U.O.T.W. Chapter 271 Serve More Than One Master

  • Serve More Than One Master 

     

    Sotek looked straight at Kodlak and Aela. Both of them met his stance with anger, their eyes glared with fury. Moving back from the possible onslaught, Sotek held his hands up and pleaded his case.

    “I haven’t done anything. Harbinger, let’s get to the fort and sort this out. Honestly Aela, I have no idea what the hell is going on”. 

     

    The Harbinger turned to the Huntress and issued his orders.

    “You and the others stay here. Rikke, come with us”. 

     

    Aela, in fear for her brothers, stepped forwards, demanding her rights to go with them.

    “I’m coming as well, I swear to Hircine Sotek; if I find out you’re responsible, I’ll bloody...” 

     

    Sotek sighed then pointed to a chair.

    “Aela I have no idea what any of this is about, ok? I’ve spent most of my time with you! Please stay here, we’ll be back with them as soon as we can”. 

     

    The Huntress got up then poked Sotek in the chest.

    “You said ‘most of the time’. You have an hour then I’m coming. One hour. Bring... them... home”. 

     

    The moment Kodlak, Sotek and Rikke left the main gate, the Harbinger held Sotek by the arm and forced him to look at Kodlak in the eyes.

    “Now young pup; you talk straight or I can’t help you or them. What in all of Tamriel is going on?” 

     

    Sotek’s gaze was fixed on the fort in the distance. He tried to think back as to why the General would behave in such a manner but nothing came to mind. He was just in the dark as anyone else.

    “I don’t know, I can’t put anything I’ve done to this. It doesn’t make sense”. 

     

    Rikke gave Sotek a shove making him stagger backwards slightly, “You stupid bastard, I told you didn’t I? Don’t trust him! You bloody fool”. 

     

    Sotek snapped, he grabbed Rikke by the collar and pulled her to his face.

    “Back... off... hisss”. Then he pushed her away from him. “Let’s go”.

     

    Within a few hours they arrived at the fort. Farkas and Vilkas were kneeling in the dirt. Their hands bound by leather straps and were tied to two poles which were hammered deeply into the ground. The pair of them looked up when the Harbinger approached them but they couldn’t see anything as black hoods covered their faces. Kodlak turned to the General in disgust.

    “What is the meaning of this outrage?” 

     

    “Evening Harbinger”. The General said dryly. “Oh, sorry, you asked a question? Well the meaning is simple. Sotek and I are going to have a little chat. If I’m satisfied we’ll let them go. If not...” He pointed to one section of wall. At his signal two sacks were kicked off and fell ten feet before stopping as two ropes snapped tight. “Then they hang for treason”. 

     

    Sotek pointed at Farkas in disbelief.

    “What in Oblivion have they done that demands a hanging for treason?” 

     

    The General cast a look behind Sotek, then pointed to the gateway.

    “Ah the fourth member to the conspiracy. You were lucky you happened to be away at the time else you would be here already. Well, as we’re all here, I’ll explain”. 

     

    Sotek turned around and saw Aela standing a few feet away. She pushed past him and approached the General.

    “Go on then, let’s hear this crap”. 

     

    The General just laughed.

    “So feisty. What you failed to see is that you were played by Sotek. Kodlak, do you recall the day when you held the Rememberance Ceremony? it was on that morning when three of your Companions smuggled out two fur bundles and hid them in an abandoned bear cave. These were supplies of weapons were for the Stormcloaks. We’re at war with the Stormcloaks. So, as you can see Kodlak, that’s treason”.

     

    “What weapon caches? Those two piles of fur were dead Shadowscales. Sotek and I killed them then we hid the bodies. Sotek tell him, explain to this cretin....” However Aela was stopped dead by Sotek’s next words. 

     

    “Oh crap! You found the weapons”. As he spoke he covered his face with his palm so Kodlak couldn’t look at him.

     

    “Oh crap yes I did, General Tullius said with an evil smirk. “Weapons made, wait for it... made by you and hidden by the Companions”. 

     

    Aela shook her head adamantly. Nothing made sense and certainly didn’t fit what she knew. She turned to Sotek for support, hoping he could straighten everything out.

    “No, there were no weapons. They were the two bodies. Sotek, tell him, tell this goon... Sotek?” 

     

    The Harbinger walked over to the distressed Huntress and held her shoulders.

    “What bodies?” 

     

    Aela glared at Sotek as she told the Harbinger what she knew.

    “The two Shadowscales. We, that is me, Farkas and Vilkas stored two fur bundles of furs in an old bear cave. We thought Sotek had wrapped the two assassins up in the furs”. 

     

    Sotek walked past them then stood in front of the General, cutting off everyone else.

    “You said that us two talk; so let’s talk”. 

     

    “Yes, but before that, explain to them”. The General stated, allowing Sotek no leniency or clemency.

     

    Sotek looked across to Aela and shuddered. He half expected her to explode with rage.

    “The two bundles of furs were wrapped up weapons. I couldn’t afford for the bodies to be found. I wrapped up weapons I made and got you three to hide them instead. The Shadowscales were bound to come looking so I hid the bodies by me”. 

     

    Aela’s face was full of shock.

    “But why?”

     

    “So if they came looking, which the Dark Brotherhood did, they would come to me and not you three. But this ridiculous concept of us helping the Stormcloaks is all you Tullius”. Sotek stated as a fact, pointing an accusing finger at the General.

     

    The General walked up to Sotek and smiled evilly at him. 

    “Then there’s the assault and attempted murder of an Imperial officer. ‘Red’ tried to kill Legate Rikke in the Rift. I’ve seen the tree, I’ve read various reports. Attempted murder of an Imperial officer? Your precious Huntress will dance at the end of a rope. It’s time for that chat... Follow me”. Sotek scowled at the General but he had little choice but to follow him. The General led Sotek to his private quarters, however within five minutes they came back outside.

     

    The General seemed a bit confused; he kept watching Sotek as he tried to work things out. Everything went according to the General’s plan and yet...

    When he laid out his demands, the Argonian laughed and all too willingly accepted the task. The speed on which their ‘business’ had been concluded unsettled the General like he was missing something. Something only Sotek was aware of; too aware of for Tullius’s liking. “Ermm, release them”. Three Soldiers stepped forwards and cut Farkas’s and Vilkas’s bonds. 

     

    Sotek however was angry. He hissed at his siblings and headed towards the gate.

    “Let’ss get the hell out of here” 

     

     Aela called back to him, demanding some sort of explanation.

    “Hang on, we want some answers”. 

     

    What was obvious to everyone else should have been obvious to her but she was feeling angry which blindsided her to Sotek’s own anger levels.

    “Aela! Enough already, we’re going home!” Sotek started walking through the gate but then he suddenly stopped and walked back to the General.

     

    Sotek punched him hard in the jaw which sent him stumbling backwards then Sotek headed outside the fort. 

     

    The General called out to him.

    “It’s all going on the bill Sotek”. 

     

    Sotek stopped but he never turned around, instead his eyes fixed on Aela’s.

    “General, all he wanted was a piece of land that nobody wanted or cared about so Red and Scarface could hunt together without interference from anyone. You remember that, it’s important. All he wanted was for us to be left alone out there on the plains. You could have given us that but you wouldn’t. You’re ignorant to the needs of him and his mate. He doesn’t hold that against you, but he sswears... he will educate you on the meaning of let ssleeping wolvess lie”. 

     

    Sotek then walked up to Aela and apologised for his temper.

    “He’s ssorry he sshouted, he kind of flipped out for a ssecond”. He then held her by her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. 

     

    Aela could tell he was completely stressed out. Although she couldn’t see it in his face, she could tell easily by his voice, let alone the way in which he held her.

    “When we get back you need to go to your room and get some sleep. We’ll get to the bottom of everything in the morning”. 

     

    Vilkas came over to them and unleashed his own onslaught against the Argonian.

    “What the hell is going on?” 

     

    Sotek took a few deep breaths then faced him.

    “We’ll head back, then I’ll explain”. 

     

    Farkas poked Sotek in the chest, laying out his own terms.

    “You had better, and so it makes sense”. 

     

    Aela gave Farkas a shove, forcing him away.

    “Hey, back off a bit! He’ll tell us what he can, ok?”

     

    By the time they got back to Jorrvaskr, the sun was an hour from rising. Sotek opened the doors and stepped inside but the moment he did so he froze on the spot. Sotek’s shoulders slumped as he groaned loudly. 

     

    Aela peered around him, immediately her eyes focused on a small group of Shadowscales who were waiting for them.

    “Oh for fuck sake! You have to be bloody joking?” 

     

    Inside Jorrvaskr’s hall, sitting down at the table were three Shadowscales. Both Sotek and Aela instantly recognised Shadow Walker and the female from outside the gates of Solitude. The female gave Sotek a wave of her hand. “Hello Ssotek. Oh... hi Aela”.

     

    Sotek sat on his step as he watched them. Aela however slowly drew her bow and leaned against a pillar, with her bow resting idly by her side. “What the hell in Oblivion do you want?” 

     

    Farkas and Vilkas casually walked to either side of the steps. Following Aela’s lead they both drew their swords and rested their hands on the hilts. The Harbinger however was far from happy. He ordered the whelps out of the hall.

    “You whelps get downstairs, move”. 

     

    Kul-et approached the Harbinger and Sotek so she could speak quietly.

    They haven’t threatened anyone but engaged us all in, ermm ‘polite conversation’. If they were here for a fight they wouldn’t have. I suggest the Companions sheath their weapons. Sotek, the one next to the female? He was looking for you”. 

     

    Sotek stood up and nodded.

    Thanks, now go with the others”. He tried for a few seconds to think things through but his mind was far too stressed to work anything out. “I’m tired, hungry, and feeling a little stressed so forgive me if I appear somewhat rude. I’ve seen the General, he iss satisfied. Sso what the hell do you want?” 

     

    The Harbinger walked over to the table then sat down, he then cast a quick glance at the Companions who were all standing with their weapons in their hands.

    “Sit down and put those weapons away. Sotek, you as well”. 

     

    Sotek simply sat on his step. Aela rested her bow on her knees as she sat beside him. Vilkas looked at the pair of them and shrugged.

    “What is it with you two and the steps?” With that he sat a foot away from Sotek. Farkas sat the other side of Aela then the pair of them rested their swords against the pillars they were next to. 

     

    Aela smirked and cast a quick glance at the Harbinger.

    “We’re all sitting”. 

     

    The Argonian, which Kul-et said was looking for Sotek, stood up and casually walked over to the Harbinger. He then drew a chair and sat next to Kodlak as if he was countermining their own actions.

    “We’re not here on behalf of the General. We’re here on behalf of ourselves. And when I say ‘ourselves’ I mean, the Shadowscales as a whole”. 

     

    Sotek eyed him suspiciously.

    “And you are?”

     

    “My name? I’m Huinzi Eats His Prey. It sounds somewhat sickening, but I generally only eat what I kill”. 

     

    Sotek smirked back. If that was his attempt at intimidation then he had a lot to learn.

    “Oh it doesn’t. As you are aware, we are werewolves. Aela, or rather Red, has been getting in a habit of late where she only kills what she eats. By that I mean she’s getting in the habit of eating things alive”. Sotek then gave his mate a friendly nudge. “Yes, we got to talk about that. The screaming’s getting well out of hand”. 

     

    Aela smirked until she saw the Harbinger giving her a cold hard stare. Instantly her face straightened. 

     

    The female Shadowscale gave Aela a glare then she spoke up. “You’ve already met Shadow Walker, he’s not known to outsiders by his first name. As for me, I’m Sasha Wall-shifter; on the account that I can enter anywhere, unseen and unobserved. Even from the senses of werewolves”. 

     

    Aela sneered at her.

    “Humph! You wanna put that to the test one night?” A second later she jerked forwards slightly as Sotek slapped the back of her head. “Oi”. 

     

    Sotek shook his head at her.

    “That’s not helping”. He then returned his gaze to Huinzi. “I’m Sotek, the feisty one sitting next to me is Aela, this is Farkas, that’s Vilkas, then there’s Kodlak, but we all call him the Harbinger. I would ask that you did the same”. 

     

    “Yes, we noticed the others refer to him as ‘Harbinger’. But Sotek, tell me before we talk about other matters, what’s your other name?” 

     

    “My full name? I’m Sotek Don’t-Waste-My-Time-Asking-Daft-Questions. It’s a bit long winded but I’m sure you get the point”. 

     

    Aela sighed.

    “You know, for one second there I actually thought you were going to say it”. Her comment made Sotek smirk for a few seconds. 

     

    Farkas looked over to him and scratched his head.

    “I thought it was ‘He-Who-Kills-Rather-Than-Answers-Whelp’s-Daft-Questions’?” 

     

    Aela gave him a shove and groaned.

    You’re a bloody moron”. 

     

    Huinzi cast a look at Sotek and slowly nodded.

    “I see, very well on to business. We are here for two things. Firstly, there were two renegade Shadowscales. They worked for the band of assassins in Skyrim”. 

     

    Sotek slowly nodded.

    “Call it for what it is, the Dark Brotherhood”. 

     

    Huinzi laughed loudly.

    “Actually no, they were Dark Brotherhood but they have broken away from the five tenants. They’re nothing but a bunch of renegade rogues. These two Shadowscales should have reported back to me about the group but they joined them instead. We have come for their hearts, the bodies you can keep. Where are they?” 

     

    Sotek groaned out loudly. He looked around the hall and almost cried.

    “You can’t have the hearts”. 

     

    “Oh but I’m afraid we must, even if they’re rotten, which they were even before their death”. Huinzi stated. Making it clear Sotek had no choice but to comply with his request.

     

    “Well that’s too bad because you can’t”. Sotek stated. He knew the truth... there was no way he could hand the hearts over, even if he wanted to.

     

    Huinzi looked across at Farkas and Vilkas.

    “Don’t tell me the General Tullius has them because he doesn’t. He has the weapons you gave those three which were wrapped up to look like the bodies. Now I know only you Sotek knows where they are. It’s simple, the hearts must be returned. I need absolute proof that they are dead”. 

     

    “The bodies are gone, destroyed. The same goes with all of their armor and everything else”. Sotek coldly replied. He couldn’t believe the situation he was now in. No-one was supposed to know about the cave and bundle of weapons but even the Shadowscales in Black Marsh were aware of it.

     

    Huinzi coldly gazed back at him and cruelly smiled.

    “That is unfortunate for you, unless you can convince me”. 

     

     

Comments

8 Comments   |   ShyGuyWolf and 6 others like this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 9, 2018
    lol, just when we think Sotek can perhaps breathe, well, no, he can't. More Shadowscales. I'm a bit confused about them as Argonian lore isn't my forte, but I'm just gonna ride the Sotek train. 
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  June 21, 2018
    Ah, the Shadowscales popping again. You know, the thing with the hearts but not being allowed to kill the renegade Shadowscales always left me scratch my head. Talking about the Oblivion quest here. In order to bring a rogue Shadowscales to justice you ha...  more
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  August 19, 2017
    I believe Shadowscales actually require the hearts of rogue Shadowscales, not their heads. I have no idea why so don't ask but during an optional Dark Brotherhood quest in Oblivion you can hunt a rogue Shadowscale down and you take his heart.
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      I believe Shadowscales actually require the hearts of rogue Shadowscales, not their heads. I have no idea why so don't ask but during an optional Dark Brotherhood quest in Oblivion you can hunt a rogue Shadowscale down and you take his heart.
        ·  August 22, 2017
      Actually now you mention it...... 
      I might have to make a change here. It certainly would fit later on and yes you are right. 
      Thanks Ebonslayer....
      • Sotek
        Sotek
        Sotek
        Sotek
        Sotek
        Actually now you mention it...... 
        I might have to make a change here. It certainly would fit later on and yes you are right. 
        Thanks Ebonslayer....
          ·  August 28, 2017
        Had a look at this and I decided to implement the change you suggested. This fits in with later on so it was worth doing. Thanks again Ebonslayer. 
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  August 17, 2017
    Huinzi? Hmm... sounds Akaviri.
    • ShyGuyWolf
      ShyGuyWolf
      The Sunflower Manual
      The Sunflower Manual
      The Sunflower Manual
      Huinzi? Hmm... sounds Akaviri.
        ·  August 22, 2017
      Tsaesci in Argonian skin confirmed?
      • Sotek
        Sotek
        ShyGuyWolf
        ShyGuyWolf
        ShyGuyWolf
        Tsaesci in Argonian skin confirmed?
          ·  August 28, 2017
        Tsaesci? No, not yet...... Later... much, much later......