U.O.T.W. Chapter 64 Three way split

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    Authors Note : Adult Themes

    Aela slowly woke up from her slumber. She just laid there on her bed with a few animal furs draped over her. A small spider on a ceiling joist caught her eye so she watched it for a few minutes as it started spinning a web. Inside she felt hurt and betrayed. She knew it wasn’t Soteks fault but she just couldn’t shift the hatred.

    She unwillingly pried herself off the bed and threw the furs in the corner by her pillow which in itself was little more than two wolf furs tightly rolled together. As she started strapping up her old Nordic armor, she picked up her Dragonbone Bow and found herself starring at it. The rage inside her wanted to smash it but the part of her that desperately clung to reason held her in check. Instead, she carefully dropped it on her bed then pulled her old hunting bow off the wall plaque before she strapped up her boots. Once she was ready she headed out into the corridor. She glanced over her shoulder and watched the spider as her face screwed up.

    “Get out my room!!!” Moments later the wall shook as she slammed her door.

    As she past Soteks quarters she slowed down to a stop. The door slowly opened as she peered inside the crack of the door. She heard herself snarl slightly due to the fact that his bed was empty. His door banged shut then with nothing further to do, Aela headed upstairs with a dark depressing cloud of despair hanging over her.

    A few whelps were quietly eating their afternoon meal while Vilkas was out in the courtyard training a whelp. Farkas sat by himself near one of the small tables nursing a flask of mead. By the steps, slouched against a pillar rested Sotek. His eyes were closed as he slept almost sitting in an upright position. Aela often saw him like that when they would camp out with the others. When he wasn’t on watch he would sometimes sit with his back against a tree, cross his legs and sleep with his chin resting against his chest.

    “Has he been there all morning?” She bluntly called across to Farkas, not particularly caring if she inadvertently woke Sotek up. No doubt in her mind if she did wake him, it would have been quite deliberate.

    Farkas on the other hand showed far more decorum and called back as softly as he could.

    Yes, since he left your room, when you... Threw the chair at him”. He sat there watching her emotions as he spoke. It was obvious she was torn in two. She picked up a fur and placed it over Sotek as she fought the urge to give him a hefty kick in his leg. She then sat on a step a few feet away from him and stewed silently. As if they were give a silent signal, the Whelps tried to quickly finish their meals.

    After a few minutes Sotek woke up. His eyes opened wide for a few seconds as the scales on his face became taught while he cleared the sleepiness from his mind. That was when he first noticed Aela who was still sitting a few feet away from him.

    “Aela...”

    She immediately climbed to her feet as she blanked him and proceeded to walk away from the steps.

    “Not now, I just can’t do this now... I know it’s not your fault, but... Damn you, why do you just stand there?” As she spoke she felt a wave of anger tear through her. A low heavy growl escaped from her throat marking the fact that she was fully prepared to stand her ground and fight him.

    Sotek got up but before he could move towards her, she backed off. “Don’t come near me... Just don’t” She shook her head at him but unconsciously her hands tightened into two fists.

    Sotek could see her hands tense up, so he decided to act with caution. “Fine, I won’t. Let’s talk just for a minute”. He spoke softly in an attempt to coax her to slow down and listen rather than blatantly react.

    “Ok, let’s talk...” She grabbed a chair and slammed it down near him. Then she glared with open hostility at the whelps. Without a single word they scattered like disturbed ants running for cover, just Farkas sat there watching her as the Whelps fled the hall. “So explain to me why you sit there watching me get raped. I’m sorry I don’t get it...” Instantly she started shouting at him as her anger and hatred poured from her mouth. “Pretend I’m fucking thick... Tell me. Why the hell do you just stand there?”

    At that moment the Harbinger entered the hall and called out to her. His intent was to calm her down.

    “Aela, please. Give him a chance to explain”.

    However it was actually Sotek who held up his hand to the Harbinger and slightly shook his head silencing him instead. Once Kodlak backed away, Sotek sat on a step and turned his attention back to Aela.

    ”When did I stand there?”

    She turned to him angrily. He could see her eyes were red and sore.

    “Earlier this fucking morning”.

    “When I was in my room having the same dream? Or do you mean when I was at your room holding you?” He spoke calmly at her as he watched his words play through her mind. “Do you really think I would just stand there and just watch if you were in any sort of danger?”

    She sat on the same step as Sotek while her mind struggled with the placing of events from that night. Suddenly she threw herself into his arms as her hands gripped him tightly.

    “Why do you stand there?

    Sotek initially jumped as she lurched towards him like a cobra. It was only when he felt her hands on his back gripping him tightly that he realised that she wasn’t attacking him but was rather holding him instead. He held her securely in his arms as he comforted her and whispered in her ear.

    I can’t move. In my dream all I can do is watch. Believe me I tried so bloody hard to get to you, but I can’t. I just can’t. Why, I don’t know. I promise you this, we’ll find Greymane. We’ll deal with him one way or the other. Your nightmare, it’s not going to happen. I’ll kill him if I have to”. She closed her eyes as her head rested against his chest.

     

    Gradually she started calming down as realism took hold and vanquished the hate she held onto over the last few hours.

    “That nightmare you had in Winterhold... Was it the same one?” As she asked she watched his face. Even though most of the time she found it hard to read his features, the torment in his expression was clearly evident.

    He slowly nodded as he answered her.

    “Yes. Even then all I could do was watch”.

    She rested her head against him again then just held on to him. After a few minutes she lifted her head up so she could look at him.

    “You owe me a chair as well as a door”.

    Sotek’s shoulders sank as he glanced down at her.

    “What!!! How the hell do I owe you a chair? The door is fair enough although that was technically your fault”. He shook his head at her in disbelief.

    “You should have caught it... And you shouldn’t be such a bastard in my dreams. So you owe me a chair”.

    The Harbinger who was sitting at the main table called over to them both.

    “Well, for all it’s worth Sotek, I agree”.

    Sotek chuckled as he glanced over to Kodlak. “About the door?”

    The Harbinger winked at Aela as he shook his head. “Hell no... You owe her a chair as well as the door”. Sotek’s shoulders dropped as he was forced to listen to Aela’s cackling over the Harbingers comment.

    Kodlak smirked as he continued.

    “At least you’re not shouting... I’ve something which needs looking into and I myself have a task which needs my personal attention. So, as your both talking now could I leave the task to you?”

    Before Aela could answer, Sotek stood up and shook his head.

    “No, and you need someone with you as well. Aela can take Farkas with her. I’ve got things in motion that needs looking at”. He then called out to Vilkas. “You’re with the Harbinger, he could do with the extra eyes. Expect some trouble, it’s not likely, but expect it”.

    Kodlak nodded as he moved across the hall for his pack which he kept in a large chest by one of the benches in the corner of the hall.

    “You heard him... Vilkas, you’re with Aela. Stay together...”

    Sotek lifted his head up in surprise and quickly turned to the Harbinger. He found himself staring straight into Kodlak’s eyes.

    “Sorry Harbinger... I spoke out of turn”.

    Kodlak chuckled as he nodded back at Sotek. He refrained from equipping his pack as he watched Sotek’s mannerisms. Or at least he tried to watch. If the truth were told he struggled just as much as Aela did when it came to Sotek and his facial features.

    “Everyone in the Companions is fully aware that one day you will be Harbinger Sotek... Let’s curb that fire in your belly first though, yes?... However you stand correct... Farkas, Sotek’s right an extra pair of eyes would be useful and I may run into trouble. You’re coming with me”.

    Sotek climbed to his feet as he shook his head at Kodlak. “I don’t want to be Harbinger”.

    Kodlak walked over to him and gripped his shoulder tightly. “That’s one of the qualities which makes you stand out and why I truly believe that when you are ready, you would make a fine one. Good luck Sotek... Find out all you can about this ‘Greymane’. Bring him to heel”.

    Sotek sighed heavily. “Harbinger.... I have no intention in bringing him to heel”.

    Aela looked at Sotek in surprise.

    “What are you going to do?”

    With that Sotek leant over and kissed the top of her head. “Kill him”.

    Aela stood up and tugged Sotek’s arm as her face turned white. “He’s a werewolf... His wolf spirit will go to the Hunting Grounds... He’ll... He’ll be waiting for me...”

    Sotek kissed her forehead then walked over to his pack. It had been resting against a large wooden pillar since the early hours when they returned from the cave. He pulled out a strange large black crystal shard from a side pouch. As he held it towards the light of the fire, the color changed from pitch black to a dark purple due to the orangey glow from the fire pit. Sotek slowly turned towards Aela and shook his head. The tone in his voice caused a shudder to tremble down Kodlak’s spine as Sotek quietly whispered to Aela.

    Not if I have anything to do with it. That basstardss mine... Hsssss”

    Aela pointed at the shard in Sotek’s hand as she murmured at him. “What is that?”

    Sotek’s tail thumped down as he glared right back at her. His whole mannerism was aggressive as he hissed menacingly.

    “Them that asskss no questionss iss’nt told a lie. Watch the wall my darling while the Argonianss go by

    At that point one of the Whelps, an Imperial girl with platted black hair called out to him timidly.

    “Stop it... You’re creeping her out”.

    Aela flicked a glance at her as she shook her head.

    “No he isn’t”.

    The girl sunk in a chair as she buried her face away from Aela’s glare.

    “He’s creeping me out!!!”

    Sotek started laughing as he stood up straight. His whole demeanour changed as he nodded at her.

    “Yes you’re right that was too creepy sorry ‘bout that... Anyway”. He then blanked Aela entirely as he stuffed the crystal in the side pouch of his bag and promptly dumped his pack on the large table which surrounded the fire pit.

    Vilkas shrugged his shoulders at the entire episode and approached Sotek from the side of the hall.

    “So, what you going to do short term?”

    Sotek felt confused. He looked across the hall at Vilkas as his tail flapped around like it was on a hot plate. “Short term?”

    Vilkas huffed slightly as he rolled his eyes at Sotek. “Short term... As in now? Where are you going and what are you going to do?”

    Sotek stared blankly at him for several moments then sat on a chair which was near his pack. He groaned out loud, then slumped his head in his hands as his elbows rested on the table.

    “All I can do at the moment is clutch at straws… I may be gone for a while. I need to find out what the beggars have come up with and I need to check out the Winterhold Library. Maybe there’s something about the hunting grounds in the books. Some sort of lead to this Greymane bastard”.

    It was half an hour later when Aela and Vilkas started on the first leg of their journey. As they headed outside through the double doors, Sotek joined them to see them both off.

    Sotek received a hard shove from Vilkas’s shoulder. He nudged Sotek in the arm a second time just to make sure he had Soteks full and unbridled attention.

    Don’t worry, I’ll keep her out of trouble”.

    Sotek nodded his appreciation towards Vilkas’s genuine concern. “Thanks. She’s not herself. These nightmares tend to throw her off her game. Take it steady”.

    As Aela stopped next to Sotek, he gave her a hug along with a warning. “Go careful...” She just nodded and smiled weakly then proceeded to walk down the steps.

    The moment she felt fresh air on her face she paused and drew a long deep breath and slightly shook herself down to regain her composure. She nodded to Vilkas as if it was a signal that she was ready. He gave her a slight smile then as one they headed towards the carriage.

    The Harbinger and Farkas were the next to leave the hall of Jorrvaskr. Sotek knew they were going to the bear cave. The Harbinger had to see for himself, what had happened there. Sotek was just glad he had some backup in case more feral werewolves turned up.

    Sotek re-checked his own gear then he doubled up on the potions which he always carried. As he made his way through the hall, Tilma caught his eye. She looked nervous and apprehensive. He gazed across the hall at the Whelps and noticed each one also had an air of vulnerability about them. He gave Tilma a welcoming and much needed hug and a few words of reassurance.

    “The Harbinger won’t be long, you’ll see. He’ll be back with Farkas before you know it”.

    Tilma smiled as she gave him a small linen wrapped parcel.

    “I know… You take care of yourself. I do wish you had someone with you. Here, this is for the road ahead”.

    Sotek screwed his face up and cocked his head to the side playfully as his tail curved in a wide arc.

    “I’m not going by road though…”

    Tilma tutted loudly as she thrust the package into his chest.

    “Idiot!!!”

    Sotek started laughing as he pushed open the double doors. When he walked through the market he kept an eye out for Mila but Carlotta’s daughter wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He waved to the stall vendors while he strolled along the pathway towards the main gate. As he neared the stables his curiosity with Tilma’s package overwhelmed him. He sat on a wall and unwrapped the linen to find his four shiny green apples which he had paid Mila for earlier.

     

     

    A few hours after they left Whiterun, the Harbinger and Farkas arrived at the cave just to find it as the others had described it. After a slight pause, they both lit their torches and headed inside. The Harbinger’s eyes tightly closed from the sight laid out before him. All the descriptions given to him by Aela, Vilkas and Sotek didn’t prepare him for the horrific scene which he now found himself in. Seeing it first hand was far worse than what he imagined. They soon found the three feral werewolves. On inspection the Harbinger readily agreed with Sotek, they were starved. Something far worse than mere feral werewolves caused the carnage, that he was sure of.

    They delved deeper inside the network of caves. When they entered the smaller cavern, Farkas happened to come across the area where Aela stood when she vomited. That was when he saw the smashed ribcage. Inside it was a clear imprint of Aela’s boot.

    “Why the hell did she stamp on the ribs? Look!!! Her foot went straight through it.” Shaking his head in bewilderment, he tried to work out her motive. The Harbinger though had seen enough. Unable to give any cause to it, he sadly shook his head then called Farkas to his side and headed back to Jorrvaskr.

     

     

    As Vilkas and Aela travelled in the carriage, Vilkas asked her what exactly they were supposed to be doing.

    “Where are we actually going?”

    She sat back and explained to him what the Harbinger had told her earlier.

    “There’s a small base of Silverhands near Windhelm. If they have been up to their usual crap then they may have driven the feral werewolves southwards. Our ‘job’ is to check them out”.

    He chuckled as a big grin formed on his face. He knew full well what she actually meant.

    “So we knock on their door and say hi?”

    Aela roared with laughter as she shook her head wildly.

    “Nope… We tear down their door and say die”. It was at that very moment that she remembered her bow. She looked desperately around the carriage knowing full well it wasn’t there. Her mouth fell open as she slumped back against the side of the wagon

    “I’ve left my bow behind”.

    Vilkas started chuckling as he pointed to her pack which was lying at the far end of the carriage.

    “What’s the matter with you, ya dozy bitch. It’s there alongside your pack….”

    Aela glared at him as she snapped in retaliation.

    “Don’t call me a bitch”.

    Vilkas sniggered to himself as an evil glint shone in his eyes.

    “So you ain’t a bitch but you admit to being dozy?”

    She snapped at him as her fist punched him in the arm which did little except make him smile broadly.

    “That’s my old one. The Dragonbone one Sotek made me… I left it on my bed. I was angry with him so I left it behind… When we sorted things out I forgot to get it”.

    The carriage driver Bjorlam called out to her from over his shoulder. “Under your seat”.

    “What? Pardon?” She looked over to the carriage driver so she could hear him better.

    “Look under your seat… He put something there”. He explained.

    “Who did?” As she spoke she looked under the seats and true enough under the one Vilkas was lounging on was a large wolf furred bundle. She pulled it out and cut the rope with her dagger then dug the tip of the blade between Vilkas’s boots which caused him to spread his feet apart in shock. She grinned at him as she unwrapped the furs but then gasped in surprise as she pulled out her Dragonbone bow along with a quiver full of Dragonbone arrows.

    The Carriage driver just laughed as he listened to her.

    “Who do you think?”

    She huffed as she turned towards Vilkas.

    “I hate it when he does that”.

    Vilkas simply smirked at her as he shook his head.

    “Well if you don’t want to use it then leave it behind. You’ve got your old bow haven’t you”.

    She held the bow tightly with both hands in a vice like grip.

    “Like hell I will”.

    The sun was just beginning to rise by the time they arrived at Windhelm stables. As the cart jerked to a stop, the two Companions awoke with a start to find Bjorlam dismounting from the front of the carriage. After saying their farewells to him, Vilkas hired out two horses from the nearby stables. From there they made their way along the southern trail and headed towards the Silverhand base ‘Gallows rock’.

     

     

    Around the same time but further to the west, Sotek was busy cooking a skinned rabbit on a large splint. Due to waking up so late on the previous day, he had found it hard to rest during the night so he decided to carry on with his journey.

    However now he was regretting it as a strong overwhelming tiredness filled him. He made camp after securing his horse to a strong tree trunk and emptied a flask of water in a wooden bowl for the horse to drink from. A few minutes after he ate, he stretched out on his bed roll and pulled a fur across him before entering a peaceful and much needed sleep.

     

    Authors Note :

    “Them that asskss no questionss iss’nt told a lie. Watch the wall my darling while the Argonianss go by”

    This is actually a line borrowed and slightly adopted from  A Smugglers Song

    It's one of my favourite  poems since I was a kid.

     

     

Comments

14 Comments
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  April 2, 2016
    As soon as I started reading your comment I thought 'a quiver full of Dragonbone arrows' would work better.
    Fixed it.
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  April 2, 2016
    Paragraph 16 from the bottom (counted, including the Authors Note), you wrote "...along with 50 Dragonbone arrows."

    I'd say it's hard for Aela to see at the first glance, how many arrows there are.

    "...along with a quiver full of ...  more
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  April 2, 2016
    Much better.:)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  April 2, 2016
    The path splitting is one way which I use to switch focus from Aela and Sotek. I felt the other Companions all deserve more than just a passing mention although Sotek and Aela are the central characters, there’s enough going on for them to step out of the...  more
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  April 2, 2016
    Paragraph 27 from the top, in the second last line Sotek said: "It’s not going to happen”. If you look at the previous lines, it doesn't really make sense this way. Or is it just me not getting it?
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  April 2, 2016
    Good idea to bring up that path splitting. It's right about time, not too early, not too late. Works well here.



    As already mentioned, the dialogue in this chapter somehow 'helps' against the focused attention on Sotek. Well written.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  October 22, 2015
    Well actually Farkas developed arachnophobia inside Dustman's Cairn, nothing instills as much fear of spiders as a gigantic one crawling after you. Since we have no idea if he ever came across any giant spiders it is safe to say that he wouldn't run from ...  more
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  August 10, 2015
    Well good job then
    Haha, I just washed my hands by the spider. As long they're not poisonous, I would rather have a few spiders eating the bugs than a lot of said bugs. Neither is still best though.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  August 10, 2015
    Hello Exuro
    I'm thinking Kodlak may be better at manipulating events than Sotek, he's done very well in finding a replacement and is always quietly patching relationships.
    I'm actually quite glad that you feel this way. Lissette pointed out to...  more
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  August 10, 2015
    I'm thinking Kodlak may be better at manipulating events than Sotek, he's done very well in finding a replacement and is always quietly patching relationships.
    There was a spider in my sink this morning, it freaked out when I turned the water on... ...  more