U.O.T.W. Chapter 32 Kodlak's Story

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    That evening when everyone was in the main hall having the evening meal, Vilkas stared across the table at Sotek and Aela who were both sitting together. Vilkas’s mind stretched back to the strange domain which Sheogorath created then called out to Sotek.

    “There’s something I don’t understand. How did you know?”

     

    Aela’s eyes closed for a few seconds as Sotek started to answer Vilkas’s line of questioning before deciding to answer herself.

    “We’re lov… We’ve slept together… Sotek’s scent was on me…”

     

    Vilkas interrupted by holding his hand up to her. His response was harsher than he intended so he quickly restrained himself.

    “Yes I know about that… I’m on about the three doors. You know, the woman, the man and the wolf”.

     

    Kodlak looked across the table with a confused expression on his face.

    “What doors?”

     

    Farkas clicked his fingers as he gawped at Sotek.

    “Yes, that’s a point. There were three doors. One had a picture of a farmer working his crops. One was of a wolf in a forest and the third was a lady selling bread. I initially thought me and Vilkas here should have gone through the man’s door and Aela should have picked the woman’s door, leaving Sotek to go through the wolf door”.

     

    Vilkas shook his head at Farkas.

    “That’s when I said ermm… It wasn’t so simple. But Sotek led us all through the woman’s door. How did you know we had to go through that one?”

     

    Aela burst out laughing as she pointed to Farkas.

    “Because you all whine like a bunch of girls”. Sotek and the Harbinger both joined in laughing while Farkas and Vilkas just stared at each other.

     

    Once they calmed down, Sotek reminded Vilkas about what they saw when they first approached the cave.

    “At the entrance there was a sign. What was on it?”

     

    Farkas stared blankly at Vilkas while Vilkas himself sat back and thought about the sign written in blood.

    “No man or beast has ever survived”.

     

    Sotek watched the marbles roll around in Vilkas’s head for a few seconds until Vilkas realized what he just said.

    “No man or beast has ever survived! The woman’s door was the only way out? That’s nasty”.

     

    Sotek nodded slightly as he whispered to himself.

    That’s Sheogorath alright… Nasty”.

     

    After a few minutes, Kodlak got up from the table picked up a chair and sat on it near the fire pit. Everyone in the hall fell silent while Sotek looked on with an air of confusion. Aela who was eating a handful of grapes by popping them into her mouth one at a time, leaned towards Sotek and whispered across to him. “He’s gonna tell a story”. Smiling, she turned back to the Harbinger.

     

    One day, many moons ago there was a warrior who went by the name of Tekos. Who, in his youth, fell in love with a beautiful girl. Over time he won her heart and she too fell in love with him. And so they built a house and lived there, by some woods, with a fresh water stream, running beside their home. They lived, they played, they were happy”.

     

    "But one day she fell ill, seriously ill in fact. He picked her up, then carried her to the temple. They cared for her every day while he prayed for her every morning and evening. However on the fourteenth day, she died, there at the very same temple".

    "Now he prayed every day, but over his loss he burst into the temple and strode angrily over to the shrine yelling at the Daedra. 'How dare you take her. I prayed to you but you took her away'”.  As the Harbinger spoke he waved his finger in the air for emphasis.

     

    “The Daedra’s voice boomed out around the temple. ‘Foolish mortal… You dare accuse mee!!! I shall have my revenge’. That frightened Tekos, and he ran to the home which his wife and himself had built together. He lived alone in his home until he died at the age of 76”.

     

    “Now what of the Daedra’s revenge? Well that was the clever part. The Daedra did…. Nothing!"

     

    “Every morning Tekos would get up, check his house, the wood, the stream and even himself to see what the Daedra did. Every hour he would watch his shadow. Every time he shut his eyes he feared what would be there when he opened them again while every night he slept in fear. Not once did he realize that his mind was the instrument of the Daedra’s revenge. His wife died when he was 36 but within a year of her death he was mad. So in the end the Daedra did get their revenge just by doing nothing….” With that he got up and returned to the table leaving the chair behind by the fire pit.

     

    Farkas jumped up excitedly and strode over towards the chair.

    “I got a story about a dragon”.

     

    Aela’s face turned white as panic took hold of her.

    “No, don’t you dare!!”

     

    “My story…” He stated as he held a hand to her. Fortunately for her, he didn’t mention anything before the moment when she tried to talk to Sotek.

    “...And every time she spoke to him it was ‘Huh huh’ or ‘Not yet’ with his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Now you all know Aela’s temper”.

    With that an apple flew past him smashing into the door, he just laughed then continued with his story. “Eventually she loses it big time… she grabbed his arms yelling at him. He slowly turns towards her, looks her right in the eyes and says ‘awww crap’ then BANG!”

     

    Farkas Slammed his foot down making some whelps jump.

    “Fire exploded everywhere, his back… Scorched from the flames”. While Farkas told his story he pointed to Sotek. “As he protected Aela using himself as a shield”.

     

    Aela reaches from under the table and squeezed Soteks hand. He responds by leaning in to her slightly so she could  snuggle up to him. Meanwhile Farkas carried on with the story.

    A dragon swoops down from nowhere. Its body as big as this hall”.

     

    Sotek laughs at him.

    “It wasn’t that big”.

     

    Farkas responded on the spot without thinking.

    “Yes it was… I was there you weren’t”.

     

    Sotek rolled his eyes at Aela who promptly burst out laughing. Farkas stopped due to the rude interruption, looked at them both, laughed himself then carries on with his story. He stood up, leaving the chair behind then started dramatically swinging his sword as he told the rest of  the tale of ‘Farkas and the dragon’.

     

    Soon after, Aela headed towards the Under Croft as she looked for the Harbinger. She passed Sotek who was coming up the stairs into the main hall.

    “Have you seen the Harbinger anywhere?”

     

    “Yes he’s down stairs waiting for you”. Without waiting for any further response, Sotek gave her a quick hug then carried on upstairs.

     

    Aela lightly held him as his words swam around her head.

    “What? I’m sorry what did you say?” She stated, not quite knowing if she heard him right.

     

    Sotek stopped his assent of the stairwell and glanced over his shoulder at her.

    “He’s down stairs, drinking one or two”. then after he gave her a quick smile he carried on up the stairs.

     

    Aela turned towards the doorway with a strong feeling that she had just missed something.

    “Oh… Ok”. A slight smile formed on her face for Sotek’s benefit before she resumed downwards towards the Under Croft.

     

    There at the far end of the corridor was Kodlak eating some bread with a flask of mead.

    “Harbinger were you waiting for me?” She asked as she tried to work out what Sotek said.

     

    “No, no… Why? Were you wanting to see me?” The Harbinger sat there calmly waiting for the conversation which Sotek said would happen.

     

    “Who me? No, I’m ok. I’m relieved this morning went ok. I was worried about it for ages, but I’m good”. Aela stated while her eyes twitched back and forth.

    Then they both just stayed there facing each other. Kodlak watching Aela, while she stood there watching him.

     

    After about a minute Aela snapped at him angrily.

    “He bloody told you I was going to have a word with you didn’t he?"

     

    “Who?” The Harbinger replied, acting as innocent as he could.

     

    “Bloody Sotek did”. She was now glaring angrily at the wall knowing full well Sotek had seen the Harbinger.

     

    Kodlak sighed as he mentally prepared himself for one of Aela’s typical outbursts.

    “Yes, yes he did mention it, but only cause he worries about you. At least we all know why now”.

     

    “When did he see you?”. She demanded as she started subconsciously tapping her foot.

     

    “Actually just after we five discussed things this morning”. With that the Harbinger sat back and watched Aela’s face turn pale.

     

    “Huh? Pardon? When? This morning? How the blazes did he know this morning? I’ve just decided myself to see you twenty minutes ago…” She sat in the spare chair as a wave of confusion swept over her as she desperately tried to figure out how he knew.

     

    “Yes. I fear if he ever turned to crime he would have the whole of Skyrim in his pocket within a month”. Kodlak gazed into the distance for a minute then suddenly came back to the present.

     

    “It’s my nightmare, it’s about wolves. In it I’m a wolf, the Alpha bitch. Every night there’s a black wolf who watches me. He cries for me… Then there’s the grey one… He bites me, forces himself…. On me… I can’t stop him…. He…” Then she burst into tears.

     

    The Harbinger sat her on his knee like a father would with an upset daughter and comforts her. They talked through the evening and into the long hours. A few times Kodlak noticed Sotek at the far end of the corridor sitting there watching them. He never approached nor called out but just sat there fully aware that Kodlak had seen him. He wouldn’t sit at the large table all the time, but just for an half hour here, half hour there before going off to only come back again.

     

    After they finished their talk, Aela wished the Harbinger a good night then headed down the corridor towards her room. Sotek was once again at the far end watching her. Upon seeing him, she walked over to him as he stood up. Aela’s voice was tired, like she had a long day. Too long a day with too much emotional strain.

    “I’m not ready for bed, just got too much going around at the moment. Can I ask a favour?…. Will you sit with me?”

     

    Sotek cupped his hand around the back of Aela’s head before kissing her on the forehead. Moments later he takes her hand and leads her upstairs. They head over to the fire pit where Sotek would sit if he felt too much pressure. He sat back leaning on a pillar with Aela sitting between his legs resting her head on his chest. She pulled his arms around herself wrapping herself in them, leaned right back in to him, then just closed her eyes.

     

    You know this is the first time we actually sat together properly inside the hall”. Her voice was a soft loving whisper.

     

    Sotek gazed at the pit thinking over the last few weeks.

    “Well one thingss for ssure, it won’t be the lasst”.

     

    “Nope this is our spot now. The others can learn to walk around us if they want to use the doors”.

     

    They talked for nearly an hour on basic light conversation staying away from anything heavy. Sotek quickly guessed that she just wanted to listen to someone, almost like she took comfort in knowing he was there. As Aela’s mind started to settle, her eyelids became heavy. Sotek felt her breathing slow as she slowly slid down from Soteks chest to end up resting her head on his lap as she drifted off into a deep sleep. Sotek sat there for another hour, then picked her up and carried her to her room where he laid her gently on her bed. He stretched out alongside her and held her in his arms as he himself fell asleep.

     

    Early the next morning Sotek awoke to see Farkas standing over him.

    “Get up. Vilkas has a job that needs doing so you’re up. Grab your gear, let’s go”.

     

    Aela stirred from her slumber. Sleepily she sat up. 

    “Huh? What’s going on”.

     

    Farkas took one look at her then smiled warmly.

    “Nothing major, get some sleep”. Within moments Aela’s head was laying on her pillow. Seconds later she was sleeping soundly.

     

    Sotek quietly put on his armor then picked up his pack while Farkas waited patiently by the doorway. Once Sotek was ready Farkas led him outside and along the path to the main gate. As they approached the Warmaiden’s near the small bridge, Sotek saw Vilkas waiting for them. Vilkas gave the Argonian a friendly wave then headed through the gate ahead of them, from there Vilkas took the lead, out towards the plains. Soon enough he came to a stop.

    “Right, Sotek drop your pack here. We got to get organised”.

     

    Sotek took his pack off then placed it with the other packs. As he still had no idea what they were doing there, he thought it prudent to ask for more information.

    “What’s the job. Kodlak never said anything about today. Mind you with everything that’s happened it’s hardly a surprise”.

     

    Vilkas walked over to him then smiled.

    “It’s a simple job really nothing too taxing. Basically you have a week”.

     

    Sotek looked around where they were, trying to see what they were on about. After rapidly drawing a blank he then scrutinized the two companions carefully.

    “A week to do what?”

     

    Farkas walked right up to his face and shoved him in the chest.

    “A week to break it off with Aela, nice and casual. Gently so she don’t get hurt”.

     

    Vilkas came behind him in a threatening manner.

    “We mean no offence but your an Argonian and she’s a Nord. She’s different as well so it just won’t work. You need to stop it, but not so she gets too upset”.

     

    Sotek turned to face Vilkas, and stepped right up to him. If Vilkas thought Sotek was going to be easily intimidated then he fell way short of the mark.

    “And If I don’t?”

     

    Farkas laughed as he puffed his chest out.

    “It would be better for you if you did”.

     

    Sotek glanced behind himself and gave Farkas a quick once over. He drew the obvious conclusion that they meant it.  

    “Very well... You leave me no choice”. The next second he head butted Vilkas in the face. His nose literally exploded smothering the pair of them with blood but a second later Sotek collapsed as Farkas kicked the back of his legs sending him to the ground. Farkas followed up with three heavy kicks to Soteks stomach.

     

    As he rolled over from the injury Vilkas grabbed him by the collar and savagely punched him four times in the face, then he gave Sotek a kick in the stomach himself.

    “One week... It’s over get it into your thick head. If anyone finds out she’ll be a laughing stock and both of you will never be accepted. Well we won’t let that happen, so end it”. Then he held a cloth over his nose as they made their way inside Whiterun leaving Sotek behind in the dirt.

     

    Sotek slowly pulled himself up. He tried to cast his healing spell but his mind was way too foggy so he slowly trudged his way back to Whiterun. Once he entered the gate he made his way to Arcadias cauldron. She offered him a healing potion but he quietly refused it. Instead he purchased a few herbs and set his mind on the task of making two potions. When they were ready he said his farewells to Arcadia and turned his attention to Jorrvaskr.

     

    Inside Aela looked horrified as she saw the state of him.

    “What the hell happened to you”.

     

    “I had a falling out with a bandit”.

     

    Kodlak the Harbinger called out to him.

    “That’s what Vilkas said about his nose”.

     

    Sotek nodded in agreement.

    “Same bandit”. He sat down on the step as Aela sat next to him, she passed him a healing potion but he politely turned down her offer. Aela hugged Sotek all the while he himself sat there staring at Vilkas and Farkas. Once his thoughts slowed down he tried once more to cast his healing spell. This time it worked and gradually his wounds healed over.

     

    Sotek got up from the step then addressed Vilkas as he did so he walked over to the table and poured himself out a large flask of mead.

    “Vilkas, thank you for your help earlier. I got a much better idea now on where I stand”.

     

    Aela looked at him hard due to the odd way in which he had spoken.

    “Where you stand?”

     

    Sotek smiled at her dismissing her interest in the conversation.  

    “Oh yes. He and Farkas gave me a lecture on footwork. Here Vilkas allow me”. Then Sotek picked up Vilkas’s flask and took it to the barrel of mead but as he filled it up he discretely emptied a small vial of liquid into the flask as well. “There you go, and thanks again”.

     

    Vilkas eyed him suspiciously but he took the flask all the same.

    “Thanks, just remember what we said”.

     

    Sotek looked at him slyly.

    “Oh I will don’t you worry about that”. Then he sat down with Aela and patiently waited.

     

    After about ten minutes Vilkas started yawning.

    “Oh I’m tired, that blow must have taken more out of me than I thought” With that he got up then slowly headed off to his bed.

     

    Sotek waited for a few minutes, then he got up after giving Aela a kiss.

    “I’m feeling rough too, I’m going to lay down for a few hours”. Then without another word he headed off downstairs.

     

    The Harbinger watched him walking off. As he did so the Harbinger shook his head as he studied Sotek’s body language.

    “As sharp as a razor”.

     

    “Pardon?” Aela asked.

     

    “His eyes watching everywhere, he isn’t tired. Farkas stay here, Aela come with me”. Then the two of them headed downstairs but once they entered the corridor Kodlak signalled to Aela to be very quiet.

     

    Sotek walked inside Vilkas’s room to find him fast asleep, however Sotek wasn’t at least one bit surprised. He pulled out a second small Vial and placed it on the side table then he bound Vilkas’s hands and feet before finally gagging him. He pulled the gag down a little then poured the contents of the vial down Vilkas’s throat then immediately afterwards he replaced the gag.

     

    After a minute or so Vilkas woke up with a start. Sotek gave him a smile then gently slapped him on the side of the face a few times until he had Vilkas’s attention.

    “Good your awake I was beginning to get worried that I might have used too much potion, but obviously not. Now I listened to you and Farkas so you’re going to listen to me now”. Vilkas struggled to move and shout but all he could do was murmur quietly.

     

    Sotek checked the bonds then he continued to speak.

    “Now I actually appreciate you both looking out for her, but no I’m not breaking it up with Aela; whatever it is we’ve got. I know we’re not a normal pairing. Yes I’m Argonian and as you pointed out she’s a Nord but I have a connection with her. I don’t know what it is, but it’s there, so this is what I propose. I’ll look after her, and protect her but you must let this run its course. If she decides she isn’t interested then I’ll back off, right off and I’ll see to it that she gets the minimal of hurt from it. However there’s a but, I want the opportunity for it to work. I need you both to give it a chance. If you do that, then I promise I’ll protect her and look after her... Can you do that?”

     

    Vilkas nodded then Sotek cut off the gag.

    “Untie me. You have my word we won’t interfere but I swear if you hurt her in any way... We’ll see to it that you‘ll regret it. You’ll regret every tear she has, you remember that”.

     

    Sotek cut the bonds with the dagger he used for the gag then stood back away from him.

    “Agreed”.

     

    At that moment Aela pushed past the Harbinger and bust into the room.

    “You pair of bastards!!! How the hell dare you interfere in my private life... You pile of horse crap!!” As she spoke she drew her dagger and tried to stab Vilkas in the leg.

     

    Sotek quickly held her and pulled her back. Aela’s hand grabbed him by the throat, and held him tightly as she glared at Vilkas.

    “If you two interfere again, I swear I’ll scar  both your bloody legs”. Once Vilkas was forewarned of stepping beyond his boundaries, she then turned towards Sotek. “If you ever touch me like that again I’ll tear your bloody skin off your corpse... I dare you!!!” As she spoke she thrust her dagger under Soteks chin. He felt the cold tip press against his throat as he tried to back away. Moving away from Sotek, Aela walked up to Vilkas and stabbed the side table as hard as she could embedding the dagger into the wood. She turned around then headed out dragging Sotek by the arm as she did so leaving the dagger sticking out of the table as a reminder of her threat. She cursed out loudly as she headed off to her room. “The nerve of those two bastards”.

     

    Sotek managed to slow her down a bit, then gently pulled her into his arms.

    “Hey, don’t be so harsh they were only looking out for you”.

     

    “What, by beating up my bloody boyfriend? Great”. Then she shouted down the corridor at Vilkas who was just sitting there with the Harbinger standing over him. “If I want my boyfriend beaten up then I’ll bloody do it!!! You cunts leave him the hell alone, and where the hell is that bastard Farkas”.

     

    The Harbinger came over to them then gently gave Aela a hug.

    “I’ll sort it out, you just leave it to me. Sotek get yourself upstairs in the hall. Aela, go out to the plains for a few hours... Get some ermm air, go on you’ll feel better for it”.

     

    Aela gave the Harbinger a quick hug then she hugged Sotek but this time she clung on tightly.

    “Yes maybe I should. I could do with a run, ermm a hunt. I’ll be back in a few hours or so”. Then she gave him a kiss and headed off outside.

     

    A good few hours later she came back to the hall. She seemed much happier in herself but when she passed Farkas she growled at him making him flinch nervously.

     

     

Comments

9 Comments   |   SpookyBorn2021 and 1 other like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 29, 2016
    Thanks for pointing those errors out Relycs. Fixed, fixed and fixed.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 29, 2016
    Thanks Relycs.
    I don't follow lore but Ido try to ask myself one question when I write.
    'Is it possible in the world of TES?'
     
    Aww rats. I still have the word change to look at.
    At that moment Aela pushed past the Harbinger ...  more
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  March 29, 2016
    This could have gone worse.... for the brothers.

    It appears like everything is possible in this story, without feeling wrong or misplaced. Great chapter!
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  September 15, 2015
    Aww For howling out loud... 3 errors? Sloppy, sorry about that. Fixed, fixed and fixed.
    I've looked at your suggestion and tweaked it slightly.
    Sotek sat there for another hour, then picked her up and carried her to her room where he laid her ...  more
  • FlameLord
    FlameLord   ·  September 15, 2015
    A few suggestions/errors:
    1.Sotek tuned to face Vilkas, and stepped right up to him. Turned, not tuned
    2.Nope this is our spot now. The others can learn to walk around dus if they want to use the doors”. Remove the d from us.
    3.Aela head...  more
  • FlameLord
    FlameLord   ·  September 15, 2015
    Maybe, you bloody pair of "troll shit/s", or "horse dung" perhaps, instead of pricks?
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  May 31, 2015
    What would they call a prick in skyrim? I know you want a strong word. I shall sleep on it and get back to you. Dream of Skyrim and all the terrible ways we want to insult people in our narratives. LOL
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  May 31, 2015
    I'm open to suggestions for a better word. It don't have to be a swear word either.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  May 31, 2015
    Yeah, the twins do some stupid things in my narrative too. 
    You think "prick" is appropriate? Not for the blog, their swear filter is very lax, so I'm not asking for that reason, but do you think the word "prick" would be used in Skyrim? I've heard ...  more