B.M.R. Year 6 Chapter 01 When The Boat Comes In

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    It was a bright wonderful morning outside Ahemmusa Camp. The sun was shining and there was a light, yet warm breeze gently rustling the leaves of the trees. The wind chimes were softly tapping against each other and each delicate touch of the chimes made a mellow enchanting sound which blended together in a peaceful melody.

     

    Inside the main tent however, chaos reigned in the form of a small Argonian hatchling who went by the name of Sotek. His three sisters had been preparing for the last half hour for their fishing trip which would take them across the rolling hills to the harbour of Vos where they would fish the coastal waters. It was the 20th of Evening Star, and the New Life Festival was only a few days away. The three sisters were on a mission to catch four fish for the feast.

     

    Vele’nara who now was well into adulthood at the age of thirteen looked on with a sense of pity and empathy at her younger brother.

    “Sotek, I’m sorry but you can’t go. This is something the three of us have done since we were hatchlings… In a few days we’ll go Nix-Hound hunting, and we’ll even see if we can find a few rats, I promise. But today it’s just us three, you have to stay here… I’m sorry”.

     

    Sotek’s lips started quivering and the tip of his tail slowly slid across the floor to finally rest between his feet. His eyes fixed on each of his sisters in turn as they picked up their fishing rods. Kat’rini the youngest of the three lovingly rubbed the top of his head as she made a promise of her own.

    “We’ll take a pack lunch with us and make up a camp. We’ll be able to hunt through the day and cook Nix meat on the fire. Well stay up and watch the twin moons climb the sky. You like watching them don’t you”.

     

    Sotek slowly nodded while Quentarii wiped away a tear from his eye.

    “We’ll see!! You three get going, leave him with me. Don’t forget the basket on your way out”.

     

    Vele’nara picked up the basket then turned towards Sotek and gave him a sad smile as if she knew what it felt like to be left behind. He tried to return her smile but he found his emotions were too strong to fight back. Instead he threw his arms around Quentarii’s leg and held on as he buried his face in his arms.

     

    Quentarii quietly chuckled then lovingly stroked the underside of his jaw with the tip of her finger. This caused him to start chuckling instinctively despite his best efforts to refrain from reacting to her touch. She picked him up and laid him on his back then started tickling his sides causing him to burst out laughing hysterically as his tail thrashed around while he tried to escape her clutches.

     

    When she backed away, he laid there smiling at her then went to the edge of the camp and watched as his sisters began to disappear over the hillside. Kat’rini looked back at the camp and saw him watching them. She gave a cheerful wave which he quickly returned then once they vanished from sight, he trudged back to his mother’s tent.

     

    The day was progressing far quicker than what Quentarii wanted and it wasn’t helped by Sotek’s ‘need’ to be busy. She knew from the first day of finding him that he wasn’t content to sit around aimlessly. There wasn’t a day which passed that Sotek wasn’t up to something. Usually it was slipping off to the shore so he could go swimming in the Sea Of Ghosts despite the dangers of the lethal slaughterfish which protected their territory with a spiteful hatred. Let alone the Dreugh which dwelled below the surface. These strange lobster like humanoids seemed to despise any who entered the waters of Morrowind and could be found along the various coastlines.

     

    Even when he was just three years old, Sotek seemed to have an inbuilt lack of care or understanding. The first time Quentarii caught him swimming in the sea she felt a sense of dread when she saw three Slaughterfish chase Sotek as he swam through the water. He bore the will and cunning of a hunter even then and quickly outfoxed them by diving out of the water and clinging onto a rocky point. Quentarii expected to have to rescue him but instead of calling out to her, he dived back into the sea with a spear made from Marshmerrow bamboo. Instead of fleeing, he headed straight for the nearest fish. Within a few minutes he was climbing out of the water with the three fish in his hands as an offering for their tea.

     

    When the three sisters reached their usual fishing spot, two large boulders overlooking the harbour of Vos, they automatically set about their various tasks. Each sister knew exactly what was expected from the others and with a practiced and seemingly flawless plan, they were ready to fish the tidal waters within the first few moments of arriving.

     

    Despite this there was still the exited flurry of anticipation. The usual betting soon took place but as Quentarii frowned upon them betting for gold, the standard practice of betting for chores like cooking and cleaning entered play.

     

    Kut’ana, the middle aged sister was the first to lay down the gauntlet. She had won the last bet and couldn’t help but feel confident in her ability at being able to capture the largest fish.

    “I bet two days of washing up. Breakfast, dinner and tea”.

     

    Kat’rini groaned as the thought of coming last every time haunted her.

    “Rats!”

     

    Vele’nara started laughing as she gave her sister a playful shove.

    “Sotek says rats and you know Quentarii frowns upon it”.

     

    Kut’ara started giggling as she backed up Kat’rini.

    “Yes, but then Sotek usually has a temper tantrum at the same time. Sotek Little-Hissy-Foot”.

     

    As if they were one, the three girls laughed while they all shouted out together.

    “It’s hissing, not hissy! Hssssss!”

     

    Meanwhile, back at their home, Quentarii had just finished decorating the main tents. She had left Sotek in a large tub of water which would usually keep him content for hours. The reality was such that she had only left him there for fifteen minutes when it occurred to her that she couldn’t hear him splashing about. That in itself wasn’t uncommon as he would often lay on his back under the surface of the water and sleep for an hour or so.

     

    She decided to play it safe and check on him, not that she was worried for his own wellbeing but more so for her own peace of mind. As she peered over the edge of the large metal bath, a sense of panic and dread filled her stomach. A trail of wet Argonian footprints matching Sotek’s size wandered away from the tub and disappeared as it headed through the small valley between various hills.

     

    Quentarii ran to the hillside and gazed across the horizon franticly while she quietly cursed.

    “Oh that little runt!”

     

    While Quentarii was quietly cursing the youngest member of her family, Vele’nara was increasing the bets with regards to their fishing competition. She had been cleaning the camp regularly and now she decided it was her siblings turn.

    “Two days… Cleaning the camp”.

     

    Kut’ana turned around to face her with a look of dread.

    “Cleaning the camp? That’s a hell of a lot compared to washing up…”

     

    Vele’nara nodded as she looked back at her two sisters while she smiled evilly to herself.

    “Yep so you will have to raise the bar…”

     

    Kat’rini’s tail flapped about as she shuffled backwards slightly. She felt suddenly confused and completely out of her depth with the whole scenario.

    “What bar? I thought we were fishing. I don’t want to clean the camp, it will take me ages!”

     

    Both Vele’nara and Kut’ara groaned and tutted at their youngest sister. While Vele’nara chuckled at Kat’rini’s stupidity, Kut’ara did her best to explain what the oldest sister had said.

    “When she told us to ‘raise the bar’ she meant that we have to increase the bet. Make the washing up worth more, like having it for five days and not two”.

     

    Kat’rini grimaced at the thought of being last. She knew her sisters played her at times and she had the awful feeling that she was going to be lumbered with all their chores.

    “You two take advantage of me… This isn’t fair… Oh my… Little brother!”

     

    Vele’nara gave her a look of confusion as she never expected her to comment about Sotek what so ever.

    “What about him? He don’t have chores like us. He has different tasks”.

     

    Kat’rini pointed to two small fishing boats which were berthed in the harbour. She initially had to look twice but now she wasn’t so sure of herself as she couldn’t see anything untoward.

    “I thought I saw him… At the harbour!”

     

    Vele’nara stepped forwards so she could see past the long stalks of Marshmerrow which grew in abundance on the edge of the shoreline.

    “I can’t see him… oh bloody hell!! What the! Sotek you stupid bastard… Quick, leave the rods!”

     

    The other two sisters ditched the rods where they stood and the three of them ran towards the harbour as they watched Sotek in the distance.

     

    He had what appeared to be an old fisherman’s net or rather a part of a net which was draped over his shoulder. Being completely oblivious to the fact that he had been spotted, Sotek dived in the water and was soon swimming full bore towards a boat which had just left its berth. Despite his size and age, he was far faster than the three girls once he was in the water and each one knew they would never catch him. Only Quentarii could but that was only when she wore her necklace and ring of fast swimming. To catch Sotek she would need both enchanted items so the three sisters knew they had no chance.

     

    They watched with nervous apprehension as Sotek rapidly caught up with the boat. He pulled himself up by climbing the net which was hanging over the side and within moments he was safely aboard.

     

    Vele’nara yelled at the top of her voice at him in the desperate hope that he would hear her and more importantly do what he was told. The trouble was that he seldom did. He wasn’t what she considered to be the black Argonian of their family but he was very unruly. Sometimes Quentarii herself had said that Sotek was more like a wild animal. He found rules hard to comply with and his seemingly boundless energy was like a fire that couldn’t be controlled.

    “Sotek! Sotek Hissing-Little-Foot! I know you can hear me damn it! Get your worthless tail over here! You hear me? Sotek? Sotek!”

     

    Sotek did indeed hear her and he even responded. He stood on the side of the boat and for the briefest of moments the sisters thought that he would dive into the water and return to them. Instead of that though, he waved his hand in the air and cheerfully smiled at his audience before jumping on the deck and disappearing from view.

     

     Kat’rini covered her face with the palms of her hands as she mumbled to herself.

    “Oh no! What are we going to do?”

     

    Vele’nara groaned as she made her way to the harbour where various fishermen and the gondolier of the small ferry craft Falvio’s Endeavour was berthed.

    “Quentarii will kill him. Mark my words if she don’t then I will. That stupid bastard…”

     

    Kut’ara tapped her on the shoulder and reminded her of the use of foul language.

    “Don’t let Quentarii catch you swearing”.

     

    Vele’nara shrugged the warning off as she approached the ferryman.

    “Trust me, Quentarii will swear aplenty when she finds out what he’s done. Excuse me, that fishing boat? The one that just left the harbour! What time is it due back?”

     

    Sedyni Veran, the Dunmer who owned the gondola, smiled at their greeting and looked out at the vessel which was now sailing away at speed.

    “Oh you mean captain Orag’s ship the stone hammer? You now it’s called that because they catch the biggest fish and club them to death? He’s not due back until early afternoon”.

     

    Vele’nara breathed a sigh of relief as she gazed up at the sun whist she shielded her eyes.

    “Oh that’s not so bad. We’ll wait for him, it’s only an hour away”.

     

     Sedyni chuckled as she shook her head.

    “You have a long wait, early afternoon yes, on the eve of the New Life Festival. He’s going past Dagon Fel”.

     

    Vele’nara groaned loudly as Kut’ara cried out desperately.

    “The 24th? That bastards at sea for four bloody days!”

     

    Having no other option the three sisters abandoned their fishing trip and returned to Ahemmusa camp where their mother was going frantic. Quentarii had even used her werewolf form to try to track the young hatchling down but he was devious and clever. She spent the last six years teaching him all she would dare without breaking her code. Weapon training and spell crafting was strictly for the minds of females but she taught him life skills instead. He had been allowed to join in with their mind games and puzzles provided Quentarii kept him away from her spell teachings. Weapons had been an issue but he had fashioned his own spear from Marshmerrow bamboo and he trained himself. The spear came naturally to him and on the odd occasions when he would give it his all, he could easily beat his sisters regardless as to what weapon they faced him with. Provided he faced them one at a time.

     

    All her werewolf form could detect was Nix-hound urine. Quentarii cursed herself while at the same time she felt somewhat pleased. She had taught him everything she knew and he eagerly learnt from her. It seemed he had a few tricks of his own.

     

    Not soon enough did the three sisters come into view and Quentarii wasted no time in calling out to them.

    “Well? Have you seen him? Oh damn him to hell you have… Where is that little tail of his? I swear I’ll nail it down next time”.

     

    Vele’nara shot forwards due to a shove from her sister Kut’ara who pushed her in front. She gulped loudly as she sat on a log by the fire.

    “He’s… He’s gone fishing”

     

    Quentarii found herself to be somewhat lost for words. She guessed he might have joined them but if that was the case then she thought that he would have returned with them.

    “Fishing? What do you mean he’s gone fishing? Where?”

     

    Kut’ara pointed back at the harbour as she looked at her mother nervously.

    “Dagon Fel. That little so and so boarded a fishing boat. It’s not due in until early afternoon on the 24th”.

     

    Quentarii’s mouth fell open as she stared at the three girls. She slowly looked towards the north where Dagon Fel was situated in the eastern side of the Sheogorad isles.

    “I’ll flipping kill him… Anything else I need to know?”

     

    Kat’rini timidly held her hand up as she nodded.

    “Vele’nara swore…”

     

     

Comments

13 Comments   |   Aela The Huntress like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 14, 2020
    Added picture
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 20, 2016
    The Giant Slaughterfish are a different type altogether. I'm thinking it was for a quest? The Morrowind Slaughterfish and Skyrim fish aren't half as bad as the Oblivion quest ones. Think if I recall you have to kill five.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  January 20, 2016
    Kat'rini's a little snitch ain't she? I'm surprised at Sotek's courage. He wrestled down three slaughterfish at the age of 3, in Oblivion with my level 40 character it took me an hour to jump in with the giant slaughterfish.
  • Ben W
    Ben W   ·  December 23, 2015
    ...Shots fired, I'm leaving
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  December 23, 2015
    He got mixed up with a she-wolf
  • Ben W
    Ben W   ·  December 23, 2015
    You're so loving Aela 
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  December 23, 2015
    Awww bless the poor little tyke. Little Sotek is so cute....
    What happened to him?
  • ShyGuyWolf
    ShyGuyWolf   ·  December 22, 2015
    great piece man.
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  December 22, 2015
    The Fuus is strong with this one, yes?
    At least it wasn't a slaver ship he boarded, or was it? Dun dun Dunnnn
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  December 22, 2015
    Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments. Throughout U.O.T.W. I included small snippets of Sotek’s past which even for him is shrouded in mystery. I had a great time adding parts of his past to the ranks of my story. More to come over the next few days.