U.O.T.W. Chapter 297 The Mystery Man

• Posted by Sotek July 25, 2018 - Filed in TSC: CB Story - 1,209 views

  

  

   

  Sasha awoke early, she walked quietly to Sotek’s door and smiled to herself as she listened to him and Aela sleeping. She decided not to wake them but instead she headed off downstairs. The inn was quiet, so she just sat by the fireplace and threw a few blocks of wood into the fireplace.
  “Morning”. Olav called out as he came in from the kitchen area.

   

  As Sasha turned around to say ‘hello’, she noticed a figure sitting in the far corner. The Imperial was clad in a grey cloak and hood. As he supped on a flask of ale, he kept a watchful eye on her, almost like he was studying her.

   

  At that moment, Sotek stirred. He half opened his eyes to see Aela staring straight at him. She was laying on top of him with her chin resting on her arms which were crossed over his chest.
  “Yaay, it’s awake”.

   

  Sotek feigned a painful groan.
  “Oh Hircine, it’s you”.

   

  She gave him a light slap on the face as she growled at him.
  “Who else were you expecting? Sasha?”

   

  Sotek smirked at her as her face turned mockingly sour.
  “I was dreaming that I was in Bruma with Aela the Huntress. She was kind, loving, and oh, soo sweet. Ahh well, back to reality”.

   

  Aela grabbed him between the legs. Instantly his eyes shot wide open as they fixed on her intense threatening stare.
  “Tell me, am I not sweet, loving, kind and caring? Say yes or I’ll tear your friggin nuts off”.

   

  As Sotek garbled out his reply, Aela couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer desperation in his voice.
  “You’re sweet and loving, let me go…”

   

  She let him go then climbed off him, smiling as she did so.
  “Oh yes, I’ve still got the touch”.

   

  Sotek huffed at her as he started getting his armour on.
  “Threatening someone isn’t exactly having ‘the touch’, is it?”

   

  She stood there in just her loin cloth, with a hand resting on her hip, giving Sotek a typical taste of her full-on attitude. She replied while poking herself in the chest.
  “It is in my book, and as that’s the book our relationship’s based on, so yes”.

   

  Sotek never heard what she had said. He was too intent on watching her breasts wobble as she tapped herself in the chest.
  “What?”

   

  Aela shook her head then turned around and headed to a small table where her clothes and armor was.
  “You heard me, snake!”

   

  Once they were both dressed, they headed downstairs but the moment Sotek opened the door he froze for a second, then quickly turned to Aela.
  “There’s someone else here”.

   

  She left the room and stood above the stairway, then sniffed at the morning air.
  “I can’t smell anyone else. Sasha’s downstairs and so is Olav”.

   

  Sotek quietly growled, as he sniffed the air once more.
  “There’s someone else, but the scent, it’s strange”.

   

  Aela shrugged her shoulders then headed down the stairwell.
  “Well, let’s go see”. She led as they made their way downstairs to the inn. Sasha was sitting at the round table where they had their evening meal the night before. Aela joined her as Sotek approached the bar.

   

  As Aela sat down she scanned the room. True enough, there in the far corner was the same Imperial who studied Sasha. He now sat there studying Aela and Sotek as well. Aela whispered over to Sasha quietly.
  “Who’s that?”

   

  Sasha shook her head slightly.
  “I’ve no idea. He’s been sitting there for over an hour, just drinking that flask”.

   

  Sotek cast a quick glance at the man at the far table, then turned his attention to Olav.
  “Can we have two meals please, nothing heavy though. Oh yess, and a few apples. Actually, the Imperial at the table, has he eaten?”

   

  Olav shuffled about nervously as he looked over to the man.
  “Emm no, he hasn’t”.

   

  “Good, three light meals, and three apples please, and four ales. Might as well start the day ready for what it brings”. Sotek waited there for the bread and carved meat then walked over to the far table carrying everything on a tray. “Hi. Are you willing to trade?”

   

  The Imperial looked up at him from under his cloak. Sotek guessed he was about forty, but he couldn’t be sure.
  “Trade?” The man asked as he peered from beneath his hood.

   

  “Yes, trade by means of a simple yet satisfying commerce. One meal and an ale for some basic information on Bruma. We’re new to Cyrodiil. We’re from Skyrim, so you see we don’t know our way around much. Well, at all to be honest”.

   

  “Yea, but you’re not though are you”. The man’s voice was blunt and heavy. He wasn’t being overly friendly and for all Sotek’s troubles he couldn’t work out why.

  
  “I’m ermm… Not what?”

   

  “Honest. I can tell by your hands, you’re a thief and a pickpocket. You’ve got skills. See? Your eyes betray you, I can always tell”.

   

  Sotek gave a light-hearted snigger, then placed his axe on the table. Aela’s eyes went wide as she watched him, her own hand slowly moved behind her to grab her bow. Sotek stopped moving then slowly turned to face her.

  
  “Aela, eat your meal, drink your ale, and leave your weapons alone”. Then he turned back to the Imperial. “I’ve an axe, and a dagger, does that make me a murderer? I’ve a quill and a pot of ink as well, so does that make me a scribe”.

   

  The man grunted at him then pointed discreetly below the table.
  “I’ve a dagger two inches from your belly”.

   

  Sotek chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. After everything he had been through of late, some stranger making a half assed attempt at intimidating him wasn't going to work.
  “I don’t care. You could have ten for all the difference it makes to me. It's been that sort week”.

   

  The Imperial paused for a few seconds as he studied Sotek. He found Sotek’s face hard to read, but one thing stood out. He rapidly put the dagger away after concluding that Sotek really didn’t care at all.
  “Skyrim’s Thieves Guild aren’t welcome here, go home. You’re nothing but a bunch of bandits”.

   

  Sotek readily agreed.
  “Bandits, murderers and thugs, it sums up the Thieves Guild in Riften perfectly. If you can call that a guild. But we aren’t thieves, and we are most certainly not in that guild”.

   

  “What do they call you?”

   

  Sotek offered his hand across the table.
  “Allow me to introduce myself and my comrades. That Argonian is Sasha, she’s thinking of joining the Fighters Guild here in Bruma. That Nord over there, who is insistent on holding her bow, is Aela the Huntress from Whiterun. She’s a Companion”.

   

  The Imperial nodded at her and gave her a weak smile.
  “I’ve heard of you, Huntress. The Companions fight with honour they say, all over Skyrim. But who are you?”

   

  “I’m Sotek, Companion of Whiterun”. Sotek stated as he took a sip of his drink.

  “Sotek? Sotek... Nope, never heard of you”.

   

  Sotek smiled warmly at the news.
  “Good, I find reputation often gets in the way. It’s seldom useful and makes a lot of noise. What can you tell me about the guilds in Cyrodiil?”

   

  The Imperial studied him for another few seconds then decided to play along.
  “Well there’s the Fighters Guild, in most of the holds, same as the Mages Guild. But there’s rumours of a Thieves Guild here, but no one knows anything about that, so it’s probably a myth made up from the guards to allow their curfews and searches”.

   

  Sotek nodded then sheaved his axe as he left the table.
  “Thank you for the information. Enjoy your meal. I’ll leave you in peace, friend”. He then sat alongside Aela and ate his apples.

   

  As they went to leave, the Imperial got up as well. He stepped behind Sasha then exited the inn and headed straight towards the shops, while the Companions all joined up in a group outside the inn. As they made their way along the streets, Sotek started looking for an alchemist’s shop.

  “Come on, let’s see what Bruma has to offer”. They made their way to the third level where the shops were apparently located, but as they made their way there, Sotek saw a beggar laying on an old worn bedroll, amongst some bushes. He shook his head disdainfully as he saw the condition of the beggar’s clothes. “Actually, let’s find a blacksmith”.

   

  Aela stopped dead in her tracks.
  “A blacksmith? Whatever for?”

   

  He pointed to the beggar then whispered to her.
  “Something he needs to do”. They eventually found the blacksmith at the end of the street, towards the north side of the town. It was situated by itself almost like it was in solitary. He approached the blacksmith, who introduced himself as Fjotreid, and started bartering for some leathers and furs. Once the materials were in his possession, Sotek proceeded to set to work.

   

  Aela sat by the forge as she watched him work the leathers. She waited patiently but Sasha walked back and forth, pacing around him.
  “What in Oblivion are you doing? What does the beggar need to do?”

   

  Sotek tried to ignore her, but in the end, he had to answer.
  “I’m making an armour set, nothing fancy, just the basics. I’ll be as quick as I can”.

   

  As he worked the forge, the Blacksmith, Fjotreid, couldn’t help but comment on his skill.
  “You’ve worked a forge before, and you certainly know what you’re doing. Who trained you?”

   

  Sotek smiled as he carried on working.
  “I’m lucky enough to have two trainers. Adrianne in Whiterun, and Eorlund at the Skyforge in Whiterun. They’re my masters, as it were”. Once he finished, he added his mark to the armour, a small snake in the shape of an ‘s’.

   

  The blacksmith picked up the chest piece and examined it. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat puzzled.
  “You have the skill, and yet the armour’s not that strong, and it’s got way too much fur. It’s like it’s not meant for combat. What’s it for?”

   

  Sotek smirked as he nodded in agreement.
  “You’ve a good eye, Fjotreid. Did I pronounce that right? Hsss. No, it’s not designed for combat. Well… Actually yes, but only to combat the cold, not against weapons. Come on Aela, Sasha’s wearing a hole in the ground. Let’s go”.

   

  He thanked the Blacksmith for the use of his forge then headed off to the beggar. As he approached the man, the Blacksmith called out to him.
  “Watch it, they ‘re diseased”.

   

  Sotek stopped then turned back to Fjotreid.
  “Then surely they need to be given more care”.

   

  He knelt down at the beggar’s side then gently shook him, waking him from his sleep.
  “Urgg, what? Leave me alone, I’m not hurting anyone”.

   

  Sotek placed the fur outfit alongside the beggar.
  “Here, put these on, they’ll be warmer”. He also placed his bedroll on the ground as well.

   

  The beggar laid there, studying him, suspecting some mean trick.
  “No, you’ll call the guard and have me arrested for thieving”.

   

  Sotek laughed then looked across the street, true enough there was a guard on patrol.
  “Hey guard, over here”.

   

  The guard looked across at them then cursed out loudly.
  “Now what’s that blasted beggar done”.

   

  The beggar looked horrified as the guard approached them but Sotek pointed to the furs and bedroll.
  “That’s his bedroll, and his fur armour. He’s giving it to the beggar. Make sure he still has it later, cause if for whatever reason he doesn’t then…”

   

  The guard took a step back and scratched his head while Aela sniggered. She stepped forwards and intervened.
  “Sotek, you are getting flustered. Here, let me explain. Guard? Are you paying attention? Sotek here, is giving the beggar a set of fur clothes and a clean… ish… Bedroll. If I find out for whatever reason that he no longer has these items, then I’ll come looking for you. Do you understand that?”

   

  “You can’t go around threatening the guards. This isn’t Whiterun. Mind you, you shouldn’t threaten them either. Kodlak will have both our necks!” Sotek declared as he was taken aback by Aela’s attitude.

   

  “Kodlak? Harbinger of the Companions?” The guard asked.

   

  “Yea”. Aela stated. She felt rather surprised that the name was recognised in Cyrodiil. “He is our Harbinger. What of it?”

   

  “Companions? Ermm yes. I will keep an eye on the beggar. Your reputation is well known from the various bandits who tried to flee Skyrim. A ermm… Vilkas and a Farkus?”

   

  “Farkas. Yes, he is also a Companion. They both are”. Aela said as she started tapping her foot. “What of those oafs?”

   

  “The border guards come here to drink and relax. They often speak of the Companions. So, I guess you are Aela? Yes… They said you had a fiery temper”. The guard looked at the furs and bedroll, he gave a quick estimate as to how much gold’s worth was actually there. “Ermm, that’s nearly a hundred gold’s worth. Your giving all that to him? But why?”

   

  Sotek looked around the town scornfully.
  “Why? Because no one else has, that’s why. Why hasn’t any one else?” He then picked up the old worn bedroll and threw it on a pyre that was burning close by.

   

  The beggar called out to him just as suspicious as ever.
  “What do you want from me?”

   

  As Sotek started walking off he turned to the beggar and shook his head.
  “Nothing”.

   

  Aela held him in her arms then smiled at him after giving him a kiss.
  “You’re skint again, aren’t you?”

   

  Sotek sighed then nodded.
  “Yess”.

   

  As they walked away, the figure in the grey cloak watched them closely. Then he moved towards the beggar and started talking to him.

   

  Sasha gently tugged Sotek’s arm, making him stop. She looked up at him but shook her head at him.
  “Why do that? You’re now penniless. You’re as poor as that beggar over there. Ha! I bet he actually has more gold than you do right now”.

   

  “Sasha, you don’t get it, that’s fair enough. Hell and Oblivion, Aela’s been with me for nearly a year and she don’t get it either”.

   

  “Is it about saving your soul? It’s about repaying debt to society from some savage destruction you wrought against a village or something?”

   

  Sotek laughed as he watched Sasha try to figure him out.
  “I could ransack this entire town and put every building to the torch. Slaughter everyone within its walls and even include Aela and you in the carnage. Would Hircine look down at me for that? Like hell he will, he’ll gloat in the killing of the prey, and when I die welcome me just as he would if I walk away and leave the town as it is. It’s not about saving my soul. It’s about making a difference, that’s what you don’t understand. You’re no longer a Shadowscale, stop thinking like one”. He then poked her hard in the chest, literally forcing her to take a step back. “Try in your life to make a difference”.

   

  Sasha thought for a few seconds then looked back at the beggar, who was once again alone. She realised just how half starved he actually was. Nearby were the shops. She walked towards them with Sotek and Aela hot on her heels then they entered a shop. It was basically a general store, which was named Nova Roma. Inside, the shop was laid out nicely and certainly well organised. Aela laughed as she looked around.
  “I swear, Belethor’s the only miscreant trader in the whole of Tamriel”.

   

  Sasha approached the owner, an Elf by the name of Suurootan.
  “Hi, what food do you have?”

   

  “Welcome to Nova Roma, I have some fresh bread and fruit available at the moment”.

   

  “I’ll have one loaf and ten gold’s worth of fruit please”. But she stopped suddenly when she went to her pouch. She turned to Sotek cursing. “I’ve been robbed”.

   

  Aela instantly moved her hand to her side, but thankfully her pouch was still there.
  “Here, I’ll pay”.

   

  She handed out the gold then they left the store with Sasha cursing out loudly.
  “That bloody no good beggar, he’s a blasted thief. See Mr good intentions”.

   

  Sotek sniffed her side then stood up and scrutinized their surroundings.
  “It wasn’t the beggar, it’s that Imperial. He must have swiped it as you left the Inn”.

   

  Aela disagreed.
  “Nope, I can’t smell him”.

   

  Sotek started searching the streets until he saw an Imperial walking towards them.
  “That’s him, ermm”.

   

  Sasha laughed.
  ”How can he be, he had long blond hair, and blue eyes. His are brown and he has black hair”.

   

  Aela looked at her funnily.
  “What are you on.? He had brown short hair”.

   

  Sotek disagreed with the pair of them.
  “He had black hair, blue eyes, and a scar running down the left cheek”.

   

  Aela pointed to the Imperial who was now quite close to them.
  “Yes well, he doesn’t have a scar, and he has brown eyes. So, you’re wrong”.

   

  “My senses are telling me I’m right”. As the Imperial went past, Sotek bumped into him slightly. “Oh, excuse me, how clumsy I am. I do apologise”.

   

  The Imperial smiled at him.
  “No need, there’s no harm done”. With that informal apology, he walked on past.

   

  As they headed off towards the Fighters Guild ,Sotek suddenly stopped.
  “That imperial. What did he look like? I can’t remember”.

   

  Aela laughed at him, but then her face turned serious.
  “You know what, nor can I”.

   

  Sasha just shrugged.
  “Don’t ask me, how weird’s that. Come on, else we’ll never get there”. She took the food to the tramp who thanked her then he started tearing at the bread, eating it hurriedly, like he was afraid she would take it away from him. Once he realised that she wasn’t going to, he slowed down as he ate. Sasha smiled warmly at him then led the others off towards the direction of the shops.

   

  They soon located the Fighters Guild on the second level of the town, but only once a guard pointed them in the right direction. Their destination was the middle building in a row of three. Situated next door was the Mages Guild. The Fighters Guild had large red tapestries of a large sword pointing down the middle of them. They were hanging outside the building, clearly marking it as the Fighters Guild. Sotek laughed as they examined the outside.
  “How the hell did we miss that?”

   

  Aela scoffed at him as she slapped his shoulder.
  “Because we were following you, ya great twit. Come on”. She walked up to the doors, then pushed them open and headed inside.