, the younger Vilkas. Kodlak turned to greet the new person. "I haven't seen you before. What is your name, lad?"

   

  "Lutherus. Lutherus Sotasius, Sir." He responded loyally. He was about to take a knee to Kodlak, but remember Skjor's teachings on the Companion code.

  

  "Ahhh, an Imperial name eh?" Kodlak said, rising to his feet along with Vilkas following.

   

  "So, you come to the Companions, clad in armor. May I extend to suggest that you are here to pledge allegiance?"

   

  "Yes." Replied Lutherus. "That is correct Sir."

   

  "Please, don't call me Sir lad. I'm not the Jarl. Address me as Kodlak from now on."

   

  "Yes...Kodlak."

   

  "Good! So, you want to be a Companion. What are your skills in combat?"

   

  Lutherus gulped. "I am slightly experienced with the bow and arrow."

   

  "Mhmm. And in close quarters?"

   

  "I have only little experience, Kodlak."

   

  "Hmph!" Exclaimed Vilkas. "Look at him Kodlak, he hasn't even a shield for Oblivion's sake!"

   

  "Vilkas!" Angrily snapped Kodlak, careful not to awake the others in the beds nearest to them. "Lad, if there is one thing that is more important to a Warrior, a Fighter, a Companion, is truth and honesty. You have come to this society as an inexperienced host, but there is no shame in that. Tell me, Lutherus." Kodlak said, taking his hand to rest on Lutherus' left shoulder. "What do you seek from the Companions?"

   

  Lutherus briefly considered. "Vengeance, Kodlak." He replied.

   

  "Vengeance? Vengeance against whom?"

   

  "Bandits."

   

  Villas laughed again. "Pathetic." Kodlak glared at Vilkas, his outbursts were not welcomed nor the attitude to new blood Kodlak had hoped to instill in his Companions.

   

  "Surely, every person in Skyrim, maybe Tamriel has a vengeance for Bandits, lad. What makes your case so special?" He asked with interest.

   

  "Many years ago, when I was a young boy. My Father, General Silaric Sotasius was cut down and killed by marauding Bandits here. He was a legend in the Imperial Army, a national hero. He didn't deserve the death he received. These Bandits also hospitalised a close friend of mine. I intend to repay them both favors with interest." Replied Lutherus with the utmost conviction. "That is my case, Kodlak."

   

  "Well now, you certainly have the spirit, that's for sure." Said Kodlak. "Rest here tonight lad, tomorrow morning, bright and early, I want you to spar with Vilkas out in the training area, behind Jorrvaskr."

   

  "Me?! You want me to waste my time on this outsider?" Retorted Vilkas.

   

  Kodlak finally had enough of his Companions outbursts. "Do NOT forget how you came to this society, Vilkas." he returned.

   

  "Thankyou, Kodlak." Replied Lutherus. "Which bed can I take?"

   

  "Take any you wish lad, as long as it's not occupied of course." Lutherus thanked Kodlak and Vilkas for their time, before leaving the hallway into the dormitory, where he turned to a bed to sleep. Sleep came difficult that night for Lutherus knowing that Faendal, the closest thing he had to a friend here in Skyrim, was hospitalised because of his own ambition. With great trouble, he finally got to sleep. Lutherus woke with a kick from Vilkas at five in the morning.

  "Get up, maggot." He said, with a gruff.

   

  Lutherus, still pained at the lack of sleep, slugged out of bed.

   

  "The war will be over by the time you get outside, new blood!" Said Vilkas, as he impatiently waited for Lutherus to get organised. Slowly but surely, Lutherus got ready for the day. He put his armor on, but left his bow and arrow behind, for reasons unknown just yet. Perhaps in his early morning doze he simply forgot to collect them? Lutherus meandered outside, to the dark skies of the early morning. Vilkas was waiting, sword and shield in hand. "Where are your weapons?" He asked, with intrigue. Lutherus hoisted his weapon of choice - his lumberjack axe from his satchel. Vilkas couldn't help but laugh. "Very well then." He said, still chuckling. "Show me your strength and conviction, take a few swings at me." He instructed.

  

  Lutherus prepared himself, the burning lights of the torches surrounding the training area being his only method seeing through the dark of the early morning. He moved around Vilkas, as did Vilkas to Lutherus in harmony. The two circled each other, anticipating when each other would deal their first strike. Lutherus, taking all the time he needed to judge his moment, suddenly surged forward and delivered a strike with axe to Vilkas, who blocked the strike with ease, shattering the axe handle in the process.

  Now rendered unarmed, Lutherus adjusted, raising his fists to Vilkas. "Come on." He said, menacingly.

   

  "You're crazy, new blood." Replied Vilkas.

   

  "Maybe I am." Replied Lutherus, as he hovered around his target. Again, judging his moment, Lutherus dropped to a knee, Vilkas anticipated a cheap shot to his genitalia, and dropped his shield from his face down to block Lutherus shot. Lutherus however, anticipated this by some amazing quick tactical thinking, bringing his other fist to Vilkas face, landing it square in his jaw. Vilkas stumbled, dazed from the strike. He was quite embarrassed, but was able to recover. He signalled to Lutherus to end the training.

   

  "It is not the choice of weapon that matters, it is the soldier's conviction." Said Lutherus.

   

  "Cute story." Replied Vilkas. "You definitely have something, but you cannot always rely on your fists, new blood. Lets see how you do with errands before Kodlak considers you as one of us."

   

  Vilkas gave Lutherus his sword.

   

  "Take this to the Skyforge, just above Jorrvaskr. I need it tempered by the smith, Eorlund. And be careful, this sword is probably more valuable than you!"

   

  Lutherus, with Vilkas' sword in hand, took to the Skyforge as the morning sun finally started to rise. Eorlund traded Vilkas' sword for Aela's shield, something Lutherus was happy to deliver to the one woman in Skyrim he was quickly falling for. He returned to Jorrvaskr, Aela's shield in hand. "I heard about your spar with Vilkas this morning. That you were able to put him down with a woodcutters axe and your fist? I'm impressed." Mentioned Aela, with Skjor in agreement. Word had quickly spread of Lutherus surprisingly profound victory over Vilkas earlier.

  "

  Yes, he will make a fine addition to the Companions." Mentioned Skjor. "You have integrity, even now I can see that. You already have a bed, right?"

   

  "I do."

   

  "Good, so it's settled. Welcome to the Companions, Lutherus. Remember our motto - Honour Before Duty."

   

  "Honour Before Duty." Replied Lutherus.

   

  "Excellent. Now, I do believe Farkas wanted to talk to you. He is upstairs in the hall." Instructed Skjor.

   

  "I'll go find him now." Replied Lutherus, and went upstairs to find Farkas, brother to Vilkas.

   

  "I heard about the right hook you gave to my brother earlier. I was quite impressed!" Mentioned Farkas, detailing to Lutherus of what he needed. "I wonder, was that a one off thing, or could you do it again?"

   

  "I can handle another spar, if that's what you're asking."

   

  "Well, not necessarily. We've got word that there is a person in Rorikstead, named Lemkil that's causing some trouble. I need you to go there and...uh...casually remind him of who he's upsetting. If you get my drift?"

   

  "I see." Replied Lutherus. "How do I get to Rorikstead from here?"
  

   

  "West of Whiterun, and East of Markarth. It's essentially half way between the two cities. Just follow the road to Markarth, you cannot miss it."

   

  "Very well then, i'll make haste now." Replied Lutherus. He headed upstairs where there was a cooking spit, and made himself some breakfast, and a later lunch he could eat on the way to Rorikstead.

   

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