U.O.T.W. Chapter 124 The Black Death Of Black Marsh

• Posted by Sotek April 25, 2016 - Filed in TSC: CB Story - 1,235 views

  

  All the Whelps were heavily engaged in conversation about their expectations on the days training session as they tucked into their breakfast which consisted of bread and cheese. There were a few slices of meat left over from the last evening’s meal while one particular plate lay empty. Whatever resided on it was the first to disappear when the rabble burst out of the Undercroft.

  Silence fell upon the hall as the doors opened to reveal Aela and the Companions as they came home. Even before she entered the hall, before she climbed the Jorrvaskr steps, Aela could smell the food on the large tables. Her stomach rumbled as it yelled out at her for substance.

  Sotek slumped down on his step and once again started scratching the back of his hand. It was only when he heard the Harbinger call out his name far louder than usual did he look up at Kodlak. For the last few minutes he was lost in his own world of irritation. Whatever afflicted him had blocked out his surroundings to such a point that he didn’t even realize that Aela and the other Companions were talking to him.

  “What damn it? Kodlak… Harbinger! Agghhhhrr!!” He started scratching his arm franticly causing yet more blood to soak through his shirt.

  He glanced around the hall to see everyone staring back at him. Without meaning to he snapped at the whole group, irrespective of their position.

  “What? Aela you were hungry weren’t you? Once you three have eaten, take the horde outside. Stop gawping at me you bastards”.

  Unfazed from his hostility, Farkas called back to him while Aela scuttled across the hall to eat.

  “Sotek, stop scratching. You got fleas or something?”

  Sotek looked straight at him. The Argonian’s eyes narrowed giving him an evil reptilian look about him. His tail slammed down on the floor then laid still and an awkward silence filled the hall until Sotek replied.

  ”Pisss off”. Moments later he resumed his scratching which now seemed to spread to his tail which flapped about uncontrollably in irritation causing him to groan. “Aeeiiii”.

  He shot up to his feet and started prowling around the hall looking for somewhere to sit down. Ignoring every chair, he ended up pacing around like a hungry wolf outside a chicken coup. He glared at Kodlak for a moment then snapped an apology to Farkas.

  “Farkas, I’m sorry. I’m just, agh damn this. Tilma? Tilma! Tilma!! Where the hell is that woman?”

  Kodlak’s jaw dropped and Aela stared wide eyed in surprise at Sotek’s attitude. She never heard him yell at Tilma let alone call her a ‘woman’ with so much anger and disrespect. Kodlak rose to his feet and headed towards Sotek in a silent rage. It was bad enough with Aela and her temper but having two of them was too much.

  “Sotek! I don’t know what is wrong with you but you sure as hell…”

  Sotek stormed past the Whelps and yelled at the Harbinger as he made a beeline to Aela.

  “Get out my way! Aela! My back, scratch it. Now damn it girl!”

  He ripped off his shirt and threw the rag on the floor then leaned on the table presenting his back to everyone. Kodlak stopped where he was and gawped at Sotek’s chest which was smothered in scratches and claw marks. His scales were far darker than usual and his back was smothered in an almost black sheen, smothering the usual green completely. He knew Sotek wasn’t himself but he didn’t realise until now just how bad he was. His voice changed like a torch being snuffed out, all his anger gone.

  “Aela, we need to know. Where have you all been? When did this start?”

  Sotek snapped back at him as he waited impatiently for Aela.

  “When the hell do you think? This bloody morning”. The tip of his tail caught itself in a chair and whipped about as it tried to free itself. Sotek grabbed the chair and threw it across the hall. The Whelps jumped away from the table and scattered outside quicker than if the hall was on fire when they saw the chair smash against a pillar.

  Aela started rubbing Sotek’s back and looked on with concern as his scaly skin felt hot to the touch. The only thing which seemed to offer any sort of relief was a jug of cold water which Aela poured over him between the shoulder blades. His tail lazily swished side to side in a slow fluid motion as he revelled in the sensation of the coldwater trickling down his spine.

  “Ohh that feels good..... Thanks”.

  The trouble was the moment Aela stopped rubbing his back, the itching started irritating him again. A fist slammed into the table, causing a flask to jump up and fall on its side, spilling mead onto the floor. Sotek started yelling again for the maid, blanking Kodlak completely.

  “Tilma? Oh to Oblivion with you... Tilma!”

  He shoved Aela to the side and stormed across the hallway towards the Undercroft just as Tilma appeared from the stairwell. She cursed loudly as Aela bashed into the table and slammed the palms of her hands down to stop herself from falling over.

  Tilma’s features blazed with rage as she yelled back at Sotek over his brazen actions.

  “Sotek, what the hell is up with you? You don’t go shoving people around like that. And stop your yelling, I’ve already run you a bath. Move, before I lose my temper! And Sotek, yell at me again young man!”

  A deep growl resonated from the back of Sotek’s throat and his whole body tensed up from the base of his head to the tip of his tail which rose up over his shoulder like a cobra poised to strike. A loud bang caused Tilma to jump as all the tension was released, slamming the tail down hard on the floor. Sotek didn’t move for what seemed like hours until he broke out of his trance and sheepishly stared over his shoulder at Aela. Lowering his head in shame, he approached Tilma and softly spoke in a broken voice.

  “He’s sorry, it just... unbearable..... Aagghh”. Once again he gritted his teeth and formed two fists with his hands as he tried to fight back the itching.

  Something icy cold was pushed onto the back of Sotek’s neck. His whole body relaxed and he cried out in ecstasy as water ran down his back from the drenched cloth. He gazed at Tilma with an almost stupid expression, one befitting an idiot.

  “Yesssss”.

  Tilma looked at the pathetic creature that stood before her. She could tell he was far from his usual self. She rested her palm against his face and pulled his head to her shoulder tucking his snout under her chin mothering him. His hands loosely held onto her waist and he softly spoke about what he had done.

  “Oh Tilma... I can’t handle this. I’m irritable, bad tempered. Danica, I told her I hate her...”

  “Why on the earth did you say that dear?” She looked towards Aela for answers but all the Companion could do was shrug her shoulders in response.

  Sotek softly groaned as if he was a dog snoring in its sleep.

  “She told me to see that shopkeeper; Belethor. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Aela, my mate. He shoved her into the table...”

  His explanation did little to remove any of Tilma’s confusion. Instead all Sotek had managed to do was to add to it by quite a considerable amount.

  “Belethor pushed Aela into a table? And he’s still alive?” She glanced back at Aela to see the Harbinger discretely pointing at the Argonian. Tilma slowly closed her eyes and nodded as she finally understood. “And why did he do that hmm?”

  Sotek blinked several times in succession and stared blankly into space. A miniscule shrug marked his response but then his hand rose up and a reptilian clawed thumb pointed over his shoulder to the scattered bits of wood.

  “He broke a chair as well. Everyone’s angry with him...”

  “Everyone’s worried about you, not angry. You’re smothered in scratches and blood, you’re stressed out, short-tempered and your scales are all dark and horrible. Not the rich green we’re used to seeing. I’ve run a bath for you; have a sleep in it if that helps. I’ll slice you up a few apples and soak them in water. It’s a good way to get some fluids in you”.

  He broke away from Tilma and silently headed down the stairs until the peaceful tranquillity of the hall was broken by a shout as he started scratching again.

  “Aeeiiii. Damn it!!”

  When Eorlund entered the hall for lunch, Kodlak showed him the broken chair. He studied the pieces for less than a second then threw the wood into the fire pit and sat down with a flask of ale. A brief statement left the fate of the chair under no illusion.

  “Not fixing that; it can’t be done”.

  A loud eager banging on the main doors drew Kodlak’s attention away from Eorlund. He yelled out for whoever it was to enter the hall just to find Proventus standing there in such a pose which he hoped looked intimidating. By his side were three guards, each one of them had their weapons drawn.

  Kodlak recognised one of the guards as Lydia who personally seemed somewhat ashamed to be there in his presence. He tried speaking with her but Proventus rudely interrupted their conversation.

  “We’re not here for chit chat. Where is Sotek? The Argonian?”

  Aela left her chair and drew her bow to counter the fact that the guards were in a fighting stance. She stepped forwards and asked rather bluntly about the reasons for Proventus’s questions.

  “He’s not an Argonian, he’s a Companion. Best you remember that fact. He’s downstairs asleep in a bath. Why?” Her face was screwed up and she glared with open hostility, breaking Proventus’s eye contact with ease.

  Proventus turned his back on her and gulped loudly as he half expected an arrow in the back. He could never quite figure Aela out. There was something about her. Something marking her out to be different to the others but he couldn’t figure out what.

  “There have been reports saying he is ill. Argonians don’t fall sick... No less than five people have stated that his scales are turning black!!”

  Aela’s temper got the better of her. She grabbed his arm and yanked him around, forcing him to face her. Holding his wrist tightly she yelled at him right in his face.

  “He was poisoned you moron. Gahhh what is it with you? You arrogant Pig!!”

  Lydia hit Aela’s own wrist with the flat of her hand, breaking the Companions grip. Before Aela could counter her move, Lydia stepped between Aela and Proventus forming a barrier.

  “We’re concerned about him as well. What happened?”

  Proventus shook his arm to re-establish the blood flow to his hand as he half screamed across to Aela.

  “Worried? We’re here to arrest him!”

  Upon hearing those words, Kodlak joined in with the rapidly escalating squabble before it grew out of control.

  “Proventus? On what grounds are you to arrest him? Surely not because he is ill?”

  Proventus pointed towards the Undercroft and screeched like a girl at the Harbinger.

  “Ill? He’s not just ill! He has it... The Black Death of Black Marsh. We’ll all be dead in two days!”

  Aela’s bow dropped to the floor as she needed her hand free to draw her dagger. Farkas quickly grabbed hold of her arms from behind preventing her from carrying out her threat.

  “Let me go you bastard. I’ll bloody kill him!!”

  Kodlak clipped her on the back of her head, silencing her so he could deal with Proventus at the same time.

  “The Black Death of Black Marsh? Oh you fool Proventus; he hasn’t been to Black Marsh. Aela’s been with him for days and she is perfectly fine... Well as fine as she can be with that temper of hers. Get out and stop this nonsense”.

  Vilkas started laughing as he watched Aela’s eyes burn with a fury he had often bore the blunt of.

  “Being with Aela for days is enough to make anyone ill”.

  Farkas started laughing until Tilma picked up her broom and stepped towards him. While Kodlak and Proventus were arguing, Sotek himself appeared. His scales seemed an odd sort of color despite the fact that they were green. He wore a long sleeved Miners shirt and his old trousers along with a pair of boots.

  “Proventus, do I look Ill to you? No, of course not. I’ve suffered from poison, that is all. Now be off with you before Aela loses her temper and ends up doing something I won’t regret”.

  Proventus eyed him suspiciously for a few seconds as if he was trying to make his mind up. Reluctantly he clapped his hands, summoning the guards to his side then he exited the hall grumbling to himself.

  “Guards, resume your duties”.

  Lydia was the last to leave the hall. She kept a close eye on Sotek for several moments then cheekily approached him. Along with Proventus, she knew something was amiss but whereas he couldn’t put his finger on it, she certainly did. The tip of her finger ran from the side of Sotek’s face across his cheek to finally stop at his lips. She examined the tip of her finger where green paint had smothered it and chuckled as she wiped it on Sotek’s shirt.

  “You bastard! It’s a good job Aela keeps a decent supply of olive paint isn’t it, hmm? I guess its back to guard duties”. She smiled at Aela then nodded to Kodlak letting him know the secret was safe before she exited the hall. “Harbinger...”

  Sotek grinned as he turned back towards Aela and whispered across the hall.

  “Not any more she doesn’t”.

  Tilma tutted as she walked past him on her way to the Undercroft.

  “I’ll run you another bath. If the tub turns green I’ll come looking for you Sotek!”

  It didn’t take long for Sotek to wash the paint off and fortunately for him, the bathtub didn’t stain either. When he returned to the hall wearing yet another shirt, Aela called him over to the steps where she had three furs waiting for him.

  He sat down rather heavily on a single fur and timidly glanced across to Aela who was sitting next to him. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek then pulled him into her arms. He slumped against her and tried to apologise for his actions but the words didn’t come out. Instead he sighed heavily as he loosely hung on to Aela’s waist.

  She gave him a prod in the side and passed across to him a bowl containing water and sliced apples. She also had a flask for him but when he took it; he peered at the liquid suspiciously.

  Aela laughed at him and egged him on to drink it.

  “Yes, it smells funny. It will help you sleep but before you drink it, eat”.

  He eagerly picked up a piece of apple and hungrily consumed it. On the third piece though, he started coughing and spluttering. Sotek thrust the bowl at Aela then ran up the steps to the doors and burst outside. He couldn’t help himself, his stomach was turning, forcing him to lean over a patch of grass where he promptly vomited. His throat burned from the acidic contents of his stomach which were nothing more than the apple he had just consumed.

  He was unaware of the Nord behind him until he felt a heavy hand on his back. He turned around to see the Harbinger standing there, helping him keep his balance.

  Below them, patrolling the Wind District was a guard. Jestingly he called up the stairway to Sotek while he laughed.

  “Been drinking too much Companion? No training for you tomorrow then”.

  A loud ‘Hssss’ was quickly followed by Kodlak’s stern warning.

  “Don’t go picking fights with the guards. Proventus is looking for a reason to lock you up; don’t you go giving him one. Back inside, no food for you tonight”

  Sotek slowly staggered back into the hall. When he descended the steps, he tripped and just prevented himself from falling on Aela who looked up helplessly from the floor near the fire pit. Sotek let his legs collapse, dropping him in a heap alongside Aela. He took the flask and guzzled the drink down, quenching his thirst and at the same time washing away the horrible taste in the back of his throat.

  He pushed into Aela as he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes as he felt the potion take effect. Within moments he was all but dead to the world.

  While Aela sat by the pit with Sotek’s head resting in her lap, Tilma placed a wooden bowl which was filled with food beside her and motioned to her to eat.

  “It’s no good you starving yourself either. That won’t do him any good”.

  At that point there was a knock on the door. Aela groaned as she turned around, half expecting Proventus to be standing behind her.

  Instead though, the priestess Danica pushed open one of the doors and stepped inside the hall. She sighed pitifully as she saw Sotek asleep in Aela’s arms then she walked over towards the Harbinger with a big pouch of gold in her hand. She spoke in a hushed whisper so as to not disturb the sleeping Companion.

  “Harbinger, I wish to have a word about Sotek”.

  Kodlak disappointedly smiled at her and nodded in reply.

  “Yes, I do apologise for Sotek’s actions. He has been rather, irritable today. Aela’s given him one of her ermm potions so he won’t wake up so we are free to talk. Please, do take a seat”.

  Danica accepted his hospitality and chose to sit beside him. She pulled off her sandals and wiggled her toes about, letting her feet enjoy the freedom from the shoes restraints.

  One of the Whelps poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her to which she warmly smiled a silent ‘thank you’. Once she took a sip of the icy water, she continued with the conversation.

  “There is no need to apologise. Although I was taken aback by his manner, it’s clear to everyone that he is far from himself. His scales, they are getting darker?”

  Aela quietly joined in while she was careful not to disturb Sotek.

  “We’ve no idea what has caused it. We both swam in the lake yet I am fine, he was ok last night. Arcadia hasn’t got a clue either. We tried her disease potions and it hasn’t made the slightest difference”.

  The priestess held her hand up, interrupting Aela before she got herself worked up which was something Danica could see was rapidly clouding the horizon.

  “Calm yourself child, it’s not a disease. I prayed for him also but alas. Daedra’s hands are involved yet I know not who’s or why”. She placed the pouch on the table and pushed it towards Kodlak. “He has been rather busy today... He left a pile of weapons at The War Maiden’s and he left a pouch of gold in Belethor’s shop. Belethor maybe a rouge but he knows where to draw the line. Apparently it’s between him and Aela’s fist. I’ve sorted out the various deals Sotek was in, shall we say ‘negotiations’ with? Now there is no doubt he would have got a better price than I but I think he won’t be too disappointed. Tell him; tell him my doors always open. I expect he may stay clear of me for a few days, either that or seek me out with a few furs for the temple to make up for rash words said”.

  Aela timidly looked up at her as she walked past on her way to the door. Danica gave her a few words of wisdom just before she departed.

  “Understanding goes a long way my child if you understand what made him say those things in the first place. It’s far easier to understand why he said them and it’s far simpler to forget. Be sure to see that he rests. We’ll see how he is in the morning”. As she left the hall she gave Aela a quick glance then quietly closed the door behind her.

  Throughout the whole evening Sotek lay peacefully sleeping while the hall’s conversations carried on as normal with the only exception that they were somewhat quieter than their normal rowdy volume. Aela lifted Sotek’s head off her lap so she could lay beside him which caused Vilkas to chuckle at her.

  “He’s slept most of the afternoon let alone the whole evening. That’s your fault, keeping him up half the night with your constant howling”.

  Farkas was quick to add to Aela’s embarrassment. Almost on cue he joined in with the jibes.

  “And us as well. Mind you, she could argue that it was in fact Sotek making her howl”.

  Vilkas snapped his fingers together in a loud ‘click’ and pointed straight at Aela. There was a question he was just dying to know the answer of and now seemed a good a time to ask it as any. He didn’t care if it embarrassed her; the fact was he was half hoping it actually would.

  “Yes, which reminds me; when are we all going back to Winterhold?”

  Such a question wasn’t what Farkas was expecting and he couldn’t help but feel somewhat curious as to Vilkas’s intentions. Aela though looked horrified so he eagerly asked about what his brother had meant.

  “Why Winterhold?”

  Aela’s cheeks turned bright red and she buried her face in her hands. Feeling everyone’s eyes upon her, she verbally lashed out at Vilkas while at the same time she grabbed an apple from her bowl of food and threw it at him.

  “Shut up”.

  The rest of the evening passed quietly enough. Kodlak and Tilma sat in the corner with a pack of cards while the two brothers discussed the merits of long heavy blades compared to shorter ones with the whelps while Aela, who had exhausted herself with worry over Sotek, slept with the Argonian’s head resting on her stomach. She had to turn his head around a few times so his bone spikes didn’t dig into her but she had mastered this now and knew how to manoeuvre him for the best position of comfort.

  When everyone started to head downstairs, the Harbinger approached them and gently shook Aela’s shoulder, waking her from her slumber.

  “You two would sleep better downstairs”.

  Aela opened her eyes but had trouble focusing. She yawned loudly with a ‘wolfish’ cry.

  “Awwooo yea..... Yes, but I’m not going to disturb him. We’ll get downstairs then he won’t sleep and start scratching again”.

  The Harbinger nodded then wished her a good night before he disappeared down the stairs just behind Tilma.

  “Well be sure to see he gets rest. Good night, don’t let the bed bugs bite”.

  Aela chuckled as she gave Tilma a wink.

  “If there’s biting to be done then Red will do it. Night, Harbinger, Tilma”.

  As Sotek lay sleeping, Aela wrapped a fur around him to keep the nights cold air off his back. Although they were near the fire pit, the flames would soon die out and the wintery environment would creep in through the cracks of the doors. She whispered down to him despite the fact that he was oblivious to her.

  “Night Sotek, I lov..... Damn it girl, you can’t even say it when he’s asleep. You’re bloody hopeless”.