U.O.T.W. Chapter 195 The Turning of the Tide

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    Knowing that every second counted, Sotek grabbed Aela by the collar and literally threw her at the Jarl as he shouted to the hapless Companion.

    “Aela! Don’t you dare change! You promise me right now... you do not change; you won’t make it. Do you hear me? Red won’t make it! Swear to me, right now!!” As he spoke he fought off two more Stormcloaks, one fell screaming as Sotek hacked at his leg and arm, spilling yet more blood onto the hall’s floor.

     

    Aela looked at the desperation in his eyes as they fell back towards the throne. Stormcloaks were now in the hall. Whiterun was all but lost to them.

    “I Swear I won’t... Sotek!! Our home!! This is our... home...”

     

    Sotek looked at the Jarl and sadly shook his head.

    “Not any more it’s not. Aela, Balgruuf, get on!”

     

    Confusion reigned as it smothered the Jarl’s face. He looked around for any reference as to Sotek’s meaning but all he could see were a swarm of Stormcloaks and the table. With his hands raised in the air he replied in a dazed lifeless voice.

    “Get on what?”

     

    As he spoke, he had his back to Sotek. A growl caught his attention and he spun around to be confronted by a massive maw of fangs. He tried to scream ‘bear’ but the description never even came close. The next second Scarface dropped to all fours and howled out then he clawed and slashed like a wild beast, forcing a hole to form in the Stormcloak ranks.

     

    With no hesitation Aela jumped up on his back as she screamed at the Jarl.

    “Move it! Get on if you want to live!!"

     

    Half terrified of what he saw, Jarl Balgruuf hesitated, just to be pulled towards the beast by Aela who grabbed him by the shoulder. She yanked him forwards, slamming him into the side of the werewolf who was snarling as his paw swiped at the air, forcing the Stormcloaks back.

     

    Aela gulped and screamed out once more as she saw several pole arms wave above the enemy’s heads. She knew if the soldiers armed with such weapons were to reach the doorway then they would be trapped. They were running out of time.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf forced Aela’s hand away and stepped back in shock. He half screamed back at her in defiance, point blank refusing to go anywhere near the gigantic beast.

    “What the hell is this thing? It’s no bloody bear! Where the hell did it come from? Sotek!!”

     

    Aela kicked out with her foot, catching the Jarl in the chest. She screamed once more as silver spear tips protruded through gaps in the ranks of gathering Stormcloaks.

    “It is Sotek you idiot! For fuck sake we’re going to die here you asshole! Get on!”

     

    It didn’t matter whether the Jarl or even Aela knew what she had called him in that desperate moment. What mattered was the arrow which shot past the beast and thudded into the Jarl’s arm. He cried out as his axe fell out of his hand. Aela once again pulled him close, using Scarface as a shield. She felt the Jarl pull himself up on the beasts back and hold on to her with the one good arm. A pole arm as thrust forwards, causing Scarface to back away as his paw lashed out at the tip of the weapon, tearing it away from the soldier. Scarface’s paw slammed down, breaking the weapon, making it all but useless.

     

    Aela grabbed hold of the Jarls’ arm which was wrapped around her midriff and she kicked out with her heels.

    “Go!! Yaarrr!! Get outta here!!”

     

    Aela’s eyes slammed tightly shut as she prepared for the dreaded assault against the spear tipped rank of troops. Scarface had no intention of charging the line though. He growled at the lances and turned around putting as much space between him and the Stormcloaks as he could as he ran across the hall towards the stairwell.

     

    He ran along the first floor’s balcony while Aela screamed at him. They had one chance to get away but as she looked down at the hall she saw a mass of troops fill the entrance, cutting off their escape.

    “Scarface you idiot! We’re trapped you blasted mongrel”.

     

    Fate is always fickle. One moment you are fighting desperately in a crumbling line then all of a sudden you see friendly forces attack you opponent from behind. You are one moment from victory when a blade previously unseen slips out of a boot and knifes you in the stomach, ending your life. You have a sweet roll and are just about to bite into it when someone bumps into you and all you can do is watch as your sweet roll falls in a murky puddle. Fate is always fickle.

     

    The irony of fate was lost to Aela; she knew there was no way out. She knew their very lives were counting down with each second. Every Stormcloak who stepped into the hall stole her breath, her space. Death had caught up with them; all it needed to do was reach out and touch.

     

    Fate was fickle.

     

    Fate never contended to deal with a werewolf that weighed well over 600 pounds. Neither did the large stain glass window which the Jarl would often look through as he gazed down at the city’s districts.

     

    Kodlak heard the deafening smash and looked up to see a rain of colored glass fall down onto the Stormcloaks as Scarface leapt through the air. The Harbinger’s jaw dropped as he saw Scarface land on the temple roof while the Jarl hung on for dear life while Aela screamed. Her knuckles were as white as snow and clumps of pitch black fur were ripped out from Scarface’s neck and shoulders where the Huntress had held on so tightly. For a brief moment the fighting stopped as everyone took in the sight of the ‘bear’ on the temple roof.

     

    Yells and screams rang out; some from terror as Imperial and Stormcloak soldiers ran from the behemoth while others started shooting at the creature while officers from both sides yelled out to shoot it.

     

    Scarface ran along the roof and jumped onto another rooftop but this time the building, which was already weak from fire, failed to withstand Scarface’s weight. He crashed into the roof, falling through it and disappearing under a cloud of blackened smoke and dust, taking both the terrified Jarl and the high-pitched cries of the Huntress with him.

     

    Scarface fell on his side, trapping Aela’s leg underneath him. She screamed out in pain and shock as she tried to push the ‘mammoth’ off her. Footsteps came running up the stairwell while Jarl Balgruuf seemed to be in a daze. He turned to face the incoming Stormcloaks but instead of fighting, he fell down and barely kept himself up on his hands and knees.

     

    A Stormcloak drew a dagger and approached the Jarl, fully intent on killing him, ending the fighting below them when a flowerpot flew through the air and smashed in his face. He fell backwards, down the stairs taking the second soldier with him as Aela threw everything she could reach at them while she yelled and shrieked at them.

    “Fuck off you bastards! You want me you whores? Fuck you and fuck you too!”

     

    Scarface stirred and shook his head, shaking off the concussion he felt when they fell. His head was awash with blood where it slammed into various beams of timber but already his wounds began to heal. He lifted up his head to see a Stormcloak with a raised shield close in upon Aela. Just as the man came close, Scarface snapped outwards with his maw, grabbing the man’s arm in his mouth. He bit down and shook his neck, tearing off the fore arm from the elbow. The Stormcloak screamed as blood sprayed outwards, smothering Aela and the Jarl in the process.

     

    The shock seemed to snap the Jarl out of his state of delirium. He pulled his axe out and hacked at the Stormcloaks neck, slaying the enemy soldier just as Scarface howled out as he transformed into Sotek. A second rebel came up the stairs after entering the building just to run into the Jarl’s axe head as he swung it in a deadly overhead arc. The Stormcloak never even saw the weapon as it cleaved his skull into two.

     

    Knowing Sotek was too dazed to help, Aela pulled herself up; thankful her leg was just sprained at the ankle and not broken. She suspected there was a fracture but she knew now wasn’t the time to be girly and complain. Taking charge, she yelled in desperation to Sotek; fully intending to disobey his earlier command.

    “I’ll change, I’ll get us out”.

     

    Sotek grabbed her arm shaking her. The strength he had belied the state he seemed to be in.

    “No! You swore! You won’t make it Aela! Don’t; please, don’t”.

    He let go of her as he doubled up on the floor. With a roaring howl he stretched out and fell on all fours as Scarface once again took full control. Aela shook her head, simply not believing what she had seen. Yanking the Jarl by his bad arm, she pulled him towards Scarface once more and jumped back on Scarface then pulled the Jarl onto him as well.

    “Move it you dumb hound!” She shouted as she dug her heels into Scarface’s sides.

     

    Two Stormcloaks burst into the room but were instantly killed as Scarface simultaneously grabbed their heads and slammed them down into the ground, splattering their heads wide open before bursting through the doorway, spilling out onto the streets.

     

    A rebel inadvertently blocked his pathway just to be snatched up in Scarface’s powerful jaws as he ran towards the city wall. Aela screwed her face up as she heard the screams of the warrior who happened to be a young woman. The werewolf bound across the pathway while the girl flailed her legs and pounded her fists into his head in desperate terror as she tried to break free despite the fact that the wounds were already fatal as fangs tore at her stomach, splitting her open along the midriff as Scarface tried to bite her in two. His jaws tightened even more around her waist, defying any attempts by her to free herself and he crushed the very life out of her as he bounded across the district. Blood spurted outwards from her mouth as his fangs ripped into her flesh then he cast her aside like a used rag.

     

    Turning around, the werewolf faced the wall and patted his paws in the ground as he prepared to leap upwards. Aela knew what he was doing and she yelled at the Jarl to hold on. Scarface jumped up and clawed franticly at the wall. It took all his strength but he managed to climb it and launch himself over the top without losing either of his ‘passengers’. Within a few seconds he was bounding towards the plains, leaving the stricken city behind.

     

    They had just barely cleared the outer defences when arrows which were launched from the ramparts kicked up dirt from around Scarface’s paws. He leapt over a large boulder just to be struck in his hind leg. A ear piercing cry alerted Aela just as Scarface landed. His leg buckled from underneath him, throwing Aela and the Jarl brusquely across the ground as Scarface rolled in a giant ball of fur and limbs.

     

    The werewolf came to a stop and staggered up on his paws. Aela tried to run towards him but she was too dizzy and promptly fell sideways to disappear in a ditch. Scarface happened to see her and despite the pain he was in he snarled a snigger as he watched the Huntress fall over.

     

    She screwed her face up and crawled over to him with her dagger between her teeth. Even though she had her knife in her mouth she playfully scolded Scarface for ‘laughing’.

    “You think that was funny do you? I’ll cut your tail off”. Knowing full well Sotek couldn’t change with an arrow stuck in Scarface’s leg, she pulled out the affected limb and prepared to dig out the arrow. “Hold still; this will hurt”.

     

    Scarface howled out in pain as the dagger cut into his leg as the tip of the blade followed the arrow, opening the wound. Seconds later Aela managed to pull out the missile. She threw it to the side and examined the wound just to see it start to close.

     

    Feeling dizzy, Scarface shook his head, trying to clear the numbness he felt then the beast transformed. Sotek stood his ground as his reptilian eyes burned with hatred at the Stormcloaks on the wall’s defences. He summoned his bow and returned fire, launching three arrows at the enemy units.

    Aela watched in awe as the three arrows slammed into the stonework, shattering three feet below Sotek’s targets. With a loud ‘slap’ the Huntress struck him on the back just as the Jarl was getting to his feet.

    “See! You can hit a stone wall! And at a hundred and fifty yards too. Get out my way you moron”.

     

    Sotek went to fire off a fourth ethereal arrow but just before he could release the drawstring, his target burst into flames and fell behind the defences. Sotek quickly switched targets just to have Aela kill the second Stormcloak. He promptly gave up and shrugged his shoulders at the Jarl while the third Stormcloak burst into flames and ran screaming with an arrow stuck in his chest. Shouting from the overrun gatehouse drew their attention to a group of Stormcloaks who had spotted them.

     

    Sotek dropped down to all fours and changed once more into Scarface. Aela was the first to climb on but this time the Jarl never hesitated. He mounted up as quickly as he would a horse as Aela yelled at the beast to move.

     

    Scarface turned then ran off as hard as he could. He didn’t stop until he was at their special place, the overhang on the plains, Greenspring Hollow. Once he reached the burnt-out campfire, the werewolf shook his shoulders, telling Aela to get off. She lifted her leg over his head and slipped off his back then beckoned the Jarl to follow her lead. Aela and the Jarl got off then he turned to Sotek once again.

     

    Now he was free of their burdens, Sotek transformed back to his Argonian form. Any pursuit had long since fallen back and returned to the city where the defenders were being pushed back with every passing second.

     

    Despite the fall of his city, all the Jarl could do was point at Sotek and stammer due to the shock of what he saw.

    “What! What was… Sotek?”

     

    Aela turned back to their home, and almost cried out in despair as clouds of smoke poured up from several buildings. Even from here the sound of clashing swords and cries of the wounded could be heard. “Whiterun!! It’s burning… it’s fallen… its”.

     

    Sotek grabbed the Jarl’s chest piece in an iron grip and pushed him towards Aela like he was nothing more than a Whelp. He snapped out his commands, forgetting the Jarls place.

    “Look after her”. He then he snarled back at Aela with all the contempt and anger he could.

    “Like hell has it”.

     

    With a howling cry of a pack of wolves, Sotek changed his form once more. Without even looking back at either Aela or the Jarl, Scarface ran full bore towards Whiterun.

     

    Aela turned to face the Jarl. She tried to find words to explain as she gazed into his vacant eyes but all she could think of was Red’s mate entering the hell that Ulfric had unleashed. A second later she changed herself, allowing Red the free and unrestricted use of her body. The Red female werewolf howled out across the plains, telling her mate she was with him; telling him he wasn’t alone.

     

    Upon hearing the howl, Scarface looked behind and saw Red running across the plains towards him so he slowed down just enough for her to catch up.

     

    the reserve forces who gathered outside the city gate were doing little other than waiting around in pickets as they watched out for any counter attack. The defending forces crumbled far sooner than expected so the Stormcloak moral was high.

     

    It was at this moment, the point of no return when Hircine looked out across the city.Dragonsreach was overrun and the few Companions and Whelps had gathered for a final stand outside their beloved hall despite the roof which was burning. The city hung on a knife edge. All it would take was for the Companions to fall back two more steps and they would lose the stairway, then nothing would stop the enemy troops from breaking the doors of Jorrvaskr.

     

    Hircine smiled. It was a strange smile for it bore no malcontent nor happiness. There was no glee in his eyes, no abundant joy or sadness. It was a weary smile; tired, like it had been held on a face for too long. Unbeknown to all; man, beast, Daedra Lords, Hircine had been waiting to smile like this for near twenty two Tamrielic years. As for the Hunting Grounds, he had watched over his wolves and their various packs for years beyond the count waiting for the one who would change everything. Finally the one Hircine had waited for so long was born to this world. One who was tall in stature, brave as a man could be, intelligent yet blind. One who would lift the veil and release Hircine’s hounds upon the world; not in shadow, but in the light of day.

    “Ulfric!” Hircine whispered…

    “You are a fool. I counted on you being a fool!”

     

    Under Hircine’s watchful eyes, the two werewolves, Scarface and Red tore into the Stormcloak picket lines, biting and clawing with fang and claw at anything that moved. Some Stormcloaks snatched up their weapons to defend themselves while others, thinking a small band of Imperial soldiers had been caught trying to escape, cheered at the fresh sounds of battle.

     

    Red bound from one enemy to another, clawing and biting savage wounds before moving to the next while her mate Scarface cut a swathe through the ranks, throwing Stormcloaks into their friends and comrades like they were nothing. Two units tried to run but Scarface’s paws grabbed the backs of their heads and slammed their skulls down into the stone pathway, leaving behind bloody footprints in his wake.

     

    Vilkas saw the commotion behind the Stormcloak lines and stared in disbelief, inadvertently lowering his two handed Skyforged steel sword. Farkas saw his weapon hang loosely to his side and fearful for his brother, he burst forwards, grabbing his side.

    “What’s wrong? You hurt?” The tone in his voice fortified to all who heard just how close he and his brother, Vilkas was.

     

    All Vilkas could do was to raise his arm and point a solitary finger at the gatehouse. Farkas turned to where he was looking and gasped in shock. He turned to their Harbinger and yelled out for all he was worth.

    “Harbinger! The main gate, look at the main gate”.

     

    Kodlak felt despair grip his heart as he turned to the gate. He expected to see yet more enemy units who had come to finish the fight but nothing prepared him for such a sight as to what was waiting for him. His own sword fell limp in his hands as he watched Scarface and Red tearing through the lines of Stormcloaks. Some of them were already fleeing the battle from the fear of the werewolves howls.

     

    Yet still too many Stormcloaks remained. There were still too many for them to win. He saw Farkas fall back from the sheer weight and numbers of enemy soldiers. It was too late now; too late to hold back; their secret was out. He knew what had to be done and he cursed himself for it.

    “Farkas, Vilkas, we turn the tide. Do it; it’s our only chance!”

     

    The front line of Stormcloaks fell back as the three Companions howled out their war cries. Throwing their weapons on the ground the three warriors transformed and for the first time since Sotek discovered their dark secret, the grey wolf and his kin joined battle. By the grey wolf’s side fought two mottled black werewolves and as one they charged head first into the Stormcloaks, spreading fear and dismay as they attacked.

     

    While a few Stormcloaks tried to hold their ground against such abominations, others turned tail and ran. One of them, one who had spite blazing in their eyes, struck out at Irileth, the housecarl of Jarl Balgruuf, with the flat of their sword, knocking her to the ground. Her own weapon fell out of her hand, leaving her vulnerable and defenceless. Two enemy soldiers recognised her and moved forwards swishing their own swords in the air threateningly as they closed in upon their hapless foe. She tried to reach for her sword but a dirty leaver boot stamped down on her arm, preventing her from reaching out any further.

     

    Irileth looked up to see a great axe twirl above her as the Stormcloak prepared to end the Dunmer’s life. She was mere moments away from death when a giant black paw stepped beside her, biting the offending leg in its fang filled maw. The man screamed as he was lifted up and thrown aside by Scarface’s powerful neck. Scarface moved over Irileth, covering her prone form with his own as he growled and snarled. The two other Stormcloaks charged forwards, causing Scarface to fight where he stood, above Irileth. He tried to fight them while protecting the Housecarl but he found it too difficult to watch where he stuck his paws. When he was struck on the side of the head he had enough.

     

    Scarface scooped Irileth up with his clawed paw and roughly tossed her out of the way behind him. She screamed out as she was flung into one of the grass banks where she rolled several feet to the bottom. All she could do try to sit up as the battle raged all about her.

     

    Now Scarface was free to move as he wanted to he wasted no time in pushing forwards his attack. Fangs sank into the Stormcloak general’s shoulder, causing him to scream out as he vainly tried to break free of the vice like grip. Blood dripped from his mouth, as his armour turned from yellow to crimson. Five of his men rushed to aid him just to see their officer get torn to shreds.

     

    Moments later the clash of battle was joined by a battle horn of Solitude. Jarl Balgruuf reappeared with reinforcements sent from the imperial city, the capitol of Skyrim. Lancers leading the charge crashed into the Stormcloak lines while archers on horseback unleashed a barrage against the Stormcloak held walls.

     

    The shock of being assaulted by beasts and fresh reinforcements was shattering to the Stormcloaks moral. Where they had stood a mere two feet from victory, their forces was now decimated. Imperial forces in the city fought back with fresh vigour as small units who at first thought the werewolves were on Ulfric’s side, realised they were aiding them.

     

    Several guards along with the grey werewolf moved forwards, reclaiming the steps of Dragonsreach but before they could make any progress, the two mottled black werewolves joined in and ran full bore up the stairway, slaying any and all Stormcloaks they found.

     

    One group of Stormcloaks tried to fight their way out just to succumb to the lancers terrible charge which stampeded the soldiers where they ran. The cries broke the last of Ulfric’s army’s moral, causing the few remaining Stormcloaks to drop their weapons and flee.

     

    Red was far from finished; she was enjoying her rampage and had no intentions of stopping. She chased a few of the fleeing troops along the road towards Riverwood and was rapidly followed by Jarl Balgruuf who rode his mare into battle. They caught their quarry, a small group of Stormcloaks, just passed the ‘Honningbrew Meadery’ where the final fight for Whiterun took place.

     

    It may have been the final fight but it wasn’t one destined for grand halls and well lit corners of Inns to be retold; it was slaughter. Jarl Balgruuf hacked at the back of one soldier who hadn’t even drew his own weapon. He died face down in the mud as his blood trickled down the riverbank to join the now red stream. Red leapt upwards and brought her hind paws down into the backs of another Stormcloaks legs, tearing the muscle from bone. Even as she landed she swiped at the other one’s side.

     

    Ignoring the Jarl who had by now moved alongside her, she then ripped open the ribcage and fed. Once she had finished she stood up then realised the Jarl was there just in front of her. She changed back to her Nord form, leaving Aela to face the consequences of Red’s actions. She sheepishly looked up at the Jarl as she tried to wipe away the excessive amount of blood which ran down her cheek and neck to trickle between her breasts just to add to the amount of blood smothering her stomach.

     

     The Jarl just sat on his horse and looked down at her. They both tried to speak but no words could fill the void between them.

     

    With the battle finally over, Scarface transformed, giving Sotek control once more. He saw Irileth nursing her chest from where an axe had struck her in the ribs. The armor she wore had finally failed but it kept true to the last. The Argonian wrenched the armor apart and cast a healing spell, binding flesh and sealing the wound, preventing any further blood loss by staunching the flow. Now that Irileth was out of danger, he reached down and offered her his hand. She sat there watching him for a few seconds then took the hand given so willingly and she lurched upwards, using him as an anchor so she could get back up to her feet.

     

    They both looked at each other in awkward silence until Sotek finally managed to say a few words.

    “Ermm sorry about throwing you but you were in trouble and in the way”.

     

    She simply shook herself own then murmured back her gratitude.

    “Thanks for the rescue”.

     

    Sotek tilted his head as he watched her for any signs of emotion which would let him know what she was thinking but too much had happened that day for her emotions to be of any use. He guessed that was all she could manage and he walked off, leaving her to her own devices.

     

    His own attention was drawn to the main gate where he saw the Jarl ride his horse into Whiterun. On the mare’s back, behind the Jarl sat Aela. Even from this distance Sotek could see the amount of blood on her body. As the Argonian neared the gate, the Jarl rode over towards him and spoke quietly.

    “Sotek, I found this on the road. I think it belongs to you”.

     

    Aela climbed down and threw her arms around Sotek; she held him just as tightly as he held her.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf dismounted then with Irileth by his side once more, the Jarl headed back towards Dragonsreach; leaving his horse in the care of a soldier.

     

    As he walked off Sotek called out to him.

    “Thank you Jarl”.

     

    He stopped almost instantly yet he seemed to take forever to turn and face the Companion.

    “Thank me for what?”

     

    “For looking after her”. Sotek stated. The Argonian’s voice was weak; tired. His stamina was all but relentless yet he too felt the strain of battle.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf gave Aela a quick glance before looking straight back at Sotek. He turned back to the Cloud District and carried on walking as he spoke.

    “It was Aela that looked after me”.

     

    Aela felt a clawed finger wipe away some blood from her cheek although the reality was that all Sotek managed to do was smear it. As they headed back to the hall of Jorrvaskr, Aela looked around for her siblings. Farkas was with a group of people who were in a line, chucking buckets of water on a fire, dousing the flames.

    “Farkas, where are the others?”

     

    Farkas passed the bucket to a guard and moved towards the steps where Aela and Sotek were heading to.

    “They are all inside with the Harbinger”.

     

    As Sotek moved across the Wind District he couldn’t help but watch the guards as he passed them. They in turn never took their eyes off him either. He called out to Farkas, hoping to hear at least one bit of good news.

    “Everyone accounted for?”

     

    “Yes they are all safe. Tilma’s nursing some wounds and we’re using a fair few healing potions but yes. We were lucky. Not so the guards I fear”. Farkas said as he looked at the numerous bodies lining the plaza outside the temple.

     

    Sotek breathed a slight sigh of relief then the three of them entered the hall. Sotek looked around at the Harbinger then the three Companions and finally at the Whelps. Some of them looked confused while a few were worried but he couldn’t help but feel that every single one of them was scared; Companions and Whelps alike.

     

    He sat on the top step then rested his head in his hands. Aela stood only a few feet away, her shadow looming over him. With tired strained eyes he looked up at her and studied her face. Even she was afraid.

     

    He then glanced across the hall to the Harbinger. Kodlak had sat down in a chair and watched everyone else. He tried to talk but even he couldn’t find the words.

     

    Sotek once again looked around the hall but this time he looked at the hall itself. He found himself studying the heirlooms the Harbinger had placed from when they cleared the storeroom, he looked at the pillars and the intricate wooden carvings around the bases, then at last he stared into the fire pit itself, he spoke out, loudly but his words were clear.

    “Oh Sotek, what the hell have you done this time”.

     

    Aela sat next to him and tenderly pulled his head to her bosom. She stroked his temple as she held him, taking his own weight upon her.

    “You gave us a chance. You didn’t cause this”.

     

    Sotek gave out a sigh and pulled himself up, desperately trying to gather what little remaining energy he had.

    “You remember that Huntress when the town turns up with torches and pitchforks in about half an hour”.

     

    He then turned and faced the doorway and cursed.

    “We’ll die like rats trapped in a box”.

     

    “Best we know before that scenario I think”. Kodlak said. He glanced at the two brothers then pointed at the double doors.

     “Farkas, Vilkas, stand guard just outside the main door. Any sign of trouble get back in here straight away. Do not engage anyone; all you need to do is get back inside”.

     

    Both Farkas and Vilkas grabbed their weapons then headed outside to stand on guard. Vilkas stopped for a few seconds alongside Sotek. The brute of a Nord grasped Sotek’s shoulder and hung on to it tightly as he tried to give Sotek a few words of encouragement.

    “Sotek, you had no choice”.

     

    Sotek was too tired to stand. He lifted his head up slightly, away from Aela’s chest and whispered.

    “There are always choices, Vilkas... always”.

     

     

Comments

6 Comments   |   Ben W and 7 others like this.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  August 14, 2017
    I think Balgruuf will handle their lycanthropy well. He understands that such things don't matter when you use your power for the right purposes.
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      I think Balgruuf will handle their lycanthropy well. He understands that such things don't matter when you use your power for the right purposes.
        ·  August 16, 2017
      Again, the balance here was hard. I would have liked to delve further into Balgruuf's and Scarface's first meeting but the Stormcloaks never gave me the time. I tend to think Balgruuf is more open minded.
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  March 23, 2017
    Woot! Finally saw the other companions change! I think once the Jarl has time to process what the hell just happened in the next few chapters will be more telling on how he is actually handling it. I'm just glad he didn't freeze, but rallied the resistanc...  more
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  February 6, 2017
    Yea! Go werewolves!!! Go werewolves!!
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  February 4, 2017
    The Jarl seemed to handle the fact that the Companions are werewolves quite well.

    For the moment, at least.
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      The Sunflower Manual
      The Sunflower Manual
      The Sunflower Manual
      The Jarl seemed to handle the fact that the Companions are werewolves quite well.

      For the moment, at least.
        ·  February 4, 2017
      I will openly admit finding a balance here was tough. Weighing the razing of the city with the fact that the Companions are werewolves. You say the Jarl handled this fact quite well Harrow.
      What I ask you all is this:
      Did he handle the fact...  more