U.O.T.W. Chapter 87 The Oath

  • Authors Notes: Contains Strong Language

    Despite the fact that Sotek had been cracked on the jaw by Aela a few hours before, his overall mood was jovial by the time the three Companions neared the stables of Whiterun. His mood soon turned apprehensive however when the Companion in question, who was sitting on the fence by the wagon, jumped down and walked towards them.

    Sotek inadvertently slowed down as Aela’s pace quickened. He tilted his head slightly to protect himself when Aela stopped right in front of him, deliberately blocking his path. She roughly grabbed hold of his chin and pulled his face around so she could check where she had actually struck him.

    After satisfying herself that there was no mark to speak of, she let him go then addressed the three of them.

    “So... Just what the hell are we going to tell them?”

    Sotek leant into her face like he was trying to intimidate her. Instead of backing away, Aela stood her ground and glared back at him while refusing to move away.

    Whether Sotek’s intention was to make Aela back off or to simply make a stand of his own was irrelevant as his next few words changed the entire situation along with dousing the hostile atmosphere between Aela and himself.

    “Aela, you’re a very angry person. You know that? It’s good, it really is. You see, we’re going to use that... Here’s what I want you to do”.

    After he explained his idea, Farkas leant back against the stone wall thankful for his role in the plan. Vilkas was just as happy as he shared an equal part. One which Sotek explained was vital if his idea was to work.

    Just so he was doubly sure, Farkas asked once more as to what role his brother and he would play. Aela took it upon herself to validate what they had already been told.

    “Oh really? Farkas, it’s simple. You two twits don’t know anything. You look stupid and shrug those brutish shoulders of yours. It shouldn’t be that hard”.

    Sotek chuckled as he nodded in approval to Aela’s outburst.

    “There you go… Nice to see you getting your angry head on. Glad you’re stepping into the role. All you need to do is state that you found me wandering about. And remember all of you that I had no clue as to where I was... Have a go at Danica for letting me disappear by myself”.

    Aela snapped her head around and glared at him as she snapped angrily at the three of them.

    “I haven’t stepped into any role yet. Shut up and move it. We’re wasting time”.

    Although she had certain reservations about Sotek’s plan, his calming influence along with providing her with the chance to yell, all proved too enticing for her to back down. As the ‘pack’ headed towards the gate, an evil smile formed on Aela’s face.

    The walk through the plains district was quiet enough except for the odd glances which Sotek received for only having the fur wrapped around him. He boldly walked in front through the market and climbed the steps to the Wind District but from there, his eyes kept glancing over to the Temple doors. He managed to sigh a breath of relief as he felt the wooden door of Jorrvaskr in his hand. With a big push from his good hand, he opened the door then stepped inside.

    The moment Sotek had entered the hall, everyone stopped whatever they were doing. The only sound was of Kodlak’s chair as he scraped it along the floor so he could stand up. He briskly walked over towards them while from the other side of the hall Sotek saw a broom being waved in the air at him.

    With Kodlak approaching from his left and Tilma closing in on his right, Sotek knew his plan was never going to work.

    “This isn’t going to happen. Aela, keep out of this... Crap!” He hastily turned around and opened the door to Whiterun so he could make good his escape.

    Unfortunately for him, he was spotted crossing the wind district by the priestess Danica. The moment the door opened Sotek groaned bitterly as he saw her right outside waiting for him. He quickly closed the door on her and leaned against it.

    “Aw hell”

    Tilma hollered at him as she literally swept him out of the way of the door.

    “Hell’s right young man. Let her in. Move aside”

    As Sotek backed away from the door, Tilma opened it to allow Danica to enter the hall. Her usually placid eyes seemed to bore into Soteks who was starting to feel the pressure from the three seniors. A heavy hand clamped down on Sotek’s good shoulder, making him jump from surprise. He turned around to look at his ‘captor only to find that Kodlak was glaring at him as well.

    “Of all the silly stunts you done... I would usually ask for the hall to be cleared so we can talk but I fail to see why everyone else should be disturbed by your antics. Training yard, now!”

    Sotek’s shoulders dropped as he lowered his head in defeat. He trudged across the hall towards the far door but before he opened them he slightly shook his head to Aela warning her not to interfere.

    Danica and Tilma both followed him, leaving the Harbinger to take the rear. Before he exited the hall he gave the group a stern warning not to venture outside. The warning was given to Companions and Whelps alike.

    “You all stay in here. All of you... Aela, that means you as well. Do I make myself clear?”

    Aela dejectedly sat on the step and nodded. Her gut was turning and she was dreading as to what Sotek’s punishment would be.

    “Yes... But Harbi...”

    Kodlak raised his hand up for silence, then the single bang of the door closing behind him marked the fact that he had joined Sotek and the others in the training yard.

    The Harbinger beckoned everyone to the large table where they all sat around as if it was a summit. Sotek found himself facing Danica and her tapping fingers which drummed constantly on the table top. All Sotek could do was wait for someone to start speaking. Kodlak refrained from laying down the law as he saw it and instead allowed Danica to have her say first.

    “Danica, we have troubled you enough and kept you from your duties for far too long. Sotek is... he is under my house and, as such under my ‘command’, if ‘command’ is the right word. It’s only right that you should have your say, and then we will burden you no further”.

    Danica’s fingers fell still and silent as she warmly smiled at the Harbinger. Her overall tone soon changed though when she addressed Sotek in a stern and angry manner.

    “What can I say? I spent days and nights looking after you. I cleaned your wounds, I washed you, watched over you... and for what? I certainly didn’t do it so you can just go wandering off to the Nines knows where! Now I don’t take care of the sick so everyone is in my debt, but to say nothing? And what’s worse is you didn’t even get dressed. You just upped and left. Naked!! I’m not expecting a trail of gold at my feet Sotek but a basic thank you wouldn’t have gone amiss”.

    Tilma promptly joined in on the attack while Sotek sat there silently. He had answers but he was dubious about how much if any of it he should say. It was bad enough that Sheogorath was treating him as his private toy let alone Hircine and his involvement. As he pondered once more on his plight, Tilma snapped at him angrily, and she wasn’t one to be ignored.

    “Why did you leave the temple? We’ve been worried, we all have. You’ve been missing for days”.

    Sotek turned to the figure who sat opposite him, Kodlak. The Harbinger watched Sotek quietly as if he was studying the Argonian like he did the first time they met in the Undercroft. As Sotek turned though, he grimaced from the wounded shoulder, although he did his best to hide it.

    Despite his efforts however, Kodlak saw through it and immediately knew the shoulder was still a major burden for him. Something about Sotek’s demeanour seemed different though, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He decided to try to make things a bit easier. ‘After all’, he thought, ‘it was no good bombarding the boy with questions’.

    “Why don’t you start at the beginning. When did you wake up?”

    Sotek instantly breathed a loud sigh of relief as he nursed his shoulder. He rested his arm slowly on the table before trying to explain everything.

    “Oh thank Hir... and Him for that one. A question I can answer. Harbinger, Danica, and you Tilma, I’m not going to ask any of you to understand. What I ask is a leap of faith from the three of you. This is the truth as I know it. It’s not a case of when I woke up... It’s more of a case of where!”

    He then spent the next ten odd minutes giving the three elders a rundown on his past four days. With the exception of anything that Sheogorath told him and the fact that Aela had transformed into Red so she could chase him. While he told his tale, Danica held her hand to her mouth as if she was afraid of losing her breath, while Tilma shook her head every few minutes almost like she was refusing to believe a single word, which wouldn’t surprise Sotek in the least.

    He was half way through his tale and was explaining about Aela shooting him in the leg while he was trapped as a wolf when Tilma rose to her feet angrily.

    “I have heard enough... What is all this nonsense? Now, enough games... Tell us what really happened”

    Sotek rolled his eyes at her as he half yelled back at her.

    “Oh for crying out. I’m trying to damn it!”

    Tilma slammed her hand down on the table and hollered back at him. That was when Kodlak pulled on her arm, literally forcing her to sit back down. Danica joined in although she had a bit more decorum than the maid.

    “Sotek, you cannot expect us to believe that you were turned into a wolf by Sheogorath and then promptly hunted down by the Companions... You say that you were shot in the leg? Then how come they never caught you?”

    Sotek rested his head in his one hand which could support the weight and sighed bitterly.

    His voice was far louder than what he intended but he couldn’t help it. He had enough and there was no end in sight.

    “I’m trying to bloody tell you... There was a priest... He healed my leg. The wolf’s leg”.

    Kodlak was growing tired of everything as well. Although he was thinking the same as the others in that Sotek was making everything up.

    “What priest?”

    Sotek slumped down in the chair and quickly regretted it as his shoulder once again caused him to cry out. He sat bolt upright and once again had to nurse the wound.

    “Damn it to Oblivion. The priest... Florentius, priest of Arkay”.

    Danica’s eyes light up at the mere mention of the name but she still wasn’t convinced. She decided to question Sotek further in the hope that Sotek actually knew who he was trying to refer to.

    “This priest. What was he wearing?”

    Sotek stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head in disbelief.

    “You’re kidding right? Priest robes. What bloody else”.

    Tilma reacted to his outburst with one of her own, except hers was laced with sarcasm.

    “Oh robes? Really? And sandals no doubt. Silk gloves maybe?”

    Sotek snarled at her as his own hand slammed down on the table although his heavy handedness was more due to frustration.

    “What? Damn it Tilma... Actually, no”. He then regained his calm as he pictured what Florentius looked like.

    “He was wearing steel boots and steel gauntlets”.

    Danica fell silent for a few seconds the rose briskly to her feet. She rested her hand gently on Sotek’s head as she talked to the Harbinger.

    “Sotek’s telling the truth. I know of this man. Florentius. He’s as Sotek had described. This though worries me a great deal. Sheogorath took an interest in Aela did he not? Sotek, hold this symbol in your hand”. She then drew out from her pocked a small stone. Neither Sotek, nor even Kodlak recognised it what so ever. Sotek looked on in bewilderment as the stone was placed in his palm. “Now, you answer me this. Are you a Daedra worshiper? Tell me now and I will do all I can to help you”.

    Kodlak’s face turned pale along with Tilma’s but Sotek grinned slightly. He couldn’t help smiling but he was quick to hide it.

    “Danica, I swear on my life and that of Aela’s... I do not worship, prey to, or even follow any Daedra. I swear to you”.

    Danica nodded then took the stone back and placed it in her pocket. She seemed satisfied with all that Sotek had said and promptly made her farewells before leaving Jorrvaskr’s grounds.

    “I believe him. He’s telling the truth. Watch over him Kodlak, both him and Aela and I will endeavour to do the same”. With that she left them alone and returned to the temple.

    Tilma sat in silence for a few minutes then slowly got to her feet and moved around the table. She sat back down next to Sotek then with the same care as a mother would, she gently pulled his head down so it would rest on her shoulder. Sotek’s whole body seemed to relax as Tilma rubbed her hands across his back.

    “We were worried. I didn’t know what to think. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you”.

    Sotek turned his head on its side and rested there on her shoulder for a few more moments before he sat back up.

    “Tilma, Harbinger, to be honest... I don’t quite believe it all either. However later we really need to talk. Aela as well”.

    He then slowly turned around to the double doors and quietly spoke to himself.

    “By Hircine, I miss my step”.

    When they entered Jorrvaskr, Aela jumped to her feet and nervously looked at Sotek. He knew she was concerned so he put her at ease before he done anything else although he was aware that he would have to be careful with what he said due to the Whelps who were sitting around the hall.

    “I’ve told them about what’s happened and why I left the temple. There are however, some things we need to discuss with the Harbinger. At the moment though, that can wait. Why don’t you show me what Re… What remains of the Undercroft?”

    Aela found it hard to turn away from him. She felt bad enough with what had happened during the last few days and the thought of having to go downstairs with him knowing what state the Undercroft was left in a week before made her feel sick. She managed to focus on a nail used in the construction of the flooring and ended up just staring at it.

    She jumped slightly when she suddenly felt his hand hold her by the elbow. With a few words of encouragement, he moved her in front so she could lead the way downstairs.

    “I’ve only got this fur on, it’s getting cold. How bad can the Undercroft be?”

    Aela gave him a small smile, belying the dread which almost threatened to choke her.

    “You don’t get cold… Don’t… Don’t expect too much”. She closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths before leading him down the stairway.

    The very moment Sotek glanced along the Undercroft corridor, he felt just as sick as Aela had. In the near corner was a small table with two chairs, obviously brought downstairs from the hall. The floor was stained due to water damage and everything else despite Tilma’s constant scrubbing. Sotek’s first stop was the stores which was bare except for a few baskets that Kodlak managed to secure from Belethor’s shop.

    He sniffed at the air a few times as he shook his head in bewilderment.

    “Mead, piss, Red. Blood…” He re-entered the corridor and made his way down it checking in on a few random rooms. All he could see was a few old wooden crates and furs laid on the floor for bedding. Half way along the corridor he stopped and rested his hand on the wall. Vivid memories came flooding back of him holding that very spot as blood poured from his shoulder.

    Aela held her palm against his back startling him as he found himself once again standing in the empty corridor. Despite the fact that there was only himself and Aela there, he could still hear Kodlak and Vilkas shouting along with Red’s threatening and angry growl. The walls seemed to close in upon him while the length of the corridor stretched out before him giving the impression that it went on for miles.

    His breathing had inadvertently sped up but Sotek wasn’t willing to relinquish control. He was no slave. Not to Hircine and definitely not to his mind or his body. He shut down his breathing on the spot and held his breath. As he looked straight at Aela, he took one deep breath then commented on Red’s handy work.

    “You got the devil in you, girl… The red devil… I take it that my room is the same? Empty?”

    Aela nodded shamefully. Sotek could see it in her eyes, her movements, let alone her voice.

    “Yes… Proventus, he gave us… fuck all actually. He gave us a single bed, 1 wardrobe, 1 small table, a chest of draws and a display cabinet. That’s all the mother fucker gave us. 300 gold it cost us”.

    Sotek stared at the Harbinger’s room as he bitterly snapped back at her. She was angry with Proventus but Sotek knew she was far angrier with herself, with Red. In so many ways Aela and Sotek were similar. They were hard on other’s mistakes and failings, but were always tougher on themselves.

    “It’s not his fault… Then again it’s nice to know he holds us in high regards. 12 of us Aela… 12 people can’t share a single bed and a bloody chest of draws”

    Aela walked away from him as she felt her emotions begin to overwhelm her. Without meaning to, she almost screamed at him.

    “I know damn it!! What the hell am I supposed to do? I can’t fix this Sotek… I… I don’t even know where to start”

    Sotek gently wiped away a single tear from her face and embraced her in his arm as a means of offering her support. He looked back along the corridor to his room which happened to be completely empty.

    “My room has no furs, how come?”

    Aela seemed to compose herself due to being asked a direct question. Something which Sotek was quick to pick up on so he stopped talking as such and relied upon a series of questions and answers allowing Aela to regain control.

    “There’s a shortage of furs as well as everything else so you’re in my room, with me”.

    He couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised at the latest development due to the fact that although they were together, Aela always had her own space. It was something she defended vigorously, even against him.

    “Your room? Wow”

    A seething huff was quickly followed by a harsh reality as Aela laid down the facts.

    “It’s either you share with me or I share with a Whelp and you sleep alongside Farkas. Your call”

    Sotek’s face momentarily screwed up but a sneaky grin soon replaced it.

    “Ok, let’s see our room then”.

    Aela snapped defensively which was of no surprise to Sotek what so ever.

    “My room. You’re just borrowing it”

    The first thing Sotek noticed about Aela’s room was the door, or rather the lack of a door. On the floor where her bed used to be were three furs laid out in a pile. It was at that moment that Sotek really understood what situation the Companions were in. Things needed to be done, and fast.

    He placed a few specific thoughts in a rough order so he had an idea on what was a priority so they could be dealt with later on. For now though, he remembered being the wolf which hunted alongside Aela during the night before.

    “Last night, when we hunted together…”

    It was a bolt from the blue and one which Aela wasn’t expecting. Feeling somewhat puzzled she stepped towards him to be suddenly spun around so her back was to him.

    “Yes, what’s that got to do with anything?”

    Sotek smiled as he shoved her face forwards onto the pile of furs.

    “I spent hours on all fours… Now it’s your turn”.

     Aela pushed herself up to her hands and knees and turned to face him. By now he was moving towards her while his fur was lying on the floor. A broad smile formed on her face as she lowered her head in submission and willingly succumbed to her fate.

    Quarter of an hour later, Aela wrapped the fur back around Sotek but every time she stood in front of him, he grabbed her hip and kissed her, causing her to laugh.

    “Stop it or I won’t help you… There, let’s go”.

    The moment they left her room however, Aela gasped in shock. A few feet away, slab bang in the middle of the corridor was a pair of black boots along with a pair of trousers and a white miner’s shirt. Aela’s face quickly turned red as she stared along the corridor in horror.

    “Tilma… By Hircine, she must have heard us… Damn it Sotek…”

    Sotek’s reply was simple but he felt just as embarrassed as she did. Aela jumped back slightly as Soteks tail rubbed against her ankle while it curled between Sotek’s feet.

    “Damn… Help me get dressed”. He then pulled the fur off and tossed it to the side of the corridor.

    When they crossed the hall of Jorrvaskr, Sotek blatantly sent Aela off away from him instead of letting her sit at the step where he was heading.

    “Aela, I need to be alone. I have things to work out. Go join the other’s at the table”.

    This single act caught Aela off guard and she couldn’t help but wonder as to the nature of his order, especially since they had just had sex. She felt confused and vulnerable as she sat down quietly where he told her to. He sat on his step opposite her and his eyes fixed on hers like he was staring into her very soul.

    He slowly looked around the room drawing everyone’s attention. Whether it was deliberate or not was irrelevant as he talked far louder than what was necessary.

    “Aela…”

    He cast a quick glance at one of the Whelps then stopped speaking for a few moments. His tail lifted up then thudded down on the wooden step clearly showing that his temperament was far from calm and collected.

    “You Whelps… Clear the hall”. All the while he kept looking straight at Aela.

    The Whelps vacated the hall as instructed and headed downstairs despite the fact that it was only late afternoon. Once the last Whelp closed the Undercroft door, Sotek resumed his one sided conversation.

    “Aela…” His eyes suddenly switched from hers and settled on the Harbinger’s although Sotek still kept the intense look about him.

    “She told me that Proventus gave us some furniture, at cost. Despite that though, when I was downstairs I hardly saw any…”

    Farkas butted in with a sleazy comment which caused Sotek’s tail to lift up and slam back down angrily.

    “Not surprised. All you saw was Aela’s bare back”.

    Aela buried her head in her arms on the table top leaving Sotek the task of defending her honor as well as his own. A task which he was fully prepared to do.

    “She’s my mate. What do you expect me to do with her? Slap her ass in a cage instead? Harbinger, this furniture”

    Kodlak wrapped his knuckles on the table top silencing Farkas before he could react to Sotek’s abrupt statement.

    “Farkas… Yes Sotek. Although it wasn’t much”.

    Sotek once again stared at Aela but then he rose to his feet and turned around so he had his back to them all. He angrily hissed at the doorway to Whiterun and turned his attention towards Proventus.

    “It’s nice to know he holdss uss in ssuch high regards”.

    He looked back over his shoulder towards Aela and caught her stare. His eyes narrowed and seemed to bore into her but then he turned back around so he was facing them all once more and rapidly snapped out his orders.

    “Aela… Get your ass over to Bjorlam. Tell him we need two strong horses to pull the cart. Strong horses, not fast ones. Strength is our ally, not speed. Farkas, Vilkas… Gather up all the Whelps and take them to the stables, no exceptions. Make sure they are armed. Don’t concern yourselves with their packs, they won’t need them. While you’re at it, grab Aela’s bow and quiver”.

    His whole tone and attitude suddenly changed as he gave Kodlak a sneaky smile. While he addressed the Harbinger, his tail playfully curved around in a wide arc.

    “Harbinger, do we have any rope?”

    Both Kodlak and Aela stared blankly at each other for a few seconds before they simultaneously repeated Sotek’s question like a pair of parrots.

    “Rope?”

     

     

Comments

11 Comments
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  November 4, 2015
    Fixed the definitely and I have no idea why this keeps happening. I even check for definitely and defiantly before I post so, nope... No bloody idea on this.
    Paragraph 79 Sotek was in the process of saying Red but he managed to stop himself.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  November 3, 2015
    I think I've got a few more minutes of consciousness in me so I'll point out a few errors.

    In paragraph 89 I found this sentence. "Not to Hircine and defiantly not his mind or his body."

    In paragraph 79 here's what I found. "Why ...  more
  • Ben W
    Ben W   ·  November 3, 2015
    Ahh... the many uses of rope. Unfortunately, or otherwise to you, the first few uses that appear to me is that kind. 
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  November 3, 2015
    I'd appreciate that Ebonslayer.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  November 3, 2015
    I've seen many different typos around and one misspelling of definitely but I'm very tired and I'll point them out tomorrow.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  November 3, 2015
    See? This is wy I like you guys.
    Thanks for that Exuro. On it right away.
    Furniture raiding party? Sotek? Whatever gave you that idea...
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  November 3, 2015
    and that's why they need a door...
    Rope has many uses I hope he's planning a furniture raiding party, nobody likes Proventus.
    Sotek leant into her face like he was trying to intimidate her. [leaned? I'm not sure if the right tense is used here]...  more
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  November 3, 2015
    Some... lol
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  November 3, 2015
    Well he did get SOME home benefits .
    Ahh the rope...
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  November 3, 2015
    Ouch, to come home to that. It's a wonder, Sotek doesn't have a huge headache afterwards. Wonder what their plans are with all that rope?