U.O.T.W. Chapter 286 The Shadows Hide You

• Posted by Sotek July 3, 2018 - Filed in TSC: CB Story - #Sotek  #U.O.T.W.  - 1,053 views

  

  

   

  Aela recognised the voice instantly, she screamed out, making Sotek and the others jump as she ran towards the Nord’s voice.
  “Harbinger”. Her arms flew around him as she hugged him tightly, like a daughter who hasn’t seen her beloved father in years.

   

  As he held Aela in his arms, Kodlak gave Sotek a slow approving nod, thankful that Sotek had kept her and the others safe. Vilkas and Farkas stepped out from the treeline. Vilkas held his shoulders as they greeted him like old lost comrades.
  “He’s been worried about you four. We heard nothing except a report saying there were numerous bodies found in Darkshade Cave”.

   

  Farkas laughed.
  “You see? I told you it wasn’t them”.

   

  “Yes, Shadowscales. Of sorts at least. We killed them. We’re ok, just a bit battered. Harbinger, why are you three here?”

   

  Kodlak let Aela go then approached Sotek.
  “I was hoping you could tell me that. We had an overwhelming desire to hire out three horses then come here as fast as we could. Shadowscales are everywhere looking for you four”.

   

  Sotek sighed somewhat heavily.
  “Yes. I expect they’ll be here soon. Any sign of Rikke? I was hoping she would come with some of her men”.

   

  Farkas looked over to Vilkas then grinned.
  “She’s down there with twenty soldiers. They’re not sure what to do either”.

   

  “About what exactly?” Sotek asked as he tilted his head to the side like a dog would when it was listening to its master.

   

  Kodlak came over to Sotek then tugged on his arm.
  “Come and see for yourselves”. He led them to the side of the road and pointed down an old trail. It looked disused except only recently there seemed to be thousands of footprints leading down. As Sotek and Aela peered down the steep bank, they both saw Rikke there on the slope with the soldiers. But what really threw them was the group of people standing by the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary. Both Sotek and Aela could smell it in the air. The scent was unmistakable.

   

  Aela grinned as she counted them.
  “Werewolves, twelve of them. By Hircine, we’ve around eighteen werewolves. Sotek, we outnumber the Dark Brotherhood nearly three to one”. She couldn’t help but gleam as she looked down at the pack.

   

  The Harbinger peered over the top of her head at the werewolves.
  “It would seem you two have been somewhat busy of late. Except with discretion. Sotek? Care to explain? Please?”

   

  Sotek looked up at the sky, it was rapidly approaching midday. He paused for a moment then spoke with the Harbinger.
  “I ermm… I’ve been given a gift from Hircine. A greater power, if you like. The Blood Moon that called you here? I initiated it. It was that which bought you three here. I’m not expecting for you three to enter with us. In fact, I didn’t even think for one moment that you would be involved. Though, I do, just as it so happens, have a job for Farkas and Vilkas. But before that, I wish to report on Aela and the others. All three have done well, bloody well in fact. Aela helped me when I was injured. When I couldn’t fight, Kul-et stayed by my side and kept me safe. Even Sasha stood by us when we faced superior foes, which I might add was nearly all the time. Aela and Kul-et, they done the Companions proud. They really did”.

   

  The Harbinger smiled at them both, then turned to Sotek once more.
  “And what about you?”

   

  Sotek sighed then shrugged his shoulders.
  “It would seem I’ve made another enemy. She calls herself the Collector. Sasha and Kul-et fear I won’t be able to beat her. And yet I fear that I must”.

   

  “What will you do?”

   

  Sotek chuckled as he looked down the slope towards the entrance of the sanctuary.
  “I would like to say stick to the plan but that ended days ago. To be honest, I thought we’d all be dead way before Helgen. All I can do now is run and see where the trail leads me. So far it hasn’t put us astray. Farkas, Vilkas, Kul-et, to me”. He led them down the slope towards the werewolves who were all waiting for him patiently, then he pointed to a large rock. “Stay there and wait for me to exit. Kul-et, you stay there, don’t go anywhere else. Even if your father orders it”.

   

  Kul-et sat on the rock but she shuddered when she thought about the Shadowscales approaching their position.
  “But what if my father...”

   

  “Rikke and her soldiers are there, Farkas and Vilkas as well. But I don’t think Huinzi will try anything until I come out. Stay here, you’ll be safe”. Sotek then addressed the werewolves. “Once the door is open, the hunt will begin. There is an Argonian. His name is Veezara, I want him alive and unhurt. Kill the rest, no mercy, no quarters”.

   

  Sotek walked up to the door which whispered coldly and threateningly.
  "What is the music of life?"

  
  
  He turned to the Harbinger then smiled before looking across to Aela. He gave her a quick wink then whispered back.
  "Silence my brother".

  
  The doorway whispered out to him once more in it’s cold eerie, dark voice.
  “Welcome home”.

   

  Sotek quietly laughed as the door slid open. He then spoke out across the pack to Aela.
  “Aela, you’re in the wrong outfit”. Aela changed her form but Sasha looked on, unable to change. At the very least she thought she was unable to. The Huntsman’s Horn sounded out, giving Sasha and the other members of Sotek’s pack the means to change form a second time.

   

  Sotek stood in front of the doorway for a few seconds, then shouted out to the pack.
  “Now, on this day we let the Dark Brotherhood know that we, werewolves, are not afraid of the night. We hunt the shadows in which they hide. They hide in darkness, but we see in the dark”. Red howled out with all her fury, moments later her howl was lost in a chorus of howling as everyone else joined in. Except for Sotek, he just stood there then stepped out of the way.

   

  Red walked past him and gave him a slight tilt of her head. He held the side of her head for a few seconds with the palm of his hand then whispered to her.
  “Good hunting”. A second later she howled out again, but this time she charged inside, rapidly followed by fifteen of Hircine’s hounds. All of them intent on the spilling of blood and the feasting of their prey.

   

  Sotek waited outside for a few seconds after the last werewolf entered the sanctuary. Already screams and deafening howls rang out from the entrance. Sotek gave the Harbinger one last sheepish glance then entered the den himself.

   

  As he entered the first chamber, he saw something amongst an old smashed up bookcase that was thrown to the side. Scattered amongst the broken shelving were parts of a Shadowscale armour set. He picked up the enchanted hood which he recognised as to be a fortify marksman enchant and a pair of fingerless gloves. The gloves had an odd shine to them, he knew they were enchanted but as of yet, he didn’t recognise it. The last piece of armour he located there were an old pair of boots. That enchant he knew well. He placed the armour in his pack then smiled to himself as he glanced down at his own Dragonscale boots.
  “Muffle… Like I don’t have that already”.

   

  The sound of battle faded significantly which quickly took Sotek’s attention. He headed down the now blood-soaked steps, but he had to quickly reach out and grab the wall as he slipped on the sticky blood that trailed down the last few steps to form a thick puddle. Just in front of him, laying dead on the floor, were four werewolves. All of them had their chests and throats hacked savagely open, but there was also a Nord woman laying amongst them. Or rather what was left of a Nord woman. Her chest was now just a gaping hole, but her hand still gripped tightly the dagger which she had obviously used to such dramatic and deadly effect. Sotek prized it out of her fingers then examined the blade.

   

  The enchant was obviously some sort of magical damage but he wasn’t sure of what form it took. He placed the dagger in his pack then headed along a tunnel towards a far bigger chamber. Amongst the screaming and clashing of various fighting, he heard an all too familiar voice call out.
  “Leave him! That bastard's mine”.

   

  He headed down some steps then found himself in a large circular chamber. Aela was there facing off a tall brutish Nord who held a two-handed sword, just like the one Vilkas would use. He smiled wickedly as he saw Aela draw her dagger along with her shield.

  “You never learn, you’ll die here bitch. I should have killed you back then. No matter, I’ll personally rectify that mistake”.

   

  “Mistake? Ha, even then I was more than a match for you, you rapist bastard. I’ll tear out your heart and feed it to the rats”.

   

  He threw his sword down then laughed menacingly at her.
  “You’re no match for me, there’s no one to save you this time”. To Sotek’s surprise, the Nord started transforming. Aela changed her form as well but it was obvious that his was the superior. His werewolf was clad in light grey fur and stood poised to attack. Each limb was like tree trunks which showed everyone his vastly superior strength.

   

  Sotek calmly walked in between them before they started fighting. He cast a quick look at Red then back to the grey werewolf.
  “You want me to take him?”

   

  Red howled out, growling at Sotek’s question, which he took as a simple no. No less than five werewolves entered the cavern from as many different directions. Sotek held his hand up to them, stopping them from joining in.
  “Form a circle, no one interferes”. Each werewolf growled out at him as if to answer, then systematically, they formed a circle, surrounding Red and the grey wolf.

   

  Red growled out at him then charged, but he was ready. He swept his paws out at her, easily striking her well before she had closed the gap significantly enough to reach him. Her head was thrown sideways as she flew past him and crashed into the ground. Sotek grimaced as he watched her fall to the floor, but within seconds she picked herself up and shook off the grogginess which fogged her head.

   

  She came at him far more cautiously than she had before. This time, she ducked under his initial blow which caused him to partiality spin as his weight threw him slightly off balance. Red swiped out at his side as hard as she could then again at his back. Blood splattered out as his fur was cut to ribbons.

   

  He roared out in pain then slammed his paw down at her chest. His claws sliced through her thick fur, sending a wave of blood out which splattered upon the floor. A second later he repeatedly stabbed her side with his claws. Several massive puncture wounds tore deeply into her waist as his dagger like claws did their deadly work. Red hollered out then tried to pull herself away, but he gripped her throat tightly with one paw as he stabbed her yet again.

   

  From out of nowhere, a massive jet-black paw swiped him in the head, knocking him backwards several feet. Instantly Red dropped to the floor and rolled onto her side. Scarface looked over at the grey werewolf, he picked himself up then growled out at Scarface then beat a hasty retreat through a tunnel from such a murderous foe. Sotek changed back then knelt alongside Red. He cast his most powerful healing spell on her and watched in concern as the wounds started to bind together, although not fully. She became surrounded in a pool of blood, but she crawled over to a body and started to feed. Her wounds soon healed over, and she recovered rapidly.

   

  Aela changed back then screamed out with pain and frustration.
  “That fucking bastard!”

   

  Sotek held her tightly, fearing she was upset. He quickly realised she was far more angry than anything else.
  “Hey, are you ok?”

   

  “Do I look ok, you fucking prick? Where the hell did that bastard go?” She pushed him away then glanced around the room for the grey wolf, but he was gone. Only then did she look down at Sotek who was still kneeling on the floor where Red had eaten. She offered him her hand, then, as he took it, she helped him to his feet. “Sorry, that was uncalled for. You didn’t deserve that”.

   

  “Who is he?” Sotek asked as he peered down the tunnel the Nord used to escape Scarface’s wrath.

   

  “His names Arnbjorn, he was a Companion years ago. There were a few more of us then, I was just a whelp. We never saw eye to eye and were always fighting”.

   

  “Like you and me?” Sotek said with a slight smirk.

   

  Aela shot a glare at him but it quickly dissipated.
  “No, nothing like you and me. Nothing like that at all. He was a murdering bastard. One day I headed downstairs. There was another Whelp, he was in her room and she was crying. I opened her door to find him forcing himself on her, he was trying to rape the poor bitch. So, I did what any self-respecting teenage bitch would do. I stabbed the bastard in the fucking arse”. She laughed as she remembered his scream. “Dear Hircine, didn’t he holler out! We fought each other there and then. That prick threw me into a wall, but I kept fighting him. I wouldn’t stop, I just kept coming at him. Seconds later, the others came down. He got thrown out. The next day she left; we never heard from her again. But, just as she was leaving, she thanked me for sticking up for her. We were just whelps, but I never knew her name. It didn’t seem important at the time. The next day I had my trial, and I became a Companion. One of the youngest I might add”.

   

  Sotek held her arm and pulled her close to him. He then whispered quietly in her ear.
  “There’s no one… No one, you have to face alone. You remember that”.

   

  “I’ll try to remember, but this is for her. You understand?”

   

  Sotek simply nodded then turned to the other werewolves. He barked out his command, which was both simple, and final.
  “Find him”.

   

  As one they scattered as they hunted down Arnbjorn while Aela set out to track him down by herself. Sotek decided to follow her, he knew she was outmatched, but at the same time, he was fully aware of Aela’s intentions. She was on a hunt, plain and simple. Sotek felt he had little choice but to join in. As they entered the dining area, three voices called out to him.
  “We’ve found him, he’s injured but alive”.

   

  Aela sped up her pace as she growled at them.
  “Arnbjorn?”

   

  “No, Veezara”. Came the reply.

   

  Aela turned to Sotek then smiled at him.
  “Get him out. I’ll be ok”.

   

  Sotek grunted then beckoned her to follow him.
  “Come with me, trouble”. He followed the werewolves to where Veezara was standing in a corner with his two short swords at the ready. Four werewolves stood near him, preventing him from fleeing, but far enough away from him to cause a stalemate. “Veezara?” Sotek called out. He stepped forwards so the Argonian could recognise him. “Sheath your swords, you’re safe. Come on, I’ve come to get you out”.

   

  Veezara instantly felt relief as he cast a glance over to Sotek.
  “Hmm? What? By Sithis, what’s going on?”

   

  “The end game, the Dark Brotherhood is finished, or in a few moments they will be. You’re not a Shadowscale any more, consider yourself resigned from that career. Now, if you would be so kind and follow me. Your wife’s waiting for you”.

   

  “Pardon?”

   

  “Kul-et? You are married after all. We’re wasting time, let’s go”. Sotek led Veezara and Aela towards the exit but a few moments later a voice boomed out.

   

  “Hey bitch, leaving so soon? Veezara? You treacherous scum, I’m gonna sent you to the Void”.

   

  Aela spat on the ground then drew her dagger once more.
  “That bastard's mine”.

   

  Arnbjorn laughed as he drew his own sword then slowly approached her.
  “You need a lesson in obedience, whelp. You’re nothing but a jumped-up mongrel. It’s time to put you down”.

   

  Sotek snatched Aela’s dagger right out of her hand. Without giving her a chance to react he pushed her against a wall, pinning her there as he spoke abruptly at her.
  “You said before that if someone fucks with one of us then they fuck with the pair of us. Did you not?”

   

  Aela stared across at Arnbjorn then she gazed into Sotek’s eyes.
  “Yes, you’re right. I did say that. Sotek, I want to kill him…. Please, help me”.

   

  Somewhat surprisingly Sotek shook his head at her.
  “Sorry, but you’re not gonna kill him; Red is. He’s changed already. Get Red to do it, she doesn’t need help”.

   

  Aela’s eyes fixed onto Arnbjorn, then smiled as she changed form once more. Arnbjorn stood stunned as Red approached him.
  “But she changed already! You can’t change twice… You can’t change twice”.

   

  Sotek hissed out at him.
  “Sshe hass the ring of Hircine. Sshe can change as much ass sshe likess”.

   

  Moments later, Red howled out angrily then charged at full speed towards him. He swung his sword defensively and struck Red deeply in her side. She swiped out at his arm, tearing it to shreds and sending his sword across the room. It rang out loudly, clanging as it hit the ground. Her agony from the wound fuelled her rage as she pounded blow after blow against his chest, knocking him to the ground. He felt Red’s hot putrid breath as she forced herself on top of him. Her front paws pinned his shoulders to the floor. He screamed out for mercy as Red’s fangs clenched around his neck, but she showed neither the mercy he begged for or pity. Within a second she tore out his throat then fed on his corpse.

   

  Sotek turned around to see eleven werewolves, all standing, watching him. He guessed that Arnbjorn was the final Dark Brotherhood member, so he gathered his pack then led them towards the exit.

   

  Once they arrived at the initial chamber, he called the pack to a halt. Rikke and several soldiers were placing large barrels against a wall. She turned to face him as they all entered the chamber.
  “Oh, by the Eight… Sotek? Phew... I was worried for a second there. I got fifteen barrels. Is that enough?”

   

  Sotek nodded, smiling as he gazed upon the barrels of oil.
  “Oh yes, thanks. Have your troops spread thirteen of these around. I want two left up here”. Within fifteen minutes the barrels were placed around strategic locations throughout the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary then Sotek split the second to last barrel around the initial chamber and finally rolled it down the blood-soaked steps. The final barrel was placed at the back of the chamber, but where it could be seen at the entrance.

   

  “Rikke, gather your soldiers and get out. Sasha, Aela, Veezara, come with me. The rest of you, wait here”.

   

  One of the Nord werewolves who changed back to his human form, stared at the barrel then turned to Sotek in alarm. He was scared and more than a bit concerned.
  “What? We were loyal to you?”

   

  Sotek paused as he glanced at the man then he realized what the pack was thinking. Sotek laughed then smiled as he shook his head.
  “Oh, don’t worry, this isn’t to deal with you. I might need you out there but for now I want you hidden. The hunt may be over, but the Blood Moon hasn’t started falling yet. Trust in me, I look after my own, and you all belong to me”. He then headed outside with Rikke and the others quickly following behind.

   

  The moment he stepped into the light, he stopped dead in his tracks. He cursed out quietly as he found himself once again temporarily blinded by the bright sunlight. A second later, he felt a familiar touch as Aela gripped his hand tightly. He strained to look across the black pool which was towards his left, but he didn’t need to see, he could easily detect the Shadowscale’s presence, by their scent.

  “Huinzi? I wondered when you would show up. Veezara, go sit with Kul-et. And for the love of Hircine, let me do the talking please”.

   

  The Collector stepped a few paces towards him.
  “You can talk all you like, you’re mine”.

   

  Sotek smirked at her which just aggravated Huinzi. He snapped at Sotek as he cast a disdainful look at Kul-et.
  “You’re in no position to smirk. Twenty legion troops are no match for ten Shadowscales”.

   

  Sotek laughed then nodded in agreement.
  “You’re absolutely right. How wrong you are”.

   

  “What?” Huinzi said as he quickly looked around to see if he had missed anything.

   

  Sotek howled out then stood aside as the nine werewolves stepped out from inside.
  “However, twelve werewolves and twenty legionnaires as well as the Companions are more than a match. I guess from your face that you didn’t see that one coming. I can’t blame you for that. I didn’t either. It was an erm… Pleasant surprise”.

   

  Shadow Walker approached him and spat at the ground.
  “We’ll still fight you, you bastard”.

   

  “And you’ll die”. Sotek stated. It was a simple deduction for anyone, at least he thought it was. “We out match you easily. However, this has to stop”.

   

  The Collector stepped forwards and stood alongside Shadow Walker.
  “If I may, Huinzi. I have a suggestion which will solve this stalemate, show off our strength and provide us with a little sport”.

   

  Sotek cast a quick sneaking glance at her.
  “And how do we achieve all of that?”

   

  “Simple, we could all fight, or it could just be say, me and you. Winner takes all”.

   

  Sotek nodded at her.
  “And so speaks the true power of Huinzi’s Shadowscales. You have mastery in almost every weapon, do you not?”

   

  “Indeed, but for fair play, I’ll spar with you for an hour, so you could at least see what weapon would be best suited for your inevitable demise…” Her voice trailed off as she eyed her dagger in Sotek’s belt. “That dagger was mine! I gave that to someone…” She looked initially remorseful but quickly shrugged it off. “No matter, I’ll reclaim it soon enough. Now, you prefer axes and spears, yes? We’ll play with spears first. I like spears as well”.

   

  Sotek held his hands up to her, stopping the sparing match before it even begun.
  “Before we do, there’s one thing I need to do. Kul-et, come here please”.

   

  Kul-et sheepishly approached him, but he simply whispered in her ear.
  “A fireball in the barrel please”.

   

  Kul-et looked inside the sanctuary but just stood there staring at it. Sotek glanced at her for a second, then spoke somewhat louder.
  “Ermm… Kul-et? Fireball?”

   

  “Sorry, what?” She nervously replied.

   

  Sotek dropped his shoulders as he repeated himself.
  “Shoot the barrel with a fireball”.

   

  Kul-et cast her spell then sent a single fireball into the sanctuary. Sotek immediately turned to face Huinzi, and waited for the inevitable sudden bang… Which never happened. He looked at the sanctuary again in disdain then spoke loudly to Kul-et.
  “I’ve got the Harbinger right there, look at him! All the Companions are watching. Rikki’s over there with her troops and even the bloody Shadowscale leaders watching. Hell and all of Oblivion… Even Aela’s looking at me like I’m bloody crazy. Don’t show me up in front of my mate. You’re making me look bad, shoot the bloody barrel”.

   

  Kul-et shrugged her shoulders at him.
  “I did. It’s just glowing, look”. She pointed inside the hideout where there was a feint glow at the back of the camber. She stepped forwards to investigate but Sotek grabbed her and pulled her back as the oil ignited.

   

  There was a horrendous boom as the barrels exploded, smothering every foot of the sanctuary with flames as the inferno spread out rapidly engulfing the entire complex. Sotek clapped sarcastically at the Argonian girl.
  “Oh well done. Go sit down! I’ll have words with you later”.

   

  He then turned back to the Collector, smiling as he spoke with his typical infuriating hiss.
  “Ssorry about that, sshe’s ermm, in training. Sspearss, wassn’t it?”