U.O.T.W. Chapter 11 A new beginning

• Posted by Sotek April 24, 2015 - Filed in TSC: CB Story - 1,402 views

  

  

   

  Jorrvaskr, the home of the Harbinger, and home to the companions. As Sotek approached Jorrvaskr, he paused by the two giant doors covered in wooden carvings. He couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship of the carved panels. Drawing a deep breath he pushed the doors open and walked inside.

   

  He found himself in the large main hall. There was a stairway to one side leading down to a lower section, on the other side a pair of double doors. In the centre was a large fire pit half surrounded by wooden tables. All the pillars had Nordic carvings at the bases while wolf and animal furs hung on the walls, and barrels of mead scattered throughout the hall. The tables were covered in food, flagons of mead and ale, all the usual clutter but in no way as fancy as it was in Dragonsreach. Here it was obvious. It was quantity over quality.

   

  On one side was a group of companions eagerly shouting over a fist fight between a Dark elf and a Nord. No one trying to break it up but rather the crowd that had gathered around were all cheering them on. Aela was the other side of the room shouting across to the one that just fell down.

  “Come on get up, hit him”.

   

  Another Nord was backing up the other fighter, a young Nord woman, he was practically screaming at her.

  “Don’t let him up hit him again”.

   

  Soon the fight was over. To Soteks surprise the winner lent over, reached down a hand and then helped the looser up. They shook each other’s hands then sat together at the table and started drinking. Totally ignoring their wounds, leaving blood and sweat on the stone floor. While the others all took their perspective seats at the table, Farkas, without looking up, spoke to Sotek.

  “Harbinger said you would be here soon, he’s down stairs”. With that he turned his attention to his plate before carrying on eating the venison which was in one hand while a flagon was gripped tightly in his other.

   

  Sotek walked past the tables however everyone blanked him, even Aela and Farkas didn’t give him a second glance. One of the companions asked Farkas who he was.

  “Who is that then, haven’t seen him around before?”

   

  “He’s trouble. He’s the one that burned the crops when we killed the giant. That’s where poncy magic gets you”. Replied Aela muttering under her breath.

   

  Farkas found that funny and laughed.

  “Oh he helped a bit”

   

  Aela instantly scolded him.

  “No he didn’t. He just got in the way”

   

  The Companion who asked who Sotek was asked their second question as they watched Sotek head towards the stairway.

  “Do you think he will stay?”

   

  Vilkas put down his flagon of ale, turned to Sotek who was now at the far side of the hall and gave him the once over.

  “No chance… He’s not even wearing his sword right”. Aela Farkas and Vilkas all laughed at Soteks expense.

   

  Heading downstairs, Sotek came to a large domed corridor. Various dorm rooms were spaced out on either side. Here was even less furniture than what Sotek had seen in the hall. Even the beds were naught else but basic, with a few animal furs on the walls. Each bed had its own cabinet by the side and at the foot of the bed a chest. Animal furs were scattered on the beds each of various sizes and colors from the different animals killed days before.

   

  At the far side of the long corridor sat a much older man, he had long grey hair leading to a thick grey beard, which blended with the heavy armor that has clearly been through countless battles. The man’s frame was solid, the sort of man that could stand in the doorway blocking it completely. You would have an easier time knocking a hole through a wall than forcing him to move out of your way.

   

  As his owlish eyes fell upon the young Argonian, he nodded slightly as he spoke.

  “You must be Sotek, we all heard about ermm your aid with the giant”. With that he gave a reassuring smile.

   

  “I’ve been told that you would like to join us… Well for that you need to have a strong heart, yes… I can feel your inner strength. I feel you would be a boon to our family. However…” He then paused as he took a sip from the large dulled grey flask which matched his beard. After placing it back down on the small round table he continued talking. All the while Sotek felt compelled to listen as Kodlak’s authority dominated the underground corridor. “You also need someone to vouch for your bravery, or deeds. Vilkas said that you can’t shoot that bow you carry too well?”

   

  Sotek gulped quietly.

  “I admit I am not a very good shot”.

   

  “You’re not much use with that sword either”. He stated as his eyes fell upon Sotek’s blade. “You can’t even wear it properly”. With that he got up and reattached it to Soteks side. “As far as magic goes none of us are mages either”.

   

  Sotek’s eyes narrowed as he watched the Harbinger who had sat back down on his chair. Sotek knew this conversation wasn’t going well. He was close to thinking that he wouldn’t be able to join them after all. However one thing the Harbinger stated made Sotek wonder. After a few moments, he voiced his thoughts.

  “So why would you think I would be a… Boon?” He fought off the aching pit that was rapidly forming in his stomach. The hour was getting late, he needed somewhere to stay, he was tired and once again hungry.

   

  The Harbinger gave Sotek a weary smile as if he knew what Sotek was feeling.

  “I’ve seen warriors trained in full steel armor run from giants while mages panic when attacked by a simple wolf”. He beckoned Sotek to sit down on a chair, then Kodlak passed over a small bowl containing some apples. Sotek gratefully took one then slowly bit into it as he sat and listened.

   

  “According to Aela you can’t fight. You can’t shoot, and it would seem that you have only a basic knowledge of spells”. With that he gives a deep sigh.

   

  “But however according to all three of them” then he paused “You didn’t panic, you didn’t run. You stood your ground when much better trained and equipped warriors turn and flee. I can teach people to fight, our blacksmith Eorlund can make them weapons and armor to fight with. But if they can’t stand… What good does the greatest armor and the finest steel do if the wearer hasn’t the heart to use it? You need someone to vouch for you and somewhat surprisingly you have someone. The Jarl himself… Welcome to the companions”.

   

  With that he turned to the corridor where Vilkas, who had followed the Argonian down the stairway, was waiting.

  “Vilkas, show the whelp where he may rest”.

   

  With that Vilkas entered, Sotek could see he wasn’t impressed.

  “But surely you can’t be serious?”

   

  “Vilkas we have empty beds do we not?” The Harbinger’s voice was calm but final.

  “Forgive me harbinger, I meant no disrespect”. Without another word Vilkas lead Sotek to where his room would be, then returned to the hall.

   

  Sotek stayed in his room that night. The dragon bones and various other bits of oddities he stored in the chest at the end of his bed. An old bookcase stood in the corner which made Sotek think about the alchemist Arcadia. He then stored his Alchemy ingredients on the shelves. Once he sorted out his gear he lay down and rested. Soon there was a knock at the door, it was the whelp that first asked who he was. In her hands was a tray with some basic food and a flagon of mead.

  “Hi, I’m a whelp too”. She stated softly as she entered the room and laid the tray on a small table next to Sotek’s bed.

   

  “A whelp?” Sotek enquired. He remembered the Harbinger called him that as well.

   

  She sat on the bed then explained about the hierarchy of the companions. Aela, Farkas and Vilkas were the members of the ‘circle’, basically the main leaders. Aela was the one who had the bulk of the leadership between the three Companions. Above them was the Harbinger Kodlak. He was the unofficial leader and spiritual guardian, of all the companions and the whelps. The rest were the whelps, trainees who had still to prove their worth and mettle. Then there was the old maid, who although was just a maid, the Whelp warned him that although she had no rank what so ever, he should grant her the same respect as the Harbinger himself. Finally there was the blacksmith Eorlund who worked outside above the courtyard where they all trained, at the Skyforge. The Skyforge couldn’t be mistaken for there was a giant eagle carved out of the rock standing over the forge and courtyard like some giant stone guardian.

   

  She then got up to leave but before she exited the room, she turned towards Sotek and half smiled before exiting into the corridor.

  “Don’t worry about the circle. Once you prove yourself they can be… Quite nice”.

   

  Sotek studied her face. He wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself. After eating his meal which was basic but enjoyable compared to what he had over the last few days when he was on the road, he laid back on his bed lost in his own thoughts. The Harbinger said he saw something inside Sotek. Hell, even the Jarl himself had seen the Harbinger and had arranged it so that Sotek could join the Companions. For the first time in weeks Sotek felt safe, he felt as if he belonged. This was his home. Both the Jarl Balgruuf and the Harbinger Kodlak had faith in him. He was determined not to disappoint.