Sotek woke up feeling rough. He glanced around the room but everything seemed so foggy to him. It took a good few seconds for the walls and furniture to come into focus. His mouth was parched and he longed for a drink. His tongue slid across his lips to try to moisten them but it did nothing to ease the dry sensation which he was feeling.
As he got up, he felt lightheaded confirming how dehydrated he really was. Next to his bed was a flask, he picked it up but it was empty. Slowly he got dressed as he tried to hold his balance. Once he steadied himself, he proceeded to head upstairs.
Upon entering the hall he was a bit surprised to see it empty. Through the double doors he could hear the yells of the Companions as they trained the Whelps in the yard. He smiled to himself as he heard Aela shouting as she usually did, over everyone else.
‘At least she’s not whipping anyone with arrows’. He thought to himself as he laughed slightly. He listened for a few moments to the clash of metal as swords bashed against shields. It seemed to him that the Whelps renewed their efforts in training after yesterdays trip.
The state of the tables looked like everyone had already eaten their main meal. Torn and cut up carcases from cooked animals lay asunder along with the remnants of various vegetables. There was even some half eaten rolls which were scattered on a few plates. Just looking at the table turned his stomach let alone the smell. He was in no state for food what so ever. Over on the second table however was a jug of fresh cold water which his eyes fell upon greedily.
He picked up a flask of water which happened to be close by then proceeded to down half of it. After he caught his breath, he finished the remainders of the flask which emptied far too quickly for his liking. He sank in a wooden chair by the small table and started to pour out another flask of water from the jug. As the flask started to refill, he mentally weighed it against the pitcher. Giving up with the flask, he decided against the refill and just drank straight from the jug instead.
“Thirsty?”
He turned around with a start to the direction of the voice. Tilma the maid had already started clearing up the far end table as she called out to him.
“Hi… Yes I Just can’t quench it”. He drank large mouthfuls of water as they talked. “Don’t you ever get fed up tidying up after us?”
“Why, no one has ever asked me that before... No. It’s good to be needed, to have a home. Just like she needs you. Oh she’ll say she loves you and all that rubbish and no doubt the next second she’ll scream and shout at you but she needs you too”.
Sotek shook his head as he cast a glance at the double doors which led to the training area.
“She’s never said it, not once”.
Tilma chuckled to herself as she studied him.
“Maybe not in so many words”
Sotek went to take another drink but without realising it he emptied the jug. He placed it upon the table then picked up a second one. “I need her as well”.
“So what you doing talking to me for? Get out!!! You’re in my way”. She then started shoving him out towards the courtyard door with her broom, smiling as she did so.
Sotek laughed then headed outside. To his surprise it was well into the afternoon.
“Bloody hell, its awake and yep it looks awful”. With that Aela came over to him with her hand holding the end of her nose. “What the hell you been up to? You stink”.
“Love you too but at least I don’t smell of trolls”. With that he picked up an ewer full of water and took two big mouthfuls which he greedily swallowed before tipping the rest of the entire jug over himself as he shook his head, revelling in the soothing coldness of the water. He then sat down and blinked heavily as if to keep his eyes open.
Aela jestingly snapped at him for his comment about the trolls.
“That was just the once that she...” It was then that she remembered the whelps were around them and held herself in check. Upon examining Sotek more closely, she noticed his complexion was off. Instead of the rich green which she was used to seeing, his scales seemed paler. Resting the back of her hand against his forehead she felt his temperature.
“Your burning up… Come with me”. She held his hand and lead him towards Dragonsreach to the twin ponds. Sotek took one look at the water under the steps and dived in. He stayed under the surface for a good ten minutes as he lazily swam around in a big circle whilst enjoying the soothing sensation of the icy water. With every passing second he could feel his entire body cool down.
He suddenly remembered Aela was there by the small steps which led out of the pond so with a hard kick of his legs he quickly swam to the steps then climbed out.
“Feel better for that?” Aela knew the answer before she even asked him. She couldn’t help but notice the difference in his complexion. The paleness had disappeared in the first few minutes that he was in the water.
As he came up the steps he had a lot more vigour which easily showed as he bound over towards Aela.
“Yes. Do I smell better?” She walked up to him and sniffed his chest.
“Yes but I’m not giving you a hug. You’re soaked”. As she spoke she held up her hand as if it was a barrier between them.
“And you’re not?” He replied as his tail slowly formed a long sweeping curve.
“Ermm no, I’m not”. The next second she screamed out as he grabbed her and lifted her up. She found herself being thrown in the water which prompted her to yell at him.
A torrent of water smothered the steps from the splash as Aela hit the surface of the pond. “It’s bloody freezing, you son of a bitch”. He dived in alongside her deliberately splashing her. The next second a massive water fight started. Aela held Soteks head down below the surface although she had briefly forgot he could breath underwater. He in turn grabbed her feet and yanked them from under her, pulling her under the surface. She retaliated by pushing against him with her feet and kicked against him like he was a starting block. That in itself sent him backwards as she propelled herself forwards away from him. However it was a short victory. He quickly swished around and rapidly caught up with her then proceeded to grab her foot. A second later she found herself being pulled backwards albeit briefly before he let her go.
Proventus who had heard the ruckus from their play fight, walked up to the edge of the steps which overlooked the pond.
“This isn’t a public bath house… What on earth are you two doing?” Sotek swam towards him as he fought the temptation to pull Proventus who he regarded as an overbearing pompous ass, into the water. Jarl Balgruuf however was also standing on the bridge over looking them. As he watched he slightly shook his head forewarning Sotek not to carry out any reprisals to Proventus’s outburst.
Sotek’s eyes narrowed as he weighed up the possible repercussions to any action he could take. Caution proved to be the better option so Sotek stopped swimming towards Proventus and started to tread water with slow and deliberate movements of his arms.
“Actually we were training for ermm, slaughter fish combat. Bows aren’t any real use if your swimming. So I’m teaching Aela defensive and aggressive manoeuvres in case a slaughter fish attacks. They give nasty bites you know”. As he spoke, Aela started laughing. She was watching the Jarl who was now behind Proventus. He was shaking his head and pulling a face at Sotek making it obvious he knew the Argonian was making it up.
“Well you both best ‘train’ somewhere else. The Harbingers looking for you Aela”. Proventus wasn’t at all happy and he let the two Companions know it.
She swam over to Sotek then lend against his back.
“Take me to the steps”.
Sotek started chuckling as he whispered to her.
“Was that take you to the steps or take you on the steps?” He instantly received a slap on his back which made him yell. “Oww, your hands wet. Careful that stung”. The next second though he was darting through the water with Aela clinging on his back. He stopped by the steps then held his hand out to her. “That will be two gold please”. She just glared at him. “Then again, for you no charge”. He shrugged to Jarl Balgruuf as they climbed out of the pond then headed inside Jorrvaskr.
The moment they entered the hall, Sotek picked up a fur which was laying on one of the benches and proceeded to wrap Aela up in it to keep the chill off her. They both kicked off their boots which was waterlogged and proceeded to walk barefoot across the hall. As they made their way towards the Under Croft the water which dripped off them left a trail of puddles along with their wet footprints behind them.
Kodlak was in his study with Vilkas. The moment the Harbinger saw them he beckoned them over towards him with his finger.
“Aela I’ve a job for you and… Why are you wet? Don’t tell me I don’t want to know. There’s something I need you and Vilkas to look into regarding a bear cave. We’ve received...”
Before he could say any more Aela butted in.
“Harbinger what about… You know what? We discussed it yesterday!!!”
The Harbinger sighed as he rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Needs must. You have a job to do first. That can wait”.
Aela growled slightly then nodded in agreement. “Reports of animal disturbances. We’ll check it out”
Vilkas started laughing at her.
“You’ve spent way too much time with Sotek”.
She couldn’t help but join in as well.
“I’ll get changed, gear up, then I’m ready to go”.
The Harbinger pointed straight at Sotek before Aela and Vilkas could even leave his study.
“Take Sotek as well”.
Aela didn’t agree and let her feelings be known to everyone. “Harbinger, he’s not himself. It’s best if Sotek stays here”.
Kodlak nodded at her.
“I concur but then you and Vilkas will be there. It’ll do him more good to get out for a bit than lollop around the hall for the evening watching the doors for your return. He’ll just have to stay out the way”. Aela wasn’t too happy with it but she could see his point.
Both Aela and Sotek headed to their separate rooms but Aela remembered what had happened the day before. She stopped halfway down the corridor and turned upon Sotek.
“Your gears in your room. That way…” She stood there pointing towards his room.
Sotek stopped right behind her then turned around and acted like he was in a bad mood. As he neared his room he shouted out at her.
“Meanie!!!” As he entered his chamber he could hear Aela laughing.
Comments
Do Argonians have lips or chops?
Side note: the empty flask reminded me, you know you have a good friend if you wake up from a night a heavy drinking to find they had place... more
One little thing:
Caution proved to be the better option so Sotek stopped swimming Towards Proventus and started to tread water with slow and deliberate movements of his arms - Towards probably shouldn’t have a capital
Took out the word 'just'. I'm going to leave it for a few days then come back to it. It's going to be one of those awkward lines.
Try this...
His tongue slid across his lips to try to moiste... more
I had a play with that entire line as I feel that you were right, it was a little off. Hopefully that sounds better now.